It was a quiet day in Pallet Town. The Pidgey's were chirping, while the Rattata played in the forest. However, in the Ketchum residence it was anything but quite, for you, see Delia Ketchum recently had won a trip to the Kingdom of Rota and she along with her eight years old son Ash Ketchum were scheduled to leave in ten minutes. Prof. Oak's had graciously provided services of his Alakazam, Alakazam would be teleporting them to Pewter city from where they were scheduled to take a blimp to Rota.

However, at the moment the Ketchum household was in absolute disarray Ash as usual, had woken up late and if Delia had to guess must have been because he must have been dreaming of his Pokémon journey. Of course to her eternal dismay, it did not stop there Ash had forgotten to pack his bags as well which further aggravated Delia.

It was only the managing prowess of Delia that their entire luggage was packed along with their lunch for the journey. And promptly Alakazam appeared and after a impassive look over the luggage and a brief telepathic conversation with Delia they were teleported to the Pewter blimp area.

Ash was bored. Yes, he was even though his mother told him that the journey through blimp was around Six hours long he couldn't wait to get of the horrid flying menace. When his mother had told him that they would be taking a journey as she had won a lottery, Ash had imagined going to Hoenn or maybe the exotic Unova and witness their wide variety of Pokémon but no they were going to Rota a place that he had never heard about, while pompous Gary was off to Johto.

His mother had even bought a book about Rota. Ash thought that apart from the interesting bit about the Pokémon Riolu and its evolution Lucario there was nothing interesting about that place, of course there was the morbid piece of legend regarding Mew and Sir Aaron however apart from that Rota had nothing to offer, it maybe be due to its size which was a catalyst for lack of diversity in Pokémon as compared to other cities in Kanto.

The book has also explained how Rota or more appropriately the Kingdom of Rota was a Sovereign land ruled by a Monarch, generally a Queen, the present queen of Rota was Queen IIene. Apart from that the book also explained the legend of Aura Guardian and the concept of Aura users, of course Ash lacking the intellectual drive to understand the same has gotten bored by the time text regarding the same had appeared.

After a brief nap Ash was nudged by Delia, they had landed in Rota. Due the somewhat xenophobic attitude of the Kingdom, Rota lacked any hotels hence they were taken to one of the houses in the center of the city which served as a Guest house.

The house was a three story building and also served as a shelter for league officials or visiting personnel's their host ushered them into their Rooms. Later, Ash realised that there were other unlucky people who had the acute misfortune of also coming to Rota.

Ash's room was pretty bear apart from a bed which lay in the middle of the room, a desk and a chair on the opposite side of the entrance door and a window on the same side. Yes, there was no TV. Soon getting bored Ash looked out the window, there wasn't much difference between Pallet and Rota's apart from the higher population and greater area of Rota, boasted of a peaceful ambience

Another peculiarity that Ash noticed in Rota's Architecture was the almost vintage in medieval style which he concurred was a reason that Rota was a Ancient empire and has worked extensively to maintain it's culture, the Pokémon league also fostered these sentiments and provided huge grants to the monarch.

A knock on the door drew Ash attention from his musing, his mother wanted him to down for dinner. At the dinner table Ash learned that the other guest were visiting due to the annual "Hero of the year" festival where a Hero for the Year would be proclaimed, the festivities also included a ball and to further horror of Ash every one would be required to dress in royal clothing, of course Ash mother thought it was the greatest thing ever she was also trying to set him up with a daughter of a couple sitting next to them, Ash found the entire thing horrifying.

The only reason that Ash did not run away was due to the presence of Prof. Birch, who was excitingly explaining why freebies and its evolutionary line Milotic does not consummate in captivity.

Later, Ash would learn from Prof. Birch that his main area of study is Pokémon and their behavior in the wild. Ash of course wanted to ask the Hoenn Prof. all about the regions dragon type Salamance.

After exciting chatter between the visiting guest they were informed of tomorrow's program where they will be visiting the Palace of Cameron and have lunch with the Queen and later visit the town area, however Prof. Birch, who wanted to meet Lucario and its prior evolutions would be visiting them in their sanctuary Ash naturally wanted to visit as well and hence festered his mother who after a brief conversation with the Prof. agreed. It was a very tired Ash that went to sleep.

