AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Welcome everyone to chapter 13. I want to first apologize for the delay in this chapter. The issue was with my performance writer having a real-life problem and wasn't able to send me the performance she had prepared. At the time these notes are being written, I still haven't heard from her and no idea about the future of Serena's performances, whether she will be able to continue or I will have to find a new writer, I just don't know at this time.

With that said, if you like my work please vote, feel free to comment, and please share this story with your friends. I now present to you Chapter 13, enjoy.

After Serena's performance, she changed back into her regular clothes and rejoined Ash and Palermo to watch the remainder of the showcase. There were some very good performances, but it was clear that most of the performers needed some serious work on their routines. The performer that won was a girl named Lola Stormward. She appeared to be about eighteen years old, had long wavy golden blonde hair, and was clearly the best performer with her team of Eevee, a shiny buneary, and kirlia.

Instead of the princess key, which was given to the Showcase winner in Kalos, she was given a gold brooch in the shape of a rose.

Concluding the showcase Ash and Serena exited with Palermo.

"Well I must be going now if I plan on making it in time for Aria's performance in Salamanca tomorrow, " Palermo stated as they stood by her limousine.

"Of course. Even though I wasn't expecting you to be here I'm happy that you were able to make it, " said Serena.

"Well you are my student, I should be here to support you. I wish I could see all of your performances, but this being a new region there is a lot I need to do to make sure everything runs smoothly. But I have no doubt that all of your performances will be amazing, " Palermo stated as she smiled at the end.

"Thank you, bye." "Bye." Ash and Serena both said.

Palermo then climbed into her limousine and drove off. Ash and Serena began to leave as well. However, they didn't get far before they were spotted.

"SERENA!" a voice yelled.

Ash and Serena looked in the direction of the source of the voice to see Isla running towards them, her parents walking a few feet behind.

"Serena, your performance was just amazing, " Isla stated excitedly once she arrived.

"Well thank you, " Serena replied with a smile.

"And guess what, I've decided I'm going to take a shot at becoming Torrent Queen, " Isla started.

"That's wonderful!" Serena replied.

"And it's all because of you, " Isla replied with a smile.

"Me? Why me?" Serena replied surprised.

"Your performance was just so amazing. After I saw it I felt inspired, and I couldn't help but start coming up with ideas of my own , " Isla replied.

"Well thank you. I'm happy I was able to inspire you, " Serena replied with a happy smile.

"And now we're going to go shopping to find her a performance dress and get her some new camping gear, " Aubrey replied as she and William arrived.

"Oh Serena could you please come with us? I would love your opinion on my dress, I'd also like to talk to you about my performance ideas, " said Isla with a look of hope in her eyes.

Serena then looked to Ash, "is this ok with you? I know this is our last night in Madrid City since we have to leave tomorrow."

"It's fine with me, " Ash replied.

"Great thanks, " Serena replied and kissed Ash on the cheek.

"Ash before we all go I'd like to discuss something with you, " said William.

"what is it?" Ash asked.

"It's about your aura training, " William replied.

"I already told you, I don't want to stop traveling now. Maybe one day I'll be ready, and when I am I'll contact you. But now is just not the time, " Ash replied in an understanding yet annoyed tone.

"I know, but I think I have an acceptable compromise, " William replied with a smirk.

Suddenly Lucario and Riolu jump from the top of the theater and landed to the Ash's left, then Aubrey's Gardevoir teleported to the other side of Riolu.

"Son of my master, I have a request of you," Said Lucario through his aura.

"What is it?" Ash asked.

"I wish for you to become my sons trainer, " Lucario stated as he put his left hand on his son's head.

"What?!" Ash replied, completely shocked by the request.

"Simply, I have taught my son all that I can. He needs to leave home and experience the world to learn more, learn the lessons that only life can teach. I believe he can learn these lessons as one of your Pokemon, " Lucario explained.

"But why me?" Ash asked.

