The patonai fell from the sky into a small lake, from which they emerged spluttering for air.

"Dear God," Ash gasped, rolling to shore. "You okay, Ri?"

"I'm good," Aurian replied, coughing up what was left of the appetizers at the gala. "Pika? Celebi? You still here?"

Pikachu sneezed, sending Celebi into a fit of giggles.

"We're good," Ash said. "Wait, what happened to our clothes?"

Aurian looked down and stared at her outfit. She'd definitely been wearing her G-Men uniform when she left. Now, she wore a simple blue tunic, a grey, long-sleeved undershirt, black leggings, and the most comfortable boots she'd ever worn. Ash looked the same but with a red sash and a familiar floppy hat.

"Guess Celebi thought we'd have to look the part," Ash said, inspecting the hat. "And we look pretty damn good."

"Can I try the hat?" Aurian asked.

Ash handed the hat to his sister, who tucked her hair into the crown.

"How do I look?" she asked, finicking with a few stray strands of unruly hair.

"Pretty badass. Come on, we've got a father to find," Ash said, grabbing onto a second hat that materialized at his feet.

Ash and Aurian started the long trek to the palace. Pidgey sang in the tall aspens overhead and the colors of fall overtook the path, covering the patonai in shimmering light. Dead leaves crunched under their boots and mountains cleared to reveal a small town nestled on the side of a green hill, Cameran Palace looming in the distance.

As they walked across a cobblestone road, the patonai came across a busy market outside of the castle gates. The smell of soup simmering in stone pots pervaded the air. Civilians peddled their wares in small booths, creating a happy babble of languages that floated across the square. Banners of all colors hung from windows and streamed from the tops of buildings. Flower boxes filled with bright blooms sat outside of most of the small houses they passed.

"I wonder which one was ours?" Aurian asked.

Ash frowned and started climbing a long flight of stone stairs. "I bet we were in the palace in something similar to this. I can see Mom going nuts with those flowers."

"This is incredible," Aurian breathed, spinning around to take everything in. "I can't believe we never got to see this..."

Ash whistled. "I'll say, but we get to see what might have been, which is something a lot of people never get to experience. Come on, to the palace!"

Cameran stood before them, majestic as ever. Spires reached into the sky, white stone reflecting the sunlight of early morning. Guards stood posted at all entrances, ever vigilant for their queen.

"Next question," Aurian said. "How do we get in?"

The drawbridge the patonai faced was daunting- fifteen feet long, the entrance covered by a thick rod-iron gate, guarded by six men in green. More guards milled about the outer walls, patrolling the palace with bows strung across their backs and quivers filled to the brim with arrows, ready for action. A general sense of uneasiness surrounded Cameran, further emphasizing the air of war that hung over Rota.

"Good morrow!" Ash called, mimicking the wording heard in the village. "How fare you all?"

"Fine, thank you!" one answered. "What brings you to Cameran?"

Aurian gulped and lowered her voice. "We have journeyed for the chance to meet with the honorable Sir Aaron. Is he present at the moment?"

"Aye, he is. We cannot let you pass without identification..."

Ash and Aurian raised their hands and released aura-blue flames from their fingertips, changing the guards' expressions from passive to awestruck.

"I trust this will suffice?" Ash asked.

"Indeed it will. Come forward, Guardians. We will call him for you. Wait in here, please..."

Aurian took Ash's hand as they waited for the guard to return.

"Sir Aaron is in the gardens. Follow the trail and you'll get there eventually!" the guard said, ordering his men to lower the drawbridge and raise the gate so the two could pass.

The patonai crossed over, thanked the patrol, and walked as fast as they could into the palace commons.

"You sensing anything?" Ash asked.

Aurian closed her eyes. "On your right, three-hundred yards to go."

"What are we waiting for?"

Their speedwalk turned into a mad sprint through the gardens, dodging rose bushes filled with thorns and occasional marble statues of monarchs past.

The patonai halted in front of an imposing figure who stood with his back turned, inspecting a crystal.

"Who goes there?" Sir Aaron asked, turning around. He lost all color in his face when he saw the patonai, who stood a little taller in the presence of a legend.

Aurian took off her hat, letting her curls flow loose. "Father? It's us."

"My God," Aaron said, dropping his staff out of shock. "Ashton? Aurian?"

Ash nodded and held his hat. "That's us. We got your time flower."

