"What do you mean he's gone?" Chris cried out when Avery delivered the news. He had at first been excited when Avery, still in the guise of Darkrai, returned to their campsite to give them news about her search for a connection to Ryan. But his joy quickly turned to concern and shock when he found out that Avery was believing Hunter had succeeded in killing his cousin.

"I mean what I said" Avery admitted sadly. "I cannot sense Ryan anywhere. And there is no way he could have spent the last several days sleeping." She shook her head as tears fell from her specter. "There is no other way to rationalize it, Chris. He's gone."

Amanda was shaking in shock. "This can't be happening. Why Ryan?"

"Ryan was the only thing that Mewtwo believed stood in his way between world domination and his destruction. Removing him from the equation was cruel and crude, but it makes sense from his perspective." She breathed heavily and shook her head in sorrow. "I never got to make it up to him. Or to let him know just how much I cared."

Chris found himself pacing and becoming more livid by the moment. "Give me a reason not to run into that lair and split Mewtwo's skull open!"

"If you were the one meant to beat him" Amanda pointed out, "don't you think we would have sent you by now?"

Chris put his hands to his face to try and will himself to calm down, but his anger only grew. "This bastard separated me from my family, turned my cousin and Warren Tenton into stone statues and killed my cousin and my uncle! And you think I can just stay calm through all of this? How do I know he won't go to Arcana soon? Or he won't send Hunter after Cameron or Piper?"

"The fact of the matter is we don't know. We have to approach this rationally. I know you're not the Kingston who acts that way, Chris, but you can at least pretend to."

Avery looked around their campsite. "Wait. Where's Elezar?"

"Why does he matter?" Chris growled.

"If Mewtwo catches Elezar without our-"

"I'm not too worried about that smarmy, angry traitor" Amanda added. "You know he's blaming us for all of the misery that unfolded in his life?"

Darkrai sent a powerful Dark Pulse into a nearby tree, causing it to collapse and startle both Amanda and Chris. "Look, this has to stop! Like it or not, Elezar is the only reason you two are even awake right now. If he went off on his own to-"

"Would you stop your blathering?" Elezar snarled, strolling his way back to the campsite, his Scizor looking tired but had a fierce look on his face. He sat down in his usual spot and kicked a small tree branch onto the embers to start the fire again. "I tried to get into that base again. But now there's frantic activity all around it. Mewtwo seems to be ramping up work on his little cloning project."

"But why now?" Chris asked.

"I should think it's obvious" the former Syndicate Leader sneered. "Ryan's gone and the wicked beast feels no one else in this world can challenge him." He stared at the fire, almost defeated. "At this point, I'm starting to see no way out of this."

Amanda paused to think for a moment. "I've been thinking. Nothing against Ryan or anything, but do you think it's possible for Ryan to not have been the White Mage?"

Avery looked at Amanda as if she were speaking a foreign language. "He had to be. Mewtwo saw it himself."

"Mewtwo isn't all knowing though" Chris contemplated. "It is possible that he overlooked this. I mean, he was tricked by Ryan before."

"Possible but severely unlikely" Avery countered. "I mean, who else could has the potential to fill it."

"I might" Chris boasted. "Michael might. Cameron might."

"As usual" Elezar snapped, "the legendary hero simply has to be a Kingston. Your smarm is beginning to grate on my last nerve, Christopher!"

"Wanna try me?!"

Before either could get in the other's face, both Amanda and Avery stepped in between them and held them back. "This is getting us nowhere, Chris."

"We're all on the same side, remember?" Avery pleaded.

"The sooner I get you cretinous Kingstons and Kingston sycophants out of my life, the sooner I'll be able to die in peace!" Elezar cursed before returning to tending his fire.

"I'd punch his lights out right now if you two weren't here" Chris snarled.

Amanda pulled Chris back. "We can resume hatreds and animosities later. Right now, we need to figure something out. If Ryan wasn't the White Mage, than who is?"

Avery thought for a moment. "Jocelyn said to Mewtwo that she expected one of those who escaped to be the one destined to defeat him. She thought it could be any of them and that because Mewtwo didn't capture them, his fate was sealed. But if Ryan is gone, that still leaves five possible candidates. Michael, Piper, Addison, Cameron and Matthew." She put out all five of her fingers as she counted. She dropped her thumb immediately. "We can discount Michael, I think. Courtney will be gunning for him soon, so he probably isn't it."

"He could be" Chris tried to argue, but Avery went on.

"Cameron is possible, but she seemed so unhinged by Mirage Island that I doubt it could be her too."

"That's my sister" he hissed.

"Let the girl finish, you arrogant snot!" Elezar fired back. Chris folded his arms in a huff and lowered his head in frustration.

"Piper is interesting" Amanda added, "but I don't think it's her either."

"I agree" Avery went on. "She only just became an expert Pokemon Trainer, plus-"

"So did Addison" Chris reminded them. "So are we suggesting Matthew is the White Mage?"

Avery paused. "Matthew can't be it. The White Mage needs to be someone who is nurturing and caring. He may not be what he was when he was serving Mewtwo, but he isn't that yet."

"I think we're out of candidates" Amanda gulped. "Maybe it was Jocelyn just baiting-"

"Addison or Piper" Chris thought aloud. "I won't let Piper fight this beast alone!" He clenched his fists and looked back into the distance. "I'll go and take Mewtwo and Courtney-" Chris stopped when Amanda grabbed his wrist and yanked him down to sit by her side. "You can't be serious!"

"Losing you is not what I have in mind as an effective way to combat Mewtwo" Avery argued. "And it's your recklessness that's why I'm sure Piper isn't the one."

"How do you figure?" Amanda asked.

