Chapter Ten: Believe Me

February 14 2013
10:23 am
Mount Silver – Hanta Residence - Lab Room 03

"Take him off the cuffs."

Ash's voice echoed in the room as the scientists turned towards him, lifting their eyebrows as they questioned his sudden motive. He was known to them as Hunter J's oldest son, thinking they were related by blood. Nobody in J's huge company knew that was only a lie to cover up a kidnapping case. They feared him the way they feared his mother and agreed to his sudden terms, not even going to ask him why.

The cuffs fell off the huge red lizard and Ash heard them crash down onto the cold tiles below him. The fire type looked into his trainer's eyes before scoping the room. A hand was placed upon Ash's shoulder as he turned to his left, there stood by was J and the chatter between the scientists in the room came to a halt.

"Are you sure your ready boy?" J asked, reassuring surprisingly.

"If I don't do it now, I never will."

Taking a step forwards the young adult swallowed hard, sending his fears along with it and reaching his hand out, Ash noticed he was still shacking. Stopping for a moment he pulled back, holding his right hand to stop it shacking. Closing his eyes he opened them up once more and briefly looked over his shoulder and saw J watching on from a distance with her arms crossed.

If he wanted to be free he needed to win her trust for good this time, and if he wanted that trust he needed to get Charizard under his full control and mega evolve it in order to get it. But to get to Charizard he needed to make risks and today was one of them.

He had been talking to Charizard alone in the lab for the pass four days now and although Ash could see his Pokémon enjoyed listening to his stories, coming closer to it was nearly impossible. He hoped that maybe if Pikachu didn't evolve it could have triggered a flashback of sorts, but that was impossible. His little rat stood by his side, taking small steps with him with his long tail waving in the air.

Reaching out once more each step created more tension and when Ash felt his fingertips against the skin of his fire type he quickly pulled back and took a step or two back. Charizard did the same, nearly mimicking his old trainer's moves perfectly.

"If you show that you are a coward to Charizard, then so will he!" J yelled. She was not happy at the pace they were getting at.

"I'm sorry." Ash muttered to himself.

He was never the type to be frightened before. He never thought that the things he would do will always have a consequence in the end. He would just go in and not think things through and hope the answer would come as he goes. But after living in fear of his life, growing up in the shadows as a hunter, that all changed. He had to think everything through; he had to know what was going to happen next. Just things that would make your head hurt once you thought about it too much.

Raising his head up he looked into the eyes of his Pokémon, begging him to let him pat him at least. He didn't want to be a failure; he just wanted to win J's trust and leg it.

And somehow, Charizard understood and free from his cuffs he moved forward and moved in closer for the both of them and stood in front of Ash, waiting for him to pat him. Even though the fire type was unsure what would happen next he could feel the man's sadness and fear and most of all the uncertainty. That somehow…made him trust Ash in the oddest way.

With Jewelz in the background she watched on as her 'brother' patted the neck of his fire type in a soft and calm manner that after a few seconds that uncertainty faded and a smile crossed his lips. It was rare to see Ash smile lately with having to steal Pokémon from the girl he cared for and then his step-father. She was surprised he even stuck with J when he had plenty of chances to run with his family.

She wondered that maybe she was holding him back.

"Wonderful work Casey." J spoke Ash's fake name. In front of her workers, that was supposedly his 'real' name. Nobody knew he was just some innocent trainer that was kidnapped before he could even enter into the Unova league. "I'm glad you and your old Pokémon are reconnecting."

Raichu looked up and gave a wave and waved his long tail in hope Charizard would notice, and which he did. He didn't understand why he felt so close to the little rat since he had no recollection of him – A Pikachu yes but not Raichu. Maybe it had evolved but judging on the memories he had, it showed that this little yellow mouse had no plans to grow into its final stage.

"Thanks." Ash spoke back confidently before looking back at his fire type. "Welcome back buddy." He embraced Charizard while still in the moment and the flying lizard froze for a moment before patting his trainer back. Ash pulled back quickly. "Oh sorry about that,"

He had to take things slow, he had to or else his old Pokémon might find him weird.

