I see the last chapter's events have left all of you readers in a bit of turmoil, you're making theories, asking questions, and asking me to give you the next chapter.

Well I have a new chapter right here for you to read, but I also have something to tell you readers. Some of the theories you may have made might not be right, these next few chapters are going to be full of surprises.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

-*X*x*X*-

Ash woke up abruptly, was everything that happened last night just a dream. No, that wasn't it, it felt far too real, but that wasn't it. Something else was up, he just couldn't place what. Deciding he would worry about it later he fell asleep.

Dawn woke up feeling a little fuzzy, she saw that she was tied to a chair. The room she was in was dark, but she could clearly see the people standing around her. She saw Trip, and was surprised to see Gary, Misty and Tobias too. Well the earlier of the three she wasn't as surprised.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Doing what I have to do." Trip said watching a screen that was in the room. He turned around and walked towards her, "Ash can't win this League, and I intend to make sure that happens, and you're going to help me."

Dawn looked at the other three, "You're in on this too? I thought you were Ash's friends."

"Sorry Dawn," Gary said, "But like Trip said, it has to be done." Misty looked down and didn't say anything. Tobias' face remained neutral

Trip walked towards her, "Look, we just want Ash out of this tournament, if you promise to do that do that. We'll let go completely unharmed."

Dawn glared at him, "Never." She said and spit in his face. Trip growled and slapped her across the face.

"Shut up bitch." he said, his comrades looked at him in surprise, "We don't have to make this difficult, but it will be if you act like this." A small Pokémon spying on the scene teleported away.

"Master?" the small Pokémon said as he appeared into the room. His master stirred and woke up.

"What is it?" he said. His Pokémon sent a mental image of what he just saw. Master growled and got out of his bed, "He's gone too far."

"Master, quiet down." Master rolled his eyes.

"Please they can sleep through a hurricane." He said and went out the door grabbing his other pokeballs as he went out the door. "Forget working indirectly, Trip has to be dealt with."

Trip was talking to his comrades, "This isn't working." Gary said, "Dawn is just refusing to cooperate."

Trip rubbed his temples, "We can't give up." Trip got an idea, "Tobias, maybe you can use your 'friend' to convince her." Tobias nodded.

"Gary, Misty, come with me." Tobias said, Gary and Misty seemed confused, but they agreed and left the room leaving Trip and Dawn alone in the room.

Trip turned towards the blunette. "Don't worry Dawn, you'll cooperate. One way or another you will help us." Trip put a rag under Dawn's nose and she fell back asleep. Trip smiled in satisfaction, "It's almost too easy."

"Don't be so sure about that." A new voice spoke. Trip turned around to see a… Meowstic?

"What's going on here?" Trip said.

The Meowstic stepped forward and spoke with perfect English, "The Master doesn't appreciate your actions Trip." Trip raised an eyebrow. He was about to question what the small Pokémon was talking about when two beams of red light came from the sides of the doorway. The first formed a Tyranitar, the second formed a shiny Charizard, "Grab him," Meowstic said and the large Pokémon rushed over and grabbed Trip before he could say anything.

"Just who do you think you are, and what makes you think you can do this to me?" he said.

"I think that's for me to say," Trip's eyes widened as he recognized the voice.

Meowstic bowed slightly as he came into view, "Master."

"What happened to your old team," Trip asked. Master smirked, it was a sight that sent shivers up Trip's spine. The last time he saw Master's face, it gave him that look for the first time, and it still haunts him.

"You like them?" he said, Trip was not used to seeing this side of him. he preferred it when he kept to himself and he had no idea what he was thinking, "Oh don't worry I still have that team, but what you see now is my true team." Master walked forward, "Trip, I gave you specific instruction with limits, but you've taken my normally laid back side for far too long."

Trip was getting nervous, "You told me to stop Ash from winning in Unova and I did."

"Yes, I also told you that you would make it seem like you're the main threat so that Ash would keep his focus on you while I finish the final stages of my plan." Master was losing his patience. "So why are pulling these stunts when I'm so close to finishing my plan?"

"Sir I was trying just trying to make sure your plan could go perfectly-" Master smacked Trip's face with the back of his hand.

"Don't give me that shit." He snapped. Trip looked up, his nose was bleeding and his lip was spit. "Trip, I promised that I would make your Pokémon strong enough to beat Ash's Pokémon and make it a believable victory even with my influence, but the deal only had one condition. You wouldn't harm or use any of Ash's friends after the betrayal." Trip paled, "Something you easily broke."

"Master," the Meowstic said, "You can't do anything to him yet, Trip is still in the tournament."

Master hesitated, "Very well, I'll let you off easy Trip, but if I find out that you're trying more stuff like this. I will find you and crush you like the bug Pokémon you are."

Trip tried to look tough, "Was that a threat?"

Master leaned in close enough that Trip could feel his unnaturally cold breath hitting his face. Trip was incredibly small when Master glared at him. He smirked and his eyes seemed to have a flame burning inside them, "It's a promise." The intensity of the flame inside his eyes increased, "You will call off your comrades and tell them the whole thing is off." Trip looked like he was in a trance and nodded, "Good boy." Master's eyes flashed and Trip passed out.

Master looked at the unconscious blunette, now what to do to make this seem like some crazy dream? Wait, a dream. That's it! "Meowstic, I have a job for you."

Dawn woke up to someone shaking her. Her eyes cracked open and saw Nora standing next to her, "Come on Dawn wake up, Ash's next match is in an hour." Dawn sat up and looked down, she was in her pajamas. "Dawn are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine, just a really crazy dream. Just let me get ready and then we'll go." Dawn got out of bed, but couldn't shake the dream, at least she thought it was a dream.

Meowstic was standing next to his master, "Good job boy." Master said to him, "Turns out Skill Swap works on clothes and not just abilities. Something to consider for the future." Master turned and walked away. Meowstic followed after him proud that he had pleased his master.

"So what now?" Meowstic asked.

"We need to get back to see Ash's next match." Master looked at the device on his wrist, "Well that's something else."

"What?" Meowstic asked.

The ends of Master's mouth twitched, "Ash's training will truly be put to the test in today's match." He looked down at the small Psychic Pokémon, "His next opponent is Tobias. I think it's time to make things more interesting."

-*X*x*X*-

*Chuckles in an evil fashion* Oh I am incredibly evil aren't I?

I know the chapter was a little short, but I'm sure it will leave you somewhat satisfied.

I hope you enjoyed it, and be sure to tell me what you think.

Also, if anybody has any ideas for Tobias's team, be sure to let me know.

This is W. R. Winters signing off.