Ash stood proud in a pristine suit of crimson armour. He looked down at the helmet sitting on the table in front of him.

"Kinda surreal isn't it?" Gary said. "Our dads wore these when they led the rebels against Lance. Now it's our turn." He slipped the navy blue helmet over his head and adjusted it awkwardly. "Ready to face our men?" He asked, his voice tinged with excitement.

Ash looked up at him, half-frowning. "I guess I am. Together?" Gary nodded at him. Ash looked down and grabbed the helmet. He slipped it over the messy mop of raven coloured hair on his head. He turned towards the door, joined by Gary.

The door opened and Ash stepped out into the massive training room that dominated the rebel's bunker. Every single man and woman in the room stopped as their two figureheads stepped into their presence. A knot of people stood at the edge of the dirt training field. A lanky man wearing glasses and a set of armour clearly too large for him waved them over.

"Please boys, over here if you would." He said.

Ash and Gary walked over to him, watching him intently.

"Remove your helmets please," he asked gently. "You will be working with these men and women closely. There will be no need to keep up appearances around them."

Ash removed his helmet, shaking his mop of hair out and attempting to tame it with his fingers. He failed miserably and looked over at Gary who was frantically attempting to do the same.

The glasses wearing rebel stepped forward with a smile. "Ash, Gary," he nodded at them both. "We've been waiting sixteen years for this day. The Rebellion welcomes you." He smiled and held out his hand to them. "I am William Sonezaki. I had the honour of working with your fathers. It would be my absolute pleasure to train the two of you as best I am able."

Ash took his hand, shaking it politely. "I take it you're the Bill that professor Oak told us about."

Bill recoiled in surprise. "Samuel Oak is alive?" He asked excitedly. "Where is he? Why is he not with you?"

"He sent us ahead. We haven't heard anything since Viridian." Gary said curtly.

Bill nodded. "Samuel always did have a penchant for disappearing acts. Knowing him, he'll storm Indigo with an army before we can even mobilize." He took a step back admiring them both. "The resemblance to your fathers is remarkable. You've done them both proud." He turned pulled out a pair of pokeballs. "I have something for the both of you. Think of them as family heirlooms." He tapped the button on each of the balls, releasing the pokemon inside.

A small pink feline appeared in front of ash. It took a step towards him warily. "Matthew?" A voice asked in Ash's mind. "But you died… How?" Ash felt a presence scan through his memories, forcing him to relive them all. He staggered back a step, knees shaking. "Not Matthew."

"Ash," he said. "My name is Ash."

"Ash?" The voice said. "Matthew-son?" The pokemon turned and looked at Bill. Bill nodded solemnly. The pokemon turned back to face Ash. "Amaterasu will fight with Matthew-son."

The black feline that had appeared in front of Gary hadn't moved, instead studying the man that was wearing his former trainer's armour. "Gerald Percival Oak II…"

Gary nodded and dropped to one knee, beckoning the pokemon closer. "You must be Apollo." He said gingerly. "You fought for my father."

The umbreon nodded and took a step towards him. "And now I will fight for you." He took another step. "Will you fight for me?"

Gary nodded. "With all my strength." He said.

"They managed to escape the deaths of your fathers. They are both extremely powerful. Use them well." Bill turned to the knot of people behind him and beckoned them forward. He turned back to Ash and Gary, grinning. "And now I give you your Elites. These are the best trainers that the Rebellion has to offer. Each of them has sworn an oath to defend you with their lives." Bill took a step back, joining the men and women that stood behind him. As one, the group saluted Ash and Gary.

Gary and Ash returned the salute with somber smiles. Gary dropped his arm to his side and took a step forward. Apollo joined him, sitting silently at his side. "Well, if we're gonna down a Dragon King then we better start training."


Jay flew through the air, flung out of the shadows by the umbreon. He landed in a heap, Misty slamming into his back. He groaned as she rolled off him, his chest aching. He forced himself to his feet, joints cracking. "Remind me never to travel by shadow again." He stood up, looking down at the umbreon that sat dutifully at his feet.

"Jay, I think we're there." Misty said cautiously.

"Why do you say that?" He asked, as he turned. His eyes found the bald man in black standing in front of a massive black gate. "Oh."

The doors opened, purple mist spilling out around the man. He looked up at them and broke into a massive grin. "Come." He called. The umbreon sunk into Jay's shadow and reappeared at the man's side. "The city is not safe for the living once the sun sets. Come quickly."

Jay looked at Misty and raised an eyebrow questioningly. She nodded and took his hand. Together, they stood in front of the man. He reached out, and touched their grasping hands with his own. They were sucked into the shadows along with him, no trace of them left behind. The black gates swung shut, cutting off Lavender from the rest of the world once more.


