A.N.: So I apologise for skipping Serena's showcase in Anistar city. If you wish, I can write that chapter but nothing really happened important  in that showcase by me. But if you wish, I will update it.

Also I wanted to apologise. I wanted to release it on Amourshipping day, after that on aniversary of Ash's winning in the league. But I had way too many things to deal with. So I wanted to at least release it before the new year. So happy late christmas and upcoming new year :)

Serena POV

I grinned widely at the second key on the keychain. I was very much surprised it did went well. I was hoping to see Miette or Shahzadi. But Miette was somewhere with Iris probably and I saw Shahzadi win her own showcase in Brackish town. So we left right after that and were on the route for few days.

I looked at others and I think Ash's head turned away. Was he looking at me as I was looking at my keys? I looked at Korrina and she shrugged and Bonnie did the same when I looked at her. Damn them.

I must say I was happy to leave Anistar city though. The whole mega Gyarados incident was scary and it got even more after.

Few days ago

The girl with purple hair approached us we were ready to leave from the Pokecenter. "Good, you are still here." she said. I think her name was Anabel. She looked at me. "Are you ok?"

I looked at her confused. "Yeah, why?"

Anabel looked at me before shaking her head. "Nothing, I guess I had a wrong thought. ANYWAY, I wanted to talk to you all."

I exchanged a look with others. "What is it Anabel?" Clemont asked.

She looked around, probably if nobody was listening. "So I am not suppose to tell you. It's about the mega Gyarados. Did you notice anything before all of it happened?"

"Nothing if I am not mistaken." Korrina answered, everyone nodded.

"So after some investigation and my own time with the Gyarados, we found out something.... crazy." Anabel said, scratching her head.

"What do you mean your own time?" Korrina asked, holding back the urge to rais her eyebrow.

"My psychic powers allow me speak to pokemon's mind." she answered.

"Wasn't it only to psychic type pokemon who were close to you?" Ash asked, his mind going back.

"It was. Until they developed to any pokemon. I think it started a month after our meeting and battle." as Anabel said it, the girls noticed that small blush on her cheecks. "So back to the point, I couldn't talk to it anyway."

"Why?" Clemont asked.

"Because it is in coma." Anabel answered.

"Why? I never saw Pokemon go into coma after mega evolution." Korrina answered.

"Yes but those weren't wild pokemon forced into mega evolution with mind being controlled." Anabel continued. "That Gyarados didn't belong to anyone."

Presence

As we continued, Ash halted. I was confused for a moment. Why in the middle of open road.

That was until dark figures stood before us. I reached for a pokeball, but Ash broke the tension. Ash's pokeball revealing Frogadier. Frogadier rarely jumps out from his pokeball. Could it be-

"It's good to see you again Sanpei." Ash answered for my question. Sanpei grinned.

"One of our people saw you going around so I decided to pop out on you and give an invite." Sanpei said with smile. "Into our hidden village."

I looked surprised at everyone. Who would have thought that our detour around Otori mountain would end up like this.

Before any of us could answer, Bonnie ran before us. "So what are we waiting for?"

Oh I couldn't wait.

No POV

As the group continued, Ash and Sanpei stayed behind. 

Sanpei lifted his finger ready to ask. "Time travel." Ash answered. Sanpei looked at him. "Don't ask. Time travel is so complicated I don't want to deal about it. All I am gonna say that Bonnie is 2 years older now." Ash said and for a moment paused. "And she has Celebi. Forgot about that."

"Hmm how dare you to forget." Sanpei said, laughing. He looked at ahead, seeing as others were out of earshot.

"What is it this time? You definitely didn't come here for no reason." Ash asked. Sanpei sighed.

"We have been having issues of people disappearing around our mountain. Whenever we noticed civillians would go around, we would loose them in a few minutes. Even some of our own have gone missing. I have already talked with our chief. Thanks to your help with The Challenger. Damn, it still feels stupid to say that name." Sanpei said, his eyes landing on Ash's shoulder. "As we agreed, I didn't say anything but you have to be super careful. If they-" 

"We would be both completely screwed, deadly screwed. Literally. Yes I know." Ash interrupted him. "I put bunch of concealer over it to make sure it can't be seen. So I pray nothing goes wrong."

