Chapter no.37: Rota: The City of Old
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[ A Few Centuries Ago ]
The Kingdom of Rota.
A once peaceful kingdom of the Kanto Region is now the latest battlefield in the massive war engulfing the lands of Kanto, Johto, and Orre. The Orrenians were a warlike group from across the seas to the east, made up of various small tribes of warriors. When the orrenians learned of the Kanto and Johto regions across the seas, they began a brutal invasion, decimating most of Kanto in their push inland. By the time they made it beyond Mt. Moon, the Johteans had finally mobilized a defense, moving north from Mt. Silver to engage the invading armies. Unfortunately, this put the peaceful Kingdom of Rota directly in the middle of the two rival armies. While Rota was far from defenseless, the bulk of the orrerian's hoard and the Indigo League armies outnumbered the small standing army Rota could field, even with their legendary Aura Guardians.
'Must find Sir Aaron...' was the singular thought running through the mind of one of those very same Aura Guardians as he ran through the foggy mountains near the Tree of Beginning, the massive rock formation that dominated Rota, desperately searching for the crystals that were indigenous to the area. He was much shorter than most people assumed of an Aura Guardian, barely four feet tall, covered in black and blue fur on his limbs with a cream-colored torso. Protruding from the back of his hands and his chest were silver spikes, and his head was decidedly jackal-like, with a pair of large ears, red eyes, and four small appendages hanging from the back of his head. His powerful legs carried him across the rough terrain as the sounds of impending battle echoed through the canyons and cliffs, occasionally leaping from rock to rock.
Turning back down the path he came from, he closed his eyes and began focusing, the appendages on his head beginning to rise slightly.
'Aura is with me,' he thought as his vision was replaced with a rather ghostly landscape, focusing his Aura to the west, moving through canyons and hills, eventually coming to overlook a massive valley filled with humans and Pokémon of every shape, from Charizard to Steelix, Aggron to Skarmory. The Johtean Army.
Grunting, he opened his eyes to scan his surroundings before focusing on the east with his Aura. On the far side of the mountain marched Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Onix, Tyranitar, Blastoise, and countless other types of Pokémon, along with their human allies. Seeing that both armies were nearly within fighting distance, he growled slightly as he returned to his body.
Just as he was about to continue his journey, he heard something on the wing flying towards him. Glancing up to scan the foggy skies, he spotted the silhouette of a massive red and white Flying-Type Pokémon flying over his head, above the cliffs towards the Tree of Beginning. Before he could even think about what it meant, however, a large hound-like Pokémon bounded down the same cliff at him, causing him to backflip away. The pale horns on his head stood out from his black body and red armor.
'Houndoom. Wonderful...' he thought as he turned tail and continued climbing the rough territory, sensing as the Houndoom gave chase along with a second and third at his back. Climbing to the top of the small mesa, he finally spotted what he was searching for, a small collection of blue crystals protruding from the ground. Skidding to a stop in front of them, he knelt and placed his paw on the surface of the crystal, causing it to begin lightly glowing blue.
"Hear me, Sir Aaron…"
...
Meanwhile, back at Cameran Palace, the Capital of Rota, its beautiful leader, Queen Rin stared out into the foggy forests between the Palace and the Tree of Beginning from one of the balconies. Her otherwise noble features were marred with worry and nervousness about the impending conflict in Rota. Long golden hair fell to nearly her knees, and her light blue and white dress complimented it perfectly. To her right, standing half a head taller than her was one of her oldest companions, Sir Aaron Arlon, head of the Aura Guardians of Rota. Dressed in his typical garb, a simple pair of dark grey pants and shirt, his long blue vest, dark blue cloak, and signature hat, he was a handsome figure, sporting his perpetually messy dark blue hair and sapphire eyes. To the outside world, the kingdom of Rota seemed defenseless with King Able leading the Rotan army to defend the city, Aaron was placed in charge of security for the palace.
Left with only a token force of guards and a few Aura Guardians, Aaron was just as worried as Rin was, staring out into the veil of fog and mist that held over the valley between Cameran Palace and the Tree of Beginning.
'Where is Lucario?' he thought to himself. He had sent his apprentice into the mountains to scout hours ago and was growing more worried by the moment. 'I taught him everything I could, so why hasn't he sent a word yet?'
As if on cue, he heard a light tone behind him, causing him to turn. Spotting the light glow from the crystal formation on the balcony, he hurried over towards it, staff in hand, causing his Queen to turn and watch as he did so. Kneeling and placing his hand upon the formation, he was able to sense Lucario, roughly halfway up the mountain.
