Though the fireplace crackled loudly enough for it to become a nuisance to anyone who frequented the inner sanctity of the Lord's Study, it was the rustling sounds of paperwork and the opening of filing cabinets that assaulted the ears of Julia Pines-Kingston and Annie Tress while they worked inside. Time was of the essence for the two of them. With the death of Claude Jacques and the threat of chaos spreading after his demise, the two needed to find some way, shape or form to keep Ryan safe from the corrupt arms of prosecution in Arcanan Courts. When asked why she was so hellbent on protecting Ryan, not knowing that Tori and Alison had been rescued, Julia professed to many that she's thought of Ryan like a son to her since sending him off on his journey two years prior. Now, his fate might depend on whatever legal precedence she could find to protect him.

"I'm not feeling so optimistic" Annie told her friend. "All we've found in terms of legality, the best case we have is how Lady Bonnie treated Michael in his own trials. And that won't help Ryan any."

"We have to keep digging, then" Julia insisted. "I won't have Ryan go through the same things my husband did."

"Ryan might go through worse things considering who died."

"And I have no intent on seeing him go through it. There has to be something to use for what's to come."

"What do you expect to come?"

Julia laid back in her husband's chair, massaging her head and letting her hand go through her long, dark hair. "I expect a trial. Claude may have been an arrogant and snobbish fool, but he had friends even when he threw his lot in with the Syndicate. It's likely that he kept a lot of contacts in Arcana. It would explain why he so quickly was able to launch his attack on Arcana. And a trial would be beneficial for any allies he still has to not only derail Ryan's legacy, but also to make our family look bad. Adding insult to injury, the only lawyer in Arcana that didn't come up through Claude's own legal practice is Michael's cousin Leonard, who's already running for District Attorney for Taghwan City and might turn us down. What lawyer is going to go up against Claude's entire legacy?"

"Leonard should be able to" Annie assured her. "If Michael can convince him."

"That's the issue. Even someone in his position doesn't have the clout he used to." The torment he had suffered at Courtney's hand had shaken him, causing him to take a step back in terms of politics and in dealing with the war. Though Michael was still respected, the sheer adoration he had once had was dried up following the events on Mirage Island. The Fiveroux Family, once firmly in the Kingston's camp, had soured on them with the continued hostage status of their daughter Annette. The Fouritz Family was equally upset with Amanda's now nearly 8 month absence. Even his Uncle Jeice was losing faith in him with no news or update on the conditions of Chris. This was making Michael take things more seriously than he had ever done before, stressing him to his breaking point. Julia felt so bad for him, but could not do more than she already was. It was almost as if they were right back where things had started for them before they were married, with him taking a beating from the Syndicate controlled press on the regular and his own family not being behind him.

"There's got to be something we can find that might help" Annie prodded. "Let's keep looking."

"We've exhausted every legal file we can get our hands on that both James and Bonnie had in here. The only thing I can think of is going into Obadiah Kingston's files and seeing if there was anything from there. But I doubt there would be. He was only Lord of Kingston Castle for about 20 years. Nothing substantial happened there, either."

"Maybe we could try Lady Bonnie's personal files?" Without waiting for Julia's approval, Annie went into a separate filing cabinet and began to go through some of the most personal files from Bonnie Kingston. She went through folder after folder trying to figure out if it could hold something of value, but she appeared less and less optimistic. She paused when she uncovered one folder in particular and inspected it. "Hold on a minute. This is-"

Julia eyed her curiously. "What's going on?"

"I found something that-I don't think it's going to help."

"What is it?"

"It's Lady Bonnie's betrothals."

This caught Julia's full attention. "Betrothals? As in, who she was supposed to marry?"

"No, who she wanted her kids and grandkids to marry." Annie put the folder down. "But it's not going to help out with anything we need to help Ryan." She put the folder to the side, but Julia was up in a moment and took the file to read for herself. "Julia, I really don't think that's going to help us."

"But it might give us a clue to some lawyer we can trust besides Claude" Julia countered, though it was only partially true. There was something she had to see for herself. All of the paperwork here was signed by one man: Claude Jacques. But she kept looking regardless. "This is truly out of date. I mean, when did Bonnie even write these out?"

"I suspect that some of those were done just after James died" Annie guessed. "Some might have been done beforehand."

