One more update. Much talking is inside of it, but I have the feeling it was worth the work i put into it.

I thank

batla

Madison

sorarocks531

Starlighz

DavidShawnMichael

Aprotny

ampplaca1

HP-DG-SB-HA-RR-KB-NT-TD-LL-AJ

CrazyCharlette-Real Reloaded

Swagnilla-Ice-1985

UEG nastykiller

very much for their reviews.

Info:

"normal speaking"

"pokemon speaking"

thoughts

"mental speaking"

"What do you mean GONE?!"

Lucario winced at Ninetales' enraged cry and also found Pikachu rubbing his sensitive ears. The cream-coloured fox could have quite shriek if she wanted to. "With gone I mean gone", sighed Ho-Oh and shook his head. "I…cannot sense his presence anywhere. And I have quite a range for this. I, in Lugia's request, kept an eye on him ever since he got born after all."

Now everyone was speechless. Lucario scanned the other legendary Pokémon and found them staring at Ho-Oh in surprise as well. Obviously this had been a well-kept secret between the Guardian of the Skies and the Guardian of the Seas. On a small clearing that hadn't been destroyed in the overly large battle on the island, all of Ash's Pokémon, safe Riolu, and the legendary Pokémon had gathered. Why? Because sometime during the battle, Ash and Riolu had simply vanished.

Suddenly a tired sigh cut through the silence and everyone turned to look at Moltres, who in turn asked Celebi: "Can you repeat what you saw Celebi?"

Celebi looked at everyone, then explained: "Well, Manaphy and myself were taking care of her Dark-Side."

"I still don't fully get why you didn't handle your own", cut Suicune in.

"I took care of this for her Suicune", answered Ho-Oh. "Myself being a Fire-Flying-Type, I had an advantage of Dark-Celebi, much like Celebi had over Dark-Manaphy."

Suicune nodded in understanding and Celebi continued: "Well, we managed to shoot her a good mile away and Manaphy followed her immediately. I was about to do the same, when I saw Riolu kneeing in front of Ash, who leaned against a wall, out cold. Then Dark-Latios suddenly shot past them, chasing Latias, but still fired an incredible powerful Dragon-Pulse at Riolu and Ash. I screamed at them for a warning and Riolu looked up in time. Then the blast hid them from my sight. However, after the impact was over and the smoke gone, neither Ash nor Riolu were still there. I…assumed they somehow got out and went after Manaphy."

Lucario looked down and shook his head. They couldn't be…no…of course they can't, berated the Aura Guardian himself. "You think they are…", began Luxray, trailing off. "No", cut Lucario in sharply, having everyone look at him with sorrow. He glared at everyone. They all believed Ash and Riolu now gone brought his sadness for Sir Aaron's death back. Well, they were wrong. "They are not dead. They're still alive. Where, I can't tell, but the flares their Auras would've caused when they met death didn't happen. I sensed exactly nothing more than their Auras vanishing all of a sudden. And that means they are not dead!" He glared at them all, daring them to argue back at him.

No one did.

"If you are certain", answered Mew finally. "Then I trust your judgement Lucario."

He gave the psy-cat a thankful smile, before turning to Zapdos, who asked: "What beat up Ash enough to have him black out anyways?"

Lucario and the rest of Ash's Pokémon, as well as most legendary Pokémon shrugged, only to have Ho-Oh growling. Then the bird spat: "The idiocy of humankind!"

Everyone stared at him in utter shock.

"M-Master what do you mean with that?", gasped Raikou out.

"Agreed", continued Entei. "Cursing humans isn't like you at all."

"Then I shall curse the fact that we show ourselves too little to them", hissed Ho-Oh back. "The Chosen One got into the state he was in, because he protected a group of trainers that found my battle with Dark-Celebi more worthy of their attention than their own lives."

Lucario's eyes widened in shock, then Pikachu argued: "Ho-Oh, a lot of trainers watched the fights from the forest. He can't have…"

"Not those trainers", cut Ho-Oh the Electric-Type off. "Those trainers stood on the open clearing in front of the Pokémon Centre and gawked at me battling!"

The next second a low growl cut through the clearing and everyone turned to look at Charizard. "If I find those idiots!", raged the lizard.

