Jhoto - Olivine City

Casey's battle against Jasmine was very intense, especially between her Electabuzz and Jasmine's Electivire. That was the battle which stole the show especially when Casey's Electabuzz evolved as he landed a strong focus punch on the older Pokemon. Lucario had watched the battle with bright eyes remembering his own battle with Lt Surge's Electivire. He would have to visit him once they return to Kanto and battle him again, he did teach him and helped him make his thunder punch stronger.

Casey, "Electabuzz, you did it! You evolved into Electivire."

Electivire gave a fist bump before he fainted, "Bzzz zzzzzzzzzz."

Casey, "ACK! Electivire!"

Ash, "He's exhausted."

Jasmine returned her Electivire, "Casey, congratulations on the evolution. Let's take him to the Pokemon center now."

Casey, "Yeah, .... I only defeated your Electivire, my Jolteon and Beedrill were no match against him though."

Jasmine shook her head, "That's not just any Electivire, Casey. He isy starter Electivire's first born."

Max's eyes widened, "Oh sweet Mew. That's so awesome. Casey you are awesome."

Casey was speechless and just nodded her head and followed Jasmine to the Pokemon center. Who didn't know about Jasmine's late starter Electivire and second Pokemon Ampharos, he was a hero who protected a school of underage children from human traffickers. Sadly he lost his life in the process and Jasmine had lost her first friend, Pokemon, partner and family member. Casey was still very young when that tragedy had occurred and she couldn't imagine loosing Meganium.

Casey looked at Jasmine who was chatting happily with Gou while answering Max's questions and agreed to a photo shoot for Todd. She definitely deserved her position as the gym leader of Olivine City. Casey smiled as they gave their Pokemon to Nurse Joy and Brock left to join his own shift. They would have to meet Riley and Mr Simon later and Brock was a little nervous about it and decided to calm down by focusing on his work. His aura had not acted up the way Ash and Misty's had acted so that was one good thing.

Riley waved Ash and Brock over, "Ash, Brock come here. This man here is Simon. He helped Yellow with her abilities and hopefully he can help you with your abilities too Brock."

Brock, "Nice to meet you Sir."

Ash, "We heard a lot about you the past few days."

Simon, "It's wonderful to meet you both as well. I'm happy to see Yellow, Riley and I are not the only ones with this ability alive."

Brock caught that wording, 'There were more?'

Ash, "I think some of our other friends might be aura sensitive too but I don't know if they will go active."

Simon, "Hmm... Let fate decide. Now Brock, I am mostly here for you. Shall we go talk?"

Brock, "I guess so."

Simon, "Relax, you don't have to make a decision right away."

Ash watched them go, "I hope Brock can work things out."

Riley ruffled his hair, "Don't worry, I'm sure he will make the best decision for himself."

Ash, "Stop that! Yeah, I guess so."

Riley, "Come on, I booked a training ground nearby for private training. I want to check how you are doing physically and battle wise."

Ash, "I think I'm good. I don't feel exhausted and I don't have to wear the neck piece anymore."

Riley put his hand around Ash's shoulder, "I will be the judge of that kiddo. Yellow will have my head if her patient gets hurt because I was not careful."

Ash laughed and followed the Aura Guardian to the field where Riley had him go through aura based exercises. From controlling his aura, to creating aura spheres which were transparent and finally shield made of purely aura. Riley hummed as he watched Ash go through the exercises and made sure he was not forcing himself. So far Ash seemed to be back to normal, aura wise at least, the physical training with his Pokemon seemed to have lessened his temptation to use aura.

He knew better than anyone how tempting it was to use aura, thankfully Riley and his Lucario had very stern talks with Ash's Lucario. After a few hours of training, Riley took Ash for lunch and the two talked about all the things that were happening in their respective lives. Riley had a blank look when Ash informed him about his encounter with Team Rocket who seemed to be right where the Legendary Pokemon were located. But the Aura Guardian didn't say anything and encouraged Ash to carry on, which he did and told Riley of lighter adventures.

Riley on the other hand spoke about Orre island and Lucario Kingdom which was being rebuild again. Ash looked at him curiously and Riley raised a sound proof shield with his Gardevoir and Gallade before deciding to give Ash a quick history. Lucario Kingdom had been sought by Team Galactic and one of the branches of Team Galactic calling itself Team Snagem almost succeeded. Ash almost choked on his rice on hearing about Team Snagem, that team was in the manga.

Riley, "Are you alright?"

Ash drank water and sighed, "Yes.... Snagem? Seriously?"

Riley gave a wry smile, "That was basically my reaction too."

Ash dropped the subject, "Anyway, did you notice that one of the three Legendary Guardians of Jhoto are always showing up in places we go to. I want to think it's a coincidence but I fear for the worst since everytime we run into them we are battling against either poachers or Team Rocket."

Riley's eyes sharpened, "You suspect there is an Aura user who betrayed our code?"

Ash, "I don't want to jump to conclusions, but that's what my instincts are screaming at me over and over. How else would you explain how Team Rocket keeps finding them? Of course it's possible they groomed a child as well."

Ash muttered, "It wouldn't be the first time."

Riley sighed, "Human greed is a terrifying thing."

Riley's Lucario poked him, -And yet you go around challenging them.-

Riley gave a cheeky smile, "Someone has to keep them in check."

Ash's Lucario, -You intentionally go after them, perhaps, we, on the other hand, get dragged into it out of nowhere.-

Ash gave a strained laugh, 'Like some cosmic force is making us do it.'

Brock was talking with Simon, "I really don't want to go under ground yet."

Simon, "Is it because of the kid?"

