The days of experimenting for Lucas and his team had proven to be less fruitful than he had originally anticipated. They had the Time Flute at their hands for several weeks, but were as close to figuring out how it worked as they were when Michael first handed it over to him. Now, he sat at the table in the Cellar of Kingston Castle, scratching his head incessantly as time continued to dwindle away. Amber and Justin were the only ones who were joining him in worrying about their plans to get the Time Flute to work, while Corey was distracted with the soon to be completed work on rescuing the hostage Pokemon stored on the External Hard Drive that Claude had stolen from every computer in the world and Dylan was filming promos for their online news show which had been running on dry with the end of the war with Claude's forces and the upcoming fateful clash with Mewtwo.

Nothing they tried worked. Corey analyzed the flute with every single technological method he could. Studied it's properties, it's makeup and it's versatility, to no avail. Amber approached things from a more romantic side and tried to read about tales of it's prior use, but none had been written to this point. For the sake of his "kinda sorta" girlfriend, Dylan attempted to get into contact with the last person known to possess a Time Flute in Orre, the Guardian of Mt. Battle, but he admitted he only protected it and had never sought to use it. Justin, with his teachings in high arts and music as well as his web series at his disposal, attempted to gauge how best it could be played and what tune would activate it's power. But he also had failed, with none of his surprisingly decent sized fan base being able to help figure out the key to this mysterious instrument. Lucas approached it from every angle he possibly could, including thinking like Dawn and trying to figure it out through sheer luck and determination. All five of them had come up empty, prompting Corey and Dylan to focus on other things and for the remainder of the group to simply stare at the chest containing the Time Flute, it's vexing properties driving them almost to the point of complete madness.

Lucas was relieved to find someone coming down to see their progress. He had initially hoped it would be Dawn, but was not entirely disappointed when it was revealed to be the Queen. Julia came out of the elevator and saw the distraught faces of the trio at the table and sighed. "So, I take it you all haven't been having much success down here, either?"

"We're sorry, Your Majesty" Amber lamented. "But this Flute has...I don't know. Something about it is making this so hard to crack. Usually we can figure things out so easily."

"It's positively vexing" Justin remarked. "Nothing we try will work."

"I'm starting to think my big idea might just be a big dud" Lucas frowned.

"The key to being smart isn't that all of your ideas end up right" Julia commented. "It's that you know what to do next when you've failed. If you pack it all in, you aren't ready to succeed Professor Rowan. We're all rooting for you." She came to Lucas's side. "But you should know that it's almost time for that special party everyone's been planning for Addison's birthday. You all were invited and I think it would make her feel good if you go."

"We've got to keep working" Lucas insisted sadly. "I don't want to let anyone down."

Julia seemed eager to say something, but held herself back and looked to Corey on the computer. "I hope you have had some success."

Corey nodded. "We are, Your Grace. 97% complete. Some 3.2 billion Pokemon to sort through and we'll have them all at our beck and call. It's amazing."

"We're not using them for reinforcements" Julia replied, though Lucas could tell through her words that they would be essentially on their own against whatever Mewtwo threw at them. "We want to reunite these trainers with their Pokemon as soon as possible." She looked at the files of the millions of trainers who had been deprived of their Pokemon. "So many people without their Pokemon. It's a shame Mewtwo doesn't realize how much people and Pokemon depend on each other. This whole thing could have been avoided if he listened to people who cared instead of frolicking about with the likes of Elezar, Cassius and Claude." She patted Corey on his shoulder. "Keep up the good work."

Lucas looked desperately to the Queen. "Your Grace. Do you think it's possible that the King could help us decipher this?"

Julia sadly shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not. Considering what we're going to be in store for, he's been spending a lot of time training and preparing for the upcoming battles. Now, he's tending to some last minute affairs for the state. After that, it's back to training. I haven't been able to see much of him and neither have our children. But that's what happens when you marry a man like him." She sighed and turned to leave, when the elevator brought down yet another person.

Lucas curiously looked past him at the newcomer. The butler Gerard was standing with a strange looking man in a violet-colored suit and a flamboyant white cloak around his shoulders. A lone stray part of his hair hung down from his head and served as a dividing point between either half of his face. Lucas thought at first he was a traveling musician, or a "Bard" as they called them in Arcana. But he seemed to have some strong sense of purpose to being here. He immediately bowed respectfully towards Julia as Gerard introduced him.

