Ian woke up to the sound of screaming. Confused and disoriented, he got out of his bed and reached to where he usually leaves his bag, but it wasn't there.

That's weird, where did my bag go? Ian thought. No one could have possibly taken it without him noticing. Screw it, there were more important matters at hand.

He left his room and discovered that Nuzleaf was nowhere to be found. No letter, no trace. Nothing. Ian began to suspect something was wrong, very wrong. He couldn't shake this strange feeling. A feeling of familiarity.

Why do have the sense of déjà vu? Ian thought. Is this somehow involved with my past human life?

Realising that sitting around and wondering wasn't going to answer his questions. Ian decided to leave the house and try to find Patience, if there's one thing he wouldn't want to be right now, is to be alone and without his partner. When he stepped outside, he felt a chill run down his spine. The sky was blood red and he didn't know why.

"What the hell is going on...?!" Ian said to himself, now more concerned than ever. He quickly rushed over to Patience's house, hoping to find the fire fox Pokemon there. He tried opening the door to her house, but it was locked. No matter how many times he tried pushing and pulling the door, the results were futile. What other place he knew that he could find Patience?

The hill with the big tree... Of course!

Ian went into a dash, wanting to know what was going on. His mind still racing with questions. What happened? Where did everyone go? Why was the sky red? The questions only made him even more unsettled.

When he arrived at the big tree, he saw Patience, but not in a state he was expecting. She was sitting down, her face buried in her own fur, as if she was crying. Ian nervously approached the fire fox Pokemon and reached out for her.

"Patience...?" He called out, turning the fire fox Pokemon to face him. What he saw horrified him.

Patience pupils were completely white, her mouth hanged opened, her head twitching uncontrollably. Ian felt sick in his stomach, he could feel the insides of his body mushing together as if into a pile of goop.

"YOu CaNNot eScaPE yoUR pAsT iAn!" "Patience" said.

Ian wanted to scream, but nothing came out. His whole body froze in place and he couldn't run away as the demonic looking Patience approached him, grabbed him by the shoulders and stared at him with her dead, white eyes. Ian screamed as loud as he could, for the first time in his life.

He felt scared, and hopeless.

Ian jumped out of bed breathing heavily, his whole body was sweating and shaking.

It was just a dream..., it was just a dream...

"What in tarnations is going on?!" Nuzleaf asked, rushing into the mudfish Pokemon's room. When he saw the terrified and shaking Ian, he quickly went up to him and have him a reassuring hug.

"It was just a dream, it was just a dream..." Ian kept repeating, still traumatised by what he saw.

"Everything's alright now." Nuzleaf reassured. "You just had a real bad dream, that's all."

After a few minutes, Ian finally calmed down and sat with Nuzleaf, explaining what he had saw in his dream.

"Oh my...! That sure gave me the jitters!" He said. "But like I said, it's only a dream, you should forget about it and move on."

"Yeah... I guess you're right." Ian replied.

After having his breakfast, Ian got his bag and waved Nuzleaf goodbye and left to begin the day. When he was outside, Patience was already waiting for him, happily smiling.

"Good morning Ia-!" Patience was interrupted with Ian suddenly hugging her, taking the fire fox Pokemon by surprise.

The mudfish Pokemon gripped Patience tighter, not wanting to let go. He still felt scared, but the warmth of Patience's fur calmed him down.

"Um, what's this about?" Patience asked, confused.

Ian released her and gave Patience an awkward stare, unsure as to how to respond.

"I- uh was just feeling a little worked up." Ian said. "I feel much calmer now, thanks."

"You're... welcome...?" Patience said, giving Ian a weird expression. He continued hugging for a few more second before releasing Patience.

"Well, let's get to work then." Ian said.

"Wait, before that there's something you need to know." Patience said.

"About what?"

Patience ushered Ian to followed her, which he complied. They walked a few meters away from their house, before Patience stopped and turned around.

"Remember when Nuzleaf told us about that story about how a human came down from Revelation Mountain?" She asked.

"What about it?"

"Well, I asked my pops about the story and he gave me a weird expression, saying he has not heard of such a thing."

"Nuzleaf was lying." Ian deduced.

"But why though? Why did he lie to us about what was at Revelation Mountain?"

Ian couldn't give an answer, he was just as lost in the woods with this. Did Nuzleaf have a hidden motive of wanting to climb the sacred mountain? If so, what and why? He might have to confront Nuzleaf on the matter tonight.

