Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. But I do own this story line and everything that isn't from the series. I also don't own the character Mask, as CrystalMask does, along with the pokémon that she uses. And I don't own Kenny's friend, Shura, she belongs to the creators of Rurouni Kenshin.

" " - 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

Upon arriving in Canalave, the Rangers escorted their prisoner, Mask, to their base for more questioning. Leta, Gary, and Ash stayed behind to watch the questioning, but Kenny had other plans. He quietly excused himself and headed for the library where he had first fought with Chase when he was stealing the books.

What is it that you guys are after? Kenny asked himself. He aimlessly wandered around the library hoping to find the thing he was looking for. He found himself in the ancient section of the library, where books about the past and ancient pokémon were held.

Kenny started to pick up books and flip through them. Every now and then, he would find something about one of the Beings, and he would read a little closer hoping to find something interesting. But every time he would fail.

"Long time, no see, Ranger," a girl's voice said from the end of the aisle. Kenny looked up to see a young girl with green hair about as long as Leta's, and also brown eyes.

"Well hello to you to, Shura," Kenny said with a smile. "What have the Rangers been keeping you busy with?"

"Protecting the Deities," Shura laughed nervously. "But I somehow have messed that up as well."

"So you heard about the Beings then," Kenny asked, as he watched Shura nod her head. Returning to the books, he asked out loud, "What are they after?"

"Well, considering that it must involve both the Deities and the Beings, I'd say we'd have to find a book that includes them all," Shura said. She went over to the computer and started to look up the different pokémon. Within a few minutes, she went walking right by Kenny with a smile.

"What are you so happy about?" Kenny asked, following her.

Shura stopped and pulled a book off the shelf. "This," she said with a smile, holding it in front of Kenny. Kenny took it from her and went over to a table.

Kenny opened the book and look at the contents page. Mesprit, Uxie, Azelf, Palkia, Dialga, and …"They can't be…" Kenny's face paled as the realization of Neo Team Rocket's plan finally made sense. "The Three Beings, the Two Deities, and the God, Arceus."

Xxxxxx

"Is there any thin we can get for you today Mr. Ikakas?" a waitress asked a dark clothed man in a restaurant.

"Just bring me my usual please," Mr. Ikakas replied. As the waitress left, the man picked up the newspaper and read the cover story. In big bold letters at the top of the newspaper read, NTR member caught! The man sighed heavily. If she says anything, my whole operation is going to be jeopardized. At least I don't have to worry about that punk ever again. And he's even sleeping with his parents now at the bottom of that cliff. He had potential, if he didn't start to have those damn breakdowns.

"Here you go, Mr. Ikakas," the waitress said, putting the soup bowl down in front of the man. "Can I get you anything else?"

"Not at the moment, thanks," Mr. Ikakas said, dismissing the waitress. It is time to proceed with the next part of my plan. He pulled out a phone and dialed a number. "Andy, commence Operation Museum tonight. Get me that piece!"

A monotonic male's voice came through the phone. "Yes, Master."

As Mr. Ikakas began to eat his soup, he thought, It won't be long before I own the God pokémon Arceus. And then no one will stand in my way of ruling this pathetic world! Not even that brat with the Pikachu!

Xxxxxx

Kenny and Shura made their way back to the Ranger base just on the outskirts of Canalave city. While Shura went on to see how the interrogation was preceding, Kenny made his way to the lounge area to learn more about Arceus. Grabbing a soda from one of the vending machines, he sat down and opened the book.

He read, In order to summon the God pokémon, Arceus, you must first capture the Three Beings, and the Two Deities. After you have them, then you must acquire the Azure Flute. Finally, at the top of Spear Pillar, play the Azure Flute and the doors to Arceus' lair will appear for the one who played the Flute to enter.

Kenny continued on the next page. A single person may capture the God, only if he defeats Arceus in a battle. And having possession of this God will give him unlimited power. The world will fall into chaos, and the world will cease to exist. Everything will perish. Kenny gasped when he read that the world would end at the capture of this God pokémon.

"We can't let this happen," Kenny said through gritted teeth.

"Let what happen?" Shura asked from the door of the lounge.

"Where is the Azure Flute?" Kenny asked, picking up the book and heading out of the room.

"I don't know," Shura said unsure. "But we should be able to find where it's at momentarily."

"We don't have a moment to spare," Kenny said in an edgy voice.

Xxxxxx

In the interrogation room, Mask and Leta were sitting face to face across a table. Neither had said a word for about 2 hours. In fact, Mask hadn't said a word period.

"Where's your Master hiding?" Leta asked sternly. But Mask just stared back at her with a blank stare.

"I asked you a question!" Leta yelled.

Mask smirked. "You didn't say the magic word."

This got on Leta's nerves quickly. Reaching across the table, Leta grabbed Mask by the collar of her shirt and pulled hr halfway across the table. Hissing, Leta asked again, "Where is he hiding?"

Still smirking, Mask replied, "Say the magic word first."

"Why you…" Leta raised her fist.

