Chapter 7: Lithia's Lament
After the discovery of an ancient Sacred Mechanoid, questions rose, especially around Ash who found and somehow communicated with it. In Ash's room, Aura was finishing up a liquid using various items. "There we go…" she sighed in relief.
"What did you make, Aura?" asked Chiaia.
"It's an invoking serum," Aura explained. "If we're to believe the Sacred Mechanoid contacted Ash, we need to establish that a connection between the two must be within Ash's system. If so, the serum will trigger the connection." To Lashara, who sat by Ash's side with Pikachu on her lap, pondered the origin of the serum.
"This must be a serum the Dark Elves had for inspection of supernatural abilities," she believed.
"Actually, it's from the Holy Land Academy's library. I had to memorize the formula and ratio of each ingredient." Kenshi and Chiaia looked on with concern.
"I'm not sure it's such a good idea," Chiaia mumbled.
"It's okay, Chiaia," Ash assured. "Aura wants to check my aura to see how powerful it is." Aura gawked to the information.
"You're saying that you possess a form of aura?" asked Aura.
"Yeah, as a matter of fact," Ash confirmed. "I was mistaken for a master named Sir Aaron by his Lucario." Information revealed, only Pikachu remained controlled.
"If this is true, we would like to see it for ourselves," Lashara advised as Aura provided the serum. It looked like white-colored syrup. Without hesitation, Ash downed the serum. He handed the empty cup back to Aura and waited. Everyone waited, hoping for a result.
"Do you… feel anything?" asked Aura. Ash peered around for a few seconds at his own body.
"No…" he responded. That's when his body emitted a faint blue glow. Everyone but Ash gasped to the sudden coloring of his body. The Koro leaped off Ash's shoulder and found himself on the ground looking up.
"Ash, is this your aura?" asked Kenshi. Ash looked to Kenshi, awfully befuddled.
"What, do I have something on me?" he questioned.
"We can see…" Lashara pointed out. "If this is your aura, what could it possibly do?" To Ash, he recalled something.
"I remember using it to save a special Riolu from a Pokémon Hunter," Ash briefed. Aura started to get an idea.
"Fascinating…" she muttered. "So, if Koro had this aura, would it contact you in that fashion if they were in danger?"
"Possibly, and I'd be there in a short time."
"Interesting…" This made Chiaia ponder.
"Now, the Sacred Mechanoid…" she addressed. "Is it possible that it detected Ash and began to communicate with him?" Even Kenshi had doubts.
"That seems far-fetched," he muttered. "We'll only know when Wahanly's got the report." It was also late and everyone returned to their rooms. The next day, Ash and Kenshi had a young green-haired woman guide them into a library with a desk facing a large table.
"Thanks for telling us about Lithia's request, Lapis," Kenshi greeted.
"You two are welcomed," she praised before leaving. Ash and the critters on his shoulders followed Kenshi to see Lithia at her desk.
"Morning, Lithia," Kenshi greeted. Lithia scoffed to Kenshi's greeting.
"The two Wild Beasts," she muttered. "After what had happened, the Student Council is still willing to allow you two into this elite club despite your small past."
"I know that I've had a bit of an issue with you, but what has Ash done to get under your skin?"
"I know a Wild Beast when I see one. It's just my luck that two have to be part of my nightmare." Ash, Kenshi, Pikachu and Koro sighed. "Nevertheless, you've been elected to Student Council." To Ash, this wasn't an item he didn't think he deserved.
"I hate to say it but why do I need to be in this Student Council?" he spoke up. "I'm not a member of the Holy Land Academy."
"Yes, I know…" mulled Lithia. "Regardless, your first assignment will have you poolside." The boys looked to each other, then to Litha. "Ash, we're still investigating the Sacred Mechanoid and how it was under the Holy Land Academy's noses."
"You'll let me know if you or Wahanly find anything?"
