Wes jumped down from Ho-oh and onto the bridge. Umbreon and Espeon jumped down next to him. The dark type got onto it's hind legs and bit into the rope around Rui's wrists.

With her hands free she slowly reached one out to Wes's face. "Wes…? Is it really you?"

The man looked at the girl in her arms with a sad stare. "I'm sorry I put you through all this."

Rui's tears started to fall again. After a brief silence she wrapped her arms around Wes's neck and started crying. "WES! I though you were…*sniff* I thought I'd never…WAAAAAH!"

Wes held her closer. "It's okay Rui. It's okay."

Ardos stepped back. "It can't be…this is impossible!"

Michael ran up to them with a bright smile. "You're alive! I can't believe it! I thought you blew up with the factory!"

"That was the plan." Wes smiled looking back up at Ho-oh. "But my former boss wouldn't accept my retirement."

"Kid, you're younger than I am! Give me one good reason why you should get to retire before me!"

Michael looked back up at the bird Pokemon as two more men emerged from it's back. "Gonzap! Walkin!"

"You know, it's rude to start off the party without us!" the man with black shades said.

"Snagum?! Here?! How can that be?!" Ardos asked. "What is the meaning of this?! We were watching! Wes didn't leave that room when the lab blew up!"

"Oh, right!" Walkin grinned. "That video camera in the room! I take it you saw it shut off and just assumed that meant the factory blew. Well it wasn't so much that as it was me hacking into your video feed. My bad."

Wes looked up at the Snagum members. Gonzap looked down at him with a smirk. One Wes returned with a nod.


The factory started to shake as Wes simply stood there. He reached into his pocket and took out a photo. The photo that had all his friends with him in front of the fountain at Phenac City.

"Nett…Bitt…Megg…Secc…Maeica…Perr…Dunking…Silva…Eagun…"

A lone tear slipped from Wes's eye.

"…Rui…I'm so sorry…"

Suddenly the door opened up.

"WES!"

He quickly pocketed the photo and looked over to see Gonzap and Walkin barge in. "You two…what do you want now? Did you not hear the announcement? Leave before, you're blown to dust with this place."

"We will. And you're coming with us." Gonzap demanded.

"I can't. I don't have time to tell you why."

"And you don't have to. I planted a listening device on the kid's arm right before he ran after you. Walkin and I heard everything."

Wes looked at him in surprise.

"I little trick I learned from you. And don't worry, Walkin hacked into their cameras, nobody will notice if you bail! Now let's go!"

Wes turned away. "I can't."

"Why, the heck not?!"

"I refuse to run from the responsibility of my actions. Now go!"

"Oh, for the love of- Gonzap grumbled as he stormed over to Wes. "Have you lost what's left of your mind Wes?! What do you think you'll gain from going out with this place?!"

"Exactly what I deserve. Now get lost. This doesn't concern you."

Gonzap grabbed Wes's shoulder and turned him around.

WHAM

"UGH!"

Wes gasped as Gonzarp punched him right in the gut. He collapsed into his arm.

"Come on!" Gonzap yelled flinging Wes over his shoulder before making a mad dash for the exit.

"Roger that!" Walkin replied as he followed.


"Now THAT's more like it!" Walin's voice cheered. "Look at that cloud! That's a satisfying self destruct!"

"Heh, heh, heh! Just like the old days!" Gonzap smirked.

"Ngh…"

Wes coughed as he regained consciousness. Opening his eyes, he found himself on a cliffside. Gonzap and Walkin were in front of him, looking at the smoking remains of the factory.

"Agh…" He clutched his stomach where Gonzap punched him.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to wake up."

"Why did you do that…? You should have left me there…"

"Tempting." Gonzap said. "But we need you to take Cipher down. And you're no help to anyone, as a ghost."

"I would have deserved it…after what I did I-

The brawny man gripped, Wes by the front of his jacket and pulled him up. "You know what? Maybe what you did was awful. And that's why you're gonna live. So, you can fix this stupid mistake of yours. What happened to not running away from the responsibility of your actions? Besides…don't you owe her an apology?"

Wes's eyes widened. He didn't say anything and Gonzap dropped him.

"Now come on. The rest of Snagum's boys are disguised as Cipher grunts and researchers and are sneaking with the rest of them to their base. We better join them. We already healed all your Pokemon for you while you were out."

