Lucas nervously paced the halls outside of the Lord's Study, with only Cynthia there to give him any reassurances. Dawn had run off to take in some training by the King's Bay, swearing that she would not miss out on the next fight with their enemies if it came. He really could have used his girlfriend's moral support as he tried to convince King Michael to support his latest theories. Most recently on his mind was the idea that Addison had planted into his head about multiverse theory, the idea that for every decision someone makes, the timeline splits into a different line and goes on from there. Thus, if it was possible to traverse time, it could mean that you would be dimension jumping over going back in time.

While this may not immediately entice the King, what should is how much extra work the boy had done after meeting with both Addison and Michael's friend Rui in the library. Perhaps Celebi's cleansing of the artificially sealed hearts in the Shadow Pokemon crisis had been done with Celebi traversing time and locating a time when this Pokemon was not being afflicted with this brutal reality. If Celebi could traverse time, it could also help them overcome any crisis as it approached them. Maybe it would be possible to rescue Robert Kingston and Ryan from their fates? Or maybe stop Mewtwo from being created altogether. But he wouldn't be able to go anywhere with his research if the King did not allow him to study Celebi. He needed Michael's seal of approval, but even getting to the King was difficult these days. Michael was needed by everyone, always. Most recently, he had taken some time to work with his Royal Vizier Annie Tress on his daily duties, postponing meetings to be able to fulfill his duties on his own time. Lucas nervously sat on a bench outside of the Lord's Study, while Cynthia stood nearby, her arms folded and contemplating what would happen.

He nervously peered up at his friend and mentor. "You know, you could say something reassuring about this."

"This is not something I can be sure of the answer he'll give" the gorgeous blonde admitted. "Celebi is keeping Michael alive. Without him, the Fury could destroy him. And Arcana would be without it's hero and you would be burdened with a guilty conscience."

"I'm not trying to kill him" Lucas pleaded. "I want to know if this theory could work."

"Just don't count on anything and you can't be disappointed" Cynthia reasoned.

The doors to the Lord's Study opened and Annie stepped outside, collecting paperwork the King had signed in her hands. She looked back into the room. "And make sure that you process that appeal of Margaret Seissuon, Your Grace."

"And why should we care if they appeal?" Michael called back.

"Because you're not a tyrant, Michael" Annie scolded. "Remember?"

Lucas could hear the King sigh heavily. "Fine. I'll do it. But I won't be happy about it."

"You don't have to be, Your Grace" Annie concluded. "Just do your duties as you did as Champion and I'll make sure the ArcNet team is making progress in restoring those stolen Pokemon." She was about to close the door, but noticed the two waiting outside. "Oh. Lucas. Cynthia. I didn't know the King had a meeting with you two today." She looked at her Poke Gear and shook her head. "Aha. You don't. Well, I'd like to say the King will have time to see you, but he's swamped with paperwork."

"I'd like to see him to show him my latest theory" Lucas requested. "It shouldn't take long."

"Give or take an hour" Cynthia joked.

Annie glanced back. "Your Grace. Lucas is here and he's asking for an audience."

"I promised I'd see him" Michael recalled. "Send him in. And Cee too."

Cynthia and Lucas scuttled inside before Annie shut the door behind them. Lucas found the King where he usually was when in duty, writing at his desk. His Arcanine was resting by the fireplace, moving about as if he were dreaming about chasing a Meowth. The King's Espeon was curled up in a ball on his desk, but noticed the newcomers and mewed a welcome before stretching his body out and leaping onto Michael's lap. Michael lowered the pen to pet Aether before he looked up to address his guests.

"Well? What's up?"

"I hope we're not interrupting anything" Cynthia inquired.

"I'm just writing my condolences and update letters" he explained. "This one here is for the Lockharts. They've been so patient with us regarding the fate of their son, but I'd suspect that the level of patience is wearing thing. It's a shame. Jeremy is a good kid. And one of Ryan's friends. We could use a trainer of his caliber when we go up against Mewtwo and whatever he's throwing at us. From the way Chris described it, it looks like we're going to be in trouble."

"Your Grace" Lucas interjected, "I've been doing a lot of research on behalf of our cause against Mewtwo. Since I'm nowhere near a good enough trainer to help you, I figured this is the only way I can take part."

