When viewed from high above, Lumiose City might be viewed in the shape of a great spoked wheel, its largest avenues radiating out from the tremendous tower at its center. At the tip of its southern-stretching spoke sat a wide, sturdy building with a green roof. This was the esteemed laboratory of Kalos's foremost mind on Pokemon, Professor Augustine Sycamore.

"And if anyone can help us, it's him."

A stone fence surrounded the laboratory's estate, and Emma waved the rest of the group toward the wrought iron gate that stood proud, facing out onto South Boulevard. Kuzey admired the painted Pokeball statues that flanked the gate, while warding off Crest as he, concerned, poked at the extensive bandaging running his trainer's left arm. Paramedics had attended to him as well as the others before they were allowed to leave the chaotic scene at The Box, but he was relieved to know none of the patrons or security had gotten it worse than him.

Kuzey winced, and flicked his partner on the back of his helm as punishment for poking. He was bandaged up; didn't mean he wasn't in pain. Crest twisted around in his right arm and beat his little hands against Kuzey's chest in protest of his grave mistreatment, and his trainer rewarded the outburst by pulling him even closer. Herri and Yaya seemed almost serene in comparison, the Yamask content to nuzzle in its favorite spot within her hood while she handed berries over her shoulder for the little blob to snack on. Thankfully there'd been a stand open on their way over that was selling Pokemon food.

Kuzey spied over his shoulder northward, to the gleaming golden city still in the prime of its nightlife. That endless stream of light and noise hadn't so much as flickered while everything had been upended for him, it seemed. In some way, the beauty of it all made him a little sick right now.

"It's almost midnight," said Vi. "And I doubt the Professor's expecting visitors."

"Oh, that's no big," Emma assured her, holding up her bare finger. "I have a key!" She stuck her finger against the gate's lock, and – ah, it was the Essentia suit. A brief flicker of light was the only sign that something was going on with the inner workings of her handy suit, then she jabbed it into the lock and began to twist.

"You've still got juice in that thing?" Kuzey asked.

"The camo runs off its own battery," the Looker explained, tongue sticking out the corner of her mouth as she set to picking. "In case you ever need out of a sticky situation. And I've got a little reserve left for a trick or two." The gate clicked. "Bingo!" A little push, and the lab's gate swung wide open. "We're in! Now follow me before any cops show up."

"Wait, huh?!"

The group was ushered in and the gate shut behind them before they ascended the front steps to the front door. "Can you pick this one?" asked Herri.

"No need!" Emma boasted. "This one's easier." Somewhat more tactfully than picking a lock, she rapped the door six times. "Professor! It's Emma!"

She stepped back with the others, and waited. A pause. And she waited.

No answer.

"Uh, it's a pretty big building," Vi commented. "Maybe he didn't hear you?"

Emma pressed a finger into her chin as she looked up, examining the lab. "You think? Eh, probably… one more time." She stepped forward, and gave eight much louder pounds along the door as she called "PROFESSOR! IT'S EMMA!" as loudly as she could, before stepping back to a polite distance. Another poignant pause, and another answer in the form of nothing.

"Okay, enough silly business," declared Vi, stepping up to the door herself as she wound up her burly right arm. "I've got a knock that can wake the dead. Keep clear, kids!" She twisted right in preparation, and shot her arm like a bullet to the door.

Just as it opened.

A yawning man in mint-green pajamas scratched at his nightcap as he pulled the door open, eyes too bleary to see what was in front of him. "Emma? 'Sat you? It's the middle of the ni—GWAAAGH—"

His confusion was broken by the impact of Bounvialle's brutal blow, knocking the man clear off his feet – and his Buneary slippers clean off – transporting him by way of a flying screwdrive to the wall at the far end of the lab's foyer. "Oh, no!" Bounvialle dashed in after him in a panic, while the others tailed, coming to a semi-circle around the shellshocked man splayed out on the floor in disarray.

Vi's victim was a handsome man just on the cusp of middle age, tall and skinny save just a hint of paunch in his belly, and sporting a head of long and wild dark hair knocked loose when the punch sent his nightcap on a journey of its own. A single solid streak of grey slid down the middle of his large front bang to match the grey of his temples, complementing the heavy lines under his still-spinning eyes and stubble to give the image of a distinguished and charming slacker. "Professor," Emma started as she extended a hand to the rattled man. "We're so sorry!"

"It'sh fiiiine," he responded, slurring just a tad as he was yanked onto his feet. He tapped at his forehead, and finding no blood breathed a sigh of relief before slapping his cheeks. "Work in Pokemon research as long as I have, and you get used to taking a few knocks." He redirected his attention to Vi, and beamed as he extended a hand to her and a dazzling smile. "You've got the arm of a Machamp, madame! My thanks for that radiant display!"

The DJ simply blushed and averted her gaze, from over half a head above the Professor's own, as she accepted the gesture. "Oh, I-I just try and keep in shape is all. I'm Bounvialle. And these are my darling nephew Kuzey, and his friend, Herri."

"Charmed!" he replied, kissing Vi's hand before releasing her. It seemed a brush with concussion couldn't slow this man down at all as he pivoted to the teenagers, shaking both their hands at once, eyes darting over their forms. Inspecting their injuries, Kuzey guessed. "I'm Augustine Sycamore, a Pokemon Professor. I take it you all must be friends of Emma's?" He looked over his shoulder at her. "I'm sure she has a good reason for interrupting my beauty sleep."

