Big Brothers
Ash had noticed something lately, especially after returning from Cinnabar Island. Red and Green had been spending more time with him and Gary. He wanted to ask why but looking at their happy faces, he could not bring himself to ask. It was not like he minded, in fact, he was very happy Red had time for him. He could tell Gary was very curious about the development too, just like now for instance. Normally, it would just be the two of them and one of the older Pokemon who would accompany to watch over them. This time however they were joined by their older siblings, they have been clingy since the two of them returned from Cinnabar Island.
Gary finally could not contain his curiosity, "Okay, that's it! Why?"
Green looked at Gary who was bottling up some herbs, "Why what?"
Gary looked at Green with confusion, "Why are you here? You and Red have been clingy since we came back. I don't mind it, honestly speaking, I love the extra time we get to spend with you but..... I'm dying of curiosity here. Why? Did something happen when we were gone?"
Red sighed as he sat down under the shade, "It's not that something happened here. It's more like what happened there, in Cinnabar island, where you two were."
Ash was confused, "What do you mean? We were safe. Nothing happened to us. Well aside from meeting Entei and Moltress. As well as meeting Champion Lance, I guess."
Gary got a thoughtful look, "You guys were listening in on Professor Oak's talks and calls, weren't you?"
Green gave a small smirk, "You guessed it right. But hey what could we do? We were not exactly allowed to go with you there. So sneaking around for information was the best bet. However, I don't think we fooled gramps at all. I'm pretty sure, he knew we were there and let us listen in."
Ash got back to rummaging through the stream for stones, "So what did you hear exactly? You are, well you both are scared, wary? No that's not the right word."
Gary offered, "Try over protective."
Ash beamed, "Yeah that. So what did you hear?"
Red looked at Green before looking at Ash, then he picked up his baby brother who squeaked and sat on the bank burying his face on his hair. Ash was startled at being picked up all of a sudden like that and tried to look at Red. Red however did not move so he looked at Gary only to find he was in a similar position just with his face smooshed oh his brother's chest. He could hear Gary's muffled voice asking what was wrong and why the hug all of a sudden.
Ash grabbed one of Red's hands, "Hey Red, I don't know what you have overheard but we are here. We are not going anywhere. Promise!"
Ash, 'I plan to live a long life this time, anyway. It won't be like last time.'
Charmander who was observing his partner, -What's going on?-
Pikachu moved beside the siblings, -I don't know. Something must have happened.-
Litten eyed the older siblings, -They seem a little scared.-
Eevee got a little worried, -Now that you mention it.-
Red sighed before letting go, Ash however did not move and just waited for an answer watching his older brother. Gary finally managed to wiggle out of his brother's tight embrace. He blinked and looked at Green questioningly. He had heard what Eevee and Litten had said and now was curious what would have scared his older brother. As far as he could remember, there was nothing that could scare him. Well maybe Team Rocket is dangerous and Lance and the others were battling them at Cinnabar. But, the two of them were safe in the island, especially with the high level fire types around.
Red pat Ash's hair, "To begin with, it is a whole bunch of things, a combination to be exact that has the two of us worried."
Green nodded raising a finger, "First there are these organizations out there, who, if they know about you, will use you for their own selfish profit."
Red continued raising two fingers, "Second, you two were almost exposed to one of these organizations on Cinnabar Island. Mom and Dad may not have shown it, but they were terrified and worried sick."
Ash's eyes widened, "Ah! That explains why she always checks up on me at night."
Gary looked down, "Huh, I didn't realize it."
Green rubbed Gary's hair, "Not your fault. Third, there is this power of yours. I don't know, we don't know how to help you with it."
Red kissed his baby brother's forehead in comfort, "Green is right. It is not your fault that some adults out there are greedy and want to hurt others. Fourth, the Legendary Pokemon it seems are interested in you for some unexplainable reason. Also, the International league now has a high interest in you. That is never always a good thing unless, you are a champion. You would become a target of scrutiny if the public finds out."
Red carried Ash to sit next to Green as Green continued, "Fifth there is the fact we found out, after spying on gramp's calls that, one of the guys captured died. I realized, or rather, we realized that you could have died just as easily."
Gary hugged his older brother, "Green, we were nowhere near that. I promise, we are here see."
Ash nodded as he hugged Red, "You should have told us earlier about this Red. I promise we were safe, in fact, Magmar would never have allowed them anywhere near us. He has an honor code um, thing I think, about it."
Red smiled, "I know, you told us about it but it doesn't stop us from worrying about you."
Green rubbed his hand on Gary's shoulder and back, "Yeah baby bro. Worrying about younger brothers is just what big brothers do. Oh! And expect Leaf to be just as clingy when she comes back from her Grande Festival in Sinnoh."
