No POV

Over two years ago

Cilan watched his friends awkwardly. They haven't talked to each other since they left the pokemon center. He looked at their pokemon, both of them reflecting their trainers actions. But he didn't see in them anger, sadness.

As they entered the forest, Cilan's face lit up once again. „You know, this road reminds me of a poem I heard a while back. Would you like to hear it?"

Both Ash and Iris didn't reply, Ash looked down and Iris let out a sigh. „Sure Cilan." Iris replied.

Cilan smiled, his pokeball opening revealing Pansage and he started to speak, everything around them going silent for a moment as he spoke.

„In the heart of a lonely forest deep,
Where secrets and shadows softly creep,
There winds a gravel road, untamed and wild,
Leading to a vista, serene and beguiled.

Along this path, the trees stand tall,
Their whispers echo, a haunting call,
But onward still, the wanderer goes,
Drawn by the promise of a sight that glows¨

At last, the road unveils its pri-„

„ze,
Yet darkness lurks, a cunning guise,
For in the shadows, secrets hide,
And whispered lies, in darkness bide."

Cilan's words were stolen by another person. The group stopped in their tracks, looking around for the person who interrupted him.

„Pika!" Ash looked at Pikachu. Pikachu was pointing ahead of them.

There stood a shadow figure with white hair and face covered with mask.

„Who are you?" Iris asked, slowly reaching for pokeball but before she could touch it, Axew fell out her hair unconscious. „Axew!"

At the same moment, a dagger appeared under her chin stopping her from doing anything. She could only see an arm holding her. She looked at Cilan, hoping he would be able to send out pokemon to attack, but he was in the same situation. She could see the similiar person, same white hair and black clothes.

Ash watched, trying to think of what to do next. He held unconscious Pikachu with a small needle in his back.

He looked at the person, that was slowly walking to him. He never felt something like this from a person. Whenever he tried to move, it was like the glare was stopping him. He couldn't find the reason why.

„That, what you feel, is our bloodlust. Bloodlust to kill the person responsible for ours leader fall into insanity." Ash looked back up and this time that person stood right before him. He was so fast he couldn't see him coming so close.

„Person, that is such a failure that can't even move just from our stare." Said the person holding Iris.

„I-I won't let you hurt my friends!" Ash yelled and grabbed his pokeball finally. But before he could do anything, he felt a slight taps over his boddy and fell on the ground the same way as their pokemon.

„Ash!" Cilan and Iris yelled.

„Don't worry the two of you. He isn't dead, yet. That will come yet." As the third person tried to grab him, a dagger flew in front of his hand, stopping him. „Seriously? Retreat. We are taking those two."

As the next daggers flew in, struggling Iris and Cilan were gone in a flash with the trio enemies.

Next to Ash's limp body landed group of ninjas.

„What should we do next Hanzo?" asked one of the ninjas.

„We must return back to the village. My father tasked us to search the area and return back with new information. We will take the boy with us. They want him for a reason. Let's find out why." Hanzo said, picking up Ash's limp body.

Ash POV

My body ached. As I looked around, I was lying on a sofa in room with a guy facing me. He had blond hair, his face covered with leather mask only showing his grey eyes

„Finally awake." The moment he told me, my memories came back to me. The reason why my buddy wasn't by my side. Why my friends were missing. „Hey!" My train of thoughts broke when the guy yelled at me. „You are sweating. Calm down." I touched my forehead. My hand came back with a sweat. My mind raced with so many thoughts, thinking about Pikachu missing, Iris and Cilan in danger. As I wanted to think more, panick more, I felt slight slap on my cheeck. „Focus, otherwise your friends will die." I looked at his covered face.

„Where am I?" I said, slowly getting up.

„You are in our village. Where exactly? I won't tell you Ash." He said. I raised my eyebrow. His head cocked to side. I looked there seeing my pokedex. „Ninja secrets. But here is something I can tell you. I love pineapple on pizza. What about you?"

The question completely threw me of and although it was hard to see, he was smiling under the mask.

"I-I am not really sure. I never had one yet." I answered confused.

His eyes widened at my answer and in a second stood before. "What?" I backed away surprised. "You have to. So you can join one of the teams!" I could see stars in his eyes as he talked about it.

"W-what teams?" I asked, again, confused.

"Teams if pineapple belongs on pizza or not." He said.

I wanted to answer but into room entered older man. Unlike the boy, his face was visible. His blond hair were slowly going grey.  He almost had the same grey eyes, maybe it was normal for them? He had scar over his left eyebrow and another one on his right cheeck.

"Hanzo, I told you to get the information we needed." Said the man. His voice sounded rough, but dominant.

"And I am getting it!" Hanzo said annoyed. I looked back at him and his eyes said that he really wasn't anoyed by his comment. The man walked closer to, making me take take one back without subconsciously.

