"Well Sam, it is the eve of the most important battle of your career thus far. Tell us, what is going through your mind?"

Sam leaned back in his chair, considering his answer. He was sat in Zane's studio in Indigo Plateau, doing his final interview before his match against Lance. He hadn't originally intended to do it but he had found a message from Mellanie waiting for him at his hotel. He had no idea how she had known where he was going, but the warning was clear. She had told him that by ignoring Zane he was risking antagonising the media which would have been a bad place to start his reign as Kanto Champion if he won.

Across from Sam, Zane was regarding him with a keen gaze. He had been happy to have one final interview with Sam and had seemingly accepted Sam's apology for failing to uphold their deal in Hoenn. When Sam had explained how training had taken over his life for a week Zane laughed and moved on.

"Obviously this is going to be a huge fight." Sam said. "Lance is a good trainer and beating him won't be easy but I am confident. We've been training hard for this moment and we feel we are ready."

Zane nodded. "Will there be any rotation in your line-up or will you be going with your standard team?"

Sam shrugged. "I trained more than six Pokémon last week, but the team that took me to my Kanto title will most likely be the ones that feature. They were my best Pokémon then and they still are now."

"Would you care to expand on any weaknesses of Lance?"

"I'm afraid not Zane." Sam said. "There are weaknesses that I want to exploit but telling you what they are risks tipping my hand. Ask me again afterwards. Or maybe your analysts can pick them up."

"But not you?" Zane asked.

Sam winced. "Alas not Zane. I'll either be celebrating or doing my own analysis."

"And I suppose that we should let you go and rest." Zane said. "Just one final question for you. There are rumours about you and a certain young lady, the daughter of a Kanto businessman. Without going into details would you care to bring us up to date on your relationship?"

Sam froze. Zane's grin was wicked as the camera's focused in on Sam. "I… Do I want to know where these rumours come from?"

"Just rumours." Zane said. "But I take it from your reaction that they are not true?"

"I didn't say that." Sam said. "I met Emily in Hoenn and as she is a fan of battling she helped me train."

"Train what?" Zane asked evilly.

"Train for the battle." Sam said firmly. "Is there anything else Zane?"

"I just want a straight answer." Zane said. "Is there anything going on between you and this Emily?"

Sam didn't answer for a moment before locking eyes with Zane. "My personal life is none of your business Zane."

"And yet your fans want to know if their hero is off the market." Zane said. "So? Surely it is a simple enough question?"

Sam glared at his tormentor but eventually gritted his teeth, trying once more to evade the question.

"I have not really discussed it with Emily." He said. "That is a question for both of us."

"But what do you want?" Zane asked immediately.

Sam almost growled in frustration. "Something could happen between us, but if pressed I would say that I find a long term relationship with Emily unlikely."

"Thank you Sam." Zane said. "I think that covers everything."

Ash stood pacing in the garden outside of his house. Mellanie was sat on the doorstep watching him.

"Ash…" she tried but Ash didn't even seem to hear her. Inside the house Meganium was sat with Delia, treating her injuries. Ash had tried to help but his Pokémon but it hadn't been long before Meganium got frustrated with him. For all his ability to detach himself, Ash struggled to remain detached when it was his own mother who was hurt.

"Ash, you need to calm down." Mellanie said, louder this time.

Ash spun to meet his tutee's gaze. "Calm down?" he said. "What makes you think I'm not calm?"

Mellanie gestured to the ground. "You're halfway to the ocean." She said.

Ash let out a short bark of laughter, but the humour didn't reach his eyes. "Very funny Mellanie." He started pacing once again.

Mellanie gave up. As she watched Ash continue to pace she let her mind wander. Could they use this to their advantage in any way? If Sonia had been behind the kidnapping and torture of Delia Ketchum, that could be a counter to her allegations. The question would be how they could get the information out when Sonia's story was so public.

Mellanie felt something move behind her and twisted around. Meganium was stood there, Espeon by her side. Ash stopped pacing and turned to them.

"Is she healed?"

