"Awooo?!"
Riolu was the first to sense it—a wave of aura so overwhelmingly powerful that it stunned him.
Not even the King's Aura from the Forest of Connection, Hikaru, or Aegislash, nor even the strange auras from the Undersea Ruins, could compare to this. This… was something else entirely.
Miss Lilligant, who had once trained under Giratina in the art of aura, sensed it too. A vast and boundless energy was singing with joy in the skies and in nature. Her body began to glow with a mysterious light.
Riolu's eyes widened as he looked at his "big sister." Then, he suddenly pointed at her forehead—
The flower!
The aura radiating from Lilligant wasn't just any aura—it matched the power lingering in the dream crown's flower.
That could only mean one thing: the Starflower was born from the very crown that bloomed atop Pokémon like Miss Lilligant!
"Could it be… power from the cosmos? Or perhaps… from the heavens?"
Yes. In the world where Arceus slumbers, the place known as heaven by many, such divine power exists.
The Spacetime Device from the Michina tribe in the movie had once shown that same golden dimension—Arceus's celestial slumbering world. Perhaps it was within the universe… or beyond it.
"Stars falling from the heavens… Just like divine starlight descending from paradise. Even Pokémon associated with stars—how they were born, how they look, and even their names—carry profound meanings."
The cosmic aura from the Trial Boulder intensified. The sight stunned the nearby martial artists—people who had struck that boulder daily had never seen anything like this.
"Bro, what did you do?!"
Kentarō clenched his fists, eyes sparkling with awe. "The Trial Boulder… is it alive?!"
"There's an old legend that it's a meteorite from the cosmos, but it was always thought of as just a story. Though, some scholars have investigated this rock before and found it… strange."
Hikaru's expression twisted slightly.
The Pokémon world was full of strangeness.
If they truly believed the Trial Boulder was from beyond the stars, shouldn't it be preserved and studied instead of getting beat up every day by fighters?
…Or maybe the "beating" was part of the study.
Now that he thought about it… one of these fighters might actually be a disguised researcher.
After all, Pokémon researchers weren't your average lab-bound types—they lifted, they fought, some even moonlighted as final bosses or League champions.
Take off their coats and you'd be playing "Guess Who I Really Am."
Miss Lilligant's crown began glowing, absorbing the cosmic aura from the Trial Boulder. After synchronizing with the stone, she awakened a remarkable power.
CRACK! The spot where she and Riolu had struck began to fracture further, breaking apart with a boom!
Chunks of meteorite scattered across the ground like falling stars!
[Star Power (VSTAR)]: A celestial gift from Arceus to Pokémon across the cosmos!
This power resembles the "Royal Aura"—only those recognized can wield it.
Aside from Arceus's chosen and those of legendary feats, none can activate it.
Description: Brought to the Pokémon world thousands of years ago through a cosmic meteor, this heavenly force was accompanied by the Dragon of Ideals.
It connected with local dream realms, the Black-White dual world, and the Forest of Connection, sharing its power with ancient civilizations.
[Dream Crown of the King] has awakened a new power.
Effect – Heart's Resonance:
When within dreamscapes or nature, people's aspirations become clearer. Those with special abilities—psychic power, aura, spiritual energy, or fighting spirit—will receive stronger "feedback" from the world. This energy can be temporarily shared with others.
The cracks in dreams are the cracks in hearts. When a person's heart wavers, they can no longer use their full strength. To soothe such hearts, a king once wove this crown from the flower of dreams.
[Hisui Lilligant's Star Power: Star Aroma]
— Absorb energy from other Grass-type Pokémon; each one grants +10% power and partial healing.
— Allows aura linking with nature.
[Riolu's Star Power: Star Aura]
— Boosts all stats; damage dealt ×1.2.
— If the opponent has stat buffs, aura-based moves deal an extra 50% damage.
— Allows aura linking with stars.
Now it all made sense.
These were VSTAR powers—abilities found only in select Pokémon from the Pokémon TCG, gifts from Arceus himself.
And Lilligant (Hisui form) and Lucario were among the few Pokémon officially recorded as having access to this power.
Cosmic power had always been deeply tied to the Pokémon world. Just consider the Sun and Moon Stones—they alone proved the cosmos' strength.
In Ruby/Sapphire and Sun/Moon, extraterrestrial beings even descended—like the Ultra Beasts, or those who wielded Bond Phenomena or O-Powers from the stars.
"Celestial might, cosmic viruses, meteor power, bond energy, O-Powers, solar energy, lunar energy, millennium comets, Star Power, Stellar Pulse, Ultra Auras, Mega Evolution, Dynamax…"
Yeah, cosmic power was already deeply rooted in the Pokémon world.
One day, the games might even explore outer space—maybe a whole region set on the homeworlds of Clefairy, Deoxys, Solrock, Eternatus, Solgaleo, Lunala, and the Tao Trio.
Miss Lilligant's new ability was like a Grass-type version of "Commander"—but without needing fainted allies. She could even draw power from enemy Pokémon.
Her crown had become an energy amplifier, perfectly paired with Torterra's "Signal Tower" support role.
Perhaps that was what ancient kings were: those who wielded many kinds of energy.
