Part 12

June 2nd

Ash glanced across the center isle of the private jet he and Anabel were seated in on a straight trip to Kanto. The only thing on his mind at the moment was what Spenser had told him before they left the Battle Frontier.

'She's a very special child…'

On the opposite side of the isle, Anabel was located in the seat next to the window with her Espeon resting on her lap, snoozing peacefully. She wasn't the best trainer in her Academy. She didn't have the presence of a trainer that would pose a threat. She came across as nothing more than a teenage girl.

What made her so special that Silph Co would begin planning their next moves as an organization around her?

Ash began to message his temples in order to relax since the sheer number of questions that continued to form in his head was beginning to overwhelm him. Usually he wouldn't make such as fuss about something like this, but he was just too curious. He had to know what was going on since it appeared as though it would be affecting him in the future too.

"Hey there." Ash said with a wave, causing Anabel to jump as he neared her. She had been lost in her own thoughts and completely unaware of the fact that Ash was now standing in the isle, looming over her. Anabel gave hima small nod before motioning to the empty seat beside her which Ash nervously took a seat in. "So, um, are you happy that you're…leaving school?"

Ash face palmed mentally, realizing that poor planning had left to him asking a question that was stupid and unnecessary.

Anabel took a moment to observe the yellow aura that surrounded Ash as he waited for a reply. He clearly wanted to know something, but it was obvious that he had never tried to get information out of someone discreetly. It's a good think Ash was such a good trainer, he'd never make it as an interrogator.

"Well, I'm probably just as happy as any other graduate." She replied after a moment of silence.

"And, are you looking forward to entering the professional circuit?" Ash continued.

"I'm not really sure." Anabel replied as she looked down at her Espeon, admiring its lilac fur.

"Why's that?"

"Well I've never been that good at battling." She explained. "I'm not really sure why Silph Co is signing me since I'm no where near as good as you."

Anabel glanced at Ash, noticing that the yellow aura that had been surrounding him darkened a bit as the looked up in thought.

'Hmm, if she's not a good trainer, then Silph Co isn't signing her to become a trainer.' Ash said to himself before setting his gaze on Anabel again. "Being a Pokemon trainer isn't all the professional circuit has to offer."

"Really?" Anabel said as she gave him a confused look.

"Yeah. Even if you're not that much of a trainer, the professional circuit is probably the easiest way to figure out where you fit in."

"How so?" Anabel asked as she looked up at him.

"Well while you're traveling around any region, you're bound to get exposed to all kinds of professions involving Pokemon. Even if you're not much of a trainer, going on a journey is the quickest way to find your calling if you ask me." Ash explained. Anabel remained silent as she took in this information. It seemed too simple for someone like her to be able to find where she belongs with such ease. "The only requirement is that you love Pokemon from the bottom of your heart."

"I do." Anabel said earnestly before setting her gaze back onto her Espeon. "Espeon knows that I love her."

"I'm sure it does." Ash agreed.

"She." Anabel stated.

"She?" Ash repeated.

"You called Espeon an 'it'. My Espeon is female and she prefers to be addressed as such." Anabel explained.

"How do you know that?" Ash asked. To understand something as specific as that from a Pokemon, they must have a very close connection going all the way back to Anabel's childhood.

"She said so." Anabel replied, only adding to the questions marks that were forming above Ash's head. Her Espeon told her that it prefers being addressed as a girl…

Ash could only wonder if Anabel had been dropped on her head as a baby.

"Did you develop some sort of code to understand each other?" Ash asked as he gave Anabel a funny look.

"No, she speaks in plain English, just like all Pokemon." Anabel replied, this statement being enough for Ash to realize what was going on here.

"So you…can understand what Pokemon are saying?" Ash asked skeptically.

"Mhmm." She replied with a slow nod.

"I see, well I'm going to need you to prove this." Ash said as he detached Ivysaur's Pokeball from his belt and released the Pokemon contained within. "Ivysaur, quick say something."

Ivysaur could only give Ash a confused stare before glancing at Anabel, noticing that they had company.

