Me: Um, I beg your forgiveness...? Well, my original plans for this chappy were to have it out by Thanksgiving... I have succeeded, yes? And seriously, did no one notice the parody moment in the previous chapter? I thought it was obvious. I guess not?

I also notice, that I didn't get much comment about the things I've implied up to now, in my story. But, no, it doesn't bother me. I must simply be better at avoiding the direct truth than I thought, when playing a mystery. Or, you all would rather just see how it all plays out... I don't know. Personally, I don't think I'm all that good at beating around the bush.

XXXXXX

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Chapter Four:

If it had to start one way

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"Yes, Gallade... Do the two of you trust me?"

Allan had asked this very quietly, with an old determination they had thought suppressed, long ago, by Allan's cruel Master.

Determination. It was this that caught their attention and held them thralled to his words.

Gallade and Lapras spoke simultaneously, 'Yes. We trust you with our very lives, Allan.'

"With your lives?" Allan knew this much was undeniably true, but at the same time, he wished they'd abandon him if only to spare themselves needless suffering, "I would rather you didn't put so much faith in me... But I know this could work... So I only ask for your trust, while I move in secret."

'Master Allan... It will be hard not knowing what you mean by the things you do, but I will try to understand,' Gallade was ready to risk it all on the small chance that they'd at last be free

Looking across the salt washed shore of northern Eterna, Allan, who'd called the two Pokemon to their Pokeballs, set off east. He knew what drew him to that direction; It was his assignment to infiltrate Team Galactic's HQ... Among some other less innocent, tasks within. 'Just head east...' Allan told himself, 'Continue in this direction, and maybe more of my plan will be possible!'

Allan kept his senses open now, at all times, while moving silently into the trees of the meandering forest ahead of him. The wild Pokemon of daytime would rush, hither thither to their nests for the coming night. The sun had set before they made landfall, but it had still been light then. Now, the dusk was creeping in more darkly than ever. Dark as it was, there was no denying the quiet beauty, that was the evening shadows of night. Nor now, that the stars could be seen, diamond bright in the skies above.

'The days ahead will be getting colder soon...' Allan thought, remembering that it was now the height of autumn, 'I wonder if my birthday is soon? The first day of winter seems to be a while off though...'

'No, not yet, Master Allan,' Gallade answered telepathically from within his confinement to the Pokeball, 'It will be a while until then.'

'I'm glad to hear this, Gallade. I'd rather not have to deal with having it on a day when I'm completely preoccupied by my mission.'

'No,' Gallade agreed with a small smile, 'But I do think you should find a place to rest soon. It's getting late.'

'It will be late, when the stars wheel to midnight!'

All the same, Allan supposed it wouldn't be that bad an idea to find such a location soon, as Gallade had suggested. It would be a while before they made it to any real point that allowed them to slow down, and make their moves more slowly. More strategically. 'But rest is important to clear thinking', as an old AK Master had once said to his restless apprentice.

'I won't be long in searching. I just have to make sure to move in as deeply as I can while the night is still fresh, and that won't take much effort if I walk quickly enough.'

'Well, I guess it's not like you don't have the energy to do as much.' Gallade conceded

'Yes... Rest yourself well, my friend.'

And as Gallade settled in to sleep, as Lapras had already done, Allan walked on into the deepening night.

.

XXX

.

Riley had now moved quite far from the town of Vala, where Sam had been training with her Gyarados. It was just as well, too, for she seemed to be getting grumpy about not being able to work on their 'Waterfall' attack anytime up to now.

All this time, Riley had been just as stubborn as Sam about keeping his secrets. It was an effort, aided and abetted by Lucario, who was becoming more and more impressed with the water Pokemon trainer. That Sam had managed to keep up, let alone patiently, was a feat most undisciplined people failed to accomplish vs an Aura Knight. And, had she possessed more Aura proficiency, she would surely have been recruited to be a page when she became old enough to join.

But it was here, on this fine morning, that Lucario sensed a strange pattern on the wind.

