Episode 3: The First Fountain

Crystal's group had found themselves lost in a similar setting to the area Ruby and the others were in. Damp, square halls decorated with luminous orbs for lighting, walls lined with hieroglyphs, and corridors of water passed through vents above, below, and along the walls in this humid structure.

Crystal appreciated the group's silence. It enabled her to think about Ruby clearly while they walked. She would never admit it, but the Cyndaquil had qualities that she needed in life. Now that Ruby wasn't here, and had the potential to never be here ever again, she felt an empty hole left behind.

No. I mustn't think like that. Sis is alive. She's too strong to die like that, she told herself. She stopped to clutch her amulet, relieved it was as firm and solid as before.

"You really are worried about her…" Shelly said. She looked up to see Shelly and Azu's concerned looks.

"It's fine. We need to take our time with this," Azu assured.

"Urf. Thanks," Crystal mumbled.

"What is Ruby like? You seem really close to her," Shelly wondered. They resumed their walk, letting Azu lead the way.

"Ruby is… don't tell her this, but Ruby's like a big sister to me. A big brute for sure. I guess she came off as having a one track mind, but I promise you she's so much more," Crystal said. She slowly looked away. "She's just careful with who she makes friends with."

"She seemed to adapt well to travel. I definitely got the vibes of someone who was well prepared for all of this," Azu praised with a hand on her hip.

"Well, not really. Lillistep Village got attacked by knights, and we had to run away. We had to leave our Mum behind. Then we got attacked by the Monster of Misgeriom Woods and… oh, so much is happening at once!" Crystal cried into the air. "I can't stop worrying about it all, and I know she's worrying, too. But she's still able to keep cool and focused and just fight what we need to fight. And she knows I don't like fighting, so she was pushing herself really hard to cover for me. She always does that kind of thing."

"She's one of the strongest Pokémon I've ever seen," Shelly remarked.

"Really? She'd be really happy to hear that, you know. She loves a good opportunity to boast," Crystal commented. She looked up as memories came flooding back to her. Good memories of silly times and cool moments. "Ehee hee. She's got a unique way of showing she loves others. I think so, anyway. I can count on her to have my back because she knows I'm always pointing her in the right direction, but she'll never, ever, tell me that."

"And speak of the devil, but we might need that guidance," Azu announced.

Crystal blinked. A staircase they were on descended onto the balcony of a massive room filled with waterways and barred walls. The room below looked like a maze, but they had a good view of everything from above like this.

"You good at remembering routes? I can see stairs at the end there," Azu wondered, leaned forward to scout the room. "No other Pokémon, though. That's super weird."

"Is it? I thought this was that temple you mentioned," Shelly commented.

Azu stood back and looked around. "It does have that ancient vibe, but a temple for prayer having a maze like this? I suppose if it's to test the Shining Warriors…"

"Wait, there are Pokémon. Look!" Crystal pointed to the far end. They were blurry thanks to the distance and lighting, but the Pokémon's colours were clear. There was only one group that could match that pink, yellow, and blue. They were climbing out of one of the waterways. "It's them… It's them! It's them, it's them, it's them!"

Azu leaned over with her. "It really is them. Quick, we've gotta figure this maze out!"

"It doesn't have a way, though. Everywhere's blocked by the walls," Shelly said. "Unless there's something underwater."

"Not a good move. Ruby's a fire type," Azu replied.

"She'll be fine, but… wow. Now that I look, there really isn't a way through," Crystal mumbled as she analysed the maze. She cupped her flippers by her beak and breathed in. "Ruby! Up here!"

"If only we could fly over." Shelly groaned.

"I may have wings, but I can't fly with them. Or if I could, I probably couldn't carry those guys. They're all bigger than me," Crystal continued to mumble while swaying her head. "Wa-wait. We could still do that, though."

"We could? Can you grow wings?" Shelly gasped.

"What? No, silly! We can fly our own way, though. Azu, you've got rope, don't you?" Crystal asked.

"Never go on an exploration without it. I think I've got what you're getting at." Azu smiled as she procured a rope from her belongings.

