Author's Note: I'm screwing around with the voice typing feature with Google Docs, trying to see if I want to use it for writing. I'm doing my best to make sure I don't make any errors, but if you find anything make sure to let me know. Other than that, sorry this took so long to get out. I've been very busy with school, and making sure I get caught up on all the fixes for grammar issues in Gardevoir, My Angel. I'll try to update this more often, but I'm going into a science final fairly soon I want to make sure I am able to complete that. Other than that, life has been doing well. That said, enjoy the story, and happy reading! -Orthros

-April 3rd, 5 AM, Michael POV, FP-

When I wake, my eyesight is very blurry. I feel as though every part of my body has been grilled over a small flame. Overheated and moaning slightly, I blink a few times. What appears to be a wooden beamed ceiling comes into view. I sit up.

I appear to be in some sort of a log cabin, made up of one large room. My bed sits in the corner closest to the door, and appears to made out of a log bed frame. In the opposite corner is a small kitchenette. Gale sits on a stool, slicing apples with one hand. His other arm appears to be in some sort of sling, and he looks pained whenever he moves it. As I focus, I noticed that he has several dozen stitches around his legs and hips as well.

The senior Pokemon senses me focusing my thoughts and turns. He smiles with relief, dropping the apples and rushing over to my bed. "You're awake. How are you feeling?" He asks, hesitantly.

I'm unsure as to exactly how I'm feeling. Nonetheless, I respond, my voice a croak. "Nervous, I suppose. Happy, because I appear to be alive. I feel like my entire body got microwaved." I finished, tiredly. "Where is Luke?" I asked nervously. Gales smile fades.

"We got separated after your mental explosion. Luke contacted me immediately after you talked to him, and told me what you saw. I was able to safely get Celebi out of the orphanage unseen. We met at the Pokemon Center, right in the middle of the fight. Unfortunately, right before your explosion, we were seen by a squad of the Society of the Shattered Moon. Luke stayed back to defend Celebi and myself. I was able to reach you right as you blacked out, and teleport us to this location. Luke contacted me at about 2 o'clock this morning. He's alive, but he's wounded and will not be able to get to us for a few days. He wasn't captured either, so that's good. Celebi did not get any new injuries." He finished, sadly.

I nod, struck with a horribly depressed feeling. "The orphanage… How many Seniors…?" I trail off into nothingness, laying back on my bed. Gale understands though.

"None, believe it or not." I look up at him, eyes narrowing. He puts up his uninjured, bladed arm in a defensive position, smiling slightly. "Honest! Alice was hurt, yes, but I heard from the locals in the nearby town that the news announced that Nurse Joy was able to save her. All in all, only a few major injuries happened." He says, before his smile dips slightly. "That's not all going around, though. There's major debate as to whether or not you burning Slateport City off the map should be considered a crime. No one really knows about Celebi yet, although Officer Jenny is probably going to explain to the higher ups. Until then, though, we should lay low. We might have to deal with the police as well as the SSM on our tail." He admits. I sigh heavily, accepting Gale's words. After a few moments of silence, I change the subject.

"Where exactly is 'this location,' than?" I mutter questioningly. Gale responds by walking to the one of the drawers and opening it. He retrieves a tube of paper held closed by a rubber band. Removing the band, he unrolls the paper, revealing a map of Hoenn. After grabbing a clipboard and positioning the map to keep it unfolded, he returns to my bedside.

"We're just west of Fallarbor Town." He states, pointing to a small spot on the map. "This cabin is actually owned by a guy who enjoys digging for fossils, and he's dug so much that he's created a tunnel through the large hill behind his house. He is also one of the few people who we can trust, I know that for a fact. After I arrived, he took a 'vacation to Pacifidlog Town to take a break from the hot climate,' I think was what he called it. Anyway, we can stay as long as we like, he was very generous."

Gale pauses for a moment, heading to the back of the cabin. He puts his uninjured arm on a painting and pushes downward. The tall art image fell backward, revealing a secret passage that seemed to stretch on for infinity, swallowed in darkness. "We can use his tunnel as an escape route if we're found," the Gallade finishes.

"Alright." I say, forcing myself to fight through my rather bad case of depression and stand. I notice a small bed to the left of the kitchenette, in which Celebi sleeps silently. Looking down at my body, clothed only in shorts, I appear unharmed, although I am rather tired. I breathe deeply, then look to Gale. "What do we need from town?" When he looks at me questioningly, I just shake my head. "I know we need something, it's a rather good hunch of mine. You can't go into town in that condition, and even if you were better fitted to than I, if you're seen everyone will know where we are. Help me make a list… And Gale," I add hesitantly. He looks me in the eyes. "Thanks for getting us out and helping so much. You did well."

