The three figures had gotten used to living in the shadows in the past five years. They felt like the shadows were their home, but walking in the light of day, gave them a little extra energy.

The lights of the city shine so brightly as Ash and his two Pokémon walk through the city. Pikachu was sitting on his shoulder while expressing joy to be in a big city again with Ash. Saffron City brings back memories of fighting Sabrina at the Saffron Gym and winning the Marsh Badge. Although they won it in a very unconventional way, they still have laughed about it from time to time. Ash turned to look at his second companion. He smirks as he saw the face on the Aura Pokémon.

Lucario gazed at the city in awe and wonderment. Even during their previous tournament, at the foot of Mt. Silver, they had never been in this big of a city before. The amazement and wonder were written in big, bold letters across his face.

"Like what you see, champ?" Ash asked amused.

"Yes, very much so, Master. The Orange Islands don't have anything compared to this! Let alone Shamouti Island!" he exclaimed, while his eyes were still fixed on the city's bright lights.

Ash chuckled a bit. Lucario had never really been anywhere else outside of the Orange Islands. Ash still remembers finding him as a scared, newly hatched Riolu, who was captured by Pokémon Poachers. It was after the incident that occurred five years ago. He and his Pokémon were stowaways on a freighter, heading towards the Orange Islands. Ash knew a place small enough that not many tourists come to, but it was big enough so that he could get some food and supplies.

He discovered the sacred Riolu, packed away in a cargo container in chains, and the terrified Pokémon trusted no one. It took a while; but luckily, Ash managed to get the Pokémon away from danger. They barely escaped the freighter and onto the islands, where they made their way to Shamouti Island.

Riolu decided to stay with Ash, and much like Pikachu, he hates being in a Pokéball. They had grown close in the five years that the trio was together; and now, he was one of Ash's go-to Pokémon. Riolu had grown and evolved into Lucario, and Ash did the same right along with him. Together, they learned how to use Aura. Although Ash could only communicate telepathically with Lucario, their bond grew even further.

Still, Lucario wanted to know all about the outside world, and more specifically, what his master's life was like before they first met. The stories that Ash told him filled the aura Pokémon with wonderment and awe. He would poke and prod, hell even beg, for his master to take them off the island and explore the world. At last, Lucario was finally getting what he so desperately wanted.

"Will we be able to continue traveling like this, after the tournament, Master?" Lucario asked as he turns his attention from the lights above to Ash.

"I hope so, Lucario. It would be really nice to visit cities, like Nimbasa, Vermilion, and Lumiose once again." Ash answered as they casually walk through the crowds. "However, that can't happen unless we put a stop to him and his sick obsession with world domination right here and now. Remember, that's why we're here, Lucario." Ash stated as a hateful look begins to appear on his face.

"What makes you sure that he is still alive? I saw the explosion in your memories, it was devastating." Lucario noted.

"Because I survived! It's a miracle that I did!" Ash shot back with anger in his voice. He then proposes, "If I survived that explosion, then so can he. No, I have to make sure that he is actually down for the count. I couldn't do that back in Kalos, but I'm sure as hell that I am going to do it now!" Ash's features begin to tense as flashbacks of the incident played through his mind.

Lucario could sense the emotions running through Ash's head: anger, hate, suffering, frustration, anxiety, and even sadness. "Master, do not trouble yourself," he stated calmly. "If he's out there, then we'll find him."

"Pika Pi, chu pika pika pi chu!" Pikachu chirped in agreement while trying to cheer his best friend up.

"I'm sorry, guys. I'm just nervous that's all." Ash apologized to his Pokémon. He knew that Lucario only meant to support him.

"There is something more that's troubling you." Lucario could sense the aura that Ash was giving off. "You hide it, but you're anxious to see them again. To see your friends, hear their voices, their laughter. You're afraid that they may have moved on and forgotten all about you."

Ash looked at Lucario and just gives a tentative nod. Everything he just said was true. It has been five years since he last saw his friends in person. Sure, he had kept tabs on them from the island, but it just wasn't the same. He saw May and Dawn earn the title of Top Coordinator, seen videos of Gary giving speeches on Pokémon Research, Bonnie and Max competing in Pokémon League Conferences, and Trevor becoming a Pokémon Ranger. Finally, there was Serena. He had followed her the closest. He saw every Pokévision video that she made, and whenever a performance of hers was aired, he would make sure that he watches it. It hurts him to see them continue their lives as he was in limbo, while never knowing when he could return or if he could ever come back to his old life.

Ash gave a soft sigh, but then perked up, as he heard the voice of what sounded like an angel from his past, within the crowds. He stood there, frozen in place. Suddenly, he heard another voice from his past and quickly ran into a park, which was close by, to hide in the trees' shadows. Ash turned to look and his heart began to sink.

There, in front of him, stood six of his old friends: Bonnie, Clemont, Max, May, Dawn, and Serena. He was so close, yet he felt so far away. He notices them splitting up and he was feeling tense as Serena headed his way. He kept quiet and watched as Serena passed them and sat on a bench underneath the light of a lamppost. Ash sees her brushing her Braixen while never taking his eyes off of her. It was as if she had cast a spell that put him into a trance.

"Master," this woke Ash up. He looked over to Lucario. "That's her, isn't it? That's Serena!" There was giddiness in his thoughts. "She's more beautiful than I could have imagined."

Ash just looked on before turning away. "Come on, guys. Let's get out of here." He muttered.

