Author's Note: I thought I'd give this story an update. I probably didn't go into detail on what everyone is wearing, but it's all gonna change. Except Ash because he's already in his Kalos attire. Ash might get a newer outfit later, but that's debatable. The dexholders that didn't appear in the last chapter (Crystal, Gold, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum, White, Whi-Two, Lack-Two, X and the supporting characters [Wally, Bianca, Cheren, Hyuu, Tierno, Sana, and Trova]) won't appear in this chapter, either. I'm fully aware that Sana, Trova and Hyuu are the respective Japanese names for Shauna, Trevor and Hugh, as well as there already being a Bianca and Cheren. In this case, please refer to the older Bianca (picture Bianca in Black 2/White 2 attire and a few years older) as "Bel" and the older Cheren as well, you'll see later, I promise; in fact, those characters who have a name I can change/adjust, I will and you'll see it as the story progresses. I thought I'd let you know who has what Pokémon on hand; genders, moves, abilities, levels and all that other good stuff will likely come later. Moves and abilities for sure, but I don't know about levels or anything else right now.
Ciara: Blastoise-, Raichu, Vaporeon, Lucario- (Luca; male), Pidgeot+, Cloyster
Trent: Charizard-, Flareon, Jolteon, Lucario- (Ari; female), Fearow, Arcanine
Ash: Pikachu, Riolu (egg), Froakie, Fletchinder, Hawlucha, *, *
Misty: Gyarados+, Starmie, Goldeen, Corsola, Psyduck, *
Forrest: Rhyperior, Steelix, Graveler (evolved from Brock's Geodude), *, *, *
Sacha: None yet
Noland: Venusaur-, Machamp, Manectric-, *, *, *
Gary: Blastoise+, Umbreon, Electivire, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Golem
Leaf: Venusaur+, Espeon, Noctowl, Miltank, Slowking, Granbull
Badge count (Sacha): 0
Badge count (Ash): 3
Chapter rating: T
(*) means an empty slot and they could catch/rotate Pokémon (which Ash and his siblings will do; the others will at later times)
(-) means that this Pokémon has the Mega Stone needed for Mega Evolution and their trainer has an accessory. Ciara and Trent were entrusted with several Key stones and they will have some knowledge on making accessories. Others will be sent to Gurkinn.
(+) means that this Pokémon can Mega Evolve, but doesn't have the stone.
Well, that's pretty much all I have to say. Oh wait, there's something you'll find out about Giovanni's relationship with his kids…
Chapter 2: Revelations in Johto, part one!
(Ciara's P.O.V. 10 am. Somewhere in Cherrygrove City)
I couldn't really sleep last night after getting that call from Meowth, so that's what I was trying to do now.
"Ciara," a voice says.
"Not now," I say, trying to sleep.
"Ciara, wake up, it's 10 am!" the voice says. I shoot up and see it's Noland!
"I couldn't get much sleep last night," I say, yawning.
"Why don't you get dressed and we'll go see Professor Elm?" Noland asks.
"What about breakfast?" I say, getting up. Trent and I like to cook.
"We'll eat out. Come on," he says. I get dressed into my new clothes. I put on the black pants, white T-shirt, navy blue sleeveless hoodie and my sandals. I zip the hoodie halfway and I grab my wristband and mega wristband. I comb my hair a little bit before tying it back into a ponytail. Misty comes back onto the plane.
"Wow, you surprised me there," Misty says.
"Well, I've got two brothers, what did you expect?" I say, giggling as I grab my bag.
We step out of the plane and I see Trent glaring at me.
"You look pretty good, little bro," I say. I admit it, he does. Red hat with a black Poké Ball design (the top part, kind of) on it, white T-shirt, red sleeveless jacket (with a white design on it), blue jeans, black tennis shoes and black, fingerless gloves with blue borders, one being his mega glove.
"Mom put a note to put on clean you-know-what every day in my bag," Trent says, grumbling. It's just Ash, Misty, Trent and I, so no one can really hear us.
"Mom does that to you, too?" Ash asks. It's then that I snicker.
"What's so funny, Ciara?" Misty asks.
"Mom didn't do that. I did!" I say. Trent sweat drops.
"How'd you sleep last night?" Trent asks Sacha.
"Okay, I guess. I don't know how I'm going to go on a journey, though," he says. I rustle his hair and notice it's reddish brown. Odd, the dye must've come out.