-Meanwhile, Luke's POV-

BOOM!

"AHH! SHIT!" I scream, rather high pitched. Sitting bolt upright on my bed of leaves, I try in vain to control my hyperventilating.

"Fucking hell…. Just a nightmare…" I mutter to myself a few minutes later, finally having calmed down enough to return my breathing to a somewhat normal state.

I'm in the woods near Fortree City, camping out. After Michael had his mental explosion, backup for the SSM arrived. They didn't expect to be outnumbered, though, due to the damages the Aura Guardian caused. Nonetheless, rather than retreating, they split up, half of their group retreated, chased by the police, while the other half proceeded to chase me through Hoenn for quite some time. I assume they would have held me hostage, to try and draw out Michael. I wouldn't have gotten away if a 14 year old trainer and his Pikachu, along with his friends, hadn't done me a kindness by protecting me. A complete stranger, yet he defended me with his life. I didn't even thank him…

I shook my head, wincing as I did so. Thankfully the wounds I received weren't fatal, but that doesn't mean they won't burn like the devil himself for a while. Looking up, slowly so as not to injure myself further, I notice several broken branches.

I must have struck out in my sleep… In my defense, I'm not exactly feeling my best. Combined with the horrors of yesterday and the fact that I revisited the field, chased by those trainers as a Riolu once again in my sleep, I think I reacted well.

At least I aimed it upwards and not at someone…

I look off to my right and notice a pink sun peaking through the trees. It must be the very first minutes of dawn. A good time to wake, I suppose. Getting slowly to my feet, I set off towards the river I had seen during the chase. A few minutes of wandering later, I arrive, pushing my way through the tall grass and sitting rather clumsily on my knees to drink from the clear, sparkling water. I was hungry, too, but that could wait. Suddenly a voice rang out behind me, causing me to jerk my head around so quick that my neck cracked like a gunshot. I winced horribly and fell into the shallow water. I crawl backwards a few feet, putting some distance between the voice and myself. Serves me right, I suppose… Not focusing my Aura Sight…

"A Lucario… And it's shiny, too, Billy! Let's catch it!" The voice sounds feminine, and I quickly wipe my eyes of the excess liquid. I know that with my neck aching like it is now, combined with my tiredness and pains from the other cuts that I received during that tragic event, I wouldn't be able to win against anything except an easy newbie trainer.

"Wait up, Crystal!" A male's voice sounds. Finally able to see, I focus on the two trainers. Both seem to be fifteen or so years old. The girl is wearing a rather short, dark blue skirt, with a necklace encircling a small, brightly colored sphere, and a pinkish green shirt. Her hair is light brown, with red tennis shoes and an energetic smile as she throws a pokeball into the air. With a flash of light, a Blaziken appears, roaring. Across the fire type's neck is a sort of chain mail necklace, whose links resemble flames. Sitting at the base of the chain is a stone, colored red and black. My eyes widen slightly at this last bit. It's a Blazikenite Mega Stone.

"Wow! It really is a Shiny Lucario! Why on earth here of all places, though? I thought Lucario were really rare, next to nonexistent in Hoenn?!" The other trainer, Billy, the girl said his name was, wondered aloud excitedly as he throws a pokeball upwards too. The man had dark skin, standing about six feet tall, with coal black hair and purple eyes. Dressed in casual blue jeans and a white t-shirt, he grinned as his pokemon of choice appeared next to him in another flash of light. A pokemon with a slim, white body, with pink, parachute pants-like skin and a similar style head, balancing on one leg. The Medicham had an arm-band as well, and it's mega stone was easily visible, centered upon the band.

So much for newbies... I rose out of the water, knowing I didn't have a chance, but not wanting to lose face.

Billy narrows his eyes, hesitating. When he speaks, I'm rather taken aback. "Never mind, Medicham. Return." He states, clicking the button on the pokeball once more. Medicham gives a curt nod as she is closed within the sphere once more. I'm confused as Billy turns his head to the girl. She speaks up before he can say anything, though.

"I already know what you're going to say. I agree, brother. Torch, return." Crystal finishes, tapping the sphere on her friend's arm as well. She turns in my direction and starts walking towards me. Out of nerves, I take a step back and form a small Aura Sphere in my right palm. The girl stops at the edge of the water, about seven or so feet from me. She shakes her head sadly. Holding her palms out in front of her in a peaceful gesture, the girl speaks once again. "I didn't know you were injured, or I would have let you be. As it is though, you won't last long without food, and I don't think it would be safe for you to hunt in your condition. Would you like to come with us? We can care for you if you like, until you're ready to leave." I'm taken aback by her kindness, considering her offer.

