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"You're making sense, it's just..." Wayne stared at the passing ground, "I know what you're saying. But I don't even wanna think about anyone else. I keep expecting her to call back and say it was just a joke or... something..."

He sighed.

"But I know. I can reason it away. That's easy," he said, "But logic can't do anything to emotions. I don't know how to deal with those. And it's... frustrating that I'm not in control. Seems I'm not in control of anything these days."

Not anything. Hitmonlee disobeying him was bad enough. But in the Dreamyard he'd allowed hate to manipulate him; he'd nearly killed a man, and he would have too if it wasn't for the thought of his little sister. Not recognising him, hating him for what he'd done. And when Salieri arrived to help him, he couldn't do a thing in the face of Gothorita's psychic powers. He just felt helpless. And pathetic.

They passed a sign that told them they were reaching Nacrene's border. The control station was just ahead. It'd be warm and displaying news feeds inside. There were usually guards on duty to make sure nobody suspicious-looking got inside the city; hopefully there wouldn't be any Plasma sightings for a while.

But outside, in the rain, Wayne began to take off the shawl. While he liked it, he figured it'd be best to return it. "Thanks. You were a real help."

Wayne smiled. Yeah. Alright.

"I think I can handle that," he said as he shook McKnight's hand again. He grinned, putting his hands in his pockets.

Getting off the bus was a good idea after all.

"I'll see you around, old timer," he said, waving and hurrying into Nacrene to try and find the pokémon center. And some warmth.

Sitting alone in the back room of shadows.

Chili picked up the phone. It rang and rang and rang.

Connected.

"Hello," he spoke, his voice lacking its characteristic warmth. He leant back on his chair, feet on the desk. "Yeah, it's me."

He picked up a pen, spinning it around on his fingertips with ease.

"No, no, I remember. I'm calling about our agreement. Yeah, that's right."

Chili span around on his chair, flicking the pen away. It landed neatly in the pen pot, spinning a little as it settled.

"We've encountered some interesting individuals. Well worth your time. Their names?"

His foot caught the edge of the desk. His spin came to a halt.

"Ahah. I think you'll like this..."

Watching the whole process caused Henrietta to feel pity for the guy. Henrietta had taken an a** beating, a thorough and horrible one over the course of two days. Saden looked like he had it worse.

"Team Plasma took him, along with the other boy's and my Pokemon," she said as she cast her gaze to the ground. She recalled searching frantically the other night herself, finding Darumi's ball gone. Furthermore, she recalled the hope shattering feeling when Robert turned up that morning empty handed.

Henrietta looked up at Saden. "W-we should get you to Striaton. Th-there is a camp set up in place of the hospital and the center. They should be able to help," she said. Then she stood up and looked toward Striaton.

"D-do you need any help walking?"

((Fan art of the Wukong battle. It's rough and stuff but yeah. Woooo! Salieri!

If you're getting that stupid policeman icon, just click on it and it'll go aways))

[Flashback]

Drawn to the Dreamyard by the noise and chaos, a small brown Pokemon came with its nose pressed to the ground and sniffing its way to the scene. It recoiled suddenly when harsh sound waves were emitted from up ahead; but when they ended, its curiosity got the better of it. It investigated and found that the Dreamyard had erupted in battles. Tilting its head it looked on as a boy fought with a Munna. He wasn't much; even the small pokemon could see that. Then something in the wind caught its nose. An alien smell that seemed familiar at the same time. The source, as it found, was the bloody jacket that had been cast aside by the boy when he started the battle. How interesting the pokemon thought. It crept up, watching its surrounding just in case, and soon snatched the jacket in its mouth, dragging it away in happy trot.

The Lillipup brought it back to a small clearing and began to go at it. It bit and licked and just flung it around. What an interesting new toy it found; and what a taste. The Lillipup had never tasted anything like it; and it liked it. The playful puppy continued its fun of flinging it around with its mouth and chasing and picking it up and continuing in that fashion. Never before had it had so much fun. Maybe this was a perk of having a trainer?

Night fell and the Lillipup curled up next to the jacket.

[End Flashback]


***

Avan was quite annoyed by the sudden rain. It wasn't a problem when he awoke, and while he waited for the Gym Leader it happened; to which Avan found shelter within the gym. But now, he was on the streets again. Hood pulled up, he walked with his hands in his coat pockets, making way to the Dreamyard. Although the rain was still coming, he had to talk to Baku. Explain what happened. He'd be mad, furious, that Avan didn't do anything but lose; but the pink pokemon would find out one way or another.It was best if it was from the boy.

