Like I had predicted, I had to spend a second night outside. The Petalburg Woods treeline became an impromptu campsite again, the only non-saltwater I could find was a small pond I hoped wasn't contaminated, and when I couldn't bear my hunger any longer I ended up eating possibly unripe Oran Berries that left me feeling nauseous for hours on end afterwards.

   It wasn't exactly too shocking that all of that happened considering I had no experience with camping or anything of the sort. But through all of that, I somehow managed to keep myself convinced that things would get better once I got to Petalburg.

The sun had just reached the midday mark on day two when I stopped for a quick rest. I had been walking all morning and the lack of not really eating or drinking anything in the past two days was taking its toll on me. I found a relatively clean—was it even possible to describe something outside in that way?—rock to sit on and did just that. This gave me a lot of time to think about all of the reprehensible choices I'd made recently... Joy.

What are you thinking? Meteor asked innocently. I had returned him to his ball a while ago since he was on the verge of driving me crazy with him pointing out every new thing he saw out here. Too bad it didn't stop him from talking altogether.

"I don't know, find out for yourself. I'm a regular open book," I sighed, not really in the mood to deal with any more of his comments.

Well, let's see... Meteor said slowly. I've been trying to further my skills when it comes to mind reading lately, and I've managed to start looking through memories. So when you say you're an open book, you pretty much are at this point.

Okay, that scared me. Forget reading my normal thoughts, reading my memories was on a whole different level. Most of my memories were stashed away in the back of my mind for a reason, and the last thing I needed was for some overly confident Psychic-type to start digging them up like some crazed miner.

Wow, I didn't know you used to talk to your rock collection. Meteor sounded surprised.

"Get out of my head. Now!" I demanded. That was what I was talking about. Being reminded that I used to talk to rocks was yet another factor that cemented me as a nut-job in the making. Added on was the whole, "Dad knows best" complex I had plus a whole laundry list of other "quirks."

Aww, there's so many things to look through, though. You're basically a library!

"Now!" I repeated, both aloud and in my mind. When I was sure that Meteor's presence had left the depths of my mind, I decided that my rest, albeit short, was over. I was sure I would be fine. Petalburg couldn't have been too far from where I was anyways!

Route 104's path briefly cut into a section of trees, a continuation of the forest that was Petalburg's namesake. Again I was plunged into the recesses of the shade and natural ambiance the forest created.

The path wasn't very long as I could see the break in the trees not too far ahead. Along with the break I also saw a small group of people walking in my direction in the middle of the path. I figured that they were passerby and moved to the far side of the trail so they could pass me.

As they got closer, I was able to get a better look at them. They were all professional-looking businesspeople dressed in clothing like suit jackets, ties, and dress pants. Their clothes were etched with jagged blue lines around the cuffs and hemming. They looked like they had just come from a business meeting, and I was inclined to believe that if it weren't for the dead-eyed expressions they wore as well.

I felt a chill run down my spine, and I adverted my gaze. Even looking at them was unsettling. I sped up my pace as well, praying to Arceus that they weren't interested in any conversation. Just as I was walking past them, I felt a hand grasp my shoulder.

"Excuse me, dearie. I need to ask you something," a woman's silky voice said. I turned to see one of the women staring at me. She would have been a very pretty woman if she didn't look so... dead. She had thin auburn hair in a bun, several strands having freed themselves and hanging loosely. Her face was thin and gaunt, and her nearly black eyes were like pools of ink that seemed to stare right through me. She asked, "Do you know how to get to Rustboro City from here?"

I tried to hold her gaze even though on the inside, I wanted to look away. "S-sorry, ma'am. What did you ask?" I stammered, too distracted by her appearance to hear what she said. She gave me a tight-lipped smile.

"Did I startle you? So sorry, we're just in a hurry. Do you know how to get to Rustboro from here? Our escort never showed up and we need to get there as soon as we can." The question should have been a perfectly normal one to ask, yet her tone and the way she asked it made it seem like she was feigning her kindness. Something wasn't right here, I could feel it. I attempted to squirm out of her grip. She responded by digging her perfectly manicured nails into me. "I asked you a question, dearie."

