Thank you for reviewing the beginning.Since there really weren't any concerns I'll just get on with it.

Now the story begins, finally!

Chapter 01: My Apologies

... That was in the past.

Four weeks have passed since the events of that night and I've yet to decide on where to go from there. The thought of fleeing from this place completely repeatedly came to mind, but I could not bear it. To leave now would leave this chapter of my life incomplete. I would go on in this world forever without at least making amends. Though many would think my heart wicked for the crimes I committed in this world, I myself knew I was not a wicked creature.

No Pokemon was truly evil, after all.

Knowing this made me wonder just what happened that night that caused me to snap. If it was not wickedness in my heart that lead me to do it, then I knew not why things took a turn for the worst. It dawned upon me then that most of my knowledge of the world evolved around fighting. That was all my creators felt I needed to know, and in turn all that I thought I needed to study. I blindly followed the road laid out for me until now, but I would no longer.

I could not bear to tell mother about what transpired even though she might be the best source for answers. Mother easily forgave me for my past crimes, and she would forgive me this time without a doubt. That was not the problem. Seeing the disappointment in her eyes was.

It was my decision to look into the source of my problem myself, and there was only one way that I knew how to learn about new things. The human settlement to the north would be the primary resource for my research even if they did not store their information in the way I was accustomed to. There were only two functional computers in the entire kingdom; in the Pokemon Center and in the castle itself. They were over five years old, at least, and didn't have much in the way of information besides medial tasks. I wonder what kick these humans get out of torturing themselves through the lack of technology here.

The castle proved useful in some way, however, aside from the food and whatever supplies I could take from under the servant's noses. Their grand library was just as the name suggested: four floors of archived information in the eastern wing of the castle. Few humans actually came to view the information, surprisingly, so I was often able to pick a perch and read for hours without interruption.

Tonight was one of those nights. I had just cracked the surface when it came to the information that I needed. The book in question was a researcher's journal done by a human who was also a Pokemon Breeder. Handwriting suggested a female even though they only gave their last name in their report.

" Nine hundred and ninety three, A.H. " This article was written more than a thousand years ago. It had been well preserved. " I am writing about my experiences in the breeding pens today. Today I have received an rather large order to fill from the eastern kingdom: a hundred Nidoran Male bred to their exact specifications. The breeding partners chosen were my personal servant, a Nidoking named Charlie and Erin the Ditto from my last operation. Charlie has never been used in such a way before, but since it was such short notice I could not go out and capture another just for the purpose. "

" Charlie seemed reluctant to breed with Erin, suggesting that he did indeed have some preference in his mate. The other breeders called me silly for thinking such a thing and insisted that if the breeding partners' species were compatible then they will breed. Traditional breeding books stated that Pokemon did not have feelings as humans did, but I observed the truth today. Charlie simply refused to breed with Erin no matter what I and the other breeders in the area tried. It was an hour after noon that we gave up in our efforts and allowed the Pokemon to return to their duties. Charlie ran off immediately, possibly distraught, and I stopped my operations immediately to go look for him. "

" I found my Charlie in a cave nearby with a wild Nidoqueen. The Nidoqueen had recently given birth to a litter of males and females, and thus they were both protective of that cave. I managed to lure Charlie out to speak to him alone, and he confirmed that the Nidoqueen was his mate and he fathered her litter. Charlie had not followed my orders because he loved his mate, I believe, and out of respect for him and his new family I would not force him to - "

There someone there. I snapped the book shut, clutching my fist until I remembered the last time I had done that. Shudder. The book would be placed back on the shelf shortly before I left my perch to look for the source of the disturbance. It was not coming from the library, thankfully. My search took me to one of the large arched windows where I could clearly see two figures walking in the gardens outside.

The taller one was definitely a human; a slender female who wore a formal flowing dress. " Thank you for your services around the castle, once again. I just wish there was more that I could do for you. " Their words could not be picked up from such a distance by typical ears, but I was not using my ears to listen.

" I take only what I need to survive. " I immediately stopped fiddling with the window when I heard that voice. There was no way that I could mistake his deadpan voice for another. Lucario was the other, much smaller, shadow who now leaned against the railing of the footbridge overlooking the castle's elaborate fountain. " Thank you, m'lady. "

This was the first time I had seen Lucario since the incident. He seemed to be downcast the first time I encountered him, but now he simply looked ... depressed. It was bad when the humans could easily sense it, too.

