Author's Corner.

Slybill: Forgive me Scarlet! I just can't stop. The force beckons to me. Must…add…opening…comment.

White *latches on to Slybill's leg*: Nooooo! Fight the urge Sly! I know you can do it!

Scarlet:…You're pretty much commenting right now you know….

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN POKEMON. ELSE SOME GIRL WOULD HAVE SHOWN BROCK SOME LOVE BY NOW.

Castelia City, Unova Region.

"49.5 million, 49.5 million, 49.5 million….." Scarlet chanted softly, almost like a lullaby. He loved money, that was an obvious fact, but as White shuffled her feet in shame with ice cream smeared all over her cheeks and Jolteon scowled until he almost split his furry face in half, the teenage hunter began to reconsider that deal he had made an hour ago on Skyarrow Bridge.

"Okay, let me get this straight, you lost my Rubik cube in the crowd when you left to buy some Casteliacones?" he asked the girl.

"And your wallet, just so you know he he…." She added laughing nervously before facing her purple converses so as to escape his piercing glare.

Blue eyes narrowing into venomous slits, Scarlet bit his tongue to push back the poison threatening to spew through his lips. The wharf was crowded and it wasn't very gentlemanly to swear at a lady, no matter how serious the cause, in public. Running a shaky hand through his raven-black hair, he chanted his partially soothing mantra once again and started to analyse the situation. He had a lot of money stashed away in a secret bank account and virtually all his living expenses were covered by this mysterious client of his so the contents of his wallet weren't a major problem. It was the cube. Without it, he couldn't store captured pokemon. It had many other nifty properties but storing multiple pokemon at once in separate blocks was its main attraction. Scarlet had created the object himself after studying a broken down styler and numerous pokeballs and it had cost him a lot of time, and money, gathering enough materials for the cubes construction. He had to find it at all costs and soon too.

"Can you describe what happened...slowly," he requested sitting himself down on a bench. White started vividly re-telling her story.

30 minutes earlier….

White hummed joyously to herself as she ventured down Mode Street in search of a Casteliacone. These Vanillite-shaped treats were tremendously popular as people of all ages from all over Unova gathered at this spot to have a taste and as a result the cones always sold out very quickly. Spotting the ice cream stand and heaving a sigh of relief at the relatively short line, the white haired trainer hopped behind the queue. She had pulled out her companion's wallet and counted out 500 pokedollars for 5 cones. Having done her business and collecting the frozen delights, she was just about heading back to meet Scarlet at the city's wharf when a Purrloin had sprung out from nowhere and started nuzzling White's legs. Taking a moment to admire the cat-like pokemon, she proceeded to pet it when a figure bumped into her almost knocking her over. Without stopping to apologize, the oddly dressed individual had rushed past her as if in a hurry and White could only catch a logo on the person's costume. It was only after experiencing a sudden weightlessness in her pocket that White discovered that her pokeball was missing. Panicking, she searched the ground in hopes of finding the sphere. To her despair, she only found dirt and was just about to scream for help when the Purrloin at her feet had begun tugging on her leggings. Beckoning the flustered trainer to follow, the pokemon had taken off in the direction of the person who had bumped into White. Leading her into an alley, the Purrloin had lifted a paw in a particularly shady corner and stared at her as if stating that the culprit was hiding there. Cautiously stepping into the dark area, White could make out what seemed to be a dead end and not a soul or Pignite was in sight. She was just about to tell the Purrloin that there was nothing there when she had caught an awful smell and started had then begun feeling lightheaded and dizzy for a second before there was a 'SPLAT' and all went black. When she came to, she had found herself lying face down on Casteliacones (most likely, she had fallen on them) and Scarlet's wallet and Rubik cube she had sneaselled off to play with had disappeared along with the Purrloin.

"Hold on, what was the logo on the person's costume?" Scarlet asked as he flipped through his pokedex for an entry on Purrloin.

"Hmmm…" White pondered, tapping her chin repeatedly. "It was weirdly shaped, kinda like a shield with a blue, stylish-looking P on it…"

"Well, this looks like the case of a distraction theft. Haven't tried that in a while…" The raven-haired teen muttered to himself. Finding the entry, the pokedex began its short lecture on the cat-like pokemon.

"Purrloin, the Devious Pokemon. Its cute act is a ruse. When victims let down their guard, they find their items taken. It attacks with sharp claws."

"Oh…" White commented, realizing her mistake for trusting the Purrloin.

Scarlet showed an image of the cat to his lightning pokemon. Registering the image, Jolteon in turn started sniffing at White's shoes.

"What is he-"she began but was cut off by a short bark from the pokemon.

"Good. Now follow that scent buddy," Scarlet ordered pocketing his pokedex. Jolteon barked again before taking off into the crowded streets with two humans in tow.

