Delia was hysterical. Oak would be too, but he needed to be calm and focused, otherwise he'd be useless and unable to do anything or think clearly.

Ash was missing.

For whatever reason, the young girl was nowhere to be seen. She was neither in her home nor in Oak's, and Pallet wasn't that big of a town to be able to hide a young, recognizable girl like Ash. And everyone knew her and could recognize her on sight, so he wasn't worried about her running about in town and getting lost. That wasn't even possible –Ash knew Pallet like the back of her hand, all the ins and outs, the shortcuts, and even the surrounding forest.

So where could she have gone?

Uneasily, he remembered the call he'd made to Delia earlier that afternoon. Could Ash have overheard her mother talking on the phone?

"Delia, do you remember Ash being in the house when we had that…talk earlier, on the phone?" he asked her quietly, the worried mother calming slightly to think and then try to answer him.

"I-I'm not sure," Delia hesitated. "Gary was around then and they were watching TV…but I think he left soon after, and it was quiet. I didn't think she was in the house, that maybe she'd gone with him somewhere."

Oak frowned. "No, I asked Gary before I came here. He told me that he left Ash, and she was still in the house when he'd gone and she'd been working on a calendar or something. She…she might have overheard you and did something rash."

Delia buried her face into her hands. "If she overheard me, then she must've been upset that I've been lying and trying to keep her from going on a pokémon journey. She must've run off."

"I'm sure we can get the Viridian police to look into this," Oak reassured her. "Ash is a well-known kid and this place is small –if she's not seen around here for a long while, then she's not here. We won't have to worry about waiting for a full 24 hours before reporting her missing. Especially with those traffickers about…"

Delia sobbed. "That's exactly what I'm worried about! She's out there, all alone…You've heard the news! Kids, people, all sorts of them are being abducted right off the streets and who knows what's happening right now! I don't want Ash to be one of those girls that gets found in a body bag!"

Oak slammed his fist onto the table in frustration. "Don't you think I know that? That I don't feel the same way? Damn it, I practically treat and see Ash as one of my own! I've spent these past years helping her and trying to make sure she's not lonely and sad all the time! I'm just as worried and upset as you are!"

And bitterly, he wanted to scream blame at her for driving Ash away, for pushing Ash to this point. He knew how hard it was for Ash to connect to people, to find something she really wanted to do and felt she was good at. Pokémon and going on a pokémon journey were what she felt comfortable and at home with.

Yes, Oak knew the dangers waiting out there in the world, exacerbated by the appearance and terrorizing of this group of people (if they could be called that) who took others of all ages, and initiated such unspeakable things. Not even the criminal Teams were as heartless or disturbing. Maybe just as or even more dangerous, but at least the Teams were much more…ethically responsive, and had some sort of moral compass.

They could be ruthless and needlessly cruel, but at least they weren't there to torture for fun or sell off children to the highest bidder.

Yet, despite all that, he couldn't smother down Ash's hopes and dreams, or completely shut away her feelings and wants. He couldn't discourage her from the only things she'd ever connected to, even if his mind frequently came up with horrible scenarios that could happen if she were to go out in the world, more so now that she was gone from the town and most likely out on her own.

Then again, one couldn't keep their children locked away forever. One day they'd have to leave their nests and fly away on their own, and experience the world for themselves.

Oak just couldn't help but feel it was a little too early for Ash.

He massaged the temples of his head, trying to think of a way to get this resolved and have Ash back home and safe. An idea flittered into his head and he hesitantly thought about it. Could he…It was dangerous though. And he cut that connection off because he thought it was too dangerous.

But…

Oak sighed and knew he had to make a decision quickly. It was important that he did too –Ash's life could be in danger and he would be wasting precious time.

"Delia," he muttered. "I think I might have a solution. I just…I just need to make sure first. Call the police, won't you? Let them know what's going on."

He needed to get over his reservations.

~*~*~

Nighttime had descended pretty quickly. Time seemed to have passed by, and for the man expertly rubbing his hands up and down the eager body against him, he had no notice of it. Time was not a thought in his head at the moment.

He had all the time in the world after all.

He pushed her through the entrance to the loft apartment, plastering his mouth against the curve of her neck. He lapped at the skin, his tongue creating circles around the area as one of his hands traveled to the back of her dress and he quickly found a zipper. However, already his interest began to wane and he started to become bored. Interest drifting, a childish and smiling face briefly appeared in his head, as well as a soft echo of a folk ballad.

He rolled his eyes and inwardly smirked at himself in irony.

