Hard Enough - Chapter 316 - Rota history reborn!

Dinner with the royal mother-daughter pair could have easily ended up being a rather stilted affair, with Sabrina’s “cousin” never reappearing to show his face. 

However, both queens took this in stride without it apparently bothering them. I decided not to broach the issue lest they prove to be merely waiting to pounce on the topic.

The dining room, like everything in the castle that I’d seen so far, was grandiose to a level that I hadn’t seen anywhere else in my life. 

Chandeliers hung from the roof, along with multiple giant paintings of distant relations from a bygone era. Each of us had a dedicated waiter and maid ready to move at the slightest signal that anything was amiss with our meal. 

Despite the dining table stretching from one side of the hall to the other, Sabrina and I had no issues hearing anything that either Queen said. 

I had to give the architects serious props. They’d designed this room with an eye for acoustics, if Queen Ilene could clear her throat quietly and have it heard from twenty metres away.  

Sabrina and I thankfully weren’t that far away.

There was a slight divide that established Ilene and her mother as holding the power within this room, but I didn’t doubt for a second that either woman could command any room they entered if they desired. 

I vaguely got the impression we were in seats that could be considered ‘guests of honour’ but not too close to be considered family.

It was rather funny to consider that Diantha, as an Arch-duchess, hadn’t had nearly as much poise. Diantha looked like she had to put in some effort, whereas Ilene made it look effortless.

If I’d come to Rota before meeting Diantha, I might have had a very different impression of her skills.

“A nobility system centred on your skills as a pokemon trainer you say?” Yvette prompted when I mentioned what Diantha had revealed about Kalos.

I inclined my head and rattled off the brief rundown I’d gotten.

Sabrina and I spent much of the dinner discussing the Trinity nations and their delegates.

I mentioned Lola’s contribution without letting my own personal feelings get in the way too much. I might have slipped up a time or two by mentioning how she’d chosen to seek out other nations rather than stay with her family.

That might have been enough for the Queens, however, as both had frowned slightly, and Yvette’s eyes flickered over me before nodding slowly. 

“You seem to be very complimentary of the Trinity Nations,” Yvette declared after listening to Sabrina and me talk for over an hour.

Sabrina and I shared a look. “They had a lot to like and they were earnest about wanting to relink the nations,” I said. Sabrina nodded at my words.

Yvette reclined in her chair. “I see, I see.” 

She glanced to Ilene. “It makes me worry, hearing about all these large nations reforging old bonds. I hope the world can stick to a more peaceful path this time around.”

I shrugged. “I think a good step has been taken, and there seems to be a lot more inclusion these days.” I waved a hand to the west. “The Battle Frontier is a good example of nations working together with not just Indigo, but also Fiore and Rota working hand in hand.”

“Hmmm Fiore, yes,” Yvette said with a slight scowl.

I paused. “They occupy a position on your northeastern border, don’t they?”

Yvette nodded, her lips still firmly pressed together. 

I shifted, noting the odd reaction. “Has… a trade route not been established?”

Ilene sighed and set her fork and knife down on her plate. She dabbed at her mouth to clear it and then spoke, “The issue is not that we have the trade route, or that we are close to Fiore. The issue is the Fiorians themselves.”

I blinked. “I’m sorry? I don’t think I understand?” I tilted my head. “Or is this some sort of joke? Fiore would be lovely if not for the people?” I suggested.

Yvette, Ilene and Sabrina all stared at me for a moment before they giggled together. 

Ilene regathered herself first and shot her mother a stern look. 

Yvette ignored her, instead choosing to wipe her mouth and nod at me. “Indeed! The people that have come are not the sort you’d typically invite into your home!” she declared firmly, snatching up a glass of wine and taking a strong drink of it. 

She gave the drink an approving nod, holding it as she looked at me. “We’ve had some of their preachers come around, you know? I can’t say I enjoy having our ways questioned so… zealously.”

I tilted my head. “Preachers?” 

Yvette waved a hand. “Fiore has a cult that denounces those who use pokeballs to contain pokemon. Any found to be using them within Fiore, see their pokeballs broken and their pokemon taken away from the trainers. There have been incidents with some of our merchants and diplomats. Sadly, the Fiorans turn a blind eye to it if they can.”

