"…and that's why the Pokémon that visited these places disappeared!" Raphi said and finished his analysis. You have the right to be impressed!

The team went to 'Braixen's Tavern' right after they woke up and told the bartender their story.

"I'm sorry to hear that your clients met such a terrible fate – but there's nothing you could've done to prevent the past events, so don't blame yourselves for them. I'm very grateful that you've figured this mystery out and I'll pass on the truth about the rumours."

"Thank you. Let's hope nobody else is imbecile enough to go there now…" Glace looked at her friend admiringly. Hopefully he comes up with a theory on why some Pokémon got swallowed by reflections in the first place too…

"Before you go, I want to give you something." Braixen smiled and handed Raphi an item.

"What is it?"

"This is a so-called 'Lucky Egg' – I've received it from a customer as payment, but I don't really need it though. Plus, I still feel sorry for you two that you've received no real reward for your mission… "I've heard that if you carry it with you, your ability to learn from your battles will increase!"

"Um, thanks! That's really considerate of you!" He thanked the bar's owner for her gift and then left the building with his friend. That was a nice gesture.

"What are we going to do now, Raphi?" Glace asked. "We know which places we should avoid, but there aren't any other signs to where we should head next."

"I don't know. We could probably just keep doing missions until we run into some hints on the nightmare creature's location." This clueless search is getting on my nerves…

"I'm okay with that!" She raised an enthusiastic smile. "Yet to do so, we need to journey to another city – there aren't any tasks left for our rank in this city. I'd say we avoid the Fir Desert - for obvious reasons - and head straight to Florest Village."

"Sounds fine by me. Lead the way!"

…

When they reached the outskirts of Roverside City, they coincidentally overheard a conversation through an open window between two Pokémon in a café next to them: "Excuse me madam, I'm in search of a male Leafeon wearing an olive green-, red- and grey textured scarf. He should be accompanied by a female Glaceon with the same piece of clothing." an Infernape asked an employee with a gruff voice. He leaned on the wall and looked very impatient and nervous.

Raphi realised that the Fire/Fighting-type was after him and tucked away his scarf in a hurry. He looked at Glace who had already taken it off and had stored it in her bag. Is this an accomplice of Weavile?

The waitress, an Aipom, smiled friendly and answered: "I'm sorry to disappoint you Sir, but no, I have not. I recommend you to question the Pokémon that journey through the city since I'm in here all day."

"I've already been told by some travellers that they've seen him in this town. Anyways, thank you for your time. Goodbye." He turned around and exited the establishment, surveying the surrounding area. No trace of Raphi… But I won't give up 'til I find him! he thought and continued to the north.

The two wanted Pokémon caught their breath in the nearest side street. Luckily, they had reacted fast enough to escape Infernape's visual angle.

Glace was the first one to calm down. "Now what?"

"Let's get out of the city as quickly as possible without being spotted!" Raphi peeked around the corner again to make sure that he was gone. His fur stood on end when a voice from the shadows behind the duo surprised him.

"You two want to get out of town unseen? Follow me. I know many publicly unused alleys."

A Crobat had sneaked up to them in complete silence. While Raphi was sceptical, Glace seemed more trustworthy towards the stranger and went after him. If I must… It's probably still better than running into Infernape.

They followed the Poison/Flying-type Pokémon for a while until they eventually reached the forest near the river which was already within earshot.

"I guess I was in the wrong about mistrusting you." Raphi said and walked next to him. "It was nice of you to- ah shit." He rolled his eyes at the sight of Weavile who was sitting on a branch in a treetop. "It's about time you showed up, this journey was getting boring without an antagonist!" Truth be told, I'd prefer it if you just wanted to say hi and then disappear again…

"Long time no see, Raphi! An evil and hateful smirk formed on his face that warped the scar from their last encounter.

"Actually, it's only been a few days, but I guess math isn't your strength." Leafeon grinned at his own words. His chin was downcast and his feet were positioned in a defensive state.

"Ah, I've missed your eloquence! But be a little less boastful for once, will you?"

"Don't worry, 70% of it is sarcasm." Or is it? "In any case, I see you've made a new friend – care to introduce him?" he said and pointed at Crobat.

"Oh, I wouldn't say 'new' – we've known each other for a long time. And to be totally clear: he's on MY side!"

Raphi's thoughts got clouded with questions. That means I must've met him before I got transported to this world as well! Is he also in the know of the events that brought me here? And what was his role back then? "I'm assuming you want to fight me once more. But before I kick your butt, would you kindly tell me WHY exactly you want to kill me? Or are you just a generic villain who does everything just because he's evil?"

