"How much longer?" Ash asked for what must have been the fifth time in less than three minutes.

"Not long."

"Good, because it's getting dark already."

"Ash, do we have to stay the night at the Pokemon Center?" May asked.

"Yeah, we need some rest somewhere," he answered to her, smiling.

"Here we are," Chloe said, pointing out the city before them. Even from a distance, they could see that LaRousse was a city that thrived through the latest in technology. There were moving sidewalks, guard robots, and other proofs of cutting-edge technology.

"Let's find that Pokemon Center," Ash spoke and began searching around for it.

"You have to go down that sidewalk, and then you'll find it," Chloe said as she pointed towards one of the sidewalks. "I go that way," she added, nodding towards another sidewalk, "so I guess this is goodbye for now."

"We'll meet again," Ash said to her as he cracked a smile.

"I hope that we will," Chloe replied, blushing slightly, as she then turned to face May. "And good luck to the both of you. You two are a great couple."

May couldn't help but smile at that last comment. "Thank you, and good luck to you, too!"

Chloe stepped towards the sidewalk she had just indicated, and soon she was out of sight. Ash turned to May and took her hand.

"C'mon, let's get moving."

They stepped towards the sidewalk, which took them towards the Pokemon Center.

"Well, isn't this convenient?" May spoke when she noticed that she didn't have to do any walking. Of course, the two were standing on a platform that moved as though it were atop a giant conveyor belt.

Ash chuckled. "You're right. Look, there it is!"

The ride ended in front of the Pokemon Center, which Ash and May promptly entered.

"Could you heal our pokemon and give a room to us?" Ash asked Nurse Joy as he and May handed their pokemon to her.

"That's what I'm here for!" She took the pokeballs and gave a key to them. "And here is your room key; it's the third door to left as you go down the hallway." Ash and May thanked her and went to search for their room.

"So, third door to the left…here!" May exclaimed and proceeded to unlock and open the door. They went inside and Ash threw his backpack onto floor.

"I'm gonna go take a shower, ok?" May asked and removed her bandana.

"M'kay, then I'll try to find out where Team Rocket's base could be."

"Please, Ash, don't put yourself in harm's way," May stepped in front of him.

"I won't." They then shared another kiss. After that, Ash took off and May went to the bathroom.

With Ash

Ash was standing out front of the Pokemon Center, searching for anything that would seem out of place. If anything looked unusual, chances were that that was where Team Rocket was holed up.

'Where should I start looking…' he thought, searching vigilantly. Just then, he noticed a building some distance away that had a helicopter landing pad on it.

'That seems like a likely place…but it's far…I guess May won't get upset if I'm outside a little longer than planned.'

Ash stepped to sidewalk, which would take him to Team Rocket's base. While he was standing on the sidewalk, he looked around. There were many people visiting stores at this time of night.

Minutes went by before the moving platform he stood upon came to a halt. Ash looked ahead of him. The street was dark and lifeless at first glance.

"Guess I have to walk now," Ash said to himself and started walking. A cold breeze blew and made him shiver. Going deeper into the dark street, he saw three figures. One, a young male (or so he appeared in form – the dark night made it difficult to determine age or gender), was lying on the ground, bracing himself from the merciless kicking of the second figure while the third stood nearby, wielding a knife.

"Lift him," the tallest of those three said and lifted the victim so that he was standing on his own two feet.

"We have no further need of you," one of the assailants said and held a knife against the boy's throat.

Ash couldn't bear to watch this any longer. He ran to these figures and began wrestling with the one who was holding the knife, trying to wrench it free. That person, who appeared to be of the masculine gender, didn't drop knife as Ash had hoped. Instead, the arm twisted in such a way that the knife cut a gash into Ash's own arm. He fell to the ground and cried out in pain.

The two tormentors were laughing to him.

"Stupid kid. C'mon, let's go," one said to his friend and they were off.

Ash turned to the boy, who had been watching him.

"Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine. Are you?" The boy asked in reply.

"Well, I'm not dying," Ash answered and took a look at his bleeding arm.

"Why did you save me?" The boy was amazed by what he did.

