{--Author's Note-----}

This chapter was fun to write because you finally get a sample of the kids' powers. I know the part with Mew is kind of corny, but hey, whatever...

-Alanis

{--HIKARU KYUKON--- A Legendary Encounter -----}

Kyra, Sana, Ray, Abe, Lance, and Kiri lay sprawled on a bed of soft springy grass and fragrant flowers. They were suddenly rushed back to conciousness as a shower of icy water was sprayed over them.

"Wake up, sleepyheads!" Jirachi said cheerfully.

"Augh. Whadja have to do that for?" Ray moaned groggily, "Where are we?"

"You're right outside Lilicove City, where the original Masters are having their funeral right now." The small floating Pokémon stopped to stare at Kyra as she frantically tried to dry herself from the water. Lance seemed to be enjoying it, however. Kiri was playing with a flower, Sana had her eyes closed meditatively, and Abe, as usual, was indifferent.

"Your powers seemed to have kicked in already," Jirachi commented, "So in that case I'll be leaving." And before any of them could say a word, he disappeared.

"Great," Lance muttered, "It would've been nice if he had actually told us how to use our powers."

"I know," Kiri said, not noticing that she had made her flower float in midair. The others didn't see it.

"Well, we might as well head over to Lilicove to watch our funeral," Ray mused, "Kinda weird, isn't it?"

"Yeah." Sana snapped out of her meditation. "It'll be interesting to see how Lilicove looks in the past."

With that, the six teenagers got up and began walking, Kyra still desparately trying to wring the water out of her hair.

They didn't get far before a herd of Donphan rolled into view, stomping their feet and snorting. As soon as they saw the kids their eyes began to glow red with rage.

"They're obviously pissed over something," Lance observed.

Ray gulped. "No kidding."

"What are we gonna do?!" Sana cried as the Donphan prepared to charge.

"We're gonna fight 'em."

The others turned at hearing Kyra's voice. But instead of seeing a slim, black-haired girl, they saw a large wolf-like Pokémon with gleaming, jet- black fur, fireball-red eyes and nine long, bushy tails.

"Whoa, a Ninetales!" Ray exclaimed.

"And it's black too!" squealed Kiri.

"I'm not a Ninetales!" Kyra said. Then she looked down at her furry paws. "Erm, well maybe I am. But I'm still me."

"I know what you mean." A four-legged Pokémon with shiny white fur and black claws stepped beside Kyra/Ninetales. It's face was black with a long black saber-like appendage on the side of its head. It had white fur on the top of its head with a large ebony stone in the center and a fluffy mane of white fur around its neck. It also had a sharp, black sword-like tail.

"Abe? Is that you?" Sana stared at Abe quizzically.

"Yes. I'm an Absol."

"Hey, this is just like Jirachi said!" exclaimed Kiri, "Remember our Japanese names? I'm a Bellossom, Ray's a Manectric, Sana's a Gardevoir, Lance is a Swampert, and of course Abe and Kyra are Absol and Ninetales! Now we just have to figure out how to change into our Pokémon forms!"

"And we better do it quick, too," Lance said grimly, "because the Donphan are getting ready to charge."

"Just close your eyes and concentrate," Abe said.

The others closed their eyes tight, and soon a Bellossom, Gardevoir, Swampert, and Manectric stood beside the Absol and Ninetales.

"Now that we're Pokémon, we should be able to attack," Kyra yelled over the stampeding Donphan, "GO!"

She forced out a weak Ember attack that blinded the nearest Donphan. Lance let out a badly aimed Water Gun that managed to slip some of the attackers. Abe jumped into the brawl Slashing and Biting. Ray tried to use a Shock Wave but ended up paralyzing himself. Sana accidentally used Teleport and landed tangled in the branches of a nearby tree. Kiri held her ground and concentrated hard sucking up sunlight, and moments later released a powerful Solarbeam attack that Knocked Out many of the Donphan and nearly herself. Pretty soon everyone was lying on the ground or in Sana's case, in a tree, exausted. The remaining Donphan ran away.

