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

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

As a Lucario, I felt the deep connection that bound me to my trainer, my dad, especially since we are aura partners. Our aura bond allowed us to share not only emotions but also a profound understanding of each other. And in that moment, as we stood in the Champion Tower on the Orange Archipelago, I could sense a change in father. His aura radiated with a newfound lightness, a weight lifted from his shoulders. The heaviness that had burdened him seemed to have dissipated, replaced by a sense of peace and acceptance. It brought me immense joy to witness his transformation, for I had been by his side throughout his journey of healing.

I could feel the depth of his emotions, the remnants of grief and sadness still lingering within him, but they were no longer overwhelming. Father's heart had found solace, and he had come to terms with the guilt that had plagued him. The bond we shared allowed me to feel his relief, his healing process unfolding before me.

As I looked into father's eyes, I saw a flicker of hope, a spark of renewed determination. It was a testament to his resilience and strength of spirit. I had witnessed the depths of his sorrow, the burden he carried. But now, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and happiness, for he was on the right path. Father had embraced the healing journey, confronted his guilt, and found forgiveness within himself. It was a crucial step towards his growth, not only as a trainer but also as an individual. And in turn, it strengthened our bond, allowing me to provide unwavering support and understanding.

The aura bond between us allowed me to mirror his emotions, to stand alongside him as a loyal partner and confidant. I could sense his lighter mood, the genuine smiles that graced his face more often. It was as if a weight had been lifted, clearing the path for him to move forward with renewed purpose and clarity.

As I watched father interact with Gary, their love and support for each other palpable, I felt a surge of gratitude. Gary had become an integral part of Ash's healing process, a pillar of strength and comfort. Their relationship brought an added layer of joy and stability to father's life, further aiding his journey towards healing. In that moment, as father and Gary's laughter filled the air, I knew that we were all on the right path. The road to healing is not linear, and there would be challenges ahead. But with father's lighter spirit and the love that surrounded him, I was confident that we could face anything that lay in our path.

However, this also put me in a troubling situation. As I had been mostly focusing on my trainer, I had put aside many of my personal issues... well, two issues to be more specific.

Greninja and Hisuian Zoroark.

They are just too cool and handsome! It is not fair! I whined in my head, as I pouted, eyes lingering on their forms as they sparred against each other.

I couldn't help but be aware of the undeniable attractiveness and strength of two of my teammates. Their physical prowess and unique appearances captivated my attention, making it difficult to ignore the conflicting emotions stirring within me.

Greninja, with his sleek and agile form, embodied the essence of a true ninja. His dark blue body contrasted strikingly with the yellow chest, while the white triangular markings over his eyes added a touch of mystique. The red eyes, complemented by the white pupils, held a certain intensity that spoke of his power. And when Greninja moved, it was with a grace and speed that left me in awe.

Hisuian Zoroark, on the other hand, carried a ghostly aura that was both haunting and intriguing. His disheveled gray coat, adorned with red and white accents, hinted at the hardships he had endured. The mane, now longer and white, framed his face, adding an ethereal quality to his appearance. The eyes, red with yellow sclera, seemed to hold a depth of emotion that mirrored his transformation. Hisuian Zoroark's resemblance to an embodiment of death only added to his enigmatic allure.

It was challenging for me to reconcile these conflicting feelings within myself. Both Greninja and Hisuian Zoroark possessed unique qualities that drew me in. Greninja's ninja-like abilities and unwavering loyalty appealed to my admiration for strength and agility. Meanwhile, Hisuian Zoroark's ghostly appearance and the depth of emotion it exuded stirred something deep within me, a desire to understand and protect.

Yet, I knew that as a Lucario, my duty extended beyond personal desires and attractions. I had a responsibility to my father and the team as a whole. It was crucial for me to maintain a level of professionalism and focus on our shared goals.

However, I couldn't deny the flutter of emotions whenever I found myself in the presence of Greninja or Hisuian Zoroark. Their power, grace, and unique appearances continued to captivate me. And while I navigated these conflicting feelings, I reminded myself of the importance of maintaining balance and prioritizing our collective journey.

"Maybe you should close your mouth, before you start drooling," Uncle Charizard teased me.

"S-shut up!" I stuttered, blushing in embarrassment.

"Don't start acting all shy now," Uncle Charizard's smirk was all teeth and wickedness. "You were the one who was just now eating two pokemon with his eyes." I muffle a scream with my hands, as I brought them up to hide my flaming face. "I don't see why are you acting all embarrassed, it is completely healthy behavior for a young pokemon like you. I don't think Greninja and Husian Zoroark would mind, especially with how much they love to flirt with you."

"You think I have a chance?" I asked him softly, not being able to meet his eyes and looking to the ground.

"Of course, you do," Uncle Charizard sounded much gentler this time around. I looked up to see him giving me a soft smile, before patting my head. "They adore you, Hisuian Zoroark has since he was a Husian Zorua, and Greninja started seeing you different the moment you evolved into a Lucario. It has been coming for a while, we had only been waiting for you to catch up."

"B-but I don't think I can choose," I admitted in shame and defeat.

"Choose? Why would you ever choose?" It was Uncle Charizard's time to sound confused.

"Well, I can't just choose both of them!" I snapped.

"What are you human?" Uncle Charizard asked me incredously. "Of course, you can have them both! You are a pokemon! Most of us are not even monogamous! Back in the Charizard Valley I had heat partners of all kind, female and male, even though my main mate was Charla. Even humans have polygamous relationships sometimes."

"But Bulbasaur and Squirtle, Pidgeot and Skarmory..." I turned around confused. "Every pokemon here is monogamous!"

"Because Ash's pokemon are weird, I thought we already explained that," Uncle Charizard deadpanned. "Then again, you were born into this madness so you might not realize what true normalicity is."

"Well, I once thought that meeting Legendaries was normal and asked a wild pokemon why he was so surprised to see Lugia around," I admitted embarrassed.

"Ash truly ruined us all," Uncle Charizard chuckled, shaking his head. "Look kiddo, they both want you. Heck, they've been courting you together. If anything they would not accept it if you choose one of them and not both."

"So, it is ok," I whispered in relief. "I... I need to go..."

"Just leave and make sure you are faraway," Uncle Charizard shooed me. "I don't want to hear you fucking."

I blushed, but did as he said and left. Though, from his glare the next morning, I did not go far enough.