Chapter 1 ~ The Fallen
"We stumble and fall constantly even when we are most enlightened. But when we are in true spiritual darkness, we do not even know that we have fallen." Thomas Merton
Dark smoke rose from the graveyard. It spiralled up, twisting upon itself as it wafted into the sky, already darkening with clouds. The ominous winds blew, knocking the smoke aside, breaking it into fragmented shattered pieces of darkness. Below, the village laid, a burial ground, to the fallen. A once peaceful settlement, shattered into multiple fragments of broken rubble. The village lay in ruins, the dying flames still lingering, unwilling to give up their grasp on the broken landscape. The wind blew, cold and deathly.
Mud curdled at the edge of the frozen landscape, splattering the once tender, love filled faces. Their bodies lay, crumpled in the dirt, battered and broken. The hope was gone, and all that remained was the lingering smell of death and burnt wood. The once peaceful town was in ruins, turned upside down and torn apart, left in a state that no one could have recognised it.
There was no one around to notice the young boy who hovered in the shadows. His face was hidden by a black hood that was pulled over his short, spiky, raven black hair. His simple clothes of black and blue were hidden in the forest shadows. He wore a black hoodie with a yellow stripe across it. His blue jeans that scuffed at the dirt were baggy and he wore a hood pulled up over a red and black peaked hat but he pulled the grey hood down to revealing a pair of dark brown eyes. On his shoulders, perched a small, yellow rodent, mouse-like with long ears, tipped in black and with lightning bolt tail. Its bright black eyes seemed dark and his red cheeks were damp with drying tears. The boy blinked his auburn eyes as a glistening tear fell.
A black paw reached out and caught it, its knuckles studded with a white spike. The jackal like dog reared back onto its hind paws, its red eyes looking around the devastated landscape. Its blue blacked streaked snout turned, surveying his surroundings, his black mane-like receptors rising slightly sensing the dying spirits of the village.
The black appendages quivered, a blue glow briefly surrounding them, showing the jackal what he was looking for. Images and impressions of the past flashed across his eyes as he searched through time. There were people: laughing, crying celebrating, mourning, promising. It all faded into total destruction, bleak obsolete. The blue – black dog opened his eyes unhappily and let out a low growl of sadness. The boy turned to him silently, sadness in his eyes.
"We didn't get here is time Pikachu, Lucario. I was too late." The boy lowered his head, bleak eyes staring into the ash stained ground.
The yellow rodent jumped quietly to the ground, his paws making small scuff marks in the soft dirt.
"Pikachu Pika Chu PikaPi" he chirped, unhappily.
"Cario, Lucarr" the jackal growled.
"No one? No one is left? Then we have no choice"
The dog bowed his head to the ground, his aura senses falling. He gave a small shake of his head, confirming what they all, already knew.
The yellow rodent made as if to start forward but was stopped by a sharp growl from Lucario. His tail and ears drooped as the dirt in front of him became studded with drops of water. The dark clouds above gave a distant rumble and lit up brightly as the rain began to fall from the heavens. The boy turned his head to a distant hill, once green and bright filled with flowers and hope. Now barren and deserted scorched by the long dead flames.
The jackal shook his head again, a growl forming in his throat, "Carrio, Lucario,"
A pained expression crossed the boy's face. "Maybe they're happier now, away from this place,"
"PikaPika Chu Chu Pika?"
The boy shook his head, his dark hair falling down over his face. "I don't know Pikachu, I just don't know anymore,"
He sighed as the pattering of rain grew louder. The jackal tipped his head on his side and the raven haired boy shook his head.
"They're not my friends, not anymore. What did they ever do for me?" His eyes darkened with the memories of hurt faces and hate filled words, thrown around carelessly, and then left to rot. The un-trust and sadness nestled in his heart, a cold dark ball of anger. Their failure to act quickly had hurt the raven haired boy more than they could ever know.
The blue black dog ran his paw through the ash stained ground, his paw clenching in anger, his red eyes darkening.
The boy shook his head, "We don't have a choice – nobody can help us now."
"Carr," Lucario growled, stepping back, surveying the ruins once more before turning. "Lu carr?
