"So why was that such a straight-forward victory?" Zane was asking, the camera focused on him. As his companion started to speak, the television switched camera to show his suporting analyst, Mellanie Rigger.
"It was a shambolic effort." She said, not holding back. "He left his Pokémon brutally exposed throughout, letting them take hits that would hurt any Pokémon. To succeed in a tournament you need to protect your Pokémon, not let them get battered around."
Zane smiled as the image changed to the two of them in the studio. "But surely if you want to win you have to let them get hit occasionally?"
"Of course." Mellanie said scathingly. "But to allow them to take the kind of hits they were is irresponsible. If that is how he fights I'm amazed he made it to the quarter finals."
"Well there it is folks." Zane said, turning to face at the camera. "From a great battler herself. Richard is out through his own recklessness, leaving John to progress through to the semi-finals, winning his quarter-final 6-4."
The red light signalling that they were on air faded and Zane turned to face Mellanie.
"Is everything all right?" he asked.
"Why?"
Zane made a backing off motion with his hands. "It's just you seem upset about something. I've watched you battle your whole career and I've always been impressed by how calm you are, even under incredible pressure. Yet here you seem angry, upset. What happened?"
Mellanie leaned back in her chair. "Sorry." she said. "I know this angry, scathing assessment wasn't what you were looking for when you made that deal."
Zane laughed. "I'm not worried about that." he said. "If anything, it makes for better ratings."
"Then why..." Mellanie asked.
"I actually do care about the trainers that I work with." Zane said. "I try to build friendships with them, it makes it easier to get them to agree to more interviews. If there is anything wrong, you can talk to me."
Mellanie didn't say anything so Zane pressed on.
"I did once explain this to Sam."
"Well he never mentioned it." Mellanie said, rising from her seat. "If that is all Zane?"
Zane shook his head in disbelief at the sudden change from Mellanie. He had thought he was getting through to her.
"Not quite." he said. "I have a letter for you."
"For me?" Mellanie asked. "Who is it from?"
"I have no idea." Zane said. "It appeared, sealed on the front desk."
He reached into a pocket and drew it out, handing it to Mellanie. She ripped it open and skimmed the message, before grimacing. She stuffed the letter into the bag she had left to the side of her seat and nodded to Zane.
"I'm... sorry I've been a bit out of it." Mellanie said, forcing herself to be calmer. "I'll try and improve tomorrow. And thank you for asking, but I'm fine."
Zane watched her stride out, bemused. For such a small, young girl she really did have a lot of fire. And she was very confusing. He knew a great deal of her history, having identified her as a promising trainer all the way back at her first ever Johto tournament. Not that it was hard, for a trainer to reach the final in their first tournament they would have to be something pretty special. Yet that battling ability appeared to come with an extremely complicated personality. Zane was just glad he wasn't the one who had to try to deal with her permanently.
Mellanie strode deeper into the woods, looking around. There was a small building, no more than a few rooms. It was very well hidden by the trees around it. She smiled slightly as the door opened. She stepped inside, finding herself in a small living room. Ash appeared at the far end, coming from what looked like a kitchen. The rooms were sparsely furnished, a few chairs in the living room. It was clearly something that was not meant for constant habitation, but would easily do for a few days at a time.
"Mellanie." He said. "Good to see you."
She just shook her head. "Is this where you've been staying? What is this place?"
A smile played at Ash's lips. "Of course. I have built houses like this near each of the regional leagues, and made them as hard to reach as Mystery Island. Did you think I was camping?"
"You've been here this whole time and you never told me?" Mellanie asked, snapping at him. "I could've come her as well."
Ash just shook his head slightly. "No. You couldn't."
"Why not?" Mellanie asked. "I've needed you Ash."
Ash just looked at her, a maddening smile still playing across his face.
"That is true."
Mellanie threw her arms up in frustration. "You're just the worst. Why couldn't I stay here?"