"We need somewhere safe for the night," she told him. "We think Team Flare's involved."

The smile dropped from Sycamore's face like a leaden weight, and all his cloying playfulness fell with it. He reached to a rack on the wall and pulled on a white lab coat, waving the others along as he departed down the hall. "You'll be safe here. Come with me."

Kuzey stayed at the back of the group, following the Professor further into his lab. The halls were pristinely kept and lined with gorgeous paintings of Pokemon in their native environments; open doors they passed peered into rooms full of strange and expensive-looking equipment that he couldn't even imagine the purpose of, often littered with open books and scattered research notes. A few posters were interspersed amongst the wall art, of what appeared to be local celebrities. A famous dancer amidst the falling petals of a Roserade; an elite trainer unleashing a battlecry atop her Goodra; a globetrotting detective, guarded from the shadows by her faithful Greninja; and… he didn't know the face, but the blazing red poster of a trainer wreathed in flames alongside his Delphox cut a striking figure, and he was sure he'd heard that name somewhere before. "Is this the Champion of Kalos?"

Sycamore's smile crept back onto his face as he passed the poster. "I like to keep reminders of the trainers that pass through my lab, and the people they become." He patted one poster fondly. "It's the greatest privilege men of my profession have."

He led them around another corner, and into what appeared to be a break room, with some scattered furniture absolutely littered in half-finished scribbles of notes, a television, and a kitchen nook. Sycamore ushered the group to sit as he moved over to the counter and produced a quintet of mugs for the coffee machine. "Start from the beginning, tell me everything that's happened – and forgive me if the coffee's bitter; I usually hawk this off on my assistants."

Well past midnight now, the assortment of people and Pokemon had found their spaces within the room, the adults gathered on the center sofa; Herri was beneath the TV, knocking her feet together bored as Yaya sat on her head to stare at the screen. Kuzey occupied a chair in the corner, sipping his coffee while Sycamore, Emma and Vi continued to converse. Sycamore had undersold himself on this stuff; forget bitter, this was the sweetest coffee he'd ever tasted. The aroma of bluk berries wafted into his nostrils after every sip, and just the lightest tinge of fruit accompanied the strong flavor. Crest seemed to share his fascination, balancing himself on the boy's thigh while he tried to catch the smell for himself.

The television was on now, tuned to a news broadcast covering the attack on the nightclub several hours prior. No one had managed to capture images of what had gone on outside, but security footage had caught the initial moments of the strange trio's drop from the ceiling.

"Pause there." Emma pointed at the screen and Sycamore hit the remote, stopping the broadcast just as one of the three turned their back to the camera. On the cape beneath their hood, the silver "F" could be seen – Yaya's shadowy form pointing up to it for emphasis. "That's it."

The Professor leaned forward, squinting at the screen as he studied what he saw. His thumb rubbed under his lip, pulling down on it as his eyes honed in on that symbol.

"What do you think?" asked Emma. Sycamore sighed deeply, his whole frame moving with the breath.

"It's hard to say. It's similar, and I doubt it's accidental. But that doesn't mean they have any real ties."

Herri's hand shot up, like a child waiting for the teacher to call on her. Without missing a beat, the Professor clapped his hands and pointed to her. "Yes, Miss Herri?"

"Prof, who's Team Flare?"

Sycamore's eyes bugged out like he'd been stabbed in the chest, and Emma giggled at his discomposure while he shook off the immense weight of time. "I guess it's a good thing it's no longer on the kids' minds. But I've never felt older than I do right now." He leaned back in his seat and rubbed his temple with two fingers. "How to explain it? It all started about nine years ago; an old acquaintance of mine, Lysandre, had become obsessed with the idea of eternal beauty. A world without strife, without aging, without sadness." Sycamore counted the ideas off on his fingers like they were little more than a grocery list. "He started recruiting like-minded individuals and rich saps into an organization he called Team Flare."

"A criminal organization," Emma added. "Lysandre ran a successful tech startup called Lysandre Labs, and through it he laundered the crimes of his lackeys, building up massive resources and wealth."

"Oh, I remember them." Vi chimed in and fished her phone out, tapping the screen to cause it to display a holographic image of the same newcast they were currently watching. "They developed the Holo Caster, right?"

"Right you are," Sycamore confirmed, standing up. "May I borrow that a moment?" The large woman nodded and handed it over.

"Just don't sneak your number in there."

"Au contraire, madame!" Sycamore chuckled, and pivoted back to his explanations as he fiddled with the phone. Soon, the Holo Caster was displaying the image of what seemed like a tremendous crystal flower. Herri and Kuzey both approached, trying to get a closer look at the bizarre shape.

"What is that?" Kuzey asked.

"Makes my spine cramp," Herri commented.

"It was called the Ultimate Weapon," Sycamore told them. "Thousands of years ago, it was a terrible device used to end an equally terrible war. The destruction it's capable of can't be explained in words. It was so dangerous that it was hidden away, and even its name forgotten by history; but Lysandre saw it as a tool to create his perfect world, with the aid of an ancient Pokemon."

