Till There Was You
Chapter Sixteen


Several miles outside Veilstone City...

The battle against BlackTigramon and her forces had been raging for some time now. The Feralmon had now all been wiped out, leaving BlackTigramon, SaberLeomon and Lynxmon to fight Mewtwo, Taomon and Entei. Both sides were giving it their all and neither were giving ground.

“This battle is getting us nowhere,” Mewtwo said.

“I know,” Taomon replied. “What exactly are they doing here?”

“That's what I plan to find out,” Mewtwo said.

Concentrating, he reached out with his psychic power and attempted to probe the enemies' minds. Lynxmon proved to have a strong resistance to mind probes and Leomon's mind was a torrent of mixed-up thoughts due to the brainwashing. As he tried to read BlackTigramon's mind, expecting to find resistance, strangely, he found her thoughts opened to him. And he immediately found what he was looking for...and something else, too!

“They're after the orbs,” Mewtwo exclaimed.

Taomon started! “The orbs? Why would...Never mind! We need to get out of here and get back to Veilstone!”

“My thoughts exactly,” Mewtwo agreed. He turned to Entei. “We must leave now!”

Entei got the message. Turning, the Legendary Pokemon took off at a fast run. Mewtwo grabbed Taomon in a psychic hold and the two of them took off into the air, leaving their enemies behind.

“I don't like leaving Leomon behind like that,” Renamon said, having returned to normal.

“We will find a way to save him,” Mewtwo assured her. “For now, we need to get back to town and find those orbs before they do.”

Renamon nodded. Once the orbs were secured, then they could see about helping Leomon. As they flew back to town, Mewtwo pondered over what he had seen in BlackTigramon's thoughts. Not only had he learned why they wanted the orbs, he had also seen something unexpected...



“Hmph. What good are these Feralmon,” Lynxmon sneered, as the last Feralmon disintegrated into data. “Oh, well. At least we drove Renamon and her two friends off.”

“No,” Leomon corrected. “They retreated for a reason. They know what we're after.”

“What? How,” Lynxmon asked.

“That Psychic Pokemon, Mewtwo,” BlackTigramon spoke up. “I'll bet he found out. Probably read our minds.”

Leomon nodded. “I think so, too. And if that's the case, we need to hurry before they get those orbs.”

“Well, the light's still leading the way,” Lynxmon indicated the shining line of light. “All we have to do is follow it and we'll have them.”

“Then let's move,” BlackTigramon said.

They took off, following the line of light towards Veilstone City.



Mewtwo and Renamon touched down just right outside the town and found Entei waiting for them. Mewtwo approached the Legendary Pokemon.

“I'm not sure what brought you here, but, thank you, Entei,” he said.

Entei growled something, glancing over towards Renamon. For a moment, she felt like it was mad at her, until Mewtwo nodded.

“Yes, she is from another world,” he said. “As were those others. They are known as Digimon. The ones we fought were evil, with the exception of the Lion Digimon. It seems they have some hold on him. They are after the Adamant and Lustrous orbs.”

Entei bellowed.

“We, too, seek the orbs,” Mewtwo continued. “We need to speak with Palkia and Dialga. Perhaps they can help us stop the oncoming invasion.”

Entei nodded. It clearly understood the situation. It growled once more and then it turned and ran off into the forest, gone in the blink of an eye.

“What did it say,” Renamon asked.

“It wished us good luck and told us to be careful,” Mewtwo replied. “Entei knows all too well how strong the two Dragons are. Nevertheless, we need their help.”

“I suppose so,” Renamon conceded. “We need to find Looker and Gatomon and let them know what's going on.”

Mewtwo stretched out with his sense and located their two allies.

“They're in town...and they're heading towards Team Galactic's hideout,” Mewtwo said.

“Without us,” Renamon asked. “What are they thinking?”

“We'd better hurry,” Mewtwo said. “There's no telling how many people there might be.”



Team Galactic Headquarters...

Two Galactic Grunts were standing guard at the entrance to their hideout, bored and slightly nervous. One glanced down at the mysterious shimmering light that had followed Gram here. It had yet to disappear.

“I wonder what it is,” he asked.

The second guard looked at the light. “Who knows? Maybe the orbs have some weird power that makes light.”

