It was barely past daybreak while Julia sat outside of Countess Rosemary's room, hoping to gain an audience with her husband's great aunt before the line became too long. Though she knew she could always insist that her meetings were a matter of security for Arcana, she did not want to be a tyrant with the powers of her Ladyship. If Michael wouldn't do it, she was not confident in doing it herself.

But this meeting would help alleviate some of the many things on her mind. Something she had said to Michael had shaken him to his core, but he did not seem too inclined to talk about it, out of fear of breathing life into whatever scheme she had cooked up. She needed to speak to Rosemary on her husband's behalf and come to some sort of conclusion her own about this. And so, here she was, while the rest of the castle slept, waiting patiently for the Countess to allow her entrance.

The doors finally opened and Rosemary's young protégé, Morgan Augustine, looked out to see who had come first and seemed surprised that it was her. "Lady Julia?!" She quickly backed up and curtsied in her skirt. "Forgive me, I meant no offense!"

Julia waved her hands. "No need for that, Morgan. I just want to speak with the Countess, if it's alright with you."

Morgan nodded nervously. "Yes. She predicted you would be coming to see her. Follow me, My Lady."

Julia rose to her feet and followed Morgan inside the dimly lit chambers that Rosemary had taken up as her own since departing from Magenta Castle before Ryan's hearing. Rosemary was deep into a trance of some kind and did not acknowledge her for some time. Morgan eyed Julia nervously before backing out of the room to try and make sure the line of people who wanted to see the Countess was under control. Julia knew that her old friend Deidre would be one of the first people outside waiting for the Countess to see them, as she had been to see her every day since Rosemary had been welcomed into the halls of Kingston Castle. But so long as she got to say her piece, she didn't mind who was on line.

Rosemary finally blinked herself back to life and took a deep breath as if she had been underwater, before straightening herself out and nodding politely to Julia. "Ah, Julia. Radiant as always."

Julia blushed as she sat down opposite her husband's great aunt. "Hello, Countess."

"Your husband and I parted on bad terms yesterday" Rosemary recalled. "I did not mean to alarm him with what I told him, but he needs to know and needs to accept his responsibility. My brother and Jane Kingston could not have died for nothing." She took a sip from the cup of tea in front of her, before fully addressing the newest Lady Kingston. "I trust that is why someone as normally astute and knowing as you came to see me?"

Julia nodded. "Michael has never been one to doubt himself, at least not since he met Celebi in Agate Village. But those things you said to him rattled him. As his wife, I think I should know what got him so upset."

"My nephew needs to understand how the world works" the safe Countess explained. "He needs to stop believing that just because events happened in a way that could have and was foretold, that he does not have any impact on the world or that those who loved him only did so for reasons pertaining to my predictions." She took in a deep breath before continuing. Julia noticed the candles surrounding them glowing brighter as she breathed in and exhaled before they reverted back to normal. "Your husband, and by proxy yourself, have been foretold to be the first Royal Family in Arcana in almost 600 years."

Julia paused. "What? Royal Family? The Kingstons gave up their crown hundreds of years ago, didn't they?"

"Indeed, my ancestor Arturius gave up his crown to protect the family from a dark fate. However, the dark fate that Rupert the White predicted was not a world where the monarchy would be overthrown, but one where all of mankind would be overthrown and toppled. Arturius knew that one day, a King would need to rise and lead his people through the darkest times they have ever known. And more importantly, to bring about the rise of The White Mage."

Julia was surprised, but not completely. "I read something on this White Mage. The power they are supposed to possess is comparable to yours, isn't it?"

"With time and training" Rosemary answered, "I suspect this Mage will not only match me in power, but far succeed me. For their destiny is to face this abomination sprouted out from hatred and anger. To protect mankind and Pokémon from his wrath. It's not a part I enjoy telling people about, but it's necessary to prepare ourselves. Because even as we speak the words we wish to say, Mewtwo is preparing in his own way to destroy us. And if we are not ready when he declares his war, we will not be able to defy him again."

"Michael may be a strong and gifted leader" his wife praised, "but he's not a King. He doesn't even want to be here. If it were up to him, we would never have even left Kalos to come here."

"Bonnie seems to have had a hand in that as well" Rosemary chuckled.

