AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 18 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey on Dewford Island with their cousins, Wayne, Marc, and Lisa. You may recall the Sableye from the Pokémon: Advanced episode: "Ready, Willing, and Sableye." Thanks to Team Rocket, they destroyed its favorite place to play. And let's say Keanu also comes into the picture. Yes, that Keanu from the Pokémon: Advanced episode: "A Three Team Scheme." I figured these two should make appearances in this chapter. I hope you enjoy.

TEASER: Tristan, Hillary, and their cousins encounter a Sableye and try to help it find a new place to play. Then they encounter a boy named Keanu and learn about Secret Bases. But as usual, Taz is busy scheming, and Keanu and Sableye must join forces to help each other!

Chapter 18: I SPY WITH MY LITTLE SABLEYE

Today, our heroes continue their journey on Dewford Island. But they're about to encounter something...scary...or are they?

"I say we get our training done right here!" said Tristan as he and Pikachu came to what appeared to be the ruins of an abandoned cave.

Hillary, Wayne, Marc, and Lisa were beginning to have second thoughts.

"Are you sure you wanna come here to a wrecked mine?" asked Lisa.

"The ruins are...ruined," added Marc.

"Even a Zubat would find this place uninhabitable," remarked Hillary.

Togepi trilled in agreement.

"Gee, I never thought this place would be destroyed," said Tristan. "What could've happened to it?"

Pikachu was about to sigh sadly in agreement when suddenly, it spotted something on top of a nearby rock and alerted everyone.

(Music Cue: Dejected (full version))

What they saw was a small dark purple bipedal Pokémon with sharp teeth and claws. It had pale-blue gemstone-like eyes, a red gemstone on its chest, and another one with blue and green gemstones on its back.

"That looks like a scary Pokémon," shivered Wayne.

"Yeah, it's a Sableye," added Marc nervously.

Hillary looked up Sableye's entry in her Pokédex.

"Sableye, the Darkness Pokémon. Sableye normally live deep within caves and eat rocks. They use their sharp claws to dig through the earth."

"I wonder what that Sableye's gonna do to us," shivered Hillary.

"Yeah, maybe it's gonna pull a scary prank," added Marc.

"Or worse, maybe it'll attack us 'cause we've wandered into its territory," finished Wayne.

"Hold on a second, guys," interrupted Tristan. "Take a good look at Sableye."

Sure enough, they saw that Sableye hadn't moved an inch since they arrived. In fact, it looked rather glum.

"It looks like it's very sad," remarked Lisa. "Do you think it's lonely?"

"Let's ask," suggested Hillary.

Tristan and Pikachu walked over to Sableye who was still sitting on the rock.

"I hope Tristan knows what he's doing out there," whispered Wayne.

Tristan slowly approached Sableye and kept his distance for his own safety. "Hey, Sableye, how are you doing?"

Sableye gave a sad sigh as a response.

"You're sad, huh? Is it because of that mine being destroyed?"

Sableye slowly nodded. It thought back to a recent encounter when the cave collapsed and it had to evacuate itself and everyone else from it.

"I'm so sorry, Sableye. I may not know as much about that place as you do, but I do know it was special to you."

Sableye nodded sadly.

"What's Tristan doing?" wondered Lisa.

"Tristan's trying to connect with Sableye's feelings," answered Hillary. "And gets us to help, even under strange circumstances."

"Hey, I just thought of a great idea!" said Tristan. "My friends and I can help you find a new place to play!"

Everyone else gave a sigh.

"Told you so," said Hillary. "Well, shall we?"

"Okay," replied everyone else glumly.

(Music Cue: You Have to Earn Respect (full version))

But a few minutes later, even they had a change of heart after exploring Dewford Island.

"I was wrong," said Marc. "Finding a new place for Sableye to play could be kind of fun."

"Wonder where we'll find a good place for Sableye to play," added Wayne.

"Hey, check it out, guys!" said Hillary as she pointed to something.

There, right in front of them stood a cave.

"We can check this place out and see if Sableye likes it," suggested Lisa.

"Good idea," agreed Tristan. "Let's go in."

And they all went inside the cave.

It was then that Sableye's eyes started glowing like flashlights; it had a sneaky idea.

Lisa was startled by the lights. "What's that?" she trembled.

