Michael:

Jolteon (Nick)

Gardevoir (Alicia)

Houndoom (Erebus)

Spheal (Boreas)

Breloom (Ceres)

Trapinch (Sarah)

Liz:

Sylveon (Titania)

Teddiursa (Artemis)

Flaaffy (Voltaire)

Vulpix (Vixen)

Roselia (Lilith)

Duskull (Wraith)

Intel and Hope

"Easy, don't get up too fast," Michael heard a familiar voice say nearby as he started to wake up. "Please, have some water."

Michael opened his eyes, seeing that he was in a bed aboard the Libra. He turned a little and saw Liz sitting in another bed next to him, the man they'd met on the ship beside her, giving her a cup. She was slightly holding her head as she thanked him, taking a long drink. Michael slowly groaned and started to get up as well.

The man turned at the noise. "Oh, good. You're awake too," he said, grabbing another cup and handing it to Michael. "Here, drink. You were out for almost two hours."

Michael took a drink of the refreshing water, then looked around. "Alicia?"

I'm up. Just making sure Bonsly is okay, she said, levitating down the stairs, holding the little Pokémon. I actually woke up an hour before you two.

"Oh…I see," Michael said, reaching over to his left shoulder, feeling his arm without the Snag Machine, and seeing Liz without hers. "We failed...we lost the snag machines…"

Liz looked just as sullen as Michael did. "How did they jump us so easily…why did they even do it?"

"Snagem has been licking their wounds for ten years now," the man said, standing and walking over to a cabinet in the wall. "They were once business partners to Cipher…in a sense. I'm sure you know the basics. Snagem took the Pokémon, and Cipher would turn them into Shadows. Then Wes stopped Cipher's plans, and Cipher decided to not trust Snagem again."

Liz looked at the man curiously. "You say that like you have personal knowledge of both groups." The man came back, holding a map and a picture.

"I'm not proud, but I was once an engineer for Cipher," he said. "I did it when my wife was in the hospital, and I needed to pay the bills. They were the only job that would take me." Michael listened with interest. While he could understand this man's reasoning, he didn't like that Cipher had been his choice. The man clearly had regrets about his past, so he held his tongue.

"I know about your battle with Cipher, and I'd like to help," he spread the map out, and put the photo on the table. Alicia saw the picture, immediately knowing what she was looking at as fear began to build in her heart. "This is the Key Lair of Cipher. I was there when they finished building it. It's where they turn Pokémon into Shadows."

…By torturing us into submission, Alicia said softly, not realizing that she'd begun to speak. The others looked at her, with Michael listening the closest. It was something which he'd guessed, but didn't know the full extent. I'd…rather not go into the details…

The man looked more regretful. "You were one of the corrupted…" he said. "I'm so sorry for the part I played." The man's voice sounded like he couldn't even begin to voice his regret properly.

Alicia just looked away, holding Bonsly softly. Thanks…I guess, she said, sounding a bit shaken, and Michael thought she sounded more tired than usual.

"So, where is the lair?" Liz said, wanting to keep going and push through.

"In the mountains just south of Mt. Battle," the man said, marking a single spot on the map in red ink. "You'll smell the sludge underneath it before you see the building. Just cover your mouths and breathe lightly."

"Thank you," Liz said. "Michael, Alicia, can we head out? I want to take Bonsly to ONBS to meet his family." She knew they'd gotten information to move forward, and staying here any longer might lead to confrontations that would end this conversation very badly. She also didn't really trust the man they were with anymore. He'd seemed almost too eager to give the information for it to be genuine. At the same time, she hated that she'd become so mistrusting of new people that she would even be suspicious of this man after he helped them.

"Right. Thank you for your help," Michael said. "We may need to hold off on going there just yet. There are bound to be Shadow Pokémon there, and we'll need the Snag Machines."

Alicia seemed to agree as well. Thank you for helping us. We'll be sure to put the information you gave us to good use. She curtsied a bit to him as they left.

