Detective Looker drifts into the attic when the sun is high in the sky.

Cynthia sighs. "Looker, you should be used to seeing ghosts by now."

"L-Last midnight," he whispers. "M-Maylene called to report a-a sighting near the Neo Galactic Ruins. She said…" A dramatic pause. "She said she saw Cyrus's ghost!"

Cynthia sighs again. "I know he looks like a ghost, but he's still very much alive. I stopped by his room earlier and saw him sleeping like a log."

Looker squeezes his shoulders, mulling those words over. "I… I guess you're right. You think you see things in the dead of midnight… I-I mean, spiked wings? A red chain dangling from his neck? Why, the only reason Maylene was confident it was him was because the numbers on the mugshot matched up with his prison uniform…"

Cynthia had stopped smirking long ago. Something about that reminds her of Uxie's warning… "Um… Looker. Did that ghost have… stitched lips?"

"W-Why, that's what Maylene said! How'd you know?"

Tmp. Tmp. Jupiter has arrived. "Hmm? Why the long faces so early in the morning?" she asks.

"Where's Cyrus?"

"Brushing his teeth… why? Is something wrong, Cynthia?"

Looker shakes his head. "No! Come in, Miss Jupiter! Where are those other two?"

"With those other other two back at Hearthome." Jupiter frowns when the sees the Wonder Map on the floor. "You… really want to pursue the remaining Time Gear?"

"Yes." Uxie has arrived. Fashionably late, as always. "I've already let Azelf know that you two will be coming. Remember to bring your Relic keys as proof."

Then Uxie glances at Jupiter. "This human is angry at me. She does not want Cyrus to go with you… She wants Cyrus to remain here in the Old Chateau… oblivious, ignorant to his destiny."

Cynthia drops her voice. "Uxie, can you see the future?"

"Why?"

"What will happen if—no, once Cyrus regains his memories?"

No response. The other two people in the room are listening intently to this seemingly one-sided conversation.

"I cannot give you a satisfying answer," the Pokemon murmurs. "Cyrus's actions today will ultimately decide how the future will unfold. If it makes you feel better, you are not the only one concerned with this dilemma."

Tmp. Tmp. It's not the typical creaks of a wheelchair. The door opens, and it's…

"Professor Rowan?!"

The Pokemon professor raises a hand. "The three people I would never think I'd see in the same room. How are all of you faring this fine morning? I heard there was a freak storm centered around Eterna Forest last night… Ah. Good to see you again, Uxie."

Uxie nods. "I like this human. His sense of humor agrees with mine."

Cynthia waves everyone back to the task at hand. "Professor, what are you doing here?"

"Didn't you say you wanted my input in this Time Gear business? Incidentally, you would not believe who I ran into!"

Professor Rowan steps aside. All eyes widen at the sight of aluminum crutches. Cyrus nods. "Good morning. Professor Rowan said that he knows you, so I invited him in."

Uxie claps its paws. "Great, everyone's here! Let us finally start!"

Jupiter makes it perfectly clear her attention is not in the meeting but the man beside her.

"Volkner and Flint gave this to me," Cyrus says softly, answering the unspoken question on everyone's minds. "I'll try not to be a distraction during this conference."

Cynthia also can't tear her eyes away. The Cyrus before her now is much different from the Cyrus at Crystal Cave. That Cyrus had begun to limp. That Cyrus acted like everything was fine, when it was not. That Cynthia was very aware of that issue but chose to overlook it. After all, that Cyrus was only a pathological liar unworthy of any sympathy.

Rowan's words float back into consciousness. "And the next thing I knew, we were having a delightful discourse on Pokemon evolution theory! It astounded me how knowledgeable you are in this field, Cyrus! Why, you could very well be one of my research assistance if you weren't a notorious cri—"

"Professor!"

"What is it, Cynthia? I'm just saying how it's a big shame that all his potential went into the wrong—"

Looker clears his throat very loudly. "Cynthia and Cyrus, you will be going to Northern Desert for fifth Time Gear. It's this location, next to Amp Plains."

Then his eyes slide to the side. "Cynthia, don't let him run off with the Time Gear."

"Of course I won't," her frown conveys back.

Cyrus's brows furrow. "Time Gear… But won't time stop if one is displaced from its site…?"

The room tenses. Cynthia slowly releases her fists and looks up. "Cyrus… did you remember something?"

