Well, writing this went a lot smoother than planned. Seems I'm far too longwinded again, couldn't get all the worldbuilding up in one chapter, had to put in some more drama, of course, so another chapter will follow up on this one. After all, Ash is not much of a reader, I can't imagine him getting any wiser through a book alone. Still, hope you all enjoy it, it was written with love and passion, like all others.
Enjoy!
The professor kneads the bridge of his nose when the horde of children stampede towards the separate camp buildings he's put up for them, they'll stay the night there but they better keep it down next time. Because they're stampeding straight past the room he's put the boy in need of a lot of rest in. As such, it's not a surprise to see the teen inside the cafeteria, right next to his friends, looking tired, if not a little sick.
"Are you okay, mon petit?" he asks, zooming over towards him.
"Hm?" the boy asks, turning to blink in confusion until he recognises the man. "Oh, professor. Yeah, I'm fine, just got a little startled when the entire population worth of children in Kalos ran in front of the window. Or something like that."
"Yes, that was unfortunate, I did not think they would be that loud," the man winces, he really wishes he thought that idea through. "Perhaps it would be better if you were to move in with your friends, it is more peaceful in the camp I have installed for them."
"That's fine, thank you, professor."
Seeing the boy has his backpack with him, there is no reason why he should return to the room so he's all ready to move. Whether his friends are ready for it, that remains to be seen, professor Sycamore can tell these kids need to have a chat.
"Would you rather have me leave you in peace? I can tell you all need to talk."
"Please," Clemont says and he's the one looking tense so the professor leaves, though he's not happy.
They better not do anything to Ash, he thinks but he has only an inkling that the boy has sailed different waters already. A few upset teenagers are nothing compared to what he's already been through, so the teen isn't the slightest bit anxious. More tired, yes but that will pass. If anything, it will make him less angry which could end up being the relation-saving part.
"I take it that you want to tell me something?" he asks, eyeing Clemont warily.
"Why are you not screaming at me? Why didn't my father shake me into sense? Is it normal for you that I lose sight of my sister? That I bring her in danger like this?"
Ash takes a moment to gather himself before starting to talk, it's important that he makes himself clear right now.
"Look," he says and slides his chair a bit closer to the table. "I don't appreciate that you feel like you're entitled to ask me to be angry at you. First off, Bonnie isn't my sister and secondly, you've never been close to anyone suffering from a seizure. Besides, nothing happened, she got lost and we found her-"
"You found her," the teen interrupts stubbornly.
"Because I could," Ash shoots back. "Because I will always be able to find any of you. As long as there is life inside of you, I will be able to track you down no matter where you are."
"You really aren't normal."
"Neither are you, being angry at the one who made sure nothing happened to your sister," he huffs, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Why are you angry at me, then? Is it because I'm weird? Because there's more I can tell you but if it's going to make you this upset, I think I'm going to keep my mouth shut and leave."
"Leave?" Serena repeats, startled. "Where to?"
"Home. Kalos doesn't want me here, clearly," Ash says and he feels quite confident of the fact that, if these kids don't want him near them, he'll definitely go home.
In fact, even if they want him to keep joining them, he thinks he'll have a call with his uncle. Just to be sure that the man keeps involved, he'd hate to have to confess all his feelings to his uncle who will be powerless to help him as everything he'll tell him has already passed months ago. And if there's anything his accident taught him, it's to keep those who care close to him.
"Ash, no, that's not what I… we want," she says and her eyes shift nervously towards Clemont, who also is starting to look a bit concerned. "It would just be nice if you could… not leave important details like the seizures out of some sort of explanation."
"You made the comment about this, yes?"
Serena nods as she watches him point at the scar running over his face.
"The pokémon who attacked me managed to damage the entire area of my face, it cut through everything, my nose, my cheekbones, everything. Next to that, after I was attacked, I was rescued but there was a struggle that broke my neck, damaged my shoulder muscles and gave me the most severe concussion the doctors in Celadon Central have ever seen. Next to that, I already had prior brain damage, there was an incident in Unova that… ended up nearly suffocating me."
"How are you still alive?" Clemont asks.
"Arceus healed me," Ash answers simply, if they want answers, they will get them and no, he doesn't care if the boy's mouth opens a little at the statement. "It's why I'm still able to be who I am… But it woke up things within me."
"The Aura?" Bonnie pipes up but he shakes his head.
"I had that before. No, it's something I don't think any of you have noticed it before."
"You float. When you're asleep," Clemont says but again, he shakes his head.
"That's still my Aura. I get very convinced I'm not safe from time to time, it's easy to forget to think about if you're safe or not but not for me, I don't feel safe by default. The pokémon took me while I was at home, I got nabbed from behind by the pokémon and all memories I have left are just strong sensations and pain. It came too quickly and I never blacked out so that's still something impressing me to this day," he explains. "All young Aura users float when they don't feel safe in their surroundings, have done so ever since the war."
"… I wonder if Gurkinn knows that."
"I think that it's hard for anyone to talk about it, it's something I think about often too, having that same force of power that could've gotten me hunted and killed years ago. My first teacher was still impressed by it and that while he didn't make part of the people involved in the war itself. So I don't think it's something he'll likely be willing to chat about on a whim."
"I can imagine he'll find you interesting to talk to," Clemont admits and he seems a bit guilty. "You think things through. There might be one year difference between us but I think I understand what my father means when he keeps telling me I have a lot growing up to do."
"Maybe, adults underestimate how often children do listen when they think they're not. And by that, I don't mean that children hear nasty words. In fact, in a group full of ten or eleven-year-olds, you will hear more of how their parents act than hear how they actually are."
Serena blinks once and then nods slowly.
"… Do I act like my mom?"
"Dunno. Maybe. I don't really know your mom all that well. But maybe, when you make a remark at something Clemont says, there's a sharpness I also heard when your mother acted upset and determined to defy faith to get me a ride pokémon."
The girl's mouth closes with a click.
"That's what my dad says too," she then says and looks away. "Honestly, though…"
"You'll grow out of that, you will make yourself a better version of yourself through time, I mean, I was a shitty little kid at the start of my journey too, I was mean and rude and had no patience whatsoever. And yes, I changed before the accident happened, there's only so many times you can act rude without getting that back in tenfold, let me tell you that."
"Surely there was some sort of redeeming feature about you? Because I don't believe there's a mean streak in you."
"No?" Ash grins and the boy stares at him so he gives in, though keeps on smiling. "I think my redeeming feature at the time was my drive and passion. Pokémon still are everything to me."
"That reminds me of someone," Clemont mutters and the way Bonnie's smiling at him from across the table tells Ash enough.
"All that aside, though what was it that woke up in-"
"PROFESSOR!"
Ash's so startled, he straightens and hits his head against the back of his chair. He bites back a silent curse but he still gives the teen entering the cafeteria in a panic the stink eye she deserves. Yes, deserves because she's worried about grass, of all things.
"We were battling and Trevor's Charmander hit the grass and now it's charred!"
"Shauna, it is okay, the grass will recover, have you checked how Bulbasaur is?" the professor, who had come running after hearing someone cry out for him, asks and Ash can't believe his ears.
"Oh my god, she's got a Bulbasaur out against a Fire-type and she's worried about the grass," he chuckles sardonically as he shakes his head in disbelief. "Someone needs to get their priorities straightened out right now or I'm going to commit a crime and steal a pokémon."
