Though he was supposed to be doing work he had put off earlier in the morning, Michael could not bring himself to work today. His head was far away from the halls of Kingston Castle. His heart was more troubled than it had ever been since he and Julia were reunited in Agate Village. Though his conversation with Cameron had given him a bit of solace regarding his Aunt's death, he remained more torn and confused about the future after his explosive meeting with Countess Rosemary. While the fire crackled in the fire place and Mufasa and Aether made themselves cozy in it's warmth, Michael sat at his desk with his head in his hands.

How can she be right about this? There's way too much that would have to happen for this Prophecy to come to pass. Though he would try to distract himself with work, he would either misspell something or his pen would lose ink, prompting him to toss the paper aside. If it missed the fireplace, his Espeon would use it's telekinetic powers to float it into the fires to continue to warm him and Mufasa. If it went in, his Arcanine would let out a low howl and lay on his side and soak in the burning energy.

She couldn't be right. It has to be some kind of mistake. I'm not a King. I'm not any of those things.

He was about to grab another paper to fill out, when he almost knocked over a portrait on his desk. He caught it before it could slide off and looked at the picture inside. It was of his childhood. He was playing with Chris, Cameron and Julia on the playground in Parlor Town's playground. Chris was helping Cameron climb on the monkey bars, while both he and Julia were seated next to one another and waving at the camera. Knowing there was more to it than this, he took the picture out of the frame and looked on the back. There, scribbled on the back, was a message from the woman who had helped him become the man he was this day.

[Never Forget Who Belongs In Your Heart, For They Will Never Forget You]

This was all he had left of Jane Kingston besides the painful memories of his past before his branding. Her words of wisdom here had carried him through some of his darkest moments, but could do little to alleviate his woes and concerns at this moment. Not when he wasn't even sure about himself anymore. He used to take it in stride. His parents had given birth to him, but he had modeled who he was as a person off of the nurturing care and sage lessons he got from his Aunt and his Grandfather. At least, that's how he thought it had gone. But Rosemary's words were filling him with doubt. If all of this had been predicted by some flimsy prophecy, did any of what he had accomplished actually matter? Was his life actually worth something? Or was he another cog in someone else's machinations?

Sensing his woe, Aether leaped up onto the desk and nuzzled his trainer. Michael took the Espeon into his arms and pet him. "Oh, buddy. I wish you could help me like Icarus or Celebi did. Right now, I don't even know if I can think straight, much less do my job." All Aether did was let out a quiet mew, before hopping back onto the desk and curling up into ball beside the picture.

A knock on the door drew his attention. "Yes?"

"Honey, are you okay?" Julia asked from outside.

Michael sighed. "Oh. As I'll ever be."

The doors opened and Julia entered, a look of worry and sorrow on her face. Whether it was from her crying over her Abuela's death or something else, he could not immediately tell. But when she came over behind him and put her hands on his shoulders and gave him a gentle massage, he knew she was there for him. "Dee said something about you and the Countess happened this morning."

"I'm surprised the whole castle didn't hear it" he admitted.

"You don't get that angry over anything unless something really bad happens" she reminded him. "What happened?"

"Rosemary is trying to get involved" he grunted. "To try and force me to do something I don't want to do. Something I don't even feel is important enough to warrant any further looks. But here she is, making my past come back to haunt me again." He lowered his head in frustration. "Can nothing get the past to just leave me alone?!"

"The past is the past, Michael" his wife told him sweetly. "It can't come back to haunt us unless we let it." She continued to massage her husband's shoulders. "You're carrying so much stress, honey. I just want to see you smile again. Even for a moment." She lowered her head on top of his. "The arrangements are set. Piper and I couldn't handle a wake and a funeral, so she's being cremated. I-I hope we can keep her by the fireplace." The two glanced over towards the fireplace. There was already an urn there.

Icarus. Michael nodded to placate his wife's woes. "That's a perfect place. Your Grandmother was a huge impact on me, Jules. She's the reason I have you. And she's the reason I had him." He rose from his seat and walked over towards the fireplace, Julia following him at a distance. He looked at the urn containing Icarus and put his hand on the top of it. "Julia. Who am I?"

