Chapter Eleven: Time to explain

Hello everyone, again, and welcome back to another chapter to The Shadows of Betrayal.

Melody and Ash stared closely at the egg as it began to flash brighter and faster. Ash had not paid the egg too much attention, as he was focused on dealing with the threat of Team Rocket trying to grab it and focused on Melody not finding out who he was, which hadn't gone to plan, but he was sure it was something he would sort out after the egg hatched.

Melody, on the other hand, knew that the egg was going to hatch, as she had noticed it occasionally flash when she held it, and felt it move slightly when they arrived at the festival house.

The egg continued flashing rapidly until it stopped completely, then started cracking as they became blinded by a bright white flash. Once the flash had died down, all they heard was the cry of a small baby Pokémon.

Ash and Melody recognised the Pokémon immediately. Although it was much smaller than usual, it was not a hard Pokémon to identify. It was a Lugia.

"Congratulations, we just hatched a Legendary," Ash said to Melody with a nervous smile but with a cheery tone. Not knowing what to do, they just brought it to the Festival house where everyone just stared at the baby Lugia intently.

They had all known it's rarity, as Pokémon eggs do not just wash up on the shore normally. But none of them expected it to be a Lugia egg.

Melody looked towards Ash for answers, but before he got a chance to speak again, a group of police officers, led by Officer Jenny began moving towards their direction.

"Officer Jenny," Ash greeted her as she got closer to them.

"I believe you are the Aura Guardian?" She asked him, as she began to look around the area.

"Indeed, I am," Ash replied. "Aaron Steele, at your service."

"May I have proof of identification?" She asked him.

Ash expected this. Although it was very rare, there had been incidents where someone has impersonated an Aura Guardian for their own personal gain. So, to prevent this, Aura Guardians would usually be asked to show identification, one unique only to them.

Handing over his Pokédex over to Officer Jenny to look at his ID on the device, he also pulled up the sleeve of his jacket, channelling his Aura through is body to reveal the hidden writing The Aura is within Me on his arm, a marking only possessed by Aura guardians whom are part of the organisation the Council of Aura.

Officer Jenny looked at the writing intently, even as it faded as Ash stopped channelling Aura through his body.

Officer Jenny looked back at Ash once the writing had disappeared, and although she tried to hide it, as noticed a look of amazement on her face.

'I guess Aura Guardians aren't too common in the Orange Islands,' he thought to himself as he rolled his sleeve back down, just as Officer Jenny handed back his Pokédex.

"So, could you explain the situation here?" She asked him, and Ash, with the assistance of Melody, began to explain how Team Rocket invaded the island and attempted to steal the Lugia egg from Melody, which, due to the intervention of Ash, they were able to stop, and managed to take down a few team Rocket members and the leader of the operation.

"After the battle, I apprehended him, and then you arrived. Although I took down other team rocket members, there may be others located on the island, or waiting in the surrounding area to retrieve them," Ash explained to Officer Jenny, and a few other police officers. "If you like, I can assist you with the search too," he added.

"There's no need Aaron. Me and the other officers will be more than enough to locate and take down any other Team Rocket members. Plus, I am sure that you and your Pokémon need some rest from today," Officer Jenny replied, which Ash had to agree with. "Also," she added "It appears that you have things that you should deal with," She said while pointing at the baby Lugia.

The chances of even seeing a legendary Pokémon was a very rare opportunity, the fact that it was a baby just made it even more rare.

And now a baby legendary was in the joint care of Melody and Ash.

"I'll let you both decide what actions you want to take regarding the Pokémon," She told them, and then walked away with the other officers, leaving the two of them together with the baby Lugia.

Melody looked at Ash, hoping to see if he had any idea about what to do about the baby Pokémon, but he seemed just as clueless. Watching Officer Jenny and the officers walk further away, he finally spoke up. "I know you have a lot of questions, even more now that we have a baby legendary on our hands. So why don't we find somewhere more peaceful and private for us to talk? After all, I feel like we're gonna be talking for a while," Ash said to her.

"Okay," Melody simply replied, and together they slowly started to walk away together, no one stopping them, as they knew that there was no risk of danger for the Pokémon, especially with Aura Guardian now protecting it.

Ash and Melody walked alongside together in silence, the only sounds being made by the baby Lugia that Melody held in her arms. It had grown very attached to her, as she was the first person it had ever seen, and as Ash thought, had grown attached to the warmth of Melody's body, even during its time in its egg.

They had no real idea where to go, or where they were going, but eventually Melody decided to stop at an all too familiar stop for them both.

The shrine of the chosen one.

Ash quickly turned to face her. "Melody, I know you have some questions, but I want to say that..." he was quickly interrupted as Melody freed one hand and slapped him across the face. Looking at her as she slapped him, he could see the beginning of tears.

"Ash Ketchum," she stated angrily, but the tone of her tone controlled. "How could you run away from everyone and fake your death, only to turn up safe and sound under a new name. And not even tell anyone, and let me only find out by accident?" With every point she brought up, she jabbed his chest with a finger, "How could you not tell me you were safe? Or your friends? Or even your own mother?" Tears welled up in her eyes, but she did not cry.

"Melody, believe me, I have wanted to tell people, but I couldn't." Ash responded. He wasn't sure about telling her about what his friends and mother did, as she may not believe him, or worse he thought darkly, she would share their views. But instead of burdening her with that information, he decided to leave it for another day.

"Couldn't? What do you mean you couldn't?" She asked, feeling both angry and upset.

Ash tried to think of how to explain. "Melody, on the night I ran away, I almost died."

"What?!" Melody replied shocked.

"I don't know how it happened, all I remember is falling out of the sky, then I woke up washed up in a cave," He explained. he had some rough idea about all that had happened that night, but he did not want to tell Melody. he was worried how she would react.

Melody looked at his face. She knew Ash was never the kind of person to lie, and looking at his face now, he had not changed. But at the same time, he seemed like he was trying to hide something from her.

"Okay Ash," she replied. "Although this sounds very unbelievable, you've always been the type of person to get caught up in unbelievable situations."

