Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon or have any rights to it.

Vega had been focusing on its psychic sense, tuning out the other five. The strange pressures soon took on a new character. It could sense their movements and general whereabouts.

Vander spoke up when the glow faded. "Can you pinpoint them yet?"

Vega's gem beeped and flashed.

Cosmo nodded to Vander.

He sighed and lay back on the bed. "That's great." He plunged his fingers into his ever-lengthening mane. "You've really come a long way."

Vega flopped onto its back and stayed still. Vander would call if he needed something.

Cosmo briefly looked over Vega before curling into a ball on the bed.

It was harder for Vander to sleep. His recurring dream was being eaten. They had followed him. He was sure of it.

Nobody would believe him without proof.

Rolling out of bed, he moved to the window.

The streets were bright with artificial light.

He scanned the rooftops. As always there were no visible threats. Vander returned to bed and stayed until his alarm rang.

It was cold and dark outside.

Cosmo was okay. With sharp eyes and a thick winter coat, he adapted easily.

Firebrand let him hop on her head for a better look at the stars. If only Vander would let them fly without Skyla. She sighed.

Vander kept glancing around. He sighed with relief when felt the ground rumbling.

They left for the docks soon after Ironhide emerged.

There had been many shady characters there. They had never bothered Vander before. It was only a matter of time before some did.

There were several of them, all dressed in black with a red R on their chests. Most were tall and lanky teenagers.

Zubats and rattata appeared in several white flashes.

A muscular man with a stubble chin approached Vander. He was smiling.

Two fierce houndoom flanked him.

Vander tried to extract Firebrand's ball.

The man raised a revolver. "Don't even think about it."

Vander froze up. His eyes darted around. He could feel Cosmo shaking on his shoulder.

The group had surrounded them.

"You know what we want." The leader stepped closer. "Just stay still and we'll take your pokémon."

His heart was racing. Vander was mostly still, but his eyes darted around.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Strategizing? How cute." He reached into Vander's pockets with his free hand.

Cosmo leapt off Vander's shoulder and at the man.

Both houndoom growled, but they were too slow to react.

The man stumbled back. His cap fell off, exposing his face.

Cosmo tried to run for help.

A houndoom pinned him down with its paw.

The startled leader soon recovered. "Too bad kid. I can't risk you identifying me." His body seized up before he could pull the trigger.

A familiar chanting filled the docks.

The gang's pokémon were riled up.

Vander felt a chill when the drowsee emerged. He immediately retrieved his three pokémon.

The gang leader tried pull the trigger, but only made his arm quiver.

Screeching zubats fell. Rattata scurried about. The teenagers tried to run.

Vander released his other pokémon. He leapt onto Ironhide's head.

Ironhide reared up, raising Vander out of the fray.

The drowsee's eyes glowed teal blue.

Vega's sixth sense was going crazy. Its gem was bright blue. It took a few minutes to focus. Golden stars shot from its gem.

Several teenagers fell.

Vega tackled the gang leader.

Cosmo scurried over to Firebrand. He leapt onto her shoulder.

Firebrand punched an attacking houndoom, knocking it out. She then flew onto one of the shipping containers.

The drowsee had knocked out most the rattatas and zubats.

Firebrand shot fireballs at a few to drive them back.

Ironhide stood like an impenetrable tower.

The drowsee drew closer.

Several rattata leapt out at them, biting and scratching.

Vander waved to Firebrand. "We need to get out of here!"

She nodded and swooped in to grab him.

Vega and Ironhide returned to their balls.

The two sides were too busy fighting each other to stop them.

"Careful Firebrand. Don't fly too fast."

She rolled her eyes. At least Cosmo wasn't complaining. It took her a few minutes to reach the Mistralton Warehouse.

XXXOXXX

"You botched it!"

Hypno flinched at the loud and harsh voice in his head. He turned around and saw the floating shadow.

