Samuel Oak stepped off the path, looking around. He was aware of how vulnerable he was in this position, with no Pokémon of his own to defend him and out very early in the morning. He felt the absence of his own Pokémon keenly, a loss made worse by the years that they had spent by his side. Ash hadn't been able to locate them when he found Oak, but the researcher wasn't surprised. If they had been readily accessible they would have come to help him. The fact that they didn't was enough evidence for him. Wherever they were, they couldn't reach him. And without them there was no way Oak could help them. Ash had said he would try to keep an eye out for them but Oak wasn't hopeful. The Pokémon Master was under a lot of pressure, something that was only becoming apparent as the full facts became available to Oak. It was part of the reason why Oak was here, outside Pallet Town, in a place that had a lot of history for the Pokémon Master.

A Pidgey saw Oak and squawked in alarm, flapping his wings to gain altitude. Oak watched it go before sighing. He knew it wouldn't be that easy, especially without any Pokémon of his own. He followed where the Pidgey had flown away to, walking slowly through the wilderness. He heard running water and headed towards it, soon approaching a waterfall. He stood on the cliffs overlooking the waterfall and looked down. It was quite a distance. Oak hear rustling behind him and turned to see a Spearow regarding him curiously.

"You're not scared of me at all." Oak mused as the Spearow hopped out of the treeline and towards him. "Why is that?"

Spearow squawked and hopped slightly closer.

"I'm looking for somebody." Oak said to the bird. "Pidgeot. He is a very powerful Pokémon. Do you know him?"

Spearow looked at the researcher with a confused look. Oak laughed.

"Of course not. I'm talking to a Spearow. You wouldn't want to know this Pidgeot. He has defended his flock against your kind lots of times in the past. You'd probably avoid him."

Spearow let out a loud shriek and Oak nodded in agreement.

"Precisely. Spearow and Pidgey flocks don't mix. The rivalry between Fearow and…" Oak trailed off as he heard powerful wings flapping. He turned, half expecting to see a Fearow coming at him but instead he saw a large Pidgeot racing towards him. The bird shot past him in the air before banking sharply and folding his wings in. He dropped to the ground in front of Spearow and glanced back at the smaller Pokémon. A single squawk and Spearow took off, moving away from the waterfall.

"Interesting." Oak said. "I am assuming you are the Pidgeot I am looking for?"

Pidgeot nodded once before raising himself up to his full height, towering over Professor Oak by at least a foot.

"And you are clearly far larger than the rest of your kind…" Oak mused. "Would I be right in assuming that you are the protector of flying Pokémon in this area?"

Pidgeot nodded again before cocking his head at the researcher. Oak smiled at the clear message the Pokémon was asking.

"What do I want? I need to talk to you about a former trainer of yours. One that released you years ago, so you could take your place here. One that once came back to you to ask if you wanted to rejoin his team."

Pidgeot looked down at Oak curiously.

"Yes. I am asking about Ash Ketchum. Why are wild Pokémon turning against him? What has he done to them?"

Pidgeot hesitated for a moment before lowering himself to the ground and gesturing with a wing. Oak whitened slightly.

"You want me to get on?"

Pidgeot nodded. Oak sighed and climbed onto the back of the Pokémon. Pidgeot leapt into the air at great speed and Oak gripped the birds feathers tightly. Pidgeot banked sharply and accelerated away from the waterfall which rapidly became a speck in the distance before it was gone. A few minutes later Pidgeot started to slow down and descend, heading for a large tree. He landed in the upper branches and lowered himself, allowing Oak to slide off. The researcher looked around, unsure of what to do next.

"Where are we?" He asked.

Pidgeot looked at him curiously, almost as if he was asking how he was meant to explain it to Oak. Oak smiled slightly. He couldn't understand Pokémon when they talked, despite having spent so long with them. He could just about manage to get the gist, but he had found the best way of communicating to be to ask questions and go off their answers. It was an exhausting, laborious strategy, but it did work.

"Is this your home?" Oak asked, trying again. Pidgeot nodded, then regarded Oak with a beady eye, seemingly waiting for more questions.

Oak thought for a long moment. He had an idea of what he wanted to ask and what he knew but was trying to find a way to ask it without offending a very powerful Pokémon. A Pokémon whom he was at the complete mercy of.

"Did you know who I am?" Oak asked. A nod. "Do you trust me?" A nod. "Did you know that I was captured?" Another nod. "Do you know who by?"

