Chapter 3: Dreamlike reality

A/N: Well, 3rd chapter already. Didn't think I'd be able to get a good plot going, but I think I'll pick it up soon. nameisDooM asked me where the Gardevoirs' are and I'm here to say this: She is coming.

I opened my eyes to a dark void surrounding me. I quickly glanced around and realized I was totally lost, just that I was lying on the 'ground' in this dark area. With that in mind, I slowly stood up and looked around for someone, anyone, hell anything recognizable. My search was in vain, all I could see was an endless black void. I rubbed my eyes for a bit and did a complete 360 and off in the distance, I noticed something. It was small whatever it was, and there was a light above it illuminating down. Puzzled I started walking towards it, my footsteps echoing off into the distance.

Once I got close enough to make out what it was, I was shocked at what I saw. In front of me now was a tiny blue haired Ralts. I rubbed my eyes again to make sure they weren't deceiving me, but they weren't! I had only heard about them in stories. It was rare to see a normal one, but a blue haired one? It was nearly unheard of!

As I approached it I realized that…it was crying. The Ralts was huddled over, trembling with fear.

"Hello?" I called out quietly.

Go away! A female voice whispered in my head. I looked around for the source of the noise, but saw nobody.

"Are you OK Ralts?" I asked.

Go away! The voice was even smaller. After thinking for a second, I realized where the voice was coming from; it was coming from the Ralts.

"Ralts? Is that you?" I whispered. "What's wrong?"

No! You'll just hurt me again! She said her sobbing increasing. Just go away!

The pain in her voice was heart wrenching. I took a step closer which caused her to look up. The tears were flowing down her little face, her already red eyes even redder from what appeared to be hours of crying.

What do you wa-…! She stopped mid-sentence when she looked at me. She slowly turned around and looked at me as I got on one knee.

You…you don't look like them. She whispered. Who…who are you?

"I'm Alex. Why were you crying Ralts?" I asked her, holding out a hand. She moved away from my hand, eyeing it warily. Her movements disturbed me. I had never met her before, but here was this little Ralts shying away from my hand. Did something happen to her?

"Ralts, what happened? Did something happen to you?" She turned her head and a few more tears ran down her face.

No…no I can't! I can't! She whispered. No, I won't! She suddenly started shouting and screaming at something invisible, her eyes wide with fear.

Get away from me! She screamed. Get back! Don't come any closer! There was the sound of flesh hitting flesh and she doubled over, crying out in pain. I jumped up and took a step closer, my heart racing.

"Ralts! Ralts, what's going on?" I said, panic slowly engulfing me. "Tell me! Maybe I can help you!"

Get off of me! She screamed. Someone, anyone, help me! Her eyes rolled into her head and she collapsed in front of me, becoming completely lifeless. I sat there for a second, trying to think of what to do. Common sense slapped me and I jumped up and bounded towards her. I went to grab her hand and realized that I phased right through her, like grabbing a hologram.

"What the hell?" I said. "I can't even grab her. What the hell is this!" Very slowly, everything around me began to fade out.

"Ralts? Hello? What's going on!" I shouted. "Ralts! Ralts!" Soon, the darkness engulfed me and everything was silent.

I jolted up in my bed. My heart was racing and I was slick with sweat, breathing rapidly, and freaking out.

Just what the hell was that? Was it a dream? My mind was racing. I truly hoped that was just a dream, whatever the hell that was. Trying to slow my heart rate down, I glanced at the clock and checked the time. It was a little after three in the morning. I ran my hand through my hair and took a few more deep breaths finally calming down my racing heart. Just for safe measures, I glanced down to the floor towards Growlithe's bed and saw him resting peacefully. By now, my breathing and heart rate had returned to normal.

"I hope I don't have that dream again…" I said quietly. Lying back down, I silently said a prayer hoping that that Ralts, real or not, was safe.

...

My morning alarm woke me up without much hassle. I hadn't gotten much sleep since I woke up from the nightmare. I slowly turned off my alarm and sat up, rubbing my eyes. That dream was still vividly playing in my mind. What was happening to her? Most importantly, why couldn't I help her? I soon realized I wouldn't get anything done if I were to sit around and do nothing, so I got up and woke Growlithe up as well.

"Morning buddy, sleep well?" He barked happily and licked my face making me laugh.

"Well, let's get some breakfast and start the day off, shall we?" The two of us walked into the kitchen where I poured him a bowl of food and got a bowl of cereal for myself and tried to keep my mind off the dream from last night. After breakfast, I walked back to my room and began changing into something else, my mind not really thinking about anything when a bark from Growlithe brought me back to reality. I looked back to see him pacing around a bit. I glanced at the time and realized I was running late.

"Thanks buddy." I said, speeding up the pace. "We have to get to work!" After a few more seconds of changing, I grabbed him, my keys, my wallet, and my badge. We jumped in the car, and I quickly sped off to work.

After arriving at work and getting into the secret room in the station, I met up with Tom for a briefing on my latest mission.

"It's not gonna be easy." He said as we walked to the computer and began typing. "But we have you inserted already…just need to get you to the arrival spot on time later today…" My mind froze, did he just say later today?

"Wait, whoa, today? I haven't even had training for undercover missions!" I stammered. "How do you expect me to p-" He held up a hand.

"It's easy, just act natural." He said smiling. "Don't be afraid to show a dark side if necessary. We need to make sure they can trust you enough to let you in." I stiffened at what he said.

Not so easy to show a dark side when you're not used to doing that. I thought. I mean seriously, I only show that side when we're busting criminals… My Growlithe barked again and looked at Tom and Tom looked at me.

"What's he saying? I can't understand him." Tom said. "Have him repeat it to you." I looked down at Growlithe who was still looking at Tom so I whistled to get his attention.

"Growlithe, what's up?" I asked him. "Can ya repeat that?" He barked a few more times and I got the message.

"He's worried about our safety." I said. "He doesn't want to risk me getting injured." Tom stopped typing on the computer and looked down at Growlithe.

"Sorry boy, but there's always the possibility that this will end badly for you two. I cannot guarantee the safety of your master or his team which includes you too." Tom said. "It's a sad thought to say, but it's true." Growlithe nodded and looked back at me.

"I'm willing to take the risk if you are." He nodded again and wagged his tail. I looked back at Tom.

"We're ready."