Author's note: happy 'murica day, might as well release chapter two, since it takes place in unova, today in honor of the occasion. the first scene in this is more of a prologue than anything else - it was originally intended as part of the last fic's epilogue before i decided it'd work better here.

anyway i was really excited to work with quite a few of the characters introduced here - the alola characters'll come in next chapter, this is, again, more of an introductory thing than anything else. enjoy!

Even in Cerulean City, late into the night when clouds painted the sky and a bitter chill gnawed at her back, Lusamine could smell the ocean's breeze. The faint scent of saltwater hit her nose as she stepped towards the bridge to the north of the city, hoping to clear her mind after a long day.

It had seemed like the thoughts would never cease. Ever since the Beast's influence had left her, it'd been nothing but the thoughts, the memories of what she'd done. Everything Lillie had told her. Lillie's journey...It'd been good to give her some distance after all that. Much as she'd wanted to rebuild, Lusamine had finally started to come to terms with the hopelessness of such an idea. She couldn't rebuild her family. Gladion would no doubt reject her. Lillie? She hardly knew what to make of Lillie's actions anymore. Lusamine hadn't wanted that sort of gentle guidance from her daughter - She'd wanted to know what she'd done, and how she could possibly atone for such things. She hadn't wanted any scoldings, as if she was some child. No matter how much hearing Lillie's voice, not an ounce of malice in her words even after Lusamine's actions, soothed her, Lusamine couldn't help but feel like Lillie wasn't handling the situation as she should have been.

Was that why the crushing weight on her mind had faded so much once Lillie had gone off to challenge Misty? Was it simply that Lillie seemed to be smothering her a little after she'd finally recovered? She'd have to talk to Lillie about that one...Six months, and it'd finally become too much to bear. There, in Cerulean, alone, she felt most at peace. Just herself looking out from near the bridge, not waiting for anyone, not having to concern herself with what'd become of Lillie, or even of anyone back at Aether…

It was truly blissful for her.

Water lapped at the bottom of the bridge, an effect of the recent rains that'd hit the city. It was a small detail, but Lusamine had learned to admire such things - In the end, was she not a small detail as well? In the grand scheme of things, neither she nor Lillie, nor anyone either one of them knew...None of them would truly matter, would they? Someday, the world would return to its primal state, a state without humans, and perhaps without Pokémon. It was this thought that had motivated Lusamine to take on the family business, she recalled. People and Pokémon would someday cease to be, but she'd planned to do as much good as she could before her number was up.

It was such an unfair thing, then, that Nihilego had taken hold of her.

She'd wanted to protect the world. She'd wanted that, Wicke had wanted that. Perhaps if she hadn't lost Mohn all that time ago, if obsession hadn't taken hold of her, perhaps she and Wicke would have been closer than they ended up becoming. Lusamine had wanted to know the woman, she'd wanted to know more of what had motivated her to join Aether, of what her ultimate goal was. Perhaps, if she hadn't lost herself with her husband, she and Wicke would have been... Friends.

The cool breeze shook her recently-cut hair. It barely reached her neck anymore. A new beginning meant a new look, a small hope that she could leave the past behind and restart, away from the family she'd destroyed.

Lusamine looked up and turned around at the sound of footsteps.

There was Lillie, trying to pull her back in, trying to hold onto some small hope that they could be family again. Lusamine had seen the look in her daughter's eyes, the look of bright, youthful optimism, a look that she'd no doubt gotten from her old friend Moon. Was that what Lusamine hadn't wanted? Was it simply Lillie's insistence on bringing her back into the old life at Aether, as if she'd be accepted in such a place after her actions? Calla, perhaps. Faba, most definitely. Wicke and Gladion, especially the latter? There wasn't a chance at the point she was at.

Lillie held out her badge case excitedly, a new Cascade Badge having been placed in it. Lusamine smiled gently, almost trying to raise an arm to pull Lillie into a soft hug before realizing how Lillie still flinched when such a thing happened. Folding her arms behind her back, Lusamine spoke.

