Hi guys. Here's the first chapter of my next Pokémon story. Having received some very harsh, rather insulting but overall necessary criticism by GarionRiva in my last story, I'll try to keep this one focussed on Harry and his Pokémon and at least acknowledge reviews. Ash is in Unova and unlike in the anime, he's retained the experience and skill he had in Sinnoh, so anyone as inexperienced as Trip or as stupid as Cameron will be getting their asses handed to them. Harry and Ash will meet up from time to time but I'll try not to focus too much on Ash, because that was one of the things GarionRiva scolded me about in the last story.

Harry Rowan woke up and yawned. The eleven year old boy got out of bed and went to the window. He looked out and saw his grandfather's lab opposite his house. Harry was lucky enough to be the grandson of the renowned Professor Rowan, so the lab was essentially his second home. It was also where all of his Pokemon lived whenever they weren't travelling with him.

It had been a week since Harry's three best human friends, Dawn, Ash and Brock had returned home. While Dawn lived only a couple of miles away, Ash and Brock lived in a different region altogether. Harry had decided that he would travel to the Unova region after visiting Dawn. Before he left, Ash had mentioned that he would be travelling there too so Harry was hoping to bump into him during the journey.

In Rowan's lab, Harry's Starter Pokemon Lucario was swinging and twirling a bone made out of Aura. He'd been practicing Bone Rush ever since they got home.

"Well done," Harry said. Lucario wasn't surprised by his sudden arrival due to their Aura connection so he just smiled and nodded. Harry's Chimchar suddenly landed on her trainer's shoulder. Harry patted her head and said, "Morning."

"Chimchar," Chimchar said happily then hopped off his shoulder. Harry's Drifblim suddenly ambushed Harry and hugged him. Harry chuckled slightly and hugged her back before Drifblim allowed him to pass through her body, which felt like passing through hot air, and greet Vespiquen and Bronzong, who were behind her. Both Bronzong and Vespiquen were quite fond of hugging him too, especially Bronzong who had only been able to hug people after it evolved.

The two Eeveelution siblings, Glaceon and Leafeon also arrived. Glaceon rubbed affectionately against her trainer's leg and Harry stroked her in return. Her cold fur was flat which showed she was relaxed as it would sharpen into icy needles if she was upset. Harry also gave Leafeon a pat on the head and then noticed a keystone with strange markings on it lying against a tree. Spiritomb's vortex like body emerged from the keystone and he gave Harry a grin that would look evil to anyone who didn't know the Forbidden Pokemon. Harry grinned back.

Near the back of Professor Rowan's huge garden was a reservoir for any Water Pokemon who lived at the lab. Harry's Floatzel poked his head out of the water and waved to his trainer. Harry waved back, then found Luxray lying under a tree. The Gleam Eyes Pokemon glanced up at his trainer, gave a brief smile and closed his eyes again.

Harry's last two Pokemon were Drapion and Garchomp and as the most violent Pokemon in his arsenal, the two of them liked to square off against each other. Drapion had initially sought Luxray as a rival but due to a traumatic experience Luxray had as a Shinx, the Gleam Eyes Pokemon hated to be within ten feet of the Ogre Scorp Pokemon. Although aggressive, Drapion was understanding enough to leave Luxray alone and therefore preferred to challenge Garchomp instead.

Harry watched as Garchomp dived towards Drapion, surrounded by the blue energy of Dragon Rush. Drapion stood still for a moment, then ducked at the last second and reached up with the claws on the end of his tail. The claws closed around Garchomp's neck, stopping the Dragon Rush. However Garchomp was a large Pokemon so by slamming both his feet on Drapion's back, he knocked the Ogre Scorp Pokemon onto his belly. Now Drapion was trapped under Garchomp's fairly considerable weight while Garchomp's head was still trapped in Drapion's tail, so that he was hunched over with his notched fin up in the air.

"Okay Drapion, you can let go now," Harry called. Drapion obeyed and Garchomp jumped off his back. Both Pokemon grunted with relief once they were free, "I'm going to visit Dawn and then tomorrow, I'll be going to Unova."

