Guess who's alive?

...Sorry for vanishing on this story for like half a year, but I am back! And I'm not going anywhere either– the next chapter is already written, and should be up next week.

Chapter Four

After a whole morning of pure chaos, these last few hours had been nothing but boredom for Ash.

He let out a small groan, shifting in the small chair he had been resting in, for... he honestly wasn't sure for how long. He had no access to a clock of any kind in this small room, the only sign of time passing was the shifting shadows as the sun rolled towards the west.

Ash glanced towards the small window, heart thumping as he watched the sun begin to touch the peaks of the blurred mountains. The blur was no longer from his poisoning, which had cleared up hours ago, but rather from the thick glass of the window. The thick pane warped the light, distorting his view of the lake outside. The harsh glare of the sun made him look away after a moment, and he sighed.

Sir Aaron would be returning soon– and he would be wanting his answer. Ash's gut twisted, he had perhaps less than an hour to decide what would happen to him. Despite having nearly the whole afternoon to decide, Ash had spent the last few hours trying to sort out his panicked mind instead. His borrowed time was almost up, and he doubted he'd have anymore luck with putting off his answer once more.

The answer should have been simple, he had nowhere else to go after all, but Ash had been hoping that some other option would drop out of the sky. An escape– preferable one that would take him back home to his own time.

Ash had reasoned with himself that if Celebi was to come searching for him, then she would most likely appear on the same day he had been stranded here– since she was a being that could travel through time she could appear when she wanted. So even if she did take time to rest and recover from her perspective, she could still appear on this day with no issue. If she didn't show up today, then what reason did Ash have to believe that she would return at any other point?

The day was almost over, and there was no sign of the legendary.

Ash looked down at his hands. Though the poison was long gone, his skin was still paler than he would have liked. He had attempted to stand up several times while he had been stuck in this room, only for his bruises to flare up and a wave of dizziness to wash over him– he was still a ways off from being fully recovered.

Ash's stomach rumbled, and he wasn't sure how long it had been since his last meal. There had been the berries, but those had been for healing, not to fill him up. Ash groaned, leaning back, wishing that he had something to do. He had never handled boredom well– but now he also had his panicking thoughts as company. If he could have some way to free his mind of the pressing worry, he would have taken it with open arms. Instead he was left to his own lovely thoughts, fear filling the spaces between his boredom.

It wasn't like this was his first time experiencing time travel– he had been sent to the past before, and had interacted with beings during his own era that were from another time. But during those times he had a purpose, a goal to work towards. He had known that there was a way home waiting for him as well– but this time around he didn't get any of those reassurances. There was no task for him to complete, nowhere to go, and most importantly he had no way for him to get home.

He thought back on Sir Aaron's offer– the apprenticeship– and he knew that was his only reasonable option. He would be in danger if Celebi wasn't returning, and this would be somewhere for him to go. What he knew of this time was only from stories and books– he'd be lost here. He had nothing with him, not even a Pokemon. Walking away from Sir Aaron would just leave him in more danger.

Ash's stomach twisted into knots some more, but his mind was made up. He had no choice– he would take Sir Aaron's offer.

For a moment an amused smile flickered onto his face, everything that was happening felt almost like a dream, the reality not quite hitting him full force. His body knew that this was truly happening– the bruises had given him more than enough proof. His mind still felt thrown off though, trying to accept what it was seeing, what was happening around him. He flexed his fingers, running them across the chair he was on, telling himself this was real. He was far from home– he was in the past.

Even with his mind made up, the weight of what was happening didn't lessen. Ash could only stare out the window, watching as the sky started to darken with the retreating sun. The mountains scattered the rays as the sun sank behind them, the clouds turning a soft pink; it was a beautiful sight. If it weren't for the tension that was coming with the setting sun, Ash might have taken a moment to enjoy the view.

Instead he found himself twisting in the chair. He tried to keep himself composed, but after what had happened with Charles he found himself unable to stay calm. He closed his eyes, his whole body still exhausted from the events of the day. He wished he could sleep, but he had a feeling it would be some time before he'd be able to truly relax.

It wasn't long after that Sir Aaron returned.