"Yeah same. And as for the people going missing, one of our best people is working on it. His name is Kagetomo." Sanpei said.

"And you are sure? Nothing against you or your people of Ninja. But I have already met people who were suppose to investigate something only to be them who was causing it." Ash asked.

Sanpei sighed. "I am not surprised. And I would be even less if you knew his history. He tried to overthrow the chief. He failed and was imprisonned. But after some time, chief forgave him and Kagetomo turned his life around. So whatever you think, trust me he isn't bad guy."

"Alright. Did he find anything so far?" Ash asked, noticing the big mountain.

"Not really. He found a green fishing bait yesterday." Sanpei's words captured Ash's attention.

"Was there anything else." Ash asked to which Sanpei shook his head.

As Ash and Sanpei were discussing other things, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie and Korrina were excited for the village, on top of the high trees stood 2 shadowy figures.

"He is here as we predicted." said one.

"And he has new ones behind him." continued the other.

"We will wait until we capture that ninja as well and we can start it all." with that, both figures were again gone.

For a moment Frogadier felt a chill going down his spine. He never felt this before. He was never scared before. He wasn't now and yet he felt the chill down his spine.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Welcome to our village." Sanpei spread his arm, showing the wide village.

The group had a small problem to get used to the light after the long dark tunnel. Right after that, they saw wide open green terrain with small river and lake. Houses were decorated with lamps and long lines of lights connecting wooden pillars. Ash and Korrina noticed a few people on the side of the mountain. As Ash looked, he could swear one of the people walked straight up a vertical wall.

"I see you have brought them already." Bonnie and Clemont almost jumped up from the new voice behind them. The group turned around, seeing a guy of similiar to Sanpei. He looked only older by few years, his hair wasn't covered by bandanna and were more lighter. His black clothes blending it with the dark cave.

"Hi Nihei, yes I did. I was just planning to show them around. So they can see what is happening so far." Sanpei answered. Nihei nodded, looking down.

"I saw Shinobu down near the river. You can take them there." Nihei said. "The festival will be officially starting in like an hour." Nihei waved his hand down. Sanpei smiled and walked down. As they continued, Ash walked behind with Nihei. 

"Anything you need?" Ash asked, Nihei chuckled. 

"I heard you helped Sanpei with The Challenger." Nihei said.

"Yes, but I got lucky. He tripped for a moment and I managed to cut his tendons on last moment." Ash answered, his arm absitently rubbing his other arm.

Nihei nodded, saying nothing for a moment."Eversince, we had no troubles. Although we captured a swordman. He got into middle of the village without anyone noticing. "I heard you are good fighter, Pokemon and as normal one."

"Yes. Those two before us can confirm that. After all, they both are gym leaders I defeated." Korrina turned her head, smirking.

"You know we will have a rematch, right?" Korrina told him. Ash grinned.

"Same here." Clemont joined in. "Without that after party though. Never again that." Clemont nervously laughed. Bonnie slightly smacked him.

"Yeah. Not dying anytime soon I hope. " Bonnie answered, shivers going down her spine for a moment, remembering the past.

After that, the group enjoyed festival on which they were invited. From a start, helping people with the rest of prepares.

As they did it, Serena's eyes peeked at Ash. He was helping Sanpei, both of laughing at rivalry between Frogadier, Lucario and Greninja as they were racing about who was faster running on water. To which Lucario sank each time he tried to keep up with them. Frogadier smirked each time.

Ash's eyes roamed over the entire village, his eyes blurring almost for a moment. But he shook it away when his eyes landed on a hut that was located further from others. It was on the wall of the cliff. Although it was far, he noticed two people there. One was sitting and the other stood next to them in pink clothes.

Before he could inspect further, he felt tap on his shoulder. It was Nihei. "Ready?" He asked Ash. Ash smirked and nodded.

Nihei pulled out his pokeball and walked to other side, asking people to step aside. Frogadier and Lucario sensed their trainer gaze.

