Hello everyone!
Here is the latest chapter of Shattered Past! It's shorter than the last few chapters but that doesn't mean nothing happens. (It is actually setting up Chapter Thirty and future chapters after that. Why? You gonna have to wait and see ;)
Let's head to story now and please do enjoy reading it.
"First Ash, you need to slowly calm your mind to sense everything around you," explained Lucario as him and Ash were both sitting crossed legs with their eyes closed in an empty clearing nearby the Battle Pyramid, "Now reach outwards with your aura and tell me what you see."
Taking a deep breath, the raven-haired boy began concentrating on reaching his aura outwards. A burst of blue suddenly flashed across his vision causing him to flinch slightly but he kept pushing forward. Everything started to become clearer, outlined in a faintish light blue, "I can see the trees."
Lucario nodded his head, "What can you see in those trees?" Ash reached out further and began to see the outline of Pokemon, picking up on their auras as they gently pressed against his senses, "A few Mankeys sitting in the trees eating fruit and a flock of Pidgey building their nests."
The Aura Pokemon smiled opening his eyes, "Good, that is enough of that for today. Now we move onto the physical training." Ash opened his eyes and tilting his head to the side, "What physical training?" The Steel and Fighting-type just answered, "You will have to wait and see."
Meanwhile, from a safe distance and leaning against the entrance of the Battle Pyramid was Lysandre, watching the duo train, keeping an eye on things. He couldn't help but smile faintly at the sight of seeing the Pokemon trainer practicing in using aura, even if he was still mildly surprised the kid could use it. Yet he knew he shouldn't be surprised at it. After all, he has seen Ash do some pretty impossible things, such as breaking free of his mega-evolution device that had the ability to control Zygarde, a Legendary Pokemon.
He couldn't help but wonder if Ash's aura had played into that. If so, Lysandre couldn't be any more grateful that the kid managed to break free. A shiver crawled up his spine, remembering the actions he took, inwardly wondering how he became so cruel that he would put Ash through that (and how the boy forgave him so easily).
A slight breeze rustled his hair but he knew it wasn't natural and what was the cause of it. He turned his head to the side to see a familiar dark silhouette of a figure standing behind him, "I was wondering when one of you were going to check up on things."
"Well?" asked the figure, tilting its head to the side, obviously expecting an answer.
Lysandre faced forward again, "I am sure you already know most of what happened in these last few days." The figure's eyes narrowed, "What is the problem?"
The orange-haired man frowned, tensing slightly but still not facing the figure, "I am not sure what you're talking about."
The figure's eyes narrowed even more, "Have you forgotten who I am? I am picking up that something is bothering you and it has to do with Ash. What is it?" It was more of a demand than a question the last part.
"You know how to get that answer," answered Lysandre, closing his eyes. The figure stayed silent before speaking, "You think this could be a problem?" Lysandre scoffed turning to fully face figure, scowling deeply, "I know it will be if he gets wind of this!"
The figure agreed, "Good point. What are you going to do about it?"
Lysandre sighed, shaking his head, his gaze turning back to the open field. His eyes softened at the sight of Ash training with Lucario, although the former was getting scolded by the Aura Pokemon for some reason, "My mission, keeping Ash safe. I can't have his life be put at any more risk than necessary. If Giovanni somehow discovers that Ash can use aura it wouldn't end well. He already went after him in Alola and I didn't even get to learn why but I have a suspicion it wasn't just for revenge. What Ash posses is powerful and if Giovanni somehow finds out about it he will do anything to get it. I should know, I use to be like that myself. You should also know that."
"Do you want me to tell the others?" asked the figure, instead of continuing that conversation. The orange-haired man shook his head, "No. Keep this secret for now. I would prefer it that way. If the others know of this they will swarm Ash. I am surprised they haven't already. Didn't she tell them?"
"No. She did this against orders and wanted to keep quiet," the orange-haired man grunted at that response, "Figures. I have a feeling she wasn't told to do it. But I wish she did it in a less... sudden manner. Either way, don't tell the others. Not yet. Having them here is the last thing Ash needs. He has enough weight on his shoulders."
"Alright, as you wish." The wind rustled Lysandre's hair again. When he looked back again he saw the figure was gone without a trace. He couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him.
Everything would be fine.
Ash was safe and there was nothing to worry about.
Right?
