Notes: I finally try to explain the discrepancy between the way the verse is now and how it was depicted in Cut Too Deep, since I've changed my mind on how I want things to be.

Chapter Four

The rest of the day was peaceful and pleasant. By dinnertime, Evie had met most of the townspeople and most were in love with her sweetness and innocence. Even those not completely gushing over her still loved and appreciated her. By the time Radley and Kalin took her home on a quick motorcycle ride that barely lasted five minutes, the day had been satisfying, fulfilling, and all were ready for a good sleep before their big day.

"She really likes the motorcycle, you know?" Radley chuckled. "When she's all better, I'm sure she'll love longer rides."

"Eevee-vee!" Evie exclaimed, raising a paw in the air.

Radley laughed.

"She meets the qualifications for being a member of the Bunch, then," Kalin intoned.

"Of course. Did you think she wouldn't?" Radley playfully said.

"Most animals aren't that interested, to my knowledge," Kalin said. "But of course, most animals aren't with you." He smiled fondly. "You make all the difference."

"Oh, I don't know. I think motorcycles are pretty fun regardless," Radley quipped. But he chuckled fondly as Evie rubbed him.

Kalin smiled as they went inside and prepared for bed. Evie was definitely an adorable being. Radley loved her and Kalin already cared about her too. He hoped everything would continue to work out for them. He had never heard of anyone keeping a Pokemon outside of their regions, but since they had once been more common outside of them, there were surely those who had. Maybe those people mostly kept to themselves now, or maybe they had even moved into one of the Pokemon regions.

Kalin really didn't want to move. But he would follow Radley into anything, as he knew Radley would do for him. Hopefully, though, they would be able to keep Evie in their world.

The night was still a bit chilly as the temperature hovered between winter and spring, so after their showers Radley brought out a small-sized throw and laid it over Evie on the chair. "Here you go," he smiled. "I know your fur's really warm, but this couldn't hurt."

"Eevee!" Evie exclaimed appreciatively. She burrowed into it and peeked out.

Radley laughed.

Kalin settled down on the bed, deep in thought. When Evie dozed and he and Radley remained awake for a bit, he spoke. "Do you really think we'll end up journeying to one of the Pokemon regions?"

". . . If Mr. Muto doesn't have any Pokeballs he could give me, then I think so," Radley said. "This is part of the Johto region, if I remember right. But the more I think about it, I'm not sure there are any professors near here. We'll probably have better luck trying to go to a PokeMart."

Kalin grunted. "A what?"

Radley chuckled. "In the games, most of the towns have a store," he explained. "Pokeballs can be bought there. I found out the marts exist in real-life too."

"Who were these people you talked to about it? Besides Solomon Muto," Kalin said.

"Some were random travelers, people I heard talking about it on the street and some guy who had a blog," Radley said. "I also talked to Professor Arthur Hawkins. He's more into Duel Monsters and finding out their relation to the past, but in the process he learned about Pokemon being in the past too."

Kalin shook his head. "This is all so strange to me."

"Yeah. . . . I think Zero Reverse really changed things a lot where Pokemon are concerned," Radley said softly. "Mr. Muto said that thirty years ago, it was still mostly rare to see Pokemon in these parts, but more people knew about them. Now, though, they really are pretty much gone or possibly in hiding and people think they're just legends."

"I wonder why I never saw the Magnet Pokemon in the Satellite," Kalin said. "We were in old buildings all the time."

"I guess not the right ones," Radley said. "They're pretty shy, if I remember right. Maybe they even blended into the scenery and you didn't know what you were looking at."

"Maybe," Kalin said.

Radley hesitated. "Are you really okay with coming with me for this?" he asked. "Especially if we need to go into the actual region?"

"It's just strange and new to me," Kalin said. He hugged Radley close. "But of course I'll come. This is important to you and I want to support you."

Radley smiled. "Thanks, Bro."

They settled back, finally dozing. Next to the bed, Evie mumbled peacefully in her sleep.

xxxx

The next morning proceeded in the usual manner, with Radley making breakfast and Kalin assisting, and Evie happily dining on her portion of the results. After eating, they got together a backpack of various supplies and food for their trip—hopefully a day trip—and waited for the others.

It wasn't a long wait. Jordan drove up with the kids before long, flanked by Scotch, Biff, Billy, Marty, Virgil, Jimmy, and Clint on motorcycles. Radley chuckled, pleased, and lifted Evie on her cushion.

"What a procession," he remarked. "We're traveling in style."

"We are," Kalin nodded. He picked up the backpack. "But in the future we should probably have access to a car of our own."

Radley glanced over his shoulder. "Oh? You're thinking again of buying one?"

"Yes. We really need to have one." Kalin headed for the door. "If there's time today, maybe we can look."

Radley smiled. "I like that idea. Let's do it, if we can."

"Eevee!" Evie chirped.

"You wanna help us choose?" Radley chuckled.

She nuzzled him.

