Shadow Skill: Deafen. Deafens and disorients the opponent for 30 seconds.

Clefable dwell in small groups in hidden places. Due to their superb hearing, they prefer quiet areas, away from humans. With hearing even more sensitive than normal, whispers can make the Shadow distraught.

After fleeing Ally's, Angel ran and ran until she couldn't run any more. Upon seeing a bench a half mile outside the city, she'd collapsed onto it and cried herself to sleep. As she opened her eyes, movement caught her attention, and she lifted the blanket slightly to see Petunia cuddled against her chest. She frowned, wondering why he stayed with her instead of returning to Ally? It was little things like this that made her certain Pokémon were more sentient and aware than most people gave them credit for. Quite unfortunate that a good portion of Trainers treated them as inferiors rather than equals. Wait. Blanket?

Angel sat up and stretched, the blanket falling to her waist. The crisp early morning air made her shiver, and as she pulled cottony material around her shoulders, a familiar smell made her pause. Bringing a small portion to her nose, she inhaled deeply. Yup. Poochyena. Her gaze drifted back toward the city, half hoping she would see Jenny walking away. But by the chill of the material, she knew whoever had placed it upon their sleeping forms was long gone.

As she watched the sunrise, she tried to come to terms with everything. But it was all just too much, too fast. Without proper time to adjust, she was likely going to cave in on herself. It had happened before. The only thing she could hope for right now was that it didn't happen at the wrong time. Oh, how she wished she'd brought Sylvie along. Or, at the very least, her Purrloin plushie.

Never before had she been alone during this type of situation. Granted, she currently had three Pokémon with her. But their companionship had never been as calming as flinging herself at her father and crying into his chest until she fell asleep to his heartbeat. Her intense anxiety was the biggest reason why she hadn't gone on her Journey yet. She'd hoped to one day overcome her fear, but more and more, it was looking like an impossible task. Perhaps she should just face the music, and go for it. Maybe an adventure would wind up being the answer she'd sought all along.

Her fingers brushed against one of Petunia's flowers, causing him to stretch and fully awaken. He sat up and leaned into her. For a while, neither of them said anything. Once the gorgeous shades and hues of the sunrise had settled off, Petunia broke the silence with a single word. One that managed to crush her heart. "Home?"

She reached into her pocket and pulled out his shrunken pokéball. "I'm sure Ally doesn't want to see me yet. She's probably really worried about you, though." Angel placed the pokéball in his hand.

"Friends?"

Angel had to hold back a sob at the desperation in his voice. "Ally's really mad at me right now. I hope that she still considers me a friend once she's calmed down enough. But she might not for a long while. She needs someone to blame for what happened. And without knowing the facts, the only one she can blame is the one all evidence points to." She touched a finger to his nose. "But us? We're still friends."

"Soon?" Petunia scooted off the bench, then turned to look at her.

"Again, that's up to her. Not right now, but when she's much calmer, you tell her that I'm not mad at her. That I'm still her friend, and will be there when she needs me. She knows how to reach me. As soon as she does, I'll drop everything and come visit." Angel paused, debating on saying more. But instead, gave Petunia a gentle shove back towards the city. "Go on, now."

He turned from her and took a few steps before pausing and looking back over his shoulder. "Love is forever." That said, he turned back and headed home.

She didn't respond to his last statement because she knew the heartbreaking truth. Love didn't always last forever. It took both people hard at work, determined to keep the bond. And even then, it didn't always work out for whatever reasons. One reason why she preferred the company of Pokémon over humans. Except for Jenny, Ally, and Maya, that is.

Maya. Her heart broke again. Why was it that the more she grew as a person, the more people distanced themselves from her? It never failed that every time she began to feel content or braver, something happened that shattered her, setting her back months of progress. Going back and forth between a figurative Silcoon and Beautifly was starting to wear thin on her. She wished life would just choose already. Happiness or Sorrow.

In hindsight, many of her problems over the years were self-inflicted, but still. One should never have to suffer so much for their mistakes. Her hands clenched on her legs. Why did she always do this? She had everything she could ever want. Her life was practically perfect. Why was she always so unhappy and cynical?

