CGA Synopsis

## Challenge of the Golden Aura

*The Challenge of the Golden Aura* is a fantasy/adventure/romance novel written by American writer Cooltrainer Ashton. The fourth and final novel in the *Extinction of Team Rocket* series, it follows an adult Jake accompanying his best friend Drew in a life-changing adventure wherein both of their lives have the potential to change forever. Whereas their first adventure was all for fun, this new adventure requires them to deal with new friends and enemies as diplomacy, geopolitical empathy, self-actualization, and true love take center stage. The book is set in both the Kanto and Orre regions and follows the events of the Black, White, Black2, White2, X, Y, Colosseum, and XD: Gales of Darkness games.

Barnes has stated that this book was the most difficult and bittersweet to write and continues his emphasis on both mental health, LGBT issues, and personal development.

### Book Description

*From Smashwords:*

*After plenty of anticipation, Cooltrainer Ashton’s Extinction of Team Rocket series comes to a royal and dramatic close. CTA’s pride and joy started as the need for retelling an important story about bravery and redemption and became an epic capturing adventure, friendship, turmoil, and growth through the lens of mental health awareness and equality. With “The Challenge of the Golden Aura” comes a challenge the likes of which the Pokémon League and the world has never seen. While 24-year-old Jake is thriving in his community, he and his collective family witness history being made as the world is introduced to the Golden Aura, an ancient society with a global membership seeking to foster wisdom and peace. With the world marred by war and conflict continuing to escalate on the global stage, the society emerges out of secrecy to announce a tournament of tremendous brevity that would determine the fate of its body and international diplomacy as the world knows it, seeking out enlightened warriors to bring their full strength as they search for a new Grand Master to lead the next generation of peace-keeping global leaders. As a twist of fate, 28-year-old Drew receives an invitation, catalyzing his fame in Asia and plunging him and his friends into the tournament of a lifetime in the beautiful state of Arizona. Being the underdog, Drew is faced with challenges designed to test every facet of his spirit, all the while dealing with adversity from unimpressed competitors. As his closest companion and protégé, Jake is also forced to confront old and new challenges. What will he do about a contestant targeting Drew and aggravating his nerves? How could he consider romance at such a crucial time as this? Why is life offering chemistry with multiple suitors? How will his heart decide when the tournament brings him and his family an unexpected global spotlight? For the last great adventure between friends, legendary battles, competitive strife, and an infusion of romance, look no further than the last installment of CTA’s “Challenge of the Golden Aura”!*

**Please note: due to profanity, violence, and mature subjects, work is not suitable for young readers.**

### Cover Concept

The CGA cover consists of a template of purple lilac flowers with glowing, golden flame, tai chi, pokéball, and Chinese symbol for strength in a cardinal-direction format. At the top is the book's titled in a white script calligraphy, and at the bottom is the author's name and the words "The Extinction of Team Rocket Finalé" in the same calligraphy.