Meganium nodded. She moved past Mellanie and her vines extended, drawing her trainer into a hug. Ash allowed it for a moment before pulling away.

"I need to see her."

Ash stepped past his Pokémon into the house. Mellanie rose to watch him enter before turning back to Espeon.

"Aren't you going to follow?"

"No." Espeon said. "He needs to be alone with her."

Mellanie shrugged and took her seat again. Espeon walked up to her and curled up against her.

"Will she be alright?" Mellanie asked. She had been shocked when Ash had returned to the island with his mother in such a state. For all the warnings that Ash had given her, Mellanie had never considered the treatment that Sonia might give to somebody close to Ash.

"Physically she will be fine." Espeon said after a quick glance at Meganium. "Mentally however… she is a resilient woman who I have come to respect but there is only so much she can take."

"What does that mean?"

"Her body will recover." Espeon said. "But I worry for her state of mind. She still seems disorientated, unsure as to what is happening. She was passed out when Meganium started to heal her but when she woke up she was terrified."

Mellanie nodded slowly, before reaching out and stroking Espeon's fur. The Sun Pokémon purred slightly.

"Why are you telling me?" Mellanie asked.

"Because Ash needs you now."

"Ash is trying to push me away."

"He thinks it is for your own good." Espeon said. "And in that respect he is probably right. Ash would never let himself admit that he needs support, especially when that could jeopardise somebody he protects."

Mellanie didn't say anything for a long moment, thinking. In the time that Ash had been away she had considered what he had meant by protecting her. She agreed that his protection was almost certainly beneficial to her, but that didn't mean she was happy to be pushed away. And yet there was no way Ash would include her in his plans.

"What will he do next?" Mellanie asked Espeon.

"I don't know." The Sun Pokémon answered honestly. "I hope he doesn't react in anger. Sam's battle is tomorrow and the Pokémon Master should be there. He can find a way to deal with Sonia once his public appearances are finished."

"And what can I do to help?" Mellanie asked, almost whispering.

"If he goes to the battle, sit in the director's box with him. If not, stop him from doing anything foolish."

"You think he would?" Mellanie asked in surprise.

"I've only ever seen him this hurt once before." Espeon said. "And that day nearly broke him. Yes, I fear for what he might feel driven towards doing."

They stopped talking when Ash re-appeared in the door behind them. He gazed down at Espeon curled up against Mellanie.

"Please come in." Ash said. "We need to talk."

He turned and vanished back into the house. Mellanie rose from her spot and followed, Espeon and Meganium just behind her. Inside the living room of Ash's house, Delia Ketchum was in an armchair, a dazed expression on her face. Ash gestured to the sofa and Mellanie sat quickly.

"Firstly, Espeon you do not have to worry." Ash said. "I will not go off the edge. Sonia has gone after my family, but she will not beat me."

Espeon had the grace to look slightly embarrassed at Ash's words, but she didn't say anything.

"I will be going to Indigo Plateau tomorrow." Ash said, continuing. "I will watch Sam fight and hopefully take the Kanto title. Having an extra loyal regional leader might be of use to me. Mellanie if you wish to attend you may do so."

"With you?" she asked in surprise.

"Yes." Ash said. "It would not do your career any harm to be seen with me at a battle involving your best friend and my tutee."

"I'm not sure we are friends anymore…" Mellanie said quietly.

"You are." Ash said firmly. "But more on that later. After the battle I will deal with Sonia once and for all."

"How?/How?" Espeon and Mellanie spoke at almost the exact same moment.

"We are going on the attack." Ash said. "I believe she has played almost every move she had. Most of what she did was but this is too much. She will regret coming after me."

Ash focused his gaze onto Espeon.

"You will not be coming to the battle tomorrow." Ash said. "I will have Charizard with me and that is it. The rest of you are under Alakazam's instruction. Find Cleffa. Find any Pokémon that still supports Cleffa. Beat any that are not loyal to me. End the division in the Wilds, once and for all. By the time that Sam finishes his battle tomorrow I want the Wilds loyal to me."

"I will inform Alakazam." Espeon said quietly.

