"Look, up ahead!" Alex pointed from atop Ninetales. Down the street they were on was a crowd of people, green and purple spotlight set up haphazardly in front of the main gate that led to Virbank Port.

Alex and I shared a look and we commanded our Pokemon to slow down. Once they slowed to a trot, I jumped off. The nearest guy, a punk with spiky purple hair turned to us.

"If you're here for the show," he scowled, apparently frustrated with the look on his face. "It ain't happening. You might as well move on kids."

"What show?" Alex asked.

The punk rolled his eyes. "The only show ever worth seeing in Virbank." He pushed past us and left, muttering under his breath.

"What was that about?" Alex wondered aloud.

I was about to reply when a voice shouted over the noise of the gathered crowd.

"Every night! Every night of the week this port is closed off to us and I would like to know the reason why!"

I returned Arcaneis and began pushing my way through the crowd, ignoring the grumblings I got in return, Alex close behind me. When we were finally close enough, we saw that the crowd of punks and hooligans with the occasional normal looking person had formed a semicircle around the gate. In front of the gate stood was a security guard, shaking his head at the girl in front of him. She had long white hair done in a high, spiky ponytail with a purple and blue bobble holding it up. She wore a long blue and purples striped dress that had ragged ends and almost knee-high black boots with teal platforms. A black bass with purple stripes was settled against her shoulder as a Koffing circled around her head, occasionally blowing out small puffs of purple gas.

She gripped her bass tightly, as if she might swing it at the guard as if it was a baseball bat. "This port used to be always open for my rock concerts. I've been patient and all, but this crowd wants the show!" She threw up one hand and the crowd cheered loudly, pumping their fists into the air. A couple of them even began chanting, "ROXIE! ROXIE! ROXIE!"

She lowered her hand and they stopped. She glared at the guard. "I just want to know the reason why we're not allowed in."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the guard said, keeping a straight, business-like face. "You're now allowed in."

"Heh," Roxie shook her head. "Fine then." She turned to the crowd, slinging her bass over her shoulder and throwing up her hands. "Everyone! I'm sorry to say this, but this concert won't be happening in the port!"

The crowd booed, jeering at the security guard. To his credit, he didn't seem to flinch.

"INSTEAD!" Roxie had to shout louder for the crowd to hear her. At once, they quieted, and stared with bated breath. She smirked, swinging her bass into the playing position and let the sound of one of the strings to echo through the air. "We'll be holding our concert right here!"

The crowd went wild, cheering and yelling, as the guard seemed to sputter some protest, but no one payed him any attention. People began rushing around us, grabbing the lights and positioning them alongside part of the gate.

"Looks like we won't be getting in that way," Alex said as we finally broke free of the crowd.

"No," I scanned the length of the fence that spanned across the street. "But I bet we can sneak in right now. This concert is the perfect distraction."

"Hi-yah!"

Alex and I jumped and whirled around to see Roxie standing there, hands clasped behind her back as Koffing circled around us. She smirked. "Did I hear that right? You two are planning to sneak into the port?"

"Um..." I blinked, unsure of how to respond.

Roxie laughed, patting both of us on the back. "That's some determination for the cause, but I don't need any of my fans getting into trouble."

"We need your help," Alex said quickly. I shot her a look, but she shook her head at me. To Roxie, "Our friend was kidnapped and we're pretty sure he's being held somewhere in the port."

Roxie stood there with an expression that didn't seem like she believed us. Then she frowned. "You're not lying, aren't you."

"We're not lying," I said, hoping Alex had the right idea in telling her. "We're just going to look around the port to see if he's there. If we don't see anything suspicious, we'll be out before anyone sees us."

"Alright..." Roxie seemed to be lost in thought for a couple seconds. She glanced behind her back at the guard, who was now in a tug-of-war with a punk for control of one of the lights. "Fine, I'll believe you. I'll play the part of distraction. 'Cause," she shouldered her bass. "I'll be rocking this street so hard, everyone will have their eyes and ears here."

She turned and walked away, shouting, "WHO'S READY TO ROCK!?" She was met with a tremendous roar as she bounced onto the improve stage, situated right in front of the main gate.

"1, 2, 3, 4!" She shouted as the night air exploded with the sound of music.

