The massive Ghost-type—the former leader of a tyrannical army and arch-enemy—being escorted by two Pokemon half his size for his own safety isn't something I'd have ever imagined seeing. Dusknoir arrives at the Lucario Kingdom with Azalea riding on his shoulder. While tired from the long journey, he looks no worse for wear. We greet him at the edge of the woods not far from where Ri and I ourselves first arrived. After weeks, our entire team is finally back together.

Little time is given for a proper reunion. After the pair are introduced to the locals and have settled into the annex, we almost immediately jump straight to business.

"There was no trouble on our end," Dusknoir explains, briefly going over the details of their search for Registeel, "Although we did spot members that Team Upsilon scattered across the region… Since we have their attention, we should be even more cautious when we leave this place."

Grovyle folds his arms over his chest, eying Ri and me, "Perhaps we can call for a Flying-type to escort you two to Lake Valor."

The Gripper Pokemon shakes his head, "Using Flying-types isn't a bad idea, but I'm not talking about just them. Quite frankly, we've been insanely lucky that we haven't run into more trouble. Grovyle, your kind aren't from this region. Celebi and Azalea are both Mythical Pokemon. It's uncommon for Duskulls to reach their final evolution, so I am no exception either. After all of the attention we've stirred awakening the titans, we should all consider ourselves targets."

I ball my fists in my lap. We knew that coming to Sinnoh was risky in the first place, that there would be humans interested in capturing us, but to think things would go as far as they have… Well, we've snuck ourselves out of worse situations.

My partner is quiet for a long while before piping up, "Are we really just supposed to leave things like this though? Shouldn't we do something?"

"This isn't our battle to fight, Ri," Grovyle answers in a steady tone, "And even if it was, we have an even bigger battle ahead of us. We'll have to trust that the people of this kingdom have everything handled."

His ears droop a bit as he lowers his head. I say nothing, only reaching my hand out to his own. I don't like it either—not after Team Upsilon attacked us directly and certainly not when the everyone here has done so much for us—but Grovyle is right. We don't know what kind of clock we're on when it comes to whatever new disaster falls over the world next. Meanwhile, the trouble with the organization is something that started we'll before we made the choice to come to this region.

Besides, what could we even do? It's not like the Exploration Team Federation has a Sinnoh branch. Humans will have to deal with humans.

When nothing more is said on the issue, we slightly chance topics. "So, we're gotten all of the Regis in Sinnoh on alert…" Celebi muses, "What do we do about the others? This is taking too long."

My brother nods in agreement, "We can't just hunt down every titan worldwide."

"I've through about that, and I believe the ruins Ri and Lira explored might have the answer," Dusknoir explains, "We are, after all, in the region favored by Master Dialga and Palkia. Arceus' name carried much influence in these lands as well. I wouldn't be shocked if there was some way to communicate with them in order to send a message across time-space if we can't find the means ourselves."

"We can look it up in the Kingdom's library," Ri offers.

The Ghost-type nods, "It's a start, at least until we hear from Cresselia again. After this, we should return to the Grass Continent as soon as we can."

"I can help there."

For some reason, my heart drops a bit.

I notice Celebi giving me a long look before adding, "We still haven't found any clues about Lira's mom. I'll keep scouting through the past few years to see if I can find anything." She moves closer to my side. "Lira, aren't you supposed to meet someone later? Why don't you go on ahead? You can come find me at your grandparent's house afterward."

Oddly enough, I take her up on the chance to excuse myself. She's not wrong, since I did promise to spend time with Lark, although we didn't really give each other much of a set time to meet.

Ri walks me to the stairs, brushing his nose against mine in a soft farewell, and from there I continue the rest of my long trek alone.

It's kind of amazing how I've gotten so used to these paths so quickly. Even without aura, I think I could walk them blindfolded. Past the training grounds, down the dusty trails, up the rolling hills of wide fields with simple, old-fashioned houses; taking breath after deep breath in the crisp, mountain air, feeling the rich flow of aura surround me…

In another time, in another life, is there some chance I might've considered this place my home away from home? Mom… Would you and you father have ever buried the hatchet, just enough that you might've brought me here one day? Or, maybe, when you and Dad were talking about my future—about sending me to an academy for aura users—would I have ever come here by chance and learned the truth then?

I guess it doesn't matter anymore though. When you left, you kept this place a secret and no one sought us out. And I understand a little why you did it. I pause to look back over my shoulder to the distant farms further downhill. Eventually, even a beautiful place like this can start to feel small.

I'd argue that Treasure Town is smaller, or even most of the towns in the Isolated Regions. However, traders and travelers are always coming and going. There are always new people with new stories and adventures to talk about. The Lucario Kingdom is an old land with old ways, hidden in a small corner of the world that few outsiders ever visit. That doesn't make it bad, but for someone who can't be much older than I am, who's barely gotten a taste beyond its borders… The more I think about it, the more I can't fault her for leaving.

