This will the last update for awhile. I'm having some problems in the real world that require my attention. I don't know when I'll be back, but know I haven't abandoned this story.
It was the day after Xaveria arrived on Melemele Island. When the boat had finally docked, it was very late in the afternoon. It nearly caused her to miss her check in at the hotel. After settling into the room, she had Leo use his special eyes to scan for trouble while she set up some defenses in the hotel room. Then they had gone to bed.
Now as the sun started to climber higher in the sky, Xaveria was trying to find a Pokémon salon, to get Leon fur cut. He was boiling with his black fur. She hoped a trim would help cool him off a little.
She finally found one next to the mall and thankfully it was air conditioned. "Ugh finally, I was baking in this heat," Xaveria stated out loud as she entered the shop. Next to Leon said the same thing.
The clerk looked amused. She had heard that statement a lot from tourists. "First time in Alola?"
"Yeah, I'm from Sinnoh and we don't get nearly as much heat as this, well where I live exactly. I was wondering if you could do anything to help Leon here. He's practically melting in the sun."
"Lux lux Luxray."
"Of course we have someone. Juno is our best stylist and will help your Luxray and any other Pokémon you might have feel comfortable Ms.?"
"Valley, Xaveria Valley. What's the price per trim?" After giving her an estimate Xaveria agreed to it and let Juno take Leon back along with the ones she was currently training for the upcoming Bonding Ceremony back home.
While waiting for her Pokémon to get finish getting their trimmings, Xaveria casually talked to the clerk asking her about anything unusual that had been going on. She wanted to plan her visit accordingly.
The clerk had no trouble talking about the recent sightings of the Island Guardian Tapu Koko and the Pokémon School's open house in two weeks. She talked about the weather commenting that they were due for a storm in a few days.
The clerk paused for minute to tap her chin trying to remember something. "There is something you should watch out for. People who go into the forest for hikes have been talking about how different it feels these days."
Xaveria raised an eyebrow and leaned in. "Different? How different can one forest be to the next?"
The clerk looked at her, her body tightening up for a split second. "The forests of Melemele Island have been tranquil and calm, but there is a heaviness in the air and people feel like they're being watched. Unusual sounds can be heard. I can only hope the Island Kahuna can figure out what is happening."
Xaveria had read about the Kahunas while on the boat trip. There were four of them and each one had an island they were in charge of. If she remembered correctly the Island Guardians chose the Kahunas, believing them to be the best ones to lead the people and Pokémon, on a peaceful path to the future.
Noting she needed to talk to the Kahuna later Xaveria settled back down and waited for Leon and the others to return. About twenty minutes later Juno came back with Leon and the Poke balls. She had done a magnificent job.
Leon's back end had the fur near its tail trimmed down and the fur on the back legs was shorter. His front legs had sections missing and the paws had been carefully trimmed to let him still use his claws, but wouldn't get so much sand sticking to them. A small section of his chest and the side fur on his front have had been shaved off. His mane was smaller with a few cuts to allow air to move over his body.
"I feel so much better. I'm not overheating and I can move freely again without stuff getting stuck to me. This is the best fur cut I ever had. The others are happy as well."
The moss haired teen nodded and paid the clerk. They left the store and started heading to the tourist bureau. She had downloaded what information the Protectors had, which wasn't much, on the region. "If we're to succeed in our mission than we need to get more local information."
"When are we going to check up on the Heart and Trina? She's our primary responsibility remember? Whatever negative energy is here, can wait until after we've done a quick check in."
"You're right and we will. If however, this negative energy we need to investigate is causing problems for our friends, we need to obtain as much knowledge as we can on this place. It wouldn't do us any good if we stood out."
"Agreed Xaveria. I just hope we can pick up the pace a little. That entry from her diary is very concerning. We don't know what Trina will do or if Leba can keep her from doing something drastic." With that thought in mind the two started walking just a bit faster.
At the school, Kukui had stepped out of the classroom for a short bit, while the students got started with making decorations for the open house. He was in Principal Oak's office and made a call to his wife, Professor Burnett, at her research lab on Akala Island. He never called her during his work hours before. So the first thing she did was ask, "Did someone die?"
"No, why would you even ask that particular question?"
"You tend to be dramatic when I'm away too long is all."
"Ha ha ha, you're a real laugh dear," Kukui told her. She just smiled and waited for him to talk. "I'm calling on a serious matter. Remember, when I told you about our house guests?"
"You mean the kidl-ike teenager and the serious young lady? Of course I remember. I am looking forward to meeting them when I visit you on my next vacation break," Burnett responded delightfully. "From what you told me they sound pretty amazing."
Kukui admitted they were, but then explained for the reason for his call. His wife listened patiently only interrupting to get clarification on his observations. A wrinkle formed on her forehead by the description of the nightmare dreams. She had some experience with dreams, having worked with Dr. Fennel in Unova before moving to Alola, but this was beyond her expertise.
"I only helped Fennel with her research on Pokémon dreams and basic construction of her Dreamworld. I never studied dreams and their meanings in humans. What I can say is what your describing aren't nightmares, but night terrors."