The flower was replaced by the image of a majestic blue deer, antlers stretching high like the limbs of a stout tree. Kuzey's jaw slacked at the sight of it. "Xerneas is its name," Sycamore stated. "And it's said to control power over the flow of life itself. Team Flare attempted to capture Xerneas and use it as the fuel for the Ultimate Weapon, and create a world of eternal life – no, rather, I'd call it deathlessness."

Herri leaned closer and let her fingers dance along the tips of the Xerneas holo-image's antlertips. Even the image captured of the ancient Pokemon seemed to pulse with life, illumination flowing through channels along its body forming colors Kuzey lacked names for.

"How did you stop it?" asked Herri.

"A group of trainers about your age," Sycamore began. "They fought Team Flare at every turn, thwarting their efforts. In the end, they battled Lysandre and his allies at the site of the Ultimate Weapon just before it was meant to fire, for the fate of the world. And they won. The device was fired, but the trainers had managed to save Xerneas from Team Flare's grasp, and it drained the device of almost all its power. The blast it fired was only strong enough to eradicate itself, and Team Flare's headquarters along with it."

"Where is Xerneas now?" Kuzey pondered.

"With the Champion, I'd imagine," the Professor told him. "It remained with him after all was said and done; though his travels have taken him all over the world. He hasn't been back to Kalos for some time."

Herri, still leaned over, twisted her head up to look at Sycamore. "Don't think Lysandre's got anything to do with this?"

The Professor stared down at the girl for a moment, observing something. "No," he decided. "I'm certain."

"It couldn't hurt to check." The both of them turned to Emma, who shrugged in her seat as she sipped her coffee. "If they are connected, it'd be wise to do a sweep on all of Team Flare's old hideouts. Stamp out the squatters, get me?"

"I got you," Sycamore nodded. "But we'll discuss all this tomorrow with Clemont. In the meantime, you all have been through a lot. You need rest. Come with me, I've got a few spare rooms you can sleep in."

For the first time in hours, Kuzey's head finally felt like it was beginning to stop spinning. He sat on a simple twin bed in a spare dorm for the Lab's assistants, cozy if lacking in identity. The only evidence someone else had been living here was what looked like a blue party mask on the wall. A chance to wash off his face and change into nightclothes was more refreshing than he thought it could've ever been; pulling the covers up he slipped into bed, joined by Crest occupying the side of the bed closest to the wall. The thick curtains were drawn shut, but he could still see the slightest hint of the golden Lumiose glow peeping in from outside. He shifted onto his stomach to bury his head in the pillow.

Mia's body dropped to the floor of the airship with a loud clang.

He shifted onto his side, getting the thought out of his head only to see Crest staring at him from his curled up little pile of sheets.

"…What?"

"Ca-char."

"Yeah," Kuzey whispered. "It's just… I'm trying not to think about it. If I linger on it… I have to tell myself she's okay."

"Chaa…"

"I'm sorry I pushed you so hard," the boy apologized to his Pokemon. Crest wriggled its arm free from its comfy position, and bopped his trainer on the nose.

"DET!"

Kuzey rolled onto his back, rubbing his nose in annoyance more than pain. "Little!—" He took a breath and stared at the patterned swirls of paint on the ceiling. "I know. I just… I'm going to have to push you even harder, if we're going to fight these people. Are you really okay with that?"

Crest was silent, its crimson eyes smoldering in something even Kuzey couldn't read.

"…It doesn't matter if you're okay, does it? It doesn't matter for me either. We can't turn away."

"Chaa-cadetto." Crest nestled a little closer and rested its hand over Kuzey's chest. He chuckled, and wrapped his arm around his Pokemon.

"Loud and clear, buddy. Loud and…"

A soft thud was the only sound as exhaustion finally caught up, and Kuzey fell asleep.

On the other side of a thin wall, Herri sat on a stack of pillows at the head of her bed, rocking Yaya's clay tablet back and forth on the back of her hand; the rhythm was ever so slowly drawing her to sleep, as she heard her neighbor's head hit cushion.

"Good night, Kuzey."

The defiant cries of a distant Hawlucha were Kuzey's alarm, pulling him awake with a start. The pit in his stomach began to dissipate as soon as the nightmare of a wrestler leaping off the turnbuckle for the mother of all elbows was filed under "fiction" in his mind. He drew his clothes back on before throwing the curtains open to expose a clear morning oblivious to the events of the night before. A gentle knock at the door prefaced his aunt slipping in, shutting it behind her. "Hey, sweetie. How'd you sleep?"

"Fine," he promised her as she took a look at his bandages, cursing criticisms of the ET's medical prowess with the judgment only an overprotective guardian could wield.

"We didn't really get a chance to talk last night," she said, motioning to sit back down on the bed as she unveiled out a new set of gauze to redress his wounds. She set to work undoing his bandages while his eyes danced to the right, avoiding any chance to see the state of his injuries.

"Is your crew okay?"

Vi nodded, and gave an affirmative "Mm. Talked to my manager after you got to bed last night; some bumps and scrapes, but everyone's okay, thank goodness. It could have gone a lot worse in there… shame about The Box though. Gonna miss that place."

