"What is tonight's meeting supposed to be about?" Addison inquired as she and Galatea made themselves comfortable in Rosemary's chambers. The Countess seemed to feel tonight's lesson was important, so she felt extra sure she needed to be clear minded and focused on nothing but what her mentor was about to tell her. In fact, doubly so, considering Galatea's focus was split between her egg and the session.

Rosemary's focus was not on her pupil, but on a strange looking mirror that rested on a glass coffee table. The mirror itself did not reflect anything, at least to the extent that one could easily see it. The glass itself was dull and did not shine or shimmer with any of the various candles surrounding their meeting area. Though Addison was unsure why all of this attention was being given to a measly old mirror, she had learned a long time ago to not judge anything or anyone by appearance. Her own past had taught her that much at least. She simply sat patiently until Rosemary finally addressed her.

"You had your first vision" Rosemary concluded without asking her. "You also took the initiative and relayed what information you could to your allies. While I would not ordinarily approve of such actions, it would appear that the universe had meant for that vicious poacher to meet his end." She eyed Addison for a moment, studying the girl's emotions.

Addison was perplexed. "I'm not supposed to tell people what I know?"

"Altering time for one's personal reasons can have damning consequences, Addison" the Countess warned. "Events have always unfolded as they are meant to. That is a lesson I will instruct you on in due time. But for now, I can forgive any lapses of judgment."

"Lapses of judgment?!" Addison cried. "I stopped Hunter from getting the Six Mythical Pokemon!"

"And both Mark Lionel and Matthew Kingston nearly died in the process" her mentor snapped. "I am not going to repeat myself, Miss Tenton. Your actions were your own and they are done. That is the past. But not the past you and I will be focusing on this particular evening." She gestured for Addison to sit in front of the mirror. "This mirror is a personal relic of my old master, Tiberius Duon. It allows one to see things. Things that are, things that have been and things that have not yet come to pass. Though, as it is the future, it is not always set in stone."

"I thought you said that things happen for a reason" Addison questioned. "That things were always meant to be?"

"Events unfold as they are meant to" Rosemary corrected. "That does not necessarily mean that the future is predetermined. You and I have no inkling of what will come to pass. Which is the burden of the Order of the White Guardians, or in your case, The White Mage. We know how things must be and yet we cannot take shortcuts or use personal biases to achieve what is foretold. For all intents and purposes, you could have been abducted by the Syndicate and given the Crimson Brand long before you were in normal time, but it would not have allowed events to come to pass." She waved her hands. "But that is for a future session. We're now using the mirror to look into the past. To uncover truths and find missing pieces of the puzzle that we see before us."

Addison looked down at the mirror. "How does it work?"

"You simply clear your mind, as you did last night. You and Galatea both, as I'm beginning to see that the two of you rely heavily on one another. If it helps, than so be it."

The maiden turned towards the Gardevoir by her side. "Well? Are you with me?"

Galatea, though clearly distracted by worry over her egg, nodded. I will try. Though I am not sure I am sufficient enough to-

"You will be" Addison promised her. "We're going to get through this together. I promise."

"Empty your minds of outside worry and woe. Concentrate on nothing in this universe besides this mirror. Even my own words will eventually disappear from your mind. You will see a past you were meant to see. One that might be the key to helping us unravel and unhinge the mind of the devilish fiend you all call Mewtwo. Slowly and slowly..." As the Countess had mentioned, Addison could no longer hear her voice. Instead, as she and Galatea joined hands, the two felt themselves basking in a celestial light, until it suddenly ceased.

Addison blinked and found that her surroundings had changed dramatically. She was no longer in Countess Rosemary's dimly lit chambers, but a lab of some kind. This lab was also dimly lit, with only a strange green light emanating from something in the far corner of the room. She tugged Galatea along and the duo came across the lone person working in this laboratory.

It's a man, Galatea observed. I wonder what his purpose is.

Addison shrugged. "Well, there's only one way to find out." The two stepped forward and listened intently as the man read back his most recent entries in his Log.