"Well done," she congratulated, "I wouldn't have expected any less from you, Lillie. You've grown up so much already."

"Thank you, mother!" Lillie chirped, bowing, "I...I was actually talking with Misty, and she told me I need to head off to Vermilion City. She said the S.S. Anne is there right now, and I was wondering...Are you able to leave Cerulean now that you've recovered? O-Or does Bill still want you here?"

And there it was, a reminder to Lusamine that, at that moment, she was trapped, in a way. It wasn't as if she couldn't leave, but the regular visits with Bill after the initial treatment...He'd wanted her to stay, and if she left, he'd know. When Lillie was suggesting such a thing, however…

Could the two of them perhaps use their connections with Aether to get on the ship? Lusamine had to admit that the idea of boarding, if only for while the ship was docked, was intriguing, to say the least. It'd been circling the globe, after all - It was tantalizing, thinking of the people she'd meet and the stories they'd tell.

The meds would do enough to stave off the post-Nihilego stress. The anxiety could be managed. The headaches just as much so. Even after everything Nihilego had done to her…

She could still try to at least take a little time for her daughter.

"Lillie…" Lusamine chuckled, "I don't need his permission, I hope you're aware. Nobody will mind if I head to Vermilion for a day, I'm sure. When you're ready to head out tomorrow, my dear, I'll head out with you."

"Right…!" Lillie closed her badge case and quickly stowed it away, leaping forward to hug Lusamine herself, even letting Lusamine return the gesture. Had she simply needed to be the one to initiate? Was she forcing herself to do it? A lingering awkwardness plagued Lusamine as Lillie stepped away. "Thank you, mother! I'll be ready to head out as soon as I can!"

"Of course." The soft smile hadn't faded from Lusamine's face as she looked down at Lillie, saying a few words she could never say enough. "I'm so proud of you, Lillie. You've come so far as a trainer."

As the two parted, a figure watched from nearby. Unnoticed by either, they spoke into their Xtransceiver, their words barely a whisper as they observed the two in front of them.

"...N. This is Heart. ...This woman...No, I still don't know what happened to her...I know, I know! You don't have to remind me again!"

Heart paused to push a lock of red hair away from their eyes, watching as Lusamine walked off through the city's path. Something about her had always seemed off, but there'd been not a hint of information on her - Why was she in Kanto? What was shedoing? Something had happened, but nobody knew what, and she clearly held some sort of rank somewhere, and that wasn't even mentioning her daughter. Heart had seen that flinch, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity at such a small thing.

Sighing, they returned to their conversation.

"What's going on with that, anyway? ...Flying? You're telling me it almost... What?! ...If you get any more on this thing, tell me. I'm still chasing after that small one out here...Yeah. Take care of yourself out there, I guess. Whatever works."

Heart tapped their Xtransceiver and hung up, looking up at the sky above them.

It was a good, calm night. Or at least it had been before that woman had shown her face. Heart had no idea why she intrigued them so - She just had. She'd caught their attention and never let go, even when there was something odd going on in Kanto.

Perhaps it was their own experiences speaking to them.

They'd have to leave Cerulean, then.

Maybe that'd lead them to some answers.

"So where are we going?"

Moon's inquisitive voice was clearly audible even through the early morning hustle and bustle of Castelia's busy streets. Walking off to the side of a road, skyscrapers jutting out on either side of both themself and Moon, Grimsley could only look ahead, only ever glancing off to the side to ensure Moon was still with them. Passing conversations echoed through their ears, and to Grimsley, it was overwhelming, hearing so much at once. They toed the line, suddenly, between functioning and breaking down completely. Just as always, they noted, they were stuck in a place hardly kind on their senses, and they'd have to hurry if they wanted to get to one of the few peaceful places near the city.

"Breakfast," Grimsley replied, "I'd imagine you're hungry after our voyage. Fortunately for the both of us, there's a diner on the city's outskirts that I used to frequent. It shouldn't be far, but if you're not willing to make the walk, I can certainly find somewhere closer."

