Hi, again everyone.

Sorry for re-posting this chapter, but looking over some parts, along with some helpful reviews, I had to change something in this chapter, it wouldn't work if I put it in the next chapter.

The change is at the end, nothing else has changed, so you don't need to re-read the entire thing.

Again, sorry, It won't happen again; especially since I'll be stopping writing at three in the morning...

Enjoy!

The Festival

The world around me is dark… I begin to fear that I am blind… I hold out my hands and my heart lifts as I could see them – I wasn't blind. I walked forward, wondering what I was standing on, and wondering if there was anyway out of the darkness. The void of emptiness scared me; but what worried me more was the fact that I had no clue as to where I was.

"Alex"

I turn my head around in the darkness, following the voice. I saw my mum and dad smiling at me and tears filled my eyes, "Mum, Dad!"

I ran towards them, forgetting about the darkness, wanting to feel their embrace which I painfully missed. They embraced me, and I felt their warmth, I could tell that they were smiling and I smiled, closing my eyes as they held me close to them. When they let go of me, I opened my eyes and to my astonishment, we were at our house; the beautiful, large, neatly decorated house.

"Alex…"

I looked up at my mum, who was smiling at me, "Yes mum?"

"What are you doing here?"

My mouth opened surprised, "What?"

She shook her head and chuckled, "You ran away, remember?"

I backed away confused, "What? What do you mean?"

"You ran away from this home, remember? You left the people that would have taken care of you"

I became even more confused, "What people?"

This time, my father answered, "The people we agreed to take care of you when we died"

I began to get tense, "W-What? But you're not dead…"

My mum laughed, as if I was joking, "Why, of course we are!"

My eyes widened, "What… But you're… Here?"

My mum lost her humour, and grew serious, as my father, "No we aren't… You just have a wild imagination Alex"

"W…What?"

The area around me began to tear away, my mum and dad fizzled out of existence, and the walls fell down along with the stairs. I twisted my head in every direction, my heart beating faster as the furniture dissolved into the floor. When the house had completely disappeared, I turned my head at a mans voice.

It was a policeman, and he looked at me sorrowfully, "I'm sorry Alex"

Not pondering as to how he knew my name I asked, "What? Sorry for what?"

"Sorry for your loss…"

I looked at him bewildered, and he turned his body so I could see what was behind him. I saw fire creaking out of a cars window; the car had turned over, and had been destroyed in most parts – there was a firemen crew putting out any flames they could find, along with an ambulance next to the car with two trolleys carrying two people.

Instantly recognizing the people, I ran towards them, my brain searching for any other answer I could find besides what I already knew. I was stopped by a policeman who was close to the scene, "You can't get near"

I pushed his arms away, "I need to see them!"

He grabbed my arm and I pushed his body away from me, "Ma'am, you need t-"

"No! Let me through!" Tears dripped down my cheeks, and when he finally released me I ran to the people being attended by medics.

When I got near the trolleys, my fears were realized, on each trolley lay both my parents, scorched from the fire, eyes looking lazily into the night sky.

"N-No… This isn't real…" I could see the blood coming out on different parts of their bodies, my body was shaking, "No…"

Alex's Room…7:36am…

My eyes snapped open and I sat up swiftly, letting out a small yell. I breathed heavily and looked around the room, my eyes looking for the bloodied mess that were my parents. Realizing that I was back in the castle, I sighed and placed my hands on my head and tried to calm down. That was the first time I have had a dream… Nightmare about my parents. Their smiling faces and dead carcasses flowed in and out of my mind; I shakily breathed in and out as I slowly calmed down.

When I returned to normal, I lay back on my pillow; my eyes still shut, and wrapped my arms around myself for comfort. I spent a few minutes just lying in my bed, before I heard someone call me,

"Alex?"

I turned my head towards the door and saw Eric smiling at me, "Are you awake?"

I smiled back at him and sat up, "Yeah…What is it?"

"Lady Ilene wishes to see you"

I nodded, "Okay, tell her I will be there in a while"

He nodded and left, I lazily let my legs drape over the bed. Sighing, I left to have my routine shower, before I got dressed and began to make my way to the main hall. Lucario wasn't in his room, but I found him training, as usual, outside. My body stiffened when I saw him, I was still nervous about what had happened. I edgily walked next to the wall, avoiding any eye-contact that might happen. Before I opened the door that led into the castle's halls, I looked over my shoulder, not knowing what to expect. Nothing happened, Lucario ignored me as usual, and I sighed before walking into the castle.

