Jhoto - Mahogany Town

Green's presence was a positive one for the group, especially with news of her twin and Pokemon getting better. Casey was happy to have another girl to gossip and get ice cream with, while Ash had fun having mock battles with her. Silver spent the few days of respite he received with Ash taking him out to different places for family outing and talking about what happened. Ash belatedly realized his cousin was worried about his mental state and did his best to reassure him. The three days went by fast for them and Silver had to leave for his duties after the third day though Yellow arrived by then.

Brock beamed, "Yellow, am I glad to see you?"

Yellow grinned as she kissed him, "Missed you too, Brock. Now Ash has informed me of what happened. Let me officially welcome you our ranks."

Brock laughed, "Thank you."

Yellow turned on Ash, "You too, kid. You are not leaving without a check up."

Ash raised his hands in surrender, "Yes maam."

Yellow, "I wish Riley was as understanding as you are. He is always running off from his check ups."

Ash, "Since Brock is focusing on being a healer, maybe you can work together to make sure he is okay?"

Brock snorted, "Sure."

Yellow laughed, "It'll be good to have someone back me up."

Casey giggled, "Well get going Ash. You promised to train with me today. Get your check up done then we can battle."

Green, "I'll help Max in his training in the mean time."

Max, "It'll be fun."

Yellow dragged her fellow aura users to a private room, "Make sure to pay attention Brock, Ash. As I won't be able to tend to you both should something like that happen again. I do however expect you to help each other out to stay alive till hekp comes. Oh and message Misty to meet me at Konkam island, will you Ash?"

Ash nodded, "Sure. I can do that."

Brock had taken out his paper and pen and writing down observations as Yellow explained how aura felt for healers. It was a lot more sensitive for healers as they needed to know how badly the Pokemon and team were hurt. It was no secret that many humans and Pokemon try to hide their true amount of pain from healers. So, it was ultimately up to them to figure it out, but there was a downside to it as well. Being that sensitive made them susceptible to the emotions of other living beings, sometimes making them feel lost and confused. Simon had found a way to build walls to block off most of the emotions, only opening it when necessary.

Ash was very interested in learning it, and said it out loud which had Yellow smiling at him. Yellow nodded and continued to explain the medical side of aura, how to check heart beat, how to find out if someone is poisoned etc. Lucario listened with a very inquisitive look, he had focused on training his aura to fight and defend, not to heal. Ash saw the interest and promised him to train in detecting the health problems at least, though he was not sure how they could help. They were not healers, sadly speaking, Ash's aura was heading more towards support and shield more than anything else. Yellow warned them trying to retrain would take longer as they were not instinctively inclined for healing like Brock or herself.

Ash, "I don't think I have the patience for healing. That's more Venasaur and Bayleef's field of expertise."

Lucario nodded, -Agreed, however such knowledge can be very useful. Especially if we come across Pokemon and humans who are hurt but are unable to explain what is wrong.-

Yellow, "That is true."

Brock gritted his teeth before taking a breath to calm down, "Yeah, we might have been able to help some of the Pokemon last time."

Yellow looked at Brock sympathetically, "You cannot help everyone Brock. Some people and Pokemon have their pride."

Ash grumbled, "They should really learn to place their pride aside then. Not a whole lot of good it'll do if you are dead."

Brock snorted, "Indeed."

Yellow, "Okay then Ash, you check out. Your health is at full capacity, aura as well. You still have your therapy sessions?"

Ash nodded, "It's one of the reasons we stay at a main City with Gyms for a week. It helps us catch up on our therapy, though our therapists may need more pay."

Yellow paused before nodding, "I'll deal with the new contract then. Off you go."

Ash smiled and left patting Brock's hand to which the older man rolled his eyes, Brock recognized the glint in the raven haired teen's eyes. Ash left the Pokemon center and headed to one of the more private training grounds. The talk with Yellow had peaked his and Lucario's interest and they wanted to try train their own aura to detect the health of their team. Lapras and Tyrantrum were curious after hearing what they had planned for the training while Annihilape was very supportive. Magby and Cyndaquill would be battling for the badge this time and for the third round it was a toss up between Shuckle and Croconaw.

Croconaw wanted to fight against the ice type gym, Blastoise had taken to tutoring him in using ice type moves. As the region's water type starter, Croconaw wanted to be Jhoto's strongest water type Pokemon that Ash would be proud of. Oh he knew, Ash loved him and was already proud of how far he had come but he really wanted prove to himself that he was worthy. Bayleef sighed knowing exactly how her fellow starter felt, because sometimes she felt like she was not doing enough to help others. She wishes she could evolve to Meganium like Casey's Meganium, then maybe she could be better help.

Lucario and Ash were quick to make them drop the notion, evolving too early and too fast would be detrimental in the long run. It had been proven over the years that fast and rushed evolution caused more problems instead of solving them. Cyndaquill was training hard, he had been looking forward to the battle, he was ready, he could feel it. The fire type starter had been unsure about evolving, he had listened to the heavy training schedules. It was a pity Charizard had work to attend to at the moment and couldn't train them.

Ash went to the Gym the next day, "Excuse me, we are here to challenge Gym Leader Pryce."

