Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon or anything of familiarity.

A/N: Just wanted to say thanks for all of the support thus far.I really appreciate it! Special thanks to everyone who reviewed, favorited or followed!( was going to respond to each individual,but didn't want to stretch this too long.) I do have a poll up,mainly for curiosity, if I do include romance who do you want it to be?

Enough babbling, enjoy!

II.

Ashlyn sat stewing in quiet contemplation over the possibilities of who her new friend was going to be, watching the motionless egg with burning eyes. Delia thought it was just adorable, the look of intense focus oddly similar to her fathers when he was in the midst of a difficult battle or trying to win back his earnings in a heated game of poker;a habit he swears he's dropped for the most part since having a child. Delia having decided to take his word for it after the time Ashlyn ended up sneaking out after him, curious and woefully ignorant of what the adults do in their free time.

Delia could still recall when she first mentioned to Grimsley about Ashlyn wanting to become a pokemon trainer – master, as Ashlyn kept insisting. Her husband regarding her with a certain look, not angry or sorrowful, but more...curious than anything else.

"Did she happen to say why?"

"Well, yes and no, she says she wants to be the greatest Pokemon Master. I think she wants to be more like you, she watches you whenever you're on the TV after all. "

Grimsley just gave her a small look of astonishment at that before being interrupted when a challenger came by. He cut the call after wishing her and Ashlyn the best and sending his love as always, and of course promising to stop by as soon as possible.

Just as she was debating trying to get ahold of him again, to make sure things were going smoothly and that he was at least still flying in for Ashlyn's birthday next week, she heard the phone ring. She immediately got up from the couch to go and answer it, hitting the audio-only button at first. "Hello, Ketchum residence. This is Delia Ketchum speaking…."

"Delia, how are you?" A smile broke out across her face, hitting the button to change it to an audio-visual call.

"Riley!" Delia exclaimed, instantly beaming. The face on the screen smiled back, his serene cobalt eyes shining with fondness watching her pull up a chair to sit on while she talked. "How's Sinnoh? Is Byron still badgering you to become a gym leader?" She asked with a laugh, recalling how insistent the Bastiodon-enthusiast was over her cousin's skill.

Riley gave a sheepish laugh and she flashed him a sympathetic smile. "Sinnoh's been good, thank you. Byron is, um...'adamant' still, yes, but he did agree to give the position to his son when I suggested it. Hopefully it'll get him off my back for awhile." he removed his hat, seeming to sag in his seat. "Honestly things have gotten a bit more hectic than I reckoned out here..."

"Oh, why's that? Has something happened?" Delia inquired.

Before he could begin to answer, two new faces invaded the screen; each sporting the same large, oval red eyes and black-mask faces with blue around them. Small little pointed ears on either side of their heads, one far shorter than the other.

"Lu! Lucario!"

"Rio?"

"Oh Lucario, so nice to see you again. And you've picked up another Riolu as well? How nice." Delia remarked, smiling at the two pokemon in greeting. She gave a little wave that both pokemon were glad to return.

"Aren't you two supposed to be helping the newcomers?" Riley chided lightly. A mirthful stare fixed on the two pokemon when they stiffened, sparring each other a quick glance before racing off to do as they were told. "...that's what I thought." Riley added once they were gone, turning back to see Delia's confused stare.

"Newcomers….?" She repeated, curious.

"Yes. Iron Island has become more of a habitat for pokemon than the last time you visited. Recently there has been an influx of pokemon that may have been the victims of abuse at their former trainer's hands." He commented solemnly, resting his chin on folded hands. Delia let out a gasp. "It's difficult to say for sure, but I can see it in their auras – the fluctuations of despair, abandonment and even hostility – especially when approached by people. On more than one occasion, I've had to have Lucario be the one to try and keep them civil to one another."

"Those poor dears. Oh I hope they'll be okay." Delia said softly, a pang of guilt going through her for the actions of another human being.

Riley nodded along with her statement, feeling the same remorse for the aforementioned pokemon. "Yes, though I'd like to think there are indeed far more who actually care for pokemon. There are still a great deal who do not, suffice to say it is a hurdle they themselves must work to overcome." His brow furrowed for a moment, as though recalling something of significance.