"Who said you aren't a good enough trainer?" Michael asked.

"I wasn't brave enough to fight on Mirage Island" Lucas admitted. "The only time I did was to protect Dawn, but even then we were being manipulated by Courtney."

"You did so to protect her" Cynthia answered kindly. "I'm sure if push came to shove, you'd do so again."

Lucas laughed sadly. "No. My Pokemon didn't come back like hers and the others did. I hope they're out there doing well for themselves, but all I have to my name now is my Pachirisu, who's no doubt trying to get into a Volt Raising contest with Mark's Pikachu. But I'm not ashamed. I wasn't cut for battling like she is anyway. The way I can help is with my brain. Which is why I wanted to speak with you as soon as I could, Your Grace."

Michael nodded. "Alright. Let's hear it."

"When I was talking with your friend Rui in the library" the boy recalled, "she mentioned something about the book she was reading. It was about the Shadow Pokemon crisis that happened in Orre years ago. Do you know anything about it more than she did?"

The King rested contemplatively in his chair. "Well, when I was in Orre, the primary battle over the Shadow Pokemon had been concluded a few years ago and it was just about a year or two before the second crisis began. The hero Wes defected from Team Snagem and used their own technology to steal back the Pokemon that had been turned into Shadow Pokemon and purified them in Agate Village with the aid of the Relic Stone. Rui was able to help them because she had the ability to see a Pokemon's aura. A rare trait for a human to have. I was taken in by Rui's grandparents, Eagun and Beluh, with both Rui and Wes trying in earnest to help me overcome my own woes with the Crimson Fury. We were sure it might have something in common with the Shadow Pokemon, but no such link was ever discovered."

"How was the Purification done?"

"In order for the Shadow Pokemon to be free again, Wes told me he had to bond with them each. Taking the time to train with them, battle with them and show them that people were worth trusting again. After that, he brought them to the Relic Stone and he said the spirit of Celebi helped to finish the job and reopen the hearts of these poor Pokemon captured by Cipher."

"It wasn't Celebi himself?"

Michael shook his head. "Eagun said that Celebi's spirit resided in the Relic Stone, but that he had never appeared before anyone before I met him there. Since then, with the small time he was a captive of Hunter, he's been my constant companion and friend. Why this sudden interest in Celebi, if I may ask?"

Lucas sighed. "Well, Your Grace, speaking with Rui got me to thinking about something. Celebi is said to not only be the Guardian of Light, but also the Guardian of Time. The light Celebi has needs to come from somewhere and these Pokemon can't just be put through such torture and changed so quickly. Something has to happen. Maybe Celebi goes to a time when the Pokemon's heart wasn't in pain and restores it that way."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure where you're going with this."

"I think Celebi has the power to traverse time" Lucas theorized. "Before you laugh at me, hear me out for a minute. Celebi didn't appear for Wes during the Purification Ceremonies for these Pokemon. Nor did he appear when the second crisis hit Orre. But he did appear to you when you needed him. I think Celebi realized that you were going to be a key figure in a cataclysmic event and that you needed him more than Wes and the other hero did. On top of that, Celebi's healing power may be drawing from a past before the Syndicate tortured you and gave you the Crimson Brand."

"I hate to rain on your little parade, kid, but digging into time travel is a dangerous and reckless venture. It could upset the order of everything and the world as we know it could cease to exist."

"I don't want to travel through time myself" Lucas insisted. "I just want to see if it's possible."

Cynthia looked to Michael earnestly. "He's been desperate to help anyway he can. At least give him a chance to prove his theory."

Michael folded his arms and thought for a moment. "There might be a way I can help you, but I can't risk Celebi. Let's just say that I have a special need for Celebi these days."

"Cameron told me" Cynthia snapped. "You just couldn't let it be someone else's problem anymore..."

"How can you help?" Lucas asked. "Please. I want to have as much time to study as I can."

Michael rose to his feet and walked over to the bookcase closest to his desk. His eyes fell upon a dusty old chest. "Julia and I spent weeks in Orre reconnecting and starting up our relationship. So much time that Wes and Rui left Agate Village to go off on their own a few days after we got back together. Before he left, Wes gave me something to remember him by. He told me that it might come in handy for me one day. I had no idea what that meant, until just a few minutes ago." He took the chest off the shelf and held it in his hand. "Your theory may hold water, but I'd rather it just be a theory and not common fact myself. The temptation to change things is too great. That's one thing Countess Rosemary and I have come to agree on. Even one misstep could alter the world as we know it."

