Hey, look, double digits!

Expect a twist. A tragic one.

When I was really little, I wanted to be a Pokémon Trainer.

My dad loved Pokémon, you see. I hazily remember a big purple Pokémon, maybe a Skuntank or Espeon- I remember its soft, cozy fur. I'd play with it, and Dad would train in the front yard, and I'd watch.

Dad wasn't a Pokémon Trainer. He worked in the Fuego Ironworks, near Floaroma. Ironic, isn't it- nearly being killed by Galactic grunts within miles of the place where Dad would head off to every morning?

Yeah, Dad had always wanted to be a Trainer. He would watch the championships every year; he would count down the days on a little calendar in the kitchen. Trainers from all over the world, gathering in Sinnoh to try their hand at defeating Sinnoh's Elite Four and becoming our Champion? He'd rather chop off his arm than miss a single round. I guess none of us were very surprised when he left. I was eight, old enough to see how fidgety and discontent Dad had been. Mum was the only one who didn't see in coming. She was shocked when he didn't come home from work one night, and when she got a call the next morning from Oreburgh. I was standing right next to her; I remember the words. "Honey, I love you and I'm okay, but I won't be coming home for some time now."

Well, two years passed- three, now; his disappearing act had happened a week before my birthday- and he didn't return at all. 'Some time?' Everyone knew it. I did, for sure. He left us.

I didn't want to be a Pokémon Trainer anymore. In fact, I'd given that dream up at age five, when Dad stopped playing with me so that he could train more. It's not like he even battled with his Pokémon. He was just a selfish old codger with a stupid, unattainable dream.

I saw a special about Oak Labs only days before Dad left. That's when I decided. One day, I would be working with Professor Oak. But I guess fate has a funny way of twisting your plans around its little finger. And Rowan Labs will be even better for me, because it's minutes from home.

But I sound all depressing now. I digress.

-0-

"Canalave Cityyyyy!"

I whooped as I jumped off the boat. I'd gotten us a ferry from the docks in Jubilife to the small island where Canalave was located. In fact, Canalave was the island. There was nothing else here!

"Let's go to the Pokémon Center," Mandy said. She was a bit woozy. We'd fought tons of Trainers on that ferry, and I'd used her a lot of the time. She was looking a bit faint.

I couldn't help but stick out my lip a little. She was right, of course, but… "Alright, to the Pokémon Center, but then we're going to the Canalave Library. I'll die if I don't get to see it!"

"And the Gym?" Juliet asked, tilting her head a little.

Natalie was trailing behind us, all depressed. I glanced back at her. She was gloomy because she knew I would never use her in this upcoming Gym battle. Canalave's Gym Leader used steel types, and I would never forgive myself to see her little body crushed underneath thousands of tons of rock and steel.

"Let's not," I said. She looked a little taken aback. "Come on, Juliet. You may be able to hold your own, and Mandy has a type advantage, but we've- I've- nearly lost you guys in Gym battles. Even Fantina could have gone terribly wrong if we hadn't been lucky."

"Mandy knows Flamethrower," Juliet said hopefully. "Isn't that good against steel?"

"Yeah, I taught it to her by TM. But she's only just learned it, and it's a special move."

"Huh?" She wasn't following me.

"There are two different kinds of attack, Juliet. Special attack and regular old attack. Graveller like Mandy specialize in regular attack, and their special attack power is horrible. I doubt Flamethrower would be very strong at all. I only taught it to her to counteract her weakness to grass types." I sighed deeply. My father had taught me all that.

"Oh, forget him, Juliet," Opal said sagely, hopping up to match my stride. "One Gym battle won't matter. There are other Gyms in Sinnoh!"

"Two, other than this one," Juliet reminded her.

Raven squawked. I looked up. "Raven's right. There's the Pokémon Center!"

And so we ran into Canalave City.