As she spoke, Ash began to grin, "Yeah, you're right about that," he responded.

"Speaking about the unbelievable, how did you become an Aura Guardian? You never had anything like this last year," hse asked. "Unless you decided to hide that too," she added on.

"To be honest, they just appeared the night I decided to disappear. They just happened when I fell asleep the same night. I woke up then I was able to control Aura," Ash explained. "Not that it's been the first time, but this time, it feels like I have full control over my Aura," he paused, thinking about his next few words. "Well sorta. I'm still learning."

"So how did you end up here? Like I knew we had arranged protection for the egg, but an Aura Guardian? Seems like that unless you knew about it being a Lugia, it would be a job for the Police, or even the Rangers," Melody asked him.

"I believe I can answer that one," a voice interjected before Ash could respond. A voice recognised by them both.

"Ah, it appears the egg finally hatched then," Slowking spoke as he slowly walked to them both. "Hello there little one," Slowking said to the baby Lugia as he scratched it under its chin, causing it to cry out happily. "And hello to you again Chosen One, it has been a while hasn't it?"

"Slowking, did you set it up for Ash to come here? Did you know about the egg before it hatched?" Melody asked him, as Ash stood there, already considering the responses from Slowking.

"To answer your questions child, I was the one who requested the help of the Aura Guardians, but the fact that the Chosen One was the Aura Guardian they sent was purely coincidental," Slowking responded.

"How though? And why?" Melody asked the Pokémon.

"Well like you, I was unaware of the origins of the egg, or what Pokémon lived inside it. But just from contact with the egg, I knew it was a very powerful Pokémon, holding a similar level of power compared to the three birds, and even Lugia itself," Slowking began to explain, "so, feeling that it would be at a high risk if its existence became known, and could potentially become a dangerous being if it fell into the wrong hands, I contacted the Council of Aura with all the information I had about the egg, and the possible rarity of the Pokémon inside," Slowking finished explaining, "it appears I made the right choice," he added, to which both Ash and Melody nodded.

"What's going to happen with the baby now though?" Melody asked. Although she loved the baby and would love more but to keep it. But she knew that she couldn't protect it, and did not have any experience raising Pokémon, let alone a legendary one.

"Well as its egg was found to have washed up onto the island, I'm sure that its parent is close by. All we must do is look after its young until its parent comes to find it themselves, or until it becomes strong enough to look after itself," Slowking explained. He then looked at Ash. "This would require you to stay for longer though Chosen One."

Ash nodded in response. "As long as there is a place for me to stay, as well as heal and rest my Pokémon, then I will be okay," he stated.

Melody thought about offering Ash room in her house but stopped herself. Although he was the same person that she had feelings for a year ago, so much had changed during that year and she still felt hurt from it all. And she knew Ash felt it too.

"I'm sure that I can arrange something for you Chosen One. As for your Pokémon, although we do not have a Poké Centre, we do have supplies that we can use to help heal them from their wounds," Slowking stated, "also taking the time to rest as you watch over the baby will also help your Pokémon too," Slowking also added, "now if you excuse me, I must go meet with the villagers, and see how they are doing after today's events. And arrange for somewhere for you to stay as well Chosen One." After that, he slowly walked away from them both, down to the festival house.

"Should we follow, or do you want to stay here for longer?" Ash asked Melody, as they watched Slowking disappear to the centre of town.

"Stay, there's something I want to ask you," Melody said, turning to him. "on the night you ran away, did you really was up here. Onto Shamouti Island?" She asked him.

Ash thought about his response. "Yes it was. I don't remember washing up here, all I remember is waking up and being sent away.

Melody took a few seconds to respond . "So, not only did you survive a fall from the sky and end up onto here," She started, her voice tinged with anger, "you chose to let the world believe you had died, not letting your friends or family know you were alive. Even me, who lives on this island, a person who lov..." she paused herself, tears once again welling up in her eyes. "Who would have loved to hear that you were safe," She corrected herself.

Ash just looked at her sadly. He wanted to explain more about the night, but he felt he couldn't. The fear of being hurt again was still there, as well as the voices of his friends and mother. Telling him how weak he still was.

"Melody I..." He started, but he was cut off by Melody holding her hand up to him.

"Save it Ash, it's been a long day, and I'm tired now," she said, looking at him, as the sun began to slowly set, the sky turning a darkish red. "If there's anything you want to tell me, just save it tomorrow, okay?" She stated as she turned away from him, and slowly started walking away from him, taking the baby Lugia with her.

Ash watched her walk away, not sure whether to just let her go or catch up to her. Pikachu, who had been standing by him as they talked tugged at his trouser leg and cried out to him, looking up at him, seeing if he was alright.

Ash smiled at his little companion. "Yeah, I'm fine buddy, just a bit of a crazy day. Now let's go find out where we're staying," Ash responded, leading to the little electric Mouse climbing up to his shoulder. But before they started walking though, Melody called out to them.

"Ash. I am angry at you," She started, not turning around to face him. "I am angry, annoyed and hurt," she continued. "But," she added. "I'm happy that you're alive. I've..." Melody paused herself for a few seconds before speaking again. "I've missed you Ash." And with saying that, she continued to walk away.

Ash looked at Pikachu and smiled "let's go Pikachu. I'm feeling a bit hungry, and I'm sure that you wouldn't mind having some food too," Ash said to him, Pikachu smiling back to trainer, as they started following Melody, back down to the festival house, where he felt he was gonna be answering a lot more questions.

(Line break)

As Ash expected, the people of Shamouti Island were very confused and very curious about him. Who was he? Why had he come to Shamouti Island? How did he know about the egg? How could he use Aura? What did he and Melody talk about? Why did he look so familiar? Was he dating anyone?

He managed to answer most of the questions, with help from Slowking who occasionally added additional information for questions Ash couldn't answer.

From all the questions, Ash had worked out that although he looked familiar to the people of Shamouti Island, no one had recognised who he really was, and didn't hear Melody shout his name during the battle with Nero.