I went to the main hall to find Lady Ilene smiling at me, "Hello Alex"

I smiled slightly, "Hi Lady Ilene"

"Did you have a good night sleep?"

I thought back to my nightmares, my eyes squinted at the images of my deceased parents, "Yeah, it was fine."

She noticed something odd in my voice, "Alex… Are you okay?"

I looked at her, "Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking about some things…" I immediately changed the subject, not wanting to tell her about my dreams…nightmares, "Eric told me you wanted to see me?"

She nodded, "Yes, I wanted to talk to you about the festival"

I moved closer to her and she stood up, "At three today, the Pokemon battle will commence, and then at eight-thirty, the dance will start, would you like to join the dance?"

My cheeks grew red in embarrassment; when it came to dancing I became the freak show of the night, "N-No… I don't dance"

She nodded, "That's fine, do you have any plans until the Pokemon battle?"

I shifted my eyes, "Well… Not really. I was planning on walking about to see if anyone needed any help after you finished with me."

She smiled warmly, "Well, would you like to see the staff?"

I looked at her confused, "Staff?"

"Don't you remember the staff you wanted to see? The one that Lucario came out of"

I smiled, slowly forgetting about my horrible morning "Yes, I remember. But I thought I couldn't see it until the battle"

She shook her head, "I said that the others were preparing it, it is ready now"

Eagerly, I said, "Yeah, I would like to see it"

She nodded, "Follow me"

I followed her into a door underneath Sir. Aaron's portrait. The room she took me in was a small storage compartment, boxes lay everywhere and there was old furniture scattered around the room, covered by white rags. She led me to a glass case that sat in the middle of the room,

"Here it is"

I looked at the staff inside the box; it was made out of wood, with a blue, spherical crystal attached to the top, along with metal rings surrounding it. There were also two metal beads hanging from either side of the ring, they reminded me of the sacks hanging behind Lucario's head.

I smiled at its appearance, "It looks nice"

She nodded, "Yes, it's been used for many years"

"Won't it get dirty – being in a room like this?"

"No, the glass case prevents that"

There was silence, before Lady Ilene asked, "How are you and Lucario?"

I grew nervous at her question, "Well…"

She waited for my answer patiently as I thought it over in my head,

"It feels awkward; being around him after what I did"

She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, and I looked up at her, "Don't worry, things will get better"

I shook my head and looked away, "No it won't, he will still hate me like always"

She lifted my head so that my eyes would meet her gaze, "Alex, things will get better eventually. Lucario is still upset about what happened to him, you have to give it time"

I reminisced about my parents, the dream I had, "Yeah… I guess" I sighed, "I just want to make up for what I did"

"Don't worry, you will, somehow"

I smiled at her, "Thank-you Lady Ilene"

She nodded and we left the room where she sat down on her throne, "Are you going to watch the Pokemon Battle?"

I nodded, "Yes, I think I'd enjoy it. At three?"

"Yes. Do you have anything to do until then?"

I nodded, "Yeah. I would like to do some things"

"Very Well"

I walked out the hall, and headed to the room with the Piano. I continued on what I was playing at night, wanting to finish what I started. The sound that came out cheered me up a bit, and the song came fluidly, each note being pre-known, so that no pauses were made to interrupt the melody. When I was halfway through the composition an idea sparked into my mind.

I got up and ran back to where Lucario was, but he wasn't training by the pond any longer. Sighing, I began to make my way back to the hall when I noticed something. I found Lucario meditating by the door leading to our room and I smiled as I walked toward him.

My voice became shaky, "L-Lucario?"

He opened on eye at me, "What do you want now?"

The atmosphere was still tense, my fingers were fidgeting by my sides, "Could I… Show you some…thing?" The last word came out quiet

He closed his eyes, "No, I'm meditating, leave me be"

I rubbed the back of my head with my hand, "Please?"

"I said no"

"But… I think you'd like it"

He sighed angrily, "I told you I am meditating. Leave me alone"

I kept asking, the tension building on me, "Please, I know you'd like it. It won't be long; you can continue meditating after…"

He growled deeply and I stood my position, "Please?"

