Michael had refused to leave his room since he returned. He just sat on his bed curled into a ball with his face in his knees.

He didn't even move when Jovi walked in with her Pokemon. Plapla in her arms. Mimi at her side. "Big brother…Are you okay?"

Michael didn't respond.

"Jovi knows that hero meant a lot to you."

"He was my biggest inspiration…and now he's gone."

Jovi climbed onto the bed. "Plapla's been sad too…Jovi doesn't know why."

Again, Michael didn't reply to her.

"Big brother…what will you do now?"

"What can I do? If it weren't for me Orre would still have its hero."

"But Jovi knows you're a hero too."

"Some hero." The boy muttered. "I couldn't save him."

"There was no way anyone could have saved him, Mchael. He knew that."

Michael's head shot up at the sound of a familiar voice. He looked at the doorway to see a familiar man next to Krane.

"Eagun?"

"Who are you?" Jovi asked.

"A friend of ours." Krane replied. "I called him and explained what happened."

Eagun walked over to Michael. "Michael…I…"

The boy started to tear up. "I'm sorry…he was your friend…and now he's gone…I failed you…"

"No, Michael…I'm sorry. There's something I have been hiding from you…and all of our friends." Michael and Jovi stared intently at the man as he sat down and put a hand on Michael' shoulder. "You see…I knew."

"Knew…what?"

"Everything. About what happened to Rui and Wes. Beluh and I knew all along."

Michael's teary eyes widened. "What?"

Eagun sighed. "It was around a year ago. Beluh and I were just passing the time at home…"


A knock was heard at the door.

"Hmm? Now who could that be?" Beluh asked.

"Come in!" Eagun hollered.

The door slowly opened. Their gust stepped in and closed the door. Footsteps echoed into the house as he stepped into the room.

Neither of them could believe it. "Wes?!" Eagun asked. "Is that you?!"

"It's been a while." The young man said with a small smile.

"My goodness, it's so good to see you!" Beluh smiled. "It's been years!"

"Indeed!" Eagun beamed. "Why, we've been wondering how you and Rui were…Hmm? Where is Rui?"

Wes sighed and walked to the other end of the table. "Eagun…Beluh…That's what I'm here to talk about. We were in Hoenn…I was letting Rui sleep in at the Pokemon Center while I went to the gym…when I came back…the place was ransacked…It was Cipher. They took Rui."

Wes looked away as Eagun and Beluh were in shock.

"I'm sorry…you trusted me with her…and I let her get taken…"

"What?! But Cipher is gone!" Eagun said.

"Not for much longer. It's going to have a new leader soon."

"New leader!? Besides Evice!?"

"Yes…a far more powerful one." Wes said with a grim stare. "One that's going to reign terror all over Orre."

"Who is it!? We'll take that scoundrel down!"

"This is an enemy I can't defeat. Literally."

"What do you mean? Who could this leader be if he worries even you?"

"Me."

Eagun and Beluh gapped. "You?" the woman asked. "What do you mean?"

"The man who arranged the kidnapping…Greevil contacted me. Edvice was only the leader of Cipher here in Orre…Greevil is their true leader. He has Rui held at Citadark Island. I've tried everything, but it's impossible to reach and I'm running out of time. Tomorrow is the last day to turn in to his demands."

"Demands?" Eagun asked.

"That I lead Cipher."

"Wes…you're not really going to-

"I don't want to. But I have to. It's the only way to assure Rui's safety."

"Wes…"

"Eagun…Beluh…I'm so sorry."

The man stood up and walked over to his friend. He held his shoulders. "Wes, look at me." The young man stared at his face. "Please don't think this is your fault. Cipher is to blame, not you."

"Maybe so…but my existence is what put Rui in captivity."

"But you pulled her out of it when you first met, remember? If it had not been for you, she'd be in the grips of kidnappers right now anyway."

Wes's eyes wandered to the floor.

