A New Path

by TheCouchEffect

Ash has finally achieved his dream after so many years. He has become the champion of a Pokemon league. Despite this victory, he feels lost with no sense of direction. Weeks after his victory, he is framed for a crime he didn't commit. Unwilling to accept guilt, he will be drawn into a battle to clear his name and bring Team Rocket to justice before they can become unstoppable.

19. Friends Like These

Wilderness of Hoenn, Five Years ago

Gym Leaders were icons.

It was strange. On the surface, Gym Leaders were simple athletes. They trained their Pokemon to the peak of their species, accepted sponsorships, and put on a good show for those that watched them. This was all they were meant to be.

Yet, in reality, they were so much more. Most Gym Leaders often had other jobs outside of their duties to the League. Some were pilots, chefs, miners, and a variety of other working-class jobs. Meanwhile, others were politicians, businessmen, and celebrities – the pinnacle of success. No matter their differences, however, all of them were highly respected by their communities and the region at large.

To an almost frightening degree.

They were leaders within their communities. Since their rise to prominence, no politician had ever secured power without the political support of their local Gym Leader. The police didn't just consult with them, they often took orders from the League officials. Whenever a crisis occurred, they were the first person the victims turned to for aid.

This hero worship was especially prominent in the younger generations. Kids across the world hung on their every word. Many started journeys hoping to become just like their favorite Gym Leader. In their minds, the words of a Gym Leader were the most trustworthy in the world.

It was an unexpected result, but not a displeasing one for the Pokemon League. With every new fan of their Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and Champions, the more their viewership skyrocketed. Sponsorships flooded in and merchandise flew off the shelves. Short of economic monoliths like the Aether Foundation and Silph Company, the League was the richest business in the world.

The pressure to maintain a good image was immense, but so were the benefits. Every luxury imaginable was at their fingertips. Money, fame, career opportunities; the sky was the limit. Many Gym Leaders were all too happy to live up to expectations and reap the rewards.

However, it wasn't just League officials who had such high hopes placed on them. Their families had just as much, if not more, pressure to succeed. None felt this worse than the children of Gym Leaders. No one wanted to be the failure that tarnished the image of their loving parents, after all.

As May knew all too well.

It was late at night. They were a few days out from Slateport and were camping for the night by the shore of a lake. The water reflected the light of the moon above, creating a mosaic of the night sky no painter could hope to emulate. The only sounds that could be heard was the faint rustling of leaves in the wind.

The others were asleep by now. They'd all settled into their tents after a hearty bowl of Brock's famous stew to rest their aching legs. At least, she and Max had. Unlike Brock and Ash, they just weren't used to walking such long distances over rough terrain. Some days, it felt like her feet were going to fall off. They hurt so bad!

So far, though, that was the only thing she could really complain about. While she had been nervous about starting her journey, it wasn't as daunting as she imagined. Pokemon weren't as scary as she once believed, and hiking through the outdoors was a refreshing change of pace from city life.

The friends she made along the way certainly helped.

Whenever she overcame one hurdle, however, another always cropped up at the worst possible moment.

May let out a tired, kicking her feet back and forth in the lake's water. Her disturbance rippled out, distorting the picturesque beauty of the night sky's reflection. If she had to guess, it was close to midnight. She really should be sleeping… but she just can't.

Not right now.

A set of bushes rustled behind her. When she looked back, she expected to see a Pokemon or maybe just a strong gust of wind. Instead, Ash emerged from the woods, sans his hat and hoodie. He reached up to rub the sleep from his eyes and shook his head, raven hair as unkempt as always.

"May?" He yawned. "Why'd you leave camp?"

She frowned. "I needed some time to think. Why are you here? I thought you were sleeping?"

He shrugged. "I thought I heard something. When I got up to check, I saw your tent was empty." He said. "I got worried, so I thought I'd come find you."

"Sorry for waking you, but I'm fine. You can go back to bed."

Rather than listen to her, Ash took a seat next to her. He visibly shivered when he stuck his own feet in the water. She tried her best to hide her laughter.

Emphasis on tried.

"I don't know how you can just stick your feet in here like it's nothing." He groaned. Despite his discomfort, however, a genuine smile was on his face. "This water feels like it'll freeze my feet off any minute."

May rolled her eyes, nudging him in the side. "You know, if you can't handle a little bit of water, then you might have chosen the wrong region to come to." She teased. "Hoenn's practically more water than land."

"I like water just fine. It's not my fault it hates me." He frowned. "So… what's on your mind? Anything you want to talk about?"

She shook her head, brown hair swaying with every movement. "I'm fine."

"You sure?" He asked. "You've been kind of quiet the last couple of days."

May flinched, and that was as good of a confirmation as any. She'd honestly thought she had hidden her feelings well. She tried to stay active in conversations and smile, but she must not have been as good an actor as she thought.

Just another thing May failed at.

"Come on. You know you can talk to me," Ash said after her silence went on for too long. "We're friends, right?"

She blinked. "Of course we are!"

They hadn't known each other very long, but he'd already done so much for her. Traveling at her side, helping her overcome her fear of Pokemon, even teaching her the fundamentals of being a Trainer. If that didn't make them friends, then she didn't know what would.

"Then trust me." Ash smiled again, bright and reassuring.

May shifted in place. Her hands wrung together while her stomach twisted into knots. She couldn't quite meet Ash's eyes, instead choosing to focus on the lake in front of them. "P-promise you'll keep it a secret?"

She hated that she stumbled over her words.

Ash reached out to pat her on the shoulder. "I promise. Ketchum's honor."

She sighed. Well, here goes nothing. "I'm a failure."

He blinked, speechless. "What? No, you're not!" He practically shouted. "Is this about the contest?"

A bitter laugh escaped her. "Is it that obvious?"

She wasn't surprised he caught on so quickly. Despite her nerves, she'd been so excited to compete in Slateport's contest. Beautifly and her had practiced their routine for days beforehand. It was meant to be her big debut as a Coordinator. The day she took the stage and proudly declared that she was here.

Instead, she'd been utterly humiliated in her first proper battle. More of a prop than an opponent for her rival, Drew. He'd shown her just how wide the gap between an inexperienced rookie and a professional Coordinator was.

"I know it's stupid. It was my first contest, and I'm just some dumb city girl who shouldn't even be a Trainer- "

"That's not true!" Ash harshly cut her off.

May froze, unsure of what to say or do. Nothing she'd said was untrue. So why did he sound so angry? His eyes narrowed and his shoulders hunched as he leaned forward. A strange sort of fire raged behind his eyes.

"Don't say that about yourself!" He told her. "You're a great Trainer! Beautifly and Torchic both adore you."

She smiled uneasily. "I love them too, but it's not about that. If I was better, I could have won. Someone like Drew wouldn't have made so many mistakes."

"Drew's been a Coordinator for a lot longer than you have, May. Of course he's going to be stronger than you." He pointed out. "That doesn't make you a bad Trainer. It just means you need more training."

"Easy for you to say." She muttered, unable to meet his eyes. "You're a natural Pokemon Trainer. I'll bet you won your first Gym battle."

His laughter drew her eyes right back to him. All of a sudden, he seemed nervous. Shifting in place, scratching the back of his head, and unable to look her in the eye. Why?

"Is that what you think?" He said. His cheeks darkened slightly. "May… I was terrible when I first started out. Like so bad, I'm surprised I kept going."

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Crossing her arms, she turned away with a humph. "Not buying it. I know you're trying to make me feel better, but lying isn't gonna do it."

Ash frowned, holding up his hands placatingly. "It's true, though!" He said. "I overslept my first day as a Trainer and almost didn't get a Pokemon. When Pikachu and I first met, all he did was laugh at me, attack me, and make me drag him around by a rope!"

Despite her skepticism, May couldn't help but turn to look at him in surprise. He and Pikachu had really started out that badly? The two of them were so close, though. She'd seen the lengths he'd go just to protect his partner, and vice versa.

Arceus, the first day she met him, he'd refused to leave Pikachu's bedside because of how injured the electric rat was!

"What changed?" May wasn't sure she believed all this, but her curiosity got the better of her.

"You could say we got over ourselves." He admitted. "I did something really stupid and put the two of us in danger. I tried to protect him, even if it meant I got hurt. He must have realized it too, because he stood up to protect us both. Even if running would have been a lot easier."

Her eyes widened. "That's unbelievable."

"Oh, it doesn't end there." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "You know how Brock used to be a Gym leader? Well… let's just say my first battle against him didn't go so well."

"What do you mean?

"Brock's really scary when he wants to be, and I wasn't really prepared for the battle. I just went in thinking I could scream attacks and everything would work out." Ash admitted.

Really? In all the time that she'd known him, May would never have guessed that. Ash always seemed to have some clever strategy up his sleeve when he battled. Even when his opponents forced him on the back foot, he always took it in stride and thought around them. Not to mention that he was almost obsessed with the idea of training.

The idea he'd once tried to brute force his way through battle was insane.

"You must have figured out how to beat him eventually, though." She pointed out.

