"I need eyes in the sky pronto!" Looker commanded as he strode through the makeshift base set up outside of Castelia on Route 4. The desert would be murder on the machines, but he couldn't bring himself to care right now. "We need that bomb removal squad here ASAP!" He barked into his phone. "And for Arceus' sake, how long until reinforcements arrive!?"

Looker cursed as he hung up a minute later, glaring up at the gleaming skyscrapers just behind the wall that separated the outside world from Castelia. Just his luck the one day he and his team had left the city to track down a lead was the day Clarity decided to make their move. He had to admit, the idea of a mole in the International Police became more likely by the second. He didn't know who to trust anymore.

He slammed a fist against a table. The Castelia Police were on their own in there and he hadn't been able to get word in or out with the Officer Jenny in charge.

"Sir!" One of the techies came rushing over, holding a tablet in his arms, his Porygon floating after him. "You need to see this!"

"What is it now!?" Looker asked, agitated. He took the screen and cursed again. Frozen and dramatically zoomed in showed the underside of Skyarrow Bridge. More specifically, the individuals flying right beneath it, all but hidden from most cameras had Looker not ordered Pidoves to be sent out across the city with small cameras to get a readout of the situation.

"Sir, what should we do?"

Looker glared at the screen before shoving it back at the Techie. He flipped out his phone again, quickly speed dialing a number. "Looker here. Keep an eye out for a couple of trainers in the city." He lowered the phone, glancing once again at the skyscrapers, this time with uncertainty. "I really hope you know what you're doing, Zeno."


"This was a bad idea," Robert said from below where he dangled in Corviknight's talons.

"Oh shut it you big baby," Alex glanced down at him, hands around my waist. "We're not even going that fast."

"It's fast enough!"

"Both of you, quiet," I ordered. Corviknight flew close to the underside of Skyarrow Bridge, keeping to the shadows. This was our best way in. And if Looker was as good as I expected him to be, he'd be using this route sooner or later. What worried me is if Clarity already knew about this method of sneaking in.

Patting the side of Corviknight's head, I urged him to go faster. We were nearly to the end. Looking below, I could see a concrete platform where the bridge's support entered the water. And there was a hole in the side, presumably connected to the sewage system.

"Bring us down," I ordered and Corviknight slowed and gently descended. Robert was dropped once they were close enough to the ground and Alex and I slid off a moment later.

"Thanks, you did good," I praised my Pokemon before returning him and clipping the ball to my waist.

"Sewers," Robert complained as soon as he saw the hole. "Why is it we always seem to end up in sewers?"

"I have to agree with him on this one," Alex said regretfully.

"We can't exactly help it," I shook my head as I let out Lucario. "Alright, keep your senses alert. We don't want anyone getting the jump on us."

The pipe was large enough to fit us without having to crouch. And the smell was something else, our shirts riding up to cover our noses as our footsteps made small splashes in the foul liquid. We traveled at a brisk pace, only able to see from the dim lights of our X-transceivers.

"Ugh, I'm gonna have to buy new shoes," Robert moaned quietly.

"To think trainers will come down into sewers like this willingly just to catch a few Poison types," Alex muttered, edging away from a Trubbish that huddled against the side of the pipe wall.

"Or Zubats," Robert pointed up to a couple that were hanging upside down ahead, forcing us to crouch and mind our noise even more. The last thing we needed was to get caught up in a Pokemon battle.

"Y'know, it's a good thing Pokemon down here are used to trainers coming through all the time," Robert revealed. "There's strict laws in Castelia on what trainers are allowed to do down here. Mind you, we're in one of the restricted zones."

"Good to know," I remarked dryly. Through the dim light, I could make out the pipe opening up. "Heads up, we're almost out." I slowed to a stop at the end, peering out cautiously alongside Lucario. The pipe exited out onto a walkway stretching out to either side. Beyond the rusty railing I could see dark colored water flowing down the current, passing beneath another walkway.

"We made it into the main area," Robert breathed next to me. "If Clarity has control over the city, they might be patrolling down here."

I nodded, hopping out of the pipe as silently as I could with wet shoes. Lucario followed suit, ears twitching as he glanced around. He gave me a nod and I motioned for Alex and Robert to join us.

"Follow me, I know the way out," Robert said, taking the lead, pokeball in hand. After a minute, we had to stop once we realized there was rubble blocking the stairs out.

"Well, this was intentional," Robert shook his head. "We'll have to look for a manhole, or-"

Lucario growled behind us. After a few seconds I could hear faint footsteps. One pair. A person turned the corner, stopping in surprise. We stared back in equal amazement.