"I promise I won't overstep it" Lucas assured the King. His eyes fell on the chest. "What's in there?"

"There are three of these items in existence" Michael continued. "One is in the hands of the Keeper of Mt. Battle. The second is safely in the care of the second hero of Orre. The third was with Wes, until he gave it to me. And now, Lucas, it's yours to complete your research with. This is the Time Flute."

He handed Lucas the chest. Lucas blew some of the dust off and opened it. The Time Flute was a flute that glowed with a strange green glow to it. But as he held it in his hand, he was sure he could hear someone playing it somewhere in the distance. He gently closed the chest and nodded graciously towards the King. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll be sure to bring it back as soon as I'm finished."

"I know you will" he grinned. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a lot of work to catch up on and letters to write."

Lucas was about to rush out the door and hurry to the library, but Cynthia caught his arm and gave her friend a head nod before giving her pupil her full attention. "Hold it. You and I need to talk." She gently dragged him out of the Lord's Study until they were out of earshot of Michael. Once the door had closed, she released Lucas and looked down worriedly on him. "Lucas, I know how much you want to help everyone here, but don't forget the most important reason of all that you're here."

"I haven't forgotten" Lucas responded, but Cynthia stopped him.

"Lucas, I know you" the blonde sternly replied. "You used to be neurotic and focused on nothing but the whole reason we came to Arcana in the first place. I know how much your friends mean to you and how much Dawn in particular has helped you come out of your shell. But you need to keep your focus despite these good things happening. Professor Rowan is counting on you to prove your merit and complete your thesis to get your doctorate. Remember you're going to succeed him."

"I know he is. And I haven't forgotten him. But what's the point of working so hard on my thesis if Mewtwo wipes out the world?"

Cynthia nodded and let out a soft smile before taking Lucas's hat off his head and tussling his hair. "You and Dawn. I swear you two are going to be the death of me one of these days."

Lucas smiled brightly. "Not a chance. I know you, Cynthia. You'll get yours chasing after the King and the others."

Cynthia laughed and patted him on the back. "Alright. Go on. Get to work. I bet Addy and the King will need all the help they can get."

"What about you?"

Cynthia glanced back at him as she walked away. "I've got some training to do. With a good friend."

{}

Addison and Galatea continued with their training underneath the aged Countess Rosemary in her chambers. As this day was supposed to be one of their meditation days, the trio sat in relative silence, with the trio concentrating on the cosmic powers of the universe. But while the Countess and Addison's Gardevoir were having an easy time of it, Addison could not get focused this day. Whether it was her worry over allowing the Crimson Fury to consume her, her current confusing friendship with Matthew or the escalating fears of this villainous Black Knight she had seen in her previous vision, she couldn't be too sure. But the lack of focus was certainly derailing what should have been a tranquil learning day. And this particular lack of focus did not go unnoticed by her mentor.

"You seem less into this meditation than I thought you'd be, my dear" Rosemary observed.

"I just can't seem to focus like you two" Addison admitted. "Maybe it's just not my day, today?"

"Time is not on our side, Addison" the Countess warned. "We have to assume Mewtwo is using his time to make himself more powerful and we cannot let him outpace you. But until we settle your mind, it would seem that progress is going to be impossible." She opened her eyes and tapped her scepter on the ground, allowing the candles that encircled the trio to light up. Galatea sat on the same couch as Addison was, herself eager to return to meditating to get her own mind off of the departure of her and Achilles's child.

"Settling my mind is not something I think I can do right now" the girl answered sadly. "So much is going on right now and with all this training-"

"You're unfocused because you're allowing distractions to disrupt your training. I told you that you would need a clear and open mind while studying under me."

"It's kinda hard to focus on all of this with the impending battle with Mewtwo so close."

"Is this fear of Mewtwo? Or is it something else on your mind?"

"What do you mean?"

