The next morning, Layne and Pyro were called over by Loudred. "Hey, you two got a couple visitors, according to Diglett!"

"Visitors?" Layne asked. He looked to Pyro and simply said, "Shall we go see who they are?"

Layne and Pyro walked up to the entrance of the Guild to see Azurill and Marill standing, waiting for them. Azurill saw them and said, "Hi, Pyro and Layne!"

Pyro smiled and said, "Oh, it's you two. What's up?"

Marill said, "Well, we've come to ask you for help."

Layne cocked his head a bit. "Help?"

Marill nodded. "Yes."

Azurill said, "We need help finding a Water Float."

Layne was more confused. "Didn't you say someone had located one yesterday on the beach?"

"Yes." Marill said. "Someone did say they saw one lying on the beach yesterday. We went looking for it. We searched all day, and couldn't find it."

Layne felt somewhat sorry. But he really didn't want to have to go on another lost and found mission. Not since Spoink's Pearl request.

Marill continued, "We did, however, find this..." he said, handing Layne a note.

Layne read aloud as he held it in front of him. "'The water float from the beach is now in our possession. Just try and take it from us! We'll wait in the deepest part of the Amp Plains. Knowing how weak and puny you both are, I doubt you'll be able to reach us. If you can't handle it, go cry to your big-shot friends." Layne crumpled the piece of paper. "This ransom note...sounds like it was written by a certain team."

Pyro looked at Layne. "Who do you think?"

"Don't know know?" Layne asked. "I can just hear Skuntank laughing as he writes this."

"Perhaps..." Pyro said. "They went missing in the expedition."

"Not our problem." Layne said. He turned to Azurill and Marill. "I need to ask you that you won't go yourself. This sounds too much like a trap."

"But that water float is very important to us." Marill said a bit down.

"I know." Layne said. "We will think of something. I promise."

"I tried going there a little bit," Marill said. "But so many electric pokémon live there...I just cannot stand how weak I am."

Pyro said, "Don't worry. Layne and I will go get your water float back for you."

Layne looked at Pyro, "Wait, what?"

"Really?" Marill asked. "You will?"

Pyro looked at Layne. "I share your suspicion, Layne. But if Team Skull is behind this, they're going too far. We've got to show them somehow that we're not going to take it anymore."

Layne sighed, but understood. "Then let's get this over with." Layne looked at Azurill and Marill. "We'll find your water float."

"Th-thank you!" Marill said, and added on, "We really are sorry to bother you like this."

Pyro laughed, "Please! Cheer up! We'll get your item. We promise!"

Layne popped his neck. There was no going back now. He and Pyro had been in situations like this before, but Layne didn't like it that much. Oh well...Azurill and Marill were both counting on them. Layne didn't plan on making them disappointed. They deserved a little help with this.

The Amp Fields were a desolate and dry place. And though the sky was filled with storm clouds and lightning, there was no rain. Layne felt very uncomfortable here. He was slowly learning more about this world, and if he remembered right, this place was filled with electric pokémon, and Layne was apparently, a water type. That was not good on his part. He'd really have to step up his game here.

Pyro was rather determined to succeed here. "We have to find this item. Who would pick on Azurill and Marill like that? I mean, what would they do to deserve that?"

"I'm telling you," Layne said as lightning flashed, making him a bit weary, "This whole thing smells funky, like Team Skull funky."

"But why would they pick on them? They don't know them, and we haven't heard from them in a week."

"Who knows." Layne said. "Let's just get this over with and go home. This lightning's freaking me out."

"Why?"

"Pyro. It's lightning. You know, that electrical discharge that if it hits you when it strikes, can be very lethal."

"I know what lightning is, Layne." Pyro said, "But you shouldn't need to worry about it here."

"Why do you say that?" Layne asked as more lightning flashed.

"Well as we both know, electric pokémon inhabit this area. As such, most lightning is attracted to those pokémon if it were to strike the ground."

Layne looked at Pyro funny. "So electric pokémon are that dumb?"

Pyro looked at him, "What?"

"Why would they continue to live here if they know that lightning will strike them?"

"Lightning strikes really don't harm them Layne, and in some cases, it will even enhance their power sometimes."

Layne sighed. "So they're actually quite smart to live here. Let's try not to run into any of these electric pokémon. Whoever hid the water float here, really were trying to say something. This is ridiculous."

Pyro looked at Layne, "Look, I'm not thrilled to be here either." Pyro said. "But complaining won't do anything about it."

