Ashley and the gang were on their way to Veilstone City when they ran into a Riolu...and Ashley could tell it was scared. When the Riolu saw Ashley he immediately ran towards her for protection cowering behind her leg. 

"Riolu what's wrong?" Ashley asked. 

 'Please. You have to help me get back home.' Riolu begged. He then used his Aura to tell Ashley everything. When Riolu was done Ashley was disgusted that people wanted him for his power.  

"Don't worry Riolu. Me and Jackie are Pokemon Rangers so we'll escort you to the Kingdom." Ashley assured.  

"The Kingdom?" Jackie asked a bit surprised.. 

 "Jackie? Ashley?" A new voice asked.  

"Well well if it isn't Top Ranger Kellyn. How have ya been kid?" Jackie asked.  

"Great now that you and Ashley are here. I see you've already met Riolu." Kellyn asked.  

"Yeah. What was that about a Kingdom?" Jackie asked. 

 "The Lucario Kingdom to be exact. This Riolu is the next in line." Kellyn replied. 

 "Is that so? Well I assume that you're on your way to return Riolu to the Kingdom?" Jackie asked.  

"That's right. And I need all the help I can get. Riolu's been chased down by a number of bad people like Hunters." Kellyn replied. 

"That's awful!" Dawn exclaimed.

  "Indeed it is. I've even ran into Hunter J a time or two." Kellyn said causing Ashley to growl and her eyes to turn blue. 

 "So Top Ranger Kellyn. What's the objective?" Ashley asked regaining her composure.  

"We have to escort Riolu to the Kingdom. We can't afford anyone to get their hands on him." Kellyn replied.

  "Easier said than done. Hunter J's reinforced her ship so nothing can damage it. Trust me I've been her hostage. Giovanni, Archie, and Cyrus paid for her to kidnap me a long time ago. If we come across J, it won't be an easy task to take her down." Ashley warned.

  "Any way we can exploit its weakness?" Kellyn asked.

  "As far as I'm aware of infiltration is our best bet." Ashley replied.

  "We'll keep that in mind." Jackie assured. The group stopped by Veilstone City so they could pick up more supplies before turning around to find the Lucario Kingdom. While they were in the City Ashley and Paul overheard rumors of a very strong Pikachu somewhere in the forest. Paul was interested in capturing this Pikachu but he knew that Ashley had a job to do.  

"It's on our route anyways so perhaps we'll run into it." Ashley assured. 

 "I hope so. I don't want your Pikachu to be lonely anymore than it has to be." Paul said causing Ashley to giggle but at the same time she felt bad for her Pikachu. When Ashley found her she was pretty weak and was a massive target to all the other Pikachu and Raichu...in fact she had saved Pikachu from a Raichu who was beating her mercilessly.  Paul noticed her expression go from amusement to depressed.

 'She must be thinking about the terrible things Pikachu endured. Those two are quite alike...except where was Ashley's savior when she needed one?' He thought.  Riolu and Lucario could sense Ashley's internal conflicts. 

'Hey Lucario what's gotten the Aura Goddess all upset?' He asked.  'Just bad memories. She didn't live a life of luxury like everyone expected. She lived a life of misery and she's helping any Pokemon who's been through the same ordeal.' Lucario replied shocking Riolu.  Suddenly the group was surrounded by armored trucks. When the trucks stopped a man stepped out and addressed the group.

 "Alright hand over the Riolu and nobody gets hurt." He threatened as his men sent out various Pokemon.  

"For what purpose do you intend to use Riolu for?" Maxie asked as he and the rest of the group sent out their Pokemon as a counter threat. Ashley's Lucario shielded Riolu and went into an offensive stance and Ashley activated the Mega Evolution.  

"That's none of your concern. If you're not going to give us Riolu willingly then I'll just take it." The man threatened.  

"You and what army? We have far more Pokemon than you do. We outnumber you." Archie deadpanned.  Ashley used her Aura to propel the men backwards before creating a ward to shield herself, her friends, and their Pokemon.

 "I want that Riolu! Break that shield and get me that Riolu!" The man exclaimed in anger. The evil group's Pokemon started attacking relentlessly on Ashley's shield. 

"Oh and I want the Aura Goddess as a bonus." He added with a smirk.  "I can't let him. Don't know...how much...longer...I can hold..." Ashley thought bitterly. 