Interest completely gone, he pulled back as he discreetly grabbed something from his pocket, peeking up at her to see her eyes were closed. Perfect. He slipped the pill he'd grabbed into his mouth and bit down slightly, right before he kissed her harshly. The effects of the experimental drug rendered her unconscious and she practically collapsed in his arms. He carelessly deposited her on his couch, and then let his mind wander as he took off his jacket.

Calling one of his agents, he irritably waited for someone to answer.

"Giovanni sir?"

He used one hand to unbutton his dress shirt, holding onto the phone with the other. "There's a woman in my apartment I want gone. Retrieve her and drop her off to her home."

"Yes, sir."

He hung up and placed his phone on his desk, fully taking off his shirt and flinging it off to lie somewhere on the floor. Going to sit at his desk, he turned on his laptop.

"Now he has asked me questions three…"

Of all the times…It's actually been quite a few years since Giovanni recalled that little girl. He'd actually kept tabs on her for a bit, calling on Oak and checking up on her for close to a year and a half, until the professor told him it was best he stayed away and forgot about her, as it would help her get over this phase of 'claiming marriage' to him. He'd found the whole thing rather amusing and flattering, and jokingly told the professor he wouldn't mind her outrageous declarations. Still, he'd honored Oak's request and had all but forgotten that little girl, minus the brief moments where she seemed to randomly pop up.

Still, for her to be thought of now…Honestly, he hadn't been interested in a woman or been with one for a few years now, and now suddenly Ash Ketchum invaded his thoughts like a plague right at such a moment. It made him question his mental state, though he refused to even think that he'd not been with someone or that he'd stop then, all because of that little girl for some reason.

It was a little too ironic, even for him.

Unwillingly, he started to hum the folk ballad she'd sung that one day, so long ago. If he remembered right, he'd looked it up sometime after she'd left, recalling how most sources agree its basis probably came from The Elfin Knight, and how the song was supposed to be about two lovers (former or not, whatever) giving each other impossible tasks to complete if they wanted to be the other's "true love." He laughed quietly to himself under his breath.

Perhaps he should come up with and give that girl impossible tasks to finish, if she still wanted to marry him.

His phone rang and he scowled, grabbing it and answering irritably. "What is it?"

He was surprised to find it wasn't one of his agents, but Professor Samuel Oak himself. Curious about what the man wanted, especially considering the last time they left off it was on strained terms, Giovanni purposefully softened his tone and asked more politely about what the other wanted.

Oak took a deep breath on the other side.

"I need your help, Giovanni."

~*~*~

Ash didn't know how long or how fast Maximus had flown them, but she did know that it was nighttime now and Maximus had taken off at an impressive speed, and had maintained that speed for the entire journey. She knew Viridian was too close to Pallet, so she hadn't gone there, but she didn't know where they'd gone after aimlessly flying straight and having no direction. Plus, Maximus was tiring by then and she didn't want to wear him out or push him passed his limits.

Seeing bright lights in the distance, she tried to talk to Maximus over the screaming wind in their ear.

"I think I see a city! Let's head there and try to find some shelter!"

She couldn't see how 10 year olds would want to go on a journey when she was 14 and felt absolutely terrified. She'd rushed into this without any thought or preparation. She had no money on her, or food, clothes, or anything else that could help her. If she couldn't fend for herself at 14, how could she at 10?

Maximus began slowing down and Ash didn't have a hard time seeing the large sign proclaiming what city they were in. She gaped at it and Pikachu nudged her.

"Oh wow…"

They'd made it all the way to Saffron.

"Maximus, you're amazing!" He'd covered such a large distance, and in a short amount of time.

The Charizard puffed up and visibly smirked, straightening up in a proud stance. She giggled at him, while Pikachu hid a snort.

"But you must be really tired, right? You went this far and so fast! You deserve a nice, long rest, Maximus," she tenderly caressed his head with her hands, before she took his pokéball and summoned him back.

She looked at Pikachu. "Let's go in?"

"Pika!"

Hesitantly walking through the city's entrance, she walked around a bit until she came near a building where a man was enticing people to come in and watch a show. It looked a little like a circus show, and Ash was eager to come in and watch.

"Hey, pretty love!" the man winked at her. "What about you? Do you want to come in and watch pokémon and humans perform live?"

She grinned and nodded enthusiastically, but her smile fell off when she realized something.

"I don't have any money," she sighed.

He waved her off, grinning back at her. "It's a free show on Fridays! We like to let the crowd come in and see it, so they'll spread it through word of mouth and even come again themselves."

With that, Ash was let in and she and Pikachu excitedly looked around for a seat, sitting down and then waiting for the show to begin.

