Forgive me for my long intermission. College is killing me, almost literally, and I needed to see if this story was worth it, while still giving attention to my other works. But, son of Arceus himself, dang! 50 followers in a single chapter?! Now, I don't pretend to be the expert of all things Fanfiction, but when that happens, I'd say it's a pretty popular concept for a story!
So, are you guys ready? I can't make any promises, but I sure do hope that I live up to your expectations!
- Chapter 2: It's a Whole New Place, with a Brand New Attitude -
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail! Grovyle, use Leaf Blade!"
The two Pokemon sprang at each other, each attack flashing through the air as they connected furiously. Pikachu pushed down, forcing Grovyle's Leaf Blade low before swinging across and knocking Grovyle across the ground.
Ash let out a breath. "Great job, you two" he said. "Pikachu, you're getting better with your tail every day, and Grovyle, your Leaf Blade is at least twice as powerful as it was when you first learned it."
The two Pokemon looked up at Ash with thankful expressions for his praise as Ash rummaged through his pockets, pulling out a ball. "Alright, Grovyle, get some rest" he said, recalling the Pokemon.
The gang of friends had set up camp as the sun began to cross towards the far border of the skyline, and Ash had taken the opportunity to get some training done. Pikachu and Grovyle had been going at it for almost half an hour by the time Ash called things done. Stowing Grovyle's ball back in his pocket, Pikachu ran forward, placing himself near his trainer. "Chaaaa..." Pikachu said, happy with the results of their session, but very worn out.
Ash smiled, and leaned down, letting Pikachu run up his arm and onto his shoulder. "Pikachu, with you and everyone by my side, no matter what kind of challenge awaits us at the Battle Factory, I know we can do this."
Pikachu nodded energetically and nuzzled Ash's cheek, bringing a smile to the face of the trainer. "Come on, buddy, let's head back to camp."
Turning on the spot, Ash looked for the path he had come down, and began walking down it, through the trees. The sky had begun to take a tint of orange as night approached, it would be dark within a few hours. Even so, the summer heat was intense, and Ash was ready to quit training for the night.
Ash let his mind wander as he walked, something he found himself doing more and more lately. Every time something didn't require his attention, his mind roamed free. It must have been part of his grieving process or something, he didn't know. He had accepted Lucario being gone, but it didn't make all the sorrow just leave. He had found his way back into the group and his routine, but at times, he felt like he wasn't truly back. His heart wasn't all in it.
Something right then, however, reigned his brain back in. A sort of dull buzzing sounded above his head, and Ash nearly froze when he saw several Beedrill looking down at him from their nests cautiously. Gulping audibly, he hung his head low and tried to walk as normally as possible. They weren't after him yet, just on guard.
He managed to get out of the hot zone unscathed, which he was grateful for. Beedrill were normally quite ferocious, but perhaps the muggy day was dulling their instincts for now. Beedrill and Ursaring were the two species of Pokemon that always seemed to get him into the most trouble, no matter where he went. Even in Hoenn, where you had to look high and low for a single Weedle, Beedrill swarms still found them from time to time.
"We're special that way..." Ash chuckled.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"Huh? Oh, sorry Pikachu, just thinking out loud" Ash apologized.
Even with the dangers of Beedrill, he still greatly appreciated the Pokemon-filled nature. He couldn't imagine life without them. From the Ledyba flitting from bush to bush, gathering berries, to the scrap of blue Shed Skin which looked almost as if there was a Dratini somewhere, all the way to the Pidgey roosting comfortable above him. Seeing the Pidgey, reminded him of Pidgeot, a friend he had promised to return for someday...
Ash hadn't thought about Pidgeot in a long time. She had been one of his first partners ever besides Pikachu. He made the promise to come back for her long ago, once the flock she was protecting was fine to be on its own. He had forgotten twice now, to check up on her. Disembarking on his journey to Johto involved close proximity to Viridian Forest, and just recently they had passed on through, and the thought hadn't even crossed his mind.
Ash hoped that his friends didn't mind doing some backtracking. They were close to the Battle Factory, less than two days away, but after that, they still weren't too far off from Pewter City, with Viridian Forest just beyond it. And at this point, Ash knew that he couldn't afford to lose any more friends. They were precious beyond the value of any Badge, any Symbol, any trophy.