Vi got the last bit of adhesive to give with a dab of alcohol from a vial, and she began dabbing at his – "OW! That stings!"

"Just bear with it, sweetie," Vi cooed, trying to soothe him as she worked. "I'll be quick."

"How do you know to do that anyway?" asked the boy, to which his aunt gave a full-chest guffaw.

"Oh, hon. You learn a little of everything on tour. A good DJ keeps all her equipment in tip-top shape – body included. Now keep still, I gotta wrap this."

As Vi finished getting Kuzey's arm re-wrapped, they were joined in the land of the living when Crest stirred from his sleep, stretching out as far as his little body could. The would-be medic waved at the drowsy Pokemon with her free hand as she ripped the compression bandage off with her teeth. "There! Good as new! Let's get you boys downstairs, breakfast is ready."

Kuzey's aunt led the pair back to the lab's ground floor, and near to the rear of the building, where the others were already set around a humble dining room table to eat. A basket of croissants and poffins was free pickings and accompanied by a variety of spreads, with pitchers of juice at the ready. At the head of the table Professor Sycamore – looking even more exhausted than the night before - and Emma were joined by Clemont, as well as a bespectacled redheaded man Kuzey didn't recognize as they were deep in discussion over… something.

"I still don't like it," Vi whispered.

"I agree," hissed Emma. "That's too much to ask."

"Maybe," Clemont replied with a shrug. "But think of it from their point of view. They won't just sit back and watch."

"It's their choice," the Professor cut in. "We'll just have to see."

Whatever it was about, his attention was drawn to Herri at the end closer to the door, patting the seat beside her. Vi moved to join the grown-ups while Kuzey opted to take his assigned seat. The carrot top girl poked the boy's cheek, unamused.

"You snore. Did you know you snore?"

"I—"

"Silence. Snorer." She reached for the basket and procured him a croissant, cracking it open for him as he snatched some butter to spread.

Crest crawled up onto the table to assess his options, and saw Yaya nestled against Herri's elbow, slurping on what appeared to be its fifth packet of grepa berry jelly. He tried to reach for one, only for the living shadow to swat him away with a teary glare and a "Yaya!" of displeasure. Clearly it had dibs. The Charcadet realigned its goals to the poffins in the basket, toddling over grab a scrumptious looking gold one at the top of the pile. His hands grabbed hold, and yanked it away. Or rather, it held perfectly still. "Ca-cha?" Crest pulled harder, yet the crispy, flaky treat did not budge. Indeed, it began receding in the other direction. That was when Crest noticed the green tendril wrapped around his breakfast – just before it tugged, knocking the whole basket off the table as Crest went careening over the edge and under the bottom of the table. "Ca-CHAAAA?!"

"Crest?!" Kuzey started in a bewildered burst as he saw his partner zip out of sight, just before sounds of a scuffle broke out under the table. He dropped out of his chair and looked beneath to find his partner tangled inconsolably in a mess of green vines, mid-tussle with what appeared to be some kind of blue-ish green toad with a large plant bulb on its back.

"BZZT! BZZT!" His Rotomphone was practically sawing its way out of his pocket and began to recite its spiel the instant Kuzey tugged it free. "BZZT! That's Bulbasaur: the Seed Pokemon! This Grass-Type Pokemon grows alongside the seed on its back from the moment it's born! Nutrients and energy are stored inside the bulb to support its massive growth spurts!"

Huh. How interesting. So it was a Bulbasaur that was absolutely menacing Crest.

"SAAAA!" The Bulbasaur was downright furious as a flurry of tangled kicks and scratches caught the side of its head, and for Crest's trouble it knocked him against the table leg a few times to try and make him give up his claim on the poffin. Kuzey almost laughed; this thing didn't know what it was in for fighting Crest over food.

"Whew," Herri whistled kneeling beside Kuzey. "Look at those little guys."

She was right; Kuzey had been distracted, but there were two other Pokemon beneath the table alongside the Bulbasaur. A bright blue turtle and an orange lizard with flames along the tip of its tail rushed to Bulbasaur's aid, poking and prodding at Crest while Bulbasaur used its tendrils to break off bits of poffin and hand them to its companions. Crest was utterly immobilized while the other three Pokemon began to chow down – until the redheaded stranger caught notice.

"Hey! No causing trouble, you guys." He slung out three Pokeballs, and with red beams of energy returned the trio to their confines for a time-out. He stood back up alongside the teens, and gave them a quick bow with the tail of his coat flying up from the motion. "Sorry about the trouble; these three are very young. Gonna be partners for new trainers." Getting a better view of him, Kuzey noticed he was wearing the same labcoat that Sycamore was. Extending a friendly hand, the man introduced himself. "I'm Trevor, one of the Professor's assistants. I was supposed to drop these little guys off today, but with your situation things got sidetracked."

"I'm Kuzey, and this is Herri."

"Chammed."

"I think it's charmed."

"Well, I am," Trevor laughed. "I heard a little about what you've been through. Facing off with one of the Treasures of Ruin – I can't even imagine how perilous that was!"

"Pretty rough," Kuzey admitted. "But we—"

"I'm kinda jealous!"