"How can you be so sure?" A voice said.

"I clearly saw them eyeing on her!"

Ian and Patience turned to the source and decided to investigate.

"I'll ask Nuzleaf about it tonight." Ian said.

"Alright then." Patience replied.

Ian and Patience noticed that the voices they heard were of Roselia and Raticate, who were standing by the crossroad that lead to the village plaza.

"What's going on here?" Ian asked.

"Oh, good morning, Ian and Patience." Roselia greeted. "Lastly there has been these strange Pokemon lurking around the outskirts of town."

"Three of them actually." Raticate added. "They looked really suspicious."

"What did they do?" Patience asked.

"I was walking the other day with my Budew when the three of them approached her and started looking at her, as if they were looking for someone."

Wait, could it be...? Ian thought.

"W-what did they look like?" Ian asked, hoping the three Pokemon weren't who he thought.

"Well, they were small, brown in colour and they float. They also seem to communicate by flashing their lights on their hands at each other." Roselia said.

Ian's blood froze at the mention of the flashing lights, there was only one Pokemon he knew as of recent that matched that description.

Beheeyem, they had found him.

"Well, you kids better be careful when you go outside the village." Raticate said, as he and Roselia left to their normal routines, leaving Ian and Patience to themselves. Ian was still shocked at the revelation of the Beheeyem's returning, how did they manage to track him down? Have they been searching for me ever since that encounter when I first woke up in this world?

"Ian? Ian!" Patience called out, snapping the mudfish Pokemon back into reality. "What's up with you today? You've been acting really weird."

"We need to talk, now."

"What?!" Patience yelled. "Those Pokemon that Roselia mentioned attacked you before you first arrived here?!"

"Yeah." Ian replied. "I didn't know why they attacked me and Nuzleaf, but now that they're here, it's only a matter of time before they find me. That's why I-" His voice trailed off at the mentioned of that, he didn't know what he should do, he didn't want the other villagers to get involved in this and get harmed in the process.

There was one way, but it's not going to be pleasant.

"I have to leave the village." He said. "I don't want to get you, or any of the other villagers in harms way."

"Are you serious?!" Patience exclaimed. "You're just going to leave like that?" The fire fox's head faced down, she understood but at the same time felt disappointed. "And just when I finally found a close friend." She felt a hand lifting her head, Ian had move her head to face him, he could see the sadness in his eyes as well, but still managed to force a smile.

"Thank you Patience." He said. "You've been a wonderful friend, showing me around and helping me out. I'll never forget you."

Must not cry. Ian thought. Must. Not. Cry!

"And besides, you still have this with you to remember me." Ian reached into Patience's scarf and pulled out the twig necklace that he had made for her.

"You're right." Patience said. "But

where are you going to go though, it's a big world out there and you can't always be on the run."

She was right. He can't be running away forever, he had to go somewhere, somewhere he knew of people that could give him a place to stay and lay low.

He knew just the place.

"The Expedition Society." He said. "I could go to the Expedition Society and maybe they could help me out."

Patience eyes widened at the suggestion.

"We're Junior Expedition Society members... Of course!" She exclaimed. "We could head to Lively Town and they could probably let us in the Expedition Society."

"Woah woah woah hold on minute, what's this "we" business? You're not coming with me."

"Yes I am, it has always been my dream of joining the Expedition Society, and I'm not going to leave you damnit!"

Ian was surprised at the fire fox's Pokemon sudden outburst. Did she really care for him that much?

"Even if you wanted to," Ian said. "Carracosta won't agree to this."

"Then I'll make him agree! I'm going to ask him to finally let me leave the village and explore the world!"

Patience ran off back in the direction of her house before Ian could even object. The Fennekin was stubborn, that's for sure, but he could empathise with her of wanting to achieve her dreams. Ian shook his head, he needed to remain focused. He needed to tell Nuzleaf about this, tell him that he had to leave the village and he needed to some help with directions of how to get to Lively Town.

And he knew just the Pokemon.

Gadget placed the last of her valuables into her bag. It was time for her to leave Serene Village and head back to Lively Town. She honestly felt nervous, intimidating outlaws hardly made her flinch. But the thought of returning to the Expedition Society, the thought of returning to the place she turned her back on six months ago, it made her uneasy. But she she had hit a dead end and now the Expedition Society is her only lead left in solving this once and for all.

"Leaving so soon?"