"Uh…Charizard, what are you talking about?", asked Luxray.

"Isn't it obvious", growled Charizard back. "Those trainers were too busy gawking at Ho-Oh to notice danger and I bet all the badges I helped Ash win that he took the attacks that were fired at them by whoever."

Lucario narrowed his eyes and Luxray asked: "What makes you think that?"

Charizard snorted at that and gestured with his tail to Mew and MewTwo. "What else to expect from a teen that ran into the collision of the blasts Mew and MewTwo fired six years ago to stop them from battling?" As much as Lucario hated it, he had to agree now. When it came to the safety of others, Ash was far too selfless for his own good. A few legendary Pokémon still looked doubtful, but Pikachu, Mew and MewTwo nodded their heads in agreement and the larger psy-cat stated: "I agree with Charizard. Ash is selfless enough for this act."

"But still, who could've hit him that hard", asked Pikachu now.

"He was fine when we left him", agreed Ninetales.

"Dark-Raikou", snarled Entei. Everyone turned to look at the fire-type, who glared to the ground. "Why my Dark-Side", asked Raikou his brother. "He was the one I pushed off of Ash before he could kill him", answered Entei with a growl. Everyone's eyes widened, then Raikou roared: "If I see this worthless piece off…"

"Raikou you will not dare to finish this sentence", cried Ho-Oh, effectively cutting the electric-type off. "We all are enraged and worried, but cursing him will not help!" Raikou still growled, when Suicune gave him a gentle nudge.

"Lucario." The fighting-steel-type looked up and at Latios, who'd called for him.

"Yes?"

Latios threw a glance through the trees to the remains of the Pokémon Centre, then asked: "Can't you try to somehow track them with your Aura. Or with the help of us Psychic-Types find out what happened?"

Lucario pondered this.

Of course he managed to track Ash under normal circumstances. Before he'd started training the teen, he'd had an even easier time. But now that he'd just vanished like this, Lucario wasn't too certain about. Of course, he could try it, although he doubted a positive outcome. "I…suppose I can try to", answered the Aura Guardian finally. Immediately every Pokémon on the clearing relaxed a bit.

"Let us try right now then", offered Celebi.

"That, I'm not certain is a good idea", stepped MewTwo in. "We all are exhausted, and though you hide it well Lucario, you just as close to collapsing as myself." Lucario nodded in agreement, both Pokémon ignoring everyone's surprise they'd admitted being that weakened. "

It will be for the best if we allow ourselves to recover for a while", agreed Ho-Oh suddenly.

Lucario followed his glance to Latias and Manaphy, who were both dozing against a tree. Those two had taken some very bad hits during the fight, and being the youngest of the group of legendary Pokémon, MewTwo didn't count, he may have been alive for only roughly six years, but was far more mature than those two, they needed rest. Lucario took himself a heart and walked up to the two. Gently he took Manaphy from Latias and stepped back so MewTwo and Latios could get her onto the older eon-dragon's back. Latios huffed and grumbled: "I really need to start watching what she's eating. She's getting heavier and heavier." This gained him a few chuckles, until he snarled: "That was not a joke!" Unfortunately for him, that only got him even more laughter. Lucario himself had trouble fighting the chuckles down. Then they already reached a bigger clearing, where the rest of the group waited.

"Done discussing?", asked Zoey icily.

Lucario swallowed a sigh. Most of the trainers of the clearing blamed the legendary Pokémon for Ash's disappearance. Much to most of their annoyance.

"For the last time", spat Zapdos venomously. "It was not our fault!"

"Then whose was it?", shouted Max back.

"If you want to know", argued Celebi, only to have Mew slapping a paw over her mouth and yelling: "ENOUGH!"

Lucario jerked into the air at this and Manaphy shot awake. Rarely you heard Mew yelling like that. The Aura Guardian looked at MewTwo, who stared at the original Mew in shock as well. Apparently Mew losing her temper like this was far more uncommon that Lucario had previously thought. "Insulting each other will not help us getting Ash and Riolu back", continued the pink Pokémon. "Lucario is certain they're still alive. And that's why we'll find them. Do. You. Understand?!" At this she narrowed her eyes at everyone who had been part of this argument to whose fault it was that Ash and Riolu were one. The Pokémon and human she meant gulped and backed off in fear, before nodding. "Good", growled Mew before floating up to Ash's bags and using Psychic to pull out various medicines and berries.

