After our heroes headed towards Santalune City, they tragically lost a new friend named Jamie to the Santalune City Sniper. However, thanks to the quick wit of Nathan, the sniper was revealed to be a Pokémon Ranger. Now, our heroes are headed towards the Santalune City Gym so Ash can face off against Viola.

Nathan was looking around, keeping his guard up and making sure nothing was off. Sure enough, as they approached the Santalune Gym, Ash saw a crowd.

"That's odd." He said. Nathan then knew something was wrong and approached, having his badge visible. He then maneuvered through the crowd and saw a barricade. He started to pass it, but was stopped.

"You can't go past this barricade." An Officer said.

"Five-0." Nathan said. The Officer nodded and let Nathan through. He then saw two Pokémon Rangers and approached them. One looked at him and approached as well.

"I told that Officer not to let anyone past." He said.

"I'm not just anyone." Nathan said.

"Marcus Reagan," the Ranger said, "Pokémon Ranger Corps."

"Commander Nathan McGarrett," Nathan said, "Five-0. What's going on?"

"A barricaded hostage situation," Marcus said, "and it's not pretty. One man has four to five people hostage, and he's demanded to speak to a negotiator. Nearest one is in Alola, but it'll take WEEKS to get him here. We don't have that long."

"Let me talk to him." Nathan said.

"You sure?" Marcus asked.

"I'm sure," Nathan said, "I can talk him down." Marcus thought about it and nodded.

"Alright," he said, "let's get you settled in." Nathan grinned.

"I already am." He said.

A Federal Gym Battle

As our heroes were going to challenge Viola, the Santalune City Gym Leader, Nathan discovered that someone has barricaded themselves inside with hostages! Where's the Gym Leader?!

"Did you get in contact with Viola?" Nathan asked.

"She's one of the hostages," Marcus said, "as well as her sister, Alexa, and two or three others. We don't know if anyone is hurt."

"One way to find out." Nathan said. He went to the command post and Marcus followed him. He set himself up and called the hostage taker.

"I said not to call until you get a negotiator!" The hostage taker said.

"I am the negotiator." Nathan said.

"What agency?" The hostage taker asked.

"Five-0 Task Force." Nathan said.

"They got a local?!" The hostage taker asked.

"The nearest federal one is in the Alola Region," Nathan said, "and it would take weeks for him to get here. You didn't give them that long."

"Who's talking?" The hostage taker asked.

"Commander Nathan McGarrett." Nathan said.

"I'm honored." The hostage taker said.

"Well," Nathan said, "I need to know if anyone is hurt. From the sound of it, it seems like someone is suffering from a wound."

"Yeah," the hostage taker said, "I had to shoot someone." That got everyone's attention.

"Are they alright? Was anyone else hit?" Nathan asked.

"No," the hostage taker said, "and the one who was is definitely not likely. Bullet hit no bones, all muscle."

"You were on the job," Nathan said, "weren't you?"

"Shut up!" The hostage taker said.

"Listen to me," Nathan said, "it's not too late. So far, you're only gonna be charged with unlawful imprisonment. However, if you don't let the injured hostage go, that hostage will die. You just told us that you shot that hostage. If that hostage dies, you won't be charged with attempted murder. You'll be charged with murder in the first."

"I had to prove I was serious!" The hostage taker said.

"Prove to who?" Nathan asked. The hostage taker was silent for a moment, but Nathan heard something from inside.

'Morse code.' Nathan thought. He then listened closely and knew what was being said. He had a glare in his eyes and waited.

"None of your business." The hostage taker said.

"You're trying to impress Lysandre, aren't you?" Nathan asked. He heard the hostage taker silently gasp.

"How did you know?" The hostage taker asked.

"I can translate morse code." Nathan said. The hostage taker went silent again, probably trying not to panic.

"How?" The hostage taker asked.

"I was a Navy SEAL before becoming a cop," Nathan said, "and I've been where you are. However, I knew protocols you couldn't." The hostage taker went silent again and Nathan wrote on a piece of paper. Marcus looked at Nathan and wondered what he was doing. Just then, the other Ranger approached. Marcus stopped the Ranger and explained everything.

