"So we know you have the aura shields." Goh said.
"And then there's the aura linking you did with your team when you rescued me." Serena added.
"So I think we call this your Aura Soul." Chloe said giddily. "The moves you and Pikachu used were way more powerful than normal, plus there were moves you two had forgotten."
"We need to try this on other Pokemon, think of Charizard's full power!" Goh said excitedly.
"Guys, give me some time. I wasn't in control of my body for a few days, and the Aura Soul took way more out of me than anything I've done since gaining control." Ash said. "My powers still aren't even coming back yet."
"Kids, Ash's mom is about to leave, can you give them some time?" Professor Cerise asked, but really told.
"Go on guys, we can figure this out later." Ash said.
"Ash, I'm sorry." Delia said.
"Mom, it's not your fault, you couldn't have known." Ash said.
"It's just, when she said she wanted me to call you my daughter, I was so excited that I didn't even think about how strange of a request that was." Delia said.
"Mom, I know you've always wanted a daughter, I'm not angry that you got carried away with it." Ash said. "I'm just glad it's only me in my head now."
"You knew? About me wanting a daughter?" Delia said surprised.
"Your gifts to me have given it away for the most part. You realize I only wear those dresses when you're around right?" Ash pointed out.
"You're too caring." Delia said, wiping some tears away.
"How about we compromise? Every now and then, we can set aside some mother and daughter time." Ash offered. "I'm still your son, but maybe for a weekend or two, it would be fine to also be your daughter."
"Oh Ash." Delia said, hugging him.
"Okay, ow ow. Still not sure where Ashley found a corset, and I'm still sore." Ash winced.
"Sorry, sorry. Well, I should be going. I've been away from the restaurant for too long." Delia said. "And I'll try and set up a time, maybe over the summer for when I can see my daughter."
"I think that could be arranged." Ash said.
A bit later
"So how much of what happened do you know about?" Serena asked.
"I know you never believed her, that she tried doing what I still won't, and that you stayed strong." Ash said.
"Still against trying it, I see." Serena said.
"I get that I don't work down there, and that is fine, but next time, try something smaller." Ash said.
"So there's a chance for a next time?" Serena said.
"Yes, just please, not so big." Ash said.
"Yeah, Chloe gave me that advice too." Serena said.
"Oh jeez, Chloe knows about it?!" Ash said blushing heavily.
"You think you feel bad, it's in my room." Serena said with a laugh.
"Yawn, oh I am still exhausted." Ash realized.
"Once you recharge, maybe we can try something, not that but something just to start over." Serena offered.
"Yeah, sounds like a plan." Ash said.
"Rest for now, I'll see you tomorrow." Serena said, turning the lights off behind her.
"Yeah, rest." Ash said looking at his closet. Ashley had been a part of him for years, did that mean deep down he truly wanted to be more? Tomorrow was still a school day, so that would have to be a thought for another time.
The next morning
"You seem chipper." Goh said, seeing Ash up and ready.
"What can I say, I'm excited to be in control again." Ash said.
"Fair enough." Goh said grabbing a cup of coffee. "You know, in all my time traveling I missed this."
"Schoolgirls?" Chloe joked.
"No, well maybe, no. Coffee." Goh said.
"Okay Goh, you still have catch up classes, but we'll be back later." Ash joked.
After school
"Hey Professor, have you seen Ash, I need to borrow his notes." Serena said, over the balcony.
"No, and why don't you have your own notes?" Professor Cerise scolded.
"Because I spent the past two days trying to find out what's wrong with Ash." Serena pointed out.
"Hey dad…". Chloe began.
"No, I haven't seen Ash." Professor Cerise said.
"Actually I was going to ask if you've seen any of the Pokémon." Chloe said.
"What do you mean, there's a giant park out back full of them." Goh pointed out.
"Check for yourself." Chloe said.
The three trainers went out to the Cerise Park to find it oddly quiet. Not a Pokémon in sight.
"They can't all be in one place right? I mean not all of them." Goh said.
"Regice isn't responding." Chloe said holding the icicle.
"Neither is Regirock." Serena added.
"Still getting mixed signals from Registeel, I don't think he likes me right now." Goh said.
"Wait, you can hear him?" Chloe said surprised.
"Yeah, remember the adventure that started the whole Ashley thing, and the coin." Goh said.
"Idiot! Ask Registeel where they all are!" Chloe said lightly snaking Goh's forehead.
"Oh, right." Goh said. "He says he's in a tree, but it doesn't look like a tree."
"The garden!" Chloe and Serena said in unison.
As they approached the large aura tree, a blue glow was emanating from the area.
"I have a feeling Ash is in there." Serena said.
"It's not just Ash." Goh said looking inside the large tree. Scattered along the roots, branches, rocks, platforms, and even the lake going deep down, were all of their Pokémon in peace and harmony.
"This is amazing." Chloe whispered, Pokemon that would normally fight constantly at a state of peace right next to one another.
"Why do you think they're all in here?" Serena asked.
"Guys, look." Goh said. The blue glow was retreating back towards Ash. It washed over them and all the Pokémon, covering them before continuing onwards.
"Feels warm and tingly." Chloe said.
"Is this how Ash feels when he uses his powers?" Serena wondered.
The glow seemed to snap off of them as it continued back towards Ash. When it had finally stopped, Ash's eyes snapped open.
"Guys, how long have you been here?" Ash asked.
"You didn't sense us?" Chloe said.
"No, I was using an ancient trick to restore aura, I draw a small amount of energy from everything around. Meaning I took a bit from you guys…". Ash realized.
"Are we going to be okay?" Chloe panicked.
"Should be, might be a bit hungrier or more tired, but nothing harmful." Ash said.
"So just like that you're all recharged?" Goh said, surprised.
"Not even close, it's just enough for reserves." Ash admitted. "A shield or two at best."
"Hopefully they won't be needed." Serena said. "As it is, what you did was a bit much."
"I didn't even know I could do it." Ash said as the group left the tree. "Once I figure out how, I'll let you know."
The Adventures of the Mysterious Pokémon
The Pokémon stood in front of one final tree, striking it, the tree moved back several feet. Not a leaf or twig out of place.
"Perfection." The Pokemon said.
"My my my. Aren't you the interesting one." Darkrai said floating up to them. "Such power, such ferocity, and it seems we have a common goal."
"Away with you Dark One, I have only one goal." The Pokemon said.
"See that's just it, I wish for the human you seek to perish, you wish to show them everything you can do. We can do those together, you'd be my second in command." Darkrai offered his hand out.
"I do not wish to cause harm, but if you get any closer, you will see the true power I hold." The Pokemon said.
"I'll show you power!" Darkrai said, his hand extending its claws at the Pokémon.
The Pokémon leapt up, striking Darkrai in the head, sending the legendary to the ground.
"Let this be your first lesson, don't forget it." The Pokemon said, leaving the now grove.
Authors note
As for what happened with Darkrai yesterday, he had no idea that Ashley would manifest into her own personality, as he had no plan on Ash regaining his memories. As for what Darkrai gained, that will be gone into eventually. As for why I did that mini arc, it's a few different ideas that I've had floating around that just never worked right until I put them together.