"In the month since the troubles in Sunnyshore City, the Pokémon League has surrounded the city with trainers, a move that has been described as a 'provocative action, akin to a declaration of war' by the proclaimed Minister for Sunnyshore, Eric Motsuba. Mr Motsuba, speaking in an interview in the heart of Sunnyshore City has claimed that his city merely desired independence from the Pokémon League, claiming the right to self-determination. The violence that led to the proclamation of Mr Motsuba was criticized heavily by the Pokémon League, but they were unable to prevent the city from seceding from under the control of the Sinnoh Region.

Despite his claims of peace and a desire for collaboration, Mr Motsuba has failed to shed any light on the whereabouts of the Sinnoh Elite Four who were understood to be in Sunnyshore City when violence broke out. Rumours also persist of more trainers in Sunnyshore City from other regions, brought in to try to restore order. Mr Motsuba acknowledged that such trainers were brought in but said that they departed the city once it became apparent that they were acting against the will of the people. He has also claimed that the sanctions against his city is preventing essentials such as food from being brought in, and that continuing to blockade Sunnyshore City was an attempt by the Pokémon League to reclaim the area by force.

Mellanie Rigger, the under-fire Pokémon Master hit back at the claims, saying that there are millions of citizens in Sunnyshore City who 'had no part in this coup and are the victims of a minority attempting to seize power for their own ends'. She has promised that she is working towards a peaceful solution and offered to meet with Mr Motsuba to negotiate a conclusion to the crisis. A source in the Pokémon League claimed that Ms Rigger was willing to end the blockade in exchange for concessions from Mr Mostuba, but that she was unwilling to risk a fight for the city.

'The Pokémon Master does not wish to order a course of action that would lead to loss of life, and ordering trainers to reclaim the city by force would risk such an outcome' the source is quoted as saying. Unofficially, it is believed that there are trainers inside Sunnyshore City being held as hostages against such an attack, including a sensational claim that one of the trainers held is the Kanto Champion, Samuel Fernandez. Mr Fernandez has not been seen in public since the crisis broke.

The Pokémon League has also been unwilling to comment on whether the arrests made in connection to attacks on gyms in Hoenn and Johto at the same time as the crisis in Sinnoh started are related to the stand-off at Sunnyshore. Claims persist that the attacks were ended by the intervention of former Pokémon Master Ash Ketchum. Mr Ketchum, like Mr Fernandez, has not been seen in public since the blockade was established around Sunnyshore City, although it is believed unlikely that he is inside the city itself. Mr Ketchum defeated the current Pokémon Master Mellanie Rigger in an exhibition battle shortly after Ms Rigger took her title, and although was once the mentor to the Pokémon Master, it is believed that the two are completely estranged.

Mr Ketchum was also the Pokémon Master nine years ago when a terrorist attack against the Pokémon League was thwarted in a matter of days. The delay in an effective response from the Pokémon League is considered by many to be conclusive proof that Mr Ketchum is not involved, having not held a formal position with the Pokémon League since he relinquished his title three years ago following an arrest that has since proven to be frivolous, resulting in the resignation of the Hoenn Chief of Police.

In Ketchum's absence, pressure will continue to mount on the Pokémon Master as she battles to find a resolution to this crisis early in her reign, especially in light of her defeat to her predecessor. Her response has been criticised for being slow and ineffective, as well as inflicting pain onto those in Sunnyshore caught up in events beyond their control. Yet despite the criticism she has received from some quarters, others have praised the Pokémon Master's resolve and determination to hold the line.

As the blockade drags on, time is not necessarily on her side. Despite the shortages in Sunnyshore putting pressure on Mr Motsuba's administration, the hardship endured by the citizens that the Pokémon Master is meant to be protecting mean that the stalemate is likely to be unpalatable to Ms Rigger. Yet without movement on negotiations, it is hard to see what she can do. The battle lines are drawn, and there is a fear that an all-out conflict is due to start. The only question that remains now is what can the Pokémon League do to end this stalemate peacefully?"