…Huh? Trevor wiped a tear from his eye as he laughed. "You kids get such a bum deal with an already-complete Pokedex. Sure, it's convenient, but where's the thrill of encountering Pokemon you don't have any data for? Learning their habits, their strengths in battle…" the research assistant reached for a croissant, grabbed a poffin, and didn't so much as skip a beat as he took a hearty bite, speaking through crumbs. "I just mean, meeting something like an ancient legend the public can't even access data on? If only I'd been there!" The assistant's face was turning a distinct shade of red as his rant supplanted the very need for air in his lungs. His fixation was enlightenment; ascension was near, or perhaps suffocation.

"Slow down, Trevor." Professor Sycamore came to the rescue, patting his assistant on the shoulder. "I'm sure they'd rather focus on the present, for now. Clemont arrived a little while after you went to bed, and we've got news on your missing friend."

"Good and bad," prefaced the Gym Leader as he adjusted his glasses. "My methods proved successful, and Magnezone has been able to pinpoint their location west of us. Their jet has stopped, and that gives us time to catch up."

"The bad news?" asked Kuzey.

The blonde's mouth flattened in a grimace before continuing. "They've stopped in Geosenge Town."

Kuzey got the sense he and Herri were the last two getting this news, as everyone older in the room tensed up at the name. But Herri put words to his question.

"And that's… bad."

Emma nodded, cradling Mimi in her arm as the Espurr lapped at some milk. "Geosenge Town was the place where the Ultimate Weapon was hidden away. And it was where Team Flare's secret headquarters was hidden."

A tingle went up Kuzey's back. "So then… we know who our enemies are."

"You think so?" asked the Professor. Kuzey shot him a puzzled look, but the weathered man let it bounce off. "Either way, we know our next step. You two will stay here with your aunt and Trevor; Emma's going to get in touch with some old friends for assistance." He pointed at himself, tugging at the standing collar of his shirt. "Clemont and I will head to Geosenge Town and get your friend back."

Hearing the Professor's plan wove a knot in Kuzey's stomach. After everything he'd said the night before, after failing to protect Mia… he was supposed to just sit here and wait? That was ridiculous. That was unfair. Vi, Clemont, and Emma stared at him, the pressure of their judgment pushing his chin down. They were letting him off easy. His head bowed. How could he make a promise only for someone else to break it without even giving him a choice?

Bump.

A distinctively sharp elbow prodded him out of his fugue, and Kuzey's head turned just a touch to meet Herri's eyes, as foggy as ever but unblinking as she investigated his. "Kuzey."

…

Courage. Courage, right. He turned back to the Professor, and shook his head with fists clenched. "No – we want to come with!"

"Oh?" Sycamore cooed, popping an eyebrow at the boy.

He couldn't meet the Professor's eyes, but staring at his chest Kuzey gulped and reaffirmed himself. "Mia's our friend. We can't just sit here when she needs us. We have to go!"

"Go?" he asked in a neutral tone. "Go, and do what?"

Do what? Nothing.

Celot's words rang in the boy's head, and the vibration tried to shake him apart. But a hand on his arm kept him still. Just a little, Kuzey's eyes came up, and met Sycamore's head-on, accepting the daring smile on the adult's stubbled mug.

"We're new trainers," Herri jabbed. "Your job is helping new trainers, right? So make us strong enough to help."

Professor Sycamore laughed, but it wasn't the laugh Kuzey expected. That Agent's voice was nowhere to be heard in the grateful guffaw that came out of him. He threw his arms open and declared, "Formidable!~"

The Professor stepped forward, slamming both hands onto the youngsters' shoulders with pride gushing out of him. "I told you, right? Seeing that kind of determination is the greatest privilege afforded to me. I want you to keep that conviction. When we find your friend, I have no doubts it's going to be your hands pulling her to freedom."

He looked over his shoulder and made a gesture to Trevor. "But before we get on our way, I had something in mind so far as helping you two. Why don't we all take a quick repose to the Atrium?"

Oh. Oh wow. Kuzey's jaw scraped the floor as he came to realize just what Sycamore meant by "Atrium". When he led everyone out the rear of the Lab, what waited for them was a glass-encased artificial forest that stretched far enough that the far side couldn't even be spotted through the foliage. Sturdy trees in thick clusters stretched high up to scrape against the clear ceilings, thickets of brush and flowers dotting the greenery at their roots. Off to their right, a water feature poured an endless stream of fresh water into a deep pool. But most of all, the Pokemon were breathtaking.

Under their feet tunneled a cluster of Diglett, a few poking their heads up to gawk at the newcomers before moving on in their subterranean trek; an Ariados leapt from tree to tree high above them as it put an elaborate web in place, while a pair of Boltund dashed through the brush in play.

"I keep a few acres of space as a contained biome to aid my research," Sycamore explained, taking a thorough breath of the sweet air. "It's also a great space for trainers' reserve Pokemon to stretch their legs and play."

"Well, if it's an invitation!" Vi fetched her Pokeballs and tossed out her partners, Loudred and Toxtricity. "Take five, fellas!" Her backup musicians wasted no time dashing into the new environment to explore, Loudred leaping into the trees to swing away on the branches. With a battle-cry, Crest raced after them in the excitement; Kuzey thought about chasing him, but decided to let the scamp have his fun.

