Chapter 4: The Jungle


Orahaoya relieved Satoshi's crying by further expanding the aura bond between them. Her devoted smile widened upon feeling him ease around her, the baby calming down and even reaching for Orahaoya's snout.

The legendary Pokemon tried not to dwell on the fact that somehow the aura bond between them, so strong before the incident, was seemingly gone and needed to start anew. Orahaoya shook her head.

"My Aura sacrifice and being trapped in the crystal, that must be the reason. No matter, we have all the time in the world now, Aaron."

Later that morning, after changing Satoshi's dirty diaper and dressing him in a small blue onesie Gima's Guardians made, Orahaoya sat the baby down for breakfast.

Satoshi eagerly drank Miltank milk recovered from one of Gima's Guardians earlier from a makeshift bottle. Orahaoya cradled the baby in her arms as he drank and slowly stroked his head.

"Mentor." Orahaoya looked over at a very nervous Gima, who held her hands together tightly.

"Mentor, we were wondering if maybe you'd take over our training."

Orahaoya looked around at the other Guardians who similarly gathered around with their Lucario.

"Ahh, right." Orahaoya sweatdropped, almost forgetting her other duties.

"Watch closely, Aaron."

Orahaoya threw a portal onto the ground and then leaped inside.

Upon exiting, Aaron gazed upon the jungle surrounding him, now in fright but wonder. The baby let out an excited shout while his eyes glowed blue, allowing him to see dozens of Pokemon through their aura.

"Hold on, little one!" Orahaoya began free-running through the canopy with Gima, Riley, and the other Guardians following close behind with their Lucario.

The mother of aura gave precise directions to the Guardians, coordinating movements and pressing them to their limits as they became extremely intricate and difficult.

Upon feeling Orahaoya's presence, the many jungle Pokemon happily cried out in greeting or tried to meet her up close.

Orahaoya stopped on a large tree branch with vines and thick foliage around them, allowing the native Pokemon to approach.

"Zar!" A young Zarude eagerly swung over to the mother of aura before noticing Satoshi in her arms.

"Hello there, I'm not sure we've met. Aaron, say hello."

Aaron giggled while instinctively, and with some guidance from Orahaoya, reached out to the Zarude via aura. The dark-grass Pokemon smiled and extended one of his fingers down for Satoshi to play with.

Before long, vast numbers of jungle Pokemon came to see him. A few Taillow, Beautifly, Thwackey, Pancham, and Riolu all took their turns while Satoshi savored every moment, especially as Orahaoya showed him how to better feel these Pokemons' aura.

Orahaoya smiled tenderly and similarly experienced an immense feeling of love, never wanting this moment to end.

However, Orahaoya's eyes shot open wide as her heightened aura senses extended across Ora, and she felt something, or rather someone approaching.

The Aura Guardians and Pokemon sensed something wrong from Orahaoya and quickly looked around.

"Taillow!"

"Pidg!" Several Tailow and Pidgey flew over while pointing further south.

Orahaoya threw a portal down and leaped inside with Satoshi. They reappeared on top of a skyscraper-esk tree.

Orahaoya took a deep breath and reached out via aura vision while also connecting into the sight of any jungle Pokemon close enough to see.

The mother of aura almost yelped when she saw Ash and Serena moving fast at the head of a large expedition. Several dozen men in tan uniforms with Urshifu patches on the chest came close behind in squads with Ursaring and Toxicroak backing them up.

"Vikings! Grouu! Why can't they ever just leave us alone!" Orahaoya snarled. Satoshi's eyes glowed blue as he used his new aura connection with Orahaoya to see what she did.

In doing so, the baby saw his parents and let out an excited cry, believing them close. However, this illusion was quickly shattered when Orahaoya stopped looking at them, making Satoshi cry again.

Orahaoya felt Satoshi's dismay even before hearing it but was so blinded by her desire for him to be Aaron that she couldn't see what truly caused his lament.

"Don't be scared, Aaron. I won't let them take you!" Moments later, Gima, Riley, and their Lucario leaped up beside her.

"Move in."

"Yes, Mentor."


Further into the jungle, Ash, Lucario, and Grenina leaped through the canopy with incredible speed, strength, and agility. Charizard, Garchomp, and Swellow similarly flew overhead with Charline and Serena, who'd donned her wingsuit.

