Ryan sat nervously outside of the room where Countess Rosemary was staying in Kingston Castle. He had wanted to speak with the mysterious woman since he first met her at the Courthouse in Taghwan City, but he had been unable to do so thanks to his mother's return and his inspiring rematch with Michael. But now that he had finally regained some of his confidence and learned from his idol, he needed to know more about what this Countess had seen about him. She clearly had some sort of way to see into his mind and the minds of those around him, but to what end? What did she know and what was she after? Until he got his answers, this would be one of a handful of weights that still remained on his shoulders, including recovering his lost Pokémon and above all else, winning Addison back.

They say she's some kind of sorceress, Ryan thought. She has the power to enter people's minds and manipulate them. Did she do that for me at my hearing? Why, though? Does this lady think I'm something worth keeping around? Why didn't she do the same for Michael?

The doors opened and Michael's friend Rui exited the room, bowing respectfully to whomever was inside the room. "Thank you again, Countess. You've been very helpful in clearing my mind."

"Do not forget, Rui, my dear" Rosemary spoke eloquently from beyond the doorway, "the more you wrap your mind around the impossibilities of life, the more possibilities slip away."

"I will not forget" Rui assured her, before hurrying down the hall.

The doors opened more widely and Morgan Augustine looked out at Ryan, blushing a bit as she did. "Hi, Ryan. Long time, no see."

"Hey, Morgan" Ryan greeted. "You're helping out Countess Rosemary?"

Morgan shrugged. "The Countess believes I help, so I would think so." She gestured to her old crush. "Come on, Ryan. The Countess will see you now."

Ryan rose from the bench and walked inside after Morgan. The room Rosemary was staying in was very dimly lit. The curtains were drawn, the lights were off and the only sources of it were a handful of candles that surrounded the room in a large circle. Rosemary was seated on what he could only guess was some kind of comfortable bean bag chair. She eyed Ryan and nodded.

"Greetings, Ryan James. I have been looking forward to meeting you directly for some time."

"You have?" Ryan gulped.

"Word has it, you're quite the famous hero of Arcana" the old woman said modestly. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Michael has been quite the influence on you."

Ryan brushed his cheek aside proudly. "Well, he is like a big brother to me."

"Or a second father. Michael does indeed dote over you as if you were his son. It's no doubt helped you reach the point of where you are now in your journey to adulthood." She sighed. "If only James could have seen what you all became. I think he would have been proud."

"You knew Grandpa?" Ryan asked.

"I should think I would know my own brother" Rosemary chortled.

"So, you're like our Aunt?"

"Great Aunt would be a more appropriate title, Ryan. But, you may call me whatever you wish." She straightened herself out and looked her new patient over. "Now, I sense a great deal of woe and anguish inside of you. It all stems from the fear you are keeping bottled up inside of you."

"Michael helped me to-"

"Michael can only do so much for you" Rosemary interjected. "You have been compelled to face your fears of the anger in your heart and the idea of harming those you love. But you will not know if you can truly tame those fears until you are truly tested."

Ryan sighed. "There's more to it than that. There's so much on my plate and so little time for me to get these things done, Countess. My friends and family are still in danger and Mewtwo is still out there. If I'm not strong enough to protect them, what can anyone do?"

"Everyone has strength inside of them. The strength of wisdom. The strength of courage. The strength of a more physical nature. The strength of character. Finding a balance in all things is key, lest you begin to teeter too greatly on one side and fall. The important thing for you to uncover in yourself, my boy, is that strength of character that so defined who you were before the excursion to Mirage Island. It would seem that your endeavors with Avery Frost have shaken you more than you would care to admit to others." She raised a calming hand to Ryan when he began to get nervous. "None of what you tell me here will be spoken of in other meetings, Ryan. You have my fullest confidence."

Ryan nodded. "Thank you." He folded his hands. "I-I don't know what to do, Countess. Avery did love me. She did do a lot of things just to get me to love her back, but she did genuinely care about me. I did all I could do to help her, but it ended up almost costing us everything."

"A part of you still cares for the girl" Rosemary suggested. "It's not unlike you to care strongly for someone without there being any romantic attachment. You would find yourself in a similar boat to my brother or your cousin Michael. They too, cared deeply for others without any romantic interactions. James alone was as close to myself and to Balthazar Aced as he was to his own wife and children, but he obviously didn't love us the same way. And that is a good thing. Caring for everyone in the exact same way is an unattainable goal in life. In other words, you can care for Avery Frost in ways that are different than how you would care for, say, the daughter of Deidre Tenton."

"Addy..."

"And you care differently for her than you do others in your line of friends and loved ones. What matters is how you address your feelings."

"But what about the Fury?" Ryan inquired. "I-I think I can handle it. I want to give it a chance and hold it back like he can, but I don't think that works for me. I only know how to battle one way, with my mind and my heart in sync. That hasn't been able to happen since what happened on the roof of that Hotel. Now, I either let the Fury guide me or I try to keep it bottled up."

"As Michael suggested to you" the Countess advised, "your gift is yours alone to wield. It can destroy you if you let it. Which is why, I would recommend you focus on trying to control it in battle as you would any other unruly asset of yours, including misbehaving Pokémon or a dangerous opponent." She took in a deep breath before continuing, a bright flash causing the candles to briefly glow more brightly as she did, catching Ryan off guard. "Now, what else ails you?"

