The Enigma Chronicles - Sedition

Chapter 2: The Passage of Aura

Twenty-two Years Later

There was not a sound as fog draped itself over the mountainous lands, encasing it in a grey mist. And within the belly of the Cameran forest, two figures were poised among an assembly of towering trees; one human and one Pokémon.

The Aura Pokémon planted his feet firmly against the ground, tightened the blindfold coiled around his head and covering his eyes, and took his stance. Slowly, he inhaled a steady breath and released it moments later, easing into his whist surroundings. He could feel the distinct presence of his instructor behind him and knew that he was observing with full attention. "I . . . I won't fail you, Sir Aaron."

The Pokémon's spectator shook his head, having intercepted the Pokémon's telepathic message. "This exercise isn't about ME, Lucario. It's about YOU." Aaron, now a grown man of twenty-two years, as well as a royal knight to his kingdom of Rota, stood focused in the mist-sheeted forest that resided in the mountain vicinity of his homeland. All around him, the wispy trees whistled in the morning winds. The abundant fog spated back and forth in a gentle breeze. The peaceful environment served splendidly for the training of his pupil, Lucario. "Are your ready to begin?"

"Yes, master.", Lucario acceded calmly, his body still and waiting. He knew he had to patient with himself. After all, this was one of those few training techniques he often failed to complete; Log Dodging. It was an exercise invented by the early Aura Guardians to demonstrate a wielder's innermost focus. And now Lucario had to utilize that focus to somehow touch upon the vibrations and motions of his surroundings. But he had to reassure his master that he was ready. "This won't be at all difficult, sir."

However, the Aura Master wasn't so certain. "Are you sure about that?", He wondered in all seriousness and warning. "Remember, Lucario, that this is to see if you can clear your mind and focus!"

At that moment, several wooden logs, each tied to a branch hanging from the overhead treetops, began rushing towards Lucario, swinging down from the sky like lumber pendulums! Still blindfolded, the overconfident Lucario tried to dodge each incoming log and was rather successful in the beginning, being especially quick on his feet. His Aura, however, was serving little purpose, for the Pokémon was sneakily trying to work in his extrasensory abilities to pinpoint his surroundings, instead of attempting to relegate his Aura.

Within the first few moments of the trial, Aaron could already sense that Lucario's Aura was not being fully or properly exerted; the Pokémon's confidence was fading just as quickly as his senses were withering.

And as expected, several moments after starting, the heat of the struggle had caught up to Lucario and he found himself losing the faint visuals around him. The outlines of the objects were simply not visible! This caused a panic inside him, allowing the logs to knock him off his feet the moment he was at a loss for movement! Lucario hit the ground with a loud thump and he clutched at his bruised shoulder-blade, letting out a small grunt.

Once the logs had come to a still, Aaron stepped forth into the foggy margin and carefully helped his student back to his feet, placing a gentle hand on the Pokémon's injury. "Control and restraint over your emotions are the very basics of Aura.", Aaron reminded him while deploying his own soothing energy to lessen his pupil's physical pain. "If you let your emotions best you, your Aura will no longer be effective. Just by adding the element of fear is, at times, enough to sway one's Aura."

Brushing himself off, Lucario discarded the blindfold and glanced up into his master's intense sapphire eyes. "F-fear?"

Aaron nodded, pointing towards one of the suspended logs near them. "The fear of if the logs will hit you. The anxiety is shown at any time you may lose your footing. Always remember, Lucario, that almost anything can alter Aura, from something big... to something small and subtle."

Ashamed, Lucario lowered his gaze to the ground, shuttering his eyes in self-pity.

But Aaron reached around to give him a friendly pat on the back. Obviously, he wasn't upset. In fact, he preferred to see Lucario learning things at gradual pace. There was no need to rush. "And for the first few moments of the exercise, you seemed to be very aware of what what happening around you.", The wise knight complimented while tipping his feathered hat off to his apprentice in a gesture of cordiality. "For one such as yourself to have made it this far without even knowing the basics, that is quite the accomplishment."

