Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, I won't own Pokémon. But I do own this story line and everything that isn't from the series.

" " - talking; Italics – thinking; ' ' - speaking telepathically

Xxxxxx - break in day or event; Xxxxxxxxxxxx - change of days

Chase/Nogitsune – 20 yrs; Leta – 20 yrs; Kenny – 21 yrs; Mask – 18 yrs

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

CrystalMask: WHERE'S THE CREDIT FOR USING MY CHARACTER AND HER POKEMON?!

Chase: sweat drops Oops, guess I kind of forgot. Sorry. You can add your disclaimer…

CrystalMask: Thank you. I think I will. Chase also doesn't own Mask, in any form that she may be represented in (Mask, Dark Mask, or her real name which shall be unveiled later), or any of the pokémon that she has. I, unfortunately don't own Pokémon either, they are just the pokémon that I use in my games. Now, my underling, you may continue with your story.

Chase: mock bows Thank you, Master. turning back to the crowd AND NOW, BACK TO THE SHOW!

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Chase knew that after he had obtained all of the three Beings, he was to report to the hideout of Neo Team Rocket in Hearthome. But he only made it as far as Mt. Coronet before finally he couldn't see straight and needed to stop for some rest. He looked around for a place to rest, before deciding on a small crack in the side of the mountain that was covered by a bush. Before he knew it, he was sleeping.

As he slept, he had visions that were from his past. Visions that felt oddly enough familiar, but were still unfamiliar. Easy to say, his sleep wasn't very restful. Every little noise that was made, a twig snapping, footsteps nearby, or even the slightest gust of wind set him on edge. But he soon found something to hold onto, something that put him at ease and let him rest. Mask…

'Does she look familiar to you?' Sunny asked Shadow as their trainer slept.

'She does kind of, I just can't put my paw on it,' Shadow answered. He started to watch his master dream. He had been doing so lately, just to check to see that Chase was doing all right. 'But if she is who she says she is, and what she says about NTR being evil, then we are in for a fight.'

Xxxxxx

Master was waiting patiently by the phone in his office. He hadn't slept in almost a week, since that was when he let Chase back out into the field to capture the rest of the beings. He 

needed them to summon the God of Pokémon. He had already had some of his other better agents capture Dialga and Palkia. He just needed those three Beings in order to summon the God, Arceus. That power right there would let me take over the world. No one would dare to defy me. Not even that kid with that blasted Pikachu. Master slammed his fist into the steel wall behind him. "WHAT'S TAKING HIM SO FREAKING LONG?!" Master yelled at the top of his voice.

Xxxxxx

Hello Chase, a voice said inside of Chase's head, waking him from a somewhat peaceful sleep. He looked around nervously, thinking he was spotted, but seeing no one made him a little more nervous.

Am I losing my mind now? Chase asked himself. With everything that has happened within the last few days, he'd almost believe anything. He'd almost believe that NTR was evil. Almost.

But they are evil. Can't you see? The voice said again. This time, he was certain of where it came from. It came from inside his own head.

See what? And who are you? Chase asked the voice in his head. He closed his eyes as if that would help him to see inside his own head. That idea worked, just a little too well.

A shadow emerged from the depths of what seemed to be the lost memories of Chase. Prior to his initial brainwashing when he joined NTR. As it got closer, he could see that it was in the form of an Eevee, just bigger than normal. Who are you? Chase asked again.

Why Chase, I am you. Remember? As if on cue, Chase saw one of the visions that had been sealed away from him. It was of when he and Shadow were in that warehouse. When they first met this spirit.

Nog…Nogit…Nogitsune? Chase stammered.

Ahh, so you do remember. Do you remember why we were brought together? Involuntarily, that same vision that had been floating around him, and this Nogitsune, started to play itself out.

Chase fell to his knees, as he watched what appeared to be himself, just younger, talk to this spirit about NTR. Then he watched as the spirit entered his body. He didn't just watch it though. The pain ran through him again as well.

Chase's body fell over from its sitting position, and fell flat on the ground, with Chase grabbing at his sides in pain.

'What's going on?' Sunny asked.

'That thing,' Shadow mumbled. 'That thing I've been sensing all this time talking to Chase. It's the same thing that caused his last panic attack.'

What happened to me? Chase was almost in tears. How could I have let this happen to me?

Do you remember why you betrayed your own way of thinking? It was for a greater good at the time. Just, we never thought they'd brainwash you and make you into their super agent. Nogitsune wasn't yelling at Chase. Not like the last time he was able to break free and try to stop Chase. This time, he knew that he had to be gentle about it. Convincing.

I do remember now. I joined not because I wanted to. I rather would have died myself. But they were going to kill them. I couldn't let that happen. Chase found himself crying. He looked up to the spirit that was before him.

What can I do now? he asked the spirit.

Confront Master, and destroy him, the spirit said.

I can't do it without her. I need her. She's been with me since then, Chase cried, letting his head fall into his hands.

