Despite the similarities between the two, Sir Aaron felt no familial attachment to the elder Gen. There was something un-welcoming about her presence. Perhaps it was the face her teeth were far to bright, or that her smile didn't reach her eyes. Maybe it was the formal manner of which she carried herself. Sir Aaron only knew that he couldn't trust this woman.

His nephew very clearly didn't share Sir Aaron's hesitance. The moment Riley saw his mother, he smiled like there was no tomorrow, and the knight saw a swell of deep love and affection in the younger aura user's soul. Lorelei smiled too, however there was no swell in her aura like that of her son's. There was pride in her heart at the sight of her first-born, but it wasn't for her son. Goh was also quick to marvel, though that had more to do with Lorelei's stature and the child's thirst for knowledge.

Ash was wary, though. Sir Aaron's descendant, leaning closer while the mother and son reunited, to whisper, "I don't think she's actually happy. My mom doesn't look at me like that when I come home after a gym run."

Sir Aaron could only nod at the lad's assessment. Ash's instincts were good, but now was not a good time to unpack them. Especially when it came to his niece's state.

The knight had noticed the change in Amanda's demeaner the moment she laid eyes on the silver chariot out in front of her manor. She stiffened, her aura rippling with fear. It was rather jarring, the only time that Sir Aaron had seen his niece scared was whenever the Bella girl had gotten too close, and even then, she never froze. However, the moment Amanda eyed that car, she halted mid-step, and her eyes grew wide with true fear. That car meant something unsavory to her.

And it only got worse when they entered the house, and Lorelei was in sight. Amanda shut down, biting her tongue and keeping her eyes on the hard woods of the floor. She stood straight, and didn't react. Appearing more like a doll, then a living woman.

"Oh Riley darling," Lorelei said, "You should've told me you were coming home for a visit, I would've planned a gala."

Riley laughed, shaking his head, "It's fine mom, it was kind of supposed to be a surprise."

Lorelei huffed, "Oh dear, you know I don't enjoy unknown variables. And I see you have brought some."

"Yeah, recently there's been some genealogical discoveries," Riley said, "Aaron and Ash are distant relatives."

Lorelei raised an almost judgmental brow, fixing a predatory look on Sir Aaron and Ash, "Relatives?"

Sir Aaron smiled as she approached and offered his hand, but only to be polite, "Aaron it's a pleasure."

Lorelei's hand felt cold in his, she hummed, "You're Northern Kantoian?"

Sir Aaron nodded curtly, sending a mental signal to Lucario to keep quiet, "Yes, actually. What gave me away? The accent?"

Lorelei nodded in turn, "I was unaware that we had any extended relatives in that area," She chuckled a hollow sound, "I'm sure you didn't decide to reach out to try and break into our vault."

"Believe me madam," Sir Aaron said, "Ash and I had no reason to believe that we are related to a family of your social status."

Lorelei nodded, "Oh I'm certain you did."

Grey eyes flicked from him and narrowed at the sight of his niece. Amanda still stood as stiffly as she did before. Not daring to make a sound or meet her mother's eyes. Lorelei strutted over, clicking her tongue in disapproval.

"Amanda, child," Lorelei reached out tugging the lock of hair still behind Amanda's ear forward covering her hearing aid once more, "What have I told you about dressing properly when we have guests?"

"Mom she just got back. She hasn't had time to freshen up," Riley said.

Lorelei smiled, "Of course, Amanda go change and get the boys ready will you. Mrs. Rose will be done with dinner in a few minutes, and I do wish to have tea with my meal."

With that Amanda was out of the room faster than Sir Aaron could blink, and left in her wake was a rather uncomfortable feeling her wake. Lorelei herded the rest of them into the dinning hall, talking about her recent discoveries in a boasting manner.

"Do not speak of the reason we're here to Professor Gen," Sir Aaron sent to Ash and Riley through telepathy.

"Got it." Ash answered quickly catching on the skill.

"Why? She's my mother, we can trust her," Riley thought, his words a little wobblier due to inexperience.

"No offence meant to your mother Riley, however I fear I don't think I can handle her interrogating me on matters that even we do not understand, yet."

