Upon meeting a young detective named Essentia, the Cyber Rangers learn that Ben and Summer went missing during a search for a monster in Terminus Cave. Our heroes waste no time in sending a search party to uncover the fate of their friends.
Takumi, Ami, Date, and Wendy reached the deepest part of Terminus Cave. They took a look around. "I see no way deeper in." Ami said.
Takumi glanced at the battle scared terrain. "Looks like it was a harsh battle."
"Well, I don't see any sign of Ben or Summer." Wendy replied. "Or the other Rangers for that matter."
"So, what now?" Date asked. "Don't tell me we came all the way through this dank dump for nothing."
They didn't even notice four men hiding behind a bolder each holding a Pokeball. "There might be some kind of clue around here." Ami said. "Let's-
They next thing they heard were four Pokeballs bursting open and an order. "Use String shot!" A Volcarona, a Ariados, a Spewpa, and a Charjabug all emerged and spewed webbing from their mouths.
The four didn't have time to react until they were each tied up in webbing from the shoulders to the waist. "Hey!" Ami shouted.
"Not this again!" Date growled, as the four of them struggled, trying to pull their arms free.
An alarming number of footsteps were heard as they were surrounded by a bunch of men and women. All of with were wearing white and black uniforms that included red scarfs and helmets with visors over their eyes. Takumi glanced at them. "Those are the people Arceus showed us! The ones that attacked Ben and Summer!"
One of them stepped from the crowd. His scarf was yellow and his helmet was different. "Well, well, well. And I was just about to think nobody else was going to show up. But I guess our work isn't done here just yet. Tell me. What are you four doing here?"
"None of your business!" Ami spat.
"Looking for someone? A couple of Pokemon Rangers perhaps?"
"We know Ben and Summer were here." Wendy replied. "Where are they now? What did you do to them?"
The man smirked and looked around. "As you can see those brats put up one heck of a fight. Almost got away too. But don't worry. They're both still alive. So are those other five Rangers who came here looking for them."
"You want me to believe you captured seven of the best Pokemon Rangers out there?" Takumi asked.
"If you don't believe it yet, you will soon. We'll be taking you with us…to where they're being held."
"Why? What do you want from us?" Date asked.
"Any associates of those two Rangers might also be to tell us more about their abilities and how to replicate them.." The man said. "The more of you we have the more we can learn."
"So that's why you attacked Ben and Summer." Takumi said. "Then that Digimon signal was a trick to lure them here?"
"No." Wendy replied. "There's no denying that a Digimon was here. That signal was definitely legit."
"That's enough chatter." The man said. "We'll have plenty of time to talk…when we have you for in a cell. One of you grab them."
One of the women in the group stepped forward. "I got it." She walked towards them, looked directly at Takumi and smirked as her visor flashed orange real quick.
Takumi smiled before looking back at the boss. "So, I'm guessing, you're not going to tell us anything else?"
"You in no position to be asking questions boy. In case you haven't noticed, you're stuck in our trap."
"Sorry, that's what we do. One of us here is a Ranger and the other three of us are detectives." Ami replied. "Actually, make that four."
"Four?"
The woman that approached the webbed up, Takumi, Ami, Date and Wendy took out two Pokeballs. "Crobat! Malamar!" The two Pokemon burst out and cut through the web binding the four.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" The leader of the group shouted.
The woman pointed at the Bug Pokemon. "Take them out before they can do that again!" Crobat and Malamar swopped at Volcarona, Ariados, Spewpa, and Charjabug and knocked them all out. The woman's body glowed blue and changed shape.
"Thanks for the save, Essentia." Wendy grinned.
"No problem." The young detective replied.
Takumi smirked. "Looks like you're the ones stuck in our trap."
The man took out a Pokeball. "Attack! Force them into submission!" Pokeballs flew into the air and multiple Pokemon burst out. But before the touched the ground, the Primape and the Hawlucha were rammed by Wendy and Summer's Staraptors. Pichu jumped off Summer's Partner Pokemon and zapped Simipour. The man eyed Pichu's ukulele. "Those two…they're the ones with those Rangers! The ones that got away!"
"They're Ben and Summer's Partners. And they want their friends back!" Ami replied.
"As I thought, you kids are connected to them. Don't tell me you plan to fight us with those runts."
Takumi tapped his goggles. "No. With this." In a bright flash MegaGargomon emerged from his Digivice. Ami and date brought out Rosemon and Kerymon.
"Where did those come from?!" One of the men asked. "Are they Pokemon or something else?!"
"Here are two more for you!" Keisuke shouted as he and Ryuji flew overhead on HurculeKabuterimon.
Justimon swopped in. "Justice Kick!" He kicked a Gastrodon in the head and bounced off it towards a Breloom. "Saint Knuckle!"
Sven rushed in on Luxray, ramming over a Durant. He and Wendy fired their Stylers. "Capture on!"
"Did you really think we weren't expecting a trap?" Takumi asked. "Once we take you clowns down, you're telling us everything about where Ben and Summer are!"