Ash looked away, hiding his eyes behind his raven hair. "Um… not really. He'll say he didn't, but he kind of gave me my badge out of pity." He said. "I didn't deserve it. Not with how badly I did."

May wasn't used to this side of Ash. He was normally so confident. Nothing ever got him down. It didn't matter how bad the weather and terrain got, or how tough an opponent was. He took everything in stride, greeting challenges like old friends.

Seeing him so hesitant and almost… ashamed surprised her. Something unpleasant coursed through her, but she didn't know what it was. All she knew was that she didn't like to see him like this.

She reached out to place a hand on his shoulder, but stopped. She wasn't really sure what she was supposed to do in this situation. "Come on, Ash. You can't have done that bad." She tried. "Brock wouldn't have given you the badge if he didn't think you deserved it."

"It wasn't just him, though. So many of the Gyms I went to in Kanto, I wound up getting the badge out of either pity or because I helped the Gym Leaders somehow." He said. "Looking back? I didn't deserve my spot in the League."

"But you made it so far!" Max had been eager to tell her about him once they started traveling together. "You'd have gotten the badges either way."

"Maybe." Ash admitted. "I'll never know, though. There's always gonna be a voice in the back of my head asking if I really deserve my badges, or even deserve to be a Trainer."

May couldn't take it anymore.

With narrowed eyes, she jabbed him lightly on the shoulder. "Stop that!"

He winced, gently rubbing the spot she'd hit him. "What was that for?"

"For lying about my friend." She growled. "It doesn't matter what you say about yourself. Whatever you may have been when you started out, you've worked hard to get where you are now! You're a great Trainer, Ash. Better than all the people who come through my dad's Gym combined!"

His cheeks darkened, and he coughed into his hand. "I don't know if I'd say that- "

"Well, too bad." She stuck her tongue cheekily out at him. "I'm doing it for you. So stop doubting yourself."

A soft laugh escaped him. "Alright… as long as you promise to do the same."

She froze. "Eh?"

What was he talking about?

"Stop doubting yourself." Ash patted her on the shoulder. "One loss doesn't mean you're a terrible Trainer, May. It just means you need to keep trying until you get better."

She twiddled her thumbs in front of herself. "It's not so easy for me, Ash." She whispered. "I'm Norman Maple's daughter. I have to be the best. If I'm not, everyone will think I failed my dad."

"Who cares what they think?"

May blinked in confusion. "What?"

"Why does it matter what everyone else thinks?" He repeated. "I've met your mom and dad, May. They're great people. Do you really think they care what everyone else thinks?"

She hesitated for a moment. "N-no… but I don't want to be a burden to them."

"You aren't." He said. "If my mom taught me anything, it's that the people you love are never a burden. So, stop thinking like that. All your parents want is for you to be happy."

She was silent for a long time after that. Seconds turned to minutes as they sat at the edge of the lake. The only sound that broke the silence was the faint rustling of leaves in the wind and their own breathing. No matter how much time passed, though, Ash didn't try to speak or leave. He just sat and waited for her to say what was on her mind.

Eventually, she looked towards the moon in the sky. "I just want to make them proud."

May started her journey to travel and see the world, but that didn't mean it was all she cared about. She wanted her parents to look at her with pride. She wanted them to know that she could do great things all on her own. If she couldn't do that, then what was the point of it all?

"You will. But only if you keep pushing forward." Ash assured her. "You're gonna be a great Coordinator, May. You just have to keep trying. I'll even help you."

Her sapphire eyes met his brown ones in shock. "You will?"

Ash nudged her with his shoulder, snickering. "We're friends, May. Of course I'll help you." He said. "Whether it's training or just to talk, it doesn't matter. Whatever you need, I'm here for you."

A genuine smile grace her face. "Thanks, Ash. You're a good friend." She told him. "I hope you know that I'd do the same for you. If you ever need help, I'll be there. No questions asked."

Mostly, anyway.

"I know." He glanced back towards camp. "You ready to head back and get some sleep?"

Instead of answering, May laid back and rested her head against the soft ground beneath them. She took in the beautiful night sky and simply admire the beauty of the world. It was calming.

"Not yet." She eventually said. "I think I'll stay here for a bit. Stargaze, you know?"

Ash nodded and laid down next to her. "Good idea. Think I'll join you."

"Are you sure? It's going to be rough tomorrow when you wake up."

He laughed. "I'll be fine. Rather spend the time with a friend than waste it sleeping." He said. "So come on. Tell me what stars we're watching, or whatever it is people do when they stargaze."

May laughed. For the first time since she'd lost her first contest, she felt better. Happier. The doubt and disappointment weren't gone, but muted. In time, they would vanish entirely. With Ash's help, she'd become a Trainer her parents could be proud of.

Just another thing she owed him for.

One day, she'd make sure he knew just how much she appreciated it.

---

It had been close to a year since Ash joined Interpol.

Despite his rocky start, Ash had grown much under the watchful eye of the intelligence agencies' teachers. He wasn't just physically stronger; he was smarter and more skilled.

It wasn't that he had been stupid before. Contrary to what people said, Ash was smarter than he let on. He may not have been the best at math or the sciences, but he knew how to handle himself with Pokemon and how to survive in the wilderness for an indefinite period. Ask him to fill out a test or run an experiment, and he'd probably fail it. Let him show off practical skills, though, and he'd surprise anyone who underestimated him.

Training with Interpol had changed that. When he encountered a problem now, he didn't just think of the quickest way to solve it. Often times, straightforward solutions caused more problems than they solved. Now he knew that before he could deal with a problem, he needed to deconstruct it. Sometimes, just ending a threat wasn't nearly as important as how they were stopped.

Looker had been very clear on that.

Of course, his physical skills were nothing to scoff at either. While he'd grown moderately fit from his journey, he was built more for general athletics instead of combat. After close to a year of intense training under Interpol, combined with the experience he'd gained in the field, he could more than hold his own in a fight. Ash was confident he could take on the average criminal and come out the other side relatively unscathed.

He'd wager he could even go up against most Pokemon and come out on top. Anabel had been right. He couldn't always rely on his Pokemon to protect him, so he needed to know how to fend for himself. Still, as good as he was, he still had a long way to go.

As Looker took great pleasure in showing him.

Ash groaned, struggling to his feet. At his side, Anabel was curled up in a ball and clutching her head in pain. Neither of them were sporting bruises of any kind, but both were slick with sweat and sore. While training sessions with Anabel always left him sore, this was something else entirely.

Two towels slapped into their faces.

"Come on, you two. We're not done yet." Looker said. "I've still got more to show you."

Unlike the two of them, Looker was hardly even sweating. In a spare pair of pants and shirtless, he showed off his toned and muscular body. While he had old battle scars littered across his torso and limbs, he wasn't sporting any bruises, either.

Psychic barriers were a hell of a thing.

He was spinning a training dagger in his hand. A simple red marker had replaced the blade — to leave a small mark wherever it struck. Notably, there wasn't a single trace of red on him.

The same couldn't be said for them. Like their mentor and leader, Ash and Anabel had gone shirtless for this training session – except for a sports bra, in Anabel's case. Unlike Looker, the two of them had various red marks across their arms and chest.

Reluctantly, the two of them grabbed their towels and wiped away the marks. Before long, they were clean and unharmed once more. Aside from their pride, but that was the first thing Interpol focused on crushing in training.

"What's the point?" Ash shifted his own training dagger into a reverse grip. "You're just going to beat us again."

Anabel grunted in agreement as she pushed to her feet. "He's right. You're a little out of our league, Looker."

"Exactly." He said. "You two need to learn how to handle someone who outclasses you. You're both good, especially for how young and inexperienced you are."

Ash had a feeling that last bit was aimed at him.

"But you've got a long way to go. In our line of work, it's only a matter of time until you come up against someone you aren't prepared to handle." Looker told them. "Better you learn how to deal with that here, where the worst you'll get is a little pain."

"I wouldn't call your training 'a little' pain, boss…." Anabel trailed off.

"Besides, couldn't we always retreat?" Ash pointed out. "If it's obvious someone's stronger than us, running away is always an option."

The veteran nodded. "It is. But sometimes, retreat isn't an option. One day, you'll face someone you can't escape. At that point, your only option will be to fight. What will you do then?"

Ash and Anabel exchanged uncertain glances.

They'd have to give it their all. Misdirection; traps; anything and everything that would give them an advantage. Whenever Ash encountered a stronger opponent during his journey, he always had the chance to flee. Even up against stronger Gym leaders and rivals, it didn't matter if he lost. He'd always have the chance to bounce back and come back stronger.

Not anymore. In this line of work, a loss wasn't just an injured team and a sense of shame. It meant death and devastation for anyone Ash may have been trying to protect.

Looker rolled his shoulders and assumed a defensive stance. "Enough talk. Come at me." He smirked. "Try to make me work for my win this time."

Jackass.

Ash and Anabel clapped their hands together. In that moment, a Psychic link was created and Battle Coordination took control. It hadn't helped them win yet, but it was still an advantage they couldn't overlook. Every bit helped against Looker.