"Saur, Ivysaur." It said, causing Anabel's cheeks to turn bright pink.

"Now tell me what Ivysaur just said."

'"Ash, why can't you just pick one girl and stick with her?' That's what Ivysaur said." Anabel responded, causing Ash to turn to Ivysaur.

"What do you mean? I already have a girlfriend-" Ash began before noticing that Ivysaur's gaze was fixated on Anabel. "Wait a second, is that what you said Ivysaur?"

Ivysaur only responded with a slow nod, causing Ash to turn back to Anabel as well with a dumbfounded stare. She could really understand Pokemon despite the language barrier not even the best experts could decipher.

After their short conversation on the plane, Ash came to a suitable conclusion that fit exactly why Anabel was being pulled straight out of high school. She could understand Pokemon, and that could only mean that Silph Co was aiming to spearhead the research in Pokemon translation. If Anabel proved to be the key in learning how to understand Pokemon and Silph Co was credited for the discovery, they would be remembered for decades, centuries, even millenniums to come.

The company would be remembered as the people who brought humans yet another step closer to understanding the origin of Pokemon.

Ash couldn't help but grin at the thought of how what it would be like being able to communicate with his Pokemon. He knew that they could understand him clearly, but he could only understand Pikachu to an extent. Beyond that, he was assuming what their answers were based on body language. If he could actually understand everything they were saying, he could only think of the possibilities.

He could finally get proper input from his Pokemon about his training methods and if they were comfortable with it. Maybe they could even give their opinions during a battle. It could lead to both improvements in training and battle tactics now that trainers could use the viewpoint of the Pokemon. It was an exciting thought.

Saffron City

Ash gave a rather loud yawn after the flight attendant had awakened him. Ash stretched a bit after rising from his seat, then he retrieved his backpack from the compartment above his head.

They had rushed back to Kanto with this flight, leaving Hoenn late in the night yesterday and arriving in Kanto early in the afternoon. Ash had fallen asleep for most if not all of the ride, but Anabel just couldn't fall asleep. She had never left the Hoenn Region before, in fact she had spent a majority of her life living on the island where the Battle Frontier was located.

She wasn't exactly sure what to expect heading to a new region, not to mention she was being taken in by a major corporation. She would probably have all sorts of expectations to meet considering the fact that they had two franchise trainers. Anabel frowned a bit as she rose from her seat to collect her backpack from the upper compartment as well.

How was she, a talent less trainer, supposed to be just as impressive as the likes of Ash Ketchum? He was a rookie trainer who became the Indigo Conference Champion at the age of nineteen. There was no way she could ever be as good as him.

'It's a good way to figure out exactly where you fit in.'

Anabel sighed inwardly as she removed her coat, glancing down the isle at Ash who was waiting for the pilot to open up the exit to the cabin. Even though he was the Champion, he was so easy going. Maybe she was making this harder than it truly was.

All she could do for now was sit back and wait for this new world to unfold around her.

"Come on Anabel." Ash called out, snapping her out of her daze. The pilot had opened up the door, allowing them to step off the plan onto a small staircase that would take them down to the runway.

Anabel quickly folded her jacket and threw her bag over her shoulders before following Ash off the plane with her Espeon following. Anabel could only sigh with relief as she was greeted by the warm air that she preferred over the colder temperatures that Hoenn was experiencing.

"I take it you prefer the summer." Ash said, receiving a nod from Anabel.

"Hey!" Someone called out to them from down below. Scanning the runway, Ash spotted Mindy waiting for them on the ground, waving at them to gain their attention.

"Mindy." Ash exclaimed as he quickly went down the staircase to greet her.

"Did you enjoy the flight?" She asked as she looked up at Anabel who took her time coming down the stairs unlike Ash.

"It was alright." Ash replied as Anabel reached the bottom of the staircase. Mindy then began to circle around the girl, taking in every physical detail she could about her within thirty seconds.

