"Looker, we need to talk," I announced as Alex, Robert, and I walked into his office. We stopped as we saw Looker in conversation with a familiar woman.

The dark-skinned woman leaned back, raising an eyebrow. "Ah, you're a little earlier than expected. We can work with that."

"Not to be rude or anything," Robert said, looking confused. "But what are you doing here?"

Sandra gave a half smile. "Same as you. You've discovered their mark, yes?"

"Yes," I said slowly. I instantly felt suspicious of her, Clara's words coming back to me. Sandra was lying about something and I couldn't be sure if that would mean she's a threat. "I-"

"Hold on, Zeno," Looker held up a hand to me. "You all know this woman?"

We nodded and Looker tapped his chin with his pen, Emma's Espurr, Mimi curled up on his lap. Preston was sitting on the couch nearby, nervous-looking, but still listening in on the conversation.

"So," Looker glanced down at his notes, then at us. "The Cult is somewhere in the sewers?"

"And possibly what remains of Team Flare," Alex put in quickly. "We chased a woman in a bodysuit into the sewers. She kidnapped someone as well."

Looker stood, Mimi floating to the ground and looking up at him curiously. "Alright, so we're dealing with two groups potentially working together. I'll round up as many people as I can, but it might take some time to come up with a sufficient plan."

"And that's why I'm here," Sandra stood firmly. "To tell you that you don't have much time left."

"What do you mean?" I asked, meeting her gaze.

"Chaos." That one word confirmed my worst fears. Sandra continued on urgently. "They're ready to summon Zanarchggon into our world. They have what they need to succeed and little can stop them now. If you all don't do all you can to stop it, then the world will be plunged into chaos." She turned to us three. "I've already told you what is to come. Life and Death must unite if Chaos is to be stopped."

"And how do we do that exactly?" Alex asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Life and death," Robert murmured. "Are you saying we need Xerneas and Yveltal."

"Exactly," Sandra nodded. "You and Alex must convince them both to come and help. Without them, all is lost."

"Hold on," I interrupted, moving so I faced Sandra. "How can we know you're trustworthy? For all we know, you're one of them."

Silence followed the accusation. Sandra's expression was unreadable, then she smiled. "Whether you trust me or not is irrelevant. Your friend is in mortal peril. Can you really afford not to trust me?"

"Zeno." Alex rested her hand on my shoulder. I looked into her eyes; full of sympathy and determination. "Getting Xerneas and Yveltal to help us is a good plan. Probably the best one."

I closed my eyes, letting her words soothe me. She was right. This was the best plan, even if I couldn't fully trust Sandra. Robert nodded, on board with the plan as well. Turning to Sandra, I said, "Alright, we'll go with what you said. But where can we even find Yveltal?"

"Let me and Alex take care of that," Sandra said, nodding to her. "Robert can find Xerneas and bring her here to help."

"Um, how will I do that exactly?" Robert asked, raising his hand slightly. "She's a tree last I saw."

Sandra seemed not to hear. She glanced at Looker. "We'll need immediate transport and fast."

Looker was hesitant, but nodded and turned away, taking a phone out of his trench pocket. I lead both Alex and Robert away from Sandra to talk. "I don't trust her, but I do agree this is the best plan of action. Please be careful, Alex."

She smirked. "No worries. If she tries anything, me and my Pokemon will be ready."

"And I guess I'll somehow awaken Xerneas," Robert shrugged. "Can't be too hard, right?"

"You have to be careful too, Zeno," Alex grasped my hand with her own. "You'll be going straight into danger."

"I know," I smiled softly. "But that's nothing new with us. But I know I can count on you two to bring help as quickly as you can. We'll do what we can here in the meantime." I stopped as Sandra walked over, nodding to Alex. "You ready?" She asked.

Alex glanced at me one more time, then nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Looker tucked his phone away and hurried over. "Two choppers are inbound. You all can meet them outside of Prism Tower." To me he said, "You and I will head into the sewers to scout ahead. I have a feeling you would go by yourself while the IP makes a plan." I smirked to show that his assumption was correct. He continued. "I updated Anabel on what we're planning to do and she'll mobilize a task force as soon as possible."

"Then we should go now," Sandra said, heading towards the door.

"Good luck," I told my friends. "Stay safe above all else."

"You don't need to worry about us my friend," Robert grinned. "We'll be back in no time."

Alex pulled me into a hug, then pulled back just as quick. "We'll come to help as soon as we can. I promise. Zeno..." She hesitated, then, "Show the Cult who they're really messing with."

"I will," I promised her, watching as she and Robert followed Sandra out into the night. To Looker, I asked, "When do we leave?"

"Now," He confirmed. "If we can get your friend and anyone else out quietly, then that would be a blessing. But," he gave me a stern look. "I don't want us taking on the entire Cult if we can avoid it."

"Fine," I agreed, but deep down I knew I would disregard that at any point if needed.

Looker rubbed his chin, then looked at Mimi who was curled up in his chair. "Come to think of it, where's Emma?"

"She left in the evening," I told him, remembering our short conversation. "She said something about having something to do. I think a job because she said she wants to pay you back."