"Sir Aaron, please…" he heard in his mind.
"What's the matter, Lucario?" he asked aloud in a worried tone.
"The two armies are about to clash, master, and our Kingdom is caught between them! Once the fighting starts, we will all be destroyed!'
Hearing this caused Rin to turn back towards the mountain, a look of despair taking hold. "When the armies reach this palace, our Kingdom will fall…"
Hearing growls behind him, Lucario flipped away from the crystal to see the three Houndoom leap onto the mesa, glaring at him with their dark red eyes. Darting forward between them, Lucario managed to barely dodge a Flamethrower attack from one before charging back towards the edge he came up from, leaping off.
Dodging another Flamethrower as he landed, he tried to climb the opposite cliff wall, hoping to gain some ground. Unfortunately, one of the Houndoom saw this and attacked the cliff he was clinging to with an Iron Tail attack, blasting part of the cliff apart with explosive force. Dust and debris were hurled into his eyes as a result, causing him to flip away and attempt to clean his eyes, to no avail. Hearing another growl, he leaped up, barely missing another Flamethrower that tore through the space he just inhabited.
Landing on his feet uneasily, he utilized his Aura abilities and saw all three Houndoom in front of him, cornering him into the box canyon, each growling and preparing a Flamethrower. Time seemed to slow as his ingrained instincts and training kicked in, leaping high into the air as the attacks hit. As he fell, he prepared attacks of his own, a pair of blue Aura spheres, one in each hand. He landed between two of the Dark and Fire types, unleashing one into each of their heads, before raising his arms above his head and forming a third sphere, firing it at the ground in front of the third one. As he sensed the final Houndoom fall, the appendages on the back of his head returned to their normal place of hanging.
"I will not flee the palace when the armies attack. My fate will be the same as the rest of my kingdom," she said simply, causing mild annoyance in her companion.
Aaron's mind raced, thinking of how he could convince Rin to leave. "But your highness, there will be no survivors…" Even as he said it, he hung his head, realizing it would be futile.
Sir Aaron had known Rin for the past twenty years, and he knew she would sooner die than abandon her people. She was very much like her father in that respect. Aaron had no desire to abandon his people either, but he realized that this war would likely be the end of Rota. He thought of the countless people he had protected in the Kingdom over the years.
He thought of his people. He thought of his family. His pregnant wife, his son Riley, and his coming child. 'The only thing that can save us now is a miracle… Wait, that's it!' he thought.
Glancing back to the sky for a moment, he scanned the fog. "Hmm." Raising his staff into the air, a cry from a giant tan bird, a Pidgeot, was heard as the massive bird swooped by the balcony. And Queen Rin watched in shock as her bodyguard lept off the balcony onto the bird's back and began heading away from the palace towards the Tree of Beginning. 'He can't be abandoning us...' she thought in disbelief.
As Pidgeot raced over the forests of Rota, Aaron's mind raced. 'My love, Riley. Please forgive me. What I go to do, I do for you...' Sparing a glance down to his right, he saw the majority of the Johtean army, armored in red, marching around the base of the mountain to their right, and the forest to their left. To his left, he saw another army, the Ores horde, barely making out their pale green armor in the fog.
But what alarmed him were the three Skarmory breaking off towards Pidgeot and himself. Aaron could simply hold on for dear life as the three tore by, Pidgeot expertly dodging them as he continued towards his goal, the Tree of Beginning. Unfortunately, this meant its attention was elsewhere, allowing one of the Ore Skarmory to fire off a powerful Flash Cannon attack at the Pokémon's back, nearly hurling Sir Aaron off its back in the process.
Pidgeot managed to regain control briefly, returning to his original course, but the Skarmory wasn't finished yet, not wishing to have any Rotans or Johteans retreat from their conquest. Coming in quickly with a strong Steel Wing attack, Pidgeot was struck hard and was sent plummeting toward the rough mountainside. It struggled to regain control as it rapidly approached the ground.
Aaron briefly wondered if his quest to save Rota would be cut short if Rota was destined to fall into this unwanted conflict. Pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, he focused on the mountainside, as Pidgeot managed to give a final burst of energy to stave off a direct crash.
Leaping off, the Aura Guardian decided he was close enough, hoping that the decreased weight would allow Pidgeot to land safely. Pidgeot, however, continued its unsteady course directly into a series of bushes nearby with a cry. Aaron stood and was about to continue on his way when he felt a familiar Aura approaching quickly.
Sprinting up the mountainside at breakneck speeds was his near-constant companion and apprentice, Lucario.
