42Chapter 2: The Return to Rota
It was broad smiles and general excitement that Ash returned to in the village. The walk back had taken a long time considering he spent a good deal of it supported by Lucario, and by the time he'd come level with the outer homes, the rain had finally stopped. Sunlight poked through the breaking clouds like warm rays of hope, and technically to these people that's exactly what they were. The center of the village was filled with exuberantly happy people dancing in ankle deep puddles and uncaringly getting dirty.
"Guardian!"
"He's done it!"
"Oh my- call the doctor! He's injured! And the elder!"
"Three cheers for the Guardian!"
Ash chuckled as he was fussed over, warmth that had nothing to do with the sunlight permeating his whole body.
"Ash, I'm so glad you're alright." Jory had finally broken through the crowd, the village doctor at his side. "The storm was so fierce for a second there, we'd thought the worst. And those… screams..."
"Well, your weather should be a little more normal now," Ash said tiredly. He lowered himself gingerly into the chair that someone had gotten for him, allowing the doctor to check him over. Lucario, not wanting to stick around in such a crowd of people, retreated to his pokeball to rest from the battle. Pikachu just plopped himself at Ash's feet, as equally worn out as his trainer.
"It was a Pokemon then?" the man asked, curious. Ash nodded, letting out a long breath.
"I don't know why it started, but I will eventually." He paused for a moment, considering what he should do next. He knew he needed to eat and rest, but the unstable Pokemon he'd just caught was still heavy on his mind. The inaction was already bothering him.
"You are probably eager to continue on," Jory said knowingly, bringing Ash out of his thoughts. "Come eat and dry off. One more day will not stop the world from turning."
At this Ash smiled.
"Alright, one day."
xXx
"We're leaving?"
Ash was stunned. After half a year of being at the monastery, he had wondered if he'd ever be ready to help Lark with whatever she'd asked him to stay for in the first place. Admittedly he wasn't the best at touching his Aura, and had wondered if he just wasn't good enough.
He knew he could leave whenever he wanted, but there was something… nice, about being at the Monastery that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Something that made him actually want to stay, more than just being there on a favor from a friend.
Though he was sure Cynthia hadn't ever imagined that favor taking this long.
"Yes. It's time to take you to the artifact." Lark's expression was unreadable, but after spending so much of every day with her at the monastery he felt he could read her better.
She was… upset?
"Is everything okay?" Ash asked at once.
"I- it's none of your concern," she said dismissively, turning away from him as she busied herself with her pipe. "The artifact is several days by foot from here. Meet me with your Pokémon at the front entrance in one hour. We have a long trip ahead of us."
And with that she left the room.
Ash merely frowned after her in silence. Finally he left as well, off to find his electrical friend.
xXx
The Nurse Joy of Foren Village hummed to herself contentedly as she pushed a small cart with healed Pokémon on it. There were fourteen pokeballs total with the addition of a super cute Pikachu that apparently didn't like the confined space. His trainer had explained as much when arriving earlier that afternoon.
"Trainers, your Pokémon have been healed, please come and collect them!" she called as she entered the lobby. At once two similar looking young boys, both no older than eleven, ran over.
"That was really quick! Thanks, Nurse Joy!" one said happily.
"Yeah, thanks! Now we can have our rematch!" the other was now pointing at the first. "Jake, I challenge you to a full battle!"
"Um, Jason, didn't mom want us home like an hour ago?"
"Oh no I totally forgot! Come on!"
Joy just smiled and waved as the brothers barreled out of the Center, narrowly avoiding the final trainer in the room who had just gotten up from a nap.
She hadn't been subtly watching him sleep from her counter earlier. No, not at all.
"Really hope I wasn't like that with Gary," the boy said to himself, eyes still on the door they'd gone through. Refocusing he said, "Thank you for taking care of my Pokémon."
"You're quite welcome," Joy smiled back. "It seems all of you were very worn out when you arrived. Particularly your Gardevoir." Her expression gained a hint of disapproval.
"She's a recent capture, actually. Finding out what she's been through is one of the main reasons I caught her. There weren't any problems healing her, were there?"
"No, she's at full health according to my instruments," Joy said, expression shifting back to a sympathetic one. "Have you traveled far?"
"We came from Wood's Heart recently."
