Knock. Knock.

"Come in," A soft voice said.

A grand door behind the man opened, and a guard, similar to the one that attacked Grace, walked in. The man turned to face the guard, and the guard fell into a deep bow. After a moment the guard arose, and then bowed to a certain Pokemon next to the man.

"Pika!" The Pikachu said, returning with her own bow to the guard. The guard seemed surprised by the Pokemon's bow, he turned and respectfully nodded to another Pokemon in the corner. The Lucario nodded back. The guard hastally turned back to the man.

The guard waited.

"Ah, yes. You may speak," The man said.

"The Queen requests your presence in the throne room right away, Sir."

'It must be important,' The Pikachu said, 'Because she said she didn't have anything for us to do today. We were going to use the day to teach Lucario.'

The man's eyes flickered towards the Lucario, then back to the guard, "Did she say why?"

"Y-yes Sir! Her Majesty says that there has been a breach that only a Guardian of Aura and a Sacred Pokemon can fix. She would like you to come now."

The man's eyebrow rose, then he communed with the Pokemon, 'We have never had something like that happen before.'

'Then go right away Master. Do not let me hold you back,' The Lucario said.

The man rolled his eyes, 'You're coming with us. Just because you're in training does mean that you can't do something like this.'

'Ka-pi is right. You are just as much as an Aura Guardian as us,' The Pikachu said.

'Master is the Aura Guardian of the castle, and you're a Pikachu, the Sacred Pokemon. I am nothing but a trainee,' Lucario replied.

The Aura Guardian smiled, 'Then as your "master" I order you to come with us.'

'Yes Master.'

"Um... Sir?" The guard had not heard any of the telepathic exchanged. He looked nervous, like he had something wrong.

"Nothing, go tell the queen I'll be right there."

"Right away Sir!" The guard said, he bowed one more time, then practically ran out of the room.

The Pikachu sighed, 'Oh Ka-pi, I wish they weren't so scared. They act like I'm going to attack or something.'

The Pikachu leapt up onto the man's shoulder, and he stroked her, "Being a Pikachu only an Aura Guardian can touch you and use your powers. Only other Pokemon or people I let are allowed can touch you. The punishment for breaking that law is death, so no one is eager to break it."

'Well I'm glad there's no law keeping us apart Ka-pi,' She said, nuzzling him. The man smiled.

"Come on Lucario, let's go."

'Yes Master.'

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

'Aerin... Penny... Can you hear me?' Riley reached out with his aura once more, hoping to contact his Pokemon, wherever they were.

No reply.

Riley expanded his aura farther, 'Aerin! Penny!'

There was a long pause, then- 'What Master?' A cold, female voice finally replied, it was Aerin, his Lucario.

Riley was surprised, not just by the coldness in her voice, but by how close it was. That meant he hadn't had a hard time reaching them, but they had been... ignoring him.

'Have... Have you been blocking my messages?' Riley asked.

'Oh Chu-pi... we have...' Penny, his Pikachu, replied slowly.

Riley was speechless, 'But... But why?'

'Chu-pi...' Penny, paused, 'We...'

'Aren't please with your actions,' Aerin finished.

Now Riley was even more surprised, 'What do you mean? I've been protecting you!'

'But ignoring your own son?' The Lucario asked.

Riley said nothing.

'You... You say that you would never let my blood spill to satisfy the prophecy, but what about his Pikachu? I wouldn't mind giving up my life to save... well... everything, but that Pikachu doesn't even have a choice! How can you just help that horrible man, Zan, practically kill your own son's Pikachu?' Penny asked sadly.

Riley's anger started to brew, 'Ash is attempting to... Well... Satisfy the prophecy in another way.'

'So your going to let your own son kill himself to save this world, this universe, in your place because you'll too weak to live up to your duty!' Aerin screamed in his head.

Riley's hands curled into fists, 'The everything I've done was to protect you, but here you guys are acting like I'm the bad guy here!'

'Well, maybe you are,' Aerin said.

'Aerin! Chu-pi isn't...' Penny trailed off.

Riley could feel his aura growing out of control. The small blue stone that was on a pendant started to glow, absorbing the power.

'Master, what you're doing is wrong. You're not the same man that I chose to train with when I met you on Iron Island. You've change. When I was a Riolu you were different, what happened Master?' Then she spoke slowly, 'Or should I even call you that anymore?'

Riley's aura grew cold, 'Fine then Lucario.'

