The Beginning in Kalos RIP

by BardofWorlds

As Ash attempts to win the Kalos League, he reunites with old rivals, friends and meets new ones while threats he dealt with and ancient forces begin to awaken from slumber, heroes rise to face them. In the end everything is connected and the destiny of many is not what they expect but one that they will love. Ash/harem Clemont/OC muilti story plot/ many stories united at the end

9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Here it is chapter 9 decided to make Brock's last name Slate. And on a different note I'm sorry this is so late, in real life I'm moving and had a hundred different things to do to sell my house and I finished them a few days ago, and with showings and an open house to get ready for and fighting threw some writer's block I was finally able to finish this. And then I relazed that I wrote something that would destroy the flow of my story so I had to rethink the plot for the next few chapters. And about the OC's, some of them are just here to die when I have reached the right time to tie into my ending. And I'm sorry but the next chapter after this will be by the end of April or when I can finish it. And I'll be putting updates on my fan fiction profile so this doesn't happen without you knowing about it so sorry and enjoy.

Giovanni sigh as he looked over the city from his the window as he starched his Persian's ears, he had sent two gym trainers to join Dr. Slate and he needed to brief his operatives on their missions. He had gone over the plans for the gym and sent another gym trainer to check out the shelters to make sure they were fully supplied but he was still worried. Something was happening around his city, he had woken up with a sense that something was awake, something that would threaten his city. The buzz of his intercom caused him to turn back towards his desk.

"Sir, lady Sham is here along with operatives Butch and Cassidy." Miranda voice came over the intercom.

"Thank you Miranda, send in Sham and call me when Dr. arrives." Giovanni ordered. He turned towards the door and his Persian walked to stand beside his desk as they watched Sham walk in, she was wearing her uniform and as usual a part of her red hair was in front of her left eye and she had hope earrings on. She had a confident smirk as she walked in and bowed when she reached his desk.

"Good day boss, what's the job?" She purred as she looked at him. And when he answered she lost her smirk for a second.

"Trailing and specimen retrieval. Dr. Slate has launched an expedition into the mountains to look for the source of the outbreak that hit the city yesterday. Your mission is to head into the mountains, follow them and if possible find a sample of whatever is causing the symptoms,

"The mountains, hu? What restrictions will my team have?" Sham inquired as she started to think.

"The team must be small and quick, so choose your team's size and the Pokémon you'll take carefully. Do what you can to keep your eyes open when you in the operation zone, you're going in completely blind to any changes there. The expedition lead by the doctor is to be left alone, but if contact is made act like one of our own Pokémon is infect and one of you recognized the Doctor and guessed why they were there." Giovanni commanded.

"Time to get my team ready before we deploy boss? And who can I tag for it for my mission?" Sham

"You leave at noon; so be quick. You can have any of the operatives here besides Butch and Cassidy, I have a different assignment for them. If there isn't anything else you need clarified?" Giovanni asked with one of his eyebrows raised as he looked at her.

"I know everything I need; I'll see you when I'm back with results." Sham said as she bowed before she left the room.

Giovanni looked back towards the window and just looked out the window as he let his thoughts flow. That machine at the city Alto Mare, the Chimera threat to said city, the outbreak here at Viridian, and where Karin found Hunters. Honestly there were more problems in the last twenty-four hours then in the last month. And that was only at the legal side of his operation, on the Rocket side he couldn't even count them; the underworld had rumors about Team Plasma's revival, city based gangs in Kanto were starting to fight against Team Rocket, the survivors of Team Magma and Aqua had disappeared and Looker had been sighted entering Kanto a few weeks ago and had disappeared himself.

"Sir, Dr. Namba has arrived, shall I send them in?" Miranda's voice caused him to smile. At least I can get a handle on the newest problems. But the gangs, I should deal with that issue next.

"Send them in and Miranda, and contact Ariana, tell her I need to talk to her about the gangs, she'll know… Oh, just contact the all the Admins, tell them I need a conference tonight." He looked towards the door and saw Namba, Butch and Cassidy walk in and gestured towards three reports on his table.

"Read these and then we'll talk, I have some paperwork to finish anyway." Giovanni commanded as he sat behind his desk. As he went over the papers he heard his three operatives reaction to what was in the reports. After a few minutes he looked up and saw Butch and Cassidy having a whispered conversation and saw Dr. Namba fuming as he sat.

"Reactions to what you've read?" Giovanni asked the room as he looked around.

"The sheer stupidity is unbelievable! What in the name of reason were they thinking?!" Dr. Namba demand as he tore the report to confetti.

"This doesn't sound like something Annie would do, her younger sister Oakley on the other hand…" Cassidy winced as she thought about the younger woman, not noticing Giovanni's eyes widening for a few seconds before he regained his glare.

"Not to mention Alto Mare, I can remember a lot of mission where I used that city as a way into Johto back when I was a grunt, to think that place had such a secret in it." Butch muttered as he looked through the report. Giovanni looked up at that and his mind whirled.

"I did to now that I think about it, in fact my mother always told me not to draw attention to ourselves there. At the time I always thought that was so the missions wouldn't get any more complicated but perhaps? Dr. Namba, Operatives Butch and Cassidy, here is your assignment. You are to head to Alto Mare and return with any information on this Defense Machine, you may request any additional Pokémon besides your personal teams. At no time what so ever are you to attack the Legendary Pokémon at the city or try to retrieve the Soul Drew, this is absolute. Your secondary objective is to identify the Chimera or thing that set the League into action so fast." Giovanni ordered, causing Namba snorted.

"The League sent help to Alto Mare about a Chimera? How many months did that decision take?" Dr. Namba sneered as he closed his eyes. But Giovanni's response cause Namba to whiten in shock.

"According to information retrieved from League data lines, it only took them an hour to send out an all-purpose command to all Hunters aligned to the League. And that leads to your third objective, find out why" Giovanni's dry replay caused Namba to stare in shock.

"The League reacted that fast?! Who bribed them who and how much?" Butch whispered in shock.

"That is for you to find out. You are to move out after the hurricane passes and the expedition returns from the mountains." Gionvanni said.

"What expedition?" Cassidy asked as she shared a look with Butch.

"As of yesterday many Pokémon are in the Center, they're suffering from a deliberating outbreak; it was identified by the doctors as being caused by a hybrid planet-animal spore. Dr. Slate had a misadventure where he encountered a Chimera that used such spores to hunt and giving the way the wind operates in the general area an expedition to the mountain was launched earlier this morning, I sent two of the Gym trainers and Miss Karin sent a few hunters along." Giovanni said as he looked over his operatives.

"A hybrid spore, we might be able create an artificial derivative if we could obtain a pure sample. I trust that was the mission Miss Sham was briefed on before you called us in." Namba said as he crossed his arms and shot Giovanni a look he knew all too well.

"As always you prove you deserve your reputation Doctor. Butch, Cassidy go change and start helping the others secure the shelter if the City needs it. Namba, stay here." Giovanni ordered, prompting Butch and Cassidy to bow and walk out of the room, Namba just leaned back and closed his eyes.

"'We do not exist in a vacuum', that is one of the few things your mother and I ever agreed on. If a Chimera was using something like this to hunt and could affect such an area the size of Viridian and from as far away as the mountains then the underworld would have heard about it before it got anywhere near a city like Viridian." Namba said bluntly as Giovanni nodded.

"Hibernation could have let it sleep away the centuries, the passage from fact to myth to legend might be responsible but what woke it I doubt we will ever know. But you wanted to stay for another reason." Giovanni declared.

"Silver, you've kept him at the Plateau, haven't you?" Namba said bluntly, causing Giovanni to meet Namba's eyes with a glare.

"If this thing spreads to the Plateau I will need to know and if there's a Chimera between there and Viridian then travel is a risk I won't subject my Child to." Giovanni said frostily as Namba stood up and stretched.

"Well my student will give you an earful when he hears about this so I save my breath and advise you to ready some hearing aids for yourself. And this operation is just what I need to relax after my last project's results; they say that Alto Mare has wonderful restaurants, I'll let you know about the plays so you might want to take your lover to." Namba said over his shoulder as he left.

Giovanni sat and fumed. Silver will give me an earful when he hears about this but I will deal with him. But they'll a sister, that's not in their files, why, did they hide it, was it part of a plan? I think I have a mission for those three. He sighed and he reached over and activated his intercom.

"Miranda, tell the team researching Annie and Oakley to check into their family history. I recently learned that they were sisters, and last I checked they were listed as having separate last names. Also contact Carr, I have a special mission for his team."

Jacquelin snarled to himself as members of Tea Gia watched him, he could feel some their eyes on him as he moved through the halls. The dual he had lost a few days ago still left a bad taste in his mouth, if Sylvestre hadn't had a new golem and used his Pokémon's move to recharge the golem's attack he would have won that battle, an inventive strategy at least. A good days training to cover some gaps in his team is just what he needed to handle. He saw a few of the Ladies and unaligned Knights in the hallway look at him with respect and mused to himself that at least he was able to salvage his standing among the others. He grumbled to himself as he walked through the halls when a voice caused him to stop

"So have you remade your Grand Compensating yet Jacy?" A deep voice called out from behind him. Turning he saw a heavyset man in a purple robe with a black beard and a bald head staring at him, two Knights behind him. . Of course it's that fatty. What does this fanatic want, to bother me about the Great Fairy or whatever he worships in the nude? I thought he was dead.

"If it isn't the failure that lost a duel to Sylvestre and myself, where did you slither out from?" Jacquelin asked as he saw that only the man's eyes only grew harder. Perhaps that old fool actually learned to hold his temper.

"You lost to him too you, but I at least was able to keep my golem in one piece." Jacquelin cried as people started to look towards them.

"Yes because you surrendered when the fight turned against you, I fought until the end Mathis, can you say that about any of your battles?" Jacquelin said as he turned and walked away.

As Mathis fumed as he watched Jacquelin walk away from him. That heretic, he's up to something and I'm sure it's against the interests of the Queen, I just don't know what. Perhaps a talk with the queen's seneschal is in order, maybe he could help me.