Anabel was quite a beauty, but Mindy couldn't help but notice a number of things about her that would delay the plans surrounding her. She was noticeably skinny and frail, as though she was doll that was meant to be kept on a shelf. For her to fulfill the purpose they had in mind, she would have to toughen up considerably first.

"And you must be Anabel." Mindy said as she took Anabel's hand and began to shake it with a kind smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you. We've been looking forward to your arrival for quite some time now."

Anabel could only tilt her head in reply.

"Don't worry about any living arrangements; we have everything set for you right now. All we need you to do right now is focus on adjusting to your new surroundings." Mindy went on before motioning for the two of them follow her. "Now follow me, we don't have much time before the party begins."

"Wait, what party?" Ash asked.

"The party for you of course Ash. Every franchise throws a party for a trainer on their roster that manages to win a Conference Championship." Mindy explained. "Think of this as a 'thank you' from the entire company for the effort you and your Pokemon put in this past year."

Silph Co

"This doesn't exactly look like a place for a party Mindy." Ash commented as he, Mindy and Anabel stood in one of the numerous gardens within the massive building that were used mainly to examine how Pokemon interact with their surroundings.

"I know that Ash. This area has been reserved strictly for your Pokemon." Mindy replied. "After all of the hard work both you and your Pokemon put in at the Indigo Conference, we want to make sure that all of you are well rested before you head out again."

"Wow, how thoughtful." Ash said as he observed the area. It was the perfect place for all of his worn out Pokemon to rest for a period of time. There was a small pond near the middle of the garden and numerous trees that had ripened fruit ready to be plucked.

"I'm sure all of them will enjoy themselves here." Mindy said as she encouraged Ash to release all of his Pokemon which he had collected upon entering Silph Co. "Plus, I'm sure Anabel would like to meet all of your Pokemon as well."

"Right, she's only met Ivysaur so far." Ash said as he began to detach the Pokeballs from his belt, tossing them into the air one by one. Soon enough all eleven of his Pokemon were standing before him, still holding they appearance they had during the ceremony on Indigo Plateau. All the damage and fatigue that had built up over the course of the competition was still fading. "Hey guys."

They all replied with tired groans as they immediately flopped down onto grass. Anabel tilted her head as she studied each of the Pokemon on Ash's team, taking note of the heavy gray aura that surrounded each of his Pokemon. They were exhausted in every way possible and in need of pure rest and relaxation.

"I know you guys are all tired to so I won't talk for too long. This entire area has been reserved just for you guys to rest." Ash explained as they all looked up at him lazily. "Each and every one of you was absolutely amazing at the Indigo Conference. Even if you feel like you didn't play a major part in it, every bit of effort from all of you counts. So rest up guys, you earned it."

All of them voiced their thanks before separating to find a spot to sit back and relax.

"Sorry Anabel, maybe when we come back they'll be feeling better." Ash said as he turned to the girl who had gone unnoticed by nearly his entire team.

"It's alright-" Anabel began, but Mindy interrupted her by clapping her hands together.

"The party has already begun." Mindy interjected. "There are a number of tasks we have to complete, so we must get going right now."

Basement

Ash felt as though he was a small child as he admired glittering chandeliers that were hanging from the ceiling. The stylish curtains that hung on the walls. The tables that were all lit by scented candles. The plush dining room seats. The extravagant buffet that had been set up on the far side of the room. All of this had been set up for he and his Pokemon.

"Wow." Anabel exclaimed softly as observed the party that had been put together for Ash. It was absolutely fabulous. But then again there was no reason to expect anything less for someone that was now gaining popularity on a global scale.

"Ah, our guest of honor has arrived!" One of the attendants announced as Ash, Mindy and Anabel entered the room. All of the clamor had come to am immediate halt as the eyes of all of the guests turned to the entrance of the room where Ash was standing. Once they all caught sight of him, they began to applaud and whistle for him.

"Awesome." Ash said as he beamed with delight.

"Excuse me Mr Ketchum." An attendant had approached Ash and Anabel, getting the attention of the duo. "The entire event has been on hold while we waited for your arrival. The CEO's of Silph Co would like to begin the program before it gets too late."

