"They stole the new trainer records? You mean the information Professor Juniper uses for trainer IDs?"

Bianca nodded miserably and slouched against the back of her seat. Her thin arms crossed against her chest to hug herself, and Rosa was suddenly aware of the waves of exhaustion coming off her. How long had she been out searching for Plasma after the break in last night? Had she slept at all?

"Professor Juniper records the information of every trainer she gives a starter Pokémon to so she can keep track of their progress. It also protects the trainer's Pokémon should they ever get stolen. After the Pokémon are recovered, we just pull the records and identify the owner," Bianca sniffed. "Juniper keeps the archives in her personal computer, but she also prints a hard copy as backup and stores the files in her lab."

The assistant's expression was dismayed, like a child who'd picked a flower only to see it wilt in her hands. She spoke in a hushed tone to avoid drawing attention from nosy passersby, but Rosa could still hear the despair lacing her words.

"It's not as if the records can be used to steal a trainer's identity, they're only protected because they contain personal information. Names, birthdays, the date the trainer started their journey - honestly, it's nothing you can't find on a Pokedex. But someone has been trying to hack their way through Juniper's firewall for the past week. The Rotom in her laptop has been going crazy trying to keep them out."

Rosa eyed Bianca incredulously. Professor Juniper used Rotom as antivirus software? She'd never heard of such a thing.

"Normally the professor keeps things like that private, but the threat was severe enough she notified all of us staff to tighten the security on our devices. I guess it worked, because Plasma stopped hacking us about two days ago. But then, last night-"

Bianca's lower lip quivered, and she reached out a shaky hand to stroke Anna's head. Rosa expected her Pokemon to shy away again, but this time Anna leaned into Bianca's touch and rumbled empathetically. The action seemed to comfort Bianca. The girl sniffed again, but her mouth turned up at the corners.

"Last night after everyone went home, Team Plasma disabled the lab's alarm system and smashed through the side window. We have two sets of security officers who guard the lab at night, but this morning we found all four of them unconscious on the floor."

"They weren't injured, were they?" Rosa demanded.

Bianca looked away. "We didn't find any sign of physical injury, but I'm certain they were put to sleep by a ghost or psychic type. We found them quickly because they were screaming."

She shivered despite the autumn sun baking the concrete. "It was as if they were all having horrible nightmares, except their dreams were actually causing them pain. We tried and tried to wake them up, but nothing worked. I had to leave the room before the ambulance arrived to take them to Striaton City."

Rosa's teeth ground together as fury scorched her insides. Dream Eater could be traumatizing for Pokémon who'd experienced it in battle, but using the nightmarish move on a human was downright cruel. It didn't attack the body: it devoured the mind.

How could anyone have so little regard for human life?

On her lap, Rosa felt Anna squirm at the downpour of darkened aura. A whimper escaped Anna, and Rosa immediately dropped the cloak of anger gripping her.

"Sorry," She breathed, rubbing Riolu's ear apologetically.

Bianca appeared remorseful as well. Her eyes were gloomy as she absentmindedly fingered some of the blonde locks poking out of her hat. "I'm sorry, you didn't need to know all that. Anyway, we think Team Plasma must have searched pretty hard for the trainer records, because there was glass everywhere, and all the office spaces had been ripped apart. Those grunts even tore our illustration of Unova off the wall." She suddenly prickled. "I spent months updating that diagram for Professor Juniper. I traveled all over, exhausting myself, and they ruined it!

"And if that's not enough, the starter Pokémon in the reserve were missing, as well as the file of every person who started their journey within the last four months. Including yours and Hugh's!"

Horror washed over Rosa as the weight of Bianca's statement sunk in. How had she forgotten she was still considered a new trainer? Not only her, but Hugh as well?

The flush of color left over from her spout of anger drained away, leaving her pale as a sheet. Those filthy people had her information. It would only take a minute's glance to know exactly who she was – but why did they care?

"Are you absolutely sure there's nothing in those records that could jeopardize my identity? Nothing at all?"

Bianca stopped playing with her hair long enough to nod. "Of course. Like I said, it's just basic information, not security numbers or anything. If there was, Juniper would have immediately notified every trainer affected. Well, she'll have to notify them anyway, but right now she's trying to sort out the mess."

Rosa's muscles relaxed, but only slightly. She drummed her nails against the café table, ignoring the inquisitive stares of curious customers and the feeling of Anna clinging to her shirt. Stealing starter Pokémon was understandable, but what would anyone want trainer records for? If Bianca was right about the information being harmless – and Rosa prayed she was – then they were virtually worthless in a thief's hands.

So why would Plasma care enough to break into the lab to take them?

"Bianca," Rosa said slowly, lowering her voice so it was nearly inaudible, "how do you know it was Team Plasma who broke into the lab? You said the alarms were disabled, and all the guards got knocked out. Did somebody see them?"

Bianca's blonde curls kissed her cheeks as she shook her head. "There are security cameras covering every inch of that lab. Most of them were broken, but a few survived, and there was no mistaking them. Their uniforms may have changed from when I saw them last, but I remember." Her face darkened. "Awful people like that are impossible to forget."

Rosa's brows tightened at her statement. So even an optimistic person like Bianca had monsters in her head. How sad.

How frightening.

Wanting to pry further, but knowing she shouldn't, Rosa jumped back to the matter at hand. Something wasn't adding up.

