I am not a good gambler. Still, I enjoy games. Recently, my Azure and Lilac story has lost much meaning for me, while my regret of deleting this story grew stronger. As deleting Azure and Lilac will incite much anger among you, I will play a little game.

So, I will make a gamble. Whichever one I believe is the more loved will be the one that stays. Guardian's Rebirth or Azure and Lilac? Or will it be both, but at the price of one of them going on a long hiatus to deal with the other one? I can't handle four stories at once. I'll leave it up to you readers to decide.

Enough introductions, here's Chapter 1.

"Sceptile, finish this! Leaf Blade!" The glowing green Pokémon, Overgrow activated, struck down its opponent with a powerful slash, just as it had defeated so many others.

But this opponent was different. It was none other than a Garchomp, and a very powerful one at that. It was the Garchomp that belonged to the Sinnoh Region Champion, Cynthia! It was a Pokémon that had almost never been defeated in battle, and yet this Sceptile just barely managed to beat it.

Cynthia herself was shocked, although she would not show it. Her face remained calm as she returned her fallen Pokémon to its ball. "You did wonderfully, my friend. Thank you." Then she looked at her opponent, whose face was shrouded. "You've become very powerful. I guess this means that you're the Champion now."

The young man shook his head. "This battle was unofficial, Cynthia. Besides, I would refuse that title anyway. I don't plan on settling down in any place anytime soon," he said.

"You've changed. You've matured. I don't know if it's for the better or worse. Why are you challenging the most powerful trainers in the world?" Cynthia asked.

"The Elite Four and the Champions are just tests that I want to surpass. Even among them, you are exceptional, Cynthia. You're probably second only to Lance. Bringing me down to my last Pokémon, and then bringing it down to the point where it had to use Overgrow…it's no wonder you're the Champion," the man said.

"So you're just testing us, Aura Guardian?" Cynthia asked.

At this, part of the man's face was revealed. Deep brown, almost red, eyes, and raven hair poked out from a blue aura Guardian's fedora. A Raichu sat on the man's shoulder. "How did you know?" he asked.

"Lucario was acting strange. So you've progressed that far, huh?" Cynthia asked.

"Thanks for the acknowledgment and the battle. I'll be seeing you. I just have one favor. Please, don't tell anyone that I was here."

The man walked off, disappearing into the shadows.

Although his face was hidden, Cynthia knew full well who he was. That was why she was so surprised. His battling style was much more pronounced than before. It was more strategic, but always ended in very powerful attacks. He had become strong, but Cynthia saw that he was much colder than he used to be.

She wouldn't tell his old friends. If she did, then they would be that much closer to finding him. But no matter how much more mature they had become over the years, Cynthia was unsure of how they would react when they finally met him.

She knew one thing. It certainly would not be a happy reunion.

Meanwhile…

Cynthia's opponent was currently standing in front of a rather nervous Nurse Joy. "Please heal my Pokémon," he said, holding out his Raichu and a belt of Poke Balls.

"Oh, yes, right away, sir," she said, hastily accepting the offered Pokémon and belt. There was something about the man that seemed rather familiar. Suddenly, she had an idea. "Hey, aren't you…?"

"No. I'm not who you think I am. Just heal my Pokémon and I'll be on my way, Nurse Joy," the man said.

"But there's a storm coming. Won't you stay just for tonight?" The man hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. It had been awhile since he had some time to relax. Besides, his Pokémon could use it, especially after the battle they just had.

"My Pokémon will be healed tomorrow morning?" he asked.

"Judging from their wounds, it's chancy, but there's a chance nonetheless," Nurse Joy said.

The man sighed. "Very well. I'll stay for two nights. I'll leave the day after tomorrow."

Nurse Joy smiled. "That's very prudent of you, Ash," she whispered.

The man flinched. "Am I that easy to figure out?" he asked.

"You know, you've been declared disappeared for four years. It's all over the news. Why? Your friends and family must be worried sick," Nurse Joy asked.

Ash looked around. "I have my reasons, Nurse Joy, none of which I wish to share. And right now, I don't really want to see my friends. Don't call any of them," he said.

He walked off to the dining area, leaving a confused Nurse Joy behind.

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