***
                          
The two boys got their pokémon healed and had settled down in chairs in a pokémon center that was nearby. They were engaged in a conversation of their recent battle, but I tuned them out. I wasn't going to get any new information from listening in. Ash sincerely had no clue as to what happened. 
                          
Serena sat beside Sawyer, brushing Sylveon's coat. Bonnie busied herself with Dedenne and Squishy, with Clemont watching over them. I leaned against a wall pillar just to the right of Ash. I had most of my attention on the keystone attached to my necklace as I twirled it around my fingers. Although, I couldn't help this unsettling feeling I got of being watched. 
                          
"I become Greninja?!" Ash exclaimed. That certainly caught my attention. I turned my senses back on the conversation that was going on just a few feet away from me. 
                          
"They say when the bond between trainer and pokémon get stronger, they start to look alike. So, maybe that might explain whatever's happened to them," Sawyer reasoned. It wasn't the worst theory I've heard. It made kinda sense, but it didn't exactly scientifically match up with anything. 
                          
***
                          
"Ash, let's battle again soon."
                          
"Sure, you bet." 
                          
We all stood outside of the pokémon center, bidding farewell to Sawyer. Night was quickly falling and I didn't know why he didn't just stay the night at the pokémon center like the rest of us. 
                          
When Sawyer was out of sight, we retreated back inside the building and to our reserved room. Each of us got into bed, ready to sleep off the long day. Before drifting off, I released Absol from his pokéball. He curled up at the foot of my bed, happy to sleep out of his ball. Even with the multiple people around me, I felt safer with Absol by my side.
                          
A few hours later, I was awoken by Absol. He nudged my hand and motioned towards the large sliding door at the side of the room that led to a balcony. I gave him a confused look, just wanting to go back to sleep. His senses were only enough to give me about a minute warning before the actual attack.
                          
A large, metal hand busted through the window, sending glass everywhere. I raised my arm to shield me from the shards, resulting in a few cutting into my skin. It stung, but it wasn't painful enough to let me forget the distressed call from Pikachu as he was plucked from Ash's bed. 
                          
Ash and I raced after Pikachu, stopped by the railing on the balcony. Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont were close behind us. Absol pressed against my leg protectively. I began to groan in disgust when Team Rocket began reciting their pledge. I should've known it was them. 
                          
"Jessie!"
                          
"And James."
                          
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."
                          
"Surrender now or prepare for an early morning fight."
                          
"Meowth, that's right!" I mentally cheered when they were finished.
                          
"Team Rocket! All right, Pikachu. Use Thunderbolt!" Ash yelled. Pikachu delivered his attack, but it was useless. Team Rocket's contraption absorbed all the electricity. The hand brought Pikachu close to the Meowth shaped hot air balloon.