"Okay Ash, here is everything I have on aura." Professor Oak said. "I must ask though, why the sudden interest?"
"I heard a few references to it, and some powerful spots that might be here in Kanto, and thought I could look into it a bit." Ash said.
"Ash, I feel I should let you know, that aura is just another name for a life force." Professor Oak said. "Most of these books are strictly medical."
"I know, I know, but I'm talking about harnessing aura." Ash said. "Like actually using it."
"Ash, who told you about these things?" Professor Oak said.
"You wouldn't believe me if they were even here, why do you ask?" Ash asked, thinking about his other self for a moment.
"Harnessing aura, that's just fairy tales." Professor Oak said. "Researches have tried looking into that myth for decades, it's just stories made up from long ago."
"I'm telling you professor, there has to be something, I just know it for a fact." Ash said, looking through the pile of books. "Wait what's with this one?"
"Sir Aaron, and the Tree of Beginning?" Professor Oak said with a smile, picking the book up. "This used to be Gary's favorite bed time story."
"So it's a children's book?" Ash asked.
"You asked for every book I had that referenced aura, and the night Sir Aaron had a learned how to use aura." Professor Oak said.
"So it is possible!" Ash exclaimed.
"Ash, it's a childrens book, it doesn't have to be realistic." Professor Oak said. "While the events in the book are true, the character was made up for the sole purpose of story telling. The kingdom of Rota never had a night by that name."
"Come on Professor, just tell me the story." Ash plead.
"Or you could read it yourself." Professor Oak commented. "Fine, I suppose it can't hurt to give you the quick version of it."
"Yes!" Ash cheered, pumping his fist.
"The story goes, that in the ancient war hundreds of years ago, the kingdom of Rota and more importantly Cameran Palace was a pivotal point in turning the tide. They had the funds, and more importantly the army to stand against the invaders. Now in the story, that army is a team of Aura Guardians, and their leader is Sir Arron, who had learned how to see by using aura, and even had the ability to create shields of his own." Professor Oak said. "But the kingdom was being invaded, and he rushed to the tree of beginning to get its blessing over the kingdom. In return for his own sacrifice, the tree blessed the other nights with great health and they were able to push back the opposing forces."
"And what actually happened?" Ash asked excitedly.
"Nothing, the kingdom is high in the mountains, it was never invaded, they simply sent troops to help us out in the war." Professor Oak said, closing the book.
'LET ME OUT! I'LL SHOW HIM THE TRUTH OF AURA AND TELL THE STORIES OF OLD!' The voice in Ash's head screamed.
'You were there?' Ash asked mentally.
'OF COURSE I WAS THERE I AM THE PRIMAL LIFE FORCE OF GROUDON! ALL YOU KNOW OF IS THE HUSK OF MY BODY!' The voice screamed.
'Wait, Groudon is a husk?' Ash questioned.
'OF COURSE IT IS! THE RED ORB WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE ABSORBED BY A BEING SUCH AS YOU!' The voice screamed.
'Yeah, well until we find a way to cure me, you're stuck here, so if you can stop screaming, maybe we can work together.' Ash said, rubbing his temples.
'Fine.' The voice said, calming down. 'Yes, I was around at the time of that tree sprouting.'
'Could it cure me?' Ash asked.
'I wouldn't know.' The voice said angrily. 'I was in what is now known as Hoenn, but I felt the earth shake as it came into being.'
'So you're no help.' Ash inwardly groaned.
'The other you listed the tree as a way to cure, if it is the same tree, then it will work.' The voice said.
'And harnessing aura?' Ash asked.
'You know they exist, not in the numbers they used to, but they used to be a proud people, highly sought after. Many of my followers were aura guardians.' The voice said. 'I want to know why you want to cure yourself of me though.'
'You're poisoning the aura realm apparently.' Ash thought.
'Do not rush to cure that which you don't know.' The voice pointed out. 'I know many things you have yet to learn about your powers.'
'Yeah yeah, just point me to where the tree is.' Ash sighed. 'You can make your case on the way there.'
'It's there!' The voice shouted, Ash's eye turning red as an aura tendril pierced a nearby map.
"You could have just said that!" Ash shouted, startling Professor Oak and Tracey, as he quickly retracted the tendril.
'And now they know of your powers.' The voice said smugly.
"Ash! Was that?" Professor Oak stammered.
"A physical manifestation of aura, yes." Ash said. "And no I can't do it again, it's still risky to try."
"Ash, do you realize what this could mean, why didn't you tell me about this sooner?" Professor Oak questioned. "This changes our entire perception of life and death itself!"
"Professor, this is still Ash we're talking about, you can't treat him like a science experiment, besides, you heard what he said, it's risky." Tracey said calmly. "How long have you been able to do that though?"
"Early on in Hoenn." Ash admitted. "I don't know how to trigger it at any time though."
"Does your mother know?" Professor Oak asked.
"That I have an ancient power that I can't control residing within me, no I haven't told her." Ash sighed. "Look, thank you for the help, but what I'm looking for isn't in these books. If you find anything else, please let me know."
"Of course Ash." Professor Oak said. "Say hi to your mother for us."
"Umm, hello. I'm looking for Ash Ketchum, I was told I could find him here." A voice Ash recognized said.