"Technically, we wouldn't since you're not a Sacred MechaMaster. However, since it has an eerie connection to you, we may not have a choice unless the Headmistress has her saying." Understanding, Ash nodded. In about half an hour, Ash and Kenshi were at a large pool wearing black swimming trunks. They found Ulyte in the same trunks, under an umbrella and on a deck chair.
"Ulyte?" recognized Kenshi. Ulyte opened his eyes to see the boys.
"Ash!" he realized. "Kenshi, what a surprise! I heard from Lithia that you two have been enrolled to Student Council. That's a big step for two HigHoly Landanders." Ash and Kenshi shyly giggled to the promotion.
"It's not a big deal, per say," Kenshi dismissed. "I still believe we've been getting it for nothing in particular."
"Au contraire, young Kenshi! You and Ash are exceptional in your skills that you've displayed while on the Holy Land." The boys giggled to Ulyte's mentioning. "By the way, Ash… something's missing from your person."
"Yeah, Pikachu's in Wahanly's workshop," Ash explained. "I guess she wants to know how powerful Pikachu's electricity is." Ulyte didn't seem worried.
"Whatever the case, he'll be spared from this oncoming practice." Ash and Kenshi blinked before girls filed out of a room to the pool wearing white bathing suits. Each girl dove in and swam across the length of the pool. As they emerged, the HigHoly Landanders saw their bathing suits, becoming more transparent, seeing their skin with the water dissolving the white. The boys gawked to the looks and approach of the girls as they approached. They began to flirt, asking the boys. Some of them grabbed arms of the boys, holding them to their soaked and somewhat exposed figures.
"That is enough, ladies!" shouted Lithia as she stormed passed Ash and Kenshi to reach Ulyte. "A little help, please, Mister Ulyte? Enough smirking and more task making." Ulyte giggled before getting up as Kenshi saw the same suit and erect pieces Lithia exposed.
"Oh, right!" realized Ulyte. "Sorry. Couldn't understand with all the fuss they made." Lithia didn't believe Ulyte as Maria and Yukine watched from afar.
"Are you any less nonchalant?" argued Lithia. Maria saw this and knew Ash wouldn't want this method of excitement.
"Lithia may allow Ulyte to spread rumors, but she will not make Ash one of her puppets," she protested. Yukine blushed to seeing Kenshi and his bod. At the workshop, Wahanly was installing a propeller on her latest MechaWorker.
"After the mess Lithia left for us to clean, a flying MechaWorker's the perfect thing for some hard-to-reach places!" she explained. "I call it: MechaFlyer!" Not really impressed with Wahanly's naming, Pikachu sighed.
("Needs work,") he squeaked. Wahanly itched her face.
"Yeah, a name like that needs a different name." She hopped into the pilot's seat before pressing a red button. Nothing happened. She pressed it again. Still nothing. "Something's wrong… This is suppose to start the MechaFlyer." This made Pikachu open the engine compartment to peer inside.
("Let's see…) Wahanly looked over the windshield to see Pikachu's progress. A wag of Pikachu's tail alerted the tinkering girl.
"First time in my life a mouse becomes a mechanic, and I've been here for a long time."
("Try it now!") Thinking Pikachu might have found the problem, Wahanly pressed the red button. This time, the engine activated and the new MechaWorker revved up. The propeller spun so fast, the MechaWorker took flight.
"Pikachu, you did it!" Wahanly lowered the MechaFlyer before stopping it with another press of the button. She reached Pikachu as he closed the door. "Pikachu! You little genius!" She scooped Pikachu and hugged him, overjoyed that her new MechaWorker worked. "I wouldn't have been able to get off the ground without you!" That's when she kissed Pikachu's lips. After parting lips, Pikachu fainted, but had a smug painting his face. Meanwhile, Ash raced back into the Student Council office. A chorus of girls followed afterwards, all looking for Ash. He hustled up the stairs and Litha found him.
"You should know that you need to knock before you come in, Wild Beast!" she snarled.
"Well, excuse me for putting me in a spot that a friend of mine would be in heaven if it was him," Ash snorted. "And I'm not talking about Kenshi."