"Is something the matter Lucario?" Riley asked

'I don't know... I thought I sensed something out of the ordinary.' Lucario looked off southwards, and then turned east

Lucario turned back to Riley and frowned, 'I'm not sure why, but I feel like I am being drawn towards Veilstone instead, now...'

Riley pretended, for Sam's benefit, to be thinking deeply. In truth, he was saying to Lucario, 'We should probably get into contact with another Knight about this... We can't afford to change our goals now, just because something more urgent comes up under our senses.'

'I agree,' Lucario said, 'But what about her? She isn't likely to let you out of her sight, just because we need to let another Knight know about what we've felt... Not without directly revealing the secret that you've kept from her up 'til now.'

'Or I could just trust you.' Riley smiled

Lucario liked that plan. It meant that she'd be the one to tell the Knight, while Riley kept Sam busy, with one thing or another.

"What's going on between you two?" Sam looked from one to the other, confused

"Nothing huge, don't worry about it, Sam," Lucario nodded in agreement to this, "We just have to stop in at the next town to get some supplies."

"You two had to stop and think... Because we need traveling supplies?" Sam seemed to be disbelieving; Not an entirely unreasonable take on the situation

Looking about himself again, Riley decided that they'd come far enough for Lucario to slip away undetected. Truthfully, he was getting tired of having to keep their career secret from Sam. And in his exhaustion, he said...

"Well, an apology won't be enough for you, I'm sure." Riley had a small apologetic smile on his face when he said this

"Well, that's... It's not..." Sam paused, going pink, and then mumbled, "I don't think that... I just wish you didn't have to keep all these secrets."

"Then perhaps it's time we went our separate ways? Not permanently, just..." Riley looked her in the eyes, "I think we would both be a little happier, without our lives overlapping for a bit."

"Are you kidding me!?"

While Sam exploded at Riley, Lucario sneaked off toward town. Although Lucario would always have her own little private jaunts, Riley didn't continually ask where she'd disappeared to... This was something of which, Sam, seemed eternally fascinated. Or why would she ask... And repeatedly, at that!

'Of all the crazy human females out there, she's the craziest!' Lucario thought, while keeping up her pace, 'That's not to say she isn't alright... For a human.'

Thinking this, Lucario smirked. It would only be a matter of time before Riley contacted Master Starr, to ask for the permission to divulge their ultimate secret. Naturally, it would be with the confidence of the entire council present! And if they complied, then that would be half the misery of Riley's life finally lifted off of his plate. For Sam could cling better than any Tentacruel, to her prey!

Leaping out from the bushes, Lucario found herself within the town limits. Casting about, she found the Aura that could only belong a fully qualified Knight. Following this lead, she found the knight she'd been after.

"Hmm? You're Riley's partner, aren't you?" said a stocky looking older man, "Of course, I sensed earlier that I was to make an important encounter later today, while I was meditating... You're not here just to make a casual visit, are you..."

This last was a statement. And Lucario nodded, 'Yes. Not an hour ago, we sensed something drawing us toward Veilstone city.' she paused to check that he'd understood, and when he motioned her to continue, she went on to say, 'We can take no time out of our current mission to investigate, yet, it feels genuinely urgent.'

"An urgent feeling drawing you towards Veilstone, huh... I don't know if you've heard this yet, but I've heard on the vines, that Veilstone is the official main base of Team Galactic."

'Team Galactic!?'

This was news to Lucario. She'd have to tell Riley this interesting bit of information later, when they weren't on an impossible manhunt... Definitely!

.

Meanwhile...

.

Sam was starting to feel down.

It was probably, in part, her fault. But she'd never readily admit that she was chasing a lost cause. Nope. Never! She didn't run away from home to give up on the challenges that life presents her! This was her chance to prove that her family, and perhaps her entire village, was in the wrong about her... There's no way she'd turn back now!

But then again... Riley's suggestion wasn't said with any mean intentions, he was only trying to make the situation easier for the both of them. At least, for a while.

And then, who knows, maybe Riley will have had time to sort his priorities out a bit. 'It couldn't hurt to give him a break... For a while!'

