Ayame Hidaka doesn't hold back her tears. On the other side of their small kitchen table, Pikki has just finished her story, and Roark squeezes her hand. Pikki shed a few tears herself, but not as much as her mother, surprisingly.

"Oh, Khaled," Ayame cries, holding the precious Azure Flute to her chest. "That was so selfless and brave of him. Not like the man I knew. I wish I could have…" She doesn't finish that thought, but presses the flute close to her heart.

"Did…" Pikki is almost afraid to ask. "Did you still have feelings for him? After all this time?"

Ayame sniffles. "I... I knew I would never see him again. That was how we left things. But I'll admit I imagined once and awhile how nice it would be if he looked up my restaurant and came to visit. And I would surprise him with you, and then—" More tears spill down her cheeks. "But it was just a fantasy. I kept myself busy so I wouldn't think about it so much. Or think about dating ever again."

"That's kind of like my dad," Roark comments. "If it makes you feel better, he's happily seeing someone now. It's not my mother, though. Actually, kind of her exact opposite. In more ways than one, heh…"

Pikki smacks his chest with the back of her hand. "Not helping."

Ayame blows her nose. "I don't think my little restaurant way out here is an appropriate home for the Azure Flute. I should give it back to the Shin'ai Museum."

"Nonsense, this is its own mini-museum," Pikki says. "And once word gets out that it's here, tourists will come and business will be booming! We'll be saved!"

Her mother smiles a little. "Business has already picked up thanks to your interview in Pokemon Monthly. And because people want to see the Pokemon waitstaff you trained. And because a very nice customer in Oreburgh City kept ordering mochi from me."

Roark grins. "She got me hooked. Yours is way better than the store-bought stuff, too."

"You're so sweet. Pikki brought home such a great boy…" She sniffles again. "I'm so happy for you two…"

"Okay, Mom," Pikki says. "Maybe that's enough emotional conversation for the evening. Although, there's one more thing I should tell you about, and maybe it'll put your mind at ease. Something I learned at the Canalave Library."

The next day, during a bustling lunchtime, Ayame greets a dark-haired young man who's clearly never been to Atuy Kotan before, the way he stares at the decor. "Welcome," she tells him warmly. "Table for one?"

"Uh, sure," he says before he gets a good look at her. He does a double take. "Whoa. You look just like Pikki."

"Another of her friends?" Ayame beams. "If you want to wait, I can call her to come here."

"I can text her, it's okay. Although, I'm kind of here to meet you too."

Ayame is about to ask what friend of her daughter's would want to meet her when Pikki herself appears. "Hey Mom, Roark and I are going— Aden!" she exclaims. "What are you doing here?"

"Surprise," he says with a grin.

"Mom, this is Aden," she introduces him, locking her arm around his. "He's been my training rival since day one, even if he didn't agree to it at first. And… he's my half brother. Haruba Jones's firstborn."

Ayame's hands fly to her mouth. "Oh…" she whispers. "You do look a little bit like him."

"Haven't heard that one before," says Aden. "I just wanted to apologize on my father's behalf, Ms. Hidaka. I don't know how you feel about him, but he really screwed my mom up. Me too, if I'm being honest. So I hope he didn't do the same to you."

Ayame's lower lip trembles. Without warning, she pulls Aden into a tight hug.

"What's happening right now?" he asks, awkwardly patting her back.

"Just go with it," Pikki tells him.

Ayame goes to put in an order to give Aden lunch on the house. Pikki takes him to a table, and texts Roark to come join them. "Man, your mom has a much different opinion about him than mine," Aden remarks.

"Yeah. She denies it, but I think she still carries a torch for him."

"Ouch."

Roark joins them, sliding into the booth beside Pikki. "Hey, Aden. What's going on?"

"My mom has already adopted him," Pikki explains.

Aden blows some of the air out of his eyes. "This is gonna be even more awkward when I offer to donate my sponsorship money to her restaurant."

"Whoa, what?" Roark asks, shocked.

"You can't do that!" Pikki hisses.