I felt myself tense when the human placed her hand on Lucario's shoulder. " Lucario ... " She began, a frown spreading across her glossed lips. " I have become concerned with your behavior these past few weeks. Is there something troubling you? "

" It is nothing you need to concern yourself about. " I did not expect the fighter to tell the woman about his plight. He gently brushed her hand off his shoulder with a paw as he turned to her. " I just have a lot of things clouding my thought at the moment. "

The woman smiled to mask her disappointment. " Maybe you should spend some time away, to clear your mind. " She explained her methods before the protest. " If your mind is not clear then you cannot tap into the power in your heart, you know. "

Lucario looked toward his paws. " I do not wish to leave my duties. "

" I insist that you do. " Slowly, she lowered herself so she'd be level with him. It was a gesture so she could look into his eyes. " Lucario, I know that you are not happy here. I know that this castle invokes terrible memories in you. I know ... " The woman clutched the staff she held in her hands protectively. " That you really do not enjoy serving me, and are only doing so because I remind you of my ancestor. It is because of this that I ... am officially releasing you from your duties. I wish for you to be happy, and you can no longer find happiness here. "

The fighter could say nothing before being handed the crystal staff she held, and turning away from him. " Farewell, my friend. " She quickly made her way back into the building, leaving Lucario alone to his thoughts. Judging by the shock on his face that was not the best decision.

I ... had never felt so guilty. I knew that I was the cause of Lucario's recent depression, and that lead to him being put out of what was possibly the only home that he had. The gods above only know how long this Pokemon has lived here; where would he go now? The world outside of this kingdom would not be kind to him. There was little doubt that some selfish human would snatch him up in his time of weakness and abuse his powers.

That ... I could not allow to happen. I approached him without thinking of the consequences. I found my way outside through the use of teleportation, and appeared behind him hovering over the edge of the water.

The other Pokemon jumped as he turned to face me, his eyes widening. " You ... " He held the staff against his chest as if it would protect him. " I don't care if I lost or not; I will not allow you to have your way with me! " Lucario snarled at me. It was the first time that I saw such a thing.

His reaction was expected, but I predicted that my response would not be quite what he expected. I did not stop in my approach just because he threatened me. Figured he might be too shell shocked to do anything but defend after their last encounter. I kept a respectable distance by landing on the railing on the opposite side of the bridge, looking at him with a frown. " I am sorry, Lucario. " I could feel a significant weight being lifted already. " I only troubled you because I wished to know more about your powers. I did not mean to ... hurt you. "

The skeptical look that he gave me said it all; he did not believe me. I did not expect Lucario to ever forgive me for what happened, but I did at least want him to accept my apology. His eyes narrowed slightly, and ultimately he looked down at his staff. " You wish to know more about the wave, correct? " He sighed. " I ... will teach you all that I know about the wave, but you must promise me that you will leave this place when our training is complete. Though I myself am not a knight I still adhere to their code, and it is expected for anyone who wishes to learn the wave to do the same. Your word is binding. Those who do not hold it will face a fate worst than death. "

It was a move that left me in temporary shock. I had to wonder why he would do something that he obviously did not want to do, but I would not question it for now. " I accept your terms, Lucario. You have my word that I will leave this kingdom when our training is complete. " There was little that I could offer him in return but my word.

Lucario raised his head just enough to look at my face. " The training will begin at dawn. You are required to stay close to me throughout. " He wrapped his paw around the staff and threw it over one shoulder, turning to leave the garden of the castle he no longer protected. " Follow ... in front of me. " He quickly corrected himself. " I will tell you where to go with my thoughts. "

I could understand his concerns about me following behind him, but the way the Pokemon stammered as he corrected himself made me feel warmth. His embarrassment was obvious. I would not call him out on it, though. " Thank you. " There was no problem in leading. I simply hovered above his head until he got his bearings and ran. I tried to distance myself from him to keep from feeling the tension of his aura.

Fearful that my primal instincts might take hold again.

To be Continued ...