By the time the police arrive, Jupiter and the Shadow Triad are long gone. Dawn has cried herself into non-responsiveness, while Nate, after some heavy breathing, refuses to meet my gaze. Or even look at me.

Since I was the one who made the call and the two are not in their best state, I end up being the one who has to explain what transpired here. And I tell the police everything I can: Team Plasma has officially returned, they've recruited a former high-ranking member of the Sinnohan criminal group Team Galactic, and they've stolen Dawn's Pokémon under threats on Nate's life.

When I'm asked what they were doing here, I come up blank. Jupiter only said they found whatever they were after. She didn't say what that was. And the prospect that they may have a new goal unrelated to Kyurem frightens me to no end.

As the police escort us away from the castle, there is still one issue to solve.

"Which of you is this Sigilyph with?"

I look at the psychic Pokémon who hasn't left our side yet. "Why are you still following us? Those Plasma thugs are gone."

The pink aura comes again, as it summons sand to communicate with me once more.

You wanted me to follow you

Oh right, the reason we came to this dump in the first place.

"And you want to? I'm not forcing anything on you. If you'd rather stay here I can respect it."

The Sigilyph hesitates before it makes the sand shift another time.

I wish to live among humans again

I furrow my brow. "Again?"

This time, it has much more to say, as I have just enough time to read its phrases before the sand forms another.

I used to live with a group of archeologists

They took me in long ago

Taught me how to write and read

One day, those you call Plasma came

They wore different colors, but they had the same logo

The day after, the archeologist returned me here

They said they were sorry to have denied me my freedom

Oh, crap…

"I'm sorry," is all I can say. "Is there a way we can find these archeologists? Times have changed since then. I'm sure they'd be happy to have you again."

The Sigilyph's eyes turn to look downward.

I do not think they are in Unova any more

"What makes you say that?"

Two years is more than they normally would stay in one place

Goddammit.

"Alright, but just so we're clear, I'm a trainer. You do know what trainers do right? Are you sure you're up for that?"

The Sigilyph blinks all three eyes as they turn to me again. This time, it chooses to respond vocally. "Sig."

"Alright. Do you already have a nickname?"

I do not

Really? Those archeologists couldn't think of one?

"In that case, are you male or female?" Sigilyphs were not genderless, right?

I'm fortunately given an answer, as the Sigilyph says it's male.

Now let's see...a name based on the fact he's been abandoned by his previous owners seems in poor taste. Although the fact that his species were guardians of an ancient civilization…

"How do you like Seteth?"

The Sigilyph doesn't say or write anything to my proposal. He just narrows his top eye.

"It's complicated," I explain. "The short version is, that's the name of a stern but just man from a tale from my home. He was responsible for looking after children."

That's a bit of a simplified version of the guy. But judging by the Sigilyph's response, that seems to be enough.

If that is the case, I would be honored

I nod to him and pick one of the Premier Balls in my bag. "Then welcome aboard, Seteth. Are you ready?"

Seteth doesn't respond right away. First, he turns to the surrounding sands and gives them one final look. Only then does he give me an affirmative "Sig".

Seteth touches the Poké Ball with his tails and I then press its central button. Seteth is absorbed by the usual red beam and turned into data and I wait until the three shakes and the click occur.

After he's captured, I follow the police as they lead the way out of the desert.

Contrary to what I expected, we are not taken to the police station. Instead, we are taken to a hospital. A real hospital, not the infirmary for humans the Pokémon Center has. Apparently my recounting of what happened made the police think getting us a checkup was more important than hearing our testimony.

Jupiter wasn't kidding about that rib, but apparently being in the Pokémon world means that a Heal Pulse from an Audino, some bandages and a warning not to put my body under any kind of strain are all I need.

Nate is much the same story, only he's given a plaster cast around his neck for a few days.

Dawn, out of the three of us, is the one faring the best. At least, physically.

Unfortunately, it's clear by the melancholic faces they both have that neither is an emotional good place right now. Which would make me the one to try and help them out.

God help us all.

"So…"

Both of them turn to me. Nate looks at me with an almost mortified expression. Dawn's face settles into a scowl.

"You guys want to-?"

"Why did you two do it?!" Dawn snaps out of the blue. "I told you to stay outside! What made you think following me was a good idea?!"

I let down a gulp.