Footsteps sounded, and Angel looked up to see two people headed her way. They paused a couple feet from the bench. They yelled at each other loud enough for her to clearly hear what they were on about. "I'm tellin' ya! I saws what I saws! I ain't crazy!" The older, unkempt man gestured strongly with his hands, but the younger female was having none of it.

"I never said you were crazy. I don't doubt you saw it. I doubt it exists." From this angle, Angel could barely make out the woman's face, but it was clear that she did, in fact, think her companion was crazy.

He gave a frustrated sigh, and threw his hands in the air. "I ain't stupid eithers. That means you think it exists only in my head!"

Angel stood, leaving the blanket on the bench behind her for the next traveler to use if they so chose. Once in polite conversation distance, but still far enough away to have not taken the pair by surprise, she spoke. "Excuse me?" Even so, they jumped as if she'd appeared out of thin air. "May I ask what exactly you're discussing?"

The man glared at her. "Why? So ya can make fun of me toos? It's all the same with ya whippersnappers. We're suppos'ta believe everythin' ya says without hesitation, but ya won't bother returnin' the favah."

She waved her hands defensively in front of her. "No, no! I've seen many things that most people would say impossible. I'd love to learn more. And see where it happened, if possible."

His eyes lit up like holiday lights, completely unaware of his what she would assume granddaughter frantically motioning from behind him for Angel to not encourage him. The act elicited a smile from Angel, which caused the man to turn around. But his granddaughter was the epitome of innocence, hands behind the small of her back, a smile on her face. She batted her eyes at him twice before stretching out a hand to Angel. "I'm Maleficent. This eccentric fellow is my grandpa, Iggy."

"Bah!" He waved a hand dismissively. "She can call me Iggy."

Taking the hand offered her, she fidgeted before speaking. "Name's Angel. I'm on my way to Saffron City, but will gladly take a detour to see what your grandfather is so excited about." She wasn't entirely sure if it was her paranoid imagination, or if they really had a very small reaction to her name. Either way, her heart had begun to beat rapidly. And with zero ability to read any form of social cue, she was certain this would end badly. Trying to save face, she wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, brushing a lock of hair out of her face to hide her unease.

"Are ya sures? It would be a bit outta ya way. And ya might not sees anythin'."

Angel looked to the older man, who still had a hopeful and expectant demeanor. He seemed eager to prove to his granddaughter that he was not crazy. "Honestly. It's not a problem at all." She followed Iggy and Maleficent as they headed back towards the city.

Ten minutes later, they paused at a pair of trees. At first, Angel couldn't see anything marking the area as special. On her third look over, she noticed the lack of branches within a two-foot space. Ah. It was a little-known path into the forest.

"Not many people know this here path. I only dos cause I used'ta be the Ranger around these parts. Ya wouldn't think much of it, but a lotta poachin' goes on. Mostly by those mangy teams. What're their names again, dearie?"

"Magma, Aqua, and Rocket." Maleficent spoke the names as if by rote. "But it's not just them. Many individuals do it as well. There are a lot of Pokémon who have at least one quality that makes them sought after. It's to the point that some of them are being placed upon a Protection list."

"Now, I don't wanna go down theres again. Seems a few Pokémon don't understands why I stopped comin' to see thems, and they're mads at me."

"So…Did you see the Pokémon in person or not?" Angel winced slightly as her question came out a bit ruder than she intended.

"Nuh-uh." Iggy shook his head, either not taking it that way, or not catching it in the first place. "I saw it on one of the cameras I installed. But when I went to show Mal here proof of it the next day, it was already gones."

"The Pokémon or the video?"

"Both. I think whoever's been poachin' lately had somethin' to dos with it. But Male believes I'm seein' things. Even thoughs she can't explain why two minutes are missin' from the log."

"Well!" Angel stretched her arms above her head, and bent from side to side once. "One way or another," she then bent her arms, elbows out, fists at chest, and twisted right, then left. "We'll know the truth soon."