"A thousand pardons, Queen Julia" the butler spoke dryly, "but I would like to introduce a new guest."

"My name is Eusine" the man answered proudly. "I have traveled all the way here from the Johto Region to seek an audience with the King of Arcana."

Julia curtsied to him. "Well, it's an honor to have you, Eusine. But the King is currently tending to the affairs of state."

"If I may, I would like to wait for him" the man requested. "It's very important that we speak to each other. It concerns Celebi, the Mythical Pokemon of Light and Time." Eusine paused when he saw the box on the table in the room. He rushed towards the table in absolute awe. "Can it be? Do my eyes deceive me? Is this the Legendary Time Flute of Orre?"

"We're currently trying to figure out how it works" Justin revealed, though Lucas urged him subtly to stop him from revealing too much.

Eusine did his best to keep his urge to examine the device further from coming to pass and restrained himself. "I've been looking for these for years, ever since the first Shadow Pokemon affair. I found nothing in Orre and the only person I knew had one has not been seen in some time: the hero Wes."

"You know about how it could work?" Amber asked.

Eusine nodded. "Absolutely. You see, I've been studying the lore of Johto for some time. The Mythical Beasts, in particular Suicune, were of particular interest to me. But now I've been trying to get into learning more about the mysterious shrine that is in the Ilex Forest. It's said to be the place where Celebi comes and goes between our world and the Realm of Arceus. But then I learned about the Relic Stone in Orre and hoped I could find out more there, to no avail. I have delved into research about the Time Flute since I was told to seek out the King of Arcana, who was the guardian of Celebi. It can only play one singular song. When it plays, some say it calls Celebi forth almost immediately, while others have written that it's possible to harness Celebi's powers as a mere mortal."

"Do you know the song?" Lucas inquired curiously.

"I believe it's called 'Ode to the Light'" the eccentric man recalled. "On my Poke Gear, I happen to have one of the few copies of the song ever passed down." He took out his Poke Gear and opened up the page where the song was. He began to hum the melody, until stopping and nodding. "Yes. I know for sure this is the one."

Lucas, despite his initial hesitation, opened up the chest containing the Time Flute and handed it to Eusine. "Please play it. We want to see any effects it might have."

"Sure, but what is this all about, if I may?"

"Hopefully" Julia intervened, "when the King is available, he'll be able to fill you in."

Eusine took the flute into his hands and played the song. It was without a doubt one of the most haunting themes he had ever heard, it causing his heart to quiver in unknown emotions. Even Dylan, who had been busy filming promos in the dungeon next door, hurried out to listen to the music. The melody combined a sense of pathos with one of mystery and wonder, all culminating with a sorrowful end. When Eusine finished playing with it, the Time Flute began to glow. He was completely flabbergasted. "My word. I've never seen anything of the sort before."

Lucas quickly snatched the Flute back and looked as it glowed with an emerald light. He put the flute by the chest, accidentally causing the chest to slide a few inches towards a wilting flower in a dried vase. To everyone's amazement, the wilting flower slowly began to perk up again. Lucas quickly jotted down the notes of their first successful experiment, underlining the words "Ode to the Light". The flower perked all the way up until even reverting back towards it's pre-bloom phase as a bud. The flute then began to dim, as did it's magic affects. The flower did not grow backwards anymore and instead remained in it's bud form.

"Incredible" Justin gasped. "I haven't seen anything like this in all my life."

"I don't think anyone has" Amber laughed. "This is amazing."

"The King needs to know about this" Lucas insisted.

Julia nodded. "Keep doing your research. I'll deal with the King." She looked at her guest and smiled brightly. "Eusine, if you be so kind as to leave your Poke Gear and that wonderful song with these kids, we'll be going to see the King now." She wrapped her arm around his and led him back towards the elevator.

"I thought you said that the King was unavailable" Eusine recalled, half-laughing.

"This takes precedence over whatever paperwork our Grand Vizier has him filling out" Julia proclaimed, leading him back into the elevator and closing it behind them.

As the elevator vanished back to the first floor, Lucas eyed the flower from every angle, astonished that the flute had done this much with just one play. "I'd never have believed if if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." The Pachirisu, who often did not bother his trainer while he researched and had been snoozing in a chair near Corey, leaped up onto the table and sniffed curiously at the flower. He then chirped in excitement and leaped onto Lucas's head.

