*pushes words onto table to please the masses*

Eagun insists, more for his granddaughter than for Wes, to learn from everyone living in Agate Village. Wes doesn't find this quite as time-consuming as Rui does, but then he doesn't have to contend with shifting the style of his battling style or learning new rules. Rui just contents herself with laughing over the fact that Wes has to deal with the Pokemon Daycare and its cranky caregiver, Shabira. He also finds out the hard way that no, he is not very good with young Pokemon. He either manages to terrify them or they decide to use him as something to worry with their teeth. Or set on fire. Or soak with water. Or try to levitate with burdgeoning psychic powers.

He's glad that he is only learning the basics, and that he left his duster and PDA at home. It would be in sorry condition if he wore it to the Daycare. Rui snorts over his scratches and tiny burns, but he counters, teasing her about learning from her grandfather. That earns him a grumble from Rui about grandfathers and Gogoats, which never ceases to make him laugh.

Nomads from the desert trickle in as the weather worsens, and Wes finds an additional source of knowledge. He was too young to remember everything he was probably told about his own culture before his parents died, and finds solace in hearing it told around the firepits. The nomads welcome him with open arms, and ask him for stories of his own. Wes tells them of his travels around the region, and of meeting others from across the ocean. They eagerly listen, and Wes feels a little flame light in his chest. The flame grows as he sees Rui eventually join the group around the pit, and he feels at total ease for the first time in a long while.

His team even grows in leaps and bounds. He worked and worked with them to be able to battle with them flawlessly over the weeks, and it showed. He could battle as well with Sirocca, Buster, and the newly purified Meditite. Wes grinned as he dubbed the little fighter Shamal, as he chirped and proceeded to climb onto his shoulder to pick at his hair. Wes realizes that maybe he isn't the best with young Pokemon, but he can definitely train them if need be. Maybe he isn't that bad at this at all.

Eagun rolls his eyes skyward when Wes brings this to his attention, "Of course you're not bad at this!" He barks, "You only were given good ways to grow, not the haphazard drivel that you learned from Snagem!"

"Old Gogoat," Wes mutters under his breath. He almost manages to thrash Eagun in that resulting battle, but that Pikachu of his is incredibly vicious. Several of the nomads grin when Harmatten and Leveche both cower behind him and he is dealt several shocks instead. His expletive words cause even more grins. Eagun counters with the fact Wes should have been paying more attention, and therefore dodged that hit. Wes curses again, angry that he didn't see the obvious.

That fight shows Wes two things. One, he's lucky that nobody when after him specifically in any battle, or he'd be dead. Two, the nomads are beginning to take more of an interest in his training. He is instantly suspicious when Rui shows up in the crowds after she's done with her own lessons. She walks over to him after one bout, her smirk set every sense to scream 'danger!', but he held his ground.

"What?"

Rui shrugged. "Just telling the others in the crowd about why you are battling all the time." Her grin grew, "Most of them approve."

His training is soon joined by many more nomads, most young children or teens working on their own abilities to tame and command Pokemon. He finds himself turning around to help correct methods and showing other, more effective things to try. Other nomads begin to prompt him for his story, and he tells them of the battles. Of the Pokemon trapped in their own bodies, unable to feel and effectively communicate. He sees more than one person's eyes flash with anger as he shares what he and Rui found.

It isn't until four weeks into their stay in Agate that Wes confronts Rui.

"You've been asking for help," Wes accuses.

Rui shrugs. "Well, duh," She answers, her voice sharp, "We can't do this on our own, Wes. Cipher only really needs to kill two people to get this entire thing to grind to a halt. And they haven't just been gunning for the people in the cities. Have you heard anything of the raids against the nomads?"

Wes feels his blood run cold, as his mind flashes to an awful sandstorm and the screams of dying Pokemon and people. Of two very panicked Eevees in his arms, chirping anxiously.

Rui looked at him, "They've been hurt, and they've as much a right as anybody. Not just the people who are missing Pokemon."

Wes sat down, his head spinning. That put a new twist on things, because he knew asking for that sort of help from them was asking for trouble. While nomads would trade and interact with the people in towns and cities, there was a degree of coolness that made a barrier between Orre's people. He sighed.

"You could have been a little more subtle." He grumbles.

Rui rolls her eyes. "And miss the fun? Nah, I like confusing you too much."

Wes got his revenge later, in the form of beating her at the small strategy game one of the elders of the village introduced. She squawked in mock outrage when he won, and Wes thought back to the earlier conversation as she grumbled at him.

Maybe that barrier was just starting to dissolve, in times of crisis.

"Hey."

Wes looks up, to see a kid. He is balancing a small Gligar on his shoulder, and looks like he wants to be elsewhere.

