The group proceeded to make their way through the main headquarters of Cipher as they navigated the labyrinth corridors. However, as they did, they came across a trap as the trainers were scattered across the building, a plan to keep them from reaching the top.

"C'mon, it's a straight shot from here!" Eddy said as the trainers ran down a hallway. Suddenly, the walls on each side moved down.

"Hey, what's…?" Frosta asked as the group saw multiple Abra around them, all glowing with the sign of activating Teleport.

"...freaking Cipher." Mark deadpanned as the trainers were warped away from the hall.

"Well…we really fell for that one." Cia groaned as she awoke in some sort of lab area with Jude and Entrapta.

"Yeah…but…where are we?" Jude wondered as they saw a massive machine spinning like a turbine.

"It's a…Oh…so that's it…the whirlpools aren't natural. They're manmade with this!" Entrapta said. "That is so cool and clever!"

"I have to hand it to them, you're right, Entrapta. This is a crafty defense." Cia said.

"Sadly it doesn't help us find a way out." Jude said.

"I know a way out." a voice said.

"Oh that is so…ah!" Entrapta said before they saw the one speaking was a Cipher grunt.

"The way out…is in a box!" he said as he sent out a Shadow Kangaskhan, a Shadow Banette and a Shadow Klinklang.

"Perfect, one for each of us!" Entrapta said as she sent out Rotom. "Klinklang is mine!"

"I've got eyes on Banette. Jude, are you good with having Kangaskhan?" Cia asked.

"No problem at all. This is going to be interesting." Jude said.

"Let's do this then!" Entrapta said as she already had Rotom enter an old oven as it blasted Klinklang with fire.

"You're up, Skeledirge!" Cia said as she sent out Skeledirge.

"You can help out too, Bisharp!" Jude said as he sent out Bisharp.

Skeledirge and Bisharp stared down at their opponents and lunged right at them.

"Ugh…could have gone a lifetime without that." Glimmer groaned as she got up along with Eddy in a large holding facility. "Where are we?"

"Uh…pretty sure that sign says…"Pokémon Holding."" Eddy said.

"I see…this must be a storage area then." Glimmer said.

"Alright! You know what that means?" Eddy asked. "It means there's gotta be some Pokémon here we can snag!"

"You mean steal." Glimmer said. "And yeah…I am still light. While you have a ride along in your pocket."

"A what?" Eddy asked as he looked at his pocket as he saw a Gimmighoul emerging with a coin. "What the-?! How long has that been there?!"

Gimmighoul stuck its tongue out at Eddy as it ran out with the coin and some money.

"Why that no-good little… get back here you overgrown coin purse!" Eddy yelled, chasing after the Ghost-type.

"Eddy, wait!" Glimmer called out after him. "Ugh, that hits too close to home…" she groaned as she went after the chase.

Gimmighoul ran through the halls, Eddy close on its heels, before it rounded a corner and ran straight into a Cipher agent's ankle, landing on its back as its treasure scattered across the floor.

"What the…hey, a Gimmighoul. Lucky me, I'll be the only member of Cipher with…" he said before Eddy ran him over.

"Alright you little jerk, hand over my money and nobody gets hurt!" Eddy demanded, picking the Coin Hunter up and shaking it, before noticing the coins around the floor. "Ha, you tripped!" he realized, quickly gathering all his money, leaving its own coin untouched, as Glimmer teleported in. "I got him, Glimmer! Alright, you got any rope? Wanna tie him up so he doesn't pull a stunt like that again."

"Actually… wouldn't it be better to just catch him?" Glimmer recommended instead.

Eddy thought it over for a moment, before shaking his head. "Nah, too much spite directed towards it."

"Eddy, it's just some coins, you don't have to…" Glimmer started, until the groaning of the Cipher agent getting up caught their attention.

"Yeesh, what ran you over?" Eddy asked.

"You did, you stupid brat!" The Cipher agent shook his head angrily.

"Yeah yeah. Take it up with your HR guy." Eddy said.

"Oh that's it." the Cipher agent said before sending out some Pokémon, non shadowed. "Kill that kid!"

"Oh no, what's a couple of kids to do?" Eddy asked rhetorically before he sent out Toxicroak and Azelf, while Glimmer called out Lunala, Lunatone and Nidoking. "Ha! Now what are you…" Eddy said before Glimmer, her Pokemon and the two Eddy sent out vanished. "Huh?" he said before seeing the Cipher grunt holding a remote for the teleport trap. "Ah…hehehe…" the boy chuckled, now much less confidant.

"I am going to enjoy this." the grunt said as his Pokémon approached as Gimmighoul hid behind Eddy like a human shield.

"Hey, I'm not your shield!" Eddy said. "You wanna survive, fight for me!" he called at Gimmighoul.

Gimmighoul looked at him curiously before seeing all the coins on the ground before jumping into the pile.

