Pokémon XD: Narrated Gale of Darkness

Chapter 36

Michael sat down, pulled up his knees and leaned with his back against Gorigan's desk. He hung his head low to let it rest onto his knees and wrapped his arms around them.
Michael started pondering. 'Mr. Verich... is Master Greevil? But... How? And why are their forces this big? How many more are there? Will I be able to complete this task? ...Will I be able to stop Cipher?'

After what felt like forever, he raised his head and slowly stood up with the help of the desk. By doing so, he knocked something off of it. He picked it up, discovering it was a list of manufactured Shadow Pokémon.
Michael downloaded the list onto his P⭐DA and checked its contends. Not paying much attention to their names, he could still see that there was still a good amount of Shadow Pokémon left. This indicated the level of struggles he could possibly have to face at Citadark Isle.

Slowly, but surely, Michael walked through the doors to make his way back to the entrance.
The factory had been abandoned. No-one was to be seen.
Being lost in his thoughts, he didn't expect there to be someone on the first floor either. He heard a voice.
???: "We've been robbed!"
Michael peeked around the corridor to see one of the workers still being there.
"Darn it! Give it back! Bring it back!"
Michael knew the workers weren't a threat, so he approached the man. "Give what back?"
"These two weird guys took off with a Shadow Pokémon! One had like, a Mohawk, and the other had hair like a ball!"
'Miror B.?'
"Darn it! They made off with the last Shadow Pokémon that came off the production line before it shut down!"
'Seems like I'll have to meet them once more.'
The other worker stood next to the production line. According to him, the abducted Pokémon's a Dragonite. Since the production had been put to a stop, that Dragonite's the last authentic Shadow Pokémon.

Outside, everyone was gone as well.
Daydreaming as he walked, Michael left Eclo Canyon.

---

- Pokémon HQ Lab -

"Ah, Michael! How have you been? It's been a while since you've been here."
"I'm fine. I had a difficult time when having to put a stop to Cipher's factory, hidden in Eclo Canyon. Still, I succeeded. They won't be producing any more Shadow Pokémon."
"Pardon me?! You've ruined Cipher's secret factory?! And thus, they really won't corrupt any more Pokémon! That's brilliant news! You've really done it, Michael!" Professor Krane paused for a moment. "But there still remains the job of snagging the Shadow Pokémon left and purifying them."
Michael thought about that list he had found back at the Cipher Key Lair. "Mhm."
"I guess the time has come for me to give you that certain something..."
'Certain something?'
"Michael, on your next visit to the lab, could you meet me on the ground floor? There's something that I want to give you. Don't forget."
"Alright."

---

"So, Cipher's Grand Master Greevil has challenged you to get him on Citadark Isle? It appears that our battle against Cipher is headed for the final showdown. It's not hard to imagine things becoming even tougher for you, dear."
"Gee, thanks, mom. Haven't thought about that yet."
"But, Michael, I know you will win against the criminals. I believe in you."

Wanting to be alone for a little while, Michael decided to go to Dr. Kaminko's manor in the hope he'd get some alone time in his courtyard.

---

Chobin: "Umm... The new Robo Groudon is supreme! There, all done! Send!"

At his arrival and having taken place somewhere in a corner, his P⭐DA rang, showing a mail from Chobin:
"The Robo Groudon of yore is no more! Chobin has modified it and upgraded it! Therefore, a rematch with Michael is very much desired! Chobin will not lose again! The new Robo Groudon is supreme!"

Chobin hadn't noticed the arrival of his mail's receiver. He looked around the yard to see where that sound came from.
"Huh? Oh, it's you, Michael. Since when were you there?
"Oh, not too long."
"Well, how about that. Chobin didn't need to send an e-mail. But that's fine. Chobin has successfully upgraded the Robo Groudon."
"I've read your message."
Chobin moved his goggles up his nose. "What modification has been made is a secret, though. Don't be gloomy. Let's begin!"
"...Alright." Michael stood up and made his way closer to the courtyard's centre. "I choose you, Lairon and Breloom."
"Gyarados, Sunflora, I choose you!"
"Attack Sunflora."
"Gyarados, use Leer! Go, Skiploom!"
"Lairon, attack his Skiploom. Breloom, paralyze his Gyarados."
"First, use another Leer! And Mega Drain!"
"Attack Skiploom."
"Use Leech Seed!"
"Lairon, take down his Skiploom. Breloom, enough. Jolteon, your turn."
"Quick, Mega Drain before it hits! And use Bite!"
Shortly after, Skiploom had to be replaced by Tropius.
"Jolteon, Thunderbolt. Lairon, Take Down."
"Tropius, use Body Slam!"
"Bite attack. Iron Tail."
"Use another Body Slam!"
"Iron Tail."
"Evade it. Then use Magical Leaf!"
"Use Thunderbolt."

Robo Groudon started malfunctioning when Tropius was defeated.
"Chobin lost after all! Oops, Chobin said it again!"
Michael withdrew his Pokémon.
"So strange... Chobin had upgraded the driver's seat with a reclining back... Was that not enough? Not enough to snatch victory? Chobin is in utter shock!"
"That... Thát was your new modification?" Michael mumbled before leaving the manor again.

---

- Pokémon HQ Lab -

Fulfilling his promise, Michael went looking for the Director on the first floor. Krane was found in Aidan's research chamber.
"Professor?"
"Hi, Michael. I'm glad to see you back. Like I said, there's something I want to give you. Could you come here, please?"
Michael followed the professor to the back of the room. Krane pressed a few buttons and a hatch in the floor opened next to them, revealing some stairs that lead to a basement floor.
'What the?' Michael thought as he took a step back.
Krane laughed. "Did that startle you? Now, come with me." Krane said and descended the stairs.
Michael didn't know what was there, but went after the professor.
'Since when do we have a basement?'
"Michael, over this way. Come with me, please."
"Yes, professor."
They walked through a pair of doors to find a small office, probably Aidan's.
"The battle against Cipher appears to have entered a decisive phase." The professor stated. "I think the situation calls for a special solution. Michael, there's something here that I'd like you to use. Go on, open that box and take what's inside."
All the way in the back was a small box. Michael opened it. 'A purple Poké Ball?'
As Michael took it out of the box, Krane started speaking again.
"That's a Master Ball. It's the one Poké Ball that is foolproof. It has a 100% capture ratio. You should only use it if you're sure that is the right thing to do. Keep at it!"
Michael stood there dumbfounded. He didn't even notice professor Krane had left the basement.
The Master Ball was stored away in his bag for safety.