REVIEW CORNER:

-Nightwing 1994: All I will say is that things are going to start changing for the poor 'half-breed' in both positive and negative ways.

-mockstevenh: As usual your sleuthing skills have been an invaluable asset! I can't thank you enough for your continued support in this regard. *pets the shiny Umbreon*

-Frozenpally: Amber is actually at Miss Ketchums house right now so she isn't starving. She is just too young to really do anything right now. I can put in a chapter with her but, to be honest, she won't be seeing much time until near the end when the family is back together and the second half of the story begins.

POKESPEECH/THOUGHTS:

"Normal Speech"

'Normal Telepathy/Normal Thought'

'Pokemon Telepathy/Pokemon Thoughts'

'Subconscious'

"Pokespeech/Abilities

DISCLAIMERS: I DON'T OWN POKEMON, IF I DID THEY WOULD ALL SPEAK ENGLISH.

-RUBY CIEL GARNET BELONGS TO "CR0553"

-MICHAEL KRAMER ('half-breed' "shiny" Gallade from my Pokemon Platinum game) IS MINE.

-JESSICA KRAMER ("shiny" Gardevoir from my Pokemon Sapphire game) IS MINE.

WARNING: DARK THEMES, GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AND EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

Outside Viridian City (Twenty Minutes until BoE meeting)

Ash's POV

"You wanted to talk to me, Michael?"

I saw the peach-skinned Gallade, known as Michael Kramer, sit down on a nearby stump and run his hands over his eyes. I could sense waves of uncertainty, nervousness and fear radiate off of him. The last one threw me for a bit of a loop, however. After seeing what he was capable of I thought Michael to be virtually fearless. Seeing Thisis vulnerable side of such a proud warrior tore at my heart. I had a faint inkling as to what was troubling the half breed through Latias' psychic dive but still, seeing him so conflicted made me wonder if I had the answers to quell Michaels' turmoil.

"Ash...what do you fight for? What is the purpose for doing what you do?"

When he asked me those two questions I was confused and a touch relieved. Not even an hour ago this same Gallade tried to take my life, now he was apparentely wanting to just talk. The confusion I felt was because of the latter; for the first time since we met the half breed wanted to make conversation with me. I knew had to answer honestly and without fear...

I couldn't let this opportunity slip away.

"What do I fight for? Well, I guess you could say I fight for the right to call myself a true Pokemon trainer." The look Michael gave me lacked any sort of amusement so I quivered ground quickly. "I also fight for my friends, the very pokemon I have met in my travels, as well as the one who captured my heart in a way I never thoughts possible."

I felt a chage in Michaels aura after saying this, giving me the impression that he might be finally opening up to me.

"Through battling, humans and pokemon can grow stronger in mind and body. Through traveling, humans and pokemon can grow stronger in their hearts. Through capturing pokemon, humans can create a bond with that pokemon. By combining all three of these principles, humans and pokemon can strengthen that bond and achieve their goals together."

I saw Michael look at me with those empowering emerald green eyes and my confidence rose even higher. I assumed there would be other thoughts troubling the off-color Gallade so I waited for him to continue. I was not dissapointed when the air around Michael began to grow denser, as if a long-buried memory were being unearthed.

"You talk about bonds and how pokemon strengthen the ones they hold with their trainers, and vice-versa. What about when that bond grows so strong that both trainer and Pokemon begin to feel about one another as more than just partners in battle?"

"You mean when a bond grows so strong that they feel love for one another?"

"Yes, Ash...I fell in love with Jessica while I was still a human. This world would see me as a Pokephile without even taking into consideration the fate I avoided because of it."

"What if I told you that the one I love is a pokemon as well?"

A prolonged silence greeted my question and, for a good while, I feared I had overstepped my bounds. Nearly a full two minutes later I heard Michaels voice address me once again.

"If you are being truthful and you are like me, a Pokephile, why should I trust you with the well-being of my only son? Given the current situation, potentially facing a legendary Pokemon whose powers far surpass my own, I need to know Blade will be in capable hands in the event..." Michael lowered his gaze once again, this time glancing to the side.

I knew he was taking a long look at Jessica and Blade, who were talking to Sabrina and Gary. Surrounding them were the Shadows, their positioning in a full circle acting as a living shield to avoid any future surprise attacks.

"In the event?..."

