Akako, 'Well that was unexpected.'
Charizard was laughing, -Should I give them the shovel talk?-
A male trainer shouted, "Holy Mew! That Charizard talked just like in the Legend."
A female trainer squealed, "She's the real deal! Let me be your wife! Or concubine! I don't care. I love you Lady Akako."
A male trainer, "Lady Yuri, Lady Elinor, I love you too."
Tetsuya, "Run?"
Masumoto, "Run!"
The group called some of their fastest Pokemon while Max and Gou got on the two Charizards and rushed off. Casey and Verity gave sighs as they sat next to each other after running down the mountain on the back of their Pokemon. Brock thanked the Pokemon who were looking at them amused, their trainers had fans now, well their trainer's second persona do. Ash looked around they were on the outskirts of a dessert like area and noticed a sign. They decided to make camp and change back to their normal clothes again.
Ash rubbed Charizard's neck, "Thank you for the lift buddy."
Pikachu nuzzled the large fire type, "Pikapi ~"
Lucario, -This is Remoraid mountain. It's one of the mountains surrounding Mt Raizen.-
Casey, "Oh I know about this dessert. There is a reserve here for the Remoraid."
Verity, "Remoraid? I thought the Jhoto Remoraid were extinct?"
Brock, "That's what everyone thought till they started appearing again last year."
Max, "We aren't allowed to catch them though there is a competition where the winner is allowed to take a Remoraid with them."
Gou, "We are three months too early for it."
Sorrel, "Hey, look over there."
Casey, "Ah! That's over the Remoraid lake. They come here every three months and use water and ice gun."
Ash, "That's beautiful."
Charizard rumbled, -We need to return. Will you be alright?-
Lucario, -We will be alright. No one knew it was us anyway.-
Abra giggled, -Yes, we are good at disguises.-
Ash, "We'll be on the road tomorrow morning. We flew a long way down from the mountain."
Charizard gave him a smirk before both fire types nuzzled his cheeks while rumbling and flew back to the mountain. The group stayed in the open area which was between a dessert and the forest getting their bearings together. The next day they saw the Remoraid create the aurora lights again and after their daily routine of training and breakfast they left to the nearest town. Ash had a feeling they would need to calm their families down and he was correct.
Delia, "Ash! My baby! Are you alright?"
Ash, "Good morning mom! I'm okay. Don't worry, they didn't touch me."
Delia was in another get up this time as a silver haired, red eyed woman, "Don't tell me to not worry. Oooh those bastards are gonna pay the next time we meet. Who does that bitch think she is?"
Ash, "I understand mama, believe me I do. I get angry the same way if one of my friends or babies get hurt. But don't let anger control you mama. I'm not the one challenging them head on."
Delia gave Ash a bright smile, "You are right, Ash. I should put all of my anger into hunting them. Don't worry baby, mama will make sure to properly teach them a lesson."
Ash, 'How vicious!'
Ash talked to his mother a few more minutes before he was called to get his Pokemon by Nurse Joy. Ash wished her good luck before getting his Pokemon and calling Professor Oak who he had to reassure as well before the Professor talked to him about his fifth book, Hogwarts: Law and Order. The fifth book was the thickest one yet and it detailed the ongoings of the rest of the wizarding world, especially how the rest of the citizens were affected.
The teachers and adults tried to keep it from the children but was unable to making the trio of heroes realize how things grim were. Also unlike in the original book where the kids were kept from writing letters to each other, the trio didn't bother. The smartest witch had other nerdy friends who decided to use phones and emails to keep in contact instead. The wizard born friends they made had a lot of fun learning about the muggle means of convenient communication. It was a good concept the Professor had told him and then became serious.
Samuel, "Ash, we need to talk about what you have been doing, not through the phone but person to person."
Ash became wary, "Ummm... If this is about the Legendary Pokemon then it's not like I go in search for them."
Samuel, "I know but the Rangers Council are worried."
Ash, " .... There is a Ranger Council?"
Samuel, "Yes, there is. It is as old as the Aura Guardian myths."
Ash, "I see, I knew Rangers Association had to be large but I didn't know they were that old."
Samuel chuckled, "Aura Guardians and Rangers were very synonymous back in the day."
Ash, "Huh, I suppose I can see how."
Samuel, "I'll be heading to Olivine City in two weeks. I have a feeling you want to look around the places."
Ash nodded, "Yes, also Verity and Sorrel both plan to go a different path once we reach Olivine. So we want to spend as much time with them."
Samuel nodded, "Understandable. I'll wait for you and your group in Olivine City."
Ash, "Thank you Professor. How is Gary doing?"
Samuel had a proud smile, "That child of mine is doing very well as a Ranger. I am very proud of how far he has come. It's not a profession I thought he would have taken an interest in but, he is happy."
Ash grinned as they talked about what they had been doing including the aurora lights they had witnessed. Samuel's eyes lit up on hearing about that and went on a tirade of how Pokemon were very important when it came to the natural cycle. Ash and the others were relaxing at the town which was close to a forest that had a Teddiursa cafe. Casey took them to the cafe promising their bear themed food were delicious and worth it.
Waitress, "Welcome dear trainers, a table for seven, plus Pokemon?"