"The White Mage is someone who is not afraid to stand alone" Avery recalled. "Someone who is willing to stand up for the little people and is not afraid of taking on any evils. They will also have no problem telling people that this would be their fight and one to fight alone." She looked to Chris and sighed. "Piper may be braver and stronger, but she's also dependent on those around her." She looked to the brightening morning skies above them. "Unless I'm right and Ryan was the one, I think the White Mage is Addison."

The trio fell silent as the ramifications of this discovery fell on them. Had Ryan's demise simply passed the torch down to Addison? Or was Addison the one destined to oppose Mewtwo all along? As the sun continued to climb higher around them, they all knew that they would be getting their answer far sooner than they were prepared to.

{}

Fourteen chairs were formed into a ring within the ballroom of Kingston Castle as the Arcanan High Council came to gather. Though Addison recalled what her mother had said about the Thirteen Families having their own sort of caste system to depict who would be more prominent than others, each of the fourteen chairs were as even as possible. She could tell that these were not the same chairs used in the ballroom for prior events. These chairs were all at least six feet tall with long, white backs to them and topped with an emblem that represented each of the Thirteen Families in name and presence, as well as those of the Pokemon League and the Queen of Arcana. The Duon Emblem was of the Psychic Pokemon Reuniclus, standing for their keen minds and superior intellects. The Tress Family was represented by Stoutland, renowned for their loyalty and ferocity. The Fouritz Family crest was of a Meganium, symbolizing growth and prosperity. The Fiveroux's, Annette's family, was represented by a Lucario to demonstrate their own loyalties and sheer will power. The Seissuon Family was represented by the dual Pokemon of Seviper and Zangoose, often at war with one another and needing of direction. Her mother's family, the Setenns, were represented by Pidgeot, which made Addison long for Ryan even more as she recalled Marahute. The Eigherns were emboldened by the Houndooms on their banners, symbolizing power and ambition. The Novrens were in salute to the power of Clefable and it's mysticism. The Jacques Family was represented by an Unfeazant, tall, broad and proud. The Queensbury Family would be represented by a female Pyroar, often deemed the second in command to the Kingstons. And while the Aceds would not be represented, Addison knew they were seen with the visual of an Alakazam. The Kingstons loomed in the heart of the room with their Arcanine banners glowing in what little sunlight entered the chamber. Flanking those seats were those of the Queen of Arcana (who's emblem bore a striking resemblance to a Roserade) and the Pokemon League Champion (who's emblem was an Armaldo).

Addison easily found her own family's, the Tentons, barely seconds after entering the ballroom. The Tenton Emblem was a Braviary, fierce and protective of their own and their territory. As the mighty Flying Pokemon emblem of gold loomed high above her, Addison made to sit in her chair and await the others to enter. Knowing this was an extremely formal occasion, Addison wore an evening gown that was a deep shade of violet that matched the color of her eyes and the somber mood she was in. Though she was on better terms with Matthew, she was still feeling hopelessly lost without Ryan and feared she would only cause trouble at this meeting her mother insisted she had to go to.

It did not take long for others to join in and find their chairs. Annie's father, Wendell Tress, a short and pudgy man of his fifties, would be the only one who had been present at the previous High Council meeting that would be present for this one. He made his way for his own chair and sat nervously twiddling his fingers in a chair six down from where Addison was seated. Adrian Fouritz, whom Addison had known from his joust in the Cauldro City Faire, had assumed control of his own family after Amanda's father became fatigued and was thus here in his place. He strode into the room and sat in his spot, three down from Addison's and he eyed the Kingston chair curiously.

Next came Olivia Novren, the red-haired beauty her mother had once said was one of the most vain women in the world. Humbled by her own experiences, she simply made her way to her own seat as a Novren representative beside Annie's father and sat quietly. This did not last, though, as Addison recognized the shifty lawyer from Ryan's trial striding into the room.

"What in Arceus's name are you doing here?" Olivia snapped at her brother.

"That anyway to treat your brother?" Donnie smirked, his gold tooth shining from the dim light of the chandelier above.

"I'm standing for the family, Donnie" she declared. "I won't have you sabotaging this!"

"Yeah, the thing is, you forfeited that right when you ran off with that worthless artist from Kalos."

Addison was shocked to see Olivia rise like a rocket and punch her brother in the face. Donnie was so blown away by the show of force that he fled from the room, nearly barreling over the next entrant. Jack Duon, who was Christopher and Cameron's cousin on their mother's side. He looked to be a middle-aged man with a long stare and sad eyes. Jack had been the last male Duon born in a generation, as a run of girls produced very few who would retain the Duon name after marriage. He nodded to all present and even gave a friendly nod to Addison before he sat quietly on the left side of Adrian Fouritz and two seats from Addison. Next in was Annette's older brother, Garret. Fierce, handsome and strong, Addison knew all too well that he would be one of the biggest hurdles for anything to get done, as he and his sister were the last two Fiveroux's left in Arcana after the death of their parents. He sat in between Wendell Tress and Adrian Fouritz, echoing Adrian by looking at the Kingston Chair, only with a more anger filled glare than Adrian's.

Holly and Tommy's father shuffled in next. Elmont Queensbury shook the hand of Wendell Tress and bowed respectfully to Olivia before seating beside her and looking across to Addison. He gave a half-hearted wave to her, with Addison responding in kind. Next came two women, the first being the other lawyer from Ryan's trial and the other being another that seemed to remind Addison of Olivia. She had long dark hair and looked as if she did not want to be there and looked down on everyone present. Adrian and Garret both respectfully spoke to both Betsy Seissuon and Rebecca Eighern as both ladies made it to their seats, with Betsy sitting in between Adrian and Garret and Rebecca seated two seats from Addison.

