Last Time On TMOM:
An unwanted gift, courage, a whole lot of fog, and a terrifying tumble.
Quote: "Just because you have wave doesn't mean you should use it."

Chapter Twelve: Worthy

You say that I'm paranoid
But I'm pretty sure this world is out to get me
It's not like I make the choice
To let my mind stay so fucking messy
-Linkin Park

Ash remembered a time when he could sleep soundly on the tiled floor of his mother's kitchen and wake up energized and ready to go. That wasn't the case this morning. Picking himself off the dirt, everything hurt. He knew he had banged himself up a bit in his fall but to be this stiff and sore definitely came from the hubris of sleeping without his sleeping bag.

He had it with him but didn't want to pull it out out of his pack. And not just because he hurt his arm either. Setting up his sleeping bag meant he was going to rest, that he intended to sleep. Ash didn't want to send that message to the universe, especially not to himself. He didn't want to relax until Pikachu was safely returned to him. Until then, he'd deal with being uncomfortable.

His arm was a different story. His elbow had gone a nice shade of purple, swollen and tender. He couldn't bend his arm without significant pain. While he had been careful not to sleep on the injury, he had done nothing to reduce the potential swelling.

It wasn't something he could hide from the others. But as it turned out, his disheveled appearance was going to out him anyway. Kidd noticed the cuts and scrapes on his face and arms at breakfast. She had meant only to make a snarky comment about it but inevitably, she also noticed his more severe injury.

Her exclamation drew the attention of the group. Team Rocket had only a passing interest, of course. But Aileen looked appropriately horrified.

"What happened?" She reached out but Ash recoiled from her touch. He smiled apologetically and kept his arm carefully at his side, out of reach.

"I fell down is all."

"Fell down what? A mountain?" Kidd tsked. Unlike Aileen, she wasn't one to listen to Ash's protests. She had already procured a cold pack, shaken it up and proceeded to press it to Ash's swollen arm. He jumped at the sudden cold held flush against his skin and sent a frown her way.

"Something like that, yeah."

"What in the world were you doing?" Aileen continued to pry.

Ash couldn't meet her sad eyes. He stared down at his injured elbow instead. "I was just taking a walk," Ash told his elbow. "Trying to clear my head."

"In the middle of a thick fog?" Kidd arched an eyebrow his way. She wasn't one to miss a beat. Damn her.

Ash scowled. "Yes. That's how I got lost. Lucario… Lucario helped me out."

"Oh thank goodness," Aileen sighed, hand pressed to her heart. "It's a good thing he was paying attention or imagine what might have happened to you!"

"...Right," Ash crinkled the cold pack tighter to his injury, grinning against the pain. "Super lucky."

Breakfast was shared and quickly consumed. Dry bran and fruit muffins that kinda hurt to swallow but still didn't last long. Kidd claimed they kept well and were perfectly edible. Ash mostly picked at his, giving the rest to Team Rocket who were far more ravenous than he was. Aileen watched the exchange in obvious disapproval but said nothing.

There remained cold civility between Ash and the others. He politely complied with any of their instructions when packing up supplies, not once bringing up the limits caused by his injured arm. He carried supplies one-handed and used his legs to his advantage when one hand wouldn't be enough. Ash didn't want to draw any more attention to himself than his sulking already had. And most were perfectly satisfied with this change in attitude.

While the others packed up camp, Kidd scouted ahead and coming back with the solemn Lucario in tow. The pokemon was very careful not to glance Ash's way. Ash couldn't help but feel slightly insulted by the snub. But Kidd didn't give him time to dissect the feeling.

"The way ahead is rough. We're going to have to take it slow," Kidd announced.

"What? No. We've lost enough time already," Ash snapped.

"And who's fault was that?" came Jessie's sharp retort.

Ash sent a glare her way. She addressed his scorn with a smirk. It successfully grated on Ash's nerves as it was surely intended.

"I'm fine now," Ash said. "We should carry on as before."

"It's not about you, Ash," Kidd sighed. "I told you. The path is treacherous and overgrown. We risk another accident if we rush. You're already hurt. Do you really want to push your luck further?"

Ash held his ground. "If it helps Pikachu."

'You can't help Pikachu if you're dead.'

"And who asked you?" spat Ash venomously towards the telepathic pokemon.

Lucario shrugged. 'Just stating the obvious.'

Before Ash could come up with a biting retort, Aileen had placed a hand on his good shoulder. She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze and said, "Pikachu wouldn't want you to hurt yourself, would he?"

