"Run!" a voice shouted. "The whole place is coming down!"
"I won't leave you alone to fight off Team Rocket," another voice responded.
"You must!" the first voice said. "You need to get the information we have to the authorities! Hopefully help comes in time to aid me, but you must leave! You're the only one with a psychic type that can teleport you!"
"But…"
"Enough! Now get going! You're wasting time. I still have a few Pokémon left that can help me. Now go!" the first voice said as they rushed off further down the hallway, entering a cavernous room. At the other side of the room was a single man standing with a Pokémon at his side.
"So, it's you, is it?" the man asked. "I suspected you would be the cause of all this destruction. I should have ended your miserable life the first chance I had. Never mind, I can do it now. Nidoking, come forth." At his command a massive purple Pokémon appeared from its Poké Ball and stood in front of the man. "Nido!" it shouted, causing the air to tremble.
"I always knew it was you. Every time I saw you, I always knew you were hiding something. It seems my instincts were right. You're not leaving here alive, Rocket. Let's go, Lapras!" the first voice shouted as a blue dinosaur-shaped Pokémon appeared in front of him. "This is life or death, Lapras, so show no mercy."
Appearing in front of the nearest police station with his Alakazam, the trainer shoved his way through the door and demanded to see the chief. Hearing the commotion, Chief Jenny came out of her office to see what was going on.
"Just what do you think you're doing, young man?" Jenny asked. "This is not a play centre."
"Never mind that," he responded, shocking her. "Pokémon Master Red has just attacked the Viridian Gym! He's taking down Team Rocket as we speak, and we need every bit of help we can get. I've already spoken to the head of the G-Men, and they are on their way, but they may not get here in time. Please, you must help!"
"And how do we know this is not a hoax?" Jenny asked, disbelieving him.
"My name is Blue Oak, son of Samuel Oak the Pokémon Professor. My best friend is Red Ketchum and he's in danger! And you ask me how it's not a hoax? How about getting off your arse and doing something! I'm heading back to Viridian Gym where he is fighting for his life while you stand there." With that he turned and sprinted out of the police station, leaving a bewildered Jenny and her officers.
"What if it's not a hoax, Boss?" one officer asked.
"We need to treat it as serious given his demeanour, so round everyone up. I want them at the gym in the next ten minutes," the Chief said, leaving the station. Calling out her Arcanine, she instructed it to take her to the gym. Getting there she saw utter devastation. There wasn't a gym anymore, just the ruins of it and there wasn't a single standing wall; it had all collapsed in on itself. Getting off her Arcanine she walked towards it and saw a single figure kneeling not far away from where the entrance used to be. It was Blue. She started to walk up to him and was about to ask him a question when a Dragonite landed not far from them along with several other trainers getting off their flying-type Pokémon. Only one person she knew of had a Dragonite. Lance, the dragon master, had arrived with the G-Men.
"Hello, Chief Jenny, my name is Lance," he said as he walked forward holding out his hand to shake while they made their way to Blue. "It seems we arrived too late then. Where is Red?"
"Gone," came the small reply of a clearly devastated Blue as he turned round holding a red cap. Jenny gasped. That cap was iconic, like Lance's cape. Only one person she knew of had the signature Pokémon League official cap.
Putting on his official tone, Lance turned to the rest of the trainers and said, "Right, let's get a clean-up crew here ASAP. I want a few officers patrolling the surrounding area, take as many statements as you can too as I want to know what happened here as of yesterday. Liaise with Chief Jenny and her officers to assist you. Blue, you need to come with me to the League HQ and tell Goodshow everything you know about what went on here and why you felt it necessary to disobey my orders and attack without back-up. I'll let you ring your dad first and I'll be back in ten minutes when Jenny and I have set up orders. Jenny, please come with me and I'll let you know what I can."
The funeral for Red Ketchum happened three weeks later at the Pokémon League headquarters even though no body had been recovered from the ruins of Viridian Gym. People from all over Kanto came to pay their respects to the last Pokémon Master. All 8 gym leaders and the Elite Four were standing at the front just behind Delia and her newborn son Ash, Blue with his wife Laura, his daughter Daisy and his newborn son Gary along with Sam Oak. Charles Goodshow said a few words in a strangely jovial tone before he unveiled a statue of Red that was to be placed in the Hall of Champions. After that various people came up and gave anecdotes about conversations they had had with him.
