Michael:

Jolteon (Nick)

Gardevoir (Alicia)

Houndoom (Erebus)

Walrein (Boreas)

Breloom (Ceres)

Flygon (Sarah)

Liz:

Sylveon (Titania)

Ursaring (Artemis)

Ampharos (Voltaire)

Vulpix (Vixen)

Roselia (Lilith)

Togepi (Not named yet)

War Preparation

As soon as Michael and Liz finished healing their teams at a small terminal, they went with Alicia to the basement stairway, looking down at the dark area. "You don't need to go down if you don't want," Michael said, sensing Alicia's apprehension.

No, I need to face what happened, she said, her nervousness etched on her face. Liz put her hand on Alicia's shoulder. Plus, we need to find if there are any survivors.

"We're right here for you. If it gets to be too much, let us know, and we'll leave," she said.

Alicia nodded, then took the first step into the basement. For Michael and Liz, the first thing they noticed as they descended was the musty air mixed with a scent they could only describe as oppressive. They got to the bottom and saw lines of filthy cages that varied in size. The bigger ones had electric panels, indicating that they were designed to contain stronger Pokémon.

Each cage also had a placard marked with coded designations. Alicia walked wordlessly until she stopped at one marked as XD-0280, looking inside with enough pain to tell Michael this was her cell. Even for a prison, the cell was horrifying. Every piece of metal inside was rusting, jagged, or looked so worn out that it could fall to pieces in an instant. There was a cot in the corner, but it was so stained with rust, blood, and Arceus knows what else. "This is horrid," Liz said. "Cipher doesn't even deserve to even be called monsters."

Alicia remained silent, her expression looking like a thousand-yard stare, as if she was having a flashback of all the horrors that happened here.

"Alicia, do you want to talk about it?" Michael asked, seeing Liz gently put a hand on Alicia's shoulder.

They…they tortured us. Every single day, they tortured us. Those of us who failed them, or who seemed too weak to handle a full session were killed. They already had at least a hundred subjects before they took the Libra. Only the ones from the Libra survived their cruelty… Alicia said. Anytime one of us failed, Cipher dragged them to a back room. She slowly walked over to a doorway that would be visible from all of the cages. I…remember hearing their screams…and how those screams would just…turn straight to silence.

Michael could feel anger and disgust rising in his heart, along with frustration that he couldn't do anything to comfort Alicia beyond kind words and comforting embraces. Alicia just looked intensely at the door, her hand hovering over the knob.

I…I don't think I can go in there, she said, her memory of the scarring emotions that had radiated out from behind the door so many times.

"Do you need to go in for closure?" Liz asked

I don't know, Alicia said, tears form slowly forming in her eyes as her hand shook in fear. But I…want to pay respects to the ones Cipher killed here. She pulled the door open, entering the surprisingly barren room. There was a single computer terminal next to a line of vacuum tubes similar to what would be at a bank, varying in size. Then, on the back wall was what looked to be a garbage chute. Michael slowly walked over to the chute door, already guessing at what it was designed for, but wanting to know where it led. The moment he opened it, the smell of the slime outside began to permeate the air. Liz wretched a bit at the sudden olfactory assault, but Michael just looked like he was going to be sick.

"That's why it smells so bad outside…" Michael said, closing the chute. "The bodies are still down there…"

Alicia fell to her knees, sensing what residual anguish remained in the room. I…I'm sorry we couldn't save any of you, she said, starting to cry. Liz was the first to hug the Gardevoir.

"Alicia, none of what Cipher did was your fault," she said.

No, that's not true, Alicia said. While I was held here…they…they told me I was their main target. The rest were just bonuses to these monsters.

Michael crouched in front of Alicia, making her look him in the eye. "You did nothing wrong," he said firmly, his tone saying he wouldn't let her continue blaming herself. "You were coming to Orre to help the region's trainers. The only ones to blame are Cipher. Whatever they told you, no matter what they used to hurt you, none of that will ever be your fault."

Alicia sensed how sincere Michael was, even sensing how much it pained him and Liz that they couldn't find this facility sooner. They both felt the same way she did, yet they were comforting her before letting themselves feel that pain. They care so much… she thought.

No, they don't, said a distorted version of her voice. They're just not willing to show you just how disgusted they are with your weakness. Alicia winced, exerting more energy on the mental cage, silencing the dark copy of herself. No matter what you do, you know I'm right!

"Alicia…there's something going on that you're not telling us…" Liz said. "Please, let us help you."

Alicia looked like she was going to open up for a moment, but stopped. I-It's no-

"Alicia, if you say it's nothing, I'm getting your mother to chew you out," Michael said, his gaze drilling into Alicia's. "Something has been bothering you for a while, but you've avoided talking about it. Please, trust us." His words rang through her, and Alicia almost slumped over.

