Rocket grunts were carrying large, wooden crates from one vehicle to another. Other Team Rocket grunts were enjoying a battle between each other, accidentally causing an explosion which drew the ire of their commander.
"Quit it! Do you want us to get caught? Arceus, you grunts make my hair go gray!"
Everyone made sure to smarten up. It was a simple supply exchange, but a small cog still helps the machine run. The commander was already frustrated with being given this assignment. A commander like her, given some grunt work! It was disgraceful!
"Commander, people are coming!" A grunt approached. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Great, now something that was very simple just got complicated. She grabbed two pokeballs from her hip in wait. Leaves were rustling, growing louder as something approached.
To everyone's surprise, an Espeon emerged from the brush. The psychic type looked curiously at each of the Rocket members. The leader tucked her pokeballs away. Sweetly, she approached the Espeon.
"Hey there! Are you lost?" She crouched down to her level. She motioned behind her for a goon to grab a net.
Suddenly, a Pikachu emerged from the woods. The electric type, also, looked curiously at the Rocket members. A Sceptile emerged, followed by another Espeon, an Emboar, a Metagross; a whole bunch of rarer pokemon!
"Well look here fellas. Looks like some Pokémon got lost. Why don't we take them in?" Pokeballs started to expand.
Suddenly, the truck was destroyed, as well as the supplies on board. A Donphan emerged from the smoke. Ash and Annabel remained hidden, waiting to emerge. But they silently communicated their commands to their ally's.
"Don't worry, we just want to say hi," a grunt spoke as she slowly approached, hand behind her back with a pokeball.
Her actions, as well as everyone else's, were interrupted when the truck was tipped over by a Gliscor! "Shit! Get those boxes! Don't let anything get damaged!" The commander shouted. Two grunts nodded and made their way to do damage control. The Rocket grunts and their commander unleashed their Pokemon to fight Ash and Anabel's.
Back at the Battle Palace, Brandon was speaking with Scott on a video call.
"It's happening to him, just like I feared."
Scott nodded solemnly. "Has he interacted with this before?"
"Yes, he experienced this years ago, shortly before meeting us. He seems to not be scared about it.
"What happened to the staff Spenser always had?"
"It's here, but it seems to move. I don't know if Ash is moving it or if it moves on it's own."
There was a pause between them.
"Did we make the right decision? Spenser was a grown man when he joined us, everyone was except for Anabel. But, she has the league accolades to back up her strength. Ash is still just a teenager. He did beat the Battle Frontier and the Orange Islands, but has not won a league championship."
"This is what Spenser wanted. He specifically chose Ash. For what reason, we will never know. He's an adept trainer and quick on his feet. I have no doubt he can easily become the new Palace Maven."
"You're right, old friend. Up the intensity, he needs to be ready. Spenser left a cryptic message for us, something akin to a warning." Scott had a slightly worried look on his face.
"I will, and those markings can't be a coincidence. Spenser developed the same markings after finding the staff.
"Can Ash develop the same powers Spenser had?"
"I think he has them already." Brandon said, slightly worried.
Ash and Anabel had made themselves known and easily defeated the Team Rocket grunts. The grunts and commander were tied up. They were waiting for the police to arrive.
"You have no idea what you're doing," the commander spoke with venom in her voice.
"What?" Ash questioned. He was starting to get tired of this conversation.
"You, and your friend, even your Pokemon. You're getting in over your head. This is bigger than you," she said, looking right into his eyes.
Ash felt a wave of anger rush over him. Anabel stepped toward him. His arms were still bandaged but flashed a bright blue, as did his eyes.
"I'm not in over my head. I stopped Team Rocket before, I can do it again," Ash said, getting closer to the commander. She just laughed at him.
"That's rich! You think you stopped us?" She stopped laughing and a killer look came on her face. "You did nothing, absolutely nothing. We are stronger than ever. We haven't forgotten you, hopefully you didn't forget us."
Ash clenched his fists. His rage was building. Anabel could sense she was trying to get a rise out of him and it was working. She gently pulled Ash back. "You need to stop talking," she warned. Ash's arms were glowing bright blue, the bandages falling off to reveal his scorched arms.
"Or else what?" The commander taunted. Anabel did nothing and turned away, pulling Ash with her.
"She's trying to get to you, Ash. Clearly she knows you have a long history with Team Rocket."
