A/N: Wow what a day. Up till 5 in the morning talking on the phone with my amazing BF, then after a couple hours of sleep I got up to spend the day on the lake! So now, I'm just a little bit tired but I don't think I'll be able to get any sleep so I'm going to type this out lol Chapter four ya'll!

Detective

De-tec-tive: n. One whose work is investigating, obtaining evidence, ect.

May was cheerfully walking down the hall to Misty's office. She had been gladly taking a break at the Cerulean gym, along with her traveling companion Drew, and getting even closer to the redhead gym leader. Yes, she would have to say that she and Misty were becoming the best of friends and that made her very happy.

"What are you doing?" she asked as soon as she entered the small area that Misty called her office.

THUMP, CRASH!

May burst out laughing as she watched her friend look up at her from where she had fallen to the floor. Her long orange hair was spilled around her shoulders, still looking like she had just got out of bed and in fact, the gym leader was still wearing her seel pajamas, and her dewgong fuzzy slippers. "Hey May," the nineteen year old said wearily waggling her fingers in embarrassment.

"Did you get any sleep last night? You look exhausted?" May pointed out, kneeling on the ground beside Misty and grinning.

"No, I was up all night," Misty sighed taking May's hand and allowing herself to be pulled up.

"Doing what?" the brunette asked curiously.

"Oh nothing!" Misty shook her hands back and forth defensively.

Oooh! What's on the computer screen?"

"May NO!"

BOOM!

Misty's attempt to stop the brunette ended in failure as she tripped over her slipper and fell to the floor in a heap, her cheeks pink.

"You're looking for Ash?" May said turning from the computer and looking at Misty with sympathy.

"Well…yes. But only because he's been gone for six months," the red head answered lowering her head.

"Hmmm, well I've been wondering what he's doing to so…let's do something?"

"Er…like what?"

"Let's get the others and I'll tell you all about it!"

MAMAMA

Two hours later in Cerulean City Gyms' waiting room, Misty took a deep breath steadying herself before turning around and giving her friends a big smile, winking at May as the young girl gave her a thumbs up from her seat.

"I bet your all wondering why I've called you here today," she said making eye contact with everyone. Brock was leaning back in his seat looking bored, Dawn was holding onto her knees with a bubbly smile trying to stop from bouncing up and down, Tracey was twirling a strand of his green hair around his finger, May was grinning a Cheshire cat grin, and Drew had both his arms and legs crossed looking very annoyed. On the center of the round table was a laptop, and on the screen was May's younger brother, who was watching with a skeptical expression on his young face. "Well, I also bet your wondering about Ash too." That got everyone's attention like she planned.

"We sure have," Dawn giggled.

"Were not going to talk about his like girls are we?" Drew asked with a groan.

"Or do you know where he is?" Tracey narrowed his dark eyes apprehensively.

"No I have no clue where he is at and I've been searching on my own for a long time. But, being unable to actually get anywhere I've decided to ask all of you to help me." She took another breath, flushing as she clutched her trembling hands before continuing, "I would like Dawn to brief you all in the situation," she looked at the bluenette who jumped up from her seat, opened her yellow file, and gave everyone and excited smile.

Ash Ketchum, age seventeen, had gone on another journey six months ago. The only difference was that he decided to go alone, and he didn't even call anybody to let them know when he left. The only evidence that we have of him actually going on his journey would be the note he left his mother Delia Ketchum, and that five pokeballs from Professor Oak's lab are gone. Everyone knows that he left all his Sinnoh pokemon with all the others." She read off and looking up to smile as Misty smiled at her approvingly.

"Maybe he decided to go back to Sinnoh to retrain, since he only got third place in the league," Brock said clearing his throat and sitting up.

"Without his Sinnoh Pokemon? I think that's highly unlikely," Dawn replied.

"Remember he had his Hoenn pokemon throughout Hoenn and Kanto, then when he gave them to Professor Oak he hasn't used them since," May added.

"I know that he took Bulbasaur and Snorlax from the lab. Charizard, squirtle, and Pidgeotto's pokeballs are missing. Which means he has his old team with him," Tracey put in with a shrug.

"Where would he go with his old team?" Brock questioned with a frown.

