The Chateau where Erin and Anthony called home was a massive building almost equivalent in size to the Kingston Residence at Castle Kingston. It was designed in a more medieval style with tall towers, gothic architecture and plenty elements to make one who wasn't particularly rich feel a touch out of place. The floors were made of linoleum and covered in the finest carpets one could find in a place other than Bonnie Kingston's residence. In the hallway that led towards the elegant Dining Hall, huge armored statues stood in formation as if serving as an honor guard for Lady Erin and her second husband, Anthony.

Despite the immeasurable beauty of the estate, because of the way he acted, one would believe Anthony came right from a local neighborhood. He usually only wore plaid long-sleeved shirts and a pair of tan pants, far beneath what many of the Kingstons were expected to wear at an adult age. He was older than Erin, but decidedly more entertaining to be around. He had a beard as gray as winter, but had a personality as bright as summer. When Ryan and Piper arrived at the Chateau, Anthony greeted them as though they were all friends that had gotten together after a long time, though Ryan was certain he had only met him once. While Piper left to freshen herself up for dinner, Anthony took his step-nephew on a tour of the Chateau. Though when he got the news that the Elite Four would not be joining them for dinner, he appeared to be a little crestfallen.

"It's a darn shame" Anthony said to Ryan. "I was hoping to get to see them. It's not often the Elite Four comes to town."

"Only Chris and Lizzie were here" Ryan told him. "They said they needed to get to Titanio City to be on TV or something like that. But you could have come down to see the Commencement Ceremony."

"Nah" Anthony said bluntly. "If I leave my Pokémon behind, they can get a little rowdy. Especially my Banette. Oh does that guy not like it when I leave the house. He chuckled though, as if he was relieved to not have to leave. "In all seriousness, though, I don't have much of a reason to want to leave. Your Grandmother supplies us with servants and errand people so we can focus on our personal passions. Erin has the Queen of Arcana Contests and the Gym, while I have my cooking."

Ryan continued to look at the Chateau, in complete awe of how gorgeous everything was, especially when he compared it to how simply he and his family lived in Parlor Town. "I wonder why my Mom and Dad didn't want us to live like this."

"They probably want you guys to head out into the world and find your passions, like your cousins have. Living like this isn't all it's cracked up to be. While I am thankful I don't usually have to leave the Chateau, it would be nice to head out on an adventure again."

"Why don't you?"

"You kidding, Ryan?" Anthony laughed. "I've got two fake knees already. The last thing I need is to become more of a robot than I already am."

Ryan came to a stop at two huge doors in a hallway adjacent to the Dining Hall. "Which room is this?"

Anthony grinned. "That is the stairwell to the Gym. Erin goes there whenever she has a challenger. Which isn't usually now. Most of the Trainers usually head off to Iron Mountain or Terra Town before coming here, and Billy and Greg usually show them the door. I suspect that's part of the reason why you kids came for a visit."

Ryan nodded. "I'm here to get my Peace Badge from Aunt Erin. But I'm also here for Addison. She wants a few tips from a pro before she becomes a Pokemon Contest contestant."

"Well, there's no place better to learn from" Anthony remarked. "After all, she trained Piper." The two then continued on with their tour, waiting for Erin to come along with Addison, Holly and Julia.

{Meanwhile}

Crammed into a Hotel Room in Titanio City's famous Five Star Inn, Michael and the Elite Four impatiently await their summonses to finally make their appearance on Walter O'Hara's talk show. Mark stood by the door, trying to contact the woman who had supposedly scheduled them to appear on tonight's broadcast. Lizzie and Chris both sat on the bed, with Lizzie grooming her Alolan Raticate and Chris flipping through channels on the television, completely bored out of his mind. Cameron and Michael paced, one on each side of the bed, grumbling to themselves about how they believed Walter was doing this on purpose.

Mark hung up after his conversation ends. "Sorry guys. Walter is rescheduling us."

"What do you mean, rescheduling us?" Cameron hissed.

