A Small Author's Note: I have decided to dedicate this fic to Aiselne Nocturnus Phoenix. If it wasn't for her, this story would have never taken off. And Aiselne, no matter how hard it is these days, know that there are still peope out there who you can depend on. Take care!

Chapter 06: No Smooth Sailing

As Ash felt that Paul's presence was fading, he smirked.

"He sure is pushing his luck I must say.", he said to himself. He had called his mother about the situation and explained that he was coming to Hoenn by sheer coincidence. Delia was delighted, but she knew she had to put up an act to ensure May's safety. After the call, he changed his clothes to a red and black shirt, brown pants and black boots, and he had put on his red coat, which he left open, letting it wave around in the wind. His fingerless gloves were on his hands as he picked up the duffle bag from the ground. He carried the case with his sword out of his dorm and locked the door.

"Alright, it's party time!", he grinned, as he headed out of the building. But in all honesty, it wasn't May's party that was on his mind.

Paul was almost a fair distance from the campus, when he heard voices behind him. He turned around and noticed Drew and his lackeys walking behind him. He slowed down his walk when he heard Drew mentioning May's name.

"This could be interesting.", he thought as he walked a little slower. Unmistakably, he heard Drew talk about May and about Ash, and not in a pleasant way about the latter. Paul couldn't help but smirk. Not only did he learn the name of his enemy, but he found a way to get to him more easier then he had planned. This would be most interesting indeed.

Drew had left his friends while he walked alone towards the harbor. His mind was still brooding plans on getting back at Ash, and he needed time to cool off, so he opted to walk the distance. He would not be humiliated like that again, and he would make Ash pay no matter what. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the figure standing in his path until it was too late, and with quite some force, he crashed headfirst into it.

"Hey, watch where you're going!", he said angrily, looking at the purple-haired person in front of him. He rubbed his head where he felt a little pain.

"Why don't you watch where you're walking. After all, you crashed into me.", the young man replied. He hadn't budged at all from the impact, but Drew didn't notice that.

"Whatever. I'm off.", Drew said, as he walked around the young man to continue his way.

"You want to get together with May, right?", the young man called after him.

Drew instantly froze in his tracks. How could that guy know of May? Drew turned around to face the stranger, who was now walking towards him slowly.

"It seems I have your attention.", he said with a smirk. Drew glared at him in return.

"How do you know of May?", he asked, suspicious. Something about this guy seemed… off, to Drew.

"How I know her is not important. What is important, is that you want to be with her, but that Ash is in the way, correct?", the stranger countered. Drew could not deny that fact, and he had various thoughts racing through his head while the young man stopped in front of him.

"I can help you get your precious May.", he added. Drew looked at him dumbfounded.

"Really? And how do you propose to do that?", he asked. The suspicion wasn't completely gone from his mind. How could this stranger help him?

"I'll explain that later. You see, I want Ash out of the way as well. So why don't we work together, and see to it that both our needs are fulfilled?", the young man replied, looking Drew in the eye. Drew thought about it. It sounded very good. Too good.

"What's the catch?", he asked.

"There is no catch, and no strings attached.", the young man replied, with a small smile that Drew failed to notice. Drew smirked, but in reality he wasn't thinking straight anymore. All he cared about was getting May.

"Alright, you've got my interest.", he said with the smirk still on his face. The young man smiled.

"I knew you would be interested. My name is Paul. And listen very carefully to what I have to say.", Paul said, as the duo walked away.

Paul and Drew were long gone when Ash reached his bike. "Alright, time to get this show on the road!", he said, and sped off towards the harbor, leaving the school grounds behind him. He easily kept his stuff on the bike, but for safe keeping, he had his guns within reach. He silently hoped he would run into his mysterious adversary, and when he did, he would perforate him on the spot. Ash grinned at the thought. This would be a most interesting weekend indeed.

"Delia, are you ready?", professor Oak asked while he stood down the stairs of her house.

"I'll be down in just a minute!", was the reply the professor got. He let out a small sigh and headed for the living room. He knew how long these 'minutes' could take.

"She'll be down in a minute she said.", the professor said to a female person in the living room. She smiled, her red hair falling behind her head as she looked up from her seat.