"Whatever it is, it's creeping me out," added Wayne.

It was then that Sableye leaped up toward the ceiling with its eyes still glowing. Then, just to make itself more enjoyable, it decided to tap Tristan on the shoulder.

"Was that you tapping me just now, Pikachu?" asked Tristan suspiciously.

Pikachu shook its head.

Sableye tapped him again.

"You know I don't appreciate that."

But Pikachu shook its head again.

Then Sableye tapped Hillary on the shoulder.

"Not now, Tristan," grumbled Hillary impatiently.

"But I didn't tap you, sis," replied Tristan.

It was then that Sableye gave a snicker as its eyes continued to glow.

Everyone gave a brief shriek and turned tail to flee, but soon, Marc realized what had happened.

"That Sableye must've been tricking us the entire time!" exclaimed Marc as he pointed to the now laughing Sableye.

Everyone else turned disdainfully toward it.

"That wasn't funny, Sableye," fumed Wayne.

"Yeah, you should know better than to scare people like that," added Hillary. "And if you want us to help you, you'd stop playing all those tricks on us."

Sableye didn't care at first, but saw that Hillary and Wayne were right.

"Now, will you please control yourself so we can help you find another place to play?" asked Lisa.

Sableye gave it some thought, then it reluctantly nodded.

"Don't worry, Sableye," smiled Tristan. "We'll help you get a place to play in no time. Let's do it!"

Sableye nodded in agreement and led the way boldly through the cave.

Meanwhile, just outside the cave, Taz was scheming as usual. "I wonder what those kids are doing today. Well, I'd better see for myself." And he slowly and carefully walked inside the cave. There he saw Tristan, Hillary, and their cousins exploring with Sableye taking the lead. "Well, there they are...clueless as usual." Just then, he saw a door that they had inadvertently passed. "What luck!" he said. "I saw the door first and they didn't! Now's my chance to discover it." And he quickly and quietly made his way to the door. He began to have second thoughts. "Maybe I should knock on the door first to see if anybody's home...Nah!" And he kicked the door open, startling a little boy, who was hard at work trying to decorate a secret room.

"What's going on here?" he asked in alarm as a Nincada cautiosly approached his side.

"Whoops. Sorry to disturb you, kiddo, but I think you've trespassed into my Secret Base."

"This is my Secret Base!" retorted the boy. "Now get out!"

"You'll have to get past my Pokémon first to force me out." And he took out all his Poké Balls and tossed them.

(Music Cue: Team Rocket Appears (as heard in EP167 the Japanese version of The Three in the Jungle! Battle in the Hot Springs!"))

His Electabuzz, Magmar, Ariados, Poliwrath, and Nincada emerged from the white lights that shot out of them.

The boy gave a scream of fright, which was so loud that it startled Tristan, Hillary, and their cousins.

"Did you hear somebody screaming?" asked Wayne nervously.

"Sounds like someone's in trouble!" gasped Hillary. "Quick, we've gotta go check it out!" And she led everyone through the cave to the open secret door with Sableye only a Poké-length ahead.

Inside, there was a lot of commotion caused by all five of Taz's Pokémon, and they were beating up the boy but good.

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail to break up the fight," instructed Tristan.

Pikachu jumped into the room as its tail lit up. Then it used it to strike a serious blow to Taz's five Pokémon, causing them to crash into the wall.

The boy and his Nincada breathed sighs of relief now that the Pokémon were no longer harrassing them.

Taz was very surprised and barked, "Hey, youse guys! Don't just sit there! Get going and attack!" Then he turned to see Tristan, Hillary, and their cousins confronting him.

"We should've known it was you, Taz!" fumed Hillary. "Now leave the boy alone!"

"What are you up to this time?!" demanded Tristan.

"I was only trying to steal his Nincada," replied Taz, pretending to be innocent.

"Please, get him outta here!" the boy implored.

"I've got it covered. Taillow, I choose you!" shouted Wayne as he threw his Poké Ball.

(Music Cue: Let's Run! (as heard in "Seeing is Believing"))

Taillow emerged from the white light that shot out of it and awaited his instructions.

"Taillow, use Peck attack!" ordered Wayne.

Taillow flew at Taz and used its beak to peck him mercilessly.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" shrieked Taz. "Stop that insidious pecking this instant! Electabuzz, ThunderPunch!"

