CHAPTER 28

Fond memories of Zorian began to ease their way back into Rylans' mind, soothing the pain from the horrid memories.

Rylan began to remember what kind of person Zorian was. Zorian was not the type to join Team Rocket without regretting his decision. Things must have been tough for him at home, but he never told Rylan of his troubles. He would always give his brother a warm smile and tell him that everything was all right.

The love Rylan felt for Zorian was also starting to find its way back into his heart. Rylan remembered that no matter what he had to deal with each day as a part of Team Rocket, he would always reunite with his brother at the end of the day, and that gave him the hope and courage to pull through.

The higher-ups of Team Rocket learned of their bond and, finding it very unbecoming, had the two of them separated. Rylan was much younger than Zorian; he could not bear having to work in a separate location from his brother, and without Zorian there to put his mind at ease, his heart became more bitter and cold as he carried out his assigned tasks.

Rylan never wanted to succumb to such dreadful emotions ever again. He knew now that darkness had scarred his heart. He wanted to redeem himself.

Rylan looked at Slowking. He could tell he had a kind nature, but the problem with him was that he expected that the Pokémon would just hand their world to him because he lived selflessly. He was starting to become selfish. Perhaps there was a way Rylan could help him.

"Slowking, listen to me," Rylan said. "I don't want to argue with you, but I know that what you're doing is wrong. You can't impose your will onto the world, and the world does not belong to any one of us. I won't join you. I don't care if you lock me up in the Distortion World with everyone else."

Slowking looked puzzled. He had heard from Zorian that the two of them had lived harsh lives and wanted better, so why was the young Pokémon he had taken a liking to declining his offer?

"You…confuse me," said Slowking. "You would return to such a terrible life back home if you could?"

"No," said Rylan. "I would rebuild my life. I would start fresh. I understand you want the world to be a better place, but what you're trying to do would not make it any better. You're being too selfish."

"I suppose you need to see firsthand what I can do for this world," Slowking said. "I suggest you brace yourself."

The earth began to tremble once more. Giratina was coming. Rylan did not so much as budge. He had expected this, and he was ready.

A mighty roar echoed through the silence of Shell Island. Vulpix quickly ran to Rylan's side.

"I'm with you," she said. "All the way."

Buizel followed suit, standing on the other side of Vulpix. "I refuse to live under Slowking's misguided ideals," he said. "I'm with you two."

Rylan started to cry a little. Despite the fissure dividing their friendship, Rylan knew that deep down, Buizel still respected him, even if just a little.

The giant shadowy figure appeared in a matter of seconds. The three Pokémon stared into Giratina's piercing eyes. They did fear the Dragon Pokémon but were not afraid to stand up for what they knew was right.

Giratina did not charge right away, but lingered, meeting the three stares with his own.

"Such emotionless eyes…" Vulpix said. "Deep down, he longs to be free."

"Well, then, we'll find a way to release him," said Buizel.

The three of them braced themselves as Giratina flew at them. Rylan closed his eyes.

Rather than an impact, Rylan felt the ground beneath him disappear. He immediately felt lightweight, as though there was little to no gravity pulling him down. He was either falling slowly or floating; he could not tell.

Rylan opened his eyes. He was surrounded by vast, dark empty space. Far below him, he saw what appeared to be bits of solid ground, scattered and floating about. Buizel and Vulpix were still by his side.

"Is that…?" asked a voice.

"Team StarStruck!" yelled another voice. "Guys! Over here!"

Rylan looked down once more and saw a large group of Pokémon on a floating piece of land. He immediately recognized them as several members of the guild, and they all looked excited to see the three of them.

"An impost- um…Zorian used Giratina's power to send our friends here," Vulpix explained to Rylan.

Rylan nodded. He hoped Zorian intended to apologize for his wrongdoings, and he hoped even more that he would find Zorian at all.

Rylan, Vulpix, and Buizel slowly glided down to their friends, who started cheering as they got closer. Among the Pokémon in the crowd were Gallade, Nidoran, and Wingull. They quickly approached Team StarStruck, looking quite relieved to see them.

"Good to see you three," said Gallade. "You look different, Rylan… It's as though you've become a new Pokémon."

"Well, I…kinda have," Rylan replied. "I remember everything now from back when I was human. I became a monster, and I'm not about to let it happen again. All of you have really helped me, and I wouldn't be where I am without you."

"Why is everyone cheering?" Buizel asked.

"Why wouldn't we be?" Nidoran asked. "Our greatest team has just joined us. We believe in you guys. We'll get out of this mess for sure."

"Greatest team?" Vulpix asked, surprised. "But-"

"Oh, don't worry," said Wingull. "He told us about Team Tranquility."

"He?" Rylan asked.

Gallade pointed out to the other end of the crowd of Pokémon. Zorian was standing over there, and he approached Rylan upon noticing him.

"I had just finished telling everyone what I did and why I did it," said Zorian.

Gallade nodded. "I never would have guessed that Slowking was behind this. I've known him and his teammates for years, and he's never done anything like this before."

Zorian turned to Gallade. "I cannot begin to express how sorry I am for what I've done. I will accept any consequence you deem appropriate."

Gallade shook his head and smiled. "This is neither the time nor the place," he said. "Besides, you and Rylan will be returning to your own world, will you not?"

"Oh, that's right," Zorian said. "Vulpix, I've been contemplating what you told me, and I must apologize, both to you and Rylan."

Vulpix smiled. "It's okay, really. I can tell how much you love your brother."

"Rylan," Zorian said, "it's not my place to make you come back with me against your will. As Vulpix said, you belong where you choose to belong. Whether you want to come back with me or not, I'll accept your decision."

"I…" Rylan started. He knew he was not ready to answer this question. He shared such fond memories with both the guild Pokémon and Zorian, and he didn't want to have to choose between them.

"I don't know," Rylan said. "I can't answer now. I honestly don't know what I think is the right thing to do."

"It's all right," said Zorian. He gently embraced his brother. "Take your time."

"So, then, what do we do now?" asked Buizel.

"Oh!" said Rylan. "Zorian, the key!"

"Key?" Gallade asked.

"It turns out that Zorian and I had the treasure from Mount Maelstrom all along," said Rylan. "It was a key that could be split into two pieces, and I've been wearing the bottom half around my neck this whole time."

Everyone looked amazed.

"Right," said Zorian, "but I'm afraid we're too late."

Rylan looked up at Zorian. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"When Slowking sent me here," Zorian explained, "he took the key from me. I'm afraid we're stuck."