"Michael never wanted to be a leader" Julia recalled. "At least, not after we reunited. He just wanted to live a peaceful life. With me. With our Pokémon. With our children."

"No one is to say that he won't get that opportunity" the Countess reasoned. "After all, the White Mage is the one destined to face this creature of madness, not him. I'm sure Michael will want to do everything in his power to aid the Mage on their quest, but he will not be the one who must collect their fears and face this monster." She lowered her head. "Though, at the moment, I cannot even be sure myself whom will don that mantle."

"Isn't the White Mage supposed to be raised by a King?" Julia tried to remember, making her begin to worry. "It wouldn't be our children, would it?"

"I am unsure as to whom will be the one that this Prophecy speaks of, but I can assure you that it will not be either James Edward, Arya Maria, or any other children that come from your...ahem...passionate evenings with my nephew."

Julia's face turned as red as the flames surrounding them. "So you know about that, huh?"

She tapped her staff on the floor gently. "Tut tut. Do not fret, Julia. I am happy for you. I held my tongue around Bonnie, though I did not ever get along with her. But I cannot say that my nephew is not in greater hands than when he is with you. You two are...in a way...destined to be." She looked into the crystal on her scepter and nodded. "Yes. While I cannot say with complete clarity what will transpire, I do see your maternal instincts growing in the future. You and Michael will welcome at least one other child into your family before all is said and done."

Julia smiled endearingly. "I only hope it's soon. But Countess, if we can't be sure who this White Mage will be, why then can we be sure Michael is the King?"

"Arturius and Rupert the White had it ordained that should the Arcane Crown be donned once more, only a Kingston can don it. And after observing all of my brother's children and their own children, one can say with utmost clarity that the King in question is your husband. All of the criteria that Rupert foresaw, Michael matches. Even down to him finding his true love in his darkest moments." She shook her head. "James never wanted this for him. I don't think any grandparent would. But James and Jane Kingston knew how important Michael would be and nurtured him into the man he is now. Not out of obligation, but devotion. Jane thought of the boy as her son and I believe Michael is inclined to believe it. Erin has never been the easiest person to be around, surely you of all people would agree to that?"

The Lady of Kingston Castle could only roll her eyes. "You have no idea. We just want her to admit she let her guard down when Arya was almost whisked away and she won't do it. I'm resigned to the fact that she won't, but Michael won't let this go."

"Shades of Bonnie in her daughter, no doubt" the Countess commented snidely. "Whether or not Michael can forgive his birth mother for her actions is up in the air. All that matters to him is what everyone has said about him since his youth. Erin and Big Mike may have brought him into this world, but his morals, ethics and his heart come from Jane and my brother."

"Oh."

"Now, the White Mage is trickier, because there are possibly up to five candidates that this White Mage could be. Prophecies can inherently be vague and difficult to grasp. One line that has stuck with me through it all, however, is that the White Mage is to be brought up by the King, but that the Mage would be the one who gives him his crown. Whether this means that the Mage will be necessary for the coronation is not clear, but what is clear is that Arturius and Rupert did not wish for a King to be able to crown themselves. And an extra precaution seems to be Michael's unwillingness to do so."

"How can a King get the crown then, if he can't claim it on his own?"

"The Thirteen Families must approve of it" Rosemary went on. "One representative from each family present must give a vote of affirmation. It must be unanimous. Though I am unsure how things will transpire with the Aceds effectively extinct."

"Isn't Claude's family in that same vein as well?"

"Claude was the only member of the Jacques Family to remain in Arcana" Rosemary corrected. "He does have two living relatives left. His niece Odette and her only child: a son. But getting back to the point at hand, the five candidates I had in mind for whom would become the White Mage are certainly close to him. But one is currently trapped on Mirage Island and another is struggling to prevent her desires for revenge to consume her. The remaining three each has potential to be the one I seek, but all have shown as many negative signs as positive ones." She waved her hand and a vividly colored puff of smoke appeared above the two women. Julia could tell without a shadow of a doubt whom the three Rosemary was talking about were once the smoke cleared to show visions of all three of them.

"Those three hold the key to our future?" Julia asked nervously.

