Author's note: Phew, I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but here's another longer update - This is the end of the first arc, or "book" as I'm calling them (because let's face it, that's what they're like at this point), and this may mean that this whole fic will be a series rather than a single long-running fic.

At any rate, enjoy! The next chapter will be an epilogue chapter regarding where everyone's going from here, so look forward to it!

Gladion groaned, pushing himself upwards from...Grass? His entire body lay against long, soft grass and damp earth, and he struggled to stand as he tried to orient himself with his surroundings. What exactly had happened there? He tried to remember, through the haze of his awakening, what he'd just been through.

He hadn't changed out of his hospital gown, something that irked him to no end - The thing was so uncomfortable to him compared to his usual attire. He was ready to tear it off once he had access to proper, looser, softer clothing.

A throbbing pain shot through his arm from where his IV had been torn out. Arceus, could that thing have been any more rough when dragging him away?

That was right...It'd been...Nihilego, hadn't it? That thing had taken him away, and now he was…

Looking around, he could almost make out Aether House in the distance. Was he truly on Ula'ula, suddenly? It seemed like he was near Tapu Village, If that was the case, where was -

"Unhhh...What the…?"

Steven. It'd been him, hadn't it? It had. Gladion was still struggling to stand, but suddenly his blood was boiling at the thought of Steven.

With Steven came Nihilego.

With Nihilego came tragedy.

He wouldn't let himself be a victim again, even if it meant physically attacking a man fourteen years his senior. He would never let Nihilego get to him like it had Lusamine, and if he had to strike it down at the source, he'd more than happily strike at Steven.

Even if he didn't have…

Silvally!

Silvally hadn't been there! Silvally was still back at Aether, awaiting their master's return! The thought alone was enough to get Gladion to hesitate as Steven stood up, quickly noticing him and looking him in the eye, clearly just as confused as he was. It made him remember, in that moment, that Steven hadn't been able to control much of what he'd done. Steven and Nihilego weren't the same being, they'd never be that. Taking a deep breath and stepping back, once again primed to attack, Gladion waited for Steven to make a move.

"Er…" Steven seemed to be fishing for words in such a moment. "I'm afraid I can't remember what just happened...Did I bring us here?"

Gladion relaxed slightly.

"...Damn right you did," he grumbled, turning away, "Look where we are. Do you think we can get back easily?"

"I'm sorry," Steven sighed, "I don't know what's wrong with me. I know that something's there, but…"

"But what?" Gladion hissed, "You know it's there? You know it does things? And you can't stop it?!"

"Yes, more or less," Steven replied, "Though much of what I know is from the explanation I've received from Aether's staff. The truth is...I can barely remember the past few days. It's all been a blur, like there's...Gaps in my memory, I suppose."

Gladion was still glaring daggers at Steven. Was that really the truth of it? He wanted to believe Steven was lying, but he had to admit, Nihilego aside, nothing about Steven seemed to give him any sort of feeling like something was off. If anything, he almost seemed pitiful. He'd clearly had no knowledge of what'd just happened, but even with that in mind, Steven was a fugitive, though there was little doubt in Gladion's mind that the two of them would be stuck together for the night.

At least until they reached Aether House. That had been Gladion's plan, and it was the most likely plan, but the plan itself...There were children in that house, alongside one of the Elite Four, and Gladion had no intention of making Acerola's job harder than it was.

There was another idea in his mind, and Gladion wondered if his intuition would steer him wrong. Nanu had at least been somewhat predictable in his pattern of movement, and given the apparent time, he'd likely be heading back to Po Town from Malie. Clearly, from their encounter at the motel, Nanu would take a longer route around at times.

It was a chance, and only a slim chance, but Gladion was willing to pin his hopes on the one person best equipped to handle this.

"...I have an idea," Gladion suddenly said, "Are you willing to make the walk past that house out there? There's a beach nearby. If I'm right, somebody I know, somebody who's dealt with something like this before, should be coming around this area soon."

Okay, so Nanu hadn't dealt with this before, but he'd certainly dealt with Ultra Beasts, and he'd know how to fight Steven if the need arose.