"Here,"
A dark shadow emerged from the trees, dark wings spanning sky and flickering flames brightening up the dark ruined village. Its bright eyes glistened, its claws and fangs bared as it loomed us behind the boy. He turned to his friend, eyes dark and unreadable. Placing one hand of the long orange neck he swung his leg over, sitting down on the fire lizards back. Pikachu followed, perching just in front of the raven haired boy. The jackal paused for a moment before leaping onto the lizards back behind his master. His paw was still clenched around the grey sooty ash he had scraped from the ground.
The boy didn't say anything as the dragon leapt up into the air, wings outstretched. His tail whipped the ground, a bright flame at the end burning strongly, un-extinguishable. They rose into the air, soaring towards the dark clouds as rain whipped at the boy's face. His eyes were burning with a strange light, faint sea blue with grey cloud reflected in them. He blinked once and the light faded back to brown. He closed his eyes tightly as the wind whipped at his face, knocking the hood back again. His eyes were still closed as they left the ruined village far behind, still lying in total destruction. Faint sprinkles of ash fell to the ground, still warm from the jackal's paws. They drifted in the breeze, scattered ashes of loved ones gone.
The young raven haired boy never looked back, his hood pulled up again to hide his young face. The Pikachu curled up in front of his life time friend, sad that all this had come to nothing. The small rodent blinked away the tears that were welling in his eyes. The memories stained his mind, dark images of happy time, long gone, faded into darkness.
"Pika PiChu! Pi Pi Chu PiKaa Chu Pi?" The small yellow rodent chirped happily. Its long yellow ear tipped in black twitched as it bounced around a young boy with spiky ebony hair. He was laughing, his face creasing into a smile. Around him, a turtle, small dinosaur and lizard sat, expressing their joy with muffled laughs as the young boy tripped again, failing to catch the yellow rodent.
"Bulba, Bulbasaur"
"Squirt Squirtle!
"Charr Charmander Char!"
The boy stopped to complain to his three friends, "It's not funny you guys!"
The small yellow rodent bounded closer, its one ear tipped in waving in the breeze. It waved a small paw, teasing the young boy to continue his frantic chasing. His black spiky collar appeared slightly ruffled and his lightning bolt tail twitched eager for the game to continue. The young boy gave a happy smile and launched himself after the small mouse. The small dinosaur with a bulb on his back moved out the way as a clod of dirt was thrown towards him.
Eventually the young boy gave up, and he sat down besides his three friends panting.
"You're so fast! I guess I could persuade Brock to give you a small bit of ketchup…"
Pikachu tipped its head on the side, considering before bounding over to the boy with a delighted smile on his face.
"Pikaa Pi!"
The young boy gave a delighted shout but it ended as a few volts of electricity ran through his body. The red cheek patches on the Pikachu's cheeks were sparking with static electricity. The young boy fell back into the dirt, still smiling.
"Glad we're getting along now," he muttered, before all four creatures broke into laughter.
The yellow rodent blinked. He was older now, and together he and his PikaPi had seen much. They had travelled with their friends throughout the home region of Kanto. The boy had made friends with many Pokémon and competed in the many leagues. Their latest ambition had been to compete in the Sinnoh league but there had been a problem. Together the mouse and his friend had changed, maturing. The jackal that accompanied them had only recently evolved from a Riolu, the small dog determined to serve his new master with all of his strengths after the death of his old one.
But the young boy had grown too, travelling with friends through thick and thin. He grew wiser, learning from his mistakes until the mouse no longer recognised him as the same person he had encountered at the start of his journey many years ago. His friends had helped him grow, first the hopeful breeder and the mermaid of Cerulean. Then the newbie co coordinator and her brother and finally the blue haired designer, all had given him so much training yet now abandoned him in his time of need.
The young mouse sighed; so much had worried his young master. It seemed like the world would never let his friend rest. So many expectations lay on his shoulders and just when everything seemed to be fine, a happy day with friends, it had all crumbled away when a small blue Emanation Pokémon stumbled across his path.
One month previously – Sinnoh – Unknown Forest outside Pastoria City…
A young Riolu had stumbled across their path when he, the squint eyed man and the blunette were travelling, their destination unclear. The raven haired boy was squinting at a map and stopped to correct the direction, turning it upside down as the yellow mouse on his shoulder chirped. In the blunette's arms a small penguin was held, tweeting happily.