'Chu-pi! Aerin! Stop, we need to-'

'Shut up Penny,' Aerin growled, 'You know what he's doing isn't right.'

'T-true...' Penny stuttered, 'But-'

Riley had heard enough. He cut the mental connection, feeling utterly betrayed. He felt Penny's thoughts trying to reach his, but he ignored them.

"What's wrong with you?" A rough voice asked. Riley opened his eyes and found Ash glaring at him. They were first words Ash had said since he had woken up nearly an hour ago.

Riley frowned, Ash must have sense his aura gone out of control.

"I'm thinking."

Ash's snorted, "Only if you'd done that sooner.'

Riley got a heated sneer on his face and he glared at his son.

Zan must have enjoyed putting them together.

No words were exchanged between them for several minutes.

"I'm surprised you haven't attacked me, considering what I've done to you," Riley said slowly.

Ash frowned, was Riley going to... apologize?

"But everyone needs to learn that you can't trust anyone. Looks like you chose the hard way."

Ash closed his eyes, what had he expected? "That's not true. I can always trust Pikachu. I know that. You even said so yourself, an Aura Guardian and his Pikachu are inseparable."

A shadow crossed Riley's face as he recalled his mental conversation with his, no, with the Pokemon, "I wouldn't be too sure about that."

Ash snorted, did he have to contradict every he said? How did his mom stand him? "How could my mom fall in love with the likes of you," Saying it more to himself that to Riley.

"You'd be surprised."

"Hmm," Ash said in a nonchalant tone.

"'You cannot judge another until you know their past'," Riley quoted.

"Oh, now I'm totally convinced that you have a great reason to betray everyone," Ash said sarcastically.

"I'm not saying that. I'm saying that everyone has past experiences that you don't know about. They could make that person similar or different to others."

"Well, its hard to know your 'past experiences' when you left the night I was born!" Ash said angrily, with a hint of bitterness.

"Then I could show you."

Ash glared at Riley, "What do you mean?"

"We're both Aura Guardians. We can share memories with one another," Riley clarified.

Ash rolled his eyes, "I'm sure that all of your memories are of you gloating after you've tricked and betrayed people."

"And I'm sure you're are of you losing nearly every Pokemon League."

"Urgh. Well, I 'politely' decline your offer Father," Ash growled, turning away.

"Then I guess you'll never know."

Ash shifted.

Riley smiled, Ash reminded himself of him when he was younger. He knew that curiosity would get the better of Ash. Then Riley's smile turned into a frown, why did he even care?

But he couldn't ignore the warm feeling blossoming in his chest.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Riley knew how to aggravate Ash.

Of course he was interested in this 'memory share' thing, he had been trying to learn as much as he could about aura. And all of the taunts Riley had thrown at him... They had hit Ash hard.

Ash wanted to give Riley a blast of aura to the face.

But Ash had already decided that he wasn't going to do anything. He wasn't going to give away any more information, or use any of his aura powers for unnecessary things. Things like Riley.

Riley started humming. Ash clenched his fists in annoyance. Riley's tune grew louder and jolly. And more annoying.

"Would you shut up?"

"Respect your elders," Was his reply.

Ash clenched his jaw, respect your elders?! That little-

Riley's tune changed, and Ash froze. The tune was slow, eerie, and dark. Ash could've sworn he had heard that tune before. Ash thought back, he had heard that song when he was younger, when... His brow furrowed as he tried to remember.

Riley was smirking, but it was more prideful than rudeness, "So you do remember. I could show you."

Ash stared at Riley, as if studying for a weakness, "Fine," Ash grumbled, "Show me this 'memory sharing' thing."

Riley smiled, and Ash glared. Riley strolled over to Ash, sitting next to him, and picked up Ash's wrist.

"You'll want to close your eyes," Riley muttered. Ash did, after a moments hesitation. Still Ash wanted to punch his father in the face, but instead he took a deep breath. Ash could feel Riley's aura twisting and turning. Ash became dizzy and Riley muttered something. Ash's vision went white.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

A young boy stumbled through the woods. He was so weak that he was shaking, and he haven't eaten anything for the last few days except for a few berries. A storm was starting to gather. The boy looked around, for any sign of a shelter.

This must be Riley when he was younger.

It began to rain. Riley looked up at the sky, the hard rain pounding into him. He had no more strength. He sank down to his knees, the cold truth hitting him, he would not make it through the storm.