Electabuzz made an electrified fist and charged toward Taillow.

"Treecko, stop it with Quick Attack!" commanded Tristan as he threw his Poké Ball.

Treecko emerged from the white light that shot out of it and streaked toward Electabuzz as a white line trailed behind it. Then it scored a direct hit on Electabuzz and cancelled out its Thunderpunch.

"Squirtle, blast 'em with your Water Gun!" shouted Hillary as she threw her Poké Ball.

Squirtle emerged from the white light that shot out of it and unleashed a powerful stream of water from its mouth at Taz and all five of his Pokémon, who all screamed as they got blasted away.

"Hey, don't blame us just 'cause we intruded on some innocent kid's secret base!" barked Taz. "We won't forget this!" And he and his Pokémon flew out of the cave and disappeared.

DING!

"You'd think all that blasting off would teach Taz a lesson, huh?" remarked Lisa.

"Knowing him, he'll be back before long," added Wayne.

"Never mind that! Look!" exclaimed Marc as he pointed out.

Everyone gasped in disbelief as they saw the damage Taz and his Pokémon had caused.

Part of a wall was destroyed, and so was the door. A helter-skelter mess of furniture and glass lay everywhere.

"My Secret Base is ruined," groaned the boy.

Tristan came to him. "We're really sorry. We didn't mean to destroy your base."

The boy sighed. "It's not your fault. It was that guy with the beard and his Pokémon that caused all this. I don't know what to do anymore."

(Music Cue: The Rockets Unveiled (full version as heard in "Battle Aboard the St. Anne"))

Just then, Sableye, hanging upside-down flew into the boy's face, giving him a terrible fright with its glowing eyes.

"Help!" screamed the boy. "A ghost!"

Sableye kept crawling over the ceiling, closer and closer it came to the boy until it jumped down and landed in front of him. It gave a good loud laugh, scaring the boy even more.

"Sableye!" scolded Lisa. "That wasn't very nice."

Sableye hung its head low in shame.

"Sorry about that," said Hillary. "Sableye likes to play tricks and scare people, which is natural for a Ghost-type Pokémon."

"It does?" replied the boy. "I didn't know that."

Then Tristan got an idea. "How about we help you fix up your Secret Base?" he suggested to the boy. "We won't tell anyone where it is."

"Yeah, your secret will be safe with us," added Hillary.

"Yeah!" agreed Wayne, Marc, and Lisa together.

The boy brightened up. "You'd do that? Thanks so much! My name's Keanu."

"Hi, I'm Tristan," said Tristan. "And this is Pikachu."

Pikachu introduced itself warmly.

"I'm his sister, Hillary, and this is Togepi," put in Hillary.

Togepi trilled happily.

"My name's Wayne."

"And I'm Lisa."

"Call me Marc."

"It's nice to meet you," smiled Keanu. "And thanks for offering to help me fix up my room."

(Music Cue: Fortree City (full version))

As Tristan, Hillary, and their cousins helped Keanu fix up his Secret Base, he explained a few things to them.

"My Nincada used an attack called Secret Power to help me discover a small hole in the wall. I've heard you can make Secret Bases using these special holes in the wall and decorate it with your tastes in mind."

"Wow, you can do that?" Tristan was amazed. "I'd like to have a Secret Base of my very own someday."

"Of course, there's no doubt that that secret would be blown," teased Hillary.

"And why would that be?" asked Tristan suspiciously.

"Uh, no reason, big bro."

"I still don't understand why Taz would want to steal your Nincada," said Wayne.

"Who knows?" replied Lisa. "Probably just so he can make his own Secret Base. Or perhaps he just wants to make such sport out of it."

"Well, since we all volunteered to help Keanu clean up his room, this should be back in good working order in no time," put in Marc.

True enough, Keanu's Nincada was fixing up the damaged wall as all the Pokémon helped bring the necessary supplies.

Sableye's glowing eyes acted as flashlights to check for any missed spots that needed to be fixed.

Wayne, Marc, and Lisa dusted and swept up the floor while Keanu helped Tristan and Hillary fix up all the furniture and put it back into place.

An hour later, everything was back to the way it should be.

"Thank you so much, everyone," said Keanu. "I never would've gotten this Secret Base cleaned up without your help."

