Nighttime settled quickly, but the sky glittered with millions of stars. Fireworks burst everywhere, dancing and sparkling across the vast darkness. Crimson banners decorated clearing in the middle of the huts. People dressed in costumes as various Pokémon gods danced to the rhythmic drums. Aura sat on her mother’s lap, clapping along to the beat.

Mya, who had come into Anya’s quarters that morning, raised her hands to silence the monstrous crowd. The queen stood up.

“Welcome, my friends, to the introduction of a new life into our world. I present to you my daughter Aura!”

A thunderous clamor came from the people, welcoming their new member of the tribe. The Pokémon dancers returned to their rhythmic chants around the blazing bonfire. Aura clapped her hands, beaming happily.

Another servant approached the queen as she watched the celebration.

“This is the necklace you told me to fetch,” he whispered into her ear.

She smiled at him and accepted the necklace. “Aura,” she said softly to the child on her lap. “I know this doesn’t seem like much tonight, but this stone is a part of who you are.” She paused. “You’ll find out at the right time though. Not tonight.” She nodded at the servant and thanked him.

He smiled and walked away, returning to the festivities. Aura held the pendant in her hands, caressing the smooth amethyst stone. Anya looked down at her daughter with a smile. However, something in the back of her mind bothered her. If Aura is the one that will inherit the ancient powers, then will he be coming for her?

All of a sudden, Anya’s thoughts were interrupted after hearing screams from the people. She scanned the crowd to see what was causing the commotion. However, she recognized the voice that came from the midst of the disturbance.

“Where is the child!?” the man bellowed. He rode his Rapidash to the throne where Anya sat. However, this Pokémon was very different than the normal fire horse. Its mane burnt like a blazing inferno. Its steel hooves shook the ground with each step it took. Its skin was the color of charcoal, almost as if it were made from molten lava. Its blood-red eyes were ablaze, staring with an evil look at the people.

The man wore a huge black cape and pulled back the hood to reveal his face. His cold, blue eyes stared deep into Anya’s. His coal black hair blew into his face as the wind began to blow through the now partially deserted town. Few warriors stood their ground to protect their queen.

“I don’t have time for this,” he said as the soldiers charged him with their spears pointed at him. With a brief wave of his hand, the men stopped in their tracks, completely helpless. The man in black approached the queen, glaring at her. “I don’t want to repeat myself,” he said sharply. “Where is she?” His eyes fell on the empty bassinet that the child lay in moments before. Anya realized that in the confusion, Mya must have taken Aura away to safety.

“Why are you here, Kran?” she asked him. “You don’t belong here.”

“Neither does she,” he replied, sneering. “I’m sure you’ve felt the power flowing through her blood by now. It’s the same as mine.”

“I’m not letting you touch her,” Anya growled quietly. “I would die before I’d let your hands be upon her.”

“Oh please, woman,” he laughed. “I could toss you aside with a twitch of my finger. No matter what you do, I will get that child.”

He paused a moment, stroking the fire-hair on the Rapidash. Anya glared at him, full of rage, hate, and fear.

“You have a half-hour to find the child and bring her before me,” he finally said. “Say your good-byes or whatever. Bu then she is mine.” He turned and mounted his horse. “Don’t even think of trying to escape from me. I can track anyone down.” With an evil cackle, he disappeared.

Anya collapsed to her knees, sobbing. The warriors broke out of the spell, being able to move. Some rushed to the queen’s side; others ran away in fear.

Mya, holding Aura, ran to help Anya to her feet.

“Was that who I think it is?” she asked, her eyes wide in terror.

“Yes,” Anya replied, her mind lost in confusion. “That was the murderer of my husband. He has come back for Aura.”

“So, its true?” the servant said. “She is the one?”

“Yes, but I need to get her out of here,” Anya said, her voice beginning to panic. “She needs to fulfil her destiny.”

“How? He said that you can’t hide her anywhere. No one can protect her.”

“He didn’t think of everybody,” Anya said, staring at the small, stuffed animal that Aura held in her arms.

“Like who?” the young girl asked.

“Mew.”