"Hm...We need to contact Aether first and foremost," Steven mused, "But I can understand your caution. I'll follow you for now - You know the island far better than I do."

"...Don't think I won't be keeping an eye on you," Gladion warned, "One wrong move, and you're on your own."

Steven let of a soft, breathy laugh at this.

"That's fair." He turned towards the direction of Aether House, which was barely in view even for him, cocking his head. "Though...Why not the house itself? I don't see how we couldn't contact anyone there."

"Simple," Gladion replied, "There are kids in there, and you're dangerous."

The two lay hidden behind a small patch of bushes, hoping that the darkness alone would be enough to hide them.

It was good that it'd been so late when they'd arrived on the route - Hardly any trainers had been present, all having headed towards the local Pokémon Center. It felt so awkward, being out in the open as the two of them were, and while Steven seemed to carry himself with the same dignity he'd always had, Gladion couldn't help but look a bit uncomfortable.

Steven was quick to pick up on this.

"Hey," he whispered, "Are you doing okay? You seem...On edge."

"...Hmph," Gladion returned, "Don't talk to me. You're still at Interpol's mercy."

"All right, if that's the case...I won't pry," Steven replied, "But we should hurry. It's looking..."

Steven fell silent for a moment, a soft glow forming around his eyes for a few long seconds. Gladion immediately shrunk back, glancing around for an escape before Steven let out a gasp, pulled back to reality in an instant.

Gladion had sworn he'd felt some feeling swell in his chest during those few seconds.

"...I'm sorry," Steven muttered, "I don't...I don't know what came over me there. I was just going to say...It's looking like it'll rain soon."

Gladion definitely wasn't a fan of rain, not after how often it'd fallen on Po Town. He wasn't going to admit this to Steven, no matter how much he'd wanted to have someone to turn to at such a moment. He couldn't risk forming a connection, not when the person he was talking with had been taken over by Nihilego. Not when he still didn't know if it'd taken hold of him as well.

"...I think we'll be able to reach the beach soon," Gladion stated, trying to change the subject suddenly, "Once we're in front of Aether House, it'll be a straight shot there. Do you see anyone on the path ahead?"

Shaking his head, Steven turned to Gladion.

"No, not as far as I can tell," he replied, "Now that we've passed the Pokémon Center, I don't think there'll be many trainers out and about...At least, if there isn't any tall grass ahead."

"No, there's not much." Gladion had already started to walk forward, away from the foliage he'd been using as cover. "Come on, then. Before anyone else finds us."

Steven fell silent for a moment, as if he'd just then realized something.

"...Are you coming?" Gladion asked, clearly irritated.

"Yes...I'm sorry," Steven chuckled, "Did anyone ever tell you about Hoenn's current Champion, May?"

"Yes, but what does she have to do with this?"

"...You remind me of her."

"So are you absolutely sure about this?"

"About what?"

"Isolating me again. I'm not going to argue if you think this is the best course of action, but I do wonder if there was a better way of doing things."

"Humph. Nanu's going to know what to do. Until then, don't ask about this."

Standing outside Aether House, staring out at the sea, Steven shook his head. It was true, he was a fugitive, but at the same time...Had he intended to do that? What had even happened, back when he'd managed to cross the sea? That thing, whatever it was...This was no doubt its fault, but no matter how he'd tried, he couldn't remember a thing.

It'd be morning. Then it'd suddenly be late into the night, and he'd be lying awake in bed, trying to piece together from what little context he had what had happened the day before. It was...Disorienting, to say the least.

Yet there were things he could remember.

He could remember Wicke, bringing his Carbink to him when he'd ended up in the Conservation Area. (It had been beautiful, from what little he'd seen, and he'd longed to see more, hoped that someone would finally allow him outside of his room, much as he knew it'd never happen.) He could remember Wicke. At first his memory of the talks had been spotty, but with each time she appeared, things became more and more vivid. There was something about her, perhaps simply the kind and compassionate image she seemed to have built up, that had put him at ease, enough for him to remember their talks.

Nihilego lost its grip on him when she was around.