"More than you'd realize, Julia. One is destined to be the White Mage, gifted with immeasurable power to combat the forces of Mewtwo. The second will be a staunch and loyal supporter, perhaps a shoulder to lean on in times of doubt and woe. The third, however, I cannot say what will befall them. All I see in my visions is two of them standing in defiance of evil, while the third remains to be seen."

Julia reached up to the trio, but they disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. "Ryan...Addison...Matthew..."

Rosemary nodded. "So you see, this is why I wish for Michael to accept his responsibility. One way or another, one of these three holds the key to saving everyone or allowing our world to sink into oblivion. And that one is going to need Michael more than ever. If any slight advantage we have over Mewtwo is not united in this cause to stop him, we will all be cast into oblivion."

{}

Though she did not see the embryo of the clone move much, Professor Wong knew that it was alive in the stasis chamber she had placed it inside. She took notes of it's vital signs and any spikes or irregularities would be noted and she expected would have to be reported to Mewtwo before long. But as of the moment, she had succeeded in constructing a replicated clone of the Pokémon Mew. If all held together properly, there would be multiple of her captor running around to achieve goals or succeed in wiping out mankind. A thought that utterly petrified the poor hostage doctor.

The only slight comfort she got from all of this was that Mewtwo promised her she would be able to speak with her family while she was here. She wasn't exactly sure how this would happen, as Mirage Island was technically in another dimension from where her husband and child were, but it was the only slim light she had in this nightmare tunnel of being trapped and forced to do the bidding of a maniacal Pokémon and his cavalcade of monstrous allies.

The Embryo was hardly anything worth mentioning upon first glance. Though it had an ever so slight pulse of light in it, it looked like a shriveled up potato as it gestated in the goo. But every passing second, at least according to her data she was collecting, it was gaining intelligence. If it continued at this rate, it would be as powerful as the current Mewtwo upon reaching it's level of what would be considered the Pokémon equivalent of a fetus. Beyond that...well, she didn't really want to think about that. She only pitied whichever group was the first to face Mewtwo's wrath. These Kingstons (the name seemed vaguely familiar but she knew little beyond that) seemed to be the lightning rod for his hate, but there wasn't much she knew as to the reasoning or the possibility of Mewtwo being able to obliterate them on command.

If this clone is as powerful as I think it will be, she thought to herself, noticing the beads of sweat coming down from the crown of her head, I don't think even Arceus would be able to stop Mewtwo.

She looked at the vital signs for the embryo. It was still very faint. Removing it from the goo would very likely cause it to die, and while it was collecting both mass and power every passing second, she could not be entirely sure how long it would take for this clone to achieve the desired form. And whether or not Mewtwo would accept whatever time she told him. Her fears were swelling inside of her. One slight hiccup and she could end up like that "Frost" girl they mentioned before.

While Professor Wong was continuing to study the embryo, she paused when she thought she saw her husband Elliot in the lab with her. She spun around, but the metallic walls were still in place. Whether it was through exhaustion or her own sanity breaking, she thought she had seen her husband and their son together on what was their bed, with Elliot reading little Ian a bedtime story, Occasionally, she would have to take a momentary glance back, but would simply chalk this up as her own personal exhaustion. Since Mewtwo had gotten the machinery for her and she got it working, she had not slept. It had been a few days since then, but she was not keen to be caught sleeping on the job. Until her captor told her she could sleep, she would stay awake through sheer will and fear.

The doors to her prison/lab opened. Mewtwo floated in and his eyes widened in shock and delight (at least what she could hope was delight) at the embryo. He quickly appeared by her side, a wicked smile on his face. Good. Very good. You have already replicated the DNA to perfection. Did you follow your father's notes? Or did you do this through your own tutelage?

"A bit of both" Helen nervously told the Pokémon. "I cannot be sure how long it will take, considering this is state of the art machinery you have me working with. But you will have your clone."

What will it take to make another?

Helen went as white as her coat. "Another? Well, it'd take another gestation pod. Putting them both in the same one could be disastrous."

It will not be too hard to come across another pod, he boasted. I made sure my allies stocked this place with enough supplies to ensure any plans I choose to take can be put into effect. He let out a low chuckle. Well done, Professor. I trust you enjoyed the bit of encouragement I gave to you a few moments ago?

She blinked. "You mean, you sent me that?"

