Chapter 13: Ready or not

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NOW – ALOLA

Incineroar was back on its feet, and Braviary flew above it – their impressive forms were casting shadows over the fallen pokemon of their opponent – and Kukui stood behind them, too angry to feel happy about his victory. Cold satisfaction, perhaps, was the topmost feeling as he stared down Faba.

The scientist gulped, hands spread, empty. He laughed nervously. "Kukui, old friend, listen…"

And Kukui saw red.

"Shut up", he said – growled, even – and advanced on the traitor. "Shut the fuck up already, Faba." He picked up the pokemon-proof cuffs from where he'd dropped them earlier and walked up to the cowering man. "Hands up."

His voice was steel – cold and dangerously even. Faba obeyed instantly, jaw clicking shut as he raised his arms in front of him, defeat settling into his expression. Defeat, and shame… and regret.

Kukui felt no sympathy for him. Regret was severely overdue at this point.

He closed the cuffs around Faba's forearms and pushed him, not so gently, against the building's wall. He took Faba's poke ball from him and recalled his pokemon, dropping them in his lab coat pocket instead. "Stay here", he told Faba, and turned around. His looked around quickly and found Ash – the kid was huddling on the ground next to an opened capturing device, hugging Pikachu intensely, his body curled around the pokemon.

Kukui walked closer. Adrenaline was rapidly draining from him, making him shuffle his feet and breathe a little harder than necessary. He was truly shocked by the chain of events, still feeling angry, still incredulous and, if he were completely honest, utterly terrified. He knew Faba was only the beginning – the spark that would soon cause a full on fire; an attack on Aether, on Ash and all his students and friends.

It would require him to be ready, to stay focused – but first, he had to make sure of something.

Ash raised his head as he approached. "Look, Professor", he said, grinning brightly. "I got Pikachu free!"

Naganadel was still there hovering protectively over Ash, its intelligent eyes tracking the movements of Kukui, Faba, and the open air around them. Kukui locked eyes with it, briefly, and mouthed, thank you.

"The thing is, I was pretty confused at first", Ash explained, hands petting down Pikachu's sides. His gaze lowered again, looking down at it. "I tried to open it with force, y'know, just put my hands around it and tried to pry it apart! It was so heavy too; I could barely lift it. So, it didn't really work…" Ash was rambling a little, and Kukui noticed how tight his shoulders were, how he was still crouching, tense like he was poised to leap up at a moment's notice. "Anyway, I kinda rolled it around – Pikachu was so annoyed! – and I thought Naganadel woulda have to use some move on it, but then – hah, it's kinda funny – I noticed there was this button-"

Kukui dropped onto his knees beside him and gathered him into his arms – gently at first, and when he didn't pull away, tighter. Ash was trembling minutely, and he gasped a little in surprise as Kukui's hug engulfed him, his arms around Ash's shoulders and both him and Pikachu pressed against his chest.

"I'm so glad you're safe", Kukui said, voice rough. Ash said nothing – just breathed, shallowly at first, and then deeper as his rigid body slowly relaxed. His head bent forward, the side of his temple pressing against Kukui shoulder.

After a few minutes, Ash mumbled, "They are coming, y'know. The rest of the hunters. We should…"

Kukui's heart was breaking. This kind, brave, selfless kid. He tightened his arms around Ash for a second and then pulled back a little. "You're fine, right?" he asked, searching Ash's face. "You're not hurt?"

Ash shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Pikachu too." He looked down at his hands that he'd balled into fists. "We can still fight."

Kukui took a deep breath. "You don't have to, not anymore", he said carefully. "Ash – I'm so sorry you got put into this situation. I shouldn't have trusted Faba. You don't know this, but Faba has betrayed our trust before. Has gone against you, against my students. He's a selfish, greedy man." He held Ash's shoulders, both of them still kneeling on the uncomfortable stone floor.