"What else did you expect, Cam?" Chris said, his focus still on trying to find something else on TV.

"Audrey is trying to get us in before you guys have to be at the Ball on Friday" Mark told everyone, "but she isn't making any promises."

"Friday?" Cameron growled. "Does he really expect us to sit around and wait for him to want to interview us?"

"If you guys want, Mark and I will handle the interview" Lizzie said to the group. "That way, you guys can focus on what your grandmother wants you guys to do at the Ball."

"We're a team, Lizzie" Michael remarked, his frustration showing. "We do this together. My Grandmother can wait."

"She's not gonna be too happy with you guys" Mark told his friend.

"To be honest, Mark, I don't really care."

Chris sighed and turned off the TV. "Well, if we're not going to be on tonight, I may as well go out into town and enjoy myself."

"You're really going to go out now?" Cameron asked her brother.

"Uh, yeah" Chris replied, jumping to his feet. "I'm gonna hit Titanio Park. Anyone want in?"

"I'll stay here and keep trying to schedule us" Mark said.

"I've got to groom Skullz" Lizzie insisted.

"Come on, guys" Chris remarked. "You're really gonna make me go out and have fun on my own?"

"Sorry, Chris" Cameron said bluntly. "But we have responsibilities and-"

"Count me in" Michael said, shocking everyone in the room. "I need to clear my head right now."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Lizzie asked. "I mean, what about Courtney?"

"Thank you, Mike" Chris laughed. "Finally, someone who gets it. We've got some girls to pick up."

Michael laughed. "YOU have girls to pick up, Chris. I just need to clear my head for a bit."

"Suit yourself. Let's go Mike." Chris raced out the door.

Michael started along after him, but Cameron stood in his way. "Uh, Cam? Do you mind?"

"Don't you or Chris do anything stupid" she warned the Champion.

"It's almost like you think we don't use our brains, Cam" Michael said plainly.

"Mike" Lizzie called to her friend. "What about Courtney?"

"Who's Courtney?" Cameron asked.

"What does she matter?" Michael asked. "Unless you have any new information on her from Steven, I can't keep myself from going out there."

Lizzie frowned. "Okay. Do what you think is right."

Michael eyed Cameron, who only shook her head and let her cousin pass. Michael walked out of the hotel room and out into the hall. He then called out his old friend Celebi. Sensing his stress, the Pokémon flew about him and let him glow in a light aura. The Celebi then landed on his head and smiled at his friend. "Thanks, buddy" he remarked.

"You coming, Mike?" Chris called from the other end of the hall.

Mike waved him off. "I'm coming. I'll meet you in the lobby." As he watched his cousin head for the elevator, Michael sighed to himself. I can use some time where I don't have to worry about this. Who cares what Courtney said anyway? I can finish this on my own terms. When all of this is over, the Syndicate will be a thing of the past and I'll get to spend the rest of my life with the woman I love. Clutching at his heart at the thought of Julia, Michael and Celebi followed after Chris to have fun that evening.

{Meanwhile}

Anthony gathered everyone into the Dining Hall to enjoy a dinner of foods that he cooked to commemorate everyone visiting. He made sure everyone was seated before he did himself. He and Ryan sat at both ends of the table, while Piper and Julia sat to Ryan's left and Addison, Holly and Erin sat to the left of Anthony. At each seat was a plate with a specific person's name placed with their food of choice there for them to enjoy, covered on their tray as if they were dining in the fanciest restaurant in the land. Ryan, clearly still smitten with the Queen of Arcana, did his best to avoid making eye contact with Piper as everyone found their respective seat.

Julia inhaled the scent coming from her plate. "This smells incredible, Anthony."

"We spare no expense when it comes to entertainment" Erin told Julia. "Especially not towards family and friends." Erin raised her wine glass into the air and rose to her feet. "I'd like to propose a toast to everyone here and those who could not be. A toast to my mother, Lady Bonnie. To my wonderful children, Victoria and Michael. To my Son In-law, Gregory. To my future Daughter In-Law, Julia. To my greatest student, Piper. To my Nephews, Matthew and Ryan. To my newest students, Holly and Addison. And of course, to my beloved chef." She blew a kiss towards Anthony. "Let's feast."

