School is starting again DX and I probably won't be able to write as much since its my senior year in high school haha. Don't get too upset if I don't update as often. I don't own Pokemon, just the characters and the names.

Note: Thoughts are in itallics.

Chapter 5: Formulating a Plan

Become the legend you were born to be.

Lune's mind soon became conscious once again. He didn't know where he was, who he was with or how much time had passed. After that strange dream of encountering the shadow from his childhood, he was almost eager to be lost in darkness once more. That much he did know. The Umbreon tried to move, but his limbs felt like lead and every inch of him was sore. All of the strength he could muster was used to open his eyelids. It felt like shoving a boulder up a steep hill. Lune's ruby red eyes illuminated in the setting sun, catching the last flicker of golden light.

He sat upright with a little bit of difficulty. The Umbreon was laying on his stomach and he looked around, confused and dazed with where he was. He inhaled deeply and realized the air was thick with the smell of bark and leaves, unlike his home in the Valley where it constantly smelled of flowers and fresh water.

Lune heard a faint rustle in the nearby wedge of bushes in front of him and his muscles immediately tensed. He gave off a small growl in an attempt to frighten the unknown being, but the rustling continued to get louder, and Lune prepared himself for the worst. The Umbreon tried to stand up, but he felt weak in the knees. After about three seconds of wobbling his legs buckled underneath him and he collapsed in a heap onto the dirt. He cursed at himself for not being able to stand. The determined Pokemon knew even if he couldn't stay upright, he wasn't going down without a fight.

"No Lune! You can't move yet! Your still hurt!" cried a young Pikachu. Lune perked his ears as his eyes opened wide in shock and relief as he saw his old friend emerge from the suspicious set of bushes. Bolt ran over to his injured companion and wrapped his tiny arms as far as they could go around the Dark Pokemon's neck. "Now that's the Bolt I know", said Lune with a slight laugh

"I was so worried you would never wake up! Your injuries were so severe...I..I feared the worst had already come." Bolt released his small grip and let his arms drop to his side. His head hung low and Lune could see tiny tears stain the dirt in front of the Pikachu. Lune chuckled and said to his friend, "Hey, come on now. I thought you were supposed to be the tough guy out of the two of us. It's going to take a lot more than a couple of scratches to keep me down."

"Yeah I suppose so." chuckled Bolt as he wiped away a stray tear from his eye while grinning at his friend. "Speaking of which, I'm surprised at how fast your injuries have healed up. It's impressive and kinda freaky at the same time.""Now that's the Bolt I know", said Lune with a slight laugh. The Umbreon looked over his shoulder and saw nothing more than three pale white jagged lines crawling up at his torso. The wounds were closed and looked almost completely healed. "I'm suprised too. I mean, I'm not an expert medic or anything so how could have I healed up so fast?" questioned Lune.

"Well for one thing you should be grateful for it. That extreme healing probably saved your life."

Lune's eyes widened in shock as he heard an unknown voice ring out from behind him. He turned around to see a Lucario emerge from the shadows of the nearby cluster of trees. The Umbreon bared his fangs at the appearance of the strange Pokemon, but Bolt suddenly stepped in front of him with his arms spread out in front of him.

"Lune wait! Wait! This is Riley! He is a Lucario who helped you and I get to where we are now! I know it seems hard to believe but you have to! He is a good Pokemon!" shouted Bolt. Lune glared at him and then at Riley. After a few moments of silence he returned his gaze to the Pikachu, Lune could see that he was telling the truth, and he trusted his friend without a doubt.

The Dark Pokemon relaxed his jaws so his fangs weren't showing anymore as Riley stepped out of the forest and into the small clearing where the group had settled. The Lucario smiled slightly and said, "I'm sorry for startling you. I know the both of you don't know me all that well. But please, I think I have some answers as to what's been happening to you, and why your friends were kidnapped by that flying beast of a Pokemon. I ask that you let me explain in full detail of what I may know now. In return you may ask me any question you have, and I'll do my best to help. Is that a deal?".

Bolt and Lune looked at each other for a moment then silently nodded their heads. The Pikachu went and sat down next to his friend as Riley began to make a small fire for warmth and comfort. Lune then said in a voice barely above a whisper, "Tell us everything and anything you know."

Riley sat down on the opposite edge of the fire and nodded in approval.

"Where to begin is the real question. Well for starters, Lune you probably want to be up to speed with what's happened so far. I went running through your valley for some training, and I came upon you and Bolt in a battle scarred area. I can sense aura you see, and although Bolt was hurt, you were close to dying. I asked for the immediate trust of Bolt so that I could take you somewhere to be healed. We then set a course to traverse over the mountain, and we were soon attacked by that Aerodactyl again. We defeated it together and then continued on.

Soon after however, we had to stop again. I had begun to sense an unusual aura working its way through you. All Pokemon have different auras, and I could sense that you had two auras inside of you. After noticing this, your wounds began to glow this soft blue light, and it looked like water was forming over the deep cuts, even though we weren't near any water source. I don't know how it happened or why, but your wounds closed up and now they look like simple white lines on the sides of your body. And now we are here."

