Chapter 4

I don't own Pokémon or its affiliates.

A/N: I would like to thank all my faithful readers who have been reading my story and leaving the reviews. I really enjoy reading reviews; it lets me know what you all think of the story and its twists and turns. I would like to get into a Community if any will have me that is. Keep reading and reviewing. Thank you.

It was a dark, rainy night at the Sinnoh Pokémon League Headquarters with the building mostly empty at the moment. There were very few lights on in the building but you couldn't see them from the outside anyway because of how hard it was raining. The only ones left in the twelve story building were the janitors and some very dedicated employees. During League events there would be dozens of people working through the night to ensure everything went smoothly. However the League competition had just ended, so the only event happening was an Elite Four Challenge but that was small compared to the League and only required one or two people. The one who got saddled with that job was currently in his office on the top floor, sitting at his large desk covered in papers, trying to make sure all the preparations were made and all the forms were filled out. As the clock on his desk chimed off midnight, he leaned back in his chair and yawned.

"Cynthia should have warned me about all this crap." he said quietly to himself. After stretching, the young man stood up and walked to a folder on a small table near a couch he had in his office for guests. The front of the folder read confidential in big, red letters and Top Secret in the bottom corner.

As he began flipping through the grim contents, a young woman entered the office with a knock. "Hey Paul, I figured you would still be here."

Paul glanced up from the folder for a brief second then began reading again. "Yeah, I got some extra work to get done or else Mr. Goodshow will have my rear end. What do you need Cynthia?"

Cynthia shrugged "Nothing just bored. Just getting ready to leave but I don't want to get soaked, so I'm waiting the rain out. By the way, what are you reading? It must be important with all that red on the front."

Paul sighed as he closed the file and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "It's a little trouble they are having in Hoenn. People getting killed kind of trouble."

"Oh I see." Cynthia said with sympathy in her voice, as an ex champion she was familiar with these kind of grim reports. "That's terrible. Is it some new team or gang doing this?"

"Well that's just it, the reports says it's just one person." Paul explained "There have been over fifty people killed in three months but they weren't exactly innocent people, all the people killed were in the act of committing a serious crime. Apparently they were all killed with blunt objects, but according to the police reports in this file some of the injuries were too severe to be caused by a human. The few eye witnesses say it was one man that moved to fast to follow with your eyes. They also said that he did it all with his bare hands."

"Wow that's incredible. What were the injuries?" Cynthia inquired, very interested with all this information.

"Well one of the victims had his leg broken but when they x rayed it during the autopsy they found that it wasn't broken but shattered into tiny pieces." Paul finished with a grim look on his face.

"Is that even possible for a human to do that?"

"If he was using a jackhammer on the leg, but normally no. Whoever this individual is, he is dangerous and powerful."

Cynthia tapped her finger to her chin. "I agree but if he is only attacking criminals, he can't be that bad. His methods are a little harsh but he is cleaning up the streets in Hoenn."

"He is doing that, crime has dropped by more than half in just three months." Paul looked at the report to check something. "And according to this the people of Hoenn see him as a hero; they have started calling him "The Guardian"."

"The Guardian." Cynthia recited. "Not bad but if he is a hero then why do you have that file on him?"

"Because the League wants him captured." Paul explained "They say he's a murderer and a vigilante that needs stopped. Since he is so dangerous, they want the champions and Elites to handle it." Paul stated while closing the folder and heading to his desk.

"Those fools!" Cynthia spat angrily. "They have someone cleaning up the streets for free and they want to stop him. That old coot Goodshow is getting more senile by the week."

"Nothing we can do about it Cynthia. You know that as well as I do." Paul said while looking out the window at the clearing night sky. "The rain has stopped, you can go home now. Goodnight Cynthia."

Sensing that the subject was closed, Cynthia headed for the door. "Goodnight Paul. I'll see you tomorrow at the Elite Four Challenge." Then closed the door behind her leaving Paul to his work and his thoughts.

The crowd in the stadium was in an uproar of excitement over the battle going on between the challenger, Max Maple, a young man from Hoenn who had won the Sinnoh Pokémon League this year. He was battling against Lily Waterflower, the third seated Sinnoh Elite Four member. The battle had been a fierce back and forth between the two powerful trainers, neither one giving the other any slack and pushing each other to be the best. It was truly a wondrous and amazing thing to see.

Unfortunately, Paul just couldn't seem to focus on the incredible match happening right in front of him. He was too distracted by the information he had received at the start of the match to focus. Scott had flown in from Hoenn on orders from Goodshow. It had surprised Paul that he hadn't just called but Scott said it was Top Secret and they couldn't afford any information leaks. According to Scott's sources, the killer of criminals "The Guardian" was coming to Sinnoh. At least that was the best estimate since there was no predicting him due to the little information they had on him. However the string of deaths in Hoenn followed the pattern of someone heading to Sinnoh. The real clincher to this theory had occurred that morning when Rangers found a body with similar injuries near the border to Sinnoh.