"Pikapi?" Pikachu asked curiously while reading Ash's face from his perch on his shoulder.

"Because she has long forgotten about me. Just let it be, guys. We have a mission to do, anyways," he said deadpanned.

"Just go talk to her," Lucario insisted.

"No, Lucario. We have a mission here, remember? And besides, talking to her will only get in the way." Ash countered with a look of pain in his eyes.

Lucario studied Ash for a bit and then turned to Serena. He notices the object that she held. It looked like a handkerchief.

That handkerchief clearly means something to her. I wonder if it has anything to do with Ash. Lucario thought while observing Serena holding it.

An idea went off in his head. He then stated, "Well then, if you won't do anything, Master, then I will!"

And with that, Lucario jumps from their position and proceed to run towards Serena.

Ash responded, "Lucario! Wait! Come back here!"

Unfortunately for him, he couldn't stop the Aura Pokémon.

---

Serena sat there and could feel the tears gathering in her eyes. But before they could escape, a Pokémon suddenly appeared in front of her. She gasped at the speed at which it had appeared, but it just knelt there with its head held down. It began to slowly rise. Braixen let out a low growl. She wasn't trusting it. The Pokémon rose and met the gaze of the young performer; Serena saw peace in its eyes. However, that peace was quickly replaced with determination. The Pokémon snatched the handkerchief from her, and with its free hand, blasted Braixen with an Aura Sphere before fleeing the scene.

The action was too fast for Serena to process, but when she realized what just occurred, she screamed loudly and started to chase after the aura Pokémon with tears in her eyes.

"Please, don't take that! Take anything else, but please, not that! Give it back!" She shouted as she runs after the Pokémon.

All of a sudden, a figure appears in the path of her attacker. He tackles and brings it down onto the ground. As Serena approaches the scene, she could begin to see the figure before her. He wore a black jacket with blue jeans and black shoes. The figure pulled the handkerchief from Lucario, rose and turned to her. She now can see the muscular figure he possessed and the Pokéball around his neck. But what really caught her attention, were his eyes. She hadn't seen eyes shine like that since Ash. Her cheeks began to turn red.

Who is this guy? And why am I feeling this way towards him? Serena wondered.

The figure slowly walked towards her and handed the handkerchief back to her. "I apologized for my Lucario's actions. He sometimes likes to pick fights when they aren't necessary," the man said.

Serena's heart skipped a beat as she heard the deep velvet sound of his voice. "Th-thank you," she stuttered.

"You're welcome," he said. "Again I am very sorry. If I had trained my Lucario better, this incident wouldn't have happened."

After saying that, a gruff sound could be heard from the Aura Pokémon, as it started to rise up. Lucario didn't appreciate the figure's comments.

"It's, it's alright," she stated while trying to collect her thoughts. "After all, I got to meet..." Serena began to panic.

No! No! Stop this! You are going to sound like an idiot! she shouted in her thoughts. Serena quickly corrects herself by stating, "I mean, at least I got my handkerchief back."

Nice save. She complimented herself.

"Well, I better be off then." The dark figure said as he begins to turn away.

"Wait! I never got your-" but before she could finish, she heard her friends running towards them.

"Hey, Serena! What's wrong?" Bonnie shouted as they rushed over to them from the strange figure's side. "We heard you scream. Is everything alright?" Bonnie asked.

"Yeah. Everything's alright, thanks to this man." Serena said as she points to the strange trainer in front of the group.

"Hmmmm..... You look familiar," said Dawn. She put her fingers to her chin, as she slowly studying the trainer up and down.

Ash could feel his heart begin to race. In his thoughts, Ash was freaking out. No way could Dawn know that it's me! All my features, except for my eyes, are well hidden! Also, there's no way that could she know me by my Pokémon. Hell, she hasn't even seen Pikachu!

"I got it!" she exclaimed. "You're Iris' first-round opponent! You're also one of the two wild cards from those tournaments that were held, a month ago, at Mt. Silver and Mt. Coronet. You're the one that won the Mt. Silver tournament. I saw your picture while the various networks were analyzing the first round matchups. I hope you know that Iris is going to be tough to beat."

Ash sighed in relief and nodded his head. He said to himself, That was a close one.

"Can you tell us your name, please?" Serena asked softly while looking at the mysterious trainer in front of them.

Ash looked at her and smiled, "I'm Aaron Tajiri and I'm from Shamouti Island." His voice was gentle and kind, which causes Serena to notice something.

I know that I heard that voice before. I just now picked up on it, but I know it from somewhere. She thought.

She watches the figure walk off into the darkness of the forest with his Lucario, and then, vanishes. She stood there with both hands around the handkerchief, pressed against her chest. Could he be...? No. No way! Just let it go, Serena. Just let it go! She said to herself.

---

Ash walked into the shadows, with an extra pep in his step. Once he entered, Pikachu then joined him. Before long, he started to notice Lucario by his side. He shot a glance towards the Aura Pokémon.

"What the hell were you thinking, Lucario?! Pulling a stunt like that was completely out of line!" Ash said while trying to sound upset towards the Aura Pokémon.

"You needed an excuse just to talk to her," Lucario said with a smile on his face. "So I gave you the extra push that you were seeking for."

After listening to Lucario's reason behind his little stunt, Ash just shook his head and chuckled. Lucario was right, he desperately wanted to talk to her, and now that he did, he felt like he could take on the whole world. Ash hadn't felt like that in years. To him, it was amazing. He continued to walk with his companions to the hotel, so they could register and get a room.