Everyone removed the cover from their plates and were delighted with what Anthony had made for each of them. For himself, he made a Meat Pie with a side of Berry Cobbler. For Erin, he had made a Cheese Soufflé. For Julia, a Rosemary Crusted Chicken Salad. For Piper, her traditional Tart Soufflé with a topping of Whipped Cream. For Holly, Crab Cakes and Pasta. For Addison, A Pasta Dish with freshly cut basil leaves and cheese. For Ryan, he made a premium beef Cheeseburger with a side of freshly cut potatoes. All present for dinner dug into their plates with sheer delight, each taking a moment to tell Anthony how fabulous his cooking was.

"I mean it, Anthony" Piper commented. "This is the best you've ever made for me. Thank you again."

"All in a days work" Anthony shrugged, continuing to eat his own Meat Pie.

"Which berries did you use, may I ask? I'll have to order this from the kitchen when I get back to my penthouse in the city."

"Only a few Pecha and Sitrus Berries we had. I did use a little less sugar on it than I usually do. That could be why it tastes a little different."

"Either way, it's incredible."

As Piper took another bite from her Soufflé, Ryan did his best not to keep staring at her, despite his immense crush on her. Seeing her nephew's plight, Erin decided to steer the conversation away from Piper. She turned to her newest pupils that sat beside her. "So, Addison and Holly. You two want to learn more about Contests?"

Addison nodded. "Of course."

"That's why we've come to you, first" Holly added in.

"Well" Erin said, wiping some of the cheese from her Soufflé off of her lips, "I think a few days of my choreography techniques and lessons should prove beneficial to you. Of course, I can't simply give you all of the secrets away. The best Queen of Arcana Contestants take what they know and amplify it with their own style. I can help you both find your own style though, as I did with Piper."

"I look forward to it" Addison remarked.

"Tomorrow morning" Erin continued, "I will have my Dressmaker come down and wardrobe you girls for the Ball. The next two days after that will be geared towards training you two to see what inner talents you both possess." She turned to Piper. "You are of course welcome to observe and help them."

Piper nodded. "A very tempting offer, Erin. But I'm afraid I'll have to pass. I don't think it's fair for me to be able to witness their own skills before the Contests. I just came here for a little fine tuning."

"As if you need tuning" Julia teased. "You and I both know you're the favorite to win your sixth year in a row."

"You never know, Julia" Piper replied. "One of these girls might end up supplanting me." She nodded courteously to Addison and Holly. "I look forward to seeing you both perform at the Ball." Eyeing Ryan doing his best not to look at her, Piper giggled. "So then that just leaves Ryan and his quest to obtain the Peace Badge." Ryan sheepishly looked her way, before returning his attention to his food.

Erin nodded, looking towards her nephew. "Indeed. So Ryan, when did you want to have your Gym Battle with me?"

Ryan shrugged. "Whenever is easiest for you, Aunt Erin. If Holly and Addison need help, you should keep your focus on them. I could use a little training anyway."

"So be it" Erin said. "We'll have our match just before you kids set off for Kingston Castle."

"You mean, you aren't going to the Ball?" Julia asked Erin, surprised.

"No" Erin said. "My mother can be a bit difficult to deal with whenever the Ball comes around. I'll be staying here to run the gym. You never know when the challengers will come our way. I'm still expecting Matthew to come my way eventually."

Once all of the plates were empty, a few servants came by to clear their spots and walked back into the kitchen. Erin turned to everyone and yawned slightly. "Well, this has certainly been a wonderful evening, but I believe I'll be going to get some rest early tonight. We have a lot of work to do in the morning, girls."

Julia nodded, rising from the table herself. "Same here. Michael should be home soon from his session with on The O'Hara Hour."