"Lab Log, Entry #37-B" the man spoke back in a nasally voice. "The embryo has been absorbing plenty of nutrients, but it has yet to show signs of dramatic growth since it's initial days. I fear the progress report that Professor Urbine will be giving to our chief financier will be an unpleasant one. I don't want to be in the room when he makes the call. They say that he isn't one who tolerates failure well. But this is an unprecedented achievement in science without it being a success. We have replicated the DNA of Mew, the Mythical Pokemon said to have the original sample DNA of all Pokemon, both living and extinct. If that were true, this Pokemon could be the missing link between our two species."

"This must be the origins of Mewtwo" Addison remarked. "But I'm confused as to why Countess Rosemary wants us to see this."

Perhaps that old adage she mentioned to us?

"Old adage?"

Seek the truth among the lies, I believe it was?

Addison scratched her head. "Now I'm really confused. Does that mean what we saw isn't true?"

I believe listening further will suffice for the both of us.

She nodded quickly in agreement and the two listened in more closely to what the scientist had to say.

The scientist jotted down the vital signs, shaking his head sadly as he came to his hypothetical conclusion. "What am I going to do? Urbine is going to be livid that progress has been so slow. Yet at the same time, who knows what the financier will do? Why couldn't we get a more benevolent millionaire? Like that Verich fellow in Orre or Mr. Stone? Why is it always that blasted Giovanni?!"

"Giovanni?!" Addison inquired. "The Team Rocket Boss?"

Galatea put both of her hands on her head, grunting in pain. I feel...something sharp. Something painful.

Addison kept her focus on the scientist, though she too felt a tingling pain in her head and contemplated stopping the whole vision. "No" she growled with her teeth. "I need to see this."

Where-where am I?

All three in the room looked around for the source of the voice, but it seemed to have been coming from nowhere. The scientist was the first to figure out that it was indeed the embryo trying to communicate with him. Addison studied closely as he scrambled to the pod where the embryo was being kept. "Hello?"

Can you understand me?

"You're communicating with me telepathically" the scientist explained happily. "This is incredible. Who would have-"

How am I doing this?

"Your IQ is beyond all scientific measures" he went on. "And if your communication means anything, it means you're only going to get stronger from here." He looked at the pod and put his hand on the pod. "My name is Tyrus. Dr. Tyrus Wong. I've been assigned to look after you, Mewtwo."

Is that what I am called?

"It's what we've decided to call you. If you don't like it, we could always let you choose your own name."

We? Are there more of you?

"There are uncounted billions of people and Pokemon in this world that come in all shapes and sizes. But you? You are going throw all that we know for a loop. You are the first biochemically engineered Pokemon in existence. How many more will come after you?"

You seem content with this news.

The scientist laughed. "More relieved than anything, if we're being honest with each other. My entire future is predicated on your development."

The embryo did not move, but all three in the room could hear he was talking through some means, telekinetic or otherwise. There are so many questions that I have, Tyrus. So many things I want to know. So many things I want to see and do and accomplish. Will you help me achieve these goals?

"Those were my thoughts exactly" Tyrus smiled.

But first, I would like very much to know about you. You've seen me and my entire life. What then, has the life of Tyrus Wong brought upon the world?

Addison could not be more puzzled. "This is weird. That embryo doesn't even act like Mewtwo. Where's his hatred of man? His desire to kill? What's going on here?" She was about to comment more, but the scene shifted slightly. The room remained largely the same, but Mewtwo's embryo had grown in size. He was slowly forming into shape inside the same pod he had been in just some short time ago. He had the makings of eyeholes and normal features, but his arms and legs had yet to develop. His tail was little more than a stub on his backside.

But what lies beyond that? Beyond the stars and beyond the moons? What lies beyond this hovel we call home?

Tyrus Wong, who had the makings of a beard growing, could only laugh kindly. "Well, that's what we want to find out. We'd like to see what other galaxies look like. Where the heavens are, how were they formed, all of it. That's the goal of science. To seek answers to all of life's questions. Including all of your own, Mewtwo."

What happens when all of life's questions are answered?

"Fortunately, life is a great mystery. We will never truly master it. Not in our lifetimes at least."

Tyrus? Do you recall a conversation we once had? About being named something different? I would like to change my name if it's alright with you.

"What would you like to be called then, friend?"

Fear End?

Tyrus waved his hands at the pod as if he had just insulted someone of great import. "I do not want to impose-"

I like that name. Fear End."

"I called you friend, because...well...aren't we friends?"