Though Lucario was still somewhat dejected by his own reckless fault, he managed a grateful reply. "Thank you, master..." He looked up and watched his youthful teacher reassemble the field for further practice; his cape and navy-blue hair swishing in the wind, his tall and slender body so graceful in movement. "He bears the appearance and attitude of a true Aura user. But... why can't I?"

"Try not to rely too heavily on your Psychic for this exercise."

Lucario jerked back to his senses upon the suddenness of the words directed at him. He shot a baffled expression to Aaron, who had just finished the preparations. "Why is that?"

"Your Psychic is a weapon of the mind. And the mind is the residence of the emotions you feel flowing through you. So, you see, the result reflects the source.", He explained. "You cannot allow your emotions to influence how you draw on your Aura. Such a compromise could prove harmful to both yourself and others."

This philosophy seemed to contradict everything Lucario had been taught about the effect of emotions on one's Aura. "But you said that emotions are not compatible with Aura in ANY sense!"

"Yes, that's right. There is no Aura if it is not being driven by the balance within yourself.", He further elaborated for his pupil to hearken. "Once one's Aura has been tampered by negative emotions, it becomes nothing more than a destructive defection."

Lucario swallowed a nervous lump in his throat. A powerful sense of fear was tapping into his Aura again, something he knew he had to banish. Taking a deep breath and swallowing as much of his anxiety as he could, the he reassigned his gaze to Aaron, his telepathic speech practically stuttering. "So... how do I repress my emotions?"

The knight couldn't help but chuckle at the Pokémon's unintended arrogance. "That's... not really how it works.", Aaron spoke with an indulged grin."You don't repress your emotions. Simply assert your authority over them and push them to back of your conscience."

"But... how do I-"

"You must balance yourself through body, spirit, AND mind. You can't just rely on one." Aaron could still sense Lucario's lingering tension. Really, he couldn't blame the Pokémon for not excelling at an art he had yet to fully comprehend. Mastering Aura was all about balance. Balance was the basis for all life. And he needed Lucario to understand this. "Once you are balanced, you will find the inner control you need to properly use your Aura." Aaron spread his arms out to the obstacle before him. "And for this exercise, you will need your Aura, not Psychic, to visualize your surroundings."

Lucario surveyed his foggy atmosphere; how the remaining logs gently swayed with the gentle breeze that cut through the complicating haze, seemingly taunting him into repeating his failure all over again. And he dared not make a fool of himself again, not in front of Aaron.

Even through silence, Aaron could pick up on his pupil's growing distress, along with his obvious reluctance to attempt the exercise again. "Even Aura Guardians make mistakes, Lucario, so don't feel bad.", He coerced his dear friend and student with positive reinforcement. "We learn from our failures! You can't expect to get it just right the first time. And you know something? It took me a while to master this same exercise, too!"

Lucario's eyes shot up to the human's youthful face, stunned. He had been with Aaron for years and not once detected a fault in his Aura skills, which made it nearly impossible for him to imagine his master having ever blundered at something so basic as dodging logs. "You... were just like me at one time?"

Aaron nodded and slouched against a tree, his arms neatly folded and propped upon his chest as he re-accounted the memories."I was only a boy, training under Master Kota at the time." Much to Lucario's keen knowledge, he was referring to the Aura-wielding Master that headed Emerald Kingdom's council of guardians, whom had not so long ago instructed Aaron in the ways of utilizing Aura. "And I'm going to tell you the same thing he taught me: effort builds Aura, failure builds character. No matter what the circumstances, you'll experience the best of both worlds. And it will make you both stronger and wiser in the end!"

The inspiring words struck a cord with Lucario, compelling him to step forth and ready for the obstacle once more. Aaron's story had served as a stroke of confidence, much to his fortune. He'd have to employ that motivation to his advantage.

