When I got to the battle stadium, Dawn and Kenny had just finished their battle. Dawn ran to me and gave me a huge hug.

"I did it, Ash! I won!" she said, squeezing me.

I tried my best to be happy for her, but because of the stupid case, my comment sounded a little… unhappy. "That's great Dawn."

She let go of me. "Ash, are you OK?" Her eyes glimmered with concern. I love when it turns like that. It's really cute.

"No, don't worry," I said. Suddenly, my hand rose and removed a strand of hair from her face. "Just focus on the battles."

Dawn didn't believe me, and luckily, it was time for me to go have that battle. "I'll see you later, OK?" I said, feeling really down.

She nodded, held my hand and gave me a kiss on my cheek. "You can do it." She smiled, then lets go of my hand. "I'll be in the stands."

I nodded, than ran towards one of the stadiums.

"All right Ash, heads or tails?" the referee asked me.

"Tails," I said, hoping I won't go first.

I had chosen carefully for this battle. I asked Prof. Oak to transfer my Buizel to the school. I knew the senior's strongest Pokémon was Rhydon, so Buizel would have a super chance of winning. The only concern was IF he chose Rhydon.

The referee flipped his coin and then revealed heads once again. "Brian goes first." So that's his name. Brian.

I looked up in the stands and saw Dawn. She gave me a thumbs up. I smiled. I looked over at Brian, who just threw his Poké ball. I didn't hear what he just said. Hopefully, he called Rhydon out.

Just my luck! Rhydon appeared, which meant I could easily beat him. "Alright then! Buizel, I choose you!" After Buizel appeared, I hear a bunch of girls squealing. I looked over at Dawn, and she was pretty annoyed. I laughed at that.

"Alright then, let's get this battle started! Rhydon use Hammer Arm!"

Hammer Arm? Is he sure he wants to use that? By using that move, Rhydon's speed will drop, which gives me a perfect chance. "Buizel, dodge it!"

Buizel dodged Hammer Arm, but Rhydon tried to run towards Buizel. He's pretty slow.

"Rhydon, use Earthquake!"

Buizel lost his balance, and fell to the ground. "Get up Buizel!" Buizel got up, then waited for my command. "Aqua Jet!" Buizel used Aqua Jet at top speed, aiming straight for Rhydon.

"Rhydon, dodge it!" Unfortunately, Rhydon's speed fell, resulting a direct hit from Buizel's Aqua Jet.

"Yes! Buizel use Water Gun!" A powerful Water Gun shot out of Buizel's mouth, resulting Rhydon to get hit twice. I could see that Rhydon has barely enough strength to win.

"Come on, Rhydon! This is our last chance! Horn Drill!" I knew this meant trouble. If it hits Buizel, Buizel would instantly faint.

"Buizel, dodge it!" Being speedy, Buizel managed to dodge it, leaving Rhydon completely exhausted. "Great, now use Water Gun once more!" Buizel's Water Gun hit Rhydon on the stomach, and Rhydon fell to the ground.

"Rhydon, quick, get up!" Brian pleaded. "I don't want to look bad, defeated by an 8th grader!"

Rhydon slowly got up. "Great! Now use Earthquake!"

Wow is this Rhydon persistent. Buizel lost his balance again, and fell flat on the ground.

"Buizel, Ice Punch!" Buizel quickly got up, and ran straight towards Rhydon at top speed. Buizel's paw glowed and seemed to grow colder, turning to a sort of icy look. His Ice Punch hit Rhydon hard, causing him to collapse on the ground, completely exhausted.

"Rhydon is unable to battle! The winner is Ash!" the referee shouted. I looked all around me. Everyone was shouting. Everyone was calling my name. And somehow, I didn't feel great. In fact, I felt less than great. I felt guilty.

"Ash!" Dawn said, running towards me. I turned around, and she gave me a big hug, I hugged her back.

Drew appeared behind her, holding May's hand. Drew coughed as May gave a sigh. I rolled my eyes at the both of them, and mouthed just go kiss already. Apparently they didn't get it. Figures.

Dawn let go of me. "See, I knew you could do it!"

