Hello again. Well, I bet you guys were shocked when Ash suddenly turned into a powerful knight and blow away Shocker and Ivy like the flame on a birthday candle, but let me tell you now that that's about as easy as its going to get for our hero's. From now on, the battles are going to be much tougher. This chapter will explain a few things, so sit back and relax.

Disclaimer: Pokemon is owned by Nintendo. They hold all rights to most everything about it. I own rights only to Chellsy and the members of the Grand Shadow Covenant.

Last time:

Ash: Bring it on. I'll be waiting.

Part 8: A Break in the Storm

Ash, still in his armored form, looked up at the sky, watching as the wind swept away the flower petals that carried the essence of one of his newest enemies. His face plate had slid back, revealing most of his face which showed a look of worry. He then twirled his sword around and stuck into the ground next to him before taking off his helmet. A stream of energy shot from the gem on the sword and transformed back into Lucario, who had previously merged with it to increase its power. Ash's armor then turned into pure aura and was absorbed back into the Aura Blade before the sword itself disappeared in a flash of white light.

He then turned to look at the damage the resent battle has caused. Most of the landscape had been scorched by the hundreds of lightning bolts that had been shot every which way by Shockers' Discharge attack. The surrounding trees either had some of their bark burned or had had several limbs broken off. The gym was in even worse shape. Cracks and burns had appeared all over the building and part of the sign had been blasted off. The most notable damage, however, was the huge hole in the wall that had been left by Shocker's first attack. The place was a total wreck, but if nothing else, Ash was still glad to see that everyone had made it through this catastrophe in one piece. Pikachu ran over and jumped onto his shoulder as he made his way back to the others

Ash: Are you all okay?
Misty: Yeah, we're okay, Ash.
Chellsy: That was scary.
Lily: You said it. I don't think I've ever been more terrified in my life.
Ash: I know, but there gone now, so you don't have to be worried anymore.
Daisy: You sure about that? They said they would be back.
Lucario: Yeah, but I don't they'll try again anytime soon, not after seeing what Ash can do.
Violet: That reminds me. Ash, exactly when did learn how to transform yourself into a super powered knight?
Chellsy: Yeah, that was cool.
Ash: Oh, that. Well, it's actually an interesting story. You see, what happened was…
??: Hey, Chellsy!

Everyone jumped when they heard those voices. Ash turned around to see three kids around Chellsy's age come out from behind a nearby bush and run toward them. One was a boy with spiky red hair and emerald green eyes. Another was a girl with brown eyes and long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. The last was also a boy with brown hair and glasses who was slightly shorter than the other two. He also carried a black laptop computer under his arm.

Boy 1: We saw the whole thing!
Girl: Are you alright?
Chellsy: Yeah, I'm fine.
Misty: What are you three doing here?
Ash: Uh, before they answer that, could I ask who they are, exactly.
Misty: Oh, right. Ash, these are all of Chellsy's friends.
Boy 1: Hi, I'm Brandon.
Girl: My name's Maggie
Boy 2: I'm Cory, nice to meet you.
Ash: Like wise. Now back to Misty's question; what are you three doing here?
Brandon: We were on our way over to see if Chellsy wanted to come and play with us when we all saw a giant lightning bolt hit the gym.
Maggie: We ran over to see what was going on, but we never imagined that we would end up seeing the Pokemon League Grand Master standing right in front of us. We were so excited.
Cory: But then we saw those two masked creeps appear out of nowhere, and we knew there was going to be trouble, so we hid in that bush to avoid being seen. We pretty much saw the entire fight.
Daisy: But wasn't it still dangerous from where you were?
Brandon: Yeah, it was. We had to hit the dirt to avoid that Discharge attack.
Violet: You three should have known better. What if you had been killed?
Maggie: We know. We would have run to get help, but we got so scared that we couldn't move.
Misty: It's alright. We're just glad you're safe.
Ash: Not to be rude, but could we move this conversation inside?
Daisy: That's a good idea.