"Why not?" Aden wonders. "I'm not gonna need it all. And you've been telling me all summer about how your restaurant is struggling, and that's why you went on your journey. I got to thinking, whose fault is it that a single mom is fighting to keep her business afloat? So I want to help in his place."

"She's not just going to accept a handout from you!" Pikki looks around to make sure Ayame isn't within earshot. "Besides, business has picked up more than we expected, so I think she'll be okay."

"Alright, alright." Aden looks around the room. "Hmm… what if I offer to buy a piece of Shin'ai history?"

"Are you joking? What are you going to do with a Shin'ai artifact?"

"Hang it in my new place in Pastoria? Our dad dug up this stuff, right? Why wouldn't I want a piece of it?"

"I think that's a good idea," Roark agrees. "Let him help if he wants to."

After lunch (which Aden inhales with continuous praises), Pikki takes him to the back to talk to Ayame about a sale. At first she says she'll happily give Khaled's son anything he likes for free, but he insists on actually purchasing. Ayame relents, and tells him to make his choice after the restaurant closes — and she invites him to stay for however long he'd like in the living quarters upstairs above Atuy Kotan. Like Byron's apartment, there's only two bedrooms since it's always been her and Pikki; unlike Byron's apartment, it has a spacious layout and is much cleaner and more inviting. And Aden will get the couch to himself, since Ayame has no qualms about Pikki sharing her room with Roark.

That evening, Aden and Roark both study all the Shin'ai mementos while Ayame and Pikki provide background for each one. Aden is most interested in the wooden Ursaring statue, possibly because it's displayed on a stand under a newspaper clipping with Khaled's photo holding it up. But one look at Ayame, holding her hand to her chest, tells him he should leave it for her.

He chooses a pair of worn-down daggers that are mounted with a frame and glass covering. "These are pretty cool," he remarks later, sitting on the couch beside Pikki, with Roark on the floor near her. Aden starts to slide off the glass. "I wanna get a closer look."

"Be careful!" Pikki cautions. "They're ancient. And don't you dare use them on your Ranger missions!"

"I won't! I'll keep them framed, I just wanna look now." Carefully, he sets the glass aside so he can take out one of the knives. Its bone handle has weathered but intricate carvings, and he can make out some of the geometrical patterns he's come to recognize from the restaurant.

"Okay, now put it back," Pikki instructs.

"Just whose daggers do you think they are?" As Aden pulls away, the frame starts to slide from his lap. Pikki snatches it before it falls, and something sticks out from the backing. Aden sets the dagger on the cushion beside him so he can pull out this discovery. It's a folded piece of paper.

Pikki and Roark lean in to see as he unfolds it, holding his breath as he expects some sort of secret message from his father. But it's only a map. A sea map by the looks of it, with a scattered chain of small islands. They're unlabeled, but there is a circle drawn around one of them.

"Is that part of these islands around here?" Roark asks, breaking the silence.

"I... I don't think so," answers Pikki, leaning in for a closer look. "I have no idea where this is. Especially since there are no names."

"What's it doing in there?"

"I dunno. Unless... Dad hid it? Maybe it's a reminder of somewhere he wants to go? But he must have forgotten to come back for it..."

Aden doesn't know what to say.

The next day, the three of them journey northward to deliver Heatran back to Stark Mountain — long cleaned up since its eruption — and Regirock back to the Rock Peak Ruins. Roark can't help himself to a little excavating throughout the ruins, hoping to find some new fossils or other treasures in this part of the region. He doesn't come away disappointed, especially with a few gold nuggets.

Ayame is beside herself as well when they return right at dinnertime. "You missed it!" she exclaims. "A famous Gym Leader and a member of the Elite Four came for lunch! They said they read about us and would spread the word!"

"That's amazing!" Pikki says, thrilled that her interview is still doing Atuy Kotan some good.

"I still can't believe it! Two members of the Sinnoh League liked my restaurant!" Ayame gushes. "I'm going to get so many more endorsements!"

"Hey..." Roark says, offended. "I'm a Gym Leader, and I like your restaurant."