Ryan felt the meaning caught in his throat. "Well, Countess, you mentioned I was spoken of in that prophecy you brought up at my hearing."

"The Twelve Truths do not speak directly about one person or another" Rosemary corrected. "No Prophecy speaks with complete accuracy about one person. That would act against the will of fate. All things that are prophesized will come to pass, but the way they do can often times be not how we expected they would. Some can be very easily explained, others require lengthy diatribes into discovering what they mean." She cleared her throat, causing the flames on every candle to flicker, but remain lit. "But I can say with supreme confidence that seven of the Twelve Truths have already come to pass, the most recent one depicting the death of Claude Jacques at your hands."

Ryan shuddered at the idea of things being predicted so easily. "I don't think I like the idea that my actions were guided by someone or something."

"That's not what Prophecy means" Rosemary chuckled slightly. "No one dictated your actions to you, Ryan. You weren't being forced to commit those acts anymore than Avery Frost had been forced to harm you and the others in her own bid to win your love. She chose those things. As I said before, you had the capacity to take Claude in alive, but you let the Fury take hold of you and thus it made the decision to end Claude's life for you. I suppose it's no one's fault that Claude met his end, but it cannot be denied that it was foretold that it would happen."

"What does the 'falling star' part of the Prophecy mean?" Ryan nervously asked.

The elderly Countess let out a sigh. "I was afraid you would get to that. Ryan, as I said to you, no Prophecy speaks completely accurate words or meanings. Sometimes, it can be allegorical. Sometimes, it can be metaphor. A literal star did not fall and kill Claude."

"I did..."

"But the 'falling star' portion does not necessarily mean anything bad. It could simply mean that you are struggling on your own with powers and forces beyond your control. It could also mean that yours is a crisis not unlike those of others who have once held stratospheric places of popularity in Arcana. A falling star is not exactly one that falls out of orbit, but a comet that comes about once in a generation. You are enduring trials and tribulations only one other fourteen year old boy ever has. It has tested you to the point of breaking. And yet, you remain here. Strong and reinforced by both my guidance and the wisdom of those who love you."

"You don't know what it means exactly?"

"Revealing my feelings on the matter could, in fact, prove that I have misinterpreted the meaning of the Prophecy" she warned. "I could reveal what I know to you. I could have done so to my brother James or to Jane Kingston. There's no telling what I could have done to try and assuage the hurt and pain of so many people over the years since I donned the mantle of the White Guardian. But to reveal the extent of a Prophecy, even if I know it to the letter, could alter the future in unfathomable and catastrophic ways. That is why, with a heavy heart, I have had to watch and do nothing as those I care for fell. My brothers, my master, my master's kin, even little Michael."

"Little?" Ryan laughed. "Michael hasn't been little in years."

Rosemary found a smile on her face. "So it would be. But to conclude, my boy, telling you every event that will unfold in your life would not only potentially alter it beyond the point of salvation, but also cause a great deal of harm. Even someone as world weary as I cannot possibly know everything."

Ryan nodded and slapped his thighs. "I guess that's it, then. It's good to know you're on our side, Countess."

"I am on the side of those who would try and protect Arcana from a grisly fate" the Countess reiterated. "One that, for all intents and purposes, might very well be foretold in the coming weeks. But rest assured, Ryan, that you and the rest of our family currently reside on that side. Enjoy the rest of your day. You may come and seek me out again if it ever suits your needs."

Ryan made for the door as Morgan opened it for him. She winked at him as he exited, though Ryan did not fully notice. He finally had a bit of closure on the matter of who Countess Rosemary was and what she wanted. She wanted the same things they did: peace and progress. And so long as he could know they were linked, the rest would come to him as it would.

There was a surprising line of people outside waiting to hear more wisdom from the Countess. Ryan was surprised when Piper Pines walked right past him, politely patting him on the shoulder before slipping behind he doors as Morgan closed them. Behind her was a line of people he definitely didn't think would be this into whatever the Countess was saying. Mark's "special lady friend" Greta sat in line next, talking to herself about what she wanted to ask the Countess. Beside her was Morgan's sister Jasmine Augustine, whom Ryan hadn't spoken much to since the Pokémon World Tournament. She casually waved to Ryan, but not much else. He could only guess that she had heard Matthew was back and needed counsel regarding how to approach the situation. Beside her, sat Addison's mother Deidre, herself excited for the opportunity to speak to Rosemary again.

And beside her, stood Addison, her arms folded as if she thought the whole matter was ridiculous. She eyed him and rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me you're buying into all of this, now?"

Ryan shrugged. "I mean, can I help it? I needed someone to help me see a bit more clearly. And she definitely helped."

"She does have a knack for doing that" Deidre interjected. "Your Great Aunt might be the best thing to happen to Arcana since Michael and Julia returned."

Addison huffed. "Sure, if you think everyone placing their hopes and dreams in one basket is the best thing."

Ryan laughed. "Why are you here if you don't believe in her?"

"My Mom wants me to sit in on a meeting and make a decision for myself. I don't think I need to, though. All I need to fix my problems is some good quality meditation time with Galatea."

"If you're so reluctant to take part in this, Addy" Ryan offered, "why don't you and I go do something? It's been a while since we-"

Addison shut him down. "Wish I could, but my Mom insists. And...well...let's just say I owe it to her." She then lowered her head and didn't speak any further.