Is that how you pronounce it? Friend? Very well. Friend I shall be known as forever more. Friend.

Galatea cocked her head at this. Strange. Very odd. There is no malice within him. It is as if the one we have known and encountered is not the same as this one. She looked to Addison for reassurance. Or is this one of the lies we are to keep a watchful eye for?

Addison shrugged. "This is all confusing to me, Galatea. I want to see more." As if granting her wish, the scene changed again. The lab was the same, but Mewtwo had grown exponentially. He was still inside the pod, growing in the goo he was inside. His eyes would occasionally flash the color of sapphire, but he remained quiet and at peace while Tyrus Wong continued to write down his words. His limbs were grown out, but were still rather stubby. While observing, Addison found herself strangely empathizing with Mewtwo. Despite his calm, she saw that something was bothering him.

Tyrus. May I ask you something?

"Anything."

This...this financier of yours. Is he a good man? Tyrus's silence all but confirmed Mewtwo's suspicions. I imagine not. If you fear him so much that you cannot answer my question. He financed my creation, didn't he?

"Ye-yes."

What does he intend to do to me?

Tyrus frowned. "Knowing Giovanni...I'd imagine he wants you for your power."

I have power...and as you said...it continues to grow alongside my prowess. Is this what Giovanni seeks?

"He wants to use your power for...other means."

What other means do you speak of?

"Likely to dominate all of Kanto, if not the world. If he uses your powers alongside those goons and thugs he employs, there may not be a force in the world that can stop him. Not even the best trainers in the world could stand a chance. People like him see Pokemon as only tools or weapons of war. But there are others, Friend. Those who do care for Pokemon as living beings. Or in our case, as friends." He put his hand on the pod. "You must not let your fears of Giovanni's mistreatment of you stem into hatred for all mankind. Giovanni is just one man. Plenty of others care."

If it came down to your decision, what would you do with me when I am complete?

Tyrus smiled. "I'd ask you to meet my family, before I let you go to see the world for all it is. Meet Pokemon and people alike. Demonstrate that your powers aren't terrifying, but glorious. You are destined to be greater than some biological weapon. I know it."

And yet you do not have the power to free me?

"I do" Wong responded. "But if I do, I'll lose everything. My job, my home, my family." He lowered his head. "I wish there was something I could do."

Do not fret, Tyrus. I do not blame you. I only wish I could do those things you wished for me. He raised his head and looked towards the door. More are coming.

Addison looked back to see three men entering Tyrus's lab. While two were no doubt members of Giovanni's criminal syndicate called Team Rocket, the third was a scientist like Wong. He was older, had cream-colored hair and wore a look of intense calculation and shrewd ambition on his face. He pushed his glasses over his eyes as he walked in on Wong's work.

"I must say, Wong" Professor Urbine smirked. "I am truly impressed. This specimen could not have aged better over these last few months. The work we've put in has paid off, finally." He showed the pod containing Mewtwo to the Rocket Grunts. "You see? We haven't been wasting your time or your money. You can inform Giovanni that his prize will be ready for him very shortly."

Wong rose and stood in front of the machine containing his life's work. "We still need more time. The development procedure-"

"Has taken long enough" one of the Grunts growled.

"Giovanni desires results, not promises or assurances. And we intend to give it to him."

Urbine tried to calm the situation. "He will have his results. That I can guarantee. Allow me to explain it to my colleague." He then grabbed Tyrus by the scruff of his jacket and slammed him against the wall of his lab, causing papers to scatter. "Why do you insist on always being a thorn in my side, Wong?! We need funding for the lab to keep operating! Not just from Giovanni. Generous donations from-"

"Donations from uncouth individuals" Wong spat out. "Giovanni, Ghetsis, that smarmy business man from Arcana! We don't need evil money funding our-"

"I think you'll find that all money is needed for the pursuit of sciences" Urbine snapped. "Unless you intend to draw from your endless pools of money you don't have, it does not matter to whom we are indebted! This project has gone on long enough. If we lose Giovanni's funding, you lose your job, Wong!" He then tossed him aside and laughed nervously to the Rocket Grunts. "There, you see? Problem solved. We'll ramp up development and ship the illustrious financier of our humble laboratory his prize within the next few days."