"I went ahead and talked to Professor Elm. He said that he'd have a backpack for you and you can pick your starter today," I say.
"That sounds great and all, but A, how are we gonna hide a plane and B, what about breakfast?" Forrest says.
Noland takes out a remote and presses the button.
"Invisibility. Nice. Let's go!" Ash says, running off, Trent in hot pursuit.
"Boy, you can tell they're in a rush," Sacha says.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu calls. I notice Ash's bag, belt, and an upset Pikachu.
Forrest picks up the bag and Ash's trainer belt.
"Do you wanna ride on my shoulder Pikachu?" I ask. Pikachu doesn't hesitate.
"Come on, we better catch up!" Misty says, picking up an Azurill. We run off after my brothers. As we're running, I feel something isn't right, but I shake it off.
"So Misty, where'd you get that Azurill?" Noland asks, breaking the silence.
"I got it from my friend Tracey and my sister, Violet. Hey, Ciara, how did you know Pikachu wouldn't mind riding your shoulder?" Misty asks.
"I've had my Raichu since she was an egg. She liked riding on my shoulder as a Pichu and when she evolved into Pikachu, it continued. I wouldn't mind knowing who her parents are, though," I say.
"What do you mean?" Sacha asks.
"I got the egg when I was traveling through Johto from my grandparents in Olivine City. If my memory serves, you were still the gym leader, weren't you, Noland?" I ask the Frontier Brain.
"Yeah. Ash managed to conquer the entire Frontier, but he turned the offer down. Like two other trainers I know," he teases.
"Noland, you know Trent doesn't like to stay in one place and that mom practically left me in charge," I say.
"Aren't you twins, though?" Forrest asks.
"Yeah, but Trent's not exactly responsible. He can be a little reckless, stubborn," I list.
"Sounds like Ash," Misty says.
"Are you sure you're related?" Forrest asks, stopping us in our tracks.
I pause at that and look down.
"We are related. Of the three of us, I'm the mature one. It's just that I act more like my mom," I begin. "You see, my mom is a really powerful," I continue, but am interrupted by my Pokégear ringing.
"Hello?" I say.
"Morning, sweetheart. Where are your brothers?" Mom says.
"They went off to go get breakfast," I say, as we resume walking.
"Oh, those boys are always in a hurry. They take so much after your father," she says.
"Uh huh," I manage to say. I cringe.
"That's why I called, honey. However, your brothers aren't with you and I prefer they hear the truth on who your father really is. Are you in Olivine City?" she asks. 'Wait, Giovanni isn't my father?'
"No, but we should be sometime today. I want to know if Grandma and Grandpa know the parents of my Raichu," I say.
"They would know something like that. Now, where do you keep badges?" she asks.
"There should be a desk drawer. Run your fingers on the bottom part of the desk and you should also find the key. Did you already lose, mom?" I ask.
"No, but I'd like to know just in case. I'll talk to you later, Ciara. Love you," she says.
"Yeah, I love you, too. Bye, mom," I say.
I end the call and we finally catch up with the guys.
Pikachu transfers to Ash's shoulder.
Trent holds the door open and we all walk in. As we eat, I pick around my food. Trent, Ash and Sacha stare at me in confusion.
"You not hungry sis?" Trent asks.
"I have some news. Ash, Trent, Giovanni isn't our father," I say. Ash almost chokes, but drinks some juice so he doesn't.
(Ash's P.O.V.)
"You mean he's not our dad? Then, who is?" I ask.
"I don't know. Mom said we'd find out in Olivine City," she says, finally eating.
"So, does that mean he's still related to me, though?" Sacha asks. Trent nods.
"No one has heard from Kotone, but I'm sure she's safe," Ciara says. Kotone?
"My aunt is missing?" a familiar voice says, entering the café. I turn and smile.
"Hey, Lyra, Khoury!" I say, waving. I motion for them to join.
"It's no sweat, I'll pay," Trent says.
"Hi Ash, Misty. Sachy, is that you?" she says.
"Maybe," he says.
"I don't believe we've met," Khoury says, pointing to my siblings, Forrest and Noland. Misty said she had some Johto challengers a few weeks ago. Guess she met Khoury and Lyra.
"The name's Noland and I'm the Factory Head in Kanto," Noland says.
"I'm Forrest Harrison. My older brother told me about you," Forrest says.
"You mean Brock?" Lyra asks. Forrest nods.
"As for us, I'm Ciara Ketchum," Ciara says.