At this Joy's eyes went wide.
"Oh dear, you weren't caught in that terrible storm were you?" Getting a dry chuckle in return she continued, "No wonder you were so tired. Do you have a place to stay here?"
"No, actually I was hoping…?"
"Of course you can stay here. I'll go prepare a space for you. Sit tight for a just moment I'll be right back."
And with that she scurried of to make sure the small room the Center had for such occasions wasn't a mess. Maybe later she'd be able to get him to tell her some stories of his travels? He did have the air of a person who'd been in interesting situations after all.
xxx
Ash watched Joy go with a small smile on his face. Nurse Joys in general were good natured but some really did go the extra mile.
"Pika?"
"Yeah we'll stay here for the night," he answered to the electric Pokémon. Considering the two pokeballs he now held, he released the left one. "Feeling good Lucario?"
'Yes, these "Joys" you spoke of have a respectful ability,' came his mental voice as he stretched his body. A small, bright Aura Sphere formed over his right paw before immediately dissipating. 'I am at full strength. What about her?'
He directed a serious look at the remaining pokeball Ash held. She still hadn't been released since capture. He'd wanted to give her a little space to calm down, as well as time to recuperate until she'd be healed at the Center. Now though...
It was like this, staring at Gardevoir's pokeball lost in thought, that Joy returned to.
"Mr. Ketchum, I've fixed up a bed for you. Follow me."
It looked like he'd be putting off their real meeting one more night.
xxx
Pointing the ball a little way from where he was, he released her. From red light her form took shape, a soft musical trill accompanying her appearance. Instantly she locked her eyes onto his own.
"Hello," he greeted with a small smile. "Feeling better?"
The psychic Pokémon said nothing, settling instead for checking herself over while keeping Ash in view.
Not bothered by her cautious behavior, he settled for studying her more closely now that they weren't in the middle of a hurricane. She was a bit taller than other Gardevoir he had seen, putting them almost at eye level, though that was really only the beginning of the differences he noticed.
Most blatantly of them all was the distinct lack of green anywhere on her body, those places being a more arctic blue than anything. Instead of the usual red eyes Gardevoir he'd seen before had, hers were an incredibly vibrant shade of amber. Coupled with possibly one of the most severe gazes Ash had ever seen on a Pokemon and it made for a rather intimidating package.
Suddenly he realized that gaze was being fully directed at himself.
"Sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?" he apologized. "I've never seen a Gardevoir your color before, but I guess that's no excuse for staring." He took a seat on the bed he'd used the night before. "Anyway, you haven't been to a Pokémon Center before, right? It's the same with Lucario, I guess it's a bit odd when I think about it. Trainers kinda just take them for granted but it's different in the wild obviously."
Gardevoir just gave him another cold expression. So, she still refused to speak to him?
"I uhh…" he broke off, unable to keep himself from becoming a bit flustered. "I know I said some pretty bold stuff earlier, and kinda got carried away. You were in a lot of pain and I couldn't think of any other way to help you right there. More than that though…"
Ash coughed twice before clearing his throat.
"I meant what I said," he said firmly, locking his eyes with her amber ones. "I don't know what you've been through to be in the kind of pain you were, but I'll never let that happen to you again. You're safe with me." He grinned suddenly, leaning forwards a bit. "Maybe one day you'll actually say the same thing."
The look she gave him spoke of severe doubts.
Ash just chuckled. It had been a long time since he was last with such an angry Pokémon. Seriously, who knew the kind of baggage this one had? But he wasn't about to let that discourage him. When it came to his Pokémon and his friends there was nothing in this world that could slow him down.
"Are you ready to formally meet the team?" He continued after a second, making her tense up. Sensing her apprehension he added, "There's no need to worry. I promise they won't attack you, we're all allies here. Come on in you two."
The door opened to admit Pikachu and Lucario, both of whom had been waiting outside.
"Alright guys, it's a little bit late but let's give a warm welcome to Gardevoir."
Pikachu, true to form, gave a cheerful wave and hello. He'd always been the senior of the group and was never hesitant to lead by example for new members. Of course, Lucario balanced it out by simply grunting, watching the newcomer carefully.
"Pikachu and I have been a team for a long time, and Lucario joined up a couple weeks ago. Let's all work well together."