It's not easy to explain without sounding crazy… Alicia said, her exhaustion from continuously suppressing her doppelganger clear now that she let her façade fall.

"You went through something extremely traumatic," Liz said. "If you need help with something like that, we will never think you're crazy."

Alicia sighed. Ever since I was purified, I've been seeing an evil version of myself repeatedly. It's always telling me that I'm too weak…or that I'm a monster. She's even said she would kill you two if I ever let down my guard. I've had to put up a mental barrier to contain her.

Liz looked sympathetic, but that turned to slight anger. "Why did you not tell us what was going on?" she asked, sounding more hurt than angry.

Alicia flinched. I-I'm sorry. I…I didn't want you to think I was dangerous…I was scared you would hate me.

"Hate you?" Liz asked. "Alicia, I can't believe you would even think we could hate you!"

"Exactly," Michael said, sounding angry, but more like a worried family member. "After all that we've been through together, how could we ever hate you?"

Alicia's eyes began to well with tears. I don't deserve that…but thank you, she said with slight gratitude in her voice. Michael could still tell just how much the ordeal with Cipher would haunt Alicia for some time. Without much left to say, Michael and Liz both comforted Alicia until long after the Gardevoir's tears had subsided.

"Come on…we should go home and rest," Michael said, helping both girls up to their feet. They steadily made their way from the basement, heading to the exit. They had a month to prepare. That time would need to be rigorous, and Alicia also needed to get help with whatever was haunting her.

As they were coming out of the basement, they heard some loud crashes near the exit, along with shouts that they couldn't make out clearly. Michael, Liz, and Alicia all looked at each other before running forward, seeing the door had been braced open, and hearing the distant clacking of boots on the metal outside. They also saw a researcher looking almost shell-shocked by the doorway. "How did we lose our best Shadow Pokémon to that fool?" he was muttering under her breath.

Michael glared at the researcher, but kept his calm. "Who was it, and which Pokémon did they steal?"

The researcher looked like he was annoyed but he likely decided the problems of revealing the information was not that important. "It was a man with an afro like a Pokéball…he stole the last Shadow Pokémon Cipher ever made…Dragonite."

Alicia gasped slightly, realizing the one she'd said was the strongest on the Libra had been broken. This is bad. He was already as strong as Mom…

One Week Later

Liz stepped out of the car as she arrived at Gateon Port's machine shop with her father. "Alright, Dad, let's go in and check on the project," she said as she walked to the door.

Dr. Hanz just smirked and followed his daughter. "Don't get too far ahead, I have the blueprints after all," he said, patting the SD card in his pocket. "Besides, you know my knees aren't as good as they once were."

Liz sighed as she slowed her pace enough to let her dad catch up, opening the door for him. "For the old man," she teased, her tone making the jest obvious.

"Oh, you're so funny, little missy," Dr. Hanz said mirthfully, enjoying their banter. Even without having her around for four years, Liz had developed many of the same mannerisms as her mother. "I at least know enough about engineering to make this trip productive."

"Come on, you know I've been trying to learn too," Liz said, mock offense in her voice. While she'd wanted to go with Michael and make the most of the time they had together before trying to go to Citadark, they'd decided to start a training regimen of going to Mt. Battle almost daily. Today was Liz's team's rest day, meaning she was also to help with the preparations for going to Cipher's headquarters. Today, it was checking on the progress of the Robo-Kyogre. While the Parts Shop was making great headway, the machine was incredibly complex. It would likely come down to the wire for the preparations to be done, and they might not have time for a test drive. There was also one part they were most concerned about. The vehicle would likely only have room for a single seat. The two of them were now here to help make adjustments, if possible, so both Liz and Michael could travel together safely.

When the door opened, the man at the counter looked up. He was a part-timer the Parts Shop had hired while they were working on the Robo-Kyogre project. "Oh, great. They're both in the garage, just go on in," he said. Liz nodded, thanking the worker, who had been with Perr when they were filming the reaction video earlier.

He smirked a bit, then pressed a button behind the counter, opening the man door to the garage. Liz led the way into the garage, hearing the sounds of power tools and smelling the acrid scent of welding rods. They walked inside and saw the vessel being built, which was steadily beginning to look more like a Kyogre. The shape and engine were both getting close to completion, but the process of assembly was still a long way off from completion.

"Hey, Hanz!" Perr shouted from across the garage. He was currently working with the engine pistons to make them operate at the speed needed to get through hurricane-force wind and waves. "You two have the updated blueprints?"

"Yeah, we have them," Liz said, while Dr. Hanz took out the SD card. Makon came out from under the frame of the Robo-Kyogre, using a shop towel to wipe some engine grease off his hands, then approached them.

"Then let's get it into the 3-D projector, and start really cooking with gas," Makon said. Dr. Hanz walked with the old mechanic, going to a holographic projection system. They inserted the chip, let the information download, and watched as projections formed around all the parts of the project. There were even annotations that appeared around the different pieces, indicating what needed to be adjusted.