"I'll let the injured hostage and one other go," the hostage taker said, "but there's something I want in return."

"Okay," Nathan said, "what is it? Food, water, money, transportation?"

"I want you to solve a case that I couldn't." The hostage taker said.

"What's the case number?" Nathan asked.

"Sierra-2-5-1-Yankee-0-4-2-Bravo-Delta-Gulf-Hotel-9-1-8-5-Zulu-5-5-3-8." The hostage taker said. Nathan had written the case number down and had recognized it.

"You were in charge of the Kalos League Incident." Nathan said.

"If you are who you claim to be," the hostage taker said, "you'll find the Lysandre's body. Use any of the resources at your disposal. I don't care how you solve it, just find Lysandre's body." Nathan then knew his suspicions were confirmed.

"You think Lysandre is still alive." He said.

"You're damn right I do," the hostage taker said, "but the others thought I was crazy. They said that Lysandre was dead. That someone took his body and hid it. I don't believe that for a second!"

'This is why I started Five-0 in the first place,' Nathan said, 'to get to the bottom of it.'

"What's your name?" Nathan asked.

"Javier." The hostage taker said.

"Well, Javier," Nathan said, "you just piqued my interest. That case is why I started Five-0 in the first place. I wanted to figure out the truth. You have the best insight on the case, so keep the phone close. Let the injured hostage and one other go as we talk. I need to get some info from you on the case."

"The Lumiose City Police should have my notes," Javier said, "all the info is there. I'm sending them out now."

"If I get anything," Nathan said, "I'll call. I expect you to answer, it could reveal the truth."

"Good luck." Javier said. He then hung up and Marcus looked at Nathan in shock.

"You can't investigate this case," he said, "it's career suicide!"

"It's the only way to get those hostages out," Nathan said, "unless you have a better idea that doesn't involve a former cop being shot." Marcus started to say something, but stopped. Nathan had dialed a number and called it.

"Damn it." Marcus said.

"Jen," Nathan said, "it's Nathan. I need all the information on Kalos League Incident, including the notes of the investigator. Email it to me." Nathan then hung up and used a laptop near him to log into his email and soon saw an email from the Lumiose City Police. He opened it and looked through it. He found an attachment that contained Javier's notes. He looked through them and found a key thing. Marcus looked as well and couldn't believe it.

"Son of a bitch." Marcus said. Nathan then called another number and waited.

"It's McGarrett," Nathan said, "I'm about to send you an encrypted message. I need you to decrypt it and send it back to me. Put a rush order on it. Lives are at stake." Nathan then hung up and emailed the message to an email address that Marcus didn't know.

"Who did you send that to?" Marcus asked.

"A friend in Naval Intelligence," Nathan said, "who owes me SEVERAL favors."

"How many total?" Marcus asked.

"Over 9000." Nathan said.

"Dear Arceus." Marcus said.

"Yeah." Nathan said. Just then, he got an email from Navy Intelligence and opened it. Marcus and Nathan looked at the message in shock.

"No fucking way!" Marcus said. Nathan then called Javier.

"You solve it yet?" Javier asked.

"I just blew the case open. You were right," Nathan said, "Lysandre didn't die from that long drop he took. He's still alive!"

Breaking News

The Pokémon Ranger Corps and the Five-0 Task Force are currently in the process of diffusing a hostage situation. Details are sketchy, but it is confirmed that the hostage taker is a former member of the Lumiose City Police Service. We'll have more information as the situation unfolds.

Marcus shook his head, not believing what he just saw.

"You're certain?" Javier asked.

"That message you were sent," Nathan said, "the one you couldn't understand. It was severely encrypted. I have a contact in Naval Intelligence that decrypted it. It's from Lysandre!"

"How did he know how to encrypt messages like that?" Javier asked.

"He was a technical genius," Nathan said, "so it wouldn't surprise me. However, I'm better than him. I've had to decrypt SEVERAL messages while in the field as a SEAL. I assure you, this is legit!"

"If you knew how to decrypt it," Javier said, "why did you send it to a contact?"

"I had to make sure." Nathan said.

"Bring it to me." Javier said.