"That's okay professor. Knowing myself, and especially my sisters, I understand completely.", she said with a grin. The professor chuckled.

"I know you do Misty, I know it all too well.", he replied with a sigh as he took a seat himself.

Delia had invited Misty over as company, to go together to the meeting with the professor. In reality, the professor and Delia could use the extra security, as they knew what Misty was capable of. Misty had happily agreed; she didn't got to see Delia and the professor that much. She had brought a bag of herself along, filled with her standard weaponry she used on her own freelance missions, for the sake of feeling safe and protection of those she accompanied. While she would be away on her jobs and 'investigations' as she called them, her sisters stood in for her as Gym Leader. But as time passed, she became less and less of a Gym Leader, and now, she was it only by title, leaving the battling to her sisters. More and more she hunted down devils, to eventually find the ones responsible for her parents' death.

After what seemed to be an eternity, but in reality lasted only half an hour, Delia finally descended from the stairs in a gorgeous looking dark blue business suit.

"Sorry that it took so long. But now I'm ready, so shall we go?", she said, ignoring the stare she got from the professor. Oak snapped back to reality.

"Y-Yes, I think that would be good. Let's go then.", he said with a stutter, and the trio headed outside. While Misty loaded her bag in the car, Delia ushered Oak towards her as the watched her from the doorstep.

"Whatever happens, try not to bring up my son. And should it happen, you know what and what not to say.", she whispered. Oak nodded in agreement.

"She won't hear anything from me.", he replied as they headed for the car.

The Olivine Harbor was a busy place now that the weekend had started. Many people wanted to go places, and the ferries were crowded like sardines in a can. May and her friends waited for Ash to show up, but had gotten visibly annoyed at the ever growing line of people who wanted to board.

"I hope he gets here quick. The line is getting longer and longer every minute!", Dawn said with a frustrated sigh. May shrugged.

"He'll be here. I just hope he didn't ran into Drew.", she said.

"Speaking of the green-haired grease-ball, where is he? I haven't seen him yet. Normally he is sticking to us like honey.", Zoey said, as she looked around. True, Drew was nowhere in sight, which was rather strange.

"Who knows. Bah, who cares. I'm glad he isn't around.", May replied with annoyance. The trio continued to chat, until they heard Ash's bike approaching.

Ash steered his bike through the crowd of people while he headed towards the trio of girls who were waiting for him. He stopped in front of them, and turned off his bike. The three girls awed when they noticed his bike. Ash grinned widely.

"Seeing the looks on your faces, I take it you like my little darling here.", he said as he dismounted.

"I for one sure do. It's gorgeous!", Dawn squealed as she admired it. May and Zoey silently agreed.

"Well, we can stay here and admire her beauty, or we can get on the boat and be on our way.", Ash said with a grin. The girls snapped from their trances, and blushed in embarrassment as they led the way. As let out a hearty laugh as he followed.

The boat ride to Slateport City was uneventful. Ash was enjoying the smell of the sea on the deck by himself, when the girls went to get something to eat. Ash leaned on the railing, resting on his arms while he mused a bit about what happened during the past few days. He had met his 'target', and became good friends with her and her friends, and he met a person not unlike him. He grinned at the approaching fight which was undoubtedly going to transpire. He had no doubts that he would pin the guy to the nearest wall. So far, things were going smoothly.

"Hey Ash.", May's voice said from behind him. He wasn't startled, as he had felt her approach. He turned his head to her and noticed she was eating a sandwich.

"Hello May. Came to enjoy the view?", he greeted back with a smile, as he looked out at the sea again. She joined him at his side.

"You could say that. Here, something to eat.", she answered, as she handed him a sandwich.

"Thanks. Where are Dawn and Zoey?", he asked, as he took a bite.

"They went to their cabin for the moment. Said something about feeling a little sleepy…", she managed to say, before she hung her head. Ash swallowed the sandwich and gave her a small nudge.

"Hey May, look alive will ya?", he said. The only reply he got was May's sleeping body falling down, which he managed to catch.

"What the Hell?", he said to himself. He shook May gently as he held her.