"It's my fault," Nate laments, head once again dropping as he doesn't meet neither my gaze nor Dawn's glare. "Mister Beccaria warned me not to follow and I didn't listen. I...I didn't think that…"

"...the fault is not just his," I confess. "I should have kept a closer eye on him. And for that and your Pokémon, I'm sorry."

"Well, you should be!" Dawn snarls. "If you had, none of them would...I wouldn't...I…"

The hands coming to cover her face muffle the pained cry she lets out next.

I'm not sure entirely what goes through my head at seeing her break down like that. All I know is that I get up from my bed and wrap my arms around her.

"Don't!" she vehemently protests as she fidgets within my hug. "Let me go! I don't want-"

"Shhh," I cut her off. "It's alright. If you feel like you need to cry, do it. You do not have to put up a strong front."

"Don't! Don't you dare use my own words! You have no idea what-!"

"What it feels like to have your friends taken away from you?" I say, my own voice hoarse as I utter those words. "How painful it is when those that have been close to you for so long are gone and there's nothing you can do about it?"

Dawn quiets down at my words and stops fidgeting. After a few moments of silence, her head comes to rest on my chest as she cries and lets out more pained cries.

"How do you do it?" she asks between sobs. "How do you manage to stay level-headed about it? How are you not a mess like me?"

...that is a good question. How have I stayed level-headed this whole time?

"I don't know," is all I can tell her. "I believe...there has always been something else to do. Bureaucracy to deal with, a Maractus to train, a Gym challenge to organize. That day it rained...that day was the one moment where I had nothing to keep my mind from thinking about it."

I let out a low hiss as Dawn's fingers grasp my jacket while she keeps crying.

At that display, I can think of only one thing that can bring her any sort of comfort. Even though finding the strength to say it out loud is a struggle.

"I don't know if this is any help, but at least you still have something to hold onto that I do not."

"And what would that be?"

I let down a gulp. "Hope. Hope that you can see your Pokémon again. They are still in the same world as you. And you have the means to reunite with them. Not like me."

Dawn stiffens within my arms at those words. But I don't pay that the attention I should, as a knot forms in my chest while I feel my eyes itching.

That's the truth, isn't it? I'm stuck here. And there is no going back, no matter how much I wish I could.

Unfortunately - or perhaps fortunately - I don't get to muse on that too long, as before long Dawn mutters more words.

"Did I do the right thing down there? Just doing what Jupiter ordered me, without trying to find an alternative way out?"

"...I may not know Jupiter like you do, but I can tell what kind of person she is. A bully who takes pleasure in putting people between a rock and a hard place, with no chance of finding a way out."

Dawn gives no apparent acknowledgment to my words.

"For what it's worth, you were right there. Having a life on my conscience…I don't know if I could live with myself."

A whimper escapes Dawn this time.

While the bluenette is busy letting her pain out within my arms, I turn to look at Nate. The boy now looks even worse than before, with his hands tightly wrapped on themselves and his eyes intently focused on the floor beneath his feet as a defeated expression adorns his face.

"Boy…"

"I've messed up," he says before I can finish. "I've messed everything up."

...I wish I could tell him he's being too hard on himself. But unfortunately he's right. He fucked up big time here.

"Yes," I admit with a gulp. "Yes, you did."

He closes his eyes and starts letting out sobs.

"But that is then, and what's done is done." Nate looks up to me, his eyes slightly reddened now. "Now you have to focus on being better next time."

"I don't know if there will be a next time. I...I don't know if I'm fit to be a trainer after this."

"Boy," I sigh. "My life has been filled with lots of mess ups on my part." Probably more than accomplishments. "But if I had let all of them weigh me down, I wouldn't be here today. No matter what, life keeps going, and so must we."

"Even after something so disastrous?"

"Especially after something so disastrous."

Nate doesn't look convinced by my words.

"If I may," Dawn chimes in, startling both of us as she wiggles out of my arms. Her face is now marred by crying lines and bloodshot eyes, but the determined look in her eyes as she looks at Nate is clear to see. "Do you want to hear about one moment of my Gym challenge that almost made me consider giving up on my journey?"

Oh? A humiliating defeat from a Gym leader?

...or some of the stuff that happened after the lakes' bombing?

Nate weakly nods to his idol.

"It all started in Eterna City, a rural town to the north-west of Sinnoh. I had just won my second badge from Gardenia, the local leader. Team Galactic - the group I told you about - had kidnapped the Pokémon of the local bike shop's owner. I don't remember why they did that, but it's not important."