"Calm down, she's still young and inexperienced," Clemont says and puts his hand on Ash's arm, as if that will actually calm him down.
But it's fine, the Bulbasaur is not hurt and the boy called Trevor comes running in shortly after and is very apologetic towards the girl. He watches them warily, he finds it odd to see them so… awkward around pokémon but if there's one thing he already knows, it's that a teenager who cares more about grass than their pokémon will never be a proper trainer. They will either be one of the coordinators or they'll turn into carer or groomer but never a pokémon league trainer. Doesn't mean he's less interested in her, he's just disappointed in her lack of empathy, that's all.
"Ash? Are you feeling okay?"
He looks up, straight into Serena's face and figures he doesn't have a trainer in front of him either. For the week they've travelled together, he's not seen her starter pokémon and granted, he's not been showing off his pokémon either but that's because he doesn't have space! He's limited by social norms too, you don't send out huge battle pokémon out on the street, after all. But starter pokémon? They're cute, small and easy to love.
"I'm fine. What pokémon do you have?"
The question catches her off-guard but she smiles and calls out her pokémon on the table. Fennekin, it's called and all Ash has to do is stick out his hand and it comes to nuzzle it.
"Oh, it's cute!" he says happily as the pokémon lets out the sweetest of sounds. "Fire-type?" he adds, looking up at the girl in interest.
"Err, yeah, professor Sycamore said so."
"I did. I take it that you haven't had a battle yet?" the man says as he appears from behind her.
"… No?" the girl answers hesitantly. "I mean, I was kind of busy trying to find Ash."
"I think I can safely assume you have found him so why don't you go and mingle with the other trainers outside? It seems like a spontaneous arena has been created outside."
"I'll go," Ash offers when Serena hesitates. "Froakie can use a bit of experience too. See if he likes it."
"You have a Froakie?" Clemont asks, perking up. "Then we have the entire set of Kalos' starters with us, how cool!"
"Let's go then," he says.
"But we were still talking," the girl utters but seeing everyone's getting out of their seats -Bonnie's already out of the door, actually- she goes along with the idea. "You were going to tell us what happened to you when you got healed."
"I scared a whole bunch of nurses by being extremely spooky. Things started to float, light switches went on and off on their own accord and most and for all, shadows would appear."
"… Err…"
"But it was all me, I was unconscious at the time so the power acted up at my dreams influenced by my accident and the shadows were just pokémon who were worried for me. So yeah, not nearly as spooky but hospitals get a bit eerie at night, I guess. Not that I noticed any of this but some people are just more sensitive than others," Ash shrugs but smiles when he sees Clemont's wide eyes.
"You said the floating was Aura, though?"
"Me floating is, yes. Something else floating isn't."
"… Your power sounds very confusing," the teen says as he pulls a face and then turns away. "I think a demonstration is in order."
"Will do."
Needless to say, Ash is amused by his friends and all the bumbling, awkward teens around him who clearly don't have any sense of trainer code or respect for boundaries. The boy has to be aware that there are kids everywhere, especially when Froakie's out and fighting. Professor Sycamore must've been skimpy giving out Kalos' starters because most of these children have never seen a Froakie up close and now that they have a chance to have a good look at the pokémon, they take the opportunity with both hands. Thankfully, Ash has his connection with his pokémon already, the praise of others doesn't inflate Froakie's ego too much but he's a bit faster and his aim has a dangerous edge to it. He's getting pumped and Ash is living for it.
And his praise is also what makes Fletchling a dangerously active, little Flying/ Fire-type that's skipping past every move. This pokémon is agile as heck, she's fast and her evasiveness is helped by the sand she's kicking up with her little feet as she moves around her opponent and dodges their moves. And if they get too close, she chirps in alarm, kicks up some more sand and runs off even faster. So yeah, he only sees her perform Ember and Peck once but the other pokémon are just too lumpy -or lazy- to get to her.
So he moves back to Froakie, figuring he can have a chat with Fletchling later. He's got a funny feeling about the little bird, since Charizard choose her instead of him. Maybe his big friend can get her to stand still and fight instead of running like a coward or at least tell him what he's seen in Fletchling. But Froakie's the MVP throughout, he's doing more than alright, Ash can't help but feel proud… but he remembers that Froakie has had other trainers before him. And now he wonders what happened for the pokémon to leave them, it's not like the trainers abandoned Froakie, it's the other way around.
Ash bites his cheek, hesitance is starting to creep on him but honestly, he's not sure why he's feeling this way because Froakie is a good pokémon and he's clearly a battle-loving creature. Everything he enjoys in a pokémon… so why is he feeling like he's not going to have Froakie for long? That this little one might be too much for him to handle, eventually. His heart hurts at the realisation but Ash has a strong brave face he's always got ready, just in case. And thank God, so are his reflexes because a pokémon comes flying towards Froakie when he's turned towards him, all happy with his recent victory.
"Sheesh! You're fast!" the boy from before, Trevor says, when Ash catches the creature in time before it can hit Froakie.
Doesn't mean that the pokémon is happy with it, in fact, Froakie's outright pissed and throws a bit of frubble at his assaulting opponent's trainer, hitting target.
"Gah!" the slightly taller teen exclaims, having a hard time getting rid of the sticky foam. "What the heck is this?"
"I can ask you the same, what the heck is up with you attacking from behind? Without even introducing yourself or even the slightest warning that you are about to initiate a battle!?"
Ash blinks, he didn't expect Clemont to suddenly speak up and also, not in his favour. But here the teen is, valiantly getting upset in his stead and that's why Ash is a little confused.
"… Where did that come from?" he asks, putting a hand on the upset boy's shoulder, while the other hand still has the pokémon that tried to attack Froakie in it.
"It's trainers like him that made me quit being a Gym leader," Clemont answers, still visibly angry but he sounds rueful. "People without respect, people who only have had a pokémon of their own for a month who suddenly think that use being a pokémon trainer as their entire personality is okay! When it's clearly not, if you hadn't caught that Squirtle, it could've seriously hurt Froakie and that's not what a battle is about. It's about a fair fight, turn-based and moreover, initiating a battle out of the blue with the intention to damage a pokémon is against the pokémon league's trainer code as well as a serious offence! You're so lucky there isn't an official here or you would've been in serious trouble!"
"There is an official pokémon league trainer right here next to you and as far as I know, you're still in charge of the Lumiose Gym so your witness statement will weigh more heavily than mine ever will," Ash pipes up and oh, he enjoys how the trainer's not frubble free face turns a little pale.
"C… Can I have Squirtle back, please?" the teen asks hesitantly.
"You're going to have to come and get it."
"You let him off too easily," Clemont bristles angrily, giving the trainer an evil look when he comes to retrieve his pokémon. "I can't believe you would care so little about Froakie."
"You wanna fight?" the trainer without the slightest bit of common sense -or so Ash thinks- goads and the Gym leader almost takes bait but Ash is faster and grabs the teen's shoulder.
"Buddy, you aim pokémon at me, looking for a fight? You got it, I'm your opponent."
"Fine, I'll show you guys you should respect me too!"
Yeah, that's not happening, Ash recalls Froakie -though he just takes the upset and startled pokémon into his arms- and lets Pikachu loose, who looks at the Squirtle with a shit-eating grin even the opposing trainer recognises.
