Day three of the fighting
"Ash, you need to take a break, you've been awake this entire time." Professor Cerise advised.
"Nia is still out cold, Baraz hasn't responded, Goh's phone is going direct to voicemail, and oh yeah! My barrier is the only thing keeping us from being overrun!" Ash shouted. "So when you figure out a time to relax let me know!"
"Ash, please. Calm down." Richard said.
"You want calm! Okay! I'll calm down, let my heart settle for a bit, maybe let a Tyrantrum or Groupon step on us!" Ash shouted. "I'm the only one taking this seriously, come on! How are we doing on finding the Swords of Justice!"
"We're trying but this isn't the equipment like we have at the lab." Chrysa said.
"Great! I'm going back on patrol. See if I can find them!" Ash said walking to the door.
"Ash, stop." Serena said, grabbing his arm.
"Serena! Come on you know I'm right!" Ash argued.
"And you're lashing out at your friends and family. We are grateful for what you're doing, but everyone needs a break every now and then." Serena said.
"Two days! Two days was the last time we made progress, and somehow, we made it worse! We can't stop!"
"Ash, she's right." Sir Aaron said.
"Are you also seeing this?" Ash asked.
"Yep." Serena said in shock.
"How can we help you, Mr?" Professor Cerise asked.
"Sir Aaron, I'm an ally of Ash's." Sir Aaron said.
"You're dead, in the aura realm. Are we dead?" Ash asked.
"No, the portal they're using, it's through the aura realm." Sir Aaron said. "I wish there was more I could tell you, but without a physical body I can't stay here much longer." Sir Aaron said as he began to fade away. "Rest Ash, Lucario and I are helping from beyond."
"Ash, care to explain the aura realm. You are the local expert." Professor Cerise said.
"Might need to give him a few hours." Serena said, holding the asleep Ash.
Peony stood in the makeshift med bay. His daughter on one side of him, his niece on the other. "I'll protect the two of you, I promise."
Nia sat straight up, turning her head straight towards Peony.
"If you truly wish to help, take my heed. First you must calm each steed. One of Frost, and one of spirit, you must call each and not fear it. A carrot treat they each require. And then to fix my statue in its entire. Lastly bring my messenger to the peak. This all to be done by the end of the week." Nia said in a strange voice, before falling back down.
Back outside the med bay
"Richard, I need your help. We can find the king. You and me." Peony said, holding up a notebook. "What do you say?"
"How are we going to manage that, even the kids can barely manage it out there?" Richard pointed out.
"They don't have two former champions working together." Peony said. "Come on, we have to find steeds, and give them carrots."
"Of course we do, I think I saw some in the galley." Richard said as the two walked off.
A few hours later, Ash had finally woken up.
"Okay everyone. Crunch time." Ash said. Several white boards behind him. "These legendary Pokémon are coming through the aura realm, the source of my powers. Which also means I can track our safest paths." Ash said.
Several hands immediately raised up.
"Okay, imagine that this is our earth." Ash said drawing a circle. "Now this is an earth where it rains chocolate, where Pikachu has a third evolution, where I'm not in a skirt." Ash said drawing several more circles. "Seriously, I packed one skirt, can I get some pants. Anyways, the most direct way to travel between dimensions is through Ultra Wormholes." Ash said connecting the circles with lines. "There is another way, if a force is strong enough it can break into the aura realm and travel to another world at choice, freely. They may be strong, but their connection is new, and weak. The farther they are from the portal the weaker they'll get. The portal is also why the barrier is still up." Ash said. "Peony, you have information on the king."
"Yes, I believe that the king is speaking through my darling daughter. While we are stuck on the Swords of Justice, I've been told we have a week to restore the king's power." Peony said. "With that in mind, we should split up our resources. Richard and I are going on an expedition to find his horses, and then tame them. Anyone else willing to join us?"
"I'm not great with horses, but I can help with finding them." Ren said.
"I'll give my assistance in taming them, I've read enough on legendary Pokémon, perhaps my knowledge will be of assistance." Professor Cerise said.
"Meanwhile the rest of us still have to find the swordsmen." Ash said, "And there's still an army of Pokémon keeping us from exploring."
"Then maybe you need an army." A voice said cheerfully.
"Took you long enough." Ash joked. "Let's get outside everyone."
"So what's out here?" One of the children's parents said.
"A friend who's bringing friends." Ash said.
Outside the hotel was several rings.
"Bring in my team Hoopa." Ash said. "Anyone who can walk or fly at the Cerise Lab."
All of their Pokémon walked outside of the rings, filling up the town.
"Now we have a way to fight our way through this." Ash said. "Thanks for the help Hoopa."
"Happy to help you Ash." Hoopa said jovially.
"Wait, there's someone else!" Serena said. "Our friend Goh is missing, we need his help too."
"Easy enough, give me just a minute." Hoopa said, one ring swirling in reverse, and then opening.
"Goh!" Chloe shouted. "Are you out there?"
"Yeah, hold on." Goh said from the other side. "I brought some help, and a way to find the next group."
A minute passed, as Goh came through the portal, pulling a crate. On the other side pushing it was a friendly face.
"Tracey Sketchit, man who drew the world." Ash said.
"Ash, why am I not surprised?" Tracey said.
"Hey, if you can bring Pokémon from Vermillion, can we get home?" One of the parents asked.
"If that's what you really want then get your bags and go." Ash said. "We're better off without you."
A few minutes later, the parents had all of their things packed, their kids standing with the group.
"Lauren, we're leaving." Her father exclaimed.
"No." Lauren said.
"What do you mean no?!" Her father demanded.
"We're staying. We are still a part of the research team until the trip is over." Xavier said.
"Kids this isn't up for discussion. We are leaving!" Xavier's mother scolded.
"We're staying, we can help." Brittany said. "You believed in us before, and now do it again."
"Professor, tell them this is crazy." Lauren's father demanded.
"They're ten years old, by Pokémon League association rules, they are allowed to go on a journey of their own choice." Ash recited. "You can't force them to go with you, and we can't force them to stay."
"You will regret this!" Lauren's father threatened Ash.
"I'll be waiting." Ash said calmly.
As the parents walked through the portals, Ash finally took a sigh of relief. "Thanks again Hoopa."
"No problem Ash, but I think I'll stay here just in case for right now." Hoopa said.
"Probably a good idea. Come on I bet your hungry." Chloe said.
"So what does this crate have to do with our missing swordsmen?" Ash asked.
"Take a look." Tracey said, prying open the box.
"The cauldron Professor Oak got years ago, no one could decipher the symbols though." Ash said.
"That's because they aren't symbols, they're etches." Tracey said. "I sketched over them, and I think that this shows us how to find the three of them."