I give a wince as my back smacks against something. It takes me a moment to realise that I haven't broken it. I have not fallen to my death as expected. My stomach lurches as I feel my body rising back up quickly. The wind roars against me and my hands sink down through a soft, thin coat of fur to grasp at something, anything, for security.

I am rising with a dizzying speed up and up. The stars hang cold above me in a cloudless sky and for a moment I don't know what to think. Maybe this is what it feels like riding an amusement ride, I wouldn't know since I've never done it. Nausea creeps up me as I try to stay still out of fear of starting the falling again.

The Pokemon beneath me becomes stationary, hovering in one spot. Only as I hear its wings beating beneath me do I even realise that I'm on a Pokemon.

"Yeah he's no legs so you'll have to do the dismounting yourself."

For a wild moment I wonder if I am dreaming or perhaps I have died but neither scenario would explain the voice I'm hearing. I glance to my right and see a figure just a few inches below me with dishevelled, spiky hair in jeans and an open hoodie. It's all I can make out in the dark.

"Okay, better shake him off Batty, that might knock the shock outta him."

Without warning my rescuer jostles me off and I taste dirt as I smack face first into the ground. I do not think I have ever felt so much in years. I drive my palms into the ground to push myself upright to sit and turn as I scan the wilderness for Ellie and the others.

I hear something stomping towards me and have no time to brace before my Staraptor's beak pushes against me and it squawks loudly in my ear. Its relief is almost deafening.

I reach up and pat it with my hand and wince as I feel the cuts on my palm stinging.

I am stunned anew as another form collides with me, barrelling into me with a lot less force than the Raticate but enough energy to send the air whooshing out of my lungs.

"Oh you're okay, you're okay!"

The shock continues to run through me as Ellie's arms grab me in a hug and she starts to cry against me.

"I thought you'd died! Another person gone because of me! Oh I thought you'd died!"

I reach up one arm to steady her against me, my movement almost robotic as I can't get a hold of my emotions to express any.

"Hmm, you look like you just dropped off a cliff," Morty's voice teases me as his form looms out of the darkness. Hands on hips, he surveys me briefly before glancing up and past me. "Aren't you the guy from the park?"

I glance over my shoulder, at once wary as Morty draws my attention back to my rescuer.

Kenji stands behind me with one hand extended up to his Goldbat, which is flapping its wings rapidly as it trills excitedly with pride.

"Yep," he answers smugly, "your noble saviour Kenji, here in the nick of time apparently."

"And why is that?" I hear Looker demand. He approaches from my right side with Steven, both of them a little dishevelled and dusty but nothing compared to my state. "What on earth are you doing out here at this hour?"
"Travellin'!" Kenji snaps back. "It's allowed ain't it? As well I was too for your friend here." He gestures down to me with one hand.

I know I should say something, out him as the Grunt I know him to be but he did just save my life. Why? I tighten my grasp a little on Ellie, wary that maybe he is here for her. This is my fourth encounter with him and all in one long day, these meetings aren't by coincidence.

"Thank you," I say sincerely.

Kenji nods as he lowers his hand. "You're welcome. Some fall you took. You're not exactly dressed for the travellin' are you? Did the apology not work? Did you get tossed out? Hyuck-hyuck-hyuck!" He lets out his odd, cackling laugh. It's so distinctive I know there is no mistaking it. He is most definitely the second Grunt I met in the hotel.

Ellie tenses against me and I feel her head tilting up to seek out Kenji. Is he making her nervous? Does she somehow sense what he is? I can't tell and I feel guilty for not saying anything about it but I'd feel guilty saying something too because I do owe him my life.

"Well you all seem fine so I'm going to keep going on my merry way." He gives that odd laugh again before turning and walking off, throwing his hand up in a wave of farewell as his Goldbat flies after him.

"Wait!" Looker calls after him futilely. "Why are you out here? I know you're up to something!"

"Up to something?" Morty repeats his words. "He just saved Larry and he helped us with those Rattata, we should be grateful."

