Saving a Soul

Michael stood up after catching Alicia. "Hey Liz, I'm going to go heal my team before going into Nett's office," he said, seeing that the brunette was watching him in amazement.

"Okay, I get that…but how did you manage to pull that capture off?" Liz asked.

"I don't know," Michael said. "I just said what I felt, and she went along with it. It was honestly luck that she didn't fire that shot at me."

Liz just hugged him tightly. "Just don't be reckless like that again. Promise me you won't," her voice held a concern Michael had never heard from her in all the eighteen years they'd known each other.

Michael went a bit wide-eyed at her tone, but quickly softened his expression and hugged her back, resting his hand on the small of her back. "All right, I promise I'll be careful," he said.

"Good. But I'll hold you to that," she said. "And I'm going forward to Nett's office. Megg is still in trouble. And, who knows, I might steal the hero spotlight this time."

Michael laughed softly as he let go of her, and went down the stairs to the healing machine on the lower floor.

Liz just took a breath, then stepped toward the office. Detro looked worried. "You sure you can do this?"

"We won't know until I try," she said as she walked through the door.

Inside, she saw the massive hulk of a Cipher Peon that was in the broadcast, and he was holding Megg by the back of her neck. "I'll ask you once more. Hand over the card, or I will snap this pretty girl's neck." Liz heard Megg almost squeak in fear as the commander's grip seemed to tighten.

Bitt and Nett were both close to the office's desk, Nett gritting his teeth as he looked at the computer next to him briefly, noticing Liz behind the Cipher commander. "Fine, you can have it," he said, taking the SD card from the computer and holding it up. "Just let her go first."

The commander smirked with confidence, letting go of Megg's bruised neck. With an incredibly fast motion, he snatched the card from Nett's hand. "Good. Oh, and by the way," he started. "You think I didn't know that you were just stalling for time until the files were all copied?"

Nett looked concerned now. "How did you know?"

"A few reasons. It's common to copy files of an enemy organization. Plus, you kept looking at the screen while I was threatening to kill your little sister," he said. "And I'm guessing you're wondering why I'm not worried." As if on cue, the video phone's big-screen lit up, and one of the Peons appeared on screen.

"Sir, all files relating to Cipher in any way have been erased from the ONBS servers, including any and all back-ups we found along the way. We also destroyed information used by the Kid's Grid ten years ago just to be thorough. Mission accomplished, sir," the man on the screen said.

"See, you don't have any information on us anymore. That includes things that weren't even on this file," he said. That's when he noticed Liz's presence behind him. "And, just like that, it seems that you've made it up here. You're still too late, though. Cipher has won today."

"Then I'll just beat your ass like a drum, and take that SD card from you," Liz said. "Just like I beat all your other goons downstairs."

"Oh, I'm nothing like the grunts you faced," he said menacingly. "I'll just show you, rather than being all talk the way you are." He pulled out two Pokéballs. "Go, Loudred and Girafarig."

"Duskull, Artemis, come out so we can teach him a lesson," Liz said, sending out the Teddiursa, and the newest Shadow Pokémon on her team. Across from her was a purple, bipedal Pokémon with amps for ears, paired with a massive mouth. Next to it was an equine creature, with one half covered in tan fur with black diamonds along its sides. The other half, however, was all black with tan diamonds, and its tail looked like a demented spherical head.

"Duskull, Shadow Wave. Artemis, Metal Claw," Liz said as confidently as she could.

"Girafarig, use Shadow Ball on the traitorous Duskull. Loudred, Stomp that pathetic Teddiursa into the ground!"

It all went too fast for either Liz, or her Pokémon to react. Loudred leapt up and dropped hard on top of Artemis, his feet hitting her in the face hard enough to knock her out immediately. Simultaneously, the Girafarig fired a ball of black ectoplasm at the Shadow Duskull, the ball exploded on impact. Neither of Liz's team had time to even begin their attacks before being knocked out.

"W-what?" Liz asked, unsure what just happened.

