We decided to rest until sunset, then set off for Permafrost Mountain. Skitty said it would be colder, but we'd at least be less likely to be spotted.

Until then, we have some time to get reacquainted. Dragalge and Rotom are full of questions, all about what we've been up to, what is means to be an explorer, and about Skitty.

It's sweet, really—they're fascinated to learn more about this world. "So…there's just…no humans?" Dragalge asks, "not a single one, at least before Gwen," Skitty says, nudging my shoulder. "But then…who takes care of you? How does it all…work?" Rotom says, looking confused. "Us pokemon do all that! Sometime after all this, I'll have to show you around Bedrock Town, and the…Exploration Center…" as her tone falters, they regard her quizzically. "Well, we're not on great terms with the Center right now, but once this all gets sorted out, we'll find a way to clear our names! Then I'll show you around." I'm not sure how, but I'd like more than anything to make that a reality.

She really does deserve the chance to follow her dreams. The chance to become a proper explorer, instead of being all tangled up in my life's drama.

As the day progresses, I find myself staying close to Dragalge, hoping it will help trigger a memory, but still nothing. I'm getting frustrated, and I think they've finally noticed.

"Gwen dear? Are you alright? You're expression is a tad stormy." They say as the others continue chattering along. "Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, I've just uh…" I feel awful that I still have nothing on them—what kind of trainer can't dredge up even a single memory of their teammate? "I just…I'm sorry…for not being able to remember you yet…" I falter. "It's alright, really," they start, "I understand…everything you've gone through…if you could remember on demand, I know you would. Give it time, I know you can do it," they smile.

~"Skrelp? Don't be nervous, I know you can do it!"~

My breath hitches

~I'm standing in the field behind school. Skrelp floats in front of me, Servine across the open space. We're training; Skrelp is the newest member in my party, but still doesn't seem comfortable with the idea of battling. I'm hoping that, in the absence of a real opponent, they'll feel better at least trying some of their moves.

So far, no such luck.

I've tried everything; I had them watch a battle between Servine and Rotom, I showed them clips of famous trainers and their partners, I even got on the field myself and tried acting out what I would do if I had their moves (I might not live that one down tomorrow—a few of my classmates saw). But, for whatever reason, they seem resolute to not even try.

Servine is impatiently waiting for something to happen. I told him beforehand we needed to be gentle, and that Skrelp had to make the first move unless I directed otherwise, but I can tell he wants to let loose a Vine Whip to get the ball rolling.

I notice Skrelp trembling slightly, their eyes screwed shut. I think it's time to call time-out (from our extensive session of nothing). "Skrelp? Are you alright?" I saw, walking around to face them, squatting so I'm at eye level. "I know you're nervous about battling…is there a reason why?" They look up at me, eyes watering. They then slowly extend one of their fins, exposing the scar below.

When I found Skrelp on the beach, they were badly injured; thankfully they made a full recovery, but a scar running down their side had remained.

"Did that happen…during a pokemon battle?" I ask carefully. They nod slowly, then cover their eyes with their fins, embarrassed. I gently rest my hand on their head, "…if you don't want to battle, you don't have to. But if you ever decide to someday, you can trust me—I won't let anything like that happen to you again. I promise." They look up at me again, eyes sparkling, then, before I realize what's happening, they dart over to Servine and unleash a powerful Water Pulse, sending him flying.

I didn't expect my mini pep-talk to be so invigorating. Maybe I should become a talk-show therapist.

Before I can consider this improvement for long, I realize Servine's regained his footing, and it about to release a retaliatory move, his face suggesting there's no holding back. Skrelp may be feeling confident, but I don't think being hit head on by a grass type move will make them feel safe and secure for long. I dive between them, taking the brunt of Servine's Leaf Tornado to protect Skrelp. After that, they came to truly trust me and became more confident and eager to battle—and it only took a week after the fact to get all the leaf fragments out of my hair~

I'm suddenly back in the cabin, Dragalge regarding me curiously. I tell them about the memory.

Their eyes start watering. "Oh my…yes, I had been injured in a bad fight…I attacked a wild Staraptor, and quickly came to regret it. I was so scared of battling after that…until you made me feel safe." I feel my own eyes water, "I'm sorry you went through all that. I'm glad we could become a team, then and now again," I say. "Me too, thank you," they reply softly.

After finishing our moment, we turn our focus back to the group. I notice that Rotom and Skitty seem to be getting on particularly well. It seems their mischievous streaks resonate quite nicely with each other.

It appears they've been bonding by tormenting Serperior, who miraculously hasn't injured anyone.

Yet

Yes, unfortunately for him, Skitty realized that, unlike me, Rotom's memories are fully intact, so she's a well of embarrassing moments from his past.

"Ok, ok, um…what's the best prank you ever pulled?"

