Inside the orchard.
Riolu supported herself weakly on the ground, panting heavily.
Although the Aura power erupted at the critical moment, facing so many Spinarak and the Ariados leader alone, she was ultimately outnumbered.
Hidden in the dim shadow of fruit trees, the Ariados leader looked at the exhausted Riolu before him, eyes cold.
Living in the wild year-round, they naturally followed the law of the jungle. Although they wouldn't put the opponent before them to death, they would inevitably besiege her until she completely lost the ability to fight.
"Lu~"
Using the [Aura Sphere] move again to repel the Spinarak in front of her, Riolu felt her eyelids getting heavier.
Without a Trainer's command, wanting to defeat these invaders resistant to Fighting-type alone and protect the orchard was obviously an impossible task.
Just as Riolu tried her best to prop up her body, only able to watch helplessly as dozens of [Pin Missile] cutting through the air attacked her, a voice incredibly familiar to her suddenly sounded from not far away.
"Gardevoir, use Psychic."
"Ari-hiss~"
The foremost Spinarak wailed, flying backward and smashing directly onto the ground.
"Lu~"
And Riolu raised her head in surprise, seeing the black-haired youth shining under the sun.
Hakuya looked at the orchard, somewhat chaotic but not much ruined, then at the blue-furred puppy whose eyes shone because of his arrival, laughing softly.
"Riolu, thank you very much for helping us protect the orchard."
Even meeting formally for the first time, he suddenly sensed a familiar intimacy from this Pokémon.
Different from growing up with Gardevoir day and night, familiar like a childhood sweetheart, but a "sky-descended" type, a throbbing as if finally seeing the true face after spiritual communion for a long time.
This is probably because the Aura between each other fits too well, right?
Hakuya cast his gaze on the opposing Ariados leader and Spinarak swarm. They were obviously frightened by the powerful psychic power Gardevoir just erupted, falling into a stalemate of not attacking easily.
Facing this situation, the best way was naturally not the so-called extermination, but capturing and turning them into partners.
If raised on the farm, high-quality spider silk could be collected in the future. Whether sold directly to Uncle Yoshino responsible for acquisition, or used to produce products like fishing gear and high-end clothing when expanding the company later, it was a good choice.
"Riolu, rest well on the side; leave the rest to..."
Holding the idea of capturing this group of Spinarak invading the farm, just as Hakuya prepared to command Gardevoir to step forward, he suddenly felt the hem of his clothes pulled anxiously by this blue-furred puppy Pokémon.
Turning his gaze slightly, what entered his eyes were her shining pupils.
Even unstable on her feet, he could still clearly feel the raging fighting spirit burning on her body.
"You... you still want to continue fighting, right?"
Hakuya looked at Riolu standing up tremblingly, face full of determination, unable to help freezing.
Although the system issued a mission for him to fight alongside Riolu and defeat the orchard invaders.
But as long as one was a normal Trainer, seeing the moment this blue-furred puppy was about to lose combat capability, presumably one wouldn't have the heart to drive Riolu to fight like a system puppet just to complete the mission.
This was also why Hakuya initially asked Riolu to step back and rest, planning to send Miss Gardevoir to wipe out the invading Spinarak swarm.
Only looking at it now, this blue-furred puppy Pokémon's sense of justice and competitiveness were really strong.
"Alright then—"
Without the slightest evasion or hesitation, Hakuya placed his hand lightly on Riolu's shoulder, meeting her hopeful eyes.
"The task of protecting the orchard is fully entrusted to you. I will fight alongside you until the last moment, until the winner is decided."
The biggest difference between wild Pokémon and domestic Pokémon was whether there was a Trainer commanding—whether reasonable use of type advantages or judgment of battle situation, after a qualified Trainer joined, it would produce an effect of "1+1>2".
And more important than rational battle command was knowing how to understand and affirm the Pokémon's feelings.
This point was the creed Hakuya always implemented, and it was also accurately conveyed into Riolu's heart.
"Hiss~"
The Nightmare God poking her head out of the Trainer's shadow blinked, seeming to sense something.
At this moment, with the overly fitting Aura combined with the desire to fight, a dazzling evolution white light actually completely shrouded this exhausted blue-furred puppy filled with fighting spirit.
