The cool night air of Veilstone City drifted through the open window of Julian's hotel room, carrying with it the faint scent of rain and mountain pine. Inside, the room was quiet, save for the soft, rhythmic breathing of his team. Growlithe was sprawled out on a rug, paws twitching as he chased dream-world Rattata; Sylveon was curled into a perfect pink ball on the second bed; and Floette was nestled comfortably inside a hollowed-out Poké Puff container she had claimed as her own personal fortress.
Julian sat quietly at the small wooden desk, the soft glow of a lamp illuminating a single photograph. It was the one Maylene had taken—Julian, Grandpa Aaron, and Lucario. He traced the edge of the photo with a smile, then flipped it over to the blank white side. As was his ritual after every major milestone, he uncapped his pen and began to write.
Julian and the team with Grandpa Aaron and Lucario.
This was our fifth Gym match. Honestly, I went in thinking it might be a bit of a breeze because of the type advantage. Boy, was I wrong. Is a Gym Leader's true partner always that terrifying? We saw a veteran Pokémon under heavy restrictions today, and it still felt like trying to punch a mountain. I can't even imagine what Lucario is like when the weights come off and Aaron stops playing nice.
But... I know we'll get there. One day, Growlithe's flames will be just as hot, and Sylveon and Floette will be just as sturdy. When that day comes, we're coming back for a rematch! No weights allowed!
PS: I saw a familiar face today! It makes sense, really. In a few years, Maylene is supposed to take over this Gym. She's still so young—probably around the same age as that kid Ash from Pallet Town. She's already got a Riolu following her, though I bet she hasn't officially caught it yet since she's not ten. It's weird seeing future legends before they're legends.
PSS: Seeing Maylene wasn't the biggest shock, though. I didn't expect to see Korrina here all the way from the Kalos region! I guess she's here on a study exchange? It makes sense; her family is famous for Lucario and Mega Evolution, and this is the only other major Dojo that specializes in them. The world of Fighting-types is smaller than I thought.
Alliance Calendar, June 18th — Veilstone City.
Julian set the pen down and stretched his wrist, hearing a satisfying pop. He flipped the photo back to the front, his gaze lingering on the blue-and-black jackal standing stoically next to Aaron.
"What a pity," Julian muttered, a slight pout forming on his face. "Lucario's fur looks so incredibly soft and well-maintained. I spent the whole battle thinking about how much I wanted to pet it, but I didn't get the chance. o(╥ ﹏ ╥)o"
He sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair. Then, a thought struck him. A slow, slightly mischievous grin spread across his face—the kind of look that usually preceded a very bad idea or a very elaborate prank.
"Wait... he said he'd teach me Aura tomorrow. Which means he'll be close by. Which means... maybe I can sneak in a few pets while we're 'meditating'?"
Fortunately, his Pokémon were dead to the world. If Sylveon had been awake to see Julian's "predatory" expression, she probably would have used her ribbons to tie him to the chair for his own safety.
The Predator's Shadow
Several blocks away, inside the darkened main hall of the Veilstone Gym, the air was still. Lucario was sitting in a deep meditative trance, his Aura spread thin like a spiderweb to monitor the Dojo's security.
Suddenly, the jackal-like Pokémon shivered. A cold chill ran down his spine, as if a ghost had just walked over his grave—or worse, as if someone, somewhere, was planning something deeply undignified.
Lucario's eyes snapped open. The four black sensory bundles behind his head stood up straight, glowing with an intense blue light. He swept the area, his Aura piercing through walls and floors, searching for an assassin, a rival, or a rogue Pokémon.
After a full minute of high-alert scanning, he found nothing. The city was quiet. The apprentices were snoring.
"What's wrong, Lucario? Did you catch a scent?"
Grandpa Aaron was standing in the doorway, a towel draped over his shoulder. Having been partners for most of his life, he could read Lucario's body language like a book.
