Author's warning: This chapter will include a number of dark themes, including kidnapping, drug use, and realistic fears. While it still falls within the site's rating system, we thought it best to include this, in case any readers have sensibilities that are offended by this. If this is okay with you, we hope you enjoy our latest chapter.


After stopping by the Pokemon Center to get his team healed, Ash found that he was starving. Though the two spent a brief moment arguing over where to have dinner - Ash insisted on a barbeque place he'd seen on the walk back while Dawn wanted to try out a double battle outdoor cafe - they eventually settled on Dawn's choice. She was just the slightest big smug over the whole affair, walking briskly in front of Ash with a bounce in her step and her chin in the air. Though Ash tried to sulk, he really couldn't stay mad. She looked cute when she was confident like that and she had assured him the food would be delicious.

Besides, they'd be battling. After today's battle with Silver, he could use one to wind down.

"Oh, look at it!" Dawn cooed, leaning against the white fence surrounding a huge field.

Perhaps a dozen picnic tables were set under strung lights and now closed umbrellas. Each table was right by a battling field. Low hedges provided a sense of privacy to each field, though openings led to each one. The whole lot only boasted one small building that was probably the kitchen. Another was probably the bathrooms. Two sets of couples were currently battling while another four were just dining. Another was waiting on a bench just outside the fence.

"Huh… Not bad. Kinda… What's the word? Feels like somebody's backyard. Homey? I guess?" Ash answered.

"Are you here to dine?" one of the couple asked, spotting Ash and Dawn.

The woman beside him scoffed. She tossed her long pink hair. "Of course they're here to dine. Why else would they be here, Coal?"

The man breathed deeply before looking at the woman. "Aurora… I was just tryna be polite."

"Well, why don't you just handle the situation." Getting up and walking over, the woman held out her hand to Dawn. "Okay, so, to eat here, you have to pair up in four. Double battles, yeah? You two wanna pair up with us?" Looking over her shoulder, Aurora glared at Coal. "See? That easy?"

The dark red haired man shuffled after Aurora, not speaking. The Clefairy trailing him looked sorry for him.

Ash and Dawn exchanged a glance, much in the same manner Pikachu and Empoleon looked at each other. The two humans then shrugged.

Dawn shook Aurora's hand. "We'd love to!"

"Perfect!" Aurora chimed.

Just in time, the waitress walked over. "You four here to dine?"

"Yep!" all four answered, raising their hands with enthusiasm.

"Alright, then follow me. We'll prepare the appetizers. Why don't you four occupy yourselves with a battle before then? There's healing items near the table. Take them as you need them, but you don't have to knock each other out, either!" the waitress explained as she led them to their table.

Being left alone, the four looked between each other.

"Uh… Us against you?" Ash offered.

Aurora nodded. "Sounds good." She reached into her bag, clicking a pokeball. "Walrein, let's go!"

"Waaaaal!" the huge ice type chimed, flopping onto the ground.

"Whoa," Dawn tutted. "That's a big guy… Empoleon, why don't you join in, too?"

"Empo!"

"Well, if Dawn's using Empoleon, I choose Pikachu!" Ash enthusiastically said.

Coal shrugged. "Clefairy, guess it's us."

With all four pokemon posed and ready for battle, it was time to declare the rules.

"Let's see… If we don't have to have a regular battle… Why don't we just decide… If you're hit, you're out!" Aurora offered.

"Works for me," Ash agreed. "Dawn?"

"Yep!"

Coal shot a glance at Aurora. "... I dunno…"

She glared at him.

"Fine."

"Great! Now, Walrein, use Powder Snow!" Aurora ordered, pointing a hand forward.

"I've got it!" Dawn called. "Empoleon, use Bubble Beam!"

The two attacks met in the middle, neutralizing the each other.

"Nice! Pikachu, use Agility and then Quick Attack!" Ash ordered.

"Clefairy, use Telekinesis," Coal ordered, raising a hand.

Pikachu was dashing forward but suddenly felt a psychic hold pulling on him. Though he was able to resist it, it slowed him down greatly! He was an easier target now!

"Ugh, we're supposed to hit them, Coal!" Aurora snapped.

"We're holding him down for you," the man retorted.

"I gotta do everything. Walrein, use Brine!"

Dawn's eyes widened. "Empoleon, Ice Beam under Pikachu!"

A sheet of ice formed under the rodent just as Brine burst up. Pikachu trembled on the sheet as it began to tremble and break. He leaped from piece to piece, safely jumping away from Walrein's intended strike.

"Great save!" Ash praised. He raised his hand.

Dawn clapped her own against his. "We're a great team!"

"Does Clefairy know any hitting moves?!" Aurora chided.

"..." Coal looked off.

"Ugh! Fine, it's just us, Walrein! Use Body Slam!"

As the huge beast began lumbering towards Pikachu and Empoleon, Dawn and Ash exchanged a look and then nodded.

"Empoleon, use Ice Beam on the ground!"

"Pikachu, Iron Tail!"

Though Walrein had been just about to leap into the air, the sudden appearance of ice under his flippers took him off guard. Rushing forward, Pikachu spun and slapped his opponent, sending the other beast flying.

"One down!" Dawn noted.

"One to go!" Ash responded.

Aurora crossed her arms. "Ugh! Whatever. Have fun figuring it out yourself, Coal!"

"Clefairy, use Sing!" he ordered, trying to ignore Aurora.