Layne simply said, "I'm not trying to sound like I'm complaining, but whoever id the item h ere certainly has balls hiding it in such a dangerous place." Lightning flashed and made Layne certainly jump. Both Pyro and Layne stopped as the thunder roared. Layne sighed. His fur at least wasn't tingling...yet. "Let's just get this over with."

"I cannot picture why someone would do such a mean thing to you both." Kecleon-G said.

"So Team Hydro Pyro has gone to get it in your place?" Kecleon-P asked.

"Yes." Azurill said. "They said they would get it for us."

"Well," Kecleon-G said. "Both Layne and Pyro have slowly but surely become quite a team around here. I think we can all rest easy knowing they will be back with your water float."

Yes, that's very true. We can't forget the many things they've done for us all!" Marill said. "They helped my little brother, and now they're helping us again. I don't know how we could ever repay them."

"Good day to you all!" Dusknoir's voice said as he came over. "Is something the matter?"

Kecleon-G said, "Oh, hello Dusknoir, sir! We were just talking about the water float that Marill and Azurill lost."

"Ah, yes. I remember this. Did they find it on the beach as they had hoped to?"

"Unfortunately, there's more to the story at the moment." Kecleon-P said.

Azurill spoke up. "We went to the beach yesterday, but all we found was a note."

"A note you say?" Dusknoir asked.

"Yes." Marill said. The note said that someone had found the water float and had hidden it in the Amp Fields."

"Why would they do that?"

"We're not too sure either." Kecleon-P said. "It sounds more like a typical bullying trick more than anything."

"I can't imagine why someone would do anything so wretched." Dusknoir said. "Bullies. They just sink so low, it's pathetic."

Both Kecleon Brothers said in unison, "I can't agree more!"

"Kecleon-P said, "Who could be so mean to such spirited children?"

"To these brothers, none-the-less!" Kecleon-G said. "It''s unforgivable to me!"

"So what will you do? You clearly cannot go to the Amp Fields alone. And not at this particular time, either."

"Oh, that's okay." Azurill said. "Team Hydro Pyro volunteered to go and get the item for us, today."

"Pardon?" Dusknoir asked. "You mean to say that...Hydro Pyro is currently in Amp Plains? They are in serious danger! At this time of year..." Dusknoir snapped to his senses. "This is ruinous! I must leave for the Amp Fields at once!" And with that, Dusknoir left for the Amp Fields, much to the urge for more information from the Kecleon and Marill-Azurill brothers.

Layne sat down with Pyro. They were going to take a very short break. Lightning was flashing intense all around them, and it was making Layne very uncomfortable. Layne opened the team bag that he always carried and took his goggles off for a brief moment. He reached into the bag and tossed Pyro an apple.

"I'm about ready to call it, Pyro."

"Layne," Pyro said biting into the apple, "We promised them we'd find the water float."

"This lightning's getting a bit more ferocious. We've already seen a few strike near us. God only knows why we haven't been attacked right now." Layne said biting into the apple.

Pyro simply said, "Pyro, we have a job to do. I really don't want to go back to those brothers empty handed."

Layne chuckled and bit into the apple. "Through storm and rain and dark of night / Never fail to do what's right..."

"That was catchy." Pyro said.

Layne shrugged. "I don't remember what it's from, but I remember first hearing it...a long time ago. Don't know."

Pyro said, "I liked it."

Layne shrugged, "I didn't come up with it. I don't think I'm that creative."

"You came up with our name." Pyro said.

"It was a joke more than anything." Layne said. "I wasn't even trying."

"None the less, the name has stuck with us." Pyro said finishing his apple. "You ready to continue?"

Layne tossed his apple core. "What do you suppose this item of theirs looks like?"

Pyro shrugged. "I've never seen a water float before."

They continued talking as they walked along, mainly about the item and who would be hiding it here, when Layne suddenly tripped.

"Layne, you okay?" Pyro asked helping him up.

"What the devil did I just trip on?" Layne asked a bit frustrated. He looked to his foot, which was wrapped around a...now glowing lightly blue ring. It wasn't glowing before, otherwise Layne would have saw it. Layne looked at Pyro.

Pyro asked, "You think that's it?"

Layne simply remembered finding Spoink's Pearl. "Is my luck really that good?"

"Layne, that certainly looks rare enough to be an item they would be looking for."

Layne shrugged. As he pulled his foot out, it stopped glowing. But once he held it in his paws, the glow returned. "I don't feel any different. Perhaps it's an item specifically for them."

"Well, I hope that's it, because I don't know what else it would look like." Pyro said.

"Agreed. Let's get out of here." Layne said, readjusting his goggles that had messed up when he fell. "And let's hurry before the lightning decides to-"

"Why did you come here?" a voice suddenly called out. "You are trespassing on our territory!"

