Ash found himself at the podium set on the middle of the stadium. He was standing there, with the Sinnoh League trophy in his hands, as well as a large cheque, with a 500 000 Poke Dollars.
This was his prize as a winner of the Sinnoh League, which is his fourth League victory, after Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn.
Along with Ash; Cynthia, and Charles Goodshow are also on the podium. They are the ones who presented him with the trophy, and the cheque, and are now standing next to him, while the media are taking pictures, and videos of the three of them.
XXX
Later that evening, Ash was in the restaurant, along with Cynthia, Lillie, Dawn, and all his friends from Alola.
Barry, Jessica, and Athena, have left right after the Sinnoh League finals, but each of them have promised Ash that they will see each other again.
Now, during the dinner with his friends, they were all talking about their future plans.
"So, Ash," Professor Kukui spoke. "What are your plans now that the Sinnoh League is over?"
"I'm going back home," he said. "I'll be there for some time, and then I'll head to Unova."
Kukui nodded, before he looked at Lillie. "What about you, Lillie?"
"I don't know," she said. "I will definitely go back home, and be there for a while, but after that… I'm not sure."
"You don't have to hurry with your decision," Lusamine said. "You haven't been home for a full year, and I want you back. You can think of your future some other time… or you can just join me in the Aether Foundation, and work with me."
"I will go back home for some time," Lillie said again, "But I will not work for the Foundation. I have other plans."
Lusamine didn't really like it, but she decided to let Lillie chose her own path.
"Besides," Lillie spoke again. "Doesn't Gladion work with you?"
"I do," Gladion said. "After I won the Alola League last year, I thought for a while to continue as a trainer, but for some reason I just didn't see it. In the end, I started to work with mother, and I'm still working."
"Who is the Alola Champion, if you gave up on battling?" Ash asked Gladion.
"I didn't exactly give up," Gladion said. "I still train with my Pokémon, but I'm mostly focused on the work in the Aether Foundation.
"As for the Alola Champion, it's Venus."
"Did she defeat you," Ash asked? "You did defeat her in the final match of the Alola League. But what happened afterwards?"
"She came back two months later, and challenged me," Gladion said. "She defeated me, and became a new Alola Champion. It was after that battle, that I realized that I don't have the drive to be a champion, and constantly battle against the challengers. So, I went and started working something else."
Ash nodded. "What about the rest of you," Ash asked his former students?"
"I'm still Olivia's apprentice," Kiawe said. "My goal is still to become Akala Island Kahuna, just like my grandfather was. As such, I'm spending most of my time working on family farm, and training with my Pokémon."
Ash nodded, before he looked at Sophocles.
"I've spent a while in the Mossdeep Space Center," he said. "Then, I went back to Alola few months ago, and was there ever since. I still want to be an astronaut one day, but until then, I'll learn as much as I can about the space, so when the time comes, I'll be ready."
Then, it was Mallow's time to tell her story. "I'm working with father at the family restaurant," she said. "I haven't been doing much training with my Pokémon, but we do stay in shape. I love battles, and training Pokémon; but my goals are different."
"How is that going?" Ash asked. "You said that you want to open a chain of restaurants."
"Exactly," she said, with a bright smile. "Father, and I are working in the family restaurant on the Melemele Island. Brother is back home, and he's now working in the restaurant we opened on Akala Island. We are currently making preparations to open up two more restaurants, one on Pony Island, and one on the Ula'ula Island."
"Do you plan to go to other regions?" Ash asked.
"I want to," Mallow said. "But Alola is quite far from the other regions, and what we sell in our restaurants, is Alolan cuisine. Getting all the ingredients from Alola, to other regions, would be quite bothersome."
Ash knew that Mallow is right.
"I'm sure that you will find a way," he said to her. "And when you do, if you need some help with making it happen, let me know."
Mallow nodded, with a smile.
"Lana?" Ash asked, as he looked at the blue-haired girl.
"I traveled for a while, searching for Manaphy, and Suicune," she said, making Dawn almost choke on her food, when she heard this. She knew of those two Pokémon. A mythical, and a legendary. And Lana was searching for them.
"Sorry about that," Dawn said, with a blush. "I was just surprised."
Lana nodded.
