There was also an unexpected surprise.
That was Raboot, who had been hanging around the edges of the battle, finally evolving.
After they defeated the Clay Giant, the light of evolution wrapped around Raboot. After all, it was a legendary giant—even just being a bystander was enough to trigger Raboot's evolution into Raboot the Striker.
Truly, a tree planted unintentionally had borne fruit.
[RECURRING] Chloe, seeing the newly evolved Raboot the Striker, wanted to reach out and rub its rabbit ears.
But unlike the usual carefree Raboot, after evolving, Raboot the Striker had become a bit shy.
It dodged [RECURRING] Chloe's hand but willingly nudged its head against Ash's palm.
"Congratulations, from now on I should call you Raboot the Striker."
"Raboot!"
Raboot the Striker's cheeks flushed red at Ash's praise.
Pikachu froze.
Why are you blushing like a Polteageist!?
Could it be… the master-disciple bond has changed? No way!
Leaving the ruins, the two immediately flew back to Vermilion City.
But when they stood at the door of Professor Cerise's lab, Ash and [RECURRING] Chloe hesitated.
Because… even before entering, they heard ghostly wails from inside.
"Help!"
"Ghosts!"
"Should we… wait a bit before going in?" [RECURRING] Chloe suggested nervously.
That Gengar from last time was really scary.
Compared to her own Misdreavus, which was adorable, Gengar was anything but!
But before [RECURRING] Chloe even finished speaking, Ash had already pushed open the lab's main door.
"Gengar! This time I'm going to catch you!"
Gengar, who had been wreaking havoc inside the Sakuragi Lab, froze.
Its blood-red eyes widened in disbelief.
Dude… I'm a ghost!
Can you at least pretend to be scared of me!?
But the instant Gengar looked into Ash's determined eyes, it went silent.
This human… isn't afraid of ghosts.
It chose to fade into the shadows.
But the next moment, floating objects inside the lab came flying straight at Ash.
"Pika!"
Before Ash could even react, Pikachu leapt up and swatted the debris away with an Iron Tail.
Ash instantly pulled out a Poké Ball.
In a flash of red, Dragonite appeared before him.
Against a Ghost-type like Gengar, Ash really regretted not bringing Noctowl along.
If he had, one Psychic attack would have flushed Gengar out of hiding instantly.
For now, he'd have to improvise.
In the center of the lab, two researchers were floating midair.
They looked at Ash with pleading eyes.
They had no power to fight back—they could only pray for Ash to save them.
Ash immediately sprang into action.
The two researchers hovered near the staircase.
Ash planted his foot on the shoe cabinet at the entrance, then launched himself into the air like a bullet.
In slow motion, he scooped up both researchers under his arms.
Gengar wasn't about to miss this chance.
A surge of blue Psychic energy swept in, trying to knock Ash down.
But it had underestimated him.
After landing and setting the researchers down, Ash raised his right hand.
Ripples—barely visible—spread from his palm.
His hand became the center of a circle of waves, blocking Gengar's Psychic attack completely.
The audience: !!!
Bro, you're not even trying to hide it anymore!
That's clearly a Pokémon move!
Ash, are you secretly a Pokémon in disguise!?
[Korrina's Grandfather Gurkinn: This! This is Aura! How is this possible? A human actually mastering Aura? The legends were true!]
[Korrina: Wait—you're saying Ash just used Aura? But isn't that exclusive to Lucario? How could a human…?]
[Gurkinn: No, humans can learn it.]
[Elaine: Let me explain. In legend, a man named Sir Aaron mastered Aura alongside his Lucario, saving Rota.]
[Steven: …So you're saying Ash is the new Aura Guardian?]
[Lusamine: Rainbow Hero, Sea Hero, and now Aura Guardian? Ash, are you collecting hero titles or something?]
[Alder: In Unova, we also have tales of heroes.]
[Sonia: Same in Galar. Three thousand years ago, our land was saved by heroes wielding sword and shield.]
[Gary: I've got a bad feeling about this.]
[Gardenia: Don't tell me… Ash will end up becoming all these heroes?]
Gasps.
Viewers worldwide were shaken.
All across the world, legends spoke of heroes.
But no one had ever imagined that they might all be the same person.
And after Lusamine's reminder, the connection became clear.
So far, Ash already carried three hero titles.
Then Gardenia's speculation… wasn't so impossible.
Terrifying!
All those nameless heroes saving the world—could they really all have been this boy?
…
Meanwhile, Ash himself was utterly baffled.
"What's Aura? I really don't know!"
But… It looked cool!
Misty and Brock exchanged shocked glances.
Could Ash, the reckless idiot who always charged headfirst, really be a hero?
But all signs pointed to yes.
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard