(NOTE: This is the second book, of a total of six in this series)

Rated: T

Genre: Tragedy/Romance/Supernatural

Summary: As Ash and Misty consummate their relationship through marriage, they are unaware that their days together are limited...Can Ash and Misty fight their own inner demons to save Kanto? Or will they succumb to the darkness of their hearts and betray all those who are close to them? - Pokeshipping.

List of Shippings: Pokeshipping, Contestshipping (minor), Ikarishipping (minor), Rocketshipping, MangaShipping (Brock & Sabrina)

Content Warning: Very dark themes in later chapters. Battle scenes in later chapters include numerous Pokemon deaths.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. I only own a few of the characters who appear in this story, as well as the events of the story itself. I won't name the characters in the first page, so as to not ruin any surprises, but I will name them in the respective chapter(s) they first appear in.

*Please read Book I first, to become familiar with the events leading up to this story.*

The Chosen One, Book II

Trials of the Heart

Prologue

A Dark Prophecy

I was never told what really was my true purpose in life... I was created by a group of scientists, over a decade ago. Enraged by the hideous circumstances under which I was created, and their true motive behind doing so, I destroyed all of them gleefully with my powers, letting them know firsthand what hatred and malevolence they had awakened within me. In time, I also abandoned my 'master', Giovanni, after serving his will for what seemed like a lifetime, defeating trainer after trainer as they came, seeking to test my powers.

But then, everything changed when I met him. The boy whom they called Ash Ketchum. His sacrifice and selflessness in the face of danger made me realize just how precious the gift of life is, and that the truly important thing is not how a living being is created, but what individuals do with the gift of life, that determines who we are. He was truly one of a kind, as I had never met a human with such a pure heart as his.

And now…I have finally realized just what my purpose is. As I dwelt with my clones, deep beneath the surface of the world in Mount Quena, I was visited in my dreams by the very being who sired us all - Arceus. He told me that a Prophecy which was millennia-old was soon to come to realization, and to contact the Chosen One yet again, for his choice shall be the one which will ultimately deliver this world from certain demise, or condemn it to ruin and darkness. My time on this planet, as well as that of all of the other Legendary Guardians of this world, will soon come to an end.

It has already begun...

(End of Prologue)

A/N: This was actually my very first story uploaded here on (and not Book I, as I actually intended it to be a 'backstory' which would come after Book II), so the first 2-3 chapters are quite short in length. I revisited this story and finished it, after completing Book I.

I've decided to tweak this Book here and there, after having finally finished it on New Years' Eve, 2010. I've also decided to remove the 'Chapter _ : ' behind the titles of each chapter, as they are quite an eyesore.

This story really begins to pick up in the middle after a slow start in the beginning, so please have patience and read on, if you will.

As always, your reviews are much appreciated. :)