All of us were shocked by it, really. We'd expected Canalave to be some secluded nowhere town, but it was really one gigantic wharf! The ocean emptied out into it, carving the city in half. One of those bridges that goes up and down kept both halves connected to each other, and at least a hundred boats, varying from cruise ships to rowboats, were docked in the bay. There were people everywhere, with more sailors than anything, and there- on the other side of the city- I could see the tall, Victorian-era looking Canalave Library. Right beside it was the Canalave Gym.

"Well, to the Center~!" Natalie took the lead. The hubbub of it all, the glistening of the foam-capped waves, the seabirds screaming and wheeling above us, and the hustle and bustle of a thousand people, had lifted her spirits, it seemed. Or maybe she was just happy that she wasn't going to be left out of a Gym battle, because there would be no Gym battle. Either way, she was more cheerful.

We entered in. Even the inside of the Center smelled a lot like fish, and the decorating was more like a tavern than anything else. It had a bar, where foaming mugs of something were being handed out- please, don't let it be alcohol, I hardly need a drunk Mandy on my hands!- and a huge rack that came from a Stantler was mounted above the hearth. There was even a fireplace, with a gigantic dead Seaking on the mantle!

I returned all of the girls to their balls, except Juliet, of course, who was plopped down on a tray and taken to the back. My other Pokéballs were placed in the healing machine and promptly handed back to me, and Juliet was brought back out from where she had been healed by Potion.

I left the Pokémon Center after making a reservation for the night. Emerging back out into the salty sea air, I was shocked, and made a little guilty, by who I saw peering about on the bridge.

Even though I doubt you guessed it, I'll be nice and tell you anyway. There was Markus, my best friend who I'd forgotten all about on this incredible journey.

As if he sensed me watching him, he jumped and spun around. He immediately tensed and ran off, dodging around people quickly.

I was it quick pursuit. I shoved people aside, yelling "Sorry!" over my back. My heart was racing, and I felt more than a little regret. I totally forgot about Markus! In fact, I hadn't even called my own Mum since I'd left… she must be so worried. Maybe she even sees it as the whole Dad thing all over again…

Markus got held up by some sailors toting huge crates. He tried to dodge under, but by the time he'd maneuvered around, I'd already raced across the bridge and skidded to a stop before the library. Where was he? Where? I looked around frantically. There, by the docks! You can't hide from me, Markus!

I was laughing a little as I sped down at him, watching him yelp as he saw me coming. It was a little like hide-and-go-seek tag, from when we were little, when was no Juliet or Trainers or Pokédex or Professor Rowan- especially, there was no creepy Team Galactic.

Even though he'd had a huge head start, I managed to get him. He'd always been stronger, but I was faster. I grabbed his collar, barely snagging it, and yanked him back, half choking him to death in the process.

"Hi, Roland," he said sheepishly.

"Hey, don't 'Hi, Roland' me! You've got to go home! Your mum must be dying back there!" My stern words were sort of undermined by the goofy smile I couldn't keep off my face.

Always optimistic, Markus said brightly, "At least I didn't smack into you this time! See, I don't have to do that every time we meet!"

"Yeah, yeah." We shared a bro hug. I looked at him. His blond hair was now really lanky. Especially since he spiked it up all the time, it looked like a huge frizz over his head. "Man, you need a haircut."

"So do you," he said, and I laughed, pulling my hat further down over my ears. He was right. My hair was getting long!

"So, Roland!" He clapped me on the shoulder. "Going to challenge the Gym Leader up past here, eh?"

"Ohh, no. Don't distract me! I'm taking you h-"

"Well, you'll have to get past me first. Me and my shiny new Mine Badge!" He sprang back, yanking a Pokéball from his belt. Wow, he actually had a certified Pokémon League Pokéball Belt! The handy device let you clip your Pokéballs to your waist, making it- hey, wait! This is no time to be impressed by him!

I groaned. "I'm just gonna beat you again, Markus!"

He grinned. "We'll see!" He threw the Pokéball. "Go, Staravia!"

The huge bird burst from the Pokéball, crowing with pride. I didn't need a Pokédex to tell me that Staravia was the evolved form of Starly, those pesky little birds that attacked us in Twinleaf.

