"Hello?" Robert knocked on the door once, then twice. Frowning, he stepped off the porch and into the bushes to peer through the window.

"What are you doing!?" Alex said in a panic, glancing around to see if anyone was looking.

"Relax, I told you I know who lives here," Robert said without looking back. Once they'd arrived in Striaton City, Professor Juniper had messaged Robert, asking if he would check up on her. Something about not answering any of her calls. "Doctor Fennel isn't exactly what you would call punctual. Huh," he squinted. "It's kinda dark inside. Maybe she's not home?"

"Hey! What are you three doing!?"

Robert whirled around to see a short girl in a blue dress stalking up to them. Her brown hair was pulled into two spiky bunches held together by blue scrunchies. For one so who looked so young, she had quite a glare behind those blue glasses of hers.

"Chill child," Robert pushed himself out of the bushes, brushing off his cargo pants. "It's me, your Uncle Rob!"

The girl rolled her eyes. "So you're back from your trip."

"What, no hello?" Robert whined.

"Sorry about the creep," Alex said, holding out her hand. "I'm Alex."

"Zeno," the black haired teen held out his hand as well. "We're unfortunately friends with that house stalker." Joltik, who was riding on Zeno's shoulder, curled up as Zeno shook hands with the girl. "Ah, sorry," Zeno said, picking up Joltik and cupping him in his hands . "He's not so good around other people."

"Oi!" Robert straightened. "I'll have you know I am an upstanding citizen of Unova!"

"Say that before you go looking in people's windows," the girl made a tch sound. She then smiled at Zeno and Alex. "Nice to meet you two, I'm Amanita. I'm Doctor Fennel's sister."

"Speaking of," Robert looked back at the house. "Where is your big sis?"

Amanita sighed. "Heck if I know. She left suddenly two days ago saying something like she needed to study something or another. She might be in the Dreamyard."

"So she's still researching Dream Mist then," Robert let a sly grin form. "Zeno, Alex, I know what we're going to do today."

"So where's the Dreamyard located?" Zeno asked Amanita as they and Alex began walking away.

"Just past where the Striaton Gym used to be located," Amanita pointed down the street.

"There's a gym?"

"Was," Amanita answered Alex. "The triplets have turned it entirely into a restaurant. The food's some of the best this side of Unova."

"Hey hey," Robert whined, jogging to catch up. "Do you guys not want me to lead or something? Am I not loved? Is that it?"

"Of course you're loved," Alex slowed so she could throw an arm around his shoulder. "You make good food for us on the road."

"Oh woe is me!" Robert faked a sob.

"So, why are you coming along?" Robert asked Amanita after a couple seconds of fake sobbing. "Don't you have school?" He teased with a grin.

Amanita threw him a drop-dead look. "You know full well I don't do school."

"She's a prodigy that one," Robert told Zeno and Alex. "11 and already graduated from college."

"13," Amanita corrected as they stepped off the main road and onto a forested trail. "You never quit it with the jokes do you."

"Not in ten thousand lightyears," Robert said proudly.

"Another obscure reference," Alex groaned.

Robert turned around, walking backwards so he could face her. "You know, you should dye your hair fully red. Then I can call you Red."

"Ow ow ow," Robert moaned as he was pulled along the ground after getting sucker punched by her. "Y'know, redheads tend to have a fiery temper. Maybe you're secretly not a natural blonde."

"You doing alright?" Zeno asked Joltik, rubbing his fur.

"You should be asking me if I'm alright," Robert complained as Zeno dragged him by the ankle.

"Why am I stuck dragging him?" Zeno called ahead to Alex.

"You're the man," Alex called back to him. "Less complaining and more dragging. Watch out for roots. You want to make sure they hit his head."

Zeno rolled his eyes and dropped Robert's foot. He bent, helping the blonde to his feet.

"You must like the pain," Zeno said as they resumed walking, following a bit behind Alex and Amanita. "I can't see any other reason you like to push her buttons."

"It's a gift," Robert laughed. He held out his pinky finger to Joltik, who tentatively poked it with his feeler before pulling it back quickly. "I see he's getting better."