~*~*~

Once morning had come, Giovanni made his way to Pallet Town, reaching it in little to no time. The small, quaint town was quiet and just waking up in the early morning, not many early risers up and about. Perhaps, after all this was over, he could drop by and give a surprise visit to that little girl. See if Ash remembered him, how she was doing…And it'll be interesting to see how she'd grown up in the years past…

He clicked the intercom button to his side. "You have Oak's address, don't you?"

The divider rolled down to reveal his second in command, with Archer calmly glancing at his mirror to see him.

"Of course, Giovanni. We'll be there in three more minutes, in fact."

Giovanni muttered something, before he just leaned back. "Alright. Make it quick then. I want to know what's so urgent that he wants me there quickly, and so important that he is actually contacting me for help."

"Right away, sir."

He rolled up the divider again, and tried to relax in the peace he had left before he was to confront Oak. Unfortunately, that time went by quickly and soon enough he was in front of Oak's door, with the man himself opening it.

"Giovanni, thank you for coming," the professor looked oddly haggard.

"I just want to know what is so important you had me rushing over and that you couldn't just inform me over the phone. And especially since last time we were in contact, you made it quite clear you preferred that I keep to myself and mind my own business," he stated dryly.

Oak let him in and tiredly ran a hand through his graying hair. "I need your help."

"Yes, you told me that before. Just what do you need my help with?" he raised an eyebrow, starting to get a little bit annoyed.

"Ash has gone missing."

Giovanni unwittingly froze, before turning on his heel slowly and staring down the professor.

"What do you mean she is missing?"

Oak explained the situation as much as he could, and Giovanni's hands clenched. Honestly, his own reaction seemed rather irrational, but he couldn't help feeling extremely furious at the situation and at the professor.

"Do we have any clue as to where she could have gone?" he growled, his jaw clenching in anger.

"We're pretty sure it was spontaneous and that she just left without any preparation or having really thought about it. She's taken nothing with her, but the Pikachu I gave her."

Giovanni grunted slightly, thinking. Well, at least she'd taken her Pikachu. His eye glinted and he turned to Oak impatiently.

"What about her Charizard? Did she take her Charizard as well?" he asked keenly.

Oak blinked, staring at him in shock. "C-Charizard? She doesn't have a Charizard."

Giovanni smirked slightly. So she kept it a secret, did she?

"Yes, she does," he corrected the older man. "I gave him to her a long time ago, when I handed her that Mew stuffed doll. He was hidden inside. So unless she never found the pokéball inside of it, then she's kept her Charizard a secret and more than probably has him with her at this time. Which means that she didn't just walk away and might've even flown a distance."

He frowned at that. That made looking for her harder, if she flew on his old Charizard, instead of walking from Pallet and to the next city as had been presumed. Plus, Viridian was his home ground, and it would have been much easier to find Ash there with his agents crawling all over the place.

"But you're the boss of Team Rocket," Oak blurted out and Giovanni looked at him sharply, hiding how caught off guard he was. "I don't have any concrete proof, but I've always had my suspicions. I…it was why I wasn't too keen on you being around and too interested in Ash before. I didn't think it would've been a good idea to have her so partial to a crime boss."

Giovanni shifted slightly, but inclined his head in agreement. He could see Oak's reckoning and agree with it a bit, though he had to claim bias and prefer the opposite claim after all.

"I was hoping that with you being the Rocket Boss, that you could use your connections to find her and have your people on the lookout," Oak finally explained his full reasoning in going to Giovanni for help. "You have the resources and influence I don't have, that could help find her quicker."

The crime lord frowned, tapping his fingers on his thigh. "Of course I would have done so without you asking about it, or even had you not known about who I was," Giovanni implicitly confirmed his identity. "I'm just not in the same business as those people. I need to think how to find and contact them."

Oak hesitated, before he decided to hell with it. Ash was more important.

"I could…I could get you all the information the League has been compiling about them," Oak offered. "We've been trying to discreetly find a solution and catch these people, for the sake of the kids and everyone, especially traveling about on pokémon journeys unaware."

"That would help," Giovanni agreed. "I tend to try to get information on anything and everything, just to be prepared. However, whoever they are, this organization works very well in the shadows and they don't leave signs behind. If they have a paper trail, it's probably hardcopy, which is harder to track nowadays since everyone favors electronic paperwork. No witnesses are left behind; anyone left are bodies that your people lock up and examine, keeping whatever they learn from the autopsies to themselves.

"Because me and mine usually ignore them and designated them as non-priority, no matter how much I dislike them and their methods, we're all kept out of each other's way and I had no need to push to find information on them. So any actual attempts are usually foiled by your people finding it first, and then keeping it locked up," Giovanni reasoned his, for once, lack of information about the group.

