Chapter 21 Arata and Love Problems

Ash and his friends are now at the Pokemon Center for healing after the battle with Jaern and East in the Jade Tower, when they are sitting down at the seats, they hear a report from the radio and they are confused.

"Breaking news. We are live with an exclusive interview with the Hiker recently rescued from the Rezzai Cavern." The news reporter says.

"The Hiker from the Rezzai Cavern?" Lillie asks. "Isn't he the one that we saw back then? I mean the one whose scroll was robbed by the Sky Cult and killed by the bombs set by them?"

"And he is still alive and he survived all of that?" Nora asks.

"It is good to have you on." The reporter says to the hiker.

"It's good to be on, ma'am." The Hiker says.

"Can you describe the situation for our audience?"

"Well, y'see, my family and I were mining around in that cave. We heard there was'sm rare artifacts'n all. And we found this funny old scroll! Turns out these Sky Cultists up top wanted it, and they threatened us."

"That is exactly what we saw..." Emily mutters.

"I'm sure that must have been scary for you and your family."

"Oh, it was, ma'am. But our very own Augur found us- told us everything would be okay. He lift us out and helped my family and I. I couldn't ever repay him for anythin' like that. I just know the Augur is going to take down them Sky Cultists. What a fantastic man- won't believe a word against him, no siree!"

"Thank you so much for joining us. This concludes our special broadcast." Then the news end, leaving the group in surprise.

"What the hell is that? The Augur saved him, that's how he survived?" Alice says.

"Er, sorry about that. I'm so glad the Augur is here to protect us from people like the Sky Cult." Joy says as she gives the Pokemon back to them.

East walks towards them and says, "No one in this region knows that Jaern is a part of Sky Cult, which is why we can't let it out to the public. Nobody will believe us and we would be treated as the cult members as well."

"But he won't be doing anything to us since we beat him, if he accuses us, then he will let those people down since we defeat him." Gladion says, "Things sure is complicated to tell the truth."

Ash says, "East, how about you? Are you fine? Since if Jaern's caught, then you will also be caught for helping the Sky Cult..."

East smiles, "Don't worry, you see. I have already contacted the other Gym Leaders for the situation, except for the last one, since we don't know where he is...But I am sure that they will also keep a secret."

"I hope..." Nora sighs, "And maybe we can find about where Mom and Dad are..."

"Don't worry, we are also worried about the first Augur as well." Emily says. "Right now we should go to the Utira Town."

After that, they bid farewell to East and goes towards the sea.


"Why are we heading out to the sea?" Lillie asks as they are surfing on their Lapras float.

"To get to Utira Town, we have to go to through the Cave of Stream, which is located over there." Nora points at the cave on an island.

Once they get into the cave, all they can see is white steam and nothing else.

"I heard that it is not difficult to get through, but the stream left by Volcanion is the reason that the cave is hard to get out." Emily says.

"Volcanion's steam, you say?" Ash asks.

"You know about Volcanion? Ash?" Gladion asks.

"Well, it isn't very pleasant if you are stuck on his leg. I learned it the hard way." Ash says with a nervous laugh.

"You are stuck with Volcanion?" Nora asks, "Somehow I find it very funny..."

"Come on...I am serious." Ash says.

"He's telling the truth after all." Then they hear a voice. Ash says, "Who is there?"

Just then, two beings come into their presence as one is Volcanion and the other is the blonde hair girl. "Kimia?" Ash asks in surprise.

"Long time no see, Ash." Kimia greets them.

"What are you doing here, and how is your brother?" Ash asks.

"Raleigh is fine." Kimia says. "He and Magearna are bonding very well."

"Indeed, it is the only thing I can be fine with." Volcanion says.

"So you are the chosen of Volcanion?" Lillie asks.

"I was shocked at first since he doesn't trust humans like us." Kimia says. "Ash, you really help him open his heart."

Ash nods, then he asks, "So Kimia, what are you doing here?"

"I was training with one of my mentors, Arata. He is not only one of the best trainers, he is also the Chosen of Moltres." Kimia says.

"You mean the first person who is able to Mega Evolve all Pokemon at the same time using one Key Stone?" Alice asks. "He is kind of a legend."

"Yes." Kimia says. "After Alva is arrested, I have all the Pokemon he controlled to mega evolve, so I am trying to do it with his help."

"So where is he? I mean Mr. Arata." Lillie asks.

"I'll show you." Then they follow the girl to the deeper part of the cavern. There, they see the man training Moltres.

"Master Arata." Kimia says. "I have bought someone here."

Arata turns around and sees them. He says, "Oh my goodness, you must be Ash Ketchum, the chosen of Arceus, right?"

"How do you know about me?" Ash gasps.

"We Timeless have all the chosens name. And you are the special one consider that you are one of us since born." Arata says. "And you are Alice, chosen of Articuno, Emily, chosen of Marshadow, Lillie, chosen of Mew, Gladion, chosen of Necrozma and Nora, chosen of Celebi."