Jacquelin walked through the halls as he went downward, deep in thought. I can't believe that bottom feeder is back, I was sure he was on a hunt for a few new Fairy types for the breeders to use. This is worse than a lost duel, but I can at least say that he's not involved in that.

Jacquelin walked until he reached the final inhabited level in the mountain. He walked past the duengeons and shot a look at the guards as he passed until he finally found the door he was looking for.

"Taillefer, has my Sword been reforged yet you fool?!" Jacquelin bellowed when he opened the door to Taillefer's laboratory. A figure in a green robe looked up from a bench where he was writing in a notebook. He jumped and dashed in front of Jacquelin and bowed to him.

"It should be finished soon master, however on a lighter note my experiment to improve our new golems looks like it might work. I didn't use it on the Grand Sword of course my lord." Taillefer said hastily at Jacquelin's look.

"I care not for that you fool, when will my Sword be ready?" Jacquelin snarled as he grabbed Taillefer by his robe and lifted him up.

"Soon master, it just has to finish powering up. Infact it will probably be finished once you walk to the chamber, and I just recharged a Stalker, why don't you take it and go have a nice hunt." Taillefer stammered as he gave a shaky smile. Jacquelin looked at him and threw him against the table before he stalked towards his golem

"Weak minded fool." He sneered as he walked off.

After Taillefer heard the doors to the outside open he got up and a look of rage appeared on his face. He drew a knife from one of his sleeves and threw it at one of the walls. He walked to the wall and put his hand on a stalagmite and channeled some Aura into it, opening a hidden door. He entered a chamber with a runic circle in the center and a book on a pedestal to the side.

"That stupid, idiotic, over prideful baboon. I can't wait until I can end him. Once my Daggers and my Controllers are ready I'll slice that fool to ribbons and then I'll have his Sword finish him off." Taillefer muttered as he walked to the pedestal and opened the book to a drawing of a stone golem with two blades for arms. Soon, very soon I'll be able to show them all what my power truly is, soon I will rule.

Taillefer stalked through the woods with his Shiftry, a new Grand Sword and a Knight Stalker walking after him. He had moved out to of the mountain entered the forest and had started to move in the direction of Pewter City when he had spotted the tracks of a boar, and had tracked it, its tusks would be for the Healers or the Smiths and the meat would add some taste to the broth and soup. As he entered a clearing he stopped and looked around, dropping to a knee to look at the marks around the clearing, spotting the signs of a battle and something was dragged away. I'm too close to the mountain, if something is hunting around here I need to know what or who is behind this, if its people from that place then the Queen is in danger.

He his party through the woods as his Shiftry was watching their backs while his two golems marched along, content on what they could sense. After a while they came across a pound, blood on the ground and marks showed the signs of a great battle, some trees had burn marks and rocks were in pieces. This place, I think I tracked a deer to this place once before, I saw a few packs of Pokemon using this as a water source, so the attacks are explained, but what could have attacked such a large grouping? As he looked about and tried to figure out what had happened his Shiftry touched his arm, he turned and noticed a mist that was coming out of the trees behind him. He didn't react as the mist enveloped his party besides gaining a flat look.

"So did you know about his new golem or were you as shocked as I was?" He asked flatly as a musical laugh came out of the mists as he started to frown.

"I did warn you that you shouldn't bother that one, and you lost your Sword to the battle. But his new hunter was a delightful surprise, I merely saw that he would defeat you the next time you would challenge him." A voice called from the mist behind him. Jacquelin turned toward the voice and saw a figure that seemed to materialized out of the mists. She was a tall woman with a voluptuous figure wearing a black clock that covered her whole body with an opening that showed the valley of her cleavage and head, her lush lips were painted a dark blue and her blue eyes seemed to shine with mischief.

"What do you want now old woman?" Jacquelin said as his Shiftry moved around to give itself room to maneuver and fire at the figure.

"Muuu, must you always have to harp on my age whenever we see each other dear boy?" She asked as she shook her head.

"Given how we've interacted I think I'm entitled to put my blade through your black heart." He said with a snarl as he put his hand on his sword. She didn't react but gave off an air of disappointment.

"I have always tried to help in every one of our encounters." She countered as he crossed her arms.

"You've helped yourself, you have never helped me." He declared with a firm voice.

"That is what you can see, but not what was. But if you must know I came to warn you stay close to your mountain, things are awakening in this forest, forces that if you meet them, go not for the left but the right, that will kill them." She said as she glowed blue before she disappeared into the mists which broke apart a few minutes later.

"Why does she always have to leave with that nonsense every time, I mean really, does she practice that stuff or something?" He asked his Pokémon who only had a sheepish look on its face. He shook his head and walked off into the trees, paying attention to the marks on the ground, following them.

Hearing a cry ahead of them he moved silently through the bush and looked upon the scene before him with shock. A wooden man with multiple plant vines for a left arm had them wrapped around a dear that was struggling away from it while a lupine like creature made of wood with a large flower on its back and was stalking towards a doe protecting a younger deer without horns. What are these things, Grass Chimera usual have a flower and are partly organic, these are wholly made of wood. If their bodies don't destroy themselves after death I have to take it back so that means the Stalker needs to stay back to carry it if this thing takes out my Sword, so that means

"Shiftry, take the four leg, long range strikes. Knight Stalker, stand guard. Grand Sword, heart strike on the woodman after I cut the vines." Jacquelin said coldly as he drew his sword and started to glow pink before he disappeared. He appeared with his sword raised beyond the woodman a few seconds before the vines holding the deer were sliced in two and a green liquid gushed from the vines still attached to the woodman. The deer fell onto its hunches while the Shiftry jumped over it and opened its mouth, firing large glowing yellow seed at the lupine like creature, forcing it away from the doe and its fawn. The woodman turned towards Jacquelin when the Grand Sword impaled it through the right side of its back. Jacquelin gave a small smirk and turned towards the lupine before noises caused him to turn and see that the woodman was still moving and its left arm glowed green before it swung it into the Grand Sword, forcing it backwards and losing its grip on its sword. Jaquelin stared in shock at the glow the Chimera had on its arm. That's an Aura Technique! How can a Chimera use Aura Techniques and how can it still stand! My Grand Sword had to of hit its heart, humanoid Chimera follow the same layout so the heart has to have been on its left….

"'go not for the left but the right', oh she was talking about this thing! Oh you are always such a pain you old bitch!" He snarled as he raised his blade and charged at the woodman and slashed at the ordinary arm, only for his sword to clash the blade sticking of the woodman's chest as it twisted its body toward him. Jacquelin shot backwards and spared a glance towards his Shiftry and saw it was firing seeds at the lupine creature while dodging two vines it had sprouted from its flower. I can't let these things take control of this battle, I need to step up and gain back momentum, I only need part of one of these as proof anyway.

"Shiftry use Brick Break to break that thing in two! Grand Sword, get behind it, grab your sword and bisect it to the right!" Jacquelin ordered as he dodge the woodman's vines. Shiftry shot forward toward the lupine creature as is arms started to glow white and swung its right arm down in front of the creatures flower and smashed its arm through the creature's body, snapping it in two. The woodman started to back away when it noticed it was alones and its legs started to glow green and after it stomped down a wall of roots formed between Jacquelin and his team, blocking the Chimera from view.

"NO! Shiftry, break it down!" Shiftry shot forward as its arms regained their white glow and slammed its arms against the roots, shattering them and revealing that the chimera had escaped. He rushed towards the tree line and saw that the woodman had left no trace of its passing.

"DAM IT! It escaped with that blade and I can't tell where it went. Well at least I have proof of what I fought, that something." He turned and released that the three dears had escaped when the woodman made its wall. His Shiftry looked sheepish and he sighed

"You let them go didn't you?" He asked rhetorically as he looked at his Shiftry before he faced palmed

"Grand Sword, grab the part with the flower, Shiftry grab the other, lets return to base. This hunt was a bust but at least we have something." He said as he looked at the corpse of the wood creature.

Gabby smiled as she walked through the festival in Fuchsia City wearing a red Furisode. She had on bright red lipstick and had on green gemstone earrings. She was so glad she had transferred to the station in Celadon City, getting home to Fuchsia for the festival was so easy. And she blushed when she looked at what she was wearing. Maybe if I'm lucky this will be the last time I will be 'able' to wear a Furisode to a festival. She giggled to herself as she walked through the festival, a spring in her step as she moved. Her eyes looked around for her date, but she couldn't see the him anywhere around the fair. She was starting to wonder if she was at the wrong part of the city when a voice called to her from behind.

"Oh there you are Gabriela-san, how are you enjoying the festival?" The question caused her to turn and smile seeing Janine wearing a black Furisode and her brother Koga was wearing a black formal kimono Koga had a lantern a stick in his hand.

"Gabby-onee-chan you look amazing!" Janine said when she saw the figure Gabby gave off with her makeup, earrings and Furisode. Gabby smiled when she saw her friends, she had known Koga for years and had known Janine since she was born.

"Thanks Janine-chan, have either of you seen your cousin Kotaro around, he wanted to talk with me." She asked as Koga looked thoughtful.

"I think I saw him heading towards the cliffs, I know I saw him put something in his pockets earlier now that I think about it." Koga said with a smile on his face. Janine looked at her brother with a thunderstruck expression on her face before she started to squeal and jump around a bit. Koga looked at his sister and laughed a little at her actions with a smile on his face.

"Oonee-chan, do you think he'll ask you?" Janine asked as she beamed at Gabby who only sent a small smile towards Janine.

"I'm hoping he will; imouto-chan." Gabby said as she blushed and held her face.

"Good Luck Gabby-onee-chan! Good Luck!" Jaine called out as Gabby walked away. After a few minutes she stopped before the memorial of the 15th Invasion. She shivered as she remembered that night nine years ago, when she and Kotaro had fought back to back to defend the people covering in the gym. Kotaro had been injured and had stayed behind when the group gathered had attacked the beast in its lair, he blamed himself for not being there but she was glad he was still around to blame himself. She bowed and lit one of the candles and said a prayer for the departed and walked towards the ocean.

