Pokemon MD: Hearts of Darkness Ch. 2 Aura School

He left his hometown hours ago and heading toward a mountain region.

All his life he knew himself as the only Riolu/Lucario around. Now he's going to a school where multiple numbers of his kind are likely to reside.

Soon he saw his ride nearing the center of the mountain ranges, where a large plateau was.  On top of the plateau seemed to be a castle-like building carved from stone.  Within the facility seemed to be a mixed of green plants and Stoney areas.  Surrounding the facility is a ring of walls made from stone.

Apparently the only way to reach the Aura Academy is by air.

The Dragonite landed near the Academy gates. As Rio put down his belongings off his ride, he felt Alakazam's arm touch his shoulder.

"My boy welcome to what will be your home.  Within these walls you will find your true self and truly master your power. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Have no fear, your hometown is protected by the Rescue Teams and besides warning visions, there's no other apparent sign of Shadow Lugia's return Anytime soon.

"So put your mind at ease young one and focus on your studies. Farewell. I look forward in hearing your progress.

And like that he disappeared using Teleport.  The Dragonite left moments after, leaving Rio alone.

He carries his belongings and took a deep breathe before going inside.

The stone carved gates seemed to open by themselves as he got close to them.  What Rio saw inside amazed him.

Riolu and Lucario are everywhere.  He never saw so many of his kind before.

At the Academy's enterance grounds there's a courtyard which the floor was entirely of stone.  At the center, the floor designs and stone tiles took shape of an Aura Sphere.

 

Standing on it was a class of Riolu, practicing stances while being watched by a Lucario instructor.

At some parts of the large courtyard some Lucario and Riolu were walking around, others were training, others yet were playing even.

 

Nearby Rio he saw a group of Riolu playing a game of catch with an Aura Sphere.  They bounced the ball of energy as if it was a solid ball. Some hit with their hands, others kicked the energy ball.

One Riolu attempted a somersault kick to revive the ball. He failed to connect properly and the Aura Sphere bounced off and head toward Rio.

Rio barely has time to focus Aura into his hands allowing him to catch the Aura Sphere ball.

A Riolu came to him and said, "Mister can we please have our ball back?"

"Um...sure here you go," Rio replied throwing the "ball" gently back at the young Pokemon.

He caught it between his hands, and smiled as he said, "Thank you Mister." Before going back to his friends.

Rio smiled at the sight when suddenly he heard a voice behind him. "Having fun young Lucario?"

He turned around to see another Lucario behind him.  He has brushy fur at his head, and have bluish slivery fur as a sign of age. He has his paws behind his back, giving a sagely smile.

It wasn't his appearance that surprised him, it was the fact he didn't see as him coming.

He was behind him where the gates are.

There was no one behind him outside the gates before he entered the Academy.

He didn't, hear, smell, or even sense his Aura coimg.  It was as if he just his presence and Aura just appeared.

"Uh...yah...you are the head of this of institution aren't you?" Replied Rio.

"Am I? What makes you think that?  What makes you think I'm not the gatekeeper?" Said the elderly Lucario.

"The fact you were able to sneak up at me like that, not many Pokemon could sneak up without make a noise, hide their scent AND Aura.  Those that do must have skill.  Also now that I can sense you I sense your Aura blazing inside you so fiercely it's like a bonfire. I never sense more powerful Aura, I can feel it like weight bearing down down on me."

"Well now," said the Lucario with a grin.  "I greet initiates like this from time to time and you are one of the very few who hit the nail on the head.  You have skills for a self taught neophyte. I am Kai, Headmaster of the Aura Academy. I'm also the Aura Grandmaster of the Aura Guardians."

"Aura Guardians?" Asked Rio.

"You haven't been around with our kind very much huh?" Said Kai raising his eyebrow.

"No not really I'm the only Lucario where I live."

"I see, then follow me if you please." Said Kai as he started walking.  Rio followed.

They walked across the courtyard. Rio glimpsed at some buildings and saw classes of Lucario and Riolu training inside.  Some were meditating, others were at obstacle courses with blindfolds, others were sparring amongst themselves.

Soon they arrive at a cathedral-like building.  Inside he saw stain glass windows showing images of Lucario and other Pokemon standing together,  some even non-Lucario were wielding Aura Spheres.

There were also some images of those kind of Pokemon standing with Rescue Teams groups marked by their team bandanas and ribbons.