I frown. I think I know what she's talking about, but why would that event make her wish to quit being a trainer? It was neither her first major defeat nor her first run-in with Team Galactic.

Although…

"The police had organized an operation: distract Team Galactic at the main entrance of their building while Gardenia snuck from a side one and freed the Pokémon. Gardenia agreed to let me come along, but only if I promised to follow her instructions. I broke that promise."

Nate widens his eyes. I blink in surprise.

"We learned that the Pokémon was being held at the top floor of the building. I broke off from Gardenia and rushed the stairs to get there as soon as possible. That's where I first met Jupiter."

Uh-oh.

Taking down Jupiter's Zubat has been child's play. A few electric moves with Shin and it went down.

But this Skuntank...this Skuntank is almost as bad as that Purugly back at Valley Windworks. My team is stronger now, and I have Drif now on it. And yet, this Dark-type was able to wipe the floor with almost all of them.

At least we managed to put up more of a fight this time around. At least, that's what I want to believe now that Pip and the Skuntank are breathing heavily in front of each other.

"Finish it off with another Night Slash!"

As the Skuntank charges Pip, its claws glow black once more.

"Use Metal Claw, Pip!"

The tips of the Prinplup's wings glow grey as he charges as well.

Both of the attacks connect with their targets and then, to my shock, both Pokémon fall unconscious.

And with Pip down, I have no more Pokémon left to protect me. Oh, I can already hear Gardenia's scolding…

As soon as the battle is over, more Team Galactic grunts join Jupiter at her side, Poké Ball ready to be thrown.

Alright, let's see...I think I have a Revive or two with me. It won't bring my Pokémon to full health, but maybe enough to keep fighting. Who to send, though?

"Hold it," Jupiter stops her underlings, one hand raised as she recalls her Skuntank.

Huh? What's this all of a sudden? Is she surrendering? Even if I'm out of Pokémon?

"Well, aren't you tough?" she chuckles as a...creepy smirk forms on her face. "Truly, I was careless with you and it cost me."

As she says that, she starts taking slow steady steps toward me, all while keeping that creepy smirk on her face. And for every step forward she takes, I take one backward. At least, until I'm with my back against a wall.

When she just keeps walking forward, I glance at the stairs. I don't know what this creepy lady wants to do, but maybe if I run for it-

"Ah, ah, ah," Jupiter whispers, one of her arms resting on the wall as it cuts off my means of escape, all while she looks down at me. "You've already been naughty enough today, breaking into other people's places. You wouldn't want to disrespect adults now, would you?"

I gulp down. Which only makes her let out a sinister giggle. "There's a good girl."

"Now." Her other hand comes forth. I shake in my boots as it touches my hair. "What's your name, girlie? I don't believe you've presented yourself during this mess."

"D-Dawn," I whimper. "Dawn Hikari."

"Dawn Hikari," she repeats to herself, her smirk widening. "I'll be sure to remember it when you're gone."

Wh-what does that-?

All of a sudden, Jupiter pulls my hair and forces me on my knees. Before I can react, I find both of her hands wrapped around my neck.

And as her grip tightens, all I can do is watch in horror at the way her mouth and eyes twitch.

Oh my God…

Dawn has to take a pause at that point. I take the chance to give Nate a quick glance. He looks as horrified as I feel, if not more, as he massages his neck.

"How…" he hesitantly asks. "How did you…?"

"Gardenia," Dawn croaks. "She arrived before it was too late and had her Roserade use Razor Leaf on her arms. The wounds it left scarred, if the medical report from when she was arrested is anything to go by."

Christ almighty…

"But that is not the point right now."

Dawn gets up from her bed, takes slow steps toward Nate and sits next to him. The boy looks at her with shocked, widened eyes.

"The point is that I've been there. I know it. The fear. The sense of helplessness. I went through that too. I was supposed to prevent you from doing the same." Dawn lowers her head. "And I failed you."

"Wh-what? No, you didn't-"

"I did. I knew of Team Plasma's return. I knew we would run into them. And I knew you'd be in danger. I knew all of that, and I still agreed to have you come along."

Wait, is she-?

"Wh-what do you mean?"

Dawn doesn't reply. Instead she turns to me, a pleading look in her eyes.