"Okay, Riley!" she'd made her mind up, "You win for now, but I'm not done with you yet! You'd better believe that I won't let this drop for too long."

"What? Sam, are you actually leaving?" Riley seemed confused, like his earlier words about separating for a bit, weren't truly what he'd intended to say

"I don't see why not; Gyara needs his training, and I'm actually moving away from any chances to work on a good 'Waterfall'!" she turned to look out over the dwindling foothills, watching the afternoon sun at a sharp angle, "Besides, it's important to us both... And you do seem kind of stressed about your mission."

"Well..."

"No! My mind is made up..." she turned to look at Riley out of the periphery of her vision, "You know how I can get when I'm determined!"

The sun, not quite at evening, glanced off her richly brown hair and danced in her blue eyes as said this, "I'm not going away forever. I just think you need your space, all of a sudden."

'Perhaps the council is full of it... She seems more than capable of being a Knight!' he thought with a very small smile, that he hid behind his hand

"Then at least let me say this; You will probably have the most powerful waterfalling Gyarados alive, after your training's done."

Blushing with happiness at his compliment, Sam answered, as she turned to go, "Thank you, Riley... I think you'll succeed, too."

And she left, walking back east to where she could find a waterfall to suit her and Gyara's needs.

.

Later...

.

A gentle rustling announced Lucario's return. Facing to the sunset, Riley asked, "Did you manage to get the message across?"

'Yes, Master Riley.' Lucario put a paw to her chest and gave a half bow, 'I take it, Miss Sam went back to train, at last?'

"So formal all of a sudden?" Riley turned and raised an eyebrow at her

'Master Arlow, was very grave about the Veilstone matter; He seemed to know what might have diverted us.'

"And did he say what, exactly?"

'For now, we must concentrate on our mission, Riley... I don't think it's terribly urgent to tell you what I've learned.'

Riley knew the code well. When a partner withholds information, it is, more often than not, a decision made for their partner's conscience... Or something like that! Riley was just relieved to know that the problem would be looked into, and that it wasn't so urgent that Lucario just had to tell him.

"It's alright, Lucario, I understand. You'd never keep a dangerous secret from me, I know." Riley began to move westward again

'I know you understand! I had to say this much though, or I'd feel uncomfortable...' Lucario trotted beside him, looking ahead to where they might end up by nightfall

"We're actually not that far now... Soon, we'll have to report to the local Knight about our arrival."

'If only to put the council at ease.' she agreed, 'We'll be there by lunchtime tomorrow.'

But it was not to be. The intuition about timing was flawless, of course, but Lucario wasn't a psychic type. She couldn't predict the future, or it's many outcomes... Even true psychic type Pokemon have trouble predicting a solid outcome for a day, as yet, unseen by mortal eyes.

.

XXX

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The time was at least an hour before dawn. And the air, being so close to the sea, was misty with a thick oceanic haze. Even so, Pokemon were emerging from their nests, to begin an early day of foraging. Life would go on, even if it was hard to see a yard away in front of your face!

Gallade was out now, looking about for a suitable breakfast for himself and Allan. And although his friend was very versed in survival skills for the wilderness, Aura or not, he couldn't see half so well in this fog as Gallade could.

And just now, Allan was allowing himself to be led by the hand, while Gallade searched. You might think that this would be an embarrassing thing for him to admit, but the real reason Allan let Gallade lead, is because he would trust his partner unconditionally anyway. They'd both grown up with this bond. If not for the difference in species, they'd be the most perfect pair of brothers alive.

Sometimes, when Allan is feeling a bit too hopeful, he believes he still has a family... Only to remind himself that a Dark Knight like Master Raze, did not make such sloppy mistakes, and nor would he have shown mercy. Besides, what purpose could he have, after all this time, to say that, 'Oh, by the way, your family is still alive'...

'I wouldn't put something like that past Master Raze, if I were you...' Gallade whispered quietly into Allan's thoughts

"Well, neither would I, but you know he wouldn't risk revealing himself and the Dark Knights' existence. Not if it put his plans in danger of discovery by the Aura Knights."