Soon enough, the path around me becomes more forested. I wave at a couple of Lucario keeping watch as I pass by, but otherwise stay my course. Lark didn't give me an exact location either, since we both should just sense when the other's nearby. I allow my aura to pulse outward as a signal.

There was only ever going to be a small chance that my mother left some clue of what happened to her and my dad anyway. If she didn't time-travel, she wouldn't have any memories of the separate timelines. Her life would just go on as it always did. It doesn't tell us much about where she is, or rather, will be; however, at least we get an idea when she isn't. Not the past or distant future, but right after she vanished through Darkrai's Dimensional Hole.

If we haven't found anything after this long, maybe it's better that we stop now. We could keep this up until springtime and still not find anything.

A change in the energy around me snaps me to attention. I turn and raise my arms to block a speedy kick aimed at my side. A smirk traces my lips when Lark's surprised, but approving gaze meets mine. She recovers with graceful ease, "You've improved a lot since you first got here."

I nod in thanks, "Where to?"

Without saying much, the dark-furred Riolu takes the lead. We keep a casual pace, not bothering to hide our steps through the floor of fallen leaves. With everyone on edge, it's better if the forest Pokemon are alert to our presence.

Some of the trees are starting to grow bare, their bright colors fading as autumn prepares for its descent into winter. We really have been here for a long while… I think to myself. As ready as I am to go home though, I am glad that I got to see this region at a time like this. I'm not sure when I'll get to see such a perfect fall again.

The cave entrance is practically a straight drop into the earth. It isn't a deep tunnel, but it could be a pretty harsh fall for most. It's not a surprise that Lark is just as used to climbing as I am, the both of us reaching flat ground with ease. Without the cool wind, it's slightly warmer down here than it is outside.

"The main tunnels aren't far from here," she explains, "We can make it without a light for now."

From what I can tell at a glance, the tunnels aren't entirely natural. It's more like a mine down here, with strong, wooden beams supporting its frame. Smoother sections of the walls have been carved out in a hexagonal shape. While the way feels endless and winding at a glance, through our steps, I can feel an attempt to give the passages a kind of grid structure.

Compared to the wide variety of caverns back home, there's a part of me that actually finds it all a little underwhelming. However, the feeling is short-lived. The pathway is suddenly bathed in a sharp light. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, blinking against the iridescent bulbs strung along the right wall. Speckles of hidden, unfamiliar ores begin to flicker within the maze of browns.

There's no second-guessing it, "This is part of Sinnoh's Underground."

"You won't find too many caves in Sinnoh that aren't linked to the Underground somehow," Lark replies, "It's not all mines though. There are whole other ecosystems down here, if you know where to find them."

If we could map our way through, maybe we could use the Underground to escape Team Upsilon's sight. No, thinking even bigger than that, Pokemon could use it to connect while avoiding most of human civilization. Maybe this could even be a way for others from back home to visit Sinnoh. Then again, if that were the case, maybe someone would've already come up with a safe route to do just that by now. Still, I keep the idea in mind.

We head deeper underground, walking at a slope. I can hear the distant hum of machinery. The tickle of fresh air follows. It must be getting pumped in from somewhere.

I stop. I don't know what, but it feels like something is calling me. My aura sensors react before my mind does, subtly raising from my shoulders as I turn my head. Only a vacant wall faces me. Whatever I'm feeling lies beyond—or maybe in—it.

It's almost the same feeling I had when the Inheritor activated the crystal Azelf sent over. Almost, but not quite… It's not the feeling of an individual's aura that I'm sensing, but a mysterious beacon that signaling me as if it's been waiting for this chance. Taking a curious step forward, I place my hand on the face of the rock.

Whatever it is, there's some instinct telling me I want it.

Lark soon notices my lagging behind, "I don't think you'd get lost, but it's better to stay close."

Can't she sense it? Or is this sort of thing so familiar to her that she doesn't even think about it? What I sense isn't a massive energy, but it's too intense for me to ignore. I hesitate a second longer before reluctantly continuing on—somehow knowing this won't be the last time I encounter this sensation again.

A little later, we reach an underground spring located in a wide chamber of broken, glimmering shards, reminiscent of a starscape. There are a handful of other Pokemon lounging around the water, but they don't pay us any mind when we pass by. Our voices faintly echo around us. We don't talk much about anything serious, simply taking the time to finally ask the many questions we haven't had the chance to throw each other's way during our training.

"To be honest, I don't know how you could leave everything you knew like you did," Lark begins, "I mean… look at us. We live with humans and it can still feel sometimes like we're in two different worlds."

"For a while, the Grass Continent was all I thought I knew," I reply, "That helped a little. Still, it can be hard when you don't feel like you really fit with anybody else."

"Hey, I probably wouldn't fit in either. Even if we're all Pokemon, the way you all live over there sounds too different."

