Man, it was windy.
That was the only real thought going through Ash's head. Sure, there were probably more important things to be thinking about, like the fact that the world was in danger by a crazy terrorist organization. But no, this was not the main thought in Ash's head. The world slowly being blown away by a giant aura explosion was not his main concern. He was worried about his hat.
Ash had a reason for always wearing a hat. He was born with the curse of a permanent bed head. His hair was a wild spikey mess no matter what he or mom tried to do to it. Not that he was big on appearances, but that didn't mean he wanted it to be shown off. There was a reason that some of the meaner kids and Pallet Town called him Ashy-Boy. With his hair and the fact that was usually covered in dust or dirt from playing outside he always looked like he was struck by lightning.
The name calling slowly stopped once his started wearing a hat. It also kept dirt and things out of his hair, making it easier to clean. So, to say that he really didn't want the wind to take his hat away, would be an understatement.
Still with one hand on his head, holding his hat. Ash was currently, engaged in a "training exercise" though it looked more like a game of catch combined with hot potato, considering that aura spheres they were using could blow up if mishandled. So, far nothing had blown up today. That was a win.
A blue ball of light suddenly rushed past his head, and Ash nearly stumbled while ducking.
"Ash! Focus!" Sir Aaron called out, recalling the rouge sphere back into his hold. A very faint glow coming from the guardian's icy eyes.
"Sorry!" Ash said, slowly picking himself up from the dusty ground of the cerise labs court yard (no more training involving Aura Spheres in an enclosed area), "How do you keep doing the recall thing? I've never seen an Aura Sphere do that."
"And what have you seen Aura Spheres do?"
"Mostly blow stuff up."
He's not false. That's what they are used for the most. Lucario thought from where he stood at the researchers' set up that Goh was manning. Riolu and pikachu holding on to him. The wind was too strong for the smaller Pokémon, but they still wanted to watch.
"While destruction is possible, and they're most common used in combat scenarios, letting them loose is not the only way to wield them," the knight demonstrated this by whirling the glowing blue ball around his free hand, "Tell me what do you know of Aura Spheres from battles?"
"Well, I know now that they are the user's aura concentrating into a ball. However, before that I knew that it was impossible to dodge. So, I guess it has some sort of way to track its target. That's about it."
"The reason that they can, as you say, 'track its target' is because that's what the wielder willed it to do. The aura sphere will go where ever or strike whatever the wielder wants it too."
"So, since the wielder Pokémon wants to hit their opponent in a battle, then if they keep wanting that the aura sphere would only hit the opponent?"
"Pretty much. Creating an aura sphere requires concentration. Controlling one is no different. You need to clear your mind of other thoughts. Remember it is made of your aura. Your soul. It is yours to control. If you are connected to it, you can control it like your own limb."
"So, you can control our own aura and you can see other people's aura," Goh chimed in rather loudly over the wind, "Then could you in theory control other people's auras?"
Sir Aaron might have stayed calm on the outside, but Ash still felt the internal flinch (Thank you, so much mental bonding). Ash let the silence stretch for a moment.
"While in theory, yes. However, there are some lines that aren't meant to be crossed, Goh," Sir Aaron finally said.
Ash felt curiosity swell up in Goh, even watched as his friend opened his mouth to ask another question, but Goh never got that far. The door to the lab suddenly slammed open, Ren running out. Then the wind blew the door back and it knocked the researcher into the door frame. Everyone flinched at that.
"You good Ren?" Ash called out, as the blond picked himself up.
"Yeah, Yeah," Ren called out, "I'm good! Great in fact! I think I found her!"
"What? Found who?" Goh asked.
"Amanda."
Thunder could be heard rumbling outside even from inside of the lab's walls. Sir Aaron was thankful for Ren's timing. They would've been caught in that storm if he hadn't pulled them into to tell of his breakthrough.
Speaking of...
"So," Ren said taking a sip of his coffee, "As you all know I've been trying to find our mysterious number four for the past few weeks, and I am happy to report that I think I found where she is, or at least where she was."
"That's great Ren!" Ash said.
"How'd you find her?" Goh said.
"Well, I started by searching her name in every, social media platform, trainer database, school systems, missing persons reports-thanks for that idea by the way- and cross referenced them each with the most likely physical features she'd have. You know what I found?" Ren said, spinning around in his rolling chair.
"What?" Ash said, with vigor.
"Absolutely nothing," Ren said, with a blank face.
"Oh," disappointment bled from the younger aura user.
"So," Ren said, whirling back around to pull something up on his computer screen, "considering that my head was deep in research fog, I decided to put on something I didn't need to think too much a about to watch."
Suddenly, some modern music that Sir Aaron could only describe as happy started play in the room. On the main floating screen, fast colorful images of young girls in rather revealing tops and fish tales played.
"In this world we're all alone. You know I love my island home."
Confusion fell over the room in a heavy smog. Uh...
"We'll make this right find our way through this mystery!"
"What? Is this?" Ash said.
"Pi?"
Both Lucario and Riolu tilted their head in a similar, almost comical, manner.
"'Melemele Mermaids'?" Goh finally said.
"That didn't help at all," Ash said, Pikachu shaking his head.
"It's an old show for young girls that used to play on the Disney channel, but it was canceled like seven years ago. The plot was about three young mermaids trying to protect their pod from a land boy who got turned in to a merman. Chloe was obsessed with it when we were little," Goh explained, before raising a brow, "You watch this Ren?"
"It's good for brain numbing, and I don't need to justify my taste in TV to you," Ren said, while messing with the show on screen and then pausing it, "Besides that's not the point, look at the girl who's playing the character Mimmi, or the brunette on the mic."