"And it's not just her safety we're worried about." Beluh said. "It's also yours. If you go through with this, who knows how it will impact your future."

"My future?! My future means nothing to me if she's not in it! Why should I have one instead of her?!" Eagun and Beluh were taken aback at the normally calm man's outburst. He sighed and looked away. "Sorry."

"It's fine…"

"But Wes…" Eagun said. "If you do this-

"I know. People and Pokemon will suffer. I'll be a pubic enemy. Hated and shunned by everyone. But I have to do it. I'm used to being alone anyway."

"Wes…"

"To be honest…I'm making a huge gamble telling you two…if Greevil finds out that I'm telling you this…"

"Then why make the risk? You don't feel that you have to tell us because of Rui, do you?"

"Well…I won't deny that's part of it." Wes admitted. "But the truth is…I have a favor to ask. You're the most experienced trainer I know, Eagun. That's why I'm asking you."

Wes took two Pokeballs from his pocked and tossed them. A Eevee and a Plusle came out.

"Hmm? Wes, is that Plusle-

"Dunking's." Wes nodded. "The Eevee is one Rui and I encountered in our travels. I'm going to be walking down a lonely, painful path…I don't want Dunking's Pokemon or this little guy to endure what I must. So, I want to leave them with you…"

"Wes…"

"I want them to live peaceful lives so that they don't have to see the terrors Rui and I have. Can I ask you two to take care of them?"

Eagun nodded. "Of course, Wes. That's the least I can do."

"Thank you. I promise I'll find a way to save Rui. Until then…" Wes sighed and kneeled down to his Pokemon. He smiled and patted them on the head one last time. "Eevee…Plusle…goodbye. I hope you live happy lives." He then stood up and looked at Eagun and Beluh. "See ya..."

He then walked out of the door without saying another word. Eevee and Plusle had sad expressions while Eagun and Beluh's held deep concern for their friend.

"Goodbye Wes…" Eagun said. "And good luck."


"And that's how we knew." Eagun concluded.

Michael was at a loss for words. He looked at his belt and took out a Pokeball. Jolteon's.

"So, Eevee was Wes's, just like he said...Does that make Jovi's Plapla…?"

"Yes. That's Dunking's Plusle."

Jovi looked down at the crying Pokemon in her arms. "You were friends with the hero, Plapla? Is that why you're so sad?"

"Wes saved that little one from Cipher." Eagun explained. "It's been with him ever since…"

"I'm sorry Plapla…" Jovi said, with tears in her eyes as she hugged her Pokemon.

"He was your former trainer, wasn't he, Jolteon?" Michael asked. "And because of me you had to watch as he…"

"It really is sad…and to think Rui never got a chance to tell him how she felt about him…"

Michael glanced back at Eagun. "Then Perr was right…your granddaughter…she had feelings for Wes, didn't she?"

"Indeed…one time when Wes was running errands at the Poke Mart, Rui told us, that she loved him…but she couldn't bring herself to say anything. Beluh and I have been trying to encourage her to tell him, but…"

"Then that's another person I failed…"

Professor Krane stepped into the room. "Michael…I'm truly sorry…but you need to stay strong. Orre still needs its hero. Maybe now more than ever."

"You're right. It does." Michael said looking down. "And I let Greevil destroy him…"

"Well then, perhaps it's time Orre turned to a new hero."

"Wes is the only hero Orre deserves."

"That's not what I heard." Eagun said.

"Huh?"

The man took out his P*DA. "Here."

Michael looked at it, to see it opened to his mailbox. It had very old messages. But Michael's eye caught the one at the top when he saw the return address. "From Wes?!"

"I received it when you were at the factory."

Michael immediately opened it.

