Hello guys, I hope some are still reading. Enjoy


Once again, Serena woke up in that all too familiar scene: she was in front of a small campfire while Lucario and Ash were cooking something they had recently hunted. She had lost consciousness once more and felt her entire body aching, her head included.

"Well, it took you long enough to wake up. You must be getting used to this by now. Although, I really am not," the knight exclaimed as he arranged the firewood in the campfire.

Serena groaned softly as she tried to sit up, her head still throbbing. She looked at the knight, "I appreciate your concern," she replied weakly. "I wish I could get used to these situations, but they always catch me by surprise."

"But what happened?" She asked, unable to remember what had transpired. He looked at her, confused. He knew there was something hidden in all of this, discovering that she could manipulate aura like that was not normal.

Ash exchanged a concerned glance with Lucario before turning back to Serena. "You don't remember anything?" he asked with curiosity.

Serena shook her head, her brow furrowed as she struggled to recall the events leading up to her loss of consciousness. "It's all a blur. The last thing I remember is... feeling overwhelmed by a surge of energy or something."

Ash remained cautious. It wasn't normal that he hadn't detected it before. When a person emits this ability, it leaves a trace in their aura, making it more intense in his vision. But with her, he detected nothing; it was as if she wasn't there. It was the first time this had happened, and that was not common based on his experience.

"The important thing, Serena, is that we're out of danger. We managed to evade more enemies and exit the mountain without any problems," Lucario explained to her, while Ash got up from his spot.

"One moment, does that mean we won't pursue them?" Serena protested, frustrated.

"They're hidden in the mountains, and there are more of them than we thought. Continuing after them would be suicidal," Ash explained the reality coldly. Serena couldn't accept that they would let the ones who destroyed her home, and her people go.

"We can't let them go; they took everything from me, and they'll likely do the same to others. We have to stop them," she argued with anger, without thinking about the consequences.

"Don't be foolish; you won't get justice if they kill you. There are too many of them, and you've already seen how strong and dangerous they really are," the knight responded to her coldly.

Serena's frustration and determination clashed with Ash's cautious pragmatism. She knew he was right about the overwhelming odds they would face if they pursued the enemy deeper into the mountains, but the pain of loss and the desire for revenge burned within her.

Lucario, ever the mediator between them, spoke up again. "Serena, I understand your anger and your need for justice. But rushing into battle without a plan won't achieve anything. We need to be smart about this".

Serena understood their words and their reasons, but she wasn't content with it. On the other hand, she sat in front of the campfire to feel its warmth, while Braixen approached her to offer some berries it had found earlier. Serena felt relief seeing that her companion was okay; Braixen was all she had left from her home.

Lucario smiled as he watched the two of them. He could sense their emotions and the support they gave each other. It was a genuine love and affection that only humans and Pokémon could share. Not everything in the world was bad; there were people and moments that reminded him of how important it was to protect life.

On the other hand, Ash viewed the scene differently. The affection between the two reminded him of the time when he was young, like Riolu and Pichu, playing in his old village without thinking about the destinies that awaited each of them. Although he didn't say it, he truly missed his old friend.

"Tomorrow, we'll head east," Ash told the girl. "Why east? What's there?" She asked.

"Lucario and I have some matters to attend to, and we need to make our way to the coast," Ash replied vaguely.

"But what about me?" Serena asked, fearing that both would leave her behind again. The knight refrained from answering, as if he were holding something back.

"We'll decide in the morning. Go get some rest," Ash told her before retiring.

Serena was filled with doubt and worry. She was afraid that both would leave. It was strange, but she already felt like they were all she had. She had only just met them, but the things they had been through and how they had saved her life made them feel irreplaceable. Sleeping on the ground for the third night in a row didn't surprise her anymore.

Both waited for Serena and Braixen to fall asleep so they could discuss what to do. "Master, if she's sensitive to aura, we should take her to the Order on the island," Lucario said.

"We don't know if that's true, Lucario, and we don't have the time to take her to the island," Ash replied, trying to stay focused on their mission.