A burst of light, and the Dream eating pokemon was floating in front of the boy. "Baku...did you rest well?" The pokemon looked at him and grunted,

[Fine.]

"That's g-"

[Better if I had not saved you.] The Pokemon interrupted.

"Err...yeah. Sorry about that."

[Hmm?] The Pokemon raised a skeptical brow to the boy's words. Well...whatever Munnas did to look skeptical of one's actions, since you know, they don't have brows and all. [No comeback?] Avan ignored that and leaned against a nearby tree

"We need to talk." 

The munna now stared at him the boy was never this serious; and if he ever was it wasn't good news. "Baku...the munna they..."
The boy started off immediately on that. "Well what I mean to say is that when you were knocked out by that liepard...after that something happened below. I don't know what and who caused it but the underground portion of this area...the dreamyard...the reason I brought you here...it all collapsed."

The final word struck Baku hard. Collapsed? What did he mean? The munna turned to see the damage, which he hadn't seen before. His eyes grew wide in shock. [N-No.]

"Baku, I"

[No!] He flew, floated really, quickly to investigate closer. Avan watched as he dashed madly through the air, back and forth as he tried to see. Avan lowered his head; it was almost too sad to watch. 

In an instant Baku was in Avan's face. [What of the inhabitants?[ Panic flooded his voice. Avan kept his head down, not saying a word. Baku repeated himself louder. 

"I-I don't think they made it. I heard many were killed below, but-"

Baku dropped from the air and lay on his side in plain shock and disbelief. How could that have happened? What happened? Didn't the boy see. He had to have. Why didn't he do anything? It was his fault. If he hadn't protected that blasted kid then maybe he could have saved them. The plump pink munna rose quickly, not giving Avan a chance to react and pinned him to tree with a power psychic blast. 

"Ahhhh!" The boy hit the wood hard. "Baku...what are you-" he found it hard to talk, like he was being sandwiched hard between the tree and a mysterious force. 

[It was your fault!] Accused Baku. [If you hadn't have been so stupid they could have been saved!]

Avan was witnessing the breakdown of the pokemon that he had traveled with for some time. "No I -" The psychic holding him grew tighter and cut him off "Ba...ku..." Avan found it a hit harder to breath now. 

[If I hadn't saved you they'd still be alive. And you could have done something! Anything!] The ferocity in the pokemon's eyes was intense. For such a small, cute pokemon, it now looked like a terrible beast. 

The force grew tighter once again. "Ba" the boys eyes welled up and a small stream began to form. "There was...nothing" The tears came heavier "...please..." Avan felt like his whole body was being crushed. "That plasma...girl...she"

In a moment the psychic hold over the boy was released; Avan collapsed to his knees, taking in deep breaths. 

[It was plasma?]

Avan loomed up at the pokemon who was close to ending him. It was a lucky pick of words on Avan's part. If he hadn't mentioned that, it could have very well been the end of him. "Yeah...you remember...that woman who attacked us. She's with plasma. She blocked our way. It was her." The boy struggled to his feet and leaned against the tree, this time not in leisure, but to ensure he didn't fall down. 

[Plasma..] The Munna growled. The pokemon was mow driven by anger. He'd get his revenge. Even if it meant he had to destroy plasma himself. 

*

Avan helped Baku make a small shrine/memorial for his fallen brethren. His family. His friends. Avan said a few words; bringing himself to tears. Baku, broke down as well. The boy took the munna from the air and held him, just held him and let the emotion out. "We'll get them. I promise."

*

As they left Avan noticed something behind a tree. It was black and red and ripped all over. His jacket. Strange... Thought the boy. Was it here the whole time? He picked it up and examined it. Err... It's disfigured form confused the boy. It wasn't like that before. It looked like it had been attacked. He shook it off and joined with Baku who hadn't waited for him. 

[Flashback]

It was just dragging it around. Where ever it went that morning, the jacket came too; but just for an instant something caught its nose. It dropped the jacket and took off after the scent. 

When the Lillipup returned, it found the jacket was gone! Turns out it had dropped near where Avan and Baku were. And in that small time lapse, it lost it's new toy. 