The wind from the ocean was picking up, pulling at Kukui's jacket.

In the distance, storm clouds were gathering.

"I'm sorry", Kukui said again. "I should've known better."

"It's fine, Professor", Ash said, so genuinely that it hurt, and Kukui nodded, even though it wasn't fine.

Maybe when this was all over, there would be time to talk.

But now they had to act, before they were too late.

"Let's go find Burnet and the rest of your classmates", Kukui decided. He patted Ash's shoulder. "You should all stick together, find somewhere safe – and me and Tobias and a few others, we'll take care of this Team Enigma once they get here."

Suddenly, Ash was on his feet, leaving Kukui startled and alone on the floor. "Hey, I'm not a little kid!" Ash said, glaring down at Kukui. "I can take care of myself and my pokemon, y'know. I always have, so far."

Kukui's chest tightened. He believed Ash could, oh, he did, but he just had to make him understand that this time he wouldn't have to.

"Just… You don't gotta coddle me, Professor", Ash told him, brow dropping into a determined look. "If those bad guys are after me, then it's me who should fight them. That's all."

Kukui heavily disagreed, but they didn't really have time to argue, not in that moment. Instead, he stood up, his knees protesting after his extended stay in a folded position and looked at Ash sternly.

"We'll discuss this later. We need to find Burnet anyway", he said. "Make sure she and the others are okay. And we need to take Faba inside too." Kukui glanced over his shoulder, where Faba was still standing against the wall, watching him and Ash intently. Kukui, exhausted and pissed off and scared, forwent any acts of niceness and walked over to him, grabbed the back of his coat and pulled him along. "Let's go", he grunted, and Faba had no choice but to stumble along with him as he started walking back around the building.

He heard Ash asking Naganadel to return, and then the kid was jogging along, following him back inside.

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They found Burnet, Wicke and the rest of the students on the conservatory floor. They had gathered in the break room of the floor, and Tobias stood just inside the doorway of the room, hands crossed over his chest.

"What happened?" he demanded the moment he locked eyes with Kukui. "I thought you were coming straight here but you disappeared. And Ash wasn't- Where did you go?"

"Kukui, what's going on?" Burnet asked, her brow tight. "Tobias said we should wait for you. Ash?" She looked around Kukui, where Ash was standing, holding Pikachu and shifting his weight around with agitated energy. "You okay? Both of you?"

Kukui glanced around the room, where Wicke and the rest of the class were gathered, looking at them curiously, and stepped back. "Outside", he said quietly, sharply. After Burnet and Tobias stepped into the hall, Kukui closed the door behind them, revealing Faba standing against the wall, hands still cuffed in front of him and coat askew.

Burnet's eyes widened almost comically. "What-"

"Caught someone in the act", Kukui said. His voice had an unsettlingly cold and even quality to it that might've startled him, had he not been so focused on keeping it all together. "Sneaking behind our backs."

"Faba?" Burnet exclaimed, her tone increasing.

"He took Ash up to the roof and called for extraction."

Faba stammered, raising his bound hands. "Listen, it's all a misunderstanding-"

Burnet snapped. She took a step forward, fluid like a panther, and slapped Faba across the face. "You bitch!" she yelled. "After everything we did for you? After everything we forgave you for?"

Faba stumbled back. "B-burnet-"

"You… I cannot believe it", Burnet continued. Her hands were balled into fists, trembling at her sides, and Kukui was certain if Faba said the wrong thing now, he would feel it. "How stupid we were. How stupid Lusamine- Oh, my gods."

Kukui placed a hand on her shoulder, and Burnet whipped around to look at him. Her voice cracked. "Kukui-"

"I know", he said. "I know."

"Ash", Burnet breathed, and her shoulders sagged. She turned and found Ash standing there, looking at her with a blank expression. "Ash, oh my gods. I'm so sorry." She stepped up to him arms raised, like she was about to pull him into a hug but stopped herself just before. "Are you alright? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Ash just looked confused. He briefly glanced down at himself, as though to check if he still had all his limbs attached, and then shook his head. "No. I'm fine."