Seeing her husband confusion she explained that night terrors differed from nightmares, as happening in early childhood. They mostly disappeared when a person grew into their adolescent. They could return in young adulthood.
Night terrors happened during NREM period when the brain was experiencing delta wave activity. People would bolt upright in excessive amounts of sweat and their bodies would be thrashing about. The heartbeat would double. The emotional confusion would leave them inconsolable. The frequency of these events could be one day a week to several times.
"The main difference with night terrors in adults is usually they're the result of two things. Both a poor diet and not sleeping enough, or, because of some kind of mental trauma. I would go with some kind of trauma from what you told me about."
"That would be my guess as well, but what can I do?" He took off his hat and fanned himself as he tapped his foot. "Trina won't talk, Ash doesn't seem to be aware of what's going on, and I don't know where to turn to for help. I'm a Pokémon Professor not a medical doctor."
Professor Burnett hated seeing her husband stuck like this. She wasn't a medical doctor either, but she did have some friends who knew people in that profession. "I'll ask my colleagues if they know anyone who works in psychiatry. I'll send you the information and we can go from there."
He appreciated it and would be waiting for her call. It was too bad they had to say goodbye, but both had to get back to their jobs.
In the hidden house deep in the forest Bluff was continuing his research. So far he had run several more tests and was pleased by the results he had gotten. "It would seem my old friend that my initial realigning of the Z-crystals structure worked, but it didn't hold out very long."
"Zoroark zo zoro."
"Agreed. The crystalline structure of these Z-crystals doesn't match any known formation found in the database. That is a strong indicator that these Z-crystals might have come from another dimension. If so, I must rearrange the crystal structure in a different pattern."
"Zoroark zora roak."
Bluff nodded at Zeke who understood the complexity off rearranging the crystal structures. The metal's amplification power was currently too much for the crystals causing them to nearly break. "We must be careful, we only have one sample of each crystal and repeated alterations will further destabilize them unless we can get the stabilizing DNA for the process."
"Zoro zo Zoroark?" The Dark type Pokémon asked. His tail swished impatiently and he clicked his claws. Zeke wanted to do something useful and required causing lots of mayhem.
Bluff scratched the top of Zeke's head in just the right place to make his Zoroark howl in delight. He reached into his pocket and pulled out several Poke Beans. This regions treats was enjoyable to say the least. Zeke was very picky when it came to treats. Berries were fine and the occasional candy, but he despised Poke Block, Poffins, and Puffs.
"It's going to take me most of the day to finish coming up with a new crystal structure and refining metal. Then I have to finish creating the injector," he informed his friend. He glanced at the clock on the wall and tilted his head back in deep thought.
"Zeke, I just figured out a way you can help me. It's time we rattle the other end of this bond harder. Get to the school and do whatever it takes to make the Heart suffer, without killing him." Bluff reached into his desk and gave Zeke a list of items.
Zeke growled in delight. He was one of the few Pokémon in the organization that both of them were in, who could read human language. It helped when you could use illusions to look like a human child struggling to read. "Zoroark!"
Bluff nodded pleased he could count on his Pokémon. After giving Zeke a bag for holding the stolen items, he fitted a chest cam on Zeke so he could record everything he did. Knowing the Heart's ability to draw others to help him, he needed information on all his allies. Then Bluff could come up with a strategy to neutralize them.
Zeke got to the school and hid in the forest watching as the students from the different classes came out to the court to train with their Pokémon. He quickly identified the Heart. The boy was more powerful than he let on. He identified the closest allies and their Pokémon. After securing the bag, he made his move.
Leaping out of the forest he landed on the roof of the school and used Night Slash to send tiles to the ground. Kids ran in different directions as he continued to use Night Slash to ruin the roof. Crawling into the bell tower, he forced a Chesto Berry into Komala's mouth and hurled the Normal type through the air.
The whole yard stopped and looked shocked as they saw an awake Komala clutching his log with his eyes wide open as it came downwards. The log struck the ground and Komala was flipped off and sent tumbling down the road screaming. Principal Oak, heard his beloved Pokémon in pain and was rushing to get outside, his new Fire type Vulpix hot on his heels. "Don't worry Komala! I'm coming! You don't have to worry!"
Zeke landed in front of him growling loudly and struck the man directly in the chest sending him flying down the corridor. He dodged Vulpix's Ember attack and kicked the Pokémon. Turning on his illusion ability he changed into an exact copy of the man.
"Who are you? Why are you Trubishing our school?"
"Do you honestly think I'm going to tell you? Zoroack's never betray our family. I just need one more thing from you," Zeke told them in a mocking voice. With a nasty smile he unleashed his most powerful dark pulse knocking out Principle Oak and Vulpex completely.
He reached into the man's short pockets and pulled out a series of keys. Laughing in amusement, he hurried down the corridor tossing out smoke bombs and the occasional item to frightened the kids outside as their Pokémon tried to find them.