"You think you're so good for beating Lovrina and our underlings? We've been letting you win. Well, I'm not doing that. I'm pummeling your pathetic Pokémon into the dust," Exol said angrily.

Liz gritted her teeth and got out her next two Pokémon. "Vulpix, Flaaffy, I need your help!" she says in a pleading tone. The two Pokémon appeared, with Sylveon and Flaaffy both looking worried from their trainer's tone. "Vulpix, Shadow Wave. Flaaffy, use Thunder Shock on Loudred!"

"Both of you, use Stomp. Finish this pathetic weakling," Exol said. This time, both Girafarig and Loudred leapt up and landed hard on their opponents. Vulpix and Flaaffy were both almost instantly taken out of the battle. Liz, with fear in her eyes, recalled them and hesitantly took out Titania's Pokéball.

"Please, Titania. I need a miracle!" she said, sending out the blue Sylveon. "Please, use Echoed Voice!"

"Same as before," Exol said without any emotion. The two Pokémon immediately began their assaults, their feet hitting their targets hard, knocking Titania to the ground.

The fairy-type was able to struggle to her feet after the attacks, but only barely. She was about to use her vocal attack when Loudred took notice. Without even using an attack, the sound Pokémon whipped around and struck the fairy-type with a devastating back-fist, knocking her out. Liz hear the door open behind her, knowing it would be Michael.

She didn't care, dropping to her knees as she saw Exol smirk in a gloating way. She recalled Flaaffy, then started cradling Titania. "I'm so sorry, Titania. I rushed in and you got hurt because of it," she said through fresh tears. "I'm a terrible trainer." Sylveon was still knocked out, not hearing her trainer's regretful voice.

Michael saw the end of the battle, his teeth gritting angrily. "So, winning wasn't enough?" Michael said. "You went for breaking her spirit?"

"Aww, did baby's girl get beat. You think you'll fare any better? Let's see what your crappy team is," Exol said angrily.

"Crappy?" Michael asked, seeing some electricity coursing over Loudred's body, which Exol seemed to miss. Apparently, Flaaffy's Static ability had paralyzed the Big Voice Pokémon. Michael knew that would make a big difference for this battle. "We'll just see about that," he said with confidence. "Nick, Erebus, let's show him what we can do!" The Houndoom appeared, looking regal and proud. The Jolteon, however, noticed Titania was injured, and the bruise forming on her head was looking exactly like the footprint of the Loudred across from him. The electric type began to growl intensely, sparks flying out wildly with his rage.

"Loudred, Girafarig, teach this bleeding-heart he can't win!" Exol said angrily as his two Pokémon stepped forward. Michael knew Erebus and Nick were faster than their opponents by far. "Girafarig, Stomp! Loudred, Uproar!"

Michael's battle monitor showed that his opponents were both three levels higher than his strongest Pokémon. "Nick, Shock Wave on Loudred. Erebus, use Feint Attack on Girafarig."

With electricity already flying from his body, Nick fired off a blast faster than Michael had ever seen him do before. Loudred's body was rigid with the electricity coursing through him, making him unable to even move, let alone dodge or counter-attack. The wave of lightning hit Loudred, knocking the Pokémon back, making him cry out in protest. Nick didn't care as he continued his attack. This creature had hurt the female he loved. There would be no mercy. Loudred tried to cry out for an attack, but his vocal cords were unable to work properly with the current through his body.

Simultaneously, Erebus sprinted at Girafarig, his body fading into a shadow on the floor. He quickly reappeared behind the Long Neck Pokémon, slamming into the psychic type hard.

"Great hits!" Michael said happily. "Keep going, and show this bastard that Cipher won't win over us!"

"You think you can win? The Grand Master would have a field day with destroying you if he so chose. He just likes toying with his meals." In a short time, Loudred was unconscious, while the Girafarig was struggling to stand. That didn't stop the Psychic-type from trying to run at Jolteon, raising his hoof to try and stomp on the electric type.