"Okay then," Radley said. "Let's head out!"

Greetings were exchanged all around as Radley and Kalin stepped onto the porch. Soon they and Evie were settled in the van and everyone was off to the City. The trip was peaceful, with Evie fascinated by everything, and they soon found themselves pulling up in front of the Turtle Game Shop.

Yugi was outside sweeping the walk when they arrived. "Hey, guys," he greeted with a smile. "I wasn't expecting to see all of you here."

"Yeah, it was kind of a surprise trip," Radley chuckled.

"You're the head of a secret government organization and you're sweeping?" Kalin grunted as he got out of the van.

Yugi laughed. "Well, things still need doing around here, magical crimes investigation unit notwithstanding." He paused, leaning on the broom. "This isn't about my invitation to you guys, is it?" He looked hopeful. "It's still open."

Radley smiled kindly but awkwardly. "It's . . . actually about something else." He got out holding Evie, who wiggled her ears in delight to meet a new friend.

"Eevee!" she exclaimed.

Yugi jumped. "Oh wow, a real Eevee!" he gasped. He came over closer. "Can I pet her?"

"Sure," Radley smiled. "She'd love that."

Yugi smiled too and began to stroke Evie's fur while she cooed in bliss. The kids leaped out of the van, hurrying over to him.

"Hi, Yugi!" West said. "It's great to see you again!" They hadn't since Christmas.

"Hi!" Yugi greeted with a smile. "Come on in, everyone! I know Grandpa will be thrilled to see your Eevee! There's hardly any Pokemon around here anymore. Atem's never seen any Eevees at all." He walked over and opened the door. The old familiar bell tingled as it was jarred.

Kalin followed him in, holding the door open for Radley as he did. ". . . There's something I've been wondering about," he said. "Now that my mind is clear, I can't help but be confused about how Atem is here now. I thought this wasn't the same timeline as the world where Atem came back, yet after you and the other missing were rescued, he's been here."

Yugi paused and looked awkward again. "Ah, yeah, well . . . apparently the whole timeline had got twisted up. Atem was trying to fix it, but he accidentally caused people to forget he came back! But he got it straightened out, finally, and now everything is put back together okay. Now in this timeline, we didn't get lost in another dimension for all those years; we avoided being caught in Zero Reverse altogether because we were forewarned thanks to you." He smiled. "Thank you, Kalin."

Kalin blinked in stunned surprise. "Really?"

Radley smiled. "That's classic Kalin for you. He is very good at helping, even when he doesn't realize he is."

Kalin grunted, but didn't deny it.

Hearing the voices, Solomon came out of the back room with Atem. "Yugi, is the sidewalk swept al- . . . an Eevee?!" He hurried over to Radley. "I haven't seen an Eevee in I don't even remember how long!"

Atem looked down at Evie and then up at the others. "Hello," he greeted, his eyes wide with surprise.

Greetings were exchanged all around, including from Evie.

"So what brings you here?" Atem asked. "The Eevee?"

Radley smiled. "Yeah. I need a Pokeball for her. I don't suppose you've got any?"

"Sadly, no." Solomon petted Evie, much to her delight. "But you can easily obtain them at the PokeMarts!"

Radley sighed a bit in resignation. "That's what I thought. Do you know where the nearest one is?"

Solomon paused, pondering. "Oh, well, let me see. . . . I believe the nearest Pokemon town is on the other side of Domino Canyon . . . or is it deep within the canyon itself? It's possible a new Pokemon Center and possibly a Mart are there. They tend to spring up wherever Pokemon are more prevalent!"

"Are they prevalent in the canyon, though?" Kalin asked. "If Zero Reverse chased them all away, they might not stay even that close."

"That's possible too," Solomon admitted. "But I'm hoping that with the relative stability and peace, they may start coming back." He petted Evie more. "Where did this one come from?"

"Out of the mountains by Satisfaction Town," Radley said. "I don't know how far she walked before that."

"If there's any Pokemon in the canyons, the Big Five should know it," Yugi helpfully interjected. "They still go up to Johnson's cabin there."

"I hope there aren't any in that ghost town you've talked about," Radley mused.

"The only ones there would probably be Ghost Pokemon," Solomon said.

Kalin frowned. "Ghost Pokemon?"

"Not like the spirits of dead Pokemon," Scotch said. "It's like they're an actual species and were always ghosts!"

". . . That's weird," Kalin said flatly.

Radley laughed. "They also like to play pranks, so I would prefer to stay as far away from them as possible."

"Yeah, that would be one more reason to stay out of Cooperstown," Yugi agreed.

"Well, go talk to the Big Five and see if they have any information," Solomon encouraged. "Although you'd think they would have told us if they saw anything. . . ."

"Maybe not if Nesbitt was the only one to see something and he thought he was crazy," Kalin intoned. He could imagine Nesbitt also finding it hard to grasp that Pokemon were real.

"A good point," Solomon admitted.

