AshFan: …

TaiKetch'em: …

AshFan: … So, you got anything to say?

TaiKetch'em: No, I… genuinely can't think of something to say right now.

AshFan: Okay, uh… well, you just wanna jump into the chapter?

TaiKetch'em: Sure.

AshFan: Alright, then.

(Pokemon World)

Ash was out in the fields working on his aura, holding a sphere in his hand as he was humming in focus. He let it float into the air before it disappeared and he groaned in annoyance. Then he started stretching his neck a bit, then jogging and hopping in place (Goku style). Pikachu saw and decided to follow along, mimicking his trainer.

After a second, the boy closed his eyes and focused as he held his hands out. He started focusing more on his breathing, taking a deep breath, then exhaling… deep breath, then exhaling… and he continued repeating that for a few moments, creating two hand-sized spheres in his hands before opening his eyes.

He then let them float up beside him before making them float around him and smile for a second, then something suddenly popped up in his mind and the spheres suddenly disappeared.

"No!" He groaned in annoyance before covering his face. "I had it! Dammit."

He sat down as Pikachu patted his leg in comfort. The trainer was trying to focus on his aura training but was having some trouble focusing and working with it. It frustrated him to no end how he was easily getting distracted. No matter what he tried, he couldn't keep his mind straight. This wouldn't be the first time.

Every time he seemed to be almost in full focus, his mind would just up and suddenly hit him with a reminder of yesterday when he was coming back home from the hotel when Charlie suddenly kissed him on the cheek. He tried to get his mind off of it, but unfortunately, that was easier said than done. It seemed like a small thing, but he was proven wrong quickly.

Questions were just sprawling around in his mind. Why would she kiss him? Especially right in front of her freaking girlfriend… and that was another thing that crossed his mind, she was literally dating someone and she did that in front of the person she was dating.

'Come on, don't overcomplicate it. She's… she's just… really kind, really nice, a freaking sweetheart. Yeah, yeah.' He thought to himself while smiling nervously. 'But… why do it like… that?' He thought again. 'Come on, stop thinking about it.'

He shook his head before he stood up and got back to focusing. It took a little bit of time before he was able to recreate the spheres in his hands… before there was a small crash and shake that caused him to stumble and lose his focus a bit.

Looking a bit annoyed, he turned around and saw his Charizard and Donphan going head to head in a battle with each other. That of which caused him to groan in annoyance before dropping on his butt again. He tried to focus, but his Pokemon fighting was now the new thing throwing him off.

"For the love of… GUYS! Can you maybe fight another-" He was interrupted by an explosion. "Guys! I'm trying to-" Another shake interrupted him and he stood up. "Oh, forget it. Come on, Pikachu. I can't focus here."

He started walking away as the mouse Pokemon started following him. As much as he loved his Pokemon, he couldn't have anything distracting him.

TaiKetch'em: Ya know, we could do better than this.

AshFan: Okay, stop criticizing me when you're barely any better.

TaiKetch'em: I'm just being constructive.

AshFan: Really? Constructive? It kinda sounds condescending to me.

TaiKetch'em: Well, it's not my fault I'm being honest.

"Can you two keep it down!? I can hardly hear my own thoughts." Ash says.

TaiKetch'em: …

AshFan: …

TaiKetch'em: … D-did… did you type him saying that?

AshFan: … N-no…

"Ah, Ash, perfect timing." The old professor says as he arrives at the entrance to the ranch.

"Hi, Professor. Anything on the egg?" Ash asked him.

"Not too much to say." Oak says while taking out the egg in an incubator. "On the bright side, you won't have to wait long. It could hatch any day now."

"That's great." The boy says as he was handed the egg back and it immediately shakes in his hands.

"In other news, it seems to be reacting very well to you. I think it might hatch quicker as long as it's with you."

"Really? Good to know." Ash says before looking up. 'You still owe me answers.'

(Meanwhile in the Hall of Origin)

"I mean, he's not wrong. You haven't exactly been clear on why you're doing this." Palkia tells Arceus.

"Yes, perhaps we shouldn't keep the boy guessing like this." Dialga also says in agreement.

"Not yet. I cannot assist him further. All we can do is observe and not interrupt his progress." Arceus tells them.

"Are you sure? I believe he could use more than just a vague hint. Perhaps maybe one of us could lend a hand." Palkia asks again.

"I appreciate you wanting to help him, but our job is not to spoonfeed him. He is not a child and can handle things on his own. He's already starting to learn his abilities and hone them, his guide will surely help him."

"I don't mean disrespect, but I don't think a Pokemon can help him if they've only just hatched. Sure it might learn quickly, but to help the boy master aura is… a long stretch." Giratina says as he floats up to them.

