Kingdom of Rota
The week passed by without much happening in Pallet town. Green, Ash and Gary went to their classes at their respective institutions. Green had impressed the Psychic Masters with his power and strength and got nothing but praise, however when it came to finesse, he still had a long way to go. Red spent his time following his Dad around, working on his stamina and endurance, which as it turned out were his weakest points, although just like Green he had abundance of power.
Flashback:
Lucario, -You are strong cub, but unfortunately your greatest weakness are your inexperience, stamina and endurance. We'll need to work on them really hard before we teach you more combat techniques.-
Cypress, "Lucario is right son, we are going to train you using weights. It'll help you increase the stamina and endurance. As for experience, you will be shadowing me during my patrols around the forest. Understood?"
Red nodded, "I understand Dad, Lucario."
Flashback end!
So, it turned out in Pallet town it was only Ash, his mom, Gary and his Grandfather, whenever he was not being called to a meeting. Gary's mother was busy helping the trainers get back on their feet after the poachers fiasco while his father was on a business trip, trying to get information on the bigwigs who may or may not have been involved in the human trafficking. It was a risky move and Cypress had not been happy with his friend endangering himself, but he knew Blue could take care of himself.
Now, it was the end of the month and Gary was excited, tonight they would be going to Rota with Red and Cypress. Green had insisted on being present when Red got his first Pokemon and Sabrina had smirked a bit, when she allowed him to leave early for Rota. Gary and Ash had spent the month going to classes, doing homework and if they finished homework early, then playing with the wild Pokemon who would come to the outskirts of the forest.
Gary thought as he finished packing, 'Done! I wonder what Pokemon Red will choose. And if he'll take part in the tournament tomorrow. I can't wait to see Green, it's been a while.'
Gary left the house, "See ya on Monday, gramps~"
Samuel, "Have fun, Gary!"
Gary met up with Ash and Red outside their house and the three of them walked together towards the train station. The two talked about how the classes were going and how half the things they were learning, they already knew thanks to Blaine's lessons. They actually had to do advance courses so they would not be bored and disturb the others. Red simply commented on how he and Green had to take advanced lessons too, as the two of them easily breezed through the syllabus. They met Cypress at the station who ushered them to a private compartment with four beds. They spent the evening talking about what was expected of them once they arrived in Rota. After they finished dinner, Ash took out a lunch box.
Ash grinned, "Mom sent some muffins for dessert. Here Lucario, Litten, Eevee, Pikachu, we made poke muffins for you guys."
Pikachu, -Come and have it!-
Litten, -I want the blueberry one.-
Lucario patted their head, -There is enough for all.-
Red grinned as well, "Alright, I want the orange."
Gary looked at the three left, "Green apple for me."
Cypress laughed at their antics biting on his own muffin, "Well, once you have eaten make sure to brush and sleep. We'll be in Rota early morning before sun rises. We'll be meeting the Guardians first, Green will meet us there as well."
Red nodded, "That's fine!"
Once they were on the bed, Lucario made himself comfortable on the window. Charmander and Pikachu snuggled with Ash, while Eevee and Litten were comfortable with Gary. Arcanine slept near Red, Cypress stayed up for a bit talking to the other Rangers on the phone before deciding to get some shut eye. He kissed each of the boys' forehead goodnight, before going to sleep. They woke up early the next day before the sun had even risen. The train had reached their destination, the Kingdom of Rota, the excitement of being in a new place had helped in waking the youngest two of the group. As they got off from the train they were greeted by Green.
Green, "Good morning guys, I just arrived a while back myself."
Red snorted, "Lemme guess. Kadavra got you here."
Kadavra puffed up with pride at Green's side before smirking, -More like he couldn't wait to meet you.-
Fennekin snickered, -Yup.-
Green blushed a bit before coughing, "Well anyways. To the Guardian hall first? I suppose?"
Cypress nodded smiling, "Yes, I have a friend who agreed to meet and check Red here."
Ash and pikachu yawned, Charmander who still wanted to sleep had returned himself to his pokeball, "Let's go, I need food to wake up."
Gary rubbed his eyes cutely making Green coo, "Yeah, I'm feeling sleepy again although I was excited before."
Cypress laughed, "Not surprising, it's only 03:30 am in the morning. But guess what? When you become trainers you may have to wake up at odd hours like this."
Ash looked at his father a little sleepily making him want to pick him up, "I know Daddy! It'll take time before we can wake up easily."
Cypress led the way towards the guild hall they was located inside the castle, the guild hall made it easier for the Queen to meet the Aura users as well this way. Red had made quite a stir among the Aura clans and they wanted to meet him. Cypress stood in front of the door as he presented his ID to the guard, who let them in after a while. Ash looked around the meeting hall, at the head of the table was a blonde lady with a crown, who he guessed was the Queen, around her were people dressed in blue uniforms. He could feel the Auras coming from them, they were refined and sharp. They bowed to the Queen in greeting.
Queen Ilene stood up, "Welcome to the Kingdom of Rota. I hope the journey was pleasant."
Cypress, "The journey was fine, Queen Ilene. Nothing untoward happened."
The Queen nodded satisfied, "So, this is the young Aura user that has the aura Kingdom in a tizzy. Step forward young man, let us see you."
Red stood and walked in front of them, "Queen Ilene, respected Aura Guardians, it is an honour to meet you."
Ilene waved her hand, "Just Ilene please. Hearing Queen over and over again gets tiresome. You must be the young Psychic the psychic clans have been talking about, welcome to Rota."
Green smirked, "It's good to be here."