The duo disengaged. They slowly circled him, positioning themselves so that he couldn't watch one without taking his eyes off the other – Anabel in front and Ash behind. Looker remained on guard but didn't look worried. Overconfidence? A skill gap that wide?

Only time would tell.

Anabel shifted her foot.

Looker sprang into action. In the blink of an eye, he crossed the distance between himself and the purplette. Ash sprinted forward the instant Anabel lashed out with a diagonal slash.

The experienced agent twisted around the attack and slammed his elbow into the side of Anabel's head. Numbed pain flared through the link. Anabel stumbled and spun around, exposing her back to Looker.

Before he could capitalize on the opening, Ash ran in behind him and thrusted his training dagger at Looker's back. His superior spun on a dime and grabbed Ash's wrist, the marker edge inches away from connecting.

A hiss of pain escaped him as Looker roughly twisted his wrist at a painful angle and slammed his foot into Ash's gut. The pain was too much. He dropped the dagger.

In seconds, Anabel recovered and dashed towards them. Rather than let go, Looker tightened his grip on Ash's wrist and swung him around. Ash's partner only just lowered her blade when he collided with her, sending them tumbling along the floor.

It wasn't over yet.

Both of them rolled away from each other and to the side, narrowly avoiding the two training daggers that came down where they had lain. Looker had snatched up Ash's own weapon to use against them. Rolling to their feet, they sprinted towards him again.

The pattern repeated itself for a while. They would come up with a plan through their connection to attack Looker. He would perfectly predict what they were doing and pummel them into the ground with an array of kicks, elbows, and knees. Rinse and repeat.

It seemed like an eternity of pain, but that was normal. Seconds felt like hours once the pain started to flow. It was why endurance was prided more than sheer strength or speed.

Yet each time Looker struck, he refused to use his daggers. Despite the many openings their tired forms offered him, he was still taking it easy on them.

A mutual sense of dread and admiration filled their connection. Neither of them ever wanted to be on the receiving end of Looker's fists when he got serious.

Both of their bodies ached. Their legs rebelled against them and their muscles screamed in protest. Every breath felt more difficult than the last. Getting up from the ground rapidly became a pipe dream the more they had to do it.

They would lose. That was a foregone conclusion.

Neither of them wanted to lose without striking him, however.

Ash dragged himself to his feet with Anabel's help one last time. They charged him together, with Anabel taking the lead.

She swept low, slashing at Looker's legs. When he dodged backwards, Ash leaped over Anabel's shoulder and slammed his foot into Looker's face. The hit sent the older agent stumbling back.

Before he could regain his bearings, Ash pressed his advantage. His leg came up in a roundhouse kick, aiming for Looker's head again. Before it connected, the agent dropped his daggers and caught Ash's foot, tossing him to the ground.

It was a feint.

The second Looker focused on Ash, Anabel moved in. Far from the quiet assault they pictured, her exhausted pants gave it away. Looker barely dodged away from the first blow, backpedaling at the last second.

She didn't give him a moment to breathe. Far from the composed and analytical fighter she normally was, Anabel fought like a madwoman. Wildly slashing her weapon at Looker every chance she got and throwing the occasional kick in where she could.

Looker dodged them all… until finally, lady luck smiled upon them.

One wild strike nicked the aging veteran all the way from his left elbow to his wrist in a jagged, ugly red line.

Everyone stood still for a second, their panting the only thing to shatter the silence.

A hysterical, tired laugh escaped Anabel as she collapsed backwards to the ground. "We… we did it!" She cheered. "We got a hit in!"

Ash shared her sentiment, but he couldn't speak it. His lungs gulped down air so fast that he didn't have the energy in him to agree with her. Instead, he raised a shaky arm into the air and shot her a thumbs up.

Looker chuckled, far from saddened by the strike. "Nice job. You two certainly improve fast."

Anabel grinned. "Watch your back… old man." She panted. "We'll surpass you at this rate. Not a scratch on us this time!"

He quirked an eyebrow. "That right? Why don't you look down?"

Blinking in confusion, Anabel gazed down. While her skin was unblemished by the training weapons, her clothes weren't. A long diagonal streak of red crossed her sports bra from end to end. If a real knife had delivered that blow, her chest would have been cut wide open.

Anabel gaped. "What the-"

Looker rolled his shoulders. "Ash, why don't you turn around as well?"

With immense effort, Ash managed to turn his back towards them without wincing. At that moment, his own mock wounds were on display for everyone to see. Over a dozen long, bright red marks crisscrossed his back. It was like a toddler had taken a crayon to his back and created a piece of art in a fit of rage.

Disappointment flooded through them. Even as their mental link was severed, they knew what the other was thinking.

They had lost the battle so badly that Looker had felt pity and allowed them to keep fighting, even when they had taken deadly wounds. Compared to them, the blow they'd dealt to him might as well have been a love bite from a playful lover.

"You're a monster…." Ash groaned, collapsing next to Anabel.

"How… why is he so strong!?" Anabel mumbled.

Looker chuckled. "Hush. The barriers protected you two from any real damage. Besides, I went easy on you." He turned his back on them. "Take a moment to rest, then hit the showers. You've both still got a long day ahead of you."

Ash and Anabel shared a look.

They were going to feel this tomorrow….

---

"I'm so glad you could make it!"

Max smiled brightly. At his side, his Kirlia waved hello. "You really think I'd miss this, sis?

If May was being honest? She had been a little worried. Things had been a little tense between them ever since their fight months ago. It had been close to two months before they spoke to each other after that. Eventually, she broke first and called him.

Neither of them apologized for what they said, but they didn't expect it. Sometimes, it was better to push an issue aside than keep drudging it up.

May snickered and ruffled his hair. "Not on purpose, but I know how distracted you can get."

The boy scowled and jerked his head back, trying to straighten out his hair. It might even have worked if Kirlia wasn't using her Psychic abilities to keep it unkempt.

"Give me a little credit, May." Her brother grumbled. "I don't forget the important things."

She gave him an unimpressed look. "Max… you forgot my birthday last year because you were too busy chasing rumors about a Salamence in the Petalburg woods."

"Like I said, nothing important."

Her eye twitched. Cheeky brat.

She'd get him back for that.

The two of them walked the streets of Sootopolis City. While normally May could count on being recognized immediately whenever she was in her home region, today was different. With so many people coming for her festival from all over the globe, the streets were packed with tourists.

Even though it wouldn't officially start for another two weeks, people were too excited to wait. Hotels had already been completely booked, outlying motels were filled to the brim, and residents of the city were already making a killing off renting spare rooms to tourists.

By the time it was in full swing, they predicated visitors would be camping on the outskirts of the city in massive groups.

It was a little intimidating knowing that she was responsible for it all. Years as a Coordinator helped May steel her will against that anxiety, however. She'd make sure everything went off without a hitch and entertain the world with what she had planned.

After all, the more people were entertained, the more money they were willing to spend. The more they spent, the more she could donate to people in desperate need of help that wouldn't come otherwise.

And May was nothing if not an entertainer.

May glanced down at her brother. "So, have you decided if you'll participate in the tournament or not?"

Max nodded resolutely. "Yeah. My team and I are gonna give it everything we've got." He said. "We may not win, but we'll show everyone what we're made of."

It was a good thing she'd already gone ahead and gotten him registered then.

"You don't need to put all that pressure on yourself, you know." She told him. "Mom and Dad will be proud no matter how high you place."

"It's not just them I need to make proud."

May hid her flinch well. Barely a twitch of her eyes and a slight hitch in her breath. Unlike last time, however, she didn't rise to the bait. Her hand unconsciously drifted to her heart, and she looked at the sky.

"They will be, Max. They will be."

The two walked in silence for a while after that. Both of them knew who he meant, but neither was willing to bring it up. Not out in public, and not after their last fight had caused them to stop speaking to each other for so long.

An issue never addressed was an issue no more.

If she said that long enough, she might actually start to believe it.

"Why don't we get some food? My treat." She offered. "You must be hungry from your trip here."

He nodded. "Sounds great! I'm dying for some Unovan food right about now." He glanced up at her while they walked through the crowd. "By the way, what are the prizes? If it's not money, what's up for grabs?"

May shrugged. "It depends on how high you place." She explained. "Some people will earn a supply of free Pokemon food and supplements. Others may get a set of rare Pokeballs or capsules. We're saving the best prizes for the top contenders, though."

Max's eyes shined with curiosity. "Like what?"

"Evolution stones; vacation passes; even a couple of rare Pokemon eggs are up for grabs. You name it, we've got it." She grinned. "The winner will get the best prize of them all, though."

"Don't keep us in suspense! What is it?" Max asked. Kirlia shouted agreement with her Trainer.

May opened her mouth to answer, but someone else beat her to it.

"Nothing important. Just personal training with yours truly."

Their eyes were drawn to the side. Standing a few feet away from them were two of the biggest supporters of May's festival. Without them, it wouldn't have had nearly the same pull that it did. One was Joseph Stone, the president of the Devon Corporation and Hoenn's richest philanthropist. At his side was the renowned Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia Gehrman.

