Chapter 55: The Distraught Guardian
Frost reached his destination sooner then expected as he decided to jog most of the way, Stone and Ash were sitting on one of the many benches in the park if Frost didn't know better those two were looking very suspicious sitting in the park at such an odd time.
"What is all this about Stone? Explain yourselves." Frost immediately demanded once he was close enough to the two guys.
Stone was about to speak but Ash cut him off as Pikachu seemingly returned from a stroll down the park.
"Frost I need your help with something."
"What?"
"I am sorry due to some personal reasons I could not focus so I asked Stone to accompany me outside." Ash genuinely apologized.
Frost's stern look faltered as he glanced at the kid's gloomy face.
"You could have just said so from the beginning." He added.
"Yes, I am sorry for that also but…." Ash sighed as Frost urged him to continue.
"But my mind is in a bad place right now and I needed some air."
"Kid, don't beat around the bush right now I get it you have some personal issue and you needed someone to talk to but why take Stone and not someone like Lance who you know better," Frost questioned.
"It is because he figured out I use Aura," Stone added seriously.
"What!" Frost said as he dragged Stone to the side and asked
"Didn't I tell you to suppress it."
"You did but he had me figured out when we met back in Kanto before even boarding the damn plane."
"Is he THAT good of an Aura Guardian," Frost asked as he glanced at the boy.
"He is prodigy Frost it is honestly baffling how good he is considering his age."
"So he trusts you because you use Aura what kind of logic is that?"
"It is a mutual thing with Aura users." Stone sighed.
"But still him knowing you are an Aura user is problematic."
"Are you guys done ignoring me." Ash raised his voice snapping the two men out.
"Kid tell me what is wrong I'll help you if I can but in return keep Stone's aura a secret from the others." Frost immediately bargained.
"I understand, I was also quite surprised to find an Aura Guardian in the Rangers considering how strict the rules are in the Aura Guard."
"Actually…" Stone began but Frost shushed him.
"Yes please do his situation is special, now start talking what did you share with Stone and what is troubling you?"
"There is someone I am looking for, her name was Anabel she was in a plane crash a few years ago….." Ash began and Frost internally cringed
[The kid wants to find his dead girlfriend ohhhhh Arceus what the hell has Stone gotten himself into.]
Ash explained the story from the beginning and also his conversation with Clemont which made him approach Stone in the first place, leaving out his encounter with Serena.
When he finished Frost sighed as even thou he had far more important things to deal with right now he was listening to a weird Story from a sixteen-year-old Champion, although he didn't let it show on his face so Ash's feelings are not made fun of.
"Kid, is there any evidence that she could have survived?" Frost decided to get it over with fast.
"Not anything physical….."
"What do you mean by that?"
"He had a vision she was alive." Stone said breaking the atmosphere.
To be completely honest Frost had had enough of this he still could not believe he wasted time on something like this but since he did it he accepted defeat in his head.
Once again dragging Stone to the side he asked
"Have you finally lost it Stone?"
"Leader let me explain." Stone waved his hand frantically.
"Oh please by all means go ahead."
"Visions in Aura Guardians is not a common occurrence but they happen sometimes and considering Ash who has a strong connection to Aura it doesn't surprise me he had visions."
"You sure he didn't just imagine things from the shock of the loss itself."
"That could have been the case but he seems sure he saw her and ….. I believe him."
Frost was having a hard time seeing his teammate struggle to explain himself.
"Stone listen to me the world we live in people don't return from the dead just like that."
"I know and that is what I thought until I saw her picture."
Frost lifted his brow as he returned to Ash and asked
"Show me her picture."
Immediately Ash produced a photograph, a polaroid to be precise, and placed it in Frost's hand.
As he glanced at the image of a young girl with a boy cut and purple hair his eyes widened for a second, he looked at Stone who eyed him blankly.
Ash to whom the picture was returned to stared at the two men and asked
"So…. Will you help me?"