Is she really going back on that "good soldiers follow orders" mentality?

"Are you sure-?"

She nods before I'm finished. "Whatever happens next, I'll take full responsibility for it."

Nate is looking confusedly between Dawn and me at this point.

"Strap in, boy," I sigh. "I can already tell you this will come as a shock."

I then proceed to telling Nate everything I've already told Dawn and her superiors. That I already knew the Pokémon world through video games, that we are before the beginning of one of them and that I knew about Team Plasma's return because of that, as well as their plan.

He looks confused by the parts about his world being a videogame in mine. But the confusion gives away to horror when I get to the details surrounding Kyurem.

"Another dragon?!" he asks when I'm finished. "And Team Plasma wants it to...freeze Unova?!"

"If it doesn't submit to them, yes," I confirm. And immediately have to say more when I see him starting to breathe unevenly. "But that plan will not come to be. Not with the International Police keeping an eye on it."

"It's true," Dawn chimes in. "Kyurem is still within the Giant Chasm. No one has taken it."

Nate's breathing returns normal at that. But his next words make it clear he's still on edge. "B-but...those people at Relic Castle and…that woman…?"

"I have no idea," I sigh. "They weren't supposed to have any business there. And Jupiter was as much of a surprise for me as for you two."

"Coupled with the fact she knew about you, that only proves my theory right," Dawn intervenes. "They know. And they have a new plan."

...yeah.

"S-so...what are we going to do?"

Dawn answers with a sigh. "Tomorrow, as soon as possible, I'll contact my superiors in the International Police and update them on what happened. Hopefully they'll have something for us."

I hope so too.

The night doesn't go over that well. Even if we weren't worried about what's next for us, we all have something of our own to keep us awake.

Neither I nor Dawn manage to get any kind of shut-eye. Nate, however, has it worse than us, as he keeps agitating in his sleep, whimpering "no" over and over again and repeatedly wakes up letting out heavy breaths.

Every time he does, Dawn goes by his side and tries to comfort him. The words she uses to do so all amount to "she's not here, you're safe". The implications of that and how she knows that's what Nate needs to hear are unnerving to say the least.

As for me, I just stare up at the ceiling, thinking about...everything.

A real shame about that movie I was supposed to go watch with Lorenzo. Even if I could return, it wouldn't be in theaters any more at this point. I hope Giulio was at least able to pass that exam. I know firsthand how hard that was.

Let's also hope dad doesn't forget his medicines now that I'm no longer able to remind him. And that mom was able to find another means of returning from her office. And that my grandparents are alright.

…

No, no, no, no crying. There's too much going on to break down now.

The following morning, the police meet with me and Nate to officially take our statement, while Dawn leaves the hospital and goes straight to the Pokémon Center to contact her superiors.

I do most of the talking, relaying everything from when we met Seteth to when they found us. The only part Nate has to fill in is what happened while he was on his own. And it turns out I was the lucky one out of the two, as he ran into not just two members of the Shadow Triad, but also three Plasma grunts.

When the police are finished, the two of us are left with nothing more than waiting until Dawn returns from the Center with news.

Which leaves us in the position of staying next to each other in an awkward silence.

"So…" I attempt to break the ice. "Anything you want to talk about?"

"I…" he trails off, all without ever meeting my gaze. "I'm not sure." He starts fidgeting with his hands. "If...if it's okay, could I ask about these games from your worlds?"

"Fire away."

He jerks his head to me as he gives me a terrified look. "What?!"

"Whoa, easy," I reassure him. "It's just a way to say you can ask me anything."

"Oh!" he gasps. "I, uh, I'm sorry, I thought you, uhm…"

"Let's move on, alright?" I intervene and he nods. "So, what do you want to know?"

"Do I...do I appear in these games?"

"In one, yes," I reply. "Although it's nothing major. All your counterpart ever did was meet the protagonist - a girl from Aspertia called Rosa - and become her partner in the Battle Subway. No mention of Nature Today or of your parents."

I purposely skip the part where he and Rosa were interchangeable.

"So…" Nate says. "You don't know anything about my personal future or stuff like that?"

I shake my head. "I'm not a fortune reader. Already, a lot of stuff is different from what I knew. And not just because I'm here. Almost everything here is more bureaucratic than what I thought. The Pokémon Centers don't follow a "one for city" rule they did in the games. Even," I gulp, "even Jupiter is not what she was in the games."

