A pretty big chapter this time, a lot of stuff in this one. I've been thinking about event placing and when to introduce things and I think this is a good time to add in some new elements. People who read the old story should notice some differences, hopefully they work out!

I know I haven't had a "Question of the Chapter" in a while, so I have one now.

Who do you think the people Pyro talks about in this chapter are? What do you think (if anything) of the last section of the chapter?

Answer them if you're feeling up to it, don't if you don't want to. Once again, any feedback is appreciated but don't feel pressured or anything :P

Anyway, hope you enjoy it

Ace's point of view

My eyes shot open as water was splashed onto me. I gasped and my vision darted around the area I found myself in. I caught a figure sitting across from me and realized that my wings were bound together and that I was leaning against a wall.

"Good, you're okay. I was worried Choke did too much damage to you." Spoke the voice across from me. As my vision cleared I realized I was in the presence of a Buizel who sat in a human-like fashion in a chair across from me.

"Who are you?" I asked directly.

The Buizel smiled "I'm Blake, co-leader of the Resistance. I already know who you are Ace so no need to explain."

I sighed "So you've been keeping track of me?"

"Not you exactly, you just happen to be attached to someone we've been keeping track of. But that's not important right now." He stood up "You must be hungry, you've been out since yesterday." He picked up a bowl on the floor "Bread n' berries, good stuff." He placed it next to me "Don't need to eat if you feel like keeping the tough guy appearance but I won't judge if you want to indulge."

"That's a very kind gesture, I almost forgot that I'm your prisoner." I said sharply.

Blake frowned "Look Ace, we're enemies because life has chosen different paths for us. However, that doesn't mean that I shouldn't treat you with at least some respect."

I kept my face clean of emotion as I said "What do you want out of me, not that I don't enjoy the pleasantries but I'd like to get on with it."

"Direct huh? Ok then." The Buizel sighed "Honestly there's nothing that we need to know from you. We wanted to figure out a way to get you and Crystal here to talk some things through, and when you fell into our lap earlier today we knew we had found our chance."

"Why do you want to talk with us, we already did what you said and got Claire to meet with you… And where the hell is my trainer?" I demanded.

The Buizel looked genuinely confused "I'm sorry, but I don't know what your talking about."

My frown grew large "Don't lie to me, Zain even admitted to having him and his sister."

Blake shook his head "Ace we don't have your trainers, we have no idea what happened to them."

"I thought you said you respected me, is lying how you show that. We let Claire talk with you..."

"I thought she came under her own will... Ace what are you talking about?"

My anger erupted "Crystal and I's trainers disappeared after the fight on the road and we've been trying to find them since. Zain told us that you had him and that you'd let him go if we let Claire come with him..." I paused, fuming, my eyes wide and angry "Someone is lying here."

The water type glared at me in silent shock. His fists tightened and small frown found its way to his face "We don't have your trainers Ace, or at least I do to know anything about it..."

"Yeah, whatever..." I said in dismissive spite as I struggled with the rope that tied by wings together "You said you wanted to talk. Let's just get that out of the way so I can stop looking at you." Blake looked upset at my tone, but I didn't care. Being lied to was something I never liked and with the situation being what it was I wasn't going to hide any animosity.

"I'm trying to get some knowledge on what Team Rocket's been up to in the region. We've been seeing a rising number of Rocket scouts looking and the city and the area around it. Frankly it makes me nervous seeing Team Rocket lurking in the shadows so I want to know what's up." replied Blake "Problem is I know you aren't going to say anything about it-"

"I wouldn't even if I knew something about it." I confirmed angrily.

"That's what I thought." the Buizel frowned "I'll leave you to your thoughts, I need to ask around about your trainer. I'm not lying to you Ace, I don't know where they are."

I kept my brows furrowed to show my fury at the situation.

"I'll be back in a bit, and seriously eat something. I won't have you starving in here." he flashed a quick smile as if he pitied me, then left the room.