Gallade nodded, 'This is true... But I feel as though there's more to this plan now, than he's ever had involved... It's like, we should be aware anything is possible, and more!'

"That's because anything is possible..." Allan pulled back to indicate Gallade should slow down a bit, "And you can't say that isn't true, because I keep getting nightmares about the fire that destroyed my family."

'What do you mean, Allan?'

Gallade was thrown for a loop! What could Allan mean by those words?

"I mean, that I was too young then to remember anyway, right?" Allan put slight emphasis on his words, "The dream is very vivid. I can see the redness of the fire, as if it's next to me, even now while I'm awake. Anything is possible."

'I became your friend back then,' Gallade thought back, 'I remember that you were always scared when you saw fire in any form... Even a small candle flame.' Allan nodded

'I just couldn't figure out why... Your memories were, somehow, blocked off.'

"It was probably for the best back then," now Allan seemed darkly amused by his past behavior, "I don't know, maybe it helped me 'survive'."

'Don't say things like that, Master Allan...'

There was a forlorn feeling of sadness in the air now. This wouldn't do, if Allan didn't get over this, they be in trouble!

Allan half smiled, "I'm sorry, my friend! I didn't mean to ruin the morning."

'You were alright? Really?' wide eyed, Gallade looked at Allan searchingly

"Yeah, that's why I'm sorry. I didn't mean for the conversation to go in that direction," Allan looked up at the tree they were walking under, "Oh, it's a peach tree."

The fog was lifting now, and Gallade smiled at the symbolic irony.

'You know, Lapras said that it was here...' Allan watched Gallade smiling up at the ripe round peaches on the tree, 'Here in Sinnoh that we'd find hope.'

"Maybe he's right," Allan agreed

And both, along with Lapras, enjoyed some peaches from the fortuitous tree. Maybe the day wasn't so bad after all... And maybe the Dark Knights would win.

But if they don't, then maybe life is not so bad after all. Anything is possible.

.

XXX

.

Lucario watched the stars fading away at dawn.

The sight was beautiful, and wild Starly took early flight on the steadily rising thermals of morning. Leaves rustled, and some Shinx calling to one another, raced back to their nests for sleep until the next evening.

'It will be a long run to the next check point.' she thought to herself, leaping away from the tree she rested atop

.

Meanwhile...

.

In front of the small cabin that sat in the middle of these wild woods, Riley stretched himself out with Tai Chi like movements. 'The Aura of life flows in us all, let it flow again more deeply within to loosen yourself', were words he remembered as he did this. He'd heard them from a teacher of his, way back when he was a young page, still learning about the incredible strength he possessed.

There was much he still didn't know about Aura, but it only made him want to live more peacefully everyday, to learn what he could when he was ready.

'Ready for some adventure?'

He looked up at the Pokemon who had just arrived, and smiled.

"If I wasn't, I don't think I'd be up right now," straightening himself out, Riley faced Lucario and continued, "How does everything look to you?"

'If you mean the weather, it'll be warm. If you mean the prospect of finding our target today, not so bad, but how likely could it really be? And if you mean your meticulous appearance, it's fine!'

Riley laughed, "Okay, okay, I get it! You know about as much as me, when it comes to these subjects."

'That's right, but I feel this day is going to turn out... Well, interesting.'

"So you've got something?"

'Not really... Just a feeling.' Lucario shrugged

"Well, I'd have to agree with you. The day already seems eventful, seeing as you complimented my appearance."

'When did I do that?' she asked innocently

Laughing heartily, they started once more on the trail leading to the coastal town called Infina. It was there that they'd check in with the Knight that was expecting them, and then, they'd head out to the coast to look for clues to the whereabouts of the 'boy in the hood'.

.

Later...

.

The sun was high in the sky when they felt something peculiar, and although it wasn't yet midday, they stopped to investigate.

The foothills had been left behind long ago, but that didn't mean the occasional highland Pokemon wouldn't wander across your path if you weren't paying attention. And many travelers are surprised when this happens, more often than not though, it's a harmless encounter with nature.

This time, that was not the case.

