Ash, "We are going to challenge the wild gym and the shadow gym."
Misty perked up at that, "Really?"
Ruby, "The festival will not start any time soon, well for two days, at least. So, we can challenge the gyms before the fetival."
Serena, "Oh! I am so challenging the wild Gym. I have been wanting a Wild Gym badge ever since I saw Diamond's Wild Gym challenge."
May, "Oooh! You saw that too? Those badges were soooo cool."
Misty, "Shadow gym for me. I need stamina battle practice. With how things are in the Orange Archipelago and Cerulean shores, I need to be strong."
Chloe, "Me too, I have agreed to become dad's official OFRA while travelling. Things have been quiet tense at the borders."
Melody scowled, "Hunters have been a major head ache. I have decided to become a Pokemon Ranger. However, they only allow you to enter the Ranger Academy at eighteen not before."
Gou had a thinking pose, "It is more of a college than an actual school, so that is not surprising to me."
Melody, "I figured that might be the case. Professor Ivy has given me a few works to complete to enter the Academy."
Ruby, "That's probably to decide what specialization you will focus on. Rangers may be battlers but most of their time is spent on keeping the forest balanced and Pokemon healthy."
Melody, "Is that why I am expected to follow Nurse Joy or Nurse Jim around next year?"
Ash, "Well, it makes sense if you think about it. Rangers are the first responders in the forest."
May, "So, you will be expected to provide a decent first aid. Till a Doctor or a Nurse arrives, anyway."
Molly, "I think you would be a really cool Ranger, Melody."
Melody grinned, "Thank you, Molly, I hope so too. We have been dealing with the Taurous shit thrown at us fine so far, but having some legal powers would be nice."
Ash hummed, "That makes sense. There is only so much Gym leaders can do about certain fields and areas."
Misty groaned, "Understatement much? I can only exercise my Right to Protect, inside Cerulean City. Outside it, I am balancing a fine line between helping and interfering. It is likr standing on the edge of a knife."
Misty then went on a very angry rant about the Hunters and organization members but rogue and official while fulfilling a request for the Weather Trio. Melody, Serena and Chloe would work with her to deal with the mess but even with their help, they were really annoying to get rid of. When one disappeared another would return like the Hydra that Ash had written about in his books. Ruby only listened sympathetically and give a few words of comfort and encouragement. He understood the frustration, truly, that was how he felt as a trainer and sometimes still does despite being the Champion of Hoenn. Misty huffed as they walked through the very colourful city and headed to the outskirts where the Wild gym was located, they would have to search for the shadow gym though. Serena, May, Gou, Max and Molly challenged the Wild gym that was being run by a teen girl, Tasnia.
Tasnia, "Alright pick which Pokemon you want to battle."
May, "We can pick our own?"
Tasnia, "Yup, makes things interesting and helps me figure out new ways to deaal with any weaknesses in my strategy."
Ash, "Smart!"
Molly, "Ooooh! I picked mine."
Tasnia, "You picked Marshtomp? Nice."
Mudkip had a glint in his eyes, "Mudkip mud."
Tasnia laughed, "Ah! I see what you are doing. I like you girlie. Alright since the little lady has chosen I will attend to her first."
Ash, "You guys have fun."
Ruby, "We are gonna go hunting for the Shadow Gym."
Melody, "Let's meet up for dinner later, yeah?"
Misty, "I am gonna battle so hard these few days then relax like a Queen during the festival."
The group then split into two. One with Ash, Ruby, Misty, Chloe and Melody heading out to find the Shadow Gym. The other with May, Max, Gou, Serena and Molly staying back to challenge the Wild Gym. Molly had expected to not win but she was not the type to give up that easily either and Mudkip was a stuborn Pokemon as well and refused to give in. Tasnia was amused and impressed by the hard headedness and stubborn spirit and offered o keep a slot open for after the Festival for her if she wanted a re - match. Molly perked up accepting the offer and making plans to train for the re - match. Tasnia showed her the training area she used but Molly refused though she thanked her for it saying she wanted to grow stronger her way. Next Max decided to battle a double battle with Mareep and Charmendar who had been getting excited after seeing Molly's fight.
Tasnia, "Do you want to battle their evolved forms too?"
Max, "No, I want to battle your Sandslash and Marill. I am focusing on their weakness."
Tasnia, "That's quiet a gamble for a beginner. Wait, you are not even one yet. Are you sure kid?"
Max, "Look, I do not expect to win at the moment, ok?"
Tasnia, "You don't know that."
Max, "I know there are more powerful trainers out there. Also, I cannot challenge an official Gym except on a few days which are far and between."
Tasnia smiled, "Yes, the rules exist for a reason."
Max, "So, yeah this is my best bet in seeing how far our endurance training has come."
Tasnia sighed, "Sometimes I wish the trainers in this Kingdom has half the drive you visitors have. Ah well. Let's see what you got kid. Sandslash, Marill take the field."
Max, "Mareep, Charmander, let's show them what we got."
Breloom, "Loom bre breloom."
Kirlia, -What she said. Remember your training and don't forget to dodge.-
Misty, "Is it here?"