"Please, Mask, where is he hiding?" Ash said suddenly from behind Leta. Leta whipped her head around to see that Ash was just closing the door.

"A little warning next time would be nice," Leta said, dropping Mask back into her chair.

"Hearthome," Mask said, with a smile.

"What does he want with the Beings?" Leta asked Mask, still pissed that Ash was there.

"And also why does he want the Deities?" Ash added.

Mask started to answer. "The Three Beings and the Two Deities are needed to be present when the Azure Flute is played so that…"

"HE'S GOING TO SUMMON ARCEUS!" Kenny yelled, bursting into the room.

"Exactly what he said," Mask said.

"What is that?" Ash and Leta asked.

Before Kenny could answer, since he was busy catching his breath, Mask decided to answer that question. "Arceus, the God pokémon, gives its trainer unlimited power. But along with the Beings and Deities, a single person could rule over this world as a God himself. Chasey told me that."

Leta got mad again. "WHERE IS CHASE?!"

"What's wrong? Does he mean something to you?" Mask asked in a teasing tone.

Leta grabbed Mask once again and pulled her out of her chair. "He was my boyfriend before Neo Team Rocket kidnapped him from me. And why did you call him 'Chasey'?" Leta asked, throwing Mask back into her chair harshly.

Bowing her head, Mask replied, "Because he was also kind of my boyfriend while he was part of Neo Team Rocket. Master always paired us up for our missions. He always looked out for me, and took the blame for something that I did by mistake. But there was this one time, on our vacation two years ago. We had taken a month and gone to a private beach where it was just the two of us. One of the last nights we were at that beach, there was a full moon out. He said I looked 'beautiful' in the moonlight, right before he kissed me. I never knew…"

"I think I'm going to be sick," Leta said, running out of the room, holding her sides and her mouth.

"I think I'm going to go make sure she's alright," Kenny said, exiting the room to follow Leta.

It was just Mask and Ash left in the room. Neither one of them spoke for a few minutes, nor looked one another directly in the eye. Finally, Ash asked, "How did Chase come to know all this information?"

Mask looked up at Ash. "He stole some books from this library and did his research on them before we went after the Beings. He also did some research on the Deities as well, along with some Eevee research, which I really haven't gotten a straight answer from him as to why he likes Eevees so much."

"He always has, even from the beginning. He started his travels to find his parents with six Eevees from Prof Oak. He just loves those Fox type pokémon. Always has, always will, until death," Ash said calmly.

The prisoner official knocked on the door. "It's time for the prisoner to be escorted to her cell for the night."

"Don't worry about it officer," Ash said. "I'll take care of that." He got up and motioned for Mask to stand. He then put the cuffs on her behind her back gently. Escorting her past the officer, he help a hold of her cuffs to prevent her from running. Once they were out of the officer's sight, he let go of the cuffs and softly put one of his arms around her waist and walked beside her with her close to him. It's a good thing he didn't look down at her, or he'd see that her face was turning a bright red.

"Aren't you supposed to be escorting me to my cell?" Mask asked nervously.

"Isn't that what I'm doing now?" Ash asked back.

"Well, yeah," Mask said nervously. "But I mean, escorting me in the way that you are. It makes you look like you aren't doing your job. More like, just walking with me."

"Oh, make no mistake about it. I am escorting you, so you don't run from me. But also," Ash laughed slightly, "Because I want to hold you." Mask's face turned a bright red as she bowed her head lower. Ash laughed to himself.

"Oh, and was that story really true about you and Chase on that vacation?" Ash asked curiously.

"Nope," Mask answered cheerfully. "I made that up just to play with Leta's head. Although it is true that I do like him, but more as a brotherly figure."

"I thought so, since I saw that huge grin plastered on your face when she ran out of the room," Ash laughed, as he held her tighter.

"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you," Mask said in a subdued voice.

"Don't be too sorry. Everything will be alright soon enough," Ash said with a whisper.

Xxxxxx

Andy found a pay phone outside of the museum. "Mr. Ikakas, I have your Flute. The security around here is so lazy. I could have ripped it off during the day."

"Good job, my boy. Don't get over confident. We still have the next phase to complete," Master said. Meet me at the soup shop tomorrow for lunch, my treat."

"Yes sir," Andy said, hanging up the phone. You better pay me good for this job. I came off of vacation just for you. He whistled into the night as he disappeared into the shadows.

Xxxxxx

The phone rang at the Ranger's base late that night. Shura answered the phone and spoke to the person on the other side. It was Officer Jenny. "You're positive?"

"Yes, the Azure Flute was reported missing after a standard walk through by the museum security guard," Jenny said.

"Thanks," Shura said, hanging up the phone.

Running into the lounge, that was made into a makeshift bunker, she yelled, "THE FLUTE WAS STOLEN!"

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Howdy ya'll! Well, I'm back from my vacation, and boy do I miss it. But, bills need to be paid, so I must work. BLAH!

Well, everything seems to be falling into place here. The next chapters should be fun to write, and read.

So until next time, keep reading and reviewing!