Every few minutes, Ash, Lucario, and Greninja, stopped to try and feel the aura around them. The Kaiser exhaled, feeling nothing but wild Pokemon and those already with them.

Nearby, Felix and Daniel similarly moved across the canopy with their Lucarios.

"Sense anything?" Felix asked. Ash shook his head and exhaled, but only slightly.

Down below, Mr. Ubbe walked with Urshifu, three squads of his guards, and a what looked like a guard captain by his red shoulder insignias.

"Second squad, what's your status?" The captain asked via a communication device in his hand.

"Nothing yet, Captain."

"Third squad?"

"Not a thing."

A few more squads reported similarly, and the captain grit his teeth and slowly turned to Mr. Ubbe, who remained calm.

"You worry too much, Floki. We've come prepared." Ubbe gave a very satisfied grin while emphasizing some equipment their guards carried.

"I suppose so, but we're taking a pretty big risk here, considering who's with us." Floki gestured to three members of their company, but Ubbe remained confident.

"They were and still are necessary, Floki. We discussed this. Just remain calm and stick to the plan."

Serena's heart raced as she used a gust of wind from Charline to remain airborne and glide further into the jungle. Despite her surroundings, she found it difficult not to stare at the temple above them, knowing that was where her baby rested.

Her sheer determination to rescue Satoshi temporarily helped Serena not dwell on fear for his well-being regarding feedings, changings, and other such concerns. Charline saw this determination in her trainer's expression and sympathized. She, too, hated being separated from her precious egg but at least had comfort in knowing it was watched after, unlike Ash and Serena, whose baby was kidnapped.

"Grauuu." Charline growled ferociously as he stared up at the temple with Serena.

"This is fourth squad. We've found something!" All eyes shot to Floki's communicator.

Ash, Felix, Daniel, Serena, Cynthia, Maylene, and Cameron were upon him within moments, nearly making the captain sweatdrop.

"Some breathing room, please." Ash, Felix, and Serena didn't move, making Floki sweatdrop.

"What is it?"

"We've come across a small temple of similar design to the one atop the island."

"Good, move inside and see if you can find anything." Mr. Ubbe said.

"Yes, sir, hold on. Hmm, looks like there are some murals and a couple of wild Pokemon too. We-, hold on, what's that?"

"What did you find!?" Serena shouted, nearly making Floki jump.

"Easy there, no need to-"

"It looks like, wait, did you hear something?" After a few tense moments, the communicator lit up with crashing noises, terrified screams, and roars the trainers instantly recognized as Lucarios.

"Fourth squad! Fourth squad come in!" Floki trembled as the comms went silent.

Ash, Felix, and Daniel each focused their aura senses ahead of them and felt a powerful yet familiar presence close by.

"This way!" Ash took the lead, his Pokemon racing close behind with the others following.

It only took a minute or so, and Ash saw it, the small temple hidden in the jungle's thick foliage and a small sea of vines. He, Lucario, and Greninja tried to sense what lay inside, but something about the temple seemed to block them.

By then, Serena, Cynthia, Maylene, Felix, Cameron, and Daniel had arrived.

"Hold on, what's in there?" Cameron muttered, his Lucario appearing just as nervous.

"I don't know, but we're going to find out!" A

"Grouu!"

"Gre!"

"Ash is right. Cynthia, Cameron, Maylene, and I will search the upper floors." Daniel said, earning nods from the others.

"Serena, stay close." Ash said while entering the lower entrance first, with Felix coming behind Serena.

Just as Fourth Squad described, the temple interior looked ancient, with weathered stone walls carrying faint reminds of the painted murals which once jumped to life.

Charizard and Charline's tail flames proved some light but not enough to see what remained. However, Ash and Felix remained fixated on finding what blocked their aura senses from the outside.

"Gre."

"Grouuu."

"Grauuu." The Pokemon nodded to each other before warning Ash.

"Eh?" Only then did he and Felix realize just how quiet it was. The wild Pokemon described were nowhere to be found.

"Where is everyone?" Felix muttered, raising both hands with his Lucario and channeling aura.

Serena almost jumped when the light from their aura spheres hit the walls and clearly revealed the murals.

"Look!" She cried, and all eyes turned with similar shock.