The best description of me in that moment would've been livid. I could barely contain my rage as I thought about Zain lying to Crystal and I about our trainers. That useless deceiving fox, I hated him. Played me just to get to Claire and was completely willing to just abandon us. He knew we couldn't go to the police and that we had no one else. Trusting him was a mistake, and he'd pay the moment I was able to make him.

Sighing I let my anger recede as I took a small bit of the bread Blake had given me. It was fresh, still a little hot too. Berries were cold as well and just a little bit under-ripe. Slowly I started to regret getting angry at the Buizel. He was being kind to me, his enemy, when he had no reason to. All I did was confirm stereotypes about Rocket grunts while he did nothing but be civil to me.

'Great job Ace, you might've just lost the favor of the nicest captor ever...' I thought.

I started to wonder how Crystal was doing. She'd be worried, probably assume the worst. It was such a selfish thing for be to just disappear for her when our trainers were already gone. She needs me, and I need her. We keep each other going and calm in the face of danger. I hoped that Claire was in the position to help her figure something out.

"Dammit!" I yelled out loud in desperate anger. The shock of knowing someone was lying to me about Andrew being gone was getting to me. I didn't realize it before, but I really missed my trainer. He's been with me longer than any human and I know he cared about me and Crystal like we were family. I just expected him to turn up after the deal with Zain... like some magic trick. If the Resistance didn't have them... then what happened? Thoughts swirled in my head, they could've been captured by someone else or they could've died. Many of them came and went, but one kept coming back stronger and stronger. What if they had abandoned us. What if they actually hated us and were trying to find a way to get rid of us?

What if they didn't love us anymore... what if they never did?

The door to the room suddenly opened and in stepped the Machoke I had attacked before. The wounds I scratched into him had left sinister looking white scars across his chest and mid-section and the look on his face made it clear that he wasn't here for a friendly reunion.

He looked at my angrily, then stopped and cracked a snide smile "Are you crying."

My eyes went wide as I realized I had shed a few tears during my moment of mental weakness "No. What do you want?"

"I wanted to take a good look at you, make sure that you were tied up." he turned to someone behind him and motioned with his head "All set Sickle."

A Scyther, the same one from the other night, walked in with a calm look on his face. He looked pretty good for someone that had just gotten their ass kicked... says the guy that just got hammered by a single hit...

"He'll do fine." said the Pokemon as he walked up to me and sat down. His eyes closed and his breathing stabilized.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, but the bug-type stayed silent. Just as I was about to ask the Machoke what was going on I realized he had left the room, closing the door behind him.

Frowning deeply I looked back at the Scyther who appeared to be meditating. I didn't know how long this waiting game would last, so I closed my eyes and tied to go to sleep. I felt weak and was tied up in a room with a Pokemon that could kill me in an instant if he wanted to... so I thought best thing I could do was sleep. If he was going to hurt me, I wouldn't be able to stop him if I was awake, and if I was asleep time goes by quicker.

As I got comfortable I tried to get my mind off the current situation. Hopefully it wouldn't last long.

Aqua's point of view

"You seem down, are you okay Aqua?"

I looked up at my trainer and forced a smile. No, I wasn't okay. My brother had been kidnapped for reasons I didn't understand and I was sitting in a Pokemon Center being useless.

Desmond smiled "I know I've only known you for a few days, but I can tell that's a fake smile Aqua." We were sitting in our room in the Pokemon Center, the place we've been staying since we arrived in Cerulean. Contact with humans was something I still wasn't very used to and I think Desmond understood that. He barely touched me, and when he did it was a light pat. "I've got it." Said the blonde with a smile as he stood up "Why don't we go for a walk? Just the two of us?"

I heaved a deep sigh and shrugged dismissively.

He frowned and quickly sat back down "Somethings bothering you, what's wrong. I might be able to help."

I shook my head no, he couldn't help.

"Is it discomfort? Do you not like it here?"

I shook my head again.

"Is someone bothering you?"

No again.

"Is Jack's Umbreon being gone bothering you?"

Surprised he had guessed it I looked up at him and nodded.