Bolt and Lune looked at each other for a moment and then focused their attention on Riley. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"As for me, I'm not a wild Lucario. I belong to a special group of people and Pokemon known as Silver Riders. I've come to know that we've been researching about a man named Markus Staffon."

Lune cringed at the mention of the man's name, but Riley continued on.

"He is a shady character who is known for his kidnapping of and experimentation on countless numbers of Pokemon. He is also known to have a keen lust for one specific type of Pokemon. Mainly the legendary Pokemon to be exact. We don't know when or why he became obsessed with such powerful beings as the legendaries, but I can assure you it's nothing good. They are powerful creatures that exist to keep the world in balance. If he wants to tangle with them it could be catastrophic on many levels.

I wasn't in your Valley to simply train yesterday. I'm actually on a mission to infiltrate Markus's headquarters and figure out his ultimate goal. I noticed that Aerodactyl aren't common Pokemon in these parts, or anywhere near here for that matter. Whats more he wasn't aiming to kill you two, but simply capture you. I think that this Pokemon may be working for Markus, and if that's the case then we might be able to figure out where his base is."

Riley changed his gaze to Lune. "Lune, he wanted you specifically. Do you know of the man I speak of?" The Umbreon growled and then looked at the dirt. He spoke with a dark tone in his voice and said, "That man...He held me and my younger sister prisoner there for as far back as I can remember. We escaped about five years ago, but all I can say is that our time there...there aren't words to describe the pain and terror we experienced there. All I wanted was for my little sister to have a happy life. Instead...she was given a life without a mother...or a father, and without any hope, and especially without a choice. I thought that after we had escaped...she could live life in a peaceful way. But now... she's been forced to go back against her will again, along with someone else I care for..."

Lune bared his fangs and gritted his teeth together. "And it's all my fault."

Riley nodded at Lune's strong words and then continued, "This could prove to be useful to us though. Since Markus is targeting Lune, we could use that knowledge to find his hideout, rescue your sister and your other friend and figure out what he is up to."

Bolt got a puzzled look on his face. "How exactly do we do all of this?" questioned the Pikachu. Riley got a serious look on his face and then looked at Lune straight in the eyes. "I can assure you that since that Aerodactyl failed to capture you Lune, I'm almost positive they're going to try again. You're their main target after all. Which is why this plan will most certainly work if we want to accomplish our objectives. The next time we encounter Markus's forces, we cannot win. The three of us must allow ourselves to be captured."

Lune got a hard look set in his ruby red eyes as Bolt's eye widened in surprise. "What do you mean? Why would we allow that to happen? That's way too big of a risk even if it's to save Jade and Alex! Why would you suggest such a thing?" shouted Bolt.

Riley growled and said, "I can't tell you that. I don't know what the enemy has in store. They might have methods to get information from you two. I need them to be oblivious to our actions for as long as possible. By telling you my plan in full I run the risk of getting everyone killed here. Please try to understand."

Bolt had a shocked expression on his face and he stuttered, "But...But think about...I mean...". "No Bolt. He has a point. I say we listen and follow his plan. I have to save Jade and Alex no matter what. If it means putting myself at risk for awhile, then so be it. It's my fault they were taken prisoner and it's also my responsibility to rescue them. Us being kept in the dark is a good strategy. As far as I'm concerned Riley knows what he is doing." said Lune. He then glanced at Riley and said "When do you think they will strike again?"

"I don't know. It's been about half a day since our battle with Aerodactyl and about one full day since your sister and friend were kidnapped. I would say that they could strike at any time. What could help us is to be as exposed as possible. Whenever you can Lune talk about how your wound healed. That might tie into Markus and his plan, or at least it's a feeling I have. That phenomena that occurred isn't normal so naturally Pokemon will spread it around. It will probably reach Markus's ears at one point or another meaning our plan can be put into action faster." stated Riley

Bolt yawned and Lune looked over at his tired companion. "For now I say we go to sleep. We can talk about what we do tomorrow when morning comes." said the Umbreon. Riley nodded and lay back down so that he was watching the sky. Bolt sighed in relief at the thought of sleep and slumped over in spot and immediately began snoring.

Lune licked one of the cuts on his torso then lay his head down near his paws. His golden rings glowed faintly in the moonlight and he slowly shut his heavy eyelids. As the Umbreon drifted into a restless sleep he began to wonder.

How does Riley know so much? Surely this 'group' he is with couldn't know so much. Should I be trusting such a Pokemon, even if he did save both mine and Bolt's lives? Hmm. No matter. I guess I'll keep an eye on him for now. I can't really trust anyone anymore. I wonder if this world has a grudge against me. What a wonderful life...

Is Riley a trustworthy Pokemon or not? Haha I can't say just yet. :) Ill let ya'll figure that out for yourselves. Good luck with that! I know alot didn't happen here but hopefully your all still interested. Action to be coming up in the next couple of chapters so look forward to it. Until next time, see you all later. :)