Meanwhile in the car, "So are you going to tell me what's with the kid?" the male behind the wheel said his eyes shifting to the side to see the black haired boy's expression. Leaving that question to linger the boy didn't answer immediately, his legs propped on the dashboard and his arms remained behind his head, his eyes closed as if he were asleep. "Because I wanted too," he finally answered just when the other guy thought he wouldn't get anything out of him. Confused the guy decided not to press the subject; it would only result in a brutal fight which he would lose. Moaning from the back, Kei's eyes scrunched together as he felt somewhat better, it seemed he wasn't paralyzed as he thought he had been earlier. 'But I still can't move,' his thought disappointed. Hearing the whispered voices of the injured Pokemon this boy had stolen, Kei felt dead, unable to help them and he was starting to not understand them ether.

Struggling to move his muscles tensed as he tried to move his arm, "Well look who's awake," the male in the front seat pointed out happening to see what the package was up to from the review mirror. Grinning with a chuckle, "He's not moving for awhile," the dark haired boy remarked confidently. Blinking slightly confused, "What did you do to him Eric?" The other asked grinning evilly as nothing was exchanged between the two. His eyes darted back and forth from the boy to the road, "Jake would you like to see what I did?" Eric questioned interested. Sighing, "Depends," Jake replied, "Are you going to do it on me?" he said having learned this the hard way numerous times before hand. That grin still plastered on his face, "You're starting to catch on," he remarked sadly as if his amusement had been permanently taken away from him. Being too hard to read, Jake shook his head, "You're into the weirdest things," he remarked shaking his head side to side. Grinning there was no reply he had said enough as it was, 'now comes the fun.' Eric thought his mind beginning to unravel at what awaited them when they returned.

The floor boards creaked as Damien closed the door quietly heading down the hall down the stairs to the first floor. One hand rested in his hair and the other in his pocket he returned to the opened floor where the two strangers and Hashi remained. His mother and Crystal were laying down resting, thanks to his doctoring. Hashi watched from the corner of the large open space, 'I have to do something,' he thought staring at his strangers talking among themselves, 'I can't let them get away with this!' he then remembered Kei too had been taken and he felt a sudden loneliness pass over his cool skin. Alone now, what could he do? There hadn't been any other pokemon like him, in fact now that he thought about it, his chills got worse. "Kei," he mumbled his eyes closing a wave of depression hitting him. Light footsteps could be heard walking across the wood floor and the two strangers stopped talking, "Hashi," Damien called getting the boys attention. His blond hair hiding his eyes he lifted his head up slowly a frown on his face, "I need you to do me a big favor," Damien continued beckoning the small child over.

Tilting his head like a confused animal the blond blinked though said nothing as Damien had to continue talking to him, "If you stay in that corner all day how will I ever get everyone back safely?" He questioned as he exhaled his head shaking from left to right. With his head still tilted Hashi's blue eyes blink interested, 'he- he's going after them,' he thought not understanding, 'but he's not strong enough,' the thought was realistic he was only human after all, "But you'll get hurt too," the boy spoke lightly his eyes down casted the floor. Coughing as if something were in his throat, "That's why we're here!" Ash butted in his thumb pointing to himself with a huge grin on his face, his yellow companion joining in on the conversation too. Damien looked from Hashi to the two strangers and then smiled turning to the boy, "You have nothing to worry about," he started again beckoning the boy over, "Everything will be alright,"

Able to convince Hashi the trio would be enough, to get what was taken from them back, he had removed himself from the corner and was ready to help out in any way possible. Though the way Damien explained what he needed him to do made him nervous and the older boy could tell, "Don't worry," he started ruffling the blonde hair, "they'll be asleep for awhile and if anyone were going to wake up it would be my mom. So you'll be fine," he promised knowing Crystal would probably kill Hashi. Getting a slow disappointed nod from the boy the two started to walk towards the stairs, "Look you're too young to come with us you'll get hurt," obviously he would have to use some tactics on the boy but it was only the truth, "Besides you'll be much safer here and you'll be helping me out a lot," he pointed out emphasizing the last part. Looking down at the short boy his head watched the stairs as they marched up them one by one, "Ok," he said finally looking up at his friend with a smile, "Just as long as no one else gets hurt," he was worried for his owner, Crystal, and the nice loving Joy, "I'll make sure they get better in no time!" he suddenly became confident running ahead, "So I just have to make sure they're comfortable," he yelled excited, 'I may not be able to fight but if this is all I can do to help- I'll do it,'