"Well, this is unexpected," Colress remarked. "I take it you're not here to sightsee?"

"Why the heck are you here?" Robert exclaimed.

"Research," Colress continued walking. "Come on now, I have a way out for you all. I must warn you though, there are some very dangerous individuals in control of the city right now. Might be in your best interests to stay down here where it's safe."

"Not if they bomb everything," I pointed out.

Colress led us across a small bridge. "That is somewhat concerning. Then I guess knowing your exploits, I'd say it's not only in my best interests, but the city's above as well, if you three- four, I mean, get up there. Sorry, Lucario."

Lucario didn't even blink, just narrowed his eyes at the man.

"You know about us?" Alex asked cautiously.

"Oh yes," the scientist led them around a corner where they faced a brick wall. A brick wall with an opening blasted through. "Team Plasma has some very detailed records about you." He stopped beneath the opening, turning his head back to us with a slight smile. "Oh but don't worry, we're on the same side right now. After all, we both want to get rid of Clarity. The enemy of our enemy is my friend, you know."

"Zeno?" Alex glanced at me questioningly.

"He's not wrong," I admitted, not following Colress through the hole yet. "N would want Clarity gone as well, so we can trust him on that." Gritting my teeth, I followed after the scientist. "Doesn't mean we have to like it."

We stepped into a small cave bathed in a soft orange glow from mounted overhead lights. A long metal table sat against the far wall, filled with various monitors with cables snaking towards a power generator humming gently in the corner. I caught a quick glimpse of two DNA double helixes merging together on one of the monitors before Colress pressed a button on the keyboard in front of the far left screen and they all shut off. He sat in a plush chair and swiveled to face us.

"Nice digs," Robert complimented the scientist. "Really gives off the mad scientist vibe, y'know."

"Thank you," Colress said sincerely, a small smile playing on his face. "And you're telling me you wouldn't have a place like this yourself?"

"Oh heck yeah I would," Robert grinned cockily.

"Robert," Alex groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Sorry, he just has admittedly good tastes," Robert shrugged apologetically.

"Moving on," I shook my head at my friend before looking back at Colress. "So you're a member of Team Plasma."

"I am," he confirmed. "In fact, not only am I their top scientist, but I am also one very highly ranked, just under the Sages. As such, I am well protected." He pressed another button on his keyboard and a section of rock wall that hadn't looked moveable did indeed move, sliding backwards before sliding right. I narrowed my eyes as half a dozen people trooped into the room and lined up in military formation, arms situated behind their backs as if awaiting orders. Their uniforms were all black and militaristic, and the coat of arms for Team Plasma was emblazoned over their hearts.

"This is just a small portion of Team Plasma's Special Forces," Colress gestured to them. "These few are under my direct command, here to keep me safe while I am in Castelia. We of Team Plasma do not take kindly to Clarity's activities, especially not one of this caliber. Our King wishes them punished for their transgressions. So, as I said before, the enemy of our enemy is our friend."

"If N wants to fight Clarity, then where is he?" I questioned. "He has Reshiram now, a powerful legendary dragon."

"Our King has other matters he must attend to," Colress said cryptically. "He did say he had the highest faith in your abilities to solve the problem without him. Now, to business." He motioned towards the Plasma Special Forces. "There are several more squads positioned around the city in key locations. As soon as I give the signal, they will engage with Clarity forces. Already the Castelia Police are under heavy strain." He clicked a few keys and a monitor sprang to life, showing a video feed of a section of the street barricaded with police cars on both sides as a squadron of officers alongside their Pokemon fended off attacks from various groups of Pokemon on both sides. Members of Clarity stood behind their Pokemon, arms crossed as they grinned, seemingly content with waiting things out.

"They won't hold out for long," Colress shook his head. "And the International Police are waiting for backup to arrive, but they won't get here in time to help the police, nor every citizen who remains holed up in their homes and offices out of fear of being killed. This city is overrun. You can't fight an entire organization on your own throughout this whole city without help." He leaned forwards, fingers pressed against one another in front of him. "So, what say you, heroes?"

I regarded him. "And after Clarity is defeated?"

"Then you are free to turn on us the moment they are," Colress smiled. "But know we won't do the same, unless provoked. We'll just continue with our current plans that you remain blissfully unaware of. Now then, do I take it you accept our help?"

