Another old story being published, I hope you like it.
Warning: English IS NOT MY NATIVE LANGUAGE! So please be understanding of possible limitations in writing.
I accept criticism, as long as it remains within what can be considered respectful.
Enjoy the chapter.
It was a cold and foggy night in the kingdom of Rota, and after arduous confrontation against the Regi trio and other opponents, a group of teenagers finally successfully reached the heart of the tree of the beginning.
Mew, the guardian of the tree, revealed to them that the tree in the beginning was dying. A true guardian of the aura, someone who was descended from Sir Aaron, should supply the tree with the entirety of his aura. Unfortunately, such an action was a death sentence for the volunteer, as when someone's aura was depleted, their life ended.
Initially no one understood Mew's message, but soon Ash realized what it was really about. He was the only person capable of saving the fate of thousands of people and Pokémon. Looking at his friends, he decided what he would do.
One life would perish for thousands to live one more day.
With resignation he approached Mew. "There is no other way, is there?" The legendary Pokemon looked with pity on the young man who would lay down his life at such a young age.
"Unfortunately not, chosen one." Mew put his paw on the boy's head, and all the necessary knowledge for aura manipulation was acquired by Ash. Taking a deep breath, he concentrated and blue energy enveloped him. Lucario looked at the descendant of his late trainer and couldn't help but smile at the irony of fate.
He was truly a descendant of Aaron, and would meet the same fate as the ancient hero.
Ash turned to his friends and with a serene smile began talking to each of the people he met during his journey.
"Brock, you've been like a brother to me and I'm proud to call you a friend. You were always the responsible person who took care of the group, since the day you started traveling with me, even though you were obsessed with flirting with any beautiful woman that appeared in front of you. I'm sure one day you'll find someone who will accept you for who you really are, and your dreams will come true. You are someone who loves Pokémon and the people who are important to you, never change my friend." Brock looked at the boy he considered a brother and couldn't help clenching his fist in frustration, it didn't take a genius to understand what was going on.
Holding back tears, he nodded at his friend with a determined look. "You can count on me Ash, I promise I won't let you down."
Then Ash approached Max, who was starting to cry. He knelt down and hugged the boy as he placed his hat on the Hoenn boy's head. "Max, when I first met you, you acted like an annoying brat, but as I traveled with you, I realized that you are a bright, smart, sassy and determined boy. You left Petalburg as a boy and are now someone who has a bright future as a Pokémon trainer. You know, I've always imagined myself battling you in the future, but unfortunately I won't be able to do that. So promise me Max, promise me you'll never give up on your dreams. You will face difficult times, you will lose battles and you will wonder if you really have talent, but never let defeats shake you, use them as motivation. Learn and evolve, and never forget that you have important people by your side."
Max hugged Ash as he buried his head in his chest. "Please Ash, don't do this, you're the best friend I've ever had..." Ash looked at the boy with pity, he got up and looked at the boy one last time. "Max, I promised your father the day you and your sister set out on a journey with me. I promised that I would protect you, and that's why I can't let anything happen to any of you. Not just because of the promise, but because I care about you. Now be strong boy, don't cry for me, I'll always be following your steps no matter where I am." Max wiped away his tears and tried to put on a determined look, but it was obvious that the boy was shaken by the situation.
After talking to the young boy, Ash was surprised when May hugged him. Looking at her friend, he saw her crying as she looked desperately into her face.
"Please Ash, let's look for another alternative, don't do this. You are the most important person I've met since I started my journey, I'm a coordinator today because of you. I don't know what I'm going to do without you, please don't do this Ash…" The girl pleaded with her friend, and Ash reluctantly broke away from the embrace. For a moment he considered giving up, but for the sake of May and thousands of others, he needed to do his duty.
He placed his hands on the girl's shoulders as he spoke to her with a serene smile. "May, when I met you, you were a girl who was afraid of Pokémon and just wanted to travel the world. There was nothing wrong with that, but I saw the potential in you to be more than just a traveler, and I was right. You found your path in coordination and turned into a talented coordinator, I had mentors in my life, but you were someone I helped shape from the beginning to the present moment. You are my pride, never let anyone tell you that you have no talent, or that your style is flawed. Keep being the cheerful, determined, big-hearted girl I know." He hugged her while May cried listening to her friend's words.
