Within the Mist Continent in Noe Town, there was a festival celebrating the destruction of the Bittercold. Well, that isn't to say specifically that Noe Town itself was the only one. Most towns and villages, including Post Town, had their own version of it. But the one in Noe Town tended to be the largest, mostly because of its status as a port town where many visitors from around the world would take a trip to experience that festival.

And this year, for the first year since it began, they finally managed to get the two leaders of Paradise and the Pokémon who finally destroyed the Bittercold themselves.

The Dewott and Snivy both walked into town the day before the festival to see it being quickly set up with streamers and banners being held above the houses and on arches, and stalls being set up along the streets of the commercial district of Noe town to prepare for the carnival games. It seemed that, by the next day, a fun time would be had by all.

"Wow," the Snivy, who was named Flynn, said as he glanced over everything, his eyes wide with awe. "Look at all of this! I heard Noe town goes all out, but I didn't think they went all out like this!"

The Dewott, named Hubert, nodded, though he looked at it with a frown and a critical eye. "Indeed. It's far more than the feasts and parties that happen at Post Town. But, as the first location visitors to the Mist Continent would see, they apparently have quite the expectations thrust on themselves. So, they need to work hard to live out those expectations."

"And this is the point where you say something like 'it's all fancy from the outside but it's a lot worse than it seems on the inside,' huh?" Flynn asked, a small but bright smirk on his face as he glanced at Hubert.

Hubert adjusted his glasses and nodded. "The festival itself is likely genuine. But opportunistic Pokémon would love nothing more than to take advantage of it."

Flynn chuckled. "Alright. I'll let you snoop around then. But for now, we should meet up with the festival planner to see where we fit into it."

"Right. That we should."

The two of them walked through Noe Town to reach where the festival planner was. As they walked through the town, many of the Pokémon there recognized them and waved or called out to them. Hubert walked through, focused only on reaching the destination, but Flynn indulged them. Eventually, though, they reached the festival planning building and walked inside.

Inside the building it looked as if a tornado had passed through. Various decorations and materials were clearly taken from there, causing a bit of a mess on the floor. The mess wasn't too large, just parts of streamers that fell off or were made on one of the tables in it and plenty of glue and glitter, but the two Pokémon had to watch their step as they made their way through. Eventually, they reached a table that had a whiteboard behind it. There, a Gothetelle was doing paperwork. As they approached her, she heard their steps and glanced up. She seemed confused for a moment before her eyes lit up.

"Hubert and Flynn of the Leaf Blade?" she asked.

Flynn nodded before giving her a reassuring smile. "That'd be us, yeah."

The Gothetelle smiled before putting aside her paperwork for a moment. "I am glad to see the two of you. And glad that you decided to be part of this festival. It has been many years since the Bittercold was destroyed and we always hoped you would join us."

"Y-yeah, sorry about that," Flynn said with a nervous chuckle. "We live next to Post Town, and we run Paradise, so those have been our priorities. This is the first year Post Town let us go."

Hubert knew that wasn't strictly true. Post Town was always willing to let the two go to other versions of the festival. It was just a combination of hometown pride and scheduling that kept them. That, and last year's festival Hubert himself was 'away' so to speak, so he couldn't join anyways.

Gothetelle waved him off. "No, no, it's fine. We're just glad to get you for any year."

"So, what would you have us do?" Hubert asked, getting down to business.

"Your role here is two-fold." Gothetelle used Psychic and began drawing on the whiteboard. "As our celebrities, you just being here will attract a lot of attention. So, for most of the day, I would like you two to just walk around the premises, greeting the Pokémon who come to you, giving them advice, signing autographs, that sort of thing."

Hubert frowned and crossed his arms, but he nodded the Gothetelle on despite his reservations.

"The second is a bit of a performance early in the morning." By that point in time the whiteboard has a bit of a stage on it, showing Hubert and Flynn in one position and another Pokémon in front of them. "Don't worry if you're not good at acting, that's fine. It's more a mock battle than anything. The idea is to simulate your glorious battle against the Bittercold."