"Bianca, where did you say Professor Juniper was keeping the hard copies of the records?"

"Just in a filing cabinet in her office. The drawers are locked, but it's in plain sight."

As she'd thought. "So why would Plasma tear the lab apart if they just wanted the Pokémon and trainer records? It doesn't make sense."

Comprehension dawned in Bianca's eyes. "You think they were searching for something else."

"It's the only logical explanation."

"But I've been in that lab a thousand times. There's nothing to find!"

"Maybe they didn't think so."

Bianca suddenly stood up, scraping the table against the concrete as she moved. Her legs were quivering, and she had to readjust her hat, but her eyes were hard as she peered at Rosa. "I think I need to talk to Professor Juniper right away."

Rosa tucked Anna against her chest and rose into a standing position as well. "It's just a guess. We don't have any evidence."

"So?"

"Well, what if we're wrong?"

Bianca shrugged and stepped forward to wrap Rosa in a tight hug. It was awkward because Anna was squished in the middle, but Bianca didn't seem to mind. "Then we're wrong. But it's as good a guess as any, and I think the professor should know. Don't you?"

She wasn't sure at all.

***

The tower containing the Pokémon Center was packed with trainers settling in for the night. She could hear laughter and the rattling of dishes coming from the cafeteria, and every cushy chair in the wide waiting room was occupied. Pokémon acting as nurses were briefly visible as they weaved through the hallways of the back rooms.

Rosa heaved a sigh as she stepped through the lobby and approached the counter. She didn't want to stay overnight in Castelia, but she hadn't even come close to finishing her city business, and the nearest route out was several miles from the Spinda Café. Burgh's gym had been open when she'd walked by it on her way back through the city, but Rosa had passed by without considering a challenge. She was simply too drained.

"Excuse me," she said, pulling out her wallet as she addressed the nurse working the counter, "May I please have a room for the night?"

The nurse's cotton candy curls bounced as she turned her head away from her computer to look at Rosa. She'd been wearing a signature "Nurse Joy" smile, but at Rosa's request, her lips puckered downwards.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but I'm afraid we're full for the night. This city is always full of travelers, so the only way to secure a room is to reserve one in advance."

Rosa's heart sank at her own oversight, and she had to stifle a groan. How had she missed the crowds of people flooding through Castelia all day? Of course the places would be packed. It made perfect sense, yet somehow, it had completely slipped her mind.

She rubbed her forehead in frustration, but forced a small smile. "Of course, I should have realized that. Thank you anyway, Nurse Joy."

A tenor voice came from behind her saying, "There's no need to turn this young woman away. My own plans have changed, so she can take my room."

Rosa spun back on her heels and came face-to-face with a man wearing a . . . lab coat?

"I've already paid the reservation," he continued, "so there's no need to charge her either. Just transfer the room into her name."

He was young and slim, appearing to be in his early thirties, and his lime-colored eyes sparkled with arrogant intelligence. His blond hair was slicked back with hair gel, but one front lock was dyed blue. Which wouldn't have been all that odd, except it wrapped around the entire length of his head like a planet's ring.

Rosa looked away to avoid staring.

Nurse Joy frowned. "Are you sure, sir? After I give away your reservation, I can't get it back."

The man's smile was so large his eyes closed. "Of course. I'll be leaving town tonight, so I have no need for it."

She nodded and went to work on her computer, and Rosa lifted her eyes tentatively to peer up her supposed rescuer. Something about him rubbed her the wrong way, but she couldn't deny being happy to have a place to stay.

"You didn't need to do that. Thank you," she murmured quietly.

He chuckled"There's no need to be timid. I've been in a few tight spots myself, so I'm delighted to help a young trainer in need."

Nurse Joy reached across the counter to hand her a plastic key card. "You're all set, Miss. You'll be staying for one night in room 1408."

She accepted the card and inspected it. The fluorescent lights overhead reflected across its surface, highlighting the boldly-shaded room number, and Rosa shook her head. Castelia's Pokémon Center had over fourteen floors, and people considered that normal.

Cities were insane.

The man beside her clapped his hands together in front of him. "Then everything is settled. Thank you for your help, Nurse Joy, I appreciate it. And as for you Miss, I wish you a restful night."

"Hang on a second, I don't know your-"

He turned and strode away, his blue lock of hair remaining perfectly stiff as he merged with the gathering of trainers and disappeared out the double-doors.

"Name," Rosa finished lamely.

A chill went up her spine, but she shoved the uncomfortable feeling away. At least he'd been nice?

After thanking Nurse Joy again, Rosa tightened her grip on her traveling bag and walked across the lobby to the polished silver elevators. The trainers around her didn't spare her a glance, and she was grateful. It had been a long day, and all she wanted was a quiet room and a hot shower.

Her room was small, hardly more than a bedroom and bathroom, but it was paradise. Slamming the door behind her, Rosa threw her bag on the floor and unclipped the Pokéballs from her belt before collapsing on the feathered bed.

Light leaked from the Pokéballs as they burst open, but she was too busy snuggling the pillow to care. Zaveid joined her on the mattress after making a disgusted noise at the lack of scenery, and then two more bodies bounced across the bed and curled up against Rosa's face and side. The tip of Sven's fluffy tail tickled her nose.

"Not yet guys, I've got to shower first." Her words against the pillow came out gargled. There was a grumbled chorus of agreement from her Pokémon, and Rosa's eyes closed as she fell asleep.