Mellanie pressed a button on the remote and the television blinked off. She turned back to her desk where she skimmed another report from the blockade. It had been quiet there for coming up on two weeks after early half-hearted attempts by Team Rocket to break out. Her one great success had been to suppress the story of who was truly behind the revolution. If it became public knowledge that Agent had survived his supposed execution, panic would truly set in. Thus far the Pokémon League had managed to keep Kanto, Johto and Hoenn running smoothly, and even in Sinnoh much of the region continued as before. The blockade had been surprisingly easy to set up, covering all roads out of the city as well as regular patrols. It had tied up a great number of trainers and was costing a great deal of money but it was proving to be highly effective. Mellanie had done all that she could. All that was left for her to do was wait.

And wait is exactly what she was doing. After the undignified flight from Sinnoh, Steven had landed the plane at an airport near Indigo Plateau. Lance and Steven had been sent back to their regions, and Ash… Ash had gone. His last words to Mellanie had been as the plane came into land.

"I'll be back. Hold on until then."

That had been five weeks ago. In the interim, Mellanie had not heard anything from her former mentor. The one man who might be able to save Sam. She knew that he would be off trying to rebuild his strength after their disastrous trip to Sunnyshore City, but she had still hoped to hear from him at some point.

The computer on her desk let out a loud noise, and Mellanie glanced at it. A notification had appeared, reminding her of a meeting. She sighed and rounded her desk, striding for the door.

Lucian rose from his bed and stretched before glancing at the empty bowl in the corner of his room. He had lost track of the number of days that he had been kept in a cell, with nothing to do except wait for somebody to appear at the entrance. He had looked out the window in the top of the cells door at least a dozen times a day only to see a completely empty corridor beyond, with the occasional guard wandering down. At regular intervals a tray in the door folded down and a voice told him to put whatever his last meal had come in onto it. The tray then rotated, a new meal appeared and he was left alone again. It was an infuriating experience and was starting to drive him insane. In the silence, noise carried and so when he heard footsteps and grunting from the corridor, it wasn't surprising that he couldn't yet see the source.

Lucian waited, watching out the window grate. Two men in black were moving down the hallway, carrying a third figure between them. The figure was almost being dragged along the floor, clearly incapable of supporting its own weight. It was kept in the shadow of the guards carrying it, making recognition impossible. As the guards reached a cell two down from Lucian's, they threw the figure to the floor and one of them reached for a set of keys on his belt. After unlocking the door, one ducked into the cell. A moment later, light spilled out and threw the features of the figure into sharp relief.

Lucian felt his breath catch. It would be hard not to recognize the once-proud figure of Samuel Fernandez, the Kanto Champion. Instead of the commanding presence he remembered, all Lucian could see was devastation. Sam's face was a swollen mask of dried blood and bruises, one eye nearly sealed shut, and deep cuts tracked across his scalp and jaw. His hands hung limply at his sides, fingers curled unnaturally as if dislocated. The Kanto Champion's clothes were shredded and crusted with blood, one sleeve hanging loosely from a badly bruised arm, and his chest bore clear signs of heavy blunt force trauma.

Lucian stared in shock as the scale of the damage processed. These weren't just injuries—they were punishment. Pain for pain's sake. He watched as Sam was dragged upright and unceremoniously tossed into the cell like garbage. He winced as the dull thud of Sam's body hitting the floor echoed down the corridor. There was no accompanying groan of pain—proof, if any were needed, that Sam was unconscious. Given the state he was in, Lucian could almost be grateful for that on Sam's behalf. The pain those wounds would bring when he woke… Lucian winced uncontrollably thinking about it.

Lucian watched for a long moment before returning to his bed, though he couldn't sit still. His thoughts raced, tangled in the weight of what he had just seen. Sam's condition was horrifying—not just a defeat, but a message. The people who had captured them weren't simply interested in power; they wanted to break him.

Lucian began to pace, his feet quiet against the cold floor. The Pokémon League had failed—there could be no other conclusion. For Sam to be captured suggested that there had been some kind of fight, but more concerningly it looked like the Pokémon League had lost.

To lose one regional leader was catastrophic. But two? That would undermine the League's entire image, its promise of stability. Fear would ripple outward—trainers would begin to question, civilians would lose trust. That collapse of faith might be exactly what their enemies wanted.