Frogadier and Lucario were in a moment beside their trainer. Both of them expecting to fight. Ash chuckled, kneeling beside them with Pikachu jumping off his shoulder. "Only one of you is going to fight guys. And I am leaving that to type advantage." Pikachu

As Ash said it, Nihei threw his pokeball. Coming out of it was Venusaur. Ash looked at his pokemon. Lucario smirked this time at Frogadier. As Lucario walked on the battlefield, Pikachu looked at Frogadier. He had closed eyes. Pikachu could tell anyway he was angry that Lucario would have a fight.

Lucario clenched his paw in fist, looking at his large opponent. Ash exchanged a glance with Nihei. They both smirked.

„Lucario use double team." Ash started. Lucario ran forward, creating multiple clones. Nihhei watched as multiple clones ran around Venusaur. Venusaur watched around, ready for battle. „Thunder Punch!"

All the clones jumped up, going down on Venusaur. „Venusaur, block them with vine whip." From Venusaur's flower came out multiple vines, stopping all the electric punches. Lucario jumped away, all clones vanishing.

„Follow up with bone rush." Lucario put his paws together, creating the glowing bone and rushed in high speed at Venusaur. Venusaur used its green whips to stop Lucario. But Lucario didn't stop and blocked any attempt at stopping him.

„Venusaur use petal dance." Lucario continued, ready to block incoming attack. But it never came. Instead Lucario and Ash saw Venusaur disappear in the pink petals. When Lucario finally swang the bone, Venusaur was gone.

The group watched surprised as Ash's opponent was gone. Korrina looked at Ash and she knew he was surprised as well. Korrina noticed that leaves were still around Lucario. Korrina followed them and noticed Venusaur high in the air. The pink petals were holding it up in the air.

Before she could yell out, Lucario lept back noticing as well. „Too late. Venause use it again." Venusaur started to drop down, pressing down on the petals and adding more velocity to them. Before dropping, all petals flew straight at Lucario and leaving only few behind to soften the fall.

Lucario couldn't block them all in time, hitting him. Ash's eyes widened when few of them flew at him as well. He jumped to side. He looked at him self, noticing his jacket and shirt was thorn a little. As his eyes landed key stone.

A few weeks back

„So you are telling me not to try it yet?" Ash asked, as he and Korrina sat nearby river. They watched their Lucario exchanging harmless blows.

„Yes. I know your Lucario is special, but the mega evolution will still be heavy on him right now." Korrina said, her eyes landing on her Lucario. „Otherwise you might end up the same way we did."

Ash sighed and nodded. They watched in silence. „When do you think i tis going to be safe for us to use? Lucario fought for it hard. I know he deserved it." Ash broke the silence.

Before Korrina could answer, they heard Bonnie and Serena calling for them. As they continued, Korrina answered. „Month. One month at least."

Presence

„Ash, you can do it!" Serena's voice broke Ash from his memories. She knew it wasn't fatal, but it must have hurt anyway.

Serena and Bonnie cheered for Ash while Clemont and Korrina watched how their challenger fought another battle. Sanpei on other hand didn't for whom to cheer. Either his rival or his brother. So he decided to watch in silence. Meanwhile nobody noticed that they recieved attention from two people in the furthest house away from them.

Ash hid the stone and yelled. „Lucario use Aura sphere and bone rush combo."

Lucario smirked, and in one of his paw created aura sphere. He jumped away, preventing the petals hitting his aura. He fired the attack up in the air above him and it went up until it stopped and started to drop. Lucario after that spin the bone, blocking some the leaves. That was until the sphere returned. That was when he changed his stance. Lucario in that moment swang hard, hitting the sphere. He sent the sphere right at Venusaur, destroying any petals in its way.

Nihei and Venusaur's eyes widened at the incoming attack. „Use vine whip. Direct it up in the sky." New vines went out from Venusaur's flower and picking from bellow the attack and redirecting it upwards. Nihei smiled for a second but it changed it shocked expression. Lucario was right behind the attack and with glowing bone smashing helpless Venusaur in the head from every direction.

Finally, Lucario stepped back. He spun the bone around. With the last spin, he hit Venusaur from above, cracking the ground bellow Venusaur. Wind and dust flew away from the pressure, few people covering their faces from the dust. Lucario jumped away, never looking away from his opponent.

„Venusaur, are you alright?" Nihei yelled. Venusaur slowly stood up. Venusaur's face was covered in scratches, same as Lucario's.

