The two trainers arrived at Castelia to an awe-inspiring sight. Skyscrapers, their tops hidden by clouds, towered above them and numerous ships sat in the harbors, ready to be brought out to sea.

"Alright then!" Blake said, pumped up with excitement, then turned to his companion. "So Theresa, how about we look around after getting our teams checked up?"

Theresa shrugged. "Sounds fine to me. I've been here before obviously, but I didn't take the time to check out everything."

"Cool!" Blake answered back to her before spotting the city's Pokemon Center from afar. He started walking over there, not only intending to get his party looked over, but also check his stock on healing items.

Theresa followed after him, thinking very much the same, though she'd never let HIM know that.

Shortly after the two stepped out of the building, a voice rang loudly toward them.

"Blake! Heey Blake!"

They both turned and Theresa just stared as Blake's face turned into a grin at the blond running up to them.

"Hey Bianca." Blake said. "How have you been?"

"Good!" Bianca cheerfully responded before looking at Theresa. "And who's your new friend?"

"We're not friends." Theresa said sharply, apparently not amused. "And it's Theresa."

Bianca looked at Blake a moment, who shrugged and quietly informed the blond that he had only just met her in Pinwheel Forest. Immediately after, she turned back to Theresa. "Well as you already know, I'm Bianca! And any friend Blake makes is a friend of mine!" The blond made a wide smile.

Theresa rolled her eyes as Blake piped in. "Speaking of pals, you wouldn't happen to know where Cheren is would you?"

Bianca thought for a moment. "Actually... I think the last time I saw him, he was headed toward the gym. I had wanted to stay behind a bit to get some more practice... And I still want to a bit before I take my turn to challenge it..."

Theresa turned away and forced herself to continue seeming apathetic towards the conversation. Truthfully, she was getting more annoyed by the moment, and was tempted to lash out at what she saw as the source of it.

"Hey as long as you go when you're ready Bianca." Blake said. "As for me, I change my mind about exploring. I wanna go for the gym challenge. I think I'm ready."

"Yeah, right." Theresa snorted at his sudden cockiness. "You're about as ready as if you were about to go fight the Elite Four."

"Oh just you wait!" retorted Blake. "I'll beat Burgh in one shot! No need for rematches this time around!"

"This time?" inquired Theresa. Considering the way he said that, she really hoped she hadn't chose to travel with a total LOSER for a trainer...

Bianca just watched the two, a slight bit worried at the unfriendly vibes she was getting from Theresa, but figured it was nothing and just her imagination. "Anyway... to get to the gym, just keep going straight from here and go down the last street you see along the way. Okay?"

"You got it!" And so Blake, determined to prove his previous words true, quickly ran off.

"Idiot." muttered a rather irritated Theresa as she trudged after him, not bothering to keep pace. She was sure it would just be a total massacre for his team anyway.

Blake skidded to a stop at the building and had his eyes wide open in surprise at who was standing there.

The black-haired boy gave Blake an icy stare in return through his glasses, completely covered in something opaque and yellow that was slowly dripping off of him. Then he finally spoke... "Well... under normal circumstances, I would have voiced how pleasant it is to see you again Blake."

Blake took a few moments to register what was going on. "Uh... yeah. Same here Cheren. What happened to you, man?"

"It's nothing." Cheren flatly answered. "I just beat Burgh. And his sense of humor is... interesting." He paused, making a sound of disgust. "But I'll... talk to you later alright? I really need to go change." With that, Cheren went off his own way.

Blake held a look of confusion on his face. If the reason Cheren was covered in honey was because Burgh was another puzzle-loving gym leader, he wasn't looking forward to his turn. Remembering that he left Theresa behind, he decided to stand and wait for her. Besides, then she would have the chance to watch Blake beat Burgh and prove himself as a good trainer.

A seemingly long while later, Theresa finally caught up to Blake, still thoroughly annoyed at him for running off so fast in the first place and showing that annoyance.

At her expression, Blake gave a nervous grin back. "Uh... hey."

"...Seems you're actually patient enough to decide to stop and wait for someone then." Theresa said with a sarcastic smile. "Do you have Durants in your pants!? If you're so excited why don't you keep running ahead to beat the rest of the Gym Leaders- and I'll just catch up!" She walked past him, opened the doors to the gym, and started to go in, not even looking back to check if he was following.

And almost immediately someone walked smack into her. The man quickly made a few startled steps back, fumbling in his hands the cell phone he nearly dropped.

"Oh! So sorry about that..." The man had medium-length wavy hair and wore mostly green and red. He looked at Theresa and for some reason seemed uncomfortable. "...Theresa wasn't it? It's certainly a... pleasure... to see you again." He averted his eyes to Blake. "I'm guessing the boy over there is yet another challenger?"

"You bet!" Blake exclaimed.

Theresa stepped back so she was next to Blake again, glaring at the man of all reactions before recognizing him. "Oh, it's you." Theresa mumbled. "Well, let's get this over with- Blake, battle him. Before I snatch your Pokemon to do it myself for you."