"My son, Hanzo, saved you from the trio of ninja that attacked you. They probably did it fully knowing we would maybe show up due to this being our teritory. Which means they simply didn't care because you were such a priority for them with your friends. So that means you did something to them that made hunt you down for revenge." He explained.

"I don't know. I have never met them." I answered as I mentaly facepalmed myself for not realising that they are related. My thoughts went back to the ninjas and one thought was for sure. I never met because their clothes or their long white haid I would remember.

"Hmm and yet they are after you. Which must means you probably did something to their boss." He answered.

"I already told you, I never met them." I answered truthfuly. I only met a small amount of ninjas and I couldn't really count them all to be serious or at least this seriosly.

I looked at the man, his face not changing. "Never said their boss is one of them. These ninja are an elite team and mosg brutal one of team Plasma. Shadow Triad."

And it all now made sense. We have stopped them from taking away pokemon free will. I remembered their leader, Ghetsis, and his mad look when they failed. Hanzo's father talked about how few informations they have about Shadow Triad. But I couldn't really listen, my thoughts racing and one came on top of them. Iris, Cilan, my buddy Pikachu. All in danger.

"Can you help me save my friends..." as I asked, I realised I never got his name.

"Tagato Mitzana and as a leader of our people, I must look after my people and I can not risk their lives. Not without knowing enough information. If I were to lead them into unknown danger, I would lead many of them to their deaths." I was about to beg, but he continued. "Until we get more information, we won't make any moves on them. All we know is their location and that their deadly team Shadow Triad, who are known to kill on the spot. At least a day until we try anything."

I couldn't believe it. They knew where Iris and Cilan were. They knew who was behind this attack. What did they need to know more? "Will you or will you not help me then?!" I didn't realise my voice raised, but I understood why.

But my outburst seemed to anger Tagato. His face changed in anger. "How dare you to-" I expected anything from his at this point, but he was stopped by Hanzo.

"Please calm down dad. Let me talk to him." Although his back was facing me, I noticed Hanzo took off his scarf. It seemed do the trick with Tagato. As his face relaxed and walked outside the room.

"Forgive my father, he is hot-blooded." He said, turning to me with his face revealed. He looked like he was only a few years older than me. Unlike his father, he didn't have any scars on his face. "He isn't bad person. He just cares about our people. And they can't go around his order so there is no way I can convince our shinobi ignore his order."

I sat silently looking into my hands. Next words leaving my mouth. "They are going to kill them." I slowly stood up, ignoring my shaking legs. "I am going to save them."

Hanzo was silent, confirming my thoughts. He wouldn't help me, like his father. I walked past him, almost at the door when an arm stopped me. I looked to the body, seeing Hanzo's face. He was smiling.

"You have got guts man, I will tell you that." His grey eyes met mine. "Give me 20 minutes. If I am not back, go on your marry way." I wanted to ask, argue, but he silenced me. "20 minutes. That is all what I ask for."

And with that he left me in the room alone.

No POV

Hanzo walked through the hall until he approached his father's office. He saw him just entering. "Dad!"

Tagato turned his head, seeing his son. "Son, I know what you are going to say and I am not supporting it."

Hanzo's face fell. "So I guess my party isn't going to happen." Tagato looked confused at him. "I wanted to talk to you about the party."

Tagato chuckled, realising his son's thoughts. "I apologise son. It is very hard to read you. Of course you still can have your party."

Hanzo smiled, hugging his father. Tagato returned the hug with smile hidden in his son.

"Oh yeah, I wanted to ask if you saw guys somewhere." Hanzo asked him, breaking the hug.

"I saw them at the cafeteria. I think they are about to leave." Tagato answered, slightly pressing his son's shoulder.

Hanzo smiled and rushed off to cafeteria. Tagato smiled before entering his office.

Ash held his face in his palms, trying not to reach on his shoulder for Pikachu. His thoughts going over what plan he should have so he could have best chances alone. He had 5 pokemon by his side. He would have to make some surprise plan.

Finally, when he stopped counting in his head, he stood up and went to the door. Ash opened the door to reveal Hanzo with around 17 other ninjas Ash could see.

"Oh come on Ash, it was only 19 minutes and 30 seconds!" Ash was completely surprised by the people behind Hanzo. "These are my friends. It is true there is nothing we can do about our shinobi helping you. But... we are not full pledged ones yet so we don't have to follow his orders."

Ash couldn't believe it. He was ready to leave on his own.

"He is right. We heard about those guys moving around our village. We are pissed that we left such people around without doing anything. So if our shinobi won't do anything, we will." Said a guy next to Hanzo. "And we are not letting this idiot to go with you alone."

Hanzo nudged the guy with his elbow. "Come on, I could have pull it of on my own Kanon." The guy named Kanon grabbed Hanzo by his head, rubbing his fist into Hanzo's hair. "Hey, let me go. Do you know how long it took to fix up that hair?"

"Not as long as I can dishevel it." Kanon said, letting Hanzo go. "So, are we doing it?"