“I know they have power,” the first guard said. “But I don't think they do this.”

“How would you know,” the first grunt argued. “Are you an expert on them?”

The other was about to reply, when something dropped down on top of him, knocking him out. The remaining grunt stared in astonishment! It was a small white cat-like creature. Before he could react he was knocked out...


Looker stood over the downed grunt and checked to see if he was out. Nodding, he turned to Gatomon.

“How's the other one,” he asked.

“Out cold,” Gatomon assured him.

“Alright,” Looker said. “Now, then...”

He ducked behind a bush and a moment later re-emerged disguised as a Galactic Grunt.

“Wow, you're good,” Gatomon said.

“I have a disguise for you, as well,” Looker said.

A short time later, Gatomon had her fur dyed a dark purple color and a few accessories added.

“There,” Looker said. “Now you look like a Purrloin.”

Gatomon gazed at her reflection in the glass surface of the front doors.

“Hm. Not bad,” she admitted. “You really do know your disguises, Looker.”

“Alright, now, while we're in there, you'll have to refrain from talking,” Looker instructed. “Purrloins pretty much say their name's and make cat noises.”

“Got it,” Gatomon said. “Shall we?”

Stashing the two unconscious guards in the bushes nearby, Looker and Gatomon entered the building.



Mewtwo and Renamon arrived at the hideout shortly after Looker and Gatomon had entered. Mewtwo surveyed the area, noting the line of light leading into the building.

“Odd,” he remarked. “I thought there would be some guards around.”

“Mewtwo, over here,” Renamon called out.

Mewtwo wandered over to where she stood. Parting some bushes, Renamon pointed towards the two unconscious Galactic Grunts.

“I'm guessing Gatomon and Looker had something to do with this,” she said.

“Then they must already be inside,” he said. “Let's go.”

He tore open the doors and entered, followed by Renamon.

“Shouldn't we be a bit more stealthy,” she asked.

“Normally, yes,” he replied. “However, with our enemies on their way, we need to move fast and get the orbs.”

“I suppose you're right,” she said. She looked up and noticed a group of Galactic Grunts heading their way. “And here comes the welcoming committee.”

Mewtwo swiped his hand and sent the Grunts scattering. “We don't have time for this.” He motioned towards the elevators. “The light is leading upwards, so we can assume the orbs are upstairs. Let's go.”



Upstairs, Charon, the scientist and current leader of Team Galactic, gazed at the two orbs on his desk. They gleamed in the light.

“Wonderful,” he said. “With these, we can now resume our work.”

“But, sir,” Gram spoke up. “What about that weird light? I'm telling you, something's not right here.”

Charon also wondered about the light. This had never happened the first time they had seized the orbs. Was this something new? Some hidden power the orbs were now displaying? Or, was this something else entirely?

“For now, we'll double the guard and keep an eye on that light,” Charon said. “In the meantime, let's get these orbs to the lab. I'm anxious to get started.”

Gram nodded and took the orbs. Together, he and Charon departed the room and made their way towards the lab. Gram stumbled as someone bumped into him. It was a Grunt accompanied by a Purrloin.

“Hey, watch it,” he snapped. “I could have dropped these orbs!”

“Sorry about that,” the Grunt replied. “I was in a hurry.”

Gram glared at the Grunt. “I don't recognize you.”

“I just started today,” the Grunt said. “Maybe that's why I don't recognize you.”

“Listen, smart-mouth,” Gram snarled.

“Gram, never mind him,” Charon spoke up. “Let's just get to the lab.”

Charon turned and walked off. Gram shot one more glare at the Grunt and then followed his boss.


“That was Charon, alright,” Looker said, after the two had left. “It seems he's still up to no good.”

“That was also the guy who took the orbs,” Gatomon remarked. “What's our next move?”

“We follow them,” Looker said. “And the first chance we get, we arrest them.”

Gatomon nodded. “Got it.”

They followed Charon towards the lab, unaware that their two allies were also in the building.



Outside Galactic Headquarters, BlackTigramon, Leomon and Lynxmon had just arrived. Leomon studied the broken doors.

“It would appear they have already entered,” he remarked.

“There are two humans over here,” Lynxmon said, finding the unconscious Grunts. “They've been here alright.”

