The inside of the Gym was somewhat more orderly than the other buildings than Absol had visited. Somehow, he didn't find that completely comforting.

He expected to be immediately noticed upon entering, but the attentions of the Pokémon in the room were all focused elsewhere. He took advantage of this and slunk into a corner, blending as well as he could with the shadows. From there, he observed the Gym and its occupants.

The majority of the building was taken up with a swimming pool. The water looked cleaner than the pools outside had, not that that was an achievement. Wooden planks led from near the door to the other side of the pool. The Victreebel was leading the Persian and Ninetails along the planks. Both seemed nervous, but the Ninetails was moving especially carefully; understandable, really. Absol saw that there were three Pokémon assembled on the other end of the planks – a Starmie seated in a rusting life-guard's chair, a Staryu standing placidly to its right, and an Abra floating disinterestedly to the left.

"Wilson," commanded the Starmie sharply. Absol assumed it was the governor previously referred to. "What is the meaning of this? Who are these?"

"Travellers, sir," replied the Victreebel meekly. "They're humbly asking for passage through Cerulean City."

Absol could hear the pompous tones of the Starmie easily enough, but the quieter voice of 'Wilson' was harder to discern. Despite the risk, he decided to creep up closer. Thankfully, there was a strip of flooring around the edges of the Gym, allowing Absol to get closer without having to enter the water.

"Ha, I see!" The Starmie turned enthusiastically to the Abra. "This is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate to the administration how efficiently we operate here in Cerulean."

If the Abra had the slightest interest in the proceedings, she didn't show it. She hadn't even opened her eyes.

The Starmie cleared its throat. "Well. State your names."

"Hello, your Governor...ship?" began the Persian. "My name is Felix. This is Montoya."

The Ninetails gave a venomous "Hmm."

"And just what are your travel plans?" asked the Starmie.

"Well, we've come from Saffron, and we're trying to visit some friends by the Rock Tunnel," explained Felix calmly, as Montoya continued to glare at the Starmie. "We won't even be stopping here. We'll move straight on. As soon as you allow it, of course," he finished with a nervous smile.

"Hmm, is that so?" murmured the Starmie absently. Absol, now almost at the far side of the pool, began to relax slightly. He chided himself for being so paranoid; this situation didn't seem that hostile. He considered how to sneak all the way back to the door, so as to not startle the governor. Starting on the wrong foot wouldn't be useful in the slightest.

Starmie went to say something, but the Abra spoke up in a calm, quiet voice. "Why here?"

Felix blinked, a little too quickly. "Excuse me?"

"Why pass through here? It's more direct to travel east from Saffron, and then go north."

"Well, yes," admitted Felix. "But the road to Lavender Town was bloc-"

"Aha!" yelled the Starmie, sitting up. "So you admit to trying to access Lavender Town!"

"Of course we do!" snapped Montoya. "You just asked us if we did!"

"If I was in your position, I'd address your superiors with a bit more respect," snarled Starmie. "Especially considering that you're now suspected of collaborating with those Ghost scum."

"What? No, that's not it at all," said Felix – again, just a little bit too quickly to be believable. "Like I said, we're -"

"Visiting friends who live in Rock Tunnel," said Starmie. "Of course you are. Rock Tunnel is just so populated."

Absol was by now behind the Starmie. The others still hadn't noticed him, and he was thankful not to be involved in the increasingly unfriendly scene unfolding before him. He tested the window of the Gym with a paw, wondering if he could escape through it if needs be.

"We don't need to listen to you!" yelled Montoya defiantly. "We'll pass through this town with or without your damn permission!"

"Wrong on both counts," said the governor gravely. The genderless Pokémon drew itself to its full height, standing on the chair. "You do need to listen to me, and you're not going to leave this town. At all. I think it's time for you to get a little reminder of why we are are in charge!"

With those final two words, the Starmie's central gem began to glow brightly. Felix's eyes widened and he jumped in front of Montoya, but the Starmie merely laughed derisively in response.

"Staryu, Wilson, prepare to lynch these dullards on my command," it said. The Staryu obediently and silently stood taller, but the Victreebel seemed far more indecisive, merely frowning worriedly at his targets. Montoya growled at him, which did little to motivate him further.

Absol's eyes widened. He didn't know what Starmie had in mind, but judging from Felix's reaction something very bad was about to happen. His better judgement told him not to intervene – that it was safer to seize this opportunity to run, and just leave the travellers to their fates.

Thus, it was against his better judgement that he leaped off the edge of the pool, crossed the short distance to Starmie, and slammed full force into the governor's back.