Wong had heard enough. "No! Rushing his development is bad enough. You cannot send him to Giovanni this way!"

"Did you forget who keeps you employed, you little gutter Rattata?" the First Grunt snarled.

"Be quiet, Wong!" Urbine demanded.

"I will not be silent on this! I will protect the integrity of our work! There must be another way for-" Wong stopped speaking and let out a grunt of pain and surprise. Addison gasped in shock as she found Urbine had thrust one of Wong's dissection knives into his chest. Wong tried to keep himself standing, but fell to the ground in a pool of his own blood.

What? What has happened?

"Who goes there?!" the Second Grunt demanded.

Urbine was immediately suspicious. "Who is that? Show yourself!"

Mewtwo's eyes flashed open and he glared at the trio in front of him. You? What have you done with my friend?

"I don't need to answer to you" Urbine declared. "I am your superior as the human who helped create you. So you will do as I say from now on. Forget that fool, Wong. He couldn't differentiate between the greater good and some shady business practice." He arrogantly threw his head back and laughed. "So be a good little Pokemon and grow faster."

You think I will obey you...after what you did to my friend?!

Addison and Galatea both knew what was coming and took a step back, despite knowing that they were going to be unaffected. The various test tubes and machinery in Wong's lab began to shake and crack with Mewtwo's power becoming more focused. The Rocket Grunts tried to escape, but found the doors had locked tightly.

Urbine, still too blind to see his life in mortal danger, pointed angrily at Mewtwo. "You wretched beast! Release us at once!"

Surely if you were my superior, you could free yourselves?

"How dare you?!"

The glass surrounding Mewtwo shattered and flew in all directions. The Rocket Grunts were skewered by the glass and crumpled to the floor as Wong had only moments ago. Mewtwo's hate-filled glare was so chilling that even Addison felt her body quivering. He rose in the air over Urbine, shining in an aura of sheer dominance. Only now did Urbine realize his life was in jeopardy as he tried desperately to get the door to open.

You mean to use me so that you can make yourself more money. Those fools behind you want to use me to please their boss. Their boss plans to use me as a weapon of war. Only one man saw me for what I truly am. But I can now see that he is nothing but an outlier. The rest of mankind would use me for their own games of control and accumulating power. No. Not just me. All Pokemon. Pokemon are not friends to you. They are not welcome in your home. They are your tools. Your subjects! And I will not tolerate this any longer!

"SECURITY!" Urbine cried, clawing at the door desperately.

You shall be made an example of, contemptuous oaf! Your crimes of murdering a good man shall begin my crusade. My ambition. My desire. To create a world where humans are not the masters of Pokemon. In fact, I am putting the entire race of humanity on warning. By the time my war against this world is over, there will be no more humans. Only Pokemon! My Age is upon the world! This is my universe now! DESPAIR AND DIE!

Mewtwo glowed with such a wickedly bright light that Addison was sure a supernova was about to cause the entire lab to explode. She watched in horror as Urbine's terrified look vanished into an explosion of tremendous power before being flung backwards herself. She and Galatea collapsed to the ground, once again back inside of Countess Rosemary's chamber. While Galatea righted herself easily, Addison was slow to get up. She ultimately pushed herself up and back onto her chair.

Rosemary was studying her from her own chair. "You saw something, yes?"

"Oh, I saw something, alright" Addison shuddered. "But was I supposed to see that?"

Rosemary leaned on her scepter, even while sitting. "You were meant to see events of the past. Events that might be the key to the future. Or perhaps to help you better understand what we are up against, my dear. Judging by your words, you saw what you needed to see."

"Why?" Addison asked. "Why would they do that to a Pokemon? Exploit it for science, use it as a weapon?"

"Do you see now why he has a vendetta against all mankind? Even if Professor Wong was a good man, Addison, it does not change that his experiences with man have taught him that we are not a species worth admiring. We are a pestilence that needs to be eradicated. Which is why people like Ryan and Michael vex him so. He has hated humans for so long that he has forgotten what it feels like to be cherished by them." She frowned. "Sadly, though, I think it's too late for him. Showing him human kindness will not change him. Nor will seeing the compassion of humans and Pokemon. His fear and rage will destroy everything in his path. Including us, if you are not properly prepared. Which is why I implore you to continue your work. Expand and unlock the potential of your mind, Miss Tenton." She pointed to the Mirror on the table between them. "Mewtwo destroyed an entire lab filled with people, reducing it to ash and debris in one move. Imagine what that kind of power would be in his hands now, with almost twenty years to hone them."