"Kid, you don't have to call me that." Wes says, "Makes me feel old."

The kid nods. "Headman Tof wishes to speak to you. He said it was important."

Wes sighs. After Rui's revelation, he was waiting to hear about something from the headman. "Lead on, kiddo."

The kid gives him a look for the nickname, but leads him to the low stone buildings near Agate that make the winter homes of the nomads. People watch him, and Wes recognizes more than a few people who wave at him. He waves back, and soon he is pushed into the biggest house in the settlement. The leaders of several caravans are here, as well as Headman Tof. They all stare as Wes sits on the floor, and he nods to them. Caravans and their leaders never congragate like this unless there is important business, or someone really messed up big time. Wes remembers this from times that Gonzap had to deal with Snagem operations in the desert, dealing with caravans on their own.

Come to think about it, he never got to go on those jobs. Even when he showed that he was a competent battler. He only managed to meet Headman Tof and the other caravans through scouting on his own and being in town at the same time as the markets. But he never had been under such scrutiny before.

If he's here for what he suspects, they need to know what they're getting into. Folks appreciate when everyone's on the same page, after all.

"So..." Wes says, feeling several shades of idiot. He should have thought ahead. "What do y'all want to know?"

"Is it true?" Asks one of the caravan leaders, a man that is starting to grow gray in his hair. "That you and the young firetop are seeking to destroy the ones who have been plaguing us?" Wes nods, stiffening under the gaze of the leaders and Headman Tof.

"It's the end goal, sir. What they do awful, and we want to stop it before it takes us all down."

The caravan leaders seem to relax, but Wes still reads anxiety and worry from them. Do they think that he and Rui can't continue, or some other unfathomable reason? Headman Tof in particular is giving him the most uncomfortable look, and Wes can't shake the feeling that something isn't quite right. Silence reins as the caravan leaders share several looks. The entire thing looks like a silent and psychic conversation, and the strange feeling intensifies. inperceptable muttering began, and Wes watches as they keep glancing at him oddly. One leader, a tough looking woman, caught his gaze.

Wes feels like running. She was definitely a caravan leader, with a face so set as to be carved from red desert stone. Her eyes were flinty as she regarded him, narrowing as she looks at his arm. The one with the Snag Machine. The others stopped their muttering to watch. Wes grit his teeth, impatient with the half-mutterings. What is going on?

"You carry an evil thing."

Wes blinks. The woman is still regarding him with that half-glare, but the gaze is softer than before. He clears his throat. "What now?" Wes asks, puzzled.

She nods at the Snag Machine. "I have seen that thing time and again when the men in red and black attempt to raid our caravans. But this season we did not see it, and find it in the hands of one of our own," Wes swears he sees her expression harden. "Why is that, young one?"

Looking back, Wes wishes he hadn't said what he did in that moment.

"I'm not a nomad." He replies, trying not to make his voice growl. He doesn't want to hurt his chances, after all. "At least, I don't think I am."

She snorts. "Whoever told you that is blind. You wear a mark of ours, a Tamer's one at that, and share our mannerisms. I've seen you train your Pokemon in the village. Tell a better lie, lad."

Wes almost snarls. "I'm being completely serious," he replies, "The one's who raised me gave me this tattoo when I was old enough to actually help. I'm not one of you."

"Who raised you?" Headman Tof asks.

"Gonzap and Team Snagem." Wes growls.

Silence. Wes processes what he said, and feels all color drain from his face. Well, the Furret's outta the bag now. He folds his arms and waits, sure he is about to be thrown out of the building and told to never come back. Never mind about actually getting any help in the future.

"How?" growls Headman Tof.

Wes releases a breathe he didn't know he was holding. How could he forget how, when Gonzap had told him countless times; that he and his grunts found him curled up under a rock and sheltering two nearly new Eevees? Showed him the spot, where his only remembered life began. Wes clearly remembers it too, like crystal water. But what had happened before?

"They found me, near the Sea of Sand," Wes says. "Don't really remember how I got out there."

Headman Tof nods slowly, like he understands something. Like they're giving him an out. Wes resists rolling his eyes, because that's a juvenile reaction at best, and clears his throat.

"So what was the real reason I came here?" Wes asks, "Unless we came to discuss the Snag Machine."

"No, young Wes," Says the woman, "We heard from your friend, and from you about what is coming to our land."

"We wish to help you fight back." Says another caravan leader.

Wes grins. "I can help with that."

"So," asks Rui, "How'd it go?"

Wes shrugs, his head buzzing still with plans. Leveche butts his hand, asking for pets, and he gives her head an obligitory pat. "Pretty good, all things considered. We can count on them in the future."

Rui smiles, her face lighting up. "Good. Anything else planned for today?"

