Chapter Nine
Later that week...
The thunderstorm was a thing of the past. During all of it, Pikachu had kept a silent vigil over the camp, redirecting the lightnings coming too close. After that, he returned to Ash in the champions caravan. As the week contined, Ash grew stronger and finally had all of his strengh back. During the week, many students tried to come secretly to look at him but Ash always saw them coming with his Aura. The students were promtply discovered and sent back to their camp.
One night, Lance, Will and Cynthia had taken him in what was left of the village near the castle so Ash could say where was what. Of course, the boy told them that if the city had existed for a century after he left, then what he knew could be severely out-dated. Lance told him then that even if a century had past after is disappearance, the ancient texts they found told them that the city hardly changed. So Ash's memory could very well aid them and the archeaologists. This visit also brought Ash to a sort of closure. The boy was brought to tears when he saw what was left of his proud city but he also felt relief when the professor Blaine, the head archeaologist tell him that the war wasn't caused by the hunters but by something else. The inhabitants have simply chosen to leave the city of Rota voluntarily to protect themselves.
He also learned that the last Queen of Rota was the last one to leave. She made sure that her subjects were able to flee the war before going herself and found refuge in the Sinnoh region. Her descendants still live on in their adopted region. After the visit, Ash returned with the champions in the caravan. Along the way, he felt something that made him stop and use his Aura. Someone was spying on them. He secretly send Lucario to fetch the spy and bring him or her in. It wasn't long before his pokemon returned with a blonde haired woman with him. Lance put himself before him while Cynthia and Will took the rear guard. Finally, Lance spoke once Lucario let the woman go.
-«Fancy seeing you here, miss Domino. So, Team Rocket is interested in old paintings again?» ask Lance, tense.
-«Why not, champion? It's not like my boss couldn't afford them.» tell the woman arrogantly.
-«Why am I not surprised to see you here? I know Team Rocket is always up to no-good. It's always like that with trash like them.» add the champion.
Ash was waiting to see who would win this verbal match when he senses something else. The lady hasn't come alone. An attack was aimed at the champion and Ash quickly conjured an Aura shield around the four of them. Lucario jump into the darkness to find who attacked them.
-«I think it will be quite obvious if I state that we are not alone here.» Said Ash like what he did was nothing.
It wasn't long before they were surrounded by people in black clothes with a big red «R» on the chest. There were at least 20 of them. Lance, Cynthia and Will released their pokemon. Ash did the same with Ponyta. Lucario was already out somewhere and Pikachu was on his shoulder. His little yellow friend then jumped on the ground to join the fight. Their opponents also had their pokemon out. Some Ekans, Weezing and a Nidoking or two. Ash didn't see anything more threatening. He then use his Aura sense to see if the darkness didn't hide something more but no, Lucario had already taken care of the psychic pokemon who was hiding.
-«Only 20, my, you really think you can beat us with only them, my dear? You overestimate your chances.» Says Will.
-«It's more then enough to take the prize but we dont have to fight. Why don't you surrender yourself little guardian. My boss have a proposition for you.» said Domino.
-«I'm sorry milady but I must refuse the invitation. I am not really interested in what your boss want to offer me. Nothing good I assume so I'm sorry but you will have to leave without me.» said Ash, ready to fight.
-«What a little gentleman! But I'm afraid I have to insist.» She then turn to the grunts and order them to attack.
It wasn't long before the champions put their skills to good use. Ash wasn't left to his own device either. The pokemon who attacked him sense the powerful thunder of his Pikachu and the ground type really feel Lucario attacks when he appeared next to his partner. After a time, the grunts tried to attack him but he send them some Aura sphere and they retreat. At the end of the battle, Ash found himself with his staff pointed toward Domino.
-«I suggest you surrender, milady. It won't be very chivalrous of me to hit an unarmed woman.» Ash said.
-«You are truly someone, my little gentleman. No wonder my boss is interested in you but I have no intention to surrender. My code name is Black Tulip, sweety, and we will see each other again.» she said.