"I'm-I'm sorry?"

"How can I be this person?" he asked. "How can I be the man who's here right now?"

"Michael? Are you okay?"

"How am I this person you all care about? When my father practically walked out on me when I was five? When my mother abandoned me when I needed her the most? How did I become this kind of person?" He let go of the urn and rested his arms and head on the fireplace. "Everything I know about myself...all of it is in doubt, now. What made me who I am today? Is it fate? Is it destiny? How can I know for sure if I am who I think I am and not a mirage?"

"Why wouldn't you be you?"

"Everyone takes up after their parents. Chris and Cam. Jon and Madeline. Ryan and Matthew. The Augustine Girls. Addison. You name it and they're who they are because of their parents. Even Tori takes after Mom and Dad in her own ways. But not me. I'm not anything like them. It used to be so easy, thinking that it was because of Grandpa and Aunt Jane that I became who I was today. Now, all I see is-I don't even know if they actually loved me, or if they were pushing that witch's agenda!"

Julia grabbed his arm. "Come with me." Michael tensed up for a moment, but relented, letting Julia lead him back to his chair. As he sat back down, his soulmate knelt down in front of him. "I cannot believe you would even think for a moment that whatever Rosemary says defines who you are. You are not someone's puppet. You made yourself. You could have followed the same path as your parents, but you chose differently."

"Why? Why am I so different?"

She looked at him with the same loving and caring eyes she always had. "Michael, you are who you are. And that person is the greatest human being I've ever known. You befriended me and Piper, not because you had to, but because you wanted to." She took his hand in hers and smiled. "You think I didn't notice what you did for our Pokémon Trainer's exams, back in the day? Abuela told me you would have started with a Mudkip based on your answers, but you changed it so you and I could start with the same Pokémon. You did it so I wouldn't feel left out. And we got Bella and Icarus because of what you chose to do. You chose to stand up for Dee at her contests. You protected the Northern Outpost from those Syndicate Goons. You chose to become friends with Mark and Lizzie when you were in exile. You chose to forgive me for turning my back on you after you were branded. You chose to come back and defeat Giselle. You chose to stay on as Champion. You chose to forgive me after I left you." She kept the smile brightly as she rose up to her husband's eye level. "You are who you made yourself to be. If that person is an offshoot of Jane Kingston and your Grandfather, so be it. Because that's the same boy I've always known. The same boy I've always loved. The one I've always wanted to see again." She put her hands on his cheeks. "I always wished we could have a time like we had before you were branded, but all I needed to do was sit in the room with you. You were always there."

"But-"

"No buts" she interrupted. "Even if your fears are right. Even if you are correct in assuming that they were only doing what they thought Rosemary wanted, you still chose to be this man. Not an arrogant snot. Not someone distant and cruel. You chose to be kind and honorable." She slowly shook her head. "And besides, you and I both know the truth. They did love you. And the man you are sitting before me is proof that you aren't some mistaken prodigy. You didn't come out of thin air. You are who you are by choice, not destiny or fate. And I wouldn't have you any other way." She then fell on top of him and kissed him.

When they parted, Michael held his wife close to him. "I really hope you're right."

"I usually am" she teased, flicking him in the nose. "Now, come on, Lord Kingston. We have work to do."

"We?"

She eyed the paperwork and kissed him on the cheek. "You don't think you can do all that yourself, do you? Annie and Jon are going on their honeymoon. So we've got to worry about ourselves, for a bit." She took part of the paperwork and moved over to a more vacant side of the desk. "Come on. Chop chop! We don't want to be overloaded in paperwork, lest we let our desks turn into Amanda's when she was my protégé."

Michael laughed. "Julia. I love you. I really, really do."

"Aw, I love you too" she winked. "Now get to work. Flattery won't get you out of this."

The couple then set about filling out paperwork at a record clip. The sooner they wrapped up their work, the sooner their "real" work could begin. Michael kept a wry little smile on his face, the thought that he knew his wife would not stop until the two were sure they would have a third child keeping him going as long as he needed to.