 "Ash are you alright?" Brock asked.  "I can't...hold...for too long." Ashley replied. It didn't take too much to break the ward and Ashley collapsed onto the ground. The attacks strained her ward causing it to shatter. Immediately everyone was by her side and protected her and Riolu from the men. 

 "Protect them at all costs! We can NOT have a repeat of the past!" Lance commanded.  

"We don't know your intentions for Riolu or Ashley but we're NOT going down without a fight!" Paul threatened.  

"As you wish." The leader said as he turned his attention towards his men. 

"Destroy them, but leave the Aura Goddess and the Riolu alive." He ordered.  "Oh hell no! I'll kill each and every one of you first!" Ashley threatened as she gathered as much Aura from the environment and rose above everything encasing herself in a protective shield which turned black and red. Then she fired a beam of the same colored Aura that killed anything it touched. some of the men got caught in the blast while the rest evaded. 

 "Fall back! We'll get them another time!" The leader commanded as they got in their trucks and drove off frightened.  

"Yatta! We did it!" Lance exclaimed joyously but the celebration was cut short when Ashley fell to the earth unconscious but he caught her before she hit the ground. "That single attack must have drained her. We need to go back to the city." He urged. 

 "Good idea. Let's go." Wallace agreed as the group made their way back to Veilstone City and made a bee-line for the Pokemon Center. On their way to the Pokemon Center they ran into a blond boy named Barry who threatened to fine Lance for bumping into him. Misty had to stop the two before a fight broke out and just kept running towards the Pokemon Center. They waited for Ashley to recover her respite which took hours. Since she was fine at the moment Paul decided to look for that Pikachu...which he found easily. He smirked before pulling a Pokeball off his belt.  

"This might be overkill but...Torterra come out and use Razor Leaf!" He called out. As soon as Torterra left the Pokeball he attacked Pikachu with Razor Leaf which hit dead on. "Alright now use Leech Seed!" He ordered as Torterra shot a seed at Pikachu which tangled him up in vines, draining his health. It took a lot for Pikachu to get untangled but he eventually did it and retaliated with Volt Tackle.

 "That's the spirit. You're just wearing yourself out with that move...as if that'll do any real damage to a Ground Type anyways." Paul thought. 

"Alright Torterra use Solar Beam to finish it!" He ordered. Torterra charged up the solar energy and fired a beam that hit Pikachu causing him to faint. He threw a Pokeball at Pikachu and successfully captured him. "Now Ashley's Pikachu will have a mate of her own." He thought before going back to the Pokemon Center. Once he got back to the Pokemon Center he saw Lucario and Riolu sitting on the couch with depressed looks on their faces. He went over to the Xtransceivers to call Ashley's mom and Professor Oak.

 "Hello? This is the Ketchum residence, Delia speaking." Delia answered.  "Hey this is Paul. We all made it to Veilstone City safely." Paul assured. 

 "Oh Paul. I was expecting Ashley to call." Delia said.  "Yeah well...we had a run in with some criminals and she exhausted herself from using her Aura. She's resting in the Center but she's fine. No need to worry." Paul assured. 

 "Oh dear. They weren't after her were they?" Delia asked.  "They were originally after a very strong Riolu, but they changed their sights on both the Riolu AND Ashley." Paul replied.

  "*Sigh* I wonder how many more will come after her until she..." Delia thought.  

"Until what?" Paul asked.  "Professor Oak did more research on the Aura Goddess and apparently when she gets cornered she'll...retaliate with lethal force." Delia replied sadly. 

"Ashley's never raised her hand towards anyone before but if this keeps up you might see a completely different side to her." She added.  

"Her Aura changed to black and red...and she killed some of the criminals." Paul said.  "Then it's already begun. I'll inform Samuel of Ashley's condition. Thank you so much for telling me this Paul. Hopefully Samuel will figure out a way to get the old Ashley back before her condition worsens." Delia said. 

 "You think Professor Oak can bring her back to us?" Paul asked.  "If anyone can figure it out it's Professor Oak." Delia replied.

  "Thank you Mrs. Ketchum, and don't worry we'll all look after her." Paul assured.  "Thank you Paul. My daughter's lucky to have so many good friends." Delia said.

 "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go. It was nice to see you again Paul." She bade.  "Same here." Paul returned the farewell before hanging up.

