The sun had started to sink as Aspertia Town finally came into view. Amber was reluctant to stop, though she was exhausted from the day's events. The fact that Leo was still missing bothered her greatly, and she wanted nothing more than to continue the search. Still, she knew that getting help from as many people as possible was paramount, and that was the only thing keeping her from begging Sarah to turn Zentra around. She wanted to continue the search. The storm was not letting up though, and it made continuing the effort impossible. She did agree that it was probably best to get AJ and Eeveen's help before continuing the ground search. That was why they were headed to Aspertia instead of continuing the search. Zentra swooped down in front of the hotel and landed, lowering his back so that Amber and Sarah could disembark. Even though she knew this was the best choice they had, Amber just couldn't shake a growing sense of unease. What if Leo was hurt again? What if he'd lost his memory again?
Or worse...what if he was dead?
Amber shook her head, trying to dismiss that train of thought. It wasn't working very well, and she found herself getting even more upset instead. Who was she kidding? This was too much...
"We're finally here," Gloria said as she dismounted from Serious, "I was starting to think we'd have to land for the night. I can fly this, no problem, but I wonder about Serious."
"Hey! He might not be as good at it as the others, but we had no choice." Shawn slid down from Serious and recalled the dog. He had to have noticed Amber's distress, and she felt his hand on her shoulder. Amber looked up at him, and she saw him smile kindly at her. "Hey, don't look so down. We're just getting some backup, then we'll keep looking. Besides, I bet he's more worried about you. Prove him wrong and be tough for him."
Amber sighed and shook her head, looking down at the sidewalk, "Shawn, I can't brush this off like that. I already got Leo hurt once. I...I just did it again. Now...he's..." She couldn't take it anymore. The thought of Leo being in danger once again because of her was too much. Covering her face, she started to cry again. She vividly recalled that Houndoom attack, and it tore at her again with fresh intensity. Amber hated the thought that she once again hurt him, and the guilt was overwhelming.
"Come on Amber," she heard Gloria say, "What happened to that go-get-em attitude from earlier? It was kind of cool. I thought you were going to be strong no matter what?"
"That's just it!" Amber sobbed from within her hands, overtaken with guilt, "I tried so hard and I just keep putting everyone in danger anyway! I can't keep doing that to everyone..."
"You're such a kind person, Amber. You don't have to be so hard on yourself." Amber looked up and saw Sarah through bleary eyes. She had walked up next to her and was looking at her with a gentle sincerity. "It's nice that you care. I want you to have a little more faith in us. I promise that I'll find Leo, no matter what it takes."

"Yeah!" Amber heard Shawn's cheerful voice pipe up, "Did ya forget we're cops? This kinda thing's our specialty!"
"You guys..." Amber nodded meekly, taking slight comfort with Shawn's reassurance. They were right, of course, but that didn't make her worry any less.

Gloria nudged Amber, "C'mon. Pull it together. Think about it: would Leo like seeing you like this? I'm sure he'd want you to be strong, so buck up!"

"Seriously, is she okay?"

Amber looked up at the new voice, momentarily surprised. She sighed in relief then stared in curiosity. She saw the two Team Night members from earlier: the freewheeling kid with the Grotle, AJ, and the Eevee-cosplaying Eeveen, his Espeon and Umbreon at his side. The Gym Leader of Aspertia Town, Cheren, was also here and...who were these other two people? The dark-haired, green-eyed girl int the Pikachu shirt seemed to be in a glum sort of mood, and she was looking among the party with a sharp gaze. The silver-haired man in the blue uniform though...something about him made her feel very odd. It was almost as if his violet eyes could see right into her heart, and it made her feel naked.

"These are the companions you mentioned. I recognize Sarah from the phone call." The uniformed man extended a hand to the group. "I'm pleased to meet you in person."

"Sorry, but this is no time to get formal, Evan." Sarah cast a hand back in the direction of the forest. "We've got to-"

"I know. I overheard your conversation earlier on the phone." Evan's distant expression never changed as he spoke. He made Amber feel really insecure somehow. Amber's brow furrowed and she took a step back form him. This elicited a slight grin and chuckle out of him, though his tone fell and seemed somewhat downcast, "Everyone is the same. Nobody wants to trust a psychic..."

"You're...a psychic?" Amber was puzzled. How could that be? Weren't psychics usually Pokémon?