The smell of Brock's cooking wafted through the air, floating through the air and making the stomachs of the two rumble in anticipation. All the motivation they needed, Ash poured on the speed as he sprinted back to the campgrounds.
A few moments later, he jumped back into the clearing where his friends were. "Hey guys, we're back!" he announced.
The three of them looked up in surprise, not expecting him to be done training until much later, but happy nonetheless. "Hey there, Ash!" May called.
Brock looked up from the camp stove he was using. "Done so quickly?" he asked.
Ash shrugged. "I felt like we were done for the day" he said.
Pikachu jumped down from his shoulder, running across the campsite to where are the other Pokemon were relaxing, leaving Ash with the others. "You must be feeling pretty confident" Brock commented. "You ready for your first Battle Frontier challenge?"
Ash nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I know that we can't lose, no matter what's there" he said.
"I wish I could have the same confidence about my contests" May said wistfully. "No matter how much I manage to prepare, it never gets any easier."
"You know, May, that's not actually a bad thing" Brock pointed out.
"Yeah" Ash nodded. "If you're worried, it motivates you to still get better, and then you get even more experience. Trust me, sometimes I wish I was still as concerned about my battles."
May gave a small smile. "Yeah, I guess you're right" she said. "Thanks, Ash."
Ash took a deep breath. "No problem, May" he said. Things had been a little awkward ever since he blew up on her that night, over Lucario and his survivor's guilt, but he was glad that they seemed to be returning to their old dynamic. He still needed to apologize… But for some reason, it didn't feel like the right time to, which just made himself feel even more awkward.
Brock tasted the soup he was making, and nodded. "Hey, looks like dinner's ready" he announced, immediately getting the attention of the two. "Where'd Max run off to?"
"He went over to play with the Pokemon" May said. "I'll be right back, let me go grab him."
Running across the clearing over to the congregation of Pokemon, May went to look for her little brother, and Brock waved Ash over. Joining him in gathering up bowls for their meal, Ash proceeded to help him set up for everyone.
As they were placing down the silverware, Brock glanced over at Ash. "Hey, Ash, now that we've got a second alone…"
Ash looked up, eyebrows raised in confusion. "What is it, Brock?"
Brock stood up a little straighter. "How are you feeling?" he asked. And judging by his tone, Ash knew he wasn't just asking about how much sleep he got.
Ash sighed. "I'm doing fine, Brock" he responded. He directed his gaze away as Brock gave him a knowing look. "Ok, better, at least" he said.
Brock seemed more satisfied with this answer over the last one. "I know that none of us knew Lucario as well as you did, but, if you ever want to talk, Ash, I'll be here for you."
Ash nodded, looking away, exceptionally grateful for the support Brock was offering. "Thanks, Brock" he said.
Brock gave a friendly grin as he went back to setting the table. Seeing that they appeared to be done, Ash did likewise, as May and Max were on their way back by now, the Pokemon in tow.
"Food's ready?" Max asked hopefully as he approached.
Brock nodded. "Give me just a few seconds to feed the Pokemon, and then we'll dish up, alright?"
"Yeah!" Max cheered.
Ash smiled, inclined to agree with Max's energetic outburst. His stomach was rumbling more than the sky around a Zapdos, it was definitely chow time.
It took Ash about a week to get past when Latios passed away. He wondered how long until he was completely back after Lucario. He felt almost bad that he had gotten as far along as he had already, feeling as if it was disrespecting his memory to do so. He never liked death, no more than anyone. That's why he tried so hard to help any and every person Pokemon, so that death wouldn't have to be an experience any of them went through.
But, getting past his guilty conscience, he quickly sat with the others as Brock came through with a pot of soup, ready for their bowls, and by that extent, their stomachs. "Bon appetit" Brock announced.
-Later: Two Day's Travel from Rota-
Lucario came slowly to a halt, panting slightly. The sun had just left the sky, and the cobalt abyss had began to form for the night. Travel was done for him that day.
Looking around sharply, he didn't sense any other creatures in the immediate area, and let his guard drop. Since he had left Rota the previous night, he had had two encounters with predatory Ursaring, as well as others, and while he had easily sent them off, knowing of their mistake, it would not be good to be caught by surprise by any threat.
