A/N: Hey, you guys! I hope my Moving On fans haven't given up on a sequel yet! I finally got up off my lazy butt and decided to be productive this summer, so here I am. :P Now, do understand, for those of you new readers, you DON'T have to read Moving On to understand what's going on, but if you want to, well, I'm not stopping you. :) Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys, and feel free to share your opinions and any questions you may have!^.^ I really do appreciate every review I receive!:D

Prologue: Dash and Missie

"Will I... see you again, Dash?" the sun-streaked redhead asked tentatively, tucking a strand of cerulean blue highlights behind her ear. She glanced over at the man in question, his scarlet eyes meeting little pools of sea foam green. They'd just gone out on their third date, for once without her two tagalong children, Ansly and AJ, clinging to her sides. Her oldest sibling had been kind enough to sit for her (after much bribery and a massive amount of begging, of course). They'd been walking the quiet streets of Cerulean City when he'd told her the news of his latest business departure, and she wasn't quite sure she fathomed seeing him go.

"Of course, Missie! I'll only be gone a week. Two, at the most! I couldn't stand leaving you and Ansie and AJ any longer!" the man replied, running his fingers through his spiky ash blond locks. "I promise, Missie. I'll be back before you know it!" He gave her a hesitant grin, waiting for a slap in the face or a snappy retort, as was usual with the hotheaded woman. But neither ever came.

"Well... Okay then. Promise me you'll be safe," she reluctantly replied, biting her lip nervously. She couldn't handle losing this man, not when she'd already lost the love of her life in an accident nearly three years ago. After that, she'd vowed never to love again, yet somehow Dash had managed to mend some of those wounds her lost love had left in her heart. But there would always be scars.

Scars that not even this man, who reminded her so much of her first love that it left a myriad of mixed emotions she couldn't begin to comprehend or explain, could heal.

"I promise, Missie," he reassured her, letting his blood red eyes take in her appearance one last time before he took his leave. She looked so beautiful that night, her cerulean and sun-streaked red hair falling in thick, luscious curls at her shoulders, her flowing green strapless dress hugging her athletic figure in just the right places, and her sea foam green eyes shrouded in affection and concern, along with an emotion that always filled her eyes whenever he saw them: sadness. Sadness caused by a past she refused to tell him about, for fear she would have to relive the horrifying memories that already kept her up every night due to the heartbreaking nightmares they'd created. "Tell Ansie and AJ I'll miss them, and I promise to call every chance I get."

Missie nodded. "Well, looks like this is it," she said, stopping at the front steps of her home, an old two-bedroom red brick apartment she'd started renting shortly after AJ had been born. She turned to give the man a hug, but was interrupted by his lips lightly grazing hers. He quickly pulled away, unsure why he'd done what he had, and averted his gaze to the dark and lonely sidewalks of Cerulean City.

"I'll, uh, see you later, Missie," he told her, his face turning a light shade of crimson that thankfully the darkness obscured from her vision. Or so he hoped, anyway.

"You too, Dash," she replied, watching him as he made his way back down the sidewalk until his figure was completely covered by night. "I love you." Suddenly, she heard a light dinning noise from behind; the click of a pistol. Her body tensed as she felt the cold steel object being pressed against her temples, aiming straight for her brain.

She wanted to panic, to cry out for Dash's help, but fear had left her paralyzed, unable to speak, to move, to even so much as breathe.

"Shhhh," a husky voice crooned from behind. "Don't want to get Dashy Boy involved, now do we? Look Red, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Your choice. Either you do what I tell you now, and this'll all go much smoother if you do, or I can kill both you and your kids before Dash even has time to get home."

My kids?! Not Ansly and AJ! But she couldn't bring herself to give an intelligible reply. When little had been said aside from a few mumbles and even a slight cry in disdain, her captor continued.

"Sure are a quiet one, aren't you?" he cackled, raising an eyebrow. "I need an answer, Red. Do or die?"

Dash, I need you! Dash! she thought, but by then he was long gone, leaving her with little hope and no way out of her latest predicament. "I…I'll do it," she finally muttered, much to her captor's delight.

He'd much rather torture a few heartbroken hostages than murder a few helpless victims. "Good choice, Red. Now, I want you to go to the door and act like I'm not even here," he explained to her, bringing his mouth so close to her ear she could feel his warm breath tickling her cheek. "Unless you want the lovely Miss Daisy to suffer the same fate."

