Wes gently opened the door to Gonzap's study, meekly peering inside. The room was shrouded in darkness, but Wes had spent so much time training and traveling at night, that his eyes had adjusted to the dimness. Since before Team Snagem, when he first had to care for his Eevee and travelled alone, he had also at some point absentmindedly made a habit of counting his steps whenever he traveled in the dark as another way of tracking so they wouldn't get completely lost. He always needed to be aware of his surroundings to the smallest details. That's how he survived living in the wild with his pokémon for so long. Still, he had to rely on his Eevee to guide him as their night vision would always be far superior to his human trained eyes.

Peering into Gonzap's office, it looked as though it stretched into nothingness, like the throat of a gargantuan beast. He become even more aware that he was trespassing in Gonzap's study, knowing his bedroom wasn't too far off from where they were right now. A terrifying beast Gonzap was indeed. But he could never allow any of the grunts or Gonzap himself to know he felt that way.

His Eevee crept between his legs, doing their best to be careful and stealthy so not to make a single sound to alert anyone. The younger Eevee stayed close to Wes' legs while the older one skipped ahead and continued to survey the room.

Wes had been in Gonzap's office so many times, even in darkness he knew where every piece of furniture rested, where every wall art hung, purely from memory. At the forefront of the study, near the doorway and staircase, was a heavy, half-oblong mechanical work desk. Because of his tendency to smash and ruin the many wooden office desks he had imported there, Wakin advised installing a more durable, functional computer desk that would be able to withstand their bosses crushing fists. With some aesthetic suggestions from Ein given his technologically savvy equipment, the team was able to gather scrap metal from a nearby factory and engineered an industrial metal work desk with a brushed finish.

Behind the industrialized desk was a large graphic wall art portrait with painted graffiti. In the center of the large study was an especially long conference table that was better suited in a corporate office than Gonzap's study. Several large bottles of alcoholic beverages were sprawled across it, nearly all empty, and numerous stray documents were scattered about. A nearly equally as long orange lounge sofa rested on the left side. Wes surmised this must have been the room Braxi and her friend were working for Gonzap the other night.

And finally, beyond the long sofa against the wall, maybe eight steps from Gonzap's desk, was Team Snagem's boss' massive dark walnut dresser turned office storage cabinet. It had ten drawers, a sturdy steel frame wood with a smooth finish.

Wes' eyes grew slightly larger as he felt his heart palpitate harder against his chest.

The male Eevee ran up to the cabinet, sniffing it, then nodded to his younger partner and quietly called her over to join him.

"Eevee! Vee!" he cried softly.

Shivering, the smaller Eevee tried to step ahead of Wes, but she too felt the gratuitous weight of being in Team Snagem Boss' work room. Swallowing hard, Wes, gingerly picked up his pokémon and walked warily to the intimidating dresser. He felt restless. His eyes veered towards the hallway outside the door. Everyone was asleep, he knew that. But he was restless. What he was about to do…

He couldn't back down now…He had to go through with it. As terrified as he was, his moral compass would not allow him to try escaping without freeing them too. Get in, get out and flee to the nearest town. That's all he had to do. Don't overthink it. Move swiftly and quietly. This would all be over soon.

But his body told him otherwise as his legs buckled as he approached the towering piece of furniture, the darkened room feeling even more ominous and threatening now.

"Eevee Vee!" the older Eevee called again.

Nodding shyly, the younger Eevee hopped from Wes' arms onto the top of the cabinet and sniffed it. Her ears perked up and she nodded to her partner, confirming to him and her human the contents within the dresser.

Looking around, the male Eevee spotted a bar stool just a little further down behind the sofa. He jumped off the dresser and ran towards it, circled around it, and called to his human.

A nauseating sensation splashed throughout Wes' insides. He didn't want to risk showing any indication that he was in Gonzap's study at all. But considering what he was about to do, it's not like he'd have been able to keep it a secret. Even with the room in partial disarray Gonzap had a photographic memory of what it looked when he left it.