Pikachu, still under the hold of Clefairy's Telekinesis, could not cover his ears quick enough to avoid the musical melody like Empoleon.

"Aw, man… There goes Pikachu," Ash lamented. "Can you finish this up, Dawn?"

"You laid great ground work, Ash. I can handle it!" the coordinator said. "Now, Empoleon, use Steel Wing!"

Rushing forward, Empoleon had little trouble sending Clefairy rolling back and away.

Ash walked forward, picking up his Pikachu. "Great job, buddy! C'mere, I'll get the medicine to wake you up!"

While the boy darted off to the table, Dawn patted and praised Empoleon. However, she was also witness to another event. After walking off a bit to collect her Walrein who'd been flung back quite a distance by Ash's impressive Pikachu, Aurora called Coal over. Reluctantly, the man picked up his Clefairy and slunk over to her. By his posture alone, it was clear she was berating him.

Dawn watched this with a certain sense of awkward pity forming in the pity of her stomach for Coal. Why was Aurora so hard on him? In the same breath, though, it didn't seem as if Coal were being very open and honest with his girlfriend.

Suddenly, Dawn was extremely grateful for Ash.

"Your appetizers are here!" the waitress cheerfully yelled, alerting all four trainers to the meal waiting for them.

"Great! I'm starved!" Ash cheered.

The group rushed to the table. The pokemon busied themselves with the berries provided to whet their appetites.

Dawn giggled as Ash shoved one potato skin into his mouth after barely finishing the other.

"Be careful or you'll choke!" she playfully chided.

Mirroring Ash's enthusiastic manner of eating, Coal tore into the fried goods, biting chunks out of the one held in each hand.

"Coal!" Aurora hissed. "Don't be a pig!"

The man lowered both pieces before putting them back down on his plate, appetite lost.

Dawn quirked her brows. "There's plenty, isn't there?" she suggested.

"It's the principle," Aurora snapped. "Don't you know what I mean? Boys can just be so… piggy."

Crossing his arms, Ash looked to Dawn. Did he have to put up with this while he was eating? Really?

Seeing Ash's displeasure, she put a hand on his arm, giving him a pleading look. She wanted to go, too, but somehow she didn't feel right abandoning Coal, especially when a bad departure would probably wind up worse for him.

"I don't really think it's good to go throwing around blanket statements," Dawn said gently, testing the waters.

"Mm… Maybe you're right." She crossed her arms. "I just think if you eat a lot, you should pull your own weight."

At this jab, Coal crossed his arms and looked off.

Ash suddenly realized why Dawn didn't want to just leave. Poor guy. She really didn't respect him.

"... Well, why don't we have another battle?" Ash offered. "While we're waiting for the real food! Uh, how about a contest style double battle? Do… you guys know about contests?"

Aurora's eyes glimmered. "Oh, do I!" she enthused.

"That works," Coal meekly responded.

After shuffling out of their chairs, the group were set up for another round of battles.

This time, Aurora took initiative. "Walrein, use Powder Snow!"

"Waaal!"

Clapping his flippers together, the behemoth created a flurry of soft, beautiful snow to dust the ground. Pikachu and Empoleon both hunkered down from the nippy wind, finding the cold seeped into their joints. They weren't as limber as they were before.

"Clefairy, use Telekinesis!" Coal ordered, holding a hand out.

Suddenly, Pikachu and Empoleon were lifted up, circling each other in the air.

"Clefaaaairy, Clefairy!" the little pink pokemon sang.

"Well, this isn't a good start," Ash mumbled. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on Walrein!"

"Ash!" Dawn chided. "Contest battle!" Shaking her head, she commanded Empoleon. "Ice Beam!"

"Oh, right! … Oops."

Still, Dawn managed to salvage appearances. Pikachu's Thunderbolt led the assault on Walrein, with Ice Beam following shortly after. The initial blow was close to knocking Walrein out. After all, Ash was quite the experienced trainer and Pikachu had been with him all the while! Dawn and Empoleon, too, were exceptional. It was no wonder after a back-to-back series of blows from the two of them that the poor creature was unconscious.

But, the aftermath of the attacks was beautiful. A shallow pool of glass, ice, and melted snow pooled around Walrein.

"Not bad," Dawn tutted.

"When we work together, we're great!" Ash agreed.

Aurora grunted before returning Walrein. "Coal… Figure it out."

With the two opponent pokemon still in his Clefairy's grasp, he had quite a bit of figuring out to do, indeed. "Ugh… Sing!"

"Clefaaaaaa~" the fairy type called, a heart on his chest as he belted out the melody.

Naturally, as neither Pikachu nor Empoleon could avoid the attack, one of them was going to get hit. Pikachu was the victim this time.

"Well, it's your show for a bit," Ash said before laughing good naturedly.

Dawn winked at Ash. "I'll try to dazzle you, then. Empoleon, Steel Wing!"

Twisting and writhing, Empoleon eventually broke out of the grip of Clefairy's Telekinesis. Rushing across the ground, the partial steel type smacked the fairy one good time, sending him skidding.

"Nightmare!" Coal ordered, a hand thrown out.

While Ash's Pikachu writhed from where he'd flopped on the ground after Clefairy's concentration for Telekinesis was broken, a magnificent purple bloom of fears and frights blossomed above the little yellow pokemon.

"Whoa! Cool!" Dawn praised. "But, we can do better! Empoleon, Ice Beam a path and then use Drill Peck!"