{}

While he waited for the still slumbering Amanda to waken from the Dark Void she was ensnared in, Christopher Kingston sat alone inside the hut, doing his best to keep himself patient and calm. Something that he was certainly not familiar with doing. But, if it would help keep the ones he loved safe, even for a moment, he was compelled to keep doing it.

In these moments of solitude, the only thing he could think of was the people he desperately wanted to see. To see his father and stepmother once more, his stepsisters Katrina and Renee, or even the likes of any of the many (and I mean MANY) exes he had in his life. There was Dana, Rebecca, Shirley, Chandler, Mary and Stella. There was Belle, Anne, Erica, Michelle, Yasmin and Taylor. Then there was Ginny, Roxie, Bianca, Elesa and Lulu. Rounding out the list were Miette, Maylene, Sarah and Leanne. All of them had their charms. All of them had won his affection at some point, including even many more whom he could not woo into relationships. He would go through it all again if it meant he got to go back to Arcana.

Because if he went through it all again, that meant he'd get to go back home and be with the three people he longed for the most. The three who meant the most to him. The three that were no doubt worried sick about him and would be overjoyed to see once more. He wanted to be there with his sister one more time. They may butt heads and call each other out for their actions, but they were still siblings. And Cameron was all he truly had from a life long ago. A life of innocence and fun. Love and hope. A life when he had a true and solid family. A life with his mother. He knew if there was one person in the world he could reunite with that would let him feel normal once more, it was his little sister.

Then, there was Michael. Some called him the shadow to his cousin's being. The eternal rival. The lifelong confidant. The unrelenting best friend. One who was not only the brother he always wanted, but someone who he could depend on for anything. The two had been bound in brotherhood since they were in diapers. Not only as rivals or as opponents to one another's drives, but in a camaraderie only known between best friends. Finding his prodigal brother again would allow him to refocus himself back onto the things that mattered.

But above all, even the two closest family members he had in his world, there was her. The golden goddess to his ancient mythical hero. The gorgeous princess to his courageous knight. The only girl who he ever felt he truly loved since he was spurned the affection of his first love. Who would have guessed that the maiden would be related to her? Piper. His answer to what made the sun rise in the morning, what made him smile when all else failed, and what had finally gotten him to become the man his mother and Michael had always known he could be.

All of his dreams in his seemingly endless slumber had been about her. About somehow rowing himself off of Mirage Island and finding her there waiting for him on the shores of Parlor Beach. Others about them all coming to rescue him from one of Mewtwo's deepest dungeons and Piper being the first person he saw. How he would take the gorgeous maiden into his arms and they would share a kiss even more passionate than their first. How he would be able to return home and raise a family with her alongside Michael and Julia. Maybe raise a son who could become as close to James or Arya as their fathers were. But every single one of them had him finding her in a seemingly endless void of water, fire, wind or earth and reaching for her and cradling his beloved in his arms. Seeing Piper once more would finally settle his heart and all the questions he had for himself since they set out for Mirage Island.

While the hours toiled away for any news regarding Avery or the final wakening of Amanda, he sat there and daydreamed about her. Taking up a fallen piece of straw from the hut Elezar had brought them into, he began to draw in the dirt. But no matter how well he could draw, he knew not even the finest artist in the world could capture the sheer wondrous beauty that Piper had about her. And not just her looks. Her smarts, her spunkiness and her heart. He smiled down at the drawing he had made of her, before wiping it aside with his shoe. He decided to do something different. He decided to write her a letter.

He dictated to himself exactly what he wanted to say. "Piper...um. Where do I go with this? Uh...Hey, Pipe! No, that's stupid." He scribbled it out and resumed his work, talking from the heart. "Piper, I know it's been a long time since we last saw each other. And knowing how much of a goddess you are, I expect some other guy might have wandered his way into your radiance. But I just want you to know, I have spent every waking and sleeping thought on you since I first fell to Courtney and Darkrai." He smiled and laughed to himself. "They say that when you fall in love, you find it hard to put exactly how to put it into words. But before I met you, I always thought I did have the words to say. But now, I'm finding myself speechless. As if, it's taking more than one hundred percent of my brain power to find out how to articulate just what I want to say to you, but in my heart it feels as clear as day. Piper...uh, whatever your middle name is, I think it's Maria? Either way, Piper Pines, I cannot see any future for myself where you aren't in it. I am emphatically, conclusively and irrevocably in love with you. And it is my heart's deepest and personal desire to make it home to you. Michael and Cameron will also be there for me, but I feel that if I don't see you, even being with them wouldn't be the same. I swear to you, by all the power and will Arceus can muster, I will make it back to you. Because there was and always will be more to that kiss than I could have ever given you. And until I get to show you just how much I care for you, I cannot and will not give up on finding some way back to you. Please, take good care of Cameron for me. And Michael too. We'll all be together soon. Love, Christopher. PS. give my niece and nephew a kiss for me too."

