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

II Charizard's P.O.V

I snorted in amusement as I watched Lucario blush under the attention of Greninja and Hisuian Zoroark. This was after aiding Sanpei and Greninja complete their mission for his ninja master Saizo. My poor nephew, Lucario, was a blushing mess as the other two male pokemon kept heavily flirting with him. Lucario had no idea how to respond and was one second away from fainting. That is, until Ash entered the scene and had them give Lucario some space. I chuckled as Lucario hid behind Ash, but still kept peaking over Ash's shoulder at the smirking Greninja and Hisuian Zoroark.

"Adorable, aren't they?" Blastoise commented drily, plomping himself beside me.

"They are," I agreed, turning to look at Gary's starter. "What brings you to my side when even my teammates are fleading from me?"

"Well, if you were not brooding so darkly they would be not afraid to approach you," Blastoise replied with a deadpan. "But I am here for answers, what happened in Alola?"

With just that question I was transported back to the Temple of the Sun and Moon, as Ash and Pikachu fainted in my arms.

My fiery breath trembled as I watched the events unfold in the sacred Temple of the Sun and Moon. My powerful wings beat anxiously, causing gusts of wind to swirl around me. My eyes, filled with a mix of protectiveness and fear, were fixed on my Trainer, Ash, and my brother-in-arms, Pikachu.

As Ash and Pikachu succumbed to the overwhelming power of their synchronized Z-Move, I felt a surge of adrenaline course through my veins. My instincts screamed at me to rush to their side, to shield them from any harm that might befall them. But my path was obstructed by Tapu Koko, the enigmatic guardian deity, who seemed to hold a mysterious power over Ash and Pikachu.

Growling with frustration, my eyes blazed with an intense fire as I glared at Tapu Koko, daring the deity to bring any more harm to my cherished trainer and friend. Still amidst my fury, I couldn't shake off the fear that gnawed at my heart. The fear of losing Ash and Pikachu, my family. We had been through countless battles together, triumphed over formidable foes, and shared joyous moments of victory. We had forged an unbreakable bond, a connection that surpassed words or boundaries.

I remembered the countless times Ash had believed in me, even when others doubted my potential. I recalled the times when Ash's unwavering trust had fueled me to push beyond my limits, igniting flames of strength I never knew existed. And Pikachu, my brother, who had stood by my side in the face of adversity, our teamwork and camaraderie an inspiration to all.

The thought of losing them, of a world without their presence, sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn't bear the idea of their vibrant spirits extinguished, their laughter silenced, and their dreams left unfulfilled. It was a fear that clutched at my very being, a fear that transcended the realm of battle and touched the depths of my soul.

I was ready to lay waste to anyone who threatened our precious bond. I had never felt such fury and bloodthirst before... not since my Mega Evolution snapped away and I had thought my trainer was dead. I almost killed Salamence then, and I would have done the same to Tapu Koko, had Ash and Pikachu not needed me more.

My fierce gaze softened as I watched Ash and Pikachu, their bodies now motionless, cradled delicately in my strong arms. Tears welled up in my eyes, shimmering like liquid amber. I lowered my head, my fiery breath steadying into a soft, comforting warmth. Gently, I nuzzled Ash and Pikachu, my scales caressing their still forms with tenderness and devotion. The fear I felt was etched deep within my heart, but it only fueled my resolve to protect them, to keep them safe from the perils of a world that could be cruel and unforgiving.

In that quiet moment, as the weight of my emotions threatened to consume me, Imade a silent vow. I would guard Ash and Pikachu with every beat of my fiery heart, standing as their eternal shield against the darkness that lurked in the shadows. For I knew, deep in my soul, that they were my purpose, my reason for existence. And as long as I drew breath, I would never let them go.

"Nothing," I answered, hearing my own voice faraway, or was it my heartbeat too loud? "Nothing happened in Alola." I knew better than to reveal anything, not when Ash did not want Gary or anyone really, to worry about him. "Stop asking!" I growled, feeling slightly bad as even Blastoise flinched away from my fiery glare.

"I won't push," Blastoise replied, gazing me cautiously. "But you need to fix that attitude before you end up killing someone. You are no longer that young Charizard that traveled with Ash through Kanto. You can match Legendaries in power now, you can kill someone from one hit if you are not careful."

"It is surprising, isn't it?" My glare softened, as I turned to look towards my new teammates training. Ash had left with Lucario and Pikachu, so I was not worried about him. Though, having him at hearing distance and being able to listen to his heartbeat, did calm me down. "Back when we started, we were both quite childish. Who would have thought that we would have made it this far?"

"It is surprising," Blastoise snickered in agreement. "Back then I was too cocky and Gary was still pulling Ashy's pigtails. Now, we can both face off Legendaries, we do it daily back in the Orange Archipelago!"

I threw my head back and laughed out loud. The good old days. Though, our laughing stopped when we heard shouting coming from the Skiddo ranch we were visiting. I didn't even turn around to see if Blastoise was following me, before flying towards the noise. When I reached the origine of the sound I stopped and started to backtrack slowly.

"What are you doing?" Blastoise asked me stunned, as he finally reached me. "Shouldn't you be aiding our trainers?"

"Get back!" I hissed/whispered frantically. "He is scolding Serena's mother!"

I watched as all color left Blastoise face and started to backtrack slowly. I swore to stand beside Ash and Pikachu before anyone... anyone but an angry, scolding Ash.

"What kind of mother do you think you are?!" Ash's glare was straight down frightening. "You have not seen your daughter for months, after years of isolating her and forcing her to train into something she hates. What do you do when you first see her? You ask if she's keeping up her Rhyhorn race training! When she kept on repeating over and over again that she does not want to be a Rhyhorn racer! Do you you even care about what she wants? Do you even care about her?" Ash huffed, shaking his head in disappointment. "You know what, leave. I will not allow you near her again, until you earn it."

"B-but..." Serena's mother (what was her name again?) stuttered, looking at her daughter. The heartbreak in her face made my heart ache when Serena looked away from her. "Ok."

I watched as Serena's mother left dejectedly and returned to her coaching classes. Ash, on his part, was scoffing as Gary had Serena in his arms. I raised an eyebrow impressed, my trainer was most of the time kind and gentle... but he could be cruel and a hardass when he wants to.

That's why he is my trainer.