Ash shook off her hand but said nothing. He clutched his injured arm and stared down at his feet. His emotions bubbled up inside but he held them back down. He didn't want to admit that everyone had a point. At long last, Ash threw up his one good hand in surrender.

"Fine. Fine. We'll take it slow."

'Thank goodness. So glad our temperamental child leader has given us permission.'

Team Rocket snickered at the pokemon's words. James, at least, had the sense to cover his mouth behind his hand. Aileen and Kidd did not share in the humor. Aileen sent an apologetic look Ash's way that he didn't acknowledge. Kidd just ignored the squabbling entirely, which was probably wise. She set off for the bikes, handing out last-minute instructions. This time, Ash would be riding with her.

Ash was too tired to argue. It didn't much matter which bike he rode on anymore as he'd be uncomfortable no matter the driver. Ash just figured he should count his lucky stars that he wouldn't be expected to ride Lucario piggyback up the mountain.

Lucario took point again. Despite their talk of taking it slow, the pokemon did not lessen his pace. He still dashed ahead, waiting for the others at a bend or tall outcropped rock should he accidentally leave them behind.

"Lucario, I said slower," Kidd grumbled to herself as she was forced to shift gears.

Kidd did her best to keep up with the agile pokemon while simultaneously avoiding any obstacles that leaped out of the shadows at them. Lucario had little awareness of how the motorbikes would fair as he bound over roots and rocks. Ash observed the pokemon's actions from his seat behind Kidd, annoyed at first but slowly growing more and more curious.

Lucario clearly used wave to navigate the fog, giving him the flexibility and maneuverability to dance around the obstacles that gave human transportation such trouble. But there was no reason for his single-minded speed. Ash began to wonder if Lucario merely acted from altruistic intentions as he claimed or if there was some other reason he wanted to get to the tree.

Ash also tried to bring back the wave to his senses. He had little better to do. Ash stared ahead, wishing at the swirls of fog to shift into something different. But it stubbornly remained nothing more than a white curtain. His throbbing elbow kept him sufficiently anchored to his body and human senses. Just when he would start to drift, a sharp ache would bring him back. He could not open himself up anymore.

He cursed his helplessness. When his continual failure got too frustrating, Ash's eyes would drift back to the form of Lucario leaping in and out of the white shadows. He sent mean thoughts at the pokemon's back, daring the pokemon to answer. But perhaps the telepathy only worked one way as Lucario never betrayed a response.

Around mid-day, although it was difficult to tell through the fog, Lucario stopped abruptly. When Kidd hit the brakes, the sudden stop almost threw Ash. He had to clamp his good and bad arm around Kidd's middle to keep from falling as they skidded to a stop. The others followed, making cleaner stops due to being further back in their caravan train.

"What's going on?" James called up front.

"Don't know yet," Kidd replied, cutting her bike's engine. "Gonna check it out. Hold tight."

Both Kidd and Ash slid off the bike. Kidd gave the younger boy a look as if to voice her displeasure. But she must have thought better of it. She just shook her head and let Ash tag along behind.

"What's up, Lucario. Why did you stop?" Kidd asked, coming up alongside the pokemon.

Lucario just rose a closed paw, signaling their silence. He didn't bother looking their way, head pointed forward but eyes tightly closed. The strange black bangles on the back of his head were raised and Ash could hear a distinct hum under the pokemon's breath. They waited impatiently. And just when Kidd was done with being ignored, just as she reached out to shake the pokemon out of its trance, Ash felt something.

It pierced through him like a bullet, kicking the air from his lungs. Ash blinked. And in the space of that single blink, Ash saw a strange glow pulse from the rocky terrain ahead of them. One moment it was there and then it was gone. But Ash knew instantly what it was.

Ash grabbed a handful of Kidd's jacket and pulled her back just in time. A geyser exploded just feet away, spraying them with unpleasantly hot steam and water. They covered their faces with their arms and hurried back to where the others were.

"Are you hurt?" Ash asked as they both caught their breath.

"Just a little singed. You?"

"Fine."

"Lucario, a little warning would have been appreciated!" Kidd snapped back at the pokemon.

It seemed Lucario had finally abandoned its meditative stance to rejoin the humans. He was on the walk over when Kidd's shout gave him a brief pause. Lucario looked the group over before offering a curt, 'You appear unharmed.'

"No thanks to you!"

"Lucario, what is it? You seem distracted," Aileen interjected kindly. Ash couldn't help but wonder it himself. Everyone looked to the pokemon for its answer despite knowing the stoic creature would be very unlikely to indulge them. He stared at them with his large red eyes, face as expressionless as ever.