"Nani!?" Ash and Felix yelped in awe. Somehow, the aura's light restored the murals as if they were painted that day. The artwork was just like those back in the village and depicted Ora island, various Pokemon, and early human settlements.

Something about the paint seemed almost alive to Ash, Felix, and their Pokemon. He, Lucario, and Greninja touched it while channeling their aura and almost jumped with the others.

"Ehhh!?" Serena muttered with Charline in astonishment.

"Amazing!" Felix and his Lucario gazed in wonder as the murals began moving on their own, almost like a movie.

Ash and the others watched with similar expressions. The story of Ora began with its various Pokemon herds, flocks, Zarude tribes, and humans battling each other for food, water, and other resources. Ora became locked in a seemingly endless war, one that made the three and their Pokemon sad.

The mural finally stopped moving, making Ash wince.

"That's it?" He moved his glowing hand further down and realized the murals there picked up the story. Ora in the mural now lit up in blue light, or rather the island peak did, followed by something moving about the jungle.

Just as groups of people and Pokemon readied for another clash, the light appeared between them, halting the battle. All sides gazed in wonder as a figure emerged, Orahaoya.

"Grouuu." Lucario moved closer and watched the mural intensely. Orahaoya raised both paws as her eyes glowed, and soon the light spread to each person/Pokemon's eyes.

Their aggression instantly faded, and soon the murals depicted the humans and Pokemon of Ora living in harmony under Orahaoya's guidance.

"She, she brought peace to the island." Ash muttered before continuing the story. As time passed, Orahaoya continued to settle disputes and help anyone in need. Lucario took particular notice of her aura teleportation. However, she soon didn't do it alone.

Humans soon began approaching Orahaoya, and she presented each one with a Riolu. Over time these humans reappeared around her in Guardian attire with Lucarios.

They, too, began protecting and helping those on Ora. Even Ash's Pokemon couldn't help but lose themselves to the moving murals' effect. It was as if Orahaoya's aura reached them and allowed them to feel her love as she came to the aid of countless Pokemon in need over the centuries.

Serena, however, remained unmoved. She almost trembled with rage as she stared at the mural of Orahaoya, seeing only the one who stole Satoshi. The most precious thing in the world.

Eventually, the murals began depicting early Viking raids, which Orahaoya and the Aura Guardians fought off. Finally, Serena's expression changed slightly when she saw Orahaoya take a baby following one of the raids.

"Sir Aaron." Ash said while watching it with a similar expression. Serena's stone determination faltered as she watched Orahaoya caring for Aaron. Feeding him, bathing him, comforting him when he cried. The mural's aura soon reached her too and filled all three with a familiar sensation, one only a parent could truly understand.

Serena's head lowered slightly when she saw Orahaoya hugging baby Aaron. Ash and Greninja's trance broke when they felt and noticed the way Lucario stared at the mural, Aaron in particular.

"Lucario?"

"Gre?"

Lucario placed his paw over Sir Aaron and clenched both eyes shut as deep pain caused him to tremble. That was until the mural and wall came to an abrupt end.

"Eh?"

"Grouuu!" Felix's Lucario pointed to a larger chamber where a massive statue of Orahaoya rested. Between the stone's palms rested a familiar glowing crystal, and soon they realized it was a fragment of the stone which had contained Orahaoya.

"This is it! What's blocked our aura sight and brought the murals to life! This crystal contains Orahaoya's memories! The locals must've brought it here after her sacrifice." Felix said in disbelief.

Ash looked at it with similar wonder, but Serena shook herself free of the trance.

"What does it matter!? She's not here, which means Satoshi isn't here." Her words were harsh but correct. Ash and Felix both sighed, then nodded before turning away.

However, Lucario remained fixated on the crystal and slowly approached.

"Lucario!"

"Gre!"

"Grauuu!" Ash motioned to take his shoulder, but Lucario touched the crystal and channeled some aura into it.

The group nearly jumped again as figures appeared around them.

"Ehhh!?" Serena screamed when she saw terrified people and Pokemon alike running from Viking marauders who came in like a tidal wave. Ash, Felix, and their Pokemon found themselves lost for words as they watched the Aura Guardians and Orahaoya desperately trying to protect their people as vividly as if they too were there.