Ash surprised everyone when he kissed the girl's forehead and handed her Pikachu, who was looking at his trainer with tears in his eyes. "I will leave you my Pokémon May. I don't know anyone who would love them as much as you do. Sleep well, eat well, train well and never let people tell you what you should or shouldn't do. May, I have to tell you one last thing. Loving someone means being willing to give your all for the other, this is my last chance to say this, but you mean a lot to me. Live your life happily, for both of us. Goodbye May." Ash pulled away from his friends and looked at Lucario, who nodded and the pair headed towards the heart of the tree.
May looked at her friend in disbelief. He loved her, Ash had said he loved her and now he was going to his own death. She couldn't let that happen. As she tried to run towards the boy, a barrier stopped her, courtesy of Mew.
With hate and despair in her eyes she pounded her fists as she tried in vain to break the barrier. "Let me go! I can't let him do this, not after what he told me! Please..." She fell to her knees as emotions surged through her heart. Without her noticing, small blue sparks appeared in her body. Mew's eyes widened as he recognized the energy the girl was releasing.
Ash looked at Lucario and they both knew what to do. The human and Pokémon duo placed their hands on the heart of the tree and their auras burned brightly. As they energized the core, the tree came back to life and the flowers bloomed. Sweat trickled down Ash's face as he felt the price being taken for his actions, his knees weakened and as he threatened to fall, he remembered why he was fulfilling his mission. With renewed determination, he got to his feet and his aura burned brighter than ever, and the bluish hue turned into white energy. Lucario followed suit and the duo was successfully saving the tree. Mew looked solemnly at that white energy and couldn't help but be in awe to see such an act before his eyes.
"The white flames, the ultimate technique of an aura guardian. When their strength fades away, only a strong determination is able to make them reach this stage, where they consume their own life to transform it into energy. It's been 1,000 years since I've seen something like this," upon hearing Mew's words, the group of teenagers looked with a mixture of admiration and sadness at their friend. May was desolate as she felt her heart break at the sight of Ash sacrificing himself. She finally understood what she felt, it took her best friend to sacrifice himself for her to realize that she loved him.
And they called Ash dense.
Panic seized her heart, she realized that this would be the last opportunity to tell the boy how she felt, and if May let this opportunity pass, she would never forgive herself.
She got up and screamed at the top of her lungs. "Ash! I love you!" Everyone's eyes widened in surprise at the girl's words. Brock and Max knew that Ash and May had a special bond, but they didn't expect it to get to this point. Mew looked at the girl and felt guilty, for his weakness again the future of several people would be irremediably affected.
Ash heard May's voice and couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his face. Lucario had exhausted his strength and was already gone, leaving the final job for Ash to complete. He looked at May and with a serene smile, said goodbye definitively.
Blood flowed from his mouth as his life force was at its limit. Not wanting his efforts to go in vain, Ash gathered the rest of his strength and with a war cry he used all of his energy in one last pulse of aura, which turned the tree's colors back to a healthy green.
Ash couldn't stand up and ended up falling backwards, feeling his strength quickly drain away. Mew looked solemnly at the fallen boy and let his barrier disappear. "It's over, the tree is saved." The three humans at his side ignored him as they ran towards the pokémon trainer. Brock was holding Max who was crying when he saw Ash in such a state. May knelt as she held his hands, looking desperately at the dying boy.
Ash felt his time had come, and with one last effort, he said his final words. "Don't cry for me…it was my decision to take such action. Live your lives...I will always be with you. And May... live with no regrets, for both of us." And with that, he closed his eyes and his breathing stopped.
Silence was established in the place, even Regice, Regirock and Registeel were present and looked with respect at the boy who had saved their home.
Pikachu jumped off of May's lap and started rubbing his cheek against Ash's face, trying to wake him up. When he couldn't, he gave him a small Thunderbolt and even then he wasn't successful. The electric Pokémon looked up at its trainer, and not wanting to abandon its best friend, lay down on its chest, refusing to let go.
As Brock comforted Max, May glared at Mew.
With venom in her voice, she directed all her dislike towards the legendary Pokémon. "I will never forgive you. Your cursed tree took away the person I love, I hate you." Mew wasn't surprised by the hate, it was what he deserved for his own incompetence.