Gary muttered, "Leaf? Oh right, Bill is the head research on communication technology and her boyfriend so he will tell her."
Ash snuggled close to Red, "Hey Red, did you know?"
Red, "Know what?"
Gary looked at the two older boys, "You both are showing traits of active cores. Your eyes keep glowing with a faint light again and again."
Green looked fascinated, "Really?"
Ash nodded, "If you want we can check it out for you. Mind you though, it is a very exhausting process and you might have to carry us home."
Red contemplated the offer, "How about we do a sleepover? We can check Green's first then mine. I don't want you to push yourselves too hard okay."
Green nodded thinking, "Yeah! Gramps told us about Lance's condition and though I don't think we have the same problem. I would rather not attract unwanted attention. Red and I will go on our journey next year."
Ash looked up, "So soon? You guys aren't even thirteen yet."
Red covered his eyes, "The league was impressed by our test results. It did not help in the middle of our last practical exam your friends the three Mew appeared and helped the two of us. It caused quite the commotion."
Green huffed remembering the mischievous trio, "They are quite something your three Legendary friends, friendly and adorable, yet powerful and terrifying. The examiners were completely taken aback by surprise. In fact, the league wanted us to go on a journey straight away but Gramps made an excuse saying the starters were not ready yet. I think, he knew we wanted to spend more time with you guys."
Ash rubbed his forehead feeling a headache, "They did that.... Wait that was not what I meant when I asked them to help you out. They were only supposed to help you with training and make sure, you were not hurt."
Gary rubbed Eevee and Litten, "You must have impressed them a lot if they decided to help you on their own. From what we can tell Pokemon like Mew are really picky."
Ash nodded agreeing, "They must have helped in awakening your cores too. Your eyes, Red, they sometimes glow like fire ambers, it's really pretty and warm."
Gary looked at Green, "Uh-huh! And your eyes, Green, sometimes they glow like those pretty emeralds mom loves to wear."
Both Red and Green could not help but blush at the unadultered praise coming from their younger brothers. They were just so innocent and adorable, and they hugged and squeezed the two younger boys earning giggles from them and squawks from the Pokemon who got dislodged from their laps. Litten and Eevee huffed at being squeezed out, Pikachu laughed and Charmander was enjoying the hug if the wagging tail was anything to go by.
Litten, -They are different from other humans.-
Eevee, -They always have been.-
Pikachu, -And we are going to protect them.-
Charmander, -I'm going to become a dragon, the strongest fire dragon, to protect them.-
Litten, -Hmm... Charmander train with me. My goal is to become a powerful Fire combatant.-
Charmander, -Sure, what about you guys?-
Pikachu, -Honestly it's still a heads up between a Kanto Raichu and Alolan Raichu.-
Litten smiled, -If you became an Alolan Raichu I would not be the only Alolan Pokemon here.-
Pikachu, -I'm not picky. I plan to learn the move set of both so at the end, it'll be all dependant on luck if I ever want to evolve.-
Eevee, -Either an Umbreon or Espeon. They are amazing. Or maybe a new line of Eeveelution.-
Green let go after a while, "Alright let's get our slumber party on the road. Our place or yours first?"
Ash smiled, "How about coming over to our place first? We can check your core there and Red's core at your place."
Red blinked, "Why that way specifically?"
Gary grinned, "It feels right."
Green, "Is this the instinct speaking?"
Ash shrugged, "Come on, before we go home, let's go and play with Mew. We have not played with them for a week. They might just kidnap all of us otherwise."
Red laughed nervously remembering the first time Mew kidnapped Ash and Gary, it was a bit terrifying. They got up and went to the clearing where they usually met up with Mew only to find two of them instead of three.
Ash, "Hey guys, where's Moon?"
Ebony, -Someone took one of his elder's shoulder bone. He went to see if he can get it back.-
Gary was confused, "Why would they want a bone?"
Green, "Bone?"
Ash nodded, "Someone stole a shoulder bone belonging to one of their ancestors."
Red, "Huh! That's a bit disturbing."
Mew, -Do not worry kiddos. We'll handle it, somehow.-
Ebony, -Let's play.-
After Ash and Gary explained what was being said, the group decided to play before returning home during the evening. Lucario who had been watching over them from the distance narrowed his eyes. As much as he wanted to believe the cubs will not get involved, he knew better. He would have to talk to his partner about this once they returned. He doesn't doubt the older cubs will be involved with Team Rocket just so they can make sure the baby cubs are safe.
Lucario was eyeing them deep in thought, 'Perhaps, I should talk to my partner about training the two almost trainers some human combat.'
Lucario nodded to himself that would be the best. Especially since the two of them look determined to protect the younger ones. Lucario knew, it was impossible to prepare for everything, he only hoped, it'll be enough. They still had one year before they go on their journeys.