Hubert glanced at the stage directions with a critical eye. "…You know, during the final battle against the Bittercold I was alo-"

"Alright, cool!" Flynn interrupted. "We'll be happy to do that!"

"Okay, thank you both! I'm glad to have you finally," Gothetelle said as she glanced back at the two.

Hubert sighed but then gave a shrug. "Alright then. We will be on the stage early tomorrow morning. Is there anything else you wish for us to do?"

Gothetelle shook her head. "Nope. That would be it. Once again, thank you both!"

Hubert gave a bow. "Then we will take our leave." With that, he turned around and walked away, Flynn following close behind.

"Hey, Hugh, hope you don't mind I interrupted you back there," Flynn said as the two of them walked through town to reach an inn.

Hubert just shrugged him off. "Don't worry, I understand you. You all have spoken of the same thing one point in time or another. Espeon, Virizion, Emolga, Umbreon, all of you have mentioned a wish to be fighting the Bittercold alongside me. Though what happened happened. A human was called in for a specific reason. That you were there by my side, even if unable to fight, was enough."

Flynn glanced to the side before nodding. "Thanks. I needed to hear that."

Hubert glanced at him, gazing at the Snivy with inquisitive eyes. Between the way Flynn was glancing off and not looking towards him along with the distant stare in his eyes, Hubert was able to guess the truth of the matter. But that was an issue for another day. He hoped, at least, that the mock battle would help him move on somewhat.

The next day soon rolled around, and the festival was in full swing. Even at early morning, the sounds of a large band precession playing music was the first things many residents would hear. It was noisy, but there was also an energy to the streets as Pokémon from around the known world came to Noe town to see the festival and walk the streets.

Of course, the main attraction was opened early in the morning and a large crowd was soon drawn in over there. A stage, dressed in blues and whites to simulate an icy atmosphere, sat in the center of town where a mock battle was to take place simulating the final battle against the monster that intended to freeze the world. It was supposed to be a grand spectacle.

To Hubert in the backstage, though, they were fighting a Cryogonal that was (somehow) wearing a costume that gave it extra spikes on the end. He…vaguely looked like the Bittercold, though Hubert crossed his arms as he looked over the Cryogonal and he suspected if he were someone who laughed more often, he would upon seeing it. Flynn, naturally, had his eyes wide as he looked over the Cryogonal.

"Wow! That's a neat costume!" he said.

"H-heh…thanks," Cryogonal said. "I'm glad to hear it. Honestly, though, this is a real honor. Having you two heroes here fighting with me. It's great!"

"So, how will we go about this mock battle?" Hubert asked. "I assume you would prefer the two of us to not go full force on you."

Cryogonal had a slight terrified expression on his face as he gave a nervous chuckle. "Y-yeah, I would…kinda prefer not. Generally, try and pull your attacks as best as you can, and I'll do the same. But we'll act like we got hit by the full force of the attack. We keep this up for a few minutes. Eventually, I use a 'big powerful attack' that knocks the two of you back a little. But you use the power of friendship or love and use your own 'big powerful attack' which causes me to fall and you to win."

"W-wait, love?" Flynn asked, blushing.

Hubert nodded. "Very well. I'll hold back the power behind my moves and make sure not to harm you too much. I can attempt to make it flashy as well, though showmanship has never been my focus."

"Whatever works." Cryogonal glanced towards the stage. "Looks like we're gonna start soon. Steel yourselves and get ready."

Hubert nodded before taking his place next to the left side of the stage. Flynn took a moment, but he eventually shook his head and walked over to join Hubert over there. The two stood there, waiting for one of the hosts, this one a Simisear, to introduce the event.

"Welcome, one and all," he eventually said to the crowd. "Today we have a special event. The heroes, Team Leaf Blade, have come here today to enhance our play. Today, they will be showing us their tactical teamwork that they showed together when they fought against the evil known as the Bittercold and saved us all! So, without a moment's notice, let us begin!"

With that cue, the three of them began making their way to center stage.

