TW: Murder scene, and dead bodies

Despite what most people would believe, especially with his career choice. Goh had never really been a very outdoorsy person. He could camp out if needed, but if there was the option for an actual bed, Goh would take it. The point was, he wasn't the best when it came to roughing it, and he only really enjoyed it in certain instances.

When it came to exploring a possibly ancient temple? Hell, yes! Goh was very excited to see the Aura temple ruins. The near guarantee of a discovery of this magnitude was far too juicy to pass up. So, he and the rest of the magic people packed up and got on the nearest train to Sinnoh.

However, if there was one thing that Goh wasn't imagining when it came to this trip. It was all these Arceus-damned plants! Seriously, the young researcher had never seen brush this thick. He had been hit in the face at least three times by low hanging branches, and it wasn't even noon yet!

He tripped over the fifth root that morning and left out a frustrated groan.

"You don't get out much, do you?" Amanda said.

"Not more then I need to," Goh grumbled pulling himself out of the mud, "Why?"

"It shows," Amanda said.

"Oh, and let me guess, you're studying professional hiking on top of your bachelor's?" Goh said.

"No, I used to work in film, and there was a lot of scenes that were filmed outside. This is nothing compared to dance climbing a cliff in dagger pumps."

Ash let out a hiss of sympathy, "Daggers? Like six inches? Low to the ground."

"Pi?"

"Yep," Amanda said popping her lips, "You know heels?"

"I've worn a pair or two," Ash said rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Done drag? That wasn't mentioned in your file," Amanda said.

"No, well, not professionally at least..."

"Just like heels?"

"Giratina no! They're torture devices!"

"Then...?"

"Let's just say that drag is a great way to sneak into place that I'm not allowed into."

Amanda just stared at Ash, her brows furrowed, a look of disturbed disgust on her face.

Ash looked puzzled at his cousin's expression, then his eyes blew wide with realization, "No, no! Not like that! I meant like fancy parties, and gyms that I accidentally offended the leaders of and they wouldn't let me challenge them."

Amanda shook her head, "Whatever you say."

Ash looked at Goh, "You believe me right."

"I believe you wore heels, that's about what I skimmed from that conversation," Goh said.

More than I understood.

"What is 'drag'?" Sir Aaron asked.

Goh and Ash shared an uncomfortable glance. Explaining the sport of cross-dressing to a knight from an era where if the idea of sex was even breathed and they would call an exorcism, was something that Goh would never think he'd have to do. It would be really awkward, like explaining to your grandma what tinder was for, and Goh wasn't even related to this guy.

"Ah, well..." Ash said his voice going high.

"Don't worry," Amanda cut in, "I'll ruin his innocence for you later. Right now, can someone please tell us where the hell we are? Because we have been out here for nearly three hours, and it feels like we've been walking in circles."

"I apologize, for that," Sir Aaron said, "there used to be a pathway, but centuries of no tending to it, has made it hard to track."

"The number of plants isn't helping," Ash said.

"Not to mention weird," Amanda mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Goh said.

"Sinnoh's climate, even in summer, shouldn't be able to support this much plant life. It gets too cold, and the soil is too dry. Especially for greenery this thick," Amanda said.

Goh raised a brow.

"I took botany and earth sciences in high-school," Amanda said, "Not to mention there was a rather large garden at my house."

"Well, the vegetation is normal for the area of the temple," Sir Aaron said, "It had been built on a natural spout of aura, and the extra life energy makes the local plant life grow faster, and the waters cleaner, some pools even rumored to have healing properties. Some legends say it was built over Arceus' hatching place."

"A natural aura spout?" Goh said, "That's possible?"

"We had no explanation for how they occurred other than a few superstitions. However, we could identify them. Usually, they were guarded by a mythical or legendary, along with your abilities increasing when near them, and as we discussed the changes to the land around them," Sir Aaron explained.

"So, like the Tree of Beginning?" Ash said, "Mew's guarding it. All those crystals. The connection to aura. The crazy rock formation."

"Yes, it's considered one," Sir Aaron said, "One of the oldest, due to its blatant obviousness. However, the temple was always the most powerful."

"Hence the thick vegetation?" Goh said, brushing away a low hanging branch to reveal, even thicker brush.

