Nighttime, near Viridian National Back (3 days later)
Riolu was currently looking through his goggles at the bank from a building across the street. Using the zoom feature, he could see everything from his position. According to information being passed by some of the lower level criminals, it was said a big heist was going to go down today
"I would've though I'd see you in action by now. Does this place not get much action or something. I've been tailing you for 3 days now and I have yet to even see you doing something remotely hero like" said a familiar voice as Riolu turned around and his eyes widened at who was standing before him
"Robin" he whispered in slight awe. He knew it wasn't the original Robin, but to have someone like Robin just a few feet away was something he never would have though possible
"Riolu" Robin responded as he moved to sit beside the aura user and took out a pair of goggles "Rumor has it you're the latest teenage hero on the scene. Lucario's protégé and partner. For only being on the field for a short time, you've made a reputation for yourself"
"Why are you here?" Riolu asked, there wasn't any reason for Robin to be here... unless he was on assignment from Batman "Did you come here because you were curious about me or because you were tasked with finding out about me and whether or not I'm a threat?"
Robin was silent for a while that Riolu thought he wasn't going to answer until he spoke "Honestly my reason for being here shouldn't be your business"
"Then why reveal yourself. You could have just stuck to the shadows. Isn't that what you bats do?" Riolu asked with narrowed eyes as Robin sighed
"You would have found out about me sooner or later. If I recall, you have the ability to sense people's auras" he said as Riolu said nothing, but Robin was right. He had thought it was strange that everywhere he went as Riolu another presence was near but thought nothing of it at the time
"The ability to wield aura is all but extinct. It was though Lucario was the last one according to the files on the Bat Computer, yet somehow you seem to be able to manipulate aura" Robin explained as Riolu just stared at him, not sure what to say at this
"I-I can't e-explain it myself... it just h-happened" Riolu nervously said as Robin moved his attention back towards the bank he'd seen Riolu looking at before
"Looks like a couple of robbers just entered the bank" Robin said as Riolu grabbed the offered binoculars and just as Robin said, a breaking and entering was in process
Turning around to return the binoculars, Riolu saw Robin was no longer in the area. The aura user didn't know what to make of this whole situation. Now he had Robin and Jason to look out for... that is of course if they aren't the same person. Something which he doubted since it was too much of a coincidence that both are in Viridian at the same time
The next day, Viridian High
Ash walked into his classroom with his hands holding his onto the straps of his backpack tightly. He couldn't get the conversation from yesterday with Robin out of his head 'Does he know who I am?'
What Robin said about the aura users being extinct made him wonder, why was it he could use aura? If it was such a rare ability, what made him fit to have such a power. He didn't know where his powers came from, they just appeared out of nowhere that day
...
No, not out of nowhere. Ash didn't know how he knew, but deep down he knew that deep down they had always been there... those unexplainable moments in his childhood, knowing about things that hadn't yet happened, seeing things others couldn't. Since he was 4 years old, he'd noticed he was different from everyone else... having a feeling as if something was missing, but never knew what
"What is wrong with you. You've been staring at nothing for the past 10 minutes" Gary's voice cut in, breaking Ash's thoughts as he turned to his friend
"Just thinking about somethings is all" he replied, his eyes slowly drifting towards Jason who was looking at him with an unreadable expression. Though there was a hint of concern in his eyes
"You've been acting weird since Jason arrived. Do you know him or something?" Leaf questioned
"No. This is my first time meeting Jason. How could I have met him? He's from Gotham. I've never even set foot in the place. My mom would kill me if I ever went to Gotham on my own"
"Doesn't explain your reason for being so tense and closed off around the new kid. Come to mention it, you've been more guarded around everyone since you met Jason" Gary commented
"Hey Ash... can we talk outside?" Jason suddenly cut in as Gary and Leaf turned towards Ash who gets up from his seat without a word and follows Jason into the hallway
Gary watched the duo leave and couldn't help but feel there was more going on between the two than meets the eye. Getting out his notebook, Gary added Jason's name to a page as he started writing his observations on the Gothamite
Meanwhile, Ash and Jason finally stopped walking as neither of the two said a word. Ash wasn't sure what Jason wanted to begin with. If Jason was in fact Robin and he'd figured out that he was Riolu... Ash wasn't sure what to do
"What do you know about Riolu?" Jason asked as Ash had to do a double take. Does he not know or is this a test? "I heard you seem to be a big Lucario fan. That must mean you must know something about his protégé Riolu" he continued talking, not yet turning to face him
"Everyone was surprised by the news and appearance of Riolu. Lucario had made it clear that he had no plans of taking on a protégé multiple times. You can see why when Riolu finally appeared and was publicly called Lucario's partner it was taken like world shocking news here. He first debuted 5 months ago during a kidnapped, but no one was sure since he wasn't public yet only whispers on the street. He officially became known I believe 1 or 2 months ago. Everyone here went crazy with Riolu's debut, some even wishing he might be someone they know"
It was quiet after this, Jason not saying a word. Ash was worried he had said something that he shouldn't have or that he'd given away his identity if Jason didn't already know that is
"Tell me Ash if you were Riolu... how would you feel? To be able to fight side by side with the hero you worship, make a difference and to have a power unlike any other?" Jason questioned as Ash looked like a fish out of water at this
"I-I don't know what you mean"
Jason finally turned to face him "Don't tell me you've never imagined it, Ash. Everyone has at least once thought about the idea of what it would be like to be a hero themselves"
Ash shifted as he grabbed his wrist nervously "I've imagined at times... having powers seems hard to control though. Making sure they don't lash out or hurt those closest to them. I'm guessing you must have thought about being a hero at some point"
At this point Ash didn't know where this conversation was going. It was clear that they both knew the truth about each other... so what is it Jason wanted?
"I'm gonna get to the point. I've known since I first got here about you Ash. I know about your powers and who you are. I didn't just come here to find out about who you are... I came here because I need your help. One of Batman's rogues is here in Viridian. I thought I'd be able to handle it alone... truth of the matter is I can't as much as I hate to say it"
Ash stared at him with surprised, but what he said next finally confirmed what he knew and also shocked him "So, what do you say? Will you help me, Riolu?"
Jason's reason for being in Viridian is more than just figuring out Ash's identity, which he already knew. One of Batman's rogues will make an appearance next chapter! The Riolu-Robin team up next chapter! Don't miss out ^^
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Guest: The last story was only meant to be as a prequel to this one. It only features Ash finding out about his abilities and his way towards Riley at the end. This story will have more chapters and focus on Ash's journey as a hero. It will include heroes from DC like Jason Todd AKA Robin in this mini ongoing arc. I will make sure it has more than 12 chapters this time around too :)