The group made their way back into the gym, which was still littered with debris from the when the lightning struck. They moved into the living area and made themselves comfortable.

Brandon: So Chellsy, what's the Pokemon League Grand Master doing in your house?
Chellsy: Believe it or not, this guy is my dad.
Cory: Really? That's so cool!
Maggie: Wait a minute. He and your mom aren't married, so how is he your dad.
Cory: Maggie, a guy doesn't have to be married to have a kid. Of course, I don't really understand how it works, either. I think we'll learn about when we're older.
Chellsy: Well, they may not be married now, but they're going to be soon.
Misty: Hold on, Chellsy. Don't get ahead of…
Daisy: Of course they are.
Misty: Huh?

Ash and Misty stared at her sisters with a confused look on their faces.

Ash: Wait a sec. Up until the point we were attacked, you three kept coming up with reasons why we shouldn't get married. Why the sudden change?
Lily: Well, at first, we weren't sure if we could trust you after everything that you put Misty through, but after seeing you put yourself in harms way to save her and Chellsy, we realized you would do pretty much anything for them. You've officially earned our trust, Ash, along with our blessing.
Ash: What can I say? Thanks.
Violet: We'll worry about the wedding a little later. For now, could you tell us about that knight thing that just happened?
Chellsy: Yeah, dad, please?
Ash: Okay, settle down and I'll tell you.

Ash took a deep breath before continuing

Ash: About 3 years ago, I was training with my Pokemon in the mountains of the Sinnoh region when Lucario picked up a high energy reading near the base of Mt Coronet. We went to investigate and found a series of underground tunnels that practically no one had ever entered before. The place was a gargantuan maze and was filled with so many corridors that a normal person would have gotten lost forever. But thanks to Lucario and his aura vision, we were able to get to the end were we found the Aura Blade stuck in a marble pedestal. That's when we saw a message carved into the wall of the chamber.

"The one who succeeds in removing the blade from its resting place will be granted the ultimate power of aura."

Well, seeing as how we had managed to find the place, I decided to give it a shot. I never imaged that the blade would actually slide out the second it tried to pull it up. Then the gem on it started glowing like crazy and the next thing I knew, I was strapped up in a suit of armor. After testing it out a bit, I knew that I had control of something very powerful, so I decided to use it only in extremely dangerous situations. Today was the first time I ever used it in combat.
Brandon: Wow! That's some story.
Maggie: One question. Do you have to say those lines you spoke earlier to get your powers to work?
Ash: Actually, no. Here, watch this.

Ash stuck out his hand and the Aura Blade suddenly appeared in a flash of light. He laid it on the nearby coffee table for everyone to see.

Ash: I can actually summon the blade and activate my powers at will. I only said those lines that time to intimidate those two creeps.
Maggie: Good, because that seems like a good time for the enemy to strike back.
Misty: True, Ash. They could have attacked you while you were yelling.
Ash: Okay, you made your point.
Cory: Man, this sword is neat. Hey Ash, do you mind if I have Tectra examine it?
Ash: Who's Tectra?
Cory: Here, let me show you.

Cory opened his laptop and booted it up. A second later, the screen showed an image of a small, spectral colored sphere with a bunch of tiny spheres zooming around it like the electrons of an atom. Ash moved over to take a look, but then jumped back when he suddenly heard a voice come out of it.

Tectra: Cory, do you need my help?
Cory: I sure do, Tectra. But first, could you please introduce yourself to Ash?
Tectra: Of course. I am Tectra Version 5.0. I'm the personal operating system for Cory's computer.
Ash: Nice to meet you.
Cory: Hey Tectra. Would you mind scanning the sword on the table?
Tectra: With pleasure.

A small, built-in camera opened up on the backside of the screen and focused in on the Aura Blade. A moment later, specs of the sword appeared the monitor, showing a detailed analysis of its powers.