"Oh! Of course." Ayame blushes. "I'm sorry, Roark. I just forget sometimes, since you're here with Pikki."

He frowns in an exaggerated way. "All that mochi business I gave you, too."

"Here, speaking of mochi." Ayame fetches something from the front counter. "I want you to try this, too. Haven't made these in awhile, but I thought you might like it." She hands him a small, round piece of bread.

"What is it, a Poffin?" Roark asks.

"Not exactly. It's anpan. A roll filled with sweet bean paste."

Roark takes a couple of bites, and his brown eyes go wide. "Oh my gods. This is even better." He devours the rest. "I def'nitely wanna bunch o' these to take home," he says with his mouth full.

Aden's stomach growls loudly. "I want one," he complains, and Ayame provides. Then they all discuss what to have for dinner.

}{}{}{}{}{

Neither Pikki nor Aden are in any hurry to go to Sunyshore for their last Badge. After everything that's happened, plus being in the calm tropics of the Resort Area, they decide to take as much time as they like just relaxing. This affords Pikki and Roark plenty of time for their first date as a couple, and then some. As happy as Pikki is to go out to dinner with Roark, or take walks along the beach and through the fancy villas, or even take another trip up Route 228 to hunt for more fossils, she doesn't want to leave Aden alone for too long.

More than once she's noticed him staring off into the distance, or sometimes at a pocket watch she's never seen him with before. After a few days pass and he's still sulking by himself, she decides to go talk to him. This time he's sitting on the beach, right in the sand. The sun sets behind him, and he seems to be watching the first twilight stars make their appearance in the east.

"Hey there," Pikki says, coming up behind him. "Mind if I sit?"

"Feel free," he tells her. "Where's Rock Boy?"

"Back at the house, playing with his new rocks."

Aden chuckles. "What a dork. You sure about him?"

"Mm... yeah, I'm sure."

She watches him smile out at the ocean. "That's a nice watch," she comments.

It dangles between his knees, where his arms are resting, from his fingertips. "Oh yeah," he says, like he forgot he was holding it. "You wanna see?" He hands it over.

"It's pretty." She holds it up in the last of the sunlight. "Diamonds?"

"Mm-hm. It was a gift from... you know."

"From Kalos?" Pikki dangles the pearl bracelet on her right wrist in Aden's direction as she hands the watch back.

"Yeah."

"Do you miss him?"

Aden sticks the watch back in his pocket where it belongs, staring into the distance again for a moment. "Kind of. I'm still not sure how to feel about the whole thing. It's complicated."

"It is. I know I got attached to him pretty quickly, but I'm still conflicted about everything. I keep thinking, why did I cry so much over him? I didn't really know him. Was it because I always wanted to find out who my dad is, and wanted to love him no matter what? I'm still not sure."

Aden hugs his knees to his chest. "The one I really miss, who I can't stop thinking about, is Fadia."

"Oh..." Pikki says softly. "I'm sorry."

He watches the waves lap lazily at the shore. "You know how I told you I might never bond with another Pokemon again? Well, I did. And she got taken from me too."

Pikki touches his shoulder with sympathy.

"Maybe I'm..." Aden pauses, struggling with the words. "Just not meant to have a partner. Can you honestly say I deserve one, after everything I've done?"

"What about Gyarados and your other Pokemon? What about Rosie? If anything, I think she'd be a perfect Ranger partner."

"I've already decided to set them free in Pastoria. Toxicroak came from there, and Gliscor would enjoy living in the Great Marsh, I think. And Gyarados in the sea. Maybe I'll even see them from time to time." He looks up at the emerging stars. "Except Torkoal. I'm thinking of sending her with Roark to put to work in the coal mine. She'll like that."

Pikki smiles. "That's a good idea. But you'll keep our dad's Flygon, right?"

"Right. I promised I'd take care of her, after all." He rests his chin on his arms folded atop his knees. "I just hope I won't fuck up."

"With Rosie? She's pretty tame, I don't think you could if you tried."