Ryan, getting the message a little more harshly than he would have preferred, nodded and frowned. "Well, I guess I'll see you later, then." He walked slowly away from the situation, hoping that Addison would say something else to him, but she didn't. Ryan gulped. That's the first time since before we were dating that we didn't end a conversation with either of us saying we loved the other. Was he thinking too much about this, or could there truly be some kind of unalterable rift between them? Any solutions for the situation had to be put on hold when Ryan came across Dawn and Lucas hurrying up the hall to try and find him.

"There you are" his blue-haired rival exclaimed as she skidded to a halt. "We've been looking all over for you!"

"Me?" Ryan asked. "What did I do?"

"Nothing" Lucas assured him. "We need your help with something. We don't have any clothes to wear to the wedding in a few days."

"We were hoping you would know where we could score some" Dawn pleaded.

Ryan glanced back at Addison, who was still keeping her head down and frowned. Nevertheless, he put on a fake smile and did his best to help his friends. "No problem. We know a few good tailors and seamstresses in Arcana."

"I hope so" Lucas worried. "The last thing we need is to make fools of ourselves at a function like this."

Ryan came between the two and put his arms around them. "Come on. You're friends with the Champion of Arcana. Don't think I would let you guys look like fools on your own. If I can't come up with something nice to wear, we'll all show up dressed like clowns until we get thrown out."

Lucas laughed. "Well, that's certainly reassuring."

"I'll take you to this tailor my Dad's gonna take me and Matt to" Ryan told his friend. "We'll get you into a sharp looking tuxedo in no time."

"Sure, just ignore me!" Dawn grumbled.

"And I'll have Holly help you put together an outfit" he promised her. "I'd offer Addison or Piper, but they seem otherwise occupied at the moment. If anyone can get you looking good at a gala event like this, it's Holly Queensbury." He snickered. "She'll actually get you to start dressing like a girl for once!"

Dawn brought Ryan into a headlock. "Oh really? Is that what you think of me?"

The trio broke out into laughter until Ryan wriggled his way out of Dawn's grasp and gestured to them. "Come on, you guys. Let's go!" Ryan, though still saddened by Addison's dismissal of him, raced playfully along the halls of the Castle, with Lucas and Dawn at his heels.

{}

"AURA SPHERE!" Cameron shouted.

With one ferocious blast from Ryo the Lucario, the last of Cameron's automated targeting system was vaporized and thus concluded her training session for the day. Though Ryo seemed confident that he could keep going despite the end, his trainer fell to her knee and shook her head.

"No. I think we could use a rest, bud."

The Lucario nodded and sat down beside her. Victini, who had been watching the match from afar, floated down and let out a cheerful squeak as he showered the two in a mystical light. Both of the intended targets simply absorbed the energy within them, with Ryo becoming more calmed by the light and Cameron beginning to feel slightly more reinvigorated. Her Mythical Pokémon ally let out another playful squeak before landing beside Cameron and relaxing himself.

Cameron looked up into the cloudless and blue skies above her, doing everything in her power to find some kind of inner peace. But it wasn't easy, considering all that would be on her plate soon. Some day, be it this, the next or one down the line, Cameron knew that Mewtwo and his flunkies would return to Arcana to finish what they started on Mirage Island. She needed to be ready when that day came. It would be the fight of her life and the one that would define all of existence. Failure was simply not an option for her. So, despite her team being severely reduced, she had no other choice but to grow stronger and prepare for the inevitable climax. Though the reinforcement of having most of their old gang back together was supposed to help her, she still felt empty.

Her failure at Courtney's hands rang in the back of her head like a requiem bell. Her stupidity in falling for Courtney's guise as Cynthia had cost the world plenty. It cost them valuable time in trying to find the Spirit Keys with less lost trainers on the island. It cost Team Arcana specifically two of it's most powerful trainers in Giselle and her own brother. It got Ryan put into the Dark Void by Darkrai and almost got Michael killed by Courtney and Mewtwo. Though no one was blaming her directly, she held all of the guilt inside of her. Nothing would sway her from her goal of avenging her failure and taking Courtney down.

Her Lucario, having been one of her most trusted and faithful allies since she caught him as a Riolu many years ago, also seemed to agree with her plans and trained himself in body and mind, surpassing the average levels a Lucario was supposed to. He had not only mastered Mega Evolution, but he was also becoming almost as strong as a pseudo-legendary Pokémon like her Salamence or Rhaegar would. If he kept getting stronger and she kept up her resolve, she was sure Courtney wouldn't stand a chance against her. Not this time. Not with so much at stake in this soon to be rematch.

A shadow fell over Cameron as she tried to rest. "Do you mind? You're blocking the sky."

"I didn't think the sky could keep your focus this much" Cynthia teased.

Even now, with all that had transpired, the leader of the Elite Four could not help but be smitten with Sinnoh's Champion. She remained as elegant and graceful as she was humble and beautiful. She could inspire both love and fear just by being who she was. Nevertheless, Cameron knew she could not afford any distractions. She leaped to her feet and stretched herself out. "Did I miss anything important?"

"Not really" Cynthia reasoned. "Piper came to me with the same request you did. About a suicide mission back to Mirage Island."

