Robert pursed his lip, tapping away at his device as Clemont and Clembot battled the two Flare scientists behind him. He heard the scientists cry out as the door beeped and opened.

"We're in!" Robert exclaimed, turning around to see both enemies hanging from metallic rope. Clemont, Clembot, and their Pokemon were hurrying over.

"Great!" Clemont rushed past him. "We need to-"

"Clemont," Robert pointed in the distance, where Zygarde was being held by several vines, struggling to break free. Then a burst of red energy came from above, originating from Prism Tower and blasting the Legendary Pokemon. Now there were two red Zygardes, both under the control of Team Flare.

"We have to hurry and override whatever machine they're using to control Zygarde," Clemont said as Robert turned to follow. "It won't just be Lumiose in danger if we can't do that."

The group slid to a halt in front of an elevator door. "Any chance of those working?" Clemont asked Clembot.

"Nuh-uh," Robert shook his head. "Even if they are, bad idea. We don't want them to get us stuck in there or have us fall a long way down to our deaths. Nope, I'd rather take the stairs." He hurried further down the hall and pulled open a door, revealing the stairwell. "Come on!"

They hurried up the stairs, only to find several Flare grunts ready and waiting.

"Pin Missile!"

"Flamethrower!"

"Thunderbolt!"

"Chesnaught!" Robert threw out the Kalos started further up the stairs. "Spiky Shield!"

Chesnaught raised both arms, protecting himself and those behind him with the shield.

"Thunderbolt!" Clembot raised his arm and Heliolisk blasted the Drapion and Houndoom with electricity.

"Use Mud Shot and Pin Missile!" Clemont ordered and Bunnelby and Chespin blasted Manectric into the wall, creating a dent. Luxray bounded past Chesnaught, slamming into Drapion while surrounded by electricity. Chesnaught drew back both fists, slamming each one into Houndoom and Manectric, knocking both out.

"Now would be a good time to run," Robert advised the grunts, wagging a finger. They all scrambled backwards, returning their Pokemon as they ran up the stairs.

"Now we follow!" Robert began running. "They're bound to lead us to more big shots!"

"Genius!" Clemont complimented him.

...

"That's it! I give up!" One of the grunts threw the cards down, folding his arms as he leaned back in his chair. "I hate playing you guys."

"Man, I am good at this game," the second grunt chuckled.

"A million on Joe," a grunt said as he watched the game of Poker. "He's insanely good at this game."

All head turned instantly as the door to the stairwell burst open and three grunts came running out.

"Hey," Joe leaned back in his chair. "What's your problem?"

"Hello ladies and gentlemen," Robert walked through the door, giving a little bow,surveying the room. It was the generator room, but a table had been set up near the back wall, where several Flare grunts were playing Poker while several others watched. "I'm back."

"Hey," one of the grunts exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. "It's Rob! You forget your suit again or something?"

"Huh?" Robert blinked as his Pokemon and friends burst out of the door to stand by his side. "Oh, right. Sorry, but I was never a part of Team Flare. I tricked you guys good huh."

Silence followed, then the sound of someone slamming their hand on the table made everyone jump. "Yes!" A grunt shouted, whooping. "I won!"

A blast of electricity incinerated the table and the grunts immediately went for their Pokeballs. "That's it!" Joe growled, letting out his Houndoom. "That was my deck! Houndoom, Fire Fang!"

Houndoom lunged for Robert, but Chesnaught swung out his arm and the Fire type bit down, making the Grass type cry out. He swung his arm up before slamming Houndoom into the floor. Heliolisk and Luxray rushed past them, blasting two bolts of electricity at a Golbat and Weavile, but the Weavile managed to dodge. The Golbat was struck by the twin attacks and was blasted away. Weavile formed a dark blade and ran forwards, slashing it against Heliolisk before being knocked back by Chespin's Pin Missile. She shook her head, ready to spring when Chesnaught appeared over her, swinging down a glowing arm, slamming her into the floor.

"Hold them off!" Robert shouted, springing over the fallen Weavile and he went over to a computer attached to the wall. He began typing furiously, then frowned. "Clemont, we got a problem!"

"Yeah?" Clemont hurried over as the Pokemon battled.

Robert jabbed the screen. "I was hoping we could just shut off the power, but they seem to have their own generator. There's a power source two floor above us where the controlly thingamajig is. We'll have to shut it off manually."

"Then that's what we'll do," Clemont's face darkened. "I will take back my gym."

Both quickly leaped out of the way as a grunt went flying past into the computer. Glancing around, the grunts seemed to have been taken care of.

"Onwards and upwards it is," Robert scrambled to his feet and both he and Clemont alongside their Pokemon rushed for the stairwell. They burst onto the floor above, a gust of wind blowing their blond hair back as they entered the large room. A huge gun-like machine was situated in the center of the room while the whole area was basked in reddish light from the setting sun thanks to the gaping whole in the back wall where the weapon was pointing out of. Two Team Flare grunts took up position, grabbing their Pokeballs.

Clembot's eyes glowed. "I am detecting three hostiles."

"Good work, Clembot," Clemont praised him. "You know what to do."

Clembot nodded and hurried off to the side, sticking to the shadows to get closer to the machine. The grunts sent out a Drapion and Houndoom, both of which unleashed their attacks. Chesnaught raised his arms, his Spiky Shield blocking them.

"Luxray," Clemont shot out his hand. "Wild Charge!"

"Chesnaught," Robert shouted. "Needle Arm!"

Houndoom was blasted backwards as Luxray rammed into him and Chesnaught slammed Drapion to the ground with his arm. The grunts took a couple steps backwards before Chesnaught managed to grab both and slam them to the ground.

