Ninetales and Miranda were near the entrance of Rebirth's Cave. Evening was falling, and the torches around the cave were burning low or extinguished. Many pokemon in the cave had gone to bed already, Team Oddity included. They looked over at Team Oddity's space for a moment, taking in the sight of Aeon and Echo asleep, as well as Liu's pink bubble. Then, Ninetales turned back to Miranda.

"Alright, Miranda. We're trusting you with this. Do you remember the plan?"

"Of courssse. Follow Double T, ssspy and learn anything I can, and report back here without getting caught. But... Are you ssssure about thisss, Ninetalesss?" Miranda asked.

"We need intel. And Double T isn't going to just strut up to our cave and tell us their plans." Ninetales sighed. "If Team Oddity is right, and there really is a greater threat to the region, it'll put all of us in danger. Not to mention..." Ninetales's gaze fell to the cave floor. "Our dream will never come true. Treasure Town will remain a lifeless husk, a scar on the face of the world, the last civilization for miles snuffed out."

Miranda responded with a deep exhale of her own, and replied "Very well. I sssshall be back once I hear anything of interessst. In the meantime, be wary of that Leafeon'ssss spell — ssshe's still in there, ssssomewhere, and her ssssong is only going to get louder from here."

Ninetales nodded. "We'll be careful, as always. Good luck, Miranda. And... thank you."

"It isss my pleasssure." Miranda smiled, before fading into invisibility.

As she left Rebirth's Cave, she headed toward the remains of Wigglytuff's Guild. The cave had been somewhere below the cliffs, so the fastest way was to go through the guild itself to get to the lower ground. As she approached the gate, she gazed at the building. Once a symbol of peace and order, the figurehead atop the tent had become dirty and broken. One of Wigglytuff's ears had long fallen off somewhere, and one of his eyes had fallen out and shattered on the ground. The tent itself was in tatters; raiders had likely come through and stolen anything left of value. That apparently included the totem poles that had once stood proud to either side; they were nowhere to be found.

As Miranda floated over the broken logs that had once been a sturdy, protecting gate, she shook her head. "Ssssuch a ssshame." She murmured to herself. "How far our cccivilization hasss fallen." She floated down the ladder to the first sub-level. To her left and right were the old bulletin boards, which had once been used to take requests for help or capture criminals. Plant life had infested and invaded the windows and walls years ago, and the whole floor was overgrown. There was a large hole to the far-back left, caused by the ceiling collapsing.

After a brief pause, Miranda turned and headed down the second ladder, to the second sub-level. Every torch was bare and cold, the flames long since snuffed out. Rubble from the ceiling above had piled high in front of the entrance to the mess hall, leaving it inaccessible to most. To Miranda's immediate right was Wigglytuff's chambers, where he once called members of the guild in to talk. The vibrant, pink doorway was now sullied with dust and grime. To her left was where one of the members, Croagunk, had done his work. The head of his statue had crumbled into dust, and the cauldron had been knocked over and run dry.

After one final look around the dilapidated, hopeless scene, Miranda floated over and entered Wigglytuff's chambers. Two treasure chests sat on either side of the room, but they were empty, and one even looked like it had been smashed open to gain access. A filthy, red mat sat in front of her, and she raised her gaze. Before the fall of Wigglytuff's guild, a large banner with his face sat at the back of the room. That, too, had been stolen, leaving only scraps of tattered fabric behind. But Miranda wasn't interested in the banner. She was interested in the hole that was usually hidden behind it.

At the beginning of the guild's history, and despite his seemingly air-headed nature, Wigglytuff was no fool. He had created a secret back exit on the second subfloor, in case the members of the guild had ever needed to escape in an emergency. After Wigglytuff had been driven insane, rumors stated that, before his capture and committal to an asylum, he had used this exit in a manic episode of distrust. It lead down and away from the guild: a staircase to the forest below. Miranda hesitated for only a moment, then headed down the staircase. At the bottom, the tunnel opened up into the wilds.

