Chapter 4

Michael woke up with a forest of trees overlooking him. Quickly he got up into a sitting position, and saw that not too far, though a distance long enough for him to just barely make it out through the trees, was the Pokemon lab headquarters.

Damn did she actually attack me? Michael hadn't thought that she would have considering they had been on a moving vehicle. It felt like she got some good revenge though. He could feel the large knot in the back of his head throbbing in irritation. That would probably explain why he couldn't remember being assaulted though.

Lovrina had, without warning, hit him in the back of the head with something, and by the looks of it, taken his bike. At least, he could see it anywhere within the distance of his vision in surprisingly thick forest. The fact that the forest was so dense was some kind of anomaly, considering if he drove for just an hour or two south and east of the treeline, there would be barren desert.

Michael sat for awhile collecting his thoughts before finally standing up, making sure to do so slowly. He didn't want to fall over dizzy from getting up too fast with a head injury. After sure of his rightness of stance, Michael began to sweep the area in case his bike was to be found.

He pushed ferns out of the way and dug into bushes but it truly looked as if his bike had been stolen. He could, yet he also couldn't really blame Lovrina. He had knocked her unconscious, and then proceeded to kidnap her in a way. Even I his intentions were only good, she probably didn't think of it that way.

After he was completely sure that there was nothing for him within the trees, Michael headed of to the nearby headquarters. It was a short trek of maybe just thirty minutes. He probably looked more than a little bedraggled to anybody standing outside the facility who saw him drag his sorry self into the western entrance to the building.

The first thing he did, before meeting with his mother lily, or reporting to the professor, was take a shower and change into clothes that didn't make it look like he had spent however long he did in the woods. He guessed based on his dry mouth and rumbling stomach that he had been out of it for at least a day. Being the lazy person he felt he deserved to be, he quenched his thirst while showering, and ate some snack foods he had sitting in his room.

After he was done making himself somewhat presentable he left his room and headed to the elevator. Surprisingly enough he didn't run in Jovi on the way to the elevator. Instead his ride to the top floor of the building was uneventful. Michael found out why once he made his way to his mother's office.

Standing in a small circle(triangle?) was professor Krane, his mother, and Jovi. They hadn't noticed him yet.

"Jovi I know bubby is back now but give him some space for a bit. He looked pretty out of it when he got back. And alone. He didn't even have his bike." lily said.

"But he was gone for almost two days. It should have only taken him a few hours to get back from Pyrite town, even with some extra luggage."Jovi for once in her life sounded concerned.

I can't blame them for being concerned for me. I was gone for close to two days after I called them. Michael prepared himself for the hell storm of Jovi's affection and made his presence known.

"Hi mom, Hi Jovi. I'm back. I kinda got held up a little bit, and lost my bike."

"Yes we saw sweety. I would like to know more about that. Jovi would you mind leaving my office for a bit while the professor and I discuss things with Michael." Lily said.

Jovi harrumphed, but knew better than to put up any argument against her mother. Therefore, she quietly left the three others alone.

Michael crossed his arms, "bubby?"

"That's not important right now. You should tell us why you were gone for so long. It was a few days and even if you are independent I still worry. You didn't leave a call or even just a silly email to explain yourself." Michael's mother crossed her arms now too.

"Well you see. The thing about that... I've kinda been sleeping," lily's face hardened, and Michael knew she was assuming things, but was letting him explain. "Yeah I woke up in a woods just a little ways away from the HQ. Couldn't remember anything. Had a large bump on my head, so I assumed that she knocked me out when she woke up, and stole my bike."

Her face softened a little bit, before a smirk replaced all of her expression. He couldn't tell what she was thinking but then again he wasn't the greatest at reading a persons thoughts.

"I see, well regardless of what you did I'm glad you're back, and I know Jovi was worried about you, so go and attend to her now. She could use a little bit 'bubby' time right about now. She is still worried about her brother. Even when you finally showed back up."

Michael sighed, "yeah sure, I guess I could go and ease her worries."

He left the office and set out to find Jovi which wasn't all that challenging. Michael found her sulking in her room.

Jovi threw herself at Michael in a big hug.

"Big brother where were you this whole time? Jovi was worried so much she was starting to get sick." Jovi didn't so much as cry, yet he could tell that she was very emotional about the situation. He wrapped his own arms around his younger sister in a comforting gesture. "I thought I would have to carry on your legacy and go take out the baddies all on my own."

