Chapter Seven: An Unexpected Corner

"Come closer you gorgeous digislut!"

Kari skied into the closest cubicle possible, almost knocking the janitor over in the process. She slammed and locked the door as if her life depended on it. Her body curled around the corner of the room as she gasped for air. She heard thunderous steps coming into the room. She was being chased by a man called Brock. He was a renowned gym leader, but he was also a huge flirt to any attractive lady he found.

Brock had terrified her. He was a lovely guy, but when he was in one of those moods, he could be a monster. The worst thing is that he doesn't even notice it half the time.

She tried to tell him that she already had a boyfriend, but he didn't listen. She requested him not to touch her, but he couldn't keep his hands off her. Kari had no choice but to run, but still, he followed her. The women's bathroom was the only place where she could hide.

"Excuse me, Sir," She heard the janitor speak. "The men's bathroom is on the right."

"Oh... I see," Brock sighed.

Kari remained silent. She hoped that Brock wasn't waiting outside for her.

"Good evening, M'lady," Kari heard the janitor speak again. "Would you care to die?"

"It's you..." It was a woman's voice, but she couldn't see her through the cracks in the door. She peered through the opposite crack and saw the janitor with the gun pulling the trigger towards the entrance.

The janitor marched over towards the door as he was about to leave, Kari heard a series of gunshot and she saw the janitor implode on the floor landing on his head. The sparkling white floor now had huge red blotches. Kari pushed herself against the wall when the sound of the crashing bucket screeched in her ears. Kari tried not to scream as curled herself into a ball on the toilet seat.

The barrel of the gun was empty, Kari assumed when she heard the numerous clicking. A sudden bang caught Kari's attention. She above her head and saw the gun fly into her head. Kari's hands shook and she screamed as she tossed the gun back.

"WHO'S THERE?" Kari screamed.

No answer.

"I'm not coming out until you tell me who you are," Kari screeched. She frantically twirled around the room as she saw the red pool reach her shoes. "HELP ME!" She cried. "SOMEBODY HELP!"

Kari got a response. This time, it was the sound of the windows crashing. When Kari unlocked the door; she was alone. Her eyes caught the attention of the broken window. She scurried towards it and saw the body of the janitor squelched in front of the busy city. She swirled over and slipped on the puddle.

"That's it," Kari whispered to herself. She looked above and the end of a black cape leave the room. "I'm done for. They're going to think it was me."

Kari blacked out.

May didn't know much about Digimon. A new Digimon Centre was opening in Pewter City, and the only reason she attended was because Brock invited her. She thought it would be great to see Brock again, as she hadn't seen him since Ash's trial five years ago. The fact that he spent more time ogling on the prosecutor put her off seeing him. She knew that he admired a good looking woman, but she expected... so much better than that from him.

Pewter City seemed quite packed. Trucy and May and a few of the many people gathered around the tall silver building with a white staircase.

"This is my first time in Pewter City," Trucy admitted. "It's a very pleasant city. Great for shopping."

"Just you wait until you see the big supermarket in Celadon City," May told Trucy with a great grin on her straight face. "It's bigger than three wailords put together."

Trucy gasped with her hand over her mouth. Her lips quickly turned into a smile. Both girls jumped for joy. "We should totally go there some time," Trucy giggled.

May nodded.

Another girl with blonde hair and a pink hat approached them. Her bright blue eyes that almost matched the same colour as May's stood out to them. Her head leant over to May's side as she said, "You're May... Right?"

"Yeah."

"So you're a lawyer now?"

"I am." May stopped the girl just as she was about to walk away. "Sorry... Do I know you?"

"Maybe by name," The girl responded with blushing cheeks and a sweet smile. "I'm one of Ash's friends, Serena. You're the one that's going to save Ash?"

"I hope so."

Serena giggled. "Do your best."

"Hey wait..." May shouted, but it was too late: Serena had gone.

"I've seen her before," Trucy cried out. "She came to one of my magic shows."

May turned to Trucy. "I really need to go to one of your shows one day."

