AN:
Hey everyone! I'm truly sorry it took so long. School's been pretty stressful and brutal. Still mostly in the thick of it too. Over time I've been able to get bits and piece of this done.
My schedule's still pretty tight so I still can't go back to regular updates yet. The next chapter will come when it'll come. However as a side note, if you ever feel the need to check on me or are curious about how far I've gotten on the next chapter, you can PM me. The only thing I ask is to not be demanding or anything of the ilk. I won't get mad, but it will stress me out. Real life before Fanfiction after all.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Normal Talk
Thoughts
Lucario talking unless stated otherwise
Zoroark talking unless stated otherwise
Mienshao talking unless stated otherwise
Let the journey continue...
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
The light danced through the trees like fireflies, blinking as the wind moved the leaves and branches. Most of all the leaves in Kanto were starting to change colors and would soon be falling.
Ash blinked drowsy eyes open, not truly seeing the world just yet as his aura vision was the first to really register in his brain. It was then that he felt pressure in several places on his body. He concentrated and realized, Typhlosion's paw was covering his right cheek, Donphan's trunk was wrapped around one leg, Gliscor was draped over him like a blanket, and Marowak as well as Butterfree's kids were curled up and nestled against his chest, stomach and legs.
Ash sighed, letting out a noise that was a mix between contentment and minor irritation. Now how in the heck am I going to get up without disturbing anyone?
Espeon?
I wanna be the very best, that no one evaaaarrrr wasssss. To catch theemm is mah real test~
Ash huffed in annoyance. Espeon was too asleep to hear him and apparently the sun dog dreamed of music.
Noctowl?
Yes?
Could you use Psychic to free me?
What do you mean- oh.
Ash glanced up, sensing Noctowl peek through the branches and leaves of the tree he'd been roosting in.
I've got to say that's really adorable though, Ashton.
Are you really going to be a smart-ass now?
When am I ever not one?
Ash paused, reconsidering his past with Noctowl. Point taken. NOW HELP!
You're lucky I'm mostly Nocturnal and enjoy dusk and dawn. Noctowl left the tree silently before beginning the careful and slow process of removing each sleeping individual and relocating them. The bird accidentally let go of Typholsion too soon and he landed on Primeape. Oops.
What the actual HELL!?
Ash cringed slightly at Primeape's loud cry, which inevitably started to wake everyone up. Typhlosion was pushed off and the mostly passive pokemon merely blinked tiredly at the fighting type.
"Easy Primeape. Noctowl make a minor mistake-"
It was Ash's idea.
You cheeky little-
Are we going to argue on such a nice morning?Meinshao asked, rising gracefully from his resting place next to a tree.
WILL YOU GET THE HELL OUT OF MY FLOWER!? I FEEL SO VIOLATED!
Ash glanced over and spied Venasaur trying to pry Heracross out of his large flower. Even though his vines were much larger now from being evolved, Heracross had only grown stronger to compensate.
Shield your eyes, kids. Infernape snarked, before lazily throwing a hand in front of the Caterpies' eyes.
Honedge droned and latched onto Ash's back, hoping for a free ride while he continued his nap.
Free loader.
It's an ancient ghost technique-
Uh-huh… sure…
Care to practice your flying slash gliding technique, friend? Hawlucha asked, glancing at Archeops.
Yeah! By the waterfall like we planned? The rock and flying type responded in return.
Ash watched as everyone started waking up further and beginning to do their own things. Ash hadn't yet planned a real long term training schedule, though some of the more serious personalities in his crew, like Charizard, Greninja and Sceptile had them for themselves regardless. For now, he would go get some breakfast back at home before returning to the ranch.
zz
Ash walked into the back door of his house and paused halfway to the kitchen when he saw Brock's Toxicroak reading the newspaper. The poison type turned his head slowly and gave Ash a sideways glance.
"Heh, don't mind me."
Toxicroak turned back and continued his reading as Ash walked through the doorway and into the kitchen. Brock was cooking away, moving pots and pans while Blissey was monitoring the toaster.
"Morning, Brock. Where's mom?" Ash asked before pulling up a stool to sit.
"She went out to work in the garden. She said her kale and squash needed to be harvested."
Ash hummed. "Wow, I actually didn't know mom grew kale. I've helped her pick squash before, but I always get a rash from the small spines on the vines."
"Long-sleeves and gloves, big-guy."
"I was five," Ash laughed a bit.
-Chack-
Ash smiled when Blissey walked over with a plate of toast as well as jellies, honey and butter.
"Now just several more plates to go. Ash don't eat more than two slices," Brock spoke up as he flipped two pancakes at once.
"Awww…"
"I have to make enough for everyone."
"Why?"
"Ash. Who do you know makes decent food at Oak's Lab?"
"Uh…"
"Why do you think Oak visits your mom so often?"
"Point taken." Ash then got up, slipping on his jacket that had been resting on the table and snatched one of the pancakes mid-flip, using aura to keep his hand from being burnt. "Thanks Brocko. Going to go talk with Professor Oak and tell the others that you're making breakfast.
"Start with Misty and Dawn if you don't mind."
"Shrrr fing, Brrck," Ash mumbled through the pancake in his mouth as he finished putting on his jacket before heading out of the kitchen.
Ash made his way up the stairs, finishing off his pancake before quietly opening the door to the guest room.
Misty's red hair was down and wrapped like a cascading shawl around her face and upper shoulders. Togetic was resting on the other half of her pillow, Azumarill's ears were the only things peaking out of the covers and Squirtle was curled up against her chest.
