WARNING: This is the Last chapter in the Intro and Kanto Arc! Anyone who has been following this story You will need to find the next Arc (A separate story) If I am unable to use a link or something to get you there automatically (I honestly have no idea if that kinda thing will work) maybe I'll post the link at the bottom and then you copy it into your address bar? IDK. Any who I just wanted to warn ya :)

We are at the end of the Kanto Arc! Hooray!

NOTE: Also anyone who has an OC who would be traveling in Hoenn or native to that region... If you wanna appear in the story, briefly as a cameo or something, check my profile for more info on that. I need the Hoenn one especially since Hoenn is now in it's planning stages. Also t those that have offered their cameos so far, I will tell you the chapter before you are introduced or hinted at. I will give everyone a chance to have the same amount of coverage. So if you get the chance to be hinted at and someone else actually meets up with the group, you will get the reverse at some other point.

I have a question for all who are reading this story. Check the new poll on my profile, please :)

Arlghty, on to the good stuff:

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Ages:

Ash: 18

Misty: 18

Brock: 23

Gary: 18

May: 18

Max: 13

Drew: 17

Dawn: 18

Paul: 19

Cilan: 22

Cress: 22

Chili: 22

Iris: 20

Ritchie: 18

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Clemont: 18

Serena: 18

Harley: 24

Solidad: 24

Zoey: 19

Barry: 19

Kenny: 18

Nando: 25

Stephan: 19

Bianca: 20

Cameron: 18

Trip: 18

Georgia: 19

Burgundy: 19

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Various others:

Delia: 37 (based off her age of the novelization according to bulbapedia [29] + 8 years from the start of Ash's journey.

Giovanni: (Unknown) but in this story: 58

Prof. Oak: 64

Redrick(Red Ketchum): 38

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Normal Talk

Thoughts

Lucario talking unless stated otherwise

Zoroark talking unless stated otherwise

Let the journey continue...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The music and dancing stopped. Everyone faced the direction of the sound and saw Ash running forward. Riley suddenly leapt back from the shadows as three Zoroark followed. Pikachu flew through the air from the corridor along with Riley's Lucario, Ash's Lucario, and Ash's Zoroark; they all struck the ground hard. A man then walked into the light holding the scruff of an unconscious Ellie.

"Grings Kodai!" Brock shouted.

Grings turned his head to his name and grinned, "Ah... You're familiar... where are your friends? They here?"

"Let Ellie, go!" Ash shouted.

Grings then spotted him and froze when he saw Ash's attire.

"You... Your a guardian... Of course," Grings said and then looked at Ellie, "I assume this is yours?"

"Pika!" Pikachu shouted and flew at him, biting his arm hard.

"AHHHH!" Grings shouted in pain and released Ellie.

Ash ran forward with Riley close behind.

"Oh no you don't! Zoroark, my pets! Night daze on them! Freeze them in their tracks!" Grings shouted as a maddened glint flickered in his gold eyes.

Riley's Lucario got up and soon dove at Riley, knocking him out of the way before the dark energy rose from the ground around him.

Ash on the other hand wasn't as lucky. Ash's Lucario was just barely starting to get up from the surprise attack and Ash's Zoroark was still unconscious.

Ash couldn't sense the move and he didn't deviate from his course towards Grings, before the attack rose from the ground. Ash froze in place at first and just stared straight ahead, then

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ash screamed out in pure agony, as he felt his energy start to leave him. Tendrils of dark energy swirled around him.

"Ash!" Misty yelled.

Ash soon fell to his knees and grabbed his chest. His pendant glowed erratically and blazed a feeble blue light through the shroud of darkness.

Master!

What have you done to him!?

"PikaPi!" Pikachu cried out as he tried to pull Ellie away on his back.

"Ash!" Riley yelled out, as he recovered from Lucario's shove, "We have to get him out of that! Now!"

Misty suddenly rushed forward and dove at Ash. She tackled him to the ground, away from the attack. She felt some pain as she passed through the dark energy attack but it didn't matter, so long as she helped Ash.

"Mist. Thank you," Ash said as they laid for a moment. He shook his head and tried to get up on somewhat wobbly arms. He started to form an Aura sphere, though he could tell it was smaller than normal.

"What!? But Night daze should've left you useless, drained you of your aura for a period of time!" Grings shouted.

"His aura is too strong for him to be taken down so easily, and so is mine! May the aura be with us!" Riley shouted and clapped his hands together. A blue light surrounded him and reached out to Ash and his pokemon. Ash's posture suddenly improved and the Aura sphere he was making started to grow. Riley's Lucario, Ash's Lucario, Ash's Zoroark, and Pikachu started to charge up Aura spheres with their masters. Pikachu's came from his tail like an Electroball.

Grings' three Zoroark attacked as at that moment.

Ash ran forward and slammed an Aura sphere into one of the Zoroarks' faces. Ash saw Riley's Lucario do the same to a separate one. Pikachu had followed up on Ash's attack by slamming another sphere into the weakened Zoroark, while Ash's Lucario had given Riley's Lucario support. Riley ran forward towards Grings but was blocked by Ash's Zoroark and one of Grings' Zoroark battling in front of him. Ash's Zoroark was wrestling on the ground like a wild animal with the third enemy Zoroark and her voice rang out,

Shame on you! You are a disgrace to all Zoroark! You attack a guardian! You side with darkness! Do not lower yourself to this!

Ash's Zoroark then batted the other Zoroark away.

"Rak zoro," The pokemon said and cowered slightly.

You're sorry?

Ash's Zoroark smiled and turned to face the another opponents, not realizing she had been tricked due to her naive nature.

Comrade! Watch out!

Ash's Lucario pushed Zoroark out of the way as the dark energy of Night daze spiraled around him.

AHHHHHHHH!

No! Lucario!

Ash's Zoroark cried out before suddenly glowing red and roaring.

Leave my friends alone!