Max's eyes widened as a gasp escaped him. "It's- "

May quickly slapped a hand over her brother's mouth to silence him. "Not in public!" She hissed. "I'm sure they don't want to deal with a crowd of pushy fans!"

She certainly didn't. As much as she appreciated her fans and fame, it could be a little much. Sometimes, she just wanted to enjoy a day to herself without worrying about the paparazzi or fans who demanded her full attention.

It was exhausting.

Max sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Sorry…."

Mr. Stone laughed. He strode forward and held out his hand. "Don't worry. It happens." He smiled. "It's good to see you again, Max. You've grown."

Her brother's eyes widened. "You remember me?"

"Of course! In my line of work, it pays to remember names and faces." The billionaire said. "Though it would be hard to forget the son of Norman Maple. You've taken the League by storm, from what I hear."

Max blushed and looked away, only worsened by Kirlia's snickering. He did stand a little taller, however. "It's pretty easy if you know what to do. Guess I'm just that great."

Cynthia rolled her eyes in good humor. "My, my. It's always nice to see young Trainers so confident in themselves."

Max froze. "Um… thank you?"

May and Cynthia shared a smile. Much to her brother's surprise, the two of them pulled each other into a quick hug. She didn't need to see Max's face to know his eyes must have been bugging out of his skull at what he was seeing.

"It's good to see you again, Cynth." May pulled back. "How've you been?"

Cynthia flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Same as always, May. It's nice to be back in civilization after so long."

"What? No creature comforts while you're exploring ruins?" She teased.

"Not unless you count canned and rehydrated food." The Sinnoh Champion groaned. "Spear Pillar is an archeologist's dream for study, but what I wouldn't give for a hot shower every now and then. The dirt seeps into your soul after a while."

May chuckled. "You love it. All you need is a nice fedora and a whip. Then you'll really be living out every kid's fantasy."

Cynthia tapped her chin with a hum. "I do know how to use a whip…."

"Hold on!" Max's shout drew their attention to him. "May, when were you going to tell me you knew Cynthia!?"

She blinked. "Never? Why does it matter?"

"Why does-" He choked. "She's only one of the strongest Champions in the world! They call her Platinum Doom of Sinnoh!"

Cynthia blushed brightly, groaning into her hand. "Please don't call me that."

"They say she's on track to finally dethroning Leon! And he's been called unbeatable for years!" Max growled. "How could you think I wouldn't want to know about this!? How did you two even meet, anyway?"

"Would you believe me if I said it was over ice cream?" May asked.

The look she received was the flattest she'd ever seen. "Ice cream? You expect me to believe you just bumped into and befriended Cynthia over ice cream ?"

Kirlia facepalmed. Off to the side, Mr. Stone was chuckling to himself.

May and Cynthia exchanged a brief glance. "It was… a little more than that. They were Castelia Cones!"

Max's eye twitched. "What does that have to do with anything?"

May sheepishly twiddled with her thumbs. "We may have almost gotten into a fight over them."

"… you're joking. This is a joke, right?"

Cynthia cleared. "In our defense, there weren't many left. Your sister put up a good fight, nonetheless. Better than most League winners I've faced."

May mock glared at her blond friend. "You say that like you won. I seem to recall it being a draw, Cynth."

The Champion hid her grin behind her hand. "You must have forgotten how much Garchomp dominated the fight."

"Sure didn't forget Blaziken tossing that overgrown shark through the air, that's for sure."

"It must have slipped my mind."

"Funny. I hear age can do that to you."

Cynthia winced. "Too far."

May frowned, patting her shoulder. "I'll get you a cone to make up for it. I convinced some of their sellers to set up shop in town for the festival… and get the two of us premium discounts!"

Cynthia looked on the verge of tears. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me…."

"I… I am so confused." Max mumbled.

May rolled her eyes. "Long story short, we had fun battling each other, and talked afterwards. After that? We kept in touch. If I ever heard about an interesting new ruin, I'd send her the details."

"And whenever I'd find a new technique that may work in a Contest, I'd let her know."

It was strange. May had never expected to become friends with a woman so much older than her, but Cynthia was surprisingly down to earth. She could talk about anything and hold your interest the entire time. Despite her intimidating presence, there was no one more open or easy to talk to.

May truly valued their friendship.

"How have I never heard of this?" Max asked. "You'd think Sinnoh's Champion battling Hoenn's top Coordinator would make the news."

"I believe I can answer that." Mr. Stone said. "Am I correct in assuming the two of you wore disguises at the time?"

They both nodded.

"There you have it, young Max." Mr. Stone declared. "Trust me, my boy. You'd be surprised how effective a simple wardrobe and hairstyle change can be."

It was a lesson May had to learn quickly once she became famous. Unless she was careful, she always risked getting recognized in public at the worst times. Some regions were easier to hide in than others, of course. Kalos and Johto weren't nearly as bad as Kanto or, heaven forbid, Hoenn, for instance.

"I guess that makes sense." Max glanced up at Cynthia. "So, if I win, I'll become your apprentice?"

"For a few months, yes," Cynthia clarified. "I can't dedicate all my time to training and traveling with someone, but I can take a few months off to help someone improve themselves. It may not seem like much, but a few months under a Champion's eye can be worth more than years with a normal teacher."

"It could only be for a day, and it'd still be worth it!" Max pumped his fist in the air. "Kirlia, you and I are going to win this! We better get training now so-"

With a resigned sigh, May grabbed Max by the ear and lightly tugged him towards her. "What did I say about drawing attention to us?" She asked.

"Not to." He groaned. Kirlia didn't bother to hide her laughter at Max's predicament, much to his chagrin, and the amusement of the surrounding adults.

"That's right. You still have a week until the tournament starts. No need to dive into training yet," May told him. "Besides, you and I have food to get, remember?"

He pouted. "Fine. I guess I can wait until we've eaten."

Satisfied, May let go of his ear. "Glad to hear it." She smiled at her two backers. "It was nice to see you two, but we really should get going. I hope you guys can enjoy the festival – you helped make it a reality, after all."

Cynthia beamed. "Don't mention it. I'm always happy to help a good cause – especially when it's offering good food as well."

Mr. Stone nodded. "Indeed. This festival will be the center of great things, May. I can assure you of that. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

---

Anabel stalked through an empty field. There were no trees or greenery of any kind, shrouded in a thick, colorless fog. It was impossible for her to see her feet or see more than a few feet ahead of her. Yet she knew exactly where she was going the entire time.

Rather than a subtle pull guiding her forward, it was a sense of increasing resistance with every step she took. The fog grew thicker and more noxious. Every step became harder than the last. A dim ringing in her ears slowly grew louder the further she went.

The worse these feelings became, the more certain she was she was walking in the right direction.

Eventually, she stopped altogether and spread her arms wide. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Anabel stood there amid the fog longer than she cared to track. It almost seemed like she had given up entirely. Then the fog was dragged away by some invisible force to reveal a towering fortress that loomed over the horizon.

Or at least, that's what it should have been.

While the foundation was there, the architecture itself was lacking. Every wall was either cracked or filled with gaping holes large enough for a vehicle to drive through. The towers looked ready to collapse at the slightest breeze. Even the intimidating artillery on and behind the walls looked rusted and broken.

It was a pathetic excuse for a fortress.

Anabel strode forward. One catapult on the walls hurled a boulder the size of a house towards her, but shattered soon after. Rather than panic or try to dodge out of the way, she looked up. Her eyes flashed purple with power. In an instant, the boulder halted in the air and broke apart. With a casual flick of her wrist, she sent them hurtling back.

What little remained of the fortress's defenses crumbled. Her impromptu weapons smashed the walls, tore down the towers, and devastated what few other weapons still stood. By the time she reached it, nothing stood in her way.

Climbing over the rubble would have taken her hours. Fortunately for her, that was unnecessary. Her mind flared with power, picking up the rubble with ease and chucking it out of the way.

In the center of the ruined fortress courtyard was a single red door. Completely separated from the architecture around them and undamaged by her assault, it should have been an impossibility.

Foreign emotions flared as she approached it. Fear; desperation; even faint traces of anger. They swirled around her with such intensity that a lesser Psychic would have stopped in their tracks, overwhelmed by the emotions on display.

Anabel clamped down with an iron fist and suppressed them.

Reaching out, she grasped the door by its handle and pushed it open….

Only to awaken back in one of the many lounges at Interpol's Sinnoh HQ. It was cozy enough with plenty of couches, TV's, and even a pool table in the corner. The perfect place for agents to rest and relax after a long day of work.

This late in the day, the lounge was all but empty. Only the two of them, Pikachu, and Latias were here.

Anabel pulled her hands back from Ash's temple. While Anabel felt and looked fine, Ash was different. His eyes were bloodshot, a mad sweat had broken out on his face, and he was clutching his skull. She could only imagine how bad the headache must have been.

"You feeling alright?" She asked.

They hadn't been going for very long. While it may have felt like hours for the two of them, it had only been a few seconds since they began. Even for experienced Psychics, enduring a mental assault was taxing. The average civilian just wasn't equipped to handle it.

