A bit shorter than expected, but this ended up being more of a set-up chapter.

Poke-ball 26: Recap

With a final blast of Psychic, the fake Agatha's Gengar vaporized. Moments later the false old lady raised her hand, and a Squirtle blasted up from the sands. Despite looking normal, it shot across the beach and knocked out the already-exhausted Venomoth with a Skull Bash.

"Definitely not an ordinary Squirtle," Sabrina growled as she recalled her Pokemon, before sending out her Mr. Mime. "Reflect!" she ordered.

To everyone's surprise, the real Agatha walked out to greet them. Behind her were Pikachu and Erika, with Blaine in the back. Agatha grinned like a proud Persian.

"Agatha!" Red barked.

"Agatha," muttered Sabrina, her tone quieter but with just as much anger. "What are you doing? Why have these children come here? Mr. Mime, Light Screen!"

"You're the psychic, aren't you?" Agatha replied coolly with a smirk. "Shouldn't you of all people know?"

"I specialize in clairvoyance, not mind-reading," Sabrina answered. "But as one of the former researchers, you should already know that. Psychic Mr. Mime!"

"Former researcher?" asked Blue. "Then...you were one of the people who made these things?"

"Along with your grandfather," added Agatha.

Blue balked. "Gramps was involved in this? Why?"

"For the same reason others such as myself were involved," said Blaine. "For the sake of Kanto, and scientific progress and curiosity. Many lives were lost because of that reckless pride." He looked troubled behind his dark glasses.

"Or are they?" Agatha's smile was the most sinister yet.

"Quiet woman!" Blaine spat. "You of all people should respect the dead!"

"Oh, but I do, because I understand death far better than any of you," replied Agatha. "Red!"

"What?" the boy asked warily.

"You came to fight me, did you not?" She tapped her cane on the ground, and Pikachu darted in front of her with raised, crackling fur. "So fight me, if you want your Pikachu back."

Red watched his possessed Pikachu uneasily. "Are you fighting me with him?"

Agatha smirked. "Are you scared of your pet? Or will friendship prevail?"

Glaring, Red wordlessly stepped forward.

"Wait, why are you doing any of this?" Blue shouted. "Tell us!"

"Oh, I could recap my past and knowledge for days," said Agatha. "But it would be much more sufficient to show you what you need to know. Pikachu, Thunderbolt."

IIIII

Next time, the true battle begins!