Cory: Good. Could you please move it into the Aura Knight file?

Another program opened on the computer showing details on the Aura Knight and his attacks to which the sword data was then added. Ash assumed that Cory had used his computer to record this information during the fight. The program closed out, allowing him view the names of other files on the main screen. One of the files that caught his eye was titled GSC, which he could assume stood for the Grand Shadow Covenant.

Ash: Cory, this is amazing. Where did you get this kind of technology?
Cory: I actually designed it myself.
Ash: You did?
Chellsy: You bet. Cory here is an absolute genus when it comes to anything technology or Pokemon.
Brandon: He's in the same grade as us, but if had wanted to, he could have graduated from college by now.
Cory: You guys know I don't want that kind of life. I may be smart, but I still want to be treated like any other kid.
Ash: Good for you, Cory. You should be able to live your life the way you want to. But I got to say; these programs you designed are fantastic.
Cory: Thanks, but I can't take all the credit. Tectra was the only program I ever really created by myself. Most of the other stuff was made with her help.
Tectra: Don't be so modest, Cory. You were the one who came up with the ideas. I just helped you get them running.
Cory: Thanks, Tectra.
Tectra: Say Ash, I couldn't help overhearing about you and Misty. So, when's the wedding.
Lily: That's right. We need to start planning and most of the gym is a wreck.
Misty: Hold on, Lily. I don't think we should have the wedding here in Cerulean City.
If those fiends decide to come back, they could damage more of the town and hurt a lot of innocent people.
Violet: Good point. We need to think of a place that's a more open. That way, if those guys attack again, there won't be as much damage to public areas.

All of them sat there thinking until an idea popped into Ash's head.

Ash: Got it. How about Pallet Town?
Daisy: That could work. Pallet Town has a ton of open fields that are perfect for Pokemon to roam in. If we get attacked again, we could easily shift the battle to an unpopulated area.
Misty: That settles it. Pallet Town it is.
Daisy: Ok, now we just have to set a date.
Ash: How about, say, two weeks from now?
Violet: That soon?
Ash: Would you rather risk another attack?
Misty: He's right. The sooner we're married, the better.
Daisy: Okay then, the wedding will be in two weeks. I just hope that's enough time to get everything ready.
Maggie: Hey Misty, could we come to the wedding? Please.
Brandon: Yeah, can we?
Cory: We'd really like to be there.
Chellsy: Can they, mom?
Misty: I don't know. What do you think, Ash?
Ash: It's fine with me.
Misty: Well, okay, but only if you get your parents permission first.
Maggie: Alright!
Ash: Say, I have an idea. I'm going to head over to Pallet Town tomorrow to start getting things ready. Why don't I take Chellsy and her friends with me? I'm sure they'd love to see Professor Oak's lab.
Misty: That would be great, Ash. Just make sure their parents say its ok first.
Ash: Don't worry. I'll talk to them myself.
Cory: Alright!
Brandon: I can't wait!
Maggie: This is fantastic!
Ash: Okay, let's get you guys home so you can get ready. We leave first thing in the morning!

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Back at the Grand Shadow Covenant's base, the mood was less than joyful. It all started while Toxica was out surveying the grounds. She had just finished and was about to head back inside when Shocker and Ivy suddenly appeared before the main entrance. She went to greet them, thinking they had returned from their mission victorious. However, she was shocked to find that they had sustained a heavy amount of damage. In fact, they were barely able to stand. Soon after, the two of them collapsed from lack of energy, but not before passing crucial information over to her. She was now in the middle of reporting what she had learned from them to Kendrax, who was now positively fuming with rage.

Kendrax: Let me get this straight. You're telling me that Shocker and Ivy failed their mission!
Toxica: I… I'm afraid so, my lord.
Kendrax: Perfect! That's just perfect! I'd like to know how this could any worse!
Toxica: Then you're not going to like what I have to say next. According to the report they gave me before they passed out, it seems that… well, how can I say this?
Kendrax: For god's sake, Toxica, spit it out!
Toxica: It seems that Ash Ketchum has acquired the powers of the Aura Knight.
Kendrax: WHAT!!