Walking over to the bar stool, Wes picked it up, wincing in pain from the injuries on his arms, wrists, hands, and shoulders that were still raw and healing, and walked carefully back over to the large cabinet with his Eevee. He gingerly placed the metal stool down in front of it, feeling it with his bandaged hands to try to get a feel for it's sturdiness. It was heavy enough to support his small frame, but he had to be as still as possible. The legs were uneven, and a lack of balance would have him tumbling to the ground and alerting the grunts and Gonzap for sure.

Taking a deep breathe and closing his eyes for a moment, Wes mounted the stool. He wobbled for several seconds, scaring his Eevee, when he finally found a stance he felt comfortable enough sustaining for a short while. Those hours mediating in the underground caverns really did help to increase his awareness of body.

Holding his breath, Wes tried to inch his fingers inside the top drawer. It was heavy and difficult to move. A man of Gonzap's size and build could open it no problem, sure. But a weakened and hurt boy like Wes, even if he used his full strength, risked causing himself further injury or making a sound.

"Vee Eevee! Vee!"

The male Eevee jumped on top of the cabinet beside the female one. One put her paws on the edge of the inner drawer where Wes tried to pry it open, while the other lowered himself to the metal handle and bit down. Together, while the younger Eevee pushed, the older Eevee pulled, using his jaw muscles and bite force to move the drawer forward. Though it took a moment, the three of them were able to inch the drawer forward just enough for Wes to pull it partially opened.

The male Eevee toppled over the edge from the jarring movement but Wes quickly managed to catch him.

"Thanks a bunch, buddy! You guys are awesome!" he cheerfully whispered, his fear momentarily leaving him.

He placed his Eevee back on top of the cabinet and peered inside. On the far right was a black and silver storage case. It had an aluminum frame, high impact ABS plastic side panels, metal corners, a rubber base and an ABS handle. On the bottom right and left side there was a keypad to enter a code.

"This must be it," Wes, muttered, "But it's passcode protected? Why would Gonzap ever need to lock away anything?"

"Eevee! Vee!"

Wes glanced at his Eevee and nodded. "Right. Can't waste time thinking about that. Maybe there's something in here that can help us figure out the code. You two keep surveying the room. I'll keep looking through this drawer."

"Eevee!" they nodded. Both mammalian pokémon jumped from the dresser and scouted out the study.

Hand to his chin, Wes' eyes scanned over the different contents within the drawer, careful not to move anything unless he was sure he needed to. There were two stainless steel flasks, obviously containing more alcohol, several stacks of what looked to be important documents, some watermarked with Cipher on them, several brass knuckles and knuckle rings, a pair of gauntlets and a few golden chains. A shiver travelled down Wes' spine as he became more aware of the various kinds of weapons Gonzap seemingly had at his disposable. His gut-wrenching punches and fists were enough to leave any man on the brink death. Why the need for all this extensive weaponry? Just how deep did Team Snagem's sins go? And furthermore, what kind of enemies did he have to warrant so many…

Wes' eyes caught a glimpse of something that seemed to stand out comparatively from all the violent instruments for combat. Underneath two of the heavy gold chains was what appeared to be the back of a picture frame. Tentatively, Wes reached inside and pulled out the 8x10 inch portrait. In the photo was a much…happier and joyful Gonzap. Never once had Wes seen Gonzap smile other than when he was plotting something or terribly inebriated. But no this…this was a different smile…a smile where he seemed genuinely…happy…overjoyed even…As if the photo was shot while in the mist of laughter. He looked some years younger and was not as immensely muscular as he was now. He was hunched over, his large hands overtaking the shoulders of a young woman with long silver hair. She had ice blue eyes, somewhat bushy eyebrows and a small humble smile. On her lap was a small child with glittery champagne hair with tiny curls at the edges, her arms clutching tightly a Teddiursa doll and wearing a smile as large as Gonzap's.

"Gonzap…Had a family?…" Wes questioned. It seemed so unlike him. Wes couldn't picture Gonzap being a family man at all. This photograph must have been taken years ago considering the differences in Gonzap's appearance and demeanor. He must have been a totally different man back then. Was he still the boss of Team Snagem? Did his family know? Were they in agreement? Wes had so many questions.

