Figuring things out
The next day came bright and early for Ash and Gary. They had fallen asleep pretty fast after returning last night from their fun evening. After finishing their morning rituals the two of them went towards the mess area which was busy. The food were being prepared for both human and Pokemon and both Pokemon and humans were eating with a vigour, as if something big would happen soon.
Cooper called them to his table, "Ash, Gary, over here kids, I picked breakfast for you as well."
Gary grinned looking away from the long line of people and Pokemon, 'No need to wait in the long line for breakfast. Yay~'
Ash smiled as he sat, "Good morning Cooper. Is something happening today?"
Gary looked around, "Yeah! Everyone is so pumped up today, well, more than normal."
Cooper grinned, "You could say that... In fact one of the elite four is coming by today."
Ash blinked, "Elite Four? Why? Did something happen?"
Cooper, "Yeah, you could say something did happen. Do you know? The flames that are used in the Pokemon tournament are actually flames of a Moltres."
Gary nodded taking toast bread and eggs with bacon, "Oh? We know about that bit. Moltres blessed the tournament with his flames, at least that's what the books say."
Ash nodded taking a plate of toast, omelette and bacon, "It was very interesting to read especially the part where the Moltres judged the warriors and deemed them worthy."
Cooper grinned, "Never thought you would be interested in reading."
Ash shrugged, "I love reading a good book."
Gary asked, "So, what happened? What is going on?"
Cooper ribbed his chin, "Wellllll... It turns out Moltres can use the flame that he bestowed for the tournament as a way to appear in Kanto. On the same day the two of you arrived here which is three days ago Moltres appeared in the Champions hall shocking everyone before it flew off leaving the torch empty. It shocked and scared a lot of people especially the league on what it meant."
Ash got an understanding look, "She came here, didn't she?"
Cooper looked confused, "Who's she?"
Ash giggled, "Lady Moltress, of course. She came here, we met her and Lord Entei, remember?"
Cooper laughed sheepishly, "Oh! Right! We did!"
Gary laughed, "Let me guess most people think Lady Moltres is actually a Lord?"
Cooper laughed, "Yes they do. So you can imagine the shock when the boss found out she was here. Gifting you guys with a feather. Man, I'm never forgetting it. The league when they got the information decided to send the new Champion to see if he could get Moltres to return and bless them with her eternal fire again."
Gary looked excited, "You mean, Lance the Dragon Champion right?"
Ash's eyes twinkled, "Do you think we can meet his dragons?"
Cooper grinned mischievously, "Kids, I'm pretty sure his dragons would love to meet you."
Ash, "Cooper... We are planning on having a barbeque at the beach in the evening with Axel, Lisa and Luke, after Lisa's battle with the Gym Leader. Will you be free today? I mean things here look busy."
Cooper ruffled Ash's hair, "Sure I will, I just need to push my break time to evening and I'm joining you at the beach."
Gary, "Awesome~ We'll meet you at the beach then."
The group of three people and their Pokemon finished their food before going towards the lab area. Pikachu and Eevee ran ahead of them to greet their friends in the lab. The fire types greeted them happily before seeing Ash and Gary and greeting them as well. Cooper left the two with the Pokemon after asking Hitmontop and Houndoom to watch over them. The fighter Pokemon decided to join the meditation session Ash and Gary had going along side the wild Magmar that had returned. Houndoom on the other hand decided to find a place to sit and relax as he watched over the younger cubs.
Gary woke up in a place that was very familiar yet new to him. He looked around where he was and saw a large ball of light in front of him. There was a small ribbon sized connection coming from the ball connecting with his hand. It felt warm and safe to touch but before he could do anything else he woke up from his meditative state next to Ash. On his lap was Eevee looking at him with a very worried expression. Even the wild Magmar looked at him worried.
Ash was by his side, "Gary, are you okay? You were in a trance and did not hear us at all for half an hour."
Gary smiled reassuringly, "I'm okay Ash promise. It's just when I was meditating I woke up in a place that felt very safe and like home. It felt like nothing could happen to me there and there was this really large ball of light that was connected to me. It was amazing and different."
Ash got a thoughtful look, "Gary, I think you found your core."
Gary brightened, "You think so? Cause that would be really cool."
Ash nodded, "Yes, now the next step is to get used to it's presence and to try and cultivate it."
Gary smirked, "I don't think, I will have a problem getting used to it's presence but...... How do I cultivate it?"
Ash thought for a bit, "Meditating usually helps and you could try entering it too. Then try to connect with it more deeply. It'll usually change with you, how much you grow and what experiences you have it'll take shape. Our inner core is us in our rawest form after all."
Gary looked at Ash curiously, "What does yours look like?"
Ash blinked, "Mine? It is a large unending grassland. In the beginning, there was just one stream flowing through it with plants growing on it's banks. Now there are two streams and more plants growing."
Gary smiled, "That sounds really peaceful, Ash."
Ash smiled at Gary, "Un, it is. Sometimes, if I really love a plant out here I end up having a copy of it in there too."