"I didn't say that it was the unhatched Pokemon that would be his guide."

"Then whom?"

Arceus looked at him, and then he summoned a ball of light and showed the three. They crowded around to see what it showed, and then they understood and slowly started nodding.

(Meanwhile)

TaiKetch'em: Big thanks to Lord Ashwood the 42nd on FanFiction dot Net for helping with this part… yes I spelled it like that because unlike Wattpad, when you post something with a site name on FanFiction, it gets messed up.

Late at night, Ash sat in bed, still working on his aura as his Pokemon was sound asleep. He hadn't forgotten about the thing distracting him earlier, but even then, he was still having trouble mastering it.

"There's gotta be a different way to go about this. It's only gonna be a few months before the Extermination." He says to himself. "Even if I have to… okay, come on. Think, Ash, think. When was the last time I used aura again?" He laid back as he rubbed his chin. "Oh yeah, back in Sinnoh with Riley and Lucario. I was able to use it then to save Riolu. Maybe they can help." He says with a smile before his frown returned. "No. Where do even begin to find them? They could be anywhere."

It was a while since he had even thought about Riley. He could never forget his experience with Hunter J and how she treated Pokemon, including Riolu, petrifying them and treating them as trophies. Remembering how horrible she was made him shiver a bit at the thought of there being demons in Hell doing something more vile… or even angels for that matter.

He stopped thinking about her as he didn't want those thoughts to clog up his brain. At first, the idea of getting Riley and Lucario to help him sounded like a good idea, especially since they were the most skilled with aura. However, he didn't have any way to find them, much less did he have any way to contact them. If he started searching now, who knows if he'll ever find them in time?

He looked at his hands, creating two small aura spheres. Unfortunately, they weren't as big as the one he formed with both hands. He tried to make them bigger, but he couldn't manage that. Groaning in annoyance he fell back on the bed.

Then he looked at the egg resting on his nightstand. It had to be of use if it just spawned out of the blue for him. Maybe a powerful Pokemon, or… a powerful Pokemon? It had to mean something. It was one of the many questions that he still had yet to be answered and it was frustrating for him.

With another groan, he got up and left his bedroom, going downstairs, hopping down the last two, and going into the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water and took a sip, sighing afterward before going and sitting down on the couch, just narrowly avoiding stubbing his toe on the way.

'I gotta get this down if I wanna protect the hotel. I agreed to help them and I can't let them down.' He thought to himself before taking another sip. 'Can't let… Charlie down.'

He had only known her for the better part of a month and he had been so focused on her and trying to figure out how to help her… mostly the former. Despite being a demon, let alone the princess of Hell, she was quite possibly the kindest person he had ever met. The way she smiled, how bubbly and easily excited she'd get even at the smallest things, she always seemed to have a smile that would bring anyone joy… at least, at least from his world anyway.

Then he thought back to her smile again… then he shook his head before patting his red face, then attempting to down his drink, only to cough and spit some out halfway. After coughing for a second, he groaned in annoyance since he had soaked himself. He went upstairs and got changed into dry pajamas.

'I can't stop now.'

He sighed and lay on his bed, pulling the covers over him and getting ready to sleep… then he heard a pinging coming from the Arc Phone and his eyes shot open before he jumped out of bed, causing Pikachu to bounce out of his sleep as he grabbed the phone and held it.

"Please be something good, please be something good." He says before he checks the screen, seeing a new message.

"If thou wishes for assistance, thy shall receive such."

Next thing he knew, the phone opened the TRVL app and to the Waypoints. The only difference is now one of the boxes was no longer empty and had a small preview of something that looked familiar, but the image size made it hard to tell.

"Woah, what's this?" He says with curiosity as he looks closer before he hears Pikachu groan in annoyance. "Sorry, Pikachu. I just got a little excited." He says as the Pokemon groggily sits up. "I wonder where this is supposed to take us."

He tried his best to get a better look at the preview image, but it just was too small. He sighed before looking back at Pikachu. The little mouse was still groggy, but he got up and went over to his trainer, not ready to be left behind. The boy gave him a subtle nod before looking back at his phone.

While he wasn't sure of where he'd be going, only one way to find out. He pressed the button and then he started to glow as Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder. He closed his eyes as he awaited arrival.

After opening his eyes, Ash looked around, wondering where he was at first. At first sight, it seemed like a normal cave filled with crystals that lit up the place beautifully. He seemed puzzled and looked around while taking a few steps around.

"Huh, this is pretty nice." He says with a smile.

"Pi… Pika." Pikachu says while pointing in one direction.

Then he stopped as his smile fell before he walked up to one of the crystals. He knelt and reached down, picking up a familiar pair of gloves. He then took another look around and things slowly started to click for him. This was no cave. This was…

"The Tree of Beginning."