"Two can play at that game," I muttered. I nudged Raven off my shoulder; she fluttered/fell to the ground. "Okay, Raven, use Sucker Punch!" I could tell that Markus was shocked when my maimed little bird darted over to his monstrous avian and whacked it across the beak with a wing, dancing back before Staravia could hit it with Wing Attack. "Now Faint Attack!" Raven charged into Staravia sharply, taking the bigger bird's attack in stride and circling in again for another hit. Sputtering, the Staravia took to the sky to avoid further attacks. "Alright, wait till it comes down again and get it once more!"

"Quick Attack, and don't let that Murkrow get you again!"

The Staravia pulled down in a dive and scratched Raven sharply down the wing with its talons. It wasn't quick enough, though, because Raven slammed into it. Staravia's body fell, and Markus returned it to its Pokéball.

"Alright, that was a good move," Markus admitted. His eyes were sparkling. "But you'll never defeat this next one!"

"Good battle, Raven. Take a rest," I said, extending an arm so she could climb up to my shoulder again. I smiled as she gave my ear an affectionate peck.

"Okay, I'll send out my… Heracross!" Markus threw the ball with as much force as he could muster. Out came what looked like a huge, blue stag beetle.

I wrinkled my nose in distaste. "Ew. Kanto Pokémon! Mandy's gonna squish you like a bug!"

"Technically, Heracross IS a bug type," Juliet reminded me.

I sighed, brushing away my bangs. "Yes, Juliet. I know. That's what makes it a pun."

Her eyes lit up with understanding. "Ohh! Okay, I gotcha."

I plunged my hand into my pocket, curled my hand around a Pokéball, and released Mandy, who smirked at the competition.

"Can you handle it?" I asked, grinning, as cocky as she was.

"You insult me, boy!" She stomped on the ground and yanked out a huge chunk of concrete from the pavement, which she lobbed at the Heracross. It cried out in pain. It Tackled her, but she easily grabbed it by the horn, swung it around, and chucked it into the river. "Two points!"

"Good job!" I praised as Markus returned his bug before it drowned. He was looking at me in surprise and dismay.

He shook his head. "Man, Roland! When did you get so strong?"

"It's called training, Markus; you ought to try it!" I did a little wiggly victory dance.

"Yeah, yeah. For someone who doesn't even like Pokémon Trainers, you sure make a good one! But my next Pokémon will shut you down. Let's go, Ponyta!"

"Child's play!" crowed Mandy. And she was right, of course. She easily defeated it with her type advantage. Furrowing his brow, Markus sent out his second to last Pokémon, a Buizel. I'd seen them before, little annoying water weasels that picnickers seemed to favor. I'd seen its evolved form, too… Floatzel… I felt an unexpected pang in my chest as an image of Crasher Wake's crushed Pokémon floated before my eyes. I shook it away irately. He'd hurt Opal! He deserved for one of his Pokémon to… die…

Well, I'd never let Mandy battle with such a disadvantage. I sent out Natalie in her stead, who let out a raucous war cry. Before I could say a word, she was slicing and dicing Buizel with her X-Scissor, laughing manically as it fell to the ground unconscious.

A little more than freaked out, Markus withdrew the poor thing. "That Kricketune is scary."

"So I've been told." Giving Natalie an amused look, I took her back.

"Only one last Pokémon," Markus said in a sing-song voice. "But you won't defeat this one! Go, Salad!"

Out erupted his MVP, his closer, and it was… still a Turtwig.

"Why hasn't your Turtwig evolved?" I wondered, ogling. It sure looked mature enough to become a Grotle.

"Why hasn't your Piplup evolved?" he snapped back, suddenly all defensive and angry. Then he shook his head. "…Sorry. I don't know why he can't. He just… won't."

"Juliet, either," I said, gaze lingering on Salad. Then I shook my head. "Sorry, mind's wandering. I'll defeat your little pest with my Lopunny!" Opal bounded out.

"Lopunny? L-A-M-E! Salad, start with- WHAT?"

