Riley walked towards the old RV parked outside of his aunt's house (He had an aunt, who knew?). An odd sense of nostalgia flooded him at the sight of the silver and fools-gold colored vehicle. It had changed since Riley had last seen it. Dad has always kept the thing shiny, cleaned and topped up with fuel. Ready at a moment's notice, he had told Riley.
Oh, the young man had so many wonderful memories inside of this thing. Dad had taken him camping in it from the moment Riley could walk. He could still smell the smoke from the fire, mixing with the aroma of a fresh stew along with roasted popcorn. Mom never joined them, but Dad always made up for it, he'd play his old guitar and sing songs of old before tucking Riley his sleeping bag to slumber under the stars. It got even better when Mandy was born. Riley was no longer a beginner at that point and would help Dad teach her the ways of camping.
Mandy's first camping trip had kind of been a disaster. Mom and Dad had been mad at each other the morning before they left, and it started pouring as soon as they got to the campsite. Riley remembered feeling as disappointed as a ten-year-old could feel, but Dad had pulled his grumpy kid and toddler back inside and they roasted marshmallows at the toaster oven. Mandy's big grey eyes grew so wide at the taste of her first ever smore. She had been so cute back then, marshmallow goo and chocolate smeared on her smiling face.
A heavy slam came from the other side of the RV, and Riley peeked around the hood finding his sister having finished up with the pipe system. Mandy wasn't that cute toddler anymore. No, his sister had become a woman. A woman who now took care of their old man's RV as if it was her own. When did Dad pass the responsibility of the vehicle on to Mandy, Riley wondered.
His sister barely gave him a glance before muttering, "What do you want?"
"Why do I get the feeling your mad at me?" Riley said.
Mandy turned to him raising an unimpressed brow, "If you're to play dumb at least be clever about it."
Her tone was one of "shut up before I stab you with my nails".
Riley looked away and popped his lips, suddenly feeling the uncomfortable atmosphere around them, "Uhm…well you seem to be taking good care of the old rig?"
"Do you honestly think I'm that irresponsible, Riri?" Mandy said.
"No, no," Riley said quickly, "I'm just surprised, Dad let you use this old thing. This was like his third child, and he took good care of it, you know?"
Mandy hands, which her previously whipping them on a stained cloth, stilled and for some reason Riley thought he felt a wave of sadness waft of her soul. She sighed but nodded.
"So, when did let you drive it?" Riley asked, "He said it'd be years before I was ready."
"He didn't let me drive it," Mandy said flatly, "I inherited it, about five years ago."
Riley's brows furrowed as he crunched the numbers in his head, "Wait, you inherited this when you were thirteen? Isn't that a little young?"
Mandy nodded, "No shit sherlock, but it was either I take it or the junkyard."
"Junkyard? Very funny. Dad would never…"
"Dad is dead!" Mandy snapped, "By Arceus! I'm not a little kid! You don't need to pretend he's still around for me!..."
Riley didn't hear the rest of his sister's rant…"Dad is dead?" His whispered, "Wha…When…?"
Mandy stopped talking, "Five years ago," she bit her lip and looked Riley dead in the eye, "Don't act as if you didn't know."
Riley shook his head, as if the world around him was crumbling, "Why didn't you or mom tell me?"
"Tell you?!" Mandy put her hands on her hips, "Riri, I tried to contact you for years! I sent countless letters. I figured mother sent you an invite to the funeral and just didn't have the time to show up. Which is fine, I get it. You were out chasing your dreams, and couldn't let me or Dad hold you back," She sighed, and started walking towards the house, "C'mon we need to get the bags loaded up."
With his sister gone, there was nothing to distract Riley form the sudden grief. His father had been dead for five years and he hadn't known. His heart grew heavy, like it was swelling underneath his rib cage. White teeth sank into his lip, and the copper tase of hot blood washed over his tongue. He allowed himself a moment to mourn but then pushed the pain down. Choosing to continue forward. There was a mission at hand and he couldn't let it go wrong.
He lost his father…he couldn't lose his sister.
"Do you see it yet?" Ash muttered to Goh, who shook his head.