"That Greevil guy mentioned a place called Citadark." Walkin said. "Know how to get there?"

"We can't." Wes bluntly replied.

"Kid, again, do you want to take responsibility for your actions or not?" Gonzap growled.

"It's not a matter of what I want. The seas around Citadark are too strong for any ordinary ship to get us there. And they have a radar to track anything coming in by air. Unless Team Snagum got a massive budget increase since I last saw you guys, we're not getting anywhere near it. It's hopeless. I already tried everything I could to reach that Island…But Greevil owns all the ships that have any chance of getting there."

"Oh, I see how it is." Walkin grumbled. "If we're trying to rule the world you can't stop us fast enough, but when some old short guy comes along itching for world conquest its hopeless. Come on man! What happened to the Wes that never gave up no matter how bad things got?"

"Rui was the optimist. I'm just being realistic."

"Come on, there's got to be a way!" Gonzap retorted. "Walkin?"

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking…" Suddenly they heard a roaring sound. "What was that?"

"Hey, look!" Gonzap said pointing to the sky.

Wes and Walkin looked up. Something big was coming their way from the bright sun. Once it close Wes recognized its red wings. "Is that…Ho-oh?!"

"Ho-oh?! As in the legendary Pokemon?!" Gonzap asked. "What's it doing here?!"

The majestic bird was now hovering right over them.

"Ho-oh…were you watching?" Wes asked.

The bird stared intently at Wes.

"Hey…I bet a legendary could get us to Citadark!" Walkin said.

Wes took a step forward. "The things I've done…I don't know if I can ever atone…But I did it…for someone very important to me…The person who's the most important to me…That person is in danger and it's all my fault. I want to save her…so please…will you help me? Help her?"

The Pokemon roared as it lowered itself to the ground, with it's wings spread, and its body lowered.

"I don't speak Pokemon or bird, but that looks like a yes to me." Walkin smirked.

Wes walked up to it and petted it. "Thank you Ho-oh. This time I won't fail. I swear I'll make things right."

Gonzap approached. "Well Wes? Think you're up for one more heist? For old times sake!"

Wes smirked. "You of all people should know Gonzap…I'm always ready."


Wes looked back at Michael. "Is Jolteon alright?"

Michael took out his starter.

"JOLT!" The electric type ran around Wes and Rui, ready to burst in joy. Then around Umbreon and Espeon.

Rui took her head away from Wes's chest to look at it. "What Pokemon is that?"

"It's Eevee, Rui." Wes replied.

"What? That little Eevee we found?"

"The same. I gave it to Eagun, who later passed him to Michael."

"He missed you both so much." Michael smiled.

Wes gently let Rui back down onto her feet. She knelled down as Jolteon, Umbreon and Espeon leaned against her. "I missed you too…" She smiled, hugging them all at once.

"Hey, lovebirds!" Gonzap called. "Hate to break the reunion, but we got work to do!"

Ardos growled as more Cipher Peons approached. "I wasn't expecting any of this…Take them!"

Gonzap grinned. "Ya boys heard him! Take em!"

Half of the Peons started punching the others. Ardos looked back at them in shock. "What are you doing?!"

The half that started fighting took off their helmets, revealing that they were Snagum members.

Gonzap and Walkin jumped off of Ho-oh. "Let's get em! RAAAAAAAH!" They both charged at Cipher.

"We should get going." Wes said looking to Michael.

"Right!" the boy replied putting the Snag Machine back on.

Just then an elevator to the left of the dome rose up. This time Gorigan came out. "Heheh! It's me again, kid! You know, it makes me kind of happy to see you since I've seen you so often!" He then noticed Wes. "What the-Master Wes?! I though you kicked the bucket!"

"Almost." The man replied. "And don't call me master. I'm not part of Cipher anymore, and I'm proud to announce it. Greevil has nothing over me now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Greevil was using Rui here as a hostage." Michael replied. "He was pulling the strings from the start."

"Huh…sounds about right. Compared to you Wes, the new master is pretty, ruthless. He blamed what happened to the factory on me. So, Master Greevil gave me one last chance to redeem myself. But this is it!"

Wes stepped forward. "We don't have to do this."

"I sure as heck do! If I lose this one, there's no tomorrow!"

