The Aura Hero
As you may have noticed, Tinkaton has been changed to Tinkatuff. I have reached out to the original author and he has corrected me. You may continue.
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Pokémon Center.
Under the care of Nurse Joy and the advanced healing machines, Tinkatuff quickly returned to full strength, brimming with energy once more.
"You're still holding onto that? Without the Guts ability, keeping the Flame Orb just means you'll stay burned."
Johan watched Tinkatuff's reluctant expression and sighed.
"Chu!"
So I faked being asleep for nothing?
Johan rubbed his forehead, exasperated.
"Fine, fine."
Tinkatuff drooped its head, dragging its feet over to Bruno and reluctantly handing over the Flame Orb.
It was my rightful loot...
If it were a wild Pokémon, Johan might have let it slide. But against Bruno, a member of the Elite Four, there wasn't much choice.
Bruno chuckled as he looked at Tinkatuff's sulky face.
Taking the Flame Orb, he retrieved a TM from his bag.
"How about we trade? Your 'prize' for this?"
"Chu?"
At the sight of the TM, Tinkatuff's eyes lit up. It eagerly nodded and snatched it up, running back to Johan to show it off proudly.
The TM contained the move Brick Break.
"Mr. Bruno..."
"Johan, no need to be so formal."
Bruno waved a hand dismissively, then handed Johan a small book.
"This is a guide to fighting techniques—not exactly an encyclopedia of training secrets, but it's a collection of my personal insights over the years."
Bruno glanced at Tinkatuff and added, "Its raw strength is remarkable. With proper training, it could become a true master of combat."
Johan didn't hesitate to accept the book.
The entire purpose of his sparring match with Bruno was to help Tinkatuff improve its control over its immense power, particularly in precision and technique.
He offered Bruno a heartfelt thanks.
Bruno smiled but then continued, "Actually, Johan, you've got potential too. If you're interested, you could try learning some of these techniques yourself."
Johan froze.
And what would I do with that? Fight Pokémon hand-to-hand?
Bruno's philosophy was to train alongside his Pokémon, strengthening bonds through shared growth.
Many Fighting-type trainers shared this approach—such as Kanto's Chuck, Johto's Brawly, Kalos's Korrina, and Galar's Bea.
But Johan wasn't convinced he needed to practice martial arts to bond with his Pokémon.
"One more thing," Bruno said after a brief pause.
"Tinkatuff can follow the methods I've outlined, but my style isn't exactly ideal for it. With its power, it would benefit more from studying the 'One Strike Style.'"
"One Strike Style?" Johan asked, a vision of a battle-scarred Urshifu flashing in his mind.
"That's the specialty of Master Mustard, the former champion of Galar. He's been missing for quite some time, but if you ever encounter him, you might be able to learn a thing or two."
Master Mustard!
The former Galar champion, known as one of the strongest trainers in history, held an undefeated record for 18 years.
After stepping down, he became a recluse, purchasing a remote island—Isle of Armor—to live out his days in isolation.
He was also the mentor of future Galar champion Leon.
Galar champions really love calling themselves the "strongest," don't they?
Johan snapped out of his thoughts and nodded.
"Got it."
Galar and the Isle of Armor... If the opportunity arose, it might be worth a visit.
That night, fireworks lit up the sky as Cameran Palace buzzed with the energy of the festival.
"Well, I guess being 'The Aura Hero' wasn't meant to be."
As one of the special guests, Johan was invited to Queen Ilene's banquet, where the title of "Aura Hero" would be formally bestowed on the champion.
Johan had a decent shot at the title himself—after all, it wasn't about glory but about the prize money and rewards.
But after his battle with Bruno and the subsequent time spent at the Pokémon Center healing Tinkatuff, his momentum fizzled.
And after beating an Elite Four member, not a single challenger dared approach him.
As a result, the title slipped through his fingers.
Still, Johan wasn't too disappointed.
"Sir, you look amazing in that suit!"
Roxanne blushed as Johan emerged from the dressing room, donning a sleek black suit with gold trim.
"Not bad, right?" Johan said with a grin, adjusting his cufflinks in the mirror.