Opal, enraged at Markus's insult, swung around, dropping into a crouch and sweeping the Turtwig off its feet with her Iron Tail. I laughed hysterically.

"A 1-hit-KO!" I was cracking up! Oh- oh- tears were stinging my eyes, this was priceless! "I knocked out your Pokémon in one hit! Oh, this is rich!" I cackled even louder seeing his astonished look.

Markus slowly returned his Turtwig. "Wow, Roland," he said slowly, obviously awed. "That… shouldn't have happened. I've been training nonstop!"

I crumpled slightly. "I can't find anyplace good to train." I looked up, brightening. "Hey, care to give me a few tips…?"

"Aw, really, Roland?" He pouted. "You beat me and you want my private training spot?" He saw my look and gave a bemused, goofy look. "Ehehe. Joking. It's called Iron Island. Go to the docks and find Eldritch and tell him you want to go there. He's a nice sailor, really. Has a wife and a kid. And a very nice boat, if I may say so myself- the S.S. Casey, after his son."

"Which boat?" I asked, looking to the wharf and scanning the names painted on the hulls. There was no answer. I turned slightly. "I said, which-" I gaped. There was Markus, all the way back up at the bridge again. He waved jauntily and ran off.

"MARKUS!" I yelled, shaking my fist.

Juliet snickered, saying under her breath, "Old man."

I grumbled. "Be quiet, you." Kicking a rock over the sea wall and down a long drop into the water, I started trudging up the incline toward the bridge. Juliet hurried after.

"Where ya goin'?"

"Library," I grumbled.

"Hey, it's not your fault Markus got away. …Okay, it was." She snickered. I rolled my eyes.

"Juliet, watch your back. Don't make me put you in your Pokéball."

She feigned terror. "Oh, please, no, anything but my custom made luxury Piplup-specialized Rowan Labs Pokéball."

"Well, okay, if you love it so much-"

She paled considerably as I reached for the Pokéball. "Uh, no thank you, ah, thank you."

I grinned. "Juliet, you're adorable." I crouched, gave her a squeeze, and picked her up, carrying her under my arm like a football as I walked.

Juliet looked happy. She glanced up at Raven on my shoulder. "Haven't been up here in a while- not since you showed up, mute bird."

Raven squawked in her face.

I walked up to the Canalave Library, not paying much attention to the Gym right beside it. I jumped. "Dawn?"

Dawn turned, face lighting up at the sight of me. "Rolaaand!" She wrapped her arms around my neck. I hugged her back, and pulled back to look at her.

"You look good," I remarked.

"You too!" she giggled. She grabbed my scarf, pulling me toward the library door. "Come on, Professor Rowan's waiting inside. He wants to see you."

"Okay?"

We went inside and ran up three flights of stairs. Everything smelled like leather, paper, and glue. Papers rustled. Other than that and footsteps, things were silent in the Canalave Library.

At the third floor, we stopped at the top of the stairs. Professor Rowan was leaning back in a chair, reading a book. He looked up, seeing us. "Hm? Everyone's here." He motioned us over. Dawn and I took a seat opposite him, Juliet on my lap. My hands curled together with Dawn's under the table.

"Read this, Roland," the professor commanded. He handed me the book. I read:

"In the beginning, there was only a churning turmoil of chaos. At the heart of chaos, where all things become one, appeared an Egg. Having tumbled from the vortex, the Egg gave rise to the Original One. From itself, two beings the Original One did make."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Juliet, kind of irked at the strange text.

"Read on, Roland," said the professor. I nodded.

"Time started to spin. Space started to expand. From itself again, three living things the Original One did make. The two beings wished, and from them, matter came to be. The three living things wished, and from them, spirit came to be. The world created, the Original One took to unyielding sleep…"

"Skip to page thirty-two."

I rustled through the pages. "Three Pokémon there were. Into the lakes they dove. Deep, deep, drawing no breath. Deeper, deeper they dove. Into suffocating depths they dove. Deeper, then deepest they alight. From the lake floor they rise. Bearing with them the power to make vast lands, they rise again."

