Since the girls fight, all of them have gone separate ways. Dawn was in the room with Bonnie. Leaf was rushing to the shop where she bought the crystal for clearing her queries. Misty was in the school, deep in thoughts. While May was wandering aimlessly on the streets to the north-west side.

The sun had already set. Cold wind slapped May's face as shiver went down her spine. She pondered on what Dawn said. Since they arrived, their real mission was to find out about the mystery and help the cerulean city people. Since they arrived, there hasn't been any case of kidnapping or murder. Or maybe May didn't know. Afterall, all she and Misty were really focused was the recording. The real purpose they were here for slipped their mind.

Not only that, but something was also clearly bothering Leaf. May and Misty were too blind to focus on that. And now there is this crystal mystery too. Which doesn't make sense.

May didn't notice that she had entered a forest. The moon was casting terrifying shadows of the dry trees around. But May didn't notice. She sneezed when a leaf fell on her nose. But, not paying attention to anything, she went ahead, unknowingly catching attention of few boys from the west side of the forest. Including a green hair and purple haired boy from the north side of the forest.

There was a cliff ahead for about few kilometres. But May didn't know. A strong wind blew. But May just used her hands to warm her up, not paying attention to the wind.

May decided to focus on the mystery now. And as for now, there were plenty besides the murders. Even in their own school. About the boys, the crystal, the library, and Leaf's strange behaviour.

She halted. May had nearly forgot about the washroom incident.

They couldn't be sucking Elissa and Tia's blood, could they? And who were they? She started walking with her head down, deep in thoughts.

Something was off. Elissa and Tia where no where to be seen when the girls were in mid of their conversation in canteen. As far as May remembers, they were with some boys.

Maybe they are in a relationship? And May mistook it as if the boys were sucking their friend's blood? Yeah, that's a big possibility. She could ask them about it later. So maybe, the girls disappeared when they received a text from their boyfriends. It was that simple. No need to overthink on that.

And as for since when Leaf started behaving strange, it was maybe from the moment they met the boys. So perhaps, Leaf might know them from before? If that was the case, then why did Leaf not tell them? She seemed to be in her own world since then.

Own world since then.....

May's eyes widen as she had a surprised look on her face.

Maybe Leaf had a crush on one of the boys!?

Her face fell on the idea. Leaf and daydreaming about boys? Opposites which never attract in this case. So, it had to be something else. But May still considered the abstract idea as a possibility. Only because They could get a chance to tease her. Which, if it doesn't involve science or tech, doesn't happen.

Little did she know, May was heading directly towards the cliff. Something jumps between the trees, leaping from one branch to another hastily. It was heading towards May. It leapt in Air, a figure of someone, exposed to moonlight, grew sudden hair, fangs, and claws. It's mouth watered as it size grew. Ready to tear May into pieces, it raised it's hand as it charges towards her. But vanished within a second with one more shadow. May turned around as she heard the rustle of leaves. But found no one.

"That's weird. I am sure I heard something." She murmured, before turning back to the direction she was heading. Her eyes widen as she gasped in realization.

"How could I not see this? And when did I even enter this forest!? Where am I?!" She exclaimed in panic.

She turned, trying to trace her footsteps so she could head back without much hassle. Gulping, she began to walk slowly, now full aware of her surroundings and the scary noises and shadows.

"How could I not notice this." She muttered

*************************************************************************************

Leaf stood frozen in front of the shop. The close sign was there. She reached her hand on the knob. Peeping through the window, unable to see anyone, she decides to come again tomorrow and retrieved her hand. Before she could even take another step away from the shop, Leaf felt presence of someone behind her. She looked back, panting. The Cerulean City, at night, was beginning to scare her. Upon not seeing anyone, she sighed in relief.

"Something the matter Miss?" A voice spoke from behind her. Leaf turns sharply with her eyes widen. It was the same old ragged man from last night. Leaf had lost her breath. Less than a minute, he wasn't in sight. And now, out of nowhere, he suddenly appears, asking if something was the matter.

Leaf gulp, gathering courage she spoke up. "The crystal I bought yesterday... I want to know about how you got it?"

"We don't answer queries at this time. If you have nothing else to say, might as well leave." He said in a low guttural tone.

"Right.... It's a priceless crystal which you sold to me at just 50 paise. Turns out, I am giving it to our principle. So, she is paying me for it.... I'll pay you half the sum of it. Or three-fourth if you like. I need some of the money for.... Research. Is that ok with you?" Leaf asked hesitantly, as she looked down.

The moment she looked up, she saw the man smiling at her. He had a enigmatic smile and a mysterious glint in his eyes as he nodded.

