Jason awoke early the next morning with Shinx curled up next to him. Turtwig was awake as well, and standing in front of Jason's face. Jason smiled softly at his friend and gave him a pat on the head before rising to a stand.

"Morning you two," Jason yawned, stretching as he looked around.

"Tur! Twig!"

"Shinx!" The thunder cub commented as he awoke.

Jason glanced over to where Hiromi had been sleeping only to find her awake and brushing Lux's fur. The large feline purred happily at this. She nuzzled into the touch of the comb.

"Good morning Jason!" Hiromi exclaimed.

"Morning, Hiromi," Jason replied with a chuckle.

"Are we ready to get going?" Hiromi asked ecstatically.

"Yep. Now that Shinx knows Iron Tail, we should be good to go."

Hiromi and Lux nodded in confirmation. Jason returned Shinx and Turtwig and walked up beside Hiromi. Feeling his presence, Hiromi reached for his hand and took it. By now, Jason was used to the warmth that rippled through him at the very touch of her hand. He wondered if she felt it too.

This is very peculiar, thought Hiromi as her aura reached deeper into Jason's being.

I know he can feel it. But the real question is...does he know he has it? I know that I have made it more than obvious enough. It's there. I can feel it. I felt it the moment he set foot into Sandgem Town. Yet...he seems oblivious to it. How?

"Is everything alright Hiromi?"

"Huh? Oh! Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, I spaced out there didn't I?" Hiromi giggled.

"No worries. You just seemed really quiet is all," Jason replied, making sure to carefully guide her.
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"Cranidos, use Headbutt!"

"Roselia, avoid it and use Leech Seed!" Barry called out.

Roselia harkened to her trainer's command,  and narrowly avoided the oncoming Headbutt. The rose on each hand began to glow and seeds shot from them. Vines erupted from the seeds and wrapped around Cranidos, tripping him up in the process. The fossil Pokémon struggled futily to escape the draining clutches of the vines that ensnared him. Energy began leaving him and poring into Roselia.

"Wrap this up with Absorb!"

Roselia raised her roses and released an energy wave that upon contact, drained Cranidos of the rest of his stamina, knocking him out. At that moment, the ref's hand went up.

"Cranidos is unable to battle! Roselia wins. That means that the victory goes to Barry of Twinleaf Town!"

"That was an impressive display Barry. Just like your old man," said a man wearing what appeared to be mining gear and a helmet. He had cordovan hair and was fair-skinned. Glasses rested on his nose.

"It was a great battle Roark. I had a lot of fun," Barry stated with a bright smile.

"Well, I did as well, Barry. Which means that you deserve this," Roark replied,  holding out a badge shaped like a cross between a boulder and a Poké Ball.

Barry took the badge with a wide grin on his face. He lept for joy at his first great success. "Thanks Roark! This is my first step on the road to becoming Champion. It's been fun, but I gotta gotrain now. Bye!"

And with that, Barry bolted out the door, leaving Roark standing alone. Roark raised a brow at the impatient attitude of the young man. Shaking his head, he took up his pickaxe he laid down for the battle and walked out the door. On the door, he placed a sign letting trainers know that he would be in the mines and would be back later on that day.
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It was around noon when Hiromi and Jason entered Oreburgh City. As they entered the city, a familiar sight caught Jason's attention. Allen, the young man they'd met before, was outside his home training his Bonsly.

"Looking good Bonsly! Keep that rollout going a bit longer!"

Bonsly continued zipping around the house, making sharp turns as his speed increased. Allen, noticing their approach, turned to Bonsly again. "Alright, take a break Bonsly!"

Bonsly skidded to a halt and rolled over onto his feet.

"Yo, Jason, Hiromi, what took you guys?" Allen asked as they stopped in front of him.

"We took our time getting here. We're not exactly in a hurry or anything," Jason replied.

"I can see that. So, I take it you being here, means that you are going to challenge Roark. Be prepared for a tough fight."

"Thanks for the heads up," Jason replied.

"Not a problem, but you may want to wait a while. Roark left for the mines a while before you got here," Allen informed the duo.

"Ah. Well, maybe we can go to the mines and seek him out." Hiromi suggested.

Jason nodded in agreement and looked back at Allen. "Would you mind showing us the way there?"

"No prob! Besides, it'll give me something to do for a while. Bonsly and I just finished up training so we're free," Allen stated.

"Perfect. How about we go to the Pokémon Center and eat first, and then the mine? I'm a bit hungry," Jason laughed.