"And now page thirty-nine. Pay special attention to this one."

"Betray not your anger, lest ? will come. Weep not with sorrow, or ? will draw near. When joy and enjoyment come natural as the very air, that is happiness. Let such be blessed by the hand of Master ?." I looked up. "What are the blanks in this, Professor?"

He grunted. "I found that text myself in the ancient ruins of Celestic, inscribed on some stone plates. Their elder did not wish me to take them… of course, that's neither here nor there. Ahem. I took them and translated them myself, but those words were scratched out beyond comprehending. But I have reason to believe that they are legendary Pokémon."

I frowned, trying to follow along.

The professor looked at us rather grimly. "Roland, Dawn, listen up. You may have forgotten already, but I study the evolution of Pokémon." He let out a sigh that made me think he was really longing for a smoke. "But the more I study, the more mysteries appear and multiply. Pokémon that evolve, and those that don't… What makes them different from each other? Do those that are immature as living beings evolve to ones more mature? If so, what do we make of the Pokémon that don't evolve? Are we to assume that legendary Pokémon are complete as creatures? Can the power of the legendaries be used for human purposes?"

That gave me a tingle of discomfort. "That's almost like Galactic thinking, sir."

He glanced at me sharply, saying quickly, "No, no. I was thinking for purely theological reasons. In any case, this is where you two come in. In the three lakes of Sinnoh, there are said to be three mirage Pokémon."

I nodded, leaning back a little and giving Dawn's hand a squeeze. "Yeah, I've heard of them. Mesprit, Azelf…"

"Uxie," Dawn finished. Something flashed in her eyes, but I didn't recognize the emotion. She pulled her hand away.

"Correct. These also happen to be the legendary Pokémon I believe those ancient texts were speaking of. If we can obtain data on them, it may shed some light on how the process of Pokémon evolution works. I need help from both of you on this grand undertaking." Professor Rowan's fingers twitched irritably. "Markus's would be nice too, but he's not very dependable… Hm." He sighed, shaking his head. "Roland. Help me find these Pokémon that are considered to be mirages."

Dawn looked up, but her voice didn't have its usual perk. It was kind of sad. "You can count on me! It will help with my Pokédex, too."

The corners of Rowan's mouth curled up a little. "Hm! I would have made all of you go regardless. Now, there are three lakes. Fortuitously, there are three of us. We should therefore split up and investigate the lakes individually."

"I want Lake Verity," Dawn said, still listless. She picked at her dress. "I'd like to visit your hometown, Roland, and that would work out perfectly since it's near Twinleaf."

"I must go to Lake Acuity," said the professor. "That's almost at Snowpoint City. Only a weathered Trainer would be able to stand the harsh road, therefore I will go, seeing as I am the most mature. And that leaves Roland to..."

"Lake Valor?" I finished, eager to show my knowledge.

"That lake is between Pastoria and Veilstone, if memory serves..." said Professor Rowan. I suddenly noticed his pale fingers begin to grip the table, as if bracing himself for someth-

"AGH!"

We all shouted, cried out, screamed, or, in Juliet's case, BubbleBeamed in panic. The whole building was shaking from side to side. The ground itself was trembling. Bookshelves were overturned; books were thrown across the ground. I grabbed Dawn and pulled her to the ground. I shielded her and Juliet with my body. Clutching the windowsill, Professor Rowan managed to stay upright, but the window cracked. The glass rippled scratches across his wrinkled arm.

Slowly, the shaking stopped. I was holding my breath, listening to Juliet and Dawn breathing beneath me.

Rowan spoke first. "…Has it stopped? Are you unharmed?"

"I'm okay," came Dawn's high, shaky voice from underneath me.

"Good here," I said hoarsely, shuddering, bowels still constricted with fear. I rolled off the girls.

Rowan nodded briskly. "L-let's go outside, but be careful. I'm concerned about the city." He helped Dawn up. I was still lying on my back on the floor, heart juddering at a million miles per hour. He extended a hand to me. Sucking in my breath to try to slow my heartbeat, I took it and let him pull me to my feet. He steadied me. "Are you OK, boy?"