To say that Paul was worried would have been an understatement. It was plaguing his mind so badly that he didn't even notice that the match had ended. Lily had proved to be too much for Max and finished his Sceptile with her Dewgong. Paul stood up and applauded his Elite Four member, happy for her victory but also a little disappointed. Since he had become Champion, Paul hadn't had to defend his title even once. After Paul defeated Cynthia, she became the fourth Elite Four member and any challengers that got that far, never made it past her. Then when Lily came and took the third spot, all but a few were stopped by her making Paul's job rather boring. It had been a long time since he had gotten an exciting battle.

"You must be thinking hard, I can almost see the smoke coming from your ears."

"Very funny Cynthia." Paul replied dryly. "Shouldn't you be celebrating with Lily?"

"Na, she has one of her sisters and her other friends with her so she doesn't need me around." Cynthia stated with a shrug. "Besides, I saw Scott come in here with a grim look on his face when the match started and then leave halfway through. What was that all about?"

Paul sighed "Should I tell her?" Paul thought. "She will never let it go if I don't and she may have some advice that could be useful." With another sigh Paul answered. "Ok but let's go to the field ok?"

"Sure, I guess." Cynthia responded as they both turned and walked out of the private box and toward the battlefield.

By the time Paul and Cynthia made it to the battlefield everyone had left but since it was getting dark the stadium lights had come on. The lights made the destruction on the field even more evident, though the large craters and random boulders were had to miss.

"Geez they sure made a mess of this place." Cynthia said while looking around the field. "It will take days to clean all this up."

Paul hadn't spoken a word since they left the viewing box. He was still debating whether or not to tell Cynthia about "The Guardian" coming to Sinnoh. If he told her that, she would want to help find him and from all that Paul had read in that file last night and heard from Scott this afternoon, this man wasn't one to be taken lightly. Still, Cynthia was an ex-Champion and very capable of taking care of herself in dangerous situations.

"Cynthia, do you remember the conversation we were having last night?" Paul asked, unsure how best to approach the subject.

"You mean about the vigilante "The Guardian"? Yeah what about it?" she responded quizzically.

"Well Scott came to see me earlier as you saw." Paul explained. "He wanted to tell me or warn me really, that "The Guardian" was headed this way."

"Really? Well how would he know what direction or where this vigilante is heading?" she stated with doubt lacing her feminine voice.

"He's not one hundred percent sure but the deaths have been heading in this direction and the last one was near the border of Sinnoh." Paul stated grimly.

"Hmm well I guess we should treat this seriously even if it turns out to be nothing. We should have the Jennies be on the lookout and we need to figure some strategy of capturing him and bringing him in."

"Hold on Cynthia. All that is ok but we have to keep this quiet so we don't cause a public panic. Now you go and alert the Jennies, then in the morning we will tell the other elites ok." Paul said with authority in his voice.

"Ok, I'll get on it right away." she said while jogging toward the exit.

After Cynthia had left, Paul crossed his arms and began looking around the field. "Cynthia was right, this place is a mess." Paul whispered to himself as he continued to walk around the battlefield. It had been quite a while since Paul had been on an official battlefield. Sure he had used training fields but they just weren't the same. There was something special about a battlefield with a huge stadium surrounding it and all the lights shining down on you. It was the ultimate stage for any Pokémon trainer to be on and Paul missed it. The dust in the air, the roar of the crowds, the clashing of Pokémon made it an incredible experience that most trainers only experienced a few times in their life.

Being on this grand stage brought back so many memories for Paul, some good and some bad. Throughout Paul's career as a trainer he had been in many battles in stadiums just like this and they were battles he would never forget. A deep voice broke Paul out of his reminiscing.

"Paul Ikari, Champion of Sinnoh."

Paul jumped in surprise; he had thought that he was alone in the stadium. "Who's there? Show yourself!" Paul said while scanning the area.

"Ha ha ha." the voice laughed. "You seem awful nervous for a champion. Is fear of the unknown making you nervous Paul?"

"I'm not nervous." Paul said as calmly as he could. "I just prefer to see who I'm talking to, so come out where I can see you."

The voice sighed. "Ok as you wish." There was a swish of wind and from a few feet behind Paul he heard "Is this better?"

Paul spun around to see a man about his age and height with his arms crossed and a smug look on his face. He was wearing blue jeans, boots and a black jacket with a hood that matched his black hair. The man looked familiar but Paul couldn't recall from where. Once Paul got over his initial shock, he replied. "Yes much better. Now that we can see each other properly, could I get your name since you seem to already know mine?"

