After securing a room at the Pokemon center, the group of seven all piled in. the group of friends were all eager to hear what Zachary had to say. Zachary sat on the bottom bunk of one of the beds, and everyone sat around him.

"What I have to say is very important, and none is to be shared with anyone outside this room." Zachary started off.

"Why are you telling this to us, then?" Michelle asked.

Zachary looked over at Steve, and looked back to the girl. "I believe you all to be trustworthy. Steve is in danger, and I want to help him out of this mess." Steve looked away as he said this.

"Let me start off from the very beginning of this virus. All of the information that we know of it's past. I worked with Omega before I was stationed over here. Omega was able to discover so many new things about this virus that we never knew of before. The virus, according to research, was here ever since the Pokemon came to this world. We do not know as of why yet, Omega is still working on it. the virus, in general, changes the human DNA, anatomy, everything thing about us, into that of a Pokemon." Zachary looked at all of the expressions on everyone's faces. They were all shocked and stunned, unable to speak. Rikki looked mortified, and he felt bad for her. She saw what it does.

"The virus only makes the Pokemon carrier aggressive, making it want to bite anything that moves, which is how it first started to spread through humans. We believe that the virus, maybe a couple thousand years after the creation of Earth, the entire Hoenn region was knocked out by this virus. We can't actually find any evidence to support that theory.

The very first evidence gathered abut the virus's existence was a couple hundred years ago by a group of four scientists. Their names were Randall, Sherice, Chloe, and Rick. Back then, we had no idea of it's existence. We were able to notice that Pokemon were getting more and more aggressive, but had no reason as of why. We believe that the virus mutated, and mutated, and mutated for however many years. Getting to the point where it's at today."

He paused for a few minutes, letting it all soak in. He waited for some of them to ask questions. none yet. He continued.

"I'm sure that all of you are aware of Missy. If not, she was girl who went through the virus, and conquered it, saving all of the world. She was one of the first to be tested for the original cure, and survived. But, shortly after that, the ancient society reared it's head, angry at her actions. they don't have a name for themselves, that we know about. Someone at Omega a couple years ago, who specialized in studying it, gave it the name Yasuo. Yasuo is their God, the one they worship."

"Is Yasuo a real person?" Jonas asked.

"He was a real person. We were able to find some old medical records of a person named Yasuo, who apparently went missing in his home town. That is the only records of a person named Yasuo that we could find." Zachary answered.

"Why was he made the God of this society?" Kara went on.

"My brother was an archaeologist who also specialized in the history of the Society. He was stationed at the village that the base was protecting. He was able to note that wasn't the original village, where it actually began. But, we were able to uncover something extraordinary. He found a box that was buried. Inside that box was probably the the latest piece of evidence, a more in depth glimpse into their society and it's ways. It's very...horrible...because the believe that this virus is a gift, a salvation, there way into the promised age. At Omega, we weren't able to finish reading the book, because those society kids broke in and took it from us."

"Was there anything else inside that box?" Steve inquired.

"The book, and a syringe filled with the virus." Rikki cringed. "And this one is permanent...."

"Permanent?" Michelle managed to whisper in a high pitch squeak.

"I believe that was the very first time I saw the virus at work." Zachary's eyes looked glazed over, and pained, as if he was having a painful memory.

"To be honest, I was surprised when you all mentioned Penelope."

"How come?" Jonas wondered.

"Penelope is my niece. My brother's daughter. It was after the incident, she had that vision and ran away with the society kids that broke in." Zachary shook his head, rubbing his hands through his head. He was fighting back tears. "I've my own demons that need facing."

"You don't need to tell us." Kara said, wrapping an arm around him to calm him down. She always does this to anyone feeling down. "Everyone has sins, but they will be forgiven in due time." she whispered in his ear.

Zachary nodded, having flashbacks to that very moment, every time. He wiped the tears from his eyes, and regained his composure.

"Lets rest for now. We all need our rest.: Mitch stood up with a yawn and a stretch.

"I need to get you all away from here tomorrow. You all are not safe." Zachary stood up, and made his way to the door. "Remember what Jenny said, don't go out by yourself. No one is safe." He closed the door behind him and made his way to a separate room.

"Steve, what did he mean when he said you were in danger?" Rikki asked.

"It means that I had the vision. The vision of the Society. Zachary says that if you have the vision, you're a part of the society. I bet you that attack on the base was to get me to join with them." Steve answered.

"That's just great. We're all in danger because of you. Why don't we just let them take you!" Mitch was frustrated.

"Shut up, Mitch. We're all friends, we stick up for each other!" Michelle called out.

"Besides, if they take them, they'll eventually take us, too." Rikki mentioned.

"Yo, don't say things like that." Jonas sat beside her.

She replied by pulling her legs closer to her, and staring off into space.

"Lets leave Rikki alone, too. She's had a tough time as it is..." Kara sat beside her and gave her a tight hug. "She doesn't need all this. she needs some rest, like we all do. So, boys, get out."

"Fine, whatever. Steve is not sleeping in our room." Mitch left the room.

"He's always been like that." Jonas sighed.

"Yeah, no kidding." Michelle huffed, as the other two boys left the room.

"I don't know if I can sleep." Kara said, climbing into the bed above Rikki.

"I'm gonna be sleeping like a rock tonight. Tomorrow, we'll get far away from here, and we won't have to worry about it." Michelle laid down.

"Where would we go?" Rikki asked, after a few minutes of silence.

