"Here" Lizzie called to Ryan, giving him a Revive. "Use this on your Jolteon and he'll wake right up."

"Thanks Lizzie" Ryan said. As he gave his Pokémon the medication, the Jolteon jumped right back to it's feet, eager to fight some more. "Slow down, Sparks. The match is over." The Jolteon eyed him in sadness and nodded. Ryan recalled his Jolteon as Addison approached, with Ryan's Sandshrew clinging to her shirt.

"Would you mind sending him into his Poké Ball too?" she asked, trying to pry the clingy infant off of her shirt. Ryan nodded and soon, the Sandshrew vanished back into his own Poké Ball. Addison heaved a sigh of relief. "It's not that I don't care about him. He can just be so exhausting."

"I hear you" Ryan answered. "Well, once I toughen him up a little, I don't think we'll need to worry about him being so clingy."

Lizzie gave her victorious Alolan Raticate a Sitrus Berry it eagerly ate and enjoyed. As she did so, she looked back at the two trainers. "So, are you two headed up to Alchemiburg as well?" When both nodded, Lizzie smiled. "Excellent. Would you mind if I tagged along?"

"Of course not" Ryan said. "We'd love to travel with you."

"It's settled then" she exclaimed. The three started down the path for the village of Alchemiburg. As they did, Lizzie paused when she received a message on her Poké Gear. She reached for it and read the contents of it:

See what you can dig up about Courtney from Team Magma -Mike

Courtney from Team Magma? Lizzie could not tell why that name rang a bell to her. She could not remember if this Courtney had been allied with Hunter or not. But why was Michael so keen on knowing who she was? Was she in Arcana?

"Lizzie?" Ryan called to her.

Lizzie looked up and shrugged. "Sorry. Got a message. League Business and all that." With that, she hurried up to the sides of her new friends. Together, they then made their way down the road.

{Meanwhile}

Inside the Police Precinct in Taghwan City, where Cassius Sinclair was being held for his upcoming day in court, Cameron and Leonard sit in the Interrogation Room, waiting for Claude Jacques to arrive. The lawyer had called the two late at night on behalf of Cassius so that the two sides could perhaps work on a deal that would lighten their sentence. Despite Cameron's unhappiness about having to accept this as a negotiation tactic, Leonard convinced her it was right and thus the two now waited.

While Leonard looked over some of the notes he had gone over in his meeting with Michael and Piper the day earlier, Cameron paced impatiently behind him. "This is ridiculous. Why do they always have to make things harder on us?"

"It's Claude's job" Leonard assured the Elite Four member. "He has to do whatever he can to ensure that he wins this trial. Michael said that he was paid handsomely."

I'm surprised Michael handed this over to me, Cameron thought to herself. He knows that I'm probably the last person in the Elite Four who would tolerate this same bureaucracy. It was no surprise, though. Michael was eager to distance himself from this trial and needed someone that neither Claude nor Cassius could use against him or to their own advantage. He couldn't lean on Leonard to do this alone, nor could he depend on Chris for something like this. Chris and Michael may be closer than brothers, but her brother did not have a particularly keen sense of duty and taking things seriously. No doubt, he was off in Titanio City, finding some poor unassuming woman to woo into a relationship. No, Michael looked to her for anything he needed done that required seriousness.

Michael had been relying on her more often than he had been before they had begun their raids of various Syndicate Bases in Arcana. Cameron knew how much the pain of the Crimson Fury was draining him and was always eager to help. But there was only so much she could do without assuming the title of Champion herself. It wouldn't have been the first time, as a Champion in Unova had retired after tragedy struck a Pokémon he had bonded with. But Michael wasn't dealing with just depression. He was also dealing with a physical and mental affliction that was eating away at him and causing him immense stress and pressure. Being the Champion wasn't just painful for him. It was killing him. And as long as the Professor from Orre twiddled his fingers about his experimental procedure that might lift the Crimson Stone's brand from her cousin's arm, he was always doing a dance with the devil. Despite never wanting to lose her cousin again, she knew all too well that a day may come when he physically couldn't do his job anymore and suspected he would give the reins to her.