"Lucario... (I felt... a disturbance,)" the Pokémon grunted, shaking his head. He lowered his sensory bundles, though he still felt a lingering sense of unease. He couldn't explain it. It was as if his very dignity was under threat.
"Haha! Probably just your imagination," Aaron laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "Or maybe you're just nervous about being a teacher tomorrow? Get some sleep. Nothing can get past us here."
Lucario settled back down, but for the first time in years, the legendary warrior found it a little hard to close his eyes.
The Training Grounds
The next morning, Julian was up with the Sun—a rare occurrence for him. He prepared a hearty breakfast for the "Three Musketeers" who had fought the day before, leaving them a fresh batch of specialized Pokéblocks and instructions to relax.
"Stay here and rest, guys. You earned it," Julian said, patting Growlithe's head. He looked at Togetic, who was hovering curiously by the door. "You're coming with me, Togetic. You missed out on the action yesterday, so you can keep me company."
"Toge-toge! (Let's go!)" 🐣
A short walk later, Julian arrived at the imposing gates of the Dojo. The apprentice on duty was a young teenager Julian recognized from the stands yesterday. As soon as the kid saw Julian, his face lit up.
"Mr. Julian! You're here to see the Master, right?"
"That's the plan," Julian replied with a friendly wave.
"Man, I'm so jealous!" The kid practically vibrated with excitement. "I've been here for six months and I've only had one personal lecture from Grandpa Aaron. Mostly the Seniors just make us do push-ups until our arms fall off. But you? You fought like a demon yesterday! That Floette of yours... how did you get her to move like that?"
The kid started following Julian toward the door, talking at a mile a minute. "What's your secret? Do you eat special berries? My Senior says it's all about mental cultivation, but I think it's about timing. Can you show me that Psychic-Petal thing? Is it true you've met the Champion? Do you—"
"I-it was mostly luck!" Julian stammered, feeling a bead of cold sweat roll down his neck. The kid was like a human Chatot. "The Gym Leader was being very generous. Anyway, I shouldn't keep him waiting..."
"Oh! Right! Sorry!" The apprentice finally stepped aside, bowing low. "Please, go right in! Don't let me stall your greatness!"
Julian practically bolted through the door, letting out a sigh of relief once the heavy wood muffled the kid's voice.
He didn't have to wander long before he saw He Zhi, the muscular referee from the day before. Up close, without the distraction of a battle, Julian realized the man was a physical specimen. His training uniform was stretched tight over shoulders that looked like they were carved out of granite.
Note to self, Julian thought, if they ever make a rule that Trainers have to wrestle, I am retiring immediately.
"Mr. Julian, the Gym Leader had to step out to handle some city business," He Zhi explained as he led Julian through a long, polished wooden corridor. "But he said the training is entirely in Lucario's hands. Master Aaron says he'd only be in the way when it comes to Aura work."
"That's perfectly fine," Julian said, trying to hide the growing excitement in his voice. "I'm just grateful for the opportunity."
He Zhi led him to a secluded, open-air training courtyard in the back of the Gym. It was a beautiful, tranquil space with raked sand, a few cherry blossom trees, and a small koi pond. In the center of the courtyard, sitting perfectly still on a woven mat, was Lucario.
"I'll leave you to it," He Zhi said with a respectful nod. "An apprentice will bring some lunch around noon. Enjoy your session."
Once He Zhi's heavy footsteps faded away, Julian stood at the edge of the mat. He looked at Lucario's back—the sleek blue fur, the powerful shoulders, and those soft-looking sensory bundles.
A small, "lewd" smile (in the most innocent, fur-obsessed sense possible) crept back onto Julian's face. ✧ (≖ ◡ ≖)
The Gym Leader isn't here. It's just me and Lucario. If I play my cards right... I might finally get to know if he smells like mountain air or just wet dog. It's petting time.
Lucario's ear flickered. He didn't open his eyes, but a very familiar chill ran down his spine.