Charizard spoke no more words and returned to the platform where he would sit all cuffed up. He liked the strange man that he knew was his trainer but it felt weird being around him too much. He sat and faced the window that painted a picture of blue skies and passing white clouds.

"Casey." Jewelz spoke. "Don't you think that is enough for today?" She asked.

He turned to face his sister with a Charizrite Y in his hands. It shined a special colour.

"Yeah,"

He glanced over his shoulder and onto Charizard.

"Once I get everything here sorted I'm going to find you both, Max and May."

"Brother?"

The sound of his sister's voice caused him to come to a halt. In the halls of J's huge flying ship (now really more of an empire) was the hunter himself with his closest companion, Raichu. Both were playing baseball as Raichu would use his tail as a bat to hit the ball back. He wouldn't swing so hard that it would fly into a passerby's face but he hit it hard enough to make the game enjoyable for him and his master.

Catching the soft ball into his baseball glove, Ash turned to face Jewelz. "Oh, hey there." He threw the ball in the air before catching it again. "What's up?"

Pondering for a moment, Jewelz soon came up with her words. "I know I've asked this question many times before in different ways but why haven't you left? You know you could have easily done so."

It was true. Ash had heard Jewelz ask him many times why he didn't leave J and the business in the last thirteen years and he replied telling her he couldn't because he knew J, he knew she would go to his family or even his past travelling companions and hurt them until they begged to stop. He threw the baseball to his Pokémon.

"Because you guys are my family," He spoke. "Even as ruthless and cold J can be, she's grown on me. I really hate saying that but she's not bad, she just has...different views on life and a horrible temper." Raichu stood by his trainer's feet. "You know I'll really miss this place, as much as a hate it but it's really hard to hate a place you've grown up around."

"I guess." Jewelz looked around. "This has made us people who we are today."

"But I would rather spend growing up with my mother then here. But complaining what I wanted isn't going to change anything is it?" Ash put up a smile. He held his hand out to her. "Now come on, if we work really hard I might show you Pallet Town one day without the stealing involved. We'll order the best meal on mother's cafe menu and we'll roam around in Professor's huge ranch. We can battle without clapping or clicking our fingers. We won't be so heavily guarded like now."

With a smile, Jewelz wiped away a tear that was building up in her eyes. They weren't related by blood but it didn't matter, Ash was her big brother and she loved him for that.

February 15 2013
1:05 pm
Kanto Battle Frontier - Port

With eyes wide open Max watched on as the boat made its stop and trainers and challengers made either way off with grins or excitement to battle them but what made the trip more remarkable was that the champion of Unova had come to test her skills against him and his other five co-workers. Although he was the only one to be seen on the port where it was normally the five of them, Max didn't mind it this time. He would never come out on his own but he wasn't thinking straight.

His sister was dead and he lived. He didn't get to hear her final words or even an embrace or a sign of affection. She was just a simple Coordinator and a well renowned one to at it, ready to become an ambassador of the World Pokémon Coordinating Federation, a dream he knew his sister didn't even dream to even get and after her leave of absence was going to train for the top spot. He already got his years before his sister became one of the top coordinators in the world and became the youngest man to become a Battle Frontier Brain. Yet even with his strong Pokémon he wasn't able to drive away J's men.

What was the point of being well known as trainers nearly as strong as champions if he couldn't even drive off a bunch of stealing men? What was the point fighting against well known people if he knew in the end of the day he couldn't save his sister?

Why did he even accept Iris's challenge to battle him?

"Max correct?"

He perked up his head and saw a woman in a mystical gown that was just so beautiful that he found it hard it even existed. Her sleeves were long and wide and her top had a deep V cut, nearly showing off her breasts. Looking away he noticed she had a veil scarf-like wrapped around her shoulders as her hair was just as detail and beautiful as her dress. Her sides were pinned back as her long ponytail nearly touched the ground as some spiked up at the top. She even wore a crown that made him wonder if she was really a Unova Champion or a Queen of some unknown dream world.

