Had it really been five years? So echoed Hilbert's thoughts as Castelia City's towering outline appeared upon the horizon, its monolithic skyscrapers raised to the wild blue yonder. It was almost as if the familiar sight was welcoming the trainer home, now returned from his voyage overseas. The young man let loose a dry chuckle at the very idea. At least, to him, it would be absurd to be missed, being gone for such a short time. After all, it hardly even seemed like yesterday – more like this morning – when he and his sister, Hilda, had parted ways following that fateful battle against Team Plasma and Ghetsis.

I hadn't ever seen anyone bring my sister to tears like this before. What had happened between Hilda and this N guy that I was unaware of? I knew she found him likable, but this was beyond just a mere crush. Whatever it was, it seemed enough to leave Hilda standing with fists clenched, eyes and lips tightly pinched shut as her eyes brimmed with tears. I wanted to say something, but I knew Hilda – if I so much as breathed a word about this issue without her say so, she'd explode, and Arceus knows, we both would rather avoid that.

Instead, I turned my attention skyward. In the distance, out of the hole Zekrom had left in the wall of the Plasma Castle, I could see N soaring off on his dragon mount. Just why was he leaving like this? I knew the guy was… different. Never was raised like a normal kid. But still, the explanation he gave hardly seemed like a solid one. To top it off, he hadn't seemed to realize just what he had done with my sister's emotions. Granted, the guy is denser than I am, but still…

I shook my head. Standing around in an empty castle and brooding over actions in the past wouldn't do anything for us. Team Plasma was done, and so were we. Alentine, my Serperior, nudged his PokeBall to me, signaling that he was just as ready to depart as I was. Recalling my regal Grass Type partner, I scooped up my satchel. Turning to Hilda, I gave a sharp whistle. "Oi, Hilda." Startled, she turned about sharply, her face flushed from holding back the tears. I made no comment on her appearance, instead giving a head toss towards the exit. "C'mon, let's get on outta here."

The Gym Leaders, whom had shown up to aid us in taking down Team Plasma's Sages, had mostly dispersed as the authorities arrived. A few were still there – Elesa, Clay, Drayden – but it seemed the situation was under control. We weren't told to 'halt' or anything, so Hilda and I continued onward. By the time we had reached the gate of the castle, the noon sun had sunk towards the horizon. My numb thoughts, more akin to replays of what had transpired today, were shattered as my sister spoke for the first time in hours.

"I'm going to find him."

At first, my brain had a bit of trouble following her meaning, and I spurted out a rather stupid question. "Wait, going after who, Hilda?"

She straightened up, rolling her shoulders and taking in a breath. Without turning to face me, she gave me an answer. "N. I'm going after N."

No snappy comeback to my own stupidity? Not even a cheeky remark or joke? Something about that guy had changed the sister I once knew, and I was learning that this was definitely bigger than some girly crush. Not that Hilda had ever been once for such sappiness. Plenty of guys had asked her out, and I'd like to say I was the one who helped turn down at least some of them – brothers watching out for their sisters, and all that. But the fact of the matter is that Hilda had fended them all off on her own. While she enjoyed flirting around and teasing unfortunate saps who tried to romance her, she always knew none of them would be the 'one,' someone who would cherish her for her as a person, and someone she could treasure back equally. So the fact that she saw this much in N could only mean one thing.

"You sure 'bout this, sis? I mean, N's a good guy – a little weird, sure – but y'know he's a criminal. Tricked into it or not, he's gonna be in some major trouble, should he show his face again." I was answered with a headshake, and her eyes finally turned to mine. I could see the steel hard drive inside – there was no way I was talking her out of this.

"Hilly, listen," she replied, using my childhood nickname. "I know you're worried 'bout me. I'd be concerned if you weren't; you're my brother, after all, y'know? But… but I gotta do this. N, he's…" A frown. She was trying to say something that she really didn't want to. "…naïve. He's really, really naïve. And I hate to think that someone who's as selfless as he is could be, but it's the truth. I can't just… let 'im go. You're right 'bout him getting into trouble, and that's why I gotta be there for 'im."

There it was, her declaration. Sure, it was masked underneath other values, and I hadn't the slightest doubt that they were true reasons. But Hilda would never admit to actually caring for someone on such a level, especially someone as socially awkward as N was. Honestly though, it wasn't what bit the most. It was the fact that I knew my sister was about to board an emotional roller coaster, and there wasn't a darn thing I could do.

We had flown home in silence, and the very next morning she was gone. I always resented how she liked to use my tendency to sleep in to her advantage, but this time I couldn't blame her. She was aware of how much I cared for her – probably figured that I'd try to stop her once last time. Not that I would've. It was her decision, not mine, and besides, what could I have said to change her mind?

For three months, I loitered around Nuvema Town, spending time with the family I hadn't seen for nearly a year. I helped Professor Juniper out in her laboratory, doing local field research, spent time with Bianca and Cheren. Eventually, however, I felt that I was simply wasting my time waiting about. Hilda wasn't coming back, not yet, and to think it'd be a simple one-shot affair would be a pipedream. So I left.

And now, here he was, sailing back on yet another cruise ship towards the region he had called home for the first sixteen years of his life. It was hard to believe that events so crisp in his mind were well over half a decade old already, but so life ran on. As the ship docked at the pier, Hilbert's senses were overwhelmed with the scents, sounds and sights that had once been an everyday occurrence for himself, stinging nostalgia flooding his mind as he disembarked onto dry land.

Adjusting the shoulder strap for his satchel, the same one he wore since he was first licensed as a trainer, the brown haired trainer gave a sigh of reluctant relief. Melancholy aside, it was good to be home.