Steven wondered if it was the same with Gladion. It was true that he'd lost a few seconds there, if Gladion suddenly looking so panicked was any indication, but the young trainer had reminded him so much of May. Headstrong, a bit prickly, but no less a fighter, taking the same sort of wild paths towards solutions that May tended to take when she was feeling panicked. That had to be where the comforting familiarity had come from - Gladion was so much like the child he'd taken under his wing after Hoenn had nearly met its end a second time.

He hoped that someday, the two would be able to meet.

"All right...So we're going to cross the sea, then?" Steven asked, "It seems...Inconvenient."

"It's the only way to get you away from everyone," Gladion replied, "Alongside someone with experience."

Steven looked over to Aether House, clearly finding the prospect of heading in and warming up after spending so much time in the cool night air tempting, to say the least.

"I feel like we'll still be safe in there," Steven mused, "It's clearly part of Aether, isn't it?"

"It's called Aether House," Gladion explained, "I...Don't actually know much of its history. Miss Wicke never told me much about it. One of Alola's Elite Four lives here, though."

"Oh?" At the mention of the Elite Four, Steven was quick to perk up. "I was hoping I'd be able to meet Alola's League someday. It's a shame I won't be able to."

The sound of footsteps hit Gladion's ears, and he immediately turned around, taking a defensive stance. Pokémon or not, he'd put up a fight against -

"You'll be able to meet one right now, actually. What happened to you both?"

"A-Acerola!" he gasped, "We...Have you seen Nanu anywhere?!"

Acerola took a step back, allowing Gladion a bit more space before she spoke up again.

"He stopped here, actually! He said Aether had given him an assignment of some kind," she replied, clearly unfazed by the state of those in front of her, "Come on into Aether House, both of you. I think we need to talk, especially if it's Nanu you're hoping to see."

Gladion nodded hesitantly, turning to Steven.

It was shocking, really, to have somebody like this girl appear so suddenly. She reminded Steven of Phoebe, in a way, especially when it was all too obvious she favored Ghost-types. Steven hoped that, even if he wasn't able to see his old comrades again, Phoebe would at least get to meet Acerola someday.

"A...All right." Steven spoke softly, his mouth curving into a small smile. "Thank you...Acerola."

It was a relief to see Nanu standing in Aether House, propping himself up against a nearby wall, eyes closed and head pointed just slightly downwards. Yes...The same Nanu as always. Gladion had never been sure why he felt so reassured by Nanu's presence -

"Aether'd told me to go out looking for you two." Nanu looked up, his words coming out as rough as ever. "Never thought you'd come right to me. Moment I saw you two standing around outside, I called."

"A-Already…?" Gladion asked, "This...It's going so fast. Something doesn't feel right about it."

Nanu looked to Steven, his deep red eyes narrowing into a glare, causing the ex-Champion to take a step back.

"...Nothing's going to feel right when you've got him here," Nanu sighed, "Acerola and I'll be keeping a close eye on him. Get some rest, boy."

Gladion turned to Steven, who seemed almost drawn into Nanu's glare. It took him a moment to snap out of things and look back to Gladion, his eyes showing clear worry.

"...A...All right. Thanks, officer Nanu. And...Steven...I'm sorry for how I've been acting."

Steven only let out a soft hum, looking between Acerola and Nanu.

It was abundantly clear that Acerola didn't want to have to keep him in line, so to speak, but, as Gladion sat down in a nearby corner, opposite of the one Steven was led into, she was quick to take her position. Was she telling herself the same things he'd told himself in the past? Was she telling herself that it was for the children she'd been training and protecting, just as he'd justified so much as being for Lillie? There must have been a difference in how they thought, though. Acerola was clearly unwilling to let go of her moral code, even as she stood sending out her Palossand so that it sat beside her, primed for battle just like Nanu's Persian. She was going to keep Steven from harming anyone, of course, but Gladion could tell from the look in her eyes that she wouldn't let harm come to him, either.

Time passed. A dull loneliness surrounded Gladion as he felt his eyes grow heavy.

Maybe sleep was all he needed. He could hear occasional chatter between Nanu and Acerola, much of it regarding Steven's condition, but it became nothing more than a gentle hum as he felt himself fading into unconsciousness once again…

Then, dreams. So soon after he'd closed his eyes, it seemed like he'd been dragged into an inky darkness, with static on his skin and a faint voice buzzing through his ears.