Lucario gathered Manaphy, who was at the point of collapsing once more, back into his arms and carried her over to Mew. The pink legendary gently applied the medicine to Manaphy's wounds. While she did so, Lucario pushed his Aura to Mew and told her: "Thank you for stopping this battle Mew."

Mew gave him a slight smile and a shrug and answered: "No problem Lucario. Though, if I hadn't stopped it, you would've."

"I would've tried, but I'm not certain I would have managed it", argued Lucario back.

"Well you…could you hold Manaphy's arm out please", cut Mew herself off. Lucario followed her request and she gently bandaged Manaphy's arm. The small blue Pokémon gave sigh of relief after she was done and Mew gave her an Oran Berry to eat, before sending her to May. "As I was about to say", began Mew while rearranging the medic-supplies. "You would've managed it Lucario. You're pretty skilled at that. I doubt anyone but you could've calmed down MewTwo when you tried to convince him to tell us about…you know."

Mew frowned and Lucario placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She smiled up at him sadly, then suddenly sprayed some kind of medicine on his bruised hip. Lucario gave a hiss of pain and glared at Mew, who looked back innocently. Rolling his eyes, Lucario sat down and allowed Mew to treat his injuries. While doing so, they discussed about the past, Sir Aaron and more. "I still wonder what would've happened if Aaron hadn't found me that day. Or how for that matter", stated Lucario. "I mean, what was he doing up that mountain in that blizzard?"

Mew gave a warm smile at this and answered: "Actually Lucario, I led him up there so he could help you."

"What?"

"I did", answered Mew. "Had to turn into Ho-Oh for it though, so I could get his attention. It was almost to late when I finally managed to lead him to you."

"And you couldn't help me yourself?", asked Lucario.

Mew shook her head and answered; "Nope. I may be skilled with Aura in certain parts, but not skilled enough. Sir Aaron could take care of you far better and I knew that." The she grinned up at him and continued: "But Arceus, you were so cute back there." A deep red blush appeared on Lucario's cheeks when Mew referred to him as cute. He was all but cute. He was an Aura Guardian for Arceus sake. Suddenly Mew gently slapped his back with her long tail and stated: "All done. Can you send Latias over so she can have her wounds treated?"

Lucario gave a quick check with his Aura, before stating: "Unnecessary, Brock took care of it already."

"Oh, who does still need help then?"

"Besides yourself?", asked Lucario back, worriedly eyeing the scratches on Mew's back.

"Those? They're nothing Lucario, and you know that. I'm one of the least injured. If it makes you feel better, once everyone is taken care of, you can accompany me to Brock." Mew waved her paw dismissively at him and with a grumble Lucario had to admit she was right. Sending out his Aura once more, he rolled his eyes and walked forward. Once he neared Mew's next patient, he grabbed his arm and started dragging him away from his conversation with Ho-Oh.

"Lucario what are you doing?!", exclaimed MewTwo and tried to wrench his arm free. Not that it worked. Mew's treatment had helped Lucario recover already. That and his superior raw physical strength made it easy for him to drag MewTwo back to Mew.

"Your next patient", announced Lucario, pulling MewTwo forward.

Mew looked up from handing Pikachu some berries he should take to Ash's other Pokémon and smirked. "One sec", answered Mew, placed two more Cheri Berries. For the fire-types, she said. Then she turned back to Lucario and her clone, who hadn't moved.

"For the love of…I'm fine", exclaimed MewTwo and once more tried to get his arm free.

"I doubt it", argued Mew back. "Lucario wouldn't have gotten you if you didn't need help."

"Can't you go back to your carefree and ignorant self", asked MewTwo with exasperation. "I got more peace back then…what actually is kind of strange."

"No matter how strange it is", cut Lucario in sternly. "I sensed it MewTwo. You are one of those who need help the most, right after Latias, Manaphy, Articuno, Charizard and myself. Ho-Oh comes just about after you and I'm fairly certain, once Brock is finished with Charizard, he'll move on to him. Now quit complaining and get it over with."