He sighed annoyed, "Fine. But it better be quick."

I smiled, "Thank-you Lucario"

"Humph."

He stood up and glared at me whilst I stood still. I jumped when he growled at me and walked back into the castle, Lucario following me from behind. I lead him to the piano and sat down and he stood by the piano, still hatefully glaring at me.

"It's a short song" I hoped that by saying 'short', he would get less angry.

"It better be" He kept the same tone.

The atmosphere hadn't helped me as I breathed slowly, trying to loose some nerves and hoping that my hands would stop shaking so fast.

"Well?" I jumped at Lucario's growling voice,

"Oh… Sorry" I shakily laid my hands on the piano, took in a deep breath, and pressed the first note.

The atmosphere had suddenly changed; much of the tension was still there, but the slow, calm melody was biting through it, taking away bit by bit. Lucario tilted his head and listened intently as the sound progressed throughout the room. I made a few mistakes, due to Lucario's red, gleaming eyes watching over me, but that didn't distract the melody playing. I had noticed that my breathing had become deep, my lungs trying to support my shaking hands by distracting me with long, deep breaths – but it did no good. As I continued through the melody my hands grew shakier each part, my heart pounding faster, and even a sense of excitement growing in me. All of this was due to Lucario. His eyes watching every move my hands made, his blue ears twitching every time I grew louder and softer.

I got halfway through the song, finishing the part I knew how to play. My eyes widened and my breathing rate increased; suffice to say that my hands were shaking madly out of control - what was even worse was that Lucario kept staring at me, as if analysing the melody. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, before I began to improvise on the piano. I made the sound completely different from the rest of the melody – I had an idea of what to play whilst searching for Lucario. I knew I was going to improvise, but I hadn't thought about him standing there, staring at me. The melody went smoothly, some hiccups in between where I lost the tune, but I always stabilized it. I progressed wiih chords and began scaling the piano from the bottom; quickly ascending each chord, until it came to an end where I made sure the sound was loud and sounded completed.

I let the piano ring underneath my fingers and took in deep breaths as I thought of the Pokemon standing beside me. When the sound had completely diminished, I turned slowly to Lucario, my head twisting as slow as possible, trying to prolong the silence. Lucario was still staring at me, his face showing no emotion.

I stuttered the first words, "D-Do you… like… it?"

Lucario stood silent for a moment, before replying; "...It's fine." He turned quickly and walked casually to the door

I persisted, "Is that it?"

He turned, "Yes, anything else you want to know human?"

I looked down, "Erm… No"

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Good. I'm returning to my meditation which you interrupted, now leave me be"

"Okay."

He left me sitting down on the piano, and I stared at my feet, disappointed about his response. The tension was building back in the atmosphere, and my hopes to please Lucario were thrown out. I sighed and made my way to eat lunch.

Later that day… At 2:53pm…

I was sitting quietly in my bed, still pondering over Lucario's response to my half-composed song; I thought he would say something more than 'fine'. I spent the day sat in my room thinking about it – Was it too inadequate for him? Was he still too mad to tell me what he really thought? I shook my head, trying to find the best possible answer. I detest when people, or Pokemon for that matter, describe songs I've made with a simple 'fine' or 'good' or 'okay'; it made me feel like the song lacked power, or empathy.

"Alex?"

I turned my head towards the door and found Eric staring back at me cheerfully, "The battle is gonna start soon, most people have arrived. Are you going to watch?"

I nodded slowly, "Yeah, I was on my now"

"Really? It didn't seem as if you knew"

I stifled a laugh, "I was just thinking about something" I quickly changed the subject, not wanting to discuss my thoughts, "It's at the place which we set-up isn't it?"

He nodded, "Yep, that's the place." He waved, "I'll see you later Alex"

I nodded him away and soon after, left my room to watch the Pokemon battle, pushing my thoughts away so I wouldn't be distracted. On my way to the battle I saw an array of different people dressed in olden time clothing. My cheeks glowed red as I passed through the herd of baroque-style people in my top and jeans; not many of them took interest in me, the closet thing was an odd look from a small group of people due to my attire.

I passed the main hall and found Lady Ilene walking out of the archway. She smiled at me, "Hello Alex. Are you on your way to the battle?"

