"There's quite a lot of people here." Latias stated pushing her way through the crowd of people.

"It is a festival after all." Ash replied. "It's not much different than the Tour de Alto Mare."

"The Tour de Alto Mare is a race, not a festival."

"But it is meant to celebrate you and Latios is it not?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Then it's a festival. Of sorts."

Latias puffed her cheeks and glared at him. Ash shrugged his shoulders and led them outside of the crowd. Everyone was slowly making their way out of town towards route 10 where they were going to be paying their respects to the Pokémon who died during the war 3,000 years ago. In the front was Diantha, whom Ash had only seen for a few seconds before he was swallowed up by the crowd again. He sighed and gave up on trying to get to her at the moment. He looked up towards the night sky with a disgruntled expression.

"Don't worry, we'll get to her."

"Oh, and how do you know that?" he asked playfully.

"I just do."

Ash looked at Latias with a slightly surprised look. Her response had been serious and assertive. There wasn't the normal joking undertone to it. He considered their situation and decided against pursuing it. Ash bumped into the person in front of him and apologized. The crowd seemed to have grown quiet as they all came to a halt. Ash watched as Diantha slowly raised something that looked like a lampshade up into the air. She held this position for a few minutes before bringing it back down. She held it out and a man came up with a lighter.

"It's a sky lantern."

Ash looked at Latias with a confused look.

"Sky lanterns are common during festivals in Alto Mare. They're supposed to represent luck and the idea of letting your worries float away. Normally, everyone attending would release one, but things may be different here."

"Maybe they took the tradition and made it something more akin to an act of respect."

Latias nodded as Diantha let the lantern go. It slowly floated up into the sky. A quiet hum came from her and the crowd joined in. Ash and Latias listened closely. The tune awakened a sense of sadness in them. It was as if the aftermath of the war had been put into song. The humming continued until the lantern was out of sight. Everything died down for a few seconds and rose again. People were now conversing as if nothing had happened and many of them began making their way back to town. Ash and Latias stayed back with a smaller group of people who also dispersed to the various stones along the route. Diantha could be seen talking with some of them as she walked around paying her respects. Latias gave Ash a nudge and they walked over to her. She saw them coming and smiled.

"Hello! How may I help you?"

Ash extended his hand.

"My name is Ash Ketchum. I was wondering if I could have a bit of your time."

She took his hand and shook it.

"It's very nice to meet you. I was wondering when you were going to come meet me."

"You were?"

She nodded.

"It isn't exactly common for the champion of another region to come visit, even if it is for business."

Ash sweat dropped.

"Then you knew who I was before I even introduced myself?"

Diantha nodded again with a bright smile.

"This is your wife, correct? Latias, I believe her name is."

Ash and Latias both reeled in shock. Ash's mouth was agape and Latias was looking around making sure nobody heard.

"H-How do you know that?!" Ash hissed as his eyes darted around.

Diantha giggled and signed for them to calm down.

"It's quite alright. Your secret is safe with me. As to how I know, well, I have contacts in many places and I wished to know as much about you as possible before meeting you. So, tell me, what brings you here?"

Ash glared at her.

"You mean you don't already know?"

"I have a rough idea, but details elude me."

Ash looked at Latias who shrugged.

"Can't get much worse, can it?"

Ash agreed, though he didn't make it obvious. He scratched his head in thought and came to a decision.

"I'll tell you, but let's take it somewhere more private. It isn't something I want others to hear, but you might actually benefit from it."

"You're going to tell her about Lysandre?"

"She is the Champion of Kalos. If anybody deserves to know, it's her."

"Deal. Where shall we go?"

"We have a room back at the Pokémon Center where we can talk. That is, if you're fine with that."

Diantha nodded.

"Just lead the way."

Diantha paced the room in a worried manner. She came to a halt and looked to Ash.

"And you're positive this is all true?"

Ash nodded. Diantha sat down in a chair and put her head in her hands.

"I can't believe that man is still alive. We all thought the explosion had killed him. This explains why his body was never found though."

"We were wondering since you were the Champion if you might know anything." Latias stated.

Diantha looked at them both with a sad frown.

"I'm afraid I know nothing. Back then, 3 years ago, I was worthless in the fight against Lysandre. The heroes, the only ones who actually fought against him were Calem and his friends. Even I was tricked by Team Flare. One of the Elite 4, one of my own subordinates, was a high ranking member of the group. After this came to light, she fled Kalos and has never been seen since. I wish I could help you, but I'm afraid I know nothing."

Latias lowered her head, depressed at this news. Ash sat back against the wall with his legs crossed.

"Well, I can't say I'm too surprised. You probably weren't aware of the threat Lysandre posed until it was too late."

Diantha nodded.

"If I discover anything, I'll inform you as quickly as possible." Diantha said standing up. "If all of what you said is true, then Kalos needs a hero, again. I don't know what I can do to help, but I'll try."

"Thank you." Ash replied with a smile. "There is one more thing I'd like to ask though."

"What is it?"

Ash slid off the bed, stood up straight and pointed at her.

"I want a battle!"

"We're talking about the possible destruction of Kalos and you're asking me for a battle?"

Ash thought about this for a few seconds and shrugged.

"Pretty much, yeah."

Diantha sighed.

"Fine, I'll battle you, but on one condition."

"Shoot."

"You have to save Kalos first."

"Reload."

Diantha glared at him.

"Fine." He mumbled.

Diantha looked up at the clock on the wall.

"I'm afraid I must be going now. I've spent far too much time here."

"I'll see you to the entrance." Ash replied.

Ash and Diantha left the room and quietly made their way downstairs. They stopped at the entrance and Diantha turned to him with a hint of fear in her eyes.

"How long do you think we have until Lysandre strikes?"

Ash was silent. He honestly didn't know, but something in the back of his mind moved him to answer. Without thinking, he replied.

"He's already started moving."

Diantha looked a little surprised, but quickly composed herself. She left with a quick farewell, leaving Ash alone in the quiet lobby. He returned to his room where Latias was staring out the window.

"Sad?"

She nodded and went over to the bed. She curled up and closed her eyes.

"I was hoping she might have known something. I want this all over as soon as possible. I don't like thinking about you fighting Lysandre. It means you'll be in danger."

Ash sat down on the bed and rubbed her head.

"Risks go hand-in-hand with life. The more ambitious the goal, the more risks you have to take and sometimes those risks will be dangerous."

"Yeah, well, I wish your ambitions didn't entail the possibility of the world ending."

"You and I both."