But Lucian's shock began to crystallize into determination. If there was any chance of escaping this prison, it had to start now. Sam was in no state to help yet, but he was still Sam. Even unconscious and half-broken, he was one of the smartest, most capable trainers Lucian had ever known. If anyone could come back from this, it was just needed to find a way to contact him.

Mellanie took her place at the head of the table. Around her, Misty, Alicia, Rose and Jack were waiting for her patiently.

"My apologies for my lateness," Mellanie said, not offering further explanation. "How are we with the region of Kanto?"

"Sam's absence has been noted by too many people," Jack said instantly. "Going a few days without a public appearance was unusual for him, but not unheard of. Weeks is rare, and the length of time without him being seen is too long for him. There is no reason for him not to have been seen in public, especially under the circumstances." Jack paused for a moment, "People are getting nervous. We played for time and we have run out."

"Any challengers?"

"Not yet," Misty said. "Nobody is getting passed me at the moment, and since you have to challenge Sam within a month of beating me or he can refuse, I have been able to protect us from that risk."

"And a financial overview?" Mellanie asked, turning to Rose.

"This is trickier," Rose said, her voice steady. "Financially the region is cautious. There are early signs that investment is down, although that is accompanied with signals that many businesses appear primed to spend significantly. I'd suggest that the economy is potentially shifting to a pre-war state."

"Pre-war?" Mellanie asked.

"Yes. Businesses know that in times of war, state spending tends to increase, and they are more likely to receive business from us. This can help to stimulate the economy, but individual businesses only get the benefit if they are positioned to take advantage of the increase in our spending. I'd suggest that preparing for such a state is what is happening."

"Do they really think war is coming?" Misty asked.

"I'm not sure," Rose said thoughtfully. "It may be that they anticipate action to regain control of Sunnyshore City and want in on it. War is just an extreme version of that."

"I do not want war," Mellanie stressed, the force in her voice carrying through the room as an ominous threat. "We must find an alternative option." She turned to Misty. "Any other Kanto specific business?"

"Yes; Alicia." Misty said. "She feels that she should be sent to the blockade."

"Why?" Mellanie asked, surprise in her voice before she turned to Alicia. "You only escaped that city through the intervention of Ash Ketchum."

"Because I'm the best we have at leading a group of trainers in a fight," Alicia said. "I proved that last time in Sunnyshore City, it was the reason that I was sent there. I nearly failed last time. Trust me, now that I'm recovered, that won't happen again."

"The blockade is secure," Mellanie said firmly. "I understand your desire to be near the action Alicia, but for now I want you here. Kanto is vulnerable at the moment. I want its leadership kept safe. Any other business?"

"I have some," Jack said. "The state funeral of Professor Samuel Oak. We delayed it in the absence of Sam, but we need to do it soon. The date that we delayed it to is in three days. People are expecting it to go ahead."

"If we go ahead it will make it clear that he isn't here," Alicia argued. "It's an official confirmation."

"I think most people already know that we are hiding something," Jack countered. "We would merely be confirming their fears. As I said earlier, we can't keep pretending."

"Pokémon Master?" Misty asked. "It is your call. Do we go on ahead with it or not?"

Mellanie considered for a moment, her eyes lingering on the polished surface of the table as her mind whirred. The doubt gnawed at the edges of her resolve. Every decision in the last month felt like walking a tightrope, each step more precarious than the last. She had managed to date to make sure nobody knew Sam was missing. But Jack was right. Their time had run out.

She straightened, fixing her expression into something unreadable. "Go ahead. I'll be there in my position as Pokémon Master. I can take on anything Sam was meant to do at the event."

Jack nodded before Misty signalled that the Kanto business was finished.

"Thank you all," Mellanie said rising, and gesturing for Misty to follow her. "I know that this has been a tough time, but you are standing yourselves in good stead without Sam. I will see you all in three days ahead of the funeral."

Mellanie strode out of the room, Misty behind her. As they returned to Mellanie's office, the Pokémon Master rounded the desk and took her seat, Misty sitting opposite her.

"You have done well standing in for Sam," Mellanie started. Misty bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement. "But a month has passed, and we are no closer to rescuing him."