The blond watched through the window as the three left through the woods in the direction the jeep had went. Drooping the dark curtain the beam of light disappeared leaving the room in a shadow, as he slowly began to pace the room. His eyes darted from one bed to the other at the sleeping girls, 'I hope they get better soon,' he thought moping alone. Retreating to a corner in the room he watched and waited his eyes getting heavier and the room slowly growing darker. It only seemed like a few minutes when he was awakened by the sound of screaming, "What are you still doing here?" Crystal pointed towards the corner waking Joy up in the process. Feeling the urge to yawn it was hard with someone dragging him from his slumber, "Damien said to watch over you" Hashi yawned tiredly wanting so much to go back to bed.

Traveling on the unmarked road the vehicle came to a stop, "Where are we going from here?" Jake questioned to the passenger even though he was the one driving. His seat belt unsnapped and the keys came out of the ignition as he waited for his orders. Eric jumped out of the jeep, not even bothering to use his seat belt, "Ditch the jeep and grab the bag," he ordered rounding the tail lights and dropping the tailgate. Slamming his door, "And what about the boy?" Jake managed to get out somewhat questionable as he reached for the bag full of pokeball's. Pausing with an evil grin, "I'll take care of him," he said grabbing the boy's ankle sliding him out of the vehicle. His partner shivered, 'sucks to be you,' he thought his head lightly shaking, "Fine then," Jake said slinging the bag over his shoulder walking back up to the front seat. Eric who was already through the shrubs with Kei on his back, "I'll meet you at headquarters," he called back not caring how the guy made it there. Stepping over broken branch he shrugged trying to get the heavy boy in a comfortable position on his shoulders, "You're a lot heavier then I remembered," he stated bluntly met to insult him if he'd heard it.

Groggy and awake Kei moaning at the comment his head killing him, "You talk as if you know me," he mumbled still unable to move freely, he was shocked to find he was able to somewhat talk. Also shocked by this, 'I thought he was out,' glaring not answering the grasp on the prisoner tightened. Putting Kei in an uncomfortable spot, he couldn't move even if he wanted to. Walking in silence, Eric seemed accustom to it, in fact Kei was starting to think he didn't like any human contact, then why choose to travel with him? Why not the bag of pokemon instead? Fighting for some control of his body his fingers twitched and a sign of delight wrapped his face, 'yes!' he thought pleased taking his time. Kei made no move as to alert Eric as they walked through the wooded area in silence. Groaning again the red heads face rubbed against Eric's back, "What do you think you're doing?" the annoyed voice asked stopping. Not answering Kei groaned again rubbing against him again "Stop it," he said again somewhat distressed for a change.

Inhaling the red head left his head there, "Let me go," he whined into the others back wanting to go anywhere but where he was now. Glaring, "What makes you think I would?" His voice was somewhat hateful, "just because you said so," Exhaling Kei attempted to wedge out of the black haired teens grasp failing, "Why'd you kidnap me?" He wheezed his hands slowly able to make a fist. Wanting to throw his cargo because of his behavior, "Don't play stupid," Eric barked shaking from anger, "You're starting to get on my nerves," The anger also rising in the captive Kei, "The why'd you kidnap me," he struggled once again getting crushed by the others grip. Grunting in frustration he also didn't get an answer and repeated himself, "Why!" his fist rose slamming into Eric's back as hard as he could. Stopping the dark haired boy loosened his grip slumping his shoulders and dropping the fire haired boy to the ground, he then used his foot to flip the body over firmly placing it on his chest, "Why do you ask questions that you already know the answers too!" the boy spit at him his eyes boar into Kei's fearful ones. For once Kei was speechless he didn't know what to say to the distressed boy, 'What is he talking about; I don't know the answer,' he thought confused, "What do you mean," he voiced still confused. Staring at him as if he could read the others soul, "Then you really have forgotten?" he questioned his boot pushing him harder into the dirt. Feeling himself struggling to breathe he fought to speak, "Forgotten what?" He questioned shaking his head slowly feeling the dirt against his pail skin, "There's nothing to remember," his hands attempted to push the boot away but he was at a disadvantage being on the bottom. The black haired Eric watched in amusement, though you couldn't tell by his expression, "Is that so," He sounded his voice slightly taken back, "Human's are worthless," he said his head tilted his eyes hidden his boot removing from the others chest. He was retreating it seemed like, his armor had been punctured and a weakness found, though it didn't make much since. Still confused Kei rubbed his boot imprinted stomach, "Who are you calling useless," he blurted out not dropping the conversation or noticing the others unknown disappointment.