Slicking down a path straight for Clefairy, Empoleon whirled down to the pink creature. The impact was devastating and impressive.

Coal was a little upset about the loss, but he picked Clefairy up with a smile. "That was fun! I've never seen anyone combine moves like that! I might try mixing Telekinesis with Nightmare… It's gotta look cool, like your Thunderbolt-Ice Beam combo, right?" he asked.

Ash picked up Pikachu while Dawn scratched Empoleon beneath his beak.

"Combination moves are always a showstopper!" Dawn agreed.

"They're handy in regular battles, too," Ash admitted.

The good mood was broken by Aurora. "Are you gonna ignore what just happened?!" the girl snapped. "Coal, we lost two for two! You've got that moon stone, so I don't know why you don't just evolve your Clefairy!"

Dawn and Ash fell silent, feeling awkward in the middle of a lover's quarrel.

Tensing, Coal gripped his Clefairy more tightly. "Clefairy doesn't want to evolve, Aurora! B-Besides, we're always carrying the weight of the team! So… So… You should shut up!"

There was absolute silence.

"... Fine. You scared off the waitress, by the way. Dinner's waiting for us." Turning her nose up, Aurora walked over to the table.

Coal, Ash, and Dawn followed begrudgingly. The dinner that followed was uncomfortable. After a bit, Dawn asked Ash if he'd join her in a quick walk around the garden. All too happy to escape this situation, he agreed.

As the two walked around the garden, Dawn sighed.

"Ash, we gotta do something."

"Not really," he said quietly. "We could leave."

Crossing her arms, Dawn looked up at Ash. "We gotta help."

"... Ugh! Fine. But, I'm not dealing with Aurora."

"That's fine," she agreed. "You talk to Coal."

As the two walked back to the table, Aurora and Coal were trying to select a dessert.

Snatching a peach sorbet, Aurora quickly ate a spoonful before pointing it at Coal as he tried to indulge in his tiramisu. "Ugh, see! We could have split something! Now, I gotta finish this whole thing or it's gonna be a problem."

Coal tried to ignore her, digging his form into the dessert.

"... Hey, can I get that lava brownie?" Ash asked, throwing a grimace in Dawn's direction. She owed him for this.

After Ash took his dessert, the man walked over to Coal. "Hey, man, mind if I sit by you?"

"... Sure."

Daw nodded. If Aurora was eating a sorbet, she could walk and eat that! Dawn looked at the dessert cart. "Hm… I'll have the pudding cup!" Taking the glass in hand, Dawn turned to Aurora. "Hey, girl! Wanna walk and talk?"

"Ugh, sure. Happy to get away from this loser."

Wincing at the insult, Dawn fell into step with Aurora.


"So, what's up with you and Aurora, dude?" Ash asked around a mouthful of fudge. "She's always ragging on you."

Coal sighed, his shoulders drooping. "She doesn't have any faith in me… She doesn't even treat me like we're on the same level half the time."

"You ought to tell her that. She shouldn't be talkin' to you like that."

A comfortable silence fell between the two men after that. Coal seemed comforted by Ash agreeing.

"... You know, it's not cool that you point out how weak Aurora's pokemon are. I mean, like, her Walrein isn't as strong as your Clefairy, but saying that probably made her all defensive."

"... You think she's defensive?"

Ash shrugged. "Maybe? People act mean when they're scared." He took another bite. "Or, embarrassed."


Meanwhile, Aurora was busy spilling her heart out to Dawn. "I just, I just can't rely on him, Dawn! Like… He's just not a take charge kind of guy! There's no romantic spark!"

"You could just tell him what you want," Dawn said, somehow not feeling very sympathetic towards Aurora. After all, Dawn had done the confessing - wasn't it okay to just say what you wanted? "Honesty is the best policy."

"Maybe. But, like… Shouldn't he just know to be romantic with me!? Doesn't he love me?!"

Dawn cocked her head. "He's not a mind reader."

"That's true…"

"Plus, you shouldn't rely on Coal like that. You're your own person. Take care of yourself! You don't see me rely on Ash for everything! Plus, that's a lot of pressure on him."

"That's one way to look at it," Aurora agreed, licking another spoonful of her sorbet.


As Dawn and Aurora walked back to the table, Ash and Coal were looking over the check. Dashing over, Dawn snatched the small booklet holding it.

"Nope!" she said in a playful tone, winking at Ash. "You covered our last date! My turn!"

"You could just ask for it," Ash half-whined. "It's rude to snatch, ya know."

"Aw. I'm so sorry," she mocked with a smile.

The two burst out laughing while Dawn took out some bills. Aurora and Coal both watched this in shock. Aurora made eye contact with the man before looking down. Coal sighed before putting the money down for their meal.

Still, Ash's words from earlier rung over again in Coal's head. He spoke up.

"Hey, Aurora, you were really passionate earlier, when we were battling."

The girl's head popped up, looking shocked. "Thank you! … My Walrein isn't as strong as your Clefairy, but, um… You shouldn't have to defend us all the time, haha. Sorry for expecting that."

Standing up, Coal walked over to her. "I don't mind being reliable, but I do want your respect."

Straightening her back and holding her chin up, Aurora humphed. "Well, I can respect you if you listen to my requests every now and then."

"What do you want?"

"I'd like to go on a romantic walk, now," Aurora tutted.

