In a few days the group trekked North of Pewter City where they passed through Mt. Moon and went further. They arrived in the medieval city of Rota, the hometown of the Hero, Aaron.
"There sure are a lot of people visiting the Kingdom of Rota." Ash commented within the crowd of people coming in droves on the bridge towards Cameran Palace.
"As I mentioned, Rota is holding its annual festival to decide a Hero of Hado. The one chosen is done through a Pokemon battling tournament." Brock explained.
"Now you're speaking my language!" The prospect of a tournament excited Ash and he swept through the sea of people in a hurry.
"Hey, don't go too far from us!" Misty shouted as she got carried away by the waves of moving bodies. "Argh, he's more childish than I gave him credit for it seems."
"It's how kids his age should act." Brock chuckled at Ash's boundless energy.
Away from the bridge hovered a Pokemon invisible to all. Its gaze seemed to be attracted towards Ash and it wagged its tail and giggled, mischief brewing in its mind.
Within Cameran Palace where the dressing rooms are, Ash and his friends were picking out outfits to wear for the festival. A tradition the festival upheld was to dress up in old-fashioned garments in order to participate in it.
Brock donned the attire of an advisor to the monarch.
Misty dressed up as a princess with a design reminiscent of Seadra.
And Ash took the garbs of the Hero of Hado himself to wear.
"Check it out, I'm a Hero!" Ash swept the cape behind him.
"Don't I look pretty in this?" Misty did a twirl to show off.
"Mm, they both suit you." Brock nodded. "The battles are about to start." He reminded.
"Got it. Let's go, Pikachu!" His partner responded with an excited cry.
At the stadium, the referee for the event stood at the center of the stage. "I present to you the Queen of this country and Lady of Cameran Palace, Queen Ilene!" He raised a booming voice and the crowd responded with a fever of cheers.
The uproar rose dramatically at the Queen's entrance from her box reserved exclusively for her. Ilene waved to the crowd and directed her gaze straight. She spread her arms wide. "In tribute to the Hero of Hado, Sir Aaron, who saved the world, we will now begin the Festival of Heroes!"
From her declaration, confetti shot upwards and the tournament was underway. Of the 32 participants, Ash was naturally among them.
He fought with a ferocity to win and gradually climbed the brackets. Butterfree's long-range tactics and reliance on inflicting status ailments flustered his opponents. Pidgeotto's aerial superiority and speed transformed her into a blur that was nigh untouchable. And Pikachu brought devastation that crushed and fried his opponents into submission.
Upon reaching the semifinals, Ash noticed something was amiss.
"Hey, Pikachu, you okay buddy?"
During the quarterfinals, Pikachu took an opposing Snorlax down to its knees with a powerful Thunder attack. He never recalled his Pikachu learning that move and the power was off the charts. Don't get him wrong, he was confident in his partner's strength and was a witness to his burst in power from receiving the Light Ball, but this went beyond that.
Not to mention how there were subtle differences in the way Pikachu was acting lately, such as him making movements that didn't fit Ash's intentions in battle or the void of a bond that connected them.
Actually, he's been feeling something off since commanding Butterfree and Pidgeotto too.
Ash crossed his arms and looked at Pikachu with suspicion. The mouse giggled to himself and climbed Ash's body, grabbing his triangular hat and wearing it for himself.
"Hey, what's the matter with you!?" Ash exclaimed and chased after Pikachu who re-entered the stage for the stadium.
"In the green corner, we have Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" The referee announced upon Ash emerging into the scene. He looked confused but assumed his spot for the battle regardless as Pikachu returned his hat. "In the red corner, we have Blossom Tsubomi from Pallet Town!"
A girl with the air of a rookie Trainer entered the stage. She had cherry blossom colored hair and wore a magician's outfit. "I'm counting on you, Charmeleon!" The Flame Pokemon emerged with a spout of fire from its mouth.
"So you're the other kid who left Pallet Town!" Ash widened his eyes.
"And you're that kid who got hospitalized for running into an Arbok!" Blossom exclaimed with a finger jabbed at him.
"Well, that's not exactly wrong…" Embarrassment filled Ash from having that memory exposed to the entire audience watching them.
"My mom said I shouldn't associate with crazy and reckless kids like you!" Blossom shouted.
"That's uncalled for! It happened because I was trying to save Pikachu! I was doing the right thing!" Ash shot back.
"I've never heard about this before." Misty within the seats was surprised and slightly anxious about this little history her friend had.
Brock nodded beside her. "We could ask him after the battle."
"Kids like you who don't think before they act shouldn't have the right to go on their own adventure!" Blossom self-righteously asserted.
"Says the thoughtless kid who sneaked away from her home to catch a Pokemon and failed!" Said Ash in a mocking tone.