"Oh, so that's fair, huh? Sending out an Electric-type pokémon against a Water-type! You're as bad as Trevor!"
The teen is amused as he sees Trevor, who is still standing by the sidelines, seemingly wanting to be swallowed by the sand of the beach they're on.
"Sucks to be you, I guess," he goads back and the kid takes the bait.
"Yeah?! Well, we'll show you!"
All he shows Ash is a lack of experience, though, Squirtle comes flying at Pikachu just like before but that's the issue with knowing only one trick. Also, he takes pity on the pokémon, he tells Pikachu not to fire any electricity at the Squirtle, it's not the creature's fault it ended up with a bonehead for a trainer. In all the annoyance his opponent must be feeling, he somehow manages to believe that his pokémon is faster than Pikachu, which is… a big sign of not having fought against an Electric-type before. There is no way Squirtle can out speed Pikachu so when the pokémon barrels towards his partner pokémon, Pikachu's much faster to ricochet the creature back with a powerful Iron Tail. Not only has this probably knocked Squirtle out but it also flings the pokémon out of bounds, landing it in the sea.
"Squirtle!" the trainer cries out as he tries to follow it but it's barely hearable above the cheers from the crowd that's gathered around them.
"That's so typical you," Clemont sighs and shakes his head when Ash turns to look at him. "Not even using the advantage you have against someone."
"I did you the advantage I have against him, I've been a trainer for much longer than him and if there's anything anyone ought to know, it's that some pokémon are just not able to be quicker than those who inherently are by nature. Pikachu, for example," he answers and happily pats the pokémon's head when Pikachu jumps back on his shoulder.
Ash doesn't hesitate to clasp the cords connecting them to each other back in place, now that he's surrounded by kids who just saw how cool Pikachu is, he doesn't want to risk another kidnapping. And it seems the trainer has finally found the sense to shut up and leave them alone, thought Trevor, again, is the most apologetic one, while Shauna is desperately trying to get to touch Pikachu but it's hard to try and touch a pokémon who doesn't want that.
"I'm sorry, he thought… well, he's been so dead set on his tactic that he thought he was unbeatable," the boy says and he grins as he scratches the back of his head. "Charmander didn't stand a chance of ever correcting him, though he could always evade Squirtle but yeah, Tierno won't tell anyone off if he is the one with the type-advantage in his favour."
"I've had worse," Ash answers. "Also, that's the second time I've seen you apologise on behalf of someone else, don't be that kind of sucker always having some excuse for someone's histrionics. I mean, being a nice trainer isn't bad but let the trainers at fault cover their own ass from time to time, yeah? Or you'll keep getting into situations like this."
"They've been my friends for a while, I've grown used to it."
"… I'm sure Giratina's grown used to solitude too, living in the distortion world all by itself but that doesn't mean it likes it a lot."
The boy looks at him in surprise but then smiles widely.
"I guess so but it's alright, don't worry, I'll be fine. Anyway, thank you for not blowing it out of proportion. And most of all, that was a fun battle, seeing a Pikachu not even bothering to send electricity at a Water-type. I'll remember that, everyone always holds so highly of type advantage."
Ash nods and that's the end of that situation. He's quite content with what's he's achieved today and he's pretty sure that, once Tierno gets over himself, they might end up being friends. But he feels odd all of a sudden, it makes him ask Clemont and Serena if they trust him and of course, they tell him they do. And when it's finally time to retire to the camp, it turns out to be more of a shed and Ash has the opportunity to show his psychic powers off when Bonnie gets a bit too excited by the prospect of sleeping on top of one of the bunkbeds.
He's got her just in time but in his panic, it's his power catching her and not his hands. Granted, they follow quite quickly and Clemont's so enthusiastic about it, having gotten a good look at it from up close. Not that the teen draws the conclusion he's anywhere near like a Jedi of his favourite series but Ash feels quite content now that he's shown them his good intentions. However, it's quickly decided that Bonnie sleeps at the lower half of the bed, just out of precaution. She sulks about it for a while but Ash has some candy he slips to her, seeing that he's also been denied a spot at his favourite, top half of the bed. It cheers her up and neither of the two answer Clemont, who's at the top half above Ash, when he asks what they're giggling about.
And while there is still that niggling feeling like trouble's being created at this very moment, the teen pushes it to the back of his head, figuring he can deal with it when tomorrow comes. Maybe he can find some time to talk to his pokémon and put the mega stone holders on them… and also explain what kind of danger they are in. Perhaps that's still what's bothering him, the way professor Sycamore isn't worried right now, is treating them all as jovially as before… is this the real professor Sycamore? Surely that would be the case, no matter how upset the man was, his first instinct was to make sure everyone is fine. But maybe he can check tomorrow, he's sure that the professor won't mind a chat. And maybe he can call his uncle then too, keep him up-to-date that he's finally found out that the kids he's travelling with do make him happy and have the best intentions towards him and everyone else.
To hear Clemont so angry yet so passionate about being an honest trainer gives Ash a bit of hope for the upcoming fight against him. But the fight he's looking forward to, is against the Shalour Gym leader, he doesn't care if he's got to fight the successor, all Ash hopes is that this Korrina also has Aura and that he can have a fight with an equal. Maybe she will understand his trouble and that this will prove to be exactly what he needs to take the Gym leaders of Kalos seriously. If not… well, he'll just have to wait until he does find a worthy opponent, then. Because Ash isn't going to give up, now that he knows what he's up against -because he knows these trainers he's met and won against today will attempt to also challenge the Gym leaders and try out the tournament so he'll see them again- he might have a chance of winning this thing. So with that idea in mind, he turns around in bed with a smile on his face.
Come morning, the entire camp is in a state of disarray and Ash, who is the first to poke his head out of their shed-like resting place, can see medics rush to a different part of the camp. Seeing he doesn't have his prosthesis on yet, the teen decides to let the professionals at it, he can always offer some help later… but for some reason, somehow, professor Sycamore and an officer round into him like a Combee to honey, even before he can close the door.
"Ash, where were you?" the professor asks, rendering the boy confused because he's not left this place, he's still in his pyjamas, for goodness' sake!
But with the officer present and looking all serious and nasty, Ash figures it's not the right time for levity.
"… In bed? I was asleep until a good few minutes ago. The sound of the ambulance woke me up, it sounded close enough so I checked what was going on, I was just about to close the door."
"You didn't go out, at all?"
"No?"
Both men leave at that point and while his friends tell him that they probably just wanted to double-check, Ash is stuck with a nasty feeling in his gut, one that tells him that something he did yesterday is going to bite him in the butt. For all he knows, Tierno might not just have a big ass mouth, he could also be supersensitive, using that big mouth for defence instead… Heaven knows what's happened if that's the case. Still, his friends convince him that it's a misunderstanding so Ash gets dressed and makes for the cafeteria with the rest. But the officer comes back and takes him away, for official questioning, the man answers when the teen asks. Again, Ash knows he's innocent, he can't lie at all so the officer can use whatever dirty technique he wants, he can't tell this man anything he doesn't know. When he's released from the exasperated officer's office that strangely looks like the room he rested in yesterday, after his seizure, professor Sycamore stops him from joining the rest of the startled children.
"What happened, professor?"
