The lab staff were sitting around having breakfast when a noise came from the entryway.

"Mother. We're lost. Let's just ask whoever's here for directions." A girl whined. "I'm sure we're not lost, and besides we don't know who's here. They could be more lost than we are." A woman's voice nagged. "Doubtful, they probably know more than the city they're in." A boys voice said glumly.

"No way!" "Pika!" Ash and Pikachu said running off towards the voices. "Who could make Ash so excited to leave breakfast?" Chloe asked. Goh shrugged his shoulders, piece of toast in his mouth.

"Lillie! Gladion! Lusamine!" Ash said running up to his friends. "Ash? Is that you!" Lillie exclaimed. Ash looked down, he was wearing a bright blue shirt, with some red shorts that didn't even make it to his knees. "Uhh, yeah. I guess I have a bit of explaining to do." Ash said a bit sheepishly. After explaining the events of putting on Lillie's Ultra Guardian outfit, Lusamine could barely contain her laughter. "Ash, maybe you all could help us." Gladion said sternly. "You're still looking for your dad right?" Ash asked. "Exactly, we found a photo of him taken recently in Fuschia City. But we couldn't find the quickest way there." Lillie said, a bit embarrassed.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. Goh and Chloe, how about you accompany them in their search, while we do what we can from here." Professor Cerise said.

"Alright Golurk, you're up!" Goh said, sending out his Pokémon.

"Charizard! Dragonite! You too!" Ash said, tossing up two pokeballs.

With that, the six of them were off. "So Ash, how have you been?" Lillie asked, holding onto him. "I've been good, how's life at sea?" Ash asked. "While I'm excited we've had leads to father, I'm glad to be on land. Gladion tends to get a bit queasy on long rides." Lillie said honestly.

"Surely, this can't be safe. There's no way that these are all trained and registered Ride Pokemon!" Lusamine said hanging onto Dragonite for dear life. "Relax Miss Lusamine, Dragonite here is a sweetheart, he'd never think of dropping us." Chloe said reassuringly. "Why doesn't that calm me down!" Lusamine screamed.

"So, not much of a talker, are you?" Goh asked Gladion. Gladion simply grunted in response, deep in thought.

"So the photo looks like he's at a research station in the Safari Zone." Ash said looking at it. "So we should head there to find father?" Lillie asked. "Not exactly, he was there, but if we want to cover all leads we should also check with the Warden and the owner." Ash said counting off fingers. "How about I go with Lusamine to check in the safari zone." Goh offered. "Chloe and I could talk to the warden." Lillie offered. "I guess it's me and you talking to the owner. Huh Gladion?" Ash said with a smile. "Looks like it." Gladion said following Ash.

"Safari Balls go!" Goh shouted throwing two safari balls at the Pokémon in front of him. "Goh, please stay focused." Lusamine said calmly. "I know, just Kangaskahn and Chansey are really rare." Goh said apologetically. "There's still four more stations we need to check." Lusamine said looking at the map they were given.

"So Lillie, can i ask you a question?" Chloe asked. "Of course, what's up?" Lillie said happily. "Gladion, he's your brother right?" Chloe asked. "Oh Gladion, yes he's such a good brother. Always looked out for me growing up." Lillie said still happily. "Well, do you know if he's seeing anyone?" Chloe asked, a bit embarrassed. "Chloe! You barely know him!" Lillie said shocked. "I'm still allowed to think he's cute!" Chloe shouted back. Lillie broke down in a fit of laughter. "I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting that question. I don't know." Lillie said after calming down finally.

"Hey Ash, can I talk to you. Just between us?" Gladion said more than asked. "Of course. What's up?" Ash asked turning towards Gladion. "I'm worried, it's been so long since we saw our dad, and let's say we do find him, what do I even say?" Gladion said confused. "Look there are days that if I ever saw my dad again, I'd want to tell him about everything I've done, and then there are days that I'd want him to pay for all the pain and suffering he caused us. But my situation is different, my dad walked out when I was 4, yours just disappeared into a wormhole." Ash said seriously. "I'm sorry, I didn't know that your dad…". Gladion started, not sure how to end. "It's not something I talk about. It's a rough subject." Ash said looking down.

"Safari balls go!" Goh shouted throwing some at the charging pokemon. They hit their targets capturing a Ryhorn, Nidorino, and Nidorina. "Thank you Goh." Lusamine said dusting herself off. "Come on I see the 3rd cabin just up ahead." Goh said, picking up the pokeballs. "Why they have wild Pokémon, but don't allow you to bring any to defend yourself here is beyond me." Lusamine said following just behind.