Ren stood up and walked towards the screen, point at said young lady, "Similar hair, skin tone, and nose shape."
Entertaining what had become a most bizarre situation, Sir Aaron looked back the screen. The girl was about eleven, maybe twelve. A bright smile on her frozen face. Even with her eyes closed she radiated joy. Her black Hair was pulled back into a high spiky ponyta-tail, showing off her small ears. Sir Aaron would be lying to himself if he said there wasn't any resemblance.
"I guess she kind of looks like Riley," Ash said.
"Still similar looking people doesn't mean their family, Ren," Goh said.
"I know, but her looks aren't everything. Out of curiosity I looked up the actress's name," Ren said, the blond sped up the video until the credit sequence, "And guess what her name is, 'Amanda Morgan Gen'."
"Okay, that can't be a coincidence," Goh said.
"My gut told me the same," Ren said, "So, I looked up the show's cast, and ended up finding a paper trail on her."
The show clicked off the screen and a number of pages appeared in its place. Ren pulled up each one up at a time.
"After the cancelation of the show, she made a few appearances in some of other Disney franchises, either voice acting/regular acting, or to release a song and her name was in a few live shows at some theater. However, at some point around five years ago she vanished off the grid. Complete media blackout. Although I did some more digging, and I ended up find a student ID from Ryme City University, where she is currently enrolled as a Psych Major," Ren said.
"Ryme City?" Ash said, "You mean where Professor Gen is supposed to live?"
"That's explains why it's been so hard to find her on a trainer's database," Goh said.
"Why would that be?" Sir Aaron asked.
Ren pulled up a map on the screen, "You see Ryme City is sort of a weird grey area legally. It's right between Sinnoh and Unova but neither region has claim over it."
"Meaning the Pokémon League doesn't govern it," Goh said, "The entre city is self-sufficient with its own laws and regulation regarding Pokémon training. If a trainer gets their license there, they won't show up in the databases until they register for another region's league."
Sir Aaron nodded. He knew of little places that were out of the way, and no one wanted. So, no laws were place there. They were usually places where people ran off never to be found and crime ran ramped. Perhaps Ryme City was more civilized version of these places.
So, currently all we have to do is travel to this Ryme City and find her?
"Ah..." Ren winced, "Sadly, no. I might have looked into school records, and a few weeks ago she swapped all her in-person classes to online ones, and she hasn't been seen on campus for any other reason since."
Mew said that Team Rocket had tried and failed to capture her.
"She wouldn't stay in the city if she was being hunted down," Sir Aaron said.
"So, she's on the run?" Ash said.
"Most likely," Goh said.
Suddenly the world turned black.
All light in the room shut off. Like a gust of wind blew out every candle, expect modern candles can't be blown out. What was happening?
Ren screamed.
"Freeze!" Ash said.
"Pika!"
"Ri!"
Goh jumped, then stumbled over something, crashing into what was mostly the floor. Sir Aaron winced at the sound of the tumble. The outline of Goh's soul still lying flat on the ground. Taking pity on the people in the room who couldn't see in the dark, the knight summoned a very small aura sphere between his index and middle fingers. A buzzing blue glow filled the room.
"Goh? You okay buddy?" Ash said.
"Pi?"
"Ow..." Goh said, picking himself up, "Yeah, I'm good."
What happened?
"The power went out-" Bam!
"Professor Cerise! Are you okay?" Miss Chrysa said, as both she and prementioned Professor entered the room, the blue-haired assistant carrying a very bright, very oddly shaped, torch.
"Yeah," The professor rasped, "There's wall here."
"Astute observation professor," Sir Aaron teased.
"Yeah, thank you it's going to be one of my great discoveries. I should've grabbed that flashlight," Professor Cerise said, rubbing the back of his neck, "Is everyone alright? I heard a tumble."
"That was me! I'm good," Goh said.
"Good," The professor nodded, then his eyes fixed onto the tiny glowing sphere, and pointed at it, "That's cool."
Anyone want to explain why every one of your machines suddenly shut down?
"The electricity got cut off. Without it nothing works. It's like a water mill if the river dries up," Ren said.
"So, the wind blew some branches on to the power lines?" Ash said.
"No," Miss Chrysa said, "Even if that were to happen, the lab runs on a personal generator in the basement, so a cut line wouldn't affect us."
"So, something in the generator broke?" Ash said.
"Possibly," Professor Cerise sighed, "We won't know until we check it out. Ren and Chrysa can you two please go to the upstairs fuse box and try to temporary re-route our systems on to public power? The rest of us will check on the generator."
"Phase one complete."
"Bree."
"I don't like it either, but with everyone hunting me, can you blame me for being skeptical of these guys?"
"Umbreon. Bree."
"I saw them in the yard, but just because he looks like my brother and has magic zappy hands, it doesn't mean he's Riley."
"Umbre. Bree. Eon."
"Family? Even if they, are we both know that word means squat."
"..."
"Don't look at me like that. Are you going to help me or not?"
Umbreon sighed, but nodded.
"So, the electricity travels down the lines like a river flowing down a bed. Then once it reaches the machine it's attached to it powers it. However, unlike a river, if the line breaks the flow stops rather than leeks?" Sir Aaron said.
"Close enough," Goh murmured.
"Incredible," Sir Aaron said.
It's almost like the temple.
"Temple?" Professor Cerise said.
"The main home of the Aura Guardian's guild," Sir Aaron said.
"And the temple had electricity?" Professor Cerise said.
"Well, no...however some of the sages invented doors that could only be opened through aura. The stone locks would move on their own once activated," Sir Aaron said.
"Fascinating," Professor Cerise said.
