See you again
Lucario was shocked when he saw the person in the crystal. He had no doubt that he was his teacher and Master, Sir Aaron. Ash pulled at one of Lucario's paw making the taller aura Pokemon snap out of his daze and look at the child. The young boy, Charmander and Pikachu were looking at him with worry. The other young child was with the two apprentices and Guardian who were looking at him with worry as well.
Lucario took a deep breath, -May I have a moment?-
Ash opened his mouth before closing it and nodded, "Okay! We are right here if you need us."
Lucario nodded and turned to Mew, -Lord Mew.-
Mew flew towards Lucario as the five humans and the rest of the Pokemon moved further away from the two of them. Green's eyes had widened, when he had noticed the figure inside and he realized what he had previously said to Lucario was true after all. Red was quite as he held Ash's hand and walked, giving the two Pokemon privacy, Gary was holding his other and kept looking back again and again. Riley simply led the way for the group his mind lost in thought.
Riley spoke softly, "You know we had always wondered what happened to him."
Green snapped out of his thoughts, "Huh.... Ah, you suspected though that he was... "
Riley nodded, "We all did actually.. I think deep down, we all instinctively knew, but we just didn't want to accept it. He was considered the strongest among us, after all."
Red sat near the crystal walls pulling Ash close to him who snuggled in his arms, "War has always been cruel. There are no victories in war only death."
Green smiled sadly taking Gary on his lap, the young boy not protesting at being picked up, "The quote from the late Lightning Type Master and Champion."
Ash looked at the entrance, "Do you think he'll be okay?"
Gary, "Yeah, this must have been a shock. It was for us.", he mumbled the last part earning a comforting squeeze from Green.
Riley, "Don't worry children. The Lucario line is a strong one not just physical and aura wise but also mental and emotional wise. It'll take time, I'll be honest but I truly believe he will be alright."
The two quiet down and snuggled into their older brothers' embrace surrounded by the Pokemon. Litten sat by Gary, chatting with Fennekin and Kadavra, while Eevee sat on Gary's lap basking in his warmth. The same for Pikachu and Charmander, the electric mouse was on Ash's lap while Charmander sat by the two Ketchums talking softly with Snivy and Riolu.
Fennekin murmured, -Have to say kitten, your partner is going to attract a lot of trouble in the future.-
Kadavra nodded, -Yes and give our partners a heart attack in the process.-
Litten huffed, -It's not their fault they get taken.-
Eevee, -It could be worse.-
Snivy, -So, this is normal for you then?-
Pikachu, -Chaaaa right there Ash ~ Yes this is the normal for us.-
Charmander laughed quietly, -And to think, I didn't believe you before.-
Riolu hummed, -I have the feeling having the older sibling as my Master's apprentice is going to be very fascinating.-
Pikachu looked at the young aura Pokemon before turning to Eevee and the two Fire starters, -Welp! You will get used to it, don't worry.-
Charmander looked at the projection that came out of nowhere all of a sudden, -What the...?-
While they were talking Lucario was with Mew, -Lord Mew, could you please tell me what happened? How did Sir Aaron end up like that? Why?-
Mew looked around, - It is a long story my Aura user. How about I show you instead? Come put your aura into this time flower.-
Lucario walked to the time flower that Mew was near and watched as the projection came to life. He could hear his Master call desperately for Mew and Mew appeared in front of him. He listened as his Master, Aaron explained the situation outside of the Tree of Beginning, the war, the fights and the deaths. He offered his aura to Mew so he may use it to stop the war once and for all.
Mew in the projection had refused vehemently, -Guardian, if you give up your aura you will die. The amount required for such a feat is no small amount.-
Aaron in the projection smiled sadly, "I know, but we won't know till we try, we have to try at least. Please Mew."
The Aura Guardian put his gloves back on, "Take my Aura and end this war, The Aura is in Me!"
The group watched quietly as Sir Aaron passed his aura onto Mew and the Tree and a calming wave was produced that flew outward. Mew watched through the Tree as the Pokemon and humans stopped battling and looked around as if they just woke up from a nightmare. Mew gave a sigh of relief when he saw that but became alarmed when he saw Aaron's state. The projection ended there.
Riley, "So, it's true after all. Sir Aaron died here."
Red nodded, "He did it to save his kingdom."
Green, "A silent sacrifice."
Lucario had his head down, Ash noted he was crying silently. Ash could not help the tears coming out of his own eyes and noticed Gary was crying holding onto Green. To hear the story from Mew was one thing but to watch it was another. Mew watched them sadly as they cried and paid respect to the fallen Guardian. After a while he moved to Lucario and pointed at the flower near Sir Aaron's crystal and nodded at Lucario to open it. Lucario wiped his tears and focused his aura on the flower that glowed. It was Sir Aaron, his last moments before he was crystallised.
The Guardian was in pain yet he was smiling as he talked about the future that would be peaceful. He apologized for tricking Lucario because he knew if he had allowed Lucario to follow him then he knew without a doubt, Lucario would have sacrificed himself as well alongside him. Lucario shook his head when the projection of Sir Aaron apologized as he understood why he did what he did. In the last few moments Sir Aaron hoped they will meet again in a more better and peaceful future before he passed away with a smile on his face.