"Sir Aaron!" he heard in his mind, realizing Lucario was close enough to use Telepathy. "I knew you'd come!" he said as he reached the bottom of the mesa Aaron was standing on.
What bothered the human, however, was the fact that Lucario had yet to open his eyes since arriving, appearing to only be using his Aura to navigate. "Lucario, what happened to your eyes?" he asked the blue jackal.
"Don't worry about me, Master," was his only response. The final word though, master, had struck a nerve with Aaron, causing him to turn away.
"Don't call me that. I'm no longer your master. I have abandoned the Queen and the Kingdom. I'll never return…"
Lucario froze in disbelief, shock pinning him in place. "But… That's impossible…"
Aaron took off running, towards his original goal; The Tree of Beginning. Lucario finally managed to regain his motor skills and took off after his companion and master.
"Master, wait!" he called as he ran up the slopes after him.
Hearing Lucario following him, Aaron turned and hurled his staff into the ground, landing just in front of the Pokémon causing him to stop. Suddenly the staff began to glow bright blue and white. Clenching his teeth, Lucario stared up, eyes still closed at the other Aura Guardian.
"Sir Aaron!" he cried out. The staff continued to glow brighter as a blue beam shot into the Pokémon's chest, causing him to also turn the color and begins to fade from sight. He felt as if he was drawn into the fist-sized crystal at the top of the staff, his vision shifting as the fractal shape of the crystal began distorting it. He was pulled further away from the surface. "Why, master?! Why…?"
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Rin stared out from the ramparts of Cameran Palace towards the faint outline of the Tree, feeling as if her whole world were falling apart. On the wind, she heard a strange note begin to pick up, a low, mournful wail barely on the edge of hearing.
"That wail. It's coming from the Tree of Beginning… It's crying," she realized. The fog began to break, and in the massive valley between the Palace and the Tree of Beginning, she saw the two armies break upon each other.
'Why did he leave us?' she thought to herself. 'Did he truly abandon everything he's ever known due to fear?'
Hearing the cry of a Pidgeot, her heart leaped as she scanned the skies, hoping that Aaron had returned. As the massive Bird Pokémon landed upon the railing of the balcony, Rin's heart fell again as she noticed two things; The lack of Aaron upon Pidgeot's back, and his staff being held in Pidgeot's beak.
'He's had this for years...' she thought, glancing sadly at the short staff.
Roughly two-thirds her height, it consisted of a wooden shaft, a series of black steel rings, one circular that expanded from the shaft, and a large half-sphere that connected around the top of the first ring, similar to an equator. In the center of this was a large crystal from the Tree of Beginning, expertly cut into a twenty-six-sided rhombicuboctahedron. Completing the design was a pair of large, teardrop-shaped weights where the two rings connected, reminiscent of the appendages on Lucario's head.
She remembered when he built it, years back when he still dreamed of completing his Aura Guardian training. He was so excited when he showed her and Able the crystal that Delia had cut for him. Back when the four of them were all just friends. Back before he found Lucario, still a young Riolu.
Taking the staff from Pidgeot, he returned to the skies as quickly as he came, leaving Rin with the staff and her thoughts. She saw her reflection in the light blue crystal surface, and questions with no answers appeared. "Aaron…"
Just as she was about to give up hope and resign herself and her kingdom to its fate, she took one last look at the Tree of Beginning. And right before she accepted that all was lost, the Tree of Beginning lit up with a strange bluish-green light. As the Tree continued to glow, the crystal formations began spouting the same green light into the air in powerful shafts, burning away the fog. She looked around rapidly in wonderment as the crystals that the palace was built around began to glow and release shafts of light.
'Could this be what Aaron went to do?' she thought to herself. 'Maybe he didn't abandon us after all...'
As the light continued to grow, a massive green energy pulse worked its way from the Tree of Beginning, covering the valley in waves of green energy.
Below, the entire battlefield froze, looking up at the shining peak. Silence spread across the land, from the peak to Cameran Palace. Humans and Pokémon alike stood in awe as the morning fog melted away from the valley and forests.
'He did it,' she thought to herself as she felt her eyes grow misty. 'He did it. He saved us.'
As tears began to fall, she realized that Sir Aaron had gone to the Tree of Beginning to ask Mew to help her kingdom and people. She looked down on the field and saw that the battle was over, with people and Pokémon alike laying down their arms. And she silently hoped that he had managed to survive to see the miracle he'd brought his country.
