After visiting the weapon's shop, Alexander took Phil to get a dress uniform for the ceremony, and other formal occaisons in the future.  The uniform consisted of a Kimono and a Hakama, in various smaller parts.  Although the more typical sandals were replaced with matte combat boots.  The whole outfit was a dark navy blue, similiar in color to what ancient Shinobi would have worn to blend in at night.  The outfits' overcoat had a small crest on either side of the front and a much larger one on the back.  This crest consisted of an Aura Sphere with a white trim surrounding it.  On top of the Aura Sphere there was an ancient depiction of Reshiram and Zekrom chasing each other, swallowing each other's tails.  In the depiction Reshiram had black eyes and Zekrom's were white, giving the legendary Pokemon's image a resemblence to the Taijitu.

"Alexander, what does this crest mean?"

"It is the symbol of the Aura Shinobi, what you have been training to become this whole time.  As you know, they are the mostly highly trained warriors we have.  The symbol is inspired by ancient family crests from the region of the world our kind emerged from.  Part of the ceremony will be for me to present the overcoat, or Montsuki Haori, to you and to help you don it.  One of the smaller crests will be attached to your usual trench coat's right sleeve afterwards."

"What else should I expect for the ceremony?"

"A lot, and I do mean a lot of well wishing.  Denusho, as your original teacher will have a part, as will his father, Sensei and Grandmaster Jotishu, who will talk more directly of your accomplishments, such as leading the attack on the Team Domination base and going toe to toe with powerful Dark Users.  Finally, I will speak on how you have grown during your apprenticeship to me, mentally and physically.  Then, I will ask you to take the oath of the Aura Shinobi, after which I will present you the Montsuki."

"What is this oath?"  Phil inquired.

"The oath is this, 

I vow to be a man of honor,

To fight evil in every form everywhere,

To never give up and never say die,

To protect those weaker than I,

To aid the poor, the widowed, and the orphaned however I can.

I vow these things on my honor,

And my honor is my life.

This is a very serious oath, the breaking of which is punishable by death, banishment, or life in prison.  If you are considered to have broken this oath, you will be put on trial, where you must explain your actions, and how you believed they were within the oath.  If they are determined to be within the oath, you will be released.  Knowing you for as long as I have, this has always been your inner moral code."

"You are right about one thing for certain.  I have always fought for those weaker than me."

Later that evening, most of the village had gathered in front of a small raised, wooden stage just outside a grove on the edge of the settlement.  Some people had even come just to see the ceremony, including Granpop Lewis, a few of the men who fought beside Phil at the Team Domination base, and over a hundred of the current one hundred and sixty-four Aura Shinobi, who had come to see the young man joining their ranks.

The short trees swayed in the wind, which was creating quiet whistle as it blew through the trees.  Soft green grass cushioned the feet and rears of those in attendance.  The crashing of a waterfall could be heard, muffled by the distance.  The sun had nearly dipped beneath the snowcapped mountains when the wind stopped.

Finally, the procession began.  Denny, as the first speaker, led, in a uniform similiar to Phil's, but bearing his family crest of a pair of katana crossed over a Taijitu, instead of the crest of the Aura Shinobi.  Grandmaster Jotishu followed in an almost identical uniform, however this one had gold trimmings, showing his rank.  Next was Alexander, with a uniform identical to the one Phil and the other Aura Shinobi wore.  Bringing up the rear up the rear of thr procession was Phil, who was wearing everything but the overcoat.

The four Aura Guardians walked a steady, silent walk up onto the stage.  Denny stepped forward and began to speak, his Aura magnifying the deep voice that demanded respect.

"Welcome, this evening, one more brave soul will complete the oath of an Aura Shinobi.  His name is Phil Lewis.  I met this extraordinary young man several months ago, it may have even been over a year ago, but it seems like yesterday.  At that time he was unaware of our world, yet his Aura shown with a brilliance few could hope for.  I brought him to my father, Grandmaster Jotishu, who sanctioned the training of this young man.  It was not long before I discovered that his Aura is one of the strongest of anyone alive today, although, having only just awakened it, he struggled at first.  With my guidence, he soon became a fearsome warrior, with a heart of gold."