"Nobody said that arrows had to be just for hurting others," Crystal muttered as she tied an end to one of her arrows. She nocked it in her bow, making sure there was plenty of rope left on their side.

"I've got it just in case," Azu said, holding the other end. Shelly took a second to help her out, looking nervous.

Now confident, Crystal let the arrow fly in an arc. It flew right across the room to the group down below, where it clanged against the floor, and almost hit them had they not danced out of the way. There was almost too much rope, as it hung loosely a bit.

"Geniuses. But there's nowhere to tie it on this end," Lucca gasped. Mimia barked and then held the arrow in his mouth, pulling it back so that the rope became tight enough.

"Doesn't look like there needs to be." Ruby smirked.

Lucca glanced back and forth between them. "If Mimia's holding the rope, how's he supposed to climb across?"

"Err… maybe we'll pull him from the other side?" Ruby shrugged.

Mimia gave a muffled bark, and then stood tall on his hind legs with an eager sound. He brought his whole body down and practically slammed his head into the floor to the point that his hind legs were held high in the air. Not only did the floor crack and dent from the force, but the arrow was left sticking straight up. The Stufful was totally unharmed though, and smiled at his work. The rope was straight and stiff.

Ruby's eyes were wider than Lucca's. "… Or that works."

Mimia bowed and held his paws out to present the ropeway to Lucca, who stared at it and groaned. "Right. I actually have to climb. This is going to become a thing, isn't it?"

"What, you moaning over easy stuff?" Ruby smirked.

"Seriously? You try climbing stuff with these," he argued, showing his flippers. She looked at her own feet, shrugged, and then jumped on the rope.

"Just shimmy like this. You can do it," she suggested, hugging it from above. She was able to crawl across that way, and made good progress in no time.

"Aww geez. Don't suppose you could just throw me across instead?" Lucca glanced at Mimia, who barked at him and then crawled across like Ruby.

Crystal felt her chest churn with angst as her sister came closer and closer. She half expected something to fly out of nowhere and make more trouble, the closer they got. Azu growled a bit too, even though she was able to pull back just fine. One agonizingly long climb later, and Ruby was close enough to be grabbed.

"Ruby!" Crystal cried and pulled her onto solid ground.

"Crystal, you're alright! You crazy kid," Ruby cried back, but hugged her tight.

"I'm alright? You're the one who fell down the cliff. Are you alright, I was so worried!" Crystal replied. She looked like she was going to cry.

"Aww, I think this is the most concerned you've ever been for me," Ruby sung with a giggle. Crystal shifted back a bit.

"What's with that attitude?" she cried.

"You know how strong I am, I wouldn't be out from somethin' like that. It's you who I was more worried about. You don't like to fight and stuff," Ruby joked. Crystal shuddered hard, and that seemed to get her attention. "H-hey. Don't start the waterworks. It's alright now. Seriously, I'm okay."

"I mean it, Ruby. I really thought you'd… you'd… and then I wouldn't know what to do. I'm just so glad you're really okay," Crystal said. Ruby started blushing, and tried to hide it by hugging her.

"But I'm okay, I'm okay. I'm not hurt or anythin', and you're not hurt or anythin' either. Everything worked out, so we can go celebrate when we get outta here," Ruby assured. "Remember the cupcakes? We're not getting into trouble until we grab ourselves some of those."

There was a moment of quiet, where Crystal lightly patted her sister's back. There it was. That earnest affection of Ruby's that made her so loveable. Her chest grew light and her breath steadied. She felt like she was allowed to respond with her own quirky comment – of course Ruby was thinking about cake at a time like this. But she couldn't think of anything polite to say, and so settled on the simplest response. A sigh of relief.

Mimia pulled Lucca up once he was in range, but dismissed the Brionne's exaggerated exhaustion to pull the rope back.

"Phew… made it… actually made it," Lucca panted.

"Er, are you okay?" Azu asked, surprised. He didn't seem to realise he was being spoken to until he opened his eyes and saw her.

"A-ah! Wait, it's you, Miss Azu," he gasped.

"Just Azu is fine," she corrected. They stared at each other in silence for a moment, which broke when Mimia barked to get her to take the rope. He'd somehow pulled the arrow back with him. "Geez, I wish you'd told me you were a Shining Warrior. This has been quite an adventure, you know."

