14

[7:02 AM. Outside the Vermillion City Gym. Vermillion City. The morning after.]

Ian and Kai shook hands.

"I didn't think I would be seeing you so soon after the other day. And now you're leaving again? Are you sure I can't convince you to stay another day? The people of both Celadon and Vermillion are in your debt."

"Another time, my friend," Ian said. "And try and play down the hero thing, would you?"

"But Ian, without you, we wouldn't have known about those bombs. How they got there, I'll never know, but if you hadn't warned us…"

Ian shook his head. "Kai, they weren't even on. Please, I don't want them thinking I'm something I'm not."

"Very well," Kai laughed. "Whatever you say; you're welcome back anytime. I'm sure I'll have my hands full, but I can always make time for you and your friends."

Ian looked around to the mass of people grouped in and around the warehouses. The Celadon Diaspora was spread throughout Kanto. Ian shuddered to think of the final death toll. This couldn't be their home, the refugees had no home now, and it wouldn't be long before Vermillion could not support them. The Warehouse district could only hold so many people.

Kai sensed his unease. "We'll manage. I heard from one of them that Woody was killed when the bomb went off in his Gym. Without a leader, they'll be looking to me. I'll look after them." He put a hand on Ian's shoulder. "You get the bastard that did this."

Ian nodded. "I promise."

They shook hands again and Kai left to check in with the survivors.

Ian was left to his own devices for a spell; Werner was doing administrative things with some of the legal officers of Vermillion, no doubt trying to parlay an agreement from Indigo Plateau to help the displaced. With even his limited knowledge of political procedures, Ian knew that there was little Werner could say for certain, just promises and half truths; he would need the League to authorize anything substantial. Ian did not envy Werner for his role.

He found Moira inside the makeshift camp area where several adults were attending to clothes and other domestic affairs; their eyes looked tired and if one of them looked at you, you would get the feeling that they were constantly looking past you, but they carried on their work with a smile and a laugh, when they could manage. There was a small grassy field near one of the warehouses and kids were busy picking trash and having fun. He saw Moira seated on a milk crate while a young boy and girl spoke with wild gesticulation. They were laughing.

"Now remember—Lexie, Hayley—I'm trusting you both to keep things in good shape around here. Master Kai needs as much help as he can get, you got it?"

The young boy Moira had gone after the night before made a fist; a small Noibatt was perched on his shoulder. "You got it Miss Moira! You can count on me and Hayley to keep this place safe!"

"And Hayley, look after your mom especially. She'll need you as they look for your dad."

Hayley hugged her Clefairy. "Ok, Miss Mo."

Moira smiled and ruffled their hair. Hayley laughed, but Lexie thrashed, his Noibat giving panicked screeches. "Hey! I'm not a baby! I'm fearsome!"

Moira laughed, and Ian saw a look of genuine maternal love cross her face. "Oh yes you are, you are so fearsome!"

Lexie rushed off to help clear the field of trash, his Noibat furiously beating its wings behind him. "Good bye, Miss Mo."

Moira got on her knees and hugged the girl. "Good bye, Hayley. I'll come back and visit, okay?"

Hayley nodded. "Okay."

"You make sure that one doesn't get into too much trouble."

She smiled. "Right!"

"If you ever need anything or anything happens, you just find Master Kai, you remember Master Kai?"

"Mhm. He's the nice man that let us come to his city!"

"Exactly! Now my friend Ian here," she gestured to Ian, "Is a good friend of Kai's. If something goes wrong, we'll hear about it."

"Come back and see us, okay?"

"Of course, little bit," she said and gave the girl one last hug. Hayley and her Clefairy ran off to help Lexie and the others with the trash.

"What do we do now?" Ian asked Moira now that they were sufficiently alone.

"I don't know. I keep thinking Werner's gonna come out and tell us if it's safe to go back."

"Do you think they all made it out okay?" he asked.

"The Elite Four? Well, their tougher than us and we made it through just fine."

"Well, Moira, we didn't do anything."

"I hope they're okay. Cain was so much stronger than I imagined."

"I'm sure Porter and Sabrina took care of those guys."

"Yeah, you're right."

Werner found them as he exited the Pokemon Center. "We just got word that Mistress Gaap made it out of Celadon. They've deposited one of the terrorists off with Internal Affair and are meeting us on the road out of here."

"They captured one? Who?" Ian asked.

"The old man we saw. Gillian. He's in critical condition, but here's hoping he lives so I can beat the piss out of him. Gillian removed a cigar from his pack and lit it. He held it over the flame till thick, purple smoke poured from his nose. We've got a long trip ahead of us. Better get ready. We can take our time now. I think the worst is over."

"How can you be sure?" Moira asked.

"I got contact with Indigo Plateau about two hours ago. Porter confirmed they had taken care of Cain and Hector. He also said Professor Oak was able to stop the young woman."

"What about Octavius and his friend?"