"Well, it didn't look like you would be able to really do much, and it wouldn't be right to let those creeps finish whatever it was they were about to do," Ash said to him and got up. His arm was still bleeding, though he attempted to put pressure on the wound by holding his hand tightly over it.

"I'm Ash, by the way."

"My name is Mark."

"Well, Mark, do you have a place in the area?"

"No…I used to live with those two…now I don't really have any place to go."

"In that case, you could come with me to the Pokemon Center," Ash offered. "I'm sure that you could stay there awhile."

Mark's face brightened up as he smiled.

"Really? I wouldn't be troubling anyone?"

"Of course not. Come on."

They took the moving sidewalk back to the Pokemon Center. Ash was a little disappointed because he didn't find Team Rocket's base.

"Can I ask why you were there?" Mark asked, overcome with interested.

"Oh, I was just looking Team Rocket's base," Ash answered to him as they were almost at the Pokemon Center.

"Ok…aren't they bad people?"

"Yes, they are."

"Then why are you searching for them?" Mark asked.

"It is long story."

Moments later, the pair stood in front of the Pokemon Center. "Let's go inside."

Mark nodded. He and Ash walked inside.

"Nurse Joy, could you take care of this boy? He doesn't have any other place to stay," Ash said to Nurse Joy. She looked at Mark and nodded.

"Of course. Are you OK? That cut looks bad," She said, noticing the cut on Ash's arm.

"I'm fine."

"Well then, follow me," she motioned to Mark and they went to the backroom.

"Ash Ketchum!" Ash heard someone shouting and turned around. "Where have you been?" May asked as she placed her hands on her hips. Before Ash could reply, she gasped upon seeing the cut on his arm.

"Where did this came from?" May took Ash's arm and looked it over, concern evident in her face.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you about it later."

"It looks bad; does it hurt?" She asked worriedly.

"Maybe a little," Ash said modestly.

"Well, I think we should get that taken care of," the brunette-haired girl looked around until she found what she was looking for, and took a First-Aid kit from its place on the wall outside the room.

"Come on, let's go to our room," May began as she pulled Ash to their room.

He sat down on the single bed in the room. May opened the kit and started cleaning Ash's wound.

"So, how did this happen?"

"Some people were assaulting this kid, so I tried to stop them before they could do him any harm."

May let out a sigh. "Didn't I say to you to not get into any trouble?"

"I didn't really have much choice back there." He gritted his teeth when May began swabbing the cut with a small alcohol-soaked towelette.

"Sorry, this might sting little bit."

"No kidding."

May finished cleansing the wound and took out some bandages.

"Did you find Team Rocket's base?"

"Not yet. I was looking for it, but I got a little sidetracked, one thing led to another, and soon enough, I was back here with this cut on my arm, accompanied by the kid I had just saved," Ash spoke while May was tying the bandages tightly over the gash.

"It's a good thing that you came back…or you could have…" May abruptly stopped tying the bandages and began watering at the eyes. Ash realized what she was thinking.

"May, don't think like that. I'm alive, and that's what's most important now."

"You're right." She wiped her tears off and resumed her previous task. "Is this too tight?"

"No, it's just fine," Ash said to her. A moment later, May had finished tying the bandages and now busied herself with getting ready to return the kit.

"Thanks, May."

"No problem." She said with a big smile. "I'm off to put this back. I'll return shortly." May then headed out of the room.

Ash went to the bathroom to clean his bloodstained hands. After his hands were sufficiently cleaned, he went back to his bed and lay down.

'Tomorrow is big day. I wonder if Team Rocket has started their plans already…I hope not. And Pikachu…please be alright.'

He heard the door opening and May came inside.

"Here is your pokemon," she handed six pokeballs to him.

"Thanks." He took them and put them into their slots in his belt.

May sat next to him and started up a conversation.

"Do you have a plan as to how we get your pokemon back?"

"Um…not really. All I've thought about is making a stealthy entrance."

"Okay," She said and rested her head onto Ash's shoulder. "Nothing too dangerous?"

"Hopefully not…but there is another thing about saving my pokemon…" Ash decided to tell to May about Team Rocket's plan.

"Like what?" She lifted her head and looked at Ash.

Ash began narrating what he knew of Team Rocket's latest schemes, and the implications of what would happen should their visions be realized. At the conclusion of his talk, May let out a sigh.