Who? Mask? She's just as evil as all of NTR. Surely you must know that, the spirit barked at him. But there is another you could ask for help from.

Who? Chase asked, almost curiously.

That girl, with the cowboy hat. Leta I believe her name is. the spirit said to Chase. She'd be a good ally in battle. And besides, before this even happened to you, you two were together.

What I need is a friend for this battle, not just an ally, Chase said defiantly. I'm going back for Mask. And you can't stop me. He stood up in his mind. You can help me now, or you can leave my body.

Kid, I'm here to destroy NTR. Along with the man who killed me. So I'll help you. Although going back for this girl and not the other may be a bad idea, the spirit said.

Shadow and Sunny watched as their trainer stood up. "We're going back for her," Chase said.

'Mask?' Shadow asked.

'Do you know any other 'her's?' Sunny asked Shadow sarcastically. Shadow just stared at her.

Xxxxxx

In the snowy city of Snowpoint, a pokémon center was being used as a prisoner interrogation center. Mask was left in a room that had nothing in it but two chairs. The only window that was there to look out had metal bars on the outside, per the Rangers' request. They weren't taking the chance of Mask of NTR escaping. Then the door opened. A boy with brown spiky hair entered the room. She had come to know him as Gary.

Gary sat down in the one chair, which was right beside the door. He stared at her with the coldest stare, so cold it would put the blizzard outside to shame. Ever since her capture, she hadn't spoke a single word to any of them. They said plenty to her, she just didn't respond.

"Would you be more apt to talking if we took the restraints off you?" Gary asked. Mask did nothing. No head shake, no words. Nothing. Sighing, Gary decided to remove her restraints, but prepared himself in case she decided to bolt. But she didn't. She just sat there with a blank stare on her face.

"So, how'd you become to be part of NTR?" Gary asked. He moved his chair to right in front of her. He looked straight into her eyes, and saw nothing. She must be zoned out or something. "Your pokémon are being healed by Nurse Joy."

"Thank you," Mask said unexpectedly. Her voice almost made Gary jump out of his chair.

"Who was that boy you were with?" Gary asked, hoping to get more out of her. But to his disappointment, she locked back up and stayed quiet. He would try to get her to talk for the next few hours, but would have no luck. Finally, his shift was up, and Kenny would come in.

Kenny couldn't get her to talk either. He went as far as to test her reflexes. But she didn't even move a muscle, not even blinked. His time was soon enough up, and then it would be Ash's turn. But they decided to let her have some time in isolation before trying again.

So while she was by herself, she moved over to by the window and stared out. I wonder how Chase is doing. I hope he got those Beings to Master. A noise brought her out of her thoughts. She looked out the window and saw Chase standing outside looking in on her. She quietly opened the window so that she could talk.

"You shouldn't be here," Mask hissed. "You need to get those Beings to the Master."

"Not without you," Chase whispered back. "I can't face him without you."

"You have to. They've taken my pokémon. I'm no good to you," Mask hissed. "Remember your training, if caught, you are to cut them loose. You need to save yourself."

"I'm not strong enough by myself," Chase whispered, almost on the verge of tears. "I need you." He started to look at the bars to see how to break them out. He was working so hard on the one bar, that he didn't notice the door open.

"YOU!" a familiar voice yelled. Everyone froze and looked at the door. Leta was standing in the doorway. Next thing everyone knew, Leta was running out the center to catch Chase.

"Please leave. Go to Master and finish the mission," Mask said to Chase. She slammed the window closed. Then she mouthed, I'm sorry, to Chase. Chase just stared at her in shock. But that shock didn't last long, as Leta came running around the corner of the building.

"I'M GONNA CATCH YOU CHASE!" Leta yelled as she closed in on Chase.

Chase thought for a brief second as to whether or not he should let himself be captured. But right before she caught him, his feet decided to run and not get caught. For the second time, he thought to himself, I'm sorry Mask.

Why didn't you ask that girl for help? Nogitsune asked.

Because, she isn't my friend, Chase said back to him.

Back at the pokémon center, the Rangers were trying to figure out what to do next. But without not having someone watching Mask. But since Gary and Kenny had already watched Mask, it was Ash's turn to watch her. It wasn't too long before the others fell asleep. And then it was just Ash and Mask by themselves in the room.

Mask couldn't keep her glazed stare for any length of time. Her eyes kept finding their way to Ash. She found herself staring at him, and thinking, Why couldn't he have been a part of NTR? Suddenly, she noticed that he was looking back at her. She turned away, blushing bright red.

Huh? was all Ash could think of.

I have to get out of here. I must get out before I … Mask looked around and realized that the only way out was the door. She patiently waited to see if Ash would fall asleep out of boredom. It wasn't long before he started to doze off. When she thought he was asleep, she tried to tip toe her way out the door. But right as she got to the door, she felt something whip her around so fast, that the mask she had been wearing, flew off her face and landed on the ground. She just stared into the eyes of what had turned her around. It was Ash. At first, his eyes were full of anger, but as he stared into her eyes, they softened up. Something in them told him that she really didn't have bad intentions.