She then launch a black tulip who made a bang and a flash of light. Ash's pokemon surrounded him and they all hide their eyes from the aggressive light. When they were able to open them again, the unconcious grunts were still on the floor but there was no trace of that woman. She just left and leave her soldiers behind. Not very much what Ash would have done if he was at the head of a group. A knight never leave his friends or troop behind. It was a cowardly act. Lance and Cynthia run to him while Will checked the perimeter.
-«Are you alright? You're not hurt?» said Lance.
-«I'm alright. Who were they? Are they part of one of the organizations you warn me about?» ask Ash.
-«Unfortunately, yes. They are part of Team Rocket and if they attacked now, that mean that they know who you are and where you are. A good thing that we leave tomorrow.» said Will as he returned. «We are safe for the moment. I called the autorities to arrest them. It's better if they don't see Ash here.»
-«Good thinking, Will.» says Cynthia. «Come on Ash, let's return to the caravan. You will be safe there for the time being. That girl... She is one of the best operatives of Team Rocket.»
-«Honestly that is not saying much. She left her men here when she saw the situation turns against her. She is not very brave. If she is one of their bests, I was expecting more of a fight. Was she just testing me?» Ash said.
-«Probably, yes. I know her enough to be stronger than that. She probably had orders not to hurt you. You won't be any use to them if you're too hurt to move.» Said Will.
-«That's reassuring. Well, the autorities will be there soon so it's better if I go to bed. We are leaving tomorrow after all. It is better if I have all my strengh back in case they returned. Oh, and Sir Lance, if they know I am here then that mean that you surely have a spy in your midst here. I suggest you look for him or her.» said Ash before retiring in the caravan.
Lance make a face before saying that Ash was probably right about the spy. He will search the camp and he will make sure that the spy won't be able to send any more reports to their boss. Ash then return to the caravan and went directly to bed. He knew that the students would leave probably after breakfast. As for the champions and him, they will leave earlier so they could wait for the bus of the Academy at the designated point. After that, the students and him would go one way and the champions another. They will make sure that Team Rocket would follow them and not the bus where he will be. One of the sanctionned trainer will take his place with the champions just in case. Lance have chosen him because of the slight resemblance between them. The one they would take was slightly bigger and older than Ash and he was trained by the League to be an Ace trainer. Like others he was trained to help in matters of protection and surveillance. His name was Jake. Ash and him hit it off since the beginning.
Jake was always ready to make Ash laugh about everything. He even mimicked one of his professor while he was trained by the League and the imitation was hilarious. For Jake, Ash was like a little brother who needed protection. He arrived very early in the morning so nobody would know who he was. Ash was still sleeping when he arrived and only met him once he woke up. Since then, the two boys were always together. Jake told Ash that he was chosen to replace him because he always excelled in imitations. Even then, he copied Ash's way of moving and his mannerisms to pass for him from a distance. Of course, if they were attacked by enemies in close combat, they will see that he wasn't Ash but from a distance, his imitations really work. Ash was really worried about another attack but Jake reassure him by saying that he risk nothing with two champions and an elite four member who is also a psychic. And he, himself, wasn't too shabby with his own pokemon. Everything will be fine.
Later...
It was still early when Lance and Cynthia met with professor Blaine. It was time for them to go. They had already overstayed their welcome. Lance spoke about the fact that he will send inspectors to find the spy of Team Rocket who sold the information about Ash to his boss. In the meantime, he told the professor to be extremely careful with his findings. After receiving reassurance from the scientist, Lance and Cynthia goes in the caravan and start the engine. It was time to go to the rendez-vous point. Ash was a little nervous. The engine make a funny noise and he couldn't believe that something this big could move without horses. He was a little surprised when everything start moving. Jake then take his hand and tell him that everything was fine. Ash then nod a little nervously. Riding a pokemon, he had done it. Flying on one, done too. After all, he did fly on his master's Pidgeot. But being in a machine that could move without aid from a pokemon? That was a first. Everything was so different from his time and he wondered if he will adapt someday. There was no way for him to return to his time without Celebi's help and he was pretty sure that Arceus would never allow that until his mission is finished. And, that could take a long time. And, once his mission is over, would he want to go back?