Ash stepped forwards. "Because you need to have some distance from me Mellanie. The scouts are likely to find my mother soon, if not Sonia. When they do, it is going to get ugly. She must have something left, after everything she has done I don't believe she'll have backed herself into a corner. I will win this fight, but I do not yet know the cost."
"I don't care!" Mellanie said. "Ash, you know I'll stand by you whatever happens."
"I know." Ash said quietly. "Your loyalty has never been in question. Just your common sense."
"What do you mean?"
"I am currently being investigated by the police for abusing my position. Given how Sonia went public, she has done something to convince them. Even if I do manage to clear my name, it could take a long time. Too close an association with me could irreparably damage your career. I did not spend five years training you for that to happen."
Mellanie was quiet for a moment before she reached into her pocket and drew out the letter.
"So why did you send this?" she asked.
"Because we need to talk." Ash said. "What has happened Mellanie?"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I've been watching some of your battle analysis." Ash said. "Some of it is very good. Yet you are being far more critical than usual. What has happened?"
Mellanie turned away. "It doesn't matter."
Mellanie blinked but it was all it took. Ash had crossed the room and swept her up in a hug. Mellanie froze in shock. Ash did not often initiate hugs. If she hugged him he would return it but otherwise he usually kept his distance. As he released her Mellanie felt the tears start to well up in her eyes. Ash gestured to a chair in the living room and Mellanie found herself drawn to it.
"What happened?" Ash asked for a third time.
"I… I don't want to talk about it." Mellanie said quietly.
Ash took his own seat, leaning back as he gazed at the teenager in front of him. Despite some of the things that had happened to her, she was a remarkably balanced person. Very few things could set her off like this. He didn't think he had done anything to cause it, which left one obvious person.
"Was it Sam?" Ash asked.
Mellanie raised her eyes as tears started to drip from them. "Yes."
"What has he done?"
"He… I…" Mellanie started before stopping and taking a deep breath. It all came pouring out in a rush. "It's this girl. Emily. He's been with her all week, like he's been ignoring me. And then the other night I saw them, on a date. He kissed her."
"Oh." Ash said.
"Is that it?" Mellanie asked, anger coming into her voice again. "Oh?"
"I… I don't really know what else to say." Ash said, his calm voice hiding the nerves as to where the conversation was going.
"What do I do?"
"I…" Ash took a deep breath. "Do you care about him?"
Mellanie just gave Ash a look so full of venom he almost laughed. It was just so alien on the face of a teenager. "What do you think?" she asked icily.
"I'll take that as a yes." Ash said. "Have you ever told him?"
Mellanie looked at him pityingly, the tears drying from her face as she regained her composure. "Ash, you are terrible at this."
"I know."
"What would you do?" she asked. "You clearly have no idea what to say but your instincts are usually pretty good."
"I… I'm not sure." Ash said quietly. "It has been a long time since I was involved with anybody romantically."
"Wait, there was once somebody?" Mellanie asked, curiosity causing her to forget her original question.
"A long time ago." Ash said. "When I was in the Wilds. It is however a story for another time. If you genuinely care about Sam, then don't avoid him."
"I haven't…" Mellanie started but stopped as she met Ash's gaze. "Okay, maybe."
"Aren't you meant to be helping him train?" Ash asked.
"I'd rather not." Mellanie said. "Emily would be there."
A small smile started to creep onto Ash's face. "I think you angry would be exactly what he needs to push him to train harder so he can beat Lance."
"Maybe." Mellanie said quietly. "But what if I lose? He'll think I'm not good enough."
"That won't happen."
Ash turned to see Espeon padding her way into the room. Mellanie looked down at the Sun Pokémon.
"Why not?" she asked.
"Because…" Espeon started, but suddenly she stopped talking. Meganium stepped past, towering over Espeon. A vine extended, a Pokéball held in it, Meganium approached Mellanie.
"Ganium." She said quietly.