"Well, it never got this bad," Sir Aaron siad, almost tiredly at the sight.

Desperate times? Lucario looked at Sir Aaron expectantly.

Sir Aaron sighed, "Back up."

Goh did as he was told, stepping back to stand where Lucario stood. Amanda and Ash following soot.

The knight stepped closer to the brush, mumbling something too softly to hear. The blue glow of aura burst forth from his palms, but it didn't form a sphere, or a shield. It became a sword. The blade like burning blue glass. It gleamed in the sun. Shining like a star. His grip tightened on the magic hilt as he raised the sword. The blade was swung over the knight's shoulder, a shock wave radiated off of the sword in an echoing thunderclap. It sliced through the air and split the brush in half. A shower of leaves was left gently dancing towards the ground in the end.

Sir Aaron took a deep breath, the sword dissipating from his hold with halted hum.

Goh was staring wide eyed, Amanda's brows had rose, and Ash's jaw was shamelessly hanging open. Pikachu and Riolu were copying their trainer's expression almost perfectly.

Lucario looked smug.

Sir Aaron cleared his throat, "I'll show you later. Shall we continue?"

Goh followed the group silently, all while a large stone structure in the distance slowly grew closer.

Amanda's black boots slowly turned grey as they clicked across the cracked tiles that were dusted with centuries year old dirt. She would be upset, but honestly, she was too curious for that right now, besides, the leather was old and she'd have to let these go soon anyway. With her allowance, she could probably scrape enough together to get a thrifted pair of sneakers in about 6 months. She could make her boots last that long, as long as she got back to her duties at the manor, and cut back on snacks.

How she missed the days when she had a job, and made her own money. Couldn't do that anymore. It was shameful enough that the young woman had once chose to work for other people, rather than serve her family, and repay all the debt she owed, but Amanda had to pick a profession as lowly as a lifeguard.

Mother never wanted her near water, and she went to great lengths to keep her away. She had stopped Amanda from renewing her license, and the young trainer couldn't afford to take a lifesaving course on her own; all her savings had to go to school, and future doctorate.

She walked over to a stone pillar. The column was obviously broken at the top, even with it being over grown with ivy; the deep green of the leaves paired nicely with the dirty black marble. The vines thick and healthy, apparently due to all the aura here. At least, she now had an answer as to why all the white roses at the manor seemed to bloom whenever either Riley, or her, played in the garden. Amanda pulled back a collection of leaves, staring that the worn, yet still intricate, designs that was chiseled into the stone so long ago.

A spark of...well she didn't want to say sadness, she still didn't like the idea of aura users. The bloody unfairness and hypocrisy of it all...but someone had taken pride in making this. They worked hard to make this beautiful, all through out these ruins, Amanda could see the passion that went into its creation. One artist to another, she could get it.

"Bree."

Umbreon rubbed against her leg. Gosh, the dark type had been so clingy over the last few days. Pichu too, the little mouse snuggling into her neck.

"Well, I have to say," Goh said, "This right here is probably one of the greatest archeological finds of the decade. Sure, there's damage, but if it looked like what's left is pretty well preserved."

"It's so big, how'd no one find this place before?" Ash said.

"Well, considering the overgrowth it'd be difficult to reach it, besides this entire stretch of forest is part of a nature reserve," Amanda said, "Technically we're breaking the law by being here."

"Wouldn't be the first time," Ash said, shrugged.

"You guys really shouldn't be this chill with this..." Goh said shaking his head.

Oh, you want to talk illegal Goh? There were of things that Amanda had been dragged into that would make the younger teenager whimper. Just because Ryme City described itself as a utopia paradise, with no crime or cruel acts didn't mean it actually was. The most beautiful flowers usually had rotten thorns.

She took a deep breath. And continued deeper into the ruins, unconsciously making a mental map as she walked.

It was difficult to tell, with all the age, damage, and vegetation, but she knew that the ruins were large. From what Amanda guessed was once the entrance walk way, she could see large curved stone walls that cut into the shallow hill slope-most likely it was once a terrace of sorts-with the main building sitting at the hill's peak.