He came to the Principal's office and got in with the keys. Zeke started trashing the place occasionally filling his bag with something of interests. Behind the poster of Principle Oak and Komala winning the PPR, was a small safe. "Hope one of these keys opens it. My heart bond human is never wrong when it comes to finding the right material for the right job."
Carefully Zeke insert the keys one by one until he found the right one that opened the safe. Inside, were a few personal belongings of Principle Oak, a few papers and items related to school activities. In the very back were two items that looked extremely old. One was a sea map and the other was a small box.
The Zoroark carefully picked up the map with his claws and sealed it into a preserved jacket. He then open the box a smidgen and was pleased to see a small glowing octadecagon badge.
After securing those two items it was time for the fun part. Attacking the humans and their Pokémon while gathering samples. He also could wait to hurt the Heart even more. That would show that kid he was on the losing side.
Everyone was starting to calm down as the smoke cleared away. Rowlet had retrieved Komala, who was still wide awake, and trembling in Professor Kukui's arms. The other teachers were checking on their students making sure everyone was okay. The students were also making sure they're Pokémon were safe.
Principal Oak came out of the school and called out, "Is everyone okay?"
"Yes, we're shaken, but fine. Although I'm worried about poor Komala here. He's awake and frightened Principal Oak," Kukui told the man. He was wondering why the principal was just standing there instead of coming over to get his Pokémon.
Ash was standing next to Kukui as he felt a shiver go down his spine. Ash started to cough violently and started to sway on his feet. He looked the principal straight in the eye. The man narrowed his eyes on the boy and smirked.
Ash clutched his chest as his empathetic abilities started to become overwhelmed. There was so much hatred and viciousness in the Principal's eyes. There was desire to hurt and destroy things. There was also a familiarity to it, as if he had felt this before. "Look…out! That's not the principal," he said before fainting to the ground.
As the class looked at him in confusion Principal Oak let out an evil laugh. "You're not as dumb as you pretend to be are you boy?" Principal Oak suddenly changed his appearance and now looked like Professor Kukui.
The professor took a step back upon seeing himself unsure what was going on. The person standing in the doorway changed shape again this time turning into Mallow, Lana, and then Lilly. Back flipping the person changed into Sophocles and then spun around to become Kiawe. Forming a heart with his hands the person transformed into Ash, spooking him badly.
"Stop this right now! Who are you really and what do you want?" Mallow demanded getting fed up with all this mocking.
The person suddenly changed into different Pokémon, most of them belonging to the Ash's classmates, throwing in a few other students Pokémon. Seeing how freaked out they all were, the stranger let a black cloak formed around him.
With a mighty roar the cloak flew off the person and separated until there were doubles of everyone and their Pokémon. "Take them down!" The creature said as it sent a Dark Pulse attack to the right and Night Slash to the left causing confusion and panic.
"Everyone stay together, don't get separated!" Ash cried out. He struggled to get up to his feet. Rockruff and Litten were trying to steady his legs as Rowlett tried to pull up Ash from the back of his shirt. Pikachu pushed him in the chest to get his upper body to move.
While they were doing this, the rest of the class was under attack. They tried to stay together, but those clones kept popping in and out. Their Pokémon tried to warn them of who was fake, but found themselves under attack by different copies of their friends.
Togedemaru shrieked as one of her spines was ripped off by a fake Steene Sophocles turned to help only to be punched in the gut by a copy of Mallow before she scratched him to get his blood. Meanwhile Sophocles and Togedmaru's clones had shoved the teen and her Pokémon to the ground kicking and scratching them.
Kiawe and Turtanator faced copies of Lana and Popplio and it was vice versa with the real ones facing copies of the other. The clones worked together tiring the two pairs out before getting the biological samples.
Professor Kukui tried to protect Lillie and Snowy, but he was no match for three clones. The three of them got taken down by their own evil selves, each taking either a piece hair, fur, or blood. During this time Lillie started crying in fear and was going into shock. Despite the pain Snowy was in the white Vulpex managed to get close enough to comfort the blond girl.
Ash had managed to get to his feet when all his Pokémon and even Rotom Dex started flinching as they were hit by a powerful Dark Pulse. In the blink of an eye, the Pokémon and even Rotom, felt something take pieces of them.
"Guys! Ahhh!" He was being held high up in the air by creature who had created an illusion of Ash only if he was evil. The being covered his Z-Ring squeezing tightly "Let me go!"
"Not just yet Heart! I want to see how much I can crack it!" Ash screamed as his body was assaulted with negative energy. He could feel his Z-Ring and the Electrium Z about to shatter. He couldn't lose both precious gifts.
With all the chaos no one noticed when Ash started to glow white or when the glow turned into a glittering form of Tapu Koko shooting the sky. Everyone did notice though when Tapu Koko slammed into the creature and Ash was released.
"You! I've been looking for you and your master!"
"It took you three days to find me, you must be losing your touch Island Guardian," Zeke mocked him. "Really, where is your pride? Why guard these humans anyways? I know you Tapus' deep down don't care for any of them. It would be much easier to wipe them off your islands"
"Do not presume to know how we feel about our islands and the humans and Pokémon that live on them. Why are you attacking the Heart and his Protector?"