Eventually after a few more questions, Slowking held his hand up "I'm sure you all have many questions for Mr Steele, but it is getting late, and I'm sure that you would like to recover from today's events," he explained to the crowd, "So, let us all return to our homes and we can continue this conversation much later." And with this, everyone slowly began to break away from Ash and head back to their homes.

Eventually, only Ash, Melody, Slowking, and an elderly couple stood around.

"Aaron, this is Susie and Kyle Bails. They own the Shamouti Guest House, and luckily, they have a room for you," Slowking told him.

Ash shook both their hands. "Thank you both for providing me with a room to stay in," he said to them both.

"The pleasure is all ours Aaron," Susie responded, "you put your own life on the life to save everyone and protect the egg. For that we are more than grateful."

Kyle placed his arm on Ash's shoulder. "Let's get you to your room then. And something to eat too as I'm sure that you're hungry after defending the island and the little one there," he said, as he looked at the baby Lugia, crying out happily to everyone.

"I guess you're right," Ash responded as his stomach began to growl at the mention of food, causing Melody to giggle slightly, remembering his old habit of everlasting hunger.

But before he headed off, Ash turned towards Melody. "Will you be fine with Lugia by yourself?" He asked her.

"Yeah we should be okay. After all, Team Rocket has been beaten and arrested, and no one else has come for Lugia, so I should be safe," Melody responded.

She wasn't really sure about that herself, but she knew that Ash would probably not let her stay at home by herself, and although it would be nice to have him close to protect her and the baby legendary, she still was trying to wrap her head around Ash actually being alive after he apparently died and disappeared.

And although she was happy to see he was alive, she was also very hurt. It devastated her when she heard he had died, and the fact his friends and family also behaved differently after his death didn't help. She just felt alone in her grief with no one to talk to.

Finding out he was alive had not helped her. It was so heart-warming to know he was alive but at the same time she felt betrayed.

Ash had faked his death and not told anyone about it, not even his family or friends. But she knew Ash was hiding something. And hopefully with enough time, she would find out.

Despite feeling some unease from last night, Ash was able to get some sleep. He had become a bit more of a light sleeper since becoming an Aura Guardian, as when he slept, his Aura would unconsciously spread itself out around him to sense the Aura of others, and to pick up any unusual Auras he was not familiar with Andy could potentially be a threat.

As he got out of bed he moved slowly over to the window and pulled the curtains apart to look at the morning sun. He had a good view of the sea from where he was staying and at the moment, it looked calm and serene, that nothing could disturb it.

Even the waves seemed so quiet that Ash could barely hear them washing onto the shore. It seemed weird to him that nearly a year ago he was washed up onto the shore itself. He still did not know how he ended up there, but he never thought about it. It scared him.

Feeling a bit bored and wanting to stretch his legs, Ash pulled on some clothes and quietly left his room and walked down outside. He had decided to leave his Poké Balls behind as he felt that he wouldn't need them, and that his Pokémon themselves would enjoy the extra rest.

He had also left Pikachu to continue sleeping on the bed but the moment he grabbed the door handle and pulled it open, Pikachu woke up and looking at Ash standing at the door, jumped from the bed onto his shoulder. Smiling, Ash stepped out of the room and slowly made his way downstairs to the door that led outside.

He had been given a spare key for the guest house door, so to be on the safe side, he locked up the door behind him.

Not sure what to do or where to go, Ash just began walking around the island. He walked past the Festival House where he saw the scarred ground from his battle with Nero yesterday. He knew the marks would fade away from the ground, but it would take some time until they were completely unnoticeable.

As Ash continued to walk around, he also continued to spread his Aura out, sensing for both Pokémon and people.

With the exception of some Water types and Flying types, Pokémon were not native to Shamouti Island, which was why many people who lived on the Island itself were not trainers or had many Pokémon themselves, making also rare for different Pokémon to appear on Shamouti Island.

Also, despite Officer Jenny's assurance that they had not found any more Team Rocket members hiding on or around the island, Ash felt a sense of unease. They had planned how to effectively steal the Lugia egg and take the Island hostage at the same time, while avoiding detection from the police at the same time.

These members of Team Rocket were much more experienced and powerful than Ash has dealt with before, but with the experiences he had with Jessie, James, and Meowth was always useful as training for new moves, and it always helped him develop his strength as a trainer who would do anything for his Pokémon and others.

Walking around the Island, he once again ended up standing at the Shrine of the Chosen One. He did not know what it was about the Shrine, but he always felt drawn to it. There was just something about it.

"You could never stay away from your destiny, could you?" A voice said behind him, leading to Ash turning around.

"Melody, what are you doing here?" He asked her, surprised by her being up so early.

"Couldn't really sleep. After everything that happened yesterday and having a newly born Pokémon to look after" She explained, as the baby legendary cried out happily in her arms, only to yawn loudly after. "Lugia didn't really sleep last night so hopefully they'll fall asleep soon."

"Yeah, sorry about leaving you with Lugia," Ash responded. "If you want, I can take Lugia and look after it," Ash then offered.

"It's fine Ash, I'm sure I can manage. Plus, Lugia has grown a bit attached to me. I don't think they would like to be separated from me just yet," Melody responded. And as if to prove her point, Lugia cuddled up close to Melody and let out a cry of happiness.

Ash just smiled at the pair. "Well by the look of things, I'll be hanging around anyway. Well until Lugia will be safe at least," he responded.

Melody smiled back in return. "Well at least I know that you won't leave me without telling me why this time," Melody said, her smile fading, "Anyway, what are you doing up this early? That's very unlike you," she then asked him, trying to change the focus of the conversation.

"Partially its due to having developed my Aura, it has become extra sense which I'm using even while I'm sleeping to detect any Aura around me and their feelings," Ash explained, "It's not perfect, but it does help me."

"So, with your Aura, are you constantly aware of your surroundings?" Melody asked him, curious.

"Sort of. I can sense the Aura of most people and Pokemon, but it's hard to sense some Which are too weak or strong, and if they are too far away, their Aura can become too hard to sense. Some people and Pokémon are even able to hide theirs too," Ash explained, thinking back to the lessons taught to him by Riley.