Before he could lower his foot, though, Girafarig collapsed to the side, passing out. "Fucking weaklings…" Exol said with a growl. "Fine. Time for my real powerhouses. Mawile, Raichu, take them out now!" The first Pokémon to come out was an orangish mouse with a long tail tipped by a yellow lightning bolt. It also had yellow dots on its cheeks, yellow ears with brown markings on his back. The second Pokémon was more worrying, especially when it triggered the Shadow Monitor. While her cream-colored body was like that of a small girl, the massive black maw filled with razor-sharp teeth that extended from the top of her head like a ponytail was what stood out.

"Raichu, Focus Blast on that Houndoom. Mawile, Shadow Wave. Now!" The two Pokémon immediately began to move. Mawile gathered an orb of her shadow aura splitting it in two, and throwing both at her opponents. Raichu just held back for a bit, gathering a mass of gold energy in front of him.

"Erebus, use Ember on Raichu!" Michael said. "Nick, Thunder Wave on Mawile!" His command came too late. While Nick shot a ball of static at his target accurately, Erebus couldn't outpace his opponent. Raichu launched the Focus Blast faster than Erebus could even begin to gather flames for his own attack. The shot and the Shadow Wave collided in midair, but instead of exploding, they fused into a single attack and knocked Erebus out before the fire-type even hit the ground.

"No, Erebus!" Michael called out with clear worry, wanting to go to his Pokémon to help him. But the damage was done already, and going out there would just get him hurt. He recalled Erebus quickly, then reached for his belt. Boreas would be a bad match up with both of them. Shroomish might help, but she's at too low of a level for now this battle. I could try with Trapinch. In the end, Michael pulled out Shroomish's ball and threw it. "Please, lend me your strength," Michael said. The Shadow Shroomish appeared and looked rather happy to be in battle. "Shroomish hit Raichu with Shadow Blitz. Nick, use Shock Wave again!"

"Mawile, Shadow Rush. Raichu, use Dig," Exol said commandingly.

"Hey, don't damage my office floor!" Nett said. "It's expens-" Exol backhanded the ONBS executive.

"I will do whatever I want, you little prick. You're lucky I didn't get orders to just silence you outright," Exol said as his Raichu punched into the stone floor and broke through it, making a tunnel as he went.

Michael was more concerned about how the Raichu knew Dig, unless Cipher forced it to learn the attack with experimentation. Before he could think further, Michael looked on in horror as the Raichu launched himself out of the ground and directly into Nick's stomach. Nick was thrown into the air, sending him crashing into the ceiling as he cried out. "This…is becoming a massacre," Michael worries aloud. Shroomish then managed to slam into Raichu with her Shadow Blitz. The electric mouse reacted like Arnold Schwarzenegger taking a drop kick, then the Shadow Rush that followed from Mawile knocked Shroomish forward and directly into a chilling Ice Punch from the Raichu, knocking her out just as quickly.

Michael was in shock as he quickly recalled his two Pokémon. Now, he had Trapinch, and Boreas left, with Alicia as a last resort. He went with the two he'd had longer. "Come out, Trapinch and Boreas. Show them what you can do." The Spheal and Trapinch both came out with serious expressions. Without waiting for a command, Boreas made his move. He quickly fired a Water Pulse, aiming for Mawile.

The Steel Pokémon just seemed to scoff, letting the attack hit her like it was nothing. "Too weak," Exol taunted, not noticing a disoriented look in Mawile's eyes. "Thunderbolt!" Raichu instantly fired off a searing blast of lightning with more than double the power of Nick's usual blasts, and it was heading for Boreas directly.

While Boreas tried to roll away, the electricity had a stray bolt that hit its mark. With the new charge on the water-type, the rest of the electricity was redirected into his body, zapping him until he passed out, some electrical burns on his body. Michael could tell it would leave a scar on the Spheal's body, likely even after evolution.

"Boreas, come back. I promise, I'll get you healed soon!" Michael said. "Gwen, I am so sorry for this, but I need to put Alicia into danger."

