A/N - After reading many, many stories on this site, I decided that i would give it a go myself and do my best to put words to my ideas after catching the creative bug. I welcome any and all criticism as its the only way I'd truly know if my writing and ideas are actually any good.

Disclaimer - I do not own anything at all to do with Pokemon and never will do. Everything i write is an expression of my imagination of the characters owned by Nintendo and game freak.

Now, on with my first attempt at fanfiction.

- ? -

'He has begun... His corruption is spreading and I can no longer contain this myself. My chosen one is not yet ready for what is approaching. It worries me... I don't have enough time. I must act now.'

A bright blinding white light consumed the great ethereal creature. The light lasted only for a moment leaving the mysterious realm empty and in darkness.

- Hall Of Origin -

Light filled an empty room, emanating from the centre, subsiding as quickly as it had arrived. After the light had gone, stood in the centre of the large oval room was the great god Pokémon. Stamping a golden hoof into the ground, the room suddenly came to light at the god's command, revealing its true grandness. All around stars came to life reflecting dimly against the darkened backdrop. The floors smooth stone surface was patterned into semi-circle sections that spread outwards from the centre of the room. There was no ceiling, just an open space looking out into universe

The god Pokémon looked over the room, regretting that he had left it this long to call them together. With another mighty stomp of his hoof he sent out the request for his sons and daughters. The loud thud echoed throughout the room causing a reaction all over the world. One by one they would feel the call, and one by one they would answer it.

-Sinnoh - Lily of the Valley Conference -

"Both Pikachu and Latios are unable to battle. The winner of this match and progressing to the finals is Tobias!" The referee declared the battle over; raising a flag towards one end of the field. The majority of the crowd erupted into cheers after been treated to such an awesome battle.

Ash, the trainer that had lost knew that this would be the outcome. His opponent Tobias had defeated all the gyms and progressed to the semi finals only using his Darkrai. Ash was hoping that if he could just take down the Darkrai that Tobias' other Pokémon wouldn't be as strong. As soon as he revealed his next Pokémon to be Latios Ash knew he couldn't win. He kept up his confidence and belief that he could win for his Pokémon's sake. If they saw his hope crumble, they would too and they deserved to be able to go down fighting. It wasn't everyday a normal Pokémon had the chance to face a legendary.

Ash walked onto the field and picked up his fallen partner. "Don't worry Pikachu, you did great and you can add another legendary Pokémon to your list of wins." He comforted the little yellow mouse doing his best to cheer him up before looking towards his opponent who was approaching him.

"That was a brilliant battle Ash" Tobias walked forward holding out a hand. "You're the first to beat my Darkrai, and to be completely honest with you I didn't expect to have to reveal any of my other Pokémon until the elite four challenge."

Ash took the offered hand a shuck it. "Thanks" Ash replied rather dejected. It was getting harder to hide his disappointment at coming so close to the finals. He was also distracted by the strange aura he was picking up from Tobias but just shrugged it off.

Tobias ended the handshake after picking up the same feeling Ash had. Although Tobias understood what he had sensed far better than Ash did. To Ash Tobias just seemed a bit too confident, but with two legendary Pokémon and four unknown Pokémon left, who wouldn't? "I must leave now. I must heal my Pokémon and have them ready and prepare for what comes next." Tobias turned and exited the arena with a last look towards the ebony haired trainer. 'I can't take the chance of you becoming a problem chosen one. When this tournament is over I'll have to see to it that you don't.'

Ash stood watching as Tobias left the arena. The strange feeling coming back to the front of his mind as he caught the look on Tobias' face as he looked back. It wasn't a grin or a smirk, more a calm smile. So why did he find it so unnerving. Not wanting to dwell on it he looked to his best friend in his arms. "Come on Pi; let's get you and the others to the Pokémon centre. You all deserve a real long rest after that battle." He gave the little yellow mouse a warm smile.