"I told you to attack earlier, but you had to wait a little longer! Your cowardice has lost us our element of surprise!"

"I…It's not my fault. Who could have predicted-"

"Never mind!" The shadow began to fade away. "I've got a backup plan. Just call back the drowsee and have some tail the boy with you."

Hypno sighed and turned back to the battle. His eyes glowed blue.

The drowsee soon retreated. They could slip away, even in the morning sunlight.

"They're falling back." The gang leader recalled his houndoom.

"I didn't see any of the trainers," said one of the grunts. "Who do you think they were? A rival gang?"

The leader shrugged. "The sun's up. We need to disappear." He looked across the group. "Scatter and then meet up at the usual spot."

The group dispersed.

XXXOXXX

He had made it. Vander was now safely on the couch in Mistralton Cargo Company warehouse.

"Here. Have some cocoa." Skyla's father gave Vander a mug. "The police are on their way. They said that the gang that attacked you has been seen all over Kanto."

Vander nodded. "What about the drowsee? Is anyone looking into them?"

He shook his head. "No, and they seem more like heroes to me. Think about it. They saved your life. They only eat dreams to stay alive."

Skyla nodded before sipping her own cocoa.

"You two stay in this room." Skyla's father moved to exit the office. "I'll be outside. I'll bring in the police officers when they arrive. They want to talk with you."

Vander nodded. Then his head drooped after the man left.

Skyla set her mug on a wooden armrest before scooting over to him. She patted his shoulder. "It's okay."

Vander sighed and set his cocoa on his armrest. "I had three strong pokémon to protect me, but I still wasn't able to beat those thugs. I needed the drowsee to save me."

"Well…" Skyla couldn't think of any response.

"Your dad trusted me to protect you. How an I supposed to live up to that now?"

Skyla shrugged. "Keep Vega out more?"

"Good idea." Vander then frowned. "I need to make some changes…keep a lower profile. Nobody's ever bothered me like this before."

"Hyah!" All eyes fell on Vega. Its gem was glowing bright blue. Then it beeped sixteen times.

Vander counted the number of beeps. "There are sixteen of them here?"

Vega nodded.

Bill hopped over to the office window.

Skyla looked between the two and then to Bill. "What's going on?"

Vander got up and moved to the window. "The drowsee again. They must be the ones that tried to get me in Saffron City."

"Maybe they just came to make sure you're okay."

Vander saw several men working outside. There were no unusual pokémon. "They're hiding. They're waiting until I'm alone."

Skyla resumed drinking her cocoa. "We're safe."

Vander followed suit, not bothering to savor the taste.

Bill quacked a several minutes later.

"That must be the police," Vander said as he looked out the window.

There was an Officer Jenny leading two male officers. After a brief conversation with Skyla's father, they entered the warehouse.

Jenny took Vander aside.

"Can you describe the people who attacked you? Give as many details as you can remember."

"They were all dressed in black and I couldn't see their faces. There was the red R I told you about on the phone." He paused so she could finish her notes.

Jenny frowned and tapped the notepad with her pen. "You said that they were mostly teenagers with one adult."

"Right."

She nodded. "You got a good look at the adult's face?"

"I did."

Jenny's face brightened up. "That's good." She led Vander back to others. "Sir. I'd like to take this boy with me to the station. He said he saw one of the culprit's faces and I have some pictures for him to look at."

Skyla's father nodded. "It's fine with me." Then he looked down at Vander. "Are you okay with that?"

Vander nodded and he was soon following the police back to the station.

XXXOXXX

Hypno growled as he stealthily pursued Vander. It wasn't easy in broad daylight. At least the station wasn't too far away. Hypno perched atop one of the warehouses. He didn't care where the others hid.

The station had a distinct blue shield over the entrance. Other than that, it looked like a normal warehouse.

At least half an hour passed before Vander emerged. He had no pokémon visibly on him. His shoulders were slumped.

Cosmo poked his head out of Vander's collar. While cozy, he still preferred being outside.