Trevor followed Bounvialle's cue, releasing the three Pokemon from before into their new environs. The trio scrunched together for safety, glancing around confused at their lively surroundings. Thankfully the messy-haired researcher was prepared for the little ones' reaction, and was on-hand with handfuls of treats to soothe their nerves, hand-feeding them with plenty of headscritches for encouragement. That nervousness dissolved into eagerly leaning into Sycamore's hands, crying for more food. "You've already been acquainted with Bulbasaur, but these two are Squirtle, a Water-Type, and Charmander, a Fire-Type!"

The little ones gave appreciative cries, before turning in three separate directions and streaking inwards the Atrium proper, backed by Sycamore's admiration. "That got 'em feeling explorative fast!" Circling back to Kuzey and Herri, the Professor explained, "Trevor was bringing these three by for me by coincidence. I gift them to new trainers as reliable starters for their Pokemon journey, in return for their aid in my research. But you're new trainers yourselves, so – why don't you each pick one to take along with you?"

"Oh man; Professor, thank you so—"

"Dibs." Herri wasted no time in rotating right with all the grace of tank turret, and sprinting for the pool of water on that edge of the Atrium. Kuzey and Sycamore could only stare as she made it to the water's edge, and dove straight in with a perfect jackknife dive. No splash, even.

"Huh. Ten points," Vi commended. The girl was out of sight for ten seconds or so, before resurfacing with arms aloft to show off the Squirtle she'd just snagged – sunlight glistening off the wet creature's bald head. The group jogged over, and Vi pulled the amateur diver out of the pool while her waterlogged dress absolutely spat onto the gravelly floor.

"I want this one," Herri declared, gently bouncing the Water-type in mid-air as it chortled, enjoying the ride. Yaya crawled up Herri's sleeve to do its own inspection, prodding the little turtle's swirling tail with an inky tendril.

"I mean, fine," Kuzey relented. "But why did you want it so bad?" She shook her head and rotated the Squirtle to show Kuzey its back, running her fingers down its patterned shell lovingly.

"Look; it's like septaria formations."

"Oh," Kuzey muttered, almost disappointed. "Is that… a rock thing? I guess you're on with the rocks again…"

Herri had already been ignoring his commentary, as she was now engaged in deeper conversation with the Pokemon. She held it up to eye level; the little turtle made a variety of happy noises at her.

"Squirtle-squirt! Squirt-urt, urtle wurt!"

"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm," replied Herri, rapt attention given to the little thing until it finally paused, and she turned to the others. "His name is Wirt."

"That's a wonderful name," Trevor praised her, handing her Wirt's Pokeball. "You'll be needing this." Herri took the ball in hand, stared at it for a solid five seconds – joined by Wirt's own gaze – before both looked back at Trevor.

"I don't know how to use these."

"W-What?!" Trevor cried. "But you already have a Pokemon!"

"Yayamaskaa doesn't have a ball," Herri informed him.

"It's true," Kuzey backed her up. "She found it on a riverbed, and they've been inseparable sense."

"Pfft-hoohoo—" Sycamore ran a hand through his black and grey hair in a light snicker. "That's excellent! You two have an exquisite bond, for not even having caught it in a Pokeball. But you'll probably want one just in case you need to use a Pokemon Center – take this spare."

Sycamore fished into his slacks' pockets and came up with a black Luxury Ball, passing it to Herri. "Press that button here to prime it," he instructed her, and watched her misty eyes widen as the orb grew to full size in her hand.

"Gross," she said. Herri sat Wirt down before holding the ball up to Yaya for inspection, who for their part gave a thorough crawling-over of the device before giving an affirmative "Maskaa."

At Sycamore's urging, Herri pressed the ball against Yaya's clay tablet, and it sprung open – in a bright white light, her Pokemon swirled out of sight and was transported inside. The ring around the middle of the ball glowed red for just a few moments before a distinct ping told her that she'd successfully captured her first Pokemon. She held up her arms in silent victory. "Did it."

As Wirt clambered onto her leg, the soaking wet girl walked up to Kuzey. "I've never seen Crest's ball. Does he have one?"

"H-huh? Oh, uh, yeah, he does." Kuzey, caught off guard by the question, began frantically digging through his bag. "It's in here somewhere… uh… here!"

He produced Crest's own home away from home, a simple Pokeball – coated in a wide array in holographic stickers. The girl's eyes widened just a hair.

"What are those?"

"Oh, uh, P-Pokeball stickers. They make all sorts of visual effects when you call out your Pokemon in battle. They, uh, aren't that popular in Paldea; most of these I had to mail order from Sinnoh. Um, uh…" He trailed off as Herri leaned even closer to the red and white sphere, drinking in every last detail of the adhesive arrangement. Just as enraptured she stood back up to look him in the eye. "These are cool. Buy me some."

"I'm not your personal mone—"

"Also, new clothes." She raised her arms up for emphasis, splashing water on Kuzey with the motion. "These are wet."

"I can see that."

Thankfully, the walking ATM called Kuzey was rescued by Emma stepping in with a large shopping bag in hand. "That reminds me! One of my friends dropped you guys' stuff off this morning. Why don't we go pick out a new outfit for ya, Herri?"