"Yeah," Zeno smiled at the tiny Bug type. "I'm trying to get him more comfortable around me. I just hope I can do it..."

"So," Zeno said after a couple seconds of silence. "About that night when we left Kalos on the boat. You still feeling it?"

Robert's smile lessened. He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, still anxious. You can tell?"

"It's a gift," Zeno said with a smirk, but he let it fade quickly. "Your feelings for research and Pokemon are genuine, but it still feels... I guess forced is the right word."

"And I hide my anxiety behind jokes and yada yada," Robert shrugged. "While not necessarily true, I guess I am trying to forget my feelings and just focus on achieving the path I chose. I just... I'm still not sure if I'm making the right choices. I quit being a trainer because I didn't think I would be going anywhere with that dream. And while doing Pokemon research is fun in the moment, I don't know if I can see myself doing that in the far future. And I love travelling," he said wistfully. "I love hanging out with my Pokemon, you, and Alex on the road, getting to meet new people and experiencing new things. But I can't help but feel I could be doing more to help, y'know? Now, don't get me wrong," he said hurriedly. "I know we've helped loads of people and Pokemon in trouble, but..."

"You don't think that's all you can do to help?" Zeno guessed.

"Yeah, something like that."

"Then maybe it's good Professor Juniper told you to journey across Unova with us," Zeno said confidently. He placed Joltik on his other shoulder before swinging his right arm around Robert's shoulders. "Take this time to do some, uh, what do they call it... soul searching, that's it." Zeno nodded. "Do a little of this and a little of that and decide where your future lies. I've said before you have the talent to do anything you put your mind to and I meant that."

Robert laughed weakly. "Yeah, that's the trouble I think. Being good at a lot of things isn't exactly what you might call a blessing. I want to focus my future a bit more. I guess all I want is a bit of clarity of what I should do."

"Well, don't worry about it so much," Zeno advised. "I'm sure you'll come to know eventually."

"Speaking of the future," Robert grinned at his friend. "What about Alex? Ever since we arrived in Unova... actually, scratch that. Ever since our tangle with Team Flare and Chaos, you two have grown a lot closer."

Zeno lifted his arm off of Robert and shrugged, looking slightly embarrassed. "I... yeah, I think we're basically a couple."

"Hah," Robert slapped him on the back. "Y'know, I've been rooting for you two since way back in Alola. You're perfect for one another. And I hope you're planning on making me best man." As Zeno coughed in surprise, Robert rubbed his chin. "Actually, I might have to fight Hau for that spot."

"It's way too early to be thinking about that," Zeno glared at him.

"Oi, you two!" Alex called from ahead where she and Amanita were standing at the edge of the trees, sunlight hitting their backs. "You coming or what?"

"Yes," Zeno called back, shooting Robert the evil eye, who simply grinned in reply.


"So what is this place exactly?" Alex asked as they stepped out of the trees and into the sunlight. Ruins of a modern building lay crumbling ahead. Vines crept up broken pieces of walls while barrels lay in the grass or pressed against the side. A group of Pidoves sat pecking at the ground, but flew away as the group approached.

"The Dreamyard," Amanita said. "It used to be called the Pokemon Energy Lab until it exploded due to an experiment gone wrong. Scientists, including Fennel, were researching Musharna's Dream Mist, hoping that it could be used as a cleaner energy source. Some of the scientists had ulterior motives though and Musharna's Dream Mist got corrupted and blew up the place. Fennel and a few others survived. The rest, well, there were no complete bodies salvaged."

"What about Musharna?" Alex asked, worried.

"Dead or fled," Amanita answered. "Her body was never found, so we don't know. Fennel still researches Dream Mist on her own, so she comes here sometimes to research the wild Munna Population." She stopped, looking around. "That's odd. Usually you can see one or two in the grass. Maybe they're all hiding in the ruins. Where there's Munna, there's probably my sister."

"This place has an odd vibe to it," Zeno said, glancing around.

Amanita looked surprised. "Huh, I've only heard Fennel talk like that here. Maybe you can feel the Dream Mist like her."

"I guess," Zeno frowned. "I've had, uh, experiences with dreams before."