It seems that his mother stealthily has placed an alarm in his room. After waking up and grudgingly getting ready before a brief shower, he went to the same place where they had their dinner the previous day.

The table was already full with only a couple of seats left quickly taking a seat next to the plum and somewhat portly man which he recognized as Prof. Birch. The discussion around the table turned into deliberations regarding their day at Rota and future adventure and sight.

Our host a young woman dressed in medieval clothing and a batch on her left side of chest lead them towards the Palace, as Rota denounced all technology, there weren't any cars or buses around the most technological advance place their host told them was the Kingdom's Pokémon Centre and the Hospital. Their hostess explained them the while pointing at various statues that littered the path to the palace along with any official looking building.

At the palace they were welcomed by a Knight in the service of the Queen of Rota, who was accompanied by a strange Pokémon, a bipedal canine-like Pokémon whose fur where predominantly blue and black. It possesses a short, round spike on the back of each forepaw, in addition to a third on its chest.

It has a long snout and ears, the Knight explained that this 'strange Pokémon' was the elusive Lucario. He further explained that most of the knight in the palace possessed a Lucario. Ash found the entire affair very strange and wanted to ask the knight, whether the admittance as a knight was dependent on the presence of the aura Pokémon.

Their hostess after the introduction with the knight and the Lucario led them around the Palace. Ash found that the Palace has given heavy emphasis on the aesthetic aspect rather than the defensive aspect something that a person would suspect from an ancient kingdom.

The Palace was located at the center of a large lake the Palace was connected by two large bridges that connect the Palace from both the landmass, the location of the Palace Ash mused would itself have been sufficient to fight of any violence. After a the most of the Palace has been seen they were led to the dining area for the lunch with the Monarch.

Ash found the Queen Ilene to be beautiful, he thought there was no other ways to describe her and with his limited vocabulary he could not come up with any other alternative words to explain her presence. She asked around the table about her visitors and seems to take pleasure in talking to her guest. After they were done with the Lunch the Queen presented all of them with a formal invitation to the festival.

Later, Ash along with Prof. Birch and another researcher by the name of Regina parted way from the rest of the group to the visit the aura Pokémon in their habitat. His mother did not fail to inform him that she would be buying clothes for her and that he to be on his best behavior.

One of the younger Knights led them deep in the forest where the aura Pokemon stayed the Knight explained that the Kingdom protected pack from wannabe criminals and other hunters. They soon came across the said pack, Ash asked permission from the knight to play with the several Riolu that seems to be running around. The Knight after receiving a nod from his own Lucario let him.

Ash found Riolu to be a rather fun Pokémon. While they were practicing their move set the Lucario that was training them nudged him as if asking him to practice the fighting moves as well.

Nearby he heard the knight that had led them here go on about the aura Pokémon and their lifestyle. Soon a Lucario whom he recognised as the same one who has led them to the pack came to get them back and hence Ash fun came to an end, the Riolu with whom he had been practicing whom he had named Poe led him to the edge where the Prof. Birch, Regina and the Knight were waiting for him.

Poe waved at him, and he repeated the same, the Knight informed him that as he and the Riolu seems to have become close friend, he can enter into the competition along with Poe, the trainers in the competition combated each other and the winner wins the title of "hero of the year".

Ash informed him that he would confirm after his mother agreed. After asking Poe for his permission to become his partner for which the young Riolu excitedly agreed the Knight informed him that he would bring Poe along with him for the competition nevertheless, and so if he would compete he could compete with Riolu and if not then he and Riolu may enjoy the day together.

After that a excited goodbye between Ash and Riolu, they were led back to the guest house, where he excitedly explained to his mother all about Riolu and about the competition and tried to convince her to let him participate in the competition initially her mother was very sceptic and would not let her participate, he tried to explain to her how this competition might be helpful to him when he finally goes to enter the Indigo league after three years, it was only after his constant pestering and later Prof. Birch who advocated his cause, to his mother that she reluctantly agreed.