When Liu had gone missing, Miranda recalled that it had taken some time to track Liu's scent. But she also remembered the path they had taken to find her, and so, finding Team Double T's hideout was far faster this time around. Not only that, but once she got there, it seemed that there was torchlight coming from the cave. Miranda, still invisible, floated over to the cave entrance. There, she saw them sitting.

Maisy, the Purrloin. Sparks, the Emolga. Lizzie, the Minccino. But something was wrong. Where was the Drowzee, Spilar? Miranda looked around the cave, but didn't see him anywhere. Shrugging it off, Miranda sat still and watched for the moment, as Maisy began to speak.

"Business is slow..." Maisy growled. "Word must have gotten out about Liu's escape. Now no one wants to hire us. We've lost their trust."

"Yeah. She's caused us way more trouble than she even knows. I mean, not only that, but now people might know where our cave is, and if there are any more 'heroes' like that group we fought, they'll probably bust in and try to take our victims back." Sparks muttered.

"Aw, cheer up, you guys! We've still got a place to stay and plenty of money! We'll manage somehow!" Lizzie chirped cheerfully.

"Lizzie, shut up." Sparks snapped. "You're not helping. But then, you never are."

"Hey, easy, Sparks." Maisy admonished. "Lizzie's in just as much trouble as we are. Forget the tickling business — we let someone escape from this cave. And if they come snooping around, we could be in even more trouble. Someone might find out about... him."

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The three collectively shuddered, and Sparks growled "We have to get Liu back as soon as possible. I'd like to wipe the memories of that whole stupid group, but we have to settle for her. Anything more would be too suspicious."

Him? Miranda thought to herself. Do they mean the Drowzee? Or perhapsss... sssomething more...?

Just then, her thoughts were interrupted by a loud, grinding, scraping noise. It sounded like concrete being dragged along the ground. As Miranda watched, the back of the cave slid to one side, revealing a tunnel behind it: a staircase, similar to the one Miranda had used at the guild. In front of it... stood Spilar, the Drowzee. Miranda's eyes widened and she thought My, my. Full of tricksss, are we?

"He wants to speak with you." Spilar spoke in his big, droning voice. "All of you."

Maisy, Sparks and Lizzie looked at each other nervously, then Maisy responded "We would be honored to receive an audience." Spilar nodded and turned around, walking back down the stairs. After a moment, Team Double T followed him.

I can't let thisss opportunity go to wassste. Miranda thought, before following after them, floating behind Lizzie. The door behind them ground shut, sealing them in near darkness. The only light came from the dim torches that lined the walls. Soon, Team Double T stood before two enormous, rusty, iron doors. They let out a collective gulp, and Spilar knocked three times. From within, came a deep, sinister voice: "Enter."

Spilar pushed the doors open, and as Miranda looked, she saw little more than a large, empty room. However, at the back, with several steps leading up to it, was what looked like a throne. It was occupied by a figure in silhouette, with the vague shape of a Hypno. Despite the area being somewhat lit, the darkness surrounding the figure remained, as being held there by force of will.

Miranda's eyes narrowed and her face grew stern. So. Here he issss. The 'Massster'. Or rather, the massstermind. She thought disapprovingly. Let usss sssee what he hasss in ssstore for us.

"Master." Team Double T spoke as one, kneeling at the base of the throne. "We are honored to receive an audience with you." Spilar moved so that he was standing off to the side, arms behind his back.

"Indeed." The figure spoke. "You are fortunate that I chose to speak with you in the waking world, rather than punish you with night terrors." Team Double T shivered, but said nothing. "After your utter disgrace, your miserable defeat at the hands of common rabble, you would not be undeserving. But I shall show mercy for now, since nothing seems to have come of it." He paused, then continued "How goes the work?"

"We have captured many victims, Master, and been rewarded for—" Maisy began.

"Silence." He interrupted sharply. "I do not care about your ridiculous pastime. I am asking about the work. MY work."

