Chapter 18: Blood and Bonds

  The air emanating from Lance’s body was not just heavy—it carried an ancient, almost primordial aura. The Champion of Kanto, his red cape swaying slightly, watched the unfolding scene with eyes that burned with a reptilian gleam. It was as if a dragon had descended upon a nest of scorpions to assert its dominance.

  Koga let out a low growl, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Julia was pinned to the ground, the shadows of her Gengar dancing around her. Agatha gripped her cane firmly, while Oak and Gary stood a few steps behind, watching in silence, unwilling to intervene.

  “I told you to kneel,” Lance repeated, his tone colder than before.

  The weight of his presence intensified, and for a moment, it felt like the entire room vibrated. Koga resisted, breathing heavily. However, in the end, he relented, dropping to one knee, his gaze filled with pure hatred toward the Champion. Julia gritted her teeth and lowered herself as well, more out of sheer pressure than respect. Agatha, who knew Lance’s power well, simply looked away. She had enough experience to know that when a dragon was angered, it was best not to challenge it.

  Finally, Lance released the overwhelming pressure, and an involuntary sigh escaped from everyone. Koga stiffened, adjusting his dark attire. Beside him, Julia held her breath. The Champion continued to watch them, his gaze a mixture of disapproval and faint contempt.

  “If the Pokémon League Federation (PLF) were to find out about the chaos you’ve caused at the Kanto Academy…” he began in a deep voice, “they would think Kanto is a region without order or control. And I will not allow anyone to doubt the strength of our land.”

  Koga wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling the venom pulsing through his veins. His cold demeanor remained intact, but his wounded pride was evident.

  “I don’t care about the PLF’s opinion,” he growled.

  “You will have to care,” Lance responded firmly. “Because I am ordering that this conflict be resolved within your respective clans—without killing anyone.”

  “What…?” Koga took a step forward, his eyes burning with rage. “That brat humiliated my son, stole a Zubat that belongs to us, and his grandmother is a fugitive from our clan! How do you expect my family to let this offense go unpunished?”

  Julia clenched her fists, directing her fury at the leader of the Poison Clan.

  “We are not part of your family,” she spat.

  “You have no right to claim anything from Aspen,” Oak intervened, his voice measured, though his hands trembled slightly. “Koga, we are talking about a student of the Academy… You will not kill him over capturing a wild Pokémon.”

  “Not wild,” Koga corrected. “That Zubat was specially trained. It was meant for Niko, destined to inherit the secrets of the Poison Clan. It is unacceptable for that impure-blooded boy to keep it.”

  “I’m afraid Lance has already spoken, Koga,” Gary added, trying to sound neutral, though Koga’s glare made him step back. “The PLF won’t hear about this issue, as long as there are no deaths or public scandals.”

  The Poison Clan leader shot Lance a murderous look but said nothing. He had witnessed the Champion’s power firsthand and doubted he could successfully challenge him at that moment. Oak let out a sigh of relief, sensing that a forced yet necessary truce was taking shape. Then, Lance spoke again:

  “You will resolve this problem within the clans. But I repeat—without unnecessary deaths. Julia, Aspen, and no one else must be killed. Is that clear?”

  Koga scowled, his barely contained rage evident. His silence was a form of protest. Finally, his voice, cold as ice, cut through the tension:

  “I will do as you say…”

  Lance raised his chin, accepting the reluctant submission.

  “Good. And make no mistake—if any of you violate this agreement, I will personally ensure that your entire family disappears.”

  The atmosphere in the room remained thick with tension. Agatha struck the ground with her cane, the hollow sound echoing through the space.

  “Now that it’s clear there will be no killings, let’s talk about the next step. Koga, Julia mentioned something about a… scroll from the Normal Clan that you have in your possession.”

  The Poison Clan leader shrugged, trying to feign indifference.

  “That scroll exists, yes. I inherited it from my father. It’s a… copy of the Normal Clan records he obtained decades ago.” His lips curled into a malicious smile. “Don’t pretend you didn’t already know that.”

  Lance tilted his head slightly, his smile carrying a trace of amusement.

  “Of course, we knew. But don’t act like a moralist. It’s not the original, nor is its content complete. The PLF tolerates it because, for the most part, it lacks real value. In theory, whoever possesses the true text of the Normal Clan would have access to ancient primordial rituals.”

  Koga averted his gaze with a low grunt. Oak and Gary exchanged glances, realizing how much of the ancient clan politics remained unknown to them. Julia then spoke:

  “Koga, you said you planned to kill Aspen over the Zubat and steal my technique. I am willing to give you the technique I developed, but with two conditions.”