Once they had closed the door and were well out of earshot, the man smirked and pulled out an earpiece. "Sir, the information has been delivered. Get ready to show those cretins hell when they get to base."

Gorigan's voice came through from the other line. "Nice work, Heath. Hope you didn't vomit from that act you had to put up."

"Almost. They're going to deliver that Pokémon you wanted to ONBS, then hunt down Snagem first, though. It may take them some time to get to you."

"I've got nothing but time. We're out of Pokémon to turn now anyway," Gorigan said, sounding proud of his accomplishment. "Think we could turn some of those wild Pokémon that resurfaced in Orre?"

"Maybe," Heath said. "But I'm pretty sure Duking has multiple game wardens hired to protect the areas. We'd probably get arrested before we were even able to catch one.

"Ah well, just a thought," Gorigan said. "Finish anything you need to do over there, then head to the Isle. The Grand Master wants you there."

"I copy," Heath said. "To the glory of Cipher." He ended the call and looked out the windows of the ship. "Though Cipher tends to have plans way more convoluted than they need to be."

After a rather quick drive, Michael parked his scooter outside of ONBS. "Alright, let's hope we can get some help with our situation…" he said as they entered. Megg immediately perked up when she saw them.

"Michael, Liz! It's so good to see you both again," she said happily, coming out from the desk, hugging them both tightly. Michael blushed a bit, always having found Megg attractive, though not as attractive as Liz. "And Alicia, I've been wanting to meet you for real for so long!" Megg said, hugging the Gardevoir.

Thank you, it's good to meet you too…ummm… Alicia said.

"Oh, right. I'm Megg. I went to school with Michael and Liz, and I'm Nett's sister," she said. "Now, what brings you guys…wait." Megg looked at their arms. "WHERE ARE THE SNAG MACHINES!"

Michael looked a bit sheepish. "Want to come up to Nett's office with us?"

"Is it that bad?" Megg asked, looking worried.

It's not good, Alicia said. We might need help from Nett…

Megg nodded, grabbing a sign that said 'In a Meeting. Please Sit,' and placing it on her desk. "Come on, I'll walk up with you."

The walk was quiet, and Megg could tell they were more than a bit upset about their situation.

When they got through the maze of elevators and to Nett's office, Liz took hold of the adorable Bonsly and Megg opened the door for them.

Nett seemed to be watching something on his computer, looking intently while wearing headphones. When Michael saw the screen, he knew immediately what was going on. Nett seemed to be watching a livestream from a few months ago where Brendan and Elio battled in Alola. He remembered that the one he and Liz had been watching cut off when Gwen reverted to her normal form. They had assumed back then that it was a draw, making their own bet on the battle a draw as well. Nett perked up as he saw the newcomers, pausing the video, then taking his headphones off. "Oh, welcome. How are you three…" he stopped. "Wait…what happened to the snag machines?"

Michael sat on one of the couches in the room. "It was Team Snagem…" he said.

Liz nodded. "We were just at the Libra, and we'd just found this little one," she said, getting Nett to see the Bonsly in her arms.

"Wow, you found him!" Nett said. "I'll call the family waiting for him as soon as we're done here." He paused briefly. "So, what happened? You said Team Snagem…but I thought they were defunct."

"We were just leaving the Libra when they pretty much crawled out of the sand, hit us with Sleep Powder, then took our Snag Machines…we don't even know where to look to pursue them."

Nett looked at Megg. "I think I might know somebody who does. Megg, could you do me a favor and check through my contact list? I can't remember his number off the top of my head."

"Sure…want to finish watching that video on the big screen?" Megg asked.

Nett looked at Michael and Liz. "Did you guys want to watch Brendan battling Elio for a bit?"

Wait…my mother battled Alola's champion? When did this happen? Alicia asked.

Nett got a bit sheepish, having forgotten that Alicia was Gwen's daughter. "It…was the day after the Libra was abducted. I was just to the point where Gwen was starting to fight Strongside. Would…you like to watch?" Nett's tone said there was more to the video than just the battle.

