"The final match of the knighting tournament will now commence. Trainers to the battlefield." The Princess of Cameran Palace called out.
Ash walked out onto the battlefield, his costumes cloak billowing in the wind, Pikachu on his shoulder, ready for the match to begin. His opponent entered from the opposite side of the arena, their movement fluid and yet stiff and emotionless, as if they were a robot, but Ash had finally figure it out.
"I'm ashamed it took me this long." Ash called out. "But that last match, with how you kept attacking. It's clear to me now. You still blame Roxy for what happened, take of the mask and fight me face to face." Ash said calmly. The mysterious ninja did not move a muscle, still waiting for Ash to send out his Pokemon. "Fine, play it that way. Pikachu, you're up." Ash said.
"Magcargo, come out." The ninja said.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Magcargo use Sunny Day!"
The arena heated up as Pikachu sped across the battlefield, skidding past the Magcargo due to the incredible heat coming off of it.
"Magcargo use Solar Beam!"
"Pikachu dodge it and use Shock Wave!" Ash called out.
Pikachu spun out of the way, keeping his tail close as electricity built up around it, before sending the pulse of electricity at Magcargo.
"Magcargo use Solar Beam!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu sped around the battlefield, with the intense sun out, Magcargo could keep rapid firing Solar Beams, and that was a dangerous situation right now.
"Magcargo use Fire Blast!"
"Pikachu spin and use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu built up electricity, spinning right through the center of the attack before unleashing a powerful blast of electricity on Magcargo's shell.
"Magcargo use Rock Slide!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack and Iron Tail!"
Pikachu sped forward, slicing through falling rocks as needed as he raced towards the center, striking Magcargo backwards.
"Magcargo use Fire Blast."
Ash didn't give a command, and Magcargo didn't send off the attack. The arena was in a stunned silence at the standstill.
"I figured that was the only way to prove it for sure. You'd never attack Pikachu if he wasn't fighting." Ash said. "Now I'll ask this once more, take off the mask Flannery."
"Flannery!" Brendan and Wally exclaimed.
The mysterious ninja removed their mask, as a mane of red hair began pouring out.
"So you figured it out." Flannery said.
"I thought you went back to training." Ash said.
"My master sent me here for a part of my destiny." Flannery said. "Now issue a command or I will."
"Fine, Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out.
"Magcargo use Rock Slide!"
Pikachu sent a bolt of electricity straight through the raining rocks, blasting Magcargo into a smoulder.
"Magcargo is unable to battle, the winner of the tournament is Ash and Pikachu!" The princess declared.
A while later
"I don't get it, I thought you said Flannery went back to Hoenn." Brendan said, as the group was escorted towards the throne room.
"That's what she said, but apparently she never left Kanto, she found a fire type master and has been training with them." Ash said.
"And how long have you known this?" Wally asked.
"Lavender Town contest." Ash said calmly. "I saw her during my appeal round, that's why I rushed out of there."
"And why was she here, is she following you?" Roxy asked.
"I don't think so, apparently her master said her destiny was here, whatever that means." Ash said.
'I HAVE A FEW IDEAS!' The Primal Force piped in.
'No, I'm here to get rid of you finally." Ash said, forcing his aura powers to stay put.
'I WILL NOT SIT IDLY BY AND LET YOU DO THIS!' The Primal Force screamed.
'I'm not giving you an option.' Ash thought back.
"Here we are folks." A guard said. "Ash, your knighting ceremony will now begin."
The group entered what they thought would be a private event, but apparently was a ball.
"Okay, not what I had in mind for talking to the royal family." Ash said. "Guys, just mingle, I'll handle it."
"We'll be here if you need us." May said assuringly.
Ash walked forward to the front of the hall, where the princess was waiting, holing a staff of some sort.
"Ash Ketchum, as proof of your honor and strength you are now knighted as this year's Aura Guardian." The Princess said, touching the staff on each of Ash's shoulders. "Now rise and claim the staff."
Ash stood up, looking at the princess. "Please, I really need your permission for something." Ash whispered.
"Please, just take the staff, I'm sure whatever it is can wait." The princess whispered back.
"My life might be on the line." Ash said worridley.
"You aren't in any danger, the palace is a safe place, no one enters without approval." The Princess said. "Now take the staff so that the feast may begin." The Princess reassured.
'NO DON'T!' The Primal Force shouted, as Ash grabbed the staff.
A blue glow burst out from the staff as a strange Pokemon now stood in front of Ash. The Pokemon was dog like in appearance, and seemed enraged at seeing Ash once it's eyes opened.
"You are a curse to our kind!" The Pokemon shouted, lunging at Ash.
'I TRIED WARNING YOU!' The Primal Force said, taking control as tendrils carried Ash away.
"What is happening?!" Flannery asked in shock.
"Long story, right now we need to help Ash." Brendan said.
"Help him how?" Wally asked, as the tendrils had brought Ash close to the ceiling.
"I don't know, the Pokedex doesn't have any. information on this thing." May said.
"But if it's a Pokemon, we can still fight it." Roxy said. "Come on out Crobat!"
"Seriously where were all of these!" Brendan argued. "Rhydon help us out!"
"Farfetch'd let's go!" Wally called out.
The three Pokemon stood between the strange Pokemon and Ash, keeping either from attacking the other.
"Why are you attacking Ash?!" Brendan asked.
"He is corrupted!" The Pokemon shouted.
"We know, that's why we're here!" Wally countered. "We think the Tree of Life can cure him!"
"And why should I trust either of you, neither of you have the gift!" The Pokemon said.
"AHHHH!" Ash cried out in pain.
"Look, that's our friend and he's in a lot of pain, please stop attacking him." Brendan said.
"It, it can't be." The Princess said, breaking free from the guards. "I've read about you, you're Lucario, aren't you?"
"Queen Rin!" Lucario said, bowing before her. "I'm sorry about the intrusion, I will be rid of him quickly."
"I'm not Queen Rin, my name is Princess Eileen." The Princess said. "It's been over 1000 years."
"But that means, Aaron!" Lucario said in shock.
"I don't know what happened to Sir Aaron, but that boy is our guest, and he asked for my help, so please I beg of you to stand down." Princess Eileen said.
Lucario moved behind Princess Eileen as Ash was lowered back down, the green and red tendrils dissipating.
"You said you needed my help, I'm guessing it has to do with The Tree of Life." Princess Eileen said to Ash, helping him up.
"Ow, and yes." Ash said, catching his breath. "I have reason to believe it could cure me."
"In ancient times Sir Aaron and I would go there to meditate and refresh." Lucario said. "It is possible the spring in the center could heal his powers."
"But the path has become dangerous, I can't just allow you to go alone." Princess Eileen said.
"He won't be alone." Drew said. "We're going with him."
"All of us." Flannery added.
"Even then, they will need a guide." Lucario said. "I will take them."
"But Lucario." Princess Eileen said.
"I'm sorry, but the tree may defend itself if they are not careful, they will need my help." Lucario said.
"Very well, then you all have my blessing." Princess Eileen said. "I will have the guards escort you to the canyon at least."
"Thank you Princess." Ash said, as he was helped up the rest of the way by Wally and Drew.
"I don't know why you're here, but if you do anything to hurt Ash." Brendan threatened Flannery.
"I'm not here to hurt him, we went our separate ways. I just don't want to see him hurting like this if I can help it at all." Flannery said.
"Let's move, the longer we wait, the more dangerous he becomes." Lucario said, looking at Ash.