"Ah, here it is" a voice chimed up near Addison's head. Addison turned to see a handsome yet certainly awkward young man striding up to the chair beside hers that had been reserved for the representative of the Jacques Family. Upon seeing Addison seated next to her, he nodded politely to her. "You must be the fair Addison Tenton."

Addison rose to her feet and curtsied in her dress. "And you are?"

Justin took her hand and kissed it. Though Addison knew he was trying, it was not the suave and gentlest way he could have. "Forgive me. I'm not used to these sorts of things. I am Justin Jacques. I'm unfortunately related to the uncle of mine who caused all of you trouble."

Addison nodded respectfully. "So long as you are one we can depend on, we welcome you here." She looked at both Betsy and Rebecca, whom had been too haughty to even eye anyone else in the room, staring at Justin as if he were some sort of reincarnation of a mythological hero. Betsy even looked like she was drooling, but Justin did not pay them any mind and simply sat down in his chair.

"I say, the women of Arcana seem to be on the intrusive side" Justin whispered. "It took me most of the previous day to get away from Madeline Kingston."

"Aw, they just like you" Addison teased as she saw Cameron and her Aunt Caitlin entering. Caitlin echoed the actions of both Betsy and Rebecca by staring blankly at Justin until shaking herself out of her stupor and sitting beside her niece. Cameron and Garret Fiveroux seemed to be discussing something before she sat down in her designated area beside Elmont Queensbury and to the left of where Michael would sit.

"How are you feeling?" Caitlin asked her niece. "Brushing up on Arcanan Law was fun for me."

"Lucky you" Addison frowned. "Matthew and I were exhausted by the time we were finished."

"Hopefully it all pays off." Caitlin than nudged her niece. "Hey, Addy Pie? What's your friend's name?"

"Justin Jacques" Addison whispered. "Keep the flirting down. He's a little weirded out by all of it."

Caitlin sighed. "Oh well. I figured it was worth a-oh..." Her Aunt's face went pale and she did not like what she was seeing.

Addison turned and almost perfectly reflected her Aunt's face. Piper and Michael were entering the room. While Piper was trying to keep a cheerful demeanor, Michael looked utterly miserable. His face was pale, his eyes sunken and his the mournful look on his face made Addison's icy feeling toward him melt away almost immediately. Michael had not only been taking Ryan's death hard, but it seemed to be draining every last bit of feeling out of him. Her own words probably didn't help, as Addison recalled all too well telling Michael he had caused his cousin's death. Piper sat down beside Justin while Michael slumped his way into his own chair and sat there, too depressed to care that anything was going on around him. She made to go and talk to him, but with all fourteen chairs filled, Elmont Queensbury rose to speak.

"Welcome everyone" he said politely. "I understand it has been quite some time since this High Council last met. I believe that Wendell is the only one who was here from the last-"

"Just get on with it" Betsy sneered. "We've got business to discuss!"

Elmont looked to Michael, who didn't move or even acknowledge him, prompting him to continue. "This meeting of the Arcanan High Council will now come to order. In accordance with the traditions of our ancestors, we will allow everyone to have their turn to speak their words and grievances. If anyone tries to filibuster, please note that the meeting will not end when the day ends. This meeting ends when we have completed all business." He looked around the room before turning to Annie's father. "Now, Wendell. I believe you have the notes from the previous meeting about turn order?"

Wendell coughed a bit and unraveled a parchment of paper. In a high-pitched voice, he read out. "The speaking order will begin with the Duon Family, followed by the Fouritz, Fiveroux, Eighern, Seissuon, Novren, Setenn, Jacques, Tress, Tenton, Queensbury and Kingston Family. While the current League Champion and the Queen of Arcana's Pokemon Contests do not have a speaking order, they are welcome to speak and their votes will be respected." With that, Wendell sat down.

Jack Duon stroked his beard before rising from his seat to greet everyone personally. "Hello, everyone. It was an honor to receive word of this meeting and an even greater honor to know that I would be the one to represent my family in it. As a member of one of the Thirteen Families, I feel it is my duty to speak on behalf of those who do not have a voice here. I recall my Aunt Jane did a remarkable amount of charity work for Arcana back in the day, yet little has been done for those not within our ranks. The devastation caused by the war with Claude and the disappearances of those on Mirage Island has left much of our region broken and depleted of not just strength, but resources, family, Pokemon and love." He looked towards everyone in the room, his eyes stopping on Michael for a moment. "And I must ask, in the memory of my late Aunt, what is being done to ensure that her son does not share in her fate?"

Addison gazed at Michael and could only gulp in shock as he stared almost blankly at Jack and lowered his head once more. Cameron rose to speak for him. "Jack, no one wants Chris back more than the three of us. And I'd also like to point out that he's not the only one who is missing that we want to see returned to us. But the fact of the matter is we are not strong enough to embark on a mission to Mirage Island."

"And you base this on what?" Adrian demanded. "Because Amanda has been missing for months!"

"As has my little sister!" Garret roared.

"Order!" Elmont snapped.

After waiting for the others to calm down, Cameron answered Adrian's question. "We base this on the fact that we have the ability to go back to Mirage Island, but have lost a great deal of strength dealing with Claude and with the death of the Pokemon League Champion. We also know that Mewtwo has the capability of making his way to and from the Island without the means we use, but he hasn't left there since we escaped. He's planning something. Something evil. And we have to be prepared for whatever comes. Even if it means making temporary sacrifices in the name of the security of Arcana." Sensing Garret was about to explode in anger, Cameron looked to him directly. "My brother is gone, Garret. I feel just as much pain as you do. And so does the Queen of Arcana and Lord Kingston."

