There really wasn't very much to be said of Pewter City besides the obvious—brown, rocky, and oh-so-what's the word? Oh, yeah. Oh-so-freaking-primal.

Denise thought this as she slumped over the polished glass counter of her store. She believed that a Fossil store in the archeology center of Kanto (STONE.Z, a name of her little brother's creation and not her own, otherwise it would've been a lot smarter) would bring plenty of business and allow her to break away from the family profession and travel around as a Trainer as she wanted (Trainers' expenses were quite amazing, she realized; those guys on T.V. made it seem so easy it was unbelievable) but business was so slow day-by-day that she doubted she'd make it out of there before her thirtieth birthday.

"Cari, Lucario," Henry said, pushing through the glass doors with a cardboard box balanced on his shoulder. Denise smiled at him, brushing a loose lock of dark hair from her eyes.

"Thanks Henry; is that the new shipment of Claw Fossils?"

"Lu," he nodded. She pointed to indicate a spot near the door; he set it down gently, immediately returning to her side after. She scratched behind his ear, remembering how he loved the gesture since he was a Riolu. He sighed and pushed his head into her palm.

"When are we gonna get out of here?" she murmured sadly. As if on cue, he barked as one of the daily passersby on the sidewalk approached the doors. "What is it? A customer?"

"Nope, just me," Dee said, grinning as he sauntered in. "Brother dear is here."

"You're just as cheesy as ever, Demetrius," she replied, resting her elbows on the countertop. She noticed he was wearing his PokeBall belt and scowled. "Why're you wearing that crap? I think Dad was drunk when he sewed it for you; it's all crooked and patchy and has more stitches than Frankenstein."

"I dunno; it just felt right, y'know?"

"No, I don't know; it's trashy."

"Luca," Henry agreed. Dee scoffed.

"Just wait until Dad makes you your own, then we'll both have something to laugh at huh?"

"I have your haircut from two years ago to laugh at, so I'm straight." His cheeks burned crimson.

"Anyway, how's business?" he asked, slyly changing the subject.

"Not any better than yesterday—or the day before—or the day before—or the century before," Denise said matter-of-factly. "I don't even know how we can afford all of these Fossils; we have to be spending more than we're making here."

"I don't know; Pokémon logic? Anyway, Derr and I are out to Brock's Gym; there's a new challenger there. You comin'?"

"Yeah sure, just let me lock up first. Meet you there?"

Dee saluted her before leaving. She stocked the shelves with the Claw Fossils before leaving, locking the door behind her. She turned to the street and suddenly had a strange feeling in the bottom of her stomach like something was supposed to happen. She felt Henry shove her from behind and heard a crash; when she looked over Henry was holding a steel girder up. The construction worker and his Hitmonlee above them waved apologetically as he tossed it aside.

"Lucario," he reprimanded.

"I'm sorry Henry, I just thought…I don't know, I'm sorry." She felt a sudden wind pass through, slapping a newspaper in her face; she snatched it off angrily and saw the headlines. "Hey, look, Team Rocket's disbanded after their leader died."

"Lu?" Henry said, confused as he took it from her and read the article over. She sighed, looking up.

"Today's just a really weird day, don't you think?"


Giovanni's funeral was just as one would expect for a mafia leader: poorly-attended and wealthy-looking. His tombstone was shaped like a large 'R' and it was engraved with the words he left in his will: 'Silver, if you are reading this, then I'm sorry for everything.'

Silver was reading it, and frankly Silver couldn't believe the crap, but nonetheless Silver had to hide behind a Berry tree as he cried.

He waited until all two of the other people were gone before he stepped out, wiping his eyes with the handkerchief in his blazer's pocket. He looked at his dad's grave with a sigh, wondering if Giovanni was looking up at him from Hell at that moment; if he was, he was probably slitting his throat at the sight of his son bawling his eyes out.

That's a morbid thought to have about your own father, Mewtwo said, stepping out from behind the gravestone.

"How long have you been there?"

Long enough, it said flippantly. I heard the will. He gave you everything; shouldn't you be happy?

"I also gave it all up, remember?" Silver said, referring to the mass message he gave Team Rocket after he was delegated Boss. It was pretty short and sweet: 'YOU'RE ALL FIRED.' After that, the Souvenir Shop was cut off by the police, so… Maybe they did reform or something, but if they did he was done with them. "Including you, Mewtwo."