After a time, Lance let Will drive and come to see if everything was all right. He brought a map with him to show Ash where they were going. Ash studied the map a little before saying that it was a good thing that they could cook and sleep in this thing because the trip would probably take a few days. Jake laugh a little before saying that it will only take a few hours in fact. Ash look a little surprised until Lance explain that the caravan they where in was a lot faster than a horse and that the roads were a lot cleaner and larger too. There was a fork in the road where they will meet the bus for the Academy. There Ash will change transport and go to the Academy while the champions and Jake will continu on the other road. They will make a few stops along the way to make sure that if they were seen by an agent of Team Rocket, they will make sure that Jake play his role perfectly, to convince the evil syndicate that Ash was still with them. Even if it wasn't true.
With the students...
When the students start their last day at the excavation site, they were a little disappointed that the champions were already gone. Ha well... They then start by doing their luggage and making sure that they forget nothing in the tents before going to breakfast. After that, everyone was busy taking their luggage to the bus. Then it was the farewell by the team of archaeologists and taking some lasts pictures for the souvenirs. At 9 o'clock, everyone climb in the bus for departure. It was a good two weeks and they were all happy about it even if some were disappointed that they miss the champions departure and the fact that they couldn't meet the last Aura guardian. It would have been something. Professor Oak was talking to the other professors about a stop they have to make on the way to the Academy. Some of the students who heard them assume that they were probably talking about the stop to eat and thought nothing of it. After all, they make many stops for eating and bathroom break along the way to go at the excavation site. It was not surprising to think that they will stop along the way for the same reasons while returning to the Academy too.
They stop a few hours later to eat and to go to the bathroom. After that, it was return in the bus and going on their way. Like it was with the trip to go to Rota, the students calm themselves and start dozing off their seats. They were near the last crossroad when the bus stop. Professor Oak rise from his seat and tell everyone to stay in the bus. He wouldn't be long. He got out and goes to the bushes near the road. Everyone thought that the good professor also need a bathroom break and return to their conversation. The other professors with them assume the surveillance.
Samuel Oak walk a very short distance before arriving at the champion's caravan. Lance was there, waiting for him. The two men exchange their greetings before telling news to each other. None of them had any problem on the road. Everything was going according to plan. Ash comes out when Lance call him. Pikachu was on his shoulder but Ash had no choice but to put Lucario in his pokeball. He know that the jackal pokemon doesn't like that but he didn't had a choice. There wasn't any place for him in the bus so Lucario tell Pikachu to guard Ash while he was in this round contraption. Ash sweatdropped when he heard that. Fortunately, Ponyta wasn't so difficult. Then, with professor Oak and Lance, he goes to change transport. He send a greeting to Cynthia, Will and Jake before going. Ash was nervous again. He doesn't sense any danger around but now he will meet his new schoolmates. He have never been in school before so he doesn't exactly know how to act.
While they were walking to the bus, Ash couldn't help saying that he was a little nervous. After all, he never have been to school before. When the professor ask him why, Ash explain that, in his time, the educationnal system was more master-apprentice and that the school was just for the nobles. Ash wasn't a noble by blood. He was born a commoner. He only receive an education when his mentor, Sir Aaron, took him as an apprentice. Before that, he couldn't even write his name. He wondered if the school from his time was different of the school from this time. The lessons were surely different. They finally arrive at the bus. Professor Oak climb on to talk to the students while Lance stays with Ash. He put his hand on Ash's shoulder and try to reassure the boy.
-«Don't be afraid. You're a smart lad, I know you can do it. You'll make your master proud.» Said Lance.
-«I hope so. Why am I so nervous? It's just school. It's not like I'm going on a battlefield.» says Ash, shaking a little.
-«Ha but it's normal to be nervous when you tried something new. You told us yourself that you have never been to school before so that is something new for you.» Add Lance.
Ash was about to say something else when he decide to listen to the professor Oak. He was speaking to the students telling them that they had stopped to welcome a new student at their Academy. The other students were suddenly very curious about this new student. After all, school was almost over for the summer. Oak then made a gesture for Ash. The boy breathe a little before climbing on the bus. Just before he meet the students, he turned and thank Lance for his help. The champion smile and salute him before leaving. Ash then take his place besides Professor Oak, before the other students who all became surprised.