"Addison, I haven't seen your mind this confused since your mother coerced you out of hating the King for what befell Ryan. You had seemingly gotten over these woes and your training was progressing splendidly. What has happened since then is beyond my knowledge." She closed her eyes and attempted to probe her pupils mind, with Addison doing her best to block her. "Ah, trying to conceal your thoughts from me. A clever tactic and one you may need to disrupt Mewtwo's plans. But I am not trying to undermine you. I am trying to help you."

"When you're going around and accusing me of not trying-"

"You are trying" the elderly woman answered sadly. "But sometimes, trying isn't enough. You either have to succeed or fail. And you can't reach that level until you've emptied your mind of all outside distractions and ensured your own affairs are in order." She again tried to read Addison's mind to find out what was vexing her. "Hmmmm. Yes. I see something. A few things. I see a being shrouded in darkness walking into your line of view. I see your friends fading away one by one. And I see a boy guarding you from Mewtwo. My my. Your mind is as distracted as it can possibly be, my child."

"How do I stop it?"

"Meditate. Take in long deep breaths and allow these feelings of uncertainty and doubt slide off of your mind and out of it."

Addison did as her mentor instructed and sat in quiet for several moments, trying to force the other thoughts out of her head. But the thoughts Rosemary had lingered on were firmly locked inside of her, in particular the one about the dark warrior and of the boy who was willing to die to save her. "Countess. What is this dark warrior supposed to be? The one from my vision?"

"It could be your mind painting a picture of the opposing force you will need to overcome. It could also be your internal doubts materializing into something you are too afraid to combat. And it could be literal, a being meant to counteract you. I suspect Mewtwo will not be short of minions to throw our way when he does attack. Which is why I want you prepared for that moment."

"How can I know for sure what he will be?"

"So many questions with the answer being the same" the Countess gently scolded. "Clear your mind. Think of nothing but reaching your nirvana. An equilibrium the likes of which I or my master would be jealous of." She eyed the Gardevoir beside her. "You're not alone. Galatea also seems to be struggling at this moment. Though I believe she has an idea of what she must let go of. Whether or not she chooses to is up in the air."

Galatea shook her head. I cannot give up the thought of my daughter. The only connection to Achilles I have left.

"It's not" Addison said proudly. "Achilles and Ryan are on Mirage Island, if Chris is to be believed. And I won't doubt it. We are going to be reunited with them, one way or another."

"But for how long?" Rosemary asked.

"Huh?"

Rosemary sighed. "We've finally reached a hurdle sheer talent is not going to help you overcome. You and your Pokemon are in sync with one another. You feel what the other does and learn what the other does. You both have the same strengths and now the same weaknesses. Love is a tremendous force in this universe, but if you allow it to consume you, it will not hesitate to create openings for your enemy to take advantage of. A key to reaching and unlocking your potential is to be able to join yourself into a perfect balance. Emotions, feelings, urges and all of the sort must be cast aside."

"You told me love was what made me strong" Addison argued. "How can I be strong if you're asking me to cast it aside?"

"Your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. Love is powerful. Perhaps the strongest force in this world if used properly. But those who do not share your feelings or comprehend the depth of them are still capable of breaking those bonds. So long as you still hold onto your loved ones the way you do, Mewtwo will not hesitate to destroy them in order to break you. You are not letting go of them, nor are you giving up your love for them. You are not allowing them to take your focus off of the goal at hand: to save the world and prevent Mewtwo from destroying all life. But do not think for a moment that Mewtwo would not use your feelings as weapon against you. He has done so before and would do so again."

Addison frowned, recalling how Mewtwo, after possessing Michael on Mirage Island, had ridiculed Cameron to the point of breaking her fighting spirit while attempting to recapture Ryan. "But how do I care for people without letting them distract me? I feel so confused right now."

"This is one of those things you're going to have to discover for yourself" her mentor responded sadly. "Finding balance in life is one thing. Maintaining it is an entirely different matter." She winced a bit and put her fingers to the side of her head, massaging it vigorously. "Child, our lesson is at an end. Go and try to find that balance in your life. I need to rest." She let out a grunt of pain as she slumped backwards on the seat she was seated on.

Morgan burst into the room with a cup of tea. "Earl Gray, Countess?"

"Thank you, Morgan" the elderly woman weakly answered, sipping from her cup elegantly.

