Gradually, the fog in her head cleared. Through the veil of daze, her consciousness returned. Welcomed by a subtle pain that crept under her skin. The pain was neither stinging nor throbbing, more like a permanent noise. Increasing in intensity every passing second. Almost, as if someone fiddled with the volume control. If only to find out how long it’d take to push her over the limit of what was bearable. Words slipped from her dry and cracked lips.

"Help."

First quietly, then louder.

She didn’t remember her name nor where she was. Her mind was filled with pain – and nothing else.

"Help."

Still dazed, Sal became aware of herself. The first thing to come back was her name. Sal. Second were people and places she couldn’t connect to each other. Vivienne. Trix. The dumps. Guillaume. Pictures of a demonstration, no, a riot came to her mind. A burning policeman, shattered glass and broken windows, people in disarray.

A throbbing headache joined her newfound mental clarity. Her skull felt like it would explode any given moment. Her mouth was dry, and her entire body felt like a severe bruise. No. Worse. She felt like her bones had been broken, crushed, and inexpertly patched together.

"Help!"

It was the only word she was able to say. The essence of her suffering - concentrated in a lonely syllable, spoken in a scratchy voice.

Sal noticed a tube on her arm. It ended in a needle, stuck into her skin and glued to the crook of her arm with a plaster. Liquid dripped through the hose. Sal was weak. Exhausted. Her limbs were leaden. She found it difficult to concentrate. Trix would have to help her out of here. They had to go back. If they stayed away too long, their new hiding place in the dumps would be ransacked. Sal didn't know if she still had the strength to look for another one.

A thought struck her. Like lightning. And panic began to shoot through her veins like a river of molten lava. She couldn't find Trix!

Where is she? Sal thought. A device started to beep loudly when her heart began to race. She noticed only now that her clothes were missing. Instead, she wore an ugly oversized gown in a hideous green with white points. Clumsy and frantic, Sal tore the needle out of her arm, followed by a short, intense pain. Black spots danced mockingly before her eyes.

Looking around, she found herself in a plain and sparsely furnished room, devoid of other people. In a feeble attempt to stand up, she nearly fell out of bed. As soon as her bare feet touched the cold laminate, her staggering legs gave way and Sal slumped.

But she didn't mind! She ignored the pain and pushed the insignificant questions aside. It didn't matter where she was or how she ended up here; why she no longer wore her clothes or what had become of her possessions. It didn’t matter what happened to the riot and Guillaume's men; or if she still had a home to return to. Every fiber of her being screamed just one question.

Where's Trix?!

For the first time in years, Sal was separated from her Pokémon. She fought against the tears and the panic. Against the emptiness, surrounding her. Her breathing became erratic, unstable.

It didn’t matter!

All she needed to do was block it out!

Again, she tried to get up and keep walking.

Again, her lungs failed her.

Suddenly, she found herself gasping for breath. But that didn’t matter either. She had to know what happened to Trix! At any price. Sal needed to find her.

The door to her room creaked open. Still dazed, Sal stumbled toward the door. She heard steps and a voice but couldn’t make out the words. Her hands were clenched into fists. Sal decided to fight her way out. But her movements were hasty, weak, and uncoordinated. She stumbled, hit the ground and screamed in pain.

"Calm!" ordered a bulky woman in a shapeless sky-blue hospital uniform. Two other nurses hurried into the room, not more than shadows to Sal. Before she understood what happened, she was already pinned to the ground. With what little strength was left, she fought back: kicking, scratching and biting her opponents.

"LET ME GO!“ Sal yelled in a last act of defiance. Why couldn't they understand? She needed to go! Immediately! She needed to find Trix!

But her efforts proved futile, no matter how much she resisted. Something was pushed into her neck. An unknown fluid spread through her bloodstream. Her whole world felt like cotton wool. Slowly, her pain subsided. Her movements became sluggish.

"No!“ Sal stammered, "I can't… need to find..."

Once more, she sank into the far away realm of dreams.

Rays of sunlight tickled Sal's face. The pain had subsided, the fog in her mind dissolved. Tired, she opened her eyes, looked up at the stained ceiling and took a deep breath. Inside her heart was a deep, black hole that threatened to swallow her. A tear ran down her cheek.

Trix is gone, she thought. Sal bit her lip. The soothing pain made her feel alive. With almost emotionless determination, she pushed the gloomy thoughts aside.