Brock, "Partially yes, but mostly because I want to prove to myself that I'm capable."

Simon laughed, "He is like a combination of Riley and Yellow. Riley would stand up against cruel people while Yellow would get dragged into it."

Brock snickered, "I guess so. They treat him like their own younger sibling as well. I suppose he would pick up some of their habits."

Simon, "I remember the amount of trouble those two got into."

Brock, "The only good thing is Ash knows better than to put himself in that type of limelight."

Simon, "His female personas."

Brock, "Yes, no one outside of a select trusted few knows about the personas he uses. That too because everyone is into it."

Simon, "I see, I suppose even the higher ups don't know?"

Brock, "Outside of the Champions and ex Champions. No one else, it's none of their business anyway."

Simon, "Indeed, now coming back to what we were talking about. Here is my suggestion, you want to accompany Ash for the next few years, then do so. Yellow followed Riley everywhere after her awakening. I suspect it's a healer's instinct. I did the same with my late sister."

Brock, "Ah!"

Simon, "However, I expect you to come to me once your powers and aura become more obvious. Thanks to the aura intensive nature of healing, we are less noticeable then the fighters. But after some time has passed our abilities become easily noticeable as well."

Brock nodded, "I understand! I will be careful."

Simon, "Let's go join the others. I believe Riley and Ash are probably done by now."

They met up with Riley and Ash who were heading towards the Pokemon center to meet up with the rest of the group. While the four of them were talking and training together, Gou and Max had run into Janina, apprentice of Jasmine. Jasmine's Ampharos had been feeling under the weather so Jasmine had sent Janina on an errand to grab some medicine for her. The three of them had run into Chuck the Gym Leader of Cianwood Gym who was sparring with Machoke.

Janina, "He trains that way all the time."

Max, "Cool! I thought our group was the only one."

Gou, "It's not a popular method of training but it's very effective."

Janina looked at them incredulously, "You all train the same way? Isn't that dangerous?"

Gou, "Without a watcher yes, it can be but if you have a watcher like that Hitmontop who is watching them intently, you'll be fine."

Max, "Yeah, besides with all the craziness that happens around us, it's better to be able to fight. Just in case we get separated from our Pokemon."

Chuck approached them, "Oh ho! What's this I hear? You are interested in training alongside your Pokemon as well."

Janina backed away, "Uhhh.. I'm good. I'm good."

Gou, "We train in a similar fashion."

Janina, "Huh?"

Max, "Yeah, it's very rare to find others who train like our group does."

Chuck, "Where are you youngsters off to?"

Janina, "Ampharos has been feeling under the weather so we were going to get her some medicine."

Chuck, "I see, I see! Poor girl! I'll let you get going on your way now. I look forward to you meeting me at my Gym."

Gou laughed, "I'm not into gym battles but I'm sure my friends would love to have Ace level battle with you."

Chuck's eyes glittered with anticipation, "That I look forward to."

They returned with the medicine for the electric Pokemon who cooed at them in gratitude before sleeping. Ampharos was still exhausted and took a break from her work at the light house letting her daughter take over for her. Jasmine was relieved on seeing Ampharos sleeping peacefully before turning to the younger Ampharos and instructing her on what to do. Ampharos nodded and nuzzled her Meema before taking her place on top of the lighthouse. The next day Ash went for his Ace battle against Jasmine.

Referee, "This is Ace level battle between Gym Leader Jasmine and Ash Ketchum. There are no substitutes allowed. Winner will be the last Pokemon standing. Choose your first Pokemon."

Jasmine, "Go Steelix!"

Ash, "I choose Snorlax."

Max, "Ash brought Snorlax here?"

Gou, "Must have been when he was training with Riley."

Referee, "Begin!"

Jasmine, "Iron tail!"

Ash, "Hammer arm!"

Steelix grunted on receiving the hammer arm which stopped his iron tail and slithered backward before attacking. Snorlax despite his size was actually very fast and used tackle making Steelix grunt. The steel type growled at Snorlax who had clung on to his middle part like a sticky rice cake.

Jasmine, "Thunder fang."

Ash, "Focus punch."

Steelix chomped down very hard on Snorlax who growled, actually growled at the bite which told Ash how painful it had been. But Snorlax was not one to back down easily and hit Steelix with a focus punch. Both Pokemon separated from each other panting heavily from the attacks they both received from the other.

Ash, "High horse power."

Jasmine, "Autotomize followed by smack down."

Snorlax attacked first using focus and Steelix attacked using smack down, thanks to autotomize the effect was less. Steelix moved back a bit before attacking using slam while Snorlax used heavy slam. The two large and heavy caused a large tremor to go through the gym making Lucario's teeth itch. The power coming from both of them was very high and impressive to feel. There was a reason Ash avoided using older Pokemon outside of missions and Ace level battles. Without the equipment of the gym, the destruction caused would eat all of his money and savings.

Referee, "Both Pokemon are unable to battle. There are no winners."

Lucario, -Powerful!-

Ash nodded, "Yes, but that's what makes this exciting."

Lucario hummed, Mew knows how much Ash spends a lot already by donating to the Pokemon reserves and forest which got destroyed after their confrontation with Team Rocket and poachers. Cities, towns and villages cost more than forests which could be grown back with the help of Venasaur and Bayleef. There was a reason Ash kept a tight budget on his own personal spending, outside of the spending on them. Lucario watched as both Jasmine and Ash returned their Pokemon after thanking them for the battle.

Referee, "Choose your next Pokemon!"

[A. N.: Christmas is around the corner.

Hope you all are doing well.

I won't be able to update till January because of the Christmas rush that is taking up my time now.

See you all after New Year's!

Merry Christmas!]