As Flynn was walking by, he had his focus on Cryogonal, who was also approaching from the other side of the stage. Hubert, however, glanced at the crowd curiously instead. Most of the crowd seemed to be watching in anticipation of the event to follow. A few were watching with genuine interest and excitement at seeing these 'heroes' fight. But he also noticed, in the back, there were a few Pokémon, mainly Ice-types, that were watching with frowns more than anything. Before he could take too much stock in that, though, they had reached center stage.

Once they reached center stage, a silence came from the crowd as the two sides looked each other over for a few moments. Hubert himself glanced at Cryogonal, thinking through his actions and where and how the best ways to strike would be that would allow for minimal damage. However, a nearby band began playing a fast-paced song and the signal to fight began.

Cryogonal started by blowing an icy wind at both Hubert and Flynn, which would have been a minor inconvenience at best for Hubert, but he decided to duck back as if it was blowing him back, Flynn following suit. After that, Hubert grabbed both his scalchops and began rushing forward towards the Cryogonal. His Razor Shell prepared, he anticipated Cryogonal moving or dodging, but he just stood there getting ready to take it. And took it he did, though Hubert made sure to thrust his blade across softly with his left arm while his right one swung up to the side of the Cryogonal to make it seem he was doing a powerful blow. The Cryogonal recoiled back as if it was a powerful blow while Hubert let the water disperse around him to look like droplets.

As his Razor Shell hit, Flynn as well hopped above the two of them before coming down with a Leaf Blade on Cryogonal's head. Cryogonal buckled under this, and his head slammed into the ground. Hubert hoped that it was intentional for that to happen, since it looked like a powerful blow, but his question was soon answered when Cryogonal lifted his head back up and shot an Ice Beam straight for Hubert. Hubert brought his Scalchops together as the ice hit, causing it to deflect off and be sent all around him. He took deliberate steps back, pretending as if the Ice Beam was powerful and he was barely able to hold off, before Cryogonal stopped and he slashed outward with his Scalchops, sending the remnants of the beam scattering in two directions.

Once done with that, Cryogonal focused his attention on Flynn. He summoned ancient rocks from all around himself and sent those flying towards Flynn. Flynn countered by spinning around and creating a storm of leaves which sent the rocks flying. Once he was done with that, he threw that storm of leaves towards the Cryogonal. He was fettered by the storm but blew it away with an Icy Wind of his own.

The clash between the three lasted on a bit longer, longer than Hubert gauged a normal fight to be, before Cryogonal lifted his head and began 'charging' an Ice Beam in his mouth. Hubert glanced at Flynn and they both wordlessly nodded their expectations as to what this was. So, the two of them went right next to each other so that the attack could hit both while keeping their guard up. The attack looked large and flashy as it fired towards the two of them, but as they held their hands out to block it, Hubert could feel that it the single weakest Ice Beam that ever hit him.

Still, the two of them took slow steps back and pretended to be flinching and struggling with the blow, as if the attack was so powerful, they could barely handle it. Flynn's expression was a bit more believable than Hubert's. For a bit of showmanship, and just in case he was struggling with it since it was at a disadvantage for him, Hubert grabbed one of his Scalchops and used it to block the beam that was going at Flynn and direction it all towards him. At that point, he was beginning to feel the chill from the attack, but he still endured. Eventually, the attack ended and the two of them attempted to feign looking weary and almost defeated.

After a second to recover, both Hubert and Flynn nodded towards each other and they began to rush forward, Hubert from the left and Flynn from the right. They both slashed with Razor Blade and Leaf Blade respectively, causing Cryogonal to fall before them. The crowd became wild, cheering for them as they won the 'battle.' Hubert and Flynn both moved towards the crowd and gave a bow, Cryogonal getting up and bowing behind them as well, before the three moved towards the backstage once again.

The Simisage came in soon after, clapping. "Nice performance, you three. That was fairly adequate for something that wasn't practiced."

Hubert shrugged. "I would have preferred doing an actual battle. It felt too slow and sluggish if you ask me."

"I had fun!" Flynn added.

"Yeah, it was sorta fun. I usually have an actual script, but it was fun improving it," Cryogonal also said.