"It won't bring Chris back" Cameron groaned. "No matter how much I want to."

"It is sweet how much you two care about him" Cynthia remarked. "Well, I should say three."

"Considering how much he means to us, it shouldn't surprise you."

Cynthia glanced down at Victini, who floated up to her and studied her for a moment before happily deeming her a person worth trusting and continuing to hover around his trainer protectively. Cynthia folded her arms. "So, all six Mythical Pokémon have been seen for the first time in centuries. It's amazing. Truly. And to be seen by such a tightly knit and strong group as you six. It's astonishing."

"We're not a tightly knit group until we get the others back" Cameron corrected as her Lucario rose to his feet. "Ryo, do you think we could go another round?"

Her Lucario barked in approval, but paused when he noticed Cynthia was still there. Cameron turned to face her idol, doing her best to try and keep herself emotionless and focused.

"I know the stories" Cynthia said thoughtfully. "Mark took Mew in after he and Michael rescued him from Archer and the remnants of Team Rocket. Lizzie's family have been the protectors of Jirachi for generations. Michael came to know Celebi thanks to his interactions with the Relic Stone in Agate Village. Christopher rescued Manaphy from Hunter and became his trusted guardian. And Ryan met and instantly befriended Shaymin on Mirage Island. I know all of the stories for the Mythical Pokémon of the world. All of them but yours."

Cameron sighed. "It's not a story that needs much telling. I found Victini when Michael and I went to Castelia City to meet Unova's newest Champion."

"There's got to be more to it than that" her idol insisted. "You know how interested in lore and Pokémon Mythology I am, Cameron. I'd love to know how you discovered Victini."

Realizing her crush would not be placated, Cameron rolled her eyes. "Very well. But I don't know why anyone would want to know this story that badly. You or Wolfgang Delney" She let Victini float down into her arms as she looked him over. She playfully poked his ears, prompting him to squeak happily and make himself comfortable in her arms. "It all started about seven years ago. Michael had to take a trip to Unova to meet it's new Champion, Iris. Chris initially wanted to go with him to meet some punk rocker or something, but I got to go with him instead. He told me it was because I was more manageable than Chris was."

"Was it?" Cynthia asked.

Cameron smiled faintly. "Actually, it was because Michael was actually grooming me to succeed him. I only found out just before the Battle of Mt. Heatmor that he intended to name me to succeed him and was only putting so many responsibilities on my chest to see if I could handle them. I was just happy to have him back, but it does my heart good to know he thinks of me just as fondly as he does Chris. Anyway, we arrived in Castelia City to meet Iris..."

{}

Once the boat's hornpipe let out a loud roar to signal that they had arrived in Castelia City, a teenaged Cameron Kingston excitedly followed her older cousin towards the ramp down onto the docks. She didn't know how or why she got to be the one who came along with Michael on this, but she didn't care. For once, she was getting to see even some of the world he had. Being in the same region that had been the origin for the evil Giselle wasn't reassuring, but it only paled in comparison to how pumped she was to get to see just what this new region had to offer her.

Michael, was more reserved and kept himself collected. He had just begun to take on some serious muscle from his time as Champion, as the rigorous training sessions he put himself through to not only evade the feelings of the Crimson Brand, but to also prepare for the inevitable next clash with the Syndicate was finally paying off. But he still remained the same caring and loving big brother figure Cameron had always known. Upon seeing his cousin's anxiety, he put a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down. Take a deep breath."

"This is so exciting" she exclaimed. "I haven't been to a different region since we found you in Orre!"

"This is strictly a business trip" he warned her. "We're here to meet Iris so I can teach her some of the things she'll need to know that Alder didn't tell her and then we'll be heading back."

"Aren't you so pumped to see a new region?"

Michael sighed sadly. "I've seen the world, Cameron. It's a beautiful place full of less than beautiful things."

The two finally made it down to the end of the ramps, only to find a purple-haired girl roughly Cameron's age running up to them, just as excitedly as Cameron had been just a moment ago. She was wearing a ballgown as if she were just coming from a ball, but she acted as if she were little more than a child who had just put on her mother's wedding gown. Once she had reached their position, she skidded to a halt, took a moment to catch her breath and cheerfully greeted them.

"Hiya!" she giggled. "I'm Iris!"

"Congratulations on dethroning Alder" Michael said politely. "It's not an easy task to take him down."

"It's great to see a female Champion besides Cynthia taking action in the world" Cameron remarked. "My name is-"

But Iris quickly waved them off. "You guys don't have to tell me anything. You two are like legends around here! I've known about you guys for a long time now. Michael Kingston and Cameron Kingston! The guys who took down Giselle!" She folded her arms in a huff. "You know, I knew Giselle when she was first here. And she didn't seem that bad. I guess sometimes power goes to a girl's head."

"Which is precisely why they asked me to come and speak to you" Michael told her. "As Champion of Unova, there are certain responsibilities you now inherit from Alder."

"Alder already told me about what I have to do here" Iris tried to tell him. "Protect the region from Team Plasma, guard the Swords of Justice, all of that good stuff."

"It's not just domestic issues, Iris. There's lots of foreign ones to look into as well. You're going to be one of just nine known leaders of Pokémon Leagues around the world. That means you have to not only keep an eye on things here, but also abroad. It may come to a time when all of us have to band together to fight a common enemy. We don't need anymore thugs like Ghetsis, Giovanni or Giselle running around, that's for sure."