Wes looks at Rui, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. Rui had that smile, the dangerous smirk, that told of michievous plans.

-Nice that you know her so well.- Leveche sent him, sounding very smug. Wes coughs to cover an indignant sound.

-Keep it to yourself, or I'll get Sirocca to chase you.- Wes thought back. He didn't want to open that can, thank you. Rui raises her eyebrows at the silent conversation. -Could you get the others to come here?-

-Sure?- Leveche replies, sounding confused. -Why?-

Wes looked at Rui, whose hands were resting on her poke-ball laden belt. He had been meaning to challenge her skills, but the recent slew of training and -planning- had left him with no energy after his day was done. He looks at Rui, and they lock eyes. Wes feels fleetingly embarrassed, but to break this was anthema. This was how someone directly challenged another.

"Meeting was that bad?" She asks.

Wes shakes his head. "Nah, just tiring. Wanna battle? Just a fun one, not all out." he adds quickly. Leveche and the few weeks worth of comments doesn't influence his decision at all. Nope, not at all.

Okay, maybe it does. But Wes honestly wants to see if Rui improved as much as he has.

"Sure!" Rui exclaims, her face lighting up as she unclips two pokeballs. Wes hears a couple pairs of feet, and sees Sirocca and the newly christened Ampharos, Southeaster, bound into his space. Sirocca purrs, but she knows exactly what's going on. Southeaster grunts, and Wes looks at Rui. She releases Ryder, her Pideotto, and Nubs, her Swinub. Sirocca scents the air and she and Southeaster plant themselves squarely in front of Wes.

"Ryder, Gust!" Rui commands, pointing at Sirocca. "Nubs, use Magnitude in Hold Force Ten!" Her Pokemon rush his, and Wes is calling his attacks to counter.

"Sirocca, clear with Flame Wheel! Southeaster, use Thunderbolt!"

Sirocca dodged Ryder's kamikaze attack by tucking and rolling, red-orange flames igniting from her quills. She rolled away, Ryder following. Nubs had nothing to fear from Southeaster, as his ground typing protected him as he created like weight induced tremors. Rui was smart enough to keep Ryder and Nubs out of each others' way, and Wes watched for an opening. Maybe Southeaster could switch with Sirocca, or try something else?

"Southeaster, trade and soft Thunderpunch!" Wes calls, and watches with pride as the two roll and switch their attacks. Nubs, to his credit, narrowly misses a burning patch of grass and bounces back to a defensible position. Ryder is not quite as lucky, and Wes sighs in relief as the Thunderpunch only grazes Ryder and the bird Pokemon falls with controlled grace. A direct Thunderpunch would have been bad.

"Ryder, you okay?" Rui asks, gazing at her partner with concern. Ryder chirps, and Wes watches as Ryder flutters onto a rock. At least it's a defensible position for him. Wes spreads his hands and his two Pokemon leap, chasing the other two around in a bid for dominance. Rui is giggling at their antics, but the calculating gleam is still in her eyes.

"Nubs, Blizzard."

"Get away!" Wes yelped, but the spray of ice and snow swung to follow Sirocca. Sirocca flared her fire-quills, and was soon enveloped in steam. Southeaster, huffing with annoyance, used her short front limbs to smack Ryder gently. Ryder only cawed and wheeled away, flying up to a tree and sending whirlwinds down at them. Sirocca chirped, Nubs cornered and still spitting snow at her.

"Poke." Wes says simply. It was a standard rule that the first to make a deliberate poke on the enemy won. Sirocca gave Nubs a gentle nudge with her muzzle, and the little ground and ice-type grumbled. Wes motioned over Sirocca, and they all watched Southeaster chase Ryder around. Wes swore Ryder's caws and whistles were taunts, and Southeaster kept grumbling low in her throat. Electricity was gathering in the air, and Wes could smell the ozone.

"What do you think Ryder's saying?" Rui asks Wes. He only shrugged from his place across from her. He wasn't the Pokemon whisperer.

It shouldn't be repeated in polite company. Leveche sent. Wes smiled as Ryder let loose with a particularly vulgar-sounding whistle. Rui giggled but kept up her commands.

"Ryder, Featherdance!" Rui calls out.

"Southeaster, holdout." Wes answers back. Rui never saw him use that particular command, and smiles as Ryder dives in. As the bird Pokemon gets close, Southeaster raises her tail. At the right moment, she shines a bright bolt from the bulb on the end of her tail. Ryder caws loudly and lands, dazed. Southeaster prances over, and gives Ryder a solid nudge.

