A month or so passed, and the Mega Evolution process was nearly finished. During his break, Sycamore focused on trying to make the final adjustments to the Mega Ring, and Mega Stones. He had a Garchomp in front of him, studying it. It was supposedly one of the Pokémon able to Mega Evolve.

A sudden touch on Sycamore's shoulder made him jump a mile in his chair. He turned back and saw Lysandre standing there with a smirk on his face.

"Damn, don't sneak up on me like that …" He laughed.
"Haha, I'm sorry. Hey, listen for a moment."

Augustine looked at Lysandre and cocked his head in questioning.

"So, the Professor is thinking of retiring soon. He's just gotten too old for the job. So the other scientists and I gathered with him to discuss who should take over his position."

Augustine burst from his chair, "You all didn't let me in on this? Who's taking over!?"

"Well, he's a person whose good with Pokémon and overall a really nice person."

Augustine looked at Lysandre, trying to read his face.

"Lemme guess. It's that new scientist, John. He seems like a good candida-"

"It's you, stupid!" Lysandre blurted out.

"Oh … Wait, really?"

Lysandre nodded, and crossed his arms.

"We all decided early on that if he were to ever retire, you'd be the first choice. The Professor thinks highly of you, and he believes you're capable of getting things ready for the new trainers."

Augustine laughed a bit, "Wow … this is amazing … I never would've thought I'd become Professor …"

"He's gonna step down within a week, and you can take over next Monday. Congratulations again, Professor Sycamore." Lysandre said, turning and leaving him.

Augustine stood there, smiling happily. Ever since he was a child, he wanted to be a Pokémon Professor, and now it finally happened. He was so happy he hand all of the Scientists and Lysandre on his side for this. It was at that moment, he totally forgot about his troubled past and actually felt happy for once.

The next morning everyone was headed into work, and Lysandre saw Augustine walking into the building, but his face was flushed and he looked extremely tired. He went up to him and questioned him.

"You look terrible." He said.

"I-I'm fine. I just, I think my overworking is doing me in … But I need to get back to work on the Mega Evoluti-"

He cut himself off with a violent coughing attack. Lysandre backed away, as to not get sick.

"You're sick. You should go home and get some rest …"
"I told you, I'm fi-"

He was met with Lysandre putting his hand to his forehead. His face turned a deep shade of red, but Lysandre couldn't tell whether out of embarrassment or out of being sick. It was still cold out, for it was still April, but Augustine's face was emitting heat like a Delphox. Lysandre pulled his hand away and shook his head,

"Like I said, you're sick. Please, go home and get some rest. I'll tell the Professor that you needed a day off. Hell, I think he'd want you to take a break. You've been doing backflips around here."

"But—what about the Mega Evolution wor-"

"I'll take care of it. Don't worry, just get some sleep. If you want I can bring some medicine over later for you."

Augustine nodded, "That'd be preferable …"

Sycamore started walking away, and Lysandre pat his back as he took his leave, "I'll be by as soon as I get out. Just try to sleep."

Sycamore nodded, and hurried home to where it was warm. Truth be told, he really didn't want to go back home. Every time he went to his house, he could vividly see his wife sitting in pain and agony as she went into labor. It just pained him to think about that, and the only place he could get away from that was at the lab. He could think about everything else but her there …

He shivered and the sight of her in the hospital bed, and brought himself to his house. He walked inside and on a cabinet near his front door sat a picture or two with him and a woman in their youth years. He showed a melancholic smile, before setting the picture image down on the surface. He brought himself to his room, stripped himself of just his lab coat and plopped onto his bed …

Hours later, Lysandre came to Sycamore's doorstep holding a plastic bag in his hand, which held medicine. He brought his free hand up to the door and knocked. A few seconds later, he saw his friend at the door. He was really pale, but looked better than he did this morning.

"Here's your medicine I promised."

Augustine took the bag, "You didn't have to, you know …"

"I know, but I figured it'd help you get back on your feet."

Augustine turned to go back inside, when Lysandre spoke up.

"How've you been doing today …?" He asked.

Augustine turned back to him, cocking his head.

"Just wanna make sure you're not dying is all." He laughed.

"I'll be fine. It's probably the stomach bug. I've been throwing up all day, and I feel achy."

"Yeah, some rest will definitely do you good. Don't forget to take that medicine. One tablet every six hours, ok?"

"Alright, thanks again, Lysandre … I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome. Au revoir." Lysandre said, turning and taking his leave.

"Adieu." Sycamore said as he closed his front door.

He walked into the bathroom, and opened up the medicine, popping a tablet into his mouth. He looked in the mirror and saw how incredibly pale he really was. He sighed in defeat … maybe Lysandre was right. Overworking was pushing him to his breaking point.

As he walked into his bedroom to try and get some sleep, he remembered the look of worry on Lysandre's face just a few moments ago. He seemed genuinely worried about Sycamore's health. Augustine smiled; it was nice to have someone looking out for him again. After the loss of his wife, he'd been lacking in taking care of himself. He'd push his body to its limit and it would always backfire.

He sat at his bedside, and his eyelids began to fall. Whatever that medicine was, it was doing its job. Without another word or thought, he fell asleep within a few moments.