MewTwo locked eyes with Lucario and the two stared each other down for a while, before the psychic-type gave a deep sigh and said: "Fine." With that he sat down and allowed Mew to treat his injuries. Like Lucario had done it before with his Aura, Mew now sent her psychic-powers to him, resuming the private conversation they'd held while helping Manaphy.

"Told you", stated the pink feline. Lucario, who'd settled down against a tree raised an eyebrow, having Mew answer: "Told you you're good in convincing people and Pokémon as well. I know for a fact I wouldn't have been able to get MewTwo to have his wounds treated."

"I suppose you're right", admitted Lucario.

"Of course I am", pointed Mew out cheekily, before breaking the connection.

Lucario shook his head, then returned to scanning the Pokémon and people on the clearing. It was hard to believe that only twenty minutes ago some were close to ripping each other's throats out. Now they worked side by side to treat the injured and have everyone recover. Lucario's gaze landed on Pikachu who was trying, and failing, to get Ninetales to eat the berries that would help her. The Aura Guardian gave a deep sigh. Her particular fondness of Ash had left her in more despair than anyone else. Pikachu knew Ash could fend for himself. Sure, the electric-type was worried. Who wouldn't be? He was Ash's first Pokémon after all. But he also knew no matter what danger Ash got into, he got out of it as well. That and he has Riolu with him as well, thought Lucario while standing up.

He walked over to Ninetales and Pikachu and asked: "Can I help somehow Pikachu?"

Pikachu gave an exhausted sigh and answered: "See if you can get her to eat. I'm running out of arguments here."

Lucario nodded and with a quick thanks, the mouse rushed over to were Luxray lay, recovering from the vast loss of electrical power he'd suffered during the battle. He watched how Pikachu sent small electrical shocks over to the blue lion. Being as the most experienced of Ash's Pokémon, with more than six years of training, he recharged quicker than Luxray and had more reserves. Then Lucario focused on Ninetales, who glanced at him sadly.

"You think he's dead." It wasn't a question and to not frighten the humans he'd switched to Pokémon speech.

Ninetales gave a sigh and answered: "I don't know. I wish I could believe you that he's still alive but…" She shook her head and looked away.

Lucario cleared his throat to get her attention once more and argued: "Ninetales, you cannot live up. Ash wouldn't want you to. Even if he was…" Lucario stumbled at the word dead, so he skipped it and continued: "He would want us all to continue, help the legendary Pokémon bring peace to the world."

"What for?"

The fighting-steel-type blinked. What for? What kind of question was that? "I'm afraid I can't follow Ninetales."

Ninetales sighed once again and explained: "What are we even doing this for? Wouldn't it…be easier to just let the legendary Pokémon do their job and stay out of it?"

"Of course it would be", answered Lucario, understanding her now. He caught a shocked glance from Celebi at admitting Ninetales was right, yet continued: "But the easy way isn't always the right way. Most often, doing the right thing is much harder than doing the wrong. Everyone views right and wrong different, so there are many ways. Ash decided his. He decided for what he thought was the right way. Ready to face the danger of this journey, possible his death, because in his heart he knew it was right. His personality is as unique as his Aura. He has a very strong sense for what is right and wrong. That's easy to see once you watch his reaction when someone abuses Pokémon. He fights this fight, not for himself, but those he cares about. His friends, Pokémon and family. That's what he fights for. For us, all of us. Those who are here and those who are back in Pallet. Do you understand Ninetales?"

Ninetales looked at him.

"Only you can decide what way you wish to go. The world isn't just black and white. It has many shades of grey, different decisions. You can't always be entirely good or entirely evil. It also isn't the very good ones that deserve respect. It's the selfless people, who would dare to walk a path that has a darker shade of grey to keep those he cares about safe."

Lucario stood up.

"You know who I'm talking about Ninetales. He would wish for you to recover and continue. Now you have to decide if you want to follow his wish, take the hard way, the lighter way, or the darker way, that's easier, yet could have all his efforts be in vain."

With that Lucario walked off. What Ninetales did not know, he'd talked his own worries off his soul while telling her all of this. His mind was clearer now, back to its usual focus and he was more certain than ever that Ash and Riolu were still alive. Checking himself through, he nodded and started a brisk walk to the clearing that once housed the Pokémon Centre.