Sir Aaron suppressed a laugh at the lads' antics. Both Ash and Goh were currently smooshed again the window of their train cabin, eagerly trying to catch the first glimpse of Ryme City. Pikachu on top of Ash's head with Raboot hanging off Goh's shoulder while Lulu and Lucario (although watching with less enthusiasm) corralled the lads on their sides. Apparently neither of them had visited this place before either. Excitement, with its clingy static feeling, charged the cabin.
Well at least to the youngest in the room. The knight's icy eyes flicked over to view the oddly melancholy face of his nephew. Riley sat in the bench opposite of Sir Aaron, leaning his elbow on arm of the cushioned seat with a palm pressed to his forehead. His expression was one of deep thoughts. Sir Aaron rose to his feet, carefully making sure not to get jostled by the train's movement and smack his face on the floor…again.
"May I?" He asked Riley gesturing to the empty space next to his nephew.
Riley shrugged in a manner that, said "be my guest".
"Are you alright?"
"I look that bad huh? Usually I'm better at hiding it, sorry."
Sir Aaron shook his head, "Even if you were hiding it better, I would have noticed your distress. Aura users are quite in tune with the emotions of their fellows, especially when it comes to family."
Riley's brows furrowed, "Is that why I always knew how Mandy was feeling when we were little? I-I mean, when she was like four I just had this strong sense of fear that I knew wasn't mine, and the next thing I know I'm blasting away a horde of Beedrill from attacking her."
The knight nodded, "That would've been an instance of shared emotions. She likely reached out to you for protection auratically," Sir Aaron paused, "Perhaps now we should get back on subject. What's upsetting you?"
Riley chuckled, the sound almost desperate for humor, "I'm going home. I should be happy, but my dad's dead. He's been dead for five years and I had no idea…I guess…I'm worried home isn't going to be the one I remember."
Sir Aaron nodded, the fear oddly familiar. This world around him wasn't his own. His home was destroyed. Not only the Temple where he was trained, but likely his ancestral property as well. Not that he had the same attachment to that cold castle, as he did to the Temple.
"It's likely not going to be," Sir Aaron said, "I however, like to find the good things such situations as these."
Riley huffed, "Now you sound like him."
"You're father?"
Riley nodded.
"Tell me about him."
"He was…humble. He had served in the Tri-Team War as a member of Team Mystic. Later went on to become a Ranger, but he never told anyone of his service until asked, and even then he didn't sugar coat it. 'War is something never to be wished for' he always told me."
Sir Aaron nodded, "He sounded like a man I would've gotten along with. A good soldier."
"He was. He never let anyone call him that though, no matter how much mom tried to brag about her war hero husband. I think he preferred to be a dad."
'I would've too' Sir Aaron thought, his icy eyes drifting towards Ash, the lad still standing at the window. He was such a bright light in this world. No matter how hard or what struggles Ash seemed to face, he still wore a smile. The Knight had to credit Madam Delia for her son's temperament, however there was an odd sense of shame to think that she had to raise the boy alone. If had been given a choice Sir Aaron would have chosen to care for his family…however, his child was lost to time…He never even seen their face…
Sir Aaron was pulled from his thoughts by the cabin door opened with a hiss of air (doors moved by air, such technology was almost magic), letting in Amanda. His niece huffed; lips twisted into a frown as she sat down forcefully on the opposite bench.
"Professor Oak might have great taste in trains, but this bucket of bolts has the worse coffee machine," Amanda grumbled, "Bitter bean filled nightmare contraption."
Despite her clear frustration with her drink, his niece still took a sip. Caffeine, the new addiction for young maidens and men when they were no longer allowed mead. Sir Aaron was almost fearful of the drink, considering how much Amanda consumed in a single day.
"Since when do you drink coffee?" Riley asked.
"Since hot cocoa wasn't strong enough," Amanda said.
"I can see it!" Goh suddenly called out from the window.