"Back home, of course. We can't stay here, as long as those people are out looking for us." Michelle added, and then it was quiet, as everyone fell asleep, except for Rikki. She couldn't sleep. She kept staring into space, into the darkness, waiting for something to happen. She just knew something would happen. That deep down gut feeling in her stomach.


Zachary tossed and turned in his sleep. He was reliving the same moment, over and over again in his dreams. His face was sweaty and he kicked the covers off of him. "I'm sorry..." he whispered softly, a small tear drop running down his face.

It took place at Omega Corps. Zachary was with his older brother after they had found the box. He watched as his brother flipped through the pages of the book that has been weathered down inside the box. It must have been buried there for a really long time. It was signed by Demetrie at the very end. Zachary could only guess that Demetrie was the one who tormented Missy all those years ago. "Whats this?" His brother asked, picking up something, and dusted it off with his sleeve. It was a syringe, filled with some clear liquid of sorts.

Zachary looked over at the table next to him, picking up a book. The book was published by Missy, a couple of years after the incident ended, and everything returned to normal. When she finally passed away, they banned the books to ever be sold again. The only remaining copies are in the governmental buildings. Zachary was remembering something from the book, and reached over, flipping through the pages. He turned to chapter twenty-one. It was titled, Mysteries long forgotten. He flipped through the chapters, until he found what he was looking for. The subtitle was called, The lost syringe. The part was basically about the time when a girl named Megan ran away, carrying a syringe full of the permanent virus. She also mentioned in the book, "Should anyone find this syringe, never to open it, inject anyone with it. Don't even handle it, because of it's permanent effects. There is still no cure, and I don't believe there will be anytime soon."

Zachary was about to say something, when he heard a crash. He looked over just in time to see his brother trip over a cord, fall, and syringe in his hands slipping and falling into his skin. Zachary rushed over, but it was too late. He froze upon hearing the loud screams of his brother, and looked in terror as the changes began almost instantly. Eyes widened in horror, he tripped over himself and fell to the ground. His brother's back erupted with two, rocky things, and orangish fur grew all over his body.

"Zachary shoot!" Called someone, and kicked a gun over. Zachary couldn't do it. He would not. "Do it, or we're all doomed!" He shouted again at Zachary. Zachary gulped, hands shaking, picked up the gun, and fired it, getting his brother right in the head. His body grew limp, and fell over. The changes weren't even complete yet, and he looked like a mutated freak. Half human, Half Pokemon.

"No!!!" Penelope cried loudly, seeing what happened. She ran to her father's side and just wept.


That night, in the center of the large city, closest to the Pokemon center. There stood Penelope, furious and determined, with a few other Society kids. She turned to them and nodded, and they ran off. Heading towards the Pokemon Center. Penelope followed after them as they opened the doors, letting her in. She walked down the hallway, creaking the door open just a tiny bit to let enough light in to see who was sleeping there. She opened the door to the girl's room, seeing them sleeping there. She debated if she should capture them all with her, or just the Elder for now. She closed the door behind her, determined to get the elder.

Rikki knew something was up. She heard the door to their room open and closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. When the door closed, she threw the covers off of her, and opened the door just enough to see who it was. Her eyes widened at the sight of Penelope, the liar. The one who brought them here on purpose. There were two other kids with her. They must be looking for Steve. she thought. She watched as they checked each room, looking for Steve. Then they found it. The went in slowly, and a few seconds later, were carrying his body on one of the boy's shoulder. She quickly closed the door, waiting for them to pass. Hopefully, they didn't notice her peeking. she watched their shadows move by, gave it a few more seconds, and left. she grabbed her belt, with her Meditite and Castform with her, just in case.

She opened the door, and tip toed into the hallway after them, and out the front door of the Pokemon Center. She watched as they ran towards the forest. She was debating whether or not to follow them. But, she decided too, because they need to know where their hide out was. It couldn't be far. She ran in after them. It was hard to follow them, because it was dark out. She had to rely on the moonlight through the trees to guide her.

Well, she thought it wouldn't take long. She didn't know how long it took for them to finally stop and head into a cave. she would've guessed it took about forty-five minutes. She was tired from running, trying to catch up to them. She was glad when they slowed down. She ducked behind a tree, and watched as they were still carrying Steve. She saw a small clearing up ahead, with a tiny lake, and waterfall. She could make out two shadows on top of the cave. She watched as they went behind the waterfall, into what seemed to be a cave. There had to be a cave behind the waterfall.

"This is great. I know where they are hiding." she reached for a Pokeball, and released her Castform. When the light faded, a tiny grey creature appeared with a smile on it's face.

"Castform." It cried, upon seeing her.

Rikki put a hand to her lips to shush the little Pokemon. "Listen, Castform. I need you to do me a favor." She watched it nod, seeing the serious look on her face. "Go back to the city. Back to Mauville, and get my friends at the Pokemon Center. Remember the way you went and tell them to follow you to this very location. Please?"

"Cast castform!" it nodded, and then took off the way Rikki pointed. She watched as the little gray Pokemon disappeared from view. She sighed, and turned back around, only to come face to face with an Ariados.

She jumped, and tried not to yelp in surprise. the Ariados quickly shot a burst of string shop, wrapping her up in a white cobweb, holding her arms at her sides. She tried to get out, but couldn't. The web was so strong. Then the Ariados waited and waited, until a society kid showed up.

"Well, looks like we got fresh meat. Good job, Ariados." He patted the spider's head.

"You won't get away with this. As soon as I get out of here, I'll punch the living shit out of you!" she snarled.

The boy shrugged, and helped Ariados drag Rikki towards the cave, and to face Zane.