"Why is it always you who has to try to save a world…always you to risk your own life…"

"I asked the police to help, but they didn't believe me," Ash started. "And being Chosen One, it's my duty."

"No it's not!" May snapped. "It can't be duty where you die!"

"Someone has to do it." He put arms around May, closing her in his embrace.

"I'm going with you," she said.

"I figured you would, but are you really willing to put yourself in harm's way?"

May broke the hug and stared at Ash.

"And leave you alone? How can you think that I would leave you?"

"I'd rather be there myself knowing that you are someplace safe."

"But -" May started saying something, but Ash cut her off.

"No buts about it." Ash stood up and stretched. "Why do our conversations always go this way?"

"Because you're so selfless!" She shouted at him without realizing it.

Ash blinked in shock at what May just did.

"May, you don't need to overreact. Maybe, sometimes I'm too selfless, but that is because I care about you and my friends."

May didn't reply, opting instead to lie down on the bed and sulk.

"So you're not going to talk to me…" he guessed and walked away. "Fine then, I'll give you time to be alone."

Soon Ash was out of their room. He took a moment to have a look around.

'I wonder where Mark could be?'

Walking around for a few minutes, he found a room for orphans. There were plenty of beds where everyone could sleep. In one corner, Ash spotted the person he was looking for.

"Hi, Mark," he greeted him as he approached.

"Hello, Ash," Mark said warmly, before noticing Ash's bandaged arm. "Is your arm ok?"

"Yes, thanks to May."

Mark blinked when he heard name 'May'.

"Who is this May?"

"I forgot to introduce you two," Ash scratched his head and chuckled embarrassedly. "She's my girlfriend. You can meet her later, when she's cooled off a little."

"Ok…can I ask why she needs to cool off?" Mark asked curiously.

"We kind of had this fight…and now she won't even talk to me." Ash let out sigh. "It's complicated."

"Well, it sure sounds like it," Mark gave a small laugh. "Umm…Ash, could you come with me to the cafeteria? I'm a little afraid to go alone…"

"Sure I can," Ash replied and they went to the cafeteria. Mark's jaw dropped when he saw how much food there was to choose from.

"Take everything that you want," Ash said while picking out sandwiches and a drink for himself.

After Mark had loaded his tray with all the food he wanted, they took a seat next to a window.

"Do you think that you could live in the Pokemon Center for a while?" Ash asked, hoping to make some conversation out of this.

Mark quickly gulped down the food he had in his mouth before speaking.

"Yeah, I'm sure that I could."

"That's good to hear." Ash smiled and took a bite out of his sandwich. "If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been on your own?"

"…About four years, I think," Mark answered and continued eating.

"Where did you live during that time?"

"Mostly on streets, though I did spend some time with those goons who gave you that," He pointed Ash's bandaged arm.

"Okay."

Looking at the arm himself, Ash noticed the bandage was becoming soaked with blood. It would have to be changed soon.

"Ash…" a sweet voice said. Ash and Mark turned to see who had spoken.

"What it is, May?" Ash spoke and turned back to his food. "I thought you didn't want to talk with me."

"I'm sorry…this all is just so frustrating," she said and sat down beside Ash, who smiled at her.

"I know. This is quite frustrating for me, too." He handed one of his sandwiches to May. "You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

"No, I haven't. Thanks." She took it and turned to boy who was staring at her. "Who is he?"

"That's Mark, the guy I was telling you about earlier," Ash introduced. "Mark, this is May, my girlfriend."

"Nice to meet you, May," Mark said while smiling.

"It's nice to meet you too." She smiled back. "What were you two talking about?"

"Just few things, nothing important," her boyfriend answered.

"Okay." May started eating, but then saw for herself how blood-soaked Ash's bandages had become. "You know, you should get those changed soon. I could help you with that, if you'd like."

"May, you don't hav-" Ash spoke but May interrupted.

"Don't say that again. You know that I want to help you, so I will."

All Ash could do in reply was to smile.

"In that case, thank you. I'm lucky that I have someone to look after me like you."

"And I'm lucky that I have someone who I can take care of."

"You like to take care of me?" Ash blinked in astonishment.