“We’ve had a few incidents with some of their preachers making their way to our Kingdom and attempting to gather a following from our people,” Yvette stated.

“Hmmm, how have they been received?” I asked.

“There have been mixed results,” stated Yvette. “There are some reports of violence along with thefts and destruction of property that people attribute to the Fiorans, but that may also simply be other vagabonds that choose to live in the wilds. It is unknown as yet,” she said with a scowl. 

Ilene nodded. “We doubt it is the Fiorans. They seem a passive people.” I hummed in a noncommittal manner. Pacificism could be utilised in a lot of fascinating ways I’d learned. 

Ilene continued. “Their faith is also… interesting. They have an idyllic message, but they take it to an extreme beyond anything we would expect. It is not enough for pokemon to come out of their pokeballs, but to have no pokeballs at all. They argue about coercion with pokeballs” Ilene stated. 

“Hmmmm, perhaps,” I allowed carefully. 

Sabrina tilted her head. “They have enough of a point to cause doubt, but people often forget that should a pokemon not desire to be within a pokeball, they can let themselves out, or if they want it enough, they can shatter their own pokeballs from within.”

“That very rarely happens though,” I said, more to be accurate than to argue the point. 

Sabrina sent her hair swishing back and forth as she shook her head. “No, but it is something built into all pokeballs to date. I have read the manuals for every pokeball type I’ve used, and they all contain that failsafe.”

“Huh,” I said, glancing at her. 

Considering most of the captures she’d had were when we were kids, she must have read those manuals during our Journey together. I could vaguely recall more than a few nights sitting around our campfire where she’d been reading, but it hadn’t struck me as anything unusual.

It wasn’t until I learned how quickly Sabrina could read that I realised she’d brought a small library with her on our Journey.

“They have caused some discontent, but they aren’t finding as many willing to listen as they assumed. Don’t be surprised, however, if you have some loud folks stalking your Gyms,” Yvette said.

Sabrina and I shared a look. Technically, you couldn’t protest a Gym. Especially not in Kanto, where our gyms were viewed as military assets. Protesting or impairing the functioning of a gym was a rather serious crime in Kanto. 

“What about the Battle Frontier? What is your impression of it?” I asked. “I understand that Palace Maven Spenser is your representative?” I asked.

Both Queens perked up at this. “Spenser served as a Palace advisor for quite some time until we offered him this new role. We think he will perform admirably as our nation’s representative,” stated Ilene.

Yvette took a long sip from her wineglass. Before raising it for a maid to refill it, she looked at Sabrina and me. “If you’d like to meet him, he’s due to come back for a visit. After that, I believe he will be rather locked down at that Battle Palace of his.”

I hummed in interest. It would be nice to meet another strong trainer and get an idea for the man potentially safeguarding a border. “I have to say I’m impressed at the strength of his pokemon roster. They are extremely diverse.” 

“Ah, would you believe those were all captured within Rota? Rota has a truly diverse ecosystem with many niche environments. While we only have the one major City, we also have numerous smaller towns spread across our lands that are tucked away as little hamlets. The northern regions are still, for all intents and purposes, wild you know?” Yvette claimed as she swished her wine glass back and forth.

For a moment, I thought Ilene might be in danger of drinking some of her mother’s wine, given how aggressively the older woman was gesturing, only for a maid to dart out from behind Ilene’s chair and catch the errant drops. 

I gave a small golf clap, which caused Sabrina and Ilene to giggle while Yvette blinked blearily. “Hmmm? Oh, thank you!” she said, taking another drink. 

She stared at me for a moment. “What are your intentions now that you’re within Rota, by the way? I don’t think I asked,” she said with a friendly tone.

Sabrina put her hand on mine, signalling she would take the lead. “We will be investigating the northern regions if possible. The myths surrounding the Tree of Beginning are of particularly great interest to us.” 

Yvette’s slouch vanished along with the bleary look she’d adopted. In its place, she gained a steely-eyed look. Ah, she was faking her drunkenness to make us lower our guard? Pity she didn’t have much experience with Sabrina, the ruse would never work on her. 

“Hoh?” asked Yvette. “You’d travel that far into the wilds? I must warn you that the Tree of Beginning is no trapse into a mere forest like that of Ilex or Viridian. Not even their deepest parts can be the same as the Northern forest.”

