[I]'They're better than I thought.'[/I] Michael thought, watching as the fighting came to a close for the three. Each had ensured the safety of the garden, and he couldn't have been more thankful for it. But he couldn't congratulate them just yet, there were more important matters to attend to. He eyed the poor Oddish that had been left behind, it was obviously saddened about being abandoned. Michael wasn't too surprised by this act, but understood how Marie felt. "Help it? In a way, yes. We can keep it safe, and healthy. But sadly we cannot do anything to fix how it is feeling right now." He reached a hand out to the Oddish, it simply looked up at him, both sad and confused. Michael simply smiled. "It'll take time, but I assure you that you'll come to like this place. We're here for you, alright?" He didn't get much of a response, but Michael believed things would work themselves out with time. It'd have plenty of companions in the garden. 

"As for you, Bulbasaur." Michael glanced over to a Pokemon that knew him much better, and it stared up at him with it's big, red eyes as the Professor looked over the burn, concerned. "I'll need to tend to that burn. We usually don't need Kuo Berries, but I'm glad I have them, in case of this situation. They'll most certainly help with the burn. Skarmory, take him inside, would you?" Michael slowly removed the Bulbasaur from Tyler's grasp, the grass-type waving at him with it's uninjured foreleg. Michael placed the Bulbasaur onto Skarmory's back, the two seeming rather peaceful with each-other as Skarmory marched off towards the back entrance to the lab.

"Now then... I have to thank you three. Thanks to your judgement, and battling skills, these Pokemon are all safe. The few minor damages to the Lab's interior can be fixed, but losing a Pokemon would have been disastrous. Especially to them. Which leads me to answering your question, Jorie." 

Just thinking about the situation was hard. Michael didn't want to believe this was happening, but knew that he had to do something. Of course, the lab wasn't safe being left by itself... There was too many places for him to be at once. He pondered on what to do, as he began to answer Jorie's question. "That man, and the people you fought, were part of the criminal organization, Cipher. They no doubt wanted the Pokemon from here to turn them into Shadow Pokemon. It's odd... As the Pokemon you fought against appeared normal, they didn't seem to be Shadow Pokemon, judging by their strength... Nevermind that, we have bigger things to concern ourselves with. Acting swiftly is a must, before another epidemic is on our hands." Michael pulled out his PDA in order to contact a trusted friend. One that was a huge help in Michael's projects. 

Michael waited, until the man finally answered. Michael was met with those same swirly glasses, hiding an irritated expression. [B]"Michael! You pick the absolute worst times! I'm in the middle of an experiment right now!"[/B] The voice of the man boomed, making Michael grin uncontrollably. "It's nice to see you too, Chobin." He replied, as a growl could be heard from the PDA. [B]"You better have a good reason for contacting me and ruining everything I've planned in the last month!"[/B]

"I do have a good reason, Chobin." Michael said bluntly, becoming mildly more serious as Chobin only acted worse. [B]"Spit it out, then!"[/B]

"I need you to get the Snag Machines ready, Chobin. Cipher just attempted an attack on the Lab-"

[B]"Why didn't you say so earlier?! This is a serious situation!"[/B] Chobin scolded, and Michael rubbed the back of his head. "I tried."

[B]"You didn't try hard enough! Dr. Kaminko would have considered that amount of effort unacceptable! I'll have them ready, but you'll have to come here to get them! I could probably have them prepared ten times before your arrival!"[/B]

"I know, I know. I'll be there, just have them ready." Michael dropped the call, rolling his eyes as he put away his PDA. He turned to the children, sighing. "Sorry... He can be over the top sometimes... He's got a good heart, though." That moment aside, Michael knew it was time to be serious. "Now. I have a bit of a problem that I feel you all might be able to help me with. I can't leave the Lab at the moment, but it's absolutely necessary to find out if Shadow Pokemon are being disputed to trainers. It isn't truly my place to ask you to do this, but I don't have many options. Inside of Agata Forest is a lone mansion, the man that lives there goes by the name of Chobin. He has what we need to detect Shadow Pokemon, and capture them. I need you to go and retrieve these items. The bus driver who brought you here can take you closer to the forest, the path to the mansion is on the side of the dirt road the bus takes through the forest. It might be a little difficult to spot, but once you find it, just follow the road. The mansion won't be too far."

He knew he was asking a lot of them, but he had to take care of things here. The scientists and breeders would be shaken up by this, and Michael had to get their assistance to assure the Purifier was up and running 100%. He also had to see to the repairs of the Lab's interior. Sometimes he wished he was still a kid that traveled about... But if he was, who would be in his place right now? Jovi?

[I]'Jeez... That's kind of a scary thought...'[/I]