Even me, the one you created?

"Yes, even you. I'm leaving all of it behind today." He turned away, hands in his pockets, and started trudging across the dirt of the graveyard. Mewtwo gasped a little; Silver assumed that he spotted the box of his PokeBalls that he left in place of flowers. "Those Pokémon that he, Team Rocket Boss Giovanni, gave me? I'm giving them back. Only the one given to me by my father," he held up Typhlosion's PokeBall, "remains with me. I'm going to make my own team, and henceforth I'm going to walk the straight and narrow path to the Pokémon League."

Hah! Mewtwo snorted. People like us don't walk the straight and narrow without falling off the edge, Silver.

"Well," Silver said, "if I fall off along the way, at least I know I deserve it."

Wait! It grabbed his arm psychically, forcing him to turn around. Silver stared at him before laughing.

"It's not fun on the dark side when you're alone, is it, Mewtwo?"

Sh…Shut up, Silver, it snapped, releasing him. He looked to the sky, the blue blue sky, and sighed.

"I remember long ago, I once came home crying to Dad. I'd asked my teacher if I could get a starter and she said no; I was six at the time and the age to go on a journey is ten, which seemed a lifetime away. If it was Mom…if it was her…she would've held me and comforted me; instead, it was the first time Giovanni hit me, and he berated me for acting like a baby. I don't know if he felt bad about it or what, but it was the day he gave me my Cyndaquil too.

"All of my life I'd done everything he wanted me to do; I thought that that'd make me a better son in his eyes, but in reality all that made me was a better shadow of him. I rarely even had my own name anymore; being in the papers or on T.V. I was just 'Team Rocket Boss' son'! I was just Giovanni's son, not even Silver anymore, and that was the last straw for me. I was…stupid, I'll admit that; I believed that the Legendaries were my ticket out of anonymity. It seemed easy enough; it was just a matter of getting to their dimension, so secretly I had several Tech Grunts work on finding one of the many portals around Kanto, but instead…we found Aristotle."

And why is it you only just have a sense of remorse?

"I always did have remorse, I just thought it was annoying," he retorted. "But now, I think that maybe it's not a pansy thing."

Not to be selfish then, but what's to become of me? Silver shrugged.

"Whatever you want, Mewtwo; I mean, you're basically a Legendary Pokémon too, so you should be with the other Legendaries, am I right?"

I don't really belong with those guys, Mewtwo said. They were created from wishes of hope; I was created to destroy.

"Just because you were taught to destroy doesn't mean you were made to destroy," Silver pointed out, causing Mewtwo to grow silent. "I have one last request of you as your master, Mewtwo."

Yes, sir? it said obediently as per habit. Smirking, Silver drew a PokeBall from his blazer, expanding it and holding it out with his finger on the button. Mewtwo caught on very quickly and, for the first time ever, genuinely smiled. Don't I get the dignity of an Ultra Ball? Silver shook his head. I don't have to do this, you know; you asked me as a master, which you're not anymore.

"Yes, but I can be something else…a friend."

Mewtwo crossed its arms over his chest and turned away; frowning, Silver put away the PokeBall. I will not insult my integrity by going into eternal servitude under you, Pokémon Passerby Silver.

"I assumed as much."

However, he continued, should you be on the precipice of life and death, call me so I can witness it.

"So, in other words, if I'm ever in trouble, call you?"

Way to put it mildly.

"Alright, alright, I got it, and I promise that this will be my last ever request for you—I'm beseeching you, if it makes it better." Silver held out his empty hand, fingers splayed; Mewtwo sniffed, indignant, and grabbed it. "To protect the world from devastation."

Arceus, not that again.

"To protect—the world—from devastation!"

To…unite all peoples within our nation, it sighed.

"To renounce the evils of truth and love!"

To extend our reach to the stars above.

"Silver," Silver grinned.

Mewtwo, it said as if it all physically hurt.

"Team Rocket…blast off at the speed…of light," he whispered, staring at Giovanni's grave again. He didn't have tears left for him, but he did have memories—boy, did he have memories—enough to make him forget that Giovanni was a bastard of a father and remember that he was one hell of an old man a long, long time ago. Mewtwo released his hand, his eyes glowing brightly.

Stay alive with all of your might, it ordered before it vanished for the last time.


"Onix, use Iron Tail!"