She ran forward and blasted the Zoroark with a super powerful Night daze that wrapped and twisted haphazardly around an Aura sphere, as if two poles of a magnet were being forced together. Lucario was released from the attack.

After a little more fighting all three Zoroark were fully unconscious. Grings locked eyes with Ash,

"You have the power I seek... If I can have aura then Celebi will come and I can have my power I lost before, again," Grings said.

"You misunderstand! Aura doesn't automatically mean any pokemon will trust you! You must gain its trust with or without aura!" Riley growled.

"You are a danger to this world and a danger to the kingdom of Rota, you will be defeated," Ash said before rushing forward with Riley at his side.

"Not today..." Grings said before returning his pokemon. A Natu landed on his shoulder and teleported him away.

Ash and Riley stood waiting for a few moments using their aura to sense if anything else was present.

"He has gone very far away..." Riley said finally, turning to face the Queen who came forward after escaping her body guards.

"That is good... We will need to heal your partners," The Queen spoke softly.

"Zoroark. Zoroark!" Ash said suddenly, noticing his Zoroark was still glowing red and growling.

"It's okay Zoroark... He's gone," Ash flinched when he touched Zoroark, because of the dark energy that surrounded her.

She soon returned to normal.

Master... I'm sorry

She licked his hand that looked red from touching her.

"It's okay... You just wanted to protect us," Ash smiled.

Thank you comrade. Lucario said and bowed to her.

Lucario...

"Your help was appreciated young one," Riley's Lucario spoke.

Ash then leaned down to scoop up Ellie who was waking up.

"Let's get you fixed up, okay?" Ash asked and stroked her head.

"Chu..." Ellie smiled.

"PikaPi pika chu pika," Pikachu said as he walked up.

"Well, I guess that was dinner and a show, eh?" Gary smirked as the two groups walked up.

"Not appropriate right now, Gary," Misty snorted.

"Sorry sorry just trying to distill the tension," Gary shrugged.

The people were dismissed from the castle. Ash's group, Queen Ilene, and Riley walked about the castle to get to the infirmary. Ash's pokemon and Riley's Lucario were placed in the Nurse Joy's care. They then sat down to talk about what happened. Brock, Ash, and Dawn first explained what they knew about Grings Kodai and then Riley explained what Grings had been thinking, using Night daze like he did.

"Night daze is an ancient technique to be honest. It is a move only Zorua and Zoroark can learn. This move is devastating on Aura guardians for whatever reason. Their energy is drained rapidly and viciously. Most often that can do serious, sometimes permanent damage to untrained aura adepts. The hunters used to finish the guardians off while they were unable to move, much less fight back," Riley spoke grimly.

"No sense of honor at all!" Cilan growled.

"That's awful," Dawn said sadly.

"Ash... You got hit by one of those attacks..." Misty said, worried.

"Yeah how did it feel?" Max asked.

"Max!" May chastised.

"I'm fine. It felt just like Riley said though. My power felt like it was leaving my body rapidly," Ash said and pulled Misty closer to calm her, "But Misty saved me."

Misty smirked, "Again."

"Yes again," Ash grinned, "Oh and Riley did that weird technique that helped... What was that?"

"It was a Heal pulse technique... I'm more aligned with slight offensive and major healing aura arts so such a move I can preform easily enough. You are more defensive and minor offensive aligned from what I've observed. Everyone develops differently this way regardless of heritage. It solely depends on one's personality or being." Riley nodded.

"I see," Brock responded.

The pokemon were healed and returned to their master's sides. Ash returned Lucario and Zoroark so they could rest. Pikachu and Ellie made their way up to Ash's shoulders. Riley's Lucario stood by Riley. Everyone decided it was time to sleep. Many non-aura knights were assigned to keep watch during the night so that Ash and Riley could properly rest after their battle with Grings. Everyone had changed and were in the condo.

"I thought that guy was taken care of..." Dawn sighed.

"He must have been released by someone..." Drew said.

"Really?" Chili asked.

"Makes sense... He couldn't have been released from prison normally before now," Paul said.

"The problem is... who released him?" Brock spoke.

"Right," Iris nodded.

"Well I'm sure we haven't seen the last of him..." Cress spoke.

"Yeah," May frowned.

"Why do all these crazy guys like to follow us?" Max asked.

"Because Ashy-Boy's a freak-magnet that's why, right bud? bud?" Gary asked, as he saw Ash get up and walk to the balcony alone.

Misty glared at him.

"Heh... I guess I pushed it too far," Gary laughed nervously before frowning.

"Ash always feels like things are his, fault. He no doubt blames himself," Misty said before getting up and walking towards the balcony.

"I didn't mean it... He should know we don't care," Gary said to the others.

"Maybe but Ash will still blame himself, especially if any of us get hurt. That's just the way he is," Brock said putting a hand on Gary's shoulder.

"Sorry guys... I don't mean to be all broody," Ash said as he returned with Misty, "I just don't want you guys to get too caught up in this, that's all."

"Don't worry about it Ash," Ritchie said.

"Yeah we wouldn't be here if we didn't want to be," Drew grinned.

Everyone nodded.

"Pika!"

"Chu!"

Pikachu and Ellie cried in agreement.

"Yeah... Okay," Ash smiled and Misty held his hand.

"Much better," Misty smiled.

Everyone talked some more about their trip to the Tree of Beginning tomorrow before finally going to bed. Everyone slept well except Ash; who seemed to be tossing and turning, his dreams filled with thoughts of how familiar the pain from Night daze had felt... Though he knew he had never been attacked by it before...

zzzzzz

"Thank you my guardian for attending the party and helping to defend Rota from that evil man. I pray your travels will be good, please keep safe," Queen Ilene spoke, "And it was a pleasure to meet all of you as well."

She then handed Ash a pair of gloves which he held before placing them in his backpack.

