Pokémon XD: Narrated Gale of Darkness

Chapter 5

Not being able to wait, Michael went after his mother on the second floor to ask if he could help.

"This basic data should be fine now. Keep going with it." Lily discussed with one of the other scientists. "Ah, Michael, you came at the right time. May I get you to run an errand for me in Gateon Port?"
"Yeah, sure."
"We've ordered a special Machine Part for the Purify Chamber from the Parts Shop. Gateon Port is due south from here. It's not far, but be careful."
Jovi came running in. "Jovi knows the Parts Shop! It's next door to Emili's house!"
'Wasn't she still all sobbing around just now?' Michael thought.
"Mommy, can Jovi go? Jovi wants to help everyone!"
"Jovi, I appreciate your offer. I know you want to help. But, it's an important component..." Lily considered something. "...Okay. Jovi, you're a member of the lab's staff, too. You may go if you take Michael with you."
"Yay!"
'Ugh...'
"Dear, would you mind going with Jovi?"
"Do I have any choice?"
"Okay, Mommy! Big brother is Jovi's assistant! You have to listen to Jovi, big brother!"
"Oh, hell nah!"
Jovi giggled. "Off we go to Gateon Port!"
"Michael, Jovi, both of you be very careful, please. I'm counting on you two!"

"Come on, big brother! Quick, quick!"
"Hey! Michael! Jovi! Where are you off to?" Aidan had come walking through the doors after hearing their voices.
"Jovi is on an important trip to Gateon Port. Big brother is Jovi's assistant!"
"Huh? Michael is you assistant?" Aidan glanced at Michael for an explanation.
Michael rolled his eyes.
"Uh... You must be confident with such a good assistant, Jovi." He tried to sound convincing. "...Anyways, Michael, could we ask you hold on to that Snag Machine and use it?"
'Huh? Oh.' He was so used to it already, he forgot he was still wearing the machine.
"There may be other Shadow Pokémon out there. If you spot one, rescue it from the criminals."
Michael smiled confidently. "I will."
"Good. In the meantime, I'll make approaches to the authorities and other people to have Poké Balls available for sale at shops. Oh, and there's more."
"More?"
"I wanted to give these to you, Michael." Aidan took out two memos and handed them over.
"What are these?"
"They're documents on Shadow Pokémon that Professor Krane and I compiled. Please read them. There should be more of them, so I'll see about finding them. Now, my friend, you be a good bodyguard to your little sister."
Michael sat down on the stairs in the middle of the lab's front yard. He studied the two memos by quickly scanning over it's contends. The first was titled as The Snag System. It's about a small part of the system's history, it's origins and possible plans. The second memo contained information about the Aura Reader. It speaks of the fact that ordinary people can't distinguish Shadow Pokémon from regular ones based on appearance. That's why they developed a headset that senses them so that they can be recognised by their auras.
"Okay, now you're done reading, big brother. Let's go!"
"Yeah, yeah. Patience."

---

- Gateon Port -

The place is describable as a lively seaport. Sailors were resting all around the place. Within the port, the water was calm and clear. Behind the lighthouse, the sea stretched until past the horizon. With the cool sea breeze, everyone would be able to have a peaceful living here.
"Wow, big brother! Look, look! It's the sea! The sea! It's so big!"
"It sure is." Michael mumbled, not being able to get enough of the view and the smell that lingers in the air.
"Listen, listen! The Parts Shop is over there. Hurry, big brother! This way, this way!" Jovi ran in the direction she meant. Because she wasn't paying much attention, she bumped into a tough looking man, causing her to fall over. "Ouchies! Jovi fell down!"
"Jovi, are you all right?" Michael asked as he walked over, not trying to laugh too much.
"Hey, now! Where do you think you're going?" The big guy asked her.
Jovi shook her head and stood up. "Oh, sorry! Jovi is sorry! It wasn't on purpose!"
"And look what you've done!" He showed his slightly messed up clothing. "You've messed up the happening look of Zook, the coolest, baddest, and most happening guy around!" Zook stamped on the ground hard to make his statement, followed by a grunt. "Sorry doesn't begin to cut it!"
"Hey, knock it off!" Michael yelled at him.
"Huh? You there. Yeah, you, punk. You're with this munchkin, aren't you?"
"Jovi quickly ran away from the guy to shelter behind Michael.
"And it looks to me like you're a trainer." Zook noticed, now not paying attention to Jovi anymore. "You look like you'll be a million times more fun than some munchkin! I'll stomp you flat with my Shadow Pokémon!"
'Your Shadow Pokémon?!'
Zook sent out a Zangoose. Just when Michael wanted to sent out his own Pokémon, a voice sounded behind him.
"That's quite enough of that."
Zook and Michael both looked up to the one that spoke. There was a small, old man dressed in a purple cloak. Behind him were two other men standing; one with short, red hair and dressed in red and grey clothes. The other had long, blue hair and dressed in blue and grey clothing.
"Pokémon aren't meant to be used in such a manner. Choose your place and time." The old man continued.
"Shut it!" Zook retorted. "Hey, meddling senior citizen. Take your preaching to someone who cares! Or do you want me to pound you too?"
"Mr. Verich, perhaps I should..." The blue man spoke up and made sure he stood between Michael and Zook.
"Hah? And who do you think you are?" Zook asked threatingly. "So now you're going to play the man and stop me? Hah! This gets better by the minute! Let's see you try!"
The blue man didn't say much. "Alakazam."
"Zangoose, attack!"
"Alakazam, Psychic."
The Zangoose got beaten in one hit, leaving the thug astonished.
"You've done it now! Don't think you're getting away with messing with the great Zook! Remember this!" He then marched away with clenched fists after withdrawing his fainted Pokémon.
"Should I give chase?"
"No, no, Ardos. That won't be necessary. He won't come back. Leave him be."
"Yes, sir."
"Let us be on our way."
The three men started going their way again.
"Uh... Thank you!" Jovi said before letting them leave.
"Hohoho. That hardly deserves such gratitude, my little lady." Verich replied. "We did only what had to be done. Nothing more."
Jovi smiled and watched the three men walk away.