Julia thumbed through all of the paperwork. It was extensive the amount of dealing Bonnie was doing to secure the future of her family. Every one of her grandchildren had at least one page worth of data on them and the matches that she had planned for them. Her curiosity piqued, she continued to read on.

"Julia" Annie said kindly, "you really should just-"

"Hey, you and Jon were always supposed to be paired together" Julia read. "Beyond that, it gets really, really, REALLY strange."

"Define strange?"

"It says here that Billy was supposed to be betrothed to Jocelyn Aced." She could just imagine Amanda's reaction to her less than subtle relationship with Billy Kingston being up in flames over a betrothal to Jocelyn. Sure, Amanda was clever, witty and very pretty, but Jocelyn Aced was the daughter of one of the richest and most powerful families in the world before Elezar wasted their fortune on building the Syndicate. She also wasn't a slouch look wise. "I think it's best that Amanda never find out about this."

"Billy either" Annie giggled. "I'm almost afraid to ask about Cameron."

Julia thumbed over to Cameron's page and let out a giggle. "Well. Garret Fiveroux. I doubt either of them would be happy about that."

"Considering the choice words Garret has had to say about us, I wouldn't blame him or Cameron for the match falling through."

"Jenna Kingston was supposed to marry...Kevin?"

"My brother?" Annie gasped. "How would that have worked?"

"I'm sure Kevin was just a placeholder for someone else" Julia reasoned. She paused when she realized something important. "Hang on. These weren't notarized. They aren't legitimate?"

"I suppose not."

Julia looked over Jon and Annie's file, which was in fact notarized. The other papers just had Claude's signature, as if he planned to notarize them in the future. None of the other planned arrangements had more than that. Despite this knowledge, Julia pressed onward to the next of the Kingston Grandchildren: her old friend and Michael's prodigal brother Chris. But she was certainly surprised by the name that was paired with him and knew that if this knowledge got out, it might cause an irreparable feud between Piper and her. "Amanda?"

"Who was she with?"

"Chris."

"Well, that's not exactly a loss of anything from her end."

"Billy would probably lose it at the thought of this."

"These arrangements are strange" Annie admitted. "Besides Jon and me, none of these matches were ever going beyond these agreements. I guess that's a good thing. I mean, would they really want Bonnie to be ruling their lives?"

Julia had to agree with that. After all, Jon and Annie were the lone outliers in terms of what Bonnie wanted. Cameron, Chris, Billy and Jenna had all found love with someone else beyond what Bonnie expected of them. Add onto that how Tori and Michael had also found love on their own and it would seem that Bonnie's plans were all placed on the shelf for all time. Despite this, Julia pressed onward. She had to finish and see what the rest of the plans were. Upon reaching Madeline Kingston's page, she scratched her head. "I thought Claude was the last of the Jacques Family."

"He isn't?"

"Apparently, he has a nephew" Julia explained, showing Annie the paperwork for her sister-in law. "Justin Jacques. I haven't heard of him, so I would guess that Claude was estranged with the rest of his family."

"Who would want to be related to that oil slick?"

"I would imagine the line is very thin." With only two left, Julia took a deep breath and moved to the next one. "Victoria. Let's see just who my sister in-law was supposed to be engaged to." As with most of the other pages, hers was not notarized, but the match that Bonnie had made with her eldest Granddaughter made her nervous for the final one. "Warren?"

"Warren Tenton?"

Julia nodded. "I think I remember Tori used to have a crush on him, but she chose Greg in the long run." After she had placed Tori's file back in the cabinet, she nervously eyed the last one.

"You know you don't have to look at this one."

"Yes I do."

Annie relented and stepped back as Julia opened up her husband's file. She went white when she saw that Michael's paper was in fact notarized. The agreement was in place. Her eyes went down the mutual agreement between Bonnie and whomever was paired with her grandson. To the surprise of no one, the bottom of the agreement was signed and agreed to by Bonnie herself, Erin Kingston and Heather Setenn, confirming to Julia that her husband was technically still betrothed to one Deidre Setenn. A rush of her past and dark emotions flooded back inside of her. She had known, even as a girl, that there was some unexplainable connection between Michael and Deidre. She always had the thought in the back of her mind of being left behind by the man who would be her husband, but to realize now that it had been so close to actually coming true, she was caught off guard. "Michael and Dee."