"Burst Shot!" MegaGargomon fired a bombardment of missiles.
"Heaven's Judgment!" Kerpymon summoned lightning on another portion of the enemy Pokemon.
"Thorn Whip!" Rosemon's whip wrapped around a Lopunny binding it before slinging it into a Torkoal.
"Keisuke, you take the leader!" Ami said.
"Okay!" Keisuke turned to the leader of the group.
"You'll regret this kid!" The man threw two Pokeballs. "Go, Swanna and Bronzong!" Two Pokemon came out.
"HerculesKabuterimon, attack!"
"Rune Forrest!" Keisuke's Digimon shot a green blast that engulfed Bronzong, but the Swanna moved away in time and charged at him.
"Use Aerial Ace!" The Pokemon smacked HerculesKabuterimon as it passed by. The large beetle turned around to fire again when he was hit by a Extrasensory by the Bronzong. "Now Gyro Ball and Brave Bird!"
Keisuke watched the Bronzong and Swanna charge at HerculesKabuterimon from two directions. Then he got an idea. At the last second, he withdrew his Digimon into his Digivice and the two Pokemon rammed into each other. "Now!" He then let his Digimon back out.
"Giga Blaster!" HerculesKabuterimon blasted both of them.
"Hey, no fair!" the commander shouted.
"This from the guy who brought an army to ambush four people." Keisuke replied.
The man growled as he withdrew his defeated Pokemon. "Alright wise guy. You forced me to bring out my secret weapon. You see…being the commander of this squad intitles me to a few things…such as, additional authority. Extra pay." He took out two Dusk Balls. "And some of the boss's new weapons right off the assembly line."
"Weapons?" Keisuke asked. "Is that what you think Pokemon are?! They have hearts too!"
"Not these ones." The man grinned. "Not anymore. Go Plusle! Minun!"
Two small Pokemon emerged. They were both snarling with a nasty look in their eyes. "A Plusle and a Minun?" Keisuke asked.
Pichu's ears perked up and he turned around to look at the Pokemon. "Pichu!" He ran over in front of Keisuke. "Pichu, Pichu, Pichu!"
"Pichu, what's wrong?" Keisuke asked.
Wendy looked at them. "Wait…those Pokemon…It can't be!"
Sven looked at them. "Are those…Solana and Lunick's Pokemon?! Why are they with you?!"
"I got these from two of the Pokemon Rangers we nabbed." The man laughed. "And thanks to the boss and his new partner, they've become new and improved Shadow Pokemon!"
"Shadow Pokemon?" Takumi asked.
Mimi shuddered. "Mrrrrr…"
Essentia looked at her. "Mimi said she can feel all sorts of negative thoughts from those two…what's going on?"
"Now Plusle and Minun have become the ultimate obedient Pokemon weapons! ATTACK! Shadow Blitz!"
Plusle charged into HerculesKabuterimon. Minum knocked over Ukulele Pichu. "Minun! Plusle! Stop, it's us!" Keisuke shouted. Plusle rammed into him next, knocking him over.
"Keisuke!" Takumi hurried over and helped him into a sitting position. "What's with those two?! They attack people as well?!"
HerculesKabuterimon aimed at Plusle. "Giga-
"No! Stop!" Ami yelled. "Don't hurt them!"
"This isn't their fault!" Keisuke grunted as they got up.
"Well what other choice do we have?!" Ryuji asked.
"Uh…Hey Sven! Wedny! Can you use your Stylers on them?"
"We'll give it a whirl!" Sven said as he and Wendy fired their Stylers at Minun and Plusle. They twirled around the two Pokemon but they growled and blasted them with electricity.
"It didn't work?!" Wendy gasped.
The man laughed. "You think those toys will be enough to undo their reprograming?"
"What on earth did they do to them?" Essentia asked. "How do we save them?"
"What's wrong? Don't want to fight little Plusle and Minun? Well, that's your fatal mistake! Take them all down you two!"
Kerpymon's ears twitched. "Huh?"
"What's wrong?" MegaGargomon asked.
"Do you guys hear that?"
A sound echoed from the distance. "Yeah…I know that sound. That's a motorcycle engine." Date replied.
Takumi looked at the entrance they came from. "And it's coming this way!"
Just then a red motorcycle rushed into the area. The enemies scattered moving out of it's way. It spun and came to a stop right in front of Keisuke and his friends making them yelp.
The commander tried to see through the dust clouds. "Who's there?!"
Once the dust started to clear, everyone saw a man with silver hair and a blue boat with a silver visor over his eyes was on the bike. A sidecar was attached carrying a lady with orange hair, a white skirt and a blue jacket.
"Who are they?" Wendy asked.
Ami glanced at Essentia. "Friends of yours?"
The girl shook her head. "No, never met them before…"
The lady in the sidecar looked at them. "Wow. Looks like other people are here too. I guess we got here just in time."
The man stood up and lifted his visor off of his eyes. He looked at the enemies around them. "We've finally found you…Cipher!"
