The moment Isobels steps in Lumiose City she is startled by how different it is from what she's used to. A big, bright city with so many people rushing about. Isobel's hometown, Vaniville, is small and she knows everyone there, including a friendly yet tired businesswoman. At exactly five in the morning, this woman would go and travel all the way to Lumiose City on her Rapidash to work. Isobel used to set her alarm ten minutes earlier than five, then peek out of her window to watch the lady with the Rapidash blaze through the gates like some kind of knight ready to fight a dragon called "work". It is very different here in Lumiose City, clearly. Everyone are strangers. The air isn't quite as fresh and clean, but it smells strongly of coffee with different scents mixed in, such as perfume and Gogoat dung. Cabs rumble past very slowly, avoiding people. It is quite late, as Isobel spent the rest of the day training among the flowers of Route 4, battling wild Pokémon and a gardener every now and again with a Corphish.

Isobel tries to stop a few people passing for directions to Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Lab. Many of them are too busy to even notice her, or just want to get on with their lives rather than take a few minutes to see what she wants. Eventually Isobel gives up and decides to stop a cab with a bored-looking man at the wheel, hopping in.

"I want to reach the Pokémon Lab," she says to the driver and he starts the vehicle, beginning to drive towards the aforementioned destination. Relieved that she is in her own space away from a big crowd, Isobel takes off her bag and watches the people scurrying around like Durants outside.

"Are you from Vaniville town?" the driver suddenly asks, his interest piqued.

"Yes, I am. How did you know that?" Isobel watches ahead as the car evades a Gogoat trotting by. Fletchling is perched upon her shoulder with its feathers fluffed up, quivering against her neck uneasily for some reason.

"I have mysterious powers."

Isobel laughs it off and shakes her head. Seeing a magnificent building just up ahead, she leans up to get a better view of it. "Is that...?"

"It certainly is. The famous Pokémon Lab of Kalos. That's where you wanted to go, right?" The man asks with - somehow - doubt in his voice. Isobel raises a brow. As a cab driver, this guy must have taken many people to this laboratory before. It is quite a popular building, isn't it?

"Yes. How much do I have to pay?" Isobel opens her bag and searches for money. The man taps the wheel with his hand, then he reaches down and picks up a Poké ball. He clicks the button in the center, and out comes a Ghost-type Pokémon, Pumpkaboo. "Oh, not much of a big price to pay. I just want your Pokémon."

Isobel pauses.

"Huh? What was that?" She asks, for a moment not exactly able to believe what the man just said. Did he really ask for her Pokémon, or is she just perhaps tired from all the training? Is her nervousness around strangers getting a bit too out of hand; is it making her hear things wrong? But then she sees the Pumpkaboo and knows that he did indeed ask for her Pokémon, and that she is being threatened by it.

"Give me your Pokémon. All of them." The man snaps, whirling around and flashing the most terrifying dark eyes that rip straight through her own eyes, right into her soul.

"W-who...exactly are you? You're not a cab driver, are you?" Isobel asks, stammering uncontrollably, but the man doesn't answer her question. Instead, he gives Pumpkaboo the order to use Astonish. Before the creature can hit Isobel, Fletchling lunges forward, unleashing Peck to take it out quicker than a Ninjask could. The man appears startled by this and Isobel quickly takes her bag and leaves the vehicle with her Pokémon following her, but she is shaken up and surprised that she didn't have a heart attack in there. "Thanks, Fletchling, I probably would have been hurt badly back there if you didn't help out."

But that doesn't appear to deter the man from his trouble-making and he leaves the cab, releasing another Pokémon, a Phantump that hovers while emanating its haunting cry. Isobel glares harshly, but she is terrified, utterly terrified with her heart pulsing wildly, and she really can't believe all of this drama is happening to her; it's absurd. "You aren't having my Pokémon. Who are you? Answer me!"