Coal grinned. "I can do that. Clefairy, c'mon! We're headed out."

Coal and Aurora held hands, walking away from the eatery.

Ash and Dawn let out a sigh of relief.

"So, uh, do you want to go for a romantic walk?" Ash asked.

Dawn laughed. "Uh, no! Those two wiped me out. I want to go back to the Pokemon Center and go to bed!"

Ash fist pumped. "I was hoping you'd say that! After all the battling today, I'm wiped." He looked over his shoulder. "Pikachu, Empoleon! C'mon! We're headed back!" Ash stood. "Early to bed, early to train!"

"Is that all you're gonna do tomorrow…?"

"Don't worry, I won't train out in public!" Ash promised, with Dawn's fears in mind.


The group had, indeed, crashed after a grueling day of battles and drama. Comfortably dozing the night away, Ash, Dawn, and their pokemon woke refreshed and their drives renewed. A quick breakfast in the Pokemon Center fueled them for the day before they headed out.

"See? This is out far enough. We're in the clear!" Ash jerked a thumb to a duty old battlefield bordering the west end of Viridian City. Weeds had prodded through the large patch of dirt, and the fields' spray painted borders had faded and decayed, for the most part.

It might've been a little depressing, if it didn't suit their purpose so well. No one to interrupt or heckle the group during their hard work.

"Perfect!" Dawn clasped her hands together. "Then, let's get to work!"

"You've got it," Ash agreed, turning to his box on the field before tossing a pokeball. "You're up first, Rosa!"

The Lucario appeared in a flash, peering about the battlefield. ~W-we're training, now!?

"You guessed it," Ash answered. "We're going to make sure we're all ready for Silver, next time!"

The Lucario's shoulders sloped, her ears drooping. ~I'm sorry I lost… I tried my hardest! Weavile was tough, but we figured it out, but I was so tired! Nidoking just hit so hard, and… and…~

"Pika!" Pikachu interrupted, sprinting over to his taller, bluer companion. He turned, patting her with his lightning bolt tail. "Pikachu!" It was okay! She'd done her best, and that was what mattered.

"Pikachu's right," Ash agreed with his partner's sentiments. He was grateful that the mouse took the initiative to calm the Lucario's nerves. "We all lose, sometimes. You don't have to feel bad about it! The only thing you can do is work harder, so you'll win next time."

"Right! No guts, no glory!" Dawn agreed.

At that point, a flash emitted from her belt, taking the form of Empoleon.

"Speaking of glory…"

"Empol!" The penguin squawked, waddling over to the Luacrio, resting his wings on his hips before raising one of them high. Big bro would teach her to be tough and confident! Just follow his lead!

Warmth swelled up in the furry fighter's heart. All of this support… She felt like she would burst! A whine slowly rising in pitch climaxed in a loud bark and a paw thrown in the air. ~YEAH! I'll whoop all their butts! With big bro,~ her gaze turned to Pikachu. Then Empoleon. ~...And bigger bro! And Papa, and Momma Dawn, I'll be unstoppable!~

Dawn couldn't help but hold a hand to her heart. Now, she was an honorary Momma!? In that case… "Well, then, let's get to work! I'm sure Empoleon could help you out; you're both steel types! Maybe you could learn a move from him, somehow!"

It wasn't as if she could pick up Steel Wing… But, maybe there was something else!

"Empol!" The water type declared. He was up to the task!

~Y-yeah! Let's go!~ Rosa lunged at her larger peer, a fist reared.

Needless to say, sparks flew.


Probably twenty minutes had passed, now, but it'd felt like hours. Both Rosa and Empoleon still stood, each covered in small scratches. Both huffed, growing weary.

The Lucario let out a frustrated yip, striking the earthy floor below her. ~This is… this is too hard!~

"Empol!" Empoleon instructed, raising his wing… His very sore wing. It'd been battered by one too many Power-up Punches. All the same, he poured his focus into it, and it shimmered. All he had to do was focus on the metals that now clad his bones! Naturally, the power would flow to his limbs!

~Like… Like this?~ The Lucario grunted, pouring her power into her fist. Instead, a glimmering orange flame surrounded it.

"That's still Power-up Punch,"Ash corrected. They were getting a good exercise out of this, at the very least. But, they weren't making much progress, with new moves.

"I had to teach Pikachu Iron Tail from scratch," he recalled. "Maybe he could help."

"Empoleon!" A dissenting voice squawked. He could still do this! "Pol." He held out his wing, once more. If she could just focus on making her skin more dense…

~I can take it!~ Rosa protested, stubborn as ever. She sprinted towards her larger opponent, growling as her focus poured into her paw. If she could just use Metal Claw… Just a bit more focus…!

Her paw began to glow, and she jumped at the water type.

Empoleon beamed. This was it! That had to be Metal Claw, or Bullet Punch! Now, he'd just have to…!

A teal explosion interrupted the avian's thoughts, rocking the field with thick smoke.

Empoleon flew out of the aftermath, skidding straight out of bounds, unconscious.

Dawn was flabbergasted. "Was… Was that some kind of new move!?"

"I think it was just Aura Sphere," Ash reluctantly relayed. "Maybe she's not ready yet… She's only been a Lucario for around a week… Hell, she's only been around for a few months, now. Taking on moves from a new type can't be easy." Much the same way, he figured, that learning to hone his supernatural senses when he was used to using his eyes and ears.

"Empoleon…! Talk about luck," Dawn deadpanned, running over to check on her companion.

