Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of Pokemon, its characters, locations, or names. All of them, with the exception of original characters, ideas, and places, belong to Nintendo.

Credits: Vanika, Silvanus, Gwen, and all locations involving Nara belong to me.

AN: Oh yeah, hey all:D I'm back with Chapter Thirteen for ya! I must say, I hate having school work on weekends. -- I have to write a story for English 11, so I decided to make part of Chapter 17 that, but I'll go into that when we get there.

JAA was so much fun! Except for the waiting in line for over an hour part. And the not being able to get meh plushies and the hat I wanted part. But overall, it was fun. - I got a picture taken with Pikachu, and got a new Pokemon promo card.

As for the story (now that I'm done rambling), I really don't care for how some of the scenes work, yet at the same time I do like how they work. o.0 I did the phone call differently in this chapter then in the previous chapter because, while in the one between Ash and May was longer and there wasn't much to explain about what they were doing, this one is between two characters that I felt needed their own time. Until I figure out a way that I can interlock it and have all the details intact, then it's going to be this way. XD

Warning: Eh, none for this chapter.

- Chapter Thirteen: Dangerous Enemy -

Misty blanched, amazed; the once quiet city was swarming with life, most of the inhabitants excited and out trying to get a chance to see the newest 'idol' of Nara. "How could you two manage to blow your own covers this easily, this quickly?" she asked darkly, turning to look at her friends.

Ash shrugged, bent over the map they had to figure out a way they could get out before anyone found their location. "Well, I didn't really do anything. Then again, getting locked up in the hot spring isn't exactly 'didn't do anything,' is it?" he asked, looking up briefly at both her and Brock.

"Wasn't it just this morning we were discussing how you get in trouble all the time?" the other man pointed out wryly, a corner of his mouth quirking up. Ash rolled his eyes, pawing at him playfully. "Speaking of trouble though...where is the other Trouble Maker?"

"Hm?" The dark-haired boy looked up, frowning. "Actually, I'm not sure. May just went out after the whole thing at the spring and said she'd be back when she was done with what she wanted to do. Didn't say where she was going or what for."

"This isn't getting much better then. With the way everyone is right now knowing you're around here, and with what happened earlier, she could be a walking target." Misty shut the curtains again, pressing her forehead against the back of her hands and sighed. "We're asking for serious trouble here. I'm thinking we should go find her, but then we'll be in even bigger trouble if you're seen."

Ash bit his lip nervously, watching his two best friends worriedly. "Yeah, with so many people knowing she's with me and all, not to mention the scene May made before that...who knows who noticed?"

Exchanging glances, they groaned; they surely didn't have much time to go on a search.

- - -

"Oh, you must be that girl I walked over to the springs!" May smiled, nodding, as the woman turned away from the stacks of merchandise she had been sorting through and rearranging. "You gave those fellows a good fright! It isn't often they have young ladies barging their ways into the men's locker rooms!"

Laughing, she nodded again. "They didn't seem too happy I was in there, though they did let us use the spring," she said, getting a confused look from her new friend.

"Us, dear? Who else went in with you?"

"That guy I was looking for. I was with Ash!" The woman stared for several seconds, before looking around warily to see if anyone had stopped to listen in. She had a hunch that whatever they were about to say could get one or both of them put in the spotlight very quickly.

"This..boy. He...he wouldn't happen to be the one that just won the tournament, is he?" she asked quietly, lowering her voice and getting closer to the blinking girl.

"Um, yes he is. Why-" May yelped when, frantically, the woman grabbed her by the arms and moved in close, startling her. "What-"

"Listen closely to what I am saying. He...and you too, most likely...are being sought after. You need to get back to where you are staying, quickly. Do not speak to anyone on the way. Do not stop for anyone either. Right now is a dangerous time." The fearful eyes and the tight grip merely scared the confused girl, as she was pushed in the direction of one of the less crowded streets. "If you do anything though, it is to stay by that boy's side! Do not wonder away from him. You need the protection."

"But-"

"Go!" May was sent on her way, disappearing into the throng of people that surrounded the small vending booth. She crept along, looking about curiously and trying to listen for some sign of what was happening. With all of the different voices mangling, she could only catch snippets of conversations, mostly trivial things that had nothing to do with the situation at hand...or so it seemed.