"I'm coming too," said the telepathic voice of Lucario. As a Pokemon with both Aura and potential Psychic abilities which had manifested themselves in the form of Hidden Power, Lucario had the rare ability to talk to his trainer with his mind. Although not experienced enough to talk to anyone who lacked Aura, Lucario was trying to make his telepathic voice understandable for other humans too but so far hadn't had much success.

"Of course," Harry said.


"Hi Harry," said Dawn happily when Harry arrived at her house on his bike. Lucario was with him, having easily been able to travel the two miles between Harry and Dawn's homes, "Hi Lucario."

"Hello Dawn," Lucario said.

"Hi Dawn," Harry said then gestured to Lucario, "Did you hear him?"

"No," Dawn said.

"Damn," Lucario muttered as Dawn and Harry hugged each other. Dawn's Piplup hopped onto Dawn's head and waved at Lucario who raised a hand in greeting.

"Come in," Dawn said, "Mum's just finished making lunch."

After lunch Harry and Dawn flicked through a few channels on the television. After watching a rerun of the battle between the newest Sinnoh Elite 4 member Tobias and the now retired Elite 4 member Bertha, they switched off the television.

"So you're going to Unova tomorrow?" Dawn said.

"Yep," Harry replied, "What are you planning to do?"

"I think I'll go to Kanto," Dawn said, "Meet up with Brock and see if I can win the Grand Festival."

"Say hi to Brock for me while you're there," Harry said.

"I will," Dawn replied, "If you find Ash in Unova, say hi to him from me too."

"Right," Harry agreed, "I wonder if Ash decided to evolve Pikachu?"

"Pikachu has no reason to remain a Pikachu any longer," Lucario said and Harry nodded.

Dawn cocked her head slightly, unsure what Harry's nod meant since she still couldn't hear Lucario. She shrugged off her curiousity and said, "Well you'll find out when you meet up with him."

"Yeah," Harry replied, "Well I think Lucario and I should get going. I haven't packed."

"Good luck in the Unova League," Dawn said, "Just don't forget to register."

"I won't," Harry said, "Good luck in Kanto."

"Thanks," Dawn said and stood up. They passed Johanna, Dawn's mother, on the way to the door.

"Do you want me to drive you home?" Johanna asked when she noticed Harry was leaving.

"No thanks," Harry said, "Lucario prefers walking."

"Okay then," Johanna said, "Bye."

"Bye," Harry replied and took out his portable bike before unfolding it and climbing on, "See you Dawn."

"Bye bye," Dawn said and Harry raised a hand to her then looked at Lucario.

"Race you home," he said. Lucario smirked.

"You don't have a chance," he replied.


Lucario was right. Even on his bike, Harry couldn't keep up with the Aura Pokemon. Lucario returned to Rowan's lab while Harry went home to pack for the upcoming journey.

Harry was feeling nervous. He'd never left his home region before and by the end of tomorrow, he'd be in completely unfamiliar land. Rowan had assured him that he could still transfer Pokemon from Sinnoh to Unova if necessary, so Harry wouldn't be completely cut off from his family, but he still felt more nervous than excited.


"Goodbye dear," said Harry's mother, Antonia as she hugged her son, "Look after yourself."

"Don't worry, I've got Lucario with me," Harry said.

"Good luck kiddo," said his father, Richard and ruffled Harry's dark hair.

"Thanks," Harry said, "Bye."

After hugging both of his parents, Harry and Lucario went to the boat that would take them to Unova. Along with tourists, there were several other trainers going too.

Harry and Lucario went up the ramp and one of the sailors showed them to their quarters, which were not designed for Pokemon due to the assumption that Pokemon would sleep in their Poke Balls. While Lucario was not averse to Poke Balls, he preferred to be outside them so he was content to sleep on the floor.

"Two day trip," Harry said, "How are we gonna keep outselves entertained for that long?"

"Find some trainers to battle," Lucario suggested.

"Okay," Harry said, "Let's find someone to battle tomorrow."