"Espeon?" Ash asked.
"Meganium will fight for Mellanie." Espeon translated.
"You will?" Mellanie asked in surprise. "But you don't battle often, I thought you didn't like it."
"That is not completely true." Meganium said with Espeon translating. "I prefer to care for people. But you are hurting and I know why. Let me help."
"I…"
"Take the Pokéball." Ash said. "Meganium will be far more powerful than anything Sam has faced. It will be good practice for him. And perhaps you can get over your anger at the same time."
Mellanie reached out and gently, almost reverently took the Pokéball.
"Thank you." Mellanie said quietly.
Meganium just shrugged slightly, the leaves around her shaking. Mellanie reached out and recalled the Herb Pokémon before looking down at the Pokéball. And for the first time since she had run from Sam and Emily a smile spread across her face.
Sam stepped out of the hotel, ambling towards his usual training place. He hadn't gone far when he felt an arm sling around his waist.
"Hi Emily" he said, grinning down at the girl.
She grinned back at him as he continued down the road. Before either of them could say anything else, there was a vibration in Sam's pocket. He reached down and pulled out his phone glancing at it. It was a text from Mellanie, telling him that she had managed to get him access to the training area below the stadiums. If he met her there, she would help him train. The final part of the message was directions to the field they could use. Sam smiled as he slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"Slight change of plan." He said.
"Oh?" Emily asked.
"Apparently Mel has managed to get me into some proper training facilities." Sam said. "She wants to train against me."
"Cool." Emily said. "Think you'll get a chance to battle her?"
"I suspect she'd be up for that." Sam said. "Why, you want to watch it?"
"Of course." Emily said, untwining her arm and dancing ahead. "You know I love watching battles."
Sam followed her as they headed back towards one of the largest stadiums. The sound of the semi-final starting caused them to glance up at the stadium before turning and heading for a smaller entrance that led down to the training fields.
"You could go and watch the semi-final." Sam said as they went through the door. It was usually locked but clearly Mellanie's influence had managed to get it open for them. They descended until they came onto a field, lit from high above. Mellanie was stood in the middle waiting.
"Hi Mel." Sam said with a big grin, something that she didn't answer with.
"Sam." She said calmly. "You've been training this week?"
"Yes." He said, slightly unnerved. "Mel, instead of more training could we…"
"Have a battle?" Mellanie finished.
Sam nodded.
"Of course we can." Mellanie said sweetly.
"I'll get out the way." Emily said, moving away to the side of the field. Mellanie strode to one end, and gestured for Sam to take the opposite end.
"How many?" Mellanie asked as she waited for him to reach his mark.
"As many as you have patience for." Sam said. "I'll need all the practice I can get."
For the first time since he had walked in, Mellanie smiled. "Indeed you do."
She threw her first Pokéball. "Scizor, let's go."
Ash turned slightly as he felt movement behind him.
"Damn, I thought I was being subtle that time." Dawn said as she approached.
"You were." Ash said, not taking his eyes from the battle raging on the training field below him.
He had to admit, Sam had improved since he had last seen him fight. Mellanie would be a good match for him, but her emotion was getting in her way. Instead of her usual countering style she was attacking far more than normal. It was a better reflection of Lance's battling style but it meant that Sam was winning, having taken Scizor down quickly and then drawing with Magby who knocked out Sam's Gengar as Gengar defeated him.
Dawn stood next to Ash, hidden high in a window above the training room. She watched Sam's Walrein battle hard against Mellanie's Spoink, forcing the Spoink to keep moving as he gained the upper hand.
"Why did you ask me to meet you here?" Dawn asked.