"Yes, Amber, you assumed right. Most psychics are Pokémon. I am one of the handful of humans who can do this as well." Evan responded calmly, never even giving her the chance to answer. Amber's eyes widened and her jaw fell open. How in the world was he doing that?

"Knock it off, weirdo!" Sarah blared, waving a hand at the suited man in protest,"You're creeping the hell outta us! Even I know better than to read people's minds without warning!"

"I'm sorry. Does this seem intrusive? I can't control my mind-reading..."

"Forget about that," Gloria cut in, earning a sharp stare out of Evan. "We don't have time to screw around. Who knows if Tornadus is still around? We have to find Leo, and soon."

"What should we do?" Eeveen asked, cocking his head, "Should we split up again?"

"That's stupid," This from the girl in the Pikachu shirt, "If any of us get lost, we'll be in the same pickle. Then we'll need rescuing!"

Amber sighed, more than a little frustrated. All this arguing was beginning to grate on her nerves. She wanted to just leave, but she resisted the temptation. That girl had a point...

"You said you can fly in the storm?" Amber asked Gloria.

"..." She shot a suspicious look to the two strangers in their midst. "I don't know. I'll need to change up my team a little. I think I have a Wingull in my PC box I can use. There's no flying on her though; she's way too small."

"Don't forget, I can turn into a Swanna or something. I can help too!" Sarah offered.

"Indeed she can." Evan smiled slightly, "To think I'd actually meet someone like you..."

This earned an exasperated sigh out of Sarah. "Let me guess. You read that too."

"You're being awfully judgmental for a fellow psychic." Evan folded his arms in apparent irritation. "Fine. I understand. I'll just have to do this then." He drew out a Pokéball and unleashed the Pokémon inside. It was unlike any Pokémon Amber had ever seen before. It was a small, cat-like creature, only about a foot tall. It was standing upright, like Fang did, and had thick, somewhat ruffled, pale violet-colored fur. The fur along the edges of its ears and on the tips of its forepaws was white, giving it the look of wearing mittens. It stared up at the humans with huge, haunting eyes, tilting its head at them quizzically.

"Fffnya?" It purred.

"What's that?" Gloria asked, "I've never seen a Pokémon like this!"

Evan looked briefly at her before returning his gaze to the cat."That's one of my Espurr. His name is Violet. I have a female called Lune too."

Amber couldn't hold back a smile. "He's adorable!" Amber squatted down, extending a hand gently to the Pokémon. "May I?"

"If he allows it. He's kind of-" Evan was cut off by Violet's meow. Violet suddenly lunged and grabbed onto Amber, hugging her around the neck. She was caught completely off-guard and she fell on her butt as the cat pounced in her lap, purring affectionately.

"Well I never..." Evan smiled. "He likes you! Even I've never gotten that out of him."

"Nyaaa." Violet seemed distracted, staring Amber squarely in the eyes. Amber found herself staring right back at the cat. The serene feline locked his gaze on her, not even blinking. Amber found herself lost in his cute, calm stare.

"Don't be so sad. I hate sadness...so smile!" Amber was surprised by the quiet, child-like voice in her mind. In spite of her surprise, she quickly found a grin on her face.

"He's a psychic too!"

"That he is." Evan smiled again. "I tell you what. Since he likes you, maybe you can convince him to open a mind-link with me. Maybe then You'll trust me."

"A mind-link?" Amber asked.

"It is just what it sounds like: a connection between two minds. Espurr can do this if they trust the humans in the connection."

"Why would he trust me? We just met." Amber couldn't hide another smile as the cat started playing with her braid. Unable to hold it in, Amber burst out laughing, rubbing Violet's belly. "Aww, so sweet! Who's a cute kitty? Who's a cute kitty?!"

"I am!" Violet beamed, "I'm a cute kitty! I'm a cute kitty!" Violet was purring contentedly, eyes half-closed in delight. "Mmm, don't stop..."

"Alright. I guess it can't hurt to ask..." Amber turned to Violet. "Hey, Violet? Can you do a mind-link thing with Evan and...?"

"What the heck?" Suddenly Amber felt a second voice in her mind. It sounded like AJ's voice. "Hey, wait a second! I just heard voices in my head!"

"In your head?" This time, the voice sounded like that black-haired girl, "Me too! Gah, what the hell?!"

"I hear voices too!" Amber noticed shocked looks all around. Even Sarah looked bewildered.

"Now you can hear each other's thoughts! Isn't it great?" Violet looked quite satisfied with himself.

"More like whack." Shawn replied.