When he had finished his personally dictated letter, he felt a shiver down his spine and the shadowy specter of something nearby. He looked up and saw Darkrai floating outside of the hut. He shuffled his position a bit to guard Amanda from a potential attack, but relaxed himself when Darkrai's appearance changed into that of the girl that had once sworn to be Ryan Kingston's greatest friend. But that didn't change his mood. He was decidedly not happy to see her. And when she locked eyes with him, she knew his glare from far away.

Christopher Kingston made his way out of the hut. Elezar was still tending to the fire, but made a backwards glance at the two. "Took you long enough, Miss Frost."

"My mission was a failure" she admitted, her rags ruffling as the cold early morning air rippled past them. "I went to see if I could perhaps liberate some more trainers to help us, but something was wrong. Their Pokémon were missing."

Chris folded his arms. "And why should we trust you?"

"And why do you trust me?" Elezar asked him.

"Because I don't have a choice."

"Precisely. And you don't with her, either."

"Christopher" Avery's specter began, "I know I did some terrible things. Not just to Ryan, but to you and to everyone involved in Mewtwo's plans. But I promise you that I am doing things for the right reasons. Ryan will never love me the way he does Addison. And I can live with that. What I can't live with, is knowing that Mewtwo will continue to abuse people and Pokémon for his own ambitions." She shook her head. "But now is not the time for apologies. Mewtwo has taken the Pokémon of these trainers from them. I don't know why, but freeing them and bringing them here would be useless. Right now, only you and Amanda can be counted on as opposition to him here."

"And what do you think Mewtwo has in mind for these Pokémon?" Chris asked.

"I have a theory" Elezar interjected. "It was one that The Grand Master had floated to myself and Cassius on occasion. He had planned on using the Crimson Fury soldiers to wipe out the forces of mankind to begin life anew. But even that had it's limits. One pushed to their breaking point under the Fury could have their heart burst. He wanted Pokémon with no weaknesses. No dispositions towards humans. At least, not ones with anything but hatred. He wanted Pokémon who thought and acted precisely as he wanted to. A complete contradiction to what he alleged his goals were."

"So what do you think?" Avery questioned. "Because I'm at a loss."

"Before I can come to a conclusion, I need to know more. Did you get a glimpse of what is going on in that base of his?"

Avery nodded. "Not much, but enough to know that there's more than enough evil going on there. Courtney is up to something and Hunter is seemingly losing his patience. Mewtwo seemed to have called him off the hunt for us. But Mewtwo is particularly interested in the lower levels of his base. I overheard someone mention something about a Professor being held there." She glanced back at Amanda. "But it couldn't be Amanda. She's not a Professor yet."

"Did you get a name?" Chris inquired.

"Wong, I think."

Elezar cursed underneath his breath. "My theory is correct. Professor Helen Wong of Kanto."

"What's so special about her?" Chris shrugged. "I've never even heard of her. At least with that whackjob Cassius, I knew of him."

"Professor Wong had a father who once served underneath a scientist by the name Professor Urbine" the former Syndicate Leader explained. "Urbine was known as a mad scientist of sorts, but kept up good terms with my father. Urbine experimented on Pokémon in ways that would have made your grandfather spit venom, Christopher. He was known for Pokémon Gene Splicing...and cloning."

"Cloning?" Avery gasped.