"At least I could pick out the Team Rocket guy for them." He shook his head and sighed again. "Why won't they believe me? They were there. It was the same drowsee. I know it."

Cosmo nuzzled Vander's chin. Why was proving this so important? His trainer almost sounded like a conspiracy theorist.

Vander suddenly stopped and pulled out a poké ball. "We really should have someone else out to protect us. The Team Rocket guy might come back. I am a witness."

Vega materialized moments later. Its gem glowed blue almost immediately.

Hypno felt the shadow's presence behind him. He turned and saw the one-eyed figure.

"Attack now."

Hypno shook his head "We've lost the element of-"

"Attack now!"

He flinched before telepathically calling for the attack. Hypno then leapt out in front of Vander.

Chanting filled the air.

"I was right! It's you!" Vander reached into his pocket only to freeze up. He was paralyzed by Hypno's power.

Vega broke Hypno's concentration with a barrage of gold stars.

Vander immediately released the Firebrand and Ironhide.

The drowsee had surrounded them. Their eyes glowed blue.

Hypno joined their attempt at restraining Vander and his team.

Vander's body froze up.

Vega tried to counter Hypno with its own psychic powers.

Firebrand and Ironhide quickly overcame their hold.

Leaping into the air, Firebrand ensnared three enemies in a flaming vortex. She spat out several more fireballs to drive the others back.

Ironhide slammed into the ground, making a small dent in the cement.

Cosmo stiffened and burrowed into his trainer's shirt.

Vander felt the hold lift and tried to sway with the shaking ground.

The drowsee were less graceful. Many fell.

Hypno leapt into the air.

Vega spun into him. Then it telekinetically lifted Vander and Cosmo.

Ironhide swept the ground with his tail. He toppled several drowsee.

Hypno stood, his eyes glowing. He tried to restrain Ironhide.

Some drowsee recovered and summoned golden energy barriers to block incoming fireballs.

The shadow watched from a secluded location. It telepathically contacted Hypno. "You must take the boy hostage!"

Hypno was sweating. "But-"

"Do it!"

Firebrand swooped and grabbed two drowsee. She bashed their heads together before dropping them.

Hypno shook his head. He tried to focus on Vander.

More drowsee recovered and tried to hold Ironhide.

Vega blocked Hypno with its own powers.

A ball of black energy struck it down.

"Vega!" Vander rushed over to it. He suddenly froze.

Hypno pulled Vander to him. He tossed aside Cosmo with a hand wave.

Ironhide roared and broke free. He rushed at Hypno.

Vander was in his clutches. Hypno placed a hand on the boy's chest.

He stopped mere inches from him. Ironhide's body was trembling. He let out a low menacing growl.

Hypno looked around and saw Firebrand finishing off several more drowsee. Then he heard the footsteps of approaching humans.

The drowsee began retreating.

Firebrand landed and growled at Hypno. Her flame was bluish white.

He felt the weight of the eyes on him. Other humans had arrived. He could see the police officers standing behind Vander's pokémon. He could hear workers and their pokémon behind him. "I'm trapped! What should I do next?"

The shadow materialized behind him. It spoke directly to Hypno so that even Vega couldn't hear. "You've done you're job well enough. There's nothing left for you to accomplish."

Hypno's eyes widened. He felt a chill in his heart. A large, shadowy hand emerged from his chest. All his power faded when it solidified.

Vander pulled free immediately and ran to Firebrand. His heart was racing as he grabbed hold of her.

She placed a hand on his head. Firebrand frowned at Hypno and the familiar shadow. Her flame was returning to normal size, but its still thrashed about.

"Wh…Why?" Hypno's body numbed and slowly shut down. He was dead before his head hit the ground.

The shadow slowly materialized. Its rotund ghostly body bobbed a foot above the ground. A cycloptic eye locked onto Vander.

"A dusknoir," exclaimed a bystander. This sparked several hushed conversations.