"How do you know that!?" Blossom flushed from shame when her black history got exposed.
"Hah, I knew it! I only heard rumors but you just confirmed them!" A satisfied Ash laughed.
"Aaaaahhhh! Forget what you heard!" She looked absolutely demoralized.
"And now they're having a childish argument." Misty deadpanned. Brock shook his head amused.
"Enough, let's hurry on to the battle!". Ash clasped his fist with his palm. The referee announced the start of the match and Ash called for an attack at lightning speed. "Thunder!"
Pikachu gave a cute smile to the terrified Charmeleon and rained a giant thunderbolt that covered its entire vision. The power spread across the ground and left black marks and cracks. The result was Charmeleon getting toasted with bruises and charred marks, falling down from a single attack.
"Charmeleon!?" Blossom cried anxiously.
"Charmeleon is unable to battle, therefore this year's Hero of Hado is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" The referee declared which sent the audience thundering.
Blossom collapsed to her knees and recalled her Charmeleon back to his Poke Ball. She then got back to her feet and darted out of the stadium while Ash and Pikachu soaked in the applause raining down on them.
"Yikes, he didn't go comfort that girl. The worst." Misty watched in disapproval at him turning a blind eye to how he hurt Blossom.
"That was cruel, yeah." Even Brock agreed it didn't look good.
The festival proceeded inside Cameran Palace. Ash noticed the giant painting of Aaron heroically holding his staff with a bipedal canine-like Pokemon standing beside him inside the giant ballroom.
"So that's Aaron." Ash let out a breath of admiration. "And what's that Pokemon next to him?"
"What you're looking at is the Hado Pokemon Lucario. He was Sir Aaron's most trusted retainer and practiced the art of Hado together with the Hero." Ilene helpfully provided.
Ash's admiration in his eyes grew as he beheld the powerful stance the Pokemon in the picture assumed. He'd give his compliments to the artist for being able to depict its might. It almost looked like it was real and alive.
"This is the Hero's Staff, which belonged to Sir Aaron. Only the one who wins the tournament and is chosen as the Hero may hold it." Ilene presented the staff to Ash.
"Awesome." Ash graciously accepted in awe.
Ilene nodded to him and directed her attention to the guests in the ballroom. "In commemoration of the Hero who protected this country, Sir Aaron, let the festivities begin!" She ushered them to enjoy the ball and banquet prepared for them.
Ash was forced to sit on a throne that overlooked the ballroom as his role as Hero meant he could not participate in the dance.
Watching his friends having fun, Ash felt bored sitting around. He examined the painting more closely to pass the time and blinked. He could've sworn that Lucario's eyes met his. It spooked him a little.
The guests held their breaths and paused from what they were doing as Ilene sat up from her throne and approached them. "We will now begin the evening party. The Hero of Hado will see it off." She gestured to Ash.
A maid beside him whispered that he must imitate the Hero's pose on the painting. Ash gave an affirmative nod and held the staff above him. That signaled for the fireworks outside the castle to be sparked off and burst in beautiful lights in the night sky.
Distracted from admiring the fireworks, the staff in Ash's hands trembled.
"What's happening!?" Ash was spooked as the trembling escalated.
There was a blinding light from the crystal on the staff for a few moments and then it subsided as the trembling calmed down.
Bewildered gazes wandered from Ash to the staff until the absurd occurred right before everyone's eyes.
The Lucario inside the painting seemed to come to life and escaped from it. Gracefully landing on the floor, its attention was fixated solely on Ash.
Ash was taken back and took a step back when Lucario approached closer.
'How? This shouldn't be possible…'
This felt familiar. The Pokemon communicated through telepathy and Ash grasped bewilderment from its tone.
"Lucario, the guardian spirit of Cameran Palace…" Ilene trailed off.
Lucario turned his back to Ash and looked over his shoulder. 'You have caught my interest. Follow me if you want answers.'
Lucario exited the ballroom at blinding speeds leaving many prying eyes confused.
"Rest assured, guests, this too is a part of the festival." Ilene smoothly quelled the tension and made up a believable lie on the spot. "I will be taking the Hero to speak privately with him as his role deserves." Ilene bowed and beckoned for Ash to follow her.
Gossip infected the room when the Queen grabbed Ash's hand and escorted him out. Misty and Brock naturally followed him to avoid leaving him alone in case he found himself in trouble.
In a room filled with precious artifacts and valuables behind glass display containers waited Lucario. He acknowledged the Queen's arrival alongside Ash and his friends.
'I pay respect to the Queen of today.' Lucario assumed a kneeling position with one knee.
"Greetings, Lucario. My name is Ilene." She did a small bow and the rest followed her example. "May I have the privilege to understand why Sir Aaron's Lucario graced this modern era with his presence?"