This seemed to cause Pidgeot a few problems but eventually he tentatively shook his head.

"But you know something about it?"

Another hesitant head shake.

"Do you know the Pokémon behind it?"

Another slow head shake. Pidgeot almost seemed to be disappointed.

"Do you know the human behind it?"

This time when Pidgeot shook his head it was much more vigorous.

"It wasn't the Pokémon was it…" Oak said as realisation dawned. "You know it wasn't the Pokémon. It was the human who led them."

Pidgeot nodded, almost looking relieved.

"But you don't know who it was?"

A sad shake of the head.

"Does Ash know what you know?"

Pidgeot nodded slowly.

"Interesting…" Oak said. "He's holding things very close to his chest. But that isn't exactly unusual is it…"

Pidgeot nodded again enthusiastically, and Oak blinked.

"That was rhetorical. Didn't need an answer." He pressed on. "Do you know where my Pokémon went?"

A shake of the head.

"Was worth a go. Do you know why Pokémon are turning against Ash?"

Pidgeot hesitated before shaking his head.

"You know something." Oak said. When Pidgeot didn't respond he pushed a bit harder. "You know why?" No answer again. "Do you know who is behind it?"

Pidgeot shook his head again.

"And you don't know why. Do you have suspicions?"

Pidgeot nodded slowly.

"Have you told Ash?" Oak asked excitedly.

A shake of the head.

"Why not?" Oak asked before stopping himself. "Wait, you can't answer me… Do you want to tell him?"

Pidgeot nodded.

"Because you owe him?"

Pidgeot hesitated and Oak pressed on.

"Because you were once his Pokémon?"

Pidgeot nodded.

"And so you'd never turn against him."

Pidgeot nodded again, getting caught up in the excitement as Oak's mind ran away with the idea.

"Which is why he said you have more history with him than most." A nod. "You wouldn't ever turn against him because you have a longer friendship with him than almost any other Pokémon." Another nod. "And whoever is turning them wouldn't target you because you'd never turn." Another nod, each one getting more excited. "Which means you'd not know who is turning them." A nod. "Which could mean you are his only remaining friend in the wild."

Pidgeot reared up, unleashing a squawk that echoed throughout the forest. Oak sat down on the branch in surprise as the forest around them came alive with answering calls.

"You have to tell him." Oak whispered.

Pidgeot planted his talons on the branch again and shook his head sadly. He knelt once again, gesturing for Oak to get back on his back.

"Wait, I'm not finished asking questions…" Oak started, but Pidgeot flexed a wing slightly and he acquiesced to the birds wishes, climbing on.

Pidgeot leapt into the sky, soaring above the trees. He squawked again and Oak watched a ripple of responses run through the trees, but not extending as far as he had expected. After a point there was a different kind of response. Pokémon leapt from the tree tops to face Pidgeot across the sky. Once they realised that there wasn't an attack coming they returned to their own trees, vanishing back into the canopy.

"I think… I think I understand." Oak whispered. "You can't tell Ash because you'd have to leave. And your territory is under siege."

Pidgeot nodded and started to turn in the sky.

"Wait." Oak said. "If Ash knew, he could come and help you. Didn't you tell him?"

Pidgeot didn't visibly react and Oak leaned out over the side to look at the birds face. He saw what looked like a drop of water fall away, vanishing into the forest canopy below them. Pidgeot was crying.

"You are loyal to a fault." Oak whispered. Pidgeot nodded a final time and turned, flapping his wings to accelerate back to where he had found Oak.

A few minutes later Oak watched Pidgeot vanish into the sky and turned to head home, his mind whirling. If Pidgeot was under attack then whatever was targeting Ash was worse than Oak had realised. He needed to get back to Ash. The Pokémon Master thrived on information and he was severely lacking. Before he could walk very far however, he felt something watching him. The hairs on the back of his neck rose up. Oak sighed, and turned to face whatever was stalking him.

"Are you ready?" Mellanie asked, her voice hesitant.

Ash nodded. Mellanie glanced at her mentor, almost hesitating. She was unnerved by the sheer power that emanated from him. She knew that he was a powerful man, even without his Pokémon but she wasn't sure that she wanted to see this.

"Once you have brought him here, don't expect to fight him." Ash warned as Mellanie played with the Pokéball in her hand. "You may need to deal with other Pokémon that will respond first, but once Gliscor gets here I face him. Alakazam will attempt to pull you out."

"Attempt to?" Mellanie asked nervously.