"Still no word from Ash?" Misty asked.

Mellanie sighed. "None. It isn't like him to drop out of communication like this, not when he is so sorely needed."

"I don't know him as well as I used to, but I'm sure that he has a plan."

Mellanie nodded. "I don't doubt that he does. The problem is that I have no idea what the plan is, or what timescale we are looking at. And in the interim, I have a job to do. As do you."

"No." Misty said, guessing where Mellanie was going. "It isn't time yet."

"I'm sorry Misty, but it is." Mellanie said. "We cannot go any longer with only two regional leaders still in place. When I am at Samuel Oak's funeral, the world will realise that Sam is missing. We need a leader. Either you take on the region of Kanto on an interim basis as the head of the Elite Four, or I invite Lance to retake his place as the regional Champion. There isn't a third option."

Misty took a deep breath before looking down at the carpet. "Sam wouldn't want you to supplant him," she said quietly .

"Sam would want me to do what is best for his region," Mellanie countered. "And that is ensuring that his region has a strong leader. When we get him back, and trust me Misty, we will get him back, he can retake his place. But only if you step up to the plate. If you feel unable to do so, Lance will fill in. And then Sam will not get his position back. This is one of the reasons why we have an Elite Four; not just to help administer a region but to ensure continuity."

Misty leaned back in her chair. "I don't like this."

"Trust me Misty, I would like nothing more than for Sam to stride through the door and take his region over again," Mellanie said, her voice thick with emotion. "He was a good leader and a better person, and it is my fault that I didn't recognize it for so long."

Mellanie paused for a long moment, looking away from the redhead in front of her. With a wrench of her will, she took a deep breath and looked back up."

"But that is not going to happen. Sunnyshore City is sewn up tight, under the pseudo-leadership of Agent, fronted by this Motsuba person. We cannot attack without jeopardizing the lives of more than a million people and hundreds of trainers, including Sam. We have to continue our jobs as best we can in his absence and work to save him as soon as we can."

Misty sighed, beaten by the logic. "Fine. I will do my duty Mellanie. I just wish it didn't have to be like this."

"I know." Mellanie said heavily. "And thank you. We will announce Sam's capture after the funeral and you will take over Kanto."

"Is there anything else, Pokémon Master?" Misty asked.

"Misty, you have known me for years. You can call me Mellanie."

Misty shook her head. "You are becoming more like a Pokémon Master each day. I only call you what you have become. You are the Pokémon Master, you think like a Pokémon Master and you act like a Pokémon Master."

Mellanie watched Misty rise and head for the door, the parting comments racing through her mind. Her chest tightened with uncertainty, the words echoing with dual meanings she couldn't quite shake. Did Misty mean them as a quiet commendation—or a quiet condemnation? Mellanie knew that many blamed her for the situation in Sinnoh, and she had shouldered that blame in silence for weeks. Yet Misty's tone hadn't held bitterness. No, there had been something else—regret, perhaps. Definitely some resignation. Maybe even admiration.

The phone on her desk rang at the same time as her computer started to chime. Mellanie glanced down and pressed a key causing Lance's face to appear on the wall screen in front of her.

"Pokémon Master," Lance said.

Mellanie smiled slightly. "You're the second person to call me that in the last five minutes."

"Both with respect I hope?" Lance asked, eyebrow raised.

Mellanie nodded. "I think so."

"Good. How did she take it?"

"You still only have one region," Mellanie said. "Misty has agreed to step up."

"I'm guessing it wasn't easy." Lance said.

"She didn't want to, but she had to admit that she had little choice," Mellanie said. "With Sam captured, it was either you or her."

"How did you persuade her?"

"I told her that if you took the region, Sam wouldn't get it back."

Lance let out a bark of laughter. "He beat me once, he could do it again."

"Indeed, but there is no guarantee. It was a close fight when the two of you fought."

"It was one of the best fights that I have ever been part of. People still hold it up as an example of what a fight between two elite trainers looks like."

"Which brings us onto our next problem," Mellanie said. "Sam is a phenomenal trainer and his Pokémon could face down huge numbers of opponents. Do we know where they are?"