"Actually, Liz and I had a bet on who would win that battle…" Michael said, sounding interested. "Didn't it end with a draw?"

"It did…but not in the way you'd expect," Nett said. Megg took the chance to enter the command on the computer, turning on the smart TV, letting everybody see the video. It was zoomed in and the quality was high enough to make every detail starkly visible, down to the exact way the light was gleaming from Gwen's eyes as the Mega-Evolution glow faded away. It was as competitive as ever, with the opposing Incineroar grinning with confidence right back.

Alicia sat with Liz and Michael, wanting to know what had happened. She watched eagerly as Gwen dodged an incoming Darkest Lariat with seeming ease, using Hyper Voice, then continuing to strategically battle. Incineroar even used his incredible Z-Move, but that didn't stop her mother. Alicia honestly felt really proud when she saw a Dazzling Gleam blind the Incineroar as Gwen charged a Thunder Bolt. That was when the battle was interrupted by Brendan receiving a phone call.

"We were just around this point when our stream ended," Michael said, looking interested to see what happened. "Still…I'd like to know what that call was about."

That ringtone…was from the Hoenn League's emergency line, Alicia said in a realizing tone. This is from the day after the Libra went missing? Nett nodded, knowing that what happened next would bring Alicia pain. When Gwen reverted to her normal form, Michael noticed her look of distress as well.

"No…it couldn't be…" Liz said under her breath, understanding what had happened to end the battle. That was when the cameraman seemed to get knocked back, losing his footing and focus for a moment. When he got the view back, Gwen was sobbing into Brendan's shoulder.

Michael looked back at Alicia, seeing the Gardevoir crying at the sight of her mother in so much anguish. "Alicia…you know she's okay now," he said, moving over to her side and giving her a comforting hug. Alicia kept watching, seeing May and Selena approach Brendan. After a few moments, Gwen let go of Brendan, fell to her knees, and shrieked at the ocean. The Hyper Voice she used there was enough to split the waves and make the cameraman lose his footing once again. That was where the footage ended.

…C-can I please use your phone? Alicia asked.

"Want to call your mother?" Michael asked kindly, knowing that Alicia wanted to talk about what she just saw.

Yes…if it's alright, she said.

Nett nodded. "We have a room in the back for private calls. There's a video phone there."

Alicia stood up, motioning for Michael to wait there. I need to talk with her one-on-one.

In Littleroot, Gwen was sitting on the back porch of the Maple's home, rocking gently as she enjoyed the breeze. Brendan and May were out shopping to get new clothes for the new baby, and Selena was with both sets of grandparents today. She had decided to stay at the house, though she couldn't place the reason beyond a feeling that she needed to be there for now. There was a quiet in the air that had become rare for the Maple family as of late, helping Gwen get some much-needed rest. That was when the phone rang inside.

Wonder who that… she saw that it was an Orre number. Alicia? She answered the phone eagerly. Hello?

Hey, Mom… Alicia said, her voice shaking a bit as her image appeared on the screen. Gwen could immediately tell something was off.

What's wrong, sweetheart? Gwen asked.

I…just saw the video from your battle with Elio… Alicia said.

Gwen already knew where Alicia was going. Before you say it, you know you have nothing to apologize for, right?

Alicia nodded. Still…seeing what it did to you…I feel terrible, she said.

Gwen reached out to the screen, at least symbolically trying to comfort her daughter. I'm sorry for not being stronger, she said. I fell into despair because I didn't know what else to do.

Alicia nodded. Mom, I also called because I need some help, she said. Gwen nodded, listening for what her daughter would say. I…I'm starting to think that I made a serious mistake coming to Orre. I think I would've been better off staying in Hoenn and traveling with Selena when she was old enough. Michael is great, but I don't feel that same connection…

Gwen nodded. I'm sorry, I don't know what to say. When I met Brendan, we pretty much clicked as a team right away, she replied. But I will say this. Having doubts is natural, but when things get bad, try to remember all the good things you and Michael have done for each other. To be honest, when you went missing, I was searching Orre for you and for trainers who would connect well with you. Of all the people I looked for, I could tell that both Michael and Liz could be perfect matches for you. So please, don't let doubt stop you.