Being out in the wilderness, truly alone, he had learned more about his Pokemon nature. He had trained under the leadership of Sir Aaron for as long as he could remember, and had most of his training in the field of Aura. Some of his encounters, however, had proven to him that he had much more he could use at his disposal. He had found a way to manifest a large, bone-like object with his Aura, as well as a way to extend the spikes affixed to his hands in a form of blade, shining metallic.
He was surprised when these abilities came to the surface, but he figured that he must merely have not tried to use anything besides his Aura Sphere prior, it having been enough. His new abilities had proven quite useful in certain situations.
Walking over to a bush, from which hung some small, bright red berries, attached to green vines, he willed his claw to grow once more, and swiped, cleaving several of the berries off in one.
The berries were one of the few constants that remained in his life. They had been his favorite, back in his days of serving Aaron. They had been called Cheri Berries, if he remembered correctly. The slight heat they held was often useful in sharpening his mind, he found. And he was glad for that, because the new world he found himself a part of often made his head spin.
He knew that times had changed drastically since he left Cameron Palace on his journey to locate Ash's partner, Pikachu. But he hadn't known just to what extent. One of the times he had been attacked a human accompanied by a Pokemon that went be the name of Magneton. He suspected that in that situation, the trainer was attempting to 'catch' him, force him to become subservient to his demands. Naturally, he had dispatched of the Pokemon as quickly as he was able to without dealing permanent damage to it, before fleeing the scene.
Many Pokemon he had encountered on the road told him much, from how times had changed and just far out of touch he was, to news of Ash. A few hours ago, he had been told by a large Pokemon owning the title King Onix had been assisted by Ash several days ago, and he had prevented his capture under a group of villains known as Team Rocket. They pointed him in the direction they believed him to go in.
He was glad to hear of this as well. Considering how long ago he was told that Ash and his company had left the Valley of Rota, he seemed to be making extraordinary time in catching up to them. Of course, he had been running as long as he could the previous night and throughout the day today. Ash still remained on the edge of his radar, but his signal seemed to be slightly stronger, indicating that he was making some headway.
Popping a handful of the Cheri Berries into his mouth, he looked skyward. Even the night sky was different than he remembered. Almost nothing had remained similar outside of Rota, and even that had been quite a change. And on the road, Lucario had stumbled across things he couldn't even begin to understand, human constructs the purpose of which eluded him this far.
Sleep was the one thing he required at that moment. He had slept little the previous night, having only exerted himself for a few hours after a ten day nap. He figured his energy would still be high, but he underestimated the toll of many hours of sprinting combined with multiple fights ensuing on his path.
Legs tensing, Lucario sprung high into the air, coming to a halt once steadily on a tree branch above him. Placing the last Cheri Berry in his mouth, he laid back and looked up at the stars once more.
"I wonder what Ash and his friends are doing now" Lucario thought. He realized, that he had hardly known Ash, and the same was true for the other. He didn't even know why he was travelling in the first place, all he knew was that he was an extremely unselfish human who put the care of other Pokemon above his own.
He knew that he would probably be greatly enjoying Pikachu's company at the moment. The two seemed to share an inseparable bond with one another, truly to an extent at least as strong as the one he and Sir Aaron had shared, perhaps greater.
The others that had been with him, he hadn't paid them much attention either. He had tried to distance himself from all of it, and Ash only got any sort of focus due to his anger at Sir Aaron being transferred to him through their similar Auras. The young brunnete, the older one with the tan skin, and the child. They all were quite interesting as well, now that he thought back. They wore the air of many places and experiences, although not quite as strongly as Ash had. He suspected he had been the most active journeyer, while the others had joined him on his road.
Lucario had never seen much of the land before. His mind had always been set on his training, and missions to protect the kingdom, often within Rota and very briefly beyond the outer borders. The vast world must truly be a temptation to promote such young souls to travel across it. He had encountered many dangers just within two days, and he was much more adept at self defense than they were capable.