"Y-yes. I th-think so. Just shaken up."

"Let's go, then."

We walked down the stairs rather than ran, our legs still feeling like they were made of jelly. Other library-goers were still cowering, and we found one girl stuck under a bookshelf [Juliet Grass Knotted it off her]. The damage seemed bad. Tons of books were ripped out of the spines, and many bookshelves were splintered. Not one window survived.

"All this lost knowledge…" I murmured sadly.

Juliet was more than a little freaked out. "Sinnoh just had its first earthquake in ever and you're worrying about the library?"

"Yeah… sorry… priorities and all. It's just, this is the only library in Sinnoh. It's like a relic."

"Yup, well, you've got a point too."

We exited fearfully out back into Canalave.

The bay gurgled and bubbled as ships slowly sank down to the muddy bottom. Those that had survived had broken masts. Half the Pokémon Center had sunk into the ground. Several houses had collapsed, and the bridge had broken and fallen into the water. The only unaffected building was the Gym. I looked around in horror.

"Why isn't the Gym hurt?" I asked.

"It makes sense. It's a steel Gym, anyway. Literally, its leader uses steel types." Professor Rowan's expression darkened. "But I have no idea what is taking place. You must find out! But before you go, let me stress: Do not get in over your head. We will try to join you as soon as we inspect our respective lakes.

I didn't reply for a moment. I was thinking. I've already gotten in over my head. Galactic has almost killed me before. But I said, "Yes, Professor."

"Roland, you'll be OK, won't you?" Dawn looked worried for me.

I looked over to her, swallowing the lump of fear in my throat. "Yeah," I said shortly. "I'll be fine."

-0-

Lake Valor, between Pastoria and Veilstone? I remembered that lake, I thought, but I hadn't been allowed in because of some scientific wildlife protection mumbo-jumbo. Or so I'd been told. 'Cause now I was thinking that it was the work of Team Galactic.

During the journey, I read a book that Professor Rowan had recommended to me before we left the library. It was actually enthralling. The title was A Horrific Myth.

'Look not into the Pokémon's eyes. In but an instant, you'll have no recollection of who you are. Return home, but how? When there is nothing to remember? Dare not touch the Pokémon's body. In but three short days, all emotions will drain away. Above all, above all, harm not the Pokémon. In a scant five days, the offender will grow immobile in entirety,' I read silently.

It was evening, nearing dusk. I headed through the trees, toward the lake. It was about a five minute walk before I started hearing voices. I furrowed my brow. Team Galactic… what are you up to here?

It was true. I didn't know what their aim was. I didn't understand what their motives were. They came out of nowhere, tried to kill me, headed off. Who were Team Galactic, really?

I could hear them already. I returned Raven to her Pokéball and motioned for Juliet to be very silent. We hid behind some trees.

"Hahaha!" someone was cackling. "Next stop, Lake Verity! The closest civilization is that hick town called Twinleaf! We can roll in there completely unopposed!"

First a chill ran up my spine- that was where Dawn was!- then, white-hot anger washed over me. I sprang up. "HEY! Don't bag on Twinleaf!"

The grunts' heads snapped to me. They smirked. Then they stared. Then they shrieked. Then they sadly returned the Pokémon that Juliet had devastated to their Pokéballs.

I smirked. "Now, boys, what were you saying about Twinleaf?"

I relished their expressions. They hung their heads. "Sorry, sir," they mumbled, trudging off.

Juliet froze. "H-hey, Roland."

"Yeah?"

"Take a look at our surroundings."

Stopping to look around, dismay flooded me.

"Where's Lake Valor?" she squeaked.

I stared. "Juliet… we're standing in Lake Valor."

There was nothing left, just a huge, scorched crater. Pools of water were swirling in the cracks, poor Magikarp flopping around and slowly dying.

"No…" I breathed, moving in.