It was odd walking through the lab when it was this dark. Even at night there was usually, some moonlighting coming through the windows, or a bathroom light left on. But it was around 6:30 pm and the wind storm outside was thick. So, it might has well have been midnight. Which meant Goh, even with the help of his phone's flashlight, was constantly bumping into things. He needed to get better at using a flash light.
The others weren't having as much trouble, well maybe Professor Cerise was having just as much as the younger researcher, but Goh wasn't so sure that the other's had superior flashlight skills. Sir Aaron and Lucario probably have been using aura sight, despite the tiny gleaming Aura Sphere in the knight's hand (That must have been the laziest use of aura that Goh had seen so far, and it made him wonder what else mundane tasks it could be used for). Possibly Ash, as well, but Goh didn't think that his friend was that far in his training.
The basement was the only part of the lab that Goh hadn't ventured down into since he and Ash moved in. It was for a good reason. Goh never liked basements, getting trapped in his Aunts' basement as a little kid would do that to someone. They were always dusty and had this entrapping feeling about them. Like walking into a grave...Well, that was a morbid train of thought that Goh wanted off of.
Thankfully, Goh found a distraction.
"Ash?" Goh said.
"Yeah?"
"Why are you using your phone screen, instead of the flashlight feature?"
"..."
"You don't know how to turn it on, do you?"
"Nope."
Goh sighed, "Okay, first you'll want to swipe down..."
Might as well make this situation a teachable moment for those who are technologically challenged and after a few moments Ash's phone light started to shine.
"Hey Goh?"
"Yeah? Did you forget what you did to turn on the flashlight?"
"Uh, no. But quick question. If the power is out then the router is out, right?"
"It should be."
"Then why does my phone say it is connected to WIFI?"
"What?"
Goh pressed the power button, bringing his phone out of sleep mode. The screen lit up, revealing a picture of Raboot when she was still a scorbunny, fast asleep on a soccer ball. Pressing his thumb print to the warm glass, the device unlocked. The WIFI icon at the top of the screen was filled. He had a strong connection.
"That, that shouldn't be, right. That can't be right," Goh said shaking his head, "The power is out! Nothing's there to keep the router running!"
"Well, nothing except that," Professor Cerise said, gesturing at the generator. A generator that was humming, online.
"Should that be making noise?" Sir Aaron said.
"No. If it had shut down it shouldn't," Professor Cerise said.
"So, power's out but the generator's still running? Anyone else getting horror movie vibes?" Ash said.
Perhaps it's your ghost playing a practical joke?
"Nope, Gengar is on my belt, I checked right after the power went out," Ash said.
Pikachu nodded in confirmation.
Goh tuned out his companions and continued forward, hesitantly walking deeper into the black stomach of the basement. There was a thin layer of dust coating everything, and floating in the air small spits of the unclean powder were made visible wherever the flashlight shown. Peering behind the generator, there was a rainbow web of wires; some red, some yellow, some striped, some just plain black. All of their colors once muted by, once again, the amount of dust that padded the basement.
Though, after a moment, Goh took notice of the wire placement. Where each little tube of rubber and metals laid, it felt undisturbed. They were all connected. There wasn't one wire that had been pulled from the its place. The dust left still.
No one had been here.
"I don't think it's the generator," Goh said.
"I'll have to concur, Goh," Professor Cerise said, closing a panel on the generator with a rather loud bang, "Nothing's broken."
"So, it's something with the fuse box upstairs?" Ash said.
A terrified shriek echoed down the basement stairs.
Oh no.
"Are you okay?" Chrysa asked.
Ren was trying very hard not to whimper. He didn't like this. He did not do lights going out. He did not do long dark hall ways. This was stuff that happened in horror movies, and he did not do horror movies.
He was a total scaredy-skitty.
The blonde researcher was not ashamed to admit this.
Ren knew his likes and dislikes and held pride in them. He liked things to be happy, peaceful, safe, and maybe with a little bit of surprise mixed in. His opinion on life was one that could be described as a feel-good story lover. He wanted nothing more to be tucked away in his bedroom underneath a soft blanket with a cup of coco while watching re-runs of Star Wars. Or the Avengers. Or some kind of old sci-fi movie.
Not holding a flashlight in the middle of a pitch-black hallway, slowly making their way to the fuse box.
"Nope," Ren said, "Not okay."
"Don't worry, the power will be back on soon," Chrysa comforted.
When they arrived at the fuse box, Chrysa didn't hesitate to open it. Ren flicked his gaze between the, both equally as dark, hallways in a frantic manner. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth.
A shadow moved out of the corn of his eye. Breath Ren, breath. Nothing is in the dark.
A skittering noise, like tiny claws on the hard woods, rushed past his back. You're hearing things. Nothing's there. You're hearing things.
Something ran though his legs, brushing his ankle. The scream he let out was rather high for his vocal cords.
Chrysa whirled around, a panicked expression on her face, "What! What's wrong?"
"Something just touched my leg!"
"Ren take a breath. You probably just brushed your sock against your inner shin or something."
"I'm telling you Chrysa; we weren't alone up here."
The blue haired woman turned back to the fuse box, pausing for a moment before reaching her hand inside, "Huh?"
"What?"
"It looks like some of these things have been pulled."
"Pulled?"
"Calm down Ren. That might not mean anything."
The lights flicked back on and a gentle hum could be heard throughout the laboratory as everything began power up once more. Chrysa closed the fuse-box, pulled wires issue now fixed. Ren breathed a small sigh of relief, and such off his flashlight.
"Come on, we need to check if any of the digital files are damaged from the sudden loss of power," Chrysa said.