"Who cares? We all know that he's training! Why is everyone making a big deal out of this?" Drew moaned rubbing his emerald green hair with his fingers.

"Because Ash just doesn't go anywhere without calling someone at least once in a while," Misty snapped as May flicked Drew's head, "something could have happened and I want to know what that is."

"And why do you need me?" Max sighed from the computer screen, adjusting his glasses.

"Because you're the genius, genius. Of course we need you," May grumbled sticking her tongue out at him.

"I could have been doing something more important than this," the younger boy argued.

"You're in the basement at Mom's house. What could you have been doing nerd?" The brunette raised an eyebrow as her brother flushed red, but shut his mouth.

"Alright then, now that we have all this information it's time to ask questions. Brock, I want you and Drew to question Delia and see if she knows anything. Dawn, you and Max phone all the Pokemon Centers and give out his description and see if anybody has seen him. May, I want you and Tracey with me. We're going to Professor Oaks'," she ordered. "I want everyone to meet back up in about three hours."

MAMAMA

"Do we really have to do this?" Drew moaned as he and the squinty eyed older boy slammed their door of the taxi shut and walked up the path to the Ketchum's front door.

"Do you want to get beat with Misty's mallet? I certainly don't, so let's just get this over with. Besides, I'm worried about Ash too, this is really unlike him." Brock rapped his knuckles on the pure white door and greeted Delia Ketchum with a grim smile. "Good afternoon Ms. Ketchum."

"Oh Brock! This is unexpected," she smiled in her familiar mother like manner, "who is this?" she asked turning to a frowning Drew.

"Ms. Ketchum this is Dr. Drew," Brock introduced, ignoring his friend as Drew face faulted on the front porch, "and I would much rather have you address me as Detective Brock." The older boy spoke in his serious manner, making Drew slap his forehead into his palm.

"Oh? I- what is this all about?" Delia asked looking from one boy to the other.

"This is about your son Ash Ketchum; we're investigating his mysterious disappearance and would like to ask you some questions." Brock said.

"It really isn't as serious as he's making it Ms. Ketchum," Drew added sighing when Delia's worried expression turned into a kind one.

"Well, alright come on in."

MAMAMA

"He really didn't say much when he grabbed his pokemon just that he wanted to retrain his old team to make them stronger. So, without any questions I did what he asked," Professor Oak answered May's question with a raised eyebrow. "Why are you guys looking for him?"

"Because were his friends Professor, and we are seriously worried about him," Misty replied, glaring at the elderly man.

"I see. So he didn't give you any hint to where he was going either I take it," Prof. Oak sighed.

"No professor. Not a single clue, and this is so unlike him," May was looking throughout the researcher's notes, examining all the details of which and what trainers took which pokemon.

"I doubt you'll find anything. There is nothing here that will tell where he's gone," Prof. Oak warned glancing at a nervous Tracey, "Mr. Sketchit over there has cleaning problem. He needs everything spotless."

"It doesn't hurt to at least look," Misty replied kindly but also glaring at Tracey who giggled and edged away so he was closer to May.

"Dewgong gong gong!"

"Hello?" Misty answered her pokegear.

"Hey Mist, this is Dawn. I talked with the Nurse Joy in Newbark Town and she said that an Ash Ketchum had checked in six months ago, saying that he was visiting Prof. Elm. Max is questioning the man as we speak," the bluenette's cheery voice said.

"Okay thanks for checking up with me, I'll meet up with you guys later."

MAMAMA

Three hours later, the group sighed as the slumped in their chairs, their dreams crushed and hopes of finding their friend diminished.

"We have nothing?" Misty asked with a slight tremble to her voice.

"Nada, zip, this whole thing was pointless," Drew growled.

"Delia had not heard from him either, and she didn't sound worried. She said that wherever he is she trusts that he is safe," Brock informed knocking Drew on the head.

"Professor Oak didn't have anything either," Tracey told the older boy.

"No thanks to you!" May accused, "you, you, neat freak you!"

"Calm down May, it's not his fault. It's Ash's," Max chuckled from the screen.

"It is his fault," Misty agreed, "but I thought he would be stupid enough to leave a trail to his whereabouts. But he left absolutely nothing."

"Ash didn't tell Prof. Elm where he was going either," Dawn sighed sadly, "he didn't even know Ash was on another journey. According to him the idiot was just visiting."

