The Guardian's Ball

After the Inaugural Aura Guardian Battle Royale (with the surprise appearance of a Gigantamax Urshifu,) the sun began to set upon the Kingdom of Rota. However, the festivities were far from over! Donning period-appropriate clothing, travellers from far and wide met within the walls of the castle, where all could celebrate this year's Guardian's Ball. As the victor of the battle earlier in the day, Alexa sat upon a throne with her partner Lucario, and Vigoroth (the winner of today's battle) at either side. Wearing garb similar to Rota's most famous knight: Sir Aaron; as her brother did 11 years before, the typically adventurous teen sat slumped over, rather bored, watching the dancers move about the ballroom. Catching her eye were one couple, who waltzed their way in front of the teen. Sporting a pink ball gown was May, while Ash wore the red and white frilled tuxedo suit.

"Congrats on the win, Alexa!" Ash said with a grin as he waved up to his sister. "I remember sitting in that same spot all those years ago!" May covered her mouth with a gloved hand, stifling a chuckle.

"Ah, shut it before I come down there!" The teenager called down to her brother. Returning their attention to each other once more, while sharing a laugh, Ash and May sauntered off across the ballroom floor once again.

"This stinks," Alexa whispered, leaning over to her Lucario. "Vig and I win one battle and now I gotta sit up here all night?"

'It's quite an honor, y'know,' The Aura Pokemon said. 'You are essentially representing SIr Aaron. A legend amongst the Aura Guardians.'

Looking up at the banister to her left, the teen saw the famed Guardian of Rota with his staff raised high over his head. "Believe me, I've heard all the legends from Ash and his Lucario… Or should I say Aaron's Lucario…"

'Woah, woah, woah,' The sloth Pokemon said, tilting its head up. 'What's the deal with that? Isn't this Aaron guy like, thousands of years old… and dead? How'd his Lucario manage to stay kickin' this long?'

"Well, I guess it sort of went down like this…" Alexa said trailing off into her thought. "Long ago, Ash got betrayed by his Pikachu and his other friends-"

'What?!' The Sloth Pokemon exclaimed. 'Then what's that Pikachu doin' here then?'

"That's a different story for a different day," The teen responded. "But anyways, when Ash got double crossed, this wicked powerful Lucario showed up to rescue my bro! Apparently, him, Ash and May go way back to the last time we were here. You see that staff up there?" Alexa said, pointing up to the portrait of Sir Aaron, who held a crystal staff over his head. "Lucario was sealed away in that thing thousands of years ago… And was set free when he read my brother's Aura. Together, the two of them along with a couple other trainers entered the Tree of Beginning in order to save the world or whatever-"

'So you're tellin' me-' The Sloth said with a growl, scratching under its chin with two claws. 'This ain't the first time your brother's saved the World?'

"He's done it a few times actually… You're making me get off topic," Alexa said, smirking at her sloth Pokemon. "Ash and his crew went into the Tree and discovered that the Mew that kept the Tree alive it was sick and dying. In order to rescue it, Lucario gave its Aura to heal the Tree, and peace was restored to Rota once again. Together, Lucario and Aaron could be together in the afterlife."

'So Ash's Lucario bit the big one? Well he sure don't look like a Ghost type to me!'

"He's not… Legend has it that when the Eclipse happens, a doorway to the Hall of Origins (y'know, the place where THE Arceus lives) will open. In order for the doors to open, you need the Sinjoh Gems, which Giovanni happened to steal from my brother. According to the Prophecy, an Aura Guardian is destined to enter the Tree of Beginning and a Champion of Arceus will be crowned… and will get whatever they wish for." Vigoroth nodded its head, intently listening to this segment of Pokemon Lore. "Arceus though, works in mysterious ways. It essentially brought Lucario back to life so it could train Ash in the ways of the Aura. And then Ash and his Lucario passed their knowledge onto me and my Lucario."

'That is correct,' Alexa's partner said turning towards the sloth. 'The two of us have had a lot of growth together. It is all thanks to the mentorship Ash and the other Guardians have offered us.'

'That all sounds… pretty cool,' Vigoroth said, scratching the back of its head. 'When I decided to join the team, I thought that I was gonna be seein' the world. Now it feels like I'm a part of something more.' Alexa sat up on her throne, sharing a smile with her Lucario. 'Whatever happens tomorrow kid, I'll make sure I can give it all I got!'

"Thanks Vigoroth!" The Teen exclaimed."I'm so glad that I can count on-" In an instant, Alexa and Lucario felt a powerful, dark Aura pass over them, which made Alexa rise up out of her seat. Looking out onto the floor, she noticed Ash, May, Alex and Blue making their way to the double doors.

"They must have felt it too! Let's go!" Leaping off of her platform and making a rush towards the door, Alexa and Lucario prepared themselves for an encounter with Giovanni.

'Was it something I said?!' Vigoroth shouted, leaping down, following the teen and her Aura Pokemon.

Author's Note: Giovanni has returned once more! What could he have in store for our heroes, less than two day out from the Arceus Eclipse Event?

-KA