Layne and Pyro got into defensive stances. "Who's there?" Pyro called out.

"I am Manectric. Leader of this clan of Electrike." the voice spoke loudly. As he said that, several green and yellow pokémon appeared from behind large boulders that were in the area. A blue and yellow pokémon then jumped onto one of the larger boulders. "There is no forgiveness for those who intrude on our territory."

Layne held his paws up, "Look we don't want any trouble, we're just retrieving an item for a couple friends."

"That's right!" Pyro said. "We're not here to make claims on your territory!"

"Enough of your lies!" Manectric shouted. "Attack them!"

A couple of the green and yellow Electrike pokémon charged both Layne and Pyro. If Marowak's training were to be put to any test, this was it. Layne jumped and dodged one of the Electrike as it charged with some electric attack. Layne was not wanting to get hit with any electric moves, but he knew that at the moment, it was only a matter of time before one hit him. They were heavily outnumbered, there were dozens of them, and only two of them. Sure, some could be women and children, but they all had the same power.

Pyro was faring much better at the moment. Ever since learning Fire Spin, Pyro's confidence had greatly improved. Of course, even Fire Spin had it's limits, but it certainly made Pyro, to Layne look more like a fighter than before. Layne was in the middle of hand to hand combat involving one Electrike. But two more were coming from behind. Layne managed to use Iron Tail, which he had perfected with Marowak, on the Electrike, before being tackled to the ground by both Electrike. One of the Electrike, pinned Layne, while the other ran to fight Pyro, who was still faring rather well.

The Electrike's body, that pinned Layne down, surged with electricity and transfered it to Layne. The pain was excruciating. Layne didn't know if it was because he was a water pokémon or what, but never before had he felt such pain in his life. He screamed, and tried to get his attacker off. The Electrike took great pleasure in hearing his scream. Pyro on the other hand, looked to Layne, and seeing the situation, ran over and used Metal Claw.

Before Pyro made contact, Layne managed to push him up. His skin started to tingle. Pyro impacted the Electrike with Metal Claw and helped Layne up. As the Electrike landed on the ground about 15 feet away, lightning struck the Electrike. Layne almost lost balance and almost fell, as did Pyro. Layne had never been so close to a lightning strike before in his life, and he could only hope he never had to be so close again.

Manectric finally jumped down and motioned for the fighting Electrike to surround them both. Layne panted. He was weakened severely. "We don't have time for this..." he managed to say.

Pyro nodded and said, "Whoever hid it here...certainly set up one a big trap."

Layne smiled and said, "If this is it, Pyro...let me say it's been an honor exploring with you."

Pyro smiled back and said, "You giving up so easily?"

Layne shook his head, still smiling, "Just in case."

"Enough!" Manectric shouted. "This ends now. Prepare yourselves!"

Layne sighed and closed his eyes. He knew it was hopeless. He just wished before this, he knew who he was...

"STOP THIS AT ONCE!" Dusknoir's voice suddenly shouted.

Layne opened his eyes. Dusknoir was here? But why?

Dusknoir was standing atop a giant boulder and floated before the Manectric. All the Electrike and Manectric seemed to look at Dusknoir in fear. "Wh-what do you want?"

"They mean you no harm." Dusknoir said. "They are here to retrieve an item that was hidden here as a very cruel prank. They trespass, but they have no intention on staying here."

"Who are you?" Manectric asked in anger.

"I am Dusknoir. I know you have every right to be angered at the trespassing here, especially in the light of what your clan has been suffering on the grounds here. Your hostility is only natural. I understand, completely. But the trespassing was an unwanted mistake. And for that, I offer a sincere apology on behalf of both the explorers you see behind me. And I promise, that we will leave you in peace as soon as the errand is complete."

Manectric and Dusknoir locked eyes for about a minute. Manectric then broke the gaze. "You seem to know much about us, Dusknoir. You claim they mean no harm." He turned, "Very well. I will put faith in your words, explorer, Dusknoir. We will allow you time, but should you all be here upon our return, do not expect us to be so merciful." He then led the Electrike away.

Dusknoir relaxed, as did Layne and Pyro. Pyro said, "Th-thank you, Dusknoir, sir! You saved us! But..." he said looking at the clan as they left, "Who were they?"

"A group of Elektrike and Manectric. They are a nomadic clan that stays on the move."

Layne spoke up, "You said you knew about what they had suffered...or something."

Dusknoir nodded, "At one point a large group of enemies attacked them here without warning. Their clan suffered terrible losses. Since then, they've become very sensitive toward trespassers here. They always strike at trespassers first our of fear for being stricken themselves."