The commander looked at him. "Who are you?!"
Instead of answering, the man took out two Pokeballs. "Come! Umbreon! Typhlosion!" Two Pokemon emerged to his left and right.
The lady brought out two more. "Espeon! Meganium!" Two Pokemon appeared next to her.
"Who are you two?" Essentia asked.
The silver-haired man glanced at them. "Get out of here. We'll take care of these punks."
"We can't just leave!" Ami replied. "They know where our friends were taken! And that jerk did something weird to their Pokemon!"
"Something weird?" The man looked at the commander's Pokemon. "Rui, that Plusle and Minun. Are they…?"
The orange-haired girl stared at them. Nobody noticed anything strange to them, but in her perspective, she saw a purple aura around Plusle and Minun. "They're both Shadow Pokemon!"
"I knew it." The man growled.
"What? Impossible!" the commander growled. "How could you tell they were Shadow Pokemon from a mere glance?!"
"But something's off." The girl said.
"What do you mean?" her companion asked.
The girl saw something else around the Pokemon. A strange white light. "I can see something else in them…something strange…I don't think these are ordinary Shadow Pokemon."
The man glanced at Ami. "You said those belong to your friends?"
"That's right!" Wendy replied. "They're the Partner Pokemon of our the Pokemon Rangers Lunick and Solana!"
"Alright. I'll take care of them."
"Wait, don't hurt them!" Keisuke said.
"Don't worry." The girl named Rui replied. "We're not planning to hurt them."
The man took a Pokeball from his pocket. "We're going to save them. Umbreon! Quick Attack!"
"You too Espeon!" The two evolved Eevee's circled around the Plusle and Minun boxing them in before ramming into them, knocking them into each other. "Meganium, Sunny Day!" Rui's Grass Type roared, and sunlight filled the cave.
"Typhlosion, Fire Spin!" The man's Pokemon howled and summoned a ring of fire. Plusle, jumped out of the way, but the flames surrounded Minun. "There." The man put a empty Pokeball into the shoulder of the machine on his arm and leapt over Minun. As he was above it, the Pokeball appeared in his hand and glowed. "Go, Snag Ball!" He threw the ball and as it opened the image of a hand appeared before it snatched up Minun.
"Whoa!" Takumi gasped.
"What?!" the commander yelled. The Pokeball vibrated three times and clicked.
"Gotchya." The man picked up the Pokeball. "If you do such horrid things to Pokemon, then you don't deserve them."
"He just stole the Minun!" Essentia gasped.
"No." Rui replied. "He snagged it. To make sure it doesn't get misused by Cipher. We're not stealing them, we're saving them from bad people."
"Saving them…" Essentia looked at her palm.
"A machine that steals Pokemon?" Date asked. "Just what are you doing with something like that fella?"
Wes smirked. "Let's just call it a parting gift from my former organization."
"W-wait a second…" the man eyed the machine on the mysterious Trainers' arm. "Is that…a Snag Machine?! Hold on…you said that girl's name is Rui…and you have a Snag Machine…It can't be…are you…Wes Leo?!"
The Trainer put the Pokeball away. "That's right. I'm here to finish what I started six years ago. I don't know what you clowns are doing here in Kalos, but I'm not letting you get away with it!"
The commander shuddered as his team broke into murmurs. "D-did he say Wes Leo?!"
"Then that girl must be Rui Mirei!"
"Aren't they the ones who took down Cipher the first time?!"
"What are we gonna do now?!"
The Commander growled. "Plusle! Move!"
Plusle started darting around the area. "Ha! How do you like that?! Can't snag a target that can't hold still!"
Wes eyed the target best he could as he slowly moved a Pokeball towards his Snag Machine.
Just then Plusle started to glow. "Huh?" The commander looked at it as it stopped. She glowed red and was sucked into a Pokeball in Essentia's hand.
"No way! Essentia, what did you just do?!" Ryuji asked.
"Is that suite also a Snag Machine?!" Rui gasped.
Essentia looked at the Pokeball containing Plusle. "No. This is the Pokeball Jack. It hacks into a Pokeball, overriding it's programing. I never thought I'd be using it again…I feel a bit bad, but if this really is the only way to save it..."
"You did the right thing." Ryuji replied. "Plusle was never his anyway."
"Yeah…"
Takumi took the Pokeball and looked at it. "Plusle and Minun…I can't believe they'd do something like this to Solana and Lunick's Pokemon…"
Wes glared at the commander. "You're beaten. Give it up."
The man growled. "Everyone! Use all your Pokemon at once! We'll overwhelm them like we did the Rangers!"
One by one more Pokemon appeared. "This doesn't look good…" MegaGargomon scowled.
Rui jumped and looked behind her. "Did that Pokemon just talk?!"
"Not this again…"
Wes looked around. "We'll ask about that later Rui. This is all their Pokemon then…do you see any more Shadow Pokemon in the crowed?"
Rui looked around. "No. I think that Plusle and Minun were the only ones."
