Hey guys! I'm back after a busy soccer season. But we aren't here for soccer, but for this story. I would like to thank supersmach and Thunderblade14 for the fav, and hope I haven't kept you waiting to long.

Now, on to the show!


The Outskirt Stand sat in the middle of a sea of sand and rock. It was a locomotive engine sitting in the sand, and in its heyday hauled goods north and into the port at the Haruba Desert. But now the rusted steam engine sat and weathered sandstorms. It was the closest friendly place to Eclo Canyon.

Wes parked his bike beside the fuel pumps. Harmatten and Leveche had curled up in the sidecar hours ago, almost right after the Team Snagem base went up in smoke. The afternoon sun made Wes squint as he got off. His two Eeveelutions stuck their heads out of the sidecar, their nap now out of the way.

"Stay here." Wes said, his voice gruff. Ears lowered in disappointment. Wes rolled his eyes and headed toward the door. A shop bell rang as the door was pushed open.

"Man, that was some good grub!"

Two men sauntered out of the joint, patting their stomachs. Wes immediately noted that the two must of just eaten, judging by the grease stains ringing their mouths.

The blond man smiled. "Yeah, nothin' like pigging out after a job." He said, "I'm stuffed!"

Wes shook his head and walked by them. They didn't concern him. Their banter was even less significant. He needed out of this hellhole of a region before his former teammates found him, or worse. He headed inside after they took off.

No voices greeted Wes when he went in. No one, not even the bartender, made a sound. All eyes were glued to the TV.

"This just in, Regional police were alerted to an explosion from Eclo Canyon. The police found evidence of what appears to the remains of the feared Team Snagem's base. No bodies were found, and the base was deserted by the time police arrived. The feared Snag Machine was counted among the damage." The news anchor looked to the right and received another piece of paper. "Reports say that there is a possibility of the portable Snag Machine still being used is high. Citizens should still be on the lookout for Team Snagem."

Wes silently cursed under his breath. The fact that the media had caught on so quickly was a bad omen. The region would be wary, and Team Snagem would be watching to. He would have to be doubly careful now.

The bartender waved at Wes. "Can I get you something?"

"Just some water."

The bartender nodded, his face unreadable. Wes sat at the bar and casually took stock of the room. A man and a woman at one table had their heads close together, talking. A man in a pink shirt sipped iced tea from a tall glass. A biker in the back sat with his arms around the back of his seat, contemplating the empty dish in front of him. Nothing gave Wes the feeling of danger.

With his water finished, Wes headed back out. The wind had settled a little, giving him time to make one more stop in Phenac City before heading to Gateon.

"Hey!"

Wes turned, and was greeted by the biker from inside the Stand.

The biker held out his hand. "I'm Weston. You are?"

Wes ignored the offered hand. "What do you want?"

"Jus' a friendly competition between two wand'rers."

Wes's eyebrows rose higher, receding into his hairline. Weston kept talking.

"You got that spark in ya eye, jus' like me. So I was gonna challenge you to a little battle, that's all."

Wes considered carefully. The sun was still high in the sky. He needed to relax, and the two Eeveelutions would welcome this distraction.

"Fine. You'll have your battle."

Weston grinned. "Alright. We'll just use this space."

With a sharp whistle, Harmatten and Leveche were at Wes's side. Weston threw two Pokéballs and a couple of Zigzagoon appeared.

"Use Tackle!" Weston yelled.

Wes smiled. "Harmatten. Leveche. Use Bite and Confusion."

Harmatten's red eyes glowed as he rushed forward. His mouth started to drip with tar-like drool. Leveche twitched her tail, sending a small psychic wave forward. Both Zigzagoons were buffeted by the attacks, but one connected its Tackle with Leveche. She skidded a short distance away.

"Again" Wes called, his voice steady.

Both Eeveelutions rushed forward, eager to fight. The Zigzagoons fought back with a display of Tackles and Tail Whips, but both fell within two minutes. Weston covered his defeat well, only frowning a little and shaking Wes's hand. He handed off the money he owed.

"If you're ever around these parts again, drop on by."

Wes nodded. Staying any longer was a stupid idea. He and his Pokémon boarded the bike and were off.

The sun set lower on the horizon. Leveche yawned, her purple fur ruffled by the wind. Both Pokémon pulled their tired bodies in the sidecar. The edge of the desert shimmered in the afternoon heat. Wes felt like he should be unbearably hot in his longer coat, but he didn't feel it. Just felt like normal weather.

He thought about his plans. Leave Orre. Don't get caught, and don't Snag anymore. First thing he was going to do on the ship from Gateon was tossing the infernal machine on his arm off the boat and letting it sink to the bottom. Then he and his Pokémon would be free to do as they wished.

But where would they go?

Sinnoh, Fiore, and Almia were too cold. Wes didn't like the cold. Neither did Harmatten and Leveche.

Hoenn, Oblivia and that other weird place were island nations. No vast expanses to use his bike. And those places had torrential rain instead of snow. Orre got too cold to snow.

Kanto and Johto had the climate and terrain he wished. Not too dry, not too wet. But they were rumored to have crime problems rivalling the place he was leaving.

Kalos made him sneer. From what he'd seen, they didn't welcome anyone not soft and demure. He was all sharp, hard edges.

Unova was the safest bet. The only thing close to a syndicate was an environmental group that just started.

Boat to Unova it is. Wes mentally decided. They would all be safe there. But they first needed to get to Gateon Port without being caught.

Ivory walls rose in the distance. Phenac City was just ahead. Maybe he could restock supplies before he left again. No one could catch him, because Phenac had nothing to offer any criminal. No one would be there.

Nothing could go wrong. Wes thought.


A/N: What will happen next?