"Unfortunately, not," Lance said. "I've got spies in Sunnyshore, but they have not been able to give us an exact location. At a best guess, they are being kept in one of the Pokémon League buildings where the Rockets have set up their administration."

"Do we know if they will be used against us?"

"Again, no. They would not fight willingly, but if it was either fight against us or watch Sam suffer, I don't know which way they would go. I don't know which way my Pokémon would go and Sam's are just as loyal."

"So we may have to face down five of a regional leaders Pokémon if we ever do attack?"

"Yes," Lance said simply. "I'm sorry I don't have better news."

"I want the truth, no matter how bad it is," Mellanie said slightly ruefully. "If nothing else, I've learned that." She sighed. "And the final task you have?"

"We have no idea where Ash is," Lance said. "I've got more than a dozen people looking, but I'm afraid I have no luck. Have you asked Misty about him? I know she saw him in the aftermath of you taking your title, when you were somewhat more estranged from him."

"No. The Elites do not know that his Pokémon were also captured."

"Ask her," Lance said. "Now that she has agreed to become Kanto Leader, even on an interim basis, it is time to bring her in properly. We need him, and any clue would help."

"Very well, I shall do so." Mellanie said. "Thank you, Lance. Ever since this crisis started you have given me unwavering support; I could not ask for more."

"I told you I was loyal," Lance said. "I'm just grateful you had the trust in me to let me help out."

Mellanie smiled at the Dragon Master.

"You repay that faith every day Lance. Without you..."

"We'd be up the creek even more." Lance said with a bark of humourless laughter. "But I can say the straight back to you Mellanie. You have grown into your role. I'm loyal to the office of Pokémon Master but now? I'm also loyal to you. I'll stand with you, no matter what."

As Lance finished speaking, the screen winked off. Mellanie sat for a moment longer, staring at the blackened screen, feeling the echo of Lance's words still hanging in the room. There was comfort in his voice—a steadiness she hadn't realized how much she needed until just then. Lance wasn't Ash, and he wasn't Sam, but he had been there through every beat of this crisis. Reliable. Loyal. Unflinching.

A knot twisted in her chest. She hadn't asked for this burden, but she had carried it, and she was so tired of carrying it alone. Lance, in his quiet way, reminded her that she didn't have to. That maybe, for the first time since the coup began, someone truly understood what she was going through.

She turned back to her computer, her fingers brushing the keyboard absently. In the absence of Ash and Sam, Lance had effectively become her second in command, especially as her relationship with Steven had drifted solely towards professional. There was little love lost between the two of them, with Steven's politicking clashing with Mellanie's focus and drive. She had found a use for Steven, but he was not the supporter that she relied on. And Lance's advice was usually good. It was time to follow it.

Mellanie picked up the phone, dialling a few digits. A moment later a voice came back down the line. "Misty speaking."

"Please can you come back up," Mellanie said. "There are some things that we need to talk about."

Lawrence rose from his chair and strolled down the corridor of his airship. As he reached the end of the corridor a door opened for him and he ambled into a large chamber. In alcoves around the chamber sat the latest and greatest additions to his collection. The Pokémon of Ash Ketchum, the strongest Pokémon trainer in history. Each Pokémon kept in its own cage, built specifically to contain them. As Lawrence walked in, he heard the thrum of the machinery in the room grow in volume.

"How are you all feeling today?" Lawrence asked politely as he approached the first cell. Inside, Espeon glared back at him.

"We'd be a lot better if you let us out."

Lawrence chuckled. "I expected a more considered response Espeon. After all, you have used that one before."

"It remains true."

"I'm sure it does, but you are part of my collection now," Lawrence said. "Until I believe that you will not attempt to ruin my hard work, I cannot let you out."

"Hard work? Hard work implies you earned the right to have us as your Pokémon. You attacked us, you stole us. You separated us from our trainer."

"Which is interesting," Lawrence continued. "Your loyalty is awe-inspiring. I do wonder what caused it."

"Ash is unique," Espeon snarled. "And a far better man than you'll ever be. He earned our loyalty, through hard work and dedication. Two things that I'm sure you know nothing about."