"Lana is a Water Type trainer, and she wants to see all Water Type Legendary, and Mythical Pokémon," Ash explained to Dawn, who nodded in understanding. Ash then looked at Lana, and asked. "Did you find them?"
"Not the two of them," Lana shock her head. "I did find a Volcanion. It's a Fire/Water Legendary, so I was really happy to find it."
Ash nodded. "What do you plan next?" He asked.
"As of right now," Lana spoke. "I just want to see as many Water Type Pokémon, as I can. Catch some, and train them. After that, I'll see. I'm not sure yet."
"You can travel with me in Unova, if you want." Ash said to Lana, much to her surprise. The others were also somewhat surprised.
"Maybe I'll take you on that offer," Lana said. "It might give me a chance to see, Keldeo."
"What's a, Keldeo?" Mallow asked her best friend.
"It's a Water/Fighting Mythical Pokémon, from the Unova Region." Ash explained to Mallow. She nodded.
"Well, I'll be in Kanto for some time," Ash said to Lana. "If you decide to travel with me, let me know, and we can meet in Unova."
Lana nodded at that. She will have to think about it.
"I would also like to invite all of you to come to Pallet Town," Ash said to everyone, surprising them once again. "You've never been there, and I want you to see PPA. I'm sure you are all interested."
Everyone was happy with Ash's invitation, and will make sure to pay him a visit, before he goes to Unova Region.
"What about you, Dawn," Mallow suddenly asked, while looking at Dawn? "What are your plans for the future?"
"I'm… not sure," she said. "I started out to become the Top Coordinator, and Elite Trainer, just like Wallace. I entered only the competitions here in Sinnoh, but in the future I plan to challenge the gyms, and enter contests. Which Region, though… as of right now, I don't know."
"Maybe you'll come to Kanto." Ash said, drawing Dawn's attention.
"Why Kanto?" She asked.
"I offered your mother to become a teacher in the Pokémon School, once it's built, and opened," Ash said, surprising everyone except Lillie, and Dawn, as none knew that he was building a school to begin with. "We agreed that she will think about it until the end of my journey through Sinnoh. Since my journey here is over, all that's left is to see if she will move to Pallet Town. If she does, you will be coming with her. From there, you will be able to decide where you want to go, but Kanto does have contests, and gyms, so you can enter there."
Dawn nodded. "I'll wait to see what mom has decided," she said. "After that, I'll see what I'll do."
Ash nodded.
From there on, they talked a little about the Pokémon School in Alola.
"It's doing great, right now," Kukui said, when Ash asked about the school. "Since Alola has a Pokémon League right now, it has drawn many trainers from other regions. The same goes for the School. Many people are sending their children to come to the school, before they start their Pokémon Journey, so they can learn as much as they can, and be better prepared."
Ash nodded. "That was the point of the Pokémon School I want to open in Pallet Town," he said. "If you can make the school in Alola bigger, then the two schools will become the best in this quarter."
"We'll work on that," Kukui said. He liked Ash's idea, and thoughts.
The dinner went for a little while longer, before it was time for bed. Tomorrow morning the group will split-up, with the Alola group heading back to Alola. It was agreed that Lillie will go with them, as the journey through Sinnoh is over, and since she can already fly via plane, why not take an opportunity instead of going by the ship, and waste time.
As for Ash and Dawn, they will head back to the Twinleaf Town so Ash can talk with Johanna about her decision regarding the Pokémon School.
Jessie, and Meowth walked in the Shadow Legion HQ.
It's a very big, and magnificent looking castle, which makes them both jealous it's not theirs, every time they see it.
As she was walking through a long, and very well decorated corridor, with golden colored walls, and ceiling, large windows, marble tiles on the floor, and antique looking chars, and two-seats; Jessie's complete look is revealed. Her hair is now flowing straight down to her mid-back, and the right side of her face, along with her right eye are completely covered with her hair. She wears very tight dark gray jeans, and burgundy colored crop top hoodie, with a zipper which was zipped-up to the middle of her chest, revealing the upper part of her breasts. Her chest are visible enough to make it obvious that she doesn't wear a bra. (This is her default look. I already described her at the start of Sinnoh, but here it is again. This is how she looks-like, when she isn't in the contests)
Interestingly, she is also carrying a black school bag, over her right shoulder.
Meowth was walking next to Jessie. Unlike how he usually walks around with no cloths, (as every Pokémon does), Meowth is now wearing a black suit, with a purple tie. It looks specifically tailored for him, as it's a perfect fit.