Mew approached the girl without seeming affected by her words. "Hate me if it eases your pain, but Ash has done the duty that's been with the Ketchum family for countless generations, and you have the same gift as he does. May, you can manipulate aura, and Ash has entrusted you with his future." Something clicked in May's mind and she punched the legendary Pokemon.
His gaze was one of pure hatred. "That's not a gift you bastard, it's a curse! Everyone I've known with that damn aura power has died, do you want to kill me too? There are more efficient ways to do this." Mew got tired of the girl's hostility towards him.
"HUMAN SILENCE!" Her voice echoed throughout the tree, and made May instinctively take a few steps back. "You have no choice, the world needs a chosen one and Ash has entrusted you with his burden. And if you want motivation, know that Ash can still be saved." This came as a shock to everyone. Could Ash still live? This was too good to be true.
Brock glared at the Pokémon with silent fury. "Don't play with that Mew..." The Legendary Pokemon huffed in indignation at the humans' audacity before him, and decided that actions were better than words. He floated above Ash's body and placed a paw on his chest, and then an aura pulse emitted. Ash started breathing again while he was still unconscious.
"I cannot give him the life that was sacrificed, but thanks to Lucario, his aura core is still intact. I don't know when Ash will wake up, or IF he will, but now you have a chance to save him if you find something or someone capable of manipulating life." I returned the excess energy from the tree to Ash, he has about 5 years to live as of this point." Everyone was speechless, Ash was still alive, even if in a kind of coma.
Max hugged the unconscious boy while Brock took Pikachu in his lap. The Electric Pokemon was crying, but now with relief. His friend was alive, and that was all that mattered. May addressed Mew with a determined look.
"You told me I have no choice, but learning how to manipulate aura can help me save him?" Mew nodded and that was all May needed to hear.
With a determined look, she extended her hand towards the Legendary Pokemon. "I'm not doing this for you Mew, hell, I'm not even doing this for the title of 'chosen', I'm just accepting this burden because it might save the person I love. And nothing, and no one, is going to stop me." Mew accepted the girl's words, and with his powers, he brought the group inside Cameran's castle. Queen Ilene approached, alarmed by the group's appearance.
Mew approached the queen with May accompanying him. The coordinator looked at Ilene with an expressionless look and knelt down. "I humbly ask for the chance to be an aura keeper." Ilene looked with interest at Mew, who nodded.
"Are you willing to pledge allegiance to the sovereign kingdom of Rota?" May looked at the queen with determination and answered. "I only have my loyalty to Ash, I cannot pledge allegiance to his kingdom. But if becoming a guardian is anything to help me save him, I will be loyal to you and your kingdom for as long as it takes." The guards advanced towards the girl for such insolence, but with a gesture from Ilene, they all stopped.
This coordinator had been disrespectful to her, but Ilene could see in her eyes, May didn't care about anything but Ash's safety. She owed them both for saving her kingdom, and as a woman she understood that nothing would stand in May's way in her quest to save the one she loved.
"Very well, I grant you the honor of starting your path in the aura arts on the sacred soil of Rota Kingdom, you will be under the tutelage of the head of the royal guard, Sir Riley. I expect great things from you May, don't let me down and most of all, don't embarrass our nation."
May silently agreed, accepting her new life.
Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.
May Maple lost something very important in that fateful event, her dream was no longer important if the person she loved was depending on her to live.
And after three long years where blood, sweat and tears were shed...
An aura guardian was born.
Pallet Town, Ketchum Residence – 3 years after the events in Rota Kingdom.
It was a rainy afternoon in Pallet, and this was surprising during the winter as it was rare for heavy rain to occur during this season of the year.
Inside the Ketchum residence, Delia was taking care of her beloved son, who had been lying in his room, unconscious for three long years. Seeing her boy in this state was heartbreaking. The cheerful boy who dreamed of being a Pokémon master was reduced to a boy trapped in his own body.
Ash is 17 years old and his hair grew a lot during his time in a coma. Delia considered cutting them off, but decided against it. She was hopeful that her boy would be able to choose his haircut when he woke up.
A mother's hope was never-ending.
The room had two beds, one was always occupied by Ash, the other was owned by a certain girl from Petalburg.
May moved into the Ketchum residence permanently, and whenever she was off duty with the kingdom of Rota, she came to visit Delia and Ash. It touched her heart when she saw that girl refusing to leave her son's side.
