Gold's POV

"You must've really upset her," Serena frowns from across the living room.

I put a movie on after Green left to mope. It was mostly just to fill the empty apartment with noise. I've been replaying our argument over and over.

"It wasn't my fault," I huff and cover myself with a blanket. Eyes on the movie and not the angry honey blonde.

"I'll go check on her," She says and disappears into Green's room.

Ash and I sit and watch the movie. "What would you do Ash?"

He chuckles lightly and pets Pikachu who's on his lap. "I don't know. The bad guy was always the bad guy and they often made their goals clear. Destroy the world."

"Right," I sigh. "I just don't understand why this is different. Triton is bad and needs to be stopped, and we can't let it happen again."

"What is President Triton's goal?" Ash asks.

That's a good question.

"We don't really know," I start to see Green's point. "We just know that no man should have Arceus' power. And countless legendaries are being held captive."

"True," Ash agrees. "If step one is stopping him then focus on that. The rest will sort itself out."

"Right," I shake my head, laughing at the very Ash suggestion. "Whatever happens is going to change things. I just want to make sure it's good change."

"I know," The brunette walks into the room in her pyjamas, eyes a little red from crying. Now I feel bad. "But I don't think it needs to be all or nothing."

I move over on the couch and Green sits beside me.

"You're right," I give her a small smile. "It's complicated and I think we should try to come up with a plan. Not this very night but while we're doing all this."

"Mhm," She nods.

"The more information you get the better plan you can come up with," Serena assures.

I grab Green's arm gently. "And we'll figure out who we can trust. Maybe we'll put your younger sister in charge."

This gets a laugh out of the girl. "She would like that too much."

"Now everybody sshh the main characters are about to kiss," I declare and get back to my movie.

Green's POV

"It works out that we're all headed to the Bug District," Ash comments as we step out into the Capital's streets. The morning sun has already risen above all the skyscrapers.

"About that," I trail off.

My three companions stop on the busy sidewalk and look at me suspiciously. Gold motions for me to continue.

"When I called President Triton yesterday, he didn't just recommend I go to the Bug District for fun," I sigh and make sure to avoid Gold's gaze. "He wants me to look for a plate that aids his research."

"What!?" The navy haired trainer exclaims. People passing by glare at the boy disrupting their walk to work.

The other two look at him in confusion. Maybe we should just fill them in on the whole story at this point.

"I know I know," I try to quiet Gold. "I'll explain once we get out of the city."

Thankfully the awkward walk to the gate was short and we pass through without any issues. It probably helps Gold's case that he's travelling with three people who have special permissions straight from the President.

We step out into what feels like another dimension. Skyscrapers and sidewalks are replaced with towering trees and flourishing gardens. The air smells cleaner even though we're just outside the city.

Despite all the pretty flowers, Gold is still evidently angry.

"So?" He faces me.

"The plates are what President Triton needs to control Arceus," I explain quietly to Ash and Serena even though there's no one around us. "He's missing five of them."

"And you want to help him?" Gold questions sharply.

"Of course not," I scowl back. "But part of the reason for being allowed on this journey is to help Triton. I can't say no."

"Can't you just pretend not to find it?" Ash suggests.

Gold holds his arms out towards Ash as if that's the obvious solution. So dramatic.

"Or you can find it and gain some trust," Serena argues.

This time I'm the one gesturing towards the good idea. "I agree."

"Of course you do," Gold rolls his eyes. "I see no flaw with helping the enemy."

"If Triton is relying on me to help find the plates then that must mean his teams are struggling," I try to explain. "Then if it's up to us we can delay finding the last couple."

He shakes his head.

"Why does he think you'll be able to find it?" Serena asks.

"Most of the plates they haven't found yet are in Districts that aren't particularly close to the Capital. So he's hoping that I can make some connections and help people open up to where they are."

"You want to trick them?" Gold covers his face.

"You're impossible," I huff. "We have to do things we don't like."

