Klefki Prison lays to the south of Parlor Town, on a barren and desolate island surrounded by jagged rocks and rapid currents. The only way to get in and out of the Prison is either by Helicopter or on the backs of Flying Pokémon. Not a single person has made it out of the walls of Klefki Prison and lived to talk about it. They are either found and apprehended again, or try to make a dive into the bitterly cold sea surrounding the island and either get swallowed by the currents or smashed on the rocks. This makes Klefki the strongest penitentiary in all of the world. And the only place to house those that society has deemed too dangerous to be reentered into it.

Knowing these facts, Ryan wondered as he flew alongside his cousin, why on earth his cousin could possibly rely on someone that's been imprisoned here could possibly help them fight the Syndicate. Or would actually help them. Quite a few people that had been sentenced to time in Klefki in the last 30 or so years had been sent in by the Kingstons, chiefly James and Michael during their tenures as Champion. Nevertheless, he kept to himself as he and his cousin landed just outside of the entrance to the prison. Michael climbed off of Rhaegar and recalled his Dragonite into his Poké Ball and waited for Ryan, who nervously put Marahute back inside her own Poké Ball, fidgety at the very idea of being in the presence of this prison, let alone soon to be in the presence of one of these supremely dangerous individuals.

"Relax" Michael told his cousin.

"It's easier to say than it is to do" Ryan remarked. "This place gives me the creeps."

"Klefki Prison is the most secure prison in this part of the world, Ryan" Michael insisted. "There isn't anything to worry about, here."

"Is it true what they say about this place?" Ryan asked his cousin. "That the Klefki that haunt the walls of this place-"

"Are the souls of those who have attempted to flee, forever bound to the prison that they were so desperate to escape from?" Michael concluded, causing his cousin to jump up, completely startled. The Champion sighed at Ryan's timidity. "No, of course it's not true. It's just a ghost story they tell kids like you to eat your vegetables."

"Are you sure?" Ryan asked.

"Maybe I should hurl you into the rocks below and we'll find out?" Michael joked.

"THAT'S NOT FUNNY!" Ryan yelled.

"I think it is" Michael snickered. "Now, come on. It looks like it could rain here at any second." Ryan took a deep breath and followed his cousin into the massive correctional facility, still unsure who his cousin was planning on recruiting to their cause.

{Meanwhile}

While they continued to monitor Jocelyn in her bedroom as well as complete their work with the Syndicate's secrets, Amanda and Julia return to the Computer Room to see if there was anything else important that their friends and loved ones would need to know regarding the plans of their mortal enemies. The two women log into their computers and resume their work, compiling as much data as they could to send it in one large dump to the Kingstons as they prepared for the fight of their lives.

Amanda resumed trying to access the Sealed File that Jocelyn had sent them while using her "Deep Jade" codename, but it continually demanded a password from them that they simply did not have. Part of her wondered if they would ever come across what they needed to gain full and complete access to whatever laid inside. There had to be something in there, something that only the eyes of those in the Syndicate were supposed to see.

Julia was doing all in her power to avoid a conversation about Michael and her relationship. She continued to immerse herself in the boundaries of their work, unwilling to face the clear realities that were coming for her. She once more worked on assembling the complete and total package of data that Jocelyn had sent them into one giant collective to send to any and all Kingstons who might need it. But, like with Amanda, she couldn't help but feel that there was something missing. Some loose end that hadn't been uncovered yet. But with Jocelyn out of commission and the battle with the Syndicate looming in just over 24 hours, they were running out of time.

"I have a crazy idea, Professor" Amanda suggested.

"What would that be?" Julia asked.

"There might be a way for us to get into this Sealed File without the need of Jocelyn or some other person" she theorized. "Let me see if my theory holds water, though." She went into an enhanced view of the Sealed File to learn all that she could about it. Sure enough, it revealed a few things about it, including it's size, date of origin and most importantly, where it had originated. "Aha!"

"You found something?" Julia asked.

"This file wasn't sealed by the Syndicate" Amanda explained. "It was sealed by it's original owner."

"Original owner?"

"That means whoever owned this file, the Syndicate stole from" Amanda hypothesized.

Julia thought for a moment. "But that could mean it could come from anywhere, Amanda."

"Not exactly. The file originated in the Kanto Region."

"Kanto?"

"And throughout all of Kanto" Amanda concluded, "there's only one place of business that would use Sealed Files to protect their intellectual properties: The Silph Co."