"I doubt that. A boy like you needs to have some love soon enough."
"And I'm already getting it from the princess and empress."
"That's not my problem. I should also mention that it's part of your training to be a Sacred MechaMaster after the Sacred Mechanoid you and that other Wild Beast discovered."
"Excuse me, but I didn't ask to be a Sacred MechaMaster. Yes, the Sacred Mechanoid contacted me, but-"
"You know what needs to be done as you've been handpicked by the Sacred Mechanoid…" That's when Lithia stumbled and began to fall when Ash caught her before planting her face on the floor.
"Gotcha!" As Aura and Lapis came in to find Lithia on Ash's shoulder, Ash heard labored breathing from Lithia's lips.
"I knew this would happen, Lithia!" growled Aura. She helped Ash carry Lithia to the couch.
"Another fever," Lapis diagnosed. Aura patted Ash on the shoulder, free from Lithia.
"We'll let these two make sure Lithia's comfortable," she plotted. "I'll need your help with the medicine."
"Okay…" accepted Ash. They left the Student Council office and Lapis to look after Lithia. A little while later, Ash held a tray while Aura offered a cup of a syrupy substance.
"You should stop for the day, Lithia," Aura advised. "Ash was a big help with making the medicine to help you in recovery." Lithia looked to the cup on a tray, only to turn away.
"No, thank you," she denied. Aura dipped her head, mulling Lithia's denial.
"I will never understand your hatred for medicine," she argued.
"And trainers call me stubborn on occasion," Ash added.
"I don't need a wild-" Lithia started but corrected herself. "No, a little brother to chastise me." Ash, Aura and Lapis blinked to what Lithia called the boy.
"Little… brother?" repeated Lapis. Ash seemed a little stunned by Lithia's titling.
"You call him and Kenshi Wild Beasts, but now Ash is now a family to you?" questioned Aura.
"I may be seeing him as a secret weapon should the need arise that he is elected as a Sacred MechaMaster," Lithia explained. Aura and Lapis felt Lithia's illness brought on delusion.
"For someone with a frail body, she has shown immense prowess," Aura briefed.
"She constantly pushes herself way too hard, regardless of how much she piles on herself," Lapis added.
"Though, her dedication is to be admired," Ash reminded. Lithia snickered to Ash's remark.
"I didn't need that motion of appraisal but thank you…" she smiled. "Maybe a baptism is needed." To Lapis as everyone watched Lithia stand up despite her condition, she had something else to offer.
"Maybe I can bring you some tea before going back to work," she pointed. Lithia thought it would help with concentration.
"I would love that," she accepted. Lapis had gone to the kitchen with Ash following. Ash found storage.
"Here we go," he announced. He handed the canister to Lapis.
"Thank you!" she praised. Back in the Student Council, Aura and Lithia tried the tea.
"This is good!" awed Lithia. "It's… unusual in the flavor, but it's… refreshing!"
"You'll have to thank Ash for it," Lapis directed.
"This is almost willing to consider Kenshi the only Wild Beast," Lithia confessed. Ash sat by Aura for more of an explanation.
"So, about this 'baptism'," Ash opened up. "It doesn't sound the same as a priest pouring holy water onto you to be 'baptized', right?
"No, a baptism is a process where you're healed of anything, from minor fatigue to major wounds," Aura corrected. "It's a bond with the goddess that it's formed using a healer and the one in need of healing. In fact, the Holy Land is said to have been built in her namesake upon the Main Gate." Ash seemed intrigued.
"And this goddess?"
"Well, no one really knows the name of her, let alone her appearance."
"But you've all accepted her as being around?"
"For more or less." Suddenly…
"Ash?" whispered Lapis. "Miss Aura?" Ash and Aura turned to Lithia, sound asleep.
"Kenshi's tea leaves that he found worked," Ash noticed.
"Kenshi?" repeated Aura. Ash lifted a purple pouch.