Then both research assistants froze at the small sneeze at the other side of the hall. Ren's head turned towards the sound so fast, he was lucky that his neck didn't snap. His bespectacled gaze immediately fell upon the little black and soft yellow ball of fur on the floor in the far corner of the hallway. The little puffball was frozen mid-step, large black eyes wide and staring straight through Ren's soul. Its fuzzy expression comparable to that of a child getting caught with a hand in the cookie jar. A Pichu?
"What are you doing here little guy" Ren said.
"He must have snuck in and was trying to feed on the fuse box," Chrysa said.
"We should get him out of here, and back into the sanctuary. Hopefully we can find his trainer," Ren said, then he crouched down and started to creep towards the little mouse, "Come here, little guy-"
That's as far as Ren got. The Pichu, jump up and nuzzle attacked the young blonde, before darting down the hall towards the main computer labs.
Ren fell back to the ground. A twitchy feeling in his limbs, that was somehow both numbing and painful at the same time. Paralyzed. He didn't panic. Ren had dealt with electric types before, and he know how jumpy they could be. It was honestly a stupid move on his part for attempting to catch the little thing, when it was obviously stressed.
"Ren! Are you okay?!" Chrysa said.
"Peachy," Ren squeaked, as another shock ran through his body.
Many sets of footsteps could be heard running towards them.
Ash did quite know what to make of the situation. All he knew was that the light was back on, and someone was screaming. Screaming usually didn't mean good things in Ash's personal history.
As the dark-haired trainer and those with him rounded the corner, to find Ren on the ground, with e Chrysa helping him up. Ash immediately recognized the tell-tale signs of paralysis. The slight sparks around the body, the subtle muscle twitching underneath the skin, and the aching wince. He knew each symptom by heart. It was knowledge that came when living with a pikachu.
"Are you okay?!" Goh said.
"What happened?" Professor Cerise said help Ren off the floor.
"A pichu," Ren said, "He got me with a nuzzle attack and darted back down the hall."
"We think he broke in to feed off the electricity in the fuse box," Chrysa said.
"Pi?"
"How'd a pichu even get in here?" Goh said.
There was an odd buzz in the back of Ash's mind. It felt...it felt. Well, he didn't recognize it, but it...it seemed familiar. And the young trainer wasn't the only one to recognize it. Lucario's ears were pricked up suddenly at high alert.
Someone is here.
With that Lucario darted fast down the hall, and Ash wasn't far behind.
The chase between the aura Pokémon and trainer didn't last very long, as Lucario froze in front of the main computer lab's door. Ash almost slowed down, began to relax, then a thundershock attack blasted through the door way; blinding both boy and the Pokémon accompanying him. He felt Pikachu, jump off his shoulder, and heard rapid footsteps running past them and away. When the white faded from his vision, he saw Pikachu chasing after a figure clothed in black.
Sneakers squeaked loudly as Ash flew to his feet and took off after his partner. Lucario not far behind.
"Was that a ninja?!" someone called from behind them.
Whoever this figure was they were fast. Really fast. Ash wasn't sure if Lucario was holding back or not, but the person in black was always ten steps ahead. Pikachu was closer. Something clicked in Ash's head.
"Quick Attack!" the dark-haired trainer called out.
Pikachu smirked, and a pale glow surrounded the yellow mouse as he darted forward with newfound speed.
"Pika! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi! Pi!-"
"Body slam!" Called out a voice that Ash did not recognize.
With in the time of single blink, a white flash crept out of the side of the figure's hood, and dashed out. Striking Pikachu and sending him fly back down the hall and past Ash and Lucario. The Aura Pokémon and trainer skidded to a halt and turned back. Thankfully, Pikachu shook off the hit quickly, but the figure gained ground in front of them.
The chase continued, and Ash's mind began to run as fast as his legs. A small yellow body vanished back into the hood and a pichu had been seen earlier. However, Body Slam wasn't a move that pichus could learn. Not unless a trainer had access to a TM. The Pichu wasn't a hungry wild one. This one had been trained, and trained well.
Lucario seemed to take Ash's previous idea as a good one. The aura pokemon's feet lit up with pale light, and faster than Ash had ever seen him moved dashed towards the figure. Extreme Speed. Though in the end it attacked more like a tackle attack. Lucario caught up to the figure easily, shoving them in the back, sending them through the partially opened doors of the lab's front entrance. By the time Ash made it outside, both Lucario and the figure had somehow end-up on the brick platform below the first flight of stairs. The Figure fighting back as Lucario held them down. Eventually they landed a harsh hit against the aura Pokémon's snout causing Lucario to flinch, and his hold to loosen.
Then a flash of near black energy was flung towards Lucario.
Sir Aaron never really worried about old age. Plague, or just being his reckless self, was always more likely to be the death of him. Yet, he suddenly felt all to slow when he watched, Ash and Lucario take off through the halls of the manor, and was not able to catch up with them immediately. Arceus, he was only 36 (did he count the centuries in the rock?), was now really the time for his body to begin failing him.
Thankfully, it wasn't too hard for him to track his companions. Not so thankfully, by the time that the knight reached the outside, Lucario was being thrown across the stair way, landing hard into the ground. Without thinking, Sir Aaron sent concerned signals to his auratic partner. Signals that Lucario returned with ones of reassurance, as the jackal like Pokémon stood back up on his paws. Facing his opponent with an audible snarl.
Icy eyes darted towards the other side of the tilted platform. There was a person dressed entirely in black, with a hood pulled over his head. However, it was the pair of enraged red eyes that drew the knight attention more permanently. The blood burning gaze belong to a creature that had a slim body of silky black fur; almost blending into the shadows of that surrounded the outside space. The only things that were seemingly visible were the golden, almost glowing, ring-like markings on its body, and those piercing red eyes.
A glance at Ash, showed that the younger aura user was just as focused on the scene playing out before them.