Lucario had also begun to understand the relationship between a trainer and their Pokemon. At least in the case of Ash and his friends. A trainer brings a Pokemon along to become part of a family, to work together to survive, while the Pokemon comes for the sense of adventure, the enticement of new power, and to make a new family. The prospect was intriguing to say the least.
His thoughts continued to race through his head, to the point where he didn't even notice his eyes begin to shut, and before he did, the day caught up to him, and he slipped from reality.
-Later In the Night-
A loud cracking sound awoke Lucario from his deep slumber, and he immediately went onto high alert, jumping down from the branch he was on and looking around cautiously.
Another cracking sound occurred, and he realized that it was quite a ways away. His ears also detected a faint cry, and some human speech, but he was unable to make out what was being said.
His training kicked in, and he sprung forward, leaping up into the branches and jumping through the treetops, remaining unseen as he made his approach. There was a contained explosion ahead of him, and he put more effort in to move faster.
"Don't let it get away, use a Shadow Ball!"
Lucario made one last jump, and crouched low on a branch that was high overlooking a clearing below. He quickly counted three humans, all dressed in dark clothing, and each had a single Pokemon in front of them. Two large blue bats, as well as a Pokemon he could remember all too well, a Houndoom acting in quite a similar manner to the ones that had blinded him all those years ago, even if it had only been a few days for him.
There was some sort of disturbance in the air, and a large ball of dark energy was fired from the Houndoom towards it. Another plume of smoke filled the air, as a creature suddenly materialized, falling down to the ground tough. A long, red and white winged Pokemon, covered in dark burns, fell down, looking up scared at the Pokemon and humans above it.
The human behind the Houndoom stepped forward, a small object, seemingly bound metal, resting in his palms. "You aren't so tough" he laughed. "Those two clowns may have lost sight of their goals once before, but now we've got you cornered."
Lucario frowned. He could tell by the way that the human was talking that his purpose was not a noble one, in fact quite the opposite. He appeared to be attacking a helpless Pokemon with the purpose of taking it hostage.
The man reached back with his metallic object. "You're comin' with us!" he said, tossing the thing at the grounded Pokemon, who closed her eyes in fear.
A blue sphere of energy sprang through the air at an extremely high speed, catching the item and completely disintegrating it, before striking the ground, detonating and sending up a wall of smoke between the grounded Pokemon and the group of evil humans and Pokemon.
Lucario leapt forth, large club forming in his hands, swinging hard and knocking the Houndoom upwards, feeling a sense of satisfaction as it yelped. The smoke began to clear, at the group appeared shocked as Lucario became visible.
"What?" the lead human asked.
"What in the Distortion is that thing?" the other one asked.
Lucario gave a cold glare. "I demand to know what you villains are doing here!" he said commandingly.
They appeared even more dumbfounded as he spoke to them. The one that hadn't spoken yet reacted first, growling and stepping forward. "I don't care what you demand" he snarled. "Golbat, let's show this thing what happens to anyone who gets in our way. Poison Fang!"
The Golbat swooped down at him, teeth dripping with venom before it tackled Lucario, and sunk his fangs into his arm. Lucario flinched back, but surprisingly, only felt a dull pinch at the point where he had been bit. Taking advantage of his situation, he willed his power through his other hand, and his claw elongated, before slashing at the Golbat, sending it sprawling, immediately unconscious.
He decided that this would not be a good situation for diplomacy. He struck out at the other Golbat, and sent it careening into a tree, falling limp. The Houndoom that he had attacked prior had begun to rise again, but Lucario quickly put an end to its efforts with another Aura Sphere.
The humans appear absolutely terrified now, and as Lucario raised his claws menacingly, they recalled the fallen Pokemon and fled at mach speed. Nodding in satisfaction, he turned around, and kneeled down to view the fallen Pokemon. She appeared to be in an extremely weak condition.
Crossing his arm over his chest, he closed his eyes. "Allow me to help" he said through the Aura, stretching his hand forward and allowing a blue energy to form over the Pokemon.
He realized what he was doing was risky, but the Pokemon wasn't so weak as Mew had been. She did not need a full transfer of life to survive.
His energy was slowly sapped away as he replenished the power of the fallen Pokemon. After a few minutes, he jerked his hand away, shattering the transfer and breathing hard as the Pokemon righted herself and looked at Lucario.