Abe stepped carefully over the fainted Pokémon and wiped his bloody head saber, tail, and claws on the grass. "That was fun."

"Speak for yourself." Ray mumbled, struggling to move whilst paralyzed.

The others were okay, with only a few cuts or bruises.

"That was great, Kiri!" Sana exclaimed as she floated out of the tree. "Solarbeam is a powerful attack."

"Well now I'm pooped." The tiny Flower Pokémon said feebly.

"It seems we all need to work on our battling skills." Kyra admitted. "At least you know physical attacks, Abe." He said nothing.

"I wonder if we can know only four attacks, or as many as we like," mused Lance. "I suppose our stats must be different than the average Pokémon's."

"I know Shinies' are." Kyra said. "Now lets change back into our human selves and get to the Pokémon Center. Or maybe we'll automatically be healed once we change back to human."

They concentrated, and were disappointed to find that they were not healed. They still maintained their scratches and bruises even after morphing to their human forms. Abe even still had some blood in his hair.

"Gross," Kiri giggled.

"We can't go into a Pokémon Center looking like this," Sana said thoughtfully, "they'll think we're criminals or something."

"You're the only one who's clean." Ray pointed accusingly at her. "Why don't we pretend to be your Pokémon, and have Nurse Joy heal us? Then one of us can be your trainer and heal you. It seems whatever condition we are in in one of our forms stays the same in our other form."

They all stared at Ray.

"What?" he asked incredulously.

They looked at each other and winked.

"Oh, nothing man." Lance smiled. "Just surprised us a bit there. Never expected to see such genius coming from you."

"Oh knock it," Ray grumbled moodily, "Let's go."

So the kids headed down to Lilicove, Kyra, Kiri, Abe, Lance and Ray in their Pokémon forms and Sana in her human form leading them. People stared at the strangely dressed girl and her band of beat-up Pokémon as she walked by.

"It's not Halloween you know!" someone jeered.

"Buy some Pokéballs why don't ya? Then your poor Pokémon won't have to walk around in shame!"

"Yeah, they're obviously pretty weak to be beaten that badly!"

Sana quickly ran into the Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy glanced at her Pokémon with a disapproving look, but said nothing as she ushered them into a back room. Fifteen minutes later she emerged with five Pokéballs.

"I took the liberty of storing your Pokémon," she said, "They'll be safer and easier to manage that way."

"Thank you." Sana smiled and walked out and behind the building. There she released her friends, who quickly morphed back to humans.

"I don't ever wanna do that again!" Ray whimpered.

Kiri nodded. "No kidding. I sure hope normal Pokémon don't feel as claustrophobic as I did."

"I think it's because we're part human," Kyra explained. "Here Sana, change to Gardevoir and let me put you in this Pokéball. It'll be easier that way and people won't be as suspicious. You won't have to be in there long."

So Kyra repeated the process with Sana, and soon all six teenagers were sitting on a bench in the City Square trying hard to ignore all the stares people were giving them because of their odd clothing.

"It's their clothing that looks odd if you ask me," Lance said angrily, "Who knew people of the past were so fashionably challenged?"

The others laughed at big tough Lance's comment on fashion.

"We could buy some of their kinds of clothes if we had any money," Kyra sighed, "But all I have is my hoverbus change, and they probably have way different currency than we do."

"It wouldn't be enough anyway," commented Sana.

Suddenly a dreary music wafted through the Square, and a procession of black-clothed people could be seen approaching.

"It's a funeral!" exclaimed Ray.

"It's the Masters' funeral," Abe said darkly.

"How do you know?" Kiri asked.

"Because Jirachi said we'd arrive a week after their deaths. The ones whose powers are within us."

"I'm glad someone listens," Ray joked.

Lance stood up. "C'mon, guys, let's take a look!"

They pushed their way through the growing crowd untill finally they had the best view of the procession.

"It's them! The Pokémon Masters! See their coffins?" someone whispered.

"Well good riddance!" said another, "Dangerous trainers, they were. A threat to the Alliance."

"I'm so glad the Alliance no longer has to protect us from them."