Inspecting the photo frame further, Wes found a date inscribed on the bottom of the portrait in white cursive ink. It seemed to align with the number of digits on the briefcase. Holding the frame in one hand, Wes carefully matched the number on the keypad lock with the date on the picture. Pressing the indicator, the side button flared up. Wes' eyes widened.

He carefully slid the portrait back underneath Gonzap's metal chains then touched the top of the storage case with his hands.

"Hey, guys! I got it opened!" He called quietly to his Eevee. His pokémon were back beside him in an instant, both once again jumping on top of the dresser.

Gulping, Wes lifted the top of the weighted briefcase. The interior was lined with black foam and it held four pokéballs. Underneath each pokéball was a label, but Wes didn't need to read them. Gonzap always kept his personal team with him, so there was no doubt in his mind that the pokémon contained in these balls were obtained using the same vicious methods he observed back in the cavern.

His blood pumping, Wes quickly grabbed the four pokéballs and closed the storage case shut, reverting the numbers back to what he had memorized them being before. He then leaped from the stool and started running for the doorway. Both Eevee leapt from the dresser, the female Eevee quickly following behind Wes while his male Eevee grabbed the stool with his Bite so it didn't clang onto the floor and threw it onto the orange sofa before following behind his partner and Trainer.

Wes tried to control his breathing as he sped down the blackened corridor. But his nerves and the adrenaline pumping through his veins wouldn't let him keep his breath silent. The hallways were usually dimly lit from the moonlight outside, but now, he seemed to be swallowed in a never-ending darkness, the claps of his feet against the tiles and concrete seemingly growing louder and louder. He could feel his anxiety rising. Were they chasing him? No, impossible! They were all asleep! So then, why was he so scared?

As they ran, one of his Eevee skidded to a stop as they passed a bookcase. The downy fur on her body quivered as she sensed faint air currents originating somewhere beyond the bookcase.

"Eevee! Eevee Vee!" she called to them.

Wes and the older Eevee also skidded to a halt. Wes spun on his heels as he and his other Eevee hastily ran back to meet her.

Closing her eyes, the younger Eevee concentrated once more, focusing on the sensations she was feeling…Minute shifts in airflow, low winds blowing in the low pressure, and air rising in the atmosphere where they met.

It was very faint and weak. But there was no mistaking it.

"Eevee!" she cried reopeneing her eyes.

The small pokémon then walked towards the slightly crooked bookcase weighed down with thick books. It wasn't standing upright on its own, nor was it right up against the wall either. It was slanted, the top half leaning against the wall as the rest of it angled marginally outward, leaving minor gap at the bottom.

She sniffed behind the bookcase and confirmed the presence of fresh air behind it. The male Eevee walked up beside her and also sniffed, astonished at the scent of clean air within the musty corridors. He walked further ahead of her, squeezing himself in the wedge, crying in delight and crawling back out afterwards.

"Eevee! Eevee Eevee!" he cried cheerily.

Panting and gasping, Wes looked apprehensively at his pokémon. "A-an exit? A-Are you sure?"

"Vee Eevee!"

"Vee Vee Vee Vee!" they cried in delight.

Wes sighed, his body still not ready to relax into any feelings of relief.

"That's great for you two. I-I'm not sure I can fit."

The male Eevee nodded his head resolutely as did the female Eevee.

"Vee Eevee!"

"VeeVee Eevee!"

"I know we have to hurry…" Wes mumbled. His eyes closed shut as his adrenaline-wracked body started to tense and lockup.

Noticing what was happening, the female ran up to Wes, jumped up and tugged on his pants legs. This seemed to be enough to momentarily snap Wes out of the fears in his mind.

"Okay. I trust you. Let's go."

Relieved that he regained focus, the female Eevee ran back towards the back of the bookcase where the male Eevee was crouched behind. As he turned and walked deeper, she followed and Wes got on all fours as he followed his two pokémon. It was a really tight fit even with his frail scrawny body. He barely had any room to scootch. His lungs burned from the anxiety and labored breathing and just as Wes started to feel even more light-headed, he felt himself pulled out from the tight spot and onto the earthy soil.