"This is all fine and good" Dylan answered cautiously, "but how is this going to impact what we want to accomplish?"

"What do we want to accomplish?" Amber inquired curiously to Lucas. "You do have a plan, right?"

"I was hoping to see if it was possible" Lucas admitted. "Now that we know it is, I'm wondering just how much of a game changer this could be."

{}

As the second franchise open in the world after the first in Gateon Port in the Orre Region, the Krabby Klub in the Northern Outpost was always open for a rollicking good time. No one was turned away, as there were separate sections for those who were there to party as adults and those who were going to party as kids and those not interested in drinking. This made it the perfect place for Addison to have her fifteenth birthday party at. Though she had been expecting something more grand and robust, just the fact that she had all but a few people she wanted there celebrating with her was enough for her. The only people missing were Michael and Julia (both extremely busy running all of Arcana and preparing for what would come), the ArcNet Team (apparently busy with some kind of top secret project along with Lucas and Justin), her father, Jeremy, Annette and of course Ryan, all of whom could be there for obvious reasons. But present were her mother, her Aunt Caitlin, Jasmine and Morgan Augustine, Dawn, Holly, Tommy, Alison Kingston, Kayleigh, Matthew, Christopher Kingston and Piper.

While a band played various fun music for all to be entertained by, their table (paid for by Chris and Piper) was loaded from top to bottom with either foods of all kinds, sweet deserts, drinks and presents from everyone who could make it, even some from those who couldn't. With all that was on her mind, Addison was grateful for even this momentary distraction. Everyone got their turn to "serenade" the birthday girl with a karaoke version of popular songs, all of them getting her to burst into laughter. Jasmine and Morgan combined their efforts in singing a duet sung by sisters on a big theatrical performance that took place in Castelia City in Unova, clearly the best and most rehearsed number. Tommy was then goaded into singing a song in Kalosian, a language he neither knew or cared to know, prompting Addison to almost have soda pop come out of her nose in laughter and Holly to hide her head in shame, furthermore when her brother shoveled food down his throat like he had never eaten before. Dawn put on a show with a pop number from Sinnoh, earning respect from many present and those who were popping their heads in. Kayleigh wanted to sing a song at first, but succumbed to shyness and stagefright and needing to be taken off stage by her mother. Holly sang a love song that she had performed while traveling for her contests before this whole crisis with Mewtwo began, her voice almost bringing Addison to tears.

When it was nearly time for his turn, while Piper and Chris serenaded everyone with their own shared favorite love song, Addison saw Matthew approaching her with his idea for a song to sing. When he showed her the name of the song, she raised an eyebrow. "Feats of Flight? I've never heard of it."

"Would I steer you wrong?" Matthew laughed. "Come on, Addy. It's a great song. I heard it in Johto."

"Aww" Addison teased, "is it Big Sister Jocelyn's favorite tune?"

Matthew rolled his eyes. "Be thankful it's your birthday, Addy. So, can I sing it?"

"I don't know? Can you sing?"

"Like Meloetta" he boasted. "Watch me." As Chris and Piper finished off their number, Matthew strode onto the stage and surprised everyone with a surprisingly heartfelt number about finding yourself in the world beyond your home. Kayleigh was cheering as if her big brother was a celebrity and Addison could tell that Jasmine Augustine wasn't quite over her feelings for Matthew just yet as she leaned on their table and eyed him endearingly. When Matthew had concluded, the group applauded. Matthew tried to goad Addy into doing a number, but she quickly shoved a plate of nachos into her mouth to prevent her from being called on next. This prompted Tommy to volunteer to go up again, which everyone besides Holly cheered for.

She quickly swallowed the food as Matthew came back down to their table and drank from his Soda Pop, raising it as if to toast Addison's fifteenth birthday. Realizing she wouldn't have made it this far without him by her side, she echoed his movements and the two drank together.

"You know something?" Holly chimed in as she leaned over towards the birthday girl. "I think I can see that feeling between you two."

Addison quickly denied it. "What?! No way! Matt and Me? You're out of your mind if you think-"

"That's not what I meant" her friend answered. While her brother sang out of key to the enjoyment and mockery of everyone present, Holly took her friend's hand and moved back out into a vacant part of the Krabby Klub to speak more privately. When they were alone, she sat her and Addison down to talk. "I don't think I was ever particularly subtle a few years back about how much I liked Ryan."