"My name's Trent Ketchum," Trent says. They sit down.
"So, how long have you known about them Ash?" Khoury asks.
"I've known them my life. They weren't around much, but I think we're getting along already," I say.
"So where's your next stop, Sachy?" Lyra asks.
"New Bark Town," he says flatly.
"For what?" Khoury asks.
"He's getting his starter Pokémon," Noland answers.
"What? How? Why?" Lyra asks.
"Easy. Sacha's the son of a battling genius. All it takes is a phone call to the league president, a battle and wham!" Trent says.
Sacha smirks at Lyra.
"Don't forget, we're also going to Taylor's Day Care," Ciara says.
"Who's Taylor?" I ask.
(Trent's P.O.V.)
"Taylor isn't a person, per se," I begin.
"That's one of Johto's most famous breeding centers!" Khoury says.
"We know," Ciara says, giggling.
"How?" Ash asks.
"We know the owners," I say, winking with the hope Ash picks up that we're related to them.
"You know Craig and Lynn Taylor?" Khoury asks.
"Yeah. They're our grandparents on our mom's side. You see, 'Taylor' is our mom's maiden name and she changed it after the divorce," Ciara explains.
"Divorce? When did that happen?" Ash asks.
"When you were a baby," I say, paying the bill. We all exit the restaurant.
"We're sorry we weren't around when you were growing up, Ash, but we were busy with our au," I begin, but am elbowed in the ribs.
'Don't tell him yet. We aren't even full guardians. We were in training at the time. Besides, we just told him that one of Kanto's criminal masterminds isn't his father. I think we need to let him take that in first,' Ciara says through an aura message.
'Okay, okay. When are we gonna spill?' I ask.
'When we become full guardians,' she says.
"When you're visiting your folks, that's when I'll have to split. Have to check in on Thorton and Jasmine," Noland says, snapping our thought communication. Ash, having forgotten what I said looks intrigued.
"Who's Thorton?" he asks.
"Thorton is the other Factory Head and Noland's little brother. A tad bit of an inventor," Ciara says, reminiscing.
"Johto has a battle Frontier?" he asks.
"Settle down, Ash. Thorton's not accepting challenges without referrals. Anyway, so we'll head to Elm's lab, then I'll fly us to Olivine," Noland says. It's not too long of a walk and we're relatively silent the rest of the way.
We walk into the lab and it looks like a mess.
"Déjà vu, huh Ash?" Misty says.
"Yup. Where's the professor?" Ash says. Ash decides to go off and look for him.
"Care to elaborate?" Ciara asks Misty. Misty nods and tells us what happened when they came years ago.
"Guys, I found him!" Ash shouts. Noland and I go to the Professor.
(Sacha's P.O.V.)
"I hope no one's hurt," Forrest says. I look at the hole in the window and I notice one empty slot. I grab what I want and Trent, Ash and Noland come in. Professor Elm is holding the final ball.
"So you already picked your starter?" the professor says, a bit rattled.
"Good to see you again, Professor Elm," Lyra says.
"Ah, Lyra, Khoury. Ciara, I figured you'd be here, too. How are your Pokémon doing?" he asks.
"Feraligatr is doing great," Khoury and Ciara say simultaneously.
"You started with a Totodile?" Ciara asks.
"Yeah, why?" he asks.
"I just don't peg you owning a Totodile. No offense, but they are energetic and I'd know. Totodile would be a great addition for him," Ciara says, pointing her thumb at Ash.
"I already have a Totodile," Ash says.
"Professor, do you have any empty egg cases?" Trent asks.
I then notice the egg in Ash's arms. "Wasn't it in a case when Riley gave it to you?" Ciara asks.
"So, Sachy, who did you choose~?" Lyra sings. I smirk.
"Lyra, I challenge you to a battle. Your Meganium vs. my new starter," I say. We go to a small clearing where Trent positions himself as the ref.
"Meganium, battle time!" she says.
I enlarge the sphere.
(No P.O.V.)
A girl and a boy are standing, having watched them from the time the time they entered the café.
"Should we strike yet?" the boy says, prepping an arrow.
"No. We have to wait for orders," the girl says, armed with her own bow and arrow. The boy nods.
Cliffhanger! Surely you saw that coming from the title. So if Giovanni isn't Ash's father, who is? What else are Trent and Ciara hiding? Find out next chapter! Read, review, vote, follow and fave!