Hubert sighed. "Well, I suppose if the crowd liked it, then it was at least nice for them. Though, if I am being honest, we more than likely got most of the Pokémon there just to see us rather than see an actual compelling mock battle."

"I don't think that's a bad thing. We gave them a fun time, so that's all that matters!" Flynn gave a smile. "They did have fun, right?"

Simisage nodded. "I do believe they did, yes."

"Very well. Then we can take that as a win. In any case, if you will excuse us, we have our second duty in this festival to attend to." With that, Hubert turned around and began leaving from behind the stage.

Flynn waved. "See you both later! I hope we can do this again sometime." After waving them off, he soon followed behind Hubert.

With the performance over, the festival could continue in earnest. Naturally, Flynn and Hubert did as asked, and walked around the grounds, keeping an eye on things, and greeting the various Pokémon. As Hubert suspected, this was the part he liked the least, but luckily Flynn was able to do most of that work for him. It was one of the things Hubert was glad for, his partner was so much more charismatic than him.

The two were also able to enjoy some things about the festival themselves. They both purchased necklaces from the festival which they wore proudly, Flynn wearing a necklace of the Rainbows of Hope, while Hubert wore a Frism necklace.

While they were in the middle of that, though, Hubert kept his ears open for the various going ons around the festival. Specifically, he wanted to keep an ear out for any sort of cheating or trickery going on, be it for paranoia or otherwise. And him keeping his ears out was justified as soon as he heard a cry.

"Hey! That's unfair!"

Hubert took note of where that cry was coming from before tapping Flynn on the shoulder. They had a crowd of people in front of them so leaving suddenly wasn't going to be an easy thing.

"Flynn, would you mind holding the fort for a few seconds? I need to take care of something."

Flynn gave him a nod while still focusing on chatting and writing autographs. "Alright everyone! Hugh needs a couple of seconds to go attend to some business. He'll be back soon, I promise! And I'm still here!"

There were a few sighs and groans, but a part of the crowd did disperse allowing Hubert to walk off. He focused on where the sound was coming from and saw a sharpshooter game nearby. It was a game where one would shoot an Iron Thorn into a cup to knock it over. Standing in front of the stall there was the stall owner, a Liepard. And there are two other Pokémon there who looked younger, a Tepig and a Marill.

"Sorry kids," the Liepard said. "But it isn't unfair at all, actually. You just have to have a keen eye to spot the real cup from the fakes. That you didn't pay attention and just threw it isn't my fault."

"B-but, that's…" the Marill complained while the Tepig just glared at her.

Hubert was about to walk in and intervene when another Pokémon walked towards the group. An Ice Vulpix walked along the streets purposefully as she approached the stand. She smiled as she reached the group.

"Can I try?" she asked, her voice cheerful.

The Liepard's eyes glinted as he saw her approach. "Sure, little girl. That'll be 500 Poké."

"W-wait," the Tepig said. "You don't want to…"

"Okay, sure!" The Vulpix handed her the money before the Tepig could finish and was given an Iron Spike to throw.

"Alright. All you need to do is knock down one of these cups and you win," she said as she stepped aside to allow the Vulpix to approach.

The Vulpix stepped forward, Iron Spike in her maw as she glanced over all the cups with a very inquisitive gaze. Eventually her eyes widened, and she soon sent the Iron Spike towards one of the cups, one in the second row from the top and four cups from the left. The spike flew true with surprising accuracy and hit the cup dead on, knocking it down. When the Liepard say this, her eyes widened to saucers. So did the Tepig and Marill's.

"S-see," the Liepard said as the Vulpix approached. "It's a test of skill. A-anyways, here's 2000 Poké for you."

"Thanks, that was fun!" the Vulpix said as she accepted the money. She then left, but not before nudging the two Pokémon to follow her. Hubert decided to follow her curiously.

Once they were a distance from the Liepard, the Vulpix took out the money and gave 500 Poké each to the two. "Here's your money back." The two's eyes widened as they took the money.