"When you and my son met he felt drawn to you, as if your aura was calling out to his. William said you described a similar feeling. This means that your auras are the same. It is a rare thing that lucarios and riolus search for, but many never find, the only trainer in the world that can help us reach our full potential. I experienced the same thing with your mother, and my father through your grandmother. It would appear our blood lines are linked, for us to always fight by each others sides. My son is also very capable with his aura, and can already create aura spheres, a rare thing for a riolu. He will be able to teach you how to use your aura, as you help teach him the lessons he needs, and help him reach his full potential, " Lucario explained.

Ash stood there in shock as to what he just heard, as he had never been asked to take a Pokemon like this before. Serena was looking at his confused as to what was going on, Ash saw this and explained the situation. Ash then walked over to Riolu and took a knee.

"Riolu, what do you want?" Ash asked.

"Son of my Master, I explained everything to you. I don't understand, is my son not to your standards!?" Lucario asked in a combination of confusion and shock.

"No, I believe your son would make an excellent addition and I'd be happy to have him. But I see my Pokemon as part of my family, I want to make sure that he wants to join this family, because the last thing I want is to have a Pokemon that doesn't want to be here, " Ash then looked back to Riolu. "I'm going to ask you again, what do you want?"

"What my father said is all true, I do feel drawn to you. I want to reach my full potential, and to one day become the strongest Lucario, that no Lucario ever was. So if that's with you, then I want to travel with you and we will teach each other, " Riolu replied.

Ash smiled upon hearing Riolu's answer, and could see how right Lucario was, as he could see his own spirt in Riolu's words. He then pulled out a Pokeball and held it out in front of Riolu.

"In that case, welcome to the family."

Riolu put out his fist and tapped the pokeball, and was sucked inside. The pokeball dinged almost instantly. Ash then threw the pokeball up into the air.

"Alright Riolu, come on out."

Riolu emerged from the pokeball and looked up at Ash with an expecting look.

"We are going to be spending the rest of the day here in Madrid City, so if you want to spend the rest of this time before we go back to the hotel with your parents you can, " Ash stated.

Riolu didn't have a chance to reply, as Gardevoir came up from behind and hugged Riolu as she picked him up, then looked to Ash.

"Thank you for giving me this time with my son, " Gardevoir said with her telepathy.

-------------------------------------------------------

A few hours later Ash, Serena, and their Pokemon were back in the hotel room. Riolu was welcomed by the other Pokemon. Riolu saw that when it can to strength, Pikachu and Grenjnja were his biggest rivals, and told them both that he was going to become Ash's strongest. All the Pokemon rolled their eyes at this, however, Riolu did believe that he got in Greninja's head as he and Braixen when into the other bedroom and locked the door.

As for Ash and Serena, they were laying in bed after a heated make-out session. Serena was laying her head on Ash's chest with a big smile on her face, while Ash had one arm around her, however, Ash wasn't smiling. He was earlier after they stopped, but then he remembered the conversation with Palermo. He didn't think being Arceus's chosen one was going to be a problem, but he didn't want to keep secrets from Serena.

"Hey Serena, are you awake, " Ash whispered.

"Yes, " Serena replied.

"There's something I feel like I need to talk to you about, " Ash stated.

Serena sat up and looked at Ash with a curious expression.

"What is it?" Serena asked.

"Well, you remember all those paintings in Professor Pines lab, the one about the prophecies?" said Ash.

"They're about you aren't they?" Serena replied.

"Yes, how did you know?" Ash replied shocked.

"Ash, your dense, not me. I saw the one that showed the Kalos crisis, it had Ash-Greninja in it, " Serena replied. "But I am wondering why you're bring this up."

"I just don't want this to be a secret between us. I trust you with my life, so I should trust with my secrets too, " Ash replied with a serious expression.

"Thank you. It means a lot to know that you trust me so much. I don't know why you are keeping it a secret, but I'll keep that secret too," Serena replied.

Ash smiled, sat up, and kissed Serena. It quickly escalated to Kalos kissing as they laid back down, with Serena straddling Ash. In the heat of the moment, Serena removed her tank top and threw it onto the floor, revealing a black lace bra. Ash's face went bright red as he saw so much more of her body. Serena realized what she had just done and felt embarrassed. She tried to get off of Ash to get her shirt back on but was stopped by Ash wrapping his arms around her and pulling her back down.