Aura Guardians had liked their circles and arches, Amanda took note of. The main pathway had broken columns lining it. Curved piece of rubble had fallen onto the large, wide titled walk way. Some of the rubble big enough to still resemble what they once were. Once there were rows of arches, stretching high over these paths, broken and connected like a backbone. All of them leading to the large circular temple. The heart of the ruins, that had long stopped beating.

The temple was just as cracked and grown over as the rest of the ruin, but Amanda could pick out the black marble, and sandy stone. The layers between the two still somewhat distinct despite the decay. The temple was composed of a main building, that was attached to several smaller towers, like limbs on a body. It was large and intimidating, like a strong hold. Not the welcoming hall of learning that Uncle had describe it to be.

Then again, to any outsider it was probably not as welcoming as it was to a guardian.

Amanda nearly snorted. Was that what she was? An outsider? It wouldn't be the first time. She certainly wasn't like Ash, or Uncle Aaron, not even Riley. Amanda never accidentally blew up something with blue energy, she never created shield oof protection or a sword of destruction. She always thought she was...normal. Well, apparently, she was "special" too.

If only she could forget it.

Not here, no, being here she couldn't forget the magic powers she apparently was born with. Because, she could feel everything.

Ever since she was a little girl, Amanda would feel things. Little things. Like a hand on her shoulder, but no one was around. Or a whisper in her ear during the night. Or a sudden emotion, that she always somehow knew wasn't hers. Especially, when she was in certain places.

The eevee pasture was somewhere that made it easy to smile.

The graveyard, had a hanging feeling of sorrow and regret.

The rose garden, had feeling of relief, joy, and peace.

The manor? Well, it had the feeling of being trapped.

Here? Here though?

The temple grounds were a mix of things.

When Amanda looked at the overgrown fields in the middle of the terrace, she knew there was something there. She couldn't see them. She couldn't hear them. But she felt like there were children playing there. A feeling of laughter.

On the walkway. There were footsteps, that couldn't be heard. Some running and some walking. A feeling of rushing by, panic. Someone was late to something. There was excitement as well. Someone who couldn't wait to get inside of the mountainous structure.

Things took a dark turn when she reached the entryway into the temple. The wooden doors (how did she know that?) had rotted away, leaving a gaping maw of a gateway. Yet the doorway was still covered with a blanket of ivy and fabric. A heavy sense of dread.

And grief...

Amanda suppressed a shudder.

That wasn't coming from the temple.

Her grey eyes flicked to the right. Uncle.

His brows were furrowed. Expression pinched with pain. The rest of him bled with grief.

Amanda would be the first to say that she wasn't close with Uncle Aaron; they had met not even a month ago. Not to mention things had been awkward between them the past few days. She knew what he had seen, and she refused to discuss it with him. Despite Uncle Aaron desperately trying to talk to her about the incident. It was none of his business.

But Amanda also knew grief. How felt like it ate you from the inside out, leaving you heart hollow and head empty. It was both pain and numbness. Calm and chaos. It twisted you up until you didn't know which way was forward.

Uncle Aaron was gazing out at the terraces. Lucario was left with the younger boys, hopefully keeping them out of the trouble. The knight left alone.

"It's not your fault," Amanda mumbled.

"Pardon?" Sir Aaron said in a quiet voice.

"All this," Amanda gestured around, "You were stuck in a rock. The was nothing you could do."

"I know but it doesn't feel like it."

"It's in the past. Let go and move on."

"How would you suggest I do that?"

"Chuck it into the 'fuck it' bucket and get over it."

"Is that what you do with all your pain?"

Amanda suppressed a defensive growl into a glare. Here she was trying to be nice, and now he was turning it around on her, trying to manipulate her into talking about the fucking incident! No good deed goes un-punished. Why does she even try? She turned around and stepped closer towards the door.

Curiosity welled up, and she pulled out the flashlight she kept in her bag. She froze at what she saw on the wall.

"Well, I think it's saved to say, there's nothing out here," Goh said, and the rest of the boys came running up to them, "The structures are well preserved."

The giant cracks and rubble are new additions, for your log.

"Right..." Goh winced, "Any I don't think anyone's been here for long time."

"Your wrong," Amanda called, from where she stood just beyond the doorway's threshold, "Someone has definitely been here."