At the mention of a meal, a loud rumbling could be heard that was reminiscent of a growl from an Ursaring. The two young men turned to face Hiromi whose cheeks were tinted pink. A soft giggle escaped her lips as she felt their stares.

"I guess I'm hungry too," Hiromi declared.

"It's settled then. Let's get going," Jason laughed, taking Hiromi by the hand and leading her towards the center.
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Roark and the other miners were hard at work in the mines when Roark called a break. The other miners took a rest.

"So Roark. I hear the League Challenge has begun again. We've seen a few trainers pass through. Were they pretty tough customers?" A miner inquired as Roark slumped down and took a swig of water.

"They've all been good challenges so far, Dan. A few had to come back and retry, but they earned their badges. One of the challengers was really tough though. Right after he won, he bolted right out the door," Roark laughed.

"He must've been in a hurry," Dan chuckled.

"Yes indeed. As a matter of fact, it was Palmers son, Barry who fought me," Roark mused.

"One of the Frontier Brain's son huh? He must've been taught well to get a badge from you so quickly," Another miner commented.

"He was indeed. Speaking of sons, Dan, how's Allen?" Roark inquired.

"He's the same as ever. He trains his Bonsly every day from morning to late afternoon. He's determined to go on a journey. Now if only his mother would agree to it. The boy's eighteen for Arceus sake," Dan muttered.

"I'm sure Felicity will come around eventually. The boy has to leave some day, right?" Roark replied, taking another swig of water.

"Yeah, you're probably right. He is that age now. Sheesh, I remember when kids set out at ten! If that were the case here, I would understand my wife's concern," Dan laughed.

"Ah, but even then I am sure he'd have been a fine trainer," another miner added.

"Well boys, how about we get back to it? I've got a little extra time before I head back to the gym," Roark stated as he stood to stretch.
================================

"Jason? Your Pokémon are all fixed up," the nurse said with a bright smile.

"Thanks a lot," Jason Jason replied, taking back his team.

"Uh...Jason?"

"What's up Allen?"

Jason turned to see Hiromi putting away her fifth plate. Allen seemed shocked while Hiromi looked satisfied. She patted her food baby and gave a contented sigh.

"Oh that? Yeah, I'm used to it now," Jason laughed.

Sheesh, where does it all go? Her feet? Allen wondered, scratching his head.

"Are we all ready to go?" Hiromi asked as she dabbed her lips with her napkin.

"Yep. The mines await!" Jason replied excitedly.

Jason and company left their plates stacked neatly and took their belongings on their way out. Allen took the liberty of leading them to the mines where they might find Roark. They soon reached the mines and were inside.

"This place is huge!" Jason stated with wide eyes.

"Yep. My dad works in here. Roark and he, are good friends. They've been that way for a few years now. At any rate, let's go find them," Allen voiced.

Jason nodded and held tight to Hiromi's hand. All the while, Hiromi was feeling uneasy.

Something feels off here. I sense an incredible aura within these mines. It's different from Jason's. It feels almost...bottomless. Moreover, it feels...familiar somehow, like I've encountered it once before, Hiromi thought as she squeezed Jason's hand a little tighter.
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"Roark!" A miner called out, getting their boss's attention.

"What seems to be the problem?" Roark inquired as he madd his way over to the miner, pickaxe in hand.

"We've found something. We think you should take a look at this," the miner stated as he gestured to something sticking out of some rubble. It was a tablet of stone with a symbol engraved in it.

"By Arceus...what is this?" Dan asked as Roark knelt down to dust it off.

"A tablet of sorts. But it doesn't look at all ancient. This looks brand new!" Roark deduced.

"How can you tell?" Dan inquired.

"Well, I'm no Steven Stone, but I know my rocks. This was freshly made," Roark replied.

"Hey Dad!" Allen shouted, getting Dan's attention.

Dan whirled around to see his son along with Jason and Hiromi.

"Allen! Good to see you my boy. Are these new friends of yours?"

"Yep! I met them when they were on their way here. Their names are Jason and Hiromi," Allen introduced.

"Well met you two. Roark and I were just looking into something at the moment. What brings you here?" Dan asked curiously.

"I'm here to challenge Roark," Jason responded.

Roark turned towards the trio at the mention of a challenge and grinned. "I'd be happy to battle you once I wrap things up here."