Chris shook his head. "That's impossible. Cloning Pokémon would take scientific knowhow that even Mewtwo couldn't-"

"Don't be dense, boy" Elezar spat. "Mewtwo himself is proof that cloning can be achieved. But Wong's father met an unexpected end before Mewtwo could be properly tested and nurtured. Now, instead of a Pokémon with the same temperance as Mew, we have that repulsive monstrosity bent on wiping out mankind and any Pokémon who stand with them. But Mewtwo has had years to hone his power and craft. Years to do the proper research he may need. All he needed was someone who also worked in the field. Why not take Professor Wong hostage when the world is spiraling out of control? She'll be forced to make genetically superior clones of Pokémon. Ones that have his will and malice within them. Not even ten thousand of the greatest Pokémon Trainers in the world will be able to stand up to that. And that brings us back to Mewtwo's original endgame: genocide. And this time he will do it."

"No he won't" Avery assured the others. "The White Mage will stop him."

"White Mage?" Chris asked. "What the heck is that?"

Elezar could not help but laugh. "A fairy tale cannot stop what Mewtwo is."

"These are no mere fairy tales. Even Jocelyn believed in them."

"Do you not think Mewtwo is unaware of these Prophecies? Do you not think he is working on plans to contain and isolate them before they can do his plans any serious harm? That nutbag Courtney is probably on the trail of it right now." He looked back towards the flames. "No. I don't even think the miracle workers in Arcana can do anything about this. My daughter will forever be at the mercy of that maniacal beast."

"If Mewtwo is planning on cloning" Avery suggested, "we might be able to sabotage those plans like we did for his Dream Harvester. Take it's power source away."

Chris shook his head. "Mewtwo won't be fooled twice. That's why creating another Master Ball probably isn't an avenue either."

"Then, what can we do?"

Chris looked back towards Amanda and sighed. She was still a long ways from waking herself. "The more minds we have trying to fix this problem, the better. Once Amanda wakes up, things might be more clear." At least, I hope.

{}

"What do you want to show us?" Addison laughed as she and Ryan were led out into the gardens of Kingston Castle by their eager and excitable Pokémon. She was curious to what could have the two so worked up, but simply rolled with it and took Ryan along for the ride with them. Now, while Achilles led the way, eyeing for any potential intrusions, Galatea led Addison along with her leading Ryan deeper into the gardens than either had ever been.

"Can't say I've ever seen Achilles this excited" Ryan admitted. Shaymin, who was perched on his shoulders, yipped in agreement.

"Galatea either" Addison giggled. "But it must be important if they think only we can know."

The procession stopped at a column of rose bushes several yards away from the mausoleum containing the deceased Bonnie and James Kingston. Galatea turned around and took a hand from both Ryan and Addison. You two are our closest friends in the world. Our only real friends we have.

"We're more than friends" Ryan assured the Pokémon. "We're family."

Indeed, Achilles agreed. And it is on the strength of our friendships and relationships that we are all here today. He came to the Gardevoir's side and nodded. We can all feel and understand one another in ways I never thought would be possible for a trainer and their Pokémon to be able to. And I am thankful for how powerful you have helped us get.

"We're just glad that we're all together again" Addison said, giving Ryan a flirtatious wink. "Right?"

"You know it" he responded.

Where we come from, Galatea explained, we were forbidden from even speaking to one another. We come from different tribes and thus were forbidden from any interactions. The Kirlia that you both saved us from was the one whom was keeping us apart. He was, how you humans say, a family member of my mate. They shared the same mother. But we were expressly forbidden from being together. The Pokémon gave both Ryan and Addison's hands a tender squeeze. Now, thanks to you both, we are together.

"You guys sort of did the same thing for us" Ryan admitted. "We wouldn't have it any other way."

And to show you just how much your friendship and kindness has meant to us, Achilles went on, we would like you two to be the first to see them. Well, the three of you, since Shaymin wishes to come.

Shaymin barked in approval, before nuzzling Ryan's head. "I guess where Shaymin goes, I go."

"Where we go" Addison teased. "He's been with me too."

Achilles lifted up the branches of one of the rose bushes, while Galatea gently brought Addison forward to see what they were hiding. She nearly cooed at the sight of it. In a makeshift nest made of pillows and large rose petals, was a Pokémon Egg. She let Galatea bring her out from the bushes before she hugged her Pokémon in shock and delight. "Oh my goodness. Congratulations!"