The two Pokémon fell forward in a tumble, barely staying on the wooden planks. The others looked on amazed as Absol sank his teeth into one of Starmie's ten limbs. The governor cried out in pain, surprise, and no small amount of indignation.

Starmie twisted in Absol's grasp and fired a beam of psychic energy at him. Absol released his grip and took a step back, but was barely injured. He sprung forward again, slashing into Starmie with his claws.

Again, Starmie fired, and again, Absol backed up a step. However, Absol didn't watch his footing and slipped off the boards into the water below.

Absol would have merely climbed out again, but something felt different. The first Psychic attack had little to no effect, but after the second, something clicked. He felt as though his memory had come back to him, if only slightly. It was only a matter of concentrating and

Fire. Darkness. Fighting. A man screaming. "Now! Do it now! Before they break through the-" Glass shatters. "Oh, Ar-!"

Absol's eyes unfocused and he began to sink into the water. In his stupor, he hadn't even closed his mouth, and the air in his lungs began leisurely slipping away from him.

Starmie, its attacker staved off for now, lowered itself to the floor and exhaled painfully. "Who's that Pokémon?!" it angrily demanded.

No-one answered. Starmie looked around questioningly. Felix and Montoya had seized the moment and had ganged up on Staryu, slashing him repeatedly with their claws. The silent Pokémon had almost fainted. The Abra was nowhere in sight. That just left Wilson quietly watching Starmie, his expression unreadable.

"Wilson, get over here!" it snapped. "Help me, you brainless twerp!"

At this, Wilson's face took on a more definite expression.

It hardened.

"Don't make faces at me! I require your assistance!" continued Starmie, failing to comprehend what was about to happen. Wilson suddenly shot several leaves forward, which dug harshly into Starmie. The governor let out one final cry before falling unconscious.

Meanwhile, the Staryu had also been defeated. Felix let go of it, and Montoya distastefully batted it into the pool.

Felix looked around, searching for Absol. "Where's the white Pokémon who helped us?" he wondered.

"Um," said a voice. Felix looked to Wilson, who was pointing helplessly to the small collection of bubbles visible just where Absol had fallen into the pool.

Felix's eyes widened, and he had hardly processed the thought before he had jumped into the water to retrieve Absol. Montoya went to the water's edge, prepared to help lift Absol out. She shot Wilson a suspicious glance, but he raised his leaves defensively.

Felix emerged seconds later, pushing Absol upwards and out of the water. Absol was still disorientated, but his survival instincts were kicking in regardless of his AWOL mind. He pawed uselessly for ground, for air, and Montoya helped him climb on to the boards.

"You alright?" she asked.

"Burning," gasped Absol. "They – they can't arrive. Have to stay back just a little longer. Need to do it now."

Montoya eased him on to the platform and patted his shoulder reassuringly. "That's nice, dear."

Felix followed shortly afterwards, gracefully pulling himself out of the water. "Well that went well," he grimaced.

"We have to leave," said Wilson urgently. "They're going to come back. Maybe even within the next few seconds!"

"What are you talking about?" asked Montoya.

"The Abra!" replied Wilson. "I saw it teleport away! It's gone to tell someone about how the governor was attacked!"

Felix nodded. "I see. We should leave then." He tapped Absol. "Hey, buddy. Are you okay to walk? We need to get out of here now." Absol coughed, but managed to nod and stand up.

"What did I tell you?" asked Montoya as they ran towards the door. "We'll be in Lavender Town in no time."

"No!" called Wilson, running after them.

Montoya whirled around, snarling. "What's this? Do you think you can stop us?"

"Quite the opposite. I helped you back there, if you didn't notice," retorted Wilson, his patience wearing thin. "No, the reason you can't go to Lavender Town is that that's what they'll be expecting. We won't make it through Rock Tunnel in time, they'll have caught up before then."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" asked Felix.

"Mount Moon," replied Wilson after a brief pause. "We can hide there. There's a chance we can avoid detection, at least until the search calms down. Then we can move more freely."

"What's this 'we' garbage?" asked Montoya pointedly. "I don't remember inviting you."

"Please, calm down," said Felix soothingly. "He's just trying to help, and he knows what he's talking about."

"And if it's a trap?"

Felix shrugged. "Frankly, I'd say we're screwed either way. At least, if he is honest, we have a chance."

Montoya seemed unconvinced. Felix lay a paw gently over hers. She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Fine. Come along. But one false move and I'll barbecue you."

"Oh boy," said Wilson flatly. "This is so much better than working for the governor. How can I ever repay you?"

Absol shook his head, clearing it slightly of both bad memories and water. "Are we going or what?" he prompted.

The three others shared looks, then nodded. With that they hurriedly exited the Gym, leaving the two starfish Pokémon where they lay.