"Isn't it exciting! Here, in our home!" the squealing voice caught May's attention, and she peered up over people's shoulders to see the group of girls that was chirping ahead, giggling at whatever they where discussing. "He's supposed to be really cute, though I personally have never seen even a picture. I didn't get to watch any of the battles."

"You missed out!" May cut through the crowd, ducking around various men and woman, edging past a woman that was pushing a stroller, and went into step behind the group of four, craning her neck so she'd appear to be looking for someone – and not listening to their conversations. "I saw them, and...oh my." The girl speaking appeared to go faint, and she sighed dramatically. "The battles...they are so wonderful, every year. So fierce. I remember the last few years that one lady had won, every time. Supposedly she had decided to stop competing and to let a new person take her spot as Master."

"Thankfully," the first one said, getting smiles from the others. They laughed. May tilted her head, frowning; she didn't like them very much. Who where they talking about? What woman?

"I hope to run into him though, the new one..." the third girl sighed dreamily, "what's his name? It was supposed to be this really strange one."

"Pfft." The second waved a hand in the air. "It is. It's the only bad thing I've seen so far. Ashura. Sounds like a girl's name to me."

May went tense, as the fourth shook her head. "So? Girl's name or not, I wonder if he's single."

"Who knows." It was the first girl again. "At that interview they did, no one would give a clear answer about that. There's talk around town though that there's some girl that he's with, besides the one from the Kanto League."

"Well, if that is true..." The third one made a face. "She's most likely some stuck up brat that doesn't know how good she's got it."

Biting her lip, May stepped to the side, her back against the wall of a building, and let the crowd surge past. It was the first time she'd actually heard someone talk in such a way with her own ears, and it didn't please her at all. Frowning, she continued on her way, her head down.

When she saw the welcomed sight of the hotel, she hastened her footsteps to get inside quicker. The closer she got, though, the more uneasy she became. May turned to regard the hordes warily.

Just as she was about to go into the building, she let out a small scream when someone roughly pulled her back out of the doorway. May bit down when whoever it was put a hand against her mouth, breaking skin. The person – a man, she could tell from the yelping – jumped back, letting go in the meantime.

Taking her chance, May made a mad dash for the door. Just as she was about to reach the open doorway, there was an abrupt, searing pain. She sank to the ground, fainted before her knees even touched the sidewalk.

- - -

"What...Open those!" Ash jumped up, having to hop over his pokemon to get to the red head as she pulled up the curtains, then the windows, worry etched on her face. They all had heard it; the startled cries, the painful yells, and then the silence that said more then words could have. He leaned out, peering down at the ground two floors below; he paled. "May...May!"

"What happened-" Brock was cut off as the dark haired boy hurriedly shoved him out of the way, making a grab for the belt that had the six poke balls attached – one being empty, of course – and putting it on.

"Trouble," he said vaguely, and swung the door open. Misty followed on his heels, as they headed down stairs, past the main counter, and to the wide sliding glass doors.

"We should come up with a plan..." Misty started, trailing off at the look she got from the teenager. Ash quickly glanced at her, his wide eyes speaking for him, as he stepped up to let the doors slide open. Before he could even make a move to look around, there was a loud roar as an engine was started, and a car sped out from beside the hotel, along with a second.

While the first headed towards the exit, the second did a sharp turn to stop in front of the door, blocking the way out. Whoever was sitting in the passenger seat opened the door, and stood up, one hand resting on the handle. Ash and Misty exchanged glances; he looked oddly familiar.

"You that Ketchum kid?" He stepped toward them, blocking Ash from making the escape he had been planning on, and leaned down to stare him in the face. Misty didn't even utter a word, as Ash stared silently, eyes narrowed.

"What did you do to her?" the teenager asked, getting a laugh in response. "Why did-"

"Shut your mouth and listen closely. If you want that maiden to be unharmed, you will step down." Flipping a business card to him, the stranger smirked at Ash, went to climb back into his vehicle, and paused to look at the pair with one foot still on the ground. "If you try to stop us, you will regret it."

