I stood in front of the handmade stairway leading up to the raised platform. I put one leg on the first step, taking one second for each kilogram I put onto that foot. I stepped forward, one gradual foot at a time, until I reached the top.

I clutched my thighs. "That's a workout," I said aloud. Yet, this was the first time I needed to catch my breath since the border check. I need to use this speed walking method more often. It'll make travel time much shorter. And easier.

My feet carried me to a small house. The one-story cabin stood alone in the middle of this raised platform. On the right, I made out the tips of many tall trees. Everything else in my view appeared to be patches of long grass, all of which was so far down that if I jumped, my legs would somehow experience more pain. Self-reminders of the ground being sturdy propelled me to Darren's house.

"I'm Brenda and it's nice to meet you," I told myself. "Ilk sent me here to check on you. No." I shook my head. "I'm Brenda. Ilk sent me to check on you. You okay, man? Too casual." I looked to the sky for answers. "Brenda. Ilk sends his regards? You doin' a-ight?"

CRASH!

"Huh?" I heard glass shatter from inside the house. I put my ear to the door and heard voices. One sounded angry, the other hesitant. Only disjointed words reached my ears. I tiptoed towards a nearby window and peeked inside. The glass pane felt cool on my forehead.

A boy with red hair appeared to stand above someone, yet this other person lay just outside of the window's range. His black gloved hand gestured to a table. His pokemon, a Bagon, with a short yet lean body and head bumps akin to a braided hairstyle, bumped its braids into who I could only guess was Ilk's brother. "Sst, haa, haa," the hidden figure gasped. My eyes darted right, noting a table of broken glass, then left, to the boy.

His left side to me, he sneered at Darren, probably, and opened his palm. "This is your last chance. Give me the orb. You're only still alive because I'm not bloodthirsty like my sponsors. Hm?" His smile faded and his eyes darted in my direction. I noted the window slightly open from me accidentally pushing it.

"For the last time, I don't have the orb!" Darren, fair to assume, replied. "Even if I did, Varaneous would cause much worse damage than a conceited brat or group of headstrong terrorists ever could!"

Someone said this while I sat down, head in my arms and trembles in my everything. Ilk's brother's really in danger! I need to help him! But that guy with the red hair, and his Bagon! He immobilized a police officer! If I step in, I'll die! But then Darren will die either way! What do I do? What can I do? All my motor functions switched off as I switched off the world.

CRASH!

The loud noise dragged my soul back into my body. I dodged to the side while the Bagon kicked through the window. I shielded myself from shrapnel with my backpack. Bagon turned towards me. "Gonn," it snarled.

"Easy, new guy," the red-haired boy exclaimed when he opened the door. "That's no way to treat a girl. You have to use tact." He walked over to me. "What brings you here, little miss eavesdropper?"

"Ah…" I couldn't form any words as I took in my situation. This red spiky-haired kid smiled. Below his hair kept up with a white headband, he wore an auburn jacket with a white zipper line and white cuffs, along with white pants that had a red spiral starting at his left thigh and circling around his legs twice until it reached his right heel. This and his other foot were covered by brown loafers, both of which brushed the ground as he walked towards me. Nothing about his appearance told me how I could escape him, yet much like a catastrophe, I couldn't look away.

He put a finger just above his chin. "If I had to guess, you're a victim of circumstance. You saw me, but were conflicted about whether you should play hero or run away." He clenched his fist and furrowed his brow. "How stupid. You can't worry about others before getting yourself out of harm's way."

Why was he suddenly angrier? No other thoughts permeated my brain while I hugged my backpack.

"Hm." Looking annoyed, the red-haired boy took his measure of me. "Brats only learn through consequences. So why don't I make things easy?" He grasped the backpack. "Give me all your belongings and I'll let you run away. Sound fair?"

"Ehh? Why?" I somehow retained enough English to talk.

He shrugged. "I'm not merciless. Witnesses don't knowingly harm others. Plus, my face on a wanted poster sounds pretty dope. Unfortunately, society doesn't look well on criminals. I'll need your resources along with any evidence that could harm me in the future."

He let go of my bag and lifted an invisible boulder with his arms. "I don't mind a witness or two. Only living people can spread legends. Count yourself lucky you caught the great Crimson auditioning before he made it to the main stage." He cracked his knuckles. "I can retract that luck if you don't let go."

Feeling returned to my mouth. "You s-sick bastard. W-why would you take pride in hurting people?"