"Ah, I see we have come to a little snag." the man said with that smug look still on his face. "You see, I don't have a name at least not anymore."

"How can you not have a name? Everyone has a name. Well, what do people call you then?" Paul was getting suspicious of this stranger and a bad feeling was welling up in his stomach.

"Why I don't have a name is a long story, one that I don't feel like sharing right now." the man said in a sad tone. "As for what people call me, well there are many things but most of them aren't very nice. The one that seems to have stuck though is Guardian. Terrible name, doesn't suit me at all but people just won't listen."

Paul froze on the spot. The man in front of him was the vigilante that had he had been warned about. This man was dangerous and Paul needed to tread carefully. Once he had composed himself he began carefully. "So your this "Guardian" that I've been hearing about. Your quite famous or infamous in Hoenn. What brings you to Sinnoh?"

"He he." Guardian chuckled. "I'm honored to know the Sinnoh Champ has heard of me. As for why I'm here, I just came to see two old friends of mine and then I will be on my way. So you can rest easy Paul. I won't be making a ruckus in your peaceful region."

"I see. Well I appreciate your courtesy in telling me this, so let me extend my courtesy by helping you find your friends. As Sinnoh Champ, I can locate most any trainer in the region fairly quickly; all I need are their names."

"Oh I know where they are." Guardian stated. "However I'll give you their names anyway. They are Lily Waterflower and Paul Ikari."

For the second time tonight, Paul froze. This dangerous vigilante, a well known killer of criminals, thought he was friends with Lily and himself. Who was this man really? Paul needed more answers. "I'm sorry but I think I speak for Lily and myself in saying that we don't know you and therefore aren't your friends. Neither of us would be friends with someone who kills people even if they are criminals."

"Ha ha ha!" the man laughed out loud.

"I'm sorry did I say something funny?"

"Ironic." Guardian said. "That you wouldn't be friends with a criminal."

"Why is that ironic? Am I missing something?" Paul asked getting slightly agitated with this man.

"Apparently you are." Guardian spoke softly with some sadness in his voice. "Five years ago, you called a criminal your friend. Maybe you have forgotten but he never forgot because you calling him that had meant a lot to him and it still does."

"What did you just say?" Paul said not cause he didn't hear what was said but that he couldn't believe what was said."Cause if you said what I think you did, then that would make you..."

"Its me Paul." Guardian stated. "No ghost, no imposter, just the genuine article."

"Ash? Is it really you?" Paul spoke with hope in his voice.

"Don't use that name! Yes it's me but Ash doesn't exist anymore."

"How did you survive? Where have you been? How are you?" Paul listed off questions without giving time for Ash to answer.

"None of that matters." Guardian said while waving his hands in indifference. "I'm here now and that's all that matters."

A million thoughts were rushing through Paul's head right now. I can't believe he is back. Lily will want to know about this. What's he going to do now? What am I going to do now? The League wants him captured but should I? I don't agree with his methods but he is getting results. No I need to follow orders and do my job!

"Ash err Guardian it's great to see you after this time, it really is." Paul said easing into it. "There is so much that we have to catch up on but all that's going to have to wait I'm afraid. I'm going to have to take you into custody. Your actions in Hoenn have caused the League to demand your immediate capture. I'm very sorry."

Guardian looked down and shook his head. "Yeah I'm sorry too Paul. Sorry that I won't be going willingly. I've spent enough time in hell for things that I didn't do. You maybe my friend Paul, but you best stay the hell out of my way." Guardian turned on his heel and started to walk away.

"I can't let you leave." Paul said grabbing a pokeball from his belt.

"And what makes you think you can stop me?" Guardian said turning his head to look at Paul coldly.

"I am the Sinnoh League Champion, strongest trainer in the region. You don't have your Pokémon; they were taken from you five years ago. I will stop you by force if necessary but I'd rather we do this peacefully."

"I agree on all counts Paul." Guardian continued. "You are the Champion, and yes my Pokémon were taken from me five years ago. But I've been in the wild for five years and many things have changed." Raising his jacket, Guardian revealed twelve pokeballs on his belt. "Me and my new Pokémon will take you champ."

"Fine we do this the hard way, Aggron standby for battle!" Paul yelled while throwing the pokeball.

Paul's Aggron let out a fierce roar when it was released but it didn't faze Guardian.

"Very nice Paul. It looks well taken care of and quite strong. Now let me show you mine. Go Aggron!"

When the light from the pokeball died down, an Aggron twice the size of Paul's with scars all over its armor plating appeared. It roared at its opponent with a roar so ferocious that it shook the stadium. Both Paul and his Aggron shook slightly with fear.

"Size isn't everything you know." Paul said as calmly as he could.

"No its not. Enough talk, let's get this over with."

"Aggron attack!" "Aggron attack!"