Ash turned and smiled at her. He had spent most of the week at the Hoenn League with Dawn, helping her develop new appeals and strengthening her Pokémon. It had been a remarkably relaxing week for him all things considered. He had allowed himself to take a break from dealing with the problems of the ongoing investigation against him. He knew that he couldn't do anything until his scouts found his mother so he had just waited. And Dawn was an excellent coordinator, learning fast and challenging him as a student. If he was still Pokémon Master in the future he would strongly consider taking her on as a student of his. But more importantly in Ash's mind he had started to form a friendship with her once again. After so long apart it had been awkward but after their first training session he had told Dawn that he would discuss it but he needed to feed his Pokémon. They had gone back to his house and talked about the session, discussing ways to strengthen Dawn's Pokémon that she could incorporate into her regular training. It had been two in the morning when she finally left, not having realised that she had forgotten that she had spent the entire day with the Pokémon Master. As Ash had suspected, once they connected on something the awkwardness would rapidly fall away. It was good for him to know that despite all the chances he was not drastically different as when he was a child. Although some of the changes had started to be reversed in the years since his mother and Pikachu came back into his life.
"Because I thought you'd want to watch Sam and Mellanie go head to head."
Dawn looked down again as Mellanie snapped out another command. "I'd say that Mellanie is getting very angry about this battle."
"Perceptive, but not over the battle." Ash said. He pointed to the third person on the training field, somebody that Dawn had not immediately seen.
"Who is that?" Dawn asked.
Ash chuckled. "I think she might be Sam's new girlfriend."
Dawn tried to talk and started to choke, coughing loudly as she tried to breathe once again.
"Sorry, his what?" she asked.
"His girlfriend." Ash said calmly. "It does happen you know."
"I know…" Dawn said. "But… he should be dating Mellanie."
This time Ash laughed a little louder. "It is good to know that I'm not the only one that thinks so." He turned his attention back to the battle. "Mellanie has been somewhat upset by it. In fact, an old friend of mine agreed to help her get a measure of revenge over Sam."
"Oh?" Dawn asked as Spoink started to get trapped by Walrein.
"I suspect we're about to see." Ash said.
"Spoink, return." Mellanie said as her Pokémon looked on her last legs. She replaced Spoink's Pokéball before reaching and choosing her next one very carefully. "You made a mistake Sam." Mellanie said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Sam asked.
"You forgot something we were once taught. Every action has a reaction."
Sam looked at her confusedly. "I don't…"
"Somebody wants to teach you a lesson." Mellanie said as she threw the Pokéball. Meganium appeared in front of her, glaring across the field at Sam who recoiled.
"Wait, you…"
"Yes." Mellanie said flatly. "Now, Meganium, Razor Leaf."
"Walrein, Blizzard." Sam said desperately. The onslaught of leaves that Meganium sent out were only just stopped by the power of Walrein's attack, but it was clear that Walrein was throwing everything he had into it.
"Up the power." Mellanie said.
Meganium nodded and the leaves started to cut through the freezing wind, getting closer and closer to Walrein. The Ice-Break Pokémon started to grunt as the attack hit home, each leaf knocking him back slightly.
"Walrein, use Water Gun to break through and hit Meganium." Sam barked.
Mellanie just looked pityingly at him as Walrein's attack blasted through but Meganium just stepped to the side. Before Walrein could recover Meganium unleashed a devastating Solar Beam.
"Walrein, dodge!" Sam shouted but he wasn't fast enough. The attack caught him squarely in the chest and sent Walrein skidding across the field. He came to a stop behind Sam, clearly knocked out. Sam shakily recalled his Pokémon. He knew Meganium and she fought so rarely. He didn't think he had ever seen her look like she wanted to fight like this. Sam wasn't sure what he'd done but this suggested something pretty bad. Meganium was protective of Mellanie but to fight him was still quite a step.
"Mel, what's going on?" he asked.
"Release your next Pokémon." Mellanie said forcefully. "Or do you forfeit?"
"You know I can't beat Meganium." Sam said.
"So you give up?"
Sam bared his teeth. "Never." He threw another Pokéball out, causing Typhlosion to appear.