I nodded silently, my cheeks still a crimson red and she noticed my embarrassment, "Something wrong Alex?"

"Everyone is dressed so olden-like, and I'm walking through with jeans and a top…"

She chuckled, "You can get a ball-gown if you wish, they are in one of the rooms on the first floor"

I shook my head, "N-No it's alright, I don't like dresses that much."

She smiled warmly, "Very well. I'll see you after the Pokemon Battle then"

I nodded and asked, "Will Lucario be watching too?"

Lady Ilene sadly shook her head, "No. He said that he would be somewhere where people wouldn't be able to see him."

I nodded, "Okay" and with that I walked toward the arena.

The battle grounds had been cleaned again, and the white lines that crossed the beige, dusty floor stood out clearly and neatly. Groups of different people were gathered around the top of the arena, most eager to see the battle commence. I walked over to a comfortable position and peered down at the ground, a glint of excitement withering in me, the thought of Lucario's response to my song disappearing slowly.

"Ladies and Gentlemen." Lady Ilene's voice boomed over the chattering of the eager Pokemon fighting fans, and all was quiet.

I looked up to see Lady Ilene standing with her hands spread out on a small ledge, "Thank-you for joining us on this year's festival. I'd rather not keep all of you waiting so we will immediately commence with the battle."

The battle began. A Pokemon trainer leaped from the doorway onto the battleground, accompanied by an excited Pikachu. Coming from the opposite end was another man who released a Breloom. The first match was short; the Pikachu leaped into the air and electrocuted the Breloom, which he then defeated after head butting the Breloom. The crowd cheered approvingly and I joined in the cheer – careful not to scream too loud.

The second battle revealed a person wearing full-body armour, who released a Weavile, and the opponent releasing a Tropius. The Tropius lifted into the air and unleashed a raging hyper beam onto the Weavile, but the Weavile swiftly leapt into the air, avoiding the hyper beam, and threw a shadow ball at the Tropius, defeating it in an instant. The crowd stared in awe at the defeated Tropius as the Weavile bounced off the wall and landed softly on the ground.

The fights continued, each battle more intense than it's predecessor; the boy with the Pikachu swiftly moving through each rank along with the person in armour. After a Rapidash unconsciously fell to the ground, Lady Ilene lifted her hands and quietened the cheering crowd.

"Before we proceed to the final battle, we will take a short five minute break"

Everyone turned to their friends or family and began discussing the fights that had passed, I felt left out as people around me frequently talked about the Pikachu and Weavile. I began to walk around, smiling at any eyes that peered on me. As I looked to the Arena I was pulled back by a hand. I turned around quickly, startled at the sudden occurrence, and found a young man with brown hair and odd, lined eyes kneeling before me.

"You're radiance has overcome my sense to stay in control" He was speaking fast, in a high pitch voice, "Will you be miiiiine?" He smiled hopefully at me, his hand still enclosed around mine.

I stared at the man with my jaw open – mostly due to the fact of the many people watching this odd man speaking to me in a proposal-like stance. "I-I"

"Ah!" The curious stranger was pulled back by the ear by a young boy dressed up like an old doll,

"Brock… What have I told you about proposing to people?"

"I was only saying hel-"

The boy stood his authority, "Brock!"

The man named Brock backed down, "I'm sorry…"

The boy smiled up at me, my face was still confused, "Sorry about him, we need to find a cage…"

I was short of breath, "Erm… Who are you?"

The boy blinked up at me, "Oh, sorry, I'm Max" He looked annoyingly at Brock, "This is Brock… Who are you?"

"I'm Alex"

He chuckled, "Nice to meet you"

I nodded back at him and quickly began to think of an excuse to get away from the odd pair; Lady Ilene saved me, "We will now continue to our final match"

The boy peered over to where Lady Ilene was, and then to me, "Oh well, see you later Alex" He walked away.

I stood for a few seconds at blank space, completely dumb-founded as to what had just happened, the cheering of the crowd brought be back to reality, and I looked down to the ground to find the boy with his Pikachu standing on the opposite side from the person wearing the armour with his/her Weavile in a fighting stance.

The man waved a flag and the final battle took place. The Weavile and Pikachu immediately leaped into the air and bounced back from each others attack. Landing, both of the Pokemon exchanged slashes at each other, missing each time. The Weavile dashed away from the oncoming Pikachu and prepared a shadow ball, but the Pikachu leapt high into the air and electrocuted the Weavile; the yellow sparks flying around the stadium causing the people watching, including myself, to duck.