"Galactic."

The room stops breathing.

"I saw Polaris yesterday," Cyrus continues dreamily. "From my window, I saw the wondrous galaxy. On my bed, I dreamt of the glass Cathedral at Hearthome. Within the confines of my room, I recounted the contemporary legend of Veilstone: the story of how the Hero of Sinnoh smote the Villain with a rain of fire from the heavens."

Cyrus concludes with a chuckle into his hand. "I'll need to properly prepare for the mission. Pardon me."

"Wait a minute!" Cyrus stops. Uxie gasps. "You… Child, you can understand me?"

"Achoo. Excuse me."

Before Cyrus can escape, Uxie wraps its tails around his neck and latches its paws onto his head. "Hmm… Strange. I still cannot read your mind. Child, I know you can hear me. How and why are you preventing me from accessing your consciousness?"

Cyrus glances at an awestruck Cynthia. "Does… Uxie wish to tell me something?"

"Yes, I do! I sense… something off about you, child. A familiar… taint. Have you been in contact with that evil spirit?!"

Cyrus continues to fix Uxie with a deadpan face until the Pokemon eventually releases its grip. "I do not understand why Mesprit is so smitten with a human who refuses to blink. You are hiding something from me, child, and I will… hmm? Where did that Red Sunstone go? I had it when I came here…"

"Don't do anything stupid," Jupiter mutters. "And you better come back with Cynthia."

Cyrus smiles. "Of course, Miss Jupiter." He stops in the doorway. "Cynthia?"

"Yes?"

Blue eyes crinkle. "Do you believe that everyone, including spirits deemed too wicked to save, deserve a second chance?"

A falling red leaf brings Cyrus's attention to the edge of the garden where the wild roses bloom. Sunlight shifts when he nears, announcing the arrival of his most prominent guest.

"You can walk in the sun now!" Cyrus exclaims. "Wait… Where are you wings? And that red chain that used to hang around your neck…"

"And the stitches binding my lips? They fell off after I returned you to the Old Chateau." The spirit holds out its hands, revealing the white lily from yesterday cradled within its fingers.

"You… look complete again," Cyrus notes. Indeed, the spirit looks more human than ghost now. More… solid. There's color in its eyes and hair and skin, a dusty photograph that came to life with exposure to the sun.

The spirit gives a deep nod. Thank you for everything, Cyrus."

That phrase sends numerous red flags in Cyrus's brain. His smile drops in a heartbeat. "You… You're leaving already? That's so soon!"

"You… don't want me to go?"

Cyrus opens his mouth. Closes it. Settles for glaring at his crutches instead. "You should've given me two weeks' notice," he finally grunts. "We've only met for three days, yet it feels as if I've known you my whole life."

"Perhaps I was always there, but you've never noticed me until now." There's a twinkle in the spirit's blue eyes. "Cyrus, I told you I wasn't your guardian angel. What I am is the physical manifestation of the darkness within a broken heart, a being born from grudges and regrets. You should be the last person that telling me to stay."

Cyrus sinks his teeth into his lips and looks away. The spirit sighs. "When the new dawn came, I… I had a revelation. What I needed to be complete wasn't your body, Cyrus. It wasn't revenge against those who've betrayed me…

"It was acceptance, Cyrus. All I wanted was approval from you. And you gave it to me through your actions. I never thought I'd see the sunrise again, and it was only possible by your sparing me when I failed to kill you."

Cyrus reverts to his default expression: his perpetual frown because his mind is currently drawing a blank. The spirit taps a finger against its chin, drawing the former back to the present. "My fate was predetermined: I was to be contained and eradicated the moment I came into existence. I managed to escape in a stroke of pure chance… but I failed to execute my original plan, as you saw.

"However, I did gain something from that failure: I gained a guide. That guide showed me the way home. Not by the moon, no… but by the sun."

A wisp of light flutters from the spirit's chest. Soon its entire form is enveloped in warm, buttery light.

"You're going to Northern Desert, right? Then you'll need this." Instinct takes over, and the next thing Cyrus knows, the Red Sunstone is at the bottom of a well. The spirit quickly retrieves it. "Cyrus, you must take it. This used to be yours."

"How are you certain of that? I feel like throwing up whenever I see it!"

The spirit answers that by depositing the stone into unwilling palms. "From this point on, don't lose sight of who you are, Cyrus. Know that things and people can still change, despite how bleak the future may seem. That's what you've taught me in our brief time together."

