Prologue

In the deep recesses of a small antique shop, there was a woman wearing a traditional red and white shrine maiden outfit with a vial over her face. She was at a gypsy table with a crystal ball. Inside the ball was the image of a large human-like creature that wore an executioner's outfit and a girl with black hair. The girl was being held by the 'executioner'. The woman was making strange noises that kind of sound like words. She had been at this for hours now and yet there was still no sign of progress. After a few seconds, she sighed and stopped. She wasn't getting anywhere with her spell, which was her last chance at finding the two. She and her fellow priestesses have looked high and low for the missing pair for over 11 years now and yet she had nothing to prove that 'Alessa' nor 'the red executioner' were still in this world. She sighs. The last time she was found was in the host of Cheryl Mason, however, a certain 'man' interfered with their plans. She looks at the orb. "Oh lord, why must it be so harder to get a connection with Xuchilbara? He used to be such a promenade member of your Order, but he won't answer us. Not even our prayers get answered by him. I know he can be a bit of a pain to get a hold of normally, but even with our highest priestesses we get nothing. Oh lord, what has happened to him? Give me a sign or something to tell us what has happened to him. We need his specialty in hunting to cleanse this world for you and to find you a proper host again." She said, praying to her god. After a few seconds, her Xtransciever rang. She picks it up. "Hello? ...Oh, hello our dear financier. What is it that you need? …What? The Sinnoh League champion has come to your office to make a deal with us. Okay, what does he want and what will he give up in return? … WHAT!? HE…HE KNOWS WHERE XUCHILBARA IS, AND HE'S BEEN TRAPPED IN A HUMAN TRAINER! I…I can't believe it! This explains so much. We've got to save him! …Okay, you and the champion get to know each other and make a plan to save our dear Xuchilbara, and I will start getting everything prepared him to be reborn and awaken…Okay, bye." She said, and then hanged up her phone. She sighs in relief before going back to folding her hands and praying. "Oh, thank you lord, thank you." She said a wide smile on her face.

(Somewhere else.)

In a small dark room, a very young boy was standing next to a clock. The clock ticks as a pendulum swings. The young boy was looking around, confused. He had raven black hair and was wearing a white shirt with blue shorts. He didn't know where he was, or why he was even there. Suddenly a swish of wind could be heard. He looked at the direction where he heard the wind, however, there was nothing there. The boy is confused by this. What was going on? He soon felt something wrap around him. It felt icy and made him shiver. He holds himself as he tries to warm up. "There are many types of monsters in this world. Some you are aware exist, and others you've shut yourself away from their existence." A voice asked. It was familiar to the boy. The boy blinked. What was it talking about? "The first class of monsters is these 'pocket monsters'. They are strange and yet beautiful creatures and we've been with them for a very long. We love them, care for them, and have fun with them, but we know they are also dangerous and wild. The second class of monster is 'human monsters'. Those draped in the skin of men, but with blackest hearts, eager to pervert the laws of nature and endanger the innocent for their own gain. Of course, these monsters we've dealt with a lot. After all, to catch a sinner, you have to be a sinner. And then there are the murderous creatures of the darkness, inspired by the most horrific nightmares. Brutal abominations, their sole purpose: to torment. Is that what we are? Or are we more than that? Tell me this boy?" It asked a bit confused. Ash was even more confused. He remembers the monster who haunted him in his nightmares. The blonde hair beast who looks like a man, yet acts nothing like one. Is this the monster's voice? He didn't remember it being so…gruff. It didn't sound like Pokelantis, a spirit who is stuck in his body, nor Luc who was his physiological guardian, so it had to be that monster. Ash shocked his head, he had to answer this…thing. "I'm not a monster, monster! I'm not you! Why are you even talking to me?" Ash angrily asked. A chuckle could be heard as he felt something swirl around him. "Because the time of judgement is nearing dear innocent me, and yet you still have much to learn. Our purpose is to hunt and be vigilant, but you have only done that with our creatures. If we met true sinners, could you judge on your own, especially with my power locked away thanks to that dog? What about her? Can you protect the ones you love from yourself and the sinners?" The voice asked. Ash growled. "I don't know what you're rambling about, but I'm never going to let my friends get hurt. I'm going to protect them from any harm you dish out!" Ash roared. The voice let out a satisfied 'hmm'. "So you say. But can you really defend people from me and from the monsters? Can you really stand up against your own reflection? Or will you be overcome by horror and succumb to madness as many outsiders already have? Would you tear out our eyes, trying to block out the brutality of my hellish world? Or would you feel right at home?" It asked. Ash blinked. 'Hellish' world? What was the creature even talking about? Ash shocked his head and then nodded. "Yes! Whatever you have up your selves, I can handle it. After all, I am you. There is nothing you can think up that can scare me." Ash said. The creature chuckled. "So you say. Let's just see." It said. Soon everything went white.

Ash blinks as he wakes up. He looks around and sees that it was still the middle of the night, and he hadn't woken up any of his friends. He sighed in relief before he looked up to the sky. He soon remembered the monster's warning. He then remembered the one time he accidentally let it free. He could still feel the horrors it did, and he knew he could never let it escape him. 'I'm not going to let any monster win. Not ever.' Ash thought, he soon went back to bed.