Tristan knelt down to Sableye. "We owe a big thanks to you too, Sableye. You were a big help."

Sableye gave a happy reply. Then it suddenly sank its head low.

"Aw, what's the matter Sableye?" asked Lisa.

"I think Sableye still doesn't have a place to play," replied Hillary.

This gave Keanu an idea. "Sableye can play with me here!"

This surpised Sableye and everyone else.

"Sure, I'd have two friends to play with instead of one," said Keanu. "And Sableye can help keep an eye out for intruders. And besides, this place would be its place to play too. And with a cave as big as this, we can train together."

Sableye got excited after hearing all of Keanu's suggestions.

"Well, wanna be Keanu's friend, Sableye?" asked Wayne.

Sableye nodded and gave a happy reply, then it embraced Keanu as its new friend. Then it embraced his Nincada.

"Looks like those three are hitting it off," remarked Marc.

Just then, Keanu's computer beeped.

"What's that beeping sound?" he asked.

"You see, Tristan came up with an idea to install a camera system on your computer so it can detect any intruders inside the cave," explained Marc. "Why don't you give it a try, Keanu?"

Keanu came to his computer and clicked on his security camera.

(Music Cue: We Won't Give Up on Pikachu (full version as heard in "Mantine Overboard"))

Sure enough, there was somebody lurking about inside the cave, and he looked familiar.

"It's Taz!" gasped Lisa.

"And he must still be looking for me and my Nincada!" added Keanu. "But I think I have an idea. Hey, Sableye, wanna play a trick on him?"

Sableye only shook its head.

"What's the matter, Sableye?" wondered Keanu.

"I think it's afraid of tricking people after we told it not to trick us," replied Lisa.

"And all because it played tricks on us, too," added Hillary.

Keanu felt sorry for Sableye.

Then Tristan came to it. "You see, you're really good at playing tricks. In fact, it's one of your best talents as a Ghost-type. There's just a right time and a right place to play tricks on people."

Sableye was curious about what Tristan said.

"And now, we need you to give Taz a big scare so he won't go after Keanu and his Nincada again. Will you do that?"

"Please, for me?" added Keanu.

Sableye gave a nod and got excited.

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" said Hillary excitedly.

"Hey, check this out!" Keanu saw a hatch on the ceiling. "What is that?"

"Looks like an escape hatch or something," replied Marc.

"Perfect!" said Wayne excitedly. "Sableye can use it to make its exit without being detected."

Sableye climbed up to the ceiling and exited through the hatch.

Meanwhile, in the cave, Taz was trying to locate Keanu's Secret Base. "That kid and his Nincada have to be here somewheres." Just then, he heard a spooky voice from somewhere in the cave. He started to become unnerved. "I don't like the sound of that voice," he shivered.

Then the voice got louder, which meant it was getting closer.

Taz slowly looked up and saw two glowing eyes towering above him.

Then the Pokémon gave a loud spooky sound.

(Music Cue: Flying Poké Ball Chaos (as heard in "The Lost Lapras"))

Taz gave a scream of fright and started making a run for it. "A BIG SCARY GHOST! RUN FOR MY LIFE!" And he hurried out of the cave as fast as his legs would carry him, screaming as he went.

But Sableye jumped kept following him on the cave's ceilings making spooky noises along the way.

Back in the base, Keanu saw everything and gave a chuckle. "Let's go after Sableye and Taz and see what happens," he suggested.

"Good idea," agreed Tristan.

And together, everyone left Keanu's Secret Base to see Taz acting like a fraidy cat.

Taz kept running away from Sableye's spooky voice, panting as he went. "What...does...that...thing...want...with...me?"

This kept going on and on until finally, he made it just outside the cave.

And just as he did, a tongue tapped Taz on the shoulder.

Taz immediately turned around and saw Sableye making a scary face at him. He gave an even bigger scream of fright and fell backwards onto the ground, temporarily knocking himself out.

Sableye gave a big laugh because it had such fun scaring Taz.

Seconds later, everybody caught up with it.

"Great job, Sableye," commended Keanu. "You gave that mean old Taz a big scare."

Sableye gave a chuckle.

Even Nincada seemed to have a fun time laughing along with Sableye.

Everyone had to join in the laughter, as it was so contagious.