It seemed rather sad how quickly things changed. How could one small blue and black dog running across the path ahead of them lead to so much happening? Stumbling around in pain from the burn on his arm and whining softly from the fear of being pursued due to his unique ability to use a special attack… the little dog attacked back in fear as the boy tried to help.
Kellyn appeared then, the smiling ranger with spiky russet brown hair and blue eyes managed to prevent the small jackal being re-captured by infamous Pokémon Hunters. They had tried to flee from the pursuing hunters but after being washed downstream in a river and separated from the raven haired trainer and Riolu the Pokémon ranger was at loss of what to do. The young boy was trapped in a fire, a large blue lizard with a red belly hovering before him menacingly.
Ash had never intended to get involved with Pokémon Hunter J. It was just in his nature to protect his friends from someone so twisted and with a hateful job that he detested. That was why when the fire raged above him, a small fire monkey saving him by the quick use of Dig he just knew he couldn't give up. The small jackal had been snatched out of his hands, a small doll tumbling to the floor as his body turned to stone.
Dark clouds in the sky gave a dark grumble as rain poured down. Ash climbed out of the hole, thanking his fire monkey as he returned it to the red and white sphere. Almost immediately Ash began running towards the large dirt filled crater where a large, black ship was parked. The ramp was down and after sliding down the slope the young boy risked all in a risky attempt, racing up the ramp after the armed men.
He was surprised how few people noticed him, a young boy, obviously a trainer with six Pokéballs at his belt and a Pikachu on his shoulder. So he took his chance when the doors ahead of him slid open, revealing a large, spacious control room, the forest ahead clear. Above the large window several screens stretched, the large central one revealing a man with dark glasses smiling as he examined the stone Riolu.
Sitting on the central seat like a queen the silver haired woman moved her fingers to the glass case next to her, sliding down a button that dissolved the stone head of Riolu, allowing the little dog to blink and look around, yet his stone paws remained frozen to the spot. Almost immediately his head snapped round, his red eyes already sensing the aura of his saviour.
"You stop right there J!" Ash demanded angrily, clenching a black gloved fist. He took a few steps forward as the call to the potential buyer was cancelled, the screen flickering and going dead. On the throne like chair J smiled, not turning around but merely flicking a red and white sphere into the air.
"Drapion, stop that brat!" her voice was cold as the ball was thrown into the air, the sphere enlarging and opening in a beam of red light as a large scorpion like Pokémon emerged. Its purple body was segmented into two tones and a large tail and claws moved viciously towards Ash.
The raven haired boy gritted his teeth as J stood up, turning around and smiling at him as his gaze fell on the small jackal. She slid the slider up, enclosing his head in stone but not before a message had passed between the boy and the jackal.
The silver haired woman blinked in surprise as her Drapion's claws, intending to snatch the boy from where he stood missed and the scorpion was left clutching at air. The boy had dropped to the floor, sliding down the ramp towards J, his eyes closed as he threw four red and white spheres from his pocket. Pikachu was perched on his shoulder but he leapt off as the boy pointed a finger around at the grunts.
In front of him a flying black and white bird with a crested tuft of head feathers appeared flapping it wings. On the ground a small grass turtle, the small fire monkey and a water weasel stood, taking a stance. The boy clenched his fists again as he ordered attacks. "Staravia Brave Bird, Turtwig use Razor Leaf, Chimchar Flamethrower and Buizel use Water Gun!"
He shot a look at his partner, "Pi – can you get Riolu?" he asked as the small mouse nodded, darting away with a quick attack. J reeled back in shock as the small yellow mouse appeared on the control board, sliding the slider all the way down.
Several things happened then. The first was the glass cage around the jackal dissolved as his body was returned to normal. The yellow mouse and jackal leapt towards Ash as J moved forward, like her Pokémon clutching at air. The second thing was that the grunts had stepped forward; two of them brave enough to counter the young boy's attacking Pokémon with a Jynx and Dewgong.
"Ice Beam!" the two brave men called out and the raven haired boy smirked.
"Buizel – Switch attacks – Aqua Jet! Pikachu – let's try an iron tail,"
The Pokémon repeated their names as they leapt forward, the yellow mouse leaping into the air and spinning as his tail glowed white. The water weasel summoned up a veil of water as he leapt into the air, surrounding himself in a jet of water.