Ash broke off as the three stared at him in silence. He felt like he should say something else, though what exactly...
'So, what is our task?'
When Ash looked over at Lucario in confusion, the jackal Pokemon elaborated, 'Our purpose for traveling. It never came up before. Do we have one?'
"I guess we didn't before," Ash admitted with a grimace. Did they even really now? He had… lost enthusiasm, for lack of a better word, in taking on another League challenge. He had already competed in every major competition that the continent had to offer, and just everything that came with starting once more far off in a place like Unova or Kalos felt like too much at the moment.
"I might have mentioned this before, but almost all of my traveling has been for competing in the regional Leagues. Gym badges and tournaments. Battling," he elaborated belatedly.
'Are we to continue that?'
"I'm not… right now I don't really want to, to be honest," Ash said in apology. He knew Lucario enjoyed battle after all.
'Don't misunderstand, I'm not complaining,' Lucario continued. 'We do have her to take care of now, anyway.'
Gardevoir threw Lucario a dirty look, but otherwise didn't react. Her eyes immediately refocused on Ash.
"Easy, you two," Ash said quickly. The last thing he needed was his Pokemon fighting with each other. Especially these two. "Sure we'll be doing everything we can to help Gardevoir out, but I think we'd all get bored if we didn't find something to do too. Maybe we can look for some non-League competitions."
"Pi-pikachu!"
"And training," Ash said with a nod to Pikachu. "There's always stuff we can improve on, though I'm a bit stuck on what to do next."
There was no doubt in his mind his half full team was the strongest he'd ever fielded. Even just Pikachu and Lucario had been pushing it. Lucario… well, he was one of the strongest Pokémon he'd ever met, and whatever raw power Pikachu lacked was made up by sheer experience, not that he was by any means weak. And now he'd added a raging psychic force of nature to the team.
"How do I even train that?" he said absently. It was a weird situation. Most of his time as a Pokemon trainer had been, arguably, spent bringing up fairly weak Pokemon. Pokemon who were young, inexperienced, sometimes both. Not that they hadn't been able to fight well or win against tough opponents, but he'd rarely been simply handed powerful Pokemon. Pokemon like Charizard, who he'd been unable to fully control for years. Even Pikachu, after everything they'd been through, had far more punch to him than any other Pokemon his size. Ash could no longer train his Pokemon the way he'd always done. If strength simply wasn't an issue, then what was?
xxx
"Oak Labs, this is Professor Oak speaking."
"Hey Professor, how've you been?"
"Ash? My goodness it's been quite a while since you last called. I didn't recognize the number."
"I'm in Foren Village right now, the Pokemon Center here doesn't have video-phones."
"Foren? That's quite a ways in the woods. Still traveling around with Brock are you?"
"No we all split up after the Sinnoh League Conference. I actually haven't seen him since."
"The Conference… my, that was almost seven months ago. Well, no worries there, you're sounding well enough. I'm sure you'll run into him somewhere. I have seen your other friend on TV recently though. That girl you were traveling with in Sinnoh is making quite the name for herself in the Hoenn Contest circuit. No doubt she has more than a few fans by now."
"Oh that's great!" Ash smiled at this. Perhaps of all the girls he'd traveled with Dawn had always been more of his… unofficial apprentice, for lack of a better word. Unlike May, and certainly Misty, Dawn had a bare minimum exposure to Pokemon battling as a whole, and she'd frequently asked him for advice on anything from training to strategies. She'd certainly found her talent in Pokemon Contests like May had, but he always thought she'd do well wherever she put her effort. It was nice to hear she was doing well.
Unaware of his being lost in thought, Oak was still speaking.
"...and Misty actually stopped by recently to help me with a project I've been developing regarding water Pokemon. You see what's so fascinating about them in particular is…"
And now he was missing the girl dearly. Waking up in the morning to see a bleary Dawn rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, panicking when she realized what a mess her hair had become overnight, and finally receiving a jet of water to the face from an eager to help Piplup just never got old. Of course there were a number of other good qualities about the girl as well that made her good company in general.
