"Xian, what exactly happened before I got here? And what was that explosion?" Zayn asked, still safely within the protective barrier.
"Honestly, not much happened. And sorry I didn't tell you earlier—Eon had already set up runes all over the museum," Xian replied, his tone apologetic yet focused.
"Okay... but what's our job now?" Zayn pressed.
"See her?" Xian pointed toward Vera, who was clutching the *Bad Night* painting tightly while standing beside Kanna. "It's time we fight here."
Without another word, Xian activated the power of his Path. Electricity crackled around him before he unleashed a devastating blast toward them.
---
Meanwhile, Vera had been making her way toward Roxanne and Ellen's location, her steps growing weaker with each passing moment. *"I didn't expect the museum's security to be this extreme,"* she thought, gritting her teeth as she pushed forward.
Ellen noticed Vera stumbling and immediately rushed to support her. "Good work, Vera. Now it's time to go home."
"I didn't think you'd actually pull it off on your own," Roxanne said, her voice tinged with worry.
"Alright, mission complete. Time to head back to base," Ellen declared, a hint of relief in her voice.
"Right," Rayne replied with a small smile. But just as she began to open a Line back to their headquarters, she caught a flicker of Xian's intent through his thoughts—he was about to strike.
She spun around just in time to see the electric attack hurtling toward them. "Kirlia, Light Screen!" Rayne commanded.
Kirlia immediately conjured layers of psychic barriers to shield them, but the attack still hit with significant force, sending ripples through their defenses.
Ellen activated her own shield to protect Vera and the painting from the blast's aftermath.
"Dammit! We were so close," Ellen muttered through clenched teeth, her frustration palpable.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a Poké Ball, tossing it into the air. In a flash of light, a Gallade emerged, taking a battle-ready stance immediately.
Ellen scanned the area, trying to pinpoint their attacker's position. But before she could react, something appeared behind her. She whipped around—only to be met with Metagross's devastating Meteor Mash. The impact sent her flying across the room.
Vera, witnessing Ellen being thrown, quickly stowed the painting into her Inventory Box. She then produced a Dive Ball from her own inventory and threw it. A Starmie materialized, its core glowing with readiness.
"Starmie, Hydro Pump!" Rayne ordered.
Starmie spun rapidly, water particles gathering around its central crystal before unleashing a powerful torrent toward Metagross. The steel-type Pokémon raised a Protect barrier just in time, deflecting the blast.
Realizing this battle could jeopardize their mission, Vera quickly turned to Roxanne. "Rayne, contact the others!"
"R-right!" Roxanne stammered, still shaken by the sudden ambush.
She activated her Line ability, warping back to Team Epitaph's headquarters. She burst into the main room and found Alvion and the others already waiting.
"Did you complete the mission?" Alvion asked, his tone steady.
Panic crept into Roxanne's voice. "Vera and Ellen are in danger right now!"
"I figured as much—this wouldn't be easy. I'll send backup, but first, I have another mission for you," Alvion said coolly.
"Another mission?! My current one isn't even finished yet, and they're still in trouble!" Roxanne protested.
"Calm down. This one is simple—you just need to rescue Borg from the Investigation Division's headquarters," Alvion explained.
"The Investigation Division?! Are you insane? You know what they're like!" Roxanne shot back, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Relax. There's only one member stationed there right now. And you won't be going alone—we have an operative already heading there," Alvion said calmly.
"Who?" Roxanne asked warily.
"Vane."
---
Meanwhile, at Azure's location, she noticed something was off. She scanned the faces around her: Rayne, Nora, Raizer, Xavier, Ao, Z... then her eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute—where's Kyle?" she murmured, counting them one by one.
"Z, do you know where he is right now?" Azure asked, her voice laced with urgency.
"I don't know," Z replied flatly.
"Wasn't he with you earlier?" Azure pressed.
"He was, but he said he was going to find Xavier and the others," Z explained.
Azure turned to Xavier. "Seriously? But I didn't see him with you," she said, her brow furrowing.
Xavier shook his head. "I didn't see him either."
"Great. How did he manage to disappear at a time like this?" Azure sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Wait a minute—senior, you have Point Logic, right? Why can't you locate him?" Ao asked, confused.
"Trust me, I tried. I even used Point Logic, and I *still* can't find him. And I definitely didn't teleport him out," Azure replied, frustration seeping into her voice.
"That means he must be in another realm. But can he even use realms?" Raizer asked, puzzled.
Rayne turned to Nora, who was still catching her breath. "Hey Nora, can Kyle open realms or anything like that?"
"Not that I know of," Nora answered, shaking her head.
Azure ran a hand down her face, exasperated. "Great. So now we have to look for a ten-year-old kid in the middle of all this chaos."
Xavier stepped forward, making a decision. "Then let me go find him. You all focus on the mission and protecting the Nexus Sapphire," he said, rising to his feet.
His Cubble, who had been dozing, immediately hopped onto his head, and his Chatot emerged from its Poké Ball to perch on his shoulder.
"Are you sure? Going alone is dangerous. At least take Ao or Raizer with you—or I could—" Azure started.
"NO" Xavier cut her off firmly. "This is my case. I'll solve it myself. You all focus on them."
With that, he turned and began walking away.
"Its time to play the game, right "