It had been a month since Ash had gotten started at the school. Things were finally starting to pick up as his workload was starting to get bigger. It was the weekend once again and now he, Chloe, and Kari were all doing homework together. While they were being given a lot they could get it done pretty quickly working together. In fact, they were already almost done just about an hour in.

"Remind me again," Kari started. "Poison and steel are strong to fairy?"

"Yeah," Chloe said. "That's correct."

"I think I got all my work done!" Ash said.

"Same here. I think I should get home now." Kari said. "Let's go Purrloin."

"Yamper! We need to get going!"

The girls went to go home for the day. Ash looked outside and noticed how dark it was getting. He did not recall rain being in the forecast. He hoped they could get home in time. As if someone was listening in on his thoughts it started to poor. He let out a sigh. It was going to be an unpleasant trip home.

Zeraora, who was asleep, just woke up and got off the couch. After stretching a bit he went over to get food. Ash chuckled at his friend, every time he woke up from a nap he would B line it to the kitchen. It was charming in a strange way. He went to go help him when he heard a knock on the door. He answered it to see Chloe and Kari, soaked to the bone.

"Ummm Hello again."

"Hi," Kari said. "Can we stay till this lets up?"

Ash chuckled lightly. "Yeah, sure."

The girls went to the bathroom as he tried to call Mallow to see if she had anything they could wear while their clothes dried. Lilie was at work and never answered her phone while working. He was worried as she seemed to only study and work now. Lana was too small to have anything for them to wear so she couldn't do. Thankfully Mallow answered.

"Helloooooo! Party girl here!" She said. He was pretty sure he could smell the alcohol through the phone.

"Hey Mallow, Kari and Chloe came over for a study session and right when they were heading home it started to storm. They came back and got soaked. Can they borrow something from you?"

"Yeah! Sure! You just stay out of my room while they are in there! Only one guy is allowed in!"

"I got it. Thanks."

She hung up pretty quickly. He could hear her boyfriend saying they were about to bring out shots. According to Lana, she's doing very well in classes so at least her studies are doing well. However, she had started going to parties almost every day. Some were just small get-togethers so not a big deal. But every weekend she would go to the hardcore parties. It was concerning.

"Hey, Mallow said you can get something from her room." He said through the bathroom door.

"Thanks, Ash!" Chloe responded as the door cracked open and a bag with their clothes came out. "We will change while you're out."

Ash took the load and started for the laundry room. Silver members and up got to wash clothes for free so it was not a problem for him. He came in and placed everything in the dryer. After setting everything he started to head back to the room. He hoped it was enough time for them to find something and change.

"Ash! Drying off those girls cloths?"

He looked to see Rita. "Oh! Yeah. I guess you saw them walk in?"

"I did. By the way, they will have to spend the night. Gonna rain all night."

All night? "Is that going to be a problem?"

"Normally it would. I don't like people having overnight guests. But I trust you, you have shown to be trustworthy with the girls. Also, I will not have them walk home in that. There are no buses that stop by where they are staying."

He wondered if she was aware of how often Mallow's boyfriend came over. "Alright then. Guess I can sleep on the floor."

She shook her head. " Lana and Mallow will be out all night. I will text them and let them know they will be sleeping in their beds."

"Good luck with Mallow. I think she's drunk."

Rita let out a sigh. Strangely a sad one. "I will have to talk to her again..."

"Hey Rita, why does she party so much."

Rita looked uncomfortable. "Well, It is not my place to say why but, she doesn't party to have fun."

"Huh?"

"She does it to forget." She turned around. "Have a good night Ash."

Ash did not know what to make of that but decided just to shrug and head upstairs. He opted to stop Annabel and Angie to see how they were doing. After knocking on their door he was met with dead silence. They just have been out as even if they didn't hear anything Eevee and Shinx would have let them know. Would seem aside from Rita no one he knew would be there. He shrugged it off and made his way back to the room.

He walked in to see Chloe, wearing green night clothes, having her hair done by Kari, now with a green nightgown on.

"Rita said you're going to be here all night. Rain won't let up till tomorrow."

"Of course," Chloe remarks. "At least we got all our work done."

Kari sighed. "I had to make a phone call. You got one?"

"Yeah! Right there!"

Kari smiled. "Good! I will be using it later."

