The lobby looked little different than I had left it, it seemed to me. The weather report that I last remembered seeing on the TV had become some sort of documentary on the lives of Bug-type Pokemon. A few of the trainers watching it had left, and a couple of new faces had joined the crowd. On the other side of the room, Supernova appeared to have gone back to sleep, once again facing the wall. The rain still sheeted down outside.

"I was going to suggest a nice game of Scrabble, but it looks like this crowd would rather have their entertainment delivered to them on a screen," muttered Ashley's trainer. "Kids these days. Ah, well-- if you can't beat them, join them, right?"

With that, he moved to resume his place on one of the couches. Ashley began to follow him, but I called after her, and she stopped and looked at me.

((Come over here, Ashley. There's someone I want to introduce you to.))

With Ashley in tow, I walked over to Supernova's still form and prodded him gently with my nose. From his words at our earlier encounter, I was fairly certain this time that he wouldn't mind being woken up, if indeed he was asleep. At my touch, he stirred and his eyes blinked open.

((Did I disturb your sleep?))

He huffed a laugh. ((I wasn't asleep. My eyelids were meditating.))

I wasn't sure what to say to that remark, so I bypassed it. ((I wanted to come and apologize for rushing off like that earlier. I really didn't mean to-))

((It's all right, I assure you. No harm done. I'm used to people evading my company. The pleasant surprise is when one comes back.)) He seemed to think this was funny, because he laughed again. ((What about you? You seemed troubled. Are you feeling better now?))

I shifted uneasily at the question, but decided I could answer it without revealing too much. ((Yes, I am feeling better, I guess. Thank you for asking.))

((That is good. I asked not out of any sense of obligation to your feelings, but because I was honestly concerned for you. My experience has been that troubled individuals tend to come to tragic ends. I've seen it happen and have no desire to see it again.)) He shook his head once, lightly. ((But enough. Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?))

((My friend?))

He chuckled. ((I hear two distinct sets of breathing patterns. The second one is quite close to you. If it's not someone you know, I have to warn you that someone may be trying to sneak up on you.))

((Oh!)) It hadn't occurred to me that he could be aware of Ashley's presence without her having spoken. Apparently Supernova's hearing was still more acute than I realized. ((Yes, this is a very good friend of mine. Ashley, this is Supernova. I was talking with him earlier. Supernova, this is Ashley. She's a Vulpix.))

((Pleased to meet you,)) rumbled Supernova, showing his teeth in a friendly smile.

((Likewise,)) said Ashley. I could tell she wasn't quite sure what to make of the huge dog. I had to admit that Supernova could seem kind of imposing at first, and he must seem even bigger to Ashley.

He nodded. ((You're a Vulpix, eh? That reminds me of something I was going to ask earlier, but I forgot. It's better now-- I can ask both of you at once. If I understand correctly, both of you are with your trainers on journeys?))

((Yes,)) said Ashley. The description wasn't one-hundred percent accurate in my case-- seeing as how Courtney was not, in fact, my trainer-- but I answered in the affirmative as well.

((Then perhaps you can tell me if you have seen someone whose whereabouts I have sought for quite some time-- a Pokemon named Alex. He was a Vulpix when I last saw him-)) Supernova paused and winced, apparently at his rather poor choice of words-- ((-but I am almost certain he would be a Ninetales by now. Have you run across him, by any chance?))

Ashley shook her head no. I was about to remind her that Supernova couldn't see the gesture, but then she spoke aloud as well. ((No. I saw several Vulpixes and Ninetales on our trip around the coast, but I only had a chance to introduce myself to a few of them, and none of those were named Alex.))

When she had done speaking, I myself answered. ((No. I've seen very few Pokemon, as a matter of fact. It hasn't been that long since we left home, and I was in a Pokeball for most of that time.)) I didn't mention why I had been in the Pokeball, or that my interaction with other Pokemon had been limited for the very simple reason that I was actively avoiding them.

Supernova nodded. ((Thanks anyway. In all honesty, I wasn't really expecting either of you to answer in the affirmative. I've asked nearly nearly every traveller I talked to that exact same question. There's been no word of him since I started asking-- about five years, it must be.)) He sighed. ((Perhaps he's on some other continent altogether, or maybe he's dead. That last possibility is far more probable than I would like to imagine.))

Ashley and I exchanged glances, then she asked the question that was on both our minds. ((Why would he be dead?))