They nod as Nora says, "Is it true that you can mega evolve multiple times using one Key Stone?"

"It is true." Arata says. "But only us Timeless have the ability to do so since we are blessed with the aura of the Legendary. And I am sure that your Legendary Pokemon are willing to help you out."

He sends out a Charizard, a Gardevoir, a Aerodactyl, a Haxorus, a Milotic and a Garchomp. All the Pokemon looks really strong, but the Garchomp looks nervous, much to their confusion.

"Now, Ultra Mega Evolve!" Arata yells as the key stone links to all six Pokemon, and then they all change their forms.

"Amazing..." Gladion says. "I have never seen this before."

"You are surprised at how Master Arata can do it." Kimia says.

Ash just remains silent as he looks at Garchomp. Garchomp tries to look away, but he can't find the nerve to do so.

"Garchomp? Is that you?" Ash says in a monotone voice. Garchomp can't help but nod a little.

"Do you know this Garchomp? Ash?" Lillie asks.

"Yes, I captured him as a Gible, but when I was betrayed, he isn't one of the Pokemon that Arceus gave back to me..." He turns to Arata. "Master Arata, why do you have this Pokemon?"

Arata sighs and says, "I think I'll just tell you the truth: My daughter sends it to me since she wants me to make him stronger for you."

"Who is your daughter?" Ash feels anger inside him, Arata thinks that he knows since the hair color as well as the eye color.

"You are right, I am Serena's father. And I know what she did to you." Arata sees Ash and says, "I am not going to help her ask for forgiveness, but I want to know that she is very guilty of what she had done to you."

"I heard it from N, but I had said to him, she broke my heart the most, and to think I had loved her..." Ash says with a frown.

Lillie decides to ask, "Then how is she doing in Timeless?"

Arata says, "She has been living in a dread, she fears that you won't forgive her for what she did. She always blames herself for the mistakes that she made very often..."

As Ash hears what Serena has done, he can't help but sorry for her, but he can't. But now his heart is swaying, he says, "Can we just drop the conversation? Master Arata, can we start training? We just exposed Jaern and we were afraid that we weren't strong enough to save the region from him."

"Sure." Arata says as they start training.


After training, they stay the cave for a night, Ash is staring at the wall by himself as both Nora and Lillie are worried.

"Ash? Do you want to talk?" Lillie asks with a soothing tone.

Ash doesn't say anything, Nora asks, "Are you thinking about your first Crush?"

Ash says, "I couldn't forget how she said to me...it hurts like hell...her words made the year I was kidnapped in the Darkrai Cult nothing. I loved her, but she breaks it...I don't know if I can ever feel love again..."

Lillie frowns and says, "Ash, I am sure that you can. What she did to you doesn't mean all the girls will do it to you as well, besides, she didn't mean it as well, she was hypnotized, remember?"

Ash sighs, "You are right, from what Master Arata said, I feel like I have been overacting about Serena...she is trying hard to earn my forgiveness...I don't know why...I don't want to hold this grudge anymore."

Lillie asks a question that has been in her heart. "So if you forgive her, are you going to love her again?"

"That is out of question." Ash says. "I may be able to forgive her, but I may not able to love her. Besides, I already have another person that I love."

This causes the two girls look at each other, Nora asks, "Who is she?"

"To me...she is a complete angel." Ash says. "She always helps me when I am in my darkest moments. And when I saw her...I can't help but stare into her eyes and I want to protect her as well as not letting her go...but...I can't tell her...I am afraid that she would reject me."

Nora and Lillie are surprised to hear how Ash says a girl. Especially Lillie, since she thinks that Ash was dense of love.

"Ash." Lillie says with a little jealousy. "Whoever the girl you like, I want to tell you is that don't let her go. I am sure that the girl you mentioned will be happy to have a person like you."

Ash looks at her and says, "Thanks a lot. Why don't we take a rest now?" The other two nod as they go to rest.


The next day, Ash presses the Mega Stone as his Pokemon are able to mega evolve. Arata smiles at them and says, "Well done, you guys. I have nothing to teach you about it."

"Thank you so much for everything." Ash bows and then the others bow as well.

"No problem, good luck on your journey." Arata says. Then Ash decides to talk to Arata alone about Serena. After the talk, Arata says, "I will tell her about it. Don't worry."

"Thank you." Then they leave the caverns and go to the Utira Town.


Here is a new chapter, I let Ash meet Arata for the first time, so that Ash will have a moment to talk to Lillie and Nora about love questions. You may be wonder why not later, because I have something big planned for Lillie.

As for the reviews, I was trying to let Eve be Gladion's shipping, since this story is focus on Aureliashipping and since Lillie has a bossy brother I want Gladion to have a girl to keep him in check.