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The canopy of the Eterna Forest was a solid, interlocking ceiling of emerald, blocking out the sun and turning the forest floor into a world of eternal twilight. For most trainers, this was an obstacle; for Ash's current reconnaissance plan, it was a nightmare.
"The trees are too dense," Ash muttered, looking up at the tangled branches. "Swellow can't gain any altitude here."
"Swellow~" The bird chirped apologetically.
Ash had recently made a strategic swap at the Nurse Joy residence. He had sent his veteran Pidgeot and the newly evolved Staravia back to Professor Oak's lab for a "specialized training retreat" under the tutelage of his Hoenn and Johto veterans. In their place, he had retrieved Swellow—the "BUG" bird of legendary willpower—and his absolute Grass-type ace, Sceptile.
Originally, he had hoped to bring back Scizor as well, but Oak had warned him that the freshly revived Aerodactyl was proving to be a handful. It needed the presence of a Steel or Grass powerhouse like Scizor or Sceptile to keep it from "redecorating" the lab. Ash chose Sceptile for the Sinnoh journey, knowing its mentorship would be invaluable for his young Turtwig.
"It's okay, Swellow. Return for now," Ash said, recalling the bird. He looked at the dim forest path. To track the legend he was after, mundane scouting wouldn't cut it.
The Price of Power
Ash opened his internal system shop. In the "Special Abilities" tab, the options were as tempting as they were expensive:
Psychic Power: Precision telekinesis.
Viridian (Tokiwa) Power: The ability to heal and communicate with forest life.
Dragon Power: Mastery over draconic energy.
Aura Power: The ability to sense the spiritual energy of all living things.
A full ability unlock cost 30,000 Gold Coins—a staggering sum that would take months of grinding to replenish. However, Ash had a secret: he already possessed the latent potential for Aura. He didn't need to buy the ability; he just needed the Aura Catalyst to awaken it.
Price: 3,000 Gold Coins.
"I hope the bounty for a Suicune encounter is worth it," Ash grumbled, clicking 'Purchase.' A small, translucent blue pill appeared in his palm. He swallowed it without hesitation.
The effect was instantaneous. There was no pain, only a sudden, profound clarity. It was as if a veil had been lifted from his senses. He could feel the pulse of the forest—the heartbeat of a resting Caterpie fifty yards away, the flow of sap in the ancient oaks, and the crackle of electricity in the yellow mouse on his shoulder.
"Pika-pi?" Pikachu looked at Ash, sensing the sudden surge of energy.
"Watch this, buddy," Ash whispered. He closed his eyes, focusing on the core of his being. A deep blue light erupted from his body, casting long, flickering shadows against the trees.
"The Aura is with me!"
He expanded his consciousness. His "mind's eye" swept through the woods like a sonar pulse. He saw the shimmering surface of a hidden lake, the skittering of a pack of Stunky, and then... a presence like a cold, pure diamond.
Found you.
The Uninvited Guest
"I'm heading out," Ash said, his eyes still glowing with residual blue light. "But before I go... are you going to come out of those bushes, or do I have to use Aura to drag you out?"
"Ah! Don't you dare use your weird blue light on me!"
Dawn leaped from a cluster of ferns, her pink skirt dusted with leaves and her face flushed with the exertion of trying to be a ninja. She charged at him, flailing her arms in embarrassment.
Ash caught her mid-charge, immobilizing her with a simple counter-hold. "Sneaking around again? You know the forest is dangerous, Dawn." He gently brushed a leaf off her white Pokémon cap before delivering a sharp, disciplinary flick to her forehead.
"Ouch! Blegh!" Dawn stuck out her lilac tongue, making a face at him. She knew he wasn't truly angry, but her heart was still pounding from seeing him transform into a "blue person."
"You little rascal," Ash chuckled, shaking his head. He didn't have time to send her back to Brock; if the legend was here, she might as well see it. He grabbed her hand and began pulling her toward the heart of the forest.
"Wait! Where are we going so fast?"
"To meet a North Wind," Ash replied, his gaze fixed on the coordinates his Aura had locked onto.
"Pika-pi..." Pikachu sighed, letting his ears droop. He had seen this play out before. Here come the legendary Pokémon and the drama, he thought, settling in for the ride.
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