He felt everyone's eyes on him and when he reached the edge of the clearing, he heard movement. Every legendary Pokémon, as well as Charizard followed him. He glanced back and found Pikachu looking after him, hope glinting in his eyes. Luxray and Ninetales also looked at him, mirroring Pikachu. Lucario gave them a nod, showing he would try his very best, and continued his way. The walk through the forest was silent, even with Pokémon as big as Entei and Charizard following him.

Even while walking now, Lucario already channelled his Aura, gathering them inside the spikes on is paws and chest. No one except for his own race, not even their pre-evolution, actually knew what their spikes were good for. It was a well-kept secret. A secret Lucario wasn't certain he would dare to tell Ash. Riolu of course, after he evolved, but the trainer, he didn't know. Slightly pulsing, his spikes took on a faint blue glow. One you easily missed if you didn't know what to look for. Once he reached the remains of the Pokémon Centre, he had Celeb showing him where exactly she'd seen Ash and Riolu. Celebi flew up to one of the two still standing walls and pointed to it. W

ith a frown Lucario scented Ash's blood on it. The red stains on the wall were so faint that you could mistake them for dirt, but it was blood. It looks like something washed it off though, realised Lucario after further scanning. Without another word, he sat down in front the wall, facing it where he'd figured Ash had been, and concentrated. The rush of power that hit him came so unexpected that Lucario's eyes almost snapped open. Yet he kept them closed and pushed his Aura farther out of his body, the gathered energy in his spikes keeping him strong.

Once again a rush of power hit him and faint words echoed in his mind. Confused Lucario focused on the power's centre. To his great shock, he found he sat directly in it. He clearly pictured Ash and Riolu's remaining Aura now, basically saw their glowing outlines against the wall. Suddenly another rush off power hit the Aura Guardian and his breathing got cut off instinctively. He felt like a wave of icy water had hit him. Another waved crashed against him, yet Lucario fought back.

Whatever took Ash and Riolu wouldn't get away with it. That was when it happened. First the wave, then a blast of air hit him dead-centre and Lucario felt himself being catapulted back, crashing into a tree. He heard the surprised cries of the legendary Pokémon and Charizard, but ignored them. Once again a voice echoed in his head. Only this, time, it was clear.

You, who dare to harm the Chosen One. You shall not gain a win. I will protect him from you with my very own life. If you dare it, find me and battle me, but you will not get him, the one I'm…

"I do not wish to harm him", cut Lucario the voice off, ignoring the confusion he felt from the Pokémon that watched him. Of course it was strange. They couldn't hear the voice.

Oh, you are not?, snarled the voice. Then why did you try to track him?

"I'm trying to protect him too. I care about him and Riolu as well."

I'm not certain to believe you. For now the Chosen One shall remain in my custody. He needs to recover anyhow. And with that the voice was gone. Lucario jerked up the moment the presence of power disappeared and took deep breaths. He hadn't breathed ever since the first of these strange waves had hit him.

"Lucario, are you alright?", asked Mew's voice.

He looked up at her and gave a slow nod. "I…I believe I am", answered Lucario and shook his head. He was still a bit disoriented.

"What happened?", asked Suicune. And so Lucario proceeded to tell them what he'd found out. The fact about Ash's blood on this wall he kept to himself. He didn't need to worry them even more. Once he was done, MewTwo asked: "So we at least know he is safe?"

"How can you say that?", exclaimed Latias. "We got no idea where he is!"

"But the voice Lucario distinctly threatened the Dark-Sides and said he would protect the Chosen one with his life", argued Latios back, placing a gently claw on her shoulder.

"I agree with Latios", said Ho-Oh. "I cannot imagine a legendary Pokémon being powerful enough for anything that happened, but I also have the feeling we can trust this voice."

"And now?", asked Charizard impatiently.

Lucario knew the fire-flying-type wouldn't like the answer, but said: "Now my friend, we wait. We wait, recover and then start to search."

Mew - Dark-Mew

MewTwo - Dark-MewTwo

Celebi - Dark-Celebi

Manaphy - Dark-Manaphy

Suicune - Dark Suicune

Raikou - Dark Raikou

Entei - Dark Entei

Articuno -

Zapdos -

Moltres -

Ho-Oh -

Latias -

Latios - Dark-Latios