Shoulders slumped, Ash stood still, eyes downcast and tearing up as he forced himself to not lunge after the stranger. When he heard the squeal of the tires, he turned slowly to face Misty, looking at the card in his hand. In small print, it read I know.

"Who knows what?" the redhead asked, reading it from her position next to him. Ash glared at her, as Misty recoiled, realizing just how angry the teenager was – and how unstable.

"How in hell should I know who did this and what about?" Pocketing the card, Ash stormed back upstairs. "Whoever it is though..."

"Please, don't over-react-" Misty had to run to catch up, fearing what the younger of them was about to do. "Getting upset-"

"Don't over-react. Don't get upset. What am i supposed to do! Sit here and act as if nothing is wrong? The two things that are most important to me are at stake here, and you tell me not to 'over-react'? Pfft."

"Oh, Ash, come on..." Misty followed him back into the room, and looked pleadingly at Brock as he rose. "Could you help? He won't see reason."

"I see reason all right. I see a reason to murder whoever is behind this." Ash scooped up his pokedex, pressing buttons and flipping open the top that would turn it into a phone. "Gwen, I need some help from you again."

Brock sighed and shook his head. "We'll be fighting a losing battle if we try to stop him." he concluded, "Pikachu, do me a favor and get the other pokemon prepared for in case a battle is coming."

The yellow creature did a small salute, paw up to his head in respect, and he bounded off. Neither gym leader knew what to do, or what to say, as the third group member chattered on the phone. It was getting hard to ignore, as Ash's voice rose. "Yes, I'm sure!"

He quieted again – apparently Gwen had said something that had calmed the raging boy – and he looked around wearily. "I can't back down and let someone else do everything for me. I told her I'd protect her, and I'm going to do just that."

Misty and Brock exchanged glances, before peering at the pacing Trainer-turned-Master. "No. No. I understand. Yes, just set it up and I'll give a whole speech thing." There was a short pause, as he closed his eyes and took a breath. "I don't know what I'll say, but I can make it up as I go along. Thank you again."

Shutting it off, Ash looked at them meekly. "If you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to get ready for."

- - -

Blinking to ease the pain the bright flashing caused, Ash ignored the hushed whispering and forced himself to straighten, and to look around at the sea of faces. He knew he had to thank Gwen later; she had managed to get the town to let him use its small auditorium to speak to the public, and had everything set up that was needed.

The whispers lessened, until all eyes and ears were focused on the podium on the stage and the boy behind it. "I am sorry for calling for this so abruptly," Ash said, wringing his hands, "but it couldn't wait until later, because this...this...is about something that happened today, only a few hours ago. Someone that is very dear to me has been kidnapped, and I don't know who or what is behind it."

It amazed him how quiet the audience was being, very few of them even whispering. Ash continued, his vision turning blurry; he blinked to correct it. "Not too long ago I had made the promise that I would do anything I had to, to keep her safe and sound. I will not let this go until I get her back out of harm's way. I would and will do anything I have to, to do so."

"I do know, that whoever ordered this does not like me winning the tournament, which has been made clear because I was told to step down, to give up my title. I don't know what to do, not right now. I probably would agree to in a heartbeat if I had to, but I want to avoid it if I can."

Ash rubbed the back of his hands across his eyes, trying to keep from crying in front of so many people, and took a deep breath. Some of the reporters warily asked questions, mainly about who he thought might be to blame and what the plans were; all of them were answered with a dull voice, none having an answer besides 'No' or 'I don't know.'

The meeting ended grimly and quickly, with the distressed teenager pleading to the unknown perpetrator to contact him before most of the people filed out through the multiple exits. Stepping off the stage, Ash sank down onto the stairs, his face in his hands. I won't let them win.

- - -

His green eyes scanning over the horizon, Silvanus glided above the treetops, wings outspread and feet tucked close to his body. There was the odd movement farther out when a wandering merchant or even the odd Pokemon Trainer was taking the road that led to Wicker City.