"I'm fine." He mumbled. "I just need a glass of water or something."

Latias perked up. As was often the case nowadays, the draconic Legend was wearing her Human form today. Even though she wasn't technically an agent, no one saw any reason to stop her from moving freely throughout the base. Or wearing their typical trench coats and suits.

She levitated a cup of water towards Ash. "Here. Take small sips."

He nodded. "Thanks." Once he'd grabbed it and taken a moment to drink, he sighed. "I'm still terrible at this."

Anabel smiled reassuringly, patting him on the leg. "You're doing fine. Everyone has trouble with this – even Psychics." She assured him. "Practice makes perfect."

It was the defining trait of Interpol's agents. No matter how strong or skilled their recruits were, everyone had weaknesses. No one was perfect at everything. Any delusions like that were swiftly beaten out of them early on. An arrogant agent inevitably became a dead or captured agent, after all.

In their eyes, it didn't matter who they were before joining them. It didn't matter what they were good or bad at. With enough dedication, the laziest man in the world could be turned into a deadly agent. No matter who they were, no agent could claim to be lacking once they left training to work in the field.

Ash's case may have been a bit different on account of his situation. Training in the field or under the teams close supervision made things difficult, but they were managing. More than managing, if Ash's rapid progress was anything to go by.

"I just wish I was making more progress." Ash said. "It's been months, and I still can't resist you."

Pikachu frowned from his place in Latias' lap. "Come on, Ash. Give yourself a break. It ain't like you don't have other things to worry about."

The electric rat was right. They'd only started training Ash on how to mentally defend himself once they left Alola. With his inclusion in their missions by default, they'd had to focus his training on physical skills as a matter of survival. First aid, martial arts, marksmanship, manipulation and deception; practical skills to help him survive a brush with the common criminal and their Pokemon.

Everything else had to take a back seat.

Now that he had finally reached the point that he could reliably handle himself in a fight, however, they needed to address his other shortcomings. Namely, his vulnerability to Psychic assaults.

It wasn't his fault, of course. Most people were helpless against Psychics by virtue of the fact they didn't need to defend their thoughts most of the time. In her experience, there were only two types of people who could naturally defend themselves from mental attacks.

The first were those with an exceptionally powerful will. Not necessarily stubborn, but those who could see things through to the end and push themselves forward, no matter the adversity they faced. Their minds were naturally difficult to penetrate and concentrated effort to pierce. It was akin to assaulting a fortress – the stronger the will, the more difficult to conquer.

The second were criminals. Conmen, thieves, murderers; they were all the same. Used to hiding their true selves from society and, at times, even themselves. Their minds were naturally shrouded in a thick fog that made it difficult to find even their surface-level thoughts, let alone anything deeper. The more intelligent the criminal, the harder it was to pierce the fog.

Interpol prioritized both. If they could shroud a strong mind in an endless fog, their agents would be all but impossible for a Psychic to break. It wasn't difficult to get most agents to that point with enough training, either. Their line of work required a strong will to survive.

Combined with their need to hide their true selves and become other people to do their job? It was only a matter of time before every agent could reliably defend themselves from a mental attack.

Anabel leaned back. "Why don't we take a short break?" She offered. "We can pick this back up once your headache goes away."

Ash smiled. "Thanks, Anabel. I appreciate it."

Pikachu perked up, ears twitching. "I'm surprised you're still helping him with this," He said. "Couldn't Latias take over for you?"

The redheaded dragon in question shook her head. "I doubt it. I don't know anything about building mental defenses. All I'd end up doing it hurting him for no reason if I poked around in there."

"She could do worse than that." Anabel said. "With her strength? If she wasn't careful, she could turn Ash into a vegetable."

The agent in question paled. "That can happen?"

Anabel frowned. "Of course. Think of your brain like a china shop. It may look fine at first glance, but it's extremely fragile. One wrong move, and everything will shatter. Suddenly, you can't see, or every nerve in your body flares up like it's on fire, or you're left trapped in a body that won't obey you."

The three audibly gulped.

"Remind me never to get on a Psychics bad side…." Pikachu mumbled.

Good advice for anyone. Few truly understood the power of Psychics outside of their flashy powers in battle. Telekinesis may have seemed impressive, but their true strength came from their ability to tap into the mind of their opponent. Read their every thought, influence their actions, or shut them down entirely.

It was a terrifying power that few Humans in the world were blessed with. At their strongest, even Pokemon were inferior to them. Interpol taught any Psychic children under their care the proper control for precisely that reason. An uncontrolled Psychic was a danger to themselves and everyone around them.

Many children hurt their loved ones because they couldn't control their awakened powers.

"We're not invincible." Anabel told them. "We can fail just like anyone else. It's why we focus on training our agents to have strong defenses."

Latias raised her hand like a child in class. "What happens if they meet a Psychic like you or me, though? Those defenses don't seem to be doing great at stopping you."

She smiled. "As flattering as it is to be lumped in with a Legend, I'm far from on your level." Or any powerful Human Psychic, for that matter. "I'm pretty average as far as Psychics go. Maybe worse, considering I can't use telekinesis."

The Legend frowned. "Don't sell yourself short. You're a lot more skilled with your powers than I am."

There was a big difference between being strong and being skilled. One let someone stand up to any threat without worry, while the other required them to specialize. One would constantly improve themselves, while the other would quickly learn the limits of their strength.

No point in saying that, however. The three of them would jump down Anabel's throat with reasons why she shouldn't doubt herself or how useful her powers really were.

They were good friends.

She cleared her throat. "Anyway, if you meet a strong Psychic, retreat is always an option."

Honor was one of the first things Interpol destroyed in the minds of their agents. Those who ran away lived to fight another day, this time better prepared for the danger they faced. Only morons charged headfirst into death over stupid pride.

"Beyond that? It's just a matter of hitting them with something they can't predict." Anabel told them. "Explosives, sneak attacks, and anything else like that. If you can overwhelm them or hit them when their defenses are down, then they won't be a problem."

Pikachu raised his paw. "What about Dark types? Couldn't we just bring one to deal with them?"

"You'd think so, but it's not that simple." Anabel responded. "Any Psychic worth their salt will be prepared to deal with them. Dark types may be immune to mental attacks, but they still bleed. Bullets, blades, and debris hurtling at high speeds hurt them just as much as anything else."

Not to mention Psychics had ways of working around that immunity. Miracle Eye was a move all Interpol Psychic types were required to learn, and their Human counterparts had workshopped their own version of it.

The days of a single Mightyena sending a powerful Psychic running were over.

Ash scratched the back of his head. "I guess that makes sense. Hopefully, I never have to use these lessons."

Latias frowned. "Don't count on it, Ash. Rocket's got a lot of money and power. It wouldn't surprise me if they've got an army of Psychics under their thumb."

Anabel smiled reassuringly. "It's just a precaution, Ash. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

No one wanted a repeat of Viridian City, after all.

He sighed. "I'll keep that in mind." He glanced up at her. "Still, thanks for being the one to help train me. I know you must have stuff you'd rather be doing."

"Don't worry. It's no trouble to help a friend." She said. "I know you'd do the same for me."

"Of course!" He instantly replied. "Still… I've never seen you do something for yourself. You're either training, working, or sleeping."

She looked away in uncertainty and crossed her arms. "What are you trying to say?"

"That you're married to your work to an obsessive degree and need to pull the stick out of your ass?" Pikachu offered.

Latias promptly slammed her fist on the offending rat's head. "Why are you like this!?"

"I'm sorry!" He whined, clutching his skull. "I'm just so used to being able to say what I want without Humans understanding me!"

"You've worked with Anabel for close to a year!" Latias growled. "I swear, you're almost as dense as Ash sometimes."

"Don't bring me into this." Their trainer whined.

Despite it all, Anabel laughed. "It's fine. He's not exactly wrong." She admitted. "I just want to be the best agent I can. If I'm not working towards that, then what's the point of even being here?"

"There must be something you do to relax, though." Ash said. "What is it? Maybe once we're done here, all of us can give it a try."

Anabel shifted uncertainly. If they really wanted to know…. "I enjoy monster movies." She said. "The bigger the kaiju, the better."

Latias blinked, tilting her head aside. "Really?"

"It's a guilty pleasure." She admitted. "They were some of the first movies I ever saw. There's just nothing better than watching a giant monster destroy a city or fight another monster on the big screen. They've only gotten better over the years."

Her obsession with them had run deep as a kid. She vividly remembered dressing up as one for a holiday multiple years in a row and pretending the candy she ate was tiny people. Messed up? Yes. Embarrassing? Absolutely. But they were fond memories, so she didn't mind.

Now if only she could find the pictures her family had taken and burned them to hide the evidence.

"We should set up a movie night, then. Just the four of us and the rest of our Pokemon." Ash told her. "I think it'd be fun to watch them together."

"Alright, if you say so. We'll give it a go soon." Anabel rolled her shoulders. "Don't think I'm letting you skip training, though. Ready to continue, or do you need another few minutes?"

"I'm always ready, Anabel. Hit me with your worst."