  "Was that Delia you got off the phone with?" Gary asked.  

"Yeah. She's going to look into Ashley's behavior. Hopefully we'll be able to bring back the old Ashley." Paul replied.  Jackie was sitting on the couch holding Manaphy. 

"Is mamma going to be okay?" Manaphy asked.  "She'll be just fine. Your mom's a tough girl." Jackie assured.  

"Where down one Ranger...for now." Kellyn thought bitterly as he sat down next to Jackie.  "Ash is tired, she's not mortally wounded. She'll be up and out in no time." Jackie deadpanned.  Hours went by and everyone knew something was off. Nurse Joy went into the room she was in only to discover her missing and part of the wall was shattered. 

"Oh no!" She exclaimed before running back into the waiting room. "Ashley has been taken!" She exclaimed causing panic among the group. 

 "What are we going to do!?!" Dawn asked. Suddenly Riolu's and Lucario's Auras started speaking to them...it was Ashley communicating through their Aura.  'We know where Ash is!' Lucario exclaimed.  

"What? Really? Where?" Lance asked.  'She's in some sort of canyon.' Lucario replied.

  "I know the canyon you're talking about. I'll lead the way." Kellyn assured.  "Archie, Maxie, Cyrus, Ghetsis, Lysandre we'll call in reinforcements. Something tells me that whomever took Ashley isn't going to give up so easily." Giovanni ordered.

  "Splendid idea. They will regret starting a war with the Aura Goddess." Maxie assured.  "What does that make me, Giovanni, and Cyrus?" Archie asked.  

"You three gave up after your second attempt on Ashley and begged for mercy. You didn't start a war with her...though had you've continued your pursuit you most certainly would've." Ghetsis replied. 

 "Point taken." Archie acknowledged.  Soon they all followed Kellyn to their destination. Back with Ashley she stood in a container turned into stone. J looked at her. 

"I hope you're ready to meet your new master. You've caused a lot of trouble for my former clients so I hope you'll behave for my new one." She told the stone girl. Soon J arrived at her rendezvous and landed. She brought Ashley out of the airship to meet with the client who was the man that she had fended off from before.  

"You have the Aura Goddess but you don't have the Riolu?" The man asked.  "She was a vulnerable target. The Riolu was most likely in the waiting area with her friends." J replied.

  "Well you don't get your pay for bringing us just the Aura Goddess." The man said making J growl.  

"You said I'd get paid if I brought you either one!" J snapped.  The man shrugged.

 "I changed my mind." He said calmly. 

 "This is bullshit. You cheated me on a deal!" J snapped again this time holding a 9 millimeter pistol to his head only to have her client's men send out various Pokemon.  

"Try it J and you won't live to make another." The man threatened. Suddenly he was hit with a Bubble Beam.

 "Who fucking did that!?!" He asked only to be held by Psychic along with his men, Pokemon, and J.

  "Let my mamma go!" Manaphy exclaimed. Soon the Crime Lords reinforcements came and released their Pokemon. 

  'You have made your last mistake!' Mewtwo threatened. The group of bad guys were intimidated by him. He had a power that everyone could feel as well as the anger radiating off of him. Lance ran over to free Ashley and she fell limp into his arms.  

"Ash are you alright?" He asked.  Ashley made some grumbling sounds and incoherent words and finally opened her eyes. "L-Lance?" She asked.  

"I'm here Ashley. We're all here." Lance assured. It took Ashley a bit but she eventually got to her feet and headed over to the group of bad guys who were still frozen in Shadow Mewtwo's Psychic hold. She created two Katanas out of Aura and her irises turned blue. She raised her Katanas and slaughtered them one by one. Clemont covered Bonnie's eyes and Jackie had to cover Manaphy's before Ashley went on her killing spree. Ashley got to J and raised her Katanas but before she could bring them down J managed to escape by teleporting. Then the airship started to fly away.  

"J's getting away!" Jackie exclaimed.  

"Let her. I think I've made my point CRYSTAL clear." Ashley said turning her attention to her handy work. "Let's just get back to what we were doing. Returning Riolu to the Kingdom." She ushered as she started walking. 

 "*Sigh* I hope Delia finds a solution quick." Paul thought.  Meanwhile back in Pallet Town Professor Oak along with several other Scientists, AND Delia were working extremely hard at trying to find answers.