Billy appears next to Crystal. "She's got a point, Luke." My eyes narrow at him as I raise my Aura Sphere in a defensive position, backing up another step into the mud. Billy quickly shakes his head. "You misunderstand me, although you must be really injured if you can't read my emotions… I know your name because my partner Medicham is able to harness Aura as well, and she recognized you. You were injured in the fight at Slateport, right? It was all over the news." He asks, standing in a casual position despite the fact that I have a deadly projectile primed and aimed at him at point blank range.

After a moment of silence, I try to concentrate my Aura enough to read his emotions. He's right, I'm having trouble focusing, and now that my fur has dried off a bit I can feel blood leaking down my legs. Several of my cuts must have opened up again. A bit on my back as well. Nonetheless, I am able to sense no hostile thoughts between the pair. I dropped my stance, although I was having trouble keeping it charged in the first place. I nod slightly to answer his question.

The man doesn't reply, rather he stoops down, rolls up his pants legs to reveal comfortable looking flipflops, before slowly entering the water and wading out to me. I'm still nervous, but also much more drained than I originally thought I was. I don't struggle as he puts his left arm under my right, supporting me. He helps me walk out of the water. Crystal opens another pokeball, revealing a Torterra. After quickly explaining the situation to the Grass Type starter, she and Billy lift me up and lay me on the Pokemon's shell.

Crystal walks next to Torterra, apparently talking to her pokemon, although it seems rather one-sided. Billy, on the other hand, rides on top with me as well. He's in the process of spraying potions on my various wounds. I can't do much about it, only having enough energy to flinch at the stinging as he addresses my injuries. He notices this and pulls out a yellow berry.

"Eat this and sleep. We know the SSM will be after you, so we'll make sure you're brought into Fortree City privately, after dark. We'll wake you when we get back to our house." He finishes. I would rather stay awake, but my body refuses to listen. A moment later, my eyes close and sleep follows suit.

-Noon, Michael's POV-

It turns out the Fossil maniac was more generous than I thought, and he seemed to have thought of everything. A pouch of money, no less than 1500 dollars, was tucked in the same drawer the map was, along a simple note saying Pay me back anytime, your safety is more important than pocket change.

After getting a short list from Gale, I put on a thin sweat jacket, complete with hoodie, and headed in the direction of Fallarbor Town. The path was fairly easy to manage, and I thanked Arceus once again for my abilities with Aura. All the wild pokemon respectfully let me be, which I was very grateful for. After about 20 minutes of walking the dusty road, I arrived in the small village.

The Poke Mart, easily recognized by it's customary blue roof, was simple to locate. I walked in, keeping my face down, hidden from view by the few shoppers about. After grabbing several sets of bandages, dozens of berries, as well as some frozen meals, I loaded my haul into a basket and carried it to the clerk.

The man swiftly rung up my items, seeming slightly surprised by the amount of things I was getting. "You're sure getting a lot of stuff, Sir. If it's not to private, may I ask why?" He asks politely. I momentarily focus my Aura, studying the individual for any signs of hostility. I find none. I shrug slightly.

"Stocking up, I suppose. No real reason." I respond. The man just nods. He finishes bagging up my items, then sends me on my way with a happy farewell.

Not that many people are nice like he is. He's a good man. I think to myself as I take my bags on the trip back to the house. It takes considerably longer, but I was loaded down and not doing very well on my stamina, either. As I'm walking up, Gale opens the door.

"Welcome back," he says, as he takes a few of the bags and steps back to let me in. I nod, smiling. The small walk, along with the clerks happy attitude, worked a miracle on my mood. We quickly unpack the bags, but instead of putting the various goods in the cupboards, we store them in some duffel bags, organizing the items so we could reach everything with ease. The only items we put in the freezer/fridge are the meals, one of which we keep out and cook.

By the time it was finished, I could sense Celebi coming into consciousness. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. I smile warmly to her. "Hello, Celebi. You hungry?" I ask in greeting. Her stomach answers for her.

The three of us laugh as I dish our meals, simple pasta and veggies. We lounge comfortably, enjoying the peace. After we finish, Gale speaks up.

"What is the plan, than?" He asks. I pull out the map and tack it up again.

"I've given it a bit of thought. The four places I can think of to get Celebi to safety are as follows; Marine Cave, where Kyogre, the Master of the Seas rests, at least in the myths. Next would be Terra Cave, where Groudon, Master of the Lands, supposedly rests. Following him would be Rayquaza, Master of the Skies, at Sky Pillar, and finally the rumored 'Sealed Chamber' where the trio of Regirock, Keeper of the Gems, Registeel, Keeper of the Smiths, and Regice, Keeper of the Climates are supposedly located." I finish, putting up tacks on the various, supposedly unknown areas. Celebi nods.