Alicia smiled softly, nodding. Fuck that, I'll keep cutting your confidence. You'll never bond with Michael while I'm here. Alicia stopped, her eyes widening a bit as she heard her Shadow-self speaking to her.

Gwen noticed the change in Alicia's expression immediately. Alicia, what's going on. There's something you're not telling me.

I-it's nothing, Alicia said, pretending to hear somebody outside the room. I need to go, Michael and Liz are getting ready for the next trip.

Gwen gave her daughter a look of pleading. Don't try to hide it. Something's bothering you. If you don't want to discuss it with me, that's fine, but you look physically drained. You need to tell somebody before it's too late. Understand?

Alicia looked at her mother with a look of both pain and uncertainty. It's…not easy to explain. But it's under control, she lied. Gwen raised an eyebrow, telling Alicia that it was an obvious lie, but she wouldn't force the conversation.

When you don't look like you're about to collapse from exhaustion, then I'll believe you, Gwen said.

Alicia paused. I love you, Mom. I'll call whenever something new comes up, she said.

Gwen sighed. I love you too. Remember that people want to help you. Please let them. Alicia nodded in response, then ended the call. Gwen put the phone down. Alicia…you're not free yet, are you? Gwen thought to herself, going back to her seat with a new worry in her mind. Please tell somebody before it's too late.

In the main section of Nett's office, another call was being made, with Nett looking anxious. "Hey, bro, calm down. He's not going to bite your head off," Megg said teasingly.

"Yeah, but you forget how his demeanor can throw people off," Nett said.

Michael and Liz both had slightly irritated looks on their faces. "Hey, can we not play the pronoun game?" Michael asked.

"Agreed. At least tell us who he is," Liz said. As she finished her question, though, a face known throughout Orre appeared on screen. "W-Wes?!" Her voice sounded more like a whisper than talking.

The grey-haired 25-year old looked as cold and calculating as ever, but he looked more mature than his pictures. "Nett, what's going on? Why did you call me?"

Nett sighed. "Wes, don't pretend you don't know what's going on in Orre. I know you're in Unova right now, but we need your help," Nett said.

Wes sighed, looking around the room. "Huh…I recognize you two on the couch. Michael and Liz, right?" he said. "Seems you've been getting a good reputation around the world."

Michael stood up first. "Well, we're flattered to hear that. But we've hit a roadblock." Wes raised an eyebrow wordlessly, waiting for Michael to explain. "Team Snagem stole our Snag Machines. We need to get them back."

Wes's expression looked even more disappointed than before. "You let those buffoons steal Orre's only hope? Seriously?"

Michael seemed to shrink back a bit, something Liz hadn't been expecting to see. "Hard to say we let them do it when they put us to sleep. We couldn't do a thing to stop them."

"So…Wakin got you. That's pretty embarrassing for you. Unfortunately, I can't send you my snag machine, nor can I get there to stop Cipher now," Wes said. "However, I can't just let Gonzap get more Snag Machines, so I'll help you out this once."

Michael looked at Wes with interest. "Go on."

"There are two places where you might find Team Snagem. One is the Outskirt Station. Not a bad diner there, to be honest. But, it's also a place where some shady characters tend to hang out," he said, looking away from the screen for a second. "The second place is the most likely. It's the Snagem Hideout, located near the farthest reaches of the Orre Region. I can send you guys the locations if you'd like."

"Yeah, that would be really helpful," Michael said. "We'll owe you personally after this is all over."

Wes seemed to smile genuinely. "Don't worry about it. I'd rather not lose my home to Cipher, after all."