"Hold on Pignite, we're coming for you!" White had yelled to no one in particular. Scarlet only had his cube in mind. The culprit and that Purrloin would most likely be working together, he thought to himself. So wherever the Purrloin is, that Arceus-damned thief should be nearby and I'm gonna make him/her wish they were never born.

They had passed Mode Street and were heading into the central plaza with no sign of a Purrloin anywhere. Making a left, they ventured into Gym Street before Scarlet accidentally collided with someone. He shook the Starmie dancing round his head before turning to yell at the person to watch were they were –

"Scarly!" The woman cried as she tackled him in a hug. Taking a moment to see who was clinging to his waist, he only had one word fly through his lips.

"Shit!"

2 minutes later…

'Man- hunter' Violet, a popular huntress of medium height, was happily pulling on her foster brother's cheeks as they paced through the street.

"Wow… you've grown so tall baby bro!" She chattered excitedly as she gently tugged on his hair. "Handsome too. If you weren't my little brother, I would've kissed you by now!" Ever since she had met him 4 years ago at one of the annual meetings, of which the boy had rarely attended, she had taken it upon her, then rookie, self to adopt the socially awkward youth. Till date, she was the only human Scarlet trusted though he would never admit it to anyone.

"For the last time Violet, we are not related in anyway," Scarlet stated flatly as he looked around for the Purrloin. White had a puzzled expression on her face which was then quickly replaced with an excited grin. Scarlet felt a squeal coming.

"You never told me you had a sister!" the trainer squealed, definitely not catching Scarlet's previous statement. Curse her short attention span!

"I know, right? He never talks about me cos he doesn't want men following me around and such! His jealousy is sooooo cute!" Violet squealed back. The two females squealed in unison, holding hands and jumping up and down continuously.

Girls, Scarlet remarked inwardly before while rolling his eyes and grabbing Violet roughly before she could get acquainted with her new found soul mate.

"Vi," he whispered. "She doesn't know what I am and there's a huge chance that you might end up telling her our true identities, so keep the flirting to a minimum and pay attention. I'm in a bit of a rush so I can't be bothered to know why you're here so if you don't mind, maybe you could help me find something."

The 19 year old huntress stared at him for a second before poking his forehead.

"Careless little brother. You're using people again, aren't you?" She whispered with a coy smile as she brought her free hand out from behind her back, revealing his cube causing Scarlet's eyes to widen in surprise. "Be grateful. I found it on some medieval-looking weirdo with a Pignite… which I'm now guessing belongs to that girl."

"Thanks Violet!" Scarlet said. Breathing a sigh of relief, he picked up the cube from her manicured fingers. "Um…do you know where this person went?"

The purple-haired older teen shook her head. "I lost him in the crowd, but he was heading down this street though. He had the most adorable Purrloin ever-"

"Thanks! I think Jolteon and White have found him," the younger teen cut in before dashing over to meet his companions who were standing in front of a tall, glass-covered building.

"Jolteon says the thief is in here," White said as Scarlet walked up to her. Gazing at the majestic looking building, Scarlet whistled in awe.

"The abandoned Plasma hideout."

They turned to see a tall, slim, young man with chestnut-brown hair sporting a green, slim-fit, low V-neck shirt and multi-striped pants. Wound around his neck was a magenta scarf and a purple larva-like pokemon, a Venipede, crowned his head. Hearts replaced Violet's brown eyes instantly.

"Burgh, it's nice to see you again!" White cried as she hugged the artistic gym leader.

Burgh's green eyes twinkled with recognition as he returned the hug. "White my dear! It has been far too long since we last met! Who would have known that the little Wurmple of yesteryear would burst forth from its chrysalis to reveal this magnificent Beautifly standing before me. Oh the beauty!"

Both Scarlet and Jolteon sweatdropped as they stared at the bug-centric artist. Did he just call White a bug? The hunter thought to himself. Clearing his throat to get their attention, he pointed back at the building.

"Sorry to ruin the happy moment but are we going to get your Pignite or not?" he asked in an impatient tone.

"It seems you're in a bit of a bind White," Burgh stated raising an eyebrow at the building. White nodded before tearing herself off him and heading to the glass doors of the building. Pushing them open, the trainer stepped into the building and found herself in a dusty hallway with large, old paintings on the walls.

"This brings back some blissful memories…" Burgh remarked as he ran his fingers along the faded works of art.

"I heard the late champion had shut this place down after him and Burgh busted Team Plasma 11 years ago. No wonder it's so dusty," White murmured as she brushed her fingers through the dust-covered reception desk. Scarlet and Violet turned to look at Burgh in slight awe. The gym leader and his Venipede took no notice as they were to busy admiring the painting

"Did she say 11 years ago?" Violet whispered to her foster brother. Scarlet took one more look at the youngish looking artist and shook his head. This case was quite similar to a certain toddler-looking man/boy he knew.

Jolteon barked, pawing at an elevator restlessly.