Giovanni had been questioned by Lance as to why he wasn't at the gym that day, but he had a rock-solid alibi that placed him in Johto an hour before the incident and no known psychic Pokémon could teleport that distance, nor could any Pokémon fly that fast. Giovanni was apparently clueless as to why his gym was used as a base for illegal activities and as no one could prove otherwise he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
"I swear to you, Delia," Giovanni said walking up to her after the funeral, "that I will get to the bottom of what happened in my gym that day. Red will be avenged, sister."
"Thank you, brother," Delia said looking down at Ash, "but I don't believe he is dead. Until I see a body, he will always be alive. And he lives on in Ash. People may say I'm delusional, but I don't care. I'm taking Ash home now."
"Very well," Giovanni said. "Do you want me to drive you home?"
"No thank you. I'm travelling with Sam," she replied. "Thank you though, for everything."
"You're entirely welcome," he said giving her a hug. "Keep in touch, sister. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask."
With that Delia turned away and walked towards where Sam Oak was talking to Blue and Agatha. Seeing her approach, Agatha offered her condolences and walked off leaning heavily on her cane. "Are we ready to go, Delia?" Sam asked.
"Yes," she replied turning back to where Red's statue was. "Let's go home."
**Time skip – 6 years later**
Ash Ketchum had always been a strange child. He didn't really have any friends as he seemed to prefer the company of Pokémon. If he ever went missing, he'd usually be found not long after in the corral at Professor Oak's laboratory. Ash was very intelligent; he was always seen to be reading a book aimed at people many years older than him. He had devoured Oak's library of Pokémon books and when he had done with them had started writing his own books on his thoughts and observations and was always seen hanging around the lab, speaking to the various assistants about Pokémon and getting their views on the latest discoveries. The latest one that had come out last month in Pokémon Pal was about the secret abilities that Pokémon possessed.
As such he wasn't very sociable where people were concerned. Particularly with children his own age. He knew he was so much more intelligent than the rest of them, and he didn't care for playing games which led to a very solitary childhood. To her credit Delia had tried to set up playdates, but Ash would go sit in a corner and read and unless Pokémon were involved, he didn't want to know. Gary Oak had seemingly taken this personally and was often found to be teasing Ash. The fact he barely received a raised eyebrow at his words just further irritated the young man who was becoming more and more obnoxious by the day. The fact his father was now Champion of the Kanto league, his sister was a successful breeder, and his grandfather was the world-renowned Pokémon professor just further cemented his self-importance.
Pokémon. That's where Ash truly flourished. He seemed to have this connection with every Pokémon that passed through the lab and he was often seen talking to the various Pokémon that trainers left there, walking through the paddock very unconcerned about his safety around potentially dangerous beasts. His favourite Pokémon though was Professor Oak's Charizard. It was a huge specimen, easily above 6 and a half feet tall and had claws that could slash anyone open without even trying. It didn't like people in general and other trainers had learned to be wary and respectful of it when it was in the paddock. Usually, it slept in the nearby mountains where its family lived but on the odd occasion it would visit its former master. Ash though had the uncanny ability to know when it was going to visit and had no issues going sitting next to it and falling asleep. Despite being very surprised the first time this happened Charizard, utterly confused as to how this toddler showed no fear of walking up to it and petting it before falling asleep next to it had become very protective of Ash. So much so that only Delia and Sam could come near if Ash fell asleep next to him. Not even Blue or Gary could approach when Ash was there.
Charizard was flying from his home to Oak's Lab one day with Sam on his back when they noticed Ash sat on a hill looking over Pallet Town. Landing next to him he nudged him surprising him.
"Hi Charizard, hi Professor. I'm just watching this trainer train with his Pokémon. I've never seen or heard of that Pokémon before though, is it new?" Ash asked pointing to the trainer who was sparring with a tall blue Pokémon. They seemed to be doing hand-to-hand combat and the occasional blue ball was being thrown at the trainer who would deflect it with a stick and then throw one back.
"It's not new no Ash," Sam said, "although it might be new to someone who has never left Kanto before. That is a Lucario, the Aura Pokémon and the evolution of Riolu. It can use the very air around us to shape attacks into what are called Aura Spheres. Amazingly its trainer can seemingly do the same. It's an incredibly rare gift that very few people can utilise, much like psychic users can bend the world and reality to their will so can aura users. There are so few aura wielders left in the world now though Ash. There is a special place just north of Mt Moon that has ties to the Lucario Kingdom in Sinnoh. It houses the Queen of Cameron Palace who has a household full of Lucario, it is also where the people who can use aura go to train to become what are called Aura Guardians. I have a book at home that I can show you that describes it in detail if you like?"