Taz slowly came to and heard everybody laughing. He slowly got up, glared angrily at them, and growled. "You mind telling me what's so FUNNY?!"

This made everyone stop in their tracks.

(Music Cue: Hoenn Elite Four Battle (as heard in "What You Seed is What You Get"))

Taz angrily and quickly charged forward toward Keanu, who cried out in fear.

But Sableye, seeing Keanu in danger, used its claws to furiously and repeatedly scratch Taz on the face over and over, stopping him in his tracks.

"Whoa!" exclaimed Hillary. "Sableye just used Fury Swipes!"

"Goodness" put in Marc. "What sharp claws it has!"

Taz fell to the ground again, but quickly got back up. "How dare you scratch my face! Now you're gonna pay! Come on out, Nincada!" He threw his Poké Ball.

His Nincada emerged from the white light that shot out of it and prepared itself for battle.

"It's time to teach our scratch-happy friend here some manners!" growled Taz angrily.

His Nincada nodded and charged in towards Sableye.

Keanu's Nincada jumped up and down beside him.

"You wanna get in on the action, too?" asked Keanu.

His Nincada nodded and jumped.

"All right then, let's go!" shouted Keanu excitedly.

His Nincada charged forward into battle against Taz's Nincada.

"Nincada use your Scratch attack!" ordered Taz.

Taz's Nincada charged forward and proceeded to scratch Keanu's with its sharp claws.

"Nincada, Secret Power attack!" commanded Keanu.

Keanu's Nincada raised its claws in the air and a blue orb was created between them.

The orb then turned into a beam and it was launched at Taz's Nincada, who took a direct hit from it.

Taz's Nincada fell to the ground, seemingly weakened by the attack.

"Get up, Nincada!" barked Taz.

His Nincada did get up, but it had a dazed expression in its eyes as it danced around.

Taz was surprised. "What the? What's going on?"

"Looks like Taz's Nincada got confused," remarked Tristan.

"Secret Power has a random secondary effect depending on the terrain," explained Marc. "And since we're on rocky terrain, Secret Power can confuse your opponents.

Keanu was impressed. "That's awesome! All right, Sableye, let's finish it up!"

Sableye jumped into the battle and unleashed two crimson beams from its eyes at Taz and his Nincada, scoring a direct hit on him that created a huge explosion that sent them skyward.

BOOM!

"We won't forget this!" yelled Taz as he and his Nincada blasted off.

DING!

"What a powerful Night Shade attack!" remarked Tristan.

"Yeah," added Hillary. "I wouldn't want to mess with a Sableye on a bad day."

"That's for sure," agreed Wayne.

Pikachu, Togepi, Sableye, and Nincada agreed with them.

Presently, they saw scores of Pokémon making a run for it into the nearby forest.

"What's going on with those Pokémon?" wondered Lisa.

"I'm not sure," replied Marc.

"Guys, look up there!" exclaimed Keanu as he pointed out.

(Music Cue: A Devious Plot (full version))

Sure enough, there were many dark clouds approaching.

Then everyone felt the wind getting stronger.

"What's up with the weather?" grunted Wayne.

"I don't think this is a storm I'd want to be in," said Keanu nervously, "especially a hurricane."

"A hurricane?" gasped Lisa. "You mean a hurricane is on its way?"

"Yes," replied Keanu. "But I think I know a good place for you all to take shelter. Follow me." And he led everyone further inland into the forest.

They came to another natural opening in the one of the rocky walls deep in the forest. It was tall and wide for many people and Pokémon to explore.

"It looks like another cave, much bigger than the last one," remarked Tristan.

"I say we take shelter in it," suggested Hillary.

Keanu and everyone else nodded in agreement as they quickly entered the cave.

Sure enough, it was big, but it wasn't too scary, for it had lights everywhere inside.

"This is a secret cave I managed to find by accident quite some time ago," explained Keanu. "This'll be a great place to take shelter until the hurricane passes. I was going to make a new Secret Base here, but since you helped me fix my old one and gave me more confidence in battling, I figured I should give it to you instead."

"That's great, Keanu, thank you," replied Tristan.

(Music Cue: The Day is Conquered (full version as heard in "Hot Matches"))

Keanu led everyone to an opening in the wall. "Well, this is it. This is where you all can make your own Secret Base."