"So…what do we do now Misty?" May asked turning to the redhead who had sank into her chair with her face in her hands.

"You guys did a great job, and I appreciate you all helping me out. But, it sounds like Ash just doesn't want to be found and were just going to have to respect his decision," she said finally lifting her head and giving everyone a sad smile.

"About time you figured that out!" Drew burst out, "If he hadn't wanted to go alone he would have told at least one of you, but he didn't. Maybe he just needed time for himself to grow up on his own."

"Shut up Drew!" May shrieked.

"Calm down guys, there's no point in fighting," Tracey laughed at their angry faces.

"Well, I guess you guys should all be heading off. Sorry I took away your day, being busy and all," the red head chuckled.

"No problem Misty, I didn't mind doing this at all. It was kind of fun," Dawn chirped gathering her things.

"Speak for yourself," Drew mumbled grabbing his things and May's hand, "we need to get going anyways. We can't be late for the Saffron Contest," he smiled at Misty, "thanks for letting us stay at your gym. Sorry you couldn't find Ash."

"Yeah, thanks Mist. I'll call you," May smiled encouragingly before she was dragged out of the room.

"You know I'll always be there if you need me. I'm your family errand boy after all," Tracey guffawed as both he and Brock stood up together.

"Yeah Mist, he's my best friend just as he is yours. If you want help again just ring me up," the older boy said before he, Tracey, and Dawn walked out waving goodbye.

"He'll come back. You'll see," Max grinned, "see ya later!" the laptop screen went blank. Misty was all alone again.

MAMAMA

She hadn't sat on the top of her diving board in a while. She had been super busy, and for a long time she had been distracted from Ash's disappearance. At first, everyone had been shocked. It was unusual for him not to tell anybody that he was leaving, let alone not say goodbye. Sure he hadn't really kept in touch with her, but that didn't mean that she wouldn't worry about him. It didn't mean that she wasn't scared that Team Rocket had actually gained brains and maybe would manage to steal Pikachu. Now, he was all alone and there was no Brock, May, and Dawn to ring her up and let her know where they were and how they were doing. So now here she sat, staring up through her glass roof to stare at the moon wondering if he was all right.

"Dewgong gong gong!"

"H-Hello?" she answered her pokegear, skeptical of who would be calling so late.

"I heard you spent the whole day looking for me," a deep voice chuckled, sounding thoroughly amused.

"Ash!" she squealed, a smile lighting her face.

"Yeah, it's me," he replied.

"Oh my gosh, where have you been? Everyone is so worried about you!" she ranted, turning angry.

"That's confidential Ms. Detective. I wasn't even going to call you, but since I traveled all the way down the mountain so I could rest up my pokemon I called mom. She told me you had everyone work together so that maybe you could find out where I was."

"Your mom knows where you at?"

"It sounds tons of fun you know, playing detective and all. If I had been there I wouldn't have hesitated to join your team."

"Ash?"

"Don't worry Mist, I'm fine. I'm just training my original team so we can challenge the Indigo League again. I just didn't want everyone to know so that they would come with me. I shouldn't be the center of their lives, and they should follow their own dreams." Misty took a deep breath closing her eyes, holding back the tears that were forming and causing her vision to blur.

"Just-just be careful…okay?" she asked softly.

He laughed gently, "I promise I will. Pikachu's got my back and I can handle myself so stop worrying about me. I mean I'm flattered and all but kind of insulted. It's like you think I can't take care of myself or something."

"Sorry, I've just traveled with you before so I know how you are."

"Well…I should get going. It was good talking with you, I haven't seen another person in ages and well hearing your voice kind of cheered me up."

"At least I know that you're alive and that's good enough for me Ash."

"Hey Mist?"

"Yeah…"

"When I'm done up here…I promise to come see you first alright. There's something I want to tell you." Her breath caught in her throat and she smiled.

"Goodnight Ash."

"Goodnight Misty."

Click!

A/N: Well…that was interesting. My inspiration for this came from Criminal Minds. It happens to be my most favorite TV show. So anybody wanna guess where Mister Pokemon Master in training is at? If you're all wondering I'll let you know in my next chapter so please review! Stay tuned!

Love,

Waterfalls