"You can put your shirt back on if you want, but don't do it because you feel embarrassed because of me. I think every part of you is beautiful and I don't want you to feel embarrassed about your body with me, " Ash stated.

Ash loosened his grip on her, Serena looked into Ash's eyes and smiled, as her confidence had been restored and strengthened. She then put her hands on his cheeks as she leaned back down and proceeded back to kissing, then back to Kalos kissing.

-------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, at Williams house, he is sitting at a desk looking for someone's contact information. Once he finds it he dials the number into the video phone and waits as it rings. He doesn't have to wait long before a familiar face appears on the screen.

"Hello, Ketchum residence."

"Hello Delia, it's William, " William said with a smile.

"William it's so good to see you again, how are you?" Delia asks with a bright smile.

"Pretty good. Isla is getting ready for another journey. She's going to try being a performer this time, " William states.

"This time? I take it she's tried other things?" Delia asked.

"Trainer, coordinator, ranger, breeder. Thankfully for the breeder period, she interned with a local breeder and was able to come home every night. She just can't seem to find anything to be passionate about, but I'll just keep supporting her until she does," William replied.

"I see, well hopefully this will be what she's looking for. What about you? What's new with you?" Delia asked.

"Well yesterday I stepped down as a gym leader, and starting Monday I'll be the newest member of the Torrent Elite Four, " Willaim stated with a smirk.

The color appeared to drain from Delia's face as the kind warm smile she was wearing disappeared and was replaced by one of fear.

"I thought you were in Hoenn, " Delia finally managed to say.

"Delia, that was ten years ago. And you wouldn't guess who my last challenger was, " William stated with a smirk.

Delia didn't answer, her eyes widened and her breathing became increased.

"What? You won't even try to guess? Ok fine, Ash Ketchum. You wouldn't believe my surprise when he introduced himself, " Willaim said in a superior tone.

"William, you didn't..." Delia started before William interrupted.

"Reveal your secrets? No. At least not all of them. He knows you were a trainer now, and how you and Red met. He even saw some old pictures of your two, " said William, a bit of anger in his tone.

"Thank you, " Delia replied as she gave a sigh of relief.

"His aura is wide awake, " William blurted out.

Delia's eyes widened and tears started to form.

"No, it can. This should have happened a lot sooner than now, " Delia said as tears started to stream down her cheeks.

"Yes. He wouldn't let me train him though, but Lucey came through. He asked Ash to be his Riolu sons trainer, and his son will train Ash on how to use his aura, " William said with a victorious tone.

"No, you had no right, " Delia said getting angry.

"Your one to talk. I fed him some Tauros shit explanation as to why it took his aura so long to fully awaken. But I could see it plain as day. You have a lot of nerve to seal his aura like that, " William said angrily.

"ASH IS MY SON, NOT YOURS. I DID WHAT I FELT WAS BEST FOR HIM!" Delia yelled.

"Oh please, " William scoffed. "you did it for yourself. If you would just get your head out of your ass you would see what's happening to him. He told me about some of his journeys so far, I'm pretty damn sure he's Arceus's chosen one. He's lucky to be alive after some of this shit, " Willaim said back angrily.

"No, " Deli said with a look of fear on her face. "his aura was locked away. I did that to make sure Arceus chose someone else."

"Arceus doesn't give a damn what we want. He does what he wants and we just have to deal with it." William calmed down and sighed, "I know you were just trying to protect him from his great-grandfathers fate, but like I said, Arceus doesn't care. He chose Ash before he was born, there was nothing you could do to stop it."

Delia just sat there and cried, Mimey was seen coming from behind to try and console her.

"I'm going to get off the phone now. I'm sorry that I upset you, but before I go know this. I'm done keeping all of these secrets, if I deem it necessary I will tell Ash, and you will have to finally face these secrets and deal with them. I understand why you buried the past, but I've got a feeling that your past is coming back to haunt us all, so better be ready when it does, " William said then ended the call.

Delia was balling her eyes out as the fear of her past began to surface, followed by rage.

