A dim light stretched over the snowy mountains, signifying the start of a new day. It was a rare day for the perilous mountain, one where there weren't many clouds, allowing for the true beauty of Mount Silver to be seen.
A Young Trainer, aged 18, slowly awoke stretching inside one of the mountains deep caves, beside him was a yellow creature known throughout the world as a Pikachu.
The trainer rubbed the small mouse's head as he sat up, reaching towards a black Pokéflute, proceeding to play a short melody, which awakened all of the trainers Pokémon.
Together, both the trainer and his Pokémon began to prepare for the day, like they had for the past 3 years.
The 3 years had been hard on the Kanto native as his mind flashed back to the tragedy that had caused him to be atop the most dangerous place in both the region and the world.
The large explosion, followed by the guttural screams of those nearby, his friends who had only just managed to escape as well as the pained screams of Lysander as the detonation tore through him. The entire building collapsed, taking the lives of dozens of Team Flares grunts as well as one of Ash's best friends.
Serena.
He had known her the longest of any of his friends, except for Gary, even if they had only been reunited 5 years ago when he had begun his journey in the sixth of the seven regions he'd explored.
She had meant so much to him. It had taken almost losing his life and her losing hers to realise his true feelings for her.
Love.
Ash snapped back to reality as he felt a light shock travel up his arm as Pikachu nuzzled his hand. Pikachu cocked his head in concern for his trainer until Ash offered him a grin and picked him up, placing him on his shoulder.
He looked up and saw Charizard blast out a flamethrower at the ice sheet to the cave. He, alongside all the rest of his Pokémon, stepped out into the soft sun as Floatzel used Ice Beam to reseal their camping site.
As he had every day in the last 3 years, an aura manifestation of the greatest aura guardian of all time stood before them, Sir Aaron, who Ash had become familiar to when he had helped his Lucario years ago.
He stood there silent as Aaron announced something, "Today is the day Ash. Both Arceus and myself now see you fit to become a fully fledged Aura Guardian. However, Arceus has also asked me to bring information that I believe you will be very interested in.". The elder Aura Guardian waited studying his students reaction before continuing, "There is news of a tournament that will take place in Lumiose City where teams of up to 6 trainers can compete."
"And why would I'd be interested in that.", Ash questioned, "Tournaments happen all the time, what makes this one so important?".
"The prize. The competition is being sponsored by both the Pokémon League and Silph Co and each member of the winning team wins quite a large sum of money as well as a master ball. I don't think I need to explain to you why this is dangerous. Arceus would like for you to enter the competition and win. Failure is unfortunately not an option. I do warn you though, I sense that they might not be the only thing of interest for us there. You must stay safe. I'm unsure how it will turn out."
Ash simply nodded towards his teacher, who then faded back into the wind. "We finally did it Pikachu", He said affectionately rubbing his starters head, "I don't know what has both Aaron and Arceus worried but we've got this right buddy?"
He turned to the rest of his Pokémon, "Ok guys, you heard Aaron. It's our first tournament in years and this time failure isn't an option. Everyone except Garchomp return, we've got a long flight so Gliscor and Charizard expect to be let out to swap places with Garchomp. You're the only two big enough to carry me that far.". All of Ash's Pokémon rushed forwards, causing a stream of red lights to engulf the remaining trio.
Ash hurried to get onto Garchomp's back as the Mach Pokémon sped away from the frozen mountain towards its preferred warmer terrain.
Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away, a honey blonde woman was stood before the strongest psychic type Pokémon facing it in a fierce battle. She was down 5 Pokémon, her opponent, Mewtwo still standing, but in much worse shape than he had been 3 years prior when she had fought him.
"Delphox it's time. Let's end this once and for all with blast burn", She confidently announced as her strongest Pokémon engulfed itself in flames as it charged towards Mewtwo.
Mewtwo raised his hand in an effort to slow or stop Delphox using Psychic but turned out to be a second too late as Delphox collided with him, knocking him backwards and into the ground.
He smiled as he looked at the now immobile Delphox and laughed a powerful foul play at it.
"Protect", Serena yelled, catching the Genetic Pokémon off guard as Delphox threw up a hexagonal wall, preventing it from taking any damage. "Now let's use our own foul play straight back". The unexpected attack hit the strongest Psychic ever causing it to collapse to the ground. "Here take this", she told Mewtwo handing him a sitrus berry.
Mewtwo chuckled to itself before congratulating Serena finally being able to avoid recharging after using the strong move as well as being able to finally defeat him.
"I'd say your training is now complete Serena. I'd like for you to take this to show the mastery over psychic. I believe you remember what this can do for you as well as how to use it."
"Yes, thank you so much for teaching us how to harness that power.", she cheerfully replied taking the Pokéflute carefully from the Pokémon, before delicately placing it in her bag.