"Sounds amazing. But I'm guessing that you can't only sense Aura, can you Ash?" Melody asked, thinking about the huge shield he used to protect the Festival Hut from the Hyper Beam, and the Blue mask he wore to hide his face.

"Yeah, like you saw, I can expand and solidify my Aura to form a shield," Ash stated, "normally I just do a small one to protect myself, but I can do bigger ones. It does take a lot of me though," Ash explained.

"What about the mask though?" Melody asked, "the one you wore yesterday? That was Aura too right?"

"Yeah it was," Ash answered "it's called Aura Facade," and as if to demonstrate, Ash placed his face on his hands, and as he channelled Aura through his hands, the blue mask once again began to form around his face

"That's amazing," Melody said looking at Ash's now covered face. "Can you see through it or do you have to use Aura?" She asked him.

"It's a bit of both honestly," Ash replied, "I can see and breathe normally, but the mask does help heighten my Aura sense, showing people's Auras more clearly. But to make it work, I need To focus all my Aura to maintain it. Otherwise it cracks and fades away," Ash explained, as the mask began to slowly fade off his face.

"That's amazing," Melody responded, watching the Aura mask fade away.

"Yeah it is. But that's not all it can do," Ash said to her, as he held his hands close to her face.

Melody blushed slightly, unsure about Ash's actions, until he moved his hands away. She then reached up to touch her face "Did you put the mask on me? I can't feel it on my face," she said until touching her face. Although she couldn't feel it on her face itself, she felt a tingling sensation on one of her hands when she brought it close.

Ash grinned. "yeah I did. It feels like nothing is there doesn't it?"

Melody nodded. "Yeah it does,"

"That's the idea of it. It's supposed to feel weightless to make it more comfortable and also near impossible for people to remove," Ash explained. "Unless you have Aura of course," he added.

"This is amazing," Melody exclaimed, looking around, then froze, looking at her hands. "Ash, I'm glowing."

"What?" Ash asked, both surprised and a little worried.

"My body is glowing. I mean literally glowing," she replied, continuing to look at herself "Lugia is glowing too. So are you and Pikachu," she then added. "You're so bright Ash. Is...is this Aura?" she asked with a nervous but excited tone.

Ash smiled. "Yeah it is. The mask must have triggered your Aura senses, so while you're wearing the mask, I can see the Aura of others," Ash explained.

"This is amazing," Melody simply responded holding out her hands and Lugia, who cheered quite happily, in front of her. However the light of the Aura began to slowly fade away. "it's all getting dimmer now, so is the mask fading then?" She asked him.

"Yeah it is now," Ash responded, watching as the mask began to crack and fade on Melody's face, "It does take up a lot of Aura and focus to maintain, so you do require a lot of training in order to keep it,"

"so is this what you have been doing then? Training your Aura?" Melody asked, the mask completely fading off her face.

"Pretty much," Ash stated, "when they suddenly appeared on that night, I was told by Slowking that I would need training to control my Aura, otherwise they could go out of control, and cause destruction," he explained, "So with the help of an Aura Guardian, I've been learning to control my Aura and use abilities with my Aura, as well as going on missions to help with my training," he added.

"So, you haven't stopped being the hero then Ash have you?" Melody asked, smiling at him.

"No I guess not," Ash responded, with a grin on his face.

"But why hide who you are? Why let the world think you died and not let anyone know what you are doing?" Melody asked him, a serious tone in her voice.

"I…" Ash started, pausing to think for words, "I was scared about my Aura and what it could have done if I didn't bring it under control," Ash explained. 'I also felt like I had no one to turn to and no one left on my side,' he thought to himself.

Melody looked at him. Ash was never one for lying, but at the same time she felt he wasn't telling her the complete truth. "It's okay Ash, I understand," Melody replied, "anyway, are you ready to head back Ash?" she then asked him, attempting to divert the conversation. "After all, everyone will be waking up soon and I don't think you've eaten yet," she also added.

Ash looked at her and smiled. He knew what she was doing, so he played along. "Yeah I am feeling a bit peckish, and I'm sure Pikachu and the baby could go for some food too," he replied, and followed her back into town.

The rest of the day seemed to fly right by for him and Melody. He got in touch with Riley and explained everything that had happened as well as what he was still doing at Shamouti Island, to which Riley agreed, roughly repeating what Slowking had told Ash, which was either Lugia's parent would turn up, or that it would be able to survive independently.

Because of this Ash and Melody kept close together, which neither of them had any problems about. Melody loved hearing about Ash's new adventures as an Aura guardian as well as seeing him demonstrating his new Aura abilities.

Ash on the other hand, had begun to use the time he got with melody to rebuild the relationship that they had before he had faked his death.

But both of them knew that despite once again seeing each other, there was one thing that stopped them both from having the same relationship they had before.

Why had Ash ran away from his home and what reason did he have to fake his own death? Melody knew his training as an Aura Guardian was a reason, but it wasn't entirely the cause as no matter the situation he ever got stuck in, Ash would never abandon his family and friends.

It had also seemed weird to Melody that Ash had stopped talking about his dreams of becoming a Pokémon master. Once again, his training of an Aura Guardian seemed to interfere, but when she asked him about it, the smile on his face dropped as if the true reason was too upsetting to say.

Ash did want to tell Melody everything that had happened on the day he had ran away and faked his death, but it was still too hard to think about what his family and friends said to him, their words still haunted him.

But he knew that if he didn't tell her, it would just be harder to tell her the truth, and eventually it would become a reason that they could never connect, not like they had done before.

And the time he had to tell her though was limited to his stay on Shamouti Island, and both him and Melody knew that he would not be there forever, and eventually he would leave again, and it was not likely he would come back.

Yet, despite wanting to know more about what happened, Melody never pushed him to explain anything, and always offered him support, even when he didn't realise he needed it.