"None of your business. I need to get going now." Zeke could tell the Island Guardian had no intention of letting him leave, so the disguised Pokémon pointed behind him.
Turning around Tapu Koko let out a cry of surprise. The Heart was struggling to stay alive with all that negative energy still coursing through him. Ash's body was flailing around as if he was having a sever seizure. The Z-Ring and its crystal would explode in a manner of minutes if they weren't purified.
"You can either fight me before capturing me, or you can save the Heart. Make your choice. I'm not sticking around!" With those ominous words Zeke left only changing back to himself once he was out of sight of the others.
As the clones vanished, Tapu Koko picked up Ash, and flew to a nearby tree. He shut his wings together so no one could see what was going on inside. The Heart was in serious trouble. Worse, he could feel the bond between Ash and Trina falling apart.
"Please help me," Ash whimpered in Pokémon that was how much pain he was in.
Taking a deep breath, Tapu Koko once more performed Natures Madness. He had to monitor the level of power as the move engulfed the small space. Too much would cause Ash serious pain and too little wouldn't be enough to drive out the negative energy.
When Ash's body relaxed he knew the Heart would be okay. Now for the Z-Ring and the Z-crystal. While his sister Tapu Lele was better at this, he managed to focus his unique energy to purify the items. It took quite a bit out of him meaning he would be resting for several days leaving the island vulnerable.
At the Pokémon School everyone watched in utter silence as Tapu Koko brought Ash back down to the ground. The boy looked perfectly healthy. He whispered something to Ash's Pokémon and left to recover.
The entire school was halfway destroyed. Paramedics had been called as they took students and the principal to the hospital for treatment. Nurse Joy had actually requested help from any traveling Pokémon doctors to help with the flow of Pokémon. It went beyond saying they'd be pushing back the open house for a few weeks to deal with repairs.
The Island Kahuna Hala and Officer Jenny were on their way to see if they could figure out who and what attacked the school. Kukui decided it would be best if he got his class somewhere else. They had already been through enough and he didn't think they could handle being questioned.
He could treat their injuries and he was sure some food would put them at ease before he took them home one by one. A slightly damaged Rotom made the appropriate phone calls letting the parents know what was going on.
A few minutes later the group made it to the restaurant. It was empty because it was closed to the public while Mallow's parents were on Akala Island for a symposium for small business and would be back for a couple more days. Kukui managed to find some leftovers and set them out for everyone on the table.
"How is everyone doing? Does anyone need some medical attention right now? Mallow, where do your parents keep the First Aid kit?"
"In the back in the box just underneath the fire extinguisher" Mallow called out. She was holding back tears as she looked at her ruined hair. She could handle the shallow cuts and scrapes. The pain in her back was still hurting a lot, but what she really was depressed about was her hair.
The fake clones/illusions had torn out one of her long pigtails leaving just one. Poor Steene had puncture marks in one of her leafy pigtails. It was a sad sight to see. Sitting next her was Lana who was trying not look at the small burn she had gotten on her arm while poor Poplio curled at her feet looking at its beloved tail that now had a small chuck missing.
Kukui treated Lillie and Snowy first. Lillie was extremely lucky. The evil clones hadn't done much damage to her. She was filthy, her clothes had stains on them, and she had a couple abrasions, but otherwise she was fine. The creature had stolen her hat for some reason. One of Snowy's tails had been plucked clean leaving Lillie to comfort her Pokémon first.
Sophocles had to hold Kiawe's hand as the Professor disinfected the wounds on his face and checked to see if the fake Mallow punch had done any real damage besides making it tender for a few days.
Kiawe top skin layer had been cut by a high powered Bubble Beam and it was making him ache and itch. He could feel how sore his legs were and a small bump on the head where that spikey helmet struck him. Turtanator was putting on a brave face, but he really wasn't happy with the bite on his tail.
Kukui had just finished helping Mallow and Lana out when he turned to check on Ash. The boy was very quiet and tapping his fingers nervously. He kept glancing out the window. In his lap, Pikachu was cooing to him in an attempt to make him feel safer.
It was odd that Ash had experienced such a strong reaction before the creature had revealed itself so to speak. The fifteen year old had instantly known that Principal Oak wasn't real. Then there was the attack on the boy himself. The creatured had more control over its violent assault, almost as if it was following orders to not go all out when attacking him.
Why did Tapu Koko immediately remove Ash from the school grounds? What happened inside the Island Guardian's shell? There is something I'm missing here and I can't help, but think, it has something to do with Trina's health problems, Kukui thought to himself.
The door to the restaurant opened surprising everyone. The sign clearly said closed. Mallow looked past Kukui and told the customer, "I'm sorry we're closed right now. You can come back tomorrow."
Xaveria looked at Mallow before flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I'm not coming back tomorrow, not after everything I've witnessed or investigated. That attack on the school was one of the reasons I came here. The other was to find him." She pointed at Ash, who finally registered the person.