"What is it?" Ryan asked, before Galatea ended her embrace with Addison, took Ryan's hand and led him to see. He had the same reaction and hugged Galatea in congratulations, while Addison did the same with Achilles.

"You two are gonna be parents!" Addison exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you."

"It's incredible" Ryan agreed.

Not really, Galatea communicated dryly. We are mates. It was bound to happen someday. She looked back in at their egg with the loving eyes only a mother could have. But in a way, Ryan, you are correct. Achilles and I will be parents and seeing from where we started and what we've endured, we both deserved to be here.

"Do you guys know if it's going to be a boy or a girl?" Addison asked.

We cannot know yet. We only had the egg a few days ago. So it will be some time before we have our child. The one thing I know, though, is that we will not subject our child to what we endured. We will be as nurturing and caring as any parents could be. And we have you two to thank for that. She gave each of Ryan and Addison a light kiss on the cheek. When we know when our child will hatch, we shall bring you out to see.

"We would love to see that" Ryan assured her.

"After Terra, this will be the third egg I've seen hatch" Addison responded excitably.

We trust you two will return the favor, Achilles replied.

Both Addison and Ryan eyed each other in confusion. "Come again?"

When you two have a child of your own, Galatea pointed out, we would like to see a human child be born as well.

Ryan and Addison's faces turned as red as the Crimson Moon. "Well" Addison began, "we're not going to be worrying about that for a long time. But we promise that you will get to see a human baby be born one day, Galatea. Maybe even one of our own."

Ryan wore a bright and embarrassed smile on his face. "Yup. One of ours."

Galatea looked to her mate and nodded, choosing to depart with the two humans and Shaymin while he stood guard over their egg. While Galatea danced along with the breeze of the morning, Addison and Ryan shuffled along behind her, both giggling at the idea of one day following in the footsteps of their Pokémon and having a family of their own. Maybe one like Michael and Julia have.

"I was thinking two or three kids would be perfect" Addison remarked dreamily.

"Stop the presses" Ryan laughed. "We're not even married yet."

"Who's to say when that day comes?"

Ryan took Addison's hand in his own. "Addy, like you told Galatea, we have all the time in the world to worry about that stuff. Right now, I'm just happy to have you in my life again."

She rested her head on his shoulder as they walked along together. "Me too, Ry. Me too." Shaymin hopped over to her own shoulder and began to lick her face, prompting the duo to burst into laughter.

{}

With Mark finally free from the spell of Greta for at least a short while as she took part in a meeting with Countess Rosemary, the former Kantonian Champion gladly took a moment to catch up with Lizzie in the library of Kingston Castle. He found her pouring over one of the many Mythology Books she had been focused on. She hardly noticed him, deeply ensconced in her research.

"Any updates?" he asked nervously.

She shushed him. "I'm trying to find out something, here!"

"About what?"

She pointed at the cover of the book she was reading. It was entitled: [Legends of Lore: Hisui]. "Long ago, way before the likes of Poké Balls, there was said to be a group of people in a mysterious region called Hisui that were the first peoples in the world to construct a fully functional PokéDex. These trainers eventually passed along the idea for a PokéDex to the likes of people like Professor Rowan and Professor Oak over time. A few trainers even managed to catch almost 600 different variants of Pokémon and were even the first people to come into contact with Arceus. But then, like a flash, Hisui just vanishes from the records. Poof! Gone."

Mark scratched his head. "Uh, are you sure about that?"

"There's nothing on Hisui after this" Lizzie argued. "Maybe it's because there was something in that region that may hold the key to what Hunter wants."

"Then I have no idea why he would waste his time here in Arcana" a voice echoed from nearby. Cynthia emerged from a nearby aisle of books, herself delving into the lore of Kings of Arcana and the ancient orders she had no doubt heard of from Countess Rosemary. "Hisui was the ancient name for the Sinnoh Region. My ancestors once helped in the construction of the first PokéDex. So did the ancestors of many in Sinnoh, including Professor Rowan and Cyrus of Team Galactic. And, though I'm not too confident in my assertion, I think the ancestor of one of the trainers in this little team was an ancestor of Lucas, which is why Professor Rowan took him in so readily as a pupil."