Werner bit down on the end of his cigar. "Master Octavius is in the hospital after dealing with an unknown assailant. The reasonable assumption is that there was a fifth member. Santiago's report states the assailant was defeated, but at great peril to the Champion."

Ian shuddered. "Who could be so powerful as to match the Champion?"

"Reports from Cianwood are inconclusive, and I suppose we'll never know for sure until the old man wakes up."

Moira looked at Ian and embraced him in a hug. "It's over."

[9:31 AM. Vermillion City Refugee Warehouse #11. Vermillion City. The same day.

The clouds were getting darker.

Harley brushed at Mia's hair when she saw Dr. Garth return. "Any luck?" She shouted.

The doctor shook his head. "It's no use. There's way too many people to find just one guy. I put the word out, and he's a recognizable enough guy. If he made it back, we'll find him."

"You don't think he stayed out there all night, do you?" Mia asked.

"Can't say for sure," Harley said. "But if I know the Professor, he's not gonna be worried about a little rain."

"What if he lost?"

Harley looked to Garth who gave a quick, confused shrug. "I don't think he lost," Harley said. "He's a tough guy, getting back up like he dead. Where ever he is, we owe him big."

Mia allowed herself to smile. "Yeah, he's pretty awesome like that."

Harley laughed and spun her around. "Perfect," she said. "Why don't you go and show off your new 'do to that cute boy over there?" She pointed towards a group of guys around her age that were talking amongst themselves and sipping on water bottles. Mia blushed. "Do I have to?"

"Go on, get. They've never seen a girl as pretty as you. Plus, I imagine you could do a number on them with that team of yours if they pull any boy stuff."

Mia laughed and walked off. Harley turned to Garth.

"How long you think before it rains?" she asked.

"Couple of hours, maybe." That doesn't look like a drizzle." The clouds were metastasizing over the morning sky. "Did you find or hear anything about Miles and Molly?"

He shook his head. "Nothing."

Harley looked down. "Do you think Miles made the wrong choice, like that woman said."

"Helping people can never be the wrong choice. They'll turn up. All roads out of Celadon seem to come through here now."

"The world's going to hell now, isn't it?"

"And we don't have a paddle."

Harley laughed. "You're mixing your metaphors, Doctor."

"Never was good with words."

The wind began to pick up. She saw the Vermillion Gym Leader, a young man named Kai, approach.

"Harley, Dr. Garth?" he asked.

The two nodded. "I've been looking for you. I think I found one of yours. Do you have that girl with you?"

Harley turned and saw Mia flirting with the boys. She rolled her eyes and whistled. Mia turned and Harley gave the 'come here' gesture.

"You were right, those boys were pretty nice."

"Told you so, now we're going to go with Leader Kai, he may have found one of our friends."

Kai bowed low. "If you'll follow me.

The three followed behind. They entered the Pokemon Center and were taken to a room where an older man was propped up in bed reading the morning paper. "Ah, there you are."

Mia leapt and embraced Blue. "Ohohohoho, not so hard, child, you're getting pretty strong, too strong for these bones."

"Professor! You're okay!"

"Yes, yes. I'm fine, but look at you three! I'm so glad you made it out alright."

"Did you win?" she asked. Blue chuckled. "Did I win? Of course I won."

She punched his shoulder. "You're so cocky, Professor Oak!"

"Excuse me, Professor?" Harley said. "Did you happen to run into our two companions?"

Blue removed his glasses. I'm afraid I don't know who you're talking about." He shook his head. "But I'm sure if they're as tough as you three, they made it out."

Harley bit her lip. "Yeah."

"Thank you, Kai. If you would, could you give us a moment?"

Kai bowed once more. "Of course, if you need me, Professor, you know where to find me." He left the room.

"We've got to get back to the Plateau," Blue said.

"Can Harley and Garth come with us?"

"I don't see why not. I owe you two for looking after her for me. What do you say?"

Garth hesitated. "I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll stay here, help out, you know, I am a doctor."

Harley looked at Mia and then at Garth. "I'm going to stay with Garth and wait for our friend."

Blue nodded. "Very wise. I must thank you again for what you've done for me. Now, Mia, do you have your things?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Good, we'll be leaving soon. Harley, Garth: thank you again." He shook their hands.

"Thank you too, Professor," Harley said as she turned to leave.

[8:52 PM. Vermillion City Warehouse District. Vermillion City. That night.

After the children's bed time, Lexie snuck out.

He released the Noibat from his ball and allowed the cool rain to wash over him. The Noibat shook itself like a Herdier and flew over towards one of the buildings. "Come back here, Noy!"

He chased after his pokemon in the rain. The wind picked up and the first thunderclap rumbled in the clouds. In the dark he stumbled over something. His Noibat had flown into a crawlspace in the roof of a building, shielding it from the rain. He stood up and wiped the gravel from his knees. The object he had tripped over was a curiously shaped rock; he picked it up and wiped it on his shirt.

He held in his hands a single black mask.