She smiled when she saw Kotaro standing by the edge of the cliff in his red kimono, his shoulder length black hair waving in the wind as the moonlight shined down on him, a wave cresting just beyond him. Gabby felt her heart beat faster as she looked at her date. She saw he was nervous and she hoped it was for the reason she thought it was.

He turned towards her with a smile when she reached him she felt something wet on her face.

Her eyes snapped as she shot up from where she had been lying. A Granbull wearing a collar was standing over her while a Machamp with a wet rag was in the process of washing her face. When she sat up both of them jumped back and looked at her with concern.

"What the, I was…. a dream, a wonderful dream. How did…that thing in the forest. Where am I?" She wondered as she looked around, she was on a couch in a room with dark red walls, a table with chairs and beside the two Pokémon she had noticed the room was empty of anyone else.

"Reporter-Girl awake, Darky Darky will be happy!" An electric and scratchy voice said playfully from the direction of the Granbull. Gabby whipped her head and only saw the Pokémon and looked around for

"Where are you, where am I?" Gabby demanded as she looked around and tried to find anyway she could use to escape.

"Far then you think, and in a safe place. And you'll stay here until Darky Darky gets back." She turned her head and finally noticed the speaker on the collar around the Granbull's neck. When she processed the words her face started to redden as a glare formed on her face.

"You don't know who the hell you're holding so how do you think I'll stay here." Gabby snarled as she started to reach for a nearby chair before what was said next stopped her cold.

Gabriela 'Gabby' Jones, age 21. Currently a Reporter for the Daily TomesNews Company. Official sent on assignment here in Viridian City to report on the League's project to deal with the incoming Hurricane. Grew up in Fuchsia City, trained in the Fuchsia Gym in the self-defense course, all people thought she would become one of the Gym's rising stars until she started to learn Journalism after the 15th Invasion was dealt with. Moved to Hoenn at age 17 and got a job at the Daily Tomes Slateport City branch until she was transferred to their main broadcast studio until she was transferred to the Saffron branch earlier this year." The voice said as Gabby paled at what she heard.

"Who? How the hell do you know… Where are you, wait a minute, your Happy Grandbull aren't you? I've been trying to find you for a few months since I heard about you!" Gabby said in shock as she looked at the collar around the Granbull's neck.

"Yeah, I know. You've actually come closer than most do when they try to find me. So, what do you want?" Happy's voice dropped the playfully aspect as the Grandbull wearing the collar looked apologetic at her.

"I wanted you to help me find out about a certain organization that I've been hunting for a while now, ever since…wait! That man called me Gabbs! Only one man ever called me that! All this time he's been alive. Why didn't he come back to us, why'd he let everyone thing he was dead, why'd he never come back to me?" Gabby whispered as she sank to her knees and held herself as memories of just what had happened to her yesterday came rushing back to her as she started to cry. She had seen that symbol on a few trainers and she had tracked them to a motel and had seen Karin of the Elite Four come in and just start to command them, and they had listened without a word. She had been so shocked that she had gotten discovered and was brought right up to Karin herself and she told them to kill her! And they had obeyed without a single thought. Whoever those bastards were Karin was one of their leaders, and Kotaro was alive.

A tan hand grabbed a piece of pizza and looked at Gabby on the monitor as she held herself. The person sitting before the monitors was a young girl who looked to be under thirteen years old dressed in dark shorts and a white shirt. She had red short hair and was wearing a pair of goggles above her eyes.

"I told bro he should have made contact with his family and her, but no he decide not to, and I told him it would blow up in his face but no, he had to leave the reporter alone." She said as she turned towards a pale grey feline Pokémon eating a slice of pizza and sighed when she saw that her Espurr was looking towards a white board on a wall behind them. She noticed her Pokémon turn and gestured back towards the wall and she frowned at it.

"There is no way, come on you can't be serious, the chances of that being the case… Fine, Fine! I'll ask her. Sometimes I wonder whose training who around here girl." She grumbled to herself as she turned on a microphone and speech distorter.

"This organization, the symbol wouldn't be a Pokéball on a shield before a sword would it?" Happy's question caused Gabby to snap out of her depression and look towards the Fairy type with the collar on.

"Yes it is, why?" Gabby said before a part of the wall in front of her opened and Happy poked her head out and smirked at the look on Gabby's face.

"Yeah, I'm a kid, surprised the best hacker in Kanto is so young? So let's talk about the people who Kotaro says created the Chimera behind the 15th Siege and what we've been doing to fight them. And the name is Sarah 'Happy Grandbull" Del Electros, Kotaro's segregate sister and minder as far as I'm concerned, nice to meet you." Sarah said as Gabby just stared open mouthed at the young girl before her, shocked beyond belief at just who Happy Grandbull turned out to be.

Brock led the way up the mountain's forested path on his Steelix with a frowned on his face. He looked back and saw that Yuji was right behind him on his Tauros with Salma, Kunz and Agalia on Salma's Onix, for some reason Yuji preferred to ride on his own Pokémon but that didn't matter. So far since they had reached the mountain range they hadn't met any local resistance from either Pokémon or animals and that worried him. The man problem most people had by traveling on foot or 'mon was that their strength was a challenge for the 'locals', the number of times they were jumped when he was traveling with Ash and company, if he had a hundred Pokédollar for every time that happened, he would have been able to move to Alola for school instead of Viridian. He was so deep in thought he never noticed Yuji had urged his Tauros fast until they were alongside Steelix until he heard a whistle and her turned and saw Yuji geseturing that he wanted to talk so he patted his Steelix's head and it lowered its 'head' until he was closer to the ground and Yuji.

"The lack of resistance making you nervous too boss?" Yuji asked quietly as he looked around.

"Could be anything, the spore could have gotten to them too. But that doesn't account for the lack of animals; I know that a wolf pack was sighted around here just last week. And listen" Brock said softly. Yuji looked around and started to grow more concerned not noticing what Brock had picked up on.

"What, I can't see anything or hear….where are the other animals, I can't even hear a single insect. This isn't natural, its fear, it has to be." Yuji said as he locked eyes with Brock.

"And that means this might be a lot worse than my worst ideas. If this started yesterday and whatever this is, its spread faster than anything I know." Brock said grimly.

"Yeah, how much longer until we get to our first camp location anyway? And the other two, where'd they come from? I know they said they were hunters but…." Yuji looked over his shoulder, seeing Salma laugh at a joke one of the others told. Brock started to grow worried when he saw the look in Yuji's eyes.

"What do you know about them?" Brock questioned quitly as he fought his reaction to look behind him. Yuji looked forward and took a deep breath

"My brother and I, well our parents divorced when we were young. Mom got custody of my brother and they went to Saffron city and he was discovered as a low level Psychic so he studied at the gym, one day he woke up a bound we devolved in the womb, we were, we were fraternal twins and mom and dad never even told us the other was alive. To make a long story short he's in the League, he's one of the people who overlook Chimera Hunters and he's told me about the other twins and he's never told me anything about them." Yuji said as he looked around when he signaled his Taruos to stop. Yuji jumped off his Pokemon and then rushed to a nearby bush. Brock had been looking ahead and started to speak again.

"That doesn't mean anything….what the, Yuji? All Stop! Defensive formation! Yuji, what have you found?" Brock cried out when he noticed Yuji had gotten off his Pokémon as the party got off their Pokemon and started to look around. Yuji looked over his shoulder with a frown on his face.

"This bush here, some of its leaves darker than others on the same, I thought it might be a multination at first, but then I saw a drop drip off a leaf, its blood. The area around the bush is all scoffed up, signs of a battle here. And look over there, webbing of some kind." Yuji pointed towards a nearby tree that had webbing of some kind on the lower hanging branches. Brock got out a sample container and walked towards the tree, stopping and looking at the strands of the organic material.

"A few hours old I guess, less than a day at the most I would say. I can't tell if this was used in battle, as a trap or as a home and then the battle happened. And it is impossible to tell just what created this, so I think I should probably take a sample." Brock muttered to himself as he removed a pair of tongs from his backpack and put some of the webbing into a container. After which he removed a Pokénav and check their location. We made better time than I thought we would, but that has to do with the fact we haven't been attack even once since we left the city. But that only raises more questions about the spread of this thing. I don't know if this is worse than I feared, if whatever this is from is hunting, what will it do when it's out of food in the mountains? Brock brooded as he lost all focus until….

"How close are we to our first waypoint Doctor?" Kunz voice behind him caused him to jump and turn, seeing that Kunz had walked behind him when his mind was elsewhere. He spotted Salma and Agalia looking around the other side of the trail and turned and saw Yuji looking around the bushes and looked behind them.

"Closer than I thought we would be giving the time we spent moving. We already have a sample of something that might be from the same thing as the spore. But we should continue on, we need to find out what is happening on this mountain." Brock said as he walked back towards his Steelix but before he could mount up….

"Brock, everyone, get over here, now!" Yuji call had a trace of shock and horror in his voice that caused the others to rush over to him as he was looking behind a bush. When Brock got there he saw a blood trail with marks on the ground around the blood going up the mountains and he looked towards the peak wondering just what was happening on it.

"This is at least a day or so old going by the color and the marks I think something dragged a body up the mountain, a body of what I can't even guess." Salma's dry voice caused them to look at her and she looked away with a blush on her face.

"What, I like crime dramas and I investigated the science behind a few episodes I liked okay?!" She exclaimed in response to the looks she was getting.

"That interesting and all but someone needs to go back to the city and tell Jenny what we just found, any volunteers?" Brock's question caught them all flat. Agalia gave a small smile when Yuji spoke.

"Salma, your Onix knows how to tunnel, right? And it's all downhill, and you know Jenny personally don't you?" Yuji cut in sharply as he looked straight at Salma's Onix.

"Yeah he does and she's a friend, but why does that matter?" Salma demanded as they looked at Yuji.

"And you've trained him to be one of the sharpest and longest shoots in the gym too. Something that would help any defense of Viridian wouldn't it?" Yuji said as he met her eyes.

"Are you saying that she should go back because she and her Pokémon would be able to defend the city better, and that Jenny would believe what she says?" Kunz said flatly as Salma started to look at her Pokémon with a deep look at her eyes.