Officer Jenny immediately went to Vander. "My god! Are you okay? What happened?"

"I'll…be fine." Vander checked and returned all of his pokémon except Firebrand. Then he noticed Dusknoir staring at him.

It floated closer to him. "You have nothing to fear from me."

This startled everyone.

"Telepathically is among my skills. It takes years of practice."

Jenny spoke first. "Why did you kill this Hypno? Do you know why it attacked this boy?" She pointed to Vander.

"I can answer all those questions and more." Dusknoir then pointed to Vander. "That boy was of special significance to the drowsee. I knew they were planning to kidnap him so I tailed them here and dealt with Hypno when I had the chance."

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying those drowsee were planning this on their own? I can't believe that. There has to be some trainer, maybe a pokémon hunter behind the operation."

Dusknoir saw an opportunity, though looked stoic to those around it. "There was probably some mystery organization intent on scouting the boy for talent. A good trainer is as valuable as strong pokémon."

Vander gulped and subconsciously tightened his grip on Firebrand's leg.

She frowned her hand on his shoulder.

"Regardless. I am here to protect the boy from further harm. My own trainer sent me here. She lives in Lavender Town and would like me to bring the boy to her. She could shed more light on the situation."

Jenny's eyes widened. "Ah off course!"

Vander looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. "What is it?"

"I think I know Dusknoir's trainer." Jenny nodded. "She must be Agatha of the Elite Four. It makes perfect sense! Only Agatha could train a ghost type so well and she lives in the area around Lavender Town."

A smiled soon spread across Vander's face. Meeting Agatha would be a great opportunity. "I guess I'll go, but I have to tell my boss what my plans are."

Jenny nodded. "Then I guess that's settled. You go on ahead. I'll deal with the body over there," she pointed to Hypno's corpse.

The workers dispersed and Vander returned to the warehouse.

While her father understood, Skyla was not pleased with his decision. "You can't even fly with Firebrand yet!"

Vander flinched from the high-pitched voice. "I know. I just…I have to find out what's going on. Besides, you'll only be here for another week. I don't think much will change in that time."

"But I'll be bored!"

Dusknoir watched them impassively. Then it noticed the other three pokémon staring.

Vega seemed to take particular interest.

Vander was about to respond when he heard Dusknoir's voice in his head.

"A week's delay is no problem. Just as long as we don't take too long I'm sure we can stay until your friend leaves. My trainer…Agatha…will not mind." Dusknoir then glanced at Vega. While it couldn't tell what the starfish was thinking, there was no obvious reason for concern.

Skyla's face lit up and she immediately reached out to grab hold of Vander's arm. "Did you hear that?" She began shaking him. "You don't have to go now! You can stay a little longer!"

Vander grinned. "Fine. We'll stay another week"

With the matter settled, Vander continued his usual routine for the remaining week. As predicted he made little progress in flight training.

Vega's psychic sense seemed to flare up less often. The drowsee were most likely leaving.

Ironhide started training for the move Rock Slide.

The warehouses locked up for the winter. Business in Kanto was slowing as winter approached.

Skyla and her father were ready to leave.

Vander was also packed. There was no reason to linger in Vermillion City.

"Goodbye," Skyla gave Vander a hug. "Visit us in Unova okay?"

Vander smiled and returned the hug. "I promise I will."

They broke apart.

After scratching Firebrand's chin and nuzzling Cosmo, Skyla followed her father into a large aquatic cargo plane.

Bill gave Vega and goodbye quack and fluttered after her.

Vander and his pokémon stayed to watch as the airplane pulled back into deeper water. They only left when it had disappeared into the horizon.

Once ready to leave, Vander recalled Firebrand, Vega, and Ironhide. Cosmo remained balanced on his shoulder.

Dusknoir had been waiting patiently. "Now you are ready to accompany me to Lavender Town?"

Vander nodded. "I am."

Thus began their long eastward walk.