~O-oops…~ The Lucario stuttered, fidgeting with her paws. That hadn't been the plan.

"Hey, screw-ups happen. He'll be alright. But, you put up a pretty great fight!" Ash praised, walking towards his pokemon, intending to give a congratulatory pat.

His praise was interrupted by a surge of pain in his back.

"Ah!"

"Pika!"

A spinning, glowing sphere had knocked Ash and Pikachu to the ground, leaving both hissing in pain.

"Ah… What the hell was that!?" Ash groaned, rubbing the back of his head.

"Pikachu… Pika!?" Pikachu squeaked, finding himself surrounded by transparent screens. A metallic floor closed under him, and he found himself lifting from the ground.

A small cage had begun to levitate, suspended by a Magneton's pull.

"Oww…" Ash finally sat up, turning to get a look behind him. His face twisted in disgust.

A round of haughty laughter came from three distinct voices. Jessie, James, and Meowth stood at the edge of the field, their hands on their hips.

"Can't we ever catch a break!?" Ash snarled. The sight of Pikachu in one of their traps wasn't something he'd seen in ages. But, he would've settled for never seeing it again.

"C'mon, Empoleon… We might need your help here." Dawn cradled her starter pokemon, waving a hand in front of his face. So much for staying out of trouble.

"'Fraid not, Twoipy!" Meowth cackled. "This time, we gotcha right where we want ya's!"

"You wish," Ash spat, pushing himself to his feet. "Rosa, Aura Sphere!"

The Lucario snarled, pulling a paw behind her head. ~I-I'll show you!~

A teal sphere of energy was lobbed at the small band of crooks.

"It's not going to be that easy, this time, brat!" Jessie boasted, swiftly tossing a pokeball. "Mirror Coat!"

A flash put Wobbuffet in Aura Sphere's path. "Wobbu!"

The blue pokemon's skin shimmered with a rainbow guard, his body recoiling when the sphere crashed into him. "Fet!" He cried, throwing his body back out. Aura Sphere was bounced back.

Before the Lucario could defend herself, she was struck, caught up in an earth-rattling explosion.

The debris soon cleared, and the Lucario was struggling to stand. Between this and her training with Empoleon, she was exhausted. ~O-ow….~

James was all too eager to throw his hat into the ring. "Magneton, Thunder Wave!"

The steel type spun about, launching a flickering current towards the Lucario. "Ton!"

Suddenly numbed by the electric shock, Rosa howled, finding herself unable to move.

"This is bad… Return, Empoleon!" Dawn recalled her starter with his pokeball, tossing another. "We need your help, Quilava!"

"Lava!" The pokemon cried, sending a glare towards Team Rocket. Couldn't they just buzz off!?

Jessie only chuckled. "I have to hand it to you, Twerpette. You did us a big favor, wearing Lucario down for us. It makes our jobs much, much easier." The scarlet-haired Rocket pulled out what looked to be a gas mask, strapping it over her face.

James and Meowth did the same. The lavender-haired man let out a muffled chuckle, holding a rose between his fingers. "We'd love to catch up, but we'll have to get back to you!" A flick of his wrist flung the flower towards the ground, where the stem stuck. A black, noxious gas began to spew from the rose.

"You wish!" Ash hissed, reaching for a pokeball. "You're not getting Pika… chu…!" With every word, though, the teen felt his strength leaving him. His eyes became irritated, and his mind foggy.

Overhearing Ash's coughing fit from within, Dawn gasped. "Hang on, Ash!" She sprinted forward, using her hand to cover her nose and mouth, with Quilava hot on her trail. The thick smog was disorienting, though, leaving her to snag her foot, falling on her face.

A squeak from below her told her that she'd tripped over Rosa. "S-sorry…!" Tried as she may to right herself, though, the coordinator felt dizzy. Her legs felt like jelly, and failed to support her.

After what felt like several foggy minutes, the noxious gas began to disperse. Dawn blinked the tears out of her eyes, her head turning every which way for a sign of her allies or enemies. Even in her light-headed state, she was sure she saw nothing… Not Jessie, James, Meowth, or Wobbuffet. Nor did she see…

"Ash!? Pikachu!?" Dawn sat up, her heart beginning to pound. No matter where she looked, she was alone, save for Rosa and Quilava. Had they even taken Ash, himself, before!?

"This is all my fault… I shouldn't've entered that stupid contest!" Dawn dug her nails into the dirt, her strength beginning to return to her. She swallowed, looking to the disoriented pokemon beside her. "Quilava… Help Rosa up, please?"

"Lav," the pokemon responded, scurrying to the Lucario's side.

The coordinator clenched a fist, her tear-stained eyes turning toward the mid-morning sky. "Ash, and Pikachu… I swear, I'll rescue you guys!"

Wherever they were.


He ached.

That was his first sensation upon waking, spinning and disoriented, a white ceiling passing before his eyes. Body relaxed, he tried to recollect where he was. He tried to shift in what he assumed was the hardest bed on earth, but found his wrists and ankles were bound. Lifting his head in horror, he recalled exactly what happened.

His immediate response was to scream.

"Pikachu! Dawn! Rosa! Empoleon!"

His reward was a swift smack to the jaw.

"Be quiet!"

Chest heaving, Ash looked with wild eyes to the Rocket grunt wheeling him into what might have passed for a very disturbed doctor's office. It was painfully metallic and white and stank of bleach.