"Are you sure you don't know?" the man asks and Ash feels his heart squeeze in discomfort, tears already brimming at the rims of his eyes.
"Professor, what's going on? Two days ago, you seemed panicked and trusted me with the care of several mega stones, yesterday, there wasn't a trace of those feelings, you were your normal self again and now you don't trust me?"
"Ash, you would do the same if you were in my shoes."
"Can I at least know what I supposedly have done, then?"
The professor sighs deeply, but like, really deeply. The sigh shows such annoyance that the teen feels like going away but he's not going without his friends. If something happened here, they're also in danger."
"A Darkrai attacked someone on the premises."
"What!? Why isn't everyone being evacuated-"
"Because I think you control it and will not make it attack anyone else."
Ash is lost.
"… Where the hell do you think I could get a Darkrai to just spawn here? Don't you have security cameras to check or something?"
"We do, they're being checked and revised as we speak. I advise you to take your distance from these children, in fact, I would like you to leave. For your own safety-"
"Safety!?" he repeats, indignant and pissed. 'You don't care about me, clearly, you don't. Sending me out there when there's a Darkrai around, attacking children."
"It attacked Tierno, Ash."
The teen grimaces, his instinct was right, yesterday did come to bite him in the butt. And it's sinking its teeth deep in there, knowing he's losing the trust and support of the regional professor of Kalos is tearing him apart.
"Just because I acted nice towards Yveltal, you think I would lower myself to command an innocent pokémon to attack someone I don't care for but also don't want to see hurt?"
"I don't think I know you, Ash."
"You're still sending a minor out in a Darkrai's territory."
"I still firmly believe it won't attack you."
"Well, I hope it does," Ash answers bitterly, a tear comes rolling down his face which he aggressively swipes away.
"Mon petit-"
"No. Screw that. I'm not little. In a lot of things, I'm a bigger person than you'll ever be," he says and straightens. "Send me out and I'm not coming back, professor. Not even when you get on your knees and beg me to come back because you find out you were wrong to judge me like this. And you are, I didn't do anything."
"If that's so, we will notice. Please, Ash, don't be mad at me, I have to keep face in front of hundreds of parents-"
"So you decide to make me the criminal? Just because you need someone to blame?"
"Ash, please, understand-"
"I understand too well," he says and looks away from the man, more tears are falling from his eyes as he realises he was too optimistic yesterday.
Nice things just aren't meant for him. And he's a fool, to add insult to injury, to trust this professor. He should've known, it's why everyone with a special ability is so jaded, they get blamed for their ability every single time someone thinks they could be responsible for an accident. And now, because professor Sycamore knows what he's capable of, everyone thinks he's somehow summoned a Darkrai to put Tierno in a state of nightmares. The same state of nightmare Ash partially felt when he was in the hospital. But he doesn't tell anyone that because yes, Clemont and Bonnie also distance themselves from him. Only Serena is ballsy enough to approach him but when he asks, she won't come with him either.
"I'm sorry, I know you would never do that," she cries and persistently follows him. "Please, Ash, I want you to be safe too."
"Go away," he says and curses himself, he's not fast enough to walk away, she's got her hands on him in seconds.
"Please," she all but begs and holds out Bonbon's pokéball for him to take. "Please, take Bonbon with you. I surrender it to you, we can't be together now and it's not fair for you to lose the comfort you had when we were together."
"I can't."
"You can, I've phoned my mom, she says it's fine, she trusts you."
Tears run down his face, of all the people she trusts him?
"I know you didn't do it, Ash," Serena says, voice watery as she hugs him from behind. "Please be safe."
"If there's anything professor Sycamore correctly assumed, it's that pokémon won't attack me," he answers, still feeling bitter about this situation. "You don't have to do this, go back."
"Please, Ash, take the pokéball. You've connected with Bonbon, you will hurt him too if you leave without properly explaining yourself."
So he grabs the pokéball rudely from her and stalks away. This time, she doesn't follow him but he doesn't see how she drops her arm back down, looking hopeless as he disappears into the trees. Ash doesn't know where to go, though but he guesses he doesn't have a need to go anywhere other than to get the hell away from here as quickly as he can. And Serena is right, Bonbon nuzzles him as if to give him comfort and without him, the teen would have been lost. So he trots off somewhere much deeper in the trees and sets up camp there.
He might not have planned to travel by himself but he still packed as if he would and isn't he happy he did? Even if his uncle questioned him on it? Speaking of his uncle… Should he call him right now? Tell him what's up, just in case word gets out of what he supposedly did? He does and oh, no, he's forgotten about the ominous message he's sent before leaving Lumiose!
"Hey, Ash, what's up? Is this about the mega stone thief you've warned everyone about?" Lance starts but Ash can't talk about that now, he's got other, more pressing worries.
"Uncle?" the boy asks, voice trembling. "Can I talk to you?"
"Of course, of course, what's the matter? You sound upset, kiddo."
"I wanted to call you earlier but something came up before I could. But I was so happy earlier and now it's all gone to hell. All because I showed care to a pokémon no one has ever loved before and now professor Sycamore holds that against me."
"Take it easy, buddy, what do you mean with that pokémon?" Lance asks. "Was it one of your big friends?"
"Yeah," the teen answers sadly. "It was hurt so I did my best to heal it but now I wonder whether it was a good idea to do it in front of the professor."
"And what exactly has gone to hell? The fact you tried to help the big pokémon?"
So Ash explains how he got to this camp -there is a bit of silence when he brushes over the fact he had gotten a seizure- and what has happened. His uncle stays suspiciously silent throughout the explanation but again, both he and Meyer have managed to be the only men not trying to stop him from talking and listen closely. But now the boy wonders if his uncle can do something to help him.
"Wait, the police?" the man exclaims in surprise. "Were you officially questioned?"
"Yeah. I felt like he was trying to pressure me into agreeing with what he was saying."
"Surely professor Sycamore wouldn't allow that?"
"… Dunno about that now, though. And we'll never know, professor Sycamore was too busy cooking up theories on how to pin every criminal activity on me to come to sit with me."
"He wasn't?! Ash, that's illegal."
"Yeah well, sucks to be me then, I guess," he sighs, dejected and figures this is karma for having used that same sentence yesterday.
"Ash, no, that's not… Are you safe?"
"I'm not close to the camp."
"That's not what I meant, Ash. Professor Sycamore shouldn't have been allowed to send you away one day after a seizure, the chance of a relapse is always big, especially in your case."
"I don't think he cares too much about me, uncle, he's very convinced I can summon a Darkrai and that I'll make it hurt every trainer who bums me out or something. He's not going to want me near, seizure relapse or not. Besides, I am safe and if you want, you can tell me where to go. I've got Bonbon, I can move fast and without a hurdle.
"Ash, don't convince yourself you're to blame here, promise me that," the man says and Ash can only sigh. "Don't be like that, buddy, you know you can't tell a pokémon who visits you to do stuff, they already do it on their own accord. Besides, professor Sycamore is a drama queen, thinking you would actually be upset with a snotty trainer like that."
"Realising that the professor isn't anything other than that is sad, I thought I could trust him not to act out at me."
"Go towards Shalour, Ash, Gurkinn knows who you are."
"Yeah well, so does professor Sycamore and see how that's helped me."
"Ash, you don't understand. Did the professor give you a mega stone?"
