An engine roared as an explosion filled the air. An Espeon and Umbreon scanned the building as a male gulped.

"Come on-"

They sped up as amber eyes hid behind a visor. The engine seemed to stutter a bit as he cursed under his breath. They eventually made it to a nearby place before the engine stalled, slowing them to a stop a little ways from a parking spot. The two Eeveelutions paused before the male hissed.

"DAMMIT!" He jumped off and slammed his fist into the machine, only to damage himself. The two pokemon got to his side as he whimpered quietly. The Espeon's eyes flashed blue as a voice spoke in his head.

"Let's get food and wrap that up. Again." He gave off a small sound as he held the wounded hand close. The Umbreon pulled him by his jacket end towards the building, which looked like an abandoned train engine. The man at the counter smiled as he approached.

"New around here?" The male nodded hesitantly as the two Eeveelutions glanced at him. "Here. Go grab a seat and I'll go get you food. I let first timers have food for free. Go on."

The male smiled before sitting down in the corner, still hugging his hand. Espeon convinced him to let her see it before the man brought food. The male thanked him as Espeon wrapped it up, caring for the wounded limb. They then ate up before the sound of an engine purred outside. Someone entered as a soft conversation filled the air.

"Lookie here. How was it?"

"They aren't too happy."

"Shame. Here's your usual. Your usual spot has a new guy in. Hope you don't mind."

"New guy? Eh. I'm not worried. Newcomers don't know the regulars well enough to know where to go."

"At least I can trust you to be nice. Your status deceives you."

The male paused as someone went over to his spot, causing him to look up. Orange hair rested in pigtails as sunglasses covered the female's eyes.

"This spot open?" He wiped his face before nodding.

"All yours." She smiled before placing her food down and getting comfortable. She took off the glasses, revealing blue eyes.

"Newcomer, eh? What part of Orre are you from?" He paused as he thought about it.

"I... desert. I wander around. I haven't settled down anywhere." She hummed as she scanned him.

"Any work?"

"Formerly. I used to work for some guys that called themselves Team Snagem." She seemed to slow her eating, but she didn't stop. She glanced at him before humming.

"Is that why you have a portable snag machine on your arm?" He stopped eating as his head shot up, locking eyes with her as she paused. Both were quiet as he gulped.

"How... do you know that?" She hummed as she finished her food.

"Former member of Cipher as of... 30 minutes ago." She wiped her mouth as she scanned him. He noticed her eyes drifted over his pokemon, who were resting on either side of him. He went stiff as she purred. "Loyal pokemon. They yours or you get them from Cipher?" He gulped down his fear.

"Mine... I found them on the street one day a few years ago." She hummed as her eyes seemed to flash, almost as if she was activating something. Did she think he was lying? He hesitated before she spoke.

"Well, that's good. The more of the loyal ones that trust their trainers there are, the better the odds are against Cipher's army." She seemed to eye the scar on Umbreon's head. "What happened to them?" He gulped.

"I... don't entirely know. I just found them in Pyrite as little Eevees, lost and hurt." He gently petted Umbreon, who twitched slightly. "I... felt something off about this one and was able to heal it before taking the other to the center." She blinked twice.

"You... were able to heal one... but not the other?"

"The other was physically injured. I can't seem to heal physical injuries. I can seemingly heal pokemon from something... but I don't know what." Her eyes glowed as she scanned the Dark type. She then glanced at something in her hand before speaking.

"Finish your food. I want to finish this outside."

~

The male joined her as she scanned the open desert. He hugged his wounded arm close as she spoke.

"Do you know what Snagem and Cipher were doing?" He paused before he shook his head.

"No. I was never allowed to know." He watched as she purred.

"Do you know what Shadow Pokemon are?" Again, he shook his head. She hummed as she turned to him. "Shadow Pokemon are what Cipher makes after Snagem takes the pokemon from trainers. Violent pokemon who have nothing but hatred in their hearts and nothing left to lose when they enter battle." She scanned the Dark type at his feet. "I believe your partner here was a Shadow Pokemon. But you purified it." He paused as he looked at his bandaged hand.

"But... how is that possible?"

"It may be the reason that you were recruited by Snagem. Someone that can purify the very thing they are trying to make to encase the world in darkness." She knelt down to Umbreon and held out her hand, getting a growl. "Loyalty to one who saved it. That is the best way to explain it." He gulped as she stood up and turned away from. "I have to assume that the Eevee on record was the Eevee you healed. The question is what happened after it left Cipher's care..." She seemed to scan a device in her hand before sighing and turning to him. "Never mind. Here's a better question. Would you like to help?" He paused before giving a confused look.

"With... what?"

"Defeating Cipher and freeing the Shadow Pokemon." He paused as she looked at the sky. "We can help each other out."

"How?" She looked at him as her eyes glowed.

"I can see Shadow Pokemon. You can purify them. You also have the Snag Machine. I have the tech to track down the information about the pokemon. We can... try to do something about this." She then paused before turning away. "Of course, that's your choice. I shouldn't force someone who is readjusting to leaving an evil team-"

"I don't mind." She turned to him as he picked up Umbreon and petted his soft fur. "In fact... I want to learn more... I've never understood my abilities or what happened to these two. I just know I got approached by Team Snagem because I had a talent for something... I should know the real reason why though..." She smiled as she held out her hand.

"Then let's go. I'm Rui." He let Umbreon down as he gently took her hand.

"Wes." She smiled before studying the bandages.

"Well... do you have a way across the desert or do you walk?" He paused before he pulled his hand away and went over to the motorbike, which creaked when he touched it.

"Just this... but it's not holding up." She smiled as she went over.

"Here. You think you can get this thing over to Pyrite?"

"I'm hoping so."

"Great. We'll make that our first stop."