No. She didn’t leave me, Sal thought stubbornly. We’ve only been separated. It ain’t helpful making a mountain out of a molehill. One step after the other.

Even before Sal and Viv escaped the orphanage, she and Trix had always found each other. Back, in Camphrier. There was no reason why it should be any different this time. The city was bigger, so what?! She could always think of ways to find her later. For now, Sal needed to be strong. Other questions were plaguing her mind and needed to be answered.

What happened?

Where am I?

How do I get out of here?

What happened to my Pokémon?

Sal tried to sit up but couldn't move her arms. Leather shackles were tied around her wrists, legs and hips. She shook her head and circled her shoulders. First things first. It was time to find out where she was! From the ceiling, her gaze turned to the room.

"So, you've finally woken up," the unknown voice made her flinch from surprise. Opposite her bed was a man with fine features. Probably somewhere in his 30s. His cheeks and eyes were unusually small. Slightly wavy hair fell like a waterfall on either side of his face. His goatee and mustache made him look serious. With crossed legs, he sat on a chair. A newspaper in his hand.

"I'm sure you have as many questions as I,“ he said in a friendly tone. "Well, how about we bring some light into the darkness? Starting with something simple. Like introducing ourselves, yeah!? Well, my name is Kaito. What's yous?"

"Where am I?" Sal asked suspiciously.

"In the Hôpital d'Anirca. You slept here for the past few days. When you woke up the other day, the nurses had to sedate you. You were weak, hyperventilating, and your blood pressure was alarmingly high. Please don't hold it against them. Everything they did was for your good. All in all, it's a good hospital. Frankly spoken, you could have hit it much worse. Well, enough of that. Would you like to have a drink?"

Sal shook her head.

"Something to eat?"

Sal repeated the motion.

"You're not very talkative, are you?" Kaito smiled. "Will you at least tell me your name? Jane Doe is so bland and the nurses keep nagging me."

"Vivienne," Sal called the first name that came to mind.

"All right, we’ll work with that. Nice to meet you, Vivienne! You’re sure about food and drink though? After all, you're pretty weak on your feet and really could use some nutrition."

"Where's my clothes?" Sal wanted to know.

"Ah, your clothes. Well. I'm afraid the hospital staff disposed of them for hygiene reasons. Don't worry, there’s a collection point for used items on the second floor. If you want, I'll get you new clothes later. You have a favorite color?"

"How about grey?,“ Sal said with little hesitance. Kaito chuckled.

"I can’t answer that question for you. But all right! Something grey, it is! Maybe a little color accent to it?"

"Red."

"Splendid! I’ll see what I can do. Would you rather have a dress? Or are you more into trousers and sweaters?"

"A dress in winter?" Sal asked irritated. Kaito grinned sheepishly.

"Yeah, sorry. Stupid idea. You're right. So, you'd rather have something warm?"

"Anything. As long as it’s warm! Dunno. Dark pants, thick sweater. With a hood, if possible. And a lined jacket!" Sal gushed out faster than she would have liked.

"All right! Warm and useful, it is!"

Kaito smiled kindly at Sal and before she knew it, he had engaged her in a conversation about trivial matters. What interests did she have, how did she spend her day, did she like to read or did she prefer being outside? Oh, and of course: which was her favorite Pokémon?

"Eevee, of course," Sal blurted out. It was tiring to answer with lies, or half-truths. She was sure he couldn’t use this piece of information to his advantage. What harm would it do to tell the truth for once? Kaito grinned broadly.

"Eevee, hu? Well, you're not the only one! Many people are fascinated by Eevee. If asked, I'd say we’re mirroring ourselves in it. There’s no other Pokémon with the potential to evolve into so many different forms of itself. Eevee shows us that if we work hard enough we can become anything we want. Oh, and of course there's the cuteness factor," Kaito added after a short pause, giving Sal a conspiratorial wink.

“Well, I'll leave you alone for a while and start picking out your new clothes. Who knows? If luck is with me, I pass by some hot chocolate or tea on the way back. Or would it mean luck is with you? Ah. Nevermind. See you soon, Vivienne!" He said and stood up.

Okay, how do I get out of here? Sal thought feverishly as he left the room. The first hurdle was getting rid of the leather restraints, but they’ll come off. If I understand him correctly.