"C'mon," I tugged on Alex's wrist and we ran to the gate. I glanced around one more time to make sure all attention was on Roxie's concert before letting out Corvisquire. "Get us over the fence." He obliged, grasping our shoulders with both talons and flew us over. I quickly returned him and Alex and I dropped to the ground.

The port had rows upon rows of shipping containers and both of us hastened to hide behind one incase anyone from outside the gate looked in and saw us.

"How are we going to find him now?" Alex whispered.

"Now that we have a rough location of where he is," I let out Lucario. "We'll just sense for him. Can you do that, Lucario?"

He growled, nodding. He placed his paw on the ground and closed his eyes. Alex let out Absol, putting a finger to her lips to tell the Dark type to be quiet. Half a minute later, Lucario reopened his eyes. He pointed to the left, which led further into the port.

"Let's try not to be seen, alright?" I told everyone.

Me moved as stealthily as possible. Absol seemed to do really well hiding in the shadows and Lucario moved fast between spots. Alex and I ran, keeping to the sides of the shipping containers whenever possible while Lucario and Absol stayed a little ahead to watch out for anyone.

I threw out a hand to stop Alex as I saw Lucario raise a paw. The four of us kept to the side of the red container as the sound of voices grew louder, no longer drowned out by the concert in the distance.

"I tell ya, once this job is over with I'll be happy."

A snort. "Guarding and transporting a couple of kids. There's much better work I could be doing than 'babysitting'."

I held up three fingers. Alex nodded in understanding as Lucario bent his knees slightly, Absol crouching low. As soon as I saw one of their feet come into view from the other side of the container, I shot out my leg, tripping him. I grabbed the back of his head, slamming him to the ground, knocking him unconscious.

"What in the hell!?" The other guy yelled and I both faintly registered them to be dressed as guards. Alex had sprung over me, driving her knee into his stomach before he could raise the weapon he was carrying. Lucario and Absol both ran ahead of her, intercepting the Liepard before it could attack her. They quickly, and mostly quietly, took the Dark type out.

Alex and Lucario dragged the bodies behind the container while I picked up the weapon the guy had dropped. I turned to Alex. "Guns."

She grimaced. The situation we now found ourselves in was a bit more dire. If they had guns, then we were at a huge disadvantage.

"Aren't guns hard to get now?" Alex asked. "Haven't most regions made them illegal by now?"

"Yeah," I nodded, clicking the safety on. "The fact that they have some means they have connections. And if they're willing to give some to minor thugs like these two, then they have a lot of them I would bet."

"Alex," I held out the gun to her. "Get out of the port and head straight to the police. This is enough evidence to bring them cracking down on this place."

"I'm not leaving you," Alex said firmly.

"Alex," I gripped her hand. "I'm the only one who has really dealt with situations involving guns. Besides, getting the police here will help tremendously." I looked into her eyes. "Please, Alex."

She hesitated, then nodded. "Fine, I'll do it." She then kissed me before pulling back quickly. "Save Robert."

I nodded, finding myself at a loss for words. I turned to Lucario. "Go with her." When he frowned, I said, "I'll be fine. I'll have Greninja with me." He nodded and he began running after Alex and Absol, who were going back the way we had come.

I let out Greninja and bent, grabbing the other thug's gun and clipping the holster to my belt on my back. "Be extra careful, Greninja. This could get ugly fast."

Greninja nodded and as I stood, I let our connection solidify. Water flowed silently around Greninja for a second before turning into his cloak. We began running, both of our senses enhanced and connected. When Greninja jumped, I jumped as well, both of us landing on top of a container. Our footfalls were silent and I faintly registered several guards at different points on the ground. I motioned for Greninja to take the left side. He nodded, tossing me a water blade.

I leapt silently from the container, slamming my leg into someone's head. They crumpled to the ground and I quickly turned and shot forwards, slicing upwards as the other thug drew his gun. Part of the gun fell to the ground, no longer functional. I punched him in the face before getting behind him and closing off his oxygen supply. He struggled for a moment before falling unconscious. I released him and felt something hit me in the back. I slammed into the side of the container, getting to my knees as I saw a Boldore getting ready to fire again. I leaped aside as one of the rocks hit the side of the container with a loud clanging noise. Gritting my teeth, I launched myself forwards, slashing the water blade and twirling it in my hand to bring it down on its head. The Boldore collapsed, fainted.