"Halt intruders!" A girls voice called out. "Seriously! We went through the main doors, we aren't intruders!" Ash called out. "The gym is closed today. No one should be able to get in." A boys voice said from behind them. "We just need to ask some questions." Gladion said offensively. "Likely story. Nidoking stop the intruders!" The girl called out. "Gigalith stop it with Iron Defense!" Ash said, calling out his Gigalith. The Nidoking hit Gigalith hard, but didn't move it an inch. "Now Nidoqueen attack them while they're distracted!" The boys voice called out. "Silvally stop them with MultiAttack!" Gladion said tossing the Psychic Memory to Silvally. "You call us intruders, yet you attack us unprovoked from the shadows." Gladion said. "Let's show them who they're messing with." Ash said with a smirk.

"Silvally send Nidoking flying with an Aerial Ace!"

"Gigalith keep Nidoqueen at bay with a Heavy Slam!

The two Pokémon switched opponents throwing them off balance before being knocked out in a single attack.

"We just want to speak with Koga! We didn't want to fight you!" Ash yelled. A girl came out from the shadows. "Koga isn't here. He's meeting with the Pokémon League. If you want a gym battle you can fight me." The girl said. "We just want to talk with him about the safari zone. No need for a gym battle." Gladion said. "Sorry, I can't help with that." The girl said. "Also if the gym is closed try locking the door after we leave." Ash said helpfully.

"I can't believe the warden was no help." Chloe said defeated. "Perhaps mother or Gladion had some luck." Lillie said hopefully. "Not such luck on our end either." Ash said, as he and Gladion came walking up. "The owner is out of town at the moment." Gladion said angrily. "Hey Goh looks happy. Maybe he found father." Lillie said seeing Goh walking up. "Nope he's holding pokeballs, he's happy from catches." Ash said. "So that's it, another dead lead." Gladion said punching the table. "Gladion calm down. We'll find him. We can use Magearna and follow the light again." Lusamine said calmly. "For now let's get lunch, and then we can head back." Ash said grabbing a menu.

After the meal, Lusamine pulled aside their waiter. "If it isn't to much trouble I'd like to personally thank the chef. The meal was fantastic." Lusamine said delighted. "Of course ma'am. Just a moment." The waiter said heading to the kitchens.

"So I heard you all enjoyed my food." A mans voice said jovially. "Yes, and I…". Lusamine turned and was silent. "Mohn?" Lusamine asked shocked seeing the man in front of her. "Lusi, is that really you?" Mohn asked, almost snapping out of a daze. "Father!" Lillie said running up and hugging him. "Dad." Gladion said happily hugging the man. "Princess, Gladion, what happened?" Mohn said confused. "Don't you remember, you were sucked into an Ultra Wormhole." Lusamine said concerned. "It's a bit fuzzy, but I remember you all being younger, and less kids." Mohn said looking to Ash, Goh, and Chloe. "Oh we're just friends helping out." Ash said pointing to himself, Goh and Chloe. "Mohn, it's been almost 10 years." Lusamine said.

On the way back to Vermillion, Mohn was filled in on what he missed. The lane had walked the Aether family to the dock to see them off. "Mother, father. Gladion and I have been talking." Lillie said stopping in her tracks. "Is everything alright Lillie?" Lusamine asked concerned. "We're glad we found dad, but we would like to stay here in Kanto for a few days, before heading back. Give you two some alone time." Gladion said emotionless. "Professor Cerise said we were welcome to stay, and it would only be for a week or two." Lillie said. "Are you kids sure?" Mohn asked. "Yes! I think it would be good for us to spend some time on dry land. It's been a while since then, and it would be nice to be in one spot for a bit." Lillie said almost a bit too forcefully. "I can't stop you two from doing what you want, but two weeks tops. Then I want you back home." Lusamine said. "Of course Mom, now enjoy being with dad." Gladion said.

"Oh wait, I almost forgot!" Lillie said fumbling with her Z-Ring. "Dad this is yours. I promised I'd give it back when we found you." Lillie said holding it out. "And this." Lillie said holding a Cherish ball. "It holds Magearna, we found it safer to keep it in a pokeball. "I guess I should give back Zoroark as well." Gladion said reaching for its pokeball. "Keep them. All of them." Mohn said with a smile. "Knowing you kids are using them as best as you can is more than enough for me to know they are where they belong."