"Use these to increase your power when you need to. They will help you focus your energy better, especially when practicing and training your aura," Ilene spoke.

"My honor, my queen," Ash said bowing, but now wearing his normal traveling clothes.

"I'll stay for a while longer to make sure Grings doesn't return, before I return to Sinnoh for a time," Riley said.

"Be careful Riley, It was great seeing both of you," Ash smiled, "May the aura be with you."

"May the aura be with you as well," Queen Ilene and Riley said to Ash.

The group then walked out of the castle. They met up with the second group. They told them Ash and the pokemon were fine. They said their goodbyes. Burgundy and Ash again said that maybe next time they would get the chance to help solve the problem with Fearow before something crazy stopped them. Ash's group was about to leave town when suddenly an older man's voice rang out.

"Excuse me! Excuse me!" The man shouted.

The group turned to face a monk with a pokemon following behind.

"Greetings, Unsui," Ash said and bowed.

"Ah greetings, Sir Ashton, correct? You see this pokemon here," The monk spoke and let the pokemon come out from hiding. It was a Meinfoo.

"He has studied you the past couple of days... You see he was given a destiny to find a trainer that could teach him to grow stronger in the right way... He has chosen you young guardian," The monk spoke.

"Huh? Hmmm okay, Is that true, Meinfoo?" Ash asked and leaned down to let Meinfoo place a hand in Ash's. Ash let some aura flow into Meinfoo.

Yes I wish to join you. I am not very strong but my wisdom is vast enough.

"I see. Strength doesn't matter to me though. You are welcome to come if you'd like," Ash smiled.

Thank you Master.

"You too?" Ash asked and then sighed.

Sorry but if I am to become a proper aura partner to you, then I must treat you as my Master.

"You want to aura link with him?" Misty asked, suddenly a little worried remembering what sad memories Ash had to endure last time.

Yes If that is okay.

"That's fine, Meinfoo... How about we link at the Tree of Beginning? We are traveling there now," Ash asked.

Wonderful, Master. Thank you.

Ash then captured him in the Luxury ball he had bought in Pallet. They said their goodbyes to the monk and soon were a few miles out of Rota and heading towards the Tree of Beginning.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Somewhere in Kanto-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cages, filled with pokemon, were being stacked on top of each other. One of the Rocket grunts stacking them was tapped on the shoulder by another grunt. Someone whispered to him commands and he saluted before walking away.

In a room a man sat in shadows... behind a desk.

"Jessie, James, Meowth. I'm glad you made it. Jeremy, Chas, Roman, Vane... Welcome."

"Sir!" All of the Rocket agents saluted their boss. Jeremy, the grunt who had stolen the young girl's pokemon, had black hair and eyes to match. Chas, who had managed the Mt. Moon mission, had orange hair with freckles and bright green eyes that glinted with malice. Roman, who had been in charge of the Mt. Hideaway expedition, was tanner than the others and had dark brown hair and forest green eyes.

"Right..." Giovanni turned in his chair to face his agents, "I have heard a few disappointing things the past month or so. We'll start with the Lavender take over... Vane, an explanation of why you didn't return with the information we needed?"

"Yes I'll tell you what I know, Sir," Vane bowed, "Somehow a group of children entered the tower and distracted us long enough for Lance and his men to arrive. I never got any information out of our target."

Jessie, Meowth, and James exchanged a quick and somewhat nervous glance with each other.

"Wasn't the tower locked though with the key cards?" Giovanni asked, spinning a pen idly.

"Yes sir, we are still unsure how they got in," Vane answered.

"Okay, either someone... has betrayed us... or they got a key card somehow. We'll give our members benefit of the doubt since I'm in a good mood at the moment and see if we can figure out how they might have gotten inside," Giovanni spoke simply.

"The only way they could've gotten in, that I can imagine, is if they were in disguise," Vane said plainly.

"You're saying fourteen kids got under our noses?" Chas snorted.

"No... They would only need one. Someone perhaps who may have done it before. There have been reports of a boy that's been giving us some trouble," Vane stated calmly.

Roman shifted uncomfortably, "You think it's that Ketchum?"

Jessie, James, and Meowth flinched.

"Yeah! That kid got me thrown in the slammer! He'd be the one to try something like that," Jeremy growled.

"Jeremy if I recall you were with several others, guarding the key cards... did you happen to see anyone suspicious?" Vane asked.

"Hmmmm... Naw only one person came and asked for a key card, some guy named Cole," Jeremy paused.

"Did he say why he needed a card?" Vane asked suspiciously.

Jeremy flinched and gulped, "He ummm... he said you wanted some company from a lady, sir. That he was commanded to go get a card key."

Vane's face went red with anger and Giovanni started to bore holes into Vane, "Explanation?"

"I never did any such thing," Vane controlled himself, "This Cole person must be a fake."

"I'll check the files, for this Cole," Matori spoke, leaving Giovanni's side.

"Hmmm. Cole, eh?" Giovanni murmured and held his chin.

Matori came back, "There is no one named Cole in the system sir."

"I see so this person is an impostor... but who is he?" Jeremy asked.

"Do you remember anything about his face?" Vane asked.

"Well... he did look kinda like...

~zzzzzz~

"Dumb kid!" the Rocket yelled.

Ash simply smiled, "Hey I'm not on my butt though."

~zzzzzz~

"Well, I know you've got a job to do, but If you get the time, come and play cards with us," Jeremy smiled.

"Sure. If Vane doesn't make me do more of his little errands," Ash retorted.

All five grunts laughed and Jeremy turned to the others, "I love this guy!"

~zzzzzzzzz~

AHHHHH! AGH!" Jeremy howled, "He was that Ketchum kid! I see the resemblance now! That little... grah! I woulda rung his neck if I had figured it out!" Jeremy said angrily. Vane placed a hand on Jeremy to calm him down.

"So now we know Ketchum was a part of this... So what about his friends? I saw about half of them..." Vane said and described the tower group.