"What? You think swimming in cash is gonna…" Eddy said before a glow was coming from the coin pile as they started to stack up before their eyes before taking shape as a large golden humanoid. "The heck is this?" he said, looking it up.

"Gholdengo, the Coin Entity Pokémon, and the evolved form of Gimmighoul! A Steel and Ghost type! Its body seems to be made up of 1,000 coins. This Pokémon gets along well with others and is quick to make friends with anybody." the Pokédex read.

"So it evolved? Even better, the hard work's already done!" the Cipher agent said. "I'll take you two out, then go ahead and capture this-"

Gholdengo then started firing numerous coins at the enemy Pokémon, taking them all down as well as the grunt.

"Whoa…uh…." Eddy said as Gholdengo turned to him before showing its fist as the two then fistbumped. "You know what…? I think we're gonna get along just fine."

"Glad you two are getting along." Glimmer stated. "Now, about all those Pokémon in storage…?"

Meanwhile with Frosta, she and Himeno were wandering through a live volcanic hot spot.

"Ugh…so hot…don't think I'll be much help here." Frosta said.

"Well, I don't really see much to complain about." Himeno said.

"Of course you don't. Your ability is Pyrokinesis! You control fire!" Frosta said. "Though, thinking on it now… Kind of makes sense you'd be a Fire-type specialist."

"And so is our next enemy." Himeno said watching as a grunt stood in their way before sending out a Shadow Magcargo, a Shadow Rapidash as well as a Shadow Galarian Darmanitan in Zen Mode.

"I'll let you take this one. Fire types aren't really what I'm good against." Frosta said to Himeno. "Though I will take the Galarian Darmanitan when you're done."

"Sure. Leave it to me." Himeno said.

"I'm gonna enjoy char-grilling both of you!" the grunt said as Magcargo and Rapidash were out for their blood.

"You have It backwards. I'm the one who's going to leave you boiling." Himeno said as she sent out Gouging Fire.

"A Paradox Pokémon..!" the grunt realized before smirking. "We never had the chance to capture any of them since going into the Great Crater was too dangerous even for us, but now you've brought one right to me! Both of you, Shadow Rush!"

"That won't work. Use Burning Bulwark!" Himeno said. Gouging Fire used its superheated armored head to protect itself against the two attacks, stunning them both. "Now counter with Double Kick!"

Gouging Fire then kicked both Shadow Pokémon in the face with its hind legs, faltering them.

"Finish it with Dragon Rush!" Himeno said. The Paradox Entei then slammed into the two pokemon with the Dragon Type attack as it also smashed into Galarian Darmanitan as well, wiping all three out.

"I-In just three moves…! Who the hell is she?!" the grunt said.

"So, do you really want to know?" Himeno asked. "I'm Himeno Akatsuki, leader of SEALED, co'leader of the Brave Adventurers and a pyrokinetic. Fire is my bread and butter, and I make sure no one forgets it."

Himeno then snagged Magcargo and Rapidash while Frosta helped herself to the Galarian Darmanitan.

"You're amazing, Himeno. With your expert battle skills, sharp mind, and master of all things fire, you'd make for a great fire-type Gym Leader… maybe even an Elite Four member!" Frosta praised.

"Hmm… Well, if things are different, or in an alternate universe, that might be a possibility." Himeno said.

"It might have if that trip through those universes were anything to go on." Frosta said.

"So true." Himeno said.

"How unexpected." Elisabeth said as she stood up and looked to whoever was with her. "Are you alright?" she asked as Lucille the Gardevoir stood next to her.

"We've been better." Dan said as he and Hope got up. "Guess we should have seen the traps coming."

"We'll find a way to reunite with everyone soon. But first…" Elisabeth said as they looked around. "Where are we?" she asked, illuminating her hand in light.

"Not sure. We must be somewhere in the HQ though…don't think we left any…" Hope said before the group was stopped by two Cipher commanders.

"You're not going anywhere." they said before sending out a Shadow Hitmonchan and Shadow Hitmonlee.

"Dan, you mind if Elisabeth and I take this one?" Hope asked.

"Go right ahead. I've already got a Hitmonlee anyway." Dan said.

"I know Crimson usually calls you this, but…ready, Betty?" Hope asked.

"Of course." Elisabeth said, assuming her stance as Lucille stood ready alongside her.

"Hatterene!" Hope called, sending out his Hatterene. "Which one you want, Elisabeth?"

"I shall leave Hitmonchan to you. Hitmonlee reminds me much of Kim Kaphwan." Elisabeth said.

"Speaking of Kim, I wonder how he is doing. We didn't see him during the KOF tournament." Hope said.

"Perhaps we shall find out at a later time. For now, let us clear the way." Elisabeth said.