"Thank You Miss. Thank You." He spoke. Leaf blinked confused. Suddenly, a strong wind blew, something fell in her eyes, as she tried to blink it away. What Leaf failed to notice was, the more she blinked, the image of the man was fading away, right in front of her eyes.

After the man disappeared, Leaf was successful in removing the dust in her eyes.

"Excuse me Sir, I actually...." She stood there. No one was in front of her anymore. The man was gone. All she remembered was his smile. He looked satisfied, as if he finally fulfilled a task assigned to him.

Leaf shook her head and decided to head back. It didn't feel safe anymore. She looked back at the position where the man last was, then at the shop. Mysteriously, the inside of the shop no longer had a gloomy aura surrounding it unlike the last time.

*****************************************************************************************

Misty sighed. She was roaming in the school premises, thinking about the fight. She didn't want things to turn out like this, she just wants Dawn to focus on her talent. But then again, Dawn is right. They are here for solving a mystery, not to fight. But this is a one-time opportunity. If the record doesn't reach him.... It'll be too late. Maybe they should split up their task. Leaf was focusing on the mystery. She could do that with Dawn. May and Misty could go for the recording, with an excuse that-

A glass cracked and shattered, it's sound stopped Misty's thoughts as she shivered. It was cold in the school, with no one around.

"Where did the sound-" one more glass shattered.

"Lab." Misty exclaimed before she begins running towards the lab.

"Why do I have to head to the lab. What was Paul possibly thinking? He knows I make a mess! Oh, wait he doesn't know about the time when I was banned from the lab." Ash muttered. One more glass shattered from his hands.

He groaned. "This is hopeless. What am I even supposed to find here!?" Ash murmured as he decides to head back to his home.

"Drew already left when he didn't find anything. Why do I have to stay here longer? Even though I left late. And Paul just had to ruin my chance of eating human food. He doesn't even let us hunt humans. Though I agree with him on that." He made a quick turn and kicked an empty can. The moment he was about to turn left, he bumped into someone.

Ash groaned, then let out a small growl as his fangs appeared. But the moment he saw Misty groaning and rubbing her temples, the fang disappeared as Ash stared blankly.

"What are you doing here?" He asked concerned.

"None of your concern Tomato Juice Ugly Face!" Misty said as she rushed towards the lab. Ash got annoyed and was about to storm off, until he heard the lab's door getting opened and closed.

Maybe I should keep a check on her. After all, they were the ones who were conducting an experiment.... I guess

Ash walked in the laboratory room. He sees Misty narrowing her eyes on the glass pieces. She picked a broom nearby and began to clean. Ash just stared.

I was right, they are clean freaks after all

Misty looked at Ash.

"What do you want?"

"First, my name is Ash. I..... wanted to apologize for earlier."

"Which part? Bumping into me or spitting tomato juice on me."

".....Both..." Ash said as he sucked in his ego. If he wants information on why Misty was here, he needs to be polite to her.

"Oh.... Well. Sorry for bumping into you. Now what are you doing here?"

"I can ask you the same question."

"I asked first"

Ash growled.

"I came here to find out why you're here."

"I heard glass shatter so decided to investigate."

"What's with you girls and investigating."

"You got a proble- hold on, you girls? Girls? Did Leaf came here too?"

"Whose Leaf?"

Misty sighed and murmured something, shaking her head.

"Go away." She said sighing. Ash looked concerned.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he was about to walk towards her but remembered how disastrous he and laboratory are together.

"I said GO AWAY!" Misty yelled at him, before throwing the broom at him.

"OW! How do the girls stick with you!?" he yelled back as he still stood by the door.

"..... None of your concern." Misty said as her hair covered her eyes. Ash looked at her.
"You know you can talk to me." Misty didn't answer.

Ash was about to walk away when he heard Misty sniff.

"Cold." She whispered before going out of the laboratory. She didn't look up at Ash. But he took out his jacket and put it on her shoulders. She looked up at him.

"You're cold." He said with a small smile, before walking off.

"Wait!" Misty called.

"You can give me jacket later."

"First thanks but no thanks. Second, YOUR JACKET SMELLS LIKE RAMEN AND SWEAT COMBINED!"

Ash fell off anime style before retorting back.

"Yeah, WELL THAT SUITS YOU SO MUCH!"
"EXCUSE ME!? What are you an animal!?! WHEN THE HELL DID YOU LAST WASH YOUR JACKET!?"
"Two weeks ago! BUT YOU SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THAT I AM COURTEROUS AND GAVE YOU, MY JACKET!!"