From one ear to another, it echoed through his head. Again and again, it seemed to cross his mind.

"I wanted to meet you, you know. I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do."

It repeated endlessly. Crossing from one side of him to another. Just quiet enough that it was overwhelming. The feeling coursing over his skin only made it worse.

All he wanted was for it all to stop. Nothing in sight, nothing but frozen, barren air filling his nostrils.

Please. Wake me up. He was practically begging in his mind for it to end. Somebody! This...I can't take this anymore! Whoever you are, SHUT UP!

"...If you insist on it, fine. I can't do all that much right now, but...I'm here. Are you ready to finally talk things over?"

Talk things over! Whoever this person had been, delivering some cryptic words, trying to get under his skin while they were in his dreams...And they had the nerve to want to talk?!

"There's no way," Gladion spat, "Get out of my head."

"Oh, feeling a little defiant now? That's okay. I had other plans anyway, if you're ready for those," the voice continued playfully, "Well, why don't you be good, then. Why don't you just…"

"...Wake up! Please! Nanu's gone out, and…!"

Gladion felt himself being torn back into the waking world as Acerola shook him, far more violently than he'd expect from someone like her. Immediately once he opened his eyes, she let go, her Palossand letting out a soft hiss, as if expecting her to follow it.

"C-Come on! Someone got into Aether House!" It almost sounded like Acerola was pleading with Gladion as she spoke. "Steven and Nanu...They're outside! Come on!"

Acerola didn't wait for Gladion to reply as he stood up. She quickly grabbed his arm and ran out, dragging him along with her and leading him to the beach.

On one end, Nanu stood, his Persian's gem emanating a dark aura as she readied herself for an attack.

On the other stood Steven, his eyes glowing, tendrils emerging from his neck just as they had when he'd entered the Conservation Area.

"What…" Gladion gasped, "What's going on?!"

"W-Whoever this person was, they said it was an experiment," Acerola replied, her tone suddenly becoming deathly serious, "They...They asked him if he...They asked if he'd done something to Wallace. I don't know what they were talking about, but it was enough to cause him to transform into this."

"I...I think I have an idea," Gladion said, though his voice was shaky, "I need Nanu to back down, or at least manage to knock Steven away for a moment."

"All right, then!" Acerola's voice lightened a little as she turned towards the path behind her. "I'm going to chase after whoever caused this! I trust you to know how to handle this one! Good luck!"

Gladion stepped down to the beach as Acerola ran off, standing between Nanu and Steven.

Nanu looked to Gladion with a sharp glare on his face.

"Boy," he growled, "What are you planning?"

"The worst idea I've ever had," Gladion replied with a grin, "I need you to stand down."

Acerola's feet hit the ground in a rapid, harsh, constant rhythm. That person, whoever they were, they'd traveled down this path, hadn't they? They'd been running away, certainly, and they'd been assisted by ghosts. Acerola could always tell when ghosts were involved. All she had to do was expose them, bring them out front and center. If nothing else…

She would bring this person to justice.

"Palossand," Acerola ordered, "Find them! Hurry!"

Immediately, the sand castle Pokémon sank into the shadows, moving along the ground as a silhouette against the grass, before suddenly turning towards the shadows of the nearby trees and racing towards them, causing two figures to leap out of them.

A trainer, their face obscured by a dark hood, and a Gengar.

"Ahaha! Well," the trainer laughed, "Looks like we can't do that anymore! All right then…"

Before the trainer could issue their command, however, Acerola called out to her Palossand once more.

"Good job, Palossand! Now...Never-Ending Nightmare!!"

Palossand was quick to obey her trainer as Acerola began the dance for her Z-Move. The Ghost-type began to let off a glowing aura, and darkness engulfed the battlers.

Acerola finally struck the pose, and her Palossand rushed forward, shadowy tendrils beginning to wrap around the Gengar.

Then, the other Ghost-type's eyes began to glow. No! Acerola thought, How could I have missed that?! Think, Acerola, there has to be - Yes! That could work!

