Chap 1- Into the city His cloak the color of midnight billowed out behind him as a gust of wind shook the tree he was hiding in. His faithful Pikachu hid near the trunk, so his fur; yellow in color, would not reveal them to an onlooker. Saffron City was one of the metropolis’ that had been taken over by Team Rocket, so it was guarded very closely. From his position in the tree the mysterious man could see Rocket scouts, clothed in black walking the outskirts of the city. He jumped from the tree; his charcoal hair flying above his attractive face. His eyes the color of furnished wood were focused on the tall wall. His mind was also focused on one goal. He had to get into that city. He landed easily on the coarse, uneven ground and his dependable pokemon rushed to meet him. The dark haired man looked towards the city. It had tall walls going around it and the entrance was a tall iron wrought fence. It was surrounded by Rockets with guns. There were also pokemon mainly Houndour guarding it. There would be no lowly rocket grunt guarding Saffron City, only high level Rockets who knew how to fight. Saffron City had been a tough battle to win, mainly because of the many psychics residing in the city, that included Sabrina, probably one of the strongest psychics in the Johto and Kanto regions. The man shook his head to get rid of his wandering thoughts and began to analyze what he had to do getting in through the gate was an impossible ordeal. Well than he would have to get in another way! “So Pikachu how are we going to get in?” “Pika Pikachu” “My thought exactly.” He smiled at the small electric mouse in front of him. Reaching into the interior of his cloak he winked at Pikachu “I could use a distraction.” The petite Pokemon nodded as an answer but looked at him with question in his beady black eyes. “Now remember I want a good long distraction do not hurt any Rockets.” The pikachu looked at him disdainfully “that’s right I want you to act as a wild pokemon they can’t let on that you have a trainer.” He scratched the Pikachu under its ears and said “be careful.” The Pikachu bobbed its head up and down and ran to the far side of the wall. Ash took out the thing he had been searching for in his cloak. A small, round, red and white object laid in the heart of his palm. He waited. That was always the hardest part for all he knew his Pikachu had been hurt, but all he could do was wait. Soon enough blinding lights had illuminated the sky. A perfect flash attack. “What was that” a Rocket cried? “I dunno” the other responded. They both rushed over to check it out leaving only one rocket guarding the wall. This was really too easy. Pikachu gave another strong electric attack and the last Rocket left his post to make sure his comrades were okay. The raven -haired man quickly approached the wall. The wall was over 20 feet high and was made out of smooth marble with no nicks. They obviously thought it couldn’t be climbed. The man smirked at that and tossed his pokeball high into the air. Out came a rather large Bayleaf. The Bayleaf used its vinewhip to pull itself up and then its master. His hands gripped at the vine and he slowly scaled up the wall not wanting to think of the consequences if he was caught. The vine was thick and rubbery, it hurt his hands but he ignored that and kept climbing. He took a deep breath when he reached the top and jumped. He landed on his knee cutting it a bit. Not that bad though. He held out the pokeball and with a flash of red light the Bayleaf returned. He had made it inside the city. He was not at all safe though. Getting in was the easy part. Staying safe, that was the hard part. He must find somewhere to hide. Citizens were not allowed out after 10:00pm and he had no pass. Creeping along hoping not to get caught he managed to find a small place of solitude. A little alley so dark no one would notice him. Using his cloak as a pillow he laid behind some trash cans, hoping Pikachu was okay. The sounds of guards did not scare him anymore as they used to. They were as common as the sounds of the Zubats at night. He stared up at the night sky wondering why his life had come to this; always running. He had no idea what had become of his friends, of Professor Oak, or even his mom. Soon he fell asleep lost in his thoughts. “Pika, Pikachu, Pika” the Pikachu nudged at him until he woke up. Filled with rapture at his return of his pokemon the man let out delighted cry. He quickly stifled it in case a Rocket passed by. He hugged the Pokemon and rubbed its head. Then he took out a pokeball and recalled it. He would get shocked for this later but though citizens were allowed pokemon they were very rare. In the cities that had been taken over, most trainer’s pokemon had been sent to the team Rocket headquarters, and with no one allowed outside the city there were hardly Pokemon to catch. Sure there were wild Pidgey, and Rattata but a wild Pikachu was rare. The sun had risen and the streets were busy. It pained Ash to see the once beautiful City of Saffron reduced to this. There were Rocket grunts all around most of them had guns and Pokeballs. Ash walked out of the alley silently begging no one would check his pass. If you had no pass you were taken away and most likely killed. Ash remembered the message on the note he had received. It had been delivered by a carrier Crobat and it said please help. I need you. Meet me at Roseburg café at 9am in Saffron city. The note could have been faked but it was so pathetic he had to help. He walked to the café and sat at a table. He pulled the collar of his cloak over his face. If this was a trap he had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. He didn’t know who he was waiting for but assumed they knew him. Some Rocket grunts sat at a table slightly near him and he took a shaking breath. The Rockets ordered and began to eat. The time was 9:24 and no one had shown up. It could be do to the fact that the Rockets were right by them. This was very nerve racking he should order so it didn’t look so suspicious but no waitress paid him any mind. He risked a glance at them and one of them shouted “you, who are you?” another one yelped “let’s see your pass!” The man was unable to speak as they got up, this was the end, he was dead. But they marched right by him and marched out the door. There was a boy out there with a Hoot–Hoot on his shoulder. They raced after him. The boy was young with white blonde hair, and blue eyes, he dressed normal with blue jeans, and an orange shirt. Ash shuddered to think of what the Rockets would do to him and hoped he would be okay. “I live here I s-swear” his voice shook violently “my n-n-name is Brandon Marks.” They grabbed him by his arm and demanded he lead them to his home. As soon as they were out of sight a tall, dark man sat down at the table. He had on a pair of neatly pressed khaki pants and an olive polo shirt. He had strong muscular arms and short, buzzed brown hair. He was oddly familiar. The enigmatic, dark haired man stared at him trying to place his finger on the name. He knew this man, very well in fact. Suddenly the name came. Staring at him his voice began to shake, there was no way, but it appeared to be very, very true. “B-Brock?” “Yes Ash it is I!”