It became clear about three groups of Pokemon were depicted in the stain glass images.  The Pokemon Rescue Teams marked by thier bandanas and ribbons.  The Aura wielding Pokemon that wore nothing to idenify them though some wore outfits similar to the Aura Guardians of the human world.  Whether they were clothed or not they stood near a banner that bears the mark of the Sura Guardians.

The third group seemed to be mostly Dark Pokemon that had nothing to identify themselves as a specific  group. Though some were clothed in black cloaks and hoods with no distinct marking.

In one central Stain-Glass image it showed all three groups standing against Shadow Lugia and his Shadow Pokemon.

"The Rescue Teams aren't the only protectors of this world," said Kai as he stood behind Rio who looked up the central stain glass with awe. "As you travel the world you'll discover various organizations for both good and evil.

"In our region of the world three major groups are created to protect the Pokemon.  The Rescue Teams were the most recent.

"The Aura Guardians was the most ancient.  In the human world, the humans themselves have a similar order which humans and their Pokemon partners stand together as Guardians of the Aura.  That order is has very few active members left in these modern times, unlike in our world as you can see there's many of us, though the Rescue Teams have replaced us as the major protectors of the world and we continue to protect from the shadows a lot like the third group you see, they shall for now remain nameless until you meet them one day.

"But I digress.  I'll continue my stating that in our glory days we once taught Aura not just to our species but to other Pokemon as well.

"After all, Aura exists in all of us, only us Lucario are more naturally attuned to it and more capable of mastering it.

"However it's possible for all Pokemon to manipulate Aura and thus once we have Aura Guardians out of various members of various species.

"The third group existed as long as we did and while our goals align we are at times at odds with another even today.

"When the Pokemon Rescue Teams came into being, we worked alongside them offering our aid and counsel.

"When Shadow Lugia became into being and the Shadow Wars commenced.  Our cooperation with the Rescue Teams was a reason how we were able to hold off the Shadow Pokemon invasion.

"Then Char, the Charizard hero of your legends, who was first an Aura Guardian before being a Rescue Team member, became a Shadow Pokemon, but his will, connection to Aura, and his love to his loved ones prevented him from falling completely.

"It was unprecedented for a Pokemon who has the power of Aura and wields the power of Darkness at the same time and remained good.  He became a beacon of hope for all three groups to press forward in repelling Shadow Lugia's onslaught until Char convinced the Legendary Pokemon to aid us which defeated the enemy.

"After the war he Remained a Shadow Pokemon, being like that meant he no longer age like some Legendary Pokemon , but ultimately died when he sacrificed himself to save Pokemon from a natural disaster.

"In the years after the war, while Dark Pokemon became victims of prejudice for the crimes of the Shadow Pokemon, the Aura Guardians became saw as an archaic order, as future generations of Pokemon favored the Rescue Teams.

"Eventually our order declined until mostly only Riolu and Lucario are members, and our order was kept out of the official affairs of the world and had to serve it in secret.

"You Rio are selected because you have proven yourself to be an adept Wielder of Aura.  But what you have learned by yourself is only a bit of what you can really do. Allow me to demonstrate.  Fire an Aura Sphere at me."

"Excuse me?" Said Rio, it wasn't that he's underestimating the older Lucario, it just that he didn't expect such a request.

"Now don't let my old appearance fool you, I can take it, just fire and don't hold back," stated Kai taking a stance.

"Oh ok here goes," said Rio as he jumped away and fired a full powered Aura Sphere.  The blast went toward Kai.  Before it reached him the Aura Sphere grew smaller then finally disappeared.

Kai made no move or gesture but held completely still.

"Good now do you know Bone Rush?" Asked Kai giving no explanation to what happened just now.

Rio held back urge to ask questions and obeyed, drawing a bone staff of Aura Energy.

He swung it at Kai.  Kai blocked it with bare hand. Then Rio saw the energy of Bone Rush disperse and went into Kai's hand.

"You absorbed it...and somehow you did the same to that Aura Sphere."

"Correct and here is the Aura I took from you, here you can have it back....Aura Counter Shock..." Said Kai as he placed his paw at Rio's chest.

Rio felt a jolt of energy surged inside him, burning him from inside out.  He fell to the ground with his body smoking and unable to move.

Kai kneeled before Rio and placed his hand at his chest again this time he felt Aura being transferred inside him and healing his wounds.

"Usually what I'm doing to you now would be fatal to the user, to transfer Aura into someone else, but if one absorbs Aura from the environment around him, it stabilizes the body and spirit.  Only an the most skilled Wielders of Aura can do that, which fortunately for u we teach as a curriculum at the Academy.