"Chaa" Pikachu mumbled out in response, agreeing to the long rest. Pikachu could tell something was bothering the young trainer but just assumed he was disappointed with the loss.

Pikachu was disappointed as well. He knew the odds were stacked against them from the start. He genuinely believed they had a chance once Sceptile had defeated Darkrai, but that was until Latios entered the fray. He knew that once it came down to him that he had very little chance of going against anything that their strange opponent had after Latios. Pikachu was determined to take the Legendary Eon Dragon down and although he had technically tied, he took solace in the fact he had took the Psychic Dragon type past his limits. And as Ash had pointed out, it was another notch on his 'belt' to add to Brandon's Regice. Some of Ash's Pokémon were starting to gain a reputation for taking on legendaries and winning.

Ash looked up and gave the crowd a wave before starting down the tunnel and heading towards the Pokémon centre. He still couldn't shake the feeling he had about Tobias and hoped it would pass quickly.

Following shortly after Ash was a blonde haired lady. She had been watching the battle that had just ended from the sidelines. The Sinnoh native decided she wouldn't catch up to him just yet. She had some words of advice that she hoped would make him feel better but thought it would be best if he spoke to his more established friends first. She knew very well that what Ash needed most right now were his friends, she knew herself how a defeat like that could play on a person's mind. She sighed remembering how she used to be when she travelled the regions on her Pokémon journey. Seeing a familiar building up ahead she noticed Ash enter and decided to wait outside for a little bit taking a seat on a bench. Folding her arms and crossing her legs, she leant back and relaxed waiting for the right moment to approach the dejected trainer.

Once Ash had entered the Pokémon centre he quickly scanned the reception area. There wasn't many people, the only person of note been the familiar pink haired lady and her Chansey at the counter. Ash was a little upset that his friends weren't there waiting for him and just figured they'd got caught up in the crowds around the arena. The second semi final was scheduled to take place shortly after his had ended and he knew there would be big crowds scrambling about.

The ebony haired trainer approached the counter still carrying Pikachu. "Hi nurse Joy, could you heal my Pokémon for me please?"

"Of course I can sweety. I'll let you know when they are ready to be collected. It shouldn't take more than an hour." The nurse answered kindly. Ash handed Pikachu over to her and detached his pokèballs from his belt placing them on a chrome tray that Chansey was holding. Nurse Joy could see in his amber eyes that he was hurting from his defeat despite his positive facade and felt the need to say something more. "You should be really proud of you and your Pokémon; I watched your match and you did really well."

"I am proud. Thanks Nurse Joy. I'm gonna wait outside for a little bit, fresh air could do me some good at the moment." He gently patted Pikachu on the head and seemed to brighten up a bit inside as his smile started to return a little bit. He left the centre as Nurse Joy and Chansey took his Pokémon to be treated for any injuries and fatigue that they had. He knew they were in good hands with the young nurse.

Turning and leaving through the doors he had came in through, Ash stood in the sunlight for a moment looking out towards the main stadium, sighing as he thought of what could have been. Looking around he noticed the blonde haired champion sitting on a bench, wondering why she was there he decided he would join her. He sat down leaning forward with his elbows on his knees still looking towards the stadium.

Cynthia could feel a presence join her on the bench opening her eyes slightly to see who it was. Thankfully it was the very person she had been waiting to see. 'He looks a bit happier'. She noticed the small smile he had, but noted that it was nowhere near the warming smile he almost always had. "I must congratulate you Ash. That was a well fought battle." She had her eyes fully open and was looking at the stadium just like Ash.

Ash knew that people would be spending some time today trying to cheer him up and was a little surprised that the Sinnoh champ was one of those people. He should have expected it though really, after all, he had made many friends throughout all the regions and was happy that Cynthia was one of those friends. "Thanks Cynthia. I never expected him to have another legendary Pokémon but my team gave it their all and I'm proud of them. It was a great experience for some of my younger Pokémon."