The crowd of people narrows out as they realize that a battle in the middle of the street is about to unfold, and nobody wants to take any attacks as they watch from afar. It's not much of a battle, though, as the Phantump is taken out swiftly. It's weak to Fletchling's Peck attack, and its Ghost-type attacks don't even seem to faze Isobel's Pokémon that much. The man takes out his third Pokémon, Gastly. Just as Fletchling is about to attack, Gastly uses Sucker Punch and the bird Pokémon takes a lot of damage. It falls to the ground, weak, and Isobel rushes to it and scoops it up into her arms.

"Sorry, Fletchling. Looks like this one is at a much higher level than the other two Pokémon..." Isobel murmurs to herself. She withdraws Fletchling in favour of Flabébé, but then she hears a familiar voice calling. Isobel turns towards the direction of the voice and she spots a friend. It's Scarlet, and she half-runs (quite awkwardly, especially with her bag) towards her with a foxy Pokémon by her side running in quite a similar fashion as its trainer. It's definitely not the same species of Pokémon that Isobel saw Scarlet choose at the beginning of their journey, but it looks very similar. In fact, it looks exactly like that Pokémon, except it is larger and stands on two legs now, and somehow, it seems a lot more mature.

"Braixen, use Flame Charge on that Gastly!" Scarlet yells. The fox-like Pokémon lights up with flames and dashes swiftly towards the shady trainer's Gastly. It strikes it and knocks it out clean, forcing the man to withdraw his Pokémon. He backs away, having no more partners left to fight, but not without leaving them a few chilling words: "You both will regret this. Team Phantasmo will make sure that a deathly punishment comes your way."

When he turns and runs, Scarlet doesn't bother chasing after him. She watches him then turns to Isobel with a slightly puzzled look on her face. "Team Phantasmo?" She asks, her gaze almost expectant, and she presumes that Isobel knows who they are. But Isobel shrugs and shakes her head, clearly anxious and clueless about what is going on.

"Hmm, well, I wouldn't worry about it. We've got our Pokémon to defend ourselves." Scarlet says in hopes of reassuring Isobel and taking away that worried look on her face.

"That Gastly was going to beat my Fletchling." Isobel mumbles, gazing at the floor. She then raises her gaze towards the Pokémon by Scarlet's side, deciding to ask a question before her new rival responds to her last statement. "Is that Fennekin?"

"Oh? She definitely is - and she's a Braixen now. Isn't she so strong?" Scarlet scratches Braixen's ears and it grins proudly. Then she notices the wistful look attached to the eyes of her friend, an almost jealous, sad, distant look.

"So, how's Chespin? Gwaine's Froakie hasn't evolved yet, but that's because he's got a few other Pokémon he's been training lately." Scarlet takes out a little bag of Pokémon treats from her bag and gives Braixen one. It's some kind of crunchy biscuit and by the looks of Braixen's expression after eating it, it's delicious. Isobel turns her head away, watching the passing people as the mentioning of Chespin stings her, but she wants to avoid hassle, so she lies. "It's fine."

"Really? That's good. Well, come on, let's head to the lab. I've been waiting for you, and we've got a special present for you." Scarlet nods towards the grand building where she left, and they quickly enter it. Isobel doesn't get much of a chance to admire everything there because they went straight for the elevator up to the third floor to a very fancy-looking room with a desk where Sycamore sits on a chair, an unusual device in his hand. He seems occupied with it for a moment then he looks up and a bright smile graces his face before he stands right up. "Isobel! It's very nice to see you again! How have you been keeping? How is Chespin?"

"Fine." Isobel replies, surprised at how eager the professor is. It's not as if it's been a whole week since she saw him last, so why does he look so cheerful?

"Well, let's see her, then! I want to know how much she has grown since the last time I saw her." Sycamore smiles. Isobel freezes and for a moment she can almost feel her heart just falling out of place. She lowers her head and is unable to speak, and then she forces it out. Forces the words out. The tragic news. The fact she is unreliable at keeping her own Pokémon for more than a day. "Chespin was stolen from me."