Crimson, apparently, shook his finger. "I'm the one with power here." He pointed at himself. "I ask the questions. I call the shots." He made a peace sign. "Victims like you have two choices: obey me or get hurt." He pulled at the bag, but I didn't let go. "Don't make me choose for you!" I played unintentional tug of war with him.

With one final tug, the bag slipped from my fingers. "No!" I shouted as I grasped at air.

He peeked inside the bag's back section. "Probably junk. I'll make sure later. For now…" He zipped the bag up and strung it on his forearm. "Stand up and empty your pockets. No calling the police, got it?" He spat out those last two words, despite unknowingly holding my phone.

I slowly brought myself to my feet. Ilk wanted me to affirm Darren was okay. And he's not okay. This menace has no problem hurting others. If I run, he'll cause more pain. To Ilk's brother, to other policemen, and to me. It hurts, and it will hurt. I had a great chance to stop him and did nothing but surrender and run.

I reached for my pockets. I was given a task. I've completed it. I don't need to save Darren. He's not in lethal danger, probably. Running away is also independence in a way. I'm choosing to help people I can save over those I can't. Like myself. Like my ugly, weak, dependent self.

I stuck my hand into my left pocket and tossed the remains of Richard's bag of trail mix onto the ground. Faces formed in my head. 'Someone's gotta look out for us round here', Richard had said. 'You want another task, find another person,' the mean nurse had told me. 'You made the best of circumstances forced upon you,' Ilk had reassured me. 'Sorry if I'm annoying you again, I just wanted to help,' Doug had lamented.

"You have five seconds." Crimson dropped my bag onto the ground and pulled out a pocketknife from his jacket. He flicked something that made the blade switch up. "Show me what's in your other pocket. Please." His eyes shied away from mine and the pocketknife hand trembled. "Be smart about this. Make the only sensible choice." His voice no longer held its prior threatening tone.

My hand reached into my right pocket and found Sir Tyrant. He's right, I realized. I've only had one choice since the beginning. "Understood," I replied.

I pushed the pokeball button. Tyrant popped out, though the ball remained in my pocket. "Punch the red haired guy's hand and push the bag to me!" I commanded.

"What?' Crimson reacted. Tyrant landed a blow on his palm. "Yeowch!" he shouted, dropping the knife. Sir Tyrant jumped to the backpack and kicked it towards me.

I held it up and twisted 180 degrees, just in time to block Bagon's punch. A crunch came from the pokemon guide inside absorbing the blow and likely shredding. "Gonn?" Bagon paused, seemingly confused by the sound.

"Give this guy a pound too, Sir Tyrant!" I shouted. I bent over onto my back and made a bridge. Tyrant jumped over me and kicked Bagon. "Keep it up!" While Bagon was twice Sir Tyrant's height, the two displayed equal strength while exchanging blows.

I slung my backpack over one shoulder and rolled onto my feet. Crimson stepped on his glove while blowing on his gloveless hand. "You'll regret playing the fictitious hero," he snapped.

"I'm not afraid, you wannabe rogue," I snapped back. "I was sent here to make sure Professor Ilk's brother was safe. If you're in the way, I'll remove you. Sir Tyrant, Leer!" Bagon momentarily paused again. "Give him a scratch!" I walked backwards toward the house to get a view of the fight and Crimson simultaneously.

Crimson sighed. "Bagon, standard mode. React as you see fit." Bagon's moves started to pick up. Sir Tyrant blocked most of the blows, but a few hit his stomach.

"No! Pound left, then scratch upper right!" I continued to give Tyrant commands while he struggled to keep up. Crimson, however, didn't say anything. I glanced right and didn't see him. Where'd he go?

"Having fun?" I glanced to my left and saw Crimson, hands in his pocket.

"Yaah!" I jumped backwards and raised my fists, my back nearly hitting the open door.

Crimson's smile replicated Mom's when she saw me imitating trainers. "Were you so focused on the fight you didn't see me walk over here?"

"What now?" I asked him, then turned back to the fight. "Block up and kick low!" Bagon kicked at Tyrant's unguarded side. He quickly regained his balance. "Damn it," I grunted.

"It's easy to differentiate the novice trainers from the decent ones." He flicked the wrist Sir Tyrant hit a few times. "They react to what they see and give premature commands. Stronger pokemon unintentionally let weak novices like you ignore this shortcoming."

My jaw tightened. "I don't see you winning. Sir Tyrant, double pound to the jaw! Wah!" Crimson kicked me in the left ankle and I fell onto the raised platform. My palms absorbed most of the damage. "Nngh!" I gritted my teeth and swallowed my cry of pain.

