Dear Readers,

Sorry about this chapter, no fight scenes AND it's short, but it is a necessary chapter. I hope that it still expresses character.

Thanks,

Frenchii

Chapter 3

The Secret of the Aura

The place set of a strong vibe of superiority and power. It made me queasy.

"Step forward!" Gallade called.

We did so. The blades on his arms made him look a force to be reckoned with. And, as a head of the council, I was sure he was.

"I hear that you rescued one of our esteemed operatives," Gallade boomed, making Gardevoir, along with the rest of us, cringe. Oddish stepped forward.

"Yes, sir!" it said.

"Thank you," the soft, caring voice that had summoned us was, evidently, Gardevoir's, "without Ralts, we could not have received the information we needed."

"And that is why," Gallade growled, "we have decided to make you members of the Council."

I couldn't believe it. I was ecstatic. Beside me, I could feel Oddish and Absol's excitement. We were going to be Council Members! The happiness was over-whelming, it just kept going. Nothing could stop me being happy today. The excitement just kept growing and growing, until...

"Ah!" I yelped.

Ten Minutes Later...

"Jay," a high-pitched voice squeaked, "Jay, wake up."

"Ow," I groaned, "my head." The world was spinning.

As it came back into focus, I noticed Farfetch'd, Absol and Oddish standing over me. How embarrassing.

As I got up, I noticed that we were outside again.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You collapsed," said Farfetch'd, quite matter-of-factly, "now that you're better, you can go meet Ralts."

"But-" I stuttered. The look on Farfetch'd's face told all.

"No buts!" It spat, walloping me on the backside with the leek.

"Fine, Fine," I whinged, "I'm going. Going where?"

It took us a good half-hour to walk out to Ralts' home. Absol and Oddish had been ordered to stay behind, as it was only I who was invited. Farfetch'd knocked on the door with its leek.

"Why do you carry that thing around all the time?" I asked. I couldn't handle the curiosity anymore. Farfetch'd looked as if I had just cursed its entire family tree.

"LEEKY IS NOT A THING!" It yelled.

"Leeky?" I tried to suppress a laugh.

The door opened. Out popped Ralts' little head, followed by the rest of its body.

"Ah," it cried, "Jay, you're here!" It turned to Farfetch'd. "You may go."

"As you wish, Ralts," Farfetch'd bowed before leaving.

"Come in, Jay."

I followed Ralts into the cottage. We both sat down at a small, round table.

"You may be wondering," Ralts began, "why I summoned you here."

"I'd like to think it's because you like me," I said. Ralts chuckled.

"Yes and no. I have called you here because of the episode you had today. I believe you have the very rare ability of Aura."

"Aura?"

"The emotion and life-force surrounding each and every one of us. Some of us have the ability to link with, and draw upon, others' emotions."

"Then that must have been how I defeated Houndoom."

"I believe that is the case, yes. And you tried to feel my aura while I was lost. Very intelligent idea by the way."

I blushed. "Thank you."

"I apologise for blocking my aura off though. I thought it was... someone else."

"Am I the only one to have this power?" I asked.

"No," Ralts said, "there are a few others, but there is only one other that I know of."

"And that is...?" I motioned for it to go on.

"I can't remember, all I know is you need to learn how to control it so it doesn't control you."

"And I suppose you are going to teach me?"

"No. There is only one person in this whole forest who knows enough about Aura to teach you what you need to know," said Ralts, "you must go to see Mothim at the Crystal Clearing."

Back at the Council, after explaining the situation to Absol and Oddish...

"Mothim was my mentor long ago." Absol blurted out. "Quite knowing, doesn't miss a trick."

"Hmmmm..." Oddish frowned, it had a look of utmost concentration on its face.

"What's up?" I asked. Oddish turned to Absol.

"If Mothim is so knowing, do you think..."

"That Mothim could know how I turned into a Pokémon?!" I interrupted.

"I don't see why not," said Absol.

And so we left the council, bound for Crystal Clearing and, perhaps, the discovery of my identity.