"I mean, as a Pastoria Ranger. I haven't wanted to go yet because I'm afraid I'll fuck up royally, and Wake will kick me out. And take Rosie just as soon as I get close to her, too."

Pikki squeezes his arm. "Wake wouldn't do that. If anything, Soledad will keep you in line if you screw up. They're your friends, they care about you, and they'll tell you if you do something wrong, rather than go to extremes like some people." She doesn't dare mention Joel's name.

"You really think so?" Aden tightens his body into a ball. "They don't actually know me. They don't know what I did to my dad. Will they still be my friends? Do I deserve any?"

"Aden... of course. Look how many people like you now. Riley, Roark, my mom... me. Candice too, I think. She sounded really worried about you that night."

He makes a dejected sound, staring out at the waves. "I pushed her away, didn't I? When I took back Regigigas and Regice, she told me to stay in town longer. I think she wanted me to come over later, alone. Instead I left first thing the next morning without saying goodbye. I feel shitty about it every time I remember."

Pikki sighs. "Oh, Aden... you big, dumb emo."

He scowls. "Should... should I fly back there and see her? That might be awkward. Maybe I should just call her?"

"Are you asking me for relationship advice?" Pikki gives him an incredulous look.

"Uhh... no? Maybe."

She laughs. "We'll figure out some way for you to make it up to her."

They sit quietly for the next few minutes. Aden swings his watch lightly between his knees again, then lifts it up to check the time. Pikki leans closer to see for herself. "We should head back and think about dinner," she suggests.

"Mm." Aden sounds almost reluctant to eat. "Still can't believe he had these ungodly expensive gifts made for us."

"Yeah..." Pikki turns her bracelet around slowly. "Hey... I don't think I ever told you..."

"What's that?"

"What I learned at the Canalave Library that day."

Aden tilts his head. "Huh?"

"The day you came to Byron's place. I spent hours researching everything I could about Giratina and where it comes from. It's called the Distortion World. It's a dimension that mirrors ours, except that time and space are distorted — basically, it's another plane of reality."

"Okay? How does anyone know that?"

"Because there are a few people who have crossed over into the Distortion World and come back to tell the tale. It's not hell, or the afterlife, or whatever. So I think our dad is alive there. I think he's completing some tasks for Arceus and Giratina, with Fadia keeping an eye on him. And when they're done, they'll come back to us. Both of them."

Aden gives her a long look. "You really believe that?"

Pikki nods. "The Shin'ai have a holy spot that's said to be a window that can look into the 'other side.' Many interpret this to mean a place to pray to the spirits of the dead, which is why the Johtonians named it Sendoff Spring. But others theorize it's referring to the Distortion World, the mirror dimension. This aligns better with the Shin'ai called it: Kankamito. Mirror Lake."

He closes his eyes with a smile. "Hmph. Well, your people were here first. I'm sure they know better."

She grins. "My mom and I are going to take a trip there soon and try to send a message to him. Would you like me to tell him anything for you? Or Fadia?"

Aden thinks about it for a long time. "Tell Fadia I miss her, but I understand if she has a job to do. I kept forgetting she's Arceus's special messenger."

Pikki nods. "I will."

"And tell him... tell our dad that I wish I could talk to him more. And that I wish I could follow that mysterious map with him. If he ever makes it back, I want to go on one of his trademark adventures together."

}{}{}{}{}{

From the front entrance of the Snowpoint Gym, Candice waves at the children who race outside, excited after their latest training lesson with her. She leans against the doorway with a small sigh. Things are back to normal in her tranquil city. The snow has mostly melted away, and there haven't been any more challengers to her Gym with the Tournament just days away. Summer rush is over. Maybe now she can focus on her personal life.

Parked beside the building is Roark's shabby pickup truck. She had it moved from the Spritzee-Carlton's parking lot when she went to check out on his behalf. It's an eyesore next to her icicle-adorned Gym, and every day she wonders when he'll come for it. He's going to need it to go back to work sooner or later. She'd call him if she didn't think he might be recovering from that unbelievable battle Aden described to her.