Maybe after his current objective he could aim to visit her? Hoenn was pretty far though…
"Ah, but I think I've rambled long enough," Oak said with a chuckle, dragging Ash back to the conversation. "You've no doubt called me for more than just a chat. Did you need me to send you any Pokemon? As far as I can tell you've only got Pikachu with you and those forests aren't the safest for lone travelers, even with a great Pokémon like him at your side."
"No, Professor, I'm sticking with the team I have now. Here's my latest pokedex data."
It was a simple process to connect the pokedex and took no more than a few seconds to transmit.
"Oh, I see. A Lucario and a Gardevoir. Congratulations on your recent additions."
"Thanks, it's why I called actually," Ash continued. "The group I have now is really strong, even though they're new. I don't think my usual training techniques are going to help anyone very much at this point, even Pikachu."
"Ah, looking for some advice I see," said Oak knowingly. "Well it's been quite a while since I was last on the battlefield, but I'll help however I can."
"I, um..."
Ash's awkward response to that was easily covered by the Professor's laughter.
"I'm sorry, Ash, I couldn't help myself there. Not many people remember that I used to be a trainer as well. No offence taken at all, it's been quite a while after all. Who did you want to speak to that you needed to contact me for?"
"Cynthia."
He'd thought about it a lot, and there was really no one else. Despite being only three years older than him, Cynthia was leagues ahead in terms of training Pokemon. The amount of experience she had topped anyone her age, and likely many above it, probably in the world. She was almost unanimously considered the strongest Pokemon trainer in the eastern hemisphere. It was no wonder that she'd maintained her position as the Sinnoh Champion for nearly four years now.
However, what really made her so incredible was how normal she was. They'd met a number of times, almost always under some kind of situational crisis, but each time she'd been a friend. Never once had she made him feel like he was beneath her, as he'd experienced from a fair share of other trainers he'd met with a fraction of the skill. And it was for this reason that he was sure that if he talked to her she would help him out.
Well, and the fact that she owed him one, but that was really beside the point.
"Unfortunately, I do not have the personal contact information of probably the most famous Pokemon trainer in our hemisphere," Oak said in amusement. "Locally is a bit of a different story, but Sinnoh is somewhat out of my range."
"True, but you do have Professor Rowan's number and I know for a fact that they keep in touch," said Ash.
"That I do. I'm more than happy to connect you."
xxx
"What do you mean you can't give me her number?"
"It's not that I can't specifically, Ash, but that I won't. I'm just respecting her privacy. You know who Cynthia is, and the kind of attention she gets. If she wanted you to have her number then she would have giving it to you herself. Me giving out her personal phone number would be a betrayal of her trust."
"No, you're right I understand," Ash said with a sigh, still feeling put out. "Sorry, could you give her a message for me then? It's really important."
"Of course, I'd be happy to!" Rowan said cheerfully, clearly pleased that Ash wasn't making a big deal out of the situation. "Just let me get a pen… okay, go ahead."
"Just tell her that I finished what she asked me at the end of the Sinnoh League Tournament and I wanted to talk to her. I'll be staying for a couple days at the Foren Pokemon Center so she can reach me there. If I go somewhere else I'll let you know."
"Foren?" Rowan hmmed in interest. "It's been a long time since I last visited there. The air is always so crisp. A wide variety of Pokemon live in the region as well, though more naturally leaning towards grass, bug, and rock types. Water too, depending on the locale."
"Yeah I like it," Ash agreed. "Anyway, thanks again. Take care, Professor."
"You too, Ash! Be sure to stop by if you're ever in my neighborhood. I've always got something I could use a hand with."
Ash hung up the phone and finally walked back over to one of the seating areas lined with couches, plopping himself down on one of them with a huff.
"If she wanted you to have it, she'd have given it to you," he mimicked, grouchy. "Whatever, I didn't even have a phone anyway."
Xxx
It was late the next day when Ash got a return message from Cynthia. He'd been out touring the town at the time and the Nurse Joy had been happy to take the message for him.
"Here you are, she called around midday."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it," Ash said gratefully.
"Of course! I've never talked to someone that famous, even just to take a note!" she replied cheerily.
Flashing her a smile of his own, he quickly read the note.
For Ash Ketchum-
Currently in Kanto. Will be attending Rota's annual Guardian festival in a week. Meet up there. If issue call Rowan again.
-Cynthia
"How far is it to Rota from here?"
