"I can't even believe it! I didn't think you would actually do it!" Wattson said, standing in front of his gym. "You swam through that water?"

Dominic nodded. "Yeah.. and I found my way through New Mauville to the power box.. and Jeremy."

Wattson looked to Dominic's side at Jeremy, who was shivering, still wet. "Jeremy, eh? How the hell did you get into New Mauville? I keep that place locked at all times. Dominic's the first person I've given the key to in about four months."

Jeremy wimpered. "I.. I didn't exactly know where I was. I was in the woods behind New Mauville, as it turns out.. and there was this door sitting open. I was curious.. so I walked in.. and that's when that THING came and attacked me! It was viscious.. it was EVIL.."

"It was a rattata." Dom said, holding in a laugh.

Wattson chuckled. "Boy, you have a lot to learn. You were curious enough to go into a dark building, but unable to fend off a wild ratatta? Take a lesson from Dominic, over here. At least HE could take on MY pokemon."

Dominic spied tears growing in Jeremy's eyes, so he quickly spoke up. "Hey! Jeremy, buddy, will you do me a favor? Take a walk down the the Game Corner and look for this guy about my age named Alex Blackstone. If you find him, bring him back up to the gym. He's one of my friends.. thanks a lot Jeremy! I just have to talk with Wattson about a few things.."

As Jeremy turned to walk away, Wattson's face straightned again. "Someone broke in to New Mauville. The back door can't be opened from the outside."

Dominic frowned. "It could have been.."

"It could have been nothing but a burgler," Wattson interrupted. "Someone might have been in there while you were.."

The thought sent chills down Dom's spine. Someone could have been watching him in the dark! "Wattson.. I don't think any harm was done. Whoever they were, they're probably gone. What I want is my badge.. and an answer."

"An answer to what?"

"I want to know what you were mumbling about when I walked into your gym for the battle. It sounded a whole lot like the dream I had.. I want to know what it means."

Wattson sighed, scratching his beard. "I may have been wrong about you, boy. If I am right, then you should most definitely know what is happening in our world.."

"What.. am I having visions?" Dom said.

"Well.." Wattson blinked slowly. "Just listen. Things are happening.. ancient powers have been awoken.. and I think you may just be the first one to be realizing it. Whatever these powers are, they are alerting you, Dominic. You're special.. different.. but I don't want you to stay in this city any longer. Gather your friends and leave through the north exit, towards the desert. I hope you can find more information there."

Dominic tried to process the information through his head. He nodded. "What about the badge?"

"Here," Wattson said, "Take these two pokeballs." He held out a pokeball in each hand, one yellow, one orange. Dominic took each ball and snapped the first one open. Inside lay a small, lightning shaped badge. He smiled up at Wattson, who smiled back. "You deserve it, boy."

"What about the other ball?" Dom said, holding it out.

"That," Wattson said, "is a pokemon I caught a few months ago. He's not my type, so I've been looking for a suitable trainer.. I think you're perfect."

Dom smiled. "Thanks a lot.. can I open it?"

"Go ahead."

Dominic tossed the pokeball to the ground and, instantly, a medium sized pokemon materialized. It sat still, gazing around with sad eyes. It's orange-brown body resembled that of a minature camel. What made this pokemon different was that instead of a hump on it's back, it had a small volcano.

"This," Wattson said, "is numel."

The pokemon looked up at Dominic and nodded. "Nume.. hey there.. are you gunna be my new trainer?"

Dominic winked at the numel. "If that's okay with you."

"Nume.. that's great.. as long as we can kick some butt.."

Dom laughed, turning to Wattson. "Thanks so much, Wattson. You're a great trainer.. and I think numel will be a great pokemon."

"Good luck, Dominic. Now, go find your friends. I want you gone by tomorrow evening."

Dominic recalled numel and walked off towards the game corner, hoping to find Jeremy, Alex, and Brenna.

Wattson walked back into his gym and picked up his telephone. Dialing a number, he spoke softly into the receiver. "Get ready for some company, my friend."

* * * * * * * * * *

Jeremy strolled along the streets, passing the pokemart and the bike shop, looking curiously around the city. When he had reached the Game Corner, it was closed. It seemed that there had been slot machines malfunctioning all day, and the manager had finally decided upon closing it when several customers complained. Now, Jeremy feared returning to Dominic and telling him he couldn't find this Alex he was looking for. He wanted to prove that he wasn't a wimp to Dom, because it was obvious that he was annoyed with him.

Several blocks from the Mauville Gym, Jeremy walked past the pokecenter. Suddenly, he remembered that his flaaffy had fainted, and he rushed inside. Better to hold off on visiting Dom for the moment, anyway.

