Okay – I can do better. But please bear with me!

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Chapter 18: Welcome home!

Aaron paced agitatedly around the drawing room whilst Maria watched with a hint of amusement from where she was sipping a cup of tea from her armchair near the fireplace. She stifled a chuckle as Aaron checked the grandfather clock in the corner of the room for the tenth time within the last ten minutes, impatiently waiting for Ash and Zainab to return back to the palace from the airport. Their private jet had landed an hour ago, according to the pilot who had informed them that the young couple had left for the palace.

Now Aaron and Maria were nervous to reveal the prophecy told to them by Camilla. They knew both Ash and Zainab were fiercely protective of their family and who they consider as their own. Who knows how they would take the news that a sacrifice would happen in the near future from their mismatched family!

"Aaron, love, calm down. Your pacing is not going to make the car hurry up any more. Besides, Paul and Drew have gone to get them with the guards so they'll be fine," Maria reiterated to him for the fifth time.

Aaron nodded tersely and continued to pace back and forth. Maria sighed and was about to stand up and force Aaron to sit down and drink some of the chamomile tea she was currently enjoying to relax his nerves, when the sound of a car pulling up in front of the palace had them both smile to each other. As much as they were worrying about their future, they couldn't deny that they were overjoyed to welcome their son and daughter-in-law back to their home, with Zainab officially part of the family.

Aaron and Maria both walked over to the doors and watched with their hands interlinked as Ash smoothly stepped out of the car and turned back to hold out a hand for Zainab to take as she gracefully slid out and used her other hand to smooth out any creases of the black and white striped jumpsuit she was wearing. She smiled as Ash pulled her close and turned to him to peck his lips lovingly.

They both looked well rested and tanned from the sun in Alola, and even though it seemed impossible they both seemed more in love with each other than when they left. It seemed that the tension Ash was carrying from meeting his new family, being betrayed by the traitors and the bad pasts of both Zainab and Ash had been lifted from their shoulders and their auras were more calmer and in sync with each other. Aaron and Maria smiled at each other at this. If anyone deserved to be happy it would be these two.

"Eugh, get a room you two," Paul said teasingly as he went past them with a smirk, carrying a luggage case in his hand.

Zainab mock-glared at him and reached around Ash to push him slightly and Paul pretended to fall over. Ash smirked and looking straight at Paul, pulled Zainab to him and snogged her breathless.

"What you gonna do Shinji?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow challengingly.

Paul shook his head and with a smile hugged Zainab tightly whispering something in her ear, making her smile before moving on and fist-bumped Ash. Drew came up and did the same, asking "did you bring me a present?"

Ash and Zainab looked at each other and smiled. "Yeah we bought something for everyone, but I wanna see mum and dad first so move it," Ash said pushing past, still holding Zainab's hand and dragging her slightly. She laughed and nodded in agreement, as the couple walked into the palace and spied Ash's parents standing to the side beaming in happiness that their children were back home.

Ash rushed forward, as Zainab hung back, leaning against the wall, and watched Ash enthusiastically hug both his parents tightly, love in his eyes, which was reflected in Maria and Aaron's eyes too. Maria had tears in her eyes as she lovingly pressed a kiss to her son's forehead and hugged him tightly around the middle, due to the height difference between the two, which was reflected with Aaron who had suspiciously moist eyes. Ash even hugged Lucario tightly, who was surprised for a minute before hugging Ash back.

Zainab smiled at the scene wistfully, feeling happy that Ash was with his real family, and she couldn't help but miss her mum and Alisha at the moment. What would her mum be like?

Would she greet her as enthusiastically as Maria did with Ash? Would she be proud of the woman her daughter had become? Would they be a family with Alisha living with them all the time?

Zainab had to admit, she missed her munchkin. She sighed quietly and took out a small picture from the pocket near her heart where she kept her last memory of the three of them together – one autumn afternoon, as seen with the bronze coloured leaves on the trees that gently floated to the ground… her mother was curled under her favourite oak tree in their back garden, baby Alisha on her lap and playing with leaves and twigs joyfully, with herself curled up next to her mum, reading her favourite novel at the time. A purple polka dotted blanket was laid out in front of them laden with pink frosted vanilla cupcakes, sandwiches and crisps scattered around, and a jug of fresh orange juice picked from their tree. They were all so happy… only to be taken away in a second by that monster.