"Wait, you know about that?" Lucca said in surprise. He snickered and rubbed the back of his head. "I just thought I had to keep that secret for reasons. I didn't mean to trick you or anything."

"Well you weren't. I have so many questions and stuff I want to know," Azu said, putting her hands together and bouncing. "Although… I guess now isn't the time or place for it."

"Eh, I think we've got a minute or two," he replied. Crystal and Ruby were still linked by flipper and hand, gushing in relief at each other. "Although, I doubt I'm going to have much to tell you. I know about as much as a peeled banana."

"A peeled banana? I've not heard that one before," Azu giggled. "But it's like I said before. This is basically my life's studies. Anything, anything at all you can tell me, I'm here to listen. Even your story so far would be a Coalossal help."

"A Coalossal- okay, that's a good one. Honestly, I'm actually really happy to! Except er, the embarrassing parts, of course. It's a lot, though. It'll definitely take a Mawile," he warned.

"Oh you're just being goofy now. I'm being serious!" she laughed. "You just fell off a cliff. You're quite a character to be saying silly stuff."

"Aww, I thought we were trading. But if that's how you want to Spinda it, that's cool," he snickered, and she giggled again. "Okay, I'll be serious. I'm just really happy to see you right now."

"H-huh?" she froze in surprise.

"I-I mean, I just, the more the merrier, you know? And you seemed really enthusiastic, so I was kind of hoping we'd get to travel together or something," he started to mumble as he rotated nervous gestures.

"Arf arf arf! Bawoo, arf!" Mimia barked so loud he jumped.

"Aww c'mon Mimia, you know it's nothing like that. It'd be fun to have friends along for the ride, don't you think? Especially someone who knows lots about Heroica," he objected.

"I er… hmm. Okay. I dunno why you'd want a nobody like me, but…" Azu said, putting her hands on her hips. "That's pretty sweet of you. If it really is okay for me to go where the Shining Warriors will go, then I hope you'll have me."

"I'm cool!" Lucca raised a flipper, and Mimia whined. "Aww, it'll be alright. Trust me."

"Are non-Shining Warriors allowed to come with us? Not that I have a problem if they are," Ruby said, raising a hand with him. Mimia hung his head for a moment, and then joined them with a happy yip.

"Azu, you helped us out so much. I'd be much happier with you around," Crystal added. She gasped and then bowed "Ah, sorry! I-I mean… I'm sorry. Miss Azu, if it wasn't for you, I might've jumped off the cliff and gotten hurt, too. But now, Ruby's safe and sound here. I owe you so much! You too, Mr. Brionne."

"You really helped me a lot, too. I wouldn't be here if you hadn't have helped me. I owe you a lot, so I would love it if you came with us, Azu," Shelly nervously joined everyone. By now, Azu's cheeks were bright red and she was scrunched up tight.

"A-aww, you guys, stop it! You're making me sound way better than I am and stuff. I just did what any good Pokémon would do," she squeaked. "Wait a minute. Guys! Guys, your amulets!"

"My- ah!" Crystal gasped, and held hers forward. The hexagonal gem on the end was shining bright, and it almost looked like she was holding up a flame. The others held their amulets forward to the same effect, speechless and blinded a bit.

The whole place began to rumble, putting everyone on edge. Similar streams of light appeared in strange patterns all over the floor and walls, bright and flowing like streams of fire. It was as if their surroundings were activating some kind of machine, only all the lights gathered at a single spot on the wall a little ways behind them. A sword shaped symbol appeared, and then part of the wall began to descend into the floor, revealing a staircase.

"This is… oh my gosh, this is the temple, it's the temple! The temple, the temple, the temple!" Azu squealed. "This is it! Ahh I'm so excited I could… I could!"

"You could?" Lucca tilted his head. She let out a shrill squeal, making everyone but him cringe.

"The trial of Fossil Hill begins right here, where all the Shining Warriors are gathered. I'll get to witness it, I can't believe it!" she cried, and then stopped stiff. "Er… that's only if I'm allowed up there and stuff. Unless this means I'm a Shining Warrior, too? No, it couldn't be. I don't have an amulet!"