Wes sighed. "Fine then. Umbreon. Espeon."

Wes's Pokemon stepped forward.

"Here goes! Go, Slawking! Ursaring!"

Gorigan sent out two of his Pokemon.

"Michael, go after Greevil." Wes ordered. "I'll deal with this."

"Right!"

Michael and his Jolteon hurried inside the dome. When he came inside he passed through another door. And then he was finally face to face with the Grandmaster.

"Greevil!"

The old man laughed from his hover chair. Eldes was to his left. "Hohoho! Now this is quite a surprise. You managed to defeat Ardos. Of course, you have also beaten so many of my followers. Perhaps it's no surprise that you won…Not compared to Wes's appearance at any rate."

"Yeah…so much for rubbing him out." Michael smirked. "And now all that's left is to stop you!"

"I must say that I haven't been this exited in a long time. I do have an appreciation for the strong, you see. However, I also cannot allow your interference. My Shadow Pokemon plan is nearing completion."

A sickening smile appeared on Greevil's face. "So, for the time being, I think I will have you securely out of the way right where you are now."

A glass screen rose up in between him and Michael.

"Glass? Really? Jolteon!"

The electric type ran up to the see-through wall and pounced. But it bounced off the wall.

"Huh?"

"Shatter proof glass." Greevil said as he turned around

"Oh, come on!"


"Umbreon, Bite!"

Wes's Pokemon bit Slowing's tail. It cried out before fainting. Gorigan growled as he returned it.

Michael then ran out of the dome. "Wes!"

The man looked behind him as Michael approached. "What happened?"

"Greevil blocked off the only way onward. Any ideas?"

"How about shut up and get lost?!" Gorigan yelled. "Poliwrath!"

He then sent out a water, fighting type.

Michael's aura reader booted up. "Wes, that's-

"Oh! It's a Shadow Pokemon!" Rui said.

Michael was dumbstruck at first. Then he remembered something. "Oh, yeah. Eagun said she could see Shadow Pokemon on her own."

Wes smirked. "Like old times. Is it weird to say I missed this?"

As Wes looked at the Shadow Pokemon he glanced at the elevator Gorigan entered in.

"Espeon!"

The psychic type opened its eyes wide. A purple light flashed around Michael as he was levitated off the ground.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

Gorigan watched as he flew over his head.

"Hey!"

Just before he could follow, Umbreon jumped over him and blocked him off.

Michael was gently set onto his feet in front of the elevator. "Thanks!" He hurried inside.

"Now then, Rui…" Wes smiled. "Let's get to it."

The girl nodded. "I'm with you. Always."


The elevator lead to a corridor where Michael had to fight two more Peons. But he came to an elevator taking him back into the dome. After entering another automatic door, he found Greevil and Eldes in the room they locked him out of.

"Okay, why do you guys have this here?"

Both men turned to Michael in surprise.

"Eldes!"

"Sir!"

"Who allowed this child to penetrate our defences so deeply?! What is the meaning of this?! The others can't be counted on at all. I am giving you the responsibility of dealing with this child."

Greevil's chair started moving away as Eldes approached Michael. "You finally managed to anger Master Greevil. I thought I would end up battling you one day…But this isn't how I had hopped to face you."

"Me too…" Michael replied in a disappointed tone. "It feels like the time Wes confronted me at that lab all over again…It's not right."

"If we battle, it will only be unfulfilling and without meaning. Will you challenge me knowing that?"

Michael shook his head. "No. All battles have meaning to me. And here…I want to see who's stronger between us. And I want to stop Greevil so nobody gets used the way he used Wes and Rui."

"Fine. I understand. But once we begin, expect no mercy. That is my philosophy."

Both trainers took out their Pokeballs.

"Ninjask! Manectric!"

"Ursaring! Ledian!"


Wes set a Ultraball into the Snag Machine. "Go, Snag Ball!"

He threw it at Gorigan's . Three vibrates and it clicked.

"Gotcha."

Gorigan slammed his fists into the ground. "Graaah! We're doomed!"

Rui felt her cheeks slightly redden. "He's just as dreamy as I remembered when we last did this…"

"Bleah! That was the very last chance Master Greevil gave me!" Gorigan growled.

Wes pocketed the two Shadow Pokemon he caught. "Gorigan."