"Delia, I was wondering if I might ask a...curiosity question, if you will allow it?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Have you kept in touch with your contacts over in Johto?" Riley questioned, leaning back and folding his arms. His gaze was one of deep thought.

"You mean Pryce?" She responded. A bit surprised by the sudden curiosity brewing in his eyes, seeing her cousin nod. She had gone to Johto a long time ago in order to study pokemon at the infamous Lake of Rage that was situated near Mahogany town, and the Gym leader, Pryce, had been kind enough to ensure no harm befell her during her stay. During her time they would talk over various things, getting to know one another, and eventually established a friendship of sorts resulting in the exchange of numbers.

"Yes, he and I still keep in touch. I actually invited him to come out for Ashlyn's birthday next week." Delia commented with a tender smile. "She loves playing with his Piloswine after all, despite her strange tendency of sticking things up its nose..." Delia added as an afterthought.

"Hard to believe she's already turning nine." Riley said. "Seems only yesterday you called saying you had gotten pregnant. Then of course was the time you and Grimsley thought his Pawniard had accidentally chopped off one of her fingers." He laughed at the recollection, Delia's face burning brighter with each recount of events. "Or the time she stowed away so she could watch Grimsley battle for the first time, and got scared when she saw Bisharp."

"Yes, I remember," Delia said with a warm smile on her face "it was also when she met the rest of his associates for the first time. They heard the crying and had to stop the match so Grimsley could comfort her, poor Bisharp tried to help too, but Ashlyn would only end up crying harder whenever he came too close." She would never forget the look of contentment on her daughter's face when she was finally able to come and pick her up, seeing her snuggled up in her father's arms the way she had been.

"That girl really does love her father." Riley stated, a soft-spoken smile on his face.

"Yeah, oh! You were saying, um, about Johto?" Delia said trying to get the conversation back on track. Riley blinked, the fondness disappearing in favor of a more thoughtful, almost pensive stare. "Did something...happen there?"

"During my travels I came across a boy." Riley stated, looking her in the eye eyes. "Delia, his aura – it wasn't normal. I think he may have been touched by an especially powerful pokemon at some point of his young life. "

"You mean, like one of the ones spoken of in legends?" Delia muttered, a little shocked at her cousin's words. Being the descendants of Sir Aaron, she had grown up hearing quite a bit about certain pokemon that were viewed by others as the stuff of legends, their appearances rare and few throughout the course of history. Some were never seen at all, or so they say. "But how is that possible?"

"I don't know for absolute certain. I chanced upon him during my trek through what is known as the Ilex Forest. It was such a peculiar sight too, almost like...he could communicate with the pokemon." Riley stated in puzzlement, holding his chin thinking on his own words for a while longer. "There were inhabitants of the forest I'm sure, but they did not appear at all threatened by his presence. What's more they seemed almost...soothed by him, he was whistling some kind of tune or such."

"He was whistling?" Delia pondered this, the fleeting thought that she had heard this tale somewhere before growing in the back of her mind. "And it was soothing the pokemon? That is strange."

"I wonder what it could mean?"

Riley shook his head. "I don't know." He admitted, still appearing a bit bothered by the strange occurrence before choosing to tuck it away to a distant corner of his mind for now. "That aside however, there was another reason for my calling you…."

Meanwhile, back in the living room, Ashlyn was still staring at her egg. Only now she had a book propped up on her lap, aimlessly flipping through it's pages in an attempt not to drive herself mad with boredom. It was an old book of Fairytales her mother had kept with her, saying she got it from her homeland – someplace that started with a C. - Cameron, or whatever.

"Oh youth, guided by the servant of the Original One, quell matter and spirit, and shine hope onto the land once more.

Oh youth, show the one blessed with the blood of old the way to the highest altar… and before you a new path shall open, and a heavenly melody you shall hear."

Ashlyn looked at the picture below the solid gold text scrawled on top of the pages. She didn't really understand what it was supposed to be referencing, this specific fairy tale being one of the few her mother hadn't read to her. Her brows pinching together in a show of confusion, "is that a Mareep?" She said aloud, just as her mother came back into the room.

Shrugging she flipped the page onto the next story, already pushing the previous one form her mind. "Oh, here's a fun one!" She put the book down, looking at the colorful artistry on the pages with childish wonder. "Mom says it's about a pokemon called Zekrom."