"Laar?" Tyrant glanced over, mid punch. Bagon took advantage and headbutted Sir Tyrant. He skidded back a few feet but stayed on his feet.

"In case you didn't realize, this isn't a trainer battle." His leg swung at me. I pounced up and back, ramming my head into the door. I clutched it with a cat's paw. He bent over. "I'm a criminal and you're an overinvolved passerby. Ya get it?"

"Tarr!" Tyrant ran at me.

Bagon crouched. "Gon!" it grunted while headbutting Sir Tyrant from behind. And he flew. Towards me, then into me. I flew back a few feet into the house and my back landed on the marble floor. A strap on my bag broke during my fall.

"Oooww," I muttered. My back, my hands, my arms, everything hurt. I stayed slumped over. Even miniscule movement added to my pain. Juxtaposing me, Tyrant stood on shaky legs, arms outstretched towards the incoming Crimson and Bagon. "Errgh," I grunted while putting weight onto my hands. Somehow, I sat up on my knees.

"Are you alright, miss?" a voice said from behind me.

"Huh?" I turned around, the broken backpack remaining on the ground, to see a middle-aged scientist partially lying down while on his elbows, wearing a lab coat and round rimmed glasses. His ruffled hair aligned with the bruises on his face. "Are you Darren?" I asked. "How are you? Ah, apart from the obvious."

He pushed on the ground until he was sitting up. "I can move. Better than nothing. More importantly, what do you have in your bag?"

"Right, my bag!" I reached inside and pulled out a potion. "Sir Tyrant, drink this and toss the bottle!" While still on all fours, I threw the bottle at Tyrant. He drank up, then threw the bottle at Bagon, who effortlessly broke it with a punch. Tyrant followed this with a strengthened charge. I slowly stood up while continuing to give commands. Tyrant, for the first time in this battle, took the lead.

"Ah, items," Crimson replied. "I've got a couple as well. How about I use a technical machine?" He pulled the pocketknife out and flipped the lighter up. After switching the flame on with his thumb, he held it in front of Bagon. "Bagon, use Dragonbreath."

Bagon breathed onto the lighter, his exhale creating a column of flames that shot at Tyrant. He put his arms up and leaned forward as flames barreled onto him. Pain showed through his eyes as he withstood the breath attack. Transfixed by the fiery death coming my way, I didn't move; therefore, Tyrant couldn't move. I watched my living shield burn for me.

Eventually, the attack stopped. Bagon caught its breath while Crimson switched off the lighter and put the pocketknife into his jacket pocket. Tyrant fell to its knees."La-kah, la-kah!" he coughed out. Light static flowed around him. Tyrant had been paralyzed from the effect of Dragonbreath, if I recalled the notes correctly.

"Sir Tyrant," I muttered. Either Crimson teleported to me or I lost focus for a moment. He grasped my chin in his gloved hand. Only my wits are dead…right?

"You might be indecisive garbage, but your Larvitar's got some real strength. I'll lift that burden off your shoulders."

He flicked my chin. "Ow!" I shouted, clutching my lower lip.

"The pokeball's in your right pocket. Do nothing but pull it out." He snapped loudly, then grasped his other hand. "5 seconds. Or else."

I reached into my pocket and pulled the pokeball out. "Ng, guh."

"Save it." Crimson stomped. "Push the button and return Larvitar. Now."

I held up the pokeball. "Bye, Sir Tyrant," I said.

Sir Tyrant put significant effort into turning to face me. "Laaarr?"

"Som-" Someone like him won't get you hurt as often. The words died in my throat. How could I say that? Sir Tyrant's fought tooth and nail for me, and I repay him by forsaking all he fought for? I breathed in and out. "Don't forgive me." I closed my eyes. My index finger soon found itself on the center button. Gritting my teeth, I…felt a gust of wind rush past me. "Huh?"

I opened my eyes to see Crimson dash past me towards Darren. "You bastard." He gripped Darren's collar and raised his fist. "Why is a cop here? I destroyed your phone! Where did you hide another one?"

Darren smiled through a bruised face. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Get smart with me, will you?" Crimson had his fist inches away from Darren's face, when he stopped. "Come to think of it..." He let go of Darren and stormed to me. "You must have snuck him your phone when I wasn't looking. Clever of you. But I gotta ask. Why keep your phone on your bag rather than on you?"

"It's…safer?" I stammered out, struggling to keep my balance. The blare of a siren reached my ears.