"See there's much to Aura then you led yourself to believe, a well trained user of Aura can not only channel Aura from within yourself but Channel the Aura around him giving him far more strength then he would with his ownAura alone.  What I demonstrated is the skill and knowledge you currently lack, to absorb and channel Aura from the environment around you, from other living things even from the bodies and attacks from your foes.

"However at the gate you demonstrated you are able to at least defend yourself from Aura attacks from others as you were able to hold that Riolu child's Aura Sphere, that shows you are capable of learning how to strengthen yourself by the Aura in nature around you.  Now get up." He said as he head appendages raised up and made a gesture with his paw.  Suddenly a Forcefield of Aura Energy surrounded him and he found himself being suspended into the air and got him back on his feet.

"Was that...Psychic?"

"No I merely encased you in a Forcefield of Aura and with my mind controlled the Aura to lift you," Kai said as he put his arm on his shoulder.  "There is so much you can do, in this day forth you shall enter into a brand new world, the door opens only if you are willing to cross over."

"I am, sir."

"Good for this day forth you shall be my apprentice.  It's mostly a formality. Usually I hand new Acolytes over to the instructors and put you in a class which teaches basic training.  Upon completing basic training, you'll be selected by an Aura Master to take as their apprentice who'll advance your training until you are ready to graduate and be recognized as a true Aura Guardian, even after that the Master remains as your confidante and mentor.  In time once your deeds as an Aura Guardian have taken the Aura High Council's notice, they would name you an Aura Master, that has the potential on being voted on the Council and if it's your choice train an apprentice of your own.

"That's how things go in normal circumstances.  But I taken a liking of you, that aside there aren't many Aura Masters available to train a new apprentice.  it's been a while I did some teaching  since I trained my granddaughter as my last apprentice."

"Granddaughter? How old is she?" Asked Rio."

"Around 23, about your age I can imagine."

"How old are you?"

"Oh about 103 next month."

"Whaaaattt!!!!????" Rio shouted in disbelief, Kai looks as if he's just out of his prime.

The ancient Lucario gave a chuckle as he patted his face.  "A true Master of Aura can manipulate Aura to augment and improve the body in ways one can only imagine, even slow down the effects of age. Not completely as you can see I still age eventually, but at my current state I'm far from have losing 'it'". He winked at Rio with a smug grin.

Rio gave a nervous chuckle amazed on how great this individual is.

"So if you that old, have you fought the Shadow Wars?"

"No. It was over 150 years ago. But my grandfather was a veteran and my father met Char at peacetime. Well anyway let's..."

"There you are Grandad," says a voice from the far end entrance of the building.

A female Lucario came in, she ran across the large room in a blur then stopped when she went be near them.

"Been looking all over for you...oh this is the newcomer? Hi I'm Aurra, Im a head instructor here and also an Aura Master on the Aura High Council.

"One of the youngest candidates might I add," said Kai with a wink.  "As I mentioned she was my last apprentice before you, when I have to sent you to a class she'll be one of the teachers you'll turn to continue your training."

"You made him your apprentice Grandad? Like that? It's ok with me but you know the rest of Council would hate you going over your head like..."

"Kai!" Bellowed a voice that echoed across the walls. A male Lucario bounded into the room and came toward them.

He seemed only slightly older then Rio and Aurra. His expression was a mix of confidence and superiority.

"What's the meaning of this? What was it I been hearing about you accepting a new Acolyte into our Academy? The Council formerly rejected Alakazam's plea to train the neophyte. Have you forgotten we no longer have the facilities to support more members?  We could have long ago in our glory days when a chain of Aura Academies existed throughout the region.  But after the Shadow Wars and other Pokemon species favoring Rescue Teams over us, our other schools and memberships declined leaving the Original Aura Academy which is also the meeting place of the Aura High Council.  In these times there's hardly any room left for the Acolytes and Guardians we have now.  That's why we have laws allowing only Riolu children at a certain maximum age to join us or if they are a natural born resident of the Academy.  We only allow older prospects to join us at special cases or when the Council voted for approval.

"This Lucario is too old.  Nor I see anything special about him, and the Council decided to reject him.  He should never have come in our gates."

"It was a split decision Donovan and you know it, there wasn't a majority rule in the voting, thus Grandad within his right as our Grandmaster made a final decision and accepted the newcomer," said Aurra.

"He still has to appeal to the Council by brining this neophyte before them.  If he seems worthy, and you get a majority vote then and only then he can be accepted as one of us," replied Donavan.