After there had their dinner his mother led him to her room where she showed him the clothes she had bought for him and herself. For him she had bought a white shirt that had a Chinese collar and black pants accompanied by a black court with golden lining, for herself she had bought a blue gown. She then gave him the clothes and asked him to be ready early for the next day celebration.

Ash found her excitement very refreshing and for the second time he did not resent coming to Rota, the first instance where he had similar thoughts about Rota was after meeting Poe.

Sleep came fast to Ash and he dreamed of the aura Pokémon and himself. The next day after the morning ritual and wearing the clothes bought by his mother made his way to the breakfast area, as expected his mother gushed over his embarrassing him in the process.

All around him people were dressed in a wide variety of clothes and several eccentric mix were also spotted.

After breakfast they were led to the palace where the festivities were planned. He tried finding Poe, but to his dismay could not locate them he asked the hostess about the knight and his promise to return with Poe the Riolu and placated telling him that there was time for the competition.

It was only a hour later when Ash had lost all faith that the Knight himself spotted him, he was greeted by Riolu who hugged his legs, Ash petted him and asked the Knight permission to get himself and Poe registered for the competition.

After almost another hour of his mother fussing over him and Poe and lecturing about being safe and taking care of Poe and not pushing him, did the competition start. The competition would be divided in five rounds. Ash would be fighting his first round against a yound boy by the name of Nathan, who was a native of Rota.

Ash has since studied with the help of the knight his Lucario and Prof. Birch about Riolu's moves and best strategies to combat others. He has been told that generally only budding trainers participated in the competition this however did not placate his nerves.

Soon Ash was called to the makeshift stadium that was located in the courtyard of the Palace his partner Poe walked along with him to greet his opponent who later tooks his place on the opposite side of the field. On the referee's signal his opponent called out his Pokémon an Eevee. While as expected, he chose Riolu.

"Tackle!" Nathan cried commanding his Eevee to start with the physical attack.

"Endure!" followed by "Quick attack!" Ash commanded.

It seems to Ash as everything slowed down as Eevee ran to initiate Tackle while Poe stood sturdy and successfully endured the attack and immediately followed with Quick attack.

"Tail Whip!" cried out Nathan in frustration.

"Evade!" followed by "Counter!" Ash said.

Eevee Tail Whip fails to hit Poe while the aura Pokémon landed his attack perfectly, rendering his opponent unconscious.

It was a jubilant and a somewhat confused Ash that walked of the stadium towards his mother and Prof. Birch. They congratulated him on his victory. However, on seeing his confused look enquired regarding his dilemma, to which Ash questioned as to why his opponent had neglected to give a chain command to his Eevee to evade attack thrown on him. It was a pensive Prof. Birch that answered " it was not possible for your opponent to predict Riolu next move and also Eevee the evolution Pokémon are a rather excitable bunch and it's only with a rigorous training and bonding with the trainer are able to attend to chain command".

Ash followed another victory in his consecutive match against another resident trainer and his Rattata where Poe employed a mix of Foresight and counter to render his opponent unconscious.

During the third round Ash realised that things are gonna be a bit difficult it was not because the teenager standing before him or his Machoke that forced his realization but due how in sync both trainer and Pokémon looked.

It was his opponent that attacked first the superpower Pokémon on the command of "Karate Chop" immediately jumped to action.

"Endure!" followed by "Screech" cried Ash. Showing great athletics Poe Evaded all attacks on him and then attacked with Screech. Poe attack temporally incapacitated the macoke. That gave them to Ash. "Force Palm!" Ash shouted and Poe successfully executed his attack, though Ash saw that Poe attack lacked the same grace with which Lucario had shown them in the forest the previous day.

The force palm seems to have paralyzed its target successfully and even though his opposing trainer shouted to to attack with focus, energy the Machoke was unable to Poe however on his command attacked with Quick Attack. Rendering another opponent of his unconscious.

While Ash walked back, he was informed that the fourth round began with an hour therefore he must not wander. His mother praised him and Prof. Birch commented on his strategy and technique the same Knight that has brought him Poe also congratulated him on defeating a Machoke.