"During a break from their operation: Ketchum by the Kenshi, he gave me this and said that Lithia had been going through immense stress and that the pouch he gave me would help her relax and recover." He turned to Lapis. "Make sure she gets another dose of this prior to her getting back to work and anytime she needs to take a break."
"Sure," Lapis accepted. The three left Lithia to sleep and entered the hall.
"I'd like to stay and chat some more, but I gotta get going," he excused himself. Turning, a bunch of girls came after Ash who began running. All Aura could do was sigh.
"It never ends, does it?" she muttered. After a day of evading his captors, Ash joined an equally exhausted Kenshi, Pikachu, Chiaia and Lashara.
"You two seem to be the fastest members of the Holy Land!" awed Chiaia. "How many groups have you outrun?" Ash and Kenshi looked to each other.
"Honestly, we don't know," Kenshi shrugged.
"Whatever happens to Kenshi, he should just choose a girl and stay with her," Lashara scoffed. "But if anyone gets to Ash, mark our words that we'll fight for his hand!"
"Wow, Lashara," Ash sighed. "I feel honored."
"But we shouldn't push the envelop about Kenshi, considering he's been saying things in his sleep, no thanks to Mexiah," Chiaia groaned. Kenshi seemed to want to know.
"What have I said in my sleep?" he bluntly asked. Ash reached and grabbed Kenshi's shirt.
"Best that we don't know, partner!" he denied. "Pikachu had a nightmare about it and I'd rather not scar him again." Pikachu muttered something but it was mostly to himself.
"Baptisms with Ahou don't work on psychological problems," Chiaia pointed out.
"Good point," Lashara agreed. Ash felt that he would need to try this baptism for himself.
"After hearing about baptisms, I'd like to know how one works," he spoke up.
"That can be arranged, Ash," Chiaia accepted. Meantime, Maria was getting her hair done by one of her attendants when another came in. Yukine watched on.
"Princess Maria," the attendant called. "We're receiving a transmission from your homeland. It's the queen." Maria seemed a little shocked.
"My mother?" she gasped. "What could she want?" Using a little egg-like device, it projected a rather young chestnut brunette woman. "What do you want now, Mother? Did something go wrong back home?"
"Oh, Maria…" the mother giggled. "You don't need to give me that attitude! I just wanted to see how my only daughter is doing!" To Maria, it wasn't the case.
"Of course you did." The mother/queen chose to speak up.
"So, how are you doing? Did anything fun come by? Maybe a new boy from the Holy Land that you've been getting close to?" Maria's eyes widened and cheeks bled red.
"Mother! What in the Holy Land would give you that idea?"
"Uh huh… When can I see him? That face tells me this young man is something super special!" Maria couldn't believe what her mother implied.
'Why does she have to have her stupid intuition?'
"Well, I suppose when you're ready to tell me of your new boy toy, you can with your heart's content… and about your summer vacation coming soon." This made Maria turn to the transmission.
"Summer vacation!?" All the mother did was smirk. Back in their room, Ash and Pikachu had their Koro join in as they were getting ready to sleep after an exhausting day.
"So I heard you were kissed by Wahanly?" asked Ash, not wearing anything around his torso.
("I've never been kissed like that,") Pikachu admitted.
"Must not have been the same as when Whitney did that to you in Goldenrod City."
("I remember, but she kissed my boo-boo!") Finally, a yawn. Pikachu reached the window sill and curled up with Koro joining.
"Night, partner." Finally, Ash turned the lights off and went to bed. Not long after, the door opened. The silhouette was small, about Ash's size. It walked to Ash's bed.
"Now, to claim you as our emperor," whispered Lashara. She took off her dress, then her bra, then panties and placed them on the back of a chair. Afterwards, she pulled open the blanket and shuffled herself into bed. Finally, she's facing Ash. "Sorry, cousin… but Ash will rule with his new role… as husband." She kissed Ash on the lips, sealing his mouth, licking his tongue and allowing Ash to breathe through his nose. How long would this go? And what about the Summer Vacation being planned?
TO BE CONTINUED…