Serena's rage subsided into pure terror as she saw mothers, fathers, and children being dragged off.

"No!" She furiously let out Delphox and Absol before racing after the Vikings with them and Charline.

"Stop!"

"Grouu!"

"Phox!"

"Sol!" Their attempts proved futile as they realized it was but a memory.

Felix, Ash, and their Pokemon felt similarly helpless, desperately wanting to help, yet they couldn't.

Finally, the moment of Orahaoya's sacrifice came and it distracted them from Ragnar, none even seeing his face.

They already knew what she'd done, but seeing it actually happen, the pure devotion and willingness to lay down her life for those she loved proved something else entirely.

Serena and Ash both trembled uncontrollably when they saw Orahaoya's eyes fill with tears as she turned back to little Aaron, who similarly watched helplessly from nearby. Serena lost her breath upon realizing just how much Aaron looked like Satoshi. She almost ran over, thinking possibly it was her baby, but her arms went straight through him.

"Goodbye, Aaron. I love you!" After another roar, Orahaoya became enveloped in light, leaving Aaron behind.

"Mama! Mama!" Aaron wailed. All three parents felt their hearts break, and Serena began tearing up, wanting desperately to hold the sobbing Aaron in her arms.

It was at that moment that Serena's hatred of Orahaoya wavered as she understood that the legendary Pokemon felt for Aaron what she felt for Satoshi. Only then did she truly understand that Orahaoya was a mother like her and simply believed she'd found that which she loved most in the world, her baby.

But Satoshi wasn't Orahaoya's baby. He was hers! Fire returned to Serena's eyes, and a fresh wave of determination with it. She didn't notice a trembling Lucario kneel down beside the image of little Aaron, desperately attempting to embrace him.

"Grouu! Grouu!" Lucario almost sobbed, and Ash shook upon realizing why he did so.

"Lucario." Ash, Greninja, and Delphox approached the crying aura before comforting him.

Felix and his Lucario almost joined in when they felt something hit their foreheads.

"Nani?"

"Grouuu!" Lucario roared while pointing to the ceiling. Ash, Serena, and their Pokemon looked up and saw them, Fourth Squad. The guards and their Pokemon dangled by their feed from vines, blood and sweat dripping from their unconscious and battered bodies.

Ash and Felix quickly took fighting stances with their Pokemon as sets of glowing eyes appeared all around and above them.

"You dare come here and desecrate the Mentor's shrine. You dare look upon her precious memories!" A familiar voice growled. Ash caught his breath as he saw Riley appear on the ledge above them with his Lucario, both their eyes glowing.

"Riley!"

"No matter, we will drive you from our home as we did the others!"

"Grouu!" Several more Guardians revealed themselves, but not alone. Aside from their Lucarios, many wild jungle Pokemon, including several Zarude, all with glowing eyes, emerged beside the Guardians.

"Serena-" Ash stared as he tried to take a protective stance around her. However, the Kalos Queen showed no fear and let out her remaining Pokemon before donning her wingsuit's goggles.

"Tell me where my baby is or suffer the consequences!"

"Sol!"

"Swamp!"

"Grauuu!"

"Phox!"

"Rose!"

"Syl!"

Ash might've shivered upon hearing this, but the same fire inside Serena instantly spread to him and Felix. Both men channeled their aura and formed spheres in both hands.

"Riley, I don't want to hurt you, but we are getting Satoshi back!"

Riley Mega Evolved his Lucario and then leaped down straight for Ash, both hands outstretched with two Aura Spheres inside.

Ash didn't even need to give the command. His Lucario moved with teleportation-like speed and literally smashed Mega Lucario through the wall with a Power-up punch that exploded like thunder, shaking the temple to its core.

Riley's connection to Mega Lucario caused him to falter slightly, giving Ash the edge he needed to avoid the incoming Aura Spheres and blast Riley back with his own. However, he had little time to celebrate as two more came at his flanks, forcing him to fight them in hand-to-hand combat with incredible difficulty.

Orahaoya's influence over them didn't hinder their skills but rather enhanced them. Ash's Pokemon noticed this as well from their Lucario and the wild Pokemon.

It made fighting them incredibly difficult, especially considering their location. Ash's Pokemon were the strongest in the world, with only Daniel's being close rivals, and as such, a single blow from any of them would've instantly knocked out any of the attackers.