"The Silph Co." Julia repeated. "But I don't understand, what could the Syndicate possibly gain from the Silph Co.? Giovanni tried and failed to take them over years ago."

"It may not have been for a group effort though" Amanda suggested.

"What do you mean?" Julia asked.

"This may have been a part of someone's personal project" she reasoned. "And the Silph Co. is best known for creating a lot of the basic tools we use to catch and house Pokémon, namely Poké Balls."

"And?"

"Who in the Syndicate was best known for trying to poach Wild Pokémon?"

"Hunter" Julia answered. "But that's still leaving a few blanks for us to fill out, like how to actually get into the file."

Amanda puzzled over their situation. "There's got to be some kind of way to get into this file."

"It was a valiant effort, Amanda" Julia proclaimed, "but without a proper password to get in, we're sunk on this one."

"Let's try this one: Saffron Silph Secure. Nope."

"Amanda, are you just guessing passwords?"

"My uncle worked for the Johto Branch of the Silph Co." Amanda explained. "And those three words were basically the passwords for everything they used."

"Amanda, that was years ago-"

"Saffron Secure Silph? No."

Julia laughed to herself. "You're gonna run out of options at some point."

"Silph Saffron Secure? No. Secure Saffron Silph?" As if by a stroke of the gods, the file began to load. Amanda put her hands confidently behind her back. "I am a genius."

"And luck shines on us again" Julia cheered.

The file slowly loaded in place what appeared to be the replicative formula for the creation of a prototype Poké Ball. But this one was not like other Poké Balls. This was different. They weren't quite sure what to make of it, but there seemed to be something particularly powerful about this one. The technology in this Poké Ball was far superior to the ones they were selling throughout Arcana and the rest of the world.

"A Poké Ball that has 0% chance of failure?" Amanda inquired. "Hunter would have a field day if he had accessed this."

"What's to say he hasn't?" Julia worried.

"The file hasn't been opened since it was seized" Amanda pointed out. "Until today, that is."

"We need to send this to the others" Julia insisted. "Even though a part of me thinks sending this out anywhere may constitute a felony."

"If the Syndicate stole it first, we should be in the clear."

Julia nodded. "Copy the contents and send them in a separate file to me so I can add it into the database."

Amanda happily acquiesced. "No problem."

"You have certainly shown your true colors, Amanda" Julia told her protégé. "In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if you one day get your own Pokémon Lab to run."

Amanda paused. "But, I like being your protégé."

"The unfortunate thing about our world, Amanda" Julia said sadly, as she got back to her own work: "Nothing lasts forever."

{Meanwhile}

"Are you sure the kid can handle himself?" the jailor asked Michael about Ryan. "He seems a bit fidgety."

"We all have to grow up at some point" Michael told the guard, putting his hand on his cousin's shoulder. "Besides, one day, it may be this one coming in to check on a prisoner."

Ryan gulped. Hopefully not in this lifetime.

"Well, the cell's just up ahead" the guard informed them, "Just have to warn you, though. She's gone a little loco since coming here."

"Hopefully it's the good kind" Michael said bluntly.

"She?" Ryan asked. "I thought we were getting a criminal."

"Women can commit crimes too, Ryan" Michael insisted. "Some, more heinous than the ones men do." He looked at his shivering cousin. "You need to calm down, Ryan. Nothing is going to happen here."

"I can't help being freaked out by being in a place like this" Ryan insisted. "I wish I could be like you. You're not afraid of anything."

Michael smiled sadly. "I wish that were true, but even Champs like me have fears."

"Like what?"

"I think our special friend here will be able to fill you in when we meet her" Michael replied, walking in front of Ryan while the boy followed, tightly holding onto his cousin's jacket. The boy was clearly not prepared to deal with what lied in the darkness, but even more concerned that there could be anything that Michael would be afraid of. But most of all, that Michael felt that the only way they could win would be by him going into Klefki Prison to face his fears. What could he possibly be afraid of?

The thick metal doors pushed open and Ryan and Michael walked into a containment cell, where a prisoner would be placed if they were too dangerous to be trusted with anything else. Ryan saw that in this poorly lit containment cell, there was a woman in torn up clothes and a crazed look in her eyes sitting as if in a fetal position on a poorly tended to mattress. It took Ryan all too long to realize exactly who Michael had turned to in this dark hour.

The woman eyed the two for a moment, as if she hadn't seen people besides her jailor in some time. But her cold eyes were soon replaced by a sinister laugh. "Well, well, well. Look who finally came to visit. The illustrious Champion has graced this humbled prisoner with his presence." She looked him over, as if sizing him up. "You've certainly grown into quite the man, Michael. Wouldn't your Grandfather be proud?"