The two of them have just ended travelling through Sinnoh, and have returned back to the HQ.
Their return has also come at the same time as the Queen has summoned a full meeting, with all the members being requested to attend. Anyone not appearing for the meeting, will not like the consequences.
When the two arrived in the large meeting room, they are met with dozens of other members of the organization. There are a lot of them, but that's not even close to the real number of people, who are a part of the organization. As far as Jessie, and Meowth know, there are hundreds of people, who are a part of the Shadow Legion.
As they walked through the crowd of people - who they mostly didn't know - Jessie, and Meowth finally found some familiar faces.
The familiar faces are those of James, Cassidy, Butch, and Matori.
All four of them are standing in one corner of the meeting room, away from most of the other members. They know each other, and while James doesn't exactly like Butch, and Cassidy, he tolerates them, and would rather stand with them then with a bunch of people he barely knows, or doesn't know at all.
As for Matori, she works for James as his secretary, so she's always with him.
Taking a good look at the four people, Jessie saw that they look exactly the same as the last time she saw them.
James has his shoulder length blue hair, tied in a small bun at the back of his head. He has a full facial hair, sort of like Vikings used to have, tough the beard is not too long. Maybe 3cm. but it does cover most of his face. He wears gray pants, dark blue shirt and gray vest without a tie, or suit jacket. Overall, he looks like a business man with large muscles and annoyed look on his face. (This is his default look since the start of Sinnoh, until now)
Butch' hairstyle is the same as it was since when they were members of Team Rocket. The guy hasn't changed it in almost a decade, as far as Jessie remembers. He wears brown pants, and white shirt, along with light brown cap, and a light brown tie. (He looks pretty much the same as he looks in the Pokémon Journey's. This, is his looks since the start of Sinnoh, until now).
Cassidy wears white crop top with drawstrings at the chest area, black jacket and blue short shorts. She has wavy blonde hair, which flows down at the left side of her head. (Her default Sinnoh look)
Matori has straight shoulder length hair with split fringe. She wears a purple suit and a glasses. As far as Jessie remembers, this is how she looks-like when she appears for the meetings with the organization. When she's working as James's secretary, she's wearing a better looking cloths. Sexier as well.
"I see you are already here." Jessie said, as she approached the group of four.
They all noticed her, before Matori spoke. "We have arrived about half-an-hour ago," She said.
Jessie nodded, before she stood with them. Meowth nodded at all the present people, before he also stood in between Jessie, and James. They are old partners, and while they don't always work together like in the old days, Meowth still likes the two of them more than anyone else. To him, they are the only family he ever had.
"What's in the bag?" Cassidy suddenly asked.
Jessie looked at the old rival, before she said. "I caught some Pokémon after the end of the Grand Festival," she said. "I brought all of them here. I'll give them to someone after the meeting."
Cassidy nodded.
"We heard about your win at the Sinnoh Grand Festival," Butch said to Jessie. "I actually watched the final match. That girl you fought against is good, which makes your win that much more valuable. As such, congratulations."
"Thank you," Jessie said. "I will admit, though. Without Meowth… I doubt I would have won."
Butch, Cassidy, and Matori looked at Meowth. They were curious about his suit, but didn't ask, or comment on it. Instead. "You have certainly grown more powerful." Cassidy said to Meowth.
Meowth nodded. "I didn't like that I was weak when I was let out of prison," he said. "So, I started to train with the organization, and became very powerful. I still feel like I can get more powerful, but there is time. I'm not in a hurry."
Butch, and Cassidy nodded.
"What have you all been up to?" Jessie asked her colleagues.
"The two of us have been hunting down Pokémon, from time to time," Butch said, pointing at Cassidy, and himself. "Beyond that, Butch has opened a bakery, which he runs in his free time. I help him sometimes, but he has some people working for him, when he's doing jobs for the organization."
"A bakery," Jessie looked at Butch with surprise on her face. Meowth was the same. "I didn't even know you can bake."
"You never asked." Butch said.
Jessie looked at him for a moment, before she shrugged. Maybe she will go to that bakery, and see if Butch really knows how to bake, or he has others who are working for him do all the work, while he's taking the credit. She wouldn't be surprised, if that's the case.