Ash couldn't help but pull back slightly as the door was thrown open, the Aura Guardian entering for the third time that day. Ash sat up a bit as Aaron closed the door behind him, his gaze quickly settling on Ash. Sir Aaron gave him no greeting, simply sitting down in the chair across from him. The two males watched each other for a moment, Ash keeping eye contact even with the harsh gaze. While it was only a few moments, the silence seemed to drag on for Ash, but he didn't dare be the one to break it.

"Have you made your choice?" Aaron finally asked, his tone still icy cold.

Ash hated how expressionless his eyes looked. Aaron clearly wasn't a person that could be read unless he chose to show it– and right now his face was void. He made no movement, save for his fingers, which had a slight tremble to them. Seeing this man in a painting was one thing, but to be stared at by him was quite another.

"I have," his voice was still slightly raspy from the poison. At least he wasn't finding himself coughing every few seconds now.

Aaron watched Ash expectantly, but his mouth went dry. This was his last chance to say no– he doubted that it would be easy to back out of this apprenticeship once he accepted it. Aaron clearly wanted him to agree, his threat basically making any other option null. But Ash still didn't know what he was truly agreeing to. Aaron's lips pressing together snapped Ash back to the present– the slight shift being the only the only change of his expression, but it still captured his attention.

"I accept your offer," Ash said quietly.

"Wonderful," Aaron said, his tone the same as before, but Ash noticed his shoulders relaxing as he spoke. The faintest hint of a smile passed over Aaron's face, and he leaned his back in his chair, though his eyes didn't leave Ash.

Ash wasn't sure what he had expected to happen upon him agreeing, but the silence that followed was just as tense as the moments before it. Aaron closed his eyes for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, while Ash stayed as still as a statue. He had done it, he had accepted the offer. He had hoped the weight of the threat would have lifted now that he had agreed, but the uneasiness in the air didn't leave.

Ash's eyes flickered towards Aaron, wondering if his items would be returned now. They had clearly been nothing more than leverage against him, but now Aaron should have no need for them. The sooner he had Pikachu's Pokeball the sooner he could get the Adamant Orb. He had no idea how the Pokeball had absorbed it, and a part of Ash wondered if his poisoned self had dreamed that part up.

Aaron's gloved hands remained on the table however, fingers laced together, twitching. He then opened his eyes, pushing himself to his feet.

The Guardian looked down at him. "We will speak more tomorrow– you shall remain here for the night, and I will collect you in the morning."

"...Yes sir..." Ash said after a moment, he was simply too exhausted to argue– even if this room was the last place he wanted to be in. To be honest the word 'sir' did feel a bit strange on his tongue. It was a term he didn't use all that often, but it felt appropriate here.

Aaron regarded him. "Once you are my apprentice you will address me as 'master', but that will do for now."

Ash shifted, finding the idea much more foreign than 'sir'– which he had at least used on occasion. He didn't reply, simply letting his gaze slide down towards his feet. Aaron said nothing else, and Ash didn't move until he heard the door shutting, the aura user gone as quickly as he had come. Ash's eyes flickered up, and he wasn't sure if he was glad to be alone again or not.

Ash braced himself against the arms of the chair, hesitating for one moment before he dared to stand. A wave of pain flared down his legs as he stood– both from his bruises and stiff muscles– but they held his weight. Ash held back a gasp, bracing himself against the table as the blood rushed to his legs. His head spun slightly, though it cleared up after several seconds. He tried to keep his breathing even, to not provoke his bruises further, and he took a hesitant step forward.

Ash let out a sigh of relief as he stayed standing, and he took another step forward. Unlike his attempts earlier, it seemed he could at least walk now, even if it still did hurt slightly. He looked down at his hands, pale, but no longer trembling. He pulled his hands away from the table, walking with a slight limp. The bruises on his chest ached, but he didn't realize until now that the blows to his legs were just as painful. It didn't matter though– he didn't want to spend one more minute in that chair.

He made his way over to the window, looking out at the view laid before him. It was hard to get a clear look at everything– due to both thick glass and the darkness dusk was bringing. There were no lights outside, but Ash could make out the outline of more of the castle and its wall, and a bit farther out he could see the lake. Right below his window was a large blue crystal, jutting out from the stone of the castle, faintly glowing. He had remembered these crystals being scattered around Cameran Palace when he had visited it in his time, though he had forgotten just how beautiful they were. Giant gems did tend to bring out the beauty of a castle. He glanced out, able to spot the faint gleams of other crystals as the night began to settle in.