The others had arrived shortly after the knight had, and Goh quickly raised his phone. A ping rang out, before the voice starting speaking.
"Umbreon. The moonlight Pokémon, a dark type, and the evolved form of eevee. When Umbreon springs into battle, the ring pattern in its fur begins to glow. The influence of moonlight causes its evolution."
This was not a species that Sir Aaron was very familiar with. Eevees had always been a very reclusive Pokémon in his era. The forms of, fire, water, and lighting wielders being the most he had seen. However, there was little time to dwell on this.
The umbreon had placed itself between Lucario and the person in black. The swell of righteous rage, and protectiveness echoed in its aura. Clearly there was a connection between the dark type and unknown human. The umbreon snarled, practically inviting a fight.
A challenge that Lucario accepted all too quickly. With in the blink of an eye, an aura sphere was released, and flew toward the dark type. Still Sir Aaron never felt a shiver of fear from the opponent. Instead, the umbreon dashed away from the attack, but then turned and release its own sphere of shadowy energy. Shadow and shine, light and dark, clashed in a contrasted explosion. The aura Pokémon's front paws light up red, and he rushed forward...but never got the chance to land a hit. Rings of pulsing pink energy emitted from the umbreon, freezing Lucario in his tracks and then throwing him backwards into a stone wall.
"What?!" Goh screamed, "Umbreon's a dark type, Lucario has the advantage over it."
"Psychic isn't a dark type move," Ash said.
"How can a dark type know a psychic type move?!"
"Because I taught her, asshole!" came a noticeably low feminine voice.
All the rage, and focus on the fight bled out of the umbreon, and she turned towards the figure, the girl, clothed in black. The dark type trotted over, and nuzzled the hooded girl.
"I'm okay," The girl murmured, reaching out a hand to comfort the black Pokémon, "He didn't hit me too hard. I've had worse."
"Bree..."
"Shhhh."
Lucario finished shaking off the attack, but didn't engage further. His auratic partner sharing a confused glance with the knight.
"So, y'all going to call the cops? Or ask me questions first?" The girl said, standing up and dusting herself off.
"Answers would be nice yes, perhaps we can start on how and why you broke into my laboratory?" Professor Cerise called out, walking down the stairs.
"Okay I'll answer you backwards. One of the latches in your sky light is loose, and I needed information," the girl said.
"You snuck in through the roof?!" Ash said.
"Oh, please Ketchum, I know you've done more crazy things," The girl said.
Ash paled, and his aura stilled in an almost eerily manner.
"Who are you?" Sir Aaron said finding his own voice.
"Clearly not your sister. Considering, Riley's Lucario would never put his paws on me," The girl said.
"Amanda Gen?" Goh said.
"Ding! Ding! Ding! Give the man a metal," The girl, Amanda said with great sarcasm, and taking off her hood.
Familiarity, sparked into the knight mind...he closed the distance between him and his...niece? For a moment, Sir Aaron thought he was staring at a ghost. Standing before him, dressed in black pants and jacket, was a young woman who was the spinning image of Emily. The shape of her face, the pale shade of her clear complexion, the swoop of her nose, the stormy color of her eyes, it was a near perfect match. Her hair was styled differently; cut short, parted down the middle instead of off to the side like his and Ash's was, in a perfectly symmetrical spiky bob, that covered her ears. Blue streaks zipped through the black locks in random patterns.
"Hey, same nose," Ren said, pointed from where he was leaning on Chrysa.
Sir Aaron swallowed, "It's a pleasure to meet you...Amanda."
"I could say the same...Uncle. If you are who you say you are," Amanda said.
"Bree!" Umbreon scolded.
"You don't believe he is who he said he is?" Ash asked.
"I'm currently being hunted down by a terrorist organization, that want to at worst kill me and at best use me. Whom has also supposedly kidnapped my idiot of an older brother, and threatened the innocent younger ones. How do you think I would react to a complete stranger right now? Walk up to them with a big smile, and give my full name, address and social number?" Amanda said putting a hand on her hip.
"She's got a point," Goh muttered.
"I sense that you're are distrustful, but I am Sir Aaron, and I hope one day you will come to believe me," Sir Aaron said.
She huffed, "Just don't let me catch you lying. So, you're the local expert in all this magical gobbledygook?"
"You could say that," Sir Aaron said.
"Great. Can you get rid of mine for me?"
All thoughts in Sir Aaron, blanked and a mix of shock and horror filled their place. Vaguely, he could feel Lucario's similar emotions on the matter.
"Pardon?" Sir Aaron said.
"The aura thing. Can you get rid of mine?" Amanda said.
"Absolutely not, why would you want to get rid of such a gift?"
"A gift? Well, this supposed gift, has nearly gotten me killed at least twice, terrorists hunting me, and practically tore my family apart. So, I'm sorry if I don't see this a good thing."
Heavy amounts of disgust, and raw anger bled from her soul; it made the knight nearly recoil. Something...wasn't right. Something felt...rotten. Like a corpse.
"Alright, alright," Professor Cerise said, "Could you please explain why you broke in again?"
"I'll explain, but should we really do an exchange of info out here?" Amanda said.
"You making a good point," Professor Cerise said, "Do you need anything? Once we're done talking, I'll show you to your room."
"No, not really. I have all I need in the backpack, and room? That won't be necessary. I'll be out of your hair and on the road with in the next few hours," Amanda said.
"You're not staying?" Ash said.
"No, why would I do that?" Amanda said.
"Oh, you're a 'don't do other people' types?" Ren said.
"It's more of, 'other people don't do me'. You'll want me out of here by the of the week. So, why should I waste time?"