Ash had noticed this, and thinking about it one night helped him make a decision. 'She doesn't know why I disappeared, and faked my death to everyone, but she always stands by my side,' he started thinking, remembering the first morning they talked about it, Melody deflecting the topic, just give Ash time to talk, about it, if he wanted to .'And yet,' his thoughts continued, remembering the look on Melody's face when they first talked about it all, 'she hurt by it all because she thought she lost me, and she probably thinks that I don't trust her enough to tell her truth.'

With all this in his head, he knew he had to tell her. Even though they couldn't go back to the way they were before, it would let her know that she was never the reason he ran away and why he felt that he couldn't tell anyone the truth.

The next day, Ash found Melody and asked her to meet with him up once again at the shrine of the Chosen One.

"Is everything okay Ash? Why did you ask to come up here?" Melody asked him. She knew that he would not have asked to meet her away from everyone unless it was something serious.

Melody," Ash started, thinking how to explain it," the past few days that I have been here with you have been amazing and I've enjoyed this time that I have had to spend with you." he told her, causing Melody to blush slightly at the comments.

"But as you know," he continued, "I haven't been very honest to you and I've hidden things from you, mainly what happened on the night I faked my death."

Catching on to what Ash was talking about, melody responded. "I know Ash, but I understand though you don't need to do this now."

"I do Melody," Ash replied, "because if I don't do it now, I may not get any other chance to do it again."

Melody looked at him and saw his determination. 'He wants to do this for me,' she thought to herself, saying to Ash after "Okay Ash, if you want to tell me, then please, what happened that night? Why did you run away?"

Ash took a deep breath before speaking. "Earlier during that day, some of my oldest and closest friends had come over to see me," he started, "and they said that they were all there to tell me to give up on my dreams of being a Pokémon master."

Melody became confused. "What? Why would they say that to you?" she asked him.

"They told me that I was weak and that would never win a pokémon league," he started, thinking once again of their words and how much it had hurt them. "That I thought of only myself and because I was such a weak failure of a Pokémon trainer, I held them all back from their goals, even my mum that I wasn't strong enough to train my Pokémon and that I should give them up."

"I'm so sorry Ash, I'm sure that they didn't mean it or anything," Melody replied, trying to think of a reason, but nothing was coming up.

"They meant it Melody," Ash responded, "They even tried to take Pikachu and my other Pokémon away, and tell them that I gave up on them," he explained. "so," he continued, forcing himself to keep going, "I went back that evening and grabbed all my pokémon from the ranch and flew away, even giving Gary a good hit to the head," he said with a small grin.

"So what happened then Ash? How did you end up here?" Melody asked him.

"As I was flying away in the night, this voice just seemed to appear in my head, and it was saying the exact same things everyone had said to me," Ash continued, remembering that dark night. "it kept telling me how weak and failure of a trainer I was, that because of my weakness, I held everyone back, and then nearly made me something I regret." He paused to compose himself, trying hard not to let his feelings of anger towards his family and friends and sadness of what they said to him and his actions show to Melody and baby Lugia. "Remember on the first day I was here, when we talked about everything that happened, and I told you that I nearly died?" he asked her.

"Yeah," Melody replied, slightly confused why Ash was asking her about this

"That was because I nearly tried to kill myself on that night," he told her.

Melody took a few seconds to process what Ash had told her. "Ash," she started calmly and slowly, holding back tears. "What was you thinking trying to kill yourself?" she shouted at him, coming close to tears. "Did you not think about those who would miss you?"

Ash just looked at her and hugged her, trying to avoid crushing Lugia in her arms. "I am so sorry Melody, I felt so lost at the time and I wasn't thinking straight," he started crying, trying to hide his tears from Melody. "I just let my thoughts take over me, not thinking about what I was doing until it was nearly too late," Ash replied, letting go of Melody and looking at her. She could see the tears running down his face.

Melody reached out to his hand and grabbed it firmly. "it's okay Ash, just take your time. I'm here for you."

"Thank you Melody," Ash responded, feeling her hand in his and feeling slightly more relaxed. He took a deep breath before continuing to speak. "So, I wasn't aware of my actions at the time, I just felt lost in my own head and my thoughts, but I tried to stand off and jump off Pidgeot," he explained.

"So what happened then? Did Pidgeot fly down and catch you?" Melody asked him.

"No he didn't. I don't know what happened, but I guess you could say I came to my senses, as I got Pikachu to Thunderbolt me to stop me and clear my head," Ash started to explain, "Somehow it worked because I felt much more clear head and the coldness that was in my head just cleared away. But at the same time, Pidgeot fainted from the shock too and I ended up falling from the sky. I honestly thought it was the end as I got Pikachu in his Poké Ball to protect him from the fall. But then I woke up around here," he finished, gesturing with his other hand to around Shamouti.

"Ash, I'm sorry that you felt so alone for all this, but why didn't you come to me or anyone else you know? Why lie to the world and say, you're dead?" Melody asked, slightly gripping his hand tighter.

"That was the thing Melody, at the time I felt like I had no one by my side. I got so lost in my grief and my sadness, I didn't know who to go to. I felt lucky that Riley had been happy to let me stay with him and train my Aura abilities," Ash replied. "As for faking my death, I didn't think anyone cared about Ash Ketchum any more. After all, to the people he thought loved and cared about him told him that he was weak and should have given up his dream of being a Pokémon master, and he was worried that everyone else close to him had shared the same feelings of his friends and family," he explained, "maybe they were right though, maybe I was too weak to be a Pokémon master. I never was able to win a league anyway," he added with a sad smile, tilting his head low.

"Ash Ketchum, look at me," Melody commanded at him, causing him to turn his head up at her, his eyes red from tears and crying, "Never once in your life, since you've started as a Pokémon trainer, and travelling around the region have you been weak. You have always done your best to help anyone and anything in need, and fought against those who would harm others. You've saved the world and you've even saved me," she told him, a smile on her face, "and if you weren't strong enough, neither me or Lugia would be here," making the baby Lugia cry out in joy at the mention of their name.

Ash smiled back "I guess you're right there Melody. After all, I never knew when to give up," he replied.