Across the room, Dawn was in a very similar position except Piplup was near her chest, Pachirisu was near the pillows and Glameow was curled at the foot of the bed.
Ash walked over to Misty first. "Hey Mist. Mist." He scrunched his face up in slight perplexity. "Hey Mist is that an Ariados?"
"WHERE!?" Misty and Dawn woke up, almost at the same moment, even startling the young guardian.
"Uh… Good morning?"
Misty and Dawn looked at him for a moment before Misty gave him a grumpy glare. "Brock's on breakfast, isn't he?"
"Yep."
A triumphant smile came to her face. "Great. Now out!" She chucked a pillow at Ash, who deftly dodged and slipped out of the door gracefully.
"Yesh. You're welcome by the way!"
Misty only rolled her eyes as Dawn giggled into her hand. The water trainer looked over at Dawn. "Why'd you wake up hearing about a bug type? I mean I've gotten better… I even have a Surskit, but there are still certain bugs…"
Dawn shared a meaningful glance with a drowsy looking Piplup. "Uh… It's a long and bizarre story."
zz
Ash walked down the road for the second time that day, getting closer and closer to the lab. It was strange not having Pikachu near, but his friend was hanging out somewhere in the ranch with the rest of his crew and Ellie no doubt.
Ash stepped through the Lab's front door and noticed that no one was in the main room. "Huh. I wonder where everyone is."
"HOW IN ARCEUS' NAME DID YOU MANAGE TO CATCH A COFFEE POT ON FIRE!?"
"The coffee was taking too long to heat up so I asked Rapidash for help-"
"My poor coffee pot…"
"It's just a pot. You can get them for like five poke'."
"You have no idea how sacred coffee is to the researcher, Georgia. Don't worry Gramps. I'm sure Delia will make some."
"Paul, did you have to shout so loud?"
"I'm not very tolerant of stupidity in the early morning."
"Hey!"
Ash blinked and then chuckled softly under his breath. He made his way down the hall to the small alcove that housed a tiny kitchen for the researchers. Paul, Gary, Barry, Zoey, Georgia and Professor Oak were standing around a scorched coffee pot.
"Heh, good morning," Ash spoke, unable to hide his mirth.
"Whatever," Paul grumbled. He was wearing his normal outfit only he hadn't yet put on his pull over.
"You ready for some more training!?" Barry asked excitedly. Rapidash, who looked funny cramped behind them in the alcove, stamped a foot.
Ash nodded. "You bet. I just came to tell everyone that Brock's fixing breakfast for everyone."
"Oh? He didn't want help?" Cilan asked, popping his head out from a door some ways down the hall.
Ash shrugged. "I guess he wanted the kitchen to himself. He and Mimey have this weird rivalry when it comes to doing things around my house. So maybe he's territorial."
"That's got to be the weirdest thing-" Kenny expressed, walking out of his room's door and shutting it.
Clemont and Serena came down the hall at the same time as he'd spoken. "There is evidence that humans may have evolved from pokemon though. It's inconclusive for now-" Clemont offered.
"Indeed, that's a major part of my current research. We are wondering whether or not this genetic connection affects our relationship with pokemon. Have you ever wondered why the symbol within keystones looks like a DNA helix strand? It adds more to the idea of intelligent design and Arceus' contribution to creation-" Oak started to ramble.
"Huh, I never questioned the symbol from Mega-evolution…" Zoey paused in thought.
Ash smiled. "I'm going to check on my pokemon and make absolutely sure they've all woken up."
"You're not eating breakfast!?" Barry shouted.
"Already way ahead of you, Barry," Ash grinned and walked out.
"No way!" Barry shouted and dashed out of the room towards the front door and Ash's home.
"Do you think he'll figure out he's only wearing his pajamas any time soon?" Gary asked.
"Not until he's training," Paul answered.
Zoey only rolled her eyes and walked back towards her own room to get the rest of her things for the day.
zzz-Ash-zzz
Ash placed a hand on a nearby tree to keep his balance as the earth shook a bit. Tyranitar and Nidoking backed up a bit before crashing into each other again, pushing with all their might against one another.
Flashes of yellow, green, blue, red and white moved through the tree-line, revealing some of Ash's faster pokemon having a race.
Ash knew Professor Oak was wanting to see everyone's mega-evolutions and the older man was making his way towards Ash's location even now. Everyone had come up with their own plans for how to train and so naturally, not everyone would be training every day, Oak asking that his ranch wasn't completely destroyed also helped as well as the tired looks the Dugtrio and Digletts had been wearing.
Once the Trainer's Village near the Plateau opened up, the groups could leave Pallet town, but that wouldn't be happening until a couple weeks before the tournament.
Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise, Heracross, Sceptile, Glalie, Garchomp, Pidgeot, Gengar, Tyranitar, Lucario, Scizor, Houndoom, Salamance, Gallade, Absol, and… Greninja. Come here please.
Ash waited in deep thought as his pokemon gathered. Greninja's form hadn't been identified yet as an official mega-evolution, but since the time the form had activated the very first time, several researchers had been finding similarities between typical mega-evolution and Greninja's advanced power. Ash smiled when Greninja plopped down next to him after falling silently and stealthily from a branch above.
Charizard landed, Venusaur lumbered through the undergrowth, Blastoise sauntered towards the group, and slowly each pokemon appeared from the forest, the sky, the shadows, or from the earth in Garchomp's case.
"Thanks everyone."
"I see you've brought everyone together already, hm?"