"I'd rather hear it from him myself" Betsy snidely added. "The big, bad Michael Kingston who drove off Giselle and let so many fall by the wayside should surely have something to say about this. Isn't that right, Michael?"

The eyes of everyone fell on Michael, but he made no acknowledgement of being called on. Piper rose to his defense. "Michael's been taking Ryan's death very hard. He's not in a state right now to-"

"I'd also rather hear from someone who isn't a reject from the sewers" Betsy coldly replied.

"Have care how you speak" Jack Duon told the haughty Seissuon. "Piper is the Queen and should be given the respect she deserves."

"I thought I was already doing that."

"How about I break your teeth if you call her street trash one more time" Olivia threatened. "You're not a child anymore, Beth. Stop acting like you're so high and mighty. Isn't that why Jack's cousin kept calling you out for being as fat as a Miltank?" When Betsy made to speak again, Olivia waved her off. "You don't have to sell me on how much you haven't grown up. I can see it in your attitude. Always thinking you're above everyone. No wonder you were such buddies with that psychopath."

"It's not either of your turn, ladies" Elmont called again. "Everyone will get their opportunity to speak."

Jack Duon sat back down and allowed Adrian and Garret to make their own piece at this time. Adrian, however, seemed to hesitate when he noticed the look on Michael's face and he politely shook his head and passed on his opportunity to speak. Garret took the opportunity and ran with it. He rose to his feet and looked to everyone in the room. Annette's firebrand brother made his case clear.

"I won't deny that these are unprecedented times" he began. "I couldn't imagine what state our world would be in if this happened when we all were kids. But I can say that we would never abandon those we care about in times of need. Right now, Annette needs me. How can I expect to be called a big brother if I'm letting her wither away to nothing on Mirage Island? Why should I even think positively of people who are outright ignoring this need to save a few other lives?"

"If we open that portal to Mirage Island, Mewtwo attacks us and we lose" Cameron reminded him. "You end up just like Annette, or worse."

"We don't have what it takes to stop him" Piper agreed. "No matter how much we may want to deny it, it's the truth."

"How can it be true?" Rebecca asked. "Wasn't it the ingenuity of the Champion that bested him?"

"That Champion is gone" Wendell Tress replied. "I thought we've established that."

"But does that mean we're incapable of doing anything?" Addison was surprised to find her Aunt Caitlin voicing opposition to Cameron's point. She watched timidly as Caitlin rose to her feet. "I agree with Garret. The failure to do anything for those on Mirage Island does call into question a lot about what's been going on. But this is precisely why we're here, isn't it? To stop doing things the way we were used to and try a different approach?"

"I'm here to watch the Kingstons flop around like fish" Betsy snickered. "So far, I've had quite the show."

"Go suck a railroad spike" Piper snapped.

"ORDER!" Elmont howled, ending the argument.

Rebecca Eighern rose to speak alongside Caitlin and Garret. "I am in agreement with these two. We've allowed things to get too dark and too dangerous for us to handle. And why is that? Was it because we didn't want to solve these problems on our own? Or was it because the Kingstons always took the initiative without consulting us? This isn't unprecedented. After all, not only do they have the infamous KERN at their disposal, but they've already done so in their declaration of war against both Elezar Aced's Syndicate and Claude's. The Kingstons have gathered and collected too much power for themselves."

"I couldn't agree more" Betsy chimed in, rising to her feet.

"I doubt the Kingstons can be held responsible for-" Caitlin began.

"Perhaps not in the case of some here, Caitlin" Betsy continued. "But our parents and grandparents were able to look to James Kingston to solve our world's problems. Not because of his heroism or bravery, though he did have those things. It was because he kept his own power balanced. Everyone had their roles to play in his Arcana. Including Claude Jacques and Balthazar Aced. We can't do that, thanks to the actions of the Kingston family. The Aceds are extinct because of them and an honorable man like Claude was struck down in a fit of-"

"Would you stop harping on about that old buffoon?!" Olivia snarled. "He's dead. Get over it!"

"Can we get back to the point at hand, please?" Garret fumed. "My little sister is a prisoner on Mirage Island and we're doing nothing about it."

"It's simply because the Kingstons won't" Betsy told her colleague. "Garret, if you value Annette's life, you won't place her fate in the hands of those who let even their own kin suffer and die to retain their own power." She made a challenging glare at Michael. "Just look at him. The fabled hero of our time. All sad and mopey because he murdered his cousin."

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Addison screamed, rising to her feet in defiance. "Ryan's death was not his fault!"

"Take a seat, Addy" Elmont Queensbury sternly told her. "You will have your chance."

"So how long do I have to listen to this Wailord keep talking?" Piper asked. "Every word out of her mouth is like a knife jabbing me in the ears."

"Can we get some decorum in here?" Jack pleaded.

"THIS COUNCIL WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY FURTHER INSULTS FROM ANYONE!" Holly's father roared. "If any of you wish to have grievances with the others, keep them on your own time. We will have civil debate and decorum in these halls, or you will be asked to leave and your family or role stripped of it's purpose. Do I make myself clear?!" When no one argued, Elmont looked to the others. But the feuding had gotten so bad, that no one seemed eager to say anything else. Betsy and Rebecca, having made their points, seemed content with themselves and wore the coldest looks on their faces as both Garret Fiveroux and Caitlin sat back down.

Addison looked up one last time at Michael, who was pale and deeply forlorn. It was never like him to explode when his character was called into question, but she expected some kind of reaction from him besides nothing. Someone had to shake him out of this slump he was in. And she was starting to realize it had to be her. She leaned over to her Aunt. "Can we trade spots?"

"Hmm?"

"Can we trade spots, Aunt Caitlin?" she pleaded. "I have something I need to say."