"Y'know what? I like your attitude! Who cares what the old guys say in the rules. Let's go!" Ruby cheered, and charged off.

"Ruby, wait up! We should be careful, we just got back!" Crystal cried and tripped after her.

"This is what we're working towards, Mimia. Things are moving so fast, aren't they?" Lucca remarked. Mimia made a curious sound and stood beside him. "Alright. Let's see what's store for us."

"Whoa er, I guess I'm okay, then?" Azu giggled and hopped after them.

"Oh no, everyone's going. Is it really safe? What if there's a monster?" Shelly mumbled with his head in his paws. He looked up after a moment. "Wa-wah! Wait for me!"

…

Beyond the door was a far longer staircase than the others they had been on so far. Just like the one Ruby's group had seen, it was made of disconnected glass bars that seemed to ascend through a world of darkness. It wasn't completely black, but lightly illuminated in the distance by those light blue spheres.

The group had become silent again, where only their footsteps echoed. Their faces were concentrated besides Azu, who's smiling gaze darted to and fro. They went high enough that the doorway they came through became a pinhole light, while their destination seemed to be a giant sphere of white light. It blinded them as they went through, but they proceeded without slowing down.

"It's… just the top of the canyon," Lucca stated, first to pop his head up. He was shoved from behind, so he hopped onto flat ground to let everybody else up.

Crystal was surprised, still. This was definitely still part of Fossil Hill. The uncomfortable mixture of humid sun and stagnant air from their height was all too familiar. She could see the mountains and stalagmites of the region over the horizon, too.

Where they were, this looked unnatural. The floor was perfectly flat, sea blue, and tiled with black lines to create huge squares. The entire floor was a perfect square, too. Not a pebble, crack, or indent was here. When the group came through the light, Azu included, their way down disappeared, leaving nothing for decoration. Nothing besides themselves, and a lone Pokémon at the far end of the square. The moment Crystal looked, her chest twisted.

"Mum?" she whispered and held her breath.

"No way. What?" Ruby gasped.

"Mum?" Lucca said, glancing at them. They exchanged glances and jogged over.

There was no doubt about it, Suzie was here. The Kangaskhan that always had a stoic look to her, and was surrounded by a dozen infant Pokémon. She had her back to the group until they approached, where she smiled and waved at them. The infants ran and hid behind her.

"What're you doing here? Heck, how did you get here?" Ruby asked.

"It seems I made a hard misjudgement," Suzie began, and her hands lowered to her sides. "But that's fine. Even grownups make mistakes sometimes. Nobody's perfect – I've told you that before, I'm sure."

"What do you mean?" Crystal said, playing with her flippers.

"Lillistep is fine, girls. Me and the kids managed to escape, as you can see. And the knights will be leaving the village alone," Suzie announced. "Although we can't go back there, we can go someplace else, and start again. It sounds difficult after everything that happened, but there's nothing we can't do."

"Well, good luck to you on that. But me? I'm already out here, and I've witnessed magic. I ain't goin' back," Ruby stated. Suzie downed her head.

Something's not right, Crystal told herself, and gulped.

"I don't want to have to use force, Ruby. Please don't make me. I never wanted you kids to have to see that side of me," Suzie said, and slowly shook her head.

"Grownups have to stick to their promises, don't they? And you told us big things were up. You said it was her destiny!" Ruby replied, and glanced at Crystal. "You can't just suddenly show up and say we're goin' someplace else."

"And grownups also know what is best. Trust me, Ruby. You children don't know what you're getting yourselves into. This isn't a journey of fun and games. Please just do as I say," Suzie said. She crouched and held a hand out for them. "It must have been tough on you to get this far. But that's enough adventure for now. You can rest easy with me."

"I," Crystal tried to speak. She couldn't turn away from the floor, and gulped again. "Mum, do you really want to take us away after everything? What're we going to do?"