The door opened and Claude entered, taking his time to wipe his seat clean, place his briefcase on the table, spin it around to face him, and sit down to face the two prosecutors. Cameron knew no doubt that Claude was only planning to provoke her. Nevertheless, she maintained her composure as Claude finally addressed the two.

"Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice" Claude answered.

"Let's get this over with, Claude" Leonard responded. "Why did you want this meeting, Claude?"

The distinguished Arcanan aristocrat cleared his throat, polished his monocle and folded his hands. "It has been brought to my attention that Cassius has impeccable information he is willing to reveal to the prosecution in exchange for leniency."

Cameron folded her arms. "Information is only valuable when it's received, not when it's withheld."

"On the contrary" Claude answered simply. "I find that information is more valuable when you don't know it's depths."

Leonard was ponderous. "We'd need to know what Cassius was willing to say before we come to any sort of arrangement. Anything else would be a grievous misuse of justice."

Claude nodded. "As we expected. Cassius firmly believes that so long as Elezar does not have access to his records and notes, he cannot return to Arcana and enact his plans for conquest."

"Meaning?" Cameron asked.

"He is losing faith in the cause of their little gang of thugs" Claude spoke plainly. "If Cassius reveals enough information, he wishes to be sent to a rehabilitation center in exchange for charges brought up against him to be dropped. Not all of them, naturally. But enough to ensure that he is not forced to share a prison with the more vengeful branches of the Syndicate in Klefki Prison. Surely you can understand."

"I'm not too keen about Cassius's safety after the trial" Cameron hissed, "but I'm intrigued by what he would be willing to offer in terms of a sweetener for his release."

Claude nodded. "An excellent turn of events. I'm thankful that Michael brought someone sensible to negotiate with."

"For the record" Leonard pointed out, "this agreement is entirely verbal. It can be retracted by either side until it is in paper and signed by both parties."

"Naturally" Claude agreed. "Once I have spoken with my client to ensure our cooperation, I will have him reveal his information in court when the trial comes. He will be exonerated of all crimes apart from his illegal experimentation, he will be sent to a rehabilitation facility to have the horrific deeds of Elezar Aced stripped from his mind and he will be free to continue his research, under the watchful eye of the authorities."

Leonard nodded. "And I think that's a fair deal on both ends. We'll discuss the deal in proper in two days time."

Claude rose from his seat and walked out of the room. When the door shut behind him, Cameron lowered her head. "I still don't trust him."

"I know you don't" Leonard spoke, putting his paperwork into his own briefcase. "But you held yourself with more restraint than I could have expected Michael to. Good work."

Cameron shrugged. "One of the Elite Four needs to act with some sense of decorum."

Leonard closed his briefcase and frowned. "I hear you guys are going to go onto The O'Hara Hour tomorrow."

Cameron sighed heavily. "Trust me, I don't like the idea. But it needs to be done. We can't let that overinflated balloon keep talking smack about us without being able to defend ourselves."

"Everyone agreed to it?" Leonard asked.

"Of course Michael didn't want to" Cameron told the lawyer. "Could you blame him?"

Leonard nodded. "I can see why he wouldn't, but it is honorable of him to want to try for you guys. Just keep him in line when you're there."

"Easier said than done" Cameron warned her friend. "But I'll do what I can."

{Meanwhile}

Ryan and Addison, accompanied by Lizzie and her Alolan Raticate, once more continued on their way to Alchemiburg. Though they knew that Professor Julia was expecting to see them immediately, the group decided to take their time getting there. And even though they knew the Pokemon was on their side, neither Ryan nor Addison could feel truly comfortable around Skullz, who always seemed to have a look of anger and menace in his eyes. Sensing this, Lizzie had the Pokemon walk on the opposit side of her while they made their way down the road.

"Well" Lizzie said, "I know why Ryan wants to get to Alchemiburg. What about you, Addison?"

Addison smiled. "I'm entered in the Queen of Arcana Pokemon Contest, but I want to learn a bit from Ryan's Aunt Erin before the first contests in Taghwan City."

Lizzie paused. "Taghwan? I thought it was going to be at Kingston Castle."

"Kingston Castle?"