"Far, but Foren has a few busses that take people to and from the festival they hold there. It's one of the most anticipated events of the year in these parts. You'll be able to make it with plenty of time."
"Do you-"
"They leave from the center of town every day at seven in the morning."
"And-"
"You should get to Rota by midday."
"Are you-"
"Doing anything tonight? No, but I'd love to."
"I-"
This time Ash cut himself off as he gave the young Joy a very 'deer in headlights' look, eliciting a laugh from the girl.
"Have you eaten yet?" she asked. Receiving a shake of his head she continued, "Great come back in an hour and I'll be ready to go. Be sure to tell me about some neat adventures you've had! Especially how you know Champion Cynthia!"
With that she walked off to prepare the Center for her short absence. Ash meanwhile was maintaining his rather frozen expression.
"Pika… chu?"
"I've got no idea, buddy."
xxx
It was with a small amount of discomfort that Ash stepped off the bus in Rota. True the last time he had been here was a couple years ago with his friends, but his life then had been so different it may as well have been a couple dozen years instead. Out of habit he located the Tree of Beginning once more, easily visible over all but the closest buildings.
It was an odd thought, knowing that he had a greater connection with the Tree than anyone else, perhaps in the entire world. A landmark that so many saw on a daily basis and thought little of besides its aesthetic beauty.
And he'd nearly died there less than a month ago.
But now, stopping to watch the daily bustle of a town preparing for an enormous festival, even he felt a bit distant from it.
"Ash!"
He turned at the sound of the familiar voice to find none other than Cynthia walking over to where he was standing, a full grocery bag in one hand and, well…
"Pi pikachu!"
"Hello to you too, Pikachu."
"Cynthia! Nice uh, dress?"
Perhaps it was because he'd never seen her in anything but the typical black outfit she wore, but the almost royal dress she was wearing had him staring. Of course it wasn't like her outfit was at all out of place in the town. Even with four days to go before the main event tourists and natives alike were already dressing up everywhere in traditional clothing, making it look like a storybook.
"You think so?" Her tone, amusingly, was one of slight embarrassment. "This is my first time here so I thought I'd go with the flow. I haven't really worn anything quite like this before." She did a slow full turn, eying her dress all the while. "I'll admit I've been enjoying myself."
"Looks great," Ash said with a grin, though he couldn't help but feel like the whole picture, minus the groceries, looked somewhat familiar…
"Then why are you giving me that look," Cynthia observed shrewdly, eyebrows raised. Suddenly it hit him.
"Ah!" He hit his open palm with the bottom of his fist. "You look just like the old queen. I guess the current one too," he added with a shrug.
"That's what all the locals say," Cynthia responded, now looking somewhat exasperated. "I was happy the first couple of times but after thirty or so people bowing to me with a "Your Highness," it's gotten a little tiresome to correct them. Seems people are catching on though. Do we really look that similar?"
"You'll see for yourself when they have the tournament, especially if you enter it. The Queen personally congratulates the winner. It's one of her favorite things to do because she usually doesn't get to meet new people."
"How do you know something like that?" Cynthia asked, curious.
"She told me when I won the last time I was here," Ash said with a cheeky grin.
Cynthia just shook her head unable to resist a laugh.
"You're certainly well traveled, aren't you?"
"I'm not the only one. Anyway I can't believe I've already found you," he continued in amazement. "Well, you found me. I just got off the bus five minutes ago. I didn't think I'd see you for days."
"When I heard you were in Foren I found out when the busses would be arriving so I could check. You're really easy to pick out of a crowd, especially with him on your shoulder," she added with a nod at Pikachu.
"I guess it helps that I'm not dressed up at all either," Ash added, looking around. The busses had already pulled away to return to Foren and the tourists who'd gotten off were dispersed. The square had returned once more to a window of a thousand years past… with the occasional piece of modern day tech.
"Well, come on Ash, be a gentleman and carry this for me. I wanted to make one more stop before heading back home. We can catch up there."
xxx
Ash felt a bit awkward as he crossed the threshold into Cynthia's apartment. Whether it was because he'd never really traveled alone before or just that he'd been younger, now it was more than noticeable.
"Pika!"