“Then we'd better hurry,” BlackTigramon said. “We can't lose those orbs.”

They entered the building and immediately saw more Galactic Grunts scattered across the floor, out cold.

“Where to,” BlackTigramon asked.

“We go up,” Lynxmon said, pointing at the light.



Mewtwo and Renamon had arrived at the top floor. By now the whole building had been alerted to their intrusion and alarms were sounding, Galactic Grunts pouring out of doorways to engage the trespassers. Between the two of them, Mewtwo and Renamon were able to repel the Grunts and defeat any Pokemon that were sent their way.

“Funny, there aren't as many people as I was expecting,” Mewtwo commented.

“Maybe there weren't many anxious to join up with Team Galactic,” Renamon surmised. She grabbed a Grunt and tossed him aside. “Still, there are enough here to slow us down.”

“And I'm afraid it gets worse,” Mewtwo said, tensing up. “I just felt three familiar presences enter the building.”

“Already,” Renamon exclaimed. “They didn't waste any time getting here.”

“Which means we can't waste anymore time with these Grunts,” Mewtwo said.

They charged aggressively into the Grunts, knocking them in various directions. In no time, the remaining Grunts were retreating, knowing full well they stood no chance against the Psychic Pokemon and the Fox Digimon. With the way clear, Mewtwo and Renamon followed the light towards the orbs.



Gram glanced nervously at the door, the alarm wailing loudly in his ears. And once more he found himself staring at the light. That weird light! Why did it give him a bad feeling? He couldn't help but feel that the source of the alarm was tied into that light.

“Sir, maybe we should get out of here,” he spoke up.

“Leave? When we're so close,” Charon said, glancing his way. “I think not. The doors are secure and security is dealing with the intruders. We're perfectly safe in here.”

Gram didn't feel as confident as the scientist. After all, the original Team Galactic had thought they were untouchable and they had been thwarted by a Pokemon trainer and his friends. And right now, the only thing standing between them and the intruders was an electronically sealed door and a couple of Grunts. One of the Grunts was the same one he had bumped into earlier, the one with the Purrloin. Something about this Grunt made him uneasy. And his Purrloin...there was something off about it. It just sat there, staring at Gram, occasionally glancing at the orbs. One would think it was just attracted to the gleaming light cast by the orbs, and yet Gram felt that wasn't the case. He walked over towards the Grunt and stopped in front of him.

“Tell me something,” he said. “Just when exactly did you join Team Galactic?”

“I'm getting the impression you don't like me,” the Grunt replied.

“Answer my question,” Gram snapped. “When did you join Team Galactic?”

“Why do you care so much,” the Grunt snapped back. “Shouldn't you be worrying about keeping the boss safe and not about me?”

Gram was about to reply when a screeching noise interrupted him. Glancing up, he saw the door was straining and buckling, the metal bending and shrieking. Gram and the Grunts backed away from the door, the former staring in surprise. After a moment, the door blew off and collapsed onto the floor. Gram watched as a tall Pokemon entered, followed by a yellow fox-like creature. Across the room, Charon looked up from his research and gasped in surprise.

“What is the meaning of this,” he demanded.

“Charon, I presume,” Mewtwo spoke up. “You have something we want.”

Charon glanced back at the orbs. “And why exactly would a Pokemon be interested in these orbs?”

“That is none of your business,” Mewtwo replied.

“Gram! Deal with them,” Charon yelled.

“You heard the boss, get them,” Gram ordered the Grunts.

“Actually, I'm going to have to decline that order,” one Grunt said. Grabbing his uniform, he yanked it off, revealing Looker. “And arrest you for theft.”

“Looker,” Renamon exclaimed. “Where's Gatomon?”

“Right here,” the Purrloin spoke up. She removed her accessories and wiped away the dye revealing herself. “Ta-da!”

“I knew it,” Gram said. “I knew there was something about you that was suspicious!”

“Well, good for you,” Gatomon said. “Now, you heard my friend there. Hand over the orbs.”

“Gatomon, listen,” Renamon said. “There's something you need to know!”

“Well, here you all are.”

Everyone turned to see BlackTigramon, Leomon and Lynxmon entering the room.

“That's what I was trying to tell you,” Renamon said to Gatomon. “We have company.”


End of Chapter Sixteen...