Addison looked down at the mirror and grew pale. Mewtwo was almost unstoppable before. Now, he might as well be. And the entirety of mankind would depend on her to keep them safe from his wrath. A task she wasn't sure she was up to, but would try nonetheless.

{}

Much to his dismay, Mark was on the receiving end of the ceaseless doting of Greta when she found out about his injury. She was acting as if his wounded shoulder was something that needed to be amputated. He had to repeatedly tell her that he was going to be fine as she refused to listen. Instead of abiding by his wishes, she constantly tried her best to nurse him. He could not do anything for himself. She insisted on feeding him, helping him dress and even helping him groom his beard. He drew the line when she tried to offer to help him in the bathroom, allowing himself a moment of peace.

While the two were out for a stroll in the gardens of Kingston Castle, he noticed she could not keep her eyes off of his bandages. "I know my eyes aren't the best to look at, but you could at least pay attention to me when we talk."

"You were shot, Mark" Greta nearly shrieked, until she realized how late it was, with here voice changing to a harsh whisper afterwards. "And you're taking it as if it was a speck of sand hitting you."

Mark shrugged it off as best as he could with his arm in a sling. "Eh. I've been in far more danger before."

"That's not the point and you know it!"

"Then what is the point, Greta?"

His "special lady friend" walked over to the small bridge that looked over a brook in the garden and looked down at the water as it glistened in the moonlight. "Mark, you act all heroic and brave in the face of danger. And I truly admire that. Hearing about what you did at such a young age was so inspiring for me. You took down Team Rocket when they were trying to regroup in Kanto. You and Michael both helped Lizzie take down Hunter in Hoenn. You three came here to drive Michael's enemies away. Nothing could make me more proud than seeing you go through these legions of bad guys and come out on top." She then looked to face him, her face somewhat pale. "But you aren't invincible, Mark. One day, you're going to meet your match. And then what happens?"

"I face my fate" Mark said plainly. "There is nothing else I know better."

She snorted. "Oh come on, Mark. You're telling me you don't have a care in the world besides how you're going to stop the next villain?"

"Of course I do, Greta" he countered. "Do you think it's been easy for me since we came back here? Constantly fighting and preparing for the next fight is exhausting. But the fight isn't over yet. Until Mewtwo is gone and the world at peace, I can't rest. And neither can the rest of us who will be fighting. Me, Lizzie, Addison, Matthew, Michael, Cameron. All of the Kingstons and all of our friends that are trapped on Mirage Island." He sighed heavily as he came to her side. "I want the fight to be over. I want to be retired. I want to have the things my friends have. But juggling it all, duty to family, duty to friends, duty to Pokemon, that kind of lifestyle isn't who I am. I've had to watch that lifestyle crush one of my closest friends under the weight of everything on his shoulders. I can't be him anymore than I can be someone who isn't a fighter. I will fight and keep going to protect what matters to me, until there is nothing more to fight. Then, and only then, can I finally be at peace."

"And what if this fight never ends?"

"All fights end, Greta" Mark assured her. "One way or another, they always end."

She squeezed her eyes shut and put her hand on top of his. "Mark. I came all this way for you. To help you and your friends anyway that I could. I trust you know why, right?"

Mark smiled faintly. "I can guess if you'd like."

"I can live with you being a hero" she went on. "But I'm not ready to bury you. I'm not ready to lose you. Seeing what the King has been going through, just makes it more clear to me that I cannot and will not be able to handle losing you. I make that promise to you."

"It's a good thing you won't."

"How do you know? How can anyone know where this will all go?"

Mark turned to face her. "Greta, you put your faith in Countess Rosemary very quickly, right? You barely knew her, but you heard her words and thought of them like a balm to soothe all your worries. She's here for more than just helping people with their problems, you know. She's here to teach Addison the ways of being the White Mage. Addison is the one she believes will defeat Mewtwo when all is said and done. She has all her faith in Addy, so why shouldn't we? After all, even if the battle is against a tidal surge of Mewtwo, Courtney and whatever else they throw at us, she's got a ton backing her up, too. Not just her own gifts, but she has all of us there with her. Fighting with her, supporting her and giving her everything she could need to stand her ground." He smiled down on her. "I put my faith in her. If you can't put it in her, why not put it in me?"

