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

I Ash's Lucario's P.O.V

On our way to Opelucid City, we had various adventures but did not let any of them stop us. That is until we reached Vibrank City, where we met with our filmaking friends Luke and Zorua. Who was there to attend a preview event for Pokéstar Studios, a theme park opening soon within the film studio lots. So, we decided to aid him once more.

The script for Luke's film was named An Epic Defense Force. In which Cilan was the villain, Iris the priestess, and Riley and dad were the heroes. They portrayed a Blue Knights unit that travel around saving people and pokemon... so, pretty much they were just themselves.

I had much more fun this time, as Lucario-shisho and I also played our parts as their bonded aura partners. Also, dad's Tyranitar made an appearance as an evil pokemon that fought the noble Golurk of the story. It was a nice experience.

However, our stay in Vibrank City was far from over. Sightseeing the city we came across several trainers who were still reeling from their defeat at the hands of the Gym Leader, Roxie, who was a powerful Poison Master. With Cilan's help, we discovered the gym in an underground music club, where Roxie is the leader of a punk-rock trio known as Koffing and the Toxics. Their music was good and I enjoyed the concert they were giving.

It was then that Max had decided to challenge the gym. She might not be part of the Unova 8 Gym Challenge, but her gym was up there with Cheren's in term of strength. However, of course, dad's ranger communicator started to ring then and there. We had to leave and were not able to participate in the challenge. Which was a pity, I would have loved to see the look on those Poison-types pokemon when they saw they had to face me.

Lugia knows I love being invulnerable to poison!

"Sorry kido," my dad apologized with a small smile. "But duty calls."

"Don't worry, I understand," I answered solemnly.

"Good boy," I preened at the compliment and followed him inside the city's Ranger Headquarters. We were rapidly escorted to a business meeting room, where John Shooty, the highest ranking ranger in Unova, and Utau were already sitting. A Liepard was laying next to John, while Utau's faithful Altaria was out next to her trainer. "Good afternoon everyone," dad greeted them with a smile and took the seat at the head of the table. Pikachu jumped in front on the table in front of dad and I took my place on the right behind his chair. "So, what has happened?"

"We've seen a rapid decline of recruits for Team Plasma," Utau went straight for her report. "Not to mention, their image has also suffered and are not looked as positive as they were once before. Mostly because of the various interviews you've made about dealing with criminal syndicates and the sort. People have started to draw comparisons and realized that something was not right with Team Plasma."

"Which in return gave my rangers more room to opperate without any backlash from the public," John said his part. "Many lairs of Team Plasma have been found and dismantled. Pokemon forcefully freed from their trainers, happily reunited. We no longer need to depend on Unova's Ghost Team to do all the offensive maneuvers, we can put our part now."

"Good, that will be a weight off for sure. I was starting to think I was going to burn out my team with all the training and missions I've put them on," dad sighed in relief. "We might have started slow, but we are finally getting somewhere."

"Mostly because of your hardwork, thank you," John bowed politely, he was a very serious man.

"How are Trip and Tara?" Dad smiled at the older ranger, who allowed a small smile in return- even his Liepard looked happier at the mention of the kids, tail lazily swishing.

"Good, Trip only needs one more badge and my Tara is delighted with all her newly signed merchandise of The Saint she got for her birthday," John answered dad, which made him blush bashfully.

"What have you both really summoned me for?" Dad rapidly changed the topic conversation. John and Utau exchanged looks, making dad sit up and his expression turn serious. "What happened?"

"We got in contact with our spy in Team Plasma... there's this guy up in the hierarchy that seems to be doubting the real purpose of Team Plasma," Utau informed us slowly. "We came to ask you what to do? Do we bring him in as another spy? Or do we sit back, wait and observe for now?"

"Is it who I think it is?" Dad asked thoughtfully. John nodded his head in response. "Good. Bring him in. Wait! I'll do it myself. I'll even drag Zekrom for the conversation."

"I don't know who'll make the biggest impact on that boy, Ash or Zekrom?" Pikachu snickered.

"Ash," Liepard, Altaria, and I answered at the same time, without a second of hesitation, making Pikachu laugh.

"Then we shall proceed with..." dad rapidly tackled the plan lf action, with both Utau and John listening very attentively.

On the other hand, I decided to meditate for the meanwhile. Mostly focusing on my bond with my father. It was beautiful, filled with so much warmth and light. Not to mention, it was also loud. Because while my bond with him is the clearest of them all, not counting Pikachu's, it also worked as a pathway. A path straight to his core, where the holds all of us, all of his pokemon. Each of us with our own bond, even if the others can not feel it because of their incapacity to manipulate aura.

But I can. I can feel Feraligatr's happy beat, booming through dad's core and the tip-tap of his dance steps. Always keeping dad upbeat and reminding him to look at the good side if things. I can feel Bulbasaur's calm essence, helping dad to stop and take a breath. To think before acting. I can feel Charizard's blazing determination, always ready for a fight and to become stronger. Reminding dad to never give up and that he has a legion of pokemon to catch him if he ever falls.

I can feel Pikachu... his love and care for dad always has me at the edge of tears. It was so pure and honest. However, it was not innocent. It was a bond built with tears, sweat, and blood. They both worked hard and sacrificed a lot to get to where they are. I am not talking only about their power and position, but their bond. I heard the stories, of how they did not always get along... but to be able to feel it is completely different. The bond was built from hardship, trust, and experience. Somehow stronger than the ones that came naturaly.

I calmly came out his my trance after dad sent me a wave of aura, telling me that the meeting was over. I smiled at my father, the one who raised me, my bonded partner, and quietly followed him out. We did not need to talk, we can feel each other.

At the Pokemon Center we found a sad Max, who was clearly pouting. "He must have lost," I commented.

"He did," dad hummed. "Fighting Poison-types is not the same as fighting those with nature types. There's a lot of status effects to have into account. Well, it will be good for him to have the experience before the Pokemon League Conference."

"Ash!" Max rushed towatds dad with a forced smile. "Gallade, Raichu, and Meganium lost."

"That's what happens when you try to use all newly evolved pokemon," Iris scolded him haughtily.

"Iris, easy," dad warned her, making her look down in shame.

"Sorry," she apologized.

"Not to me," dad looked at Max.

"Sorry Max," Iris apologized again.

"It's ok, not that you were wrong," Max waved her apology not minding it. "It simply surprised me that Meganium was taken down, even with his Heal Pulse at work."

"Poison-types are tricky," dad commented with a grimace. "They are my least favorite pokemon type to battle."

"Mine too," Max agreed with a frown, before brightening up. "Good news! Boldore evolved into Gigalith! One of the other trainers that had lost to Gym Leader Roxie had a Gurdurr waiting to evolve into a Conkeldurr. So, we helped each other!"

"That's great Max! I'm happy for you!" Dad congratulated him. "Dinner is on me today!"

"Yes!" Both Max and Iris cheered, dragging dad inside.

"There's only Servine left to evolve," I commented, walking calmly next to Pikachu.

"Why do you think she requested to go to the ranch to train with Her Magesty?" Pikachu snickered. "She will be pissed to know she was the last one to evolve in her team."

"There's always time for a new member," I added. "Also, did you forget about Scraggy?"

"He is the baby of the team, they never count the baby of the team," Pikachu informed me. "Who do you think will be our next family member?"

"With dad's luck, maybe a Legendary will be joining us," I hummed.

"Wait! What did you just say?" Pikachu stopped frozen and turned to me slowly, his face showed his disbelief. "Did you just jynx us?!"

"Oh, Lugia.. I did!"