With that, he ended the call, and Nett sent the needed contact information to Wes, and almost immediately after, Michael and Liz both had their P-DAs ringing, marking the locations on their maps. "So, Liz, which place do you want to search first?" Michael asked.

"Let's go to the Outskirt Stand," she said. "We need to get a plan set, and any additional information about Snagem as they are now."

"You sure? I don't think we should give Snagem too much time to study the Snag Machine. We can go to the stand any time."

"Yeah, but I just have a feeling it's the right way to go. We might even get information on Cipher's Key Lair while we're there."

Michael saw a glint in her eyes as well, realizing that she was also hungry, and going to a diner must have sounded appealing to her. He sighed. "Alright. You've made a good point. Let's go to the Outskirt Stand and get some intel."

And a burger, Alicia teased.

Maybe…shut up, Liz said back.

"Alright, I'll walk you out," Megg said with a smile and a sweet tone.

It took them almost two hours to complete the trip to the desert stand made from the husk of an old locomotive. By that time Liz was making an overly dramatic groaning to emphasize how hungry she was. Michael just sighed, hoping the diner would give him some extra fries so she could steal them. What they saw outside the diner, however, told them that they would need to wait a little longer. There was even a beeping from Michael's bags, specifically from a radar he'd forgotten he'd picked up in the Cave PokéSpot.

On the ramp were Trudly and Folly, looking satisfied. "Damn. That was the most filling meal I've had this month," Trudly said. "Not sure how the boss intends to pay for it though."

"Hey, don't question it. The boss knows what he's doing," Folly said.

"…We're still talking about the guy who has a boombox he has in his afro, right?"

As if on cue, music began to fade in from the bar, sounding like funky dance music. As it faded in, Michael and Liz both saw the only man with a Pokéball afro: Miror B.

"Well, my posse, are you all feelin' down to steal some fine Pokémon today?" he asked, his voice having a slightly musical swing to it. With barely a glance, he smirked. "Looks like our target just came right to us!"

Michael rolled his eyes, Liz facepalmed, and Alicia just looked like she was watching an episode of Unovan Shore, and was wondering how the people she was seeing could look so ridiculously stupid. Who are these guys, and why do they have horrible taste in music? Alicia asked loudly.

Miror B's head whipped around to look at Alicia, staring daggers at her. "Them's fightin' words little missy. And a Pokémon of champion lineage shouldn't go around dissing other people's taste in music, ya' dig?"

No….no I don't 'dig' whatever it is you just said. Speak normally, and I might understand you, Alicia sassed back.

Miror woas fuming at this point. "If I recall you correctly, boy, you are the insignificant welp who took my Shadow Voltorb. But, looks like you don't have that fancy Snag Machine anymore. Guess it's time to put the moves on you!" He poked his afro and grabbed two Pokéballs off his belt in one smooth motion. He did a graceful backflip, jumped into the air, doing the splits at the peak, and snapped to the beat as he sent out two Lombre.

Michael looked at Liz. "Want to take him on this time? I can guess what you want from the diner."

"Don't guess. I have something different I want," she said, sending out Lilith and Vixen together. "This won't take long."

"Don't you dare start ignoring me," Miror B said. "I'll take those beauties from you and make them shadows the old-fashioned way. Through torture and beatings."

The two former Shadow Pokémon glared at the dancing criminal, remembering all too well how painful their transitions had been. Alicia was just as tempted to throw the man into the side of the rusty locomotive, or into the old gas pumps used for decoration.

"Lilith, use Toxic and pick your target. Vixen, use Flame Burst!" Liz said.

"Lombr-A, use Rain Dance. Lombr-O, use Nature Power. Let's hurt these fools," Miror B said eagerly. The lily pad Pokémon both moved easily and gracefully. The first danced in an almost ritualistic way as dark clouds formed only over the battlefield, causing rain to softly fall on the combatants. The second Lombre, benefitting from the speed boost, leapt into the air, slamming the ground, and causing an Earthquake to shake the battlefield. Liz was not overly concerned, as Vixen leapt up in time to dodge, firing a ball of flames between the two. It exploded on contact, showering the

Lillith gathered an orb of toxins, throwing it at the nearest Lombre, then followed up by gathering an Energy Ball, and launching it at the other Lombre, knocking it back hard. Vixen then landed and gathered a ball of light energy, launching it into the air. The sky was cleared, and the sunlight intensified.