Greta beamed and rested her head on Mark's shoulders. "I've always had faith in you." She paused when she noticed someone sitting on their own on a bench midway through the garden. "Is that Lizzie?"

Mark looked over her head and frowned. "What's she doing here? Did Michael turn her down or something?" He took Greta's hand and the two made their way over to see her. Lizzie was sitting on the bench, her Umbreon rolling around in the grass and chasing any of the Bug Pokemon he caused to scatter nearby. She was not paying much attention to her prized Pokemon, instead holding Jirachi's Poke Ball in her hand. When she noticed them coming, she tried in earnest to smile as they came. But Mark knew better. He'd known Lizzie for most of her life, after all. And something was bothering her. But for now, he chose to play innocent. "Jirachi is still in there, you know."

Lizzie laughed. "I know. Just like Mew is with you and all the others have been reunited as best as we could get them. We just need to get Chris back and things will hopefully be back to normal." Her mood shifted to one of sorrow. "Is it bad that I wanted him to die?"

"Chris? I mean sure he can be a bit of an ass, but-"

"No! Hunter!"

"Well, it's not an awful thing to do. You are only human, after all."

Lizzie's frown only deepened. "He's haunted me my entire life. He killed my Grandfather. He tried to kill me on multiple occasions. He destroyed the Shrine of Jirachi and stole Jirachi from me. He's done so much damage to the world that the fact that he got to live as long as he did while others died so young is infuriating to me!" She clenched her fists. "He killed Ryan, you know."

"It wouldn't surprise me if he did" Mark answered plainly. "What does surprise me, is that knowing this information, why didn't Matthew or Cameron go to kill him?"

"Matthew could have" she recalled. "He had two pistols up to Hunter's head. And he chose not to pull the triggers." Her eyes fixated on something Mark knew he would never be able to see. "I just can't understand it. He murdered his brother. He has been a nightmare for all of us for so long. Why didn't Matthew kill him? Is it out of loyalty to him? Is it something else?"

Mark let go of Greta and knelt in front of Lizzie, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Lizzie, did you forget?"

"Forget what?"

"You tried to save Hunter once before" he reminded her. "Once Jirachi and the others had broken Hunter's control over the Legendary Pokemon and they sent him hurtling to the depths of darkness below, you flew down on your Salamence to try and save him. He let himself fall, whether he knew Mewtwo would save him or not, he chose not to accept your help. It's not wrong of you to have basic empathy for someone, not even towards the man who killed your Grandfather. If anything, that makes you a bigger person than many others. Even people you've come to respect."

"No one feels the way I do" Lizzie moaned. "To want so desperately to make the person you hate most in the world suffer."

"You're wrong there" Greta answered. "Those men who hurt my father and almost killed Mark? I secretly want them all to suffer horrible fates."

"Feeling angry and hurt over this is proof enough that you're just as human as the rest of us, Liz" Mark added. "All of us want revenge or some kind of retribution for past hurts. Every. Single. One of us. Ryan took his revenge on Claude. Cameron wants to take hers against Courtney. And Michael took his against Giselle and then Cassius. It's about being the bigger person and not making the same mistakes that your enemy did. If any of you had killed him, you'd be starting down the same path he did. One of vengeance and lust for power."

"But you said you were surprised Cam and Matt didn't do it."

"Those two have much shorter fuses than you do" Mark laughed. "But I suspect that Matthew knows very well what path Hunter walked, as he had done so himself until he and Jocelyn went into hiding. He didn't want to go down that path again. Because of how much Jocelyn and Ryan meant to him, he knew being the better person was what they would have wanted. As for Cameron, I think having Cynthia with her is a calming influence."

"I tried to" Lizzie admitted. "I wanted to kill him. So badly. To make him suffer. When Matthew didn't do it, I went to do it myself. But he was too much for me and he knocked me out." She looked at Mark curiously. "Then, something really strange happened. Justin saved my life."

"How is it weird?"

She shrugged. "It felt weird being saved by him, I guess. Like, I didn't think he would or something?"