The man looked up to him. "Huh?"

"You fought well. You're a great trainer."

"Wh-what are you pulling?"

"You're overqualified for Cipher. I know why you joined at first. You wanted to be recognized and respected. But Cipher isn't how you do it."

Gorigan stayed silent as We continued.

"You need to become the best trainer you can be. Not the best Cipher can make you. When I left the team, I used to work with, I thought I would just live my life as an ordinary man…but now people call me a hero."

Gorigan slowly walked away. "So, you're saying, if I quit Cipher I can be better?"

Wes nodded.

Gorigan went silent for a moment. Then he turned to face the dome. "HEY, OLD MAN! I QUIT! CATCH ME IF YA CAN!" He then ran off laughing. Wes smiled. He then heard the cry of Ho-oh behind him. He and Rui approached it.

"Wes…is this the same Ho-oh?"

"It is."

Rui slowly reached a hand to pet it. "Wes…I think it wants to be by your side. I think it's asking you to be its trainer."

The Pokemon let out another cry as if approving.

Wes took out an empty Pokeball. "Are you sure? Even after all I've done?"

The bird nodded.

"Ho-oh…thank you. I won't let you down."

He opened it and Ho-oh went inside. It didn't even vibrate. It clicked as soon as the ball closed. Wes put it with the rest of his Pokemon.

"Wes, are you alright?" Rui asked.

"Asked the girl who threw herself off a bridge." He replied turning to her with a serious expression. "Rui, what were you thinking?"

Rui looked down as she spoke. "I…I thought you were already gone…I just wanted to see you again…"

"Rui…everything I did as Cipher's leader, I did for you. So that you could live. If you did that…it would all have been for nothing!" Wes put a strong grip on her shoulders as he continued. "I can't believe you would do something so stupid! Don't scare me like that!"

Rui looked up at him with the same frustration he had in his eyes. "What about you?! You were putting your neck on the line the whole time! You could have gotten arrested! And you nearly died too! Why are you the only one who can be put at risk!?"

Wes slowly let his hands drop and looked down. "You of all people should know why. Because between the two of us, you're the one who deserves to be safe and happy. Your life is more important then mine."

There was a moment of silence after Wes finished that statement.

SMACK

Umbreon and Espeon were taken aback. They never thought they would see Rui of all people hit someone. Lest of all Wes. Yet she slapped him right in the face. Wes's head was turned to the right from the hit. He slowly tilted it back to see Rui. Not only did he see tears wheeling up in her eyes. Anger. Sadness. Fear. A mixture of painful emotions.

"Don't ever say that again…"

Wes was in shock. Not from the slap. Her expression hit him harder than her hand could.

"Rui?"

"You think your life means nothing…? It means everything to me!" She threw herself into his chest with balled up hands and her face pressed against it. "And do you think I'll be happy with a future, that doesn't have you in it?! That cost you your life?! I could never find happiness in a world like that!"

Wes was stunned when she started crying. The only thing he could think of doing was wrapping his arms around her.

"I'm sorry, Rui. But I feel the same. That's why I'll pay any price for your sake."

Rui returned Wes's embrace. "*sniff* Just promise you won't leave me…"

"I promise. I won't let anything sever us again." Wes rubbed Rui's back soothingly, doing his best to comfort her. After letting her weep for a minute, he slowly parted. "I guess now that I made that promise…I can't tell you to wait here while I go help Michael?"

Rui shook her head as she wiper her remaining tears with her sleeve. A smile finally came back on her face. "No. I'm coming with you."

Wes sighed before thinking back to a conversation he had while ridding Ho-oh with Gonzap.


"And, why are you giving me this?"

"The lass is stubborn, Wes. Just like you. Do you really think you can get her to stay out of this once you save her? She'll be needing it more than us."


"Guess he was right."

"Huh?"

Wes took something out of his pocket and placed it in Rui's hand. It was a blue odd-looking glove made of metal. It looked like it was made to fit her left hand.

"What's this?"

"Apparently, Snagum's been trying to make more Snag Machines. Walkin said this thing was a prototype and at best it's good for one shot. Hold onto it for now."

Rui nodded and pocketed it. "Ok. Oh, and Wes?"

"Yeah?"

Rui put on a bright smile. "Thank you. You really are my gallant prince who rescues me when I'm in trouble."