"Thanks, Mr. Muto," Radley smiled. "We'll go see them and then let you know what they say. Are they at Penguin World?"

"They should be," Yugi said.

"Eevee?!" Evie exclaimed.

Radley chuckled. "You'll like penguins," he told her. "They're almost as friendly as you are."

Eevee looked excited. "Vee-vee-vee!"

They visited for a few minutes and then left for Penguin World. As usual, George the Emperor Penguin was walking around the lobby. He stopped and looked over at them, eyeing Evie questioningly. Then he hurried over, with both himself and Evie babbling in delight.

"Oh wow! This is so amazing!" West said in fascination. "They really like each other!"

"I wish we knew what they were saying," Nico said.

Scotch held up his camera. "I'm filming this for posterity!" he declared.

Radley chuckled. He was about to ask George where the Big Five were when George turned and waddled down the hall. Evie hopped out of Radley's arms to follow.

"She must have explained what we came for," Radley mused.

"Maybe," Kalin said, not fully convinced.

He was, however, when George led them right to Nesbitt's office, where the Big Five were all casually chatting.

Nesbitt looked up with a start. "What the . . . ?!" he exclaimed as he stared at the little limping Eevee.

"Hey, that is real cute!" Crump gushed. "What is that?"

"Eevee!" said Evie.

Radley smiled. "She's a Pokemon. Yugi and Mr. Muto said you guys might know about Pokemon in the canyons?"

"There's Magikarp in the lake, fortunately or unfortunately," Johnson said, adjusting his glasses. "I always have to throw them back when I hook one. Occasionally we've seen those deer Pokemon . . . Stantler?"

Nesbitt snorted at the name.

"We chased hunters away from them a time or so," Johnson said.

"Not to mention the time an Ursaring got on our back porch," Gansley grunted. "But we are not discussing that."

Radley quirked an eyebrow. Obviously there was quite a story behind that one.

"So it's probably not that there's an actual dividing line between regions, is there?" Kalin realized. "It's all together."

"Pretty much," Crump said.

"Is there a PokeMart up there?" Radley wondered.

"It's quite deeply into the woods, almost on the other side going out the East exit," Lector said. He smiled at the group. "Hello, all of you. It is very good to see you."

"Hi," Radley smiled, and the others chorused greetings as well.

"The canyons sound so neat!" West gushed. "I want to see everything!"

"We'd better just stick with what we need to do," Jordan said. "It sounds like it's going to be a big trek as it is, even with our vehicles."

"Is there a path all through that area?" Radley wondered.

"There is," Nesbitt said. "And I guess if your vehicle can easily cross the desert, it can probably go over the dirt roads alright."

"That's good," Radley said.

"Can we get there and back within the day?" Jordan wondered.

"I believe so," Lector said.

"If there's no complications," Nesbitt added with a grunt.

". . . Complications?" Kalin frowned.

Nesbitt shrugged. "Trees falling over in the road, Ursarings getting in the road . . . Team Rocket suddenly causing trouble in the road. . . ." He scowled.

Evie whimpered.

"Have you ever encountered Team Rocket in the woods?" Radley asked.

"No, but since Pokemon are sparse around here, who knows but what some desperate, idiot Team Rocket grunts might try to take what they can," Nesbitt said.

"I'm surprised you believe in Team Rocket," Kalin said. "This is all new to me."

"Oh, I scoffed when I first learned about it," Nesbitt said. "But it's real. I have to respect the organization's technology, even if I don't like how they use it."

Jordan ran a hand through his hair. "I really don't want to get the kids mixed up in any possible danger," he said.

"Yeah," Radley frowned. "Well, hey, Kalin was thinking of getting us a car. Why don't we go check out a dealership and see if we can find something good, and then you guys can just have fun here in the City while we and the Bunch go on to find a PokeMart?"

"Aww," West scowled. "We wanted to see Pokemon too!"

"There probably really isn't any danger," Lector said kindly. "It's just a slight possibility."

"Yeah, the same as how there could always be a robbery at some corner mart, but you havta hope it won't happen while you're there," Crump said. "And usually the percentages are in your favor."

Jordan hesitated. From his eyes, he still wasn't sure what to think, yet he hated to disappoint the kids. ". . . Alright," he said at last. "We'll try it. But if there's any indication of some . . . Team Rocket plot, we're turning around."

"Fair enough," Radley smiled at him.

"Where does the road start?" Kalin asked.

"Turn left when you reach our cabin," Johnson said. "We have a map here and I'll mark the cabin on it for you."

"Why not just use GPS?" Nesbitt retorted.

"Why not both methods?" Johnson countered.

"It's always good to have a back-up," Radley agreed. He reached and picked Evie up. "Thank you for your help!"

"Yeah, just let us know how things are going," Crump said. "Maybe we can help out with directions or something if you need it!"

"We might," Jordan said. "Thank you."

Radley gave him an encouraging smile. Hopefully nothing would go wrong. But with their luck, it was hard to say.