Unfortunately, if they used their true power here, it might accidentally bring down the ancient temple on top of them. This particularly frustrated Charizard and Garchomp, who longed to take down entire groups of the attacking Pokemon. Swellow similarly squawked angrily at the chamber's confined space, preventing him from properly flying.

Greninja, however, found much greater success, his emphasis on speed and agility allowing him to bring down each hostile Pokemon in a single blow without going overkill on the structure.

Felix and his Mega Lucario fought in perfect synchronization, both mirroring each other's moves while battling three Guardians and their Lucarios.

Serena, however, felt similar to Swellow, longing to make use of her wingsuit.

"Sol!" Absol growled while pointing to a trio of Zarude swinging across the vines over them, attempting to outflank Ash and his Lucario.

"No, you don't! Charline!" Serena touched her keystone and watched Charline transform into Mega Charizard Y.

"Air Slash!"

"Grauuu!" Charline flew like a comet, slashing all three Zarude before they knew what hit them. Despite the super-effective move, all three pseudo legendary Pokemon sprung back up and snarled at the Kalos Queen.

One used vine whip, the second energy ball, and the third power whip, each aimed for Serena herself.

"Grauuuu!" Charline flew back down and swept Serena up onto her back before blasting the power whip with a flamethrower.

"Zar!" The third Zarude yelped as the flame spread across his zines and then engulfed him entirely.

"Phox!" Delphox similarly drove vine whip back with Firespin while Absol slashed through Energy Ball using Night Slash and then followed up with a Quick Attack.

Meanwhile, Ash and Lucario kept at Riley and his two companions. Ash furiously blocked, dodged, and parried their blows and aura attacks through his own skills and aura abilities.

At the same time, Lucario battled two others and several jungle Pokemon. Riley's Lucario still hadn't recovered from the power-up punch and likely wouldn't for some time.

Like his companions, Lucario easily could've dealt with each Pokemon in a single blow but didn't want to risk destroying the temple or Orahaoya's memory crystal.

This also meant Mega Evolution wasn't an option, much to his chagrin, for Lucario always preferred his Mega Evolved form and lamented it wasn't a permanent change.

Even so, like Greninja, his speed, agility, and aura connection to Ash allowed him to bring down the attacking Pokemon one by one systematically. Unfortunately, for every opponent Ash's Pokemon knocked out, two more wild Pokemon charged in.

Ash furiously kicked one of the attacking Guardian's fists before following up with three successive strikes, knocking him to the ground. Yet he had no time to celebrate, for Riley and his partner unleashed two aura spheres and whips at him.

Reacting fast, the Kaiser let loose an aura repulse, forcing the incoming attacks straight up. The combined bursts hit and knocked one of the dangling guards down alongside his Toxicroak

"Go!" Ash roared, and the two needed no further instructions.

Outside the temple, Mr. Ubbe's forces had set up a perimeter, aided by three additional squads who'd regrouped with them.

"We need help! They're all around us, amongst us, we- Gaaah!" Floki shivered as he heard terrified screams all over the com channel from the other squads who hadn't caught up with them.

Unfortunately, the situation around them was little better. Swarms of jungle Pokemon launched an all-out assault on the temple with Gima and two other Aura Guardians coordinating them and swiftly moving in with each wave.

Any one of Floki's men who had the misfortune of facing the Guardians was brought down within moments, yet Gima and her warriors quickly fell back before more could swarm over them.

"More grass types!" Floki roared while spotting a Zarude and several Rillaboom coming on.

"On it, switching to fire and ice!" Using portable TMs and devices, the guards taught their various Pokemon moves effective against grass Pokemon.

Above them, Daniel, Cynthia, Cameron, and Maylene battled four more Guardians and their Pokemon on top of the temple exterior.

"Gaah!" Cameron cried out in pain when one of the Guardians slammed him into the temple wall with an aura-enhanced kick. The young man felt his vision grow blurry as he faded out of consciousness.

"Grouu!" Cameron's Lucario desperately tried to help his partner, but the Guardian's Lucario and two wild Pidgeotto attacked in unison, bringing him down beside Cameron.