Ash had a beautiful girl who loved him, and he didn't even have the opportunity to take advantage of that.
Norman and Caroline, May's parents, tried to dissuade the girl, claiming that she was throwing away her career because of a boy in a coma. A heated argument ensued, causing May to cut ties with her family permanently, Max being the only Maple she interacted with.
Brock dedicated himself to being a Pokémon doctor, fulfilling Ash's wish to see him fulfill his dream. He still hadn't found a woman who could put up with his attitudes, but as the 'doctor of love' as he called himself, giving up was something he didn't know.
Whenever Misty could visit her friend. The Cerulean girl was heartbroken to discover what had happened to Ash. The two girls can't stand each other, Misty blames May for what happened, and May can't stand to see a girl who doesn't know what really happened have the audacity to put the blame on someone else.
The Cerulean Gym Leader visits the Ketchum family home, but with the constant arguments between May and Misty, Delia loses her temper and threatens to ban both of them from visiting Ash's room. Even though they didn't like each other, they came to a truce, as they both accepted the fact that Ash's well-being is what really matters, and that he would hate to find two of his friends at odds.
Gary was someone who surprisingly committed a lot of his time to ways of trying to save his old rival and childhood friend. When questioned by May, Gary stated that it was the least he could do for his friend. He owed Ash a lot and wanted to see him wake up so he could annoy 'Ashy-boy'.
Delia looked at her son and placed a kiss on his forehead, stroking his cheek and looking out the window. The rain had stopped falling and the sun was threatening to break through the clouds. When a small beam of light met Ash's face, he started to mumble, which sent Delia into shock.
Slowly Ash opened his eyes and in a husky voice spoke to his mother.
"Mom…where am I?"
A scream echoed through the Ketchum household, and Delia hugged her son tightly, fearing it was all a cruel dream.
"Oh my son, I was so worried, I thought you would never wake up again." She cried into her son's chest as Ash looked on blankly.
"To wake up? Mom I don't understand. Where is Pikachu? He always sleeps with me." Delia caressed her face as she looked pityingly at her son.
"Ash, you were in a coma for three years, May told me about what happened in Rota's kingdom, I thought I lost you forever." Tears fell back down Delia's face as Ash was startled by the revelation. Memories of that fateful day surged through his mind and the boy couldn't help but feel a chill at the memory of his 'near death'.
"I was in a coma for three years? I thought I wouldn't survive, what happened?" Ash was really confused. His mother looked at him and trying to calm down, answered her son.
"No one told me the details, only that you had been hurt. But that doesn't matter, you woke up! Can't wait to tell your friends about this news. Do you want something? Water, food?"
At the mention of food, Ash's stomach rumbled, making the teenager blush in embarrassment. He took his hand to the back of his neck and noticed that his hair was much longer than usual. Delia laughed at her son as she helped him to his feet;
"You were in a coma, but your hair kept growing. I was hoping you would wake up, so I let it grow for you to decide what to do with your hair." Ash looked at his mother and still a little bewildered by the large amount of information, he smiled at the woman who raised him.
"For now I'll keep it intact. Will you help me tie it? It's weird to have so much hair swinging all over the place without any control."
Delia nodded and tied Ash's hair in a ponytail. Soon after, she helped him down the stairs.
Ash was very hungry and sat in a chair, still having difficulty walking after so many years in a coma, while he waited for his mother to prepare the meal. Delia smiled at the scene, and wiped away a tear that threatened to fall.
She missed her dear son and finally she had him back.
A woman walked the streets of Pallet Town with a Pikachu on her shoulder, the deadpan look on her face known throughout town.
Her long brown hair was loose on her head, with an old red bandana on her head, characteristic of her past. Wearing a black top with a white jacket over it, open to reveal the black top underneath, at her waist was a yellow fanny pack that contained her belongings, including her Poké Balls. She wore thigh-length black leggings with a slightly shorter white skirt over the top ending with white sneakers and black tights.
People on the streets would greet her, and the girl would respond with a curt nod without a word. She might seem impolite, but the people of Pallet were used to the girl's cold attitude.
When she approached the Oak laboratory, she entered without knocking on the door, startling Professor Oak who was leaving his ranch.