"I understand that." Pyro said. "I guess that explains why they refused to listen to us in the first place."

"Enough about them, we should leave. Did you find the water float?"

Layne reached into his bag and pulled out the ring they had found, which glowed in his paws. "This it?"

Dusknoir gave the item a look and said, "Yes. There is no mistaking that is indeed the water float."

Layne put the ring in his bag and said, "Perhaps my luck really is improving."

"But who hid it here?" Pyro asked. "Surely that clan was not responsible."

"It was put here deliberately, without a doubt." Dusknoir said, crossing his arms. "Whoever hid it here, knew that someone would end up at this exact spot. It is not unknown that Manectric's clan patrols here regularly. Someone expected a confrontation between you and the Manectric. You were set up."

"We took the bait." Layne said a bit angry, not satisfied with this at all.

"But who?" Pyro asked. "Who would hide it here?"

"Oh it's quite simple, actually." Dusknoir said. "Because right now they're listening in. Isn't that right, you sneaking scoundrels?" he shouted turning behind.

Layne and Pyro looked to see Team Skull running away rather quick.

"It was them! I knew it!" Layne said.

"It doesn't matter." Dusknoir said. "Their plan failed. They are not your current objective. You should deliver the water float back to the brothers."

Layne sighed. "One of these days, I will have their hides on the guild wall..."

Returning to Treasure Town was rather easy as compared to going into the fields. And upon entering Treasure Town and walking to the Kecleon Market, Layne and Pyro saw both Azurill and Marill. Azurill then exclaimed, "Team Hydro Pyro! Did you find it?"

Layne was still in pain from the electricity that had coursed through him, but showed them the glowing ring. "This it?"

"You found it!" Marill cried in joy.

"Yay!" Azurill exclaimed. "Thank you both, really!"

"First you saved Azurill, and now, you've done this for us." Marill said. "How could we ever repay you?"

Layne chuckled as did Pyro. "It's quite okay." Layne said.

"Yep," Pyro said, "It's all a part of our life now. And if you need to thank anyone, please, thank Dusknoir. We had found ourselves in quite the jam, and would have been history is Dusknoir hadn't shown up!"

Marill and Azurill looked to Dusknoir and said, "Thank you, very much!"

"No problem at all." Dusknoir said. "I'm very happy for you both."

Kecleon-G laughed and said, "I just love seeing the great Dusknoir being so modest!"

"Also a great job to Team Hydro Pyro for yet another job so well done! Your team is superb!"

Layne chuckled at that and shrugged. "No pain, no game I guess. You guys have any water?"

As Layne bought some water, Kecleon-G recalled the rescue of Azurill. "Your team is rather great. I still find it amazing how fast it was that you pinpointed Azurill's whereabouts, and how fast you rescued him, too!"

Pyro then spoke out of term much to Layne's displeasure. "Well about that ,we kind of had some help then. We didn't pinpoint the location of Azurill. My partner saw this happen in a dream."

"Pyro!" Layne said, spitting out water, and coughing.

Dusknoir seemed surprised at this explanation, "Pardon? You say you saw this happen in a dream."

Layne looked at Pyro annoyed, and Pyro simply gave a look as if to say, "Oops, sorry Layne..." But then Layne looked to Dusknoir, and said, "Yes. I had a vision."

Pyro then said, "That's right! Maybe Dusknoir can help us with this! Don't you think?" he asked Layne.

Layne sighed. Perhaps Dusknoir could help. He still felt creeped out by Dusknoir for some reason, but said, "Perhaps."

Dusknoir said, "Explain to me what you mean by, a vision."

Layne simply said, "I don't know how this works but sometimes I'll get head-rush and I'll see or hear something that has happened in the past or will happen in the future."

"What?" Dusknoir exclaimed. Layne for some reason didn't like the tone. It felt a bit...he didn't even know what to call it. "That's...that's...The DImensional Scream!"

Dimensional Scream. Layne had heard that phrase before! But where?

"What?" Pyro asked. "Dusknoir, do you know something about this?" Pyro looked to Layne. "Perhaps we should ask him if he knows more!"

"Ask him about what, Pyro?" Layne asked. "I'm sure Dusknoir here knows about this strange ability I have, that I barely know anything about, but I doubt he knows me."

"Well it's always a start." Pyro said.

Dusknoir simply said, "Ask about what?"

Layne sighed and said, "I guess it won't hurt."

Pyro looked to Dusknoir said, "Dusknoir, we need to get some advice from you."

"Away from here." Layne said. "I don't need anyone else in Treasure Town hearing about what crazy stuff I have."