Caitlin beamed and nodded. "Sure, Addy Pie."

"Now" Elmont said after clearing his throat, "Lady Olivia Novren? Have you anything civil to add?"

Olivia, for some reason unclear to Addison, looked desperately to Michael for him to do anything of note, before shaking her head and folding herself into a huff. "No."

"Very well. Lady Caitlin?"

Caitlin eyed her niece and winked. "If it would please the High Council, I shall be trading positions with Addison Tenton. She has something she feels she needs to say." She then urged Addison to stand up.

"The High Council shall now recognize Lady Addison Tenton" Wendell Tress chirped.

Addison rose to her feet and looked to everyone seated before her. Few of them were giving her their full and undivided attention. Betsy and Rebecca were having a side conversation about something. Justin Jacques fidgeted nervously in his spot. Even those who were initially pro-Kingston were not as confident in their choices as they had been before. Michael's dead silence was concerning to everyone. And the girl who's middle name was given because of him knew this might be the only way to stoke the embers of her idol's once powerfully burning heart.

"I may not have as much experience at this as you all do" she began. "I may be the youngest person here by far. I may also be someone who isn't getting the respect someone in her position should. If my father were here, I'd bet he would chew you all out for not giving me your time." She squeezed her eyes shut. "But he isn't here. More than anyone, Mr. Duon, Garret and Adrian, I understand what you're going through. You guys have the luxury of being able to dream and hope that Chris, Annette and Amanda are in a better place. But I can't do that. Because I know my Dad is nothing but a statue in Parlor Town, just like Daniel Kingston beside him." She opened her eyes and clenched her fists.

"And like many of you know, I was the Champion's girlfriend" she continued, her voice as sad and nervous as the inner well inside of her began to break. "And he's gone. I will always love Ryan. With all of my heart. But I won't fool myself into thinking that he would want any of this happening right now. He would be compelling all of us to stop sitting around here and debating and instead on trying to find ways to make all of us happy. Because Ryan cared about everyone. Even his enemies. He was patching things up with his brother, who was once his mortal enemy. He made friends of Jocelyn Aced and convinced her to switch sides. When Michael and Julia were gone, he looked to Amanda to help him solve problems in his head and he looked to Chris for techniques and bravery. He became friends with Annette, not because he thought she was a strong trainer, but because he wanted to be her friend." She looked towards Garret. "Ryan was just as afraid for Annette being gone as anyone else. He was in contact with the Lockharts too, about their son Jeremy. Ryan didn't discern what part of the social ladder you were ringed onto or how strong you were. He judged on the content of our characters."

Garret's angry demeanor began to fade as his angry and contorted face slipped from him and became more reserved. More eyes flocked to Addison's words as she spoke, but still the set she was striving to get remained fixated on empty space.

"A lot of people used to ask me about Ryan all the time" Addison went on. "Girls wanted his number to date him, boys wanted his number to battle him. Others just wanted to get to know him. They would ask me questions about him all the time. Where did his bandanna come from? Why did he choose to evolve his Eevee into a Jolteon? Where does his kindness come from? Most of the questions had easy answers, especially that last one." She pointed at Michael. "It came from him."

There was a murmur from those in the Council, but Elmont Queensbury again ordered for silence.

"Michael has done everything he possibly can for Arcana. He's fought off the likes of Giselle, Hunter, the Syndicate and Mewtwo. He maintained order in Arcana and reestablished relationships with the other regions. He studied hard about Pokemon and how to properly utilize and care for them. He had to navigate being a celebrity, a hero and a Pokemon League Champion, all while suffering from an affliction only he knew of until his last days as Champion. And what did Arcana show for him in return? They mocked him for his Crimson Fury. They criticized him for being in power for too long. They even let that blowhard Walter O'Hara talk about him and believed the lies he told. Every single one of us in this room was content to let Michael and his friends clean up the messes in Arcana. We didn't have to get dirty doing it, so why bother fixing things if we could just let Michael handle it all? That's how we rolled, until Michael physically could not do everything."

Michael stirred at this, but was still keeping his head drooped.

"He would have broken down earlier from all the pressure, had Ryan not risen up when he did. Michael finally got his chance to leave Arcana with his wife and departed to see the world again. But his sense of obligation and duty made him return after Lady Bonnie died and compelled him to join in the ranks of the Pokemon World Tournament on Mirage Island." She went pale at the memories of seeing just how much torture Courtney had put him through. "He suffered for all of us on that island. He lost friend after friend in battle, but kept strong for those who weren't as strong as him. For me, for Ryan, for Piper, for Tommy. But he couldn't save everyone in the end. Jeremy was taken. So was Wes. And Giselle. And Annette. And Chris. We couldn't rescue Amanda or any of the others trapped there and he went through a nightmare only a few of us could imagine being a part of as Courtney's hostage."

Cameron and Piper eyed her curiously. Justin had stopped fidgeting and now stared at her with admiration.

"We all returned home and found Arcana torn apart by Claude. Michael went from being on his deathbed to fighting off Claude. He would have preferred Claude alive, but it didn't happen that way. He tried to adapt back to a normal life, but it was impossible. Because we all hated him for something. For holding us back, for interfering in our plans. for failing us in some way, shape or form." Addison shook her head sadly. "I blamed him for Ryan's death. I was so distraught at losing the boy I loved, that I turned my anger on the one person I thought could have helped save him. But Michael did try to save him. He did try to save those on Mirage Island. He did try to do everything for us. Even those of us who screamed at him, cursed at him and who lambasted him. Not having the power to rescue them is eating away at him and you all accusing him of not caring is only making things worse."

Michael's head perked up at this. He now looked at her, an inquisitive look on his face.