Nate furrows his brow. "She was in those games?"

I nod. "A minor antagonist. One that talked big but was little more than a joke. Not this...this psychopath."

Nate presses his lips together as he looks at me uncomfortably. "How do you manage to be scarier than a multi-mouthed monster?"

I wince. "A what now?!"

Nate winces too. "Oh gosh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean-!"

"What's this about a monster? What are you talking about?"

"You...don't know?"

I shake my head.

To that response, Nate bites his lips before he explains himself. "The event that made the existence of Fallers known to the public was one that appeared at Hoenn's Battle Frontier seven months ago. And not a human one."

I widen my eyes. "Not a human one?!"

"It was...a monster is the best way I can describe it. A giant round black creature that was all mouth with golden fangs and two tongues that also had mouths."

The incident in Hoenn I heard about back when...this is what they meant? "What happened then?"

"The monster started rampaging through the Battle Frontier, literally devouring everything it came across. I don't know the specifics, but apparently the damage it caused before the International Police could send it back to Ultra Space was so bad that the Frontier was abandoned altogether."

Oh my God!

"Ahem."

We both turn in the direction of the voice and are met by the visage of Dawn with her arms crossed and brow furrowed. "I see you've found something to talk about."

"Is...is this true?" I ask her. "A monster destroying the Battle Frontier?"

Dawn purses her lips before giving a slow nod. "It is. I was there when the creature was sent back into Ultra Space."

What?!

Dawn continues under the stupefied look Nate and I give her. "Several people were also dragged into Ultra Space with it. Including a friend of mine. I...don't like to talk about it,"

...very well.

"If you're back, that means you have news from your superiors," I change the subject. "What are they?"

Dawn's first response is a huff. "First of all, they're furious we shared this kind of sensitive information with a civilian. I only managed to calm them by pointing out Team Plasma's return could no longer be kept hidden after this." She turns to Nate. "Also, they wanted you to know that if you breathe a word of it to anyone - even your family - you'll be in trouble."

Nate stiffly mimics the gesture of zipping his mouth, closing a lock and tossing away the key.

Dawn gives him a quick nod before turning back to me. "Second of all, they've now agreed to my theory that Team Plasma is pursuing a new objective now. As such, they've deemed your intel no longer viable."

I frown. "Which means…?"

"Which means that they no longer see any point in "having civilians involved in this". They will keep making sure Kyurem doesn't fall in the wrong hands, but what you can offer is no longer of any use. That, plus the fact you are now a sponsored trainer, made them decide you have no further need of a supervisor."

"Wait, what?" I ask. "Just like that?"

The bluenette nods. "Yes. And that brings me to my last point."

Before saying this next part, Dawn shifts on her feet and takes a deep breath. This can not possibly be good.

"As I'm no longer your supervisor, I'm supposed to leave Unova and return to the Faller Unit."

What?

"They've found a potential new Faller in Lumiose City, Kalos. And they want me on the case."

WHAT?!

"And what did you tell them?" Nate intervenes before I can say anything.

"I protested, of course," Dawn answers. "Even without the matter of my Pokémon, I reminded them that I know Jupiter better than most. But according to them, that actually makes things worse as, quote on quote, 'it makes this a personal matter for me and the situation is too delicate to be compromised by personal matters'."

You've gotta be kidding me.

"And just to make it clear how serious they are about this, they gave an ultimatum. Either I go to Kalos or I'm off the International Police."

Both Nate and I wince.

"What?!"

"They can do that?!"

"They can and they have."

Wait, what? "You mean you've already told them you're not going to Kalos?!"

Dawn solemnly nods. "I may have lost my job this way, but I can tell you, without a doubt, that I'd hate myself more for letting Jupiter and Team Plasma get away with this. I've already come this far, I'm not quitting this now."

...on the one hand, losing a job is a good way to make a bad situation worse. On the other, I know that if Annette had been the one kidnapped, I would have probably done the same in her shoes.

And I'm not sure if Dawn doing something I would have done is a good signal.

This chapter was bit of a mess to write, between scenes having to be rewritten more than once and times where I felt the pacing was wonky, but I hope the final product is to your liking.

As always, thank you to Softandhappy and Geolight164 for betareading. You can find us at the Fanfiction Treehouse discord server at: 9XG3U7a

See you next time!