Prologue

Greetings, young one.

"W-who are you? How did I get here?"

Who I am is of little importance. You have a long journey ahead of you, and it is my duty to prepare you before you go.

"Huh? Where am I going-?"

But first, I have some questions… Please do try to answer them as truthfully as possible. Firstly, do you tend to put others' needs before your own?

"Er- Yes, I do."

I see. You do strike me as a selfless individual. However, giving too much often leads to sacrifice. How much have you given, young one, at the cost of your own desires?

"I'm not sure... maybe a lot. It's not always ideal, but for the people I care about it's worth it."

Very good. Would you agree then, that your family and friends are very important to you?

"Of course I would. They're the most important to me."

An admirable trait, I must admit. But beware, altruism is a gift that can swiftly turn to folly. What would you say is your greatest folly, young one?

"My folly? Uh… I guess it would be that I'm kind of a coward. I just... can't ever manage to stand up for myself, and I avoid confrontation whenever I can."

I see... Not every conflict requires a confrontation, however. I assume you're the type who's always searching for a peaceful resolution?

"Yes, for the most part. If a confrontation can't be avoided, I always end up backing down…"

There is nothing wrong with that, young one. We often take for granted the effect that words can have on another, to change and form opinions to match your own. Nevertheless, I do believe I've heard enough for now. Correct me if I'm wrong, but to me, you seem like the Compassionate type. I can tell that you are very protective of your loved ones; you put them before all else, including yourself, out of loyalty and devotion to the ones you are closest to. Where others may dive headfirst into a decision, you think things through diligently and usually find a better solution, solutions that often yield greater outcomes for everyone around you. But beware, young one. Not all who wish to reap the benefits of your generosity will have your best interests in mind. I urge you to learn the distinction between those who reciprocate, and those who do not.

"Wow... you got all that from a couple of questions?"

You needn't worry yourself with that, young one. I do believe I have just the fit for you. Now, what is your name?

"My name? I think I remember... My... My name is Kai... "

Well, Kai, it appears as if we've run out of time. Your vessel is now complete. It is time for you to return to the living realm and fulfil your great purpose to the world.

"That can't be right. A purpose? Me?"

Do not question the will of the world, Kai. Our knowledge is a mere raindrop in the sea of all that has ever been, and you, young one, have barely begun to drink... All things have purpose. Yours will reveal itself when the universe is ready to show you.

For now, a compassionate person like you should be...

Night casted deep shadows over the Everwood forest as a lone figure charged hastily through the brush. The resilient foliage whipped back across the lycanroc's face and chest, stinging, but all the while she remained determined to reach her destination. The strong rays of a beacon shone boldly against the evening's dark canvas, permitting her to follow its guiding light with ease. With every step her old explorer's badge continued to glow brighter and brighter until she was streaking through the forest like a fallen star.

It wasn't long before she plowed through a wall of ferns and arrived at the deepest part of the forest, a tiny, starlit clearing. Immediately, the beacon disappeared, revealing two pokemon standing in its wake, a luxray and a sandslash. The pair wore badges of a similar fashion, although their own were much newer, the colors more vibrant and reflective. Coming face to face with her old teammates, she felt herself relax. "Sterling, Miles…" She was awash with gratitude. "It's good to see you two."

The sandslash, Miles, nodded back with a smile, just as amiable as ever. "It's good to see you too, Sapphire."

Sterling had remained stoic for the most part, the luxray's features revealing nothing yet. "Is it true?" he asked, "has he really returned?"

"I think so… I'm not really sure what to make of what I found just yet. A growlithe, unconscious in The Crossing. He's been unresponsive for days, but it's only a matter of time before he awakens."

Sterling, ever the cynic, shook his head in disbelief. "How can you be sure it's really him? Arcanine don't just come back as growlithe when they die."

The team stared at her, expectant, but all she could possibly offer them in response was a feeble shrug. "I can't explain it... it's just a feeling I get. Like he's finally come home."

"I don't get it," said the sandslash. "How can that be? I thought growlithes and arcanines were extinct."

"It doesn't make any sense, but it has to be true." The lycanroc was pleading now. She'd always had such a strong connection to him when he was alive, when she found that growlithe she just knew deep in her heart that he'd come back to her. There was no other way to explain it. "We can't just do nothing, can we?"