  Her words sparked murmurs. Koga raised an eyebrow, suddenly intrigued.

  “That simple?” His voice was laced with doubt. He studied the woman with a hint of greed. “Go on. Speak.”

  “First: Aspen keeps the Zubat. I will not allow you to take a Pokémon he captured during an official Academy trial,” she said with surprising calm. “And second: you will not conspire against me, Aspen, or my family. No direct attacks, no Poison Clan schemes.”

  Koga scowled bitterly.

  “And why would I accept that kind of blackmail? Your Five Organs Technique isn’t even complete yet. You don’t even know which abilities or Pokémon offer the highest compatibility—you only have two out of five.”

  Julia smiled sharply.

  “Two is better than nothing. My technique contains notes on how I created it. Do you want the key to the fusion of forces that would balance your poison? It describes the characteristics of the five organs and their relationship with specific elemental types. Without it, your clan will never advance the research you were planning.”

  Koga’s lip curled in frustration. He clearly wanted that knowledge. After a long pause, he muttered:

  “Fine. But I don’t trust your word.”

  “That’s why we’ll make a blood pact,” Julia declared, crossing her arms. “An ancient ritual derived from the poisonous energy your father used. We both know that if either of us breaks the pact, we will die instantly.”

  A shiver ran through the room. Even Oak and Gary seemed unsettled. The blood pact was an ancient and brutal method for sealing agreements between rival clans. There was no room for betrayal—without fatal consequences.

  Koga clenched his jaw, the vein on his temple pulsing with barely contained fury. The only thing that forced him to accept was Agatha’s piercing gaze, stabbing into him like a dagger. Finally, he nodded stiffly, defeated:

  “Fine, Julia. I will accept it. But bring that scroll now. And know this—if I discover you’re deceiving me, the ritual will kill you, not me.”

  Julia remained silent, her eyes filled with nothing but contempt.

  Lance, satisfied that an agreement had been forged, relaxed his posture.

  “Perfect. You, Koga, and you, Julia, will carry out the ritual. And no tricks.”

  Agatha nodded, and the two Gengar on both sides moved toward the center of the room. Julia met Koga’s gaze. Though he stood tall, tension leaked from his body.

  Each took a knife and sliced their palms, letting a few drops of blood fall onto a piece of parchment. A chill ran through the room as the blood began to glow with a crimson light, transforming into smoke. The seal was completed with a small explosion of red energy. The promise was set.

  “If you break it,” Julia whispered coldly, “you will die instantly. And the same goes for me.”

  Koga said nothing, but the way he clenched his jaw betrayed his barely contained rage.

  Lance smiled slightly. The deal had been struck.

  In another chamber, Sabrina was in the middle of a deep psychic intrusion. The young Vera sat tied to a metal chair, a psychic circle firmly secured around her head, suppressing her abilities. Her consciousness writhed under the relentless probing of the Psychic Clan leader. Vera, still furious over Sabrina’s violation of her mind and weakened by the harrowing experience, had no strength to effectively resist—the network of psychic seals kept her completely restrained.

  “Let’s see what’s in here, you Psychic Clan bastard,” Sabrina muttered, closing her eyes as she delved deeper into the girl’s mind.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  A sharp pain, like needles piercing deep into her being, made Vera tremble. She tried to block the intrusion, but the Third Eye—her Ajna Chakra—was nearly sealed by the restraints of the circle. She screamed silently, her mind left vulnerable.

  “What… is this?” Sabrina’s eyes shot open in shock. She looked down, watching a torrent of images and sensations unfold. “A psychic technique… The Seven Chakras? I’ve never heard of something like this.”

  A faint pink aura began to surround both of them, the air in the room thickening, charged with psychic energy that caused sparks to crackle in the atmosphere. Vera whimpered silently, while Sabrina, in a state of shock, read fragments of the implanted technique:

  ?Root Chakra (dark red): Increases physical endurance and strengthens telekinesis, allowing precise manipulation of heavy objects.

  ?Sacral Chakra (vibrant orange): Influences others’ emotions, inducing fear, calm, or confusion.

  ?Solar Plexus Chakra (golden yellow): Enhances willpower and telepathy, allowing the implantation of simple ideas in the minds of others.

  ?Heart Chakra (bright green): Creates a psychic bond with Pokémon or nearby allies, allowing non-verbal mental communication.

  ?Throat Chakra (light blue): Amplifies the “mental voice,” affecting perception and causing confusion or momentary paralysis.

  ?Third Eye Chakra (deep magenta): Grants clairvoyance, allowing the user to anticipate movements, detect hidden presences, and perceive energy auras.