"No, I don't," I responded, wincing slightly as a deep ache began forming in my shoulder. She had a grip like a vice, and the freakish amount of strength she seemed to have unsettled me even more.

She raised her eyebrows in a look of fake shock. "Are you sure? You don't look like the type of person that would come from Petalburg. It's too rustic of a city for my liking. Come now, dearie. Help us out, it'll only take a minute."

"I said I don't know. I was just training my Pokémon out on the route." I hoped that mentioning I had a defense would get her to back off. "I'm sorry I couldn't help." I wrenched myself from her grasp and tried to leave, only for her to lash out and take hold of my wrist. Her grip was so tight that it sent a sharp pain up my arm, causing me to gasp instinctually.

"You're a Trainer? I wouldn't have guessed that." She roughly yanked me back, making me face her. "Such a handsome young man like you shouldn't be out here alone, you know?" she cooed, grabbing my other wrist in the process.

I struggled to pull away from her, a sickening knot of dread forming in the pit of my stomach. "I don't know, okay? Let me go, please!" My calm façade broke away and I began panicking. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't have Meteor help me. The woman held both of my wrists and was intent on not letting go.

"You're lying," she said in a singsong tone. "Tell me the truth, or do you want my friends to do it for you?"

Even though I was beyond petrified, I stubbornly refused to tell her. Whatever their intentions were, they were definitely not good, the woman's actions were more than enough evidence.

"Fine then, we needed another subject anyways." The woman looked at the other woman standing behind her. She nodded and removed a Poké Ball from her belt. She sent out a large white monkey Pokémon with long claws and a tuft of red fur on its head. What caught my attention immediately was the collar around its neck. It was the same collar I had seen on the Poochyena that attacked me a few weeks ago. And like the Poochyena, the Pokémon's eyes were purple.

"Slash or Scratch, Lady Valerie?" the woman asked in a flat tone.

The main woman, who I guessed was Valerie, contemplated her cohort's words. After the most tense few seconds of my life, she seemed to come to a conclusion. She then gave me the fakest of smiles and said, "A Scratch would be best. After all, it would be cruel to damage that perfect face of yours too badly."

By then, most people's fight or flight response would have kicked in, most likely getting them out of the situation. I wasn't like most people. Instead of doing either one of those things, I did neither. The shock of what this woman wanted to do to me drained my remaining strength, and my legs gave out, sending me to my knees. The one thing that kept me from falling flat on my face was Valerie's grip on my wrists.

She laughed coldly, dragging me back to my feet with an astonishing amount of strength. I didn't bother trying to struggle anymore, it wouldn't have made a difference. "Are you scared?" She continued laughing. "I told you, if you won't tell, Vigoroth here will make you. Now, keep still. It won't hurt too much... I promise."

I wanted to be sick.

"Vigoroth, Scratch," the second woman said. Her Pokémon turned its head to face me, its eyes narrowing in instant fury. It began lumbering towards me with jerky, unsteady steps. Vigoroth raised its right hand into the air, claws glinting in the faint sunlight. I could almost already feel those claws piercing my skin and tearing me to ribbons. I squeezed my eyes shut, ready to experience the pain I was envisioning.

Don't you dare hurt my Trainer!

Meteor's voice exploded in my mind, snapping me from my fear-induced stupor. I had nearly forgotten that he could get out of his ball on his own! And as if on cue, the familiar white flash jetted from my pocket and into the air beside me. The light took form and faded to reveal my beloved Beldum. Without hesitating, I told him to use Zen Headbutt. Meteor slammed into the Vigoroth's chest, knocking it backwards. To my relief Valerie let go of me, and I darted out of her reach.

"Use Zen Headbutt again!" I commanded, instantly feeling braver now that Meteor was physically by my side.