He felt parched and hot, yet somehow the metal gurney he was bound to felt as if it were freezing him. He looked up, trying to figure out where he was, still. Was this the secret base of Team Rocket?

What he spotted, instead, made his blood boil. With their backs to him, the trio of Team Rocket he knew, and had once upon a time thought as almost friendly enemies, were speaking to a person cloaked in white. Their demeanor was calm, calculated, and almost cruel, very stiff and certain. Their stature and way of carrying themselves dwarfed the grunts around them. However it was, they were important and they knew it.

As the person spotted Ash, his heart sped up. Silver! It was -

Not Silver. Very similar to him, though. Unnervingly so, really; Ash tried to swallow spit he didn't have as the woman with red hair looked him over.

Until now, he'd been too disoriented to really hear what they were saying. Even though her lips were moving and sound was coming out, Ash couldn't yet recognize what she was saying. Now, however, he did.

It wasn't meant for him.

"Excellent job," she said, speaking to Jessie, James, and Meowth, though she didn't look at them. "You're dismissed. I'll take over from here. The research facility is perfectly suited to handling such… volatile projects."

Ash furrowed his brows when she roughly grabbed his jaw.

"But, you won't give me trouble, will you?"

He would have spat at her if he had the spit for it. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Jessie and James looking at him with something like pity. Were they hesitating to leave? He gripped his hands into fists. How dare they act concerned now that they'd already delivered him into the Luxray's den?! He felt betrayed in that moment, but he didn't quite know why. Perhaps the brief moments when they'd worked together didn't mean anything to the trio.

"I said you were dismissed," the woman repeated.

The group left, then. Ash watched them leave, chest on fire with rage.

Letting go of Ash's face, the woman wiped her hand on her skirt. "He's to be taken to our maximum security cell. He won't eat or drink until he can be observed by a researcher."

The grunts nodded. "Yes, Miss Ariana."

Ash's nostrils flared, but he tried to remain calm as the gurney was pushed once more. He flexed his muscles and twisted his hands, but found miserably that he was bound too tight to do anything. However, there was still the option of aura!

As he tried to focus despite the still lingering, dizzying effects of his elongated exposure to the gas earlier, the grunts opened his cell door.

"Don't forget to give him the shot," one said.

Ash's eyes flicked to the one who spoke. Shot?! What were they going to give him?!

As he turned his head away, he felt a sudden, sharp, pricking pain. "Augh!" he groaned, whipping his head around to look at the grunt who'd jabbed him. Ash began to struggle wildly, lifting his chest and hips and head all in a vain attempt to free himself. He felt the gurney behind to shake and buck a bit…! But, then his body began to not respond to him. He felt himself growing numb. Soon, he could not even move at all, save blinking.

"What a relief," one of them said. "We'd've been up shit creek if we lost this important research project."

Unable to resist, Ash watched miserably as the grunts unbound his now useless hands. He couldn't even gather up aura. Picking him up as if he were less a person and more a carcass, they moved him with all the dignity one might move a sack of potatoes. As he was dragged into the cell, he wondered why they wanted to study him.

Uncomfortably positioned, Ash was powerless to do anything about it right now. They bound his wrist once more, barely far enough from the wall that he could imagine himself facing away from it if he could move.

He watched motionlessly as the grunts checked his wrist cuffs and then locked him into the cell.

"Pikachu…" Ash mumbled, finally regaining control of his mouth. The name barely came out as a whisper.

The grunt heard it, though. He looked strangely at Ash before snapping his fingers in realization. "Hey, kid! No worries. Your li'l mouse is gonna be studied for Team Rocket's glory, too!" He tilted his head. "I ain't ever heard of no li'l critter from such a common species ever bein' this important, before, so that's gotta be somethin' to be proud of!" The grunt chuckled, completely unaware of why Ash was truly upset. "You're prized, too! Look, you've got your own private cell and everything."

Furious but unable to move, Ash gritted his teeth again. Was Pikachu trapped like this, as well?! "Pikachu…!" he mumbled. His head was foggy. Were the drugs reacting to each other badly? "Pikachu…"

Suddenly, he recalled a flash of blue. "... Dawn…" She was with them. Was she coming to save him?

No, she absolutely was. He shouldn't doubt her. It was just a matter of time. If they hadn't mentioned her, she wasn't here. And, if she wasn't here, she was coming for him. All he had to do was wait.

But, how he loathed waiting.


Sweat drenched her. Dawn finished another lap around Viridian City. She doubled over, hands on her knees and her tongue lolling. Togekiss, who had been flying above them all, keeping an eye out for hide or hair of Ash or Pikachu, landed beside her trainer, cooing softly in worry. Houndoom, meanwhile, continued to sniff around, failing to pick up the noxious odor of Team Rocket. Finally, Rosa put a hand on Dawn's shoulder, though her eyes darted to the side as her aura feelers wiggled a bit. She could not detect her father's aura.

But, this was a huge city. The buildings could hide so much from Togekiss's eyes. Team Rocket's scent was old and abundant in this city, and Jessie, James, and Meowth had apparently meandered around quite a bit before approaching Ash and Dawn, as their odor was too thick for Houndoom to make heads or tails of the direction this long after the fact. And, with so many people around, Rosa became too overwhelmed if she felt out further than the immediate area.

But, the longer they went without him, the more panicked she became.