---

Looker had dealt with trauma in the past.

If the Great War had taught Humanity anything, it was how fragile their minds truly were. Humans were at their best when they worked together. They just weren't built for violence. The brutal attrition of trench warfare; the ever-present terror of urban warfare; shifting battles for dominance over the seas and skies.

No one walked away from war in one piece. Even those with no physical wounds lost parts of themselves in the conflict. Looker had seen many good men and women unable to cope with what they'd seen and done.

Once the war was over, soldiers across the world did their best to move on. Return to their normal lives as best they could. Many of them sought help for their trauma in one way or another. Friends and family, therapy, other veterans.

Those that didn't… he pitied them.

It was a lesson Interpol knew well. Their agents protected the peace and stability of their world. Gray morality and an 'ends justify the means' approach may have been effective, but it wreaked havoc on the mind. Coupled with the horrors they witnessed their enemies commit on a daily basis?

Therapy was all but mandatory. Any time an agent went through something traumatic, they weren't allowed back in the field until a therapist cleared them. It could be years before some agents were cleared to continue working.

Some never came back to work. Either of their own free will, or because they'd be more of a danger than an asset in the field.

Looker had nearly left himself, once upon a time. One particularly deadly encounter with a Cresselia. Many wished they could stay within their dreams forever. Few ever realized how quickly a pleasant dream could turn into an unending nightmare.

He was lucky to have escaped. His team hadn't been as fortunate.

Their comatose bodies were still in Interpol's hands. Patiently waiting in the vain hope they either freed themselves or their scientists devised a new way to wake them.

It had been a full year before he was cleared by a therapist, and another two before he felt ready himself.

So, it was with no judgement at all that he'd sent Ash off to one of Interpol's many trusted shrinks once they left Alola. All these months later, and he was told the boy was making good progress. Enough that he might even be cleared for active duty once again.

Looker couldn't leave that to chance.

He leaned back in a chair in his office, pouring a bottle of scotch into his fifth cup of coffee today. Without taking his eyes off the monitor in front of him, he pressed play and let the recording play out.

Technically, he wasn't meant to have access to this. Doctor-patient confidentiality and all that. Any doctor who didn't expect a group of spies to steal them, however, was either deluding themselves or not fit for their job.

"How are you feeling today, Ash?"

"Fine… a little sore, but that's pretty normal nowadays."

"Heh. I'll bet. I hear Looker is quite the taskmaster."

Looker rolled his eyes. Even if he couldn't see them, he could practically hear their grins. He was precisely as harsh as he needed to be in Ash's training. That didn't make him a taskmaster.

"He's not so bad. I know he's just doing what he thinks is best. Anabel is the one I'm worried about."

"Oh? Trouble in paradise?"

"Nothing like that. She's great, just… a lot to handle."

"How so? Aren't the two of you partners?"

"We are. She's taught me a lot and looked out for me ever since I joined. Sometimes, though, I think she overestimates me."

"Really? From what you've told me, your skills have been improving rapidly."

"No amount of training could prepare me for Anabel."

Looker snorted. Oh, he doubted she'd appreciate hearing that.

A chair creaked. "She's just so… so… flexible."

"Come again?"

"Every time I think I've got her on the ropes, she just finds some new way to bend her body and throw me for a loop.

"I see…."

"Oh, and every time I manage to impress her, she decides to 'take me seriously'." Ash quietly laughed. "More like she has an excuse to go even harder on me. It seems like every fight I end up pinned beneath her and sore somehow."

"I really don't need to hear this-"

"And those legs! You wouldn't believe the things she can do with them!"

"We… we were meant to be talking about your combat training."

"I am. What did you think I was talking about?"

Looker let out a long, tired sigh and stared at the far wall. He sympathized with the poor therapist. He could only imagine the sheer whiplash they endured. It was only a small fraction of what he put up with every day.

The therapist audibly cleared their throat. "Right… moving on. How have your exercises been going, Ash? Have they helped you at all?"

There was a long pause as the two sat in silence.

"I think so?" Ash said. "It's hard to say. I'm not exactly normal, doc."

"We've been over this. Normal is- "

"A lie. Yeah, I know. But this isn't about how I talk or walk or what I do to relax." A tired sigh escaped the young agent. "I killed people."

Looker's grip tightened around his mug.

"Every agent kills, Ash. It's part of the job. That doesn't make you a monster."

"I shot men who weren't a threat to me. I mangled some corpses so bad they're unrecognizable. Arceus' sake, I bit out a man's throat!" He let out a shuddering breath. "And I feel… nothing. Not one ounce of fucking guilt. If that doesn't make me a monster, then I don't know what does.

"That's not necessarily true, though, is it?"

"What?"

"You told me what you were like after the raid. The crying, the disgust, the intense anger towards Skull. This doesn't sound like nothing."

"It's not guilt, though. Not with them, and not with what happened to Gozu."

"I believe I can explain that, Ash, if you're willing to listen?"

He must have nodded, for the therapist continued after a moment.

"During the Rangers unfortunate raid on Rocket's warehouse, you tried to escape. A wise choice, considering the circumstances. But something stopped you before you got out. What was it?"

"We've been over this. The Grunts I killed-"

"The Ranger you saved. The one who would be dead if it weren't for you." His therapist corrected. "Her name is Luana Glennan. Partner Pokemon Buneary, and a recent graduate of Almia's famous Ranger School. Apparently, her team were in Alola celebrating a recent victory."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Luana would be dead if it weren't for you. A good person killed at the hands of men who would later terrorize Aether." They said. "Remind me, what was Team Rocket after in Aether?"

"Ultra Space. Everything Aether knew about it. And they were willing to kill to get it."

"And your team was caught in the middle of it. If it weren't for you, Team Rocket would have stolen the data. More importantly, they would have killed everyone on the island."

"So what?"

"I've read the reports, Ash. At least the parts not covered in black ink. You played a major role in this operation."

"I was a stupid kid in over his head."

"An agent doing his duty and protecting the helpless." The therapist corrected. "That's the connecting thread here, Ash. The only times you've killed have been to protect yourself and others. You're not a murderer."

"It doesn't matter."

"Doesn't it? Are you saying the people you saved don't matter? That their lives are worth less than those you've killed?"

"No! No, I'd never say that!" Ash growled. "It doesn't matter how much of a monster it makes me. If it meant protecting them, I'd do it all again without changing a thing!"

"That's my point, Ash. The reason you don't feel guilty is that you don't regret saving those people. You don't regret surviving and punishing the bad guys. With adrenaline coursing through you and everything at stake, you made the tough call. Like any good agent would."

"But… but what about everything that came after?"

"That's simple. Think about what you just told me."

Silence.

"I'm more disgusted that I don't feel anything than at what I did." Ash slowly said.

"Exactly. But you're not a monster, Ash. You value Human life so much that even the thought you didn't made you sick. Let me ask you this: Would you kill again?"

"… yes."

"Why?"

"To protect others."

"Would you do it for pleasure? Anger? Boredom?"

"No!"

"Would you kill innocent people?"

"I'd rather die!"

"Those don't sound like the words of a monster to me." The therapist said. "Keep practicing those exercises, Ash. They'll help. And if you ever need to talk about this, I'm here for you. Remember, these sessions are strictly between you and me."

"I'll try, doc. I just… I need more time."

"Take all the time you need. All that matters is your recovery."

Looker paused the recording there and set his mug on the desk.

This recording was from two months ago. He'd listened to all the ones that came before it, and planned on listening to every one that came after. He'd certainly heard and seen an improvement in Ash over that time. The therapist had too.

They were going to clear him for active duty.

Looker was simultaneously relieved and apprehensive. On the one hand, having Ash on hand in the field could only be an asset at this point, and not just because of Latias anymore. And yet, it would mean putting him back in harm's way. Risking all the progress Ash had made to recover, if anything catastrophic happened again.

It was a risk every agent was prepared to make. Ash would be no different.

Looker wished there was another way.

He heaved a sigh and took a sip of his coffee. There were still so many recordings. If he was going to get through them all, he'd need to pull an all nighter. He wouldn't be able to rest easy until he heard with his own ears that Ash was alright.

It was his duty as a leader to look after his team.

---

"Thank you all for coming. I hope you all slept well."

Petrovic let out a tired groan, nursing a cup of chamomile tea. "Go to hell."

Their leader smirked. "Go to hell…?"

"Fuck you. I ain't calling ya sir."

Ash and Anabel exchanged an amused look. No matter how much time passed, they could always count on Looker and Petrovic to despise each other. It was as if it physically pained them to not insult or act petty towards each other.

Anabel wasn't subtle about her support for Looker in this little rivalry, but Ash didn't take any sides in this. While Petrovic may have been… abrasive, rude, and exceptionally violent, he wasn't a bad person. Ash felt confident saying that if it weren't for Petrovic, he'd be dead by now.

That didn't mean he was gonna root against Looker, though. That would be a fools bet.

Ash Ketchum was no fool.

Latias cleared her throat, scratching Pikachu behind the ears. "Why did you call us here, Looker?" She asked. "It can't just be to torment Petrovic."