-«Now, I want all of you to welcome our new student. Everyone, this is Sir Ashton. He would stay at the Academy for safety purpose and to learn more about our time. So please, don't harass him with questions. We will all learn from each other with time. Now, where will you sit...» The old man said, searching for a place for Ash to sit the rest of the way. «Ha, there is a place near Serena. Please, my dear, raise your hand so he could see you.»
A young lady raise her hand while blushing. The honey hair beauty was terribly shy and Ash was a good looking boy. Ash smile to her politely and sit beside her. The professor then sit himself before the bus start again. He wanted to start a conversation with the beautiful maiden besides him but he always have a problem talking to girls. He was always too shy. He look at Pikachu and his little companion jump on the seat between them before going on Serena's knees and asking to be pet. Ash laugh a little.
-«He likes you. He doesn't ask to be pet by everyone. Only by people he likes.» he said, calmly.
-«R..really?» said Serena timidly.
-«Yes. He likes the spot behind the ears. Try it. If he likes that, you have a friend for life.» Ash replied
Serena raise calmly her hand and start scratching Pikachu behind the ears. The little mouse pokemon then close his eyes before cooing cutely. Serena smile again and Ash was about to say something when he feel someone tugging at his cloak. He turn his gaze to see an adorable little girl. She doesn't seem older than 7 years-old.
-«Yes...» ask Ash.
-«Can I pet Pikachu too? Please, please...? I'm Bonnie by the way. My brother Clemont is snoozing on our seat.» says the little blonde girl.
-«If Pikachu accept, I don't see any problem.» He then take the little girl on his knees and let her pet Pikachu.
-«He's so cute! I wish I have a pokemon like him. But I'm just seven and we can't before fifteen. We're not considere mature enough at my age. That's not fair.» rant the little girl.
Ash laugh a little before telling her the first time he met Pikachu. He was seven too and just lost his mother the year previous. Having Pikachu at that time was like a consolation because he wasn't alone anymore. He was a little surprise when the little girl hug him and tell that he won't be alone any longer.
-«Thank you Bonnie. That's very kind of you.» Ash said. He was interrupted when a sleepy voice call for Bonnie. He then saw a blonde boy with glasses of his age coming to them.
Ash was a little shy because everyone was looking at them. He suppose that he couldn't help it. After all, he was an oddity to them. The last Aura guardian. Well, if you didn't count Lucario. The blonde boy approach them and excuse his sister.
-«I'm sorry. I hope she didn't disturb you. I didn't sleep much because of the thunderstorm yesterday so I fell asleep on my seat.» said the blonde boy.
-«It's alright. She didn't disturb us. She just wanted to pet Pikachu.» says Ash.
-«Well, that's a relief. My name is Clemont. Bonnie here is my little sister. She's a good kid even if she is a pain sometimes. Its her habit of trying to find me a girlfriend. Honestly, she is a pest in that topic.» says the boy while adjusting his glasses.
-«But big brother. I have to find you a wife. Who would take care of you when I will go on my pokemon journey? I can't do everything for you and your useless when you're left on your own.» Exclaimed Bonnie.
-«See what I mean?» Ask Clemont
-«Yes, well... I'm just glad to be an only child in that case. I don't remember having any siblings. As long as I can remember. Until my mother's passing, it was just her and I in our cabin. I only met my mentor, Sir Aaron, when I was 8. Two years after her death.» Says Ash.
It was true that he was barely remembering his mother and the only thing he could remember was her voice, a little of her face and that she smells like honey cakes. Serena was listening to their conversation as well as all the other students around them.
-«Ho, I'm sorry about your loss. I shouldn't have brought the subject in the open. I know how hard it is to lost someone you love. Bonnie and I lose our mother five years ago. I remember her well but Bonnie barely remember her. She was too young when it happened.» says Clemont.
-«Don't be. I am a little like her. I was too young when it happened and I barely remember my mother. I remember a little about the village where we lived. A village name Pallet in the south of Kanto.» says Ash.
A voice suddenly intrude in the conversation. Ash turn his head and saw that the voice belong to a brown spiky hair boy sitting behind him. He seems greatly surprise. He shake himself a little before speaking.