Finally, Dawn collapsed to her knees, ignoring the fact she was now sitting in a dirty alley. They'd spent two hours looking for him all over the city and there were no results. She didn't know what to do. Raising her hands up, she began to sniffle.

"Oh… Arceus… No… No…" She looked over her shoulder, eyes watering. "Rosa…! I'm so sorry, I don't know what to do!"

Her own feelings at their breaking point, Rosa hugged Dawn, crying. ~Momma Dawn… What're we gonna do?! I want Papa!~

Unable to bear seeing the girls so upset, Togekiss hopped over, wrapping them both in her wings. For a moment, all three stayed like that, hugging it out.

It was only interrupted by Houndoom's wet, warm nose poking Dawn's shoulder. When she looked up, he pointed to the end of the alley. She caught sight of the haunches of an Arcanine walking by. It had to be with an Officer Jenny.

Wiping away her tears and hiccuping one last time, Dawn stood up. She offered a hand to Rosa. "It's finally time to go to the police, I guess…" she mumbled. "Togekiss, Houndoom, thank you so much for your help. We'll find Ash. For now, return."

The two disappeared in a flash of red light. Dawn looked down at Empoleon's pokeball and considered releasing him. However, he'd been completely inconsolable when he discovered that he hadn't been able to rescue Ash and Pikachu because he'd been knocked out.

Dawn would have considered returning Rosa considering how bad she felt, but Ash had her pokeball. Instead, she offered her hand to the pup.

"Let's walk together."

Smiling, Rosa took Dawn's hand in her paw and followed. Though the day was very overwhelming, having Dawn's hand to hold felt nice. Rosa felt the most safe with Ash, but Dawn made her feel safe, too. She knew the coordinator would bring her papa back to her.

Soon enough, they entered the police station. Dawn approached the front desk.

"How can I help you?" the officer asked without lifting her head.

"I want to file a missing person's report," Dawn said, voice sounding tired and strained.

"When did you last see the person and under what circumstances?"

"Uh… Two, maybe three hours ago? At the battle fields behind the Pokemon Center." She looked down. "Team Rocket kidnapped him then, and -"

The officer looked up, interrupting Dawn. "How many?"

Caught off guard, but keeping up, Dawn blurted out an answer. "Two people."

The Jenny looked relieved. "They weren't black bagged. If it had been a group of five, then… We'd be looking for a body." The officer nodded. "What's their name? Trainer or no?"

"Ash Ketchum, and yes, a trainer."

"That's all I need, then." The officer typed away on her computer. "You trainers tend to go missing on routes pretty often, so we update your data all the time when you check into leagues or contests or even visit Pokemon Centers." She frowned. "This kind of search and rescue is different."

Nodding, the woman looked up at Dawn. "I've got a rough idea of where to look. Rocket grunts seen fleeing the city have a tendency to go either westward or northward out of town." She looked to the side before picking up a radio. "I, ah, can't leave my desk right now. I'm on duty. And, it'll take a while before anyone can begin the search for someone who we know is alive. However… If you were to stumble upon something, I would be completely justified in coming to your aid."

Realizing what the woman meant, Dawn gratefully took the small handheld radio. "Thank you."

The Jenny nodded. "Just press and give me some info. I'll come running."


Hours passed, again. Dawn found herself on the edge of the Viridian Forest, slightly west to the main part of it. She knew there was no use going into it. She'd been there with Ash and there hadn't been a sign of a hidden Rocket hideout. Furthermore, Samurai would have been the first to warn them if there was. He knew the forest well. But, to the west of the forest, there were mountains and eventually a path which would lead to Victory Road. Or, so the Pokemon Center's map had said when she checked it in a hurry before leaving some time ago.

But, that had been several hours ago, and Dawn had been carefully trying to get a hint of whether going northwest rather than purely west or purely north had been the best idea.

Once again, Togekiss and Houndoom had helped Dawn and Rosa comb the land. As such, everyone's energy was running low.

When Togekiss landed heavily in the twilight, Dawn knew it was time to call it a night.

"Thanks. Sorry," she said gently, petting the white bird's head. "You and Houndoom need a rest. Return." With those two put away, Dawn released Absol. She did a mental tally. Empoleon, Mamoswine, and Quilava were still fresh. She didn't want to exhaust all of them, especially when she didn't know what might lie ahead.

Sensing Dawn's worry, Rosa touched the girl's arm. ~We've got to keep going. For Papa.~ She yawned.

"It's getting dark. If we want to help Ash, we have to have our energy." She looked to Absol. "Hey, do you mind keeping guard while we sleep for a few hours?"

The pokemon shook its head once.

"Thank you." Dawn gratefully unraveled her sleeping bag, laying it out flat so she and Rosa could both fit on it.

Both girls laid down, back to back, slightly secluded under the branches of a tall pine tree. Absol, meanwhile, sat down near them, peering into the darkness. Quietly, the pokemon felt disappointed in itself. Perhaps if it had been around to sense the danger Ash had been in, it could have prevented it.


If it was night time, Pikachu didn't know it. Bristling, he pressed his back further against the far wall of his rubber coated cage as the garish white fluorescent lights of the room he'd been stuck in endlessly glowed. His heart was hammering within his tiny rib cage. His fur was brushed in all the wrong directions and a thin lather of sweat had been worked up in it. As the rubber coated hand reached for him, he finally snapped, biting at it.