He sighed "Yeah, that's been bothering me too." He crossed his arms "The Police say they're on it, but they haven't given us any news and it's been more than a day. Not a sighting, not any evidence or anything." He frowned "I just don't think we can realistically do anything else but wait."

As I listened to my trainer talk I felt something stirring within me. He couldn't do much about the situation, but I could. With Ion and the others I had the ability to do something.

I rubbed my shoulder against Desmond's pant-leg to get him to stop talking. Looking down at me I saw him smile "But I'm sure things will work themselves out." He said as he lightly scratched the back of my neck.

For a moment I actually enjoyed the company of my trainer instead of just bearing it. He was a genuine person, a little lofty about himself, but kind when it mattered.

"Oh, Fern…" he said, shocking me out of my thoughts. I recalled that when Fern wrote that note to the humans explaining the situation with my brother the Chancey at the counter translated her name for them.

The Leafeon shifted her sight over to us. I didn't know what to really think of her. She was an ally, no doubt in that, but she was so secretive. I knew that she wasn't caught but she came and went with such frequency and stealth that it was hard to keep track of her.

Fern raised a brow, almost as a way of asking what the problem was.

"I… I just wanted to thank you for telling us about Night. Your welcome to stay with us anytime you need to." He looked down at me "I don't really know why you keep coming back, but all of the Pokémon around here seem to enjoy your presence… so… yeah." Said Desmond as his thoughts faded away. I never really thought about how awkward it must be for a human to talk to a Pokémon, knowing that they could understand you but you couldn't listen to them.

Fern smiled "Don't worry about it." And nodded her head before walking to the Pokémon Center door. A thought rushed into my head, I needed to talk to her about Umbreon. "Wait Fern!" I yelled before following behind her.

The Leafeon turned around "Yeah, what is it Aqua?"

"I… I wanted to talk to you about Umbreon… or Night… whatever you all call him." I stammered.

Fern looked a little surprised "I don't really know what to tell you… I don't know your brother very well."

"You… how did you meet him? When did you meet him?" I asked.

She looked confused "I met him in the forest near Viridian City, he was being attacked by a group of bug types and I helped him out. It looked like he was protecting an injured Rattata and took on more than he could take." She paused "I'd say that was maybe a month ago."

I nodded "Anything else, did you guys talk?"

"Yeah. He brought me back to where he was living, a crappy little clearing- Not to be insulting or anything." She said suddenly as she caught herself "It was just a little quaint. Um… we talked for a long time, maybe a few hours. He said could stay the night if I wanted to, but I denied his request and we parted."

She wasn't saying what I wanted her to say "What did you guys talk about, anything specific?"

"What's this about Aqua? What are you trying to find out?" asked Fern with a bit of tone in her voice.

"I… I… did he talk about… leaving home at any point?"

Fern shrugged "Maybe… I don't understa-"

"Did he talk about why he left?" I asked with concern.

"Aqua, I don't want to pry. What's going on with you and your brother?" questioned the Leafeon.

I told the truth "Umbreon left home without telling anyone and I want to know why. He didn't have the best relationship with his brother and I was hoping that he didn't leave just to find him."

Fern was silent for a few moments before saying "He did mention that he was trying to find someone, but he didn't know why anymore." Her ears perked up "Would I know this brother of his?"

"Probobly not, he's an Espeon. He left home a year or two before Umbreon." I sighed "I'm sorry for bothering you, I was just wondering."

"Its fine, really. You can ask your brother all about it when we get him out of the Asylum, okay?"

I smiled "Okay."

Fern nodded "I've got something I need to do, so I'll be back later." And with that she turned around and left.

'We're going to save you Umbreon. Just hold on.'

Dawn's point of view

I sighed deeply as I realized where I was.

'My subconscious… again.' I thought as a looked around the endless black landscape 'Great.'

"What is that tone Dawn? Not impressed by me anymore?" boomed the loud voice of Darkrai as the legendary appeared before me "Perhaps your meeting with Cresselia has clouded your thoughts."

I sighed "You saw that? How?"