-«No really? You are from Pallet town? I am from there too. My name is Gary Oak. I'm professor Oak's grandson.» says the boy.
-«You mean that my village still exists? That's surprising. I thought that it would have disappear with time. It wasn't very big when I was there. A couple of cabins and some fields.» says Ash.
-«Yeah... I imagine. But how did you travel from Kanto to Cameran. Even in this time, it took a few hours to go there so I imagine that it would at least take a few days in your time.» Ask Gary.
-«Well... I can't really explain it. One night, I fell asleep in my mother's old cabin and the next day, I woke up in the forest near Cameran. Every time I try to remember what happened during the night, I draw a blank. I couldn't remember a thing. I suppose a pokemon could have brought me there but I don't remember anything.» explain Ash.
-«That's strange.» says Gary. «Hey, maybe you could remember where you used to live when you were there.»
-«Hum... Hate to break it to you, my friend but the cabin is probably nothing more then dust now. It was a wooden cabin after all.» Says Ash.
-«Why do you say that? You don't really know.» Ask Gary
-«Gary, you do realize that the last time I was at Pallet was almost eight hundred years ago, no? I don't think a wooden cabin could stay intact after all this time.» replied Ash.
-«Oh... No, probably not...» says Gary while blinking.
Some giggling could be heard after Gary's answer. The boy blush a little before glaring at the other students. He was a little excited, there was nothing wrong with that. He return his gaze to Ash examining him. The blue clothes and the Aura staff. He never told the others but when he was younger, his favorites stories were about the heroic Aura guardians. His favorite above all was the story of the noble Sir Aaron. And now, he have a golden opportunity to learn how his hero was. Ash knew him personaly after all. He calmed his heart before asking his question.
-«Sir Ashton, how was Sir Aaron? I heard many stories about him but you knew him. How was he?» Gary ask, hesitantly.
Ash look outside before answering. He knew somehow that he would have to answer some questions about his mentor. It was just strange that it didn't hurt him as much now. Maybe finding what really happened to him brought him some sort of closure. He felt more at peace now since his surrogate father's death.
-«Please, call me Ash. If you continu to call me Sir Ashton, it would make it more easy to the criminal organizations to find me. As for answering your question, he was a great man. As noble inside as he was outside. I met him when I was only eight. He took me in, fed and clothes me and start teaching me how to use my Aura. He didn't care that I was a little street thief. He didn't care at all when he discovered how little education I had. He was a wonderful surrogate father. I miss him terribly. I lost him maybe just weeks after my fifteenth birthday. I'm almost sixteen now. But I will never forget how kind he was to me. And to the others as well. He sacrificed his life to stop a war. The only thing I have left of him are my education, my staff and Lucario.» said Ash, peacefully.
-«He must really have been someone...» Said Gary dreamily.
The students were so absorbed by the story that it took a certain time before they notice that they were already at the Academy.
In another place...
In a dark office, five persons were waiting for the communication of their agent. Finally, the screen lit up and a blonde woman appeared at the screen. Giovanni raise his head and start speaking.
-«I want your report, agent Domino. I want to know everything you have found in Cameran.» ordered the Team Rocket boss.
-«Yes sir. The guardian is real. I personaly saw his powers in action and they were impressive. He made a shield of pure energy to protect not only himself but also three other persons. He can also launch blue ball of energy around. I also suspect that he could communicate telepathically with his pokemon but I have no proof of that. He also is a perfect gentleman if I could make an opinion.» says Domino.
-«So you and your team weren't able to capture him, then.» says Archer, one of the admins also present near his boss.
-«Sadly no. If he were alone, we could have been able but that was not the case. He was with Lance, the champion of Kanto, Cynthia, the champion of Sinnoh and Will, a member of the Elite four of Johto. He seems to have allied himself with the Pokemon League. Do you want us to try and attack again? My information tells me that he is still with the champions.» finished Domino.
-«No, it is too dangerous. Return to base. We will try to capture him when he's left alone. The League won't be able to watch him constantly. We will take him when their surveillance will be weakened.» says Giovanni.
-«As your order, Sir. My team and I will be there tonight.» Says Domino before cutting the communication. She was able to keep to herself how many men she lost with her little stunt. At least, for the moment.