Burnet's hands still hovered at his sides. "Can I-?"

Ash, blandly, nodded. Burnet wrapped him in her arms and Ash let her, his own hands still holding Pikachu in the space between them. Kukui's heart twisted looking at them, knowing how much of a mirror image this was to the moment he'd shared with Ash up on the roof just minutes ago.

And suddenly, he saw it as what it was.

It hurt, realizing it. How they – Burnet and him – thought they were comforting Ash, but mostly it was for their own solace. Confirming they hadn't lost the kid they pretty much thought as their own. Confirming they hadn't failed him. But this Ash – younger, recently traumatized – didn't know them like that. Didn't expect help from adults, didn't understand why they would be so concerned for him.

He was hard wired to survive on his own, and Kukui was afraid he was taking on Burnet and Kukui's worry as another burden to carry and a problem to solve.

Tobias had courteously let them have their moment, but once Burnet let go of Ash and stepped back, he cleared his throat and leveled a stern look at Kukui.

"So. They are on their way?"

Kukui nodded.

"Yes, let's get ready."

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After a brief and very vocal argument, Ash ended up sticking with Kukui while Tobias escorted Faba away. Wicke would go with Burnet and the rest of the class somewhere safe deep into the building, and Burnet would be explaining the situation to the kids once they were behind lockable doors.

Ash had absolutely refused to go into hiding, so to avoid him running off on his own, the next best thing was him sticking with an adult – or soon, multiple adults capable of protecting him.

Besides, Kukui thought, he'd have to start showing Ash more respect for his abilities and independency, if he wanted to gain his full trust. No more treating him like a vulnerable kid, even if it went against his every instinct. The Ash he knew had fearlessly gone against ultra beasts and the Tapu, and even other hunters like Team Rocket. This Ash, though younger, seemed to have plenty of similar experience already.

Kukui hadn't coddled his Ash because he'd seen the experience in the kid, but he understood now that experience had come from somewhere. This Ash might be a little rougher around the edges, but he was in no way delicate. He had every right to stand up for himself.

"Come with me", Kukui told Ash, and they started down the hallway. Ash fell into an easy jog to keep up with Kukui's long strides.

"Where're we going?"

Kukui gave him a brief smile over his shoulder. "Just going to make a phone call – here."

He stopped at a door at the end of the hall that led out to the main deck.

"Normal cell phones don't work inside this building since this is a high security research complex", Kukui explained, and let Ash step out ahead of him. "We need to stand below an open sky if we wish to make calls to the outside world."

"Oh, okay!" Ash said. He breathed in deep, stretching his hands up and closing his eyes briefly. He seemed glad to be out of the building and its thick, metal walls.

Kukui took out his phone, keyed in the correct number and waited as the line connected and started beeping, indicating it was ringing on the other end. It rang for a while, but Kukui wasn't worried – he had been expecting this.

Finally, the phone was answered with a bored drawl. "Ula'ula police station."

"Nanu", Kukui said. "It's Professor Kukui."

"Oh, Kukui", Nanu greeted sardonically. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Kukui let out a breath. "To keep this brief- I need your help. Did you see the interview Ash did with Sports & Pokemon?"

"Oh yeah." There was a pause and some noise, and Kukui imagined Nanu leaning back on his chair and stretching his feet on the table. "That was a strange one."

Kukui couldn't help but snort. "That's because it was fake. Ash is… Something happened and now some people from Ash's past are after him. We faked the interview to get him out of immediate danger, but they figured it out and we're soon going to be under attack."

Nanu's voice got sharper as he asked, "Where are you?"

"On Aether Paradise. Faba…" Kukui took a breath. "Faba was the one who sold us out, but he's been taken care of. We have guards here, and me and Burnet and Wicke of course, and few others, but…"

Kukui could hear Nanu moving around, and the distinct sound of his meowth milling about his office. "Go on."