"… Yes? How did you know?"
"Because it's Gurkinn who asked for my permission for you to have it and the only way for him to get it to you, was through professor Sycamore."
"And Steven?"
"What about him?"
"Did he ask you if it was okay for me to have the Sceptilite?"
"Ash, Arceus may know what that man is thinking but I certainly don't. All I know is that I feel a lot safer knowing you have so much protection."
"Yeaah, protection, my ass. Professor Sycamore got me so spooked I couldn't sleep yesterday. Gave me a nice mental image of how someone would pry open my Glalie's mouth to get to the mega stone when I asked what kind of idiot would willingly stick their hand in Glalie's mouth to get that damned stone," Ash huffs.
"Go to Shalour, Ash, if you get there, I'll be convinced you're safe there. If not by the mega stones, it's because the Shalour Gym automatically will protect any type of light Aura users, which includes you," Lance says and he sounds urgent. "I'll look into the Darkrai accident and if I can, I'll give the professor some grief about the decisions he's made. And perhaps it's needless to tell you but keep your distance from him for a good while, even when he realises you're innocent, his way of apologising might single you out and I know you don't care for that. So forget about it and move on."
"I'll try. But I'll go to Shalour, I promise, uncle."
"Alright. Keep your head up, you hear me? Don't let whatever the professor said to you make you doubt that you're not the nicest and delightful kid I've ever met, you have such respect and love for life, I don't know what possessed him to get on your bad side but that can only be in his disadvantage. He's burning bridges as we speak, I'm in a room full of curious people who already are -don't give me that look, Lorelei- and they won't like him a lot after I tell them what he thinks about you. So don't worry, keep doing your best and you'll be fine."
"Okay, uncle."
"That's my boy. I'll call you later, okay?"
"Yeah, that's fine."
So that's that, somehow, Ash thinks that his uncle is going to be powerless against professor Sycamore but he's not going to med- Does he hear crying? The teen quickly stuffs his phone into his pocket and after one look at Pikachu, who's got his ears aimed at the same direction he heard the sound coming from, he's convinced something's going on. So he tries to get close to whoever is crying but oh, he feels so bad when he sees it's Diancie!
"Hey now, why are you crying?" he asks and the poor pokémon nearly runs away until it notices that it's him.
"Ash!" Diancie cries and flies into his arms. "I'm so sorry, I should've told Carbink not to hide into your friends' bag, I should've told the other not to go into that other dark hole but we live underground, they're used to it but there was a Darkrai there! And now they're asleep and I can't wake them. And I've got no more time to learn to protect my own, I'm lost! I've failed my kind!"
"Hush now, I've got you."
"Perhaps, in light of things, you could do what you intended to do earlier," Necrozma says and it does sound like someone gave him a good talking to because it sounds a bit hesitant. "There most certainly would not be any harm, if anything, the presence of many pokémon will cheer you up a little."
True but he's not sure how he should explain this to Diancie, it's upset as is… Does he really want to tell it that he's always been the solution to its issue?
"Diancie?"
"Yes?" it sniffles.
"Do you already know where you might have heard from me?"
"… I think I've heard your name said in one of my dreams. There are others like me but different. And they talk about you. But I don't know why."
"It's because I'm good friends with them," Ash says and he can't help but smile when he sees its eyes widen in innocence. "Last time, I fainted so I couldn't help you. But this time, I want to try and help you find Xerneas."
"You can do that?" the pokémon asks and it's completely enchanted by him.
"I already found Yveltal so yes, I think so."
"… Will that angry Darkrai come too?"
"Maybe but it won't be angry at you for just standing here. Besides, you are my friend too and no one touches my friends."
Diancie nods, still completely under whatever spell his confidence has laid upon it. But Ash can use a bit of release, his anger has subsided by now, he can feel it lurking still but it's calmed down a bit. Enough to risk releasing a bit of his Aura but oh, it's such a wonderful feeling and his love for the creatures he intends to call causes him to release a much larger beacon than he intended. But yes, Xerneas appears from within the line of trees, towering proudly over the two of them but Ash sees a lot of love towards him in the eyes of the pokémon. The Darkrai is there too, Diancie hides behind him with a squeak but there is no reason to be scared.
It is also hurt but it is regretful and weary. In fact, the creature doesn't seem to believe that someone could sympathise with him but it's clear it's never met Ash before, then. A lot of pokémon gather around him too, not all legendary but that doesn't mean they're not welcome… but a creature he does welcome with both arms, is a special looking one. He's confused at first but when he sees the purple instead of mainly pink pokémon that can actually be a solution to the unfairness that's caused him a lot of emotional pain. Ash still can't make head or tails out of Clemont, first, the boy thinks he'll sue them, then they become good friends, then he wants him to get angry at him and then he defends him, only to distance himself shortly after.
But he forgets about the strange teen for a moment, when the Cresselia comes floating over, all grace. Darkrai, who is still by Ash's side, doesn't move, it's not to blame anyway. And the pokémon now currently in front of him, holds a feather in its mouth, only to drop it in his lap.
"Is it alright to use this to help someone?" he asks and the creature bobs its head up and down.
"It wishes to thank you for the care. Whatever you do with the gift it thanks you with, is up to you."
"And the three Carbink?" he asks, still a bit worried about those three, Diancie seems to like them a lot.
But his worry isn't necessary, the Cresselia has apparently passed by the cave they got caught up in the mess that also affected Ash's happiness because the three reunite with Diancie… and now it looks completely different. Seems like Xerneas did know what to do, huh? But covered from head to toe with pokémon, can Ash still complain? He almost falls asleep due to the comfort but the pokémon start leaving, his Aura release dissipates over time. A normal fact, otherwise, it would have made him easy to track down and somehow, the teen's Aura is even more paranoid than he is, so it leaves no trace.
Something Ash is not happy with, though, is that Xerneas also appears to be hurt. Similarly to the injuries Darkrai is sporting. Cresselia doesn't seem in any form of discomfort but it is skittish and faster… he is worried for the creatures, who on earth would be wanting to hurt the legendary pokémon of this region? Necrozma isn't sure either, asking the two pokémon only gives the same answer, that it was a human with red hair, someone Ash clearly hasn't seen yet or he would've surely recognised that person.
Ash gives Xerneas his word that he will not seek out this horrible human, who only has one set acceptance and that is of the word 'yes'. According to the pokémon, this person wanted to capture it and used some sort of machine on it to help with a successful capture but that backfired and hurt it instead, giving it the possibility to escape. But Xerneas adds that this has been a while ago, saying that Ash had not arrived here at the time but that doesn't give the teen any idea whether or not this person is still trying to capture legendary pokémon still. After all, Yveltal's injury had been fresh…
"Well, I see it when I get there," he says and he's determined to get this lunar wing to Tierno, some way or another.
"Perhaps I can be of assistance?" Necrozma asks carefully. "I can be sneaky if I want to."
"Can you let me be as sneaky as you are?"
"Naturally."
"Let's get this show on the road, then," the teen decides and cast a last look on Xerneas. "Try to be careful, won't you? It's hard enough knowing there's a madman around, hunting mega stones, but to hear it's also now clearly capable of hurting you and all the other pokémon… I don't trust this situation, you try to be sneaky too, won't you?"