I opened your mind, my dear. Allowed you to realize that even here, you will still be able to see those you love whenever you choose. Of course, you won't be here forever. Once I have my army of cloned Pokémon and the two specimen you have taken from Mew's DNA are complete, I shall send you back home to your husband and son. They are as much my family as you are, so they will be spared in my new world order. A pity not too many Kingstons will at this rate.

"What have these Kingstons done?"

Mewtwo showed no emotion on his face. Constantly interfering with my plans. James Kingston hindered my plans to use the Crimson Fury to wipe out all life in Arcana many years ago. His grandsons Michael and Ryan have succeeded time and time again on their own to defy me. Even the lesser ones have done more than their fair share to hinder progress to the next age of life on this planet. They must be purged, not only for personal satisfaction, but to ensure no other humans dare to challenge me. Let them accept that the time of humans is over and our time will rise. He lowered his head in mild frustration. Unfortunately, obligations to my more loyal attendants has forced me to keep at least one Kingston alive. Though, I can safely say that his watching the destruction of Arcana will be more than enough for me to gain revenge.

"What of this Miss Fouritz? The one that's missing?"

What about her?

"If you had such an interest in taking someone from the field of science, why not abduct a more robust Pokémon Professor? Like Oak or Birch?"

Within Miss Fourtiz's mind is something intriguing. She, along with Professor Julia Pines, discovered and logged information regarding the Crimson Fury and it's potency from the research of Balthazar Aced. But they chose not to reveal all of the information. Much of what Aced wrote in his logs has been released, but secret files remained open and only known to Miss Fouritz. Even her mentor in Professor Julia does not know these exist. As she slept, I had my minions not only collect her dreams to enhance my own powers, but to gain any hidden information she might have inside of her. Taking Professor Pines from Kalos would have been too difficult and would have drawn Michael Kingston's wrath upon us, when we weren't ready. But Miss Fouritz has provided for me bountiful information. Things that I am adding and putting into consideration for my future goals.

"Such as?"

Do these plans really concern you?

Wong carefully stepped back her inquiries. "Forgive me, Master. I only meant to-I just want to protect my son."

There is no lying in you, Helen, Mewtwo complimented. Your transgressions are nothing and are easily dismissed. Your son cannot be put in danger by the Fury, because he was not given a taste of it's power either through natural interaction with the moon when it is in this state or the artificial brands that my minions bestowed upon the people of Arcana almost three years ago. However, anyone who has been subjected to the Fury is still prone to it's power, even outside of the radius of the moon's power. Though the next Fury will come in twelve years, many who have been impacted by it can still feel it's power. Some, such as my enemies in Michael and Ryan Kingston. There are other interesting things I've discovered, but to be sure of their validity will take a more drastic approach. And I intend on seeing such a display for myself firsthand soon enough.

Helen nodded, though her face was paralyzed in fear. "Yes, Master."

Mewtwo looked back at the embryo. Continue your work. Once I see more progress from you, perhaps I'll have enough power to make sure you can actually speak to your son and husband.

"You're leaving?" Helen asked curiously.

Unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to. And a few weeds to pull out of this garden I have cultivated. I will seek you again soon, Professor. With that, Mewtwo vanished from her lab.

{}

Addison was delighted to accept an invitation to dine with Lord and Lady Kingston for the evening. She was so used to only seeing either Michael or Julia on a sparing occasion, that she was eager to get as much time with them as she possibly could. She was even more ecstatic to learn that it wasn't just going to be a dinner between her, her mother and the Lord and Lady. Everyone from their group that used to all live in Parlor Town was invited and came. So, while all of them sat down to what was as elegant and peaceful a dinner party as could be, Addison was glad to be in the presence of not only them, but the Queensbury Family and of course her boyfriend's family. All had gotten dressed up for the occasion and were set to enjoy a wonderful dinner celebrating the completed reconstruction of all of Parlor Town. Starting tomorrow, when the furniture was delivered, she and her mother would get to move back into their home. Soon, all that would remain for her to get back were her Pokémon and her father.

Michael sat at the head of the table, with his wife to his left and his Uncle Robert to his right. From Julia's side went Addison's mother Deidre, her Aunt Caitlin, herself, Holly, Tommy, their mother and finally Mr. Queensbury rounding out at the other end of the table. To Robert's right went Alison, Matthew, Ryan and Kayleigh in her high chair, slightly upset that her new best friend in her "niece" Arya had been put to bed already and would not be present at this dinner. Nevertheless, her parents gave her a coloring book to draw in and she largely went peacefully through the evening.

