I looked at Ash and Gligar training and chuckled when Gligar crashed after turning the wrong way. It seems that Ash has been having a few troubles teaching Gligar how to soar through the sky, even with Staravia's help. It might be because Gligar's wings were made more for sky gliding than flying.
I looked to my right and was surprised to find our new family member looking at the training occurring before us. Ever since Rowlet hatched, all he has ever been interested in doing was sleeping, eating, and more sleeping. So, seeing him focused on Gligar's flying training was surprising. Maybe he was ready to start his training? He has yet to even try flying.
I looked at Rowlet in excitement... only to sigh when he simply crawled back into Ash's backpack to take another nap.
Well, everyone had their rhythm. No need to hurry up someone who is not ready yet.
I decided to continue to observe the clearing we were staying at. Turtwig and Chimchar were having a mock battle with Riley's Pokemon, while the aura guardian observed. Jolteon, unfortunately, was back with her mom, having decided to visit her. She has been missing her lately. She will be rejoining us when we reach Pastoria City.
Talking about Pastoria City, I've met some new (for me at least) family members! Ash brought Crawdaunt, Squirtle, and Kingler from the lab. The three of them and Buizel will be facing off against the Gym Leader Crasher Wake. It will be a full-out Water-type Pokemon battle. Which is kind of weird since Ash has a couple of strong Electric-type Pokemon, but it's not like my family cares much about Pokemon types when it comes to battles. Not to mention that Ash's Water-type Pokemon are so much fun! Every single one I've met is funny and unique.
I moved my gaze towards dad who was being hugged by a blushing Buneary, who was wearing a new vest. It seems that dad had complimented her on her new look. I sighed and shook my head in amusement, if dad continues like this Jolteon will get very angry. She's been constantly rooting for him and her mom to get back together.
I looked to my right, just in time to see Litten waking up, he had been taking a nap under the shade of the tree I was leaning against. For a second I worried he would panic, but while he did tense and look around rapidly, he did not panic. However, he did only relax once his gaze landed on Ash.
Treating Litten is still a delicate process. Most of the time he could only be found next to Ash, and when he was not he was next to Pikachu. He still gets nightmares about Stoutland and tenses when someone who is not family tries to approach him. Most of the time we do not let him out while walking in the city, only when we are at the Pokemon Center or parks. But he has been moving one, if slowly, and letting us come closer. He even let Jolteon play tag with him.
"Good dreams?" I asked him.
"Yeah," he answered. "I saw Stoutland." My heart ached for my new brother. He has lost his father too young. "They are still trying to get Gliglar to turn correctly?"
"Yes," I chuckled, understanding that's all Litten wanted to share about the topic. "I kind of feel sorry for Gligar, if it wasn't so hilarious that Ash, the Flying-type expert, is having such a hard time teaching a Pokemon how to fly correctly."
"That's funny," Litten chuckled, licking his paw. "What's the plan for today?"
"To train, relax, do what you want. Maybe we can convince Rowlet to fly," I answered.
"Ha, you wish. That cousin only cares about sleeping," Litten commented.
As if he were answering, Rowlet snored, making us both descend into laughter. It ended up being a good day, we took some time to relax and have some fun. We even helped Francesca the Pokémon magician with her singing Chingling act. It was a pretty good one.
The following day we return to our journey. Everything was the same, helping lost Pokemon on the way, talking and joking around, checking the PokeNav every five minutes to make sure we did not get lost. Ash truly has the worst sense of direction for an Ace Ranger.
Then, out of nowhere, an injured blue canine Pokemon appeared from some bushes.
"A Riolu!" Ash exclaimed, eyes widening in disbelief.
The Riolu looked at us and seemed ready to attack until his eyes landed on Riley's Lucario. The fight seem to leave his body and he fell on his knees.
"I'm safe," the poor guy murmured tiredly.
"Hey, are you all right?" Ash rushed to his side. He put down his backpack and opened it, sighing tiredly at what he found. "Rowlet..." he muttered, taking the sleeping Pokemon out and returning him into his Poke Ball. Then my trainer proceeded to take out his first aid kit and heal Riolu. "Would you mind telling us what happened?"
The Riolu looked tense, clearly not ready to trust a human. He must have been poached... like me. But one look at Lucario and Riley he relaxed and began to tell us his story. To say we were angry would be an understatement.
Ash's eyes even flashed with aura, making Riolu jump startled. From what I've heard from Lucario, Ash is pretty good at hiding his aura presence. It's no surprise Riolu did not notice Ash is an Aura Guardian (in training).
"Riley, Lucario, do you guys know the way to the Lucario Kingdom?" Ash asked them, sighing when he received nods in return. "Good. Then you guys, take Riolu and Dawn there. I will follow soon after I deal with these guys."
"You will take backup right?" Riley asked him.
"Of course, there are a couple of rangers here, Kellyn and Kate, they'll help me find these guys. I will also call for Josh and Sarah to help." Ash assured him. "What do you want to do Litten, Pupitar? Stay in your Poke Ball? Or go with the others to the Lucario Kingdom?" Litten, as expected, rapidly returned himself to his Poke Ball. "Why did I even ask him?" Ash chuckled. I just pointed to Riley with my head. "Ok, have fun." He patted my head with a smile, before turning around and leaving into the forest.
