POV: Cynthia / LOCATION: Sinnoh League

I keep staring at my hands. Clean, as always. Pedicured. Not a single blemish in sight. Nothing to hint that they've just recently choked a man.

How could I have lost my temper like that? I thought I was in control… I knew I was. Yet within the blink of the eyes, he was on the floor, frothing pink from his mouth.

No, the Cyrus I knew was as stubborn as a cockroach. He was a survivor. And besides, I never meant to kill him. It was just an accident.

Wanting a change of scenery, I leave the Champion's Lair to the League's library where I find a familiar purple head.

"Whatcha doing?" I say.

Lucian turns, a thin smile on his face. "Hello, Cynthia. I'm planning to return this book to Canalave Library. I used to go to university there, you see."

"Oh. I bet you were the type to hang around the library after class."

"I was… and I've met many curious folks during my study break."

Then he slaps his book closed. "So, Cynthia. Aren't you supposed to be bothering Looker?"

Is it just me, or does he sound very bitter? "Looker's still on assignment abroad," I say, peeking at him suspiciously. "No one knows when he'll be back."

"Well then. Don't you have other duties to fulfill?"

"Are you still mad that I told you to take a hike when Charon came over? No offense, Lucian, but you don't need to hover over me like a Kangaskhan."

"Forgive my insolence, but you did disappear for several weeks. If I had 2 Poke for every time you've vanished off the face of the earth, I'd have my own League by now."

I roll my eyes. "Look, I never said I didn't want you to worry about me. What I'm saying is that you can be a tad too overprotective."

"And you can be a tad bit stu—reckless."

This smartass has a way of using words to get under your skin. I prefer to settle things through fists. But I know that arguing with Lucian is pointless, so I throw my hands in a surrendering gesture.

"Okay, okay. I won't bother with Charon unless I really, really need to. Promise."

"If I had 10 Poke for every promise you've broken, I'd buy my own Champion's throne." Lucian casually adjusts his glasses while I glower at him. "Anyhow, I understand that you and Looker have been visiting Cyrus in prison. What have you been talking to him about?"

Why are you so interested in Cyrus, Lucian? He's just another two-faced liar.

"Doesn't matter," I grumble.

"Cynthia…"

"Just forget about him."

"What did you do, Cynthia?"

Shit. Lucian can read me like a fucking book. Before he can see the shame coloring my face, I spin around to check out the giant hourglass we have on display.

"I think someone's in the lobby," I say. "See you later."

And I run. When I reach the lobby square, I'm surprised to see that there's indeed someone waiting.

"Flint!" I call.

Flint gives a weak wave that compliments his weary smile.

"What's up?" I say. "Were you with Volkner?"

He shrugs.

"Did you two fight?"

"I don't know what his problem is!"

Oh boy.

"It's not like our regular spats," Flint continues. "Ever since he had that dream, he's been a bit… intense."

As if on cue, the window shatters and in rolls Volkner, his jacket crumpled from the shards of glass and his blue eyes raging with some sort of madness.

"Dude," Flint mutters, rushing to his friend. "Use the door like a normal person."

Volkner swats away Flint's hand. "Are you sure you don't remember? Think, Flint. Use your brain for once!"

"I told you, I don't know what you're talking about! I don't ever remember a robot kid when we were young!"

Ever the outsider, I dare to ask, "What's going on?"

Volkner starts as if he just realizes that I'm here. "Cynthia…" He then grabs my shoulders. "Cynthia, we knew you since we were little brats, right?"

"Yes… I used to visit Sunyshore over the summer."

"Wasn't there a robot kid too?"

"A what kid?"

Flint intervenes. "Sorry, Cynthia. Forgive the esteemed Gym Leader of Sunyshore City. There are times when he acts like a petulant child—"

"There was a robot kid!" Volkner barks. "And I'm not a damn child! That wasn't a dream, Flint, but a memory! I can't focus on my renovations until I remember his goddamn name!"

That's Volkner for you. If there's a conundrum he can't solve, he'll invest all his energy into exposing it. Call it a one-track mind. Flint calls it an unhealthy habit.

As the two childhood friends bicker, Lucian comes into the lobby. I assume he's back for round two of passive-aggressive compliments when I notice that particular expression on his face as he listens to whoever's on the other end of the phone.

"Cynthia's here," he saying. Not that he sounds too happy about that. "So is Flint and Volkner."

We hurry to the phone.

"Meet me at Mystifying Forest. Do not alert the press."

"Professor Rowan?" I say. "What—"

"I'll send over the coordinates. Hurry."

Rowan's tone is so uncharacteristically grim that it even catches Volkner off-guard. He stares at Flint, argument forgotten, who looks at me, and I glance at Lucian for final approval.

"We'll be there," Lucian says curtly.

I seize the phone. "Professor, are you in danger? What's happening at Mystifying Forest?"

A short silence follows my question. Static. Then Rowan speaks.

"In my sixty long years, I've never seen anything like it. Will you believe me if I told you that time has stopped?"