If J was surprised that the pathetic boy's interruption had actually achieved something she didn't show it. But even the infamous hunter couldn't help but marvel at the sneak defence plan the boy had set up. She recalled her Drapion in a beam of red light from where it stood, still looking dazed. In her hand another ball was already waiting and she enlarged it as the two attacks collided.
Ash smirked as Buizel's Aqua Jet froze, the glistening ice jet crashing into the white seal. His smirk grew even wider as Pikachu's spinning tail got caught in the beam, freezing the now metallic looking tail. Crystals formed as the small yellow mouse swung around his extra heavy tail towards the humanoid Jynx. In sync, the two ice type Pokémon were knocked back into their trainers, two very surprised grunts.
"Salamence end this,"
Ash retreated wisely with his Pokémon as the blue and red lizard emerged. Its flat back and short wings gave way to a long neck with open jaw of fangs and teeth. He retrieved two of his Pokémon, the fire monkey that was responsible for several scorch marks across the building keeping the grunts at bay and Turtwig whose razor sharp leaves had knocked Drapion back. A third and fourth ball were in his hands but as he raised them the silver woman walked past her Salamence and stopped, staring at him.
She smirked, her usual black glasses not on her eyes and Ash glared at her pale, ice cold eyes. "Ash Ketchum," she whispered, looking at the defiant boy. "Where are you going now?"
Ash lowered his hands, not bothering to look around, already realising the danger of his situation. At his feet Pikachu and Riolu took a step forward, growling. Just in front of them Staravia and Buizel took a defensive stance. He growled at J as she stepped forward again, "You're all pathetic," he hissed, stealing a line from his rival, "Don't you have anything better to do than steal Pokémon?"
J waved an arm and stopping the grunts that moved forward. She smiled, "It's my job. "
Ash let out another furious hiss, too busy contemplating whether Staravia's Brave Bird would be enough to break the glass of the ship when the silver haired woman made a comment that made him whirl his attention back to her, mouth gaping. "What?"
"I want you to join me."
"Are you mad?" Ash was choking up his disgust, his hatred at the idea. His brown eyes were shocked as he stared at the Pokémon hunter.
The woman smiled at him, "You're not going anywhere now. I'd hate to have to dispose of a strong trainer like you." Her emphasis over the word dispose made Ash feel sick. Her silky smooth purr continued, "You're perfect – strong and brave – what's not to like?"
Ash had to stop himself gagging as Pikachu let out a loud chirp, "PiPikaChu!"
The raven haired boy stared with hatred at the silver haired woman, "I'd rather die," he stated calmly. "I'd never work for you!"
J smiled, her blue eyes devious, a plan already formed in her head. "If you were threatened…?" she left the phrase hanging as the boy gaped at her. She smirked and decided to elaborate, "You see I rarely offer people this – you see I want you to join us. What I want…I get."
Ash shook his head defiantly, recalling Buizel to his ball and motioning to Staravia to come closer, already having decided this woman was mad.
J picked up her goggles from her chair and put them on her eyes, hiding the ice blue coldness that was radiated. "You see I've done my research – I know who you're friends are…you're family…their lives could be at risk if you leave today. I'll cut you a deal for now – we let you go for now with that pathetic dog and you consider my offer. I'll give you a week to decide – we meet at some rendezvous point and you tell me what your decision is. You choose to come with me – you're friends and family live – my only wish is that you evolve that pathetic rat or have him turned to stone. But if you refuse – they die, your friends, your Pokémon, everyone you know..."
Ash's eyes flashed with shock as he stared at her, "That's no deal," he hissed, "I'd never work for you!" The words failed in his mouth as he realised the consequences of refusing now…
"No," he was shaking his head wildly as J motioned to a pilot to land. He stumbled slightly as the large aircraft landed on the ground. He already could hear the approaching cries of Dawn and Brock.
All dead.
The idea stuck in his throat and Pikachu left his defensive position to leap on his shoulder, shaking his head at the impossible choice. Riolu looked up at him, eyes wide with horror of what had transpired.