Immediately, Acerola hid a second Poké Ball behind her back, releasing the Pokémon and letting it float away before the shadowy trainer returned their gaze to her.

"I'm sorry," the other trainer challenged, "Was that supposed to be threatening against something that knew Destiny Bond?"

"No," Acerola returned, "In fact...I surrender. If that's what you can do, I won't fight anymore."

"...This...This is a trap, isn't it?" the other trainer inquired, faltering for a moment, "It's one of the oldest tricks in the book. I'd recognize it anywhere."

"Not at all!" Acerola chirped, "You're strong, and I know when I can't win! So go on, get out of here before my uncle finds you!"

"...Hah," the trainer scoffed, "Like I'd actually believe you there. Get out the-Erk!"

Before the trainer could send out their next Pokémon, they found themself being carried upwards, shadowy arms wrapped around their shoulders. Looking up, they'd realized how much of a mistake they'd made, focusing on the battle rather than on Acerola herself.

"That's a good girl, Drifblim!" Acerola called, "Now, I need you to do something...I need you to take their hood off! Show me who they are!"

Drifblim immediately unwrapped an arm from the mysterious trainer's shoulder, reaching for their hood.

"No...No! Stop that!" the trainer begged, "Let go of me!"

"Nope!" Acerola laughed, "You've done enough for one night! There's nothing you can do to-"

Acerola was cut off by something slicing through the air, cutting upwards through the side of the trainer's hood before hitting Drifblim dead-on, causing her to loosen her grip on the trainer enough for them to drop to the ground, sinking into the shadows as they landed.

"Ah...Whew! I didn't think that'd save me there…" they gasped, fixing their hood, "Well, there's nothing more for me here, so I'll be taking my leave. Tell that boy...Tell him that I'm waiting for his challenge. Tell him my name - Trudi! The shadow-chaser! Ta-ta!"

"Wait!" Acerola called, "Stop right there! Everyone, come out! Dhelmise, Froslass, Sableye…!"

Acerola's calls came too late, however. Drifblim lowered herself to the ground, the mark of a single claw across her body.

She'd...She'd failed. This Trudi person was still wandering free. Nanu...Was he fighting Steven, still? Or had Gladion managed to defuse the situation without a single Pokémon? At that point, that was the only thing that would be able to calm her down, was knowing that they'd succeeded.

Falling to her knees, Acerola found herself whispering into the frigid night air.

"I'm sorry...I..."

Taking a deep breath and swallowing the lump in her throat, rain beginning to fall on her shoulders, Acerola looked to the sky.

I have to become stronger.

Something welled up in Gladion's chest. His heart pounded violently with every step he took between the potential battlers, and he couldn't tell what it was. Something was wrong. Was it just the adrenaline? Or was that feeling from Steven's presence? He looked to Steven, and the feeling began to hit him all at once.

I have to keep him alive.

It was something he'd never felt before - Perhaps it'd simply come from Steven's words to him, the words that echoed in his mind suddenly.

"You remind me of her."

He was going to head off to Hoenn soon. He'd see Phoebe again, and he'd be able to find the truth behind everything. He'd be able to meet May, to talk with her, to find kinship in someone who had also taken a position they hadn't been ready at all for. In his head, it all traced back to Steven, and it all hinged on Steven being alive. He had to make sure this worked.

No, he thought, This isn't right, either, this can't be right. No, this isn't-! You're-! You're thinking like her, aren't you?! You just have to talk to him! He's not important to you! He's…

He's better than you thought.

Does he really deserve this?

Swallowing, Gladion spoke.

"Steven," he began, "I know...I know it's hard. I know all of this is hard. There's a lot I haven't come to terms with, like what you're going through. If you keep going on like this, you'll never be able to move on! Please, calm down and let Aether take you back, before…"

Steven cocked his head once again - Was that a regular gesture of his? - and looked Gladion in the eye, his milky-white gaze seeming to look right through him.

Gladion swore his heart was beating faster. He began to tremble violently, to the point where even speaking had become difficult. His legs felt weak. No, this couldn't happen! He had to keep talking! Steven wasn't attacking, why couldn't he finish what he was saying?!

"B...Bef...Before…!"