"Master, I know this isn't normal, but if she's an initiate, leaving her here could mean her death or capture by the Dark Order, as has happened before," Lucario reminded him of how important initiates were to the Order.

Ash understood Lucario. What they had witnessed indicated that she possessed their power, and he knew the risk of leaving her behind.

After a moment of contemplation, Ash finally spoke, his voice tinged with concern. "You're right, Lucario. We can't abandon her here, not when she's shown signs of being an initiate. Allright we can do the test tomorrow" Ash told him to end the conversation.


The next day, Serena woke up with less worry. She glanced at her Braixen, peacefully lying beside her, unlike the preceding days. She felt a sense of calm, but she also noticed that the two aura guardians had disappeared again.

"Have they gone again?" she exclaimed, but for some reason, she didn't feel it was true. Serena decided not to wake her companion and began to explore her surroundings. Everything was quiet in the forest; she could hear different Pokémon, insects, and birds going about their daily routines.

It wasn't until she stumbled upon a beautiful field, without shadows or trees, just a plain bathed in sunlight. Witnessing such a beautiful scene, the girl felt a moment of peace, momentarily forgetting the hardships and misfortunes she had endured just a few days ago.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" a voice exclaimed behind her. She turned to see Ash. She was already accustomed to the energy he radiated, but not being able to see his face made her uneasy.

"Yes, I think so," she replied, still unsure. Silence fell between them, an awkward moment indeed. "Hey, I have a feeling you don't know what you did yesterday," Ash asked her.

At that moment, she remembered what she did yesterday—how, in an inexplicable way, she used a force she didn't know she possessed and managed to save the knight by pushing that man with a wave of pressure. It felt like a dream, but she knew it was real.

"What happened? I had never been able to do something like this," she asked, confused by what had happened. She didn't understand what was going on.

Ash looked at Serena seriously before responding, "What you did yesterday was use your aura, an internal energy that we all possess, but few can control. It's a unique ability that allows you to perform extraordinary feats."

Serena furrowed her brow, trying to assimilate the information. "My aura... but that's not possible; I've never been able to do something like this."

Ash understood that the girl really knew nothing about the aura, and their brief connection had been the first time she had accessed the power. To be sure, he knew how to confirm if she could truly manipulate the aura.

"I want to try something; look at this," Ash said, pulling something out of his bag. Serena looked at his hand and saw something she had never seen before. It was some kind of flower, but it was purple, with gleams emanating from the stem—it was almost unreal.

"But what is this?" she asked incredulously. "This is a Time Blossom; it's something only the aura guardians can use. It allows us to see messages from the past or secrets that only we can perceive. It's not something anyone can sense," Ash explained, revealing the significance of the flower.

With a focused gaze, Ash closed his eyes and extended his hand towards Serena. "Connect with the flower. Feel your own aura and allow it to reveal to you what it holds inside."

Serena, still feeling somewhat unsure, closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on her connection with the Time Blossom. Gradually, she began to feel a peculiar energy, as if the flower were sharing fragments of its past.

Flashing images appeared in Serena's mind—scenes from past events. It was an experience she had never thought possible. Among the visions, she saw a silhouette, something large covering the skies, and figures running.

As the vision reached its climax, Serena felt a surge of emotions—courage, determination, and a profound connection to the aura. The images faded, and she opened her eyes, finding herself back in the present, still holding the Time Blossom.

Ash observed her, waiting for her to speak. Serena took a moment to process the experience before meeting Ash's gaze. "I saw... I saw a world filled with aura, Pokémon and things that I never saw before… What does this mean?"

"This means that you are one of us. Its a surprise" Ash exclaimed.

Serena was shaken; what she had experienced was inexplicable. Everything had changed so quickly. Suddenly, it was like the stories she had read and always wished for.

She envisioned herself as a warrior and adventurer, exploring the secrets of the world. On the other hand, Ash remained serious. It was true that the girl could manipulate aura, but it couldn't be that he hadn't sensed it before. Could it be that her power had just awakened? It was unusual for her age; the majority discovered it when they were 10 or 11 years old, but she was 25. It wasn't normal.