Weavile grimly glanced at him and sulked. "To your information: you're talking about your own perspective – in my eyes, you're the bad guy! And since I'm in the right, I'll politely break it down to you – maybe then your friend over there -" He pointed at Glaceon who looked at him with an inquiring glance. "Will change her perspective about you. Anyways: Before we got here, we strived to create a better world by using an ancient power as well as human technology – in fact, we still do! However, our plans have been foiled TWICE in a row!" His expression darkened as he pointed his claws at Raphi. "While some stupid kid crossed our first plans, you defeated us the second time! And we were so close to achieving our goals to improve reality!"
He stopped shortly and considered the circumstances. "Yet… in some way you also contributed to our cause since this world is even more suitable for our success! But to make sure that you don't mess this up again, we are going to annihilate you now!" He finished his speech and leaped at Raphi with Ice Punch.

Raphi had already expected an offense and used Quick Attack to strike him in mid-air. "Glace, take care of Crobat!" he shouted at his friend who had listened in silence during the whole conversation.

She responded with a nod and fired an Ice Beam at it.

The purple Pokémon dodged it with ease and fought back with an Air Slash that Glace blocked with Ice Fang.

Weavile was on his feet again and sprinted in Raphi's direction. "Your so-called 'victory' last time was based on pure luck – this fight however won't end in your favor! You may have defeated me as a human, but now that you're a Pokémon yourself you can't possibly win against me in a real battle!"

"We'll see about that!" Raphi roared and evaded his attack. Every time I wasn't in the middle of a conversation or thinking about possible explanations for the current events, I was coming up with strategies against Weavile – He may be physically stronger and he has the type advantage, but knowledge ultimately wins over raw power!

A Brick Break caused Leafeon's head to smash onto the grass. He rapidly adjusted to the situation by twisting his opponent's left foot to knock him over. From what I've observed, he has quite the big ego – once his arrogance and temper get a hold of him, it is my time to strike back!

"You fight like a human!" The Dark/Ice-type recovered from his fall and kicked back with his other foot. It connected with Raphi's cheek and made him flinch.

When was the last time he washed his feet? He straightened up and talked back: "Fun Fact: I used to be one!"

"That doesn't imply you have to behave like one!" Weavile's voice was partially drowned by the noise of X-Scissor's impact on the ground. "Our leader is going to be very pleased to hear from your demise!"

"Huh. I thought you were the head of your little squad – yet it does make sense…" He grunted as an Ice Punch narrowly passed his ear. "After all, you need to be somewhat qualified to lead!" The angrier he gets, the harder he wants to hit me – but he also misses more often!

"Your insults make me cringe…" Weavile got a hold of the Grass-type Pokémon's leaf-like tail after evading a Quick Attack and pulled strongly to knock him off balance. "Not to worry: you won't meet our leader again…" he whispered in Raphi's long ear and raised his left claw to strike him down as soon as he would move.

"I'm sure he's a very nice guy." Sensing an opening, Leafeon's tail lightened up and became sharp as a razor. As a result, the edges cut into the flesh of the enemy's palm who yelped in surprise as blood started dripping from it, staining the grass in a red shade.
He used the opportunity to look after Glace, who was busy launching Ice Beams at Crobat. Most of his attacks were laid-out physically, thus he had to close in to her very often.

"Did you forget about me?!"

Raphi turned his head, but it was too late: Weavile's severe Ice Punch slammed into his left shoulder and he got knocked back. His body swirled up dirt and patches of grass as he slid across the ground on his back. Crud! I should've payed better attention! He struggled to his feet and stumbled backwards. His attacks are way more powerful than mine! He looked at his bleeding shoulder and groaned with pain. I could use his strength to my advantage tough…

"Are you already giving up? I thought you said that you were going to beat me…"

I merely have to time it right!

"You've been through quite a lot and thereby gave us so many unnecessary troubles… We just wanted to create a better world, but no! You had to step in to foil everything! Good job! Remember: YOU are the bad guy! And I truly hate you for that!" he shouted angrily and stormed in Raphi's direction with reeled-out claws.

"That's what you think." I'm certain I've had my reasons for thwarting him. Leafeon saw his chance and avoided the blow by leaning to the left. He grasped his opponent's forearm and supported himself with his strong hind legs. My legs have always been very powerful… And now I've got four of them! He used the strength of his failed attack to lift him of the ground and to spin him in a circle by making use of the centrifugal force. He then cancelled his grip to catapult Weavile a few meters into a mossy boulder next to the river, cracking its surface.
"There is no rule that states that Pokémon aren't allowed to get creative in battles!"

The Dark/Ice-type was breathing stertorously and covered his hip with his still intact palm. "Heh… As usual, you are a very creative fighter, regardless if you're a human or a Pokémon…" he coughed and drew upon the broken rock.

"I am not an impolite person, so thank you for the compliment." That doesn't mean we're best buddies from now on…

"…good thing I brought in another reinforcement!" He smirked as he got engulfed by a big shade.

Raphi's usually upright ears slowly dropped and stuck out to the sides, both shaped like an upside down 'U'. His pupils narrowed and he gasped for air at the frightening sight in front of him:

A gigantic Gyarados towered above the two fighters, covering the area in his shadow.

"Raphi, you remember my old friend, right? Oh, you don't? Don't distress yourself about it: I'm positive that you won't forget making his acquaintance this time…"