No Return (The Return Series)

The Contact

"Are you sure," Victoria asked, "I'm sure Ash knows where he stands and if he stands against us he will die." "It's necessary precaution I must take to make sure that Ketchum knows where his allegiances lie." Victoria sighed before going on her computer and looking through all the contacts Team Rocket had ever had. She stopped when she found the person she was looking for. An old image of him stared back at Victoria. Victoria sighed before looking up information on him to get into contact.

With Joel, Emily and Hudson:
The tension in the air was increasing steadily as Hudson glared at Emily while Joel lay on a cough throwing a bouncy ball up in the air. Emily was standing up leaning against the doorframe of her room. Hudson stood in the kitchen leaning against the fridge. They had gotten a hotel together and when Hudson found out that Emily had reported Ash, he was furious. Because now they all had to monitor more people. And people Ash had marked as a high threat. It was the fact that he no longer got any time to himself now. Giovanni told them that they had to be tracking nearly constantly. "Why are you mad," Emily yelled, "we don't have any time to ourselves any more. We have to be constantly following these dex holders. And it's your fault just because Ash went on a date," Hudson yelled back, "Giovanni said to report anything," Emily exclaimed, "are you jealous," Hudson asked seriously, that's when Joel stopped throwing his bouncy ball and looked over at the two of them. "Jealous, what are you talking about. I'm not..." Emily was cut off, "we all saw the way you looked at him during the mission. When you first met it was just physical attraction now it's... more," Joel said, "stop fighting both of you. You both make valid points but we all have the same goal. Helping Giovanni achieve his goals is our number one priority. So let's got track some dex holders."

With Dawn:
Dawn lay in bed wide awake. She felt complete. Ash. Her Ash had returned. He was back. His gorgeous eyes. His soft hair. His playful smirk. Arceus, she hadn't realised just how much she missed the kanto native until she had seen him again. Yet there was something looming in the back of her brain. On the way to dinner last night someone had come to talk to her. That someone was Kenny. She hasn't seen Kenny since, well the incident 4 years ago. Kenny had asked her for forgiveness and asked if they wanted to hang out together like when they were kids. Dawn had declined at first because of how much pain Kenny had caused her but ultimately she agreed because he said it was just hanging out and nothing more. What's the worst that could happen.