The group was mostly quiet after that. James didn't speak about what he's been doing, but no one really asked him as he's running his own company most of the time, and they are not interested in his business.
It took another hour, before every single member of the Shadow Legion, has gathered in the large meeting room.
At the center of the room, there was a long Blackwood desk, with high Blackwood chairs at its sides, and a golden chair at its front. The golden chair is where Freya is currently seating, while the numbered agents are seating on the 9 out of 10 seats to the sides of the desk. The one empty seat is where Hunter J used to seat, as an Agent #1 of the organization.
Jessie looked around the table, and noticed that the members are the same as the last time she was at the meeting, with the only difference being the lack of #1.
She looked around the table, and due to how shadowy the room is, she couldn't see the faces of agents #2, #9, and #10, though she knew who they were. Two are female, and #10, is the only male numbered agent.
Yuriko Takagi, is still Agent #3. She's been for ages. The same goes for #5 where Monica has been Agent #5, for decades. Number 4, is Domino. A former high-ranking member of the Team Rocket, and the only one who has escaped the arrest, when the Team Rocket has completely fallen in the Goldenrod City, all those years ago.
Domino has joined the organization, right after. Freya was very happy to accept her, and has even sent someone to bring her in.
Agent #6, is Courtney. A member of the Organization who was working as a spy in Team Magma. When Team Magma fell apart on Monsu Island, she was the only high-ranking member to escape, and has brought several remaining Team Magma Grunts with her. They all joined the organization after Courtney convinced Freya to give them a chance.
#7, was another spy. This one was working as a spy in Team Galactic, under a code name, Jupiter. When Team Galactic fell, and the high-ranking members were arrested - among them being Jupiter - they were all sent to jail. It didn't take long for the organization to pull Jupiter out. Since then she started using her real name (which Jessie doesn't know).
Athena is still Agent #8. She's seating on her position by the desk, along with the other members.
Jessie took a closer look at Athena, and noticed that she has a pensive look on her face, and doesn't seem to be interested in anything around her. Jessie thought that the pensive look has a lot to do with Athena's loss in the semifinal of the Sinnoh League.
Jessie has watched that match on the TV. She will admit that Athena is a great trainer. Much better then she is. But, Lillie turned out to be a better trainer then even Athena.
Jessie has no problem to admit that, if Lillie has participated at the Grand Festival, Jessie would have lost against her. She has barely defeated Dawn. She would stand no chance against Lillie. Even with Meowth. Hell, even with Meowth, AND if she has caught a Cresselia, she was sure that she would have lost against Lillie.
At that moment, Jessie heard Freya's voice, so she decided to listen to her, instead of thinking about other stuff.
"Welcome, everyone," Freya spoke. She had a smile on her beautiful face, which was attracting everyone. Man, and woman. "I'm happy to see all of you here, today.
"Now. Let's get straight to business." Everyone stood at attention at that. Even Athena started to listen to what Freya has to say. She was interested.
"Lately, there have been some… situation, which have led to some problems for this organization," Freya spoke. "We have lost some members of the organization, and as such, they need to be replaced.
"There have also been some changes with some of the current members of our organization, which will lead to the changes of their positions in the organization.
"With Agent #1 being killed by Ash Ketchum, her position has remained vacant, and it still is. It will be occupied once again, as of today. More to that later, though.
"Two more numbered positions will have to be filled." this surprised everyone, because #1 is the only position among the numbered positions, which is unoccupied. That means that, two of the current numbered agents, are being booted out of their positions.
Everyone wondered who they were, and for what reason they are replaced.
They didn't have to wait too long to find out.
"Agents #9, and #10, are being transferred to the special division to work under Rica." Freya said, while looking at Agents #9, and #10.
"May I ask, why?" A deep male voice asked. This was an agent #10.
Freya looked at him for a few moments, before she decided to tell him. "You will be of better use in a special division, then as numbered agents," she said. "I always thought you will be better in that division, but I placed you, and #9 as numbered agents, as there was no one else to fill those positions. Now, we have three members to fill three positions, which means that you, and #9 can go to the special division. You will be Rica's left hand man, and right hand woman."
Neither #10, nor #9 wanted to argue with Freya, so they just accepted her decision, and nodded.
"Moving on," Freya spoke again. "As you all see now, we need to fill three positions, and I already have people to fill them.