Ash and Anabel were then led to a table that was directly in front of the stage that had been prepared for the members if Silph Co that would be speaking. Upon arriving at the table, Ash and Anabel were greeted by none other than Leo.

"It's good to see that ya finally made it." He said with a grin as he motioned for the two of them to take a seat.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world." Ash replied as he took a seat beside Leo who leaned forward a bit to look at Anabel who became a bit intimidated by the deep yellow aura that appeared around him.

"You must be Anabel." He said, receiving a slow nod from the lavender haired girl. "It's a pleasure to meet ya. Name's Leo. The boss will be comin' around some time soon to talk with you."

"The boss?" Anabel said.

"Yeah, our boss." Ash began. "Anytime someone is signed onto the franchise he meets with them to negotiate your contract and determine how you'll start your journey."

"I have to do all of that?" Anabel exclaimed, her surprise gaining a level of concern from Leo.

"Are you seventeen or eighteen Anabel?" Leo asked.

"Seventeen." She replied.

"I see. Usually when a franchise signs someone they're already grown." Leo explained.

"So what does this mean for me?" Anabel asked as she turned to Ash.

"Well you're still considered a minor." Ash explained. "Unless Silph Co can get into contact with someone from your family, they will have full control over what sort of contract they will offer you."

"Is that a bad thing?" Anabel asked as she looked at Ash.

"Of course. They're in full control of how long your contract lasts and how much money you'll be making with it. If you have no say in what you're working for it can-" Ash trailed off as he looked into Anabel's eyes, realizing that she still had the eyes of a child.

She was only seventeen, lacking any experience in the world outside of the Battle Academy. She had seen all of glamour of the professional circuit, but there was a lot of business that took place in the dark in order to get things done.

"Don't you have any family that Silph Co can get into contact with?" Ash asked.

"…No." Anabel said after a pause. "But they already asked me about that over the phone while I was still in Hoenn."

"They knew that already?" Ash said as he looked toward Leo who only shrugged in reply. 'Her ability to talk to Pokemon is really important, but would Silph Co really take advantage of her by signing her while she's still a minor?'

One of the CEO's of Silph Co stood up on the stage, clearing his throat in order to gain the attention of all of the guests who had been finding the seat that had been reserved for them.

"Good evening everyone. It's good to see everyone here as we celebrate an outstanding accomplishment of one of our franchise trainers." He began. "Not too many franchises have the honor of having a Champion on their roster. But for Silph Co, we have been fortunate enough to receive two. But tonight we'll be focusing on the youngest trainer on our roster. Ash Ketchum."

The well dressed man on the stage motioned toward the table in front of him where Ash was seated. The guests applauded once again as Ash rose from his seat, giving them a quick wave before sitting again.

"This young man was one of the greatest prospects in the college circuit who immediately captured our attention as someone that could become a Champion. Little did we know that were signing a trainer that would immediately embrace stardom and become a Conference Champion in his first year in the professional circuit." The speaker continued. "Not only has Ash Ketchum become an important piece to the future of this franchise, but he is also providing us with the means with increase the speed of our latest project. And for that Ash, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Ash returned the smile the speaker had sent his way as he placed an arm on the table to lean forward.

"It's not often a franchise finds such rare young talent, so we hope that you continue to work alongside us Ash for years to come." The speaker concluded, earning a round of applause from everyone that had been in attendance. "Is there anything that someone in the audience would like to add?"

The first person to rise up and volunteer themselves was the man seated beside Ash.

"I've got a few things to say." Leo said as he raised one hand. Anabel glanced at Leo, raising her eyebrows a bit when she noticed the yellow aura he had around him had become a bright green.

"Please, come up here and share them." The speaker said as he moved aside for Leo to take his place behind the podium. Leo looked out at the crowd for a bit, then he focused directly on Ash.

