When I returned to the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy was nowhere to be found. I found a note on the counter saying she was running errands and that her assistant—me—should be back shortly. Sighing, I tucked the opened box under the counter so that no one would see it.

Once tucked away, I looked up at the tv screen to see a little girl with her hands wrapped around a lollipop and her legs kicking back and forth. She seemed pretty happy, especially since her bloody knee was now wrapped up. I smiled. At least someone found her and had her knee wrapped up. It didn't look serious, but she was so scared before, it wasn't right.

The reporter shoved a microphone in her face, and she smiled even wider. I didn't hear the question being asked, but the girl continued.

"That was when a girl with a Swanna mask came flying in! She threw the bad guys away. I'm sad I won't be eating Patrat's Pizza for the next month, but they're gone. That's what matters," the girl said with a huge grin. 

The camera turned to look at the reporter, who stared straight into the camera. "Well, you heard it from us first, folks," the reporter told everyone who was watching. "Just who is Unova's brave new superhero, Swanna Girl?"

Well, I can tell you exactly who she is, I thought as I took a seat behind the counter and grabbed my binder full of notes. Unfortunately for them, this was just a one time thing. Things would've been different if the things inside would've been bandages and medicine like it should've been.

Just why would Nurse Joy want an odd costume such as this one?

The phone rang, causing me to jump out of my chair and hop over to the counter. My fingers wrapped around the phone, noticing it was the Pokémon Center phone. There were a few times his phone rang, and when it did, it wasn't good. Another Pokémon Center usually would ask for supplies or some additional help. Because Nurse Joy had me to help, this Pokémon Center never ran thin on help, like other ones. It made me wonder how those Pokémon Centers could get by with only one nurse Joy and one Pokémon.

Picking up the phone, I answered. "This is Sylvia from the Nacrene City Pokémon Center. How may I help you?"

"Braviary is coming to pick you up," Rena's voice explained. "There isn't much time."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"You'll understand when he comes," Rena said. "Just stay on the phone until he gets there."

"Re—"

"Don't say my name," Rena warned. "They're watching, always watching. If anything, it's Ms. Rhea."

"What's going on?" I asked, lookin around to see the Pokémon Center deserted. "There's no one here."

"That's what they want you to think. Trust me when I say they're smarter than you think. Oh, and don't forget your suit. You'll need it," Rena explained.

"At least tell me what's going on," I begged.

Before she could answer, the lights in the Pokémon Center flickered out. I tilted my head to see the clear doors showing a clear sky. How were we out of power? A power outage shouldn't happen.

"Hold on," I told Rena. "I need to turn on the generator."

"Sylvia, don't you da—" Rena protested on the other side.

She was too late. I placed the phone back on the counter and grabbed a flashlight from the top drawer. Flicking it on, I walked to the back of the Pokémon Center.

This place never goes dark. Something must have been wrong with one of the circuits. That was what was going on, I was sure. It worked perfectly for a total of fifteen years. If something was wrong with the electrical system, then it had to be because of how old it is.

When I got to the back room, I bent down to opened the hidden door to get to the basement. I was never sure why we didn't have a regular door to the basement, it just had to be one of those hidden ones. Not that it mattered. There was nothing down there but the heating system and electrical system.

I climbed down the ladder, holding the flashlight in my mouth. Nurse Joy taught me what to do in a situation like this, guiding me through the steps. When she did this, I always imagined it would happen when she was with me. In order for some Pokémon to get better, we relied on electricity.

Maybe that's why we haven't had an electrical break out while I was here. Nurse Joy was always making sure it was working. It was nice not to worry about it. Right now, I had to thank my lucky stars that no Pokémon were ill right now.

Then again, after Team Miasma came through Patrat's Pizza, I did notice a lot of people and Pokémon alike injured. I'd have to make sure the electricity is working before they come back.

I hopped off the ladder, grabbed the flashlight from my mouth, and pointed it at the electrical box. Usually, all I would need to do was open it and flip a certain switch. It was easy. If that didn't work, I would go over to the second electrical box and turn that one on.

Pointing the flashlight to the box, I realized this problem was worse than it looked. No one had access to the backroom, or should for that matter. While anyone could get in, it was a restricted area. Both electrical boxes were opened with the wires cut and the switch torn from the wall.

The phone was working just fine earlier, and the electricity was on. My free hand reached to feel the wires. Heat escaped them before I even had the chance to touch them. This meant only one thing.

Someone had broken in and sabotaged the electrical system just moments ago.