As Greninja rejoined me, I motioned for him to follow me. We had no time to hide the bodies and there was a good chance someone heard the metal clanging sound and would come to investigate.

We leapt atop another container, and after jumping across several more, I spotted two guards with a Gurdurr guarding a shipping container. Greninja tossed me another blade so that I now wielded two. I hurled both of them and they slammed into the Gurdurr, driving him back into one of the guys. Greninja and I jumped at the same time, Greninja's tongue extending to wrap around the second guy and pulling him forwards for me to drive my knee into his chest. He was slammed back into the container as Greninja dealt with Gurdurr. The first guy was holding his head with one hand, drawing his gun with the other, so I quickly stepped over to him, smartly knocking the gun away. I threw my arm around his neck, pulling him back in a choke hold. I nodded to Greninja and he slashed open the lock on the door, pulling it open. The guy in my arms finally lost conscious and fell to the ground, allowing me to see into the container.

"Am I happy to see you!" Robert exclaimed, rushing forwards and grasping me in a hug. He then pulled back, confused. "Where's Alex? She wasn't captured too!?

"Good to see you too. And no, she's fine." I patted his back. I frowned at the tall green haired guy inside. "Who's he?"

"His name is N," Robert introduced him. "He and I were both going to be shipped off to Castelia I think."

My eyes widened as I noticed that N was picking up a small bundle of dark fur from the ground. I hurried over and N regarded me cautiously. Ignoring him, I looked at the Zorua. He was in bad condition.

"Alright, we need to get out of here and qui-"

"Come out of there nice and slowly!"

I turned to see Robert Backing out of sight with his hands in the air, Greninja moving in front of him. Cautiously, N, carrying Zorua, and I walked out to join Robert.

"Come to rescue your friend have you?" the dark haired woman from before laughed, a gun held in her hand as she pointed it our way. Her two buddies were with her as well, along with a man in a suit and a muscular man that put the woman's friend to shame.

The huge guy stepped forwards, tattoos all along his arms and shoulders. "You must be the one that caused my business partner so much trouble." He shook the business man's shoulder, disturbing the Natu on his shoulder. Now I recognized him. He was that guy who had taken Robert!

"Now, I hope you understand the situation you're in," the big guy said, with a smile that wasn't at all friendly. He held up a case, opening it to reveal two pokeballs. "These are your friend's Pokemon. Try and resist and-" he tossed it behind him where a Machamp stepped out of the shadows, catching both balls, fists tightened around both. "I'll have them crushed."

Robert stiffened beside me, fists tightening. I held out a hand and gripped his wrist. He looked at me and I gave him a nod. He relaxed a little, but I could tell he was ready to fight for his Pokemon if need be.

"So," I stepped forward. "I take it your the boss of all this?"

He folded his arms and sneered, towering over me by a good two feet. "I'm the one who's going to be shipping all of you out tonight. I think he'll be pleased with some extra lab rats." He turned and nodded to the trio of goons. "Bring them along. Oh," he didn't bother turning around to look at us. "Don't even think about trying to struggle, or else."

He began walking away and I leaped backwards, shouting, "COVER YOUR EARS!"

I had no idea if they had obeyed me, because the next thing I knew, a loud, clanging noise filled the air, feeling as if it were nails on a chalkboard. Tensing, I crouched, charging forwards despite my eardrums taking a beating. The trio of goons had found that their guns had simply shattered, so I ran past them. Two pokeballs went flying into the air and I quickly caught them, letting out both Snorlax and Chesnaught.

The ringing faded and with a tremendous roar, Machamp tossed Lucario up into the air, who spun and landed on both feet next to me. I nodded to him as Greninja landed on my other side. "Good job, Lucario."

"Hah!" the tattoo muscle-head cracked his knuckles. "So you got the Pokemon back. What of it? I'll just have to crush you to a pulp INSTEAD!" He charged forwards, his Machamp doing the same.

For a split second, I almost drew the gun on instinct, but I made the decision not to. I would never use a gun ever again.

Lucario howled as he punched the earth, cracking the cement and the shock wave slammed into Machamp and his trainer, yet they only slid back a couple of feet. I risked a glance behind me. Robert and his Pokemon were holding off the trio and the business man was nowhere to be seen.

"Looking for me?"