"I planned on it," Nathan said, "and I'll do so unarmed. No weapons, no gimmicks." Javier then hung up and Nathan printed the message out and started to walk inside. He then handed his Sig to an Officer and walked towards the entrance to the battlefield. He went inside and saw Javier with a gun aimed at Viola. The injured hostage and one other got up and left. Nathan then showed the message.

"Read it out loud!" Javier said. Nathan then held the message in front of him.

"To anyone who sees this," Nathan read, "my name is Lysandre. If you were able to decode this message, then you must have doubts about my death. Your doubts are correct. I didn't die from that fall off Prism Tower. My equipment took the brunt of the damage. My life was spared. I'm currently in hiding, but I won't be found. If you continue to search for me from this point, you will be consumed by madness and called a fool. This case is career suicide, and it will be yours that ends. Should you not heed this warning, I wish you luck in trying to find me. I won't give up without a fight." Nathan then looked at Javier and lowered the piece of paper. Javier lowered the gun and held a hand to his head.

"I can't believe I was right." He said.

"I found the truth," Nathan said, "and I'm picking up where you left off. Let the other hostages go." Javier looked at Nathan in shock.

"I told you to find Lysandre's body." He said.

"There's no body to find," Nathan said, "but I will find him. I'll make him pay for what he did, for the damage he caused. You have to trust me!" Someone then ran out from behind and aimed at Nathan. He picked up a throwing dagger and threw it as the man shot. The bullet missed Nathan, but the dagger hit the shooter in the throat, killing him instantly. Javier then dropped the weapon and put his hands up.

"He was making me do it," Javier said, "I swear!"

"I know," Nathan said, "that's why you told me about the case. When I told you I understood morse code, you knew that I knew about the other man. You were having your strings pulled, like a marionette." Javier nodded and Marcus walked in.

"We just told our bosses about the message," he said, "and they agreed to reopen the investigation. Now that they know you were being controlled, you won't be charged. However, you'll still have to give your statement to the DA."

"Just make sure you tell the DA that I was right about Lysandre." Javier said.

"We did," Marcus said, "he sends his deepest apologies. He'll do the same in person."

"Start getting the gym ready for battles. I'm travelling with someone who's itching for one right now." Nathan said.

"Already starting." Marcus said. Nathan nodded and they all walked out. After a few moments of waiting, Ash and the others were sitting inside the Santalune Gym.

"I still can't believe that Lysandre is still alive." Aria said.

"I saw him fall," Ash said, "but no one found his body."

"Can we stop talking about it for right now?" Nathan asked. The others looked at Nathan, but understood. Alexa then walked out with her Helioptile and had Viola with her.

"Thank you for waiting." Viola said. Nathan then got up and went to them.

"Are either of you hurt?" He asked.

"No," Alexa said, "we're not hurt. A little shaken up, but not hurt."

"That's good." Nathan said. Helioptile then jumped up on Nathan's shoulder and gently nuzzled him.

"That's sweet." Serena said.

"That's its way of saying 'Thanks for saving all of us today.' to him." Viola said.

"You're welcome." Nathan said. It then jumped down and went to Ash.

"Good to see you again, Helioptile." Ash said. Ash's Pikachu then knew something was wrong. Nathan was clued in and knelt down.

"What's wrong, Helioptile?" Nathan asked. Helioptile looked at Nathan then showed it's tail. Nathan pulled out a magnifying glass and looked closely, seeing an injection site.

"What is it?" Bonnie asked.

'Not good.' Nathan thought. He then pulled out a Full Restore and a Full Heal from his bag. Alexa knelt down and looked at Helioptile. Nathan used the Full Restore first, then used the Full Heal. Helioptile soon looked at Nathan and smiled. It then hugged Nathan. Nathan smiled.

"Once again," Nathan said, "you're welcome. That should reverse the effects of the sedative you were given."

"Sedative?!" Justin asked.

"I found an injection mark on its tail," Nathan said, "and given how it was acting, I knew a sedative was given. Normally, Helioptile are energetic and excited. However, this one wasn't acting that way."

"I see," Clemont said, "by remembering how Helioptile act, you can determine if something was given to them that changed their attitude!"

"Precisely." Nathan said. Helioptile then smiled brightly and jumped up.

"Tile!" It said.