"If there are Psychic Pokémon around, they could attempt to interfere with it." Ash said. "Don't worry, there aren't many that can face the kind of mental energy that Alakazam and Espeon can bring to bear."

"If they are going to teleport out why…"

"Do I need you? Because my Pokémon won't want to leave me. Charizard would never allow me to face Gliscor without trying to get involved. He is too protective."

Mellanie opened her mouth again but Ash held up a hand.

"I have made my decision Mellanie. Release a Fire Pokémon and let's get this started."

Mellanie held out her arm and pressed the button on the front of her Pokéball. Magby appeared, looking around. He saw Ash and bowed slightly before turning to his trainer.

"Magby. Use Flamethrower on the trees. We need them set alight."

Magby looked at Mellanie with a look of surprise, but she nodded to him to encourage him. He threw his head back and a torrent of fire shot out, engulfing the bottom of the tree in a merry blaze. Mellanie stepped back as the heat rolled over her, but Ash didn't seem to notice. As the tree started to burn, Magby stopped attacking and turned back to Mellanie.

"That's enough. Thank you Magby."

The Pokémon nodded and bounded towards her, nuzzling her leg as she stood, waiting. As the smoke from the tree started to climb higher into the sky, Ash rolled his shoulders and glanced around, his eyes flitting around the clearing.

"Any sign of anything?" Mellanie asked.

"Not..." Ash started before he sensed something. Pure instinct caused him to move, throwing an arm out to push Mellanie away. His tutee hit the ground and rolled, coming up with two more Pokéballs in her hands. Ash was still on his feet, his eyes focused on a spot to the side of the clearing.

"What was that?" Mellanie asked, panting slightly.

Ash didn't answer but Mellanie felt a wave of power rush away from him into the trees and an answering screech of pain. Ash cursed slightly under his breath.

"I missed."

"It didn't sound like it." Mellanie muttered.

"I got a slight blow on him, but no solid hit." Ash growled.

"That was Gliscor?" Mellanie asked. "He was so fast!"

"Yes. That is why you will be leaving when I start to fight him. You cannot compete with that kind of power. He is far above the level of your team."

Suddenly Ash dropped to the ground and there was a flash of colour where he had been less than a split second before. He came up and another surge of power shot away from him, hitting a tree and splitting it in two, leaving the top half to crash to ground in the forest.

"Ash?" Mellanie asked, her voice fearful. Ash turned to look at her and she gasped, taking a step back. Both of Ash's eyes glowed bright blue, almost as if he were using a Psychic attack.

"It is alright Mellanie." Ash said quietly. "Gliscor is retreating. Now he will send smaller Pokémon at us. He wanted to know who was attacking his territory. He won't face me unless he has to."

"Ash, what has happened to your eyes?" Mellanie asked, her voice trembling. "What are you?"

"I'll tell you later." Ash said, the calm in his voice at complete contrast to the atmosphere around him, the wind whipping in his hair. "I promise. Now release your Pokémon. We will need their help."

Gary spun as he heard a voice behind him.

"Sorry Red, what was that?" He asked.

Misty sighed. "Typical Gary, not listening. I was asking if you'd seen your grandfather."

"No…" Gary said. "Why? Isn't he around?"

Misty glared at him and he held his hands up in apology.

"If he was would I be asking you?" Misty asked.

"Sorry." Gary said again. "Didn't he say that he was going to look into something about why Pokémon are turning on humans? Maybe he is still there?"

"Maybe." Misty mused, placated somewhat. "But I haven't seen him all day."

"I'm sure he'll be fine Mist." Gary said, trying to calm her down completely.

"But aren't you worried?" Misty asked, causing Gary to groan inwardly. "I mean, your grandfather just got rescued and he's headed off to Arceus knows where by himself…"

"That's enough Misty." Gary said quietly, his voice carrying conviction. "I love you, but please don't suggest that I don't care for my grandfather."

Misty took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"I know. But I trust Gramps, he'll be fine."

"He wasn't last time." The words escaped her mouth before she could stop them. Misty's hands flew to her mouth as she tried to pull them back but Gary didn't seem to take it badly.

"I trust him Mist. He wouldn't jeopardise himself without reason."

Before Misty could say anything else, there was the sound of a door opening at the front of the lab. Gary smirked at Misty.

"See?"

Misty rolled her eyes and turned for the door. She opened it to see May, Dawn, Brock, Max, Drew, Jessie and James stood there waiting for them. Misty turned and glared back at Gary.