"You… Helped me" she said, surprised.
Lucario nodded. "It is my duty as an Aura Guardian to protect the innocent" he explained. "I was just doing what I believe to be right."
The Pokemon smiled kindly, nodding gratefully at Lucario. "Well, thank you, very much" she said. "I don't know what I would have done without your help. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Latias."
Lucario nodded. "And mine is Lucario. If I may pry, Latias, what was those villains' interest in you?"
Latias looked down. "That was a band of thieves calling themselves Team Rocket" she said. "I had to deal with them once before, they are just really selfish, and don't care who they hurt to get what they want." She looked around. "Apparently, I'm considered a really rare and powerful creature by many, they were trying to take me, but more importantly, they were trying to take something I was protecting."
"Why could they possibly want this object?" Lucario asked.
Latias shifted, and a small satchel laid over her wing became visible. Eyes glowing blue, the bag opened, and a glowing orb lifted out of it, and floated in the air before her.
"This" she said smalley. "This is the spirit of my brother, Latios… It's called the Soul Dew. At one point, those three stormed into my home, far away from here, trying to take it. Me and my friends got them to go, but they kept coming back. Eventually, my friends told me to take it and leave. One of them had to carefully make this bag with a special energy, because the Soul Dew dies if it isn't in the waters of my city for too long." Placing it back in the satchel, she looked back at Lucario. "They told me to run with it, and not let them get their hands on it, but somehow, they found me and attacked me while I was out here."
"..." Lucario closed his eyes. "Some humans are still trash after all" he thought. "Not all, but there are many more than there should be…"
"Where were you fleeing to?" Lucario asked. "I am on a journey of my own, but perhaps I could help you get where you need to go."
Latias shook her head. "It's not about where I need to go, but who I need to find. I'm out here looking for someone who can help me, I just don't know where he is. But, he and his friends, they've done so much to help me before, I just know that I can rely on them to help me this time."
Lucario glanced at Latias oddly, prompting a weird look from her. "Did I say something wrong?"
Lucario thought carefully. "Someone who has helped you before… Someone reliable…" he looked at her again. "This person wouldn't happen to by any chance be known as Ash, now would he?"
Latias was shocked. "Yes, that's him!" she chirped. "You know him?"
Lucario nodded. "I do" he said. "In fact, my quest is one of locating him as well."
Latias' eyes were wide. "Wow, that's one giant coincidence" she said. "How do you know him?"
"He freed me from a prison I had been claimed in for over a millenia, rekindled my faith in humanity, and helped me to save the lives of thousands of Pokemon" Lucario said.
"Wow, and I thought him protecting me from Team Rocket and trying to save my brother was big…" Latias said.
Lucario stood back up. "You know, I do not believe that this was some random chance" he said. "The forces of Aura have a way to making certain events that need to take place happen." Looking down, he extended a hand in offering. "I say we travel together. We are on the way to the same destination, of course."
Latias accepted Lucario's hand, pulling herself into a floating position. "You'd really want me to come?" she asked. "I don't know much about fighting… The only reason I've gotten this far is because I got lucky and what I do know how to do seems to be better because I have the Soul Dew."
Lucario smiled at her concern. "It would be no bother. I come from a time where roaming these lands was a much more perilous task than it is now. I can do the protecting for us, and I have the ability to track Ash."
At this, Latias immediately nodded vigorously. "Then yes, please, I'll come with you!" she said happily, flipping in the air energetically. "I promise, I'll do my best to not slow you down!"
Lucario couldn't help but let out a light chuckle at her reaction. "Fine, just one thing. How soon do you expect those thugs called 'Team Rocket' to return?"
Latias thought for a minute. "Those were their last Pokemon in any sort of fighting shape, they'd have to rest for a while. I think that there's a couple days before they make it back here."
Lucario let out a sigh of relief. "Very well, then" he said. "Then, we rest for the night. I have just had an exhausting day, and require sleep to function tomorrow. Then, once we are moving, I can guide us in the proper direction."
"Alright" Latias said. "I think I need sleep too. Whatever you did really helped me get back up, but I'm still all sorts of sore."