Missie nodded quietly, worry and anxiety setting in as she struggled to catch a glimpse of her captor, but to no avail. What about her children? What would he do to them?

The man took no notice of her unasked questions, instead shoving his pistol deeper into the side of her head and cupping a hand over her mouth to muffle her cry out in agony as the cold metal cut into her delicate ivory skin.

"Now go. And hurry it up. Don't keep me waiting. I don't like waiting," the man growled as she made it up the concrete steps and rang the doorbell. He'd stepped into the shadows to avoid being seen, but kept a firm aim straight at her temples to keep her from making a run for it.

"It's me, Daze," she said quietly as the blonde unlocked the latch and let the door swing open.

"Like, it sure took you long enough," the blonde replied, rolling her emerald eyes and holding out a hand to receive her payment for the night.

"Oh, yeah," Missie realized, pulling her wallet out of her black shoulder bag and sifting through it for the desired amount. "Did the kids act right?" she asked, trying to keep Daisy's attention on her. If Daisy caught sight of her captor, she couldn't imagine the outcome. Might as well save the only person I can, she thought, handing her sister the PokéDollars she'd earned working at the bakery down the road as a confectionary chef.

"Yeah, yeah, sleeping like Snorlax," muttered Daisy, closing her hand around the money Missie had handed her. "They were like, perfect little Togepi."

Missie let out a sigh of relief. At least they hadn't shown out around her sister. "Well, see you later, Daze. Thanks a lot," Missie told her, allowing a tentative smile cross her face as Daisy made her way out the door.

"You too. Like, anytime, little sis," she simply replied, turning toward home and not bothering to look back to see the man holding her sister hostage. As soon as she was out of sight, the shady man closed the distance between his pistol and the small of Missie's back, shoving her inside and slamming the door behind them.

"Good job, Red. Didn't think you had it in you," he grunted, shaking his head.

"What do you want?" she spat, glaring back at him.

"Feisty one, aren't we? I think you should be asking your beloved Dash that one," he snidely remarked, thrusting her farther into the apartment. "Now show me where your phone is. I've got a phone call to make."

"You're late, son," a gruff voice said as Dash made his way down the corridor toward his room.

"Father, it isn't even midnight yet," he remarked, swerving to face the source of the voice. "And I'm twenty-seven for Arceus's sake. Shouldn't I be allowed some freedom? I was just saying farewell to a friend of mine."

"I told you not to get close to that girl, Dash. The future head of Team Rocket can't afford to have such attachments to the civilians here in Kanto. It would only complicate matters. No more of it, do you hear?" Giovanni stated, locking his dark eyes onto his son. "And that's an order."

"No worries, Father. She won't be hearing from me again. I said goodbye, didn't I? Isn't that enough?" Dash answered coldly, staring just as icily back at his father with emotionless red eyes. "Or does she have to die too?"

He was referring to his mother, whom Giovanni told him had died in an "accident" for trying to interfere with Team Rocket's plans. "It's not like I told her I was a member of Team Rocket. She just knows I'm going away for a while because of work."

Giovanni smirked. "I'd expect nothing less from you, my boy. Now, go finish preparations; you depart in the morning."

"Yes, Father," he replied through gritted teeth, ending their abrupt conversation and making his way to his quarters, located just past his father's own and directly beside Domino's.

"So, ready for our mission, Dashy?" he heard a woman's high soprano voice titter, and turned to face none other than the Team Rocket Executive herself, in a light blue outfit that left very little to the imagination.

Dash snorted. "As long as you stay out of my way and do what you're actually supposed to this time," he sneered, rolling his eyes.

"Well, it's not my fault some Grunt tripped me and I ended up crashing into you," she retorted, crossing over to him and lightly running her fingers across the outline of his chest as she gave him her signature pouty look.

Dash sighed and pulled away. "Just leave Lance to me, Dom, and you handle the rest of the operation. If you can do that, there's really no way to screw this one up," he responded bitterly. Too many times had the ditzy blonde gotten in the way of things, and this time, he intended to prevent it at all costs. Even if it meant taking a person's life in the process.

