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

IX Ash's P.O.V

"It isn't uncommon for people with money to have arranged marriages very young." James responded before continuing. "She was arrested and charged with doing illegal things while in a cult to try to use black magic or something to get me to love her. I think she almost sacrificed someone. Anyway, after that my parents were rightfully frightened and broke things off. which jessibelle's parents understood completely. Jessie won the hearts of my parents and the rest is history." James finished

"Arceus... even I would join Team Rocket if it meant escaping from that kind of fate." Riley muttered, Lucario nodding his head besides his partner.

"Anyway enough about that. Let's move on to something happier." Meowth suggested.

They chatted for a while, then had dinner. the pokemon eating outside with the others. Another butler arrived not long later along with James's parents.

"James my boy, it has been a while." James's father said as he walked into the room with his wife.

"Pa, Ma, You two seem well." James responded hugging both.

"So are these your friends you were talking about?" James's mother asked.

"Yes they are. You know one of them already." James responded.

"Indeed, although we did not leave a good first impression. I don't even think we introduced ourselves. My name is Martin." Martin introduced himself

"And I am Madelyn." Madelyn introduced herself.

"I'm Ash, and these are Dawn, Riley, May, and Zoey." I introduced everyone.

"It is very nice to meet you all." Martin said as he sat down with his wife.

"So, what brought you here?" I asked as the food was served.

"We knew James was spending the holidays here, so we decided to travel here. Plus we had other reasons. One of which we would like to discuss with you young Ash." Martin explained/

"You are aware of what happened with Jessibelle right?" Madelyn asked. When I nodded she continued. "Well after that incident, we took another look at our lives and realized we made a terrible mistake and we were incredibly out of touch with reality. We decided that after James married Jessie that we better ourselves. We started hosting charity events where most if not all of the profit goes to charity." Madyline finished.

"That is quite noble of you. But how does that tie into Ash?" Riley asked.

"We were wondering if you would consider your title for the good of the community?" Martin asked me.

"Title? You mean as The Saint?" I inquired.

"Correct. I am aware you don't like it for various reasons, and that is understandable. A title can be a burden. I can attest to that. But I also attribute a majority of my success with Charity due to it." Martin explained.

"So you are suggesting that Ash can use said title to help those in need." Zoey piped in.

"Precisely. I don't have any details yet but it would certainly be welcome." Madelyn added.

"I never thought of that before." I admitted. I was surprised that I hadn't thought of it. "This opens up a whole new world of possibilities. I like it. I won't even charge for my time." I answered happily.

"Excellent. Don't worry about organizing everything, you can leave that to us. otherwise maybe help out wherever it is convenient." Martin said. as they finished dinner.

When they got back to the dining room there were more presents under the tree. "We also got a little something for everyone." Madyline explained.

"You did? But we didn't get you anything." Dawn panicked.

"It is alright. We only want autographed photos of Ash, Zoey, May, and yourself." Martin explained confusing everyone.

"That makes sense for Ash and maybe May, but why Dawn and I? No offense Dawn." Zoey asked. Dawn nodded and turned back.

"We see big things coming from you two in the future." Madilyn explained.

Both girls shrugged and continued on.

On Christmas morning, everyone got ready and sat down to open gifts. Dawn recieved a beautiful yellow dress for contests, she knew right there and then that she would use it for the Ribon Cup. She thanked Martin and Madilyn for the beautiful gift. James' parents then gave May a gipsy costume for May and a burdeau suit for Zoey. Riley recieved a Key Stone from them and a Scizorite from James, Jessie and Meowth. The ex-Team Rocket trio gave the girls jewelry and accesorries that matched perfectly with their new contest outfits. I got a Mawilite and Sceptileite.

"Mega evolution?" Zoey asked as she looked at the stones.

"We were able to find someone that sells Mega Stones and Key Stones. We thought you would be able to effectively use them in the future." Martin explained.

"They are beautiful." Dawn commented.

"I really should make a Mega Ring for me to wear with it in. With the Z-ring and the Poke Nav I no longer have space for the Key Stone bracelet." I commented.

"Here is a catalog you can look through later." Martin handed it to me.

Then more gifts were opened!

I got a Dusk Stone from Riley, a Razor Fang from Zoey, a Friend Ball from May, and a Pikachu sweater from Dawn. I got a Leaf Stone fot Dawn, she got a Moon Ball from May, training weights from Riley, and a Piplup sweater from Zoey. May got a Torchic pin from me, a notebook from Riley, a make-up pack from Zoey, and a Blaziken sweater from Dawn. Zoey got a Dawn Stone from me, a scarf with a Glameow on it from Riley, a Dream Ball from May, and a Glameow sweater from Dawn. Jessie got Yanma collared glasses from me, a Nest Ball from May, a Jesalina Plush doll from Dawn, a Mimikyu Princess Doll from James, a Wobbufett Princess Doll from Martin and Madilyn, one part of a pair pen from Riley, and a Wobbuffet sweater from Zoey. James received a Premmier Ball from May, a Mime Jr. Sweater from Zoey, the other part of the pair pen from Riley, and lot of bottle caps from everyone else.

Meowth walks in not long after everyone put on their sweaters. "Hey everyone, come outside." Meowth told us, soon everyone followed him. Outside, surprisingly it was snowing. It was quickly discovered that it was due to a combination of Rain Dance and Hail making it snow around the property. Ice Beam froze the nearby pond. Finneon luckily was in the fountain. Magcargo and Meganium were by the nearby flower garden, making sure it got enough warmth and protection. Everything else was blanketed by easily 5 inches of snow.

"How long has this been going on?" I asked them shocked.

"About an hour." Meowth responded. "They wanted you to have some winter fun today."

"That sounds like fun." Zoey said.

Everyone went inside to change into winter gear. We spent all day outside. making snow forts, snowmen, snow angels, snow pikachus, snowball fights, ice skating. they had lunch and dinner by the garden which was kept warm. Some Pokemon took breaks there or hung out there. At nightfall all the Pokemon had one final gift. Using moves such as Electro Ball, Psyshock, Water Pulse, Flash Cannon, Energy Ball, Moon Blast, Dragon Pulse, Shadow Ball, Flame Burst, Swift, Focus Blast, Pin Missile, Air Slash, Dark Pulse, Icicle Spear, Rock Blast, and Poison Sting, producing varying different colors of fireworks.

Bringing an end to a wonderful holiday.