"Yeah, I heard Lady Bonnie wanted to host the Preliminary Events before the Contests kick off in Taghwan. And if you don't perform well in the Preliminary, you won't be invited to compete in Taghwan."

Addison gulped. "I guess I'm going to need a lot more practice than I thought I would."

Ryan patted her on her shoulder. "No worries. My aunt is a Contest legend, remember? She'll be able to fix you right for the Contests."

"I know" Addison answered kindly, "but that doesn't mean I'm not nervous."

"Erin really is the best person for people to train under" Lizzie told the two trainers. "She did train Piper Pines after all."

"Really?" Addison remarked in awe.

"Of course" Lizzie said. "After all, Piper's cousin is not only our region's Pokémon Professor, but is also in a relationship with the League Champion, who also just happens to be Erin's son. She really couldn't turn down a favor from Julia."

"Well that's good news" Addison said, her nerves less tense than before.

"All the same though" Lizzie told the young girl, "I think the Pokémon Contests are a lot harder than taking on the Pokémon League Challenge. There's a lot more that needs to be done than preparing yourself for a Pokémon Battle."

"Why's that?" Ryan asked, confused. "All you really have to do is dress up and look pretty. That's pretty much all there is to it."

Addison rolled her eyes. "Boys will be boys."

Lizzie shook her head. "No Ryan. There's a whole lot more to it than that. It's about choreography, poise, determination, charity and so much more than just being good looking. That's why I won't do it."

Ryan was confused. "Charity? Kindness? What does that have to do with it?"

"The Final Vote is determined not just by how well you performed in the Contests. It's also about how you act in your community, how much you do for those around you and how you make the world a better place for both humans and Pokémon alike. For example, with help from the winnings she's earned as the Contest Winner the last few years, Piper Pines has built and maintained charities for the less fortunate in Arcana. Michael has donated a fair share of his winnings to her charities after every Pokémon League Season."

"I wouldn't have guessed that" Ryan remarked.

"That's because you only think about your battles" Addison teased.

"I can be cultured" he insisted. "I am a Kingston, after all."

"I'm sure you can be" Lizzie told Ryan. "But you do seem like the type that would hate putting on a suit, especially if you take after Michael."

"Michael hates being in suits?" Addison asked.

"Absolutely detests the idea" Lizzie replied. "He only wears them when he absolutely has to. He's more comfortable in his Champion's Gear anyway."

Ryan thought for a moment. "I know the Champion of the Pokémon League wins the Champion's Purse as well as gaining a ton of respect and power in the region, as well as the prestige of having won. What do the Queen of Arcana Contests winners win?"

"For starters" Lizzie explained, "if a girl or woman wins the Queen of Arcana Contests, they also win a Queen's Purse or almost 100,000 Poké Dollars. They, like the Champion, also maintain a position of power and authority in the governing of Arcana. The winner is 'The Queen' after all. Piper has just as much governing power and prestige as Michael does."

"Really?" Ryan asked, a thought in the back of his mind of he and Addison ruling all of Arcana side by side caused him to flush with color. He quickly shook himself out of his thoughts when Lizzie continued.

"Fortunately, Piper and Michael are pretty close, so we don't have any real issues with the Queen of Arcana and League Champion quarreling with one another. I guess you can thank Julia for that."

"Hey Lizzie" Addison asked the Elite Four member, "if you're not there for the Contests, then can I ask why you're headed for Alchemiburg?"

"I'm supposed to meet with the rest of the Elite Four there" Lizzie explained. "We're supposed to serve as a sort of Honor Guard for Queen Piper when she arrives. After the Contests are kicked off, we're going to meet up with Michael and head for Titanio City for a TV interview."

"Any TV Show in particular?" Ryan asked.

"One of those Political Shows your parents watch" Lizzie answered. "Can't really say what we'll talk about there. It's strictly league business."

"Oh come on" Ryan cried out. "I can know. I know the Champion!"

Lizzie laughed. "So does Erin, and even she isn't allowed to know what we talk about until the interview airs. Don't you worry, Ryan. One day, if you ever become the Pokémon League Champion, you'll get to know all of these things yourself. Until then, just focus on your next Gym Badge. Just because she's a contest expert, doesn't mean that Erin is a slouch when it comes to Pokémon Battles."