"Now what?" She hissed.

"Come on in." Gary said over her shoulder. "It's good to see you all."

As they trooped past Misty she didn't take her eyes of her fiancé. As Gary directed them towards a living room further inside the laboratory, Misty rounded on him.

"Where is he?" Misty asked.

"I don't know." Gary said. "I trust… I don't know. I trust that he has good reasons for what he is doing. He would not vanish again unless he felt he had to."

Gary reached out and rested a hand on Misty's shoulder. "I know you want him here Red. And I'm sure he will come back when he can. But we need to look after our friends now."

"I know." Misty said, her voice trailing off. She followed Gary deeper into the laboratory entering the living room where Brock was already serving out tea and coffee.

"Make yourselves at home." Gary said.

"Already have." Brock threw back, smiling. "Didn't think you'd mind."

"Not at all." Misty said sarcastically. Brock ignored her as he continued to give out drinks. Within a few minutes they were all sat in chairs, looking at Misty and Gary.

"So…" Brock started, his voice slightly hopeful. "Wedding planning?"

"Like you're going to get a chance to get involved." May shot at him. "We don't want you anywhere near any of this."

Brock flushed slightly as a ripple of laughter ran across the room. "I'm not…"

"Yes Brock." Misty said. "You are that bad." She turned to Jessie. "Anyway, we'll start with you. Wedding colours? What were you thinking?"

Jessie smiled warmly. "Usually when I plan weddings I try and pick colours that mean a lot to the bride and groom. So instead I should be asking you that question – what colours mean a lot to you?"

"I…" Misty stuttered. "I'm not really…"

Gary reached over and took her hand in his. "It's fine Red." A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "Actually… Can you work with red Jessie?"

Jessie whipped out a notebook and started scribbling. "Definitely. Are we thinking a strong red or…"

"Misty's hair colour." Gary said firmly.

Jessie smiled. "I'll look into changing it a bit so there is no clash or anything, but that will work. That can be the trim… We need a complimentary colour… Something not too strong, more a soft…"

"How about a pale blue?" Dawn asked. "Have you ever seen a pale blue body of water?"

"Yes!" Jessie said exuberantly as she scribbled on her pad. "I can visualise this… Yes, this would work."

"Do I get a say in this?" Misty asked, her voice slightly grumpy.

"Normally yes." May said teasingly. "But I think you might be outvoted Misty."

Misty glared at her maid-of-honour who flashed a smile back at her.

"Fine." Misty said. "I'll trust you on this one Jessie. Now… dresses. I was thinking…"

Before Misty could complete her sentence there was a loud crash that echoed through the laboratory. The building shook slightly and Dawn screamed. Max was on his feet in an instant, a Pokéball in each hand. He sprinted for the door, bursting through it towards the outside as a roar echoed through the laboratory.

"Max!" May called as instinct took over, causing her to go running after her brother, a Pokéball of her own in her hand. Close behind her were James and Brock, while Misty, Dawn and Gary were slower to move. As they followed behind the group of trainers, they reached the back entrance to the laboratory and froze. On the lawn in front of the laboratory was what looked like the start of a battle, Pokémon lined up facing away from the laboratory, waiting for their trainers instructions. Facing them was a line of wild Pokémon, spoiling for a fight.

"Here we go again." Gary groaned, but Misty didn't say anything. Instead she merely pointed. Between the two lines of Pokémon, next to a large hole in the lawn was the figure of an old man in a lab coat. Professor Samuel Oak rose from the ground to look around, shock etched into his face as he looked at the situation he found himself in.

30 minutes previously

Samuel Oak turned to see what was stalking him. He smiled slightly as he saw a Sandshrew gazing at him.

"Hello there." Oak said. "Have you been following me?"

Before Sandshrew could say anything, movement caught the eye of Professor Oak. Behind Sandshrew a series of silhouettes appeared to be moving towards Oak very quickly.

"You're bait." Oak said matter of factly to the Sandshrew who didn't react. As Oak watched another Pokémon leapt out into the open. A Heracross stepped towards Oak, gesturing menacingly.

"And you are what he was bait to lure me towards." Oak said, nodding to Heracross. The Pokémon seemed slightly confused but stepped forwards, its arms out wide to pick up Oak. As the Pokémon got closer, Oak's mind was racing. He could still see the silhouettes approaching in the distance, yet Heracross did not seem aware of them. That only made sense if Heracross didn't know them. But then why would they be coming towards them. All of a sudden it sunk in and Oak smiled. He stepped backwards from Heracross as the Pokémon tried to grab him, causing it to miss. Heracross clicked its claws in anger as it stepped forwards once more, glaring at Oak.

