Hello, guys, I hope you're enjoying the story. I'm really sorry for the delay . I hope you like it.
The path through the forest became a little more complicated, the girl, who after going through that episode of violence and almost losing her life again, was tired, exhausted both mentally and physically, but she knew she wasn't far from reaching the village where her uncle lived. The last family member she had left and perhaps the last person she knew.
Meanwhile, Ash didn't stop his pace, he kept moving forward without uttering a word for over two hours. He was very focused on reaching the place that would give him a clue about the whereabouts of the dark auras. However, Lucario could notice how the girl was struggling to keep up, unlike his master, he still guided himself by what was right and being kind to others.
Lucario approached and asked the young lady, "Is your foot still hurting, my lady?" The girl could sense the concern in his voice or well, what she could detect with telepathy. "Yes, my ankle is fine. I'm just quite tired from the journey, although I know we're almost there," she replied calmly.
"I'm glad to hear you're recovering. It's important for us that you and Braxien are well," the blue Pokémon responded very chivalrously. Serena smiled at the personality of the Pokémon, seeing how he defeated more than six Houndooms alone, but it was clear that he was a warm and sensitive creature.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Serena asked, wanting to extract information about her saviors. "What's on your mind, my lady?"
"I really want to know who you guys are," Serena asked, very curious about their identity. Lucario did not answer her directly. First, he looked back at his master, who was a few meters ahead, waiting for him to indicate whether he could answer the girl or not. Ash simply turned his head a little and felt. Perhaps it wasn't much, but through his telepathy, he knew his master agreed for him to tell her a few things about them.
"Yes, you can know. My master and I are members of the Aura Order, that is, Aura Guardians," the Pokémon responded about their identity. "Aura Guardians? But aren't they characters from old songs and tales?" Serena replied incredulously, unable to really believe that both were those warriors told in ancient stories. "I don't blame you for doubting it. The Aura Guardians disappeared for more than 20 years after the great cataclysm. The members of the order were forced to hide, but now we're back," Lucario detailed the origin story and current situation of the guardians.
Serena would have thought easily that they were deceiving her, that they didn't really want to say who they really were, but after witnessing the powers of the Pokémon and the mysterious knight, it made her think it was possible, that such individuals still existed, who were great heroes and conquered the greatest beasts.
"So, what you used on my ankle earlier was Aura," she asked even more curious than before. "That's right. Aura Guardians have the power to manipulate the vital energy of Aura to do things that would be considered impossible. We were trained to manipulate it and use it for good. However, there are people who prefer to use Aura to dominate others.
"And those people are the dark auras?" Serena asked, fear in her voice. Lucario nodded sadly in his eyes. "Yes, unfortunately. They are those who have succumbed to the temptation of power and use Aura for their own selfish purposes. But we, the Aura Guardians, are committed to protecting people from them and maintaining the balance of the world."
Serena felt grateful to have met these powerful guardians of Aura and knew she had to stay close to them for her own safety.
"You two, where are you from? You don't seem to be from around here. I would have heard of you if you were," Serena asked. Lucario chuckled a bit and said, "We're from a very distant land, born in the Kanto region. However, we travel all over the world now, wherever our next mission takes us."
Serena turned to look at Ash, she only knew his name but a lot had happened in these past few days, there was something strange about him, more than the obvious of course. It piqued her curiosity to finally meet an adventurer, a path she had long desired. But from what little he had told her, she knew it wasn't going to be easy for him to open up to her.
"Hey, is it still a long way to the village you mentioned?" the blue knight asked, still in a cold and distant tone. "Yes, if we continue on this path, we'll get there in a couple of hours, just before nightfall," Serena responded, nervous about his manner of speaking to her. "Okay, when we find your uncle, we'll stay the night and then we'll go to where we need to go," Ash replied as he continued to walk.
Lucario began to realize that something was not right with his master, he was no longer a person who socialized much with others, always going from mission to mission and staying very little time on Shamouti Island with the others, but this time he felt a bit strange. As if he were restless.
