Summary:

A young man with a special talent takes his first steps into the world on his own chasing a near impossible dream. A sinister organization once more steps out from the shadows in a bid for power. And through all this, legends search for the one who can bring balance back to the chaos that is overcoming the world.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material referenced in this story beyond my OC's. All rights belong with the Nintendo Corporation, Pokemon Co. and Game Freak.

Prologue

"This is just one of the ways I'm curious about drawing out a Pokémon's power."

"And you believe it could work?" The scientist took off his small oval framed glasses and cleaned them with a cloth he took from the breast pocket of his blazer before replacing them on his face. Behind him, a presentation showed the hypothesis' about how the evolution signal worked through the living system.

Two weeks ago, this particular scientist had been contacted by an anonymous source asking for a meeting to discuss his research and talk about potential employment. The man had published a paper years ago questioning how best to release the true power of Pokemon and if it was possible for them to do this themselves through the process of evolution. The scientist had received plenty of emails regarding his research. Even the famed Professor Oak had contacted him. However, he and the professor had disagreed about the potential within Pokemon. Which was why this email regarding an employment opportunity was rather interesting.

"I believe so yes. According to research done by Professors Elm and Oak, I have reason to believe that this 'signal' if you will, acts as an evolution inducer. As soon as the requirements are met by the Pokémon, their body releases this signal, which causes the vast increase in energy and allows the Pokémon in question to gain immensely more power."

"So, you believe you could make this machine produce a signal which will make a Pokémon evolve? Whether it is ready or not?"

"Given enough power yes." The man stared at the scientist from across the boardroom table. While he wasn't usually in the business of listening to talks such as these, nor hiring outside help, this man's paper had come across his desk recently. The idea was intriguing enough to follow up through back channels.

"I will admit, I am intrigued. You do not seem to be overtly worried about the ethical issues this type of research could raise" the seated man said in a steely voice.

"You will have a hard time finding someone as passionate about unlocking a Pokemon's potential as I am. I only care that I am allowed to conduct my research to find the true way to do so." Archer was impressed with the doctor. It was after all this man's research which had made Archer attempt to create that specific signal all those years ago. He had failed then. He would not fail now.

"When are you available to start?" Archer asked still seated. The scientist smirked.

"Right now," he replied. Archer nodded, expecting as much.

"As you are aware, I cannot condone this sort of thing in my position. However, I will see to it that you are contacted with the location where you will be picked up and taken to our facility. It is near completion and you will have everything you require in order to pursue this."

"I appreciate it" the scientist said. Archer stood and held out his hand. The scientist gripped it and left. Turning around, Archer clicked the remote laying on the desk to raise the blinds of the conference room. As the shadows rose, so too did the large Houndoom which had been laying in the corner. Archer stood facing out over the sprawling metropolis below him. Today was the dawn of a new era. Heels clicked upon the floor announcing the arrival of Archer's counterpart within the shadow organization.

"Oh Archie, you didn't tell me you were meeting with such a cute little toy today!" the woman said in a high voice. Archer frowned.

"What are you doing here Ariana?" he asked in a tight voice. His Houndoom paid the new addition to the room no mind.

"Why coming to help of course" the woman replied.

"You're not supposed to be seen here" Archer said in a flat tone.

"Oh, quiet you know no one saw me" Ariana snapped. If there was one thing that annoyed her about the quiet power struggle between her and Archer, it was that Archer's more public face gave him an inflated ego. "I need to know what is happening with Mahogony and you won't return any calls. So, if you won't talk on the phone, I'm going to come in person." The implied threat was not lost on Archer who was still frowning at the woman.

"You understand that I still have to be a part of a functional government?" he asked, almost sarcastically.

"Are you putting that before us?" Ariana countered. Archer shook his head. The woman was impossible.

"The funding has almost been secured. Pryce won't challenge the mayor, so within the month the project will be set to begin. Do you have the other two prepping?"

"Of course I do. Proton is having fun I'm sure right now. Petrel has a team at the Lake of Rage scouting. We will need to start recruiting now." Archer nodded his agreement. Looking out over the city, Archer saw the tool which would grant him the power to bring back his infamous organization reaching into the sky.

"Begin here. There is a large enough population here. Proton can begin training them. We will also need to begin formulating plans for subduing the quarters here. Find someone trust worthy and send them to me. I'll place them somewhere where they have clearance." Ariana smiled, making her sharp features stand out and look that much more menacing.

The middle-aged woman walked into the living room to a flashing blue TV screen. Her son was watching that same re-run once more. That the battle had happened a little under three years ago didn't matter. The two trainers who were pitted against one another were amongst the best. Margaret smiled as she saw the rapt attention her son was paying to the battle.

If only you could see him now she thought. Margaret had lost her husband nearly a decade ago to a tragic boating accident. His research had survived on, as had some of his most powerful Pokemon from when he had been a full-time trainer. Since then, Margaret had raised her some Arthur on her own moving to New Bark town, so she could help at the Johto regions largest laboratory.

It was due to this move that Arthur had been able to grow up around Pokemon. New Bark Town wasn't very large, and thus the lab doubled as the school for many classes. Researchers from around the region came to both teach and spend time pursuing various aspects of Pokemon.

"You should probably get some sleep if you're working at the lab again tomorrow" Margaret told the young man.

"Yeah I will once this battle is finished" he responded.

"Arthur you know how it ends. I don't even know how many times you've seen that battle. Professor Elm wouldn't appreciate it if you fell asleep while on the job!" Arthur leaned his head back over the back of the couch to look at his mother.