J smiled, her eye cold as she turned away, recalling her Salamence in a beam of red light. She motioned for the circle of grunts to move away from the trapped kid. She noticed how he didn't notice at first, staring at the blue dog. His Staravia alerted him and he cast one last hateful glare at her before sprinting to the door, Riolu at his heels.
The ranger Kellyn had seen a lot in all his years. He was a Pokémon ranger, his whole life devoted to stopping thieves who would go to no end to achieve their prize. He was shocked as he saw J's airship land in front of them and he was too late to stop Brock and Dawn running forward in anger. Therefore he was the first to see the ramp descend and a young boy race down it, gaze stony, a flying bird in front of him and Riolu at his heels. The young man shook his head in surprise at the way the boy had left, open and visible to anyone.
The ranger also saw as the raven haired boy skidded to a halt in front of his friends, stepping backwards before they could embrace him. As Kellyn moved forward he saw the shock in the young boy's eyes as he looked at his friends before whirling around to where J was walking down the ramp slowly. She didn't descend fully, standing so they could see her clearly.
"Your choice … you have one week. We'll find you. You ran off so fast I never got a chance to tell you that. There's no overcoming it – we hold all the cards. Unfortunately there is no avoiding the inevitable and no little tricks are going to work, we'll be watching your every move."
Brock and Dawn turned in surprise to Ash who was glaring hatefully at the woman who just smirked and walked backwards up the ramp. Around them the air became full of dust and whirling wind for a minute as the airship lifted up, immediately fading into thin air as the invisible cloak was activated. Too late the small blue dog flung a blue sphere up but it missed and continued into the sky until it was lost. He let out a small whine turning to Ash who was staring at the last place the ship had been with horror still written across his face.
"Rio Io," The small dog growled, sympathising and apologising for everything. Ash smiled down at him and from his pocket pulled a small carved doll, presenting it to the Riolu who hugged it tightly to him and gazed at Ash with wide thankful eyes.
Kellyn raced over, running a hand though his spiky hair. He flipped down the small device on is wrist, just informing Solana and Jenny of their success and failure. He reached out a hand in a handshake to Ash, "Well done for getting Riolu back," he smiled and blinked as Ash shook his head, his breath catching in his throat.
The boy was unable to talk and he mouthed a few words before eventually, he pushed it out, "She let me take him back. J wants me to work for her."
Dawn stared at him in shock and then cast a look into the sky. "That bitch," she hissed, surprising them with her language. She pushed down her mini skirt in an attempt to calm herself. "So you refused and got out of there?"
Ash shook his head and Pikachu's ears dropped and he sat dejectedly on Ash's shoulder. Ash swallowed a lump in his throat, "If I don't go with her she's gonna' kill them,"
"Who?" Kellyn's voice was wracked with confusion.
"My friends, my mom, my Pokémon…" Ash's voice trailed off and in front of him Riolu rested a small paw on his knee.
That was where it fell apart. Kellyn's voice was full of fake understanding as he said, "Ignore it, it was just some stupid threat," a kindly smile on his face as he stared at the (in his opinion) clearly overreacting and gullible boy.
Unfortunately this had the wrong reaction. Brock and Dawn shook their heads in disbelief that Ash had believed the infamous woman as Ash stood up, staring at them in a mixture of horror and reassurance on his face as he nodded, his eyes still glancing up at the last spot J's airship had hovered.
He had refused, when a shadowy man had passed him in the street, knowing too well who had sent him. Riolu had stayed with him, unwilling to leave the young boy that he had cause so much pain. They had visited the kingdom to find a new Riolu, newly hatched from an egg. The old man who had cared for Riolu had died, an age old illness wracking his weathered body.
Ash glared at the hooded man in the shadows, Brock and Dawn who had moved ahead of him casting curious gazes back to him. On his shoulder Pikachu let out a snarling chirp as the mysterious man smirked, parting with ominous words.
"Mistress always gets what she wants. You better watch out for your loved ones."
Ash found himself looking at Brock and Dawn who were looking at him exasperatedly. The hooded man shook his head, "Why worry about them when we can target your poor village that you left behind."
By the time Ash had found use of his frozen muscles to turn back but the man was gone leaving the alleyway as it had been, dark, cold and uninviting. He stared after it wildly before his mind made the link and worked out the danger. His footsteps thudded on the ground as he raced to the Pokémon centre, actually reading the signs correctly for once as he raced to the video phone.