"Good." Ash said. "Once that is complete, you have one final job. Wherever Sonia is being kept, find her. I need to know where she is. Once she is discredited, she will pay for what she did to us."

"What will you do until tomorrow?" Mellanie asked.

Ash smiled. "My Pokémon will give me the loyalty of the Wilds. I think it is time I start to re-earn some of the loyalty of the humans in the regions."

Cynthia knocked on the door, opening it. She walked in, looking around. Despite the time that she had spent working at the police station, this was the first time she had set foot in the Chief of Police's office. It surprised her with how plain it was, just a few personal touches.

"Something surprising Cynthia?" Jenny asked from behind her desk.

Cynthia shook her head. "Just looking around. You haven't done much with the place."

Jenny shrugged. "I'm rarely here. I don't like spending time in my office, I prefer to be out helping the officers and staying visible."

Cynthia didn't respond as she took a seat in front of the desk. Jenny put down a folder and leaned forwards, arms folded.

"I need your opinion." She said.

"On?" Cynthia asked.

Jenny smiled slightly. "You know what. We have evidence that supports claims that the Pokémon Master has taken unacceptable risks, endangering the public for his own gain. Evidence that suggests he has caused people who oppose him to vanish. Evidence that he has tampered with private league documents, something that he shouldn't even have access to without a court order. Evidence that suggests that he may be a large part of the cause of the recent upturn in the aggressiveness of wild Pokémon. And more. Yet conclusive evidence has been hard to find. A lot of it could be argued to be circumstantial."

"So what should we do." Cynthia said. It wasn't a question but Jenny nodded nonetheless. "I'd say that there is a person who should also be given an opinion." Cynthia said.

"Who?"

"Sonia Rukan."

Jenny leaned back in her chair. "Go on."

"Sonia was the one who pointed a lot of it out." Cynthia said. "She is the one who caused this investigation to happen. I am sure that her own research will have uncovered a lot of what we have found. Maybe she will have an insight as to what Ash Ketchum's motives could be. Are they purely to maintain his power or is there something more sinister…" Cynthia paused for a long moment. "I… Originally I mistrusted her after she revealed so many secrets. Now I am not so sure that is necessary. I believe she might be right. This investigation needed to happen. There has been too much mystery."

Jenny chuckled. "I am glad that you agree. I have arranged for us to meet with her this afternoon."

Cynthia blinked. "You…"

"Were testing you." Jenny said. "For all the help you have provided, you are still technically subordinate to the man we are investigating. Yet I believe that you are able to put your feelings aside in that respect."

Cynthia shook her head in disbelief. "You are more like Champion than you know."

Jenny shrugged. "I will take that as the compliment I believe it was intended. If you have anything else to attend to feel free. We shall depart for where Sonia is staying in three hours."

Charizard started to drop through the sky, his trainer clinging to his back. Once all the other Pokémon had departed Mystery Island, Ash had told him that they would be visiting some of his old friends. Charizard wasn't entirely sure what to make of that. As far as he was concerned, Ash had been separate from them for so long there was minimal point going back. Yet his trainer seemed determined and so perhaps that was enough. Charizard had fond memories of some of them, particularly the one they were coming to see now. While Charizard had not always respected Brock he did at least know that he was a good cook. And a doctor. Although Ash had surpassed him in both in their time apart.

"Down there." Ash murmured, pointing down towards the Pewter City Gym. Charizard growled in acknowledgement and put on a burst of speed. Ash had told him that they would be trying to visit multiple people today and so speed was of the essence. Charizard had taken it as a challenge to fly as quickly as possible.

As he touched down outside the Gym Ash slipped off of his back.

"Well done." He murmured. "I don't think we've travelled that fast for a long time." He stroked the side of Charizard's snout briefly before recalling his iconic Pokémon. He turned and strode through the door into the breeding centre into the reception. It was completely deserted. Ash smiled slightly as he reached the desk and pressed the bell before turning to look at one of the posters on the wall.

A few moments later a jingling sound heralded Brock coming through the door leading into the reception.

"Can I help you?" He asked.