She isn't able to look up at the professor's expression after saying that, and she closes her eyes as the pain expands inside of her. She says nothing more. Scarlet speaks before Sycamore does. "You lied to me?"

"I didn't want any trouble...I don't want anyone to worry. I'm sorry." Isobel tears up, and even though her eyes are closed they seep out anyway. Scarlet holds her shoulders and the light green eyes flutter open to meet the fierce, darker ones higher up.

"Isobel, did that man back there steal your Pokémon?" She asks.

"No, he didn't. A man with sunglasses and a scarf did." Isobel replies. Scarlet reminds her of Jade. The resemblance is very uncanny now that she thinks about it. Professor Sycamore remains silent as he looks more thoughtful than anything else. He furrows his brows and rubs the back of his neck.

"Isobel, I'd like you to have another Pokémon. These ones are from Kanto." He suddenly says, his voice lower, quieter and less enthusiastic than before. Isobel reads this as a tone that lets her know of his disappointment and she shakes, releasing Scarlet's gentle grip on her shoulders. "I don't want it. Please, these Pokémon are rare and important, I don't want them to go to me. They will just be lost like Chespin."

"Isobel..." The professor begins, ready to argue, but Isobel moves away from them both, looking fierce, a ruthless glow in her eyes which were timid and scared just moments ago. "I want to catch my own Pokémon. Keep all of the ones you have for other new trainers that are dependable when it comes to looking after them, and don't let them lose their Pokémon. I'm not going to replace my starter with another. I'm going to find Nutty and...and...I'm going to hurt the people who took her!"

With that, Isobel escapes the lab, but Scarlet follows after her. Isobel tries to lose her for a little while as she moves through the crowd quickly, but her friend grasps her arm and halts her. "Isobel," she says breathlessly, "I know you want to go but I need to tell you something very important."

"What is it?" Isobel replies, turning her head slightly, though she refuses to look at Scarlet.

"I don't think you should go after whoever stole your Chespin."

These words stun Isobel in place. "What?"

"Don't go after the person, or the people that took Chespin away from you. I know it's precious to you, but...if you do it, then you'll endanger yourself. Please, let me try..."

Isobel pulls away from Scarlet and shoots her a look that is a mixture of anger and confusion and for the longest while she feels betrayed. She then continues on her way. This time, Scarlet doesn't follow her as Isobel rushes through the crowd and soon spots the familiar red roof of a Pokémon Center. Naturally, Isobel enters it to escape the loud city and it feels much more relaxed there. A light, lemony fragrance greets her nose and she favours that smell over the stench of Gogoat dung. The place is quiet and few people sit at tables, chatting in hushed voices, as if they are in a library, and Isobel locates a lone table near the Poké Mart at the back of the center, where she sits to take a moment to calm herself. I swear I was going to panic in that crowd.

Isobel takes out her two occupied Poké balls simply to check on them. Making sure that her Pokémon are still with her has become a habit ever since she lost her partner. Even so, there's something that she doesn't quite have since...then. Chespin and her had a bond that Isobel is not quite sure she can form with her new Pokémon, even though the Grass-type and her hadn't been together for that long.

Feeling sleepy, Isobel leans her head back and closes her eyes as she places her Poké balls in her bag. She finds herself beginning to drift off when she hears a voice.

"Isobel?"

Slowly, Isobel stirs and opens her eyes, feeling exhausted as she gave herself a chance to rest just moments ago. She sees that Gwaine is there with a big grin plastered to his face; he doesn't look quite as tired as his fellow trainer. "Hey, sleepyhead, what's up?"

"Hi, Gwaine." Isobel sighs and rubs her eyes.

Gwaine places himself on the chair besides Isobel and pulls off his bag. He takes a thermal flask from it and shakes it a couple of times. "Sorry about waking you up there. Want some of this? It's hot chocolate."