Michael sighed deeply before returning his gaze to me.

"In the event I don't survive I need to know that my beloved, my son, my daughter and the new one on the way will be in capable hands. I have foolishly neglected to find a suitable beneficiary in the event of my death and, while I do not plan on dying just yet, I cannot help but worry for the future of my family.

Michael got up off the stump he had been perched on and approached me with a stern but pleading look in his eyes. I had never seen him so afraid of the unknown, as if Michael's own mortality became frighteningly real.

"Ash, even though Gary has given you his stamp of approval to train my son, I need to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you will train Blade to become stronger than me. I need to know, should I fall, that Blade is capable of taking my place. Above all else, though..."

I saw tears begin to fall from his emerald green eyes.

"...I need to know that you will protect my family from those who know of my past and would attempt to do harm to my beloved. I have been plagued with ...nightmares...images of my beloved dying at their hands...I can't seem to get those images out of my head or shake the nightmares that keep me awake every night."

"Wait, you mean a vision?" My curiosity was piqued.

"It could have been a vision..the nith area keep occuring before I became a Gallade...when I was still human..."

I was about to offer another suggestion when Michael suddenly took a step back. There was a different sort of panic engrained in his eyes, one so deep it gave me chills.

"Why am I so powerless to protect the ones I love? I can't let my past..."

When Michael trailed off I saw Latias make her way over towards the half breed and press her forehead against his.

"Latias, what are you-"

'I'm trying to find out what it is he is seeing so we might be able to better understand his plight.'

I could only watch as Latias' eyes began glowing a fierce azure blue. Suddenly I found myself thrust into another world, where tendrils of psychic energy coiled around my legs at every turn. They were attempting to branch out at innumerable junctures within the world I had been thrust into. Each juncture lead to a different point in someones' lifetime.

In one instance there were a mob of people chasing after two individuals on foot, guns drawn, and firing blindly at the retreating figures. The two retreating forms resembled an oddly colored Gallade and a blue-haired Gardevoir. The entire retreat was filled with chants of "Pokephile!" and "Tainted scum!"

I saw a man with piercing emerald green eyes, dirty blonde hair and a large scar in the center of his chest. Standing next to him was a woman who looked to be about the same age as him. She had bright blue hair and eyes the color of amber. She was also wearing a gorgeous white dress that overes all of her back but was left open near her hips. Much like the man to her side, she also sported a large scar near her chest. Standing next to them were two human children. The first child was male and had light green hair. While quite young still, he had the most intimidating scarlet-red eyes. In is right hand was a saber that looked as though it had shed blood recently. The other child was a human girl who looked like she couldn't have been older than eight. She had the same green hair as her brother but her eyes were the same color as the older woman- amber.

I saw a Gallade cutting through numerous Hell Pokemon in his mega-evolved state. Yet, for every one he cut down, another two would take their place. Eventually he was overrun and torn to shreds by the Hell Pokemon. I could hear a high-pitched wail come from where we had just been and saw a blue-haired Gardevoir staring at where the Gallade had just been. Another Gallade, this one with dirty blonde hair, ran over to the other and began sobbing uncontrollably.

I stood before a monstrous bird Pokemon engulfed in flames. Its cry created the most soul-crushing aura I had ever felt. The sheer power of its rage-filled aura, even though it was only a vision, brought me to my knees. From behind me came several figures, some of whom I recognized. Gary, Michael, Jessica and a girl with black hair sported by red tips soon followed. Together, the four stood before the giant embodiment of death defiantly.

Latias' voice cut through the vision and brought me back to reality, for the moment at least.

'I think I found it, Ash!'

Once my mind had processed what Latias said to me I found myself fully immersed within this particular memory, as though the stale air and asphalt beneath my feet were part of the present moment.

I began seeing things from an outsiders perspective as a human man with glowing emerald green eyes was fighting off a mob of people chasing after a blue-haired Gardevoir. Several gunshots were fired from random passerby who happened to join the fray.

"NO! GET AWAY FROM HER! Run! Save yourself!"

I turned to find who the desperate voice belonged to. It was the same human with unmistakable emerald green eyes. He had a look of panic and rage etched on his face, much like the one Michael had before this impromptu brain-dive.

"N-No! I'm not leaving you behind, Michael!"

I looked at the source and it had come from the blue-haired Gardevoir. It was the name she spoke that caught my attention, however.