Once Lucario had reapplied his blindfold and taken his position between the pair of trees that would pendent the logs, Aaron proceeded to commence the exercise and the wooden logs were again released!

Lucario stood absolutely still as the logs came driving towards him! But alas, the Aura within him... it was not responding in the manner Aaron had explained. He could not sense the Aura of the logs, ergo he could not sense the logs! Refusing to call upon his Psychic to cheat through the lesson, Lucario simply had no other option but to stand there blankly, allowing one of the lumber targets to brutally hammer into his pelvis! "Agh!"

"Lucario!" Aaron rushed over to the site, cleverly evading the logs with speedy maneuvers, and dragged Lucario's fallen body to the foot of his spectating tree. He knelt down before the groaning Pokémon and pulled off his blindfold, carefully propping his head up on his lap. "Lucario, what happened-"

But before Aaron could finish, Lucario jumped to his feet in fury! "Those infernal logs, they are inanimate objects!", He growled bitterly, trying his best to express a point to Aaron without outright disrespecting him. "They possess no Aura for me to reach out to! How can I possibly sense their movements?"

Unhappy with his apprentice's apparent attitude, Aaron sighed to himself and stood to his feet. "I'm not asking you to sense the movement of the logs, Lucario.", He calmly explained. "Use your Aura to SEE them, not SENSE them. Clear your mind. Relax your body. Reach out to your inner spirit. Allow yourself to focus. Then, call upon your Aura... and let it act your eyes!"

Lucario couldn't help but object to the simplicity of Aaron's demands! "Sir, it's just... it's impossible! It cannot be done!"

Aaron bit his bottom lip in slight concern. Looking back, however, when he had pledged to raise Lucario in the ways of the divine arts, he knew that not every experience of the process would be child's play. "You mustn't give up so easily, Lucario." He drew closer to the creature, setting his loving and tender gaze in lock with the hopeless Pokémon's. "You need to trust in yourself. The Aura within you is all that you require... so just devote yourself to what it can do for you."

Still, no response from Lucario.

Aaron sighed again, having been left with only one other choice. He lifted his intent gaze again. "Would you prefer a demonstration?"

Hesitantly, Lucario nodded. "That... would be most helpful, master."

Aaron returned the modest reply with a smile. "Alright, then." He set up the logs without complaint and took his stance between the trees, tightly securing his mystic glove over his hand as he did so. He took the blindfold from Lucario and tied it around his eyes. And without breaking concentration or movement, he spoke out to his observer. "Watch and learn, my young student. Pay close attention."

Standing out of harm's way, Lucario nodded, despite Aaron's inability to psychically acknowledge it.

The wooden logs were then released! They came at Aaron from all possible sides, leaving only a few inches for him to evade everything! The Cameran Knight moved swiftly and smoothly! He was at full balance and composure, allowing his Aura to grant him sight through the blindfold! "Don't just act, but feel.", He spoke he as skillfully danced with the swiveling lumber. "Let the Aura guide you. Let it feel for you. Trust in it. Allow it to light the darkness that blinds you... so that it may give you the gift of sight!"

Lucario couldn't help but be amazed by his master's precision and timing, not to mention how well he was maintaining his focus! And the way the knight's body swayed so artfully with the will of his Aura, it was almost as if Aaron's powers were actually conducting his body! "He's... he's brilliant!", Thought Lucario as he watched with both eyes staring agape!

And without breaking a sweat, Aaron came to a still just as the logs did the same. He untied his blindfold and glanced towards Lucario, a smile glistening from his features as he spoke to the learner with an encouraging tone in his voice. "It's your turn, Lucario. You can do it. I know!"