"Yes please," Ash nodded enthusiastically. "It would be so cool to be able to use Aura like that."
"Indeed, it is young man," came the voice of the trainer who had overheard their conversation and came to talk to them. Noticing the look he was getting off the Charizard he continued, "it is a very unique skill to have, there are only seventeen aura guardians left in the world."
"So few?" Oak asked shocked. "Why?"
"We have only one partner for life, we don't always find them and I myself have yet to meet my destined partner. And Aura is hereditary." Seeing Ash's confused face he chuckled. "It is only passed on through our parents and their parents. You either have it or you don't. So, for you to have it either your mother or your father would have had to have it and then they would have had to pass it on to you. My name is Riley by the way, nice to meet you all, this is my best friend Lucario."
"Wow," Ash said, "how would I find out?"
"Oh, the test is quite simple really," Riley said. "Give me your hand Ash. What I'll do is infuse my hand with Aura and touch yours. If your hand glows blue like mine you have the ability, if you don't it will stay your natural colour."
Holding out his hand Riley made his hand glow blue before Ash tentatively held out his. The moment they connected the world turned black for Ash.
**Hall of Origins**
The Hall of Origins was a place that had long descended into myth and legend. Many people believed it existed; others were unsure. But there were many documents on show in the Sinnoh Museum in Celestic Town that were written by scholars thousands of years ago that showed depictions of four huge Pokémon, said to be the very creators of their universe. Dialga the ruler of Time, Palkia the ruler of Space, Giratina the ruler of the Reverse World and the creator of all Arceus. The Hall of Origin was said to be located somewhere near Spear Pillar, but no evidence was ever found to prove that.
The Hall of Origin was very real though. Only the legendary Pokémon of the world could enter it, and even then, only at the behest of their ruler Arceus. Once every ten years there was always a gathering of the world's legendaries to go over what had happened in that time. Their physical forms were left back on Earth, but their astral projections found their way to the hall where Arceus was waiting for them all.
"Greetings my children," Arceus said her voice being projected into all their minds. "I'm aware it's earlier than we usually meet but something vital has happened in the world of men that you all need to be aware of. Man has created an abomination. The balance of the world is about to be thrown into turmoil. They have captured a Mew and have forcefully taken her DNA to create their own version of her. Their tests up until now have all failed but in the next few years they will succeed."
"What can we do?" Groudon asked. "Do we act?"
"No, we cannot interfere like that. You know this," Ho-Oh said. "For millennia now we have wanted to interfere with plans that would use one of our own and have been banned from doing so. My Lady Arceus has decreed it."
"Then she can un-decree it," Kyogre said staring at Arceus defiantly. "I am sick and tired of being used in some stupid plot to rule the world. Time and time again some faction has gotten their hands on mine and Groudon's Orb and have taken over our minds. Do you think I like battling my own brother? Do you think we like disturbing Rayquaza from his incredibly important job to stop the asinine plots? It's about time that we legendaries can do our jobs fully and put an end to what has happened for centuries."
"Hear hear," Groudon said. "I second that!"
All around the hall every other legendary broke into shouts as they gave their own thoughts on the matter. Some were furious it had been allowed to happen, others stating that Arceus' word was law. That was until a small voice shouted "Enough!" Everyone was so shocked to hear the voice that they immediately quietened. It was Mew.
"It is my sister that is being used, it is also my brother that is being created." Turning to Arceus she asked, "why did you bring us here instead of acting yourself? You know we're forbidden to act ourselves because of your word, but there's nothing stopping you from doing so."
"I have already acted daughter," Arceus said shocking them all. "I am very much aware of what my word has put you all through but that is not going to change. We cannot interfere with human life. To do so would be the end of all life on Earth. However, that doesn't mean that we cannot help a human bring balance to the world which is exactly what I have done." Turning to Lugia and the Kanto Birds she carried on, "the Chosen One was born six years ago. His name is Ash. He will bring balance to the world. Warn your children that it will happen very soon."
"A human?" Darkrai roared. "You would trust a human to save us when it is humans that are making our lives a misery?"
"Mind who you're talking to Darkrai," Giratina said. "I might not be particularly fond of Arceus right now, given what she has done to me, but she is still our mother! Carry on mother," he said quelling any retort with a look.
"Ash is the one. He's been created to do this job; he will need all your aid at some point because he cannot do this alone. Therefore, I am tasking you all with keeping an eye out for him. You cannot aid him directly, but you must also not hinder him."
