The Chained Dragon
Ash and Gary enjoyed their simple lunch which consisted of steamed rice, pork curry, sour and sweet pickles and salad. The Pokemon were enjoying their own food around them, Lance quietly observed. He also observed how some of the younger Pokemon stayed really close to the young boys even though they avoided him and Blaine. Blaine ate as he observed the young Champion's reaction to the kids and the Pokemon. The Professor knew, that as a Champion, Lance was no doubt informed of the two boys who were registered in the league before they had started training.
Blaine placed his food down and smirked, "You know you can ask Champion. I won't guarantee we have all the answers but we'll try to explain what we can."
Lance deadpanned at what Blaine called him before turning to Ash and Gary who were looking at him, "Hm.. Okay. First question! What are you guys exactly? Psychics? Aura Guardians? Healers? Whisperers?"
Ash blinked, "I'm not any of those. I guess I can do a bit of everything, but I'm not sure where I fall."
Gary shrugged, "I just activated my ability yesterday. I honestly have no idea which category I fall under either."
Lance blinked, "Ah! That's a little troublesome, isn't it? How do you train then? I know that each group has it's own methods and training routine."
Blaine spoke up, "It's a bit of a hit and run right now. A trial and error method, you could say. The kids see what they can do and practice it, till they can perform it, without problems."
Lance frowned, "This was not written in their files."
Blaine hummed, "There was nothing to write. Till we figure out, what they can do and what it is, that part will remain blank."
Gary perked up, "There is a file on us in the league? Huh, I did not think they would make one already. Isn't it too early?"
Blaine smirked, "Your dear grandfather has been very adamant in keeping you safe, kiddo."
Gary nodded, "Yeah! He has always been the over protective type despite his goofy act."
Ash was observing Lance, "Lance, why do you feel muted?"
Lance got confused, "Muted? What do you mean?"
Gary stared hard at Lance as well, "Ash is right your core does feel muted, kinda like... I don't know it has been locked up or something like that."
Dragonite became alarmed behind Lance turned to Pikachu, -What do you notice? What does he see? Can you ask him please?-
Pikachu nodded and went to Ash, -Ash! Dragonite wants to know what is going on.-
Ash blinked, "Ah! I'm not sure myself, it's really hazy. The core I'm feeling from him."
Blaine, "Am I right in saying everyone has a core?"
Gary nodded, "Yes, yes, you are! The difference being whether the core is active or dormant. Lance here has an active core from what we can tell but something is...... Well hiding? No that's not the right word.... "
Ash's eyes were glowing orangish in colour, "Held down! Your active core has been locked up and held down by something or maybe someone."
Gary nodded, "What he said! It's a bit weird feeling it. It looks like, there are so many chains around it. It's so creepy!"
Blaine frowned, "Well, I certainly did not expect to learn about this today. I must say from your expression you did not know about this did you, Lance?"
Lance had an unreadable expression on him after the previously confused one, "No I did not. I didn't even realize, I would have a core like the Psychics or Aura users. It's a bit baffling to learn about."
Dragonite asked once again, -Can you help him Blessed Child?-
Pikachu looked at Dragonite at the term he used for Ash before translating, -Ash, he wants to know if you can help his partner. He called you 'Blessed Child', for some reason.-
Ash looked at Dragonite, "I can't promise anything, but I will try to help him. What do you mean by 'Blessed Child'?"
Gary looked confused, "A what now?"
Ash shrugged, "Not sure. How about we figure this out first?"
Gary looked at Lance, "Yeah, I do wonder who would have chained him though? And why?"
Lance sighed, "Well, truth be told. My family does have a fair number of enemies. It could be anyone of them truly."
Gary hummed tapping his fingers, "Maybe whoever did it, must have feared how powerful you would become?"
Lance held his head high, "It will take more than chains to hold me down."
Ash smiled, "That's a very positive attitude, Lance. And Gary is right whoever did it either feared you or hated you. Our cores, mind and bodies are connected, it is a part of our souls. You literally have a part of your soul locked away by someone. The fact you are not in a coma right now just shows how strong you really are."
Dragonite despite his worry could not help but look proud at what Ash said about his chosen trainer. The young Charmander who had been sitting near Ash walked up to him and pat his knee in comfort. Dragonite purred in response thanking him and nuzzled the baby fire type.
Blaine was contemplative, 'Interesting turn of events. The league sent Lance to scope out the two instead we found out more about Lance's condition. A condition no one even realize existed but looks like we have an unknown enemy to worry about.'
Blaine put his cup of coffee down, "So how do you plan to help our dear Champion? He didn't even know there was a problem."
Ash got thinking, "Well, right now I was thinking of checking the chains on his core. After we get more of an idea about what is happening we can decide how to help him. That is, of course, if he is comfortable with us checking his core. We understand this is a big thing to ask, of course."