"By Arceus May, how many times have I asked you not to enter unannounced, I am not old enough to be scared like that." The Pokémon teacher placed a hand on his chest as he sighed trying to calm down. This made May crack a small smile, something that was rare to see. Pikachu jumped off her shoulder and excitedly greeted its former owner.
"Pika Pikapi" Said the electric mouse happily. The old professor looked at the Electric Pokémon and scratched its cheek, much to Pikachu's delight. "Glad to see you too Pikachu, did you take care of May? You know she has a tendency to get into trouble whenever she gets the chance." Pikachu agreed with a "Pika" while May felt betrayed by her friend.
"Pikachu! This is not true!" May said in a rare moment where she raised her voice. The skeptical look she received from Pikachu and Professor Oak made her blush in embarrassment. Glancing at the opposite side of the pair, she reluctantly conceded the statement.
"Okay…maybe I'm a little reckless, but it's part of my job. Anyway, I just visited to say hello, I have to go back to Delia's, haven't seen Ash in a month." Old Oak looked with a hint of respect and gratitude to the girl. She gave up everything for Ash, he just wanted the boy to wake up. She didn't show it, but she suffered since the fateful day when the boy fell into a coma.
They talked for a few more minutes and not long after, May said goodbye, speeding up her steps to arrive soon at the Ketchum residence.
When she got close to the backyard, she felt a pulse of familiar aura and her eyes widened. Her heart began to beat rapidly and the hope that finally 'he' had woken up resurfaced for May. Running as if her life depended on it, she entered the Ketchum house, took off her sneakers and when she reached the kitchen, she was in shock with what she saw.
Ash was awake.
"PIKAPI!" Pikachu ran towards its trainer, and when Ash turned around, he found someone he thought he would never see again.
"May..." Ash didn't say anything else, as the girl threw herself at him while hugging him, knocking the trainer to the ground. Delia was surprised that it all happened so quickly, but she was happy for the pair. Deciding to leave the 'couple' alone, she headed for her videophone.
Delia had a lot of important calls to make, after all, someone very dear to many people had finally woken up.
May refused to let go of the boy while Ash still bewildered returned the hug.
May's voice shook as she punched Ash in the chest. "You fool! Why don't you think of yourself for one goddamn time? I thought I lost you, did you ever think for once how it would feel to see you dying in front of me? If you hadn't survived I…I don't know what I would have done."
The girl's punches were hard, but Ash refused to stop her, May had a right to be frustrated. "I would have done it all over again if I had to. I'm sorry for making you so sad, but that's just the way I am and nothing is going to change the way I act." May released him as she looked on with a serene smile.
"I know, and that makes you the person I look up to so much." She helped him to his feet, and putting an arm around his shoulder, the pair walked into the living room of the house, with both of them taking a seat on a sofa.
The tender moment was replaced by a tense atmosphere, as May looked with her usual unreadable expression at Ash, who wasn't used to his friend acting in such a way, and couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable.
May crossed her arms as she spoke to him. "A lot has changed in these three years that you were unconscious. Ash, you trusted me with many things when you were determined to give your life to save that damned tree, and because of that I have the same gift as you do." She conjured an aura sphere for a few seconds before closing her fist, shattering the sphere into tiny blue particles.
Ash couldn't believe what he was seeing, it must have been impossible for May to have such an ability. "What did you do May?" The tone was one of fear that her friend had rushed. May let a small smile spread across her face, there was the Ash she knew, concerned for the well-being of those around her. "I trained to manipulate aura correctly. I am an aura guardian recognized by the kingdom of Rota. Seeing you in a coma made me panic, I didn't want to see you in such a state again, and I wanted to be able to fight by your side in the future, not being a girl that needed to be protected anymore. Now that you're awake, we need to get you in shape quickly, our time is running out." Her tone turned somber as she clenched her fists tightly.
The trainer looked doubtfully at May. "What really happened after I saved the tree from the beginning? I shouldn't even be alive, I used all my life force to make sure the tree survived for another 1,000 years." Doubt was replaced by fear as she saw tears fall from the face of the girl beside her.
"Mew managed to give you five years of life, Ash, and you were in a coma for three years. We only have two years to find a way to save you. That's why I trained so hard, no matter what happens we will find a way to save you." Ash couldn't help but be touched by her friend's determination to save him, and though he was grateful, he couldn't let May give up her life to go on a quest to heal her.