That question provoked a moment's pause, then another laugh. ((Oh, there are any number of reasons why he might be dead. Something related to old age, probably. He's almost as old as I am!)) That statement made him laugh more, then he grew serious. ((Jokes aside, we don't like to talk about it, but there are a surprising number of ways that a Pokemon can end up dead.))

((Like what?))

((Disease or injury, for one thing. Sometimes a Pokemon sustains lethal injuries in battle-- it's very rare, it's not supposed to occur, and they try to keep it hushed up, but it does happen. Then there's the cases where a human doesn't know how to deal with a Pokemon or doesn't want to be responsible for it anymore. They like to call it 'putting to sleep' or 'euthanasia,' but in such cases 'murder' is usually a far more appropriate term.)) Supernova's voice froze at that point, and he had to cough a few times before continuing. ((Those are the most common causes, probably. Accidents are not unheard of, either. And it seems to me that I've heard one or two reports of Pokemon being murdered by other Pokemon.))

Ashley didn't speak immediately after that, having seemingly been shocked into silence. But there was one cause that it seemed to me Supernova hadn't mentioned. ((What about suicide?))

He thought for a second. ((You know, that's very interesting. It would seem to me that suicide among Pokemon wouldn't be unheard of, but I've never encountered an instance of it. Have you ever known or heard of a Pokemon who committed suicide?))

I've known a Pokemon who wanted to commit suicide-- me. I shook my head. That was a depressing thought, and I only really felt that way during my worst moments. ((No, I haven't,)) I told him.

((Well, then.)) Supernova sat back and nodded. ((At any rate, you will be leaving this place soon. If you should happen to encounter Alex in your travels, I would greatly appreciate it if you would let him know that I wish to see him again. Just tell him that I am at the Pokemon Center in Radjin, and he'll be able to find me. I am hardly likely to be going anywhere in the near future-- or even the distant future.))

((What makes you think we're going to be leaving anytime soon?)) Ashley asked before I could say anything. ((I guess you can't see very well-)) --she hesitated as if worried she would offend him, but Supernova simply nodded for her to continue-- ((-but surely you can hear the rain outside. They were saying it might lift later on, but the trails will be mud for days.))

He smiled and shook his head. ((No, you will be leaving soon. Sooner than you think, certainly. Trust me when I say this. I have a way of knowing things.))

I looked through the large windows. The rain did, indeed, seem to be growing a bit lighter. Whereas before only the faint outlines of the neighboring buildings could be seen, now I could clearly make out the storefronts and could even read some of the signs in the shop windows. On the other hand, as Ashley had mentioned, the dirt road could now be described only as a kind of murky soup that would surely prove a great obstacle to anyone trying to move more than a short distance through it. It did not look like any sort of real travel would be possible for some time after the rain stopped.

A flash of movement caught my eye. I focused on it, sure that no human-- or Pokemon, for that matter-- would be insane enough to be out and about under such circumstances. But there was, indeed, a male human slowly making his way through the glop. His trenchcoat was soaking wet, and his boots carried a substantial amount of mud on them every time he took a step forward, but he trudged onwards.

((Is there really someone out there?)) Ashley asked, in what sounded like a tone of utter disbelief. She had seen me staring out the window and had followed my line of sight to discover what I was looking at. ((He must be insane.))

((Either that or extremely desperate to get somewhere,)) I agreed. ((Perhaps a little of both. There's someone walking outside in the rain,)) I added for Supernova's benefit.

((If he seems to be walking with the intent of reaching some sort of a destination, I would hazard a guess that he is relatively sane,)) Supernova said. ((There are any number of reasons why a human might be outside in such weather-- an emergency, perhaps, or some sort of business that could not be postponed for better conditions.))

We watched for a few more seconds, then an important detail of the man's walk became apparent. ((He's coming here,)) Ashley exclaimed, in a voice slightly louder than the tones we had been conversing here.

"Who's coming here?" Ashley's trainer echoed from across the room, half-rising from the couch and looking out the window. His face took on an expression of concentration as he looked, replaced moments later by a look of consternation. "Oh, no. I think I know who that is."

"You do? Who is it?" Courtney had also risen from her seat and was now looking at the mysterious individual, who was approaching the doors.

