The morning had arrived nice and early, sunlight seeping through the sheer curtains that covered the living room windows. The morning was greeted with varieties of bird Pokémon calls and a pleasant cool climate. Akagi slowly opened his dreary eyes to a sudden shock then realization.

That's right, he thought. I'm in Hikari's apartment.

Snuggled amongst the blankets, he lay there wondering whether he should leave or wait for Hikari to wake from her sleep. He thought it to be quite uncomfortable lying there with growing anxiety starting to hurt in his stomach and chest. He used this time to reflect more on his past and what actions to take next.

My life's work was ended by her. I guess I could say I've forgiven her now but what am I to do? After so much anger and hatred I have grown to actually like her. The way she saved my life after I could have easily wiped out her entire existence years ago. No one has ever shown me kindness like that. What is happening to me? Am I changing? Is it the right thing to do? Aghhh! So many questions doing my goddamn head in!

Akagi clutched onto his head tightly. He wasn't used to any of this, someone who once suppressed all emotion and was now starting to feel them again. It was very frustrating to him as he did not know how to react. He tried to drown his current thoughts and think about his old friends.

Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, I wonder how those guys are doing. How would they react if they saw me again? How would I react?

Akagi heard footsteps and a clutter at the front door. Hikari's mother had returned home after a long night at the contest hall. It felt like minutes until she finally opened the door and entered her apartment. Akagi silently grabbed hold of the blankets and slipped further underneath them, hoping she wouldn't notice but to his horror she walked right passed him to open the curtains.

Phew…He thought but his relief didn't last long as she turned around and jumped on the spot.

"Oh my! Who are you?" Ayako screeched, hand over heart.

"Uhmm…" Akagi became speechless. He hadn't a clue what to say or do.

To his relief, Hikari came running out of her room and into the living room where her mother and Akagi were situated.

"Mom, I can explain!" Hikari quickly butted in. "This is Akagi. You might remember him as the former Team Galaxy leader, criminal gang of Sinnoh 5 years ago. He's…"

"HIKARI! Why on earth are you bringing in dangerous men?" Ayako cut off her daughter before she had a chance to explain.

"He isn't like what he used to be. I found him almost lifeless at the top of Mt. Coronet and I saved his life. I couldn't just leave him there to die! Today we are going out to get him checked up and get his life back to together. Isn't that right Akagi?" Hikari turned to him and he started to get up off the couch.

"Uhmm yeah I guess" He scratched the back of his head, unsure what to say.

"Ok then darling, I really hope you know what you are doing. Be careful." Ayako left them to go to her room for some rest.

Akagi and Hikari got ready and left for their little adventure.

Finally arriving in Sandgem Town, Akagi and Hikari made their way to the lab. Hikari was desperately hoping that Professor Rowan would tell her Akagi was going to be okay so she could put him on the right path. As they walked through the entrance door it seemed like time had suddenly come to a halt. The scientists and professors stared at them, mainly Akagi and alerted Rowan right away.

"Well, long time no see Akagi, what happened to you?" Prof. Rowan gasped. He gestured them to follow him to the back room for tests and a check up. Hikari was surprised by how well Prof. Rowan was treating him after the never forgotten past.

"When I went on that expedition up Mt. Coronet to uncover the source of those strange fluctuations, Akagi had returned through a portal and he saw me and just collapsed and…" Hikari was brushed off quickly.

"Calm down Hikari haha you've always been a very energetic young lady. Now Akagi, I don't need to hear about how you escaped from the Distortion World, as I am well educated in the area of transportation portals due to much research. You need to tell me how your body became so badly corrupted. The distortion wouldn't have been enough to cause it." Rowan sat him onto a chair and checked him over, starting from his face.

"It was Giratina. I made him angry and he struck me in the face. I didn't bleed but I felt some kind of dark poison seep through my face and eventually, my entire body. No major changes have happened for 2 years. It all happened before that, in my first years in that place, well that's how long I think anyway, I've completely lost track of time by that stage" He lowered his head and awaited scans and blood tests.

Hikari sat by him and rubbed his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. She could tell he was suffering more than just physical damage, deep down under all that darkness she knew he was hurting emotionally and mentally and she wanted to stick by him until he fully recovered, inside and out.

Painful hours passed as the testing had finished and the results were complete. Akagi remained silent for most of the time and both him and Hikari waited for the news. Prof. Rowan returned to the room holding a long sheet of paper. When they greeted him he started to read:

"Well Akagi it looks like you are going to be all right. After conducting multiple tests I am now aware that the corruption has been complete and no more will happen to you physically. It is my understanding that if Giratina had struck you again then the corruption would continue. The bad news is that you will never look like a normal human being again, I am sorry. I suggest you return every so often to be checked on just so we can keep records and updates of your health and wellbeing. Other than that you're free to go, take this as a harsh lesson and be good this time bahahaha!"

Prof. Rowan walked off with a cheesy grin on his white moustachio'd face. After his departure, Hikari couldn't help smiling and hugged Akagi, almost squeezing him. He returned a slight smile in the corner of his mouth and they both walked out of the lab ready to find Akagi a new home and new life. Hikari was more than ready to help him regain his life here in Sinnoh.