"XAVERIA! What are you oh?" Ash stood still as Leon jumped and wrapped his tail around the boy. The others started to shout when he yelled at them to calm down. "Identity check?"
Xaveria nodded and gave him a knowing look. "Wouldn't you do the same after what happened?"
Ash nodded and waited for her to verify his identity check. The others didn't move as the older teen started asking the strangest of questions. They were either still in pain or in shock of the events unfolding.
"Whose light guided you on the first day of your journey?"
"Ho-Ho."
"Whose heart did you change and who did you see once events reset?"
"Mewtwo and Mew."
"You are one, but then chose three and then a fourth to bring peace."
"Zapdos, Moltres, Articono and finally Lugia."
The questions continued and many of them were weird or phrased in such a way it didn't make sense to the others. Only when Ash answered the question about whose brother gave his soul to protect his sister who had a crush on him, by saying Latios and Latia, did they realize the answers were all about mythical and legendary Pokémon.
"Do you think Ash has really met all these Pokémon," Lillie whispered to Mallow after hearing him answer a question about which Lake Guardian's did he match in quality. He replied that he was linked with Azelf and valued valor.
"It sounds as if he has. All these Pokémon seem to gravitate to Ash for some reason. It's incredible."
"It impossible. I'm running the calculations in my head and there is no way he could have encountered both a Cressilia and a Darkrai! Why would you even want to meet a Darkrai?" Sophocles asked in a fearful tone.
"You don't need to be afraid Sophocles, there's no Darkrais in Alola," Lana assured him. She was still shocked that Ash had actually met Kyogre when he was in Hoenn.
Kiawe felt his jaw dropping even further as Ash remarked about meeting the Victini, the legendary Pokémon of victory. A chance to meet a fire type that guaranteed victory was a once in a life time thing.
Finally finishing with the questions Xaveria seemed satisfied by Ash's answers, but Leon only held the boy tighter. "You have all the right answers, but only the real you would be able to answer this riddle correctly. Ready?"
Ash nodded, eager to get free and find out what Xaveria was doing here. He hoped she wasn't replacing Trina. "Bring it on. I know the others won't get it." They protested they would as Xaveria smirked.
"I can be made of flesh, stone, or wood. I'm easy to give, but hard to fix if I break. I am the center of almost everything. My size and strength can be measured in many ways. To have me brings joy and life. To lose me brings sadness and death. What am I?"
The others pondered the question, but not even Sophocles or Rotom Dex could figure the answer out. Kukui had a pretty good idea what it was, but refrained from speaking. Something amazing was about to happen he could feel it.
After another agonizing minute Ash responded. "The answer is a heart. I, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, in the Kanto region am the Heart of the Pokémon world." Immediately there was a flash of rainbow colored aura his heart that brightened the whole restaurant. Everyone was in total disbelief except Xaveria, Leon, and Ash's Pokémon.
Snapping her fingers, Leon let the Heart go. He stood up and walked over to Xaveria, who punched him in the shoulder and started to berate him a little. "How can you be so stupid? I know you want your freedom, but why take such a big risk without Trina? How degraded is your bond that you risked exposing yourself with Legendary Call, than letting her know you were in trouble?"
"Hold on a second, Trina's back at the house recovering. She was in a bad accident a little while ago and she hasn't been sleeping properly. I figure she didn't come because she a little off her game," Ash protested.
Xaveria threw up her hands in the air and told him of course she was off her game. After what happened back home, of course she going to have problems. What happened to his empathy for people in pain? How could he be so clueless?
"Xaveria," Leon coughed slightly and patted her leg. She looked at him wondering why he stopped her. "Xaveria, I don't think he knows what you're talking about. Remember what Head Protector Eva said about your rival's emotional state?"
Xaveria eyes widen and she slapped her forehead. Of course he didn't know what was going on! Trina probably lied about why she had come back from her home visit early when she caught up with him in Kanto. "I'm sorry Ash, I thought she would have told you, but I guess it's no surprise she didn't."
Ash was getting upset now. He threw his hat up in frustration and demanded to know what was going on, why was she there, and was it related to what happened at the school or to Trina? "What am I missing here Xaveria?"
Both of them looked into each other's eyes. A silent conversation taking place between them seem to cover a variety of topics. Finally they stopped looking at each other and the boy gave her a nod before sitting down.
His Alolan friends were still completely confused by what was happening. Xaveria ordered Leon to scan for trouble as she released five more Pokémon: First there was a female Kanto version Meowth. Next there was a female Glameow, a male Purloin, and a female Litleo, and lastly a tiny male Sneasel.
Without command they secured the restaurant while Xaveria pressed buttons on her disguised watch. Outside thin sheets of crystal formed a dome around the building, diverting people's eyes from the spot. The other kids gasped and there Pokémon tensed realizing they were trapped inside.
"On behalf of my students, can you please explain who you are and why you have taken such drastic actions? I would also like to know if you plan on involving us in something dangerous."
