The Grey Knight: Chapter 2: Explanation.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, or anything related to it.
Lance's Office.
The second Ash and Leaf had left, Lance had run round the desk and called Cynthia. They could be anywhere, and the majority of the Aura Users were in Sinnoh.
''Cynthia's Phone, Lance, what did I ever do to you?'' she asked furiously.
''Nothing, lo-''.
''It's 4 in the morning here in Sinnoh; you are 3 hours ahead, remember'' Cynthia.
''Listen, we have a potential hostage situation, the Grey Knight kidnapped Leaf from the Johto League about 2 minutes ago'' Lance spoke quickly.
''What was she doing in at that time; or you for that matter, I swear the G-Men don't start 'till 8am?'' asked Cynthia.
''We had received a threat from the Aura Masters in Johto, and I wanted to follow up on a few things on Leaf's report, she agreed to come in early'' replied Lance. ''It didn't go well''.
''Well that's not obvious'' replied Cynthia sarcastically. ''Who was it?''.
''The Grey Knight'' replied Lance. ''From what I can tell, she likely picked him up from suspicious behaviour, and he caught her by surprise, and then threatened her with a gun so she would lead her to me''.
''Let me guess; a threat?'' she asked.
''Yes, he wanted the removal of the military outside Mt Silver'' replied Lance.
''Do it, the Grey Knight is highly skilled'' demanded Cynthia in a cold voice.
''So; I doubt he could wreck my whole Military by himself'' Lance retorted.
''He wiped out my whole Primary team with one attack from his Lucario; I'd be weary'' Cynthia warned in a low voice.
''War is brewing in Sinnoh Lance; and the way you're going it'll happen in Johto to'' Cynthia warned. ''Leaf is most likely being held in Mt Silver or Sinnoh''.
''Sinnoh is a big place'' Lance said, clearly stating the obvious.
''That is why I believe she is being held in Mt Silver; you should act quickly if you wish to save her'' replied Cynthia.
''What can you tell me about the Grey Knight; apart from the fact he is Ash Ketchum 'cause I know that already?'' requested Lance.
''He is a very dangerous and able Aura Master, with the ability to destroy, shield and fix most things in the World'' answered Cynthia. ''He has a known hatred of Team Rocket and has destroyed all their bases in Sinnoh and Kanto, and his know Pokemon are a Lucario, Charizard and a Raichu; although he likely has more''.
''Is that all our intel?'' asked Lance disbelievingly.
''He's killed all our undercover agents, and kidnapped one of Johto's best agents, Agent Green, just this morning'' retorted Cynthia with a hint of distain. ''He is very hard to get information on; and operates as a Lone Wolf for the Aura army so we can't interrogate the army for intel''.
''Lone wolf; he said he protects people?'' asked Lance, confused.
''He does; but as a Lone Wolf'' Cynthia stated calmly, before yawning. ''One person we interrogated in Sinnoh claimed he never leaves Mt Silver, and when he does he teleports; the fact he took Leaf hostage obviously means she has information he needs''.
''Or he considers her a threat'' supplied Lance.
''Whatever the reason; what was she working on?'' asked Cynthia. ''And don't tell me it's Classified, it could potentially cause a threat to the Sinnoh branch of the G-Men and if there is one I want to know about it''.
''She was working on the Central Hub for the G-Men's security, securing it from the Aura Masters, she was also working on getting intel on the Aura Masters on Johto'' replied Lance.
''They why didn't she have protection?'' demanded Cynthia, instantly wide awake. ''If she has the codes for the G-Men Hub than the Grey Knight may be able to torture the information out of her; he would then be able to gain access and disabled our defences''.
''Wel-'' Lance started.
''Furthermore, she would be collecting intel that the Grey Master would likely consider crucial, she would be a massive threat to him. No wonder he kidnapped Leaf'' continued Cynthia.
''I'm going to start a rescue mission right away'' Lance said.
''You better; Ask Ketchum hates the G-Men after what YOU did, he may not hesitate to kill Leaf as a message'' Cynthia hung up.
Lance sighed. What have I done?...
Mt Silver
''What did happen to you?'' asked Leaf.
''Lance tried to have me killed'' Ash responded bitterly.
''What?'' Leaf demanded, clearly disbelievingly.
Ash lifted up his shirt a tad; it revealed a Bullet wound to his torso; clearly recently.
''How; I saw you not even a week ago on TV; you had that unlucky defeat in the Unova League, you-'' Leaf began.
''I made it back to Kanto, but I was stopped by Riley, whom told me I could do with some Aura training'' Ash began. ''And then, well, are you sure you want to know?''.
''Yes, I may provide intel into why you kidnapped me'' Leaf replied, shooting Ash a dark look.
''Oh; I kidnapped you for the information you possess, and because you were close to exposing my identity; only Lance and Cynthia know that'' answered Ash. ''Although, I guess you do now''.
''Okay, I still kind of hate you still'' replied Leaf, as if stating the obvious. ''But I will hear you out.