Wes grinned. "Perfect. Everyone, put your Pokemon away so they don't get in the crossfire!"
Rui looked at them. "You mean…"
Wes withdrew his Umbreon and Typhlosion. "Yup. Time for the heavy artillery."
"Wait, what are you planning?" Date asked.
"Just hurry and do as he says!" Rui said as she withdrew Meganium and Espeon.
Essentia withdrew her Pokemon and Sven and Wendy put their Pokemon in their Stylers. The Digimon went into their partners' Digivices. "They're defenseless!" the commander shouted. "Attack!"
Wes held up a Pokeball. "Heatran!" It burst open and a mythic Steel/Fire Pokemon appeared.
"A Heatran!?" Keisuke gapped.
"Where did this guy get such a rare Pokemon?!" Sven asked.
As all the enemy Pokemon pounced, Wes held a finger up. "Engulf our enemies in your fiery wrath! Eruption!"
The attack name ringed in Ryuji and Keisuke's ears. "What?!" Heatran roared as lava erupted from the ground and blasted the Pokemon one by one. Even when it looked like an attacker was getting close, it was blasted and knocked out.
One of the men trembled. "It can't be…"
The commander shuddered. "That power is insane…!"
Date ran up to him and grabbed him by the scarf. "You lose! Now talk! Where are the Rangers!?"
"W-we don't have to answer to you! Right men?! …Men?" He turned around to see his entire team run for the exit. "Hey, where are you going?!"
"They won't get far." Wes replied. "I notified the law just before my partner here and I arrived. A police force is waiting just outside this cave to rally your crew up. Now start talking! What were you doing here?!"
"I ain't saying nothing!"
"Hmph. We'll see bout that." Wes walked over to the man and punched him in the face, knocking him out.
"Looks like that's taken care of." Sven said. "Now we can find out what happened to the other Rangers. So, with that…" he and Wendy posed. "Mission Clear!"
Keisuke walked over to his Pokemon. "This Heatran knows Eruption…could it be the same…?"
The Pokémon's eyes lite up as if it just noticed Keisuke and turned around. "Graaaah!"
Wes glanced at it. "Heatran?"
"I think it is the same one we met that day." Ryuji said.
"Yeah, the one from Flandera Volcano!" Date added. "Long time no see big guy!"
"Heatran knows these People?" Rui asked.
"Not to interrupt." Wendy said. "But we still need to find out where our friends are."
"Who are these people anyway?" Ami asked.
"They're from a group named Cipher." Rui replied. "Wes and I have been trying to track their movements ever since we heard rumors of them back in action. They're terrible people who use Pokemon as tools for world domination."
"Oh great, another one of those huh?" Takumi asked.
"I see you people have questions for this chump." Wes said glancing at the commander. "In that case I have a suggestion. Let's wait a moment for the police to leave with the rest of Cipher before exiting this cave."
The commander groaned as he regained consciousness. "Ugh…wah…?"
"Well look who decided to wake up." Ryuji said. Wes and Keisuke were next to him.
"Wa-where am I?"
Wes walked over and grabbed the man. He turned him around and he saw the sky. "Want a look?" He tilted the man's head down.
"Wa…AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" the four of them were standing on HerculesKabuterimon who was so high in the air, they could see the whole region.
"Now let's try this again. And unless you want to go skydiving without a parachute, I suggest you talk. What were you doing here in Kalos!?" Wes pushed him over, but grabbed his scarf to keep him from falling.
"And while you're at it, tell us what you did to Ben and the other Rangers you kidnapped!" Keisuke added.
"I-I still ain't telling you nothing!"
Ryuji walked over to Wes. "You know, I'm starting to believe that."
"Hmm. Maybe you're right." Wes replied. "Well, I guess if we're not going to get any info from this guy…We won't be needing him."
"Wha-WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" As Wes pushed the man off, he screamed as he fell.
Surprised, HerculesKabuterimon tried to catch him, but was too slow and watched him fall towards Kalos as his screaming grew distant and faded. "Uh, guys did you just-
"Give it a sec." Ryuji replied.
Keisuke was as shocked as his Digimon. "But you just-!
Wes held a finger up. "No, no, hold on."
Suddenly Keisuke heard the screaming again. It got louder and louder as Justimon flew up to them holding the man by his scarf. "Ryuji, with all due respect, that may be an unwise place to dump this idiot. I mean, what if he lands on somebody down there?"
"I see you're point." Ryyuji said with a hand at his chin. "Wouldn't want to freak anybody out when they seem him splattered into the ground. Then why not dump him somewhere in the sea? Somewhere far, far from land."
"Good idea." Wes replied. "I know a place infested with wild Sharpedo. Maybe there's even a Gyarados or two down there."
Keisuke trembled. "Go figure, the only thing scarier than a threatening Ryuji, is two of him."
"Thinking about it, the sea is vast." Ryuji said. "Who knows what he'll run into when we dump him in there."