The stars had yet to come out, but with the sun now completely gone the sky was left as a soft violet. It seemed to bring a sense of finality to Ash– this was happening. Everything seemed to truly hit him at once as he stood there at the window, and he felt his breath get caught in his throat.

He wasn't going home– ever again. He would never see his Pokemon again, he would never hear Pikachu calling out to him again. He would never step foot out onto another journey, and never again would he feel the safe embrace of his mother when he returned home.

For a moment Ash wanted to cry, he truly did, but no tears came. He simply stood there at the window, legs trembling as if about to give out. His eyes were gazing out towards the lake, though they were focused on nothing. His hands gripped the windowsill, eyes dry as he forced himself to breathe.

Ash hated feeling helpless, but for once there was nothing he could do.

Sir Aaron let out a long sigh as he stepped outside the castle, a salty scent in the breeze. The air was crisp and cool, the purple sky of the spring twilight draped above. He cast his eyes out, his blue gaze scanning the horizon. After a moment he lowered his head, adjusting his hat with a shaking hand, then set off away from the castle. His steps were swift, boots echoing across the stone bridge.

No one paid him any heed, the guards turning away as if he weren't there. He wrapped his black cloak over his shoulders, eyes fixated in the distance as he crossed the back bridge of the castle. Below him he could hear the water of the lake splashing up against the shore, the waves short and calm. Blue crystals sprouted out of the stonework like flowers, the gems ranging from the size of a Rattata to as large as a towering Blastoise.

Aaron paused near one of these larger gems as he reached the end of the bridge. The crystal cast no shadow, faintly glowing with its own blue light. The Aura Guardian closed his eyes, the gems on his gloves starting to gleam as he did so. They appeared to be made out of the crystals that were scattered about the land, though small and rounded in comparison. A faint light could be seen beneath Aaron's eyelids as he drew on his aura powers, hands held out.

His world became a realm of blue, his auratic sight much brighter than what he could view with his eyes. The sky was a void above him, while the land around him became a dazzling light show. While dim compared to the aura of himself and the crystals, the forest and lake shown with their own light. The trees were a pale green, giving off a sense of a progressive calm. Aaron could sense the waterlife below him, many dim auras swimming in the deep lake.

Aaron sighed, expanding his auratic view. He could see his own aura– a bright fiery blue in the night– though it was not what he was searching for. He continued drawing on his powers, his range of sight growing much farther than one could see with the naked eye, the forest sprawling out before him.

Aaron found himself relaxing as a familiar aura at last reached him, a ways off in the forest. It was blue like his, though not as bright or wild. It was much steadier, a consistent glow of a metallic blue, firm and calm. He fixed his gaze on it for a moment, before finally withdrawing from the aura view. His breathing seemed slightly ragged when he opened his eyes, though he set off at the same pace as before, heading towards where he had sensed the aura.

The forest was silent around him, with few Pokemon having settled this close to the castle. Aaron didn't bother sticking to the paths, carving out his own as he progressed. After a minute he drew to a stop under one of the many pines in the forest, looking about. A smile broke over his stoic face as his blue eyes met a pair of red ones.

"Lucario," Aaron said, walking towards the Pokemon. The canine, who had been resting under a tree, quickly got to his feet as his master approached. Though he had been with the Pokemon earlier that day, it still felt like this was his first time seeing him since he had returned from his journey. Aaron placed a hand on his shoulder before Lucario could go into a bow. "I am sorry I did not return sooner, though I need to speak with you."

You have your duties. Lucario replied, his voice echoing within Aaron's mind. Do not concern yourself with me, I am sure Her Majesty had much to discuss with you.

Aaron gave him a tight smile. "You are my auratic partner– you are my concern," Aaron sighed, sitting down. He leaned up against the same tree he had found Lucario resting near. "I unfortunately was unable to speak with the queen today."

Lucario sat down across from him, legs crossed. A shame, but Her Majesty's duties must always come first. I am sure the opportunity will present itself with time.

Aaron tugged his gloves off, setting them on his knee. He flexed his twitching fingers, eyes closed as he spoke.

"Unless someone else informed Her Majesty, then she doth not even know that I have returned. I encountered a few other matters before I could even request to speak to her," Aaron opened his eyes, giving Lucario a hesitant smile. "However, I have found myself an apprentice– it seems I will not have to venture out again."