"Like I said," Nathan said, "you're welcome."

"Heli? Helioptile?" Helioptile asked.

"I can read your body language," Nathan said, "and that clues me in to what you're saying."

"Huh?" Alexa asked.

"You see," Clemont said, "Nathan has a degree in Forensic Psychology from going to the Pokémon Regional Police Academy."

"I have degrees in every Forensic field, Clemont. Stop trying to make me sound modest," Nathan said, "only I can do that." Alexa smiled and Viola walked over to them.

"So, Ash," Viola said, "are you ready for our battle?"

"You know it, Viola!" Ash said. Serena smiled.

'The last time I saw Ash battle was when him and Serena were at Monsieur Pierre's party years ago,' Aria thought, 'and he was amazing. I wonder how he's improved.'

"Hold on, Viola." Alexa said.

"Huh?" Viola asked.

"I say we see how Nathan battles first." Alexa said.

"Come to think of it," Bonnie said, "we've never seen Nathan in a Pokémon battle before!"

"I'd like to see how he does, too!" Justin said.

"I'm also interested." Clemont said. Aria and Serena both nodded. Viola looked at Ash.

"Is that alright with you?" She asked. Ash thought about it and smiled.

"Yeah," Ash said, "because I need to see just how strong he is!"

"I have only one stipulation," Nathan said, standing up, "if I win, I don't get a Gym Badge from you."

"Wait, what?!" Viola asked.

"I'm not trying to enter the Kalos League," Nathan said, "and I don't want a Gym Badge to prove my strength." Alexa then had an idea.

"How about a Commendation Bar instead?" She asked.

"If you think that's gonna work," Nathan said, "you're wrong. I won't accept anything."

"How about exceeding your dream?" A voice asked. Nathan looked behind him with a hand on his Sig, only to see Marcus.

"Don't do that again." Nathan said.

"Sorry," Marcus said," but I was being serious. You discovering that Lysandre was still alive has made other agencies want you to join them, including the Ranger Corps. You already have the proper training to be a federal agent, so you don't need to worry about it. After they realized who you were, they all pitched in and asked me to give you the option to make your Five-0 Task Force into a federal agency."

"Wouldn't that mean I need to have others in my command?" Nathan asked.

"I told them that you were the only one in your Task Force at the moment," Marcus said, "but they didn't care. The choice is yours." Nathan thought about it, but Bonnie spoke up.

"You can train us how you were trained, Nathan." She said. Nathan looked at them.

"If I were to join any federal agency," Justin said, "it would be yours."

"You're only kids." Nathan said. Clemont then spoke up.

"I might be the Lumiose Gym Leader," he said, "but after seeing what you do, I'd want to join Five-0."

"Same here," Aria said, "and I'm already the Kalos Queen."

"I'm a Pokémon Performer," Serena said, "and even I would join." Nathan looked at Ash.

"Ash?" Nathan asked. Ash then looked at Nathan.

"I've traveled to every region," Ash said, "and I've made dozens of friends. However, the day I met you, we were both heading to the Kalos Region. You were coming here with only the clothes on your back, the money in your pocket, and experience under your belt. You were coming here to start your own life, and that's something I admired. You know about battling, you know how to take care of Pokémon, and you know what it takes to survive. If I were to learn anything from you, it would be how to protect the ones I care about. If Five-0 were to become a federal agency, I'd join it in a heartbeat." Nathan smiled.

"Well?" Marcus asked. Nathan looked at Marcus and nodded.

"I accept," Nathan said, "and I want full permission to run it how I see fit. Can you promise that?" Marcus grinned and nodded.

"You got it," Marcus said, "Director McGarrett." Nathan grinned.

"That actually has a good ring to it." Nathan said. Marcus then tossed a badge to Nathan. Nathan caught it and looked at it.

"Had a feeling you'd say yes," Marcus said, "so I went ahead and had that made up before I got here. Just waiting on your creds to process through." Nathan smiled and nodded. He then looked at the badge for the Five-0 Task Force and tossed it to Marcus.

"I won't be needing that anymore." He said. Marcus caught it and smiled.

"I'll make sure I send it to the Pokémon Regional Police Academy." He said. Nathan smiled and looked at Viola. She smiled and nodded.

