Hey, so this is going to be an AU, (just like my first one I believe. :D) And it is going to have Comashipping. Not sure how much yet so rating may go up. :D

Hope you enjoy this, and if you have a moment, please leave a review. Thanks!

Chapter One:

Ash:

I tried to keep my gaze straight ahead of me as I walked up the aisle. I didn't want this bonding anymore then Paul did. I could sense him, directly beside me; his own head hung low, not even trying to hide his frustration.

I glance over at him. He doesn't look up at me, just continues to stare at his feet. Why couldn't I get someone who at least will talk to me? He won't he doesn't talk to anyone…

Tradition. That's why. For as long as anyone can remember, every person has been given a bond. At five years of age, (How old I am at the moment), every child's mentor chooses them a bond. This bond may be the same or different gender, with similar personalities or not, anyone. But for some reason, they will either reject or except each other at the ceremony. This one was only the first one.

We reach the alter, where our mentors shake hands, mumbling words of greetings. We don't say anything. The priest stands in front of us, his beady eyes staring down at us.

He removes two daggers from his belt, their blades still gleaming from the fresh sharpening. They are completely identical, for now. He leans forward, and takes my hand in his grasp, placing one of the daggers in it.

I am not looking forward to this part….

I glance up at Paul but he refuses to even look at me. I sigh, and wait for the sacred commandment…..

"Ash-ale'gh, leave your mark upon your forearm, allow the bonding to commence. Paul-ale'gh, put forth your arm, let us watch to see if this was meant to be.'

I close my eyes and grip the dagger harshly. He places his forearm next to mine, biting his lip to keep from uttering any noise as I slice through my skin. I am almost disappointed to see that his own body has an identical cut forming in it. We both cringe, feeling the knife cut through our soft flesh. It however, heals its trail instantly, leaving behind nothing more than a line.

Mine is a blue one. I run my fingers over it. It is shaped in a complicated twist of swirling lines, running almost five inches long down my forearm. Paul's however, makes everyone gasp. I look over and swallow hard as well.

It is silver.

This was bad. He was silver… and I was blue…. That meant he was like his brother. He was a Dare'th. He had the power to rip universes, travel through them, he could even control time. I stare down at my own mark.

And if I was correct in memory, this made me his Protector.

I shrugged off that term. It meant many things, I made sure he wasn't hurt, I also helped him control the power. Though all bonds created telepathic links between their participants, ours would be especially strong.

For the first time Paul looks at me. For the first time since I met him he looks afraid. We both know what can happen to Dare'th. I hold the knife tighter in my hands. Our symbols in the different colors have been drawn into the knives. The priest hands Paul his.

Our mentors look slightly shocked at the unexpected occurrence. Paul's whispers in his ear softly. He nods and places the dagger on his belt. I do the same, ready for the final part…..

"They're bodies have accepted their fate. Now, for the final act, the joining of the minds…." He takes our forearms and presses them together. They burn at first, causing us to flinch, but the pain relaxes and we become more interested in what he is doing now.

He places his hand on the back of our head's, forcing us to lean forward until our foreheads touch. I can feel Paul's breath on my face, his bangs pressed against my forehead. I grit my teeth when I feel my mind ripped from itself.

I find myself in a different universe, one at first only filled with colors and shapes. Until I find someone else. Paul.

I want to talk, but our first mind link ends before it even really begins.

My eyes snap open, Paul immediately pulls away. I look up at my mentor for approval. I receive a sharp nod.

"The first is done." The priest says. "It will be completed in several years time… leave now."

We do as he says, crossing the church quickly. Once outside in the cold frigid weather, we turn to face each other. Paul's hand clutches his mark on his left arm, his eyes downcast. For a moment, I almost feel pity. I heard that Dare'th's often have painful first bondings and that it can take days for the scar to stop burning. Mine already feels fine.

Without warning he glares at me.

"I don't care what they say, Ash, I don't need any help from you. Just leave me alone!" He turns, leaving me there alone.

I close my eyes. I had been warned that there is sometimes denial, and you just have to work through it.

I turn to go home, walking along the snow ridden path.

Ten Years Later:

Ash:

I stand outside of the church, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Paul hadn't arrived yet. Unlike most people our age, our telepathic connection had not grown, in fact, we both tried to ignore the mark as much as possible. I sigh, running my hand over my mark. It burns today as it did the first day.

I stand up, looking out into the snowy forest, hoping to catch some glimpse of purple, any sign of Paul. I am lucky and spot him.

He is training, as usual.

The war has grown. Every child is prepared for battle. Dare'ths especially were prepared. To fight across universes, you had to have them ready to fight.

After the final bonding, we were to be shipped away to the final training camp, where we would begin our lives in serving for the empire.

Paul noticed me watching him and immediately stopped. He approaches at a leisurely pace, stopping exactly ten feet away from me. I try and smile but his glare shoots it down.

We hear to others approach us. Our mentors. Tonight, we say goodbye to them, we will receive a single new one for the both of us when we arrive at camp.

"Tonight will be our final night together." mine, Sam, says. Sam is a tall man, muscular. He is kind and gentle, despite his great size. But he is old, and I will be the final one he trains. He takes my left arm and holds it up, looking proudly at my mark.

Paul's mentor, Ayden, was nothing like mine. He was smaller, focused more on agility, flexibility and speed. He wasn't known for his kindness, but more for his intelligence and cunning mind. His sharp eyes ran over me and grasp Paul's arm in a harsh manner, bringing it up to study. He runs his fingers over it, which for some unknown reason makes my body burn with hatred for him. I knew that it was the most sensitive part of us now, and the only person who could touch it without pain, was me or him.

I glance up at Sam, who quickly grabs Ayden's wrist, muttering something in the old language. Ayden nods and reaches forward and takes my arm in his hands. He presses me and Paul's arms together. We both flinch at the sudden psychic connection between us, the first one since the first night. He surprises me when without warning, Paul pulls away.

"Paul- ale'gh, what is the meaning of this? You do not fear your bond's mind do you?" Ayden said harshly. Paul glared up at him.

"We are not prepared for anything more than the most basic mind touch. Any deeper, without the help of an elder, could render both of us insane."

Ayden smiles cruelly. "At least I knew that you paid attention to my lessons…."

Sam froze, realizing had just happened. "Are you saying, that that was a test? That if Paul had not remembered….."

"Trial and error is something I have never allowed Paul to have the luxury of. When you see him fight, both with his pokemon, and with himself you will see the urgency in which I have expressed that."

Sam prepares to reply just as the door opens.

"Mentors Sam and Ayden, have you brought Ash- ale'gh and Paul- ale'gh?"

"Yes," they both reply, positioning themselves beside us.

Paul and my shoulders are almost pressed together, and we both hold our breaths to remain out of contact.

"Step forward, the bonding will now commence."

We do as he says, me, closing my eyes, hoping silently, that this wasn't going to be nearly as bad as I thought it was.

…..

Thanks for reading, going to get better, sorry for all the explanations this chapter….. Going to actually start getting to the story. If you have a moment, please leave a review. Thanks. :D