Wes looks at Rui, and they both begin to laugh. Southeaster, his normally calm Ampharos face looking decidedly smug, nudges Ryder again. Ryder blinks, shaken from his stupor, and begins to peck at the bothersome Ampharos. Soon they have restarted the game of chase, and all the Pokemon they had purified and their own were engaged in the loudest game of tag the village had ever seen. Harmatten and Shamal even teamed up to push Leveche from her comfortable spot, and the chase was on. Wes joins in, poking and running with his Pokemon and bothering Rui. She gets him back, and they soon are shrieking and laughing like children. Not behaving like young adults that have had to take on a murderous syndicate and begin the road of healing.

It was strangely therapeutic, and lasted until the sun began to set as it does in the wintertime. Still giggling, they usher their Pokemon to their sleeping spots and nests and head home together to eat and go over the discussion with the caravan leaders.

It wasn't until he was drifting off to sleep that Wes realized three things. The game of this afternoon probably helped the remaining Shadow Pokemon shake the chemical shackles of their own minds and hearts. He also got to spend some time of the afternoon coordinating his team in a bid to tag others, and they all listened.

Third, and oddest of all, was that he swore that Rui giggled not at the antics of the Pokemon, but at Leveche's comment.

The Relic Stone pulses as Wes approached it, the second Time Flute gripped with bloodless fingers. The full moon in the sky was giving way to dawn, and Rui sleepily hurries after him.

He woke up that morning after that trying, but great, day to Suicune's pokeball vibrating and shaking in his coat pocket. He debated about ignoring it, but he heard the mechanism creak ominously and decided that it wasn't something he should ignore. Not unless he wanted to explain to Eagun and Bella why Suicune was standing in their living room, glaring daggers at him. No thank you. He would rather take care of this before hand. Damned legendaries and their disregard for sleep and normal, -needed-, things like sleep.

He pushes the button, and Suicune appears. The Ultra Ball, groaning its last, disinegrates in his hand. Wes really pay attention to that, only the legendary in front of him.

You took your time. Suicune says, its voice cool like river water.

"I'm sorry," Wes retorts, glaring, "I've been busy, and last time I did that, I nearly got burnt to a crisp four different times."

Suicune's gaze softens. It's silent, but Wes couldn't care less. He puts the flute to his lips.

My apologies, then. Suicune says. I do understand now, you're hesistance. But a great shadow is coming, and we three must bring the one to burn away the darkness. Wes isn't sure, but he can hear a note of urgence in those dulcet tomes. -Please, release me from this torment.-

Wes grumbles under his breath, but plays a respectable trill (still awful breathy, but no one is perfect).

The green light of before bobs through the trees, and Wes can almost see the small form of the guardian of Celebi as it dances across the ground. It swirls, doing its intricate dance around the legendary Suicune. But unlike with Entei, Celebi hovers in front of Suicune, and small hands press themselves to Suicune's muzzle. A gust blows through, and Wes has to shield his eyes as debris is stirred.

When he looks up again, Suicune is bounding away. But it turns around, and Wes can hear its distant call.

When you need us, we will be there.

Wes stands there for a while, puzzling out what Suicune means by that, but his thoughts are interuppted by Rui's tug on his hand.

"What?" Wes asks.

"Nothing," Rui says, "But we should probably have breakfast, and see about our plans."

Wes thinks fleetingly about arguing, but his belly is protesting and his feet are cold in the temperate chill of winter.

"Okay then," He sighs, "Better late than never."

He tries not to think about the sickly feeling of the Ultra Ball turning to dust in his fingers.

By the end of the week, the winter storms have abated for the year, and they pack up. Wes gathers his team, and Rui picks out who wants to come with them and fight back. Everyone, even the caravan leaders, come to say goodbye.

"We will be in touch." Headman Tof says, "We can also say in contact with your people in the settlements."

Wes nods, "Then I wish you luck, and don't underestimate those kids. They're vicious."

"They would have to be, to survive." The Headman says, "Speaking of which, I have a a message to pass on."

Wes is handed a piece of paper, and he reads a string of map coordinates scrawled out in blue ink. Under it is three words, with a small message from Secc.

Shadow Pokemon Lab

If you guys get killed, Dad says he reserves the right to raise you from the dead and kill you both again.
-Secc and Marcia

Wes snorts, only one thought running through his head.

How charming.

A/N: Hey fellers, guess who passed semester and decided to gift you patient lovelies early this holiday season with a chapter!

All thing's aside and short, my computer died and the tech people didn't get all my prewritten chapters back. I'm really sorry I made a promise and couldn't keep it. My humblest and deepest apologies. I also got home, and promptly tried to get sick.

I also now have an AO3 account, but nothing's up yet. Been debating about that, but I digress.

Keep yourselves warm, those of you in the snowy parts of the world, and stay healthy. And Happy Holidays!