The gleam of her flashlight drifted over the interior of the first temple chamber. The shine ghosting over the red paint. Aura was blue, and the color was very much the standard for aura guardians. Not red. Especially not the red ringed image of moltras. They were everywhere. Some of the mediums different, some done with brushes other done with spray cans, but they were everywhere.

Valor.

Their footsteps seemed to echo louder in the now uncomfortable silence. The feeling of dread now shooting up her spine.

"Okay, this is freaky," Ash said.

Lucario reach down to paw at the largest symbol on the floor.

What language is this?

"It's Valor," Amanda said.

"Valor?" Uncle Aaron nearly scoffed, he felt almost angry.

Amanda sighed, "Okay, for all of us who haven't been a history class in the last 20 years, I'll give you the run down. When pokeball technology was finally developed to the point where they could made in-expensively by the now retired Professor Willow, more and more trainers came out of the woodwork. However, there was still no gym system yet, so there was to keep them in check, allowing fresh trainers to run wild. The result..."

"The Tri-Team War," Ash murmured.

"You actually know about this?" Amanda said.

"You do have to pass an exam in order to get a trainer's license. One of the main subjects was Pokémon league history," Ash said, "Also it's highly likely that my father was one of the soldiers killed."

Ash cleared his throat before continuing, "The fighting was global, and between different faction trainers over territory to capture and train Pokémon."

Amanda nodded, "Factions is the right word. The main conflict was from the three largest factions. Mystic, Valor, and Instinct. And the fighting only ended after Mystic and Instinct teamed up against Valor, defeating the remaining factions and then forming the modern-day Pokémon league."

"So, someone who was valor was what using this place as a base of operations?" Goh said.

"I'd say the graffiti would point to that conclusion," Amanda said.

Disrespectful mongrels.

"So, if this place was raided and taken over by valor wouldn't that mean that the information, we came for be gone?" Ash said.

"No," Uncle Aaron said shaking his head firmly, "Because all of the scripts were kept in the inner chambers, which only an aura user can access."

The knight moved with new found vigor, leading the group through the halls, and then in front of an elegantly carved stone door. A carving of Arceus's ring was perched on the head of the arch-shaped door way. Uncle reached out, his hand flaming with blue and pressed his palm against the center of the door. The blue glow fled from the center, traveling along the carved lines in the stone. The sound of gears began to grid and click. The noise grading to their ears. Stone split in half and groaned as the gateway opened up.

Amanda shown her flash light into the darkness, and clouds of newly disturbed ancient dust, and choaked.

Beyond the door, laid a bone yard.

Bodies were thrown about on the floor, laying on top of each other. Their flesh, long melted away, leaving dry, dust-stained bones in their wakes. Dread drenched the room, and death clinging to all surfaces. Final screams, that couldn't be heard, wailing.

"I think I'm going to throw up," Goh said.

Amanda couldn't blame him. They had just opened a tomb after all.

Horror.

There were no other words. Utter horror.

Sir Aaron had been a knight, he had fought for his queen and country. He had seen the aftermath of war, the bloody battle fields. The bodies laid a strewn. The hilts of their swords still warm in their cold palms, there silver blades and armor stained red in the rivers of blood.

This. This was no different in a manner of speaking.

His steps were quiet as he crept through the carnage.

Sir Aaron swallowed. This was a battlefield. A boneyard. A grave. Right in his home. He had clear memories, of himself as a child running laughing. Playing and joking with his peers. It had been such a happy place. A happy place that was now forever tainted. Tainted by this slaughter.

He truly was the last of his brethren.

His eyes began to burn, but he would not allow tears to fall. Not here. Not in front of the children. Children who had yet to see the wrath of war. They'd need him more.

So, he took a deep breath, muttering a silent prayer to Arceus and continued through the field of husks that were once his people. Some of them whom he probably once...

Sir Aaron choaked. There was one husk tucked away in the back. The bones lay slumped against the far wall, browning with dust. The armor rusted and the paint all but gone, but there was a charm around the wrist cuff. A gauntlet. The Arlon family crest carved into the aging metal.

Father...

Sir Aaron hadn't been close to his father. Sir Lance was a cold person. Never once had the elder smiled. Only when Sir Aaron had been a lad was there some form of connection, and that was through Sir Aaron excelling in his training. They had only drift further apart during adulthood. They had fought about something, Sir Aaron couldn't remember about what, but it shattered any structure they had in their relationship. But he didn't deserve this.