"AHHHHHH, " Delia screamed.

As she screamed she raised both of her fists up, then slamed them down onto the desk the video phone was sitting on, breaking the desk in half.

-------------------------------------------------------

Back in Madrid City, the doors to the police station swung open, and Jessie, James, and Meowth walked out with big smiles on their face.

"So nice of the boss to post our bail, " Meowth said as they walked down the street.

"Well of course he did, he clearly sees how valuable we are, " Jessie added.

"Ahhh, it feels nice to be loved, " Jessie, James, and Meowth said together.

They continued down the street until they were grabbed, pulled into an ally, and slammed against a wall. They were being held against the wall and were about to fight back, but then noticed they were each being held by Team Rocket grunts.

"Hey what's the big idea, " said James.

"Get off of me, " Said Jessie.

They pushed the grunts off of them, the grunts didn't try and grab them again but instead stood back and watched the trio.

"So I take it you were sent by the boss?" Asked James.

"Thats right, " said a cold unseen voice.

Then from the shadows came a large muscular man with a shaved head, wearing black combat boots, and what looked like a black military uniform, with a red R on the left side of his chest. Upon seeing this man Jessie, James, and Meowth immediately stood at attention, as they shook with fear. Yes this man was an officer but not just that, he had a special job. His job was assassination, specifically of loose ends, Team Rocket members that had been captured and were likely to talk to the police, or members that out lived their usefulness. He reported directly to Giovanni himself, every member, even the executives, knew that their days were numbered if they saw him outside of a Team Rocket base.

"L...L...Lieutenant Steele, s..s..s..sir, " Jessie, James, and Meowth said with a stutter.

Steele wasn't stupid, he knew his reputation, and he was proud of it. So he didn't like when he wasn't doing his job.

"If I was sent here to kill you three idiots, Giovanni wouldn't have posted your bail. I just would have killed you in your cells, " Said Steele in an angry tone.

"Yes sir, and please convey our gratitude to Giovanni for this, " James said.

Steele's eyes narrowed on James, causing him to shake more as he started to back up.

"Or not, " James added.

"I am here under a direct order from Giovanni, to deliver your new orders, " Steele said, clearly angry about this.

Two grunts then shoved metal briefcases into Jessie and James's stomachs.

"Your orders are inside, as well as all of your Pokemon we had been holding, " Steele explained. "Don't screw up, or else next time you see me will be your last."

Steele and the grunts walked out of the ally, leaving the trio to finally take a breath of relief.
They both knelt down and opened the cases, to see the usual items and all their Pokeballs. The screen in the lid activated and began giving them a readout of their instructions. Their eyes opened wide when they saw Ash's picture.

-------------------------------------------------------

Steele and the grunts walked down the street, then climbed into a van and drove off. Steele pulled out his cell phone and immediately called Giovanni.

"Giovanni sir, the idiots have been given their kits and instructions, " Steele reported.

"Excellent. Now proceed to Sinnoh to oversee the team there. They are taking too long so I want you to, relieve the current commander. Your presence there should motivate them to work faster, " Giovanni replied

"Yes sir. May I ask a question, sir?" Steele asked.

Giovanni looked at Steele with a curious look, as it was very unusual for Steel to ask questions as long as his instructions were clear.

"Proceed, " said Giovanni.

"I understand the Ketchum boy has been trouble, but why send those idiots to deal with him? I could kill him easily and he wouldn't see it coming, " Steele stated.

"I know this, and if I wanted him dead I would send you, but I have plans for him. They will either capture him or keep him distracted long enough for my plan to reach its critical point, " Giovanni replied.

"Understood sir, I will not discuss the topic further, " Steele replied.

Giovanni then ended the call. He then pressed a button on his desk and stood up. To the left of his desk was a curtain taking up the whole wall. Upon Giovanni pressing the button, the curtain began to open to reveal a large window. Giovanni gave a dark smile as he watched at least a hundred Team Rocket members working, building a large device.

"You put up a good fight Ash, but there can only be one victor. Your father fell to me, so why would you expect to do better."