"Oh" Piper said, "I guess you haven't heard yet."

Julia eyed her cousin curiously. "Heard what?"

Piper pulled out her Poké Gear and looked for what message she had gotten from Cameron. "I got this message from Cameron, saying that Walter O'Hara postponed their interview until Thursday."

"Thursday?" Anthony remarked. "The day before the Ball?"

"Michael won't be happy about that" Erin said sadly.

"He isn't" Piper added. "He and Chris took off from the others and are in Titanio City enjoying themselves."

Julia looked down. "I see. Well then, I guess Michael isn't coming home tonight."

"Then you should stay here with us" Erin insisted. "We have more than enough rooms to accommodate each of you. And I'm sure Ryan could use some company while I'm with the girls and Anthony is cooking."

Julia looked to everyone at the table, who had in turn begun to look at her curiously, wondering if she would indeed be staying for the night. The Professor sighed. "I guess I'll stay the night."

"Excellent!" Erin said, ushering everyone out of the dining room. "Come along everyone. I'll show you to your rooms." Addison and Holly were the first up as Erin gently pushed them out the door. As Ryan rose from his seat, he stopped in his tracks when Piper walked past him and winked at him. He nervously smiled as Piper walked past him and out the door.

"Some say Piper's winks can turn men into gelatin" Julia commented, laughing at Ryan's nervousness.

"Uh-did she wink at me?" Ryan lied. "I didn't notice."

Julia rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say. You're probably going to want some tips on how to beat Erin in the Gym. Tomorrow, while the girls are off getting fitted for ballgowns, I'll put you through some lessons to teach you how to battle against Normal Type Pokémon. They can be really hard to face in battle."

Ryan nodded. "Thanks, Julia. You're the best."

Julia waved him off. "I try."

{Some Time Later...}

In their shared bedroom, Holly and Addison would spend the rest of the evening brushing each other's hair. Despite feeling better about her appearance since her day at the spa, Addison's mood remains somewhat sad as she questions whether or not continuing her journey with Ryan was the best for her and her future as Queen of Arcana.

"I don't know, Holly" Addison remarked. "Maybe there is something to what you're saying. I mean, I could probably use some time with a stylist to get me ready for the Contests. And I can't really get a stylist to tend to me while we're out on the road camping out and looking for Pokémon."

"Very true" Holly explained. "If you really want to be able to compete, you're going to have to take great care of yourself. And I think traveling with Ryan isn't the best with you." Holly sighed. "But at the same time, having friends around you probably brings out the best in you. It's really up to you in the long run."

"He's my best friend" Addison said sadly. "And I didn't just set out on this journey for myself. I did it for him and Matt, too. I don't want to just bail out on him because of my own dream."

Holly thought for a moment, while brushing her friend's hair. "Maybe you don't have to."

Addison looked back at her, confused. "Huh?"

"Ryan's definitely a good friend" Holly reasoned, "but he isn't the best for your complexion. I mean, you two are going to be sleeping out in tents and camping. That isn't going to help much at all for your chances. But, if you had someone with you to keep Ryan in line and make sure he doesn't cause you too much trouble, you should be in good shape." She folded her arms. "And I think I know someone who will be available to go with you two."

Addison turned around to her friend. "You mean you'll come with us?"

Holly grinned. "I know when I'm needed. And I'll make sure we both are at our best for these Contests. Plus, I'm sure Ryan could use another cheerleader."

"Great!" Addison cheered. "Welcome aboard."

{Later that Night}

Ryan is startled by something moving in the shadows of the bedroom. He flings off his blanket and reaches for his Poké Gear to light up the room, but it wasn't there. He looked beside him and saw that his entire nightstand was missing, lamp and all.

"What the heck?" Ryan asked himself. He looked around his room for a candle to light, but then realized hat he had no real way to light it up. He blindly went over to the chair in his room and tried to reach for his bag, but it too wasn't where he had placed it before going to bed. The chair he had placed his clothes and bag on now only had his pants on them.