Addison giggled. "If you weren't my best female friend, I would have clobbered you."

Holly sighed. "I was a blissfully naive girl. But since then, I've come to the conclusion that Jeremy would always be the one for me. Even in all of that time during the war, when Ryan and I were bonding more and more. I could only ever think of Jeremy. We were each other's date to Jon and Annie's wedding, yet he was all I could think of. Ryan did everything he could to cheer me up and I did the same for him." She smiled softly. "That's what I meant. I think it's clear that you and I are best friends from a girl's perspective and Ryan and Matt used to be from a brotherly one. And while I still find Matthew to be a bit abrasive and nothing remotely close to being boyfriend material, you and Ryan were clearly made for one another. But when it comes to the certain things we can't talk about or do with the other, you've come to depend more on Matthew than I ever remember you doing when we were kids. And during the war, when you and Ryan were a bit more distant with each other, he and I leaned on each other more than I've ever remembered, even when you were abducted by the Syndicate."

Addison scratched her head. "Where are you going with this?"

"Matt really is your best friend" she observed. "And Ryan was mine. That's why losing him has hurt me so much." She slumped on the table. "First Jeremy and now Ryan, it's almost like the universe is telling me I'm not supposed to love or care about anyone."

Addison paused. Does she not know? She hadn't seen much of Holly since Ryan had been allegedly struck down by Hunter. Had she not learned about Ryan potentially being on Mirage Island in the same state Avery was? Would it mean much to tell her now? How much would it change between them? I doubt I would have much competition from her for him, but what if I'm also getting my hopes up? After all, since she found out from Christopher Kingston that Ryan wasn't truly dead, she had gotten no additional words from him. And Mewtwo would probably have gloated from the high heavens if he had finally disposed of him. Something was off, but it was probably for the best that Holly didn't get her hopes too high. "You'll always have me." She put her hand on top of Holly's. "You can count on me."

Holly smiled. "I know I can."

"Don't tell me Tommy's singing was that bad" Dawn called over to them.

With Addison deep in thought, Holly took the initiative. "No, it was actually so good that we had to move away to make sure everyone in the Klub could hear it." She raced over to insist that her brother not spoil his vocal chords more, allowing Addison some more time to mull over her feelings.

I sense something is amiss, Galatea's voice echoed in her head. We need to go to our session with the Countess.

Addison would have responded, but Matthew coming over stopped her from doing so. Matthew sat across from her in one of the chairs at the table and eyed her worriedly. "Is everything okay?"

Though she was lying, she nodded. "Yep. Never better."

"You sure?"

"Why do you ask?"

Matthew sighed. "Because I know you. I've always known you. You don't want to be alone unless you've got stuff on your mind. Like when you tried to throw me and Kayleigh out of your room at the Castle."

Addison politely shook her head. "Well, I'd think I'd know if something was wrong. But thanks for checking in on me, Matt."

"Like I always do" her friend shrugged.

"Come on Addy!" Tommy cheered. "These presents aren't going to unwrap themselves!"

"Tommy!" Holly snapped at her brother. "These presents aren't for you! She'll open them when she's good and ready!"

"Addy isn't ready" Dawn noticed, "so let's sing a few songs and eat some of this food until she is!"

As the party went on without them, Matthew and Addison remained in the corner of the room. Addison could tell from her friend's mind that he had no intention of leaving her side. She eyed him and frowned. "Would a simple 'go away' suffice?"

Matthew gave her a cheeky smile. "Sure. When you've told me what's wrong."

Addison slumped in the booth she was sitting in. "Everything's going to change soon, Matt. All that we know could be thrown for a loop. The world may never be the same place it was before. I thought the changes we had to go through before were bad. But this? This is on a whole new level. What if I can't do this? What if Mewtwo beats me? What if this warrior I keep seeing in my dreams defeats me? What if Mewtwo does to you guys what he did to my Dad? What if he manages to separate us from our Pokemon again? What if-" She paused when Matthew grabbed her hand and held it gently. "What are you doing?"

"You need to relax" Matthew told her. "Getting yourself worked up over this is not healthy."

"Easy for you to say" Addison countered. "The world doesn't rest on your shoulders."

"Who knows? It might just."

"I thought you were done being so arro-"

"Because I am going to be fighting out there with you, Addy" her friend assured her. "Maybe the only thing that can save the day is me taking a bullet for you or something."