Everyone was having a wonderful time at the dinner party. Michael and Julia put on a show for everyone with how cordial and courteous they were being. She could not help but notice how finally used to their roles they were becoming. She knew her idol and his beloved wife were all too reluctant to cut their time in Kalos short with the unexpected passing of Lady Bonnie, but they had taken to it and were finally happier than Addison could remember them being since their wedding. They were in the middle of a conversation with her mother and her Aunt Caitlin about a time Michael had almost gotten himself involved with the upstart Team Flare when they sought to kidnap the famed movie star Diance to use for their plans.

Mr. and Mrs. Queensbury were also in a lengthy conversation with Ryan's parents about something about the Taghwan City Mayoral election and whether or not they knew that Doug Kingston would be running that year. Robert Kingston did not seem to think so, as Doug was still not feeling too well following what happened to his and Janine's only son Daniel, now a permanent resident of Parlor Town like her own father. Holly and Tommy were talking with Ryan and Matthew about whether or not the Pokémon League would reopen anytime soon, with an eager young Tommy wanting to challenge the Pokémon League and test his skills and Holly curious if they would do so without heavy hitters like Jeremy or Annette. Matthew answered for Ryan and insisted it wouldn't open until they at least got their Pokémon back and did something about Mewtwo. Which was slightly concerning to Addison, as Ryan was not saying much of anything.

Sure, he would nod and make the occasional comment when someone would mention him. But he had a lot on his mind. Addison did not like to delve too much into Galatea's connection with her, but she could clearly tell that his mind was muddled. She wasn't sure if this had anything to do with the upcoming camping trip they'd be taking. The only odd thing about his quietness was that he would occasionally make a glance at her, as if wanting desperately to say something, but not anything else. Then, he would make a glance over at Julia, but nothing seemed to be coming from it.

Despite her uneasiness about Ryan's mood, the dinner went off without much of a hitch, until Michael called in for a special drink to be brought out for everyone to taste, even the young kids at the table. Soon, everyone was presented with a goblet of fizzling liquid that seemed to be shining different colors of the rainbow depending on which angle you looked at it with. Though the kids were in awe of this, expecting it to be some kind of alcohol, her mother's giggle made it all too clear this was not a drink they weren't supposed to be having.

"Where did you find this, Mike?" her Aunt Caitlin asked. "I've been looking for Wisher's Delight for ages!"

"I had Warren go all the way to Hoenn to find some" her mother pointed out, "but no one had any."

"We always keep a bottle around" Michael told both women. "You know, for special occasions."

"What is this stuff, Mike?" Matthew asked his older cousin. "Looks like Soda Pop to me."

"Wisher's Delight" Julia explained to the younger kids, "used to be a big treat for kids back in the day. It's a drink that is said to taste differently to whoever drinks it."

"There's a legend to it" Alison Kingston mentioned romantically. "If you make a wish and drink it, depending on the taste of it, your wish will either come true or was never meant to happen. If you tell someone your wish, however, there's always the chance that it won't come true. But I can assure you that this stuff works. That's how Robert was convinced to ask me to marry him."

"What can I say?" Robert shrugged. "I got Pechas and Cream."

"This can taste like anything, then?" Tommy asked.

"Pretty much anything" his father told him. "Now, who would like to be the first to drink?"

"Before we do" Michael spoke up, rising to his feet and raising his glass as he did. "I'd like to propose a toast. It's been a long six month journey to get to this point. And after we saw how much damage those thugs did to our homes, I was afraid we wouldn't be able to recover from it. But with perseverance, hard work, and about a good 40,000,000 Poké Dollars spent, Parlor Town is finally ready to go. Uncle Robert and Aunt Alison already moved in with their boys and little Kayleigh, and I know the Queensbury's will be back in Parlor Town full time by the end of the week. And once you've got everything delivered to you guys, I'm sure Dee and Addison will be happy to be back in their own home, too. Cheers to everyone here!"

"CHEERS!" all voiced in unison and raised their glasses. Michael nodded contently before sitting back down.

"Okay, but who gets to drink first?" Tommy asked impatiently.