"Ty?" he asked as he glanced back at his trainer. He had not expected to come out facing Meganium.
"We want to win this." Sam said. "Mel, I'm sorry for whatever I did. But if I'm going to beat Lance, then I'm going to have to go all out. And you've just given me the chance to do just that."
"Meganium, Vine Whip." Mellanie said.
"Flamethrower."
"Shield." Mellanie countered.
Meganium's vines formed a shield in front of her that the Flamethrower crashed into before breaking. Sam gritted his teeth. "Typhlosion, use Flame Charge."
Meganium glanced back at Mellanie who nodded. She used her vines to throw herself high into the air, launching herself over the charging, fiery Typhlosion before turning in the air and firing a Razor Leaf back down. As Typhlosion skidded to a stop the leaves shot towards him.
"Eruption." Sam ordered.
Flames burst out from Typhlosions back, incinerating the leaves and surging up towards Meganium who broke the attack with a Solar Beam. As she landed she cast a quick glance at Sam.
"Typhlosion, Flamethrower again." Sam ordered. As the flames fired forwards Meganium formed a shield once again, causing the attack to break up once more.
"Interesting." Ash said, gazing down.
"What is?" Dawn asked.
"Typhlosion. His attacks are far more powerful than I expected. I wonder how long Sam has been hiding this."
"Hiding it?" Dawn asked. "His Typhlosion is famous for its power!"
"Not at this level." Ash said. "Meganium regularly trains with Pokémon capable of far greater attacks. Yet she is impressed."
"Will Typhlosion break through?" Dawn asked.
"No. He will…" Ash started, before he froze. Espeon had appeared behind him, Alakazam by her side.
"Espeon." Ash said, turning around. "And Alakazam. You have been successful?"
"Affirmative." Alakazam said. "However, there is other news."
"Go on." Ash said.
"Ash?" Dawn asked. "What are they saying?"
Ash glanced down at Espeon. "Include her as well."
"Very well." Espeon said, and started to translate Alakazam for the coordinator as well.
"She is in a secure location." Alakazam said. "Our suggested plan of attack is an underground strike. A cavern has been excavated as the staging ground for such an attack."
"You have done well." Ash said. He glanced back over his shoulder to where another of Meganiums attacks broke through and smashed into Typhlosion. She had nearly finished beating the Volcano Pokémon into the ground, even though he had put up a superb fight. "I need to end that though."
"Why?" Dawn asked.
"Because there is something that I need to discuss with both of them." Ash said. "There are some things that you do not yet know. Alakazam, do the honours please. Dawn, please excuse me."
"Typhlosion, use…"
"Solar Beam."
Before Typhlosion could get another attack out, Meganium fired another powerful Solar Beam. Typhlosion tried to block it with a Flamethrower but it wasn't anywhere near strong enough. The attack knocked Typhlosion off his feet, sending him crashing to the ground for the final time. Meganium returned to her position in front of Mellanie gazing at Sam. Despite the length of the fight against Typhlosion she didn't yet look tired. Sam recalled his starter before pulling another Pokéball off his belt.
"Enough."
Sam and Mellanie spun to see Ash striding forwards into the middle of the battlefield.
"This match is over."
"No…" Sam started but Ash just looked at him. "I need to talk to both of you."
"What about?" Mellanie asked.
"Not here."
There was a cough from the shadows and Sam gestured for Emily to step out. "This is…"
"Emily." He said. "I know who she is. The daughter of the head of the Kanto branch of Devon Corp."
"It is an honour to meet you." Emily offered. Ash just turned his gaze onto her, causing her to shrink back, reaching for Sam's hand for comfort.
"I am afraid we need to go." Ash said, looking around. "Emily, please excuse us."
Before anybody could say anything else, Alakazam crossed his spoons. Everybody in the room vanished.