Moon nodded, stepping a little closer to Grimsley. It was as if she'd considered taking their hand for a moment, if only so that she wouldn't get lost in such a massive, new place. She'd been admiring the city with every step, even if she seemed to not be used to such a place. Grimsley couldn't blame her - The air was far dirtier than anything in Alola, and the sheer size of Castelia was enough to intimidate any outsider at all. Even if Moon remained as excited as she'd been stepping off the boat, the nerves that came with walking around in a new place, even if she was a Champion walking with one of the region's Elite, had clearly hit her.

They walked together, two figures in a sea of faces they'd never get to know between concrete beacons, lumbering forward in sharp contrast to those dashing towards their own lives around them. They were two tired souls in a place where tired souls shouldn't have been roaming. Aching bones and worn-out feet, the desire for nothing more or less than getting to Unova's League and resting, if only for a moment.

One would be meeting her new allies. The other would be trying to rebuild.

Even Grimsley had to admit that standing in the city after all their time in Alola felt foreign to them. As they and Moon approached the city's northern gate, the buildings thinning out as the dry smell of the desert air became noticeable, Grimsley finally felt their earlier anxiety leaving them. The buildings were becoming more and more sparse, and with them, the people. Suddenly, it didn't feel as if they'd been locked in an echo chamber. Their ears seemed to ring as they approached an all too familiar alleyway, one that'd lead them and Moon right to their destination.

It'd be a welcome change to things. Just a moment of quiet in a diner, a proper meal, a cup of coffee to keep them running throughout the day, and a bit of time to simply chat casually with Moon…

It sounded heavenly.

Grimsley's thoughts were interrupted, however, when somebody barreled into them, forcing them away from Moon for a single moment. As they lay on their knees for that moment, they felt the world spinning - How hard had this person hit them, anyway? More importantly, Moon! Even if there weren't as many people rushing around at the outskirts, there were still people, and Moon could still be lost to a crowd. Standing up, the world still a little hazy around them, Grimsley let out a hiss before turning to the middle of the road, noticing Moon standing in the middle.

So she hadn't been lost. However, something was clearly off about her - Had that person just taken…? Yes, they had! Moon dashed forward, her breaths heavy. She'd spotted the thief, she knew which figure was them even if nobody around them did, and in the rush of people rushing about, almost nobody having noticed what had just happened, she'd started to pursue them in hopes of getting her bag back.

"U...Uncle Grimsley!" Moon cried, looking back for a moment, "Stop standing there! I can still see them!"

"I'll need you to lead," Grimsley commanded, taking out a Poké Ball, "I'll have my Liepard cut them off!"

Grimsley tapped a button on the Poké Ball. It was a worn, scratched ball, one that had clearly been with them for years . Instantly, in a bright red flash, a lithe cat Pokémon appeared, her eyes shining as she dashed ahead of Moon, weaving deftly in between people as she tried to locate the thief. With that, Moon tore forward, Grimsley following behind.

They had to admit, Moon was faster than they'd expected. Was it just the running around Alola that'd made her so fast? She couldn't keep up with Liepard ( nobody could), but she could certainly outrun them if she wanted.

Moon took a sharp turn to the right, in between two buildings, and Grimsley struggled to follow. The telltale hiss of their Liepard alerted them that they were close, however. Sliding against the concrete before turning the corner, struggling to keep Moon in their sight as they entered a dingy alleyway, Grimsley cursed the state they were in. Much as they'd loved Alola, their vacation had clearly slowed them down.

Grimsley turned another corner, their eyes widening at the scene in front of them.

The thief - A girl wearing a thick, baby blue, hooded winter coat and white leggings, her feet covered by fluffy boots in the same color as her coat - had dropped Moon's bag and covered her face. She was clearly trembling. On one side of her path was a dead end, with Liepard standing atop a dumpster and growling at the girl below. On the other, a very hesitant Moon, and Grimsley.

