I stare up at the Burned Tower with fear. It is a charred grave over a hundred years old but I can still smell the fire in the air and feel the unease that lingers around it. Perhaps I am merely projecting my own memories of fire onto it. My fears of the destruction Mia's flames might cause. Mia, where has she gone?

We came to Ecruteak City early this evening and were immediately swept up by the hospitable Kimono Girls who gave us fresh food, clothes and an offer of accommodation in the hotel beside their Dancing Theatre. Considering the looks more than one of them had for Morty I suspect it was less generosity to strangers and more an attempt to curry favour with the Gym Leader but motives matter not when it comes to free food and warm beds.

I thought we might have a much needed evening of respite before beginning our journey again but it turned out to be only a handful of hours. In the night a scream awoke us all, a frightening yelling about too many voices and moving shadows. The next voice to follow was Steven's yelling that Ellie had gone.

We split to search across the city for her, I somehow lumbered with Kenji while Looker went to seek out Morty in his home at Steven's behest and Steven headed to the town in the hopes that Ellie would not stray from the safety of civilisation. I am not sure what direction Koga chose to search in.

"It looks pretty dead here," Kenji states the obvious.

I glance over to him with annoyance. "Why don't you just go? I won't care," I say. It's the truth. Perhaps there is a niggle over the welfare of Looker who has helped me and continues to help in his odd way but ultimately I care only for Ellie. I don't trust Kenji but I don't believe he'll go running to Troy or anyone else about Ellie.

I turn my attention back to the ruined tower. Why should I think she is here? Because it is quiet and she fled our accommodation babbling about too many voices? Because the fire she fears has already done its harm here and is unlikely to do anymore?

"I know you won't Larry," Kenji taunts me, "but I was sincere in wanting her safe. I'm not leaving until she's on that boat."

"You said she wouldn't be safe on it."
"Hyuck-hyuck-hyuck," he chokes out a bitter laugh. "You're right, I said it. Okay, I want her safe as I can get her, that's on a boat out of here."

I shake my head and take a tentative step up to the tower. I can still feel the ache of my wounds from the Raticate's attack and wonder how much pain Kenji must be in. He drew several curious and hostile stares from the Kimono Ladies for his bruises and cuts and did little to dispel their caution with his sneering grins back to them.

"So we're going into the creepy, most definitely haunted and unstable tower then?"

I suppress a sigh and ignore the Grunt as I approach the worn, wooden doors. They stand slightly ajar with a small sliver of darkness between them. With a hand at a Poke Ball just in case, I enter.

Inside everything is shrouded in shadows and a chill hangs in the air with the ancient scent of charred wood. I realise the futility of trying to search here considering it is too old and ruined to have any light sources. Ellie mentioned an unease with the dark in the well in Azaela Town, why do I think she would hide here then?

"Are you going to light it up in here?" Kenji quips.

I look over to him but can't see much, he is just a disembodied shape in the shade.

"I don't have any Pokemon that could do that," I admit.

"Alright then."

Kenji moves quickly in the darkness and I hear him give an order. "Flash!"

I am blinded momentarily as a white flash of light sears my eyes and our surroundings are illuminated. I shield my eyes with my arm and squint, blinking back spots of red for a few seconds. When I lower my arm I am a little surprised to see Kenji still present, having not taken a chance to dart off. There is a glow a few metres around us coming from the Pokemon he has called out. I glance down and am surprised to see a Sylveon standing beside him.

"No, I didn't steal him before you ask," he grumbles at me.

I shake my head and look to the Sylveon again. Its a graceful looking Pokemon with its pastel colouring and light feelers blending well with its Fairy nature. Its large eyes are watching me carefully letting me know that it's more dangerous than it looks. It wraps a ribbon like feeler about Kenji's arm protectively.

I don't know why but I didn't expect a member of Team Rocket to have a Fairy type Pokemon.

"Fluffy, we need help seeing if there's a girl in this place," Kenji explains.

"Fluffy," I repeat the name curiously.

Kenji frowns at me. "He came with the name."

I frown back. "But you didn't steal him. Was it a willing trade?"

"Oh sure," he mutters sarcastically as he rubs away dried blood flakes from his nostrils, "it's a nice Pokemon and I'm in Team Rocket so I must have nicked it."

"Well yes."

"It ain't like that!" Kenji's irate protest echoes throughout the building.

I stare upwards to the rotting wooden beams, disturbed by how no Wild Pokemon react to the disturbance. This place seems void of life.

The Sylveon gives a low whine and I see it nuzzling up against Kenji. Its large ears have folded back in reaction to his yell.

Kenji rubs at his nose again and curses as fresh blood leaks out. He looks over to me crossly. "His owner...died. I couldn't save her so I took Fluffy in and believe me, it wasn't easy trying to hide an Eevee from the rest of Team Rocket."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?" he huffs at me. "Aren't they rare where you're from? They're very rare here and their extensive Evolution Line has prompted our scientists to conduct experiments on them."

