Welcome back to The Rise of a Master last time Ash had brought Cynthia to visit Brock in Pewter City and the two old friends battled each other with Ash as the victor and afterwards the two then continued their journey. Just a quick heads up this chapter gets a little dark, you've been warned.

Due to the ever-worsening situation regarding the coronavirus outbreak, I'm going to have to remind you all about the basic steps you should take if you want to stay healthy

-Wash hands often with soap and water for 20-30 seconds at a time, and/or use hand sanitizer
-Avoid close contact with people who are sick
-Keep your hands away from nose, eyes, and mouth (I can't imagine how difficult this part is probably going to be)
-Eat well, get adequate rest, and exercise regularly
-Get a flu shot if you haven't already and are able to

And if you ARE sick (I hope you get better if you are), please be a good sport and save other folks the trouble of getting sick. You can do this by:

-Covering your mouth and nose with your sleeve, elbow, or a tissue whenever you sneeze or cough
-Not sharing food and drinks with others
-Avoiding touching your mouth, nose, and eyes (Again, I understand this is probably going to be difficult)
-Avoiding close contact with others
-Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects
-Staying at home if you're unwell (PRIORITY NUMBER ONE!)
-Staying calm and keeping yourself well-informed (My personal advice)

If you already know this, then great! If you didn't know any of this beforehand, please keep that information in mind as we all go through this trying time. It's a realm of unknowns at this point, and I wish myself and all of humanity well.

I Don't Own Pokemon

Anime op in the background like in the anime

"Normal speech"

"Pokémon speech"

'Flashback'

"Thoughts"

'Telepathy'

Pokédex

"It's been great seeing you again Brock I know that you'll be able to achieve your dream of becoming a Pokémon Doctor." Said Ash.

"Are you sure you don't want our help repairing the gym? As a Champion I could make some phone calls that would help speed up the repair process." Said Cynthia.

"It's fine me and Forrest can handle it with the help of our Pokémon so as Dawn always says, "No need to worry." " Said Brock.

"Alright then if you say so, take care of yourself Pokémon Doctor Brock." Said Ash.

"Pokémon Master Ash, you too." Said Brock.

After saying their farewells to Brock the duo began to continue their journey towards their next destination.

Ash and Cynthia had just exited Mt. Moon with Ash having just told Cynthia the story of the adventure he, Misty, and Brock had there and after making a stop at the Battle Pyramid for Ash to return Brandon his Pokémon and loan him is Regigigas, unfortunately Brandon was quite busy with something so they didn't have much time to stay so after doing what they came to do they where now on the outskirts of Cerulean City.

"Been a while since I was here, last time was on a field trip with my classmates back in Alola." Said Ash.

Ash then noticed a vaguely familiar sign and when he got a closer look he got a very annoyed look.

"Oh you've got to be kidding me!"

Cynthia had a curious look on her face as she went to see what made him annoyed and upon looking at the sign she couldn't help but giggle.

Gary was here, Ash is a Loser!

"You'd think someone would've erased that from the sign or something." Complained Ash while Pikachu and Cynthia were still laughing. "Yeah yeah laugh it up you two let's get going."

After arriving the duo stood in front of the Cerulean Gym were the sounds of battling can be heard.

"Sounds like a Gym Battle is happening." Said Cynthia.

"Let's go see." Said Ash.

And so the duo entered to see who Misty is battling.

Upon entering they could see Misty and her Gyarados battling against a trainer's Beedrill.

"Now Gyarados use Flamethrower to finish it! Said Misty.

Gyarados unleashed hot flames from it's mouth landing a direct hit against the Bug Type knocking it out.

"Beedrill is unable to battle the winner is the Gym Leader Misty." Declared the referee.

"Thanks Gyarados take a good rest." Said Misty as she returned her Pokémon.

"She's good." Said Cynthia.

"She is, but I'm better." Said Ash.

After offering some words of encouragement to her challenger before he left she turned to her two visitors.

"When Brock called me earlier to tell me you'd be dropping by I didn't expect you to bring the Sinnoh Champion herself along." Said Misty

"Pleasure to meet you Misty, I'm Cynthia Shirona." Said Cynthia.

"Likewise my name is Misty Waterflower." Said Misty.

"Pika!" Said Pikachu as it leaped into her arms.

"Hi Pikachu it's so nice to see you again." Said Misty.

"So how's the Gym Leader life treating you?" Asked Ash.

"Still a lot better than when my sisters where running it." Said Misty.

"So Mist did Brock tell you what I was doing?" Asked Ash.