"Not yet. We can send someone back when we reach our first campsite, by then we should have a clearer understanding of what we're up against. And a long range striker might be a bit useful tonight if we have to make a fighting retreat." Agalia cut in and Brock looked back towards Viridian City. Yuji is right, this webbing needs to be looked over by the Doctor, but does he want to send her back because of what he said or that he doesn't trust those two and wants her out of the line of fire? Brock shook his head and adopted a stern look.

"I'm in charge so here's what we're doing. We stay together until morning then Salma goes back with any samples we find today. And everyone mount up, we're wasting daylight." Brock said firmly as he walked back towards his Pokemon. When he reached it he saw that it had a look of worry on its face and he put his right hand just under its eye and rubbed its cheek.

"Hey partner, it looks like we really are up the river as they say. I'm gonna need you to be ready to strike and keep your senses sharp for anything at all, okay?" Brock whispered to his Pokemon and was reward with it nodding its body. He looked back and saw that Agalia and Kunz had released their own Pokemon to ride, a Pyroar and a Rapidash respectfully and getting on his Steelix he signaled the party to move on. Not long after they were out of sight a figure dressed in black moved towards the bush they had gathered around and spent a few minutes looking about the area before he jumped into one of the trees and silently moved after the people ahead of him.

Ash walked after Pikachu as Serena and Fennekin followed behind him. So far they had dodged any wild Pokémon and animals. Ash had been expecting more but as they came towards the location they had moved through the area easier than he had thought. He turned and saw that Serena had her Fennekin walking beside her and he saw that she had her naginata out and was looking around, but then again he had his shield out.

"Hey, Serena? You holding out okay?" Ash called out to her, causing her to jump a bit and relaxed when she saw it was just Ash asking her that.

"Yeah, it's just my first quest outside a town; guess I'm just a little nervous. " Serena said with a small smile.

"You never started your journey before this year? I thought so but then I wasn't sure why you hadn't." Ash mused as he followed Pikachu.

"The Chimera attack that cost Bonnie and Clemont their mother? If it was the attack I think it was it caused a change in when Trainer could first leave on Journey's. And before now doing little jobs around town were enough for me, that and mom's training." Serena said with a small blush on her face.

"Finding a reason to go on a Journey is the most personal thing a trainer has, that it took so long to find it isn't a bad thing old friend." Ash said as he reached his for sword as they moved towards a stream.

Serena looked at Ash with a frown on her face as she moved closer to him. I know about his mom and he's right, I just wanted to leave home and see him again. But do I want to try the gyms, do I want to try Contests, do I just want to travel? Right here, right now just what do I really want? Serena thought as she walked behind Ash. She saw that he had gotten out his Pokédex and looked towards the sun before he gestured towards a nearby hill.

"That's it, according to the briefing we got what we want is in a cave that on the other side of that hill." Ash said as he looked around the area, taking not of a few tree stumps and rocks, noting a few marks on them. Why do I have a feeling that something about this quest is rotten? Wouldn't be the first time someone tried to use me to do their dirty work for them. Maybe I should check the Dark News tonight, haven't check in a few days anyway. Ash mused as he led Serena slowly into the tall grass before the hill. Ash moved slowly, his hand on his sword as they reached the base of the hill.

"Serena, go over the hill, I'll go around, and if anything tries to jump you, we'll hit it from the side." Ash said with a glare at the hill. He turned when he felt Serena's hand on his shoulder and turned to look at Serena who had a worried look on her face.

"What is it Ash, is something wrong?" Serena asked as her Fenniken started to sniff as Pikachu started to look around.

"This is too easy. Even if the person who made the quest does it on his own, even if he broke his leg I can't figure out the price he put on this, it doesn't make sense. I think we'll be okay, but it might be best if you're on overwatch with Fletchling as backup." Ash said grimly. Serena looked around and nodded to Ash before she step back to give him some room. He quickly released his other two Pokemon and gave a stern look when they turned to look at him.

"Okay guys, this is that quest I told you about last night. Froakie, you're with me and Pikachu, Flechling I need you to backup Serena and Fenniken, don't be too worried but I'm getting a bad feeling about this." Ash said as his Pokémon shared a look between them before they all nodded at him.

"Good luck Ash." Serena whispered to him as she moved towards the hill, Fenniken and Fletchling following behind her.

Ash move quickly and silently with Pikachu and Froakie alongside him. They silently made their way through the grass before they stopped within sight of the cave mouth, noticing Serena's naginata poking out of a clump of grass higher up the hill the only indicator that she was there. He used his shield to flash a signal towards her was answered by her naginata, so he moved silently into the cave. His eyes adjusted quickly and he and his partners moved slowly through the passage until they came to a chamber fill of crystal pillars with a small pool of water at the far end.Ash greeted his teeth when he noticed that most pillars were marked up with what looked like 'bite' marks and the remains of plants and fish here and there around the chamber. He turned to his two Pokémon and gestured towards a small one the right size a few feet from the entrance.

"There, hit it a foot off the floor, I'll grab it and we'll run. Froakie; get ready with your Frubbles to gum up anything that comes after us." Ash commanded as he put his shield and sword away and he and Pikachu moved forward. Pikachu's tailed turned steel grey and he jumped and cut through the crystal with a near silent slice, lucky Ash was able to grab it before it hit the ground. A sound from the direction of the pool made Ash turn and frown when he saw ripples on its surface. Carrying the crystal under one of his arms he cursed as moved toward the exit with a look over his shoulder. This is it, one of whatever is using this cave as a home went out the back, I just hope Serena is safe, that these things go around and not over.

"Backwards strike incoming!" Ash roared out as he and his Pokemon reached the cave mouth, moments before a spiral of water shot at them.

Serena had sat on the hill and when she felt something head-butt her side she looked at her Fenniken who shot a look of concern at her. Since she and the two Fire Types had moved up the hill Ash's Fletchling had flown upwards was hovering a few feet above Serena and was looking towards the river.

"I know girl, not how I pictured my first outing with Ash to go." Serena said as she lowered her naginata and rubbed her Pokémon under her chin. I have to tell Ash that I care about him; it's so hard to talk with him. We've been exchanging letters for years but I can't talk to him without changing the subject. I have to talk to him before we part company.

"Backwards strike incoming!" Ash's voice echoed from the cave mouth startling Serena for a few seconds before she picked up her weapon and started to move towards the cave when she felt Fletchling drop onto her shoulder and pointed its wing towards the high grass, Serena tensed when she saw the grass shake as forms moved through it.

"He was right, this was too easy. Flecthling, I think we can help Ash, but it depends on you, will you help me?" Serena said, receiving a nod from the small Flying type.

"Thank you so much, this is what I need you to do." Serena said as she smiled at Flecthling.

Ash reacted as soon as he saw the spiral of water shooting towards him, raising his shield to block it but when it hit the force pushed him back a foot. When he the water stopped he peaked behind and cursed to himself at what he saw, standing before him was a ring of 20 Bidoofs with 10 normal Bibarels behind them was a Bibarel with a cracked right incisor. As he looked around he realized just what the Quest was really about. A pack this size with wouldn't be unknown for long, if that sculptor has been coming here they wouldn't be here unless they were the cause of his injury, so this was the twist then. Ash thought as he looked down, smiling when he saw Pikachu start to spark and Froakie reaching for his frubbles slowly. He gestured to them to not attack and took a step forward. The Bidoofs looked at him with concern while the larger Bibarel glared at him while the smaller Bibarels formed a line between him and their Alpha

"Listen, I had no idea that this cave was your den. I just came to get this crystal and I took only the smallest one in there; you guys just let me pass and I promise I'll never come back." Ash said as he looked eyes with the pack leader. He saw hatred and distrust in its eyes and he wasn't surprised when it gestured to it followers to attack.

"Guess this is gonna be the hard way then." Ash muttered under his breath as he prepared to defend himself and his Pokémon. Before they could do move crescents of white energy hit the Bidoofs closest to Ash, causing the pack leader to look around for where the attack had come from.

"FENNIKEN AIM AT THE GRASS, HIT IT WITH EMBER!" Serena's voice called out from above before small orange sparks flew over Ash's head and caused the high grass, causing a fire to breakout all around the pack. As the Bidoofs and Bibarels started to panic Ash heard a noise to his left and saw Serena with her Fenniken running down the hill towards the trees to his right.

"Ash come on, we've got to move!" Serena voice got Ash to move again and he ran after her, his Pokémon on his heels. After a few minutes of running they had reached the road back to Santalune City they stopped and as he fought to catch his breath he looked at Serena as Fletchling landed on her shoulder and nuzzled her check.

"That fire, how do you know it won't spread?" Ash demanded as he huffed as he sent a small glare at Serena.

"I had Fletchling here create a fire break while they surround you. And with those Pokémon there fighting the flames, it should buy us some time to get away." Serena said as she smiled at Ash. Noise behind them from the direction they had run from caused them to turn their heads before Ash shoved the crystal into Serena's arms.

"Get to the city's border; I'll be right behind you. They won't back down without a fight, the four of us will hold them at bay." Ash said as Serena grew angry.

"I'm not leaving you alone Ketchum so get rid of that idea right now!" Serena snarled at Ash as she pointed her naginata at him, causing him to smirk at her.

"I thought you would say that Serena, so then; Froakie! Take the crystal from Serena and find a place to hide it before you attack, we've come too far to fail now, Serena whatever you do try not to kill them." Ash said with a serious look on his face. Froakie took the crystal and jumped into the trees just before the Bibarel with the cracked tooth charging into the clearing, 2 of the other Bibarel flanking it. Ash looked and tried to think of a strategy before he saw the three Pokémon open their mouths and a light blue ball was forming in front of them. An Ice Beam! He thought with shock.

"Dodge the beams!" Ash called as he threw himself to the side before the Bibarels shot the light blue beams of a Freeze Beam that hit the ground where he had been standing. He looked up to see ice on the ground in clumps, Serena and Fenniken were on the other side of the path, Pikachu was in the middle of the clearing trying to get to him on some of the ice, slipping as he tried to move and Fletchling was hovering above the center trying to keep the entire battle in his sights. Ash noticed right away that the other 2 Bibarels were stalking towards Serena and the chipped tooth one was coming towards Pikachu, looking at what was happening, he quickly made a decision.