Well at least someone feels right at home…
"There's fruit on the table Pikachu!" Cynthia called out after the electric Pokemon. "Do you want something to drink, Ash?"
"Uh, sure," he said, following her into the kitchen. "Where did you-"
"You can leave it on the counter there. Just give me a second to put this stuff away."
"No rush," Ash added, walking out to join Pikachu who was sitting on the short table in front of the couch in the living room. "This is a nice place."
"My family's owned a building in Rota forever apparently," she called over, the sounds of clinking coming through the opening. Before long she'd emerged with two glasses of water. "Grandmother told me about it last year. Some third party rents it out but there's always a place for her to stay if she visits the town. Me too, I suppose."
"Neat."
"So," Cynthia pulled Pikachu so that he was sitting on her lap, though still munching away at his apple, "here we are. What did you want to talk about?"
"I-" Ash paused, a little caught off guard. He hadn't expected to get to it so quickly. "Since you left me at the monastery I caught two new Pokemon who I don't really know how to train. They're very strong," he added at Cynthia's perplexed look. "Pikachu too at this point, though these two are bit beyond him I think."
"And you wanted me to…"
"Train me, I guess?" Ash said with a laugh, rubbing the back of his head. It had sounded a lot more convincing in his head. "If you're free…" He just trailed off into silence.
"Oh, sure, I can help you with that," Cynthia said with a smile. "I doubt you'll need more than a couple tips from me at any rate. You've always been a talented trainer from what I've seen."
"More like mediocre compared to you." After all, Cynthia was simply on another level. Coming from her the complement should have made him feel better, but honestly he didn't feel like he entirely deserved it. Particularly after the tournament, which still weighed on his mind.
"I'm not all powerful you know."
"You're probably the only person in the world that thinks that."
"Why don't you just introduce me to these Pokemon who have made you question the way you train," Cynthia gently derailed. "Unless they'd break something in here. We can go to the roof if we need to."
"No it'll be fine." Ash, removed the second pokeball from his belt and resized it, releasing the Pokemon it held with a flash of light. "Lucario, this is- what are you doing?"
For the moment Lucario had set his eyes on Cynthia he'd dropped to one knee, head bowed.
'Highness.'
"This is getting ridiculous," Cynthia said in a gravelly voice, palm on her face. "How does a random Lucario even- I'm going to go change. Give me a minute." It was after the door to her bedroom snapped shut when Ash spoke again.
"She's not Queen Ilene," Ash said patiently, mentally kicking himself for not thinking of this. "I didn't think you'd recognize her, to be honest."
'The Queen visits the monastery every year. You came shortly after she left.'
"Darn, really?" Ash frowned in disappointment. He really had missed everything interesting that could have happened at the Monastery. "What's up?"
Lucario was still staring at the door Cynthia had exited through.
'It is odd that I would make such a mistake. She is familiar, though it is obvious now I could not have met her before. Strange.'
"Well, looks aside, the Queen is definitely still in the castle right now. This," he paused as the bedroom door reopened, admitting a much more regularly dressed Cynthia, "is Cynthia. She's a friend of mine."
Cynthia, who was now wearing a light blue sleeveless shirt and long beige pants, responded with a small wave.
"Like he said, I'm Cynthia, nice to meet you."
Lucario hesitated before bowing slightly. He still looked fairly confused.
'This is the one who will help you?' he directed at Ash, though Cynthia could hear him as well.
"Yeah she's one of the best trainers around. Maybe actually the best. Thought we'd make an introduction. Now all that's left is…" Brushing his fingers against a pokeball he knew was empty, Ash paused to take a look around before clearing his throat. There was no way of knowing if this would work but… "Gardevoir?"
There was a long pause before she appeared in a blink of psychic energy and displaced air. Her amber eyes moved between the occupants of the room before coming to a rest at Cynthia.
"Oh, that's a rare color," the girl observed in interest. She tensed at the sudden glare Gardevoir was giving her, Ash stepping between them in a heartbeat.
"Don't be like that, Gardevoir, she wouldn't try to do anything against you," he said in a firm but soothing voice. "I trust her completely."
Though she said nothing, the look Gardevoir leveled at him was pretty obvious.
"What about me then?"