"Hey May, wake up. I know the trip is boring, but not like this!", he said, trying to get her to wake up. He got no response, other then the rhythm of her snoring peacefully. He chuckled, and proceeded to pick her up gently.

"Figures. Talk about a heavy sleeper.", he said. He turned around, and stopped his pace. In front of him, he noticed several passengers asleep as well. Ash knew immediately what it meant. Something was really wrong here.

"Time to play conductor, and hold a ticket inspection. I bet someone hasn't paid for this trip.", he said to himself as he carried the sleeping girl to their cabin.

When he reached the cabin, he had noticed that he could be very well the only person left awake. In various corridors, decks and rooms, he noticed all the people and Pokémon asleep. He laid May gently on the bed, as the other two beds were taken by her friends, also asleep. After he made sure she was sleeping, he opened his case and took out his sword. He checked his handguns, and left the cabin. Outside, he focused his mind, and he knew where he had to look. He dashed off to the stairs, that would gain him access to the upper decks.

The upper deck was, like the other decks, littered with the sleeping forms of the passengers. Ash walked towards the front of the deck, when he heard strange sounds. It sounded like slurping and sucking something out of a can or bottle. He turned the corner and stopped immediately, because in front of him he had found the cause of the sounds, and quite possibly, the cause of the sleeping passengers.

The being in front of Ash was a sickly pink/purple color, and it stood on two long hind legs. In its two hands he held a female passenger, which it seemed to kiss. In reality, it was sucking whatever was in the passenger out of it, dropping the occasional splash of blood on the wooden deck. From its back, it sprouted several translucent tentacles, which helped holding the unfortunate victim in place. As Ash continued to watch, it sucked the entire passenger inside it's gaping maw, never to be seen again.

"Didn't your mother never teach you not to kiss on a first date?", Ash said, getting the attention of the monstrosity. It certainly wasn't a possessed Pokémon, that much was obvious. It slowly turned to him, revealing four iris-less eyes, which gazed down upon the devil hunter. It gave out a shriek, which sounded deafening, even in the open. Clearly, it was surprised to see someone standing in front of it who was awake.

"You know, I think you don't have a ticket. So I ask you kindly to leave.", Ash said, as he made a gesture with his hand that told it to leave. In response, it leaped into the air, and struck its four tentacles into the deck where Ash stood. Ash had jumped out of the way, and had drawn his guns, which he leveled on the demon.

"I was hoping you would do that.", he sneered. The creature let out another shriek, and it lunged for Ash again, its tentacles and claws flailing like mad.

Ash dodged the first attacks, and poured bullets into two of the tentacles, as he leaped into the air. The creature cried out in pain as the two appendages fell of his back on the deck, were they disintegrated. Ash landed with back facing the devil on the ground. The creature slashed his tentacles in his direction, only to cry out in pain even more as his remaining two tentacles fell down on the ground, cleanly cut off by the sword that Ash now held firmly in his hand. Ash looked the creature in the eyes, and smirked, his sword resting on his shoulder.

"Well then, are you ready for the big finale?", Ash said, and lunged forward towards the creature, impaling it with his sword on the wall, causing blood to splatter everywhere. Ash jumped back, and fired three shots as he did so, each of them blasting away an eye. The creature yelped and cried in pain, but it couldn't move. It didn't have enough strength to remove the sword that was lodged into its body, no matter how hard it tried. Ash walked closer towards it.

"Eeny, Meeny, Miney…", he said, as he aimed one of his guns at the only good eye the creature still had. Ash winked. "Moe.", he finished, and pulled the trigger.

The creature literally exploded into pieces, which disintegrated and disappeared from the deck. Ash holstered his guns and retrieved his sword.

"That should prove a good wake-up call.", he grinned. He rushed down the stairs in hopes of getting to the cabin. He would like to prevent that the girls saw him with a large sword and dual handguns. Fortunately for him luck was on his side. As he entered the cabin, the girls were still asleep on their beds. Ash quickly stored his gear and closed the box, when he heard the girls stirring, their awakening imminent.

"Time to wake up, sleepyheads.", Ash said, as Dawn opened her eyes. She was shortly followed by May and Zoey, who yawned and stretched.

"That was some nap. I don't know what came over me, but I felt so sleepy all of a sudden.", Dawn said. May and Zoey agreed with her.