Lyra sat up, unable to sleep despite her exhaustion. She swung her legs off the bed and stood up. A small squeak, and a rustling at the foot of her bed told her that her sentret was awake. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and patted her sentret behind its ears. The pokemon purred and pressed itself into her palm.

The door knocked loudly, startling her. "Lee!" Ethan called. "Grams wants us both down in the kitchen."

She sighed and walked over to the door, opening it. "What for?" She asked. Her sentret hopped down off the bed, joining her.

"Guests." He answered. "Don't know why they couldn't show up at a normal hour." He stepped off the stair and rounded the corner, nodding and smiling at his grandparents who were already waiting at the table for him. Another man stood at the kitchen window, looking out at the night. He grabbed the coffee pot off its place on the counter. "Professor Oak," he said, recognizing the man he had met in Elm's lab as he turned to face him. "You survived the attack."

"Thanks," Lyra said as Ethan poured her a cup of coffee. He poured himself one, and sat down beside Lyra. "What happened to the rest of New Bark?" She asked.

"Alive and well. They made it out well before Claire attacked the town." He picked up a mug off the counter and sat down at the table. "They're all staying in Goldenrod, with the exception of professor Elm. Lady Whitney has been most accommodating." He sighed and smiled softly at Ethan. "Let me explain why I'm in Johto, why I'm sitting in your kitchen."

Ethan nodded and looked to Lyra. "I don't think you'll find any complaints here. We've both been waiting for an explanation since we left for Cherrygrove."

"I suppose you both deserve that much." Oak said. "This all started about twenty years ago. You both know that I fought for Lance in his revolution. Towards the end, he started to change. He became bloodthirsty, and violent. He stopped being the champion of the people. I left his army on the eve of his attack on Indigo. Lance must have taken my departure personally, because he sent half of his Elites after me. I barely escaped with my life, and fled to the one man who might be able to help me. I went to Cinnabar, to my old Colleagues Blaine Katsura and Emmett Fuji.

Lance followed me there, and started a war when Blaine refused to give me up. Blaine won the war and kicked the Empire off his island, but I was no longer welcome on Cinnabar. I left, and resettled what remained of my family to a hidden cove.

Sixteen years ago, the Empire found us on a routine patrol. My daughter died in the attack, and my son never forgave the Empire for it. He left our little hamlet and never came back. I stayed, to take care of my son's friend's wife and the children. They came back once, on the night before they marched on Indigo. They had changed so much, grown into men in the year they had been away. Then they left, and I've never forgiven myself for doing nothing to help them."

Oak sighed and put his mug down, looking deflated. He stood up, and looked out the window again.

"So that brings me to why I'm here. I will not allow my grandson and his friend to fall like I did their fathers. I know that you bear no love for the Emperor. I'm here to make sure that you unite Johto and bring the might of the west to bear against Lance."

Ethan remained silent, staring at his coffee. He looked over at Lyra.

"If the Empire was behind the attack on New Bark then you know where I stand." She said coldly.

Ethan nodded and looked back at the professor. "I'm in. How do you plan on bringing him down?"

Oak split into a grin. "I've already got you a meeting with Lady Whitney tomorrow morning." He nodded at the cast on Ethan's arm. "How soon can that come off?"

Ethan stood up and held out his good arm. "Tonight. What is this meeting about?"

"Theoretically, she's screening candidates for a new marshal." Oak smiled knowingly. "But I'm sure you can direct the conversation in the right direction. I've gotten the impression that she's no friend to the Empire, even if half the Empire's goods pass through the ports at one time or another."

"And if I do manage to recruit her?" Ethan asked. "What's my next move?"

"Get yourself that marshal position. I'll go to Cianwood and meet with the Lord there. With any luck I'll be able to convince him to throw his lot in with a potential rebellion." Oak stood up, retrieving his coat from the back of his chair. "You need to meet with Lady Mikan of Olivine, and perhaps Lord Marin"

Ethan stood up, holding his hand out for Oak. "I take it Ecruteak and Violet weren't willing to meet with me?"

Oak shook his head. "Falkner and Morty's fathers were friends of your father. I'd hoped that they'd at least meet with you, but perhaps Lance's reign has changed that." He took Ethan's hand and shook it firmly.

"Times have changed." Ethan said cynically. "Deaths in the family tend to change opinions rapidly."

"All too true." He held out a piece of paper to Lyra. "A letter from Elm and your family. Your family's location is enclosed." He looked back at Ethan. "I must be off. Wait until Elm sends word from Olivine to leave Goldenrod. I'll send word to the ranch when I've gotten you a meeting."

Ethan nodded, and opened the door for the professor. The professor produced a ball from one of his coat pockets and released a charizard that towered over him. He swung one leg over the beast's back and mounted it. "You've got hero's blood Ethan. You're bound for great things." He looked up at the sky and grinned. "You'll do your father proud." His charizard launched into the sky, leaving Ethan alone at the front door of his home.