With pleasure! Meteor said confidently. Before Vigoroth was able to stand up, Meteor hit it again and it fainted.

"So you did have a Pokémon after all," Valerie said calmly, as if what just happened wasn't a big deal. "And a Beldum no less! Those fetch quite a pretty penny on the market. How about we make a deal, dearie?" She snapped her fingers. Her two other cohorts sent out a Poochyena and a Geodude. The Poochyena had the collar around its neck while the Geodude had one on each of its arms. Valerie smiled. "You give me that Beldum, and I'll let you go. Simple, painless, no strings attached, it's a good deal!"

"Are you kidding me?" I cried. And when I thought this lady couldn't get any crazier... Was she serious? Did she really expect me to hand over Meteor? That psycho wanted to cut my face two seconds ago, and now she was trying to be all friendly with me? Sure, she was still threatening me, though that wasn't the point. "I would rather die than give Meteor to you!"

"Such bold words for someone who was shaking like a leaf a second ago. It makes you even more precious, honestly!" Valerie laughed.

Could you stop talking about me like that? It's really disturbing! I thought with a shudder. The sooner I could get away from these people, the better. "Meteor, use Zen Headbutt on Geodude!" Keep your eye on Poochyena as well, I added.

"Poochyena, Bite."

"Geodude, Rock Throw," the men spoke dully. It was like they didn't care, like they were just going through the motions of a battle. Poochyena sprung at Meteor while Geodude tore up a chunk of the path and lobbed it at him. Meteor easily floated out of Poochyena's reach and dodged the rock, smashing right into Geodude right afterwards. It must have been pretty low-leveled because it went down after that one hit.

Is that all you got? Meteor slipped right into his usual cocky attitude. I couldn't afford for him to act like that right now! I told him to stop it and focus on the battle, through thought of course. Sorry, guess I'm getting carried away already, he said. Even if it was a life-or-death situation, Meteor still found a way to make light of it. Was it strange I envied him for that?

"Use Iron Head!"

"Poochyena, Bite."

Poochyena jumped at Meteor again, this time grabbing him and dragging him towards the ground.

"Try to fling it off and use Iron Head!" I yelled, not too worried about how much damage Meteor had taken. Meteor forced himself to cartwheel mid-descent, flinging Poochyena off of him and into the air. He then proceeded to use Iron Head and the Poochyena was sent flying into a nearby tree. I unintentionally winced when I heard Poochyena's body hitting the tree's branches on its way to the ground.

Valerie's eyes widened in shock before bearing a look of pure malice. "You little brat!" she screeched. She removed a Poké Ball from her skirt pocket and pressed its center button in order to enlarge it to its normal size. She threw the ball, and a purple imp Pokémon tumbled to the ground. It had a collar on each of its wrists, and its gemlike eyes shone with a sickly indigo glow. It occasionally twitched violently, its movements seeming almost painful.

"Meteor, use Iron Defense!" I had not an inkling of what this Pokémon was or what it was capable of. Playing it safe was the best option.

"Sableye, Leer!" Valerie practically shrieked.

"Eyeee..." The imp slowly tilted its head to the side, opening its mouth to reveal a set of needle-like teeth. As it did this, its eyes flashed green. Meteor seemed to shiver as he used his move.

It's not screaming like the others were. It's... it's laughing, he told me.

Out of everything that I had heard today, for some reason, that comment shook me the most. Did that mean Sableye liked what it was going through? That couldn't be it... "Use Iron Head!" I just wanted to get away from these people!

"No you don't. Shadow Sneak!"

In one sharp movement, Sableye snapped its head sideways. From the sound it made, I thought it had snapped its own neck. Instead, the shadows cast by the trees shifted, moving like something out of a nightmare. Sableye smiled devilishly, one of its clawed hands moving to point at Meteor. The inky blackness rushed towards him and sprung from the ground to ensnare him like a net. Meteor's screams filled my mind as the shadows began tightening around him, squeezing him, crushing him. I couldn't do anything, I was paralyzed by the horror of what I was seeing.