"Oh," Looker shook his head. "She doesn't need to do that. But as long as she's out of harm's way..." He headed over to his desk and took out his pen. "I'll leave her a note here. Mimi!" The Psychic type floated upwards from the chair and over to Looker, landing on the desk and tipping her head to the side. "I want you to keep an eye on the office while we're away, alright? Be here when Emma returns."

Mimi purred, rubbing against Looker's hand. He smiled and nodded to me, expression becoming serious. "We should hurry and go now."

"Wait." Preston stopped us as I was opening the door, a resolute air about him. He took a deep breath, then said, "I'm coming with you."

"Are you sure?" Looker asked. "This is going to be a very dang-"

"I know!" Preston interrupted, looking slightly scared again. "But I have to do this. Don't you see that?"

I walked forwards, standing in front of him. I could tell he was serious about this, so I said, "Alright. Glad to have your assistance, Preston."

He gave a weak smile. "I'll do what I can."

"That's all that can be asked of," I turned towards Looker. "Alright, let's go."

...

I landed back in the same sewer from earlier, an echo bouncing off the concrete walls. Looker and Preston landed beside me, both flicking on flashlights. A screech sounded from above and a Zubat flew by overhead. I let out Lucario and he walked alongside me as I went back to the Chaos symbol on the wall.

"That's them alright," Looker's voice was tense and he opened his pokeball to let out his Water type. "Keep an eye out, Inteleon." His Pokemon nodded and shimmered in the air, disappearing.

We walked in silence, dripping sounds and the cries of Zubat and Rattata abundant all around us. Along the way we found more symbols, carved into the floor, walls, and ceiling. Some were scratched into the surface, but others were painted with a red substance.

"In here," Looker pointed his flashlight into a doorway, lighting up a stairway leading further down into the sewer. Another eye was drawn in blood on the inside wall.

"I didn't even think sewers would have multiple levels," I grumbled.

"They were likely built on top of one another," Looker answered. "I hear there are older sewer systems beneath Lumiose. Ones that aren't used anymore."

"And likely where the Cult is hiding." Preston gulped.

Grimacing, I looked to my Pokemon. "Lucario, try again will you?" Lucario nodded and set his palm in the doorway, reaching out with his aura. His eyes shot open suddenly, tensing. He growled and shot forwards down the stairs. "Wait!" I hissed, bounding after him. Before I reached the bottom, I heard a loud cracking noise and dust filled the small area. Coughing, I waved my hand to clear the air as I walked through another doorway to stand next to Lucario. We were in a smaller sewer system, devoid of water, but it smelled horrendous.

When the dust finally settled, Lucario helped up another Pokemon to his feet from a hole in the wall. A slopping noise sounded from across the sewer and something emerged from the darkness as Looker and Preston shined their lights. A huge Garbodor roared at us, swinging a rusty pipe as an arm, covered in smelling gunk. A blast of water made the arm jerk backwards, crashing into the ceiling, showering dust around us.

As Inteleon and Raticate advanced on the Poison type, I hurried over to Lucario to help the dust-covered Pokemon. My eyes widened as I recognized the dented metal and dull red coloring. "Scizor!?"

His eyes flickered open, settling on me. He tried to move, but fell to his knees again. Lucario steadied him gently, eyes narrowing. His aura spread over the Bug type and they sat there in silence. I turned towards the Garbodor, slamming Raticate away as air sliced against him from Inteleon.

"This thing is powerful!" Preston stumbled back, avoiding a swinging arm. Raticate launched himself forwards, clamping down on it. Garbodor roared angrily and swung the Normal type against the wall.

Lucario laid Scizor down gently before standing. He clenched a fist, an orange glow surrounding it. He bared his teeth and leaped forwards, slamming the fist into Garbodor's head. He jumped back, avoiding a swinging arm. His paws shot out, forming two long bones. He hurled one and it lodged itself into the Poison type's stomach. It cried out in pain as Lucario leaped and swung his weapon, bashing Garbodor so hard he stumbled into the aged brick wall. The ceiling cracked overhead and collapsed on the enemy Pokemon. Lucario stepped back, letting his weapon disappear.

"Good job, Lucario," I said, then turned to Scizor, who was trying to get up.

"Here, let me," Looker knelt, spraying a potion on the Steel type. Some of the bruising faded, but Scizor would need better treatment from a Nurse Joy. Scizor slammed his claw into the ground, propping himself up so he could stand on shaky feet. He leaned against the wall, shaky, but looking angry.

"Do you know where Clara is?" Preston asked and Scizor's gaze shot to him. He nodded and Preston gasped. "He can lead us to her!"

"But he's not fit to do anything right now," Looker argued. "He needs medical treatment."

Scizor shook his head, looking at Lucario. The Fighting type nodded and helped Scizor stand by crossing their arms over each other's shoulders. Lucario nodded to me and I felt two emotions. One of steely resolve and one that told me to trust.

"He'll be fine," I told Looker. "This may be the fastest way of finding them.

The IP Officer sighed. "Fine."

I nodded to the two Pokemon. "Lead the way."

Sorry for the long wait on this update. I recently got a new laptop finally and I've been testing it out the past couple days. But I finally got this finished and the next chapter will hopefully come sooner. We're closer to the end now than ever before! Six chapters and counting! Till next time! Toodles!