Daisy was scrubbing the floor of the tank when the stranger entered the gym.
"Can I help you, sir?" She asked. Looking up (far up!) she saw golden-brown eyes and a mess of long, black hair, which looked faintly familiar, but the rest of the man didn't. He was tall, muscular, and was wearing a leather jacket and a stern expression on his face. A Pikchu was perched on his shoulder.
"I'd like to see Misty." his voice was deep and husky.
"Um, yes, but if you want a gym battle, we're closed." Daisy looked questioningly at the man.
"I'm a personal friend."
"Do I know you?" Daisy was a little afraid of this person's intimidating stare.
"Ash!" Misty's voice echoed from the stairs.
"Misty!" Ash, for it was him, ran towards his friend, and they embraced in a tight hug. Well, Ash didn't know his own stregnth, and it was very tight for Misty.
Lily and Violet came out of the office. They looked at one another and Lily said, "When did Ash get so..."
"Amazing." Violet finished for her.
"Ash," said Misty, "I told you not to come back, because of-" she was cut off by a drawling voice that dripped with sarcasm, that said, "Well, well, well. If it isn't the famous Ash Ketchum. I think you said you wanted to...take care of me?" he pulled out a blue Pokeball and spun it round on one finger. "Maybe, my Gyrados would like to take care of you!" and he threw the Pokeball to Ash's feet. In a blaze of blue light, a giant sea serpent rose out. It lunged at Ash, but he carried on ducking the blows.
"Pikachu!" he cried, "Get in there and-" but he never finished his sentence, as the dragon's jaws clamped around his body.