I considered her for a long moment. “Would it be more like exploring the Silver Ranges perhaps?” I prompted.

Ilene and Yvette both shook their heads. 

“No, no. Different environments entirely,” Yvette claimed. She set her wineglass down and drummed her fingers on the table in thought. She perked up and spoke, “The Northern forest gets a certain… depth to it, the further in you go.” 

She made a downward sloping gesture. “It is more akin to a cave, you see? Only all of the upper layers are exposed. Theoretically, you could fly in, but there are large swarms of Beedrill, Pidgeot, Fearow and other nuisances that will waylay you should you attempt it. The upper canopies are lousy with flying types, while there are lots of poison and grass types that live within the understory and forest floor,” Yvette claimed. 

“We would stock up on essential supplies should we undergo a trip there,” Ilene offered. “Also, be careful as the Northern Forest has no reception on the transceiver network and radio also fails to penetrate further than a dozen metres.”

“What of chain Teleports?” asked Sabrina. 

“That will agitate the Shiftry that live within the forest,” stated Yvette. “Best to hike it out and not cause too much of a stir… although I suppose with the sort of pokemon both of you can call up you might have an easier time of it than others,” stated Yvette.

Sabrina and I shared a look. Considering Mewtwo was going to be accompanying us as well… well that would certainly be a form of repellent to the average pokemon.

Ilene shifted. “There is a matter we wish to address,” she said formally. 

“We’re listening,” I replied. 

Ilene coughed and made a small gesture with her hand which caused all the serving staff to sweep in and remove the plates. Ilene rose. “Come, we wish to show you a painting,” she announced. 

She swept out of the room, and we all hurried to follow her. When she moved towards the guest wing, I started to get a sneaking suspicion that I knew what she was about to ask. 

She stopped in front of a familiar painting. “This is the hero of Rota and our ancestor, Sir Aaron. He married into the family with Queen Rin of Rota. He acted as its ultimate protector during an ancient battle when two armies of unknown origins began marching through our Kingdom. He set out to stop them fighting and was successful, but sadly at the cost of his life.”

Ilene bowed her head solemnly for a moment before indicating his outfit. “In the journals of Queen Rin, she stated he set out specifically for the Tree of Beginning, which had several interesting species of flora. If you encounter a crystalline flower, or anything pertaining to Sir Aaron please bring it to us as it is a crucial piece of our heritage along with being part of Rota’s history.”

I nodded. “I think we can keep a solid eye out for anything related to that description,” I replied, knowing that there were, in fact, two such items. One was a Time flower that recorded a message meant for Sir Aaron’s Lucario, while the other was Aaron’s staff itself. 

I’d just need to find…

Wait a second… didn’t Ash and his friends receive the staff from Queen Ilene for winning the tournament? Did that mean they already had it and that Lucario was still locked away within it?

“Brock? Is something the matter?” Sabrina prompted while tapping at my mind psychically. 

I gestured to the painting. “It’s a rather striking outfit, were my first thought but then I recalled what you were talking about. You said this was hundreds of years ago, no?” I glanced to Ilene and she nodded. 

“His outfit surely would have decayed by now,” I said with a sad shrug. 

I sent Sabrina the thought, “I want to see if they have the staff in the painting. It contains a Pokemon.”

“We understand, some items however, such as his metal belt, pouch, chainmail, or even his shoes, will be highly resistant to the ravages of time,” declared Ilene.

I frowned. “If it’s hundreds of years…” I trailed off, knowing I had to work it towards the staff somehow. I made a show of tilting my head. “You have an item of his don’t you? Something that has been maintained well I suspect?”

I was perhaps being a touch heavy with my manipulations but neither of the Queens had any reason to suspect me.

Sabrina nodded along with me, her eyes locking on the staff.

“Oh! Yes! We have pieces of his armor that he didn’t wear on the fateful day he rode out, along with his scepter!” Ilene gushed.

I blinked. “His scepter?” I flicked my eyes towards the painting. “That one?” I asked hopefully. 

Ilene nodded quickly and waved a hand at a servant and within moments the scepter in question was presented to her on a cushion. 

Ilene picked it up and held it out to me. “We use it as part of our ritual to honour the Guardian of Rota, Sir Aaron, each year during a pokemon tournament!” she gushed. 

