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

III Trip's P.O.V

"So, this is the Orange Archipelago," I commented with a hum, as my family and I were getting off the cruise we had taken from the Decolore Islands. "It's colorful... I do not know why I was expecting something different. It's very Ash-like."

"It's incredible! Is that a pink Rattata?!" Tara turned to the left in wonder. There was a girl, the same age of my little sister, with a Bulbasaur on her left and a pink Rattata on her right. "Is it a shiny pokemon?"

"No, that's a pokemon from the Pinkan Island," our father corrected her. "It is a natural wildlife preserve in the Orange Archipelago. The pink pokemon of the island are highly sought after by poachers, so people are not allowed on the island. Mostly only researchers and Officer Jenny's team stay there, in the few buildings that are around the island." I winced at the angry frown on my father's face at the mention of poachers. If there is one thing my father hates more than Team Plasma it would be poachers. "The location used to be deliberately kept a secret to avoid outside interference. The natural defenses of the islands also aided to keep that secret."

"Natural defenses?" Tara inquired confused.

"Used to be kept a secret?" I wondered curiously.

"Pinkan Island is surrounded by giant whirlpools and its sheer cliffs are the only way onto the island," father explained to Tara, before turning to me. "As for why it is not a secret now, mostly because the Orange Archipelago now has it's own Pokemon League and Ranger Headquarters in every island. There's one in the Pinkan Island. Not to mention, Ace Captain Ketchum has already dealt with the poachers using the islands as a smuggling route between the regions of Hoenn, Sinnoh, Kanto, and Johto- with a connection point with the Decolore Islands. Many trainers and tourists are allowed in, with supervision, and one can catch pokemon if they follow the same rules as the Safari Zone in Kanto."

"Safari Zone? What's that?" Mom turned to father curiously.

"The Safari Zone is a special pokemon preserve in Kanto that trainers can enter to capture pokemon," my father answered mom's question. "However, trainers cannot send pokemon to battle the wild ones they desire to capture. All you can do is try and convince them to join you, then you capture them with a Safari Ball which sends the newly captured ball back to the entrance point. That's where the ones in charge check that the pokemon was truly uninjured and that you followed the rules."

"Wait? You cannot use pokemon in the Safari Zone?!" I turned to my father in shock. "What if a wild pokemon attacks you?"

"No, you cannot. They tell you to leave your pokemon with them at the entrance point and you can pick them up later. You need to keep in count that they are wildlife preserves, you need to respect the rules they give you to preserve the place. However, you can take one pokemon with you for defense and there are rangers patroling the areas in case of issues arising."

"I did not know there was a place like that here," I commented impressed. "No wonder Ash talks about the archipelago with so much love and fondness. It's almost as if the place was alive."

"It is," Tara corrected me. "The Saint described the Orange Islands as a place filled with life, nature, and love. It is chaotic and with adventures on every corner. But it is alive like nothing he has ever seen before, be it from the waves crashing on the shores, or the wind moving the trees, or the way nature and industry go hand in hand here... while, the Alola Islands are peaceful, the Orange Archipelago is like riding a wave of adventure."

"No better place like this one for him to be champion then," I smiled fondly at my sister.

"Look! That's Ash's mom's new restaurant! And that's the ice-cream shop Ash raved about in the magazine interview I read the other day! Oh! That's the local brand that costume made Ash's new champion jacket/cape!" Tara was rushing from one place to the other, taking pictures and beaming with happiness. "When I get my first pokemon I am coming here to the Orange Archipelgao, I'll challenge the Orange Pokemon League!"

"It will be hard," I commented, ignoring mom's disapproving look and father's warning one.

"Why is that?" Tara inquired in confusion.

"By the time you are ready to compete, with the pace you are going with your studies, it will be the first year the league is open," I informed her. "Many powerful and experienced trainers will come here, all seeking the glory of becoming the first ones to win the Pokemon League of a region. I, myself, am thinking of joining the quest. The one who wins will make history. Do you think you can handle that kind of pressure?"

"I'll do my best! If I allow fear to stop me from taking the first step, then I will never be able to make it in life!" Tara told me with determination.

"I could have not said it better!" We all jumped startled and turned around to find Ash and his Pikachu and Lucario. Standing next to them was a very peculiar looking Slowking. Wait a minute... that's a Galarian Slowking! "It's good to see you again Head John, Trip," Ash smiled at us, before turning to the females of our group. "And you must be Abby and Tara, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"A-A-Ash Ketchum!" Tara shouted in shock and excitement, I winced and prepared myself for the hoard of fans that were about to pounce on us... but they never came. I turned to the Galarian Slowking and saw his eyes shinning with psychic power for a moment. So, he did something to mask Ash's presence and Tara's outburst... interesting. "I am a big fan of yours!"

"I know, you dad and big brother told me," Ash chuckled. "The hat looks good on you!" Tara was as red as the hat, which was a limited edition, an exact copy of the hat Ash was wearing for his journey through Unova. "Would you like me to sign it?" Poor Tara was speechless and gasping for air, but still with all those issues she was able to hand him the hat. Ash rapidly signed it with a black marker and gave it back. Tara hugged it to her chest as if it was a priceless treasure. "Are you all here for the opening of the new branch of the Battle Frontier? Or for the Legend Festival in Shamouti Island?"

"Both really, we are also thinking of paying a visit to the Pinkan Island," mom answered.

"Nice! If you end up deciding to go tell me, I'll have them add you to a list soon. The Pinkan Island tends to get overun wtih reserves when big events are happening in the archipelago." Ash informed us with a smile. "As for the Battle Frontier you'll enjoy the place! Unlike the Battle Frontier of Kanto, it is not spread all over the region, so they added hotels, restaurants, and resting areas all around the place. There are water taxis and pokemon transports for you to go from island to island. You can even consider it a amusement park for those that love battling, all battle facilities will be open for the public. It will be awesome! I might not be battling but I was put in charge of the opening!"

Ash gave us a smile that hid behind a deep secret. As if he was silently telling us that he knew something we did not.

What was he planning?

Anyway, this trip will be a blast and I am planning on enjoying it till the end.