He frowned. "Just 'cause ya can't see somethin' doesn't mean it don't exists. Just means ya weren't lucky. Ya know…Like with all them Legendaries and the super rare Pokémons."

"Oh, don't you worry. Pokémon love me. I can practically guarantee I'll have the proof you seek." Without waiting for a response, Angel began walking into the darkness of the forest.

Within minutes, she was far down the path, and away from any quick source of help. Well, except for Dreamer and Ebony, that is. The two were the only Pokémon she'd brought, so hopefully, they could handle whatever creature Iggy had seen. If, in fact, he'd seen anything. Because despite how much she herself had witnessed and knew was passible, her own father's memory failed him on occasion. And that was saying something, because he wasn't quite as old as Maleficent's grandfather.

About when she planned to give up and head back, she heard a noise, and her hand instantly went to her belt to open Dreamer's pokéball. But when she heard the sound again, she picked up on agony in the voice. Whatever Pokémon it was, it was obviously in pain. Quietly, she called out. "Hello?"

Though her words were gentle, the Pokémon screamed again. Angel looked around, but didn't see anymon in the clearing. "Hello?" This time, she spoke in a whisper, and heard a somewhat pained response. "Can you come out? I won't hurt you."

After a minute or so, a Clefable stepped out from one of the bushes. But it was unlike any she'd seen before. At first glance, it looked normal, but a closer inspection revealed a purplish tinge to its color. A shadowy aura of the same color surrounded its form. It took a few steps, then stumbled to the ground, screeching again. Tears filled her eyes as she watched it just lay there, hopeless and helpless, trying to cover its ears with its hands.

She rushed to its side and helped it sit up. For a while, the only thing she did was hold it and listen to it breathing as it tried to relax. Finally, she couldn't be silent any longer. In a voice even softer than before, she spoke. "What's wrong?"

It chose to remain silent for a while before choosing to speak. When it did, it revealed that, he apparently, had no clue how he came to be here. The only thing he remembered was people sticking him with needles and running tests on him day in and day out. All the while, he was in a circular enclosure of some sort, filled with liquid. People were always around him, talking quite loudly, so he never got to sleep. And the pain. He was always in such pain. But the thing that stood out to her the most, was the mention of the red "R" on the door.

Choosing to ignore that part for now, she adjusted the topic. "This…aura about you…Were you like that before? Or did this happen during?"

His response was a confused sound, leading Angel to believe he had always been that way. After all, when something is the only thing you've ever known or experienced, to imagine anything to the contrary would be beyond comprehension.

All of a sudden, he leapt up and ran off into a nearby bush. Angel almost called out to him, but her attention was caught by the sound of footsteps, and she turned back to the clearing entrance to see Maleficent approaching.

"Well, there you are! I was beginning to think you recognized us and decided to snag the Shadow for yourself."

"Recognized you?"

Maleficent brought her hand to her mouth as she laughed. "Oh my. You mean to tell me you haven't been fully informed of this mission?"

"Lady, I don't even know who you are, nor what possible acquaintanceship the two of us share."

"You're really out of the loop then. Let me make it clear as crystal for you. Both of us," she motioned her pointer finger to herself, and then to Angel, "are agents of Team Rocket. Giovanni sent me on a mission to retrieve a runaway Shadow. When I saw you, I assumed you'd been sent on the same mission. Course. I wasn't sure it was you until you said your name, but."

Ah. So she hadn't imagined the reaction earlier. "You're lying. Giovanni came to me in person to recruit me for a very important task in Saffron City. My job has nothing to do with a…Shadow, you said?"

"Good. Then I shall finally get the promotion I've deserved for so long. As for you? I believe I speak for all Agents when I say that your sudden disappearance would be quite beneficial."

"Say what now?!" Angel stood, the pokéballs for Dreamer and Ebony ready in her hands.

"You heard me, grunt. The beloved pet of Giovanni. Hated by all other Agents due to the courtesies given you. Allowed so much because your skill is such an 'asset'. How do you manage to act so goody two shoes all the time?"