Addison was shocked at this. "You mean you'd-"

"I told you before" Matthew promised her. "I'm here until the end. If that end comes on the battlefield or whatever, so be it." He held her hand there, doing the best he could to impart a sense of calm onto her. "We're all going to be there with you. That means we all get to celebrate if you win and we all go down if you lose."

"Gee, that's so reassuring" Addison laughed, before slipping her hand from his. "There's only one positive thing to losing. I get to be with Ryan again."

"And so do I" Matt remarked. "Maybe you should lose."

Addison slapped him, but she could tell this time there was truly no malice in it. She and Matthew were finally back to some kind of normality. And she would take it any day over their animosity or mistrusting, or heaven forbid that one time she mistook him for Ryan in a moment of weakness. She rose from the table and shook her head. "Nope. Can't let Mewtwo keep hurting people. One way or another, with Countess Rosemary's help, I'm going to finish this."

Matthew nodded. "Good. No coward's way out."

"It's only a cowardly way when it's you who says it" she winked. The two rose to their feet and it was Addison who initiated a hug between them. As they came apart, Addison kissed him on the cheek and then rushed past him, laughing to the others as happily as she had done in weeks. "Alright, which of these presents do I open first?"

{}

"But why is he avoiding me all of a sudden?" Lizzie inquired to her friends. She had found Mark, Greta and Cameron sitting outside on the Veranda of Kingston Castle after again failing to coerce a word from Justin Jacques. She was beginning to fear that something had put a rift between them and she couldn't even be sure if she wanted it there or not. In her moments of confusion, she would often look to her friends and prayed to Arceus above that they would have an answer for her. "He hasn't been able to spend a minute in the same room as me. Just a few minutes ago, he almost locked himself and Dylan in the dungeons just to avoid me."

"You did kinda rampage around the castle when someone had the audacity to give you a flower and think it was from him" Mark reminded her. "You even thought I was doing it."

Lizzie's frown only deepened. "I didn't mean to cause this."

"The kid's scared of you" Cameron shrugged. "I don't see how this isn't a good thing."

"Maybe she wants a normal relationship with him?" Greta snapped. "Come on, the poor thing-"

"For all we know, Justin is still just trying to hide from Madeline" Mark assured the women.

"But I'm not Madeline" Lizzie cried out. "I don't understand. Is it...is it me?"

"Is what you?"

Lizzie lowered her head. "I know I'm not Madeline or Annie or Julia or even you, Cam. I'm not like you guys. Not outgoing or assertive or...pretty."

"Well that part is not true" Greta insisted. "Lizzie, you are beautiful and anyone who doesn't see it is just fooling themselves. You just need to go about things with him a different way. Maybe the flower thing was a little much..."

"I know I kinda flipped out on him, but that doesn't explain how-"

"I meant from me" she admitted. "I was the one who left the flower there."

"You?!" Lizzie gasped.

"Greta, what did I tell you about butting into other people's business?" Mark sternly asked her.

"Is it my fault I'm a romantic?" she countered. "Look, for all we know, the world is going to end in a few days. I just figured we could all use some happiness in our lives. And before anyone else gets on my case about this, the King also agreed it could work."

"Michael knew?" he asked in surprise.

"Of course he knew" Lizzie grumbled. "And threw me off the scent when-"

"Michael just wants you all to be happy" Cameron intervened, lowering her head. "It's like his farewell song to all of us."

"Farewell song?" Greta asked. "I don't understand. Is the King not well?"

Cameron sighed. "The King is ready to give his all to make sure we all can keep going. That's always been his motivation, not caring about himself if others can go on. That's why he let Arceus give him that stupid brand again and that's why he's willing to lead this battle if Addison isn't ready when it comes. I'm sure she will be, but the thought still scares me nonetheless. He's been ready to die for us since he came back to stomp out Giselle. But now, I'm afraid it's going to happen."

"So Michael wants me to be happy?" Lizzie inquired.

"Yes" Cameron answered.

"I would be happy if he gets to stay here" she answered. "Losing him isn't in the cards for me."

"Or me" Mark affirmed. "We've been through thick and thin together. We need more time together for the fun stuff, not all this darkness and war."

"And what would become of the Queen or their children?" Greta gulped.