He grinned. "Well, as much as I enjoy that-"

Petrovic flipped them all off without even looking up from his drink.

"-you're right. I called you here for a reason. A mission briefing, as you've all probably guessed."

Ash blinked. "Even me? You mean I've been cleared to go back in the field?"

A frown split Looker's face. "For now. I'll still be keeping a close eye on you, just to be safe." He said. "It's lucky for us, anyhow. You and Latias will be vital to our mission."

Ash and the Legend shared a look. He could understand Latias' importance. She was a Legend with the ability to shapeshift, read minds, and fight with unrivaled power. But him? He was still just a mediocre agent. What use could he have?

"What's the mission?" Anabel asked.

"Before that, I have a present for you all from the RND department."

Each of them perked up. Looker slid three bracelets across the table. They were thick, chrome pieces of tech, with a haptic touch screen that didn't weigh as much as they looked. Ash slid his securely onto his wrist and held it up in the air.

It wasn't too different from a Poketch.

"What is it?" Anabel asked. "It can't just be a fancy watch."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. It can tell time, access the internet, make calls, and do plenty of other things a Poketch can." Looker smiled. "It's also capable of accessing Interpol's database."

Petrovic whistled. "I can see why that'd be useful. All that information at our fingertips whenever we need it?"

"Surprised you can appreciate anything that doesn't go boom or kill someone." Anabel sniped.

The murder hobo grinned. "Information can do all that and more in the right hands, brat."

Ash glanced down at the Poketch with a frown. "Why would the RND department make a new watch, though?" He asked. "Wouldn't it have been easier to just modify existing ones?"

"An excellent point. I'm sure they would have if it weren't for one minor detail." Looker cupped his hands in front of him. "It can also access Interpol's Pokemon storage remotely, allowing you to swap members of your team to suit the changing needs of your missions."

The room sat in stunned silence. A mobile link to a Pokemon storage should have been impossible. There was a reason that only Pokemon centers, government property, and official League buildings had functional storages.

They were the only ones who could afford the immense power requirements.

Somehow, Interpol had outdone everyone. The edge this would give them couldn't be overstated.

"How is this possible?" Anabel asked.

"The science is beyond me, so don't expect much. If you want the technical explanation, you'll have to ask the scientists." Looker said. "All I know is it involves microchips, tiny reactors, and something about quantum entanglement?"

Ash understood absolutely none of that. He had a feeling that even if he asked a scientist, no amount of dumbing down would help him. He'd just have to count his blessings and be thankful he worked for Interpol now.

"So, all we have to do is find a Pokemon we need in the database and one will be sent to us?" He asked.

Looker nodded. "Basically. Interpol has a wide variety of Pokemon with many abilities at our disposal. They're trained to follow any agents' orders, and they're stronger than the average Trainers monsters as well. They'll be an asset."

He could imagine. The sheer flexibility this gave them would more than make up for any lack of diversity on his team. With all of his Pokemon still stuck at Professor Oak's lab, this was just the solution he needed.

"Hope command gave them a pay raise for this," Anabel said. "The League and criminals like Rocket would kill to get their hands on this."

Petrovic snorted. "Good luck to 'em. Interpol guards secrets more fervently than a hyper religious fanatic guards his daughters chastity." He said. "Lot better at it, too."

Looker rolled eyes. "You'll have plenty of time to mess around with them later. For now, let me brief you on our next mission." He said. "How much do you all know about the upcoming Falling Star Festival?"

"It's a festival in Hoenn, right?" He asked. "I heard a little bit about it, but not much."

After a similar set of vague responses from the others, Looker flicked on the monitor in the back of the room. A familiar giant crater situated on the edge of the ocean appeared on screen, with various ships coming and going from a bustling port. The city itself had been built on and around the entirety of the crater.

Sootopolis City. Ash still remembered his Gym battle against Juan all these years later. The man blended the strengths of a Gym Leader with the style of a Coordinator. He was unquestionably the strongest Gym Leader in Hoenn. That single battle had taught him more than all his time spent journeying through Kanto put together.

"The Falling Star Festival is an international event meant to raise funds for and spread awareness about people in need. Refugees, cancer and domestic abuse survivors, Pokemon conservationists, the homeless."

"So, any kind of good cause most people want to support, but usually only offer thoughts and prayers." Petrovic snorted. "What bleeding heart thought this up?"

Looker cast a look in Ash's direction. "May Maple. The Princess of Hoenn, or so the media calls her."

Ash froze. Even as five pairs of eyes zoned in on him, he didn't pay them any mind. All he was focused on was the picture of May that had been brought up on the screen.

It must have been a recent one since he didn't recognize it. She stood on stage with her Glaceon at her side, holding up a trophy in her hands. Her hair stuck out at odd ends and she was drenched in sweat, but there was no denying the victorious smile on her face.

She had been doing well for herself.

An unpleasant feeling twisted his gut.

Pikachu hopped over to Ash's shoulder, nudging him with his tail. "You alright, bud?"

"I'm fine." Ash tore his eyes away from the screen. "Just surprised is all."

None of them looked like they believed him. Least of all Latias and Anabel, since they could feel his emotions. What else could he say, though?

After a moment of silence, Looker continued. "The festival is attracting attention from all over the world. Over two million people have already booked tickets and plan to attend. Some of the most influential companies in the world are sponsoring this, with even more influential people attending."

"We get it. It's a big deal." Petrovic said. "So, what? Hoenn wants Interpol to provide security? Seems like a waste of our skills. Let the police and Rangers handle that."

"Normally, you'd be right. We'd station one or two agents to watch and little else." Looker agreed. "This time, however, is different. With the influx of Trainers and Coordinators coming from around the world, we believe Team Rocket will target it."

"I guess that makes sense." Anabel said. "There's bound to be a lot of strong Pokemon here. Perfect place to bolster their ranks and make a hefty profit."

"It's not just that. Our spies in Team Rocket managed to get a message out." Looker frowned, narrowing his eyes at the screen. "They're targeting Psychics above all else and have been for years in Hoenn. Priority targets for something called Project Ambrosia."

Project Ambrosia? What the hell could that have been? He was tempted to think it had something to do with a Legend given Team Rocket's general interest in them, but there had to be more to it. They wouldn't target Psychic types specifically for no reason.

"So, our job is to stop them?" Anabel said. "Shouldn't be too difficult."

"Not quite." Looker corrected. "Stopping them here will only be a temporary solution. If we want to put an end to this, we need to stop Project Ambrosia. That means we have to let them succeed."

"Are you serious?" Ash asked. "If we fail, countless people will lose their friends. Rocket won't have anything kind in store for those Pokemon."

"That's why we're taking precautions. Agents will be placed throughout the festival showing off powerful Psychics guaranteed to catch their attention. Which brings us to you and Anabel."

They exchanged a look.

"Anabel, your team has some of the most powerful Psychics in Interpol. More importantly, you're a former Frontier Brain. Your strength is unquestioned." Looker said.

She frowned. "So, you want me to show off my Pokemon? I guess I can do that, but I'm not sure what good it will do. The Battle Frontier was never as big as the League. I doubt most people know my name after all this time."

"I wouldn't be so sure. The Contest for this festival was looking for famous judges to serve alongside Ms. Maple. They chose Sinnoh's champion as one, and after the regional Commander pulled some string, you as well."

Her violet eyes narrowed, fingers drumming along the edge of the table in rapid succession. Ash didn't need to be a Psychic to know how irritated she was. Her former life wasn't one she looked back on fondly. A pointless waste of talent and time, or so he had heard her say in the past.

Yet she kept her true thoughts to herself. Interpol used whatever it needed to get the job done. If they thought her former title would help, then there was little she could do but play her part.

Ash didn't disagree, but he still sympathized.

"I'll… do my best." She eventually said, holding back a sigh. "I'm sure Scott will be eager to have me advertise the Battle Frontier while I'm there."

"You're free to do what you want, but it's not why we need you as a judge. We need you to tip the odds in Ash's favor."

Now it was Ash's turn to blink in confusion. "My favor? You can't honestly expect me to compete! Not when May, Cynthia, and Arceus know who else will be watching! They'll recognize me in an instant!"

"Not with the disguise we have planned. You'll be fine." Looker said. "Ash, you have more experience in the competitive circuit than most other agents. We need you to become the standout competitor for both the tournament and the contests. Irresistible prey for Rocket."

"You've gotta have other agents good at contests or League battles." Ash stressed.

"We do. Some of them will even be competing. But none have your skill, your experience, or Latias' trust." Looker spread her arms wide. "A powerful Psychic and Legend rolled into one? Alongside all your other obviously strong Pokemon? You're the perfect target."

Latias tried to smile for Ash. "Have a little faith, Ash. Interpol wouldn't ask us to do this unless they knew it would work. If I'm good being the bait, you should be too."

A tired sigh escaped him as he hung his head. "Yeah… I guess you're right." He met Looker's eyes. "If you're sure I won't be recognized, I'll do it. Whatever it takes to stop Team Rocket."