The two explorers shared a meaningful look. "We?"

That look. It was hope, written clear on their faces. Sapphire knew they wanted her back on the team. She yearned to be with them, too, to go back to the way that things were before when both her team and her heart were complete, but as painful as the truth was, she knew her place was no longer with them. Her pack needed her now. "I will do everything that I can to help, but I will not leave the Everwood." More softly, she added, "You know I can't. Not after everything that's happened."

The sandslash nodded through his disappointment, accepting of her answer, but the luxray's great, star-shaped tail lashed from one side to another to show his displeasure. Sapphire sensed his frustration, but her resolve left little room for compromise. There wasn't much more she could do.

"How can we help?" asked Miles.

"I can't keep him here in the Everwood with me. It just wouldn't be safe. Besides, the other pack leaders won't take the chance of taking in another growlithe after…" Quickly, she broke off, remembering the horrible fate that their sentire species faced in the beginning months of the year-long grief. The other pokemon looked visibly disturbed by the thought as well, and so she was confident that they understood the gravity of this task. "We need to get him somewhere protected. Somewhere out of the Emperor's reach."

Miles put a claw to his chin, pensive. "Treasure Town is still a free city. Why don't we bring him to the guild and put him under protective custody?"

"Good idea," said Sterling. "That guildmaster is a force to be reckoned with. The growlithe would be in good hands while we try to figure out our next step."

Sapphire accepted this proposal with a nod. It was a reasonable plan, after all. "Then it's settled. When the growlithe awakens and is ready to travel, I will turn him over to you, and you both can deliver him to the guild in Treasure Town."

"Sounds like a plan," said the sandslash.

Sapphire felt the slightest bit of envy, wishing she could go with them to Treasure Town and see everything she'd left behind when she assumed leadership of her pack. It had been so long since she'd been there last, and she had so many fond memories of training to become an explorer with Sterling and Miles. Nostalgia weighed down on her chest like a heavy stone, but nonetheless she forced herself to smile. She'd made her choice long ago, after all. "Thanks guys," she said, her tone genuine. "Seriously. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Anytime, Sapph," Miles said back. The warmth in his gaze was infectious.

Sapphire bowed her head and extended a paw in response, a gesture of deep respect among the lycanroc of Everwood, and it was Sterling who wordlessly reflected the same movement, his gaze shifting to hers. Through his wordless gesture, the luxray's message was clear. He did not like it, but he respected her decision to stay behind for her pack. The duo then bid their former partner farewell, leaving her alone in the starlit clearing once more.

The lycanroc sighed, finally allowing herself to relax for the first time in days. Her mind could be at ease knowing that the growlithe would be under the protection of the guildmaster himself, who wouldn't go down in a fight easily. Furthermore, Sapphire knew that as long as the guildmaster resided in Treasure Town, no villain or wrongdoer would ever dare come close.

"What do you MEAN the guildmaster is gone?"

The chatot, who was frantically searching the guildmaster's chamber for any evidence of his departure, silenced the loud-mouthed explorer with a harsh whisper. "Hush, will you? Are you trying to start an uproar?"

"SORRY," said the loudred, his voice only lowering minimally.

"Is he really missing?" Asked a sunflora, who was fidgeting with her bandana nervously. "Should we organize a search party?"

The chatot shook his head. "I'm afraid we wouldn't know where to start. He's left without a trace."

"What are we going to DO, then?"

The sunflora's leafy hands covered her cheeks. "This is not good at all!" She cried. "You'll have to take over the guildmaster's duties, Chatot! No one else is capable!"

The brightly colored avian winced. "Don't you think I know that?"

He was feeling the pressure building up now, insurmountable. The guildmaster wouldn't just up and leave without telling him, of all pokemon. If he was missing, it was the chatot's duty as his second-in-command to locate the wigglytuff and bring him home safely. He knew that if the roles were reversed, there was no question that the guildmaster would do everything he could and more for his partner. "Get Team Valor in here. Tell them that it's urgent."