"It doesn't look all that impressive," remarked Wayne.

"How are we all gonna fit inside that?" wondered Lisa.

"Just watch," smiled Keanu. "Nincada, would you please?"

Nincada nodded and unleashed its Secret Power to expand the opening in the wall.

Sure enough, the inside looked much bigger than everyone first thought with plenty of space to move around.

Everyone went inside and began to explore.

Keanu found a light switch and turned it on.

Sure enough, the room was much more cheerful with the lights on.

"What do you say we decorate this place, not only for us, but especially for Tristan and Hillary as well?" suggested Wayne.

"Yeah, I'm in," replied Marc.

Everyone else agreed that this was a good idea, and in a few minutes, they went to work.

As the hurricane raged on outside, everyone else was safely inside the cave, decorating the new Secret Base.

Nincada and Sableye helped with the finishing touches.

After hours of working, the Secret Base was complete.

There was a table with chairs, a big comfy couch, a desk and computer, and a map of the entire Hoenn region. There was also a kitchen where people could cook delicious things to eat.

"It's...perfect," sighed Hillary happily. "It feels like we're in a real house. That's really perfect."

Togepi trilled just as contentedly.

"It sure is," agreed Tristan. "Perfect. Right, Pikachu?"

Pikachu eagerly nodded in agreement.

"I say this is a place where we all have meetings on anything, including the progress we're making in the Hoenn region," continued Tristan. "We can always invite more of us to these meetings when possible."

"Yeah, I'm down with that," replied Wayne.

"Me, too!" agreed Lisa excitedly.

"Count me in," added Marc.

"Of course, I'll be with Tristan, so I agree also," put in Hillary.

"Then it's decided," said Tristan. "Let's give ourselves a big hand for helping to make this Secret Base and Keanu's two of the best places to be in good weather and stormy weather too.

Everyone clapped their hands and whistled in agreement to Tristan's proclamation.

"Looks like it's all settled then," smiled Keanu. "I'll see about heading back to my own Secret Base to take shelter with my two Pokémon."

Sableye and Nincada agreed earnestly.

"But what about the storm?" asked Tristan. "Won't you get caught in it?"

"Well, um, I hadn't really thought of that," replied Keanu sheepishly.

"Don't worry, I can handle that," smiled Hillary as she took out a Poké Ball, which instantly opened.

(Music Cue: Meeting and Parting (full version))

Her Ralts emerged from the white light that shot out of it.

"Hey, Ralts, could you Teleport Keanu and his Sableye and Nincada back to his Secret Base for me please?" requested Hillary.

Ralts happily nodded.

"Thanks for everything, guys," smiled Keanu. "And, Hillary, thank you for helping me get back home."

"No problem, but most of the thanks goes to Ralts," replied Hillary. "And thank you for giving us this Secret Base."

"I should be thanking all of you," smiled Keanu. "If you hadn't come along, I would've lost my Nincada to that creep Taz. And I wouldn't have had a Secret Base at all. Hey, I've got an idea. Would you five like to come to my Secret Base sometimes? We could talk Pokémon and do all kinds of fun things together next time we meet."

"Sure, Keanu," said Tristan. "Then we can battle each other if you want."

"I'll have to do some training first, though," chuckled Keanu.

Everyone gave a good last laugh as everyone said their goodbyes to each other.

Keanu nodded just as Ralts began to glow and disappear.

Everyone waved goodbye as Keanu began to glow and disappear, followed by his Sableye and Nincada.

A moment later, Hillary's Ralts came back.

"Nicely done, Ralts," commended Hillary.

Ralts gave a happy reply.

"Keanu was right," remarked Marc. "This is a perfect place to take shelter until the hurricane ends."

Suddenly, Wayne's stomach began to growl. "Uh, I guess I'm getting kind of hungry," he smiled nervously.

"Well, how about I cook us something to celebrate the new Secret Base?" suggested Tristan.

And so, thanks to Keanu, our heroes have a Secret Base to take shelter in from the hurricane, and Sableye has a new place to play. And as our heroes ride out the storm, they think about the many adventures that lie ahead, including Tristan and Wayne's Gym Battle against the Dewford Island Gym Leader, Brawly. So, stay tuned as the journey continues!

TO BE CONTINUED...