'I am looking for something,' Lucario said at last.

"What are you looking for? Maybe we can help."

Lucario's eyes were gentle when looking at Princess Aileen. As they always were. Because he saw a different person in her place. There was a sadness there too. Ash caught the glint in his eye himself before the pokemon looked away.

'It may be here. It may not. It has likely been too many years. You do not need to trouble yourself.'

"It wouldn't be any trouble-" Aileen exclaimed but Lucario was already walking away.

Ash felt a rough pat on his back that nearly knocked him off balance. He looked over startled at a grinning Jessie. "Like looking in a mirror, isn't it?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know…" Jessie pulled on her face to exaggerate her own frown. "All the brooding. You guys could seriously be twins."

Ash made a face but said nothing. He knew that Jessie could easily outwit any defense he tried to give. In the past, he just let Pikachu handle all the talking for him. Now, Ash just had to grin and bear it. He didn't want to entertain the idea that he had anything more in common with the infuriating ancient pokemon. They had too much linking them already.

"So what's the plan," Ash asked Kidd, eager to ignore any further teasing from Jessie. "Go around?"

Kidd stared at the canyon around them, taking in their options. But as she deliberated, the group watched two more giant geysers erupt further down their path. It seemed these gave her the answer she had been looking for.

"We aren't going to get through here right now. I think we should set up camp and wait them out. They should settle after a few hours or-"

"HOT SPRINGS!" Jessie's shrill shriek of joy cut through the end of Kidd's suggestion. The group turned to where Jessie had eagerly been pointing. And sure enough, there appeared to be a pool of steaming water, nestled within the shade of the canyon walls and only just off the beaten path.

"Hang on a moment!" Kidd cried out, stopping Jessie in her gleeful rush towards the water. "You don't even know if the water's safe."

"It's a hot spring," replied Jessie dully.

"Yes, and these are active geysers," Kidd snapped, gesturing towards their blocked path ahead. "The water isn't regulated this far from the kingdom… in the middle of nowhere. What if it's too hot? What if it's not sanitary? At least take a moment to think before you strip and jump in!"

"Don't be such a killjoy."

"I'm just saying, wait first. Let me check to make sure it's safe."

Jessie threw up her hands impatiently. But she didn't get into the water. Ash helped with unpacking the bikes and setting up their temporary camp. While he did so, he watched as Kidd tested the waters. First with her hands and then with a small thermometer like electronic that she stabbed into the water. By the time Ash and James had unloaded, Kidd had finished. And although she seemed unhappy to do so, she confirmed that the hot springs were perfectly safe.

"So glad that wasn't a complete waste of time," said Jessie grumpily, jumping down from a nearby rock she had been sitting and sulking on. "Excuse me while I get changed."

Despite being the first to go off and change, Jessie would be the last in the water. She wanted to make a great big show of her two-piece in typical Team Rocket fashion. As the others all got changed, Ash considered joining them. He was still fighting off intense exhaustion and his muscles screamed for a chance to recuperate in the hot water. Ash removed both sock and shoe and sat on the spring's edge, sinking his dangling feet into the water.

Ash sighed. It did feel wonderful.

"You should get your swimsuit on."

Ash glanced behind, catching sight of the swimsuited princess. She was dressed in a tasteful one-piece, peppered with small blue and pink flowers. When Ash caught himself staring too long, he quickly looked away. Thankfully, it didn't seem that Aileen had noticed.

"I mean it. Your arm would probably feel better."

"Okay, okay," said Ash, climbing back to his feet. "I don't even know if I have a swimsuit."

He did. He had one. His mother would have never forgotten something so crucial in a pokemon trainer's gear. But he was stalling. And Aileen wasn't fooled.

"Then just jump in with your shorts. Come on. You need this more than anyone."

"Just… give me a sec. I gotta go check my bag for them."

"Well, hurry up. Kidd said we only get an hour. You should be soaking that arm of yours."

Ash scrambled up the small embankment, barefoot. He left his shoes abandoned down by the water's edge and didn't feel like going back for them. It might invite more conversation that he didn't feel ready for. So instead, he marched ahead- ignoring when twigs and rocks caught the soft parts of his feet.

He didn't really need to go far to change. His pack was nestled amongst the others at their makeshift camp. But Ash marched right past them. He walked on until he was back at their blocked path, where they geysers still steamed and blasted the air with heat. The rock underfoot here was slick and warm. Ash took his steps more carefully but no less purposefully.