It took a few seconds of silence, but Gardevoir eventually turned away. Cynthia noted with interest how Ash's hand twitched as if he wanted to reassure the Pokemon, but he held back all the same. A second later the Pokémon had vanished in the same way she'd arrived.
"Issues?"
"No idea, honestly," Ash said sadly, sitting back down with a frown. Lucario spared them both a glance before moving to the window. "She's got so much rage and despair inside… I promised her I'd help her get rid of it but I don't know where to begin."
Seeing the deep concern on his face, Cynthia couldn't help but smile.
"You'll figure something out," she said with confidence. "Just be patient with her. And you said she's too strong?"
"She was the cause of a severe rainstorm for a couple months straight. Like a hurricane without much of the wind. Nearly destroyed Woods Heart Village. All the local Pokémon ran off. It was pretty bad."
"I see."
Actually, she really didn't. Gardevoirs didn't exactly go around with the ability to affect the weather like that. It was beyond unlikely.
"And he's that kind of strong as well?" Cynthia continued, nodding to Lucario. He was still looking out the window peacefully.
"Well, he won the battle," Ash said with a shrug. True he'd kind of interrupted, but she didn't really need the exact details. "He was a bit of an outcast with the others at the Monastery."
"You mean where Lark lives?" Cynthia asked, suddenly much more interested. "I didn't realize they had Lucario there."
"They live in the area behind the buildings," Ash explained. "I didn't find out they were there for a while, too."
"Did you stay for long?" Cynthia asked. "Obviously it's been quite a while since I dropped you off there, but I didn't think it would take much more than a week or two at most. I didn't hear from Lark so I figured you left on your own. Were you able to help her? She seemed like she was in a real bind when she contacted me earlier."
"I- yeah," Ash said after a second. "I was actually there for about six months."
"So long! I'm so sorry it took so much of your time." Ash just waved her off. "What was the problem? Why did it take so much time?"
Again, he hesitated. He really had no issue telling her the truth, it was just…
'The Tree was dying.'
Ash and Cynthia both turned to Lucario. He was still looking out at the Tree of Beginning in the distance.
"Dying?" Cynthia repeated with a frown. "It's a rock formation. A unique one but-"
"The Tree is alive, Cynthia," Ash interrupted. "If you ever go there you'll see what I mean."
Though she clearly wasn't convinced, she continued, "So how was it dying then?"
"Poison… I guess?" Ash said with a shrug. "Honestly there was a lot we didn't know. Just that it needed to be fixed. The whole region relies on the Tree for stability."
"But what did Lark need you for?" Cynthia asked.
"Apparently I have good Aura. We used it to help heal the Tree. That's what the compass was for, to point to people who could help."
Cynthia continued to frown at him for another few seconds but it soon was replaced with a smile.
"I was honestly worried when she first came to me, but knowing you were the one she was looking for put my fears to rest. You're a really dependable person, Ash. Thanks again, for helping me and my friend out."
"Of course," he returned with a smile.
"You'll stay for lunch, won't you?" Cynthia added, getting back to her feet. "It's no way to pay you back for helping Lark for six months, but consider it a bonus on top of me helping you with your training."
She cast him one more warm look over her shoulder before disappearing back to where the kitchen was to make lunch. Ash slowly let the smile he'd been wearing go, sighing softly.
'You will keep her from the truth?'
Ash just gave Lucario a flat look before joining him at the window, immediately drawn to the Tree.
"I don't think she wants to hear that her friend asked her to find a sacrifice," he returned quietly.
xXx
So, now he finally knew the truth.
It didn't take long to discover their destination was the Tree of Beginning. Lark didn't keep it from him when asked, and he would have found out after the second day of travel regardless, the natural phenomenon rising above the trees into the clouds. As the trees faded to more rocky formations, Ash waited for the moment they would pass through the roots of the Tree and arrive at the base of its trunk. The only sounds came from their footsteps as they followed the winding path.
Finally they breached the threshold, revealing an alarming scene.
There was not a single Pokémon around the base of the tree. The last time he'd been here it was to find a vibrant ecosystem of various Pokémon living in harmony, protected by the Regis, partially looked after by Mew. This area… it didn't look like any had lived here for many months. Even the Tree itself looked more stone grey than its usual bark brown.
"Stay close to me, else you may be seen as a threat."