Xaveria blew at her bangs and sighed. "Believe me Professor, if the situation wasn't as drastic as it is, and there were more of my organization here, I wouldn't be breaking protocol to ask for civilian help." Glancing once more at Ash she took a deep breath and introduced herself properly.
"I am Xaveria Valley and I'm from the Sinnoh region. I live about five and half miles from Hearthome City, in hidden valley that holds my small town, we call Heartbonded. I am member of the Protectors of the Bond, a secret society that defends and protects the unique bond between humans and Pokémon, as well as sacred treasures and places. Trina is also a member of this group, whose current assignment is to protect, train, and if necessary, give her life to ensure the safety and survival of the Heart of the Pokémon World."
Ash chuckled nervously and raised his hand. "Um that's me, I'm the Heart of the Pokémon World. That's what the special training is really for. Oh, I have powers and can do things most humans can't. I helped save the world a few times."
The rest of the group just looked confused, lost and as Rotom Dex would say, "This does not compute with any known data." Living in Alola, they heard many different legends, but nothing like this. Even Professor Kukui who had visited other regions had a clue what they were talking about.
Ash asked everyone to sit in a circle, hold each other's hands, and close their eyes. He instructed the Pokémon to touch their trainers during this process. "Time will be distorted during process. While only a few minutes will pass in the real world, it will feel as if hours once the memory process gets started.
The others nodded as Ash focused his energy. An indigo light formed in the middle of the circle twisting and spreading about until it looked like a giant time flower. The petals unfolded and touched the forehead of everyone assembled. There was a surge of energy that zapped through their minds.
Mallow was the first to open her eyes and couldn't believe what she was seeing. She was levitating in the air, semi transparently. All her senses were working just fine and the sight before was amazing.
It was the Sinnoh region thousands of years ago. She had seen pictures in travel brochures of other regions and listened to tourist describing their homes faraway, but seeing this region such a long time ago made her feel very small.
"What did you do Ash? If this is a memory then whose is it?" she asked quietly as the others popped in existence next her. All of them levitating a bit off the ground. They all had their senses, but quickly realized they were the ghosts when the memory super zoomed into a region in an area that would one day become Hearthome City.
"This is the ancestral memory of the Protectors, carefully preserved as one of our greatest treasures, a complete history of our group from the distant past to the present. This will be the best documentary you'll ever watch."
Events of the ancient past started to play before their eyes. Thousands of years ago terrible storms and devastating plagues hit the region causing humans and Pokémon to travel great distances in all directions to try and find a place that was safe to prosper and live. Because of the amount of devastation happening, many groups would leave a weak person behind, or wouldn't offer any help or support, if they encountered other groups.
One group was different. They called themselves the Protectors because they protected anyone, human or Pokémon, from dangers. If someone got lost, they went out to find them. No matter how large the group everyone shared what they had to survive. If someone died, they would be properly put to rest and others would take on their responsibilities.
One day, the group stumbled upon a strange and large hidden valley. Large crystals formed a barrier around the valley, when light passed through them, the narrow entrance was hidden. The valley also had eighteen deep indentations that looked like tectonic plates around the central area. These were filled with tiny fragments that glisten with power and warmth.
The indentation were puzzling, but the valley was protected from the dangers outside. The weather was calm and gentle. There was fertile land and clean water. The plagues had not reached here.
So the Protectors started to make their home there. They knew even with such a large valley, they would have to venture out again to gain valuable resources or to help people. Knowing this, the elders decided only the strongest adults with a strong Pokémon should brave the outside world together. They wore the fragments they found for good luck and to help them find their way back.
Over time the Protectors started to notice difference in them and the same went for the Pokémon. At first many were drawn to a specific Pokémon. Then it was if they could read each other hearts. Slowly the learned to talk to another. The biggest discovery was when an elder and her Pokémon worked together by both using moves to defend their home. It was obvious that the humans had been changed at the genetic level and the Pokémon felt more human in many ways. They had become heart bonded
Several years later, the Protectors got their answers to the questions that had been plaguing them ever since they had set up a home in the valley. The great Arceus came to this valley every few years to shed his outer plate coverings as they grew in size and power. This valley had been where the plates had originated before they bonded to the Legendary, making them both organic and inorganic.
He was astonished and proud of what they had accomplished, he declared the entire valley would belong to the Protectors of the Bond, forever. He charged them with the responsibilities of protecting the sacred bond between a heart bonded pair by protecting the people, the land, and their treasures.
The early Protectors agreed, showing the great Legendary their symbol. Two hearts intertwine with a human face in one and the other a Pokémon. The pendent was purple, the color of noble duty. Before he left Arceus told him to balance the supernatural abilities of the Pokémon, the universe had created the Heart.
The Heart was always a human whose capacity for love and kindness, matched their valor and resolve. Who could connect on the many different levels of the world and be beacon of hope for humans and Pokémon. They were called Hearts for multiple reasons, but the nickname started because when a new Heart was born a rainbow shaped heart would appear over their real one for the first few minutes of the lives before merging together.