Maylene, despite her training as a fighter, found herself on the ropes against the opposing Aura Guardian, who fought like nothing she'd ever seen before. This, plus his Aura attacks, made victory untenable, and soon even she was knocked aside along with her Lucario.

Yet the two Guardians soon saw their companions hurled off the temple and turned to face the Champion couple.

Cynthia smiled with Daniel as their eyes flashed blue.

"You didn't think you were the only ones who could use Aura, did you?" Daniel asked as his Lucario and Cynthia's growled.

The Guardians and their Lucarios glanced at each other before several dozen wild Pokemon swarmed around them from the sky and canopy.

"Oh no! Whatever will we do?" Cynthia said in pretend fear before letting out her five remaining Pokemon. Daniel similarly released his Charizard, Tauros, Talonflame, Haxorus, and Tyranitar, each one shaking the temple as they landed.

Unlike Ash's Team, the two champions' Pokemon didn't have to worry about collapsing the temple and let loose on their attackers. The ensuing battle was more of a slaughter, with Daniel and Cynthia's Pokemon bringing down the wild Pokemon in groups at a time.

Daniel and Cynthia similarly broke down the two remaining Guardians with a masterfully coordinated offensive working together alongside their Lucarios.

Mr. Ubbe's Urshifu hurled back an incoming Pangoro and followed up on two Fearow who tried to get his master.

"Mr. Ubbe, we can't hold this position indefinitely!" Floki screamed as his Gengar struggled to keep back a few incoming Simisages.

The businessman looked at his guards, who buckled under the assault and considered the situation.

"Mr. Ubbe! Mr. Ubbe!" He and Floki turned to see a bloodied guard from Fourth Squad race out beside an equally battered Toxicroak.

"Sir, it's inside, the crystal!" Mr. Ubbe's eyes widened in delight.

"Captain, hold the line."

Back inside, Felix struggled against his three opponents, fatigue and strain hitting him like a brick wall. His Lucario faired similarly against the opposing Guardian Lucario and wild Pokemon. Both partners lamenting their advancing age.

Felix managed to blast one of the Guardian's aura spheres back and sweep her legs, only for the others to both his his sides.

"Gaah!"

"Dad!" Ash cried. He tried to break off his attack and help Felix, but Riley and his partner prevented him from doing so.

"Felix, get down!" Serena cried.

Her father-in-law and Lucario got onto their stomachs moments before Charline came in with a heat wave, hitting the attacking Pokemon. Both Guardians shielded themselves with aura, but Serena was ready.

"Dark Pulse, Psybeam!" The combined Dark and Psychic moves shattered their aura barriers, allowing Swampert to sweep the fighters back with muddy water.

"Thanks." Felix and his Lucario exhaled deeply while Delphox and Absol helped them up.

By now, Ash's Pokemon had routed most of the attackers from one direction while their trainer overcame the fifth Guardian, leaving only Riley.

"You feel aura too, yet you fight with the invaders! How could you betray our Mentor, our mother!?"

"Riley, I know you believe that right now, which is why I'll say sorry for this later." Ash and the Aura Guardian exchanged successive blows, neither able to land a decisive hit, at least until the ground shook.

"Dynamic Punch!" Both men saw Urshifu charge in and knock one of the Guardian Lucarios aside with two punches but didn't stop.

"No!" Riley screamed when he saw Urshifu smash through Orahaoya's statue before continuing on to bring down a pair of wild Rillaboom.

Ash now overcame Riley and delivered a punishing kick to his face, followed by an aura sphere.

The Guardian slammed into a wall but was soon helped up by his own Lucario, who still groaned in pain. Ash and Lucario retained their fighting stances while Riley and Lucario grit their teeth.

"Mentor, we cannot win this fight."

"...Fall back." Riley and the others soon disappeared into the temple interior, allowing Ash to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Well done, Kaiser." Mr. Ubbe said while approaching Ash.

"Are you alright?" The young Kaiser nodded.

"Arigatō."

"Grouuu."

"It was our pleasure to help. Besides, Urshifu did the heavy lifting." A few of Mr. Ubbe's men raced in and began rescuing their dangling companions. Additionally, unbeknownst to Ash, Serena, of Felix, they also collected the memory crystal.

Lucario did witness this and started to protect, but Ash and the others were already on their way out.

"Grou!"