My heart started to race. Who would do such a thing?

"I've got to get the electrical company here," I whispered to myself. "They-they should still fix it."

Before I could turn around, someone grabbed my shoulder and pulled me to his chest. I was about ready to scream when another hand clasped over my mouth. Tears streamed down my face as I dropped the flashlight.

That was when the light went out. My body trembled while I tried reaching for Swanna's Poké Ball. I had a Pokémon now. If anything, I could fly out of this place.

But the hand that was on my shoulder moved to arm, twisting it behind my back. Now, I had one arm twisted behind my back, in complete pain, while the other was trying to claw the other mysterious hand off my mouth. Even if I changed tactics to grab my Poké Ball with my free hand, I wouldn't be able to reach it.

"No where to run," a creepy deep voice whispered, "and nowhere to hide."

My whole body froze as I wanted to just do the words he warned me I couldn't do. Just moments ago, I defended this city from bad guys. Now, to save the Pokémon Center, I couldn't do anything.

"Boss, I can't find some rope, but will this do?" another masculine voice asked.

I trembled. Rope? Why would they need—oh, wait a minute. They didn't want me to save the Pokémon Center. Why would anyone do this in a middle of a crisis? It didn't make any sense.

"Oh, that would do." the man holding me hostage observed.

How he could see what was going on, I wasn't sure. I couldn't see a thing. To make it worse, this would be the last place anyone would look for me. Is that really what they want? To have a person starve to death?

Someone grabbed my arm, pulling it away from the hand I was trying to tear the hand away from my mouth. I could feel the sweat pouring from my arms, but soon, icy cold metal wrapped around my one wrist before it was twisted back behind me. Then, when my hand touched my back, another icy cold metal wrapped around the other wrist.

In seconds, I went from being hot to freezing. I didn't have to see what it was holding my hands behind my back to realize they must've found some handcuffs. Why Nurse Joy had some handcuffs was beyond me.

"What about this for a gag?" the second masculine voice asked.

The head man, the one still holding my one arm and clamping my mouth, started to laugh. "Perfect. That will buy us plenty of time. Now, don't scream, or we will make sure the Pokémon Center goes up in flames."

My eyes widened as the man slowly took his hand from my mouth. I took a deep breath, but before I could close my mouth or exhale, a piece of cloth wrapped around my mouth and was tied behind my head.

"Well aren't you the obedient Lilipup of the year?" the boss of the operation smirked. "Now, I need you to deliver a little message to whichever superhero saves the day."

After those words were said, I was shoved to the ground. I scooted back, not sure where I was, but I got my answer as soon as I felt my back rub into the cold cement wall.

"Tell Braviary Man his times up for saving Unova. Team Miasma will make Unova unlivable, so if he wants people to live, I suggest they move elsewhere. And if that phony Swanna Girl shows up, tell her to stop wasting her time. We won't be stopped," the man told me.

I wasn't at liberty to say anything, but I felt my chest rising and lowering as fast as it could. Tears were falling down my hot face, which was the only thing I could feel as I was freezing. More-so, I was terrified.

Team Miasma was worse than I thought they were. Seeing them take liberty of forcing me into a situation like this, I couldn't imagine all the other things they've done to other people. Maybe Rudi was right in becoming a Superhero. They really were a threat to Unova that needed to be stopped. 

The footsteps walked farther and farther away, but one thing was for certain. There were two sets of them, and I could hear them until the one pair stopped and the light of a Poké Ball poured out for a second.

"Oh, and one more thing," the creepy voice added. "You've seemed to overwork yourself today at the Pokémon Center. So, Gengar, use Hypnosis."

My eyes widened in fear before I had no choice but fall for the trap of Hypnosis. The last think I could remember was hearing a menacing laugh that had to come from no other than the boss of Team Miasma.

(-o-)

Sore. Everything was sore. My back, my chest, my arms, my mouth. Why was everything so sore? I turned to my side on the bed, freezing as I did. What did I do to get myself so sore?

"Thank Arceus, you're alright!" a voice cheered.

Arms wrapped around me, as I flinched. I peeled my eyes open in time to see Rena's Mom let go me. Her whole family was there: Rena, Rudi, and both their parents. The scene kind of freaked me out.

We were in a small room with a hospital bed I was laying on. I carefully looked around, to see nothing but a single door behind Rudi. The cocky superhero leaned on it, with his head down. His face was hiding behind the base ball cap he usually wore to keep a low profile.