Darkrai chuckled and zoomed in close to me "I'm a part of you Dawn, I've told you this already and I will continue to remind you. Everything you are and everything you will ever be."

"Does that mean I am a part of you... I'm not sure how this relationship works." I said with uncertainty.

"You aren't afraid of me anymore, that's a wonderful improvement from yesterday... you're even more confident. Good. You need to be considering who you are." The Dark-type floated back from me a bit "Right now, all you need to know is that you are the most important person in this city. Everyone from the highest government official to the lowest street urchin, you are the most valuable."

"You keep saying that, you keep saying I'm so powerful... but I don't feel anything, I don't feel any different than I used to." I looked down at my hands "Cresselia told me that I had a choice in who I want to be. All my life I've been this pathetic weakling, barely able to keep myself safe. I've betrayed my friends and run from my problems." My fists went tight "I'm tired of that. I want to be something more." I felt a feeling of ambition rise from my chest "I want to be the one in control for once." I looked back up at Darkrai "If what you're saying is true, how do I get this power? What can I do to achieve it?

Darkrai, despite not having a mouth, looked visibly pleased "All you must do is accept me. I'm always with you, just let me out."

"That's too vague." I said in spite.

"And now you're mood is changing... fascinating." commented Darkrai

"Don't talk to me like I'm some experiment!" I suddenly yelled before catching myself "What...I-I'm sorry I-"

"You are really changing. Very quickly too. If I were you I'd practice keeping that rage under control, might release some energy that could hurt people... unless that's your intention." said Darkrai.

I frowned and hugged myself "I don't know what's happening to me... is this what's going to happen if I let you be a part of me?"

"No. I don't have control over you Dawn, only influence. Everything you do is your responsibility..." Darkrai paused "Maybe this aggression comes from the self-hatred you've been quietly dealing with?"

I frowned "Of course you know about that."

"You haven't had to really think about it in real terms for a while, but when you saw Ruby all of that changed. You remembered her face, and when a tragedy has a face it's much harder to ignore isn't it?" lectured the legendary.

"Are you patronizing me?" I questioned "Is this all a big joke to you? I've been dealing with that choice for years!"

"And yet when you get the change to face the consequences you run?" answered Darkrai with a question "You need to face your problems instead of running."

"I can't do that when I'm not strong enough!" I yelled back.

"You won't be strong enough until you tap into what you really are."

"What am I then? I part of you? Does my whole existence revolve around being a part of you?"

"Not if you don't want it to."

"Stop these vague answers Darkrai, give me a straight answer!" I screamed back in blind fury.

"You are a result Arceus' grand mistake, you are a bearer of my power. You are Dawn the Purrloin, a spawn of me." he laughed again "You are your father's daughter, and that means you are mine as well."

I was taken aback "My dad? What does he have to do with all of this?"

The legendary got close to me again, so close that his eyes were mere inches from mine. As I stared into is bright blue eyes he replied "My dear... he has to do with everything."

My eyes shot open as I was returned to the physical world and I was quickly reminded of my situation. The cold red lights of the asylum welcomed me into their threatening embrace.

'I'm in a different room.' I thought as I got to my feet to look around my surroundings. All the walls were the same, with the exception being one with a large black metal door that seemed to be more industrial than anything. I tried to open it, but of course it was locked.

"Great... now what?" I said out loud before sitting down. I had no idea how long I had been out, had no way of telling what time it was and had no idea where Pyro or Night were. Sapphire was gone and with her went the promise of me being released.

"Dammit!" I yelled as I let some dark matter seep into my paws, discoloring the metal around them.

Just like when I was on the road, I was alone with my thoughts again.

Night's point of view

"So was that story about letting us go just a straight lie, cus I'm pretty sure we're still in the stupid cell." I said with sharp spite as I looked around the dark cell.

"Might've been." replied Pyro. He understood that the flame on his tail was our main source of light, so he tried his best to keep it in the center of the room "Maybe their thinking about what we said?"

"Yeah, you seemed to have surprised them... mind sharing what the hell you were talking about?" I pried, hoping to get some answers.