"Where are we?" Sam asked, looking at the outside of Ash's house near to the Ever Grande Conference. Alakazam had brought Ash, Sam, Mellanie, Espeon and Meganium with him, but there was no sign of Emily. "And where is…"
"Emily has been returned to her hotel." Ash said. "Do not worry about her."
"You could have at least let me talk to her."
Ash just turned his gaze on his tutee, an eyebrow raised. Despite him not saying anything, Sam recoiled as if he had been struck. The message was clear, if blunt. It was rare for Ash to be so blunt with them. With others, Ash was the epitome of bluntness yet he usually softened his words with his inner circle.
"We are here to talk about something important." Ash said. "I need your opinions."
He turned and strode towards the house, the door opening in front of him. He stepped inside and gestured for Sam and Mellanie to join him. As they moved past him, Espeon brushed against his leg.
"Will you bring in Dawn?" she murmured.
"Not yet." Ash said, just as quietly. "But perhaps before we make a final decision."
Espeon nodded padding past him. "You trust more these days."
Ash followed Sam and Mellanie inside, gesturing to chairs before taking his own.
"What is this about?" Mellanie asked. "I was winning that fight."
"Of course you were." Sam said. "You used Meganium. You couldn't beat her either."
"Well you deserve it." Mellanie snapped. "You've been ignoring me all week. I came here to help you train and you've not let me."
"I've been ignoring you?!" Sam asked, his voice rising in pitch with his surprise. "Mel I haven't even heard from you for nearly a week. How have I been ignoring you?"
"You've been too focused with…" Mellanie started but a cough from Ash brought her attention back to him.
"If you two are quite finished, I do actually need to talk to you." Ash said. Sheepish apologies came from the two teenagers. "Good. The scouts have found my mother."
"They have?" Mellanie asked excitedly. "When do we go…"
"We do not." Ash said calmly. "This is not one that you can accompany me on Mellanie."
"But…" the girl started.
"My decision here is final." Ash said. "I will require you to keep an eye on things here, not be out in the Wilds."
"What do you need us for then?" Sam asked. "I mean, if you are going alone to retrieve her, what do you need to talk about?"
"The timing." Ash said. "Specifically, should I go before tomorrow given that it is highly unlikely that I will be able to return in time for my exhibition battle."
"Oh." Mellanie said. "You surely can't leave Delia out there any longer?"
Ash leaned forwards in his chair. "I will not leave my mother there a moment longer than is necessary. The question is whether it is necessary for me to fight tomorrow."
"It would slow you down." Sam said. "You would have to wait for Charizard to recover…"
"Charizard will not be battling." Ash said. "Aggron will be taking the fight. And no, I will not need any extra time to recover. Unlike five years ago when I fought the Rockets or the legendary Pokémon, there is no need for my full team to be fully rested. Sonia cannot meet me on the open battlefield, even attempting to do so will be incredibly one sided."
"It's a question of public image then." Sam said. "And you cannot withdraw from the battle tomorrow, it is too high profile. The Pokémon Master against two of the greatest trainers Hoenn has produced in recent times is one that everybody will want to watch. It was a stroke of genius to organize the fight, but the world will be completely focused on your power as a battler."
"I didn't organize it." Ash said. "But I'm sure the organizer appreciates your comments."
"Who was it?" Sam asked.
Ash gestured towards Mellanie.
"You?" Sam asked in surprise.
"Yes." She said. "I can come up with some good ideas you know."
"I know you can it's just… I always see you as uninterested in the politics behind things." Sam said.
"I am." Mellanie answered. "But this seemed like a good idea."
"We digress once again." Ash said. "Mellanie, I've had Sam's opinion, what do you think?"
"You should go after Delia." Mellanie said. "You would regret it if you lost this chance."
Ash nodded slowly. "So split opinions?.
"No." Sam said. "I think you should go after Delia as well."
"But you said that he couldn't not fight tomorrow." Mellanie objected.