"The difference in tech definitely would take some getting used to," I chuff good-naturedly.

She hesitates for a moment, "Does it bother you, being the only human?"

I give an affirmative shrug. As much as it has bothered me—more lately than anything—I don't really want to tell anyone outside of my team how deeply my complicated feelings go. "Because I don't know where that part of me starts and ends. Sometimes, it's something I think I have to give up on completely; other times, I don't think I can."

"Well, I don't know who you were as a human, but if it means anything, I don't think you're half bad as a Riolu."

I tilt my head at her, waiting for her to elaborate.

"Duty, loyalty, being in touch with the world around you, feeling the constant need to get stronger… that's what I think of if someone asks what it means to be an Aura Pokemon. You might lack some instincts, but that'll probably sort itself out," Lark pauses in her step, looking at me firmly, "There are humans who don't act like it. There are some Riolu and Lucario who don't act like it. I think your heart's like ours—and that's what really matters, right?"

I rub the back of my neck awkwardly. Sentiments like that are always easy to say and harder to feel. After all, while no one in Wigglytuff's Guild changed their attitudes toward me when they found out I used to be human, Pokemon like Raikou are probably always going to have at least some reservations against me at best. I don't feel odd or out of place when I'm with Ri, Grovyle or the others. I don't hate myself or humanity. Even still, I have to agree with other's concerns if humans ever flooded the Isolated Regions.

And if I say that's it's fine for me because I'm different, that I choose to live as the Pokemon there do rather than the way humans live here… What if I'm just kidding myself?

All of a sudden, Lark pokes me in-between my brows to get my attention. "From the looks of things, you're only out of place in your own head," she frowns, "You're not out to hurt anyone or make them change for you—and from the sound of it, everyone else has already welcomed you back home. So that's it. You already belong.

"You'd be a fit here too, if you wanted," she continues, surprising me, "Maybe you or your partner could even train to be the next Inheritor of the Aura."

It echoes close to what Zen told us, but it's almost strange hearing it from someone we'd likely be competing with for the position if we did stay. My answer is the same, "Thanks, but I'm happy where I am now."

Although she looks a bit disappointed, she doesn't push it, "Well, just don't be a complete stranger after you leave this place. Your bunch can come back anytime."

I draw a fist against my chest before we start walking again. Oddly enough, hearing that means more to me than I thought. "You and the others would make good explorers yourselves," I compliment back, "Why don't many people here ever leave?"

"You mean like a Pokemon journey?" she asks, "It's not like we don't have them at all; they're just more of a… pilgrimage. We look for ways to get stronger through nature, or through helping others. And then we come back, ready to protect the kingdom and bring up the next generation to do the same."

I can't help thinking of my mother's own example. "Have you ever wanted to leave?"

She considers it for a moment before answering. "Yes and no… I'd like to travel, to see what's out there, but the Lucario Kingdom will always be my home," Lark gives me a soft smile, "And I'm pretty happy where I am too."

I return the expression. Maybe it's easier to talk to her about some of this because she's familiar, yet also distant enough to be completely honest. Like two travelers meeting at a crossroads, she knows enough on the opposite side of where I'm coming from to give me a fair idea of what's ahead.

The rest of our conversation isn't so serious. We talk about our training. We trade interests and goals. It's the most casual I've felt since we first arrived at the kingdom. Only when the topic of evolution comes up do things turn a bit weird, with Lark giving me a both vague and mischievous warning:

"My mom says 'A female Lucario fights the hardest in their lives just after they evolve,' so be prepared for it."

She barely goes into more detail than that. I'm not sure I want her to, so I don't press her.

By the time we get back to the surface, the sun has already begun to dip below the horizon. The easy breaths I was able to take from the afternoon reprieve become heavier when I make my way to my grandparent's house alone.

Normally, there's always someone with me. Zen greets me in the yard, but is so busy helping with the harvest that the most he can do is push me through the door. Any offer to help falls on deaf ears. The scent of warm jam being canned on the stove greets me, as usual, as well as Thalia's gentle coos from the kitchen as she works. By now, she's gotten so strangely comfortable with these visits that she hardly watches me. I'm just let in and left by myself.

As I stand in the hall for several minutes, I start to regret not asking Celebi to wait for me before resuming her investigation.

The bubble of boiling water, the shuffle of busy hands cutting up berries, the popping of can lids. The creak of an old floorboard, the quiet thrum of warm air filtered through the house, the stillness of everything as day slowly turns to night. All of it peaceful and uncomfortable at the same time—to the point that I almost want my grandfather to hurry up and pop in just so I have something specific to feel uncomfortable with.

If not in a way I'd expect, my wish is granted. A small screen attached to the wall closest to the sitting room begins to ring. It reminds me of the computers at Pokemon Centers, except it's about a quarter of the size. Curious and with nothing to do, I move closer only to retreat a step back just as quickly when I see the name attached to the call: Iliana.