"Fletchling, Razor Winds on the two Bibarels, Pikachu, Thunder on the one coming at you!" Ash said as he readied his shield.

"Fenniken use Ember to attack the Bibarels attacking us!" Serena ordered as she fanatically pulled the blade off her weapon before she dropped it and twirled her new staff around. One of the two Bibarels come at them was hit in the side by Flecthling's Razor Wind and was knocked to the ground while the other jumped at Fenniken and dodge her Ember attack and was hit in its face by the side of Serena's staff.

While this happened the chipped Bibarel charged at Pikachu and dodged the yellow beam of electricity that Pikachu sent at it and hit Pikachu, sending him into a tree behind him. Before it moved to bit Pikachu it was hit by a ball of water from Froakie standing on a limb of the tree Pikachu had hit, being thrown backwards onto some of the ice.

"Froakie, great job, use Water Sphere, keep the pressure on the chipped tooth! ! Pikachu Volt Tackle! Flecthling, keep on using range strikes and Serena keep them off you! I've dealt with situations like this before; we just have to outlast them or prove we're too much for it!" Ash called out to his team. The pack leader got up and slammed its tailed onto the ice, growling as it looked around the battle. It spotted Froakie forming another water sphere and saw the Fire Fox and its trainer holding at its two soldiers at bay and dodged the charging Pikachu and grabbed its tail as it passed, throwing it onto a patch of ice near Ash.

Ash looked concerned as Pikachu tried to move on the ice. This is just like the gym battle; I need to think of a way for Pikachu to be able to move, wait, why did that Bibarel slam its tail into the ice? It did it to steady itself, Pikachu doesn't need to move, he just needs to stay still so he can use range attacks. I was so caught up with finding a way to let Pikachu move I ignored the obvious, he needs to find a way to attack not move. That's it!

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail to anchor yourself in place, quick! Then blast away with Thunder!" Ash called out as Pikachu stumbled again. Hearing what Ash said Pikachu understood what he had to do and when his tail started to glow white he slammed it into the ground, breaking the ice and slammed his tail into the created opening. Froakie jumped between his trainer and the Bibarel the water sphere between its hands ready to thrown. The Bibarel dodged another blast of electricity and when it saw that one of its followers was on its last legs it growled and barked a command before it ran back towards its den. The other two stumbled after their leader and Ash looked around before he started to put his weapons away. He shot a look at Serena and smirked when she started to use her staff to hold herself up as she partly collapsed, the adrenalin finally going away.

"I told you, we just had to prove that we were a harder target then it was expecting and we could force to retreat. Froakie, get the crystal and watch from above, give us a sign if you see anything coming at us. " Ash said softly, causing Froakie dashed off to get the crystal.

Serena looked at Ash and she was shocked at how calm he was. How can he be so calm about this, just what has he done on his journey that he was able to handle something like this, just what has he done over the years? Serena looked at Ash as he took the crystal from Froakie before it jumped back into the trees.

"Anyhow Serena, we might want to come back if what I think happens." Ash's words caused her to look at him in total shock as he started to walk back towards the Town.

"If what happens Ash?" Serena wondered as she moved to catch up with him. She was answered when he turned his face and she saw a look of worry in her eyes.

"Something I'm hoping I'm wrong about, but if I'm right, then it's going to be bad for that pack." Ash said solemnly as he walked.

"…Now let me sleep you stupid Fairy." Ginny's voice said as the recording finished. Amanda, Albia, Pinsir, Flaaffy were standing around the table in Amanda's kitchen. Albia had told Amanda she need to talk to her and to give them a chance had invited her and Delia over for dinner after the lunch rush was over. Giving the hurricane that was coming towards them Amanda had convinced Delia that it would be best if she and Albia slept over at her house just in case something happened giving how far out of town Delia's house was, and had said that after supper the three of them would figure out where they would each sleep and what supplies they should have to feed them and their Pokémon. Delia had agreed and offered to grab some takeout before she went over, the time before Delia brought the food over was giving Albia the chance to talk to Amanda about what her team had discovered the night before.

"I always knew something was wrong with that stupid Mime, I just knew it!" Amanda snarled as she slammed a fist on the table, causing the dishes to jump and Albia to look at her with a worried look on her face.

"And she's involved, by the Types I had hopped I was wrong, but she is one of them. And what's worse I think it might be something more, maybe something to control her." Albia said as she paled in fear. The tone of Albia's voice caused Amanda to look at her and she winced inside. The kid had to be right about the bitch, but dam it if we can do anything we had to know. And a 'control' would explain a lot of phone calls I've received from D in the winter.

"Don't worry kid, you and me will start to think up ways around that mime. If we can get it away from Delia and into the Center, we can share this with Joy and she can arrange for it to stay in the center long enough for us to try to find a way to help Delia." Amanda consoled Albia, sending a smile her way.

"But when Mrs. Oak returns she'll know something is up when it contacts her." Albia said as she rubbed her arms.

"That's only if that thing thinks something is up, if we pull it off right it won't know anything is wrong." Amanda said with a smirk as she looked out her window and saw Delia walking towards her carrying the takeout with the in question walking beside her, a goofy grin on its face. I knew that thing's smile was fake, I need to look into getting something to one-shot that thing if I have to, maybe get a few more members for my team, maybe a Poison or Steel type. Amanda mused as she turned back towards Albia.

"Delia's here, lets save this until later kid, and try to keep an eye on that Fairy." Amanda said as she walked towards the door to the road.

"Hey Delia, glad you finally made it here with the food, running into a sleeping Snorlax or something?" Amanda's voice rang out from the front as Albia started to think. Why did they tamper with her memories, they went right to kill me when they corned me, just what are they after?! But I can try to think thought this later, I can't let that Mr. Mime know I'm onto to it, acting classes, don't fail me please. Albia force a natural looking smile onto her face and tried to handle what was to come.

"…And finally, the outbreak in Viridian City among the Pokémon seems to be worse then what was first thought. After the infected Pokémon seemed to be getting better after but 12 hours after symptoms started to die down they return worse than the first time. And most surprising fact of this infection is when the second attack hits Pokémon are unable to be recalled to their Pokéballs. Slyphco, the creators of the modern Pokéballs have not released any comments or statements as of this broadcast. The Viridian Center advises all trainers in the Viridian to Pewter area to keep their Pokémon inside or in their Pokéballs during the Hurricane if possible and to keep them outside as short a time as can be done. And finally the Viridian Airport will be shutting down for the next weak as repair work is done do to the recent attack and as they begin preparing for the hurricane that is coming towards the region, experts still don't know if it will hit the coast or die out. And that's the news as of Six O'clock here in Kanto; join us again at ten for Kanto Late Night for all developing stories." The reporter on the TV droned on as the three women and their Pokémon finished eating. Delia looked at the TV with a look of worry on her face.

"I heard about the outbreak yesterday before I went to sleep, I thought it was just one of the yearly infections, but it sounds serious." Amanda said with a hint of worry in her voice.

"You know, a friend of Ash's is studying at Viridian, maybe I'll call him and see how bad this is." Delia muttered as Amanda realized just who she was talking about.

"What kind of sickness could keep a Pokémon from being recalled?" Albia question with a look of horror on her face as she tried to think about what she had just heard.

"I'm not sure really, that's something I never thought I'd hear about really. The concept of Pokéballs are so old; I don't think I've ever heard about something like that happening. I don't know what I would do if my own Pokémon got sick like that, maybe we should put them all into their Pokéballs during the hurricane." Amanda said with a hint of worry in her voice as she looked at her own Pokémon finishing their food. Albia was watching and saw the way its eyes had widened. It doesn't want to be put into its Pokéball, but why, wait Amanda told me Sabrina a PSYCHIC tried to help her but failed, even in Johot we've heard about her power I need to talk to Amanda about Delia's treatments, if it was with her for them we might know why they didn't work. Albia thought as she looked at the Psychic-Fairy as thoughts swam through her head. As the three women talked and planed how they would handle the Hurricane approaching they never noticed that a Weavile had been eavesdropping on their conversation since Albia had started playing what her Pinsir had record the night before.

"Stupid! Idiotic Buffoons!" A glass was thrown against the wall as Rex screamed. Their spy at the police station had just sent word that three members of his gang had been captured by the Coorodinators he had sent them after. A mention that two were knocked out by a trainer with a Pikachu had sent his sister squealing and she had run off with her own followers behind her. He stalked out of the room he was in, marching through the building with no destination in his mind as he stalked with a look of rage on his face until he grabbed one of his followers before they could get away from him.

"You, has my brother left yet!? And where's my sister?" He growled at the teen in his grip. The trainer gulp nervuiosly and stammered until he found his voice.

"Yes my lord, he left hours ago with his three followers. Your sister and her hand maidens have retired to their chambers, shall I go and get her for you?" The trainer asked, hoping he would be able to get away from his master. Rex threw his minion to the floor and stalked off towards the throne room. Of course that witch is in her rooms, probably praying to that altar of hers. And one of the 'Riders had to have been captured while he was wearing my colors! When he cracks that outsider bitch Jenny will have all the evidence she needs to raid us and then it's over! I might need to start shifting focus towards the fallback site now. He thought to himself as he walked towards his throneroom. He entered and saw more of the woman with empty eyes and serveing trainers and stalked towards his throne and sat apon it, taking a goblet a woman with pink hair in rings carried to him on a tray.

"Your well o Lord?" She asked as she bowed towards the throne.

"Get Damian now, I need to talk with him." He ordered as he looked around. The chamber and

"AND ALL OF YOU CLEAR OUT, NOW!" He barked, causing the room to empty of others leaven him alone with his thoughts. Everything has gone so wrong in the last year. That bitch was almost set up to give that fool no choice but to have me become the gym leader, but no my connections to the gang had to have been revealed by that bitch's sister! I'll get her, those two brats will be nothing more than toys when I'm done with them. And those brats who helped capture my men, I don't care what that brats done in the League, he'll be broken and beggin for death when I'm finished, maybe I'll even kill his Pokémon in front of him before I kill him. He was broken from his thoughts when he heard the doors open and looked up to see the bandage covered form of Damian walk towards him, stopping before the stage.

