AN. Here's a long one for you chaps hope you enjoy the wholesome chapter

The Road To Recovery

Golden streaks laced the world, ushering in the quiet grandeur of dawn. The first threads of sunlight drifted through the dense forest canopy, spilling over moss-covered boulders and tracing winding paths, carefully unfurling over each untouched inch of earth. At last, it pooled around a familiar campsite, its warm embrace settling over packed dirt, a fire pit dusted with ash, and marks left by boots and paws alike.

Slowly, the sun's patient reach extended into a shallow cave, tendrils of light inching forward, as if on a mission. Eventually, its warm fingers crept toward me, intent on prying my eyes open with their soft insistence.

With a groggy grunt, I cracked my eyes open, my violet irises reluctantly meeting the morning. I blinked against the light, the remnants of sleep still clinging to me. Scanning my surroundings, I found myself immediately drawn to the figure curled up beside me—a cobalt-furred Lucario, her chest rising and falling softly with each breath. The sunlight, perhaps conspiring, wormed its harsh rays over her eyes, disturbing her peaceful slumber. 'Different world, same relentless celestial nuisance', I thought, silently cursing the being responsible for keeping the sun's morning torch lit.

Brows furrowed, she turned, hiding her face from the intrusive light and shifting slightly against my side. I studied the way her ear twitched every so often, responding to a sound only she could hear. My eyes traced the patterns of her fur, noting subtle shades in the blue that reminded me of deep lakes and twilight skies. Her usual fierce demeanor was softened in sleep, the sharpness gone from her expression.

Moving carefully, I slipped out of our bedding and made my way out of the cave, snagging a Lapapa berry for breakfast. I took in the scene before me—a mist-clad forest bathed in gold—and a sense of appreciation washed over me. Over the last few weeks, our campsite had evolved from a barely-habitable clearing to a well-maintained refuge, comfortable yet seamlessly woven into the forest's natural beauty.

After a few stretches, I began to jog along what had quickly become my usual route around the crater. Lush greenery blurred past as I kept a steady pace; deep, even breaths marking the rhythm of my steps as gravel crunched underfoot, accompanied by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds. Each morning, I'd test the limits of my new abilities—running ditches into the ground, pushing my strength and endurance in ways I'd never thought possible. Squats with boulders on my shoulders had confirmed that I was stronger than I had any right to be.

Returning to camp marked the end of my warm-up, and I quenched my thirst from the water collector Luna and I had rigged up together. I let out a heavy sigh, my thoughts turning back to her. Over the past few weeks, Luna's healing had been nothing short of remarkable. Whether it was due to her natural resilience, the healing berries I'd added to our meals (a necessity, given her habit of driving me toward tomato berry bankruptcy), or both, I couldn't say. But she was now able to walk comfortably and even handle light chores. Not that she stopped there, of course. Every time I tried to keep her from heavier tasks, her fierce determination made short work of my arguments.

Settling into push-ups, my thoughts drifted further. I'd eventually given up trying to convince her to rest, lest she finally wear me down entirely in our ongoing battles of wits. My attempts to have her take the bedding solo didn't go much better; apparently, Nanab trees were easier to move than her on that subject. So, I had two choices: end the arguments and accept our—Ahem— 'close' sleeping arrangements or leave her to sleep on the floor—though, let's be honest, that was never really an option.

As my mind wandered, I suddenly felt a familiar weight settle on my back. It took a second to confirm my suspicions, but a quick glance over my shoulder was all I needed. Shifting slightly, I heard her soft, measured voice break the silence. "Good morning, Jack. I trust you slept well?" A faint tension at the corner of her lips—a subtle, almost imperceptible tug—hinted at the smirk hiding there, just daring me to notice.

"That I did, Luna. Though I take it I serve as an adequate pillow?" I replied dryly, rewarded with a slightly more visible smile.

"Oh, indeed, my dear human. As always, you're fulfilling your duties as my seat quite admirably." Her words dripped with mock sincerity, but a warmth behind her teasing had become familiar over the past weeks.

My eye twitched, though her antics didn't bother me in the slightest. By now, I knew her well enough to see that this was her way of lowering her guard, letting me glimpse the cracks in her usual proud facade. Ever since I rescued her that second time and she began healing, we'd settled into this routine.