I whirled to my left to see him leaning against a container. He yawned. "Would you like my help, Strong Arm?" He glanced pointedly at the large behemoth of a man.

Strong Arm sneered. "Keep your mind games to yourself beanstalk." He charged forwards again, but this time Lucario ran to meet him, both of their fists slamming into one another. Greninja leaped over them, tossing out several shurikens that swung around Machamp before slamming into him at different angles.

'Beanstalk' sighed, pushing up his glasses. "You know, the boss will be very displeased if his merchandise is damaged." His gaze settled on me. "Natu." His tiny Pokemon awakened on his shoulder, eyes glowing. Immediately I felt dizzy, a wave of drowsiness washing over me.

A loud guitar riff burst through the air, instantly clearing my head. All eyes turned towards the sound where Roxie stood, one knee bent as she stared down at all of us from atop a container. "So this is what's been going on in my city this whole time." She slung her bass back over her shoulder. "This is where it ends."

"POLICE, FREEZE!"

Now I could hear the sirens and see the lights as officers poured from behind a container, a whole herd of Pokemon running ahead of them, including Growlithes, Herdiers, and even an Emboar.

Lucario was thrown back and I turned to see Strong Arm running deeper into the port and disappeared into the darkness. I looked and the man with the Natu had disappeared as well. Suddenly a huge smokescreen went off, filling the area with gray smoke. Over the commotion I heard, "Koffing, breathe it all in!"

"Koffiiiiiiiinnnng!"

The smoke began moving, being sucked past me and into a Koffing. Soon all the smoke had disappeared, but there was no sign of the trio. The only ones that remained were the thugs that had been unconscious.

I tossed Robert's pokeballs back to him.

"Thanks," Robert said, but I already moved past him, looking around and finally spotting Alex rushing towards me. She threw her arms around me.

"Thank Arceus you're safe," she breathed.

"Hey, when have I ever disappointed?"

She rolled her eyes and didn't answer.

"Man oh man," Roxie walked past, arms behind her head. "Am I glad this port is back for public use."

"Not so fast," Officer Jenny walked up. "This area is going to need to be closed while we investigate what went on here."

"Ah, well," Roxie shrugged. "At least this time I know why I'm not allowed to hold concerts here." She glanced back at Alex and me. "Hey, if you two are interested, I'll be holding some concerts these next couple of days in the usual hangout. Come by if you desire a gym badge." With that, she walked off.

"Alright," Officer Jenny cleared her throat. "I hope you understand I'll need to be taking you all in for questioning. I'm sure you haven't done anything wrong, I just need as much information as you can give me."

"That, I can do especially," Robert raised his hand as he came over. "At least, I think I have some idea of what might have been going on."

"Perfect," Officer Jenny nodded. "Then follow me. We shouldn't stay here while the forensics gets their hands dirty."

"We'll need to take a quick detour first," Robert interjected. "This Zorua here is injured. We need to get to the nearest Pokemon Center and quick."

N, who had already been pale, seemed to be paler as he looked worriedly at Zorua in his arms. Robert squeezed his shoulder. "Don't worry, he'll be okay soon."

"Then go, now," Officer Jenny ordered. "Meet us at the station."

Robert nodded and carefully took Zorua from N's arms. With a nod to him, Robert took off for the main gate. I walked over to N, who looked anxious. "N, was it? You can trust Robert to get Zorua there safely."

"I... know," N said quietly. He didn't say anymore than that and even as we left the port, he looked as if he were confused as well as anxious.


"Trouble in one of your business areas?"

"Nothing that can't be dealt with," said the man hidden in shadows as he sat in his chair, hands folded on the desk. The windows on all sides showing a view of Castelia City from high in the sky let in just enough light to see his outline, but nothing else.

"So you want us to stick to the original job then?" The other person spoke, swinging a double-bladed axe with one hand as if it were lightweight.

"Of course. That is what I have hired you for. This other matter is something I'll leave to other capable hands."

"Hmph," he shouldered his axe. "Alright, you're the boss. But hey," he threw a sadistic smile the boss' way. "If you ever have money you don't mind parting with, we'll be glad to do the dirty work for ya." He waltzed out of the room, calling, "C'mon girls, we got a job to do."

Two other figures, who had been blending in with the shadows of the room, silently followed him, the doors slamming shut behind them.