Eagun, if you are reading this, I don't have much time left. In a few minutes, I'll be gone. I'm sorry I couldn't see my promised goal of saving Rui through. But there is some good news. I have seen a whole new hope for Orre. The boy. Michael, I believe his name is. I don't know why you gave him Eevee, but it's clear to me now that you made the right choice. I have seen his strength and resolve. And I know he can defeat Cipher. Five years ago, I was a hero because I had no other option. But Michael became a hero because he wanted to. He chose to. If I'm the hero Orre got when it needed one because it was stretched thin, he's the hero Orre truly deserves. I could think of no trainer I would want more for my successor. I promise you that he will be able to save her. I only wish I could see it happen. But I've seen the proof that it will, and that's good enough for me. I want all of you to know that I wouldn't be the man I was if it weren't for you and all my friends. Please let them know that.

Thank you, my friend. I hope we see each other again sometime. Somewhere.

Michael finished reading the letter and said nothing else.

"Now do you see?" Eagun asked. "Wes put all his faith in you. You are his hero."

Michael wiped his tears and got off the bed.

"Big brother? What will you do now?" Jovi asked.

"What I need to do. The world needs a hero. And if the former hero thinks I'm ready to carry the torch…who am I to argue?" He looked up with newfound willpower in his eyes. "I will stop Cipher."

Krane smiled. "I know you will. There's something I would like to give you, Michael. Would you come with me, please?"


Michael followed the professor to the room where he first received the Snag Machine.

"What's in here?"

The professor walked over to the computer and typed on the keypad. Suddenly the floor to Michael's left opened up revealing a staircase.

"Whoa!"

"Ahaha, did that startle you? Now, come with me."

Michael followed him down the stairs and into a hidden basement. He glanced at all the shelves with hidden papers. "Wow…this place could keep Chobin busy for days."

"Michael, over this way. Come with me, please."

He looked in front of his to see the professor open another door. The walked down the corridor and around a corner. There was a computer set there.

"The battle against Cipher appears to have entered a decisive phase. I think the situation calls for a special solution. Michael, there's something here I'd like you to use." He then glanced to a Pokeball-shaped box. "Go on, open that box and take what's inside."

Michael opened the box. He saw a purple and white Pokeball with a m on it. "This is…"

"That's a Masterball. It's the one Pokeball that's foolproof. It has a 100% capture ratio. You should only use it if you're sure that is the right thing to do. Keep at it!"

Michael pocketed it away. "I got it."

Together they walked up the stairs to see everyone from the lab and Eagun waiting for him.

"This is it then." Eagun said. "The final battle. Nett contacted me. He and the others are waiting at Gateon Port. They think they have a solution to get you to Citadark Island."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's up to you to give Cipher the thrashing they deserve…also…" Eagun looked down and sighed. "I know you have enough to worry about without me asking you for more but…"

"Rui, right?"

"Yes…I know this is asking a lot…"

"Don't worry. I'll save her. I promised Wes after all."

"Thank you."

Krane put a hand on Michael's shoulder. "You've come so far Michael. You'll always be a hero to us."

"Thanks Professor Krane. I'm glad you chose to give me the Snag Machine."

Lily walked up to him next. "You've become so strong Michael." She reached down and embraced her son. "I only wish your father was here to see you now. Please be careful."

"Right."

Once she let go Jovi ran up to him. "Big Brother, if something happens, Jovi will help when she gets bigger."

Michael smiled and patted her on the head. "You can start now. While I'm gone someone has to take care of the lab. Think you're up for it?"

"Of course! Jovi will help out as much as she can!"

Michael looked around to all the people there giving him their moral support. "Thanks, everyone. I'll do my best to make you all proud."

His mother smiled. "You already have."

Michael hurried out of the lab. Everyone started cheering for him as he did.


As soon as Michael reached the port, he ran into the ONBS kids. Dunking, Silva, and Chief Sherles were there as well.

"Guys?"

They all turned to Michael and hurried over to him.

"Hey Michael." Dunking said. "You did a good job, taking out that factory."

"Thanks…but Wes…"

"Eagun told us everything." Megg said sadly. "To think all this time Rui was being held by those creeps."