Annie continued to try and go through the papers and ignore the growing tension from the room. "Yup. That's neat."

"And it was notarized like yours and Jon's was" Julia revealed. "How close was this to being a reality?"

"It's not something you should labor your thoughts on" her friend replied. "When Michael was exiled, Deidre and Warren got together and so did you and Michael. That's all that matters in the end."

Julia couldn't help but keep staring at the paperwork in her hand. "It's easier to hear it than it is to think it."

"There isn't anything to worry about, Julia. Michael is over the moon about you. This is nothing but ancient history."

Julia, with decidedly less vigor than her confidant, nodded. "Ye-yeah." Julia folded the piece of paper about Michael and Deidre's betrothal and placed it directly on the table. I don't want this to linger longer than it ordinarily would. When Michael gets home, I'm going to give this to him. We need to get this up and out of the way before I let any feeling of resentment boil over. It had taken her years to feel as if she deserved Michael's forgiveness after she didn't stand up for him after Cassius and Elezar had branded him. If she made another mistake, she wasn't sure she would ever be able to forgive herself. With the paper on the side, she and Annie went back to work sorting through the paperwork and trying to find anything to help Ryan with his crisis.

{}

"Matthew? Matthew?"

Having fallen asleep some time after everyone had left him in the infirmary tent, Matthew was slow to wake up. His eyes fluttered open and he looked around for the voice that had called his name.

"Hello, sweetheart."

Matthew flipped his body around and gasped. "Mom?"

Alison Kingston was kneeling beside his bed and nodded happily. "It's me, sweetie."

Matthew pushed himself up and off of his bed and flung himself at his mother. For once, over these last six months, something had gone right for him in his life. He hugged his mother tightly to him, crying into her shirt. And to his ceaseless relief, she gently patted him on the back and kissed his head. "It's alright, Matty. I'm here."

"I was so worried about you" Matthew cried out.

"Your father told me" Alison smiled. "You did all of this, including coming back to Arcana, just to save me." As Matthew began to shake in her arms, she shushed him and stroked his back. "It's okay, Matt. It's okay. I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere." When Matthew made no instinctive move to get up, Alison sighed and kissed her son's head again. "I'm just glad to have you home. We'll finally get to be a full family."

Matthew clung to his mother as if he was still a baby. Half of his journey was already completed. He had found and saved his mother. Now, all that was left for him to do was find a way to save Jocelyn. But this was a high he could ride until the end of time if needed. He sat with his mother and finally found himself able to relax as he realized this was indeed real. And he wouldn't give this up for anything.

{}

The Corviknight Cab landed gracefully outside of Robert Kingston's Gym as the sun was almost completely disappeared over the horizon. Because of how dark and quiet the town was at this time of day, Ryan and Holly found no problems making it out of the Cab and heading out into the open. Holly slipped out of the Cab first and gently pet the Corviknight as it cleaned it's metallic feathers. Ryan came out next and looked around to make sure no one was around to see them get into his father's apartment. Once he was sure no one was curiously peaking to see who had come to town, he made his way over to Holly.

"You're such a good girl" Holly remarked. "Thank you for bringing us here."

The Corviknight nodded to the both of it's patrons and then flapped it's mighty wings before flying into the skies once more. Unlike most Corviknight Cabs, this one was gentle and quiet, not letting out a squawk as it flew off towards wherever this more private Cab service was slated to go next.

"We should probably head inside" Ryan told his friend. "The last thing we need is someone recognizing us."

"Is there going to be any provisions for us there?" she asked. "I mean, how long has it been since your Dad lived there?"

"My Dad has been stationed there since we took the town back from Claude's thugs. I would imagine we'll have plenty of food and drink in there for us. Even for a few days. Now, let's go before we're spotted."

Holly sighed. "Okay. Come on." The two walked up towards the main doors of the Charizark Town Gym, but as soon as Holly was about to open the doors, she was surprised when Ryan caught her wrist. "Ryan?"

"My Dad's apartment is on the side of the building" he explained. "You know, so no one would wander inside if they were looking for him."

