Disclaimer: I Don't Own Pokémon.

"This is talking"
"These are thoughts"

The Ivysaur's grin match that of it's trainer. It lower it's vines, but tossed them back up, throwing Kandi back and through the air.

"Kandi!"

Kandi closed her eyes as she fell downwards, bracing herself for a fall.

A figure burst the window and leapt up, catching Kandi and landing lightly, one knee on the ground. "Are you ok?" Ash whispered. Kandi nodded slowly and he smiled, sitting her on the floor and standing up, he walked in front of her.

"Oh no..." The Rocket whispered as he spotted Ash. He narrowed his eyes and took out three pokéballs, releasing an Archannine, Vaporeon and Raichu.

Ash looked lazily at the Pokémon and took out a Pokéball, throwing it. The pokéball opened in mid-air, but white light that poured out of it suddenly turned into a white blur, passing by the Pokémon and knocking them back and forth. Within seconds the rocket's Pokémon were unconscious and the blur froze. Absol stood loyally by his trainer, red eyes narrowed at the enemy.

The Rocket stood, mouth hanging open in shock. He turned to run, but in the blink of an eye Absol was standing in his way, growling.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Ash warned, but his grin portrayed amusement. He looked back at Kandi then at Misty, confusion settling in his expression. "Absol, let's wrap things up."

Absol leaned back slightly before charging forward, striking the rocket in the chest and knocking him to the floor. He leapt off the barely conscious Rocket and picked up the belt of Pokéballs, running over to Misty and laying them in front of her. He bowed to her then returned to Ash's side, eye's now locked on the unmoving Rocket.

Ash nodded to Absol then looked behind him. "Make sure the rest don't get away." He said to something standing behind him.

"Pika." Came a reply before a yellow blur shot off in the other direction. Ash turned to Misty and smiled. "It's been a long time... hasn't it?"

Misty looked at Ash in confusion. She knew she knew him from somewhere, but who was he? She felt her heart beat faster as he took a few steps towards her so he was only a short distance from her. "Don't you remember me?" That voice, it was familiar. She made eye contact with him. She knew those eyes anywhere but.... could it really be.... "Ash?"

Ash smiled and nodded, taking another step towards her. They were now face-to-face, eyes locked. He felt himself leaning towards her, and her to him. They were barely an inch away from each other when...

"Mommy who he?"

Misty looked down suddenly at Kandi, who was pulling the side of her shirt to get attention. "Um, Kandi... this is Ash. Ash Ketchum."

Ash took a step down and looked down at Kandi. "Misty... who's this?" He asked, his voice confused, dull and sad. Were his suspicions true?

"This is Kandi." Misty said, picking Kandi up and hugging her slightly. "She's... uh... she's my daughter..."

Ash felt like his heart was torn that very second. A painful, burning sensation in his chest made him feel like he would collapse from shock. Daughter? That meant... she was, or at least had been, with someone else. He felt his eyes burning with hot tears, and turned his back to her quickly.

"Ash? Are you ok?"

"Ya." Ash said, covering his eyes then wiping the tears away with the back of his hand. He turned back, smiling reassuringly, but he felt dead inside. "It's great to see you." He said, though his tone was half-hearted.

Pikachu trotted around the corner. [All Rockets paralysed and accounted for, Sir!] Pikachu declared, giving Ash a salute. Ash just smiled and petted the Pokémon on the head when it leapt to his shoulder. He took out a cell phone and dialled a few numbers. After calling and giving the details to the Cerulean Police Department, he hung up and put the phone back in his pocket.

"Ash, what's going on? Why did those Rocket's want my Pokémon?" Misty asked.

Ash sighed and looked back at her. "I don't really know Misty, but they've targeted all the other Gyms in all three regions." He leaned his shoulder against the door and folded his arms. He looked up at the ceiling and frowned. "What are you up to Giovanni...?"