Cynthia was now looking at Ash, she knew it wouldn't take long for him to get back to his usual self; he was already looking to the positives of the battle and what he could take from it. "I'm proud of you Ash, you're taking this a lot better than most trainers your age would. I know if you keep on the path you are, one day you will become a champion."

Ash was now making eye contact with Cynthia, the endorsement from her picking up his spirits and bringing back his usual smile. "That means a lot coming from you. Who knows, perhaps it will be your title I take!" Ash started to chuckle at his last comment.

Cynthia smirked, she knew very well that with the right training he could give her a great battle and perhaps even beat her. "So, what do you plan on doing next?"

"I'm going to head back home to Pallet Town after the conference has finished. Also it's my birthday soon and my Mom made me promise I would be back in time for that. After that, I'm not really sure." Ash replied truthfully. He hadn't made any plans beyond going back to Pallet, something usually came up while he was there that would lead him off on another adventure.

"I didn't think you would have much planned yet. So, if I may, I have a suggestion for you." The champion paused for a moment, making sure she had Ash's full attention. "As I said, you have the potential to become a great trainer, even a champion, you just need the right push and training for your Pokémon." Ash was still looking at Cynthia expectantly, wondering what she was going to suggest. "I think you should take a break from travelling, for a little while a least. You have some really strong Pokémon, and the rest would no doubt become as strong if not stronger if you focused on them and dedicated more time to helping them fully realise their potential." Ash was taking in everything Cynthia was saying to him. "It's only a suggestion though, I get the feeling you're not one to stay in one place for too long." Ash gave a small nod in response.

Cynthia was one of, if not the strongest trainers in the world, and anybody who had anything to do with Pokémon would do well to listen to her advice. Ash sat there in silence processing what Cynthia had suggested. It wasn't hard to notice the difference in ability between some of his Pokémon. Granted some were just naturally stronger and always looking to better themselves. He wondered just how strong his Pokémon could really become. Cynthia looked back out towards the stadium as she heard cheers from the crowds. She knew she had gotten the gears moving in Ash's head. She could see from the look on his face that he was lost in thought and couldn't help but giggle a little to herself. She wasn't finished talking to him yet and decided to wait for him to come back to reality.

A few moments passed and Ash was snapping out of his thoughts. This suggestion was something he would strongly consider doing and decided to think on it in more detail later. He shook his head clear noticing that Cynthia was again looking at him, meeting the gaze of her grey eyes with his own amber eyes. It was then that Cynthia knew that Ash would one day become her battling equal and looked forward to that day.

"Thanks for the idea. Now that I think about it I have neglected some of my older Pokémon and not trained them anywhere near as much as I should have. I also have some promises that I haven't kept and need to make up for." Ash's smile had faded slightly as he remembered some old friends he hadn't seen for a long time.

Cynthia noticed the change in his emotions. She could only assume that he had taken what she said to heart and it brought up something else for him. She reached out a hand and rested it on his shoulder giving it a light squeeze. "Whatever it is that's just upset you Ash, don't worry about it. You'll make everything right and you'll do brilliant in whatever you choose to do next." She felt inclined to do something to bring his smile back and it had worked.

Smiling at Cynthia he acknowledged her efforts to help him. "Thank you. I haven't known you for long, but you're a real good friend Cynthia. And now I'm going to return the favour." Cynthia took her hand away and stared at him with a confused look, not sure what he meant by 'return the favour'. Ash felt a weight go from his shoulder and noted that it didn't feel right without it but didn't think much of it. He could see the look of confusion in Cynthia's eyes and elaborated. "You gave me some advice, now I'm going to do the same for you."

Cynthia was still a little confused. She came out to give him advice and didn't expect that would have any for her. Though with one word from Ash her look had changed.

"Tobias"

A/N - It's a bit slow to start, I know. I have most of the story line planned out already and it will pick up in pace as it goes on.

Please review if you feel you have comments that could help me improve. Thanks for reading.