The pale blue energy orb initially flew at high speed, but as it neared Cain, its velocity suddenly slowed.
Cain could feel a strange energy within it, which gradually merged into his chest.
He waited silently for a minute, noticing no immediate changes.
Cain blinked and looked at Altaria, hoping she would explain what had happened.
Altaria gazed at him with deep envy, making Cain feel slightly uncomfortable.
"This is the Aura Gift. Only those who have mastered the power of aura can use it, and they can only do so three times in their lives."
"Anyone who receives this gift will be viewed favorably by Pokémon who wield aura. It's an apology from Lucario for the misunderstanding, as well as gratitude for healing the Tree of Life," Altaria explained through Cain's telepathy.
Hearing Altaria's explanation, Cain finally understood the nature of the orb and why she looked at him with such envy.
In this world, very few Pokémon could wield the power of aura, and even fewer humans.
Those who mastered aura, whether Pokémon or human, were generally incredibly powerful individuals.
Now that Cain had received Lucario's Aura Gift, in the future, whenever he encountered Pokémon who controlled aura, they would feel an immediate affinity toward him.
Don't underestimate this small affinity; if things developed properly, it could mean Cain might one day capture a Pokémon with aura abilities.
Just as some Psychic Pokémon look down on ordinary humans, aura-wielding Pokémon often keep their distance from them.
However, thanks to Cain's new blessing, he could now approach these Pokémon more easily, increasing his chances of capturing them.
Cain also wondered just how much affinity this gift would grant. Would an aura Pokémon instantly leap toward him upon meeting him?
Of course, that was merely a fantasy.
But the truth was, Cain now had an "invisible aura" surrounding him.
It was called the Aura Gift.
Or it could also be named "The Favor of Aura Pokémon."
Pokémon sensing this blessing in Cain would, in a sense, be "returning a favor" to Lucario.
Indeed, the Aura Gift also carried this meaning.
Cain looked toward the canopy of the Tree of Life, where a blue figure shimmered in the distance. After watching the Aura Gift fuse into Cain, Lucario disappeared into the tree's trunk.
Cain could feel Lucario's pride. He would never abandon his task of protecting the Tree of Life—a mission as arduous as it was glorious.
The same reverence the Pokémon of Mythical Island felt toward him was also an invisible burden binding him tightly to the tree. As long as Lucario stood guard, no one would dare harm the Tree of Life.
Originally, it had been a peaceful task since no Pokémon on the island would ever harm the Tree of Life. Even elite-level Pokémon respected this mission; it was deeply ingrained in their nature.
However, with Team Rocket's invasion, this duty had become much more difficult.
Yet Cain felt he and Lucario would likely cross paths again someday. It was a strange feeling.
Before, he hadn't felt this way, but after receiving the Aura Gift, that connection had formed.
It was as if something was guiding them toward an inevitable reunion.
Even so, Cain knew it would be incredibly challenging for Lucario to survive Team Rocket's invasion.
The Tree of Life, as one of the spiritual pillars for the Pokémon on the island, would undoubtedly be a prime target for Team Rocket.
After resting for a while, Cain decided to return Altaria to her Poké Ball.
If other Team Rocket members had trump cards, Cain would need Altaria's presence as a deterrent and, in some cases, as a combatant.
If Mismagius were stronger in battle, Cain could simultaneously control both Altaria and Mismagius, putting him on par with an entry-level elite trainer.
One of the strongest, in fact.
...
From the outside, the island's ruins seemed to be right next to the Tree of Life, but upon arrival, Cain realized they were quite far apart.
To reach the ruins' entrance from the Tree of Life, he still had to cross a vast forest.
At this point, Cain estimated that the remaining survivors on the island had likely gathered in this part of the forest.
As for whether anyone had already explored the ruins, Cain suspected they had. The question was whether any had survived.
Surely, there were those who, hoping for glory, ventured into the ruins. Probably more than a few.
From the moment Cain stepped into the forest, he knew he had to remain vigilant. In addition to wild Pokémon that might attack at any moment, the Team Rocket members posed the real danger.
Even more terrifying than some elite-level Pokémon.
Cain instructed Gengar to return to his shadow, serving as his last line of defense.
Though Gengar wasn't the most prominent among Cain's Pokémon, he was the most reliable. He spent 90% of his time with Cain, closely guarding him.
As Cain's personal protector, Gengar had his full trust, ensuring he never felt neglected or unappreciated.
Additionally, Gengar had been improving rapidly, participating more frequently in direct battles. Cain planned to utilize him more in direct combat, where his true strength would shine.
Cain rode Drapion.
Drapion had effectively become Cain's land vehicle. It excelled in every way except for its inability to fly.
With its four legs, Drapion could navigate any terrain. Its strong body ensured Cain wasn't a burden, and its armor provided protection for both of them.
With explosive physical strength, any Pokémon that underestimated Drapion risked being defeated in a single blow.
Meanwhile, Honchkrow handled aerial surveillance, keeping an eye on everything and alerting Cain to any danger.
Weavile moved swiftly between the trees like a spirit of the night in the forest. His agility allowed seamless movement and deadly attacks.
Slowking floated alongside Drapion, always ready with a water orb in hand. His psychic abilities allowed him to quickly detect any threats.
Slowking's water-type ability needed more development, and Cain had been working on combining his psychic powers with water techniques.
This team represented the most powerful state Cain had achieved after numerous encounters in the wild.
Now, Cain feared no Team Rocket member still on the island.
(End of Chapter)