Gary, "Really? Ah! You said our inner core represents us. I wonder what mine would look like. I can't wait to find out."
Ash grinned, "Whatever it is I'm pretty sure it'll be you in every way Gary."
Gary smiled before leaning in to kiss Ash's cheek, "Thank you Ash! Truly, you are the best."
Ash's cheeks turned pink, "No.. No problem Gary. You know, I'm happy to help."
Magmar watched the two as they got up and joined the younger fire types and started to play/train with them much to their delight. He sat down next to the fighting Pokemon as they observed them play around. He noticed the two were wearing the gifts his Lord and Lady had bestowed them around their necks. He nodded his head at that, the gifts were given to them for their own protection.
Flashback:
Entei was looking at Magmar, -My old friend, we need a favour from you.-
Magmar turned to the two Fire Lords, -How may I help my Lord and Lady?-
Moltres, -We have been observing the human chicks after they left.-
Entei, -Could you make sure they are always carrying the gifts we gave them on their person?-
Magmar looked at them curiously, -May I ask why?-
Moltres clicked her beak, -Their powers are growing at a very impressive rate. It is not alarming but should the wrong person notice I fear for their lives.-
Magmar frowned, -But who would dare harm a cub? That is very dishonourable.-
Entei, -Indeed, but unfortunately there are many humans who would hurt them for their own selfishness, humans, who do not care about honour.-
Magmar's eyes hardened, -I see! Very well! I shall make sure of it and watch out for any questionable being around them.-
Flashback end!
After the meeting, he had come down from the mountain early morning, he had searched for his sibling and informed him of what he had learned from the Lord and Lady. To say his sibling was furious was an understatement, his sibling had become very fond of the two human cubs especially after the incident where they made the young Vulpixes that lost their mother smile and laugh. His sibling had searched out the only psychic Pokemon in the lab and had him tell his human partner what they had learn. The human's flabbergasted expression was funny if he were being honest but it had worked. They had tightened the security around the lab and his human had thanked him. The two Magmars never thought they would see the day when a human would thank a wild Magmar.
Most of the time wild Pokemon were treated as idiots. And magmars especially were treated as dangerous creatures, (though they are dangerous) that would attack without provocation, which was admittedly a little insulting to him. He had better things to do then go around attacking young alecks with more brawn than brain, thank you. Ash and Gary were running around the field with the young fire type Pokemon. Gary noticed while the young Charmander seemed to like sticking close to Ash, Litten stayed close to him. It seemed the fire types had favourites among them. They stopped running after the 5th lap around the field breathing hard.
Ash wiped his sweat, "Alright then time to check your attacks guys. Make a line and we'll start with the elemental attacks before moving to the physical ones."
Gary, "Ready everyone? Alright then Eevee use Shadow ball! Litten, Vulpix, Chimchar, use Ember."
Ash, "Pikachu use thunderbolt, Charmander, Fennekin, Torchic use Flamethrower."
The attacks were a colourful mixture of lightning yellow, orange flames and black ball with reddish flames. It looked like a painting that Gary couldn't help but take a picture of. The rest of the fire types were either watching or relaxing around them. After the Pokemon used their elemental moves one by one Ash and Gary decided to try calling their own powers to the surface. Ash managed to make a fireball that was truly hot, Gary created a ball filled with heat, it looked like the move heat wave. Magmar pat their heads as if to say 'well done'. They would have continued if they had not been interrupted by a voice coming from the door. Standing by the door was a teen with red hair and cape and a Dragonite that looked at them curiously.
Lance was shocked, "What in Mew's name was that?"
Blaine just sighed from the door, "Right, how about I introduce you first? Kids come here. I want you to meet someone."
Ash and Gary walked over, followed by the Pokemon who were pouting the their interrupted time, as Blaine introduced them, "These are Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak, yes he is Professor Oak's grandson. And yes you just saw them replicating Pokemon moves and yes those are the Moltres feather and Entei's crystal I told you about. Kids this is Lance Blackthorn, the new Champion of the Kanto region as well as the reigning Champion of Jhoto region."
Ash smiled, "Nice to meet you."
Gary grinned, "Yeah~ We were told you would be coming but not this early."
Lance snapped out of it when Dragonite nudged him, "I finished my Champion duties so I came as soon as I could..... It's not early it's late afternoon."
Ash looked at the time, "Ah! We missed lunch."
Gary's stomach grumbled, "Well now that you mention it. Eh he he he he he he!"
Magmar got their attention pointing towards Trix's Machamp that brought a basket for them. It seems she realized they had not returned to the mess hall for lunch so she sent some over.
Gary and the Pokemon shouted, "Food!" -Food!-
He dragged Ash along with him who looked at Lance and Blaine, "Do you want to join us?"
Lance who's curiosity had taken over nodded, "I have so many questions kid. So yes, I would love to join you."
Blaine nodded as well, "I have not eaten since breakfast so yes."