"I'll let Goh know," Ash said before cutting off the connection.

Sir Aaron could feel the confusion and displeasure coming from Riley at his request, but the knight could not find regret in his choice. Lorelei continued to only speak to either Riley or Goh once they were sat at the dinner table. She wanted to know how her son's studies have been going, and Goh was eager to ask Lorelei about her own research. Though, even if Sir Aaron wasn't a researcher himself, it appeared to him that Lorelei refrained from telling Goh the whole truth.

Eventually the meal was served, and as Sir Aaron thanked Mrs. Rose for her cooking Amanda walking into the room with the twins in tow. The Knight puzzled at his niece and youngest Nephew's appearance. The twins were dressed in more formal suits, their wild hair slicked back and tamed.

And Amanda…

Sir Aaron barely recognized her. His niece was a fan of disguises, and would wear a number of styles if they were out in public to conceal her identity while they were on the run. However, if they were in for the day, she generally stuck to her black eye and lip paint, along with the many piercings and dark clothing. She was always happier when dressed in them. Yet, the woman in front of him was practically the opposite of that niece.

Amanda wore a kimono styled shirt with long flared sleeves, in pastel purple and while. A pair of simple black pants was worn underneath and silver slippers on her feet. Her goth style make up was traded for a bare face, her glasses missing entirely, and the whites of her eyes were tinted red with irritation. She wore a wig, with long straight black hair, fully covering her ears. A steaming pot of tea in her pale hands. Amanda sat the boys at the table, before setting a cup in front of her mother and filling it before doing the same for Sir Aaron.

Only then did she sit. At Goh's side. The farthest seat from the rest of her family, with her mother at the head, and her brothers at her sides. The conversation continued to drone on. Lorelei did address the twins, but it was only about their schooling and science projects.

The knight honestly began to wonder if the professor had actually forgotten if he and Ash existed. However, all good things must come to an end.

"So, Aaron, how exactly did you and Riley meet?"

Sir Aaron cleared his throat, "Well you can say, that Riley and I are in the same realm of study."

"Ah, so you are a man of science," Lorelei said, suddenly appearing interested.

"More so of history," Ash said through a mouthful.

Lorelei was not pleased with Ash's interjection, but didn't speak up about it, "History? Perhaps then you can tell me your passion?"

"Anthropology. Tell her you study Anthropology. Specifically, from the medieval era."

The voice was very quiet in his mind, but Sir Aaron listened to his niece's whispers intently. It was the first time since entering the house he had seen her take initiative, and it was a far better lie than he could've come up with. Leave it to the Actress to make the best cover stories.

"Anthropology," Sir Aaron said, "Specifically on the medieval era."

Lorelei clicked her tongue, she was not impressed, "Ah, the study of how the cultures long dead lived. It's a rather redundant area of research if you want my opinion. However, I understand how this is the reason leading to you and my son meeting. Someone who knows the medivel era well, you must have heard of Aura Guardians."

"I have a decent grasp on the subject," Sir Aaron said, flatly, and the lads next to him just barely managed to hold in their laughter, "Your son is blessed, with abilities such as his."

"I knew he was special from the moment he was born," Lorelei said.

"Mom," Riley fussed, his cheeks pinking.

"Madam Gen," Mrs. Rose cleared her throat, entering the dinning hall.

Lorelei sighed, "Yes."

"You have a call on the landline, she says its urgent."

Lorelei shook her head, but stood up, "Excuse me."

Just as the door to the dinning hall closed, Ash let out a breath, "Jeez, she's intense. Riley how are you so chill when half of you is from that?"

"She's not that bad," Riley shrugged.

The door creaked open, Lorelei entering with a stern look on her face. Grey eyes darted straight to Amanda, after having neglecting such a task all night.

"Amanda, Darling, I need to have a private word with you," Lorelei said.

Lorelei's words were cold, and Sir Aaron could feel his niece's terror as Amanda stood to obey her mother's commands.

The knight locked eyes with Lucario, sat at a separate table along with the other Pokémon nearby, and gave one clear order.

"Follow them."