The Charmander shrugged "What do you want to know?"

"You seemed pretty well versed on Claire, do you know that crazy Pikachu?" I asked as I remembered my run-in with the violent rodent.

"Not personally, but I know of her and all of her acquaintances. I know she can be dangerous when she wants to, but I haven't fought her yet so I can't speak from personal experience." responded Pyro "I'd say there's about 6 students of the Master running around the world right now, including me of course, Claire is the most unstable."

"Ohh, the master... who's that? Some kind of warrior mystic?" I asked sarcastically, but with a small amount of actual interest.

"He's a shiny Umbreon that taught a bunch of young Pokemon how to fight in an old style that used weapons." replied the Charmander in a tone so blunt it caught me off guard "A pretty nice guy actually, keeps himself healthy too."

"Really? Huh, you said there were 5 others?"

Pyro nodded "Yep, each one of them fights a bit different and they're all doing something. They all know each other since they were taught at the same time, I on the other hand am still in training."

"You're saying this in such a casual tone, it's weird. I feel like your talking about some super secret society." I said.

The Charmander nodded "I kinda am, thing is someone doesn't just find the master. If he wants you to see him, he finds you... not the other way around." Pyro yawned "RIght now, I'm interested in fighting all of them his other students though."

"Why? Have a death wish?" I asked as the thought of Claire stabbing Fern's arm flashed in my head.

"Nope, just wanna test myself... see where my limits are and if I can push them." Pyro smiled as he looked down at his flame "And if White's anywhere nearby I'd love to test myself against him."

I was pretty shocked. The moment I saw Pyro I didn't peg him for the roaming warrior/mercenary type. He just seemed too kind and open. He didn't fit the stereotype of the angsty dark fighter with something to prove.

A small silence followed as I tried to think of something else to say. Eventually a question popped into my head "Have you already fought Fern?"

Pyro shook his head "Nope, haven't fought any of them yet, I've been too busy working with the Resistance. I know Fern's in the city, unless she left since you last saw her."

"Maybe she did... I don't know her very well. We just kinda talked once after she saved my ass." I sighed "You never know though, maybe she's still in the city."

"Well it is possible she went to Vermillion." said Pyro with a laugh "Napoleon's right there, she could pay him a visit."

I stared at the Charmander blankly "Napoleon?"

It was Pyro's turn to stare blankly "You don't know about Napoleon? You know, the Braixen? Wears human clothes... they call him the Reaper of Vermillion?... Nothing?"

"Dude I'm just an Umbreon from the forest, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Pyro sighed "Well when we get out of here and you get back to your trainer I'm sure you'll go to Vermillion city next to challenge the gym there, you'll here more about Napoleon then."

"Is he another one of the Master's students?" I inquired.

The Charmander put a large smile on his face "Is he? Night... Napoleon might be the best of the Master's students."

Napoleon's point of view

'This is as good as your going to look, stop fretting over it' I thought as I buttoned up the blazer. The white fur that adorned my shoulders and chest had been trimmed down so that only a bit of it puffed out of the open area at the top of the jacket. Being perfectly made for me I couldn't really ask for the traditionally human piece of clothing to fit me better.

The jacket ended around my waist, giving me easy access to the utility belt I always wore. Small throwing daggers and other nick-knacks were attached to in case I needed them. The skirt of fur that my species usually had was cut down to allow such a thing to even be worn by me. Attached to the belt was a thin metal sheath for my secondary weapon , a tiny parrying dagger that I had grown attached to. Granted it was nothing compared to the frankly menacing scythe strapped to my back. Made of black onyx that blade had seen me through trials and I wasn't about to forget it anytime soon.

I signed at my appearance in the mirror, I was satisfied but not impressed. People expected a lot out of me and if I couldn't deliver on a regular basis I'd be crucified by the news. One button out of place? Napoleon's lost his edge. His fur isn't combed? He doesn't care about how he looks anymore. He got a new jacket? Must be gaining weight, more at 6. I despised most media, but without them I wouldn't have gained fame anyway so it was something I dealt with.

