The beginning of a new road {Path of the Aura Ranger: Book II}

II Max's P.O.V

We were on our way to Nacrene City and I could not stop myself from skipping around. I got my first badge! I am on my way to the Unova Pokemon League! I can do this... I really can! My ears were still hurting from all the squealing my sister did and my heart was heavy with love from the proud looks my parents had given me. I was so very happy.

My pokemon were as pump up as I was, working harder than ever on their training. Mightyena, Pikachu, and Chikorita had already learned Iron Tail, and were on their way to mastering the move. Ralts was on the same position with Swift, as Shroomish was withh Poison Powder and Shuppet with Will-o-Wisp. I was so proud of them!

Right now Ash and Cilan were working on lunch, from all the berries and fruits Iris had brought from the forest. We were all waiting eagerly for lunch... or at least, most of us were. Ralts was looking around with a confused expression on his face.

"Ralts, what's wrong?" I asked him worriedly.

"He must be looking for the little spy that has been hiding since we started cooking," Ash whispered conspiratorially from the cooking area.

"Spy?!" I hissed in concern.

"A wild pokemon that must surely be waiting for us to get distracted and steal food from us," Riley chuckled. "Don't worry, from the aura I can tell that the pokemon is young... and female."

"A wild pokemon?!" Now I was excited.

"Do you want to go and catch her?" Iris inquired playfully.

"I... I do," I answered hesitantly. "But I want to do this on my own."

Ash stopped cooking to turn to look at me with a thoughtful expression. "Explain your reasons."

"I... I've earned the respect and loyalty of my team by befriending them, and while that is good, I want to have the experience of battling a wild pokemon before catching them. To prove I am worthy and a good trainer, through my battling skills," I explained as good as I could.

"Ok, but take Pikachu with you in case anything happens," Ash allowed me with a proud smile, a smile that made my heart skip with happiness. "Be careful!"

"We will!" I cheered, and rushed after my Ralts who had jumped on Mightyena and were running towards some bushes. Suddenly I saw a green flash, as a shadow ran away. "Mightyena follow the scent, Ralts try to sense the pokemon's emotions and guide her!" As one my pokemon team moved, trailing after the wild pokemon towards an empty clearing. "Is that a... Snivy?!" Finding a wild Snivy is very rare when you are not Ash Ketchum... but maybe by being his apprentice some of his luck must have rubb off on me. I just hope I do not get his unluck as well. "Ralts ask her if she is a wild pokemon please? I do not want to get into a dispute with another trainer."

"Ok," Ralts voice sounnding a bit robotical in my head, as he was still unevolved and young- mom's Gardevoir assured me that once he evolves it will be better. "She escaped... unworthy trainer... she is better..."

"So she considered her previous trainer unworthy and decided to leave them?" I deduced with a frown. "Was she abused?" I looked at the small Snivy worriedly, but with no pity. I could see that she was a prideful pokemon and I will not insult the pokemon I am trying to catch, that is just the wrong way to start a relationship with a new friend.

"No... he weak..." Ralts translated.

"Thank you, partner," I thanked my starter, before facing the wild Unova starter. "Snivy, I am Max Maple from Hoenn and these are my friends and team, Ralts, Shroomish, Mightyena, Pikachu, Shuppet, and Chikorita. I would like for you to join us, will you allow me to battle you and prove my worth as a trainer?" Snivy looked at me intensively, as if trying to read my mind through her piercing gaze. There was something in her eyes, a flash of recognition. Recognition of what? Finally, she nodded her head and prepared herself for a fight. "Great! Ralts, will you fight with me?"

"Yes!" Ralts answered determinately and jumped off Mightyena, in front of Snivy.

Snivy began the battle with an Attract, which Ralts dodged with a Teleport without any imput from me. "Swift!" I ordered as Ralts appeared behind Snivy. However, Snivy was quick and turned around, answering the Swift with a Leaf Storm. I was stunned that a first stage starter knew such a strong move, especially when they've been living as a wild pokemon for... Arceus knows how long. "Teleport away and use Disarming Voice!" Our attack hit her point blank, but it still did not bring her down- she is quite the tough cookie. Snivy answered with a Vine Whip, five consecutive hits, which Ralts dodged with Teleport. "Use Confusion!" I commanded, as Ralts dodged the last Vine Whip from Snivy. This was enough to confuse her and leave her swaying around. "Finish it with Swift!" I shouted in victory as I saw Snivy faint. I rapidly threw a Poke Ball and waited in eagerness as it beeped. "We caught a Snivy!" I jumped happily with my pokemon, as the Poke Ball became small and teleported to the Lab of Professor Birch, as I already have a full team.

"We did it!" Ralts celebrated with me and my team, I could feel the emotions of pride and happiness he shared with me.

"Well done!" I rapidly turned around to a beaming Ash, he was leaning against a tree with a proud smile on his face. I could not stop myself and jumped into his arms. I laughed as he spun me around. "I am so proud of you Max! And do you know what's the best of this?"

"What?" I asked him laughing.

"No one can tease me about it! It was you the one who caught the last Unova region starter!" Ash crooned in victory.

I paused and looked at him deadpanned, before a teasing smirk drew on my lips. "Really? Well, there's the fact that out of everyone in our group of friends the only ones with two regional starter pokemon are those trained or mentored under you."

"Wait... what?" Ash froze and looked at me incredulously, while Ash's Pikachu was laughing his ass off.

"You did not know?" I gasped in faux-shock. "There's May with Blastoise and Venasaur, then Dawn with Piplup and Cyndaquil, and now me, with Chikorita and Snivy. From which you were the one who gave me one of them. So, I am pretty sure everyone is going to blame and tease you about it."

"No..." Ash's eyes widened in horror at the realization I was speaking the truth. "Noooooooo!"