"The people who are after Ash, um. I hadn't heard of them before, but they are a team of pokemon hunters. I was told they have advanced hunting gear with them." Kukui kept an eye out for Ash, who had wandered a little distance away, eyes trained up to the sky. Kukui, looking into the same direction, saw nothing. "We're going to need backup."

"Certainly", Nanu said. Kukui heard the crunch of a gravel road on his end. He was on his way. "And what is this hunting team called?"

"Team Enigma."

Nanu was silent for a moment. Kukui watched as Pikachu jumped off Ash, scurrying a few paced forward, cheeks sparkling.

"Team Enigma?" Nanu murmured. "I though those bastards were done and dusted."

Kukui was taken aback. "You know them?"

"Know of them", Nanu corrected, sounding vexed. "You know I used to… run in those circles, back in the day."

Kukui had a vague understanding of Nanu's history as a member of the International Police. Apparently, big part of his work had involved investigating hunter groups such as Team Rocket, before something had happened decades ago that made him want to completely change his career and become a small-time officer on Ula'ula Island.

Kukui hummed. "Well, apparently Ash had something to do with their downfall a couple of years ago, and now they are back for him and his rare pokemon after seeing him compete in the Alola league."

"It must be just the worm-eaten remains of that organization coming after him now", Nanu grumbled. "Team Enigma in its glory days was much more than just a group of greedy hunters. They ruled the Sinnoh black market in many areas, though they were especially known for capturing legendaries and legendary artifacts. I even heard they held a Mew for a brief moment, before it all went to shit."

Mew, Kukui though, thinking back to all the things Ash and Tobias had said that involved that mysterious pokemon. That Mew must be in the center of this all.

"Nanu, by the way", Kukui quickly said, watching as Ash slowly backed away, staring into the sky, a hand on his belt. "We are trying to solve this quietly. The less people know the better. You can of course bring Jenny with you, but don't tell anyone else for now, alright?"

Nanu snorted. "Sure thing. I'm at the docks already. I-"

Kukui nearly dropped his phone then. There was a rumbling sound, and Kukui could feel a deep vibration in his chest. A huge shadow was cast over the deck, and suddenly Ash was running before Kukui could even comprehend what was happening. The whole Paradise shook as something huge landed on the very tip of the open space, on the landing pad behind all the structures that filled the deck, and Kukui looked ahead just in time to see a cloaked aircraft reveal itself, its massive wings now visible against the sky.

Halfway across the deck, Ash was sprinting directly towards it.

"Ash!" Kukui screamed, as the kid and his pikachu disappeared from his view. Kukui took off running, Nanu forgotten. "Ash, wait!"

He dashed through the structures, but Ash was nowhere to be seen. Damn that boy was quick.

"Shit", he said, and then remembered the call that was still going. He raised the phone back up to his ear, breathing hard. "They're here", he gasped. "Come as fast as you can."

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THEN – SINNOH

"So… you don't work for Lance or the G-men?"

That was Tobias's first question once Ash had explained his situation – how he had woken up in Alola before suddenly appearing at the Tree of Beginning, then trying to protect Lucario and Mew from Hunter J before escaping with Lucario and meeting up with Kellyn and Lance and his friends – and finished off by saying that in truth he'd recognized Tobias from his future travels and not from anything else.

"Nope", Ash admitted. "I just know him from other things."

He rolled his shoulders and arms experimentally, trying to relive the achiness he could feel all the way down his back and sides. Tobias's eyebrows rose.

"And he knows you're a time traveler – and was helping you?"

Ash nodded, and then stilled, glancing at Tobias warily. "You believe me? Just like that?"

Tobias leveled him a look.

"It would explain a couple of things."

Ash dropped his hands and made a face. "How? I mean, I didn't know Mew even had the power to do something like this."