Kyra strained her neck to see six black coffins being carried down the road. They were surrounded by smartly-dressed men and women wearing black suits and flowing red sashes. Many of them supported huge blue flags that floated gracefully in the wind.

Kyra leaned close over the rope barrier that separated the crowd from the road. She squinted hard at the nearest flag. There were six emblems on it: a flower, a lightning bolt, a water drop, an eye, a sword, and in the very center a black flame. A large red star was in the top center of the flag, and Kyra knew she had seen it somewhere . . . but before she could get a better look at it the last of the flags passed out of sight, and the procession faded from view as the crowd dispersed and people headed away.

"That was weird," Ray whispered dryly.

"No, it was eerie," Sana replied, "Did you hear what those people were saying?"

"Yeah," said Lance, "They said something about the Masters being dangerous, and that it was good they were dead and – but I thought the Alliance - the Shadow Masters - were the bad guys?"

Kyra was about to state her agreement when they all were interrupted by a voice from behind.

"Hello, guys!"

The turned around to see a familiar face smiling brightly at them.

"Would you stop doing that?!" Ray yelled, "It's annoying!"

Jirachi put his hands up in defense. "Sorry! But you all are needed at a secret meeting. The Guild members would like to speak to you."

"Guild?" Lance questioned.

Jirachi rolled his eyes. "I told you this already. The Legendary Pokémon Guild! We wanna speak with you! And I'm the one who's got to take you there. I just had to make some reports first. So sit tight, here we go!"

The blue aura washed over them again and soon they were flying through the flashes of light for the second time in one day. I didn't last long, though, moments later they landed on their feet on flat, stony ground.

"Glad you gave us a softer landing this time," Ray snorted.

"Well I thought landing on hard stone might hurt you." Jirachi smiled sweetly.

"That was some Teleport!" Sana exclaimed. "Mine aren't nearly as powerful, and land all wrong –"

"Good good, you've discovered your powers, but we'll talk about that later. Look around you."

The six teenagers looked around. They were on top of a cliff overlooking an ocean, in the middle of a huge circle of stone pillars outlining the stone floor. Grooves were cut in the floor, leading to a large circular pool in the center that was full of glowing green liquid. Outside of the circle of stone there was lush green grass and beautiful flowers.

"W-where are we?" Kiri said in awe.

"Shabouti Island," Jirachi replied. "But you still haven't seen the goods." He pointed ahead.

Following his finger, they gazed upon the most amazing sight they had ever seen. Sitting, standing, and floating in front of them, were Zapdos, Articuno, Moltres, Lugia, Ho-oh, Suicune, Raiku, Entei, Groudon, Rayquaza, Latias, Latios, Celebi, and Mew. A jet of water flew up from the ocean below, and they looked down to see Kyogre lift its massive head out of the water.

"Welcome," said a voice that sounded like silk and music. They knew immediately that it came from Mew.

Jirachi gave the kids a look, and they nodded their heads in greeting. Jirachi then floated over and took his place among the legends.

Abe, surprisingly, was the first to speak up. "I can't believe it . . . it's you – you're the legendary Pokémon!"

The Pokémon smiled. "That's right," Mew continued. "We survived the War. But it's not over yet. You six, providing you accept our offer, will help us win the war and triumph over evil."

"What's in it for us?" Ray asked.

"Why, I thought just saving millions of lives would be enough for you," Mew replied. "And also the thought of bringing Pokémon back, that they would be alive in the future... but maybe I was wrong?"

"No, we'll do it," Abe said firmly. He gave the others a hard look.

"All of us." Kyra added. They all stepped forward.

Mew smiled. "You can't imagine our gratitude. You see, we created this plan to bring the Masters back, knowing we would have to wait one thousand long years. What we didn't know was whether you would be willing to fight. Thank you so much.

"There is no garuntee we will win this war, even with you all on our side. Nearly all my powers went to performing the Spell that saved the Masters' Powers, and I don't have enough to perform the spell again." Mew paused at the worried look on the kids' faces.