The memories sped up until they were watching key moments from Ash's life. Moments he started to use his fledgling Hearth abilities without even knowing it. On the first day of his journey, when he stood up to the angry flock proclaim his dream. He unconsciously called forth the lighting that powered up Pikachu.
There were a few times in Johto that his powers would flare up. Whenever he was around Casey the Electabuzz Baseball team's biggest fan, he didn't realize that he was accidentally synching up with her team, confusing them.
In Hoenn there a tons of incidents when many of his powers started to manifest fully, such as his ability to use aura, and making barriers. There were several times he would start to develop something, but it would vanish.
When the got to Sinnoh, the memory stopped right after his tag team battle with Paul as his partner. After, watching in disgust the way Paul abandon Chimchar in the middle of a battle and then released him to be on his own Ash literally blew a fuse.
"I was angry and fed up with Paul. I had met many trainers who were callous or didn't treat their Pokémon with respect or kindness. What Paul did was the worst and for the first time I used an electrical base attack on him that nearly electrocuted him to death and took out the power throughout the entire city.
"You really did that? You're more powerful than I thought!" Sophocles exclaimed.
Ash rubbed his head in embarrassment and shame. His actions could have killed Paul and lots of other people and it was only luck that he didn't. "Those actions were how the Protectors of the Bond found me. Head Protector Eva brought me back to the hidden valley and explained everything."
Indeed the memories now showed Ash being lectured and shown a crystal gallery of past Hearts and what such power meant. He toured their hold town, learned their customs, and for the first time was able to identify his abilities.
After a few days, the power was fixed in Hearthome and the Tag Battle Tournament would be allowed to continue. Ash had wanted to return to his journey, but that was a problem. Every Heart, once they were found and brought to the valley, didn't leave until they had completely mastered all their abilities. The average age for returning to the world was twenty five to thirty.
"I begged and pleaded with Head Protector to let me go back. I knew that will the different kinds of Protectors and their technology, I didn't have Glaile chance to make it out on my own."
"So this is where Trina's journey with you begins. She agreed to be your personal Protector and trainer, so that you could continue your travels. I'm guessing that Trina submitted reports on your abilities as an exchange."
Ash nodded as the memories came to a close. He was slightly exhausted by using his memory powers for so long. He needed a recharge so he started to eat what had been left out. The others were still curious about all his abilities so he gave them a copy of the list he'd written for Trina.
Heart Based Powers: Speaking and communicating perfectly in Pokémon language, empathy and memory sharing, and his fledgling healing abilities. There was also his electric based moves, manipulating natural energy, and his ability to synch up with a Pokémon temporarily to see and hear what they saw. Other powers included making other people understand Pokémon speech, his body enhancing techniques and he was getting close to mastering the ability to create protective shields. His latest powers included the Bond Phenomenon, Legendary Call, and his recently increased intelligence potential. He also added that he could use aura and that mastering the Z-ring to the list.
Lillie sat down next to Ash seeing how nervous he was. From what Xaveria was explaining about the reasons she was here and that something traumatic happened between Trina and her parents, she felt Ash had a lot on his shoulders. It couldn't be easy for him.
"I can understand wanting to be normal. I want to be a normal human who can touch Pokémon. It was hard work to get where I am today."
Ash made a noncommutible noise and looked away. He was feeling bad about the way he had been treating Trina and knew this was partially his fault for not being a better friend. He needed to fix this situation. He needed to get to Trina and see if she was feeling any better.
Kiawe looked at Ash and Lillie, seeing his friend in a new light. His childlike attitude was a cover to hide the burden that came with being the Heart. Having nearly killed someone by accident and almost being locked up for years, had scared the teen. He had grown more mature and serious, when it came to training and battling, but having fun also became vital to his mental state.
Steene pulled on Mallow's hand, "Steen ste Steene?" Mallow looked at her confused. "I don't what you are asking."
"She's asking if learning the truth about Ash has changed anything," Xaveria commented off hand. They had forgotten for a second that the Protector could speak and understand Pokémon.
While Lana and Sophocles whispered about all the things they would do if they could do what Xaveria could do, Kukui kept them on track. He remembered Xaveria's early comment and that they were still invisible for a reason. "Do you know who attacked the school and why?"
Xaveria bit her lip and Leon growled. The other feline like Pokémon sat down by her waiting for an answer. "I have a very good suspicion who attacked you, but I need to gather more evidence. As for why the Pokémon, it was a Pokémon, attacked the school? I can only guess that it's related to its master's agenda."
Every screamed when something began banging on the invisible door. There were panic cries and the sounds of something trying to dig through the door. Ash and Xaveria knew instantly who it had to be. Just in case it wasn't who they thought it was they prepared a defense.
"Marla, Gloria, and Ester, formation alpha! Solo and Noir, protect the civilians. Leon by my side." The three females felines took formed a triangle near the door ready to attack. The boys also arched their backs ready to defend the civilians as Xaveria and Leon settled into their fighting stance.
