Chapter 52: A New Understanding

[And also because you are one of us.]

Aeron looked at the ceiling of his roof as those words were still ringing in his mind. But what kept his mind racing was that there were more people with powers similar to his own.

'The Order. The Ancient Families.'

It relieved him that he was not the only one with these powers, yet he was worried about how they would react to his presence.

'Are Duskborns one of those Ancient Families?' He thought about his parents, and a sense of sadness washed over him, which he immediately suppressed with his Psychic Energy. 'Where do I fit in all of this? How did he find out?''

He had been meticulous not to use his Psychic or Aura Powers publicly. He always wore his glasses so others wouldn't be able to see his eyes, which had now turned purple with blue stars in them.

'Where did I slip up?'

"...Ra..."

The Psychic-type sensed the changes in its trainer's mental state and called out from the side.

"I am fine." Aeron sighed and sat up before bringing Abra in his lap. "Shall we meditate?"

"...Ra..." The Psi Pokémon happily nodded since it accumulated five times as much Psychic Energy when it meditated with Aeron than by itself. Moreover, the density of the Psychic Energy, along with the quality, was beyond comparison.

However, they had just started their meditation session when Aeron felt a presence behind his door. He used the Psychic Powers to open the lock without getting up from his bed.

"What brings you here so late at night?" He questioned while looking at the newcomer who had blue hair and purple eyes.

Steven smiled warily, seeing the cold look in Aeron's eyes. He knew the way he exposed Aeron had created a lot of doubt in the latter's mind about their recent friendship.

"I am here to explain."

"What?"

"Can you at least let me sit?" Steven sighed before he walked in, locking the door and taking a seat on the empty couch. "I didn't mean to freak you out...I just wanted to make sure you knew that I know."

"How did you find out? And who else knows about me?" Aeron's voice sounded as if he had his guard up against Steven, which made the other boy regret the way he had decided to approach things. So, he used the most efficient method to clear up the doubts.

"I, Steven Stone, take a [Vow of Silence] that I have not told anyone about Aeron being a Psychic. Moreover, I did not mean any harm when I revealed that I knew about your powers. Moreover, I will not divulge any conversation we would after tonight to anyone."

As soon as he said those words, Aeron felt his mind constrict a little, and now he could feel an invisible string connect him and the boy who had just taken an oath.

"So, this is the 'oath' you had been talking about?" The black-haired boy closed his eyes and felt the effects of this [Vow of Silence] before bringing his attention back to Steven. "I free you from this vow."

The invisible thread that bound the two broke apart, and Steven was shocked.

"That was for freaking me out." Aeron, who till now had a serious face, had a teasing grin, seeing that Steven realized what was happening.

"How can you be so shameless?"

"You started it first."

"I will get you back for this."

"I dare you."

After their small banter, the duo started laughing.

"Man, we hit off really well, didn't we?" Steven leaned back on the couch as he looked at the boy he had known for less than a day and yet became so close to.

"I have had that effect on others." Aeron just gave himself all the credit, earning a snicker from Steven. "Anyways, care to tell me how you found out about me?"

The question had been troubling him for a while now, but to his utter dismay, the answer was right before his eyes. It only became apparent when Steven pointed it out.

"Your Abra." The blue-haired boy pointed at the Psychic Fox absorbing its trainer's Psychic Energy. "While others can't tell, I am a Psychic, and thus I can read the movements of Psychic Energy. You were cautious but still have very little knowledge of these powers and made a very common mistake."

Aeron sighed at hearing the answer.

"Now tell me, how did you hide your Psychic Energy so well?" This time, Steven asked as he was also baffled at how Aeron's eyes were still black despite being a Psychic. Moreover, even his Mega Metagross could not sense any Psychic Waves around him. "I have my guess, but it makes it even more shocking if true." He said while looking at the glasses Aeron was wearing.

True enough, as soon as Aeron removed his glasses, his black eyes turned purple. While there was no slit in them, one could easily see blue dots shining within them, like a galaxy of stars in a night sky.