"Look!" Addison chimed in. "We're here!"

The entrance to Alchemiburg was decked out in flowers, ribbons and lights to celebrate the commencement of the Queen of Arcana Contest for this season. The array of decorations covering the village was only dwarfed by the amount of women and girls who were present for the commencement speech to be given by Piper Pines and Erin Kingston. While some of the contestants were wearing their normal every day attire, others were already wearing their ballgowns and dresses, hoping to be spotted and shown off to the world when the Titanio TV Coverage came to record the commencement.

Addison looked at her mud-covered clothing and sighed. "I guess I'm a little underdressed for the occasion?" she asked Lizzie and Ryan.

"Today isn't the day to worry about" Lizzie assured her.

"Are you sure?" Addison asked, now paranoid that her looks were disqualifying for the Contests.

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on Addy. Like you need to wear some dress to show how good you look."

Lizzie's jaw dropped. "Did-did you just compliment her?"

Upon realizing the words that came out of his mouth, Ryan flashed glances at both Lizzie and Addison. The latter's face was as red as the top side of a Poké Ball. Realizing his face might soon bear the same color, Ryan did his best to try and explain himself. "Well-I-uh-I mean that-um-well-"

"Ryan? Addy?" a voice called out to the two. Heaving a sigh of relief, Ryan turned to see their friend Holly Queensbury coming over to greet them. Unlike Addison and Ryan, Holly had clearly not spent the last few days camping out in the woods or being ferried across stormy waters. She was dressed in preppy clothing, with a light blue top and bright yellow leggings. Her hair was well cared for and curled as if her mother had been doing it the past few days.

"Holly" Addison greeted.

"You're here for the commencement?" Ryan asked his friend.

Holly nodded. "We all needed to be here for this. Piper and Erin Kingston are giving the commencement speech. Anyone who wants to do well in the Queen of Arcana Contests needed to come." Addison looked the two over in surprise. "What happened to you? You run into a thunderstorm?"

"You could say that" Addison shrugged.

"Well, either way" Holly continued, "I think I'm going to treat you to a spa day, Addy. We can't have you running around with the boys all the time. You'll never win a Contest that way." She then realized they were one head shorter than before. "What happened to Matthew?"

"He went off on his own" Ryan explained. "He thinks he'll get stronger that way."

"Well, if it works" Holly replied. She looked over Addison in absolute shock. "No, we can't let this happen. Come on, Addy. Let's get you all cleaned up. There is a wonderful spa here." She grabbed Addison's hand and began to lead her away. "Come on."

Addison looked back towards Ryan, who waved his hands. "I'll defer to Holly for this one" he laughed.

"Enjoy Addy" Lizzie waved as the two disappeared into the crowd.

"I'm sure Addy will be happy after a spa day" Ryan remarked.

"And this has nothing to do with the fact that you want to find Erin for you Gym Match, does it?" Lizzie asked, folding her arms and looking at the young trainer sternly.

"Come on, Liz" a voice called from nearby. "Would you leave the poor kid alone?"

Ryan cheered when he saw Chris standing by the Alchemiburg Pokémon Center. Eager to reunite with his cousin, Ryan rushed over to greet him. with Lizzie close behind.

"Chris!"

"How's it going, kid?" Chris laughed as the two cousins high-fived.

"Well on my way to the Pokémon League" Ryan remarked. "I got my first Gym Badge from Tori yesterday!"

"Not bad, kid" the Elite Four trainer remarked. "Of course, I'll be more impressed when I learn you beat your father."

"Once I get to Charizark Town" Ryan vowed to his cousin, "he's next."

"Good luck getting to the other side of Arcana then" Chris laughed.

"So, should I even ask why you're here before the rest of us, Chris?" Lizzie asked rhetorically.

"I'm just enjoying the sites" Chris said with the subtlety of a train's horn. He looked and grinned as a woman already in a ballgown walked right past them with her Clefable tagging along after her. His eyes tracked her as they came past him. "And loving every minute of it."

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Oh boy" she grumbled while Ryan laughed away.