Kendrax's roar was so full of rage that it caused the entire fortress to shake.

Kendrax: The Aura Knight?! That power has been sealed away in an unknown location for who knows how long! Even we have been unable to find it! So, how did he manage to obtain it?!
Toxica: I'm afraid we do not know yet, my lord. But rest assured, we are looking into the matter.
Kendrax: Uh, this day just keeps getting better.
Toxica: If it's any consolation, my lord, they did manage to secretly place a listening device outside of the gym, so we should be able to find out what they plan to do next.

Kendrax nodded in agreement then placed his head in one hand. The Aura Knight was not a threat to their plans by himself, but it could definitely help aid what was. As he tried to think about what to do next, a wall of ice suddenly erupted from the ground, and then split apart to reveal another warrior whose armor, cape, and mask were pure white in color.

Kendrax: Ah, Glacier. How are Shocker and Ivy doing?
Glacier: They're resting comfortably in the infirmary, my lord. I'm afraid to say that it will be a least a week and a half before they'll be able to leave.
Kendrax: Very well. Is there anything else, my boy?
Glacier: Yes. I checked in on the listening device, and I've learned the girl's mother and father will be getting married in Pallet Town in two weeks.
Toxica: Seems like they're rushing things a bit.
Glacier: Well, now that they know we're after the girl, they're worried about us making another move. I also learned that Ash will be taking his daughter and three of her friends to his home town first thing tomorrow morning.
Kendrax: Hmm. It would be too risky to try and strike back this soon. I say we wait until the day of the wedding.
Toxica: Not to question your methods, my lord, but do you really think that's such a good idea?
Kendrax: Of course I do. Think about it. Now that we know that Ash has the power of the Aura Knight, we'll have to make getting rid of him a priority as well. And if we wait until the wedding, we can also get rid of any of his friends who would dare try to stop us in one fell swoop.
Glacier: Great thinking, my lord. That is why you are the master.
Kendrax: Thank you. Now, to avoid putting too many of my servants in intensive care, I'm only going to send one person on this mission.
Glacier: Let me do it, my lord. I'll turn them all into ice sculptures.
Kendrax: I would love to send you, Glacier, but I'm afraid I need you for another matter. However, I do know someone who has been eager to prove themselves. Normela, come before me!

A white light suddenly shot up from the ground and took on the form of a female warrior with grey colored armor. She immediately knelt before her master's throne.

Normela: You called me, my lord?
Kendrax: Yes. I have a mission for you that will take place two weeks from now. When it comes time, I want you to go to Pallet Town and eliminate everyone at the wedding that will be going on that day.
Normela: Understood. It shall be down.
Kendrax: Hold on. There's something you need to know about the groom. He possesses the ability to transform into an ancient and powerful warrior. At your current level, you wouldn't last a minute with him, which is why I'm going to give you a little boost.

Kendrax held out hand and sent a stream of black and red smoke at Normela. It circled around her as the energy within it entered her body, increasing her powers to heights she could have never imagined. When the smoke cleared, she felt stronger than she had ever felt before. Kendrax then created a small orb of energy and threw it at Normela, which she caught with ease.

Kendrax: I want you to spend the next two weeks training to harness the new power I have given you. Use it to crush any one that gets in the way of your mission, especially the Aura Knight. And if he still finds a way to overpower you, break open that sphere for another power boost. Just don't overuse it.
Normela: Yes, my lord. I will not let you down.
Kendrax: Very good. You're all dismissed.

The three armored warriors then vanished within their respective elements.

Kendrax: You may have won the first round, Ash Ketchum, but you have no idea who you're truly up against.

TO BE CONTINUED…