"I would like to thank you all for coming here today," Brock announced outside a building surrounding red tape. "As you all know, we've been waiting a long time a Digimon Centre in Kanto." Brock threw his arms in the air as he dropped his mouth to smile. "This will be a marvellous attraction to our city." Brock placed his hands down and bowed as the residents of Pewter City applauded him. "There's going to be a museum, a maid café, and even a store with lots of amazing merchandise."

"Trust Brock to mention a maid café," May muttered to Trucy.

"As Gym Leader of this city," Brock announced with great pride. "It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Digimon Centre is officially..." Brock was interrupted by the sound of shattered glass from one of the top floors. "WHAT!"

"Look May," Trucy called as she pointed to the broken window. "There's something falling from the sky."

May felt something small and something wet land on her hand. She raised her hand and saw the droplet was red. A quick glance of the sky showed clear blue skies. "It's not raining." She screamed. "So it must be blood."

Everybody stepped back as soon as the body landed in the middle of the staircase. The police quickly arrived at the scene and asked everybody to either leave or step away from the body. The Digimon Centre had been cornered off to the public as the crowds flocked away.

"Aww," Trucy sighed, lowering her head. "I really wanted to buy some new plushies."

"I think the plushies will have to wait," May told her. "Looks like we've got work to do." The two girls saw Detective Gary Oak charge into the building as Brock laid down on the pavement. Brock appeared to be contemplating on life. "I think we should talk to Brock." They scurried over to him and May simply smiled at him. "Hey, Brock."

Brock opened his eyes and forced himself back up. "Oh hi there." Brock waved his hands as he held onto the lamppost for support. He chuckled. "How have you been doing, May?" He quickly blushed and held Trucy's hand the moment he set eyes on her. "And who is this beautiful lady of magic?"

"I'm Trucy Wright."

"Trucy..." Brock murmured. He sighed and clenched her hands tighter. "What a beautiful name. I gotta know more about you Trucy." The way Brock was gushing over Trucy made May felt nauseous: they had only just met. "What do you do?"

"I'm a magician."

"You are!" Brock exclaimed. "I'd love to see some of your magic tricks."

"I've got loads of tricks," Trucy winked Brock. "I bet you'd love to see my magic panties."

"You bet!"

May sighed with her hands around her hip. "I can't believe you're playing along with this, Trucy."

"HEY!"

"Oh no," Brock muttered. "It's that digislut."

A loud voice from across the road alarmed them. A tall guy with a strong tan and auburn hair marched across the road with fierce eyes directed at Brock. If his face got any redder, they would match the colour of his shorts and top. A blue creature clinched onto the edge of his shoulder as the man brought his fists up towards to go directly to Brock. As the man got nearer, May noticed that most of his big hair was covered by huge gigantic goggles. She had seen several young boys wandering around with huge goggles on their heads, but she never understood what it was for. Personally, May thought it was an awful fashion trend.

The man ran quicker. May dragged Trucy away from Brock as the man pulled Brock's blazer and banged him against the wall. The man gritted his teeth and punched Brock directly in the face.

"Hey Davis," The little blue thing cried out. "Why did you punch him?"

"So Brock," Davis snarled as his other hand clutched Brock's neck. "I hear you've been messing with Kari."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Brock hissed. He clenched his eyes shut and used the edge of his arms to try and push Davis away. "I don't know anyone called Kari."

"Don't you play that trick with me," Davis snapped. He pushed Brock onto the floor. "People saw you trying to grab her ass."

"Hey!" Gary barged out from the Digimon Centre and stood between the two men and had glared at Davis. "This is a crime scene. Take your scrap elsewhere!"

"He deserved it," Davis roared with his hands on his hips. He pointed at Brock and just was he was about to charge into him, Gary intervened. "He sexually harassed my girlfriend."

"Well your girlfriend has been arrested for murder," Gary barked. "And if you don't calm down, I'll arrest you for assault."

"WHAT!" Davis yelled. His hands gripped onto Gary. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN KARI'S BEEN ARRESTED?"

"She's been arrested for the murder of the janitor," Gary explained. "Her fingerprints are all over the murder weapon and she's got the victim's blood all over her clothes. The case is closed."