Snapping back Eric's fists clenched and his teeth grated together, "Who do you think moron," he hissed through his lips, his face still remained hidden. His body on fire with rage Kei bit back, "I'm not a human," he spit out angered that he would dare to call him useless to his face in this clumsy body. With a slight pause Eric's anger seemed to be released slowly into the air and carried away, "Then you haven't forgotten," he let out with a slight hint of hope, "What else do you remember?" the boy questioned his arms crossing his narrow eyes returning and stern demanding voice back. Kei noticed this change almost immediately it was as if he had blown the emotion switch as quickly as it was fixed, "Why are you so interested?" the red head stated turning his head to the side not looking at the rude teen. He felt out of instinct that Eric was staring at him waiting to answer his rude question with a rude response, though not giving in the boy stepped forward almost stepping on Kei's legs, "Think and you'll find out," Eric said his eyes fixated on the trees ahead. Glowering at Eric Kei's legs were able to move out of the way in time and hatefully he replied, "I don't remember anything about you," he spit out thinking about kicking him in the leg simply for everything he'd put him through. The two locked eyes as Eric took the floor again, "Then you're not thinking hard enough," he said as if he were bored though his eyes remained glued to Kei's. Kei looked away first his head shaking, "I think I would have remembered your sour attitude," he mumbled more so for himself then for Eric to hear. Though nothing got past him and his eyes narrowed farther his mouth turning downward.

Dashing through the woods at high pass the three boy's chased after the yellow mouse, "Pika!" a voice yelled drawing attention, "Chu chu!" he continued bouncing through bushes and over small trees turning occasionally to make sure his human friends were following behind him. He didn't have to worry so much about losing them because there was another pokémon keeping tabs on him as he followed a familiar sent, it was of his kind but it was mixed with a human sent. Something he'd never encountered in his life with his human companion and their travels. Ash seemed to be in good shape as he dodged fallen tree branches keeping up with his friend, "Are they over there?" he yelled breathing out of his mouth. Running though a bush he could hear his friend reply to him excited which meant they were getting closer to finding Team Rocket.

Wanting to simply take out the oncoming intruders, "Damn it," Eric hissed as he eyed the direction he thought they were coming from. Though Kei was thinking about a different subject, "I don't remember," he repeated his eyes clenched together as he sat up feeling the small grains of dirt stuck to him, "Why is it so difficult?" he questioned quietly to himself feeling his head pulse from all the unanswered questions. Growling Eric strode by grabbing his hostage by his arm dragging him up, "Well you better think about it," Eric stated dragging the teen along whether he was ready or not, "And since your nothing but dead weight to me, you better start running. And don't try anything stupid," with that he proceeded to quicken the pace not allowing his commands to sink in. Stuck to follow the absurd teen Kei blinked, 'dead weight,' he thought, "What is that supposed to mean?" he started flustered not really understanding what he meant. Yanking the red head along he didn't answer, as he concentrated on his since of direction. It was only when he felt a constant tug against him did he glance to see what might remotely be the problem. Sure enough he rolled his eyes and emotionlessly stated, "Obviously something you didn't and won't get," was all he would say as his arm's grasp tightened and his slim muscles were visible pulling him through the bushes off the path they were previously taking.