Iris scratched her head. "Domestic...what now?"

Michael smiled, though Cameron could tell he was holding back what appeared to be a light aneurysm. "I guess I've got a lot of grooming to do."

"Hey, I can battle with the best of them!" she proclaimed.

"That's one thing I don't have to teach, then. Now, where's a good place for us to get something to eat? We've got a lot of discussing to do." He turned to Cameron. "I don't know what you intend to do, but make sure to keep a low profile while we're away."

Iris snapped her fingers in excitement. "Oooh! I know. She can go to Liberty Garden! It's always nice this time of year!"

"Liberty Garden?" Cameron asked.

Iris came to her side and pointed out a tall lighthouse in the distance. "You see that tall lighthouse over there. That's Liberty Garden. It's got lots of stuff to do there and so many wonderful views. It's a must for any first time visitor to Castelia! The ferry should be leaving in a few minutes. You'd better hurry!" She then pointed to the small ferry across the dock from where they had first greeted Iris. "Right over there. We'll meet you there with some Castelia Cones when we're done."

Cameron nodded. "Okay. Sounds like a plan."

Michael seemed about to say something, when Iris grabbed his arm and yanked him down the way towards where they would be getting lunch, pleading for him to show her the infamous Dragonite he had used to overwhelm and defeat Giselle. With her mentor and Iris gone, Cameron headed her way up to the ferry and climbed on board without a fuss, considering Liberty Gardens were open to the public for free in the Spring. The ferry ride was a quick and painless one, with Cameron wondering more about what Michael and Iris would be talking about as Champions of their respective regions.

"One day, that'll be me giving out the good advice to a new Champion" Cameron said to herself. "I'll make Michael so proud of me!"

When the ferry docked, Cameron slid down the railing and landed on the island where he lighthouse was, but paused when she thought she could see some shady individuals making their way into a hidden passageway on the island. Her curiosity piqued, Cameron reached for the Poké Ball containing her Lucario and followed at a distance. The figures were clad in strange looking armor, with an insignia that looked like a bolt of lightning in the shape of the letter 'p'. Were those the Team Plasma thugs Iris had mentioned she needed to keep an eye out for?

Well, who was to say that Cameron had to let Iris have all of the fun? Cameron continued to trail the Plasma Grunts down the tunnel and into a hidden passageway. She hid behind a rock when she saw a group of five Plasma Grunts standing in front of a doorway that was tightly locked. The grunts looked towards one another, as if wondering if this was indeed the place they needed to be.

"Is this it?" one asked.

"Of course it is, nitwit!" a second proclaimed. "This is the place Lord Ghetsis told us about. The Pokémon we need to combat the Heroes of Truth and Ideals will be right behind these doors."

"There's some myth about this Pokémon" a third cautioned. "That it can incinerate you just by looking at you."

"Which is why we need to get it under our control" the fourth insisted. "Imagine what that kind of power could do for us? Team Plasma will never be be challenged again!"

Cameron nodded. This was Team Plasma, after all. She needed to get in contact with Michael. She quietly slipped back up the walkway and sent out a message to her cousin on her Poké Gear:

[Emergency Code 748! Team Plasma in Liberty Garden!]

With her message sent, she knew the only thing she could do now was figure out what exactly they were after. She returned down the hidden tunnelway and skidded to a stop when she saw the Plasma Grunts opening the doorway with a blow torch. She knew she could take them on, but she needed to know just why they had elected to resurface now on the Island. Until then, patience was the name of the game.

The door finally fell and a bright light flashed out of the room, causing the Grunts to scramble and fall in vain attempts to catch it. The light, in it's wild and uncontrollable dance, found itself floating up the pathway and stopped at Cameron. The light faded and Cameron realized that this light was in fact a Pokémon. A small, bright creature with long ears and the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen. Though he was afraid of the grunts after him, he seemed to feel safe with her. He hugged her for a moment before hurrying behind her when the grunts recovered.

"Where did it go?" one demanded.

"Where's Victini?"

The first guard rose up and stared Cameron down. "That girl! She must have it!" All five Plasma Grunts quickly recovered and stood in opposition to her. Each sent out a Pokemon to intimidate their quarry: two Krokoroks, a Watchog and two Herdiers. All of the Unovan Pokémon growled angrily at Cameron and gave the Plasma Grunts the confidence to stand against her. "Now, little lady. It's not wise to try and get yourself involved in our business."

"It's not wise to try and attack Pokémon either!" Cameron declared. "Not when the Champion is here in the city!"

"You think we're afraid of some child?" the second grunt laughed. "Come on, kid. Just hand over Victini so no one get's hurt. Including you."

"I have a better idea!" She sent out her Lucario. "Ryo! Use Force Palm!" Her Lucario shot out of it's Poké Ball and used a powerful Force Palm, causing the Krokorok struck by the blow to land on the other Pokémon. Using the opportunity to flee, Cameron and Ryo fled up the pathway, the weird little Pokémon burying itself into her chest. She could hear the thugs below.

"Don't let her get away!"

"AFTER HER!"

"CALL THE RESERVES IN!"