"Uhh…thanks lady," the Tepig said.

"Yeah, thanks miss!"

The Vulpix nodded. "Also, would you two mind doing something else? Go around and tell other Pokémon about the cup I hit. The rest are all nailed so it'll be really, really hard for her to change which cup is right and which ones are wrong. If you tell enough Pokémon, they won't get scammed. Have those Pokémon pass it on too."

"We will." Both the kids nodded before they walked off.

Hubert watched this display curiously before eventually approaching the girl. "I must admit, you impressed me. It took quite the discerning eye to be able to see where the scam is. And it was quite noble of you to give the kids their money back."

The Vulpix eventually turned to face Hubert. "Uhh…thanks."

"However, spreading around rumors of the scam is itself running a scam," Hubert continued. "Two wrongs do not make a right. What's best to happen is that you should have reported the stall to the administration around here or the police and have them shut it down."

"Maybe…but this way everyone who lost money on it can get their money back," the girl argued. "But if the stall was shut down, that might not happen."

"It would be their duty to return the money. And if they do not, they would be liable by the greater law. They would especially be unwise to do that with a representative from H.A.P.P.I around here."

"Yeah…I guess." Though the Vulpix's eyes suggested that she didn't really believe him.

Hubert looked her in the eyes to try and make a connection. "I do understand where you're coming from, at least. It is very possible that the leaders around there could just take the money for themselves without giving it back, or it is also possible that they are in cahoots. But while that may be, you should figure out if there is proof or evidence to that first before you go to more 'outside of the law' tactics."

The Vulpix took in his words for a few seconds before nodding. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Alright, I'll try doing that!"

"That is good to hear."

She turned around to walk away, but she turned back and looked at him. "You're…you're one of the Pokémon that stopped Kyruem, right?"

Hubert steeled himself for a moment. "…I am, yes."

"Oh. Alright." She gave him a smile. "Thanks for that. I also saw you on stage too. You were pretty good." And with that she walked off.

Hubert stood there for a few moments as she walked off. After seeing her, he realized a few things. When she smiled at him, there was a mix of sadness and anger inside her eyes. And he realized she was one of the Pokémon who was in the crowd during the play. And she was one of the Pokémon frowning at him. Seeing that, Hubert decided to quickly send a letter before returning back to Flynn.

The festival was soon finished, and Flynn and Hubert rested at the same inn before returning home. However, a package came to them as they were leaving and Hubert opened it up, looking at a stack of papers while they walked.

"What's that stuff all about?" Flynn asked.

"It's a report filed by H.A.P.P.I post the Bittercold incident," Hubert answered as he looked through the files. "It's a rather detailed file of both the Great Glacier after it began floating, a log of the various members of Munna's group and what happened to them before and after the incident, and…" His eyes hit what he was looking for. "There we go. 'After the Glacier Palace began floating, the ground below it began freezing and various icicles from it began falling to the earth. Because of this, at least three towns that were close to the Great Glacier at the time were destroyed and those who survived the incident were forced to relocate.'"

"W-what?!" Flynn asked as he nearly tripped over himself. "You're…you're kidding, right?"

"I would assume this is correct." Hubert closed the files and put them back in his bag. "It would also explain something. During the play, there were a few Pokémon who were watching us that didn't seem to be happy being there. Most of them were Ice-types, who would naturally live that far north. When I was investigating a fraud case after leaving you, I met one of them."

"O-oh…my," Flynn whispered. "I…I feel so sorry for them. I thought we…"

"We did manage to save the world, yes. But it only makes sense that an event like that would have some form of destruction in it. After all, the palace began floating and collapsed after we were done. Devastation and collateral was inevitable. And naturally, there might be some lingering resentment there."

"I…guess but…" Flynn shook his head. "I really wish we could do something for Pokémon like them. After all, if we were only a bit faster…"

"We are," Hubert said. "That's the point of Paradise, to provide homes and a community for those who have none. Beyond that, we can't help everyone. We can only do our part."

"Fair enough. I just hope those Pokémon are able to look past everything and that they have some future waiting for them."