Hello, all!

I hope this finds y'all well! I wanted to let you know that the first chapter of the prequel has been posted! You can find Ash and Aurian's very first adventures together in 'Light in the Aftermath'. You can expect more bad jokes, lots of peril, and a heaping pile of emotional angst! I've added a sneak-peek into Chapter 1 below.

Have a great rest of your day!

-PL

Light in the Aftermath, Chapter 1: A Very Interesting Day

As much as he hated to admit it, Ash Ketchum didn't have a plan.

The open gash in his chest burned against a hurried bandage and an evening wind that threatened to knock him off the boat. Waves shifted under his feet as the ferry pulled away from flashing lights and sirens on Lily of the Valley Island. A late June sun sank under the horizon, painting the sky and the water a myriad of reds, oranges, and pinks- leaving a single lantern at the front of the boat as the primary source of light.

He ran his fingers over his belt- everyone was accounted for. He had just enough time between stumbling out of the forest and leaving the Island to swap his exhausted team members for fresh faces.

"Halfway there, son, hang tight," the pilot called, turning the steering wheel.

Ash waved back. "Got it, thanks!"

Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, motioned to his trainer's stomach. "Pikapi, chupichu."

Ash looked down to find spots of blood dotting his favorite- and soon to be ruined- black shirt. He pulled his vest tighter, with a wince. "Thanks, buddy."

His PokeGear rang, shattering the relative peace on deck.

"... hello?" Ash asked.

"Ash! My God, I'm so glad you picked up. Are you all right?" Professor Oak asked.

Ash hissed as the boat hit a large wave, pain shooting through his torso. "I've been better!"

"Are you in a place where you can tell me exactly what's going on?"

"No, I don't think so," Ash looked towards the pilot, who merrily adjusted his radio and sang along to a bluegrass tune. "I'm not alone."

Professor Oak muttered under his breath. "Not ideal, but I have a few ideas. Where are you?"

"About halfway between the Island and Sunyshore City. Sun's almost down, caught one of the last private ferries out. Figured that'd be better than waiting in line."

"Good choice. Are Brock and Dawn with you?"

Ash shook his head. "No, we were separated in the fray. My PokeGear's almost dead so I figured I should save battery. I haven't heard from them."

"I'm sorry to hear that. When you make it to shore, I need you to do three things."

"Anything."

"After the boat lands, take the SIM card out of your PokeGear and destroy it. With the amount of people after you, we can't risk anyone with the League tracking your location."

Ash almost dropped his PokeGear. "Wait, what?"

"Oh God, you haven't heard. The League's put out a warrant for your arrest on counts of Pokemon cruelty."