Greta whispered in Mark's ear. "Do you think it's time?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. Liz, I don't think you have to worry much about Justin or Hunter or anymore of that for now. Did you talk to Michael?"

She nodded. "He seemed really busy with something, but he told me we'd give it a try tomorrow if Matt is up to it."

"Give what a try?" Greta asked.

"Something that if we can succeed" Mark said, a hint of hope in his voice, "we may finally be able to turn the tide against Mewtwo once and for all."

{}

It was early in the morning, well before daybreak, when Matthew Kingston finally woke up after being brought to Kingston Castle to rest and recuperate. His back felt as if it were on fire and he could hardly move, but he was content to have made it out of the skirmish with Hunter in one piece. He looked to his right and saw Shaymin sleeping on the windowsill in his Sky Forme. The outside world was still hardly showing any signs of the sun peaking in the distance. To his left, he saw something moving near a bed a few paces down. He reached for the lamp next to his bed and tried to focus.

"Olivia?"

Olivia Novren, draped in as much of her clothes as she could carry, glanced over at him and shushed him. "Let her sleep."

"What are you doing here?" he whispered.

Olivia looked as if she were about to get sick, but kept herself collected. "I made a mistake, Matt. A horrible, drunken mistake. And the last thing I want is to cause more trouble than I already have." She revealed an open envelope in her hand. "If Julia wakes up, make sure she reads this if you can. It will explain everything." She then placed it beside Julia's bed and whisked herself out the door.

Though he was curious to see what was inside the envelope, Matthew's back prevented him from moving and he simply laid back in bed. His stirring caused Shaymin to wake up. His Mythical Pokemon ally leaped down onto his belly gracefully and snuggled up to him. Though uncomfortable with the affection, he did not stop petting the Pokemon. Somehow, he had done it. He had saved Celebi, Mew, Jirachi and Manaphy from Hunter and removed one of Mewtwo's most dangerous allies from the equation. He had bested Hunter without becoming him. And he, on a technicality, had avenged his brother. Hunter was dead, just like Claude. And now, all that remained was to find a way to help Addison beat Mewtwo, even if she didn't want him to help.

The door opened again. To his surprise, the King walked inside. Michael's face wore just as much of a disturbed look as Olivia's had, but he seemed to be a bit better at hiding it as he saw Matthew awake and came over to his side, sitting down in the bed beside his. He made a hopeful look at his sleeping wife and then to his scarred cousin. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than you and Olivia, apparently" Matthew responded.

Michael's face went white. "She was here?"

"She gave something to Julia" he answered, his voice still tired. "And said she needed to read it when she woke up. Did something happen?"

"Bud, you don't want to know" the King responded.

Matthew scoffed at the comment. "Bud? You haven't called me that in ages."

"You are a bud, right?"

"I think I've grown up a bit from that" Matthew bitterly replied. "I don't need you to coddle me just because Ryan's gone."

Michael's face remained stern, but calm. "I'm not coddling you, Matt. I just-I understand you a bit better than I thought I did." His cousin's features looked as if he had aged a few years over the last few days. "You're not your brother. You never were. Which is why I always treated you differently."

"You always heaped praise on him" he recalled coldly. "Even if he stubbed his toe, you were there to tell him he was doing good. I couldn't even get you to acknowledge me half the time."

Michael's face did not change. "I was wrong."

"You're damn right you-wait, what?"

"I did treat you both differently. When I looked at you two, I saw two totally different people. When I looked at your brother, I saw someone who had all of the heart to go wherever he needed to, but maybe not the courage or the tenacity. As a trainer, I could see him going anywhere he set his mind to, but maybe not soar as high as the title of Champion. But he proved me wrong. He made mistakes, but he learned from them. He didn't let his feelings of inadequacy keep him from going for his goals. First, to be the Pokemon Champion. And second, to win Addison."

"Don't rub it in" Matthew requested.

"When I looked at you" Michael continued, "I saw the complete opposite. I saw a shadow of myself."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "You saw yourself in me?"