Speaking of betrayal and anger… Her thoughts darkened as she thought of what to do with Delia and the group of traitors. She would never forgive them for breaking Ash's heart and abandoning him… not to mention the attempted murder. She was going to deal with them herself, and no one was going to stop her from getting her revenge on harming her beloved.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she jumped slightly as she felt a hand on her shoulder, and looked up to see Paul, who smiled gently down at the picture Zainab held in her hand. Zainab smiled back a bit sadly and tucked the picture back into her pocket, before shrugging his hand off and walking quietly onto the balcony overlooking the royal gardens and feeling the wind caressing her hair, not wanting to disturb Ash, who was enthusiastically regaling his parents as they sat on the sofa with the tales of what Pokemon they had encountered during their vacation.

Paul looked concerned as he watched Zainab walk away… something was bothering her. He watched her until she disappeared through the door onto the balcony and glanced over to Ash and his parents, where he saw Aaron meet his eyes, who had also watched Zainab exit the room and felt equally concerned about the girl who was like his daughter. Aaron signalled for him to go to her and Paul nodded, before making his way in the direction his sister had gone.

He watched for a minute as Zainab stood there, leaning against the balcony with her eyes closed as she felt the wind caress her and make her hair dance around her, somewhat ethereal. Paul gave a soft smile before walking forward and copying her stance, waiting, knowing that she would speak when she was ready.

"How do you think she would be?" came the soft voice of his sister. He snuck a glance and saw she still had her eyes closed but not the same relaxed face but a frown instead. He waited for her to elaborate and wasn't disappointed.

"How do you think she would feel? Would my mum be proud of me? Or would she be horrified that I'm not taking care of Alisha but that I've abandoned her to live with Grammy? Would she hug me and kiss me like Maria did with Ash? Would she look on proudly and shower Ash with the same love that Aaron and Maria have with me? Would she accept me with my Aura or would she shun me?"

Paul frowned and looked to see that Zainab had tears dripping down her face as she had opened her eyes and was looking thoughtfully at the balcony and downwards to where the gardens were below them. He did not like where this was going.

"I know it's selfish to think of this when Ash is so happy with his family, we've just married and Alisha is depending on me, and Ash is finally at peace as he's found his parents. But it would be easy, you know, to just let it all go and fall. I would be able to speak to her and find out the answers… and find peace."

Paul couldn't keep quiet. He turned and grabbed her so she was facing him.

"How could you? What… why… how could you possibly think that suicide," he spat the word out, "would be the easy way out. Do you not know what or how much of an impact that you have on us all… Ash found his parents BECAUSE of you! Me and Drew have found a sister which is YOU! Your sister has only YOU and your Grammy left in the world! Aaron and Maria have YOU as a daughter! What possessed you to then think about ending it all? Why?"

Paul finished shuddering in horror at what would happen if he had not come out and spoken to Zainab. She was acting ridiculous.

"I just miss her," Zainab whispered with her head hanging in shame.

Paul nodded and grabbed her into a hug and tightly held her against him, breathing in her scent and calming down slightly. Zainab took in a few breaths, trying to compose herself, and leaned against Paul, soaking in the comfort he was providing. He was right, she realised as she breathed deeply, and let out a shaky laugh. She knew deep in her heart that her mum would be proud of her and she would honour that and live her life out to the best she could.

"I've never had time to grieve her, you know, I had to bury her that day and then Alisha… she was just a babe… and she depended on me so it was just bury her and then carry on like normal. But… there was no normal after it. I don't think Ash fully understood because he, at the time, still had his mother, even though she turned out to be a traitor so then he lost his mother he had known but he got his real mother back so it was kind of like a reunion but..." she rambled only for Paul to put a hand over her mouth and she stopped and looked up as he chuckled slightly. He pulled his hand away and wiped the tears away with his thumbs only to be pounced on and hugged tightly by his sister in all but blood.