"No, Sam said that I could not withdraw." Ash said quietly. "Not that I shouldn't just run the risk."
Neither teenager said anything. The silence started to grow before Ash sighed. "You are both right in a sense. I would regret it if I missed the chance to rescue her, but I cannot let me responsibilities go."
"If you rescue her, Sonia loses her hold on you as well." Mellanie said. "Surely that is worth considering?"
Ash nodded. "I know. But if I go and don't manage to get Mum back, then I lose almost everything. I cannot gamble everything on this, I am not in that situation yet."
"Then you'll go after the fight tomorrow?" Sam asked.
"Yes." Ash said. "When I rescue Mum I'll go back to Mystery Island. I will however be at your fight against Lance." Ash rose and the door opened, leading to the outside. "Thank you for your opinions."
"But you ignored them." Sam pointed out.
"I merely disagreed. Do not think that talking about it does not help. There is one other person I will discuss this with but I have no further need for you tonight. Try to avoid fighting too much on your way back to the tournament, it is unseemly to argue in public."
Ash strode out of the room, leaving Sam and Mellanie to exit his house.
Cynthia finished looking down at the most recent report. Something was very wrong but she couldn't put her finger on it. She rubbed at her temples before leaning forwards to survey her desk. Yet another report had found evidence of Champions interfering in the world, causing problems. She added it to the far larger of the two piles on the table in front of her. The officers in the investigation were extremely diligent and Cynthia was being buried under the paperwork that they were producing. The office door in front of her opened causing her to raise her head to see the head of the Hoenn Police walking in.
"That's it for today" the Officer Jenny said, smiling slightly at Cynthia's groan of relief. "It has been hard work, hasn't it?"
"I can't believe there is so much." Cynthia said. "I mean, how has nobody managed to see this?"
"I'm not sure." Jenny admitted. "I can only assume that nobody thought to question him. I mean, he was pretty good at making us think he had everything under control."
"I know." Cynthia said. "I'm still struggling to believe that the man I knew and worked with for five years is like this."
"We owe Sonia Rukan a great debt for revealing all of this." Jenny said. "Will there be enough for the investigation to remove him from office?"
"I… I don't know." Cynthia said. "The exact procedure for that is unclear. What is certain is that he will have to answer some very difficult questions."
"I'm surprised you didn't ask them already." Jenny said. "Before you left Indigo to come here."
Cynthia leaned back, shutting her eyes against the scale of the headache that she was being subjected to.
"I… I never thought to ask." She said eventually. "I've never questioned Champion like this before"
"His name is Ash Ketchum." Jenny said, a vindictive look on her face. "Calling him Champion gives him legitimacy. It is hard to imagine dislodging a Champion from the role of Pokémon Master. Dislodging Mr Ketchum will be much easier."
"I… You're right." Cynthia said. "He's been Champion for far too long. When the investigation is finished, we will have to discuss with him the next steps. Ash is reasonable, if we can present evidence that suggests he cannot carry on, I do think he will step down. Ash is reasonable."
Jenny smiled. "Miss Rukan's testimony has been relentless, but it is coming to an end. We should have closed down all remaining leads within the next few weeks."
Cynthia smiled. "And then we can finally end this unrest."
Ash appeared outside a room, high up in one of the most expensive hotels in Ever Grande City. He knocked on the door. A few moments later, it was opened by a very confused looking Dawn.
"Hel…" she started before realising who had appeared at her front door. "Ash?"
"Can I come in?" Ash asked.
"I… of course." Dawn said, fully opening the door and moving to let him in. "I just didn't expect this."
Ash smiled tightly. "Nobody ever expects a visit from me."
"That is true. What can I do for you?"
"I need to talk to you about public images." Ash said as he strolled into the room, looking around. It was a luxurious room, at the standard that he would have expected for such a reputable hotel. Dawn shut the door and turned to look at him curiously.
"Do you want a drink?" she asked.