She stretched lazily, her claws grazing my shoulders as she yawned, momentarily baring sharp canines that, despite their intimidating look, held no threat for me. In the comfortable silence that followed, I could hear the forest slowly coming to life around us—leaves rustling in a light breeze, birds beginning their morning chatter, and the gentle trickle of a nearby stream blending with the soft symphony of the woods.

Then, in a voice far too sweet to bode well for me, she continued. "Now, Jack, since you started without me, I assume you're following my routine adequately?"

It all started innocently enough; initially, I was just running exercises to test my body, gradually increasing the intensity to gauge my new limits. But then Luna got wind of my routine. She'd promptly "corrected" my methods, claiming my approach was "playtime" and "hardly challenging for a cub." My protests hadn't held up long, and in the end, she'd overhauled my entire training regimen, basing it on the rigorous standards of her clan. Needless to say, I quickly found the end of what I'd once thought was boundless stamina, often leaving me in a broken heap while she handled the morning chores until I recovered.

"Yes… Luna… 203, 204 now," I managed between breaths.

An approving hum came from her, still balanced on my back. "Good. Six more, and then we move on to aura training. There will be no sparing today."

When she first mentioned aura training almost two weeks ago, I thought she might be a little crazy. After all, I was from a completely different world; I assumed I wouldn't have any aura to train. But apparently, she saw potential, something I still couldn't quite grasp.

Finally, I hit the 210th push-up, allowing myself to collapse, breathless and slightly dazed. Luna slid off my back with a graceful leap, giving me an appraising look as I hauled myself upright.

"Not bad, human," Luna remarked, her usual intensity softened by a small smile. "Though I hope you don't think that was the hard part."

"Oh, of course not," I replied with a grin, wiping the sweat from my brow. "Wouldn't want to disappoint my drill sergeant, would I?"

A quiet chuckle escaped her, and my mind drifted back to last week, cringing as I recalled how hellish it had been. Today was a "rest day," as Luna put it, with only the "bare minimum exercise to avoid weakness," according to my personal slave driver.

Two weeks ago: The Crater

The cool dirt beneath me was a blessing as I lay there, nothing more than a panting, broken mess. Suppressing a wince from the many bruises that littered my form, I glanced to my side. There, sitting atop a boulder overlooking the lake, was the cause of my current state.

Luna was a sight to behold in the morning light, her back turned to me. She was perfectly still—no swaying tail, no flicking ears. Even her breathing was so faint it was barely noticeable.

Grimacing, I pushed myself to my feet, nearly stumbling as my knee buckled unexpectedly. I made my way toward her, trying to ignore how effortlessly she had put me through the wringer. Only a few days ago, she had barely been able to walk; now, she could put me on the ground with ease. 'Yeah… Pokémon are ridiculously strong.' When I was only a few steps away she spoke without looking at me. "Join me."

I stopped in my tracks, tilting my head curiously before making my way over and settling beside her. As I took my seat atop the mound of rock, I caught her eye. She looked back, the corners of her muzzle tightening just enough to show her canines in what I took as approval.

"I'm honestly impressed, Jackson," she began. "At first, I doubted a human could handle the strain of Lucario warrior training, but you endured it admirably without complaint. I'm… pleasantly surprised."

I felt my eye twitch. 'She hadn't thought I could handle it?' Her praise softened the sting, though, and a smile slipped onto my face. Before I could respond she quickly added, "That being said… I'd like you to meditate with me."

Her words came out in a rush, and I blinked, confused. "You want me to… meditate with you? Why?"

She turned her head away slightly, speaking almost in a whisper. "Because I want to help you train your aura."

I stared at her for a moment before pointing a finger at myself. "Uh, Luna… I don't think I have much of an affinity for aura—if I even have any to begin with."

She turned to me fully, her mouth dropping open in disbelief. For a moment, she just stared, then burst into laughter, her stern "master" demeanor completely forgotten. "Jack," she managed between giggles, "you have talent—I can literally sense it. You have a substantial reserve… well, for a human."

She flashed a rare, sly smirk, and I found myself chuckling. "If you say so, Luna. I'll try, but I make no promises." " I managed still a tad bit disbelieving.

"Great. But before we begin, you have to promise not to share this with anyone." She fixed me with a serious look. I just raised an eyebrow, un-phased by her attempt to be intimidating. Her expression grew sterner, which somehow made her even cuter.