"That looks and sounds right to me. Now, Sky Pillar would be the most logical, because it's the highest point. Even if we don't attract Rayquaza's attention, we could still have a chance at communicating with someone else, like Deoxys, Jirachi, or maybe even Arceus." She hesitates for a moment. "But that would also be obvious to the SSM. I'm certain that they at least suspect that You're trying to get me home, and if they do their research than they'll know and have a lookout at Sky Pillar." She finishes sadly. I put a hand gently on her shoulder.

"We'll figure it out. I personally would like to find Luke again, before we continue. If we get found, Gale and I will get beaten down…" I trail off for a moment. I shake my head. "Anyway, I say for now we relax and recover. I'll try to find Luke via Aura starting tomorrow. I'm sure he's alive, I've been with him long enough that I would know if his Aura left this planet…"

-11 PM, Luke's POV-

A fragile hand with strong grip shakes my shoulder slightly, rousing me. Opening my eyes, I sit up. Too quickly, I feel nauseated. Crystal steadies me, saying "Whoa there. Calm down, you are safe. We're in my house, on the lowest level, right at the base of the tree trunk. No one will find you, and you can recover here." She finishes in a soothing voice. I relax.

True to her word, we are in a circular room, whose walls seem to be made out of whittled and sanded tree bark. I look down at my gold and black furred body, which is laying on the only bed in the room, made of soft sheets bundled with leaves. It's covered in bandages. I hear footsteps and turn my head to my right, where a set of stairs reveals Billy in the doorway, holding a small platter of berries. He smiles warmly and sets the tray on the nightstand next to me.

"Thank you for your hospitality…" I say, hesitantly. They both seem shocked for a moment at my Telepathy, but quickly shrug it off.

Crystal shrugs, waving a hand. "Hey, even the best of us need a hand once in awhile. I think my journeys have taught me that for sure." She finishes, laughing slightly. I smile a bit.

Billy winks at me. "One of the few times my sister is actually right, and she's got a point. Now eat those berries. Tomorrow I'll head to the Poke Mart and pick up some special medicines and berries, to super speed the healing. If all goes well, your body should be fully repaired in a few days. Oh wait!" He says as I'm about to take a bite. I hesitate. "I forgot to mention, those have a sleep aid in them. I would rather have your permission before I drug you, so…" He trails off, rubbing the back of his neck. I nod.

"Thanks for warning me, Billy, and respecting my personal opinion. I'll eat them, yes. Really though…" I say, looking down at the berry. "Thank you so much. You've no idea how much it means to me."

Billy smiles sadly. "Maybe not you specifically… But my sister and I have been traveling for several years now. We've had our ups and downs. Anyway, we'll leave you be. The tree carries sound well, so holler if you need anything, we'll hear. Good night." The pair of trainers exit the room, feet pounding softly on the wooden steps.

I quickly eat the medicine filled berries, before leaning back on the bed. Hitting the light switch, I stare at the ceiling in the sudden blackness. Kindhearted souls, those two. I wonder what their Auras look like… Although the fact that I was so tired that I couldn't see them is kind of worrying… Fortunately, before the nervousness can start gnawing at my insides, the medicine starts to take effect. I allow myself to fall into a deep, dreamless, peaceful slumber.

-High Above the Clouds, Master of the Skies' POV-

"What do you think?" The Keeper of the Skies asks me. Her four long, tube-shaped tentacle arms waver slightly out of nerves.

"I think that Arceus should be made aware of this, if he isn't already. The very thought of a weapon that can prevent us from contacting our brothers and sisters… It's not very pleasant." I respond, my long, snake-like body whipping around as I float next to my Apprentice. "Either way, that Gallade teleported her away before we could retrieve her…"

Deoxys tilts her head to one side. "I've come to the opinion that the man, as well as that Gallade and Lucario were defending the Keeper of Time… What about you, Rayquaza…?" She asks quietly.

I don't answer immediately, simply unnerved by the whole situation. "Yes, that was my conclusion also. They seem smart and powerful as well. Our best hope at present is to wait and see… I hate that. A helpless feeling. I'm supposed to be a God!" I burst out, raising my voice slightly. Deoxys backs up a bit, and I immediately check my anger.

"Apologies."

She nods. "Accepted. And remember, it's not just you. Even Arceus himself cannot pinpoint her, nor can his wife, Mew, Keeper of Creation. How, we do not know. But don't despair, Master. Like you said, the human and his comrades seem powerful. Perhaps they will succeed."

"Only Time will tell."