Brock's Onix slammed his tail down on the opposing Trainer's Wartortle, who popped into her shell at the last second to soften the blow. As soon as Onix pulled away Wartortle used Rapid Spin, whirling around to slam into Onix's base; unsteadied, he trembled before falling and hitting the ground with a heavy thud that made everyone on the bleachers jump.

"Onix, get up!" Brock called. His Onix struggled to rise but the other guy's Wartortle was a lot faster.

"Bubblebeam, please." She spat a stream of bubbles in Onix's face that looked too flimsy to really do anything but left marks in his tough stone exterior. "Water Pulse now." She put her hands together and summoned dual rings of water that surrounded her body, then released them in small waves that crashed against Onix with amazing force. Onix rocked from side to side for a moment before going completely still.

"Onix is unable to continue; the winner is Wartortle!" Bill announced. Brock returned his Pokémon, smirking.

"You're quite strong," he said, switching PokeBalls. "Geodude, let's do it!" His Geodude appeared in the center of the field, face-to-face with Wartortle. "Rollout!"

"Geo!" his Geodude chanted, tucking in his arms and going into a rapid spin like a bowling ball; Wartortle couldn't avoid the first hit, spinning out until she landed on her shell still whirling around.

"Wartortle, please hang on!" her Trainer called. "Use Water Gun to blast yourself in the air!"

She rolled to her feet and did it, launching herself out of Geodude's reach, but to their surprise he used a diagonal rock like a ramp to roll into the air and slam into her unprotected head; she hit the ground shell-first, still spinning weakly. Seconds passed but she didn't get up. "Wartortle is unable to continue; the winner is Geodude!" Bill called. The Trainer returned her and swapped PokeBalls, releasing an elegant Dragonair instead.

"He has a Dragon-type at the first Gym?" Derrick asked, perplexed.

"Those are really rare," Denise said, gripping her jean-covered knees as she leaned forward.

"Luca," Henry agreed.

"He's good too," Dee added. "Maybe he was a Trainer for a while and is just entering the Pokémon League?"

"Maybe," she said thoughtfully.

"Geodude, use Rollout again!" Brock commanded. His Geodude went into position and immediately worked on clearing the distance between himself and the Trainer's Dragonair.

"Nymph," he said. Denise was struck by the name; it was really pretty, fitting for a Dragonair. "Please use Aqua Tail for me."

His Dragonair's tail was surrounded by water, and as Geodude grew close she swung it like a bat, slamming it into Geodude's face. He rolled backwards before catching himself with his hands, stilling. "Use Earthquake!" Brock shouted. His Geodude grunted as he leaned forward and slammed his fists against the ground repeatedly, causing it to tremble and shake. The other Trainer comically lost his balance and fell on his behind, causing Denise and Derrick to break out laughing and him to turn red in embarrassment. A fissure broke out in the ground right beneath Nymph, causing her to drop in. The Trainer wasn't disconcerted; in fact, he seemed sly. Denise rolled her eyes.

"Surf," he said, pointing at the fissure. Water suddenly started pouring out of the fissure, a whole lot of it, and then suddenly it gushed out with so much force it shot straight up and was repelled by the ceiling, arcing at an angle to strike Geodude directly. Denise stopped mid-eye roll and saw him get blasted into the base of the bleachers by the sheer force of it, and when the last of the water was absorbed into the dirt he hit the ground uselessly.

"Geodude is unable to continue; the winner of the battle is Dragonair," Bill said as Nymph slunk out of the hole to the Trainer's side. "The winner of the Boulder Badge is…this guy."

Brock returned his Geodude as the Trainer returned Nymph; Brock approached the Trainer and dropped the shiny Badge in his waiting palm. "Great job, really," Brock praised, shaking his free hand.

"Thank you," he replied.

"Where did you get your Pokémon?"

"A…friend," he said after a moment of hesitation. "A special one."

"Well, good luck to you in the rest of the Pokémon League." They parted ways then, with the Trainer heading for the door. Denise followed him with her eyes until Dee jabbed her side with his elbow.

"Is this a new crush I see blossoming?" he joked, slapping hands with Derrick as they laughed.

"At least I can get guys, Dee," she snapped. "Your last girlfriend had to be fed, walked, and neutered." She slapped hands with Derrick when he completely cracked up at that while Dee sulked. She laughed with him until another strange feeling struck her, something very close to what she felt earlier.