As the group was talking, Hiromi's senses zeroed in on the tablet's power. She could feel the overwhelming aura that radiated from it. Though she couldn't see, she could feel that Jason began to feel nervous.

What is this strange feeling I'm getting? It's just like when I take Hiromi by the hand, or when I'm near her. But this...this is way more intense, Jason thought as he stared at the tablet ahead of him.

Just as he beheld it, the tablet began to glow around the edges and lift off the ground. It hovered for a moment and then floated over to Jason. The symbol on its surface was alight with incredible aura. Hiromi, at that moment, knew instantly what it was.

Unreal. Sensei told me that there was an aura that exhibited a far stronger presence than anything else. This feeling is unbelievable, Hiromi mused.

Roark and the other miners were awed by the sight of a floating tablet. They also took note that Jason's eyes seemed transfixed on it. The real strange part was the change in his eyes. They were like orbs of fire. His stare seemed blank as well. Allen snapped his fingers in front of him, but nothing happened.

"Jason? What's going on?"

"Jason?...Jason!?"

Within Jason's mind, he could hear his friends, but everything else was tuned out.

"What's going on!? What the hell is-" he paused as he caught sight of something bright.

It was a light shining in the midst of the nothingness that surrounded him. He couldn't see the mine or his friends. But he could hear them. The light soon gave birth to the form of a majestic looking creature. Jason's eyes went wide as soon as he saw the coloration of it. He'd read about this creature, seen pictures of it, but never dreamed he'd actually see it. The Alpha Pokémon stood before Jason simply looking at him.

"Jason Stevens," Arceus spoke, causing Jason to slowly shut his, forgivable, gaping mouth.

"This must seem rather strange to you. The creator of the Pokémon world standing before you. I apologize for the shock of it all," Arceus stated plainly.

"Y-you're...you're Arceus. Wh-what is going on? Why can't I see anyone? What's going on?" Jason asked in a nervous tone.

"All will be made clear. Jason, are you fully aware of who it is you travel with?" Arceus inquired.

"Hiromi? I-I don't know too much about her. She wouldn't say."

"As well she shouldn't have then. But after today...no. I shan't spoil it. In any case, she is of similar importance but we are here to discuss you," Arceus replied.

"Discuss me? W-why?"

"You seem to be in the dark about a lot of things regarding yourself. Let me put it to you plainly. You are aura adept."

Jason blinked. He'd read about that as well and heard stories of a powerful Aura Guardian named Sir Aaron. Never in his wildest imaginations did he think he would be one of them.

"There must be some-"

"Mistake? No. Otherwise, why would you be here, speaking with me?" Arceus quizzed.

That wasn't exactly arguable. Arceus just didn't appear to anybody. But an aura adept? Him? How? Jason scratched his head and rubbed his temples.

"Okay, so if I am aura adept as you say, why appear to me?"

"Simple. Because I chose you specifically for a task that requires intervention. As I said all will be made clear. There is a darkness that threatens the very universe itself. Should it be allowed to do as it pleases, all will be destroyed," Arceus informed.

"And what exactly is this darkness? And why can't you intervene?" Jason asked.

"Always the curious one. Simple. Someone needs to keep order up here. If I were to leave, no good would come of it, which is why I employed you as, my sword," Arceus replied.

Jason thought about it. Arceus wouldn't make anything up. It would go against who he was and what he stood for. If there really was a darkness coming, someone had to step in. It might as well have been him.

"What do you need me to do?" Jason inquired.

"The tablet before you is an exact replica of one of mine. There are sixteen more, all different in type but equal in power. The one before you is the Flame Plate. It will imbue you and your Pokémon of that type with its power. With it, you will be one step closer to being ready for the darkness. I have scattered the other sixteen all over Sinnoh. So what do you say, Jason of Twinleaf Town? Do you accept my will of fire?" Arceus questioned.

Seconds went by and for a while it seemed as tough Jason would say nothing. He stared at Arceus for a while before answering. "I accept."

"Excellent," Arceus replied.

At that moment, the vision faded and Jason could see again, and his first act was to touch the stone. A wave of aura washed over him, imbuing him with powerful energies. However, the intake was far more than anticipated and upon completion, Jason passed out.
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A/N: There we go! Took me longer than I would have liked to get this done but here marks the start of Jason's other quest. Don't worry readers, a gym battle will happen. Right after he comes to. Why fire first you ask? Because rock was too predictable. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it! Feel free to comment and vote! Anything helps me grow as a writer.