"YOU'RE WRONG," Davis shouted. Tears rolled down his eyes. "She's innocent. My Kari would never kill anybody!"

"Will you lot stop acting like kids," A woman demanded from out of the blue. She looked down on them as she fiddled with her large frilly dress and long purple hair. "Honestly, my kids behave better than all of you put together. I'm trying to get some sleep."

"Oh Champion Iris," Gary greeted her with a smile on his face and a gentle bow. "I'm sorry for the noise. There's been a murder, but the assailant's been caught."

"Oh," Iris cried out. "I see. Well, keep up the good work Detective."

Then Iris walked away.

"Who was that?" Davis asked, sneering at her dress.

"Iris Den. She's really pretty though," Trucy said. "I heard she's married to Lance, the champion of Johto."

"That's true," Gary said. He looked over and his eyes widened. "Sorry there, I didn't see you two."

It seemed that Davis wasn't the only one who was protesting Kari's arrest. A young girl with short brown hair was escorted in handcuffs into a police car. Her clothes were drenched in blood. A group of other young adults were reaching out towards the cops and trying to stop the police from taking the girl away. May knew the girl being chucked into the police van must have been Kari: Davis' girlfriend.

May lowered her head and thought back to the time when Ash was arrested. She could feel their pain, and especially Davis' pain. She didn't know what happened between Brock and Kari, but she couldn't help but think that Kari was innocent. If she was truly guilty, then the victim probably would have been Brock. May tried to concentrate on what was happening in her surroundings, but a vision of Ash crying in his cell had mentally drifted her away.

"YOU THERE MISS!" Davis pointed at May. May blinked and opened her eyes. Her eyes felt heavy as if she had just woken up. His index finger pointed directly at May's golden attorney badge. "You're a lawyer?"

"Yes..." May nodded.

"Then you're going to defend Kari!" Davis declared.

"Davis you can't just hire a random attorney from the street to defend my sister." A tall guy with even bigger hair than Gary spoke with his arms folded.

Davis turned to him. "Look, Tai! I have a feeling that... I can just trust her."

"He's right to trust her, Tai," It was Matt's voice. May couldn't believe how different Matt looked without the hair gel and neon clothes. Matt walked up to Tai. "My boss hired her, and she's really good."

"Matt!" May cried out.

"It's nice to see you again," Matt swivelled his head. "It's a shame it couldn't have been under better circumstances."

"Looks like I've got more than I've bargained for," Gary sighed. "Since you guys were in the Digimon Centre at the time of the murder, I need you all to come down to the station and give your statements." Gary turned around to all of them apart from May and Trucy. As Gary seemed too occupied to question Kari's friends, May and Trucy stepped away from the gang as they were all escorted to the station.

"What do you think our first plan of action is?" May asked Trucy. "So much has happened in one go. I can't think straight."

"You're a Pokémon trainer, right?" Trucy asked May.

May nodded.

"Well you could use your Pokémon and I can use my magic to help in the investigation," Trucy suggested. May thought Trucy's suggestion. She wanted to nod in agreement. Instead, she held onto her sleeves and cowered her head. Trucy quickly noticed it and grabbed her shoulders. "Hey! What's up?"

"Nothing," May lied. "I was just worried about my Pokémon getting hurt."

Trucy shook her head. "Your Pokémon could help us solve the case. You should try it."

"Alright then. Come on out Beautifly!" May called out. She threw her ball in the air and out came a graceful butterfly Pokémon known as Beautifly.

"She's so beautiful," Trucy squealed. "Seeing it makes me really want to get more Pokémon." As she spoke, Mr. Piplup came out of her hat and pecked her cheek. "Oh, but Mr. Piplup, you'll always be my favourite."

"Okay Beautifly, take a look at what's going on in the broken window." May witnessed Beautifly zoomed towards the broken window. "I wonder what Beautifly will find?" May and Trucy had waited for about twenty minutes until Beautifly tumbled down from the window. "What did you find?" May asked Beautifly.

