Rowan tightly shut her eyes as she braced herself for the freezing sensation of the Ice Beam to reach her... Seconds passed painfully slow... too slow... as if time itself had frozen, rather than her body... she could sense a source of light in front of her, and listlessly opened her eyes....

To her surprise a barrier of light stood in front of her eyes. A pokemon was using Protect...? Pidgeotto...?

"Heh, I see you haven't changed at all, Mini Rowan. Which, I guess, makes you just worthy of this badge. Catch!"

"Don't throw stuff at Ms Butterfingers...." Buddy mumbled as Rowan finally managed to catch the badge.

"Congratulations. Now leave. I have a full GYM to repair for Arceus knows when the next foolish trainer comes.... Plus, isn't Amy waiting for you? So, shoo, shoo."

***

Adriana listlessly made her way towards the daycare with Buddy, Aqua and Yuki slightly ahead of her. A peaceful stroll after an exhausting and eventful day.... Or so they thought.

A siren rang throughout the area, disturbing the peaceful atmosphere...

Rowan shared a glance with her pokemon before they started running towards the town centre. Rowan froze at the sight she encountered....

Those uniforms... Those necklaces... Those tattoos..... They formed part of a past that Rowan had endlessly tried to erase.... A past she feared to the core... A history she was not ready to face....