Michael took the newly filled Luxury Ball off his belt. "Alicia, please help me. I can't win this without you," he said.

Liz watched on, still holding Titania as she watched the little white Pokémon with green hair.

Inside her own mind, Alicia was barely able to take some sense of control of her body. Hearing her name from a caring person, even if only twice, had been enough to help her break free except for the last few specks of shadow clouding her mind.

Human…c-can you hear me? Alicia asked. She noticed Michael seeming to react slightly. Michael thought he heard a voice in his head, but it was too faint to make out a single word. Guess not. Might be too soon right now.

"Trapinch, use Bulldoze. Alicia," he was stopped when Alicia began to form a Reflect barrier around herself. She's got good intuition already.

Trapinch moved quickly, stomping on the ground hard, sending shockwaves through the ground. The floor stayed strong, but Raichu and Mawile did not, both stumbling. Michael noticed that both were now moving with less stability, their legs shaking as they moved. "Maybe I can snag this Mawile," Michael said, noticing that Alicia had taken no damage at all, looking better than what a Reflect would've normally allowed. Is her ability telepathy?

Michael took his time to program a targeted snag, aiming for Mawile. He put his arm out to the side and let a Pokéball materialize in the palm of his hand. "Mawile, you're mine!" he said as he threw the Pokéball, the snag hand grabbing the Steel-type, pulling it inside. The ball bounced a few times, rolling as the occupant seemed to fight for freedom. Luckily, the ball held tightly and clicked shut, with sparks flying up to indicate a successful capture.

At that moment, Michael felt searing pain in his head, noticing a prompt on his battle monitor. Alicia had gone into Reverse Mode, and he was feeling every searing moment of her pain too. It hurts, Alicia said, her mental body clutching her own head in severe pain. I can't take this pain!

"Alicia, please, calm down! I promised Gwen I would save you!" Michael pleaded.

G-Gwen? Alicia asked herself, the pain beginning to fade. She then started to see images of a Gardevoir that seemed to give her a sense of overwhelming happiness and safety. He means Mom!

Almost immediately, Michael saw the red aura fade away, and the intense pain had faded. There was still a throbbing pain still there, as if Michael was starting to feel what Alicia was feeling.

"Trapinch, use another Bulldoze. Alicia, use Confusion to finish this!" Michael said confidently.

"Raichu, Body Slam on that traitorous Ralts," Exol said. The Raichu then leapt into the air, aiming for Alicia.

My…name…is Alicia Maple! Alicia shouted, her voice sounding through the entire room, psychic power radiating out as she grabbed the Raichu, slamming him into the ground just as Trapinch launched her own attack, the second wave of the ground-type attack, hitting her mark hard. Michael saw Raichu's health bar fall to zero. Exol just scoffed.

"So, the punk is stronger than the bitch. But you're still weak. Even Snattle could make quick work out of you," Exol said, dropping his Pokéballs on the ground. "But, me losing is meaningless. You have no data, and nothing to pursue us on. Cipher will be victorious." With that he sprinted out of the room, going to leave the building entirely.

Nett waited a second before walking over and sitting on one of his couches, looking beaten. "Damn it…they won…" he said with the tone of a defeated man.

"Hey, we can still beat them," Michael said. "Maybe something they said tipped you guys off?"

"Actually…yeah…" Megg said. "That mention of Snattle…they said that name a lot, along with them mentioning Phenac City."

"I think I heard Exol mention him as he was leaving, but I don't know for sure," Bitt said.

Nett perked up. "Michael, Liz, we have a team in Phenac City right now. Marcia and Cameran could be in serious danger. "I know you just saved us, but please help us with this too."

"Well, we have some purifications to do first, so we'll go to Agate Village first and get our teams healed," Michael said, recalling Trapinch and Alicia while walking over to Liz as she recalled Titania, looking depressed.

"Right…we need to heal them quickly too, or there could be permanent damage," Liz said.