Ash looked over his shoulder and smiled at the Professor as he walked forward. Rotom was possessing what appeared to be a tablet of some kind and floated near the man's shoulder.
"Not many people can use mega-evolution and even fewer have so many pokemon that trust their trainers enough to preform it at any one time in their career, but then again, you always were one for breaking boundaries." Oak laughed slightly as Pikachu and Ellie ran up to sit beside Ash's feet.
"Yeah I guess so. So who do you want to see first?" Ash asked.
Oak hummed. "How about we start with Charizard. There are only two pokemon were know of that have two different mega-forms, but perhaps that could explain more about Greninja's particular situation. We know that mega stones can be formed in several ways, mostly involving direct or indirect power from Arceus in the form of legendary pokemon like Xerneas or meteorites from possible egg remains, we are also theorizing another possible method. A pokemon becomes strongly enough bonded to a trainer, a trainer or human that has a strong enough aura signature to help the pokemon evolve past their last form, mega evolution if you will. After that, the pokemon becomes the first generation of that specific type of mega evolution. Time passes and the power they've built up from mega-evolving becomes a stone in their body; when the pokemon passes on, the stone is fossilized and much like quartz, begins to grow in the earth, duplicating itself. After enough time has passed, one can find several 'veins' of mega-stones all over the world, wherever a first-gen evolver once lived and died. These stones allow a bonded pokemon to more easily and prematurely access the energy needed to mega-evolve and thus are activated by key stones, helping to start up the process that was once only used my aura adepts. This theory would possibly explain why dual mega-forms are possible seeing that some people would call upon their pokemon to battle different enemies which required different boosts in skills."
Ash blinked in surprise and Greninja narrowed his eyes in deep thought. "So were do key stones come from?"
"We haven't deduced that yet. Perhaps some type of stone forms in aura adepts the same way it does pokemon, however we aren't sure how likely that is given that our anatomy is more sensitive than pokemons' to foreign substances like unneeded minerals and the like."
Ash hummed before he nodded to Charizard. The pokemon nodded, locking eyes with his trainer.
"I need your aura, Charizard!" Ash shouted, clenching his pendant in his hand. A flash of bright yellow light flooded the woods. Charizard Y stood before them, spreading his enormous wings.
"We have no clue how mega evolution works for clones like Mewtwo either, unless Arceus simply had foresight to that specific situation… Its all very complicated-" Oak talked more as he studied Charizard in his new form. "Rotom make note that Ash's Charizard Y has wings with a extra inch and a half spread than average. Charizard's grown some, Ash."
"Toooooom!" Rotom cackled as data started to write itself on the tablet.
"Yeah, he's gotten much stronger. Still not as large as Gunther from the Valley but he can best him in battle."
Charizard snorted in pride before Oak forcibly opened his mouth and peered over his tongue. "His piezoelectric pads look clean and aren't too overgrown." Charizard grunted in annoyance before burning the professor with a small Ember. "Alright alright, sorry friend."
Ash laughed a bit. The Professor looked over Charizard's X form, Venusaur's mega form, Blastoise, and kept going.
"Gallade's extra addition here seems to have protective properties. It's able to better block weaker special attacks." Oak pulled the cape taunt while Gallade simply watched quietly and patiently. "Alright then."
Absol was the next to mega-evolve and Oak talked about how shiny pokemon were an interesting topic as well concerning mega-evolution. It showed that the processed didn't effect the DNA actively and it was an ability that was imbedded in pokemon long ago evolutionarily, separate from the genes that controlled fur color.
Absol flexed her wings and locked her blue eyes on Ash. "Sol."
"She has almost rose colored fur," Oak said, stroking one of her wings carefully. Houndoom barked before giving a big toothy grin. Absol only posed more proudly.
Finally Greninja was last. Ash nodded to his friend. "Greninja, I need your aura." Without touching his pendant, Ash's eyes glowed a bright blue as Greninja's form altered.
"It really is fascinating…" Oak mused, giving the pokemon a critical once over. "It's not just a minor change either. Most of the characteristics are indicative of mega-evolution."
Ash nodded.
Oak touched the semi-solid water flowing on Greninja's back, holding his dual water weapons in place. "Who knows. If our theory is correct, generations from now there could be countless Greninja using this same form to aid their trainers and friends."
Greninja bowed his head.
"I think that's all I needed. I'm going to check on some of the others who are training around the ranch," Oak explained. Rotom chattered happily as the pair walked off.
Ash looked at the pokemon near him. "You can all go back to doing whatever it is you were doing. I'm still trying to plan out the training schedule. At some point we may travel to the Tree to do some training there. Everything's still iffy."
Most all the pokemon nodded and wandered off. The only one left was Greninja.
Is something wrong? Ash asked mentally.
I… no… everything is fine.
Ash frowned and Greninja knew he knew that he wasn't being completely honest.
Okay. I'll be around. I'm checking on everyone to get some inspiration. Find me if you need anything.
Greninja watched as Ash walked off, disappearing behind foliage. The water type let out a sigh and glanced at the ground.
So many pokemon under Ash's care had once had other trainers much like himself, but unlike them, he had been the one to leave them all behind. He'd stayed with Ash for the longest out of any of the ones before, even getting the chance to evolve twice.
Something about the whole thing was haunting him. He had everything he ever wanted, power, skill, a proper challenge given to him almost always, but he wasn't as happy as he should have been.