"It's alright. We're just taking it back for research." Mr. Ubbe assured the aura Pokemon who narrowed his eyes at the businessman before following Ash.

Orahaoya growled and held Satoshi tighter as she watched her Guardians and wild Pokemon retreat from Daniel and Cynthia's teams.

"Such power." Orahaoya muttered in awe upon seeing Daniel's Pokemon, his Charizard in particular. Even as a legendary Pokemon, Orahaoya doubted she could've beaten such a combatant, at least not alone.

Satoshi let out a gleeful cry while looking at Ash and Serena, who came out of the temple, causing Orahaoya to nuzzle him.

"Oh, Aaron, you don't even realize what's happening." Orahaoya now trembled while staring at the baby in her arms. If these attackers were too powerful for her to overcome, what would she do?

Orahaoya refused to perform the same sacrifice as years earlier. She wouldn't abandon her baby, not again. She could leave Ora and take Aaron with her.

"No." Orahaoya muttered to herself. That wasn't an option either. After another heavy sigh, Orahaoya threw down a portal and teleported herself back inside her temple while Riley, Gima, and the others slowly trickled inside while Chansey and other Fairy Pokemon tended to their injuries.

"They cannot infiltrate this place. Should they try to attack, we'll be ready."

Unknown to Orahaoya, Pikachu carefully searched the lower areas for the secret waterfall entrance, keeping in contact with Ash as he did so.

That evening, the expedition force made camp a mile from the mountain's base.

Mr. Ubbe's uninjured men took watch while Ash and the others met with the businessman and Floki.

"After breakfast tomorrow morning, we'll move in alongside Maylene and Cameron to draw the Aura Guardians out into the jungle." Floki said, pointing to a computer-generated map of the surrounding area.

"Once we're in position, you'll move to the waterfalls."

Ash nodded.

"Pikachu has just found the entrance. He'll meet us there."

"Perfect." Mr. Ubbe said with an immensely eager grin.

"Soon, this will all be over, and we'll have who we came for."

Felix drifted off to sleep immediately, with the others doing much the same. Ash, however, struggled even as he closed their tent curtains and exhaled alongside Lucario.

It was almost too much, knowing Satoshi was so close, yet he'd have to wait all night before doing anything.

"Grouuu." Lucario tried to assure him. Ash nodded before he and Lucario heard heavy sobs.

Both turned to see Delphox, Absol, and Charline desperately trying to comfort Serena even as tears streamed down her face. Ash only then realized that she clutched something familiar in her arms, the stuffed Charmander Satoshi loved so much.

This hit Ash harder than any blow he'd taken during the fight that day, and he struggled while approaching Serena.

Finally, he placed both hands on her shoulders and tried to ease his wife up, but she wouldn't budge and kept crying.

"Ash, I want our baby back!" Serena almost choked, tears filling her Pokemons' eyes.

"Serena! We're going to get Satoshi back!" Ash roared.

"Look at me!" He almost forced Serena's eyes to meet his. Despite the Kaiser's tears, he remained fiery.

"We're going to get Satoshi back. I promise." Serena almost collapsed into her husband's arms and remained there as their Pokemon joined in.


Back inside the temple, Orahaoya tried to ease Satoshi, who'd begun crying worse than ever.

"Aaron, what's wrong? Mama's here. I'm here! You're safe!" She pleaded, desperate to drive away the sorrow which afflicted him. However, Orahaoya refused to look deep enough into his aura, blinding her to what truly saddened him.

Even from a great distance, the baby felt his parents' pain and instinctively cried out for them. Despite Orahaoya's best efforts, she couldn't remedy this.


Back in the camp, Mr. Ubbe and his Urshifu stared at the glowing crystal recovered that day, suspended in a large device that projected the memories before them.

The Guard captain paused when he saw the look on Mr. Ubbe's face.

"...Uhhh, sir."

"It's alright, Floki. I was merely reminding myself of why I sought out this venture." Floki nervously nodded.

"Yes, sir. The techs told me we'll be ready by tomorrow."

Ubbe nodded.

"Perfect."


Author's note

So we learn a bit more about Orahaoya and her history, she's a very old Pokemon, but just how?

More is going on than the group realizes

Yes, Serena is in a lot of pain, but they're close, very close

So until next time,

Please review, comment, suggest, or ask (VIA PM)