"I'd be more concerned with their children" Cameron answered bluntly. "Not that I'm trying to slight her here or anything, but I think that if she loses Michael again, Julia will fall apart. The one thing I have to admit about her is that she does love Michael. More than anyone has ever loved anyone else, I think."

Lizzie's face remained drooped. "If Michael wants me to be happy, then how can I mend things with Justin? I don't even know if I want to do anything with him. I just want him to know we're still friends." Though a small, shrunken part of her mind seemed to be thinking with her heart. Maybe there was someone out there for her. And maybe it could be Justin. If only she could figure out how to set things right with him.

"How about we stop thinking about how bad things are and focus instead on how great things will be?" Greta asked confidently.

"What happened to this whole 'world ending' thing?" Cameron coyly inquired.

"Positive vibes only, Lady Cameron" Greta teased.

"Well, this seems like a ladies thing" Mark said distantly. "So, I'll be heading out to make sure I'm in fighting shape."

"You will do no such thing" Greta snapped. "We have a date tonight, remember?"

"You really think I'm going to neglect that?" Mark asked rhetorically. "I'll do some training, freshen up and then we'll go to Jeice Kingston's Bistro." Without another word and ignoring his 'kinda sorta' girlfriend's angry huffs, Mark vanished down the steps and out into the field to train with his Pokemon.

Greta sighed happily. "Sometimes I want to clobber him, but other times I just can't get enough of him."

Cameron rolled her eyes. "This lovey dovey nonsense is enough for me, too. Hopefully I can get some extra training done until Chris or Michael is done with their stuff to work with me." She rose from the table and departed as quickly as Mark had and unintentionally reminded Lizzie of the more pressing matter at hand.

"What am I doing?" Lizzie angrily yelled, slapping her head angrily. "I can't worry about anything going on between me and Justin! I have work to do!"

"What happened to wanting to mend things?"

Lizzie shook her head. "First, I have to make sure that there's a world to mend things with him in." Without another word, Lizzie followed Mark down the stairs and called out her Umbreon, Jazz. The excitable Umbreon leaped in front of her and glowed with an Aura of Dark Power. She pointed her finger at the flabbergasted Mark. "Mark! We have only a few days left to prepare ourselves for this! And I won't let either of us slack off! Let's battle!"

Mark was unable to properly say the words he wanted to, before shrugging and sending out his Pikachu. With his Pikachu and Jazz having sparred dozens of times over the years, both Pokemon prepared for the clash. The Pikachu prepared a Volt Tackle as the Umbreon sent out a wickedly ominous Dark Pulse. Though the Pokemon were eager to assert themselves, both Mark and Lizzie knew that time was of the essence. If they weren't ready, they would only get in the way. And that was something neither of them wanted to do.

{}

In the Lord's Study, Michael was practically working alone on his paperwork as Annie wistfully went through a list of names for her and Jon's child that she and her sister had written up over the past few weeks. Jon, practically jubilant at the idea of parenthood, told Annie he would not get in the way of any names she chose as long as it wasn't ridiculous. Michael simply wished his Grand Vizier was focused on the paperwork she had shoved onto his desk while she went through crossing out and thinking of names. Even Mufasa took notice of this and sat grumpily by his trainer's side, wondering why Michael was putting up with this.

After filling out one last piece of paper, he finally addressed Annie. "Feel free to help anytime, oh mighty Grand Vizier!"

"Hmmm?" she asked in a daze. "Oh, forgive me. I'm just-"

"I know what you're doing" Michael grumbled. "All of the bloody castle knows."

"You're telling me you and Julia don't have these talks?" Annie argued, though there was no anger or malice in her voice.

"She let me name Arya and we agreed on James. As far as I'm concerned, she can choose whatever she wants for our third child. But considering you shoved these papers on my desk and said these were urgent and have since been acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, I think your mind is in another place, Annie." He stacked the papers up neatly into a pile before gently massaging his wrist. "I'm gonna have Carpal Tunnel at this rate."

Annie sighed. "I'm sorry, Michael. I know I need to be on my game. But seeing how happy you and Julia are, I'm just hoping Jon and I get to be that way too."

Michael chose to simply forgive and forget. "We're all under a lot of stress. The only good thing is that when this whole ordeal with Mewtwo ends, one way or another, this will all end."

"Do you prefer Harper or Blair?" she asked.

"Why does my input matter? Ask your husband!"