Grunting, he rolled over onto his behind and inhaled deeply through his nose and mouth. Cool fresh air entered his nose and mouth. Exhaling, Wes opened his eyes and saw his two Eevee on either side of him. He then looked ahead at the spot he was just pulled through. It was a small hole in the wall with some debris surrounding the outside. He could see just how close it was to the bookcase on the other side. A small pokémon like a Rattata or his Eevee could maneuver their way out. And he was so malnourished, his thin bony body was only barely able to squish through.

Wes' eyes shimmered. They actually made it out of the base undetected! But he knew it was too early to celebrate. However, he wasn't remiss to not thank his partners and he enveloped them both in a large hug in his lap, holding them tightly.

"You both are so amazing! Thank you so much!"

As quickly as he embraced them, he released them and scurried to his feet. "Come on! We have to hurry!"

Wes ran up to the side of one of the escarpments of Eclo Canyon, a part within the deep depths of the gorge. It was one of the entrances he used to get to the underground waterfall cavern he spent meditating. As he came to a stop, he took the four pokéballs from his pockets and held them in his arms.

"Uh…How do you release the pokémon inside?" he panicked. "I think I saw Wakin do this?"

He pressed the button on the front of the pokéball he held within his right hand. It converted from the size of a baseball to the size of a ping pong ball and Wes nearly dropped it out of his hand. "Oh no!" he scrambled as he quickly grasped the ball, trying not to drop the others in his arms as well.

"I don't know what I'm doing," Wes cried. "What did the Trainers on the television do again?" he mumbled to himself as he tried to recall one of the stadium matches he'd seen broadcasted live.

Thinking to himself, he tried to paint the imagery in his head. He remembered seeing Trainers take a pokéball from their waist, which were the size of the one he accidently shrunk, press the button he pressed and it would become enlarged, as the other three he held in arms currently were. Then they would throw the pokéball into the air and it would snap open, and seconds later, the pokémon that was captured inside would appear on the ground in front of their trainer.

Reopening his eyes, Wes looked back at the smallest capture device he held in his right hand. He once again pressed the button on the front with his thumb, and the pokéball returned to its full size, expanding with Wes' child hands only covering about a third of the ball.

"And then." Juggling the remaining pokéballs in his left arm, Wes tossed the one he just enlarged into the air directly above him. Just as he remembered observing on the match, the pokéball popped open with a loud crack, and a large pokémon materialized in front of him from an energized form. It was a bipedal insectoid with a red metallic exoskeleton. Three blunt horns extended from its forehead, and it had large round pinchers and dark yellow eyes.

"Sci? Scizor?" it uttered in confusion.

Wes' jaw dropped as he gasped loudly. He hastily grabbed the remaining three pokéballs and threw them all into the air. They all snapped, one by one, each materializing a different pokémon. The first was a massive robotic pokémon with a turquoise disc-shaped body and four large legs with claws on flat ends. It had the appearance of a mechanized arachnid. It had a large metallic cross situated in the center of its face and red eyes in the space just below the upper part of its cross. The second pokémon was a draconic, bipedal pokémon with light orange skin, large grayish-green eyes, and a round snout with small nostrils. It had a pair of long, thin antennae growing from the top of its head, a small horn, a thick rounded belly and small wings with teal membranes. The third pokémon Wes immediately recognized as the Tyranitar mother he encountered before.

All pokémon looked around dumbfoundedly.

Wes' eyes grew as big as saucers. They were all massive intimidating creatures. His Eevee watched them in awe.

"That's it!" he grabbed all four pokéballs and threw them hard on the ground, stomping on them as hard as he could, only mildly cracking one of them.

A light blue aura blinked around the Scizor at the minor damage to its pokéball. It glanced at its body for a moment before leering at Wes.

"I'm too weak!" Wes grunted and grumbled. "Hey, I'm trying to free you guys! I want you to get outta here as fast as you can! But you first gotta help me destroy these balls so they won't ever capture you again!"

All four pokémon's eyes widened in surprised and they each looked confusingly at each other.

Wes continued. "I'm trying to get away from them too. But I need to make sure you guys belong to nobody and can go on back home as well." He held up the Scizor's slightly damaged pokéball. "Well?