"Out new agent #9, is a new member of the organization. She is someone that Agent #7, knows very well, as they have worked together for a long time. As you know, Agent #7 used to be a spy in Team Galactic, but after the fall of the organization, she was arrested with the other members. We had her pulled out, and under her wish we also pulled out another former member of Team Galactic, who worked under code name, Mars."
The said woman walked from the group of other people, and got to the end of the table on opposite side of Freya.
Then, she stood there, and waited.
"Everyone," Freya spoke. "Please welcome, Nicole. Our new agent #9."
There was a small applause for a new member. They didn't go overboard, though. Celebrations are for more important stuff, and not for welcoming new members.
Nicole, formerly known as Mars, now Agent #9; took a seat by a long desk.
From there, Freya continued to speak. "Now, for the Agent #10, it will be one of the members which joined months ago, but up until now he was a simple Pokémon Hunter. His skills as a Pokémon trainer… are lacking. But his skills as Pokémon hunter, are the best. No one in the world can compare to him in that regard. As such, welcome, Tobias. Our new agent #10. From now on, you will be also knows as the Legendary Hunter, for your skills in tracking down and capturing Legendary, and Mythical Pokémon."
Tobias walked to the desk, and set on his position. He didn't care about the small applause. He just set there, quietly.
"Finally, we have our new agent #1," Freya spoke. "This one, is also a male. Yes, I know it is a surprise for all of you to have two males among the agents, when not so long ago, this was an organization, with 98% of its members being female. But, due to the problems we've had recently due to the Ketchum Family, we are forced to bring in males to fill in certain rolls in the organization. I don't like it more than any of you, but it has to be done.
"Now, the new agent #1, has been a member of the organization for over a year. His work for us was a bit different, though. He has his own company, which he runs. That company is also a close partner for the organization, and in some business we have, the company is the one who does the front work, while we stay in the shadows.
"Recently, our member, and the owner of the company has done an amazing business, which has increased his wealth, and our business, which means more money for the organization.
"I'm sure that most of you have heard about, NOMAD," Freya looked around, and saw that many of the members of her organization are nodding, "so far, it was thought that NOMAD, is a legit company, with business all over the world. It was thought that it was run by a nice person, who wants to help the world, and those who can't help themselves.
"Recently, though… again, thanks to the Ketchum Family, specifically, Red Ketchum; it was discovered that NOMAD is a criminal organization, which has had more business and money then even we did. In fact, after what it was discovered what they've been doing, NOMAD has been declared as the single greatest criminal organization in the world. They were declared even more dangerous, then we are."
Many scoffed at that thought. There is no greater criminal organization in the world, then the Shadow Legion.
"Now, a member of our organization, has been able to find the owner of NOMAD, and had him… killed," Freya said, surprising many by that revelation. "Of course, before he had him killed, a member of our organization, had Mr. Edward Black - for those of you who don't know, that was the name of the owner of NOMAD - put under the hypnosis, and then forced to sign over all of his holdings, money, business, shares… everything.
"The person who all that was sign to, is a member of our organization, and our new Agent #1. Please welcome… James Masterson."
Jessie, Meowth, Butch, and Cassidy were shocked when they heard this, and then saw James move from them, toward the high table. They watched as James walked to the table, nodded at all the agents there, before he set to Agent #1 spot, which is on the Queen's right side.
"Great," Freya said. "With that taken care of, let's get to other business we have to discuss," she looked at Athena, and spoke to her. "Tell us about Ash Ketchum. You have been around him several times during your travels through Sinnoh, so you should know a lot about him."
Athena sighed. "Truthfully," she spoke. "I didn't find out anything about him, which we didn't already know, or suspect." Her words were slightly surpassing, as she has been trailing him for a full year, so they assumed she will learn something new about him.
"You really didn't find out anything new about him?" Yuriko questioned.
Athena shock her head. "Except the fact that I now know how dangerous he really is," she said. "Nothing."
"What do you mean?" Freya asked.
"I haven't met him until I went to Sinnoh," Athena said. "As such, I always had doubts that he is as dangerous as you all made him out to be. I no longer have those doubts."
"Why," Freya asked? "What did he do to change your mind?"