The words were spoken softly, but firmly as she led him into the depths of the Tree. Much to his amazement they did not encounter any resistance. It just spoke to the wrongness he felt as they climbed within. The complete absence of the Regis concerned him. And where was Mew?
But no, the Tree was deserted.
"There."
Finally they reached the heart of the Tree. It looked… exactly the way he remembered it. Sadness tugged at his chest as his eyes fell on a familiar crystal formation near the center.
"Place your hands on the crystal in the center and focus on holding your Aura. The Tree will do the rest."
Ash slowly made his way to the crystal, looking at himself in the mirrored reflection off its polished surface. His eyes drifted to the woman behind him who watched with a darkened expression.
"Why are we here?"
Without turning Ash asked this.
"This is the heart of the Tree. You wouldn't have noticed, but the Tree is severely ill. It's caretakers are gone, the Pokémon who live here are missing. All because the Tree's Aura has been tainted by something. It needs help. That's why you are here."
"And the others?"
It was suddenly hard to breathe. He'd been denying it as they climbed but there was little else he could do as the pieces continued to fit themselves together in his head.
"The others?" Lark repeated.
"The other people like me. The ones before me who came for the exact same thing. Where are they, Elder Lark?"
Ash turned to face her, and now for the first time she could see the anger on his face.
"That isn't any of your concern."
"Pikaaa…"
"Don't, Pikachu," Ash said sharply, stopping the electric Pokémon from sparking further. "We're better than that."
Pikachu shot Lark a glare before standing down, trusting his partner to take care of everything. Maybe before he'd have shouted, or flown off the handle. But he'd been through so much that the words he spoke were as even as any others. Z.
"How can you stand there so calmly and tell me to die?"
Lark's face shifted through a multitude of emotions in a heartbeat before settling on something closer to stone.
"So… you knew."
"Why, Lark?" She did not miss the absence of her title in the address. "The Guardians are devoted to saving peoples' lives! To doing good! Why would the Elders do this? Why would you do this?"
"Doing good…"
Lark's eyes were shadowed as she stared at her hands.
"There was no other way." Her expression was completely worn. "How could we go up to anyone and ask them to die for those they don't know? For something they wouldn't even believe?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You must feel something wrong here," said Lark, motioning about to the Tree at large. "Being here is like walking through a miasma that touches your soul. We don't know why the Tree hasn't gotten better, nor do we know what caused the sickness to begin with. Trying to cleanse the Tree has made some difference but there's nothing strong enough to do the job. We've just been doing everything we can to buy the world time."
"The world?"
Her last words gave him pause. There always was a catch, wasn't there?
"To cleanse itself the Tree needs Aura. If it can't get it from someone, it will start looking elsewhere for what it needs. If that means draining everything around it for hundreds of miles then so be it. Why do you think all of the Pokémon have left this area completely? They're afraid of being taken by the Tree. It's only a matter of time before it reaches cities."
"Wouldn't it stop eventually?" He reasoned. "Once it got what it needs…"
"It isn't hungry," Lark interrupted. "It is trying to cure itself. You don't cure a disease by taking whatever medicine you can get your hands on. You do it by taking the cure." She paused to point at him. "The world isn't a cure, Ash Ketchum, you are."
Ash said nothing, still regarding Lark with a stony expression.
"One of the ones we could find at any rate," she added. "Without those that came before you Rota would be gone. Look at me how you like. We had no choice."
Ash let out a long breath, his eyes closed.
"You just don't know anything."
The teen finally moved, walking out of view as he moved behind a large crystal formation near the heart.
"I understand that you think there wasn't any other way."
He returned into full view, but now he was… carrying gloves?
"I've met a lot of people who've done bad things because they felt like they had to. Horrible things..."
One by one he pulled them on. They were big, going well past his wrists.
"But you always have a choice."
Lark took an involuntary step back as she felt rush of dense Aura pulse through the room. Eyes wide she stared back incredulously at the teen. At what he held in his hands.
"And that-"
He placed one hand on the heart.
"-is what makes us-"
He placed his other hand on the heart.
"-who we are."
Blue fire burned in his eyes.
"This is who I am."
XXXXX
AN: A second chapter for the old time fans, and some new readers too. Hope you liked it :D