"Not today." Oak told it as the silhouettes finally reached them. There was a flash of a large figure shooting above them and a burst of light. Sandshrew vanished into the ground, digging as fast as possible while Heracross turned to face the new threat. Before he could react to it, the attacker swung back around and sent Heracross flying with a single attack. Oak smiled as he stepped forwards, into the embrace of his oldest Pokémon, a Dragonite that had been by his side for more than half a century. Dragonite hugged the Professor tightly before turning back towards Heracross. He roared, a sound that echoed throughout the forest, making trees shake and Heracross who was just climbing to his feet to fall back down again. Dragonite's eyes flashed and Heracross took the hint, leaping into the air and vanishing into the forest once again. Oak looked around as more Pokémon descended to be next to him. Oak faced the team of Pokémon that he had worked with for so long. There weren't as many as would have been expected for such a respected trainer, with only three Pokémon other than Dragonite, but Oak knew that each of his was worth more than so many other Pokémon.

A Solrock bobbed up and down in front of him. Despite the lack of obvious emotion, after so long together Oak could read its emotions instantly. The Pokémon was delighted to see him. Next to Solrock was a Lunatone, serene as it floated in the air. Oak smiled slightly, Lunatone was always the more aloof one. Why Solrock was always more exuberant, Lunatone would just sit and watch quietly. Oak nodded to the Pokémon as his gaze moved onto the last member of his four man team. A Porygon2, one of the first ever discovered sat on the ground between Lunatone and Solrock. The Pokémons head was constantly moving as programs ran inside its brain. The only time Porygon2 was ever still was when there were no more programs running.

"My friends." Oak said with a smile, his arms extended as he looked along the group. "I never thought I would see you again. Thank you for coming back to me. After I was captured… I thought I'd lost you forever."

Dragonite roared once more and Oak looked past his Pokémon to see Heracross emerging once again with several companions at his back. Oak sighed.

"I know what this is."

Every single Pokémon turned to look at him, puzzled expressions on the faces of those that had them. Oak's voice wasn't angry, in fact it was merely pleasant, like the voice of a man interrupted on his mid-afternoon stroll.

"Your leader." Oak said, gesturing towards Heracross. "Thinks that I was meeting with Pidgeot in order to come together to aid in the fight against you."

Heracross just stared at Oak, hardly reacting, merely clicking his claws menacingly.

"Well I can assure you I did not." Oak said, his voice still pleasant. "In fact, I was meeting him to help another human who has no intention of getting involved in your battles." Oaks voice took on a harsher tone. "Yet you still persist in attacking me. Will you permit us to depart?"

Heracross glared at Oak before raising his arms in a motion that clearly meant attack.

"I thought not." Oak said, smiling slightly. "Lunatone, use Hypnosis."

Heracross leapt forwards but Lunatone was too quick. The attack hit Heracross and he collapsed to the ground, his momentum causing him to go skidding forwards. Oak glanced down at his sleeping opponent before stepping forwards, flanked by his own Pokémon.

"Leave us now, or be driven back." Oak said, all pleasantness from his tone gone, his voice taking on a hard edge. The Pokémon glanced at each other and one took a step back, before hesitating again. It was clear that they wanted to retreat but they also seemed to fear doing so.

"I do not want to do this…" Oak said, sighing. "Solrock, Rock Slide."

One of the Pokémon tried to move forwards but it was far too late. Solrocks attack raced in, faster than most Pokémon ever faced in their lives. Rocks crashed into the ground, sending Heracross' companions backwards. Heracross himself was buried under the onslaught. The rush of rock caused dust to rise as the rocks at the bottom were pounded into dust by the rocks on top. As the dust cleared, Oak was gone.

"Impressive distraction." Oak said as he rode on Dragonites back, his other Pokémon racing along beside them. "You've given us a way to gain some distance but they'll still be chasing us."

Solrock bobbed slightly, his version of bowing. Oak smiled back at his friend before leaning to talk to Dragonite.

"We'll need to move faster old friend." Oak said. "There is so much more at stake than I had realised. I need you to get me back to Pallet Town as fast as possible."