"Well, I've seen him use his powers several times" Athena said. "I saw what he's done to Hunter J, I saw him fight against some Psychic, and Aura users from Paldea Region, and the destruction they caused. Those three guys are more dangerous than anyone we have in the organization, and Ash made them all look like a joke. The only reason they escaped from him several times, and done as much damage as they did, is because of them could teleport.
"But after all of what I've seen him do; I only truly understood how dangerous, and how unconcerned about us he is, is when we talked after my semifinal match in the Sinnoh League."
"What happened?" Freya asked.
"First of all, he knew that I was a member of the organization, since we first met in the Eterna Forest," Athena said. "He also knows that Jessie is a member of the organization, and has known since he saw her for the first time, in Sinnoh." Everyone looked at Jessie, who paled at the looks she was getting.
"I asked him," Athena spoke again. "Why is it that he didn't try to kill, or at least hurt me, and Jessie, when he knows that we are with the organization, and his hatred for us is well-known?
"For Jessie, he said that he likes to mess with her, and make her sweat," Athena said, and Jessie bristled. "As for me… he said that he can't bring himself to kill a… 'Little girl'."
Everyone looked at Athena, with surprised looks on their faces. "Are you serious?" Yuriko asked.
"I am," Athena said. "Those were his words."
Freya nodded. She will have to think of this, and see how she can use it to her advantage. "What else?" She asked.
"He said that he knows that Jessie, and I were following, and spying on him, while he was in Sinnoh," Athena said. Everyone nodded at that. They kind of figured it out when Athena said that he knows about her, and Jessie being a part of the organization. "He also said that he knew about those two who followed him in Alola." She pointed toward Ann, and Blaise.
This one was a surprise for everyone. They didn't see it coming. Ann, and Blaise actually paled at the thought that their enemy knew about them, and that he could have killed them whenever he wanted.
"Another thing that he said is that, if we don't want members of the organization to die, then we should leave them in jail when they are arrested." Athena said. This one also came as a shock for everyone. "He said that if Hunter J stayed in jail after she was arrested in Snowpoint City, she would still be alive, as she wouldn't be able to pull that 'crap' with the Lake Guardians, and he wouldn't be forced to finally kill her."
At this new information, members of the organization started to question themselves on what to do, if they are every arrested. Should they chose to stay in jail, or get out, and risk be killed.
A life in jail… or death. It's a tough choice.
"What else?" Freya asked. She realized right away that the members of her organization have started to question themselves now that they know that they might die if they are ever arrested, and then pulled out prison.
"He told me his plans for the near future," Athena said, getting raised eyebrows from many. "He said that he will go home, spend some time there, and in Rota Kingdom, and then he will go to Unova Region.
"He also told me, to tell you that."
"Why?" Freya asked, with narrowed eyes.
"So you can send someone to follow him." Athena' reply made Freya bristle. She didn't like that her enemy is making a mockery of her tracking him.
"And why would he want us to follow him?" Yuriko asked. She was the only one to ask questions, besides Freya, as she's been the longest in the organization, besides Monica. She is the closest assistant of Freya's, even though she is #3 in the organization. #1, and #2, have always been those who either bring money, or have great skill as trainers, and hunters. #3 has always been Freya's right-hand woman.
"He said that by following him, we will see how dangerous he really is, and how we don't stand a chance again him." Athena said.
No one knew how to react, or what to say to that.
The meeting went for a while after that. They spoke of many things, including the plans for the future, and how to deal with their problems.
Now though, they understood that they only have one problem, and that problem comes with a name, Ash Ketchum. They all finally understood, who dangerous he really is.
Dealing with him is not going to be easy. Everyone in the organization. Even Freya, knew that.
XXX
Once the meeting of the organization was finally over; Jessie approached to Yuriko, and handed her the bag she was carrying.
"What's this?" Yuriko asked, without even looking inside the bag.
"The Pokémon I caught after the end of the Sinnoh Grand Festival." Jessie said, before she turned around, and went toward James. She needed to speak with him about what he has done, and about him becoming the new #1 agent of the organization.
Meowth joined her, as he was just as interested.
As for Yuriko, she looked at Jessie for a few moments, before she opened the bag, and looked inside. Much to her surprise, there were dozens of Poke Balls, all shrunk down. If she was to assume that all of them have Pokémon inside them that would mean that Jessie has just brought dozens of new Pokémon for the organization.