"Champions like us have to slum it, every now and then" Michael responded coldly. "Although I will say, I do prefer you in Prison Orange than that nonsense outfit you wore ten years ago, Giselle."

Giselle? Ryan gulped. Like, that Giselle? The evil Giselle? Still hiding behind his cousin, Ryan looked at the woman that would have been a Queen of Arcana. She was certainly better looking than Ryan could have thought, but her demeanor was more in line with a rabid beast than it was a refined dictator. She had long ago been forced to shave her gorgeous and wavy black hair, which thanks to the humidity of her prison room, was now frizzed and tangled like a decrepit mop. But even a twelve year old boy like Ryan could tell that what drew boys to her was her haunting brown eyes that appeared welcoming, as if she were a Carnivine luring in it's prey.

Giselle rose from her bed and walked over to the glass. "Ten years. It's really been that long?"

"Closer to eleven" Michael grinned. "But who's counting."

"You're really proud of yourself" Giselle sneered. "That Kingston arrogance always gets you in the end." She spied Ryan behind Michael and snickered. "Come on out, boy. I don't bite, often." Ryan peered around his cousin at her, but quickly kept on hiding. Giselle shrugged. "You know, considering how frumpy she used to be, I find it amazing that you and Julia could manage to make such a handsome young son."

"He's not my son" Michael told her.

"I know that" she answered. "I will admit though. It is amazing that you've managed to stick to Julia all this time."

"And why's that?"

"Let's face it" Giselle answered defiantly, "she's a bookworm and you're a jock. She's a scientist and you're a meathead. She has the brains to carry her places, you have the name that carries you. She's a homebody, and you have definitely grown beyond that bratty twerp you used to be." She whistled a cat call. "You're definitely way out of her league. A stud like you shouldn't be with a stump like her. You two have as much compatibility as a Krabby in a Volcano. But hey, I guess it's not too awful for you. I hear Piper's become quite the catch, so I guess when Julia's bored of you, you can rebound with her cousin."

"I didn't know you were so concerned with my love life, Giselle" Michael replied. "Still missing what you could have had if it weren't for your heart being a miserable black hole?"

Giselle snickered. "I do miss these conversations we used to have, but I have to assume that you didn't come here just to reconnect about our good old days. So, let me cut to the chase. What do you want?"

Michael shrugged. "Fine, we'll play it your way. I have a proposition for you."

"Oh really?" Giselle said, turning her back to the two of them. "And what would that be?"

"It all depends on what you can offer" Michael told her.

"Ah, we're playing the negotiation game" Giselle smirked. "I beg your pardon, but I don't think you played fair the last time we played this."

"I evened the playing field between us" Michael insisted. "You threatened to kill Maria Pines and I had Chris and Cam reveal all that information about you and expose you for the lying witch you are."

Giselle smiled, though it was a phony smile that even Ryan could see through. She was seething. "What task, oh mighty champion, could I, a humble servant incarcerated here, offer to you?"

"We've dug your friends out of hiding" Michael told her. "The Syndicate is fled all the way to Mt. Heatmor."

"Ah, the base at Mt. Heatmor" Giselle recalled. "Be careful now, that one's a fortress. Much bigger than it was when your Grandfather was running the show. I wouldn't be surprised if it had a few more bells and whistles about it, too."

"And that's why I'm here" Michael said bitterly. "To get what I can from you. And if you can offer me something worthwhile, I might be able to commute your prison sentence."

Giselle raised an eyebrow. "Me? You're going to offer me a chance to limit my time here? Wow, you must really be desperate."

"So far" Michael continued, "you're the only Syndicate Admin that's had to answer for their crimes. Part of me thinks that isn't fair to you. Especially considering how well your relationship with Elezar and Cassius went. Didn't they leave you out to dry when I came back?"

"Why should I blame them? Maybe I sympathize with them?"

"You're a terrible liar, Giselle" Michael told her. "I only wish I could have seen it when I was younger."

"A boy's mind can be so easily manipulated" Giselle said, glancing back at Ryan. "I told you I don't bite, kid. It's kind of rude of you to not even show yourself to me." Ryan gulped and walked to stand next to his cousin. "There we are. That's much better. And you are, wait don't tell me. You're Doug's kid?"

"Robert's" Michael answered.

"Does a boy have a name?" Giselle inquired.

"Ryan" Ryan replied nervously.