"I'm not sure, but I think I recognize that head and those clothes. Someone I knew in high school, several years ago. He wasn't out to win any popularity contests then, and from what I've heard of him since, he still isn't." The man paused outside under the shelter of the overhang to scrape some of the mud from his boots, then reached for the outer set of double doors. "Everybody, this is important. When he gets here, let me do the talking, okay?"

Courtney began to open her mouth, and I could tell she was about to protest or demand more information, but that moment the inner door was pushed open. The man we had just been warned about turned out to be someone of just under medium height, not exactly short but not tall by any means, with a rather stocky build. He was dressed entirely in black, from his dripping trenchcoat to his pants and dirty boots, and his close-cropped blond hair and piercing blue eyes combined with a chilly expression to produce a decidedly unsettling effect. I decided that he was not the sort of person I would want to be on the wrong side of. The trouble was, it also seemed like getting on his good side might be well-nigh impossible.

Nobody spoke, not even the nurse behind the counter, as he stopped and surveyed the room. His eyes stopped on Ashley's trainer and rested there for a few moments. "King," he growled at last.

King? I wondered momentarily, but Ashley's trainer seemed to recognize the nickname, if in fact that was what it was. "I see you still remember me, Langley. Been what, eight years?"

"Not long enough for some people, apparently. Still training?"

"You know the answer to that as well as I do. What about you? Still acting as pawn for the PLA?"

The man named Langley sneered. "If that is what you would like to call it." He stared around the room for another moment, stopping on me for the barest of seconds, then turned his attention back to Ashley's trainer. "I'm here on special assignment. As much as I would like to stick around and investigate for other violations-- and I'm sure I could find a few--" he gave a leering wink at the nurse behind the counter-- "I've got a job to do, and strict orders to return immediately once I do it. So let's get to business." With abrupt swiftness, he whirled and pointed straight at me. "Whose Ponyta is this?"

I very nearly jumped backwards, surprised as I was by his sudden focus on me. But if I was surprised at that, I was doubly surprised a moment later, when Ashley's trainer crossed his arms and spoke from behind Langley. "She's mine."

Surprise manifested on the black-clothed man's face, and he turned back around, more slowly than before. "You have a Ponyta now, King?"

"Is there some law against it?"

Langley apparently knew better than to even acknowledge that statement. "If she's your Ponyta, then you won't mind showing me some proof of ownership."

"I wish I could." Ashley's trainer smirked. "Unfortunately, I just caught her a short time ago, and I haven't had a chance to make it to a Pokemon Registry office. As you can see, I travel relatively light. I have no Pokedex, nor any of the other gadgets that today's youngsters are so fond of." It was true; his belt carried only a cell phone and a couple of other devices, and was devoid of the masses of electronic paraphernilia that seemed to characterize modern-day Trainers.

"So you caught her in the woods near Radjin." Langley's voice and expression managed to convey both skepticism and scorn at the same time.

"No, I caught her as we were coming up the old Bearpaw Ridge trail from Shelton."

"There are wild Ponyta there?"

"Yes."

"Since when?"

"Since Tuesday! I don't know!" He gestured at me. "She's there. Draw your own conclusions."

Again, the blond-haired man chose to ignore the comment. "So basically," he said quietly, "you have no way of proving that this Pokemon is yours."

Ashley's trainer held up a finger to stop Langley, then fished an empty Pokeball from his belt and held it out to me. "Ponyta," he said in a voice just loud and clear enough to carry through the room, "get in your Pokeball."

I had already decided what I would do if my participation in this inpromptu charade should become necessary. While I knew nothing personally one way or another about this Langley individual, I knew and trusted both Ashley and her trainer, and if he thought that some sort of deception was necessary here, I was inclined to believe him and go along with him. From her expression as she sat on the couch behind the goings-on, I could tell Courtney felt the same way.

I went into the Pokeball without offering resistance. I wasn't sure how long he would need to keep me in there. As it turned out, it was only a matter of seconds before the ball spat me out again into the lobby. Apparently the brief demonstration had been enough for Langley, as far as it went.

"So it seems this Ponyta is indeed yours," he said. His face hadn't changed, but in his voice I thought I could hear traces of disappointment. Was he discouraged at having lost the argument? "Very well, then. I shall accept that for the time being." He certainly didn't seem happy about it. "The reason I had to pursue the matter is because I am, in fact, looking for a Ponyta. She was stolen about two months ago from her owners near Silverspring. For a while, there was little evidence in the case, but recently we've discovered some information that seems to indicate she and her current owner are heading north along Route 109."

