[u][b]Orre
One Week ago
The Outskirt Stand[/b][/u]

[i]I've seen a lot of things over the years but this one just gives me the absolute creeps.[/i] The man with the pink hair thought as he stared out the window of the Outskirt Stand. Willie had fought a number of trainer, including the famous Champion of Orre when he was just starting out after he had destroyed the Snagem Hideout. He enjoyed a good battle with his Pokemon as much as the next guy, but the three hooded figures staring out into the desert were giving him a seriously bad feeling. He could tell just by looking at them that it would be a bad idea to battle them.

He reached down to feel the four Pokeballs attached to his belt to make sure that they were still securely fastened as the door to the Stand opened and a fourth hooded figure stepped inside. He watched cautiously as the Shopkeeper, an older man who had been tending the Outskirt Stand for years now turn to face him.

"Can I get you anything?" The shopkeeper asked in a somewhat uneasy tone as the hooded figure stared at him for a full minute before speaking in a cold voice that raised the hair on Willie's arms.

"Information. We seek the location of any current members of the criminal organization known as: Cipher." The Shopkeeper stared at him with a raised eyebrow and let out an uneasy laugh. "Listen buddy, you must be new to the area so let me give you a short history lesson: Cipher got destroyed [i]twice[/i], they don't generally show up unless they feel they have a good chance of pulling of some minor scheme or something. There aren't that many members of Cipher left anyway. Your gonna be looking for a while."

The hooded figure paused for a moment as though receiving some command only heard by him. "We seek the last known location they were known to have visited. You will be compensated well for any information you can provide."

The Shopkeeper crossed his arms and a scowl appeared on his face. "May I ask why your so interested in tracking down a member of Cipher? They're nothing but a bunch of thugs now. Not much of a threat to the region anymore."

"No. They are not." The figure agreed as he turned around and began heading for the exit. Both Willie and the Shopkeeper were confused by the figure's sudden exit. "You giving up?" The Shopkeeper asked in a somewhat mocking tone.

"No. We have the information we require." The Hooded figure turned and stared directly at an older man with blue hair standing next to the wall mounted television. "Thank you for your cooperation."

Willie and the Shopkeeper turned to stare at the blue haired man who was sweating profusely but who hadn't said a single word. Willie turned to look at the Shopkeeper. "What the hell was that about?"

"No idea."

Willie watched as the four figures approached a large six person hovering vehicle which turned towards the deep desert. As the vehicle turned it's back towards them for a brief moment, Willie thought he saw a small tan colored Pokemon with a short tail that he had never seen before. It had it's eyes closed and it seemed to be...hovering?

Willie shrugged and went back to his drink as the activity in the Outskirt Stand seemed to return to normal. The only one who seemed on edge was the blue haired older man who after a few moments left the Outskirt Stand and jumped on an old rickety hover-bike that immediately took off in the direction of Phenac City. 


[u][b]Phenac City
Present Day[/b][/u]

Drazen had to say that the Orre region had left him feeling somewhat underwhelmed since he had arrived. Granted he had only arrived only a few days ago and the only other place he had seen was the Outskirt Stand. It seemed to be mostly desert but Phenac City was definitely an improvement over the rest of the region. The fountains were beautifully placed and the constant sound of flowing water was something he found very soothing. He could hear Rubble snoring away from his spot on top of his backpack. The trainer from Johto smiled as he remembered the ecstatic reaction the ground type Pokemon had expressed when they arrived in Orre. Perhaps the desert reminded him of home in some way.

"Let's see here...Pre Gym, huh, they have gyms here. Neat...There's a stadium in the back of the city...Where is the Pokemon center?" Drazen had been walking around for a few minutes when he finally found the Pokemon Center and immediately walked in with a faint smile. He sat down on a cushioned seat and grinned as Rubble managed to worm his way off the Backpack and looked up at him with a hungry look. Drazen grinned and reached into the backpack and pulled out a rock treat that he had acquired just before leaving the Johto region. "Here ya go, bud. Make the rock treat last though. We're running a bit low." The Larvitar took the offered treat and eagerly scarfed it down and let out a yawn after it finished the treat.

Drazen simply smiled down and scratched Rubble behind his head fin. "Don't ever evolve little guy. I love you just the way you are. Not to mention I think I'd go broke if you did evolve. Your enough of a handful as it is." He said with a faint smile as the little green Pokemon drifted off to sleep.