"Can we see who he is?" Celebi asked. "So we know who to look out for? I have already met him many years ago, but the others haven't."
At that very moment a body of a small boy landed in the hall instantly quietening everyone. No human had ever set foot in this hall! Who was this person?
"Well, I'll be," Arceus said. "Sons and daughters I present to you Ash Ketchum. Now before he awakes you all need to leave. I shall speak with him about his task, I will not tell him directly what to do though. We will be having these meetings more frequently from now on as well so be prepared. Darkrai, Latios warn your sons that a trainer will seek them out very soon. It will be their decision if they go along with the trainer but remind them of their obligations. It is the same with all of you. Now, go."
With that all the legendaries apart from Mew went back to their own bodies. Many decided the safest thing to do was to hibernate in the deepest parts of the planet, some the highest peaks. Man would not get hold of them if they could help it. Arceus contemplated just what to say to Ash when he woke up. How do you explain to a person that their entire life was created to do a job? And that it was either him or no-one? It was very unfair. Seeing him stir Mew got close to him and poked his cheek. Opening his eyes, he found himself staring into a big pair of eyes. Shouting panicked he backpedalled on the floor shocked at what was happening. Taking in his surroundings he finally looked back to the pair of eyes and his own widened comically. "ARE YOU MEW?"
"Hello Ash," came a reply in his head. "Yes, that is my daughter Mew." Turning round Ash saw a massive horse-like Pokémon. It was pure white with a golden ring around its neck and various plates attached to them. Ash could see some were missing though. "Erm, who are you? And where am I?"
"You are in what's known as the Hall of Origins Ash. I am Arceus, the creator of the universe and all its inhabitants and this is my home. You are the first human being to have ever set foot in this place. Technically you're not here. Your body is back on Earth, but we have need of you here Ash. Now, this will be a lot to take in all at once, but help will always be available to you should you need it. I created you because we legends have need of you. You see the world is about to be thrown into turmoil. A group of people have captured a Mew and is using her for experiments. They're trying to create their own legends to rule Earth. I created you to stop them and others from doing irreparable damage to the planet.
As I said this will be a lot to take in and you have many years yet before you will be needed but in the meantime I need you to train both your mind and your body to be able to cope with the demands that will be placed on you before you begin your Pokémon journey. You are already very intelligent, and it seems your Aura powers have just become unlocked too so that is good. I have been remiss in taking care of my children so I will give you several gifts when I send you back. I cannot tell you all of what they are, you must discover them for yourself, but they will help you in your quest. What say you, Ash?"
Shock, blank mind. It took several minutes for Ash's 6-year-old mind to process what was happening. "Just to recap. I was created by you to do a job. That job is to save the world. And you're going to give me several 'gifts' to help me but you're not going to tell me what? And I have less than five years to train? Anything else?"
"That is quite enough to be going on with," Arceus replied chuckling. "There is one other thing though. I am going to lock all this in your head, you cannot tell anyone what your task will be except one person to help you share your burden, who you choose is up to you. I wish it were different Ash, but events must unfold as naturally as they can. By all means tell people that you want to be the very best trainer in the world if they ask what is going on. Your first task will happen in just over five years' time."
"Can I refuse this?" Ash asked in a small voice. "I'm just one person."
"I truly am sorry about this Ash but if you don't do it then no one else will and the world as you know it will be over within the next ten years. Pokémon and humans will be pitted against each other, and thousands will die. The Pokémon being created from Mew will have immense power and will need you to be able to quell his rage before he destroys the world. We legends have been forbidden from direct interference, including myself. As you have noticed I am not whole, I have several plates missing, so I am not at my full power and won't be for some time. I will have Mew check up on you from time to time."
"Please Mr Ash," Mew asked in a small voice, "please help save my sister and brother."
"Ok," Ash said quietly. "I will do my best and that's the best I can do."
"Thank you, Ash," Arceus said. "We're all in your debt. Now, when you go back you will be in a coma for the next week while your body settles and accepts the gifts. The main one will be the use of Aura. You must master this before you leave on your journey Ash. It will help you communicate with Pokémon directly and to observe the world around you in greater detail. Now, I will send you back Ash."
"One thing though before I go," Ash said. "You said you created me for this purpose. What makes you any different than the creators of this new Pokémon using Mew?"
"Ah, to you in general there isn't a difference," Arceus said, "but to the wider world around us there is a big one. I will answer it fully once your task is done Ash. Goodbye."