Shocked by his bluntness once again Kei had been left speechless though his anger rose as he was lugged around like a piece of luggage. "And where are we going?" he sarcastically let out his eyes burrowing into the others skull. Though the only reply he got was getting pulled along faster past some trees and more bushes, everywhere he looked there was another bush they just had to go through instead of around. The hazel eyed boy had started to count how many bushes they had gone through when he was jerked forward and into another bush falling down a steep sand bank, "You will soon find out," the other sharply added leaving nothing else for him to question. His foot hit the ground as he passed through the same bush only taking a less humiliating path to the shore bank below.

Meanwhile the three had paused while Pikachu recuperated after a run in with a thorn bush, "They can't be too far ahead," Ash stated watching his little buddy pull a thorn from his tiny black nose. It seemed the mouse pokémon had been so wrapped up in the unfamiliar sent that he hadn't even noticed that he had leapt head first into a thorn bush. Being the practical one in the group, Brock had been registering the environment, "Where are all the pokémon?" he questioned glancing around before he could tell life had existed though hidden to any humans. However here it was as if there hadn't been any wildlife here in months. Damien having heard what the man had said also surveyed the area, "Something isn't right here," he spoke concerned whistling for his loyal companion Mightyena, who had survived the raid by escaping to find her master. They looked at one another and she then looked to the naked woods around them her ears drawing back a low growl emerging from the bellows of her throat. The frown played out on Damien's face it was a worst nightmare come true, "The pokémon are gone," he stated coming to the realization of what Team Rocket had done.

The three stood there in a daze before Ash spoke up, "They aren't smart enough to get away with something like this!" he growled angered by this as Pikachu also voiced his opinion, "Pika!" the pokémon protested trying to get their attention, as he jumped up and down. His lifelong partner spoke what the other two were thinking, "What is it buddy?" Ash asked curiously seeing the pokémon pointing to tracks with his tail. Excited the two run off side by side after the tracks as Brock, Damien and Mightyena were left behind, "Ash slow down it could be a trap!" Brock yelled after him the three taking off after him.

Walking straight passed Kei this time he grabbed his ankle dragging him along the sand, "You are a pain in my ass," he commented stepping around a rock that protruded from the ground. It however didn't miss Kei as his head slammed against it, "Ouch that hurt you jerk," he whined trying to kick Eric in the side. This only landed him with both of his ankles getting captured and stuck along for the ride, not knowing where he was being taken. Kei's hazel eyes glared over in the direction of the lake watching the water beat against the shore calmly after hitting another rock his eyes darted to Eric who was grinning devilishly, "What are you smiling about!" Kei barked angry fighting against him again. This time he was attempting any type of payback, kicking him or knocking him over, something that he knew would hurt as opposed to arguing with him. His body twisted and contorted and finally knocked the hard ass to a pile of sand that had just gotten wet. Laying there face down Eric's fists clenched as he pulled himself out of the moist clumped sand, he said nothing as he sat up knowing dead well the prisoner was still behind him.

Swallowing what Kei could remember flashed through his mind, 'I am so dead,' he thought the atmosphere had went from uncomfortable to hostile really fast. He watched as he regained his height looking the same with the exception of his moist face, hair, and front of his uniform. Still brushing the microscopic grains away he turned to face the perpetrator and glared before opening his mouth, "You're nothing like before," he hissed kicking sand directly at his face. Unable to block Kei's eyes burned from the millions of microscopic foreign objects, his hands flew to both eyes in an attempt to eliminate them though it was in vain as he felt his body lift from the ground, "What are you doing?" he whined feeling his tears coming to the rescue slowly cleaning and eliminating what had been thrown at him, "What were you talking about?" he continued remembering the last thing the other said before attacking him. Though once again he was getting the silent treatment and this time he couldn't kick or fight, Eric had hog tied him, so to speak, his legs were over one shoulder with his stomach wrapped around Eric's head and his arms were over the other shoulder. Both of which were tightly held and were in hurry to being let loose anytime soon.