"Eh. If you say so." Holly and Ryan walked along the side of the Pokémon Gym until they came across an old, flimsy metal ladder that looked more like a city fire escape than a staircase to get into an apartment. Holly showed the slightest bit of apprehension towards the idea of climbing up the ladder. "Um, are you sure this is safe?"

Ryan nodded. "Yup. Watch this." He took a step back and leaped up onto the ladder, pulling himself up and over the first floor of the escape. He then scrambled up and onto the small balcony his father had built to enjoy evening sunsets whenever the Pokémon League was in session. "See? It's easy."

"Easy for you, maybe" Holly laughed nervously. "I bet that thing will collapse once I try that."

"At least give it a try" Ryan offered. "Worse case scenario, I've got a way to get you up here."

Holly frowned. "Fine." She took a few steps backward before leaping her way up onto the rickety fire escape. Once she had made it onto the first floor, she prepared to scramble her way up, but took a bad step and nearly fell. Ryan was there in an instant and grabbed her hand. Once she realized she wasn't falling, Holly let out a sigh and let Ryan pull her up onto the balcony. She heaved a heavy breath before rolling onto her back and eyeing Ryan with both reverence and judgmental eyes. "If you ever make me do that again-"

"I promise you that it won't come to that" Ryan laughed, pulling Holly to her feet. "This way." The two friends made their way up to the door, upon which Ryan removed a key from underneath a welcome mat and unlocked the door. Once the door was open, he pulled Holly inside and quickly shut the door behind them. Once they were inside, Ryan flicked on the lights. He was surprised to find just how neat his father had kept his apartment, even during the war. "Wow, I'm surprised this isn't some kind of man cave."

Holly laughed. "Your Dad doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would do that."

"Well, I guess I can take you on a tour" Ryan shrugged. He led Holly around the apartment, showing her the entirety of the two bedroom apartment, including it's kitchenette, a living room, a small bathroom and two bedrooms, one master bedroom and a bedroom that Matthew and Ryan would share whenever they visited their father prior to their journeys as Pokemon Trainers.

"This place is cute" Holly remarked. "It's like a summer home."

"How the 1% lives" Ryan joked, prompting the two to laugh. Despite the joke, Ryan's mood began to dampen as he recalled why they were there.

As if she could sense his change in mood, Holly decided to change the subject. "Hey, why don't we cook something up for dinner?"

Ryan shook his head. "I'm not hungry. I think I just need a minute." He turned to head off on his own towards his and his brother's shared bedroom, but paused when Holly wouldn't let go of him. "C'mon Holly. Can I just have a minute by myself?"

Holly nodded. "Yes, in a minute." She pulled him back in front of her. "I want you to know something, first. You're not alone in this. Even if Addy isn't feeling well right now. You have her. You have Michael. You have your family." She reached for his other hand and grasped it tenderly. "And you have me. You don't have to be alone in any of this."

"Thanks Holly" Ryan responded quietly, before he slipped his hands out of hers and left to be on his own. He looked around his and Matthew's shared bedroom and realized just how much growing he had done since the last time he had been there. Their bedroom was filled to the brim with toys, video games and DVDs of movies he and Matt used to watch as kids. Even the beds they had looked as if they wouldn't be big enough for him. He tried to lay down in the bed and found his feet hanging over the bed railing and sighed to himself.

As if he could sense his woe, Ryan was not surprised to find Achilles appearing out of his Poké Ball and sitting down on the other bed. So this, it would seem, would be where we will be remaining for some time?

"Basically" Ryan answered half-heartedly. "Achilles. I have a question."

Ask away, my friend.

"What happened to me? I truly don't remember what happened after Claude said he knew nothing about Mewtwo's plans. When I got a hold of my senses again, Claude was dead."

His Gallade turned away. The anger in your heart manifested into a feeling you haven't felt in a few years. I saw rage. Unyielding despair and hatred. I saw the Fury. And as I am linked to your heart and consciousness, I am afraid the affliction affected me as well, during the battle with that Golurk. Perhaps the Fury still lies dormant inside of us?

Ryan stared blankly at Achilles. "What do you mean? I got that out of my system a long time ago. Remember? When Professor Krane gave all of us that surgery to remove the Crimson Brands?"