"I want to ask you something," Serena said, stopping in her tracks. The knight and Lucario turned to look at her. "I want to be a warrior like you... I want to be an Aura Guardian," Serena exclaimed with a determined look.

Lucario was astonished to hear her request, knowing she was serious. He looked at his master, awaiting his response. On the other side, Ash gave a quick and curt answer, "No."

Serena felt like a bucket of cold water was thrown on her with his response. "But why?... You've already seen that I have the same power as you. I can be a warrior like you."

"I already told you, no. I have no responsibility towards you. Lucario and I have a mission to fulfill," Ash reaffirmed his response, unwilling to indulge the girl's whim.

"I've told you before, I want to be strong, to seek justice for my people, my mother, and all those taken from me by those damn men," Serena, now with her frustration unleashed, was supported by her Braixen, indicating that it would stand by her no matter what.

Lucario could sense the girl's emotions, her determination and bravery continuing.

Lucario looked at Serena with respect, acknowledging her determination. Ash, however, maintained his firm stance, focused on his own mission. The tension in the air was palpable.

The intensity of Serena's gaze hardened in the face of Ash's refusal, but she refused to be defeated. With determination, she said, "I don't understand why you refuse. You and Lucario are not the only ones with an important mission. I want to do something meaningful with my life too."

Ash sighed, sensing the intensity of Serena's emotions. "This is not a game, Serena. The life of an Aura Guardian is dangerous and requires sacrifices. It's not something you should take lightly."

"I'm willing to take those risks," Serena responded firmly. "I want to learn, train, and fight for what I believe in. You can't tell me I don't have the right to that." She tried to convincer him.

The faceless knight remained stoic; having another apprentice was not something he had expected. He was aware of the risks and knew that many times it did not end well. However, on the other hand, he understood what he felt. The first time he lost his loved ones made him feel so powerless, as if the world was ruthless and could destroy you in the blink of an eye.

However, the teachings of his master, Riley, were what propelled him forward. No matter how many times he fell into the darkness, he always rose stronger. It led him to find his purpose, to be the guardian of balance and justice.

"If you choose to take this path, there will be no turning back, you know that. Aura guardians and what we do aren't things of legends or stories told to children; we fight against evil, and we have to do whatever is necessary, even take the lives of other people and Pokémon. It's not something that just anyone can handle," Ash explained, trying to test her, to see if there was any doubt or fear in her gaze.

Surprisingly, he detected not a trace of doubt in her gaze; she looked angry and determined. "I won't fail myself or those I've lost. I want to seek justice and become strong enough to bring about that justice," Serena exclaimed.

"All right, but it won't be as easy as just asking for it. I'll give you one more test. If you manage to overcome this challenge, I'll take you where you need to go, and you'll train as an Aura guardian. However, if you fail, you'll return to your uncle's village and leave us in peace. Do we have a deal?" Ash told her very clearly the risks of failure.

Now Serena felt nervous. He had been very clear, and failing would mean that her path to seek justice would be much more difficult. She needed to learn and harness the power she had discovered the other day. "We have a deal, Ash," she exclaimed, shaking his hand.

"Very well then, I'll give you a test to prove the value of your words. Go collect water to boil from the river and gather some wood. Lucario will find you when the time comes. We'll see if your will is strong enough, girl," explained Ash before retreating into the forest with Lucario, leaving the two alone.

Serena had gotten herself into a predicament. She didn't know what the knight had in store for her, but she couldn't back down. If her fate was to fail, so be it, but she would do everything in her power to prevent that from happening.


Serena was by the river, collecting water for boiling and to clean herself. They had been in the mountains for three days, and she hadn't had the chance to bathe. She observed the river's tranquility, noticing some Magikarp and water Pokémon swimming in the current. These scenes of peace and serenity in nature were familiar to her as a country girl, but since the tragedy of her home, she hadn't experienced these moments of peace.

"Brax Braxien," the fire fox exclaimed, showing concern for her trainer. "I know what's coming may be the most difficult thing we've had to do, but you mustn't fail. I don't want to fail," Serena said as she washed her body.

