Silver had disappeared into the sky all of an hour ago, but Lyra wasn't going to sit still. In fact, she reckoned she couldn't've even if she wanted too. She had taken Team Rocket down before, and even though that was six years ago, she had got a lot stronger and was perfectly capable of doing that again. (Or so she said. She didn't actually know). She had ran back through the Rusturf tunnel and into Verdanturf Town, still wearing her handmade Team Rocket garb. She had picked off the red tape 'R', in the hopes of looking more inconspicuous, but she was still dressed head to toe in black, which made sneaking into the Pokémon Centre a lot harder than she thought.

Lyra cursed her luck- when she reached her room she remembered that she had asked Silver to carry the room key, and therefore she had no way of getting in. She trudged back down to Nurse Joy, who gladly gave her a new one without asking any questions. Lyra unlocked the room, and after closing the door, threw herself angrily on the bed. She covered her face in her arms and allowed herself to sob quietly for all of one minute, before sitting up straight and making a plan of attack. She only had one Pokémon with her- Dugtrio- which was probably the least useful outside of battle. She only had one Pokémon with her, but there had to be another one in this room. When Proton had showed her the stolen Pokéballs, there were only four, and she knew she definitely had brought six to the Hoenn region with her.

Leaping off the bed, Lyra fumbled about on the floor, searching for the missing Pokéball. Sh reached under the bed, but didn't find anything apart from dust, and retracted her hand quickly. The room had been torn apart by Team Rocket, but they had left pretty much everything apart from their Pokémon. Lyra tidied as she searched, folding Silver's clothes back up and stuffing them in his backpack. She did the same with her own clothes, placing them inside her bag. She lifted her signature hat, pulling it on over her pigtails, which she had retied after entering the Pokémon Centre. Her black pumps were pulled off and set on top of everything else, and were replaced by her usual red ones. When Lyra slipped her foot in, however, it was met with the cold exterior of the missing Pokéball, which Lyra reached down to grab.

"It must've fell in there when I was getting the stuff before," she mumbled to herself, slipping her other shoe on. "Alright, let's see who you are! Go!" She tossed the Pokéball, releasing her Ampharos, who bleated happily at the sight of it's trainer. "Am I glad to see you!" She patted it on the head, before returning it to it's Pokéball and packing the rest of her and Silver's stuff up.

She left the Pokémon Centre, returning the room key to Nurse Joy, and carrying her map in front of her. To get out of the region, would need a Pokémon that could fly, and although taking the boat was also a viable option, flying would be about a million times faster. Thankfully for her, Silver's Hoenn League handbook was still in his bag, and she found out that she would need the Fortree City gym badge to legally fly in this region, as well as a Pokémon that could actually leave the ground.

A million thoughts ran through Lyra's head as she walked to Mauville City. Fortree City was the nearest city to Mauville, yes, but it was still probably a day or more away and Lyra really couldn't be affording to waste time. She also needed a Pokémon that could fly, and she wasn't particularly looking forward to finding and catching a Pokémon that could do such a thing. She also needed someone that she actually knew that lived in Hoenn that she could ask how to get out of the region.

Her mind flew over all the people she had met on her journey. She couldn't particularly remember anyone that outright stated they were from Hoenn, but there was someone she had met she was confident was in the region. So first, she would head to Fortree, and then to Mossdeep. That was her plan, and she would stick to it. She had nearly reached Mauville by this point, but was stopped, when some sort of bird flew in front of her, cutting off her path to the city. She held her Pokédex up to it, while the tricoloured bird cawed impatiently.

"Pelipper, the Water Bird Pokémon. It protects its young in its beak. It bobs on waves, resting on them on days when the waters are calm."

"A flying and water type… okay! Ampharos, go!" Lyra threw her Pokéball, the bipedal Pokémon appearing in a flash of light. "Power Gem!"

This one move caused a lot of damage to the opposing Pokémon, and not one for wasting time, Lyra threw a Heal Ball in it's direction. Luckily, the Pokémon stayed in the ball, and Lyra picked it up.

"Alright! This is going to save me a lot of time. I'll just teach you Fly… and we're good to go!" Ampharos made a disapproving snort behind Lyra, and she turned to face it, Pokéball in hand. "Oh, shush. We've already broken about fifteen laws just by being here. We've illegally flown before, and as long as we're quick, no one need know about it. Just till we get to Fortree, okay, Ampharos? After that it'll be… more legal!"