"Jon's training with Billy on the Lonely Road, Julia is off doing her duties as Queen and you're all I have that won't just tell me what I want to hear. Come on, Michael. It has to be you!"

"I don't know, Blair I guess."

"You guess? This is supposed to be your Niece."

"I thought I was naming a nephew" Michael replied innocently.

"We're having a girl!" Annie insisted. "Sons can come later!"

"I don't think you get to choose." Michael's Poke Gear began to buzz like crazy in his pocket and he went to answer it. The call was coming from his brother in-law, Greg. Worried that this could be an issue over their plans for the upcoming clash with Mewtwo, Michael answered it quickly. "Greg? What is it? Is everything okay in Terra Town?"

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!" a shrieking voice cried on the other line.

Michael dropped the Poke Gear on the desk, Mufasa barking at the high pitched scream. Michael tapped the button to put the call on speakerphone. "Thanks for that, Tori. I'm now deaf in one ear!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" his sister exclaimed. "But I figured you wouldn't answer my call if I called you on mine!"

"Considering you're trying to murder me, maybe I should hang up now!"

"Mikey! You don't understand! It happened! IT FINALLY HAPPENED!"

"What's going on?" Annie asked as she approached the desk.

"Is that Julia?"

"Annie."

"Oh, Annie, it's a miracle! Arceus above is blessing us!"

"Can you cut to the chase?" Michael asked.

"I'm pregnant!"

"Oh congratulations!" Annie cooed. "Man, Arcana is going to have a Baby Boom soon with all of us getting pregnant! You, Julia, me. And I can bet Piper won't be too far behind considering how often she's alone with Chris." She teasingly looked to Michael, who did not return her look of giddiness

"I'm happy for you guys" Michael answered, still trying to get the ringing out of his ear. "Next time, though, I hope you'll remember how loud you can be."

Tori sighed on the other line. "Fine, I will. Greg wants me to tell you all that I'm...Gregnant."

"I'm going to punch him in the face for that terrible pun" Michael scowled, while Annie laughed in the background.

"Not unless you don't need me for the battle" Greg warned.

"When are you calling us in?" Tori demanded.

Greg seemed perplexed beside his wife. "Us?"

"Yeah, us. Who did you think I meant, Greg?"

Seeming to get where his in-law was coming from, Michael chose to try and mediate. "Tori, do you think it's safe for you to be battling when you're pregnant?" Michael asked his sister. "Maybe you should stay behind with Julia and Annie."

"Uh, NO!" his sister growled. "You need me! Arcana needs good battlers of all shapes and sizes. And I'm battling!"

"I'm done arguing with her at this point" Greg admitted. "Mike, if you can't convince her, no one can."

"And I'm not fighting over this" Michael concluded. "Be here tomorrow at 9 AM sharp!"

Tori nearly let out another scream. "Got it. Love ya sweetie!" She then ended the call and allowed Michael to rest his ears. Mufasa trotted up to him and laid his head on his trainer's chest and barked. The King pet his Pokemon as a knock on the door drew their attention. Julia entered with a man behind her. Annie rose and bowed to Julia as Michael rose to his feet to welcome the newcomer.

But when he and the man locked eyes, time seemed to freeze for him. The man was as much a stranger to Michael as anyone had ever been, but behind him seemed to rise the shadows of two other people. These were just as oblivious to him, yet in his heart he felt they were familiar to him. The woman behind the man had haunting eyes and a tempting smile. The man could have easily been mistaken for Michael himself, save for his lack of brawn. He had the same smile, the same soulful eyes and they seemed transfixed on the man in front of them. In the back of his mind, a singular name echoed like the tingling feeling of the Crimson Fury, though he was unsure why at first.

"Your Grace" Julia bowed respectfully. "I'd like to present a new arrival to Kingston Castle. His name is-"

"Eusine" Michael replied briskly.

Eusine was caught off guard by this. "You've...heard of me?"

Michael was silent for a good, long moment. How had he come to this conclusion? He simply shook his head. "No. It just...came to me."

"Well, I can surely say I've heard of you" Eusine remarked, before falling to a knee in front of him. "I've traveled all this way in my studies of the Mythical Pokemon Celebi. And when I learned you were the caretaker of this great Pokemon, I had to come to meet you."

"Honey" Julia called, "he has the song that is capable of unlocking the potential of the Time Flute!"