"Mom! You have to leave now please!" He shouted, as soon as the connection was established to Kanto.
The pretty woman laughed and shook her head. "Whatever are you talking about Ash? Are you changing your underwear everyday young man?"
Brock and Dawn raced through the doors, panting heavily as Pikachu started chirping frantically. Hopping onto the chair Riolu started whining to tell her the danger.
Delia smiled at the small dog, "Oh – a new Pokémon – is he yours? He's so cute! Now Ash what were you telling me?"
Dawn exchanged a confused glance with Brock as Ash started yelling loudly, attracting many unwanted, embarrassing attention, "You need to leave –evacuate Pallet Town! Please – I don't want you to die!"
His loud shouting was in vain for at that moment the screen flickered and died and an apology message that his answering machine left flashed on the screen.
I'm sorry – the computer is probably broken or the power is out – again. Please call back later.
Brock tried to calm his friend as he began punching in another number. It was amazing that the squint eyed man could still fall for every woman, regardless of his friends worrying reaction. Hearts replaced his eyes as he stared at the screen, "Oh, I thought my heart was complete but until I saw you I realised that it was only half – I have finally met the other person who will make up the other half of my…"
"Croa," The blue frog let out a disgruntled croak as he punched Brock, his glowing purple fist fading as he dragged Brock away. The man gave a low groan.
"Now I can't feel half of my body!" Brock muttered as he was dragged away, his hands still glued together as Croagunk pulled him across the floor. Dawn sidestepped his body as she moved forwards. On the screen the woman sighed.
"He's still like that then…" she sighed and blinked in surprise as Ash ignored this.
She could see how nervous the young man was as he demanded for Charizard to be sent over, swearing blindly he didn't have six Pokémon on him. He pushed away Dawn as she poked her head in from the side to prove him wrong. He thanked Liza wildly as he scooped up the red and white ball from where it appeared on the transport machine. The young woman couldn't do anything as the screen flashed dead as Ash cancelled the call.
"What are you doing?" Dawn asked as Ash moved away. Brock sat up, recovering from Croagunk's Poison Jab just in time to see the two of them racing outside the Pokémon Centre. He clambered to his feet, ignoring the purple frog that was standing beside him, knees bent as his orange cheeks bulged. A low croak could be heard but Brock was too far away to hear, the automatic doors already sliding open. Ash was already releasing Charizard who gave a happy snort to see his trainer again yet the large lizard was rather surprised after being recalled to his ball very quickly before ending up here.
Ash turned to them in anger as Brock and Dawn watched him, "If only I hadn't listened to you! Then this wouldn't be happening!"
Brock stared in shock, "What's happening?" he asked in disbelief.
Ash pushed away Charizard's head as he bent down to lick him, "I need to get to Pallet Town – can you get me part of the way there?"
The large orange lizard let out a surprised snort and nodded, somehow realising this was not a time to worry. Ash turned to Brock and Dawn, "J's happening. My mom, Professor Oak, all my Pokémon at the lab…they're all going to die – just because you guys persuaded me not to take her seriously!"
Dawn gasped as she realised what Ash was going on about, "J isn't going to kill everyone Ash just because you won't join her!"
Ash climbed on Charizard's back, giving the dragon a pat on his long neck as he glared down at Dawn, shaking his head, "You didn't meet her Dawn – trust me – that woman would do anything,"
Dawn rolled her eyed stomping at the ground, "You're not that important!" she almost screamed at the stubborn boy.
He gazed at her, his brown eyes cold as Riolu leapt up and positioned himself in front of him. He shook his head once, his raven hair falling across his eyes, "No – I'm not. But you guys are." And with that the large dragon leapt into the air, making Dawn clutch Piplup tightly from the downdraft. When the blunette and the spiky haired man looked again Ash and his Pokémon were gone.
Present Time – Kanto – Somewhere above Victory Road…
"Charr Zard?" the loud growl of the orange lizard woke him out of his revere. They were flying now, away from the destruction that he had been too late to prevent.