Cameron dashed as fast as she could to escape, but skidded to a stop when she saw that Team Plasma's help had already arrived. The grunts had already taken complete control of the island and were parading about as if they owned the place. There had to be at least fifty of them alone on this island. All of the tourists and sightseers had either been chased off or were being taken hostage and forcibly confined to the ferry. All of the Plasma Grunts now eyed Cameron as she desperately scrambled for the high ground towards a higher part of the island. Several tried to take swipes or grab at her, but she evaded them.

She scrambled her way up to the highest part of the island she could get to, only to find several Plasma goons already geared to fight her. Ryo leaped in front of her to protect his trainer, but more Plasma Grunts coming up from behind forced him to have to protect two places at once.

"End of the road, kid" one grunt told her.

"Hand over Victini and we might let you leave the island in one piece" another demanded.

Cameron looked to Victini, who began to glow again. He bounced out of her arms and touched Ryo, who suddenly bucked for a moment before letting out a strange fiery aura. Without waiting a second, Ryo used another Force Palm to slam a thug's Crustle back at him and sent an Aura Sphere to take out the grunt behind Cameron. The blows seemed more powerful than before, as if her Lucario had been powered by some unseen force. But she did not have time to celebrate, as more Plasma Grunts surrounded her and forced her to attack again. Her Lucario slammed down each and every attacker that came their way, even leading to opening up a pathway for them to get back towards the ferry and fly back to Castelia City.

Victini tightly held onto her as she and her Lucario made a leap of faith from the ledge they were standing on and landed in a clearing of battered Plasma Grunts. She was just about to make it out onto the dock, when a hand grabbed her leg and tripped her up. Victini flew out of her hands and out of sight. Before Ryo could react, a Krokorok used a ferocious Bulldoze attack and slammed him down, pinning him into the dirt.

"Where is Victini!" one of the Grunts near her demanded.

"She dropped it somewhere" another commented.

"Go find it!" the first ordered. "Ghetsis wants this Pokémon brought to him by nightfall!"

"What do we do with her?" the grunt who had tripped Cameron demanded.

"I say we send her to meet some water Pokémon" one commented, "if you know what I mean."

Cameron tried to get back up, but the grunt holding her leg kept her pinned down. "Get off of me!"

"You're gonna take a nice and long trip, princess!" the grunt sneered. Cameron kicked at the Plasma Thug with all of the strength in her free leg, prompting several more grunts to surround her to subdue her. Within seconds, she was pushed face first into the ground and a pairs of hands grabbed hold of her ankles and her wrists, preventing her from lashing out and freeing herself. Once they had Cameron pinned, they strapped a pair of restraints on both limbs, keeping them locked in place.

"GET OFF! LET ME GO!"

"This could have been so much easier if you let us take Victini!" the grunt snarled. "Now, we've got to find Victini and get rid of a snoop all in one day!"

"GET OFF OF MMMMMMMPHH!" Cameron would have said more, but one of the grunts put his hand over her mouth to keep her quiet. Just as Cameron was about to lose her strength and accept her capture, the Plasma Grunts were blown back by some unseen force. Cameron looked up and spotted Victini, who was now glowing with the power of a star and shot itself at the guards, causing them to bounce several feet back and for a small but potent wall of fire to protect Cameron and her pinned Pokémon. With another small shot of flames, the restraints on Cameron were burned off and she leaped to her feet to continue the battle as Ryo dug himself out of the hole.

The Plasma Grunts surrounded Cameron for a third time, this time choosing to wait until the fire wall died down to attack. But the opportunity to seize Cameron in time was quashed as a Druddigon appeared out of nowhere and bodied some of the Plasma Grunts to the ground, howling in rage as he did. The Grunts tried to scatter, but Rhaegar appeared on the other side and blasted them aside with a tremendous Dragon Pulse. Michael sent his mighty Dragonite to the ground and he went to town on both the Plasma Grunts and their Pokémon, showing no mercy as he did. Iris's Druddigon also continued it's rampage, finally causing the Plasma Grunts to realize their defeat. While many surrendered, some attempted to flee. One of the fiercest ones, the one that had first tripped Cameron up, tried one last time to capture his prey, but was slammed hard into the ground by an irate and downright furious Michael Kingston. Cameron stepped back as she saw the all too familiar crimson sensation in her cousin's eyes.

"Mercy! Mercy!" the grunt cried out.

"IF YOU EVER COME NEAR THIS GIRL AGAIN!" Michael threatened, his hand shoving the Grunt's face in the ground.

"Message-received!" he choked out before Michael struck him hard in the head and knocked him out.

The enraged Arcanan Champion stood up and looked to the others who had surrendered. "Anyone else touch her?!" When none of the Plasma Grunts dared to say another word, Michael kicked the unconscious body of the Grunt aside and stormed off towards the edge of the dock to calm himself.

Cameron heaved a sigh of relief as more and more Castelia Police Force members and Iris finally rounded up this whole Team Plasma battalion. Though Michael had taken the battle seriously to the point of using the Crimson Fury to protect her, Iris seemed to think it had been some kind of test match for herself. She cheerfully greeted Cameron when the two were reunited.

"We put the kibosh on those bums from Team Plasma!" Iris boasted. "Next time Ghetsis wants something done, he can come and do it himself instead of sending his flunkies." She eyed Victini as he floated around Cameron's head and nodded. "Yup. I figured something special would happen on this island. Victini finally revealed himself to someone. And that someone is you, Cameron."