"Lucario, I know you're here," Ash called out into the humid air. It was more of a guess than actually knowing. The steam was just as hard as the fog to look through. But if he was the pokemon, Ash figured this place would where he'd want to keep an eye. The high walls were full of potential perches and while too high for the humans to climb, it would be easy for a pokemon like Lucario.

Sure enough, from one of these spots, the pokemon leaped; soaring overhead before landing neatly on all fours in front of Ash. Ash did his best to hide how impressed he was. That was a high jump and to land so effortlessly… No. Ash shook his thoughts from his head. Lucario had a big enough head as it was.

'Come to bother me some more?'

Ash smiled without meaning to. "Actually… yes."

'Wonderful.' It was actually pretty impressive how well Lucario could express sarcasm with thoughts alone. Much as he was removed from time, his sharp personality had clearly survived the journey.

"Earlier… before the geyser went up, I saw something."

'Good for you.'

"I think it was wave."

'Probably.'

Lucario was already turning away from Ash. His disinterest clearly showing. Ash had expected some resistance but it was still hard when forced face to face with it. Somehow this pokemon knew just what to say to get under his skin.

"What's with you?" Ash spat, temper finally flaring. "Why are you suddenly so against me learning about wave?"

Lucario spun back around, the suddenness causing Ash to stumble back. 'Because you are reckless,' the pokemon loudly announced in his head. 'You want wave to rescue your pokemon. Like a tool, a weapon. You don't understand it at all.'

"Only because you won't help me!"

Ash's shout gave the pokemon a sudden pause. He didn't look convinced but Ash had recaptured his attention. Ash decided it was either now or never.

"I never asked for this. I don't even particularly want it. Can you blame me for trying to find a way to use it? You want me to just sit on it just because I don't understand how special it is- fine. Then teach me. Help me understand."

Lucario glared at the young human but Ash stood his ground. The pokemon couldn't break the boy's fierce stare and it was ultimately Lucario who looked away first.

'You are selfish.'

"So are you."

Lucario tried to brush off the comment by walking away. Yet another barbed insult from the moody human child. But his path forward was suddenly blocked. Ash was staring him down, arms flung out wide as if it somehow made him impassable.

"I know you didn't offer to help us get to the tree just because Aileen asked."

"Princess-" Lucario tried to correct. Ash continued on, ignoring the interruption.

"And you told me yourself you didn't care about Pikachu and me. So you are going to the tree for some reason. Probably for something dealing with your past. So…" Ash pointed brazenly at the pokemon's nose before gesturing back at himself. "Selfish. Takes one to know one."

He had him. Ash knew he did. Lucario probably knew it too. Which is why he immediately somersaulted over Ash's head.

"Hey… hey!" Ash cried, whirling around to catch the fleeing pokemon. But it was already too late. Lucario had bounded away into the fog, effectively putting up an invisible wall between them. Even if Lucario could hear Ash's insults trailing after him, he was no longer under any obligation to answer.

"There isn't anyone else!" Ash shouted after him. "You're the only one who can help me. Please, Lucario… Please."

He hadn't meant to but he choked up on the last words. Ash furiously rubbed the tears from his eyes. The pokemon didn't answer although Ash was sure he would have heard. The realization just made Ash feel all the more alone.

It seemed he really would have to figure this out by himself.

Ash felt even lower than usual as he made his barefooted trek back to where the others splashed and played. So distracted, he didn't even remember that he was supposed to be changing into his swimsuit.

The steam coming off the water was making the air around the pools very hot and unpleasant. Not that the others minded, submerged in the water as they were. Ash immediately regretted not setting out to do what he said he was going to do. Right when he was about to fix the situation, (maybe there would still be some time to enjoy the springs before the geysers settled) Aileen's voice caught his ears.

"Oh! What's that?"

Aileen had mostly intended to call out to Kidd who floated nearby. Despite being the most against the springs, it seemed like she embraced the time to relax as much as the others had. She sat up and looked to where Aileen was wildly pointing right along with Ash.

"What's what?" Kidd asked.

From Ash's vantage point at the water's edge, he could see up the canyon wall far better. On one of the rocky shelves, as if only neatly placed, swayed a small crystalline flower. It glistened shades of blue in the sunlight; the sparkle being what must have caught Aileen's eye.

Ash walked closer to the wall, skirting the edge of the hot springs. "I think it's a flower," Ash told the others.

"A flower?" Aileen exclaimed happily. "Oh, I think I've heard of these before! They grow near the tree and are exceedingly rare."

"A flower that grows near the tree? The tree is made out of crystal. No plants grow out of crystal," responded Kidd.