"He did sounds too crazy to believe but since it's you it makes sense." Responded Misty.

Misty gave Ash a quick look over taking in his new appearance.

I'd ask what's with the outfit but it looks cool on you so instead I'll ask what happened to your eyes." Said Misty.

"It's a long story." Said Ash.

"He wouldn't even tell me." Said Cynthia

"Well I'm not expecting any more challengers today so how's about I close up the gym for today and you can tell us what happened." Offered Misty.

"You can't keep avoiding the subject forever Ash." Said Cynthia.

Seeing as they weren't going to let it go no matter what he told them he just gave them an exasperated sigh.

"Alright fine." Said Ash

After closing the Gym Misty took the duo into the backroom where there's a table with chairs they can sit on.

"Alright so it happened when I started my journey to catch Legendary Pokémon I had reunited with Solgaleo who was a Cosmog me and my Alola classmates took cared of together named Nebby who helped us when my friend and classmate Lillie whose mother was kidnapped by an Ultra Beast -"

"Ultra Beast?" Asked Misty.

"Basically extraterrestrial Pokémon, as I was saying afterwards Solgaleo somehow knew of my journey and decided to join me so he was my first capture on my journey.

"So after Solgaleo who was your next capture?" Asked Cynthia.

Afterwords I decided to capture one of the Island Tapus, Tapu Koko. It was the first Legendary Pokémon I ever encountered in Alola and had just entered the Ruins of Conflict when I heard it's cry.

'That sounded like Tapu Koko let's go Pikachu!' Said Ash as he ran into the ruins.

upon entering he saw Tapu Koko battling against a Salamance and Roserade and saw that it's trainer was somebody he had hoped to have never see again.

'Pokémon Hunter J!' Said Ash in anger.

hearing her name she turned to see the boy who had continued to interfere with her work time and time again back in Sinnoh.

'You again?! I don't have time for this Drapion go!' She said sending out her Pokémon.

'I don't understand, you were inside your airship when it crashed landed into Lake Valor nobody could've survived that!' Said Ash

J just smirked at Ash as she saw the confused look on his face.

'What makes you think that I'd go down so easily' She said as she looked at his shoulder at his Pikachu before getting an idea. 'Drapion X-Scissor go!'

Drapion lunged at Ash but quickly dodged it in time with Pikachu jumping off his shoulder into the air.

'Pikachu Thunderbolt Let's go!'

'I don't think so!' Said J as she shot her arm cannon at Pikachu before it can unleash it's attack turning it into stone as it was then placed into a special case that flew out of J's automobile before returning to her.

'Pikachu!' Said Ash.

'Hmph I may not get much for a Pikachu but then again there are plenty of buyers who would pay a fortune for the Pikachu that was able to take down a Latios' Said J ash she laughed.

'No way! I won't let you take Pikachu OR Tapu Koko!' Said Ash as he glared at her.

J saw him reach for a Pokéball but quickly put an end to that

'Ariados, Beheeyem! Don't let him have a chance of getting backup!' Said J as she unleashed her two Pokémon.

"Ariados/Beheeyem." they Said as Ariados shot at Ash's hands with it's String Shot binding hands together while Beheeyem used Psychic on Ash so that he doesn't break free.

'Nghh!' Said Ash as he was bound.

Tapu Koko attempted to free him but was stopped by Salamance who launched a Hyper Beam at it, quickly shielding itself from the attack Tapu Koko tried to get past the Dragon Type but was then shot right in the back by a Poison type attack that came from Roserade successfully poisoning it and knocking it down on the floor.

'No! Tapu Koko!' Said Ash.

After subduing Ash J walked up to him and with a quick swift of the arm took all the Pokéballs he had on him containing his Pokémon.

'I'm sure you won't be needing these anymore and with my luck I'll bet I can get more than enough money then the amount I missed out on because of you.' She said as she then shot her cannon at Tapu Koko.

Ash couldn't do anything but watch as J was now beginning to pack up and get ready to leave as he then lowered his head.

'Damn you.' He said in low voice.

'Hmm? You say something kid?' Said J mockingly as she smirks at him.

'Damn you.' Said Ash a little louder this time. 'Damn you! DAMN YOU TO HELL!

All of J's Pokémon turned their attention to Ash as they began to sense something coming from him as Beheeyem released it's hold on Ash as he fell face first onto the ground.

'Turning Pokémon into stone and selling them on the Black Market, then you take my best friend and the rest of my Pokémon. I won't forgive you for this J!' Said Ash as he begins to glow a dark red as he slowly stand up and the String Shot binding his hands break off.