"Let's get it started." Viola said. Steve and Jamie then jumped out of Nathan's bag and Steve jumped onto Nathan's shoulder. Jamie jumped onto Serena's.

"I was wondering where you two were." Nathan said.

"Pika!" Jamie said.

"You hush." Nathan said. Jamie looked at Nathan in shock.

"Pikachu." Steve said.

"Pika Pika." Jamie said.

"Tile!" Helioptile said.

"Oof!" Marcus said.

"Shut up!" Alexa, Nathan, and Serena said. Marcus sighed.

"Let's get this started." Viola said.

"Indeed." Nathan said. Moments later, Nathan was standing across from Viola on the battlefield.

"The gym battle between Viola, the Gym Leader, and Nathan McGarrett, the challenger, is about to begin. Each side is allowed to use only two Pokémon, and the battle will be over when either side's Pokémon are unable to continue. Only the challenger will be able to substitute Pokémon." The referee said. Viola held up a Poké Ball and held it out.

"My lens is always focused on victory," she said, "and nothing will ruin this shot! Go Surskit!" Viola then threw the Poké Ball and Surskit appeared.

'So that's a Surskit.' Nathan thought. He then pulled out his Pokédex and pointed it at Surskit.

"Surskit," the Pokédex said, "the Pond Skater Pokémon. Surskit can walk on water as if it was skating. It attracts prey with a sweet aroma it produces."

'A Water and Bug type,' Nathan thought, 'I know just the one.'

"Alright, Steve," Nathan said, "you're up!" Steve jumped off of Nathan's shoulder and landed on the field.

"Huh? He's using Steve first?" Justin asked.

"Surskit's a Water and Bug type," Clemont said, "so Water type moves aren't as effective against Electric types."

"That means he has an advantage!" Justin said.

"Alright," the referee said, "battle begin!"

"Surskit," Viola said, "use Tackle!" Surskit charged towards Steve, and Nathan grinned.

"Dodge it," Nathan said, "then use Thunder Shock!" Steve dodged and used Thunder Shock while in the air. The attack hit Surskit head on.

'Now's the chance.' Nathan thought.

"Use Quick Attack before Surskit recovers!" Nathan said.

"Wha?!" Viola asked. Steve then used Quick Attack and Surskit was sent back to Viola.

"What's Nathan thinking?" Bonnie asked.

"He's making it to where Surskit won't have a chance to attack." Clemont said.

"Because of Steve's ability, right?" Justin asked.

"Right." Clemont said.

'Steve's ability?' Alexa thought.

"Can you still fight, Surskit?" Viola asked.

"Surskit!" Surskit said, pissed off.

"Alright," Viola said, "then use Ice Beam on the battlefield."

"Use Quick Attack before Surskit has a chance!" Nathan said. Steve went at top speed and hit Surskit before it used Ice Beam. Surskit had then used Ice Beam, but it hit the wall.

"Use Tackle!" Viola said. Nathan grinned and gave a look.

"Take the full brunt of it!" He said.

"Huh?!" Alexa asked.

"What?!" Viola asked. Steve then DELIBERATELY got hit with Tackle, but when Surskit hit him, he was paralyzed. Nathan smiled.

"The plan worked!" Nathan said.

"What do you mean?" Viola asked. She then looked at Surskit and saw it was paralyzed.

"Surskit's paralyzed," Nathan said, "and it's all thanks to Steve's ability."

"What ability?" Viola asked. Nathan grinned.

"Static." Nathan said.

"Ah!" Viola said. Alexa slammed her hands on the railing.

"Of course," Alexa said, "I didn't realize it! Static is an ability that paralyzes the opponent when in direct contact! It only activates when the user has a lot of static electricity built up!"

"Hence why Nathan let Steve get hit with Tackle!" Aria said. Ash looked at Nathan.

'Did he come up with that on the fly?' Ash thought.

"Time to finish this," Nathan said, "and with style! Use Thunder Shock!" Steve then used Thunder Shock and Viola gasped.

"Quick, dodge it!" Viola said. Surskit tried to dodge, but couldn't move. Steve's Thunder Shock then hit Surskit and the impact made the area explode.