Domino gasped. "I resent that! Why, you little—"

"Good night, Domino," Dash told her calmly, shutting his eyes and taking a deep breath. Domino let out a huff of annoyance.

"You think this is over, Dash Metchuk? Well, you can go—"

"I said good night, Domino," he interrupted sternly, opening the door to his quarters and slipping through it, leaving her to wonder what had gotten into him to cause him to act in such a rude manner. After shutting the door, he slumped down against it and sighed, running his fingers through his hair. Why couldn't she just leave him alone for once? All she ever did was constantly flirt with him and always wore promiscuous clothing whenever he was around, often making sure she got assigned the same mission just to flaunt her latest outfit.

He didn't understand. It wasn't like he'd led her on; more often than not he actually did the exact opposite. Oh well. He'd never understand the women at Rocket HQ. Now Missie, on the other hand, he understood completely, for the most part.

Missie, he thought, frowning softly. When will I be able to see you again? He couldn't stop seeing her like he was ordered, despite the risk that came with defying his father, the head of the biggest criminal organization in the entire Pokémon World. He had to think of a way. Maybe a rendezvous point, or a secret place to go? He shook his head.

He already had to ask her to block her number whenever she called. If he kept this up, she would start to get suspicious. And he couldn't have that, not when it put her life at risk.

"Ring ring ring, ring ring ring, phone call, phone call!" his videophone called from the next room.

And speak of the devil. He got to his feet and walked into his bedroom, where his dark green videophone was located, and clicked the answer button. The screen turned black, letting him know it was an audio-only conversation.

"Couldn't be without me for a minute, could you?" he asked sardonically, chuckling lightly at Missie.

Then he heard cackling over the receiver. Cackling that definitely didn't sound like Missie's.

"Dash! Dash, help me!" he heard a voice screaming in the background, muffled undoubtedly by a cloth soaked through in ether.

"Missie!" he exclaimed, reaching out at the screen as if his arm could go through it. "Who are you, and what are you doing to Missie?!"

"Boss's orders, Dash. He told you to leave her alone, you know. I promise, I won't kill her. Yet, anyway," the voice answered, sniggering maniacally. Wait. He recognized that voice.

Slamming his fists on the keyboard, he screamed, "Petrel! I swear, if you even think about touching her, I'll—"

"You'll what, Dashy Boy? You're a good five miles away, if not further. I have plenty of time to do anything I want to before you could even make it out of HQ." Dash had to admit, he proved a point.

Yet that did little but further fuel Dash's fury. "Why is he ordering this, Petrel? What do I have to do to make him stop?"

"Orders are orders, Dash. I don't question 'em, I just do what he says. I'd take all this up with the Boss if I were you," Petrel replied, a hint of humor in his voice.

"What else is he telling you to do to her?!" he snarled, this question more urgent and anxious than the previous ones had been.

"Afraid I can't say, Dash. But he did tell me to pass this on to you: 'be a good little boy, son, and no one gets hurt.'"

No one? Wait.

"Where are Ansie and AJ? What about Daisy?"

"Sleeping like Snorlax in their beds, like little kids are supposed to at midnight," Petrel answered sarcastically, undoubtedly rolling his eyes. "And the blonde? Left without a word when her delightful sister let her know she was home. Didn't even know I was there."

"I'm serious, Petrel! Don't mess with me like that!" Dash screamed through the receiver, his face turning red from anger.

"Geez, calm down a bit over there. You almost sound like you actually care about what happens to those brats. The Grunts got 'em too, if you really wanna know."

"Petrel, you better not—"

"Again with the threats. You can't do anything, so don't bother trying. Just do what the Boss says, and I'm pretty sure he'll let 'em live."

"Petrel!" But before he could ask anymore, the line went dead, leaving him alone in eerie silence to wonder what Petrel planned to do to them. He slammed the receiver down in its cradle and let out a huff of annoyance.

I have to talk to Father about this.

However, when he went to the front door, he found it locked from the outside, undoubtedly by Domino before she slipped into her own room. So she was a decoy this entire time! Dash let out a growl of anger. He tugged at his belt loop, pulling at the spot where his Charizard was supposed to be.

No way! He glanced down at his belt loop, and sure enough, all of his Poké Balls were gone. Domino must've swiped them when we were talking, he realized, facepalming.

Wait. There's one left.