'What the hell?!' Said Jay as she slowly back up away from him with her Pokémon doing the same as her.

Ash was pissed off beyond words and his mind was full of nothing but hate towards J and her misuse of Pokémon so as he stood up his body was enveloped by a dark aura as when he lifted his head to glare at her his eyes were now glowing bloody red.

'What in the distortion is he?!' Said J as she then commanded all of her Pokémon to attack him.

Doing so as they were told her Pokémon surrounded Ash on all sides before lunging at him.

Ash said nothing as quickly dodged all of the attacks that were aimed at him by jumping into the air and opened his palm launching a red aura sphere at J who barely dodged it before landing on the ground.

'Hunter J today is the day is the day I end your Pokémon hunting once and for all' Said Ash

'And how are you going to do that?' Asked J

In a inhumane amount of speed Ash suddenly appeared right behind J causing her to gasp in shock before he elbows the back of her head knocking her down.

'You damn brat.' Said J as she aims her cannon at Ash only for Ash to destroy it with another aura sphere.

helpless without her cannon J commands her Pokémon to attack him only for Ash to pick her up by the back of her neck and lifts her up the ground with her face towards her Pokémon as he crates another aura sphere in his left hand and holds it close to her face causing her to sweat nervously.

'return your Pokémon I'll end you right here and now' threatened Ash with a growl as he glares at her Pokémon.

'You wouldn't.' Said J hoping to have called his bluff.

'Try me' Said Ash as his face was dead serious.

seeing as had J done nothing the aura sphere disappeared and Ash then grabbed her by the throat before letting go of his other hand.

'Nghh! R-return.' chocked out J as Ash had suddenly switched tactics that left her no choice.

'T-there..I..Returned them..now..let me go.' Said J as his grip as getting stronger and stronger.

Ash said nothing as he continued without a second thought.

'Nghh! Gah! Aghh!' Said J now starting to choke.

'Please..I'm sorry..I promise..I won't..do this anymore' begged J as tears were now starting to fall from her face.

'Your sorry?' Said Ash as his blood red eyes glowed brighter. 'Will that bring back the Pokémon you sold off away from their friends and family!?'

Just as Ash is about to completely crush her windpipe a voice calls out to him causing him to release his grip on her.

'ASH STOP!'

letting go Ash turns to see both Professor Kukui and Kahuna Hala in front of him.

'Ash you need to stop' Said Kukui seriously.

'Indeed had we not intervened do you realize what you would've done?' Asked Hala

'I know you want her to pay for what she's done but this isn't the way.' Said Kukui

Ash's eyes then stopped glowing but still maintaining their blood red color as he looked down in the ground in slight shame.

'Your absolutely right Kukui, Hala I'm sorry.' Said Ash.

Kukui walked up to him as he clapped his shoulder and gave him a smile.

'No worries as long as you realize what you've done and try not let your anger control you.' Said Kukui.

It was then Hala joined in the conversation.

'I must say though Ash your eyes have completely changed from how they used to be.' Said Hala

'Huh?!' Said Ash as he looked at his reflection from a nearby pond and saw that they were blood red now instead of chocolate brown.

'My eyes are red!' Said Ash.

'It seems your aura activated.' Said Hala

Ash turned to Hala in a mix of shock and confusion.

'You know about aura Kahuna Hala?' Asked Ash.

'I've been around for a long time Ash and I've seen many things in my times and as a Kahuna I've taken the liberty of studying aura as Lucario is the most common Pokémon when it comes to the use of it and being how I am a fighting type specialist I have met many others such as Gurkin from Shalour City in Kalos to learn about fighting types and so I studied about Lucarios and their use of Aura.' Explained Hala

'I know bit about it myself since the move Aura Sphere is the main way Pokémon like Lucario and Togekiss use Aura.' Said Kukui.

'I've used aura myself a few times in my life but it was always blue so why are my eyes red.?'Asked Ash

'As the saying goes "wherever there is light there is also darkness" and aura is one of the prime examples as those who have given into their negative emotions such as hate, or greed they're able to use Dark Aura which is red.' Explains Hala

'Okay but what does that have to do with my eyes being red now?' Asked Ash

'When utilizing the power of aura the users eyes turn blue or red in the case of dark aura however most if not all who do are fully fledged Aura Guardians and are able to change their eyes back to normal as they have mastered the ways of aura, however I'm afraid in your case though as the few who has almost no if any control over their aura their eyes permanently change color no ways of going back to normal.' Said Hala

Ash just looked at the ground ashamed.

'So there's nothing I can do to save Pikachu and Tapu Koko cause I gave in to the power of dark aura?'