"Ah!" Bonnie said.

"Oh!" Justin said.

"Surskit, no!" Viola said. The smoke cleared and Surskit was on the ground. Sure enough, Surskit had fainted.

"Surskit is unable to battle," the referee said, "Steve wins!" Viola then withdrew Surskit.

"You fought well, Surskit. Take a good rest." Viola said.

"That's one down." Nathan said.

"Don't get to cocky," Viola said, "and don't get your hopes up. My Gym Leader pride is on the line! Go Vivillon!" Viola then threw a Poké Ball and a Vivillon had appeared on the battlefield and went to the air.

'Vivillon, huh?' Nathan thought. He then pulled out his Pokédex and pointed it at Vivillon.

"Vivillon," the Pokédex said, "the Scale Pokémon. Vivillon are skillfully able to find a source of water. It has been said that you'll find a spring if you follow a Vivillon."

"Steve," Nathan said, "come on back." Steve went back and held a Poké Ball in his hands.

"You're withdrawing Steve?" Viola asked.

"Yeah," Nathan said, "because I too have pride on the line. Go Serenity!" Nathan threw the Poké Ball and Serenity appeared. Viola looked shocked.

"Why is Nathan using Serenity?" Justin asked.

"Because Serenity is a Fire type," Aria said, "which is strong against Bug types."

"Why didn't he use Serenity from the start then?" Justin asked.

"Because Fire types are weak against Water types," Clemont said, "and Surskit was a Bug and Water type." Alexa looked on.

'Does this mean he has a strategy?' Alexa thought.

"Vivillon," Viola said, "use Gust!"

"Aim for the eyes and use Ember!" Nathan said. Serenity then used Ember and the attack hit Vivillon in the face before it could attack.

"Ah!" Viola said.

"A direct hit!" Clemont said.

"Now use Scratch," Nathan said, "and don't get caught in it's Psychic!" Viola tensed up and looked shocked.

'How did he know I was going to have Vivillon use Psychic?!' Viola thought.

"Your next line is going to be 'I was just testing you. Vivillon, use Sleep Powder!'" Nathan said. Viola smirked.

"I was just testing you. Vivillon, use Sleep Powder!" Viola said. Her and Alexa both gasped in shock.

"How did he know she was going to say that?!" Serena asked. Nathan grinned.

'She's off guard.' Nathan thought.

"Now!" Nathan said. Viola gasped and Vivillon looked up. Serenity then used Scratch, and kicked Vivillon to the wall where the ice was.

"Vivillon!" Viola said. Nathan smirked.

"Now that's picture perfect," Nathan said, "though not for you, Viola."

"What?" Viola asked.

"You see," Nathan said, "I had it planned from the start. I knew which Pokémon you would use. I had already come up with a strategy to defeat you before I had even got here. I knew Surskit could use Sticky Web, Tackle, Ice Beam, and Signal Beam. In conjunction with that, Vivillon can use Gust, Solar Beam, Psychic, and Sleep Powder. I just had to use the right combination of moves, and get you off your guard. Right now, I'm ending this."

"Does that mean?" Justin asked.

"He's gonna finish Vivillon off!" Alexa said.

'I can't let it happen!' Viola said.

"Vivillon," Viola said, "don't let them trick you! Use Psychic!" Vivillon tried to use Psychic, but it was in pain.

"Huh?!" Alexa asked.

"Vivillon was burned in the eyes," Aria said, "making it hard to use Psychic."

"Nathan planned that?!" Serena asked.

"No," Aria said, "but he's using it to his advantage."

"Vivillon's eyes aren't burned," Ash said, shocking Aria, "she's stuck in the ice!"

"Ah!" Alexa said.

"Time to finish this," Nathan said, "use Ember!" Serenity then used Ember and Vivillon was hit directly.

"No, Vivillon!" Viola said. Vivillon then fell and hit the floor.

"Vivillon is unable to battle," the referee said, "Serenity wins. Which means the match goes to Nathan, the challenger!"

"Awesome!" Justin and Ash said.

"Unbelievable!" Bonnie and Serena said.

"Amazing!" Aria and Clemont said.

"He beat her so easily," Alexa said, "and his Pokémon barely got hurt." Viola returned Vivillon to its Poké Ball and smiled.