I looked around my one room, but well decorated apartment. It was quaint, just the way I liked it. Nothing out of the ordinary. No one had figured out where I lived, probably because they assumed I stayed at a friends place, and that was the way I wanted to keep it. Being hounded my cameras everytime I walked down the street was a bother, I wouldn't be able to stand it if they know where I slept. Not that I didn't enjoy the attention, I was a sucker for the spotlight.

Glancing at the clock on my wall I quietly cursed, I was going to be late for S.S. Anne's departure if I didn't get moving. I collapsed my scythe and climbed up the ladder that lead to the roof, I'd be able to get there faster if I stayed clear of the streets.

Bursting out of the horizontal door I turned towards the ocean. Vermillion wasn't that big of a city, it wouldn't take long to get to the docks. I grabbed the wand that stuck out of the fur of my tail and held it at the ready as it burst into flame, I'd need it for what I was about to do.

My feet patterned against the rooftop tiles as I approached the edge. It was too far of a jump to make for a normal Pokemon, but I had an ace in the hole. Making the jump I pointed my wand behind me and at a slight downward angle. Clutching it tight it unleashed a torrent of heat, but not fire. Being fairly light the wand boosted me across the gap, allowing for me to land without skipping a beat. I had done that hundreds of times, but couldn't help but smile smugly every time I did.

A few minutes of rooftop travel later and I jumped down to the pier using my heat blast to soften the fall. I quickly placed my want back in the base of my tail and straightened out my black blazer, there'd be pictures I wasn't going to look like a mess.

Walking forward confidently I winked and nodded at several humans and Pokemon that had lined up at the dock, the S.S. Anne was launching and it was an event people loved to see. Whispers hit my ear of people talking about my arrival and how good I looked. My ego was strong enough that it didn't need stroking, but the constant compliments never hurt.

I caught sight her and smirked as I said "Scarlet, am I late?"

The feline turned her body at the sound of my voice and smiled at the sight of me. Meowstics, especially female ones, were not known for their show of emotion but Scarlet's eyes lit up at the sight of me. Her white and blue fur looked brilliant in the sunlight and her yellow and red eyes reflected the water. She had wrapped herself in a silk cloth that she held together with her arms and her two tails sat at her feet. She looked as good as me with a fraction of the effort.

"Napoleon dear, you're on time actually." she bowed her head "I'm proud of you."

"I do my best." I said as I got close enough to give her a quick hug.

"You look quite nice, is that a new blazer?" she asked as she looked at me up and down "You really do look fantastic."

"I have to put on my a-game if I'm going to be standing next to you in public." I said as cameras were pointed at us "Bet you that some website's gonna speculate we're dating because of that hug though."

The feline shrugged "Let them, this is a good day." She looked out at the S.S. Anne as trainers got aboard "Hope this will be a good cruise."

"There's no reason it won't be." I looked around "Your parents couldn't make it?"

Scarlet sighed "You know them. Dad pops up every now and then with a small gift and mom's always doing some business deal." she hugged herself a bit "Always bothers me that she does business deals so often." she smiled "But I'm an adult, I don't need them." she bumped me a bit "Plus I have you."

"Aw... you flatter me." I replied as I looked out at the water "But you're right. If your parents won't show that's their loss. Life is grant and this city is perfect."

"I couldn't agree with you more darling." spoke Scarlet,

Life was going well. I had a city to live in that loved me and my best friend as much as anything, I was able to keep my skills fresh with my unofficial job... I paused for a moment to reach into my breast pocket and pulled out a small badge. The reason I had gained so much fame was that I had taken upon myself to be a sort of an official vigilante. The police didn't pay me or anything, but if there was a problem that they couldn't solve I'd always handle it. For weeks the city had been quiet and something in my gut told me that would change soon.

As quickly as the thought came, it left. I put the badge back in my blazer and looked out at the ocean again. I'd deal with any of those problems later, at that moment I was with Scarlet.

And she was the only person I really needed.