The orange-haired girl nodded, and with Wirt in tow the pair turned to beat feet back to the Lab. Just shy of the door, Herri paused, and turned back to point at Kuzey. "Hey."

He tilted his head at her. "…?"

"…Don't think about me changing."

She went back inside, leaving a bewildered Kuzey throwing his hands up in defeat. "Are you trying to make me think it?!" Aunt Vi played her hand around the boy's hair, trying to suppress a titter at his exasperation.

"It's too late to ask questions, kiddo. That girl's got her own rhythm, and you're caught in it."

"And what am I supposed to do?" he sighed. Vi just rubbed his back and smiled.

"Aw, Kuzey. You dance."

Leaving him alone to stew in adolescent confusion, Bounvialle made her way toward Clemont, asking him questions Kuzey couldn't parse about the city's power grid. Buttering him up for a new venue, he guessed. Professor Sycamore approached the boy next, thumb pointed into the depths of the Atrium.

"That just leaves you, Kuzey. Why don't we take a stroll and see if we can find you your new Pokemon as well?"

And so in they went, winding their way on a dirt path beaten out to help navigate the artificial woods. Kuzey had to double-time it to keep up with the long strides of the tall Professor, and he watched the older man marvel at the Pokemon frolicking in the Atrium. It almost seemed like the first time he'd seen it all.

"It never gets old," Sycamore told him. "Just seeing them live. There's always something new to learn from Pokemon. In the wild, in stories, even our friends and companions right alongside us."

"Yeah," the boy agreed. "Back at Naranja Academy, sometimes at night I'd look out my dorm window down into town. I'd see Pokemon floating around the grounds, or nesting on rooftops, or scurrying through the streets. I've never really been… about battling, but just watching them can be captivating."

"That so?" asked the Professor, taking a long step to get over a particularly troublesome bush. "But your Charcadet seems like a natural-born scrapper. How did you end up partners anyway?"

Kuzey looked away, focusing on a Weedle chewing on a branch as he passed. "He was… a gift. From my parents."

"I see," said Sycamore, not prying further. "That's a very strong bond. You're family."

"Yeah. He's almost like a little brother sometimes… He—" He's flying right past.

Wait.

Both Professor and trainer watched as Crest went sailing by, caught in Bulbasaur's vines and flailing in tiny rage. "Seems they found each other," commented Sycamore. The little imp was drawn into a nearby bush, the plant shuddering and shaking as the scuffle raged within. A moment later, both the Pokemon came tumbling out, growling and swatting at one another in tiffing fury. Crest scrambled to the top of their pile, yanking at the base of Bulbasaur's vines, only for a pair of hands to wrap around his waist.

"Up you go," said Kuzey, prying his Pokemon off its mortal foe. Crest's little legs kicked in exception, but found no sympathy from his trainer. The Bulbasaur was little better for its part, gurgling a disgruntled sound at Kuzey from the ground, sidling back and forth on its legs. "What's the matter? Didn't get your breakfast?" Switching Crest to one arm, the boy pawed around the inside of his bag before producing a poffin he'd absconded from the ruined basket. The little green toad's eyes lit up in veneration of the treat, its listing shifting turning into excited hops as the boy broke the treat into two pieces – passing one to Crest's reaching hands before kneeling down to pass the rest to Bulbasaur.

Both the Pokemon were placated, not even acknowledging each other's presence as they gorged themselves on baked goods. Crest was plopped on the ground, where he sat and nibbled on his food, while Kuzey gave a few good scratches behind Bulbasaur's ear.

"Saaar!"

"You're just like Crest, aren't ya? Grumpy 'til you've eaten."

"Nice work," the Professor graded, crossing his arms as he leaned against a tree trunk. "I think you have a fine touch with Pokemon, Kuzey."

"Nah," he shrugged. "I've just got experience with brats… Professor?" He ran his hand across the bulb on the Grass-type's back, eliciting a happy purring "Bul" from it as he felt the little grooves and veins of the fleshy plant. "I want to take Bulbasaur with me."

"Cha?!" cried Crest, scooting around on its butt to face its trainer in aggrieved shock. Kuzey missed no cue, and assuaged his poor partner with a headrub.

"You'll learn to get along. Eventually."

"…Dett." Crest doubted that. The Professor tossed Bulbasaur's ball to Kuzey's outstretched hand, and he proffered it to his potential new partner.

"What do you say, Bulbasaur? Want to be part of our team?"

The little toad inched forward, a foot at a time, gingerly to Kuzey's hand. It sniffed him once, then twice. It got closer still, and a vine crept from its bulb to prod at his palm. It tickled a little, and when Kuzey giggled it mimicked him, "Bul-ba!".

Bulbasaur popped its head on the ball, and it snapped open, drawing the Pokemon back inside in a burst of light. Kuzey just had to admire the sight, holding aloft his second-ever Pokemon. "Say hello to our new partner, Crest!"

"Ca-dett!" The Fire-type tried to sound bitter, but the urge to celebrate with his trainer was too great; he made a little hop of exuberance to commemorate the moment. Sycamore was content to applaud from his comfy spot against the tree.

"A fine choice!" he declared. "I'll be watching your progress with Bulbasaur eagerly – er, in fact, did you have a name in mind?"