It hadn't been long before Kei sighed loudly, he'd gone from one position to the next in just a matter of minutes yet even now being compliant he wasn't getting anything. He couldn't even look at the changing scenery around him because of this position, he was instead stuck investigating the pores of his keepers neck, which he was not interested in at all. Not liking that option he closed his eyes and listened to the water and the sand below him and knew they were still on the bank until he felt a step up and the sound of a tree blowing in the wind. Wherever they were now Kei new it wasn't the lake, the sun was gone and a sudden chill ran through his spine, he could also hear the sound of dripping water and the footsteps had turned from a soft crunch to the sound of a rock falling. Taking a deep breath his hazel eyes opened again and he was blind for a moment, after his eyes adjusted he attempted to look around once again and failed, "What were you talking about back there?" he repeated hearing his voice echo off the slopped walls. Eric's pace was smooth and his breathing remained undetectable even with someone strapped to his back, "You don't remember so why would I explaining it," he voiced lowly getting a low echo back. It was true they had been through that before time and time again, "Well being human does things to you," he commented back starting to feel uncomfortable. Pausing for the millionth time, "I thought you said you didn't remember," he questioned picking up his pace again.

Groaning from the thought it had been true he did forget but his dreams were somehow communicating to him, he himself couldn't understand it so why would Eric, "Well-I-," Kei paused not knowing what exactly to say, "-I don't. Something just told me," with that bit out he felt a smart comment was to come though none did. Locked in silence Kei had no shame, "Let he go," he huffed not liking this ride, "I can walk," getting nothing but his echo and the sound of his boots he continued, "Don't get mad at me because you got sand in your face you're the one that started it," he was surrounded by his echo and the footsteps sent a chill down his spine once again. His call went unanswered and he dropped it his hazel eyes glared at the others pale neck instead, he'd admitted what started their "tuff" but he wasn't going to apologize yet. His aching body didn't hurt that bad and he was sure the prick needed it if he acted like this all the time. This path seemed to go on for hours, though in reality it was probably only a few minutes, and Kei had started counted the steps at one point he thought they were ascending and he was excited to finally be out in the open again but the sunlight never came. Feeling his sanity slip he was on the forty-third step when he blurted out, "Look I won't do it again! Let! Me! Go!" he heard the echo behind him and the knot in his chest seemed to loosen and so did his wrists as he crashed to the rocky ground. The pain coursed through him like he was getting shocked and he flinched locking his bones into place.

Not looking back Eric slowly continued forward leaving the luggage behind, Kei still in pain clenched his jaw and lifted his head slowly, "You didn't have to drop me," he hissed through his teeth slowly getting up. His body ached from the abuse and longed for sleep but if he wanted to stay away from Eric he had to stay awake. Slowly stumbling on the hard rocks, Kei for the first time noticed there was light just ahead which meant they'd made it through the tunnel. Relief washed over him as he continued over the path immersing himself in the sunlight as if it were water. Not far away however Eric leaned against a tall shady tree, "Hurry up or you're going to end up where you were again," he yelled his arms crossed waiting impassionedly for the red hair to arrive. Growling Kei rolled his eyes and kept his slow pace looking everywhere but where Eric was. The trees were taller it seemed like and the grass was greener too, it seemed perfect except for the stillness in the air, "Why is it so quiet?" he questioned out loud not expecting it to be heard. Eric's threatening words echoed in the back of his head and he knew the teen would follow through and with a sigh his eyes dropped to the ground.

Drawing closer the red head could hear the tapping of something ahead of him and as his eyes lifted a hard smack hit him in his back dragging him along, "I told you to hurry up," Eric firmly stated his hand grasping the back of Kei's shirt dragging him along through the few trees. It wasn't long till a large white building came into view and grew as they approached it. Eric slipped his free hand in his pocket pulling out two separate bracelets and stopping in front of the building. Yanking one of Kei's wrists towards his back one of the bracelets clamped on and soon the other was on too. Once they were positioned right a beam locked the two together and once again Kei was being dragged towards the entrance, "Don't even think about trying anything," he warned as the glass doors slid open and the two stepped in.