After all, she needed free hands and feet to change into new clothes. Not that she’d keep them for long. They would only help Kaito tracking her down after she escaped. Sal looked intently around the sparsely furnished room. The door was her best option. In second came two windows. One was near the door, the other near her bed. A glance through the dirty glass revealed a glimpse of Lumioses smoggy skyline. She was probably on the third or fourth floor. Not exactly what you’d call good conditions for an escape through a locked window.

image [https://i.imgur.com/lAPwpgd.jpeg]

The rest of the room consisted of a closet, her bed, Kaito's chair, and a small desk with a stool and a narrow drawer. Framed pictures and drawings of incomprehensible medical stuff were hanging on the slightly stained wall. All in all, the room appeared clean, even if not in its best condition.

Sal wondered what treasures the locked cupboard to her left contained. Was it worth breaking into it before she fled? A timid grin flitted across her lips. Medicines were expensive. Maybe the cupboard was her opportunity to make a fresh start!

For the first time in a while, Sal saw something like a light at the end of the tunnel. However, her budding optimism was abruptly overtaken and destroyed by her sense of reality.

Without Trix, Corry and Spooky, it doesn't make sense.

Where were they? How did they feel? Did Corry still enjoy playing around in rat holes? Was she already missing the comfort that Sal's shoulder offered her? Was Spooky once again preying on the weak to pass the time? Or was Trix keeping him in check? How stressful was it for her to take care of the other two while separated from Sal?

Maybe they had returned to their shelter in the dumps, sitting it all out. It was the smart decision. Probably. In any case, this would be Sal's first option in her endeavor to find her Pokémon. A dangerous undertaking. She needed to avoid Guillaume and his henchmen. After all, someone had spilled the beans on them. Sal knew exactly what it would look like if she returned right now.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Nobody liked traitors. Especially not Guillaume. Would he even allow her to explain herself and prove her innocence? Or would he once more make her a public display of his strength? She was walking on a thin line. The most sensible choice would be to avoid the risks, lay down and take cover for a while.

Sal sighed. Frustrated, she shook her leather restraints and balled her hands into fists. She needed to escape! As fast as she could! She hated being condemned to uselessness. Even if it gave her the time to ponder some questions.

Who is Kaito?

The man didn’t look like a doctor. Maybe he was a kind of priest? He was overly helpful and remarkably friendly. In retrospect, two character traits that set off alarm bells. How could she have been so simple-minded?! That was his ploy!

First, he wanted to gain her trust, then lure her into his net. So, what was her use to him? Like everyone, Kaito wanted something from her. She just had to find out what his angle was. Was he interested in her or rather in the information she had? Did he know about her Pokémon?

The last thing she recalled was the ambush. It came sudden and unexpected. Everything happened so fast. Whenever she tried to think back to it everything became blurry. Sal didn't even know who or what had knocked her out. Let alone how the fight had ended. She vaguely remembered her tiredness. The cold. Hasty voices calling out for...

For what?

Sal struggled to remember.

But something was missing. Something that she couldn't put her finger on. A crucial piece of information.

Most likely, things had turned bad for Guillaume's henchman. The attack was too accurate, too coordinated. Nothing a competing street gang could’ve done. And nothing that the little fishes she accompanied could’ve handled. Besides, she couldn't think of anyone stupid enough to mess with Guillaume. Most of her questions remained unanswered. Starting with who brought her to the hospital.

Certainly, neither Guillaume nor Benoit, she thought with sarcasm. Her best option was to concentrate on Kaito. Right now, he was her best lead. What precisely was his role? Was he some kind of carer? Or someone who should extract information from her? Or was it about her mission? About Guillaume? Perhaps her escape from the hospital wasn't as easy as she hoped. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that Kaito had spoken a lot but said very little.

There was a lump in her throat as her thoughts turned to Vivienne, whose name she had borrowed. How would Viv have handled this chaotic situation? Sal missed her. More than ever. Lost in dark thoughts, she barely noticed Kaito coming back. In his hand was a bundle of clothes that he threw at the foot of her bed.

"Well, Vivienne," he said with a heavy emphasis on Sal’s supposed name, "I think it's time we talk for real."

There was a scraping noise as Kaito pulled his chair across the floor. He placed it next to her bed, with the backrest turned forward, so it could support his arms. The way he spoke, the way he moved—nothing about him hinted at the warmth and kindness he had shown her before. Instead, he exuded an aura of distanced professionalism.

"You're not from the hospital," Sal stated without emotion.