I smiled, though I must have looked pretty down. "OK, what's up?" Dawn asked, those cute, concerned eyes reappearing.

Drew walked over. He studied me carefully. I hope he doesn't see my concerns. The next thing I knew, I felt pain on my left cheek, and I think it was pretty red. "OW! What did you do THAT for?" I exclaimed, obviously angry with Drew for slapping me.

He shrugged. "Your face looked like it needed a good slap."

"Seriously, I'm gonna get you, and-"

Dawn held me back. "Ash, just let it go. You were saying?"

I calmed down. "Prof. Oak accused me for stealing the prize money," I said finally, taking a deep breath. "But I know I didn't do it."

May looked at Drew. I knew May was going to be like this. She'll ask me if I was sure, if I forgot stealing the money. Drew, on the other hand, looked completely calm. He didn't care if I stole it or not. At least, I think that was what his face said. Dawn was looking at me with those eyes again. But something told me she believed me. "I believe you," Dawn whispered, loud enough so only May, Drew and I can hear it.

"Seriously Dawn. You're gonna believe him just like that? Maybe he forgot!" May pointed out, obviously not believing me.

Dawn shook her head. "I know, but I believe him. Somehow, part of know he didn't lie on this one," she said, giving me a mischievous smile at the last comment. I smiled back.

Drew nodded in agreement. "If there's one thing I know about my best friend, he doesn't plan pranks like these. He's just way to dense."

I nodded, without realizing his last comment. "See?"

"I agree, you are dense," May agreed. "Maybe we should talk to Kenny. He probably knows what to do. After all, he is the brainiac in our group."

Drew nodded. "You guys go on ahead. My battle is up next." He gave May a peck on her lips, then waved a goodbye.

"You're saying Prof. Oak and Prof. Rowan's accusing you of stealing?" Kenny asked, shocked when we told him the entire story. I mean, I would be shocked I heard the story, but I won't be that shocked if it was coming from me.

"And you're saying that you believe him? The fact that he didn't steal it, I mean," Kenny asked Dawn. Dawn nodded. "The only way to clear your name is to investigate the crime."

Dawn rolled her eyes. "You think I'm dumb?"

"No, I was talking to Ash," Kenny said, his eyes twinkling full of mischief.

"Then come on! Let's investigate already!" May pleaded. She's starting to act an awfully lot like Barry.

Kenny rubbed his chin. "Where do they usually keep the prize money?"

"In Prof. Oak's room," I said, remembering the time I passed the room last year. I remembered seeing a case full of money, and Prof. Oak was pinning a 1st Place on the case.

"Then we need to get permission to investigate the room. Better yet, the entire school," Kenny said. "Come on."

"Come in," I hear Prof. Oak said. He sounded awfully cheerful.

"Ah, Kenny! And Dawn! And May as well? Oh, and… Ash," his voice changed as he said my name. "What can I do for you?"

"We heard about Ash's case," Dawn said, stepping forward. She's pretty brave for doing that. It's really cute. Then again, everything she does is cute.

"Ah. That case," he said, frowning in my direction. "And what do you want me to do?" He looked at Dawn, revealing a cheerful smile.

"We just wanted to ask if we could investigate. We want to ask for permission to investigate every room in the school, including your room, or the principal's office," Dawn told him. I could sense a hint of fear in her voice, but she tried to look brave. Dawn hardly get into trouble. She's a perfect student. Plus, she's Prof. Rowan's favorite student.

"Does the request include dorms?" Prof. Oak asked. Dawn never looked so scared in her life before.

"No," Kenny said, saving Dawn.

Prof. Oak nodded in agreement. "You have my permission. Now go, I have something to do."

We left the room, and Dawn looked really pale. I squeezed her hand. "Dawn, you OK?"

She shook her head. "That wasn't Prof. Oak."

May looked at her like she was as dense as me. "What do you mean? Of course that was Prof. Oak! We saw him with our own eyes!"

I squeezed her hand tighter. "Are you sure Dawn?"

Dawn just stared at the wall in front of her. Her face was really pale now, and she looked like she was about to faint. I looked at my two friends. "I'll take her to the nurse. See you at lunch." I held her hand tight, and gave a silent prayer wishing she were all right.