IMPORTANT: Do NOT continue reading if you have not read the prequel, The Power of One!

This story is a direct continuation/sequel to my novelization of Pokemon X/Y that I wrote some years ago. I had planned on making a sequel to that fic after playing S/M and US/UM, but I can understand why new readers may be confused as to why I'm using these characters in particular, and what's going on with the plot. I highly recommend reading through the prequel first before moving on to this one. It may be a bit of a hard read, given I had wrote that years ago, but hopefully it will get you caught up to what's going on. The story can be found on my profile.

For those who are returning readers, I'll be editing the chapters here and there, but hopefully it'll be a better read than what I've published before. Other than that, please enjoy!

The Departure

. . .

Two months earlier…

It didn't take long before news spread of the sisters' trip to Alola, but what worried the pair more was breaking the news to their parents. Looking back on it now, both realized that the decision to travel out to Alola was a spontaneous one, and neither took time out to really consider how their parents felt about it all, or if they would even allow them to travel so far from home. Especially with the activities of Team Flare and their father's worry for their safety - even more so now that Emma was finally reunited with her family - they could only imagine how he and their mother would take the news. Regardless, Kat swallowed her anxiety and made the call, only telling her parents to meet them in Sycamore's lab since they had something important to discuss. Of course, Grace and Silas obliged, and since both were still in Coumarine and with the Power Plant back operations, the trip to Lumiose was only a bus ride away.

Emma and Kat were apprehensive when they saw their parents enter the lab, the pair themselves were sitting out in the lobby as they waited. It didn't take long for both parents to pick up on their children's apprehension, but remained quiet as they took their seats across from the girls. Grace was the first to break the ice, wanting to ease the girls' tension some. "Well, we're here. What was so important that you needed to discuss with us?"

It was then when the sisters exchanged uneasy glances, Kat coughing before she spoke up. "Well, uh...Mom, Dad. An opportunity opened up for us and, Emm and I decided that, for the sake of unraveling this mystery in regards to our ancestry, that we-"

"Kat and I are going to be traveling to Alola." Emma blurted out, earning a look from the eldest. "A-alone."

"...And from what we were told, we'll be leaving within the month." Kat finished.

There was a pause between Grace and Silas, their expressions unreadable for the most part. This did nothing to ease the girls' anxiety, any. "I-I know we shouldn't have decided on going to another region without discussing it with you two, but we realized this is something we need to to! I know we haven't been in Kalos that long, but learning about history and folklore is something I've always wanted to do! And I need to find out just what kind of connection I have with this ancient tribe, and I don't think the answers are here in Kalos…"

Silas rose his hand to silence his daughter, who stopped talking immediately, and almost knew that he was going to forbid them from leaving Kalos on such short notice. "Kat. Emma. Neither of us said that you weren't allowed to go. In fact, if you would give us a chance to speak, you would find out that we support your decision."

"...Wait, really?" Kat blinked.

Silas sat back and chuckled somewhat. "Really. And while I don't particularly favor the idea of the both of you traveling overseas and far from home, and far from our reach, bear in mind that Grace and I had to travel far from each other in different regions to pursue our own dreams as well."

"You're not an ordinary trainer, Kat." Grace continued. "Your goals were never to pursue power or fame or becoming a Champion. It was always mythology for you,wasn't it? Even back in Johto, you would visit the towers daily just to learn more about their history and the legends surrounding them. Your path is clear, but Emma has yet to find hers, and she needs to see the world, I feel. So I feel this trip to Alola will benefit you both. And it would be wrong to keep you both coddled here - you need the travel experience, especially if you want to grow as both a person and as trainers."

"Just...stay safe, okay?" Silas added, his tone becoming serious to mask the worry. "I know both of you can become headstrong at times…"

"We'll be good, Dad." Kat nodded. "Promise."

Sycamore, who had been listening to the conversation in the background, decided to step in and explain that he had spoken with the resident professor of Alola, where arrangements were made that the girls would be staying with a resident kahuna upon their arrival on Melemele Island. While the living arrangements weren't permanent, it would at least serve as something of a home base for the girls while they're in Alola, and they were more than welcome to return there at any time whenever they needed a place to stay. On top of that, with Dexio and Sina also going to Alola with them, they would be surrounded by several trusted adults and authoritative figures. That was enough to ease the parents' concerns, but Emma and Kat reassured that they would call them daily, if not on a regular basis to check in with their parents.