"And you're going to find her and bring her back yourself?"

Langley glared. "There's no call for sarcasm, King. This is serious business."

"Sarcasm? Me?" Another smirk. "Okay then, seriously... don't you think this sort of thing is more along the lines of, say, the police? I mean, I realize that getting underfoot is a long-standing PLA tradition, but some things should be left to the pros."

"Anytime a Pokemon needs to be returned to its rightful owner, it's a PLA concern."

"You people are awfully good at defining your current concern to let you stick your noses in just about anything. But whatever. What does all this have to do with me, Curtis?"

"Apparently nothing, since you have the legitimate ownership of this Ponyta." For Langley's previous comments about sarcasm, he apparently knew a thing or two about it himself. "I trust if you do uncover any information that would lead to the resolution of this case, you will report it immediately."

"I would of course report such information to the proper authorities," Ashley's trainer replied evenly.

The implied slight was not lost on Langley, who sneered again before turning to the front desk and the nurse behind it. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to let me search your building and look through your records?"

"I would not," the nurse said. "I've dealt with your kind before, and I won't stand for your tricks. I'm going to have to ask you to leave now, in any case."

Langley smiled at this and stepped a bit closer to her. "Careful there, Nursie. You wouldn't want to be charged with obstruction of justice, I'm sure."

"I know damn well what justice is," she shot back, "and I can have some justice here inside of two minutes if you cause me any trouble. If you think the authorities here will be as tolerant of your antics as they are in Johto or wherever, you can think again."

That wiped the smile from his face. I could see a grin twitching at the edge of Courtney's mouth, a smile she quickly hid as Langley turned around again and strode back up to our group.

"Don't think you've seen the last of me, King."

"I know I'm not that lucky, thank you."

Langley shot a last glare at the inhabitants of the lobby, then pushed violently through the doors and strode out into the rain. Ashley's trainer waited until the man was some distance away from the building and not looking back before he exhaled a sigh of relief.

"King?" echoed Courtney.

"A name I picked up in high school," he growled. "Probably best if you don't ask exactly where I got it. It's not too bad, but it's somewhat of a long story."

"Who was that man?" she asked, rising to her feet again. "And was he really with the PLA? The Pokemon Liberation Association? Don't they do charitable work with Pokemon?"

Ashley's trainer didn't answer the question. Instead, he pointed at the three of us-- me, Courtney and Ashley. "People-- come with me. Basement. We need to talk."

***

"What was that all about?" demanded Courtney the moment we had reached the common sleeping area in the basement. Fortunately, the room was deserted at that point. "I've heard of the PLA before. I was a member for a while. Was that awful man really one of their agents?"

"Courtney, I'm sorry to have to burst your bubble, but the PLA really isn't all it's made out to be by the public relations people."

"What do you mean?"

He sighed. "Don't get me wrong. Most of the ground-level members-- the people who pay their dues, make contributions, read the newsletters and such-- most of those are fine people. At the higher levels, though, the organization is unbelievably corrupt. At some time, the PLA was probably an organization whose primary goal was the well-being of Pokemon. Now, though, all that is little more than a front for their political maneuvering and whatever other operations they may have going on."

Courtney seemed taken aback. I could understand her feelings. "But why? What other objectives do they have?"

"I'm not really sure. I'm not sure anybody really knows. I can tell you one thing, though-- one of the things that's happened is that the group has become a place for anyone with a grudge. Because the PLA still has so much credibility-- especially in Johto, where they're headquartered-- they can get away with pretty much anything. They can accuse someone of Pokemon mistreatment, fake up a case against them, and nobody will say anything. They operate via intimidation a lot of the time, and because of their reputation, it usually works. Public figures, people they need to deal with-- you name it."

"I don't understand," said Courtney. She had sat on one of the beds and was now looking up at him with a worried expression. "Why would they be after Ponyta?"

Ashley's trainer crossed his arms and stared back down at her. "Didn't you hear what Curtis said back up there in the lobby?"

"Oh. That." The barest hint of a sheepish grin materialized on her face, then melted back into the worry. "They're after us, aren't they? How long until they find us?"

"Not long enough." He had already picked up his backpack and was stuffing what few things he had unpacked into it. "I have no doubt Curtis wanted to find you himself, without involving the local authorities, but he might go to the police now if he still has any suspicions about this place or about Ponyta. It's best we get moving right away."