"Please, Giovanni. They made it personal," Oak pleaded.

Giovanni pressed his lips into a very thin line. "Yes, yes they did. And I already told you –I have this. Just get me that information."

It had been a very brief meeting in actuality, all that time ago. But if she was allowed to claim him (as silly as it had been), then in whatever strange, fated role assigned to her, he should be allowed to claim her back, right?

And he protected and was possessive of what was rightfully his.

~*~*~

Giovanni sniffed lightly, the smell of Lysol and a hint of some sort of cookies lingering in the air. Slowly, he walked up the stairs, fingers lightly trailing on the railing. He found Ash's room quickly, the door opened and clearly a room decorated visibly with pokémon paraphernalia. Although, once he actually stepped into it, he was surprised by how sparsely decorated and rather bare it actually was, for an adolescent teenager.

There was nothing to truly mark the room as anything belonging to someone of Ash's age. Her bed sheet covers and pillow cases were a plain crimson red (he thoroughly approved of the color), and the few decorations around the room were pictures. Mostly photographs of Ash with the pokémon probably from Oak's Corral, quite a few of her and what he supposed was her Pikachu, and some with Ash and the professor. There were a few with her mother, and even more rarely with a boy her age with reddish brown hair. One picture stood out because it was the only one with the two, with Ash standing next to another young girl, who wore stylish clothes and had honey-brown hair and blue eyes, and a Poliwag in Ash's arms.

But then his sharp eyes caught sight of something that was next to an official League pokéball clock on the dresser next to the bed. The Mew plush doll he'd given her was sitting up and resting against the clock, and he gravitated towards it.

He reached out and grabbed it, lifting it up to examine it in sort of…fascination. He hadn't really expected her to keep it, and especially not this long and at her age. And it looked very well taken cared of, for the time it's been owned.

Obviously, it looked worn. But that was expected because of its age and the fact it seemed like she regularly kept contact and held it around. But it was clean and kept together, and not falling apart. The color of it didn't seem all that faded, and there seemed to still be an appropriate amount of stuffing that had the plush puffed up and looking lively.

His thumb brushed against the plush's snout, before he turned it over and found the zipper. Pulling it down, he nodded in satisfaction to find the pokéball he'd put in there gone. So she more than likely had Charizard with her.

After zipping it back up, he pocketed the Mew doll, intending to personally return it to her once he found her again. Then he turned on his heel and began to walk out, stopping only when he saw something else. Above her desk, there was a personally-made calendar hung up. It was full of sketches and he made a mental note to scour around at a later date, and see if she had a book full of her sketches. They were quite good and he'd like to hold onto it.

Taking the pushpins out, he took the calendar and examined it more closely, seeing the care that went into it, as well as how it obviously was meant to be a countdown to when she would be going on her pokémon journey. Journeys traditionally started on April 1, and her birthday actually landed around that time. In fact, if he remembered correctly, her birthday was around the time he'd met her.

He went back to focusing on it, and looked closer at the tiny notes she'd made on certain dates. He looked at the note on the space that landed on her 18th birthday, and couldn't refrain from the burst of laughter that escaped him.

Dear Arceus, this girl…

One step closer on becoming a Pokémon Master and going to marry Giovanni!

Well, that answered his question about whether or not she was still going on about marrying him. Perhaps he should just give in and concede to her. It wasn't like he was really interested in finding a wife otherwise, or even cared to.

Carefully tucking her calendar into the inside of his jacket, he chuckled and continued on his way. He had a girl to find after all.

~*~*~

Ash screamed along with the others, clapping in cheer for the good show. Pikachu echoed her, having equally enjoyed the show himself. After awhile, the show ended but they were calling out seats for a special behind the scenes tour. When Ash's seat was called, she excitedly jumped up and jogged to join the group of people that had been chosen.

"So everyone's all here?" one of the performers, a pretty lady that had been one of the jugglers, grinned at the group. "Follow me then!"

Ash ohhed and ahhed with everyone else as they were taken to the back and shown around. They even got to go up to some of the pokémon that had performed, interacting and petting some of them.

All of a sudden, Ash was grabbed from behind and the sharp edge of a knife was at her neck. There were screams from around her, and she caught sight of the group of people she'd been with being surrounded as well.

The knife against her neck pressed harder and she felt the cut forming and a stinging pain, then the trickle of blood slithering down her neck.

"Hey, little bird. If you didn't want to be caught, you shouldn't have gone for the bait," a familiar voice snickered into her ear.

She closed her eyes tightly and hoped Pikachu had gotten away.