"Where's the entrance?" Alex glanced around before she saw the boarded up gate. "Unless anyone minds me blowing that up..."

"Over here," Amanita was by a section of the wall that wasn't boarded up and squeezed through a large crack. Robert was the last to go through, pausing to glance skywards as gray clouds began covering the sun. Awaiting on the other side were patches of grass and weeds, but no signs of Munna or Fennel. For that matter, there weren't signs of any other kind of Pokemon.

"Say, aren't there usually Patrats and Purloins who hang out here?" Robert asked.

"There are," Amanita sounded confused. "If Fennel's here, maybe she's trying to figure that out..."

Zeno was crouching in the grass, watching Joltik. The little Pokemon was crawling towards something, then immediately retreated back to Zeno. The teen lifted a broken alcohol bottle out of the grass as a tiny drop of rain hit the glass. "Say, does anyone else usually come here?"

Amanita shook her head. "Not usually. It's really only scientists who come here. And the odd Psychic or two. Punks don't like the whole Dream Mist stuff, so they tend to steer clear."

Zeno nodded, but he was frowning at the bottle. Robert noticed his eyes darken as his hand twitched. He caught Robert's gaze out of the corner of his eye and Robert walked over to Amanita and Alex. "Maybe Fennel isn't here. We should check town to see if anyone has seen her."

"What?" Amanita frowned. "Oh come on, it can't be the rain that's bothering-" She stopped as Alex put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at Robert and he could tell she knew what message he was conveying.

"Yeah," Alex said as she lowered her hand to her belt, settling her palm on a pokeball. "We should go."

"Too late," Zeno stood quickly, tossing out Arcaneis quickly. Just in time, as a blast of energy had been shooting towards him, but Arcaneis took the brunt of the attack. He growled, electricity crackling over his body.

"Well well, a shame," an all-too familiar black haired woman stepped out from behind a broken wall. "I was aiming for the boy." Her Purloin leaped atop her shoulder, smiling cruelly at us. Around her, thugs began appearing from behind walls and stacked barrels. The also familiar lanky blonde sauntered out from the opposite side of the woman, tossing a pokeball up and down as he sneered. Robert backed away from where they had squeezed in as the large biker guy now blocked that entrance, his Timburr lowering his pointed log at the group of friends. Accompanying all the thugs were Liepards, Scraggys, and a lone Krookodile. More Pokemon were released, all looking ready to start a fight.

Robert grabbed one of his pokeballs as he backed closer to Zeno, Alex, and Amanita. "Not good. Really not good."

Zeno cupped Joltik in his hand, reaching for the Bug type's Pokeball. "When I say-"

"Attack!" The woman screeched and blasts of energy scattered the group. Robert stumbled away through a cloud of smoke, throwing out a random pokeball. He tried yelling out a command, but something blasted against his middle and he flew sideways into a barrel. He groaned, hearing shouts and feeling the ground shake. He tried pulling himself up, but slipped on something wet. He glanced down, seeing a pink liquid oozing around him. He looked back at the barrel to see that it had tipped over, spilling its contents. A fume of it wafted up around Robert and he tried stopping his instincts to inhale, but he already began to feel woozy. His head spun and his vision became hazy. He collapsed, trying hard to stay awake, but whatever drug he was now under the control of, it forced him into darkness. He lay still, his mind drifting further and further away.


A landscape of grass stretched out endlessly in front of Robert, small clouds dotting the blue sky above. He stared at the sea of green, trying to remember where he was and why he was here. A soft breeze picked up, the heads of the grass tilting towards him. He turned around, gaze following the mesmerizing sight. There, he could see two people standing apart from one another.

A sudden sound of two heavy objects colliding and two Pokemon backed up from one another, closer to their respective trainer. Robert began running towards them, trying to call out, but his voice was silent. He could just make them out now. He slowed to a stop, watching himself command Swampert as the scenery changed to a grand golden room. The Water type burst forwards on a wave of water, ducking beneath Volcarona and shooting upwards with a glowing fist. The Bug type twirled, a green wind blasting Swampert away before the Sun Pokemon flew back next to Alder.