"I'm not sure he'd notice." Those blue-grey eyes of Arthur's, sparkled with amusement. Professor Elm was notorious for getting lost in research and not being able to pay attention or notice anything else for what seemed like days at a time. "And besides, I'm still analyzing!"

"What else could you possibly be analyzing? Even your father didn't watch battles this much!"

"Did you guys have TV?" Margaret playfully swatted her son as he laughed. "It's just so intense! I mean, Gary wasn't even champion for a full year before Red walked in and took him down." Margaret couldn't deny how intense that battle had been. Arthur had begged to go visit and Lorelai had even offered tickets to the spectacle. She had declined however, wanting to keep Arthur away from the league for a bit longer. Not that it mattered. Arthur seemed determined to chase down a dream of becoming a champion.

"Well please don't stay up all night alright?"

"I won't" Arthur said, rolling his eyes. Margaret smiled and kissed the young man goodnight.

Arthur stayed up a while longer, watching the conclusion of the battle once more. Champion battles were something else. Power, precision, teamwork, speed and tactics were put on display at a level that most people could not even imagine. Those trainers who had achieved that plateau were typically idolized by younger generations such as Arthur. That his father had been offered an Elite position was something that Arthur took pride in. It was this that, in part, was the reason he wanted to become a trainer.

Arthur looked down at his phone as it pinged, alerting him to a message. It was from his childhood friend Lyra. You gonna be at the lab tmr? It read. Arthur quickly typed back You know it! Smiling, Arthur turned off the TV before heading to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Images filled his head of calling out commands to various Pokemon, taking the place of both Red and Gary who was also known as Blue.

"When are you going to ask the Professor for a partner?" Lyra asked that night after they had finished their shifts. The Pokemon on the Professors lands had been looked after and were milling about. Arthur and Lyra had made their way to their hill, one which stood bare to the sky above.

"Pretty soon I think" replied Arthur still staring up at the starry night sky.

"Pretty soon?" Arthur turned and looked at his childhood friend. Her eyes were a brilliant blue and her heart shaped face was bright with excitement.

"Well I don't really think I'll become the champ sticking around here. Do you?" He winked as he said it and Lyra started laughing a sound that was always pleasing to Arthur's ear.

"Probably not but it's not going to be easy to make it to the league!" This time it was Arthur's turn to laugh.

"Really? Damn and here I was thinking they would just shower me with praise and give me the title!" They went back to staring at the stars for a time. Lyra was nervous as she too was planning on embarking on a journey. In fact, it was with Arthur who she would be travelling with, much like how she had grown up with him. The two had been planning on leaving New Bark Town for a number of years now. The entire town was excited for them both as well as they were known as the best two trainers to come from the area in years.

For the past two years, ever since the Team Rocket attacks, governments from both Johto and Kanto had stopped newer trainers from undertaking the gym challenge journeys. Or at least they had tried to. An uproar had gone up to not allow the actions of a terrorist organization, one which had been defeated by one of those exceptional trainers, to prevent others from chasing their dreams. Even the Champion of the sister regions, Lance, had spoken against the prevention of new trainer journeys. Lyra looked down to her little Marril, Mari, curled up beside her.

"She's looking forward to leaving too you know." Arthur laughed.

"I know" he said with a smile. Lyra looked into her friends deep blue eyes, flecked with grey. She had always found Arthur's eyes to be his most striking feature, like deep oceans you could get lost in, and yet feel nothing but comfort from them. Well perhaps his second most striking feature. Arthur was one of those people who had a gift, but his was one that next to no one knew about. He had always been able to speak with Pokemon. It was part of what made him so good with them.

"Have you thought about who you're going to pick?"

"Yeah."

"And...?"

"It's a surprise" he said with a sly smile.

Zuki held the egg delicately in her hands as she walked up to the door of the house. Her Umberon walked beside her, light as soft snow. The doorbell chimed within as Zuki pressed it. It was a moment before the door opened before her.

"Ah Zuki!" the older man said at the threshold to his house. "Come in, come in." Zuki entered the house, her kimono skirts fluttering at her feet. The warm spring night was contrasted by the cool interior of the home.

"Mr. Pokemon. Thank you for taking this upon you" the young woman said, lightly placing the egg she had been carrying on the coffee table.

"This is the egg?" Mr. Pokemon asked, inspecting it. The shell was a brilliant white, with red and blue shapes scattered across the surface.

"Yes, it's a very special egg. Thus, the trainer whom receives it must be equal to the task. We know no one else who may know the right person to impress this upon." The elder was nodding along, his gaze still transfixed on the egg.

"Professor Elm has told me about a particular young man…" the thought trailed off. After another moment, Mr. Pokemon continued his thoughts. "You're sure you don't want to find Red for this?" Zuki was silent as she chose her words carefully.

"Red was a special trainer. However, we believe his path differs from what we have seen."

"Zuki I know you girls are exceptional, but even you cannot see into the future." Zuki nodded. But the prophecy didn't speak about the trainer known as Red. It couldn't.

"We know, but we do believe it has to be someone different."

"Alright, I'll take your word on it. I'll keep my eye out and make sure this egg finds its way to the right trainer."

"Thank you" Zuki said. Her Umbreon lead the way out of the house. Zuki took one last look back, the idea of the prophecy beginning finally sinking in to the kimono girl.

Author's note: I've decided to revisit this story as well to rewrite some chapters and hopefully flesh things out some more. Please let me know your thoughts. I goal is to update this story weekly if my schedule allows for it. I will also still be working on Convergence at the same time. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.