Steven stepped forward, handing him a monocle.
"Here, sir. I think this suits you perfectly."
Steven had seen Johan wearing a monocle during the academy festival and had taken the liberty of commissioning a custom one as a gift.
Roxanne picked up a black cane from the side.
"This completes the look!"
"Alright."
Johan put on the monocle and took the cane, inspecting his reflection.
"Why do I look like a villain?" he muttered.
"Wow! Sir, you look so handsome!" Flannery exclaimed as she emerged from her dressing room.
Flannery, keep talking like that, and I might believe you.
After dressing himself, Johan turned his attention to his Pokémon.
He outfitted Vulpix in a snowy white princess dress.
The ensemble perfectly complemented her pristine fur.
"Aw, you look ready for a wedding," Johan teased, pretending to wipe away a tear.
"Oowu! (((//Д//)))"
With a loud clang, clang, clang, Tinkatuff entered, clad in heavy dragon knight armor.
Instead of a lance, she wielded her signature hammer.
And her "dragon"?
"Drii!"
Dratini, pouting and reluctant, was being dragged along as her mount.
After some whispered persuasion, Dratini perked up, beaming as it looked at Johan.
"Why do I feel like Dratini just negotiated for more perks?" Johan muttered, skeptical.
"Ka-kah!"
Gengar donned a black coat and topped it off with a high hat adorned with a red bowtie.
Johan stroked his chin.
"Gengar, are you moonlighting as a magician tonight?"
Fuming, Gengar pulled out a pair of sunglasses and slapped them on.
"Ka-kah! (▼皿▼#)"
Cameran Palace Banquet Hall
Under a cascade of fireworks, Queen Ilene crowned the new Aura Hero, presenting the staff of Sir Aaron to a seemingly unremarkable young man.
Turning to the assembled guests, she raised her hands.
"Tonight, let us celebrate and honor the legacy of Sir Aaron, the Hero of Aura, as we revel in this grand occasion!"
As the feast began, Johan and his Pokémon made a beeline for the buffet.
White tablecloths draped over long tables adorned with culinary delights from every region—Kanto delicacies, Cameran specialties, and an array of desserts like macarons, mousse, and soufflés.
"Ka-kah?" Gengar salivated.
"All you can eat," Johan assured him. "But don't go overboard. Leave some for everyone else."
Hearing this, Gengar paused, holding a plate piled high with food.
It plucked a single macaron and placed it delicately on the table...
Before dumping the rest into its mouth.
Johan: "..."
Forget it. It's not my food, anyway.
As his Pokémon wandered off in search of treats, Johan helped himself to a macaron.
"Honestly, I bet James could make these if I asked him."
His musings were interrupted when a finely dressed young woman approached, her face flushed.
"Excuse me, sir... May I have the honor of a dance?"
Johan froze.
The woman was quite pretty, but...
"I'm sorry," he said awkwardly. "I don't know how to dance."
Her face fell, but she nodded politely before retreating to her friends, who giggled as she recounted her embarrassment.
"Aw, what a shame," Johan muttered.
Meanwhile, Vulpix, distracted by her food hunt, bumped into something soft.
Looking up, she saw a playful, pink Pokémon.
"Mew!"
Mew giggled, transforming into a mirror image of Vulpix.
"Oowu?"
Vulpix blinked, rubbed her eyes, and tilted her head in confusion.
Satisfied with its prank, Mew reverted to its original form, laughing gleefully.
"Mew! Mew!"
It flipped through the air in delight.
Dratini slithered over curiously.
"Mew!"
Mew transformed again, mimicking Dratini's appearance.
"Driii?!" Dratini's astonishment sent Mew into fits of laughter.
At the buffet, Gengar suddenly paused, pulling out his phone.
The screen displayed a cute chibi Giratina avatar.
"Ka-kah?"
Gengar greeted the avatar nonchalantly, offering it a slice of cake.
Giratina: Thanks. I'll take it.
The cake vanished into the screen.
As the screen flickered, Gengar's gaze followed its message.
It landed on the staff in the new Aura Hero's hands.
Gengar's eyes gleamed.
A treasure, huh?
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Powerstones?
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