She turned the book, propping herself up on her elbows leaning closer to the egg.

"Dad read it to me once…" She commented softly, recalling the time she had snuck with him into the Elite Four building. At first she was disappointed in herself, crying at the first sign of a pokemon battle, but a small part of her deemed it a worthwhile experience in the end when her father was spending time with her.

He told her tales of Unova's legends, mentioning myths surrounding what some called the 'Tao Trio' consisting of three dragons, two of which were once the same dragon; Zekrom and Reshiram. He said there was a third, but that a large majority had forgotten about it, so it went into hiding rarely being seen or heard from again.

The picture of Zekrom was one of him showing off his raw power amidst an endless torrent of rain and lightning, in contrast to the more elegant looking white dragon Reshiram who appeared to be dancing within the flames swirling around its white body. The beautiful imagery catching everything from the creatures powerful, piercing gaze to the contrast of the sparks of electricity going along its body. The top of the page read 'Truth & Ideals Clash'.

"Zekrom looks so cool." Ashlyn muttered in awe.

"Ashlyn, sweetie, what are you doing?" Delia asked.

"Reading to my egg." She answered back, matter – of – factly, turning the page. "Figured if bedtime stories make people go to sleep faster, then when told in reverse should wake them up. Pretty smart, huh?"

Delia gave her daughter a slightly befuddled look, smiling all the same. "Sweetie, I don't think that's how it works..."

"Really? Dang it." Ashlyn muttered, heaving a sigh of her own while she placed the book on the table. Her posture deflating a little.

"Maybe Professor Oak will have something to help?" Ashlyn said aloud, hopping off her seat and bringing her egg along with her as she headed for the door. "Mom, can I go and ask him?"

"Hold on Ashlyn, I'll go with you. It's dangerous to go wandering alone." Delia called.

"Hey mom?" Ashlyn said, tilting her head once they were both standing by the door. A curious gleam in her eyes as they stepped outside, walking at a leisurely pace. Ashlyn's mind drifting back to the book of stories and myths she was reading through.

"What is it honey?"

"Do you think I'll be able to see any legendary pokemon when I go on my journey?"

Delia smiled down at her daughter, a small flicker of worry swelling up at the thought. The more vicious looking ones coming to the forefront of Delia's mind as she walked, ones known for having a more vicious temperament when it came humans or even just a more intimidating presence - ones like Zekrom, Raikou, or even Moltres. - each powerful in their own right. And each rarely seen.

"You just might." Delia said, hiding her worry. She didn't like her daughter seeking out possible danger, but at the same time she trusted her daughter to come back should things go awry. "Though keep in mind, they might not be too keen on visitors." She chided lightly.

"I wanna meet that red one!" Ashly proclaimed excitedly. Stars in her eyes.

"Oh, you mean Moltres?" Delia commented with a tilt of her head.

"No, the other one."

Delia blinked, confused. "Ho-oh?"

Ashlyn shook her head.

"Which one are you talking about honey?"

"I couldn't pronounce the name. I think the story said it was from that Kalos place or whatever - it started with a Y." Delia's smile faltered a bit, knowing exactly which pokemon her daughter was referring to; Yveltal, the destruction pokemon.

"It looked so cool, like this big giant, dark bird-like thing!" Ashlyn rattled on, eyes growing wider with excitement remembering the huge expanse of its wings and the mystic blue glow of its eyes on the page. "It was like a dragon, no wait- it was cooler than that, hmmm."

"Hey mom, how come you look so pale?"

~/~

"Well, this is a surprise."

Azure eyes flicked upwards, welcoming the person with an inquiring gaze. The book in his hand folding shut before he placed it on the black leather couch beside him, a devilish grin lighting his face in the warm afterglow of the chandelier hanging overhead.

"Shauntal, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He said, ever polite. Noticing her signature pink pen and notebook in hand. "If it's inspiration you are seeking, might I suggest another stroll around Undella Town?"

"Tempting, but no." Shauntal responded rather quickly, her lips quirking some while regarding Grimsley with a rather dark foreboding glint in her eye that usually spelled trouble for whomever was in the bookworms sights. "Word on the grapevine's you're heading to Kanto for a mini vacation."