"We'll do as we did before. We'll travel down south to one of Heroica's uncharted villages and live out our days in peace. It'll be just like old times, only more exciting, as we'll get to broaden our horizons. We'll build ourselves a new home, new facilities, and get to know new Pokémon. It'll be comfortable," Suzie explained. "We'll—"

"I can't!" Crystal exclaimed. She struggled to look up, and unwillingly locked eyes with the Kangaskhan. In that moment, any confidence or words she had vanished, and she stumbled back. "I-I can't go. I can't just give up all of a sudden."

"That's the spirit," Ruby said.

"Crystal," Suzie mouthed.

"If I understand what's going on here," Lucca spoke up, getting their attention. "You ought to have more confidence in your kids, Miss Suzie. They're brave, and very powerful. The Shining Warrior journey won't break them."

"I'm afraid your word isn't relevant here," Suzie replied, and stood up. "This is about more than the danger of the journey."

"Then just tell us!" Ruby raised her voice.

"You say that, but I'm wondering now." Azu bounced forward. "This is one of the Shining Warrior's trial sites, where powerful monsters are said to wait to test this generation's warriors. But there doesn't seem to be anything here."

"Oh, so you do know a little more about the legend. Yes, there was a monster here, but me and the kids already destroyed it," Suzie said.

"What?" Azu gasped.

"There was a monster!" Shelly squeaked.

"Must've been some weak monster if you guys could deal with it. Way to kill the hype, though," Ruby commented.

She says that, but we saw how powerful Suzie is on her own. Crystal thought back to Suzie fighting the knights, and how they went through the wall due to the force of a mere punch. "But why?"

"To protect you from threat, of course," Suzie said with a gleeful smile. "What kind of mother would I be if I allowed you to fight such a terrifying enemy, while claiming to want to protect you?"

"Well that makes our job way easier. We just have to wait for the Angel to show up, right?" Lucca asked.

"You will be doing no such thing." Suzie switched tone completely. "I had to ask nicely, but I'm afraid I absolutely cannot allow you to go onward. Girls, this is about you. Please don't make me have to do this."

"Do what? C'mon, stop beatin' around the bush. You're not gonna fight us," Ruby said. Suzie spread her feet apart and steadied her arms, ready for battle. "Wait a minute, I was—"

"I mean it, you two. I don't want to have to use force, but if I must, then I will. I'm used to allowing you to disobey me for petty things like food or toys. But this, this is a matter of life or death, where things are truly best left unknown to you," Suzie warned. "If you would truly disobey me in the name of this journey, then show me you have what it takes. To stand against any foe, even your mother."

"Grrk. You're really gonna pull something like that?" Ruby growled. Suzie tensed, to which Ruby flared her back.

"Ruby, wait!" Crystal cried.

"No Crystal! Don't you see what's going on here?" Ruby shouted. "What you want is being challenged. This is something you have to do."

"What? But that doesn't make any sense!" Crystal cried.

"It doesn't matter if she's our mother or what. She's going to stop us from saving the world, and that means we have to push her aside. No matter what it takes, we're doing the Shining Warrior legend!" Ruby explained.

Crystal coughed. "Just tell us, Mum! We don't have to do this."

But the others had already drawn their weapons to prepare for battle. Everybody except Shelly, who had run far back with Azu. Suzie watched them all with a glint in her eyes, though her stance was perfect.

Then there was a long pause. The group never wavered, awkward with twitches and mumbles of uncertainty. Meanwhile, Suzie didn't move an inch. The only emotion on her being was that glint in her eyes, which vanished with a blink. She meant what she was about to do, and that alone defeated Crystal mentally.

"You're not going to. You're just dumb, like all the other big-headed dumbass grownups who think they know everything. I hate you, Suzie! I can't believe you're still trying to take everything away from me!" Ruby shouted. Suzie didn't react. "You really think I'm scared of you, don't you? I'm not. I haven't been since ever!"

The group were surprised as Ruby unleashed a Flamethrower straight at Suzie, who disappeared into a wall of fire as it spread across her front. She kept exhaling, causing the air around them to fluctuate and heat up.