"It was a pleasure meeting you. I'm glad that Arceus chose me to help you prepare for your tournament. I don't believe I need remind about what is at stake here."
"Of course not, I'll show the world our true power and the strength of our bonds", Serena reached up forming a fist before pulling it down to emphasise her will."
"I believe that Arceus may still have further challenges for you. Stay vigilant, child and trust only in your Pokémon, as well as your own judgement of course."
Something was definitely wrong, more so than even he was letting on. Arceus was planning something, so much was obvious 3 years ago when he had requested for Serena to be trained in the ways of the psychic. However, the closer the Tournament came the more excited the Alpha Pokémon had become.
All of them had noticed it and Zygarde, Squishy as she had been insisted on being called had recently visited him, further reinforcing Mewtwo's suspicions.
He knew about what had happened 3 years ago, the thing that had and still was driving Serena to become more powerful to be able avenge the death of Arceus' chosen one, a boy called Ash Ketchum.
No matter what Arceus had said he knew that the boy was still alive, it was obvious. Something had killed the leader of Team Flare, an event that he was certain should have killed Ketchum.
He would've believed that the boy was dead if he didn't also know that the girl also should've died. Arceus was not unknown for playing favourites, evident in his love for the people of Sinnoh, who had worshipped him, even naming their region after their original name for him, Almighty Sinnoh.
If he had saved the girl then he had saved the boy. That much was simple. What had confused him however was the girls belief in Ash's death. Arceus had clearly hidden the two's survival for each other but wouldn't explain himself, preferring to ignore Mewtwo when he questioned him about the Kanto native's survival. It had annoyed him, being unable to see into the future like he normally could, no doubt as a way to stop him from revealing it to the Kalosian girl.
Serena was determined. It was finally her chance to prove herself. That tournament was probably the most important thing she would ever do. How could it not be? The fate of the world rested in her hands. It was her chance to avenge Ash's death. She knew that they'd attack there. It would be perfect not to. 6 of the most powerful things ever made, that would allow the evil leaders of the regions to catch the Pokémon of their desire without fail.
She had a target in particular, Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket. Because of him, Ash had been forced to watch his back on every turn to prevent Jessie and James from stealing his Pikachu.
However, now she also had a second reason. Through conversation, she had discovered that Mewtwo had been created by one of Team Rockets experiments in an attempt to take over the world. She couldn't just let her newest friend to be taken against his will especially by people who only wanted him for his power.
Steadfast with her new wave of resolve, she called out her Galarian Rapidash, her newest Pokémon who she had helped when Mewtwo had taken her Glimwood Tangle where she had managed to protect it from what she suspected was a group of Team Rocket grunts trying to capture the areas powerful fairy type Pokémon.
"Let's go Rapidash, we've got a bit to travel before we reach Lumiose."
Rapidash reared up in approval before lowering down, allowing Serena to climb onto her back. She then stood back up and rushed forward, heading towards the nearest city, waiting just outside of Geosenge city as Serena got her other Pokémon healed at the Pokémon centre.
Half an hour later, Serena returned, all of her Pokémon healed and safe on her belt as the duo took off once again on the road to Lumiose city.
Overhead of both the trainers, Aura guardian and Psychic alike, a presence known by all as Arceus sat, carefully observing the whole world when a loud noise from in front of him, the slamming of the wide doors to his domain, made him glance up to see the arrival of Zygarde.
"Ah Zygarde wha..", He started
"Two things Arceus, the first, it's Squishy, not Zygarde, how many times must I remind you, and second, what are you up to in Kalos? It is my shared domain alongside the others and I would wish to know what chaos you're being there this time."
"Very well…", he paused, the dislike of the nickname clearly ringing through his silence, "Squishy. I shall tell you all that you need to know. That is that the only thing you need to do is stick by the child you have chosen to fight alongside.
As you have probably already heard, Lumiose City will be hosting a Team Tournament, probably the biggest competition of the century, if not all time. I hope that your… Trainer will take part in it. I don't wish for you to reveal anything you find there, if you must talk to anyone then return here to talk to me. And please, next time you must close the doors behind you. A warning would also help, that way I could prepare something for you to eat."
"I'm unsure what your motives are Alpha, but I trust that you have the correct ones. However, I want you to understand that if I discover something that I don't like, I won't hesitate to bring ALL of the others along on my next visit, and we won't hesitate to find out the full truth."
With that Squishy turned and began to leave Arceus' domain, occasionally glancing towards the Alpha Pokémon, who's expression gave away nothing.
Something was wrong. Even Mewtwo could tell and he'd only met Arceus a handful of times. Something was going to happen and she would make sure that the others were prepared for it.