Before you're dead too? Before you kill someone else? Did you even kill them?! How am I supposed to finish that now, when-

"Gladion! MOVE!"

Nanu's cry, his voice coming out like glass shattering, came too late. In that moment, Steven had rushed towards him and pinned him to the ground with the two long tendrils over his shoulders, breathing heavily.

As if he was in pain.

"Persian...Get ready! You're going to need to use your Z-Move here!" Nanu ordered, "Sorry about this, boy...It's the only way I can save you here. That Beast isn't going to be merciful."

"Officer…" Gladion choked out, "S...Steven...I thought...When…!"

An idea crossed Gladion's mind. The two had barely been able to talk, but the phrase echoing in Gladion's mind...Perhaps that was the key!

Behind Gladion, Nanu hesitated. Gladion had never seen him hesitate before, not like that.

Gladion's breathing remained shallow, his heart continued to race.

I have to save him! I have to keep him alive!

He couldn't tell if it was venom or not.

He no longer cared. Steven had to remain alive.

"Remember...W...When you...Said I reminded you of someone?" he whispered, "When you said that...I didn't know...How to feel."

Steven's grip on his shoulders loosened at his words. Yes! Finally, he'd gotten through!

"But...I think...I know now." Steven stood up, staring down at Gladion with the same blank expression that had lingered on his face throughout the confrontation. "I trust you, Steven. I don't know if you did what they say you did, but...You're not a bad person. I can't think of you like that. S-So please...Snap out of this!"

Seconds passed. Seconds that felt like minutes, turning to hours, to days, to weeks, years, an eternity. Steven stepped back and fell to his knees, the glow fading from his eyes.

"...I...I'm...Sorry...Gladion, was it?" Steven whispered, "I can't...I knew something had happened to them, but...I remember now."

"...Persian," Nanu ordered, "Stand down. I've got this one."

The tendrils faded from Steven's back as Gladion sat up, the two of them simply sitting together silently, facing each other and observing every detail about the other's expression.

In Steven's face, there were revelations, there was grief, but at the same time, Gladion could tell, from that smile he was managing to keep, that he'd felt relieved. It was an odd sort of feeling, realizing what had just happened. Steven had resisted the Beast. Clearly, he'd been fighting its influence for so long. He'd said it himself.

He knew something was there.

He just couldn't tell what it was.

Clearly, he hadn't known how to stop it, either.

"...Gladion." Steven's words broke the silence like a raindrop hitting water. "Thank you. I still don't know what's happening to me anymore, but...That Beast. Your words were enough to make me remember that I'd lost myself to it. I was finally able to force it back after what you said. And I remembered...Wallace. I still don't know if I did that to them, but...I can remember that I was there. I suppose only time will tell us the truth of the matter."

Steven's hesitation at saying Wallace's name...Gladion couldn't help but think the Beast was still influencing him in that regard. That it wasn't merely grief affecting him, even if he'd managed to suppress Nihilego's influence.

This wasn't its venom, after all. Something else had happened, something nobody had seen before.

It was only natural it'd work differently.

The sound of footsteps rushing around them caused both Gladion and Steven to stand.

Aether's employees stood around the cliff above the beach, surrounding the group.

"Officer Nanu!" one of them called out, "Are they calm? Will we be able to take them back without much trouble?"

"You shouldn't have any at all after what your president just did," Nanu replied, "Go on, both of you. Head back with them, then."

"...Officer Nanu…" Gladion turned to Nanu, finally able to smile again after such a thing had happened. "Thank you for giving me the chance to talk things over."

"Heh. Don't mention it," Nanu said, turning towards the sea, "Get some rest, boy. You'll need it."

With that, Gladion stepped towards the Aether employees who had gathered, Steven following behind him, and allowed them to lead him to the ferry they'd taken over to the shores near Aether House.

He still couldn't make heads or tails of anything, but at that point, all that mattered was rest.

"I suppose only time will tell us the truth of the matter." Steven had been right in that regard.

Whatever had become of him. Whether that feeling in his chest, when Steven was in danger, was the venom or not. Whether Steven had truly caused Wallace's demise.

Time would tell.

At that point, all Gladion needed was a little rest.