The sun hadn't yet risen by the time Rosa cleaned up her campsite and collected all her things back into her bag. A cool breeze washed through the forest, stirring the leaves and tangling her hair. She'd tamed her brunette waves into two buns atop her head, but the free pieces framing her face twirled and danced.

Zavied appeared less enthusiastic as they trekked through the piney woods. He rubbed his eyes and shot irritated glances at her back, but she simply tilted her face toward the rising sun and hummed a cheerful tune.

They avoided the tall grass. Zaveid hadn't taken any serious damage the day before, but she wanted to have him checked over before putting him through another training session.

"Hey, trainer!"

She paused. Wisps of sunlight began to filter through the foliage as the sun climbed higher, but she still had to squint to make out who was calling to her.

There was no one there.

As Rosa eyed their surroundings, she felt a tug on her skirt. Zavied's paw was extended towards a gathering of aspen trees.

One of the trees looked slightly out of place. With a huff she straightened her shoulders, stepped forward, and struck the "tree" at the center of its branches with a closed fist.

"Ouch," the tree shrieked. "Don't you know it's rude to hit people?!"

Some of the branches lifted upwards, and then the suit unzipped to reveal the head of a young schoolboy. He peeled more of the costume away, revealing a red scarf tied around his neck, and finally his entire outfit came into view. Rosa raised an eyebrow—his suit resembled a mix of overalls fused with parachute pants. The boy looked irritated as he stared up at her, likely due to the jab she'd given him in the stomach.

She didn't apologize. "Why are you pretending to be a tree?"

The child scoffed. "I'm a ninja. I'm not pretending to be a tree. When I camouflage myself to watch travelers coming through here, I am a tree. I am descended from a long line of ninjas, dating back to the great ones in Hoenn who surprised the famous champion Sapphire herself! If I hadn't called out to you, there's no way you would have found me." He beamed with pride as he brushed fake pine needles from his hair. "And I was trying to help you, by the way, so maybe you should take that into consideration the next time you decide to punch someone!"

Zaveid had followed her to see what all the fuss was about, but the kid's tangent was evidentially too much for him because the Oshawott opened its mouth and squirted the ninja squarely in the face. The boy gasped, soaked from head to toe in icy water, and quickly covered his face with his hands.

"Hey, cut that out, you stupid Oshawott!" he shouted. "Lady, call your Pokémon off! I haven't even done anything!"

"Zaveid, enough." Rosa said, brushing the top of head. He chattered in protest, but the gush of water stopped.

"You said you wanted to help us. Help us with what?"

The kid examined his drenched clothing with a mixture of disgust in horror, but replied, "It's not safe for some newbie trainer to be walking around in the dark by herself right now. Haven't you noticed this place is pretty much empty at the moment? Everyone's staying away for a reason. You should be doing the same until it's safe."

Zaveid tensed, but Rosa stilled him with another touch. "Why are travelers avoiding these woods? You have to pass through here to get to Aspertia. What's out there?"

His face grew grim. "There are some creepy people lurking around Asperia Woods right now, Lady. Stealing Pokémon, attacking trainers, hurting the wild Pokémon. I've been coming out here every morning to warn stupid trainers heading for Asperia. You're the second I've seen going the other way. That guy looked stronger than you though, so I just told him to be careful."

There was only one person she knew traveling towards Floccesy, and she bit her lip in concern. Had Hugh run into these so-called "creeps"? He'd only registered as a trainer a few days before her, he wasn't strong yet. She shuddered at the thought of him being attacked or stolen from.

"Where are they now, do you think?" she asked as she pulled Hugh's information up on her Xtransiever and hit "call".

He shrugged. "Still skulking around. I see them pass through sometimes. But you know what? I overheard one of them grumbling about Floccesy Ranch. It's a Pokémon reserve, you know. I wouldn't be surprised if they were thinking of stealing the rarer breeds of Pokémon the ranch is protecting there."

"You think so? Arceus forbid..." Her device rang a final time, then played Hugh's voicemail. She chewed her thumbnail and imagined his Xtransiever on a charger while he slept through the sunrise. "Is the town still safe? Isn't anyone trying to stop them?"

"I haven't seen anyone suspicious on the main roads, if that's what you mean. But there's no one with authority left to deal with them with the harvest and everything."

She tried Hugh again with the same result, and her thumbnail tore away in her teeth. If there was any chance Hugh was in trouble, she needed to go after him. Maybe he'd followed the rumor to Floccesy Ranch. "I'll check it out."

The boy's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious? You can't just go after them! What if they're stronger than you? What is wrong with you?"

"Sorry for punching you. Thank you for helping me!"

***

"So, this is Floccesy Town?"

Ghost town was more like it. A collection of houses rested against the mountain base, and down the cobble rock path rested an old, rickety clock tower. It was well worn, but the face was polished so the silver hands were still clearly visible. She could see a few people gathered by the Pokémon center, and an older couple held hands and chatted to each other as they strolled down the path.