Grimsley would have scoffed, years of perfecting his mask stopping him from doing so. Instead his smile widened, becoming a tad more bewitching in Shauntal's opinion; the perfect combination to go with his sharp azure eyes which turned half-lidded to convey his boredom with the topic at hand. Shauntal felt, at times, like a schoolgirl in his presence – too often had she used her notebook to mask the rosy hue of her cheeks from him – even though she knew nothing would ever happen between them.

'He would never stoop so low. Besides, he's head over heels for Delia.' Shauntal thought, recalling the way a part of her ached when she had first heard the news of Grimsley's proposal. She knew right away the ring wasn't meant for her, having been asked to go with along with Caitlyn to pick it out.

"I would have thought gossiping to be beneath you Shauntal, especially after what happened last time." Shauntals entire face turned a bright tomato red at the reminder. "Ah no need to fret however, as I was merely joking. If you truly must know," he said in a voice like silk. "It's little Ashlyn's birthday, and well stopping by for only a day or so hardly seems the right course of action. So I've requested a bit longer than normal."

"Oh yeah, how did she like her last birthday present?" Shauntal inquired, her eyes focused down onto her lap where she was scribbling away into her notebook feeling a sudden burst of inspiration hit her. "Uh, what did you say you got her?"

"I sent her that egg, remember?"

Shauntal blinked. Her hand pausing in its various scribbles and elegant scrawl, looking back up in astonishment. "Egg? What, the one that dancer lady gave you?"

Grimsley arched a brow at his associate. "She was a Kimono girl, Shauntal. I believe they have some in the Johto region, in the town of Ecruteak." He added.

"Yeah, I know that." She insisted, her eyes lighting up with wonder. "That place is like, totally amazing! The old timely feel of the architecture, the atmosphere, the history, it's like a well of inspiration!" Grimsley stared at her in bemusement from the corner of his eye, watching her fantasize over everything; from the architecture to the old remains of the Burnt Tower they kept around, where she claimed to have once caught a Gastly.

"Why not stop by there for a visit then?" Grimsley questioned, curious.

"Hey now, don't change the subject!" Shauntal said, snapping out of her reverie with a huff. Grimsley gave a small lazy shrug of the shoulders, still smiling some. A bubble of laughter spilling out from slightly parted lips.

"Anyway, as I was originally saying," Shauntal began with a more pointed look on her face "it's a surprise seeing you lounging about here when you have better things to do such as buying a plane ticket, or making sure you have the perfect gift ready to give Ashlyn."

"Shauntal, while I appreciate your concern, I already have a gift." Grimsley said in a calm tone, losing his smile for once. "And you know transportation, for me, isn't an issue." He rested his chin on the palm of his hand, drumming his fingers against his thigh in boredom.

Silence settled between them, in which Shauntal shifted a bit in her seat. Grimsley caught the hesitation lingering in those large oval eyes of hers. "Shauntal, why did you come here? I doubt it was just to ask questions which you already knew the answers to."

Shauntals small blush returned, and she reached for something she kept carefully tucked away in her back pocket. "Well, see...the mail came and I, uh-"

Grimsley blinked, confusion etched into his features for a moment, staring at the clear white envelope she held out in front of him. He took it, not understanding what made it so important she thought he'd want it personally delivered to him. He easily split open the seal on the back, removing the folded up parchment paper inside.

Shauntal watched his eyes quickly scan over the contents of the letter, hearing him curse a moment later.

"Shauntal, could you please just...give me a moment?" He said, a breath of frustration spilling out while he held the bridge of his nose. "I need to make a quick call."

"Right." She answered quietly, closing her notebook and making a beeline for the door. "I-If you, you know, need anything...I-I'll just be in my room."

Grimsley watched her leave, the large double doors shutting behind her with a loud clank! Leaving him alone to his suddenly jumbled thoughts, moving up and off the couch towards the phone. The feeling of lead in his chest as his fingers dialed the number, listening for the ring.

His eyes fell to the letter he was still holding.

~/~

Ashlyn blinked, swearing she saw her necklace glow for a moment just before hearing the front door of Professor Oak's house swing open. She smiled, at first, opening her mouth to greet the kind Professor-

"Well, well. If it isn't little Ashleen?"

Sparks flew out of her eyes. She could feel her teeth grinding together.