A grunt shrugged. "Magikarp are worthless. Even Team Galactic has no use for them!" She kicked one. I clenched my fists and stalked toward the center of the crater. A cave stood there, little more than a hole in the ground, really.

Another Galactic grunt tried to block me. Dust was thrown up, turning the scene eerie as Mandy swept him away and defeated him. For good measure, she smacked him, throwing him to the ground.

Nose trickling blood, the grunt snarled. "So, you're tough. Big deal. What do you think you can accomplish? There's one of you up against the entire Team Galactic. By now, another crew should be on their way to Lake Verity near that puny little Twinleaf Town! Come on. We're Team Galactic! The number one crime syndicate in the world! To defy us is to defy the universe! It's too late to make any difference. Things are going to get really interesting now. All the legendary Pokémon are going to be brought to our HQ in Veilstone!"

I stormed over to where the grunt lay, grabbing him by the shirt and lifting him off the ground. "Tell me what happened here, please," I said. My tone of voice was not at all imploring.

He managed a sneer. The kind that said, 'You've beaten me now, but I pity what'll happen to you in the future.' "We had to get to the middle of the lake. So we just blew it all up with a Galactic bomb!"

I let out a long breath, letting him back down and walking towards the hole.

There was a man standing above the hole with his hands on his hips. He wore the Team Galactic livery, but he made it look good. He was skinny, but had muscular shoulders. His hair was blue. Not blue black like my hair, but pale, sky blue. It was curly. He was good looking, the kind of person who the girls swoon over on soap operas.

I walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"The mission is proceeding without a hitch," he said without looking at me. "The boss should be pleased. Everything is for everyone, and for the good of Team Galactic." He turned to me. "I recognize your face. You're the child who raided the Team Galactic building in Eterna. Humph! Jupiter should be ashamed of herself, being beaten by a child. But anything and anyone that opposes Team Galactic must be crushed! Even the very thought of opposition will not be tolerated."

I smiled humorlessly. "Who are you?"

"The name's Saturn, friend. And you're Roland."

"Well, let's get this battle on the road, eh?" I reached into my pocket. Saturn touched my elbow, stopping me with a smile of his own. His was cruel.

"Aha, no, I'm not going to fight you. Do you think I'm mad? Of course, I'd lose." He used a sing-song tone of voice: "'…You, my friend, are tough! …I can see how you defy us so. Gah! Even I, a Commander, only managed to buy us time?' But that's fine. A child like you would never be able to stem the flow of time."

A light bulb flashed in my head. "You're stalling me."

"Yes. By now, Mars will be well underway in the retrieval of the Lake Pokémon from Verity."

"Thanks for the heads-up! I'll be there just in time to save the day!"

Saturn grabbed my elbow again before I could run off. "Sorry, but I can't let you do that, friend. There are other ways of stalling than to battle you."

A shiver ran up my body suddenly. His eyes were like ice. They were freaky. Emotionless. Like some creepy puppet. I tried to pull away, but his grip was like iron. He grabbed my other arm, and twisted both behind my back.

"All I need you to do is look down into that hole. Am I going to have to force you, or are you going to do it peacefully?"

"Let go!" Head buzzing with adrenaline, I thrashed frantically.

Saturn sighed. "Sorry to do this, friend." He forced my neck down, and before I could stop myself, I took a fleeting glance down in the deep, dark hole. It was black in there. All I could see was two yellow eyes.

Immediately I felt a pull on my spirit, as if my soul was spiraling down, sucked into those bright eyes. And suddenly, my mind collapsed. A billion memories swirled around, and I became disoriented. Where was I? Who was I?

I felt a shove on my back. Saturn pushed me in. I took a tumble to the bottom of the shaft and lay still as everything turned black.

-0-

I began my new existence in a black hole, surrounded by coldness and muggy air.

My first impression was that of pain. My face was pressed up against the stone ground as I lay there. I pulled myself up into sitting position on creaky limbs, hugging my knees to my chest. That's when I realized that my hand was clutching something. I forced my fingers to uncurl, feeling like a stranger in my own body, and stared at the scrap of paper, waiting for my eyes to adjust.