Addison was eager to press her for more, but knew that the Countess was not going to be able to keep at this pace for much longer. She bowed to her mentor and waved to Morgan as she and Galatea exited the Countess's chambers. Outside was still another series of people eager to see the famed Countess. Mark's "special lady friend" Greta led the way, with Rui and her own mother seated and awaiting an audience.

"Mom" Addison acknowledged.

"Remember you're still grounded" Deidre declared. "Go to your room and stay there until I come back. We'll be dining with the Royal Family tonight."

Addison smiled sheepishly and took Galatea with her back to their bedroom in the castle, not stopping for anyone or anything until Galatea paused a few feet in front of the room. Addison looked back at her in confusion. "What is it?"

Someone is inside.

Addison curiously pushed the doors opened and cried out in shock when she saw who was there. "What are you doing here?"

Matthew Kingston shrugged as he sat in a chair near her bed. Kayleigh was laying on the bed, watching a cartoon on her brother's Poke Gear to distract her. "Mom said my punishment was that I had to babysit Kayleigh more. But she technically never said where I had to babysit her. I figured, where better to bring her than to the Castle to see her best friend in Princess Arya. You know, if I had known Arya and James would be here and not with Piper and Chris. So, I guess you're stuck entertaining us until I feel like leaving."

Addison rolled her eyes. "Such a desirable task."

Kayleigh, too distracted by her cartoon, simply bounced along to it and giggled every couple of seconds.

"That one's easy" Matthew laughed, pointing to his little sister. "Give her some cartoons and she's set for life. But you can't expect me to stay in Parlor Town by myself with nothing else to do."

"You could always bother Holly and Tommy."

Her old friend shook his head. "Holly's with Jeremy Lockhart's sister doing some shopping and Tommy is way too annoying for me to have any fun with. And before you ask, I have no idea where Dawn is, Lucas is too busy working on some project and both the Augustine girls are busy. That leaves you, oh mighty White Mage."

"Well, I've got a lot on my mind, Matt" she replied. "So I can't exactly have you here distracting me." When Matthew didn't move, she pointed towards the door. "That means go away."

Matthew sighed. "Okay. Thought you could use some company all here by your lonesome, but I can see when I'm not wanted."

"It's not that I don't want you here. I'm just so unfocused right now. I need to get back to some kind of balance in my life."

"Life is supposed to be unbalanced" her friend replied as he tried to take his Poke Gear back from his sister. "Trying so hard to balance things makes your life even more unbalanced." Kayleigh began to whine about the cartoons being cut off, but relented when Matthew picked her up. "But, you do you. Maybe I could go annoy Billy or something. Haven't seen him in a while, so he's probably still worried about Amanda." Matthew gave her a head nod before heading for the door.

Addison sighed and grabbed his wrist, halting him in place. "Wait. Maybe you could help me, after all." Though she was hoping Matthew's was the first glance she got, she was surprised to find an angry and grumpy looking Kayleigh Kingston glaring at her until Matthew lowered her to the ground and turned her cartoon back on for her. As she was distracted, Addison was flabbergasted by the girl's coldness. "What was that all about?"

"Kayleigh is not your biggest fan" Matthew chuckled.

"Why's that? She was never that way before."

"Let's just say she's angry you took one of her Broboos away from her."

Addison walked over to Kayleigh and gently patted her back. "Oh, sweetie. I'd never take your brother away from you."

Kayleigh fidgeted at the girl's touch. "Addy make me miss toons!"

"Okay, now she's mad you're taking her from her cartoons" Matthew laughed.

Unable to coerce the toddler into seeing things her way, Addison admitted defeat and opened the way to her own balcony in her guest bedroom. "Maybe we can get a bit of privacy out here." She paused in the doorway when she noticed Kayleigh had put down her cartoons to speak with her big brother. She did her best not to listen in, but found it increasingly hard not to given her recent spike in mental prowess and just stood awkwardly in the doorway as brother and sister conversed.

"Addy no take Broboo!"

"How many times do I have to tell you, Kayleigh?" Matthew said lovingly. "No one can replace you to me. It's you and me against the world, sweetie."

"Pwomise?"