"Are you okay?" Dee asked. She shook her head to clear it, standing and climbing down the bleachers.

"I'm gonna go talk to Mom and Dad."


Zoroark packs rarely moved from a hiding place, only doing so if either the protecting illusion failed or their location was compromised—in Theophilus' case, it had been compromised…by him.

He dropped down onto all fours, inhaling the scents of their old cave; it smelled like familiarity—well, what used to be familiar to him, before he got kicked out and everything. He smelled fun times with Valentine back in the day and the scent of Xavier, the oldest and wisest Zoroark in the pack…actually, his scent was real familiar for some reason…

"I don't have a name," the Zorua said, crouching down and trying to hide behind his fluffy neck fur. Xavier was old enough that he had two other Zoroark around him at all times and his red fur was silvery-white; Theo remembered it very vividly. "My Trainer, she just…called us by species…"

"By species," Xavier repeated in his tired voice, touching the Zorua's head gently between his ears. He peeked out at him, squinting fearfully. "Humans…they can't even treat Pokémon as partners, refusing to give a name."

"It's just one human though, Xavier," one of the Zoroark said; he thought her name was Lana.

"Whatever the case, this young one can't remain nameless." The Zorua raised his head at that, wagging his tail.

"R…Really, sir? I… You'll give me a name?" Xavier nodded; the little Zorua jumped on his head, burrowing in his fur excitedly. Lana spluttered, surprised, while the other Zoroark—Jason?—laughed aloud, causing Xavier to chuckle as the little Zorua crawled all over him barking excitedly.

"I…remember," Theo muttered, tracing his claws along the rough stone wall. He found it after a short while; the scratchy block letters of English, a language he still wasn't very familiar with, THEOPHILUS in ungainly writing. The PH was actually an F because he didn't understand the alphabet at the time, and Lana corrected him by scratching it out and writing the PH on top.

"Theophilus," Xavier announced within the empty center of the pack's group. "From henceforth, this Zorua will be known as Theophilus."

The other Zoroark and Zorua cheered at the sight of a new brethren; Theophilus tried retreating into his fur again, backing away from their view, but Xavier nudged him forward, back into plain sight. "Valentine, I believe he is your age," he said suddenly to a Zorua at the edge of the group.

"He is?" the Zorua, Valentine, asked, moving forward; he batted at Theo's ear lightly with his paw, causing him to bite Valentine's nose reflexively. "Ow!" he cried, backing away. "M-My nose is bleeding! Mama!" He skittered back into the arms of an older female Zoroark.

"Theophilus, it's not right to attack family," Lana said softly; he turned to her, perplexed.

"They're not family…?"

"Of course they are," Xavier said. "In this pack, we're all a family."

Theo slid down the wall until he was sitting with his back against it, feeling sad without really knowing why; probably, he missed his pack. Probably. He probably missed the old geezer and probably missed Lana, and he maybe certainly missed Valentine.

The Zorua were playing a game, although Theo wasn't sure what it was, but it involved a lot of running and skipping and biting—playful biting, not like how he bit Valentine. He sat with the Zoroark and the little Zorua, watching them run around on the grass in the sun and have fun. "Theophilus, why don't you join them?" Valentine's mom—well actually, she was his mom too now—said, nudging him forward.

"I…don't know the game," he stammered, trying to bury himself in the dirt and, when she pulled him free, her mane. She carried him over to the others, who stopped to look at her.

"Theophilus wants to play," she smiled, setting him down. Hendrix, one of the older Zorua, laughed.

"What's so funny?" Theo growled, his fur bristling.

"You're too tense dude," he replied, snickering. "C'mon, have fun; it's life." He dropped into a crouch, growling playfully and wagging his tail; Theo didn't really understand but he imitated him, growling in confusion. Hendrix laughed and the rest of them started running; Theo chased after them, finally getting their pretend hunting game. It was fun—it was a lot of fun, more fun than he had in a long time.

"Pups, it's getting late," one of the mothers called as the sun started to set. Theo and the other whined, tired but unwilling to stop. "The men caught Alomomola today!"

"Alomomola? It's so tender and sweet… I'll race you, Theophilus!" Valentine shouted before blasting ahead; Theo barked, indignant, and chased after him.

Theo sighed, standing up, which was when he became aware of another presence in the cave. Grandpa Xavier hated for us to fight.

