Back to Rota
The night passed without anything else happening to the group. They ate their dinner and dessert before cleaning up and laying down on the sleeping bags. Ash and Gary slept between Red and Green and Mew snuggled between them. This caused a few Pokemon to be annoyed by the legendary, but the boys calmed them down and went to sleep. They were tired physically and emotionally and fell asleep really fast with the Pokemon surrounding them. Riley woke up to giggling and a snap going off come morning. He looked over to the two apprentices who were sitting close and taking pictures?
Riley, 'I didn't realize they had a camera...... When did they... ?'
Lucario woke up next, -What are they doing now?-
Riley shrugged, "Taking pictures, I guess?"
Lucario tilted his head, -Why?-
Riley looked back at the group and blinked and blinked again, "I think, there is more than one Mew? Or am I seeing things?"
Green laughed, "You are not seeing things. These two here joined us in the middle of the night."
Red nodded, "Aren't they just adorable?"
Riley looked at the cuddle pile that was consisting of two boys, three Mew, one Pikachu, Eevee, Charmander and Litten, "I won't deny they are adorable..... I do question why the other two are here though. Don't get me wrong, but it is very curious, they are here."
Red grinned, "They probably wanted to spend time together."
Riley looked sceptical, "Really?"
Green sighed, "Believe it or not.. They truly just want company sometimes."
Riley, "Huh... Guess you are right."
Lucario observed the two sleeping boys and muttered, -Very curious children indeed.-
Red got up dusting his pants and going towards some baskets that Riley remembered were not there the previous night, "Anyway, one of the Mew got us some bread and milk while the other two got jam, cheese and cake."
Green bounded over to the baskets of food Red was inspecting, "Sweet, I'll help you prepare breakfast. Got any preference Riley? Lucario?"
Riley perked up, "Milk with bread and jam will do."
Lucario, -Milk and cake, please!-
Green smiled pleased to see Lucario was more relaxed now, "Coming right up."
Half way through the breakfast preparation, Ash and Gary woke up and looked around. They got up and left the cuddle pile to hug their brothers and greet them. Red ruffled Ash's hair while Green gave Gary a side hug, the two young boys were simply adorable when they just woke up especially with the mess of a bed hair. Not to forget they were absolute cuddle bugs, Riley smiled watching the interaction between them and relaxed while enjoying the cool morning breeze. The Pokemon woke up one by one after getting the smell of breakfast. The two Mew flew around Riley, sniffing and poking him before giving a happy cry and snuggling with him.
Riley was flustered, "Ummm.... Is this normal?"
Ash laughed, "They are welcoming you to the family."
Gary laughed as well, "You are one of us now and there is no escape."
Riley sweatdropped at Gary trying to sound ominous between laughs, "Is that so? Should I challenge that and run for the hills?"
Ash and Pikachu jumped on Riley, "Sorry Riley. There is no escape!"
Gary held on to his waist while Eevee jumped on his lap, "One of us! One of us! One of us!"
Lucario laughed at their antics, -Just admit defeat Guardian Riley.-
Riley laughed, "I give!"
Red smiled content, "Time for breakfast everyone."
Green, "Come on before it gets cold."
The Pokemon and humans cheered and sat for breakfast together. They talked and laughed and Riley asked about what happened in Cinnabar, which Ash and Gary gave details for very happily after Red said he can be trusted. Riley was very fascinated by the feather and crystal the Fire legendaries gifted them. The two boys showed him the feather and crystal they wore as matching necklaces. To say Riley was impressed would be an understatement.
Riley backtracked a bit, "They just gave them to you?
Ash nodded, "I think, they were impressed by Gary awakening his power."
Gary pouted, "I was just mad. A trainer left a poke egg in the wild just because they didn't want it."
Green ruffled his hair, "We get it Gary, we would be pissed off too."
Red smiled, "I can happily tell you that trainer has been fined, suspended and returned to her hometown after the stunt she pulled."
Ash nodded, "That's good, the little Numel did not deserve to be abandoned like that. It was just cruel. On a positive note, Blaine has a new Pokemon."
Riley then changed the topic to ask about the festival. Gary told them about the trainers they met and how one of the trainers, Lisa literally adopted Ash as her sibling. Riley did not comment on the adoption, but mentally agreed with Lisa on the cute sibling part. They finished their breakfast and cleaned up the area before heading down the mountain back to the kingdom.
Ash turned to the two Mews who had joined them, "Do you want to come with us till the edge of the mountain?"
The oldest Mew nodded, -Yes, why not? I don't want to return to my duties yet.-
The second oldest flew and sat on Gary's shoulder, -Me too ~ I want to go with you as well.-
Gary giggled, "Let's go, then."
The group walked back through the fields of flowers and Pokemon habitat to the field of geysers which were active again. They ate their lunch while they waited for a few hours for the geysers to calm down before crossing the field. On the other side of the field, Ash and Gary marveled at the beauty of the natural hot springs and asked if they could take a bath first.
Gary pouted, "It's been whole two days we went without bath."
Green pat his head, "Sure, sure, We all can wash up."
Riley spoke up smiling, "You know kids... When you start your journeys then it's possible you may have to go days without a bath!"
Ash scrunched up his face, "Ew! Riley, that's gross!"