No one deserved to die in a genocide.

"You knew that one," Ash murmured.

At some point the lad come to stand at his side. Riolu and Pikachu clinging to his shoulders, neither small Pokémon wanting to touch the horrid mess on the floor. Horror, shock and fear rippled through out the lad aura. Ash leaned into Sir Aaron's side, and the knight couldn't turn him away, his one arm slinking around the lad.

Sir Aaron could feel Lucario gazing at him, a quiet understanding passing between them. They would speak of this later. Mourn later. Not when the children were present. Not when the last young were present.

What a legacy, these children were inheriting, a room of corpses.

The library was one of the center-most rings with in the temple. The hallways connecting the rings, were tall, tight and lined with blue lights that Sir Aaron had lit. No need for a flashlight here...

If it weren't for the dozens of skeletons, littering the floor, Ash would've called this place awesome.

Riolu had taken to smashing his snout into Ash's hair as the little Pokémon sat on his trainer's shoulder. Pikachu looked around wearily, his tiny claws digging into Ash's shoulder through his jacket.

Arceus this was so messed up.

And that was coming from Ash, someone who has seen a lot of fucked up shit.

They had split up into two groups as they explored the library. Ash went with Goh, and Sir Aaron with Amanda. Speaking of Goh, Ash's friend was as green as someone could get without actually throwing up. His friends' hands were shaking as they looking through scrolls, written in a language that neither of them could read.

"You, okay?" Ash asked.

Goh huffed, a near hysterical laugh, "Am I okay? Am I okay? I should be asking you that! We just walked through a field of bodies! And you're still calm! How can you be so fucking calm!?"

Ash shrugged, "Believe it or no Goh, this isn't all that weird for me."

"You just normally walk through boneyards?!"

"No, usually the dead people go in my arms and not on the floor."

Goh stared at him his mouth wide open, before he pressed his palms into his eyes, and let out a strangled noise, "Therapy," he squeaked, "You need so much therapy. Sir Aaron needs therapy. Amanda needs therapy. I'm going to need therapy after this. We all need therapy! So, so much therapy..."

Ash reached out to pat Goh's shoulder, "You good now?"

Goh sighed, "Not really."

"You'll get used to it. Just find something else focus on for now."

"Pika."

"Don't want to get used to this," Goh whimpered, "But okay, what exactly are we looking for?"

"Something about training, I think."

"Okay training...training means some form of manual...there probably in their own section. We need to see if there's a library guide or something," Goh said, staring to power walk back towards the entrance.

Turns out there was a guide carved into the wall next to the door, but once more, neither of them could read it. Arceus, Ash needed to know this language or code, or what where the fuck this was. Goh growled in frustration, and Ash ran a hand over his face.

"Nothing can ever be easy, can it?" Goh griped, "If only we could talk to someone about this, but everyone here is fucking dead so that's not happening."

Ash's eyes drifted over the table in between the two rack of shelves that lined up with the door frame. Specifically, to the purply-blue flower that was growing out of the stone surface, just off center from the middle of the table.

An idea sparked in the young trainer's mind, "They can't talk to us, but maybe they can show us."

Sir Aaron was looking over the scrolls, his hand lightly tracing over the very heavy layer of dust on them. This place was far dirtier than he remembered. The librarians, and scholars were always so particular about keeping their domain spotless. If they saw it like this...

Oh, who was he jesting!? He had to step over of their damned corpses to even get inside!

Arceus, he felt sick. Like something was clawing at his internals; Trying to scrape its way out of his throat. Whether it was an agonizing scream, shameful tears, or just disgusted vomit, was yet to be seen. By some miracle the knight is able to hold back the wild creature that was his grief. For now, at least. He'd breakdown later. When the children can't hear.

Sir Aaron took a deep breath, speaking of children. His niece stood quiet a few paces away, her back turned towards him, on the other side of the hall.

They hadn't really spoken. Of what happened the night before this trip. And well, after this trip, he wouldn't be able to talk to her about it for some time. He needed to say something now. Sure, it might just further break apart the fragile foundation their relationship is already on, but from what he read, she needed connection if to heal her mind. Connection was made through bonding. Bonding could be made through understanding and speaking.