I remember, Robert thought as he watched both Pokemon clash. This is when I fought him for the title of Championship.

He watched as Volcarona began wearing Swampert down, taking few hits, before finally-

Swampert crashed onto his back, unable to go on any longer. Robert watched his other self, studying his face as it went from shock to resignation. He had taken the loss humbly, but inside, he remembered despairing.

That was the day my dream as a Pokemon trainer ended, Robert realized. Imagine, a single loss doing me in... No, it wasn't just that. I had been questioning my dream for a while before then, wondering if that's what kept me going.

The scene changed again. Now he was watching his battle with Alex in the Alolan League. He watched as Salazzle doused the arena in acid as she unleashed her Z-move. In a desperate attempt to regain control of the battle, Robert had commanded Snorlax to use his Z-move as well. The Normal type had never made it, collapsing in the acid as it exploded around him.

It's funny, Robert smiled sadly. This is where I first began doubting my ability as a trainer. I went back home, wondering if I should quit and find a new path.

"Hey, Rob!"

He turned, now back in Aspertia City. He saw Hugh run up to himself.

"You're back," Hugh said, clasping the other Robert's shoulder.

"I'll be heading off for the Unova League soon, so I won't be here long," Robert said. "I tell you, those 8 gyms were tough."

"But you beat 'em," Hugh punched him in the arm. "Nice going man. I'll be rooting you on from my living room."

"Can't come to Vertress City to watch me in-person?"

"Not on your life!" Hugh laughed. "My parents are still away on their trip and I gotta watch my little sis. She got a Purloin recently. Don't want her having a mock battle and tearing down the house."

Robert laughed. "Good for her!"

Robert watched himself laugh, knowing full well that he had been hiding his worries. That he wasn't enjoying the thrill of battling like he used to.

"I got it!" Robert saw himself cheer as the scene shifted. He had been on his computer in his room and had just gotten an email back from Professor Juniper. "Oh man! Wait, calm down Robert. This is only an interview. Oh geez, what should I wear!?"

Robert closed his eyes to stop seeing the past. And now I'm questioning my path once again.

"Take this time to do some, uh, what do they call it..."

Robert opened his eyes again to see Zeno and him walking along a trail in a forest, sunlight streaming down as white beams.

"Soul searching, that's it," Zeno said. "Do a little of this and a little of that and decide where your future lies. I've said before you have the talent to do anything you put your mind to and I meant that."

"A little of this..." Robert muttered as the world around him turned white. "A little of that. But how will I-"

"Wow, this tropical breeze is better than I thought it would be!"

Robert turned around in surprise, the whiteness around him filling with an abundance of colors. He stared at his other, younger self as he walked up the sidewalk and out of the city, Munchlax by his side. A warm gust of wind passed by and he saw his other self stopping at the entrance to a school.

"Hey Munchlax," Robert said to his companion as he stared up at the building. "What do you think? A Trainer's School is bound to have someone who is willing to give me my first battle."

"Munch!"

"You said it! We need to pull a victory right here and cement our legacy as super strong trainers!"

"Oho, is that so?"

Robert turned to see a girl with blonde hair in a Hoenn's Ace Trainer outfit walking up. "It seems you and I had a similar idea." She held up her pokeball. "The name's Alex. What do you say to battling me instead?"

Pumping his fist, Robert grinned. "Bring it on, Alex!"

The scene faded away and Robert found himself on his back, back to being surrounded by eternal whiteness. He held up his hand, imagining a pokeball grasped within it. "Snorlax, Muk, Hariyama, Stoutland, Bewear, Tyranitar, Wailord." Those were his partners, the Pokemon he had forged a bond with in Alola. "Swampert, Maractus, Krokorok, Heatmor, Scolipede, Carracosta, Chesnaught..." His arm began to shake. "Maybe you're right, Zeno. This is a good chance for me to test different paths I might take. So," He focused on keeping his arm straight. "Maybe, just one last time, just to see what might become of it," He curled his hand into a fist. "I'll become a Pokemon Trainer once more. And this time," He grinned with determination as he remembered walking up those grand steps to the Champion Room. "I'll achieve victory!"