I choose not to explain that they're uncommon but not rare in Paldea, I don't want to give Team Rocket any other reasons to invade my home.

"Let's find Ellie."

Kenji shrugs. "Fine, don't answer."

We have to tread carefully as the wooden floor is unstable from age and destruction. There are several holes offering a glimpse of the void below.

There is no one on this level. I am reluctant to continue searching but something compels me to reach for a rickety ladder and head up anyway. Whatever stairs there were here are long burned away.

The entire building has a sensation of loss to it and I am reminded of my home in Paldea. Many nights now it has sat empty, serving as a monument of the violent losses it suffered within.

The light grows dim as Fluffy cannot follow up and the beams of the Flash only extend so far. Up here there are long shadows and stretches of greys and blacks. I stare ahead into the unknown and see a silhouette to the right that could be someone or could just be a forgotten object.

I step forward slowly and pause as the floorboard beneath me gives a loud creak.

There is a gasp. It is a person up ahead.

I continue to move slow despite my urge to run. This floor is weak and I don't want either of us plunging through it.

I hear the creaks of the ladder rungs as Kenji starts to follow after me.

The form has tensed up, probably considering flight or fight mode.

"Mia don't be afraid," I plea.

"Who's Mia?" I hear Kenji grumble from the ladder.

I ignore the Grunt and keep heading towards the figure. Right now I won't worry about my faux pas, I need to confirm this is Ellie and that she's okay.

It is difficult in the gloom but as I reach it I can make out a spill of dark, wavy hair and a pair of wide, frightened eyes staring up at me.

"I just wanted it quiet, somewhere where if...if I get a void there aren't any people or Pokemon nearby" Ellie says quietly, "but it's so dark here."

A void, what exactly does she mean by that? What happened during those blanks in her mind? I think of all her outbursts so far and the reason Steven brought her to Johto in the first place to find Morty. I suppose he needed to get Ellie out of Hoenn and it was trying to solve two problems at once but what has Ellie done the merits her choosing to hide in a dark place like this in case she has a psychic outburst?

I nod sympathetically, place my hands on my knees and crouch down so I am level with her.

"It's okay," I try to reassure her. It's a blunt statement but I can't think of anything else to say. I've never had much of a gift with words.

She blinks at me in confusion. "Why are you here Mr Larry? How did you even find me?"

"We all came out looking for you."

Why can't I tell her the truth? I am desperate to ease the tremble of fright in her voice but I don't know how to.

She shakes her head and hugs her torso. "I don't want to be trouble for anyone else. I almost got mom killed and Steven had to run with me, he wanted to leave but not like this. Morty wants to find the Legendary Pokemon of Johto, he can't get caught up in our constant moving it's not fair. None of it's fair. I want you gone, you, Looker, Kenji, Koga, all of you, you shouldn't be caught up in this!"

I feel a pang of pain in my skull coming in time with her yell. I try to suppress a wince as I see the sparkle of tears at her eyes.

"You don't know how bad it gets, what I've done, what they've done and what they will do to get at me."

"I do know," I say softly.

"No you don't, you don't!"

There is another searing stab through my skull as tears spill down Ellie's face and she quivers.

"Please, you've done whatever duty you have by me, leave and stay safe, please."

"Now starshine, let's not be so dramatic," Kenji's amused voice intrudes on us.

I glance over and see him offering up a grin to Ellie. He crouches beside me and I frown, I am not comfortable with his close proximity to her.

"We're here, no shooing us off now."

She looks up to him and even in the faint glow of the Sylveon's distant Flash I see that odd embarrassment in her eyes. It fills me with worry and a mild anger. What is this infatuation she has with him? Because he helped save her? Arcerus help me if she has some sort of infatuation for the ninja as well. Bad enough to crush on a Team Rocket Grunt, worse to be batting Chansey Baby-Doll Eyes at a man old enough to be her father.

"Come on now, let's get out of this definitely haunted and very smelly tower of burned death," Kenji suggests brightly. "We'll go back to the hotel, order room service on your brother's credit card, get some nice supper and then sleep."

Ellie heaves out a shaky breath and then another. She is gripping her knees tight as if trying to restrain herself. Her mouth trembles and tears start pouring down her face.

"You can't be with me," she says sorrowfully, "you don't get it, I'm dangerous. I hurt my mom."

The sobs come out in a rush. I'm ready to try and console her but Kenji moves faster.

I clench my fists, ready to make an attack as the Grunt grabs at Ellie. I am about to yell at him to let go until I realise he is hugging her.

"There now starshine," he says gently as he pats her back, "you didn't mean to do that. You were attacked and you tried to defend yourself, it happens. I heard."

"No," she groans against him loudly, "no, I...I don't even remember! Steven tried to hide it from me but dad was furious, he...he called me a monster. She got burned! I...I burned my mom!"

Dad called me a monster... Did I? I realise she means another dad and for a brief moment my vision is edged with black and I hear a faint ringing in my ears. Another mom and another dad. Another dad who feared her powers. It's not fair.