Each region's myths told of kings with unique powers:
The Land of Victory had rulers blessed by Victini and the power of ley lines.
Sinnoh's hero wasn't a king, but their blessing surpassed royalty.
The Sea Temple was built by water-dwelling people to channel oceanic power.
Unova's kings had ideals, truth—and maybe even the dream realm, titans, and cosmic power.
Almia's ruler became a Crystal of the Heart.
Queen of Rota had no power, but she had an Aura Guardian.
AZ of Kalos built the Ultimate Weapon… and is still alive.
Galar's king just… eats carrots.
…And the worst one: Pokélantis's king. Tried to seal Ho-Oh. Got sealed himself. Into a ball.
"Awooo?!"
Unlike Miss Lilligant, who was used to divine encounters, Riolu wasn't ready for this kind of "event."
His aura surged wildly.
If the Forest Connection aura was ancient and tranquil—this one was blazing, massive, and hyperactive.
"Wuuu!" The blue pup clenched his fists, gathering all his strength to contain the overflow.
His right paw lit up with green aura — the Connection Aura.
His left paw burned gold — the Cosmic Aura.
His body glowed blue — his own, personal Aura.
And all this power left his new friend, Timburr, dumbfounded. It looked between Riolu and Lilligant in disbelief.
Huh? I punch this rock every day and never get this kind of reaction...
It swung its beam with another Rock Smash—tap! Just one small Star Piece chipped off.
"Dore~"
Seeing Timburr's crestfallen face, Lilligant extended a leaf.
Timburr turned bright red, stood his beam upright, wiped his hands, and—like a clumsy knight—touched her leaf.
Then… a rush of energy flowed into him!
Aura. Nature. Cosmos.
All resonating, amplifying his Fighting-type power!
Timburr looked again at the Trial Boulder—this time, with reverence and understanding.
He finally heard it speak.
So this was the Trial. By striking it, you harmonized with its essence. It shared its blessing with those who fought it. And through it, Pokémon grew stronger.
"Maybe… this boulder is actually an unborn Pokémon."
Hikaru smiled. Timburr snapped its head up.
That made sense.
Pokémon were incredibly sensitive to life. And now the others began murmuring, inspired by the idea.
Kentarō crouched down and checked Timburr over.
"Hey, buddy—you okay?!"
"Oh!"
Timburr flexed. Muscles gleamed.
He felt ready to evolve—
Flash! Evolution light surged!
"Wha—he's evolving?! Wait—why'd it stop?!"
To Kentarō's shock, Timburr canceled its own evolution—just like Dawn's Piplup once did.
Not yet. I'm not ready. I must grow stronger.
Timburr finally understood what "Trial" meant.
By resisting evolution and continuing to fight in his current form, he could one day surpass others of his kind.
And it wasn't for nothing.
He learned a new move—his strongest punch yet:
Focus Punch!
"Ohh! Such power! You learned Focus Punch?!"
"What just happened? I still don't get it."
Neither did the other fighters nearby, their muscles too thick for metaphysics.
"It's simple. This boulder is a cosmic meteorite—an alien lifeform we can't understand. But it grants every Fighting-type Pokémon a blessing."
"I just happened to have a way to awaken it. A special art. The Rock Principle. Though… I'm no Rock-type specialist."
"Ohh, so you're a psychic, huh?! Makes sense—only psychics can make rocks react like that!"
Kentarō nodded knowingly, despite having no idea what "Rock Principle" meant.
"So like… rock-related psychic power?"
Hikaru nodded. "Something like that."
"Well then—lucky day for both of us! I got to see this miracle with my own eyes—must be heaven's reward for my training!"
"I've met a lot of psychics! Some team up with Fighters as duo Trainers—like that traveling pair from afar: The Sage and the Warrior!"
"Hey bro! Want to team up and become Trainer partners?!"
Kentarō beamed. He wasn't strong yet, but this guy was a true Sage!
"No, I've got other responsibilities. I'm not a full-time battle trainer."
"Aw, that's too bad." Kentarō looked disappointed. "Still, life's a journey of hellos and goodbyes. Thanks for helping my partner!"
Timburr leapt up and fist-bumped Kentarō.
"Anyway! This rock is awesome. We knew that already—but now we know it gives blessings. So we're gonna show it our bond and strength!"
"OOOH! From now on—1000 punches a day! Every hit will carry our spirit!"
Timburr burned with resolve.
He wanted to earn the rock's gift by his own merit—not just from the beautiful queen's kindness.
Still… if he got stronger… and met her again…
Maybe… propose?
"She's a regional variant of Lilligant, a Hisuian form. Looks human-like, but she's actually in the Grass Egg Group."
"…Not Human-like?! I don't know much about egg groups, but… she's even more beautiful than my first love!"
Timburr's heart shattered.
CRACK.
Plant… Group?!
Impossible! She looked human! Walked like one! Acted like one! Had emotions like one!
How… how could she not be?
Who the hell categorized this?! Which scientist decided this?!
"YAAARGH! HEARTBREAK x ONE MILLION! FOCUS BURST PUNCH!!"
Far away in Johto, Professor Elm shivered inexplicably.
Only specialists can classify Egg Groups properly, okay? What do YOU know, little Pokémon?!
(End of Chapter)
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