Angel couldn't help but laugh at that. "You're not a member of Team Rocket. Giovanni would never have hired someone with your lack of manners and disregard for life."

"Oh. Em. Gee." Maleficent burst out in hysterical laughter. "It's not an act? You truly think Team Rocket are the good guys? Darling, we're as bad as you can get. Haven't you ever wondered why you never met another Agent? Never been to our facilities? The rewording of your missions so you feel you are doing the right thing. Everything to ensure that the mission gets done, and you end up none the wiser. Well. It's time you knew the truth."

"The truth? You just told me you wanted me out of the way. Why should I believe anything you say when it could be nothing more than a means to an end?!"

"Girl. Don't you dare lie to me. To me! I can see it in your eyes. You're having doubts. Tell you what. If you give me that rare Sableye, then I'll let you go. I'll tell Giovanni that you failed miserably, and aren't worth his time anymore."

"And if I were to tell him that you spilled the beans on what Team Rocket is truly about? Don't you think Giovanni would be immensely teed off? You'd be "taken care of", just as you plan to do to me."

"You're right. I shouldn't leave you capable of telling the tale." Maleficent reached for a pokéball hanging from the strap under her left chest pocket.

"Cover your ears!" the Clefable yelled from behind her. With precious little time to react, Angel covered her ears just as a screech to rival all screeches filled the clearing. The two of them fell to their knees in pain. Their eyes met, and she just knew that they would forever be nemesi.

Maleficent struggled to her feet. Still disoriented, she staggered to the edge of the clearing, then paused. Wobbling a bit, she stretched a hand out to balance herself against a tree, and turned back to face Angel. She held out her other hand, revealing a shrunken pokéball. "You may have the Shadow, but I have your Sableye!"

A quick glance around where she'd fallen showed Dreamer's pokéball beside a rock. Geometry agreed that if a pokéball hit the rock at just the right angle, it would have been sent Maleficent's way. By the time Angel turned back towards the path, the woman was already hidden by the darkness of the path as she made her way back up.

Instead of chasing after her like she should have, Angel froze. All she could do in that moment was repeat "no" again and again. Tears fell from her eyes, and she was finally able to move. Yet, she still didn't give chase. Just beat her fist against the ground, now sobbing so badly she could barely breathe.

The Clefable came up beside her and offered assurances. The thought crossed her mind that if he hadn't screeched, Ebony would still be here. It made her hate him. Yet, she allowed him to console her.

In the midst of the forest, she couldn't tell how much time had passed with her just sitting there. But after a while, she spoke as softly as she could while trying to make her hoarse voice audible. "My father is a genius. I believe he can help you with your hearing problem. If you're willing, you can come along with me."

He made an unintelligible sound as she brought out a pokéball, and shook his head. Angel frowned, uncertain if he'd spoken gibberish in that moment, or if she was so out of it she couldn't communicate as well as usual.

When his eyes drifted to the pokéball, realization hit her. "I'm sorry. But you must go in there. I know you might not like enclosed spaces right now. My main concern is you being seen. Obviously, I can't protect you. So if another Team or those two show up again, they'll take you. And you'll be back in a tube."

His head shook furiously, not liking that idea one bit.

"You're going to have to choose. Which would you prefer? Pain until you can take no more? Or a few days in a pokéball while I get you the help you need?"

It took him a while to respond, but when he did, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I know you're putting a lot of faith and trust in me. You won't regret it."

He made a sound as she enlarged the pokéball, causing her to shake her head. "No. It's my fault. I underestimated them, and then froze when Ebony needed me the most. You aren't responsible."

He touched his hand to the pokéball. The last thing she heard before he vanished was a sorrow-filled cry.

Pokéball now in her belt pouch, she sighed. Maleficent was a liar. Had to be. There was no way Team Rocket could be like this. None. Still… Her morality would never let her work for such horrid people. When she returned home, she vowed to study every mission she'd ever done. She needed to make a choice, and quickly. Even if it meant she lost everything and everyone, she would do the right thing.