With Ash:
Ash was getting increasingly bored waiting for the ref to arrive. Trip was looking at him. Trip didn't know that it was Ash. All he knew was that Ash had died in a fire 4 years ago. He and Trip weren't close. He didn't have to know. Trip was just an annoying asshole. That's when the ref ran onto the field. A woman his age. Light Brown hair, olive eyes. She was wearing the referee uniform. But she looked familiar. Ash squinted, 'is that...' Ash was brought back to reality by the ref speaking. An American accent. A fake one. Ash was probably just seeing things. "This battle is between Red of Pallet Town, Kanto and Trip of Nuvema Town, Unova. Trainers send out your first Pokémon," the ref said. "Let's go Unfeazant," Trip yelled, "Krookadile," Ash said. "Unfeazant/ Krookadile," both Pokémon cried as the left their Pokeballs. "Battle begin," ref yelled. "Unfeazant use Brave Bird," Trip yelled, "Krookadile use Dragon Claw," Ash yelled. They met in the middle with Krookadile easily overpowering Unfeazant. "Unfeazant use Steel Wing," Trip yelled, "Stone Edge," Ash said. Unfeazant was fly towards Krookadile and it looked like it was going to get a hit in until a blue Stone came up from the ground and hit Unfeazant. "Unfeazant is unable to battle the winner is Krookadile. Will Trainer Trip send out his next Pokémon," the ref announced. Ash frowned in the refs direction. He was sure that was Emily. But what was she doing here. She should be in Kanto. "Go Jellicent," Trip yelled, "use Scald." "Dodge," Ash yelled. "Use Foul Play." "Ice Beam," Trip yelled, "spin dodge," Ash said. Krookadile spun avoiding the attack completely and colliding into Jellicent. "Jellicent is unable to battle, the winner is Krookadile. Will Trainer Trip please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. Ash was sure that it was Emily. The fake accent could not hide her. "Go Vanilluxe," Trip yelled, "Ice Beam." "Stone Edge," Ash yelled, "Flash Cannon," Trip yelled. The white beam destroyed the frozen rocks that had placed themselves in the ground. "Dragon Claw," Ash yelled, "Krookaaaa," Krookadile cried as it hit Vanilluxe to the ground, "now use Earthquake," Ash yelled. "Krookadileeee," Krookadile cried as it slammed into the ground creating shock waves that Vanilluxe was no match for. "Vanilluxe is unable to battle the winner is Krookadile. Will Trainer Trip please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. "Go Chandelure," Trip yelled, "use Fire Blast." Ash did not move. He did not give a command. He just let Krookadile get hit. Which meant he was coming up with a plan. The flaming symbol engulfed Krookadile in a fiery explosion. When the smoke cleared Krookadile was just standing there without a scratch on its body. "Use Foul Play," Ash yelled, "use Flare Blitz," Trip yelled back. "Krookaaaa/Chandelureeeee," both Pokémon cried as they met in the middle creating an explosion of ref, black and blue. When the smoke cleared Chandelure was on the floor with Krookadile standing there. "Chandelure is unable to battle the winner is Krookadile, will Trainer Trip send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. "Go Conkeldurr," Trip yelled, use Mach Punch." "Conkeldurrr," the Pokémon cried as it seemed to teleport as it used the priority move. Krookadile saw this coming and jumped on the ground knocking Conkeldurr of its feet in the process. "Krookadile use Dragon Claw," Ash yelled, "Krookaaa," Krookadile cried as it jabbed its claw into the ground where Conkeldurr lay. "Conkeldurr is unable to battle the winner is Krookadile. Will Trainer Trip please send out his last Pokémon," the ref announced. "Go Serperior," Trip yelled, "use Frenzy Plant." "Stone Edge," Ash yelled. "Serperiorrrr/Krookadileee," both Pokémon cried. "Use Dragon Tail," Trip yelled, "Dragon Claw," Ash yelled. The two attacks met and Serperior looked like it was still in the battle until it was send flying back. When Trip looked at Krookadile it had struck Serperior with its other claw using Dragon Claw. "Now use Foul Play," Ash yelled. "Serperior get up," Trip cried, "ser ser," Serperior struggled to get up. Trip realised too late what was about to happen. "Use Frenzy Plant," Trip yelled, "spin, Krookadile," Ash yelled. Krookadile spun in the air as it descended towards Serperior spinning managing to stop Frenzy Plant from hitting it. That's when Trip realised it was too late. Krookadile hit where Serperior was. "Serperior is unable to battle, the winner is Krookadile so the match goes to Red of Pallet Town, Kanto," the ref announced. Ash walked to the middle to shake Trip's hand. Ash then turned to the ref. "May I speak to you referee," there was a dark edge to his words. His eyes seemed to stare through her soul. "Of course follow me," the ref said leading the way. They walked into the room where the refs would come out of. Luckily there was no one in there. "What are you doing here," Ash yelled. "What are you talking about challenger. I've never met you before," the ref said nervously. "Cut the act, Emily. I know it's you. You can't hide," Ash said, "fine," Emily relented, "what if it is me, what do you want." "Answers," Ash exclaimed, "what are you doing here. In Kalos. And why are you refing?" "Giovanni wanted me to keep an eye on your friends. Jimmy and Paul," Emily answered, "fine but where did you get the ref uniform," Ash asked, "simple. Killed the girl who was supposed to ref," Emily replied, "makes sense," Ash muttered, "please just don't get in the way of my mission. You're already on Giovanni's bad side," Emily said before taking a step closer to Ash. Ash didn't notice because he was too busy thinking about possibilities. He was brought back to reality by Emily pressing her lips to his. Ash was frozen. He was too shocked to do anything except let the kiss continue. When Emily pulled away she said one more thing, "stay out of the way. Stay out of the way until it is time."