"No you don't, and that's why you're strong. Because no matter the odds, you always try your best and let nothing stop you. That's how you've beaten every gym you've fought at. That's why you've taken down any evil organisations that have threatened the world. That's how you've saved the world itself. That's why I lov…"she said, stopping herself before finishing her last sentence, her smile shrinking. "That's why I loved you."

Ash's smile became smaller as well. "Melody, do you think that we could…" Ash started, only to be interrupted by a huge robotic hand grabbing Melody and the baby Lugia and pulling them away.

AAAASHHHH, HELPPP!" Melody cried out as she was pulled away from him.

"MELODY!" Ash shouted back, running after her with Pikachu running by his side. He had a feeling that someone had been hanging around for Lugia, but he wasn't able to find any clue of the people. But even as he sent out his Aura to feel for others, the Aura of the kidnappers felt far and unclear.

'Dammit, I got careless and now they've got Melody and Lugia. I've gotta catch them before it's too late' Ash thought to himself, following his arm, which was leading to the beach, deep in the water.

'That explains why the police couldn't find them or I couldn't sense them. They've probably been hanging around for a while' Ash thought to himself, getting to the beach. Once the arm reached the water, a huge submarine shaped like a Wailmer rose from the water and allowed the arm to come. Into the submarine. Then laughter came from the submarine

"Muwhahahaha, for an Aura Guardian, you weren't very good at guarding them from us, were you?" A familiar voice spoke.

"And now we have the Lugia and a hostage, I believe we'll be on our way now, don't try to keep up," another voice spoke up.

"Not these guys," Ash said, putting a hand to his face. He knew why they sounded familiar.

"A shrieking whine, a blast from the past," the first voice started.

"Spinning like a Gyroball and moving fast," the second voice continued. .

"To the moon."

"And beyond."

"What a blast," they said in unison.

"Administering our own justice, if we feel the need."

"Stealing Pokémon with lightning speed."

"There's something you all should know."

"Team Rocket is back to put on a show."

"Cassidy," the first voice said as a golden haired woman revealed herself through a window on the Wailmer submarine in a pose.

"And Butch," said the second voice as a green haired man stood and posed beside her.

As a Shuckle appeared between them and cried out its name.

"You do know that revealing yourself to me just makes it easier for me to catch you right?" Ash shouted to them.

"Shut up you twerp, what do you know?" Cassidy shouted back at him. "After all, what makes you think you can catch us?"

"And what makes you think that if you try to, we won't hurt your little girlfriend we have with us?" Butch added.

Luckily, it's only these two. They're not really a hassle compared to how Nero and his gang were. But still gotta be careful,' Ash thought to himself, 'but what is with Team Rocket and calling me a twerp? It's almost affectionate,'

"what makes you think I won't beat you before you get a chance, Biff?" Ash replied, knowing how Butch would react.

"It's Butch," Butch shouted back, "but I feel like we've overstayed our welcome, so, tata for now," he added as they slowly started sinking into the waves and moving away.

"We can't let them get away, hop on pikachu," Ash said as he threw out a Poké Ball, releasing Pidgeot. "Okay Pidgeot, fly across the sea and I'll direct you okay?" Ash commanded as the bird Pokémon nodded and started gliding over the waves

Melody was scared. Both her and the baby Lugia had been grabbed by a huge robotic hand and placed in a cage, and as far as Melody could tell, were moving around underwater at quite a speed.

It didn't look like she could do anything and even if she could, the cage was guarded by a mean looking Raticate and Houndoom.

But by the sound of things between Ash and the people who grabbed her, she really shouldn't be too scared.

'Ash has been in this situation before and has always found a way to save the day. I'm sure he will now,' she thought to herself.

Yet the baby Lugia was also scared and very confused by everything going on, and started getting upset and crying really loud.

"shhh, shhh, shhh, it's okay," Melody said to the baby legendary, rocking it gently to help calm it down.

"ugh, how come we've managed to get stuck with baby duty?" Butch said to Cassidy.

"Quit your whining. If we manage to achieve this, then we'll prove to the boss we're much better than Nero and his elites. Bunch of stuck ups," Cassidy replied to Butch.

"You're right," Butch responded. "anyway, they can't be that great. They were beaten by one guy. And he doesn't seem that strong,"

"Don't you say that. He's much stronger than you two could ever be. Just you wait," Melody shouted at them both.

"My, my, doesn't she have a mouth on her," Cassidy said, as she walked over to Melody, "Well if Mr hero was so tough, how come he couldn't save you when he had the chance?" she asked Melody, a grin on her face.

That grin quickly faded as the ship began to shake, chasing Cassidy, Melody and the Pokémon to bump around, and the baby Lugia to cry louder "Butch, what is happening out there?" she shouted at him.

"I don't know, we seem to be caught in a whirlpool of sorts. I can't move the submarine anywhere," he replied as he tried to wiggle the steering wheel for control, "we're being forced up to the surface."

As they continued to be moved and bashed around, they finally reached the surface as they saw a huge Bird Pokémon flap its wings to cause a twister while a familiar figure watched from another bird Pokémon. "What happened? Already had to come up for air?" Ash asked mockingly.

"You rotten Twerp," Cassidy shouted at him, throwing a Poké Ball up, releasing a huge Jellyfish Pokémon into the water. "Come out Tentacruel, and put this Twerp in his place,"

Butch joined in and threw his own Poké Ball up, releasing an equally large Shellfish Pokémon into the water as well. "Come out too Cloyster, and show what happens when you mess with Team Rocket."

'This going to be tougher than I thought,' Ash thought to himself, 'if I had somewhere to stand, it would be a lot easier, but for now, I'm going to have to leave Pidgeot to fight by himself.' "Okay Pidgeot, use Wing Attack," he then commanded and Pidgeot dived down at the water Pokémon, wings outstretched ready to attack.

"Tentacruel, use Poison Jab," Cassidy commanded, and it's tentacles began to glow purple with poison under the water and slowly started stretching out ready to hit Pidgeot.

"And Cloyster, use Water Gun," Butch commanded, to which Cloyster shot a powerful stream of water at Pidgeot.