"Don't worry," she smiled, "We're not going to have you do this alone. The original Masters had their Pokémon partners, but seeing as you pretty much are the Pokémon yourself, we'll give you each a Pokémon that has graciously volunteered to help us. None of them are fully evolved, but they're exceptionally strong for their age. Besides, the bond you share with your Pokémon will be much stronger if you raise them yourself.

"Ray, you're first. You're a playful human, but unsure of yourself. Nonetheless you can wield greate power if you put your mind to it. Therefore I give you a Pichu. He'll evolve into a Pikachu by friendship, but no stone can make him evolve. His and your power depends solely on the friendship you develop." The pink psychic Pokémon handed Ray a yellow Pokéball with a lightningbolt on it. It was the same lightningbolt that Kyra had seen on the flag...

"Next is Lance. You're tough and you need a Pokémon that shares your brutal strength. Therefore I give you a Totodile, who's jaws can crush steel. When he evolves into a Feraligator, you two will be virtually unstoppable! Like Ray's Pichu, this Pokémon evolves only by friendship." she handed him a blue ball with the water drop on it.

"Kiri. You may be small, but your power is amazing for your size and experience. You proved that in your first battle.So I'm giving you this Chikorita. She will be a great match for you, I am sure." She gave Kiri the pink ball with the flower on it.

"Does it evolve by friendship also?" Kiri asked.

Mew nodded. "All of the Pokémon any of you catch will evolve by friendship.

"Now, Sana. You're a very smart girl, and will make for a wise trainer. This Meditite I am giving you will help you develop your power and reach your full potential. Unlike the others, your Pokémon is double-typed: Psychic and Fighting. I believe this is necessary; the Shadow Masters will try to use the forces of darkness on your Pokémon, and with an extra type it will be easier for you to fight back."

Sana thanked her and accepted a purple Pokéball with the eye emblem on it.

"Now for Abe. You, it seems, are the most eager to fight. This motivation is good, but it should be monitored. Fighting should always be the last resort, and you need to remember that. I give you this Houndour. Like you, he is hard-headed and stubborn, but I trust your partnership will be a strong and lasting one." Mew tossed a white Pokéball with the sword on it to Abe. Then she turned to Kyra.

"Ah, Hikaru Kyukon. The Shining Ninetales. You may not know it yet, but your power is so unique, that we could not find a Pokémon to match your talents. So I am giving you a different companion, one who has volunteered to be your partner, your Pokémon and yours alone. This is a big sacrifice on her part, as she will lose many of her special freedoms in doing so. Nonetheless I believe that it is a wise decision, and perhaps the most powerful alliance forged yet. Kyra, I would like to accept Pylar as your Pokémon companion."

Kyra looked up, waiting to see who this mysterious Pylar could be. She was very surprised when Moltres flew from its spot and landed before her, lowering its head as if bowing and spreading its flaming wings in a ten-foot span.

"I am honored to serve the human in which the powers of Kerana reside," it said.

"Likewise, I'm sure," Kyra gulped nervously, feeling the intense head coming from the fire-bird.

Moltres nodded and touched its beak to a black Pokéball that Kyra hadn't noticed before. The huge, beautiful red mass of flaming feathers was sucked into the ball with a beam of red light. Kyra picked it up and noticed that it had the black flame on it.

Mew smiled. "Now that that's settled, you all may begin your journey. Quite honestly, I can't give you any directions at the moment, but I'm sure you and your Pokémon will find a suitable path to follow. Jirachi will return you to Lilicove City, and he will also contact you whenever an important message from us needs to reach you. The LPG isn't only run by us legendaries, you know. All those men and women you saw at the funeral? They work with us too. Their officers meet with us to discuss important decisions, as will you all when the time comes. So you don't have to worry about following orders from Pokémon, as I suspect that is an uncomfortable and threatening thought to some of you." She winked. "You are allies, not employees, and we hope you understand that. You are obliged to make your own decisions. And with those words, I leave you. Good bye!"

With that, Jirachi approached the teenagers and swathed them in the now-familiar blue light....