He was laying there for a few minutes, until he felt a strange tingling. He opened his eyes and saw a very small Pikachu looking at him, sending small sparks of electricity over him. Her brown coppery eyes sparkled with concern.

"Chu-pi. Pika pika! Chu-pika chu!" She said, shaking him.

"H-help... Please..." Riley muttered, his voice hoarse, and no more than a whisper.

"Pika?" She said, cocking her head.

"P-p-ple-ease..." He closed his eyes again.

"Chu-pi! Pika Chu-pi!" He opened his eyes, the Pikachu was pointing towards the woods. It took all of Riley's strength to stand up. The Pikachu ran into the woods, Riley trying his best to follow it.

"W-wait..."

"Pika pika!" The Pikachu was pointing to a small cave. Riley made his way over to it. The Pikachu ran inside, and Riley climbed in after her. He fell onto the rocky floor, completely out of energy. He glanced around.

There were a dozen other Pikachus. They were all staring at him. The first Pikachu ran up to him and patted him on the head, then nuzzled him, "Chu-pi."

The other Pikachu inched towards him, sniffing. The first Pikachu climbed into his lap. The other Pikachu came closer. Riley started to cough, and the Pikachu scattered. When he stopped they came closer once again.

"Pika!" The first Pikachu turned and ran deeper into the cave. When she return she was carrying an Oran Berry. She placed at Riley's feet. Riley picked up the berry and ate it in one bite.

"T-thank you..."

She smiled, "Pika!" She turned to the other Pokemon, "Chu-pi pika pika!"

One by one the other Pikachu's brought a berry to Riley. Riley ate them all, satisfying his hunger. And the juice inside cured his thirst. The Pikachu inched closer, studying him like he was a Deoxys that had fallen from the sky. He sat there, surrounded by the Pikachu, laughing.

As he went to sleep the Pikachu climbed on top of him, warming him.

The scene blurred for a moment, then he was in another memory.

"Thank you for everything, Penny," (That's what he started calling the Pikachu) "But I need to go now."

"Pika!" Penny shouted.

"I'll never forget you, you saved me last night," Riley gave her a hug, "Good bye."

Riley turned and started to walk away, not noticing the tears in the Pikachu's eyes.

Ash could feel Riley's, modern day Riley's, sadness. Ash frowned as Riley showed him a new memory.

"Oh Riley! You're okay!" A women ran out of the house, embracing her son, "We were so worried!"

"What you expect from a Cameran boy?" A man said as he came out of the house, and he had a Pikachu on his shoulder, "How you doing son?"

"Dad!" Riley said.

Ash realized that he was seeing his grandparents for the first time.

"Honey! The night of the storm, we thought that-" Riley's mother started.

"I'm fine Mom, thanks to a pack of-"

"Chu-pi! Pika pichu Chu-pi!" A voice cried out. Riley turned around and watched a Pikachu running towards him.

"P-penny?" She leaped into his arms, "What are you doing here?"

His parents shared a knowing look,

"Son, do you realized what day it was the night of the storm?"

Riley paused, thinking. Then realization flashed in his eyes, "My tenth birthday."

"And being the oldest boy in the Cameran family you know what happens on that day."

Riley's face brightened, and he looked down at Penny, "They meet their Partner Pikachu!"

His father laughed and tossed him a Pokeball, "Take care of that Pikachu, for she'll become your closest friend."

Ash began to feel dizzy as the memory changed once more.

A/N: Hi, I'm back! Sorry I haven't uploaded for a bit. Now that I'm out of school I can upload more often. In fact, expect another chapter in a day or two!

So I've tried rewriting this chapter a million times... This was the best thing. I tried getting some more action, but it just didn't work! I know not much is going on, but I needed to introduce this new character. (Who could it be? Okay, if you can't guess who it is, minus 10 points! Unless you haven't seen the movie...) And these scenes with Ash and Riley may be a little uncalled for, but this was the best way to lead up to the memory scenes. And they are important to the story later on.

So the next chapter was going to be part of this one, but I feel like it would've been too long. So the next chapter will be like this one, Riley's memories. It may not be the most exciting thing, but its necessary.

So I've been planning out a ton of this story, and I love where it's going. I have the end all planned out, and I've been working on many chapters inbetween. But I've notice two ways I could lead up to the end, but I can't decide, so I'll let my readers decide.

Team Rocket, or Dawn and Brock?

I don't want to give up to much of the story, so the choices are vague, but who do you want to see in this story?