"True." Wes nodded. "Maybe he'll run into Kyogre. Well, only one way to find out. Let's-
"BACK TO ORRE!" the man shouted. "We took the Rangers back to Orre! We sent here to capture the ones named Ben and Summer and then were told to stay here and capture anyone else who came looking for them!"
"Why did you target Ben and Summer?" Justimon asked. He shook the man, threatening to drop him and he yelped.
"We know about the Guardian Signs! They can summon legendary Pokemon!"
"What?" Wes asked.
"The boss wants those Pokemon for rebuilding Cipher!"
"Who's your boss?" Wes asked.
"I don't know! I never met him! I just got his orders through lady Venus!"
Wes scowled. "Venus?! So, she's still working with Cipher after all these years."
"You know this person?" Ryuji asked.
"Venus was one of Cipher's four Admins when Rui and I were against them. When we took them down, she along with two other Admins vanished."
"Where in Orre are Ben and his friends being held?" Keisuke glared.
"I-I think they were taken back to the lab! The one in the dessert!"
"I know that place." Wes said, folding his arms. "Well, I've heard all I needed to hear. Unless you guys have anymore questions for this idiot, I'd say we're done here."
"Just one." Ryuji said. "We know A Digimon was here. What was it and where is it now?"
"Digimon?"
"W-what the heck is a Digimon?!" the Cipher commander asked.
"Oh dear, my arm appears to be getting tired." Justimon said, slightly weakening his grip on him.
"I don't know! Honest I don't!"
"You used it to lure Ben and Summer here!" Ryuji glared. "I don't know" isn't going to cut it!"
"W-wait! I-I think that might be the boss' new partner!"
"New partner?" Wes asked.
"Yeah! Lady Venus said the new partner was going to arrange for the Rangers to come here!"
"It must be the Digimon." Keisuke said. "Who is this partner?"
"I don't know! Only the boss knows who or what he is! Everyone else in Cipher just calls him by his codename! The Malevolent Fist!"
"The Malevolent Fist? But wait, why lure Ben and Summer here, if you operate in Orre?"
"I think the Malevolent fist was doing something here! They say he brough back a really rare Pokemon!"
Ryuji murmured. "Well, I think we're done." HerculesKabuterimon and Justimon flew back to the ground where the others were waiting outside of the cave.
"Well?" Takumi asked.
"They took them all to a place called Orre." Ryuji replied.
"Orre?" Sven asked. "That's another region."
"I need to hand this idiot over to the authorities." Wes said. "But after that we need to talk. Where can I meet you guys?"
"Let's meet back at the Looker Bureau." Essentia said. "It's near Rouge Plaza, across from Sushi High Roller in Lumiose City."
"Alright." Wes said as he took some rope and tied the Cipher Peon's hands together. "Rui, go with them, these two can tell you what we learned from him on the way."
"Okay." Rui nodded. Wes threw the Cipher member into the sidecar and climbed onto his bike. He revved it up and drove off. "So, what did you find out?"
"If it's alright, we'd like to explain when we meet up with the rest of our team." Takumi said.
Rui smiled. "Okay then! Lumiose City, right! Lead the way…um…sorry, it just hit me that we never asked for your names."
"I'm Takumi Aiba. And this is my sister Ami."
"I'm Keisuke. This is Ryuji, Date and Essentia."
"Nice to meet you everyone!" Rui smiled and bowed. "I'm Rui Mirei! And my edgy looking partner just now was Wes Leo."
"Well then Rui, let's head back and we'll introduce you to our friends!" Ami smiled.
Now with Rui in the group everyone gathered back in the Looker Bureau. Wendy was calling the Ranger Union as they explained what transpired. "Malevolent Fist?" Erika asked.
"That's the name he gave us." Keisuke shrugged.
"Seriously?" Arata scoffed. "Could you get any cornier than that?"
"So, this Cipher group, you and your friend delt with them before, right Rui?" Rand asked.
"Yes. We defeated them before, then they came back five years later but someone else took care of them. This is the third time they started causing trouble…"
"What about Lunick and Solana's Pokemon?" Professor Hastings asked via the Wireless.
Takumi took out the Pokeball containing Plusle. "Emma took me to the Pokemon Center to get Plusle checked out. They healed it's battle damage, but it's still violent."
"I see…"
"I'm afraid Pokemon Centers can't help Shadow Pokemon." Rui replied.
"Shadow Pokemon?" Emma asked who was no longer in her suite. "What's that?"
"A Pokemon who's heart has been forced shut. As a result, they're more ruthless in battle and won't hesitate to attack people. They also learn powerful, unnatural moves."
"And they did that to poor Plusle and Minun?" Nokia asked. "How horrible."
"But something is different about them."
"What do you mean?" Yuuko asked.
"I don't know how or why, but I somehow have the ability to see Shadow Pokemon."
"See them? I mean we can see Plusle and Minun to so…"
Erika hacked Keisuke on the back of the head. "I doubt that's what she meant you dolt."