Bitt looked down. "He was a good man. I just wished I got a chance to make up for all I owe him..."

"It's like what happened to Dunking's Pokemon all over again…" Silva sighed. "If only we knew what was going on sooner…"

"The world feels so small now that he's gone…" Secc added. "I'll miss him…"

"I miss him already…" Nett said. "I was really hopping to show him what we made of Orre…but now I never will get a chance…"

"And nobody will ever know what he was really hoping to accomplish…" Marica added.

"I know the loss hurts everyone." Sherles said. "But we are not here to grieve. We must make sure we finish the job Wes started. He'd want us too."

"Chief Sherles is right." Michael said. "I've wasted enough time drying tears on the sidelines. We can't let Wes's sacrifice be in vain! It's time we took the fight to Greevil and finished Cipher once and for all!"

"You're right…" Secc said. "There will be time for tears later. But for now…we take action. And on that note, follow us, Michael. We've got something to show you."

Makan smiled as he saw Michael approach. Perr was standing next to him. "Ah, here you are. Over this way. Look towards the pier."

Michael stared at the man's grandson with a smirk. "Okay. What about him?"

"Oh, hardy har, har!" Perr replied. Everyone started laughing.

"Okay, seriously though mate." Dunking chuckled. "They set up a sweet ride for you."

Michael glanced at the ship sitting in the water. It resembled a legendary Pokemon. "Wait…is that the-

"That's right! That is the Robo Kyogre! Doesn't it's blue form thrill you?" Makan asked proudly.

Michael walked down the pier and over to it. "Your letting me use it?"

"Yup. Grandpa and I set it up. It can tough out any waves and get you to Citadark. It's set to auto pilot for the island." Perr said.

"It's all ready to go. You can leave whenever you're ready."

Michael walked up and touched it. He was startled when the cockpit opened up. He slowly stepped inside and looked back at his friends. "Guys…"

"Michael…please save Rui." Megg said. "Wes did all this with the hope that someday she'd be free…"

"I truly wish I could help you." Sherles sighed. "But alas, we don't have the time or the resources to mass produce the Robo Kyogre. All I can say is be careful."

"And smack Cipher down bad!" Bitt said. "For Wes!"

"I really wish I could be there to broadcast the final battle. Be ready for a heck of an interview when you get back." Marcia grinned.

"We're all counting on you mate." Dunking added. "Go get em!"

"We'll all be rooting for you." Silva smiled.

"If anyone can do it…it's you, hero." Secc smiled.

"Shame how I ain't winning that bet I made with Bitt." Perr said with a faint chuckle. "Make em pay."

"And make sure you come back safely." Nett added.

Michael smiled with a thumbs up. "Leave it all to me and my partners."

He looked back at the controls. With a few button imputes, the cockpit lowered and he speed off. Everyone watched as the Robo Kyogre became smaller and smaller.

"He really is like Wes and Rui." Megg said.

"Yeah." Bitt nodded. "He can do this. I know he can."


Shortly after his departure Michael watched the clouds darken. Slowly something came into the distance. "There it is…Citadark Island." He looked up into the sky. "Wes…I hope your watching this…wherever you are. I'll put this to an end. And I'll save Rui."


Greevil sat in his levitating chair as he looked at the map of the surrounding area. A flashing red light slowly approached. "An unidentified object…must be the boy." He turned to his two most trusted men. "Ardos!"

The man in blue stepped forward. "Yes, Grandmaster Greevil!"

"Have everyone ready for his arrival. It wouldn't hurt to grab the girl as well…just in case."

"Yes sir!"


Upon landing on the island, Michael had a few battles with some trainers with Shadow Pokemon. Making it inside a nearby cave he made his way to an elevator. But just as he stepped in front of it the door opened. A familiar girl with pink hair stepped outside.

"Oh, oh! You are so that little boy who off with Professor Krane!"