"No. As already mentioned, my name is Kaito Wallace - what I didn't tell you is that I work for the Gendarmerie, seventeenth Arrondissement. Currently, I am assigned as the lead investigator against a terrorist organization, which undermined a demonstration a few days ago.

Due to their malicious intentions, civilians as well as police officers of the crown were attacked and severely injured. We had cases of civilian unrest, robbery, destruction of property, as well as other minor crimes. Charges are already being prepared due to the overwhelming amount of evidence we collected.

This is an extremely serious matter, Vivienne. One you can't use a fake name to talk your way out of. Let me tell you a bit more about some of the charges that could be raised against you,“ Kaito said dead serious.

“Conspiracy against the crown. In other words, treason. A capital crime punishable by public execution. Aside from that: Incitement to hatred; weapons law violations; disturbance of public peace; aiding and abetting attacks on police officers of the crown; resistance against state authority; membership in a terrorist organization," he paused, "Oh, and then of course the illegal possession of Pokémon."

Every item on his list was like a punch into her gut. Executed with forceful, surgical precision. Sal felt her face lose all color. Instinctively, she looked to the side, glad that she was no longer connected to the beeping devices. Her heart was racing so fast that the machines would’ve reacted immediately.

Sal opened her mouth, about to answer, but nothing came to mind. She didn't know what to say. What could she say? Was this the end? Would her path lead her straight to the scaffold? Or would they lock her in a dark, damp cell and throw away the key? If she was lucky.

"Now that you understand the seriousness of your situation and the allegations against you, I would like to ask you a few more questions. This time you'd better answer me without lying to my face."

"I’m not a rat," Sal hissed instinctively. She owed nothing to the government. If she could choose how she died, it wasn't at the torturous hand of Guillaume. And she knew that if she betrayed Guillaume, she would suffer a slow and painful death. Unlike the courts, the king of the dumps obeyed neither laws nor moral obligations.

"Let's start by breaking down the situation. On Thursday night, several witnesses observed you smuggling highly explosive devices during an illegal assembly - weapons that were used against the Crown."

Sal didn't see any questions and decided to remain silent. He wouldn't go to such lengths if she didn't have room to maneuver, would he? How many of the accusations against her were proven? Would the crown have an underage girl executed? Or was it all just a threatening backdrop? A plot to make her spill the beans? What she did was a simple delivery job. Not more, not less. She wasn’t to fault for any of his accusations. No one told her anything about treason when she was offered to partake.

"During a handover of said weapons, you were caught in the crossfire of an operation that was targeting the criminal organization in question. During this battle, you were hit by an ice beam intended for a Muk. It vanished into thin air upon contact with the attack. Like it was never there at all. Which raises some questions. Where did the Muk come from? Why wasn't it caught in the attack? Where or why did it disappear?"

A firework of emotions erupted within Sal. The damn gendarmes didn't know anything about Trix! She must’ve escaped the attack! Probably, Trix watched the battle in secret. With the help of her illusions. Trying to help as good as she could, before she escaped the scenery. Such a good girl! But where had she gone to?

Sal knew Trix would rather die than let her down. Likewise, she felt the same. Maybe Trix was trying to hatch a plan to help Sal escape? She tried to hide her relief and shrugged with forced indifference. Kaito looked at her with suspicion but didn't push further.

"Much to your luck an Audino was on site and able to provide first aid. The frostbite on your back was very dangerous."

Sal blinked at him.

"Frostbite?"

The Dark. The Cold. The Pain. An inevitable desire to sleep. Goosebumps formed on Sal's arms as fragmented memories came back to her.

"The doctors were... well, worried would be an understatement. It's more thanks to the quick help of Pokémon than the possibilities of modern medicine that your back tissue hasn't died. I believe the correct medical term is superficial frostbite. It means that ice crystals had already formed in your skin. A process, that usually requires some time - unless you're hit by a Pokémon move designed to eliminate a high-level opponent. The blunt force of the attack did the work of many hours at once," Kaito said with a serious tone.

"Which brings us to my next question,“ the gendarme cleared his throat. His expression now seemed a little softer, almost pitiful.

"I want to talk with you about your back."

Sal felt a big lump in her throat. Her face blushed.

“During treatment, it was noticed that you had a...,“ he cleared his throat again. “The scars on your back suggest severe physical abuse. Which is why… erm, is there anything you’d like to tell me?”