They all eyed him again. The Scizor slowly walked up to Wes. It extended one of its thin segmented arms down to the youth, opening its large round pincher. Wes shivered slightly as it held the pokéball between its pincher and brought it away from him. Its claw became surrounded in a silver aura before glowing brilliant white. It then crushed the capturing device between its heavy pincher with its Metal Claw. The Scizor was then bathed in a light blue glow for a few fleeting moments, an indication that it had been successfully released.

Wes and his Eevee watched in amazement as it reopened its claw and the shattered remnants of the pokeball fell to the ground at the Scizor's one-clawed feet.

It suddenly extended its gray curved wings, which fluttered intensely, creating a minor gust around it. It bowed its to Wes before bolting straight into the air and flying away.

Wes' eyes sparkled. "Alright! The rest of you now! Show Team Snagem you are a free fantastic beast to be tamed by no one you deem unworthy! Destroy your pokéballs and be free once again!"

He tossed the other two pokéballs into the air vigorously. The X on Metagross' face glowed multicolored and its eyes a light blue as it engulfed its pokéball in psychic power and exploded it from the inside out with a powerful psychic blast. Its bits scattered across the area as Dragonite gathered an orange ball of energy at the front of its mouth and released a fervent yellow-orange beam at its pokéball. It disintegrated on impact.

Both the Metagross and Dragonite were bathed in the same light blue glow that the Scizor was earlier. The Dragonite roared passionately and released a mighty Flamethrower before flapping its wings and flying into the air as the Metagross recoiled its four gargantuan legs into its body, its eyes glowing as it hovered. It wasted no time zooming away to the east while the Dragonite flew north.

Smiling at the two liberated pokémon, Wes' eyes then drifted back to the Tyranitar mama, who stood there quietly and patiently, staring at Wes with a warmth he perceived in her eyes he had not remembered feeling since his mother. He picked up her pokéball from the ground and walked over to her, placing it directly in front of her almost like some sort of offering.

"I'm sorry you were tortured and captured trying to save me. But you don't have to worry. It's time we've both returned home. There's someone waiting for us there. In your case, a whole lot of someones."

The Tyranitar snorted perceptively affectionately.

"It's your turn now, mama. Destroy this thing and get on back to your loved ones. They're waiting for you. And they need you."

Her eyes ignited slightly, the Tyranitar mother puffed as she raised her large foot and stomped heavily on the red and white pokéball. The ground vibrated and shook with her zealous powerful stomp. Wes and his Eevee swayed as they temporarily lost their balance from the force. She was temporarily bathed in the same light blue aura as the others before it died out. The Tyranitar mother then bent down to Wes, and graciously butted her head against his. Wes reached his arms around her large face and hugged her back. Her scales weren't rough at all and didn't scratch or hurt him but were cool and smooth against his warm flesh. But it wasn't icky or clammy. It wasn't creepy or scary or repelling. It was comforting, like the coolness of water on your skin on a scorching hot day. And soothing like when he was held in his mother's arms when they would cuddle and sleep together. There was no reason to fear such a gentle creature nor contain her.

The two then separated and Wes held the Tyranitar mother by her face.

"Your strength and your power are your own. Never let anyone take you away from where you belong again – with your family."

The Tyranitar mother's eyes shimmered delicately.

"Go on. They're waiting for you."

She butted Wes loving one more time before standing back tall, about-facing, and entering the cavern's secluded entrance. She turned to gaze at Wes one more time, offering an amiable cry and waited for his wave before turning back around and finally entering the cave.

As Wes lowered his hand, he finally gave in to being pushed past its limits and he collapsed to the ground. His Eevee quickly hopped on top of him to check on him, and he enveloped them in a huge embrace.

"I would've never made it this far without you guys. Thank you." He said gently.

"Eevee!"

"Vee Eevee!"

He glanced at his younger Eevee. "And you, little one. We wouldn't have made it out the base had it not been for your mad air detection skills. You are truly special indeed."

The female Eevee blushed, and her ears perked down in embarrassment.

Wes held them both tightly. "You both are the most special pokémon and the best companions anyone could ever ask for. I owe everything to you guys. We're finally free."