"I can't let you waste your time on my account. You are a coordinator with a lot of potential and..." He was cut off with a slap across his face.
"Shut your goddamn mouth Ketchum! I didn't say you have a choice, I'll save you even if I have to beat and drag you along the way!" He had never seen so much anger in May's voice, but soon the scary expression was replaced by a serene look as she stroked the side where she'd hit his boy.
"You told me that day that I was the master of my own destiny, and my decision is to save you." The boy still didn't understand May's change in attitude.
"But it's your career..." He got punched in the head, courtesy of a certain coordinator who was glaring at him.
Holding the place where he was attacked, Ash cried comically. "Why did you hit me?!"
"Why are you so dumb Ash!" He looked indignantly at his friend and went into shock when she kissed him. Pikachu, who had only been watching the pair until then, opened his mouth with a surprised look (AN: Yes, the surprised Pikachu meme) in disbelief at what he was seeing and fell backwards onto the ground.
The kiss was short-lived, and when they broke apart, May looked at him with an unreadable expression as she blushed. For Ash, his friend action was something he never expected to happen to him.
Blushing and stuttering, the boy looked at her. "M...May, I thought you liked D..." Another punch to the head was what he got for the comment.
"Again May! Why are you so mean to me?" The boy's comical look almost made May laugh...almost.
"Because you're too dense. During our time together traveling through Hoenn and Kanto, I gave you all the hints that I loved you, okay, I admit I did it subconsciously and I only realized the truth in that damn tree, but Mr. Super Denso never thought about anything other than Pokémon or food. Drew is definitely more tactful with women and I'm not going to lie, I had a little crush on him. But I soon realized that it was you I really liked. Ash, you are idiotic, irresponsible, reckless, lacking in social tact, and you eat with the delicacy of a Snorlax." Ash chuckled with sarcasm in his voice.
"Oh my God, if that's what you think of me saying you love me, imagine if you hated me." That earned him a small punch on the shoulder.
"Shut up Ash, I'm not done. Anyway, you have your flaws just like I do too, but you're thoughtful, kind, and I can't believe I'm going to say this, but you're beautiful. I love you for the person you are, so shut up and accept the fact that you are my boyfriend now!" A bead of sweat broke out on Ash's face as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Are you sure May, I..." The girl threatened him with a raised fist, preventing Ash from finishing his sentence. "I mean, sure May, I would love to be your boyfriend, but I've never dated before so I'm not really sure what to do." May smiled at the boy and a mischievous look came over her face. Giving the poor boy no choice, she lifted him in her arms and carried him into the bathroom.
Flushing with embarrassment, Pallet's trainer yelled at his friend, and well...girlfriend. "Wait May, what do you think you're going to do…OH MY GOD NO, PIKACHU HELP! MAY IS CRAZY!" A loud punch can be heard upstairs as Pikachu laughs at its Trainer's misfortune.
Delia went upstairs and saw the scene where Ash, with a comical, steaming lump on his head, sat reluctantly in the bathtub while May scrubbed her body with a brush, trying to keep her face impassive as she blushed.
The boy's mother brought a hand to her cheek as she chuckled to herself. "Things around here are going to get very interesting. Oh, I can't wait for the grandchildren."
3 months later – Pokéarth Temple - Snowpoint City
It was winter in Sinnoh, in the coldest city in that region. A snowstorm was raging at the time when a pair of teenagers reached the top of the mountain and the entrance to the temple.
If anyone observed the pair, they would soon realize that it was a man and a woman. Both wore black overcoats and had scarves of the same color draped across the lower part of their faces. The Man looked at the woman as they both stood in front of the entrance to the temple.
"Tell me again May, why are we at Snowpoint at the most dangerous time of year to visit the mountains?"
May looked at him like he was a retard. "Because here's the only Pokemon that can give you extra life if you're stupid! Ash, I wonder why I fell in love with you, I would be better off with Pikachu by my side." The comment earned a "Pikapi" muffled by Ash's overcoat.
"I am flattered by your kind words May." Ash said with sarcasm in his tone as he entered the temple. May followed and when the pair were out of the storm, the overcoats disappeared into blue energy.
She hugged him while Ash stared sullenly at a wall. "Ash you know I was kidding, now stop being a kid and let's go find Regigigas."