After much thought, Greninja wondered if perhaps, hanging the threat of leaving over Ash's head had tainted his achievements. He'd used his trainer, taken advantage of his kindness and although he and Ash had patched things up, he'd yet to truly forgive himself.
zzz-Paul-zzz
"Littttttttttttttttttttt~"
"Push it a bit more. If you don't, then you'll never improve."
Litleo dug deeper and caused his Flamethrower to become brighter and hotter. Aggron in his mega form continued to cross his arms against the torrent.
"Filter appears to be helping Aggron."
"Yes, but his special defense is still low enough that a strong enough special attacker should cause problems. That's why I'm having Litleo try so hard."
"I see." Oak nodded to Rotom. "Higher specialized durability."
"Rootoom!"
Litleo finally lost strength and and fell to a laying position, panting.
Aggron uncrossed his arms and then pounded the earth to use a Rock slide.
Paul watched as Lucario dashed in front of a fearful Litleo and blocked the attack with Protect. "You see. In a real battle, Lucario wouldn't come to your rescue and no words of fear or worry from me would stop those rocks from hitting you."
Litleo looked up at his trainer before his faced turned more serious. "Lit."
"Take a break and have some of the food Brock gave us."
Litleo stood up on wobbly legs barked something happily to Aggron and Lucairo both and then trotted off slowly.
Paul glanced over and saw that Oak was looking at Gyarados in his mega form. He let out a breath before eyeing Axew fighting with Weavile. The small dragon was pinned for a moment after a combination of quick moves from the ice type. It was then the small dragons form started to glow and grow. Paul was pretty sure he heard Oak say something like, 'how delightful' before Fraxure stood before them and growled. He shook off the bit of ice that was on him and charged back at Weavile, who hadn't changed his ready expression.
"Chit chit hcit!"
Paul rose a brow and looked over to see Ninjask twitching against the side of a tree, obviously having been launched. "You okay Ninjask?"
"Chit…"
"What happened?"
The bug pointed the best he could towards the woods. Paul spied Ursaring trying to look innocent even with honey coating his face, obviously the remains of a bee's nest.
"You couldn't share some with Ninjask?"
"Grr…"
zzz-Trip-zzz
Trip listened to explosions in the distance. He knew they were coming from Iris' dragons and other pokemon since they had both walked out into the ranch at roughly the same time earlier.
The young man clenched his fist. He was determined this time not to be so easily defeated. He would've never thought that Ash could've beaten him and it seemed as though many rivals of his had made similar mistakes. More importantly though, he wanted to use what he'd learned after all this time.
Serperior's neck lowered and rested against his shoulder briefly. Trip rose a hand and rubbed the pokemon's head.
"This time will be different."
Electrike dashed past, keeping up and sometimes passing Rhyhorn. Trip grew more serious and snapped his fingers.
"Jellicent and Chandelure, Unfezant and Hitmonchan, Conkeldurr and Vanilluxe, Alakazam and Pinsir, and Serperior you're with Sliggoo."
A rally of affirmative calls resulted from his request.
zzz-Misty and Gary-zzz
"Is there a reason you're watching me? Don't you have anything better to do, professor?" Misty asked snarkily as Gary lounged on a nearby rock. Misty was near the water, watching her pokemon swim.
"Eh."
"You want something, don't you?" Misty asked narrowing her eyes. She noticed Gary grow a bit nervous.
"What would give you an idea like that?"
"You're sitting here with me for starters. What's wrong?"
"Uh… What do you think I should get Leaf for her birthday. It's coming up."
Misty rose a brow, not fully buying his answer but she replied. "Well think about things she likes or things that would remind her about you two being friends or being together."
Gary nodded. "Alright." He rolled off the rock and started to walk off. "See ya, red."
Misty shrugged after the young man had left and rubbed Azumarill's head. "Something's bothering him… but then again I think even here we're all a bit bothered by something right now." She pulled out a shiny stone and looked over at Togetic, who was eyeing her and the stone.
A bit aways Gary stared at the poke ball piece in his hand. Some of the trainers were training and some were relaxing a bit that day. Misty was doing her own type of bonding before training harder later, but him?
He felt he had so much more to prove. He had to work even harder to make up for time he felt he'd lost.
Gary pulled his satchel over his shoulder and started out. He had to find a place in the ranch to train. "Just you wait."
zzz-Viridian city / A day later-zzz
"You sure this is a good idea? Your house isn't big enough to hold all of us, right?" Jimmy asked.
"What makes you say that, hm?" Leaf questioned in return, giving the boy a sly glare.
Jimmy started to stutter. "Now wait a second. It was a reasonable question!"
Leaf rolled her eyes when Marina started to giggle at Jimmy's flustered face. Vincent grew a bit gloomy at the same moment as well.
"The lab has a bunch of rooms for visiting researchers and what not. I'm sure professor Oak won't mind," Leaf explained.
"That makes more since. Dad's lab has a few rooms like that, but I'm sure Oak's has a bunch more," Brendan added before looking about. "Hey, where'd Samurai go?"
Everyone paused to look around and try to spy their oddly dress companion, only to see him standing on the edge of Viridian forest, which they'd just come from.
"Samurai?" Calem asked in honest confusion.
The bug type trainer turned his head and gave a calm smile to the others. "Sorry, I was just recalling a set of battles from long ago. Let us continue."
Calem looked at Tierno and Trevor and the two other boys merely shrugged.
"Let's hurry. If we can go fast then we can make it to Pallet town before sunset," Leaf exclaimed, motioning everyone to follow.
Astrid smirked. "Someone sure is excited to get home. Hoping a certain researcher and his group made it back?"
