On the way to Route Four Lucian and Galen saw the strange man in a lab coat.
"You two again?" He said. "My name is Colress. Your Pokémon seem abnormally strong. Is it because of the war? Or are you two perhaps Reshkari?"
"Why do you care?" Galen asked him.
"I have been researching the bond between Pokémon and their trainers. From the few Aura users I have interacted with, all of them have unusually strong Pokémon. I believe it could have something to do with the nature of Aura itself. If you would be so kind, please meet me at Route Four." They watched Colress leave.
"We were headed there any way." Lucian said.
"I guess we can't avoid him." Galen sighed.
They went to Route Four and found Colress. He was standing my some Crustle.
"These Crustle seem to have stopped moving. Normally one would have to use technology to get them to move, but you Aura users can use your Aura to move them." Colress looked at them. "As I cannot use Aura would you move them for me?"
"I guess." Lucian said.
Galen sighed.
They focused their Aura on the Crustle. They learned that the Crustle had stopped moving because they had run out of energy. They used their Aura to fill the Crustle with energy. The Crustle woke up and went on their way.
"Fascinating!" Colress exclaimed.
"Would you like to battle us?" Galen asked.
"I would, but you would only beat me. I have never gotten close to beating an Aura user yet. Besides, I'm a scientist, not a trainer. Plus I have a meeting in Driftveil, so I must be off."
They watched Colress leave. With that strange interaction out of the way they went to the Desert Resort so Lucian could catch more Pokémon. There he caught a Maractus. He named him Plant. In the Relic Castle he got a Sandile and named her Sand. They went to Route Five where Lucian caught a Trubbish and named him Poison. On Route Sixteen he found a Liepard ad named her Dark. In the Lostlorn Forest he got a Pinsir and named him Bug.
He deposited Bland, Boring and Worm in the PC and took out Sand, Poison and Bug. He spent a few days training. During training Sand evolved into Krokorok and Magnet evolved into Magneton. Once he felt ready he went to the gym.
"Another Reshkari wishes to fight me?" Elesa said. "You don't even look like a Knight."
"I may only be a Padawan, but I'm stronger than I look." Lucian said.
"We shall see about that. I hope you're ready to be shocked into submission!" Elesa sent out her Emolga.
"Sand Rock Tomb!" Lucian yelled. Sand came out, but was hit by Quick Attack. She shook it off and used Rock Tomb. Emolga attacked again. Sand used Rock Tomb, but Emolga dodged the attack. It used Quick Attack again. Sand used another Rock tomb. This time she made sure to crush the Emolga.
Flaaffy was next. Sand dove underground. She came back up with Dig and sent Flaaffy flying into the screen. It let out a scream of pain before falling to the ground. It stopped screaming after it hit the ground.
Zebstrika was Elesa's last Pokémon. It used Pursuit, but did little damage. Sand used Dig. She came up and sent Zebstrika flying. It hit the ceiling. It broke its neck on the way down.
"No!" Elesa yelled. "Why must I always lose to you Reshkari?"
She handed Lucian the Bolt Badge.
As he walked to the Pokémon Center Galen contacted him telepathically.
"LUCIAN! Get to the Route Five gate NOW!"
Lucian ran as fast as he could. When he got there Galen was locked in battle with Team Plasma. Without hesitation he sent out Bug. Bug used Dig to take out a Trubbish and Brick Break to take out a Watchog.
"Now I'll make you pay!" Galen shouted. He activated his blue sword. "I'll kill all of you for what you've done!" He brought down his sword only for it to be blocked.
"Huh? Lucian?! Why did you block me?!" Galen yelled.
"This isn't the Reshkari way." Lucian said.
"I don't care!" Galen pushed his friend to the ground. Lucian yelped. "What?" Galen looked and saw what he had done. "
Oh no. Lucian…" He deactivated his sword and went to his friend's side.
Team Plasma used this distraction to escape.
Galen helped his friend up. "I'm sorry. I just… I lost control."
"You were using the Dark Side." Lucian said.
Galen couldn't bear to look his friend in the eye. "I… I've been feeling this rage building within me for five years now. I thought I had it under control, but I guess I was wrong." He paused.
"It started that day. When I lost my master. The one who saved me from being taken by Team Plasma. Rham Kota. He and I were on a training mission when Ghetsis stopped us. He asked Master Kota to join him. He refused and attacked. Ghetsis killed him. There was nothing I could do but watch."
Lucian put his hand on his friend. Galen smiled. He was truly blessed to have a friend like Lucian.
"How did you escape again?" Lucian asked.
"Ghetsis just ignored me. He acted like I wasn't there." Galen sighed. "Part of me knows that Ghetsis only killed my master because he attacked first, but part of hates him anyway. Part of me is also glad that he ignored me, but part of me is offended. I just don't know what to do."
"Ser?" Leaf came out. He nuzzled Galen.
Galen's own Pokémon came out to comfort him.
"How did I get so lucky to find Pokémon like you?" He said as he patted his Pokémon on the head.
They spent the evening in the Pokémon Center. Galen used the opportunity to cool off. Lucian used it to meditate. When night came they fell into a dreamless sleep.