  ?Crown Chakra (brilliant violet): Unlocks the user’s full psychic potential, merging telekinesis and telepathy into a devastating expansion of energy.

  One by one, definitions and manifestations of power emerged. If Vera mastered them all, she could become an unstoppable force.

  “Who implanted this in you?” Sabrina’s voice resonated inside Vera’s mind, but only fragmented visions surfaced: a man with dark eyes, an arcane seal, her mother collapsing to her knees, the absence of a father. Everything was chaotic, disconnected.

  Sabrina’s heart pounded as her suspicions were confirmed—Vera had not learned the technique in the conventional sense. It had been implanted in her, turning her into a latent “weapon” with immeasurable potential. And the most chilling conclusion?

  Vera possessed twice the basic psychic power of an average psychic.

  Without the guidance of the Psychic Clan.

  Without official training.

  With nothing but raw talent.

  “You’re… a monster in the making,” Sabrina whispered, stepping back. The Seven Chakras were far beyond normal psychic abilities.

  She slightly deactivated the circle, allowing Vera a moment of relief. The girl collapsed, unconscious, completely drained.

  “Your hatred for my father… now I understand,” Sabrina murmured. “He abandoned your mother when he saw no talent in her.”

  Her voice was unexpectedly soft, but devoid of empathy.

  “I think… it’s best for me to keep you under control—not dead.”

  Vera let out one last faint breath before slipping deeper into unconsciousness. Sabrina straightened her uniform and composed herself.

  A few minutes later, she exited the chamber, walking down the dimly lit corridor, where she met Bruno. The Fighting Clan leader was stepping out of the room where he had interrogated Kara. He frowned upon noticing Sabrina’s expression.

  “How did it go with the redhead?” Bruno asked.

  “Interesting,” Sabrina admitted. “I found something called The Seven Chakras. It’s an advanced psychic technique that channels energy through different points in the body.” She hesitated slightly. “Honestly, it was terrifying. If she fully masters it, she could surpass many of my best students.”

  Bruno clenched his fists, intrigued.

  “I discovered something similar with the fighter, Kara,” he said. “I barely scratched the surface of her mind—nothing too invasive. I found a technique called The Six-Step Body Modification. It’s… incredible. Based on the manipulation of human physiology through aura.” He paused, deep in thought, before explaining:

  ?Muscular System: Increases raw strength and explosive speed by densifying and fortifying muscle fibers.

  ?Skeletal System: Reinforces bone structure to withstand extreme impacts without fracturing.

  ?Nervous System: Enhances reaction speed, reflexes, and motor coordination.

  ?Circulatory System: Optimizes oxygen and aura distribution to improve endurance and accelerate recovery.

  ?Perceptive System: Enhances the five senses to detect subtle environmental changes and anticipate attacks.

  ?Internal System: Regulates vital organs to resist pain, stabilize metabolism, and endure extreme conditions.

  “I recorded it in a scroll, but it’s useless to most of my students. It requires an exceptional aura to put into practice.”

  The two leaders remained silent for a moment before Sabrina added:

  “Kara doesn’t truly belong to your clan, does she? My notes indicate her aura is twice as strong as that of a normal clan member. Someone like that shouldn’t be wandering around freely…”

  Bruno nodded, a mix of envy and caution in his expression.

  “Yes, her body is a treasure. She could become a legendary fighter if she masters all six steps of the technique. But I don’t trust her.”

  “None of them will ever join our clans. Isn’t that what you’re thinking?” Sabrina continued. “The Psychic Clan will never accept Vera as a ‘true daughter,’ and the same goes for Kara in the Fighting Clan.”

  Bruno nodded briefly.

  “Exactly. That’s why Lance ruled that, officially, they ‘belong’ to us, but in practice, they will be outcasts. They will be kept away from true teachings.”

  “In other words, control them without giving them too much power,” Sabrina concluded. “It’s the same decision that Lance and the PLF have made. It’s better to suppress potential rivals than risk them defecting to another region.”

  Bruno and Sabrina stored the scrolls they had written. It was clear that neither Lisa nor Alex could master the Body Modification or the Seven Chakras. In their hands, the techniques would remain incomplete.

  The true prodigies… were Kara and Vera.

  Later That Night…

  With his absolute authority, Lance gave the final orders:

  1.Kara, Vera, and Aspen would remain under the “care” of their respective clans (or in Aspen’s case, under both the Poison Clan and his grandmother Julia, albeit reluctantly).

  2.The clans were strictly forbidden from killing them or causing them serious harm, under the threat of Lance’s wrath and the intervention of the Pokémon League Federation (PLF).

  3.Officially, they would be recognized as members, but without any real privileges—a meaningless “title” meant to keep up appearances.