Ruby, "Last I remembered. Unless they have moved."
A voice came, "Well, well, well, if it isn't my dear student."
Melody turned to see a very tall Knight, 'Holy Trio! Now, that's a DILF right there.'
Chloe coughed, "Oh hello! We are here to challenge the Shadow Gym."
The tall dark haired and chocolate skinned man grinned, "Oh ho! I have not had many come challenge me the last few days. How have you been, Ruby?"
Ruby smiled, "I have been well, Sir Krissh. Everyone, this is Knight Krissh, one of the few people I trust with my life and Pokemon."
Krissh smirked, " Greetings young ones. I have heard of you from Ruby here. Especially you two, Aura users."
Ash straightened, "Yes Sir, we hope you will accept our request."
Misty, "Yes Sir, it will be an honor."
Krissh, "And you must be the young Ladies who is the right hand woman of one of these Aura Users."
Melody smirked, "We are both with Misty, Sir. Ash's right hand is currently studying in Sinnoh."
Ash, "My what?"
Misty, "Everyone knows Gary is the only one you actually go to for help when you are stuck with something."
Ruby, "It is not a bad thing of course."
Chloe, "Gary seems to be able to guess what is happening correctly without even knowing the full details either."
Ash thought about it then shrugged, "We practically grew up together so it makes sense."
Lucario grinned, -He ripped you a new one last time you almost got hurt and he is the only one with the balls to do it.-
Ash protested, "That was not even my fault."
Krissh laughed, "Well, it is a relief to know you have trustworthy people around you, young Aura users. Even if they are not present physically. Come this way!"
The group followed the Knight inside a tunnel and Ash could not help but marvel at the painted murals and statues that decorated the place. Krissh explained Mirage Kingdom may not be as old as the Kingdom of Rota or the Weather Trio temples or the Blackthorn castle but it had it's own beautiful history. The Kingdom actually started as a relief camp created to house the old and the young who were vulnerable during the Great war by the ancestors of the current Royal family. Those people were from a humble birth, a family of farmers who worked the land but was forced to move due to the war that ruined the fields. They took the ones who were unable to fight and went in search of a safe heaven where they could rebuild new homes and the young ones could grow. Here they met the Alpha Togekiss that watched over the land that time and struck a contract with them.
Ash, "An Alpha Pokemon? That is amazing."
Krissh smiled nodding at the statue of the Togekiss, "Yes, they have been the Deity of this Kingdom ever since. There has not been another Alpha Togekiss since she was born but if another does appear I would worry."
Melody, "Yeah, unless they have a trainer, a naturally occuring wild Alpha usually means trouble."
Chole, "Dad explained this once. Alpha Pokemon were a natural response towards danger and invading forces back in the day. It did not stop the war of course, but they provided some much needed relief all the same."
Krissh, "Here we are! The battle zone."
The group gasped as they walked outside the tunnel and realized they were inside a colosseum like place. There were already a few Knights who were running around with their Pokemon and battling each other. They stopped when they saw their group enter the place and greeted them while sizing them up. Misty and Chloe also straightened at that and greeted them with confidence as well. Melody was giddy with excitement while Ash was still asking about the place and it's history. Krissh was also patiently explaining the significance of the place. It had in the begining been an empty valley with no way to bring in water or grow food. The people used the valley that was located outside to grow consumables and used the Colosseum as a make shift home instead with the war going on. It took years before the first village was built which slowly turned into a town, then a Count fief, to Dukedom and finally Royalty once they broke free from the previous Kings control.
Ash, "Sounds more like generations of struggle."
Krissh guided them inside, "It was, this did not happen in one generation but rather across six generations. The one you see ruling this country right now is the twenty seventh generation."
A young girl spoke up, "A history lesson again, teacher?"
Krissh's eyes brightened as he saluted, "Princess Miranda, escaping from your meetings again, I see."
Miranda pouted, "No, I actually finished them today. Greeting travelling trainers. Welcome to Mirage Kingdom."
Ruby, "Thank you Princess. Here to challenge your teacher I suppose?"
Miranda, "You know me. One of these days I will gain victory."
Krissh, "The day you do, I shall become your personal Knight as agreed upon."
Melody looked between them with twinkling eyes, "May I battle both of you after your match? You both sound powerful."
Miranda flushed, "Me? Powerful? Nothing such, I tell you. I can barely scratch him during battle."
Ruby, "Ah! Ah! Ah! You forget that experience adds up, Princess."
Misty nodded, "Yeah! I would love to battle you too."
Chloe, "Me too! It will be fun in my opinion."
Miranda, "Alright then ladies, since you insists. I shall battle you after I battle my teacher. I cannot say no when you request so prettily."
Ash, "I will battle you after the battle with the Princess then, Sir Krissh."
Krissh, "A battle against the winner of three cups of the Jhoto - Kanto region. You will be fun to battle."
Ash, "I will have some of my Pokemon sent over. I have mostly been using the regular roster during Gym battles. My older Pokemon are going to enjoy this."
Miranda, "Teacher, let's get this show on the road. I have three beautiful ladies waiting for me."
Krissh, "Take your stance then Princess and show me what you got."