"It never fails to amaze me when I see just what Devon's tech can do," Liz said.

"I know," Perr said as he approached Liz. "Plus, they were actually willing to smuggle it into Orre through Unova."

"Seems that the Maples and the Stone family are doing all they can to help us…" Liz said. "We're going to owe them a huge debt once this is over."

"You know, I don't think they'll collect on that," Perr said, watching as the projection system gave them the green light to continue. "By the way…how far up Mt. Battle have you and Michael gotten?"

"We've both managed to get into Zone 6 already, but the trainers there are getting much tougher," Liz said. "Luckily, we made sure the facility was aware of how much training we needed…and why we needed it."

"Good, so they're not taking it easy on you?" Perr asked, grabbing a few welding tools.

"Absolutely not," Liz said. "Even Zone 1 trainers have been using higher level teams than usual for us."

"Well, I'm still impressed by your progress," Perr said. "Just last week your teams were hovering around level 35, now you're nearly at level 60s."

Liz nodded, looking at the Pokéball on her hip that held the recently purified Togepi. "Yeah, except for the littlest one. Faye is still kind of shy," Liz said with a soft, almost motherly smile.

Perr smirked, but Makon interrupted the conversation. "Alright, you two, we got a lot of work to do. Grab some tools and get to it." With no room to debate, Liz grabbed her toolbelt, and proceeded to the engine. While she wasn't as skilled as her father, Liz was still a relatively skilled engineer.

"Great job, Alicia! That Shadow Ball was timed perfectly! Boreas, you really pulled through against that Houndoom!" Michael said to his Gardevoir and Walrein, as the Zone 7 Leader, Nocom, sighed at his defeat.

"Congratulations, Michael," Nocom said as he pulled out his P-DA, activating the app Mt. Battle Zone Leaders used for conferring the Battle Coupon prize for winning. "By now, I know you know the rest station has your extra reward for clearing this zone for the first time."

Michael recalled Boreas, smiling confidently as he got out his own P-DA, accepting the reward for the victory. "Absolutely. Hey, Alicia, you want to go for Zone 8, or should we rest up?"

Honestly, I'm good to keep going, she said calmly. I'm certain the rest of the team feels the same way.

Michael nodded as he politely shook hands with Nocom, walking into the rest station. Inside, the employee at the desk smiled to him. "Those battles were marvelous. Congratulations on making it here," she said sweetly. "Here is your additional prize for your first time clearing this zone." She handed Michael a disk with TM04 – Calm Mind printed on the label.

"I appreciate it," Michael said, taking the disc. "I'm certain it'll help against Cipher."

Alicia nodded emphatically, knowing just how much that particular move had helped her mother against Team Aqua and Team Magma. Beside the desk, as in all the rest stations, an Abra was sleeping soundly, waiting for when it was needed to teleport trainers back to the facility's lobby.

"I'm happy to help," the receptionist said, sounding passionate now. "Those cruel villains need to be put in their place."

Just as Michael was about to thank her and head to Zone 8, a loud alarm sounded from Michael's P-DA. He pulled it out quickly, seeing that the map was open, and, near the Cave PokéSpot he saw a symbol that looked like a Pokéball with a music note in the center.

"Miror B…" Michael said. He was tempted to ignore the signal, and continue his training at first, but he remembered something. "He still has that Shadow Nosepass and Wyatt, the Shadow Dragonite," he said softly.

Alicia put her hand on his shoulder. Why don't we come back tomorrow? Mt. Battle will still be here later, but we might not get another chance at Miror B for a while, and he's close enough for us to intercept.

"Right," Michael said curtly. He was certain he could snag the Nosepass, but facing a level 100 Shadow Dragonite was still a tall order for them. "Still…are we ready for this?"

Who knows, maybe he won't use it, Alicia said, using her energy to rouse the Abra.

"We can only hope…" Michael said. The Abra turned his head toward them, his tired expression barely asking if they were going back to the lobby. Michael nodded. "We're done training for the day. Please send us down."

Abra gathered his energy, wrapping it around the pair. Their vision went white for a second before clearing and revealing the lobby. The receptionist at the entrance smiled as Michael and Alicia blinked to clear their vision. "Thank you for using our facility so often, and for trusting us to help with your training," she said with a kind bow. "Will we be seeing you tomorrow, or will it be Miss Hanz?"

"She should be here tomorrow. Promise that you won't go easy on her," Michael said with a smile.

The receptionist giggled. "We wouldn't dream of it. Have an excellent day!" she said.

With that, Michael and Alicia left the facility, getting onto Michael's scooter. They quickly took off toward the cave spot.

In less than an hour, with Miror B's symbol still showing on the map, Michael pulled up to the cavern entrance. "Kind of fitting place to face him, since our first meeting was here," he said.