When I managed to uncover my eyes I peered over to find the Weavile unconscious on the ground with a victorious Pikachu on the boy's shoulder smiling happily. The crowd cheered frantically at the battle as Lady Ilene stood up and opened her arms to the crowd, "We now have a winner; Ash, from Pallet Town is the victor", the crowd accompanied Lady Ilene's speech by praising the boy's name over and over again.

"Hi again Alex"

I looked to my side and found Max looking up at me, "Did you enjoy the match?"

I smiled, "Yes, it was great to watch, that Ash kid deserves to win"

He chuckled, "Yeah he does, he's one of my friends; and a great Pokemon fighter"

I was surprised, "Really? Well tell him that he did well"

He nodded, "Will do"

I looked over the banister to see Ash talking to the person in armour; his Pikachu was dancing with an Ambipom which had appeared from out of the blue. The person in armour took off the helmet and was revealed to be a woman with long, brown hair.

"Uh-oh..."

I blinked surprised at what Max said, but when I turned to him he wasn't there, instead he was in the battlefield pulling an eager Brock away from the woman and I stood, staring confused, wondering as to how he got there so quickly.

When everyone had left I headed through a doorway and found Lady Ilene, "Hi Lady Ilene"

She turned to me and gestured for me to follow. Walking by her side she smiled at me, "Well. Did you like it?"

"Yes, it was real fun, I can't believe that last battle between Ash and that woman was so... Dangerous"

She chuckled, "Yes, I thought that the last match would be good, considering the opponents"

I thought about Lucario and turned to Lady Ilene, "Do you think Lucario was watching somewhere?"

She shook her head, "No, I don't think he would want to. He will probably be training for the remainder of the day"

I sighed, "He does that a lot." I decided to change the subject, not wanting to discuss Lucario any further, "When's the Dance?"

"At eight-thirty. Have you decided to get dressed for the dance?"

I shook my head, "No, not really, I just wanted to know, to know"

She smiled, "You'd enjoy getting dressed as everyone else for it"

I rubbed the back of my neck warily, "Erm..."

Noticing my nervousness, Lady Ilene said, "But you don't have to, you would be fine dressed as you are"

I smiled back at her, "Thank-you, but you might be right about getting dressed" I thought back to when I walked through the array of different people, embarrassed "I might blend in more"

"The clothing is on the first floor of the castle, the last bedroom down the hallway"

I nodded, "Thank's" I walked away from her and headed to a staircase. I walked across the hallways, trying to find people who would lead me to the room, but no luck. I turned at each corner and eventually found the door Lady Ilene was talking about. I walked inside and found different clothes hanging around the room.

I chose something simple, not too elegant, not too unfashionable. When I looked at my appearance in the mirror I smiled at the long red dress I was wearing, but my smile faded at my untidy hair hanging loosely over my shoulder, so I went back to my room.

Later that day... 8.15pm...

I was smiling at my appearance again, but in my room. The red dress fitted me perfectly, my hair curled downwards along my shoulder and the lipstick I wore fitted along with the dress; my dislike for dresses temporarily gone. I walked out of my room and left out into the pond, but stopped at the blue figure sat down by the water.

"Lucario?"

He turned his head slowly towards me, "What?"

"Where have you been all day?"

He sternly replied, "That's none of your concern human"

Noticing the anger I was implicating, I quickly changed subject, "Do you like my dress?" the words came out automatically, and my cheeks began to grow red as I thought about what I had just said.

"No."

I looked at him oddly, "What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing"

Confused I asked, "Then... Why no?"

"Stop asking me questions. Go."

I stood there, staring at him, wanting an answer, but gave up when he stopped answering me. I walked to the throne room and continuously looked down at my dress, still pondering as to why he said 'no'.

When I got into the hall I was distracted by the amount of people. There were many people already dancing to classical music, and there were people chatting with each other around the room.

"Alex!" I turned and found Max waving at me from the food table.

I walked to him, "Hi Max" My muscles began to get tense, "Where's that Brock guy?"

He chuckled, "He's over there" he pointed at where Brock was dancing nervously with the woman from the battle and my nerves relaxed, "You look nice in that"

I looked back at Max, and then down at my dress, "Really? There's nothing out of place?"