The wild Pokemon that chose to make themselves known, were an irate Ursaring, and an angry Abomasnow! Two Pokemon that were very far from their mountain domains, and quite unhappy because of this.

'Look out, Riley!' Lucario called as she dodged away from a nasty 'Blizzard' attack, 'These two mean business!'

"Watch out for yourself!" Riley answered when she was barely grazed by a deadly 'Slash' attack from the Ursaring, "Quickly, retaliate with 'Bone Rush'!"

Two against one is a nasty match up no matter what the circumstances are, and this fight was only proving how unfair it is, too. Lucario was doing her best, but it's not like she is a Legendary Pokemon... There's just no way to move quickly enough to stop one attack, and then dodge the other!

Cornered now, with Lucario feeling pretty beat up, Riley looked up at the enraged Pokemon and wondered why they were being so violent. Even being what they were, those two were normally more benign... Something had to have gotten them riled up, but what was difficult to say until things settled down to where questions could be asked, and then answered.

Still, if Riley didn't make an effort to calm these Pokemon, then there'd be no chances to find out!

"Please stop this!" he called to the angry Pokemon, "This is completely unreasonable! You're better than this!"

But his shouts didn't seem to be working, even with showing off a kind Aura to help, they only seemed to get more wild and dangerous!

It seemed that making a final stand was the only option, though Riley disliked any idea of hurting these Pokemon, they left no other choice in the matter for him to follow.

So while Ursaring charged with claws upraised, and Abomasnow launched a fast volley of 'Razor Leaf', Lucario and Riley braced themselves for impact!

.

XXX

.

'The wild Pokemon of the area are something, aren't they Allan?'

Gallade looked over at his friend while they moved through the trees of northern Eterna woods. The day was winding toward noon, and they'd already seen some impressive wild forest species'.

"Just as long as we don't have to fight any of the bigger ones, anytime soon." Allan answered

Gallade found himself chuckling, 'Yeah, not anytime soon! It would be pretty inconvenient at this time now, wouldn't it?'

"You'd better believe it!"

While they walked, the sun danced in slim beams over the colorful leaves around the forest floor. Even now that it was fall in this forest, the trees were so dense that their steadily increasing barrenness, had nothing to do with continued shadiness on the path. Direct sunlight was rare below the treetops, no matter what time of year it was.

At this time, there were lots of Pokemon out collecting the various nuts and fruits, that rest now on the ground.

'They have it pretty simple, don't they?'

"I don't think so," Allan paused, and then continued, "It's not easy to compete for sustenance in the wilderness. Even page training with the Dark Knights is slightly easier, in that, they won't starve you to death until you do something they don't like. The forest doesn't have those kinds of preferences."

'I suppose that's true... But you could debate that the Dark Knights want you to suffer on purpose.'

"If you mean it like that, then yes, the forest life is easier," Allan conceded, "But they have to struggle daily to eat, or even fight to."

'Is this one of those reasons you look to, that tell you you'll make it through fine?' Gallade felt surprised, he hadn't thought of it like this, 'So you take in their happiness, and believe your life isn't so bad?'

"Something like that," sighed Allan

If Allan had a dime for every time he'd sighed, he'd be rich enough to just buy his freedom! For a while. The DK Masters were at their finest when they were busy tormenting someone, namely, Allan.

So it comes as no surprise to him, that the other squires and pages say he's treated the worst, even though he's higher ranked than any of them. It just figures, even if it is odd to be singled out as often as he had been for punishment.

'But that's not the point I'm trying to make to myself!' Allan scolded himself, 'I'm supposed to be concentrating on how to beat them after I've arranged some allies to help!'

And while Allan was lost in his thoughts, Gallade was the first to notice a sudden change in the air. There was a tension now, that hadn't been present a few seconds ago.

'Master Allan...' he reached out and prodded Allan, 'There are Pokemon in pain, somewhere!'

"What?" he looked up

Now Allan could feel it too. There was rage in the air. An unnatural, blind rage! As it grew in intensity, they glanced into each others eyes once, and ran off toward the direction it pulled them.