The gym leader, Burgh, stared back at her incredulously. "Actually... no can do unfortunately." He interrupted, just before Blake could respond. "Someone I know just called a few minutes ago and apparently a situation came up that requires my assistance." Then he noticed Blake sulk a bit. "But not a worry Blake. As soon as it's resolved we can get right to your challenge. Feel free to come along." And with that the man was off.

Blake took a glance at Theresa. "So... let's go? The quicker this gets done, the sooner we can move on, uh... right?"

"You definitely read my mind." Theresa grumbled, then stormed off to follow Burgh.

As the group finally made their way to one of the piers in Castelia City, they were able to see that a girl with dark hair tied up in a large hairstyle of two pigtails out of a giant ponytail trying to comfort a familiar blond wearing a green beret.

"Woah it can't be...!' Blake started to say before racing over.

Theresa followed Blake, seeing the girl from before- 'Bianca.. Was it?' Theresa thought. 'Sheesh, what's all the crying about?'

"Calm down Bianca, Burgh will be here in a second, and he'll help get your Pokemon back.." The girl said, she turned to see Burgh, and two other people with him. "Oh! Burgh, you're finally here!"

"Yeah sure, what exactly happened? If you want us to help you, you have to tell us the details." Theresa said, placing her hands on her hips. The girl with dark hair looked questioningly at Burgh, most likely confused as to who these two were.

Burgh finally stepped forward toward the blond. "Miss, could you please tell us exactly what went on?" He smiled reassuringly.

"Oh it was awful!" Bianca started to explain after calming down just enough to speak coherently. "So I was just walking around the city.. when some of those Team Plasma people showed up and..." She took another few moments to let more sobs out before composing herself again. "They took my Munna!"

Blake patted his friend on the shoulder. "So that's what it is..." Then the boy got himself fired up with a look of determination. "But don't worry Bianca! We'll find those guys and give them what's coming! You'll have your Munna back in no time!"

"Team PLASMA!?" Theresa asked, getting very agitated. "Which way did they go, Bianca!?"

"...I don't know..." Bianca answered.

"Ahem. Of course, even then, they could be anywhere by now." Burgh piped in. "Searching for even a group of people in a city like this is like searching for a needle in a haystack..."

Suddenly there was the sound of a pair of feet skidding to a stop near the group, at this everyone turned to see a guy dressed in knightly attire of Team Plasma.

"Uh..." The plasma grunt looked down at his wrist to check the time on a nonexistent watch. "Look at the time! Gotta run!" He sped off.

"After him everyone!" Burgh said.

Everyone entered the Team Plasma headquarters swiftly after battling the two cowardly grunts standing guard. However... the place didn't look sinister at all. It was like any normal building with a counter for the receptionist. Except, there was no receptionist, but a group of Team Plasma members by the elevator door, and two men in different attire from the rest.

It was none other than Ghetsis and his goons. One of them was holding a little pink Pokemon that was likely Bianca's Munna.

"It seems they have found us. But look what we have here, two Gym Leaders-Iris and Burgh. For what purpose may I ask?" An old man exclaimed, wearing similar clothes to Ghetsis. He seemed to be a part of Team Plasma as well. "You're not planning on stopping our organization, are you? You may have found us but it does not mean we shall stop aiding Sage Ghetsis, and the King!"

"What the hell are you blabbing on about old man!?" Theresa yelled.

Iris was by Theresa's side, a determined frown on her face. "And what are you getting by kidnapping other people's Pokemon?" she chimed.

"Kidnapping? Oh heavens no... that is far from what describes the goals of Team Plasma." Ghetsis replied smoothly. "Team Plasma aims to liberate all Pokemon from humans, especially from those that are incompetent..." He coldly looked at Bianca, who shrunk back from the glare and insult. "... And cruel" The man made an equally cold glare at Theresa.

Theresa growled angrily at Ghetsis, not even flinching. She glared back, just as cold.

"Hey! No one talks about my friends like that! I don't know where you got that idea about Theresa, but I bet it's far from what you think. And Bianca's a great trainer!" Blake called out in the defense of his companions. "So back off and give her Pokemon back!"

"... Let me put it like this, Ghetsis." Theresa was getting more fed up with Team Plasma by the second. "Either you let that Pokemon go right now and clear out, or I'm going to let out an old friend of yours from Liberty Island who's just dying to see you. So I suggest listening unless you want a very powerful, very legendary Pokemon's Fire Blast in your face."

"Hmph. Very well." Ghetsis said simply after a moment. "You wish for a second chance with your Pokemon? You may have it." He turned to the grunt holding the pink creature, making a look conveying that the command couldn't be refused or argued. "Release the Munna."

The Team Plasma grunt let go of said Pokemon and it immediately flew straight to its trainer. "Muuuuuun~!" it exclaimed, tackling Bianca in a spree of joy.

"Ohhh... Munna. You're finally back! I'm so glad..." Bianca whispered, hugging her Munna tightly almost as if they were going to snatch it away again. "I promise I'll protect you. I won't let anyone ever take you away again!"