Nodding, "Yes, That is me." He bowed in politeness. "I'm glad you're finally here Iris." They both agreed over the phone to take away the formalities. "But I have to ask that if we could talk before we get into our battle."

As the media and fans soon got enough photos of the two well known trainers they made their way with Iris's men and women taking her bags away. They began to walk down the footpath that was filled with stalls and only stopping at a few to greet speechless store owners. Returning back on the path, Max looked towards the ocean. On his left was a forest park while on his left was the ocean, two completely different scenes.

"So over the phone, you accused Ash of killing your sister. We all know that isn't true." Iris began.

"Oh cut the crap." Max spoke in an irritated manner. "His alive and you and Cilan know it."

Iris stopped at the mention of both her friends' names. With her hands behind her back she looked down for a moment before looking up at the Frontier Brain.

"Alright, I admit his alive but we know Ash, it isn't in him to kill."

Crossing his arms, "It's because you haven't seen him lately, have you?"

Blinking, "You mean his still around here, roaming around to becoming a Pokémon Master?" Iris blurted.

Walking a few steps ahead of the champion, "Hell no. His a Pokémon Hunter now, stealing mega stones with a few companions of his. In fact he just stole mine and I won't be surprised if he steals yours too."

Iris dug into her pockets and pulled out a stone that helped one of her Pokémon mega evolve. "I still don't know how this involves your sister's death." Iris clutched onto her stone.

"His team was chasing us down in Petalburg Forest when our jeep was attack by some shady figure. My sister told my Gardevoir to teleport me and my Pokémon to safety while she stayed while the jeep exploded before she could escape." Max's voice went silent.

"But you said you didn't see who attacked you and your sister. To put the blame on Ash as your sister's killer is rather...unprofessional, don't you think?" Iris replied. "Yes, he was chasing you and your sister to maybe try and save you. I know because Ash tried to save me and Cilan's life by joining J. I'm sure in the years we've been apart that part of Ash - saving others will never change."

Max went silent. He didn't want to admit but Ash was and will always be the type of guy that would risk it all to save a friend even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness and dreams. He proved it by becoming a hunter for Iris and Cilan's sake and even asked him to take May far from him because he knew she was going to get hurt. But no, everywhere they went a sense of Ash went along with them.

"...you never told me what really happened the night Ash was kidnapped." Max diverted the conversation topic. "In the media all you said was that you guys simple got knocked out and when you woke up Ash was gone."

Nodding, "Yes, and even though I haven't seen Ash recently like you have I know that when I tell you what really happened that night you might stop convincing yourself Ash was the one that killed your sister."

December 27th 2000
11:00 pm
Unova League Pokecenter - Forest

Her auburn eyes shook with fear as she stood there, her arms held back by a man twice her size. Water was seen running down her face and her legs shaking. Cilan on the other hand remain calm but his face was filled with panic and fear but mainly regret. He was the oldest out of the three of them and he was even a gym leader. What was the point of having such a title if he couldn't even protect a friend?

With a knife against Iris's tanned skin he looked down at Pikachu, titling his hat a little to hide the depression in his eyes. Ash looked into Pikachu's eyes for an answer - permission of any sorts that what he was going to do was okay and that he was fine with it. Ash was finding it hard that he was going to swallow his dream away for the sake of his friends' lives. Someone in him he knew he wasn't going to be able to be a Pokémon Master anymore as much as he wanted to be. He was going to be cut off that path and placed into another without a choice or say.

"Well?" J perked up an eyebrow. "I hate being kept waiting."

Stuttering, "I-I." Looking up at his friends the fear of them dying because of him haunted him. "I'll come with you!"

"Ash!" Iris was now in tears. "Please don't!" Iris felt J's knife withdraw from her neck.

Mustering all his courage, he put up a smile. "It's alright. I don't mind, really."

