"Elesa? What are you doing here?" Clay crossed his arms. Elesa shrugged her shoulders. She stepped out of the elevator beside Bianca.

"A boy was kidnapped by Black Empoleon. We're here to see if you have any information."

"I might."

"Don't play games!" Cheren shouted from behind Elesa and Bianca. He slipped out beside them and walked out onto the arena. Dewott walked out behind him. "You tell me what you know, right now!"

"I won't be disrespected by some upstart," Clay said.

"You have to be kidding," Elesa spoke up. "If you know something, just tell us." Kenya watched Bianca. Bianca smiled.

"This is my city," Clay walked past Cheren towards Elesa.

"Then you should know where they are!" Bianca stepped in front of Elesa. "You are so stubborn!" Clay scowled.

"You want something from me, you have to beat me first."

"Fine." Bianca set her Snivy down, it yawned. "I'll battle you."

"With that thing? How many badges have that thing won you?" Clay leaned over, inspecting Snivy.

"I don't have any gym badges." Bianca "My friend does. He's trying to beat the pokemon league."

"That so."

"Clay!" Kenya called out. "I'm going to battle you!"

"Again?"

"No. It'll be me. Both of you back off." Cheren tapped Clay on the shoulder. "Get ready." Cheren and Clay took their places on the battlefield. Dewott was already in front of Cheren. "Send out your pokemon already!" Clay held a Pokeball, watching Cheren's Dewott. Dewott brandished its shells, grinning.

"Who are you?"

#

Zoroark struck fast, knocking Pignite into a shipping container and cornering it. It attacked with an onslaught of shadow claws.

"Return Pignite!" Sean grabbed my collar and shook me. "Don't let that thing hurt it!"

"Pignite!" I pulled away from Sean. "Ember!" Pignite tried to fire an ember but was cut off. Zoroark picked up Pignite and hurled it into the air. It was strong, too strong and too fast. I tried to give Pignite orders. It was useless. Zoroark would attack before Pignite could do anything. It knocked Pignite around, hissing and growling. I held out Pignite's Pokeball and returned it. The Zoroark paused and turned towards us. "I don't have any potions," I said, nudging Sean. He swallowed, backing away. I looked around. Charlie didn't make any comments over the speakers, did he stop watching?

"Run!" Jeannie started running. Sean Benny and Roy scattered as well. The Zoroark charged at me.

"Please use energy ball!" A familiar voice called out. A Beheeyem appeared in front of me. It created a green sphere of energy and hurled it at Zoroark. Zoroark dodged the sphere and lunged at Beheeyem. Beheeyem vanished. It noticed Beheeyem on top of a shipping container and chased after it. "Are you alright?" Zinzolin knelt down beside me.

"I guess."

"Have we met?" He helped me onto my feet.

"Yeah. In Nimbasa."

"Do me a favor, round up my friends. Beheeyem and I have taken care of the thugs outside. We'll protect you from that pokemon." I watched Zoroark chasing Beheeyem around.

"It drunk something… It looks like it's in pain." Zinzolin nodded.

"Yes. It's somewhat reassuring to know you feel its pain as well."

"Hey!" Charlie appeared, standing a few feet away from us. "Zoroark!" Zoroark stopped, standing on top of a shipping container. "Attack the people! That Beheeyem can't hurt you!" The Zoroark turned to Roy. Roy was leaning against the wall. It charged at him.

"Beheeyem!" Zinzolin yelled. Beheeyem fired another energy ball at Zoroark. Zoroark somersaulted out of the way and lunged at Beheeyem. It slashed Beheeyem with its claws. Beheeyem collapsed.

"Is that the only move it knows?" I asked.

"The rest are psychic type moves," Zinzolin said. "They won't affect Zoroark." Zoroark stepped on Beheeyem, growling.

"You lost! I don't see any of your pokemon around!" Charlie walked over to us. He grabbed Zinzolin and shoved him against a shipping container. I sent out Pignite. Zoroark immediately looked at us. Beheeyem fired an energy ball at it. The attack hit its mark, blowing Zoroark into the air. Zoroark landed behind a container. Beheeyem didn't get up.

"Pignite, flame charge." Pignite caught fire. Zinzolin and Charlie watched it as it started running. The Zoroark hopped on top of a container, roaring. "Keep it up!" Pignite picked up speed, smashing into the container Zoroark was on. The container slid across the floor. Zoroark jumped to another container before pouncing at Pignite. "Arm thrust!" Pignite swung at Zoroark. Zoroark ducked under Pignites arm and released a pulse of dark energy, knocking Pignite away.

"That Pignite is hurt," Zinzolin said. "It can't win." Charlie put him down, uncharacteristically silent. Pignite stumbled. Zoroark charged, its claws glowing.

"Flame charge!" Pignite rushed into Zoroarks attack. "Ember!" As they got close, Pignite spat several flares in Zoroark's face. Zoroark lashed out, striking Pignite in the face. "Don't back down!" Pignite grabbed onto Zoroark. "Flame charge again!" Pignite charged forward, dragging Zoroark. It thrust Zoroark into the side of a container, denting it. Pignite grabbed Zoroark again and hurled it onto the ground. Zoroark went still. Pignite leaned against the container.

"You did it," Zinzolin said.

"Pignite," I called out. "Are you alright?" Pignite grunted, smiling weakly.

"You see that, old man?" Charlie nudged Zinzolin. "That Pignite fought so hard because it cares about its trainer. You can't mess up a bond like that." I wanted to make a remark at Charlie. I couldn't muster the strength. The other Plasma members slowly came out from hiding, approaching Zinzolin. Pignite walked over to me. I patted Pignite's shoulder.

"You did good."

"What did you do to that Zoroark?" Zinzolin turned to Charlie. Charlie smiled. Other bikers started entering, gathering up behind him. I got up.

"Let me in!" Someone yelled from the entrance.

"Get out of the way!"

"Boss! Its an attack!" Charlie turned around. Kenya appeared, pushing through the crowd of bikers. Cheren and Bianca followed behind her.

"Andrew!" Bianca yelled. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah!" I replied. Charlie rubbed his head.

"Uh, I guess you can go free." I started to walk past him but paused.

"What about them?" I gestured to the Team Plasma members. Charlie scowled.

"Yeah. Sure." Zinzolin let out a sigh of relief. "But, kid." Charlie leaned closer to me. "Don't forget what happened here."