And as if by magic, the creature turns into a tree in front of him and Ash blinks. While it's a pretty massive tree -all of the trees are, though, some way or another- it would take a pretty skilled eye to check if this is a real tree or not. But he has an inkling the madman he's referred to and getting an image of, will know, with those machines… Gosh, he dislikes technology like that so much, he wishes there was some way to destroy all of it without getting himself in incredible danger. Nip all that shit in the bud before it comes to bite him, yeah? But for now, he'll focus on getting this feather to Tierno, so that he can at least get this teen out of danger.
Professor Sycamore is not a happy man at this moment, Clemont is pissed and has straight up told him that he's made the mistake of a lifetime when he explained the reason why he wanted Ash to leave. But everyone has seen the sadness the teen's portrayed, it even made him doubt whether he was right. But the kid touches a sensitive point, especially since that if he thinks Ash is responsible for summoning a Darkrai, he didn't think about asking him to summon the counterpart of said pokémon before sending the teen away. The professor, in turn, told the Gym leader that he could've asked Ash if he hadn't shunned him like the black plague just on his word alone. Neither was prepared to be kind to each other so they split ways… but that spat didn't do anything to help Tierno. The medics taking care of the teen are doing the best they can but there is only one way to wake up someone from a darkness induced coma and that's a lunar wing. And those, unfortunately, aren't easy to find.
It's the second day of the accident now and his regret at sending Ash away becomes bigger and bigger… because the teen seems to have been the least affected by Tierno's attitude. Shauna and Trevor get hit with all kinds of insulting insinuations that tell the professor that both Serena and Clemont are running their mouths, in Ash's defence. He doesn't think that will do much good, though, he would much rather have them stay silent and if possible, just go home or something. The last thing he needs is for this camp to get more trouble and heck, here he was thinking that having a Yveltal here was the worst of his troubles! Oh, how wrong he is and Professor Sycamore finds it hard to admit it, he just can't tell if he's done a good thing or a monumentally bad thing.
He gets his answer pretty soon, next to the joy of having a very special looking lunar wing just… spawning right on top of Tierno and waking the teen up, the professor gets the freight of a lifetime when he gets a bailiff in front of him, who demands that the camp packs up. When asked why, the bailiff responds that he's getting suspended for a critical character error, which basically boils down to the fact he can't call himself a professor for two months because someone's taken offence to something he must've said or done and has the evidence to support their claim. The support group who host the camp event, start deconstructing straight away after hearing the verdict, even before all the children have left too!
"I-I… What have I done to deserve this?" he asks, as he's being led away by the same officer he had grilling Ash for answers, so he can't be in the way of the deconstruction and possibly get hurt.
"Please remain silent, sir. Anything you say or do, can and will be used against you."
The man falls silent, he figures he's best off trying to contact Diantha and see if she can help him. But when he's finally gotten through the slew of redirections to get to her, he finds her attitude… icy, at best.
"I'm sorry if I did something to offend you, champion, I assure you that every decision I made was with the best intentions for all the children and their welfare."
"I doubt that," is all she says.
"I needed to close down the perimeter of the camp for protection," the man insists, figuring one of the teens called their parents who paid a lot of money for their kids to attend this event. To hear it's not happening means breach of contract… but to go this far? To actually defame him? "Please, if this about money, I can return it, it's not all be processed-"
"Do you hear yourself, Augustine?" Diantha asks and he falls silent. "I'm starting to think there's more going on than a critical character error."
"No, no, I assure you, I can't remember having done anything remotely against my character!"
"Then I advise you to start thinking a little more deeply about what has happened."
He frowns, panic is starting to set in because what will he do in these two months? At least he has his wallet but where will he live if he can't be a professor?
"Can I still enter the laboratory?"
"The liveable part, yes, not the functioning part. Your assistants have been notified and will take over the care of the pokémon for now. No research is to be performed within those two months, starting today so the functioning part of the laboratory will be blocked by the entrance and all the computers have been locked under pokémon league's security, rendering them unusable for as long as your suspension holds."
He chews the inside of his cheek, his nerves are getting a workout today and they probably will for the following months.
"I… If anything, the teenager attacked by the Darkrai has woken up."
"I'm aware of who would manage that," she says curtly. "Enjoy the while of alone time to think about yourself and how you can become a better version of the professor I grew to like so much but ended up severely disappointing me."
And with that, the call ends, leaving the confused man to look at the screen in despair. Seems like his idea to ask for her support only made things worse… or clearer, at least. But it all sounds so bad, he's dreading going home now.
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Meyer!" he sighs in relief, hearing no ill-will against him in the man's voice. "What are you doing here?"
"Picking up the kids, of course. No need to keep 'em in a dead-end like this camp when the road to Shalour from Lumiose has been restored."
The man freezes. He remembers now.
"… Ash isn't here," he forces out and the man in front of him seems confused.
"No? Where'd he go, then?"
Meyer can only look at how the man is desperately stopping himself from starting to cry, how could he have forgotten that Ash has connections to people who will retaliate if he complains! Especially if the boy complains of a righteous mistake like the one he's made two days ago? He can't stop himself from crumbling to the ground, burying his face in his hands in regret.
"Hey now, what's wrong?" Meyer asks alarmed and he's crouched down next to him in a second, his hands on him in case he needs support to keep upright. But that's not the support he needs right now.
"Je suis un imbécile," he croaks out, putting his hands in his hair.
"Why? What happened? Come on, professor, this isn't like you, you're scaring me."
"I'm no longer a professor," the man says and looks at Meyer, who now looks alarmed. "I thought Ash was responsible for the Darkrai attack and I sent him away. And Ash must've told his uncle, who then activated a righteous response of suspending me but mon Dieu, I'm such a fool."
"You are. How can you think that boy would willingly attack anyone?"
"I don't know," he cries but he knows he doesn't have Meyer's sympathy any longer, the man likes Ash a lot too, he knows that.
Ash is likeable, even if he's a bit creepy at times. Oh, why didn't he ask the teen to stay and help? With the appearance of the lunar wing, isn't it clear that the boy was willing to help despite everything?
"I think you need some time to recover from this, Augustine," Meyer says softly. "I think Ash made the right call, though I don't think he imagined it would have this result on you. But you need some sort of… coming back to earth, I think. Perhaps now is the time to do it."
"I will," he sniffs, rubbing furiously at his eyes. "Diantha said so too, I will need to do better. For everyone, Ash won't be the last special child I will meet, after all."
"You have no idea where he is?"
"No, I… I never even told him to just up and leave to wherever, just to distance himself from the other children."
"That's just as much as telling him to leave," Meyer says. "And I bet Clemont never made a move to follow Ash, huh?"
"I don't think so. He was angry at me, though, for sending Ash away."
"I'm sure."
Something about the way the man walks away from him tells the suspended professor that Clemont will not have it easy either. But he can trust Meyer to act friendly to his children, while he… he couldn't even be bothered to like a boy who's suffered so much abuse, instead of adding to the pile of mistrust Ash already has for people. Great, just great.