"It's Ashlyn, Gary, and at least I don't smell worse than a Koffing!" She yelled back, being sure to hold her egg at arms length while she and Oak's grandson stood toe to toe, their faces pressed together while they continued exchanging insults to one another. The two adults sharing in a much more civilized conversation.

"Delia, it's good to see you." Oak said, choosing to ignore how his grandson had started pinching the woman's daughter in frustration when she gave him her infamous impression of a Lickitung and spat saliva on his face. "And I see little Ashlyn is still on 'Egg Watch' patrol, hm?" He commented with a warm smile.

"Oh yes, actually that's part of the reason we've come. Ashlyn was wondering if-"

Before she could go further, a loud crack caught both the adults attention, as well as the attention of the two squabbling children.

"Aaah! You broke my egg, you- you stupid head!" Ashlyn yelled.

"N-no I didn't!" Gary insisted vehemently as a bright light enveloped the egg.

When it faded away, a puff of silver fur was left in its place, curled into a ball.

"Oh my, what-…" Delia began to say, her and Oak leaning to get a closer look when a long pointed ear popped up, followed by another. The two blinked, gazing into large, brown round eyes.

"Eev? Eevee?"

Ashlyn stared, numb with shock when the small little bushy-tailed pokemon unfurled completely in her arms, it's gaze swerving to meet hers. The fur collar going around its neck tinged the slightest shade blue, almost reminiscent of her father's eyes.

"It's my…it's my pokemon." Ashlyn muttered softly.

"Eevee!" The small little creature seemed to perk up, leaning forward to sniff at her a bit, deciding it was safe to lick her cheek. "Eev, eevee!" It cried happily.

Slowly, a smile spread across Ashlyn's face, starting to dance around joyously. "A pokemon, I got an actual pokemon!"

Professor Oak watched the two kids and pokemon while standing beside Delia, a curious look in his eyes.

While Ashlyn was busy cheering, Gary throwing the occasional snide remark her way to calm her back down."That Eevee appears to have a different pigmentation than most Eevee I've seen." Oak remarked Delia turned to meet his inquiring gaze, seeing him holding his chin in thought. "I know I've asked this, but I am curious….where did Grimsley say he got the egg from?"

Somewhere in the region of a Johto, in the town of Ecruteak, one of five lovely Kimono girls sneezed suddenly; right in the middle of their usual performance.

"Zuki, are you alright?" One of the surrounding girls asked, concerned. "I hope you aren't coming down with a cold."

"Perhaps she is still worn out from her flight in from the Unova region?" Another suggested.

The one called Zuki only smiled, waving off their concern. "I'm fine, truly."

Back in Kanto,Professor Oak and the others were now inside. All gathered around the strange silver-furred Eevee.

"The good news,Ashlyn, is that your newborn Eevee is perfectly healthy. It appears to be a male." Oak finished saying, the little girl peering over the edge of the table at the bushy-tailed pokemon.

"Would you like to give your Eevee a nickname Ashlyn?" The Professor questioned.

"Yes!" Ashlyn said quickly, an almost determined glint entering her eyes. Her brows furrowed together, humming thoughtfully while tugging on her dear mother's sleeve, whispering. "What should I name him?"

Gary and Oak did a small face-fall, with Gary being the first to recover.

"What's wrong with you? You can't have someone else name your pokemon!" He scolded, crossing his arms with a huff of exasperation. His eyes turning half-lidded, smirking a bit. "Unless you're too dumb to come up with a nickname, in which case I'll be more than glad to-"

"No!" Ashlyn cut off, glaring. "I have a nickname!"

With that she turned back towards Eevee, seeing his tail swish back and forth expectantly.

"I….uh….." Ashlyn nervously twisted the hem of her shirt, not expecting to have to make such a big -at least in her mind it was!- decision so soon. Still, she wanted to wipe the stupid smug grin off of Gary's face, so she had to come up with a really cool and unique nickname.

Wracking her brain for anything that might come in handy, a certain memory popped into mind.

"Orion."

Three pairs of eyes blinked simultaneously, only one of which softening with realization.

"Wow...you suck at names…" Gary said in a flat tone.

"Quiet you!" Ashlyn snapped, pressing her face into his with sparks flying out again. "Orion's an awesome name! You're just jealous."