Leaf paused in her walking and everyone slowed to a stop behind her.
"It was just a jo-"
"Oh crud."
Alain rose a brow. "What now?"
Leaf turned to look at her friends, face turning a faint blue. "The others. They could've beaten us to Pallet and there will be no more rooms…"
A wind blew past.
"What if we beat them there though?" Mairin asked calmly.
"Maybe, but what if we get there and they have all the places?" Shauna questioned worriedly in return.
"We can house three others not counting me in my house, four if two people double up on the queen in the guest room."
Jimmy flinched when Marina turned to the group with an open mouth. "For the love of Arceus, control yourself, woman!"
Marina blinked before her face grew red with frustration. "Jimmy! How could you think that of me!?"
"I uh… oops. Reflex?"
Vincent cackled to himself and rubbed his hands together greedily. "Oh boy, trouble in paradise."
"You are a strange little man," Samurai commented, being the only one to notice Vincent's aside.
"Err…"
"Back to what we're going to do!" Assunta bellowed, snapping everyone to attention.
"Wow. Impressive," Leaf remarked, nodding to the other girl. "Anyways… Maybe the professor will have other rooms and then perhaps some of the families in town will offer to house some of you guys. Good news is there are only three people from Pallet town in the tournament at all, so there shouldn't be any other groups that could drop in."
"Well seems like problem solved to me," Brendan answered.
Calem yawned. "Let's just hurry so I can have dinner."
The group soon picked up their pace and continued heading towards their destination.
zzz-On a ship in the southern Kanto Sea-zzz
"Your dad has a fancy personal battle facility?" Dingo asked leaning over the railing of the ship, looking bored.
"Yes for the last time. My parents got rich early in life and we ended up moving to a warmer region when I was younger. It's like a permanent vacation home," Damian explained.
"Supposedly they hold unofficial contests here. That's kinda dumb," Ursula snorted, looking at a pamphlet.
Greg looked away from the others and focused more on the electronic sign on the boat that read Approaching Terracotta Town. After they'd succeeded in getting their final token and registering at the Plateau, the five had left the rest of their group to train on their own.
"Well luckily we aren't trying to get better at contests," Dingo snarked slightly, only to cower from Ursula when she glared at him.
"We need opponents though. If we only fight one another then we won't get any better," Shamus expressed calmly, leaning against the railing with his eyes closed.
"No problem. Some of dad's friends used to be decent trainers and unofficial contests aren't banned so there will still be trainers coming here even if not as many as normal."
"Okay and?" Greg continued, only to receive a sly smirk and toss of Damian's blue hair in return.
"Duh, we lure them to dad's compound with the opportunity to battle trainers like us and if anyone wants to watch the battles then we'll ask for a fee-"
"No. We can't have people watching us, letting so many strangers in to battle us is already enough. We need to have surprises in store else we will be at a disadvantage," Greg cut Damian off.
The blue haired boy crossed his arms in annoyance. "Whatever."
Ursula hummed. "I guess that'll do. I'm more concerned about how to fight a freak like Ketchum though."
Shamus grit his teeth. "There is no way. He can practically know what you're going to do before you do it. I don't see how that isn't cheating."
"Who knows, maybe we'll figure something out. I wouldn't worry about it for now," Dingo spoke up, waving a hand lazily.
They all fell silent as their ship sailed closer to the island. They never noticed a figure dressed in dark clothing, watching them from the above railing.
zzz-LaRousse City Train Station-zzz
"Now entering LaRousse City. Now entering LaRousse City."
"This is a great plan. I don't know why the others didn't want to join us," Conway spoke, adjusting his glasses.
"They probably just wanted to visit their homes that's all. I'd imagine most of us would've split up if we weren't from the same place," Rafe answered.
"Yeah, you're actually the only one not from South City here," Sid chuckled.
Conway smirked. "I could've gone home, but passing up on the opportunity to train at the Battle Tower was too good to pass up. I know my family will understand. It's just my way after all."
"It is logical, given the situation." Rebecca added
"I know it's a perfect fit," Conway continued looking at Rebecca purposefully. The purple haired girl rolled her eyes and looked back at her computer.
Audrey and Kathryn giggled and Rafe smiled at his happy sisters.
zz
In Sootopolis city the flowers on the great tree in its center started to glow faintly.
zzz-Tohjo Falls-zzz
"Cremini town is just past that next hill and the Battle Tower is close to the lake on the south side," Anabel spoke, pointing before the other three girls with her. Out of their group, they were the only four native to the Kanto-Johto region.
"This is going to be so great. You have an awesome facility, don't you, Anabel?" Casey asked excitedly.
"Yep."
"I agree, Anabel has some very interesting facilities in her compound," Lucy agreed.
"Anything better than yours, Lucy?" Macy asked.
"Not particularly, but there is one thing she can tutor us in, plus I think the more natural surroundings here rather than in a larger city will be beneficial to our training."
"What can she train us in?" Casey questioned, stopping her excited jig in honest confusion.
"How to speak with your pokemon using empathy."
An excited gleam came to Macy and Casey's eyes.
"It won't be easy, but you could learn it if you have the patience and determination."
The girls continued walking and talking happily as they grew closer to Anabel's home.
zz
Deep in the basement of Bell Tower, Morty sat in silent meditation, never noticing a small sapling in the back, letting off a faint light.
zzz-Striation City-zzz
"I guess I should've guessed that they wouldn't be here. Chili sure has made good friends," Coronia sighed with a wistful smile on her face.