"How can we justify allowing him to clean up and solve all of our problems if we can't trust him now?" Addison demanded of those present. "How can we accuse him of failing us and letting those we care about get hurt, when he's given Arcana everything. His blood, his sweat, his tears, his mind, his heart. He was ready to die for all of us on several occasions, including Ryan. Yet none of us raised any fingers to help him. Even as the world inched closer and closer to where it is today, we just found it easier to blame Michael and move on. It was a mistake to put all of that pressure on him, not because he can't handle it, but because we need to take responsibility for ourselves and others around us. We're all Arcanan here. We're friends, neighbors, family and acquaintances. Every single one of us. But we act like some are less than others or deride others for petty reasons." She pointed towards the ceiling above them and out towards the shaded windows that overlooked the ballroom. "Mewtwo? He doesn't care who likes who or who hurt who in Arcana. All of us are his enemies. The only people he lets serve him are those who have a use to him. If you don't, he destroys you, or worse. Makes you suffer fates worse than death. Like the fate he condemned my Dad and Daniel to. Or to the one he has Chris, Annette, Amanda and all the others in. One way or another, he will see all of us as obstacles and wipe us out. This anger and hate for one another will not mean a thing in the end if we don't stand up to him and face him together. That is the only hope we have of stopping him from killing us all and creating his twisted dreams."

"Anything else you'd like to add?" Elmont inquired.

Addison took a deep breath. "A long time ago, Arcana faced many crises and came out on top. Why? We were united. We didn't let pettiness get in the way of our duty. We had a force that held us together in a sense of community. And if we don't reach that point again, we will not stand a chance. And there is only one unifying force in Arcana left to rely on. And that man is Michael." She looked towards Michael and made eye contact with him for the first time since telling him he had caused Ryan's death in her despair. "We let him serve as Champion for ten years. He has been living a scarred and pained life longer than we all could fathom. And if anyone deserves a vote of confidence from us, it's the man we let serve us all these years and protect us from everything. He isn't his Grandfather. He's someone better. He's a man who understands what it means to be humbled. To know what it means to suffer and how to endure pain. But he came out of all of that a better man than any of the rest of you seated in this very room. And it's because of this, that I mean to invoke the ruling of Rupert the White from six hundred years ago."

"Rupert the what?" Rebecca asked in confusion. The others joined in, with the murmuring turning from confused to deeply alarmed.

"Addison" Elmont sputtered, "this is unexpected and unprecedented. To call back to laws made six hundred years ago-"

"I learned that the last King of Arcana set aside his crown for his people" Addison interjected. "To protect his family and his world from being torn apart, he resigned. But Rupert the White put into Arcana's Constitution that in the event of a dark and cataclysmic crisis, the Crown could again be donned in such a time. Michael is the only person I could ever see wearing that crown and serving Arcana as dutifully as ever. I don't care if he feels he's let us down, because he hasn't. We've let him down by not placing our faith in him. We cannot make this mistake again." She looked to everyone in the room. "Arcana, I ask you to help me in this. Name Michael Kingston as our King."

"OVER MY DEAD BODY!" Betsy bellowed, causing the entire room to erupt into an argument aside from Michael, Addison and Justin. Piper and Cameron were shouting angrily at Betsy, Rebecca and Caitlin seemed eager to go at it, Jack and Adrian needed to keep Garret and Olivia from locking horns and both Elmont and Wendell tried in vain to curtail the rage in the chambers. Addison could only hope that Michael would take command of the situation, but he instead now kept his head raised and surveyed the entire situation with an unexpected sorrow. Something new was now egging him on the inside, but she was unsure what it could be.

"Excuse me" Justin spoke up, rising from his chair. "But I believe it's my turn to speak."

The arguing slowly died down as Wendell and Elmont succeeded in keeping everyone calm. "The Council now recognizes Justin Jacques."

"Claude's nephew?" Betsy grinned. "This should be good. About time someone with sense came into this."

Justin tugged at his shirt nervously, but cleared his throat to make his peace. "Lady Seissuon, I recently arrived in Arcana, unsure of what to expect when I got here. I've never even seen this part of the world before I got here. Over the last few days, I also did some research on what has been going on. From the death of the Champion, all the way back to the written word of Balthazar Aced. You speak about my Uncle as if he were some kind of honorable man. Would an honorable man implore his niece to drown her own child because he was, in his own words, 'defective'? Would an honorable man intentionally sabotage the financial standings of more than half of those here and try to walk away from two failed attempts to take over richer than ever? Would an honorable man attempt to besmirch the names of his friends because he couldn't get what he wanted?" Justin shook his head. "My Uncle may have done things for you and helped you make your name in this world, but he was not an honorable man. If anything, he is a significant reason Arcana is in the state it is in today."

Betsy's arrogant demeanor faded. "But-but you're his-"

"A nephew he wanted nothing to do with" Justin replied. "One he thought would have been better off being drowned in the ocean." Addison could tell Justin had a nervous tick about him, but that he was doing his best just to keep calm in front of all of these people. some of whom might have been brought up like Claude to believe similarly awful things. "A truly honorable man is one who fights for everyone, not just personal glory. An honorable man would not hesitate to give a friend a helping hand. An honorable man is someone who you know is doing everything they can to ensure as many as possible are succeeding." He lifted his head towards Michael. "From my understanding of the word, no man living fits this better than Michael. He has done more for the people of Arcana than most of us here and even gets scorn for it. He doesn't do it for the accolades or expected gifts in kind. He does it because it's the right thing to do. He has all the makings of the Kings of old that I've read about. The good Kings. The great Kings. And because of this, I second Miss Addison's call."

"I'll third it!" Olivia declared, rising in support of Justin's proclamation.