"Let's just say you spend the night," Professor Cerise said, "It's already dark out and I'm sure you'd appreciate a bed and bathtub."
Amanda opened her mouth, looking like she was about to refuse again, however her Pokémon had other ideas. Umbreon nudged her train's hip with her head, towards the other humans. Both dark type and young woman shared a glance, and then Amanda looked to the Pichu on her shoulder. The fuzzy black and yellow head nodded.
Amanda sighed, "Alright. Guess we're staying."
"Great!" Ash stepped forward, "I'm Ash, this is Pikachu and Riolu's grabbing my leg. Goh's over here, Raboot's his partner. Professor Cerise owns the lab. Ren and Chrysa are the main lab techs. And..."
"The last two people here, are Sir Aaron and his Lucario. There is no need for an introduction," Her grey eyes flicked over, locking with Sir Aaron's blue, "I'm well aware of your legend and how we're related. I've known since I was little and never allowed to forget."
So, you know of Aura Guardians?
To Amanda's credit, she kept a pretty straight-faced when compared to other reactions Lucario's telepathy. Though, the small spark of confusion was evident.
She clicked her tongue, "As much as I can in this era. Which, arguably isn't a lot, but it's probably just as relevant as your knowledge. Especially, consider that yours is probably out-of-date."
"Out-of-date?" Sir Aaron raised a brow.
"Are you aware of the 'Guardian Massacre', Sir Aaron?" Amanda said.
When everyone arrived back into the main lab, Amanda began moving around the lab with purpose and speed. Sir Aaron watched in somewhat awe as his niece (wow, niece, he'd have to get used to that. He was an uncle. How did someone be an uncle again?), as she pulled out some form of a computer, wires and files out of her bag, and began to arrange them. The files when to the corner of the desk, while the very flat, on a hinge, computer was opened up in the middle, and Sir Aaron had no idea where all the wires were going. Her hands moving with great efficiency.
A glance at Ash, showed that his other young relative was just as impressed. At least one of their family members was technologically literate.
"When Riley's abilities popped up, my mother took every resource she had to understand her son's 'condition', her words not mine," Amanda said, her fingers typing the keys faster than Sir Aaron had ever seen anyone do so before, "So, I pulled together everything that she kept from that little research venture, after Team Rocket tried to make a grab at me before I bolted. Both digital and hardcopy," she slapped the files next to her lightly.
Sir Aaron reached for the file when no one else did, and opened it.
"You'll find that it starts with vague legends and only story books, then there are a few archeological research papers on the subjects, and finally a map of my family genealogy back about 32 generations, give or take a few," Amanda explained.
Sir Aaron flipped through the files as his niece spoke, he thought they matched up with what she said, however, he didn't know what half of the stuff she mentioned looked like. However, in the back of the file, there was a printed copy of a painting that made his soul suddenly feel cold.
"What is this?" Sir Aaron said.
Amanda glanced back, before returning her attention back to computer, "You found it huh?"
A moment later the very same painting appeared on the main floating screen and the knight's stomach twist. Horror, that was a mix his own and Lucario's, filled his mind as he stared at the image of bloody blue robes. Of an executioners' blade slicing through the neck of a nameless guardian. The bodies at their feet. The painting was old, faded, but its message was clear. This had been the fate of the guild.
"This is a painting about the event that history refers to as the Guardian Massacre. It was more of a short-term war, rather than a straight up slaughtering," Amanda said, "The fighting was between Team Normalcy and Team Supremacy. Team Supremacy pretty much wanted the Aura Guild to remain in power, it was mostly made up of nobles and ranks of the guild itself. Team Normalcy was against the guild's place in high society, and wanted the level the playing field, it was mostly made up an average workers and citizens, along with some royal supports. I think it's safe to say we all know which side one."
"I-I don't understand how could people think like that," Sir Aaron stuttered, "The Guild was in place to keep peace and balance in the world. Why would people go against that?"
"My best guess, the ironic imbalance of opportunities," Amanda said, "From my understanding, Team Normalcy was upset over the better treatment that all aura users got over non-users. Do correct if I'm wrong, but if someone was a user, not even from an established bloodline but just a user, no matter formal social status they were given the option to learn about their power, yes?"
Sir Aaron nodded, crossing his arms, "They're was more to the system, but essentially yes. Any user was welcome to come and learn."
"The guild also worked closely with the Royal and noble families, correct?" Amanda said.
"Yes, it was custom for the upper class to have links to the Guild in case of danger. Either as members of courts or close family protectors. Most of the families had been working together for generations. That's how I managed to work with the Rotan Royal family, I took my father's place when he retired," Sir Aaron said.
"So, that's and automatic education and possible connection to people of high status for aura users, yet, nothing for non-users who weren't born into money. I can see where people would be upset," Amanda said.
As unfair the system had been genocide couldn't have possibly been the only answer!
"And I agree, but I doubt the people with the power would disperse it to make the situation fairer," Amanda said.
Greed. She was speaking of greed. Greed for power. Greed for riches. But his people weren't greedy.
Sir Aaron shook his head. Thoughts running faster than he could remember them. How could've this have happened? Emotions ran and swirled, shock, horror, disbelief, denial, and grief. Yet, for some reason he wasn't surprised. Like he had seen something like this coming, but that was impossible. Sir Aaron was always a supporter of his people's laws, he held pride in his culture and beliefs. Followed his people's teachings and knew them by heart. The Guild was a force of good, meant to protect and keep the world balanced. A wave of disgust for himself washed over him, how could he think, on some subconscious level, that his people had been doomed from the beginning.
"So, what have you've been doing?" Ash asked, changing the subject.
"Pardon?" Amanda said.
"Since Team Rocket, what have you been up to? We've been looking for you for weeks," Ash Said.