"I'll help hack the machine," Robert said, but before he could do anything, someone slammed into him and he was flung to the ground. He groaned as the person straightened. Clad in a black suit with a metallic helmet with a glowing screen, there was no face to be seen, except for an E displayed on the helmet. They slammed a fist into the floor, cracking it, then it broke, sending both them and Robert down to the next level.

"Robert!" Clemont shouted, hurrying to the hole.

"Oh dear, it seems like your friend is done for." Another person stepped out from behind the machine, clapping his hands excitedly. More on the heavy side and pale as can be, he grinned. "I am the Chief Scientist of Team Flare. My name is Xerosic. Now I see all that stands in the way of victory is just a mere boy."

Clemont glared at him, Chesnaught, Luxray, Chespin, Bunnelby, and Heliolisk coming to stand beside him. He raised a fist, his Pokemon preparing their attacks. "Mere boy!? I am the Gym Leader of Lumiose City and I won't let Team Flare destroy the world!"

...

Robert groaned, lifting himself up. His hands shot to his body, and he sighed in relief, glad to find he wasn't broken anywhere. He glanced down, seeing he had landed on something soft.

"Thanks Snorlax," He slid off, only to see someone else standing up several feet away in the dim room. The E on her helmet gave off eerie vibes, which had Robert taking a couple steps back. Machines connected to the walls around them blinked in the darkness, haunting beeping sounds coming from them.

Snorlax managed to lift himself to his feet, glaring angrily at the strange individual. She held up a pokeball, letting out a Malamar. It lashed its tentacles towards Robert, but Snorlax stepped in the way, taking the attack. He charged forwards, flattening the Psychic type in the wall as the sounds of machines breaking filled the room along with sparking. The woman shot forwards and Robert barely had time to send out a second Pokemon. Their large body made the woman bounce backwards where she skidded along the floor, somehow managing to stay on both feet.

"Bewear," Robert's hand shot out. "Hammer Arm!"

Bewear lunged, only to get knocked backwards by Snorlax, who had been propelled backwards by the use of Psychic powers. Robert dived to the side as to not get crushed by his own Pokemon, lifting himself up on all fours. He went for another pokeball, but it was sucked out of his hand and landed neatly in the woman's.

Robert stood, shocked as well as impressed. "Who are you? Not a robot I'm pretty sure. But that's a highly advanced suit."

The woman didn't answer, but the pokeball she had stolen from Robert glowed red before opening, releasing his Alolan Muk. The Poison type's eyes were glowing red and Robert instantly knew this wasn't a good sign. "Bewear, use Brutal Swing! Snorlax, Amnesia! Muk, sorry for this!"

Bewear shot forwards, swinging one huge arm. A dark wind battered both Muk and Malamar, slamming them both backwards as Snorlax raised his Special Defense. Robert whipped out his device, typing with furious speed. The woman was dodging Bewear's attacks easily, but was struggling to get close to Robert. Finally, the blonde grinned.

"And let's do this!" He jabbed a button and the woman's suit sparked and her whole body twitched as Robert's pokeball fell from her. The glow died from Muk's eyes and he instantly turned on Malamar, blasting him backwards with a Gunk Shot.

"This ain't over yet!" Robert shouted, tapping a couple more buttons and the suit sparked again, making the woman stumbled backwards. An agonizing metallic scream yelled from within before she slammed a fist backwards, cracking the wall.

"Wait!" Robert yelled, rushing forwards, but another slam and the wall broke outwards. He skidded, barely managing to stop himself from falling into open air after the woman. He peered out, but didn't see her anywhere. An explosion made him look up, seeing smoke billowing out of the floor above. He ducked back inside as something fell past and returned his Pokemon all except for Bewear. Once lifted onto the floor above, Robert returned the Fighting type.

"I assume all went well up here," Robert said, the grin dying from his face as he saw the smoking remain of Clembot, Clemont having collapsed to his knees beside him, tears streaking down his face. A flash of red light made him glance back at the city outside of the tower, where he could see Zygarde shrinking as green lights flew from his body.

"Clemont," Robert kneeled next to his friend, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "He did it. Clembot saved us all."

Clemont didn't say a word and Robert took another look around, not seeing the scientist anywhere. With him and that strange woman missing, there were sure to be loose ends when all this was over.

...

"The other one has been released as well," Malva noted with satisfaction.

"It seems like you failed, Lysandre," Ash turned back to the Leader of Team Flare as night fell around them atop Prism Tower. Alain stood by Ash's side, his Charizard stepping forwards once more to face the Shiny Mega Gyarados. "We won."

Lysandre smiled. "Just how much do you plan on entertaining me with?" His Gyarados roared, preparing to attack as the battle atop Prism Tower neared its conclusion.

...

"The base is in sight!" Jessie exclaimed as the helicopter flew through the night sky.

Alex glanced out the window to see the base not to far in the distance, situated on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean on one side and surrounded by lush trees on the other. As they neared, Alex glanced at Jessie, who was piloting the aircraft. "Um, I think we got company." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, the helicopter lurched as several ice projectiles hit the rotors. Everyone inside screamed as the helicopter began its crash course towards the landing platform below. An explosion and plume of fire lit the night sky, smoke rising up to the stars.

...

A figure lay in the dark depths of an alley, the screen on the mask glitching and sparking. A shadow fell across her as a hand reached down to grab her. "We're not finished with you yet, Essentia."

Man, these 2000+ chapters feel weird after writing over 7000 for a chapter... Oh well. The disaster seems to have been stopped in Lumiose, but there's the matter of this Flare Base. And the fact that some characters may have just died... Heh, till next time. Toodles!