The clinic was as empty as the rest of the town. She could hear the soft humming of the air conditioner from a nearby ceiling vent, and there was a faint tapping from the front desk as the nurse there typed on a plastic keyboard.

She scooped up Zaveid and approached the front counter.

"Excuse me, would you mind looking my Oshawott over? We trained a lot yesterday, and I want to make sure he's still well."

The nurse with hair like pink lemonade smiled sweetly. "Of course. Please feel free to relax in the waiting room until I'm finished, it should only take a moment."

"You haven't heard of anything strange going on in Aspertia Woods, have you? I didn't see anyone else traveling through them on my way up here."

Nurse Joy's perfect pink brows wrinkled together in confusion, and then she brightened. "That's pretty normal this time of year. All of the farmers took their crops up to Aspertia last week to sell at the market, and trainers often accompany them to make sure they arrive safely. This town gets very quiet when the farmers leave. Even Floccesy Ranch has closed. If you stay here a week or two, it'll be livelier."

"But doesn't someone need to stay behind at the ranch to care for the Pokémon?"

Nurse Joy nodded. "Their grandson should still be there. Please excuse me now, I'll tend to your Oshawott."

She thanked the nurse and wandered towards the carpeted area. It featured several fluffy brown couches arranged around a cherry-red coffee table, and mounted on the wall was a muted flat-screen TV. A pile of magazines rested on the table, and Rosa grabbed one from the top and settled onto the couch.

The front page displayed a shot of a woman with bubblegum pink hair gripping a handheld microphone. Rosa looked closer at the high ponytail cascading gently down her porcelain cheek, then to the caption that read, "Nancy to Perform at Nimbasa Sports Stadium."

She flipped through the magazine, pausing briefly every few pages to skim. The publication was mostly marketed towards audiences interested in celebrity gossip, but she paused to scan an article mentioning Champion Alder's retirement after an extra two years of service.

"Excuse me Miss, your Pokémon is healed now," Nurse Joy said.

Rosa tossed the magazine back on the table and walked back to the counter. Zaveid appeared considerably better rested as she picked him up off the counter and held him, grumbling only when she didn't immediately set him down.

"Thank you," She paused, then asked casually, "Did a boy about my age with spiky black hair with a Snivy come through here today?"

The nurse shook her head. "As I said, Floccesy has been very quiet. You are the only new face I've seen here at the center for the last few days. I'm sorry."

"That's alright," she said, waving her hand at Joy's concerned look, "thank you."

She left the clinic with a map taken from the front desk. It showed Floccesy Ranch was just a few miles walk up the road. Normally she would train as they walked, but she grew more anxious as the sun ascended higher in the sky. Her eyes flipped to her Xtransiever every half mile or so, but High never tried to call her back.

Finally, the dirt path gave way to a vast expanse of golden grasslands. Miltank and Tauros grazed peacefully in an enclosed pen to one side, while hay fields, pastures, and a weathered barn stretched out across the other. In the distance, Rosa could just make out the soft babble of rushing water.

Nurse Joy hadn't lied about it being closed. The property's driveway was blocked by a heavy lumber gate.

"What now? We can't just jump the gate." Maybe the kid in the woods had been pulling her leg after all. No one in town seemed panicked, and their only lead was locked. She leaned against one side of the gate, conflicted, and yelped when it suddenly swung open.

She leaned back to correct her balance, and Zaveid's throaty chuckle sounded behind her. He quieted when she shot him a scowl.

"Strange." Only the side she'd leaned against had moved, but how could that be the case if the two panels were connected?

She walked to the center of the gate, searching for the lock that should have held the sides together. Her hand ran alongside the inside of the gate, feeling for the latch, but then something polished caught her attention. Dropping to a knee, she fingered the heavy chain that had been used to keep the gate locked. It was broken in two, but the damage on the broken link was smooth and even.

Chain cutters. Someone was in there.

Without hesitation, Rosa stepped through the open gate. Zaveid chattered in protest, possibly complaining about the repercussions of trespassing, but she was already making her way towards the pasture.

A herd of Mareep grazed together in the largest arena. Sparks of electricity occasionally danced off one Pokémon's wool and sparked onto the body of another, but none of the sheep seemed to notice or mind. There was a pond with a stream too, and Rosa watched a Psyduck ruffle its tail feathers and settle into a patch of grass.

Nurse Joy had mentioned the grandson was around somewhere. Was he old enough to defend himself against thieves? Surely he was, if he'd been left to tend the ranch on his own.

Out of the corner of her eye, Rosa caught a glimpse of a black and blue figure darting from one patch of grass and vanishing into another. She instinctively reached out to Zavied, taking comfort in the warmth of his fur beneath her fingertips. It was too small to be a person.

"What was that, do you think?" she whispered.

He chattered harshly.

"Well, you don't have to be mean about it."