Beautifly swirled around May as she tried to explain to her trainer what she was able to gather. Beautifly explained that the murder had taken place in a girl's bathroom and that the victim was thrown out of the window after being shot several times. May also noticed a white card with a pink Apricorn in Beautifly's hand.

"That's Shelly De Killer's card!" Trucy exclaimed.

Beautifly whispered into May's ear. Even if her Pokémon didn't speak English, her bond helped her become able to understand what they were saying. "So there was more than one?" Beautifly nodded to May's question. "So there were loads. That must mean that the victim is Shelly De Killer: the assassin."

"Look May," Trucy cried out as she looked over to the dustbin near the end of the white tape. "Someone's left their hat Perhaps somebody ran in panic and lost it."

May followed Trucy towards the dark alleyway where the red hat stood out. When May picked it up from the floor, the white brim and white semi-circle on the hat alarmed her. "Ash wore a hat like this," May gasped. She took a look inside and noticed a tag black letters on it. "AK... Those are Ash's initials!"

"Could it be Ash's hat?" Trucy asked.

"If it is," May said. Her stomach churned as she spoke. "What is it doing here? Could this be the key to reopening the case?"

"Maybe you should ask him?" Trucy asked. "After all, you still need to talk to your client. Let's make our way to the detention centre."

"All right then. Let's go!" May looked up to Beautifly and pointed the ball directly at her. "Beautifly return!"

"So May."

"Yeah."

"You haven't talked about your boyfriend very much since your interview," Trucy noticed. "I really want to know what he was like."

May felt a fuzzy feeling inside of her. Even though talking about Ash was painful, she would never forget the fond memories they had of each other. "Before Ash was arrested," May started. "He was one of the kindest guys I've ever met."

"What does he look like?"

"He's got a really nice tan," May started. Her eyes dazzled as she started to praise him. "Black spiky hair and cute birthmarks on his cheek."

"Is his hair as spiky as Daddy's hair?" Trucy asked.

"The spikes are more... Horizontal if you know what I mean. The top of his head is flat because he always wore caps." May took out her phone and showed Trucy her display screen. "Here's a picture of him with Pikachu, his starter."

"He looks so adorable and innocent," Trucy noted. "How did you two meet?"

"We met when we were ten."

"Oh, was it like love at first sight?"

May shook her head. "Not really, it wasn't until we were 15 when we first started dating. He was my first boyfriend too. And I think I was his first girlfriend."

"That sounds so sweet."

"He was a lot of things to me," May explained to Trucy. "He was a mentor, a friend, and a partner. Even when we were apart we would still contact each other. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him. I could always count on him to make my problems melt away."

"So he really means a lot to you," Trucy said. "Loves like that dosen't come very often."

"He's done some amazing things." May continued speaking with a smile on her face. "He's done well in every Pokémon league he's played in. He takes care of everybody around him and he's saved so many lives, including mine. He's got a heart of gold. That's why I know that he's innocent."

"I can't wait to meet him," Trucy exclaimed. "This should be interesting."

"What?" Ash shrieked in the detention centre. His mouth was wide open as he leaned over with his forehead against the glass. "Iris and Lance are married? Since when?"

"She basically called all of us kids and that her children behave better," May replied with a nod.

Ash slid back to his seat. "Iris actually has kids? The world really has gone mad."

"Wasn't Iris one of your travel companions?" May asked. "I thought you two got on really well."

"Yeah, we were the best of friends," Ash retorted. May sensed a sarcastic tone in his voice. His tone quickly became loud and angry. "Always calling me a kid even though I'm older than her. Anyway..." Ash glared at May. "What are you doing here? Haven't you got work to do?"

"I came to see you of course," May responded. Her mouth shivered and she closed her eyes. She opened them again and glared at Ash back. "The same reason I come to see you every time. I've been hired to defend someone's girlfriend. During the investigation, I found this!" May presented Ash the red hat that she found outside the Digimon Centre. "It has your initials on it. Does it mean anything to you?"

"Nope," Ash snapped. "Means nothing to me." When three psyche-locks appeared around Ash's heart, May knew he was hiding something. May wasn't sure if Trucy could see the locks, but the way her eyes pierced at Ash made her knew that she was onto something. Ash pushed himself back towards the chair. "Why are you both staring at me like that," Ash asked. His body began to shake as his fingers bent around his hair.

