37. Mt. Silver

Delia was surprised over what she heard. "Kingdom of Rota and then Mount Silver? You've been busy…wait, is that why you went to visit Professor Oak about? To get permission to go to the mountain?" she asked and he nodded since his mouth was full of food and couldn't talk.

"Well, I'm surprised you came back so early. I would've thought you'd stay there for a long time. And wasn't it too dangerous there? Wasn't it too cold?" questioned Delia, worry evident on her face.

Swallowing his food, Ash spoke after. "It wasn't too bad Mom. The league had a cabin there that I used for my training. It did get cold but we were able to get used to it a bit. And I would've honestly if it wasn't for Mewtwo and Riolu," he said absentmindedly.

"What do you mean?" asked Delia, looking at the two who shared a quick glance with one another and Ash realized he let something slip.

Before Ash could say something, Riolu spoke up. "It's because when we met, we told him of another training area that he might like and it's not as harsh as Mount Silver but still has its benefits."

"Oh, is that so? So where is this special training place?" she asked, intrigued that something had caught her son's attention so much that he would leave Mount Silver after finally being able to go there.

Ash looked nervous while Riolu thought how best to answer that and wondered if they should be saying anything of the sort. But before either of them could say anything more, Mewtwo decided to cut in.

"It's a secret area that only those with a special invitation can go and train at," answered the psychic feline.

"Secret area? Special invitation?" repeated Delia slowly while alternating her gaze at each of them there.

"Okay, Ash, what's going on?" she asked her son, sensing something that was off.

Ash looked at Mewtwo, Riolu and Pikachu before letting out a sigh and shifted his gaze to Delia.

"Mom, I really can't say much since it's supposed to be a secret area," he started, going with what the legendary was saying.

"But I can say is that it really is one of the best training spots for a trainer and I have to go. And, I'm gonna be gone for a long time," he told her with a serious gaze.

Delia looked into her son's eyes and could tell that he was telling the truth. Even though she had a feeling that he wasn't saying everything. After a few more seconds, she let out a sigh.

"Alright Ash, I believe you. I just hope you know what you're doing. How long are you going away for?" she asked him.

He looked at his companions for a quick moment before facing her again.

"It's…gonna be a while Mom."

"How long?" repeated Delia with a tone of worry.

Ash let out a sigh. "At least three years."

Silence filled the small dining area in the Ketchum residence as Delia took in those words and it lasted for a good while with everyone thinking a million things. Until she broke the silence with a barely controlled tone of voice.

"Well, it might be longer than usual but I'm sure you'll be alright and I'll be hearing from you regularly. But if anything…"

"No Mom," interrupted Ash, making her go silent. "I won't be able to call you once I get to the training spot."

"What?! WHY NOT?!" she yelled out, unable to control herself anymore.

"It's…it's because…" Ash didn't know what to say and couldn't continue.

"It's because the training spot doesn't allow it," said Riolu, making everyone look at the canine pokemon.

"No one knows about it except for a select few Lady Delia, and whoever is invited, whether they go or not, are not allowed to mention it to anyone. But we're telling you so you'll know but you have to keep it quiet as well. Once they go there, they're cut off from everyone for a long time."

"Why would a training spot for trainers not allow trainers to talk about it?! It sounds fishy to me! I don't care if it's so special, because if that's how things are, then you can't go!" snapped Delia, standing up from her chair and giving her son and his newest companions an expression mixed with anger and sadness.

"It's bad enough that you always leave so soon after coming back but now you can't even call me or contact me?! No, I won't allow it! Why would you even want to go to this kind of place that won't let you call their family or friends, huh?! Huh?! I don't like it and you won't go! I don't care if I have to tie you to this house, you're not gonna go no matter…"

"It's to train his Aura," interrupted Mewtwo all of a sudden. His words made Delia go silent at once, her eyes widening and her heart beating quickly. Seeing her quiet for the moment, and ignoring the looks on the other's faces, the psychic feline stood up himself and explained further.

"This secret area is only for those who are recognized to be able to use Aura, and is where they go to train their abilities. Your son shows much potential for it and he is old enough to go now. We, Riolu and I, were requested to retrieve him by the masters of that island so he can come to study and train his Aura. It would also be a great place to train his pokemon as well so we came here to get all of his pokemon. The secretiveness of all of this as well as the strict no contact rule is so others won't be able to locate the secret area and so he won't have any distractions as the training will be difficult. But with it, he can learn how to use it and become stronger, along with his pokemon. And also so no one can find the island and try to force the secrets of Aura out of it. Even if they couldn't use it, people don't always listen now do they?" explained Mewtwo. He went quiet and waited for Delia to say something.

Ash, Riolu and Pikachu were astounded over him saying all that and stared at the legendary as they slowly understood what he was trying to do.

Delia couldn't believe what she heard from the purple feline. Her heart was beating like mad and her mind was racing with a million different thoughts. She knew he could use it. But she didn't think that he would want to become better at it. Her son, being trained in the ways of Aura?

She shook her head after a moment. "How…did they find out he can use Aura?" she asked Mewtwo in barely a whisper.