“Let me get this straight..” Serena said still finding it difficult to believe what Ash had just told her.  “You are related to the great Sir Aaron? The Aura Guardian?”

“Yes..” Ash said.

“So you too have the ability to use Aura too?” Serena asked for the third time.

“Yes” Ash said.

“That's... That's... really cool.” Serena said in awe. “So what can you do with this power? I know you can heal injuries now?”

“Not a whole lot really..” Ash said embarrassedly. “You see, even if I have the ability to use it. I never had any proper training and by learning to do it myself, I would end up hurting others and myself if I fail to control the power.”

“But then how were you able to use it on me?” Serena asked confused.

“Whenever I am feeling some intense emotions, the Aura within me reaches a point where I can use it.” Ash said. “It's kinda difficult to explain. Whenever I feel that way, I am able to connect with something within me.”

“I see.” Serena nodded. “So how many times have you used it before?”

“Only a few.” Ash said trying to recollect. “You know, I managed it on my first day as a trainer. When Pikachu and I we're being attacked by a flock of Spearows. Somehow I ended up triggering something and connected with Pikachu and charging him up with energy. He zapped the whole flock with a single thunderbolt.”

“Why are you always getting attacked by wild Pokemon?” Serena said chuckling.

“Ha, I can't help it.” Ash said laughing. “Well, it had been years since I had used Aura for anything. Then I saw you that night on the street. In the state you were, I..”

Serena bent forward and gave him a peck on the lips. “You don't need to explain it.”

“Yeah..” Ash said. “Also, it’ll be better if you keep this a secret too. If the word got out that I am the descendant of Sir Aaron, then media will surely go crazy. Right now only my Mom, Professor Oak, Gary and some of my previous traveling companions know about it.”

“Got it.” Serena stood up. “So you are leaving tomorrow,hmm. I should go and start packing then.”

----

Aria was sitting in a bed in the hospital where she was being treated for some minor injuries. She too had come in contact with the poisonous attacks and breathed in the toxic gases. She wasn't even aware about them until the Police had arrived at the scene and took her to the hospital. It wasn't anything serious but doctors had suggested she should at least stay under observation for a day.

Aria closed her eyes really wanting to forget the incidents of last night. She had stood up for what she thought was right but ended up helping the villain to escape from police. She had been tricked. The person was just wearing the police uniform for the sole reason to get help and he had succeeded.

Ever since she had been admitted to hospital, she had twice been questioned. First came the Police and interrogated about why she had chosen to interfere with the arrest. She tried her best to explain them what had actually happened. But they seemed unconvinced with her story.

After them came the G-men. They were a even less considerate about her situation. She could understand why they were upset with her but the thing which scared her was that they were going to arrest her for helping a criminal to escape unless.

Luckily the G-man whom she had fought against had just regained consciousness. He confirmed her story about the person wearing a police uniform. So now they had no choice but to let her go. But from now on she was going to be monitored. Definitely not an ideal situation but it was still better than being arrested.

The police had enough sense to not make the news of her involvement in the incident public. So that was one less thing to worry about. Ex-Kalos Queen Involved in a Shocking Incident, Aria could even imagine the headlines.

The tablet pinged on the table beside her bed. She picked up to check and noticed there were a ton of messages for her. Most of them were related to her work and from her colleagues in Beyond Borders. Today was supposed to be her last day in Kalos. She had a flight to Kanto tomorrow to meet up with Brock at the Beyond Borders head office to prepare for their journey. He was going to accompany her to the Delta region.

Aria's eyes flashed towards the latest message she had received. It was from Serena. She quickly opened and read through it. A smile formed upon her lips as she learnt that Serena had accepted her invitation. Aria had invited her old friend as she had recently stepped down from her title. But wasn't really sure if she would accept it. Surprisingly she had.

A doctor entered the recovery room she was resting in. Aria was upbeat after receiving the good news. She flashed a smile towards the doctor. He returned the gesture.

“So someone is really happy.” he said chuckling.

“Indeed.” Aria said. “So can I get discharge today? I have a really important flight tomorrow for which I need to prepare.”

“Well, we have removed all the poisonous impurities from your body. There's no harm for you to go home now.” The doctor quipped. “Still, I would strongly suggest you to rest. This process of detoxification can be weakening for a person.”

“Definitely.” Aria assured him. “I will be sure to take a lot of rest.”

“Then I see no problem discharging you.” Doctor smiled.