Crystal watched in horror, and then gasped sharply as she caught a hint of what was really going on. Before she could react, Suzie charged headfirst straight through the Flamethrower. She appeared in front of Ruby with an arm raised high and fangs bared, giving the Cyndaquil only a brief moment to respond. With a gasp, Ruby opened her Parashelter and leaned back, but it did little to save her. That arm hammered into the floor with wicked force, scattering chunks of stone all over while Ruby was sent rolling back.

"Ruby! Goodness, she's strong," Lucca gasped. Mimia barked at him, and the two charged ahead next.

Mimia was the first to take her on. He hopped up to her height and threw a punch, but it was easily blocked by her arm. The moment he landed, he attempted to tackle her, but she twisted to take the attack with her side. Mimia was fast and circled her, continuously trying to punch, tackle, and even cut her with his knife, but everything he did was blocked by surprisingly fast movements.

Lucca suddenly appeared high above her with both of his swords raised above his head. With Mimia attacking her, he expected to land a dangerous hit on her shoulders, but just before he was about to swing, her arm covered his view completely. His blades hit her, but didn't do much as scratch her hide.

"What the?" Lucca gasped, stuck in place. His swords ground against her arm to no effect. She looked up at him and smirked, sending him into a panic. A second later, he received a punch to the stomach, leaving him floored beside Ruby, who was just getting up.

"Mum, stop! Don't hurt them!" Crystal cried, aiming an arrow.

Suzie looked at her with half-lidded frustration. "That's not like you, Crystal. If you want to stop a threat, you must show that you are not a threat in response."

Crystal was out of her mind right now. She knew she didn't want to hurt this Pokémon, and yet her body wouldn't move. It kept that arrow drawn back, aimed directly at Suzie's face. Gruesome possibilities that she didn't want to see played through her mind. All she had to do was let go. Let that arrow go and it would all be over.

"How did she block my swords? Are Pokémon really that powerful?" Lucca growled as he rolled over.

"She blocked my Flamethrower, too. That's like, she ain't Pokémon, that's for sure!" Ruby remarked. "There's just gotta be a way past that defence of hers. There's just no way a Pokémon can be that strong!"

The battle fell to a stalemate. Crystal and Suzie had their sights locked on each other, yet there remained a constant sense of oppression from the Kangaskhan. Suzie wasn't looking in the group's direction at all, and yet, it was clear that she could react to anything they could try. Knowing she could move so fast yet remain stiff enough to block blades had them at their wits end.

That was until Lucca noticed someone move. The child in Suzie's pouch was blissfully unaware of the stakes, and waved its arms in happy silence. He blinked as he thought of the dark possibility. That couldn't be a weakness, could it? Then again, he knew of the stakes to begin with.

"Crystal, aim for her pouch!" Lucca ordered. To his surprise, Suzie reacted, if only slightly.

Crystal on the other hand, almost flipped out and screamed. He wanted her to aim at Suzie's child? Was he out of his mind? Could he do something like that in her position? If Suzie was to be hurt by this arrow, at least she was a tough enough Pokémon that could maybe recover from it. But that child in her pouch? That was a thought she didn't want to be having.

The battle resumed. Lucca, Mimia, and Ruby scattered across the area and attacked one at a time, all from different angles so that Suzie would struggle to keep up. Flamethrower aimed at her waist, while Mimia clung to her tail, and Lucca threw himself at her pouch.

None of them actually hit the child, but with their speed and Suzie's size, she wasn't protecting herself properly anymore. When Lucca was about to slash, she would lean forwards to protect her front with her arms and face, while twisting on one foot to take Ruby's flames with her back. Mimia proved to be a nuisance that took her off-balance for most of the fight. Soon enough, Suzie was covered in shallow cuts and black burn marks, but still she stood strong while the others had to catch their breath.

At that moment, Crystal saw what appeared to be the perfect opportunity. She'd stood there in the same spot the whole time, still holding back an arrow and ready to fire. Time froze, her surroundings dulled to pure black, and the only things around were herself, and Suzie. Suzie was not facing her, and for first time since their confrontation, didn't feel like she had eyes on the back of her head.

Fire. Just fire, and it'll all be over. That's all I have to do.

…

"Do it. Stop wasting time and do it. Kill them all."

