This is the chapter that focuses around Ash, yes; finally Ash Ketchum can make a real appearance!

The raven haired man carefully tiptoed around toys and broken objects that littered his home. The lights were out and he could barely see, but he refused to make any light out of Aura until he knew someone was alive.

"Ash, is that you?"

"Angie, it's me! Don't worry!" The raven haired man created a ball of blue light above his head.

"Cha-pi!" The Pikachu franticly said as two yellow eyes advanced closer, then stopped and began to purr.

"Sorry about that Ashy, but I have to check everyone who enters now."

"What happened?" Ash had to squint as bright lights flickered on.

"She took him." A woman stepped into the light. She had turquoise hair and light brown eyes, yet in the vats of brown, there was fear.

"Angie, who is she?" Ash walked forward and hugged his wife gently.

"J, J has him, she has Drake." Angie's voice sounded defeated, yet under the fear and unhappiness, there was hope and courage.

"When did this happen?"

"Just an hour ago, J just walked in, pointed that evil cannon of hers at Drake and told me not to interfere. And that she needed him for her new self and that even you couldn't stop her. Then her Salamance came in and began to destroy everything, and I told her to take me instead, but she said she needed Drake, and no one else. After that she warned me that she would not take pity on Drake if I told you to follow her and that we wouldn't be seeing him again."

Ash nodded his head sadly has Angie cried into his shoulder. "Angie, I must go. I know why she wants Drake, but I can't tell you." His hand automatically reached up to touch his Pikachu, but it wasn't there. The Mouse Pokemon was perched on Angie's Luxray, a powerful black and blue cat. Its eyes were red and it had a long black tail with a yellow ninja like star on the end. Seeing the Gleam Eyes Pokemon's tail, caused Ash to think about the brush with the ninja star that had nearly impaled his Pikachu. The Luxray looked up at him and purred quietly.

"Come on Pikachu, we need some supplies." Ash turned to leave, tensing for the weight that usually settled on his left shoulder, but nothing happened.

"PIKA CHUUUUU!" The Pikachu glared at Ash, before turning to Angie.

"Pikachu?" Ash came over and tried to pick the small yellow Pokemon up, but the Pikachu zapped Ash's hand before he could.

"Ash Ketchum, you have to tell me where your going incase you don't come back. Then at lest the authorities can find you," The woman looked at her husband and smiled sweetly. "You can't keep a secret from me even if you tried!"

"I kept the secret of my crush on you pretty well, didn't I Pikachu?" But the mouse didn't answer. Instead, it leapt on top of the man's head and zapped him.

"Okay! I'm going to board J's ship and fix what ever is going on. She has an apprentice that can change her shape, and I believe she's been brain washed. I need to fix this before havoc is set upon us," Ash glared at his Pikachu. "Happy?"

"Pika pi!" It nodded.

"Thank you Ash, and Pikachu." The woman smiled and scratched the Pikachu on its head.

"I already made you a…" Angie's Luxray was on its feet, growling and showers of sparks flying off of its coat.

"Who's there? I'm warning you…" Reggie stood at the door, supporting a tall, lithe, pink haired woman. The two trainers collapsed on the burnt couch and Reggie looked up at Ash.

"She's gone." Reggie rasped.

"Maylene?!"

A tall purple haired trainer stopped mid conversation with a large tortoise as a high pitched cry pierced the night. Calmly looking around, he stood and called out a large bird like Pokemon.

"Honchkrow, scan the area and be back here quickly."

"PAUL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" A hyper young coordinator leapt out of some bushes that fringed the area where Paul was standing.

Paul gingerly peered toward the sound. Standing, eliminated by the moon light was Dawn. Her dark blue hair danced in the light breeze and Paul could just make out the hat and her scarf. Beside her was a tall bunny.

"What is it?" Paul turned away and tried to concentrate on where he had heard the cry.

"Come on Paul! We haven't seen each other for ages! Cant you at lest say hi, or something?"

"Lu, lopunny!"

"Did I mention that my Buneary evolved?" Dawn skipped around, enjoying Paul's annoyance.

"Shut up! Did you not here that cry?"

"Oh! That was me. Sorry if it scared the great Paul! I thought I saw something coming toward me, but it was just my wonderful Lopunny." Dawn leapt about, bursting with happiness.

"Get out of my sight before my Honchkrow practices Dark Pulse on you," Paul turned toward Dawn, glaring, before he turned away. "Torterra, Honchkrow, return."

"How do you expect Honchkrow to attack me if it's inside its Pokeball?" Dawn giggled at her joke.

"Bye." Paul started to walk away.

"Okay mister grouchy, just wanted to say that Ash challenged you to a battle!" Dawn giggled again.

"What do you think I'm going to say to that? He's a Guardian of Aura for crying out loud!" Paul turned and walked away. "But tell him that I've got news he might like to hear." He called over his shoulder.

"Fine! Be that way!" Dawn turned as well, only to jump and scream as a hand descended on her shoulder.

"Wrong way." It was Paul, looking down at her with the usual non-emotional stare. "Ash's place is this way." He pointed down the road he'd just gone. Shrugging, he walked off again, leaving Dawn and her Lopunny behind to contemplate why he had just helped them.

"Come on; let's see what he's up to."

Looks like Paul's coming in (no, this has no PaulxDawn) along with Dawn. Why would Paul of all people help Dawn? (No, he isn't in love) Why is he going to Ash's as well? Next chapter will reveal more!