Disappointment and fear sank into him as he realized there was a thick glove beneath the rubber one. Snatched by his scruff, Pikachu squealed as the scientist dragged him out of the cage.

Though the lab was decorated with a few, scarce scorch marks, an unimpressed looking Marowak rested on a seat in the corner. She watched Pikachu passively, shaded eyes lingering on him in an unspoken threat. One step out of line and she'd club him for sure.

"You shouldn't struggle!" the scientist grumbled as Pikachu wiggled in his grasp. Pressing the pokemon against the rubber top of the observation table, the scientist pressed a needle into the Pokemon.

"Chu!" Pikachu whimpered, movement slowing until all he could do was twitch a leg and then move languidly.

Barely able to move his ears, the yellow pokemon tried to follow the movements of the scientist.

"Good boy," the scientist said, patting Pikachu.

The mouse wanted to coil away. Instead, he was greeted with a gritty piece of paper swapping across his cheek.

While Pikachu tried to nurse his stinging cheek, the scientist put the sample in a bag.

He tossed it into a bin labeled 'observation.' "Your cheek pouch cells will tell us great things!" He grabbed a metal prod connected to a long, insulated wire. Then, he roughly squeezed Pikachu's cheeks, testing his electric reflex while pressing the device against said cheek.

The output was measured. Pikachu wanted to struggle away from the pain of having his cheek pouch squeezed so roughly, but he wasn't coordinated enough with the drugs in his system.

The scientist clicked his tongue. "Well, that may definitely be a part of it. That was the sudden spike in electric output. Your cells might be super efficient!" He laughed. "After some food and a nap, we'll see how you do fighting on camera - especially since you seem so spirited."

Pikachu didn't want to fight for these people. He didn't want to battle at all right now. He wanted Ash. "Pikapi…" the mouse whimpered as he was picked up once more, returned to his cage.


He hadn't slept well, by any means. Nothing could be recalled but a few blurred unpleasant feelings, but if nothing else, at least his thoughts weren't coherent enough to allow him to worry and fret. The only reason consciousness even returned at all was the unwelcome feeling of a shoe pressing against his cheek.

The urge to lash out with blows was there, but neither his mind nor body was capable. He settled for shrugging off the sole, glaring at what appeared to be a pair of grunts. He didn't recognize their faces. Grimy creeps.

With that thought, Ash struggles shrug up a shoulder to rub his dirtied cheek against his collar. It's only then that he realizes just how sweaty and disgusting he feels. Not to mention, overheated. 'I wanna bath,' he whines without a word. On the other hand, though, he cringed at the thought of getting any assistant. He didn't want one if these sleazes had to help him.

"Hey, guy," one of the grunts interrupted Ash's thoughts, holding a spoon and a pail. "Feedin' time. We can't have ya running wild, so we gotta spoonfeed ya. Wouldn't want ya collapsing or keeling over on us." His duties were giving him the creeps. But orders were orders.

"Don't get too jolly," the other added. "We can't give you too much. Don't want you gettin' wild on us."

"Man, and I forgot to write you a thank you card," Ash spat back.

"Bein' a wiseass isn't gonna keep you from starvin'. Zip it." The young man clad in black reluctantly crouches, scooping up a mucky spoonful that was held up to the captive.

Ash used the little strength he had to swerve and turn his head, refusing whatever junk the crooks had stewed up for him. The thought of taking sustenance from them alone was enough to give him a stomach ache. Like he'd swallow his pride and eat right out of their hands!

...Then again, his pride was the only thing left to swallow. His gut was empty, and he was pretty sure that he was beginning to tremble from hunger. He was pretty sure he hadn't eaten in hours, at least.

"Knock it off, already!" The nameless grunt barked, jabbing the spoon in his face.

It felt cold and unpleasant. But Ash was out of options. He glared daggers at both, parting his lips to take a spoonful.

He instantly regretted it.

The 'food,' if you could call it that, was sickening. Probably too greasy for even him to handle, and practically cold. Ash's face twisted in disgust, and he spat the drivel in the grunt's face. "Eugh… The heck is in that!?" Foggy and furious, his first impulse was to headbutt the bucket that was barely in the man's grip, now.

It was knocked to the floor, and livid exclamations were Ash's reward. The grunt fell back, revolted as he wiped the slob from his own face. "The hell's the matter with you!? Ech!"

The other grimaced, jolting forward to kick Ash in the side. "Hey, watch it!"

Another jolt of pain knocks the teen on his side, but he squirms and struggles. "Man, when I get my hands on you guys, I swear I-"

Another jolt. What had to be a needle sunk into his neck. His senses are, again, immediately dulled, his limbs becoming limp. His lids begin to droop. 'Wonder what all this junk is gonna do to me.' This was the third time he'd fallen weak… But, that worry gave birth to one that was far worse. Even in his sedated state, his heart began to pound.

'Pikachu… What if they're doing the same to Pikachu!?' He willed his muscles to move. He willed the strength to break free and knock these guys on their rears so he could find his precious friend. 'He's gotta… doin' better… He's gotta! ...Rosa… They didn't get her, did'ey?'

No, they hadn't said anything about her. But, it was hard not to fear the worst.

'Shoot…. I 'ad my pokeballs…' That meant Team Rocket had them.

Could things get any worse?

Consciousness began to fade again, the grey room fading to black. The last image that came through his mind was a blurry reconstruction of Dawn and Empoleon. He turned his face to the floor, reluctantly falling into rest.