Mask felt her face turn really hot, as she could imagine her face was bright red by now. I need to get aw… Mask felt his arms gently grab both of her arms.

"Were you trying to run?" Ash asked softly. Mask merely nodded her head yes. "To return to NTR?" Again, she shook her head. "Why?" Mask just lowered her head in shame.

"Chase," Mask whispered. She didn't want to give in to fact that she had some feelings for him. But he had looked after her while they grew up. But now that she was caught, she knew nothing of what to do next. "He was my partner." She knew that she couldn't ever go back.

Ash just looked at the girl in front of him. "You do know that NTR is evil, right? Those pokémon belong in the wild to do what they do. They help hold the balance of things in place." Ash let that sink in. "And your Master, used to be the boss of Team Rocket. And they wanted to take over the world. So this Master of yours, is the same guy, and has the same plan. To take over the world. We need your help."

Mask's eyes flashed open. He was the leader of Team Rocket? An evil organization? Then, we have been doing the wrong thing! She threw her arms around Ash, catching him off guard. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know what was happening when we…" Ash's shirt got a little wet due to the tears that were falling from Mask's eyes.

"There there," Ash said while calming the crying Mask down. He lifted Mask's chin up with his finger, bringing their faces close together. "You help us, and I'll make sure that nothing happens to you." He stared into her blue-green eyes, which looked like small jewels in the moonlight up close like this. He smiled reassuringly at her, while examining her face. Something, a sudden emotion, made him want to lean in and kiss her but, he held that feeling, not wanting to create a problem by doing something unexpected. He saw Mask blush slightly, not knowing that he wasn't the only with the urge to kiss the other. The door suddenly opened, making Ash and Mask jump apart. They both looked at Kenny, who hadn't noticed that both Ash and Mask had been veryclose to each other.

Mask knew what was going on. Ash's eyes were once again filled with anger. But she could tell that they weren't as angry as before.

"She tried to escape, but I stopped her," Ash said to Kenny, as he walked in.

"Well, who removed her restraints?" Kenny asked, locking Mask back into her chair.

"I believe that was Gary," Ash said.

"Well, it's my turn, so go rest while we wait for the shuttle to get here," Kenny said. Ash quietly left the room. But before he left, he picked up the mask that had fallen off her face, and looked back at her. The instant their eyes met, both of their faces turned a slight pinkish color.

Xxxxxx

Chase stood in front of a large dull building in Hearthome. He had to put a stop to Master. Still wearing his NTR cloak, he walked in the double doors and headed for the elevator. He passed the secretary and showed his ID card before stepping into the elevator. Once the elevator doors closed, the secretary made a phone call.

"Master, he's on his way to you now," the secretary said.

"Good," Master said. I can take care of him like I did his parents then. He chuckled to himself as Chase entered the room. "My boy! How are you doing?" he asked walking over to Chase with a smile.

"Mask was caught," Chase said coldly. He held onto the three pokéballs that held the three Beings. He walked over to the window and looked out. They were on the top floor, a good fifty stories up.

"Have you acquired the Beings at least?" Master asked. He followed the boy to the window, and pretended to look out the window. Once I get them from this kid, he's history.

"Yes, I have acquired them," Chase said, still looking out the window. "But tell me, why do you want them?" Chase felt Nogitsune laugh slightly inside of him.

"So we can pro…" Master started to say. But Chase turned and gave him a cold stare. He already knows. "To rule the world. And with your help, I can do that. All you have to do is hand over those pokémon."

"And if I said 'no'?" Chase asked.

"Well," Master sighed, "I knew you'd figure out sooner or later, so I'd have to get rid of you. Alakazam, Teleport to the caverns." Suddenly, Master and Chase were on the edge of a huge cavern.

Chase tried to jump away from the edge but found that he couldn't move his body. He saw Master standing away from the edge, with an Alakazam behind him. "Why you dirty…"

"Now, be a good boy and hand over those pokémon!" Master yelled. Alakazam's eyes glowed as Chase pulled out the pokéballs out of his pocket unwillingly. The pokéballs floated over to Master as he grinned evilly. "Now that I have the Three Beings, and the Two Deities, I no longer have a use for you. I will get rid of you like I did your parents, and like how I was going to get rid of your partner, Mask. Machamp, Seismic Toss!"

Chase could only watch as his paralyzed body failed to respond to his commands for his legs to work. But as the Machamp slammed the ground, the edge of the cavern gave way, falling into the cavern itself, taking Chase as well. It wasn't suppose to end like this!

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Wow! Any of you see that one coming? So, who is going to stop Master now? Stay tuned!

As a note to you guys. I'm going out of town this Saturday and will be gone for a whole week, so I will most likely get to your reviews after I get back. Take care and PEACE!

Oh, thanks to CrystalMask. She let's me use her character and her pokémon for this fic and for giving me ideas to use.