"You wanted to see me O Noble one?" Damian rasped as he bowed before Rex.

"I'm sure you've heard what happened last night, I need you to handle it, if any of them are close to cracking, silence them." Rex ordered calm as he looked at Damian. Damian looked thoughtful and chuckled sinisterly.

"The… conditions of our agreement do allow that service to be given O' lord, but I will of course have to tell the council just what happened to cause such an action to be needed." Damian said, causing Rex to scowl and stare with hard eyes at him.

"What happened is that some stupid outsiders got involved with something that they shouldn't have. What happened is that some fools weren't up for the mission I gave them and those two will be punished when if they survive. If you want more talk to my sister about it." Rex said as he pointed back towards the front of the building. Damian bowed and walked off. Neither noticed that the girl with pink hair had been listening from the sides, neither saw the wicked smirk on her face as she drew out a small double pyramid.

Damian walked through the building until he reached a staircase guarded by two girls wearing light green dress holding crossed spears. When he approached them they moved the spears and he walked up the stairs into the second floor, here other girls in dress with normal eyes walked about and laughed, Venomoths, Butterflys and Beautiflys flying about the room while Joltiks and Spinaraks moved about the walls. He walked until he came to a tarriance garden. Rebecca was tending to a rosebush, a Vespiquen and two Beedrills were hovering around her as she worked while here and there Spinarak moved about the garden or rested on webs spun on the walls.

"How can I help you, Damian?" She asked without turning around.

"The captured gangers, who gave them to Jenny?" Damian rasped as he meet her eyes.

"It was to get the girl who beat my little brother, can't have the heir be beaten now can he and get this, the person who came to the rescue was none other than Ash Ketchum!" Rebecca said with a sequel as she turned towards Damian.

"He's in Kalos!?" Damian questioned in a high pitched feminine voice.

"I Know right?! We have to tell the other girls he's here!" Rebecca said as she put her arms around Damian and jumped around with 'him'. Damian extracted himself from her embrace and coughed.

"It's best I don't react like that when your brother could learn, that stupid Misogynist scum could hear us." Damian said with a rasp as he looked around.

"Oh yes, I don't want to give the game way at this point of the plan. Recruiting in the outer villages is going perfectly, and the repairs to the 'fallback' are just about finished, if I have to escape with my girls tomorrow then I'll only be set back a few months at most. This has been such a pain but it keeps my brother happy and he is the perfect pawn when he is happy, don't you agree my friend?" Rebecca said with a wicked laugh as one of her hand maidens came towards them carrying a tray with two goblets on it.

"Yes, the best pawns are those who think they're in charge. What about your younger brother; what will you do about him?" Damian asked as 'he' took a drink from one of the goblets.

"Oh, I thought that maybe I'd see what happens over the next few days and decide what to do then. Perhaps he'll meet a chimera or some other threat on his task that will end the problem for me." Rebecca said with a sinister smirk on her face as she looked over Santalune City, none of them noticed one of the Spinarak on the walls was unusually still that its head was pointed straight at them.

Lilith smiled as she walked through the Town with Nimue chatting about nothing as they gave off an air of laughter as they walked with bags in their arms, smiles on their faces. If anyone was watching them no one would think that the two of them were on edge, waiting for the people who were following them to jump them.

"I told you that store would have the fabric you needed Nimue! And after what happened last night some retail therapy was just what we needed girl!" Lilith said ditzy as they walked through the town. Thankful whoever was following them thought they were the masters of spycraft that when she had stumbled before she was hoping that they hadn't seen her release her Misdreavus who was following them within the ground, ready to strike when they reached a place

"And that top you got is beautiful Lilly! You know that boy might like how you look in it!" Nimue needed her but Lilith could see that her eyes were looking all over, taking note of everyone walking around the city, trying to find a place to turn and strike at the people following them. Nimue realized that Lilith was leading her towards one of the battlefields near the edge of town.

"Oh stop it you! be ready, as soon as we enter the battlefield start running towards the outskirts of town, Ash and Serena should be coming back soon, they can help us." Lilith whispered softly when she leaned towards Nimue and put her free arm around her shoulder.

"Oh come one Lilly! I saw the way you looked at him! you think they're buying this?" Nimue whispered softly as they moved.

"Oh please don't start! yeah, I think they are we just have to hope others don't join them, my team and I trained to handle multiple opponents once or twice before. And we could signal for help when the sky darkens but I doubt we have the time." Lilith said as she looked into the window of a boutique, and noticed the figures following them wearing green jackets moving closer to them.

"Ah come on Lilly, if I can't needle a friend who went shopping with me, who can I needle! do you think we could make it out of the city, maybe run towards your friends if we try?" Nimue whispered as she forced herself to laugh.

"So how about you, any crushes I should know about girlfriend! I don't know, all I know that Ash and Serena went on a gathering quest towards Vaniville Town and we're heading in the same direction, and the quest has a time limit of 2 days and Ash was sure he could handle it in one with Serena's help." Lilith whispered as Nimue noticed that other people beside those following them were starting to disappear as they neared the town's border.

"Okay, enough about boys!" Nimue said with a laughed Nimue tensed when Lilith tightened her grip on Nimue's shoulder. She looked at Lilith and noticed her eyes were hard and she was looking straight ahead. They were coming upon a Pokémon battlefield with a break wall two feet high for spectators to stay behind and a bench along the far side and with a start Nimue realized that Lilith was leading her towards the field's center.

"Aww, do you have crush on somebody back home? How about a battle back at the Center and you can tell me all about him over supper? be ready, when I call out 'now' close your eyes and release your Pokémon once it dies down, you'll know what I mean." Lilith whispered as they walked Lilith stopped and dropped the bags she was carrying and turned towards Nimue with a smile on her face.

"Okay but I should worn you my skills at contests don't affect my battle skills! I'm ready, when do we strike?" Nimue whispered as she dropped her own bags.

"Say how about we have that battle NOW! DAZZLING GLEAM, FULL SPECTRUM!" Lilith called out as threw herself at Nimue, forcing her to the ground and covering both her eyes and Nimue's with her hands as she squeezed her eyes shut. Even with her eyes shut she still saw a flash of light that stunned her until she felt a hand pull her up.

"NOW RUN, I'LL HOLD 'EM!" Lilith cried as she threw out two Pokéballs that released a Nidorina and Liepard that formed a V with her Misdreavus at the front. In around Lilith and her team were four trainers, two of them had on light green jackets over their cloths while the last two also had jade green bandannas in addition to their jackets.

"I can't believe these two bimbos were able to fight off our guys. We should just rush'em and end this." A trainer wearing a light green jacket muttered to the person walking next to him as they followed the two girls responsible for getting three of their guys arrested.

"Yeah, as soon as we get them into a pincer these two will fold like paper, right Boss?" the person answered him before asking a trainer wearing a jade bandanna the two of them were following as he watch the girls, ready to capture them.

"I don't know I don't like something about this, you fall back and follow from the right, one of them's up to something, I can feel it." The trainer wearing a bandanna said as their targets walked onto a Pokemon battlefield and two more members of their gang started to move at the girls from their left side. His orders had just been carried out, the trainer he signaled out had just dropped back and down to use the wall to

"Hey boss, ain't we at the town's border?" the first trainer asked, causing their boss to freeze and realize exactly where their target had led them to.

"Say how about we have that battle NOW! DAZZLING GLEAM, FULL SPECTRUM!"

The one of the girls they were following cried as she threw herself at the other before a Misdreavus shot up from the ground in and released flash of light that blinded them. When they finally were able to see they saw the Water trainer running out of the city limits and the other trainer was standing her ground and had a Nidorina, a Liepard and a Misdreavus before her in a V formation and she drew forth a whip. He shook his head and noticed that the trainer he had ordered to go around was already after the other one, maybe they could use a hostage to get the bimbo before them to surrender.

"So is this revenge or are you guys just all gluttons for punishment?" Lilith snarled as she cracked her whip of her and looked around at the trainers before her. One of the two trainers wearing the bandannas stepped forward and drew two Pokéballs and released a Mothim and a Durant.

"It is duty that drew us here today, merely surrender and you might survive this." He said as the others released their Pokémon; a Beedril, a Paras and the other jade bandanna released a Escavalier and a Yanmega.

Four on one not the best odds but I've dealt with worse. If I can keep their focus on me Nimue might get away, these guys don't look like they're Aura users, well most of them anyway. Lilith thought to herself as she looked at the four trainers with a smirk on her lips

"Sorry, but I was taught to keep fighting until the bitter end! Nidorina, Double Kick on the Paras and Solo! Misdreavus upwards and its your choice with Will-O-Wisp! Liepard use Night Slash and mix it up!" Lilith called before he team reacted to her commands. Nidorina ran and jumped at the Paras, kicking it savagely in its face and forcing it back, no sooner had she landed then she threw herself at the Mothim, forcing it to the ground. The Escavalier reacted first and tried to close with Nidorina before it was hit by blue fireballs as Misdreavus flew higher into the air. Durant charged at Nidorina but Liepard slashed at it with claws covered in a purple energy, forcing it backwards.

"Fuck we, ga!" One of the green trainers cried when Lilith's whip hit him on his chest. Lilith's whip wrapped around another of the green jackets and was dragged towards her where Lilith dealt him a savage blow, knocking him out. The others looked at her as the Paras crawled to the downed trainer and after trying to wake its trainer up jabbed at a Pokéball, retreating from battle. The others watched her run at them and drew forth staffs and

"Come on brats, who will dance the dance of battle with me!" Lilith called out with a savage grin. I hope I caught all of their attention, if any of them went after her I hope she can fight them off. She shook the thoughts off and focused on the battle, her team keeping the enemy Pokémon off her while she attacked the trainers.