Several memories flooded her mind, like waking up every morning to the Fletchling that would come to visit them or releasing the Rhyhorn to plow the fields. Now, she didn't know what had happened to the Pokémon under her mother's care, and she hoped they had come out of it unharmed.

Then she remembered the people of her village, her neighbors, Kalem and her mother—all those individuals she failed to appreciate, and who were no longer there. They were taken away by those men who had been pursuing them the day before, and to whom she technically took a life.

She felt a mix of emotions in that moment, but all of that didn't matter anymore because it was the path she wanted to take. To be a warrior like him. She revisited those moments when she fought against the men and beasts that threatened her life. How she felt no fear, and the world yielded to her strength and the power of the aura.

"I will succeed, Braxien, no matter what we have to face. I'll do it for us and for them, everyone from my village!" Serena shouted at the top of her lungs, even if she was alone


.

The sun was setting, and Serena was waiting impatiently for Lucario to take her to her trial to see if she was worthy of learning to use her aura. However, the hours passed, and there was no sign of his arrival. For a moment, she thought they wouldn't return, but from what little she knew about Ash, she knew he wasn't a liar.

For a moment, Serena began to close her eyes out of fatigue, but when she blinked again, Lucario was standing in front of her. She sighed in amazement at the speed at which he had appeared. "Are you ready, Miss Serena?" Lucario asked.

Serena swallowed, there was no turning back now, it was time to take the test. "Yes, Lucario, I'm ready," Serena said with determination. "Very well, let's go; my master is waiting for us."

They walked for a few minutes in the darkness of the forest. Serena knew they were close to the river because they weren't far from where she had been hours before. "Where are we going, Lucario?" she asked to break the silence.

"We're going to the place my master chose for the test," Lucario responded politely but seriously. "Have you been with him for a long time?" she asked, wanting to know more about the Aura Guardian.

"I've known him since I was a Riolu; it was my destiny from birth to be his companion," Lucario replied with pride. "Although it doesn't mean our entire journey has been together. Destiny presented us with many choices, but in the end, we ended up on this path. Now we'll see if you can follow this path," he added, signaling not to continue the conversation, something she understood.


After several minutes of walking, they arrived at a massive wall. The path ended at the towering cliff that separated the mountains. It was challenging to determine the exact height, but a fall from there would be devastating and leave her unrecognizable.

Serena turned to look where the blue knight was, but upon seeing the moonlit sky, she could tell that Ash was at the top of the cliff. She wondered how she would be able to talk to him if he was up there.

Out of nowhere, she saw the knight leap into the void, without hesitation or regret. She watched as the man fell to the ground, a fall that would surely mean his death. However, she observed him land without any issues, only raising dust from the ground and emerging without a scratch.

"But how... how did you do that?" Serena asked, unable to believe what she had just witnessed. "Don't ask yourself that, girl. What you need to think about is how to pass your trial," Ash replied casually.

"Do you want me to climb that?" Serena exclaimed incredulously. "I told you I would test you. You've been saying that your will is strong, that the difficulty wouldn't matter. Nothing would stop you from fulfilling your mission," Ash reminded her of her words.

Serena looked back at the summit. It was very high, and even though she knew a bit about climbing, she had never attempted something so dangerous. Falling from there would mean death without a doubt.

" I told you that the path we take is not for everyone. This trial, believe me, would be the easiest thing you'd have to do if you choose the path of the Aura Guardian. Anyway, it's your decision," Ash warned, waiting to see her reaction and if she truly wanted what she had said.

Braxien approached Serena, conveying her support, but Ash had an unpleasant surprise. "She won't accompany you in your trial," Ash made it very clear. This rule worried Serena, as she couldn't imagine facing the challenge without her companion.

"For a Pokémon like her, it would be too easy. If you want to prove that you have the courage and determination, you must do it alone," Ash explained his reasons. Serena understood the rationale, but she didn't like the idea of facing the climb alone. Braxien was equally frustrated about not being able to assist her companion. "Braxien, calm down. They're right; I have to do this alone."