Ash rubbed away the forming tears. "Yes."

Hanzo smiled. "Alright. Now a question, how long can you hold a breath?"

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

"Oh, hey Hanzo, Kanon!" One ninja said, standing at the small gate. "Taking out another corpse?"

"Yeah!" Kanon said, looking down at the bag.

"Just saw your friends passing by. They said they would go check the perimeter. I need them to comeback in 30 minutes." He answered. "Security reasons of course. "

"We will get them back for you." Hanzo offered.

"That would be great." Hanzo and Kanon nodded, walking further into the woods.

When were far enough, Kanon and Hanzo looked around before speaking. "Coast is clear." They unzipped the bag. Ash came out, gasping for air. "Sorry, we had to get you out without anyone noticing. Otherwise my father would stop us in our plan."

Ash took small breaths, smilling. "I will do anything for my friends and my pokemon, even something like this." Ash answered, climbing out of the bag. "What next?"

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

"There they are." Hanzo whispered, giving binoculars to Ash.

Ash looked through, his hearth jumping seeing Cilan and Iris tied up to two different trees and next to them was large cage with Pikachu and Axew inside. They were surrounded by team Plasma grunts. Ash even noticed the scientist, the one that controlled his Pikachu and the legendary pokemon Reshiram. Ash looked around, looking for the ninjas, who started it.

"They are at nearby river, the rest of us is looking at them. They are waiting for best chance to ambush them. We will deal with those who are watching after your friends." Kanon explained, his face covered by mask, same as Hanzo. "I will join them just in case. Wait for five minutes, then go. Do you understand Hanzo?"

"Of course. Let's do this." The trio exchanged glances and Kanon was gone.

"What do you need me to do?" Ash asked Hanzo.

"You stay hidden until I tell you. We will knock out those guards. Me and my other two guys. We will be just fine. If I will need you to use your pokemon,  I will yell, but that won't be needed." Hanzo explained, getting ready.

After five minutes, Ash watched how Hanzo and two other ninjas together took inside bushes the evil grunts and continued.

Meanwhile nearby river, Kanon arrived to others. He looked down, seeing the three dark dressed trio next to river. Kanon listened to the trio next to river.

"We are almost done." Said one of them. "Watching them is boring." he said.

"I agree." Answered the other.

"They are wide open Kanon. Let's go." Whispered one of Kanon's friends.

"Wait. Something doesn't feel right." Kanon answered, looking at his friend for a second before looking back. His eyes widened, seeing only two enemies now. "Where is the third o-"

Kanon's colleague was confused for moment. His eyes traveled at Kanon and he froze. In Kanon's neck was a blade which was held by a hand that was behind him.

"You are no shinobi, just kids. If you wanted to be one, you would never let anyone sneek up behind you." Voice spoke behind Kanon.

Kanon tried to reach for his kunai, but it was for naught. The blade went through the rest of his neck. The light out of his eyes was gone and the dead body hit the ground.

The young ninjas watched in horror as their friend was dead and the one next to him as well as his head was pierced with kunai.

"Children should know their place." Said the second ninja of Triad.

Back with Ash, he heard the silent signal for him to move out from cover. Ash knew they didn't knock out all, so he still had to move silently.

When his eyes met with his friends, with his buddy, they were delighted. Ash passed by Hanzo, who had big smirk on his face.

"Ash, you are alright." Iris spoke.

"We were worried they already got you." Cilan answered. Ash wanted to say more, but Hanzo turned him back to face him.

"I don't want to be the one to break your nice moment, but let's do this another time. We don't have enough time. Let me help you get them out." Hanzo said with smile.

As Ash turned to his friends, grabbing the rope that was holding Cilan. He was about to do more, but he heard small gasp behind him. Ash looked back confused until his eyes saw it.

From his new friend's chest was sticking out large blade. Hanzo's breath was stopped by cough followed with blood coming out.

Ash wanted to say something, anything. But nothing came out. "A...Ash." Hanzo's weak voice silenced Ash even more. "Tell father..."

But his words never finished. He fell down with silent sound of slicing blade that left his chest. The life out of his eyes left as he fell.

"HANZO!" Ash yelled and he wanted open his pokeball, but his hands were grabbed by the same ninja, who killed Hanzo.

"Remember this, this is your fault." He told Ash. Ash's face contorted and he wanted punch the man across him. But that never happened as he felt the same hits over his body and the darkness took over him.

"Ash!" Iris and Cilan yelled out again and once again it was for nothing. The member of Shadow Triad looked to his sides. His colleagues already dealt with the other guys and to make sure, they had pulled out their Bisharp. And if that wasn't enough, more team Plasma troupes showed up.

"Good job Shadow Triad." From cover came out a man with blond hair and one strand of blue going over his head. He was wearing round glasses with wide smirk.

"We are doing everything our leader wants, you gave us the information we needed Colress. Now we can finish our revenge." Answered the first member of the Triad.