With the bodyguards untying her and Cilan, Iris didn't waste any time as she ran into her best friend's arms as tears kept flowing down her face. Shaking her head it was clear to them all Iris hated the idea that Ash was leaving them to join a criminal organization in exchange for their lives. She could feel Cilan's warm hand placed on her shoulder, carefully and slowly pulling her apart from Ash, though he couldn't pull her away from her tears as she watched Ash offer his hands to the body guards to be tied together with rope.

"I'll become stronger! I'll go and save you this time!" Iris kept on screaming as she struggled to escape Cilan's grasp on her. "You taught me that!"

A smirk came across his face as he turned to his close friends, "I never taught you to be strong, you guys are the one that taught me that." trying to contain his own emotions, "That's how I'm even able to do this for you."

Putting her knife away J shoved Ash to get moving, she never liked talking and she hated being stuck hearing one. Ash knew he couldn't stay any longer and started to take a few steps forward with J and her guards side by side him. He could hear Iris screaming and kicking her way out in the background. With their voices fading he could hear the last of Cilan's voice begging Iris to stay and before he knew it, he was gone to the both of them.

Finally releasing his grip on her the young gym leader to-be fell onto her knees, digging her face into her palms to hide the shame she was feeling. She wouldn't feel so bad if she lost Ash if she wasn't at the scene but to see him being kidnapped right in front of her eyes, watching on and not able to do a thing killed her. Nobody knew how much she wanted that knife cutting into her neck right now.

She leaned into Cilan's arms as soon she felt his presences beside her. Her tears didn't stop and the screaming didn't either. The young gym leader watched as Iris kept on stomping her feet, slamming her fists into the dirt and yelling words he didn't think it was possible for her to yell. He held her tighter as he tried to contain his own emotions but he felt that Iris sensed his grief under all the visible pain she was showing to him.

"Cilan," Iris spoke. She finally calm down after minutes of blurting and showing regret. She was now peacefully lying in his arms. "I'm going to become a gym leader really fast now."

"Are you sure Iris?" He asked. "I mean from my experiences-"

Cutting Cilan off, "-and when I do I'll aim to become champion. Then with my power I'll save our friend." Her fists clutched, "Just let them see if they stop me then." She looked up into his emerald eyes. "Promise me, you'll help me."

"Of course," He replied. There was no way he was going to think that answer twice. "Ash has done so much for us both."

And before he could add on and lighten up the mood by offering to cook up a feast for them both the young girl slowly fell asleep in his arms. Sleeping peacefully and all cozy in his arms. A soft blush crept across his face but it quickly faded away, knowing that now wasn't the time for such a thing. He knew sleep was going to be a rare thing for them both and with all that happened to them, he was going to take whatever he could to treasure the people around him.

Closing his eyes as well, Cilan hoped that the day Iris would become champion that he too, would be strong enough to save their friend.

"-and when we woke up there were people around us. Somehow news was spread that Ash was gone and we told the reporters we tried to save him but got knocked out by J's men." Iris finished off.

"Why didn't you just tell the truth?" Max asked.

"Cilan and I were worried that if we do Ash's life would be trouble." Iris explained. Iris looked towards the sea as a soft sea breeze came her way and Max's. Pushing her hair behind her ear, "Thats why when I heard from reports you and your sister use to travel with Ash I knew I just had to put you with my team."

Cocking up an eyebrow, "...your team?"

Turning her attention back at the battle frontier brain, "Yes, you see Max the real reason I want to battle you is to see if you are strong enough to join me and a few others to save Ash."

Max removed his glasses and cleaned it with his shirt as he turned his back in front of the champion. Putting his glasses back on, "My sister wanted to save Ash but looked what happened to her. She's dead."

"Then you shouldn't let her death be in vain. The other people that I have with me are other former companions of Ash. Do you remember Misty and Brock?"

He looked at Iris for a moment before looking away, "Yes. I traveled with Brock in Hoenn and Kanto and Misty came to visit us from time to time. We met again back in Pallet Town at Ash's mother's café." He paused. "So you really want to do this?" He asked.