"You again?"

The girl stormed out of the elevator. "Because of what you did Master Greevil was oh so angry! It made everyone miserable, and it's so all your fault!"

"Wait…You knew about Greevil?"

"Oh, not until Protocol Citadark. All Cipher employees were instructed to come here afterword. I though Wes was going to join us there but Master Greevil told us that he was in charge now. And sheesh, did he ever point out all our mistakes! I just figured Wes quit."

Michael looked to the floor. "I wish…Greevil took Wes's friend hostage. He made him lead Cipher."

"What?"

"As for Protocell Citadark…Greevil made him stay in the factory when it blew…"

"Yeah, right. You really think anyone in Cipher would do something that mean?"

"Um, hello?! Have you forgotten that Cipher is already tormenting Pokemon?!"

"We're so not "tormenting" anyone! It's called improving!"

"Give me a break!' Michael growled. "I don't have time for this! And I don't need your approval either! Now get out of my way! I've got some payback for Greevil!"

"Oh? You want to see Master Greevil? Oh, so sorry, that is so not possible! Why? Because…" Lovrina took out two Pokeballs. "I am so going to defeat you, little boy! Here I come!"


Back at his house, Eagun sadly stared at the photo of Wes and his friends. "I hope once this is done, Wes can be at peace…"

Beluh nodded. "I only wish Rui had a chance to tell him how she felt. Now she'll never know if he felt the same."

Eagun sat down next to his wife. "I'm sure he did. That's why he did all this. For her." They looked back at Wes and Rui in the picture. "Come home safely, Michael…There has been enough tragedy."


"Go! Snag Ball!"

Michael threw a Ultra Ball at the Shadow Altaria. After three shakes it clicked.

"Gotcha!"

"Oh, boo! Now look what you've done!" Lovrina pouted as she fell to her knees. "Oh, you're terrible! I mean really! Master Greevil will be oh so cross with me again!"

"Sounds like you would be happier having to work for Wes then Greevil."

"I so, would! I mean at least he never lost his temper! Greevil treats us like pawns!"

"Sound familiar?"

"What are you talking about?"

"What about those Pokemon you sealed the hearts to? You were using them like lab rats! Do you think they enjoyed being Shadow Pokemon any more then you enjoy being bossed around by Greevil?!"

Lovrina was at a loss of words.

Michael sighed and walked past her towards the elevator. "People and Pokemon are more alike than you think. Take some time to consider that."

With that he walked into the elevator and went down. Lovrina hung her head.

"That's true…Greevil does treat us like Shadow Pokemon…what if he really did kidnap someone…?"

She stood up and fished into her pocket. She took out a ID card. "You know what? The heck with this! I so, quit!" She threw it aside and walked off. She looked at the Pokeballs on her belt.

"Sorry guys! I'm turning a new leaf! From now on, we're partners! In this together!"


I apologise, but as I'm sure you can see, I'm not doing the whole run of Citadark Island, just the highlights. Most of it would go the same way as the normal story anyway.

P.S. There is something I want to clarify from a review made by Guest on the last chapter. Yes, I am aware that the games say Ho-Oh only appears to trainers with pure hearts, but Just because someone WAS pure hearted before doesn't mean they can't change over time. Many good people have turned evil. *I apologise for any spoilers don't read anything in brackets to avoid them*

(Takumi from Fire Emblem, Anakin from Star Wars, Orested from Live a Live, Jason Todd from Batman, and heck, even Superman turned evil in Injustice.)

Given the proper circumstances any one can change from good to evil and vice versa. Wes's line in the last chapter explains it: "I changed from a criminal to being what people called a hero. Who's to say I can't change back?"

And, no, I did not make things up, as I stated before this is based off of what developers were ORIGINALLY going to do with the plot for XD. I'm just putting my opinion of how that could have gone. I apologize if it looks like I'm getting aggressive over a review, that is not my intent, I'm just trying to clarify.