Ash asked several questions to him, to which he answered calmly. The Knight, whose name was Jacob explained due to the fact that Riolu and Lucario were part steel type Pokémon and due to how they utilize aura it gives them a upper footing on other fighting type Pokémon.

What Ash found amazing that the Knight train with their Pokémon to enable them to also use Aura. He also told him the reason that the Lucario in the forest had asked him to train with the Riolu and the reason Poe has been allowed had been allowed to come with Ash to participate was Ash could also use Aura like the Aura Guardians. He further stated that the one of reason Ash and Poe have been able to win all their matches was due to the Aura bond between them. That seems to empower both trainer and Pokémon.

The conversation with Knight, Jacob left Ash with more question but his mother has seen fit to quench her own curiosity and had dragged Jacob away to interrogate him on "this aura business". Which left Ash and Prof. Birch, who was looking at him in new light.

He pressed the prof. with question when his opponent name was declared, knowing which Pokémon he had used before the Prof. helped devise him a strategy to combat his new opponent.

On his fourth match his opponent who seems to be a licensed trainer called out a Chameleon. Both the Pokémon seems to be sizing each other, Ash got the distinct impression that Chameleon was exactly as Prof. Birch had described Arrogant to a fault and Powerful to exterminate his opponent.

On referee sign Ash immediately called out "Quick Attack".

The response was immediate as Poe began his attack the opposing trainer called out "Ember!".

Ash found the entire scenario funny it seemed the trainer had expected for Poe to receive the Ember point blank somehow while it was in the midst of a Quick attack. As expected Poe attack ran true and Chameleon was thrown back.

Of course, this only managed to enrage the fire Pokémon who immediately attacked with a huge flame thrower which Riolu dodge without explicit command.

Chameleon next attacked with Scratch Ash had planned to utilize this opportunity when the lizard Pokémon would itself come running to Poe. Poe immediately attacked with Screech on Ash's command which paralyzed his opponent.

"Force Palm!" Ash voice ran in the stadium. Force palm hit Chameleon dead center and Chameleon after staggering collapsed.

As Ash walked back from the stadium he was congratulated by his mother and the Prof. his mother seems to be showing a weird mix of emotions, excitement and pride. The announcers informed them that the final match would happen after lunch the name of his opponent was also announced. Ash after learning of the final pairing had become pretty nervous; Portia and her Kadabra had steamrolled over all their opponents.

He knew that the psi Pokémon were considered to be the very epitome of psychic Pokémon there versatility, coupled with their inherent ability to teleport made them a very difficult opponent.

During lunch, he talked to Jacob about incorporating different moves to overcome a psychic Pokémon. Prof. Birch provided important input regarding psychic Pokémon and what moves would work.

While it was a largely known fact that fighting type where weak to psychic there were several moves in Riolu move set that could have allowed it to overcome them however due to the fact that Riolu was not learned in those limited moves it was bound to be a problem.

His only strategy would be to use a combination of foresight and quick attack and retaliate with a screech and force palm.

As Lunch ended audience was ushered for the final round. His opponent Portia was confidently standing next to her Kadabra which seems to be sleeping. The referee called attention and asked us to choose our Pokémon.

Portia as expected choose Kadabra who immediately teleported to the arena, which Ash asked Riolu to step forward. He could immediately feel the tension in the body of the Aura Pokémon even though Ash had an in length conversation with Riolu regarding the upcoming fight, he knew Riolu wanted to win.

Ash had reminded Riolu that they had defeated so many opponents when they had trained for only one day together and how proud he was of him, but the jackal Pokémon thirst to prove himself to his trainer seems to have won out.

As the referee raised the red flag beginning the competition, Ash voice ran loud in the stadium "like we discussed Poe foresight and evade" truly Ash had no idea how long Poe could maintain foresight Jacob had told him that a Lucario could maintain a foresight indefinitely however as Poe was really young even a long period could not be expected from him.

"Psychic!" Portia called out calmly. It was the testament of the how she expected this battle to end that she did not seem worried at all.

Riolu just moved out of the way as the strong telekinetic force missed him. Ash, however had another attack ready "Screech!" Poe. Immediately Riolu started the Attack however, before the Attack could hit him Kadabra Teleported to another side of the Arena.