"Use the healing machine on the way down," Nett suggested.

"Oh, come on bro," Megg said. "You saw what happened there. These two deserve some rest." She then approached Michael and Liz. "Can we count on you two going to Phenac City tomorrow?"

"Of course," Michael said with a kind smile.

"Maybe I'll actually be able to help there," Liz said as she stood up, dusting herself off as she prepared to leave. "Well, Michael. I'm ready whenever you are," she said.

Michael turned to face Nett. "By the way. Every Cipher member abandoned their Pokémon here. I think ONBS would benefit from having your staff train them in case something like this happens again."

Nett nodded. "I understand. We'll take good care of them," he said with a slight smile. With that reassurance, Michael and Liz both left the building.

"You can't do this to us!" Marcia said from inside a cell. "We're members of the press, Snattle."

The man across from her, outside the cell just laughed. He was dressed in an extravagantly gawdy outfit reminiscent of storm clouds, along with a cape, and a gigantic pink pearl hanging from his neck. "Foolish girl, I will be in control of the press in a short time. ONBS will be wiped from existence, and you will become a plaything for whomever the Grand Master decides to give you to. All that I need is for you to tell me exactly how much you know about my operation."

Marcia, having a feisty side, just spat in Snattle's face, slowly retreating to the back of her cell, near Cameran. "You can shove it. Cipher's days are numbered, you bastard."

Snattle just shrugged and wiped his glasses and face with a handkerchief. "Very well. You chose your fate, in that case. Sleep on it tonight, but you will know hell tomorrow." The man left the jail, striding like he had a stick jammed deep in his posterior.

Cameran stood up. "You okay?" he asked, only for Marcia to suddenly turn and hug him, starting to cry.

"I can't keep this up much longer. I'm terrified," she said as she held him closer.

Cameran just held his friend, knowing there was nothing that could be said to improve her mood. He felt the same, and wanted the same comfort, but he had to help Marcia feel better first. "Hey, remember what you said. Cipher's days are numbered. By now, Nett will know something is up, and help will be on the way."

Marcia sniffled a little. "What if that help isn't enough?" she asked.

"It's still a distraction we can use to escape. We have the films needed to break a huge story, and get the public to rally against Cipher," he said.

Marcia looked up at him, looking hopeful. "You think it will really work out?" she asked.

Cameran used the hem of his shirt to help dry her eyes. "I'm positive. Please, smile for me. You being happy gives me the strength to keep going," Cameran said. Marcia smiled and hugged him again.

"You're really sweet, you know that?" she said softly.

He smiled as well. "Just for you."

After an hour of driving, Michael and Liz got to Agate Village, with the time at 10pm. They made their way to the Pokémon Center, and had their Pokémon healed while they checked into a room, which had a video phone conveniently placed inside. About an hour later, the Pokémon were completely healed, and Michael could tell that they were ready to go to their last stop of the night. "Come on. We have some Pokémon to purify," he said tiredly, but with confidence as they climbed down the hill toward the Relic Stone's cave. They walked through, with moonlight gleaming into the cave from the openings, some light distorted by waterfalls, giving a shimmering look to the whole cave.

"You know…this is really a beautiful cave," Liz said as they got to the end. "It's too bad most of Orre won't get to see it."

"But, if they did, I doubt it would be like this for much longer," Michael said. He saw the Relic Stone ahead, the green energy very lightly radiating from the rocks.

Michael unhooked Shroomish's Pokéball first. "Come out, Shroomish!" As she appeared, she almost immediately sensed the power of the Relic Stone. She seemed to smile as much as she could manage with the Shadow energy blocking her emotions.

Michael walked with her slowly, noticing Liz getting out Vulpix's Pokéball before he and Shroomish touched the stone pillar together. The green energy surrounded the grass-type, swirling around her as it came in closer until it melded with her body, swirling inside her for a moment as it purged the shadow from her body. Michael's monitor immediately reacted, showing her level jump from 15 to 24 rapidly. As soon as she hit level 24, Shroomish began to glow brightly, growing fast into what looked like a dinosaur with a mushroom cap on her head, a long tail, and red claws on her feet and hands.