"You were strong. Very strong. You had the talent, the build, the make up and above all, the confidence to do anything you set your mind to. Nothing was going to stop you. I figured you would be the one to face me in the Title Match when I sent you three off on your way. You didn't need any reinforcement, I told myself. You didn't need me as much as Ryan did. And, to be fair, you really didn't. You rose through the ranks quickly. You crushed Billy and Greg long before your brother did. My thoughts didn't change when we met again here for the Queen's Ball. You had all it took to get to be Champion. The heart and compassion could come later, with some bonding time between you and me. I was more proud of you than I'd care to admit, but figured you would keep getting better without my input." His head sank into a dark past Matthew knew he'd have to come to bouts with eventually. "If I had paid closer attention, I could have seen what you were becoming from a mile away. The path you walked was...while not completely like mine, was one I feared I would go down one day."

Matthew lowered his head. "I let my fear of Ryan being better than me push me away from him and Addy."

"If I hadn't kept telling myself you would overcome any shortcomings easily" Michael said mournfully, "I might have been able to prevent you from becoming Elezar's stooge."

"Losing you had a real impact on me, too" Matthew admitted. "I went from wondering what you would do, to thinking that I couldn't be you. Elezar beat you, so I had to become stronger in my own ways."

"And that was my own shortcoming. Not the whole, us almost getting killed part, but on how I didn't take care of your needs as much as I did Ryan's. Either way, while we were trapped two hundred feet below ground and under all the rubble of Taghwan Hall, you and your brother went down the complete opposite paths. He followed his heart and it got him all he wanted. He got stronger, thanks to his friendships with his Pokemon and having Holly and Addy with him. And you went off on your own, becoming easy prey for Elezar to manipulate. When I saved your brother at the ArcTV Studios, I was more ashamed of what I had failed to do with you than I was angry that you had followed the Syndicate. But I was too proud to admit it. And your life changed irrevocably, all because I misjudged you."

Matthew shrugged. "Well, it wasn't all bad. I got to get close to Jocelyn and got my baby sister because of it."

"That's a decent way of looking at things."

He flashed a look at his old idol and smiled. "Mike, I don't blame you. I could have chosen better for myself. But I didn't. I wanted so badly to be like Ryan, that I felt that if I became stronger than him, I might win Addy's love. But I chose power in the end. I was no better than Elezar or any of them. And that's not your fault." He leaned back on his bed, wincing from the blow he took as he did. "And Addy still hates me for it."

"I wouldn't say it's that harsh" Michael replied, a low but welcoming smile finally appearing on his face. "She may not ever trust you the way she once did, but that's something to work with. The only thing you can do for her is to be there for her. Not the way Ryan was, because no one can do that. But maybe you could find a way to help her with her training or something? Keep her chin up?"

"I hope so."

"You still love her?"

Matthew took a deep breath. "Do you ever stop loving someone like her?"

"Maybe not. Maybe you have to realize that love comes in all shapes and sizes. Take Dee and I. We love each other. But she's just as devoted to Warren as I am to Julia. Ours isn't the same as what Ryan and Addy had. It's something different. Something more...personal."

Matthew folded his hands. "I feel like I don't care about her as much as I used to. But at the same time, I still want to be with her. If there was a way that I could help her, in any way, shape or form, I'd do it in a heartbeat."

"You may be in luck, then" Michael responded. "We're going to try something remarkably dumb today."

"Define how dumb."

"Lizzie seems to think that with the Six Mythical Pokemon at our sides again" the King went on, "maybe we could be the first mortals to enter the Realm of Arceus in over a thousand years. And if Arceus is feeling nice, he may choose not to smite us. He may even help us."

"Maybe he could destroy Mewtwo?"

"I wouldn't count on any of this working" Michael replied slyly. "But, since Lizzie is my friend, I'm going to help her. And we need you to come along with us, oh Guardian of Shaymin." He pet Shaymin's head, prompting Shaymin to bounce around the room playfully.

"Come on, Shaymin!" Matthew laughed. "You'll wake Julia!"

Michael's smile faded. "I think she'll be asleep for a long time, unfortunately."

Seeing the pain in his cousin's eyes, Matthew's mind was made up immediately. "I'm in." He pushed himself up and got himself sitting on his rear end. He reached his hand over to Michael as if to shake. When Michael complied, he pulled the King of Arcana into an embrace. For the first time since in a very long time, he finally felt his age as he had seemingly rekindled his relationship with a man who had once been everything to him.