Lucario didn't need the order to investigate. Umbreon was already on her paws and following her trainer, with waves of nerves washing off of her shadowy soul. Absol oddly joined them.

The aura Pokémon hadn't interacted with the disaster bringer much since his arrival. However, he knew a protector when he saw one. Absol was constantly watching, waiting, forever aware of his loved ones around him. Be it keeping his mate company, or minding their offspring in the spawning field outside.

"Bree Umber (we haven't even been home for two days and she's trying something)"

"Lu Car Lu (this has happened before)?"

"Sol, sol (enough for us to know about it)."

Lucario's long ear flicked at the sound of human speech. The sound was muffed by distance, but clarity settled in the closer the trio traveled towards the entrance of the manor.

"I honestly can't believe you would've done this," Lorelei spat, out of view, "It's a miracle that we are even on good terms with that family, after what you did to their daughter. Now you go after her again!"

"It wasn't-"

"Do not talk back to me young lady. You are the criminal here not me, not Bella, you. Now, I want you out of this house this instant, however if you are willing to publicly admit to your crimes and return the stolen property, then I will allow 24 hours to get your affairs in order."

They reached the end of the hall, peering around the corner. The manor's grand entrance stood before them, but Lucario could only focus on the two human occupying it.

"A good child obeys," Lorelei continued, "and you've never been anything of the sort. Always out galivanting like a spoiled brat when you were supposed to be preparing for your future," Lorelei snapped, and reached forward and yanked the false fur off of Amanda's head, "Look at you! Dressed like a first-grade slut. Nothing like a girl of your stature should look or behave."

Lorelei shook her head, "I have tried so hard to cover up all of your issues, to make you at least a little bit presentable. Yet, it appears that even I am no miracle worker. I don't want to see you at breakfast in the morning. In fact, I don't want to see you again. You're too much of a danger to be around the boys."

Amanda's eye grew wide, "Mother Please no!"

"Enough!" Smack "I will not have such a lazy reckless and stupid influence around them! It won't matter in the few years anyway when you will truly be useless to me and the rest of the family!-"

Lucario sent a mental message to his master and three Pokémon jumped into the fray.

There was a bruise on his sister's face.

The mark was fresh. A splash of redness against Amanda's pale cheek. Riley wasn't sure what happened moments prior. Sir Aaron and practically leapt from his seat and ran out of the room. Naturally the rest followed, minus, Mrs. Rose and the twins. Riley was glad the children weren't present.

He had run to Amanda the moment he noticed the mark. His sister flinching away when he got close. What had happened?

He didn't get a chance to ask.

Mom rushed around him, and gripped Amanda's arm yanking the younger girl away. There was a click of a lock and a slam of a door and suddenly Riley's sister was gone. Mom locked the door, and smoothed out her work suit before turning to the group with a flustered smile.

"I apologize for you having to witness that. Amanda has been having some behavioral issues. Do not worry, she will not bother you for the remainder of your visit," Mom said.

Sir Aaron pursed his lips, "With all do respect, madam I'm more concerned for the girl you just threw out into the cold."

Mom laughed, "Oh don't worry, she'll be allowed to come back in once, she comes to her senses. After all she's lucky I didn't call the police after what's she's done."

You struck her.

Riley froze at that proclamation. Lucario's words ringing through out his mind. Denial was quick to sow its seeds, after all Mandy was mom's little girl. They would spend hours playing dress up and making baking soda volcanos in the back yard.

And yet…

Images of the evening began playing through his head. How Mom never acknowledged his sister beyond doing chores and her appearance. How Mandy didn't move, and tried to blend in with the wall paper…The mark on his sister's face…it had a palm and long fingers….

"You hit her?" Riley said. His voice quieting his mother's speech about disciplining misbehaving children.

Mom paused before turning to him, "I understand this is confusing son, but I do what I must to make sure Amanda isn't let out of hand."

"She's, my sister! Your daughter!"

"She also assaulted a poor girl this afternoon, I can not allow such behavior to continue."

"Who did she assault?! Mom we were with her all morning."

"Bella Greylace. You know the sweet little blonde girl, who used to come and play. It's not enough you're sister ruined her chances of becoming a doctor, but now has to attack her out of the blue and steal her necklace."