As soon as the staff touched my skin, I felt a jolt run through me. I could feel the aura contained within the scepter and the dense, pulsing beat emanating from the jewel.

“Who?” a voice echoed through me feeling more like a vibration that swept through me rather than the typical psychic link Sabrina and I often shared. 

It was in a way similar to that of my bond with my Elite team except at the same time, not. 

“You are not him!” barked a powerful voice and it felt like the staff almost grew heavier in my hands. I drew upon my reserves of rock energy and stood firm. 

I tried sending a calming message into the jewel, only for a snarl to be my only response.

“Brock?” Sabrina once more prompted, stepping up to me. “You’ve been staring at the jewel rather intently for a while now,” she said.

I blinked and shook my head. “There’s something about it,” I said vaguely. “You probably have a better shot at it than me though.” I gave her the scepter, and she instantly reacted by straightening up.

A moment later, her eyes began to glow as she locked onto the jewel. “There is a pokemon locked away within,” she declared. 

Queen Ilene and Yvette gasped. “What?” “How?” 

Ilene stepped forward. “Who could…” she paused and glanced back at the painting. “Oh no… surely not after all this time…” she murmured. 

Sabrina narrowed her eyes, and the jewel began to glow brighter. “Step back,” she declared moments before the jewel flashed out like a lighthouse, causing most of the servants to hold up their hands in front of their faces.

When the light vanished, a new figure emerged in a crouched position.  

The Lucario that had been trapped within the jewel rose slowly and staggered only to growl. 

I noted that its eyes were clenched shut. Its ears twitched atop its head and the appendages on the back of its head wiggled slightly only to settle into place.

“None of you are him!” snarled the Lucario with a masculine-sounding voice that reverberated through me. It bared its teeth and twisted. “We’re back at the castle, but what happened to the armies? You should all be in shelters, you halfwits!” he snapped at us. 

Lucario turned and snarled at me. “And you should know better than to have set foot within the castle Crusher soldier!” snapped Lucario.

I blinked in shock. “What?” I said, stunned by this development.

Queen Ilene stepped forward with her hands raised plaintively. “Please, take a moment to breathe, good Sir Lucario. The Kingdom is no longer in danger. Brock is not a soldier in the Crusher army!”

Lucario focused his attention on the Queen and his nose twitched. “I’m not sure what you have been told girl, but—” 

Sabrina drifted forward and slightly in front of me protectively. “You’ve been within the jewel for hundreds of years Lucario!” she stated firmly, cutting through any misconceptions that might have been developing. 

My mind was still a little caught on the fact that he thought I’d been part of something called the Crusher army? Was that something to do with the Crusher tribe?

What was going on? Ash almost got mistaken as Sir Aaron, but in the movies Lucario hadn’t even looked in Brock’s direction once. 

Lucario stilled. “What?”

I frowned, noticing that for the entire time it had been out of the jewel, Lucario had yet to open his eyes. “You’ve been in the jewel for hundreds of years,” I said, repeating Sabrina's words hopefully to give it more weight. 

My mind raced as I recalled how this had played out during the movie.

“You’re talking nonsense!” snapped Lucario, only to crouch in readiness to sprint away, no doubt. 

“Sabrina!” I said, and before Lucario could leap more than a metre into the air, Sabrina caught him with a psychic grip. 

“Unhand me!” roared Lucario, as fighting energy built and exploded out only to be suppressed by Sabrina’s psychic strength. “A Crusher trap! I should have known!” he snapped.

“Sir Lucario, that is not true!” Ilene wailed, but Lucario merely snarled and bucked harder, causing Sabrina to grimace.

A moment later Alakazam and Kirlia were both out of their balls and assisting Sabrina allowing her to shake her head and step back.

Queen Ilene shuffled nervously. “This… what is going on?” she asked. 

“He still thinks he’s back during the war!” I announced only to frown. “Why does he think I’m something called a Crusher soldier?” I asked, looking to the two Queens for explanation.

Yvette stepped forward with a stern expression. “Most don’t recognise that there were tribal wars going on north of Kanto in the past. The Crusher tribe was one such group. They often dressed in forest greens or earthen browns and travelled far and wide. This saw them clashing with other groups such as the Redbark clan.”