…

Crystal gasped so sharply it hurt. She had no idea what had just happened. It felt like she'd just leapt through time, as one moment she was still hesitating, the next, Suzie was halfway through an earth-shaking howl of agony. In another sense, it was as if she'd lost all consciousness for a moment, and within that instant, she'd let that arrow fly and pierced Suzie's hide.

Crystal couldn't move. She had clearly aimed at Suzie's pouch, but thankfully, Suzie had been able to react fast enough to put a hand in the way. The arrow went straight through that hand, leaving the Kangaskhan to stare at it with hard shivers.

"Crystal!" Ruby shouted.

"N-no, wa-wait. I didn't mean to!" Crystal fell on all fours. To her surprise, Suzie fell quiet. She grabbed her wounded hand and held it steady, and then began to pull the arrow out. "Wa-wait, Mum!"

Crystal had to turn away from the result. Suzie barely let out another grunt, much to everyone's surprise. When they were able to stare back at her, it became obvious that she was hardly as damaged as any normal Pokémon would've been.

"You really did it," Suzie said, admiring her hurt hand. There was a miniscule wound and not a drop of red. "And despite everything, you remained conscious."

"Mum?" Ruby cocked her head. "What the heck does that mean?"

Suzie looked up at them with a cheery grin. "It means that I've been defeated. If I get hit like that much more, I'm not going to be able to take these kids home!"

"Seriously, what're you made of?" Lucca gasped. Mimia made a quizzical sound to echo him.

"The genuine answer is… Mother. I am made of Mother." Suzie smiled at him. "The thing that does the world's greatest job of protecting their children. Only my kids could hit me hard enough to actually hurt me."

"What… does that…?" Lucca raised an eyebrow.

"Shh. Only women will know." Azu tapped him.

"Crystal, Ruby. You two wouldn't stop fighting even if I continued, and the longer this goes on, the harder you will try. That much I can tell in your attacks, and that critical hit of yours. If you can try that hard in your darkest moments, then maybe, just maybe," Suzie said as she slowly bowed her head. She shook her head and looked at them. "You'll be alright. Maybe things could work out."

"It's like I kept tryin' ta tell you. I ain't gonna let nothing or nobody stop me. I meant it, Suzie! That's why I spent all those years making myself stronger," Ruby stated. "Nothing is going to stop me and Crystal. Not even you!"

"If only you fully understood what I meant… but it's for the best. Crystal, lift your head up," Suzie instructed. Crystal couldn't obey, though. She was far too afraid. "If you are listening to me, then ask yourself if this was the outcome you wanted."

That got her to look up. "Huh?"

"If things are going as you want, then pat yourself on the back and keep on as you are. If they aren't, then ask yourself what you can do to make them better next time, and do everything you can to get there. If even one step at a time," Suzie said.

There it was. Crystal could have burst into tears right there. That soothing, mature voice than comforted her better than anything else in the world. Knowing she had hurt this Pokémon that meant so much to her kept her quiet. Iit was also solid evidence that this wasn't an illusion or a nightmare of any sort.

Suzie's advice was sound. Crystal was scared, and her chest hurt, but she knew what she'd have to do from here on.

"I'm so proud of you both. In all of this, the thing that hurts the most is accepting that I have to let you both run free on this journey. At the very least, this time I can give you a proper goodbye," Suzie said, and then crouched down. She opened her arms out, and then Crystal lost it. She couldn't help herself. She rushed in and hugged her, welcomed by a motherly embrace. The other infant Pokémon joined the cuddle as well. "Please take care of yourself, Crystal."

"Aren't you going to join them?" Lucca leaned forward to mumble to Ruby, who turned away.

"Hmpf. She's not my real mother. I don't need to take part in that," Ruby pouted. Her cheeks had gone the slightest bit red, though.

"Heh. If you say so," he chuckled.

"It's true. Ruby's too cool for that, now," Suzie joked. Ruby glared at her, then turned from everyone with a bright blush this time.

Suzie was the one to pull away from the hug. All of the infants were latched to her arms or back tightly. She didn't say a word, even though it was clear Crystal needed to hear more. She just turned and left, their last view her being her tail slowly swaying side to side as she disappeared beyond the stairs.