"Hm." Kuzey's Rotomphone withdrew itself from his pocket, displaying a helpful stat block on his new Pokemon: size and weight measurements, a list of the moves it currently knows, and a cursory reading of its health and status. "Oh, it's a girl Bulbasaur." With that in mind, he returned to his bag, fingering around for a particular sticker – and there it was. Carefully, he took the precious marker and attached a radiant sun in the front-center of his Bulbasaur's Pokeball.

"Perfect." He grinned at his new partner, seeing his own reflection in its red surface. "Your name will be Phylla!"

Many miles away, an overcast morning submerged a thriving green valley in a grey mist – Geosenge Town was rarely greeted by a bright sun in the autumn. The simple wooden homes clustered at one end of the valley overlooked a sloping descent to the shrine near its center – where once stone markers had stood were now three pillars of crystal, a grim reminder of where the Ultimate Weapon once stood. Over those selfsame markers passed a brisk flying machine, aiming downward as it began its descent to what seemed like little more than a large rock on the far side of the valley. Yet as it approached, this rock the size of a cabin slid briskly to the side, allowing the jet to slip into the tunnel it hid before moving back into place, unnoticed.

The jet passed through nearly half a mile of unlit tunnel before coming to a wide cavern, carved diligently by the labor of many Pokemon to create a discrete landing zone – even now a few intrepid Excadrill were clambering the jagged rock walls to smooth them away, carefully attaching lighting fixtures to illuminate the treacherous terrain. The jet's wings rotated, allowing its turbines to begin the process of a vertical descent to a metal platform far below emblazoned with a silver F.

As it came to clunky halt, eight masked grunts rushed to the vehicle's side, forming a line and saluting as the cockpit hissed open, and the lanky man inside leapt out to return the salute.

"Grunt Lenny reporting a successful opera—TCHA?!" Lenny's aggrandizing ended with a hand in his face and a shove to the ground as Celot took his place, picking at his teeth with his pinky observing the grunts, all dressed in the hooded masks and capes as his trio of misfits.

"Weren't there more of ya when we left?" he muttered. A grunt near the center of the line stepped forward in response.

"Word was passed down, Agent Celot. Invictus Magnus Oberon is satisfied with our progress."

One white eyebrow raised. "So this phase is concluding already? You know, we've only captured one of the subjects so far."

The grunt passed a piece of paper to him, but made no reaction as he opened the slip and instantly snarled. "Priorities have changed – we have a lead on Fuji's notes. A minimal garrison will remain here to manage the asset; you're to meet with Kosky for debriefing, and 'join the hunt'."

Celot groaned at that name. "Hate that guy. Whatever."

His griping ended when he heard a loud clanging behind him. His goons had managed to get the side door of their jet open, and were now struggling to lift the still-unconscious Mia – and her rock – out. "For the love of… why do we still HAVE THE ROCK?"

"Seemed important to her, boss-man," Lonnie responded. "Seemed rude to just leave it."

"Says the guy that don't gotta CARRY it!" Libby wheezed under the crushing weight of the large stone.

Celot's head drew back, and his tongue sucked in a breath between his front teeth. Held it for a pregnant moment.

And then he exhaled. "Never change, Lonnie," he said almost sincerely with a thumbs-up. "You are a treasure." Even under his mask the goon struggled to hide his flattered blush. Celot shook his head and turned away.

And then he turned back, walking past the three L's to the jet.

"Something up, boss?" piped up Lenny.

Celot leaned closer at the side of the jet, at the scorch marks it received in its struggle to escape that pesky blondie's Magnezone. He peered closer, and closer still at…

"I hate this color."

A few scattered "huh?"s escaped the grunts present, but Celot ignored them, turning from the jet in disgust. "It offends me. Somebody snag some spray paint and give the whole thing a coat. Maybe pink. Pink's nice." He shooed the grunts away with a wrist, and the garrison of the hideout trotted away in search of paint. With the quartet alone, Celot's attention returned to the unconscious brat in their possession.

"Kid sure can sleep, eh?" the Agent remarked. "Like a…" he pointed at her 'companion.' "Like a that."

"What are they gonna do with her?" Lonnie asked. Celot just shrugged.

"Above my paygrade. I'm on a need-to-know basis, and our gracious employers decided I didn't need to know."

"Feh," Lenny spat. "Bouffalant crap. No way you took this job blind; and if they didn't tell you the deal, then you probably just figured it out yourself."

The silver fang slipped out just a little from Celot's sly smile. "You know? For idiots, you three are pretty smart." He began to trot away. "I gotta hit the road, you little scamps, but I'll give you a hint: look close at who comes looking for her."

"You think those brats are gonna come after her?" Libby asked, and Celot nodded as he began to descend the stairs off the landing pad, making for a door deeper into the hidden base.

"Oh, definitely. Count on that." He turned his head back to face them before he passed through an automated door, and at that angle the trio caught their first glimpse of Celot's eyes – a glorious pink that almost glowed in the dim light. "But I meant who else."

A two-fingered wave capped Celot's exit, and the door shut behind him, leaving Lonnie, Lenny and Libby to look curiously down at their human cargo. The scrawny Lenny was the first to speak.

"You two ever get the feeling we ain't paid enough?"