However, before Kadabra could realise its surrounding or before Portia could give a counter attack the Screech attack that it had evaded stuck Kadabra head on. It was only due to use of Foresight that Poe had initiated at the starting that his attack stuck Kadabra.

Damage to Kadabra however, had not been without his own loss Poe looked worn out due to the continues use of Foresight. "Psybeam!" ordered Portia. It seemed to Ash that Kadabra had taken no damage from the Screech attack.

"Evade" Ash cried. However the already tired Poe could not evade the psybeam completely and was thrown back.

"Disable!" commanded Portia it seems she had enough of fun playing with them.

Poe was caught in the Disable Attack. Kadabra had attacked before Poe could even get up from the after effects from the Psybeam.

"Forfeit" declared Ash. I forfeit. He could not see his friend in such helpless position.

"The trainer Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town has forfeited the winner is Portia White from Rota and her Kadabra. The winner would receive her title from the Queen in the ballroom of the palace"

And with that, the competition ended. Ash had no intention of going anywhere when his friend was lying in the field on the verge of unconsciousness, he gently picked him up and was led to a makeshift tent by Jacob, Delia and Prof. Birch. In the tent Nurse Joy and her Chansey took over Poe.

Ash had never felt like a complete failure, however, when that Kadabra had so easily literally trashed Poe he felt like crying. He had thought the screech attack would at least temporally disable the Psi Pokémon.

When he voiced his question to Prof. Birch he explained that the Screech attack in essence reduces the opponent Pokémon defence, and though and combination of these had worked previously in Ash favour the Psi Pokémon had a enumerable method of protecting itself also the fact that his opponent seems far more knowledgeable and her Pokémon far more well trained and powerful led to his inevitable.

Though his mother tried to placate him with how good he had performed Ash was upset not because he had lost but how easily he had lost. But what stung the most were the injuries received by Poe. Jacob though told him that this is how Pokémon became strong and Ash must be strong as when he starts his Journey he will come across several occasions when his Pokémon would be hurt.

After an hour of everyone trying to make him feel better Nurse Joy released Poe. He looked better, except of the tiredness that was evident in his eyes. Ash offered him his shoulder to sit however, Poe stubbornly decided to walk.

Jacob had asked them to come with him as there was someone who wanted to meet him. Prof. Birch told them that he would be waiting for his mother and him in the ballroom.

As Jacob led to another corridor within the palace, which they hadn't seen during the tour, Ash mused where possibly Jacob could be taking them. Ash repeated questioning had been shot down with the statement "you will see" and therefore it was a very annoyed Ash that entered a room.

The first thing that came to Ash mind when he entered the room was 'am I in trouble'. For you see the room had a total of six occupants, not counting there six Pokémon that stood next to their trainer. All around the room were Knights of Rota and their respective Lucario.

The Knights then began to talk, they explained to him about Aura and how all the Knights of Rota were Aura Guardian. They explained him what all an Aura user could do and the duties of a Aura Guardian. Even though Ash knew most of these details as he had learned the same from Jacob and Prof. Birch but he thought better than to interrupt the speaker a rather old looking Knight who had partially white hair.

As the Old Knight stopped speaking another began explaining him that Ash had potential to be a Aura User and hence a Aura Guardian, he explained him that the reason Poe had taken liking to Ash was due to the values he possessed that the young Riolu found best in his partner. He then told him that they were willing to give Poe a opportunity to decide whether to leave with Ash or to stay at Rota.

Even though Ash was excited by this turn of event where the Knights have allowed Poe to come with him, he felt bad to his friend as well. He Knew Poe had friends in Rota all his playmates, his parents, his teacher. He understood that this was a difficult decision for him.

He almost thought that Poe would choose his own family over him, his belief which born after gauging the expression of his young friend. However, after several tense minute Poe looked up at him and gave a smile.

Ash suddenly felt as if he was on cloud nine. He just got his first partner.

I hope everyone likes my work. This is my first fan fiction; I am absolute pants at writing fighting scene. Please Review.