"Beedrill, Pin Missiles!" Nimue threw herself forward as her Samurott formed a turquoise force field that blocked most of the white needles the Beedrill while her Golduck dodged a charge from a Heracross that had tried to tackle it and received a few punches in return. She had barely moved one hundred feet when the trainer who had slipped from Lilith had attacked her with two Pokémon. He ran at her with a staff raised to strike her, Nimue barely blocked with her trident as her Samurott reacted and tried to strike at the trainer attacker her but the Beedrill shot a orange beam of energy of energy that Samurott blocked with the turquoise force field but the force of the blast pushed it away from its trainer. Nimue gritted her teeth as she kicked one of his knees, and moved farther away from her team and tried to think how she could fight her way free.

"Not bad girly, maybe you might be something. But you made one big mistake when you ran." Nimue bristled and glared at her opponent.

"And that was?" She asked before a cry from her Golduck caused her to blanch when she saw that the enemy Beedrill was still sending white needles from one of its stingers at her Samurott while its other stinger was aimed at her Golduck which stunned it enough a blue energy sphere thrown by the Heracross to hit Golduck and the force of the blow sent it into a tree, knocking it out. Heracross didn't even spare a glance at its downed opponent before it charged at Samurott who met the charge with its horn and was hit with white needles from Beedrill as it maneuvered around the Protect that had Samurott had used to block its Poison Needle.

"You didn't train your team to handle duo battles girl, not that your new career will need thinking like that." Her opponent's words oozed confidence and Nimue prepared to at least take a limb or and eye before she went down.

Suddenly from the top of one of the trees two shots of a white cloudy material hit and mucked up Beedrill's wings and sent it to the ground. Before anyone could react white energy crescents from above hit Herecross, stunning it enough for Samurott to slam it against the ground. Beedrill tried to get up before it was hit by an Ember attack that knocked it out.

The bug trainer was shocked before he went dead still as a blade was put against his throat.

"And you never learned to make sure no one could stumble onto you when you're kidnapping someone." Ash said grimly as the trainer dropped his staff and raised his hands before

"Now let's not be hasty, what do I need to do to keep breathing?" The trainer asked with a shaky smile on his face. Nimue moved towards her Golduck and saw that it had only been knocked out; she rubbed its forehead and recalled it, knowing that it wouldn't get worse as long as it was in its Pokéball.

"Recall your team, before I have mine end them." Ash said grimly as Froakie jumped out of the trees and formed a sphere of water in its hands aimed at Beedrill while Samurott got off Heracross while Fletchling appeared and hovered above the downed Bug Type. Slowly he recalled his Pokemon and put their Pokéballs back onto his belt.

"So now what, I can go right?" the trainer asked as he felt the blade on his neck.

"I'm letting you live, letting you go, that's off the table." Ash said before he used his shield to knock the trainer out. Serena came out of the bushes carrying a small crystal pillar with her Fennekin at her side and looked right at Nimue.

"Nimue are you okay? What happened?" Serena asked with worry in her voice.

"Lilly and I were stalked by others like him, we lead them to a battlefield away from other people and she stayed and held them off while I escaped, I was trying to find you guys." Nimue said as she looked back towards where she had run from.

"Then, what the hell?!" Ash's words caused Nimue to turn and saw a Venomoth land on the knocked out trainer and both disappeared. Ash looked around and wasn't able to see anything until he noticed a bush rustle for a few seconds before it stopped. These people must be more organized then I thought, or there's another player in this thing. He met Serena's worried look and started to move in the direction Nimue was looking at.

"Come on, we need to backup Lilly, we'll deal with what that means after we make sure she's safe."

Lilith panted as she gazed around the battlefield. She had been able to take out three of them but her Nidorina had taken out the enemy Paras and Mothim before the Durant had knocked it out with a lucky Flash Cannon shot. Thankfully her Misdreavus had taken it out and was currently trading shots with the Escavalier as it tried to protect the Yanmega her Liepard had slashed and knocked to the ground before it had Body Slammed the Beedrill and was using Protect to keep it down. The trainer left standing was panting like her but still held his staff and was grinning at her.

"I always told those fools to train themselves as much as they did their Pokémon, but do they listen, no." Her opponent muttered as he blocked her whip with his staff.

"You can tell them that in jail." Lilith spat as she tried to hit him with her whip as she kept her eyes on her foes Pokémon and the staff wielder.

"You think I'll go down that easily girl, you've got one of yours down and three of mine are still active, one slipup and I capture you instead." The staff wielder smirked as he charged at her and thrust his staff at her, causing her to dodge the blows by a hair's length each time.

"And how will I 'slip up'?" Lilith said as he started to chuckle.

"By this, BEEDRILL, PIN MISSILE ALL!" Lilith turned and saw Beedrill firing muiltiple small white needles from all THREE of its stingers, the ones from the back stinger hit Misdreavus and gave the Escavalier a chance to fire a Flash Cannon blast that knocked her out. The

"Misdreavus! No!" Lilith cried as she looked around and saw that her sole remaining Pokémon was being surrounded by Escavalier and Yanmega while it fought to keep the Beedrill under its Protect.

"Something like that is what I'm saying, so how about you surrender, you are out numbered." He said with a smirk on his face. Lilith seethed as she looked at his face. THAT'S IT! I'll shut him up with my own hands! I'll teach him not to mess with an Aura user before I break his neck! Lilith thought as her eyes started to glow purple. Before the he could noticed the glow however.

"PIKACHU, VOLT TACKLE ON THE ESCAVALIER! FLETCHLING RAZOR WIND ON YANMEGA!" Ash's voice snapped Lilith concentration and she stopped drawing on her Aura and whipped her head towards where his voice came from to see Pikachu's body black and white surrounded by a golden glow dash by and collide with Escavalier.

"PIKA PIKA!" Pikachu cried when he impacted the Steel Bug Type and the momentum of his movement forced Escavalier backwards, volts of yellow electricity move about its body indicating it was parleyed. While Pikachu had done this silver energy crescents had hit Yanmega and had knocked it the ground and Fletchling appeared and hovered above the downed Bug Type.

"Perhaps you should surrender since you're out numbered now." Ash said dryly from where he, Serena and Nimue were, Serena's Fenniken was next to Nimue's Samurott and both moved towards where Liepard had repositioned the Protect to keep the Beedrill contained.

The staff user looked around and took stock of what was around him. He fumbled for his Pokéballs and swiftly recalled his two Pokémon and smiled at something he saw above the trees.

"FROAKIE!" Ash's Froakie call caused Ash and the others to turn and saw a swarm of Venomoths come over the trees and angled towards the downed trainers and their Pokémon, Ash whipped his head when he heard a small chuckle from the staff wielder.

"I think I'll just leave, till next time we meet in combat." He said as Ash lunged at the Venomoth flying toward him with his shield to bash it but it slipped by him and landed on the trainer and teleported away with the others landing and teleporting the fallen Pokémon and trainers away. Ash looked around as Froakie came into the area carry the crystal in its arms and just shook his head with a look of wonder on his face. Serena walked and put her free arm on his shoulder.

"Ash, what's wrong?" Her question caused Ash to look at her and gave a small sigh.

"This is the first time I ever saw a group with a teleporting exit strategy, I really don't like the implications. I think maybe we should get back to the center, we'll be safer there." He said as he walked over to Lilith's and Nimue dropped bags and picked them up.

Bonnie skipped about outside the Center as she laughed as her brother watched with a smile on her face. She had aced her test and she had such a surprise to share with Lilly and Serena when she saw them again.

"Dinner is now served in the dining room and will be available until seven. After which the kitchen will be closing at ten. Once again Dinner is now served." The speakers called, causing Clemont to start to worry. Was Lilly attacked after she left Nimue? Maybe I should have gone with her after all. Clemont thought as he started to grow worried.

"If anything happened to her I'll kill em." Clemont muttered under his breath.

"There they are, oh they ran into Ash and Serena." Bonnie's voice caused Clemont to snap and look at Bonnie before he followed where she was looking to see Ash, Serena, Lilly and Nimue walking towards the Center. Clemont gave a sigh of relief before he noticed marks on Lilly and Nimues clothing that indicated they had been in fight.

"Serena, Lilly! Your back!" Bonnie said with a smile on her face as she hugged Serena's legs.

"Hi Bonnie! How'd you do on the test?" Lilly asked as she squatted down and smiled at the younger girl.

"I aced it! And guess what?" Bonnie said as she drew forth a Pokéball and threw it, releasing Dedenne who jumped onto Bonnie's shoulder. Ash's eyes had widened a faction and Serena and Lilly both had a look of confusion on their faces.

"As of Noon today I am now a Junior Trainer!" Bonnie exclaimed as she smiled.

"It basically means she can own at most two Pokémon and is able to assist in level 1-3 Quests, she'll need to show at least some skill with a weapon or style or a family member will take 'possession' of them if she falls." Clemont said as he caught Ash's look.

"So how was your day Lilly, and how hard was the Quest Serena?" Bonnie's chipper aititude

"The quest was actually pretty suprisisng, Ash and I had to fight off three wild Pokémon to finish it, lets get something to eat and I'll tell you all about it. Ash could you tell Nurse Joy we're back and finished the Quest?" Serena asked as she took one of Bonnie's hands and led her, Nimue and Lilly into the Center.

"I remember where Nurse Joy said she'll be, I lead you to her." Clemont offered as he gestured for Ash to follow him. Clemont lead him away from the girls and once they were far enough away that Bonnie wouldn't hear him to turned sharply to face Ash.

"What happened to those two Ash?" Clemont demanded.

"The same gang that attacked Nimue and Lilly last night, and get this; they had enough Venomoths to teleport them away after Lilly knocked out most of them who attacked them, and someone followed after one of them who slipped by Lilly after Nimue." Ash said flatly. Clemont listened and leaned against the wall in shock.

"That's more than just a gang of punks, that's an organized group that more like one the Teams. But something like that in a town with a Gym, how did they get so strong." Clemont wondered as he looked upwards.

"And why did they decide to attack the girls, I fear when the time to leave the city they might make it harder than it was to come in." Ash said with a grim tone, causing Clemont to nod.