 "Thank you Professor Hale for your help." Professor Oak said.  "Not a problem Professor. Hopefully this work." Professor Hale stated.  

"I hope so too. This has to work." Professor Oak said. "Ashley did say that she wanted to go to the Johto Region after she got done in Sinnoh." He added.  "Perfect. That'll buy me more time to look into the Unown and their connection to her." Professor Hale said before hanging up.  "What did Spencer have to say?" Delia asked. 

 "He thinks that the Unown might be connected somehow. He's looking into it while Ashley's still in Sinnoh." Professor Oak replied.  "Professor!" Tracey addressed getting Professor Oak's attention.  "What is Tracey?" Professor Oak asked. 

 "I have that information you wanted." Tracey said giving the Professor a stack of papers.  "Thank you Tracey." The Professor took the stack and placed it on his desk to examine later.  "Professor might I ask what's going on?" Tracey asked. 

"Something regarding Ashley. My former apprentice Professor Hale thinks he knows of a way to bring back her old personality." Professor Oak replied.  Tracey was confused but didn't ask any more questions. Back with Ashley and the group. They had finally made it to the Lucario Kingdom. 

"Well. That was eventful." Ashley thought before sitting down on a boulder.  "I'd say. Are you alright?" Lance asked.  "I'll be fine. I just need to rest for a moment." Ashley replied rubbing her temple.  

"Thank you so much for returning Riolu to the Kingdom. I don't know how I can ever repay you." An old man said as he approached Ashley, Jackie, and Kellyn.  "Just doin' our duty sir." Jackie said.  Riolu jumped onto the boulder Ashley was sitting on and hugged her to which she returned. 

'Thank you Aura Goddess. If it wasn't for your help I might have ended up in that man's hands.'  "It was nothing really. You take good care now Riolu." Ashley bade. Soon Ashley and the group went back to Veilstone City for Ashley's next badge, but before she did she went to Lake Valor to capture the Legendary Azelf.  

'Aura Goddess since you have Mesprit you're allowed to use him in a battle. I want to test your resolve...if that's alright with you.' Azelf said.  "Yeah. That's fine. Mesprit I choose you!" Ashley called out.  'Azelf.' Mesprit greeted.  

'Mesprit.' Azelf returned. 'Are you ready for a fight?' He asked.  'Of course. I promise to up a good one.' Mesprit replied.  'Same here.' Azelf assured before using Swift. Mesprit used Protect and Swift attack easily bounced off. Azelf used Charge Beam but Mesprit dodged and used Extrasensory which hit Azelf. Azelf retaliated with Flamethrower which hit Mesprit. Mesprit hit Azelf with Psyshock, Azelf used Shadow Ball which reflected off of another Protect, then Mesprit retaliated with Thunder Wave paralyzing Azelf.  'Ashley now!' Mesprit signaled.  "Pokeball go!" Ashley threw the Pokeball and captured Azelf after three shakes. 

"Yes! I caught Azelf!" Ashley posed with Mesprit.  'Two down, one more to go.' Mesprit said.  "Let's get going. We have a battle to win." Ashley ushered before letting Azelf out and healing his and Mesprit's injuries then returning both Pokemon to their Pokeballs. Later Ashley and the gang went to the Gym. "I'm here for a Gym Battle. My name's Ashley." Ashley greeted.  "Maylene. I'm a Fighter Type Gym Leader. I accept your challenge." Maylene returned the greeting. "3-on-3 good with you?" Maylene asked.  "Sure." Ashley replied.  "Let's go Lucario!" Maylene called out.  

"Let's show them how tough we are." Ashley addressed as her Lucario jumped onto the field. The two Lucario stared each other down for a few moments before turning the Gym Battle into another P1 Grand Prix. Soon Maylene's Lucario was out.  "Lucario return! Meditite go!" Maylene called out.  "Lucario return! Take a good rest sis. Hitmontop I choose you!" Ashley called out. 

Meditite was no match for Hitmontop.  "Meditite return! Machoke go!" Maylene called out.  "Hitmontop return! You did great. Infernape I choose you!" Ashley called out. It was a close call but Infernape beat Machoke.  "Machoke return." Maylene recalled as she walked over to Ashley who was just returning Infernape. "Congratulations Ashley here's the Cobble Badge."  "Thanks Maylene. Whelp we better get going to Snowpoint City." Ashley said as she and the gang left.