"I didn't become champion for the glory Max. I will only truly be happy with my role as the Unova champion if I can save Ash from where he is." He placed her hand on her chest. "If we could have a battle frontier brain help us then I would be truly flattered."

A smirk came across his lips, "Alright I'll do it." He readjusted his glasses. "But I'm only doing this because I don't want to waste the second chance my sister gave me."

A relaxed smile crept across Iris's face, "That's good enough for me."

February 16 2013
2:50 am
Mount Silver - Hanta Residence - Ash's room.

It had been some time since Ash remembered sleeping with a bunch of his Pokémon, he would always so use to sleeping in a huge bed by himself with only Raichu sleeping by his feet. Now he had Scraggy in his arms, Raichu to his left and by his feet was Glaceon. Even though they weren't on the same page most of the time the ice fox had learnt that the Ash she grew up as an Eevee was still in there, he just didn't want to show it to anyone.

Sleeping peacefully his phone started to ring; vibrating and jumping a little off his bed side table. The light the screen pulled off caused Ash to slowly wake up from his deep slumber while his Pokémon covered their ears and closed their eyes tighter in hope to fall back to sleep.

With his eyes closed he patted the table to find his phone and once he grabbed hold of it, he had missed the call. Taking a moment to open his eyes he turned the screen on, squinting his eyes from the glare. Swiping the screen to unlock it he quickly made his way into contacts and into the call log section of his phone.

"...Jewelz?" He questioned. He pressed the button to return the call and placed it on his ears, hoping the message his sister would say was short and so he could return back to sleep. Rubbing his eyes he waited and soon Jewelz picked up at her end.

"Brother?" Her voice was trembling.

"Jewelz are you alright?" Ash panicked. "What did Sis did to you?" Ash realized it had been a long time since he referred J as 'Sis.'

"I-I'm fine." She stuttered off at first. "It's you that I'm worried about."

Ash was lost. What could be so worrying about him sleeping?

"Just come here to the cells. Sis is here as well."

"What is everyone doing there at this time of the night?" Ash started to crawl out of his bed, trying to disturb his Pokémon as less as possible. Reaching down to his shoes he slipped them on and a coat as he didn't bother too much about what he was wearing. He wasn't that concerned to walk down the halls with a simple white shirt and blue shorts in some off coat.

"...Remember what Sis told us a few days ago? About the fact there are new recruits to train?"

Ash stopped for a moment as he walked up to the front door and noticed the keys were left for him. Reaching out to them, "Yeah, Sis has trusted us enough to train some new recruits, as much as I hate bring more people into this job." Walking himself out, he closed the doors behind him and slipped the keys into his coat pockets. Outside he noticed Salamence was sleeping nicely in the garage. The snow was still melting away and it took guts for a dragon type to be sleeping in the snow.

Waking up his Pokémon Salamence looked up at Ash with sleepy eyes. The dragon type knew it wasn't like Ash to wake up in the middle of the morning. Stretching, Ash heard Jewelz speak on.

"Could you get here? I'm having...troubles with the last one."

"Well of course, nobody wants to be woken up in the middle of the morning to train. Not even we got this kind of treatment." Ash sat himself nicely on his Pokémon. Salamence flapped his wings to warm them up before taking flight into the sky.

"...you don't understand brother. You really won't until you get up here."

Steadying himself on his Pokémon Ash was left speechless. "Alright, I'm heading up there now." Ending the call he slipped his phone into his other pocket and wondered about the day J signed him up to training more helpless trainers into becoming Pokémon hunters.

February 14 2013
10:30 am
Mount Silver – Hanta Residence - J's Home Office

"I believe it's time for you both to move onto the next phase of becoming well known hunters." J spun her chair to face her 'children'

"What are we now? Pokémon?" Ash spoke in a disheartened manner. Jewelz tried to hide away her smile with her hands. J just simply sighed.

"Every year I ask my men to grab trainers that I see fit to become hunters and train them up and this year I'm giving you the task to train this year's group to you both."

In his head, "Yes, 'grab' them." He rolled his eyes. Replying to J now, "So don't we get any training ourselves how to train them?"