"Ryan" Giselle repeated. "Are you sure he's not your son, Michael?"

"Can we get back to the point, Giselle?" Michael snarled.

"Touchy" she said. "Alright, what do you want to know?"

"Everything you know."

Giselle sighed. "Everything? But then, will I receive everything in return? Because I believe that's the only fair trade."

Michael folded his arms. "These are the terms of my deal. You agree to it in full, or you can spend the rest of your days here, dreaming of a revenge that may never come."

"It may come" she said mischievously. "You are here, after all."

"You don't want revenge on me" Michael said confidently.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Want to know how I know?" Michael asked. "Because you know that you shouldn't have been the only one to go to prison for what happened, but Elezar and Cassius both threw you under the bus and fled for parts unknown. Now, they're back and at seemingly full strength and not once have they even considered releasing you from prison."

"Maybe they didn't have the time" Giselle suggested.

"They ruled Arcana by themselves for over two weeks" Michael told her. "We were out of commission for a little bit. And in that time, Elezar and Cassius thought it would be better of them to kidnaps kids off the streets and assume takeovers of ArcTV instead of freeing one of their supposedly staunch allies. They left you in here for a full decade without even giving you a second thought."

Giselle snarled and punched at the containment chamber, causing a small crack in it. The guards at the door were eager to rush in and sedate her, but Michael waved them off. Giselle looked at her fist and slowly began to calm back down. "Okay, fine. You got me. I'd like nothing more than to wring Elezar's scrawny little neck for locking me in here. But what chance would I have of that unless you get him into Klefki with me? Is that the jist of it?"

"I was thinking something different" Michael revealed. "If you give me the bare minimum of what I want, I'll shave ten years off your sentence. If you give me half of what I want, I'll knock your sentence in half. But if you give me all that I want, including support in getting into the Base at Mt. Heatmor, I'll give you both of your heart's greatest desires. Revenge and Total Freedom."

Ryan gasped. "What are you doing?" he whispered to his cousin.

"Making sure Arcana is safe for a generation" Michael told the boy.

Giselle's eyes lit up at the proposition. "I'd be free to go? Completely?"

"If you meet my terms" Michael told her, "The Warden will release you into my custody until the Syndicate Base is ours and we've taken down Elezar and all his flunkies. And when we're done, you're free to go wherever you want. Free as a bird. No strings attached. Do we have a deal?"

Giselle laughed devilishly. "You really are desperate, Michael." She folded her arms. "Will I get access to my Pokémon?"

"Three" Michael told her. "That's all the Warden will let you have until you're free to go."

"Do I get to choose?"

"Liepard, Haxorus, Aerodactyl" Michael told her bluntly. "I'm not letting you use your Gothitelle to put anyone under a trance so you can get away."

"But you trust me to have my Haxorus?" Giselle asked slyly.

"Rhaegar has only gotten stronger since he blasted you out of the skies of Titanio City, Giselle" Michael assured her. "I'm not afraid."

Giselle stood and pondered for a moment. "I won't get pardoned for my actions?"

"No" Michael told her bluntly. "You're going to have to live with those forever."

Giselle sighed. "Very well. I accept. But I'm not doing any more than I have to."

"I expect nothing less" Michael replied.

"On one condition" Giselle insisted. "You leave Elezar to me. He's mine!"

Michael shrugged. "Fine by me." He waved over the Guard, who reluctantly unlocked the cell doors. Ryan once again clung to his cousin as the guard walked over to Giselle to handcuff her. She willingly allowed them to do so, but paused when she saw them attaching something to her ankle. She looked at Michael with discontent. Michael eyed her with his own wicked humor. "You didn't expect me to let you just wander off on you own, did you?"

Giselle grumbled underneath her breath as the tracking device was placed on her ankle. "And if I run off?"

"I press that button and you lose your leg" Michael told her. "I don't trust you, Giselle. Are we clear on that front?"

She winked. "I'd have it no other way, Mikey." She winked as the guard led her out to collect her Pokémon.

Ryan looked up to his cousin. "Are you sure about this?"

"No" Michael honestly told him. "But without her, we're going into that Base completely blind. Sometimes, the enemy of my enemy is a friend. Giselle has more reason to hate Elezar than any of us."

Ryan frowned. "So long as she helps us find Addy, I guess I can deal with her."

Michael put his arm around the boy. "Don't worry, kiddo. We'll find Addy." With that, the two followed the guards and Giselle out of the Prison Cell.