Sal clenched her teeth so tightly that her jawbone was visible. Again, she tugged at the leather restraints, trying to free herself. What was he thinking?! By what right did he ask about her scars?! The way she looked at it, she had traded one prison term for another. Did he expect her to show gratitude?

"Or the burns on your face?"

"Fuck you!" Sal shouted, murder in her eyes. There was a silent threat in her eyes that she wouldn't hesitate to add another crime to her long list of misdeeds if given the chance.

Kaito sighed.

"I am not your enemy."

It was only now that Sal noticed the deep circles under his eyes. He seemed exhausted.

"Please try to see me as an ally. Because I'm the only help you can expect. Ask me for my personal opinion? I don't you to be the deadly weapon the prosecution wants to make out of you. What I see is an abused, half-starved girl who was mistreated by life. A girl who needed to live by the laws of the street and simply did what she had to do to stay alive."

Sal fought the instinct to spit at his feet. Why did he come to her with this shit now of all times? Where was he when Guillaume put her through the wringer?! Where was he when the cane tore her skin from her back in the name of his oh-so-glorious-majesty?! Over and over again! Where was he when Viv...

No, Sal had learned that no help could be expected from the so-called guardians of the law. Kaito was the enemy, no matter how sympathetic he appeared to be. Her eyes turned to slits.

"You've no idea what's going on out there, don't ya?!" she asked disdainfully.

"Then tell me! If you'd like, we can start with how you got your Pokémon. It must have been of great support to you."

Sal's eyes flashed. She noticed he had spoken in the singular.

"Where is it?"

"Well.” Kaito shifted on his chair. Sal could literally see the wheels turning in his head. He was about to lie to her.

“That's not important right now. All that matters is that I want to help you. But you also have to do something about it. It is still in your hands what will be in the charges. You're a minor, almost a child. If we manage to show you in the right light, you may be seen as a victim instead of a perp. Judged by criminal law for young offenders. Much lighter sentences. Even a chance for rehabilitation could be possible.

“Well, I am familiar with gang crime. The courts also know that couriers your age stand no chance. No one has any particular interest in giving you the maximum sentence. But it won't bother the courts either if that's the way to go. If you want my help, I need something. A gesture of goodwill from you. In exchange for a more lenient sentence. Maybe even on parole."

Kaito hesitated for a moment before speaking again. Sal had the impression that his tone was more cautious, less assertive. Maybe another pretty lie.

We'll find someone to take care of your Pokemon, and I'll help you find a good place in an orphanage.

"Been there, done that. No, thanks. Fuck you," Sal hissed and glared angrily at Kaito. In return, the gendarm gave her a disarming smile.

"So you are an orphan."

"I won't say anything more," Sal crossed her arms.

"It’s okay. I got the message. You don't want to return to an orphanage? All right. I got you covered. We’ll find something else," Kaito tried to soothe her. "But you shouldn't hesitate too long if you want my help. At this moment, the other four members of your gang are also interrogated. It's just a matter of time before someone makes a mistake or a deal. The Crown wants to set an example, you know? A sign of strength to appease the people. We, however, are after the masterminds, not the pawn victims."

"Four more witnesses?" Sal concluded that Benoit must have avoided their clutches. Fucking Benoit. If only he had gotten back before her! Probably he was still on the road at the time of the ambush or inciting the masses.

"I want to see my Pokémon," Sal demanded.

Kaito's gaze changed. For a split second, he seemed completely different from what she had experienced before: touched, thoughtful, uncertain. If she wasn't so good at reading people, she would have missed it. Now, however, she couldn't help but notice that his trademark smile seemed fake this time.

"I suppose you're talking about the Salandit we found in your bag?"

What is he hiding? Sal wondered without answering.

"You know that owning Pokémon without permission is a big deal, don’t you? It would really be best for you if you banished Salandit from your mind. You're in enough trouble as it is, right now. I can only imagine how a different investigator would react.”

Kaito hesitated for a while. It was clear that he was struggling to make a decision.

“Well. In theory, I could use my connections. You know, to help you see your Pokémon. But only from afar and in return for that--"

He lies.

Sal felt a sharp pain as a voice cut through her head. Her whole body cramped.

"-- you have to give me something. Names, backers, structures. What purpose did you pursue with the incendiaries? Why did some witnesses see you without the scars and with red hair while others didn't? And why did special forces see a Muk that never existed?"

