Going forward and beyond {Path of the Aura Ranger: Book I}

II Pikachu's P.O.V

I was never more relieved by an interruption than when Honedge appeared yesterday out of the blue. I feel kind of bad by my relief because there was an Oddish hanging off her cloth, but I could no longer stand Jolteon and Buneary's glaring contests. Also, the only issue with Oddish was the lack of food. After sharing our dinner with her, she was feeling ok. She even decided to join Dawn's team!

I smiled in nostalgia; it was like our first journey. During our first forest, we met and caught our first two members of the family. It's just a pity that no one in the team, other than the original members, have been able to meet Butterfree. Even Primeape and Muk haven't met him! He and his mate could have lived happily at Professor Oak's ranch. Luckily, Ash kept Butterfree's Poke Ball so no one else can catch him. The same with Lapras.

I am happy that we finally had three of our old members back... but I could not help but wish we had them all.

Greedy I know...

I especially miss Larvitar. He was the first egg that we've ever helped hatch on our own. He was like a son to me. But he needed to return to his mother. Being able to help and experience Larvitar's hatching was magical, in a way Donphan could not match. Donphan was Ash's baby, he knows it, Ash knows it, everyone knows it. But Larvitar... he was mine. Ash was his big brother, his amazing uncle. However, I was his father. Which was another reason why I was angry with Umbreon. Taken away my chance of being there for Jolteon was unforgivable.

"Pikachu?" Ash called me out. "Are you ok buddy?" He asked me, worriedly.

"Ah!" I squealed in pleasure, as he rubbed my cheeks the way I like. "I'm fine, Ash. Don't worry." I answered him, feeling bad for lying.

"Don't believe you... but I'll let it go." He whispered back, and I honestly felt better. I love how he always understands me, even if we have a language barrier. Suddenly a Sunny Day was fired close by. "Pikachu."

"On it Ash!" I assured him, jumping off-shoulder and taking a defensive position in front of them. Ash pulled Dawn behind him and called Honedge out. "Show yourself!" I shouted, Jolteon standing on my left as Honedge guarded our trainer and Dawn.

"Oh, our apologizes," a handsome princelike guy appeared from within the trees, with a Budew by his side. The guy even had a goddamn Mew harp. "We were just training."

"Our apologizes," Budew repeated, bowing slightly alongside her trainer.

Ash looked at me, and he relaxed when I nodded my head. They were clear. Jolteon and I returned to his side and he finally let Dawn from behind him, but he kept Honedge hanging on his belt like a real sword.

"No harm, no fool." Ash goofed, but I knew there was an underline of disapproval. "But next time try not to train so close the route's pathway." He scolded lightly, a smile still in place as he puffed his chest a little to delicately show off his Ranger's Badge on his vest.

The prince looked at the Badge for a second before smiling softly and theatrically bowing, Budew following suit, and said: "I understand."

"Good," Ash replied, finally relaxing completely and returning to his usual self.

"My name is Nando and this is my friend and partner Budew." He presented himself, his comforting smile still in place.

"Nice to meet you," Budew greeted us.

He's not such a bad guy. I can clearly see that his Budew is well-taken care of and he seems to truly care about her. Not to mention he has this beautiful scent of roses, not overpowering like Drew but a delicate and light scent. Not to mention anyone who can make my trainer blush, even a light one, cannot be bad.