"Ah! Now you're asking the good questions!" She says, nudging Skitty and grinning, "So one time I possess a fridge, right?" "Oh, not the fridge story, please!" Serperior pleads, swiping for Rotom, who deftly dodges. "You can't silence the truth! The people demand to know!" She giggles, "yeah, don't ruin our fun!" Skitty laughs. Serperior settles back to his sitting position, grumbling.

"Now where was I?" Rotom resumes, "Ah, yes! Back when he was a servine he comes over for a snack, unbeknownst to him I'm possessing the fridge. He opens the door, then WHAM! Stuck in the fridge!" she laughs as Skitty smirks at Serperior, who's trying, and failing, to look unbothered. "When Gwen finds him, he's already half frozen, so she gets a blanket and hairdryer to warm him up…but then!" Rotom's wheezing now, struggling to get the words out, "then I—I leave the fridge, and possess the hairdryer!" I think she's actually crying from laughter, "so one minute Gwen's warming him up, and-and the next I'm chasing them both around the room, firing Confuse Ray until they're tripping all over each other!" Skitty's rolling on the floor now, barely breathing through bouts of laughter. I laugh and steal a glance at Serperior, who looks like he's fighting the urge to laugh himself. I'm almost certain I wouldn't find it nearly as funny if I could remember it for myself, but I'll admit—it's a pretty good trick. Dragalge leans in, "if I remember right, Gwen had you forget Confuse Ray not long after." "Oh! Yes that's right! Very naughty!" Rotom grins at me.

Serperior finally breaks down and laughs, "and thank goodness I evolved not long after! The way you were going, next you were going to bake me in the oven!" "Don't underestimate me! I'll never stop my quest to find the perfect appliance for my next trick! Sleep with one eye open," she says, leaning to Serperior and winking while he jokingly rolls his eyes.

The rest of the day continues much in the same way. They trade stories back and forth, while I get the second-hand experience of my life through their eyes. It sounds like we're a close-knit team who accentuate each other's strengths while covering for weaknesses. As their trainer, I had them from young ages, helped them grow, kept them safe. And I get the sense the service was mutual—that being with them made me a better person.

Seeing how they are together, I'm confident that even if my memory is never the same, we can rebuild those bonds. And…as it seems we are to stay in this world, I hope that Skitty, and even Noibat, can be part of the family too.

It's a future I'm looking forward to.

But to get there, we first have to reach Permafrost Mountain, stop Dr. Laurel and Audino, bring them to justice, and clear our names.

It makes a tidy little checklist, but all easier said than done.

Still, I'm confident we can do it.

As the sun starts to set, we prepare to depart. I notice Serperior wrapping a blanket around himself in an attempt to battle the cold. "Good idea!" Skitty says, "much better than your last one!" Rotom swoops in, "ooh, do tell!" Skitty starts excitedly telling Rotom about Serperior's makeshift disguise back in Bedrock Town, while he groans.

As the other go ahead, Noibat hangs slightly behind. "Are you ok?" I ask, "just…nervous…seeing you and your team together, got me thinking. Dr. Laurel…I never got that with him. Never felt like I was…part of the team." I think about Noibat, about how he was bought with expectations of greatness, just to be a disappointment time and time again—a fact I'm sure Dr. Laurel wouldn't have kept to himself. Seeing this young pokemon make the decision to fight against the only 'family' he's had, fighting to protect this world…it makes my heart swell.

"Noibat, you're stronger than you know, and your courage through everything…it's inspiring. You may not have a family with Dr. Laurel" he winces for a moment, "but you'll always have a family with us."

His eyes are watering. Before I know it I'm drawn into a hug, "thanks Gwen, I won't let you down." "You couldn't if you tried," I smile, returning his embrace.

Look out Dr. Laurel, we're on our way.

—

It's so hard when she gets like this.

Team Starburst was spotted heading to Permafrost Mountain, an exploration team eagerly reported at Reception. All three of them, plus Serperior, Dragalge, and Rotom.

When I saw Lurantis' antennae twitching, I knew what was coming next.

She graciously thanked the team, sent them on their merry way, and called me to the Explorers Lounge. In its privacy, she allowed herself to lose her cool.

Pacing, rubbing her temples, yelling loud enough I'm certain the whole Center can hear, but she doesn't seem to care. I wait, leaning on my hammer, until she gets her thoughts in order.

"Tinkaton! These…these…traitorous scums! These absolute lowlifes! I just-it's beyond belief!" I nod, frowning; there's no point giving my opinion. She wouldn't hear me, the state she's in.

"We have to go after them ourselves, bring them back, make an example out of them!" she spits the words." "Who were you thinkin' of—" "US. It must be ME who brings them to justice, show the world that the Center, firm but fair, will NOT tolerate such…repulsive behavior."

I agree they should be brought to justice, but knowing Skitty? To get involved in something like this…we can't be seeing the whole story.

And I don't know how I feel about being the one to help bring 'em in.

"Master Lurantis, I-" "we leave first thing in the morning. Find someone to take over for reception." She says decisively.

Well, that's that, looks like I'm heading to Permafrost Mountain.