Brock looked towards the setting sun and sighed. After they had left clearing they had found the path torn up and debris that looked like something had left it in that state to make following the trail harder. With each blockade they found, the surer Brock was that whatever was happening on the Mountain was bigger than he had thought it was. He turned and saw that Yuji had his eyes on Salma and Agalia talking as the two rode their Pokémon, Brock frowned as he saw that Yuji's eyes were locked on Agalia. If those two aren't from the League then does Karin know; did they trick her or is she in on it? Whatever 'it' really is I can't let it interfere with this expedition, as I heard before, 'ignorance kills in the field.' Brock thought as he looked around the trail. He perked up when he noticed that they had reached the ledge where they would set up camp but frowned when he saw the door was opened and webbing was around the clearing. He signaled his party to stop and gestured to his Steelix to drop him, recalling his Pokémon once he had reached the ground. As the others stopped and gathered around him he released two of his Pokémon, his Croagunk and Marshtomp.

"Okay, we've reached our first campsite but whatever is on the mountain was here as well so get your weapons ready. Salma, keep watch and Agalia, you and your brother circle around to the back of the cabin and be come in from there. Croagunk, Marshtomp we're breaching through the door, Yuji, you'll follow after." Brock commanded, causing Yuji to nod and release his Rhydon.

"I hear anything the big guy'll break a wall and I'll come in swinging." Yuji promised as he drew a mace from his back. Agalia drew two swords as her brother drew an axe as Salma got out a bow and knocked an arrow; Brock drew his lance and gave a nod to the others before he darted towards the cabin, his two Pokémon flanking him as he moved. When they reached the cabin door he turned and saw Yuji moving towards them, he and his Pokémon making sure to stay far enough back to not be to close if Brock was attacked. Brock looked along the wall the door was on and was surprised that there were no windows on the front of the cabin but after a few seconds he decide to forget about that detail for now. He nodded at his Pokemon and Croagunk jumped through the doorway while he and Marshtomp followed it into the room, each of them ready to react to an attack. They entered a scene of devastation, debris all around the room with webbing on the broken furniture and bullet holes in the walls but nothing living within. As Brock moved towards the back of the cabin, Yuji followed behind him, and with a glance around the room, he moved through a doorway to inspect the rest of the cabin. Brock walked into the cabin's kitchen, it was in the same shape as where he had entered the structure, a table broken into pieces and bullet holes in the walls with webbing on the walls and floor. He opened the door to the outside saw Agalia and her brother coming around the right side and signaled them to come inside and went to call in Salma in. When he returned leading Salma he saw Agalia had entered the kitchen in front of her brother, a frown forming on her face as she looked around the room.

"There are signs of a large battle that moved through the trees on the right side." Kunz reported flatly when he saw.

"That fits with the state of the other rooms. Their destroyed, webs everywhere and broken furniture. Whatever broke in here rampaged through the whole cabin and took almost every bit of food or organic material they could find." Yuji reported when he rejoined the group. Salma looked around the room, stopping to look at a stain on the wall next to a bullet hole with a frown.

"This is a lot worse than I thought it would be, this is not the work of just one creature. And if a pack moved into the area recently, it wouldn't have any connection to the outbreak. And the holes in the wall show that someone with a gun was here and either escaped or was captured by whatever attacked this place." Brock said with a grim look on his face.

"Chimera packs that travel usually try not to attract attention, they usually stays away from manmade structures. If someone could fight them at range, I don't think a pack would throw bodies at someone and police their dead so we wouldn't find traces, and the destruction of this place is… not right with documented Chimera behavior." Agalia said, drawing a sharp look from Yuji. Documented behavior? Now I know you two aren't with the League. Yuji thought as he glared at the brother and sister.

"We've only found that webbing in the clearing and then there were the obstructions we found on the path up here, if a chimera was behind it that implies that it was a strategy in play, that's not normal. Should we turn around and return to the city together tomorrow?" Yuji asked as he turned towards Brock. Salma had been listening from where she was standing but a white stain with pink spots by the door caught her attention and she moved to look at it closer.

"No, we still don't know what is happening here, we've only found things that make more questions than we had when we started. The only thing to do is keep going tomorrow…." Brock began before he was interrupted.

"This here, I think its blood!" Salma's voice caused the other to turn and look at her. They turned and saw Salma crouched by the door, looking out towards the left. Brock led the others to group around her as she led them out, following white splatter marks on the ground towards the cliff. Brock grabbed Salma's arm when she tried to move to the edge.

"The blood goes over the cliff; we need to know what's over the edge." Salma said with a frown on her face as she locked eyes with Brock who looked at her and sighed.

"Then you need to do it the right way." Brock said sharply as he brought out a length of rope. Looking around he saw a nearby sturdy looking tree and walked to it, tying the rope around the tree before he threw it towards Salma who looked at it for a second before she tied it around her waist. Moving towards the edge she kept a hand on the rope as she reached the edge and looked downs and starred at what she saw.

"Anyone got a flyer on them, because we really need to bring that up." Salma breathed as she stared at a black form on a tree jolting out of the side of the cliff.

"What do you see?" Brock called from the tree.

"I think I'm looking at the corpse of a Chimera." Salma answered him.

A few minutes later Brock had his Crobat tie a rope around, Crobat holding the other end in its mouth to steady the corpse and they were able to bring up it up safely, it was revealed to be a black chitin covered insect like body with hands and sharp pointy legs, one of two multifaceted eyes above its mouth was popped with white stains around the socket. The body had other bullet holes in it and a savage bit mark on the front portion of the body. Brock, Salma, Agalia and Kunz gathered around it, looking over the corpse while Yuji looked around the area by the cliff face intently, taking in the cabin and the area around the area behind it.

"This is a Chimera? This is the first time I ever saw one of them up close, even a dead one." Salma said as she looked at the corpse on the ground before them.

"What about during the last Siege?" Kunz asked in a flat voice.

"Mom was so scared when the first report she dragged all of us to the gym and hid in the shelter for the duration." Salam said with a sheepish look on her face.

"I think it was a pack of these things, this is too small to have done half of the damage we found on its own. And giving its condition this happened last night" Agalia said as she tried to move the arm, but rigor mortis had set in.

"But what happened, that's the question we need to answer." Brock said grimly as he observed the body.

"I think the attack happened while the sun was setting." Yuji voice caused them to turn and look at him, noticing him pointing towards the trees. The others saw the trees behind the cabin were covered with shadows cast by the cabin itself.

"Look, the setting sun sets hits the cabin first, they attacked with the sun at their back and surrounded the cabin. With no windows on the front unless someone was out there they would have had the element of surprise, I think whoever was in the cabin fought to escape to the back and was forced towards the cliffs, but one of their Pokémon threw the body we found over the cliff, maybe by way of a bite. After that I think they escaped that way, towards Johto or the Plateau." Yuji finished as he turned towards the others to meet looks of shock at what he had theorized. Brock looked around noticing that the webbing was more focused around the cliff,

"That might be what happened but how'd you figure it out so fast? How'd you know where they went?" Brock asked as he looked around the clearing, trying to figure out what Yuji had seen.

"My family used to come to this place whenever we would go to see the Kanto League Conference when I was younger. The woods have a path that leads to a fork that leads to either Johto or the Plateau, the battle those two found most likely was from when they escaped, the splatters we followed were from the eye, and it bleed out from that and the bit mark. Whatever threw it had fangs maybe an Arcanine or something with a similar body shape." Yuji mused as he looked towards the setting sun with a frown. Brock saw the look on his face and grew concerned.

"What's wrong?" Brock asked as he started to look around the area, trying to see what Yuji had.

"An organism that finds food at a location usually comes back when its hungry." Yuji said grimly as he looked around.

"What does that have to do with…. the food that remained in the cabin. You think something might come back for it tonight?!" Brock demanded as the others and their Pokemon started to look around.

"If someone escaped then maybe the rest of these things might chase them down but they will be back sooner than not. But it's a possibility that they will be back tonight, so let's use what daylight we have left to make this place more defensible, maybe make a moat or something a few yards out and put the remains of the furniture in the doorways, also I need to check the food, if we can't use it we should destroy it and the structure." Yuji's grim words caused the others to look at him in shock.

"Why the hell would we destroy the food Yuji!" Salma demanded as she just looked at him.

"If those things comeback, we want to leave them nothing that would help them attack Viridian, for some people it might be the difference between life and death." The replay caused the others to look at each other for a few minuites before Brock realized Yuji was right. To protect the citizens of Kanto, that is the purpose of the League and the Gyms are responsible for that defense. And those steps are the right thing to do. Brock's thoughts caused him to adopt a grim look.

"He's right, we have to. Here's what we're doing so listen up, I'm only going over this once! Salma start having your Onyix make a trench around the cabin out thirty feet after we move this sample within that radiance! Kunz start gathering wood to throw into the trench, use every three if you have to but I want us to be able to create a fire wall around us. Yuji since you brought it up I guess you have a way to check the food?" Brock said as he turned to face Yuji.

"Yes." Yuji said simply as he started to walk towards the cabin.

"Good, Agalia you keep an eye on your brother as he gathers the wood and watch the back for anything, I'll cover the front." Brock said as he led his team towards the front of the cabin, the others.

Farther out Shadow had watched and heard all that Brock and the others had done and behind his mask he smiled, glad that Brock had a good head on his shoulders. He had been one of the team that found the Chimera during the Siege and getting back to civilization had been hard, but their leader had a head on his shoulder like Brock and they had survived to return with the information that had ended that scourge. And now to fight the people who had made that thing he need to watch over this group and protect them from the enemy within.

"And I'll watch over the lot so none of them try and kill the others Rock Leader." He whispered as he slipped into the gathering night, looking for a place to lay down and watch over the cabin, ready to strike anyone or anything attacked. He perked up when he saw Yuji look at the two 'hunters' as they went about their tasks wondering if he could risk talking to him when he was alone so he could warn one of them about the danger in their mist.

JR. Trainer: Only in the countries that don't follow the treaty fully does this exist. The idea was created to allow a trainer time so they can prepare for being on their own by 'interning' with an experienced trainer. Jr Trainers are able to own up to three Pokemon and do general Quests within city limits. Although generally this is done by the local gym or trainers in towns in all regions, Kalos and Alola are the only regions where this has become official.