"It's polite to let ladies go first" Holly suggested.

"What about we go clockwise around the table?" Julia suggested. "I'll start." She thought for a moment about what she would wish for and then took a very elegant sip. The bright smile on her face only confirmed to her that she got just the wish she had always been wanting. "Ah. Grepa Swirl."

Addison's mother went next, taking a sip from hers, also bearing a bright smile on her face. "Oh my goodness. Toffee!"

Caitlin Setenn went next and drank from hers, the first dud wish as she shriveled her mouth at the taste. "Ew! Bitter Root! Oh well, I guess I won't have some dashing prince come in to sweep me off my feet." She shrugged and all the attention then fell onto Addison.

Addison thought long and hard about what she wanted to wish for. After spying an impatient Tommy rattling his fingers while she dithered, Addison rolled her eyes and made her wish inside her head. Okay. I wish to have the chance to help Michael and all the others set things right. She took a sip from the fizzing liquid and was relieved to have a positive taste. "Tastes like Leppa Juice."

"My turn!" Holly chirped. She took a sip from hers and giggled. "Good. Oran Sherbet."

"We all know what you wished for" Matthew teased, before Holly firmly stomped on his foot from beneath the table, causing him to squeal.

"FINALLY!" Tommy snapped. He took the drink in his hands and sipped, before almost spitting it out. "OH COME ON! I HAD TO GET STINKIN BLACK LICORICE!"

"Guess that means you don't get your wish, Tommy" his mother giggled as she took her own sip. "Ah. White Wine."

"Hey!" Holly's father cheered as he finished his. "I've always loved Butterscotch Ripple!"

"How come you guys got all this good stuff and Miss Caitlin and I get nothing?" Tommy complained.

"It could be worse" Caitlin pointed out. "It could always be none of us getting positive wishes."

Ryan was next to go, with Kayleigh not having any Wisher's Delight to drink from and too engrossed in her coloring to care. Ryan took a deep breath and made his wish before taking a sip. He seemed extraordinarily relieved at his taste. "Oh thank Arceus. Cheri Berry Blitz." Addison giggled at this, prompting Ryan to finally make direct eye contact with her and blush.

"How on earth can something this fizzy taste like a Chocolate Milkshake?" Matthew asked in shock, yet a sheer delight from it. "Good to know this stuff doesn't judge me like people do."

"Oh stop it" Julia snapped at her former protégé. "I would think that at this point, we all see the good inside of you and that what you did in the past is not who you really are. Like it or not, Matty, you're one of us."

"I still haven't fully made up my-" Tommy began.

"Can it" Holly scolded her brother.

Alison Kingston took a sip of hers and sighed. "Oh well. Never did like the taste of Peanut Butter. Guess my two boys will be fighting forever." She let out a sigh only a disappointed mother could, prompting both her boys to lower their heads in shame.

"How can you not like Peanut Butter?" Caitlin exclaimed. "It's so good."

"I knew I got it from somewhere" Michael laughed. "I got your back, Aunt Alison."

"She's not your biological Aunt, my weird nephew" Robert joked, prompting a bellyful of laughter from Michael. Robert then took a sip of his own and licked his lips. "Ah. Didn't think you could make Cookie Dough in liquid form, but I'm happy all the same."

Lastly, Michael took up his own glass and drank from it. After swishing it around in his mouth, he sighed and shrugged his shoulders before swallowing it. "Well, so much for that wish. It tasted like Ginger Ale to me."

Addison looked over to her idol. "What did you wish for?"

"I'm holding out hope that I get a lucky break" Michael winked at her. "So I'm not saying anything."

"Me neither!" Tommy proclaimed as he folded his arms and pouted.

"You can't win everything, son" the boy's father laughed.

Addison noticed Ryan make another glance at Julia, who finally seemed to get what he was saying and nodded at him. She rose to her feet and looked to everyone at the table with a warm and bright smile. "Well, considering how lovely of an evening it is, why don't we all take a stroll through the gardens of the Castle? After all, none of us would be here right now if it weren't for James and Bonnie. And who knows? Maybe they can give some of us a bit more luck." As Gerard and a few servants entered and took away everyone's empty glasses, Julia corralled everyone to follow her from the Dining Hall and out to the veranda.