Professor Oak sighed, shaking his head a bit at his grandsons antics turning to speak to Delia. "All in all, I do believe it's just as fine a name as any. Eevee seems to like it well enough." The woman followed his gaze back to the little furry creature perched on the table, nodding its head in a show of approval.

"Eev! Eevee!"

"Ha! Hear that Gary, Eevee likes it too!" Ashlyn chirped, masking her relief with a boisterous tone.

"Figures your pokemon would share in your weird taste."

The sound of chomping teeth followed his comment.

"OW! It just bit me…"

"Hmm must not like jerkfaces."

The two started up, exchanging insults again. Eevee hopping back onto the table where it then jumped up into Delia's arms causing Professor Oak to chuckle a moment. "Sassy little thing, isn't it?"

Delia nodded. Eevee letting out a small little yawn of contentment before lulling itself off to sleep.

~/~

"Once upon a time, in a place called Cameron, a boy was born.

One with a great love for all pokemon, no matter how big or how small, regardless of how weak or how strong..."

The words were spoken in a gentle whisper over the soft tune of a whistle – a lullaby – with serene brown eyes glancing towards the other person in the room with them; a boy, eyes the color of the greenest fields and hair the shade of tea leaves sat up against the wall. On either side of him was curled a pokemon, more than one actually, and some of which had visible bruises on them.

Still, the boy smiled, continuing to whistle softly while petting the hurt pokemon next to him.

One of the more timid ones – a Growlithe with a blackened eye, and visible rib cage – shyly crept closer, feeling more at ease from the small child's welcoming, warm gaze. He licked the boy's cheek causing him to giggle before settling himself against his side.

"I'm sorry." The boy whispered, running gentle fingers through the poor pokemon's mane. " For what you must have gone through, I promise to get stronger, so that way something like this," the pokemon all looked at him with innocent eyes "won't ever happen to any of you again. I swear it."

From where she sat on the corner of the bed, the one with brown eyes and blonde hair cleared her throat calling for their attention. Not wanting to shout as some of the pokemon didn't like it, and tended to get scared rather easily.

"N," She began in the softest voice possible "don't you and your friends wish to hear the rest of the story? It is your favorite after all."

"Daruu! Darumaka?"

A small little pokemon, red in color and with an orange face and yellow curly eyebrow, cried out happily. It's three digit paws pressing on N' s cheek in a show of excitement. N didn't mind, so long as his friends felt safe and happy.

"Am I like Sir Aaron?" N repeated curiously, his cheeks flushing the barest shade of pink at such a comparison. "W-well I don't think I'd go that far. He was a real hero after all, thanks to him thousands of pokemon were spared from pointless bloodshed, he even went so far as sacrificing himself for his own partners." N surmised, smiling warmly. "If more people were like him though, then I guess it would certainly be a better thing overall right?"

All the pokemon voiced their agreement.

Their momentary peace was broken by a sudden knock at the door. Swinging open a moment later to reveal a girl with soft pink carnation hair and darker shaded pink eyes; Anthea, N and Concordia's sister. "Concordia, sister, Ghetsis wishes to speak with us for a moment." She said, addressing the blonde while sparring N an apologetic look.

Concordia seemed to pause for a moment glancing down towards the book in her lap and the disappointed faces of the pokemon, when N spoke up. "No need to worry. You should go see what father wants. I can take over reading." N announced, earning a cheer from the surrounding pokemon.

His sister smiled, nodding and rising from her spot on the bed. She carefully handed him the weathered book, before turning to take her leave. The two girls waving goodbye to N for now.

And just like that, N was alone again. Only his pokemon friends by his side, though a part of him thought it better that way.

'Unlike most people nowadays, at least pokemon don't lie.' N thought opening the book once more to where his sister left off. One by one, his pokemon friends surrounded him again, boxing him in on all sides. One of the bolder ones piping up suddenly.

"N, can you...whistle again? The lullaby I mean." Asked a small little black and red pokemon, Zorua.

N blinked, offering a tender smile before nodding. "Sure. Of course."

Drawing in a deep breath, the green-haired boy began to whistle a soft, melodious tune. It seemed to soothe the surrounding pokemon greatly, allowing them to relax against him more. Listening while he recited soft, meaningful words that resonated in the empty room.

Please review.

Question: Who do you think should be the first legendary Ashlyn encounters?