Nihei and Ash smile done at another. „Use-" but before both of them could call out their next move, they heard panic scream. They both looked where it came from and there they saw few Tauros running wild.

„Tauros went crazy!" Nihei heard behind the herd. It might have been because of their fight.

„Everyone get away!" Nihei yelled. „Venusaur, use vine whip. Stop as many as you can."

Venusaur's vines went out, stopping three Tauros, but the rest got away. Nihei saw he was weakened now. That changed when Lucario, Frogadier and Sanpei's Greninja joined in.

When it looked like they stopped them all and the group smiled, Serena's eyes widened. Through all that chaos one of Tauros detached from the herd and ran at them. At her.

Before Serena could think of dodging, she was already pushed away. Her eyes seeing as Ash was rammed by Tauros. „Ash!" Serena yelled in sheer horror. He flew few feet before landing in the lake. Serena picked herself up and ran toward the water. She was about to run in, but she stopped when Ash picked himself up. He was laughing. „Are you ok?"

„Why are you laughing?" Sanpei asked before Ash could answer to Serena's question.

Ash stopped laughing for a moment, tipping his hat to get rid of water. He was standing with his side to them. „It doesn't hurt me so much. I am used to my thirty Tauros ramming me together." Ash laughed again.

The group looked stunned, but everyone except Serena laughed too. Serena just smiled and shaked her head.

But Sanpei suddenly went silent, his face going ice cold. Ash looked at him confused, but he noticed Nihei. He was in battle stance. He noticed two more ninja appearing. They were wearing mask and they were preparing to fight too.

Ash looked at them and then it finally hit him. He slowly reached on his shoulder. When he pulled it back, he saw the beige color on his fingers.

Ash let out a groan, looking at the ninjas. „Next time I need to make sure it is waterproof."

The group looked confused at the sudden change in demeanor of everyone. But before anyone could ask, the masked ninjas threw shuriken at Ash. Ash dodged, shurikens landing in the water. Right after that, Nihei stood behind Ash. He pulled out from his robe kunai. As he was close to stabbing Ash in the neck, Ash put up his arm. He stopped the kunai before it could scratch him. With his other hand, he grabbed Nihei's arm and threw him over his shoulder.

Nihei quickly reacted and landed on his feet. What he couldn't stop was his kunai leaving his hand. Now Ash held in his hand as he blocked new shurikens with it.

Before they could land in water, Ash grabbed them and threw back the masked ninja. He dodged it without problem and he instead pulled a pokeball.

When Ash's pokemon saw this, they were prepared to step in. But as they were about to send out attack, Ash stopped by lifting his arm and with simple don't. The group didn't see it though.

Clemont and Korrina wanted pull out their pokeballs, but Sanpei stopped them. Korrina wanted to yell at him, but Sanpei interrupted her. „Ash is the only one in trouble right now. If you help him, you will be as well. I know it isn't good, but this is the only thing we can do to not make it more complicated for Ash."

They had no idea why they were attacking Ash or why he didn't want their help or why Sanpei knew why. But Clemont held Bonnie, he needed to make sure she wouldn't do anything stupid. He couldn't say the same about Serena and Korrina.

Serena was ready to leap in. But everytime she made eye contact with Sanpei, she knew he wouldn't let her.

Korrina on other hand felt frustrated. They knew absolutely nothing and it was once again because of Ash.

The ninjas threw their pokeballs, revealing Simipour and Simisage.

„Simipour use scald!"

„Simisage use seed bomb!"

They both let out their attacks. Ash was expecting them to go for him. But instead the clashed, creating huge smoke screen. Ash held his hat as he was surrounded by smoke. Ash looked around.

In the corner of his eye, he saw the smoke stirring. But then he saw out of the smoke only came out kunai with cloth attached to it. Ash's eyes looked back, noticing a ninja with dagger coming for his throat. Ash on the last moment let his feet slip in the water, falling away from the dagger. Ash slammed his arm into ninja's feet, forcing to flip and fall.

