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

V Gary's P.O.V

Ash returned from his filming work trip, carrying a heavy secret that he couldn't share with me. It gnawed at him, but he realized there was no way for me to intervene. It must have been more Legendary business. Poor Ashy, oh, well I am here for him. So, I'll just listen as he babbles away about his time in Alola.

"Hey, Gary, it's good to be back! You won't believe what happened in Alola! Well, I found out that the Aether Foundation actually owns 5% of the Manolo Stadium. They invested in it and have now paid off their share. But here's the thing, the upcoming Alolan Pokemon League owns the other 95% of the stadium. They used the money they earned from various events that rented the place to build the gyms and the league headquarters. It's kind of a complicated situation."

"That does sound complicated," I raised an eyebrow at that. I was not expecting him to talk about that, but Ashy must surely be using this to distract himself. I'll listen and wait until he is ready to tell me everything. "So, the Aether Foundation has a stake in the stadium, and the League used the funds from events to develop the gyms and headquarters. It seems like a unique collaboration.

"Exactly!" Ash exclaimed with a huge smile that did not reach his eyes. What really happened there to have Ash so shaken? "Now, let me fill you in on the upcoming Gym Leaders and their pokemon teams. On Akala Island, we have Kahili, who will be the Flying-type gym leader. Her team consists of Toucannon, Oricorio, Hawlucha, Braviary, Mandibuzz, and Crobat. I can't wait to test her! It will be good practice before I face against Larry!"

"Flying-type, huh?" I smirked in amusement. "That must have you all pumped up. Kahili's team sounds challenging with those diverse pokemon. It will keep challengers on their toes."

"Definitely!" Ash agreed, this time his smile looked more real. "On the same island, we also have Mohn, Lillie and Gladion's father, who will be the Generalist gym leader. I am so happy that there will be more generalist gyms outside of the Orange Archipelago. Now that I think about it, my league is filled with them!" I laughed at his panicked expression, though I was immensely proud of him starting to call it his league. "His team is quite unique and consists of Shiny Nihilego, Zoroark, Bewear, Oranguru, Drampa, and Kommo-o. Mohn has quite the interesting lineup, doesn't he? Not to mention, that most of his pokemon are well known around the Melemele Island! Bewear is the queen of the forest, Oranguru is the Forest Sensei, and Drampa the Forest Grampa."

"Hey! I heard about them when I was in Alola!" I exclaimed, eyes widening in surprise. "I tried to catch the Bewear, but my poor Nidoqueen got trashed good! She is way too strong!"

"That she is!" Ash agreed. "Charizard had a pure strength battle with her... let's just say he lost for the first time in a long time."

"Charizard?!" I repeated stunned. "The same Charizard that took Darach's Entei without your commands? Wow... now I really want to battle him. I heard the kahunas praising him before, but I did not realize he was that good."

"I didn't get a full battle from him, maybe I will next time I am in Alola!" Ash perked up, making me smile softly.

Now, that's the Ash I know and love, I thought warmly. Outloud I said: "With the Saint Festival keeping you so busy? I would rather rethink it."

"Moving on to Melemele Island, we have Guzma as the Bug-type gym leader," Ash continued, completely ignoring my words and sticking his tongue at me, like the child he is. "His team includes Golisopod, Ariados, Pinsir, Scizor, Masquerain, and Vikavolt. We also have Plumeria, who will be the Poison-type gym leader. Her team consists of Salazzle, Alolan Muk, Toxapex, Dragalge, Gengar, and Golbat. Poison-types can be tricky opponents, just like her."

"Plumeria's team is full of toxic surprises, I see," I snickered at my own bad joke, as Ash gave a disapproving look. "Hey, arent' they part of Team Skull? The bad guys of the Alola Islands?"

"Bad guys? They are simply misunderstood kids!" Ash scoffed. "Reckless kids that take it out on others, but after a good scolding they stopped misbehaving." I shuddered at the memory of Ash's scoldings. Those poor kids. "Also, Guzman had some kind of beef with Professor Kukui, I don't know what happened while I was scolding those kids but the two seem to have talked it out and are good now. Plumeria follows Guzman, so she was never really an issue. They are good now, still edgy and punk, but good. The kids now are trainers in the gyms of Guzman and Plumeria."

"Good for them," I hummed. "What about Ula'ula Island? Who are the Gym Leaders there?"

"There we have Acerola, the island kahuna's niece, as the Ghost-type gym leader. Her team includes Sableye, Gengar, Mimikyu, Palossand, Dhelmise, and Banette. Her Gengar is a Totem Pokemon I helped her catch and her Mimikyu is shiny!"

"What is it with Alola Gym Leaders and their shiny pokemon?" I wondered in disbelief. "They are not that easy to catch! Did you already infect them?!"

"They already had them way before they met me!" Ash protested with a cute pout. "Going back to business, the other Gym Leader of the island is Molayne. It will be Steel-type gym, and his team includes a Skarmory, Metagross, Alolan Sandslash, Alolan Dugtrio, Magnezone, and Bisharp. And guess what! In Poni Island, my short time mentee, Ilima, will be the Gym Leader of the Normal-type gym! Isn't that great?!" Ash did not even bother to name Ilima's pokemon, as I already knew them, and continued telling me about the last Gym Leader. "Lastly, we have Mina, she is a Fairy Master, and that makes Alola the third region with a Fairy-type gym, after Kalos and Galar." I raised an eyebrow at that, it was impressive. But not as impressive as being the first region in having a Generalist gym, that one was taken by the Orange Archipelago. Take that! "Her team consists of a Ribombee, Shiinotic, Alolan Ninetales, Klefki, Granbull, and Wigglytuff."

"Lance would shudder facing that team," I commented, making him laugh. I looked at Ash in wonder, that had been his first real laugh since he had come back. I'll count it as a win! However, my victory was short lived as I noticed Serena having a panic attack nearby. "If you give me a second, I have to check on something." Ash simply smiled proudly at me, making the warmth in my heart grow. "What's gotten into you now child?" I asked her with a huff, being a mentor was such a drag.

Serena looked up, from where she was sitting, eyes starting to tear up, making me panic, before wailing: "GARY!"

Since when have I become her older brother figure? I wondered internally, totally panicking. Since when have I picked up Ash's antics? I do not know, yet here I am. I mean, Ash was away and I did what he normally does! Aid every passing person! Is this a curse? I got involved in a stupid brothers quarrel between Blake, Heath and ther Meowstics. Why did I scold them into making amends? Was I also infected by Auntie Delia through Ash? To make things worse, afterwards I gave advice to Clemont about how to ask for forgiveness. Me? Who do I think I am to tell Clemont to apologize to the Luxio for not making it in time for their last meeting after he had graduated from the Coumarine Academy? Yet, I did... and it worked! Luxio had accepted Clemont back and caught him! What in Lugia's name is happening with me?! While I was having an internal meltdown, Serena continued to have an outside meltdown, continuing to talk about how cute and kind Shauna was, as she hugged her newly caught Pancham to her chest. That's it! I am spending too much time with Ash! I do not get paid enough for this shit!