Matthew grinned and nodded. "Promise." He knelt down beside her on the bed and held out his pinky finger to make the vow. The two shook their pinkies in unison (well, Matthew did as Kayleigh's were still too small and she just continually whacked her hand into his pinky before resuming her cartoons. Once she was back to being distracted, Matthew returned his attention to Addison. "Well, shall we?"

"Let's avoid as many angry toddler stares as possible" Addison sighed. She walked back inside, took her friend's hand and pulled him out onto the small balcony before shutting the door behind them. Once they were alone, Addison finally felt herself able to vent to him. "I can't believe Kayleigh hates me for coming between her and Ryan."

"She's our little sister" her friend explained to the best of his ability. "She adored both of us."

"She wasn't like that before" she recalled. "And I would never get in between them."

"Things are a lot harder on her now. She's probably going to be like this for a long time. Not having Ryan or Dad has been hard on her." His smile faded. "It's been hard on all of us."

"You're preaching to the choir" Addison glumly added. "I know what Chris said is exciting and all, but every time I try to get excited that there might still be a chance we can be together again, something gets in the way. Like today. Countess Rosemary told me yesterday that love was the source of my power, but now she's telling me it's a distraction. How can I still love Ryan if I don't even know if I'm going to see him again? Or my Dad? Or anyone we've lost?" She rested on the rails that looked out into the gardens below and pounded on them in frustration. "How can she expect me to surrender and lose the very thing that makes me strong?"

"Maybe that's not exactly what she's saying?"

"Huh? How do you figure?"

Matthew came beside her. "Well, remember. She's like eight hundred years old."

Addison snorted in laughter. "Hahahahahaha!"

"And people her age don't really know how kids like us act" Matthew contemplated, dismissing her bellyful of laughter at his joke. "It's hard for us not to wear our emotions on our sleeves. We value people and lives more than they did." He shrugged. "Maybe they didn't care that much back in the day. I mean, if I had the choice of being what she was or having an entire life to live, I'd pick the life every time. How could I tell Mom or Dad that they don't matter to me as much as some dinky outfits and magic powers?"

"I'd love to see you explaining that to people" Addison remarked playfully.

"She also seems like she's not the best at articulating her points. Maybe she's telling you that she doesn't want you to be weak or vulnerable when that day does come. I mean, I don't really know how all of this is going to play out. We may not get the chance to be able to help you when it matters most." He shook his head. "No. I will be. Even if it kills me, I will be there."

Addison sighed. "That's something I don't want. No one should have to lose their lives over this. I just wish there was some way we could solve this and live peacefully. Too many people have been hurt already."

"Too bad Mewtwo doesn't agree." Matthew thought for a moment about Addison's predicament. "Maybe there is a way you can keep your mind off of your missing loved ones, while also keeping them in your heart." He looked down at her hand. "You're not wearing it?"

Addison looked at her ring finger and shook her head. "It's too painful for me to-"

"That wasn't bright" Matthew commented. "My brother meant the world to you and you were his whole world. Keep that ring on at all times, Addy."

"How did you find out about it?"

"I overheard him and Julia talking about it before the dinner we all had." Matthew smiled faintly. "The way he talked about you, about not losing you and what he wanted to do to make sure you were never separated again, it was surprising. He loved you in ways that I've never seen before. In ways that...that I never felt before." He nodded to himself. "And that's precisely why I could never fill his shoes with you, nor do I ever plan on it."

Addison held her empty hand in front of her face and took a deep breath, emotion already swelling inside of her. Without warning, she flung herself at Matthew and wrapped her arms around him. "I miss him, Matt. I miss him so much!"

Matthew could do little more than pat her back. "So do I, Addy. But, maybe this is a way you don't have to feel like he's left you."

"You really...you really think I should?"

Though she could feel he wanted to say otherwise, he simply nodded to her. "I do. It was...disgusting how close you two were."

She laughed and slapped him on his forehead. "You jerk!"

"That's why I conceded the fight with him and settled on being the better big brother" Matthew joked. He glanced back into Addison's room to make sure his sister was still there. "There was no sense in keeping up the fight with him anymore. Even when he's gone, maybe never coming back, he's still the one you want here cheering you up and not me."

Addison shook her head. "While I want nothing more than for him and I to be together, this was something I needed you to tell me."

"Why me?"