"Bye Ash," Mew said as his body disappeared. Turning to Arceus she asked, "what is the difference?"
"I have no single answer that will satisfy any question like that daughter. The main one though is that I created him to save the world," Arceus responded. "It has taken millennia to get to where we are now, and I will not see that be smashed to pieces if I can help it. Ash will not be alone in his quest Mew but ultimately this is his burden to bear."
**Aura**
Delia was terrified. She knew instantly what had happened when she received the phone call from Samuel Oak that Ash had been taken to Viridian hospital, especially when Oak mentioned aura. Going to her bedside cabinet she pulled out a book that her husband had given her many years ago and opening it up to a particular chapter she saw a depiction of a family tree. It was Red's. Tracing it upwards she finally landed on the name Sir Aaron. Red and Ash had legends in their family it seemed which explained how the Ketchums were always destined for greatness. Red had told her about being an Aura guardian, and everything that came along with it including all the sacrifices that would need to be made. She was hoping her husband would be there when Ash's powers awakened but as Red had disappeared many years ago it fell on her to talk him through the process.
All the way to the hospital she was going over what she would say to Ash. How do you explain to a 6-year-old child that they have a duty in the world that goes above anything anyone else will ever have? She was very grateful that Ash was intelligent and that he would be able to understand somewhat. Entering the hospital, she followed the nurse's directions and entered her son's ward. Opening the door, she saw someone she had not seen in a long time talking to Sam at the side of Ash who was linked up to a monitor. Hearing her the two turned towards her.
"Hello Delia," Sam said standing up. "Ash is ok. The doctors have said that he just needs to get used to whatever happened and that he'll be right as rain in no time. An Aura user, eh? I would never have guessed it."
"Yes Sam," Delia said looking directly at Riley. "Can you give us a moment Sam please?"
Looking uncertain between the two he nodded and left the room.
"What are you doing here Riley?" Delia asked, "and don't try and lie, I will know."
"Delia," Riley began. "I genuinely was passing through Pallet Town on my way to the shipyard to travel to Cinnabar Island. I didn't know Ash had aura powers."
"Cut the crap Riley," Delia interrupted him. "My husband was an Aura wielder and was well on his way to becoming a guardian when he disappeared. And I know full well your Queen has been keeping tabs on my son to see if he had powers too. Well, you can go and tell her that she's not having him. Ash will learn about Aura from me and what that means. We don't need you or your Queen interfering in our lives."
"I'm sorry you feel that way Delia," Riley said. "My Queen has not given me any indication that she has been keeping an eye out for Ash. But you have no idea how to raise a child of Aura. He needs a trainer. I have already sent Queen Ilene a message about another wielder being found."
"Then send a Lucario here to train him," Delia said furiously. "Your Queen will get my son over my dead body."
"We are not your enemy here Delia," Riley said. "Ash has more Aura than anyone I've ever seen or heard of and without the correct training it could become dangerous. This is not about you Delia. It's about what's best for Ash."
"I'm his mother," she shouted back. "I know full well what is best for Ash. I have Red's journals about being an Aura user so I can use them. Now I suggest you leave and have a talk with your Queen. But remember what I said Riley. She will not have him the way she tried to claim my Red. Ilene and her ancestors have always had this nasty habit of trying to claim something that was never theirs to have."
"Your attitude is regrettable Delia," Riley said as he made to leave. "I had hoped we could have a reasonable discussion about Ash and how to help him. I will contact you in the coming weeks Delia, hopefully we can come up with a suitable resolution. Know this though, he needs to be trained by someone who knows how to use Aura. Journals can only tell you so much as most of it is instinct that a non-aura user would not know how to describe. I will take my leave."
"Take your leave," she replied. "Make sure you tell your Queen what I said though. I will happily take her to court should she try anything Riley."
"Which would achieve nothing," Riley replied, "except hurt Ash's aura development." With that he left the room. Sam came in and looked questioningly at her. Shaking her head, she focused on Ash. Many people would claim her to be unstable but there was just something about Queen Ilene that set her off.
"They're going to monitor him for a week," Sam said, "hopefully he will be out sooner."
"Let's hope so. I need to make a call, I'll be back shortly," Delia said leaving to find a phone. Finding a booth near the lobby she dialled in a number she had not used in a few years. Hearing it ring she wondered just what she was going to say but looking up as a face appeared she smiled a genuine smile that had not been seen in over six years. "Hello brother, I need your help."