"Well, school is boring. Maybe it took you a little longer to realize that.", Ash grinned. He continued to laugh as he dodged the pillows that were thrown at him.

The rest of the trip was uneventful, and it was before long that the harbor of Slateport came into view.

"Ash, a friend of mine is coming to pick us up. If you drive behind us, you won't get lost as we head towards my home.", May said as the ferry made its way into the harbor.

"Sure thing. I'll meet you all outside and then we'll head to your house.", Ash replied as he took his bag.

"I'll see you outside!", he added, and after a small wave, he disappeared below deck. May continued to look after him, which didn't went unnoticed by her friends.

"What is it May? See something you like?", Zoey teased. May snapped back to reality instantly.

"I have no idea what you are talking about.", she replied, but she failed to hide the faint blush that appeared on her cheeks. Dawn and Zoey giggled.

"Looks like someone has a thing for the new guy!", Dawn said in a singsong voice. May's blush deepened even more.

"Shut up you two!", she said, annoyed. Needless to say, this didn't work, as the girls continued to tease her.

As the ferry docked and the doors opened, Ash was among the first to drive off the boat. He waited for the others to appear, and when they did, he followed them to the parking lot. A large car was waiting for them, and a youngster in his late teens was leaning against it. He waved at them when he saw them approaching.

"Hey Brendan! Here we are!", May said, as she gave her friend a hug.

"I can see that. It's good to see you all! And who's your friend?", Brendan asked as he let go of May. Ash had gotten off of his bike and approached Brendan with an outstretched hand.

"I'm Ash. I've heard that you are our navigator for this trip.", he said. Brendan shook his hand with a genuine smile.

"That's right. Are you a new student?", he asked. Ash nodded and proceeded to explain why he was attending the same school as May.

"So, you're from Kanto? I've always wanted to visit that region.", Brendan said.

"Don't let me stop you. There are a lot of interesting places to visit.", Ash explained, as he proceeded to name a few landmarks. Brendan was visibly amazed by what Ash told him.

"Now I'm even more anxious to go!", he exclaimed. May playfully punched him on the shoulder.

"If you don't stop talking, we won't be getting anywhere.", she said. Brendan immediately remembered why he had come here in the first place.

"Alright Ash, just follow me and you won't get lost.", he said as he got in the car.

"Just lead the way! I'll keep up with you.", Ash said, as he got on his bike. A few moments later, they were on their way.

Ash managed to keep up with Brendan's car with no trouble at all. He followed his lead closely, and it seemed like only a few minutes had passed when they reached the outskirts of Petalburg City. As Brandon stopped in front of a large house, Ash pulled off a wheelie which earned him a few gasps from the girls. He dropped out of the wheelie and stopped in front of them.

"Sorry about that. Couldn't resist.", he said with a smile. The girls just laughed, albeit a little uneasy. After saying goodbye to Brendan who then drove off, they all went inside.

"Mom! I'm home!", May shouted when she placed her bag in the hallway. The others followed her inside, with Ash observing the house in detail. It looked huge from the outside, but from the inside it looked even larger.

"They sure got the money to spend. Then again, I could have expected it. Norman is a Gym Leader after all.", he thought as he placed his bags on the ground and hung his coat on the rack.

"Hello May! Welcome home!", a female voice said from the kitchen. May headed into the kitchen herself and pulled Caroline Maple, her mother, in a hug.

"It's good to be home, mom!", she said. "C'mon, I have a new guest with me that I want you to meet!", she added, as she practically dragged Caroline out of the kitchen.

"Slow down May!", she said in a playful scold as her daughter dragged her along. But when she saw Ash standing in the living room observing a few paintings, her voice left her for reasons unknown.

"Hello. My name is Ash Ketchum.", Ash said, as he walked up to the still surprised woman in the room. Caroline blinked a few times and snapped back to reality.

"H-hello Ash. My name is Caroline Maple, May's mother.", she said with a slight stutter, as she shook his hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Maple.", Ash said.

"The pleasure is all mine, Ash. And please, call me Caroline. Everyone does.", she said with a smile.

"But I have something to discuss with my daughter here.", she added, and before May could say anything, she was the one being dragged back into the kitchen.

