The next morning in the Explorer's Lounge, Lurantis is all aflutter.

"The most excellent Team Starburst has captured Rotom, magnificent job!" She chirps, "any updates on the whereabouts of Serperior?" She addresses the other teams. "No ma'am, we asked every pokemon we ran into on our rescue mission yesterday," Clobbopus offers, "but no sign." "Same with us on our delivery route," Ariados starts, "wanted posters everywhere, but no trace of the menace!"

For the sake of my sanity, it's imperative we find him. I messed up the last two encounters, so if I'm going to get any answers about who I was, I have to make this one count. He must be incredibly cautious—is it a sign of guilt? How could he have just vanished?

Phantump and Audino said they encountered the three of them at the Windswept Desert, but Dragalge was alone…and Rotom thought she was alone in this world…could they have been separated earlier than we were lead to believe? But…but Audino and Phantump DID identify them, so how could they know all three, but Rotom not realize the other two were somewhere? She knew who Dragalge and Serperior were, so it wasn't her memory that was the issue. She just thought she was here by herself after failing to find them.

An idea is taking shape in my head, but it's so outlandish, I decide to keep it to myself. I know I can trust Skitty with anything, but I just unloaded a heavy burden on her last night—I don't want to come after her with every crazy idea or theory I get.

"Well explorers, continue your daily work and try to find leads! And, team Starburst? Remember what I said, you've got the day off, make the most of it." She smiles.

A day off, huh? Come to think of it, it's the first time I've been able to take a breather since waking up in this world.

"Well Gwen, Noibat? I never got to show you guys around Bedrock Town, how about it?" "I'd love to…" Noibat starts, "but I think I'll take it easy around here if that's ok, I'm still wiped!" "Aww, no problem, it's your day off too, enjoy it!" "Thanks" he says, flying off. "Well, I guess it's just us" Skitty says, grinning, "Let's go!"

Now that we have time to appreciate Bedrock Town, I can see it's got a lot more than initially met the eye. It makes sense; the first time I was here I was a tad preoccupied with the whole…situation, and the second time we were barely here before rushing off to the desert. Now that I can appreciate it, I see the buildings are intricately designed, selling all kinds of things, from toys and trinkets to medical supplies. Brightly colored stalls are scattered around, between stores, in alleys, all over the place, really. Various pokemon are doing performances, many collecting coins. I notice a particularly charming act—a mime jr. and ditto; the mime jr. Is impersonating patrons, and the ditto is comically impersonating the mime jr. We stop by, watch their impression of us, and nearly pass out with laughter. Skitty drops a coin in their pot as we leave.

It's quite a charming, festive little town. Skitty tells me some of the shopkeepers live in the second story of their stores, while many of the stall owners pack up at night and return to the residential areas a short walk away.

I'm having a wonderful time—this day off was just what we needed to regain our spirits. We've been laughing, trying interesting foods (you haven't lived until you've tried one of Vanilluxe's frozen treats!) and generally trying to unwind. Arceus knows there's a lot to unwind from.

I'm having such a good time that I almost miss the strange scene unfolding in the distance.

There's a pokemon wearing…well wearing something. Other than the occasional scarf, I realize none of the pokemon really wear clothes. Anyway, this thing looks like it's been fashioned into a cloak, but the material is more reminiscent of a tarp that one would cover a stall with. "Hey, you see that?" I say, showing Skitty. "Huh, hot day to be wearing a…uh…that." She says, tilting her head.

The squat figure extends a pair of vines holding a few coins. Maybe they're a Venusaur? It's hard to tell. The shopkeeper, a kecleon, looks incredibly offended. It seems the patron doesn't have enough for whatever they're after.

Skitty's lost interest, trying to pull my attention to the Octillery making balloon pokemon, but for some reason I can't seem to look away. Something's off, there's a certain build of tension between the two that's getting harder to ignore. Kecleon's raising his voice. I go closer, ignoring Skitty's questions. I can hear parts of the conversation now. "I'm sorry sir, but it's simply not enough!" "Please….please it's all I have, I got in a…a really bad fight and—" "sir, if you don't take your leave, I may have to take it for you!" Kecleon is getting more and more frustrated. It seems that, without enough coin, the stranger's plight is of no concern to him.

I reach into my bag—thank goodness for Skitty's packing!—and pull out a couple of oran berries. "Excuse me?" I nudge the stranger's side to get his attention, "l have some of these, if you'd like." "Huh? Oh! Oh, thank you so much!" He says, sounding a little choked up. There's something strange about the way he's moving…not as though he's in pain, per se, but…well I can't quite put my finger on it. It's odd. I try to get a look at his face, but it's completely covered.

Most concerning though, is that instead of collecting the berries with his vines, a thick tail featuring three leaves reaches out.

We both freeze in place for a moment. He seems to realize his mistake the same moment I instinctively realize who he is. A million thoughts race through my head, most a variation of 'I can't mess up this encounter, but I can't do nothing either.' Kecleon, who's still watching, also notices, "Hey, wait a minute…"

"Hey! He stole my tarp!" A cry from an angry tyrogue breaks the spell. "That's from MY stall, give it here!" He struts over, haughtily. The tail quickly retreats under the tarp (WITH the berries, very sneaky). The shape rearranges; instead of a stout pokemon, a very tall one now stands there, looking…well looking like he's not sure he's been noticed, to be honest.

~he was always very capable, but a little naive~

The thought pops into my head, surprising me. I instinctively know I know him, even if my memories still elude me, but he still doesn't realize it's me.

Gee, I wonder why.

"Hey, that's Serperior!" A voice from the crowd. Chaos erupts. Attacks fly towards us—towards him. Like lightening, he springs into action, discarding the tarp and retreating to the forest. The townsfolk are in a panic, and I'm quickly losing sight of him. "Skitty!" I call out "Gwen? I'm here!" Our eyes meet and we know what to do. Weaving through the crowd, we eventually emerge on the other side. "Don't worry citizens, team Starburst is on the case!" Skitty addresses the crowd as I run after Serperior into the forest.

I run as fast as I can. My legs are so stubby. Why couldn't I have been transformed into something a little bigger? My lungs are burning, but I can't lose sight of him. Phantump was right; he's incredibly fast. Didn't he say he was injured? It doesn't seem to be bothering him too much now, unfortunately for me. "Wait! Please!" I gasp, desperately. He glances behind for just a moment before continuing on. "I-I have questions!" 'I have questions?' What kind of stupid thing is that to say when you're chasing an outlaw?

Then I remember; Sigilyph said the balls could be used to store…and release a pokemon. It's apparent I'm not going to catch up to him, but if I could throw the ball…would it still work if I just chucked at him?

One way to find out, I retrieve the ball while still tumbling through the forest, and hurl it as hard as I can. It careens towards Serperior, and then I see it; the telltale red light as he disappears. The ball lands on the ground.

Skitty clambers up to me, breathing heavily "Gwen! Are you ok? Where's Serperior?" "I…I caught him." I pant, ready to collapse. "Wow, really? That's amazing! Let's take him back to the Center!" I walk over to the ball, sitting innocently on the forest floor. I…I can't turn him over to the Center…at least not yet. I still have questions, about who I was…who I am…and he's my last chance to find answers. If I hand him over now…

"Gwen? What's wrong? You ok?" Skitty approaches.

Holding the ball, I turn around.

"I'm sorry Skitty, but I need answers."