'Michael is trying to keep that mob from getting to Jessica?' I felt a sinister premonition, as though something truly terrible was about to happen...

I would not be left waiting very long.

"Capture that Gardevoir! It slept with this human! It's been tainted!"

The raucous crowd was spitting obscenities left and right and, before long, another gunshot rang out. Absolute silence, with the exception of the bullet creating a seemingly endless echo as lead pierced flesh, took over the scene before my eyes. I saw the look of horror on Michael's face, those green eyes following Jessicas body as it fell to the frground in agonizing slow-motion.

Jessica had been shot in the chest, her amber spike penetrated by a large-caliber bullet. Her eyes began to lose their glow and, as her body continued to fall to the ground, she kept saying "You...promised...me..." Before hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

A large pool of blood formed around Jessica's motionless frame and Michaels aura changed rapidly. He began screaming at the top of his lungs, throwing punches at anybody he could reach. One punch hit a man so hard his skull caved in while another had their ribs shattered from the force of the impact.

"WHAT DID WE EVER DO TO YOU PEOPLE?!"

Michael dove for another man, the one who had shot Jessica, and the shooter lifted his gun to take aim at the enraged human. Just before Michael could reach him though, another pair of gunshots brought a quick end to Michael's rampage. The one who had killed Jessica aimed the barrel of his weapon at Michaels chest...

...and fired.

"Now, you little shit, time for you to join your little blue-haired bitch in the afterlife!"

The vision began to go blurry and, seconds later, we were back in our world. Michael's eyes were as wide as dinner plates after such a graphic recollection of the nightmare that had consumed him. He started crying once again and I saw Latias lower her head until it was level with Michael's.

She wrapped her small claws around his neck and embraced him thoroughly. I could see Jessica and Blade watching the exchange with tears in their eyes a well.

'You've never had anyone to share your pain with...have you?'

I stared at Latias and listened to what she was saying to Michael telepathically. Piece by piece, it all started making sense. I boldly stood before the kneeling Gallade and extended my hand until it was on his left shoulder.

"You have never had anyone to share your own fears with up until now, have you...? I know, even with Jessica and Blade, they cannot understand the true weight it brings nor can they alleviate that weight without fear of you feeling like less of a man...am I right?"

Michael vaguely nodded his head.

"Michael...you're not alone in the struggle anymore...you have friends...friends that will do anything to make sure you and Jessica get through this safe and sound. I've been told you didn't have many friends growing up so why don't you let me and Latias be your friends? That way we can share your burdens and your fears...together."

Michael looked at me with the most empty eyes I had ever seen. Despite this, I could still sense that those words meant so much to the Gallade. The broken spirit that had been left inside seemed to swell with youth and vitality. Before long, I could see his aura manifesting itself brilliantly from the ashes of the old aura.

I watched as Michael stood up and came towards me with a look of indifference. I knew what was about to happen and felt a smile find its way to my lips.

Michael embraced me in a brotherly hug.

"Thank you, Chosen One...thank you, a million times over, thank you!"

I was shocked that Michael had addressed me as the "Chosen One" which was normally followed by intense spite and disdain. This time he truly meant it and, if the tears falling on my shoulder were any indication, I had won his friendship and his trust.

Inside Viridian City Gym: Head Shadow's Office- Second Floor. (5 minutes until BoE meeting)

Normal POV

Gary watched the door leading to what may as well have been a room booked for the president of the Pokemon League. Lavish marbled tile and a table fit more for quarterly projection meetings than an impromptu underground organizations unscheduled gathering.

Inside the room with him was every Shadow in the organization, as well as a few new faces.

Seated next to Gary were his side were Alpha Shadow, Ruby and Omega Shadow, Sabrinna. Also present were Shadows May Maple, Dawn Berlitz, Glacia, Lieutenant Surge, Wattson, Anabel, Drew and Patrick. Six more chairs were positioned directly behind Gary.

In those seats were the head of the Pokemon League, Mr. Goodshow, Misty Waterflower of the Kanto Elite Four, Professor Oak and Brandon of the Kanto Frontier Brains. The other two chairs were empty and their occupants were what everyone was waiting on.

Right on cue the two missing parties arrived.

Everyone in the room turned to spot the new additions, all bit Professor Oak, Gary and the Shadows were amazed at the sight of the half-breed entering the room with a shiny Gardevoir, another Gallade and the Kanto Champion, Ash Ketchum in tow.