"Because I did love you both" Addison admitted. "You were both my best friends. I wanted nothing more than for it to be the three of us taking on Arcana together. But if I had seen what was brewing between you two, I would have done everything I could to stop it." She lowered her head. "Saying goodbye to you on Mt. Heatmor, even after all you had done to me, was one of the hardest things I ever did. It was something I thought was forever. That one of my best friends in the whole world was gone and whoever that boy was trapped in a ditch had killed him."

"If Jocelyn hadn't chosen to save me, I wouldn't have changed my ways" Matthew answered.

"But that's why I need you here" Addison continued. "You're not taking Ryan's place in my heart. No one ever could. But you are coming back to fill a different role. The one you've had every day since we were babies. Being my best friend." She took his hand in hers. "Because whether we admit it or not, we're the only ones who can understand how truly lost we are without him."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that" Matthew confidently proclaimed. "Because I'm not going anywhere. So long as you need me, I'll be there. One way, or another." The two looked back towards the room and noticed Kayleigh trying to peek out the window at the two. He winked at Addison, gave her hand a heartfelt squeeze and rushed back inside. Kayleigh tried to get away, but Matthew scooped her up into his arms. "So, spying on me, were ya?!" He playfully dropped her on the bed, lifted up her shirt and gave her belly farts.

Kayleigh's laughter brought a smile to Addison's face as she reentered her room. Finally, for the first time since their journey had begun, the Matthew she had been longing to come back, had returned to her.

{}

"Unkie Kiss and Antie Pipe!" Princess Arya cheered as she trotted along through the gardens of Kingston Castle with her godparents following her. While his beloved Piper held the ice cream cone Arya had pleaded to have but seemingly forgot she was supposed to eat, Chris was pushing the stroller containing the heir to the throne, who was busy teething on a rubber set of play keys to care about anything in the world. The small little group reached the final turn in the garden before they would have to return to the soccer pitch and in turn the veranda. While his legs were sore from all the walking they had done, the moment Chris tried to steer his nephew's stroller towards the castle, his niece leaped in front of it and babbled at them, pointing at the garden. "Wakkie takkie time!"

"We've already done six laps around the gardens, Princess Arya" Piper giggled. "Besides, I'm sure Mommy and Daddy want to see you for dinner."

"Pweese!" the girl pleaded, running past the stroller and hugging Chris's leg tightly with her little arms.

Chris sighed at Michael's daughter and scooped her up into his arms. "Okay, Princess. How about we do two more laps the next time we babysit you? Unkie Kiss has to make sure his own Daddy and Step Mommy are taken care of. It's the job of a big kid. Are you a big kid, Arya?"

"Arry biggest kid!" Arya declared, patting herself on her chest.

"Good girl" Chris winked, lowering her. "Now come on. Let's go take care of Mommy and Daddy."

While Arya stumbled along ahead towards the castle, Piper caught up to the trio. She kissed her finger and bopped her nephew's nose. "You, Lord Kingston, will make an excellent father one day. Just like my stud of a nephew will make a great King."

"So long as we have the same role model to follow" Chris reflected, "I think him and I will be okay." He glanced up ahead and saw someone waiting for them as they returned. Arya's stubby little toddler feet went into a full on sprint when she realized who it was. Chris himself picked up the pace as they made it onto the soccer pitch and he realized it was Arya happily running to see her mother.

"Mama! Unkie Kiss and Antie Pipe take Arry wakkie!"

"I'm glad you had fun, my little princess" Julia laughed, kissing her daughter on the cheek. "But we've got to get you dressed for dinner tonight. Your Aunt Olivia and Aunt Deidre are coming over for dinner tonight."

"No dress!" Arya howled in protest.

"Yes dress" her mother replied. "Your brother will be dressed up too, you know."

"Broduh don't know better" Arya grumbled.

Chris and Piper unstrapped James from the stroller and carried the future king up to his mother's awaiting embrace. Piper playfully tickled the boy's nose before returning him. "Two of those children are incredible. Three may just make me swoon. You and Michael have incredible children, Julia."

"We sure do" Julia replied, playfully rubbing her nose against her sons. James patted her nose before yawning, prompting Julia to take the boy into her arms. "Do you guys have any plans for tonight?"

Piper giggled. "Lord Kingston here is taking me out for dinner with his parents and sisters."