"Jolt's found something!" Scarlet exclaimed in a low tone and pushed the button labelled 'OPEN'. After a few minutes, he started coming to the decision that the old elevator had probably broken down from underuse but bit back his words as a low hum reverberated through the atmosphere. Before long, a 'DING' was heard and the steel elevator doors slid open smoothly. The group was just about to step inside when Scarlet held up a hand towards the Gym leader and Violet.

"In case there are some of these Plasma guys lurking around this building, maybe you two should stay here to block the exit. Jolteon and I can take care of whatever we see upstairs," he explained.

"That's my brother alright. Always thinking three steps ahead," the purple haired huntress commented with a wink. "I know I don't need to say this, but be careful."

Scarlet huffed and took hold off White's arm. Shuffling into the waiting elevator with Jolteon behind them, he turned to face Burgh and Violet. Giving his usual over-confident grin, he brushed his locks smugly.

"Aren't I always Vi?" he replied as the doors slid shut. Another hum was heard as they felt elevator begin to rise. Noticing no buttons indicating which floor to stop at, the hunter guessed that the elevator had a set floor to stop at. As they continued to rise, White started feeling uneasy and Jolteon tensed up.

"Please let Pignite be here, safe and sound…" she prayed quietly. Scarlet toyed with his cube absent-mindedly while thinking up all possible scenarios that could come to play at their destination. Suddenly the air around them froze and another 'DING' pierced the silent atmosphere signifying that they had reached the desired floor. Jolteon growled deeply and Scarlet stepped in front of White as the doors slowly parted to reveal a large, empty hall. There was a Purrloin dead ahead grooming itself and taking no notice of the two humans and the electric dog cautiously stepping out of the elevator.

"That's the Purrloin, but I don't see the person who bumped into me," White said, gazing around the empty surroundings. Jolteon was still growling dangerously and rattling his fur.

"No White… there's someone here and he's called some friends over to play too," Scarlet hissed slowly as he picked up a pebble and tossed it skywards. Almost immediately after, there was a loud 'THUNK' and a person fell from the high ceiling and landed head first on the carpeted floor, out cold.

Three heads looked up at the ceiling to see twelve medievally dressed people crouching on the beams criss-crossing the ceiling as if in ambush. The small mass of grunts jumped off the steel beams and landed silently around the teens forming a circle. Without a word, they silently unclipped their pokeballs and unleashed their pokemon. A Garbodor, five Watchog, two Sandile and four Purrloin later, they were surrounded.

A small smile broke across Scarlet's face as he stepped forward. "Okay guys, sorry to interrupt your little costume party but my friend here lost her Pignite and we're gonna need it back."

The only answer he got was a slow point from a grunt. Understanding that simple motion, the grunt's Sandile responded with a speedy, air-slicing Iron tail aimed at Scarlet's head. Inches away from the hunter's still-smiling face, the Sandile was stopped by Jolteon's blindingly fast double kick sending it rocketing towards two Watchog instantly knocking them out.

"Well, can't say I tried," the black haired trainer sighed, facial expression breaking to reveal sadistic eyes and a tight-lipped grin. Giving his cube a sharp twist, the device reconstructed itself to form two black, fingerless gloves with Scolipede patterns. Quickly stepping behind White, he used his hands to block a lethal Smog attack from the approaching Garbodor. To its surprise, the smog was absorbed into the gloves making them glow purple.

"Thanks for powerin' em up," the hunter smirked before blowing the a bigger stream of smog back at the grunts and the startled Garbodor.

Meanwhile…

Violet stood back to back with Burgh as fifteen grunts and their Liepards surrounded them. The gym leader had his Leavanny out while Violet's Espeon stood by, ready for battle.

"Wow… all these years and Team Plasma still has the audacity to shame my gym by operating here. Do you think I might be losing my touch?" the artist remarked with a sarcastic smile as Venipede hissed at a Liepard up front. Violet giggled slightly at the rhetorical question.

"We'll find out soon enough now, won't we hubby," the huntress replied and nudged the gym leader playfully.

"Right… wait, what?" And the fight for Pignite's freedom was began!

Author's Corner.

Scarlet *cracks knuckles*: Finally, some action!

White: I'll help too! * Takes a slab of concrete and, with the strength of a Machamp, shatters it on Scarlet's skull.*

Slybill: Look what you did White! Now there's blood all over my carpet. Scarlet! Clean this mess up NOW!

Scarlet: ...

Burgh: Ah this blood spreading like an overpowering force of nature and soiling all in its path is akin to the scarlet flames of the sun deity Volcarona. An inspiration...I feel a masterpiece coming up!

Slybill: Someone's gonna clean this carpet real soon or I'm calling Rain!

Violet *walks in wearing a rather naughty french-maid dress*: I'll clean it *bends to clean the blood*

Slybill, Scarlet and Burgh *all nosebleeding grandly*: FUCK NO!