Rui shuddered at the sudden brutality she witnessed. "Um…no. What I mean is I see a black aura around Shadow Pokemon allowing me to identify them right off the bat. But when I saw those two, I saw something else…some kind of strange light…"
"What do you think it means?" Fei asked.
"I have no idea…"
"Cipher's trying something new." Everyone jolted and looked at the entrance where Wes stood.
"Yikes! Where'd you come from?!" Yu asked.
"You must be Wes Leo." Kyoko said.
"We heard from Takumi and the others." Rand said. "Thank you so much for your assistance."
"No thanks needed. Rui and I were after these guys for a while. Speaking of, about the reward I got from the police, you helped us out, so we'll split it."
"What are you, a bounty hunter?" Chitose asked.
"Something like that." Rui giggled. "Wes here and I have been traveling the world, taking down criminals who misuse Pokemon."
"Well, if you're going to split the bounty with anyone, share it with Emma." Takumi replied.
"Yeah, Sven and I get our pay from Ranger Union." Wendy said.
"Are you sure?" Emma asked.
"It was your tip that brough us to them." Ami smiled. "Besides, the currency around here doesn't have any value where we're from."
"I guess that's true…"
Wes handed the girl some money. "You're in charge here? Quite a team you got."
"Actually, it's just me and these three. Takumi and the others just wanted my help. I'm Emma, I work the Looker Bureau."
"My name is Rand, a Pokemon Ranger from Oblivia. These are Elite Rangers Wendy and Sven. As for the others, Kyoko, Takumi, Ami, Keisuke, Ryuji, Date, Nokia, Arata, Yuugo, Yuuko, Fei, Yu, Chitose."
"Pokemon Rangers out here?" Wes said. "Well anyway, like Rui said, she has the ability to see aspects of Shadow Pokemon that others can't."
"Wait a sec, how long were you just standing there?" Keisuke asked.
"So, if she thinks something's off, that's enough to convince me these aren't ordinary Shadow Pokemon. More importantly, something tells me you weren't just here for Cipher. And then there are these talking Pokemon of yours. You also mentioned Digimon?"
"Sorry, but that's classified info." The professor said.
Wes eyed his Styler. "Who's talking?"
"Professor Hastings of Ranger Union. I had Rythmi look up your file Wes. Six years ago, you worked for a criminal outfit called Team Snagum."
Everyone looked at Wes. Most of them gasped. "What?" Yu asked.
Wes brushed it off. "Found out about that did you? That was a long time ago."
"Wes isn't a bad guy!" Rui objected. "He left Snagum behind him and helped so many people and Pokemon!"
"Indeed." The Professor said. "For reasons unknown Wes betrayed and left Team Snagum, taking with him their only man equitable Snag Machine."
"So that's how you got that thing?" Takumi asked.
"It was better in my hands then left with that vermin." Wes replied.
The Professor continued. "Along the way it was said you met a girl who helped you on your journey."
"I was kidnapped by a couple of creeps who had a Shadow Pokemon." Rui said. "Wes saved me, and we decided to work together to stop Cipher."
"And you two defeated Greevile of the Pokemon Pincher outfit. Sometime after that you two decided to leave Orre."
"Wes wanted to see what other good he can do in the world. He wanted to make up for all the things he did while he was in Team Snagum. On the way he taught me how to be a Trainer. Even gave me his Espeon and other Pokemon he snagged from Cipher. And before any of you say anything I assure you Wes only used the Snag Machine to snag Shadow Pokemon."
"So now that you've all gotten a peak into my past and stake in all this, how about we even it up?" Wes said. "Who are you people and what do you want with Cipher? What's this about Rangers that can summon legendary Pokemon and what are Digimon?"
"As I said that information is classified." The Professor replied. "I trust you are a good man now Wes, you're past with Snagum means nothing to me. That is why we decided to entrust you with Heatran."
"Heatran?" Chitose asked. "Wait the same one we encountered?! The one that knew a move it shouldn't?!"
Keisuke nodded. "Yeah, and Wes handled his Eruption no problem without anyone getting hurt. It looks like he got it under control."
"Because of Wes' experience with handling Shadow Pokemon we figured he's used to helping Pokemon who have powers they shouldn't. So, we chose him."
"It took some doing, but I helped it learn to control it's Eruption." Wes replied. "Rui also has another Pokemon from Ranger Union."
"Oh, yeah." Rui took out a Pokeball. "Want to see?" She threw it to the ground and a small blue Pokemon appeared.
"Phy!" the Pokemon squealed.
"What's that Pokemon?" Emma asked.
"This is Manaphy."
"Manaphy?" Ami asked. "Wait…is it…?"
"Yes, Ami, it's the same one from that egg you kids discovered at the beach that day. When we gave Wes Heatran, we asked him if he knew anyone to take care of that egg, and he suggested we left it in Rui's care."
"Rui has a strong heart." Wes smiled. "I knew she was the right person for the job."
"Mana?" Manaphy looked at Yu.
"Huh?"
"Phy!" the Pokemon smiled and floated around him. "Manaphy!"