He looked back at the gloves, recognizing them as Sir Aaron's. Memories started flooding back. He remembered everything, from when he first met Lucario, his journey to the tree with her friends, and… the end when Lucario had sacrificed himself.

Pikachu was shocked to know where they were and started looking around, expecting to see a little pink friend, but he didn't seem to be around. Curious, he called out, but no luck. He called a few more times before looking at his trainer who was still looking down while clutching the gloves. But then he noticed something wrong.

Tears fell from Ash's face, staining the gloves before covering his face. Getting worried, the Pokemon ran and hopped on his shoulder, patting him on the head for comfort. The boy gripped them tighter as he huffed.

"Why… why are we here?" He says before looking up. "What is this point of this!? How is this supposed to help!? I don't get it! WHY!? Just tell me already!"

His frustration started to get the better of him. At this point, he was starting to think that he was just getting messed with now. Being tormented by these memories rather than getting help or even anything close to a direct answer.

After calming down for a second, he looked at the gloves and then put them back on the crystal where they belonged. With a sigh he patted Pikachu's head, then took out the phone, getting ready to head back home. Then one of the crystals began to glow, which got his hopes up as he started to walk towards it before the rest started to glow.

He and his Pokemon got curious as they watched particles flow from the crystals and start to swirl around, much to their puzzlement. They began to merge and slowly shape themselves into something that shocked the two to their very core.

A blue and black jackal-like creature stood up before turning around and staring with crimson eyes. The two couldn't believe what they were seeing right now, or at least, who.

"No way." Ash muttered.

"Hello, Ash. It's been a while, old friend."

Lucario still sounded the same and looked as if nothing had changed since they last met. However, unlike their last meeting, he looked faded like an old photograph and his body was mostly translucent. The boy looked shocked and disbelief upon seeing the Pokemon, walking up to him and reaching out and touching him as if to be sure he was there. His hands felt cold upon touching him.

"Lucario… this…" Ash says as he steps back. "This can't be real. This has to be a dream. You're dead."

"I can assure you, you are not dreaming. This is all real." The jackal says, much to the duo's confusion. "I know this must be shocking for you, and I understand. As for why I am here, at the risk of sounding obvious, I am here to help you train in using aura."

"Wait, wait, really? Are you serious?" Ash asked in a hopeful tone.

"Being that I am here now, I can only assume that you're having a hard time learning to use aura." Lucario tells him as he steps forward.

"I-I mean, y-yeah, but… this… t-this is happening so fast. I… How are you even-"

"Unfortunately, if you have anything to ask me I cannot give you give you an answer. I am but a memory that resides in the tree of life, sent to assist you. So, I am unable to give you any direct answers to any questions you may have. I'm sorry."

"Wha… oh…" Ash says disappointed.

"Now, training you like this will be harder than normal, but hopefully with how powerful your aura already is, it shouldn't be too long before you've mastered it." He explains.

"I…" Ash took a second to respond. "I don't want to just use it. I need to learn how to fight with it-"

"You will be given a set of training exercises starting now. Whenever you wish to start, the Tree of Beginning will know and start one of the sequences. Once you've passed one, you will be allowed to advance to the next until the training comes to an end."

Ash sighed as remembered he couldn't get an answer. He looked at Pikachu, said Pokemon nodding back to him. He looked at his palms and created an aura sphere before taking a deep breath dematerializing it and looking back at the 'memory' of his friend. He was still shaken up about it, but if this was gonna get him to help Charlie and the others, well, how could he say no?

"Alright. I'll do it." He says.

"Understood. We'll start with basic combat training and then move on from there." Then Lucario turned around and started walking away down the tunnel. "Follow me and we will begin our training."

Ash stared for a moment, taking a glance at the gloves. He contemplated taking them but shook his head and decided to leave, respectfully leaving them as is.

As Ash followed Lucario through the cave, they appeared in a more open area. A flat-surfaced that could easily be used as a battlefield, but here it likely was not to be used as such… at least now. The memory of Lucario stops at one end, creating a large bone before marking that spot, then walks to the other side, marking another before making it disappear.

"Now then." He says before he stood over that same spot. "Let us begin."

(Meanwhile in Hell)

Angel stepped into the lobby while stretching before yawning as he walked down the stairs. He then looked around, finding the place mostly empty, aside from the cat demon who was drinking.

"Where the fuck is everyone else?" Angel asked, puzzled.

"I don't know, why are you asking me?" Husk says.

The four-armed demon just shrugged before making his way to the parlor, sitting before grabbing the remote and taking another look around. "Ya know, looking at this place now, it feels kinda empty without that kid's Poke… whatever they're called."