"I hope so." Ash said, not turning around. "I'm looking for a Dr Stone?"

"You're talking to him." Brock said. "What can I do for you?"

"I've heard that you knew the Pokémon Master when he was younger." Ash said, still not turning. "Before he became the Pokémon Master. I was wondering if you remembered anything from that time?"

"Why are you asking?" Brock said, slightly nervously.

"I'm looking for stories about him." Ash said. "Particularly with respect to how he came to where he is now."

"I'm afraid that I don't share those stories." Brock said.

"But you do remember them?"

"Of course. Ash Ketchum was like a younger brother. But I will not share those stories with anybody. He is entitled to his privacy."

Ash turned around, pulling his hat off his head in a smooth movement. "Well that is certainly good to hear Brock."

Brock froze. "Ash?" he asked in shock.

Ash burst out laughing. "Brock, you need to be able to see your face."

Brock's mouth opened and closed several times as he tried to formulate words. Each time, the grin on Ash's face grew larger.

"You…" Brock managed to stutter out.

"Yes Brock. Me." Ash said. "I told you I would come and see you at some point."

"I… Yes but…"

"But you didn't believe me?" Ash asked. "Brock, that hurts."

"I…" Brock stuttered.

Ash laughed again. "Brock, calm down. Honestly, it is me. I figured I should make good on my promise."

Brock's mouth opened and closed again. Ash leaned against the receptionists desk, waiting. Eventually Brock managed to formulate words once more.

"Ash… it really is you."

"Indeed." Ash said drily. "In the living, breathing, apparently not serious enough flesh."

Brock just shook his head in disbelief. "You came."

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Dawn told you?"

"Dawn… Yes." Brock said. "She was here last night. She is actually staying here tonight as well."

Ash nodded. "Are we just going to stand here or are you going to invite me in?"

Brock smiled slightly. "Please come through… Ash."

Brock led his friend through into the house at the back of the breeding centre. He gestured to a chair which Ash took.

"Can I get you a drink or anything?" Brock asked uncertainly.

"No, it is fine." Ash said. "As much as I want to, I can't stay that long."

"Why not?" Brock asked, taking his own seat across from Ash.

"Unfortunately you are not the only person that I want to see today." Ash said.

Brock met his friend's eye for the first time since Ash had revealed himself. And he recoiled slightly. "Ash… what has happened?" Brock asked.

Ash gazed back, his gaze level, his face hiding his inner turmoil. "It isn't important" he murmured. "There is nothing you can do to help. I just wanted you to know that I haven't changed that much."

"What do you mean?" Brock asked.

"I came here with the intention of trusting you." Ash said. "And I do. But the story is longer than I care to tell."

"Is it something to do with Sonia Rukan?" Brock asked.

Ash chuckled slightly. "That is more accurate than you know." He sighed. "Suffice it to say, I am worried about what the media might be throwing around soon. There is an investigation going on into some of my activities as Pokémon Master and something is wrong with it."

"What?" Brock asked.

"If I knew I wouldn't have to ask you for this." Ash said quietly.

"What can I do for you?"

"Whatever happens, remember that I am still the same person I once was." Ash said, almost whispering now. "Please Brock, don't forget that. And trust that everything I have done I did for good cause."

Ash rose from his chair, surprising Brock.

"You're leaving?"

Ash nodded. "Brock, I don't want to put you into their sights. But I have a source that has suggested that the allegations that will be made are far more serious than I originally expected. I want you to remember me like I was."

Ash headed for the door but as he reached it, he heard Brock's voice behind him. "Did you do whatever they are accusing you of?"

Ash glanced back. "No. But I'm not sure that will make any difference."

And with that, Ash was gone.

Jenny opened the door to the car, climbing out. On the other side, Cynthia was also stepping out of the vehicle. The Sinnoh Champion looked around. Neither woman was in uniform, Jenny having left her typical policewoman's attire behind and Cynthia changing out of her usual iconic clothes into something far more casual.

"Here?""Yes." Jenny said.

"What is special about this street?" Cynthia asked.

"Nothing. That is the point of protective custody."