"You got it. Hatterene, use Psychic!" Hope said as Hatterene caught Hitmonchan's punch with her arm before blasting it with psychic energy, allowing Hope to snag it.

Meanwhile, Hitmonlee attacked Elisabeth with its flurry of kicks.

"Unleash a Moonblast Lucille!" Elisabeth said as Lucille borrowed the power of moon and fired an orb of light, knocking Hitmonlee out, allowing Elisabeth to snag it as well.

"Well… this is an interesting little situation." Sectonia said as she, Gonta, Double D, and Himiko were surrounded by grunts using Shadow Magmar, Shadow Pinsir, Shadow Lickitung, Shadow Scyther and Shadow Chansey.

"Doesn't seem like they're planning to let us go." Double D said.

"No…it does not." Himiko said.

"In that case…!" Double D said, sending out Celesteela. "Leave Magmar to me!"

"Me and Gonta can handle Pinsir and Scyther." Sectonia said.

"Guess I'm dealing with Lickitung and Chansey." Himiko said.

"Hah, how stupid can you be to send a Steel type against a Fire type?" the Magmar grunt asked of Double D.

"On the contrary, from what I've observed… type matchups don't matter to those who utilize Pokémon efficiently." Double D said. "Use Smack Down!"

Pouring Rock-type energy into the form of a stone, Celesteela lobbed their projectile at the Shadow Pokémon, damaging with type effectiveness.

"Tch. Shadow Rave!" the Cipher grunt commanded.

"Autotomize and Skull Bash!" Double D commanded, as the Ultra Beast increased his Speed and Defense, before dashing forward and powering through the Shadow move, then ramming straight into Shadow Magmar. "And now…" he said before quickly snagging it.

"Well…this is getting pretty easy." Sectonia said as she captured Pinsir as Gonta snagged Scyther.

"Yeah…honestly, this wasn't much of a challenge." Himiko said as she captured Chansey and Lickitung.

"Ah!" Mermista called out as she landed on the roof with Simon and Constance. "Huh?" she said before looking at the building over the volcano. "No way…we reached the base before everyone else."

"How opportune of the trap to lead us straight here." E. Constance said.

"Yeah…yeah." Mermista said as they were unaware of the elevator nearby being used. "They thought they were clever with their little trap but…jokes on them! I bet those guys were too brainless to think of anything clever."

"Oh…brainless are we?" a voice called out as the three turned to see Snattle standing right there.

"Oh, great, the disgraced governor." Mermista said.

"Oh, don't give me that! My plan was perfect. But of course I was working with worthless coworkers like Lovrina and Gorigan. And of course, there was the fact your foolish friend, the fake princess, went and spoiled everything. And because of that….I had my most humiliating moment…broadcast all over Orre!" Snattle said.

"Are you done?" Simon asked.

"I will be once I defeat you, earn master Greevils forgiveness, and assume my rightful position as Governor of Orre. This time, I won't be shy about revealing to you the full extent of my power." Snattle said.

"Come, defeat us if you can!" E. Constance challenged as she and Simon prepare to fight, but Mermista stuck her hands out.

"Hold on. He's so mine." Mermista said.

"What are you attempting to challenge me for? Don't tell me it was because I called that princess a fake." Snattle said.

"Even after Glimmer wiped the floor with you, you're still looking down on her. You do that to her, it reflects on me and others too. Someone needs to teach you a lesson, and Sea-Ra's the one who's gonna do it, so get ready!" Mermista said.

"Hah! I'd like to see you try, you foolish sardine!" Snattle declared, pulling out two of his Pokéballs.

Cipher Admin, Head of Propaganda - Snattle

(Cue: Cipher Admin Battle - Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness)

"Come, Metang and Quagsire!" Snattle said sending his first two Pokémon out.

"Basculegion and…" Mermista said before another Pokeball sailed past her as out came Sigil. "What the?"

"Don't be an idiot. He's trying to get under your skin." Simon said, stepping in beside her. "Besides, I'm not exactly a fan of this guy's ego."

"So he saw through my little trap. Fine then. This will be fine. Quagsire, use Brick Break on Absol. And Metang, deliver Thunder Punch to Basculegion!" Snattle commanded as both Pokemon were quick to move on their targets.

"Basculegion! Aqua Jet!" Mermista said as Basculegion moved at Metang while Quagsire took the hit instead, not taking any damage as the enemy Pokemon landed their hits. "What the?"

"Quagsire's ability is Water Absorb. Your water attacks mean nothing!" Snattle said.

"I see now…this is what you meant, wasn't it?" Mermista asked.

"Yes…but there's no reason to panic." Simon said as Sigil went and struck against Quagsire.

"Basculegion! Shadow Ball!" Mermista called out as Basculegion went and struck Metang, taking it out. "Yes!"