With Dawn and Kenny:
They sat in uncomfortable silence. Kenny decided to speak, "look I'm really sorry about what happened, I just..." Kenny couldn't finish, "I forgave you long ago. I couldn't stay mad. You had been my best friend since childhood. I convinced myself that there was some greater force making you do it," Dawn spoke calmly. Kenny laughed nervously, 'you don't want to know,' he thought to himself. "I could never forgive myself," Dawn continued, "for letting it happen." "I'm sorry. The thing is Serena, she made me do it," Kenny explained. Dawn looked over surprised, "Serena, the chick with the red hat. That Serena," Dawn asked, "that's the one," Kenny muttered, "she came to me and explained what I had to do. I refused. I knew you loved Ash. I was happy for you. But Serena threatened to kill my family if I didn't and she threatened to kill you. After what happened 4 years ago I left. I was ashamed of myself, I was ashamed of what I had let happen," Kenny lied. Dawn reached over to touch his hand, "it's not your fault, Kenny," Dawn said, "yea," Kenny muttered. 'If only you knew the truth,' Kenny thought to himself.

With Ash:
Ash was standing silently waiting for a referee praying that it wouldn't be Emily. He remembered what had happened an hour ago between them. She had kissed him and his legs refused to work. Now he was even more confused about his feelings. His thoughts were jumbled all over the place. His opponent had arrived. Iris. And thank Arceus that it wasn't Emily refing. "This battle is between Iris of Opelucid City, Unova and Red of Pallet Town, Kanto. Trainers send out your first Pokémon," the ref (who wasn't Emily) announced. "Go Emolga," Iris yelled, "go Emboar," Ash yelled, "battle begin," the ref yelled. "Emolga use Acrobatics," Iris yelled, "Emboar use Arm Thrust," Ash yelled. "Emboarrr," Emboar cried as it thrusted its hand into Emolga. "Emolga use Thunderbolt," Iris yelled, "Emboar use Flamethrower," Ash yelled. Flamethrower easily overpowered Thunderbolt and Emolga fell out of the sky. "Emolga, no," Iris cried, "Emolga is unable to battle the winner is Emboar. Will Trainer Iris please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced, "Emolga return. You battled well take a good rest," Iris told her fainted friend, "go Hydregon," Iris yelled, "use Tri Attack." "Use Flamethrower," Ash yelled, "Dragon Breath," Iris yelled, "Flamethrower," Ash yelled. "Use Arm Thrust." Ash yelled, "Giga Impact," Iris yelled. "Emboarrr/Hydregonnnnnn," both Pokémon cried at they attacked. Both Pokémon pushed back at the same time but Hydregon didn't move. "Emboar use Arm Thrust," Ash yelled. "Emboarrr," Emboar cried as it hit Hydregon with its attack. "Hydregon is unable to battle, the winner is Emboar. Will Trainer Iris please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. "Go Garchomp," Iris yelled, "Garrrr," Garchomp cried as it exited its Pokeball. "Use Dragon Rush," Iris yelled, "use Arm thrust Ash yelled. ""Garrrrr/Emboarrrrr," both Pokémon cried as they met in the middle.

6 Hours Later:
Ash had finished his battles for the day and he had fought Brock, Misty Cilian, Iris and Clermont. But the tournament still had 2 days left before the finals and Ash still had around 200 more matches. And it didn't help with Ash's conflicting emotions. He wasn't sure what he wanted. He could pick Dawn and all of his old friends or Emily and Team Rocket. 'This is getting me nowhere,' Ash thought, 'I need sleep.' Ash walked off back to his hotel room. Unbeknownst to Ash, Kenny was watching him. "I'm sorry Ketchum," Kenny said to himself, "it's just good business."

2111 Words.