"Now I'm sure all of ya here know me, right? Leo Lamar Lovell, Triple L. The first guy that showed up way before this kid and carried the whole damn organization on his back!" Leo began as he pointed an accusing finger at Ash as though he had done something wrong.

As Leo began his rant on stage, Mindy approached Ash's table where she tapped Anabel on her shoulder to gain her attention. Mindy then whispered for the girl to follow her to the back of the room where a man was waiting for them.

"Just cause' this kid is young ya'll think you can just kick me to the curb? Imma two time Champion! Two!" Leo proclaimed as Anabel and Mindy moved to the back of the room slowly.

"Is this supposed to happen?" Anabel asked Mindy who only sighed as her aura became a light pink.

"No." She replied. "Leo's just jumping to conclusions like he normally does. He's a bit of a knucklehead and he's having trouble adjusting to the fact that Ash is joining him in the spotlight. But at some point I think he'll learn to coexist with Ash here at Silph Co."

Reaching buffet that had been set up at the back of the room, Anabel noticed that there was a tall man seated at an empty table of the waiting for them with an orange-yellow color surrounding him. He was dressed for the occasion in a suit, and his long straggly hair was gelled back. As they neared him, Anabel began to noticed the scars that on his face. There was one straight across his left cheek. Another on that started at his forehead and traveled down the side of his nose.

"Ah Mindy." He said as they neared him. "Remind me to have a discussion with Leo tomorrow."

"Sure thing." Mindy said with a nod before gesturing for Anabel to step forward.

"And you must be Anabel." He said as he turned in his seat to rise to his feet. It was then Anabel noticed that he needed the assistance of a cane to stand up. He appeared to be around his early forties, so she couldn't think of a reason for him to be this beaten up.

"Yes." Anabel replied softly as she struggled to look at him directly in the eyes. It was hard not to let her eyes wander around his face observing the scars he had.

"Oh, don't let these bother you." He said as he motioned to his old wounds with a warm smile. "I don't care if you stare. At one point or another you'll get use to them. Right Mindy?"

"Yes sir." She said before turning to Anabel. "Anabel, this is the current president of Silph Co."

Anabel looked toward him again and turned red with embarrassment when she realized that she had failed to recognize the man that had called her numerous times while she was in still in Hoenn.

"My name is Riley." He said, introducing himself as he extended a hand toward her. "It's nice to finally meet you in person Anabel."

"It's nice to meet you too." She replied nervously as they shook hands. "Right now Silph Co is very busy, so I was hoping we could negotiate a contract for you right now put you to work soon."

After Leo's rant, dozens of people that were members of Silph Co came to thank him personally for his effort at the Indigo Conference. Every attempt he made to get away ended with someone else finding him, even when he tried to hide in the bathroom. And the worst part of it all was that he still hadn't eaten yet.

Ash gave a sigh of relief as he arrived at buffet table, glad to see that there were still a number of the dishes that hadn't been cleaned out by the guests already.

"I must say Ash, I was quite impressed with your performance at the Indigo Conference." The person beside Ash said.

"Oh thank you-" Ash froze mid-sentence as he looked at the person who stood beside him, recognizing the man who had been all over national television the last time Ash had seen him several years ago.

Narrowing his eyes, Ash took a step back from the man that sported a full head of pale green hair. Ash only received a crooked smile from the man in return.

"What are you doing here Lawrence?" Ash asked as he gave him a narrow glance.

Formally known as Lawrence III, this man was supposed to be rotting in prison for attempting to capture the Legendary Birds. Nearly ten years Lawrence had tried to capture Zapdos, Moltres and Articuno, and he would've been successful if Silph Co hadn't intervened, allowing the Birds to escape. Lawrence was then handed over to the authorities and thrown in jail, but it appeared as though he had been released. Who would do something like that?

"Well I guess it was too much to expect a warm welcome if I were to attend this party." Lawrence muttered.

"How did you even get in here? It's invitation only." Ash exclaimed. Lawrence remained silent as he pulled out the small invitation that had been set out to all that were attendance.