In reality, Lucario was not mistaken, the blue knight felt tense for some reason. "There's something strange about this girl, her aura feels different to me. It's not red like evil people, it's not blue like people with good intentions. It's almost clear, almost colorless." He knew that wasn't normal, but he was surprised that Lucario hadn't mentioned anything about it, as if he hadn't noticed.
Finally, after a few hours of walking, they arrived at Serena's uncle's village. It was a small village, with many barns and houses around, very similar to Serena's village, which is why when the aura guardians and the girl arrived, they caught attention. On one hand, Serena was eager to find her uncle, while Ash and Lucario observed the place trying to locate any blind spot that could be present. After all, they were pursuing their enemy and had to be very alert at all times.
Serena approached one of the ladies who was walking through the entrance, "Excuse me, ma'am, do you know where Mr. Meyer Watts is?" she asked the lady, who without hesitation replied, "Oh yes, he is the foreman and blacksmith of the village. He is on the outskirts of this village to the south."
"Thank you very much, ma'am," Serena thanked her cordially as she went to where she was indicated, while Ash and Lucario kept their distance. When the girl walked ahead of them, Lucario asked his master, "So what is your plan, master?"
"For now, we have to follow this girl. We need any information that leads us to the dark auras. My instincts tell me that they should not be far from here, and from what we saw in this village, they are not playing around. Destroying an entire village and killing so many people is not something they wouldn't do, but there must be a reason," Ash explained his plan.
"Okay, master, what will we do with the girl now that we have arrived at the place?" Lucario asked him, "I think for now, we'll go with her uncle, and tomorrow if we have any information, we'll leave," Ash explained his plan for the girl. "Do you think she'll be better off here?" the Pokémon asked.
"Now that she's going to be with her family, she won't need protection. Besides, she's not our responsibility or our mission," the knight responded coldly, ending the conversation, regardless of whether Lucario agreed or not. That was just how he was when he got stubborn about achieving his objectives.
After walking a bit, the group arrived at a house that was farther away from the others. It was clearly a blacksmith's workshop, with a forge, several stables, tools, and they could see an Ampharos and a Blaziken working in the workshop.
"Are you sure this is the place?" the knight asked her, "Yes, definitely, I had seen those two Pokémon before when I was a child. They used to visit my mother too," Serena replied as she advanced. She quickly approached the door and called out to her uncle, "Uncle Meyer," she exclaimed desperately for him to open.
After knocking on the door three times, a middle-aged man with mud and chestnut hair and a robust build opened the door. It was clearly the blacksmith. "Serena, what a joy to see you. But what are you doing here?" he asked her, very surprised.
Serena's expression changed, from joy to tears. "Where is your mother? What is going on?" he asked her again, more nervous. Something told him that something had happened. Serena couldn't take it anymore and with many tears, she told him what had happened. "Uncle, I lost her. She and the whole village were..." she tried to explain, but the tears were overwhelming her.
The man was in shock, he quickly knew what had happened, or at least he imagined it. Then he looked at the knight who was keeping his distance. He just stared at him, very surprised and very confused.
"Lucario approached the man and said, "Don't worry, my master and I are here to bring Serena to you," the Pokémon explained. Meanwhile, the man was confused about how a Pokémon was talking to him. "It's true, uncle. They rescued me from wild Pokémon after I passed out," Serena confirmed.
The man looked back at the knight, as if analyzing him, and Ash noticed that something was off. "There's something strange here, I can feel it," he said to himself, keeping his guard up. "Alright, come inside and explain what happened. You're all welcome," the man said.
Ash and Lucario waited for a moment while Meyer and Serena quickly entered their house. "What's going on, master? I feel strange," Lucario asked uneasily. "There's something I don't like about this place. Don't you feel the energy here is strange?" Ash explained the discomfort he felt towards the place.
"To be honest, master, I scanned the area and didn't detect any malignant aura or disruption in the environment," his companion said, assuring him that everything was fine. "Okay, but we need to be alert for anything. We don't know if they're looking for us like we're looking for them," Ash said before entering the house as well. What they didn't know was that something was lurking not far from there.
Upon entering the house, they could see that it was completely made of wood with some metal furniture, something quite normal for a blacksmith, but it looked like he had worked on his house for many years. "Take it easy, Serena, remember to calm down," Eyer gave her, hoping she could calm down a bit and explain what had happened. "Thank you so much, Uncle. I know you didn't expect this either, but it's true, my mother is gone," Serena explained while tearing up a bit.