Ash tuned them out. Aileen's pleasure was all he needed to decide his course. Ash made a leap at the rock wall, careful to get a proper grip with both hands and bare feet before reaching above his head. His left arm still throbbed painfully at the sudden weight but Ash could easily shift the weight onto his other arm and legs. Climbing something like this was easier than any mountain. The natural handholds were strong and obvious as if made for his ascent. He was already halfway there before Aileen and Kidd noticed him.

"Woah, kid. What are you doing?"

"Be careful, Ash!"

Ash hefted himself onto the ledge. Sure enough, a small flower was growing out of the rock face. But, upon closer examination, the flower looked to be more rock than an actual plant. Beautiful but completely unlike anything he had ever seen before.

When Ash reached out for it, a strange feeling came over him. It started in his fingertips and surged up his arms. It felt tingly, like the rush of blood from a numb hand or foot that had regained circulation. His fingers just brushed the petals when a flash of light erupted from inside the blossom.

Ash cried out. With one hand he shielded his face, and with the other, he instinctively grabbed onto the flower. However, he no longer was holding onto the ledge. Ash tumbled backward taking the flower, roots and all, with him.

He made a tremendous splash when he hit the water.

There were many chorused shouts of Ash's name. Kidd rushed forward to provide any potential first aid but thankfully, it was unnecessary. No sooner had she reached the spot where he had gone under, Ash reemerged, sputtered and coughing. Kidd grabbed him under the arms and helped over to the shallows, scolding him all the way.

"That was massively stupid! What if you fell on someone? What if you hit your head when you fell?"

"I'm fine, thanks," Ash finally managed, grumpily. And with a smile, he uncupped his hands to reveal the stunning flower.

"Hey, he actually got it," Jessie remarked. Although the Team Rocket duo had feigned disinterest in whatever shenanigans the twerps were getting up to, a sparkling crystal-like flower was bound to catch their eyes, especially Jessie's. She had climbed out of the water, toweling off her hair as an excuse to get a better look.

But Ash didn't get it for her. He turned so as to pointedly block her view. Ash held the flower out to Aileen who stared back at Ash in amazement.

"For me?" She asked.

Ash nodded. As she tenderly took the blossom from his hand, Ash couldn't help but cheekily add, "Watch out. It sparkles an awful lot. About blinded me up there."

Aileen smiled and nestled it right behind her ear. It shone brilliantly in her braided locks, far better than it had lost within the rock crevice. And it somehow made her smile that more bright.

"Thank you, Ash. You're so sweet."

Ash knew he was blushing but didn't care. He'd cherish the smile she gave him. And he'd do it all over again if it meant that he could keep that smile on her face.

Kidd clapped Ash's shoulder, bringing the teen back to earth. The smack made a sodden soggy sound, soaked as he was. And suddenly Ash was made acutely aware of the consequences of his actions.

"Hope you got a change of clothes there, little mouse," Kidd said. "Else you'll be marching behind my bike."

Ash sighed and pulled himself up to his feet, fully conscious of how he was dripping everywhere. "I'll get changed."

"That's the spirit."

As Ash stumbled back to the campsite, a dripping soggy mess, to find his pack; there was one last thing he failed to notice. No one noticed it really. Aileen continued to tease the petals of the blossom tucked into her hair, completely ignorant of how its shine faded the greater the distance between her and Ash.

No one noticed, except for one pokemon watching from the nearby outcrop. There was no way the pokemon couldn't notice as Lucario eyed the blossom with such intensity. He devoured every detail, unblinking.

When Aileen had finally felt the heated gaze and turned around, Lucario was long gone.

To Be Continued…
Please Read and Review!

Happy holidays everyone! I hope everyone enjoys this earlier than expected release. The lack of school distracting me has enabled me to really get into the swing of writing lately. Also, the holidays is just a good time to write for me. I usually feel pretty inspired.

Thanks to those who reviewed last chapter: AshKetchumForever, YumeTakato, Shaveza, and Thor94. Always love your responses.

Gonna try something new this chapter and see about responding to a review at the end of the chapter. Today, I'd like to respond to Thor94 who commented about the use of the term wave instead of aura.

First off, thanks so much for always reviewing Thor94! I'm sorry for the switch of terms on you. I know many people are more used to 'aura' in the English version but I actually watched the Lucario version in Japanese first. And anytime I went back to watch it for references, I watched it in Japanese again. So I just accidentally used the term wave not even realizing it was called 'aura' in English. So I do apologize for that! By the time I realized it, I felt like I had gone too far to go back and fix it. Thanks for putting up with it!

Next time, Ash and company are introduced to a time flower. Expect an update in the February/March time period! Love you all!