Chapter 2

The night sky stretched endlessly above the grand kingdom of Rota, its usual tranquility disrupted by an unsettling presence. Queen Ilene stood upon the balcony of her castle, her silk robes flowing in the gentle breeze. Yet, despite the peaceful night, an unease settled deep within her heart.

Beyond the protective barrier of Rota, an ominous sight loomed—the strange purple clouds drifting ominously across the sky. They did not touch the kingdom itself, as if repelled by an unseen force, but their presence was undeniable. Ilene narrowed her eyes. Something was terribly wrong.

She clasped her hands together, staring at the night sky. "What is this darkness...?" she murmured to herself. The barrier had always protected Rota from outside threats, yet she could not shake the feeling that something, or someone, was in grave danger.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, a brilliant golden light flared in front of her. She gasped, stepping back instinctively as the radiance grew brighter. A powerful presence filled the air, sacred and commanding.

Then, from within the light, a divine figure emerged—Arceus.

Queen Ilene's breath caught in her throat. She had only heard of Arceus through the old legends passed down by the royal bloodline, yet here it was, standing before her, its golden ring gleaming with celestial energy. The sheer pressure of its presence was overwhelming, yet there was no malice—only urgency.

"Queen of Rota," Arceus spoke, its voice resonating in the very fabric of reality. "The Chosen One is in grave danger."

Ilene's eyes widened. She knew exactly who Arceus was referring to.

"Ash Ketchum…?" she whispered.

Arceus's gaze did not waver. "Darkness has begun to consume the world. The Chosen One is lost, abandoned, and alone. If he is not guided back to his path, destruction shall follow."

Ilene clenched her hands at her sides. She had felt it—the shift in the world, the unnatural disturbance in the air. If Arceus itself had come to warn her, then this was no small matter.

"What must I do?" she asked, her voice steady despite the weight of the situation.

Arceus looked up toward the sky, its golden form radiating divine power. "The time has come for Rota to act. The Chosen One must not be left to fall into darkness. Find him before it is too late."

As the glow around Arceus intensified, Queen Ilene knew that the fate of not just Ash, but the entire world, rested on what she did next.

The pounding of hooves echoed through the dense forest, the carriage rushing under the moonlit sky. Lanterns swayed with each jolt, their flickering glow casting shadows against the thick trunks of towering trees. The royal guards, clad in armor, remained alert as they guided the horses forward, their hands steady on the reins. Inside the carriage, Queen Ilene sat rigidly, her heart heavy with unease. Arceus's warning rang in her mind—The Chosen One is in grave danger.

They had to find him.

The path opened to a clearing by the riverbank, and the horses whinnied as the carriage came to a sudden halt. The guards leapt down first, their eyes scanning the dark waters. Then, amidst the gentle ripples, they spotted a motionless figure drifting along the current.

"There!" one of the guards shouted.

Queen Ilene stepped out of the carriage, her eyes widening in horror. Ash Ketchum, barely conscious, his body limp and battered, floated in the water. His clothes were torn, his arms covered in scrapes and bruises. His face, once filled with an unbreakable spirit, was now pale and lifeless.

"Get him out of there—now!" Ilene commanded, urgency sharpening her voice.

Without hesitation, one of the guards whistled, and a Pidgeot burst forth from its Poké Ball. The large bird soared into the sky before diving toward the river, its powerful talons reaching into the water. With expert precision, Pidgeot clasped onto Ash's shoulders, carefully lifting him out of the cold depths. The boy remained limp, completely unresponsive.

The great bird flapped its wings, carrying Ash toward the shore before gently laying him down on the grassy riverbank. The guards immediately rushed to his side, but it was Queen Ilene who knelt down first.

She reached out, her hands trembling slightly as she cradled Ash's face. His breathing was faint, his skin cool to the touch. Seeing him in such a state sent a painful ache through her heart. This boy—this young hero—who had once saved her kingdom and the world itself, was now broken and abandoned.

"Ash…" she whispered, brushing damp strands of hair from his face.

He didn't respond.

"Back to the castle. Now," Ilene ordered, turning to the guards. "Summon the royal doctors immediately. We must treat his wounds at once."

The guards nodded without hesitation. They carefully lifted Ash into the carriage, ensuring he remained stable. As the wheels began to roll again, speeding back toward the castle, Queen Ilene never took her eyes off him.

The Chosen One had fallen.

But she would not let him be lost.