  Agatha, assisted by Oak and Gary, ensured that Kara, Vera, and Aspen were taken away on stretchers. The three had lost consciousness after the collapse of the cave, as well as from the immense tension on their minds and bodies.

  Julia exchanged one last glare of pure disgust with Koga. She had agreed to hand over the Normal Clan scroll, sealed by their blood pact, in exchange for Aspen’s safety and the right to keep Noisy, the Zubat. Koga, though seething with resentment, had no choice but to comply.

  Lisa and Alex left frustrated, feeling cheated—they hadn’t been able to kill or humiliate their rivals. Meanwhile, Niko, burning with fury, followed his father, swearing that he would get revenge on Aspen when the opportunity arose. Though the blood pact prevented him from directly harming Aspen, it didn’t mean he couldn’t make his life miserable in other ways.

  Koga, if he wanted to make Aspen’s life a living hell, would have to be much more subtle.

  At Aspen’s Home…

  Outside, as the Academy’s improvised ambulances arrived, a group of medics rushed to carry Aspen, Vera, and Kara inside. Lance loomed over them, observing from atop one of his dragons.

  Julia had already prepared a recovery room, filled with herbs and medicinal extracts. The medics, unaware of the full story, simply followed orders. They had no idea why a poison specialist like Julia was treating these three, or why the Elite Four had chosen not to take them to a Pokémon Center. But no one questioned it—the orders had come from the highest ranks.

  As the sun set and night covered the small home in darkness, Julia got to work, mixing antidotes and herbal remedies of her own creation. Her Gengar assisted her, holding bottles and stirring mixtures with an oddly gentle growl.

  Once the medics left, the old woman sat by Aspen’s bedside, gazing at his pale face.

  “Rest, my child…” she whispered, her voice filled with a tenderness that contrasted with the rage still boiling inside her towards Koga.

  Julia inhaled deeply. She knew that even after giving up her technique, the Poison Clan wouldn’t simply stay quiet. But for now, the blood pact would keep Aspen safe.

  For now.

  Inside the dimly lit room, Vera and Kara lay on improvised beds, their breathing synchronized, their bodies still weak from the ordeal.

  Even in unconsciousness, there was a strange tension in the air between them—the repressed psychic energy within Vera clashed against Kara’s naturally powerful aura, creating an invisible but undeniable presence in the space.

  Julia, wiping the sweat from her forehead, observed the strange resonance between the two girls.

  “They are so different from my poisons,” she murmured, watching their faintly glowing auras. “These three… I don’t know what path they will take, but their destinies are now tangled with the most powerful clans.”

  For a brief moment, she recalled the piercing gazes of Sabrina, Bruno, and Koga. And then, the overwhelming presence of Lance, who had imposed his will upon them all like a true dragon.

  A shiver ran down her spine.

  It was rare for the Elite Four to intervene directly in the affairs of Academy students. But the scale of what had happened in the caves—the raw potential that had been revealed—had forced them to act.

  The Official Decision…

  The Kanto Academy had officially expelled Aspen, Vera, and Kara—at least on paper.

  The cave disaster, the broken traditions, and the tensions between clans had led to a politically convenient decision. It allowed the school to avoid scrutiny from the Pokémon League Federation (PLF) while giving the clans an excuse to tighten their grip on the three.

  But everyone knew the truth—this was nothing more than a “negotiated expulsion.”

  The official record stated:

  ?Aspen would be “accepted” (but in reality, ostracized) within the Poison Clan, under the reluctant supervision of his grandmother, Julia. He would not receive formal training, but he could not refuse the title.

  ?Vera would be recognized as the illegitimate heir of the Psychic Clan under Sabrina’s watch. However, she would have no access to the clan’s full knowledge or hierarchy.

  ?Kara would be assigned to the Fighting Clan, under Bruno’s surveillance. Though monitored, she would never receive full training or the benefits of a true clan member.

  They would bear the names of their respective clans… but none of the privileges.

  This was Lance’s final ruling—a fragile balance that preserved Kanto’s reputation and prevented all-out war between the clans.

  A Quiet Night… For Now

  Hours passed, and night draped Aspen’s home under a blanket of stars.

  Outside, the chirping of crickets filled the air, occasionally joined by the distant fluttering of a Zubat searching for fruit or insects. Most likely, Noisy, the Zubat Aspen had captured, remained inside his Poké Ball, completely unaware of the political chaos he had unwittingly caused.

  Julia stepped onto the small porch, cradling a cup of warm herbal tea.

  Her fingers trembled slightly as she gazed into the shadows of the garden, remembering how she had fled the Poison Clan decades ago.