{Meanwhile}

Alone in his chambers in the Syndicate Base on Mt. Heatmor, Matthew watched as his Pokémon sparred with one another. Knowing he would have to be in his best shape to take on the Elite Four and Michael should they come up to him, he knew he would have to up the power of his Pokémon. With their attack imminent, he knew he would have to keep them in their best condition to battle on his behalf. He stood on the observation deck as he pit his Flareon against his Hitmonchan, his Alakazam against his Feraligatr and his Steelix against his Noivern.

I'll show them all, I'm not afraid of Michael! I'll take him down. And Chris and Cam and anyone who dares to stand in my way! And especially Ryan. If he thinks he's going to come in here and be the hero, he's forgetting who the real hero is!

A figure walked beside him and wrapped her arm around his. In a voice that was almost in a complete hypnotic trance, she spoke to him the words he always wanted to hear from her. "You are the hero in my life, Matthew. I know you will save me from the evil."

Matthew leaned up to his 'honored guest' and kissed her on the cheek. "I know, Addy. And I'll protect you from the evil men who want to take you from me." He looked to her face her. Decked out in the same clothing she had been Trickton, Addison now stood beside him, in the appearance of a blushing bride. While Holly's eyes had been a pale pink color, Addison's were the color of blood and the brand on her arm was in full display to show that she was truly his and no one else's. And no one would ever take her away from him. Not Michael and especially not Ryan.

{Meanwhile}

As the time drew nearer for the coming attack on the Syndicate, Michael's team all spread out across the ranch to better prepare themselves for the battle that was looming ahead. The ArcResistance Team was completing their final video before the coming war with the Syndicate, while Corey completed the final preparations he needed to make on his ES Devices. After they had finished, the three friends simply sat on the front steps of the Ranch with each other, wondering exactly what the future had in store for them. To the surprise of many, Giselle spent most of this time simply being in the presence of her Pokémon, her Liepard in particular. She lovingly embraced the Dark Pokémon, surprising many at the Ranch with the idea that she had a heart inside of her. Despite drawing the critical ire of the rest of the Elite Four, she generally kept to herself and was surprisingly tame while with her only true friends she had in the world.

Mark and Lizzie made calls to their friends and loved ones back in Kanto and Hoenn. Mark learned that his older brother had been putting off his wedding until Mark could one day come home and be there to celebrate it with him. Mark wept at the thought of returning home and promised them that he would be there to see them soon. Lizzie spoke with her Grandmother, who had since begun to show signs that she was eager to retire to the coast of Hoenn and perhaps pass the reins of the Pokémon Day Care Center outside of Mauville City to her. Lizzie admitted she longed to be home, promising her Grandmother that she would be back in Hoenn sooner than she thinks. After they had made their calls to their loved ones, the two sat and comforted one another over their longings to be with their families, with both wondering if they would indeed ever see them again.

Michael, Chris, Cameron and Piper spent the rest of the day together, traveling down to the Parlor Beach to get some much needed leisure time with themselves and their Pokémon. The four played Volleyball and Bocce with one another until the boys took themselves into the water to get some swimming in, while Cameron and Piper watched on, content to be sun tanning on such a fine day. As the sun set nearby, three of the four decided to go back to the Ranch to get some sleep, but Michael lingered for a moment, watching what might very well be the last sunset he would ever see. He could feel that without Celebi's presence, he was more likely prone to succumb to the power of the Crimson Fury. But it didn't matter to him, so long as he stopped Elezar from harming anyone else and that he gave the people he cared about one last chance to enjoy their lives, he didn't care what happened to him in the end. His thoughts turned to Julia, hoping she was doing well wherever she was. When Piper came to check on him, Michael walked back with her to the Ranch.

Ryan and Tommy played some video games and spent some time with their Pokémon, encouraging them for the major battle that was coming. While most of Ryan's Pokémon seemed to understand, Achilles was still feeling inadequate and lonely since Galatea and Addison had disappeared. He embraced the Gallade, promising both he and the Pokémon that they would find Addison again. Tommy would also suffer from moments of doubt over Holly, as despite her surgery having already taken place, he had heard nothing from his parents about his big sister's condition. But the two boys found small joys in each other's company and stayed that way until Tommy fell asleep on the bunk bed that Ryan and Matthew had used to share.

Ryan, however, found himself unable to sleep and took himself over to the Ranch to see if anyone else was having the same sleeping problems he was. Sure enough, out on the field where Michael's Pokémon were, he found his cousin trying to figure out who, alongside Rhaegar, he would be taking with him on this ultimate battle for the freedom of all of Arcana. Ryan watched as the Champion called over his Blastoise and pet him gently, before sending him over towards Rhaegar's side. With dozens of Pokémon eager to join Michael on his quest, he seemed spoiled for choice.