Michael could tell she was at least trying to be serious, considering he attitude and word choice. All Michael could do was hug her and let her talk her young self out. Which she did.

After complaining about his absence for a few minutes, she switched to just completely random topics, like what she had done while he had been gone for two days, or talking about what lily was teaching her. Unsurprisingly the little girl was taking a shine to her mother's profession. That being a secretary that happens to double as a Pokemon research scientist.

She spent a good ten minutes talking his ear out about shadow Pokemon purification project. Not that he wasn't privy to all the information he told her. Michael was actually quite well informed about the research. He was doing his best to humor her though. Eventually she grew tired though fell asleep sitting up.

Michael being as gentle to his younger sister as possible, picked her up, removed her shoes and long socks, and then laid her under the sheets and covers of her bed. He didn't dare bother with her other clothing though. She could deal with that on her own, and he didn't really need that in his life. After making sure she was well, he got up and went to discuss what happened with the professor in more detail.

two days later, Pokemon lab/headquarters

"Michael I know you've had a recent 'traumatic' experience and all but would you mind heading to Phenac city? We got the deciphered codes back, and it looks like Cipher's next target is the resort city. We had another bike brought in from Gateon port. It should be good, but try not to go getting this one stolen okay? Those things are actually kind of expensive, and the lab can't afford to fund your vigilantism if you keep wasting the money on costly gear."

"Yes professor I understand I don't think it will happen again. I will get going to Phenac city right away just got to pack a few things." Michael said by way of leaving. He walked out of the professor's office, and outside the building. The quickest way to get from the eastern portion of the building to the western portion was of course by going through the external doorways.

Now that he was leaving again, thoughts of Lovrina brought themselves to the forefront of his mind. Those thoughts sat next to preparing himself physically and mentally to face Cipher. Michael went to his room and dug around for awhile until he found what he was looking for. He didn't know why he didn't check his Pokemon related storage box first, but he found a few pokeballs and some healing supplies. With a few changes of clothes, some snack foods from his stash, and a canteen of water.

He didn't know if he would see Lovrina again at Phenac, but probably not. Considering that he more than likely ruined her sneaking-out-of-the-base plan, she was probably found out and punished. That didn't stop him from thinking about the sadistic, beautiful girl. She had beat him up, knocked him unconscious and stolen his stuff, yet he still thought about her.

Regardless of whether or not she would be there, Michael left the building and got on his new bike. He didn't know why they got him a brand new one. Perhaps because they knew that he would put many miles on it. He didn't truly know and really only cared about the fact that they were kind enough to replace his things at all.

He started the bike up with the push a button. It had already been registered under his fingerprints. They had really gone all out in giving him a bike. His old one had had fingerprint technology, but they were expensive. It made him wonder how Lovrina operated his bike, but he chose not to dwell on it too much.

Fingerprint technology became available for commercial use about two decades before then, but hadn't really taken off until just five years ago. It was a truly innovative technology that changed the way security on a personal level worked. Most houses now had some form or other of a fingerprint lock system, even things as small as phones could now accurately tell and owner from other people.

As the owner of the object, Michael would be able to register other people to use it, or take away that privilege from them. As the owner though, another registered user of his stuff couldn't change themselves to the owner without his permission. Everything was stored in an internet database.

Once Michael got the bike going, he turned it to the road and went off into the woods. To him time passed quickly while he was riding. It seemed like not long after starting he was out in the desert heading out to Phenac city. Considering how hot it was during the day, Michael had left in the evening and worn colder weather clothing. Now the moon was above the horizon give the dessert a beautiful light reflective glow.

A/N: Yeah I know it's been awhile. Five-ish months to be exact. The thing is, I lost interest in writing for a time. I also fell out of the Pokemon fandom itself, but have no fear if you actually like what I write. I'm back and already have another story up for my favorite ship. Which is surprisingly not XDrivalshipping *gasp* anyway, some shameless self promotion here. Go and read my other stories except for vivre l'aventure. That story hasn't been taken down for the sole purpose of that I might rewrite it or just straight up continue it. I like the idea but am just not feeling it. I made it escalate a bit too quickly for my liking.