Annie was puzzled by all the comings and goings, but smiled brightly as she saw how excited Julia was. Michael was unable to find joy in this. Something about this seemed off to him. Someone who just happens to be able to play the Poke Flute and knows the song of it's power shows up in Arcana mere days before the clash with Mewtwo? He did his best to remain calm and welcoming as he walked over and shook the newcomer's hand. "Welcome to Arcana, Eusine. Unfortunately, Celebi is a little preoccupied at the moment keeping me alive."

"So I've heard" the eccentric man nodded. "Truly remarkable."

"You're welcome to go through our library or continue to study the Time Flute as you wish" Michael told him, as amicable a host as he could be given his worries. "If you need anything, you can ask our servants to attend to you."

Eusine was flustered by all of this. "Whoa. My. Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll be sure to make my research concise and prompt."

Michael glanced towards his Chief Adviser. "Annie, see that Eusine here has a guest chamber prepared for him."

Annie bowed. "Of course, Sire."

"A truly eventful month this has been" the man remarked. "First, I find out knowledge about the Shrine in the Ilex Forest, then I learn about your friendship with Celebi. If only my ancestors could see this day!"

"How did you find out about Michael watching over Celebi?" Julia inquired.

"I have a colleague I speak with on the computer" he innocently explained. "She and I have been conversing about my family legacy for some time. A deeply passionate young woman, if I do say so. So fascinated with my ancestors, Sora and Celina."

Michael froze at those names. I have vivid dreams of her life. I see her in my faint few moments of slumber. I know that she and I are connected somehow, though she and Sora did not have any children. And you are the reincarnation of Sora. Someone who was loyal and kind without a need for personal gain from something. And he gave his life to protect Celina's. Just like you've been willing to risk your life for others on many occasions. Including your precious Julia. He could feel his breathing growing rapid, his heart beating faster than before and another soul crushing realization that poor Eusine was now caught in the never ending struggle between Michael and Courtney. Evidently, even Courtney had been wrong about one thing. Sora and Celina did have a child. And their descendant was standing right in front of him, wondering if he was about to have a heart attack. He nearly fell backwards, but was caught by Annie and a frantically worried Julia.

"What's going on?" Annie asked.

"Honey?!" Julia cried.

"Your Highness?" Eusine asked.

"Eusine" Michael sputtered out as he tried to maintain his composure. "Who was this colleague of yours?"

"She goes under the name of Queen_of_Magma" he answered. "Is everything alright?"

Michael shook his head. "No. No it's not, Eusine. I have a feeling you've been played."

"Played?" Eusine asked.

"Michael?" Julia pleaded. "Tell us what's going on?"

Michael pushed himself to his feet and put on his Kingly voice to take command. "Eusine. Please go to the Cellar and assist Lucas with his experiments. Perhaps you'll be able to get your answers about Celebi that way." Eusine bowed nervously before heading out of the Study. From there, Michael's anger took hold. "Annie, get Maddy on the horn and tell her to have the elevator to the Cellar guarded at all times! Then get through to your husband and Billy and have them come to Kingston Castle immediately!"

Annie, not taking a moment to hesitate, nodded and rushed out the door to make the arrangements. Julia, however, was still confused. "What is happening?"

"Eusine was sent here" Michael told his wife. "To throw me off my game, but more importantly, to bear us a warning."

"What warning? Who sent him?"

"Who's the only person in the world that would rather see us dead than together?"

Julia's eyes widened in utter horror. "No. Not her! Not again!"

"Get through to Cameron and Chris, make sure they're here immediately. Then call in everyone. Piper, Uncle Byron, Olivia, Cynthia, Addy, Matthew, Garret Fiveroux, Adrian Fouritz, Jack Duon, all of them! They need to be here immediately. Mewtwo is ready. And we need to be prepared for anything!" He whistled to his Arcanine. "Come on, boy! We've got to get Mark and Lizzie!" His Arcanine leaped to his side in an instant. The couple was about to rush out the doors of the Lord's Study, when they nearly bowled over April. "April?"

"Forgive me, Your Majesty" the plump nurse said urgently. "But we have a crisis, right now."

"Are our children okay?" Julia asked worriedly. Michael put his arm around her to calm her.

"They are fine, Your Grace" the nurse assured the frightened mother. "But not everyone in the castle is. Countess Rosemary has sent for you. These are her final hours."