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[ Present Day ]
[Vermilion City - Pokémon Center]
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across Vermilion City as the last vestiges of daylight retreated. Misty, her fiery red hair reflecting the waning light, approached the door of Yellow's room with a furrowed brow. Her cerulean eyes were filled with worry, and she knocked hesitantly on the door. The sound echoed in the quiet hallway, accompanied only by the gentle hum of the Pokémon Center's machinery.
"Yellow, please come out," she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion.
"I am fine, Misty," came the faint whisper from behind the door, causing Misty to exhale a heavy sigh.
"If you say so."
Inside the dimly lit room, Yellow sat with her back against the door, the bed sheets haphazardly draped over her petite frame. Her normally bright and curious eyes were now red-rimmed and clouded with sadness. Dish, her ever-present Oddish, hovered near her, its leaves rustling softly with concern.
"Odd!" Dish whispered, trying to lift Yellow's spirits. Yellow offered a weak smile in response, but it quickly vanished as the memory of Austin's harsh words washed over her. The room seemed to shrink around her, the weight of her emotions threatening to suffocate her.
Suddenly, Yellow's eyes widened as she sensed a familiar presence nearby, the suddenness of which caused Dish to topple to the ground with a soft thud. She stood and turned toward the window, her heart pounding in her chest as she took a deep breath, trying to make sense of the powerful energy that permeated the air in Vermilion City.
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Misty paced anxiously outside Yellow's room, her hands wringing together as she tried to decide her next move. It had been eight long hours since she had last spoken with her friend, and her concern had only grown. Determined to be there for Yellow, Misty clutched a tray of food and steeled herself for another attempt at conversation. She raised her hand and knocked once more, the sound reverberating through the hallway with an urgency that couldn't be ignored.
(Knock)
(Knock)
"What's wrong, Misty?" Brock asked, rubbing his neck where his Zubat had latched on with Leech Life after his failed attempt to flirt with Nurse Joy. His eyes, framed by his spiky brown hair, held a mix of concern and curiosity.
"Brock, Yellow isn't opening the door," Misty replied, her voice shaking. "I'm really worried about her."
"Maybe she's asleep," Brock offered, though he knew it was unlikely given Yellow's light sleeping habits.
"No, Brock, you know she's a light sleeper," Misty insisted, her eyes filling with tears.
Brock could hear the concern in Misty's voice, and made a decision. "I'll go get Nurse Joy. She must have a spare key."
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With a soft creak, the door to Yellow's room swung open, revealing an empty space that seemed to amplify Misty and Brock's growing worry. Nurse Joy, her pink hair framing a face that was both annoyed and concerned, joined them as they surveyed the scene.
(Whoosh)
A chilly night breeze blew through the open window, causing Misty to shiver. Her eyes were drawn to a Doduo feather resting on the windowsill, and her heart sank.
'Oh no,' she thought, reaching out to touch the feather with trembling fingers.
Brock, meanwhile, noticed a small note left behind on the bedside table. He picked it up and read it quickly, his brow furrowing with concern. Misty, unable to shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong, looked out the window, scanning the Pokémon Center grounds below.
Gazing down, she spotted Logan, the Pokémon Center's gardener, working diligently in the greenhouse. The glass structure was alive with vibrant, colorful plants that seemed to reach for the moonlight, providing a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that enveloped Misty.
"Hey!" Misty called out, her voice filled with urgency. "Did you see a little blonde girl with a Doduo jump out of this window?!"
Logan looked up, his brow creased in concentration as he tried to recall. After a moment, he nodded in affirmation, causing Misty's heart to race even faster.
"Did you see where she went?" Misty asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Logan turned and pointed south, his simple gesture sending a chill down Misty's spine. She knew that the only destination in that direction was the Vermilion Airport.
"Brock, I think I know where Yellow went," she said, her voice thick with fear. Brock handed her the note he had found, and as she read it, her eyes widened.
"I think I know why she left," Brock added, his voice grave.
Misty's hands trembled as she read the note. It read:
[ I know you guys are not going to like this, but I'm going to find Ash and drag him back here until he explains why he said all those things. ]
Misty's grip on the note tightened, and she turned to Brock, who wore an equally serious expression.
"When was the last time you spoke to Yellow?" he asked, his voice barely audible.
"Eight hours ago," Misty replied, her voice catching in her throat. The gravity of the situation began to sink in as they realized the magnitude of Yellow's decision.
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[ Austin's POV ]
[ Kanto Region - Vermilion Airport ]
" You can get out now, I have other places to be," The cab driver spoke quickly and had an annoyed tone in his voice.
