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

V Cilan's P.O.V

"What did you two do now?" I sighed.

We had arrived at Paladin Island, only to see my two brothers there with a guilty expression on their faces.

Ah, I sighed internally. The woes of being the oldest brother.

"W-well.." Chili stuttered, looking down in shame.

"This woman came into our gym and challenged us," Cress answered. "She was arrogant and demanded we hand over the gym if she won."

"That's not legal," Ash commented wtih a frown. "If it were, any person with a gym badge could be a Gym Leader. It does not work like that."

"She won?" I turned to my brother with a raised eyebrow, knowing that expression when they exchanged looks. "And Chili accepted her deal hot headed."

"I did," Chili admitted, putting his head on his hands.

I was shocked. I've never seen him so... defeated. Maybe this will work like a wake up call for him to act with more maturity.

"I can talk with the Unova Ranger Commission," Ash offered. "They will deal with it swiftly."

"Thank you Ash," I smiled at my friend.

"But you want to deal with it yourself," Ash finished for me.

"I do," I agreed. "It is the Striaton Gym problem."

"Ok," Ash agreed. "I'll leave it up to you."

"Thank you," I replied and went to deal with this. I am always cleaning up my brothers messes, but that is why I am the oldest. Then again, I was not expecting to end up battling her. She is quite arrogant, just like my brothers had mentioned. She truly believes she and her Abomasnow can defeat us, if we are serious. Though, I plan on just using Pansage and show her what the Striaton Gym is about. "You know, your relationship with your pokemon lacks warmth and caring," I commented as Pansage evaded attack after attack. I could not stop myself, as a Pokemon Connoisseur. "You are not as effective as a team as you could be. It's very important for a trainer to connect with a pokemon's heart," I smiled at the excited smile my pokemon gifted me with. "The way Pansage and I are connected."

"I am not interested in connecting, I still defeated your brother and won your gym," Morana scoffed. "I just want to win! Ice Beam!"

Abomasnow's attack left my partner frozen. "Ah, then only reason why you were able to defeat him was because he was not using his A-Team," I scolded her, before turning to my frozen pokemon. "Pansage! You can do it! Break the ice and finish the battle!" My voice was able to reach Pansage through the ice, and he broke free with a powerful Solar Beam. Morana was too stunned to react, as Pansage's attack left Abomasnow unable to battle. I had won, and we got to keep our Gym... not that it was ever taken from us. "You have talent, don't waste it trying to blindly seek glory and forget what it's important."

"I can see that now," Morana replied softly, going to her pokemon's side. Abomasnow was awake now, looking down in shame. "None of that partner, it was a good battle," Morana scolded him gently, with a soft pat on the head. Abomasnow looked surprised by her gentleness. "Let's get stronger and defeat him next time!"

"Abomasnow!" The pokemon roared with determiantion.

"Not bad," Ash told me softly, with a proud smile on his lips.

"I know," I replied. "Now, if you excuse me, I need to have a talk with my brothers."

A talk I had. For some reason, they were even more scared than other times and there were even more tears. I might have learned a few things from the Ketchum family when it comes to scolding. I was pleased. It will help me keep my brothers on check. Gary, on the other hand, looked distressed and kept muttering 'It's spreading!', over and over again under his breath.

That was the most exciting adventure we had, until we finally reached the Kanto region!

"So, this is Kanto!" I looked around in excitement.

"Home sweet home," Gary smirked, as we were unboarding the Delecore Queen in Vermilion City.

"Maybe I should pay a visit to Lt. Surge," Ash commented, as Pikachu's cheeks sparkled with excitement. "It's been a while."

"I would like to make it to Pallet Town soon," Alexa said apologetically. "I do have a meeting with Professor Oak to interview him."

"I also need to get on the train to Hoenn on time," I added. "I plan to enter a fishing competition in that region."

"Are you truly a Grass Master?" Gary inquired with a raised eyebrow. "I mean, you love fishing more than your Water Master brother!"

"We all have our own hobbies," I smiled flamboliantly, but then noticed the faraway look on my friend's eyes. "Ash? Is everything ok?" He turned to me and I gasped in shock. His eyes were blue... aura blue. "Is there something wrong?"

"I feel so much pain, sadness... someone is wailing..." Ash murmured with so much sadness. Gary was quick on his feet and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend. Ash sniffled on Gary's chest. "I need to help them..."

"We will, Ash," Gary answered him seriously, not even using his nick name. "Lead us and we will follow."

Gary has summarised in six words our whole journey.

Ash then lead us to an abandoned building that sent shivers down my spine.

"This place looks haunted," Alexa commented with a grimmace.

Ash tilted his head to the side with a thoughtful hum. "You are not that far off," Ash said before going inside and putting an aura shield on the door.

"Ashy!" Gary growled, with an exasperated huff. Ten minutes later, Ash came out with a smile on his face and a Poke Ball on his hand. "Of course, you caught a pokemon. What else is new?"

Ash smiled apologetically, giving him a short kiss, before turning to me. "We need to get moving, we had a train to catch."

The goodbye was bittersweet. I laid my head on the window of my train compartment as the train began moving. I thought of all the adventures we've had together, the Legendaries we've met, the fun we've had... a lone tear fell down my cheek.

It's the most fun I've had so far.

I was going to miss them all.

A/N: Unova is finally finished!!! I am so happy! I didn't know what else to do with this region, but I hope I made it justice and you've all enjoyed it! Gengar finally made it home! He's here for all you that asked for him! Here we go into our next adventure! Here we go into our next adventure! Kalos, you are next!