Riley's brows furrowed, "Necklace? You mean the one that Amanda was willed from grandma?"

"Amanda lost the rights to any of her inheritance when she falsely accused that poor girl of something so vile."

"What are you talking about mom?"

Mom shook her head, walking over and taking his hand, "Riley darling, I don't expect you to understand. After all I know you were attached to your sister when you were younger, but Amanda she has fallen off the beaten path. It's best to leave her to her own consequences."

Riley took a deep breath, "What aren't you telling me.

"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with my darling," she said far too sweetly. A signal to back down.

He had always listened. But…

Riley was not going to be stopped this time, "Nothing I need to worry about? Is that why you didn't tell me about dad?"

Mom's eyes widened and her smile dropped, "Who told you?"

"No one needed too," Riley said, not willing to put Mandy back in their mom's war path, "I mean c'mon mom, dad would never just leave two kids without a father. At some point I would realize he was gone. Now why didn't you tell me about him. About how I missed his funeral!"

"I-I didn't want you to be distracted. Darling, you were out there making amazing progress and discoveries. I didn't want to pull you away from that for something so trivial."

"Trivial?! He was my father! And now you're doing the same thing to my sister! Protecting me from her?! Have you lost your mind!?"

"Do not raise your tone with me! Your sister is a poisonous little viper who has destroyed this family and would've done the same to our reputation if I hadn't hidden her away! She is the reason your father is in a grave and I will not allow her to do the same to you or your brothers," Mom sighed turning away, "But do not worry, with in a few years she will be useless and no one will associate her with any of us again."

"And what does that mean?"

Mother didn't answer, only walked away, "I am tired. Mrs. Rose!" She called out to the servant who suddenly made herself present, "I expect the table to be cleaned and the rooms prepped for our guests. I will be returning to the lab for the night and sleeping there."

The door closed slowly as she exited and Riley was left in shock. His world was spinning out of control. What had happened while he was gone? From the corner of his eye, he watched Umbreon slip out of the house. He followed her. He needed to talk with his sister.

Ash swallowed dryly as the scene in front of him unfolded. The conflict barely lasted a few minutes but it felt like forever. Riley left the room going outside, with Umbreon. While the rest of them took in the remaining silence.

"Soap operas never get that intense on TV," Ash muttered, flopping down on the nearest couch he could find.

"I don't understand," Goh said joining the other teen on the same sofa, "Professor Gen is supposed to be this brilliant scientist, how can she treat her daughter like that."

I've found that humans rarely are honest.

"Pi?" Pikachu's brows furrowed at the aura Pokémon.

"I had hoped my suspicions were wrong," Sir Aaron likely whispered to himself.

The room lapsed in silence. The boys on the sofa, while the knight paced. Until the tinkle of clattering porcelain broke the veil of quiet.

Ash looked up at the entrance to the parlor, and saw Mrs. Rose entering. A sad look on the older woman's face as she walked into the room and set the drinks on the coffee table.

"I take it, Mrs. Greylace's call was about the fact that Amanda reclaimed the necklace from Miss Bella," Mrs. Rose said.

"You knew what that call was about?" Goh said.

Mrs. Rose huffed, "I've known that girl since she was a baby. When anything goes wrong she runs to her parents and they will believe anything she spits out. Even if it's not true. Sadly, her influence expands just beyond them as well."

"Wait a minute, so Amanda just got kicked out because a grown woman tattled on her for taking back what was hers?" Ash said.

Mrs. Rose looked up from setting out the tea, her eyes wide and glistening with unshed rain drops. An aged hand was pressed into puckering lips as the horror of the situation settled. She looked as if her world was crumbling.

"Madam?" Sir Aaron stopped his pacing, looking at the woman with concern.

Mrs. Rose's voice creaked, "So, she finally did it. Lorelei finally decided to do away with her."

Sir Aaron's gaze drifted to the ground, "You were expecting this."

Mrs. Rose scoffed, "It's no secret, how Lorelei treats her daughter."

You knew she was striking Amanda?

"Pika!" the mouse said drowsily.