"Ok, everyone follows me," Riley told us, guiding us deep into the forest, opposite to where Ash had gone.
"Sir. Lucario, that boy, who was he?" Riolu finally decided to speak, before being prompted.
"He is a Blue Knight from the Rota Kingdom and an Ace Ranger from the Kanto, working under the command of the Ranger Commission. He's also been knighted by the Mirage Kingdom and the Alberto Baron Family, from Alamos Town." Lucario went and laid bare all of Ash's titles. Maybe to assure Riolu that the bad guys will be dealt with easily? Anyway, by the starstruck look on Riolu's, it seems to have worked. "He's also popularly known as The Saint."
"The Saint?!" Riolu shrieked, eyes shining with childish excitement. Something that assured me that the Pokemon would be all right. "Those in the Lucario Kingdom have told me about him! They use him as an example of courage, duty, and selflessness. He is also an Aura Guardian?!"
"He is," Lucario replied, with a smile. "He's still new to the way of the aura, and my bonded warrior is his teacher. We hope that once we reach the Lucario Kingdom, Ash will find his own bonded partner."
"A Blue Knight without a bonded partner?!" Riolu exclaimed in disbelief, eyes widening as if someone had committed an atrocity.
"Hopefully, that will soon be resolved," Lucario replied, with a calming smile.
From what I've learned from eavesdropping into their classes, a bonded partner is like a stabilizing agent for the Aura Guardian's aura. Without them, the fluctuation would leave the human unstable. Luckily, Riley and his Lucario are working as one for Ash at the moment.
"Riolu!" A man exclaimed running towards us. The relief of the man was quite clear as he fell on his knees to receive his kidnapped Pokemon with arms wide open. "Thank you!" His grateful eyes fell on Riley and his Lucario, widening slightly at Riley's Aura Guardian attire. "Thank you!"
"Do not mention it," Riley answered with a kind smile. "My partner is dealing with those involved, you can be assured that they will be taken care of. There will even be a bigger force of rangers patrolling the perimeters of the Kingdom for a few days just to be sure."
"We thank you Aura Guardian, Bonded Partner, and friends," the projected voice of a regal Lucario thanked us. Looking behind the trainer and Riolu, a group of Lucario's approached us. All of them looked battle-ready and wore the Lucario Kingdom's crest on their vests. They must be part of the kingdom's forces. "Who is your partner? We would like to join him to make sure justice will be served. The kidnapping of one of our young ones is an atrocious act."
"Do not worry, The Saint is in charge of the mission and will be making sure justice will be served." Riley's words seem to shock the Lucario Warriors, many even looking giddy at the fact that they'll meet Ash soon. I will never get tired of seeing the reaction of people when hearing or meeting my trainer. "And no thanks is needed, we were already coming this way when we stumbled upon a hurt Riolu. There's no way we could turn our backs then. Riolu is the one that should be celebrated, he was brave and strong, saving himself and coming back home. You all should be proud."
The Lucario Warriors now turned to look at the blushing Riolu with pride in their eyes, just like his trainer was looking at the young Pokemon.
"That we are," the same Lucario Warrior spoke, before pointing at a couple of other Lucario to guard the trainer and Riolu while guiding us towards a house for us to stay until Ash returns."Why were coming to our kingdom?" He inquired, curiously.
"Ash lacks a Bonded Partner, we hoped to find one for him here." Riley's words sent the force guarding us into an uproar.
It seems that this is a bigger issue than I thought.
"We better fix that soon!" A Lucario roared.
"Does that mean that one of us might end up being The Saint's Bonded Partner?" One Lucario's question silence the crowd around us, before they all started talking at once.
"Since when is he an Aura Guardian?!"
"So cool!"
"I hope he picks me!"
"You know it doesn't work like that!"
They continued like that until their leader stopped them once we reached the guest house. I would be lying if I told you that waiting was easy, but these last few months I've gotten used to it. Being the Pokemon of an Ace Ranger came with its dangers, especially when going off to face an unknown enemy like now.
Only the sun was setting, did Ash arrive in the Lucario Kingdom. Of course, he was received by the entire force waiting for him. Dad fell off his shoulder from laughing so hard and Ash wore such a tired expression that one would think he had finally given up on everything. He proceeded to tell us that they took down the research laboratory and tracked down a rich man that wanted to kidnap Riolu for his collection.
Good, I thought. Those men deserve to be behind bars!
Soon what followed was a parade of Lucario's just waiting to be chosen by Ash. I did not understand at first, how would Ash choose one without seeing their abilities or getting to know them. But then it was explained to me, it was aura the one that chooses who it is the one Ash should bond with. Unfortunately, no Lucario was chosen.
It was only when a concerned Nurse Joy approached, us wanting to know what was going on, that Ash's eyes shone with aura. I got worried at first, his stillness scared me a little bit. Ash looked as if he were in a trance, staring focused at the egg that Nurse Joy's Chansey was carrying.
"That's the one," he whispered, almost as if he were afraid of breaking the moment.
The Lucario's groaned good-naturedly, and cheered, making plans for a party tonight. Ash's Bonded Partner was found and that called for celebration. Even if they were only an egg at the moment. I looked at my brother, hugging the egg preciously, and smiled nostalgically. Our family keeps on growing every day.
I can't wait to meet the next one!