"Glad to see you made it after all, Ashy-boy, Michael, Jessica, Blade..."

Misty was the first to speak up at the unusual situation. "Hold on, you mean to tell me those pokemon have names? Why are they human names, though?" The feisty red-head barked out as Michael and Blade stared at the Water-pokemon specialist. Ash was shaking his head and Pikachu had already left Ash's shoulder and was making his way over to Misty.

"Everything will be explained once everyone is seated, Misty, I assure you. Right now, though, we have a much bigger problem on our hands and, in the interest of time, I would appreciate it if you held all of your questions until I open the floor. Are there any objections?"

Gary looked around the room and saw everyone remain absolutely silenty.

"Good! With that I officially call this meeting of Kanto's finest trainers to order!"

Two Hours Later...

"WHAT?!"

The expected response reverberated throughout the packed meeting room as Misty was the first to make her thoughts known.

"If these guys are so dangerous then why the fuck have you just been sitting here twiddling your thumbs all day?! This is a SERIOUS situation that should have been brought to the Leagues attention the moment you suspected something-"

"So, then what? Allow the penal system to run its course? Throw together a half-baked investigation that would have been prepared for months in advance? Forgive my bluntness, miss Waterflower, but given the recent history of Kanto's "police force" I would rather allow vigilantes to head the operation then a group of individuals more interested in following an out-dated and moronic process! We would STILL be waiting on an investigation, and NO ONE would have been the wiser as to what was going on until the danger had already come and gone."

Misty looked positively enraged at Gary's outright ignorance of the proper processes but Ash was the one who stepped up to his aid.

"Mist, Gary, for once, is right about this. I saw first hand what those Hell Pokemon are capable of- one of them crushed Charizard in his mega-evolved state with a single attack...their threat is real and it is frightening. If we were to follow protocol in this case Kanto would be nothing but a charred husk. Hell, it still might be if Moltres is allowed to achieve Hell-Evolution. Michael was able to break the corruption only because of his bond with Jessica. Even then it nearly killed him, and her corruption had not fully manifested..."

Ash looked right at Misty and the look in his eyes could have bent steel and pierced the soul.

"If we wait for the authorities to get involved there won't be a Kanto to go back to. A Moltres consumed by anger and rage is enough to make even Celebi wince..." Ash trailed sternly while glancing at Ruby. "Celebi revealed to us a vision last night that should key you into just how serious this matter has become...and the reason why we cannot sit idly by and just let...THIS happen..."

Ash turned around and gave a nod to both Michael and Jessica. The two shiny pokemon held each others hands while Latias held the ones not connected with her own paws. Celebi joined the trio in the center. 'Everyone, we will be showing you what Celebi discerned as the most immediate future that awaits us...'

The room began to darken and everyone's minds were winding through time and space, led by Celebi. When they arrived in the future...it was like a snapshot of hell.

Viridian City: P.A.I.R. Base of Operations- Maximum Security Sealed Laboratory (30 minutes after BoE meeting started)

Normal POV

"IDENTIFICATION CONFIRMED- PRESTON B. WALCOTT. ACCESS GRANTED."

A tall man in a midnight black overcoat, black combat boots, a black sleeveless shirt and wearing black gloves entered the restricted laboratory with locks of blazing red hair flowing behind him. Eyes a fierce shade of azure blue could pierce the soul as the leader of P.A.I.R. looked on a his greatest prize lay dormant in its isolation chamber.

The slumbering form of the legendary Moltres.

Inside the chamber was green medical fluid that would allow it to breath and maintain its full strength. This would be the only comfort given to the legendary Fire Bird Pokemon, however.

Numerous wires and graphs were hooked to the powerful fire-type and its heart rate, mental strength, vitals and nutrition information were all within easy access should the need arise to change anything.

"Very soon, Moltres, the so-called 'creator' of this world will fall before the might of humanity...' Walcott called out to the sleeping beast before flipping a switch and pulling two levers. The fluid inside the chamber suddenly began filling with a hideous red gunk. "You have done well so far but now the true fun begins! Now...we start your transformation..."

The leader of P.A.I.R. turned around and began walking out of the laboratory.

Seconds after the door closed an unholy shriek pierced through the earth, a scream of unimaginable pain followed...