Serena felt the courage and valor she had hours ago dissipate. She only saw how high it was and how few places there were to hold onto. She thought about the possibility that if she fell, they would rescue her, but on the other hand, she felt that might not be the case. She clenched her fists and summoned all the strength she had to respond. "Alright, let's do it."

Serena pressed herself against the mountain and took the first leap, grabbing the nearest rock and began to climb. At first, there were times when she felt the rock wouldn't hold her. There were several moments where she almost lost her balance, but she searched for the strength to keep going.

Meanwhile, the other three watched her from below. Braxien, worried, wished her companion could take the next step, but Ash and Lucario silently judged her progress.

The climb seemed endless, but Serena pressed on, her determination overcoming the physical and mental challenges.

As Serena ascended, the altitude increased, the wind grew colder, and she felt her hands were already injured, her arms weak, and her legs strained. "I have to keep going; I mustn't stop," Serena repeated to herself amid exhaustion and pain.

As she advanced, one of the rocks she was holding onto broke, and she felt herself beginning to fall into the void. She could only manage a sigh, realizing she had failed, and death seemed inevitable. Falling for several meters, all she could think was that she had failed. Until something abruptly halted her fall.

She felt as if something had stopped her, and when she looked up, she saw that Braxien had arrived to help her. "Braxien, what are you doing?" Serena shouted, incredulous. "Brax," the fire fox nodded. She didn't care about the rules of the trial; she was going to be there for Serena in whatever challenges life threw at them.

"Very well then, let's do it," Serena said with much more confidence upon seeing that her best companion was with her. With Braxien's help, she was able to climb again and set a steady pace. By the time they were close to the summit, Serena felt like she was about to faint; exhaustion and the wounds from the fall nearly caused her to lose consciousness.

Meanwhile, on the ground, the two guardians knew the end was approaching. "Master, Serena's life force is getting weaker; she's on the verge of falling, dying if she falls again, and Braxien won't be able to rescue her this time," Lucario explained to his master, who didn't move or respond, only watching the girl. The final decision was about to be made. "Now it's in the hands of the creator, whether she should take this path."

Serena felt the weight of her body, so close to reaching the summit, to prove that she had the courage to seek the power needed to avenge her mother's death and her village. "No, I won't give up," she repeated with all the strength she had left. Regardless of her body's limitations, she was determined to succeed. Each step propelled her a bit closer, and she refused to stop until she reached the top.

"I can do it, damn it, I can do it!" She shouted at the top of her lungs. Before she could process it, she was standing at the summit. She turned and saw the height she had climbed, letting out a powerful scream that echoed through the entire forest—a scream filled with adrenaline and frustration. She collapsed to the ground because her legs could take no more.

"Well, you sure know how to make a scene," Ash commented. Serena was in shock, wondering how he had reached the top in less than a minute, as if he had teleported there. She could only laugh. "You're going to tell me it doesn't count because Braxien helped me, right?"

"Mmm, no, actually, I wanted to see if your bond with her was real. Aura Guardians don't do things alone; we always have our companions, in life or until death," Ash explained the reason for allowing Braxien's assistance at the beginning.

"So, does that mean I did it?" Serena asked with the little strength she had left. Feeling like she was about to faint; she saw the knight help her stand.

"You proved that you have guts and determination. If this is truly the path you want to take, then I'll take you to the place where we all began," Ash declared, helping her sit on the nearest log. Ash knew that this could change things for his mission, but he had given his word and knew he had to do it. Lucario understood and smiled, pleased that his master was getting involved in a trainee journey again.

"I'll take you to Shamouti Island, where you'll train in the ways of the aura. If you manage to pass all the training, you can become an Aura Guardian," Ash announced to the moon, revealing the path and destiny Serena would embark on from now on.

"Got it, kid." Ash turned to look at her, asking if she was ready for her new path, but he realized Serena had fainted from exhaustion and was deeply asleep.

"I think I might regret this sooner than I thought," Ash sighed, observing the scene.

That's all, folks. I hope you keep reading this story, and I'll try to post again soon.