"What is going on here?" he said, throwing his pants back on and heading for the door of his room. As he did, he tripped over something hard and fell to the ground. "OOF!" he exclaimed, tumbling over onto the floor. He looked around for what he had tripped on and thought he saw two dark eyes staring at him. He backed away from whatever he tripped on, but it kept coming towards him.

"Shrew! Shrew!" it called.

"Sandshrew?" Ryan asked. He reached for the shadow and realized it was his Pokémon. He took the small Ground Pokémon in his arms. "What happened? Where did my bag go?" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shadow move against the wall and slip right out the door. The Sandshrew, also seeing the shadow, buried his head into Ryan's arms. "It's okay, buddy" Ryan said, trying to soothe his Pokémon as well as himself. "We need to go and find our friends." He put the Sandshrew down on the ground. "Come on, let's go!" The Sandshrew nodded fearfully and rolled along after his trainer.

The halls of the Chateau were deathly quiet. Without any light to illuminate the room, Ryan couldn't help but feel concerned. His Sandshrew shared his sentiments and clung to Ryan's leg. Gathering what little confidence he had in him, Ryan pressed onward. Not wanting to wake anybody who was sleeping over what he considered menial fears, he crept along the halls and avoided as many bedroom doors as possible.

The Sandshrew, upon noticing a small light flickering in a door, let go of his trainer and rolled through the door. Ryan hurried in after his Pokémon. "Sandshrew, what are you doing?" He leaped into the room and caught his Pokémon. "You can't just barge into rooms like that!"

"I told you that one needs a leash" a voice called from the room. Ryan looked towards the bed and found Julia, reading by candlelight in her own private room, eyeing him with a little smile on her face.

"I'm sorry Julia" Ryan apologized. "It's just that some of my stuff is missing from my room and Sandshrew got worried and-"

"Wait" Julia stopped him. "Some stuff of yours is missing?"

"Yeah."

Julia seemed perplexed. "I thought I was the only one."

"Whaddya mean?" Ryan asked.

"My work laptop is missing" the Professor said. "I thought I might have just not brought it, but that isn't like me." She then nodded to herself. "Then I think we need to do a bit of exploration ourselves. Wait outside for a minute so I can get dressed."

Ryan nodded and took his Sandshrew with him out of Julia's room and waited. As he did, he could feel the hairs on his neck standing up. What if he and Julia weren't the only ones having things taken from them? He patted his Sandshrew on the head as the baby Pokemon clung to his leg once more.

Julia emerged from her room in a bathrobe. "Come on, Ryan. Let's investigate this."

"What do you think we'll find?" Ryan asked as the two headed back down the hall.

"Hopefully what we've lost" she said to him. The two skidded to a stop when Julia put her arm on Ryan's shoulder. "Wait a minute. We won't be able to see anything, will we?"

Ryan looked to her. "What happened to your candle?"

"Don't worry" Julia assured her former student. "I came prepared." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a Poké Ball. "Come on out, Cyndaquil!" Julia let the ball fall from her hands and a tiny blue and vanilla-colored echidna with glowing red quills on it's back emerged from it. The Pokémon yawned loudly and looked back towards its trainer.

"What is it?" Ryan exclaimed.

"This is a Cyndaquil" Julia explained. The small Fire-Type Pokémon looked from Ryan to Julia and began to hop in the air happily. "I got him from a friend in the Johto Region. He breeds these and a few others to help kids in his own region go on journeys."

Ryan bent down to look at the Pokémon closely. "Hey, little guy. I'm Ryan."

The Cyndaquil eyed him curiously and accidentally sneezed a puff of smoke in his face. As Ryan wiped the soot from his eyes, Julia giggled. "I think he likes you. But we're not here to get better acquainted. We need to find our stuff and fast." Her eyes caught something moving on the wall. "Over there!" she called.

Ryan turned, but all he saw was darkness. "I don't see anything."

