Prologue

It is a beautiful planet with a rich nature and fantastic animals. They are called pokemon and this world is teeming with them. People live with them and they are also considered as friends and partners. Some will battle with them when others will simply live alongside them and study these wonderful creatures. Unfortunately, it wasn't always like that. Once upon a time, people used them as tools of war. Our story begins in one of those dark times.

It was a cool morning and a very heavy fog covered the countryside. This made the place look and feel a little strange and out of this world. A strange noise then was heard. The noise of something running fast. Soon, a form was visible through the thick fog. It was a tall creature, dark in color and with a canine look to it. It was running on its two hind legs between the sides of the cliff around it. His lower body was blue with two black paws and a blue tail. His waistline was like a black belt. His upper body was a light cream color with two black arms. A metal spike was on his chest and two were on his upper paws. The colar was black and the creature's face was blue, yet it looked like it was

wearing a raccon's mask. Four black appendages were also in the back of his head. His name was Lucario.

His life was a pretty good one ever since he became the apprentice of Sir Aaron. Lots of adventures and what not. He have a very high opinion of his master. Sir Aaron was a knight in the Kingdom of Rota and a very good friend of the Queen, Lady Rin. Like his master, he was also very proficient in using his aura to help the kingdom. Unfortunately, he doesn't think that aura could help them this time. The situation the kingdom was now facing was grim to say the least. A war between two others kingdoms and theirs stuck between the two warring nations. That wouldn't end well. After a time, he stop running and stand between the two cliffs. He then start to concentrate and close his red eyes.

-*The Aura is with me.*

Behind his closed eyes, the world start glowing in a blue light. His spirit push forward, as far as he can and finally came in contact with the first army. This army was huge with human and pokemon, all heavily armed and armored. He, then, open his eyes and turn his head to the other side. He start to concentrate again and push his mind until his vision met the second army. Still as equally huge with the same type of soldiers. The two armies will meet each other very shortly. Lucario didn't have much time to do his report to his master. He was there in his reflexion when a growl was heard. Three houndoom jump in his clearing and look like they wanted to attack him. No doubt they were scouts for one of the army. He jump, evading one flamethrower and evade them further by climbing on top of one of the cliff. Up there, he find the cristals that grow all over the place in the kingdom. That make it easier because, he would now be able to talk to his master through the cristal. He approach one and put his right paw on it.

-*Hear me Sir Aaron...*

Far away from the cliff, on an island, stood a majestic castle. Usually, the people who stand on the balcony could have a good look of the village and the forest around but, this time, all was obscured by the fog. Everyone in the castle could sense the tense atmosphere around them. It was like the kingdom was holding it's breath over the situation. On the balcony stood a beautiful woman, the Queen of the Kingdom, Lady Rin. She was a true beauty with her long blond hair and her blue eyes. Her pink dress and her crown give her a look of nobility but her face give her a look of kindness. She was the beloved ruler of the Kingdom of Rota. Beside her stood a handsome man. His garb was a blue tunic, grey pants, midnight blue boots completed with a cloak and a hat. In his hand, he held his aura staff. He was Sir Aaron, Guardian of Aura and head of the same guardians. Like the Queen beside him, he was focused on the forest in the hope of some news from his apprentice and friend, Lucario. He was there in his reflexion when the cristal behind him start glowing and produce a sound. He look at it and run to it. He touch it and heard the voice of his dear friend on the other side.

-*Sir Aaron, please...*

-What's the matter, Lucario.

-*The two armies are about to clash, master, and the kingdom is caught between them. Once the fighting start, we'll all be destroyed.*

The communication stop there. Sir Aaron then turn his head in the direction of the Queen. She was looking very worried about the news. And sad too. She so want to protect her people. She knew that many floors below, in what was suppose to be the grand ballroom, the other apprentice of Sir Aaron, a boy of fifteen, was making sure that the population of the city and villages around the palace was safe there. She then turn to look far away to what she knew was the Tree of Beginning. She couldn't see it very clearly because of the fog but she knew it was there. She then talk to her friend behind her.

-When the armies will reach the palace, our kingdom will fall.

Sir Aaron was behind her and at a loss of words. He didn't know what to do. They will need a miracle. He then touch the cristal and call his second apprentice.

Many floors below, in the great ballroom, a boy of fifteen, wearing the same garb then Sir Aaron was waiting with other knights. He was a young boy with black spiky hair and warm amber eyes. Not very muscular but strong in his own right. He also had two little lightning marks under his eyes. The population of the city and the villages around was there too. All were tense and scared. A cristal behind the boy start glowing too and the young lad run to it. He put his hand on it and heard the voice of his mentor and surrogate father.

-*Ash, is everything alright?*

-Yes, master, everything is fine but the people are terrified. Do you have any news from Lucario?

-*Yes, I do and the situation is grim. More so than we thought. I need you to protect the people and Lady Rin with the other knights. I will go join Lucario and help him. Be safe, son.*

-Understood, master and, please, don't do anything too dangerous. I don't want to lose you.

The lad then stood but couldn't stop worrying. Something told him that the situation will turn for the worse and he couldn't stop thinking that he will never see his surrogate father again. A little against his will, his memories take him when the man appeared in his life. He was very young back then. A little over eight years old. He never knew his father and his mother, Delia, died from sickness when he was six. For two years, he lived in the streets alone for the most part. His loneliness stop when he encountered a little mouse pokemon, Pichu. With the little electric mouse, his life became livelier and he wasn't alone anymore. But, as a little thief, he was eventually caught and sent to prison. The guards were going easy on him because of his age and his thinness. He was very thin back then because of the lack of food. Food was the first thing that the two of them stole. That wasn't always successful. But, they considered themselves lucky if they could eat once a day at least. All of that changed when Sir Aaron and Lucario visits the prison. The two of them sensed a powerful Aura. A scared one. They arrive just in time to save him and Pichu from a bully. After some explanation, Aaron took the young boy under his wing and teach him to use his powers. With time, the thin little thief became a young and powerful aura apprentice and his friend, Pichu, grow and became a very strong Pikachu.

The boy return to his mind when he sense a weight on his shoulder. His yellow mouse friend was looking at him with concern in his eyes.

-Pika?

-I'm alright, my friend. Just worried over the situation. I just have a very bad feeling about this.

-Pika, pikachu.

-No, I don't know why. Maybe it's this whole situation which is getting to me.

Another voice answer his. It was Sir Ealdric. He was one of the oldest knight of the kingdom. Not an Aura user like Ash and his mentor but, a very wise man. He survived a lot of battles in his prime and this one would probably be his last before his retirement. If they survives, of course. He was also a very close friend of Sir Aaron and Lucario.

-You got that right, lad. And a great mess this is.

-I know, Sir. I don't even know how all of this started. Do you?

-No lad. I don't. It's the problem with royalty. When two ordinary men fight, it is just the two of them. When these two men are kings, entire countries will fight. In my opinion, just leave the two together in one place and let them fight against each other. That will save a lot of time and lives.

-I know. It's just that I can't stop having a bad feeling. It's like I'll lose... something... or someone...

The knight didn't have time to say anything before a great light start exploding from all the cristal around. The people start shouting about the end of the world and the knights had great difficulty to calm everyone down. The boy look around at the cristal before something like a big hole appear in his heart. Sir Aaron! He couldn't feel him anymore. Same thing with Lucario. He didn't stop to think before starting to run to the balcony where he last see his mentor. When he arrive, the only person on the balcony was the tearful Queen. She was holding his mentor's staff.

-My lady?