"Let's just get going," He turns and heads down the dirt path.

Ash and Serena share a look before following him down the route. I sigh and hold Litleo in my arms, the warm fire type trying to cheer me up.

It's easy to tell this path is not frequently travelled. Tall grasses and ferns are starting to encroach on the path. Some sections require us to push through vegetation over our heads.

Gold silently leads us, Eevee on his shoulder as per usual. Ash and Serena quietly talk amongst each other, not wanting to get involved apparently. Not that I blame them. They probably want us to make up on our own like adults.

Unfortunately Gold is a child.

My eyes wander to Serena's outfit while we trudge down the path. Her maroon skirt and maroon cardigan are a lot more fashionable than my all black and turquoise athletic wear. Maybe she can give me some tips. Wait a minute.

"Guys stop," I say and the three turn around. "Serena there's something on your back."

Clung to the fabric is a black blob about the size of Serena's hat. It has a big head with big eyes and a small caterpillar like body following. On top of its head sit three white antenna.

"It's a Scatterbug," Ash points. "We saw a lot of them in Kalos."

Despite it being a bug Pokémon, Serena doesn't freak out and gently moves the Pokémon into her arms. "Hi there," She smiles.

I smile too. Not because of Scatterbug but because of the way Ash is looking at the girl. Just complete adoration.

And let's not forget that pink ribbon I noticed under his sleeve. Still need to ask Serena about that.

"I caught a Scatterbug!" Serena cheers in Ash-like fashion.

"That'll be great for your contest," I say.

"You're right," Serena holds out the pokeball and releases the Pokémon. "Want to be our guide?"

Scatterbug finds a nice resting place on Serena's fedora and goes to sleep. "I guess not," Gold gives a small laugh.

We continue down the path for a bit until coming to a crossroads. After a quick lunch which we had packed sandwiches for, it's time to decide where to go.

Gold pulls out his map and studies the cave option. "I think I need to go check out the cave way."

"I-" I start

"Ash want to come with me?" Gold quickly follows up. "I wouldn't mind having some strong backup."

"Well if Ash is going with you then I'm going the other way with Serena," I frown.

"You do you," He shrugs and I restrain myself from slapping him.

Ash and Serena share a look between each other before agreeing. "Good riddance," I give Gold a parting shot.

Gold's POV

"I hope there's some strong Pokémon in this cave," Ash states as we head towards the cave entrance.

It doesn't stick out very much, just a short entrance in what looks like an average sized hill. It's not mountainous or anything around here.

"What's her problem?" I say, not really expecting Ash to have the answer.

"Y'know I've had fights with all my friends," Ash starts unexpectedly. "Even Serena."

"Really?" I question. I didn't think those two would ever fight.

"Yea it was my fault," Ash scratches his cheek. "I was stubborn and didn't want help."

"So you're saying I'm being stubborn?"

"I don't know," Ash chuckles. "But I know Green is your friend and is trying to do what's right."

We pause in front of the cave.

"You're right," I sigh. "Thanks Ash."

"I've done a lot of learning," He laughs. "I'm also a cave expert-AHH."

Ash plunges into darkness right in front of me. He was only a step ahead and that step took him off a cliff. "Ash!?"

"I'm good," His voice echoes. "Jump down."

I nervously glance at Eevee. At least last time we could see where we were jumping.

I purposely jump beside where Ash did so I don't crush him. Eevee hangs on tight to my hat but we don't actually drop that far before landing in something soft.

"It feels sticky," The substance sticks to my hands and clothes.

Ash rummages through his bag and pulls out a flashlight. It illuminates a small portion of the cave and my heart drops.

"We're caught in a web," I start to struggle and try to break free.

"Leavanny help us out!" Ash brings out his grass and bug type. Its tall and scrawny form is made out of leaves.

The Pokémon, an expert clothes crafter apparently, starts delicately pulling on the web and clearing a way out for us. I wish she would move faster.

"Arrr," A low hiss causes everyone to freeze.

