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

I Charizard's P.O.V

"So... Slowking will have to go back to being Ash's shield," Tyranitar commented with a chuckle.

The screams of the fans were starting to get so loud. It's been a couple of days since the match against Champion Alder. Ash's new group was back on the road, while Ash had to stay back for various interviews and photoshoots. Ever since we defeated Champion Alder, Ash and us are everything the Unova news have been talking about. Any kind of anonimaty Ash used to possess in this region is gone. Which if it wasn't so annoying, it would be hilarious- as Ash had not stopped moaning against Pikachu's fur ever since.

"I was honestly expecting more from a Champion that is considered the third strongest Generalist Master in the world," I complained, while defeating the dragon was fun the other two battles were boring.

"At least, you guys got to fight," Sceptile glowered at me. He had been the next pokemon on the team, but never got the chance to battle. Having Bayleef around kept him from sulking, but now that his son was traveling with Max, no one could stop him. "Hey!" Sceptile complained, as Meganium slapped him in the back of his head with her vines. "What was that for?"

"Stop sulking like a child!" Meganium chastied him. "Ash will give you a good fight soon enough. It's not like there are not Elite Four trainers and Champions jumping at the chance to battle our trainer. You should be happy Ash had finally achieved one of his dreams and defeated a Champion fair and square!"

Well, it seems that his mate can keep him in check, I thought amusedly.

"Calm down children," Pidgeot scolded them, prime and proper like always. "Yes, we should all be very proud of our achievement. Champion Alder was a noble opponent," she glared at me, making me chuckle. He was weak... at least, compared to us. I will not appologize for enjoying how powerful Ash had trained us to be. "Also, he is not the third strongest Generalist Master, but the fifth."

"Fifth?" Primeape, who had been meditating, turned to her with confusion. "Who is the third and fourth strongest then? I know that Champion Cynthia and Champion Diantha hold the top two spots."

"Ash at the moments holds the fourth spot," Pikachu informed us, which had as cheering in celebration. We've made it far since we began our journey. It was hard and painful, but worth it. "Champion Leon hold the third spot at the moment... but he will become the strongest soon enough."

"Leon? Who is this guy? I've never heard of him before," I turned to my oldest friend with a raised eyebrow.

"Champion Leon is the Champion of the Galar region," Pikachu told me, with her small arms crossed over his chest. "He has only been crowned a couple of months back, but has already been raising through the ladder of power. He is good and the reason why not many know him outside of Galar right now, is because that region, similar to Unova keeps to themselves. They mostly care about their achievements and what happens inside. Unova, Kalos, and Galar do not possess the same kind of community and cultural exchange as the regions we've traveled before." Pikachu then smirked mischieviously at me. "He actually holds the strongest Charizard in his team... or at least, that's what is being told."

"The strongest Charizard, eh?" I growled, smirking at the clear challenge Pikachu had given me. "We'll see that. We'll be visiting Galar in three years right?"

"Yes, after Kalos and one year focusing in the Orange Archipelago and aiding Alola with their new Pokemon League," Pidgeot answered me with a huff. "Battle junkie," she muttered under her breath in fond annoyance.

"They've already advanced this much?" Tyranitar inquired in surprise. "Can someone really make a Pokemon League in only two years?"

"Well, the only reason the Orange Island's Pokemon League is taking three years in because Ash is very young to take the position of Champion," Primeape replied. "But they've already have mostly everything done. All that's left is some paperwork and building the gyms. Even the publicity part is done, mostly thanks to Ash's popularity."

"Are we not going to talk about Krokorok? And how he evolved by sheer force of will?" Tepig finally broke the silence the newest pokemon Ash had caught were maintaining.

Ever since they've observed our battle against Champion Alder, they've been silent in our presence. I believe we spooked them with our power and ability. Or maybe they were contemplaining how much their growth will be when Ash is done with them. That's certainly what happened with Gabite, Dragonair, and Krokorok. The latter desiring to become stronger and prove his worth so much, that he evolved while watching us battle.

"I knew it would be the Fire-type the one with the guts to speak to us first!" I crowed. "By the way, why did Ash not catch that Snivy? Aren't Regional Starters his thing?" For some reason my question had Pikachu and the newest pokemon burst into laughter. "Anyways... She is fiesty! I like her! She would have made a good teammate."

"With her Magesty in our team? They would have killed each other!" Meganium chuckled. "They are good friends because they have different trainers, but under the same trainer? They would be constantly fighting for control and for his attention."

"True, they are both too much of a queen to share," Tyranitar nodded his head in understanding. What does the kid understand? Isn't he too young for that? "My mom would always tell me that there is only space for one queen."

"She is right," Pidgeot agreed. "There's a reason I do not go to her side of the ranch and she does not got to mine. The fact that it is mostly just Flying-types that flock around me also helps us from getting into territory battles."

"Also, Max deserves a second Regional Starter," Pikachu added his two cents.

"Females, I'll never understand them," I shook my head. "They are so fucking complicated!"

"Guys!" Ash burst into the room with a huge smile on his face. "Max's Snivy evolved into Servine!"

"That's great!" The newest pokemon jumped in excitement.

"How did that happen?" Oshawott asked in enthusiasm.

"They met this trainer Stephan and his Blitzle, who challenged them into a battle," Ash began to explain perkly. "They defeated them after Snivy evolved in the middle of the battle."

"See! We could have had that kickass Servine in our team!" I turned to my friends exasperated. "If anything I would have loved to watch Espeon be put in her place."

"Shut up Charizard," most of them said at the same time with a sigh.

"I am just saying..." I pouted.

"Shut up!"