The power of bonds would feedback to every Pokémon and Trainer who believed in it.
[Name: Lucario]
[Type: Fighting + Steel]
[Gender: Female]
[Level: Lv35]
[Ability: Justified (Being hit by a Dark-type move boosts the Attack stat of the Pokémon, for justice.)]
[Moves: Aura Sphere, Copycat, Feint, Reversal, Bone Rush, Swords Dance, Final Gambit, Metal Claw, Brick Break, Flash Cannon]
[Egg Moves: High Jump Kick, Cross Chop, Bullet Punch]
[Equipped Attributes: None]
"Luca~"
Accompanied by the resounding sound of airflow ripples spreading, Lucario appearing under the seven-colored light curtain had stern eyes. The overflowing Aura energy around her connected her completely with the Trainer behind her.
In the Pokémon world, every Pokémon would briefly gain a "burst seed" state after evolution. No matter how severe the injuries suffered before, the negative effects of exhaustion would be completely wiped out.
In other words, if Lucario wanted to defeat the Ariados and Spinarak swarm before her with her own hands, she could only fight quickly.
Thinking of this, Hakuya suppressed the thought of congratulating Lucario on evolving and becoming stronger, instantly entering battle command state.
"Lucario, after Swords Dance, use Bullet Punch."
"Ari-hiss~"
Facing the opponent's violent offensive stepping on the ground, the reacting Spinarak swarm also burst out [Pin Missile] from their mouths. Lucario shuttled like a swimming dragon through the layers of soil waves lifted by green bullets.
Turn, jump, dodge...
[Swords Dance], Attack stat +2.
In a fleeting instant, the surroundings were filled with overlapping explosive piercing sounds.
That was the sound of Pin Missile like surging waves rubbing past ears, blasting wood chips along the way.
Fortunately, Lucario was faster than these opponents preparing to weave a dragnet. The silver-white fist wind turning into an afterimage blasted away all the blocking Spinarak in an instant.
[Bullet Punch: The user strikes the target with tough punches as fast as bullets. This move always goes first.]
"Watch out for String Shot attacks from above."
Keenly sensing the silver light suddenly bursting from the shade, Hakuya reminded loudly.
Besides the Ariados leader waiting in full array on the ground, many Spinarak took this opportunity to hide in the treetops of fruit trees, attempting to use [String Shot] from above to restrict the opponent's offensive.
If hit and wrapped by these spider silks, the significantly slowed-down Lucario would inevitably suffer siege instantly; losing combat capability would be a certainty.
"Use Bone Rush to break them!"
"Luca~"
In an instant, a bone staff as long as her body condensed in her hand.
Accompanied by the loud sound of breaking air as it was thrown, dozens of spider webs falling from the fruit tree shade were completely pierced. A blue-black figure flew close to the ground under the spider web fragments shattered into thousands of flashing silver threads.
Three seconds.
Two seconds.
One second.
The surroundings seemed to freeze, all sounds silent.
Only the pounding heartbeat, and the Ariados leader getting closer and closer to her.
The bone staff that blocked all aerial attacks spun and fell, coincidently caught single-handedly by Lucario flashing forward.
"Ari-hiss!"
The Ariados leader waiting head-on panicked subconsciously for a moment. The lowered head horn tore the stagnant air around, condensing into a dazzling cold star under the sunlight.
[Megahorn: Using its tough and impressive horn, the user rams into the target with no letup.]
"Lucario, use Bone Rush." "Luca~"
Accompanied by the strong signal of Aura, Lucario's movements synchronized with the Trainer's command.
Her freed hands pressed down, the trailing afterimage suddenly lowered the center of gravity, and the bone staff swung up accordingly, bursting with terrifying light with the wide opening and closing movement.
At this moment.
Their minds were united.
[Bone Rush: The user strikes the target with a hard bone two to five times in a row.]
Fragments of spider webs all over the ground rolled and surged lightly. Even the tender leaves of the tree crown were chopped into fine gold leaf under the sunlight.
And Lucario, the initiator, had stern eyes. The moment the bone staff swung a full circle, the airflow like layered waves, never ceasing, surged and roared, raging and dancing wildly!