Oh, if Lysandre only knew how wrong that statement was because behind one of the windows, hovered a small mechanical camera observing the events that just transpired. It's lens narrowed before it flew off, already sending this information to a certain someone.
Meanwhile, sitting in Lusamine's office inside the Aether Foundation, Giovanni just watched the video feed he was sent and was grinning devilishly, "Now this is an unexpected turn of events. I knew putting that tracker on Lysandre would lead to results but this went far better than I imagined. Perfect, this so exactly what I need."
He turned the holographic screen off, leaning over the wooden table and pressed the intercom, "Matori, Are you there?" The other side crackled before his assistant's voice came through, "Yes sir?"
"Contact Agent Butch and Cassidy, I want them in my office in the next ten minutes. I have a new mission for them. Also, is there any news on Ghetsis' operations in Unova so far?" It was silent before she answered, "Yes sir, Agent Butch, and Cassidy are on their way. According to our latest update from Ghetsis, he has found the ruins and they are digging it out." Giovanni's grin grew wide at this news, "I knew they existed. Keep me updated and contact the others. Tell them to start in their regions and get ready for Project Nucleus to launch. That is all for now."
"Yes sir," the sound from the intercom fizzled before it went silent. Immediately, afterward, a knock echoed through his office. He sat back smiling, already knowing who it was, "Enter." The wooden doors swung open revealing Agent Butch and Cassidy standing by the entrance, "You called for us, sir."
Giovanni nodded while gesturing for the duo to come in, "Indeed, I did. Please do take a seat." The two agents each took a chair to sit in, relaxing. Their boss leaned forward, seriousness filling the stilled air, "Now this mission I am about to give you I will not tolerate failure. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir," replied the agents simultaneously. Giovanni grinned in approval, "Good because this mission concerns our target." Cassidy's interest perked up at that, "The twerp? What about him, sir?"
"We aren't going to wait anymore. You are to go after him and bring him to me, alive. What you do with the rest doesn't concern me. Kill them if necessary to but I want Ash Ketchum at all costs. Those are your orders, is that understood?" Butch and Cassidy both smirked, "We won't fail you, sir."
"Good you are dismissed," the two agents rose from their seats getting up to leave. However, before they could take action Giovanni stopped them, "One more thing before you go. Contact me immediately after you successfully have the boy in your possession. I want to deal with him first before we move forward."
"Yes sir," with that Cassidy and Butch left Giovanni's office, fully intent on catching Ash Ketchum, once and for all.
"Twerpette! We need to leave!" exclaimed Meowth panting heavily, while bending over trying to regain his breath from running so fast. He had gone to check ahead and accidentally stumbled upon strange looking ruins hidden in a deep grotto. But that isn't what he was afraid of, it was who was working on them.
Serena's eyebrows furrowed together as she adjusted her grip on Sneasel, "Why? What did you find?" The normal type, finally regaining his composure but still sweating, pointed into the deep green forest, "Team Plasma goons! Not far from here! It looks like they causing trouble. I don't know what they up to but I know it ain't friendly!"
The honey-blonde considered what she was told with a frown evident on her face, "Then we need to find out what they are planning. For all, we know they could have Ash. Let's go." Before Meowth could protest the girl was already off with the rest of the group.
The Cat Scratch Pokemon scowled and dashed forward, he skidded in front of Serena, "Look, Twerpette, not that I doubt that your quite the good battler, I don't think we outta be messing with them now. They out number us big time. We wouldn't stand a chance!" Professor Kukui stepped forward, Incineroar's pokeball already resting in his hand, "We can take them. As Serena said, they might have Ash. We have to make sure."
"Didn't any of ya hear what I just said?!" exclaimed the normal type, waving his arms frantically in the air. They had no idea what they walking into! He had faced Team Plasma the last time he was in Unova but they didn't have this many grunts before. For the first time in forever, he felt nervous about facing a supposedly evil team, especially since they somehow had become so large.
"Nope," replied Serena, shrugging off the talking Pokemon's warning while returning Sneasel to her pokeball for safety.
Meowth groaned in exasperation and facepalmed as he watched the group marching off again, "Do twerps ever listen!?" He sighed in defeat, Ash's stubbornness must be contagious. Seeing that there was no other option, the Pokemon gingerly followed behind everyone, feeling heavy dread weighing over him about what they were about to do.
'What mess did I get myself into?'
And that is a wrap of this chapter! What did you think? Let me know in the comments when you review.
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