When they finally did, I read the scrawled note. Thank you for your assistance in apprehending Uxie, the lake Pokémon! Your friend, Saturn

I wanted to cry, but no tears would come. I had an oily taste in my mouth. I was at the bottom of a hole somewhere, alone.

Who am I?

I… I could remember nothing of my life.

How could this be possible? My mind was functioning flawlessly, calculating my surroundings. I could imagine dew dripping down the leaves, Magikarp dangling on the end of fishing poles, Starly perched on trees, a bay full of ships. I could add thirty-seven and fourteen- fifty-one- and knew that Kanto was adjacent to Sinnoh. Knowledge, facts and images, details of the world and how it works, was an open book before me.

But I didn't know where I came from. I didn't know how I'd gotten here, or who my parents were. I didn't even know my name.

I crawled back until I found the wall, sliding my back up it and standing. I paced the perimeters of the room. It was only a few square feet wide. Violent claustrophobia flooded over me. I threw my body up against the walls, slamming my shoulders into the rock.

"Someone… help… me!" I screamed, throat raw, pounding my fists on any available surface. There was no hidden catch or stairway or passage. The only entrance and exit was the mouth of the hole, a good four feet out of reach.

I slowly sank down into a crouch, trying to ignore the lump in my throat. For the millionth time, I searched my memory, rifling through them desperately. Nothing. Blankness. I buried my face in my hands, resisting the urge to scream again.

That's when I noticed the pain in my thighs. Something was digging into them. It took me a moment to figure it out. I plunged my hands into my pockets and ended up with handfuls of Pokéballs. I stared at the red and white capsules for a moment before hesitantly pressing the button of one.

The red flash of light briefly illuminated the hole. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust once more, but when they did, I saw some creepy… bug thing before me. It had sword-like arms and weird feeler things. Its eyes were red, disturbing.

I shouted in alarm, scrambling back. I reached for the Pokéball it had come from, but which was it? There were so many!

"Roland~?" asked the bug hesitantly. It sounded female.

Roland? Was that my name? "St-stay back!"

"Uh, Roland, you're acting funny~. Where are we~?"

"'Roland?'" I sized her/it/whatevertheheck up. She didn't seem to be hostile, or moving at me. "Are you talking me?"

"Uh, yes~," said the bug, sounding disconcerted. "Is this a joke~?"

"No! Who are you?"

Now the bug was starting to panic a little bit. "What the heck happened, Roland? This isn't funny!"

"I'm not trying to be!" I yelled. In my attempt to back up, I kicked a Pokéball, unwittingly releasing the beast inside.

Another flash of red light, and this time a little bird Pokémon appeared. I couldn't help but smile. It was adorable! Silver and blue all over, it remarkably resembled a penguin. She was gasping all over, as if being in the Pokéball had pained her.

"Juliet!" yelled the bug.

"What's wrong, Natalie?" asked the penguin.

"It's Roland~!" said the bug, Natalie, terrified. "He doesn't recognize me~!"

"What? No," said the penguin. She turned to me. "You know Natalie, right, Roland?"

"I- no, sorry, I don't," I said, flustered. The penguin's jaw dropped.

"Come on," the penguin insisted. "Take a good look!"

I did, desperately scouring the bug's face, alert for any flicker of recognition. Nothing happened.

I shook my head. "Sorry, nothing."

Natalie was going around to the other Pokéballs, clicking each of them. Out came an ugly black bird, a mass of rock with arms and a barrette, and a tall, curvy rabbit. I waved.

"Hey, nice to meet you," I began. The penguin cut me off.

"No, no, no! Roland, we're your Pokémon, you caught us and raised us-" the penguin's voice broke a little. "Do you know me? Do you know me, at least? Juliet?"

I looked her over, very carefully. Obviously, she was very concerned about this.

"No," I finally answered. I looked around at them all. "Not any of you. I've never seen any of you guys before in my life. Sorry."