Super Smash Bros. Fighters - Pokémon series - 06 Lucario

Debut

In the Pokémon series:

In the "Pokémon the Series" animated adaption (first appearance): Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2005) 

In the games

As a cameo: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team (2005) 
Proper debut: Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl (2006)

In the Super Smash Bros. series: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008)

Boxing Ring Title: Master of Aura

Theme Song: Battle! (Wild Pokémon) - Pokémon Diamond / Pokémon Pearl

Lucario, the Aura Pokémon. Fighting and Steel Type. #448 in the Pokédex. Lucario is the evolved form of Riolu. Riolu will evolve into Lucario if it has high friendship with its trainer, and only during the day,

As a species, Lucario possess a strong sense of justice and are quite prideful, though they are also loyal to a fault. Lucario have strong connections to aura, using it to sense where people or Pokémon are half-a-mile away. It can even use aura to read minds and anticipate an opponents moves, though sometimes it may learn some disturbing things that the person is thinking. Lucario is also capable of using aura in its attacks, like its iconic Aura Sphere attack. Lucario is capable of understanding human language, some even using telepathic powers to communicate with humans. Lucario are carnivores, though it has also been seen eating berries and plants, and some are even shown enjoying the taste of chocolate! Lucario tend to live deep in the mountains, away from others to improve its skills. Lucario have a higher chance of being male than female.

In "Pokémon Diamond & Pearl" the player first sees a Lucario owned by the trainer, Riley, on Iron Island. Riley and Lucario decide to help the player traverse the islands mines. Once they find out that some of Team Galactic's grunts are hiding on the island, Riley and Lucario help the player deal with them. Afterwards Riley gives the player a Pokémon Egg. If the player keeps it in their party, Riolu will hatch out of the egg! As long as they treat Riolu well, it won't be long before the player has their own Lucario!

Notable Lucario include the Lucario from the movie "Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew" which aired during the "Pokémon the Series: Ruby & Sapphire" season. 1,000 years ago, Lucario trained under a man named Sir Aaron, a knight of the Cameran Palace and a master of aura, to learn how to better control and refine his own aura. During their training, Aaron came to view Lucario as a friend, though Lucario only saw their relationship as nothing more than "master and student." Some time later, a massive war broke out near the Kingdom, and they were both sent out to try and stop it. During their trek to get there, Lucario, who rushed on ahead, gets blinded by some Houndoom kicking sand in his face, after which Aaron catches up and tells Lucario that he (Aaron) will not be returning. Lucario takes this to mean that Sir Aaron is abandoning the kingdom, but before he can do anything, he gets sealed away in Sir Aaron's staff.

1,000 years later, Lucario is released from the staff by Ash Ketchum during the Cameran Palace's "Hero of the Year" tournament celebration. Due to still being blinded by the sand, as well as completely unaware that centuries have passed, he initially mistakes Ash for Sir Aaron due to both of them sharing similar auras. Once Queen Ilene explains to Lucario that he's no longer from his time period, Lucario becomes angry upon learning that the kingdom has been celebrating and praising Sir Aaron as a hero. Ash's Pikachu is then discovered to be missing, having been dragged off by Mew earlier during an incident, so Lucario is assigned by Queen Ilene to help Ash and friends by guiding them to where Mew is hiding. While Lucario agrees to do so due to him trusting the descendant of the his former queen, he has a huge amount of distrust towards every other human, due what Sir Aaron did to him. Over the course of the adventure, Lucario slowly learns to trust Ash and friends.

During their trip to find Mew, they happen to stumble upon some Time Flowers, unique flowers that show visions of what happened many years ago. While the second Time Flower the group find causes them to wonder if Aaron truly did abandon the kingdom, it's not until they find the third and fourth Time Flowers that reveal the reason why Sir Aaron did what he did: it was because he knew that, to stop the war, he would have to give all of his aura to Mew so it can give it to the Tree of Life. However, this process would kill him. He knew if Lucario learned about this, he would either risk his life with him, or decide to sacrifice himself to save Aaron, so he sealed Lucario away in his staff to spare him. Upon learning of the truth, Lucario changes his attitude towards Sir Aaron.

After saving Pikachu, Ash and Lucario would use their Aura to save Mew and the Tree of Life, both who have grown sick and are dying. However, in the last few seconds, Lucario shoves Ash out of the way to save him and ends up sacrificing himself to revive Mew. Mew would then use Lucario's power to save the Tree of Life. With his time running out, Lucario would rest himself near the crystals where Aaron is, and would give some final words to Ash, Pikachu, and Mew before passing away.

Some time later, when Ash and friends head back to the castle, the mural painting of Sir Aaron has been modified to include Lucario. During the credits, a scene shows Lucario reuniting with Aaron, and two have chocolate together.

Notable Lucario in the games - besides the previously mentioned one with Riley - is Korrina's two Lucario in "Pokémon X & Y." She and her two Lucario were doing some special training, but once the player enters Route 5, one of Korrina's Lucario runs off to find the player, as he has taken an interest to them. Korrina catches up, notices this, and apologizes if the Lucario was bugging them. Later on in Geosenge Town, the player meets up with them again, and this time she challenges the player to a battle with her two Lucario. 