I glanced at my friends, who both gave slight nods. Not nods of acceptance, but an indication they trusted me to make the right call, their hands hovering near their pokeballs. I felt Lucario's aura elevate ever so slightly in preparation.

"Fine," I told Colress. "We'll work together. But after, know that we will be coming after Team Plasma. Whatever your plans are, we will stop them."

"Good," Colress swiveled his chair around. Pressing a few keys, another monitor lit back up, showing off a skyscraper. "This is Clarity's main base of operations. It stands to reason that not only will their top men be inside, but the Executioners as well. Expect heavy resistance. Which is why you'll be getting special backup."

"Special as in-" I cut off, already feeling their presence and backing up as the Shadow Triad materialized in front of Colress.

"We will engage the Executioners directly," the head member of the trio spoke. "While you three proceed to the top floor. It is where the leader of Team Clarity resides."

"Any info on the big bad?" Robert asked.

"None," Colress frowned at this. "It is quite peculiar. We know he exists through some very vague and uninteresting dealings, but that's it. It seems the face of Clarity operations is Averick." An image of the scrawny man with a Natu perched atop his shoulders that we'd encountered several times now replaced the image of the building. "Find him, and you'll likely find his boss. Take them down, along with any others, and we'll deal with the bombs and help out around the city. Without their bombs, they won't have anymore leverage against the International Police and with no leaders, they'll also be without chain of command."

"You make it sound so easy," Alex's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"It won't be," Colress shrugged. "But from what I've heard, you three have pulled through worse. So in the end, I'm not really worried."

"Good to know you have faith in us," I said dryly. "So how exactly do we start?"

"We'll lead you to their building's basement from the sewer," the head Shadow Triad spoke again.

"Oh joy, more sewage trekking," Robert muttered.

"Then let's go," I turned on my heel. "The clock's ticking. Who knows when they might set off their bombs."

"Good call," Colress said from behind. "And good luck. I'll monitor things from down here and get some people on finding those bombs and disarming them, though I do hope the International Police's reinforcements get here quick. Team Plasma just wasn't built for this."


"Are you certain he will come?" The thin glasses wearing man asked, head bowed respectfully to the man hidden in the shadows. Even his Natu, perched atop his shoulder, bowed his head.

His boss, the leader of Clarity, stood by the window, staring down at the city below. At the moment, it almost looked serene. Not a single car drove upon the roads and the usual city noise had but all been silenced. The people of this city were too terrified to leave their homes, allowing Clarity free reign to roam as they pleased. There were distant battles raging on below between the police force of this city doing their best against his men, but they were few and his organization was many. Castelia City was all but theirs.

"I am certain." His deep voice never failed to send shudders down Averick's spine. He feared his boss, but he also respected the man and his ambitions. "He has consistently targeted Clarity in the short amount of time since he arrived in Aspertia City. He will come. For Zeno is, after all..." Though the shadows covered the top half of his face, Averick could see the wicked grin upon his boss' expression. "A hero."


"Well, looks like our contract is nearing its end," Spicy said with a savage grin as he leaned on his axe, staring down at the city below, his Gliscor, Fang, hovering beside him, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Not much left to do now. Oh I cannot wait to finally kill Zeno. He's been a thorn for far too long."

"Indeed," Sage said softly, leaning with her back against the window, her cheek pressed into the glass as she absentmindedly played with one of her nunchucks. Her Weavile, Claws, batted playfully at the weapon whenever it swung his way.

Spirit sat cross legged on the floor, sheathed katana laying in her lap, her eyes closed as she meditated. Ghost remained in the shadows, invisible, but was aware of her trainer's shifting mood. The name Zeno had struck a chord within her. He kept showing up where he shouldn't. Soon, she would have to...

She opened her eyes, fingers sliding along the hilt of her blade. Soon, she would have to kill them.


The sound of echoing footsteps reached Colress' ears, long after he'd sent off Zeno and his friends along with the members of Team Plasma. He sighed. He'd known she'd come, ever since he discovered she was working for Clarity. Because once he found out she was here, she would know he was here as well.

Typing out one last command, he slid the chair back a bit and swiveled around, fingers clasped together. "Well well, I'd say I was surprised, but I'm not. Not at this point. Come here for my data? To kill me? A little of both?"

"Hello Colress," a woman in a black suit worn beneath a lab coat strutted in, hands in her pockets. Uneven, messy dark blue hair hung down her back as she regarded the other scientist through half closed aqua eyes. The corners of her lip twitched upon her apathetic expression. "It's been far too long."

"It has been," Colress cocked his head, a grin forming. "Kamake."