He shook his head, "No. Why?"

I stopped looking for errors in my dress, Lucario's simple 'no' still buzzing in my mind, "Oh, nothing, thanks"

"No problem" he picked up one of the desserts off the table, "Aren't you going to dance?"

"No, I don't like to dance"

"Why not"

His question surprised me, "Erm... Because I just... Don't"

"Oh well" he began eating his dessert, "Where do you come from?"

I looked away from him, "Er, I live in the castle for now"

His eyes widened, "Really?"

I nodded

"Wow! Do you have to do anything to stay?"

"No, I sometimes help when Lady Ilene wants me to, but other than that, not really"

He was getting more enthusiastic, "That's really cool!"

My cheeks went red, "Erm, thanks"

The dance continued on; Brock was sweating from dancing with the Woman, there was a blue-haired man trying to get away from a young brown-haired girl, and I noticed Ash was sitting annoyed on a chair next to the throne.

"Why is Ash sitting there by himself?"

"He can't dance since he won the competition, he has to sit there all night"

"That doesn't seem very fair"

"Well... Things happen" He chuckled.

Five minutes before midnight, Lady Ilene stood up and everyone stood quiet, "And now the winner of the Pokemon Battle will start the fireworks"

Max quickly turned to the windows behind us and looked excitingly into the sky, "Cool! Fireworks!"

I looked at Ash as he stood up and puzzlingly lifted the staff over his head. Fireworks lit in the sky, arraying from blue to yellow, the sky looked beautiful as the explosions let out many different colours that swirled around the sky.

Max's eyes were wide in amazement, "Wow, it looks great!"

I nodded, "Yeah, it's nice"

When the fireworks had finished, Lady Ilene addressed the people, "And that concludes this years festival. It has been an enjoyable experience and the Pokemon Battle has been the best we've had so far. Those people who are staying tonight in the castle please feel free to go anywhere you wish, and for those leaving, thank-you for joining us tonight"

Everyone cheered at her and gradually began to move out of the room, the amount of people decreasing each minute. While I watched the people leave the hall, Lady Ilene walked to me, "You look nice in that dress Alex"

I smiled, "Thank-you Lady Ilene. Lucario said he didn't like it" I looked away

"Do you know why?"

I shrugged, "I don't know, he said there was nothing wrong. Just 'no'"

She smiled, "I'm sure he liked it, you look beautiful"

I blushed, "Thank-you"

"What are you planning on doing now?"

"I don't know, I think I may just go to sleep"

"Okay"

She walked away from me and I walked out of the room. I met Max again in the hallway, and he was with Ash and Brock, "Hi Alex" He pointed to Ash, "This is Ash" and then he looked tiredly at Brock, "And it, as you know, is Brock"

I extended my hand, "Hi, pleased to meet you, I'm Alex"

Ash shook my hand, "Hi, did you watch the Pokemon battle?"

I nodded, "Yeah, you were great in the battle"

"Heh, Thanks"

"And I'm sure you didn't forget little old me?" The person whose high pitched voice I knew very well was holding my hand

I sighed "Yes Brock, I remember" I thought of a way to get rid of him, "Where's that woman you were dancing with?"

"She's somewhere in the castle"

I got an idea, "Oh, well, she's must be lonely - all by herself"

He immediately stood up, "You're right!" and with that he turned and sprinted off, looking for her.

"Well done on that Alex"

I turned to Max, "Thanks"

Ash hit his head with his hand, "Brock gets out of hand quite a lot"

I chuckled, "Don't worry, I don't care"

"Anyway, I need to tell you something Max"

Max looked at Ash, "What is it?"

"While I was walking from the battlefield, I noticed a blue blur jumping from one of the rooftops" I immediately thought of Lucario, "And it moved pretty fast so I couldn't make out what it was, do you know any Pokemon like that"

Max looked confused, "A blue blur isn't very helpful Ash"

"Well... It looked medium in height and I think it had black sacks hanging from it's head"

Max shook his head, "Well, maybe it was a Swellow?"

Ash shook his head, "Max, I said black sacks, not blue wings"

Max thought for a moment before replying, "Luxio?"