Ryan hopped the fence and made his way over to join Michael. Rhaegar noticed him and sniffed in his direction, before grunting approvingly. Ryan made his way to the stoop and sat and watched Michael meticulously pick each of his Pokémon carefully.

"Marnie? Where's Marnie?" He then turned to see a large black and grey creature lumbering her way over to see him. "So, Marnie? What do you say about helping me kick some bad guy butt?" The Obstagoon barked in delight and hurried over to see her friends. Michael then called over his Nidoking, Rhino, who was sharpening his horn on a nearby tree. The Poison/Ground Pokémon hobbled his way over and let his trainer pet him, with Michael doing his best to avoid the poisonous barbs all over his body. "Say, Rhino, you ready to go save the world?" The Nidoking nodded and stomped his way over towards the rest of the team.

Michael seemed stumped over who his next Pokémon would be. He looked through all of them carefully, but couldn't find himself picking a Pokémon he was content with that was out here. Michael then whistled out into the evening. Ryan observed as the hulking beast of his Arcanine trotted over and licked him happily, Ryan thought he could see his cousin whisper something to the Fire Pokémon, who nuzzled him and made his way over towards the rest of the team. Before Ryan could guess who the sixth Pokémon would be, Aether, the Espeon and father of the litter of Eevees Ryan and his friends had all gotten theirs from, walked right past him and up to Michael and scratched at his leg.

Michael picked up the Espeon into his arms. "Are you jealous that Mufasa's going on this trip and not you?" The Espeon sneezed in his face. Michael wiped himself off and shrugged. "Well, I could use a sixth, Aether. How about you?" The Espeon leaped for joy and ran over to the rest of the team. Mufasa sniffed at him playfully, while Rhaegar did his best to stand out from the others. Michael gathered all of his six Pokémon into a huddle.

"Listen, you guys" he told them. "This is going to be the toughest fight we've had yet. I just want to make sure you guys are all ready for this. Because I'm going to need you guys to be at your best." All six Pokémon nodded proudly to him, causing their trainer to smile. "Alright then. Away you go!" He then lobbed Poké Balls at all six of them, before picking them up and adding all six to his team. He then spotted Ryan observing him. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"I couldn't sleep" he admitted. "I'm glad I'm not the only one."

"Still, you should try" Michael suggested.

"Shouldn't you, too?"

"I feel like I've slept most of my life, Ryan" he said, strangely emotionally. "I feel like I'm awake for the first time in years. Like, I finally have a reason to stand and fight these people who have ruined my life."

Ryan frowned. "Oh."

Michael waved it off. "Nah, don't worry about it. That's just me getting a little reflective."

"Do you know why Julia hasn't been here?" Ryan asked.

Michael paused, before shrugging. "She must have other things to do."

"I was just curious" Ryan said. "She helped us out before, but it's strange that now she won't."

"She's probably busy" Michael said sharply. "I don't think we should dwell on it."

Getting the point, Ryan then decided to ask his cousin the final fear that was on his mind. "Mike? There's something I want to ask you, but I'm afraid of the answer I might get."

"You're afraid it's going to make me upset?"

"No" Ryan insisted. "I'm just afraid of knowing what the answer might be."

Michael sighed. "You may as well just ask, Ry."

"What's going to happen after this?"

Michael had clearly not been anticipating that question and became very quiet for a long while. Ryan watched as his cousin tried to in his best words explain what could very well happen after this, but the Champion seemed defeated. "Ryan? I just don't know. I wish I had an answer for you, kid. But I just don't. Because I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow." He laughed sadly. "It's strange. I don't know if I'm afraid I know what it's going to be and don't want to admit it, or if I'm afraid because I truly don't know what it is."

"Because I'm afraid, Mike" Ryan admitted. "I'm really scared."

Michael put his arm around his cousin. "Then we'll just have to look out for each other. And then, once I get you and Addy back together, things will be back to the way they're meant to be."

Ryan looked up to his cousin. "Can we do the same for you and Julia?"

Michael closed his eyes and Ryan watched as a single tear fell from his right eye. "I wish you could, Ry. I wish you could." The two then sat out in the peaceful night skies, knowing all too well that this would very likely be the last time they could ever do this. Because tomorrow evening, they would fly to Mt. Heatmor. And war.