Pidgeot swerved away to avoid both the Water Gun and Poison Jab, and managed to strike both Cloyster and Tentacruel with his wings, then fly away, only to be hit by an unnoticed tentacle, which Tentacruel had been hiding for when Pidgeot got closer.

Ash noticed and grew concerned. "You okay Pidgeot?" he asked him as he flew by, to which Pidgeot nodded his head in reply, only for a sudden wave of poison to flash across his body, causing him to drop down suddenly and nearly fall in the water.

'Damn, I've gotta be careful here' Ash thought to himself. He had considered having Pikachu use Thunderbolt to finish the battle quickly, but he was worried that the electricity from the attack would spread in the water and hit the submarine, Melody and the baby Lugia included.

"Okay Pidgeot, swap over with Staraptor," Ash commanded and as Pidgeot flew close, Ash hopped over onto his back to allow Staraptor free movement to fight, but left Pikachu on his back. "Okay Staraptor, use Aerial Ace, and Pikachu, use Iron Tail," he then commanded, to which Staraptor flew up to the sky to turn around and fly down at incredible speed as Pikachu's tail began to shine metallically.

"Do you really think that's going to work twerp?" Cassidy shouted at him, "alright Tentacruel, use Water Gun," she commanded, to which Tentacruel shot out a powerful stream of water similar to Cloyster's Water Gun before.

"And Cloyster, use Ice Beam," Butch commanded, and Cloyster from its horn, shot out a beam of ice heading for Staraptor.

Luckily with the speed gained with Aerial Ace, Staraptor was able to avoid the attacks of both Tentacruel and Cloyster, and strike Tentacruel as Pikachu leapt off and striked Cloyster with his Iron Tail. "Now Pikachu, get to Melody," he commanded, to which Pikachu, using the momentum gained from striking Cloyster, guided himself over to the submarine and using Iron Tail again, smashed the glass of where Butch and Cassidy had been standing at and ran to find Melody.

'And while they're distracted,' Ash quickly thought to himself, he placed his hands on Pidgeot's back and started channeling his Aura into pidgeot, trying to remove the poison from Pidgeot's body.

Butch and Cassidy meanwhile quickly looked at where Pikachu had ran to and back to Ash. "You've really done it now twero. Once we knock you out of the sky, we'll deal with your yellow rat and your little girlfriend," Cassidy threatened him.

"I just hope they'll be able to swim back to shore from this far," Butch added.

"What makes you think you two can beat me?" Ash asked them, then looking at Staraptor, who was flying beside him "let's finish this Staraptor, use Brave Bird," he commanded, and Staraptor in response once again flew up into the sky, and dived down tucking its wings in as it dived and glowing a fiery red, only to change into a blue aura as it opened its wing as it flew very close to the surface of the sea towards Tentacruel and Cloyster.

"I agree, it's time to end this," Cassidy said, then looking to Tentacruel, "Tentacruel, use Poison Jab once more," she commanded and once again, Tentacruel's tentacles glowed purple with poison, once again poised to strike.

"And Cloyster, use Ice Beam again," Butch commanded, and Cloyster shot out another beam of ice heading towards Staraptor.

Although Ice Beam collided head on with Staraptor and some of Tentacruel's Poison Jabs also managed to strike Staraptor, it continued to head towards them both and struck them both with its wings, pushing them both back roughly into the submarine and causing them to faint.

"Great job Staraptor," Ash congratulated him, and Staraptor chirped happily in response, only to nearly fall into the sea from the damage it took from both Tentacruel and Cloyster's attacks, as well as the recoil damage from Brave Bird. "Get some rest, and I'll get you healed up when we get back," Ash said to it, and returned Staraptor back to its Poké Ball. Once Staraptor returned, he flew down to the broken window Butch and Cassidy stood at, who had returned Tentacruel and Cloyster respectively. "Now let melody and the baby Lugia come out free," he demanded of them both, to which they turned around and saw Melody walking in their direction led by Pikachu, the knocked out bodies of both Houndoom and Raticate laying on the ground behind them.

Butch and Cassidy did nothing as they walked by them and climbed onto Pidgeot. "Don't think that this is the end twerp, we'll be back for you and that Lugia," Cassidy said to Ash.

"I think it is," Ash replied, "because if you try this again, I'll make sure that you join Nero and his buddies in jail," he threatened, "let's go Pidgeot," he told the Pokémon, to which Pidgeot, healed from the poison, flew away from them.

Cassidy quickly looked at Butch as they started to fly away and they had returned the unconscious Raticate and Houndoom to their Poké Balls. "We cannot let it end like this, the boss would not be happy," she told him, "get us moving and after them Billy."

"It's Butch," he first shouted, "And sure," he said after. But as he grabbed the controls, they were launched up by a very large and powerful Twister.

"What's happening now?" Cassidy shouted as a large winged shadow flew right in front of them, causing Cassidy to freeze in shock and grab Butch, who, was still trying to sort out the controls. "Uhh, Butch, we have company."

"What do you mean compan…" he started but stopped as he looked straight at a large and very angry Lugia.

"Do you think it knows what we tried to do?" Butch whispered to Cassidy, as Lugia let out a loud roar and shortly after shot out an Aeroblast at them, causing the Wailmer submarine to blow up and launch them far away.

"I guess it diiiiiiddddddddd," they both shouted as they were blasted into the far off distance.

Ash and Melody both had seen what happened behind them and became very scared when the Lugia flew down towards them but then they both heard a voice in their head as it got closer. "No need to be afraid, I have no desire to harm the guardian's of my child," the voice had said, and even the baby Lugia reacted happily to seeing the larger one so it must have sensed that it was its parent.

Lugia followed them all the way back over the beach where it found a large enough space to land itself and once they had landed themselves, the baby Lugia hopped out of Melody's arms and over to the much larger one.

"Hello little one," Lugia said to it warmly, leaning it's head low for the baby Lugia to nuzzle its head against it, "it is good to see that you are safe and happy my child." Lugia then looked up at Ash and Melody, "and once again it is good to see you two again. You especially Chosen one, since that stormy night."