"Ah-huh." Husk says, not caring to listen.

"Breaking news in Hell today." Katie says as the news started.

"Already? It's half past fucking six, what could they be reporting about-" Angel started to say.

"We are here to discuss the recent attack on the Vee Overlord's building. Was it a terrorist attack? Or something else? We've already sent someone down to the scene to review the Vees and get their word on the matter at hand."

The channel then changed, showing the street with hundreds of people with microphones as a limbo pulls up. Stepping out of the limbo was Vox, who still had a chomp-sized crack in his screen as he looked annoyed, walking through the crowd of people who were all trying to get a word from him as he ignored them as best as he could.

"Mr. Vox, what can you tell us about the recent explosion?" One reporter asked.

"No comment." Vox says in annoyance.

"Was it a terrorist attack?"

"No co-o-omment." He says as he slightly glitches.

"How did your screen get cracked?"

"No c-comment!"

"Is 'Vox's Angelic Security' gonna be put on hold."

That question made the TVheaded man stop before sighing. He then turned around to face them.

"We will not be putting any of our work off. VoxTek will do everything we must for your safety." He finishes off before entering a building.

"Holy shit. I didn't think anyone would be nuts enough to do that to them of all people." Angel says, shocked and not connecting the dots.

(Meanwhile in the Pokemon World)

Ash yelled as he was sent skidding back, falling onto one knee before huffing and wiping his cheek. He stood back up and walked back to Lucario. The jackal got into a fighting stance, the boy taking a second to look for an opening. After seemingly finding one, he went for it, trying to punch him, only to get blocked before getting hit in the neck and leg, causing him to fall to his knees.

Pikachu was concerned but didn't want to ruin the training. The boy struggled to get up, before attempting a sneak attack, only for him to get blocked again before getting hit with an open palm strike to his chest, causing him to fall to the ground, groaning in pain.

"Fighting without Pokemon is much different than fighting with them. It shouldn't come as a surprise that someone as inexperienced as you would have a hard time adjusting to combat." Lucario tells him, seeming not to notice the boy forming fists as he starts to stand up. "It may take longer than expected, but you shouldn't-"

He didn't finish as the boy suddenly rushed him and threw a fist at him. The jackal blocked it again, but the impact caused a large cloud of dust to appear behind him. Pikachu looked surprised, especially as he saw that his trainer had the same blue eyes fueled by anger he remembered seeing once before.

Lucario was unfazed as he brought the trainer's arm down before palm striking him again, knocking the wind out of him and causing him to fall again, groaning in pain.

"Calm, yourself, Ash." The jackal tells him as the boy's eyes revert to calm and normal again. "You let your aura overtake you. That's going to be a problem this early."

"W-what?" The trainer asked.

"Remember, aura is not just a power that we can use on a whim. It's our life force. It's also powered by your emotions, which can make them stronger and harder to control." The jackal explains. "If you let your anger or frustration control you like this, you are more likely to lash out without thinking. And if you keep letting that happen, the consequences could vary."

Ash looked up, then looked down with a somber expression as he remembered what had happened during the meeting with Adam. He lost himself in his rage at that moment after hearing his stupid song about how merciless genocide was fun to them. He groaned in annoyance before slowly standing up, then remembering how he almost snapped during the meeting with the Overlords.

He closed his eyes, slowing his breathing as he did his best to calm down. Then Lucario walked up to him and put a paw on his shoulder.

"Don't be hard on yourself, and don't push yourself. If you force it, it'll only make things worse." He explains before he walks back to his spot. "Now, if you're ready, we can start again."

Not thinking about how this 'memory' of Lucario seemed to understand what the boy was going through. Ash sighed before straightening himself up, and then going to his spot on the other side. He looked at his opponent and then took position.

'I can't rest now.' He kept himself calm before looking up at his opponent. 'I'll go at this all night if I have to.'

And so the training continued. Ash didn't return home that night.

To be continued…

AshFan: Wow, that was all based on a P.M.?

TaiKetch'em: Might've changed some things around, but yeah. Again, big thanks to Lord Ashwood the 42nd. You really helped out with this chapter and we would've been… mostly lost if it wasn't for your help.

AshFan: … Tai…

TaiKetch'em: Okay, 'I' would've been mostly lost.

AshFan: …

TaiKetch'em: Okay, I would've been completely lost, but besides that, thank you again for your help.

AshFan: While we're here, I'd like to just say, could you guys please be patient while waiting for the chapters to come out? We're doing this chapter by chapter, changing things along the way, and it might take a while, but that's kinda the point of writing. You can't rush.

TaiKetch'em: I think that can apply to more than just writing-

AshFan: The point is!... We need time. Other than that, we hope you enjoyed this chapter, and stay tuned for the next.