The news clearly affected the man. Knowing that his sister had died hurt him in his heart, but seeing his daughter like that, he knew he needed to be strong at that moment. "Tell me, Serena, was she murdered?" he asked with great difficulty. Before she could answer, Ash interrupted.
"Yes, she and the whole village were killed by evil monsters," he replied brusquely. "Monsters?" he asked. "Yes, Lucario and I are sure that a group of very dangerous men with very strange powers attacked the place and took the lives of the villagers. They call themselves the Dark Order," Ash explained in detail what had happened, trying to gather information.
Meyer tried to think about what he was saying. He wanted to think it was a joke or that the metal man was crazy, but deep down he knew it was true. "The truth is, I don't know what you're talking about. I have no idea what this Dark Order is," he replied. Ash, not very satisfied with his answer, tried to use his powers to know if he was lying. It was a skill he had developed for interrogation years ago, something useful from his time as a mercenary. After scanning his aura, he could tell that he was telling the truth.
"Not only that, when they came to my home, I could hear them looking for something, and they confirmed it to me, something called the seed. I really don't know what they're talking about," Serena told her uncle. Ash noticed that the man's expression changed; he sensed that it wasn't the first time he had heard something about the seed.
Ash leaned forward in his seat, his gaze intense. "You said they were looking for something called the seed?" he repeated, trying to glean any more information he could from Meyer's reaction.
"I don't know anything about that, no idea" Meyer replied with a concern look, the blue knight looked at him trying to read him through his aura, however he couldn't find any trace of doubt or deception.
Ash sat back in his chair, his mind racing. If Meyer truly didn't know anything about the seed, then they were back to square one. He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. They had been chasing leads for weeks, and so far, they had come up empty-handed.
"Okay, let's start from the beginning," he said, his voice firm. "What do you know about the Dark Order? How did they even know to come to your home?"
Meyer shifted in his seat, his eyes darting around the room. "I don't know how they found me," he said, his voice low. " I don't even know who those monsters are" He replied trying to contain his grief and anger for the death of his sister, Serena felt the same.
"And the seed?" he pressed; his tone urgent. "Do you have any idea what it could be?"
Meyer shook his head, his eyes downcast. "I'm sorry. I wish I could help you, but I really don't know anything about it."
Ash sighed heavily, his mind racing with possibilities. They were running out of time, and the Dark Order was closing in. He knew that they needed to find the seed before they did, or the consequences could be catastrophic.
Serena tried to change the topic, "Uncle Meyer, where are my cousins Bonnie and Clemont" Serena asked for her younger cousins, noticing their absence in the house. "Well Bonnie went to buy some oat and seeds for the week and well Clemont isn't here anymore" Meyer told her with a stern look.
"Wait, something happens to him?" She asked very worried.
Meyer hesitated for a moment before answering. "He...he got mixed up with the wrong crowd. He came one day telling me that being the son of a blacksmith isn't enough for him and his obsession for creating his "inventions", I didn't want him getting involved any further, so he just left one day, not even to say goodbye to us."
Serena's brow furrowed with concern. "Is he okay? Is he safe?"
Meyer nodded. "Yes, he's safe. He has been always the smart apple of our family it's better if he stays away from here."
Serena nodded slowly, her mind still on her cousin's well-being. "Okay. Thank you for letting me know."
"On the other hand, Ash was returning as he had at the beginning. He no longer had any clues about the whereabouts of the Dark Order, but he knew that as time passed, the number of victims could increase.
"Lucario, come here, we need to see what options we have," the blue knight ordered him as he left the house. "Yes, master," Lucario nodded, accompanying him. Meyer waited for them to leave before telling Serena what he thought.
"Serena, you have to explain to me what you're doing with those guys," Meyer asked her with a bit of panic. "Those two saved me and Braixen from wild Pokémon that were about to kill us. They saved my life," Serena explained what had happened.
"Those two looks like troublemakers. In addition to looking for those damn people who attacked your village, they could put you in danger again," Meyer explained his concern.