"All three are in town?"

Chris nodded. "Yep. Nee never leaves home these days and Kat's back from filming another movie at Virbank. And Cameron is always up for messing with the family."

"Would you mind if I borrowed you for a minute?" Julia asked.

"What do you need from us?" Piper asked.

"Actually, just Chris sweetie" the Queen responded, laughing.

Piper was surprised at this, but shrugged. "Oh. Okay then. Forget me once Chris comes back then..."

Julia rolled her eyes. "Don't be a drama queen, Piper. This is something only Chris can help me figure out. My issue is not one you and I share, fortunately enough for someone Chris is already over the moon about."

Chris, embarrassed at being the center of the Pines Girls tiff, got in-between them. "Okay, I got it. Piper, I'll stick with Julia for a bit. But to make it fair, you can harass her husband while he's doing work in the Lord's Study or whatever Grandpa's room is called." Piper winked at the two and took her niece's hand, determined to go and bother Michael enough to make the score even with Julia borrowing him. Once the two had gone inside, Chris sat with Julia as she held her son close to her. "So, what's up?"

"I don't suppose you heard about what happened today?"

"Am I supposed to be sad that formerly fat bitch Betsy got banished?"

Julia shook her head. "Not that. She was doomed the moment she opened her mouth in the hearing. I meant afterward. Big Mike and Michael were at each other's throats over what happened with Leonard. But before that...Chris, I need to ask you something. Something really important."

"Shoot away, Jules."

"How long as Cameron hated me?"

Chris sighed. "Oh. That. Well, I don't think you'd like the answer to that."

"What did I do to warrant her hate? I want to be in a better place with her, but every time I try she just pushes away."

"Look, I don't want to get involved in this, but it's only fair that you know." Chris scratched the back of his head. "She hasn't really been much of a fan of yours since you turned me down when we were kids. You know, that whole date thing?"

The Queen gasped. "How did she-"

"I was kinda upset about it and told her" he admitted. "Losing Mike, then my Mom and then getting friendzoned by you was not a good time for me."

"Chris, it's not like I didn't care about you."

"I know that. But after losing you , Cam was the only thing I really had at that point. Dad was so distant and I wasn't sure I could trust Shannon or the girls. And she was not your biggest fan as far back as then. It only amplified after what happened between you and Mike during that Syndicate Crisis two years ago. The only reason she's held her tongue for so long was for Michael's sake. She didn't want to lose him again."

Julia frowned. "There's been bad blood between us for so long?"

"She's surprisingly good at restraining herself when she needs to" Chris playfully joked. "But I'm sure you two can smooth it over."

"I'm not sure if it's already too late. Annie had to separate us just before we had to separate Michael and his father. I don't have any anger at her, but she's so..."

"Apprehensive?"

"I guess that works. But you guys going to dinner tonight could explain why Cameron hasn't responded to my text about joining Liv and us for dinner tonight." She looked to Chris as her son cooed in her arms. "Sweetie, could you just, you know, try to smooth things over between us? I don't want to have any more bad blood in this family. The last thing we need before this Mewtwo crisis explodes. I'm begging here."

Chris grinned. "I could never turn you down, Jules."

"Not for any romantic feelings, I hope" Julia teased.

"Nah. I got a great consolation prize for losing you in Piper. Not gonna lie though, I need Cynthia to stay in Arcana as long as possible, because if Cameron got to see Piper the way I have, she might be the second relative of mine to steal a Pines girl from me."

Julia blushed and laughed. "Well, now. That was a low blow. I should tell you, though, that Michael knows."

"Yeah, I got to get him back for scaring me when I got back with that" Chris laughed. "Maybe I'll slowly corrupt my little goddaughter." He paused at this. "Oh wait a minute. I have an idea. Julia, who are James's godparents?"

Julia was about to answer, but herself became stumped at this. "Huh. I don't think we ever named them. I wouldn't even begin to know who we would name now."

"I'd name Cameron as the Godmother at least" he suggested. "That could begin to sway her back to your side."

"That just leaves a godfather" Julia remarked. "This one could be rough. I'll speak with Michael about this tonight." She leaned towards Chris and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Chris. It's been hard not having you here for us. I truly am glad you're home."

"Let's just hope it stays that way."