Specifically, when they were alone. Amanda was a very private person. It was the second reason that Sir Aaron told Lucario to check around the library for any potential dangers. The first was actually looking for dangers.

"Are you alright?" He spoke up.

Amanda huffed, "I should be asking you that. Obviously, you're not fine with all this death."

"No. No I'm not. But I know I'm not the only one struggling..."

"Look," Amanda snapped, whirling around to face him, "Whatever you're trying to say, you're wrong. I have my life together with a realistic view point. If anyone here is struggling, its either you, or Ash. Both of you, show obvious signs of PTSD, and possibly delusional."

"Amanda, you're hurting yourself, now I may no know much about the future..."

"I've got it under control."

"...even I know that that isn't a behavior that a healthy young lady..."

Amanda started to laugh, the sound angry and bitter, "And what the fuck would you know about being a 'healthy young lady' Sir? Not even a modern one you wouldn't know shit about the ones from your era. Tell me what does a woman desire most?"

Sir Aaron swallowed.

"Oh, come on, this is literally one of Chaucer's tales. Those should've been a thing while you were alive. The answer is sovereignty over themselves. To have a fucking choice over their lives. Yet, that was the one thing that the fair maidens in your time were denied. They didn't get to pick whether or not they got married much less to whom. They couldn't have ambitions, or trades. So, don't fucking think you know a thing about me."

Master?...Am I interrupting?

Lucario poked his head out from behind the shelf to the right, peering into the isle. Sir Aaron knew that his partner had heard everything, those long ears always caught sound much better then human ones.

"No," Amanda quickly said, "you're fine. The conversation was over."

Sir Aaron tried not to let the bitterness that bled from Amanda's soul further taint his mood. She was hurting, and still young, she didn't have control of her soul just yet. No matter how much she pretended to be.

"What did you Lucario?" The knight spoke.

Most of the damage is likely from weather and age, only a few of the halls I would call unfit for travel. Strangely though the entrance to the inner sanctum is untouched.

"Inner sanctum?" Amanda raised a brow, her anger slowly switching to curiosity.

True to Lucario's words the door to the inner sanctum was still intact. The stone still stood strong. The immaculate carvings remained, despite the paint slowly fading and dusted over. The metal key hold now dulled where it once gleamed. The Alpha's ring etched into the door center, the keyhole as it's bullseye.

"So, what's behind door number three?" Amanda said, flatly.

"That is knowledge that even I do not know," Sir Aaron murmured.

"Really, did you used to live here, once upon a time?"

"When the temple was built by the first order of aura guardians, they chose this valley as it was rumored to be where Arceus hatched. The inner most sanctum was crafted over the spot they believed was the birthplace of the alpha. Only the elders, the ones who interpreted Arceus' will, were allow to enter."

"So, because you weren't an elder, you never been inside? Not even as a kid you'd tried to sneak in and view the forbidden fruit?"

"I couldn't," Sir Aaron said tracing the keyhole with his finger tips, "Unlike the rest of the temple. The door needs not just aura, but an amulet key charm, to open it. Only 8 were ever made, one for each of the original elders. My grandfather held one, my father was due to receive it by the time of his death."

Amanda stalked closer towards the door, her dark thin brows furrowing as she gazed at the keyhole. The expression wasn't one that Sir Aaron could put a name too. Was it recognition? Or suspicion? Maybe just plain curiosity. She puckered her lips, and clicked her tongue.

"Uncle?" She spoke.

"Yes?" Sir Aaron said.

"You said that Aura was needed to open the temple doors, right?"

"Yes, they were made that way so, only non-user guests were allowed to enter. They'd have to close to a user in order to gain entry to inner chambers."

"Yeah, yeah I got that, but if Team Normalcy, didn't have any users...then how did they get in here?"

Ash took a deep breath as he approached the stone table.

It had been a long time since he had acknowledged the existence of time-flowers. Honestly, the young trainer had never wanted to use one of them ever again, after what happened at the Tree of Beginning. He'd seen them pop up every now and again. Usually when shit was about to go down. However, they were everywhere all over the temple grounds. They were growing out of the flipping walls.

It was like the tree all over again.

Nope. Nope. Nope. Don't go down that path Ash.