Serena was doubtful, she understood her uncle and what he wanted her to understand, but for some reason, she didn't want to think that Ash would be dangerous to her. He had already saved her twice, and she felt doubt inside.
"Look, I think we shouldn't worry about it for now. I'm going to offer them to stay tonight, it's the least I can do for helping you," Meyer said as he left the room, guiding Serena to where she would sleep.
Meanwhile, Ash and Lucario left the house, trying to decide their next move. "Master if our lead ends here we should consider return to Shamuti isle to gather more information and find more clues" Lucario told his master.
Ash listened to Lucario's suggestion but had a different perspective. He looked at Lucario, his loyal partner, and said, "I understand your concern, Lucario, but I think we should push forward and continue our investigation. I don't fully trust Meyer either, but there might be other leads we haven't explored yet. If we return to Shamuti Isle too soon, we might miss out on valuable information."
Lucario crossed his arms and looked at Ash thoughtfully. After a moment, he nodded and said, "I trust your judgment, Master. If you believe there's more to uncover, then let's continue our investigation. Just promise me that we'll be cautious and not overlook any potential danger."
"Besides my sense feel uneasy, life if something was messing with my aura" Ash explained him, "That is strange, I don't feel any disturbance or any reading around here" Lucario said. Ash decided to investigate further he knew that they were close.
"Let's move out, if they aren't here, they should be close" Ash told him before walking to the northern mountains, however Lucario stopped him. "Master what about Serena, should we leave her behind" Lucario asked him with a concern tone. Ash became silent for a moment.
Serena stood in her room, the weight of recent events heavy upon her shoulders. The room felt suffocating as waves of emotions crashed over her. She closed her eyes, trying to process the whirlwind of thoughts and feelings swirling within her.
The loss of loved ones and the sudden upheaval of her life had left Serena feeling overwhelmed. Tears welled up in her eyes as grief, confusion, and anger coursed through her veins. She allowed herself a moment of vulnerability, acknowledging the pain that consumed her.
Slowly, Serena walked towards a nearby chair and sank into it. She took deep breaths, attempting to steady herself amidst the storm of emotions. It was essential for her to give herself time to process, to mourn, and to find strength within the chaos.
As Serena reflected on the memories she had shared with her loved ones, she found solace in the moments of joy, laughter, and love they had experienced together. She knew that honoring their memory meant finding the courage to move forward, even in the face of adversity.
With determination, Serena wiped away her tears and took a steadying breath. She knew that she couldn't let herself be consumed by grief and despair. She would honor the lives of those she had lost by finding the strength to carry on and seek justice.
Serena's heart skipped a beat as she saw the familiar face of her young cousin, Bonnie, standing in the doorway. It had been years since they last saw each other, and the unexpected presence of family brought a mix of emotions to the surface.
A small smile tugged at the corners of Serena's lips as she looked at Bonnie, her eyes shimmering with a blend of surprise and joy. She opened her arms, welcoming her cousin into an embrace filled with warmth and affection.
"Bonnie! It's been so long," Serena said, her voice filled with genuine happiness. "I've missed you."
Bonnie returned the embrace eagerly, holding onto Serena tightly. "I missed you too, Serena! I can't believe we're finally seeing each other again."
As they released their embrace, Serena looked at Bonnie, taking in her features. She noticed the maturity that had developed in her cousin since they last met. Serena's heart swelled with a sense of responsibility to protect and support Bonnie during this difficult time.
Serena felt a pang of guilt as she contemplated the decision to withhold the truth from Bonnie. She knew that protecting her young cousin from the harsh reality of recent events might be the best course of action for now. However, she was also aware that this choice came with the responsibility of providing comfort and reassurance.
"I'm here because I wanted to spend some time with you, Bonnie," Serena replied with a gentle smile, carefully choosing her words. "I missed our moments together, and I thought it would be nice to catch up and create new memories."
Bonnie's eyes lit up, her innocence shining through. "I missed you too, Serena! It's so great to have you here. We can have so much fun together!"
Serena nodded, relieved that Bonnie seemed content with her explanation. "Absolutely, Bonnie. We'll make the most of our time together. And how about your brother Clemont? How's he doing?"