Ash again shook his head, "No, I'm sure that it was small sacks, not a tail"

"It could have been a Ganger you saw, maybe you mis-saw the sacks for something else"

"Maybe, but it was blue as well, that, I am sure of"

Whilst the two trainers discussed the array of different Pokemon there are in the world, I thought about Lucario and why he was there, and if he was watching the Pokemon battle.

"Are you sure you didn't see anything else Ash?"

"Positive. Now think. It has to be a Pokemon"

I turned to Ash, "Yeah" I thought about whether or not to tell them, but decided against it, "I'm sorry, but I've got to go"

Ash nodded, "Okay, I'll see you around some time"

I nodded and then Max looked up at me, "See ya Alex"

"Bye" I left them to go in search of Lucario.

He was still sat down by the pond, gazing into his reflection, "Lucario"

"Why do you persist on interrupting me?"

I looked away, "S-Sorry, but I need to ask something"

"I won't discuss your dress"

"No it's no-"

I was interrupted by Lucario, "OR about yesterday"

I looked down at the ground, memories of Lucario's ferocious stance at me flooding into my mind, "No, nothing about that" My words came out as a quiet whisper.

'Then what?"

"I was going to ask if you watched the Pokemon battle"

"No."

I continued, "The winner of the battle saw you jumping from one of the rooftops"

Lucario looked down at the pond, "I was training my agility"

"Really?"

"Yes, is that all human?"

I nodded, "Yeah, but I do have something else to ask when I think about it"

He was growling quietly, "What."

"Why do you continue on calling me 'human'? I told you my name, Alex" I was nervous as I awaited his answer.

I could hear the annoyance in his tone, "I have already told you about how I hate your kind, now go"

The memories moved around my head, "Okay" I sadly walked back into my room.

Sitting on my bed, I rested my head on my hands, "What will it take for him to like me? Or at least to forgive me for yesterday?"

I reminisced about the previous day, thinking about Lucario's angry posture as he flung the Aura Sphere at me, and the growling voice saying, 'Answer me...' over and over again. I sighed into my hands and brushed my hair back.

"Alex, are you alright?"

I looked up and saw Eric standing by the door again, "Oh hi Eric; Yeah I'm fine, just thinking about things"

He looked worryingly, "Are you sure your fine?"

I sighed, "Yeah, don't worry, I'll be fine. What is it?"

"Lady Ilene wants to speak with you in the balcony"

I looked confused at him, "The balcony?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I'll take you there"

I got up and followed him, avoiding looking at the meditating Lucario. We walked through the hallways, and Eric turned his head to me, "Are you sure your fine?"

I nodded, "Yeah, just some... bad memories"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I cringed at what he said, trying to stop him from noticing that what he was saying helped to remind me of what I was trying to forget, "No thanks, I told you, I'm fine"

He nodded, "Okay then..."

He gestured me to the balcony and I went out to find Lady Ilene staring at a large, glistening tree in the distance, with a part in the centre glowing a small, bright blue colour.

"Lady Ilene?"

She turned to me, "Hello Alex, sorry for disturbing you so late"

"It's okay, I wasn't sleeping"

"Good. May I ask you something?"

I nodded, "Sure, what is it?"

She looked back at the tree, "What do you make of that?"

I looked at the tree, "It looks like a large tree"

She smiled, "Yes, but it's a large rock"

I blinked, "What?"

"It's a large rock, in the shape of the tree. It's called the tree of beginning, there are a lot of stories about it, but that's not what I brought you here for"

I looked questioningly at her, "Then... What is it?"

She pointed at the middle of the tree, "What do think that might be?"

I squinted at the glowing blue light, "I don't know, what is it?"

She sighed, "I don't know, it may be a small light, but I fear for the tree's safety"

"Why?"

"That's never been there before, so I don't know why it is there now"

I walked to the edge of the balcony, "Have you asked anyone else?"

She shook her head, "No, most people are sleeping, and the servants haven't got any idea"

"It's Aura"

We both turned to find Lucario standing by the doorway.

Lady Ilene looked inquisitively at him, "An Aura is that strong?"

He shook his head, I noticed that he was more calm and less rude around Lady Ilene, "I can't see that far using my Aura, but I know it is an Aura, I sense it. Although, it feels like there is a large group of Aura concentrating into one place"

"Do you think it could be dangerous?"