"Lucario, Bone Rush!" Harry ordered and Lucario used Aura to create a bone before leaping across the ships deck towards his opponent.

"Marowak use Bone Rush too!" cried the opposing trainer, a dark haired young man named Jeremy. Marowak, a small Pokemon with a head that seemed to be made out of a white, skull like helmet, raised the bone it was holding and blocked Lucario's overhand strike, then pushed Lucario's bone away and swept his legs out from under him. Lucario landed on his side and hastily held up his bone in his left hand to block an overhand strike, before dissipating the bone, rolling away and leaping to his feet.

"Aura Sphere!" Harry ordered and Lucario formed a blue orb of Aura between his hands and hurled it at Marowak.

"Bone Club!" ordered Jeremy and Marowak used its bone like a baseball bat and knocked the Aura Sphere straight back into Lucario, "Now Bone Rush again!" Marowak twirled its bone and charged across the deck towards Lucario.

"Bone Rush too!" Harry ordered and Lucario created a bone of his own but Marowak had spent a lifetime wielding bones so the Aura Pokemon was quickly overwhelmed. Marowak disarmed him and his Aura bone dissipated before it even landed on the ships deck. Marowak then clobbered Lucario over the head and Lucario crashed to the floor.

"Your Lucario's only just learned Bone Rush, hasn't it?" Jeremy said.

"Is it that obvious?" asked Harry, helping Lucario to his feet while the Aura Pokemon rubbed his head.

"Yeah," Jeremy said, "Lucario doesn't know much about bone wielding."

"Marowak," said Marowak gesturing to itself and twirling its bone eagerly.

"Marowak wants to teach me," Lucario translated for Harry. Jeremy, who didn't need a translation, smiled at Marowak.

"You want to be Lucario's mentor, Marowak?" he asked.

"Maro," said Marowak with a nod.

"Well we've still got a day until we reach Unova," Harry said, "You up for it, Lucario?"

"When am I not up for training?" Lucario replied, before speaking in his own language to communicate with Marowak. The Bone Keeper Pokemon nodded and gestured to Lucario with its bone. Lucario used Aura to create another bone and Marowak began showing him how to use it properly.


The boat arrived in Nuvema Town which, although small, had a fairly busy harbour. A Pokemon Lab was visible near the edge of the town.

"Well I guess this is goodbye," Jeremy said.

"Thanks for helping Lucario with Bone Rush," Harry said.

"Don't thank me," Jeremy responded, "Thank Marowak."

"Okay," Harry knelt down to Marowak's level, "Thanks for training Lucario, Marowak."

"Maro," Marowak nodded and smiled. Lucario said something to him in Lucario language which Harry assumed was thank you. Marowak then raised its bone. Lucario tilted his head curiously.

"Marowak does that when he's hoping to have a rematch someday," Jeremy told Harry. Lucario created a bone of his own and crossed it with Marowak's bone. Satisfied, Marowak lowered its bone and Lucario dissipated his.

"Well you're challenging the Unova League right?" Harry said.

"Of course," Jeremy replied.

"Then I guess I'll see you there," Harry said and they shook hands, before going their separate ways.


It was reassuring to know that Pokemon Centers were as easily identifiable in Unova as they were in Sinnoh. Unlike the Centers in Sinnoh however, the resident nurse Pokemon were a species that Harry had never seen, which was no surprise since he was in an entirely different region. Fortunately his grandfather had updated his pokedex before he left.

"Audino the Hearing Pokemon. Its sense of hearing is astounding. It has a radar-like ability to understand its surrounding through slight sounds."

"Audino," said the Pokemon warmly as it approached Harry and Lucario.

"Hello," Harry said. Audino looked curiously at Lucario, "I'd like to see your trainer please."

"Audi," Audino said and stopped examining Lucario as it gestured for the pair to follow it. Harry and Lucario were led to a room where a pink haired young woman was working.

"Nurse Joy?" Harry said.

"Seriously?" Lucario said, "How many clones of this woman are there?"

"Hello," said Nurse Joy, "Can I help you?"