Amanda took a deep breath, "Well, after first I kept going on the road. Trying not to follow an obvious pattern, so they'd have a harder time following me. While I was doing that, I started to look into other sightings of Team Rocket. There are a few leaked videos and photos, but only a few of them are actually legit. I have a few connections to certain branches of Law Enforcement thanks to my dad, so I reached out to them and managed to find a couple of locations that were believed to be a front for their shady business dealing.
"Cross-referencing the locations, with the areas that had the most possible rocket activity, gave me a best possible option for a secret base. Which turned out to be a small shipping warehouse in a coast town in Hoenn. I broke into their facility and downloaded all their data," Amanda leaned back into her chair.
"Wait a minute," Goh said, "You not only found a terrorist base, but broke in and stole from them?"
"Yep," Amanda popped the 'p' with her lips.
Goh looked at Ash, "She's as crazy as you are."
Someone snorted.
"So, what did you find in the data you downloaded?" Professor Cerise asked.
Amanda started tapping on the keys, and the main screen changed, a bunch of white file pages opening up.
"At the moment not too much," Amanda said, "Team Rocket might have shotty security in real life, but they are damn good at encrypting their files. I've only managed to crack a few of them."
Ren whistled as he stared at the screen from his seat across the room, "You're right, if they weren't evil, I'd call them pretty. That's at least different levels to crack on each file."
"You a coder?" Amanda said.
Ren shook his head, "I'm with computers, and research, but coding is only something I can ID, not crack."
"How long would it take you to figure out the rest of these?" Professor Cerise said.
"Anywhere from weeks to months. Depending on trial and error," Amanda said.
"What do you have access to right now?" Goh said.
"Currently, a couple shipping statements, a few order slips, a couple receipts, and a list," Amanda said.
"A list?" Ash said confused, "That's how you knew my name."
"A list of names. It had mine, my brothers and yours. It's actually how I found you were working here, Ketchum," Amanda said.
"How?" Ash said.
"I looked you up on Bulbapedia," Amanda said.
On what?
"It's the web-site where all trainer data is organized and stored," Ash said, "I completely forgot I was on there."
"I was pretty impressed with your record actually. You've had a decent career, for a trainer," Amanda said, "You've won several small-time companions worldwide, and league wise, you've competed in 7 over your career. Placed top 16 in the Indigo League, top 8 in the Silver Conference, Ever Grande Conference and Vertress Conferance, semi-finalist in the Lily of the Valley Conference, runner up in the Lumiose Conference, Champion of Alola..."
*pphffffffff!*
Now was probably a good time to remember that Miss Chrysa had brought in water glasses with cherri berries for everyone, as Goh just spat out his current sip.
"You're what?!" Goh shouted turning towards, a now embarrassed Ash.
"It's not a big deal Goh, I was there when the tournament happened, and kinda won," Ash said sheepishly.
"Not a big deal! Ash! You're the champion of a region! That means you're the best trainer there! How could you not tell me this!"
"Slipped my mind.?"
Goh sighed, "Of course it did."
Sir Aaron wasn't entirely sure, what becoming a region champion entailed, or what the role meant, but clearly it was something important. Somewhere within the complete confusion, and raging emotional storm within him, there was a spark of pride for Ash's achievements. His descendant had done well for himself, and Sir Aaron hope Ash would keep progressing forward.
"May I continue? Cause there's more here," Amanda said.
Ash opened up his mouth to say something, but Goh cut him off, "Please do."
"...Orange League Champion and Master of the Kanto battle frontier. On top of your battling career, you've also starred in several movies, including titles "The Legend of the Pokémon Knight" and "An Epic Defense Force" and voice acted in "Super Pikachu"," Amanda said, "My little brothers love that last one by the way. However, my favorite one of your achievements is the ironic win at Rota's Annuel Guardian Festival."
Ash let out a small curse and his cheeks flushed red. Embarrassment flowing into the aura, causing it to swell.
Guardian festival?
"It's a celebration of Sir Aaron's legend. I was in town that day, and decided to complete in the Pokémon battle contest," Ash said rubbing the back of his neck.
"You won?" Sir Aaron said, curious.
"Yeah, it's basically the reason that I was able to free Lucario in the first place. The winner is presented with your staff for the night."
So, that's why there was a party. I did not mean to cut the celebration short.
Ash waved Lucario off, "Don't worry about, you kinda saved me actually. As winner I was supposed to sit still and looked dignified all night, while everyone got to enjoy the party."
Sir Aaron winced, that sounded more like a punishment then a reward.
Goh shook his head, with tired expression, "Is there anything else mind shattering, I should know about you?"
"Well, I got turned into a Pikachu by a witch one time," Ash said with straight face.
Riolu raised a brow, but Pikachu simply nodded.
"You know what, forget I ever asked," Goh said, shaking his head.
"So, the code thing?" Ash said looking at Amanda, "would it be easier to crack if you had someone to help you?"
"Most likely, doubt we can trust anyone with our situation, though," Amanda said.
"I think I know a guy, in Kalos," Ash said, "I do not know code of tech but he does. I'll have to call ahead. He might be able to help you, I think."
"If it gets me closer to finding my brother call him," Amanda said, "The faster I get through these encryptions, the more likely I'll find where they're keeping Riley."
"Hard working, good with computers, researcher by heart and blood," Professor Cerise said, "You want a job, young lady?"
"I'd take your offer, but my mother would disown me again, and possibly send a hit man after me, if she found out I went to work for a competitor," Amanda said, and the Pichu cuddled deeper into her neck.
"Competitor?" Goh said with a confused face.
"That's what she calls other labs," Amanda said.
"That's stupid, research and science is for everyone, it's not a competition," Goh said.
