Going forward and beyond {Path of the Aura Ranger: Book I}

II Bulbasaur's P.O.V

"That's good and all..." I began. "But that still doesn't explain why Pidgeot is crying her heart out or why you all look as if someone had died!" I finally snapped and raised my voice, getting various surprised looks. But I did not care, I had finally reached my limit. "Get to the point and tell us what the hell happened!"

"We-we-well..." He stuttered. "Everything was going according to the plan until Ash went to confront Hunter J." He finally answered, getting to the point. A feeling of foreboding came over me. "She tried to escape by blowing a hole on her ship and using a parachute, but Ash stopped her, and Espeon got apprehended her... however, Ash did fall from the airship."

Just like that, I felt my heart stop for a second. Breathing became hard and I could feel the cold seep in me. Many pokemon jumped up and shouted 'WHAT?!', shocked about the news. Maybe that's why Ash did not contact anyone, until today. The only thing that kept me from breaking down was the fact that Professor Oak had told us Ash has been the one to call for us and that if anything serious had happened to our trainer none of them would have allowed being taken from his side.

"I was supposed to keep him safe!" Pidgeot finally spoke between sobs. "He had left his security to me... and I failed him!"

"Don't speak like that." Espeon sighed. "Master does not like it when you do and he already has enough to worry about, to add your guilt to the mix." She scolded Pidgeot. "Master has already told you that he has forgiven you, that there was nothing to forgive. Even the lizard wasn't able to get to him in time! If anything, the mouse, the sword, and I should be the ones feeling guilty, we were the ones that could not stop him from falling..."

"Enough." Meganium finally spoke, with a severity I've never heard in her voice. "No more talking like that. We all feel guilty, if Feraligatr hadn't evolved and caught Ash before he touched the ground... we all would be without a trainer today." Her words sent shivers down everyone's spine. They made me realize how close we've been to lose Ash... to lose our family. "Charizard went berserker when the Mega Evolution snapped, not being able to be maintained after Ash lost concentration. He let Blaze take control over him and almost killed the Salamence... however, Blaze also meant he wasn't completely in control and Salamence took advantage of it and sliced his open. Charizard is ok now, surgery was successful and the worst he got was blood loss and stitches." I sighed in relief. I had almost lost two of my oldest friends yesterday. Three if we counted Pikachu, he would have never forgiven himself for Ash's death... none of us would. But it would have hit him harder. "But as we all know Charizard would never stay in bed rest and would easily end up opening his stitches the moment he was left alone. So, Ash decided to keep him with him until he regains his strength."

"Yeah, that sounds like Charizard to me." I chuckled. "What happens now?"

"I think there'll be a press conference tomorrow," Espeon answered, cuddling her mate. "People want answers... even though it was supposed to be kept a secret. Hunting down Team Galactic will be much harder for Master now." She sighed. "Master is traveling with a coordinator and she has a contest in Jubilife City the day after the press conference. After that, I believe he'll continue his journey."

"A coordinator?" I asked surprised, more relaxed now that I know everyone is safe... relatively speaking at least. "Anyone, we know?"

"No," Feraligatr replied. "She is a new trainer, just started his journey. But Aipom tells me she is a good person."

"Aipom?" I inquired; I knew Ash had planned to find a new trainer for Aipom, but I'm surprised he would find one so fast.

"Yes, Dawn is Aipom's new trainer," Meganium answered. "She is a good girl and a good coordinator, for a beginner. Aipom will have a good time with her and this way we'll be able to keep in contact with her and travel with her for another year."

"That's good." I sighed, relieved.

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking with each other, getting to know more details of the mission. We found out that neither Professor Oak nor Delia knew about Ash falling from the airship, so we decided to keep quiet about that around them and any psychic pokemon that wasn't part of Ash's group. I also decided to talk with Pidgeot, not only to make her feel better but because I also needed someone to keep an eye on the group until I returned. Meganium was pregnant and Sceptile would be too focused on his mate to do the job properly. I needed her at her top game, especially after all that happened. The team will be much rowdier than usual. It would also be good for Pidgeot, she'll have something else to focus on. Just in case, I also left Espeon and Sylveon to keep an eye on her.

When evening came, Professor Oak finally came to take us to Ash. Even if I trusted my team and knew that Ash was fine, the moment I was released from the Poke Ball I jumped on him. Everyone else had the same idea. Luckily, we were all small and did not worsen the condition of his shoulder. I heard chuckling before coughing and turned around to find Charizard laying on a bed, his whole torso covered with bandages and his arm connected to an IV.

"You are an idiot," I told him, once we settled down. Ash figured out that there was no way we'll let him go, so he stayed on the floor and allowed himself to be Lillipup pilled.

"As if you wouldn't have reacted the same way in my position." He growled/groaned back.

"If I had been in your position, I wouldn't have extended the fight during a mission for my entertainment." I scolded him, I softened when I saw him wince in guilt. "But I can see you understand your mistake."

"Believe me, I do." He replied with a grim frown.

"Good," I said, satisfied. "At least, tell me you no longer blame yourself about the Charizard Valley issue. Because if you had that and this, you'll be insufferable with all the moping."

"Relax." He scoffed. "With the mouse and Ash talking to me back in the Ranch before I left for the Valley, I was able to let go of the guilt..."

"But it won't be the same with this." I continued for him.

"No, not with Ash almost dying because I wanted to have some fun," I growled.

I sighed but kept quiet. Right now, was not the moment to talk with him, not when he is like this. It is also something only Ash will be able to get him to understand and forgive himself. Somethings can only be done by a trainer. So, I kept quiet and cuddled my trainer, happy and relieved that he was alive, lulled into sleep by his healthy and strong heartbeat.

My trainer was alive and there was no greater joy than that. Any pokemon can assure you that.