"Kind of," She answered him. "I know it sounds weird, but still…"

"I don't think that sounds weird," Ash said. "What's wrong with taking care of somebody else?"

"I would be happy if someone could take care of me like that," Mark spoke after a silent moment.

"Here in the Pokemon Center, you'll always have someone looking out for you," the raven-haired boy said to him.

"You're right," Mark smiled and let out a yawn. "I don't know about you, but I've had a long day. I'll be off to bed now. Night," he said, then got up and made his departure.

"Goodnight," Ash and May said in unison.

"Do you think that we should go, too?" Ash asked.

"Let me finish." May took a bite of her sandwich. "Don't you see that I'm still eating?"

"I can wait…"

"Now I'm ready," the brunette said after she had finished eating and stood up, Ash following suit.

They walked in silence towards their room. Finally they got there and Ash sat on their bed.

"I go get changed into my night wear, then I'll put some fresh bandages on your arm," May said, before taking her aforementioned clothes with her into the bathroom and closing the door behind her.

Meanwhile, Ash got his nightclothes on and waited for her. Moments later, the bathroom door opened and May came out.

"Now…" she began as she wielded a length of bandage. "Could you give me your hand?"

Ash rested his injured arm on May's lap. May started untying the old bandages slowly. The blood had coagulated to the bandage in such a way that every time May unwrapped the bandaging around the wound, Ash would feel a slight jab of pain.

"Sorry if this hurts you," she said sympathetically as she finished removing the bandages.

"It is not your fault," He replied.

"This might sting a bit," May then said as she took out a spray bottle filled with disinfectant.

Ash gritted his teeth when she started cleaning. May kept cleaning until she felt the area was not contaminated in any way, and then rewrapped the arm with the new bandages.

"There, all done," she finished and collected the old bandages. "I'll get these out of the way, then."

While May was disposing of the bandages, Ash slipped under the covers of the bed. Upon returning, May walked over to her side of the bed and yawned.

"I'm so sleepy…" she commented when she slipped under the covers next to Ash and placed her head to rest on his chest.

"Yeah, me too," Ash said and felt May's breath on his skin. "Do you think we should go to Team Rocket's base tomorrow night?"

"Why?" She asked without lifting her head.

"Well, I don't think they'd expect intruders in the darkness of night."

"You're smart, Ash, did you know that?" May closed her eyes.

"I know, but you're smarter than me." She giggled at his comment. Ash began to stroke her hair. "Let's get some sleep."

"Well, goodnight, Ash."

"Goodnight, May."

Concurrently, somewhere in LaRousse

A man was sitting in his chair. His gaze was looking out the window. Someone began knocking at the door.

"Come in."

Through the doorway came a man who was wearing a black shirt with a large red 'R' on it.

"You have a visitor, sir."

"And who might it be?" the mysterious man asked, turning around his chair.

"He calls himself Drew. He claims to know the whereabouts of the guy we're looking for."

"Very well. Let him in."

"Yes, sir," the grunt said and left room.

A moment later, a green-haired boy came into the spacious room.

"I'm Dr-" he started but his host promptly cut him off.

"I know who you are. What are you here for?"

"I heard that you're searching for one by the name of Ash Ketchum, Giovanni."

"Don't call me that!" Giovanni shouted, turning around in his chair so his guest could see his face.

"My apologies," Drew quickly interjected. "But what about Ash?"

"We have no further use for him." Giovanni swiveled his chair around to face the window again.

"What?!?" Drew blurted out. "But I need to get him away from someone!"

"That's your problem, not mine."

"But he's here in LaRousse! He's right where you can get to him!" When Giovanni heard this, he turned to face Drew again, this time with a look of intrigue.

"He is here in the city?" Giovanni sounded surprised. "He could derail this whole plan…" he mumbled, unaware that Drew overheard him.

"What plan?"

"None of your business," Giovanni snarled, then seemed to look amused.

"Hmm…on second thought, perhaps there is something you could do that would be useful to me."

"What I have to do?" Drew questioned.

"Allow me to explain. Listen carefully."

Minutes went by as Giovanni discussed his plans with Drew, who was captivated by the end of it. He was now part of Giovanni's sinister plans.