Wes missed that smile. He couldn't help but smile himself upon seeing it. "Sorry it took me one year, three months, and thirteen days this time."

Rui blinked. "You…counted the days?"

"Each one more painful than the last. This time, I'll protect you."

"Thanks."

"Alright, let's go. Greevil has to be stopped!"

They hurried over to the elevator. It took them to the lower hallway. They ran through it to another elevator taking them into the dome. Once they passed through the door they found Michael with his Jolteon and Ursaring, taking on Eldes's Shadow Salamence and Lapras.

"Michael!"

The boy looked behind him. "I got this! Greevil ran off! Hurry!"

Wes nodded as he took Rui's hand and ran pad Michael and Eldes, who made no effort to stop the two as they ran across the room. They rushed into another doorway on the other side of the room and reached a elevator. They didn't hesitate to get inside.

"He'll be just beyond here."

"Will Michael be okay?" Rui asked.

"He will." Wes smiled. "He's young. But he has heart."

They soon come to the second floor of the dome.

"Greevil!"

The elderly man turned his chair around as Wes approached. "Hohoho. So, you have even come this far. It's a shame Wes. You were a marvellous leader while I kept my cover. There may still be room for you in our family."

"The closest thing I have to family is Rui." Wes growled. "And you took her from me, to make me do your dirty work! I'll make you pay for that!"

"And I won't let you get away with what you tried to do to Wes!" Rui added. "Or for all those Pokemon that are suffering because of you!"

"Hmph. So stubborn. It reminds me why you two were the thorn in Cipher's side…although, the boy may be on the verge of claiming that tittle. I had no idea that a mere child like Michael would pursue me this long."

"He's a special guy." Wes smirked. "The ties between him and his Pokemon have allowed him to overcome all the trials that were thrown at him. Including me."

"Professor Krane, the Data ROM, and the lair. Michael alone derailed every one of our well-laid plans."

"Not just him. The ONBS kids did a lot of help for him. As did Snagum. Heh. Never though I'd respect them for anything again. Funny how things work out."

"And now he has the two of us supporting him!" Rui smiled.

"True. I see we should have finished him-and the both of you for that mater-when the first chance arrived." Greevil admitted. "However, my Shadow Pokemon plan isn't finished yet. The final act is about to unfold. Wes, seeing how you helped us so much, I think you've earned the right to know what I have planned."

Wes's expression went blank. "I already know. The, creation of Shadow Pokemon, immune to purification."

"Immune to purification?" Rui asked.

"That was the first step." Greevil smirked. "Next, I plan to create an army of Shadow Pokemon that work independently on my orders alone. When this second step is done, I will take over the world without having to rely on bothersome people. And now…" Suddenly the dome behind him opened up. "Let me introduce you to my faithful servant. The one that shall become the central figure in my Shadow Pokemon army."

Wes's eyes widened. "What?! But that was supposed to be-

Greevel's grin grew as he saw him panic. "Come forth, XD001!"

A strong wind blew into the dome. Flapping wings echoed as a massive dark bird entered. It was dark purple with a white belly and piercing red eyes.

Rui shrieked as it let out a frightening roar. "W-what is that thing?!"

"Code name XD001… Now freed of all adjustments, I present to you Shadow Lugia! This Lugia is the first of the Shadow Pokemon that cannot be purified."

Wes took a step back. "That's impossible! Lovrina said the final adjustments would take at least another three weeks!"

"Yes, she assumed as much. The truth is Wes, I already had the final adjustments planned out myself months ago. I just didn't want to trust the final product of my most important asset to you, just in case you decided to turn on me. So, I waited for when you had served your purpose before finishing the job."

Rui started shaking. "Th-that dark aura…it's worse then any of the other Shadow Pokemon…it feels like…I'm staring straight into the abyss…"

Wes caught Rui as she started to stumble. "Rui?"

"Ah…my…my legs feel weak…"

Wes could see it written on her face. She was scared. More than ever before.

"Now, let us celebrate the completion of my Shadow Pokemon plan in advance!" Greevil laughed. "Fall prey to Shadow Lugia!"


I think this should go without saying, but I'm just going to say it now so nobody has any nagging concerns: No, this will not be strictly a Wes show from here on out. But more on that next time.