Frost replied after thinking about it for a few seconds.
"Sure kid but… keep your end of the deal as well."
"Of course you have my word." Answered Ash happily.
Cynthia had finished her talk with Goodshow and was not happy with its result.
"Even he is against us going what the hell." She grumbled as Glaceon helped herself out of her Pokeball.
Her Pokemon looking at her worried face purred as Cynthia smiled in return and petted the ice eevelution.
"Don't worry girl it is just some work stuff nothing too serious." She didn't speak the truth.
"Gla-Glaceon"
"I know and I am not overworking myself for your information." Cynthia defended against her Pokemon's criticism.
Glaceon was not buying it and to be completely real Cynthia knew it too, her Pokemon are very close to her and are the only few capable of reading her like an open book but still not wanting to discuss the phone call any further Cynthia changed the topic.
"So how was Frost's Ninetales I heard you made good friends with her."
"Gla Gla Gla"
"I know she is a strange one very strong too I presume?" Cynthia asked seriously.
Glaceon nodded.
"I knew it, that Pokemon is something special." She added as she thought.
[Well that at least confirms one thing but something bothers me why did my request got turned down so quickly.]
Back with Frost who had left Ash with Stone while returning to Luminous Pride received a phonecall.
"Hello?" he asked as the number was a private one.
"Ranger you were correct the Champion of Sinnoh did contact me regarding your mission tonight, I applaud your prediction." The voice began in a leisurely tone.
Frost who recognized the President of the PLA replied
"Did you deal with her the way we discussed…sir?"
"Yes, I rejected her idea of the Champions accompanying you tonight."
The President's tone was extremely informal and to anyone else, he seemed to be a very friendly and approachable guy… but Frost wasn't going to fall for that because the moment he met him back in Prism Tower during the meeting of Champions the specialist felt his spin chill.
Frost stopped walking and asked
"If that is the case why have you called sir is this your way of intimidation?"
"Ha! Don't misunderstand the intent specialist I just wanted to speak to you regarding my Champions."
Goodshow's tone was somewhat serious this time there was a hint of aggression tucked away in his tone if Frost wasn't on edge he would have missed it.
Taking a step away from the crowd of Lumious Frost continued.
"If it is their safety you are worried about don't worry sir they will be far away from any real danger."
" I appreciate that but this is not the end of this because do you honestly believe the Champions would follow rules in this situation?"
"Are you suggesting they would disregard a direct order from you." Frost's expression stiffened.
"Ranger my Champions aren't my soldiers nor am I a general to them so don't talk about orders and commands in front of me they aren't like you all so make sure they remain safe in the event they do decide to disregard my request," Goodshow warned as he stressed on his words.
Frost was ticked off now but his voice never faltered as he replied
" Alright I'll stay alert but can I know why you REALLY called me because this clearly isn't a friendly reminder type of call what is your real agenda MR. PRESIDENT."
Frost could hear Goodshow chuckling on the other side as he answered
" My boy no matter what your true nature may be, I would request you to not underestimate my champions they may be normal citizens in your eyes but each and everyone has a specialty that may prove useful to you in the future they may not be able to kill but they sure as hell aren't weak I suggest you don't forget this….. that is all I have to say. Good luck for tonight Ranger I wish for your team's success."
The call disconnected before Frost could say anything, he clenched the Pokegear in his hand his mind was too occupied with other things to be able to make sense of Goodshow's words right now. Deciding to focus at the raid happening tonight Frost slipped the Pokegear back in his pocket as he wondered
[This day keeps on getting weirder….]
Author's Notes:
The next chapter is going to be the raid, damn that took a while to reach but we are here now. I can't keep my excitement in check as the finale draws near and don't worry I got some things in store for all the romantics and the action lovers so stay in touch. Don't forget to follow and favorite so you don't miss any updates and feel free to ask questions in the reviews or PM's because I love to see your support and different opinions on my story. That is all for this chapter so Until Next Time
PEACE