Lucario's expression didn't change. I do not see how this is a time to jest, Master.

"I am not jesting Lucario– I have found someone to apprentice. Or rather, Charles found him," Aaron's eyes turned cold as he spoke of the captain.

Lucario's eyes lit up with surprise, and he sat up. You truly found someone? Today? Here?

"I didn't quite believe my eyes either," Aaron admitted. "It seems quite unlikely for a young aura user to just... appear here, as it almost feels like. Of all the days as well– Charles claims him to be a thief, I suppose it was luck that he wasn't dead when I found him, though he was half way there. Fortunately Charles did not realize what he was, but he still left him in quite a state."

Lucario's nose crinkled. An accused thief? That doth not feel like the safest option, Master.

"If he truly was thieving then he did not know what he was doing– he was caught after all," Aaron replied. "He is of no threat– he's young, thin, and clearly inexperienced. He would have to be a thief out of desperation, not someone who claims it as a career."

Lucario considered his master's words, though he didn't look satisfied. What line is he from?

"...He's a Mystic, like me," Aaron said after a moment.

Another Mystic, in this part of Rota? Lucario asked, blinking in confusion. As far as I am aware, there has been no Mystic clans in these parts for over a decade now, not since the Naiya clan fell. I am also sure that we would have sensed another civil if one had settled near here. Where doth he hail from?

Aaron's lips twisted. "That, I do not know. I was not able to get a proper answer out of him. While he appears to be Rotan, his accent is one I do not recognize. And the way he acts... he doth not know the ways of the kingdom. I want to say that he's from a clan, but..." Aaron shook his head. "He doth not carry himself like that, and he claims he knows little of aura. I suppose he's the offspring of a dormant, nothing more."

Can dormants even produce proper aura users? Lucario asked, sounding doubtful.

"My uncle was a dormant," Aaron replied. "And his son was well on the path to becoming an Aura Guardian."

Lucario looked surprised at this, tilting his head slightly. You have a cousin?

Sir Aaron paused, as if he had just realized what he had said. He hesitated for a moment, eyes darting about, and his gaze grew cold. He adjusted his hat with twitching fingers.

"Yes, I do... possibly more, I suppose. My father only tended to associate with aura users," Aaron's tone had turned sharp, and Lucario pulled back slightly.

What happened to your cousin? Lucario asked after a hesitant moment.

Aaron turned away, adjusting his hat once more. "Doth it matter?" He snapped. "Last time I saw him he was fleeing to Shiloh– I have no interest in what happened to him."

Silence settled into the forest, the only noise coming from the pines rustling as the wind rushed by. Lucario looked down at his paws, realizing he had treaded on a sensitive topic.

...Sorry Master, I shouldn't have questioned you like that– Lucario began.

Aaron sighed. "No Lucario, there is nothing to apologize for. Questions are how you learn, after all," he raised his head, looking up at the stars that were starting to appear between the branches of the trees. He laced his fingers together, as if trying to keep them still. "Though I believe we should end our conversation here. We need to return to the castle soon, I am weary from my journey. I will inform Her Majesty of today's events on the morrow, and hopefully she shall approve of my choice of an apprentice."

When can I meet this aura user you found?

"Tomorrow Lucario, it is late," Aaron replied, picking up his gloves. He slipped them on, rubbing one of the gems on the back.

...Do you trust him? Lucario asked, standing up alongside Sir Aaron.

"Why would I?" Aaron adjusted his cloak, the chill of the night starting to take hold. "I know nothing of him."

That's what I expected. Lucario frowned. You see nothing strange about one just showing up, Master? It just seems so... unlikely. Lucario fell into a step behind Aaron as they headed back towards Cameran Palace.

"He would have had to travel far to reach here," Aaron agreed. "But we have little choice, Lucario, encountering another Mystic is something I was not counting on," Aaron sighed. "Perhaps this is a blessing from Orua," he sounded doubtful. "With just so few aura users left..."

Silence settled in around the duo, each pulled away into their own thoughts. They walked on, the gentle light of the moon guiding their way through the forest. It wasn't until the lake could be seen in the distance that one of them spoke again, Lucario looking up at his master.

I am glad you do not have to leave again, Master. Lucario said softly.

Aaron smiled back at the canine. "I as well, Lucario."