Ten years later…

"Professor Krane, oh you must, like, totally accept our thinking. We, like, need you to tell us how to fix that oh so adorable Shadow Poké-thingy," I requested, sounding as stupid as I could.

"I'm sorry, my child… but I cannot help you. Cipher's plans are too monstrous to even conceive," Professor Krane refused my request. Rightly.

"Oh… well… in that case, tell me all I need to know about those Snag things."

"Lovrina!" Naps, a boy that Cipher consistently claimed was my brother, exclaimed. "We need XD001's final adjustments to be ready as soon as possible!"

"Naps, silly, we can use the Snag knowledge to make Pokémon resistant to Snagging!"

"That… is monstrous. I will not help you."

"Argh… Naps, I, like, need a break."

At that moment, Michael broke into the room. I looked at him, eyes wide open in surprise.

I was smiling inside. He was so cute! I wanted nothing more than to throw my arms around him, and kiss him right then and there. But I had a duty to do, no matter how much I hated to do it.

"Well, like, hello, there, Michael. Professor Krane has totally said a lot about you. Stealing Pokémon? That is like, rude on so many levels!" I hope he doesn't hold that against me!

"You're one to talk! I'm recollecting them to fix them."

"Yeah… well… like… I didn't do the stealing, duh. I just made them, like, shut the door to their hearts. Especially ex dee zero… zero… something…"

"…Professor Krane?"

"She's been acting odd for a while now. She's been looking for information on Shadow Pokémon… and then, for some reason, Snag Machines."

"…Whatever. Do I have to fight you to get Krane back?"

"Totally, duh!" Well, actually no, you wouldn't, Michael. But I don't have that choice.

SNAGGER MICHAEL would like to battle!

SNAGGER MICHAEL sent out Springtime and MAREEP!

Go! LUVDISC and BEAUTIFLY!

"Oh, that Pokemon is oh so adorable, I like, love it! Shame I have to have it totally defeated." I wouldn't let it be defeated…

"Shame you won't be."

Springtime used a Razor Leaf on Luvdisc, while Mareep opted for Thundershock on Beautifly. True to plan, both went down.

Go! ROSELIA and DELCATTY!

Michael's eyes narrowed. Delcatty was a Shadow Pokemon. I really didn't like using Shadow Pokémon. Delcatty immediately took out Mareep. Michael replaced Mareep with Houndour, who started using Ember on Roselia. Springtime leaped into battle with Delcatty. Springtime emerged the victor.

"You going to come quietly?"

"No."

"Suit yourself. Michael, Snag Ball?"

"Coming right up!" Michael tossed a Snag Ball at Delcatty, Snagging it. Springtime curled up, and purred contentedly. With Roselia down, the battle was over.

SNAGGER MICHAEL defeated LOVRINA!

"Oh my, like, that was the most intense battle EVER! Springtime, whatever your name was, you were, like, totally the coolest Pokémon on the field!" I threw my arms around the Pokémon. Springtime gave a quick start in surprise, before purring again.

"Well, Lovrina… I made my offer to your brother, and now I extend my arm to you. What Cipher is doing is wrong. Would you like to seek reparation for it?"

"Oh… uh… I… Excuse me!" I really wanted to help Michael. I really wanted him. But I was trapped with Cipher. I ran from the room, too stressed out to make an option.

"Why… why?" I asked myself, looking around at my office. With a small ding, a piece of paper appeared as a message. I picked it up. Sure enough, it was Michael's picture. I put it on the wall, smiling inside.

"I'll figure out how to help you, Michael…"

"Well… planning to leave Cipher, are we?" one of Greevil's sons said. I turned around, nervously blushing.

"No, like, never, Eldes."

"Ashley, you can drop the stupidity. I'm here to help."

"…Wait, what?" Ashley… my name was Lovrina. I was sure of it.

"You like Michael. You want him to succeed, and end Father's ridiculous plan, don't you?"

"…Well, yeah, Eldes…"

"Then join me. I can help you, Ashley. And once this is all over, you'll be all Michael's."

I thought it over. It was a great deal.

"Eldes, I will help Michael. Now, what do I have to do?"

I opened the corridor into the prisoner's quarters. I knew that, in order to help Michael, I had to do this. But it just seemed so… counter-productive.

"Wes. I am going to need your Snag Machine."

"Hmph. Just leave me alone, already, Cipher! My wife will kick your butts, and then I'll be out of here!" It hurt me, seeing Wes, one of the greatest heroes of the Orre region, reduced to this. I opened the door to his cell, and stepped into the room. Eldes had warned me to wear rubber. I'm glad I did: I could feel the warmth of the electric barriers installed to keep Wes in here through even that.

"What are you doing?"

"Hurgh… Mmph… Yah!" I tugged at the Snag Machine until it came loose. Wes's arm begun to bleed. Old wounds had reopened on his arm. I threw him a roll of bandages, and closed the door. The time to let him loose and exact his revenge was later.

…Oh my goddess, that was way harsher than I should've been.

"I have the Snag Machine, Eldes…" I choked back tears.

"Good. Wait, what happened?"

"Did I have to be that harsh to Wes? I mean, he is one of the greatest heroes of Orre…"

I could practically hear Eldes' mind whirr. There was something else about Wes he wasn't telling me.

"Eldes… what is it?"

"…No, you're distraught enough. Perhaps we should wait?"

"No. Helping Michael will take my mind off it."

"Well, to each her own, I guess. Now Ashley… wear this." 'This' was what, at first, appeared to be a black cloak. On closer inspection, it was a very dark blue.

"This will keep your identity hidden when you're Snagging. I've taken the liberty of gathering some Snag Balls for use. When you're on a mission, speak as little as possible. Move as quickly as possible. Only engage in battle if it is necessary to get a Shadow Pokémon. And lastly, make sure no one knows who you are. Not even Michael."

I opened my mouth to complain.

"No, Ashley. It's too dangerous. If Cipher gets wind of this, we're toast. The less people know, the better."

I nodded, understanding Eldes' view. I hated doing this.

"There are two Shadow Pokémon in Gateon Port. A Ledyba and a Poochyena. These are the only Shadows outside of Cipher's control. Michael is not likely to find these Shadows, making them prime practice."

I returned to my office with the two Shadows. Snagging them was, shall I say it, fun.

"Well, how did it go?"

"Perfect. I could get used to this."

"I hope you don't need to. Now, we do need to get these to Michael." I nodded. I went to my shelf, and took down a piece of paper and a pen. I took down a message for Michael. I also slipped in a message about Phenac City.

"Good, that will keep Michael on Cipher's trail. Also, we got this from an attack on ONBS." Eldes held out a small vial of liquid. It looked suspiciously like blood. He dropped a tad of it onto the paper.

"What was the point of that?"

"It will throw Michael off our trail. This blood sample belongs to a girl named Megg. When Michael reads about this Snagger, the combination of blood and your wording will make Michael think Megg engineered our actions."

"But… why? It seems so… what if Michael falls for Megg?"

"I'm sorry, but I do not claim to be an expert on childhood romance." I started fuming, before settling down. It had to be done. I took the note to the HQ Lab using my newfound stealth.