Grimsley wouldn't show any mercy. Walking over past Moon and grabbing the young Champion's bag with one hand, they knelt down to face the thief, a deep snarl rumbling in their throat.

"I don't know what you thought you were doing," Grimsley hissed, "But I hope you have a very good reason for disrupting my escort like you did."

Without another moment of hesitation, their other hand shot forward, and they yanked down the thief's hood, revealing long, brown hair, hair that'd been neatly tied into buns, with long rat-tails streaming down behind.

Oh...Oh no. They'd definitely made a mistake. The girl sat below Grimsley, lowering her arms to look into their eyes. She was crying, as if she'd already been spooked enough by something before she'd been caught. Had it simply been Liepard threatening her?

She had been caught, that much was true, but perhaps they had been a bit harsh on her.

"R-Rosa?!" they gasped, "I...Please explain yourself. I'll call Liepard back. I'm terribly sorry for using such force."

Rosa nodded, standing up and looking to Moon, who was clearly overwhelmed by what was going on. Grimsley tossed her bag back to her, before turning to Rosa, their face remaining stern. Liepard padded over to their side, immediately retiring to her ball.

"I...I'm...I'm sorry!" Rosa whimpered, "I'm sorry! I wanted to get your attention! Grimsley...Grimsley! I don't want anything in her bag! I shouldn't have! I just needed to talk to you!"

"Shh...Easy, Rosa," Grimsley reassured, "I won't say a word about this. You must learn better ways to get others' attention, though. Moon here, she's much like you. In every sense of the word, Moon is a Champion. You two would have found common ground immediately had you simply bothered to talk. Do you think you'll be able to work on this?"

Moon stepped forward, cocking her head.

"Champion? So you've won the title before?" Moon inquired, "I'd love to battle you! Uncle, do you think we can travel with her for a bit?"

Grimsley let out a soft sigh, shaking their head.

"I'm afraid that's Rosa's call," they explained, "So, Rosa. Would you be willing to assist us? As Moon hasn't once been to Unova, she's in completely unfamiliar territory. I may not be able to guide her throughout her trip, so I'll need someone to take my place. We'll be able to discuss the full details of this in Nimbasa."

Rosa nodded, wiping a few tears from her face with her sleeve. It almost made Grimsley miss the suit; it'd allow them to do the gentlemanly thing and offer Rosa their handkerchief. They could already hear their late father's nagging voice in the back of their head, telling them how far off the family's path they'd strayed…

No, they couldn't let those thoughts come back.

Instead, they focused on the two girls around them, allowing Rosa her moment to speak.

"Okay," Rosa replied quietly, "As I said, I had to talk to you about something anyway...But I'd love to help you in any way possible. And...Yes, I can try to talk to people."

"Well," Grimsley announced, turning back to Moon, "There we have it. Our newest traveling companion. We'll eat, then be on our ways to Nimbasa. Shall we, then?"

"Oh?" Rosa smiled, her nose still a little runny from her outburst. "It's the same place you always go to, isn't it? Thank you, Grimsley!"

Moon bowed, stepping aside to allow Grimsley and Rosa to move forward.

"It's, um…" Moon fidgeted for a moment. "It's nice to meet you, Rosa. Really!"

Rosa nodded, closing her eyes for a moment.

"The same to you," she chuckled, "I'm terribly sorry about what I did. That...That was hardly ladylike of me. Now, come on - I've been to this place before. I'm sure you'll like it!"

"All right, you two," Grimsley sighed, "That's enough chatter. We're still running on a limited schedule, and none of us can afford to skip meals. Come on, then."

Nodding, Moon ran to Grimsley's side, Rosa following along at a brisk pace as the trio exited the alley, the fog over Castelia finally clearing and the crowds finally growing noticeably thinner. Looking out between buildings, their eyes turning back to the path they'd been planning to take to their usual stop, Grimsley found themself grinning for a moment.

It'd been an eventful morning, certainly. They could hardly tell what was coming ahead.

They didn't care at that point. Perhaps Unova wouldn't be as bad as they'd thought.