Bonnie's expression turned slightly somber as she looked down. "Clemont... He left to pursue his dreams of inventing and building amazing machines. He's always been passionate about his inventions, and he wanted to make a difference in the world. I miss him a lot, but I'm proud of him for following his heart."
Serena listened attentively, understanding Bonnie's mix of emotions. She reached out and placed a comforting hand on Bonnie's shoulder. "I'm sure Clemont is doing great things out there, Bonnie. We'll always cherish the memories we have with him, and he'll be proud of you too. You're a remarkable young girl with so much potential."
Bonnie smiled weakly, appreciating Serena's comforting words. "Thank you, Serena. It means a lot to hear that from you."
"Hey, I saw that strange guy and his blue Pokemon come earlier, who ere them? He was covered in metal and was so scary" Bonnie exclaimed.
Serena nodded, not wanting to alarm Bonnie further by revealing the true nature of their encounter with the mysterious stranger. "Yes, they are our friends. They helped us get here safely, and we're grateful for their assistance."
Bonnie's expression softened as she realized that they were trustworthy individuals. "Oh, that's great then. I'm glad you have friends who care about you, Serena."
Serena smiled warmly, touched by Bonnie's concern for her well-being. "Thank you, Bonnie. It means a lot to have your support."
Before Bonnie asked her any further questions, Ash came back to the house to talk with Serena.
Serena looked at Ash, sensing the urgency in his tone. "What's going on, Ash? Is everything okay?"
Ash took a deep breath, looking at Serena with a serious expression. "Serena, we need to leave this place and continue our investigation. The Dark Order is still out there, and we need to find out more about their plans before they can hurt anyone else. But I need you to stay here, where it's safe."
Serena shook her head, her eyes full of determination. "No, Ash. I can't just stay behind and do nothing. I want to help. I want to be a part of this too."
Ash sighed, understanding Serena's desire to be involved and her determination to avenge her people, However, he also knew the risks involved and the potential danger that awaited them. He couldn't risk their mission for this stranded girl they just met.
"I understand your feelings, and I empathize with your desire to avenge your people. But we have a mission to complete, and we can't afford any distractions. We can't let personal vendettas compromise our objectives."
Serena's face fell, a mix of disappointment and hurt in her eyes. She had hoped that Ash would understand and support her desire to be involved, to make a difference. But his words made it clear that he saw her as a potential liability.
Serena's anger burned fiercely within her, fueled by the devastation and loss she had experienced. She couldn't fathom the thought of letting those responsible go unpunished. Tears welled up in her eyes as she shouted with raw emotion, "I don't care! They destroyed everything I had, took away my mother! They deserve to suffer for what they've done! I won't be satisfied until they pay for their crimes!"
As Serena's voice echoed through the room, her uncle Meyer entered, his face filled with concern and understanding. He knew the depth of Serena's pain and the burning desire for justice that consumed her. Gently, he approached her, his voice calm yet resolute.
"Serena, I understand your anger, and I share your desire for justice. But we must also consider the risks involved. These people, the ones responsible for the destruction, are dangerous and merciless. Engaging with them directly may put your life in grave danger.".
Tears streamed down Serena's face as her anger wavered, replaced by a mixture of grief and uncertainty. She had never felt so vulnerable and lost, yet deep down, she knew her uncle's words held truth. Taking a shaky breath, she looked into her uncle's eyes.
"I miss her, Uncle Meyer," Serena whispered, her voice filled with pain. "But you're right. My mother would want me to be safe. She would want me to protect myself and find a way to bring justice without risking my life."
Meyer's expression softened, and he wrapped his arms around Serena, offering her comfort and support. "Your mother loved you dearly, Serena. She would want you to live a life filled with love and happiness, to remember her and honor her in your own way. We will find a way to bring justice, but we must also ensure your safety."
Serena nodded, finding solace in her uncle's embrace. While the desire for revenge still burned within her but she knew she couldn't do anything.
As Serena poured out her rage and pain, Ash stood there, seemingly motionless. But deep inside, a storm of emotions raged within him. He understood Serena's pain all too well, as he had experienced a similar tragedy in his own life. The memories of losing loved ones and the feeling of helplessness resurfaced, reminding him of the darkness that had consumed him before in two different occasions.