Loitering outside the Gym isn't doing any good, she decides. She goes back inside. It's time to gather up her apprentices and go over a few things before she heads off to Lily of the Valley Island for the Tournament.

She's in the middle of delegating daily tasks to everyone in the foyer when the Gym doors open. The small girl there catches her breath for only a second before sprinting ahead. "Candice!" she cries with a mixture of eagerness and relief.

"Well, hi, Maylene," Candice greets her. "What brings you—" She's cut off as her fellow Gym Leader flings her arms around her. She hugs the girl back tightly. "Nice to see you too."

"I heard about the temple," Maylene says, stepping back. "I wanted to make sure you're okay!"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Candice laughs lightly.

"I... I didn't know what happened exactly... if you had to battle the thief, or..." The younger Leader blushes.

Candice pats the top of her head. "No, I didn't have to battle him. But the thief was found, and Regigigas is back in its place. We're all fine." She looks over at her watching apprentices. "I think I covered just most everything, guys. You're dismissed."

After they disperse, Candice asks, "You came all this way just to see how I'm doing? You still have your cell phone, right?"

"The walk is good exercise," Maylene says feebly.

Candice doesn't miss the full duffel bag at her feet. "If you want to come to the Tournament with me, you can just say so."

"Oh, well, since I'm already here, can I stay until it's time?"

She laughs. "Sure, hon. We can have a slumber party." She turns to one of her assistants approaching with some paperwork.

Maylene's bashful smile fades. "So... whose truck is outside? Do you have another visitor?"

"Oh, that's Roark's," Candice says as she signs the documents.

Maylene bristles. "He's here?"

"No, he drove his girlfriend here so she could challenge me. Then they got involved in the temple fiasco, chased the guy into the mountains, and wound up in Canalave somehow. I don't know all the details." She keeps the summary vague while she flips through the paperwork. "He's on vacation anyway. He'll come for his truck when he's ready."

"Roark has a girlfriend?" Maylene asks, the only part of the story she cares about. "Good."

"Yes, and I expect to be thanked for helping them get together. Honestly, those two..."

No sooner does the assistant leave when the front doors open again. It's a delivery person holding a bundle wrapped in green cellophane and tied with a pink ribbon. "Got a delivery for Miss Candice Park of the Snowpoint Gym," he announces.

"Why, thank you," Candice says, signing yet another document he holds out for her. She's used to getting packages from fans and admirers. "Have a good day," she tells the man as he tips his cap to her.

"What's that?" Maylene asks, jealousy back in full force.

Candice sets the bundle on the front desk, unties the ribbon, and carefully pulls back the cellophane. She gasps. It's a lush bouquet of Gracidea in full bloom — a rare gift. "Oh... maybe Roark and Pikki are thanking me after all," she guesses. "How sweet."

"Wow," whispers Maylene, carefully touching a soft pink petal.

"There are so many! This must have cost a fortune." Candice turns the bouquet around, counting the flowers. Then she notices a small square envelope tucked inside the basket. She opens it to read the enclosed card, which has a typewritten message:

Thanks for flying with me all over the place, and everything else. I'm sorry I left town in a hurry, but I had a lot of stuff to take care of, and I was still messed up about Spear Pillar and what happened the night before. I hope you understand. Someday I'll come back and show you that four meats in the same hot pot is way tastier than one kind of meat with a bunch of cabbage and fungi, you plebeian. —Aden

"Aw..." Candice smiles, stroking one of the flowers. "I think that dumbass is trying to ask me out on a date."

"What?!" Maylene cries. "Who is it? Lemme see that card!" She grabs it to read the message. "Who's Aden? What happened, exactly?"

"It's a long story. Nothing to worry about." Candice tries to brush it off as no big deal, but she can't hide her grin.

"I'm not worried! I'll get hot pot with you right now, if that's what you want!"

Candice takes her hand. "Sounds good. You came all this way, let's get you some lunch. My treat."

"And you'll tell me the long story, right? Is this Aden guy being a pest? Do I have to fight him?" Maylene grips her hand protectively. "I'm gonna fight him."