"Mom, what's the big idea?", May asked, annoyed. Caroline had closed the door to the kitchen and stared her daughter down.

"Well, the big idea is that guy that you have brought home with you. Who is he, and why didn't you tell me he was coming?", she said sternly. May sighed, her mother was always like this when she brought a guy home. It took her mother months before she accepted Brendan. But luckily, May had an ace up her sleeve that she could use now.

"Mom, listen. You know that hothead Drew, right?", May asked. Caroline looked puzzled, what had that green-headed guy to do with all this?

"Yes, I know about him, and how 'highly' you speak of him. What about him?", she asked, still puzzled. May explained to her how Drew tried to intimidate Ash, but how it all backfired and left Drew's pride in a state of disarray. Caroline's mood visibly softened when May told her everything.

"I see. Well, that changes a whole lot. To be honest, I never really liked that Drew anyway, and it is good that someone stands up to him.", she said with a chuckle.

"So, that means that Ash is welcome to stay here for the weekend?". May asked, with hope in her eyes.

"Well, I have to think about that.", Caroline said, as she placed her finger under her chin in mock thought.

"Mom…", May whined, picking up on her mother's act.

"Alright, but only if you introduce him to your father, okay?", Caroline told her daughter.

"I will. Thanks mom, you're the best!", May said with a cheery voice, and hugged her mother tightly.

As May returned, she told her friends that she would go to introduce Ash to her father Norman, the Gym Leader of Petalburg.

"C'mon Ash. He is probably in the Gym with my brother.", she said, as she led the way.

"Sure thing. I would like to meet your father.", he said, as he followed May to the Gym. "I would really like to meet your father.", Ash added in his thoughts.

As they neared the Gym, they could hear a voice shouting something. "Seems dad is busy with a Gym battle.", May said. Ash merely gave a nod in response and followed her. As she entered the Gym with Ash, she saw the challenger leave as Norman recalled his Pokémon. From the looks of things, the challenger was beaten pretty badly.

"Hey dad! I'm home!", she said, getting the attention of her father.

Norman turned towards the duo and walked towards them, his arms spread. "May, welcome home!", he said, as he took her in a loving hug.

"Hello dad. It's good to be home. I already said hi to mom.", she said, as she returned the hug. Norman smiled and released her.

"That's nice, May. And who is your friend?", he asked, as he looked at Ash.

"Dad, meet Ash Ketchum from Kanto. Ash, this is my dad, Norman Maple.", May said, as the two males shook hands. Unbeknownst to May, they shared a knowing look.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Maple.", Ash said. Norman grinned widely.

"Norman will do just fine, Ash.", he said.

"Alright, whatever you say, Mr. Norman.", Ash said with a smirk. May could barely hold a laugh.

"You're a funny guy Ash. I like you already.", Norman said. Ash laughed.

"Well, I try.", he said as he scratched the back of his head, feigning embarrassment. Norman smiled back and turned to May.

"Honey, would you mind go inside and help your mother? I would like to talk to Ash in private.", he said. May gave a nod.

"Don't scare him too much dad! Bye Ash!", she said and with that she took off.

As soon as May was out of sight, Norman turned to Ash. "Let's take a walk Ash, and let's have a small talk.", he said, as he gestured Ash to follow him. Ash followed Norman outside in their large yard where they walked on a small path.

"How is it going at school?", Norman asked. Ash shrugged.

"Pretty good I'd say. May is getting a lot of attention though from some guy named Drew.", he replied.

Norman sighed deeply. "Yes, he's a real pain in the ass sometimes.", he said. Ash chuckled.

"Well, he won't be for a while now.", he said, and he explained to Norman what had transpired at the school. Norman's face showed a huge grin when he heard all of it.

"Seriously, you made him kiss his own table?", he said. Ash nodded.

"It's all in the footwork. You'd be surprised how many tricks one can do with only his feet.", he replied. They shared a laugh as they kept on walking.

"And is there anything else to add?", Norman inquired.

"Actually, yes there is. There is this guy in blue that seems to be after me, rather then May. I don't know what his deal is, but I will keep an eye out for him.", Ash explained. He looked at Norman with a gentle smile on his face. "I will make sure that nothing happens to your daughter, Norman. It is what I was sent to do, and I always do my job.", he added.