It was also brought to attention that the sisters couldn't bring their Pokemon with them across international borders. To deter and prevent illegal Pokemon smuggling, it was a universal law that foreign Pokemon were not allowed to travel with trainers across regional borders unless they had a permit. However, getting that permit would take weeks at a time to finalize,and - unfortunately - time was something they did not have, as their departure was schedule for the end of the month. The only exception were starters, which were automatically registered to trainers upon capture or selection. This meant Merida and Mimi were free to travel with their respective trainers into Alola; the others, however, would remain with their parents until they land, where they could be transferred without issue. It was a process neither of the girls wanted to do as they didn't want to separate from their partners, even if it was just for a few hours. But they couldn't break the law, either, so they would have to make due until then.

Because she was leaving Kalos to another region, this also meant that Kat would have to disqualify herself from the League until further notice. It was standard League rules, that if a trainer does not collect all eight gym badges before leaving the region, they must disqualify themselves until they return, where they are able to reenter as they see if. Kat would be able to keep her current badges, but she would be unable to continue participating while in Alola. Not that it was too big of a loss for her, as she had no real interest in the League other than to test her own skills as a trainer. After all, she figured there would be even more challenges waiting for her when they arrive in Alola, which would serve its purpose just as well.

The weeks that followed were uneventful, at best. It mostly consisted of phone calls, getting plane tickets, and unpacking items they wouldn't be needing. Alola was a far different region than any other Kat and Emma were familiar with, especially when they learned HMs and their bikes wouldn't be needed there. Other than that, their clothes and other supplies they've accumulated during their journey were free to go with them. As the days ticked by, the group of friends found themselves tighter than ever - the week before the departure, they all decided to spend the remaining time with each other, whether it was travelling to previous cities they visited, battling each other or remaining in Lumiose and exploring the city, the group of six teens were inseparable. Emma and Kat made promises to send pictures of their adventure, and call in regularly to catch up with their friends. It was the least they could do to make up for the sudden leave, especially on such a short notice.

The teens spent their last weekend together back in Vaniville and Aquacorde, the very towns they all met for the first time. Being there was both nostalgic and somber, as the atmosphere was different now that two from the group would no longer be with them. Sunday night was a final get-together where the group of friends, along with Calem's, Kat and Emma's parents met up in Aquacorde for a nightly cookout. Kat had separated herself form the main group, sitting on the bridge and overlooking the river in contemplative silence when she was accompanied by another. She recognized that it was Calem out of the corner of her eye, but the pair sat in what could best be described as a tense silence...at least until Calem spoke up. "Tomorrow's the big day, huh."

It was more a statement than a question, but Kat nodded anyway. "Our flight leaves at noon, but we still have to leave early to make it back to Coumarine."

Another pause, neither teen speaking for a full minute until Calem released a sigh. "Listen...can I be honest with you for a sec? I...I need to get some things off my chest."

That made Kat frown as her gaze turned to her friend and rival. "Yeah. What's up?"

The boy pursed his lips somewhat as he looked over the river before them. "I won't lie. I hate the fact you're leaving so soon for an undisclosed amount of time. You've only been here for a few months and you're already travelling to another region!" He huffed, running his fingers through his hair. "I just...I dunno...Don't get me wrong; I'm happy that you and Emma have this opportunity. If anything, I really hope you find something about the tribe, about Katarina and about you. At the same time...I'm selfish enough to wish that you would have declined so you could stay, and we could keep travelling, y'know? I guess...I just don't know how to feel about it."

Kat remained silent for a few moments, looking down at her dangling legs. "...You know there's nothing stopping you from coming with us, right?"

"I know," Calem sighed. "but I promised myself I would participate in the League when I began my journey. And I've already come so far...I can't disqualify now. Besides...I….sorta belong here. My ancestor's ties are here in Kalos, and yours are out there in Alola. So it would be wrong of me to interfere in any way."

"How would you be interfering if you'd just be travelling with us?" Kat frowned.

"...I'm going to miss you, alright?" He finally confessed, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets. "I know this is something you have to do. And I have to find out who or what I am in the meanwhile. And the answers to those questions are here. So…"

Calem trailed off and fell silent, leaving his rival to process his words. He wouldn't have to wait for long, as Kat spoke up within the minute. "Let's make a deal." She stated "If I'm not back by the time you finish the League and become Champion, then you can come visit us in Alola."

"Y-you mean that?" Calem perked up almost instantly, turning towards her.

"Why not? I mean...we're friends, aren't we? Yeah it might be a while, but I'd love to travel with your through Alola. Besides...even if we can't do that, we haven't went through all of Kalos either, so we'd have something to look forward to when I get back." Calem ended up smiling despite himself, looking forward to both possibilities. Seeing this made a smile spread across Kat's lips as she extended her hand. "Deal?"

"Deal." They shook on it, making the promise official. "Don't complete your journey until I get there!"

"I'll take my time as long as you do." Kat winked. "And in the meantime...how about one more battle to see me off?"