"I'm sure they'll approve, Donavan.  Alakazam shared me his memories of Rio's battles, I felt what he felt in them.  This Lucario has potential, he has self taught himself to have the current power and skill of a well trained Acolyte adept.  There's rumor that the ancient evil is returning and we are to have war again.  If that's so we are to have all the help we can get," replied Kai.

"The Ancient Evil's return? Those visions were nothing more then bad dreams a bunch of seers have at once.  Allow me to put your minds at ease, this Lucario is nothing special at all and isn't worth our time.  I'll prove it," said Donavan as he walked toward Rio. Before anyone can stop him he put his hand at Rio's chest.

Suddenly he felt Aura explode out of his body.  Donovan had apparently used his power to draw out Rio's Aura deep inside to gauge his power.

But it went too well, the energy around him was intense, in fact in burned his body like fire.  Donavan moved his paw back which got burned from the energy.

Rio screeched in agony as the surge of intense energy continued to burn him. He fell to the ground writhing in pain.

Kai and Aurra rushed to him and began absorbing the excess energy, they absorbed until they could touch him safely.  Kai touched his chest and stopped the flow of energy.  They began healing him together.  Rio passed out from the pain.

"That was reckless Donavan, you almost lost an arm and nearly killed him,"stated Kai

Donavan nurses his paw and began healing it.

"Forgive my insolence Grandmaster," said Donavan with a bow.   "I had no idea he had this level of power at his current level."

"He must have if no one ever taught him how to use that power and yet he's able to self taught himself to reach his current level. Imagine what would his power be like after proper training? Such a Lucario has potential and it would be a waste to turn him down.  I'll make him my responsibility."

"Very well Grandmaster Kai, I'll fetch the healers to finish reviving him.  When he's prepared we'll present him before the full Counsil.  Once they approve of your decision we shall indite him an Acolyte of the Aura Academy."

As soon as Rio was healed he was brought before the Aura High Council, they arrived at the same building where Kai showed him the stain glass pictures.  The Cathedral like building with the stain glass turned out to be the main hall of the Academy and also the meeting hall of the Aura High Council.

The Council sat at a table near the Central Stain Glass picture of the three groups fighting Shadow Lugia.

Kai sat at the central seat of the table, with Aurra and Donavan seating at seats at both sides flanking him.

Kai held a mystic looking staff while presiding at the Council.

Before the Council, Rio was asked to perform basic tests such as charging and firing Aura Spheres, perform other Aura based attacks, spar with a group of Lucario blindfolded and do other such tasks.

After performing all the tasks the Council was satisfied, and approved accepting him into the Aura Academy.

For the next few weeks, Rio was sent to a class of Lucario and learned under instructors like Aurra.

From them, he learned how to absorb Aura in the nature around it and manipulate it as he would with his own natural Aura, how to absorb Aura based attacks, how to use Aura to augment his speed, strength, and dexterity, and other skills that are considered basics in the Aura Academy.

From Kai, he learned much more, how to use Aura to activate Time Flowers, how to heal himself using Aura, how to make constructs of weapons using Aura, how to form barriers of Aura or even blasts of Aura, how to track beings with Aura from long distances, how to heal others by transferring Aura to others without suffering the fatal effects, and other advanced skills.

Rio absorbed all the skills like a sponge, while he had his successes and short comings he gained a reputation as a willful student and a rising star in the ranks of the Acolytes.

One day Rio was walking toward the training room where Kai summoned him for a trading season when he heard the voice of his new friend Gin.

Gin is a Lucario with rare silver white fur, apparently from a birth mutation.  He has talent but his look made him less popular amongst the students.

Rio, who stayed away mostly from crowds, befriended the social outcast.

Gin in personality is outgoing, friendly, socially awkward, a lover to nature and small Pokemon.  In his spare time he's the Keeper of the Gardens which where many kinds of other beautiful Pokemon reside.  His job is to tend the gardens and protect the resident Pokemon which many are his friends.

What he lacks in physical strength he makes up in his manipulation of Aura within plants, which whom he can communicate and command them to move and attack at his command.  He can also lend Aura from  them to gain strength or heal.

His ability to communicate with plants via Aura is useful in gaining intel when on a mission 

"Hey! Hey! Rio!" Yelled the silver furred Lucario as he ran toward him.

He reached him and pants to catch his breath. "Hey man where are you going?"

"Kai has summoned me for another's lesson."

"Your master said what is in today's curriculum?"

"No but he said it'll have me find a new perspective of things."

"Really well don't waste time on my account and get over there."

Rio nodded and waved goodbye as he went to one of the Academy's many training rooms.