"Why are you overreacting?" Trucy asked Ash. "It's just a hat. There's no need to get so defensive over it."

"I'm not getting defensive!"

"Then why are holding onto your hair like that?" Trucy asked. "Why are you so mean to your girlfriend? She's working really hard to get your acquittal."

"Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind," Ash muttered. He folded his arms. "Now get to the point."

"You want me to get to the point?" May asked. "Alright then, this hat isn't just any old hat. I bet that this is your hat!"

Ash smirked. "You've got no way of proving that!"

"I have." May smirked back and mimicked Ash's movements. "I can always ask Pikachu."

"Don't you dare."

"Excuse me," May asked the guard. "Can you let Pikachu out for a second?"

The guard shook his head. "How do I know you're not going to help a prisoner escape?"

"You know detaining a Pokémon for their trainer's crimes is against the law?" May stood up and pointed at the guard. She knew Ash was innocent, but even if he was guilty of his crimes, they could not legally detain Pikachu.

"Fine," The guard squirmed. "I'll open the door for Pikachu, and Pikachu only!"

The electric mouse came dashing out of the door and jumped onto May's shoulder. May sat down and gave Pikachu that hat to have a look at. With his little black nose, Pikachu sniffed nearly every part of the hat. Once he finished, he placed the hat on his head. "PIKA! PIKA PIKA!"

"It is your hat," May yelled at Ash. "Even though it's been a long time since you've worn it, Pikachu can still sense a part of you in that hat."

Ash was speechless and the lock in the middle broke. Ash only had two psyche locks left.

"Where did you find that hat?" Ash yelled.

"I already told you," May said. "We found it near the trash can. You always wore your hats, without them you feel naked."

"Huh?"

"Either somebody stole your hat, or somebody was looking after it for you," May acknowledged. "I also saw one of your good friends in Pewter City."

"Who?" Ash demanded. "I have lots of friends. Brock? Misty? Dawn? Clemont? Bonnie?"

May shook her head. "I did see Brock, but that's not who I mean."

"Who do you mean then?"

"Serena," May responded with a smile.

"What!"

"That's right," Trucy said. "May and I both met Serena, but we only had a short chat."

"Did Serena steal your hat?" May asked. She noticed that the chains holding the red locks together rumbled as if the lock was about to break. "Or did you ask her to look after it for you?"

"Why would Serena steal my hat?" Ash asked. "There's no way it could have been her."

The second psyche lock shattered and vanished into thin air. Only one remained.

"So your hat was stolen?" May asked.

"I'm not telling you anything else," Ash hissed. "My hat got stolen and you found it. Good for you."

"Now we've acknowledged your hat was stolen," May announced. "The next part is determining when it was stolen. You didn't wear your hat during your trial. And the last time I saw you wear your hat was before you were arrested."

"My guess is that the person who stole your hat is the person that framed you for murder," May declared. "That means your hat was stolen on the night your mother died." The final psyche lock broke and the chains vanished. May was back in reality with the sight of grey walls and frozen guards. Ash's cold face had melted as he curled into a ball. "Ash... Are you okay?"

It was a stupid question: he anything but okay, but it was May's instinct to ask him.

"Do I look okay?" Ash screamed as if he was about to cry. "I told you I'm guilty. Why don't you believe me?"

"Because you're innocent," May announced. "Ash, this hat links the man's death to your mother's death. When I present this hat in court, they will reopen the case. Sooner or later, I'm going to find the truth of what happened. Even if I have to force it out of you. I know somebody has set you up. You don't have to say anything, but I'll promise that I'll defend you right until the very end. Even if the truth tastes bitter."

"You're wasting your time," Ash mumbled. "I've been sentenced to death."

"Then I'll act fast," May shouted. "Just because you've given up, doesn't mean I will. You have to tell me what really happened that night. Ash, can you at least give me an explanation?"

Ash shook his head. "Please leave."