"There was a shadow on the wall" she insisted. "I know I saw it."

Ryan gulped. "I saw one too, in my room."

Julia looked around suspiciously. "Then I think we're on the right track. Come on."

Ryan followed Julia down the halls of the Chateau, with the Cyndaquil eagerly bouncing along in the front and his Sandshrew clinging to his leg. He did his best to tell himself they had just seen something, or else he knew his nerves would get the better of him. "It's just the wind, or something. We just left our stuff in that first room."

Julia came to a halt when the two approached the winding staircase that led down to the base floor of Anthony and Erin's home. "There's something downstairs." She slid down the steps, with her Cyndaquil following her. Ryan, less optimistic, slowly descended the staircase after her, with his Sandshrew digging his claws into his pants.

Ryan bumped into Julia, who had stopped at the base of the steps. He fell back onto the steps and stared up at Julia, who was staring blankly at the ceiling. Ryan looked above and saw nothing but a dark gaping void. He tapped Julia to get her attention, but she didn't move. He grabbed her arm, but she again showed no signs of noticing him. He turned her around to face him and he gasped. Her eyes were blank, completely devoid of life.

The Cyndaquil, fearing for his trainer, leaped into Ryan's arms. Ryan looked around for whatever she saw, then turning his attention towards the ceiling again. Now, the void was seemingly pulling them towards it. Ryan clung onto the bannister with all his strength, but he and the two Pokémon were pulled from the stair case and into the void itself. Ryan closed his eyes tightly and clung onto the Cyndaquil and Sandshrew with all his strength.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself inside the gaping void of the darkness. Cyndaquil and Sandshrew were both with him still, clinging to his pants. He gently put them down and rose to his feet, looking for whatever had dragged them inside. He headed into the middle of the room and found a huge pile of everyone's belongings. Addison's camping equipment, Julia's Laptop, even his own Bag and his shirt. Ryan hurried towards the pile of belongings and went to grab his shirt. As he did, the shirt floated a bit out of his reach.

"What the-" Ryan exclaimed, jumping up to try and reach the shirt. But the shirt floated just out of his reach. He chased the shirt as it led him a bit away from the pile of belongings. When he finally grabbed onto it, he ripped it out of the air and tried to put it on. When he looked back to where his shirt had been floating, he screamed.

An enormous and sinister shadow loomed over him with piercing magenta eyes and a mouth that appeared to be stitched shut. The shadow's head rolled its head back as if it were laughing at Ryan's terror. Ryan fell backwards and tried to run, but tripped over his Sandshrew again and fell onto the floor. The Shadow then warped in front of him and glared at him.

"GET AWAY!" Ryan shouted. As he backed away from the shadow, he looked towards the ceiling and saw four specters floating above him in a ring. Ryan turned to look away, until he recognized the one that was closest to him as Julia. As Ryan kept backing away from the Shadow, the specters were those of Piper, Julia, Addison and Holly and all four appeared to be asleep. "Guys! Guys! Wake up! Addison! Holly! Professor! Piper!" But none of the specters answered. Instead, the Shadow let out a ear-splitting wail and began to call the specters of Ryan's friends to it. One by one, the specters floated towards the shadow, who's stitched closed mouth opened and began to suck the spirits inside.

"Leave my friends alone!" Ryan shouted, his fear now overcome by concern for the others. Ryan looked to his side and saw Julia's Cyndaquil and his own Sandshrew come up to him to protect him and save the others. "Let's go!" The Cyndaquil began to spin on the ground and soon became a ball of fire. The little Fire Pokémon then shot itself at the Shadow as it was about to ingest Piper's spirit. Piper's specter suddenly opened it's eyes and vanished.

The Shadow turned towards Ryan and roared, looming directly over his head. Undaunted, Ryan stepped forward to face it. "I told you to leave my friends alone!"