Grandpa Xavier also warned you to be careful with your illusions, and just look at what became of you, Theophilus! Valentine hissed. There were some weird scars on his face; they weren't disfiguring or even all that noticeable, but as much as Valentine prized his appearance they were really odd.

I know…I know the mistake I made back then, Val.

You don't call me Val.

No, I…you're right, you're right as always—Arceus, you always were right, and I should've listened to you when I was obviously wrong, but I was…I was a total moron, okay? and I thought that I had it all under control, that I'd be a master on my first try, but nobody's a master on the first try! And so I… I…

What the hell do you want? Valentine growled, claws spread. Theophilus hung his head.

I want to…apologize, Val.

He came to a dead stop. What?

It wasn't within my rights to challenge your leadership, nor was it to attack your family. I didn't mean any of it, and although this is a really late apology, I'm extremely, very sorry.

Valentine sighed. I distinctly remember you saying you'll apologize 'when the Distortion World freezes over.'

I know, okay? but… I'm not sure what happened exactly, but I just want to clear the air between us.

That's going to take a lot more than an apology, Valentine said, which he expected. Then Val linked his claws with Theo's, raising them. But this is a start.

Then that means there's a finish line somewhere in sight? he asked hopefully. Val rolled his shoulders.

For you, brother? Yes.

Theo grinned, running his claws through his hair. Valentine nodded and started running again, but this time Theophilus was there with him, sticking together as family should.


"A journey?" her mom asked as she washed dishes. She and Denise had the same tanned skin and long hair, except hers was straight and she had more lines on her face. Denise nodded, throwing her hiking backpack on the table and stuffing it with food from the refrigerator. "I thought you were still earning money for that?"

"I know—I am, but I don't know Mom, I'm getting the feeling that now's the best time for it."

"The best time for what?" her dad asked, walking into the kitchen and kissing her mom in greeting. He looked like an older version of Dee with his curly hair, light skin and freckles.

"I'm going on my Trainer's journey," she said to him. He looked between her and her mom.

"I thought you were saving for it?"

"Arceus—yes, but I just have a feeling that I should go now."

"Your feelings aren't always reliable, Denise," her mom said, wiping her soapy hands on her apron before putting them on her hips. "Remember in middle school when you had that feeling that you needed to punch your History teacher?"

"He was stalking me, I tell you!" she argued.

"Or when you had that feeling that it was a smart thing to have Derrick give you a home perm?" her dad added.

"Okay, that was dumb, but my hair grew back. Anyway, I'm eighteen, I think you guys can trust me now."

"We do, honey," her mom said, taking her shoulder to bring her closer and kiss her forehead. "And we're with you, but things will be lonely with just Derrick at home."

"I'll still visit, I promise," she said. She looked at her dad, who sighed and took his wallet out.

"I know how hard it is to change your mind, Denise, so I'll just go with this." He gave her two hundred dollars, which she stared at in disbelief. "This is for food, clothes, and whatever else you need until you can get enough from battling," he said. "Don't lose it and don't give it away, alright?"

"Alright!" She hugged him; he hugged her back awkwardly, and she kissed her mom before grabbing her backpack and rushing through the side door into the front yard. Dee and Derrick were sitting on the porch using a slingshot to nab flying Pidgey with paper balls. "That's Pokémon abuse," she pointed out. "How'd you feel if I hit your Pokémon with paper balls?"

"They wouldn't mind," Dee said with a shrug.

"Jackie is kinda slow; I don't think he'd notice," Derrick said, referring to his blockheaded Golem. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going on my journey!" she exclaimed.

"Well good luck," Derrick said, going back to shooting Pidgey. Dee actually cared enough to stand up, hopping the metal railing to face her.

"You better come back and visit," he said, giving her a one-armed hug. "Also, here." He handed her a shiny blue Badge Case.

"Is this new? Dee, I can't take this."

"Yeah, you will, and it's from the Thrift Shop," he laughed. "Just go, have fun, win them Badges and come home as Champion like those kids on T.V., alright?"

"And bring me some souvenirs," Derrick added. Denise nodded and waved one last time before rushing down the sidewalk and into the midtown area. She found Henry standing outside of the PokeMart eating a chocolate bar; she grabbed his arm, causing him to drop it, and pulled him along.

"Luca?" he asked, confused.

"We're going on a journey, Henry!"

