Ash and Riley were waiting for the girls to come back to the hidden gym on top of Lila's office building. The two guardians in hiding to prevent Mienshao leeching of them and make it easier for May and the others. Both still in their costumed but without mask they started to spar to pass the time.
Ash to what he usual did formed a long sword compared to his trademark kunai knives. Focusing on his stance he had a lot to learn when it came to sword fighting. Roserade last time was the superior duelist and Ash thought was time to expand on his own blade work.
Ash slashed at Riley's staff which he held with two hands. Using the ends of it the older guardian blocked Ash's strike as they went through the motions. The two changed between attack and defense. Their actions getting quicker and quicker after a set repertoire Ash could feel the new type of weapon merge with his hands. The range and options it can offer him in fights will come in use.
The two locked weapons as they split apart taking a new form.
"We're back!" The two heard a female voice yell out. They watched in the direction it came from and saw the three girls come into the area. The two aura weapons vanished into nothing leaving no trace on what they were doing as they then got closer as Riley spoke up.
"All of you are still in one piece so I assume it went well?"
"You bet! Mienshao is down and out!" Dawn saying proudly with Ash relieved. The shaolin was way too much for him and he was glad that for once the numbers game is in their advantage.
"Great job girls. This really increases our movement." Riley also satisfied with the conclusion of the events of today.
"See this as return for capturing Sableye." May said as her spirit would do anything for her but fighting the gem eater.
"It still is bad the police are still after us. I thought they were on our side." Dawn confused why the cops were trying to grab them. Apart from her they should've accepted Glaceon and Leafeon. May told her it wasn't much to worry about.
"Give it time. Dad says people at the station are slowly turning round. Me fighting that giant robot in the docks and us containing the riots created a lot of good will. Delivering Sableye and Mienshao will only increase our reputation so eventually they'll stop trying to arrest us."
"Now for the necromancer and Cacturne." Zoey already focused on the bigger fish. The others were a distraction and now they can get to work on the real threats after having cleaned up Veilstone City just a little. The other four nodded. Riley spoke up again as he and Ash had discussed something while in hiding.
"I believe we should make teams. Each one should have one aura user and one of you girls on it. That way we have someone close if we meet another counter to our powers like Sableye and Mienshao so he or she can tag in instead."
"Divide and conquer." Umbreon said getting the idea.
"There's five of us. How are we splitting?" Leafeon agreeing too Riley told the selection.
"The first team is Ash, May and Dawn. The second team is me and Zoey."
"Why are we the one with three people?" Dawn wondered.
"Because you might need an extra hand. Ash and May are more capable of going solo for a bit so it wouldn't hurt if one of them left the group." The newest hero pouted which Riley picked up on.
"Don't worry. It's not your skills that are in question. Just an extra pre caution due to your inexperience and the other two knowing the city better."
"Come on Ash. Why just not us two?" Dawn wanting to go with him on patrols alone but his hands were tied.
"He's sort of my teacher. What he says goes." Ash glad though Dawn preferred to be alone with him. What he and his mom talked about wouldn't come much from during patrol but her presence is always welcome and he can keep an eye out for her.
"We got ourselves a lair here. We should come up with a name for it." Leafeon said as this became sort of a meeting and hiding place for them.
"Heaven. It's high up in the sky and it's your place of relaxation where nobody can come in." Glaceon said giving a suggestion.
"Plus it fits with us trying to make the people believe we're angels." Umbreon thinking about it there always was a sort of habit to make them seem more then what they are. The three hosts nodded liking the sound of it.
"You guys have objections?"
The two aura guardians shook their head. They can agree on the name for a safety precaution.
"It's official! Instead of Lila's hidden gym we're calling it Heaven!" Dawn yelled in enthusiasm.
Riley called the attention of the four.
"For now we rest. We will stop minor crimes but the moment school is finished on Friday we gather here again. Get a good rest cause it's going to be a long weekend for all of us. Do what you need to do in the time you have left cause we will not stop till we find the necromancer."
"Right!" All four youngsters listening in were all ready to be called on if needed to. Dawn's group would check out the old sawmill Zoey talked about after tomorrow's school. For now they all would head home to get some rest and wait for the fallout of what they did.
In another shady part of town there was an operation going on underground. The worn-down buildings made for a perfect spot to hide in. Inside an old hotel the kitchen area is still being used for cooking something. Just not regular food as the former hotel got turned into a drug den.
Men with automatic rifles patrolled the building shooting any invaders on sight. In the main office was a man sitting in a chair surrounded by cacti.
"Uhm…boss?"
Dressed in a green suit with a black tie he came in. The boss looked over the man from under his big hat
"Yes Jeffrey? Are you here to say the new batch is ready for shipping?" With a femalely tone in his voice he spoke up. Jeffrey always got freaked out whenever he talked to the man. The boss always sounded weak and pathetic but he of all people know it was just a front and the boss can kill him before he knows it.
"It is."
"Good. Don't make them wait any longer. We're setting up a new branch and punctuality is important." Cacturne pointed up with a finger lecturing him. The henchman dud get a little nervous as he still had bad news.
"There's an issue." The giant hat on the boss's head raised up.
"Well. Most of the boys are getting scared. We only had to deal with two of them back home but now there's more than fingers on one hand. They are scared cause there's a bigger chance we run into one now."
From where they were from they only had Leafeon and Roserade to deal with. They didn't sign up for frog ninja's, wolves, living ice and shadow manipulators.