"Ah, not true." Lawrence said comfortably. "Whilst I'm sure that Ash has been through tough times, do not believe that I did not have to work for everything that I achieved. It is true, I inherited a significant sum of money, but I built this with what I had. That was not easy."

"Forgive me for not being impressed given how you abuse it," Espeon snapped.

Lawrence chuckled. "You truly are a wonder, Espeon. The crown jewel of my latest collection. A Pokémon that can speak clearly to minds, that is intelligent, and can conduct such conversations. Life here could be very comfortably for you."

"My life before was comfortable," Espeon retorted. "This is a parody, a mockery of that life. Let us go."

Lawrence shook his head, before reaching into a pocket and pulling out a small card. "May I tell you a story Espeon?"

The Sun Pokémon flicked her tail but didn't answer.

"Very well," Lawrence said, turning the card to show her. "This is an old Mew card. This is what inspired me to become a collector, the power of legendary Pokémon. And I'll admit, I once lost sight of what I was doing. The power of legendary Pokémon is not for man; you demonstrated that when you defeated Tobias. Which is what drew my attention. I acknowledge that legendary Pokémon have a place in this world and that attempting to supplant that is a bad idea. I remember my attempt to capture the legendary birds in order to draw out Lugia. My plan was successful, but I did not anticipate the disturbance to the balance that resulted. And when you faced down Tobias Takuto in the Clash of Legends, my suspicions were confirmed. An attempt to collect legendary Pokémon was doomed to failure. But Pokémon that had the power of legends? That would be a worthy addition to my collection. And thus, your team became my new target."

"Did you know that I have met Mew?" Espeon asked, breaking into Lawrence's thoughts. "She would not take kindly to how you have treated her friends."

"Oh Espeon, I do hope that you aren't relying on Mew to save you," Lawrence said, chuckling. "After my attempt to capture legendary Pokémon went so wrong, I did more research into them. There is a lot if you are willing to go back far enough. Did you know that every single legendary Pokémon has a place in the world? They all have a job that they were given by Arceus. It could be something as simple as managing the weather, or the sea, or something more complex. As the oldest Pokémon, with the obvious exception of Arceus himself, Mew has one of the toughest jobs."

"She has helped us before, and she will do so again," Espeon growled.

"I'm afraid she will not," Lawrence said, almost regretfully. "Mew is responsible for maintaining peace among legendary Pokémon. She is Arceus' representative on our planet, and she behaves as such. It would not only be beneath her to intervene here, but also against her role. She cannot intervene in human affairs. No legendary Pokémon can. Mew would only get involved if I went after legendary Pokémon once again, and I do not intend to ever do that again. My collection will be the greatest in history even without them."

Misty sat in front of Mellanie's desk, shock holding her in place. Mellanie waited patiently on the other side as Misty opened and closed her mouth several times in succession.

"Ash lost all of his Pokémon?" Misty eventually managed to get out.

"With the exception of Meganium, he has no Pokémon." Mellanie said. "It is, I have assumed, the reason that he is not here. He is trying to find a way to get them back."

"Sorry, all of them?" Misty asked again. "Pikachu, Espeon, all of them?"

"All of them." Mellanie said. "He was only able to save Meganium."

Misty slumped back into her chair. Ash without hisPokémon was... wrong. The idea of them caged, taken—it didn't feel possible. And if it felt that way for her, what must Ash be feeling?

"Wow." Misty said. "I... wow."

"Yeah," Mellanie said heavily.

"And Charizard?" Misty asked. "Where is he?"

Mellanie froze. "Charizard? He was captured."

"Ash called him?"

Mellanie held a hand up. "Sorry, I think I'm missing something. What do you mean, Ash called him?"

"Charizard was no longer part of Ash's team." Misty said. "After he went into exile, Charizard settled in Charicific Valley."

"How did I not know this?" Mellanie demanded, before realising. "Never mind. I knew Charizard wasn't with Ash, but I didn't realise he was somewhere else entirely. Charizard is still there?"

"As far as I know, yes." Misty said. "Sam would know better, but of course…"

"He isn't here." Mellanie said, energy flooding into her voice. "But if Ash can get Charizard back with him, he can get the rest of his Pokémon. Charizard is one of his strongest."