"Mew are near impossible to capture or study", Tobias said grimly. "Not much is known about them or their abilities, though not for the lack of trying. People have attempted to – even my… Even Team Enigma has, many times. This is the first time they have one right in their hands."

"Team Enigma… they wanna study it?" Ash asked, grabbing his crossed ankles. He didn't like the sound of that.

"Study, analyze, experiment… Yes, I'd assume they are going to take advantage of it in any way they can."

Tobias paused, his lips twisting unhappily.

Max frowned. "I wonder why Hunters J wants this Mew so badly, if it wasn't for Team Enigma after all…"

"She mentioned her client is in Galar", Ash said. "I guess it could be another organization or something."

"Galar?" Tobias hummed. "I don't know much about what's going on there, but I'm sure there are similar groups around. Mew are high value. Her client could be anyone with enough money and power."

"I just hope Mew is okay", Ash said softly. "After all it's been through, it really doesn't deserve this."

Tobias was quiet for a while before looking up. "There's something I was thinking about."

After Ash nodded, curious, Tobias continued, "My Latias. I left it with Nurse Joy during the attack at the pokemon center since it wasn't fully healed yet. It's still there with Joy and Lance and the rest."

Ash's eyes widened. "So- Do you think it's gonna be able to find you?"

Tobias nodded. "Latias and Latios were my first pokemon. I started taking care of them when I was around your age, Max. Our connections are extremely strong."

"Woah! You already had a legendary when you were my age?" Max exclaimed.

Ash felt awe. He'd seen how much Tobias cared about Latias, but it turned out they went way farther back than he'd thought. "That's awesome! They gotta be on their way then, right? Can you sense where Latias is now?"

Tobias shook his head. "No, my aura isn't… like that. I can only get a feel of it when I'm close to one of my pokemon. But I believe that Latias's will be strong enough to find us."

"Hey, there's something I wanted to ask… is everyone on your team legendary or mythical, Tobias?" Ash asked. "You haven't mentioned anyone else besides Latios, Latias and obviously Darkrai."

Tobias huffed, half amused. "You didn't see any of the others when we battled in your past?"

"No", Ash admitted. "Only Latios and Darkrai. And then you beat me."

Tobias cracked a smile. "Well, I suppose you'll have to wait and see then, if we ever get a chance to have a rematch – and if you've gotten any better by then to be a real challenge."

"Let's have a rematch for sure!" Ash grinned, before yawning widely. He blinked heavily. "Oh man… I'm tired..."

Carefully, he eased down to lay on his back. There was deep exhaustion in every fiber of his being he could no longer ignore. Sore and aching all over, he closed his eyes against the lights.

"Rest up", Tobias said. "You got heavily drugged just hours ago. You can sleep. We'll keep watch."

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Ash woke up to a sharp kick to his ribs.

"Get up", someone ordered, as Ash curled panting onto his side, eyes opening halfway. He felt disoriented and groggy, unable to piece together where he was and what was going on.

"I said, get up!"

Ash was suddenly yanked up by his arm into a sitting position, and his head lolled forward and back before he got it under control. He squinted up at the man that was holding him, his blurry vision slowly clearing up.

"Wha's goin' on?" he slurred, swallowing hard to clear his throat.

"Ash!" Max cried from somewhere close by, and Ash focused on his voice, head turning. "Ash, I know you're sleepy but try to wake up, okay?"

"What's wrong with this kid?" the man holding him grunted, when he unsuccessfully tried to pull Ash onto his feet, only to notice he was completely limp and dropping him down again.

"Tired", Ash mumbled, eyes slipping shut.

"Perhaps the unnecessary amount of drugs you people injected him with earlier", snarled Tobias's voice.

"Ugh", the man scoffed. "What a nuisance."