I got out of the cab, and my foot was almost run over by the taxi driver speeding away. "Asshole," I muttered under my breath, and I proceeded to walk into Vermilion International Airport. I completely avoided going through baggage checking. I already had my ticket and was only carrying carry-on baggage.
I went straight to TSA and had my backpack checked for any suspicious materials which had a sleeping Pikachu inside it.
I had no problems getting through security, as I never packed anything that would put others in harm's well if you don't count the pokemon I have.
I headed to Gate 14, Terminal B of DIA.
While sitting down in my empty seat I felt Pikachu wake up.
I checked over my boarding pass. It had my name in bolded letters and my flight number on it.
To think there would be a day when I would pay for my flight.
I thought I had Business Class seats, as I didn't want to waste money to pay for first class. I smiled as I stared at the picture of Rota on the bottom right side of the ticket.
Soon enough, the intercom lit up for the passengers to board the plane. "Business Class Passengers, Military personnel, and children under the age of four years old are now welcome to board the plane."
That was my cue, I stood up from my seat and headed to the desk where the flight attendants would take my ticket, and allow me to board the plane.
"Sir, do you plan to board the plane today? Or are you planning on holding up the line?" an impatient voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I looked at the flight attendant to who I was about to hand my ticket and shook my head, "I'm sorry, I have a lot on my mind right now. Here's my ticket."
"As we all do, sir, but none of us plan on holding up the line as you did," the flight attendant rolled her eyes. "have a nice flight."
I must have chosen the wrong day to fly out to Rota, everyone is acting as if the world hates them.
I walked down the long hallway and boarded Flight 218 to the Kingdom of Rota. I sat down in a seat next to a window and began to review what I was about to do. I'm sure that I want to do this, even if I have no choice. This is for the greater good and even if it's not, I will still benefit greatly from this trip.
I sat down in 18-F, I had the window seat so I wouldn't be disturbed by anyone, or so I thought. A woman and her kid walked down right next to me. The kid held an intense stare with me before turning to his mother.
"Mommy, I want the window seat!"
Hearing the voice, Austin turns to see a child intensely staring at him.
The mother gave me an apologetic look, then looked down at her child. "I'm sorry, Johnny, you don't always get what you want."
The child started to cry because he didn't get his way. He had a gut feeling that the child would continue this behavior if he didn't give his window seat to him.
"Let the kid have the window seat, I'm fine being in the aisle seat."
" Pika, pi."
" Come on, Pikachu won't be so stubborn to let the kid have the seat."
" Pika, pi."
" I'll buy you ketchup and ice cream when we land."
That seemed to convince Pikachu who nodded as I got up out of my seat and shimmied past the child and his mother
Just like that, the kid stopped crying and smiled victoriously. He moved to the window seat, and his mother moved to the middle.
" Thank you… I don't know what your name is, but thank you," she had said.
In the heat of the moment, he had unthinkingly replied, "It's Ash Ketchum, and it's no problem." He instantly regretted his words. It wasn't that he hadn't been called Ash before; in fact, it was something he'd grown quite accustomed to. But there was a sense of unease within him that he couldn't quite pinpoint.
"Are you going for the Guardian of Aura tournament?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
He hesitated before asking, "Is it still being conducted?"
She shook her head. "No, I just curiously asked since the tournament had ended a few months before."
Austin's brow furrowed, and he inquired further, "When will the tournament be again?"
"I think it is conducted annually," she replied.
"Oh," he said, his mind already racing ahead. 'Looks like I am going with plan B,' he thought, smiling to himself as Pikachu shifted his position to get more comfortable while he read the magazine in his hands.
A sudden weight in his pocket caught Austin's attention, and he pulled out the life orb he'd acquired. Haunter had given it to him, along with a toothpaste-filled dumpling that he had puked out. 'I should give this to Scizor,' Austin thought, examining the orb he'd taken from Buried Alive.
"Sir, is this your seat?" An air hostess asked Austin, interrupting his thoughts. He explained his situation to her, and she nodded in understanding. "Sir, we have a patient on board with diabetes insipidus, and he requested to be moved closer to the bathroom. If you don't have a problem, would you please change your seats with him?"
Austin glanced at Pikachu, who seemed unfazed by the request. Nodding his assent, he and the middle-aged man quickly changed seats. The hostess kindly escorted Austin to his new seat.
As he settled into his new spot, Austin suddenly froze, his eyes widening in shock. The person sitting next to his new seat was someone he'd never have expected to encounter. A mixture of disbelief and dread washed over him as he muttered under his breath, "Well, fuck!"