The two started to groom their Pokemon. Zeraora mostly took care of himself so he just sat next to Ash. The girls seemed pretty upset to have to stay over for the night. He did not blame them as being forced to stay over someplace else on short notice did not leave one in a good situation. He had to help make the best out of a bad situation.

"So, should I make something to eat?"

"You can cook?" Chloe asked.

"Kinda, I can make some pretty simple stuff."

They both shrugged.

"Sure! Why not?" Kari said.

Ash got up and started making some eggs and bacon. He was amazed to learn that meats were artificial as apparently, no one could tell the difference between them and the real thing. He started scrambling them, he could never get sunny side up quite right. His partner watched him cook enjoying the smell of the bacon. Zeraora was cleared to eat a little meat but not a lot.

"Alright! Everything ready!" He said as he plated the food.

It was not an impressive spread. Just a standard breakfast for dinner. Still, it would get the job done and it smelled pretty good. He set out the food for them and handed Zeraora some bacon. To his credit, everyone seemed happy.

Kari took a bite. "Hmmm.. It's alright. needs to be seasoned some though."

"Yeah. It's kind of plain. Still good though." Chloe agreed.

Ash chuckled and decided to just take the small compliment.

"So Chloe, I never got to ask but what's with Goh?" Ash asked. "You seem to know him well."

Chloe let out a sigh. "I guess you deserve an explanation. Me and Goh used to date. Then one day he saw Mew."

"Wait, Mew?!" Ash exclaimed in surprise.

"Did he really?" Kari asked.

Chloe shrugged. "Maybe, I think he did. But after that all he could think of was Mew. I had to dump him as he spent his time going to areas he felt Mew might show up in and skipping out on dates and get-togethers."

"Huh... So when I got someone as mythical as Mew..."

She nodded. "Yeah. Goh got one glance at it and Zeraora chose you as a trainer."

"It is still very unfair." Kari pointed out. "Zeraora made his choice. The Pokeballs we were handed can only catch things that want to be caught."

Chloe sighed. "Goh's obsession with Mew has become toxic. It's all he thinks of. He almost turned down Scorbunny just because he wanted Mew to be his first Pokemon."

"What was he like before he saw Mew?" Ash asked.

"He still loved Pokemon. Always wanted to catch a ton of them and bond with them all. He would go out and play with the local Pokemon all the time. His passion is what drew me to him. He would also always make time for me and his family. It was like seeing Mew turned a switch. The Goh I knew was gone and he just focused on that one Pokemon."

Ash took in all she said. His animosity to him became very clear now thanks to her story. Though it sounded like Goh still had that passion, it was just all being focused on the wrong thing now. There had to be some way to open up his eyes and get him back on track. He would have to figure it out sometime, Goh really needed help badly.

"But enough about me. You two have anyone?"

Ash shrugged. "Not really. I was talking to a girl named Serena but it never became anything. She lives too far away and letters back and forth didn't do a lot for us."

"I had to break up with my boyfriend," Kari said. "He failed the trainer test three times so he was banned from taking it again. It was clear our lives were going to go in different directions so we decided it was best to break up."

Ash flinched. Must have sucked to flunk out of the test. "That's rough."

"It was kind of a relief to me. While our relationship was not the worst it was pretty bad. Davis has a lot of growing up to do I think."

The three chatted for a while till Kari needed to make her call.

"Want us to leave?" Chloe asked.

"No, feel free to stay." She looked at Zeraora. "I think he might like to see you by the way."

The Pokemon shrugged as she set the TV to phone mode. After dialing they were met with the ringing screen. It took a while till it was finally answered. On the other end was not a man but a woman with long brown hair. Beside her stood a Bellossom with a small cute apron on.

"Kari! Hello!" She said. "Tai will be out shortly he is finishing a shower!"

"Oh hello, Mimi. Thats fine. We can talk also."

"Hello, Chloe. Nice to see you again." Chloe smiled and waved. "Who might you be? Do you have a new boyfriend now Kari?"

Kari blushed. "No, no, not a boyfriend. Just a friend. This is Ash. We need to stay at his place due to a storm."

"I see. Oh! Ash? The Zeraora Ash?"