Yvettte waved a hand at me. “You must look like a Crusher soldier to Lucario.”

I frowned. “But he hasn’t opened his eyes since he exited the jewel,” I pointed out to everyone, causing them to blink and look to see that I was correct.

Actually looking at him revealed he had several scabs and wounds over his body. Huh, they hadn’t shown those in the movies… but then again, a kids movie wouldn’t contain those sorts of things.

“Oh! Sir Lucario! You’re injured!” Queen Ilene gasped only for Lucario to slump as the fight left him.

I glanced over to see both Kirlia and Alakazam exhaling in relief when Lucario was finally unconscious. Huh, that was a strong pokemon.  

I waved a hand, “Perhaps we should get him fixed up and then see if we can clear things up. It seems we’ve started on the back foot for a lot of things,” I suggested. 

That saw a lot of movement as a gurney was wheeled out, with Lucario placed on it, only to be led towards a hospital bay built into the castle. Within a few minutes, Nurse Joy arrived with her trusty Chansey at her side, and the pair of them began seeing to Lucario’s needs.

“Hmmm, he’s exhausted. It’s a good thing you stopped him from running off Gym Leader, he’d have collapsed somewhere out of sight, and with the grit in his eyes, he might have risked permanent injury to his eyes. We’ll have him fixed up in no time, however!” announced Nurse Joy, earning a sigh of relief from Ilene.

I watched on. I’d helped get Lucario out of the jewel but his reaction to me had me on the back foot. 

If he couldn’t see normally, he’d have only been able to ‘see’ me through his aura sense. My aura would have been tinged with rock-dark energies.

What did that mean of Crusher soldiers then?

I suddenly had a lot more questions than I had a few minutes ago. 

What a strange situation. I’d gone in assuming I had all the answers only to find the reverse was true. 

I joined the others in sitting and waiting for Lucario to awaken, with questions swirling through my mind.

[hr][/hr] 

Lucario awoke slowly, but he did so in a manner that in normal circumstances should have hidden his state.

Then again, normal circumstances didn’t account for psychic pokemon monitoring his status. 

“He’s awake,” Sabrina informed everyone, causing the room to gain a frisson of tension.

Lucario cracked open his eyes and swept them about the room. Once again, he paused on me and frowned, only to shift to the two Queens.

“You aren’t Queen Rin,” he said slowly.

Ilene shook her head. “Sir Lucario, I’m sorry to tell you this, but you’ve been trapped within that jewel for… quite some time. Do you recall our earlier conversation when you emerged from the scepter?” she said carefully.

I pursed my lips, if anything Ilene was underselling it. While Lucario had been recovering Ilene had summoned a historian to get an accurate idea of just how long Lucario would have been trapped. 

The historian had consulted several texts before concluding that at minimum, Lucairo would have been trapped for roughly three hundred years. 

It was very much a pokemon out of time. 

“That… what of Sir Aaron, he didn’t desert did he? The armies?” his eyes flickered to me. “Has the Crusher Tribe taken over Rota?” Lucario asked with naked desperation in his voice. 

Ilene smiled, shaking her head. “Fear not Sir Lucario. Sir Aaron saved the day. He was able to stop the battle successfully.” She drew out a worn journal and began flipping through the pages.

She wet her lips and swallowed before reading aloud, “It has been a week since the battle of the Beginning Valley, as some have taken to calling it. It is with heavy heart that I must pen that day’s events. 

“My love, Sir Aaron has departed this world. He rode forth on his Pidgeot to the Tree to stop the battle taking place. 

“From the balcony of the palace I observed the two armies, that of the Crusher tribe wearing their signature forest greens that allow them to travel the lands almost unseen, against that of the Redbark clan wearing the blood red tunics close on each other at the valley leading into the Northern Forest and that of the Tree of Beginning.  

“It seemed that a truly epic battle was about to unfold to determine the fate of our Kingdom only for the crystals that are found throughout the land to suddenly glow. From the tree itself an enormous green beam of energy shot into the sky and radiated outward.

“The two armies, which had been brutally struggling against each other moments before, stopped and reformed. Their savagery was forgotten as they passively departed the Kingdom of Rota. In the week since, scouts report that both groups have continued to march with no sign of stopping. 