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Left jab, block high, right uppercut, block mid, snap kick right, dodge back.'
Inside the training fields of Cameran Palace, two combatants fought against each other using only their bare hands and feet, Aura, and instinct. The taller of the two had messy dark blue hair in a similar style to his younger brother, a solid build, and wore a uniform very reminiscent of his father, minus the boots, gloves, and hat at the moment.
Riley, Aura Guardian, and Knight of Rota. And while he was taller and had a good thirty pounds on his sparring partner, no one else in Rota had any intention of going toe to paw with his sparring partner.
His opponent was shorter than him by a good two heads, but what he lacked in height, he made up for it in speed and strength. Blue fur covered most of his arms, thighs, and tail, while shorter black fur covered his lower legs and front paws. Longer, creme-colored fur protected his torso. The spikes protruding from the back of his front paws and his chest, along with his red eyes and jackal-like head added to his intimidating nature.
Not many people would willingly spar with a Pokémon, let alone a Fighting/Steel Type, but Lucario and Riley had been doing so for years, ever since Riley began his training to become a knight of Rota as his talents for Aura were discovered by the council.
He was about to continue when he heard clapping, turning his attention to the young blonde woman in a pink dress walking across the training field. "An excellent showing as always, Riley, Lucario."
With a pleasant smile, Princess Ilene came to stand in front of the duo. "I apologize for watching your training. My mother asked me to find you, and… Well, whenever I see you two sparring, it's just such a beautifully choreographed show. Like a dance, so I, uh… didn't want to interrupt," she finished, turning slightly pink, smiling sheepishly.
Lucario smirked and Riley chuckled lightly. "Except for dancing, if you miss a step someone steps on your toe. In sparring, if you miss a step you get a broken nose. So, what does Queen Rin require of us?"
Having grown up alongside the Princess, he was one of the few people who could easily speak to her as an equal. Most other people in the Kingdom just knew of the regal Princess Ilene and her Aura Guardian Sir Riley. Very few ever saw them arguing about toys, or who won their latest bet growing up, or laughing over what one of their friends did. They both lost their fathers during the War of Cypher, and growing up together meant that titles weren't considered much, being their mothers had been such good friends for years.
Still smiling, although her face had returned to its normal color, Ilene continued.
"She'd like to speak with you both later today. Representatives from the Region of Sinnoh arrived earlier, so I can only assume it has something to do with them."
Riley and Lucario both nodded. "Alright, we'll be up to the Throne room after I grab a bath. Can't exactly greet dignitaries when I smell like a Grimer, can I?" Riley asked with a smirk, inciting a light giggle from Ilene and an eye roll and smirk from Lucario.
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In the Sinnoh Region, nestled within a lush, verdant landscape, stood HIRD – the Hisuian Institute of Research and Development. The impressive institution was renowned across the globe for its cutting-edge advancements and esteemed scholars. Towering above its surroundings, the modern building's sleek design and expansive glass windows spoke to the innovative spirit that defined it.
After her triumphant victories against the Elite Four and Ace Trainers, Champion Cynthia had finally carved out enough free time to return to her studies in pursuit of a PhD. From a young age, her passion for research had been unparalleled, and her grandmother had taken it upon herself to homeschool the inquisitive girl. On the battlefield, she was the formidable Champion Cynthia, but here, within the hallowed halls of HIRD, she was a diligent student with an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
To maintain her focus and evade unwanted attention, Cynthia relied on a precious cloaking stone that granted her the anonymity she desired. The smooth, iridescent stone shimmered in her hand, its magic enveloping her like a protective veil.
"I'd like to draw your attention to this cave painting," the professor announced, his voice echoing throughout the lecture hall. The room, filled with rows of blackboard at the front, was dimly lit as the projector hummed to life.
Cynthia looked up from her notebook, her eyes widening in surprise as she recognized the image on the projector screen. It was a painting from the ancient ruins behind her childhood home, a place she had explored countless times with her grandmother. The depiction consisted of three elongated lights, each suggesting the shape of a mysterious creature, arranged in a triangle around a larger, central light.
The memories of her younger days, spent poring over these enigmatic images, flooded her mind. The air within the lecture hall seemed to grow heavier with the weight of history and the countless secrets still waiting to be uncovered.
The professor continued his lecture, delving into the possible meanings behind the ancient artwork and the civilizations that had created them. As Cynthia listened intently, she couldn't help but feel a deep connection to the past, a yearning to unlock the mysteries that lay hidden within the enigmatic cave paintings.