The Light Pokémon snorted again, but Lyra simply returned the Pokémon to it's Pokéball with a shake of her head.

"Okay Pelipper, let's go! Fly me to Fortree!" The water type Pokémon burst from the Pokéball, ready to go. Lyra clambered onto it's back; pointing the vague direction she wanted her newest Pokémon to go. Her map reading skills weren't too bad, thankfully, and she made it to the treetop city with in an hour or so.

The gym was located in the centre of town, and Lyra decided to take it on without thinking twice.

"I'm here to challenge the gym leader!" Lyra announced on her way in, and she saw the gym trainers scurry away as she made her way through the changing doors that was the gym's puzzle. Clearly, her face was still recognisable enough for the trainers to still be scared of her. She arrived at the top of the gym, where Winona stood, ready to battle.

"Welcome, Lyra. We've been awaiting you. You and your Pokémon have caused quite a stir across Hoenn, and we're looking forward to the battle. Let's start right away, shall we?"

Lyra nodded, fierce determination painted clearly on her face. She took her place at the challenger's end of the battlefield, Pokéball in hand.

"This will be a match for the Feather Badge between the Fortree City Gym Leader, Winona, and the challenger, Lyra from New Bark Town! The battle will be over when all four of one trainer's Pokémon are unable to battle! Begin!"

"I'm not taking any chances. We will wipe out all your Pokémon without letting ourselves take a hit. Altaria! Go!"

"I can't let that happen. Ampharos, you're up!"

"You won't win with an electric type. We've put up many defences against them. However, we will let you have the first move."

"Thanks!" Lyra threw her arm out, commanding her Pokémon. "Power Gem!"

Clearly Winona wasn't expecting this move, as her face when Altaria fell was one of shock and disgust. She returned the Pokémon to it's Pokéball, sending out her next Pokémon, a Swellow.

"Thunderbolt!"

"Again! Thunderbolt!"

"Now try Thunder!"

All of Winona's bird fell with one hit, and as she returned Pelipper to it's Pokéball, she yelled over to Lyra.

"You are a lot stronger than anyone else in this region. In fact, you could probably take down the Champion's Pokémon with only a little more effort than you put into this battle. Take the Feather Badge. You deserve it." Lyra snatched the badge from the cushion, putting it inside the badge case she had received back in Slateport City. "Good luck with the rest of your battles."

"Thanks."

She scurried out of the Gym, bypassing the Pokémon Centre to continue on. That was the shortest time she had ever been in a gym, and she wanted to spend as little time in Fortree as possible. Ampharos wasn't harmed, and Pelipper hadn't left it's Pokéball, so she decided to fly to Mossdeep, where her next destination was.

Lyra was completely unfamiliar with this city, and locating the house she wanted proved to be a bit of a problem. However, with a good bit of asking around, she found the building she was looking for, and knocked curtly on the door. She heard footsteps coming down the hall, and the door opened quickly.

"Ah, you're here!" The man exclaimed, before his face turned into an expression of confusion. "Sorry, I was expecting someone else. Can I help you?"

"Um, hi. My name is Lyra. We met before, in Kanto? You are Steven Stone, right?"

"I am. Yes, I vaguely recall. You were the one I talked to about Latias, correct?" Lyra nodded. "Why don't you come inside? You won't be able to stay for long, though. As I said, I'm expecting someone."

"Thanks. Don't worry, this won't take long." Steven moved aside to let the brunette enter his house, and lead her through to the sitting room, which was covered in papers.

"I've heard a lot about you recently. I was expecting to see you soon, but not at my house! The league would've been a much better place for us to meet again, but oh well. What's troubling you?" He tidied as he spoke, signalling for Lyra to sit down in the space he had just created for her.

"I saw a battle of yours in the Pokémon World Tournament not that long ago, and I was wondering if you could tell me anything about Mega Evolution. My… friend is in trouble, and I think that it might be the only way I can save him." Steven sat down opposite her, crossing his legs.

"Mega Evolution is a tricky process, and only those who are exceptionally strong trainers can use it. However…" He breathed in, sighing slightly. "Well, I know you're a strong trainer, so I'll gladly tell you about it. In fact, give me a moment. I can give you something." Steven shot up, running out of the room and returning only moments later with a few strange rocks in his hand.

"This here is called a Key Stone," he explained, handing the rock over to her. "It allows Mega Evolution to take place. This is held by the trainer."

"Okay…" Lyra turned the rock over in her hand, taking note of the markings on the surface.