He looked back up to the night sky, calmly marveling at the many twinkling little balls of luminous gas permeating the upper atmosphere. It had been a long time since he was able to view the stars like this. Finally, it was all –

Wes' eyes caught a glint of something cutting across the full moon. It was some kind of pointy avian pokémon. Wes wasn't aware of many nocturnal flying types, and definitely not ones that had feathers so…sharp?

As it glided further down, Wes squinted his eyes to try and get a better look. It appeared silver in the bright light, it's body almost blinding, like a reflector. When at the appropriate angle, he could see it appeared to be nearly completely metallic, with a long metallic blue neck, legs and tail. It had what seemed to be a triangular crest on its head. Red feathers…under sheaths that covered its sharp wings, and each feather appeared to be able to move independently. Its body wasn't just metallic…It was steel.

Wes' eyes snapped wide opened.

"That's Gonzap's Skarmory!" he cried out as he scrambled to his feet with his Eevee. His legs wobbled and his Eevee dropped beside him. "RUN!" he screamed.

The Skarmory's head tilted in the direction of the sound and its eyes locked onto the little worms wriggling on the ground below. Its yellow eyes glowed as it opened its beak filled with sharped opened teeth and emitted a loud deafening ringing sound as light blue sound waves released and spread out throughout the canyon.

Wes huffed heavily as he frantically ran throughout the canyon. His Eevee were noticeably ahead of him and the little adrenaline that resurged felt like it could give out at any moment. His legs burned and he could feel the excessive building of lactic acid running all up his legs and arms, but he would not allow himself to stop running. He couldn't! Not when they'd gotten so close!

He could hear the resounding screeches of Gonzap's Skarmory, no doubt altering their location to the Team Snagem members.

His Eevee came to a stop when they saw how far he was trailing behind him.

"Eevee! Eevee Eevee!"

"VeeVeeVee!"

"Keep going!" he shouted. "You can't afford to stop!"

"VeeVee! Eevee Vee!"

"VeeEevee!"

Wes' eyes scanned all over his surroundings, looking for some place to hide and lose their trace. He saw an enclave that seemed to be covered in various greenery, overgrowth and undergrowth.

"There!" he pointed to the distinct territory. "Scatter in the forest! It's our only hope! We can regroup later after we're safe! Go! Hurry now!"

"Vee!"

"VeeVee! Eevee!" They cried as they sped towards it.

Wes grimaced as he trailed behind. As he entered the forest, he had already lost sight of his Eevee. But he couldn't focus on that. He knew they could take care of themselves. There were a lot of vines and trees. Wes indiscriminately ran between different groves and trees, not sticking to one specific pathway.

His heart palpitated wildly, his body wracked with anxiety burned intensely and he could feel his muscles starting to lock up. The many trees, rocks and plants seemed to waver, warp and multiply. Wes couldn't even begin to make sense of what was going on. But he had to keep pushing. He had to keep moving!

His buckling shaking legs caused him to misstep as he tripped over an overgrowth log attached to one of the trees. He tripped and planted face-first in the mud that was seeping from underneath it. Wes tried to prop himself up with his arms, but they shook with extreme fatigue and he plopped back down. Huffing and wheezing, Wes laboriously turned his aching body until he lay on his back. He opened his eyes and strained to see. Before he even attempted to move again he could feel the presence of others around him.

Once again overworking his stressed body, Wes steadied his arms on the ground beneath him and forced himself partially up. Several Team Snagem members circled around him, Agrev and Biden standing right in front. A black canine pokémon with a long orange snout, orange underbelly, a pair of long curved gray horns and a white band with a skull-shaped pendant on its throat stood in front of them, smoke rising from its nostrils.

He could hear cries behind them and members slightly parted to let two individual through. He saw Wakin step forward, holding his two Eevee by their tails in one of his gloved hands as they flailed and cried. His heart sank into his stomach as a larger much more muscular man with a bald head and a distinctive long twisted brown mustache approached and towered over him.

All Wes could do was close his eyes and drop his head.

Gonzap sneered, his eyebows twitched as he glowered at Wes bitterly.

"You little shit."