With her pen dancing across the pages of her notebook, Champion Cynthia was no longer just a formidable presence on the battlefield; she was now also an eager scholar, ready to embark on a new journey of discovery and enlightenment.
"You may have seen this before – the original is in Celestic Town, but it's a fairly popular piece to reproduce for museums," the professor went on. His mouth quirked a very slight smirk before he asked, "Can anyone tell me what it represents?"
Cynthia's hand shot up immediately. She faithfully recounted her grandmother's explanation: "The three lights represent the Trinity."
The professor's smirk grew to a full grin. "Yes, that's the popular interpretation. The three lights represent Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf, the lake spirits commonly worshipped today." He waved an arm languidly. "If you look this picture up on the internet or visit Celestic Town yourself, that's what it'll say: 'Early depiction of the Trinity. So!" The class jumped at the professor's sudden rise in volume. He leaned back against the wall and looked up at the projector screen with exaggerated curiosity. "Can someone tell me…" He gestured to the points of the triangle and looked back at the class with a wry smirk. "…where's Azelf in this picture?"
The room went silent for a full second. One student half-raised her hand, hesitantly, but the professor ignored her to bellow, "You can't tell! They're all just blobs, right? So, how do we know this is depicting the Trinity? Well actually… we don't!" His expression suddenly turned serious, and he stamped his hands on his desk for emphasis. "This is the most important thing you're going to learn in this class," the professor intoned. "If you take away nothing else, remember this: interpretation is shaped by pre-existing beliefs. The lake trinity is what we're familiar with, so we interpret everything through that lens. We see three blobby things in a painting from a thousand years ago and assume that of course, they must be the three things we care about now. But we have nothing to back that up!"
The professor clicked ahead a slide. "The number three comes up a lot in mythology. Nearly every region has a 'mythic trinity' of some kind. A Kantonian would look at this and say, clearly this is our trinity, Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos! A Johtonan would say, are you crazy? That's Entei, Suicune, and Raikou – different!" A few students laughed, and the professor joined them. "Yes, you see now how silly it is to make assumptions? Kanto and Johto are still arguing to this day over their respective trinities that are different forms of the same creatures, no better demonstrated than with Suicune and Articuno – clearly summer and winter forms of the same pokemon. But –" The professor raised a finger and smiled condescendingly. "Do you think that might have something to do with the fact Kanto and Johto have almost no pokemon that take multiple forms?" After a moment, he continued, "Something blindingly obvious can be misinterpreted or missed entirely because a particular culture insists on viewing it through an inaccurate lens. No one in Kanto and Johto today disputes the fact that pokemon are capable of different forms, but they don't reconsider assumptions inherited from a time when no one knew that."
He clicked to the next slide, which contained a smaller crop of the painting and a large number of 3. "Why don't we put the question to you, now? Can you think of other 'threes'?"
' I wonder what Austin is doing right now. Last time he told me he was going to Rota to meet a friend. '
Cynthia thought before smiling as her attention was brought back to the professor.
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The sun blazed brightly overhead in the kingdom of Rota as the airplane's wheels kissed the tarmac, signaling the end of its journey. The hustle and bustle of the airport was palpable, with travelers from all corners of the world arriving and departing.
Austin, clad in a striking yellow overcoat, strode confidently through the airport, his black turtleneck providing a stark contrast to the vibrant garment. Pikachu, sensing his trainer's movement, clung to Austin's neck for stability. With a gleeful leap, Pikachu jumped onto a suitcase, using it as a makeshift chariot, all the while keeping a watchful eye on Austin.
Meanwhile, Yellow trailed closely behind, her eyes locked intently on the back of Austin's head. As the trio made their way through the crowded terminal, people couldn't help but stare at the peculiar sight before them. Austin's hair, which had grown noticeably longer, fluttered behind him, and the cigarette dangling from his lips seemed out of place for someone so young.
"Sir, you shouldn't smoke," one of the airport staff members interjected, a disapproving frown etched on her face.
Austin raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh, is this a non-smoking area?"
The staff member hesitated, clearly caught off-guard. "…No."
"Then there is no problem," Austin replied nonchalantly, leaving the flabbergasted employee in his wake.
"Ash, that's rude, and Uncle Wilton says smoking is bad for you," Yellow chided, her voice laced with concern. However, Austin chose to ignore her, focusing instead on navigating the labyrinthine airport and the adventure that awaited them beyond its doors.