Zeraora looked over confused. Ash was also a bit confused as well. Then again it was well known in the town so it made sense it got out a bit. He was glad there were a lot of laws in place to keep people from coming in for any reason aside from the opportunity of living and a job or to go to school. Guess the two might have been something of celebrities outside the world. He would have to ask his mom how she has been next time she calls.

"Ah, yeah?" he responded.

"Well, nice to meet you! Kari says a lot of good things about you."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah! Notably how handsome you are."

"MIMI! Come on!" Kari yelled.

She giggled. "Oh! Here comes Tai! Let's go!"

She and her Pokemon walked off. There was a little talking in the background until a boy with brown damp hair came to the screen.

"Hey Kari! How are you doing?" he greeted.

"Hey, big brother! I am doing well. Stuck here for a storm but you know how it goes sometimes."

"Mimi told me." He looked to Ash and Zeraora. "You are the guy I heard about huh?"

"I guess so," Ash responded as Zeraora just looked back at him.

"Hmmm. You know I have seen many trainers as a gym leader. I can say there is something about you."

"Huh?"

"I can't wait to hear more about you." He said with a slight smile. "Hey Kari, can we chat alone for a bit? I have to talk about something private"

Ash and Chloe both stood up without asking and headed outside on the balcony. Kari smiled and thanked them right before they shut the door leaving her to talk alone with her brother. They were alone looking out at the rain, save for Zeraora who followed them out. They were silent for a bit as Ash thought of what to talk about with her. Thankfully she spoke up first.

"Do you really think you can become a Pokemon master?"

"Huh? Yeah, I really do."

"It is a pretty rough path to take. It is easier to be a type master than a Pokemon master and there can only be one type master at a time."

Ash walked up and looked out. "I know it will be a long rough road." He looked at Zeraora who smiled at him and nodded. "But I am certain I can reach that goal."

Chloe nodded. "I see. You seem very sure. I am jealous."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"You know what you want. You are so sure. I still don't know what I want to be."

"You will. Just continue your education and stick with Yamper. I became more sure the longer I spent with Zeraora." He nodded at his friend.

He noticed when he did that Zeraora was staring off into the distance. He seemed, tense, almost like he was ready to pounce.

"He buddy you alright there-!"

They heard a scream pierce through the rain in the direction he was glaring. Ash looked over and got a feeling of dread that someone was in trouble. Without thinking he ran over to the balcony fire escape and kicked the ladder making it slide down and setting off the fire alarm. He quickly slid down as Zeraora vanished in a flash of lightning and went to the ground. The two bolted in the direction the scream came from.

They turned the corner down an alley to see a man dragging an unconscious woman away.

"Stop!" Ash yelled.

The man was startled and dropped her. He was so sure that the storm would be a good time to do his thing. He had even got lucky enough to find a target out in said storm. Then to his misfortune there happened to be someone else out. He would have to handle him.

"You made a really bad choice." He said before sending out a Tinkaton. "Flatten the kid."

"Zeraora, it looked strong," Ash said as he looked at the small pink Pokemon and notably its large metal hammer.

Zeraora shook his head and got ready to fight. Someone was in trouble.

The Pokemon ran forward with its hammer ready. Zeraora bolted forward and used Spark on it. Tinkaton barely reacted to the attack showing it was a very high level. It almost seemed like it laughed at his attempt and lifted the hammer. However, it seized up briefly and sparks shot through it. It had been paralyzed.

"Fight through it! knock out that Zeraora, it will be worth a pretty penny on the black market!"

Ash was a little scared to hear that but he looked at the woman also. He couldn't leave her to whatever fate awaited her. Zeraora also was not about to back down and used his speed to his advantage. The Pokemons hammer was being swung around a lot and he almost got a hit a few times. It was a dangerous game that could end very badly. But soon they heard sirens.

"Shit! Get back here!" he recalled the Pokemon. "You got lucky brat. I will deal with you for this!"

Ash was scared to admit he was right. He and Zeraora had gotten very lucky with that Tinkaton. It could have ended very badly for both of them in a single swing. Still, luck was on their side this time and the police came before a hit could be landed on them. He was glad response times in the city were fast.

The man ran fast down the alleyways till he thought he was safe enough. The storm would make any searches slow and wash away any scents. It was his first night in this city and he had already been caught. He can't believe he did everything right and he still messed up. He was going to make that kid pay for sure.