Looker glances back to Morty and then down to me almost apologetically. "Yes, well, I'm glad Mister Larry is safe with all bones in tact but that is a suspicious man."

"You wouldn't say that if he had an Eevee or some other fluffy Pokemon," I comment dryly, thinking of Kenji's words to us in the park.

I look to Ellie and see her giving a faint smile. It prompts me to smile back. I feel the smile emerge awkwardly and banish it as swiftly as it appeared. Humour seems a strange notion and I can't remember when I last wanted to smile.

"I would," Looker insists, "I'd say it even if he had a Jigglypuff or a Pikachu or a Clefairy or a...a Growlithe!"

"Growlithe," Morty echoes in a deadpan manner.

"They're cute er...aren't they?"
"We can debate that later," Steven interrupts. "We should probably try and get to some sort of shelter. Ellie, are you okay?"

Ellie pulls back from me and rubs away her tears, smiling as she does. "Yes," she says brightly, "everyone's okay so I'm okay. Although-" She lifts the ends of her scarf and dabs about my face with it again. "There."

Ellie bows her head quickly and drops the scarf before she pushes up to her feet and moves to Steven. Only then do I see the towering figure of a Pokemon behind Steven. It stands on two feet with an armoured head of horns and a spiked muzzle, a fearsome sight probably in the day as well.

"What's that?"

Steven glances over his shoulder and then back to me. "My Aggron," he answers.

"Aggy," Ellie introduces with a smile. She is very like Poppy with her nicknames or is it that Poppy is like her? Another similarity I have pushed poor Poppy back for, too like Mia for me to have ever given her a chance despite her eagerness to make the Elite a family.

"There's a Day Care near here," Morty remarks, "maybe we can get Larry some help there although day would be the key word wouldn't it?" He tilts his head up to the sky briefly.

"Poor Mister Larry," Looker says pityingly, "you are rather wounded, let me be of assistance."

He offers me down a hand and I accept. Only as I stand and feel a moment of dizziness do I become aware of my injuries. My face burns and throbs, blood soaks my skin through my sleeves and I know there are going to be a lot of bruises to face tomorrow. It's surreal, I've never been faced with this kind of adventure or action before and I'm not sure what to make of it all.

I reach up to my hair and find it askew and as I lower my hand to my tie I find it much the same, loose and wonky.

Looker releases my hand but when I take a couple of steps and wobble to one side he's quick to grab it again. He steadies me on my feet before wrapping an arm about my waist and pushing his shoulder under my right arm.

"One step at a time, yes my friend, we'll get there in one piece!"

Friend, that word again, he says it with such ease and I can't comprehend it. Are we friends? We've barely been acquainted more than a day and we're here on serious business, what makes us friends?

It's cold as we walk and every rustle in the grass has us wary as we walk. Staraptor, Steven's Aggron and Ellie's Farfetch'd all stay out, although the Farfetch'd is carried along in Ellie's arms and therefore probably not much good for quick reacting. I suspect Morty has one or two Ghost Pokemon out and on guard as well, ready to use the element of surprise against any wild Pokemon.

I feel fresh pangs of pain running up my body as I walk and become very aware of my age as my muscles groan and throb in unison. It is with relief that I spy the amber glow of a light in a window.

A small path formed from the repetitive travel of feet rather than more mechanical means leads through a small section of trees to a clearing where a two storey building sits alone.

We approach it cautiously, wary of the soft rustling of leaves and the blinking eyes that glow out from the grass. There are a few squeaks and squawks but nothing ventures out.

As we near the building I see a faded sign marking it as 'Day Care Centre'.

"I hope someone's up for late night visitors," Morty says cheerfully as he strides ahead. He pauses and glances back to us. "Maybe hang back for a moment, our numbers in the dead of the night suggest a slightly sinister vibe."

Looker and I halt behind Steven and Ellie.

Morty heads up to the door and gives it a firm knock. I wonder if anyone will answer considering the late hour.

"Who is it?" a man's voice calls out.