"They sound familiar. I think they were the ones who screwed us up at Mt. Moon," Chas said, "One of them got hurt and the Ketchum kid stayed behind to distract us. His pokemon are powerful."

"He's right. We saw him not even a week ago on our mission. His Rapidash nearly took out our entire squad. A wild Nidoking attacked us though... I think our Ketchum problem is solved because once everyone re-grouped we found his restraints near a cliff that were burnt and the cliffside was torn up. I think that Nidoking did him in," Roman stated emotionlessly.

"Ha! That worm is dead! That's great!" Jeremy grinned.

Jessie and James and Meowth stole a quick glance at each other in fear.

"Wait... What color was the Nidoking?" Chas asked.

"Huh? Oh well it was a strange color, blue I think, why do you ask?" Roman questioned.

"I think our Ketchum problem is bigger than we thought. That Nidoking is definitely his. He fought against us with it," Chas stated.

"So your saying an eighteen almost nineteen year-old boy had the idea to fake his death?" Vane asked, bewildered.

"No... That... that little," Jeremy growled.

"Hmmm..." Giovanni said, "So he knows how to effectively fool our agents..." Giovanni said and glared at Jeremy, "And his pokemon are powerful enough to fight a squadron off and he's clever enough to try and fake his own death?" Giovanni said, looking at Chas and Roman, "Hmmmm... He would make an even better admin than you, Vane." Giovanni glanced at one of his admins who looked back at him in disbelief.

"Sir..." Vane said finally.

"It's truly a shame he's our enemy and not an ally... Well he must be taken care of... If any of you happen to come across him... bring him to me. I would like to speak to Mr. Ketchum... again... I first met him in Unova... He caused problems there too... Otherwise he seems to not know any of our major plans and is only stopping us when he notices our presence," Giovanni said before turning to Jessie, James, and Meowth, "You three know the boy more than anyone, correct?"

"Yes... Yes sir," Jessie nodded.

"Spy on him and his group the best you can. I also seem to owe you three an apology..." Giovanni began.

"Sir?" James asked in shock.

"You used to always tell me about his powerful Pikachu... I thought you three were nuts, but now I guess I should've at least kept an eye on its trainer more," Giovanni said.

"Oh... Thank you sir..." Meowth replied uneasily.

"Yes well... You three are dismissed... I still have some things I wish to discuss with Vane and these others," Giovanni replied.

Jessie, James, and Meowth walked away; they then heard something that made their blood go cold.

"Sir... After you talk to the boy, what do you plan to do to him? And his friends?" Vane asked.

"Well If I'm correct, then his friends are acquaintances that have also attempted to stop me in the past... They are enemies to Team Rocket... So they will pay the price for interfering... Team Rocket doesn't take kindly to meddlers," Giovanni smirked before stroking Persian.

Jessie, James, and Meowth looked at each other in fear and then sadness as they walked further away...

-=-=-=-=-=-=Ash's group-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"Wow... This is great..." Gary said, as he sunk further into the hot spring.

"Yeah..." Drew murmured in bliss.

"I can't believe it's still here," May said happily; she blushed when she felt Drew's hand hold hers under the murky water and she smiled at him in turn.

"CANNON-BALL!" Max shouted and hit the water with a splash.

"Easy, Max!" Dawn said, laughing.

"Nice one," Ritchie smiled.

"Well I don't know if I should be happy from the heat or Cress should be happy from the water," Chili said.

"How about you both are?" Cilan grinned.

"Sounds good to me brother," Cress smiled back.

"I love this sooooo much. How far are we from the tree, anyways?" Iris asked.

"I was about to ask the same thing," Paul tilted his head and opened his eyes from his relaxed state.

"Just a few more hours," Ash said.

"Yeah sounds about right from what I remember," Brock nodded.

"Man I wish there was a hot spring near the tree... Wait I never asked, Ash, where will we sleep?" Misty asked.

Everyone turned to Ash expectantly.

"There's plenty of room in the tree," Ash smiled.

"Yeah but won't the blobs eat us?!" Max asked, worried.

"Naw, I can get you guys a few crystals like mine. I'll walk in first and get them and come back out to give them to you," Ash nodded.

"Okay sounds good," Gary said before placing his arms behind his head and relaxing again.

"Don't worry Misty. There isn't a hot spring at the tree but, there is water to swim in," Ash smiled.

"Great!" Misty said before scooting closer to him.

Pikachu and Ellie sat nearby and enjoyed the warmth of the rocks. Eventually the group started to travel again towards the tree after they got changed back into their clothes. After a few hours the tree finally came into view. The crystals glistened in the light of the sun and some flying types took flight from the top of the formation.

"Oh wow..." Misty said, "I had no idea it was that big."

"It's huge!" Iris said.

"So beautiful," Dawn smiled.

"It really is something," Drew replied.

"I never had any idea something like this existed in Kanto," Paul whispered.

"What an amazing sight," Cilan said, getting awed nods from his brothers.

"How fascinating..." Gary said.

"Incredible," Ritchie grinned.

Ash then led them closer. As they approached they suddenly heard droning and found themselves surrounded by Regice, Regirock, and Registeel.

"Oh no," Max grimaced.

Everyone started to reach for a pokeball and Ash stopped them, "Wait they're just doing their job." Ash stepped forward and bowed to them and before pooling aura into his pendant and letting it glow brightly. The pokemon then relaxed but stood firm.

"I'll go in and get your crystals... Pikachu, Ellie you guys keep them company," Ash smiled and then disappeared into the dark cave in front of them.

After about twenty minutes Ash came back, "Here." Ash passed out the crystals on strings to everyone and they put them on.

"Hey Ash? Where'd you get the string?" Misty asked.

She looked up after he didn't answer and saw everyone was staring at something. She followed their gaze,

"Mew?" Mew mewled and floated around Ash's shoulder.

