Ace flinched at Paul's accusation. Kenny's and Conway's jaws dropped in unison like twin Exploud. Aaron and I leaped into action.

My boots plodded on the Pokémon Center's polished floor as I marched toward the young Frontier Brain. "You diddling, dumbfounding, daringly rude—ugh!" I grabbed Paul's wrist and dragged him outside, the others following close behind. "Piplup, use Bubble Beam on Electivire!"

Electivire raised one large hand to block the sharp stream of bubbles. When Piplup saw that he'd barely done any damage, he burst into a furious frenzy.

Since all of Aaron's Pokémon were with Nurse Joy, he went for a direct attack. He grabbed Paul by his ugly jacket and raised his fist.

Ace grabbed Aaron's arm before the Elite Four member could hit Paul. "That won't solve anything. We're Pokémon trainers; we settle scores with Pokémon battles."

Paul shrugged Aaron away from him. "Ace is right. Besides, I wasn't done talking."

We waited for him to speak. Paul fixed the collar of his jacket with a crisp flick of his wrists before continuing, "Ace's reputation may have taken an utter nosedive, but we can fix this. Cynthia and Steven are willing to help, too."

Kenny blinked. "Steven wants to help? He argued with Cynthia a lot during Ace and Aaron's battle. He was the only one in our group who suspected them of foul play."

"Even weirder," I added, jabbing my finger into Paul's chest, "you want to help?"

Paul raised his chin. "I'm a Frontier Brain. I challenge trainers to work with their Pokémon in a co-op trial. I know what good teamwork looks like. I never suspected Aaron or Ace."

"I never suspected them, either," Steven said, walking toward us. In his ruby-and-sapphire-adorned suit and wearing a mega ring as a brooch, he was practically Hearthome City's poster boy. He held his hand out to Ace, who shook it. "I apologize if my comments were unfriendly. I only stated facts; I could hear the whispers behind your backs, but I'll do everything in my power to clear your name."

"How?" Aaron demanded, ignoring Steven's hand. "How do you plan to take responsibility?"

The tail of Cynthia's coat blew as she strode toward the centre of the city, which was marked by a tall fountain. "By hosting another exhibition battle. It would be in a tag team format, so the two of you will battle alongside each other against two more of Sinnoh's strongest trainers. They'll be people that you couldn't have planned with ahead of time." She sent out a magnificent Braviary, who perched at the fountain's head. "If you can show to the world that you can hold your own against them, then it'll break most suspicions."

Aaron jogged to catch up to her. "Who would we ask?"

Cynthia whirled around on her stiletto heel to face him. "Hearthome City is the heart of Sinnoh. It is our crossroads. I plan to travel east and speak to Maylene and Volkner. Steven has offered to fly north on his Skarmory, who won't be as affected by the cold. That leaves Roark in Oreburgh, Gardenia in Eterna, Byron in Canalave, and Crasher Wake in Pastoria."

Conway's hand shot up. "I call dibs on Pastoria City." He chuckled as he adjusted his glasses. "It's the closest city to Hearthome. Also, there's a mansion on the way, so Sigilyph can frighten some unsuspecting rich people."

I could call him lazy, but in a roundabout way, he volunteered to help. I smiled at him. "Go scare the hats and frills off those rich people."

Conway beamed, his smile reaching his eyes. "As the lady wishes."

"Then Togekiss can fly me over Mount Coronet to reach the gym leaders in Western Sinnoh."

Kenny latched onto my elbow. "I'm coming, too."

"So will I," Aaron declared. He glanced at me. "I know it's a lot to ask of you, Dawn, but my only flying Pokémon are with Nurse Joy at the moment."

"I understand. Togekiss can only fly the three of us, though." I glared up at Paul, challenging him. He may have offered to help, but I still didn't like him.

Paul scoffed. "In case you forgot," he retorted, his voice dripping with contempt, "I have my own flying Pokémon. Besides, there's nothing I hate more than traveling with other people. They get in the way of Pokémon training."

"You little—"

"I'll stay in Hearthome City." Paul's dark eyes cut to Ace. "You good with that, Ace?"

Ace nodded. "It'll be nice to have a friend throughout all this."

I wouldn't call Paul a 'friend'.

Ace looked at each of us. "Thank you, everyone. This means a lot to me."

"Of course it does," Cynthia assured him, climbing onto her Braviary. "After all, it's your career at stake here."

With those cheerful words, she flew away, leaving behind a long red feather from Braviary's tail. Steven tucked it into his suit pocket with a coy smile. He sent out Skarmory and pulled on a pair of metallic gloves. "Skarmory, northward!"

A magnetic force pulled Steven by his hands. The Hoenn Champion helped his Pokémon gain momentum by running. He leaped up as Skarmory took to the skies; his dress shoes brushed Amity Square's gates.

Kenny shook hands with Paul while Aaron hugged Ace. Conway opened his arms for me. I rolled my eyes and sent out Togekiss.

Kenny sat behind me, Aaron behind him. I patted the back of my Pokémon's head. "Fly, my Togekiss! We have a long journey ahead of us, but I promise it'll be filled with your favorite poffins."

Togekiss cried in delight. A second later, Ace and Paul were purple dots below. When we passed by Hearthome City's glorious cathedral, Kenny murmured, "Arceus bless our journey."

Aaron remarked, "You revere Arceus?"

"Sure, why not? It's a powerful legendary Pokémon."

"I don't hold much stock on legendaries."

I added, "It's also the creator of the world."

"It banished a Pokémon into the Distortion World."

"Giratina deserved it." Some Pokémon – and some people – deserved to be in the Distortion World for all eternity.

"I won't argue with you," Aaron said, "since we're flying on your Pokémon."

"Smart man."

Togekiss ascended Mount Coronet. We paused for a break on the snow-capped mountain. I shook pale blue poffins onto my hand and fed them to Togekiss, who took delicate nibbles, a princess's habit that never faded.

From the entrance to a dark cave, a mighty roar startled us, and I dropped the remaining poffins. Aaron shielded Piplup and Sunkern with his body while Kenny took a step toward the cave. A chilly wind buffeted me, blowing my hair and cutting through my jacket. Baleful crimson eyes stared at us from the shadows.