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

II Ash's P.O.V

"Terrain Master?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"That's quite the achievement," Champion Lance commented, completely oblivious of my short circuit. "Normally one becomes a Type Master or a Generalist Master, before achieving a Second Mastery- like Terrain Manipulation. But you have quite a knack and imagination for it. Even turning Legendaries attacks to your use and turning them into a new field for your advantage. Even if you are not yet a Generalist Master, you sure as Arceus is a Terrain Master after all your achievements. Not even I have such a keen manipulation of the field, I do prefer to overpower my opponents" I heard him talk but my mind kept on repeating Master, Master, Master."

"Ash, you do know that you already are a Master level, right?" Scott cut in. "I do like that fire in you, wanting to wing a Conference to prove something to yourself, every one of us has it. But you also need to take pride and recognize your achievements. Your Pikachu can turn any battlefield into his advantage, being water, rock, and even air. He can fight in the air, using his opponent's attacks as a propulsor, as if he was a Flying Type. Heck since your fight against Brock you showed signs of a proficient field manipulator. Your Birds can fight on the ground, the way only Flying Masters can achieve."

"I... I know that, but it has always been my pokemon the one that wins the battles for us." I said, still far away in thought.

I always wanted to be a Master and I am finally one!

"That is a noble way to see things," Head Ranger Charles spoke, taking pity on me. "Maybe you are right when it comes to Type Mastery or Generalist Mastery, but they are your ideas that made it possible to take advantage of the battlefield and other attacks, turning it into your battlefield. Take pride in that."

"I do..." I sighed. "It's simply too much in so little time, it feels so surreal," I admitted, taking comfort in Pikachu's nuzzles.

"I understand. I am sorry for having to make it worse," he replied, putting another box on the table. "Whenever a Ranger is promoted to Ace Ranger you receive a reward."

I looked at Head Ranger Charles with a betrayed expression and rapidly turned to Scott, who simply smiled and placed another box on the table. I moaned, hiding my face on Pikachu's fur.

"Jajaja, we all agreed on the same gift. Believing you need them and are responsible enough to wield them. Especially, since the chances of you going against Team Galactic is not questionable." He joked, but you could easily tell he was seriously under his teasing exterior.

"What are they?" I asked, kind of scared by the answer- they were too serious to be handing me an Evolution Stone or a pokemon.

"I believe Professor Oak taught you about Mega Evolution." Champion Lance commented, opening the box to show me to Mega Stones. "These are a Charizardite X and an Altarianite."

"Why am I not surprised?" It left my lips before I could stop them, luckily, he was not offended, if anything he was amused.

"Can you fault me? I am a Dragon Master." He replied, between laughter.

"This is a Pidgeotite," Head Ranger Charles said, opening his box.

"I got you a Heracronite. Professor Oak got you a Key Stone as a gift," Scott added.

"By the way, be careful with the Mega Stones I gave you. Mega-Altaria becomes a Dragon/Fairy Type and Mega-Charizard X becomes a Fire/Dragon-Type." Warned me, Champion Lance.

"A Dragon-Type can become a Fairy Type?" I asked stunned. "Isn't that like a Fire Type being an Ice Type too?"

"That's a Galarian Pokemon," Scott commented, I shook my head not wanting to confuse myself anymore.

I looked down on my wrist, still stunned by the beautiful Key Stone on the Mega Bracelet. On the other hand, Charizard, Pidgeot, Altaria, and Heracross loved being able to evolve even further. They took Mega Evolution as a Goldeen to the water, that did make me very happy. Showing that the bond with my pokemon is strong. Even with Altaria, who I had only had for three months. When Charizard found out about his species having another Mega Stone to evolve into a Mega-Charizard Y, he could not stop pestering me about it.

Talking about my pokemon I am so happy that with my Ace status I was allowed to bring up to 12 pokemon with me. I decided to keep 6 of my old pokemon with me and the rest for any new family members I end up catching. I might only have Pikachu and Jolteon out, but I also have Aipom, Vibrava, Honedge, and Froakie with me.

This was a new start, a new me. But, of course, things could not change too much. As always, when I am in a new region, I caught the Regional Bird, a handsome Starly. But things cannot stay quiet and peaceful for too long for me. On my way to Professor Rowan's Lab, I had to hear a girl's scream, being who I am I ran towards the sound.

I'll help the girl and then deal with whoever is following me later.