"Oh my..." Gary muttered and soon fainted.

"Oops," Ash smiled sheepishly as Brock and Drew helped prop Gary up.

"Mew... mew," Mew spoke before floating over to each of the people in the group.

"Hello there," Cilan smiled.

"Heya," Ritchie greeted.

"Greetings," Paul nodded.

"Hi again," May grinned.

Mew did this for everyone and then poked Gary who woke up, "Huh? Oh! Whoa..."

Mew finally floated over to Misty and looked into her eyes as she spoke, "Hi there... It's been a while. I remember..."

"Mew! mew mew!" Mew said happily and floated rapidly around Misty; she then moved to Ash and laid in his arms as Pikachu and Ellie came up his shoulders and Ellie introduced herself to Mew.

Ash smiled and then spoke, "Okay everyone, this way."

Mew started to fly away ahead of them. Most of the way through the tunnels everyone was silent taking in the sights. Finally they breached the exit to the cave and found themselves in the central cavern with its large lake and various pokemon inhabitants.

"Here we are," Ash said finally.

"Awesome," Dawn said smiling.

Suddenly everyone felt rumbling.

"What's that?" Max asked.

"I don't know!" Brock shouted.

"Ash?" Misty asked.

"Oh no..." Ash said and looked forward. Everyone soon saw a dust cloud. They could see a crowd of pokemon stampeding towards them. They then realized the pokemon approaching were all Ash's. Ash was quickly tackled by the large group of pokemon,

"AAAAHHGK!" Ash yelped as he was thrown to the ground and surrounded.

Ash began to laugh happily, "HA HA HA GUYS!"

Everyone in the group smiled as they scanned the group and spotted familiar pokemon.

Pikachu and Ellie watched from the side, the familiars in the group of pokemon included:

Charizard, Emboar, Samurott, Serperior, Unfezant, Scrafty, Levanny, Semitoad, Krookodile, Gigalith, Venusaur, Kinger, Muk, Tauros, Snorlax, Heracross, Meganium and her son, Chikorita, Typhlosion, Feraligator, Noctowl, Donphan, Swellow, Sceptile, Crawdaut, Torkoal, Glalie, Staraptor, Torterra, Infernape, Floatzel, Garchomp, Blastoise, Primape, Gliscor, Pigeot, and Lapras. Butterfree floated nearby with a pink Butterfree and they noticed that there were a few Caterpie cooeing beneath them. Greninja, Talonflame, a Go-goat, a Pangoro, and a huffy Tyrunt wandered around the group as well trying to get to Ash to get their turn to greet. Every one of Ash's old pokemon had fully evolved except for Pikachu of course and the little Tyrunt, though the fossil pokemon looked quite large, indicating he might evolve soon.

They then noticed a few of the new comers from the last year, namely, Lucario, Zoroark, Meinfoo, Cubone, Rapidash, Nidoking, Espeon, Jolteon, Tyranitar, Kingdra, and a familiar looking Gengar.

The group laughed happily at the gathering and said hello again to the pokemon they were familiar with. They released their own... All of them. Iris revealed she had a Zwelious which impressed many in the group. Everyone got settled in and decided to change to swim.

"Ash? Is there a place us ladies can change in private?" Dawn asked.

"Oh yeah. Sure right this way girls," Ash smiled and the four girls soon trailed behind him. He was already changed into his trunks as he led them up a cliffside. He then showed them a small cave, "Sorry I hope you girls don't mind changing together."

"It's okay Ash," May smiled.

"Yeah no need to worry," Dawn nodded.

"Yuck it's cold in here, can't wait to get in the water," Iris murmured and walked forward some.

"Thanks Ash, see you in a minute," Misty said and kissed his cheek and he turned and walked down the ramp to the field. Soon the girls walked down and got in the water.

"Hey... Where's Ash?" Misty asked.

"Hellloooo!"

Everyone looked up and saw Ash up on a high cliff over the water.

"Ash! Get down from there, before you hurt yourself!" Misty growled up at him.

"Quite high up there aren't you, Ash?" Cilan said.

"Don't be a little kid, Get down here!" Iris yelled up.

"Did someone say, Get down?" Ash grinned mischievously.

"No! No, Ash Ketchum! That's not what she meant!" Misty yelled.

Too late. Ash disappeared and then ran up and leapt off of the cliff ledge. He did a successful dive though not extraordinarily, graceful. With a small splash, he entered the water. Misty glared at Ash as his head slowly rose out of the water next to her.

"You're an idiot," Misty said.

"Maybe... but I'm your idiot, right?" Ash said, now swimming normally next to her.

"Yeah," Misty relented and smiled.

"Geez why don't you two get a room?" Gary said, getting some snickers from the group.

Misty started swimming over to Gary with her mallet raised and Ash grabbed her arm trying to hold her back, "Mist, Mist! If you hit him here he'll drown."

"How the heck do you do that!? You have a bikini on! Where'd your mallet come from!?" Gary shouted, trying to swim a bit further away.

"Trade secret," Misty said with squinted eyes and let the mallet come back under the water's surface.

Everyone continued to enjoy themselves swimming and interacting with the pokemon both theirs and the wild ones that lived there. All the pokemon introduced themselves to each other especially any new comers. Bunaery didn't seem to notice Ellie's irritation when she glomped poor Pikachu, however; Ellie didn't bother her and neither did Pikachu for the time being. Brock and the Striation brothers cooked a large meal and made a lot of food for the pokemon. Everyone ate together, after changing back into their clothes, and had a good time. Ash then got up to walk. He started heading for another ramp, when Misty stopped him.

"Where you going, Ash?" Misty asked and the group turned to look. They noticed Pikachu, Lucario, Zoroark, and Meinfoo were following him.

"Oh... Well... Whenever I come here... I go and give my respects to Sir Aaron and his Lucario... At least where they passed," Ash said with a weak smile.

