I looked at the key again, hoping that the number would have miraculously changed, or that I was imagining things.

Nope, it still said '202'.

I fiddled with the key, wondering what to do next. I could always wait a while and sneak in whilst he's sleeping, but that plan has major flaws.

I yawned and my eyes kept their blink a little longer than usual. I can't drag this out any longer or I'm going to fall asleep right here. I pressed the button to call the lift and waited for it to come down. I could always take the stairs but I don't think my legs will carry me up them right now. Plus Castelia is one of the biggest Pokémon Centres, there are at least 17 floors. That's a lot of stairs. I bet the stairwells are all horrid and smell like pee or something anyway. The lift opened and greeted me mechanically. I pressed the button to close the door and just stood there looking at the buttons. My, I mean 'our' room is only on the second floor. I should be there in a matter of seconds. I inhaled and then pressed the button. The lift shot up to the second floor and signaled for me to get out. Room 202 was just ahead of me, one of the first rooms on the floor. I exhaled silently, put the key in the door, twisted, and pulled down on the handle. The door gave way with a creak. Good, the light isn't on. I can sneak into bed…

"Hello, who's there?" A sleepy voice asked.

"Shhhhh it's no one, go back to sleep." I whispered.

"How can I when a girl has just entered my room?" Shit, is he always like this around girls?

The light clicked on.

"ROSA?! What are you doing here?" I held up my key so he could see the number on it. I couldn't even bring myself to talk.

"Rosa, are you alright? You look…sad." Hugh's sleepy eyes drifted across my face. It caught on a patch of inflamed skin around my left eye.

"Ouch, I'm sorry Rosa. Your face is bruised…because of me. I'm a liability. I just can't control myself sometimes." He looked down.

"No, Hugh, it's alright. It was an accident. If it was premeditated however, I would have had my Axew Dragon Pulse your arse straight out of this city." Hugh chuckled lightly then put his arms up.

"Come here." What? What does he want me to do?

"Rosa…" he teased as he reached up from his bed and pulled me towards him. His grip was firm but kind of comforting. I could just sleep on his bare shoulder forever…BARE SHOULDER! Is he wearing clothes? My eyes drifted to the bunched up sheets around his middle.

"Don't worry, I don't sleep naked…" Damn it, he saw my wandering eyes; I'll just move them up a bit. Nope, they're stuck on his manly manly arms.

"…when there are people around." He finished quietly. Is he flirting with me? This is a side of Hugh that I have never seen before. He used to eat mud and stuff, now he's all masculine.

If people could see the position we'd wriggled ourselves into, well, it would take some explaining. I was kneeling on the mattress of a boy who may or may not be clothed 'down stairs' (but it most certainly doesn't look like it), and I had my head on his left shoulder, just under his neck. If anything he has me completely trapped and at his mercy. I daren't even look up; besides, I'm too busy enjoying the view of his muscular body.

He released one of his hands from the squeeze and placed it under my chin. He then tilted my head up gently to meet his eyes. His eyes are a piercing shade of red, but right now they looked soft and warm. I can't break eye contact, what is happening to me?

His eyes then drifted to my sore cheek. His hand let go of my chin and stroked my cheek carefully.

"Sorry." He whispered softly into my ear. This was a different kind of soft than the mysterious gloved man's voice. It plunged me completely into a sea of calm…

"Don't eat me magical gloves!" I shouted as I jolted awake. What was I even dreaming about? Where am I? I blinked to clear the sleep from my eyes. I feel a little, constricted. This is odd. My eyes were finally ready to get me a good picture of my surroundings. Alright eyes, don't fail me now.

All I could see was blue-ish spiky hair, like Hugh's. No wait, it is Hugh's! I must have fallen asleep ON him.

I have just slept with a boy…of course, not in a sexual way or anything!

The boy whom had encased me in his arms stirred slightly. He's kind of cute when he's asleep. He looks so peaceful. He stirred again, this time creasing his eyes. He must be waking up. I don't want this to be awkward so I'll pretend to be asleep.