Cameron looked to Victini and shrugged. "Is this special?"

"Cameron" Iris giggled, "Victini is one of the Six Mythical Pokémon!"

Cameron's jaw dropped. "A Mythical Pokémon? Like Celebi and Manaphy?"

"You know it. This little guy is the Victory Star Pokémon. It has the power to give any Pokémon it's believes a bit of an extra jolt of power of they need it."

"So that would explain why my Lucario did so much more damage before" she reasoned. "Wow, Victini appeared before me."

"That's five of the six Mythical Pokémon appearing in the last ten years" the Unovan Champion cheered. "Maybe Shaymin will show up soon!" Both girls eyed Michael, who had finally calmed himself with the aid of Celebi, as he returned to speak to the two of them. Celebi and Victini happily greeted each other and floated around with great excitment and playfully chased after one another.

"Are you okay?" Michael asked his cousin.

"I am now" she answered. "Thanks to you guys."

"Michael really snapped back there" Iris noted. "He was worried about you."

"He has a tendency to do that" Cameron remarked, before hugging Michael to keep him from lashing out more. "But I appreciate it all the same."

Michael patted Cameron on the back and looked up to the playing Mythical Pokémon. "Victini's been seen, huh?"

"And I think since Team Plasma is still lurking out there" Iris suggested, "that Cameron should be the one who looks after him. I think they could both use each other."

Her cousin seemed eager to counter this, but he instead simply nodded. "I don't have a say in matters of destiny. If we were meant to be with these Mythical Pokémon, so be it. I know Hunter is still out there, but it's probably safest if we five have these Pokémon to look after."

Cameron's eyes lit up brightly. "Does that mean I get to raise Victini alongside you guys!"

"With that power-up ability Victini has" Iris pointed out, "that makes Cameron a tough customer to beat."

"It makes things easier on us" Michael said, though he had a touch of sorrow in his voice. "And harder."

Victini landed in Cameron's arms and smiled warmly at her. Without her needing to even lift a Poké Ball off of her belt, Victini shot himself into a ball of light and into one vacant Pokémon slot on Cameron's team, all but assuring her drive to be the Champion of Arcana would continue beyond this day...

{}

"It was tough not having a Mythical Pokémon of my own while the others all had one" Cameron said as she wrapped up her tale to Cynthia. "Even my lay about brother got one. But once Victini and I became friends, I knew it wasn't about having a Mythical Pokémon fighting by my side. It was the bond we shared that mattered above all else." Victini nuzzled her face and she pet the top of his head.

"There's still some pureness inside" Cynthia confirmed proudly. "Good. At least not all of it is seeking revenge."

Cameron nodded. "Victini brought out the best in me the same way the others did to my friends. Which is why I want to get them back. Michael needs Celebi as much as I needed Victini. It's the same with Mark and Lizzie, too."

"If it's all the same to you" Cynthia told her friend, "I'm glad you found Victini. I could only imagine the place you'd be in right now without him." When Cameron did not immediately retort, Cynthia continued. "That's not the whole reason why I came out here, you know. But I do think it's good to get to know you better."

"Why did you come to me, then?"

"To check up on you" Cynthia revealed. "With all that's been going on in Arcana lately, it's important to keep tabs on what really matters. Our friends and loved ones." She put a hand on Cameron's shoulder, prompting her to blush. "You don't have to do this all alone, Cam."

Cameron, doing her best not to squeal, took Cynthia's hand off of her shoulder and nodded. "Thank you. But my path is one of loneliness. Until I get my brother back."

"Not even for one night?"

Cameron paused. "What do you mean?"

"Jon and Annie's wedding is going to be at Kingston Castle this Friday night" Sinnoh's gorgeous champion told her. "I've been told weddings aren't exactly your forte, but I would think you'd want to support your cousin and be there to enjoy at least a bit of celebration." She winked at Cameron before turning to head back towards the Castle. "And it it adds any incentive to you, I'll be there."

Cameron was left stunned as her idol casually told her about the wedding, implied that she wanted her there and then walked right off as if it were nothing. Despite her desire to keep cool and confident, she could feel her knees wobbling and a goofy smile appearing on her face, to which both Ryo and Victini giggled at the sight of.

{}

Confined to a laboratory of sorts in the bowels of the base on Mirage Island, Professor Helen Wong nervously attempted to do as her captors wanted her to despite not having any of the equipment or tools necessary for her work. It's not like she had another choice in the matter. Since being abducted from Pallet Town, she not only had no idea where she was or who had taken her, but was fully aware that these people who were keeping her here were exceptionally good at covering their tracks. The Police could spend weeks searching, but they wouldn't find her if she wasn't supposed to be found.

She found no solace at this time. No moments of reprieve or hope. She simply kept her head down and tried diligently to set up a lab for herself on this island. The rest could come later. No matter how much she missed her husband and their son, she knew she wouldn't get to be sent home to them until well after she had done whatever task this cloned Pokémon wanted of her.

While she tinkered with a computer she had been provided by her captors, the door to her cell opened on it's own. Though he was too tall to enter through this doorway, she suspected it was Mewtwo's way of revealing he was coming. She straightened out her glasses and nervously stood in place as Mewtwo warped into her chambers. The Pokémon studied her for a long while before speaking telepathically.

How are you finding your accommodations, Professor?