Isobel smiles lightly and nods at the unexpected kindness, and Gwaine takes out a plastic cup and pours some of the liquid into it. Isobel takes a sip and the chocolate tastes delicious. "Thank you. How is Froakie? I heard you have more Pokémon as well..."

Gwaine nods. "I sure do! Let me show you all of them." He grabs a few Poké balls - four of them to be exact - and takes his Pokémon out. He has a Froakie, Pikachu, Pidgey and a Furfrou, all of which look trained to become quite fit and strong. Of course, it doesn't look like any of them are at the level that Scarlet's Braixen is at. He then withdraws his team and gives her a proud smirk which Isobel returns with a "Good job".

"So, have you beaten the Santalune gym leader?" Gwaine asks, leaning back casually and closing his eyes.

"I have," Isobel replies, "and she's very strong, isn't she?"

"Yeah, you're right...she's a tough cookie...it took a while for me to beat her. And man, that Vivillon ain't exactly a piece of cake..." Gwaine chuckles lightly then suddenly slings his bag over his shoulder, collecting his flask and when Isobel finishes the hot chocolate, he takes that as well. "So, I'm going now. The next gym is all the way over in Cyllage City. You've got a map, right? So you can check it?"

Isobel nods.

"Just making sure." Gwaine gives her his goodbye smile and waves, leaving the center. Hmm, Isobel thinks to herself while gazing out of the window into darkness, I'm not sure why he'd want to go at this time...

But, it doesn't concern her that much, so she watches the white wall of the Pokémon Center for at least an hour before she finds herself unable to keep her eyes open.

And then she drifts off slowly, welcoming sleep's comforting arms...

Suddenly, her eyes flutter open and she feels a soft, cushiony ground below her. She stirs, and the grass is very soft, very welcoming. The back of her neck is aching lightly. Isobel slowly forces herself up from her green blanket and gazes around as she is staring across a moonlit field. She focuses her gaze on a breath-taking sight of the moon. Stars glimmer and twinkle with unlimited elegance, dancing in the cosmos. She begins to walk across the field, but the other side of the field doesn't come closer, as the tree she can see far ahead isn't growing bigger at all. She tries to run, but she's still not going anywhere, so she pauses and looks around. At that moment, she spots a tiny silhouette of a Pokémon, and it calls to her.

Is that...? Could it be?

"Nutty!" Isobel cries. She leans down and spreads her arms out, and Nutty squeaks happily, running closer to accept the embrace. However, before it reaches her, the ground splits open so fast that Isobel hasn't got a chance to react in a manner that would benefit her in this situation. Nutty tries to run around the part where the ground is split, but the ground tears up further, creating a long line, and the Chespin is unable to reach Isobel.

"Nutty! Don't worry! I'll be there for you; I'll save you! No matter what it takes, no matter what I do, I will make sure that you're not hurt. Please. Just hold on for a little longer, okay?!" Isobel looks back and forth at the chasm that is increasing in size, that is becoming more and more deadly. It's definitely impossible to jump across. As she even contemplates it, the ground shakes violently. The world grows a sickening bright red, and she looks at the moon once again, which has turned a foreboding crimson. Dread hits her heart and she turns towards Nutty, which is standing there, panicking, helpless. She must save her.

The ground rumbles further until Isobel is thrown violently in the air. Before she hits the ground, the unfamiliar cry - screaming - of a Pokémon fills her ears, and a large shape rockets out of the chasm and flies into the air, chunks of rock flying across the place. One of the rocks scrape against Isobel's arm, but she's unharmed. A massive monster, a beast she has never seen before in her entire life, glowers down at her from the sky. The sky that is now void of stars, as they have all been frightened off. A single sentence repeats itself through Isobel's mind, over and over and over:

It came from Hell.

It came from Hell.

It came from Hell.