Misty opened her mouth to speak but Mellanie hushed her. "Sorry Misty, but I need to act on this. Thank you, you have been more helpful than I could ever have imagined."

Misty nodded and left the room as Mellanie picked up the phone once again. Before she dialed the number, she paused for a was like a weight lifted. If Charizard was still free, then Ash wasn't out this fight at all. Feeling slightly better, Mellanie hit the call button.

"Hello, Lance? Charicific Valley. Charizard was not with us in Sunnyshore City. I had assumed that he was elsewhere and was captured, but according to Misty, they have been separated for some time. Get somebody there and you might find him."

Ash stood quietly, waiting. At his side, Meganium stood as silent as her trainer. She had refused to return to her Pokéball after they left Indigo Plateau, instead insisting on remaining at her master's side. They had headed away from Kanto, taking themselves back into the Wilds, in the general direction of Johto although not heading directly for the region. Instead of sticking to the routes that connected the two regions, Ash had deliberately headed away into the Wilds. His reception had been welcoming, Pokémon who remembered everything that he had done over the years for them. They had rallied around him, supporting him. Lawrence's airship was being searched for by well over a thousand Pokémon, but as yet nobody had found it. That in itself was concerning to Ash. It was an enormous machine and could not hide inside the regions for long. Yet if it traveled into the Wilds it would be easy for Pokémon to find. The fact that they hadn't found it yet said that he was missing something.

As a result, Ash had changed his requests. Whilst his allies were still searching for the airship, three messages had gone out. Two of the intended recipients would have definitely received them, and Ash simply had to wait for their response to arrive. The third was harder. For all of the strength of the network of region Pokémon, nobody knew for certain where Mewtwo was.

And so, Ash had waited. He could do little more. He needed to be easily found, and so once his messages had gone out, he and Meganium had returned to an old training site. Every Region Pokémon knew where it was, and most knew to avoid it when he was in residence. Charizard had been the first to arrive, three days previously. Ash's message had reached him, and if Ash understood his once iconic Pokémon, Charizard had left instantly, flying without rest to reach his trainer. His Pokémon's loyalty was touching for Ash, although the Pallet-trainer knew that Charizard's territory would be safe. Nobody wanted to go against such a close ally of Ash's.

Ash turned as Charizard landed with a loud thud at the entrance of the cave. The Flame Pokémon had been out hunting, something that he had insisted on taking over once he arrived. Although Ash had not expected him to be back so soon. A moment later, a second Pokémon set down next to Charizard.

"Mewtwo," Ash said. "Welcome to my latest home."

"This is certainly a little less homely than some places we have met," Mewtwo observed as he stepped into the cave's entrance, leaving Charizard to stand guard at the entrance. "I heard that you wanted to see me Ash. What can I do for you?"

"I'm sure you know. There is only one thing that would cause me to ask you to come to meet me."

"I believe that you are referring to the fact that your Pokémon have been captured by another human?" Mewtwo asked.

"Yes. I would like to request your assistance in their retrieval. You are strong enough to bring down his airship, especially since you know what defences it has."

"I could do it, yes." Mewtwo admitted. "Although I am surprised that Espeon was unable to defend against the attack. His electronic devices, whilst powerful and resistant to attacks, should not be beyond the capabilities of your Pokémon to combat."

"They are when they take my Pokémon by surprise. Those same Pokémon then tried to save the other humans we were with. By the time Espeon and Alakazam realised that they were being targeted themselves, it was too late. It was a well-set ambush."

"I am sorry to hear that," Mewtwo said. "I do indeed have a soft-spot for your Pokémon. However, I am unable to help."

A growl came from the entrance to the cave where Charizard had turned to watch the exchange. The flame on his tail was burning alarmingly large, something that Mewtwo had clearly taken note of.

"I am sorry," Mewtwo said hastily. "I wish that I could. But I have a position amongst the legendary Pokémon, largely due to your influence. Unless something falls within this area, I may not intervene. Pokémon deal with Pokémon issues, humans must deal with human issues. That is how it has always been, and that is how it must be."

"Do you not owe me a favour?" Ash asked. "One that I can call in?"