Helen, too nervous to reveal the truth, simply nodded. "Wonderful."

Mewtwo shook his head. No. Not wonderful. I have mistreated you. That was not my intention, Professor. As I said to you before, we are family. I do not wish to harm family. It is difficult for me to understand the needs of humans. I could perhaps bring the rest of your family here. For a proper reunion.

Realizing he was certainly not bluffing when he said this, Helen politely shook her head. "That won't be necessary. Please, just leave them be. And promise I can go back to them when I've completed my task." She fidgeted nervously as Mewtwo's presence loomed over her. "What exactly would you like for me to accomplish, Master?"

We are going to complete the work that our father set out to do many years ago, Mewtwo confirmed. To perfect the genetic replication and gene splicing experiments he put forth and to create the ultimate and supreme cloned Pokémon. The Pokémon waved his stubby hands as the computers all flashed and went online. We do not yet have all of the necessary equipment for you to begin, I see. No matter. We will acquire it as needed.

"You wish for me to clone Pokémon?" she asked.

It is my intention to use the Pokémon we clone to return to Arcana and wipe out the last line of defense humanity has left. No one who opposes me will be spared. Apart from one that a minion of mine wishes to be. But that will be irrelevant to this case. Professor, we are going to not only perfect cloning and the technology that we have available to us, but I also intend on reaching a greater level of power than what I have now. Mewtwo closed his eyes as he reflected. My defeat at the hands of that boy Ryan Kingston still haunts me. I allowed a human to get the better of me. Not just any human, though. A boy who's grandfather and cousin have also sabotaged my plans time and time again. The Kingstons must be purged from this world. But to do that, I require a greater power. One that, with your assistance, I believe we can reach.

"What power would that be?"

Immortality.

Helen turned pale. "You want...to live forever?"

I want my legacy to continue, even if I fail. If the Kingstons should somehow prevail over me yet again, I want someone to continue my work and perhaps even become stronger than myself. I intend on replicating the work your father underwent under Professor Urbine before the fool sold his soul to a greedy human. I intend on using the DNA of Mew to create more versions of myself.

"Yourself?"

That way, I know I am no longer reliant on the fools under my employ. They will simply drag my plans further and further into doubt with their own ambitions. You, Professor, are not like my minions. Which is why you and your loved ones will be spared the fates I intend to plunge humanity into.

"The cloning plans you have would require the DNA of countless Pokémon, not to mention Mew itself. Forgive me, Master, but I don't think this is possible."

Mewtwo snickered. I am one step ahead of you, Professor.

Helen looked at the screen of her computer, confused as to why it was now panning through several dozen Pokémon Trainers and the Pokémon they had with them on person. She was deeply alarmed at not only how many she had heard of, but just to the extent of how powerful they were. "Lance? Steven Stone? Iris? Leon? What's going on here?"

My plans have required me to eliminate and remove rogue pawns from the equation. Given the opposition I will be up against in Arcana, the less trainers they have to call on aid from, the better. Which is why I have strategically kept them here, under the influence of the Dark Void, never to awaken again. While these trainers and their dreams have been useful for harnessing my own power, their Pokémon have not yet been removed from them. All a part of my plan. For I intend on having you replicate these Pokémon, cloning them to do my bidding. Imagine an army of Tyranitars, Dragonites, Metagross and Hydreigons. I would be invincible.

"Cloning would not exactly guarantee these Pokémon would listen to you" Helen warned. "It's simply replicating their DNA."

I will be pouring my own mental prowess into these Pokémon. How I do so will not matter until I have my Cloned Pokémon Army. Mewtwo was about to continue, when the door opened again and a sheepish and nervous Kage stood by the door. Mewtwo glared down at the peon. What is it, you imbecile?

"We wanted to warn you!" Kage informed his Master. "Two of the pods containing the trainers have been opened and their trainers have disappeared. We suspect Elezar was at work behind this."

And you fools haven't found him?

"It's almost like the island doesn't want us to" Kage complained.

Who were in the two pods that were freed?

"Amanda Fouritz and Christopher Kingston."

Helen's eyes widened. "Amanda?" She knew of an Amanda Fouritz. The two had been in University together. While Amanda studied underneath Professor Julia Pines in Arcana, she had studied under Professor Oak in Kanto. But why would these people have any real interest in Amanda over someone more studious like Professor Pines?

Mewtwo, however, did not seem to mind this. Well, no matter. The two of them will not factor much into this.

"Are you sure, sir?" Kage asked. "Because I could dispatch a-"

And have you waste more of mine and your time on this?! No! We need the crystalized power source for the Harvesting Machine far more than the sleeping husks of Christopher and Amanda. Find the power source, find Elezar and bring them both to me. I could care less what becomes of the two escaped husks. Get out! And do not dare enter this chamber without my consent again!

Kage bowed and sprinted out of the room. Mewtwo rolled his eyes. Good help is so hard to come by, these days.

"Master" Helen shuddered.

Mewtwo shook his head. Do not worry, Professor. I shall get the Pokémon and the machinery you will need. And when Hunter has returned from his errand to hunt down an enemy of ours, you will have Mew as well. Please, make yourself at home here. Our family will soon become much stronger than any other force on earth, Professor. I do hope we all get to see it. With that, Mewtwo warped out of the room and left Helen alone and petrified of what was to come.