"Moving? It's raining."

"The rain is slowing down. It won't present too much of a problem. If we take the paved road straight north, the mud won't slow us down too much either."

Ashley and I had sat on the sidelines for the last few minutes, but now she spoke up. ((What about Ponyta? She's too big to shelter from the rain.))

"Doh. I forgot about that." Courtney frowned at him, and he explained. "Ashley just reminded me that the rain will hurt Ponyta. Normally when we have to travel in the rain, Ashley stays inside my backpack or inside my coat, and she's fine. But I don't know how we'd keep Ponyta sheltered."

They all looked at me. What was I supposed to do? I knew that water didn't seem to hurt me, and it even seemed I knew the reason for that. But how could I tell them?

If they thought going outside would hurt me, they might decide to wait it out, and we might be trapped. I decided to tell as much of the truth as I could. ((Water doesn't seem to hurt me that much,)) I said. There were Fire Pokemon whose weakness to "natural" water was so small as to be negligible, so I hoped I hadn't given too much away.

Ashley translated for her trainer, who looked slightly puzzled but accepted the news with a satisfied nod nevertheless. "That's good. Well, get packed up. We're out of here."

Courtney touched his arm. "One last thing. Why does this Curtis Langley person dislike you so much?"

He shrugged. "It's not complicated. Back in high school, he was a bully, much like he is now. I was the good guy, so to speak. He and I crossed paths a few times, and I usually got the better of our encounters, so naturally he dislikes me. But I'm hardly alone in that respect. Like I said, the PSA is a good place for people who hold grudges. Langley seems to think that only a few people should be qualified to take care of Pokemon. Naturally, he's one of those people."

"Can he do anything to hurt us?"

"By himself? He's harmless. With the machinery of the PSA behind him? I don't know. The PSA's influence isn't as strong here as it is some places, but I'm not anxious to test its strength. Best we just leave town."

Courtney nodded and reached for her own backpack.

***

By the time we were ready to leave, the rain outside had further slowed to a light drizzle. The humans made their goodbyes to the nurse and a few of the other trainers in the lobby, while I and Ashley roused Supernova yet another time to share a few last words with him.

((See, I knew you'd be leaving here soon,)) he said with just a hint of smug satisfaction. ((As I said, I know some things. Where does your journey take you now?))

Ashley and I looked at each other. ((We're going north, on the paved road,)) I said carefully. ((I'm not sure what towns are up there.))

((Neither am I, to be honest. Kelton is somewhere along that road, if memory serves, but it may not be the first town you'll come to. In any event, it doesn't sound like you'll have any problems. The people are all very friendly, and there's plenty to do and see-- or at least, there will be once the weather lifts. Good luck.))

((Thanks,)) Ashley said, and I voiced my agreement. ((Good luck to you too, Supernova.))

((I have no idea what form of good luck could come to me, but I thank you for your kind intent. Remember. If you ever need help, come back to Radjin and see Supernova. He will help you.))

((Will do,)) I said.

"Guys? C'mon. We're going." Courtney waved to us from the door. "Wouldn't want us to leave you behind."

Ashley's trainer helped her up into his backpack, then zipped it mostly shut, leaving an open space sufficient for her to stick her head and forepaws out if she wanted to, but not so large as to let more than a few drops of rain in. It was obviously a routine they had practiced before. Courtney took the opportunity to give me a quick hug and whisper a few words in my ear. "I know it's been rough, Ponyta. But don't worry. We'll get through this. We'll find a place where we don't have to run anymore."

((I know,)) I said, thankful for the gesture of reassurance.

With that, we exited the warm confines of the Pokemon Center and began to make our way through the streets toward the north end of town. As predicted, the mud was an inconvenience of substantial proportions, but we managed to mitigate its effects by sticking to sidewalks and grass as much as possible. For the first few minutes, Ashley's trainer was rather verbal about his frustration with the conditions, but eventually he quieted down and we all suffered in silence.

Less than twenty minutes after leaving the Center, we beheld the edge of town and the asphalt-topped road that led north towards parts unknown. The highway ran level for a short distance, then led uphill across a wide meadow and vanished into a thick forest of pine trees. For the most part, Ashley and her trainer kept their eyes on the road ahead, as though thinking of what was to come, but I noticed that both I and Courtney kept looking back at the lights of Radjin until the trees obscured the town from view.