Alexa's Training Day Part 1: The Aura Within
"You're moving?!" Alexa shouted at her brother with a shocked expression on her face. The two had met early in the morning the following day so Ash and Lucario could teach Alexa and Riolu how to channel their Auras. Additionally, Ash had asked Paul, Alex, Ross and May to meet up with them throughout the day in order to help Ash's sister grow even further as a trainer. The evening would end in a battle against May, where Alexa could test some of her new skills and a brand new Pokemon she was excited to debut. The two met by the fire pit, each with their Aura Pokemon in preparation for their day to begin. The two trainers also had an array of Pokeballs on their person.
"It's not definite, but we talked about it. I'd be just as happy staying put in Kanto," Ash said to his sister while the two did some warm up stretches. "We're both at that point where we are seriously starting to talk about our future together."
"Did she drop the 'B' word on you yet?" Alexa said to her brother, who gave her a confused expression in return. "Does she want a baby?"
"Uhhh…" Was all that Ash could muster. While he was not opposed to having kids, he wasn't expecting that to be a bridge he would have to cross now. He was also shocked by how upfront his sister was on the matter.
"Come on Ash," Alexa said. "You said it yourself, you guys are talking about the future. And chances are she's gonna want one someday. Are you ready for that kind of responsibility?"
"Shut it," Ash said, bending down to touch his toes. "You're not going to get in my head with your sisterly antics."
Ash looked back up and saw his sister up close to his face, staring straight into his eyes. "I'm completely serious Ash."
"Three, Two, One, Go!" Ash said, breaking into a sprint with Lucario running at his side.
"You can't run from your destiny, Ash!" Alexa shouted as she and Riolu ran after the two.
Ash and Alexa stood at the edge of a small lake on Mount Silver. Standing to Ash's left was his Lucario, and to Alexa's right was her Riolu. Ash and Lucario simultaneously sat down, crossed their legs and closed their eyes. Alexa and her Riolu both glanced at each other and sat down next to Ash. Uncertain of what to do next, the two closed their eyes as well.
"Aura is something truly magical," Ash said, extending his left arm. "You may want to open your eyes for this part." Alexa did as her brother said and looked at his left hand, which had wisps of blue energy swirling around it. "As you know, Lucario, Riolu and I have the ability to speak, attack, and even protect ourselves with Aura by bending it at our will. We can read thoughts and emotions, and we can even communicate without saying any words. The special thing about Aura is that it kind of flows all around us, whether we see it or don't. Everybody has their own unique Auras, and it is stronger in some than in others. When you dedicate your time to channeling it, and let go of anything that holds you back…" Ash paused forming the Aura around him into a smooth sphere. The trainer then opened his eyes, which glowed bright blue. "You can manipulate it at your will."
"That is so cool!" Alexa reached out and held her finger to the orb, which caused it to dissipate into the air. "And you're going to teach me how to do that?"
"Just some of the basics. Only because I can see how much you truly want to become a Guardian like me," Ash said. "The very first step is letting go of whatever fear might be holding you back. It's certainly something that I had struggled with during my training. You can't bring balance to the world if you can't find the balance within yourself."
"Are those the mind reading powers that are telling you that?" Alexa said. "Because honestly… I am afraid."
"I don't need to use the Aura to hear what you're thinking," Ash said. "I've seen you mature so much in the last couple months. I'm really sorry that it wasn't all by choice."
"Ever since I turned 14 my life sure has gotten a whole lot crazier," Alexa said. She closed her eyes and began speaking her mind. "But I wouldn't have changed it for the world. I used to live in fear about going out on my own journey as a trainer because I didn't want something to happen to me and have mom be all by herself again. It didn't matter how badly I wanted to become a trainer, I always let my worries hold me back. Then Riolu and all my other Pokemon came into my life, and I can't imagine what being a normal teenage girl is like anymore... But there have also been some days where I have been really ashamed in myself... I think back to the day I wanted Riolu to evolve. The day I called him weak. All I just see that poor girl who lived in fear. Fear that held me back from some of the happiest moments I have ever felt in my life." Gradually, over the course of her monologue, Alexa felt the Aura moving and flowing throughout her body, sending a shiver up her arms, and down her back. "But when I got to bond with Riolu more, I realized that there was never anything to worry about. As long as I put my trust in Riolu, Riolu would come through for me every time. It's helped me realize that it's time to stop letting fear control my life!"
Ash's Lucario grinned at the female trainer, reading the bright, vibrant Aura that radiated off her body. "Sis, that was amazing," Ash said. "The Aura is definitely strong in you."
"That was awesome!" Alexa yelled. "I can't really explain it, but I just felt these wavy motions coursing through my body. But it didn't feel weird. It felt natural."
"I remember feeling the same way. Isn't that right, Lucario?" Ash said.
'When I trained Ash to channel Aura,' Lucario said. 'It took him two years to form that ball he showed you just now. I can tell that you will learn in much less time.'
"Hey! That's not what I… fine, I'll give you that one," Ash said, causing Alexa, Riolu and Lucario to all laugh. "If you're ready, Paul and Ross should be all set for our next bit of training."
"Sounds good," Alexa said. "What's next on the agenda?"
"We're gonna have a two on two double battle," Ash said. "And I'm gonna be your partner!"
"That's sick!" Alexa said. "It'll also give my team practice before my 6 on 6 with May tonight."
The two trainers began walking, with their two Aura Pokemon following by their side. Riolu then stopped in its tracks and gazed towards a snowy mountain in the distance. Lucario was the first to notice the Pokemon halting, and walked over next to it.
'What is it young one,' Lucario said.
"Aren't you coming Riolu?" Alexa said.
Ash read Riolu's thoughts. Riolu said, 'I think that I want to do some training of my own. Lucario, will you bring me to that mountain and teach me some new moves?'
'Of course,' Lucario said. 'The Aura that flows atop that peak is like none that you have ever felt.'
"You two have fun. Just be back before our battle with May tonight!" Alexa said. Her Pokemon jumped up in the air in front of her and the two exchanged a high five.
The trainers and their Pokemon then walked in seperate directions, continuing on with their own training regimens. Ash and Alexa returned to the battlefield near their campsite and saw Ross and Paul standing there, Pokeballs in hand.