Jeremy handed both of his pokeballs and his trainer's license over the counter to the nurse, who smiled and nodded. "Your pokemon will be healed in about five minutes."

"Thanks," he said, turning around and walking to the lounge. It was more crowded than usual, mostly the people from the Game Corner, he assumed. He sat down on a couch beside a girl with dark hair and glasses, who held a book in her lap. She seemed to be explaining something to the boy sitting next to her.

While Jeremy waited, he couldn't help but overhear what the girl was saying. She sounded somehwhat stressed. "Do you not realize what this is about? You ARE dimmer than I thought, aren't you? This picture is -

* * * * * * * * * *

- of the same thing that Dominic saw in his dream!" Brenna shoved her finger at the picture she was referring to.

"Omigosh! You're right! But how'd it get in the book?" said Alex, scratching his head.

"They might as well declare you legally retarded!" Brenna said, smacking Alex on the head. "This book was obviously printed long before anyone in this pokecenter was born! I found it hidden behind a shelf in the library Alex.. someone didn't want anyone else to find it. The problem is, it's written -

* * * * * * * * * *

- in another language.. if we want to find out what it says we'd have to find an interpreter. But the picture is there, and we have to find Dominic to tell him. He's, like, psychic or something!"

Jeremy couldn't take it anymore. "Did you say you're looking for Dominic?"

The girl turned around and stared at him, snapping her book shut. "Maybe. Why do you care?"

"He asked me to find someone named Alex Blackstone.. is that you?" Jeremy said, pointing at the boy next to her.

"He knows Dom!" the boy said. "Who are you, buddy?"

"I'm Jeremy.. Woodbridge. I met Dominic in New Mauville. He's talking with the gym leader right now, and he asked me to find Alex at the Game Corner. You weren't there, so.."

The girl smiled. "That's interesting. How old are you?"

"Twelve.. but I'll be thirteen in four months!"

The boy named Alex laughed. "And you're a trainer, too?"

"Grass and electric.."

"Well then, I think we should all go and find Dominic, then make plans on what to do next," the girl said. "I'm Brenna, by the way."

"Nice to meet both of you," said Jeremy. "Let me pick up my pokemon and then I'll be right there."

"Alright.." said Alex. All three of them stood up, and Jeremy walked towards the counter. Retrieving his pokeballs, he joined Brenna and Alex at the door. Together, they headed off toward the gym.

"Hey, Jeremy?" Brenna said. "Do you know if Dom got his badge or not?"

Jeremy tried to remember if Dominic had mentioned anything. "I'm not sure.. I bet he did, though, because he seems like a good trainer. Him and his manectric have a great relationship, from what I see."

"They sure do.." Alex said. "Oh! Look! The gym's right over there.. let's get going!" He broke into a run, and soon, Jeremy and Brenna followed.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Where the hell is he?" said Alex, scanning the horizon without result. "Didn't you say he was here, Jeremy?"

"When I left to find you, he was." Jeremy said.

"Guys, don't get into a tizzy. He probably left to find YOU, Jeremy," said Brenna. " Let's go to the Game Corner.. that's where he probably thinks BOTH of you are."

The three of them ran off to the Game Corner, only to find it deserted. "This is just how it was when I came," said Jeremy.

"Then he'll be at the pokemon center, no doubt.." Alex said.

Again, the three set off to the pokecenter. Upon arriving back where they started, Brenna walked to the front desk. "Excuse me, nurse, have you seen anyone named Dominic in here lately?"

The nurse typed something into her computer. "No record that he's healed his pokemon here. Maybe he's at the gym?"

"Checked there," Alex said.

"The Game Corner?"

"Checked there, too," said Jeremy.

"Hmm.. you could check the pokemart?"

"Good idea! Thanks, nurse!" said Brenna, pulling her two comarads out the door. Just as they were about to turn down the street toward the pokemart, something caught them by surprise.

"You know, you could have just checked the bike shop," a voice said behind them.

Turning around, Brenna let out a sigh of relief. "Dom!"

Dominic was headed out of the nearby bike shop, shaking his head. "We've been chasing eachother around town, haven't we?"

"Yeah! We thought you were completely gone!" said Alex.

"I see you've met my little friend Jeremy?" said Dom.

"Sure have!" said Brenna. "Is he going to join us on our trip?"

"I think so.. you want to, right, Jeremy?" Dominic asked.

"Definitely! I bet you guys are going to find some awesome experience along the way.. and experience can help any hopeful trainer, right?"