"Um yes," Harry said, "I'd like to register for the Unova league please."

"No problem," said Nurse Joy and took Harry and Lucario to a machine, "I'll need to have a look at your Pokedex please." Harry gave it to her and she scanned it with the machine, "All done."

"Thank you," Harry replied, "Could I also book a room please?"

"Of course," Nurse Joy replied.


The next day Harry and Lucario had a look around the town. First they went to the Poke Mart to stock up on items they would need. They eventually arrived at the Pokemon Lab and saw a woman in her late twenties or early thirties wearing a lab coat. She was feeding a Snivy and Tepig in the garden. She looked up and noticed them.

"Oh my goodness," she said, springing to her feet, "A Lucario."

"Hello," Harry said, "Are you Professor Juniper?"

"Yes," the woman replied, "And you are…?"

"Harry Rowan," Harry said, "Perhaps you know my grandfather."

"Oh yes, Professor Rowan was my mentor ten years ago," Juniper replied, "Well actually it was eleven years ago if I'm being accurate. You look about that age. I remember the Professor mentioning that his daughter was pregnant just before I became a Professor."

"Yeah, I turned eleven just after the Sinnoh League," Harry said, "During the league, Lucario defeated a Darkrai while he was still a Riolu."

"I wanted to beat at least one Legendary Pokemon before evolving," Lucario said but Juniper couldn't hear him and had started speaking at the same time.

"What was a Darkrai doing in the Sinnoh League?" asked Juniper.

"The newest member of the Sinnoh Elite 4 had one," Harry said, "He said he caught it with a Pokemon from this region so I decided to come here after he beat me."

"I see," Juniper said, "Well we hardly ever see Lucario in this region."

"I bet a telepathic Lucario's even rarer," Harry said.

"Telepathic?"

"He can talk with his mind," Harry said, "Only to me and a friend of mine who has Aura but he's hoping to be able to communicate with anyone with more practice."

"I'd like to find out more about Aura," said Juniper, "I didn't know it could be used for telepathy."

"Well Lucario also has Psychic potential so I guess that strengthens his telepathic potential," Harry said.

"I've still got a long way to go until I master it," Lucario said.

"Lucario says he's still got a long way to go until he masters it," Harry said, "Basically he and I have to act as each others translators until he gets the hang of telepathy."

"Great so I'm just here to be your translator?" Lucario asked.

"No, you're also here because I can't battle Pokémon myself and I need a friend to keep me company," Harry said.

"Is Lucario really talking to you?" Juniper asked looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Yeah," Harry said, "I guess it's weird for someone who can't hear him."

"A bit," Juniper said, "I hope Lucario does master telepathy otherwise people are going to think you're mad. Now if you'll excuse me, a Pokemon of mine went missing a couple of days ago."

"No problem," Harry said, "Lucario can find it. What's the species?"

"An Oshawott," Juniper said.

"I don't know what an Oshawott's Aura looks like," Lucario said, "Or its physical body for that matter."

"Do you have a picture of Oshawott?" asked Harry.

"Yes," Juniper said, "Hold on." She went into her lab and returned with a photo of all three of the Unova Starter Pokemon. Lucario examined Oshawott then closed his eyes and extended his Aura sense, using it to search the entire lab.

"I can't sense it," Lucario said, "It must be out of my Aura's range."

"Lucario can't find it," Harry said as Lucario opened his eyes and shrugged helplessly.

"I hope it's alright," Juniper muttered, "Would you like to come in?"

"Thanks for the offer but I think I should get started on my journey," Harry said, "Could you tell me where the nearest Gym is?"

"Striaton City," Juniper replied, "The quickest route there is through Accumula Town."

"Thanks," Harry said, "Hope you find Oshawott. Let's go Lucario."

Harry and Lucario walked away from Juniper's lab and headed towards the forest on the edge of town. Whilst walking they looked around at the unfamiliar Pokemon going about their everyday lives. Harry and Lucario caught each others eye and smiled.

"I think we'll like it here," Lucario said.