"Hmm…shrood little peasant…but…no matter. The weather is about to change. Let's go, Solrock!" Snattle said sending out Solrock as shadow energy radiated from it.

"A Shadow Pokémon." Simon said.

"Now…rain darkness upon the land! Shadow Sky!" Snattle said as Solrock fired darkness into the sky as dark hail stones rained down. "Now…all non shadow Pokémon will take damage!"

"Dude, this is the same thing you did with Lunatone." Mermista said. "Least try to be creative."

"Grr….you poor idiots are really driving my patience." Snattle said.

"Solrock can be yours. I'm only up for any Water Shadow Pokémon he might have." Mermista said.

"Very well." Simon said. "Sigil, Night Slash Solrock!" he said as Sigil slashed Solrock in an instant.

"What?!" Snattle said as Simon quickly snagged Solrock. "Cheeky little…doesn't matter…Shadow Sky is already in effect." he said as he went and sent out a Clodsire.

"A Pokémon from the Paldea Region hm? Pull back for now, Sigil, you did great. Odette, come forth!" Simon said, calling Sigil back before bringing out Odette the Alolan Ninetales.

"So it's dirty Quagsire. Meaning, it probably has the same ability as the other one. He was gonna put me on a water embargo." Mermista said.

"Yes. Shame it didn't work as planned. Quagsire, Clodsire! Mud Shot!" Snattle said as both mud fish started firing off mud shots at the two.

"Odette, unleash a Blizzard!" Simon called as Odette released a freezing storm, damaging the two mud fish Pokemon, while dealing a super effective hit to Clodsire.

Both of them suddenly collapsed as Snattle recalled them. "Hmm…fine. Castform! Starmie!" Snattle said sending both out, with a Shadow Aura radiating from Starmie.

"Bingo." Mermista said.

"I'll see to it you all are buried. Castform, Flamethrower on Ninetales! Starmie, Shadow Storm!" Snattle commanded as Castform breathed fire at Ninetales while Starmie unleashed a shadowy storm on both of them.

"Pull back and rest, Odette. It's your turn now, Nagana." Simon said, calling Odette back as Nagana came swooping in.

"Hahaha! Even Ultra Beasts won't matter against my Shadow Pokémon!" Snattle declared.

"You can spout all the bullcrap you want, it's not gonna stop us from bringing you down." Simon said.

"You tell 'em, Simon." Mermista said.

"Let's see how long that lasts. Starmie, Shadow Storm! Castform, use Thunderbolt on Basculegion!" Snattle said as both of his Pokémon unleashed their attacks.

"I'll leave the Shadow Pokémon to you, princess." Simon said as Nagana swerved around the Shadow move. "Bombard Castform with Poison Jab!" he said as Nagana did so, damaging and poisoning the weather Pokémon.

"Basculegion, Shadow Ball on Starmie!" Mermista said as Basculegion blasted Starmie with the move that hit Metang.

"No!" Snattle called out as Mermista quickly snagged Starmie as Simon finished with Castform.

(end Song)

"So….got any other tricks?" Mermista asked.

"My plan…my perfect plan! Master Greevil! Forgive me!" Snattle cried out as he ran away and rode the elevator back to the docks of the island.

"That's what I thought. Looks like we got our exit route after we kick this grandmaster's butt." Mermista said.

"Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen." a voice said as a man with blue hair stood at the entrance of the large dome.

"Hmm… Haven't seen this one before." E. Constance said.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ardos. I'm one of the two bodyguards entrusted with the grandmaster's well being." Ardos said.

"So we got one of the big bads huh? Well…now…how…about a…" Mermista said before she slumped over.

"Hey…are you…" Simon said as Mermista stood back up as she glared at Simon and Constance, her eyes glowing purple.

"Afraid she's already been exposed…to its poison." Ardos said, pointing above as a small purple creature floated in the air.

"Pecharunt." Simon said.

"Now…kill them." Ardos said as Mermista lunged at the two of them.

"Not happening!" a voice called out as someone came crashing down on Mermista. This person being none other than Mark Anarchy.

"Mark!" E. Constance said.

"Was wondering when you'd make an entrance." Simon smirked.

"Yeah. I got dumped outside. So I decided to take the sky road to get here." Mark said, before looking down. "Yeesh…sorry, Mermista. Hopefully you don't hold it against me when you wake up."

"No, you did good. Mermista was hit with Pecharunt's poison!" Simon said.

"Pecharunt again? Man, that thing is nothing but trouble." Mark said. "So…it's you calling the shots?" he asked, looking at Ardos.

"Ah…the infamous Mark Anarchy. The trainer with the interesting Pokemon. We have had our eye on you since the PLT. So…allow me to make an e and join us!" Ardos said.

"Yeah…not gonna happen." Mark said.

"Hmm…didn't hurt to ask. Guess there's no other way around it…You will be…my prey." Ardos said.