Ash huffed impatiently. "She doesn't know what she's talking about! She-"
"Just wants to piss you off, Ash." Anabel looked at the tied up Rocket grunts then to him. "Your aura is responding to your emotions. Your rage is making it flare up in a negative way."
He looked at her, his gaze softening. Ash then looked down to his arms. "What's happening to me?" He whispered to no one in particular. Anabel put a hand on his shoulder in comfort. Sirens drew near.
Regrouping back at the Battle Palace, Anabel and Brandon were speaking in the office while Ash was sitting on his bed with his head in his hands. Pikachu jumped up and gently patted his arm in comfort.
"It's hard, buddy. My body changed because of that staff! Spenser, or whatever he is now, won't tell me what's going on!" He spoke in frustration. He hated this feeling, feeling powerless. There was nothing he could do except be patient.
There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Ash said.
Brandon and Anabel entered the space. "Ash, have you seen the staff Spenser used?" Brandon asked, rather tentatively.
Ash gave a confused look, "yes, I sometimes keep it in here or have it in it's storage space."
"What storage space?" Brandon asked, pressing the issue.
"Ash, we think this staff has unlocked your aura abilities. We know about the events at Camaron palace, your connection to Sir Aaron, how you actually used aura before."
Ash sighed at Anabel's words. He stood up, Pikachu jumped on his shoulder. Vanillite signaled it wanted to be carried and Ash gently scooped up the ice type. Ash could sense it was in the room it normally was in.
"Follow me,' he spoke softly. He led them down the corridor from his bedroom and the bunk rooms, moving right from the battle area instead of the usual left everyone takes. The hallway had dim lighting and seemed unused. There was a small door to the left and a large one in front. Ash led them into the small room on the left. To the surprise of Anabel and Brandon, the room opened up considerably.
The walls were painted with Unown spelling out words on the green brick used to construct the Battle Palace. In the center was a small podium with two brackets, holding the Staff of the Unown.
"This is what Spenser called the Staff of the Unown. I'm learning its power and abilities, and this is what caused my arms to get scorched."
Brandon and Anabel approached the piece of wood. Spenser's staff, something of mystery among the Battle Frontier.
"Have you used it?" Anabel asked.
"Sort of, I've wielded it and felt its power, but I honestly don't know what it's capable of." Ash admitted to them.
"Ash, I need to tell you about this," Brandon admitted.
"This staff draws upon the power of the Unown. What do you know about Unown?"
"Not much," Ash said a little sheepishly. "I know they're rather mystical, and are usually in groups. Some say they are wards of Arceus, little helpers to the deity."
Brandon nodded. "That they are. Unown, when in groups, wield immense power. Arceus created them to assist in carrying out it's duties of creation and ruling the universe. Unown tend to gather in large numbers. This staff here," Brandon slowly paused. "This staff can gather Unown whenever they are needed. The stronger the aura of the user, the more Unown can be summoned. Spenser was an incredible aura user. The robes he wore covered more of those scorch marks like the ones you have on your arms. As your aura grows, so will those scorch marks. Those marks enhance your aura. The Unown draw on your aura for their power, and their power feeds your aura. A symbiotic dynamic, so to speak. Do you understand?"
"So I'm…tied with the Unown now?" Ash spoke quietly. His arms and eyes flashed blue. The walls of the room flashed in tandem with his body.
"In a way, yes. Do you remember how Spenser always spoke of his connection with the natural world? While he meant about connecting to plant life and the planet itself, he really meant he was tied to the fabric of how the natural world was made. He was tied to the Unown, who can create whatever they want in the world and whatever Arceus wants. Their power is yours, and your power is theirs."
"Is this a gift or a curse?" Ash asked, fear and uncertainty in his voice.
"I'm not sure," Brandon answered.
"Spenser never spoke about his connection with the Unown. We just know as time moved on, his connection with the Unown grew, as did his power." Anabel approached him and looked him in the eyes. "We'll help you through this, I promise."
Ash believed her, but he suddenly felt in over his head with the Battle Frontier.
AN: I apologize profusely for this beyond late update. I know I keep saying I will do better but I haven't delivered. I am sorry. This chapter was a bit of a lore chapter. Not a full reveal, as not even our heroes and heroines know what is happening. Stay tuned for the next chapter! I am going to try to have longer chapters as well.