"I have had these since I was a kid," Aeron spoke while wearing the glasses again, his eyes returning to normal black.

"What about your parents? Do they know anything about it?"

"It is the reason why I am visiting them tomorrow to look for answers, but I don't expect them to be answered." Aeron sighed before standing up and walking up to the balcony; Steven followed after him. "Is there any Ancient Family with the surname Duskborn?"

"No." Steven shook his head, and by now, he had already guessed why his friend was not expecting any answers. "But it doesn't mean you cannot awaken your powers after many generations...it has happened before...maybe."

He tried to make up something but knew it was better not to raise Aeron's hope too high.

"Can you tell me more about Ancient Families and these powers?"

Steven nodded and thought for a few seconds before he started speaking. "Other than the fact that Ancient Families have powers, there is nothing of much interest. These powers, on the other hand, can be quite complex."

"Psychic Powers are related to one's mind and allow them abilities similar to a Psychic-type Pokémon. On the other hand, Aura boosts one's physical strength. The biggest example would be Kanto's Elite Four Bruno, also an Aura Grandmaster, allowing him to fight barehand with most Pokémon."

"So, Psychic boosts mind while Aura boosts strength."

"Yes." Steven nodded before adding. "However, things can get complicated when Aura can mutate to have a [Type]."

"Like a Pokémon?"

"Exactly." The blue-haired boy nodded. "A person with a Dragon-type Aura will be physically superior to other Aura users. Moreover, there can only be one mutation at a time for each [Type], and until the previous Aura user with a mutation is not dead, a new mutation won't be born."

Aeron absorbed everything that was explained to him so far. He decided to call it a day by asking one last question."Can a person have both Psychic and Aura?"

"No," Steven replied. "Psychic and Aura are two opposing elements that cannot be contained in one body. Why do you ask?"

"Just because?" Aeron shrugged, and Steven did not care too much about it. The duo stayed silent after that, looking at the full moon that shone upon the Pewter City.

"I did some digging, and The Order knows about you." The blue-haired boy broke the silence. "It was reported by Atlas Derlick, Captain of the Kanto Task Force."

Aeron stayed silent; no one could tell what was going on in his mind. Silence once again descended upon them until they heard footsteps outside the room.

"You have visitors," Steven said teasingly before calling for his Psychic Energy. "Have fun."

He teleported from the balcony, disappearing to who knows where while his Psychic Powers unlocked the door, revealing a beautiful dark-skinned girl wearing an oversized white shirt that did not belong to her.

"When did you steal...take that?" Aeron corrected himself as Nessa walked inside the room before closing the door.

"What's yours is mine." Nessa walked forward, showing her toned legs. The white shirt was a bit transparent, and Aeron could see the red undergarments she wore beneath. A blush crept on her face when she felt his eyes not leaving her for even a second until she was close to him and buried her head in his chest.

"Couldn't sleep?" Aeron muttered close to her ear while wrapping his arms around her waist. Now that their relationship was given a direction, he had no reservations.

The dark-skinned girl shook her head. "Had a nightmare."

"About?"

"Losing my Gym to somebody else," Nessa spoke in a weak voice. "Sometimes I end up doubting whether I will be able to become a competent trainer."

Aeron's grip around her waist tightened as he brought Nessa closer to him. His right hand landed on her head as he brushed her hair with his fingers. Her heartbeat missed a beat when she felt a peck on her forehead. Her mind immediately calmed down.

"I am here."

He was not trying to comfort her with those words. While he was quite weak and un-influential at the moment, he knew it would change very soon...he would make sure of that.

"Can we stay like this for a while?"

"As long as you want...princess."

The nickname caused Nessa to feel giddy in her heart, and she closed her eyes, quietly listening to Aeron's heartbeat. And before she knew it, sleep descended upon her.

With another peck on her forehead, Aeron carefully carried her to the bed before he laid her down. However, instead of joining her, he moved to the couch and started meditating along with Abra.

"...Ra..."