"Then my guess is wrong?" Lizzie asked.

"Not necessarily" the Sinnoh Champion countered. "You're just looking at it from the wrong perspective." She placed her book down beside where Mark and Lizzie were seated. "They say the Six Mythical Pokémon gathered together is enough power for one to transport to the Realm of Arceus. Hisui, or more appropriately Sinnoh these days, was the last known sight where Arceus was seen. He was said to even become an invaluable ally to the trainer who completed the PokéDex. But no one has seen him in our realm since. He mostly leaves us to our own devices, but his wrath can be felt when evil or cruel people attempt to abuse Pokémon."

"But now I'm even more confused" Mark admitted, scratching his head. "If Arceus once appeared to aid in the construction of the PokéDex, why then would he avoid contact with mankind? He surely could have known about the likes of Cyrus, Giovanni, Ghetsis or even Elezar, right? Why leave us to the mercy of these tyrannical Pokémon Trainers?"

"Arceus is meant to serve as a deity for all life in this world" Cynthia explained. "If he constantly involved himself in our affairs, it would cause chaos the likes of which mankind and Pokémon Kind simply aren't ready to deal with. Which is why the Six Mythical Pokémon are said to exist. As keys to his domain. If someone is truly worthy of seeing him, it would be up to them to have befriended all six Pokémon. Something no one person has ever been able to do." She looked to her two friends and shrugged. "After all, you all were the closest anyone has gotten to them. It's a shame that Hunter stole many of them. Victini and Shaymin are all we have to cling to."

Lizzie thought for a moment. "Hmm. That does raise a question, though. How would one make their way to the Realm of Arceus, even with the power of the Mythical Pokémon?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, I'm afraid" she lamented, pushing her long blonde hair back behind her head. "There are some mysteries about Pokemon that even I can't know all things about." She sat down at the same table as the duo and continued to read her book. "This book is interesting, though. Who would have guessed that even in the days of the monarchy here, no King ruled with complete autocratic power? Sure, the Kingstons were the ones who called the shots at the end of the day, but each of the major families had a role to play." She showed the group a crudely drawn picture of a knight from the ancient tome she was reading from. He had armor on that bore the sigil of the Kingston Family, an Arcanine on a burning field. "The Kingstons provided power and stability. The Aceds gave to the King and his court counsel and wisdom. The Queensbury family were stewards, who were faithful to the King and tended to his affairs when he was away. The Jacques Family were in charge of the military and policing Arcana. And the Tentons maintained relations with the Pokémon. I guess every cog has it's part even in medieval times."

Mark looked carefully at the picture while Lizzie was looking as if she were trying to perform advanced calculus in her head. "Arcanine? The Kingston sigil is an Arcanine?"

Cynthia nodded. "They said that the Kingstons chose an Arcanine to demonstrate the power and majesty they have. But I think it has more to do with their faithfulness, loyalty and blazingly strong hearts. After all, it's no surprise that many people in the Kingston Family besides Michael have raised one. Byron, Robert, I even heard that Cameron tried to raise one in the day before she befriended Victini." She touched the sigil and smiled. "Arcanine are truly some of the most gifted Pokémon in the world. You know there's a now extinct variant of Arcanine that came from Hisui? I wish I had been able to see one back in the day."

Lizzie wore a bright smirk on her face. "That does it! That's the connection!"

"What is?" Mark laughed. "And be quiet. People are trying to read."

She playfully shoved her friend. "Don't you see? Cynthia is right. Every cog has to have it's role. It's just how the world works. And it's the same with the Mythical Pokémon." She drew a quick diagram of all six of the Mythical Pokémon in a hexagon like structure. "Let's start with Mew. Mew contains the DNA of all Pokémon. It's the closest thing to Arceus that we could even know, but only Mark has been able to befriend him for longer than a few moments. Mew would rather play than battle with other Pokémon."

"I'm still not sure where you're going with this" Mark answered.