Riley just laughed hard at the faces the young boys were making before stripping and going into the hot springs. He gave out a relaxed sigh as he watched the younger boys play around with the Pokemon while the older ones washed their hair. He even saw Lucario relax at the edge of the spring, the Aura Pokemon sat back with his eyes closed and right next to him was Riolu. The fire types were enjoying and relaxing as well, Red had applied the mixture he made the day before to one of the smaller pools for them to enjoy and relax in. Once they were all cleaned, refreshed and dressed they continued their track downwards towards the kingdom of Rota. The way back did not look as long as before, and nothing much happened. At the edge they bid their farewells to the trio Mew and went to the castle where Queen Ilene, the head of the Aura Guardians, Cypress, Lance and Sabrina welcomed them back.
Queen Ilene, "Welcome back Aura Guardian Riley, apprentices Red and Green and children and Pokemon. I hope your quest was without any troubles."
Riley bowed, "It was no trouble, My Queen. In fact we learned many things from this quest, including the answer to the question of what happened to Sir Aaron all those years ago."
Ilene hummed, "I see. Perhaps a meeting tonight about it. I feel the news you brought is not so simple."
Riley nodded, "You are correct in your assumption, My Queen."
Ilene turned to Lucario, "Lucario, have you found your answer?"
Lucario nodded, -Yes and much more.-
Ilene, "We have prepared some tea and snacks for you all please come and make yourselves comfortable."
Ash grinned, "Awesome, I was feeling hungry."
Ilene giggled, "I'm happy you are back little ones."
Gary smiled, "Good to be back."
Cypress hugged the four of them, "Welcome back kids. I won't lie, I was honestly worried about you all."
Red pat his father's back in comfort, "We are back Dad, don't worry."
Green nodded in the embrace, "Yeah! Nothing dangerous happened. It was just Mew wanting to play again."
Ash nodded feeling guilty, "Sorry for worrying you Daddy. We didn't mean to."
Cypress kissed Ash's forehead, "I know son. There is nothing to be sorry about. It's not really your fault, Mew likes you and Gary."
Gary smiled sheepishly, "It kinda maybe is? I mean we did kinda told them we don't mind playing with them."
Lance walked over to the family followed by Sabrina, "Even so you did not tell them to kidnap you right?"
Ash blinked, "Of course not. Why would we?"
Sabrina nodded, "Then, it is not your fault........ I must say little ones... That is very impressive barrier the two of you have."
Gary blinked as he walked, "Barrier?"
Sabrina nodded, "You and Ash have very strong barriers around your minds. I can also tell they are not psychic based."
Ash tilted his head, "There is a difference?"
Sabrina nodded as they entered the afternoon hall and sat down, "Yes, it is stronger for one and tricky."
Gary made an o face, "I didn't realize we were that different."
Lance pat his head, "It's not a bad thing all things considered."
Red spoke up, "Is there a reason you and Sabrina are here though, Champion Lance?"
Lance cringed at the title, "Just Lance please. And I'm here because of your apprenticeship. It has caught the interest of the other Gym Leaders and League leaders."
Green frowned, "That's.... Why? We are not exactly special snowflakes."
Lance sighed, "You two are the youngest Guardian and Psychic in record, as well as strongest. It's without a doubt you would attract attention already."
Cypress swallowed his food, "He is here to give you two a heads up actually."
Lance sighed, "Yes I am, while it's true the League cannot touch you as a Psychic or Aura user, they can however still order you around."
Arwen tched from her seat, "They really should know better."
Gary frowned not understanding or liking the situation, "What does this mean exactly Lance?"
Ash was frowning as well, "Our brothers are not pets."
Lance smirked, "Of course not, Ash. Gary it means as long as they are trainers and then Champions, they will be answering to the league."
Sabrina was annoyed, "It is quiet bold of them to think they can order a Psychic around."
Lance looked at Red and Green, "I'll give you more details after lunch is done."
Red was blank faced, "That's fine with me."
Green simply nodded, "We never expected things to be easy."
Arwen sighed, 'I have been sighing a lot.'
Arwen, "Riley you said you found out what happened to Sir Aaron. Explain!"
Riley who was quietly talking to Lucario looked up, "Yes we did, thanks to Lucario's efforts we were finally able to solve that old mystery."
Riley then started to explain their journey, through the mountain, meeting the three Regi Guardians and learning about the Tree actually being alive. Lucario took over the explanation and told them how they found out the Tree was actually a real living organism and not just a mountain formation. Lance and Sabrina listened to the account fascinated, they had seen many things as trainers, this one easily took one of the top five strangest things they saw during their careers. Lucario then proceeded to explain about meeting Mew and finding the boys and the chamber. He explained what Mew told him about Sir Aaron and his sacrifice, that many years ago. The table was quite as Lucario finished his tale.
Lance spoke quietly, "Well, I certainly was not expecting this when I came here."
Sabrina agreed, "True that. I shall pay my respects to him before I leave."
Ilene got up, "This is a very big discovery and yet at the same time a heart breaking one. Sir Aaron's sacrifice will be remembered and never shall he be questioned or doubted ever again."
Lucario bowed, -Thank you, My Queen.-
Ilene shook her head, "No Lucario, thank you for bringing to light what happened many years ago."
Lucario simply nodded and accepted the respect given to him by the Queen and the people. Ash and Red were smiling at him while Gary was grinning and Green was smirking and gave him a thumbs up. After lunch they broke into three groups, Riley and Lucario went with the Guardians while Lance and Sabrina asked Green and Red to follow them to another room, Cypress rounded up Ash and Gary and the Pokemon and took them for a check up just in case.