At that moment, Yuriko decided to check the Pokémon out. If they are any good… she might see to it that Jessie gets some bonus for a job well done.
Ash woke up the morning after he, and Dawn have arrived in the Twinleaf Town.
He has had a good night of sleep, after a long journey, and now it was time for him to speak with Johanna, and see what she has decided on his proposition.
Ash got out of the bed, and went to the bathroom, took a shower, and brushed his teeth; before he got back to his bedroom. He dressed himself, before he left the room, and went to the ground floor of Johanna' house.
When he arrived down, he saw that no one was there. He figured that Dawn is still asleep, but he thought that at least Johanna would be awake.
He saw that the TV is on, and that there are morning news on it. Seeing the TV on, he was sure that Johanna is up, as she was the only one who would have turned it on. Dawn definitely wouldn't.
Ash looked around, saw no one, before he shrugged, and went to watch TV. He will wait for Johanna to come from wherever he has gone off too.
He set in front of the TV, and upped the tone to hear better.
And then he heard it.
"Mr. Edward Black, the founder of the NOMAD Company, has been found dead," the female news reporter said. The moment Ash heard this, he was all ears. "Edward Black has founded the Company decades ago, and since then he has made it into one of the richest company's in the world, with their total value being over 100 billion Poke Dollars.
"For a long time, it was thought that NOMAD has been working for the betterment of the world, and its people, but recently it was discovered that they were a criminal organization, which had a hand in drug dealing, underground Pokémon, and human battling, as well as human and Pokémon Trafficking. There are even words going around about human experiments, but those haven't been proved yet.
"After this discovery, few months ago, Mr. Edward Black has been on the #1 spot of the International Police wanted list, and has been searched by the police in every region, in the Eastern Quarter. Up until yesterday, there have been no news, or sightseeing.
"Yesterday, his body has been found of the coast of North-western Sinnoh. He was shot dead, but no one knows who has done it. Neither the Sinnoh Police, nor the International Police have any leads so far.
"With Mr. Edward Black being dead, and as far as it's known he has no family, or relatives, it is unknown what will happen with all the money, and companies he has accumulated over the decades. The International Police says that all those holdings, and money are gained through criminal activity, which means that everything will be completely investigated. As far as it's known, the holdings are very extensive, but no one really knows how extensive which means that it will take some time for everything to be investigated.
"We will be waiting for the news."
The reporter went to other news after that, and Ash lost interest. He was now thinking of what happened to Black, and who could have killed him. He doesn't really care about the guy, but he wants to know what this means for Johanna, as she used to work for the guy.
Ash looked behind himself, and noticed Johanna standing there, looking at the TV with shocked look on her face.
"I take it you heard the news." Ash said to her.
She nodded.
"What do you think of it?" He asked her.
She shook her head. "I don't know," she said. "I'm surprised by this, and I have no idea who could have killed him."
"Could it be someone from his organization?" Ash asked Johanna.
"Could be," she nodded. "There were a lot of people there who weren't really trustworthy, and that's only those I knew of. There were many more I never met, or saw. There could have been dozens of people in NOMAD, who would want to kill him. The reason why… I wouldn't know."
"How do you feel about this?" Ash asked her.
Johanna sighed, before she set on the sofa on Ash's right side. "I don't know," she said. "Edward helped me when I needed a work, but… he was really hard to deal with. He wanted a lot of things, and was willing to do everything to get it. It's why everyone in NOMAD thought that he was dangerous. Many in NOMAD didn't like him, but they all respected him for his cruelty, and willingness to do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
"I'm sure that one day, he would have come after me. Now though… I don't know what to expect, as I don't know who killed him, why they killed him, and what will happen with NOMAD."
Ash was quiet for a little while. He waited to see if Johanna will say something else, but she went quiet as well.
Finally, Ash sighed. "What have you decided about my proposition?" He asked her.
"I thought about it ever since you asked me," Johanna said. "I thought hard, and eventually, I realized that even if I would love to stay here, and start my own school… it might be dangerous if Edward decides to come after me. Now though… I don't know. With him dead, there might not be anyone coming after me."
"That's a two way street," Ash said. "Whoever killed him, might go after those who worked for him, which includes you."
Johanna sighed. "I know," She said. "It's only because of that, that I will accept your offer, and move to Pallet Town."
Ash smiled.