Ash wanted to attack, but the ninja quickly jumped up and away, right behind him revealing the second one. As his dagger connected, it wasn't skin. Ash tightly held the stolen kunai and stopping the incoming one from piercing his head. Ash redirected ninja's hand with dagger into water. He then kicked him away and Ash quickly jumped back up, stirring more water behind him.

The smoke was slowly fading away and he could finally see the opposing ninjas. He couldn't see Nihhei though.

„Let's do it together." the masked ninjas said to each other and ran at Ash. While running, the they threw shurikens which Ash had to block or dodge. He saw they were pulling out their kunai, ready to pierce him.

Ash looked down, seeing the water. Only one thing he could think of. Something from his pokemon that he saw. Ash raised his arms up, clenching every muscle in his arm, feeling the blood in his veins. Right after that, he smashed the water in high speed. He had to put everything in it because the amount of the water wasn't enough to do it just slightly.

Ninjas saw how their opponent slammed the water, stirring the water up. As they tried to follow his next movement, he was hidden behind the water. But they didn't stop. They continued to charge and with their kunais swinging where Ash was.

But he was gone, their eyes seeing behind the falling wall of water was nothing. And then one of them felt a strong hit from side. Ash drop kicked the first ninja into the other one. He was ready to attack them again, but then out of corner from his eye he saw something.

Others watched from outside, hearing steel clashing and other sounds from inside the smoke. Finally, the smoke was clearing. They saw the masked ninjas in lying in the water picking themselves up. When the smoke finally revealed Ash, the group sighed in relief.

Sanpei's eyes widened when he saw that the smoke revealed Nihei right in front of Ash. He held his head high, kunai right under his chin that Ash held. Sanpei pull out his shuriken to protect his older brother.

Nihei was shocked as their smoke move didn't work on the intruder. And opposite, he used it against them.

Sanpei was ready to throw the shuriken, but his arm was stopped. He turned his head, expecting Bonnie or Serena. His eyes widened when it was woman in a pink robe. „Lady Shinobu?" he wanted continue, but she didn't let him.

„Sanpei, we will have a talk about this." She simply said. Sanpei silently answered with a nod.

Ash's eye twitched toward the newcomer. He could see that with her arrival situation changed.

He put down the kunai from underneath his chin, stopping in threatening Nihei.

Nihei wanted to use this opportunity to attack Ash. As he was reaching for weapon, his gaze fell on the woman. "Nihei, fall back." Her simple words made him back away.

Ash watched the woman and he felt as his body prepared on its own.

She let go of Sanpei's arm and walked toward the water. Korrina watched confused why but then she saw why. Shinobu's feet never went under the water. She only heard about it one time from her grandpa and he himself talked about it as a joke.

But here she watched as this female ninja walked to Ash.

As Ash was about to put down the kunai, his mind went blank. Ash grabbed his head, groaning.

"You owe me, remember?" Ash heard in his head, loosing control.

"No I don't!" Ash yelled back at Slash in his mind. But he heard him chuckle and it was too late.

Shinobu watched her enemy, seeing the change in his nature. When she arrived, he was careful and defensive. But now that she made eye contact, she saw difaence and bloodlust. She could see he was underestimating her. She wanted to ask questions, but that was impossible now.

Slash looked at the kunai, turning it around so he could hold it the right way. With that he let the water splash behind him and ran at Shinobu.

As he swang, Shinobu effortlessly dodged to side. Slash continued with more attacks which Shinobu blocked or dodged.

Finally, she made a counter move. As she blocked, she grabbed his hand with the kunaiand forced it out of his hand.

The kunai landed in the water, disappearing in the water.

Slash chuckled and clanched his fist. "Fist fight it is." Shinobu didn't reply, but both of them started exchanging blows.

Everyone else on the side watched. Sanpei and Nihei knew it could only end one way while the group thought the otherwise. Korrina's thoughts went back remembering what could happen if Slash snapped.

As they exchanged blows, Korrina knew the female ninja had advantage. It was easier for her to move and she was a higher thanks to the water level on which she stood.

Slash finally saw a chance as he jumped up and punched Shinobu from side. His hand connecting with her cheek. It made her spin. Slash smirked and watched her. But his smile fell when he noticed she used the momentum to kick him in the chin.