"Hmmm?" His voice croaked deep in his throat. I could feel his head turn to survey his surroundings. Then an arm moved. He freed his arm from the sheets and me and placed it on my head. He began to delicately stroke my hair. I guess now is a good time to 'wake up'.

I purposely twitched my eyes so that he would notice. The stroking stopped and I was released from his hug. He was still very close to me. I opened my eyes to find them in contact immediately with his.

"Good morning sleepyhead." Hugh cooed, voice still a bit croaky.

"Hmmm?" I mumbled in reply.

"You fell asleep on me last night Rosa. I couldn't move you, you were too cute to disturb." Surely this comment could be seen as creepy?

"It's alright Hugh, I got a good night's sleep actually." It was true. I felt so refreshed.

"I'm glad of it." Hugh stoked my hair one last time before propping himself up and swinging his legs out of the bed. He stood up and tensed all of his body muscles. I got a particularly nice view of his back. And he was wearing boxer shorts…with Luvdisc on them.

He turned to find me staring and blushed. But he just shook it off without saying anything. Too bad, I'd really love to find out how he obtained these particular pants.

"I've got to head off soon Rosa. I've got a big day of travelling ahead of me." He winced at his own comment.

"What, so you're not challenging Burgh at the Gym?" I quizzed him.

"I already have." I almost fell out of the bed. How could he have gotten that badge already?

"I still have a bit of time. Let's have breakfast before you challenge Burgh. We could talk tactics, and you're going to need your energy in the future. We can't have you falling asleep on boys all the time." Hugh suggested, stretching out his arms.

"Alright Hugh, but first I think you need to put some clothes on."

We agreed to meet in the canteen in 10 minutes. He was already sat down with a mountain of cornflakes by the time I got there.

"Burgh deals in bug type Pokémon. Your Rufflet will do well against them; however, you can't rely on him alone." Hugh munched through his cornflakes.

"So that's all your advice?" I'm kind of disappointed, I expected a step-by-step guide to defeating Burgh.

"It's all you need. He's easier to beat than Cheren. That Work Up…"

"Don't forget Roxie's Venoshock." I reminded.

"Oh yes. Did she pull one off against you?" Hugh asked, interested.

"Yeah, on Rufflet too. He survived it luckily but it was quite the shock!" Hugh chuckled at my little pun.

He picked up his mug, skulled the remaining liquid and stood up suddenly and slammed his hands onto the table.

"Right Rosa, I've got to go. I'll see you later. In Nimbasa maybe? We could check out the fairground." He turned and rushed out of the automatic doors.

Well, that was strange. But I'm not going to waste any time. I want to get out of Castelia as soon as possible.

I went straight to the gym. It was surprisingly easy to find, sat right on a main street. Plus, there were loads of neon signs to guide lost trainers. I entered and was surprised by the interior. It was natural looking and full of silky fabrics. But the crowning glory was definitely the room that Burgh was in. It was beautiful, painted in a rainbow of colours. I stopped still to take in the sights of the room. It was comforting against the harsh city outside.

"It's lovely isn't it?" Burgh's voice sounded from a pile of silk. He stood up suddenly and the shawl of fabric fell off his shoulders.

"So Rosa, you're here to challenge me. I've been looking forward to this battle. Go Swadloon!" He doesn't waste any time.

After the brief session with my tactical coach Hugh I'm not going to send Rufflet out straight away. I'll let Mareep deal with this.

"Mareep, thundershock!" Bolts of electrical energy spurted out of Mareep and into the Swadloon. It didn't stand a chance.

"Now, finish it off with a tackle!" Mareep bolted at the dazed Swadloon and knocked it out. One down.

"Return Swadloon." Burgh took a moment to thank his fallen partner then he looked up at me and smiled.

"Dwebble, go!" This is not good, I can't keep Mareep out.

"Mareep return, Oshawott use Razor Shell quickly." I really don't like Dwebble. They creep me out. It's a little orange squirmy thing inside of a rock. I'm alright with most bug-type Pokémon, just not that one. And Beedrill. It's like a buggy-dentist, everyone's worst nightmare!