"Hopefully you'll get to battle. That will be a true moment between the two of you," Maeve spoke in response.
"Yes."
"So we need to find a place to train."
Coronia smiled and turned to look at her friend who had an Eevee on her shoulder. "Hmmm… I… I think we should head to Driftveil. They have a brilliant training facility."
"It could be crowded…"
"Yeah, let's try though and then find someplace else if that doesn't work out."
"Eevui!" Eevee cried out, making both girls laugh.
The turned to start off with Coronia giving one last look over her shoulder at the Striation gym. She smiled and then hurried off after Maeve.
zz
Victini sat in the center of the Eindoak castle watching as the crystals within pulsed every once in a while.
His ears dipped slightly. "Tini…"
zzz-Luminose City-zzz
"Ahhhh…" Xavier expressed, collapsing on the couch in the room. "What do you think, boys?"
"What do we think? Dude this is incredible!" Tyson exclaimed and trotted over to the large bay window which lead to a balcony. His Meowth followed him out.
"Got to say. This is a sweet crib, X," Jon added.
"Very neat," Virgil agreed as his Eevee jumped from his shoulder and landed on the couch's arm.
"What are our plans for training though? I thought you had a plan for that," Tobias spoke up quietly.
Xavier huffed. "Do you ever relax?"
"Yes. I just value training greatly."
"Yeah, X. I mean he actually got to Cynthia after winning his League. None of us got far enough to battle the Champion in our region. Someone who can do that probably trains a lot," Jon explained.
"Okay, yeesh. I didn't need a summary. We can check out Le Wow and Sushi High Roller."
"Wait you're a member at both?" Tyson asked, mouth watering slightly. "I love checking out food joints when I travel.
"Meowth!" Meowth agreed.
Xavier chuckled. "Then you have arrived in the right place."
zz
The Carbinx watched with their queen as the diamonds sparkled like living creatures above them. Not too far from Geosenge, a taller sapling unfurled some more leaves as well as its first flower.
zzz-Alamos Town-zzz
"Are you sure you've never seen this thing growing here before?" Kai asked, raising an unbelieving brow in Tonio's direction.
"No. I swear it's never been here before," Tonio answered studying the strange ethereal looking sapling in the corner of his study, closely.
"Hmm… Maybe it grew while we were traveling around with Ash and the others," Alice offered.
"I think it's just a weed," Alberto huffed.
Alice shared a glanced with Allegra. "Let me," Allegra suggested before giving the Baron a glare.
"Okay… fine… not a weed." Alberto sweated nervously.
"It doesn't look like anything I've ever seen…" Maury hummed, scratching his head.
Eventually the six left, following Tonio to the library in town to research the plant. They didn't get to see it start to glitter with a white light.
zzz-Michina Town-zzz
"Sheena, are you okay?" Kevin asked. Sheena paused from softly rubbing her now slightly distended abdomen.
"Oh yes. I'm fine…"
"It's just-" Kevin continued, knowing there was more.
Sheena sighed. "Something is going to happen. I don't know how to describe it, but it feels like the world has taken a great inhale and is holding it."
Kevin seemed perplexed. "That is odd. I hope that it's not true."
"Yes. Me too."
Kevin then guided his wife back towards the covered part of the temple. Below the large area that was a ledge and open to the outside air and gave one a view of all of Michina, a medium sized tree grew up halfway from the rocks below that helped support the ledge. It's flowers began to glow with a faint light.
zzz-Agate Village-zzz
A small shoot of a young tree grew out from the hole on the top of the Relic Stone. It pulsed and a chiming melody from a guardian of that forest echoed through the trees like a phantom…
The tree began to glow.
zzz-Fiore Temple-zzz
A fairly large tree leaned against the stone workings of the temple; using the blocks like steps, it had filled in areas with both bark and crystal. The flowers nestled in its branches started to shine.
zzz-Almia Castle-zzz
A frail sapling blew in the frigid cold. It pulsed weakly with light and looked quite sickly in the low temperatures. A Vaporeon cooed before trying to water the dying plant; a pair of Vulpix used Sunny day at the same time as many other pokemon watched quietly.
zzz-Oblivia Ruins-zzz
A large tree, with its massive roots dipping in and out of the pools of water, sat within the ruins. It's flowers began to slowly open.
zzz-Tilikule Island-zzz
Roots latched onto the rocky island and twisted into the depths of the ocean to search for a hold on the Earth, a tree with all its leaves and shinning flowers drifted in the ocean breeze.
zzz-Outside of Rota-zzz
"N? N? Helllllloooo, N?"
N blinked and glanced back at his traveling partner. Touko placed her hands on her hips and gave the boy an amused look. "Man you were totally zoned out there."
N blinked and then chuckled softly. "Sorry, Touko. I don't know what it was. Just a feeling I suppose…"
"Come on. Rota is this way. If you want to talk with people about Aura Guardians you aren't going to find a better place."
"Of course. I'm glad we're getting closer."
The two continued to walk until they stopped at the top of a hill. There they were awestruck by the view of Rota, but more so by the spectacular view of the Tree of Beginning, which seemed to gleam in the light from the sun.
zzz-Pallet Town-zzz
"Well now… this is going to be a predicament…" Oak mumbled as fourteen otter trainers filed into the main lab room, actually starting to put a dent in the wide space it provided.
"Four people can come with me to my house and maybe there's enough room for everyone else here?" Leaf asked more than stated.