The Shadow sent an immense glob of ghostly energy at Ryan, but Ryan and the Pokémon dodged it. The glob crashed into the pile of belongings and scattered them. As it did, Ryan's bag fell by his side and one of his Poké Balls rolled out. He picked it up and called out his Pokémon. Sparks emerged from the Poké Ball and growled at the Shadow. Crackling with electrical energy, the Jolteon spat out a Thundershock at the apparition, but the Shadow merely absorbed it.

"Cyndaquil!" Ryan called to Julia's Pokémon. "Use Flame Wheel again!" The fiery echidna spun around once more and shot itself at the darkness like a bullet. The Shadow roared once more when struck by the Pokémon. The Cyndaquil then came rolling backwards towards Ryan and stood in front of him and beside Sparks.

The Shadow rose high above Ryan and the Pokémon and wailed once more. It then sent another glob of energy directly at Ryan, who was struck hard in the chest with it. As the trainer tried to recover, the Shadow launched itself at Ryan. Before it could reach him, the Cyndaquil and Sparks jumped in front of Ryan and launched two simultaneous attacks: Thundershock and Flame Wheel. The strikes pierced the Shadow in it's horrific magenta colored eyes and caused it to fall backwards. Ryan tried to jump to his feet, but a sudden burst of winds launched him high into the air and slammed him hard onto the ground. Ryan weakly reached out for his Jolteon. "Sparks" he whispered, before falling back onto his face, barely able to keep consciousness.

The Shadow roared as it loomed over Ryan. As he braced for whatever was to come, two doors flung open as if out of nowhere and a bright light illuminated the room he was in. Ryan looked over towards where the light's source was and saw a Starmie and someone behind it standing in the doorway. The Starfish Pokémon shot a beam of energy at the Shadow, causing it to dissipate. Ryan raised his arms to cheer, but fell over in pain. The person who had called the Starmie rushed over to him. He thought he could hear someone speaking to him, but it sounded muffled. Whether it was from his own fatigue or the Shadow, he could not tell. He only nodded to whatever they were saying.

The Shadow made one last attempt to get at Ryan, but the Starmie turned and launched another beam of Energy at the darkness, causing it to completely slither off into the rest of the Chateau. Ryan tried to get to his feet to celebrate the Shadow's defeat, but he stumbled over and passed out.

{A Moment Later}

"It was that Banette!" Erin grumbled as the twilight hours of night continued to pass over the Chateau. Julia had awoken the two a few moments ago and told them what had befallen her and Ryan. "We should have put that Pokémon into storage!"

"How was I supposed to know it would run amok around here" Anthony said, still half asleep.

"He should be in the Gym" Julia said, continuing to lead the drowsy couple through the halls and down the staircase towards Erin's Gym. When Julia pushed the door open, she gasped when she saw all of their personal belongings scattered about the Gym as aftermath from the battle. Piper was in the middle of the room, with Ryan in her arms. The three hurried over to Piper and Ryan's side. "How is he?"

Piper took a deep breath. "He'll be okay, I hope."

"How did you know that Banette was causing all of this?" Julia asked her cousin.

"It was in a dream" Piper explained. "I was floating around in the Gym and I saw him fighting to save us." She looked to Erin and Anthony. "Are Addison and Piper okay?"

Julia nodded. "They're asleep. It'll feel like a bad dream to them." She knelt down to Piper's side and gently rubbed Ryan's unconscious head. "Still, it would be wrong of us to keep this from Ryan and say he was dreaming all of this."

"He's a hero as far as I'm concerned" Piper remarked. "Who knows where we would have been if you guys hadn't noticed those things missing."

Anthony shook his head. "I am so sorry for all of this."

Piper smiled. "Don't be. It wasn't your fault."

"Anthony" Erin called to her husband, "you need to put that Pokémon in storage."

"I know, and I will. He doesn't move as fast in the daylight."

Piper and Julia put Ryan's arms over theirs. "Let's get this one to bed. He needs some sleep." The two Pines cousins gently brought their unconscious hero out of the Gym and back into the Chateau.