"I think I want to come..." May said and rose with sadness lacing her voice.

"Yeah," Max nodded solemnly.

"I agree," Brock said with some seriousness.

Soon everyone got up, feeling the need to follow. Ellie joined them and they started ascending to the heart of the Tree. They finally reached the chamber and Ash walked over to the crystals on the ground where Aaron and Lucario had given their lives... Mew floated down from the ceiling and hovered near everyone as they sat in honored silence.

"Thank you... and I miss you Lucario..." Ash said finally and rose.

"How exactly did they die, Ash?" May asked, "We weren't in the room when it happened..."

"They both gave their aura to Mew..." Ash said simply; he looked over and saw two time flowers, "I could show you if you want... There are the time flowers... there," Ash said and pointed.

Everyone looked at each other and nodded.

"We want to see, Ash," Brock said.

"Yeah, Especially us who knew Lucario," Max spoke.

Ash nodded and walked over to the flowers, first he touched the one with the memory of Sir Aaron...

zzzzzzzzz~Time flower one~zzzzzzzzzz

"Mew! Mew! I know you're here, please come out!" Aaron shouted.

"Cawwww!" A Ho-oh landed and turned into Mew, who floated down to greet Sir Aaron.

"I realize that you and this tree are one... Please use my power to save the people and stop this war," Aaron said with sadness.

"Mew..." Mew nodded reluctantly. No one could refute the pain in her eyes.

Aaron then began the process of giving his aura to Mew. He grew weaker and weaker and finally pushed out the last of his energy with a shout, "The Aura is with me!"

After the power was transferred, Aaron stumbled back and landed next to the pillar of crystal. The group watched sadly as Aaron began to convulse slightly. Aaron spoke his last words to Lucario... He spoke of his choices in life and that he regret nothing. He then passed away...

zzzzzzzzz~Time flower two~zzzzzzzzzz

Lucario, Ash, Pikachu, and Kidd entered the room. They talked about what's going on... They look as though they were watching Sir Aaron's sacrifice...

Ash explained to the group that aura can't be mirrored, so that's why they can't watch two time events at once.

Mew then floated weakly over to the center of the room. Lucario declared he was going to help Mew and give his aura.

"No you can't! You'll end up like Sir Aaron," Kidd said in shock.

"I know," Lucario replied.

"Lucario..." Ash spoke.

"Pika chu..." Pikachu mumbled.

Lucario tried to start giving his power to Mew but failed, "It's not working... I'm not strong enough."

Ash walked over to Aaron's gloves and picked them up, "You said I have the same aura as Sir Aaron, right? Let's put it to the test," Ash worked hard and formed a small sphere with the gloves.

"Ash..." Lucario murmured. Ash approached and began to form an Aura sphere and Lucario soon copied him.

"Ash you can't do this," Kidd said.

"If I don't then the pokemon in the tree will die... so will we and all the people who live near the tree. I can't give up," Ash said before pushing more energy from his body and shuddering from the pain.

"PikaPi!" Pikachu shouted.

The process was almost complete. Lucario glanced at Ash who was starting to look weak. Lucario looked at Mew and saw her start to glow green. He then shoved Ash out of the way.

"Lucario!" Ash shouted once he recovered from the shove.

"Leave the rest to me, Ash," Lucario said. He then focused back on Mew, "The Aura is with me!"

Lucario completed the process. Mew flew away and went up to the heart of the tree and began to heal it. Lucario stumbled and fell. Ash tried to comfort him. Lucario convulsed a few times and they both looked as though they were watching another time flower... Lucario then passed away and joined with Sir Aaron, before their energy disappeared as two orbs of light.

The time flower then closed...

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Everyone was silent for a while. Though they had heard the story of what happened in this chamber, to watch it was different. Most of the girls teared up and the guys frowned in sadness.

"They were true heroes," Drew finally broke the silence.

"No doubt," Cress nodded.

They were true guardians. I can only hope to become even slightly as honorable as them.

Yeah...

They will always be remembered for their bravery.

Misty nodded and then gripped Ash tightly. This was the second time recently she had watched her boyfriend almost die...

"You almost went with them," Paul spoke suddenly. Ash turned to him,

"Yeah... I knew there was no other way. I was going to die anyway if the tree died... It only made sense," Ash murmured. Paul seemed to be contemplating something but said no more.

"Lucario knew you had promise."

Everyone turned and looked at Gary.

"Huh?" Iris asked.

"Lucario probably used his aura and could sense you had promise as an Aura Guardian. Maybe even he knew the world needed more guardians again," Gary nodded and everyone grew silent.

"Aaron was a brave man. I couldn't imagine having to do something like that... I don't think," Chili shuttered slightly.

He was a good friend...

Everyone looked up and saw Mew, looking on sadly.

"Did you just speak?" Misty asked.

Yeah... I wait for a while before I speak in front of people... I knew Ash was bringing friends but I wanted to make sure I could trust all of you... I know you have come to ask me things... I can help some.

Everyone then sat down to talk with Mew about the questions they had.

So... my guardian, Ashton... Friends... What questions have you for me?

"First of all, we were wondering about an egg we came across," Ash started to speak.

An egg...

"You know I'm capable of sensing the type of pokemon in eggs... Well this egg that the League is in possession of is quite strange. I can't sense what's in it, it seems to have a seal of some sort on it, and I can tell for whatever reason that it won't hatch for another year... if ever. Lady Mew... Have you ever heard about anything like this?" Ash asked.

Hmmm... Yes I have. Eggs like that are rare. They contain very powerful pokemon inside them... You know... Arceus is said to have come from an egg though he doesn't talk much to any of us about such things. Perhaps something has happened somewhere... An imbalance of sorts... An energy of a legendary might have had to be reborn into the egg...

"Holy cow! Are you serious? You have any idea what this could mean for the pokemon research community?!" Gary jumped up, excitedly.