The sight of the people brought up a flicker of pain, and he drifted down in the gloom, ignoring the stings and prodding of the branches as he floated past. Something felt wrong; it was similar to that of the one he got whenever someone intruded on his home, yet it was different at the same time. Vanika, can you hear me?

Loud and clear. The voice of his female companion sounded worried. Are you getting the same thing? I think something has happened.

So do I, Silvanus replied, hastily landing at the edge of the clearing, We need to go find them, and find out what.

I was under the impression that you refused to step foot out of this forest. The irony in the female's voice only caused a bitter anger to boil in the male. Or have you decided you rather be near by so you can play sentinel once again?

I am just wanting to make sure nothing has occurred. I'm not moving out. The gruff answer didn't get past Vanika. She could tell it was a front, and chose her words carefully.

As you say. Shall we go now?

- - -

"...please, please! I beg of you, get in touch with me, whoever you are! I don't want this to end with someone suffering!" The television switched off abruptly, and May jumped; she turned her glare to the men keeping guard. The affects it could have otherwise had was lost, as they merely snickered at the sight. They knew that being tied and gagged, she couldn't do anything to them.

"Angry that we shut off your frie...oh, wait. I forgot." A snide voice said, "You aren't friends! You are lovers! Isn't that right, princess?"

May narrowed her eyes, biting the cloth ball that was wedged in her mouth. Laughing, the woman behind the voice quietly passed the guards, kneeling down in front of the girl. Lips tilted in a smirk, she tilted her head. "Are you in wuv? Are you in wuv with that idiot?"

She laughed again, hearing the muffled, angry screams as May squirmed, trying to lash out. Thoughtfully, she smiled, and pulled out a cellphone. "I do believe I shall oblige him. A little phone call couldn't hurt."

Ignoring the scowls and the tantrum the prisoner was having, she tapped in a number, and shoved the thing in her ear. "Yes, hello, I would like...yes, thank you."

May went still, watching as seconds passed by, waiting for the buzz that was another voice on the phone. Finally, it started. "Hello, Mr. Ketchum! I just finished watching you make a fool out of yourself begging to me on live TV!"

Once again enticed, May started yelling again, the sounds severely muffled and sounding like nothing more then gibberish. "Yes sir, you would be right to assume that! I am very wounded at being called such a thing though, as I am very quite a nice lady once you get to know me," she said, her laughter sounding fake.

Shooting May a sharp look, she answered what was most likely an order from the other side of the line. "Oh, but then I wouldn't have you, how's it put, over a barrel? You know it, and I know it, I've got you right where it hurts, and you've no way to get out of it. Drop the title, or..." A slow, little sneer played on her face, "your very loud, very upset snowflake is going to become very much silent. I'd hate to have to ruin such a pretty voice."

"Aha, that! I have my sources, young man, and I will not be disclosing them to someone the likes of you. If you would like to have a...face to face meeting, go to the springs tonight. Midnight sound good? Good." Hanging up, she stood. "I am in amazement that you could tolerate such a stubborn man such as him. Surely it must be frustrating!"

Feeling satisfaction as May jerked her head to the side, ignoring the statement, she stepped past the goons. "Get her ready for tonight. We go out at 11."

- - -

"Piikachuuu." The yellow rodent's ears drooped as the phone rang, and Ash rolled over to look at it. The teenager had collapsed into bed immediately after returning to the hotel room, not wanting to be bothered and feeling a heavy weight the likes of which he hadn't felt in a long while. Letting the ring continue, he stared, before reaching over and picking up the receiver.

"What?" he asked, exasperated, before sitting bolt upright at the greeting he received. "You! You're the bitch that ordered that attack!"

Growling, Ash slammed a fist into the mattress in frustration. "Some lady you are. Dammit, give me back my girlfriend!" Feeling an intense hatred at that moment, he looked at Pikachu, who made a small, worried squeak. He went pale at the mention of 'becoming very much silent,' not sure whether that meant just slitting the missing girl's vocal cords or killing her. Not wanting to find out, he yelled into the phone, "WHERE THE HELL DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT HER?"

Resignedly , Ash agreed to the meeting, and dropped the phone when he heard the tell tale sign of being hung up on. "I can't let them get away with this. It ends now."

- - -