Chapter 1: The Destined

"Help! He's attacking the village again!"

A lone messenger bellsprout was running as fast as her twigs could carry her to anyone that could help. She had not yet realized that she had wandered right into a training session. A Lucario and Blaziken were in the midst of ferocious battle.

"What is this?!" The Blaziken's deep booming voice shouted in anger.

"Calm yourself Bayne. It's just a civilian. What seems the problem?" the Lucario politely replied with a calm and soothing demeanor.

"A great beast is attacking our settlement just across the river! Even with our numbers we are just no match!" the bellsprout yelled in a panic.

"Sounds like some good training, doesn't it Dega?" The Blaziken questioned with fire in his eyes.

"I suppose. This concludes our training for today. Let's go take care of this so-called beast."

Dega closed his eyes, and focused. He could hear the wind whistling through the forest, the creatures going about their daily routines. He focused more. The flowing of the river over the rocks and a major disturbance could be heard. He opened his eyes.

"Come Bayne, this way." the two pokemon rushed towards the epicenter of all the commotion. They jumped from tree to tree in the marsh-like terrain. Once the two crossed the river, the smell of violence and fear was intoxicating.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" a crackling, horrid voice could be heard, laughing maniacally at his own deeds.

"Ahh…so this is the beast. What a disappointment." Lucario uttered as they drew closer.

"It's…a freaking Seismitoad! Of all the pointless battles you could've volunteered us for…this is the one you choose?! Ugh…I'll deal with this idiot myself!" Bayne shot towards the big frog with violent intent. Seismitoad noticed the angry pokemon coming at him as he stomped on a bellsprout and sprayed poison at a group of others.

"I see I have found another meal, delivered right to me! Maybe you will be better than these stupid bellsprouts, but I won't hold my brea-!"

Bayne vanished as Seismitoad prepared to guard, leaving him speechless.

"Blaze Kick!" he reappeared behind the toad and kicked him skyward. Bayne vanished again.

"Fire Punch!" he Seismitoad rocketed towards the ground like a meteor, game over. "Pathetic."

Dega had evacuated the remainder of the bellsprouts from the village, which had been reduced to a fiery crater. He tried his best to heal the wounded with his aura powers, but to no avail.

"Don't waste your time on them Dega. They are too weak to return the favor." Bayne coldly replied as he wiped the dust and battle debris from his body.

"My powers of healing are rough at best. We need Luna for these situations."

"But it was your idea to split up the group Dega; our job is done."

"I suppose it is…but still. I do miss the others. We made a good team."

/

Stories of a lone Zoroark spread through the desert settlements. The "Trickster", that's what they called him. Nobody had seen his true form for years, except the equally legendary heroes from the last great catastrophe.

"Pass me another berry brother. Tonight we celebrate!" a trapinch and his vibrava sibling were celebrating the latter's recent evolution.

"Things are gonna change now my brother! We can protect ourselves from the krakoroks and cacturnes and maybe even the tricks-"

"Hahaha settle down little brother. I wouldn't go THAT far, but still you are right. Things are gonna change." the brothers shared another Oran berry.

A dark figure watched from the shadows, gazing at the happy moment between brothers, pondering his life. He had a brother once, and friends.

"Let's make a promise right here, right now to always protect each other Ark!" a small larvitar asked the smaller zorua beside him.

"Brothers to the end, Ty." the young pokemon performed their secret handshake; the promise had been finalized.

"Now we gotta go train and get ultra-strong! I hope you are up to it!" the larvitar excitedly shouted.

"Okay, brother!"

But that was a long time ago. Those days were over, and Ark had no one else to protect, as if he could anyway. Time to disappear into the darkness once again, and gain strength at any cost.

/

"Just stay still, you will be okay." the beautiful Gardevoir sweetly said to a wounded Pikachu.

"…thank you Miss Luna…" the Pikachu skittishly replied.

Luna, the gorgeous and noble Gardevoir, had made her living as a healer ever since the great catastrophe had been resolved. Her healing skills were truly unrivaled, as well as her kindness and mercy.

" Hmm…I wonder where the others have ended up…"

Goodbyes are always bittersweet, and this one was no exception.

"I feel honored to have fought alongside you guys…we shall meet again one day." Dega said with a smile.

"Yeah and by that time I will be so strong that I won't need you guys to beat the bad guy!" Bayne said with his usual cocky smirk.

"Hn." Ark was always a pokemon of few words, but a miniscule smile crossed his lips, if only for a moment.

"Let us make a vow, that if we should ever need each other again, we will find a way to reconnect." Luna suggested to the others.

Dega was the first to put his hand in the middle, along with Luna. Bayne smirked and laid his claw on the others. Ark thought for a moment, and then looked up.

"You guys are the closest I have had to family since Ty died. I would've done anything to save him, but it's too late for that. So I will protect you instead." he slowly put his hand in the circle.

"So that settles it! Farewell my friends, may we meet again, and maybe next time we will meet in peace."

"Hmm…" Luna gazed up at the clouds.

"I wonder where Ark is…"

/

"Master, what is our first plan of action?" A menacing figure asked, accompanied by others, perhaps just as powerful.

"The world has changed so much…I thought exterminating the humans would bring peace to this world! But malice comes in all forms it seems…It is time to create a new world, a better world. Darkrai failed me…I will NOT accept failure again. You can be a part of my new world, if you so desire. All you have to do is follow my ultimate design."

"Your…design?" the leader asked.

"All will become clear, I assure you. Now quickly, amass your forces! We shall convene in one month! Go my righteous servants!"

The figures swiftly vanished, eager to fulfill their obligation. The world does not yet realize what is to come.