Up at Reggie's house, Umbreon and Lucario sat, covered in bandages and stuffing themselves with food. Hunter, Maylene, and Reggie sat on the couches, watching them and talking.
Reggie looked at them both. "That must have been some battle you had, if they both ended up like this."
Hunter smiled. "Yes, it was quite something."
Reggie looked at him. "Maylene tells me that you're planning on traveling again soon. How soon?"
"Maybe as soon as Umbreon's better. I'm thinking of going out, catching my own Pokémon. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet a rare one."
Maylene looked at him. "Like which?"
"Well, there's…Shaymin, for one thing. From what I've heard, the gardens that they make are one of the most beautiful places in Sinnoh. It'd be worthwhile to see that."
Reggie nodded and looked up at the rows of badges on the mantel. "You ever think of entering the Pokémon League?"
Hunter shook his head. "Nah. Although, there's one trainer that I'd like to teach a lesson."
Reggie raised his eyebrows. "Really? Who?"
"Paul."
Reggie chuckled. "You know that's my little brother you're talking about, right?"
"But why does he sound so mean?"
Reggie sighed. "Paul thinks that only strong Pokémon are worth catching, yet he still doesn't think they're worthwhile."
"Makes you wonder why he even bothered to be a trainer."
Reggie shrugged. "Maybe. But, who knows? Maybe you'll meet up with him on the road."
"I'd like to meet Ash Ketchum, too."
Reggie looked up. "Ash? Why?"
"I think he'd be a good challenge."
Reggie laughed. "Well, I'm sure you'd both wear one another out."
Hunter smiled. "Maybe."
The video phone in the corner started ringing. Reggie stood up. "I'd better get that."
Hunter stood as well. "I'd better get going, too." He picked up Umbreon and left the house, walking back to his home with Umbreon in his arms. He looked at it as it sat there, quiet. "It was quite a battle today, huh?"
"Umbre." it said, nodding.
As Hunter walked up the hill, he sensed something…familiar.
What could be around here?
He gingerly set Umbreon down, and looked around. Seeing nothing, he closed his eyes.
Something was in the house.
He ran up the hill, Umbreon running after him.
Kicking open the door, Hunter aimed an Aura Sphere at the spot where the intruder was standing.
Hunter?
The voice was familiar. Hunter flicked on a light.
As the bulb turned on, Hunter stared.
Mara stood before him, but her appearance was vastly different from when he'd last seen her a year ago. For one thing, her stomach was swollen, projecting a good six inches from the rest of her body. Hunter couldn't take his eyes off of it, but managed to after he heard Mara gasp. She was crying; her red eyes locked on him. She ran to him and threw her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder and crying. Please, help me.
Hunter took her head away and looked her in the eye. "What's wrong, Mara?"
It's Taren, Mara said, her eyes now filling with pleading and fear. He's disappeared, and I can't find him anywhere.
Hunter's eyes started to widen.
*Doctor Who theme starts to play* Lol. Anyways, you'll get a hint of who (or what) kidnapped Taren near the end of the story.