"I believe your boss sent me one of these just so that we could speak to each other in person." Lawrence explained as he waved the invitation in front of Ash's face.

Ash gave Lawrence a hard stare as he recalled the story that he had been told about the battle between Silph Co and Lawrence years ago. Lawrence was the reason why Riley received so many injuries during the battle, injuries that left permanent damage to the man's body.

"That still doesn't explain what you're doing here. Or how did you get out prison?" Ash questioned him.

"Ash, I've changed my ways. I'm no longer the man you remember." Lawrence assured him.

"It's going to take a lot more than that to convince me that you're not a criminal." Ash went on as he pointed at Lawrence.

"Ash, there's no need to make a scene are your own party." Someone stated from behind Lawrence, gaining the attention of both of them. Behind Lawrence stood Riley who had placed a hand on Lawrence's shoulder to end the discussion between the two of them. "If you don't mind Ash, I'd like to speak to Lawrence alone for a bit."

"Sure." Ash said as he gave Lawrence one last glance before leaving the two of them to retrieve a plate. Unfortunately, as he looked around at the buffet that had been laid out, he just couldn't find his appetite.

There were just too many things that seemed out of place. Silph Co signing minors. Criminals showing up outside of prison. Something was definitely up.

"Hey Ash." Mindy called out to him from a table that was pretty close to the buffet table. She and Anabel were seated alone at the table, waving for him to come join them.

"Mindy, is there any reason Lawrence is out of prison?" Ash asked as he took a seat beside them.

"He's been out of prison for over a year now." Mindy stated, causing Ash to give her an incredulous look.

"For real?"

"Yes. His release was a bit unexpected, and of course Silph Co has been against this decision. But League hasn't given us any sort of response as to why he's been released." Mindy said as the three of them glanced at the two men who were holding a quiet discussion.

"So how can we be sure that Lawrence has really changed?"

"I'm positive that a number of people have been monitoring him closely. If he was plotting anything, someone would know." Mindy explained.

"Still…" Ash mumbled. "Something about all of this just doesn't feel right."

"Well I do have some information that will help you take your mind off of it." Mindy said, causing Ash to perk up.

"Did you guys approve my flight to Sinnoh?" Ash asked hopefully.

"Um, no." Mindy replied, receiving a groan from Ash as he leaned back in his seat.

"Then what is it?"

"We have a job for you to do during your year off." Mindy began as Anabel became rather rigid in her seat.

"Seriously? I was planning to go to Sinnoh to see the Grand Festival." Ash said, although the real focus of that trip was to see Dawn more than anything else.

"I'm sorry Ash, but you are working for us. You're not only a trainer for Silph Co, but a member of our organization. We expect more from you than just winning Pokemon battles." Mindy explained. "As of right now the company as a whole is working toward one common goal, and this project requires that you take part as well."

"What do I have to do?" Ash asked reluctantly.

"You have the more important job of them all Ash. We want you to train Anabel."

Ash could only raise his eyebrows at this.

A/N

So now we're beginning to get a glimpse of where this story is headed. This is where it all begins, so buckle up for the ride. Few things I want to clarify early on to get rid of any misunderstandings.

Lawrence III from Pokemon 2000. He still attempted to captured the Birds, but instead of Ash interfering, Silph Co did and he was thrown in prison for several years.

Riley. Don't mistake him for the Riley on Iron Island, this guy is sort of an OC. Sort of. I can't say much right now...

Anabel. I'm still working out the rough edges with her. I don't have much to work with, so I'm basically building her from scratch right now while trying to maintain some of what she had in the anime such as her ability to understand Pokemon and so on. Also I want to point out that the colored auras she's seeing around everyone relates to her ability of empathy. She's reading their emotions based on the color of their auras.

So once again I have to apologize for taking a while this update. I promised to be regular, but I've been having some motivation issues again. I wasted over a week this time, but I'm finally back on track...I hope. Just so that you all know for the future, I'll go through a period of time where I accomplishing absolutely nothing, and then there will be times where I'll be cranking out chapters in record time.

Until next time guys!