"Clearly," Aaron replied, wrapping his kids in a hug. "Do come sit with me. We are deep enough in the gardens that our conversation will not be overheard. Tell me, how is Delia?"

Ash pulled his Pokegear from a pouch on his belt and searched for a picture. "Mom's been doing great. This is a picture of the three of us the last time that Ri and I were granted extended leave."

Aaron took the electronic device in wonder and took in every detail of the cheesy selfie.

"This object is incredible," the knight said, passing the Pokegear back. "You keep portraits on it?"

"Yes sir," Aurian said. "It also has an infinite amount of maps and almost all the information in existence on it if you know how to utilize it. Very useful little thing."

"Goodness, this future of yours must be wonderful."

Aurian grinned. "There's so much I'd like to tell you but I don't know how long that would take..."

Aaron smiled. "We have time, daughter. How old are you now?"

"It's currently November in our time," Ash said. "I turned eighteen in June and Aurian turns eighteen in January."

Pikachu hopped down from Ash's shoulder and sniffed Aaron's boots. The knight dug around in his pants pocket and pulled out a small sweet of some sort, which Pikachu accepted and munched on happily.

"Do you both have Pokemon companions?" Aaron asked.

Aurian nodded. "We both have strong teams. I was raised in Sinnoh so my cornerstone is an Empoleon. We stumbled upon a Lucario named Cassael who was enslaved by a branch of Andan and freed her. Cass chose to come with me so we're figuring out this whole aura apprentice thing together."

"That is wonderful news," Aaron said, clapping his hands. "Ashton, have you found a Lucario or Riolu yet?"

"I met one when I traveled through Sinnoh for the first time," Ash frowned, "but he was in line to inherit the Alpha title of a kingdom of Lucario and Riolu in East Sinnoh so we couldn't stay together. I've been looking for a partner ever since."

Aaron nodded. "I understand. Uriel and I didn't meet until I was about four years into my Guardianship. We have been studying together for two now and I consider him part of our small little family."

"Wait a bit, where's Lucario?" Ash asked. "I haven't seen him since we came to Rota."

"He is currently acting as a messenger between units. Uriel should return home to Cameran within the day from Annabeth's squadron. Tell me about what you two have been up to," Aaron said, sitting on a bench and motioning for the patonai to join him.

The patonai locked eyes and pulled their tunics down enough to reveal their patonai marks.

Aaron teared up. "You've carried on our traditions?"

"Yes. In our time, there's only one other Guardian- a man named Riley. He's done a remarkable job of teaching us out of the books that his predecessors have written about the Guild history and methods. We've filled in the gaps wherever information is thin," Ash replied.

"Only one?" Aaron asked. "So Andan succeeds..."

"No, they don't. Our numbers are small but our hearts are strong," Aurian countered. "Riley, Ash, and I are the only wielders. There are four in our company who can see aura and two who can sense. Our superior, a man named Lance, can see aura as well. Hope is not entirely lost."

"Superior?" Aaron asked. "What do you serve in?"

Ash gulped. "Due to false accusations of Pokemon abuse on my part and renegade dispense of justice on Aurian's side, we ended up seeking asylum and eventually joining a corps called the G-Men. We lead our own division, the Armada, and we're the youngest Captains in the history of the organization. Aurian is the only female combat member."

"My kids in the army," Aaron smiled. "I should have seen that coming. Now, tell me about the real reason why you journeyed through time to find me. What troubles the future?"

"Things aren't looking good, Father," Aurian said. "Andan has made a resurgence and they outnumber the G-Men three to one. Ash and I are currently thrown in the middle of this fiasco. We watched two Andan operatives, who are in possession of Shadow Pokemon, kidnap the head of our society and it seems like he's been involved with Andan since the foundation of the Pokemon League."

"It gets worse," Ash added. "Andan has created a Pokemon from nothing that can communicate with humans and is completely sentient. They intend to release their creation- called MissingNO- onto Lily of the Valley Island in Sinnoh, where a massive battling tournament that we're competing in is currently underway. We're in the top four, along with the two Andan agents that kidnapped our President. The potential for civilian casualties is enormous and we cannot act out of uniform without exposing our actual identities."

Aaron's jaw dropped. "You're cornered."

"Exactly," Aurian said. "What should we do?"