----

Aria had been discharged an hour later and was walking towards the exit. It was a pretty empty corridor except a couple of people. As she was walking she heard some voices from the door ahead of her. She unknowingly froze as she recognized the voice from last night.

“I am telling you for the last time. Take this thing off my neck..right now.”

Before she knew Aria found herself peeking into the patient's room. She saw a very pissed off purple haired young man talking to a nurse. He had his neck plastered.

“I am really s-sorry, but I can't do it.” the nurse stuttered.

Aria could feel the tension herself even though she wasn't in the room. She saw the nurse’s legs were shivering uncontrollably as the man gave her a death stare.

“Why the hell not?” He asked. “If you are incapable of doing so, please ask someone who is.”

“That's not- That's not the problem.” the nurse said. “You have minor fractures in your neck. At least a week full of rest is necessary before we can be sure that you are completely healed.”

“But I am not feeling any pain at all.” he said. “If you people are not going to do it, I will just ask my Pokémon to do so.”

“What?! Are you insane?!!” The nurse shouted. She dropped the tray of medicication she was holding and ran outside.

She saw Aria just outside the door and approached her.

“Ma'am can you please do me a favor. I am going to get the doctor. Will you please stop this person from doing anything stupid?” She asked.

“me?!!...” Before Aria could say anything the nurse had ran away.

Aria stood astonished at the situation she had found herself in. She took a deep breath and looked into the room. The purple haired person was slowly reaching for the pokéball on the table beside him. Aria quickly went inside. Even if she was afraid to face him, she wasn't going to let him do something stupid.

“Hey! stop!” Aria said as she went inside and unintentionally banged the door to the wall.

He stared at her briefly.  “You? Why are you here?”

“I...I...I..came to stop you.” Aria exhaled. But then quickly added after. “from removing this plaster.”

“Ahh..Why?” He asked in annoyance. “Do you always meddle in other's affairs ?”

Aria had no idea how to respond. She was feeling really awkward right now. Why on Earth would did she have to come face to face with this person? After a long pause she managed to speak.

“I am..I am extremely sorry for last night. It was a misunderstanding. I am really sorry because of me you had to go through this.” Aria said.

He scoffed.

“Also thank you for your statement. If it wasn't for you I probably would have been arrested.” Aria said.

“Surely…” He said looking towards the window. “It was the right thing to do...you fell for his trap.”

Aria jumped as the door to the room slammed open. A doctor and two nurses ran in. They were panting.

“Thank you so much.” A nurse said, one who she had talked to before. “We are sorry for taking your time.”

The nurse held the door for Aria. She wanted to say goodbye but the doctor and Paul were busy in a serious conversation. She left without saying anything.

----

It was evening in Vaniville town. Gary was training his Pokémon in the grassy fields far away from Serena’s house. Shinx and Litleo were sparring. Both of them were getting stronger day by day. Shinx was surely going to evolve very soon.

“Alright take a break.” Gary called out. Shinx and Litleo stopped and laid down panting beside each other to take rest. Gary too sat down on the grass. He had been exploring quite a bit around Vaniville. He hadn’t found anything significant but still enjoyed it. This small town settlement was one of the most beautiful places he had seen in Kalos.

He was going to miss it. Ash had told him that he would be leaving for Kanto with Serena tomorrow. Gary had decided to go along with them. He thought it would be nice to spend some time with his grandfather before moving on to the Delta region. Apparently he still kept this as secret like he had been told too. But he really wanted to tell him. He knew Ash was going to Delta from the letter, and now Serena was going too.

I will tell them when we get back to Pallet Town, Gary thought.  

Since he was out roaming almost all day, he was feeling a little tired. He decided to head back. This would be the last night he would be spending in Kalos. The last week he had spent in Vaniville had been quite peaceful and relaxing. Much different from the month he spent at the rented flat in Lumiose City. He had to thank Serena and Grace for that. He would certainly drop by Vaniville if returns to Kalos someday. And also to Miette’s Bakery, definitely.

Miette had left for Lumiose today, early in the morning. Saying there was some problem at the bakery. But Gary had a hunch that she was just making it up. He had noticed her behaviour of late. She liked spending time with him and he did it too. So the news of him leaving soon did break her heart. Perhaps she left early to not get too attached. It made him sad too for leaving her like this. They had just begun to know each other.

I could have waited...no, opportunity of exploring Delta is just too important. He would never get another chance like this. Gary promised himself that he would return to Kalos one day after his job in Delta would be done.

----