"Thank you, but no." Ash said, regarding his newly rediscovered friend closely. He remembered her openness from so many years before, but it had started to be more reserved around him. He could only assume that it was reflecting the change in his position since then. Having seen her with his friends he guessed that it was only with him that she had the problem, not with others. She had been the most outspoken in the group, but dealing with the Pokémon Master one on one was much harder. Even if he had made significant progress in reconnecting with her in the last few days, particularly over Pokémon, it was still hard for her to see him as somebody she could easily talk to.
Dawn sat down in one of the chairs dotted around the room before realising what she had done.
"Would you…" she started, but Ash just smiled and chose a chair for himself. He sat down and leaned forwards.
"I'm afraid this conversation is going to have to be one of those that is confidential." He said. "There are things that I need to discuss with you, and more importantly that I need your experience on."
"My experience?" Dawn asked. "What do you need from me that you don't have?"
"That's easy." Ash said. "Your experience in managing your public image."
"Okay…" Dawn said uneasily. "What do you need to know?"
"If you have a major appearance clash with something else, something personal, which do you choose?" Ash asked.
Dawn looked slightly taken aback. "What personal problems do you have? Nobody knows who you are."
Ash grimaced. "Actually everybody knows who I am."
"That's not what I meant. Nobody has a close connection to you."
"Take it from me, somebody does." Ash said. "And I need to do something for them tomorrow, when I am meant to be battling in an exhibition match. Which would you do?"
"I'm not sure." Dawn said. "Who is the person?"
Ash didn't answer for a moment, thinking carefully. He wanted to trust Dawn and hadn't found anything in the last few days to make him think he couldn't but was still naturally cautious. Yet if he told Dawn what the problem was, there was a good chance she would help by answering his question. For all Sam and Mellanie had good intentions, they had never had the kind of practice in maintaining an effective public image that Dawn had. She had managed to hold her reputation as one of the greatest coordinators in the world and had never managed to make a public gaffe. In terms of people who he thought he could trust, Dawn had the most experience.
"Sonia has caused me some serious problems." Ash said carefully. "Not just in terms of questions raised in public, but also in terms of other actions."
"What has she done?" Dawn asked.
Ash sighed. "She kidnapped my mother."
There was silence for a long moment. Dawn's face went through a host of expressions, from shock, through horror before finally settling on disbelief.
"I… You… No way." Dawn said eventually. Looking up into Ash's calm face, she knew that he was not wrong. "How?"
"That… isn't important." Ash said heavily. "But I am torn. She has done significant damage to my public image and tomorrow is a chance to rectify some of that. But I have also discovered the location of my mother. Which do I go after?"
Dawn shrunk into her seat, unsure of how to answer. Her instincts told her that family must be more important, but she knew that wasn't what Ash was looking for. He wanted to know her opinion with respect to his public image. And there was only one answer.
"For your image, you should fight tomorrow." Dawn said quietly. "Although personally I would most likely abandon it and go after my mother if I was in this situation."
Ash rose from his seat. "I thought as much. Thank you Dawn. Should you wish to watch the battle tomorrow there will be a seat available for you in the Pokémon League's box."
As Ash headed for the door, Dawn rose. "I… why?" she blurted.
Ash turned in the doorway. "I'm sure you will be able to work it out."
The door shut behind him and he was gone.
A/N
Firstly, sorry for this being late. And more bad news – there probably won't be a chapter on Friday. The reason? I'm on holiday this week (first time I've had time off in 6 months and it is glorious.) I'm not planning on spending the entire time writing so I might miss a chapter this week. Sorry about that.
Few questions about the battle between Steven, Wallace and Ash. You've probably worked out it will be the next chapter. Also somebody mentioned that it had been progressing slowly for a few chapters and that was likely to change. You are correct. There are several chaotic chapters coming up. And some fun things planned, so if you'll bear with me I will get there.
Until next time, whenever that may be,
Iama2p