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The Tree of Beginning was Rota's most important and enigmatic artifact. Many of the kingdom's inhabitants believed it to be a typical, albeit extremely tall, tree. However, there were those who knew better. This was no ordinary tree. In fact, it was made entirely of crystals, each one shimmering and gleaming as they absorbed sunlight. The purpose of the Tree of Beginning remained a mystery, its origins shrouded in the mists of time.
Austin entered the inn room, relieved that it didn't have the constant surveillance that a Pokémon Center might. The room wasn't particularly extravagant, but its décor gave off a distinct medieval European vibe, reminiscent of scenes from old movies. The wooden beams above and the rustic furniture added a sense of history to the space.
"Pika, pi," Pikachu chimed in, drawing Austin's attention.
"Yeah, yeah, I remember," Austin replied, rolling his eyes. "Let's go get your disgusting dish."
"Pika!" Pikachu protested, a hint of indignation in his voice.
Just outside Austin's room, a small, yellow Pichu watched him with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. As Pichu leaped down, it transformed into a Pidgey mid-air and took flight. 'What is Arceus's chosen doing here?' it pondered while glancing back. 'Hmm, looks like he's not awakened yet, but who dared to destroy the aura paths of the chosen one?'
Within the room, Pikachu felt an odd sensation, as though they were being observed. He glanced out the window, but saw nothing unusual. "Come on, buddy," Austin said, trying to distract him. "Let's try out the local cuisines."
"Pika, pi," Pikachu agreed hesitantly, still not quite able to shake off the strange feeling.
Just then, a knock echoed through the room. Austin furrowed his brow and approached the door, cautiously pulling it open. On the other side stood Yellow, fidgeting and clutching her staff hat nervously.
"Ash, can I stay with you?" she asked, her eyes pleading. "I spent all my money to get that ticket and I left my wallet in Vermilion. I don't want to call Misty and Brock."
Austin let out a heavy sigh, pausing for a moment before stepping aside to let her in. The door creaked in protest as he closed it behind her, leaving the trio together in the dimly lit room, unaware of the mysterious forces watching them from afar.
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[ Kingdom of Rota - Le Polidor ]
Le Polidor, a renowned restaurant in the Kingdom of Rota, boasted a rich history spanning over 200 years. Founded by the famous Chef Gordon of Galar, the elegant establishment was a testament to the art of fine dining.
The restaurant's interior was a magnificent blend of old-world charm and modern elegance. Intricate wood carvings adorned the walls, while opulent chandeliers cast a warm, inviting glow upon the patrons. The tables, draped in pristine white linens, were set with gleaming silverware and sparkling crystal glassware.
Austin perused the pamphlet in front of him, while a few curious onlookers cast surreptitious glances in his direction. Pikachu and the rest of the party relished their meals, seemingly unperturbed by the attention. Yellow, however, couldn't help but steal furtive glances at Austin, her cheeks flushed with excitement. The experience felt like a scene straight out of a romantic movie, and her admiration for Austin had only grown stronger.
At a nearby table, a waiter whispered to her colleague, "Shouldn't that young trainer have a limit of six Pokémon with him?"
"Yeah, but I heard from Stephen that they have someone high-ranking from the Pokémon League with them."
"Oh, that explains why Stephen was so frightened. But how can someone so young be a high-ranking member?"
"Maybe he's just naturally dwarf."
"Yeah, that explains it. For a second, I thought that a ten-year-old was smoking in front of me. Then, is the girl with him his daughter or something?"
"Maybe, but shouldn't we say something to him?"
"Nah, didn't you hear what Stephen said? We shouldn't bother him."
"Must be some high-class trainer if Stephen is so willing to kiss his ass."
Meanwhile, Austin was engrossed in a book on the Tree of Life, oblivious to the stares and whispers. His Pokémon, although initially taken aback by the attention, chose to follow their trainer's example and ignore the onlookers. Lost in her daydreams, Yellow remained equally unaware.
Austin read, 'The Tree of Life is the most sacred place to the people of Rota. Normal people aren't allowed to get close to this holy site unless the Queen herself allows it. Legend says the chosen Ashura of the Sacred Flames of God will come to unite the Tree of Life and unite the world.'
As he read, his mind flashed back to the legend spoken about in the second Pokémon movie. Just then, a waiter arrived with a plate carrying two succulent steak medallions, drizzled with scallion sauce, and accompanied by a medley of roasted vegetables.
Austin's and Yellow's mouths watered at the sight of the dish, momentarily distracting them from everything else.
"Anything else, Sir?" the waiter inquired politely.
"No, thank you," Austin and Yellow replied in unison, their voices brimming with anticipation for the exquisite meal before them.