Cynthia chuckled as she took in the street. It was completely unremarkable, a street in a residential area of Ever Grande City. Cynthia would probably not be able to pick it out again after she left, in fact it was the kind of street it would be possible to walk down and completely forget five minutes later. Jenny gestured and Cynthia followed her towards a door a third of the way down the street. When they reached it, Officer Jenny raised her fist and knocked. The two woman stood and waited slightly awkwardly. After more than a minute Jenny knocked again, much louder this time. Again, there was no response.

"Is that expected?" Cynthia asked, slightly nervously.

"No." Jenny said. She reached into a pocket and withdrew a key, unlocking the door. "Stay here."

"Hello?" Jenny called in as she pulled the door open. "Ever Grande police. Miss Rukan, where are you?"

The house was completely silent. Jenny moved through it, checking every room before returning to the front door.

"Something is very wrong." She said.

"Sonia isn't here?" Cynthia asked.

"No. And there hasn't been any kind of break in."

"How do you know?"

Jenny gave her an almost pitying look. "We aren't incompetent. Each of our safe houses has every security we can throw at it. Alarms linking straight back to the precinct as an absolute minimum. Every time the door opens one goes off. Keeping an eye on them all is a full time job. If there was any kind of break in, we would know about it."

"And yet, she isn't here."

Jenny nodded, clenching her fists slightly. "I know. And I can only think of one man who would definitely have the capabilities and motive to do this."

"Ash Ketchum." Cynthia said quietly.

"Indeed. But we need evidence."

"Is this not enough to arrest him?" Cynthia asked, feeling the betrayal rise inside her.

"It would be." Jenny said. "But before we arrest him I want to be able to prove it."

Suddenly there was a flash of light. Both women spun to see a Cleffa appear, panting breathlessly. By instinct, Jenny had a Pokéball in her hand, but Cynthia held out an arm to stop her.

"No, wait." Cynthia said. Cleffa's eyes seem to light up when Cynthia spoke. The Sinnoh Champion knelt down in front of the Pokémon. "I think I know of this Pokémon."

"Who is it?" Jenny asked. Cynthia ignored her as she knelt down in front of Cleffa.

"Are you the Cleffa who has been fighting against the Pokémon Master?"

Cleffa nodded enthusiastically. Cynthia smiled at the little Pokémon's exuberance.

"Do you know the woman that lived here?"

Again, Cleffa nodded energetically.

"Where is she?"

Cleffa hesitated. Cynthia stood up again, gazing at the Pokémon. Thinking of how to ask the question.

"Was she taken from here?" Jenny asked suddenly.

Cleffa nodded slowly, almost uncertainly.

"She wasn't taken from here?" Jenny asked.

Again Cleffa nodded slowly, almost a half nod. Jenny threw her arms up in frustration. "Cleffa, make up your mind."

"Wait." Cynthia said. "Was she attacked here?"

Cleffa nodded enthusiastically again.

"Was it by the Pokémon Master?" Jenny asked.

Cleffa nodded. Jenny turned to Cynthia.

"This could be the evidence we are looking for. Can you think of any reason why Cleffa would be lying?"

Cynthia shrugged. "I don't know her very well. I know that her and Ketchum have clashed in the past, but as for outright lying I don't know. Why?"

"Because Pokémon can give statements." Jenny said quietly. "It doesn't happen very often but if Cleffa can put a mark on a document stating what she has just told us, then it can be used in court. We would finally have concrete evidence to hit the Pokémon Master."

Jenny turned back to Cleffa. "Would you be willing to come with me to make sure we get the full story? I want to make sure whoever did this gets punished."

Cleffa took a moment to think about it before nodding enthusiastically. And for the first time since the investigation started, a warm, genuine smile spread across the face of Officer Jenny.

This time when Charizard descended it was into Celadon City. The lights of the city at night had made finding it very easy, but finding somewhere in it much more difficult. Ash leapt off his Pokémon's back, landing lightly on the ground. He recalled Charizard and looked around. He was stood underneath one of the skyscrapers that had started to dominate the city's skyline in the last few years. As he glanced up at it, Ash sighed. He didn't like the development work that was going on, but it wasn't his choice. At least he had found the right place; there had been so many changes to Celadon City that he had gotten lost the last time he had been there.

