Disclaimer.- I do not, and probably never will, own Pokémon. Kane is owned by Ability King KK.

Chapter XIII

When Ash exited the restaurant, the last thing he expected to happen was being yanked by the collar into a dark alleyway. When the hand finally let go of his collar, Ash promptly stood up and turned around to see who'd dragged him.

To Ash's surprise, it was Melvin.

Paulina, who was with him, walked up to Ash and said in anger, "What were you doing with Greta?"

One of the others who were with Paulina and Melvin suddenly yelled out, "I know what he's doing! He's trying to have his way with her!"

Ash's response was to yell out "WHAT! I was just eating lunch with her! Besides I don't like Greta in THAT way! I like…." Ash trailed off.

Despite Ash's denial, Melvin started to walk toward with murder in his eyes. Pikachu leaped off of Ash's shoulder on to the ground in front of Ash, emitting sparks from his cheeks. Then, suddenly out of no where came out "Scizor, use Quick Attack!"

Then the dual Bug/Steel type came and slammed into Melvin, K.O.-ing him instantly. Ash turned around to where the command came from. When he saw who was there, his eyes widened in recognition at the sight of the steel specialist samurai

"Kane?"

(SCENE CHANGE- to Anabel.)

Finally, thought Anabel. The Salon Maiden stood up from her office chair. All of the paperwork's finished. Oh dear Arceus, how I hate paperwork.

"Come on Espeon," said the lavender-haired empath to her faithful psychic type. "Let's go home and get some food. I wonder if Ash is back yet."

After saying goodbye to her assistant, Anabel and Espeon left the Battle Tower.

Time Skip

"Hmmmmmm…. I guess Ash isn't back yet."

DING-DONG!

"Speak of Giratina and he will come." Anabel walked over to the front door of her house. Opening it she saw Ash and Pikachu, accompanied by a person wearing… some king of samurai armor? Next to the stranger stood a Scizor and a Lucario.

"Hi Ash," said the empath to the Pokémon Master. Turning to the stranger, she asked, "And you are, good sir?"

"Ana, this is my old friend Kane. He specializes in Steel-type Pokémon." Kane said to Anabel "Hi. I'm just making sure Ash is okay after he nearly got the stuffing beaten out of him. Anyway, I have to go now."

With that Kane and his two Pokémon departed.

Anabel turned to Ash.

"What did that Kane fellow mean by 'nearly go the stuffing beat out'?"

"I'll tell you later," the raven-haired 15 year old replied.

(SCENE CHANGE- to Delia)

Delia was weeping.

She knew she shouldn't have said those horrible things to Samuel… but…. Delia's thoughts fled her like a group of thieves from a burglar alarm when the phone rang. After drying her eyes and calming her breathing, Delia walked over to the phone. When she answered the call, instead of seeing Ash on the screen like she expected, she saw silver-haired, blue eyed woman.

"May I help you miss?" Delia asked.

"Is Ashura there? I have some information for him."

"No, he's not. Would you like his PokeGear number?"

"Sure."

(SCENE CHANGE- Back with Anabel and Ash)

"So that's what happened?" Anabel asked.

"Yeah, pretty much. If Kane hadn't shown up, right now I'd probably be in the hos-…." Ash was promptly cut off by the ringing of his PokeGear. When Ash saw the number, he turned to Anabel and told her "I need to take this call outside."

"Go ahead," replied the Salon Maiden.

Ash went outside and answered his gear. The first thing out of his mouth was, "How did you get this number?"

"Your mother gave it to me. I've discovered some things about your father."

"You did?"

"Obviously, brat. Now then brat…. When and where do you want to meet?"

"Does tomorrow at noon in front Sliph Co.'s headquarters in Saffron work for you?"

Jane Yoshi, formerly known as Hunter J, replied "I'll be there," before hanging up.