Ash became confused. "Stormy night? What do you mean?" but the moment he asked, he realised what Lugia had meant. "Lugia, did you save me that night?" he then asked the legendary Pokémon.

"Yes and no," Lugia started. "I was the one who brought you over to the shore of this island, but that was after I found you slowly sinking beneath the waves," Lugia explained, "but I do recall," Lugia continued, "that your body had been glowing blue with Aura even before you hit the water, so I assume that your Aura protected you till you sunk below the waves," Lugia added.

Ash thought about it for a few seconds before responding. "That makes sense," he started, "as on the night I became aware of my Aura, Slowking told me I had been using my Aura to heal myself," he explained, "so it makes sense that I probably used it to save myself from the fall. Well make it less painful at least."

Lugia nodded. "Indeed. But by saving your life then, you were able to come back and protect my child, and for that I am grateful Chosen One," Lugia said to Ash. She then turned to Melody. "And you too young lady. If it wasn't for your bravery, those villainous people would have already had my child in their grasp, and I may have never been able to see her again."

"You're very welcome," Melody told the Legendary Pokémon, "so what will you and your baby do now?" she then asked.

"We must return back to under the waves, otherwise other people may come to target both you and my child. And I do not wish to place either your or my child in more danger," Lugia told them both.

Both Ash and Melody nodded in reply, but Melody could not help feeling sad. Although she understood why, she was going to miss the baby Lugia. It was the closest she had to owning a Pokémon of her own, and she had grown very attached. And she was sure the Pokémon had too.

And it also meant that Ash would leave her, as he would not be needed and his job as her guardian would be finished. But she had finally been able to find out everything that had happened to him, and by the way Ash had been talking with her, he planned to keep in touch with her. It didn't make her miss him any less though.

Lugia had noticed her expression and saw her deep in thought and spoke. "Although we will have to leave," Lugia started, "I feel that we will visiting both you and this island frequently," Lugia explained, "after all, I could not completely separate my child from the first one that raised them, and I have heard how happy my child cried when they hear you play the Ocarina during your time alone together," Lugia added, to which it's child looked back at Melody and let out a series of happy cries and moved over to Melody, who bent down and picked up the baby legendary to hug them.

"Thank you," Melody replied, a large smile forming on her face, even as she put down the baby and it moved over to its parent.

Lugia appeared to smile then started turning. "Farewell young lady, and you as well Chosen One. May you stay safe wherever your journey takes you," and with that, both Lugia and its child flew across the waves and started diving deep into the sea.

Both Ash and Melody waved them goodbye, but as they got further, Melody began to feel tears in her eyes until she could not hold it any more and began to cry. Ash simply wrapped his arms around and hugged her close. "Its okay melody, cry for as long as you want," he told her as she sobbed gently in his arms. He understood her feelings about saying goodbye. He had done it so many times with both people and Pokémon, it never got any easier, because you never know whether that goodbye will be the last one you get to say.

"You'll see them again soon Melody, I'm sure of it," Ash told her and even Pikachu, who was trying to help comfort Melody, nodded his head in approval.

Once Ash let go of her, Melody wiped her eyes and smiled. "I know I will Ash, but thank you," she told him, while also rubbing Pikachu's head, making him cry out happily. "So what will you do now Ash?" She then asked him.

"Well I'm going to get both Staraptor and Pidgeot healed up, and once they are okay, make my way back to Canalave City early tomorrow morning," Ash explained.

"So today is your last day here?" Melody asked him.

"Yeah it will be," Ash replied.

"Do you think you'll ever come back?" Melody then asked him, hoping for a certain answer.

"I don't know. Maybe," Ash answered, then thinking of his own question. "That is if you want me to come back?" he asked her.

"Ash," she started, but suddenly the heard someone shouting in the distance.

"SO, THIS IS WHERE YOU SNUCK OFF TO THEN," a very familiar voice shouted at them. turning in the direction of the voice, the saw two people standing in the distance of the beach.

"CAROL?" Melody shouted back.

"WHO ELSE COULD IT BE?" Carol shouted, and she and the person next to her ran down to them.

While they made their way down to them, Ash quickly placed his hands on his face and developed an mask of Aura just as Carol and her friend arrived. Once they got down, Carol quickly hugged Melody. "Sorry we took so long, We tried to get here quick as we could once you told us everything that happened, and once we saw that giant twister we got scared," Carol explained, "are you okay? And where's the baby Lugia?" she then asked her.

"Yeah I'm fine, and Lugia went back with their parent, that was who created the twister," Melody replied, and she quickly explained everything, about being kidnapped by Team Rocket, and how Ash had chased them down to rescue her.

Once she had finished, Carol looked at Ash "So you must be the Aura Guardian Melody mentioned," she said to him, "thank you so much for protecting my little sister."

"I was more than happy to," Ash replied, and after paying some attention to the guy standing next to Carol, he finally realised who it was.

"It's great to hear that you were safe though Melody," Drake said to her, "I'm sorry I couldn't have been here sooner, I would have loved to see Lugia," he added. He then turned his attention to Ash. "So you're Aaron Steele, correct? the Aura Guardian?" he asked him.

"Yes i am," Ash replied, "what gives it away?" he said jokingly.

"I think it may be the mask," Drake replied, a grin forming on his face, "I have never seen anything like it," he explained, "I take it that it's made of Aura."

Ash had to smile under the mask. "Yeah it is, just to make sure that certain villainous organisations are able to recognise my face," Ash explained.

"that's understandable," Drake agreed, "but I hear that you took down Team Rocket by yourself. Is that true?" he then asked Ash.

"Yeah I did, why'd you ask?" Ash asked him.

"Well someone who is able to take down Team Rocket by himself sounds like a very strong trainer and someone who is a worthy challenge," Drake explained, "So I, Drake, Supreme Gym leader of the Orange League, challenge you to a duel.

That's it, chapter Eleven is finally finished. Sorry it has taken so long, I will explain everything. but anyway, what will happen with Melody and Ash, and will Ash accept Drake's challenge. We'll find out next time, goodbye.