Ash was wearing a black tank top that clung to his well-built frame. Black cargo pants, black combat boots, and a pair of red gloves with a blue gem on the cuffs.
May was wearing the same clothes she wore the day she found Ash awake in Pallet.
Inside the time, a huge stone door with images of the Regi trio carved around the Regigigas made it clear what the place was all about. The Snowpoint Temple, resting place of the legendary golem.
May and Ash faced each other and with a nod of their heads, placed a hand on either side of the massive gate. An aura pulse made several runes light up in a bluish tone, it didn't take long to activate the security mechanisms and the huge stone door began to open.
Finally having access to the interior of the temple, the duo approached the center and there was Regigigas, sitting on a kind of throne with large layers of dust covering him.
It almost looked like a statue, rather than a legendary Pokémon.
Lights began to light up inside the time and the spheres of Regigigas that resembled eyes lit up, a sign that the huge normal-type golem was awake.
Regigigas is in a word, a titan. As tall as the temple itself, their footsteps make the ground shake, and sounds that resemble turbines echoed throughout the place, making it clear that what before them is not an organism made of flesh, but a completely different form of life.
The colossal Pokémon stared at the two humans in front of it, and for a moment it thought about attacking them, but when it felt the aura energy emanating from them, it knew it was in no danger.
May watched with apprehension and anticipation. If something went wrong, all efforts to locate Regigigas would be in vain.
"Ash, be careful." It was only when they were away from other people that May allowed herself to show any kind of weakness, and Ash knows this all too well. His goofy smile, the pallet boy's trademark, calmed May, and with a sigh, Ash walked towards the golem that faced him.
"Regigigas, I apologize for waking you from your slumber, but I need your help. I have little time to live, I used all my vital energy to save the tree from the beginning, and since you are the authority representing earthly life, I thought I could enlist your help." The golem stayed still for a few seconds, and when it looked like nothing was going to happen, Regigigas held Ash with one hand and a huge sphere of white energy appeared in the Pokémon's free hand. The accumulated energy was so great that May could feel the heat even from a good 5 meters away.
"What are you going to… AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ash screamed in pain as Regigigas shoved the orb into his chest. May was panicked seeing him screaming in pain, and with a pulse of aura in her legs, she charged forward at high speed to fight Regigigas.
The golem saw the attack but did not take offense. Humans tend to be aggressive in protecting their mates, and their work has been done. Regigigas put Ash on the ground and started walking towards the throne again.
Ash was losing consciousness, and lines of energy ran through his entire body, pulsing in a characteristic bluish hue that only the Aura has.
"Ash, are you okay?" May brought him into a hug with tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Pallet's trainer was about to lose consciousness, but seeing May in panic, he tried to calm her down, bringing a trembling hand to the girl's face and wiping away the tears.
His hand threatened to fall away, but May caught it, doing anything to support it.
Regigigas sat on the throne and fell asleep. The lights of time began to go out and with difficulty May helped Ash to leave that room that was closing.
At the entrance to the temple, she finally allowed herself to slump to the ground. Ash instantly lost consciousness and she laid him down on the ground, resting her head in her lap as she watched curiously at the aura marks on her boyfriend's body.
With the exception of his face, Ash's entire body had lines of energy that were currently without light, but pulsed with aura while he was awake. Regigigas did something that affected him deeply, and Ash's aura level tripled the same instant the golem released him.
The storm showed no signs of abating, and night engulfed the mountains. It would be foolish to try to descend the huge frozen mountain in such weather conditions. May has set up a small camp and accommodates Ash in the only tent they share while traveling.
Seeing him sleeping in peace brought a smile to the girl's face, once again confirming to herself that it was worth giving up so many things, if that meant being able to one day live beside Ash without any worries.
Unbeknownst to the two aura users, on the other side of Sinnoh, a huge airship camouflaged in the sky was heading towards an unknown destination, with a huge crew of mercenaries performing different tasks. At the helm of it all is the infamous Hunter J, one of the most dangerous criminals in the world.
And your current mission is simple: Capture any rare Pokémon and sell to the highest bidder, as money is society's most powerful tool.
One week later, Sandgem Town Forest, Sinnoh
"Are you sure we're on the right track?" Ash asked May that he was holding a map. While May kept her choice of clothes, Ash decided to change it up a bit, as the marks on her body forced him to choose something more reserved. He was wearing a long sleeved black shirt, blue sleeveless jacket, blue jeans and a pair of black sneakers. Gloves covered the entirety of her hands, and on her head, a red hat with her long hair tied in a ponytail.