"Lucario?"

"Yes, really!"

He exclaimed something, excited, as they reached the exit for the nearest Route. As they grew closer she saw the Trainer from earlier standing near the steps checking his Xtransceiver; he looked up just as she barreled past him, coming to a stop on the dirt path. "You're from the Gym," she said. He nodded in confirmation.

"You know…" He thought for a moment, then smiled. His smile was small and sweet but also somewhat devious. "You seem familiar."

"Yeah, you too." They paused on that awkwardness.

"Where are you going?"

"Wherever the wind takes me, I guess."

"I see." He started to walk past her before she grabbed his small wrist, bringing him to a stop. She took notice of his blond hair cut and combed neatly and his clean red shirt and jeans over new Running Shoes, but what struck her the most were his eyes; they seemed green, but each ray of light elicited another color from them. They were like a prism and almost hypnotic. "Do you…" He looked at her hand patiently; she removed it quickly, flushing. "Do you want to come with me?"

She shrugged. "I have nothing better to do." Then, "I know this sounds strange, but…it seems right to go with you."

"I get that feeling too," he agreed.

"Luca," Henry said.

"So does your Lucario."

"You can understand Pokémon?" she asked. "That's cool. Are you a psychic or something?"

He laughed softly, shaking his head. "No, I'm just a normal person, but as long as I can remember I've always been really in touch with Pokémon, you know?"

"…Yeah, I think I know what you mean. By the way, I'm Denise, and that's my friend Henry." She held out her hand; to her surprise, he held out a fist instead, which she bumped with hers.

"My name is…Aries," he smiled.


Mew didn't know when it started, but one day it saw the little three-year-old sitting at the shore, stacks of books half-buried in the sand next to him. It was somewhat interesting how he such a young child reading several books with over eight hundred pages each day, but it was more interesting that unlike every other human it had ever encountered, this boy repelled its Psychic advances. It was unable to probe his mind for even the most fundamental information, and that was a source of interest for the ancient Pokémon. Never in its life had it found a human able to resist its Psychic powers, and it piqued its interest until it almost choked on it. Since that day it had taken up watching the boy, trying to discover what exactly made him so special; it never got that answer, but it did find out much more:

The boy, Aristotle, he was shy to the point of being reclusive, a little gruff because of the social skills he lacked but he was always curious to learn. He was born in Pallet Town and left Pallet Town as soon as he turned ten years old with Pokémon he received from the Pokémon Professor of Kanto, travelling across Kanto not to battle Gyms but to learn all that he could. He made friends, although they were short-lived due to his vagabond nature, and plenty of enemies, but he never was saddened by it all; he was happy on the run, and he was happy being a Trainer.

Now, today, eleven years after that, it watched the boy as he, after years of travelling and training, finally took on the Pewter Gym, and not only did he win the Boulder Badge, he also won a new friend—two, actually, with the Lucario, Henry. It smiled at his elation from the treetops before hearing Arceus' familiar demanding voice ring in its mind: Mew, you have other duties to attend to.

I'm well aware, Arceus, it said. One moment please. It spent its last moment watching Aries laugh and smile freely before passing through Palkia's portal, leaving him.


"Aries?" Denise repeated. "But that's not your name; it's a nickname."

He frowned, perplexed. "How do you know?"

"I don't know; I just had a feeling." She shrugged a shoulder. "Anyway, come on; the next Gym is waiting!" She moved ahead of them, racing down the dirt path. Aries sighed, smiling, and glanced at Henry.

"Luca!" he exclaimed before following her. Aries laughed and took a step forward, stopping when he heard the crunch of paper beneath his sneaker. Puzzled, he examined it; it was a photograph of him in a heavy blue cloak he didn't own with Denise in a Pokémon Center somewhere. Henry was there too, glaring at a large grey and red Pokémon he wasn't familiar with, and a shimmer in the lower right corner of the image that may or may not have been another Pokémon. He flipped the photo over and saw writing on the back in heavy crimson ink strokes.

"'Through time, space, and mistakes, friendships survive,'" he read aloud. What? he thought, even more confused. Then he noticed a number in the corner: #493. Somehow, that made him smile and shrug it all off, folding the photo carefully before slipping it into a pocket in his PokeBall belt.

"Come on, Aries!" Denise called back to him.

"I'm coming!" he called back, chasing after them. "I'm coming."