Michael gave the newly evolved Breloom a warm embrace as she smile brightly. "Congratulations, Breloom. We'll get your name soon." Breloom gave a joyful chittering, sounding genuinely happy.

Liz was next, Vulpix being ready for purification now. "Come on, sweet girl," Liz said to the fire type. "Time to give you your personality back." She and Vulpix touched the stone together, the energy pulsing out and swirling around the fire fox Pokémon, purging the shadow from her body. When the green energy swirled out of her, she blinked for a moment, her eyes slowly getting a brightness in them again. Once the light was back, she immediately ran to Liz and began yipping and bouncing beside her to get attention. Michael's heart was warmed immediately by the Pokémon's adorable behavior.

"Alright, one more to go," Michael said, taking out the Luxury Ball. "Alicia, please come out." With a flash, the little Ralts appeared, and she seemed to sense the energy flowing around them. "Are you ready to break free of the Shadows?"

I…am… Michael heard a struggling voice say. He nodded and walked with Alicia to the pillar. They touched the stone at the same time, causing energy to swirl out once again.

Inside her own mind, Alicia could feel the most comforting energy she'd ever felt, taking it in as she watched it go to her center and expand, swallowing up all the shadow and driving it from her body forcibly. The energy followed the shadow out of her, and she felt her control of her own body returning, along with all the memories of the battle she'd won with Michael. They culminated into gaining her a level, from 20 to 21. It wasn't much, but in that moment, it was enough to make her start glowing brilliantly with the light of evolution. Her legs extended, along with her arms. She felt her hair grow out like pigtails, and her dress turned into a ballerina's tutu. The crests on her head moved onto each side to finish as the light faded, and she felt her new power.

"Alicia?" Michael asked. "Are you back?"

I…think I am, she said, speaking clearly and effortlessly. Actually…I feel great. I can also tell that your Breloom, Ceres, and the Vulpix, Kyuubi, are just as happy.

Michael sighed happily before looking at her. "Wait, you learned their names already?"
Yeah, I did. My mother did the same thing for Mr. Maple when they were traveling, Alicia said happily.

"Well, can't say those names don't fit those Pokémon perfectly," Michael said happily.

"Wait, so it's really true? You're really the daughter of Gwen?" Liz asked, sounding like she was in awe.

Yeah, and I'm really good friends with Selena Maple too, the Kirlia said.

"That's so cool!" Liz said. "It's even cooler to hear you talk to us."

Alicia blushed cutely. Thank you…by the way, could I maybe use a phone when I get the chance? I want to let Mom know what all has happened.

"We have one in our room at the Pokémon Center, if that works," Michael said, recalling Ceres. "But it would be almost midnight in Hoenn. Why don't you call tomorrow morning?"

Yeah, that'll work fine, Alicia said with a cute smile, feeling like skipping a little. Mind leading the way?

"Wait, don't you want to go back into your ball?" Michael asked with slight confusion.

Nope. Not to be mean, but I inherited my mother's free spirit. As nice as it is inside a Luxury Ball, I prefer to be out and about.

"Well, that works for me. But you'll need to go into the ball when we're driving between cities."

Fair enough, Alicia said, levitating up to Michael's shoulder. Mind if I hitch a ride?

Michael smiled, seeing Liz beaming at the pair. "That would be just fine," he said. He took Liz's hand and they happily left the sanctuary, heading for a warm bed.

Hey all, I can't believe how long this one took. Firstly, I apologize for my hectic life getting in the way of my writing. First, it was multiple jobs at once, then it was finals and graduation, then it was adjusting to a new living space while forgetting my laptop charger (limited access to writing). So, yeah, a lot got in the way.

Secondly, I will not have such slow updates ever again. I promise.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review to let me know what you think, but keep it constructive.

Until next time. ~ jmoul18