Curiosity moving his leg, Sir Aaron stood up once more and carefully made his way to the window. Through the clear glass, stood a vision of a city only from that of wildest dreams. Tall buildings of silver and crystal sprouted from the incoming horizon. Sir Aaron stopped himself from gaping at the stunning sight. Even the prettiest of flowers could carry poison, after all.
As much as a wonder Ryme City was, Ash was releved to learn that Riley and Amanda lived in an area that had a lot of surrounding forest.
The moment they all had stepped off the train, they were hit with the true chaotic nature of a big city. It was like walking headfirst into a title wave. People and Pokémon were everywhere. Flying types hanging off the skyscrapers. All the trainers were free roaming, their Pokémon following their heels in crowded hordes. Plant groves and charging stations were on every corn, to allow Electric and Grass types survive in the city.
The harmony between the humans and Pokémon in the city was a beautiful thing, however to a smalltown kid like Ash, it was crazy overwhelming. He had never seen so many people in one place. Goh was in a similar state, even if Vermillion was a bigger city than palettown, it wasn't this crowd. Poor Sir Aaron and Lucario, they looked three steps from a panic attack. Only, Umbreon, Lulu, Amanda and Riley looked somewhat comfortable in the crowds.
His cousins walked into the chaos, seemingly understanding a hidden rhythm that everyone else was following. They moved with the crowds, Umbreon and Lulu following them with the same understanding. After bumping into someone for the fifth time, Ash was really wishing he had the same home team advantage as Amanda and Riley had.
So, yes, he was very happy when they left the heart of the city and walked into a neighborhood, with a lot of empty Forest area and really big houses.
"Are we there yet?" Goh asked after a half an hour of walking.
"Well, be at the house soon, we've been on the property for a while," Amanda said.
"Wait a minute," Ash said, "You own this forest area?"
"Everything for about two and a half miles out of the house walls," Riley said.
Ash looked at Riley, "So, all this time, you've been rich?"
"Our family was once a line of Barons, Ketchum, and once they lost their political status, unlike their peers they were smart enough to know how they keep their land and wealth," Amanda said.
Riley nodded, and they continued onward. Ash wasn't sure why he was so surprised to learn his cousins were loaded, Riley was literally wearing a suit and dress shoes when they met, and Iron Island was falling apart.
True to Amanda's word, the walk didn't last that much longer. The path through the woods cleared revealing a large sloping meadow. A large field of vibrant green blades that whipped in the whistling wind. In the corner of it, atop the blunt peak of the slope, in the shade of tall pine and magnolia trees rested possibly the largest house that Ash had ever seen. The closer they got the more impressive it became. Walls of cobblestone and almost black wood stood high and strong, supporting four floors of the house. All the windows were perfectly cleaned, and current from the inside with what looked like velvet. A large garden was attached to the back and surrounded by a heavy stone wall. It was picture of a mansion for modern nobility.
Movement came from the mansion's wrap around deck and very quickly two pale figures darted down the steps and towards them. Ash's head tilted as he recognized the Pokémon, an Absol and Glaceon. Umbreon and Lulu reacted with an almost excited demeanor, running up to the strangers. It wasn't long before all four of them were in a cuddle pile, greeting each other with joy.
"What the?" Goh muttered.
Riley snorted, "What's so surprising? Haven't you seen a family reunion before?"
Ash's brows furrowed, "Family reunion?"
"Glace and Absol are Bree and Lulu's parents," Amanda said, before walking towards the sweet scene, Absol and Glaceon cuddling up to her legs as she got close.
Ash watched as Amanda kneeled to pet the newcomers in greeting. Her familiarity with them was clear. She had grown up with these Pokemon. A screech came from above and an elderly Staraptor landed in the middle of the pile, a large smile on his beak as he began to preen Amanda's hair.
Riley barked a laugh at this sister's state, but his amusement was short lived. Once he made a noise of the attention of the elder Pokémon was on him and in the blink of an eyes he was assaulted with licked and loving peaking just as Amanda was, and now his sister was laughing.
"You think I'm funny Riri?" Amanda said, "I've only been gone a few months, they're never letting you out of their sight again!"
"Alright, alright!" Riley said, from underneath the fluffy and feathery assault of love, "I missed you all too!"