Finally, the player encounters them again at her hometown of Shalour Town. After proving themselves worthy of owning a Mega Ring and beating her at her gym, she gives the player said ring. That's when the Lucario who took a liking to the player decides he wants to journey with the player. After a battle with Korrina to show off how Mega Evolution works, Korrina allows the player to take Lucario with them if they choose to do so.

In Super Smash Bros., Lucario uses his aura abilities to keep ahead of the competition! Even if he's losing, you'll soon learn that Lucario won't give up so easily!

Special Moves

Neutral Special: Aura Sphere 

Lucario charges up a sphere of aura. Pressing the Special Button again will have him fire it. Depending on how much you charge it will depend on how big, fast, and powerful it is. You can cancel the charge by shielding, or moving left or right.

Anyone who happens to run into the Aura Sphere as Lucario is charging it will take minor damage. It can potentially hit an opponent multiple times, but this benefit is not to be relied on.

Inspired by the move, Aura Sphere, introduced in "Pokémon Diamond & Pearl." Aura Sphere is a Special Fighting Type move with a power of 90 (in Gens 4 and 5) or 80 (in Gens 6 and onwards). Aura Sphere will always successfully hit its target unless they are in an semi-invulnerable state, though the "always hit" part of the move is not included in Super Smash Bros.

Lucario learns this move at the high levels, though starting in "Pokémon Sun & Moon" it learns it as soon as a Riolu evolves into it.

Side Special: Force Palm

Lucario extends his hand and fires a blast of aura in front of him.

If used up-close to an opponent, Lucario will grab them and then blast them with aura at point-blank range!

Inspired by the move, Force Palm, introduced in "Pokémon Diamond & Pearl". Force Palm is a Physical Fighting Type move with a power of 60, and has a 30% chance of paralyzing the foe.

Lucario used to be learn this move at very low levels, but starting in "Pokémon X & Y" it can no longer learn it. However, its younger form, Riolu, can still learn Force Palm.

Up Special: Extreme Speed

Lucario pauses for a sec, before flying off in whatever direction you're holding, the default being upwards if nothing is held. Lucario can also change his trajectory as he's flying. The move does no damage to opponents...

... except at the very end of the move, where it deals decent knockback.

Lucario can also briefly cling to walls if he aims at one while using the move. 

Inspired by the move, Extreme Speed, introduced in "Pokémon Gold & Silver". Extreme Speed is a Physical Normal Type move with a power of 80 and a priority of 2, meaning the user will go first even if they are slower than the opponent, unless the opponent uses a higher priority move, or also uses Extreme Speed and is faster. (in the case of a speed tie, it's randomly decided who attacks first) Back in "Pokémon Gold & Silver", it was the signature move of Arcanine.

Lucario learns this move at the higher levels.

Down Special: Double Team

Lucario strikes a pose. If anyone hits him during this, Lucario teleports away...

... and reappears a certain distance away, yelling "Weak!" as he flies straight towards the opponent to deliver a powerful kick! Holding left or right will decide where Lucario will reappear to perform his flying kick, otherwise it's randomly chosen.

Loosely inspired by the move, Double Team, introduced in "Pokémon Red & Blue." Double Team is a Status Normal Type move that increases a Pokémon's evasion slightly. The move does not act as a counteract like it does in Super Smash Bros.

Lucario can learn this move through the use of a TM, at least until "Pokémon Sword & Shield" removed Lucario's ability to do so.

Final Smash: Aura Storm

Lucario starts off by Mega Evolving into Mega Lucario while shouting "Max Aura!"

Lucario then flies towards the top-center of the stage and unleashes Aura Storm! Opponents that get hit will have a hard time escaping! Pressing left or right will have Mega Lucario slowly tilt himself to aim towards that direction.

Near the end of the move, Mega Lucario will fire a stronger blast, which flings anyone trapped in the beam away. After which Lucario reverts back to normal and returns to the stage.

Aura Storm is original to Super Smash Bros., though it seems to be inspired by Lucario's aura abilities. The attack itself resembles Hyper Beam, a move that debuted in "Pokémon Red & Blue." Hyper Beam is a powerful Special Normal Type move with a power of 150 and an accuracy of 90%, though after using it the Pokémon will waste their next turn due to having to recover from using it. Lucario is capable of learning Hyper Beam through the use of a TM.

Mega Lucario is a special form Lucario can obtain that debuted in "Pokémon X & Y." Once the player obtains the Mega Ring, the Mega Evolution Stone Lucarionite, and a Lucario, giving the Lucarionite to Lucario and entering battle will give you the option to Mega Evolve Lucario. Mega Lucario is stronger than regular Lucario, and has the ability "Adaptability," which increases the power of moves that share the same type as Mega Lucario. (in this case, Fighting and Steel type moves)

Additional Notes

Lucario has a unique gimmick: Aura's Power! Essentially, when Lucario has fewer KO's than his opponents, has been KO'd more than the others, has taken a lot of damage in regular battles, and/or his HP pretty low in Stamina Mode, his moves that involve aura get stronger! As you can probably guess, his Special Moves also get effected by this. For example...

Aura Sphere can get even bigger and faster!

Force Palm's beams fire even farther...

... while using Force Palm to grab someone could be devastating! (For the opponent, that is!)

Lucario can also fly pretty far with Extreme Speed, though this could also lead to you accidentally flinging Lucario off the stage if you're not careful.

Of course, Aura's Power does have a limit. For example, assuming no one has scored a KO yet, it'll max out if Lucario manages to survive to 190% damage.