One by one, I carefully looked at each of the Rhea family. Rena looked relieved, but I could tell she was a bit upset. As for her parents, well, they both looked very concerned. Why?

That was when I remembered what happened. I bolted up from the bed, swinging my legs over the side, and stared Rena in the eye.

"The Pokémon Center? Is it alright? How's Nurse Joy? The Pokémon? Is everyone alright?" I asked.

Rena let out a deep breath before smiling. "Yes, they're fine. Nurse Joy is healing up the Pokémon as we speak."

I took a deep breath and let it out, rubbing my wrists. "Thank goodness."

"Sylvia, how are you feeling?" Ms. Rhea asked.

My head turned to look at the older woman. She looked a bit concerned, but tried hiding it.

"Sore," I honestly said, as I shuddered. My eyes looked down at my feet, before I realized something. Quickly, I turned to see Swanna's Poké Ball still attached to my belt. A breath of relief escaped as I grabbed it and rubbed the top of it. "Just what happened while I was out?"

Mr. Rhea spoke up next. "What was the last thing you remember?"

I told them everything. Knowing that Rudi was Braviary Man, I knew I could trust this family with anything, despite that I didn't want to be another superhero. It wasn't my plan, but I told them how I was supposed to pick up a package for Nurse Joy when I found Patrat's Pizza being attacked. My intent was to heal, not help, but the box only held items for the second option. From there, I told them how my plan was to help out in the Pokémon Center.

It was then I couldn't look anyone in the eyes. My hands trembled as I rubbed Swanna's Poké Ball. The memory was too much for me to handle. For the first time in my life, I knew what fear was.

They didn't hear this from me, but while I tried telling them about the basement, I couldn't help but to think that I was never afraid before. I never had reason to. Nurse Joy called me a fearless Gyarados when I was younger. Between bug Pokémon, lightening, heights, blood, I showed absolutely no fear.

Now, I couldn't stop shaking. I didn't look anyone in the eye, fearing that I would cry. I forced myself not to because I didn't like to feel weak. That man in the Pokémon Center made me feel weak.

Besides, crying got in the way of doing more important things. What was the point in letting yourself cry when there were Pokémon that needed healing? There was always something else to get done.

Luckily, no one said a word whenever my voice shook or when I took a pause to prevent myself from crying. They just listened until I told them how I got knocked out. After that, everything was a blank.

When I was done, it was completely quiet. I kept my head down, afraid to see their expressions. Just one look, and they'd call me weak, vulnerable, or even pathetic without even saying a word. Yet, they would be thinking of it, and I would be able to tell just by looking into their eyes. 

"Mom, Dad, Rena, can—can I talk to Sylvia alone?" Rudi broke the silence.

I didn't look up, but I could hear their footsteps getting softer and softer before the door closed behind them. It didn't take long after for someone to sit beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"Sylvia, I know it's hard," Rudi told me. "But you're going to get through this."

I shook my head, staring down at Swanna's Poké Ball. It took every ounce in me not to cry. "They left me a message—the men who captured me. They said if any of the superheroes came to rescue me, I have to deliver them a message," I glanced up at Rudi seeing his calm face, not giving an ounce of pity. Seeing that shocked me a bit, but I didn't let it stop me from repeating what they had to say. "They said we needed to stop. They are going to win this and Unova won't be here anymore."

Rudi didn't looked surprise. Instead, he just pushed a strand of my dark hair behind my ear. With that simple action, I could tell he wasn't telling me something.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"If I tell you," Rudi said, "you can't let me do this alone. I mean, I know I can defeat them on my own. It's not hard whatsoever, but you just can't leave your identity of Swanna Girl, capeesh?"

It took me a moment to respond. If someone were to ask me this a couple days ago, I knew my answer would've been different. Something about what happened at the Pokémon Center changed all that. I couldn't let Team Miasma get away with whatever they were doing.

In response, I held up my pinky finger, silently saying I swear I wouldn't tell a soul. Rudi smiled for a moment, wrapping his pinkie around mine. As soon as our fingers made contact, he let go, knowing there was no way out of this.

The blonde haired boy took a deep breath.

"Team Miasma is trying to drive everyone out of Unova," he explained. "They want people to move away, so they can control this region without anyone to say otherwise."

I rose my eyebrow. Was it really that simple?

Apparently not. Rudi took a deep breath, adding one more thing that would really make me want to back out.

"With Unova in control, they want to control all the legendaries here," he explained, "so they can bring terror to other regions with fire, lightening, ice, and smog."