The teen, on the other hand, has no idea what happened, all he knows is that the lunar wing worked -he's the one who put it on top of Tierno's chest, hiding in a carefully constructed psychic illusion, curtesy of Necrozma- and that's all that's important to him. No one deserves to be suffering from an eternal state of nightmares, especially when they're not to blame for the Darkrai's anger. And thinking back on it now, Diancie and those Carbink aren't either, they were just caught up in a failed ploy of this region's wrongdoer. Ash has no clue who it is but he knows that the showdown will be nothing short of spectacular and he's aware he'll be a part of it. The day he got a mega stone doomed him to play his role in this, if the madman after the mega stones is ready enough to hurt pokémon…
Ash doesn't want to think about that now, he's upset as is and he doesn't want to make himself any angrier than he already is. Professor Sycamore's response to him claiming innocence is still heavily on his mind and that's how he enters Shalour, a deep frown on his face and in thought. Bonbon has been a massive support to him throughout this journey but he never imagined that the Gym would be unable to be reached, even though his ride pokémon seems quite ready to just dash through the water of the high tide.
"Stop!" a voice then says, causing both the teen and the two pokémon to turn in his direction. "The Gym isn't open."
"Oh, okay. When will it open again?"
"Until Gurkinn opens it again."
"Err, okay… Does he… control the tide or something?" the boy asks, blinking in confusion.
"Of course not. Gurkinn hasn't been seen around for three days, kid. Now get lost, we don't want strangers roaming around here."
Just his luck, he'd blindly followed his map to take him into Shalour without needing to pass by the town so he's not seen anyone around. So now the first person he does see is a dickhead. Great start already but he's not getting shooed away as easily as this, though. His uncle told him to go to Shalour and find Gurkinn so that's exactly what he'll do, even if it's the last thing he does. Bonbon, however, huffs so the teen focuses on the pokémon.
"What's the matter?"
The Ponyta kicks one of its hooves into the edge of the water and Ash smiles when he gets what the pokémon wants.
"You wanna have a trot through the water? Alright, just not too deep okay?"
He gets off the ride pokémon, just to make sure he doesn't get wet as well, should Bonbon disregard his warning. And boy, does he disregard it, the Ponyta actually goes to take a bath and Pikachu shivers, much rather settling into his shoulder a bit deeper, looking cosy in his little jacket. Ash smiles warmly at his partner pokémon and when Bonbon's finished with his bath, he recalls him, figuring the city isn't that big he needs to help of his ride pokémon to get around. Besides, it's nice and warm inside the pokéball too, Bonbon can perfectly dry up in there.
"I feel like this will be quite the adventure," a familiar voice says and Ash suddenly finds his left shoulder occupied when a smaller pokémon crawls onto it.
"It will be if I show up in the middle of a town with you on my shoulder," he answers, though grins at the Lugia. "Sticking around as well?"
"Always," the pokémon says and pushes its small head against his cheek. "Also, you overestimate the population of Shalour. I firmly believe we will not be encountering anyone here for a good while. People disappearing can be quite spooky and the people here might be… slightly superstitious. Hence why they are not welcoming you with open arms."
"I noticed that."
But with Lugia on his shoulder, Ash figures there's not much that can hurt him… yet when Necrozma also joins out in the open, its complete dark complexion sucking up every bit of sunshine within it, giving it a… void like look, the teen feels like Lugia's statement about the population was a bit too optimistic. In fact, walking around here now, it seems deserted, underpopulated, actually. It's eerie, Ash can still feel remnants of Aura in some of the houses and sometimes, someone is actually in there but they don't seem to want to come outside.
Too bad for them, it's a beautiful day out and with Lugia's help, Ash finds Gurkinn's also deserted house. But he could have found it on his own strength too, he almost hurls when he comes too close to the house. Bad emotions make it hard for him to keep his lunch from coming back and by bad, he means bad. Murderous bad.
"He… Gurkinn is dead," he mutters, feeling the remnant of murdered Aura, murdered by a curse.
"That is bad news," Lugia says but it doesn't sound like it cares much. "Now you cannot enter the house."
Yeah, perhaps but his burning curiosity ends up overpowering whatever feelings he has about the energy in this house. Ash almost cries when he opens the man's deserted house's door and sees the object which's curse ended the man who had his interest. It's a strange box but the names on the pieces that are scattered all over the floor, he crumples next to it, this is an artefact that remembered important figures from the past. Breaking it must've released a curse meant to attack anti-Aura folks, from back at the times of war.
He makes no show of putting the pieces back in their respective spots, he also knows where the box is supposed to go. There is a cabinet of artefacts open for everyone to touch -and abuse- so he slides the box back where it belongs. Upon doing so, he sees a vision of an instance he figures is the way of these lost souls to show him how they ended up scattered over the floor.
It's an argument, a young girl with a particular odd hairstyle is talking to a man with magnificent eyebrows, Ash figures that it's Korrina, the successor and Gurkinn, expressing his doubts. The girl doesn't appreciate the talking to, she grows highly upset at something and tells him that 'she'll show him when she gets to a hundred' and when he turns his back on her in answer, Korrina grabs this box and throws it at Gurkinn, who never saw the box or the curse coming. The girl's also already out when the box connects to the man's head and is thankfully spared from the horrifying sight of the Gurkinn getting torn to shreds by the volatile curse.
"Oh no," he says and leans heavily against the wall as he feels his stomach protest again.
"What did you see, Chosen?" Lugia asks, not climbing him. In fact, when the teen opens his eyes, he can see the pokémon has somewhat grown. "You look like falling over," it explains when he asks why. "I wish to be able to catch you when that happens."
"Thanks," Ash chuckles, appreciating the sentiment because he doesn't feel great.
"All in all, you have managed to return this house into the state of peace once more, good job. Now, shall we snoop or shall we raid this man's fridge?"
"Lugia, that's not nice."
"But it is a shame to let good food go to waste if the owner is no longer there to enjoy it."
He hesitates.
"Besides, you have not told me of the vision you saw."
"Oh, that," the boy sighs and tells Lugia what he's seen.
"See? It is better to eat the food now and snoop around while you still can before you decide to go back in time and solve this issue."
Ash blinks.
"What was that?"
"You heard me, Chosen. Now, let us see what this kitchen entails…"
The hungry pokémon is quick to move into what it assumes to be a kitchen and Ash is sure it'll come to tell him if it's found food or not. But now he wonders, is that possible? Can he really go three days back in time and stop Korrina from throwing this box at the man?
"In theory, yes. Though three days is cutting it a little short," Necrozma answers. "It is likely that Dialga will not be able to see the days clearly and send you back further in time."
"Oh."
"That being said, this is a golden opportunity to snoop. If no one is around, no one can stop you."
This all sounds a bit immoral to Ash, he still wants to respect this man's belongings as much as he can… but Lugia is already stuffing its face into food it has found and he's hungry too…
"Look at it this way, Chosen. Better eat the food the time loop will respawn anyway when you go back in time. And you can use this week to read the interesting books that man will never have you read while he's alive," Lugia says, sounding rather chuffed now that it's got a full stomach worth of cake. "Dialga can see the difference with weeks better than days too, so if you were to stay here for the rest of this week, it would be better than to risk being placed somewhere different."
"Alright, alright," he sighs and takes a bit of the left-over cake as well, a cake he suspects Gurkinn made for Korrina -and that thought makes the cake a lot less sweet. "I can't imagine what made that girl so angry she would throw such a heavy box at someone, it went straight for his head too. I mean, if it wasn't cursed, he could've passed out just on impact or worse."
"Some people do not think. And that is why the world is the place it is today."