"Uh oh," I mutter.

"Pikachu Thunderbolt!"

Ash's command comes in the nick of time. Electricity engulfs a diving Ariados.

Ariados is the source of nightmares. Its red and black striped body is plump like a poisonous spider, which is exactly what it is. Its four yellow and purple arms look like stingers as it finds its footing on the web.

Pikachu's electricity reacted with some purple crystals that can now be seen covering the cave walls. This casts everything in a low purple glow, just enough to see everything.

"Okay Leavanny this will be good practice," Ash announces and his Pokémon steps in front of the poison and bug type Pokémon. "Leaf Blade!"

Leavanny's arm glows and extends into a sharp blade. The green glow looks really cool in the dark.

Ariados uses its web to scurry out of the way and fire its own attack. Purple blobs of poison shoot towards Leavanny who doesn't take it well.

"Cut off a piece of the web and use it to catch Ariados."

"What?" I mutter and watch the grass type not question it for a second.

Leavanny takes a piece of the web and casts a webby net over the stunned Ariados. The spider quickly regains itself and starts to unravel the net.

But it's enough time for Leavanny to nail it with a Leaf Blade attack. Leavanny follows it up with a creepy bug attack that consumes Ariados, Struggle Bug.

Ash finds a pokeball and tosses it towards Ariados, capturing it in the first try. "I caught an Ariados!" He cheers.

"You keep that thing away," I shudder.

"Did you see how strong it was?" Ash awes. "I needed a third bug type Pokémon."

"I was more focused on not getting eaten but sure," I shake my head.

We continue through the cave, looking for Pokémon or anything interesting. "Professor Cedar's map says there might be a legendary Pokémon here. It's not confirmed though just based on rumours."

"I wonder what legendary," Ash says. "I've met a lot that like caves."

"Right," I laugh.

Pikachu has gotten good at keeping the crystals alight so seeing hasn't been an issue. The only sounds are the soft drips of water and our footsteps.

Until the voices.

A group of people come around a corner with a lamp in their hands. I instinctively pull Ash behind a rock outcropping. We peek around and they don't seem friendly.

All black outfits and a bunch of dangerous looking equipment does not seem right.

"There's supposed to be a rare Pokémon," One of them says. "Let'd go look this way."

"It's going to be a huge payday," Another remarks.

Before I can continue eavesdropping, Ash pops up and starts running at them. That really set him off.

"Hey!" He confronts them with Pikachu's cheeks sparking.

I run behind him, eyeing the guy's strong looking Pokémon carefully. Why do they have to have a Weavile and two Scizors? Their claws are so big.

"What are you doing here boy?" The leader scoffs, taking his earpiece out to hear better.

"Boy?" I question. "You're missing something."

Ash steps a little closer to their light.

"Oh shit I know you," One of the other two guys says. "You're Ash."

"Oh yea like the champion or something," The other remarks.

"What's a champion doing here?" The leader asks.

"Well I'm about to take some Pokémon Hunters to the police," Ash smirks. "I hear they treat foreigners nicely."

"Foreigners?" I questions and Ash points to a small J emblem on their shirts.

"You work for Hunter J," The raven haired trainer says. "That means you're from Sinnoh."

The leader grumbles, looking away.

"Leavanny wrap them up with String Shot."

One of the Scizors takes the string and falls to the cave floor. "Run!"

Abandoning their Scizor, the Pokémon hunters run with their remaining Pokémon.

We chase after them, hopping over loose boulders and trying not to trip on the slippery moss. Pikachu launches Thunderbolts at them as we catch up.

One of their Pokémon puts up a Protect barrier, stopping us in the confined space. The leader stops running and gives us a sleezy smile.

He releases two Pokémon I do not want to see, Electrodes. They are basically oversized pokeballs with a jolly face. But make no mistake, they are highly explosive.

Ash doesn't look any better than I do. We look at each other in worry and watch the Electrodes start to glow.