But Cyrus vehemently shakes his head. He reaches to grab the spirit's sleeve—and to his horror, his hand passes cleanly through. "Please don't go yet! I… I wish to confirm something. Your name… Was your name…"

"Cyruzzt!" Rotom comes panting into the garden. "Whew! There you are, zzt! Who are you…"

Gazes connect. Rotom freezes. The spirit's eyes widen. Then it grins, and when it speaks again, its voice is a shaky whisper. "Thank you for everything, old friend. Please give Cyrus a good smack on his thick skull if he pulls another stupid stunt like he did that dark and stormy night.

"And Cyrus. Don't wait until it's too late to say what needs to be said. Never give up, and be all that you can become…" As a last gesture before parting, the spirit presses a hand against its beating heart. "Heh. When did I become so sentimental…?"

A strong breeze sweeps through the flowers, scattering leaves and petals across the cloudless skies. Cynthia races outside to witness a breathtaking rain of multicolored blossoms. And there in the corner is Cyrus and Rotom, staring down at a fallen white lily shrouded in sunlight.

"Cyrus," she calls. He slowly turns around, and her smile fades. "Are you all right? Why is Rotom crying?"

"Everyone is fine," he mumbles in monotone. "Rotom, I'll be back soon. Let's go, Cynthia."

"Wait, right now?"

He messages his chest with a grimace. "We cannot afford to waste any more time here."

There's enough room for two on Togekiss's back. Occasionally Cynthia would check over her shoulder to make sure her very sickly company is still alive. He is. But just barely.

"It's been a while since you've flown, huh?"

Silence.

Cynthia tries again. "Maylene said she saw your ghost haunting Veilstone last night."

"Perhaps she did."

"Forget it."

Eventually grass recedes into sand when Togekiss enters Northern Desert. Cyrus stumbles off the bird's back—and ends up eating a mouthful of sand.

"Cy—"

"I'm fine." His crutches dig into the uneven sand. It's taking most of his effort just to stand upright, much less catch up to Cynthia's pace.

The sun beats down on sweaty backs. Sand sucks in feet with a "shoop" and spits them out with a "whoop!"

It is a long, exhausting march.

When they do find shade, Cynthia dives to claim her territory. Ah, how cold and pleasant the red earth feels under her flushed skin. She tosses her sticky hair back and sees the dying man next to her.

"Cyrus, you look like shit." He is not amused by her quip. Cynthia peels him off from the boulder, props him against a ledge, and rolls up his baggy pants. Good news: the bleeding had stopped. Bad news: both knees have swollen to the size of grapefruits.

"ACK! Why are you poking it?!"

"Wow, you can feel pain?"

"I am not in the mood…"

"Water?"

Cyrus grudgingly accepts the Fresh Water. As he drinks, he applies the provided ice pack to his knees. He catches her obvious staring. "I am not an animal in display behind a cage—WAUGH!"

"Damn, that's a nasty sunburn. Why do you wear so many layers in the desert?"

"Why are you wearing all black in the desert?"

"Shut up, Cyrus."

Cyrus smirks. He leans back with his hands clasped over his chest. Cynthia scoots closer and aims the tip of her nose into the nape of his neck.

And he heaves a great, long sigh. "Why? Why are you smelling me? Am I that intriguing a specimen?"

"I thought you couldn't sweat." She runs her elbow against an inflamed patch of skin, inciting another angry yelp. "I have to let the others know that you're human all along."

"You… Are you always this impulsive and intrusive?" Cyrus looks very, very uncomfortable. A bit scared too. Given how red his skin is, she can't tell if the flush on his cheeks is from blood or the harsh sun.

Eventually she leaves him alone. While Cynthia consults with her Wonder Map, Cyrus slowly lifts his gaze from his Fresh Water.

"Cynthia."

"Yes."

"What I am to you?"

Cynthia almost chokes on her spit. "Maybe too much sun isn't healthy for you after all…"

"Cynthia, please answer my question." There's nothing humorous about Cyrus's tone. "Why are my memories so integral to your goals? You were the first person I saw upon my awakening. Were you waiting for me?"

"Were you waiting for me?" His words strike a bitter chord within her heart. The shameful truth threatens to spill out if she didn't keep her mouth closed. Instead, Cynthia channels her façade as Champion and delivers her former enemy a winning smile.