With an earnest nod, the sunflora hurried off to relay the message. "And you," the chatot continued, turning to the loudred. "Go on about your normal duties for now-and please keep quiet about this whole ordeal until I figure out what we're going to do. Got that?"

"I'll try my BEST." He responded with a salute, prompting the chatot to sigh again, pinching the bridge of his beak with his wingtip.

And with that both pokemon were gone, leaving the winged songbird in the guildmaster's quarters alone. It was only a matter of time until the others figured out that their leader had vanished. He knew they wouldn't handle the news well, either.

The chatot tried to think of what could have happened to the guildmaster, but no explanation seemed to come together quite right. He was powerful. He was a leader. Few pokemon could ever hope to match his strength, and there was no way he could have simply wandered off on his own and gotten lost. The guildmaster was a seasoned explorer himself, after all. Nonetheless, wherever he was, they would find him. If he'd left with a purpose, the chatot hoped he could fulfil it quickly and return before the guild began to fall apart.

It was a chilly night in the Everwood when Kai had finally roused from his slumber. His body was cold and aching, but a nearby campfire provided some warmth to soothe his ailing to some degree. From across the campfire, a stranger stared back at him with bewildered eyes, her jaw hung in astonishment.

"Where am I?" Kai asked the lycanroc.

He was surprised at how feeble his voice sounded. Nonetheless, the lycanroc only stared back, her eyes wide and reflecting the same confusion Kai felt. She was silent for what felt like an eternity, and for a moment Kai wondered if she'd even heard him. After a lengthy beat of silence, she finally responded. "It's really you," she breathed, awed. "You're in the Everwood... Don't you remember this place?"

Still not entirely sure what an Everwood is, Kai took a moment to think about the last thing he could remember, hoping it could provide some clarity to the situation. The name 'Everwood' did not sound familiar, and truthfully, this lycanroc was a stranger to him. And, now that he's thought about it, he couldn't remember anything prior to this point. The only thing he was sure of was his name. Panic flared in the back of his mind, but he forced the rampant emotions back with a deep, steadying breath. "No, I don't remember this place... Should I?"

The lycanroc opened her mouth to speak, but her voice faltered before she could find the words. She was visibly hesitant, but eventually she'd managed to steel herself and venture forward with a single question. "...Do you remember me?"

The desperate look in her eyes was suffocating. Kai tried to think hard about who she might be, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't change that he was looking at a stranger. "I'm sorry, but... I really don't."

The lycanroc deflated. She was visibly hurt by this, Kai knew, and he felt racked with guilt, but there was truthfully nothing he could do to change the fact that he had no idea who she was. "Do you know how I got here?" he asked instead.

The lycanroc shook her head. "I'm afraid not. When I found you some nights ago in the Crossing, your body was cold and you weren't breathing. Anyone else would have mistook you for dead."

This whole scenario sounded bizarre to Kai. How could he sleep for that long without food? Water? Without breathing? There were a million questions that he needed to ask her , but he settled on the first one that crossed his mind. "Do you know who I am?"

The lycanroc was silent once more, her expression laced with doubt and uncertainty. It was clear that she did not truly know the answer, and the reality made his skin prickle uncomfortably. What's happened to him?

After another beat of tense silence, the lycanroc's gaze settled on Kai seriously. "You'd be safer with me in the village tonight. We'll get you rested and fed, and then we can talk about finding out where you came from in the morning."

She rose to stand with a furtive glance toward the treeline. Kai, also struggling to his paws, noticed this and briefly wondered what or who she was looking for. He hesitated, but surely going with her was the better alternative to wandering this forest alone and in the dark. "Sure, that sounds reasonable," he said, "do you live close by?"

"Relatively," she responded, taking off into the darkness beyond the clearing. "Right this way, follow me."

Kai faltered by the edge of the light their little campfire provided, shadows dancing across the ground as the lycanroc pushed past a wall of ferns. A cold chill flew through him just then. He wished the fire's light could follow him beyond this clearing and through the denser part of the forest. The thought that something could be lurking out there was more than a little unnerving. Nonetheless, on four short, unsteady paws, he hurried to the lycanroc's side, following her into the darkness, hoping she would bring him somewhere safer, more protected. Preferably somewhere less spooky, with something to eat.