  It pained her to know that her grandson was now trapped in the same web.

  But there was no other choice.

  At the very least… they were still alive.

  At the very least… Aspen’s venom technique would not be stolen by force.

  The blood pact protected him.

  For now.

  Inside the house, in the dimly lit room, Vera’s breathing became uneven. A faint whimper escaped her lips.

  In her subconscious, images of Sabrina invading her mind intertwined with the hatred she held for her unknown father.

  Her hands trembled, and for a moment, her aura flared—causing the wooden floor beneath her to creak faintly.

  On the other side of the room, Kara shifted in her sleep, the bandages around her ribs moving slightly.

  Her body, always in sync with her aura, reacted instinctively in her dreams. A soft blue glow rippled across her skin.

  And finally, Aspen lay on his separate cot, his dreams fragmented.

  His bandaged arm still held faint traces of poison, though Julia’s treatment had purged most of it.

  From time to time, his body shuddered—echoes of Niko’s swords haunting his mind.

  From his lap, a faint buzzing came from his Poké Ball—the one containing Noisy.

  As if, somehow, the little Zubat understood that his trainer had fought hard to keep him.

  As dawn slowly crept over the horizon, Julia stepped back inside, sitting beside Aspen’s bed.

  She murmured soft words of comfort, her voice soft yet firm.

  By her side, her Gengar and two Grimer, Pokémon she had raised herself, stood guard.

  She knew that if Aspen didn’t refine his technique, the clans would crush him.

  But if he trained too much… if he became too strong…

  Would he become another Koga?

  Would he lose himself to power, just like the leader of the Poison Clan?

  A flicker of fear crossed her mind.

  Her fingers trembled as she gently brushed Aspen’s damp hair away from his forehead.

  “I promise you, my child… I will make sure you keep your heart pure. Even if it means facing the Poison Clan again.”

  Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying the distant sound of Zubat wings.

  Aspen Meloc

  Spoiler

  Spoiler

  ~Grimer (Alola) [Nickname: Dosy]

  ~Zubat [Nickname: Noisy]

  Vera Espern

  Spoiler

  ~Abra [Nickname: Sage]

  ~Mime Jr. [Nickname: Butler]

  ? Movimientos para subir de nivel: Confusión, Imitación, Cosquillas, Barrera, Golpe, Hipnosis

  ?Nivel: 6

  Kara Auralis

  ?Habilidades: Manipulación del aura y mejora física.

  ?Técnica especial: Modificación corporal en 6 pasos

  1. Sistema muscular – (Dominado) – Aumenta la fuerza bruta y la velocidad explosiva al densificar y fortalecer las fibras musculares.

  2.Sistema esquelético – (Progreso inicial) – Refuerza la estructura ósea para soportar impactos extremos sin fracturarse.

  3.Sistema nervioso (no iniciado) – Mejora la velocidad de reacción, los reflejos y la coordinación motora.

  4. Sistema circulatorio (no iniciado): optimiza la distribución del oxígeno y del aura para mejorar la resistencia y acelerar la recuperación.

  5. Sistema Perceptivo – (Progreso Avanzado) – Mejora los cinco sentidos para detectar cambios ambientales sutiles y anticipar ataques.

  6. Sistema interno (no iniciado): regula los órganos vitales para resistir el dolor, estabilizar el metabolismo y mantener el cuerpo en condiciones extremas.

  Equipo Pokémon:

  spoilers

  ~Machop [Apodo: Karate]

  ?Género: Masculino

  ?Tipo: Lucha

  ?Habilidad: Firme

  ?Artículo retenido: Ninguno

  ? Movimientos:

  ? Movimientos de huevo: patada doble, patada rodante, pu?etazo de drenaje, pu?etazo de aumento de potencia, entrenamiento, deslizamiento de rocas

  ? Movimientos para subir de nivel: Patada baja, Mirada lasciva, Concentración energética, Lanzamiento sísmico, Previsión, Golpe de karate, Barrido bajo

  ? Movimientos TM: Mega Pu?etazo, Mega Patada

  ?Tutor Move: Entrenamiento

  ?Nivel: 16

  ~Mankey [Apodo: Caja]

  ?Género: Masculino

  ?Tipo: Lucha

  ?Habilidad: Punto de ira

  ?Artículo retenido: Ninguno

  ? Movimientos:

  ? Movimientos de huevo: Maldición, Rencor, Venganza, Reversión

  ? Movimientos para subir de nivel: Scratch, Leer, Focus Energy, Covet, Fury Swipes, Low Kick, Seismic Toss

  ? Movimiento TM: Golpe de garganta

  ?Nivel: 12