Shaking off his daze, Lucario nodded and retrieved the blindfold from his master. As soon as it was plastering his sights, he assumed his form and stood, waiting. "The Aura... is with me." And with that thought left to inspire him, the exercise incited! He felt the first log passing right by his ear, causing him to slightly panic. However, he quickly reassembled his sturdy posture and poised himself in a controlled stance! He was suppressing his panic and strain, bolstering his focus, and balancing the fight for control within himself; his mind was at ease, his spirit was quelling, and his body was finally untensing. And when the third log was about to hit him, he saw something. The darkness of the blindfold faded as he almost saw his surroundings, despite the fact that he was blinded! Like in a dense fog, he saw the log appearing right before his eyes, and just barely evaded it! The first log that had passed his ear only moments before now swung back from the other side, and, strangely enough, he could feel it approaching him and ducked out of harm's way, this time doing so in a very reposeful motion!

Aaron watched his pupil prevail in his training and lifted a proud smile to the sight beheld.

And Lucario, so entranced in his concentration, held little emotion to his movements, which was indefinitely a safe measure. His Aura was amplifying, conferring upon him the gift of sight and allowing him to more clearly perceive the environment! And after a few minutes, the fog clouding his vision faded almost entirely! He could now see the logs long before they could hit him! Yes, he had done it!

"Good, that's enough.", Proclaimed the knight in blue.

Upon intercepting those instructions, Lucario sprang up into the air and landed on the other side of the obstacle field, several feet away from the battering logs. His Aura Sight vanished all at once and he peeled the blindfold from his eyes, looking across to Aaron with an almost stunned expression. Had he really succeeded?

Aaron noticed the Pokémon's look of bewilderment and let out a slight chuckle, which earned a grin in response. Giving a nod of approval to his student, Aaron closed the gap between them as he crossed between the pair of trees. He stood before his Pokémon, congratulating him with another silent smile.

Lucario relaxed his shoulders and smiled right back. "Thank you."

Aaron shrugged, laughing. "You did that all on your own. I had nothing to do with it! You saw it through step by step and learned to fully trust in the power within you." He placed a hand upon Lucario's untaxed shoulder. "You made me proud today, Lucario."

He looked up at his master, eyes wide and in awe due to to Aaron's commendation "R-really?"

"Why is that surprising? You're constantly improving in your skills.", Sir Aaron told him, another gentle smile on his handsome face. "It won't be too long before you meet the rank of master."

Lucario blushed, thankful for the blue fur covering his cheeks. "I highly doubt that will happen."

"Not with that attitude, it won't!", Snickered the blue jackal. "You need to keep yourself motivated, is all."

Lucario nodded. "Right, of course." He felt somewhat silly for having forgotten the most important of his studies he had learned back at the palace. "The Passage of Aura. It will strengthen the confidence I need."

Again, Aaron chuckled. "Well, it certainly did the job TODAY!"

The weight had been lifted off of Lucario's shoulders all at once. Aaron had the tendency to do that for him, what with his loving companionship and constant encouragement. He was lucky to be training under an Aura Master so patient and understanding. It made his training feel less burdensome. "He should be the one heading Emerald Kingdom's Council of Guardians. He's earned it."

Aaron made his way back across the training grounds to recollect his signature staff that lied against the old oak he had been watching Lucario's progress from. But just as he reached for it, a sharp and painful sensation shot through him, followed by a feeling of extreme awareness; there was a dark disturbance in the flow of the Aura! Aaron fell forward against the bulk tree, just barely holding himself up as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Master!" Lucario jogged to his master's side in that instant, aware that the knight's Aura was becoming troubled. "Master, are you alright?"

"I-I think so.", He panted, his left hand hoisting himself up against the tree while his right hand clutched at his aching chest. He didn't know what was causing this discomfort, nor how powerful a disruption it was to the balance of nature. But Aura had sensed it. That much he could ascertain.

Lucario trembled beside the human. "Is something wrong?"

Aaron pulled away from the tree once the internal disquiet had lessened and turned to his pupil with a concerned frown. "I sure hope not..."

TO BE CONTINUED . . . .

(Next Chapter: Aaron reflects on his childhood teachings and how it forbids the one thing he deep down may want more than anything.)