A soft breeze drifted through the open window, rustling the curtains as Ash slowly stirred. His body felt heavy, his limbs aching with exhaustion, but it was the unfamiliar scent of polished wood and fresh linen that made his eyes flutter open. He found himself lying in a large, ornately decorated bed, the golden trim of the canopy above him glinting softly under the morning sunlight. The room was grand, yet warm and inviting, its elegant stone walls adorned with tapestries bearing the crest of Rota.

Ash blinked, confusion clouding his thoughts. This wasn't the river. This wasn't even Pallet Town. He struggled to sit up, his mind racing as he tried to piece together what had happened. Was I saved?

"Where… am I?" he murmured, rubbing his forehead.

"You are safe, Ash," a voice answered.

He turned quickly toward the source of the voice, his eyes widening in shock. Standing near the bedside were two figures—one regal, the other divine.

"Arceus…?" His breath caught as his gaze shifted to the woman beside it, dressed in flowing robes, her gentle eyes filled with concern. "Queen Ilene…?"

The memories came rushing back—Pallet Town, the attacks, the people turning on him, his desperate escape into the river. He had thought he wouldn't survive. But somehow, he was here.

Dread settled in his chest, his fingers clenching the sheets beneath him. He lowered his head, unable to meet their gazes. "Please don't tell me you're here to judge me for being weak too…" His voice wavered, barely above a whisper.

Arceus's golden eyes softened as it spoke. "You have nothing to fear, Ash. We did not bring you here to punish you."

Ash hesitated, but before he could respond, Queen Ilene suddenly stepped forward and embraced him. The warmth of her touch caught him off guard, and he stiffened, his breath hitching. It had been so long since anyone had treated him with kindness.

"Ash," Ilene whispered, relief evident in her voice. "It has been far too long."

He swallowed hard, still uncertain. "Your Highness… aren't you going to treat me the way everyone else has?"

Ilene gently pulled back, meeting his eyes with unwavering sincerity. "Why would I?" she asked softly. "You do not deserve hatred."

Ash felt his throat tighten at those words.

Ilene then glanced at Arceus before explaining, "It was Arceus who came to me, warning that the Chosen One was in grave danger. He guided me so that we could find you before it was too late." She placed a hand over his. "That's why you were brought to Rota. You needed to be saved."

Ash swallowed hard. He wasn't sure if he was ready to hear whatever they had to say. But one thing was clear—he wasn't alone anymore.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, someone had come for him.

Ash swallowed hard. He wasn't sure if he was ready to hear whatever they had to say. But one thing was clear—he wasn't alone anymore.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, someone had come for him.

Queen Ilene gently placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression kind yet serious. "There is something you must know, Ash. The truth that has been hidden from you for far too long."

Ash's eyes flickered with uncertainty. He hesitated before asking, "What truth?"

Arceus's presence seemed to grow heavier, its voice solemn as it spoke. "The truth about your father, Red Ketchum," it revealed. "In case you haven't realized, Queen Ilene here is his sister, which makes her your aunt."

Ash gasped in astonishment. "You're my aunt?" he exclaimed, the realization dawning. "It does make sense, especially since Lucario mentioned our similar auras…"

Ilene, displaying a warm smile, extended her hand to him. "I'll explain everything to you, but first, let's get you cleaned up."

Once Ash has freshened up and changed into clean clothes, Ilene continues the conversation. "We are the Aura Guardians, and Sir Aaron Ketchum is our ancestor. You're aware of that, right?"

Ash nods, his curiosity piqued. "Yes, I've heard of Sir Aaron."

Ilene proceeds to share more about their heritage. "There are three Aura families that continue to exist in the world. The first one is our Ketchum family. Now, let me tell you about the second one—the Mache family."

Ash's memory stirs as he hears the name. "Mache? I remember Valerie Mache from the Laverre Gym has that name..."

"Yes, Valerie Mache is indeed a member of the Mache family," Ilene confirms. "Their family has historically been comprised mostly of female Aura Guardians. However, our two families were once bitter enemies due to the betrayal of Queen Rin."

Ash's eyes widen in surprise. "Queen Rin was a traitor? Why did she betray her family?"

Ilene proceeds to reveal the historical conflict. "The Rota Kingdom originally belonged to the Mache family, but Queen Rin Mache made the controversial decision to hand over the kingdom to us, the Ketchum family, after falling in love with our ancestor, Sir Aaron Ketchum. This act of betrayal set the stage for enmity between our two families. The ongoing rivalry also gave rise to a third Aura family—the Sakaki family."

Ash scratches his head, a sense of familiarity tugging at his memory. "Sakaki... where have I heard that name before?"