The Brands given to you all by Cassius Sinclair could only amplify the already dwelling feelings within. Even Lord Kingston isn't immune from his anger. The Fury exists in all trainers who value their Pokémon as equals. Specifically because the Fury feeds on the strong bonds that we are connected by. Yourself, Lord Kingston, your mate, even Miss Holly are all still susceptible to the rage of the Crimson Fury. Though how you fell into it now, when the Crimson Moon is still twelve years away, eludes me. Achilles looked at his own body and frowned. I am incapable of learning the move Shadow Claw on my own. The technique I used to defeat Claude's Pokémon was one that I can only learn through artificial means. Did you perhaps instruct me on learning such a move?

Ryan shook his head. "No. I wouldn't want to make you feel uncomfortable. Ghost Pokémon and moves like that make me feel uncomfortable, and I suspect you feel the same."

I thank you for that, but I do not think that will alter our present situation. I fear that those feelings of rage will return to us. And when they do, we will quite a mortal danger to those around us.

Ryan looked around the bedroom, hoping to find something to take his mind off of this, but the brewing feeling of his unknown fate hung over him like the axe of an executioner. "If Uncle Byron is right, I might be in some big trouble over this."

I do not believe that your path is a smooth one, yet at the same time, I do suspect that you will have people defending you this time. After all, was it not Lord Kingston who dispatched you and Holly into hiding in the first place?

"That's true." Michael, though he hadn't seen his cousin directly for several weeks, was still on his side and was keen to protect him from any reprisals. But whether or not Michael could indeed protect him from the corrupt courts of Arcana was still a mystery. Michael himself hadn't prevailed over them when he went up against Claude, but maybe with Claude now gone, they might have a chance to keep him away from going into exile. Or worse.

For the time being, Ryan, I believe you cannot be alone.

"You think I can't handle it?" Ryan asked bitterly.

No, but I do fear that being alone will only stoke the embers in your heart. Without companionship, even if it is left to just myself and Miss Holly for the time being, I fear your situation will only devolve from here. The feelings of despair will take you over. For all intents and purposes, you will be in the same place your brother was when he became a pawn for the Syndicate. Lost and filled with nothing but anger.

"I'll make a note of it" Ryan said, almost dismissively. He turned onto his side and sat in silence. Though it was clear to him that both Holly and Achilles were correct in their assertions, the disgraced Champion of Arcana could not bring himself to be even the slightest bit cheerful. All he could do was hope that a long and endless sleep would take him to a place where this new norm for him wasn't a total and complete nightmare. Perhaps if he dreamed, he would see his Pokémon again. He would see Addison again. And he might just be able to smile a true smile.

{}

To say that his stepfather showed extreme shock and surprise that he had come to the Chateau would be an understatement to Michael. Anthony, having just come back from a fishing trip, had already resorted down to an undershirt and a pair of boxers for the evening when Michael knocked on the doors. He did his best to try and make himself more presentable, but Michael could not care less.

"I am so sorry, Michael" Anthony bugged out. "I wasn't expecting anyone to-"

"It's your home, Anthony" Michael replied. "Dress however you want. Besides, I shouldn't be long. I'm just here for Deidre."

"Ah" his stepfather answered. "Well, they're out in the gardens." Anthony stepped aside and allowed Michael to enter. "Can I get you anything? A beer? A soda?"

"No thank you. I just need to bring Dee back to the Castle."

"Okay then." The two walked along in silence until they reached the doors for Erin's Garden. "Michael. I'm not one to press any emotional buttons or anything. But I have to ask for your mother's sake, when can we come back to the Castle? She misses Arya and James dearly."

Michael simmered at the idea of his mother being anywhere near his children, but did his best to keep himself calm. "Anthony, you can come whenever you feel like it. My mother can once she gives me and Julia an actual apology for what happened."

"I guess the baskets didn't sway you, huh?"

"Oh Julia loved them. But we both came to the conclusion that it was you trying to mend the waters for her."

"You know your mother. Can never admit she was wrong."

"Oh I know that."

Anthony opened the door and walked out with his stepson to see Erin and Deidre. The two women were sitting at a table just outside of his mother and Tori's luscious gardens, each drinking from a bottle of wine on their own. Deidre was laughing wildly like a hyena, while Erin muttered some kind of sloppy drunken joke her way. When the two noticed who were coming to see them, they turned and rose to their feet.