Lance, "Well like our dear Research Leader, Blaine has pointed out no one before you even realized there was a problem so, yes. I do not mind if you check on my core. Even if nothing can be done now I would appreciate it if I knew what was happening with me."
Ash nodded, "Alright then! Let's go and see what we can find after lunch."
The group went to the lab once they had finished their lunch. Cooper was a bit surprised to see Ash and Gary inside at this time of the day but after they explained the situation, he offered one of the unused room for them. He was curious about the situation but did not pry, instead he checked Lance's physical condition and said he was healthy as any other teen out there. Ash and Gary then motioned Lance to sit in a meditative pose and asked him to hold one hand each. Ash first closed his eyes and entered his core, thanks to Death's guidance he knew about how to notice and enter other cores without causing harm.
Ash followed the presence of Gary's familiar core and found him causing Gary to look at him surprised, "I didn't know you could enter my core. Can I enter yours?"
Ash giggled, "I'll teach you how, don't worry. But I must warn you it takes time to actually be able to do it. This is my first success."
Gary, "Oh! How many tries and with who?"
Ash shrugged, "I stopped counting after the thirty first try. Not to forget it's exhausting and dangerous if we are not careful. Uncle Luc volunteered for it and sometimes Death as well."
Gary blinked, "Ah! Well, I'll learn it no matter how many times I have to practice. I just noticed you are glowing like a rainbow Ash."
Ash laughed, "You are very bright yourself Gary. A really bright mix of black, silver, purple, green and golden brown."
Gary smiled, "Do you like it?"
Ash blushed a bit, "It suits you a lot. It's definitely you."
Gary grinned grabbing his hand, "Let's go find Lance and help him. I wonder what he looks like!"
Ash took the lead, "Come on I will guide you, step by step. Let's start with the warnings; First, never force yourself inside, you only end up exhausting yourself. Second, be aware of your own limits, if you push yourself too hard you might end up in a coma. Third, it is easier to enter other cores if you are invited voluntarily."
Gary was contemplative, "I get the first two. Sounds painful if forced. And the last one when I agreed to help, that counted as permission?"
Ash, "Looks like it, or I would not be able to enter here. Fourth, remember who you are when you enter another core, if you forget, it will cause you problems to connect with your own core."
Gary grimaced, "That sounds really problematic."
Ash nodded, "Lastly, if you get head pains break off the connection immediately. You don't want to end up forgetting something important."
Gary, "The warnings are very easy to remember, what are the steps."
Ash was about to answer when they reached the third core, "Let's do this first. I'll tell you after we are out."
The two of them looked at the core in front of them pulsing with raw untamed power. It was angry, from what Ash felt at being held back that way, from being cut off from the rest of the soul. Ash and Gary looked at the large chains that shackled the core down, and looked around searching for Lance. They found him sleeping on the other side of the core.
Ash ran over to him, "Over there!"
Gary looked around the messed up landscape, "Man, this place is a mess, Lance wake up."
Ash shook Lance but there was no response, "No good! Maybe if we........ Ah! I have an idea."
Gary looked at Ash who was looking at one of the smaller chains, "What idea Ash?"
Ash grabbed the anchor of the chain, "This one is the smallest and look at the symbol."
Gary looked at the symbol of the moon and stars, "Isn't that the symbol of sleeping?........ Do you think he'll wake up here if we break it?"
Ash looked unsure, "I don't know but we have to try...."
Ash, 'Death, guide me, please.'
Death, 'Fear not dear one ~ You are on the right path'
Ash looked at the chain, "Let's break it, we came here to free him after all."
Gary nodded, "OK. But how?"
Ash breath in, "Focus your powers to combine with mine Gary, we are going to make a key that will open the hatch this chain has made. Do you get it?"
Gary brightened, "Like a master key."
Ash nodded, "Ready?"
Gary, "Always~"
The two of them combined their powers and created a ball of energy, Ash manipulated it and made it go through the entire length of the chain before making it enter a lock on the chain. There was a click of something opening and the chain that was folded around the core fell, disappearing from existence. Ash and Gary breathed hard and looked at the rest of the chain before starting to feel strained from the amount of power they used.
Ash felt a little sick, "We need to go, we can't stay here anymore, we pushed too hard."
Gary panted, "Yeah! I feel woozy. Let's get out of here."
As Ash and Gary left, Gary noticed that Lance was no longer asleep and was looking at the core that was now shining brighter in wonder. He knew they were successful just a little bit, but there were more chains they had to worry about. As they woke up they saw the worried filled eyes of Cooper and Blaine looking at them. Pikachu and Eevee were also sitting beside them looking worried. One glance at Lance however, they knew something had changed, he looked brighter now and his shoulders looked less burdened.