"Easy, Gary..." Ash smiled, "Mew... Do you have any idea what this imbalance could be? Because It might have to do with my second question."

Hmmm... I can't be sure... Most of my time is spent here. You know the saying... With great power comes great responsibility and all that. What is it? The second thing you inquire about?

Ash then told Mew about their experience in the Unknown Dungeon, the writing on the wall, what they had figured out on their own, and Mewtwo's input.

I see... I can't tell you much about that... Although I can confirm that I've been noticing the same unease as of late... Mewtwo's instincts are not without foundation. Anything else you can tell me?

Ash told her about his dream.

Hmmm... Those places are obscure... It's a shame that you don't remember them... Although you do know you've been to those places before... A couple things that do strike me as odd is the start of you dream and then the end... The beginning you say you are staring at a blue orb... filled with aura? The only thing that could possibly be is the Soul dew.

"The Soul dew... The Soul dew!" Ash said, "That's the first place in my dream! Altomare!"

Brock and Misty explained to everyone their story of Latias and Latios.

It seems these places are places you've been before like you said. I would visit all the places you can think of that you may have met legends... I suggest you visit Samiya first since it is close to Johto this time of year... Once you leave here go to Cherrygrove city and visit the sea. You will know what to do then...

"Oh! You mean I'll get to see Manaphy again?" May asked excitedly.

"Looks like it, May. I think Samiya was in my dream too. I could see the temple underwater," Ash smiled.

As for the Soul dew... You said in your dream it cracked and the water came forth in a wave... Perhaps... it is symbolic... perhaps something has happened... to Latias.

"Latias..." Ash whispered with sadness.

You still need to go to Samiya first though. Regardless of whether it has already happened or is to happen you cannot prevent it. Samiya is the first place you must go since it is difficult to find. About this time of year is the only time I know where it is because I can sense it.

Ash gritted his teeth, "Okay... I understand."

Now as for the end of your dream... It concerns me. You see... I was around during the age of the Aura Hunters... I saw what they did after Sir Aaron's death. The countless innocents they had slain. The man in your dream in shadows that spoke... He is a Dark one... a user of aura that is evil. He, I believe, used the Night daze technique on you...

"No wonder when Grings' Zoroark used that on me it felt familiar..." Ash said and pondered the thought.

Grings? Hmmmm... yes I believe Celebi of the Sinnoh Provence told me about him... A fellow who desires the power to see glimpses of the future as Celebi does. It is odd that he would know how to greatly harm an Aura guardian without being told... by someone. I would be careful my friends... I feel great disaster is coming, but I am equally as confident that all of you will have a hand in preventing complete calamity... Anyways I must depart... I have things I must attend to. I hope I was of some help. Enjoy your stay here and be safe my dear friends.

"We're your friends? You trust us just like that?" Paul asked with skepticism, Mew was a legendary pokemon after all.

I sense unease in your heart... But if Sir Ashton trusts you... I do as well... But I also can sense goodness in your heart... We all make mistakes, young one... We all must learn. Even I had to learn discipline, compassion, loss... Don't underestimate what love is capable of... You may even surprise yourself. Goodbye for now. You know what to do to find me.

"Goodbye, Mew!" Iris smiled.

"Farewell, Lady Mew," Ash said and bowed slightly.

Mew nodded and then flew away though the hole in the chamber's ceiling.

The group decided that they needed to try and fit both their journey for the Master Challenge and the need to heal the lands' hearts into one if possible. They agreed that once they made it to Johto, that they would travel to Cherrygrove like Mew had asked. Ash then turned to Meinfoo,

"Meinfoo since we are here in this chamber, would you like to link with me here?" Ash asked.

If you are okay with that, Master.

Ash nodded and sat cross-legged on the floor. Meinfoo approached him.

The group watched from the side with Lucario, Zoroark, Pikachu, and Ellie.

Ash touched Menifoo on the head. Meinfoo started to glow and Ash's pendant did as well... The memories soon started...

zzzzzzzzzzzz~Meinfoo's memory~zzzzzzzzzzz

Many Meinfoo were playing. Two were separate from the group; they were talking to one another. One of them is Ash's Meinfoo the other was a smaller Meinfoo,

"I'm sorry that you are upset," Ash's Meinfoo said.

"I just wish you didn't have to leave... I want to be chosen to go into training as well," The smaller Meinfoo replied.

"Hmmm..." Ash's Meinfoo listened.

"I will also miss you, friend," The smaller Meinfoo stated.

Silence ensued for a moment.

"How about... How about I promise to face you in combat once you are trained as well? I promise we will see each other again. When we do, we will fight and spar as we used to," Ash's Meinfoo said with a smile.

The smaller and younger Meinfoo brightened up, "Yes! Yes I would very much love that."

A monk entered the area and walked over to them. The rest of the Meinfoo paused from their play.

"It is time, I left then," Ash's Mienfoo stated.

"Goodbye... then. You promise, right?" The small Meinfoo asked.

"I promise," Ash's Meinfoo said before getting up and beginning to follow the monk, "Goodbye for now, friend."

Ash's Meinfoo then turned and didn't look back. The memory slowly faded.

zzzzzzzz~Ash's memory~zzzzzzzzz

"Max... Max," Ash said as he approached the young boy on the swing.

"Yeah..." Max said sadly.

"What's wrong?" Ash asked with a friendly smile.

"I'm really going to miss you and Brock... and watching you battle with May made me want to grow up even faster so I can be a trainer..." Max said and looked up.

"Hmmm... Yeah. I can remember how excited I was to become a trainer," Ash scratched his head and then looked like he had and idea, "How about this... Once you become a trainer how about I promise to battle you? A reserved match with the future pokemon Master, you could say," Ash grinned.

"Yeah right," Max smirked causing Ash to face-fault.

"But yeah... I'd really like that, Ash. YEAH! A battle with you would be awesome!" Max smiled happily and jumped up from the swing.