Ash was then grabbed under his arms and hefted up and over the man's shoulder, and realizing time was running out, he forced his eyes to open. He noticed they were still in the same room as before, but Max and Tobias were tied up against the wall, struggling in vain and glancing worriedly at him.

"It's gonna be fine", he quickly told them.

"Ash", Max said, eyes wide and terrified.

"Be careful", said Tobias, and then Ash was carried off like a sack of potatoes and the door was slammed shut behind them.

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The next time Ash gained full awareness, there were two thing he instantly realized. First, that he was on the back of a moving truck and second, that Lucario was right beside him.

"Lucario!" he exclaimed, before he even got his eyes fully open. "Are you okay?"

He reached out his hand towards the pokemon and it reached out for his, and they clasped their hands together.

I am fine, Lucario assured, and for a moment they just basked in the warmth that flowed between their connected hands. Ash's head was rapidly clearing up, and he felt strength returning to his limbs. He pushed himself up from where he was lying on his side and looked around.

"What's going on?"

The truck was similar as the one they were in before, though smaller. Reinforced walls surrounded them, and there was a thick barrier between them and whoever was driving it. Lucario lowered its head, looking serious.

I am not certain. I apologize.

Ash leaned on his hands. "It's alright. I bet we'll figure it out soon enough."

I think so too. And what happened to Max and Tobias? Lucario asked.

"I got to see them for a moment. They…" Ash paused and frowned, an uneasy feeling spreading in his chest. "They were fine, but I dunno what Hunter J is gonna do if I don't do as she says. You see, I can't let anything happen to Max. He's still just a kid and May would literally kill me if he got hurt."

Lucario was silent for a long time. Ash kept holding its hand, the skin of his palm tingling and warm. Their aura, steady and alive. It was easy to focus on that. To draw strength from it and relax into the feeling, bit by bit. And the truck rattled on, steadily, towards an unknown destination.

Ash was almost startled, when Lucario then spoke again.

I truly am sorry.

Ash turned to look at it, searching its eyes. "Huh? For what?"

If it weren't for me, none of this would have happened to you. You and Max would be safe. It pains me to know that I am the reason all of this happened.

Ash stared at it. There was a hollow pit growing in his stomach. He reached out his other hand and held Lucario's with both of his. He felt unsteady.

"Hey, no, this wasn't your fault", he told it, slowly and carefully. "You didn't ask to be involved in any this stuff. You didn't ask to be kidnapped by Hunter J. It wasn't you fault I grabbed that staff and released you into this world, or that you were sealed in it in the first place. It isn't you fault that there are all kinds of bad people after Mew and other strong pokemon like you. Alright? None of it is your fault."

Lucario looked down, at its hand that Ash was cradling, but its eyes were far away.

Thank you, Ash. It truly means a lot to hear that. But I still am a creature of a different time. This new age is wonderful, but I am out of place here. My existence is always going to be causing trouble for anyone I should meet. I… I do not wish anyone else to suffer because of me ever again.

"Lucario…"

Ash held its hand tighter. It hurt, hearing how Lucario was suffering. In a strange and convoluted way, it reminded him of a Mewtwo he once knew, who had been struggling with its own existence. He wished Lucario knew how much he cared about it, even if he didn't have to words to say all of it.

He missed Pikachu, and May and Brock, and Max. He missed Kukui, and Burnet, and his pokemon back home.

Next to him, Lucario hummed softly, and Ash knew it could tell.

"It's gonna be okay", he murmured. "I'll make sure of it."

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Around an hour later, the truck came to an abrupt stop making Ash's stumble forward, and he crashed face-first into the floor.

"Ow!" he yelped, sitting up and rubbing at his chin. Lucario was on its feet in an instant, stepping slightly between him and the rear doors.

Someone is coming in.

Ash got up to his knees and faced the doorway with anxious anticipation. Maybe he would finally hear what the hell was going on.