Ash strode down the street before taking a sharp right turn. At the end of the street was a Pokémon Centre, one that was often overlooked. The Nurse Joy that was there was an agent of the Pokémon League, employed to help search for potential Pokémon abusers. She had been instructed to keep her centre free from people that night, with only one person being allowed in. The person that Ash was meeting.

As he approached the doors they opened in front of him, allowing him to stride in removing his hat as he went. Across the room, watching a battle on television sat a young man that Ash knew well. At the sound of Ash entering, Max Maple rose from his chair.

"I figured it would be you." Max said quietly. Ash raised an eyebrow causing Max to laugh. "Come on, I got a message from Brock saying that you had dropped in on him and you had given him a warning. Then I'm taken into a clearly clandestine meeting in a Pokémon Centre. Very few people could set this up. The Pokémon Master is one of them."

"You seem very grounded." Ash observed. "When I came to see Dawn and Brock they acted far more surprised."

"They didn't know you were coming." Max said simply. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I have some questions for you." Ash said, gesturing to the seat that Max had just vacated. The Braniac sat down once again, Ash taking a seat opposite him.

"What do you want to do with your career?" Ash asked.

"What do you mean?" Max asked in turn.

"Do you want to go and win league titles? Do you want to become a regional champion? Is it your ambition to become Pokémon Master?"

Max shrugged. "I'd never really thought about it. I always wanted to travel but after you vanished…" he shrugged again. "I don't know. I think I grew up a lot when I heard. I've won titles now, and am known as a dangerous opponent. What I want moving forwards… I don't know. Why do you ask?"

Ash leaned forwards. "Because what I'm about to ask could cause serious damage to your career."

"What do you need?" Max asked.

Surprised Ash leaned back in his seat. "You'd do something for me after so many years?"

Max shrugged. "I've spent a lot of time watching you over the years, even if I didn't know it was you." He said. "Since I found out who you were I've had a lot of time to think. You never lied to me when I was a kid and I don't think you're the kind to start now. I trust you."

Ash smiled, a genuine warm smile. "Thank you Max. And I'm sorry that you never got the battle I promised you. One day I hope to fulfil that promise."

"I'll hold you to that." Max said. "Although I would avoid my brother-in-law. He hates you."

"Well you're the last person I am planning on visiting tonight." Ash said. "And tomorrow I am back at Indigo."

"Of course, the battle between Lance and Sam." Max said. "I thought you'd be in attendance."

"Do you want to come?" Ash asked.

"I… of course." Max said, thrown slightly. "We weren't able to get enough tickets for us all to go. Gary was able to get a few as the Kanto Professor, and Misty a few as Gym Leader. But I said I'd watch it on TV instead."

"You can watch it from the main box." Ash said. "There will be a couple of you there."

"A few of…" Max asked uncertainly.

Ash smiled. "A few of my tutees. Honestly Max, I thought you would have guessed by now."

"I… you're offering me the chance to train under you?" Max asked in disbelief.

"Yes." Ash said. "You are an extremely talented trainer. It would be remiss of me to miss you out. But I confess, there is another reason."

"What?" Max asked.

"I need your brain to help me." Ash said. "I face a legal battle to retain my title. I know of nobody who I could feasibly bring close to me who is as good at research as you."

Max flushed slightly. "You've been following me?"

"I followed all of you." Ash said. "In the six years since I became Pokémon Master I have kept an eye on all of you. I know a lot about you."

"So I would have to research… what?" Max asked.

"Less research, more provide me an outlet to bounce ideas off." Ash said. "Somebody who knows human society very well. I find myself in a position where I have little choice but to trust some people. And I don't think you would betray me."

"Never!" Max protested instantly. Ash smiled.

"Precisely." He said softly. "So Max, would you like to become one of my students?"

"Definitely." Max said instantly.

Ash held his hand out to the Braniac. "In that case, welcome to the team."