"Great," Liz said. "Lilith, use Poison Sting on both of them. I can't stand any more horrible disco music. Vixen, use another Flame Burst, take them both out."

Miror B looked livid as he snapped his fingers. "Lombr-A, and Lombr-O, Astonish. Make them weak with your stunning moves!" Both Lombre moved fast, an ectoplasmic energy slightly coating both Pokémon as they charged forward. They didn't make it far before Vixen's Flame Burst hit directly between the two, showering them with hot flames. Lilith then fired two barbs coated in toxins. The attacks struck both hit home. Liz watched her battle monitor as the Lombre both reached zero on their health bars, and they passed out. The girl smirked as Miror B recalled the Pokémon, pulling out one more Pokéball. "Nosepass. Get out here, show these fools what you can do," Miror B said with indignity.

That was when Liz's and Michael's Shadow Monitors both went off, and both of their expressions changed to worry. Wait…what are we going to do? We can't snag this one, Michael asked with worry.

I don't know. We can't carry it with us, it'll fight us until we can snag it, Liz said, her tone equally worried.

Just battle like normal, Alicia said. I don't want to leave him to suffer, but we can't save him right now.

Liz gritted her teeth. "Damn it. Sorry Nosepass," she said. "Vixen, use Will-O-Wisp! Lillith, use Grass Knot!"

Miror B just shrugged to the beat. "Use Shadow Wave," he said with a harmonic voice, his arms moving in a wave. Nosepass launched a duo of Shadow energy, the chilling energy homing-in on Lillith and Vixen.

Liz's Pokémon both tried to move out of the way, but they weren't quick enough. Vixen's tails were clipped with the shot, while Lillith was hit nearly head-on. The two lost about half of their health from the attacks, but they both looked determined to keep battling. Lillith focused her energy into the ground, two leaves of grassy green energy sprouted behind Nosepass, tying around its legs and yanking back hard. The rock-type fell hard, only for Vixen's eerie blue flame to hit him and burn his body.

The burn caused the Nosepass to nearly black out. Miror B saw its health drop to zero, then pulled out a Pokéball different from the one from which he had released the rock-type. The Nosepass's body became surrounded with Shadow Aura, seemingly re-energizing it, then sending a beam of aura back to the Pokéball, shattering it to dust. The Nosepass got to his feet, and began to shuffle into the desert.

Before he even got three feet away, Miror B threw the other ball at the Pokémon, almost immediately catching it again. "You won't escape that easily," he said almost darkly, touching his afro in the same spot. "Damn you girl. You haven't seen the last of us! Trudly and Folly. Run Away!"

The criminal trio scampered toward the desert, cresting a sand dune before an engine roared and they drove off in a hover truck. Liz looked at Michael in shock. "So…shadows break free when they're beaten…we could snag them without the snag machines."

"Maybe, but our Snag Machines have all our Pokéballs. But we can't let Snagem keep them. We should go eat lunch, then go to their hideout to face them."

Finally, Alicia said, leading them to the diner. I'm about to kill for a burger.

They went in, hearing an interesting tune from the jukebox nearby, with most of the patrons at the bar, drinking what Michael assumed was whiskey or South Unovan Bourbon. Some were eating what looked like the greatest wings in the world, while others had Chimichurri steaks.

"Welcome, how may we…" the bartender, with a glorious handlebar moustache, and who had a deep, silky smooth voice said as he looked up from the beer glass he was cleaning before suddenly stopping. "Michael Orison, Liz Hanz, and Alicia Maple? In my bar?" The jukebox stopped with an almost cartoonish record scratching. The rest of the patrons all looked up with intrigue. "Please, sit anywhere you'd like," he said.

