Summary:
After Ash's loss, against Bianca's father, the young trainer returns to Pallet town. Afterwards he disappeared for three years without a trace, yet a mysterious Aura-Guardian appears and takes down Team Rocket by himself. After this, he comes to Unova, trying to enter the league. What adventures will Kanto's Guardian face until he can take on the league-battles.
Pokémon doesn't belong to me.
R&R please.
"Burgh asked you to come here?", exclaimed Ash in shock.
Ilene nodded and explained: "I don't know any details, but I was requested to help since it apparently is a problem I have theoretical experience in." Ash frowned and shared a glance with Lucario and Pikachu. Could it really be? Had their senses not fooled them? "This is what I got sent", continued the Queen and placed something on the table. "It was what made me agree in the first place."
A nervous shudder ran down Ash's spine while he stared at the bright-orange crystal on the table. "So one does exist in Unova too", said Lucario while he leaned closer to the crystal. "We weren't wrong. Another Tree of Beginning is located directly under the City." Queen Ilene nodded, agreeing with Lucario's words.
"But didn't Ash say it was just in Kanto and that Mew guards it?", asked Iris.
"Well, luckily the legendary Pokémon still keep some secrets. It's troubling enough for them that people in Kanto know about the tree. Rota is one thing, they accept it and respect it, but the rest of the region", said Ash while he gently touched the crystal. He pulled back with a hiss. "Master?" "Pikapi?" "It's alright", answered Ash. "It's just…not even when the Tree of Beginning started to dissolve when Mew fell in, I felt so much negative energy from it." At this his Pokémon frowned.
"But that still doesn't explain why the gym is closed. You said there was a connection", argued Paul, turning to Ilene.
"The heart of the tree lies deep under the City. Located directly under the Arena", explained the queen. "I heard Burgh's Greenhouse was legendary. I guess it came from the heart of the tree."
"And now that…this…happens, who knows what could be going on in the Arena", concluded Cilan.
Ilene nodded, then turned to Ash. "Ash, can't you think of something to do? I am honestly at loss right now."
Ash crossed his arms and leaned back. "As long as we don't know who was supposed to guard this tree, I can't seem to get an idea to help it. Even if Lucario and I give our Aura to this legendary Pokémon, which I would prefer not to, if it doesn't trust us, or isn't there, we can't help."
"I feared so", sighed Ilene.
"Master", began Lucario, then hesitated. "Yes Lucario?", asked Ash. The fighting-steel-type still hesitated, but Pikachu seemed to have gotten the idea and blurted out: "Pi Pikachu Pika Pika Pikachu Ch Pikapi!"
"That could work", exclaimed Ash.
"What could work?", asked Iris.
Ash looked at her, then sighed and answered: "Sorry, as long as you don't meet her, I can't tell." "Why not?", asked Cilan. "Lugia and Arceus made me vow to not tell anyone anything of what I know through them. That is one part of this knowledge." With that he stood up. "I'll take a flight on Unfezant back into the forest. Get ready to move out, you too Ilene. We'll be back as fast as we can." Ilene nodded and stood up, followed by the others. "Meet me in front of the Arena in a few hours", ended the Kanto-Native before he pushed the door open and walked out of the hotel and onto the street quickly.
"Lucario I need to call you back for a while."
Lucario nodded and disappeared in red light. "Unfezant." The flying-type appeared and Ash explained: "You need to give me a ride to Pinwheel Forest."
"Fe?", asked Unfezant and tilted her head. "I'll explain on the way", promised Ash. Unfezant nodded and took off with him and Pikachu. During the flight he explained the situation to her. Soon she descended again and landed on the ground. "Thanks Unfezant." "Unfezant!", cried Unfezant out before the teen called her back. He called Lucario back out, then swiftly made his way to the centre of the forest. Pikachu and Lucario followed silently along.
A strange silence lay over everything and Ash wondered if Pinwheel Forest started to suffer from the dying tree. "Master…something is wrong", said Lucario, voicing Ash's and Pikachu's thoughts.
"I know", whispered Ash back. "I can just hope, if Virizion has answers, she'll give them to us."
"Who dares to enter this clearing just like that!"
Ash took a step back in bewilderment. He had expected Virizion to recognize his Aura by now. "Virizion, it is I, Ash Ketchum and my companions Pikachu and Lucario." That was when some nearby bushes rustled and Virizion stepped out.
"Ah, Chosen One, I didn't expect another meeting so soon."
"Are you alright?", asked Ash worriedly. She seemed tired.
"The forest is in uproar", answered Virizion. "And I can't seem to find the reason."
"Pikachu!"
"Tree?", asked Virizion and gave the electric-type a quizzical look.
Ash took a deep breath, then asked: "Virizion, what do you know about the Tree of Beginning under Castelia City?"
"What the…who told you that?", cried the legendary Pokémon out and staggered backwards.
Ash raised his arms in a calming manner and explained: "Lucario and myself sensed it when we sent our Aura out in the city. At first we dismissed it, but Queen Ilene from Cameran Palace in Kanto said we were raid."
"Cameran Palace", whispered Virizion. "As in Cameran Palace, Rota, where the other tree is located?"
"Yes. Lucario and myself are partly under her service and Mew, who guards this tree, announced us to the Aura Guardians we are right now. So please", begged Ash. "If you know anything, help us." Virizion sunk her head, as if pondering if she should answer the question. Then she sighed and explained: "This tree has been there for long, although it is younger than Mew's and not as powerful. It also is one of the reasons of Unova's seclusion from the other regions. While Mew's tree provides life for Kanto, Johto, the orange Islands, Hoenn and Sinnoh, this tree only provides life for Unova. The guardian of the tree…he perished a long time ago. He didn't take his duty seriously enough and it ended him."
Ash's eyes widened in shock, then he whispered: "Who?"
Virizion looked up at him with sad eyes and ask: "Do you know the name Keldeo?"
Ash shook his head. "Never heard of him."
"No surprise, though I think you will meet him soon, however, the guardian of the tree was his father, but Keldeo is not ready to take on such a duty I'm afraid."
Ash thought for a long while, then asked: "Did you bring the message I asked you to?"
Virizion nodded and answered: "Although they only listened because I mentioned I was requested to deliver it by Lugia's chosen one."
"So, they accept?"
"If the circumstances need it, yes."
"In that case I have plan."
Virizion tilted her head, while Lucario said: "Master I'm not certain that is a good idea."
"What else can we do Lucario?", asked Ash back while he lunged into his bag. "The Tree is dying and it will take all of Unova with it." Then he pulled out a Pokéball. The top was in different shades of green and only had one white circle on the top.
"What is this?", asked Virizion curiously.
"A friend", answered Ash before he released the Pokémon inside. Its form was covered by shadows, but the voice that sounded out was young and playful.
"What may I do for you Ash?"
Ash couldn't help but smirk, then said: "I know you and Mew are best friends. Please, you need to get her here. Tell her the second Tree is dying." The Pokémon gave a sound of affirmation, then disappeared in a white flash. "Now all we can do is wait", sighed Ash.