"Mm," the teen just sighs. "What do you think I'll find in these books that Gurkinn supposedly wouldn't want me to read?"
"He will not let them be read because you will not be telling him about the interesting features like solidifying Aura and fore- and hindsight that you already possess. There are also rather new and unique abilities to have as well."
"New?"
"Yes, those are things neither of your teachers will know about."
"Nothing that cannot be fixed, I believe."
"Quite," Lugia answers.
Ash stills, he's not hungry anymore, his curiosity is also not overpowering any longer. He feels empty and slightly alone, having been around people makes him aware of how nonchalant pokémon are. But honestly, he prefers that over the histrionics of people any time and that's why he follows Lugia and Necrozma's advice and goes into the man's weakly protected library. All that's needed is Aura and let that be something Ash has plenty of. But as he wanders, looking for something that interests him -because most books are about wars and he's not interested in-
"You should read one. That way, you know what to avoid doing outside with your Aura."
He's startled enough to grab a random book from a shelf, Ash actually feels like a scolded child now so he keeps quiet. Even though he's not actually used much Aura randomly outside, for no good reason. So he shouldn't be chided but well… Halfway into a chapter that tells him doom has come upon the poor people in the next chapters, the teen feels so terribly lonely, he can't continue.
"Chosen, what is the matter? You are not acting like yourself."
Ash almost ducks back into the book but he can't read anything written down there, the sentences seem to move every time he focuses on wanting to read them. So he slams the book close and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Either I need some sleep or I need to find myself a more interesting book," he says but blinks when a book comes floating in front of his face. "Lugia… is this your doing?"
"Hm?" the pokémon asks, appearing back in view but pulling wide eyes at the floating book. "Well no, not quite but I feel the interesting book has found you. Go on, then," it adds, urging him to keep reading.
While he's hesitant, Ash takes the book out of the air and opens it. The first page has a personalised message to Gurkinn on it, from someone wishing him the best in his future endeavours and to live his long life to the fullest. The mention of said long life gives the teen a sour taste in his mouth, to know that a curse meant to protect Aura users ended an innocent one scares him.
'But sweet child, you have Arceus' blessing and you have died once already. Do I have to say it out loud for you to realise you are as immortal as us?'
"Mewtwo," he sighs, relieved at hearing the pokémon's voice again. "I missed you."
The sound of purring can be heard but Ash is pretty sure only he can hear it.
'Look at your left. There should be another interesting book on abilities and how to hone them behind the third book starting from the left, on the second last shelf.'
He finds the book Mewtwo's picked out but he moves out of the library, he can always come back there if needed but it's a chilly, cold place, unfit for reading. Lugia comes along too, hopping about happily as it holds a couple of books in one wing. Ash didn't know the pokémon could read either but honestly, he doesn't care much if Lugia can, he's happy that it's enjoying himself.
"Hmm, I wonder how you were able to spot that the library knew we were intruders but I did not notice that up until now," the creature pipes up and looks at him in wonder. "You will go far, Chosen, I am proud of you."
Ash can only smile at the legendary pokémon, he's actually feeling rather happy again. With Pikachu curling up on his shoulder, deciding that, now they're out of that damp and cold space, it's time for a nap, the teen has every opportunity to start reading.
The book that came floating at him is basically a book about the customs of the past, not necessarily that of just Aura users… mostly because there wasn't a difference in the past. They didn't make call those who used Aura a user of it, it was normal to them, some people had it, some didn't. It's a lovely way to look at things but to Ash, it's bitter to realise he has a complex set of abilities that would only be accepted about five to three thousand years back. Right now, all he gets are excuses and verbal middle fingers aimed at him and his abilities.
Still, he gets an inkling why Riley got so frustrated by him, Aura, in many cases, even after the war, is a prideful kind of energy that usually doesn't hide for no reason. That's what made it so easy to get hunted, the people who had Aura back in the days used it freely and Ash knows that using Aura gives off light. He's somewhat lucky, the deep pink colour is a lot like red, the light it gives off doesn't go very far but blue, like Riley's… that goes far. Very far and according to the book, colours like blue, white, orange and green were the most common, with red, as in crimson deep red, being the colour of a war born, children born from frightened Aura users, in the period of either war of being hunted.
His father has crimson coloured Aura, Ash realises and well, the war against Team Rocket was going on when he was born. He'll never forget his mother's paranoia at keeping him indoors all the time… so yeah but still, he's happy with his pink. The book does speak about pink but he figures that the writer of this book only heard about it recently appearing and added whatever was known about it at the time. That kind of sucks but he at least now knows that someone had it before him, though they speak about light pink, not magenta pink like his Aura is. Though pink stands for love itself, it will have empathic abilities linked to it and Ash can only agree with it.
His right hand shows him the general health of a person he's looking at, his left showing whether the person is a threat or not, his ability to heal as well as his foresight… these abilities are from a caring kind of Aura and that fits him perfectly. He just wonders why it makes him so hard to be loved, is it the way he approaches people? That he doesn't trust them straight away? But what kind of an introduction is it when you sit them down and give them a two-day explanation of what they ought to be mindful of and what not? Sounds a bit miserable to him, to be honest, he sees how telling people who he is and what he can do works out for him. Now, professor Sycamore might just be a sad person looking for an easy target but he's lost the kids he thought were his friends as well.
Serena might've given him Bonbon, to make sure he wouldn't get stuck somewhere but she didn't want to come with him either, did she? So nah, it's him, he's the issue and it doesn't sit well with him that the successor of this Gym, that's supposed to represent safety, is such a hothead. And the way he saw her grab that box in the vision, tells him she doesn't have an ounce of feeling for the value of the box. Perhaps he's just sensitive but the teen gets the heebie-jeebies from the thing but perhaps that's because he knows it's capable of murdering people. Now he wonders what's so special about that box that it would do that.
As nice as it is to read about what other people could do with their Aura, like the knights, carers, spies to those who were singularly focused on certain production of devices and technology, they aren't him. Riley was right, he isn't one of the typical 'trades' as the man called them, he's not even got any of the typical tendencies of either of these trades. He also finds this a short-sighted way to group people into life, he knows he would quickly grow bored with doing the same thing over and over, even if it was in his nature to do so. You might find him doing battles over and over again repetitive as well but he does other things too. He seems to be arguing with people a lot lately too and that's something not in his nature to do. Ash will speak in defence for someone, he'll try and be as just and nice as possible… but that hasn't been the case today. Or yesterday. Or the day before it.
In fact, he doesn't feel much like himself still, something in this house is setting him off and he finds it difficult to concentrate… until he gets to a page where he feels special. The words on the paper seem to be aimed at him, the writer is wishing him the best of luck as well, as well as a life full of love. Ash smiles sadly at the page, he gently runs his fingers over the paper and finds himself wishing things could've gone differently. Perhaps, if he manages to save Gurkinn, he'll feel better again. But for now, he'll try and see if he can't learn some new tricks from these books, so he can perhaps make the man if he manages to save him, feel like he's worth it. Because this will have happened to Ash but he knows that the time loop will make everyone else forget. He's the one who will be time travelling and oh, he's going to have some fun, no matter what. Ash will do everything he can to stop Korrina from seeing Gurkinn, her mentor as a bad man. And perhaps the other book can help him learn some tricks to scare the living daylights out of her.
End of chapter twenty-nine