Grass and twigs crunched under her feet as she stalked forward. A lock of her hair tangled in the thicker vegetation, but she loosened it with a yank before tucking the brunette strands behind her ear. The vegetation to her left shuttered, swishing in zigzag patterns as a body dashed through it.

"Okay, try slowing it down with water gun."

His chest puffed as water built within, but the undergrowth was too thick. It sliced through the jet of liquid, separating it until only a light spray remained.

She huffed, but changed tactics. If it wanted to be chased down, then she'd play along. "Come on." She scooped her partner into her arms and took off.

Her footsteps were clumsy in the tall grass, and she nearly tripped when her foot caught on a stump. The figure was moving faster now, motivated by the trainer chasing it, and Rosa's eyes narrowed. She pumped her legs harder, ignoring the longer blades of crabgrass that swatted her face and stung her eyes.

It reached the edge of the tall grass, but rather than turning back like she thought it would, the creature opted for continuing into the trimmed pasture. It burst through the protective wall of grass.

A Riolu.

Her foot caught a rock just feet from the edge of the crabgrass, but Zavied was ready. With a swift kick off her chest, he leapt from her arms, using the momentum from her fall to clear the remaining tall vegetation. His feet barely touched the ground before he shot off after the Riolu.

She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the stinging scratches on her palms and face.

"Water gun!"

Oshawott's chest expanded with water, but Riolu was done running. It abruptly jerked on its heels and launched a feint attack at its attacker.

He swallowed his water gun and tried to dodge, but the attack came too fast to avoid. It struck his chest, sending Zavied flying backward. His face hit the ground with a pained grunt, but her partner quickly pulled himself back to his feet.

"Tackle this time."

He sprinted forward, but Riolu was faster. Its movements were unfairly fluid as it soared across the pasture and forcefully collided with Zavied using a Quick Attack. He was sent flying back a few feet, but didn't fall. Zavied snorted and swatted grass from his eyes. At Rosa's command, his lungs filled with water once more.

Riolu tilted its head down to shield its face from the torrent of water that engulfed it, but it couldn't stop itself from being pushed back. Rosa dug through her barrel-shaped bag anxiously, exhaling with relief when her fingers brushed the smooth surface of a Poké Ball. She clenched it tightly in her fist, pulled it from the bag, and threw it with all her strength.

The ball clipped Riolu's foot, and the Pokémon was engulfed in a flash of light before being sucked into the Poké Ball. Her eyes hardened as the ball dropped into the grass, quaking and blinking furiously. She and Zavied both held their breath as it rocked.

The pokeball gave one final shutter, then fell still.

Her first capture. A laugh bubbled up in her chest as she reached down to ruffle the fur on her partner's head. He cried out in protest and batted her hand away, but she was too elated to be bothered by it.

Crossing the short distance to the Poké Ball, she picked it up. The surface was warm.

"That's the way to catch a Pokemon. Bianca would be proud."

The ball shrank in her grip, and Rosa fiddled with her belt until it was securely attached. She wished she could start training Riolu right away, but it was injured. There was also the pressing matter of finding Hugh.

She sighed. "Well, what do you think? I think we've proven there isn't anyone on this side."

Oshawott shrugged in a "this is your problem" sort of way.

She smoothed her hair back and surveyed the remaining area. The ranch was enormous, sporting several acres of fields. They could look for hours and not find anything. She could see the farmhouse several fields over, however. Maybe it would be easiest to just knock on the door and hope the grandson was home.

She remained attentive as she went along, keeping her eyes fixed suspiciously on the nearby hayfields. There was an old, dark shed off to the side, and she cautiously approached it. Inside, she found only gardening tools and shovels. About to close the door, she froze at the sound of a faint whimper.

She swung the creaky door open further. The chilly room appeared empty, but as she tiptoed inside, her eyes met those of a trembling Audino. Its sapphire eyes were wide with terror, and as her shoes scraped against the concrete, it shrunk further into the corner.

"I'm not going to hurt you," she whispered, her voice soft and soothing.

Still, Audino flinched as she approached, trembling. Rosa decided to take a different approach. She crouched down and extended her hand, offering it slowly for the Pokémon to sniff.

It snarled and swatted at her.

Not friendly, then. She wasn't the greatest with Pokémon (Zaveid was always happy to remind her of that fact), but the behavior seemed odd for an Audino. Normally they were quite docile.

She rubbed her fingers together thoughtfully and dropped her hand. "What happened, sweetheart? What scared you?"

It answered by baring its teeth.

The shed shuttered as Zaveid burst into the small space. The door crashed against one of the equipment shelves, raising a layer of dust. Her Oshawott's breathing was ragged, and as soon as he was close enough, he snatched the back of her arm and pulled at her with wild urgency.

"What is it?"

An enraged cry rang out across the field, loud enough to echo through the shed's wooden walls. Zavied's tugging became frantic, his cries urgent and distressed. Another cry followed, this one pained and filled with grief.

Rosa stumbled out of the shed and started running toward the barn.