"You're not scared are you?"
"No…no…boss…not at all…" The one mostly dressed in green got out of his chair. Moving to the man he took a hold of his collar and set it straight. Dusting off the mans shoulders for any filth he gave him a pat on it afterwards.
"That's why I like you Jeff. Always ready to tow the company line. You know what's good for you and the others." The boss his friendly smile showing Jeff knows he's in trouble. Cacturne let go off him and spikes sprouted entirely from his body.
"Here I am trying to turn over a new leaf and those two are here! Does poor little old me need to do everything myself?!" His outburst showing he remembered he's in the presence of another. The needles retracting into his skin left no sign of any scars.
"Just make sure the 'medicine' gets to the drop off point. You only have to worry about transporting it and getting me my money."
"Yes boss." Not going in any further he left the office. The boss pulled out a green phone from his pocket. Ringing a number on it he tapped his heeled shoe impatiently till his receiving caller picked up.
"Darling! It's me! How have you been?" He heard the sigh on the other side of the line but ignored it as the one the line couldn't deny him anyway.
"I need a little favor from you. Just a tiny one."
"Yeah. Yeah. Of course you and your partners will get some of the new batch. Just hurry up and get over here."
Dawn's team consisting of herself, Ash and May had checked out the abandoned sawmill the day after their meeting at the now dubbed Heaven. Sneaking around the place for clues for hours nothing worth of notice was found except for a few of empty coffins which freaked Dawn out. She knew it belonged to a professional undertaker but seeing all the boxes still rattled her a little.
"I'm not going to sleep tonight that's for sure."
It was getting dark which is their element but Dawn was going to have nightmares for sure.
"Too bad it's a dead end." Ash said hoping they would've gotten more out of it.
"You're not funny." May said a little frustrated herself over the lack of evidence.
"I wasn't trying to be." Still with how the day went they needed some time off.
"Mind if I head home? Mom made ramen today and I don't want to miss it."
"I'm starting to get hungry too. Let's call it a wrap." Ash agreeing with May's appetite wanted to get a good bite himself.
"Later guys."
"Later May." The normally brunette sped off home in her direction once they arrived at the city leaving Dawn and Ash alone. There were some things Dawn forgot to ask as the trio moved to the sawmill right after school.
"Did you speak to Kenny and Brock again?" Dawn wondering if he got the chance to continue their talk about her.
"They went looking for me yesterday while I was fighting Sableye. Wanted to talk today but I said I couldn't cause Riley asked me to help out in Heaven. Now we're going to go to the maid café at noon tomorrow to talk it out." A popular place due to the magical milkshakes and for the boys of Ash's age attractive waitresses, he at least had permission to be there and not be skipping school.
"Some food and drink makes the lips loose. Good spot."
"Why there?" Dawn asked.
"Cause Brock wants to be in a good place where there's little risk someone is trying to kill us. Mainly me." Ash thinking he actually was going there for the staff. Brock could be easily influenced by girls who were just a bit older then he is. Maybe had something to do with his flavor in mature woman cause he never saw him take an interest in his age group at school.
"You're not going there for the waitresses right?"
"Not me. You jealous?" He teased her as Dawn crossed her arms and pouted yet had leverage on him as she leaned forward with a grin.
"Why should I be? You said I can get anyone I like." It remembered him she was there and heard them talk.
"Did you really mean it or did you do it just to brag to Kenny?"
"I don't brag." Ash liked to believe he's disciplined enough not to abuse his aura for selfish reasons and use it on the schools sports teams where he can beat anyone and anything.
"Sure Mr. I know how to choose chopsticks like a pro." Dawn knowing he played with his food and chopsticks by catching it like a dog.
"Be glad I taught you. That place I'm going to take you to frowns on the use of knife and fork." The restaurant they'd go to in the future did not offer ordinary utensils. Classes were given to eat with chopsticks as the place prided itself on an authentic eastern experience.
"So what's the dress code there? Casual or fancy? Modern or classic? Lila would know the perfect style for me since she's even more into eastern culture than you are."
"You determine, I'll match it." He said plainly as he loved leaving her with the idea of fussing about her appearance.
"That's not helping."
"I know much how much can fret you about looking good. You look cute while you do it."
"Cute?"
"By the way, a piece of hair is sticking out on your right side." He pointed to his own head to show the spot as Dawn felt it over as well. She felt it still in place as she scowled and he laughed it off. As payback Dawn extended her arm and tried to grab him with her shadow. Ash jumped backwards a few times before bridging the gap between two buildings leaving her shadow out of his reach.
"Still a bit too slow Blacky!" He moved towards the direction of his house feeling glad about having said she's cute.
Dawn still in her spot her shadow retracted back to her still annoyed that she has to work on her speed. Ash still a lot faster than her she saw him leave her view pretty quick. With him out of sight a bit of her annoyance went away too as she blushed over his comment.
"He called me cute. Cute."
Her heart rate increasing just a little she at least had an opinion about her looks to him. Also the light teasing and inability to shut his mouth about the location of his talk with Kenny and Brock had to mean something. She made a choice that could get her normal self into more trouble then her hero persona if her mom did not agree to it.
"School be damned. I want to be there when it continues."
So. Who's hyped for the Sinnoh remakes? My interest goes in particular to the 'new' Legends game so at least I got something to do when Christmas comes around.
See you around.