"Muuuunnaaaaa." it replied.

"Well... Fare thee well." The sage mumbled. And as soon as that was said, a Team Plasma grunt quickly threw a mysterious ball to the ground, and the entire room was filled with smoke; temporarily blinding everyone.

"Hey-!" Iris exclaimed, but not before coughing with everyone else.

"We'll stop you Team Plasma! You'll see-" Theresa said, coughing afterwards, using her hands to try and swat away the smoke.

While they were all left there in confusion and agitation, the organization members had ran as far as they could, the smoke ball successfully aiding them in their devious escape.

Theresa paced back and forth as she along with everyone stood outside the former "headquarters" of Team Plasma. "That stupid Team Plasma! Who do they think they are!? They're really out of their minds if they think that people are going to set their Pokemon free just like that! I mean, I would never release my Pokemon just because some retarded organization wants to liberate them for the so-called greater good!" She ranted. "MY Pokemon are LOYAL to me!" One of the pokeballs around her waist began to move, and soon enough a red flash sprung from it, and her Victini formed right in front of Theresa.

"Viiiiiiiiii!" Victini squeaked in agreement.

Bianca had been watching Theresa for a moment before finally taking a few timid steps toward her. "Um... Theresa...? Are you just more mad about the fact that you were called a cruel person? Not that I think you are- not at all."

Blake eyed the furry fire Pokemon warily before setting his eyes back on Theresa. "Yeah. Any idea where they could've gotten THAT idea?"

Theresa made a yet another glare, though a small one, at Bianca and aiming it at Blake for a moment too before looking away. "Don't you have a Gym Battle that you need to attend to?" She asked, changing the subject completely. "Or did you lose all your enthusiasm?"

"Quite right." Burgh finally spoke up, he and Iris having only been watching the exchange. "The issue of this Team Plasma is no small thing to be ignored, but for now nothing else can be done here. Bianca is reunited with her Munna, so the best thing to say is that for the moment... all is well. For everyone that wishes to watch, come now because a battle awaits."

"Sounds great!" Bianca exclaimed.

Iris laughed a bit, before finally taking her chance to speak up. "Yeah I wish I could see how that goes, just so I could get an idea of your potential while I can! But oh well, I have to get back to Opelucid City. Besides, places like Castelia aren't exactly my thing. See you when you guys make it there!" Iris quickly ran off, a few of the group returning her wave goodbye, before she vanished.

Now noticing her chance, Bianca suddenly scooped up Theresa's Victini into her arms. "Is this the Pokemon you were talking about before Theresa? It's SOOOO adorable!" She cuddled the little creature. Theresa's Victini did nothing, only having a blank and confused expression, before the furry blue eyed Pokemon rolled its eyes looking annoyed. Apparently it didn't know whether to burn her to a crisp, or just simply try to wiggle out of her grip.

Theresa did not look amused either at the blond hugging one of her Pokemon. "Okay. Enough cuddly bear time. I want to see this Gym Battle get done and over with-!" Theresa said in an exasperated tone, ignoring Bianca's comment on her Victini.

They all walked to the gym, which was conveniently right across the street. Bianca bounced happily with the creature in her arms, while the others walked calmly, though Blake held confidence in his step.

Just then Theresa turned at a shape she saw at the corner of her eye and glared at a building next to the gym. In front of it was a guy with black hair, dark green eyes, and even from afar seemed to radiate a smug and arrogant air about him.

"Wait here. I'll be right back." Theresa said suddenly before she started toward the stranger, who looked up when he noticed her and immediately took off running. With Theresa tailing after him, they both quickly vanished from sight.

Bianca watched Theresa as she went, blinking curiously. The legendary stuck in her arms just looked disgruntled at the fact that her trainer left her to be suffocated by Bianca's love of cute Pokemon.

Burgh was silent for a long moment, looking nervous. Then he averted his eyes to Blake, speaking in a quiet tone, as if he wanted it to be private. "... I need you to know something important Blake. About Theresa. I know you think she might be a better person than she seems, that she might warm up to you and your friends as you get to know her and travel together. But there is much more that you need to be aware of."

Blake looked confused at that, but nodded for him to continue on.

"Obviously as a gym leader, I battled her once. And... she is very ambitious. A little ambition is always good... But with her, the amount she has is dangerous." Burgh took another glance in the direction Theresa had disappeared before making his last statement. "Ghetsis wasn't far from the truth in describing her as cruel... As far as what lengths she would go to in order to achieve her goals anyway..."

Just as soon as Burgh finished, Theresa returned and momentarily gave the man a suspicious look. She only shrugged, but it was almost as if she knew he was talking about her... "Alright, let's go in. The less time this takes, the faster we can get out of this overpopulated train wreck of a city." She looked back at Burgh, more mockingly than anything. "No offense to you, of course."

".. None taken I suppose." Burgh responded uncertainly.

And so Blake, Theresa, and Bianca followed the leader into the gym...