"The way that you have presented things leaves you two choices, neither of which lead to good outcomes," Aaron started, picking up his staff and fiddling with the ends. "The first requires a bit of risky raveling that even our most experienced knights can rarely complete. The second is more of a sleight of hand than a tactic, so I believe we should start with that."

"Sleight of hand?" Ash asked.

Aaron grinned. "You can cast invisible aura, correct?"

Aurian nodded. "Yes... wait, are you implying that we can make ourselves invisible?"

"Implying? Aurian, it is entirely possible. With the right training, you can disguise both your physical bodies and your auras from all levels of detection. It can be hard to maintain for long periods of time, however," Aaron said.

"It's more than what we have to go on now. Teach us, please!" Ash said.

Aaron smiled. "I would be honored to. However, I want you to learn of the first method and the theory behind how to use it. There is a disclaimer, though- only ravel aura using this particular method if all else is lost. We lost many a good Guardian during the Ancient War because of this method."

Ash frowned. "Why is it deadly?"

"Alea Ultima calls for drawing the all of the energy stored in your reserves in addition to the aura in your patonai marks. If not performed the correct way, you will overexert, completely empty your reserves, and suffer a heart attack on the spot."

Aurian put a hand over her heart. "Not again."

"When utilized effectively, Alea Ultima can halt any attack and disintegrate anything in your path... Aurian, did you just say 'again'?" Aaron asked, eyes wide.

"I'm afraid so," she said, a guilty look crossing her face as she rolled up her sleeves and exposed her burn scars. "I've had my aura forcibly extracted via Red Chain."

Ash put a hand on his sister's shoulder.

"You shouldn't be sitting here right now..." Aaron trailed off. "I can sense that this is distressing so I will not press any further. Do you still want to learn the Alea Ultima?"

"We don't have another option if everything else falls to pieces," Aurian said, shaking her head. "Teach us."

Aaron stood and adjusted his gloves. "Very well, then. We will start with Aurus Caecus. The trick to disguising your form through invisible aura is this. Imagine that you can wear the invisible aura like a skin-tight glove and mold it as such."

Ash and Aurian spread out and absorbed everything Aaron said for the next half hour. In the end, Ash completed the task first, completely disguising his body, aura, and shadow.

Aurian quickly followed suit, sneaking up on an unsuspecting Ash and successfully scaring her brother.

"Ri!" Ash cried, jumping about a foot in the air. "Was that really necessary?"

The normally stoic girl erupted into a fit of giggles. "I couldn't let an opportunity like that pass."

"Some things never change," Aaron laughed. "You mastered Aurus Caecus faster than any student I have ever seen. Now to teach you the method for Alea Ultima. I know I have already told you this, but only use this method if all other options are lost."

The patonai nodded.

"Instead of raveling with your fingers, Alea begins with the heart. Concentrate on centering your reserves into your patonai mark. You will feel a slight pull in your chest once your power finishes congregating in your mark. All that remains after that is to mark your target, plant your feet, and release your energy. Make sure that you have reinforcements ready to cover you after Alea Ultima is complete."

"What happens if we release our aura before the congregation cycle finishes?" Aurian asked.

Aaron winced. "You go into shock and the heart attack begins. If you hold onto the aura for too long after the cycle completes, you will be ripped apart by your own power. I lost my patonai when he failed to perform Alea Ultima correctly and was destroyed from the inside out."

"I'm so sorry," Ash said. "We didn't mean to drag up any bad memories."

"No, you deserve to know about him. Bradley was your uncle, but not in a familial sense. We grew up together, applied for the Guild together, and passed the Guardian exams together. Naturally, we decided to become patonai as well. Bradley and I were caught in an ambush and he decided to cast Alea against orders so the rest of our company could escape. Everything went wrong..."

Aaron trailed off and wiped his eyes. "It certainly does not feel like two months since we lost him. Though this story is sad, there is a message in it- I want you two to protect each other and your Armada with everything you have. I know that extenuating circumstances pulled you into your situation but I will be content if you never come to know the pain that comes with losing a close friend or patonai."

The siblings nodded.

"On a lighter note, there is someone I want you to meet," Aaron said, standing and putting his hat back on. "Would you be opposed to coming with me to Cameran and having an audience with Her Highness?"

Ash and Aurian made eye contact.

"Will this destroy the space-time continuum?" Ash asked. "We'd like to not destroy the future through our actions here."