"Morty, Gym Leader of Ecruteak City. I'm here with friends, we got ambushed by wild Pokemon and one of us sustained a few injuries. We wouldn't bother you but he took a few deep scratches."

At Morty's words I feel the stinging in my arm that I've ignored all this time and become aware of a dripping sound. It's my blood seeping out to the grass below. I wonder dully how long I've been bleeding for and how much blood I might have lost.

"From Ecruteak City? Why are you all the way out here at this hour?"

"I'm escorting some friends who have unfortunately had a few issues with Team Rocket, safety in numbers and all that. If you open the door I'll show you my Gym Badge and I.D."

"Alright but be warned, I have a vicious guard Pokemon here if you're not who you say!"

The door opens just a crack and I suspect there's a chain on. It's deluded the sense of security we try to give ourselves, thinking that a chain like that can't be snapped. How long did my door at home hold before it gave way to Team Rocket murderers? Did my wife have mere minutes or seconds before they charged in to kill her and kidnap Mia?

Morty tugs something out of his trouser pocket and shows it to the man. The door closes and then reopens fully.

"Alright then," the man says, "you can come in."

Steven recalls his Aggron and I recall Staraptor before we all head towards the Day Care Centre.

I am tired and sluggish with my movements, probably I wouldn't even make these final few steps if I didn't have Looker pulling me on.

"Almost there Mister Larry," he says cheerfully, "these nice people will help us clean you up."

"You're not younger than me are you?" I murmur. "Stop with the Mister."

"Hmm, I suppose it is your first name. Well then, Larry it is!"

We enter into a living area with modest furnishings that has an odour to it that seems made up of various Pokemon scents. To the left is a kitchenette where a woman with a grey bun hastens to fill a kettle. To the right, beside a fireplace, is a pen and in it is the fearsome guard Pokemon- an overexcited Growlithe.

The Growlithe gives a few chirpy barks as its fluffy cream tail moves back and forth in a blur.

"You weren't kidding about the injuries," the man says as he stands in front of me.

He has a wrinkled face and balding scalp, old but cheery with less weariness in his twinkling eyes than Steven. He turns about the room briefly before pointing to the sofa and chair set, both a faded dark green and patchy in parts, old and worn but looking cosy and lived in. "Put him on the couch then."
"I can go on the floor," I offer.

"Probably wouldn't get you up again," the man says. He shakes his head. "No, on the couch."
"It'll get stained."

The man laughs. "We've had worse than you on it. If we wanted nice things we wouldn't have a Day Centre, between the fur, the feathers and the general mess, you don't keep things good for long around here."

Looker guides me over to the couch and places me down. I see Ellie clutching her Farfetch'd close as she eyes the Growlithe warily.

"I think the Growlithe's just being friendly," I say to her.

Ellie glances over to me in surprise before her gaze slides back to the orange and black striped Pokemon. "It's a fire Pokemon." She states it flatly like it's a bad thing.

"It's very welcoming," Looker praises. He heads over to it, standing over the pen to stare down at it. He leans down slightly but is careful to keep a distance lest it decide to pounce at him. "Aren't you a brave boy?" he marvels at it.

"Is it yours?" Morty queries.

The man looks over to Morty and shakes his head. "No."

"It was abandoned here," the woman explains as she hurries to the single coffee table before the fireplace and places the kettle down there. "Happens more than you'd think, trainers get in over their heads, can't afford to keep their Pokemon or think they're getting something cute and can't handle the training." She tuts and shakes her head before hurrying back to the kitchenette.

Looker stands upright and looks her way. "You know who did it though and had them punished for the crime, yes?" He turns his head back to the Growlithe, which continues to wag its tail in a blur of happiness. "Oh who could abandon you? Look at the cute, little face!"

Morty snickers and I glance over in time to see him shaking his head while Steven raises his palm to burrow his face into it momentarily.

"Don't know who did it," the man says carelessly, "found it at the door one day. People mistake this place for a Pokemon pound but we're a business, we can't afford residents eating for free."