They ran past a feeling of collective smugness on the way, but had no time to investigate; There was more pain in the air now from some other innocent beings!

'Wait Allan!' Gallade cried out and stopped him from running out over a cliff into a ravine, where the rage seemed to be building

"Thanks..." Allan looked over the edge, and gasped when saw two large Pokemon attacking a smaller one and it's trainer

Wasting no time he and Gallade jumped out and leapt from ledge to ledge to reach the bottom, while the smaller Pokemon fell faint, but was still ready to fight to the finish!

.

XXX

.

Ready for a final valiant effort against the Pokemon attacking them, Riley found himself looking up at the cliff, just in time to see a small pair of blurred shapes disappear over the shoulder of Abomasnow. 'What? An illusion?'

'Master Riley... I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough!'

"It's not done yet!" Riley answered, hating the way Lucario was feeling guilty, now of all times

"Close Combat!" a faintly familiar voice called

Looking up again, Riley saw a Gallade kick the Ursaring and punch the Abomasnow simultaneously, knocking both Pokemon against hard stone. Not waiting for another command, it moved now with its bladed arms to take out the Abomasnow before it could recover!

'Master Riley!'

Turning to Lucario, Riley saw the other figure taking on the Ursaring!

While the large bear flailed about, he moved himself closer to his quarry. Ursaring bellowed out loudly and unleashed a huge 'Slash', its smaller opponent however, dodged underneath its defenses and jumped at Ursaring's throat! The bear had no time to react, there was a bright flash and it fell unconscious, at the smaller ones feat.

Lucario looked over Riley's shoulder, and saw that the Abomasnow was just as out as its attack partner. As quickly as they came, the fight was over, but now their saviors were running away like they had lost, and were trying to escape to fight another day... 'Wait a minute!!!'

Riley was just as shocked, but in their current state, chasing after the 'boy in the hood' was unreasonable. They'd have to let him go... For now, at least.

"So," Riley began when Lucario looked at him with a scandalized expression, "Do you still want to give him that smack?"

For his effort, Riley got a smack of his own. But after a fight like they'd been through, it didn't end up hurting much at all.

"I'm sorry, my friend, sorry!" he chuckled, "It just surprised me to see how we'd ended up meeting him... Imagine! He saved us from a nasty end, when he said the weak should fall anyway."

'I don't care! He still deserves a smack for running away afterwards with out helping us up!'

"I think its fine... I don't believe he was running like a coward, he was just sticking to his instincts."

Somewhere in Riley's mind, he'd decided that the 'boy in the hood' was okay. True he'd still have to catch him later, but maybe a head start to give the boy time to get used to the fact that he'd 'saved the enemy', would be a good way to show his peaceful intentions.

"It's fine this way Lucario," he sighed and stood up, "No one who's truly evil would have helped us when they had a chance to watch us suffer."

'And maybe he plans to exploit your ability to forgive...'

She wanted to believe that Riley was right about the boy. But if he so much as sneezed, she'd take him out herself! Riley goes through a lot for the world, betrayal isn't one of the things Lucario wants added to his list of sufferings.

.

XXXXXX

Me: Oh my, I cut it fine with the international date line! ... But I hope I kept to my promise to my readers. I totally screwed myself over by sleeping most of the day, and then I had a nightmare after going to sleep without typing one key that day! As for the nightmare, you don't wanna know... But that was some natural disaster, I can tell you!

Master Raze: I am the one doing the, 'review call', am I?

Me: (shudders) Y-yes! You're the one because you threatened everyone else if-!

Raze: I quite understand. Thank you for the consideration.

Me: ... You're living in your own world, aren't you?

Raze: My! How did you know I was going to make the world mine? But, no, never mind that! I have a previous task to attend to!

Let me see... Ah, yes... To Sanada'srose, yuki-neechan, and Yereton... A most gracious thank you, for all these mildly encouraging reviews... (looks at Lady) They don't look that inspiring to me.

Me: Get over it! You're not the one writing the story!

Raze: Am I?

Me: Yeah... Please review while I give him his favorite dolly.

Raze: WHAT!? You had it the whole time!?