"You battled well," she said, "so take a good rest." Nathan smiled and Serenity went to him.

"That was amazing, Serenity." Nathan said.

"Fennekin Fenn!" Serenity said.

"Pika." Steve said.

"You guys did the hard work," Nathan said,"all I did was help you do the job."

"Nathan," Viola said, getting his attention, "you beat me before I had a chance to reach my full potential. Normally, you'd receive the Bug Badge. However, you said that you weren't collecting Gym Badges. So, in exchange, I'd like to present you with something else." Nathan stood up and faced Viola. Viola then handed Nathan a box.

"What's in here?" Nathan asked.

"Open it and find out." Viola said. Nathan opened the box and pulled out a bracelet of sorts. However, Nathan recognized it. Serena looked at it and was confused, but Ash knew what it was.

"Is that what I think it is?" Ash asked. Pikachu then reached into Ash's bag and pulled out the same thing, but different.

"A Z-Ring." Nathan said. Viola smiled and nodded.

"It's my gift to you." Viola said. Nathan then remembered the Electrium Z that he was given by the Raichu before he had arrived in Santalune City. He pulled it out and showed it to Viola.

"Did you have someone come in here with a Z-Ring and claim they lost their Electrium Z?" Nathan asked.

"No," Viola said, "but I do remember seeing a Pokémon Ranger with a Z-Ring. That Ranger had a Pachirisu with him."

'Pachirisu, huh?' Nathan thought.

"Could it be possible this belongs to that Ranger?" Nathan asked.

"It certainly is," Viola said, "and I got the vibe he was going to use a Z-Move. I didn't know which one he was going to use, so I prepared myself. He ended up using Breakneck Blitz."

'That requires a Normalium Z.' Nathan thought.

"It made me wonder," Viola said, "what if he was going to use the Electric type Z-Move?"

"Gigavolt Havoc." Nathan said.

"It makes me wonder." Viola said.

"Same here." Nathan said, looking at the Electrium Z.

A Z-Ring, an Electrium Z, a Pokémon Ranger, and Santalune City. These things have something in common, but no one is sure what. Now, it's Ash's turn to battle Viola, and attempt to win his first Kalos Gym Badge.

Clemont and Aria looked at Viola.

"Can you remember what the Ranger looked like?" Clemont asked.

"Yeah," Viola said, "I do. As a matter of fact, I can show you a picture of him." A referee then brought an album to Viola and she opened it. She then found the picture and pulled it out. She showed it to Clemont and Aria, and looked concerned. Nathan looked and his eyes went wide.

'What?!' Nathan thought. Clemont then looked at Nathan.

"Do you recognize the guy?" He asked.

"More than that," Nathan said, "I served with him. He's a former SEAL!"

"I guess I should tell you." Viola said.

"Tell me what?" Nathan asked.

"He gave me a message," Viola said, "and tole me to give it to anyone who recognized him and knew he served in the Navy."

"What's the message?" Nathan asked.

"There's more to life than what can be explained," Viola said, "and there's more to death than what we hear. No matter where our lives may lie. There's more to our lives than meets the eye. Call upon the power inside. It'll assist you." Nathan knew what that meant.

"The power inside is strong and fast," Nathan said, "and can bring either life or death. Only one can summon the path to the truth." Viola got serious.

"The truth lies within these words," Viola said, "so hear them well. 'You will find the answer in the Town of Stones. From there, go to the Master Tower and fight the Guru. This will be your key in returning what was lost.' Do you know the danger?"

"The danger is great," Nathan said, "but my training is greater. Nothing can stop the power within, and nothing can stop the power unleashed."

"What did he mean?" Alexa asked.

"He's working a case," Nathan said, "but he's in trouble. He's left a trail for us to follow. The Electrium Z belongs to the Ranger, and I'm the only one that can return it. It's something we used back when we served, and we didn't want anyone else knowing what was being said. It's a form of encrypted messaging that had been used by intelligence agencies to protect the safety of their agents. It's only to be used in emergencies."

"Does that mean?" Bonnie asked.

"He's in trouble." Nathan said.

As the journey continues.

To Be Continued...