"Three nominations is enough to put it to a vote" Wendell Tress chirped. "However, with such a heady and ambitious piece of legislation, namely asking the Thirteen Families to lay down their power and influence in the name of a King, it will require a strong majority of votes. Considering the Aced Family is not present and may very well be considered extinct, the only option remaining is for the thirteen votes to be given and counted. Twelve votes are needed for this legislation to pass, though thirteen would be preferred."

Elmont Queensbury eyed everyone in the room carefully. "Think carefully on this. This could be a vote that impacts not just Arcana as it stands now, but for generations. A shift from our current structure to a monarchy is drastic and bold. Do not feel compelled to vote in any way that does not directly stand with your morals and ethics." He looked to Michael and nodded. "I doubt Michael will hold any grudges either way you vote. That's never been his style."

Adrian Fouritz was the first to speak. "Addison and Justin both made very compelling speeches on behalf of naming Michael as the King. However, while I was listening, I was more keen to see just how Michael reacted to this." He let out a soft smile. "Michael has been a personal idol of mine since he returned and crushed Giselle. One of the things I loved about how he did things, was that he took on responsibilities because he was asked to. He rarely overstepped his bounds and always put the needs of others before his own desires. And looking at the man who sits before us right now, I see that same one I worshiped growing up. He doesn't want this to happen. If there were a way he could solve this crisis without the crown, he would do it. But he, like all of us, knows that Arcana will not survive much longer if that monster has his way. And like the Michael that drove away the Syndicate before, I know he hasn't abandoned Amanda." He rose from his chair and knelt before Michael. "Let me be the first to call you my King."

"One in favor" Wendell responded diligently.

Jack Duon rose next and nodded respectfully. "Though you have said nothing, Michael, I see in your eyes how much pain you have been put through in your life. Your perseverance through said pain could only have been made possible through the work of my Aunt. I see Jane's heart inside of you, and for that, you shall have the Duon's support as the Kings of old once did." He followed Adrian and knelt beside the younger man.

Before Wendell could even recognize Jack's proclamation, Caitlin and Olivia both rose, strode quickly towards the middle of the council and bowed without saying a word. Justin shrugged and made his way as well, not even able to kneel before both Piper and Cameron leaped out of their own seats and spun around, kneeling before Michael. Addison, though eager to be the next to speak her mind, kept her feet anchored in place. Seven was good, but not nearly enough for it to work. They needed four more votes besides her own, and three of those present were seemingly apoplectic at the idea of restoring the monarchy.

Wendell coughed in an almost cherubic way. "Well, I am not exactly giddy about restoring an ancient system we've been just fine without for six hundred years. But if I had to say one person is deserving of a crown through their actions and words, it would be the grandson of my old friend James Kingston." Unable to kneel due to his age and fatigue, he nodded towards Michael. "My vote makes eight in favor."

Elmont Queensbury sighed. "I suppose I should make it nine. I wouldn't have Holly or Tommy if it weren't for Michael's heroism. We wouldn't have our homes or anything much to speak of if Michael had not laid out his own life for ours on several occasions. With James gone, who better to don the mantle of King than his grandson?"

Addison went pale. This left the three most vocal opponents to this. Garret Fiveroux, Betsy Seissuon and Rebecca Eighern. At least two of them would have to change their opinions, and fast. Garret and Betsy both seemed eager to explode, but Rebecca had become strangely quiet and almost reflective. She kept her head low and her eyes unreadable, as if she were giving the matter actual thought.

Garret rose defiantly and looked directly at the would-be King. "Michael. You and I haven't always seen eye to eye. But the Fiveroux Family has always been known for being firm friends of the Kingstons. So I ask you, in this time when both of our families are on the brink of ruin, why should I name you as a King? How do you propose to beat this monster Mewtwo without the person who stopped him before? And how do I know this isn't some power grab?"

Michael closed his eyes for a minute, as if to also reflect on the words, before speaking. "Garret, your family has always been faithful friends to mine. It continued even through to your sister. Ryan and Annette may not have been as close as he and Addison were, but he valued her as a friend. Not just for her talents as a trainer, but because he knew he could count on her and she him. Your sister has not and will never be forgotten. To defeat Mewtwo is going to take as much of us working together as possible. Because right now, he has all the advantages. He has power, he has demented and dangerous allies and he has many of the people we love. He may also have the key to helping us get back some we're afraid we'll never see again. Including your sister, Amanda Fouritz, Warren Tenton, Jocelyn Aced and both Christopher and Daniel Kingston. As for your other question, regardless of what transpires, once this battle with Mewtwo is at an end, Arcana will not have a King. If we fail, it won't matter who has a crown or not. And if by some chance we win, if it is the will of you and the remnants of the Arcanan High Council, I will step down. You never have to fear me becoming a tyrant in the way others might have." Addison made a cheeky grin at Betsy, as the subtlety of Michael's jab at Claude was not lost on her.

To the shock of everyone present, Garret exhaled and his attitude softened. "That's all I needed to hear." In one swift movement, he knelt down beside Adrian and all the others.

This was too much for Betsy to bear. "You people are asinine! To willingly let this murderer run rough shot over you because he's got a good heart? Did we forget Michael Kingston is a convicted murderer? Did we forget that Cassius Sinclair's death is still being questioned? How can all of you simply agree with him, when he's an even bigger danger to Arcana than some genetic mutant Pokemon could ever be?" She spat in front of her and only a few inches away from where Caitlin was kneeling. "I'd rather get consumed by parasitic monsters than to ever let you or anyone sit on a throne as King. As far as I'm concerned, the only King we needed was struck down in Titanio City." She grinned proudly. "And that makes you one vote short. Looks like we'll be-"

Rebecca rose to speak. To Addison's surprise, never had someone who at first appeared so vain and disinterested, be made humbled so quickly. "Long ago, it was my desire to become the Queen of Arcana. It was also a secret desire of mine to sit side by side with Michael, maybe one day as husband and wife. But if I've come to understand how the world works over the many years I've been on this earth, it's that the world works in strange ways, but it also works in necessary ways. Deidre Setenn and Piper were always meant to be Queens of Arcana, so it might help them find their true callings. And Julia was always meant to be with Michael."