Denny stepped back, his Hakama swirling around his feet.  Even as Denny stepped back, Grandmaster Jotishu stepped forward, his long white beard nearly touching the ground.

"Phil, though he has not been amoung us for long, has already achieved much.  When he was younger, Phil saved Blazer, a young Growlithe pup, from an Arcanine that had turned on its pack upon evolving.  At this point he was not even a trainer, and fought off the large Pokemon with a large stick, which, having already been wounded, fled at the unexpected assault.  He continued to raise the orphaned pup, as if it were his own flesh and blood.  A few years after, as he explored the forests around our monastery with Blazer, he came upon a wounded Luxray.  Despite his fear, the young man scared off the birds, and completed first aid while one of his father's colleagues to come and take the Pokemon to a place of recovery.

During the middle of his training, while on a trip to town for supplies, Phil foiled the plot of Team Domination to poach a rarely pigmented speciman of the endangered Mudkip line.  Although he was unable to prevent the deaths of two Swampert, Phil saved the Mudkip and began to train her.

After completing his intial training, Phil alongside Denusho, lead an attack on a base of Team Domination.  Despite being surprised by the Dark Users known as Rego Vastator and the Father, Phil was able to defeat the former, and bargain for the release of Denuhho from the Father.  As they were the only two remaing, the Dark Users retreated.

Phil faced Rego Vastator once again when Vastator kidnapped a young woman.  He managed to trace the Dark Users Aura and teleport to his location, where he fought not just Vastator but another Dark User by the name of Rego Fallacia.  Although the two escaped, Phil rescued the young lady.

Just before he began his training, Phil competed in this village's games, where he came in second only to Alexander, who was already an Aura Shinobi at that point.  This young man is extremely talented and strong, perhaps more so than any other Aura Guardian."

With this the grandmaster stepped back, and allowed Alexander to take over.

"Over the past few months I have been training Phil to make him an elite warrior, the best of the best.  As Grandmaster Jotishu said, he only came second to me in the games, and I do not favor my odds in a rematch.  Since I began training him I have seen Phil break records for strength and speed, and his technique has become so sharp he could cut to the bone with a dull blade.  One thing I did not tell him was that, although he was technically my apprentice, he felt more like a son.  Phil, are you ready to take the oath?"

"I am," the teenager replied without expression.

"Repeat after me, I vow to be a man of honor."

"I vow to be a man of honor."

"To fight evil in every form everywhere."

"To fight evil in every form everywhere."

Phil could feel the pit in his stomach, every drop of sweat on his brow felt pronounced.

"To never give up and never say die."

"To never give up and never say die."

The Aura Guardian could barely keep the tremble out of his voice, he was declaring and vowing what he had always believed.

"To protect those weaker than I."

"To protect those weaker than I."

Some how, it was both relieving, and nerve wracking. 

"To aid the poor, the widowed, and the orphaned however I can."

"To aid the poor, the widowed, and the orphaned however I can."

This was it, Phil had to take a deep breath to steel himself.

"I vow these things on my honor."

"I vow these things on my honor."

Finally, it felt like it had been hours.

"And my honor is my life."

"And my honor is my life."

Alexander then took the jacket, and assisted Phil in putting it on.  All the Aura Shinobi put their hands in front of there mouths, and began barritus, which is a low, bone-chilling sound that reminded Phil of a cross between a ghost whisper and a foghorn.

"Also, Phil," Alexander began, "I have one more gift for you.  I am unable to have children, so, I wish to pass this family heirloom onto you, the Aura Sword, Aku no Turaburu."

It was a beautiful silver hilt, which was both simple and elegent.

"Aura Swords help one to focus their Aura Blades, making them easier to sustain for long periods, and helping to stabilize a longer blade."

Phil held the hilt in his hand and allowed his Aura to flow into the hilt.  Suddenly, a long blade made of Aura was revealed.  The Aura Shinobi could barely even notice the drain on his Aura.  After retracting the blade, Phil turned and gave Alexander a hug, which was returned.

"Now, to the celebration feast!"

Everyone in the crowd cheered as they began to move towards another open area that had been set up for the feast.