Oak hummed. "Well, nine is still a large number... I know." He looked over at Delia. "Delia, do you know how many of your friends would be willing to house a trainer for the duration?"
Alain and some of the others blinked in shock at the idea.
"Well yes. I know Judy and her husband wouldn't mind it. They actually get a bit lonely. Masae might be willing to house maybe a couple of the quieter ones."
"Funny, since she can be such a loud mouth…" Tracey murmured under his breath.
"Well that's great. Maybe we can figure something out after all," Oak declared happily.
zz
"Hey mom, dad!" Leaf shouted happily. "I'm home and I brought some friends!"
Leaf's mother came into the front hall, her brown hair was pulled into a bun and she was a bit shorter than Delia as well as a bit older looking. Her bright grey eyes twinkled happily. "Oh wonderful! I was wondering if you'd be home soon since Ashton and his friends all made it back." She then noticed Jimmy, Marina, Vincent and Assunta. "Oh hello there, my name's Hazel, you can call me that or Mrs. Tsuri."
Jimmy and the others began introducing themselves and when Marina mentioned her name, Hazel went into a spiel about when she met Goldenridge and Crystal once when they were visiting Redrick.
When the others went up to claim rooms, Jimmy and Vincent both watched Marina and Assunta strut into the guest room with the queen and shut the door.
"Glad that was solved," Jimmy murmured.
Vincent huffed, put out, before Leaf walked up the stairs and pointed down the hall. "The bunks are in that room. My cousins used to use it."
Jimmy and Vincent walked towards their room only to deadpan at the sight of the tiny beds not fit for almost grown young men.
"For the record. I blame you," Vincent grumbled.
Jimmy only sighed.
zz
"And if it weren't for me, they would've never found those starter pokemon and the mayor's son wouldn't have gotten to go on his journey." Masae paused with a content sigh. "Yep. I'm kinda a local hero."
Alain shared a glance with both Astrid and Mairin.
"No need to be shy, kids. I may be amazin' but I want to be treated like the common man. I do understand if you're star struck though."
Alain felt his eye twitch, but he kept his passive face.
zz
"Welcome trainers!" Judy exclaimed excitedly.
"Thank you for this Judy, Jonathan," Delia expressed as Calem, Shauna, Trevor and Tierno walked in and greeted the elderly couple.
"It's no trouble at all dear. We're happy to have come company and goodness they're in the Master Challenge. You don't get a chance like this every day."
Jonathan chuckled and shifted the pipe in his mouth. "Now which one of you is going to be the next Master, hm? You know you'll have to get through the prides of Pallet first."
Tierno suddenly spun and did a quick spin and pose. "Don't you worry. We're more than ready to train and battle against Ash and the others, just you wait!"
zz
"Heh, I guess we made things a bit more complicated, huh?" Brendan asked with a smile towards the others lounging in the lab, eating some snacks Brock had made to hold everyone off until dinner.
"I say the more the merrier. Things will be even more busy around here," Ritchie replied with a kind smile, which Brendan and Samurai returned.
Ring ring ring. Ring ring ring. Phone call. Ring ring ring. Ring ring ring. Phone call.
Tracey picked up the phone, being the closest and everyone saw his face turn perplexed. "Um… okay." He held out the phone and looked up. "It's for you, Ash, from Rota."
zzz-Rota-zzz
"And why isn't the League calling me to report this again?" Riley asked, slight frustration coloring his voice. He wasn't mad at the caller, no, but merely frustrated that the League hadn't contacted him with this sooner.
"I'm really sorry Sir Riley. Honestly we just started getting reports of something off not long ago. A squad had reported that another legendary was missing, but the League wanted Bill and I to run it through the other field researchers. We've studied the photos they provided and assuming the intel is also true, then these are indeed pictures of another legend."
"Alright," Riley sighed, leaning against the large marble wall next to the older model phone within the royal's wing. "Mrs. Oak-Blaustein-"
"Daisy, please."
"Daisy, which legend is it? Did you figure that out?"
"Bill's certain it's Yvetal. Not many legendaries have such a dark rich red hue coupled with black like it does."
Riley felt his lungs seize. They managed to capture Yvetal? But then if my research is right… "Daisy?"
"Hm, yes?"
"Thank you. I need to make another call."
"Of course. Be careful Sir Knight."
"Much Obliged."
-Click-
Riley took a couple deep breaths, trying to calm himself before he took started to dial a number. "He'll know where Ash is."
zz
Everyone watched as Ash walked over and took the phone. The result was predictable, in that everyone started watching Ash's back, tension thick in the air.
"…" Ash listened before a dark looked came to his face and one of his fists clenched. "They're sure? Yeah… Yeah I guess Daisy and Bill are pretty good at that… Damn it. I'll get there as soon as I can. Right. Thanks, Riley."
-Click-
Ash looked over his shoulder and frowned at the others. "Team Rocket's captured Yvetal and Riley's really anxious about it, more than normal, says it's urgent that I go to Rota."
"Then we'll come with you," Misty spoke up, rising from her chair she'd been resting in.
Ash smiled and shook his head. "No. It's alright. It's just a meeting. I'll go to Rota and talk with Riley about what's happened and what we should do next. If it gets more serious I'll call you all. I was wanting to train some at the Tree anyways." Ash gave a half-smile. "I'll be back before you know it, so you all just keep training, alright? I don't want to beat you all too badly." Ash gave a cheeky grin at that.
"Yeah right Ash. I'm going to be the one to beat you!" Barry declared, leaping up in the process.