Sheila, "Sorry challengers but the Gym Leader has urgent business to attend to."

Max frowned, "You mean at the lake?"

Sheila eyed them, "Something like that."

Green, "Guess the problem is bigger than we had originally thought."

Gou grumbled, "I really hope it's not another Mewtwo incident. I adore Mewtwo but their births are very traumatic."

Sheila, "Champion Ash, am I right in assuming you and your group were at the lake?"

Brock, "We were there but we could not go anywhere near the lake."

Ash nodded, "Our unevolved Pokemon were in a lot of pain."

Sheila nodded, "Understandable. If you would follow me. Mimi take over for me."

Mimi, "Sure Miss Sheila."

Sheila, "This way, you lot."

The group looked at each other then shrugged and followed the very active Elder woman through a large field. On a closer look they could see a well maintained training ground with Pokemon using it. They were no doubt the police that belonged to the Gym and it's trainers and trainees. They could see the water and ice type Pokemon from Kanto, Jhoto, Hoenn and Unova. Huh, wasn't expecting Pokemon from Unova of all places.

Sheila, "Here we are. Pryce, got a few people here for you."

Pryce was talking to a Ranger but turned raising an eyebrow, "What is it Sheila?"

Sheila, "These lot were here want to battle you and they were here during that incident."

Pryce, "I see. Come with me."

Brock was curious and followed the Gym Leader wondering what they had to deal with this time. They were sure they covered all their bases, Max was looking a little nervous but didn't say anything. The dark green haired boy stuck close to Gou as they were taken to the back of the camp. Casey hid a wince when she recognized some of the Pokemon at the camp and took a deep breath before releasing it. Ash said nothing as they followed Pryce to the main office area or rather behind it to see Professor Elm.

Max, "Professor?"

Elm looked up, "Oh, if it isn't Max, Green, Casey, Ash, Gou and Brock. How have you all been?"

Green, "Good, all things considered."

Pryce, "What exactly were you doing by the lake?"

Gou, "Honestly speak, we wanted to take a break from training."

Casey, "Yeah, we have been training and planning on having Ace level battles."

Pryce's eyes glinted with interest, "I see. I look forward to it."

Ash, "Why are we here exactly?"

Elm smiled kindly, "Well, we found some poke eggs belonging to a pack of Tyranitar. The Rangers at Mt Silver are requesting them back."

Green nodded, "That makes sense. Tyranitar are protected Pokemon."

Gou looked at the Professor, "You want us to take the poke eggs to Mt Silver then?"

Elm, "We were hoping you would."

Ash, "I think we can. Red used to train at Mt Silver. We could as well."

Max, "So we have a plan?"

Brock, "I just hope no one tries to take the Pokemon from us after they hatch."

Ash growled, "I would love to see them try."

Annihilape nodded, "Annn."

Pryce chuckled, "Protective parents aren't you?"

Ash flushed, "A bit."

Green scratched her cheek and shrugged, "I mean, they basically are our kids I guess?"

Max nodded, "Yeah, Houndour is my first baby Pokemon and I love him a lot."

Elm nodded looking proud, "That's the right attitude to have."

Pryce pointed at a counter, "There are four Tyranitar eggs here. Now, it's highly possible for the Pokemon to not be a Larvitar after all Tyranitar are known for mating with Pokemon who are strong. Don't be surprised if another Pokemon is born."

Brock, "So who's holding a poke egg?"

Ash looked at Annihilape, "I don't mind, my Pokemon like helping care for the Pokemon eggs."

Elm picked one egg noticing Annihilape's intense stare, 'Huh? How fascinating.. '

Elm turned to Ash, "I didn't realize ghost type Pokemon would be interested in nurturing young Pokemon. Most ghost Pokemon I know prefer pranking and having fun."

Ash, "To be honest with you, Gengar is very parental too. Banette is very protective and so is Phantump. In fact the only ghost Pokemon that exhibit the regular ghost type habits is Phantump."

Elm, "Fascinating. I heard you plan on doing a Mastery on Mankey line."

Ash, "Mankey and Riolu. It'll be my first dissertation. I'm still ironing the kinks out for my paper though before I send the final draft in."

Lucario nodded, -I think you received a copy too, Professor. Both Annihilape and I are looking forward to the day Meema will claim Mastery of our lines.-

Brock, "It's very exciting and we are all looking forward to it."

Max, "Yeah, I started writing notes on Breloom line as well. I want to get a mastery after getting my own certificate."

Green, "Leaf and I will be there when you give your dissertation. In fact, I'm sure a lot of us are pretty excited about it. You'll be the first among us to give a dissertation."

Ash, "Thanks everyone. Now, back to the poke eggs at hand. Will there be someone waiting for us to receive them or do we have to find a way to return them to their parents."

Elm noticed how the Pokemon's expression fell for a moment but didn't say anything about it, "Well, the Head Ranger Asra from Mt Silver will be there to greet you. Remember, it must be the head ranger, no one else."

[A. N.: Hope you all are doing well.

Lately I really like Annihilape a lot. Like his design and typing is awesome. I love it.]