He let Riolu and Pikachu down on the ground and reached out. The tightly curled petals felt cold against Ash's palm, with an odd rhythmic pulsing pushing through the flower itself and into his skin. That pulsing swelled when Ash's fingers brushed against the petal veins. The bud unfurled, twisting slowly and opening wide. A gleaming white sphere rose from the center of the open flower, and flashed.

The light washed over the room, shifted in rough orange stone into a hazy grey-ish tone. The room slowly becoming a lost memory, of what it once was. Water down figures formed, some standing by the door but two were standing where Ash was. Startled by this, Ash jumped to the side, away from the forms.

The people were dressed in suits of armor, bloody suits of armor, holding torches and stained swords. Only one was dressed differently. A cloak and tunic of muted blue, and blue eyes rested in his face. Some how Ash knew, this one was once a guardian. One of the knights, one who had a feather in his helmet. was standing in front of the guardian. His stature one meant to intimidate, and by the twitching of the guardian it was working.

"I do hope you know what you speak of, Warlock," The knight glared, "Speaking falsehoods, would only ensue your demise."

"I promise you; you have my word. Once the inner sanctum is destroyed, the rest of the Aura Blessed will fall. Equality and peace will be possible. I want a world where there is no difference between just as much as you do. All we need is your squires to grab the keys off of the foolish elders and our future is secure," The guardian said.

Echoing footsteps marched into the room from the opposite side. A new Knight entered, his helmet removed, and a wounded old man being dragged in behind him, "SIR!"

The Feather Helmet knight walked around the table, the guardian following him and stood a few paces away from the bared headed knight. The helmetless one tossing the old man at the other knight's feet.

"Elder Merlin, my how far your great has fallen," The feathered knight spoke.

"My people? My people are the ones who have fallen? Look at your troops, your men! Whose people had just slaughtered through children," the old man, Elder Merlin spoke.

"Enough chatter, where are the keys?"

"Destroyed."

"No! You'd never old man!" The other guardian all but screamed.

"You'd be surprised about what people are capable of, my grandson," the elder spoke, "I know that I am. You had such promise little one."

"Enough!" The feathered knight shouted, turning to the helmetless one, "Is this true?"

The helmetless knight, swallowed, "We found the remains of seven destroyed keys."

"No..." the guardian whispered.

"The knowledge of our alpha will forever be sealed from the cruel hands of a fool such as yours," the Elder spoke.

"No, old man, it is you who is the fool," the feathered knight spoke, raising his sword and slicing down. Cutting the elder's head off. The body falling to the ground, where the old man's skeleton would forever lay.

"Search for survivors, let none remain breathing!" The feathered knights screamed before dropping his voice, "Now time to tie loose tassels," He whirled around facing the guardian, his sword raised.

The guardian began to quake, slowly backing up, eventually hitting the stone table, "No. No. You can't do this. I led you here! I watched as you slaughtered. I let you in! I am you ally!"

"Your actions do not make you an ally, only proving you're a traitor," The knight raised his sword further, and thrusted the blade through the guardian's chest and into the stone table

"Your kind are a plague. Better to cut if off then allow it to spread."

The memory faded, the world restoring into its normal colors. The bodies melting away; the elders into his skeleton, and the guardian's vanishing. Only the gash from the blade in the stone table remaining.

Ash managed to swallow his bile; Goh wasn't so lucky. The blue-eyed trainer dry-heaving into the corner. Riolu clung to his leg, and Pikachu jumped back onto his shoulder. In a daze, the dark-haired trainer walked over to the scarred side of the round table. His had lightly touching the score in the rock.

"He betrayed them," Ash murmured.

There was the sound of rapid footsteps...and then the wall blew in.

A/N:

Okay! I am so sorry that this is a week late. I've been having a hard time with school, and my mental health took a small tumble. Hopefully, I'll have an easier time with the next chap, and it will be out in the next two weeks.

But I've started a tumbler, where you can see about plans for future fics, and little drabbles that I don't post on usual fanfic sights. - blog/courtsk17

So, my thought process behind the sword thing is, they can make spheres and shields, why couldn't they make other shapes?

SO, I got the I the idea of the Tri-Team War from Game theory, go watch their channel I love what they're putting out.

Once more I apologize for the late update. Have a good night everyone.