"I'm the Champion of Sinnoh, Cyrus. I happened to be there when you got injured. After all, it's my duty to help the people of this region."

Cyrus absorbs those statements with a slow nod. "I see… So it was only out of obligation that you helped this amnesiac… That brings me to another matter.

"I've noticed rather… curious injuries on my body, most notably this gunshot wound in my knee. Why didn't you bring me to the hospital to document this? Why did you stash me away in an abandoned mansion deep in the woods? Was there more to my accident than—"

Cynthia thrusts a Fresh Water into his mouth. "Your lips are so chapped they can pass as fault lines. You better finish all this water we brought."

"Cy—"

"Have you tasted cactus juice? Gee, how far are we from the rendezvous point? I wonder if Azelf likes humans."

Upon realizing that he'll be shut down at any opportunity, Cyrus settles on staring at the shifting sands beneath his feet. He scoops a handful of golden grains and lets it trickle down his fingers.

Then he produces the Red Sunstone. "Cynthia. You have a counterpart to this, right? May I see it?"

Both Relic Keys are placed on an earthen slab. The twin inscriptions begin to pulsate that unearthly green glow.

Cynthia hesitates before asking. "Do you… remember something?"

"Have you ever witnessed the sunset?"

"Um… yes. I once came with someone to the beach at dusk. It's a really breathtaking sight."

A peculiar light dawns upon Cyrus's dusty eyes. He stares at her intensely for a second, then falls back to his default pensive mask. "Outside of eclipses, there are only two instances where the sun and moon are allowed to meet in the same sky. Come dusk, the moon arrives to bid the sun farewell."

Cynthia props a hand against her chin. "You're not the type to get sentimental over this."

If Cyrus heard her, he didn't show it. "Ancient Sinnoans believe the darkest hour is just before dawn. Come the first light of day, the sun returns to see the moon on her way." Then gazes connect. "The promise of a new dawn. A dawn of epic exploration. Don't you think 'Dawn' is a fitting name for an exploration team who yearned to uncover the secrets behind these curious stones?"

Cynthia's heart stops. Cyrus's eyes merely crinkle.

"I digress," he says at last. "Let's not dawdle anymore. We have a Time Gear to obtain."

Cyrus's crippling Rock-Type disadvantage didn't stop him from sticking stubbornly at Cynthia's side… even if she has to save his ass on several instances. Add in him almost getting crushed by Rock Slide, impaled by a stray boulder from a Rock Blast, and swallowed by a Sandstorm, Cynthia basically had her hands tied for the entirety of the journey.

"I can take care of the Wild Pokemon!" Cynthia would often yell to his thick skull. Of course, with Cyrus being Cyrus, he insisted on throwing himself into the situation too.

Eventually the desert spits the duo out to a stretching expanse of uneven sand. The sandstorm thins. The air shimmers in the scorching heat.

"Woah!" Cynthia grabs Cyrus before he can fall into quicksand. "Cyrus, please! Sit in the corner or something!"

"If I wished to remain a liability, I would have brought the wheelchair," he replies coolly. "Now focus. Are we nearing Azelf's lake?"

Cynthia looks around. Boulders. Cacti. Sand. More sand. "There's nothing but quicksand in Quicksand Desert!" she moans. "Why is Uxie always so vague with everything? Give me a second. I'll try to initiate telepathy."

While Cynthia does her thing, Cyrus examines in surroundings in more detail. Indeed, the most notable things here are the swirling quicksand pits.

A sharp pain pricks his skull. The headaches are back. This time, however, his brain feels like it will shatter through his skull.

Something is freezing a hole inside his pocket. That Red Sunstone. One of the cardinal arrows of the compass is glowing. Pointing… down.

Down to the whirlpools of the raging sea.

Cyrus squeezes his eyes shut. "The quicksand is the key to the puzzle… Cynthia, we have to go down. That's the way forward."

"Uxie Uxie Uxie—what?" Her expression cycles through shock to exasperation to a scoff. "Cyrus. Are you suggesting we jump into the quicksand? Are you crazy?"

Crazy criminal.

Jump down into the sea.

Cyrus frowns. "I know you don't trust me, but look at your White Moonstone."

"What are you… oooh." Recognition dawns in her eyes with parted lips. "Hehe... Sorry. Um, so on the count of three, let's jump in?"