Dwebble had no chance against my lovely little Oshawott and was recalled to Burgh in no time. What? Oshawott is glowing? The same white light present at both of my egg hatchings surrounded Oshawott as his shape flickered. Then the light burst and Oshawott's new form was revealed. He was now a Dewott!

"Awesome job Dewott!" I beamed as I recalled him to his Pokéball. Burgh sent out his final Pokémon. A fully evolved Leavanny. This looks like a job for my Rufflet. With a couple of flying-type attacks that Leavanny is toast.

Rufflet easily took down Leavanny, making for the most anti-climatic Gym battle I'd experienced yet.

"Well Rosa, you steamrolled me." Burgh crossed his arms and let out a giggle.

"I'm not surprised though, I kind of expected it to be honest. You remind me of…ah, never mind". Burgh shook his head and sighed.

"Who. Who do I remind you of?" I'm not having any more bloody mysteries in my life.

"You remind me of Hilda. She waltzed through here two years ago and dispatched me similarly to how you just did… But nobody has heard from her in about a year... I'm really worried about her Rosa. I just want to know that she's safe. And since you remind me of her, I'm kind of worried about you too. I don't want you to have to suffer through all of the hardships she had with Team Plasma, and I don't want you to disappear out of the blue." Burgh's eyes began to mist.

"So, if you need anything, please call me." He perked up slightly and began to shout.

"Especially if your issue is fashion related! Girlfriend I saw you in that movie and you looked FAB!" There's the Burgh we all know and love.

I left the Gym with the Insect Badge and the TM for Struggle Bug. I headed straight for the north gate of the city. I heard that it's a desert out there!

I'm going to traverse the desert and head onto Route 4, and Nimbasa City beyond it. I could do with some exploring and training after being in this city.

I was running towards the exit gate but then I heard something. His voice, the creepy science glove man.

"I'm ever so sorry Rosa, I didn't get to introduce myself the last time we met. I am a research scientist for a very high-profile organisation. Please, excuse my rudeness."

How does he know my name? I still don't know his.

"I know everything Rosa." What? He must have read it from my confused expression. I don't like this situation at all. It's broad daylight but there's no one around. It's Castelia City for Arceus' sake, there's always someone around. What am I going to do? He's almost certainly going to abduct me. I saw something I shouldn't have and now I'm going to pay for it. The odd vanishing ship was real. Or was he playing with my head? I don't even want to find out. Oh no, he's pulling his gloves up.

"I was wondering, Rosa, if you'd care to delight me with a Pokémon battle. I'd love to see your Pokémon again. It's for scientific research." His voice is kind of soothing. Not nice, but soothing. It took the edge off my alarm a little bit. That sounds like a reasonable request doesn't it? He put his hands on my shoulders and crouched down until his eyes met mine. They were cold and clinical, a sharp shade of yellow. His features were much more striking in the daylight. I shuddered in his grip.

"There is no need to be afraid of me. I'm not going to hurt you." I could have sworn that he muttered "yet" just under his breath. His grip tightened and my fear heightened. He was starting to hurt my shoulders. His voice is definitely spine-chillingly soft.

How was I going to get out of this? I guess I'm going to have to battle him. And I'm not going to lose.

"Alright, Creepy man, I accept." I stared defiantly into his eyes.

"Great, I'll be waiting for you on Route 4. Thank you for your compliance." He nodded as he turned and headed for the gate himself. He doesn't even look old enough to be a scientist. I still think he looks a little childish. I wonder who would employ him?

I guess I have to follow him onto the Route. I have no other means of exiting the city. There's a rave going on in the gatehouse to the east of the city, and I am most certainly not going back to Virbank…or should I? If I went back there I could try and hide all the way in Floccesy Town. I'd have to pick up some BlackGlasses though so no one recognised me in Virbank. Being dragged into another movie would definitely highlight my location, especially if it's another popular movie. No, I can't see the scientist sitting down in a movie theatre any way. I might be safe... Why am I thinking like this? Surely I can't be scared of a man with a blue antenna made out of hair swooping across his head? Actually his blue 'accent' makes me chuckle.