He plucked it from its spot and pressed the button to enlarge it. A little yellow lightning bolt caught his eye. Pikachu. He hadn't released the Pokémon in forever, not since the day Giovanni had found him in the woods all alone. The fateful day he'd lost his entire memory, nearly three years ago.

He'd contemplated releasing the Pokémon, as Giovanni had suggested (more like ordered), but he couldn't bring himself to part with the little yellow mouse. Some part of him recognized Pikachu as his first Pokémon, and even though he couldn't remember that day, he had no intentions of letting go of the only shred of his past he could actually recall. "Pikachu, come on out," he whispered, almost unsure whether he'd spoken the words aloud or not.

He threw the Poké Ball in the air to reveal the Electric Mouse Pokémon, who looked less than happy to see him. Almost angry, even. "Pi pi pi!" he shrieked, jumping away from his Trainer and tensing up, emitting sparks of electricity from his cheeks.

"Pikachu, it's me! Don't you remember me?" he asked, biting his lip in apprehension. "It's Dash." It was almost like Pikachu had forgotten who he was completely. The Pokémon glared at his Trainer, slowly relaxing as he took in what Dash was saying.

"Pika?" the Pokémon asked, frowning. This Trainer couldn't be his owner, could he? But they looked so much alike…

"Pikachu, I need your help," the man pleaded, dropping to his knees. "Missie… I know you don't know her, but she's in trouble, and I can't stop it." The desperation in the blond man's voice made Pikachu sympathize for him. Trainer or not, he had to help this man somehow. It's what his Trainer would've wanted.

"Pika, pi pi pi," Pikachu conceded. "Pikachu, pi pi pika?"

"Can you bust this door open with a Thunder attack, or maybe an Electro Ball?" Pikachu cut his eyes in the direction of the door and quickly shook his head. The metallic grey door was steel enforced and lined with rubber, so unless he used Charizard's Fire Blast or another Fire-type move, there wasn't much hope of getting out.

"Could you at least try?" Pikachu rolled his eyes. Might as well, he thought, walking up to the door and producing a ball of electricity balanced perfectly on his tail, which he promptly shot at the destined target. Instead of doing what was intended, it bounced off and was sent flying in Dash's direction.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu screamed, rushing to catch the Electro Ball before it collided with Dash. But he was just a few seconds too late.

"Wahhh!" Dash screamed in pain as the electricity coursed through his entire body. He fell backward, panting long after the last of the electricity had ebbed away. "Gee, Pikachu. Some shock you gave your Trainer," he finally said, chuckling lightly.

Pikachu smiled. Maybe this is my Trainer after all… He walked over to where the boy was laying, a smug look on his face.

"Father thinks something like this'll stop me? As if." He rose to his feet, and, after steadying himself from the shock he'd received, charged at the door. "I'm not—huff—about to—huff—let anyone—huff—stop me!"

Pikachu couldn't help but stare in amazement at the determination this boy had. He had to be his Trainer. He just had to. Pikachu sighed. If this is my Trainer, then that means Missie must be—wait a minute.

Pikachu took off through the house, searching for a window to escape through. Dash was too busy ineffectively tackling the door to notice. He finally found one, big enough for him alone to fit through, in the middle of Dash's somewhat quaint and despondently plain bedroom. "Pika pi!" he called to his Trainer, trying to get his attention.

"What is it, Pikachu?" the man replied, running toward the direction Pikachu's voice was coming from.

"Pika! Pi pi pi!" the Pokémon exclaimed, pointing at the window.

"But I can't fit through there, Pikachu," Dash mumbled, scratching his head and plopping down on his full-sized, standard issue bed. Pikachu facepalmed, then pointed at himself.

"Pi pi pi!"

"Oh, I get it now! You're gonna get me out of here by climbing through it and opening the door from the outside!" Pikachu nodded. Finally, he was catching on. A look of urgency crossed his Trainer's face. "Well, I'd hurry up if I were you, Pikachu. Domino's bound to realize sooner or later that she missed a Pokémon and come looking for you."

"Pika!" The Pokémon understood, and quickly climbed out the window before such a thing could happen. There wasn't much time, and he had to save his Trainer, before it was too late.

I'm gonna get you out of here, Ash. And we're gonna rescue Misty. I promise.