Lizzie moved next to Celebi. "Celebi is said to be a purifying force. Like nature itself, Celebi has the power to awaken hearts filled with darkness and rage. The Shadow Pokémon crisis in Orre, the Crimson Fury here, all of it was rectified by him. Celebi can be seen as the healing hand of Arceus, as he's known more for healing than battling." She moved her finger next towards Victini. "Victini represents valor and courage. It's rare ability unlocks the hidden potential of Pokémon and trainers alike. Cameron has used Victini to utterly dominate opponents here in the Pokémon League. Arceus wishes for us to share our courage and valor with one another as Victini always does." She moved next towards Shaymin. "Shaymin represents transformation and change. It can freely transform from it's Land Forme and Sky Formes of it's own accord and allows itself to move with grace and majesty. It's been helping Ryan to cope with his own issues and has even befriended Addison too. It encourages adaptability and cooperation with others."

Cynthia put her hand to her chin, intrigued by the theory. "This is interesting. Continue."

"Manaphy is sometimes referred to as the Heart of the Ocean" Lizzie went on. "The Ocean can be peaceful and tranquil, but also dangerous when needed. We've all seen just how powerful Chris can be when he applies himself. When it came to Manaphy, he always applied himself to keep him safe from Hunter. Manaphy in turn helped make him safe from harm as well." She closed her eyes and suddenly began to shake. "Those days we were trapped underneath the rubble of Taghwan Hall, Manaphy was the only reason we didn't die down there. His hydration kept us safe and refreshed."

"How does Jirachi factor in?" Mark asked.

Lizzie grinned. "That's just it. What else besides the mystical powers of playfulness, healing, valor, transformation and adaptability is there? Mystical power itself!"

Mark finally caught up to Lizzie's surprisingly fast thinking. "Jirachi's wish granting ability!"

"Which Hunter can't use!" Lizzie clapped her hands together in both pride and excitement. "There's still a chance for us."

"Why can't Hunter use Jirachi?" Cynthia asked.

"Jirachi can only grant wishes to those of pure heart and intent" Mark explained. "Hunter is neither of those things."

"That certainly is good news" Cynthia remarked, "but that still leaves us with the problem of Hunter having those four Pokémon at his mercy. Even though Hunter can't use them, it doesn't mean that we can either."

Lizzie pondered this for a moment. "If we could somehow compel Hunter to come out in search of Shaymin and Victini, we could lure him into a trap and reclaim the others from him."

"Are you forgetting that this is Hunter?" Mark reminded her. "The man who's hunting skills are unparalleled? The guy who has an army of Legendary Pokémon at his beck and call? Trapping him is about as easy as finding a Feebas in Hoenn."

"Difficult, but not impossible" Cynthia pointed out. "After all I-well I should say Courtney has one." Mark could tell Cynthia was particularly angry that her Pokémon were still prisoners of Courtney. After Courtney had impersonated Cynthia throughout the whole Tournament, it had compelled Cynthia to keep fighting no matter what on behalf of not only her imprisoned Pokémon, but also her friends in Arcana, chiefly Michael and Cameron. But she maintained a fair and balanced aura about her that Mark had always admired. "I think we could lure Hunter into a trap. But it's going to take more fire power than just three understrength Pokémon Trainers."

Mark and Lizzie looked to each other and nodded. "Guess we need to bring in some recruits" he suggested.

"I'd imagine Ryan and Cameron are musts considering they're the guardians of Shaymin and Victini" Lizzie added. "Live bait Hunter could never resist."

"Five is better" Cynthia grinned. "But not enough. And besides, we're going to need Hunter to have a reason to leave the safety of Mirage Island."

Lizzie scoffed at this. "Don't worry. If I know Hunter, which I unfortunately do, he won't be able to stick around in one place for too long. He'll become so fed up with being kept on the sidelines that he'll come for us soon enough. All we need to do is wait and hope we have some way of finding out when this happens." She then went back to reading more from her book as Cynthia did the same.

Mark was in shock at both women. How quickly they could just go from talking about a plan as insane as trapping Hunter to just calmly reading ancient history baffled and amused him. But all that truly mattered to him was keeping Mew safe from the likes of Hunter and Mewtwo. If, by some crazy chance, they managed to find and rescue their Mythical Pokémon charges, they just might have enough hope to overcome Mewtwo and keep the world safe one more time.