Author's note: I don't own Pokémon. I based this story on PitFTW's fanfic "Pokémon Conquest: The Aftemath." This is my take on what happened to the hero and what happened after the story cut off. It's semi-sequel, I guess. So without further ado, let's get this thing started!

Pokémon Conquest: The Future of Ransei

- Ch.1: Still Fighting (part 1) -

-Violight-

Keatonichi stood on a ridge not far from Violight castle. His master, Lady Ginchiyo, was dead. The warrior reached up and adjusted his mask, the bright yellow paint and foxlike design hid his expression of grim determination.

"Come, Raichu" he called, the mouse Pokémon scampered over to him. "We're heading to Aurora, It's a long trip, and noon has already passed." And with that, the two partners turned and walked down the road.

-Spectra-

A young man walked down the halls of the abandoned temple, checking each room and alcove as he went. Eventually, he found what he was looking for. It was a small shrine, little more than a few candles, an old cushion, and a small pedestal. On the pedestal sat a strange, cracked stone etched with several characters. The man walked over to the shrine, clapped his hands together three times, and muttered the word "release." Suddenly, the symbols on the stone glowed with an ominous light. When the glow subsided, a vortex of purple and green whirled atop the stone. Now awakened, the Spiritomb let out a cry and levitated off the pedestal.

"Welcome back, Spiritomb." Kuroyagi said with an evil smirk.

-Viperia-

Kogamoto and his ally Drapion slogged through the toxic bogs of Viperia. The shinobi's face was covered by a Pecha scarf, protecting him from the poison fumes and marshes. Drapion's hulking purple frame seemed unfazed by the toxins around him. They had passed several skeletons, both human and Pokémon, half an hour ago. Off in the distance, a blurry shape stood, Viperia castle was still in one piece. He couldn't give up, he had to keep going. Kogamoto needed to reach the castle.

-Nixtorm-

Hitsunage loved Nixtorm. The constant snow and towering mountains always seemed to give him hope for tomorrow. They had survived the disaster that had befallen Ransei now, and he resolved to do the same. But things had gotten worse in recent years. The blizzards had become stronger, the nights colder, the gales fiercer. He shivered, and moved closer to mamoswine's huge bulk. Though the lords may have lost hope, he refused to do so. He had heard rumors of a great ice dragon living in a cave near the tallest peak. It was time to go. The young warrior walked away, his heavy coat flapping out as he turned. Mamoswine followed, wondering what his master's intent was this time.

-Avia-

"WOOOOHOOOO! THIS ROCKS!" Kyoji cried as he and Togekiss weaved between lightning bolts. This was his way of escaping his problems, the thrill he got risking his life in these storms. While in the air he could forget everything and just feel truly alive. Togekiss realized how powerful the storm was getting and suddenly turned back.

"Aw man! Why did you have to turn us around? Now I have to go back to that depressing castle and talk to Masamune. You know how gloomy he is!" Kyoji whined as the duo flew toward Avia. The Jubilee Pokémon responded with a gentle smile. Kyoji continued grumbling "Would it kill the guy to actually see the good things in life for once? He's always sad about the weather, but he never tries to do anything about it. Why not?"

-Valora-

Gensai smiled and admired his handiwork. The sickle gleamed in the dim firelight. Although the times were hard, Gensai found that working the forge calmed him. It was as if each new creation helped the land. The man wiped soot from his face and turned to the back of the forge. His partners, Magnezone and Magmortar, were both at work. Magnezone carried chunks of scrap iron and broken tools to a huge cauldron of molten metal, which was heated by a continuous stream of Magmortar's flame. The glowing liquid bubbled each time new material was added. Gensai heard someone knocking on the door, and he went to answer.

-Chrystalia-

Yoshimitsu sat in the tavern, waiting for the rain to stop. He had decided to have some sake to pass the time, and then tea to make him sober again. All the while, Beedrill hovered next to him, keeping a constant watch. Yoshimitsu had to leave the kingdom, for there were rumors of an uprising and he wanted no part of it. "Who would have imagined that the death of one man could lead to all this strife…?" The warrior thought as he waited for the storm to pass.

-Pugilis-

The bandits had surrounded the boy and his Meinfoo, yet he didn't look at all intimidated. Seven grown men with knives and three powerful Rampardos against a 13 year old and a small Pokémon seemed a one-sided conflict. The leader of the bandits, a large man with steel armor and a katana, laughed.

"Give us everything you've got kid, and maybe we'll spare you and pathetic pal." The other bandits laughed too. The boy simply smirked.

"Oh I shall… Meinfoo! Hit em' hard and fast!" he shouted. With that, the boy and the Pokémon rushed the bandits with a merciless barrage of punches and kicks. The men didn't even know what hit them. One by one they collapsed, gasping for breath. Meinfoo dispatched the Rampardos with aura spheres, jump kicks, and karate chops. The leader charged at the boy, who simply jabbed out a foot and tripped the older man.

"Y-You're no random kid… Just who are you!?" The bandit cried as his foe advanced on him.

"My name… is Shio. Remember it."

-Illusio-

Wauku and his sister Mariko strode through the forest. Wauku wore the outfit of a simple traveler; a wide-brimmed straw hat, a blue shirt, black hakama, and wooden sandals. Mariko dressed in a green coat and red dress. A Renuiclus hovered behind the girl, scanning the area constantly. Wauku smiled, Mariko was his only family, and he would guard her with his life. The young man's partner, Beeheeyem, seemed somewhat uneasy. It could sense a second emotion in its partner. Anger. And Wauku was angry, angry at Kenshin for giving up, angry at the world for bringing disaster to Ransei, and angry at himself for running away from his home. Yet he knew he couldn't give up on Mariko. She deserved a better future, one where the sun shone and the land prospered. He would fight until his last breath to give his sister that future. But why would no one else fight? Why did they sit in defeat while the people suffered? Five years they had done nothing, and from Kenshin's words they would continue to do nothing, only pray to some higher power. Why would they not fight?

-Cragspur-

The man was tall, bulky, and carried a sword at his hip. As he marched through the desert, he was followed by the massive form of a Tyranitar and the shadow of an Archeops circled high above him. While Gennosuke knew the town was only a few miles away, the heat and dust made it seem ten times further. He turned to Tyranitar, who looked down to meet his partner's gaze.

"When we reach the town, I need a meal and a drink…" Gennosuke said. The Armor Pokémon growled in agreement.

-Aurora-

Ryuto looked down Aurora castle and thought about the world. It had, quite frankly, fallen to pieces. It had all been done by That Man. Hikiji had brought his armies to devastate the lands, He had shattered the peace and unity of Ransei, He had killed the lord of this kingdom, He had done all of this and more. If there was one thing Ryuto wanted with all his heart, it was vengeance. Not for himself, but for all the people that had suffered, all the people who had died. He wanted to make the land of Ransei prosper again, but he was only one man. He needed allies to help his cause, but there were few who were still fighting… His partner Lucario dropped down from a nearby tree and walked over, snapping Ryuto back to reality.

"So you've finally found Cobalion, eh? Bout' time too. Now let's go talk to him." The warrior said as he turned to the forest and strode off, Lucario following behind.

-End of chapter 1-

Author's note: Sorry about the lack of detail involving character appearances. I just wanted to introduce them all. There are more introductions in the next chapter. Yes, Cobalion does live in aurora because I decided to the have Iron Will Pokémon live in the kingdom where the hero was born. Hikiji is still something of a mystery, and No Ryuto is not Micheal from Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

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