"Not really." J spoke in a bland manner. "Just use your years that you trained with me as your reference. Of course I'll be watching. You won't be completely hopeless."

Feeling disheartened, "Thanks Sis." Both of the 'siblings' replied. Ash added on though, "So why now?"

J pulled herself from her chair, her hands stuck firmly on her desk. "Because in two years from now you'll be running this company Ash."

His heart sank. He had almost forgotten about that. Ash suddenly felt the rush to hurry up and leave the place before he got such the role.

"Have you forgotten that?"

Shaking both their heads, "No, of course not Sis."

Sitting back down. "Then good, now go out there and find out about our next target." She gazed her silver eyes to Ash. She just gave another mission she knew he was going to hate her for, but it didn't bother her so. The boy always found a way to accept her ways and just go along with it.

Ash nodded. "Iris Lillia..." Ash sighed for a moment. "...it's been such a long time since I last heard that name."

February 16 2013
Time and Area Unknown.

It was cold, so so cold. It felt strange though, as if she felt this kind of bitter coldness before.

Warming herself up with the thin blanket she found in the room she kept on shaking. She was shaking so bad you could hear her teeth chattering together. Not only was the cold bothering her it was also that it was pitch black ever since she got there. She could only tell the difference from night and day on how warm the room she was in.

And like a miracle, light poured into her room as her vision painted her a number of feet entering in the room. No lights were turned on as the light from the other room was enough to make them see her, shaking on the floor so, so hard.

She noticed for the first time that there were railings in front of her; like the ones prisoners would be held behind. She noticed hands, hand of a man's shaking on them as the two behind him stood by. He was crying, his voice was going to break in the desperation. Feet scattered towards the rails and a door appeared, sending the desperate male in.

When she felt he had picked her up into his arms that was the first time she felt warm. He was rocking her so slowly as his salty warm tears crashed upon her face. She couldn't move her body or her arms to wipe them away for him, she just wanted to stay in his arms and enjoy the warmth and care he was giving her.

His eyes rolled down her arm and noticed horrible burn marks starting from her right shoulder all the way down to her hand. It had recovered somewhat but a little knock and the skin would burst open like a blister.

"Why have you kept her here and not in a medical facility?!" He screamed to the two people behind him.

"I tried. But she kept on screaming, wanting to be released. You know she's too involved for me to simply let her go. That's why she'll be one of the recruits you'll be training with your sister."

She felt his head turning back to her and rocking her again, his voice muttering, "No, no, no, no." over and over again.

"I'm sorry Ash. But you know what would happen if I let her go. I know this is breaking what we promised but I hope...that you understand." The voice, it belonged to an older woman somewhat felt disheartened.

Her feet were heard leaving the scene as the one behind Ash kept on watching with silent eyes. She was emotionless.

Warm fingers ran through her hair which brought her attention back to him. With a little more strength she gazed into his wonderful auburn eyes and saw how flooded they were from his tears that continued to crash onto her face. She smiled.

"Just when I given up looking for you..." She cracked up a small smile. "...just when I accepted that I won't be able to save you, here I am. Here with you."

He didn't hear him say anything in reply except he pulled her into his arms and stood up. He only stopped to look at the woman in front of him. She didn't quite pick up her name but she heard her follow them both into a much safer and warmer room for her.

But she had fallen asleep before she could feel Ash's tender warm lips pressed against her forehead, asking and whispering for her to forgive him for everything he had done to her and the things he was forced to do for her.

A/N: Sorry for the late update. I had to get all the stuff for Uni fixed. Anyway now that is done I'm back writing fanfiction! Woo!

Anyway this is it for Part I for this story, Part II will be up soon and I'll update this story with a little summary of the last ten chapters so when chapter eleven is up you'll know what has happened.

Part II will have more Advanceshipping I promise! I mean I half to since Ash and May are now working under the same roof. Ooo, I wonder how the tension between Jewelz and May will have? How will J treat May and will Ash defend J or May more?

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Leave a R&R if you can! Thanks guys!