"Promise me that you'll always be there for me, you and Drew, big brother," Zainab whispered desperately, "I couldn't lose you, either of you, and carry on… it'll destroy me," tightening her hold on his shirt as she buried her face into his neck and Paul nodded roughly, tears prickling his eyes but refusing to fall.

"Always."

ANKR… ANKR… ANKR… ANKR… ANKR… ANKR… ANKR… ANKR… ANKR… ANKR… ANKR… ANKR

After a few minutes, they entered the room and Maria smiled and swept Zainab into a hug, as Zainab tiredly smiled and hugged back tightly. She let herself be lost in her motherly aura that oozed from her and which covered her like a big warm blanket. She failed to notice the nod Paul sent discretely to Aaron over the top of her head and Aaron smiled in relief before going over to hug Zainab as well, both welcoming her back home and into their family once again.

"Now I know you're tired from the flight but your mother and I have something to tell you so go refresh yourself and meet back here in fifteen minutes," Aaron said and relaxed back in the armchair as Maria handed him a cup of tea.

Ash and Zainab looked surprised at each other before nodding and heading to their bedroom. They pushed open the door and before Zainab could take another step Ash swept her up into his arms bridal style and walked into the room.

"Ash?" she asked questioningly as she grabbed him by putting her arms around his neck and gently leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Mum told me that the first time you enter into your bedroom after marriage you should carry your bride," Ash explained as he strode over to the bed, "it's both romantic and good luck," he said and he gently let her down before claiming her lips on his and snogging her for a few minutes. Zainab smiled against his lips and enjoyed how Ash could make her tummy flip flop.

After a full fifteen minute session of exploring how they could enjoy each other as a married couple and feeling fully refreshed, they headed out and met back in the drawing room with Aaron and Maria who both smirked knowingly, making Zainab blush deeply and hide her face in Ash's chest as he chuckled and kissed the top of her head. Paul and Drew were also sat on a couch watch with interest, and they wiggled their eyebrows at Ash who stuck out his tongue childishly at them, making them chuckle.

After they sat down together on the love seat, they watched as Aaron and Maria looked at each other for a few minutes and Zainab was worried. She had a feeling that this would not be good news, and after looking at Ash, who looked back equally worried, he cleared his throat, making his parents jump and look at them sheepishly.

"Will someone tell me what is happening?" Ash said impatiently but worried.

Aaron nodded and cleared his throat, "you may not know this but there is a gypsy called Camilla who stays on the outskirts of Rota and time to time I go to see her for advice as she is also a Seer."

Zainab gasped in awe and Ash nodded impressed.

"Well," Aaron continued after a reassuring smile from Maria, "I went to see her the other day and she revealed something of interest to me that concerns everyone in this family."

Drew and Paul made to stand but Zainab's glare stopped them in the process.

"Where are you going?" Zainab asked.

"We're going because it concerns the family, in case you did not hear," Drew said as Paul nodded.

"Well then I repeat Zainab, where are you going? Because the last time I checked, you were Zainab's brothers, my brothers and my parents' adopted sons, making you family," Ash said firmly and Zainab nodded.

Paul and Drew sat back down slightly overwhelmed that they were considered family, and smiled when Zainab came over and hugged them tightly before punching them in the arm softly.

"I love you both as brothers, so sit your arse here and do not move until Ash or I say so. You ARE family," Zainab repeated before pecking their cheeks softly, and smiling as they nodded and chuckled.

Zainab took her place and Aaron and Maria nodded in thanks to her and she smiled back.

"As I was saying, Camilla revealed to me, through a premonition that I was there to witness, a prophecy. I'll let you view the memory," Aaron said and projected his thoughts to them.

After the memory ended, he watched silently how Ash, Zainab, Paul and Drew were reacting. Paul and Drew had stoic faces as if committing the prophecy to memory and Ash had his fists balled up as Zainab, who had turned pale, rubbed his shoulders, whispering comforting words in his ear, trying to get him to relax. Aaron hoped he didn't have to restrain Ash again and prayed for a miracle.