Her words turn into a babble of sobs. I am stunned. I think again of that little girl with flames slipping out of her fingertips. I thought my smacking her hands created this phobia of fire and fire Pokemon but now I see it is much worse than that.

"Jump in anytime here Larry," Kenji grumbles at me.

He has his chin on her brow but is fixing a cross look at me. What am I supposed to say?

I reach out a hand and pat her on the shoulder. "It was an accident Ellie," I say calmly. "That's not your fault."

She shakes her head. "I got told it was bad, that I could set the curtains on fire and burn the house down. I was warned, I should've learned from that but I don't remember doing it, I don't know how it happened."
So she does remember me in some way then, she remembers my scorn. I suppress a sigh and push away my guilt, now it is not the time for it.

"Ellie, you're still learning to control your powers, that's why you came to Morty. It was an accident."

"No...I burned Troy, I knew what the fire could do, I knew," she groans.

"Just because you know doesn't mean you can stop it," Kenji tries to sympathise with her. "He did a lot to you kid, it left you with damage, that's not your fault. I know how that is. Look, it's late and if we don't get you back soon Glancer and Stevie will definitely be accusing me of kidnapping you."

Kenji pulls back and looks down as she tilts her head up to him. "How about tomorrow we go for a morning walk tomorrow around Bellchime Trail? Those Kimono women said it's scenic, I think Batty, Ratty and Fluffy would love it. Your Quackles and Lucky will probably like it too."

There is a low squeak from under Kenji's top. Does he share a bed with his Rattata?

"Like a date?" Ellie pipes up shyly.

"What?" The word comes out of me louder than intended.

The pair turn towards me simultaneously. Ellie is blushing and Kenji is giving me a mocking smile.

"Sure, Larry here can chaperone if he wants. Hyuck-hyuck-hyuck." He throws back his head in laughter and for just a moment I wish he would choke on it.

"ELLIE!" Steven's frantic call echoes up the tower.

"Look at the light. Is that a Sylveon?" Morty's voice quips curiously. He lacks Steven's panic and I guess that he knows Ellie is here and unharmed.

"St-Steven!" Ellie stutters out her brother's name, just about managing to raise her voice so that he might hear her.

"Who owns you little fella?" Morty queries.

Kenji abandons Ellie to scurry back to the ladder on his hands and knees. I glance over my shoulder to see him leaning over the edge. "He's not for catchin', he's mine!"

"You own a Sylveon?" Morty marvels. "Aren't they a little colourful for you lot?"
"Humph that's sterotypin' you know, like me saying you should have Psychic Pokemon instead of Ghosts!"

"Point taken," Morty acknowledges cheerfully.

"Where's Ellie?" Steven's voice calls out angry and anxious. "Is she up there with you?"
I see Kenji shrink back from the ladders. "Yes but Larry's here too!"

I almost smile at the panic that's budded in Kenji's voice. I wonder would he be so quick to talk of dates in front of Steven?

I turn my attention back to Ellie and offer her a hand. Her face is wounded and damp with grief. I want to hug her and banish it somehow but I don't.

She takes my hand and we stand up slowly. Together we head across the floorboards carefully.

"Ellie, are you okay?" Steven has no patience for us.

"I'm fine!" The lie comes out of her a little too easily.

Ellie heads to the ladder first and manoeuvres down it carefully to the waiting Steven. Kenji goes next and then me.

The Sylveon lets out a delighted yip and pads over to Kenji almost in a bounce. It nuzzles up against him and wraps two of its ribbony feelers about him.

"Wow that Pokemon really loves you," Morty murmurs approvingly. "Hmm maybe you're not all bad for a Team Rocket Grunt."

"Maybe not."
"Right, well let's round up Koga and Looker and let them know Ellie's safe," Morty suggests, "and then it's back to bed."

Steven has a tight grasp on Ellie's shoulders. He leans down to give her an intense stare. "Ellie what did you run off for? I was so worried!"

"I kept hearing them," Ellie says woefully, "and I couldn't shut them out and I was so afraid I'd just lose control. I...I didn't want the fire back Steven."

"Hearing who?" Steven sounds as confused as I feel about the matter.

"The Pokemon," it is Morty who answers.

I stare over at the Gym Leader questioningly. He stands with his arms folded and giving Ellie a calming stare. "You hear Pokemon, don't you Ellie?"

"What?" Steven's shock sounds all too real.

I look to Ellie in time to see her nod. "How did you know?"
"Gengar told me," Morty admits. "First day I met you actually. I was just giving you a chance to come out with it. You don't just hear them, they hear you too."

"Oh dear," Kenji murmurs quietly, "so that's why Troy is so hot on you. If you can hear them and they can hear you, you could probably find them and maybe control them."

He makes it sound so simple but there is a gravity to his words. I understand now why Troy would chase Ellie across the world. The problem is, I now think Kenji's right, there will be no stopping Troy's pursuit.