May tried to learn how to use a pokénav, but apparently the talent for manipulating technology belongs to just one boy in the Maple family.
She stared at the map with such intensity that if gazes could burn, the piece of paper would be on fire. "Of course, we move forward until we find the exit from the forest."
Ash was silent, looking at May with narrowed eyes, she realized she was being stared at and tried to keep up her straight face.
"We're lost, aren't we?" May blushed with embarrassment and hid her face in the map. Ash sighed despondently, apparently having a horrible sense of direction is yet another thing they both have in common.
May put a hand over her mouth and coughed, trying to calm down. "Why don't you use the Pidgeot to do aerial reconnaissance of the forest? It would be easier than depending on that useless piece of paper." Ash shook his head.
"Bad idea, the forest is dense, and with the large number of Ariados living around here, bringing Pidgeot out of the Poké Ball would make them nervous, and the last thing I want is to confront a horde of poisonous Pokémon in terrain that is not I know." May pouted and kicked a rock, this is one of the rare moments where Ash really shows his intelligence, but the annoying thing is that it always happens to contradict an idea of hers.
'You smartass' May whispered, but let out a high-pitched scream when Ash caught her around the waist and pulled her behind his back. "Ash, what the hell are you doing?!" She yelled at the boy.
Ash didn't speak a word, he acted. A layer of aura enveloped his body, and the muscles in his legs and arms dilated. Ash took a deep breath, and the steam from the hot air could be seen with the naked eye.
Slowly he reached out a hand and made an open fist, and what happened next was in slow motion.
"Someone help me stop this bike!" A girl screamed desperately as she tried in vain to control a pink bicycle, and when she saw a boy right in front of her, she tried her best not to run over him, but to no avail. She closed her eyes waiting for the impact, but it never came. The bicycle collided with the outstretched hand, and instead of sending Ash flying away, the bicycle instantly stopped, and the girl was about to fall to the ground when he caught her in his arms.
Gently, Ash held her, but she was still shaking with her eyes closed. "Eh, you can open your eyes, you are safe."
The girl opened her eyes and was faced with a very handsome boy, with an angular face, long hair tied in a ponytail and eyes shining in a blue tone, with 'z' marks on his cheeks, and hell, she could feel it. his muscles under his clothes.
Blushing with embarrassment, she did her best not to stutter. "My name is Dawn, thank you so much for helping me, but…could you put me down?" Ash was confused by the timid tone, but complied.
Ash looked worriedly at Dawn. "Are you sure you weren't hurt? My name is Ash Ketchum, I managed to save you, but your bike wasn't as lucky... I'm sorry." Dawn cocked her head in confusion, but when she looked back, she squealed in shock at the sight of her fully twisted bike.
"Oh! HOW AM I GOING TO TRAVEL THROUGH SINNOH WITHOUT THE BIKE?!" Ash's eyebrow trembled with anger at the irony of fate, again he met a girl and destroyed her bike, is this some kind of sick joke?
Meanwhile, May was controlling herself not to strangle her boyfriend, even without any malicious intent, Ash has met a beautiful girl, and the last thing May wants is another woman vying for her man's attention.
A shiver down the brunette's spine made her kick another pebble. "I just broke my luck, didn't I Pikachu?" The yellow rat that until now had not been named, nodded, perched on May's shoulder.
"Pikapi!" The yellow mouse said excitedly.
May groaned in dismay. "This is what I feared..."
And that concludes the first chapter. I have the prologue ready since August 2022, but I decided to post it only now. Although it initially appears to have a dark premise, I intend for the story to have its moments of humor, slice of life and romantic comedy.
The story will take place mainly in the Diamond and Pearl generation, I do not intend to address the later generations, but I can mention them in a few moments. My intention is to make a unique story, but one that is cohesive with what I proposed in this opening chapter.
As for the age of the characters, they will vary according to need.
Ash – 17 years old
Misty – 18 years old
May – 16 years old
Dawn – 16 years old
About romantic couples, the only thing I can say is that obviously there will be advanceshipping, the rest, find out as the plot is revealed.
Thank you in advance to everyone who reads, and see you soon.