The great fire lizard gave a deep rumble, wanting to know where they would be heading. The now fiercely loyal lizard angled his wings to the west as the young boy muttered something to him. Behind the cloaked boy, the spiked jackal with fists and a heart of steel was sitting silently, displaying no emotion on his face. He sat back to back with the boy, looking at the expanse of forests and stone buildings that they had just passed over. His thoughts were on other matters that neared the present and spanned the future. He had evolved just recently, when the orange lizard could fly no more and landed in the far north of Kanto. There they were hounded by some old relics of Team Rocket who were hounded away and sick of running Ash and Riolu fought back.
The men didn't survive, their Pokémon quickly overcome after Ash told the small jackal that he wouldn't let anything happen to him. Overcome by a feeling of trust and friendship he had never felt with his former master Riolu grew, glowing white as he transformed. The boy had moved on quickly after their victory, unwilling to linger over what he had just done, the men's cold bodies abandoned in the dust. With Pikachu on his shoulder and Lucario by his side he had journeyed as quickly as he could.
Not quickly enough.
The young boy was feeling pain in every sense of the word. His mind was bleak with possibilities that were no longer possible, that had been stamped obsolete within his mind. His heart ached for the touch of friendships long past, that he had left behind with this new change in the course of him life. The raven haired man blinked, trying to stop the tears that were forming in the corners of his eyes. He had been plagued whichever way he turned and now he had to face this. He shook his head, dislodging the hood, allowing him to see their destination.
"Here, stop here!" his voice cried out, bringing the fire lizard to a gentle descent. The jackal behind him gave him a quizzical look which he ignored. He jumped down from ten feet in the air, landing lightly on his feet. He waited for seconds, closing his eyes and allowing him to picture the surrounding landscape. It flashed through him brain, printed purple and black against his mind. Without opening his eyes he began to walk, slowly at first, but then speeding up as he found a trail.
"Lucario Lu Carr, CarrRio!" Lucario growled, sprinting to catch up with his master. His hind paws thudded at the ground, closely followed by the small rodent.
"PikaPi!"
The man didn't stop; his senses alight as he approached his destiny. He let his eyes open as he saw the lump of faded crystal in front of him. The once clear lump of natural beauty had faded and it had lost all transparent aspects. Moss was growing up around the base and its white grey hue resembled any other rock. At his side Pikachu and Lucario stopped, bowing their heads as they realised why their friends was here.
"Iron Tail,"
The quiet phrase, barely whispered prompted the yellow mouse to run forward. It leaped in the air twirling in circles, his tail glistening with a shining, silver light. Twirling around, he brought the glowing tail straight down onto the lump of faded crystal.
CRACK.
The crystal jarred and a hairline crack appeared, splitting the rock, running down slowly as crystalized slices fell away. Before their eyes the rock disintegrated, falling into chunks slowly before their eyes, revealing a secret long hidden.
"Cario Carr Rio?"
"I think it's about time, don't you?"
The jackal nodded curtly, letting out an annoyed grumble. "Cario Carr Lucarr!" The boy laughed.
"I swore that I would never come here… this is my father's grave… he was an aura guardian once… apparently he was descended from Sir Aaron."
He stepped forward as the smoke and dust cleared. The last piece of crystalized granite fell away, revealing the outline of a crystal blue stone. Its edges were glazed blue, fading into the gleaming diamond and pearl with a sheen that shone with the colours of the rainbow. Red, blue, green, yellow, gold, silver, crystal, ruby, sapphire, emerald, black, white, grey… the colours all merged into one bright, pale blue with dark shadowing.
The raven haired boy smiled as he retrieved the stone, smaller than on first appearances. Underneath laid a pair of black gloves, faintly ringed with blue circles. He smirked.
"If we ever get an opportunity to… these'd come in useful,"
"Cario Lucarr," The jackal nodded his appreciation but let out a low warning growl. The boy snatched up the gloves leaving the little spot clear. Already the crystal was growing back, its glistening sides reaching up.
The raven haired boy stood back, watching as it grew, forming a solid circle around the area where the gloves and sword were found. He and his friends watched as it grew bigger, glowing briefly as it sealed, a solid chamber once more. He turned away smirking, leaving the sphere as he had found it, crystalline and untouched, moss growing at the base and a slight faded look to it. Left as it had been found, untouched and pure.