She sighed and elaborated, "Aura is present in everything—earth, trees, insects, wildlife, Pokémon, and even humans. Lucario, though, have a greater innate control over our aura. While it's easier for us to form, use, and manipulate it, we still need to train it carefully. This kind of training is usually kept secret, to ourselves, only shared in special circumstances."

She stopped, allowing me to absorb the plectra of information which was presented to me. "Special circumstances?" I asked.

Her cheeks turned a faint purple, and she looked away. "Yes. It's typically shared with a junior in training, a parent teaching their cub, siblings, or… partners."

I stared into her crimson irises and continued pushing as much strength and conviction into my voice as I could "Luna I swear by everything I stand for that I would not show another soul your technique"

She looked at me for a moment, her eyes faintly glazed in a blue haze. Finally, she nodded, her once-erect ears slowly relaxing. "But… before we start, I have to ask—why? Why would you train with me? Why are you willing to teach something so sacred to you and your people?"

Her tufted ears drooped further, flattening against her skull. Her voice was sincere, free of any trace of pride or pretense. "It's because I owe you a debt, one I don't think I could ever fully repay. You saved my life—twice—and basically nursed me back to health… It's the least I could do-"

I felt a warmth rise in my chest and, without thinking, pulled her into a gentle hug, choosing to ignore the metallic spike pressing against me as I rested my chin atop her head. "Luna, I appreciate what you're offering, but… you don't owe me a damn thing."

I paused, waiting to see if she would pull away, but she stayed, her ears twitching slightly against me.

"You just being here is more than enough, to simply engage in idle conversation or answer any of my seemingly stupid questions makes me more than grateful to you, not to mention all help you give me, honestly you could have remained silent in bed healed up and left me to my solitude" I pulled back giving her a soft expression

"But, you became my friend… the first I had in years, so I would say we're more than even" There I went again, calling her a friend and unlike last time I meant it, not even a drop of doubt or a single cynical remark graced my mind at the word's use.

A genuine smile graced her muzzle this time fully revealing the ends of her fangs before she nodded and returned to her position.

I settled beside her, crossing my legs and taking a deep breath. "Alright," I said with a steady exhale, "where do we begin?"

Back To Present

Once more, I found myself seated next to the bipedal jackal who'd somehow become my teacher and friend. I crossed my legs, closed my eyes, and let myself fall inward with a breath, releasing the outside world one heartbeat at a time. The familiar sensations faded: no wind sweeping through my hair, no heat atop my sunkissed flesh, even the roar of the waterfall blending into silence.

I sank deeper and deeper. There was no ground beneath me now, not even the sensation of my own breath, only darkness stretching endlessly, until finally, a flickering light appeared—a faint purple flame, small as an ember but persistent against the void. Drawn to it, I moved closer. Its subtle glow reached for me, growing with every step I took, though I hardly noticed. I was entranced by it, captivated by the way it danced, as though it held secrets only I could unlock.

I raised a hand, tentative, as if to grasp it. But before my fingers could reach, the ember surged into a brilliant indigo blaze, filling the space with shifting shades of violet and purple, a roaring bonfire that burned with a light both fierce and wild. I hesitated only for a moment, took one final breath, and stepped into the flame.…

Pain shot through me, raw and piercing, as though the fire had seared through every fiber of my being. My body convulsed against the onslaught, muscles tensing, senses overwhelmed. I bit down hard, tasting blood, my fingers digging into my flesh allowing a viscus liquid to pool into my palms as I fought to remain steady. But I held fast, determined. It would pass—it had to. I'd endured worse. What was a few minutes of agony compared to everything else I'd been through? Then, as abruptly as it had come, the pain ceased, slipping away like a phantom, leaving me standing in silence.

Opening my eyes, I expected to see the forest, to feel the comforting presence of Luna nearby. But instead, I was greeted by a cold, dark room, the artificial glow of monitors casting ghostly shadows over a maze of cables. I recognized this place immediately—it was a memory that had haunted me, a scene that never left.

I looked down and saw him; a young man, his auburn hair tousled, eyes fixed intently on a screen. He turned, his voice a rough southern drawl that I remembered too well. "So, Captain," he said, grinning, "after this mission, you and the missus finally gonna retire and settle down?"