Salvation came in the form of two mice Pokemon who, after coming back from their daily forest visit to their other Pokemon friends, rushed in having sensed that their trainers were back and pounced on them, chattering excitedly.

Zainab laughed joyfully as she hugged Pi to her and snuggled against her warm soft furry body relishing in the happiness her Pi was radiating. Both were happy to be back together, after their time away from each other. She snuck a look over and saw Ash and Pikachu also sharing a happy reunion, for the time being relaxing him as he caught up with his Pikachu on how it was without him and their adventures in the forest with their other Pokemon.

After a few minutes, Aaron cleared his throat and the four of them turned back to him, with both Pi and Pikachu curling up on their respective trainers' laps and listening in.

"Well, we have to put a plan into action in case we need to take some drastic action. Some sort of contingency plan," Maria said thoughtfully.

"Did you have to do this when Ash was going to be born, you know, when you were being hunted by the Aura Hunters?" Zainab asked and both parents nodded.

"Yeah we did, but remember that it is the 21st Century and the increased amount of technology means they can track you more easily and who knows what kind of weapons can be created to subdue Aura users." Aaron pointed out and Zainab nodded in dread, her hold on Ash tightening tenfold.

Ash rubbed a hand down her arm soothingly, and he turned back to Aaron, "we know a lot of friends in different regions. If push comes to shove, we can teleport to their homes and they have always said that I am welcome to come back anytime," he mused.

Paul and Drew nodded. "If need be, we can use our homes in Hoenn and Sinnoh respectively," they agreed.

Ash frowned at this, and Zainab took note of it and asked what was bothering him.

"Why should we abandon our own home and the citizens living in our kingdom to Dark Aura Hunters?" he asked and Aaron nodded in agreement.

"If we do up and run people will know and we don't want to alarm them over this potential threat when it has yet to be confirmed," Ash said and released Arceus from his poke ball.

"Ashton, how may I help you?" Arceus asked.

"Arceus I need to know if there is a war approaching on the horizon with the Dark Aura Hunters? Do you know anything?" Ash asked.

"Not that I know of young Guardian. But I will find out," Arceus said and disappeared with a flash.

"Meanwhile we need to continue with the tournament, keep a semblance of normalcy and discreetly we can increase guard size and use our Aura to help strengthen wards around the kingdom," Aaron mused and Ash nodded in agreement.

Maria and Zainab frowned at each other.

"We need to plan something though in case things turn for the worse," Maria pointed out, "we cannot put our citizen's lives in danger if it just the Aura users they are after, which is just us in this room."

"We need to warn Alisha and Grammy as well. If I inherited Aura then Alisha may have too and we cannot put her in danger," Zainab said worried and Paul nodded.

"I'll ask if Reggie can keep her and your Grammy in our home. It's a massive ranch in the countryside with a lot of Pokemon so she should be happy and distracted," Paul said and Zainab hugged him gratefully.

"I'm sure we can get the champions of each region to come and help set up defences," Aaron said. Everyone nodded in agreement at that.

"True but what future King would I be if I abandoned ship and left everyone here to their mercies. No doubt they would use hostages to get us to come back anyhow," Ash argued.

"Then we need to call in some favours," Zainab said and stood up.

Everyone looked at her and she nodded back, "you're right, we cannot abandon ship and leave the kingdom to the Aura Hunters so we'll bring reinforcements to us."

"But who do you know?" Drew asked and Zainab smiled.

"You do forget that before I met Ash, I did travel around and explore the regions as well," Zainab said, "and along the way I met a few people who may help us out."

With that she pulled out a sleek mobile phone and dialled up a number, putting it on speaker so everyone could hear.

"Hello?"

And that's it! Cliffhanger time again! Who will it be? Who does Zainab know? How will reinforcements go?

Please read and suggest who you would like Zainab to have called which no one has met yet!

Thanks :)