Separated but Connected

Guards and Threats

Ash, just like everyone, had inner walls/guards. Overtime, he learned when and where to let his guards down and to put his guards up. So, when he heard that twig snap, his guards went up immediately as his anxiety spiked.

Greninja immediately sensed his sudden change in demeanor. "Ash? What's wrong?!"

Ash looked into Greninja's eyes. They were still sharp, which was to be expected. He always searched his surroundings. It was his job to protect the group, being the resident Ace after all. Any other person would've just seen the intense sharpness in his gaze and shrink back. Not Ash. Ash had learned to look past his friend's protective gaze. He noticed that his gaze swam with worry and uncertainty. He breathed a sigh before responding. "I thought I heard something... It sounded like a twig being snapped."

Greninja narrowed his sharp gaze. "I'll check it out."

"No, no." Ash replied dismissively. "I'm sure it's just a Pokémon-!" He stopped mid thought as a tall man with pale skin, dark brown hair, and hazel eyes stepped out from the bushes. "Hello, young man. I'm sorry I startled you and your Pokémon. Allow me to introduce myself: My friends call me Lucien."

Ash normally was a very trusting kid. His Mom had once warned him about it, for trouble always seemed to find him with surprising ease.

This time, however, it almost seemed... wrong to trust Lucien. Ash wasn't sure why. Although, it may be due to the way Lucien was looking at both himself and Greninja-mostly Greninja though- just as a hungry Pyroar would look at a Deerling. Or maybe it was due to the fact how small and vulnerable he felt when Lucien towered over him. Whatever the reason, Ash felt a chill run down his spine as his heartbeat began to race. He wanted to take a step back from the man. He didn't.

He felt Greninja step closer beside him, so that his arm brushed against his own. He felt his smooth skin against his own. It gave him some solace, but it did little to erase the way his heart thundered in his chest and how his stomach twisted with anxiety.

Suddenly, Ash felt waves of calmness flow into him, as well as a voice. "Stay calm." Ash nodded as Greninja's voice rang in his thoughts. He forced his heartbeat to slow down. He had known that the calmness was coming from his loyal friend, so in return, Ash sent his love to him.

Ash turned towards Lucien. "Nice to meet you, Lucien." Ash replied, in a somewhat steady voice. "What brings you out here?"

Lucien smiled. "Well, I was just looking for Pokémon. This particular forest is full of rare and valuable Pokémon. I had just found one when I heard a commotion and I wanted to see what was going on. Then, I found the two of you. I saw that spectacular transformation your Greninja did. Tell me, what was that?"

Ash wasn't going to answer Lucien. He had seen first hand how people wanted to "study" and "help" new and strange Pokémon, when they just wound up torturing it for information about their strange nature. There was no way he was letting it happen to Greninja.

Before he had the chance to refuse, Lucien spoke again. "I provide people with the rarest and most expensive Pokémon in exchange for money. So, I'll make it simple for you, kid. Either you hand over your Greninja willingly, or I will be forced to take it from you! If you're smart and do as I say, I'll split whatever profit you Greninja makes with you. Do you have a deal?" He snarled.

Ash felt anger wash over him, but it wasn't his anger, for he had been too appalled to speak nor feel anything. Greninja let out a low growl. "That'll never happen! Ash would never sell me, or any of his Pokémon! If you even take a single step towards us, we'll make you regret it!"

That's when Ash finally broke free from his shocked state and gave Lucien a hard glare.