"That's the spirit," Ash smiled back as Max then started walking forward.

'Huh... I wonder if this is what it is like to have a sibling? I hope I said the right things.' Ash thought before the sound of a loud whistle startled him from said thoughts.

"Crud! That's your boat!" Ash yelped.

"Ahh!" Max shouted as well before running off towards the pier with Ash...

The memory started to then fade...

zzzzzzzz~End of Memories~zzzzzzzzz

Both Ash and Meinfoo then broke from the link and sighed.

"So what is that part of me?" Ash asked Meinfoo.

If Pikachu is your loyalty, Lucario is your strength, and Zoroark is your emotion... Then that must mean I am your wisdom. Meinfoo answered.

"Wisdom?" Gary asked skeptically and Ash glared at him.

Yes... Is there a problem with that?

"No, no... Nothing at all," Gary said nervously as he noticed Misty glaring at him now as well.

"So... Each of your links represents a part of you?" Cilan asked Ash.

"Yeah... At least that's what Lucario told me once," Ash replied.

I need to now meditate to unleash my aura.

"Oh ok. How long you need?" Ash asked.

Just a moment, if you all can be quiet for a few minutes.

Everyone agreed and after a moment they watched as aura pulsed around Meinfoo once he had started to meditate. Once he was done, his red portions turned blue.

"Kinda like Zororak, huh?" May said.

Yes Lady May.

"Hey Ash... I didn't realize I was that important of a memory to you," Max said suddenly.

Ash looked at his young friend and smiled, "All my friends are Max. You're like a little brother to me, really. I know I'm kinda like Brock's little brother... Then again Brock's like the mother of our little family, eh Brocko?" Ash grinned.

"Yeah, mother..." Brock sulked.

After cheering Brock back up, the group returned to the field and set up for the night. They planned to leave tomorrow to head for Johto. Ash took a while to say goodbye to most of his pokemon and telling them to keep training with one another, before coming to bed with everyone. As the group lay there on their backs talking, Ash spoke,

"You guys want a cool night light? Since there are no stars in here?" Ash asked suddenly.

"Umm... Sure, why?" Misty asked.

Ash smiled and let his pupils and pendant glow. The ceiling then lit up with light from the crystals in the ceiling.

"Wicked," Ritchie grinned.

"Beautiful," Dawn whispered.

"Nice little magic trick, Ashy-Boy," Gary snickered slightly before rolling over. Ash just chuckled.

"Night everyone," Ash said before rolling over. Pikachu and Ellie came and curled up next to him. Misty watched as Cubone snuck over from the large group of Ash's pokemon and crawled over and curled up next to him, Pikachu, and Ellie.

"You still promise to have a battle with me, Ash?" Max asked in the darkness.

"Of course, Max. Hey! If we don't end up battling in the Master's Challenge then I'll battle you anyway, ok?" Ash said.

"Okay!" Max replied.

"Oh and Meinfoo?" Ash asked.

Yes Master? The pokemon's voice rose from a slight distance away.

"We'll find your friend and you'll get to battle him one day," Ash spoke, "I promise."

Thank you Master. I appreciate it greatly.

"Night," Everyone said happily, before sleep overcame them.

~End Arc~

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Meinfoo talking unless stated otherwise

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Alright so I finally get to explain this part of the story. Remember how Zoroark used to be more often seen with Dark ones? Well this is why. For whatever reason Zoroark were able to develop this Night daze technique, originally and specifically for hunting Aura guardians. After time passed and the age of Aura hunters and Guardians had passed the technique merely became known and only remembered as another attack and no one really questioned why Zorua and Zoroark were the only pokemon that could learn it without aid.

Next the Natu XD Oh wow, guys... seriously I didn't plan that. Seriously don't credit me with this cleverness. I was just looking for variety in the type of pokemon used for the bad guys to teleport away with in certain situations, like Vane and his Abra. Natu just happened to be one of the few pokemon that can learn the move so I popped him in there. It wasn't until much later that I realized Natu/Xatu are pokemon that supposedly see the future... Natu is owned by a man who used to be able to see the future... 0_0 like I said, amazing coincidence!

Okay, I don't know if this is all that noticeable but I wanted to explain. I'm sorry if Ash has been a little broody about worrying over his friends' fates. I don't want him to become a brooding rain-cloud at all, but he did have a very frightening nightmare about their fate as well as Ash just being as selfless as he most often is for the sake of his pokemon and friends. He will be this way for a bit longer at random times up until the middle or so of the Johto Arc. He will then try to put it behind him. Again it might not been that noticeable, until of course I pointed it out T_T Anywho I'm going to try to manage it correctly :)

Alright before anyone says that Ash met Giovanni before at Mt. Quena... I just wanted to note that yes he did, but Giovanni doesn't remember that meeting(Mewtwo memory wipe), only the one in Unova. Just a reminder :D

I realize this might have been a good chance to throw in some pokemon speech and such, but I realized that since everyone else also released their pokemon inside the tree that would have been a bazillion pokemon to talk and that could've made two chapters all on its own most likely! So for now no more talking for them. Do not fear though, they will talk again probably once or twice a region/arc. It was never intended to be a major part of the story anyway. Pokemon's personality can come through through their actions almost as well. Also Pikachu and Ellie aren't an item yet so they didn't really say anything to Buneary, yet.

Answers to questions:

Fan: I'm so pleased I could cause such a strong emotion :D I feel like Brock deserves someone. An award for tenacity! XD

Anywho, Congradulations! You've all made it to the end of the Intro and Kanto Arc! WHOO!

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ALRIGHT HERE'S THE LINK TO THE JOHTO ARC(If not there it isn't posted yet):

s/10153824/1/The-Master-Challenge-Johto-Arc

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Sorry guys I can't seem to add the first part of the link...

https www fanfiction net -

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Review, Follow, Favorite, and Enjoy! :D