Chapter 1:

The pair ran like the wind, whipping through the long-abandoned halls like hell. The ground fell away behind them, nipping at their heels. The satchel being carried by one slapped and thumped against his back. They rocketed up the stairs, and tumbled up into the glaring sun. As they did, the heavy stone block of a door slammed shut, closing off the shrine for as long as it stood. They lay, panting, in the intense Hoenn summer heat. Then, from one, donned in a red cloak, with two swords, black leather armor, and knives, a chuckle arose. The second, in an ice blue cloak with similar gear, followed suit. The chuckles escalated slowly, until the grown men were reduced to rolling, cackling children. Finally, the red one rolled over, taking deep breaths.

"Ha ha ha ha… Hee, ho… Hmph." He cleared his throat, and the blue one followed suit, slightly embarrassed.

"Right, right. Brooding. Dark. Dangerous. Okay…" In a matter of seconds, the faces morphed into stone, set in straight lines. The red figure then spoke, all humor gone from his face and voice.

"Let's get this tablet back to the Professor." The blue nodded. They simultaneously tossed their pokéballs in the air, and the ensuing roars shook the very earth.

~lnoOonl~

"And the final Disarming Voice finishes the match! May is again victorious and stunning at the same time!" The crowd politely clapped, cheered wildly, or, in some cases, proclaimed unwavering love for the successful contestant. She waved shyly at the crowd, and returned her Delcatty. Her opponent grudgingly returned his Jigglypuff, and May graciously accepted her ribbon. She exited from the newly constructed Contest Hall in Pallet Town, and walked back to Professor Oak's lab. There, she was greeted by her friends, save one.

"May! Great job there, sis!" The green haired boy was excited. May smiled widely.

"Thanks Maxy!" A larger man, tan and squinty-eyed, patted her shoulder.

"Max is right! That was a pretty elegant move you pulled up there! I loved that thing to did with Fake-Out!" May laughed at Brock's antics.

"That thing? Brock, I've been working on it for months now. Surely you remember?" Brock rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. May blushed slightly. "Is, um, is Gary here yet?" Brock smiled sadly but knowingly.

"Sorry, he said that something came up at his job. Why, are you… expecting something?" May blushed and smiled.

"Maybe…" Max crinkled his nose and stuck his tongue out.

"Eww, that's nasty May!" May laughed, then looked around the room as if remembering something.

"Wait, where's Professor Oak?" Brock pointed over his shoulder, towards the back of the lab, behind some tall bookshelves.

"In the back. Waiting for some 'Special Order' he says he made. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if we came back." With that, the trio walked back, towards the bead drapings that separated the lab from the front area. As they did, however, the professor himself pushed through towards them, pulling out his PokéNav as he did. he was muttering feverishly under his breath. He stopped suddenly, and gave a strained smile.

"May, Brock, Max! I wasn't expecting you this early! I... Um… I have to… Have to…" The professor stumbled over his usually fluent speech, sweat forming on his brow. Brock looked concerned.

"Professor? Is everything alright?" The professor looked at his watch, which only seemed to agitate him more.

"Fine, fine! I just have to receive this package before-" As he told his excuse, the group heard the door swing open. The lights flickered and dimmed, and one set of footsteps filled the quiet space. The heads swivelled towards the doors, and the pair that had walked into the lab, so utterly in-synch that only one set of feet could be heard. One was wearing a red cloak, the other a blue, and their appearance managed to push Professor Oak over the edge, into full-blown shakes and sweating. "Ah, hello Jack and…" Professor Oak paused momentarily. May stepped forward, and extended her hand to the men.

"Hello Jack and…" May paused as well, prompting someone to inform her of the strangers' names. The men just stared ahead, one holding a satchel by the strap. Professor Oak intervened, patting both men on the shoulder, his agitation seemingly dissipated..

"Jack and Phoenix. Now, these fine gentlemen have delivered something that is key to my research on pokémon evolution. You three can head to Ms. Ketchum's, as she has graciously offered to cook dinner. Jack, Phoenix and I will meet you over there in a little bit." May reeled backwards.

"Wait. Forgive me asking, but why are they coming?" The mysterious figures broke their synched movements for the first time with the red one, Phoenix, clenching his fists. May noticed. "Sorry if I offended you." For the first time, Phoenix spoke.

"Yeah, it did Princess. I just want to drop off the package and begone. Unfortunately for you and I, Jack and Samuel insisted I stay." May clenched her fists.

"Whaddya mean, 'Princess?'" The red figure looked unfazed, other than his white knuckles.

"Are you not the Princess of Hoenn?" May unclenched her fists, but the fire in her eyes remained.

"Oh…" Brock stepped forward in an attempt to defuse the loaded air.

"Well, let's go then." Jack stepped forward and handed the satchel to Phoenix.

"I'll go with you guys." Brock looked wary, but nodded nonetheless. Max nodded, blissfully unaware of the tension in the room.

"Okay, I'll meet you guys there." With that, Max sprinted from the room, towards the Ketchum residence. Brock, May, and finally, Jack left the room. Oak looked like he had put something heavy down, while Phoenix looked like that thing had been the world. He swept his hood back, and his unruly, spiky hair bounced forward, now much longer then when he had last been in Pallet. His brown eyes looked haunted and dead, but shone with happiness at seeing his old friend Samuel Oak.

"Hey Professor. How's it been?" Oak smiled.

"Well, Ash. As I assume it has been for you?"

~lnoOonl~

May walked in front of the group. Max had already reached the Ketchum residence's front door. Brock turned quietly, and looked at Jack.

"Hey buddy, why don't we take a break for a second." His tone left little wiggle room, and Jack didn't respond, other from stopping his already-silent walk. May also reached the front door, and Brock looked at the shadow where Jack's face should've been. "Listen to me, and you listen good, okay?" Jack didn't respond, and the silver light of the moon seemed to glisten and bounce off his cloak. Brock continued. "I don't know what it is, but there's something real creepy about you. And you're making Professor Oak really fidgety, which isn't a good sign. If you so much as twitch in a way I don't like, I'll-"

"You'll what Brock? Set you Geodude on me? What about that Onix? And after you do, what will happen to your many many siblings? I suspect that they all might meet their end a bit… Earlier than average. What makes you think I can't kill everyone at this dinner?" Brock's mouth ran dry, and he gaped for air due to his throat, which was closing from fear. Jack threw his hood off, and, instead of a face, there was a skull, grinning back at Brock. He tried to scream, but Jack's bony hands clamped around his throat. "How about I start with you? How does that sound to you? Just say something If you don't like that. Come on Brock. That tough guy act isn't holding up, is it?" Brock tried to breathe, to scream, to do anything. Then, the hand fell back to Jack's side, and his flesh melted back into place. He was handsome, with high cheekbones, pale blue eyes and platinum blonde hair. He smiled, as Brock stumbled backwards, gasping for air. "Just one of my many tricks." Brock sprinted into the warm glow of the lights. Jack followed after, stepping into the light.

~lnoOonl~

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. This is the re-do of Silver Guardians, so tell me what you think, give me suggestions. That's right, I'm looking at you! Review, even if it's as guest. It really helps me write better and make better stories.