'Not exactly.' Said Kukui.

Ash lifts his head up in confusion as he looks at him.

'the power of aura is mysterious in many ways and there is much we don't know yet so I don't see what the harm is in trying to restore Tapu Koko and Pikachu with aura.' Said Hala

'But isn't dark aura just a dark destructive version of regular aura?' Asked Ash.

'It is, but who's to say you can't use your pure aura powers' Said Hala.

'But how if I can only use Dark Aura?' Said Ash

Kukui then took Ash to the petrified Tapu Koko and gave him a slap on the back.

'Relax Ash I know you got this just do what you did to awaken your dark aura but with positive emotions like love and happiness and concentrate on what you want to do with your aura.' Said Kukui

Ash although a bit hesitant nods. 'Alright it's worth a shot.'

He then kneels down and places his hand on Tapu Koko as he closes his eyes and begins to concentrate.

He imagines all the happy times he had with his Pokémon and all the friends that they've made throughout their journey, unable to help himself and smiles Ash slowly begins to glow a blue light.

As the light around Ash grows stronger his palm begins to glow and emits a light blue aura onto Tapu Koko and the area around him.

Hala and Kukui watch as the plant life within the ruins began to grow at a exponential rate as the they glowed a light blue.

After an unknown amount of time the petrifaction slowly begins to disappear not only on Tapu Koko but on Pikachu too.

Growing tired Ash stops glowing as he falls on to his rear panting slightly as he opens his eyes revealing them to be no longer be red in both eyes but now were heterochromic with his right eye being red and his left eye blue.

After being freed Pikachu shook it's head and upon realizing it was back to normal and seeing Ash he jumped into his arms cheering.

'Pikachu you're alright, I'm so glad.' Said Ash as he hugged his long time partner.

Tapu Koko then gained everyone's attention as it nods it's head in thanks to Ash before flying out of the ruins.

'Ash your eyes!' Said Kukui. 'They've changed again.'

'Wha?' Said Ash as he looked to see his left eye is now a clear crystal blue.

'I guess tapping into the pure side of aura has reversed some of the effects the dark aura has had on you.' Guessed Hala.

'Weird.' Said Ash has he looked at his reflection but then remembered something important.

'Wait what about Hunter J?!' He asked.

He looked to see she was where he dropped her unconscious but still breathing.

'We'll turn her in to the proper authorities.' Said Hala. 'I'll call Nanu and have him pick her up so she can be transferred over to the International Police's custody.'

'That's good.' Said Ash.

'So Ash what made you come to the Ruins of Conflict anyway?' Asked Kukui.

'It's a long story.' He answered.

'I see well come on let's head back to my place and you can tell me and Burnet all about it. You need any help with Hunter J Hala?' Asked Kukui.

'No need I will have Hariyama assist me.' Said Hala.

'Alright then c'mon Ash let's go.' Said Kukui. 'After a day like today you can use some rest.'

"So after leaving I told Kukui everything that has happened to me after I left Alola, afterwards after a week or so I was able to challenge Tapu Koko." Said Ash as he finished telling the story to his friends.

"Wow I had no idea that was the reason for your eyes." Said Cynthia

"So did you catch the Island Guardians after all?" Asked Misty.

"I did, it wasn't easy but I managed to catch all 4 of them" Said Ash.

"Do you still have them?" Asked Cynthia.

Ash shook his head to tell them no.

"After catching them I handed their Pokéballs over to Kukui and the rest of the Kahuna's so that they can still continue their duty in protecting Alola."

"That's very admirable of you Ash." Said Cynthia.

"Thanks but it was really just the right thing to do."

Seeing how the sun was starting to set everyone decided to call it a day with Misty letting Ash and Cynthia spend the night at the gym.

The next day after eating breakfast Ash and Cynthia were standing on the outskirts of the city with Misty seeing them off.

"Well Ash it was great to see you again, next time I see you let's have a battle." Said Misty

"Count on it." Said Ash.

"And Cynthia it was a real honor to meet you in person."

"The honor is all mine Misty, it's nice to meet one of Ash's old travel buddies." Said Cynthia.

"Do me a favor, try to keep Ash from doing anything dangerous somehow he always finds a way to find it one way or another."

"Hey!" Said Ash.

"No promises but I'll try my best." Said Cynthia.

After saying their goodbyes the duo continued their journey to Vermilion City.

Finally finished. sorry for the long wait guys I was having a hard time focusing on this fic and also kept forgetting all about it. But no need to worry the next chapter of my other fic will come out somewhere in July count on that. Until then take care and stay safe.