The one he was to meet Kai in was 

At a room that has a forest inside.

He walked to a a lake where he saw Kai meditating at the center of it.  At first he assumed he was meditating on top of a rock or lillypad that's floating on top of the water, but in fact there was nothing but water under him.  Somehow his body was suspended on the water's surface.

Without looking or breaking his position and concentration, he spoke to Rio saying, "Ah good you are here. Are you ready to begin?"

Many miles away back at Rio's home town, Blaze, Rio's best friend was on the way to take over Rio's part time job as the security guard of Queenie's restaurant bar and inn.

She head toward it when she bumped into a Pokemon.  The Combuskin looked up and saw a Gallade hovering over her.  He wore a Rescue Team bandana around his neck.

"Oh hey I'm sorry, are you hurt?" Asked the Gallade.

In normal circumstances she would be cross at such a thing, but seeing how handsome the male Gallade seemed to be to her she simply blushed and says "n-no problem..."

"Cool are you the one known as Blaze?"

"Who wants to know?"

"I'm Gal, I was once a member of Team Omega, now I'm leader of my own team, a new team called Team Brawlers. 

"Upon starting this team I needed new members and was there at the tournament looking at potential prospects.  Amongst the Pokemon I noticed there that day I noticed u too.  See you got talent and wondered if you interested in joining our team."

"Why you want me? Rio is stronger, and a better candidate," replied Blaze.

"Because he already will be In a different team if he accepts, provided by Alakazam.  Besides I have already enough burly guys, my new team needs more of a woman's touch, strong but has grace, skills, and smarts.  You showed that in the tournament and I think one as pretty and skilled as you deserves a team behind her."

She blushed at the comment. "Yah? What's so interesting about me?"

"Heheh that's what I wanna find out. See I was part of a Dojo school they specializes In Training fighting Pokemon before I become a Rescue Team Pokemon.  You aren't the only one chosen by my team.  So even if you don't wanna join the team you could benefit from the training."

"Well...I'll consider it..." she pouts but got closer to him.

"What's your name anyway?"

"I'm Gal...."

As they kept talking a good distance away, Gengar, who was Gal's team leader watched the meeting from a distance way and chuckled evilly.

Hours later in the cover of dark, Gengar appeared in a dark forest and met with Alakazam who was floating, meditating underneath a tree.

"Hey Mr. Zam, Gal did it, she was hesitant at first but soon she agreed and enrolled at the Dojo as planned."

"Very Good Gengar. Tell me about Gal, is he with us?"

"Nah not yet at least, when I had him on Team Omega he was a capable and obedient team member.  But he has a desire to become stronger, that trait could be exploited when we recruit Blaze and Gal together."

"I see, no matter, he currently serves our purpose.  He bought Blaze out of her and Rio's hometown.  With her gone Rio, as soon as he finds out, would want to join a rescue team when he returns to get back and close to her again, and thus under our influence. 

"Even though if he doesn't join there's still other uses for him. And we still have other prospects like Blaze, Gal, and our contact tonight."

Gengar nodded  and waited with Alakazam until their contact arrived.

Soon a figure came out of the woods, it was Donavan! The same Lucario who nearly had Rio rejected from the Aura Academy.  He only feinted wanting to kick out Rio so he can test Rio's power and have him get the attention of the other apathetic Council Members.  Ultimately his mission was to make sure Rio gets in by reverse psychology.

"Ah Donavan our ally closet to the graceful power of Aura. Welcome," said Alakazam.

"Hail to you Rescue Team Leader," replied Donavan.

"Hey not to sound like a doubtful Gus, but why is someone like you mixed up with us?" Asked Gengar.

"The Aura Guardians were once a dominating power to be respected before our decline," replied Donaven.

"I do not blame Pokemon for favoring progress and flock to the Rescue Teams, I blame our leaders.  For generations out leaders stick with tradition and refuse to change with the times.  Had we adapt and change to be more like your Rescue Teams we may not have been lost.

"I joined the Aura High Council believing I can have the power to make a difference and change from within.  But only very few support my ideas, others had ideas of their own, others yet support old Kai in keeping the status quo. 

"The Council is divided only united under their blind dedication to the Grandmaster and tradition. Kai leads because in spite of his advanced age he's strong.  This can't go on.  I need power to surpass him in order to make a change and that's why I'm here."

"That is why we all are here Donaven," said Alakazam.  "We are here to change the world.

"Peace that this Pokemon world lives is nothing but an illusion. There's peace but no progress. It only took war to change the old order.