"Anthony and Michael" Erin proclaimed. "Thank you both for joining us. Did you boys succeed in Titanio?"

Michael nodded curtly. "Mother. Titanio City has been recaptured. Claude is dead and both Aunt Alison and Tori are safe."

"Why didn't Tori come with you?"

"She's staying behind to help the people who have taken shelter in Renee's Gym. Giving me enough time to come back here and complete an errand."

"Erin" Anthony spoke up, "not for nothing, but I think we need to make ourselves scarce for a bit."

"No need" Deidre answered. "There's plenty of wine for all of us. Mikey? A glass?"

Michael waved his old friend down. "No thank you. Dee, we need to talk."

"Can't we just enjoy a night like old friends should?"

"Yes, Michael" Erin sputtered out. "You should take things easy on her. She's been through so much. The poor thing."

"Erin" Anthony insisted. "Come on. Leave the two to talk."

Erin seemed eager to say something, but she collected herself and walked back into the Chateau, leaving Michael with his drunken old friend alone in the gardens. Deidre raced about the table, singing a song that was only intelligible to someone as inebriated as she was. "Tra la la la la!"

"Dee" Michael began, but his friend would have none of it.

"Dance with me!" Deidre demanded. "We need this."

"I need you to go back to the Castle" Michael insisted.

"I need a vacation from those gloomy halls. That's why I came here."

"Without letting anyone in the Castle know besides Piper?"

"What, are you babysitting me? I think we're a little old for that." She prepared to rush around the tables again, but Michael caught her. "Come on, Michael. Where's that sense of adventure?"

"It's gone until I get you home" Michael snapped. "Now, give me your arm. We need to go for a walk."

"Ah, a stroll" she drunkenly giggled. "Of course, my friend. Lead on." She slipped her arm around his and let Michael lead her into the gardens.

"Dee, I understand what you're going through. I would be inconsolable if anything had happened to Julia or the kids while we were on Mirage Island. But with Warren being...well...incapacitated, Addison needs you to step up for her."

"Addy" Deidre coughed out. "My little gumdrop is strong enough to take care of herself for a bit."

"No she's not. Dee, she needs you."

"Have you ever walked these gardens at night?" Deidre asked, ignoring his words. "It's magical. Tori and your Lady Erin did a great job with this."

"Dee! Would you listen to me? Addison nearly passed out today. Something's wrong with her head. She needs her mother right now!"

This caused Deidre to pause. "Addy?"

"Your daughter" Michael said, this time more calmly. "And if we can't find a way to save Warren from his fate, the only living piece of your husband you'll have left."

Deidre turned white as a ghost. "No, Mikey. She'll pull through."

"It doesn't matter whether she will or not, Dee. She needs her mother. That's something no one at the Castle can provide for her, except for you."

"What kind of a mother can I be to her?" Deidre asked, shaking as she stood there, her arm tightly gripping Michael. "What kind of person can I be for her?"

"I'm sure Addy won't hold a grudge, Dee" Michael promised her. "Just come back with me, and we can take care of this."

Deidre lowered her head and began to weep uncontrollably. "I can't take care of anyone. Not myself, not Warren, not even Addy."

"Where's this coming from?"

"Michael" Deidre spoke up, choking on her words. "I can't do anything for her or even myself anymore." She took a letter out of her jacket and handed it to him. "The bank. They're calling my debts."

"Your debts?"

Deidre took a swig from the bottle she had been drinking from and nodded. "Debts. Let's just say losing your husband and nearly losing your closest friend in the world and your daughter can do wonders to a woman's psyche. Not that I haven't dealt with something like this before, but still. And now, what can I do for Addison but leave her in your care? I can't take care of her when I'm about to lose everything Warren and I worked so hard for."

Michael unfolded the letter and read it. He was clearly shaken by the amounts his friend owed. "Dee, you've spent 7,000,000 Poké Dollars in the span of six months?"

Deidre tossed the bottle of wine aside after drinking it's contents until they were bone dry. "My drinking, my drunken spending and the reconstruction of our house set us back. To put it bluntly, the minute construction is done on that house, I have to sell it and move away. That will cover a fraction of what I owe, but at least Addy won't have to go hungry." She laughed almost hysterically. "She will have to end things with Ryan, though. I doubt their relationship will be strong enough to last when we have to move with the rest of our family to Hoenn."