"EXCUSE ME DUMBBAG! You should MAKE YOUR JAKCET ATLEAST GIVEABLE! It's so smelly and cheesy! I don't know how you are alive!"

They argued for some time before growling at each other, their foreheads touching as they frowned. A strong wind blew from Misty's back as she stumbled. Ash caught her by waist before she could fall.

"Where did that come from." Misty asked as she separated herself from Ash.

"Father's mad." Ash murmured. Misty didn't hear Ash as she looked at him. But by the time she looked, Ash sprinted in another direction.

"Wait! Argh! What an idiot!" she exclaimed before heading towards her room.

***********************************************************************************************

Bonnie managed to convince Dawn to not go to the forest. Only because it was getting dark. So Dawn just sighed and waited for the others to come home soon.

A strong wind blew from the window, throwing the curtains on the bed. Dawn gasped and started arranging the room.

"What was that?" she whispered to herself. Later, she finished rearranging and got bored

"Maybe a bit of researching won't be bad. This might be related to incidents happening... That or I am just going crazy from boredom." Grunted Dawn before opening her laptops.

'Wind attacks since last 20 years in Cerulean City' She typed

The results weren't anywhere related to what she was hoping. So, she decides to check some post and comments related to the mystery.

Werewolves sighting? Robbery of meat and blood? Ok I think this whole is irrelevant. Maybe I should search for Bonnie's brother or any of his friends.

Dawn messaged Bonnie to send her the names of Her brother and his friends that went missing. Photo if possible.

Now, about the castle. Maybe some people in cerulean city would know? I should go and ask them.

Dawn looked out

But it's dark.

She sighed.

I can't just sit here and do nothing.

Unless....

YES THAT'S IT

"I could conduct an online survey for cerulean city people! And some of the classmates here too."

"But it's best to keep my identity a secret too.... Some of the kids or adults wont trust information on anonymous person... ARGH this is complicated.... Maybe Leaf can help." Dawn said as she talked to herself before typing something on her laptop. To save herself from boredom, she decides to at least make a list of possible questions and research some more about it.

Maybe even make a conspiracy board! She thought excitedly.

Way to go Dawn! Leaf sure will be proud! And others too. Now, let's just make a list of materials needed.... Let's see.

Dawn took out a notepad from her desk.

List:

Conspiracy board

Camera

Wall pins

Red yarn

Scissor and evidence from newspaper

Printer

Dawn tapped her pencil on the desk, thinking.

"Maybe we could record cerulean people talking about the mystery. Or online survey's printout would do? But what if someone who is behind it comes to know we are after them and hacks into citizen's account and answer our questions, making it seem nothing is wrong! Oh boy, this is not good."

"What's not good?" two voices came from behind. Dawn jumped and let out a startle scream. Leaf and Misty looked at each other, then look away and entered the room.

"So." Misty said sitting on her bed.

"What's not good?" Leaf asked as she sat on her desk.

"Nothing... I mean I have an awesome idea....with possible setbacks." Dawn said sheepishly.

"Well that's new." Leaf remarked.
"Dawn has an idea which is not related to fashion. Oh don't tell me it is related to fashion." Misty spoke irritated at the thought.

"Oh no, it's actually related to the mystery." Dawn exclaimed excitedly.

"Wow. So Dawn's brain finally works." Leaf remarked with a smirk

"Yeah, I knew it was in there! Good job Dawn. You finally know how to work your brain~" Misty added.

"Argh! Can we be serious!? Wait where is May?" Dawn asked looking around. The girls looked at each other.

"Oh no." they all said.

*************************************************************************w

May ran as fast as she could. Someone was following her; she was sure of it.

First, because she thinks so and second, Because rustling of leaves from just behind her.

"When will this forest end!!!" she screamed frustrated.

"AH ROAD FINALLY!" May screamed in joy when she saw the road. She usually isn't the one who gets scared of haunted stuff. But currently with all the weird feelings she is getting, May is scared.

No need to be scared. I just have to lose it off my tail She thought determined as she ran on the road.

Where are the cars!? GOSH! Now losing it would be hard..... Hiding will be too...Wait... hiding

May stopped running, she tried to catch her breath before turning back to face the stalker. May narrowed her eyes, the lights around her were already flickering.

It will be difficult to see the creep like this.

May thought. Fortunately, the lights stopped flickering and remained on. She sighed in relief. Suddenly, rustling of leaves nearby was heard once again. May gulped.

"Sho- show yourself!" she stammered in fright. The sound stopped. An envelope of silence surrounded May. She felt sudden wind gust behind her. Slowly, she looked behind her and screamed.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

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there you go. Word count: 2796

so what do you think will happen next? 

Saffy out of the line!