Before I could process what was happening, my own voice answered, as though I were watching a play, the words slipping out in a familiar rhythm. "Oh, shove it, Hunter. I'm only twenty-eight, and Del's a year younger. We're not going anywhere yet. And be careful with that talk or—she'll 'rip off yer dick and shove it so far up yer ass you'll choke on it.' remember"

Hunter chuckled, shaking his head. "Scary-ass woman," he muttered under his breath as he turned back to his screen. I didn't comment on it due to a mixture of him being abso-fucking-lutley right and she'll take it as a compliment anyways.

"Oh, speak of the demoness herself," he said, focusing on the feed. "We've got eyes on Delta, sir."

I leaned over the monitor, a familiar scene playing out on the screen. My fingers moved automatically as I hit a button, issuing the command. "Alright, Gamma, Delta's luring the target into position. You know what to do."

"Copy that, boss," a crackling voice replied over the comms. "That bastard's as good as dead."

And then, everything around me fractured, the room shattering like a brittle mirror, breaking apart into fragments that danced in and out of existence. I could see Hunter's face twist in panic, his mouth moving in a frantic shout I couldn't understand. My hands gripped the sides of the console, shouting into the mic, but my words, too, were a garbled mess. Without thinking, I grabbed my weapon and bolted for the back door of the van, my vision filled with a blinding light as I stepped out. Then… nothing. The silence returned, darkness swallowing everything but the faint, steady glow of a violet flame at my core.

Then, from the shadows, another flame emerged. Blue as the ocean, steady and strong, it flared to life like an inferno. Where my flame flickered with intensity, hers blazed like a beacon, deep and enduring. The energy it radiated was unmistakable—noble, loyal, fierce, compassionate, with a thread of playful warmth woven through it. Safe, familiar. I knew without question whose presence I was feeling, and a quiet smile found its way to my lips.

And then, one by one, more flames began to appear, blue sparks igniting in the dark like stars. They filled the space around me, each one a quiet, pulsing reminder of the life that thrived alongside mine.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and returned to reality, blinking as sunlight streamed through the trees. And there she was, just as I'd left her, sitting patiently, her gaze fixed on me. Luna's crimson eyes softened with a mixture of pride and compassion, her expression warm and steady. She watched me with a kind of quiet satisfaction. The morning light cast her in an ethereal glow, illuminating her fur, making her look almost otherworldly.

I couldn't help but return her smile, feeling a warmth bloom in my chest that eased every lingering ache from my journey through the dark.

A few minutes earlier Luna's POV

I watched Jack as he began his meditation, each breath guiding him deeper into the trance he needed for his training. It was strange to watch him fight for control like this. He sat with his back straight, palms resting on his knees, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the tight set of his jaw. Aura control seemed to come so easily to him at first, yet he struggled with the most basic step of it: sensing aura itself.

Jack possessed an unusual reserve of aura—one that seemed almost too vast for a human. And despite his lack of formal training, he had a natural talent for manipulating it, bending it to his will. But the mastery of aura isn't just about strength or control. Aura is a manifestation of one's soul—a raw, unfiltered reflection of who you truly are, I thought, watching him closely. It's a mirror that shows you the good and the bad alike, your triumphs and your failures, every aspect laid bare. To truly master it, one must accept it all without flinching, without recoiling from the flaws or weaknesses. Any rejection of that self means rejection of one's own aura.

I watched him go deeper, and for a moment, his face softened, as if he had found something of himself. But then, suddenly his aura flared, body tensed, muscles coiling painfully tight, and his breath hitched as though he'd been struck. His fingers dug into his thighs, knuckles going white with the force, and a cold shock shot through me. 'This isn't good; he's rejecting his aura!'

I reached out instinctively, but just before my hand touched him, his body stilled. As if doused with flames the violet flame returned to its usual mellow burn, his face relaxed, the tension easing from his muscles as his breathing slowed once again. I let out a breath of relief, pulling back, my heart still racing. He was back in his trance, his mind quiet again.

I frowned, still unsettled by what I'd seen. Why is he struggling so much? I wondered. Yes, he has his flaws—who doesn't? But Jack has so many admirable qualities. He's strong, unwaveringly kind, perceptive, and confident, even if his confidence sometimes borders on pride. But he also has a deep humility that tempers it, a willingness to learn, to ask questions without shame, no matter how strange they might seem. It's one of the things I've come to admire about him.