In that moment, as he listened to Serena's words and witnessed the raw intensity of her emotions, Ash couldn't help but feel a deep connection. The weight of his past losses pressed upon him, reminding him of the emptiness and despair he had once endured.
But Ash knew he couldn't let his own pain cloud his judgment. He had learned from his experiences and had found a way to rise above the darkness.
"Master, in any case we should leave tomorrow, its already dark we can't walk through the forest in the middle of the night" Lucario reminded his master.
Lucario's words brought Ash back to the present reality. He glanced at the darkening sky and realized that Lucario was right. It would be unsafe to venture into the forest at night, especially considering the unknown dangers that lay ahead.
"You're right, Lucario," Ash acknowledged, his voice filled with gratitude for his partner's watchful concern. "We shouldn't risk traveling through the forest in the dark. It's best to wait until dawn before we continue our search."
Ash turned to Serena and Meyer; his expression serious yet reassuring. "We'll stay here for the night and prepare for our journey tomorrow." He explained them before leaving the room to sleep in the shed outside.
Serena quietly made her way back to her room, seeking solace and solitude amidst the whirlwind of emotions that consumed her. The weight of her desire for justice and her need to avenge the loss of her loved ones weighed heavily on her heart. While her uncle and cousin cared for her safety, she couldn't shake the burning determination within her to seek her own path towards justice.
As she closed the door behind her, Serena took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. She knew the risks involved, the dangers that awaited her beyond the safety of the house. But she couldn't ignore the fire that burned within her, urging her to take action.
In the dimly lit room, Serena paced back and forth, her mind filled with images of the destruction and the faces of those responsible. She knew she couldn't sit idly by, waiting for others to handle the situation. She wanted to play an active role, to have a hand in dismantling the darkness that had shattered her world.
With a resolute expression, Serena made a silent vow to herself. She would find a way to contribute to the fight for justice, to bring the perpetrators to account for their actions. Whether it meant joining forces with Ash and Lucario or forging her own path, she would not let her determination be stifled.
Serena sat alone in her room, her heart heavy with determination and grief. The weight of her loss pressed upon her, urging her to act and seek justice for her mother and her people.
"I won't be at peace until I find my justice," Serena whispered to herself, her voice filled with resolve. "I made a promise to my mother, and I will find my own way to avenge her."
As the words echoed in the room, Serena's gaze hardened, her eyes reflecting the fire of her determination. She knew she couldn't simply wait behind and hope for justice to be served. She needed to take matters into her own hands.
Gathering her thoughts, Serena began to plan her next move. She knew she had to find a way to join Ash and Lucario, to contribute to their mission and bring an end to the darkness that had shattered her world.
As Ash removed his gear and helmet, he gazed up at the starry night sky, his mind filled with memories of those he had lost. The weight of their absence bore heavily upon him, a constant reminder of the sacrifices made along his arduous journey. Seeking solace and strength, he reached for his trusty flute, an instrument that had become a source of comfort and resilience.
Placing the flute to his lips, Ash began to play a heartfelt melody. The notes drifted through the air, blending with the gentle breeze, as if carrying his emotions into the night. The solemn tune carried a mixture of sorrow and determination, encapsulating the depth of his experiences and the resolve that burned within him.
As the sound of the flute filled the air, its haunting melody carried the weight of Ash's memories and emotions. Each note resonated with the pain and loss he had experienced throughout his journey.
He closed his eyes, allowing the music to transport him back in time, to moments when his loved ones were still by his side. The memories came flooding back – the laughter, the battles fought together, and the warmth of their presence.
The melody held both sadness and strength, a reflection of the bittersweet nature of Ash's journey.
As the last note lingered in the air, Ash opened his eyes, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He knew he couldn't dwell in the past forever. The pain and loss would always be a part of him, but he had to keep moving forward, for the sake of those he had lost and for the hope of a better future.
"Until we meet again…Riley. Please forgive me to failed you again" Ash muttered thinking that Lucario was already slept but he wasn't. Lucario knew what he meant, how they lost her, how they failed their beloved master even after his death.