Addison made to follow her, but was stopped by Ryan. "Addy, could you hold back a sec?"

"Sure, Ry" Addison told him, pushing her chair in as she stood up.

Ryan walked his way over to her side of the table. "I know you've forgiven me and all that, Addy, but I still feel awful about everything that happened. And why we're all in the state we're in."

"How many times do I-"

Ryan shook his head. "I know, I know. But I still feel that way. Can ya blame me?"

Addison smiled at him. "Ryan. The thing about relationships, is that when one of us makes a mistake, we both do. We can either keep assigning blame and let our feelings deteriorate over time, or we can work together to fix them." She walked over to her boyfriend and hugged him tightly. "We've done a lot of fixing already. Once we get our Pokémon and my Dad back, the rest will be smooth sailing."

"I wish I had your confidence" Ryan admitted. "I don't know how things are going to end up when all this is over, but the only thing that matters to me is that I get to share that time with you."

"And you will" Addison promised him.

"That's not what I mean." Ryan reached into his pocket for something. "Addy, you have been my best friend in the world since we were tiny little kids. You've been there for me through thick and thin. You were probably a good portion of the reason I am what I am today thanks to your cheerleading and coaching. And I cannot stress enough how important you are to me." He fell onto his knees in front of her, grasping at her hand. "I was so lost without you, when you were taken by the Syndicate. And I was even more lost when we were driven apart by Avery and the Syndicate on Mirage Island. If I had listened to you and kept Avery at a wider berth, none of this would have happened."

Addison took her free hand and playfully patted Ryan's head. "You don't need to apologize. I need you too. More than you could ever know."

"I cannot and will not lose you ever again" he promised her. He then took the item out of his pocket and showed it to her. It was a ring box. "And I know that I won't have to."

Addison was flabbergasted. "Is that-"

Ryan took a deep breath to calm himself. "I know it's a long ways off for us, Addy, especially considering what we'll be up against when Mewtwo returns. But I know there is no universe for me that I can live in if you're not here with me. And to show you just how much you mean to me..." He popped open the box and showed to her the ring. It was silver and amethyst, to compliment the deep violet he always said her eyes were. The jewel itself was decidedly not small and would warrant a conversation about excessive spending in the future.

But all Addison could do was put her hand up to her mouth and stare at the small trinket that represented Ryan's undying love for her. She could feel herself shaking, full of deep senses of joy, worry, adoration and a complete up swell of every emotion she could possibly fathom.

"Ryan...this is..."

"Addy" Ryan spoke up. "I know we're still a long ways away from-"

"We're fourteen" Addison giggled. "We're WAY off!"

"But I don't know what I would do if I lost you again" Ryan said, both to her and himself. "And you don't have to think of it as that. You can think of it as a promise. A pledge. That no one, literally no one in the entirety of the cosmos, means anything to me more than you do. So that one day, when we're not a dumb, lovestruck boy and his goddess of a girlfriend, we might-"

"I'm taking this as what it's meant to be" Addison interjected. She closed her eyes as tears swelled in her eyes. "And no matter when that day comes, be it a few months, a few years or twenty years, my answer will always be the same." She fell onto her knees and took him into another hug. "And that answer is yes! I will!" The young couple sat shaking in each other's arms and loving every single moment of it. Ryan gently put the ring on her finger, it's amethyst gem shining in the chandelier above them. Without waiting a second, Addison flung herself at Ryan and the two shared a deeply romantic kiss. It took a few seconds after they came apart to realize they were no longer alone in the dining hall. Ryan pulled Addison up to her feet as the two turned to see their idols standing in the doorway, bright and warm smiles on their faces.

"You know something, Jules?" Michael asked his wife. "I can't say we were ever as close as these two at this age."

Julia teasingly poked her husband in his chest. "You certainly took your time to give me my ring."

The young couple raced for the Lord and Lady Kingston and embraced them, with Michael taking up Addison and Ryan hugging Julia. Though, to show they were not entirely biased towards one, Michael ruffled his cousin's hair and Julia kissed Addison on her head. She then turned her attention towards Ryan. "I truly hope she is the one, Ryan. Because that's a lot of babysitting you owe us for this."

Addison looked over at the boy she loved with all her heart, a touch concerned. "Wait. How much did this cost?"