As the rear door opened, it was Hunter J who stood there with a smile. Next to him was Pointy-Nose – well, Ash was pretty sure J had mentioned his name earlier, but he couldn't for the life of him remember what it was – smirking at Ash with cruel satisfaction.

"Hey, kiddo", Pointy-Nose taunted. "Funny to see you here."

Ash raised his brow and said, "Wanna get blasted away again?", and watched as Pointy-Noses face flushed red.

"What did you say?" he screamed. "Like you're in any position to say things like-"

"Leave it, Dirk", Hunter J interrupted – oh right, his name was Dirk – and planted her hand on the young man's shoulder. "He's all talk." She considered Ash from under her brow. "That's all he has left."

Ash pinched his mouth shut and let his tense arms drop. The hunter was kinda right. He was effectively caught between a rock and a hard place, and being prickly or stubborn would only put his friends in more danger.

"See?" Hunter J told Dirk smugly. "He can be nice, too."

The snotty laugh Dirk let out made Lucario growl deeply from its chest.

"So… what do you want?" Ash asked plainly.

Hunter J chuckled. "I think I told you this already, Ash. You're going to help us."

"How?"

Hunter J gave him a long look. "Dirk is going to sell you to them."

Ash's eyes widened. "Sell?"

Dirk nodded. "There's always a need for aura users. Strong pokemon like Lucario especially, but I would imagine they will be interested in a human aura user as well. They garner plenty of injured pokemon through their hunting, so a good healer is always needed."

Ash stared at them. "But I dunno how to-"

"It won't matter", Hunter J said in a final way. "I only need you to get inside their stronghold and locate Mew. Once you've done that, you will send us a signal and we'll take care of the rest."

"Take care of the rest…?" Ash echoed, eyes widening.

Hunter J ignored him. "Once you're inside their building, you two will act as though you are just an unassuming, terrified trainer and his precious pokemon. You'll beg them to not hurt your lucario, and you are going to tell them you're ready to do anything to keep it safe. And when you get the chance, you'll look around for the Mew. I'm sure it's an exciting topic of conversation amongst the staff, so keep your ears open as well."

Ash swallowed. It was an insane plan, and he could already see a million different ways it could go wrong. What if they didn't want to take Ash in the first place? What if they would just confine him inside a room somewhere and not let him out to explore or talk with the staff? What if they sold Lucario straight away to another buyer?

Ash made a face. "You really think this is gonna work?" he asked.

"You better make it work", Hunter J stated. "Or little pikachu might soon find out it has a new owner."

Ash got up to his feet so fast his head spun. "Leave Pikachu out of this!" he yelled before his brain caught up with the action. Lucario reached for his arm, but before they could do anything else, Dirk stepped forward and pointed a familiar, megaphone-like device at them – (an aura-emitter, Ash remembered) – and Ash vision went white as his thoughts scattered and pain shot up his spine and through his skull.

He grabbed his temples, knees wobbling under him, and only distantly heard Lucario grunting in pain. After a few seconds, Dirk lowered the device, and Ash staggered in place, blinking hard. Lucario was slumped on the floor, half-unconscious, eyes drooping.

"What-" Ash mumbled.

"It really is fascinating", Hunter J said, and jumped smoothly into the back of the truck. She grabbed Ash's arm, and dragged him along, out of the car. "Dirk, bind the lucario."

Ash struggled weakly against her hold. "Wait", he rasped. "Promise me you won't touch Pikachu, alright?"

Hunter J picked up a metallic ring, and closed it around the middle of Ash body, securing his arms against his torso. The band wasn't that heavy, but right away Ash felt his mind clouding over, and his body getting weak and sluggish.

Dirk took hold of the back of his hoodie, pulling bound Lucario along with his other hand, and pushed Ash forward into the forest path ahead of them. Ash twisted around, and his eyes locked with Hunter J's. She stood there with her hands in her pockets, a relaxed smile playing on her lips.

"I won't", the hunter said, finally answering his question. "If you just get me my Mew."