"Right," all three said in unison.

They all smiled and began walking in silence before Dominic spoke again. "We hafta leave Mauville soon.. now, if possible. Are you all ready? Pokemon healed, all that stuff? The next town, Fallarbor, is a logn way from here.. and I mean long."

"No kidding," said Brenna. "There's a desert, a volacano.. lot's of obstacles, but I'm sure a lot of amazing pokemon. I'm ready!"

"I am, too." Alex said.

"Same here!" said Jeremy. All of them nodded and headed for the north city exit.

As the sun began to set over the western horizon, Brenna remembered what she was going to say. "Oh! Dom, Alex and I found something kind of interesting in a book from the library. We need to show you in the morning.. it's a getting dark right now. And why did you want us to leave so quickly?"

Dom nodded. "I'll explain that in the morning, too. I've had an interesting day.."

For another hour the foursome walked in silence finding nothing but a small lake and a few flowerbeds. By then, the sun was long gone and the stars were shining brightly overhead. Brenna stopped and sat down, motioning for the others to do the same. "Let's stop for the night. I know it's early, but this is a good spot for sleeping. No sign of wildlife. In the morning, we can all talk and head off again."

"Alright then.." said Dom, laying down his sleeping bag. "I'm itching for another battle."

"Same here!" Alex and Jeremy said simultaneously, looking at eachother and laughing.

"Speaking of battle, I think there's a famous battle center further up Route 111," said Brenna.

"Oh yeah?" said Dom.

"I don't know exactly what it is, but I've definitely heard people talking of great battle up here. Prizes and everything.. oh! Did you get your badge, Dom?"

"I forgot to tell you! Yeah, I did.. but it was a really tough battle. I lost.."

"Then how'd you get the badge?" Alex interrupted.

"Give me some time!" said Dominic. "I'll explain it all tomorrow, like a told you.. but I got a new pokemon, too. It's a numel!"

"A numel! Wow, those are rare in southern Hoenn! Quite common up where we're going, though."

Brenna said. "Still, a fire pokemon's always good to have."

Dominic nodded. The sun had already set, but his hopes had risen again. Despite what was happening, and the confusion it had brought, tomorrow was a new day, and Dom would have plenty of time to think about it. While Dom ran back the day's events in his mind, he didn't even realize that he was half asleep. Before long, he was snoring.

* * * * * * * * * *

Before he could even open his eyes, Dominic felt the drops of rain splattering against his forehead. "Shit!" Sitting up quickly, he found Brenna and Jeremy already moving about, gathering up their belongings. "Guys, why didn't you wake me up?" He stood up and rolled up his sleeping bag hastily.

"We figured you had a long day yesterday, so we were going to let you sleep," said Brenna, brushing the wet hair from her eyes.

"Then why didn't you wake up Alex?" Dom said, pointing to the slumped over figure still on the ground.

Brenna frowned. "Good point." She ran over and kicked him in the side. "WAKE UP, LOSER!"

"Jesus! I was getting up! Some people.." Alex said, moaning and wiping the rain from his brow. "Where the hell are we going to find shelter? I seriously do not want to walk back to Mauville."

"We can try to find that place Brenna was talking about last night," Jeremy said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "The battle place?"

"Oh yeah!" Dom said, stuffing the last of his things together. "I say we make a mad dash for that place before the rivers overflow. It's starting to come down pretty hard!"

"Any idea exactly where this place is?" said Alex, who had actually gathered everything together and stood, ready.

"Let's just keep on the route we were on last night," said Brenna. "And I bet this is going to be the last time we'll ever get ready this fast again."

The others smiled and ran off through the downpour, coats overhead, pokeballs tucked safely into belts and pockets. Before disappearing into a small grove, Jeremy yelled out above the sound of distant thunder. "I hope we get there soon! I'm kind of scared by lightning!"

* * * * * * * * * *

"And he said you might find answers in the desert?"

Dominic nodded. "Really, Brenna, I'm so confused. Hopefully we WILL find out something once we reach the desert. Do you know how far away it is?"

"Way up north. A few days journey from here."

"I guess we'll just take it as it comes?"

"I guess so. Our main goal right now should just be.."

Brenna did not get a chance to finish her sentence. She, Dominic, Alex, and Jeremy had been walking under the shelter of some tall shrubs for some while now, and a sudden change of scenery surprised her. The thick undergrowth had disappeared abruptly, and the land they walked on sloped steeply downward. In the basin at the bottom of the hill, about 300 yards from the foursome, was the largest house any of them had ever seen.