The door was ripped out of its frame by a large amount of grass as Leba ran in looking panicked. Seeing everyone assembled she started talking super-fast, too fast for anyone to catch what she was saying. She jumped and dodged around everyone until she pinned Ash to the table.
"LEAFEON! Leaf leaf Leba Leafeon! Leaf le le leaf!" she shouted at the top of her little lungs.
"Leba calm down! I can't understand you!" Leba refused to calm down. She kept talking and biting at his clothes. She was in such a panic grass was growing all over the restaurant floor. The other Pokémon tried to talk to her and get her to listen to them, but she was refusing. Something was really wrong.
Seeing no other choice, Ash placed a hand on Leba's head and concentrated. He had only done this a few times in the past and it was only for a quick emergency. His aim was for a lot longer than that. A pulse of silver energy game out of his hand and spread throughout Leba's body before pulsing out and entering all the humans and their Pokémon.
The silver pulse vanished and Ash slid to the ground, what little energy he had gained from the food was now gone. "I'm beginning to regret what I just did, but it was the only way."
"You could have waited until you full regained your energy. You've pushed yourself to far today buddy," Pikachu scolded his friend.
"No way, did you just talk Pikachu?" Mallow asked in disbelief.
"Of course he did, we all talk a lot. Humans just don't always understand us," Steene told her only for Mallow to jump in the air. The other Pokémon asked what was wrong, but their humans were backing away.
"You can all understand Pokémon language! At last I'll be able to have more conversations with both humans and Pokémon," Rotom Dex cheered.
At that exact moment Ash's friends realized he had used on of his Heart abilities to make communication easier, but it had drastically drained him. The teen looked like he could hardly move or speak at the moment.
"I wish you hadn't done that, but at least now you can keep pace with me. Trina's missing! She locked me in my Poke Ball before locking it into a drawer and the door to the bedroom! By the time I got free she was gone!"
Thirty minutes later the whole group was at Kukui's house. The place looked like it had been ransacked. Furniture was upturned, the TV lay busted on the floor, and the loft was trashed. Downstairs in the lab it appeared someone had tried to get into Kukui's private files and in frustration destroyed the basement lab.
Leba assured them it wasn't like this when she left. Someone must have come in after she went to get help. This destruction while chaotic, seemed to follow a pattern. It was as if the person who broke in knew what they wanted then decided to trash the place for fun.
Nobody was sure what to do. Should they call the police to investigate or try to solve the mystery themselves? Did Trina leave anything behind to explain where she'd gone? Why had she left in the first place and not taken Leba with her?
Leba darted through the mess and entered Kukui's bedroom. A few minutes later she came back out with Trina's bag, containing items she would never leave behind, including her diary and a small photo album she kept with pictures of Trina's Pokémon family.
The girls flipped through it hoping maybe there was some clues in it about where Trina might have gone. The photos were arranged in order that showed Trina with one of the Eevee evolutions and then a picture of them with their heart bonded person. Almost all of Trina's Pokémon family had ended up with either Gym Leaders or Elite Four members.
Glen was sitting proudly next to Candice, a Gym Leader in Sinnoh. Jorgen and Vanessa ended up with Elise and Marlone who were Gym Leaders in Unova while their young sister Esme ended up with Caitlin, a member of the Elite Four of that region. Ember bonded with Malva of the Kalos Elite Four. The youngest Sylvia was the only one to bond with a child from the Heartbonded, called Kiki.
Lillie was the one to notice the tear stains on the pictures. Trina had been brought to tears looking at these photos earlier today. Something about these happy pictures had caused a heartbreak.
Sophocles and Kiawe found two Poke balls hidden in the dresser drawer Trina had locked Leba into. There was a note attached to them saying she had retrieved these two Pokémon for Ash to train with and registered them with him.
Ash, who was sitting on the couch to rest, opened them and was delighted to see Snivy and Heracross. Both of them were happy to see him, but were sad to learn what was going on.
After reading a few diary entries, Xaveria had a mixed expression on her face. "Do you know anybody with a large boat we could borrow?" she asked the professor in a tight voice.
"I can rent one in a pinch. Why do we need a boat?"
"Because it appears that whoever attacked the school was driving Trina into a deeper depression and making her feel worthless. Judging by what she wrote, Trina left to find herself believing she was no longer worthy of being a Protector," Leon explained.
"I think I know where she's going. She's going to the Isle of the Eevees, a legendary island that pops up all around the world. Only those truly worthy and understand the uniqueness of the Eevees can gain access," Leba exclaimed.
"She…mentioned…once that if she…ever felt lost. She…would seek out… this place… to find out… who she really was," Ash mentioned, a little short of breath.
Judging by the break in and the attack, it was a high possibility that someone was pushing Trina to finding this island so they could find it for themselves. All the entries in Trina's diaries about the legend were torn out. Some tracking equipment was missing as well.
One thing was clear. Someone was targeting Trina and by extension Ash. They didn't have good intentions. This small group needed to find Trina first before the enemy did. Otherwise something really bad was going to happen.