"Ka-hah." Crimson let out a weird gasp-laugh combination. "You really are a bystander in this whole affair." He turned back to Darren. "Seems you're clean, for now. Pray you don't give me or my employers another reason to return." He gestured at the window on the far right. Bagon kicked through it. Crimson pushed himself through the now broken window, returned Bagon to its pokeball, grabbed a rope attached to a claw digging into the raised platform's surface, and climbed down the mountain.

I peeked out the open door and saw a cop get off his motorcycle. As he dashed closer, I recognized his plaid clothes. "Is that you, Brenda?" Doug exclaimed. "Thank goodness you're alright!"

He ran up to the two of us and inspected our bodies. "Oh my god, what did that criminal do to you?"

"I'm…fine?" The adrenaline gone, I looked over my body. Pain shot out from the various cuts on my hands and arms. Wincing, I hugged them. Blood dripped down. "Stop it, please," I told my arms. "Stop preventing the policeman from hunting the criminal. Agh."

"Don't worry." Doug gritted his teeth. He took a pokeball from his belt and released a Chansey, a fat pink pokemon with stubby arm and an egg in its front pouch. "Chan Lee, use aromatherapy."

An aroma wafted through the air. I took a sniff and…it vanished. All the stress and angst just disappeared. "Thank you, sir," I told Doug.

"I appreciate it too," Darren remarked. I turned around to see him smiling while reclining on his right side, arm 90 degrees. "Cough!" He covered his mouth with his left hand. A bit of blood dripped from his right. His lips pursed while he wiped the contents on his already stained lab coat.

Doug released an Abra next to Darren. "Zam Bam, teleport the old man to the closest facility, then return here." The yellow teddy bear/automaton fusion clasped its arms together. Some seconds later, it disappeared into thin air along with Darren's brother.

"What?" I leaned forward, arms still glued to my stomach. "Huh, they disappeared," I remarked in a mellow tone. "Your Chansey caused this mellowness, right? I'm taking this too calmly."

Doug nodded. "My main function on the force is emergency medical care. Most of my pokemon are trained solely for healthcare." He pointed up. "Teleportation requires travel along the spectral plane. Fast travel, sure, but it can warp a person's perspective if they enter distressed. The lucky ones only lose a little pocket change amidst more integral belongings. However, emergency care has to emerge quickly."

"Huh." That sounds scary. Or maybe it doesn't. Something else caught my ear, though. "Only healing? Don't you have any pokemon for battling? Don't trainers need those?"

Doug stretched his arms behind his back and grinned. "You'd be surprised. People think pokemon are only useful in battles cause that's what the famous people do. While I doubt I'll win the pokemon league, I don't need to. Though…" He gripped the left side of his pants. "I've got one fighter. But that's just in case people resist treatment. Nothing serious, just making sure kids stay still for shots."

"Yeah…kids…" My arms didn't move. I recognized the pain but couldn't flinch. How weird. I didn't twitch. Shots feel scary. What does fear feel like, again?

"Hey. None of that." A pat on my left shoulder jostled me slightly. Doug's smile carried a certain sternness to it. "I can tell you put yourself in harm's way to keep another person safe. You knew that kid immobilized a policeman and you still stood your ground for that injured man's sake. Nice going."

"Real nice," I said unenthusiastically. Recollections of my fear flashed through my mind, only to quickly fade away. "I should've called the police."

"Stressed people don't think rationally." He shook his head. "It's all about learning and preparing for the unexpected. Take a look at me." He pointed both hands at himself. "I'm still cringing over how awkward I was with you earlier. I normally deal with distressed people. I totally flunked on casual conversation. Kept fearing any careless action could cause you pain. Guess I had the wrong targets in mind."

Doug stood up. "I'm going to work on being the right conversation partner regardless of circumstance. Brenda, you can do the same. Use your failures to sculpt your successes."

Tears formed in my eyes. "Thank you," I calmly replied. "I'll have an awesome plan next time he shows up."

"Bra." The Abra appeared in front of me, having popped in from thin air.

"Right on cue." Doug clasped his hands together. "Stay calm on your trip."

"Where to, exactly?" I asked.

"Where…to?" Doug stared at me with an eyebrow raised. "Where else but the Caper City Pokemon Center?"

"The Pokemon Center?" I echoed. "Isn't that for treating pokemon?"

Doug searched for a word, then lost it. "You know what, I'll explain later. Let's get you treated first."

My body faded and I lost feeling. All I could remember was a blue vortex I traversed through. Like a passenger in a spaceship, the experience was something I could never explain, nor replicate on my own. The feeling in my body was literally beyond words.