He'd just need to avoid May at all costs.

"I'm glad you agree." His mentor said. "And don't think we're hanging you out to dry either, Latias. We won't let them take you. If we can help it, we'll fight them off and track them to whatever hole they crawled out of before anyone gets hurt."

The Legend smiled brightly, golden eyes gleaming with trust. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes, just like the rest of you. No need to worry about me."

"Excellent. Then we should continue. There's still a lot we need to go over and do to prepare. We've only got a little under two weeks before it begins. By then, we need to be ready for anything."

---

Hoenn...

It'd been years since he'd been there, but the memories of his journey were still vivid in his mind. So many fantastic adventures, wonderful friends, and important lessons. It had been the region where he truly grew as a Trainer.

He could honestly say that if it hadn't been for that region and the people he met traveling there, he wouldn't be the same person he was today.

Chief among them was May. The friend he cherished most of all. All of his friends were precious to him, of course. He never would have made it far without all of them by his side. May was different, though. She taught him what it meant to be someone others could rely on. Showed him there was more to life than just battles and the endless journey.

More than once, they'd saved each other from certain death.

Even after they parted ways, they kept in touch. Whether it was a simple video call or the occasional meet up, they never allowed their bond to diminish. She'd known him better than anyone else – even Brock, who'd been with him the longest.

It was why he was so hesitant about the Hoenn mission. So far, he didn't have the best track record of keeping his presence a secret from old friends. In both Alola and Alto Mare, he'd either been found out as soon as he showed his face or backed into a corner and forced to reveal himself. It was sheer luck that everyone who knew believed his story.

May wasn't stupid. Convincing her of his innocence wouldn't be possible without solid proof he wasn't in control. There was just too much stacked against him. Even Anabel and Looker's support may not have been enough, not that he believed he could convince either of them to help.

If she found out who he really was and all he saw was fear or loathing in her eyes? He didn't know what he'd do. He wouldn't be able to handle it.

Not from her.

He'd have to avoid her at all costs. For both their sakes.

A tiny paw poked his cheek. "You alright, Ash? You've been quiet for a while." Pikachu said.

At his side, Latias nodded in her Human form. "Ever since the meeting ended. Is there anything you want to talk about?"

Not if he could help it.

"I'm fine. Just been thinking about the mission." He told them. "If I'm gonna be playing the part of a Coordinator, I should get practicing. It's been a while since I've even seen one."

"Is that why you brought us to a training room?" Pikachu asked.

The training room in question was empty aside from the three of them and the equipment inside. The perfect place for what he had in mind.

"Of course. We need to be at our best if we're gonna take on professional Coordinators."

Unclasping a green Pokeball from his belt, he tossed it in the air and unleashed Bewear. The pink and black Alolan bear took a second to take in her surroundings before relaxing. When she saw the three of them before her, she raised a paw in greeting.

"Time to train?" She asked, her voice little more than an intimidating rumble. "I'm ready for all three of you."

Ash rubbed the back of his head nervously. Bewear had been a natural fit for his team. Her dedication and strength were nothing to scoff at. With months of Interpol's training and resources under her belt now, she was even stronger than before. Skill to match the raw power her form held.

Unfortunately, that usually meant whenever Ash, Pikachu, and Latias sparred with her, they ended up on the ground. Battered, bruised, and nursing wounded pride.

Ash held up a hand. "Not yet. We will be training, but it'll be a little different than you're used to." He told her. "First, though, I need to introduce you all to a new member of the team."

His three partners exchanged a look. None of them had known about this. Rather than question it, however, they patiently waited for him to release the new teammate. Understanding dawned on Pikachu and Latias' face when he pulled up the new watch Looker had given him.

In theory, any Pokemon could excel at a Contest if their Trainer was skilled enough. After traveling and meeting numerous Coordinators in his journeys, however, he knew there was more to it. Some Pokemon were simply better suited for the performances either due to a species advantage or natural disposition.

He needed a Pokemon that would stun the audience. One who could take his crazy ideas in stride and add their own spin to them. A partner who could impress the audience and judges enough that even if he didn't win, he'd stand out.

He couldn't just rely on Latias, after all.

Besides, this was the perfect chance to expand his team.

Once he'd made his decision, he tapped on the screen and waited. A few seconds later, a tiny tray slid out from the bottom of the watch with a miniature green Pokeball in it. He gently grasped it between two fingers before enlarging and tossing it into the air.

What emerged was a Pokemon few Trainers had the opportunity to care for. Roughly humanoid with a set of vibrant scarlet eyes, the creature possessed an unspoken air of elegance. Made entirely of plant matter, a set of thick green leaves flowed down its head as hair and at its side like arms. Were it not for the way they merged with its supple white flesh, the leaves that made up its body could have been mistaken for a dress.

Most striking of all was the beautiful orange lily sitting atop its head.

The creature – a Lilligant – blinked and looked around. When her eyes landed on Ash, she grabbed the sides of her dress and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Master. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

He blinked. Master? He was no one's master. They'd need to get that sorted out quickly.

"Nice to meet you, too. No need to call me Master, though. My name's Ash. You're free to use it." He offered her a hand to shake.

The Grass type looked at the hand for a second before awkwardly shaking it with her two leaves. "Apologies, but this is simply the way my kind refer to our Trainers. I hope I do not offend you, Master. I did not know you could understand me."

Offend wasn't the word he'd have used. Pikachu snickered on his shoulder, and even Latias and Bewear seemed amused by his predicament. He'd like to see them try asking a sapient flower to stop calling them Master!

"Technically, I can't." He gestured to Latias. "My friend here is translating for us."

Lilligant tilted her head to the side. "A Human Psychic? I heard those were rare."

A grin split Latias' face. "They are. I'm not Human."

In a flash of light, Latias shed her Human form for her draconic body. While Pikachu and Bewear had grown used to her presence, Lilligant was different. Once she saw who Latias really was, the plantoid shifted her body defensively.

Being around Latias put her on edge.

"A Legend. I was unaware Interpol employed such esteemed Pokemon." She bowed her head, with notably less deference than she showed Ash.

He eyed the two of them. For a moment, he feared something would go wrong. If Lilligant was going to be a problem, he'd have to return her to Interpol and find a different one to make part of the team. He couldn't afford to have tension in the team.

Instead, Latias smiled. "Interpol helped me when I needed it most. I'm here to return the favor and protect as many people as I can. It's an honor to work with them."

That seemed to have caught the Grass type off guard. The previous suspicion in her eyes vanished, replaced with a simple curiosity and budding respect for the dragon.

"It is. Interpol is an honorable group worthy of respect." The Lilligant smiled.

Crisis averted, it seemed.

"Like I said before, I'm Ash. This Latias, Pikachu, and Bewear." He told her. "I heard you're Interpol trained?"

The plantoid nodded. "Yes, Master. I have been with Interpol for most of my life. They've ensured I know how to fight, deceive an enemy, and adapt to changing circumstances. Whatever our mission may be, I am confident I will be an asset to us."

"She's confident, I'll give her that." Pikachu said.

Bewear shrugged her shoulders. "Time will tell if it's warranted."

Ash cleared his throat. "We're preparing for a mission in two weeks. It'll require a bit of finesse and a lot of showmanship. Do you think you're up for it?"

Lilligant nodded resolutely. "I may not look like much, but I'm not one to shy away from a challenge. Give me a chance, and I'll prove myself to you all."

He smiled. "Glad to hear it. We won't have long to prepare, so we'll all need to get used to working together fast." He cracked his neck. "With that in mind? I think it's time we started training. Show off just what we can do and brainstorm some ideas."

"I look forward to it, Master."

---

What's this? A chapter that didn't take a month or more for me to pump out? It's a holiday miracle! I figured it'd be a nice holiday gift for you all. Something to read and enjoy a bit before I vanish for the next little bit. This chapter was pretty much setup for the Hoenn arc, but I hope you all enjoy it. Next chapter is when we'll really be getting into the meat of things.

As you can all see, I've dived deep into the shipping with this one and getting everything ready for the buildup. And even brought in some interesting characters to act as judges. They're bound to have some interesting roles to play in the arc. And just what is the mysterious Project Ambrosia Team Rocket is focusing on? For those of you who remember, this little plot has been foreshadowed since the very first chapter of the story.

So, we're finally getting some payoff there. Only took us a couple of years.

We've even added another new team member. A very underrated Pokemon that I felt suited the direction things were going. She'll be quite the interesting new member to the dynamic.

Not much more to say than that. As far as the contest goes, we do have a front runner so far. The infamous Stick Surfer over on AO3... with exactly 1 point for a guess that was so close to the truth, I figured I'd count it anyway. Assuming no one else can come up with any new correct guesses, they will be the winner. I plan to end the contest in the next two to three chapters, all things considered. So, if you're interested in a oneshot, throw your best guesses out there.

Anyway, I've taken up enough of your time. Happy holidays everyone! I'll see you all next time!

Thank you once again to Echoh and Kasan Soulblade for their help with being betas. In addition, thank you to Legacy of Time for taking an interest and deciding to look over the first scene as well.