Gadget cleared her thoughts and immediately switched to her battle stance at whoever was at her door. It turned out to be Ian, one of the children of Serene Village.

"Knock on the door will you?" She said annoyingly, to which Ian only scoffed. "And to answer your question, yes I'm leaving."

"Would your destination be Lively Town by chance?"

Gadget's eyes widened in surprise, how does the Mudkip figure out everything?

"Why would you want to know?" She asked.

Ian proceeded to explain everything that had just occurred. He mentioned how he was actually a human, Gadget surprisingly showed no reaction to that reveal, which confused Ian. He then told her about the three Beheeyems outside of the village and were looking for him, he needed to leave the village as soon as possible and that the Expedition Society was the best option he could think of.

"I see, you want to leave the village because you don't want to get the villagers involved in this." Gadget summarised. "An admirable act, but a costly one."

"I need to leave the villagers, Nuzleaf," Ian said. "Patience..."

"We all have to make sacrifices sometimes." Gadget said, frowning. Ian noticed Gadget's change in expression when she said sacrifice, curious. "I give you until tomorrow night, I'll be leaving for Lively Town with or without you."

"Thank you Gadget." Ian said. That was one thing of his list of preparations, now he needed to gather supplies for the long journey ahead.

And say goodbye to Nuzleaf.

"So that's what they've been up to. I can't imagine them leaving without saying a proper goodbye. I need to inform the others about it."

"For the last time, no!" Carracosta said.

"I'll be fine on my own out there pops!" Patience said.

"Naive child! You don't understand the dangers of the world outside! You won't even last a day!"

"You won't know that!" Patience yelled back. "I've gotten stronger and stronger the past few days, plus I have Ian with me!"

"I won't allow it!" Carracosta exclaimed. "And that is FINAL!"

Carracosta stormed out of the house in frustration, leaving the fire fox Pokemon alone in the house. She knew the prototurtle Pokemon cared for her and wanted the best for her, but he was sometimes too overprotective. It didn't matter, because it wasn't going to change her mind.

She was leaving with Ian, no matter what.

"You said what now?! Them Beheeyems have returned and are right outside the village?!" Nuzleaf exclaimed.

"That's right. This is why I have to leave the village, I don't want the Beheeyem harming you or anyone else in the village."

Nuzleaf frowned, the thought of someone he almost considered a son having to leave him, he understood the situation but knew there had to be another way.

"No, you stay here. We can protect you." Nuzleaf said, his tone almost making it sound like an order.

"B-but, if I don't leave the village will be in danger!" Ian said.

"We can protect you, Ian. Serene Village will fight anyone who dares harm our children." Nuzleaf said. "Don't worry Ian, you'll be just fine staying right where you are."

"If you say so..." Ian left the house, feeling conflicted. Coincidentally, Patience left her house as well, looking rather annoyed.

"So, how did it go?" He asked.

"Carracosta's not on board with this. What about Nuzleaf?"

"Nada." He said. "He said the village can protect me if it comes to it."

"Are you going to take his advice?" Patience asked.

"It pains me to say it, but no." Ian replied. "I'm not taking any chances." He sighed, the mudfish Pokemon felt his head spin. Everything was going downhill and it wasn't even noon yet. "Gadget is willing to take me to Lively Town, I have until tomorrow night to prepare.

"Wait, Gadget?"

"Long story short she's leaving Serene Village and heading for Lively Town, so I'm tagging along with her." Ian explained.

"I'm coming with you." Patience said. "Regardless of what my pops said."

"You don't have to do this..." Ian said, almost pleading the fire fox Pokemon to not follow him.

"No, I've made my decision." She said. "I want to make it up to you after everything you've done for me."

Ian stared at her for a few seconds, before finally giving in.

"Let's get to work then." He said. "We'll spend the rest of tomorrow stocking up on items."

Patience nodded and the two made their way to the village gates. Their Junior Expedition Society duties still need to be done.

Plus they needed the extra money for the journey ahead.

A/N: Thank goodness I've finally reached this part in the PSMD story. If you want my honest opinion, the whole segment in Serene Village in the games felt slow and unnecessary. It's only when you leave the village is where the story truly begins.

Anyway, if you haven't noticed, as of writing this. I've finally found an artist to help me draw a new cover for my story. You can scroll up/switch to desktop mode on your phone to see it and I would like to thank my friend for making it for me.

With that said, this is Ikcacther, signing off!