Kaito smiled mildly. "Maybe, we should start with the last question--"

Don't tell him anything.

"--after all, it's the easiest to answer."

Be ready!

"Ready for what? Who are you?" Sal asked in her mind.

"So, do we have a deal?"

Sal swallowed. Her gaze wandered left and right. There was no one in the room except her and Kaito.

"Who are you?" Sal asked, irritated.

"As I said before, my name--"

A friend, the voice cut through her thoughts again.

"--is Kaito Wallace. From the seventeenth--"

It begins now.

A bang, as loud as thunder or a cannon shot, shattered the peaceful silence. The windows burst. A shock wave drove thousands of shards into the opposite wall and past her bed. Some of the splinters left superficial wounds in Sal's legs. Sparks flew from the ceiling lamp, which flickered one last time – as if it were fighting for its life before it went out with a hissing sound. Screams of surprise, horror and helplessness could be heard from the other rooms.

Kaito had thrown himself to the ground. He raised his hands protectively over his head. There was another bang from the distance. Lightning danced over rooftops and struck a large building, which began to burn.

"Release me!" Sal screamed and tugged at her leather bonds so wildly that her whole bed shook. Kaito ignored her and instead hurried to the window.

"RELEASE ME!!!"

"Shit!" he exclaimed. He turned to Sal – his right hand raised in reassurance.

"All right! You don't move from the spot. I'll be right back!"

The gendarme reached for a Poké Ball. A ray of red light appeared, freeing a Pokémon that Sal immediately recognized: it was the red Flying-type Pokémon with the black feather tips that she had seen near her hiding place!

"It was you!" she exclaimed angrily. "You followed me!"

"The HQ’s on fire! Find out what's going on, Talonflame! I’m right behind!" Kaito commanded. Without hesitation, the bird of prey shot out of the window. He rose into the sky with majestic elegance and powerful wing beats.

In the meantime, Kaito had summoned a second Pokémon. It was about a head shorter than Sal, and had white, slender arms. The bright red legs looked well trained and were a lot wider than his head, on which was something resemblig a bright red hat that looked like a turtle without its front legs.

"Medicham, put up a barrier and protect the girl! HQ needs support. I'm trying to figure out what's going on! You hold the fort, while I’m gone, okay?"

Kaito was already halfway out the door when he bumped into a person wearing a white coat, green gloves and a protective mask.

"Excuse me, doctor, I didn’t see you enter the room--," the gendarme started frantically. He paused for a moment.

"--could you do me a favor? The girl in this room is an important witness. She needs protections and must not be left alone under any circumstances! I station my Pokémon outside the door so no one can enter. Also, Medicham has already secured the windows with a barrier. I'll send you reinforcements as soon as possible!"

"As you wish--" came the doctor’s muffled voice from beneath his mask. It sounded strangely familiar to Sal.

"--on my good name and by grace of his majesty I will promise you here and now not to leave her side, Monsieur..."?

"Wallace, of the seventeenth arrondissement. Thank you, doctor! And you," Kaito gave Sal one last warning look. “You better behave. I’ll be back soon.”

Then he made way for the doctor and hurried through the door. With every step he took away from her room, the echo of his footsteps grew fainter. Eventually they fell completely silent. The doctor turned to the Pokémon that Kaito had called Medicham.

"Although your master has entrusted the girl's care to both of us, I must pray for some discretion for my patient. To protect her privacy, I will now close the door, as I must perform some urgent examinations now that she has woken up. I am sure a Pokémon as smart as you will understand the importance of the oath a doctor takes when he chooses his profession."

Sal heard the door click. When she raised her head to look at the doctor more closely, he removed his mask. Sal's eyes widened in surprise. A mocking smile curled the lips of the mysterious old man who had visited her in the dumps the other day.

"You!"

"Hello, Sal. I see that your situation has not changed noticeably for the better since we last met. Rather the opposite. How fortunate that, once more, I can help you out of your predicament. I'm thinking of a little showpiece in which a dangerous terrorist sneaks out of the hospital under the noses of Lumiose's gendarmerie. Now, tell me: Will you accompany me and help me complete this marvelous performance?”

His eyes were deep oceans, reflecting the unbridled power and knowledge Sal could only dream of. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, he raised a finger in warning, cutting her off.

“However, you should know that once you start down this path, you cannot go back. Therefore, choose wisely, because no matter what your decision is, it will change your life forever.”