"An understandable concern," Aaron said, "but Rin is the one who granted me permission to leave the Time Flower for you. She, Delia, and Bradley are the only three that know of the flower and its contents. If anyone asks, I will announce you as reinforcements who just arrived from Sinnoh, which is partially true. Do you have alternate names that I could address you by?"

Aurian nodded. "On our mission in Sinnoh, Ash is called Red Aronshu and I'm known as Blue Katrian."

"Those will work splendidly," Aaron said. "Follow me, I know of shortcuts through the gardens."

The patonai put their hats back on and followed Aaron through the gardens and into a secret door in the wall.

"She should be free," Aaron muttered, leading the patonai up a long, winding staircase. "After this staircase ends, we should let out right by the throne room. Do you have any questions for me before we meet with Rin?"

"Is my hat straight?" Ash asked.

Aurian tilted his brim forward a bit more as the trio exited the secret passage and arrived in front of an opulently carved set of doors.

Aaron slipped off to the side to speak with a man in green, who bowed as the Guardian approached.

"We need to speak with Rin," Aaron said. "I have tactical reports to give."

"Understood," the guard said, saluting. "Her Majesty is present."

The doors opened, revealing a beautifully decorated room complete with matching golden thrones at the back. A woman in a pale purple dress stood on a balcony, hair wistfully blowing in a slight breeze.

"A storm approaches, Aaron," she said, turning around. "Who are your companions?"

Ash and Aurian removed their hats and knelt in the presence of the Queen, who gasped at their appearances.

"You have to be Ashton and Aurian," she said, motioning for the patonai to rise. "The familial resemblance is incredible."

Ash nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"They appeared this afternoon," Aaron said with a wink. "I returned from my survey mission yesterday and Uriel returns tomorrow. How are things here?"

Rin sighed, crestfallen. "Not well. Cameran proper is apprehensive, in a word. They worry that three divisions of the Guild are not enough to defend them from Andan."

"A well-founded worry," Aaron said. "Rest assured that the remaining Guild squadrons will do everything within our power to keep the town and the palace away from potential harm."

"And your kin," Rin replied, "are they prepared to defend themselves?"

"More than prepared, Highness," Ash said, lowering his collar in sync with his sister to reveal their patonai marks. "We've trained for a war like this for the past four years. We can handle almost anything thrown our way as long as we stay together."

Rin nodded, unsurprised by the revelation. "I did not expect anything else given your family lines..."

A crystal off the balcony pulsed with blue energy. Aaron half-strode, half-sprinted to the crystal and placed a hand on it.

"Uriel, tell me what you see."

The two armies are about to clash, Master, Uriel said. Andan approaches from the East, their company seems to be as big or slightly bigger than our own. Cabot's personal unit massacred Andrew's unit on the way here. The Guild lost every Guardian in that squadron, Master. Annabeth and Adam are preparing to engage to buy your battalion time to strike back.

Aurian closed her eyes. Ash- of all the days that Celebi had to bring us back, he had to bring us back on the day the Great War ended...

This isn't gonna be pretty, Ri, Ash sighed. We were brought to this particular day for a reason. Maybe we're supposed to help, maybe there's something here that we're supposed to see that we wouldn't be able to see anywhere else.

Ash bit his lip as Aaron and Uriel further discussed tactics. Something wasn't sitting right about the way Aaron was issuing orders to his apprentice. The Aura Knight seemed hesitant to keep Uriel away from the main battlefield as a surveyor.

Ri, he knows he's going to sacrifice himself. He's been planning on it for weeks!

Aurian bit back a cry of despair.

The conversation ended and Aaron stood, wiping his sweaty hands on his trousers.

"Highness, you have to evacuate while you still have time," Aaron begged. "Take the village children with you through the mountain pass, seek refuge somewhere far away. We cannot afford to lose you."

"My fate will be the same as my people," Rin said, a determined air coming over her visage.

Aaron shook his head. "My Lady, there will be no survivors..."

Rin bit her lip and increased her grip on the balcony railing. "I will not flee."

The patonai watched, horrified, as Aaron stood lost in thought. He called Pidgeot out of nowhere with his staff and leapt off the balcony, landing on his Pokemon's back and flying into the distance.

Rin burst into tears and clutched her hands to her chest. "Aaron..."

Ash and Aurian locked eyes.

"Screw it, I'm going after him," Ash said, releasing Charizard and vaulting onto his back.