"Well, that's the Great Professor Gen for you."
Lucario sighed, as he leaned against the painted wall. It had been a long day. The events, the discoveries, of which hung heavily around his slim neck. There was almost a sick hollow feeling in his stomach. However, the jackal like Pokémon knew that there was a difference between illness and the feeling now. Grief, anxiety, and homesickness. They say ignorance is bliss, and Lucario never truly understood that human saying until today.
What was left? Was anything left? Did the temple still stand, or did it crumble and fall with its people?
So, many questions. With no answers.
And he wasn't the only one who felt lost.
Sir Aaron was always very good at hiding his true feelings. Sometimes, early in their partnership, Lucario couldn't sense what the knight had been thinking. Not like the normal humans. It had been somewhat frightening, know what humans had been feeling had helped Lucario survive as an abandoned pup. It helped him to know which ones would offer kindness or were too dangerous to approach.
Now however, Lucario could read his master far more easily, and the raging storm with in the knight was evident to him. Thankfully, the children hadn't noticed yet. Their connection still too weak.
Sir Aaron?
The adult human startled from where he had been lounging on his bedding. Too tired to stand, but unable to properly rest.
"Lucario?"
You are troubled.
"Is it that easy to tell?"
I'm afraid so.
"It's bothering you as well?"
Lucario nodded. We should speak of what's next.
"What do you mean by that? If we are the last, there is little we can do to change that."
Some must have survived. Ash, Amanda and Riley are here.
"If any fled, they would've been hunted down. If not for being users, then for being cowards."
Lucario nodded. Guardians were brave, if one were to fled from duty, they were shameful.
Perhaps dormants then? They would not be as desired.
"Maybe not at first, but just because they never had the gift, doesn't mean their children wouldn't. They would've been hunted as well. Emily..." Sir Aaron's eyes widened, and he stood up, beginning to pace.
Master?
"They would've hunted Emily, however, Mew said that she was married off. Dormants were kept close for marriage. However, Emily, she had reputation amongst the guild family, none of them wanted one of their sons to wed her. Some nobles also knew of her. Her husband had to have been from far away, in a very isolated place. Just like where Ryme city is now."
The reason Miss Emily's descendants are still live to this day is that they couldn't find her. Her children were dormants. Until.
"Until Riley and Amanda," Sir Aaron hummed, "This likely explains how Ash came to be as well. A child born of wedlock would've been hidden no matter who was their parent. That's why my family survived, they escaped. As for the rest..."
Justice, not even vengeance, is in reach for them. However, our people were not slain. Wounded, yet still alive. They live through the children.
Sir Aaron sighed, but nodded, "Well, said old friend. If that's the best we can do, then it's what we must do."
Speaking of the children, how does it feel to officially to be an uncle?
Sir Aaron snorted lightly, "Technically I have been an uncle for centuries."
But this is the first niece you've met, your thoughts on her.
"She's conflicting. I'm certain you've noticed the similarities between her and Emily."
The resemblance is in everything expect the hair style, yet I could see Miss Emily making a similar choice if she had been allowed to cut her hair.
Sir Aaron nodded, "If reincarnation was something that the Guild believed in, I'd be inclined to believe Amanda is Emily reborn. However, have you sensed something wrong with her as well?"
The dark presence surrounding her?
"I don't know what it is, but it's clinging to her aura. It's black and vile. Twisting around her like choking vines. And it pulsed, with each flare of emotion it reacted differently."
She's newly activated. Do you suspect whatever is clinging to her is the reason that she lived so long as a dormant?
"I'm not sure, I can't even identify it."
There was a crash, followed by several more thumbs, coming from the downstair floor. Both guardians jumped, heading down the stairs and towards the sounds. The boys stumbling after them.
Downstairs was a nothing but a scene of chaos. A top self on the wall had fallen, and knocked several more down to the ground. Different items either were rolling across the floor, or knocking things of the counters if they managed to fall on the elevated surfaces. In the center of all this, was Pikachu, Raboot, and the pup, being stared down by a rather annoyed looking Umbreon.
"What happened?" Goh said.
"Bree (chaos)."
"Pika (An Accident)."
"What are you three doing down here?" Ash said.
All three smaller Pokémon didn't make eye-contact.
The sound of a snore echoed from the corner. Lucario's eyes drifted over to find, the female user, fast asleep on the sofa and a groggy Pichu curled up in her hair. Vaguely, the aura Pokémon remembered her mentioning that she wasn't tired and wanted to work on breaking the encryption on the files she stole. Perhaps she was more tired than she previously thought.
"She slept through that?" Ash said.
"Impressive," Sir Aaron said.
A/N:
Our beloved rebel Queen has returned! bow down in her blackened greatness
So, I might have listened to a lot of the Mako Mermaids soundtrack, when scripting this fic…And it kind of weaved into Amanda's backstory. And that's how Melemele Mermaids came to be.
Here's the link to the song - watch?v=Md7e8-L_0o4
I am using this world map for reference, since I couldn't find an official one - media?url=https%3A%2F% .it%
Fun fact, I used a phone, for several years before learning how to turn the flashlight on….
A lot of eeveelutions require strong bonding, considering that in ancient times Pokémon training wasn't as common, it stands to reason that the evolutions like Umbreon and Espeon would be harder to find then the ones that required stones.
Shout out to the person on reddit, who gave me the team names for Normalcy and Supremacy.
Bulbapedia is the Pokémon world's Wiki, change my mine.
Okay, here's an important message, School is starting up again, and I'm out of pre-written material, so I might not be able to always upload a chapter every Saturday, especially if it's as long at this one got. So, have some patience. I'm going to try to keep schedule. But no promises. Sorry in advance.