Layne and Pyro walked to the beach in which Layne had washed up upon. Pyro had been talking about how they had met, but had not mentioned Layne's name as he told the story. "Hmmm." Dusknoir said. "Your partner possesses the Dimensional Scream...So you washed up here..." Dusknoir said.

Pyro nodded, "Yes. I remember like it was yesterday. It was right at this exact spot."

"You regained consciousness, and lost your memory."

Pyro looked at Layne who simply said, "Well...very few know what I'm about to tell you, but I could have sworn at one point, I was really a human."

Dusknoir was shocked. "I beg your pardon? Did you say...'human?'"

Layne simply said, "Did I stutter?"

Dusknoir gave a closer observation of Layne. "You appear to be a normal Buizel in every way. How would this be possible?"

Pyro simply looked in thought. "I guess this would be a bit beyond even Dusknoir's understanding. But something caused his memory loss, and caused his transformation."

Dusknoir looked at Layne. "A human...with the Dimensional Scream ability. Did you have any memory of what your name was?"

Layne looked at Dusknoir. Had he really not mentioned his name once? Strange. "Well yeah. I think I'd be much worse if I didn't have something to call myself. And Buizel just doesn't fit me."

"Your name...what is it?" Dusknoir asked again.

Layne thought it weird that Dusknoir was so interested in his name. Did they perhaps...know each other? Layne was about to find out. "My name is Layne."

"Layne?" Dusknoir said, looking to the sea. "You're...Layne..."

Pyro asked, "Does that name mean something to you?"

Dusknoir paused for a brief moment. But then simply said, "...No. Unfortunately, I cannot say that it does."

Layne however was now made a bit uncomfortable, for as Dusknoir turned to face Pyro with that reply, he could have swore, that he saw Dusknoir, hiding a very, very, faint smile. Perhaps Layne was just being paranoid.

Dusknoir then said, "I apologize that I wasn't any help there. Though, I do know about Layne's ability. The Dimensional Scream is the ability to see the past or future by contact with something or someone."

"Dusknoir," Layne said, "I hate to burst that bubble, but I've been in contact with many things since my arrival, and have only had maybe 15 of these visions in total."

Dusknoir shook his head. "The visions won't always come upon contact. Your mind needs to be relaxed, yet focused, or sometimes it will come in times of great need."

"Whatever that means." Layne simply said.

"How one gets such an ability, is unknown. I'd wonder how you've gotten such an ability, Layne."

"Trust me, I wonder myself, all the time." Layne said crossing his arms.

"Sounds and images slice through the boundaries of time, breaching objects and reaching into pokémon...or even humans, and manifest as the visions you see. That is unfortunately all I know about your ability."

"So Layne possesses the Dimensional Scream." Pyro said.

Dusknoir gave a hearty chuckle. "Perhaps fate has brought us together as friends to help solve the mystery of Layne's mysterious transformation. Please. Allow me to offer you both my full cooperation to this mystery."

"You're offering us that?" Pyro asked in almost joy.

"Why?" Layne asked.

Pyro looked to Layne and gave him a look of "Layne, come on! He's offering help!"

"To be perfectly candid," Dusknoir said, I cannot stand knowing that there is something in this world that I don't know."

"I thought you didn't know much to begin with..." Layne muttered, remembering Dusknoir saying how Wigglytuff flattered him on the subject. Dusknoir gave a hearty laugh and said, "Will you accept me?"Layne shrugged, and finally said, "It won't hurt, I guess."

Pyro was in joy, "I can't believe it! We have the famous Dusknoir helping us solve your mystery, Layne!"

It was then that a flock of birds flew overhead. "It's a flock of Pelliper!" Pyro said.

"Something doesn't seem right. It's as if they're running away. There's an awful lot in the air." Layne said.

"Do you suppose something is the matter?" Dusknoir asked.

"Guys!" Bidoof's familiar voice called out.

The three of them turned to see Bidoof running to them. Pyro smiled and asked, "What's up, Bidoof?"

"I've finally found you all..." Bidoof said gasping for air.

Layne chuckled, and simply said, "Easy now, take a few breaths."

"We need to report to the Guild immediately!" Bidoof said.

"Why?" Pyro asked. "What's going on?"

"We don't know, but it sounds serious, by golly!" Bidoof said.

"Let's go." Dusknoir said. "I shall return with you."

"Then let's go!" Bidoof said. With that they all ran for the guild. If it was as serious as Bidoof was making it out to be, then they had no more time for puzzle solving on Layne's past. Layne however felt very uncomfortable now. He had just revealed a big piece of information about himself to a pokémon he barely knew. And he somehow got the feeling, that Dusknoir was hiding something...but what?