Ash was so jealous. He wanted to get smothered with Pokémon like that.
The door to the mansion opened, and a woman came out. She was plump with olive skin and greying blond curls. A large set of green glasses rested on her button nose. She wore a forest green dressed with flowers on it and a ruffled hem. A large smile stretched across her face as she spotted their group.
"Miss Amanda!" She said with excitement, and began to barrel down the steps, "You are home!"
Amanda laughed as the woman ran over and wrapped the younger in her arms. A hug that his cousin gladly returned.
"Mrs. Rose?" Riley said an almost surprised tone in his voice.
Mrs. Rose gasped, as her honey gold eyes landed on Riley. Her smile growing even wider, as she let go of Amanda and darted over to young man, "Master Riley! I cannot believe my eyes! Look how big you've grown!"
"I can't believe it," Riley said returning her hug, "I thought you would've retired by now."
Mrs. Rose scoffed, "Oh, I can't quit when there's work to be done! Besides with the little ones in the house, your mother would lose her mind if I weren't here."
Mrs. Rose turned to the rest of them, completely missing Riley, confused, look at the words "little ones" and her face grew puzzled when she saw Sir Aaron.
"Is someone invent cloning? Oh, Madam Gen will be so angry someone did it before her," Mrs. Rose mumbled.
Amanda laughed, "No, Mrs. Rose. This is Aaron he's a distance uncle."
"Oh can't be that distant," Mrs. Rose said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, and I have to apologize in advance, I'm going to get you along Master Riley mixed up."
Sir Aaron chuckled, "It's fine madam."
Mrs. Rose as the woman introduced herself was the housemaid of the Gen Family property. She minded the home, the garden and the children. It was clear that she had taken pride in her work. Once inside of the mansion the place appeared spotless, and while Ash hadn't seen the garden's yet, he was sure they were just as grand. She was also a wonderful caregiver if her strong relationships with Amanda and Riley were evident enough.
"I'll prepare some rooms for you," Mrs. Rose said, "I'm sorry we weren't ready in advance, we don't usually get guests in the family home."
"It's fine, Mrs. Rose," Ash said, "This will probably be the fanciest places I've ever slept in."
"I'll give you a hand," Amanda said.
Mrs. Rose shook her head, "Oh no dear, you just got home. Relax."
"Is mom here?" Riley asked, and suddenly the mood dropped.
Mrs. Rose's cheery smile vanished for a moment, her lips pressing together like she had just tasted something sour, but a smaller smile replaced it quickly, "I'm afraid not Master Riley. Madam Gen is currently on study retreat, but she is scheduled to return tomorrow night."
The clatter of small footsteps came from the hall ahead of them, and rounding a corner came two identical boys about the age of seven. Oh by Arceus they looked like mini Rileys. Spikey hair, pale skin and the nose that everyone in their family seemed to share. An Eevee and Gibble at the boys' feet. Twin sets of lagoon blue eyes sparkled, as they spied the group of new comers.
"Amanda!" They shrieked and dashed over to the young woman, clinging to her legs and climbing up her clothing.
"Constance! Carter! Hey! I missed you guys" Amanda said, bringing the twin who was climbing her on her hip, and ruffling hair of the one clinging to her leg, with practiced movements, "Crunchy let go of my boot," she glared at the Gibble gnawing on her ankle, while the Eevee circled them.
"You're home!" The one on Amanda's leg squealed.
"We didn't think you'd ever come back," the other twin said.
"Oh c'mon guys, you know I'd never leave you behind," Amanda said, "What have you been up to while I was gone?"
That got the twins rambling, and Amanda listened to every bit of it. It was really sweet seeing this side of his cousin Ash thought. She had been so focused on her work and never really smiled unless she was smirking. Here, with these boys, she was smiling carefree. It was a sweet scene, and made Ash wish he had a little sibling.
However, the mood was dampened when Ash overheard Riley whisper almost in awe, "I have brothers…"
A/N:
Hello, everyone. This chapter sucks. School started this week so it's not my best work.
We are officially in Ryme! What kind of family secrets will be revealed here! Well see!