Aurian took her patonai's outstretched hand, pulling herself onto Charizard's back. "You're not going alone, brother."

"That's what I hoped to hear," Ash said with a grin. "Come on, we've got a job to do!"

Charizard let out a mighty bellow and took off after Pidgeot. Nine minutes after take-off, airborne Andan troops appeared on the horizon and started approaching.

"They're closing in!" Aurian yelled. "Fifteen incoming on our three o'clock!"

Ash gritted his teeth. "Charizard, take us to the Tree. Aurian, looks like we're on sniper duty."

Aurian shifted her balance and started raveling aura between her fingertips. "We're here, aren't we? Might as well turn the tide of the Great War while we still have time!"

She fired three strands of aura and hit her targets from just over a thousand yards away, sending the Andan soldiers plummeting towards the ground.

"A little help here?" the smaller patonai asked, blocking an attempted Razor Wind from a pursuing Pidgeot.

Ash grunted, turned around, and nailed five flying-types with blue fire. Andan forces started to panic as the patonai tag-teamed and eliminated the last half of their pursuers within a thirty-second span.

"Charizard, go!" Aurian cried, tossing a spherical shield around the dragon and bracing herself against his back.

The dragon upped his speed and zoomed past the Andan troops, swooping low over Rota's rocky landscape.

"There's more fog down here, we can lose them if we're quick enough!" Ash said, urging Charizard forward through the crags and cliffs.

Charizard screeched to a halt as he spotted a familiar staff-toting figure on the ground.

"Father!" Aurian cried, preparing to jump off of Charizard.

Ash held her back, pinning her arms to her sides. "No, we can't interfere, he's about to..."

"I've abandoned the Queen and the Kingdom," Aaron said, eyes watering. "and I know I will never return."

"Wait!" Uriel cried, sprinting after his teacher. "Master, you must explain..."

Aaron halted for a moment, turned, and threw his staff towards his apprentice, who was subsequently caught in the crystal's pull. Uriel let out a cry of despair as he vanished, the staff shaking with the apprentice's anger.

Tears streamed down Aurian's face. "Ash..."

"I know, but we have to preserve the future. If we release Uriel, then he can't help me save Rota when I went there with May, Max, and Brock five years ago! We're running out of time- Charizard, keep moving!"

More Andan troops closed in on the patonai as Aaron's Pidgeot snatched the staff and flew away towards Cameran Palace.

"Not so fast," Ash said, quickly charting the airborne units around him. "Ri, Omnicron 15!"

Aurian nodded as she sent a flare of aura skyward. Ash launched a strand of his own creation into the swirling mass, creating white-hot shrapnel that took many of their pursuers out of commission.

One Golbat in particular stayed right on Charizard's tail.

"I see no crest on your backs," the Andan rider called, swerving around a stream of Ash's blue fire. "Are you independents?"

"We fight for our family- both by blood and by aura, and for the future of Rota," Aurian answered, "we stand with the Guild!"

Charizard barrel-rolled, reversed direction, and released a jet of flame towards the Andan rider, sending both he and his Golbat into a nosedive.

The Tree approached at an alarming pace. Aurian tightened her grip around her brother's waist as Charizard angled upwards and took the steep climb at an even faster speed than before.

"Where to now?" Aurian yelled above the whip of the wind.

Ash bit his lip. "There's a ledge just off the side of the Inner Sanctum. We've got about a minute more of straight climbing."

Charizard roared his approval at Ash's plan and the patonai rode in in silence.

"Are we too late?" Aurian whispered.

Ash shook his head. "Hell no, we'll make it if we sprint. Charizard, let us off now!"

Charizard barrel-rolled again, dropping the patonai onto a ledge just outside of the center chamber. As their feet hit the ground, the Tree let out an unearthly, ethereal wail.

"Almost... there!" Ash panted, recalling Charizard while skidding around a corner into an all-too-familiar chamber.

Multiple crystalline structures and arches decorated the Inner Sanctum. As the patonai entered, Sir Aaron ran into the room through another entrance, leaning against a stone wall to catch his breath.

"Ashton, Aurian!" Aaron called, waving them over. "My God, things are looking grim. As I flew here, I watched John Cabot himself slay Annabeth and Adam. They were the last remaining wielders..."

"No," Ash said, "you still have us. Though we weren't raised in this era, this is our home. Use us as you will."