May gasped. A cold shiver ran through her spine as five black psyche locks appeared around Ash. May panted. She had never seen so many psyche locks, and never had they been so cold and so dark. The black locks seemed stronger than the red ones and the chains that kept them in place appeared much stronger. May could see thunderbolts escape from Pikachu's cheek, but the glass bounced the electric currents right back to Pikachu.

"Didn't you hear me?" Ash yelled. "I said leave. And take Pikachu with you."

"I don't think there's anything you can do now," Trucy advised May. "We'll have to leave. Maybe we should talk to Kari."

"You're right," May muttered. She picked up Pikachu and left the room. "Let's go and talk to Kari."

Another guard escorted May and Trucy into the room where Kari was in. Tai and Davis along with three other creatures that May assumed were Digimon were already inside talking to Kari. As soon as the door opened, Davis turned his head.

"Hey, what took you so long?" Asked Davis.

"Please forgive me," May said as she bowed to Davis. "I had an emergency call."

"Okay Kari," Tai said to his sister. "Davis and I are going home now."

"I'm not leaving Kari by herself," Davis retaliated as he pressed himself against the wall.

"Come on," Tai said. "Our visiting time is up. We have to go now."

Davis was reluctant to leave, but he looked over at Kari and blew her a kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kari."

"See ya!" Kari said.

Both men left and the Digimon quickly followed them. Trucy and May took their seats as Kari's happy face quickly became one of sorrow and nerves. Her legs wobbled like jelly. "Hi there," She said. "My name is Hikari Yagami. But most people call me Kari." She looked up to May. "Hey! I know you... You're dating Davis' cousin."

"Ash is Davis' cousin?" May asked.

Kari nodded. "His mom and Ash's mom are sisters. But they weren't very close. Ash is the only cousin that will speak to Davis, that he's been in contact with."

"Only cousin that will speak to him?"

"I know Davis once said that his Aunt Delia had four children."

"I always assumed Ash was an only child," May admitted. "Ash has never mentioned any other siblings. And the only relative I've met is Ash's mom."

"And now you know his cousin: Davis."

"You learn something new every day," Trucy added.

"Anyway." May shook her head. "Enough about that... Let's talk about you and what happened this morning."

"It wasn't me," Kari declared straight away. "Someone else was there too."

"Did you see who it was?"

"No." Kari shook her head. "I only heard her voice and saw a black cape just as she was leaving."

"Why were you in the bathroom?" May asked. "And why were you in there for so long."

"The gym leader couldn't keep his hands off me," Kari admitted. "I tried to tell him to stop and I tried to be polite, but he just wouldn't leave me alone. He was touching me in private places... So I ran away from him. And he... Followed me. I hid in the girl's bathroom and I heard Brock's voice."

"What was Brock saying?"

"The janitor just directed him to the men's bathroom," Kari told them. "Before I went into the bathroom he called me something really horrible..."

"And what did he call you?" May asked.

"He called me a digislut..."

"That sounds horrible," Trucy snapped.

"It was the way he was saying it that scared me," Kari explained. "It was as if he didn't know."

"Didn't know what?" asked May.

"He didn't know that digislut is a really foul name for a digimon tamer. Some pokémon trainers think of digimon as unnatural: almost like vermin. Brock made it sound like it was a turn on."

"Maybe Brock didn't know it was offensive," May thought, trying to keep a positive view of Brock in her head - and failing.

"I don't think so," Trucy said. "He started Davis off when he called him the D word."

"Let's get back to the crime scene." May said. "Why didn't you leave the cubicle?"

"I was scared that he would be waiting outside for me so I stayed in the cubicle. Then I heard the gunshots and the window smashing. I fell over and that's why there was blood all over my clothes."

"How did your fingerprints appear on the gun?"

"After the man got shot, the killer tossed the gun into my cubicle. It landed in my hands." Kari slammed her hands against the table and leaned closer towards the glass. "This is the truth. You've got to believe in me," Kari begged. "I didn't kill that man."

"It's okay," May said with a smile. "I believe in you. When Davis found out you were arrested, he asked me to defend you straight away... And I'm going to defend you."

"Thank you so much," Kari cried with a smile on her face. "This means so much to me."