Gary and Ash however was not paying attention to the greetings. Their eyes were glued to a staff with a curious looking crystal on it.
Ilene noticed their stare, "I see you young children are fascinated by this staff."
Ash looked back at her, "It feels alive for some reason."
Gary nodded, "Yeah, it's hard to explain though."
Ilene hummed, "Well, while my Guardians get to know the new Aura user better, how about you two accompany me a bit. I can tell you it's history, if you are interested."
Ash smiled, "I would love that."
Pikachu meanwhile had made himself comfortable in Ash's bag and was sleeping. Ilene, Ash and Gary walked a little further from the Guardians that were now gathering around Red asking questions. Ilene explained the history of the staff to the two children and how it was related to the late Sir Aaron who sacrificed his life to save Rota from a horrid battle that would have destroyed the kingdom. As she was explaining the history the three had moved closer to the staff, the presence of magic had kicked the consciousness of the Pokemon inside awake.
Gary blinked, 'I swear the staff just glowed.'
Ash looked around, 'Did someone say something?'
Ilene noticed their expressions, "What's wrong?"
Gary, "I thought, I saw the staff glow. I could be wrong."
Ash, "I thought, I heard someone."
Green had been keeping an eye on his younger brother the moment he noticed the interest in his eyes. He was admittedly bored with the meeting, it was all talk about how Red first found out about his abilities, when, etc, a repeat with Sabrina if he will, only with Aura Guardians. He half wanted to join his younger sibling but he promised Red to be with him, by his side. Green observed there were five females and eight males among the Guardians.
One of the Guardians, Elena spoke up, "So Red and Green, I have heard you two were together."
Green was bored and being the little shit he was answered, "Obviously! It's not like we're hiding it."
Red held back his laugh at the embarrassed face Elena was having, "We have been together since school started actually."
Another Guardian, Alex spoke up, "So, you have been together for a few years already. Your parents don't mind."
Cypress shrugged, "As long as they support and trust each other. I have no problem."
One of the younger Guardians, Riley spoke up, "You must have a very deep bond then."
Kadavra snickered behind Green, though he just smiled, "Deeper than you know."
Arwen hit the youngsters, "Whatever you are thinking. Stop!"
She would have continued if it were not for the crash that came from where their Queen was standing. She turned quickly to check on her, she was standing in front of the children who were looking at a wild Lucario with curiosity. Arwen relaxed a bit realising they were safe. Red and Green however sprinted towards their younger siblings.
Red, "Ash, Gary! What happened?"
Green, "Are you alright?"
Ash smiled, "We are okay! But I don't think he is."
Gary, "Yeah! He's been inside that staff for heaven knows how long."
Lucario who managed to pull himself together from being abruptly awakened, -My Queen? Children?? Wait where is Sir Aaron? Why did he betray me? Where is he?-
Green looked confused, "Sir Aaron? Like the one from the legends?"
Ilene stepped forward, "Lucario, my name is Ilene. I'm the descendant of your Queen."
Lucario looked confused, -What?-
Ilene spoke, "If my hunch is right you are Sir Aaron's Lucario, yes?"
Lucario nodded, -Indeed. What is going on? Where am I?-
Ilene, "Lucario, you have been inside the staff for a 1000 years now. Sir Aaron died saving this kingdom by sacrificing his life. We thought you had perished along side him. It's only because of these two kids here we even knew you were still alive."
Ash stepped forward, "Hello! Good morning!"
Gary smiled, "Welcome back! Nice to meet you!"
Lucario blinked as he looked the the two children, nodding his head in greeting. He observed the room around him, there were Aura Guardians in the room, who were looking at him with awe. Lucario twitched a bit at the attention and noticed an older Lucario observing him.
Luc stepped forward from behind the four kids, -Like my cubs said, welcome back! I believe you have more questions, yes?-
Lucario nodded, -You claim Sir Aaron died a hero? Then why did he betray me? Why did he trap me in the staff and leave me behind?-
Ilene looked at him sadly, "I'm afraid we cannot answer your question. The war happened years ago and all we know is, Sir Aaron did not come back alive from it."
Lucario remembered that day they were about to go to the battlefield clearly. He was about to answer when they all heard a rumble coming from the two youngest.
Arwen chuckled, "How about we all go have some breakfast first? Sir Lucario, I believe you have not eaten at all since you were trapped inside the staff. Come join us at the table. My name is Arwen and I'm one of the Elder Aura Guardians of Rota."
Lucario felt two small soft hands hold each of his paws. He looked down only to see the two children with the strange power that felt like Aura but was not. He also felt a hand on his shoulder, looking back he saw the boy with Aura much stronger than Aaron's was. He was smiling kindly at him but he saw no pity in his eyes only respect. And next to him was a Psychic user, he half wondered what he was doing here.
Ash smiled, "Come join us please!"
Gary smiled as well, "You must be hungry. Sit with us and eat first then we will figure out what is going on."
Red nodded, "I agree. There is a lot of pieces missing here."
Green grinned, "A mystery can only be solved properly if we are not feeling tired all the time."
Lucario looked at the four humans children warily and nodded his agreement making them smile brightly. He swears he saw some flowers floating around them. He'll admit despite his anger and frustration, he was also very curious about the four of them, and the Guardians who sat around the table. He half wondered what he was getting himself into following the two youngest with very curious power around them, but shrugged the feeling off and sat at the table between the two youngest. The older siblings sitting by their sides, the Lucario, he noticed sat by an older man who he guessed must be the father of one no two of the boys. He was not an Aura user, so many questions. Lucario decided to take his time and figure things out before doing anything.