"I refuse to put my children at risk!" Aaron protested. "If I sacrifice myself to Mew and the Tree, Mew can use my aura to bring peace between Rota and Andan's forces. This is our last chance. If I don't do this, Delia and your infant selves will not escape Cameran alive and you will vanish instantaneously."

Aurian paled.

Ash repressed the urge to vomit. "What can we do?"

"Disguise your auras. No one besides Rin can know that you two walked this earth," Aaron said, adjusting his gloves. "I can feel Mew coming. Once he gets here, stay back while I finish the job."

Aurian's heart broke as her father's voice cracked. The patonai disguised themselves and waited, Aurian slipping her hand inside of Ash's.

Aaron wiped his eyes, straightened his hat, and braced himself as a magnificent Ho-Oh landed in the Inner Sanctum. A time flower activated as Aaron took three steps forward.

"Mew! I know you and this tree are one," he said, squinting as Mew transformed back into his natural state. "Please. Accept my aura and save this kingdom and what remains of the world from what Cabot and the Alliance have in store."

Ash and Aurian held their breath as Aaron encapsulated Mew in his own aura and gave himself up to the symbiote. Shockwaves racked the aura knight's body and he yelled as the last of his aura streamed through his fingertips.

Mew glowed green and flew to the top of the Inner Sanctum, radiating peace and tranquility into the crystals that surrounded the Tree and the rest of Rota.

The patonai sprinted to their father's side as he collapsed against a wall of crystals.

"There's a time flower here," Aaron took off his gloves and winced, "I need to leave a message for Uriel, it should not take long."

He reached for the blossom, which spiraled open and started recording.

"Uriel- I wish I had the chance to explain why I sealed you in the staff before I did. I knew that you would follow me here even if I forbade you from coming and I did not want you to suffer my fate..."

Aaron trailed off as higher-intensity shockwaves shot through his veins, sucking the air from his lungs.

"Someone will release you someday into a much brighter future, filled with new possibilities and hope. Until then, stay strong and know that I consider you not as my student but one of my closest friends."

He reached for the flower once more and it closed, sealing off the message.

"My beautiful children," Aaron said, tears streaming down his face, "my last words are for you. Ashton, take my wedding ring back to your time and give it to Delia. Aurian, I received this locket from my mother when I began training with the Guild. Take it and break it in half so you each can carry your legacy with you."

Ash took the wedding ring and wept freely as he added it to the chain that held his arrowhead. Aurian tearfully hung the locket around her neck and took Aaron's left hand. Ash took his right.

"I promise to keep watch over you two and Delia from beyond," Aaron said, beginning to fade from existence, "and know that this will not be the last time we will speak. Stay safe and succeed in saving your world. I love you."

Aaron's aura crystallized, leaving the patonai holding onto nothing.

Ash took one look at his sister and pulled her close, desperate for something material to hold onto. The patonai sobbed into each others' shoulders as Mew floated down in front of them, tears in his eyes. The little pink Legendary curled his tail around Aurian's shoulder and dried her tears, then Ash's. Mew pointed at the crystals at the top of the Inner Sanctum and smiled before darting off into the Tree, humming a happy little tune.

"I think Mew wants us to celebrate Dad's sacrifice and not mourn his passing," Ash said, rubbing his eyes, "but that doesn't make things easier."

"We lost an amazing man," Aurian said, pulling her brother to his feet. "I wish we could've learned more from him..."

"But we know how to cast Alea Ultima and how to disguise both our auras and ourselves now. Father wouldn't've wanted us to stay in mourning, he'd want us to go home and take care of business. Right, Celebi?"

A small green portal appeared in the Inner Sanctum and Celebi appeared by the patonais' side, eyes downcast and demeanor somber.

"Take us back, please. We have a job to do," Ash said, unsuccessfully attempting to hide the tremble in his voice.

Aurian grabbed his shoulder, her eyes flaring an unearthly blue. "Wait! Someone's coming!"

The two disguised their auras for the third time and crouched behind a particularly large clump of crystals. Celebi flew to the top of the chamber and hid behind an overhang. A tall man in an Andan-colored cowl crested the hill into the Sanctum, frantically turning his head.

"Any second now," the figure said, dropping his hood.

Aurian bit back a scream as the man's face came into full view. She knew those soulless brown eyes, heavy eyebrows, and cleft chin all too well.

Ash, are you thinking what I'm thinking?