And his principles—those "self-imposed tenets" of his—were rock solid. Jack's beliefs were a steady compass, and it was nearly impossible to sway him from them. With such a strong sense of self, this step in his training should have been a small hurdle, a brief discomfort.

Then, abruptly, all color drained from his face, his skin turning an unnatural white, as if every drop of blood had vanished. His expression twisted, a look of despair and fear. Was it…a memory? But I had no time to ponder, as his eyes began to flutter open, the haunted look slowly fading from his face.

Those violet eyes—the ones that had once struck fear in me, that I had thought almost unnatural—now only held warmth. His gaze softened as it settled on me, and, despite myself, a smile found its way to my lips. I had to wonder how I'd ever been frightened of something so gentle, so full of compassion. A wry smirk lifted the corner of his mouth, a familiar reassurance that things were, somehow, alright.

"I see you finally overcame your hurdle, Jackson—or at the very least, took a step in the right direction. You should be proud of what you've achieved," I said, allowing a note of pride to slip into my voice.

He shook his head slowly, pulling me into a gentle embrace, his words hushed and sincere. "I am, Luna. But more than that, I'm incredibly grateful for you—for your patience, for guiding me through my mistakes, and for teaching me your techniques in the first place. I know I wasn't the easiest student."

I absorbed his words, letting their warmth settle over me. Then I gently pulled back, meeting his gaze. "Honestly, Jack, it was no trouble. You're a wonderful student. Don't let anyone tell you differently." We held each other's gaze, an unspoken understanding passing between us. But the peaceful silence was soon broken by the loud growl of his stomach, and he gave me a sheepish look.

"Well, I think it's time for lunch," he said, as if stating a profound truth, though the embarrassed flicker in his aura gave him away. I had to bite back a laugh, not wanting to ruin the moment.

The rest of the day passed quickly as we moved through our routine. Today was simple—training, cooking, scouting, gathering, and then a bath and dinner. There was a simplicity to it that felt almost meditative, a rhythm that felt steady and right. As we worked side by side, I realized how rare it was to feel this content, to simply enjoy the moment without a thousand expectations weighing down on me. With Jack, I could laugh, tease, or talk about anything without fear. There were no hidden motives, no need to guard my words. Being with him allowed me to be "myself," as he often said. It was a freedom I'd rarely experienced, and it felt…liberating. Jack wasn't just an ally or a teacher. He was my friend—perhaps my first true friend.

Even when I'd offered to teach him aura suppression, a technique that would let him conceal his emotions, he had refused outright. The memory of that conversation played in my mind.

It was shortly after lunch, and we sat by the fire, the warm light flickering across his face. "Now that you can sense aura, I could teach you how to suppress it," I suggested.

He looked at me with a curious tilt of his head, brow raised. "What's that?"

"It's a technique that allows you to conceal your emotions from others, even those who can sense aura."

He'd given a firm shake of his head, his expression resolute. "Luna, from what you've told me, my aura is…foreign, or at least different from anything you've seen before, right?"

I nodded, puzzled, as he continued. "And seeing how you pieced together how to read it with trial and error, only you should be able to read it" "Well yes you aren't wrong, excluding if anyone else learns to do the same but that would take a deep understanding of aura and prolonged contact with you through a myriad of situations to develop a full linguistic index"

He stared blankly at me for a moment 'was it something I said?' "… So only you can read my aura... so why would I need to hide, change or produce faulty readings of it?"

I was taken aback. "But…what about your secrets? Wouldn't you—"

"Luna, if I asked you not to press for something, or told you it was personal, would you respect that?" His gaze held a depth of conviction that left no room for doubt.

"Yes, of course. I would respect your boundaries and wait for you to tell me when you were ready, if ever," I replied, surprised by the certainty in my voice.

"Then I don't need to learn suppression," he said simply, a faint smile breaking through his usual stoicism. "I have no desire to lie or deceive you, and I trust you completely. Maybe at the start, I'd have accepted it. But after everything we've been through, I know you too well for that."

We finished our meal in a comfortable silence, an atmosphere filled with unspoken trust.

Returning to the present I gazed down at Jackson as he poked at prodded at my body his violet eyes scrutinizing every inch looking for the slightest fault. With a heavy exhale he began a smile grin tor at his lips though it wavered slightly, "I have some good news for you Luna, as far as I can tell you're in perfect condition".