"The young miss, hides her wounds well. I know that's no excuse but there's little I can do. If I went to anyone about the issue, I'd lose my job and access to Miss Amanda and the young sirs. Then those children would really be left alone with Madam Gen. Miss Amanda knows this and told me to keep quiet," She sighed, "Where is master Riley."

"Went after Amanda," Goh said.

"Good, those two need to talk. Maybe now they'll be ready to listen," Mrs. Rose said.

Ash bit his lip. Fire burning inside of his soul, as the anger stirred. To think for all the years, he had spent happily in pallettown, his cousin, his family wasn't growing up happy. She was facing who knows what horrors. Ash pulled out the little Arceus ring charm from inside of his jacket. Brown eyes gazing over it with a sense of saddened realization. Amanda had handed it off to him right before they opened the door, when they arrived and Mewtwo vanished. Did she know what was about to go down? And still tried to keep their mission as a priority.

There was a quiet gasp and the dark-haired trainer looked up to see the old stewardess's eyes honed in on the gold charm in his palm. Awe and surprise etched into her aging face.

"My word, I never thought I would see that old thing again," Mrs. Rose said.

"You recognize it?" Ash asked, handing the charm to her.

Mrs. Rose took the pendant into her hands, cupping it like the priceless treasure it was, "Madam Lillian passed away when Miss Amanda was very little. She asked me to hold on to it until we were certain the young miss wouldn't mistake it for a teether. She took such good care of it, Little Mandy never took it off."

Sir Aaron bit his lip, his expression a strained mix of curiosity and grief, "If you don't mind my prying, but if Amanda adored this charm, why did she part with it?"

Mrs. Rose shook her head sniffing, "Lorelei demanded it. After an indecent with the Greylace girl, Madam Gen forced Miss Amanda to give that devil girl the charm as an apology gift, too smooth things over."

"Apology gift? What did she do?" Goh said.

"Nothing! Nothing at all!" Mrs. Rose sighed, "Miss Amanda has never done anything bad to that girl, well nothing that wasn't deserved."

"Then what happened?" Ash said.

Mrs. Rose was quiet for a moment, seemingly debating whether or not if she should say something, before she swallowed setting on a decision, "Something no one saw coming. The Greylaces have been the neighbors of the Gens for generations, many friendships had blossomed between the two, and as such, Miss Amanda and Miss Bella, being so close in age, got along like water and rain when they were little. I always found Miss Bella to be a little odd, a little spoiled, but that was the standard of the children in this community. I thought it was normal. It wasn't until the girls were about thirteen did I realize something was truly wrong with her."

Ash leaned in, not wanting to miss a single detail.

"I didn't see the accident itself," Mrs. Rose continued, "Only the immediate aftermath. Practice battles were a common pass time between the two. Despite being raised in Ryme, the sport often attracts the attention of the youth. It was supposed to be a simple game to play in the yard," she sighed, "Me and Master Gen were inside minding the babies, and then heard we this giant explosion outside. We rushed out, expecting screams or panic. But all we heard was laughing.

"Miss Amanda had been knocked to the side, limp on the ground. A large gash in her back and poison running through her. Master Gen ran to his daughter the moment he saw her wounded; he didn't see the manic gaze in Miss Bella's eyes as she just stood there and laughed. It was her serviper that struck Miss Amanda with a poison tail. It almost killed the young miss. And never once did I see a speck of remorse from that girl."

Shock was not a strong enough word for Ash to explain how he was feeling. Bewilderment? Maybe. It didn't feel angry enough. It wasn't unheard of for a Pokémon battle to get out of hand. Pokémon were of course powerful, and some times something was misfired, or they just had really bad aim. Those matches always accidents, and were usually redone when trainers and Pokémon were given clean bills of health. However, for a trainer to be hit by a move on purpose. For another person to order their Pokémon to attack their fellow trainer. It was such a taboo that Ash never even considered it happening in real life.

No wonder Amanda had been so scared at the underground battle arena.

"Miss Amanda was in the hospital for two weeks afterward, I don't know the details but some the damage the poison did was permanent. She was never the same."

A/N:

Okay I finished it! Sorry it took me so long. This sucks….