That John Cabot looks like Giovanni di Angelo but about twenty years younger? He's a dead ringer.

A natural time portal appeared three yards in front of the Andan leader, who smirked as he walked forward.

"Aaron was smart, but not smart enough. I swear to Giratina that I'll find those kids of his if it's the last damn thing I ever do..."

Cabot vanished along with the portal, a tiny pop echoing through the sanctum.

"Plot twist of the century," Aurian sighed, releasing her invisibility.

Ash groaned. "More like the millennium. Celebi, take us home, please. I believe we've had enough emotional trauma for one day."

The little green Legendary nodded and summoned a mint-hued portal. Ash slipped his hand into Aurian's as they stepped back to their own time...

"You think they're doing okay?" Lance asked, eyebrows furrowed as he paced the hallway outside of the main conference room. "They've been gone for a while."

"Relax, Lance," Riley said, "they can handle themselves! Our patonai will take this mission and complete it beautifully... wait, I can feel something coming!"

A mint-green portal appeared and the Borealis siblings stumbled out of it, eyes red from crying and trembling from what they'd witnessed.

"My God, what happened?" Lance asked, immediately slipping an arm under Ash's shoulders. "What did you see?"

Aurian's lip quivered as she pulled the locket out from under her collar. "We met Father."

"We learned so much. We tailed him to the Tree..." Ash trailed off, showing the thin wedding band he wore around his neck. "We were there when he..."

"when Mew came. We watched it all go down... and stumbled across some not-so-good news," Aurian gulped, quickly wiping her eyes. "Cabot and Giovanni are one and the same."

Lance dropped curses strong enough to make the patonai blush.

"You can't be serious. Time travel again?" Riley asked, putting a cautious hand on Lance's shoulder.

Ash nodded. "You can't forget those eyes, Riley. We have grounds to catch him now, murdering an entire race and all."

"We'd have to expose you two for that charge to work. Not only would it put you in danger, no one in their right minds would believe our argument," Lance said, shaking his head. "What we can do is twist this into an attempted murder charge against the two of you. We'll get Research working on a frame. Did you learn anything while you were there?"

"We did. Father taught us how to completely disguise both our auras and our shadows. The rest of the Armada called us invisible- now what they say is true," Aurian replied, raking a hand through her hair. "We can only maintain invisibility for short periods of time-"

"But that can be used to our advantage," Riley finished, eyes sparking. "I'll start devising a plan. I figured out a way to expose the Shadow Pokemon while you were gone, we can teach each other what we've learned before the mission begins. Anything else?"

"Alea Ultima, Riley," Ash said, smiling at the look of shock that crossed his squadron leader's face. "We know how it works now."

"Hell no," the Armada commander said, shaking his head, "I can't let you outright risk your entire existence for the sake of putting this threat down! Lance, they're talking about expelling all their aura but the smallest amount needed to survive. It's a suicidal tactic."

"I figured, the name translates to 'last hope'," Lance replied. "I can't outright forbid you from doing anything-"

Aurian smirked. "Ordering us to stay out of trouble didn't work out so well this time around, did it?"

"But I want you to use an abundance of caution in the next few missions. Ash, Aurian- you two are our lynchpins. If we lose you, the organization will all but go down. We need you," Lance said, stopping outside of Delia's room. "You were gone about two hours. We've got thirty-four until we head out. The Armada is meeting an hour before the general assembly to go over Drayden's strategy and the layouts of the new Andan base. You are dismissed."

"Sir," the patonai said, saluting their general.

"We'll guard the door while you speak with Delia," Riley said, crossing his arms. "You probably have a few things to tell your mother."

Ash and Aurian nodded and took a moment to collect their thoughts.

"Ready?" Ash asked.

Aurian smiled. "Will we ever be, brother?"

The door opened to reveal a small guest barrack. Delia had already unpacked and a small vase of fresh flowers sat on the bedside table- most likely either Sam or Riley's doing.

"You're back!" Delia exclaimed, setting her book down and hugging her children. "How did your journey go?"

"Mom," Ash said, unclasping the chain around his neck and removing the ring, "Father wanted me to give this to you."

Delia gasped and burst into tears when Ash handed her the small golden band. "You were there when..."

"The last words he said were that he loved us all," Aurian said, wrapping Delia in a hug. "The impact he had on Rota was incredible. Dad also gave us a locket to split in half and share, hang on..."