Lucario closed his eyes, but couldn't feel any malicious presence anywhere for a long ways around them anymore. They appeared to be safe, for now. "Then I believe we are in agreement" he said. "It is time for sleep. Enjoy it, because tomorrow, we push forward relentlessly."
-Ash & Co.s Camp-
Pikachu rolled over in his sleep, but found nothing in his way, strangely enough. When he rolled flat, he opened his eyes, and noticed Ash was missing.
"Pika?" Pikachu said quietly, looking around, but seeing no sign of his trainer. The flap to the tent was open. Squeezing through the opening, he almost missed Ash as he was sitting at the far edge of the campgrounds, his back turned towards the small electric mouse.
Running across the field silently, Pikachu made sure to not wake any others up as he approached Ash. "Pika Bi?" he asked.
Ash started, turning around. "Oh, hey there buddy" Ash smiled, inviting Pikachu up on his lap.
Once he was situated, Ash took a deep breath. "Sorry if I gave you a scare there, I just needed some time to think, you know?"
"Chaaaa…" Pikachu cooed in understanding, making Ash smile again.
"You know, I told Lucario about you quite a bit" Ash told him. "One night, when we were on a ridge, looking up at the Tree of Beginning, I told everyone the story about us and that flock of Spearow, remember them?"
Pikachu shuddered a little at the memory. Sure, now he could destroy twice that many Fearow with power to spare, but back then, that was probably one of his scariest moments.
"Of course, the night didn't end very well…" Ash said, not going into details about the physical fight he and Lucario got into. They both said some nasty things to each other, but saying Lucario had abandoned the queen, that was way too far over a very thick line. "But the next day, we found you…" it was there Ash stopped. Had that fight he and Lucario had been less than 24 hours before he died? That didn't necessarily make him feel any better about the whole deal.
"I've been wondering a little…" Ash went on. "If Lucario hadn't died, what would he have done? He wasn't from our time, he would have probably stayed in Rota, doing what he used to do by helping the queen that they had now."
"Pika" Pikachu shrugged, not knowing either.
Ash sighed. "I'm sorry, buddy, I shouldn't be rambling on like this" he said. "Come on, let's get back to sleep, alright?"
"Cha Ku Pikachu" Pikachu nodded, agreeing.
Ash picked up Pikachu in his arms, and walked back to the tent where the two of them slept in. Getting settled back in, he closed up the flap and got down into his sleeping bag, cozy comfortable. Patting Pikachu on the head, Ash smiled. "Battle Factory in just a couple days, you excited too?" he asked.
Pikachu nodded contentedly, yawning widely and closing his eyes, ready to get back to sleep. Ash figured he should do the same.
Letting out his own yawn, Ash curled up inside the warm material. Lucario hadn't given his life so that Ash could feel guilty forever, Lucario made the choice so he could fulfill his destiny. Ash was allowed to feel sad about it, but even he knew, he had to move on.
And with that yawn, he felt the last bit of stress he had felt in his chest flit off. "Thank you, Lucario" he thought. "Thank you for the memories, and I hope that you're in a better place now…"
Finally free of his burden that he had been carrying, Ash found himself asleep faster than a Slakoth. Now, he was as free as he had ever been. The moon shined brightly down on the clearing as the dead of night reigned over, peaceful and serene.
I know this chapter is a little short. Like I said, college and crap, you know? I'm typing this right before I have to go meet with an advisor. Ugh, why did I do this program, I still had a year at highschool I could have enjoyed...
Well, this was really meant to be a transitional chapter anyways. I'm hoping that it was good, however. I'm doing some setting up for the future here. I really loved Pokemon Heroes, and Latias just fit perfectly with an idea I have for down the line. But, no hints. Sorry, you'll just have to sit in suspense.
At first, I really only expected this to be a short story, but as time went on, and I saw how many people just loved it, and I continued to mull over ideas, my plans constantly expanded. I don't know how long this is going to end up being now! But I hope that everyone who's been seeing this thing since the beginning will keep being just as interested as time goes on.
Anyways, that's all for now. If you're new here and like it, go ahead and follow so you know just when the next chapter is coming out. I always love getting reviews, so drop one of those on the way out too if you want to. Until next time, cya guys, and happy holidays!