"And why would you do that?"

"Do you have Cottonees for ears?" Deidre snapped at him. "I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP OUR HOME!"

"Then ask for help" Michael insisted.

"Who do I turn to?"

"Me?"

"Why would I turn to you?"

"Because you happen to be friends with the Lord of Arcana and one of the richest men in the entire region?" Michael reminded her. "Because I need people I can trust now more than ever in Arcana with what's going to come. And because I've already lost one person that means a lot to me in the last six months and I do not intend on losing another." Michael put his hands on her shoulders. "You and Addy are practically family to us. And you're worth more to us here than you would be in Hoenn."

Deidre couldn't look him in the eyes. "Michael, I-I can't let you do that."

"Why not?"

"Because it's unfair."

"Who's it unfair to?"

"To you. To pay for my mistakes when-"

"When what?"

Deidre buried her head into his chest. "When I couldn't be there for you."

This caused Michael to raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Deidre pounded on his chest, though the force was simply not there. "You needed people by your side when Giselle and the Syndicate betrayed you. You have no idea how much it broke me inside to not be able to be there for you. But my mother insisted we needed to steer clear from you, like it would make a difference whether or not you were innocent."

"Dee" Michael spoke gently, "Julia wasn't there for me. My own damn mother wasn't there for me. No one in my family apart from my Aunt Jane stood up for me. Do you really think I hold it against you that your mother forced you not to be there?"

"But-"

"I've come to understand why no one did stand by me. So, I don't really hold grudges against those who did. Save for one. But I can assure you it's not against you."

Deidre sobbed into his shirt. "Michael. Why didn't I help you? Why couldn't I help set things right? Then, none of this would have happened."

"You can't change the past, no matter how much you may want to."

His friend shook her head. "That's not what I mean. Michael...I love you. You were my best friend growing up. Heck, you were my only friend growing up until Warren came into my life. None of those girls I was in the Contests with could be my friends. And Julia didn't seem to like me much when we were kids." She sniffled and took a breath before continuing. "My Mom told me that you and I were supposed to get married when we were older. If I had stuck by your side and we'd gotten married, none of this would have happened."

Michael shook his head. "You'd really give up Addison for me? All the years you had with Warren? Come on. The Deidre Setenn I grew up with would never give up something she loves for this."

"For something else I love?"

"That's just the wine talking" Michael responded jokingly. "You need to get some rest and come with me back to the Castle. We'll get your affairs straightened out so you can spend the rest of the day with Addy."

"You're saying you don't love me?"

"Of course I do" Michael answered honestly. "But you should never want to give up Addison or Warren for me. Because no matter how much I care about you, I will never give up Julia or my kids. No matter how much I've suffered in life, I wouldn't give them up for anything. You should feel the same. You two raised Addison up to be a remarkable young woman. But she still needs you." He put his arm around Deidre and helped her walk back up to the Gardens.

Erin and Anthony were waiting for them. "Is everything alright?" Anthony asked. "We heard shouting."

Deidre sniffled and nodded. "It is. Thank you for hosting me, Anthony and Erin. But I have to go back to the Castle. I have a little girl who needs me." She squeezed Michael's arm gently before going inside to gather her belongings.

"That must have gone well if you reached her like that" his stepfather commented.

"Sometimes, all you need is a push" Michael acknowledged.

"Did she say anything about her situation to you?" Erin asked her son.

Michael folded his arms as he watched Deidre disappear into the Chateau. "Enough to know she needs me. I already lost Chris. I can't lose anyone else."

"Any news on that front?" Anthony inquired.

The Lord of Kingston Castle shook his head. "Nothing. It's almost getting to the point where there's nothing we can do but pray to Arceus above. But somehow, I don't think he's going to answer anytime soon. At least, not to us."

"Michael-" Erin began, but she silenced herself.

"I'm going to help Dee pack" Michael told his mother. "Then I'm going home. I haven't seen my family in a long time. If you two will excuse me." Without waiting for another word, Michael stepped into the Chateau and followed his friend upstairs to help her unpack. He was not mentally ready to unwrap his own bandages from the past just yet. Because until his mother showed signs that she was willing and able to change for the better, he had nothing to say to her.