[End Flashback]

The Lillipup howled, it was a higher pitch which made it more cute than sad, but for the small pokemon it was a tragedy. However, this pup didn't give up so easily. It sniffed the air trying to find the scent; and it found it. Since the jacket had Avan's scent all over it, and Avan had just passed by, so it went after him. 

***

Arriving back at Striaton, Avan hitched the next ride on one of the coaches out of town to Nacrene. It wasn't like he had any other business in town. He wanted to say goodbye to Cress, but unfortunately that skipped his mind. Something he'd hate himself for later. 

Arriving late on the scene, the Lillipup got there just in time to witness Avan board the coach and take off. Running as fast it could, it still couldn't catch up with the coach. The puppy pokemon came to a stop and again howled its sad howl; but soon it started walking again. Avan wouldn't get away that easy. 

***

Baku was silent the whole carriage ride over. Avan tried to start a conversation but got no response from the Munna. Of course, he couldn't blame him; although the pokemon did try to kill him in a furious rage. 

Anywho, the two arrived in Nacrene. Avan was glad to be able to stretch his legs. Two hours and he was tired of sitting. Baku remained quiet. 

Having also completely forgotten about the temp-pokecenter that was set up, Avan found his way to the Pokemon center. He insisted that Baku be checked up as well. While the munna insisted he was fine. But in the end, Avan convinced him. With both pokemon in the nurses care, Avan waited in the lobby and used one of the trainer computers; though he did have a bit of trouble working it, finding his way around it and such, but the helpful search bar at top helped things along. 

While he browsed various sites about Pokemon, the realization came to him that this so-called "journey" he was on, was no longer just about collecting dreams for Baku; rather now it was that, supposedly, and to destroy Plasma. Avan almost laughed at such a ridiculous statement if it wasn't for him being the one who said it. Why did I say such a stupid thing? Now he's gonna hold me to it. The boy sighed. 

Then the answer became apparent. To do this impossible task, they had to become stronger. And how would they do that? They'd have to train. Avan knew there was another gym in town, so they'd end there; but for now he'd start with the out lying areas.

After a bit more computer research, the center dinged; Baku and Kali were ready to be picked up. So Avan did just that; and after, he'd wait out the rain.

((*sees picture* Click click save. Epic artpiece Mar, glad you enjoyed the fight biggrin

Say, just what happened to Salieri after that anyway? Well, let's find out...))

In one of the pokemon center’s complimentary bedrooms around mid afternoon, Wukong the Monferno sat across from Salieri’s three other pokemon on the floor. He pointed to the Pansage. [So…Chen Zhen, right?] Then to the Pawniard. [And Liuye Dao?] Finally, he pointed at the Eevee. [And Salem? That one doesn’t really fit, does it?]

“Hi-YA!”
THWACK!

Salem shrugged. [She said it’s cause I felt like magic. I like the name.]
Wukong leaned back, holding up his hands apologetically. [No no, I like it too.]

“Woo-PA!”
SMASH!

Chen Zhen folded his arms in a subtle pout. Salieri had gone off and found another monkey? He felt a little betrayed. Not only that, but Salem was taking a liking to him. But still, he was part of the team now, so he should be friendly. [Sal’s parents named me and Liuye. That’s why it’s so different.]
[Uh-huh.]

“Wha-CHA!”
CRASH!

[So, why is she beating up vegetables over there?]

The other three pokemon turned around to see Salieri standing above a bubbling pot on the counter of the complimentary kitchen. The Battle Girl tossed a potato in the air, and then gave it a powerful elbow. “Kee-YA!”

SPLAT! The potato smashed apart, falling into bits and pieces on the floor. Sal quickly picked up the pieces and dropped them into the pot, whistling to herself while giving it a stir.

Liuye turned away and facepalmed as best as he could with swords for hands. [Yeah, why is she doing that?] Salem asked. Chen Zhen got a little nervous that he’d have to answer Salem’s question as well, but then remembered that she had never seen this side of Salieri before.

[She, uh, thinks that kung fu can be, er, used for-]

“Spinning AXE KICK!”
THROMP!

[…cooking.] He sighed. How were some of these sound effects even possible?

Salieri tapped the wooden spoon onto the pot and took out a shaker full of chili powder. “This smells really good, guys. I have to thank Robby for this recipe,” she told them as she absentmindedly dumped the entire contents of the shaker into the pot. Once it was empty, she tossed it over her shoulder into the garbage and picked up the bottle of moonshine she had gotten from the Daycare. Still whistling, she dumped the entire bottle into the stew. “This will be our best celebration so far! To a new teammate and a new town!”