Rui giggled. "I think he likes you, Yu!"
"I remember how you and Aluna stood up for it when people just viewed the egg as a priceless object." Keisuke smiled. "I wonder if the little guy knows it's you."
"Heh, heh." Yu held Manaphy in his arms. "So, this is what you look like Manaphy. I didn't think I'd actually get to meet you after you hatched from that egg, but I'm glad I did."
"I can see it was no mistake in leaving those two in your care." The Professor said. "And I am grateful for you helping our Rangers and allies, but I'm afraid we can't just tell you everything."
"Professor…" Wendy sighed.
Wes closed his eyes and folded his arms. "Heh. So that's how it is then? Alright. Perhaps we can arrange a little deal."
"What kind of deal?" Fei asked.
"Have any of you wondered how Rui and I found out Cipher was here in Kalos?"
Kyoko thought for a moment. "You have an informant of some sort?"
"That's right. Rui and I have traveled to many places around the world, but we visit some old friends in Orre every so often. One of which around a month ago told us about Cipher reappearing."
"Is your source reliable?" Ryuji asked.
"He and his friends are young, but they always pull through for us." Rui smiled. "They helped us a lot when we first fought Cipher."
"There's more." Wes said. "Like Rui said, I used this Snag Machine to snag Shadow Pokemon from Cipher. Do you know why? So, we can purify them."
"You know how to return Shadow Pokemon to their original state?" Sven asked.
"Not only that, but while Rui and I were out of Orre the second time Cipher started causing trouble we were about to hurry back home and burry them for good. But then we saw something on the news. A young boy with a Snag Machine, who chased one of their Admins out of Phenac City. We decided to leave things to him. And sure enough, he took down Cipher. Including their leader Greevil. I learned from my informant later that he was receiving aid from a lab he lived in. A certain professor there made a system for purifying multiple Shadow Pokemon at once."
"What? Really?!" Yuuko gasped.
Wes took out a Pokeball holding Minun. "They can help your friend's stolen Partner Pokemon."
Takumi looked at Plusle's Pokeball. "We can save Plusle and Minun."
"Also, remember that lab that Cipher creep mentioned? Rui and I know it's exact location and the inside."
"That's where Ben and the others are being held!" Keisuke exclaimed.
"Exactly. See what I'm getting at here? Rui and I have a lot of info to share and allies that can help you. Not to mention if you run into any more Shadow Pokemon, you'll likely need our help. So, what do you say we make a deal? You guys help us, and we'll will be happy to help you."
Everyone went quiet. Rand walked over to Wes. "We need a moment to discuss this."
"Sure. Rui and I will wait outside. Tell us when you've made a decision." He and Rui walked outside. Rui picking up her Manaphy as she did so.
"Any thoughts?" Rand asked.
"I donno." Fei said. "Something about this stinks to me."
"But this guy helped defeat Cipher before, right?" Yu asked. "And it's not like we know what we're doing at this point."
"Also, didn't Kyoko already bring up how it's kinda redundant to try to hide the existence of our world and the Digital World after what Sabios pulled?" Ami asked.
"And let's be honest, we know too little about Cipher, less so about Shadow Pokemon." Takumi added. "Wes, Rui, and this other kid could be the best help we can ask for."
"Our Stylers were useless on Shadow Pokemon." Sven said. "That Snag Machine is the only thing we know that can save them."
"Even so, we shouldn't dismiss this could be a trick." Ryuji replied.
Everyone took their turn voicing their opinions and concerns.
And then Emma spoke up. "Hey, guys…"
"What's up Emma?" Takumi asked.
"Wes and Rui seem like nice people. It can't be that hard to trust them, can it? And besides…well, I know this is my policy, not yours, but…"
Kyoko smiled. "If you see someone in trouble, give help. If you see a Pokemon in distress, you help". Isn't that right Emma?"
"Well, yeah."
Kyoko looked at the team. "Emma has based her actions on that one guideline since working here and look how far she's gotten from it. Who are we to argue?"
Date smiled. "Emma, you're a smart kid."
"Thanks. I take after the man who took me under his wing."
Wes was leaning against a brick wall while Rui was playing with the young Manaphy. A few moments latter Rand stepped outside to meet them. "Well?" Wes asked. "Have you made your decision?"
Rand nodded. "Alright Wes. You have a deal. But I will have to ask that you and Rui keep what you are about to learn a secret."
"Fair enough."
"Alright. Come inside. Best we don't talk about this in the open." Rand led Wes and Rui inside. Once everyone's eyes were on Rand, he nodded to them. One by one they took out their Digimon.
"Wow, what are those?" Rui asked. "I didn't see you take out any Pokeballs."
"These are Digimon." Takumi replied.
"So that's what you were talking about." Wes said. "Never seen anything like them."
"I'd be surprised if you did." Erika replied. "Digimon come from a different world. Furthermore…"
Wes and Rui quietly listened to the explanation of Digimon, the world Takumi and his friends came from, and Ben and Summer's mission. "I see…" Wes said. "The truth of this situation was more…complex then I expected. So, this "Malevolent Fist" came from your Digital World?"