“Good riddance to both of them, I say!

“From the Legends surrounding the Tree of Beginning and the words of my beloved, Sir Aaron, I can only conclude that he made contact with the Guardian within the tree and was able to bargain for our kingdom’s safety. That he has yet to return is perhaps a sign of the cost associated with this bargain.

“Part of me wishes to curse the man and the Guardian both, but I cannot. As Queen I must be thankful for the safety of my people… and yet I find my heart broken. 

“Of my Brave Knight, only his scepter has been returned to me, thanks to the efforts of his Pidgeot, who flew away after gifting me this final memento.

“There are no signs of his student, Sir Lucario. I hope he is not too distraught with his Master’s departure from this world. My husband had such hopes for the pokemon to one day serve as the future Guardian of our people.

“I have declared Sir Aaron as the Hero of our nation and the people have taken up celebrating him.

“It is a cold comfort to me… I hope our future child can learn how great their father was.”

Ilene swallowed and closed the book. She took a moment to breathe, regathering herself only to look up and meet Lucario’s tear-streaked eyes.

“I’m sorry Lucario… Sir Aaron is gone… Much of what you knew is gone… but Rota, thanks to his sacrifice, has remained.”

Lucario stared, tears beginning to trickle down his face as his paws twitched at the bedsheets, his tail curled in on him. 

Eventually the blue jackal-like pokemon swallowed. “I-I would like to be alone… to process this,” he said tersely. 

Everyone bowed their heads and moved out with only Ilene lingering to give Lucario a quick pat on the leg. 

Nurse Joy sighed from the hallway, “Poor dear, he’s going to be so lost.”

I could only nod at that. Sabrina and I didn’t say anything else and returned to our rooms. I collapsed on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “Well… so far nothing has really gone like I expected. I weirdly feel bad for letting Lucario out, but at the same time keeping him in there wasn’t good.” 

Sabrina nodded and I scrubbed at my hair. “Three hundred years? That’s crazy.”

Sabrina hummed before making a small ‘heh’ noise. I glanced at her and she waved her hand dismissively. “Prior methods of pokemon containment apparently did not have the self-release function.”

“Yeah… but it had a stronger stasis,” I replied. “I think I prefer our current pokeballs. If I vanished, I don’t think I’d like the idea of my pokemon remaining imprisoned like that.”

Sabrina curled into my side. “Neither would I,” she said. “Do you think we should still go to the Tree?” she asked. 

“I think it might help. Even if it is just to find some of those Time Flowers we might be able to give Ilene more insight into what happened,” I said. 

When breakfast occurred the next morning, I suggested as much to the serving staff that dropped off our meals. That quickly saw an invitation to dine with the Queens being offered and once more we ate with royalty. 

“You still wish to go?” Ilene asked. 

“Yes, our reasons for going are unchanged. We’ll try to watch for anything else of Sir Aaron’s.” Ilene accepted that with a nod only for a door to crack open and Lucario to stride in.

“Sir Lucario, please! You only just recovered!”  gasped the maid who bustled after him.

Lucario paused before the dining table, offering Ilene a swift bow before straightening. He glanced at me and seemed to bristle. “You even look like them,” he growled, sniffing and looking back at Ilene. 

“I have heard that you are allowing these outsiders access to the Tree of Beginnings. I must protest, Your Majesty!” 

“It is not an issue. Gym Leaders Brock and Sabrina are of impeccable moral character and have agreed to investigate it for any of Sir Aaron’s artifacts for us.”

Lucario shifted. “Hmmm, the world truly has changed,” he said. “If they are going, I wish to go with them to make sure of their intentions!” 

Ilene frowned before relaxing. “We understand, you wish to also look into Sir Aaron’s final moments. You have our blessing to join their expedition,” she said.

Sabrina and I shared a look. That… hadn’t been something we’d accounted for. I considered offering an objection only to realise that it wouldn’t look good. Lucario would most likely dig his heels in or draw confirmation of us being suspicious from it. 

So I did the only thing I could. I smiled and nodded. “The more the merrier!” I said. 

And so it was that an hour later, Sabrina, Lucario, and I were walking out the city gates towards the northern forest. 

It did not escape my attention that Lucario kept shooting us suspicious looks. 