Instantly, a weird red mist arose from the pot. Salem wrinkled her nose. [You want me to eat that? No way.]
[It can’t be that bad,] Wukong said with a shrug. Liuye shook his head. The Monferno had no idea.
[Well, it’s not terrible,] Chen Zhen reassured. Salem sighed in relief. […then again, my Gluttony ability lets me digest pretty much anything, soooo…]

She wrinkled her nose again, and Chen Zhen rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Even if she looked disgusted, it was a cute face. Salieri stirred the pot for a few more minutes before dipping her ladle in. “Well, let’s see how this goes.”

The Battle Girl took a tentative sip at the improvised stew. The pokemon were all on the edges of their seats, waiting for a response. Salieri waited for a few seconds, trying to figure out what to say.

“This is…this is…”

****

“An so I told ‘im, you wanna know what I told ‘im? I told him, ‘Hey, you! I’m Salieri Mel Borris, and you can keep your…psssh, wait, am I messin’ up the story ‘ready?”

The Battle Girl’s cheeks were flushed red as she leaned against the kitchen counter, telling her story to a tipsy Chen Zhen. They were the only two to have second helpings of the stew. Salem barely got past the first bowl before she ran to the bathroom, vomiting into the toilet and passing out on the floor. Wukong had finished his and felt fine, but soon followed suit and was now lying face down on Salieri’s bed, mumbling to himself. Poor Liuye Dao was curled up in a ball, sitting in the corner and rocking back and forth to himself. He didn’t know food could taste so horrid. It was beyond impossible. His insides felt like they could rust at any second. If they ever ran into Team Plasma again, they could probably weaponize the stuff.

“Anywaysh, I told ‘im, ‘Chili, you can keep your lousy badge cause I just came here to kick your a**, an’ also I want that badge please.’ So then I totally kicked a**.” Suddenly, she slapped her forehead. “Oh my god, Chen Chen Chen! Weren't you there or sumthin’?”

The Pansage nodded slowly. His cheeks were a slight pink, but nothing compared to Salieri’s drunkenness. “Pan –hic- pan.”

Salieri giggled, then stopped suddenly. “Wait, waitwait. Look atme, I’m gonna keep a straight face right about now.” The Battle Girl’s face got dead serious instantly, like she was about to kill something. And then the façade broke, with Sal and Chen Zhen thrown into a fit of giggles.

She broke the giggling by slamming her fist into the table. “Whoa, s**t Chen Zhen! I gotta fight t’morrow, I think. I should get more ready-er.” Sal looked around the room as if she was in deep thought. Finally, she spotted her belt bag on her bed at Wukong’s foot.

Getting over to the bag was a trek, but after a two minute journey of stumbling across the room, she snatched it from her bed and stated to put it on clumsily. “Let’s go buy stuff fer me to break, I’m thinkin’ waaaaatermelons.”

Chen Zhen’s eyes grew wide. That was possibly the greatest idea ever. EVER. He immediately hopped off of the counter, stumbling forward a bit before regaining balance. “Yaaaapan.”

She looked around the room, the pointed to the desk lamp. “Lee-ooooyay, you’re in-“ Sal quickly readjusted her pointing to her Pawniard. “Yer in charge til I git back with melons.” Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward to get a closer look at the sickly Liuye Dao. “…all three of you. Niiiice Double Team, lesh work on that t’morrow.”

With a skip and a leap, she and Chen Zhen were out the door. Liuye felt uneasy letting them leave, but he took solace in the fact that he could faintly hear their voices down the hall, talking about glorious dinner plans.

They’d only be glorious if Salieri wasn’t cooking.

As Luka turned the corner onto the road he had walked so many times in his childhood, he spotted something happening outside of the Museum which stood so close to his home. A battle between a silver haired youth, who seemed about twelve, and a green haired youth, about 19 or 20 from the looks of him. Right in front of the largest and most far reaching Museum in Unova. How dare they have the tenacity to fight there.

If Lenora found out, there would be hell to pay. Her husband, the Curator, wasn't exactly the most... authoritative man. Lenora herself did most of the fighting work whilst he dealt with the artifacts and the like.

Filled with anger at the defilers, Luka stormed up to the two. "Would you stop fighting here you vandals? You are standing in front of the home of so many beautiful artifacts, simultaneously preventing people from entering, exiting and putting the building at risk. Move or I will get Lenora involved."