"Sableye, stop," Valerie said. Sableye let its arm drop and the shadows receded. Meteor remained in the air for a second before dropping to the forest floor, knocked out. I immediately returned him to his ball. Valerie looked at me, smiling. "Now, I think I'm owed a Beldum."

"No, no you won't have him," I muttered, still dazed from what had just took place. I lost, I actually lost, I thought, clutching the Poké Ball to my chest. Once again, my confidence and bravery had vanished, leaving me hollow.

"Still resisting, are you? You won't give me my prize for winning a battle... Such a selfish Trainer, aren't you? Sableye, Mean Look." Sableye's eyes flashed and I realized that I couldn't move. It felt like every one of my muscles had seized, freezing me in place. Valerie walked over to me and began prying Meteor's Poké Ball from my hands. "Deny me of what I want, and I'll still take it regardless!" she said playfully, as if she was a child bragging about an expensive toy. A toy she had stolen from another.

"You leave him alone!"

Valerie glanced up and she lost her smile. Since I couldn't move, I wasn't able to turn to whoever was speaking. I saw what I thought was a young woman step into my peripheries. Although I couldn't see her fully, I saw that she was wearing something light green. I could also see the figure of a large Pokémon standing next to her.

"Why should I listen to you? I won our battle, fair and square," Valerie sneered.

"Because if you don't, my Exploud will make sure you can't listen to anyone ever again," the girl said darkly, her words dripping with venom. "Synth, get ready to use Hyper Voice."

"Okay, fine. We'll leave. We just wanted to know how to get to Rustboro." Valerie stepped away from me and recalled her Sableye. When she did, a surge of heat washed over me and I could move again.

"It's through Petalburg Woods. Follow the trail and you'll be there. And if you know what's good for you, you won't come back this way," the girl said threateningly. Valerie nodded curtly and began walking away, her teammates following close behind. Before she got too far, she quickly turned her head and flashed me the most chilling smile I had ever seen a person make. "I'll see you later!" she mouthed silently.

"You okay?" the girl asked over the sound of a Poké Ball activating. I tore my gaze away from Valerie and turned to face my rescuer. She was a girl of about seventeen or eighteen with long brown hair put into a Ponyta-tail, bright blue eyes, and a sprinkle of freckles across her tanned face. She was wearing a knee-length green and white dress along with a pendant shaped like a treble clef.

"I-I guess so," I sighed shakily. "Thank you for saving me..." I trailed off.

"Arietta, call me Arietta." She extended a hand to me.

I shook her hand. "My name is Steven. Thank you for saving me, Arietta."

"It's no problem. The nerve of some people these days, I swear to Arceus!" Arietta said, a hint of anger in her voice. "They're full grown adults and they try to pick a fight with a kid! It's like there aren't any decent people in Hoenn nowadays."

"Is that so? Guess I picked a bad time to start my journey," I said, smiling nervously. I was still trembling from what happened and I must have been white as a sheet. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so relieved.

"Really?" Arietta raised her eyebrows. "You look way older than twelve, and you're just starting out?"

"Yes, shockingly. It wasn't exactly my choice though." I minimized Meteor's ball and slipped it into my pocket. And it still wouldn't have been if I hadn't left.

"Oh, okay. I won't press the subject then." Arietta abruptly pressed her index finger to her ear, and I saw that she was wearing an earpiece. "Yes? Mhm... yeah... I'll be there in twenty minutes. Thank you." She took her hand away and sighed. "Sorry, Steven. I'll have to cut this meeting short. My co-worker needs some help, and it's urgent. If you're ever in Slateport or Lilycove, you might see me around!" She removed a bright blue Poké Ball from her handbag and let out a cloud-like blue and white bird Pokémon.

"It was nice meeting you," I said.

"Same here! I hope I can see you later!" Arietta climbed onto her Pokémon and they took off into the sky through an opening in the treetops. The forest was now silent except for the faint sound of the wind whistling through the trees. It was like nothing had happened at all.