"I know that. Your mother speaks highly of you, as does Lance. You know of the meeting by any chance?", Norman said.

"Yes, I've heard it from my mother. Have you found anything else?", Ash replied. He was curious if there were any more leads to this cult. The more he knew, the sooner he could put an end to it. His face lightened up a bit when he saw Norman nod his head.

"I have found something very big. I've managed to get an inside informant.", he said with a little pride in his voice.

Ash listened intently on how Norman managed to get an informant in the cult he was investigating. It was a young man, around twenty years old, who had contacted Norman himself. He wanted to meet with Norman because he feared for his life and he didn't like the cult's methods of action. Norman had agreed, and he learned a great deal about the cult itself, and its mysterious leader, who called himself the 'Dice'.

"You must be a real loon if you call yourself the 'Dice'. Why would he pick such a name?", Ash asked with a chuckle.

"Well, apparently he uses a six-sided dice to make his decisions.", Norman replied with a shrug. Ash sighed.

"Great. I've got a cult to scratch and their leader is a complete idiot.", he said with a little disappointment.

"Don't be fooled by them, Ash. They are a dangerous bunch. And according to my informant, they are in Hoenn. He hasn't told me the exact place though, but that will come soon enough.", Norman replied with a warning tone.

"Don't worry, your daughter's safety comes first. And when everything is in place, you have one less pain in the ass to worry about.", Ash said. Norman nodded in understanding. He was glad he had someone as capable as Ash to protect his daughter. Together, they walked back to the house to enjoy a nice supper.

Miles away, back in Johto, Giovanni was looking with a twisted form of delight at the three hounds in front of him. The had been transferred to an even more secure location, which in reality was a large closed-off cage. The great beasts walked around, looking for a place to escape, trying every spot they thought was weak. Unfortunately for them, the cage was nearly indestructible. Giovanni couldn't help but smirk at the sight.

"It seems they are adapting well.", he said to the head scientist. The elder man gave a nod in agreement.

"Indeed sir. Although they are still rebellious, we have created a Master Ball for each of them. They cannot escape from those, and will follow every command they receive.", he said, as he showed one of the said Master Balls to his boss.

Giovanni smiled with satisfaction. Everything was going according to plan.

"Very good. I will take my leave now. Keep them in there until we need them.", he instructed, and after a final look, he left the laboratory, the three beasts growling and snarling in rage and fury.

Giovanni entered his office a little while later, and instructed his secretary that he wouldn't want to be disturbed, not for any reason. After he made sure the door to his office was closed, he headed to a small curtain that hung between two bookcases. As he gently opened the curtains, a small, round mirror was revealed, which was centered in the middle of a crude pentagram. He closed his eyes, and raised his hand. While he made a few small gestures, he spoke some words which were barely audible. But when he opened his eyes, something had appeared in the mirror.

Positioned in what seemed to be a perfect triangle, three glowing orbs shone their reddish light out of the mirror as they swirled around in place. Giovanni made a small bow when a heavy, deep and dark voice started to speak to him.

"Giovanni, my servant. I hope that everything is going according to plan?", it spoke. The voice was cold and deprived from any form of emotion.

"Yes, my master. Everything is going well. Your knowledge and my technology have give us the tools we need to achieve our goal.", Giovanni replied.

"Very good. I understand that you have managed to bond devils to your so-called legendary Pokémon. That is most impressive and it will greatly aid us in our quest.", the voice said. Giovanni gave a small smile.

"Indeed my lord. But there is one other thing that I must bring to your attention.", he said.

"You mean the son of the devil that sealed me away? I know of that already, my apprentice. I have thrown some devils in his path to test him, and the results are quite refreshing.", the voice replied.

"Forgive me, my lord. I have sent my own son to test his fighting abilities, by any means necessary.", Giovanni said, the last part of the sentence spoken with a little more emphasis.

"I see. That just might give him the push he needs. Continue to serve me well, and you will be greatly rewarded for your efforts.", the voice spoke, as the orbs started to fade away. Giovanni gave one last bow.

"As you wish, master Mundus."