"He's Aaron's Lucario!?" Brock was thunderstruck as were his friends. "But he existed hundreds of years ago, how can he still be alive today?"
'I am technically not alive in the traditional sense.' Luacrio answered. 'My life expired in the distant past, but I persist today as a guardian deity enshrined in this castle to protect this country. Hence my spirit and Hado linger today with the help of binding vows Sir Aaron imposed on me.'
"Binding vows?" Ash mused over the unfamiliar term with confusion.
'The reason why I have awakened is not due to a disaster that calls for me.' That relieved Ilene's worry. 'It's because I sensed this boy's Hado. It is identical to Sir Aaron's!'
Lucario's voice boomed in all of their heads and they needed a minute to process what he had unveiled to them.
"Ash!?" Misty exclaimed.
"He has Aaron's Hado!?" Brock was in disbelief.
"Oh dear, we are living in the same generation with a savior…" Ilene trailed off with her hands clasped together.
Only Ash remained clueless as he took in their reactions that were exaggerated in his opinion. "Guys, why does the fact that I have Aaron's Hado have that much importance? I've been meaning to ask this for a while too, but what is Hado?"
It sounded like glass broke behind the background. Misty facepalmed, Brock lifted his head to stare at the ceiling, and Ilene covered her mouth in surprise.
Ilene coughed to grab his attention. "Hado is the ancient Kantonese word for the life essence that exists in all living beings on the planet. It is everywhere and inseparable to ourselves. This essence is almost impossible to sense much less be wielded save for a few Pokemon species like Lucario that comes to them naturally. This essence has many names throughout history and in modern times it is commonly called Ki or Aura." Ilene explained.
"Aura…" Ash tasted the word in his mouth.
'A fitting name. It would be simpler to call it as such from now on.' Lucario nodded in appreciation. 'No two living beings can possess identical Aura. To compare, it is similar to how no two humans can have identical fingerprints. Do you understand the magnitude of you possessing the same Aura as Sir Aaron now, Ash?'
"So I'm the person who is the most alike to Aaron." Ash crossed his arms and dipped his head. "That's… kinda cool… I guess." That was the response he arrived at in his lackadaisical voice with a lackadaisical shrug and his two friends did a face fault.
Ilene giggled from the tense atmosphere being lifted and Lucario rolled his eyes. 'We have a lot to work with.'
"I find it rather adorable." Ilene said. "But if I'm understanding this correctly, would this make Ash a descendant of Sir Aaron's?"
'No, Sir Aaron never sired an heir nor do I sense his blood in Ash.'
"But if that's ruled out, then would it mean Ash here is Sir Aaron's reincarnation?" Ilene asked expectantly, curious to know if the idea of reincarnation truly did exist.
'I… cannot rule out the possibility. I do not know if reincarnation truly exists in this world. This is one mystery that will remain as such. Forgive my inability to answer your question, Queen Ilene.'
"Please, I'm the one who should be apologizing for having you humor my nonsense." Ilene gently smiled. "Moving past that, you must have further business with Ash, do you not?"
Lucario nodded. 'That I do.' He came up to his feet and placed a palm on a glass container. 'May I take what's inside here?'
"I will allow it. This used to be your room after all."
Lucario channeled his Aura onto his palms and exerted it outwards, breaking the glass, then lifted two identical bladed objects.
Worry rose from the sight of weapons being held especially within the Queen's presence, but nobody spoke up since Ilene trusted him.
'Ash, you are in need of training in the arts of Aura. Come with me.'
"Huh, why? Don't I have a say in this?" Ash was displeased.
'I'm afraid not.' Lucario curtly answered. 'If your destiny is anything close to Sir Aaron's, you'll have to learn how to defend yourself.'
Pikachu nodded approvingly which annoyed Ash.
"You also think I should believe in Lucario?" Ash moaned with his head hung down and shoulders slackened.
'Good, you're here too, Mew. I suspected you'd be interested in Ash.'
"Huh, did you just say…" Ash trailed off and looked at Pikachu.
"Mew!?" Brock and Misty finished for him.
Pikachu burst into laughter and fell to his back kicking the air. The Pokemon glowed brightly white and its shape morphed into something small, pink, and mischievous. Ash took out his Pokedex and scanned it.
[Mew. Legendary Pokemon. God of Beginnings. Mew is said to possess the genetic composition of all Pokémon. It is capable of making itself invisible at will, so it entirely avoids notice even if it approaches people.]
"P-Pikachu was a Mew the entire time!?"
"No Ash, that's not your Pikachu, it was Mew disguised as him!" Brock recovered the quickest and came to the most natural conclusion.
"B-But then where is Pikachu!?" Ash was far more concerned with the absence of his friend than a supposed Legendary Pokemon being near him.