"And these are Mega Stones. They are held by the Pokémon, and with a chain reaction from activating the Key Stone; it causes the Pokémon to Mega Evolve. It sounds simple, but there are a lot of scientists both here and in the Kalos region that are working on it. Apparently, there is a lot more to it than anyone has thought about it."

"Are there specific Mega Stones for specific Pokémon?" Lyra asked, her eyes scanning the stones in front of her.

"Indeed. I am willing to give you one of these, as a present. I have no intention to train any of the Pokémon that use them, so you can have one. I'll be able to find another for my collection another day," he laughed, rubbing his head and causing his hair to stick up more than it already was. "I have one for Gengar, Ampharos, Venusaur and Houndoom here."

"Wait, Ampharos can Mega Evolve? I'll take that one then! A lot of my Pokémon have been stolen, and Ampharos is one of the only ones I have with me, so if it could Mega Evolve, I would definitely be able to help my friend!" Lyra rambled, grabbing the stone.

"Look after that Ampharosite. It's a rare stone," Steven explained with a nod.

"Thank you so much. I really wish I could repay you in some way, but this is kinda a life and death situation, so it might have to wait."

"No, no, I don't need anything. Just make sure you come back and give me a good battle, okay?"

"I will!"

Steven showed the younger girl out, who thanked him copious amounts of times. It was sunset by the time she left, and she called her Pelipper out to fly out of the region.

"If you fly southeast from here, you should reach Johto within a few hours. Good luck with rescuing your friend."

"Thank you again!" Lyra called, as she flew into the sky.

Silver was having what he would later describe as the most unpleasant experience of his life. Not only had be been literally dragged across to Kanto from the Hoenn Region, he was defenceless, apart from his Crobat, which had fainted in his battle against Proton. He landed in Saffron City mid afternoon, and was immediately ushered into the Silph Co. building, escorted by two grunts and Proton into the lift.

"Where are you taking me? Why are we at Silph Co.?" He asked, elbowing one of the guards in the side to get rid of him.

"To see the boss. Why else would you be here?" Proton replied, turning to face the redhead with a smirk.

"I don't want to see him. He's done enough."

"You have no choice. Unless… no, never mind. You'll just do as you're told, Silver. As the son of Giovanni, you're all set to become the head of the company. The boss wants to retire soon, and you know he wants another male to take over."

"I don't want to. I thought I made that clear when I left when I was eleven. Or did I not make that clear enough?"

"Silver, we all know, what you think of the company. But frankly, you have no choice. Archer, Petrel and I don't want you in charge- we all think Ariana would be a better choice. But the boss wants what he wants, and he'll get it." The teal haired man turned to Silver. "And we're willing to take some… precautions to get you where we want you. But I'll let your father explain that."

He turned back to face the silver doors of the lift, and Silver scowled at his back. The lift stopped with a chime, the metal doors sliding open.

"Don't tell me my dad is here," Silver said, pointing to the wooden door in front of him. "That trainer Red defeated him here years ago!"

"And you think that made any difference?" Proton drawled sarcastically. "We've had control of this building for years. Sure, it still manufactures products for trainers, and the lobby is open to the public, but that's just to keep up appearances. Team Rocket owns this building!"

"You disgust me."

"Brilliant. Do you think I care? I've brought you, some annoying hormonal teenage boy, so I'll be getting a promotion. Your opinions don't matter to anyone in this building. Now go."

Silver was practically shoved into the room in front of him. Windows covered the entire of the back wall, and from the view, Silver could tell they were on the top floor of the building. The room was sparsely decorated, with only a desk in the middle, and a chair sitting in front of it. Silver doubted this chair usually made an appearance in the room. The door closed behind him, and the man sitting behind the desk spun around in his chair to face him.

"Silver. Take a seat."

Silver stalked across the room, throwing the chair behind him and sitting on it. He crossed his arms and legs, showing his father he was not here for a friendly chat.

"How have you been? It's a shame we've lost contact for so long. I've rather missed having you around the house. Now Ariana has moved out, and Mars is in Sinnoh, I only have my Pokémon to keep me company."

No response.

"Anyway, I'm sure you know why you're here," Giovanni said, leaning across the desk slightly. "I plan to retire at the end of the financial year, and I need a heir ready to take my position. I have chosen you, Silver, as you have showed the most promise out of any of my children. I also want to make some strong connections with other companies in the region, and that is why you'll be marrying the delightful Crystal. Her parents run the Safari Zone here in Kanto. I can tell you that once she heard of your return, she was most excited. I'm sure she'll be here at the end of the day. You can have some time with her to… make her acquaintance."