Ash, "Yes please."
Brock grabbed a menu, "Oh these look very promising."
Casey grinned, "I know."
Verity, "Oh my gosh! The Teddiursa are so adorable."
Waitress, "I'm happy to hear that. The group of Teddiursa you see here were rescues from poachers or abandoned."
Gou, "Oh! So, does that mean the owner adopted them?"
Waitress, "Yes, he did. He couldn't let them suffer so he took out his collection of Everstones and gave them to the Teddiursa. They can evolve if they want to but none of them want to."
Sorrel observed the Cafe, "They are very adored by the customers here. I think I can see why they chose not to evolve."
Teddiursa approached them and pulled them to a table, "Ursa."
Max, "Thank you buddy."
Teddiursa blushed, "Ursa."
The waitress giggled as she pat the Teddiursa on a job well done. She then explained the owner has an agreement with the Rangers who help in keeping the Pokemon safe and happy. The owner, a man in his thirties came to greet the customers and thank them for their patronage. Ash saw many bear themed food, from the bear rice and blanket, to bear burgers and bear shaped drinks. Ash ordered everything and shared it with his Pokemon who happily chomped down.
Since Ash ended up liking the food a lot he ordered another large order for the rest of his Pokemon who couldn't join them outside their pokeballs. The others thought the idea was not bad and the food was very delicious, the owner came running out on receiving the large order. He looked at them and was very surprised on seeing a group of trainers order the food. He thanked them for the order and to wait a little bit while they prepared the food for all of them.
Casey, "We can wait."
Ash, "Yeah, we know it's pretty large."
They didn't mind relaxing and enjoying the environment of the homey Cafe. The other Teddiursa was very curious about the younger Pokemon who looked very healthy and well taken care of. They more or less remembered their own mother Ursarings and was curious about the human Meemas they had. The young Pokemon chittered and played together and left after the order was complete. They traveled for two days and met a very familiar face.
Todd, "Hey, it's you guys. How have you all been?"
Ash, "Todd, how have you been?"
Casey, "You know each other."
Brock, "We met back in Kanto. He is a really good photographer and friend."
Todd told them about what he had been doing and shared the photos he had taken the last few months. There were many photos of Pokemon and trainers and Pokemon who looked really happy together. They traveled together and came across a group of Sunkern who were moving West as they moved. Todd took photos of the Pokemon and Todd told them about how Articuno was seen near a mountain. Gou gave a hum on hearing it and hoped it was not the same Articuno they met before.
A few days later while they were having lunch a bunch of Swinub joined them sniffing at their food and Abra giggled before sharing his food with them. A girl rushes to them apologizing about her Swinub disturbing them only for them to say it was not a problem at all and they didn't mind sharing. The girl then introduced herself as Peggy and how she wanted to become the best hot spring finder in the world. According to her it had been her family tradition to find new hot springs and convert it into a resort for people and Pokemon.
Peggy, "Hot springs have natural minerals which are good for the health."
Sorrel nodded, "Agreed, many medical experts will refer hot springs for patients who have gotten hurt."
Brock, "Yes, it helps wonders on the muscles."
Peggy beamed, "Right? Which is why I want to become one of the best finders in the world."
Gou, "I kinda want to go to a hot spring now."
Casey, "Me too. It has been a while."
Verity, "How much does it cost?"
Peggy, "One sec, I have a catalog here. My Uncle's hot spring resort is close by. My grandpa and I are currently searching for new veins though we have not found new ones yet."
Ash, "I'm sure you will find one soon. Don't give up."
Lucario nodded, -Your Swinub really wants to help you too. They want to be the best team with you.-
Peggy faltered, "Listening to you talk is so surreal. I like it of course, but so surreal."
Todd laughed, "You and I both."
Peggy, "Buy aren't you traveling together?"
Todd, "I joined just a few days ago."
Peggy, "Ah! I see."
Todd, "Would you mind if I take photos of your resort?"
Peggy, "Um... I don't think that would be a problem."
Swinub were in the mean time looking at the aura Pokemon in awe and Lucario simply smiled patting their heads gently. The group had been walking through the dessert like area for a while and spending time in a hot spring sounded really nice. They walked a bit before coming across a large wall and a door which Peggy knocked. A guard opened the door greeting Peggy enthusiasticly and welcomed the group very happily. The group entered the resort and there were many people relaxing and enjoying themselves.
Peggy, "Uncle Tom, Grandpa Max, I got customers."
Tom who looked like an older version of Peggy with blond hair smiled, "Welcome to the Swinub resort."
Max gave a booming laugh, "That's our Peggy bringing new customers."
Peggy turned red, "I try my best. Ahem! Let me take you to the counter."
The group gave a smile as they went to get their keys and a room for the night. They would be heading to the mountain Articuno was last seen. Todd was excited though Gou and Brock were not that excited, Ash was just not commenting on it and just supported Todd. Casey, Sorrel, Verity and Max had a neutral stance, especially after having to deal with Team Rocket. They all had a bit of worry in their hearts they would have to face them again.
[A. N.: Yeah, the group has trauma and while they are getting better, the constant fights and confrontation don't help.
Hope you all are doing well. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Take care of yourselves.
Love you wonderful readers!]