Ilene acknowledges his curiosity. "I understand your confusion. The Sakaki family is distinct from the Ketchum family. After Sir Aaron's brother, Arata Ketchum, harnessed the power of Dark Aura and sought to dominate the world, they declared war on the other two families. However, thanks to Sir Aaron's self-sacrifice at the Tree of Beginning, the Sakaki family was vanquished, and Arata changed his name to Sakaki. The family went into hiding, awaiting the appearance of a descendant, who would eventually become the leader of Team Rocket."

"Giovanni..." Ash murmurs, realization dawning. "So he's from the Sakaki family?"

Arceus interjects, directing the conversation. "We delve into the history of these three families to lay the foundation for the story we are about to share. Please continue, Ilene."

Ilene nods, her expression somber as she continues the tale. "To me, Red is an exceptional brother. He should have rightfully taken the throne instead of me, but fate had other plans. During our stay in the Kalos Region, he crossed paths with a member of the Mache Family. It was love at first sight, even though they were aware of the enmity between our families. Fearing their parents' reaction, they attempted to keep their relationship a secret."

Ash's curiosity deepens. "So, my mother is a member of the Mache Family?"

Ilene shakes her head. "No, she hails from a common family," she clarifies. "Eventually, their secret romance was discovered, and the Ketchum family decided to return to Kanto to separate them. Sadly, their love came to an end when they were unable to reunite."

Ash empathizes with their plight. "That's incredibly tragic. Did my Dad ever cross paths with his first love again?"

Ilene confirms, "Yes, they did meet again, but by then, both had moved on. Red had found affection for someone else, your mother, Delia. Similarly, the member of the Mache family had started a new life with her husband."

Ash processes this revelation, a mix of emotions swirling within him. "So, before my Dad fell in love with Mom, he loved someone else?"

Arceus interjects, sensing Ash's unease. "Indeed, Ash. They didn't regret their decisions and remained friends. Until..."

Ash's curiosity is piqued, but he's also apprehensive. "Until what?"

"Until Giovanni came and took your father from us," Ilene says with a solemn expression. "But it wasn't just your father... you used to have a sister as well, and she was also taken from us by him."

Ash is left in a state of profound shock, unable to comprehend the magnitude of what he's just learned. He had always considered Team Rocket a mere nuisance for their constant pursuit of his Pikachu, but the truth is far more horrifying and devastating. Overwhelmed by anger and hatred, Ash's aura becomes turbulent, taking Arceus and Ilene some time to calm it.

"Ash, we will seek justice and revenge," Ilene promised, her voice firm and unwavering. She reached for a small, leather-bound book and placed it in his hands.

Ash looked down at it, his fingers tracing the worn edges. "What is this?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity and hesitation.

"This is your father's diary," Ilene explained. "It contains records of his life, including the time when he had a secret relationship. You can read it after we've defeated Team Rocket and Giovanni. For now, Arceus will train you to become a more skilled Aura Guardian and wielder of Aura Weapons."

Ash's grip on the diary tightened. His father—his real father—had left behind a record of his life, something Ash had never known about. But for now, he had to focus. He had to be ready.

"But what if the others find me and come after me?" Ash voiced his concern, the memory of his betrayal still fresh in his mind.

Ilene shook her head, her voice calm yet reassuring. "No one can locate this place unless they are Aura Guardians, and they have no intentions of harming you. This land, this island—it once belonged to your father, but now it's yours."

Ash's eyes widened. An island? His island? The thought was overwhelming, yet before he could dwell on it, Arceus stepped forward, its golden eyes filled with urgency.

"Time is of the essence," Arceus stated. "We cannot afford to waste any more."

Ilene gave a solemn nod. "Arceus is right. I must return to Rota—there are urgent matters I must attend to." She turned to Ash, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Train well. When the time comes, you must be ready."

Ash met her gaze, determination flickering within him. He had lost so much, but he still had a purpose. He still had people who believed in him.

With one final glance, Ilene departed, leaving Ash alone with Arceus.

The divine Pokémon turned toward him. "We are leaving as well. You must train where your father once trained."

Ash blinked. "Wait… where are we going?"

Arceus's form began to glow, its divine energy surrounding them. "To Sevestar Island. The place where Red Ketchum honed his aura, and where you shall do the same."

Before Ash could even respond, the golden light enveloped him, and in an instant, the world around him vanished.

Sevestar Island awaited.

Here is the second chapter, and we have the truth arrive and with Queen Ilene and Arceus. I hope you like this chpater and the next chapter will be the training.