Lucario was openly crying now, -Master no.... My Friend, I understand why you did what you did. You don't need to apologize for this, it was not your fault, never was. I'm sorry for doubting you. Do not worry my friend, I'll not let your sacrifice be in vain.-
Ash sniffled in Red's arms, "And Lucario's got us too so do not worry."
Gary wiped his tears, "He is not alone. We will be with him as long as he is here."
Red, "Yes, we won't allow the sacrifice made to be in vain."
Green, "Nor will we allow it to be forgotten."
Riley nodded, "The Guardians will never forget."
Lucario gave a small smile as he stopped crying, Ash and Gary returned the smile and the group took some time to settle their distraught emotions before leaving the heart chamber. They walked out quietly this time not saying a word. They came out to the opening where the three Regi Guardians were waiting, they had felt the sadness emanating from the group and had come to check on them. Mew shook his head and told them everything was fine and not to worry. Registeel nodded and left after ruffling the youngest two children's hair getting pouts as a result.
Red laughed softly, "Feel better?"
Ash looked at Red, "Yeah a bit."
Green, "It'll be okay baby bro."
Gary, "I know, it will be."
Riley turned to Lucario, "What will you do now Lucario?"
Lucario looked at the Guardian, -My offer to train you still stands... I guess I want to know about this world and time period.-
Green, "We can help you with that."
Red grinned, "Maybe you can help us understand some of the things from the past too."
Lucario nodded, -We should return now, it's already evening. We need to find a place to camp for the night as well.-
Mew, -You can stay the night here you know. I don't mind.-
Ash's eyes sparkled, "Can we please big brother?"
Red looked at Ash, "If it's not much trouble."
Gary, "Awesome! We'll introduce you to our new friends."
Green, "Sure why not."
Riley meanwhile just watched the interaction fascinated. It was like watching a new species getting introduced to the world. He knew, Red and Green had told him, that they were close to Mew... But they did not say how close they were at all. He swears if he had not known better he would have mistaken Mew to be their Pokemon. Riolu pulled his hand bringing him back to reality and tilting his head as if to ask what was wrong.
Riley shook his head, "I'm okay... Just this mission has become more emotional than I first thought."
Riolu nodded, -We learned what truly happened that many years ago.-
Riley gave a sigh, "And I get the feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg for us."
Riley then joined the group as they made themselves comfortable on one of the many acloves available. Ash and Gary had taken turns telling the adventures they had while they were here. From waking up in a field of beautiful flowers with Mew sleeping between them to making new friends among the Pokemon living their to greeting the Tree that was pulsing with life. The two of them explained what they had felt when they were communicating with the Tree of Beginning.
Red scratched his head, "Sounds like the Tree is also alive and sentient baby bro."
Green agreed, "Can't believe it answered you back...... Actually it sort of make sense in a weird way if you think about it."
Riley, "I'm a little afraid to ask but what way is that?"
Rex grinned, "Welllllllllll, this Tree has been around since the beginning right?"
Riley nodded, "Go on!"
Green, "Who's to say the Tree did not develop it's own consciousness over time? After all Pokemon evolve into better stronger forms, isn't it normal this place would undergo some sort of evolution too?"
Red nodded, "Add to that the living aura that's very potent here. Plus we have our own sentient plant back at home.", here he looked at Ash and Gary.
Riley hummed, "That's a good point. I need to think about this."
Ash had meanwhile gone to gather fresh fruits and veggies that they could eat either as curry or salad or dessert, depending on how it was prepared for consumption. Gary was taking out plates for everyone from the large pile of items Mew kept stock piled in the corner. Green sweatdrops watching his brother go through the mess only to come up triumphantly when he found what he wanted. Red kept an eye on Ash as he went around collecting fruits with the help of the wild Pokemon. Once they got what they needed they sat down and prepared dinner for everyone or rather in Green's humble opinion, a feast. He supposed he should get used to it after all once he becomes a Champion he'll be allowed to carry more than six Pokemon and therefore feast like situations are unavoidable.
Green sweatdrops, 'I sound like a mom planning the future.'
He turned to Red and saw him smiling softly at Ash as he was talking about the Omanyte he made friends with, 'I wouldn't mind it, if he was Dad.'
Riley turned to Lucario, "Well then I think this is a good time as any to give you a bit of general knowledge about this time period."
Lucario nodded from his perch above them and got down to sit Indian style as Riley launched into an explanation of the rules that Guardians of the present time follow. He then moved on to explain about the Psychic users their laws and regulations and after that the Pokemon empaths and whisperers. Then he explained about the Pokemon league, the rules and laws they created to protect the Pokemon and their trainers. Ash had passed him and Lucario a plate half way through the explanation and had sat quietly as they listened to Riley explain the recent situation to Lucario. It was just the basics of course but it was a start and there was no better place to start learning about new subjects than general knowledge. Tomorrow they would be back at the Kingdom and then back to their daily lives.