"That good for nothing brat, I will make him pay!"

"Oh? How so?"

He quickly turned around to see a rather scary-looking man looking him down. He was very large with a bald head. Scares were all over his face indicating he handled a lot of things personally. Right beside him was a man with Parywinkle hair talking on the phone with someone. Last was a Meowth wearing a trench coat.

"The hell you two want?"

"Three! Don't go ignoring me!" The Meowth said alarming him.

The guy put away his phone. "You operating your rather disgusting business on Team Rocket turf."

The guy looked even more scared now. "Wait... This is Team Rocket turf? HERE?"

"Don't look surprised." The meowth responded. "Due to the reputation this place has for being safe we are able to perform administration duties from here."

The man hung up. "Sadly due to your presence, we now need to lay low and put many operations on the back burner. You also got involved with a person of interest in ours."

"Look I'm sorry! I will leave the city! You will never see me again."

The man shook his head. "Cleaner? If the police think they find him dead from an accident they might lighten up faster. Deal with him."

James walked off with Meowth as the man walked up to him.

Ash was sitting in his room with Chloe and Kari. Rita was very angry Ash set off the fire alarm when he used the escape ladder. As was the rest of the tenants to had to go out in the storm. Though everyone got over it pretty fast when context was given. Especially with the woman, who Ash found out the name was Erica, was saved.

"Well Ash, please remember not to set off the alarm next time," Rita said as she walked in.

"I won't next time. Is she okay?"

"The police say she will be fine. She's very lucky you braved the storm and held him up. Had you two not held him up and set off the alarm who knows what would have happened to her."

"I'm glad to hear that."

She nodded. "Go get some rest. I will just pretend you didn't set off the alarm this time. Your very foolish, but very brave."

"She right you know," Chloe said as Rita left. "It was foolish. You are lucky your Zeraora was faster than his Pokemon."

"Still I am glad he saved her," Kari said.

Chloe sighed and shook her head with a smile. "Yeah. I am also. Just, be careful Ash. I don't want you to get hurt. You too Zeraora."

Ash chuckled. "I am a bit tired now after that."

Both girls nodded in agreement.

Chloe and Kari went into the other girl's rooms. Ash and Zeraora both cleaned themselves up and after he changed into his PJs he fell onto his bed. It was an unpleasant night and although he was happy to save a life possibly it was still pretty scary in hindsight. He was a little afraid at first but now that the adrenaline was gone it hit him how much danger he was in. He shook it off and closed his eyes hoping to just get some sleep.

A detective was waiting outside Erika's room at the hospital. Turns out she had a stalker problem in the past so with her in such a delicate state he decided it was best one of the Jennys go in and talk to her. He needed to know if the body they found was indeed the same man who tried to abduct her. As it turned out they found what they believed was him a few blocks away dead. Seems that while running he slipped and hit his head hard against the corner of the dumpster. Though he himself had a few doubts.

Jenny finally walked out. "Her memory is fuzzy as she did not get a great look at him. But she's pretty sure that's him."

"We should get that kid in to ID the body." Another Jenny said walking up.

He let out a sigh. and ran a hand through his black hair. "I will call him in tomorrow to ID the body."

"Well if it's the guy at least he won't hurt anyone ever again." A third Jenny who had come with the second one said.

"I don't know honestly."

"What do you mean Looker?"

This looker walked to a window and looked out it. "You remember the Benson brothers?"

"I do!" The first Jenny said. "A group of three brothers who used bug Pokemon. They would break into people's houses and use them to restrain everyone and rob them of everything they had!"

The second one spoke up. "Their last robbery was here. they robbed one of the richer families and then were found dead the next day apparently overdosing on a mix of drugs."

Looker nodded. "Correct. There is a link between the two. That Ash kid said he had A Pokemon with him. But now it's gone. Same with them, they had their Pokemon gone also."

The third Jenny looked lost in thought. "Right. All their Pokemon had been stolen also. It was waved off as some opportunist got to them."

Looker nodded. "I think it's all too convenient. Someone commits a crime in the safest city in the world and they are dead hours later."

Jenny one looked a bit concerned. "You think someone targeting criminals? Like a vigilante?"

"No," he said. "Not a vigilante."