"Aren't you keeping him then?" Morty quips.

I look over to the psychic again and am certain there is a glow of mischief about his eyes as if he already knows the answer. Probably he does.

"No, he'll go back to the wild."

"What?!" Looker exclaims. "But how will he fend for himself? No, that's disastrous! You can't!"

"It's nature," the man murmurs.

I feel myself sagging in the sofa as the conversation continues. The woman returns and starts to fuss over me with a damp cloth. I wave her off with an apology and Steven takes her place.

The former Champion crouches down before me with a handful of wipes and bandages that the woman has given him.

"You've barely known us but you had your Staraptor save Ellie over yourself," he addresses me in a low voice.

I don't think the others are even listening, Looker is too busy drowning everyone out with his dramatics over the Growlithe.

I meet Steven's icy blue stare and know he is trying to read me but he is no more of a psychic than I am. His eyes are marked with pain, his face scarred with some sort of emotional damage I don't understand but can relate to anyway. He's been through something difficult and I think it's more than the attack on his mother. Is it life with Ellie that has caused this? No, they've only had to leave Hoenn now which means they must have had some peace from Team Rocket.

"Thank you," he says quietly.

I nod stiffly, ready to say it wasn't for him but I don't, I'm sure he knows that much anyway.

"I'll help you bandage up that arm," he offers. It's the first hint of niceness I've gotten from him. "I'm always scraping myself in caves so I've gotten quite good at treating wounds," he explains. For one very short moment I see a spark of happiness in him and a suggestion at his youth before it's lost under the shadows that haunt him. He's too young for whatever burden he carries. I wonder if part of it has been from the weight of the Championship, when did he gain it and when did he lose it? It seems like too busy and important of a job for one as young as him.

I push myself up with a wince and swallow down a yelp of pain as I shrug my jacket off. I unbutton the cuff of my shirt sleeve and push the ruined sleeve up to expose the grisly wound, it's deeper than I realised. I watch with a morbid fascination as blood bubbles up and leaks out of the claw marks.

"Why did Team Rocket kill your wife?" Steven pries as he starts to wipe away the blood. "Why were they in Paldea? I thought they were restricted to Kanto and Johto until they invaded Hoenn for Ellie. You said they were in Paldea for the same reason they were in Hoenn and that you knew what Team Rocket could do to psychics."

I meet Steven's stare again and bite back a cry of pain as the wipe stings at my wound. My gaze darts up to Ellie, she's turned pale and there is fear in her eyes as she keeps looking to the Growlithe.

I realise if I want to help them I need to be honest with them. Somehow Ellie was found in Hoenn and then again here in Johto, it makes sense that they probably have trust issues and I don't want to add to that. This isn't the time or place but I realise there probably isn't going to be a right moment for this confession.

"I do know, my wife was a psychic," I answer quietly. "Maybe it's something we can discuss in the morning."

I'm a coward, I know it but I don't need two strangers in the mix and it is late and we're all tired. I will tell them the truth because I have to, it's why I'm here.

"Maybe," Steven mutters as he starts to bandage up my arm.

The woman comes back with a cup of tea for me, it tastes bitter but I drink it down anyway out of politeness. I realise the irony of thinking of manners now considering we didn't do introductions. I know no one is going to offer an introduction either despite us taking hospitality from them.

"You know Looker, I think he likes you," I hear Morty say, "and you do need a Pokemon." Did he foresee this? It's hard to know what's fate in a world of psychics. Did my wife ever glimpse the nightmare she would face? Did she keep it from me in the hopes that it wouldn't come true? I don't know. She'd always say psychics aren't alike, some have foresight and some have telekinesis and so on. I wonder what all Ellie or rather Mia can do, if she can read minds or spy out the future. I hope not.

"A fire puppy," Ellie says quietly with a sadness that I feel an empathy with. "Did you have one Steven?"

"Nope, I'm a Steel trainer, I've never had a fire type."

"Oh. I remember one. It... it died."

Two for one, I hope whatever readers this has you are enjoying it :-)