After the exchange of aura power between Togekiss and Lucario continued for some time, both Pokémon opened their eyes at the same time.
It was then that Lucario reacted: he realized that earlier he had been too excited and had rushed over without telling Cain anything, all because he had sensed in Togekiss an extremely dense aura power, and moreover one of a very friendly and benevolent nature.
Cain smiled, stood up from the ground, and walked over to Lucario, gently patting him on the head as he said, "It's fine. I'll always be by your side. The facts prove that this time your choice wasn't a mistake either."
Hearing Cain's words, Lucario also smiled, scratching the back of his head a little shyly.
Togekiss, to the side, showed a strange expression. Although it did not fully understand what Cain and Lucario were saying, it could clearly feel the sincere respect Lucario felt toward Cain, as well as the kind of concern Cain had for Lucario, similar to that of a father looking at his own child.
"Did you learn something incredible from Togekiss?" Cain asked.
Upon hearing this, Lucario's eyes lit up and he nodded repeatedly, extending both hands. A layer of blue aura power began to gather in his palms.
Seeing that dense aura, Cain realized that it was something he had never seen in Lucario before.
It was not the aura power generated by the move Aura Sphere, but rather an energy that, after being developed by Togekiss, Lucario could use freely. It clung to his fists, increasing his attack power and allowing even ordinary punches to carry Fighting-type damage.
"Very good," Cain said with satisfaction, rubbing Lucario's head again.
Lucario showed an expression of enjoyment.
Although receiving praise from Cain was not something rare, for Lucario, as long as he could gain Cain's approval, everything was worth it.
Then, Cain and Lucario thanked Togekiss together.
"Thank you, Togekiss!" Cain said sincerely.
Although he did not understand why Togekiss had chosen to help Lucario, the fact was that it already had. If Togekiss needed Cain to do something in return, as long as it was not unreasonable and within his abilities, Cain would not refuse.
"¡Tookkisss!" Togekiss did not fully understand the meaning of Cain's words, but through aura power it could clearly feel the sincere gratitude in his heart.
Togekiss's voice sounded very clear, and as it echoed throughout the entire valley, it took on a melodious tone that made one feel relaxed and in a good mood.
However, something surprising happened for Cain and Lucario. When Togekiss's voice echoed, many very similar sounds began to appear throughout the valley.
"¡Tooppisss!"
"¡Toggiisss!"
One after another, small egg-shaped Pokémon emerged from among the bushes in the valley, as if they had heard Togekiss's call. There were pure and kind smiles on their faces, and as they walked they swayed from side to side like roly-poly dolls.
"Is this... Togepi? And also... Togetic?" Cain said as he looked at the Togepi coming out of the forest, along with a group of Togetic whose wings allowed them to fly.
The group of Pokémon seemed extremely happy; their smiles never faded as they circled around Cain, Lucario, and Togekiss.
It was then that Cain understood: this valley did not shelter only a single powerful Togekiss, but an entire group of Togepi and Togetic. It was practically a small Togepi paradise!
Not to mention Togekiss—even Togepi was a very rare Pokémon in the Pokémon world. Because of its adorable appearance, it was highly sought after by young ladies of noble families.
Unfortunately, Togepi can sense the hearts of people. If someone's inner self is impure, no matter how well they treat it or how much money they have, Togepi will never accept them.
Like Togekiss, Togepi can perceive the hearts of others from a very young age, especially those of people or Pokémon who provide them with special care.
That was probably also the reason why, after evolving into Togekiss, they could master and learn aura power.
If there was a Togekiss here deliberately guiding them to develop and experience aura power, then even without evolving into Togekiss, it was very possible that they too could learn to use aura power.
In fact, Cain could already sense a subtle trace of aura power in several Togepi and Togetic, very similar to when Riolu had just evolved into Lucario: it could be faintly perceived, but they still did not know how to use it.
Just when Cain thought that this place was simply the Togepi Valley, the calm surface of the lake began to ripple. One after another, strange blue Pokémon started to emerge from the water; some slowly climbed onto the shore, while others floated directly on the surface.
All of the Pokémon that appeared were enveloped in blue aura power.
They had small and adorable appearances, but possessed pincers that were completely disproportionate to their bodies.
Although they looked like simple, very cute lobsters, the dark blue claw on their right side was more than twice the size of their entire body.
It was hard to imagine how these Pokémon with such enormous pincers could maintain proper mobility.
Moreover, such a robust right arm, if seen by someone with ill intentions, could really provoke very inappropriate thoughts, and ones that were also easy to spread to innocent-minded children.
That's right: these Pokémon with a right arm several times larger than their body and long yellow antennae atop their shells were a species native to the Kalos region, and were also capable of using aura power.
Clawitzer!
Its right arm was, in fact, a massive cannon. It was said that the water projectiles fired from its claw could be so powerful that they could even punch a hole through the hull of a cargo ship.
Furthermore, that claw did not represent an obstacle in its daily life, as it could expel water both forward and backward, which even greatly increased its movement speed.
Although they usually seemed to move slowly, when they truly went into action, their speed became surprisingly fast.
Upon seeing this group of Clawitzer, Cain understood: this valley did not belong exclusively to the Togepi family, but was a valley inhabited by Pokémon capable of using aura power.
And Togekiss was, precisely, the strongest among them.
This perfectly explained why Togekiss had helped Lucario improve his use of aura power.
Because that was, in fact, its usual role, and unconsciously it had regarded Lucario as one of the Pokémon of the valley.
It could only be said that this was a beautiful misunderstanding.
(End of chapter)