Mewtwo shifted onto one foot, clearly uncomfortable. "I wish that I could Ash, I truly do. I owe you more than I can ever repay, and if I could help I would. But I cannot disobey."

"Disobey who?"

"Me."

Ash spun to see Mew floating behind him, compassion etched onto her face, her age evident in her eyes. "I watch over the legendary Pokémon, and I ordered Mewtwo to not intervene."

"Why?" Ash asked. "Mewtwo intervened three years ago, when Cynthia and Officer Jenny were influenced by wild Pokémon. My understanding is that he is responsible for ensuring harmonious relations between humans and Pokémon. Why can he not help me now?"

"You are correct young-one," Mew said. "Mewtwo is indeed responsible for ensuring that relations between humans and Pokémon do not take the unfortunate turn that they did due to the actions of Tobias Takuto. However, the dispute between yourself and Lawrence III is not an issue to be resolved by Pokémon. It is a human vs human affair and it is not our place to intervene. Mewtwo was correct that he can only intervene where humans and Pokémon conflict, and then only to ensure that the Pokémon are kept under control."

"If I do not get my Pokémon back, there may be war in Sinnoh," Ash argued, his calm voice belying the panic he felt building inside. "Such a war could cost countless lives, both human and Pokémon. Do you not have a responsibility to prevent this?"

"Those are human morals child," Mew explained gently. "Not ours. Such a war, whilst regrettable, would not influence the purview of legendary Pokémon. We would continue with or without humans. So, we would not intervene. The deaths, whilst regrettable, are part of nature. Pokémon have fought and died against each other before, and they'll do it again. The world would not be thrown out of balance by it. We have been here for millennia before you, and we will continue for millennia after you are gone."

"And the fact that you owe me?" Ash asked, the strain now becoming evident in his voice. "I have done nothing but serve Pokémon in my life. I was the one who tracked down Hypno for you and brought him low."

"Your history of assistance is noted, but not sufficient grounds for us breaching some of our strictest laws," Mew said. "I can do naught but provide the most basic information."

"Such as?"

"The airship that you have Pokémon searching for is hidden. They will not be able to find it. Without tempting him out, finding the ship will be almost impossible."

"Could you find it?"

"Yes."

"But you won't?"

"No."

Ash glared at Mew before turning back to Mewtwo who looked like he wished he could be anywhere else.

"You once told Mewtwo that he did not deserve to receive help from me," Ash said. "After this, I wonder why I would ever help again."

"You have helped us in the past because it is the right thing to do," Mew said. "And because that is the kind of human that you are. In recognition of that, if legendary Pokémon ever go after humans, we will be there to help you. It does not however entitle you to our assistance beyond areas of our remit."

"And if Pokémon go after humans? Normal Pokémon?"

"Mewtwo's job is to make sure that never happens." Mew said. "And if there were further conflict between wild Pokémon and humans, he would intervene to stop it. But conflict between humans and other humans? We do not get involved. Even if humans use Pokémon in such a conflict, we would not get involved."

Ash glared at the two psychic legendary Pokémon for a long moment. Shaking his head in disbelief he strode past Mewtwo, Meganium and Charizard hurrying after him. As soon as his back was turned, Mew glanced at her clone, speaking directly into his mind.

"You know we cannot tell him."

"This is Ash," Mewtwo argued. "He was responsible for his capture first time around. We should help him and then he will help us."

"We cannot help him, and you shall not tell him," Mew said, her voice forceful. "Do you understand?"

"Yes," Mewtwo said sullenly. "I understand."

"Good. The escape of Hypno is a matter for Pokémon to deal with, not humans. When we find him, we shall bring him back in line. We must not let Ketchum find out that he is on the loose."

As Ash reached the entrance, unaware of the conversation that had flashed behind him, he turned back to gaze at the two legendary Pokémon that he had put a lot of his hope into. His eyes burned with a fury that made Mewtwo step back slightly, but Mew met his gaze calmly.

"I may assist in future again because if it is the right thing to do," Ash started. "But I will not forget that in my moment of need, you stood and did nothing. Whatever special relationship that you thought we had in the past, is no more. Do not ask for my help ever again."