Michael patted Addison on the back. "Does it matter? You two are together. So what if Ryan's going to be watching our kids until they have kids of their own."

As the quartet came apart, Ryan turned to face his own future wife once more. "I don't care. I'd do it again just to know I still have you."

Addison and Ryan hugged once more, with Ryan spinning her in his arms. "And you always will."

{}

Hunter, though he had been summoned to stand before The Grand Master several moments ago, leisurely made his way into the throne room and confidently strutted his way up to where both his other colleagues were kneeling and doing their best not to make eye contact with their overlord. Hunter would have said something, but saw the glare coming from the mighty Pokémon and elected to kneel instead.

Count your blessings that I have need of your services still, The Grand Master warned, his eyes glowing a deep shade of blue. Otherwise, I would make an example of you to both Kage and Courtney.

"Forgive my lateness, Master" Hunter spoke up. "I have no excuse."

No excuse you can hide from me!

"What is it you seek from us, Grand Master?" Kage interjected.

The Master looked to his three minions. The time has come for us to sabotage Arcana's singular plan to defy me. We shall not sit idly by while this White Mage of theirs is able to strut about and casually gain enough power to defy me. I underestimated the boy once before, I will not do so again.

"You can't tell me you're still concerned about that little putz" Hunter snickered. "The only thing that kid is a threat to is common sense."

"How can you still look at things so linearly?" Courtney ridiculed him. "Can't you see the Master looks beyond what threat he poses now?"

ENOUGH! A loud and explosive clap of thunder silenced all talk from those present. The Master rose from the throne he had for himself and looked down at all of them with frustration and hate. I will not have your incessant squabbling delay me any further! When all three kept their heads down and refused to speak more on the matter, he chose to continue. Professor Wong's work on her cloning experimentation have been an incomparable success for us. They will allow us to sweep through our enemies in one tremendous rush of power and avarice! No one, not even the strongest trainers in the world, will be able to defy us or any proclamations I make. You three shall have your hearts desire, be they carnal urges, unlimited power, or whatever twisted dreams you all have conjured for yourselves.

Hunter grinned. "Finally" he whispered to himself.

But until I have assured victory, none of you can or should expect anything. Which is where you come in, Hunter.

"So, you want me to mess with the kid some?"

Not exactly. If Ryan is indeed the one fated to challenge me, I will have it that he is absent from this grandiose event, if you know what I mean.

Courtney and Kage both looked to Hunter, wondering how he would respond to this. The famed poacher from Hoenn rose to his feet and stared directly at the Master. "Master, to ensure that no one can have any mistakes, doubts or second thoughts, I would like it spelled out. Strictly for my own personal record."

I want you to take your Pokémon, go to Arcana and kill Ryan Kingston! No capturing, no maiming, no failing. Mewtwo's eyes shined like stars in the sky as he made the final proclamation. Either the boy dies, Hunter, or you do. When the boy is gone, I'll let you claim your little rewards in Shaymin and Victini. Fail, and you can be assured that there will not be a hell for you to escape from this time.

"Do you care about collateral damage?"

"If you even think about going after Michael-" Courtney threatened.

BE QUIET! the Master snarled, before focusing on Hunter once more. Anyone who gets in your way is to be shown no mercy. Not even Michael Kingston. Do I make myself clear?

Hunter puffed out his chest boldly. "One dead squirt, coming right up."

Seemingly placated, the Master turned to the other two in the room. Kage. Courtney. While Hunter is away, I want you two to find the power source for the Harvesting Machine. Wherever that whelp Elezar hid it, I want it brought back to me. I could care less what happens to anyone you find along the way, be it the man himself or his new friends in Christopher Kingston and Amanda Fouritz. They are inconsequential at this point.

"Michael needs to be-"

"Can't you listen to the Master, Courtney?" Hunter mocked.

You are dismissed, Hunter. Use what power I have given you to will yourself off this island and head for Arcana. You'll surely have no problem finding a way to deal with the boy. Properly, this time.

Hunter smirked. "Consider it done. Just remember that you can't take that order back." He strode proudly from the hall, leaving both Kage and Courtney to be chastised for their interruptions. But before he could even think about going to Mirage Island, he needed to make one pitstop. Once he had cleared the throne room, Hunter decided to pay Courtney's lab a little visit.