The return of a legend

To locate a missing kid

Kukui and Sycamore walked through the forest, following Lycanroc closely. "So." Sycamore began. 

"So?" 

"You seem to be blaming yourself very heavily for Ash's disappearance." 

"I was the one who left him alone. I should've left Rotomdex there." 

"You believed that Ash would stay there and rest. From what I've seen of Rotomdex, it gets bored very quickly and would likely have bothered Ash." 

"Still. I should've left someone there." 

"There's nothing we can do about the past. The only thing we can do is move forward, and prepare ourselves for the future. Right now, that means finding Ash. I'm hoping Greninja has already found him, but we need to be ready if it hasn't." 

"Do you have an idea of who did this?" 

"I believe Team Rocket may have had something to do with it. I assume you're familiar with them?" 

"Very. Why do you think that?" 

"They've always been after Ash's Pokemon, but especially his Pikachu. This isn't the first time they've tried to get Ash out of the way. I don't know if their Pokemon can use sleep Powder, but we need to keep it in mind."

Kukui nodded. "So when did you meet Ash?" 

Sycamore chuckled. "It's a funny story, actually. I believe I've already told you that I was the one to give Ash Greninja. Back when it was a Froakie, it was a very determined Pokemon. It used to roam the streets, looking for trouble so it could stop it. It saved Ash's Pikachu from Team Rocket, but got very hurt in doing so. Ash, as well as Bonnie and Clemont, brought it to me. We were able to heal it, and it decided it wanted Ash as it's trainer." 

"So you're close to Ash as well?" 

"I would say so. I ran into him many times during his quest to become Kalos Champion. He saved me from Team Rocket, as well. He is an interesting young man, and I'm interested to see what he will do in the future." 

Kukui nodded again. "Indeed. He's only been here a year, and I've already seen so many amazing things from him. Do you know of Tapu Koko?" 

"The Electric Guardian. I have." 

"It's battled Ash many times. Most people struggle to see it once, if ever. There is something incredible about him." 

"Agreed."

Lycanroc picked his head up, growling softly to get their attention. "He's found something. Look, up ahead." They both hid behind a tree, looking down a hill. It was a cave, with three kids in front of it. They were all arguing. 

"You were supposed to be watching him!" The blond guy yelled. 

"He was tied up in the cave! He had no Pokemon, and nobody saw he was gone! Nobody was supposed to know he was gone until an hours ago!" 

"I can't explain it! We got hit with an attack before we knew what was happening. Something got in, took him, and got him out." The black haired guy cursed. 

"It had to have been his Greninja. We thought we were leading it into a trap, but it must've seen Houndoom before it went in. He must've communicated with it somehow." 

"But I thought that stupid thing was supposed to block their bond." 

"We must've underestimated it. We'll address it later. We need to find them before they tell anyone about us. Nobody can know about this."

Sycamore and Kukui locked eyes. They both knew what this meant. They were the ones to take Ash. "Let's split up. Greninja's a water type, so it'll probably stick close to the ocean. I'll go there. Hako, you go North and close in on the town. Rin, go West and follow the beaches. Let's hurry, before we get caught." 

Kukui and Sycamore stepped out. "It's a little late for that, boys." Kukui growled, Lycanroc ready to attack. 

"I suggest you surrender, before you get hurt." Sycamore pulled a Pokeball out. Kukui was curious as to what Pokemon was in there. 

"Fuck. New plan. You two distract them. I'll find Ash." The blond kid ran off, a Thievul following closely behind him. 

"Lycanroc, Stone Edge!" Lycanroc howled, and a wall of blue stones appeared. It blocked the blond kid off from his escape route. 

"Ready to meet Garchomp?" Sycamore asked, throwing the Pokeball in the air. 

"Is this the one that Mega Evolves?" 

"Indeed. Fascinating thing, isn't it?" Garchomp appeared in front of Sycamore, roaring as it landed. 

"Incredible. You owe me a battle with it once we find Ash." 

"As long as you battle me with Incineroar you have." 

"How'd you know about that?" 

"You had fur on your coat. Don't worry, I won't tell." 

The pink haired girl turned to the blond boy. "What the hell do we do, Akae?" 

"What we have to. Use sleep powder!" Thievul leapt up, launching green powder at the duo. 

"Garchomp, Hyper Beam!" 

"Lycanroc, Stone Edge." Garchomp's Hyper beam hit Thievul in mid air, and the Stone Edge, slammed into Houndoom. 

"Alright, Sableye, Dark Pulse." 

"Use Dragon Pulse before it can attack!" Sycamore shouted. Garchomp followed his orders, and the Dragon Pulse hit Sableye right before it attacked. 

"Not bad for a couple of old dudes, huh?" Kukui grinned. 

"And I didn't even get to show you Mega Evolution yet." Sycamore and Kukui walked down the hill, where the trio was sitting shocked. 

"How the hell did you knock them all out in one blast? No Pokemon is that strong!" The girl snapped. 

"Actually, there are several Pokemon that can easily do that. But in short, we've been training for much longer than you have. Now, we have some questions, and for your sake I hope you answer them." Sycamore knelt down to the girl. 

"So ask me." 

"Rin!" 

"Oh, shut it! We're already in deep shit. Might as well try to get ourselves out of it."

Rin turned to Sycamore. "You were the ones who took Ash. What did you do with him?" 

She scoffed. "Had him in there. We were trying to get his Greninja, but he managed to get out. A Pokemon helped him, so it probably was Greninja. This wasn't long ago." 

"I'll see if I can follow the trail. Come on, Lycanroc." Kukui and Lycanroc ran off, the latter following Ash scent. 

"Now, who are you working for? As intelligent as I'm sure you are, I know this plan wouldn't have been put together without someone powerful." 

"His name's Alton. He's got a whole plan for world domination. Honestly, I've seen better, but it was a chance to get away from my mom." 

"What Pokemon does he use?" 

"A Steelix. It's a pretty strong one, too. It can Mega Evolve and everything." 

"How did you meet him?" 

"He finds the kids who just wander. The ones who don't have parents or Pokemon. He helps us, then offers a place in his new world. It was better than what I had. Besides, I got to meet Sableye, which is one of the only good parts in my life." 

"Why Ash and his Greninja?" 

"Dunno. He said something about their power. Supposed to be endless. Didn't seem that way earlier, but you never know. Oh, you might want to tell that other guy to watch out." 

"Why?" 

"Because Alton is here too."