Misty frowned slightly. "Are you sure?"
Ash smiled and nodded before walking over to hold her hands. "Positive."
zz
Delia and the others watched as Ash mounted Charizard, Pikachu and Ellie climbing up to join him.
"I'll transport my other pokemon to the Tree when I get to Rota, Professor."
"Alright my boy. Travel safe!" Oak replied.
Charizard flapped his wings once, then a couple more times and before long, Ash was but a orange fleck in the sky.
zzz-Unknown Location-zzz
"Is everything running as planned?" Giovanni asked, walking towards through a automatic door. Matori kept up behind him as he neared a busy Xerosic.
"Yes sir. The bit of info was leaked and the agents are making their way with the equipment. Vane is heading out with them all in a couple hours."
"Good." Giovanni looked down as Xerosic turned and presented the man with a tube of liquid.
"This is by far my greatest creation. This is will make the Expansion Suit look like a joke! HA!"
"And you're sure it will work?"
"Positive, sir."
Giovanni nodded before turning and walking out again. Luckily his other leaders like Archer were checking in on all their other projects to make sure things were moving smoothly. He happened to pass by the cafeteria and noticed a certain trio segregating themselves from the others, even if Cassidy was bothering them with something trivial at the moment.
"James, Jessie, Meowth."
The cafeteria grew completely silent at his voice. The trio looked at each other before getting up and hurrying to follow the already moving boss and secretary.
"Yes, boss?" Jessie asked.
"There's something coming up that I think you'll want to be apart of. Consider it a gift from me to you. If everything goes perfectly, then you'll be regarded as Admins from this point on."
James, Jessie and Meowth glanced at each other in a mix of emotions, joy, disappointment, curiosity. Did they want to really leave Team Rocket, when they were finally getting something they'd dreamed of for so long?
"What exactly do you need us to do?" James asked, unable to hide the slight dread in his voice.
Giovanni either didn't notice or didn't care. "You'll find out later. Go to sub-level nine and find Vane and his forces. Jeremy and he will inform you about the mission at their leisure."
With that James, Jessie and Meowth wandered off.
zzz-Tree of Beginning-zzz
Mew sat in the middle of the tree staring up at the mosaic of crystals. She could sense danger coming and she couldn't be here to face it. Not now anyways. She would be needed later. That was what Arceus believed anyways.
She slowly closed her eyes as her body started to become see-through. Blue and green orbs of light floated from her body and entered the tree's crystals as she seemed to disappear. She and the tree were one again. Even if it would only be for a short time, the tree would finally return the favor of its guardian's protection after so many millennia.
A final "Mew~" echoed through the oddly quiet domain.
Well then. Not much really to say here. I'm sorry there's not a ton of action, but this chapter was needed to help set what happens next into motion.
Thanks to all of you that have stuck with me!
Answers to Questions:
doglover500: When Ash felt something bad was going on was it the mewtwo's?
NoSignal: Yeah, he felt Mewtwo's crystal get broken, but he didn't know that was what had happened.
Great: PS Team Rocket still doesnt know that Ash is Red's son. right?
NoSignal: No, Team Rocket still doesn't know Ash is Red's son.
NoSignal to Legolas Dragon Ranger: Sorry I couldn't get this out sooner. School is terrible right now, bleh.
QUEENSPELLER67: Wait, you're Christian?
NoSignal: Yes I am :)
takedigi: You will summarize the six months before the next round?
Will they come out fighting all the characters of the two groups?
NoSignal: There will be a time skip eventually. I'm not sure that can happen. Organizing a tournament is actually more difficult than it seems. I'm still planning how those battles will be organized.
Glad you enjoy the story!
Kouji-wolf: Didn't the second group stop by Kiloude before flying to Kanto? Which means they shouldn't have gotten to Vermillion at the same time as Ash's group. Did they just not stay very long in Kiloude and arrive in Vermillion while the first group was wandering the festival?
Is Leaf's group going to train in Pallet as well? Or will they train elsewhere and just visit once or twice?
NoSignal: Thank you for alerting me to that. I was able to fix some of those issues, even if they weren't perfect fixes. Tada, Leaf's group has arrived!
Guest: In this chapter, Zoey used a Houndour. Was that supposed to be Houndoom like on your list from chapter 1?
NoSignal: Thank you greatly for alerting me to that. It's so hard keeping track of these things. The Master Challenge has taught me a lot about planning and organization. I plan to streamline this info better whenever I write the Anime ReWrite. Thank again!
NoSignal to Symphony of Jacks: Yep, Kouji-wolf alerted me to that problem as well. I tried to fix it some. Happy that you're excited to see more :)
Draco Lightning: so does this mean Misty will have a togekiss soon?
NoSignal: Maybe maybe not ;) Glad you're enjoying the story!
Sparkydragon98: How about you have Gary and Zach battle each other in the tournament?
NoSignal: Unfortunately Zach isn't in the Master Challenge. He wasn't talented enough to be invited, lol. However! Zach will have a much bigger role in the Anime Rewrite. He will have a bigger more complex backstory with Ash, Leaf and Gary as well as a complicated relationship with them as the Anime goes on. I may have Zach appear again sometime in the Master Challenge, but he may not. :)
Thanks everyone for the support! I hope I'll be able to update more often that I think I will. So many things school's asking of me... Anyways, thanks again for everything!
If you ever need a list of all the pokemon the main characters have captured, check out the reference list at the beginning of the Arc.
Follow, Fav, Review, and most importantly, Enjoy! :D
NoSignal, out!