''Thank you'' Ash said, surprising even himself with his politeness.
''You know; your very polite for a Kidnapper'' accused Leaf.
''It's because I'm fighting for a purpose Leaf, war is brewing in Sinnoh and I have a responsibility to deal with anyone I feel is a threat in Johto'' justified Ash.
''Deal with?'' asked Leaf.
''Yes; I'm not sure if Lance told you; you had a Kill or Capture order on you?'' asked Ash.
''He never told me that; but how can I believe that?'' asked Leaf.
''I guess you'll just have to trust me on that; you're not dead are you?'' asked Ash.
''I guess I can thank you for that: you're not torturing me anymore?'' Leaf stated.
''I don't need to torture you; I believe when you realize what we're fighting for'' Ash said.
''We'll see, I won't try and escape until I heard you out'' Leaf spoke.
''I guess I should thank you for that; although your unarmed, without Pokémon, at the top of Mt Silver'' Ash countered.
''I guess so, but it's a nice gesture'' Leaf joked.
''I guess'' Ash trailed off.
''Well; you're were my best friend during our childhood'' Leaf said.
''Likewise'' Ash responded.
''So; you said Lance ordered your death, why?'' asked Leaf. ''You only met up with Riley for more training''.
''After a couple of days, I was given the rank of Aura Master, and was given an Emerald'' began Ash. ''It was at Mt Coronet by the way; and this Emerald allowed me to destroy, shield, and to an extent, create nearly anything. I trained day and night, I wanted to be good at something I was desperate, I still am, and then by about last night, I could do everything I just stated''.
''Ash, I don't want to be accusing, but could you, you know?'' Leaf trailed off.
As if Ash knew exactly what she meant, he pulled a rock from the ground, and crushed it.
Ignoring her shocked face, he continued. ''I was told then I was going to become one of their top agents, a lone wolf, and that I was going to be powerful. I agreed, although I had first said I wouldn't kill anyone. But then, a group of G-Men 'Elites', and they, they killed Riley''.
''What!'' demanded Leaf, albeit quietly.
By now, Ash was slowly crying. ''We were apparently a threat and he gunned us down, my Pikachu managed to electrocute them all before I died, and then a fellow Aura Master turned up and saved me''. Ash gestured to his Raichu.
''Lance tried to have us killed, without General Master John I would be dead!'' he yelled, although at no one in particular.
''John asked me to take you out, fearing a threat from you, but I told him I would not kill you, so he placed a Kill or Capture order'' Ash continued. ''I kidnapped you, pretending to demand something of Lance, so someone else wouldn't take up the 'Job' ''.
''You saved me?'' Leaf asked slowly.
''Leaf, you didn't know what you were doing, but you could have turned very easily into a grave threat; there is a military base directly below us right now and if you had found it.. .'' Ash started, but left the rest up to Leaf.
''I would have been killed'' Leaf whispered.
''…Yes'' stated Ash.
Suddenly, a group of Skarmorys flew quickly around Mt Silver three times, before heading very quickly the opposite direction. The Skarmorys appeared to have riders.
''What are those Skarmorys doing?'' asked Leaf.
Ash sighed. ''The Aura Military have treated the attack on Riley and me as Assassination and attempted Assassination, and as such are preparing to go to war in Sinnoh, and then later Johto''.
''War?'' asked Leaf.
''The plan is to take the Sinnoh League Castle and G-Men HQ there, and then assassinate Lance, and destroy the Johto league Castle. The Sinnoh locations will likely be held as hostages and once the Johto League Castle is destroyed and Lance is dead, it will be used as leverage in a peace deal'' answered Ash. ''Kanto, Unova, and Kalos will be left untouched, hoenn is a question mark; Heonn troops are currently serving in the Sinnoh army right now.
''What about me, you said I was a threat or something?'' Leaf asked, clearly concerned for her life.
''Well, I'm a lone wolf'' Ash replied. ''When war breaks out tomorrow, you will be treated as a Prisoner of War, but will be under my protection, in case Lance decides to kill you before you give us information''.
''I take it even if I give you information, I will not be set free?'' aske Leaf.
''Sorry Leaf; you will be let free when we will the war, which we are comfortable in doing'' answered Ash.
''One more question?'' asked Leaf.
''Only one more'' Ash Joked. Joking was a rarity for him, but he still tried to make the odd joke.
''Why are you telling me all of this?'' asked Leaf.
''Be realistic here Leaf, there is no way you are escaping'' Ash said smoothly.
''I guess so, how about loosening my restraints?'' asked Leaf hopefully.
''We'll see'' said Ash. ''I need to take a trip to Sinnoh later.
''I take it I'll be going?'' asked Leaf.
''Yes, have you been to Sinnoh?'' asked Ash.
''it's the only region I haven't been too'' replied Leaf.
''There's a first time for everything'' stated Ash.
''I guess so'' smiled Leaf.