"Thank you, sir," Michael said as he looked around, seeing an open booth near the back. They found the menus at the booth, seeing that the stand had a surprising selection. Before a server came to their table, another patron approached. He was dressed in a lab coat, and he looked nervous.

"Excuse me. I don't mean to intrude, but are you truly Mr. Orison and Miss Hanz?" he asked.

"Yes, we are," Michael said. "And who would you be?"

"My name is Hordel," he said quietly. "I'm…a former Cipher researcher."

Michael's expression turned a bit more enraged. "Why are you here?"

"I'm a deserter. Please, trust me. I'm trying make amends for my past," he said, pulling out a Pokéball. "I only managed to get one Shadow Pokémon out. A Togepi."

Liz leaned forward a bit. "And you want our help purifying it?"

"Please," Hordel said almost desperately. "I've tried everything, but she just won't respond to my efforts. You two are the only ones to whom I could possibly entrust her."

Michael looked at Liz, who barely hesitated. "I'll take care of purifying her," she said.

Hordel smiled gratefully. "Oh, thank you. Please take care of her. Once she's purified, please return her to me. I'll give you another Pokémon as thanks."

Liz smiled kindly as Hordel gave her the Pokéball. Liz activated her monitor, looking at the information regarding the Togepi inside. "She's level 25, and she isn't a Togetic…the poor thing," she whispered.

"Well, I will leave you three to your meals. I'll be here every day from noon until six at night for when you complete her purification."

With that, he left the table and went to the bar. Michael looked at Liz with a smile. "You look excited to be taking care of a Togepi," he said.

"I think it was meant to happen," she said. "We came here before getting our Snag Machines back…and we still got a Shadow Pokémon to save."

"Don't you have six Pokémon with you, though. Don't you need to send one to the lab?"

If you don't mind, I think Wraith might do better helping at the HQ Lab. She seems to enjoy helping you, but she really would rather not battle… Alicia said.

Liz smiled softly, pulling out her P-DA. "Yeah, Justy told me something similar while I was training with him. He said Wraith was more of a helper than a fighter. But, having a supporting-type in the battles we're typically facing isn't necessarily a bad thing. She's good with incapacitation too and getting Pokémon ready to snag."

Michael looked at Liz thoughtfully. "You can wait to make the decision after lunch," he said. "You know that Jovi would love to take in any Pokémon."

Liz smiled back, taking Michael's hand. "Great idea," she said, happy to get off the subject as their waitress came over.

The meal was excellent, and the bartender even gave them a discount of almost a quarter off. Michael decided to tip that amount back and then some extra. He didn't mind being recognized, but getting special discounts were a bit much for him.

As they were leaving, a man with almost pink hair stood up and followed them out to the front. "Hey, Michael," the man said with a drawl.

Michael turned to the man, somewhat recognizing him. "You're Willie. You were there when Wes stopped his impersonator ten years ago, right?"

Willie smirked. "Yeah, you got that right. Now, I seen how you battled in Phenac. I'd like to see how I measure up against Orre's new hero. If you got the time, I challenge you to a battle," Willie said.

Michael shrugged. "We might as well warm up before facing Snagem," he said to Liz.

Then let's get this going, Alicia said with a smirk. She looked ready to battle, and Michael shared her confidence.

Thank you all for reading. I was intending to have Michael and Liz go to Snagem's hideout this chapter. However, I didn't realize how long the chapter would be if I included everything leading to the battle with Gonzap.

As a note regarding the scene of Brendan battling Elio in this chapter: that is going to be part of an upcoming collaboration crossover short story that I have been working on with BraviaryScout. It's coming along well, and I can say with certainty that it will be fantastic.

Hope you all enjoyed, because the Snagem hideout is next, for sure this time.

Please leave a review to let me know where I can improve, and what you enjoyed. Also, I enjoy reading your feedback.

Thanks again for your patience. Until next time - jmoul18