Ch. 3 Coming To The Aide

"You can stay in this motel for a while, I know trainers walk a lot, so rest." Miles said as they sat down on a long couch.

"Thanks." The trio grinned.

"I'm glad you're here Professor." A voice said.

"Dad?" Miles sat up as the mayor of the town came into the inn with Prof. Oak.

"Prof. Oak?" Ash gasped.

"Ah, you're here." Prof. Oak turned to Ash. Delia came from behind him.

"Hi honey." She grinned, Ash waved.

"You came fast, why are you guys here?" Ash asked.

"I called Prof. Oak about the Umbreon Man." The mayor said.

"Yea, we heard from Miles." Ash nodded.

"Son, you should be where it's safe." The mayor said.

"Sorry dad." Miles slumped.

"Don't blame him, he helped us." Misty came up. "Mister, uh."

"I'm the mayor of Starr Villa, Mr. Luigi." The mayor grinned.

"Hello sir, we can help too." Ash said.

"We're gym leaders and we and Ash want to help." Misty and Brock replied.

"Well, if you wish, but be careful." The mayor warned. Ash, Misty and Brock waited in the street for the Umbreon Man as the rest watched from inside the motel. Hours have gone by but still nobody came. Finally it was almost sunset.

"Well, I'm gonna get some food." Brock got up and went in.

"I'm going in too, come on." Misty said to Ash.

"No, I'll wait a little longer." Ash sighed. Misty nodded. The two took Miles and Mrs. Ketchum with them and the mayor took Prof. Oak to his office. "I guess he's gone for good." Ash grinned as time went on. But as if that was his cue, Ash perked his head up as his ears picked up a sound from the distance. Nobody else heard it, but Ash knew somebody was coming, if not already here. Ash growled and turned around. On the edge of town on the beginning of the rising street, stood a dark figure with black cloths and a black cloak. "You're some Shaft fan." Ash growled. The figure just laughed as another appeared from behind, Umbreon. The man pointed his umbrella forward and Umbreon leaped in front of Ash and posed with a ferocious growl, it looked very strong and agile.

"Will you challenge me or are you afraid of the almighty undefeatable trainer of tomorrow?" The Umbreon Man asked, appearing from behind his Pokemon.

"I am no coward Umbreon Man, I do challenge you." Ash growled and nodded to Pikachu. "Let's get it on!" Umbreon growled and leered at Pikachu. Pikachu got his sparks ready to fly from his cheeks and kept his eye closely on Umbreon.

"Go!" They both called and the Pokemon ran at each other. Umbreon was a lot more experienced and stronger since he was evolved. Pikachu flew back and was dizzy.

"Come on boy, don't give up!" Ash called and Pikachu shook it off. "Good, now use your thunder!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled and sent all of his energy out as a giant lightning bolt. Umbreon got hit hard but shook it off lightly as if it delivered mere damage.

"What!" Ash gasped.

"Now." The Umbreon Man tapped his umbrella on the ground. Umbreon growled and the sky darkened with the blackness of midnight.

"What's going on?" Ash gulped. Pikachu was nervous too. They could still see each other but they were tense. Umbreon glowed and shot a beam out of his mouth. Pikachu was hit hard and struggled to get up. "That was a solar beam, but at night? Impossible!" Umbreon's eyes glowed and he attacked Ash brutally. "Stop, I give up! You win Umbreon Man!" Ash felt Umbreon get up, but he felt strange, Umbreon poisoned him.

"Never make a challenge that you can't even stand up to receive." The man said and he and his Umbreon were gone in an instant. Ash looked at his Pikachu, unconscious on the ground. He went to pick him up and then himself collapsed in a beaten, battered heap.