Addison glanced at Olivia, who seemed slightly unnerved by what Rebecca said, but did nothing more.

"No one here wanted all of the bad things that have happened to transpire" Rebecca continued. "But I figured that after all the failures I had, if I could go around and mask them, I'd be better off. But I was wrong. Masking only hides you from the truth. I don't know much about this Mewtwo, but from what I have is that unless we stick together, we will never stand a chance. Any hopes for the future will be washed away by the rage of a Pokemon with a penchant for genocide." She took a step over to the side of Caitlin and knelt. "And I will not have the world's blood on my hands. Michael, you have my support."

Betsy went white with fury. She glared at Rebecca as if she had just slapped her in the face with a brick, before storming out of the room in a huff.

"I guess that settles that" Piper giggled.

"Not quite" Elmont spoke up. "Lady Beth's departure leaves us at 11-1. We still require one final vote." He looked towards Addison. "Addison? This was your vote we called into order. What say you?"

Addison, her heart once more shining with affection for the man who had been a second father to her, walked in front of those present and smiled brightly. "Me and my family will know no King but the one who sits before me." She then fell to her knee. "Michael, you have our support." Addison let a fresh stream of tears fall out of her eyes as her thoughts lingered on Ryan and how proud of her he would be. I did it, Ryan. You can rest easy now. I'll finish what we all started. And it begins with Michael doing what he was always meant to do.

{}

"Twelve to One" Elmont Queensbury declared. "The Lords and Ladies of Arcana have spoken, as have the Pokemon League and the Contest Queen. Michael James Kingston will now henceforth be known as King Michael I. Long live the King!"

"LONG LIVE THE KING!" the others echoed.

Michael was now the only one left sitting in stunned silence. He would never have had this support without the long lasting support of those surrounding him. Cameron, Piper, Olivia and especially Addison. Having seemingly gotten over her anger at him, Michael could not be more proud of Deidre's daughter with how she composed herself and made a decision that could have drastic consequences for everyone in Arcana. He looked at each of the people kneeling before him, but found himself unable to smile. Because in a flash of light, he saw something that he knew was going to haunt him just as long as Ryan's death would. He thought, at least out of the corner of his eye, that he could see Addison had changed garb. She was no longer in a purple dress, but the same she had worn for her Pokemon Contests and had donned when she helped to free his mind from Mewtwo and Courtney. And in that same flash, he saw in her hand the scepter of Countess Rosemary.

Why her? Why did it have to be her? She doesn't deserve to go through this.

Realizing it was rude of him to remain seated, Michael rose to his feet and nodded to everyone. "Thank you all for your support. While I would prefer it not be this way, I will not hesitate to take up that which you have asked me to. I will be your King. And I hope I can live up to your expectations."

"We shall need to have a coronation ceremony" Elmont cautioned.

"But in the meantime" Piper said as those kneeling finally rose, "I think we should all get some refreshments in the dining hall and resume this Council Meeting afterwards." She corralled everyone towards the doors, but not without eyeing Michael behind her and winking. "I suppose my title is now purely ceremonial, Your Majesty." With that, she ushered Rebecca, Jack, Cameron, Garret, Adrian, Justin, Caitlin, Olivia, Elmont and Wendell out of the room.

Michael took in a deep and nervous breath. "Well, that went well." Before he could react in time, Addison raced at him and jumped into his arms. He had just enough reaction time to catch her. "Whoa!"

"I'm so sorry I blamed you" Addison cried out. "You would never willingly fail us and you'd definitely never let Ryan die if you had it in you."

Michael nodded. "Of course not."

Addison buried her head into her hero, her eyeliner leaking onto his white shirt. "I'll never doubt you ever again."

"So long as you help me not doubt myself, Addy" he spoke sadly.

"I promise!" she cheerfully replied. But his sorrow did not go lost on her. "What is it?"

Michael could not bring himself to tell her just yet. "No-nothing. Just that...things are going to get a lot harder on all of us now. Including you, Addy."

"I'm not afraid!" she spoke proudly. "We can take anything down together! We beat Mewtwo once and we can do it again!"

You would be afraid if you knew what this all meant. He lowered Addison to the ground and patted her on the head. "You go on ahead, Addy. I'll meet you guys in a bit. All of this has been a little hard to soak in."

"Sure thing, Your Majesty" she giggled before rushing out after the others. Michael watched the daughter of one of his best friends run off, his heart aching for the long and arduous path that lie ahead for her.

"You knew all along, didn't you?" Michael asked the seemingly empty room.

"No, not always" Countess Rosemary responded. "I had thought Ryan would be the one. He had the track record, after all." The elderly woman was soon by his side and watched with similarly sad eyes as the doors closed and left the two alone in the ballroom. "The poor child. I wish it could be another way, but Prophecy does not work like that, I'm afraid." She put a caring arm on his shoulder. "As I do for you, Michael. I never wanted your suffering. Neither did James. Neither did Jane."

Michael kept himself stoic in the face of the unknown. "Well, as you said, prophecy doesn't work that way."

"Nor does time" Rosemary spoke sadly, eyeing the dimming gemstone atop her scepter. "I'm running out of time. And when my time runs out, whether you're prepared or not, the fate of the entire universe will be decided."