Alan breathed in sharply, opening his eyes violently. He rolled over, expecting a jagged beak or bolt of lightning to strike him. A pair of hands grabbed at him, holding him to the bed. He screamed up at the man holding him and lashed out, trying to knock the man off of him.

A woman's voice screamed over his, drowning him out. "You're safe! Nobody's gonna hurt you!"

He relaxed, allowing the man to restrain him. "I'm calm. You can let go."

"Let him up Ian" the woman's voice said.

The giant man let go, hauling Alan to his feet. "Yes mother."

Alan stumbled, his knees buckling. He fell to one knee, holding the bed for support. "What happened? Where am I?" He asked.

"You're on Valencia Island." The woman said. "You washed up on shore last night. My name is Ivy, you're at my lab." A loud knock from outside the room drew her attention. She looked at the giant. "Ian, watch him." She turned and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Alan pushed himself back up and onto the bed. The giant looked down at him and held up one finger to his lips. "Shush!" He said. "Mother will keep us safe."

Alan looked up at him and remained silent. He raised an eyebrow and put his head back down on the pillow silently. Ian sat back on the floor, his head still even with Alan's. "Mother will keep us safe." He muttered.

"Who's knocking?" Alan asked.

"Bad men." Ian replied. "Mother will make them leave. Mother always makes them leave."

Alan heard a massive thud, and an angry roar that he'd only heard once before. Then he heard an explosion and all rational thought left him.


Jay stumbled out of the shadows, tripping over the bed that appeared in front of him. He heard Misty stumble out behind him and land on the bed heavily.

"My apologies for the shadow travel, it can be rough on those new to it." The man said apologetically. "However it will become second nature to you Mr. Gold."

Jay sat up, breathing heavily. "Gould, not Gold." He said. "Listen, I don't know-"

The man cut him off with a wave. "I understand you are confused. Please, it will be easier if you let me explain everything first."

Jay frowned and stayed silent. He looked at Misty, then back at the man. He sighed, and sat down on the bed beside Misty. "Ok, go. I'm listening."

The man smiled and sat down in the gnarled rocking chair behind him. "Where to begin…" He looked up at them and smiled a toothy grin. "Over a thousand years ago, in the land we now know as Kalos, there was a Kingdom that spanned the entire region. The King grew old, with no sons to replace him upon his death. The King's jealous brother raised an army and attempted to overthrow the King. The King lost battle after battle, losing thousands upon thousands of soldiers. Fearing that his reign was at an end, the King built a device that could channel and direct power from the afterlife. When his brother confronted the King for the final time, the King fired the device and destroyed his brother and his army.

So much death and destruction at once tore a hole in the fabric of reality. A spirit slipped through the tear, appearing as a massive black bird that smelled of rot and decay. The bird sought out the King, to thank him for freeing him from the afterlife. He offered the King eternal life, and complete mastery over death itself in exchange for his help in the bird's grisly work. The King accepted,taking his place as the black bird's rider. He became Death itself, ferrying souls across the void to the afterlife.

The King endured through the years, siring hundreds of children with his newfound youth. Eventually he grew tired of ruling and left his Kingdom, allowing it to descend into chaos while he slipped away on the black bird. The King terrorized the kingdom, earning his reputation as the Grim Reaper by stealing away souls and using them to fuel his own power. Another man rose to mend his broken kingdom, and aided by the deer of life he banished the King to the afterlife. He restored the lives destroyed by the King's reign, and brought peace to the region once more. His children inherited a fraction of his power, and they have ruled Kalos ever since.

As for the sons and daughters of the King, they also inherited some of their father's power. They were descendants of Death, and that gave them an unnatural mastery over death itself. The greatest of these descendants founded an Empire here, and set about to discover the limits of their mastery. However over the years, the blood of the King became diluted and weak. The Kikoku dynasty was nearly destroyed by a summoning gone wrong. The Grey Lady fell to the Dragon King, completing the fall of her dynasty. She met with the King in the afterlife, and convinced him to allow her to manipulate the world as she saw fit. She possessed one of the surviving members of her family, a young woman that had fled to Ecruteak when Lavender fell, and seduced a descendant of the Hero.

However the descendant of the Hero fell in battle with the dragon, and the woman fled Johto, hiding on a farm north of Viridian. She fell in love again, before you were born, and married a farmer. Your father as you knew him was not your father. Your father was Ethan Gold, the revolutionary, a descendant of the Hero himself. You are the son of life and death. You are the heir to the Kikoku dynasty. You are the last of a line that stretched back thousands of years. You have the power to become the most powerful man in history. And you are going to kill the Dragon King and take his place."


Well I've finally wrapped up the story arcs that I've been waiting to finish. It's time for that time skip I've been talking about. See you all two years into the future ;)