Dragonite didn't answer but his speed noticeably increased. Oak glanced over his shoulder and shuddered. If they hadn't wanted him to meet with Pidgeot, they would not want him to escape. Dragonite suddenly started to climb quickly, soaring above the tree-line to get a better look. He got his bearings and shot forwards again, dropping back towards the ground. He shot out of the tree-line and onto the ranch at the back of the laboratory. As Dragonite drew close to the laboratory however, there was an explosion of dirt from in front of them, causing the ground to shake. An Onix rose out of the ground, his head slamming into Dragonite and sending the Pokémon careering towards the ground. As Dragonite hit the ground Oak was thrown away, sprawling away from the laboratory. Dragonite came to a stop in front of the building and rose up, the rest of Oak's Pokémon at his side as they faced Onix. More Pokémon came racing out of the hole in the ground, backing up Onix.

The door to the laboratory was thrown open and Max Maple burst out, a Pokéball in each hand. Pure instinct took over for the trainer as he saw what was facing him and he threw the two Pokéballs he had already drawn out. Before they could release their Pokémon, two more were in the air. As Max's team started to form around him, May came charging out, closely followed by James and Brock. Each of them released Pokémon as soon as they came through the door. As Gary came out and looked around, Oak stirred slightly. He slowly climbed to his feet and looked around in shock at how quickly somewhere that had once been his home turned into a battlefield.

"Are you alright dear?"

Sonia spun, the voice snapping her out of her daydreaming. Delia Ketchum was standing, watching her. She smiled at the older woman before clapping once, causing her Pokémon to stop training.

"I'm fine." Sonia said. "Just lost in my thoughts."

Delia smiled warmly. "I can sympathise dear. Anything you want to talk about?"

Sonia started in surprise. "You don't know me."

"But I would like to." Delia said. "Ash treats all of his tutees as family, and since I am his mother…"

"You act like a mother to all of us." Sonia said, smiling despite herself. "It's… it's been a while since anybody has cared for me like that. I'm afraid I grew out of the need for a mother a long time ago."

"Nobody grows out of that need." Delia said, slightly sadly. "Even Ash, with all of his power, all of his strength… He has changed since I came back into his life."

"Not for the better?" Sonia asked, trying to hide the curiosity in her voice.

"Oh for the better." Delia answered, her voice happier again. "Definitely for the better. It just makes me wonder what he could have been like if I had been there for him for all of those years."

Sonia nodded. "But you're here for him now?"

"Always." Delia said.

"Does he know that?" Sonia asked.

"I think so." Delia said. "It took a while, but yes."

Sonia seemed to hesitate for a moment, something that Delia didn't miss. "What is it dear?"

"I was just wondering." Sonia answered. "You said that you leave Mystery Island occasionally. How occasionally is that?"

Delia blinked. "Odd question."

Sonia smiled. "I'm curious. I've been here a short while now and you never seem to be gone."

"I don't see the reason to leave." Delia said. "Everything I need, I have here."

"You said." Sonia said, her mind whirring. "But… would I be right in guessing that Ash prefers you not to leave?"

Delia looked taken aback. "Why do you say that?"

"Because you are safe here." Sonia said. "He can protect you here. Particularly at the moment, Ash would want to know you are safe."

Delia smiled weakly. "I guess I now know why Ash agreed to train you. Very perceptive."

"So?" Sonia asked. "Am I right?"

"You are. Ash asked me to keep my trips away to a minimum. He would never stop me going anywhere, but he does want to protect me."

"Do you know why?" Sonia asked as realisation settled on her.

"Why he wants to protect me?" Delia asked.

"No. Why he doesn't want you to leave."

"Because he wants to protect me." Delia said, slightly exasperated.

"It is more than that." Sonia said. "To the world Ash has no weakness. But…"

"But you think I am one?" Delia asked.

Sonia smiled warmly. "Yes. You are his mother. And from what you've told me, he would do anything to save you. So yes, you are a weakness. No wonder he wants to protect you."

Delia nodded slowly, but Sonia had turned back to the Pokémon, returning to their training. Delia slowly returned inside, mulling over what Sonia had just said. It had a ring of truth to it, enough to make Delia wonder. If it was true, why hadn't Ash told her?

A/N

I know a few people were desperate to watch Ash go head to head with Gliscor, but unfortunately there is rather a lot going on in the Pokémon world at the moment. Next chapter will be more Ash-centric, promise. On that note, it should be next Friday; I should be able to get another chapter out in that time.

Till next time,

Iama2p