"You really went overboard with this one, didn't you?" That voice breaks through my sleepy stupor, bringing me back to my senses. I can feel myself lying on something flat and a bit cold. This is definitely not the forest floor or a tree branch.

"Well he did attack me." That voice sounds familiar. Just not in a good way. I crack open my eyes, recoiling from the bright light that greets me. I try again, this time much more slowly. I can soon make out the florescent lines of light in it. Not good. I'm in some building! Without a second thought, I prop myself up with my arms. I have to get out of here!

However, the moment I sit up, an intense pain races through my midsection, eliciting a loud cry of pain. Immediately, the voices outside the room stop. Crap! They heard me! Ignoring the bolts of pain racing through my body, I sing my legs over the side of the bed I'm on. I slight chill comes over me, and for the first time, I realize I'm shirtless. I guess I'll just have to steal another one later. At least I still have my pants.

Upon my feet hitting the floor, I hear the door start to open. It really doesn't help that the pain has only increased. I use the table to steady myself, but soon realize my right hand is in something wet. I look down, my eyes widening at the sight of the parts of the mattress covered in blood. My blood. The door swings open, letting in a Nurse Joy and Audino.

Upon seeing me, the Audino lets out a cry of surprise and rushes over to me. She guides me back to lying on what I now recognize as a hospital bed. I have little strength to resist as I am laid back down. "You really need to stay in bed," she says in a worried tone. "You're still recovering from you wounds."

Before I can ask what she means, Nurse Joy comes over to the table, a warm smile on her face. "I'm so glad you're finally awake! It's been an entire day since Dean here brought you in." Wait just a minute... I've been asleep a whole day? And who's Dean?

"Arc!" I call out mentally. Arc's reply is noticeably groggy, despite him being more or less a disembodied voice.

What is it? I was trying to take a nap here?

"Did you know we were asleep that long?"

Not really. I mean, you were lost in your subconscious and I couldn't get up, so I went to sleep too. I really should have expected that. I bring my attention back to the Nurse and Audino standing over my bed, who gladly didn't notice my internal conversation.

"So, I'd say you'll be out of here in a few days," Nurse Joy continues. "To make sure you're perfectly healthy and able to move effectively." She probably said something else before that, but I wasn't really paying attention.

It takes a few tries before i finally manage to speak. It's like I forgot how to for a moment. "So what are we-I doing here?" Joy seems a bit confused about why I would ask.

"Don't you remember? Dean brought you in because you got wounded in a battle. You probably would have bled out if he hadn't." Then, as if something had just come to mind, her joyful look is suddenly replaced with a downward gaze. The only problem is-" Suddenly, the door crashes open, revealing a tall, blond figure. I recognize him immediately. So he's Dean. I once again attempt to sit up out of instinct, but the pain forces me back down. I really hope this heals up soon.

"So, how's the guy doing, Joy?" Dean asks, sounding very relaxed for a guy in a hospital. And loud. He meets my eyes full of anger with his of Joy. "Hey,you're up! That's great!" Huh/

"Did he just say, 'That's great?'" Arc interjects. Dean makes his way over to the bed, apparently not bothered by all the blood.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about what happened before. Bolt and I just tend to go overboard sometimes." Then, his expression mirrors that of Nurse Joy's. "Except, I bet you're wondering how you even got here in the first place, huh?" Now that he's mentioned it, how did I even get here. Judging by the amount of blood I must have lost, I should have died long before we even got to the closest Pokémon Center. The only way is-

I can feel what blood remains rush out of my skin with that grim realization. No... He wouldn't... He didn't! From his belt, Dean unclasp a red and black ball, soon enlarging it to full size.

Arc utters a few choice words I don't want to repeat. Not that I can blame him.

"It was the only way to keep you alive," Joy says, breaking the silence. With that sentence, I feel Arc snap. Before I know it, I'm just a spectator in my own body. My mouth is moving on its own. Well, not really.

"The only way?!" Arc shouts. Both Nurse Joy and Dean are noticeably shocked by "my" outburst. "You could have just carried me here! Or even left me to die! That would have been way better than being bound to a pokeball!"

Arc! Calm down! I shout to him.

"Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down? We're stuck with that X-Ball forever,and there's no way we'll have freedom from anyone!" The pure panic coming from him is starting to bring me down to his level. I was trying to stay calm, but this is just too stressful. Before, I could at least blend in with humans if I wore a large cloak. Now, any HCP member could identify what I am with ease. Those damn X-Balls made it so my body gives off a weird signal that the HCP can pick up on if they're close enough. My days of freedom are over.

"W-well there is something you can do..." someone says. Arc looks down at the voice, finally taking notice of the audino. "You see, one of the hybrids we treated mentioned something about someone who could break someone free from an X-ball." Someone who could get me free from this thing? It's too good to be be true! "I don't know if it's true, but he said the person lives in Blackhollow City." I should have known. Nothing that convenient is ever that simple. I can practically feel my hope dying like a rose in a blizzard. There was no way I could ever get to Blackhollow. That's where the Pokémon League is held. Trainers only. I couldn't even get there, much less sneak in.

"Did Audino say something?" Dean asks. Oh right. They're still here. I manage to take back control of my body, momentarily enjoying having feeling in my body once again.

"Nothing important. There's apparently a guy who get me out of this, but he's in Blackhollow." The older boy's expression suddenly changes to a much happier one.

"Well then, I guess you're in luck! 'Cuz Bolt and I are heading there! Right after we beat the Gyms, of course." He is? I suppose it should have been obvious. Nearly everyone wanted to Champion of the Xeres League. "And ironically, you can actually travel now. You just have to go in the X-Ball sometimes." Okay, maybe this isn't too bad. I mean, it can't take too long for Dean to get all the badges, right?

I wouldn't be too sure about that... Arc mutters.

"Shut up, he's our only shot. "

But still, just look at him.

"He beat you, didn't he?" That shuts him up. He never liked having his mistakes pointed out.

"So, what do you say?" Dean asks.

"Sure, why not?"