Silver was silent again, his eyes boring into the top of his father's head.

"Come now. I know this isn't ideal- obviously you'd have more time to get to know each other, but Silver, if you'd cooperated-"

"No," Silver said flatly.

"What?" Giovanni sat back in his chair, folding his hands in front of him.

"I don't want to take over Team Rocket. Why do you insist on calling it a 'company' anyway? We both know what's going here- you want me to take over your crime organization so you can live a cushy life with all the money you've made from committing crimes the last however many years! What about my mother? Was she one of your crimes? I know you killed her, Giovanni. Tell me! What happened to her?"

"Do not address me as Giovanni," the older man said, his voice dangerously low. "Secondly, your mother died in a car accident. You know this. Don't insinuate anything, son."

"I am not your son!" Silver yelled, standing up from his chair. "I hope you rot." He walked towards to door, but before he made it the whole way there, Giovanni spoke up again, his tone softer and quieter. It scared Silver- he had never heard his father talk like this.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Silver. You wouldn't want anything to happen to your friend, would you?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Silver asked, not turning around out of fear.

"Your friend, Lyra. We have her in our custody. She didn't come quietly, and she's in the basement. Not that I'm going to let you see her. She's our… leverage for you."

"What the hell? How did you get her? What are you going to do with her?" Silver spun round, his hair swinging across his shoulders.

"If you don't do what we ask… well, she'll bear the brunt of it."

"Don't you dare touch her!"

"We won't. Meet with Crystal today, and she'll be moved to a more secure location, where she's safer. Marry her on Friday, and we'll let her go free, unharmed. But if you do anything to disobey our plans, she might not make it out of this building alive."

"You're bluffing," he whispered, his face paling.

"No, we're not," Giovanni said, pressing a button on his desk. One of the windows blacked out, and then switched to a screen where Silver saw Lyra, her hands tied together, slumped in the corner of the room.

"… fine. I'll do it."

"I knew you'd come around.

"Silver!" A high pitched voiced rang, and Silver turned to see Crystal bounding towards him. She looked so similar to what he remembered- royal blue hair, and crystalline eyes, like her name described. She was the same age as him, and in a change from all those years ago, he was now taller than her.

"Uh. Hi." There. With two words, Lyra was safe, for now.

They met in the drawing room of Giovanni's mansion, where Silver had been sitting on the sofa for the last forty minutes. He hadn't moved a muscle in theta time, worrying about Lyra. Crystal left her bag by the door, coming over to sit beside him.

"Don't you have something to give me?" She asked, holding her hand out.

"Sure." Silver fished in his pocket, pulling out a silver ring that his father had entrusted him with. He would rather have eaten it than given it to Crystal, but he didn't have much of a choice.

"Thank you! It looks wonderful! Did you pick it out yourself?

"Yeah," He lied, becoming more and more annoyed with the girl's enthusiasm every moment. With Lyra it was different- he was used to it, and she was well, Lyra.

"You aren't being particularly talkative today, Silvy." He winced at the pet name. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm just tired," he lied again, aware that the room was probably bugged.

"Well, anyway. Are you all ready for Friday? Your dad told me you have a really nice suit, and we'll be in the big office space upstairs!"

"Yeah. Can't wait." Crystal was silent for a moment, and Silver felt that he needed to at least pretend he cared about her. "So, have you um… got a dress?"

"Well of course! I'm not letting you see it until the big day though!"

"Oh. Cool."

"Come on, Silver. Let's go somewhere more private. I'd like to talk some more."

"I'd rather stay here." Silver said, causing Crystal to pout.

"You're no fun."

"Yeah, I guess."

"I'm leaving. I'll see you on Friday, okay?"

"Fine."

"Try to get some sleep between now and then, okay?"

"I'll try."

"Toodles!"

No matter how much Silver wanted to, he knew that there was absolutely no way he was going to sleep a wink between now and Friday.

AN: Look at me, uploading on time! Well, near enough. Anyway, I have figured out that this will be ten chapters long, so it won't be long until it's all done! I'm working on finalising chapter ten and then ill be all done ;; hope you enjoy, and please leave a review! (also, Steven Stone is my guilty pleasure and thats why i wrote him in. im trash please excuse me)