I heard about it from the others, Alicia said as they entered the wide cavern, seeing the distinctive afro easily, along with Trudly and Folly beside him.

"Boys, keep on workin'. We need to get some more of these wild Pokémon, or we're gonna be in for a world of hurt when Cipher comes a knockin'."

Michael debated briefly whether he would listen in for a bit longer, or if he should just reveal himself. Alicia made the decision for him, stepping out from their cover. Hey, Miror Bitch! Stop your awful dancing and battle us! You've got a Shadow Pokémon we want!

Michael could've sworn he heard a record scratching as Miror B just stops at Alicia's words, as the dancer slowly turned to face them. "Well, well, well. Seems Miss Hoenn Princess might actually have some balls on her. Sayin' somethin' as heinous as an insult to a man's dancin'!"

Yeah, so what? Alicia said.

Miror B smirked. "You wouldn't even scratch my Shadow Pokémon now. But, tell yah what. Since you two were so gracious as to distract Cipher while we took such a prized Pokémon as a Dragonite," he said confidently. "As thanks, you can have this ridiculously weak Nosepass." He tossed a single Pokéball to Michael. "Besides, y'all killed my vibe. I'm in no mood to battle," he said. "Now, Trudly, Folly, let's get on the road. Let's go get some food!" The trio left Michael and Alicia stunned.

"D-did that seriously just happen?" Michael said in disbelief.

I suppose he's more sensitive than he lets on…should I use that method next time? Alicia asked as she almost giggled.

Michael shook his head. "It was kind of funny, but I doubt it'll work again. Besides, we have some more serious things to deal with for now," he said as they just walked out of the cavern. "Let's check with Liz and see how things are going with Robo-Kyogre."

Liz had just finished the last weld for the day as her phone rang. She lifted her face shield, then took her leather gloves off before picking it up. "Hey, Michael, how's the training?"

"I'm finished for the day…and I got the Shadow Nosepass from Miror B," Michael said, almost sounding uncertain of what had happened.

"I'm sorry, what'd you just say?" Liz asked.

"Yeah…he was in the Cave PokéSpot. Alicia called his dancing crap…and then he handed me the Pokéball before he left. I think we hit on a weak spot."

"…I don't believe you," she said, though her disbelief was understandable.

Michael just chuckled. "Alright, well I have the proof regardless. How is the Robo-Kyogre progressing well?"

"The last weld was just finished. It just needs to set before taking radiography shots to check for gaps. That'll be done tomorrow, and only qualified technicians are allowed to be here for that. We can go to Mt. Battle together tomorrow if you'd like," she said.

Michael smiled. "Yeah, that sounds great," he said as he and Alicia got to his scooter. "See you back at the Lab for dinner."

Okay, that's enough flirting, Alicia teased. Come on, I'd like to get back for dinner before it needs to be microwaved.

Liz laughed over the phone. "Seems Alicia has spoken. See you two there. I think I heard Jovi saying something about Lily's Razz Berry crumble being dessert tonight." Liz ended the call, leaving Michael's mouth watering at the thought of his mother's best homemade dessert.

He quickly started the scooter, driving off with Alicia. They both knew they use a good night's rest.

Liz and Michael were on her bedroom's couch after dinner. Alicia had gone to the Pokémon psychologist of the Lab. The other Pokémon were also in the common area of the living quarters, playing happily, with Nick and Titania acting as referees.

As they sat quietly, Liz was unconsciously tracing her fingers over some of Michael's skin grafting surgery scars on his arm. She was already half asleep on his shoulder, but her motions were making Michael think quietly about their recent battles with Cipher, especially considering how Liz might have been killed by Gorigan at the Key Lair, and how close she had been to getting killed in Phenac City. He hadn't mentioned it with Liz yet, but the danger they'd been facing seemed to only grow worse each time they went to one of Cipher's bases. While they were better-equipped for the dangers they knew of, there was still a risk of Cipher having more up their sleeves. Maybe I should…no that'd be suicide, Michael thought softly before both his and Liz's P-DAs beeped with a message from an unknown sender, reading only "Be warned" with an attached audio file. Michael saw that Liz had fallen asleep completely, so he put in earphones and listened. He felt the color drain from his face as he heard the conversation between Cipher's Grand Master and Gorigan. If Greevil had been planning out this battle like a game of 4-D chess, then it was likely Greevil was certain of Cipher's victory.

Could I live with myself…?

So, it's been a long while. I took a hiatus due to us having a lot of personal and professional developments in my life, burnout being a big part of it. Now, I am feeling significantly better, and I finally felt the spark of creativity again.

I enjoyed writing a more calming chapter at this point, plus it serves as a bit of a refresher chapter after over a year without an update. I will be trying my best to get more chapters out at a more regular pace from now on.

Until next time – jmoul18