The smaller patonai pulled the locket from under her collar. The small silver oval opened to reveal two portraits of a smiling Delia and Aaron and a rendition of the patonai in their toddler years.

"He loved you two so much," Delia said, pulling Ash into her arms. "Now I know why he kept that locket with him at all times- so he could have little pieces of us wherever he went. I have so many stories to tell you but I know you have a mission soon. Go rest. We'll finish this discussion when all this blows over."

"That sounds like a good idea," Ash said, pulling his sister up. "We'll drop by before we deploy tomorrow, okay?"

Delia nodded. "See you then. I love you both."

"We know," Aurian said, a faint smile crossing her lips as they left the guest room.

Lance shut the door behind the patonai. "We'll walk you to your room."

"Thank you. Did our friends settle in?" Ash asked.

Riley nodded. "I believe so. I told them to report to Conference Nine for further instructions at fourteen hundred hours tomorrow. Gives them a chance to sleep in and rest up."

"Where will Misty and Brock serve tomorrow?" Aurian asked.

Lance bit his lip. "That's our quandary. They're not official G-Men so we don't have combat uniforms that would fit. However, we could disguise them as Rangers and put them with Garchomp..."

"I can sneak them into the Armada," Riley replied. "I can name temporary members in case of an emergency."

"Do that. Aurian, lend Misty a spare black and navy combat uniform. Ash, do the same for Brock. Do you two need anything else before you turn in for the night?" Lance said, forehead wrinkled with worry as he took in the sight of the exhausted patonai.

Ash smiled. "About fifteen hours of sleep would do us good. We're dog-tired."

"We'll come get you tomorrow morning. If you can't sleep and need people to talk to, you know where to find us," Riley said, clapping the patonai on the shoulder. "Remember, you're family. Aura doesn't leave aura behind."

Aurian caught Riley and Lance completely off guard with a hug. "Thank you. For everything. We wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for you two."

Lance chuckled and patted Aurian's shoulder. "Don't thank us yet, Braveheart. We've still got a mission coming."

After repeating the motion with Ash, the two commanders left the patonai in their quarters.

"You doing okay, Ri?" Ash asked, closing the door. "You don't normally hug those two."

Aurian nodded, changing into her pajamas. "I'm better now. Explaining what happened to Misty, Brock, and company tomorrow... well..."

"It'll be hard," Ash said, "but we can make it through. We've gotten through worse."

"I know," Aurian replied, taking off the locket and giving Ash his half, "but that doesn't make things easier for us. This is turning out to be the sequel to the Great War. Cabot against Borealis, Andan against Armada and the G-Men. Kind of ironic that an organization founded on Guild philosophies is facing what killed the original Guild, right?"

"We get to right what went wrong and honor our father while doing so," Ash said. "That's a pretty sweet deal."

"I'm honored that we got to meet Father but out situation is almost cruel," Aurian murmured, sitting on her bed and wrapping her arms around her knees. "We could've learned so much more if we had the time..."

Ash sat next to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "We still can. I know for a fact that Rota saved all they could of his personal belongings and writings. Lady Ilene has to have them somewhere. Tell you what- when all this blows over, you, me, and Riley are taking a field trip to Rota. Call it a sabbatical if you will but we need this break. Who knows? We might end up discovering something great."

"Sounds good, brother," Aurian yawned, putting her head on her patonai's shoulder and instantaneously falling asleep.

Ash chuckled at Aurian's snores. "Looks like we're sleeping sniper-style tonight, little sister. I'll keep watch first and keep the bad guys away..."

(A/N): Hi there, everyone, and thank you so much for reading C22 of Primary! I've been sitting on this chapter for a while now, to be honest with you guys. This was such a critical and pivotal moment and I hope I did everything justice. It's review response time...

MidnightHunter563: Your reaction definitely made my day! Hope this chapter lived up to your expectations, friend.

Reader of Fate: Thank you! Hope you decide to stick with this one.

Darxetta: Thank you so much!

Guest: This didn't really create a time paradox, per se, but I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

We're starting to hit the climax, friends! My best guess is that we have four or five more chapters and then Primary will close. I'm not sure what I'll do next- balancing college and writing is by far one of the most difficult things I've ever done. I have half a mind to finish AIAFTP after this but I also want to write a sequel because I think we all know that Ash and Aurian's adventures are far from over.

Thank you again- this is PL, signing off!