"O-Of course, Master. My apologies." Maisy stammered. "At the moment, we are..." She chose her next words with caution. "Unable... to find the resources you require in such large amounts. We have found some of the parts, but building such a structure is something that only humans may be able to do—"

"Lies." He glared at them. "There are plenty of pokemon about with both strength and the biology necessary to perform the things humans could do. You have not found them because you are incompetent and lack critical thinking. I tire of doing all your work for you."

"Forgive your humble servants, Master. It is as you say, we are unworthy of the task you have given us." Maisy's gaze was glued to the floor, as if she was afraid to look up. "But I promise, we shall prevail. Perhaps if you became active again, and acquired more slaves—"

"You DARE question my methods?!" The figure stood.

"No! No, of course not, Master, I would never have the audacity, I lack the intelligence to even fathom your grand—"

"Silence." He cut her off, and Maisy felt fear rising in her chest as she immediately fell silent. "My patience matches that of a saint, but it is running thin. There are resources. There are able-bodied pokemon. You have known about this for years." He scowled. "That cave and its pathetic "exploration team", Rebirth. You are to mount an assault on it."

Maisy's eyes widened, and she stuttered "A-a-assault? But, Master, we are but three servants. Surely you don't expect us to assault Rebirth's Cave on our own? We would need a much larger fighting force—"

"Be SILENT!" He roared. "Consider this your chance at redemption for your abject FAILURE. You will go ALONE. And you WILL bring back the resources I require. Or you shall never sleep soundly again, as long as you live. Is that understood?"

"Y-yes... Master..." Maisy replied in a meek tone. "Of course. Your will shall be done."

"Then your audience is over. You know what you must do. Begone." He sat, and Spilar began escorting them from their Master's room.

"Wait." His voice came again.

"Y-yes? Master?" Maisy squeaked.

"One more small matter." His voice was smug. "I have foreseen three pokemon who may yet be a threat to my plan. You are to bring them to me."

"Capture them...? Master, wouldn't it be safer to simply—" Maisy began.

"Do not question me." He ordered, and once again, Maisy obediently lapsed into silence. "Three pokemon. Listen, and learn them well." He held up one finger. "A Furret. His appearance is that of a rat, or a creature of darkness. But light pierces through his body in tight bands, and his eyes are as bright as the moon." He raised another finger. "An Eevee. His fur is the color of freshly fallen snow, and his eyes are like sapphires in the light. He can see life essence, but it is a skill yet untrained. And finally..." He held up a third finger. "A Mew."

"A Mew...?" Maisy breathed. She had a horrible feeling in her stomach.

"That is correct. A Mew. YOUR Mew." He answered, his tone becoming even more self-satisfied. "Your Mew. The one you let escape in such an embarrassing fashion. She can display all colors of the rainbow, and blue light follows in her footsteps. These three pokemon are a problem. You are going to resolve it. Bring them to me."

"If I may be so bold, Master..." She paused, but he allowed her to continue. "... Why capture them? If you wish for them to be eliminated, you need only give us the order, and we—"

"Because. I wish to study them." He replied. "What makes them such a threat to me? Why do I see them so clearly? Why has this premonition come to be? You bring them to me, and I shall place them in stasis, devoting myself to understanding why they represent such a disturbing anomaly. More so than that..." He chuckled. "That Mew's feisty attitude... her rude, abrasive personality... I would love nothing more than to break her mind, and turn her into an obedient slave. To have that endearing, unfounded confidence and attitude... ground to utter dust beneath my heel. Make no mistake. If all goes well... this conflict will end with that Mew sleeping peacefully in my arms."

Maisy gulped, the thought alone horrifying her. However, she replied "U-understood, Master. We hear and obey." With that, their audience was over, and they retreated from the room, ascending the stairs. Miranda quickly followed in their wake. All she could nervously think, over and over again, was: I have to back to Rebirth'sss cave as sssoon as possssible. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Miranda phased through the cave wall to the outside, and flew silently through the night, as fast as she could, desperate to report her findings.