'Fret not.' Lucario interjected. 'Mew likes to play pranks, but they are harmless. Your Pikachu was likely teleported elsewhere so Mew can take his place.'
Mew nodded as it floated upwards, wagging its tail side to side.
"Ah! Pidgeotto and Butterfree's Poke Balls are empty! They're missing too!" Ash frantically examined them with anxiety.
Lucario sighed at Mew's antics. He glared at it but thought it was much more convenient this way, so he begrudgingly let it slide.
'Mew, teleport me and Ash to where his Pokemon are.' Lucario looked at Ash. 'Your friends are welcome to come along. So long as they behave.'
Before any could protest, Mew enveloped the room in light and Lucario together with Ash and his companions disappeared, leaving behind Ilene.
"…Well, I should prepare the necessities for Ash when he returns." She giggled.
'We are at the foot of the Tree of the World's Beginning.' Lucario answered, spreading his arms for them to see behind him.
Misty and Brock were entranced by the beauty before them. There were bright crystals that glowed in the most dazzling blue on the ceiling and crystal clear water below them. It was like being transported to another world.
"Amazing…" Misty murmured.
"These rock formations…just how ancient is this place?" Brock said under his breath.
Meanwhile, Ash was huddled at a corner in a depressive mood.
'What is the matter, Ash? This is no time to be dejected.'
Ash lifted his head from the fetal position. "I didn't win the tournament legitimately with my own Pokemon. I didn't even notice my team was gone. I've failed as a Trainer." He bemoaned and disparaged himself.
Misty and Brock casted worried glances. A couple of cries echoed nearby and the figures of a Pikachu, Pidgeotto, and Butterfree scampered over to him.
Ash's face brightened up at their appearance. "You guys, you were here the whole time!" He laughed when Pidgeotto preened his hair, Butterfree rested on his shoulder, and Pikachu nuzzled his cheek.
Mew hovered close by with its infectious giggling.
"Oh, um, so you led them here. Thank you, Mew!" Ash sincerely thanked him now that he was cheered up. He was far too kind to hold it against Mew for abducting his Pokemon. The matter didn't even cross his mind.
'Now that you're feeling better, let us proceed to the training.' Lucario asserted.
"Hey, I still didn't agree to this!" Ash said.
'What's there to disagree with.' Lucario shrugged. 'It's not every day a person is given the chance to wield Aura. You have a gift, you should polish it.'
"But I've already decided to pursue being a Pokemon Trainer." Ash insisted.
'I see.' Lucario turned to the side, casting a side eye to Ash with a provocative smirk. 'I understand if it's too much for someone like you.'
"Like heck it is! Argh, fine, I'll become an Aura Master and then get back to challenging the Pokemon League!" Ash gave in, not wanting to back down from a challenge.
'Excellent.' Lucario nodded satisfied. He outstretched his palms towards Ash and enveloped him in a sphere of Aura. 'Learn to sense my Aura surrounding your body. Given time it will feel natural to you to have Aura envelop your body. Then, your Aura shall surface from the depths of your spirit.'
Lucario planted one of the bladed weapons in front of Ash and then did a flip back to create distance between them. He brandished the other blade.
'The Seamitar of a Samurott. You will also be taught the same swordsmanship Sir Aaron taught me.'
Ash eyed the Seamitar in front of him. He picked it up, gripping it with both hands, and faced Lucario. The two crossed the distance and met in the middle, clashing blades that sent sparks flying.
Afterword:
And there you have it, the beginning of Ash's training to become an Aura Guardian and swordsman. Weeeelll, the next chapter will begin where he's finished his training, not gonna dwell on it for too long. Expect Ash to be using moves from the Oshawatt evolution line using that Seamitar as his regular weapon like Slash, Air Slash, and etc.
And the final Pallet Town Trainer that took Charmander with her was Blossom from Poketoon! She was done so dirty by Ash and Mew, not intentionally by the former at least. This will definitely not be the last time we'll see her.
Eduardo Quiroz:
You bet he's going to be doing contests when the Johto arc comes around. He'll have plenty of regular Coordinator rivals such as Kris, Jasmine, and Whitney.
Miraculous Psychic Hero 100:
Nemona and Penny, hmm…I'd like to include them but not sure if they'd make an early appearance or not. That said, Sabrina will get her time to shine way earlier than most heroines. Bea on the other hand is much the same as Nemono and Penny. Eventual, but questionably far in the future or might make an early appearance if I can squeeze her in somewhere.
thanhmacu:
I'm aware of Ashes of the Past as I've read it before.
tyuo:
Not sure how well I can write Brock and give him the respect he deserves. He'll definitely have his moments as the most mature person in the group.
UltimateCCC:
I am not aware of the ship name that involves all of Ash's main heroines at once.