“What trickery are you hiding?” he demanded once we left the gates and were out of earshot. “Neither of you have packed anything!” he said. 

Sabrina and I shared a look only for us to reach into our pouches to draw out bicycles that unfolded until they were fully sized. 

Lucario skipped backwards. “Witchcraft!” he declared. 

I coughed. “Yeah… no. There’s been a lot that’s changed since you’ve been around,” I said, tapping on my Xtransciever to bring up a map. 

Lucario twitched at the light of the map before narrowing his eyes. “That… The kingdom has grown!” he said.”It didn’t used to contain the northern mountain or the western plainlands! What of the lands of Redbark?”

“Gone?” I replied uncertainly. I actually had never even heard of either group, but then again I hadn’t studied Rota’s history before coming. That… was apparently something of an oversight. “Perhaps it is best you stay behind to learn about how things have chang—” 

“No! I will not allow you to traipse through the forest like common poachers!” He snarled.

Sabrina and I shared a look. “Ummm, by poaching do you mean potentially capturing pokemon?” I suggested.

Lucario glared. “Yes! That is the definition of poaching!” snapped Lucario with a finger pointing right at me. “Do not attempt to confound me! I know the laws of Rota! The forests belong to the Royals and those with special permissions!” He waved a paw up and down at me. “I see no sash of station or royal favour about your person!”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Yeeeeah, that’s not a thing anymore,” I replied. I noted that Sabrina was watching on in fascination. 

I shot her a look and she rolled her eyes before waving at me, declaring that she was more than happy to let me handle Lucario. I huffed. I better not see a bag of popcorn any time soon.

Lucario scoffed. “Next, you will tell me that even peasants are allowed to hold pokemon.”

Sabrina and I shared another look. Wow, yeah… Okay I’d forgotten about that piece of history. “It’s… going to be a long trip, isn’t it?” I suggested. 

Sabrina nodded. “It would be yes, but I think I have someone who might like to teach him.” 

A pokeball on her belt opened and Alakazam appeared. Lucario blinked in surprise at the sudden appearance of Alakazam only for Alakzam to get in his face quickly. 

He offered Lucario a nod before beginning to gesticulate at the world around us as we walked. Lucario scoffed and shook his head more than a few times, but I could see a glimmer of doubt starting to take root.

I shot Sabrina a thumbs-up as we continued to walk. 

We got as far as the boundary of the Northern Forest when a shadow dropped down in front of us. 

“It took you long enough,” declared Mewtwo, still wearing his armor, albeit without the helmet.

Lucario instantly shifted into a fighting stance. “Stand firm brigand! If you should attempt anything, know that I will… Why are you wearing the sash of the Champion Knight of Rota?” 

I sighed and gestured towards Mewtwo. “Lucario, meet Mewtwo, Mewtwo, meet Lucario. You’ve both met? Good! Now, try not to kill each other,” I suggested. 

Both of them snorted with practically identical indignation, only to glare at the other. 

Oh yeah, it was all coming together. We were off to a great start. 

I stared at the forest path ahead. This trip really wasn’t turning out the way I’d planned. 

I glanced up at the sky and nodded to myself. 

I didn’t say it, as I wasn’t that naive, but it was at least a nice enough day. 

Now I just needed to get to the Tree of Beginning, look around for some rare pokemon, investigate time flowers for any messages Sir Aaron might have left behind, and also make sure Mewtwo didn’t get into a fight with the local Mew. 

Or the old as dirt Lucario. 

I clapped my hands and decided to channel a much younger Brock who’d been much more gung ho for these sorts of adventures. “Alright, let’s make tracks people!” 

Behind me, Lucario grumbled under his breath, and I could practically feel Mewtwo scoffing mentally as though declaring everything about this was beneath him. 

Sabrina giggled, knowing exactly what I was doing.

She linked her arm with mine and that made me feel a little better. 

I could always count on her. 

                                                             _________________

A.N. Thanks go to my patreons for your continued support!

Now, without going too overboard with regards to derogatory remarks, what is something that an old Lucario might say that would just be so at odds with the modern mindset. 

Should he be offended that Brock and Sabrina don’t have a chaperone for example?

Post some thoughts you might have as I really look forward to reading whatever you come up with. I can’t say I will use it but… yeah it should be hilarious.