"That must be it," Jeremy whispered. "That's the battle place Brenna was talking about."

Alex gulped. "Damned if I know what goes on in there.."

"Well, whatever that place is about, it most likely has room for us to stay until the storm passes," said Brenna calmly. "And who knows? We might get in on one of these battles I've heard about."

Wringing out his drenched coat, Dominic scratched his head. "I say we go.. quick."

They all looked at eachother and nodded. Then, they ran down the slippery hill as if to dodge all of the raindrops as they fell solemnly to the ground.

* * * * * * * * * *

Alex banged as loud as he could on the eleborately carved limestone doors. "That's weird.. look." He pointed to the center of the door, where a symbol was engraved.

Brenna inched closer to the door, leaning down to look at the carving. "It looks like two W's pressed together."

Jeremy rubbed his hand over the symbol. "Or four V's."

"It's probably just.." Dominic began, but before he could finish, the door swung open and a tall, elegantly dressed butler greeted them.

"What brings you four to the Winstrate Manor?" he said sternly.

"Please, sir," Brenna said, "we seek shelter from the storm." The butler looked her up and down, then did the same to the other three. "Come into the front hall. I will ask my master if you are welcome."

"Thank you!"

Brenna, Dominic, Alex, and Jeremy stepped through the threshold, once again realizing what a dry world felt like. The butler had disappeared just as quickly as he had come.

"Winstrate Manor, eh?" said Alex, looking around. "Pretty snazzy. Do you think they'd mind..?" He reached into his pocket and tossed down one of his pokeballs.

Brenna yelped. "Alex! Do NOT bring out one of your pokemon is this house! You don't know if you're allowed! What if they're allergic, what if.."

"I think it's alright.." said Jeremy, who was also reaching for a pokeball. "I think we should give our pokemon some air."

"GUYS! You CANNOT do this! We'll get in trouble and get kicked out and.."

"Please, Brenna," said Dominic. He took out spoink's pokeball and dropped it. Illuminating the dark, wooden walls of the manor, the figures of Dom's small, purple spoink, Alex's growlithe, and Jeremy's flaaffy appeared. It was a welcome sight to see happy, healthy pokemon.

"Oi..Thanks for getting me out of there, Dom.." said spoink, hopping around the front hall. The pearl on spoink's head was reflecting the light from the nearby lamp, casting rainbows upon the walls.

"Rrr..Alex, who are these clowns?" Alex's growlithe said through gritted teeth. The small, orange dog was prowling around the room. "Weaklings, I bet."

Jeremy's flaaffy wobbled over to growlithe, shaking it's pink tail. "Who you calling..flaaa..weak? I could electrocute you in one.. flaaa.. snap!"

Alex chuckled. "What level is your flaaffy at, Jeremy?"

Jeremy reached down to pat his pokemon on the head. "Fifteen," he paused, moving closer to Alex's ear. "He's a little weak, but I'm working on it.."

Alex rolled his eyes. "My growlithe could incinerate your little bipedal sheep anyday."

"He might not be so strong, but he's got the will power! You don't judge my pokemon when you've never even seen him battle!" Jeremy yelled.

"Oh yeah? Why don't we battle right here, then, little boy?" said Alex, calling his growlithe to attention. "Growlithe, ember!"

Brenna was screaming even louder. "No! NO! YOU CAN'T BATTLE HERE! OMIGOSH YOU TWO ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE I.."

Just as Alex's growlithe was about to spew flames out of it's mouth, the butler entered the room, stepping between the two pokemon. "The master wishes to see all of you," he glanced down at the pokemon, "preferrably with your pokemon in their respective balls."

Alex grumbled and held out his pokeball, recalling an angry growlithe. Jeremy did the same, as did Dominic, who had been watching the whole scene play out, amused.

Brenna, who was slightly frazzled, followed the butler through a course of winding halls, the others following. After leaving the gront hall, the hallways were all lit by wall-mounted candles. The iridescence was eerie, other worldly. At length, they reached what appeared to be some sort of a grand ballroom. A fantastic chandelier hung from the ceiling, making Brenna gasp, simply because of it's enormity. The room was empty, but for a small table on the far end of the room.

Behind the table, four stern faces looked at four confused ones. Dominic, Brenna, Alex, and Jeremy were looking straight into the eyes of the Winstrate family.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Alright! How was that? Longer? I was going to fit in the entire Winstrate battle in this chapter, but I thought I could leave you guys wanting something, instead. :-D sorry! Keep on reviewing and giving characters. Anything you want to tell me about my story would be greatly appreciated! I'm so happy I got back into the writing spirit!