I marched determined through the gate to find my path blocked by none other than some Crustle.

Why? Why me?

"Weird isn't it? These Crustle have been swarming here for a couple of hours now. No one can move them, and no one can pass them." It was the scientist again, creeping around.

"I've set up a temporary lab here to see if I can address the problem." He gestures to a derelict sandstone building.

"If you beat me in that battle maybe I'll let you have a look inside?" No. No way am I going into that creepy man's lab.

"Don't look so worried. There's nothing in there that could harm a person..." his voice trailed off.

"Hey, do you know anything about Team Plasma?" He suddenly asked with a mechanical pencil touching his lips.

"Yeah, they're a bunch of thieving hypocrites." I replied with my arms crossed, looking towards the makeshift 'lab'. Who knows what he has in there. A surgical table, restraints, and all sorts of tools? Ugh, I don't want to think about it.

"They were founded on the ideals that Pokémon must be free of human tyranny in order to reach their full potential, that is, they don't need humans. Plasma ideals go further to state that Pokémon are unhappy in our care. I don't believe that. I think that humans can guide Pokémon into unleashing their full potential and I'd like to test my theory on you." Hey, buddy. I'm no lab rat. Plus, when were you such a Team Plasma expert?

"Now, battle me and prove my theory correct!" He pushed his glasses up his face and reached for his belt.

I'm not going to show him all of my Pokémon, especially not Axew. I'll let Mareep lead the battle again.

"Go Magnemite!" Good, not a type disadvantage then. I can power through with my Mareep.

"Thunder wave!" I'm being tentative. I don't know what he's going to throw at me. His Magnemite spends the turn unable to move.

"Hmm…interesting." The scientist consults his tablet computer. Hey. Stop cheating!

"Mareep, hit it with a Thundershock! Then tackle!" I'm making the most of my speed advantage here. Magnemite tries to Lock On to my Mareep but Magnemite can't handle Mareep's constant attacks and goes down.

"You didn't have an advantage there, why didn't you switch out?" Because I don't want you to see my other Pokémon that's why.

"Go Klink!" The pondering scientist sent out the steel type Klink. Good, there's no disadvantage to Mareep again.

"Hit it with your best Thundershock!" Steel doesn't resist electric. A fire type attack would be grand but I don't have one right now.

His Klink goes down without a hassle but suddenly Mareep begins to glow like Oshawott did. This is all I need in front of him. Mareep's shape kept flickering until it emerged into a pink Flaafy.

"How splendid!" He studied my Flaafy closely. She let out a faint growl.

The scientist stood up sharply and coughed.

"Now, let me show you something great." He abruptly grabbed my arm and led me to the Crustle. I arranged myself so that I was behind him slightly. I didn't want to be anywhere near those Crustle.

"Watch." The scientist pulled a remote with a big red button on it out of his pocket. He presses the button and the Crustle jolt and then scatter, clearing the road.

"The name's Colress and I'm working on how to bring out the best in Pokémon. You are a most interesting subject Rosa." If his eyes could sparkle I bet they would be right now, he's that excited.

"But…remember our deal?" His voice dropped and I instantly knew what he meant. His threat from the sewer. He's still adamant about that ship. I shouldn't have said anything but I just couldn't help it.

"I'm sure you will blossom into a wonderful Pokémon trainer, and I look forward to the next time we meet. I must go and report my findings to my superior." His gloved hand formed a fist.

"Maybe we can grab dinner sometime?" Oh no, not with you Colress. Not if my life depended on it. He could have me completely at his mercy.

He chuckled. "I hear Driftveil is good this time of year. Oh, by the way, I loved your movie." He turned and walked off. So that's how he knew my name.

Now, I can't get on with what I really wanted to do, explore the desert! The sandstorm made for poor visibility but I stumbled around the desert happily, wondering what I'll encounter next. As long as it wasn't Colress the Creeper I would be happy.

Hey, what's that? A Pokémon popped out of a hole in front of me. It had a round orange head and sharp pincer-like teeth. It's, it's…SO CUTE!