"I'm not sure. It could be"

"Hmm... I think you should investigate it; seeing as you know most about Aura"

He nodded his head and placed a hand on his chest, "If that is your wish, it will be my honour"

I looked at both Lady Ilene and Lucario, "I'll go too" My words came out softly.

"What?" Lucario said,

"I said I'll go too, I'd like to get out of this castle and go somewhere" My lie came out well, they didn't notice that I had another reason for going.

Lady Ilene nodded, "If that is what you wish."

Lucario protested against it, "She won't be any good to me, and she won't keep up with my speed, I don't think she should"

Lady Ilene became firm, "You could slow down to her pace, and I don't agree with you; she could be a great asset to you Lucario"

Lucario looked away annoyed and then knelt down, "I am sorry for my rudeness Lady Ilene, I will do as you wish"

I stood surprised by the authority Lady Ilene had shown over Lucario. She turned to me, "You can both leave tomorrow morning, have a good night sleep"

"Thank-you Lady Ilene" I began to walk off back into the room, but Lady Ilene stopped me.

"Alex"

I turned around and saw her looking at me confusingly, "What's wrong Lady Ilene?"

"Why do you want to leave with Lucario?"

I looked away, beginning to get nervous, "I...I don't know. I was thinking about some things."

"Thing's such as what?"

I looked at her face, "Like... Maybe I could help him in some way..."

Her face was still firm, "But it could be dangerous, as he said. And truthfully, he is more able to complete the task more than you. I'm sorry if that sounded harsh"

"N-No, I understand. But I just wanted to try it... See if I could do something for him"

She smiled, "Well... If that is what you wish, I won't object"

I nodded at her and left the room.

I was walking along the hallways, thinking about what Lady Ilene had told me. The thought that I could help Lucario in some way sounded completely stupid when I repeated it over and over to myself.

I was interrupted by Eric, who had just walked out of the throne room, "Hi Alex"

I smiled, "Hi Eric, have you been cleaning?"

He nodded slowly, "Yeah, Lady Ilene wanted us to clean the throne room. Decorations aren't so easy to bring down as you might think"

I chuckled, "Oh well, I'm sure you'll get it done. Want any help?"

He shook his head, "No thanks, it's already done. How was the discussion with Lady Ilene?"

"Erm, it was fine." I was quiet for a couple of seconds, "I'm leaving tomorrow"

He was surprised, "Really? Why's that?"

"I'm not sure if Lady Ilene wants you to know, but I'll be leaving to the Tree of Beginning with Lucario to look at something"

His face was still the same, "Look at what?"

I rubbed my hands against my legs, "Sorry... I'm not sure if she wants you to know"

"Okay. But why are you going? Did Lady Ilene ask you?"

"N-No. I offered"

His face grew even more surprised, "Really? Why would you offer to go with Lucario?"

My cheeks were slowly glowing red, "I don't know, I thought I could help him maybe..."

His tone grew slightly sarcastic, "Even if it means being mutilated by him"

I looked at Eric, "Oh... Erm... I don't know"

He noticed what he had said and apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you more. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were doing, I don't understand why you want to do so much for Lucario"

I sighed, "I don't really know either. I just don't like him hating me. I feel sad and resented whenever he talks to me."

"Okay... Be careful Alex"

I smiled, "Thank's Eric"

I left him and headed back to my room.

In Alex's room...

I lay in my bed, Lucario hadn't been in his room, or outside. I kept thinking about what both Eric and Lady Ilene had said. A side bag full of clothing, toiletries, and food was laying beside me. I closed my eyes and thought about my decision, was it a good idea to go with the Pokemon that hated me? And I kept thinking about what the trip would be like with him, scared of what would happen. But besides the bad aspects of the journey, I also considered the good ones too. Maybe I will help him in some way. But unfortunately, whenever I thought abut something good, the thought was always accompanied by, 'Even if it means being mutilated by him', or, 'Truthfully, he is more able to complete the task more than you'.

I took in a deep breath, and closed my eyes, trying to forget about my decision, wanting to sleep, but the thoughts about what was to come kept flooding through my mind...

Thank-you for reading!

Alex: Great... I'm a dead girl...

Me: ...I never said he would kill you.

Lucario: *sniff*

Me: What?

Lucario: ... Nothing.

Me: ... Whatever...

R & R :P