"That's right." Takumi nodded. "What he's doing with Cipher is beyond me though."
"Same here. But Cipher's motivations aren't hard to figure out. Make an army of Shadow Pokemon to conquer the world."
"That guy we fought said Cipher targeted Ben and Summer for their Guardian Signs." Keisuke said. "I don't think it's hard to guess what they plan to do to them."
"If they get their hands on the legendary Pokemon your friends can summon, they will create the most powerful Shadow Pokemon ever." Rui said. "We have to stop them."
Wes nodded. "I'm going to message my contact about this and see if he can arrange us a meeting with that kid who defeated Cipher last time. Don't worry, I'll keep what you told me about Digimon and other worlds to myself. If we can secure his help and the Purify Chamber, it'll be a strong foothold to start our fight against Cipher. Once I get a reply, we should depart straight to Orre."
"Just a moment everyone." Professor Hastings said from his Styler. "Misery overheard us and is insisting she joins you in Orre."
"You mean Rythmi?" Wendy asked as Wes took out a handheld object.
"Yes. I think having an Operator might help. Wendy, I want you to come back here and pick her up. You will then meet with the others in Orre."
"I'll send you the location of the Pokemon HQ Lab." Wes said.
"Okay." Wendy said. Her Styler beeped as Wes sent her the info. "You guys go on ahead, I'll meet you in Orre. "Emma, thanks again for your help."
"No problem."
"Come on Staraptor." Wendy said as she left the building with her partner.
"Kyoko looked at her Digivice. "Alphamon, about this "Malevolent Fist"…"
"Never heard of that name before. I'm going to contact the Royal Knights now." Inside the Digivice Alphamon opened a blue screen that displayed a Digimon back in the Digital World. "Gankoomon."
"Ah, Alphamon. We've checked for all Digimon that have been in that other world you're in now. All are present and accounted for in the Digital World. This new Digimon appearance must be something else."
"I see…We do have a lead. We suspect this Digimon is working with a criminal outfit named Cipher. They know him as "The Malevolent Fist". Search this name in the archives."
"It will be done. I'll also have Jesmon do inquiries around the Digital World. We'll contact you if we find anything."
"Thank you."
Back in the building Wes' device beeped. "I got a reply. He says he contacted the professor, and he has agreed to join forces to deal with Cipher. He said we can come in any time."
"That was fast." Arata blinked.
Rui smiled. "I told you he's reliable."
"We should get going." Wes said. "The sooner we meet up, the sooner we can plan our attack on Cipher."
Emma sighed. "Sorry guys, but as much as I want to go with you, I can't leave the Looker Bureau unattended. You'll have to go to Orre without me."
"We understand." Kyoko nodded. "Someone has to protect Kalos."
"Thanks for all your help Emma." Ami said. "I hope we meet again someday."
"Me to…Hey, Takumi…Ami…Date?"
"What's up kid?" Date asked.
"I know this is kind of a kid's thing but…Pinky promise?"
Takumi smiled. "Wouldn't be my first.
As Takumi, Ami, and Date kneeled in front of Emme, she held up a pinky. "Let's promise that we'll keep getting better and someday, we'll be the great detectives Mr. Looker, Kyoko, and Matayoshi saw in us."
Takumi, Ami, and Date smiled as they held up their pinkies. "Yeah!"
Everyone grinned as they watched. "Those two your assistants?" Wes asked, glancing at Kyoko. "Interesting kids."
Kyoko laughed. "Indubitably."
"Make the world your oyster kid." Date grinned. "It'll be tough, but you got this."
"I'm sure you'll be an amazing detective just like Looker." Takumi added.
"And don't forget to be good to your Pokemon like Mimi." Ami added.
"Mraawr!"
"I will!" Emma smiled. "And I know you guys will be great too! You got your Digimon with you after all!"
Terriermon nodded from atop Takumi's head. "That's right!"
"Go save Ben and Summer, and stomp those Cipher jerks for us, okay? And stay safe."
Ami nodded. "You got it Emma. Take care of yourself." With that, they all left.
"For a kid, Emma sure is strong." Kyoko said. "You three seem to have gained something from meeting her."
"She's going places." Date said. "That's for sure."
Sven nodded. "I'm looking forward to hearing about the things she accomplishes."
Wes smiled. "She'll be just fine. She's more capable than I was at that age. Anyway, about how we're getting to Orre. Rui and I had to take a boat to leave which could take some time to arrange. But I think there's a better option with you guys."
Takumi nodded. "Yup. The same way we got here from Almia." One by one he and his friends glowed. As did their Digimon as they Digivolved.
Rui gulped. "I…don't suppose your Digimon have seatbelts or anything, do they?"
Sadly, Emma's part in this story was short, but Wes and Rui's has just begun. Next chapter we're heading to where the real beef of his story will take place: Orre! Fellow Pokemon XD fans, I hope you're ready to meet some familiar faces.