Slash went flying a few meters, rolling and splashing the water around. When Slash finally landed on his feet, holding his chin. He moved it around, checking if she managed to break it.

When he was done, he noticed she was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone else watched as they fought and they also lost Shinobu. Serena looked around until she saw her. She was right behind Slash.

"Behind you!" Serena's words went out before Sanpei could stop her from doing so.

Although he could tell something was behind him, hearing Serena's voice made him more certain. He let his feet drop him, dodging Shinobu's hand that went after his neck.

When he landed in the water, he landed on his arms and turning around. But he missed as Shinobu dodged his attempt. He was still in disadvantage. She didn't have to deal with her movement being slowed down by water. Still, he had a plan.

Shinobu turned back to her opponent and to her surprise, he was running away. Although it confused her, she smirker.

Slash turned around, but he didn't see his opponent again until he heard her before him. "You are not getting away or getting any advantage here." with that, Slash felt a strong kick sending him backwards from where came from.

Shinobu watched as he landed in the water. She also knew she broke 4 of his ribs. She could do it  five more times until they were all broken. Although she very much knew he wouldn't be able to move more.

Serena watched, her mind racing. She looked at others. They were thinking about the same thing. How to save Ash. She saw how from his mouth came out frew droplets of blood. He was lying in the water.

Shinobu watched as he struggled in the water. His hands going around, trying to pick himself probably. That was what she thought so she approached. "I would like to learn more about you your other you." she said already close to him. "The darker one I mean of course."

That was when she saw it. His face darkened and she saw him clenching his teeth. "You want to study us? So why don't you see first what I capable of!"

And in that moment, it happened in a less than a second. Most of everyone watching didn't even see it. Korrina's eyes were fast enough to see it as blur and other ninja saw it but were unable to react.

Slash's arm came out of water, splashing and as the water flew out of it came out the kunai he lost before. The kunai flew and pierced Shinobu's neck. blood splashing out as her eyes widened.

Sanpei and Nihei watched horrified as their higher up and teacher was right now being killed.

Slash had dark smirk and was about laugh. But his eyes widened when Shinobu disappeared in smoke and was replaced with large chunk of wood that was hit with the kunai. 

Smoke appeared behind Slash and out of it came out Shinobu and she was about to pull out her kunai to stab him in the neck. But then her eyes saw another new person by the lake. She recognised the red and white robe. He had calm smile and he was shaking his head.

Although she didn't understand why, she couldn't go against his order. So instead, with her fingers she tapped few of veins in Ash's and Slash's neck causing  them to go limp and fall unconscious into water.

Meanwhile 

"So Kagetomo, we heard you once tried to overtrow the leadership of you village." said a person with long white hair and body covered in black clothes. He said while sitting down. "We thought of asking you to help us out. And yeah I know, we didn't start on the best of terms. But we can talk now." 

The thing he was sitting on was in reality ninja with purple robers and black with yellow colors armor. He was barely breathing and when he felt the preasure on his back, he let out groan of pain.

"The-there is no way I would ever join you." He groaned. He smelled the blood on the floor as half of his man that went with him were slaughtered. "I have already betrayed our leader and I have honor to hold for him. I will have yet to repay him for the chance he gave me." he took a deep breath. "I WILL NEVER BETRAY HIM AGAIN FOR SCUM LIKE YOU!"

The white haired ninja let out a sigh, taking out a leather mask. "Well, it could have been better for you if you joined us. Now we will have to do the same with you as the others." He then noticed his companion coming back. He walked over one of the bodies, thinking it's just a ground under his feet. "Did he finally arrive?"

"Yes. He arrived as a guest and ended up as a prisoner." he answered. "He is with new group of people this time. I have already checked them. Two gym leaders, one is a sibling of a gym leader and one is a nobody." he continued while stepping on Kagetomo's head with one foot, ignoring his groans.

"So we can begin." said third person from shadows.

Kagetomo let out loud groan as he tried to step up. "You are telling me you did all of this-" as he attempted to continue, he felt even more preasure on him. "for o-one guy?!" the second ninja was tired of his comments and Kagetomo's temple, knocking him out cold.

"Make sure not to kill him. He will be useful." said the first ninja. "We want to use everything we can. We must finish this. That is what we owe to our leader."