As this chapter's name suggests, everyone is given some ample time to recuperate after the huge battle at the Abyssal Raiders' trench. Indeed, that carnage has badly affected everyone – even those that caused it.

I hope some of you were eagerly waiting for what happens at the end of this chapter, because I certainly was!

-.-.-.-.-.

The trench looked as if an undersea storm had raged through it.

It was completely devoid of Abyssal Raiders, the majority being dead and the rest having fled with their lives. The only Pokemon in sight were Frillish of both colors, as well as Tentacool and Tentacruel, cleaning up the mess that their attack had caused and guarding the fortress in case its original owners came back to claim it again.

In one particular cavern, the faint sounds of despair could be heard emanating from it. Anyone who passed knew just who inhabited said cavern, and knew not to bother them in such a state of broken-down emotion.

Lady Sapphire floated back and forth, wringing her tentacles together and looking like a complete wreck. Indeed, she looked close to a nervous breakdown. "Why?" she asked over and over again, tears welling in her eyes. "Why, Neptune? Why did you do that?"

The blue Frillish's expression carried a look of sadness and pity as he got up off of his chair. "Sapphire," he began gently. "Please understand, if I hadn't done anything…"

But before he could complete the statement, she whirled on him with a hostility that she had never shown him before. "You were almost killed!" Sapphire screeched. "If you died, what do you think that would do to me? If anyone was to die, it should have been me!"

Neptune looked positively distraught. "Please," he croaked, voice breaking with emotion. "If I hadn't done anything to save you, you would have died and my heart would have went with you. Do you think I could carry on living with the knowledge that I didn't even try?"

The anger drained from Sapphire's face. She now held herself up limply, as if her strength would give out any moment. "That Solarbeam could have killed you," she whispered in protest. "You shouldn't have done anything. If you hadn't, then at least you would be able to keep on living. I-I'm n-not worth the effort… the b-bravery… to s-save…"

Now Sapphire couldn't bear her emotions any longer. She collapsed heavily on her armchair, breaking down in a flood of sadness and guilt. She buried her face in her tentacles and wept, crying her heart out at the memory of what had nearly happened to her beloved Neptune.

"Never say that again," her husband said quietly as he sat down beside her. "If you weren't worth the effort it took to save you from certain death, then I would never have married you." His soft, soothing voice was enough to push Sapphire completely off of the edge. She threw her arms around him and buried her head into his neck as her sobbing increased in intensity.

All Neptune could do was hold her in his own arms and make soft shushing sounds in her ear, trying to ease her pain. At last, her crying faded down to a low moan and she stopped shuddering. The only sounds that came from the pink Frillish's mouth were exhausted gasps as her energy wore out and she leaned limply into him.

"I would never be able to live without you," Neptune said quietly, prompting Sapphire to look up at him with blurry, puffy eyes. He didn't even look at her as he continued sadly, "Without you, I'd be nothing. I would have no reason to live. If you died there in front of me, I'd just lie down next to you and stay there until I died. Then we would be able to be together again…"

Neptune sniffled as a single tear slid down his cheek. Lady Sapphire watched him with something like fascination. I always knew he loved me, she thought in wonder. But I never even suspected that it was as strong as my love for him…

"I was taking a huge risk in saving you like that," he continued sadly. "But big risks always have big rewards, and my reward in this case was you being able to be here with me right now." He looked up and directly into her eyes, and she could at last get a sense of what her husband was feeling right now.

"Neptune…" she whispered painfully, her throat dreadfully dry from crying. The blue Frillish stroked her gently as he went on, "I made a promise to your parents the day we were married. They asked me to swear that I'd protect you, no matter what happened. And I made that promise in a heartbeat. Even if they didn't ask me to make that promise, I would have promised that to myself anyway. If hundreds of Pokemon have to die in return for your safety, then so be it."

Lady Sapphire felt tears come once more to her eyes. Her mouth tweaked upwards in a sad smile. "That's the nicest, most heartfelt thing anyone has ever said to me…" she murmured, leaning into him once more and embracing him with a new strength.

They held onto each other strongly, unwilling to let go. "I will always, always be there for you," Neptune whispered. "And I for you," she replied in a voice just as soft.

Tears were now flowing freely down the two lovers' faces as they gently touched their foreheads together and nuzzled each other lovingly. Neptune smiled as he bent down and kissed her tenderly, murmuring "I love you," as he did so.

By the time they broke apart, a wide, genuine smile was spreading across Sapphire's lovely face. "I love you more," she replied, and pushed him against the back of the armchair. They shared another kiss, which Sapphire eagerly deepened.

It was this passionate act that strengthened the both of them. The two Frillish tightened their embrace lustfully and pushed themselves closer up against the other, each happy and relieved that their love remained intact after all they had been through.

They knew that they would be forever safe, as long as they were wrapped in each others' arms.

-.-.-.-.-.

Night had fallen, and the trio of ships pushed onwards through the calm seas. Fog still shrouded the area, making navigation difficult. In the Murkrow's nest of the foremost ship, the Windchaser, sat Pteryx and Wyvern, whose keen eyes were more able than any other to see through the mist. They were the only ones out and about.

Behind the Windchaser, below the deck of the Tranquility, Lancelot silently opened the door to one of the cabins. Luke and Gaby looked up, startled at his sudden intrusion. They were sitting side by side on the edge of the bed, illuminated by a candle on the shelf above that had been lit.

The Gallade was about to ask how they were doing, when he saw for himself. Gaby's eyes were redder than usual, and her face was streaked with tears.

"I tried to calm her down," Luke said apologetically, "but I just didn't know what to say! She's so upset, and I was completely worthless…" His voice was heavy with guilt and sadness.

Lancelot sat down on the bed, on the other side of Gaby. His daughter just hung her head, silently looking at the floor.

The Victini looked at him desperately. Please help her, he seemed to be pleading.

"Gaby, what's wrong?" Lancelot asked softly, putting a reassuring arm around her shoulders.

She didn't answer at first, just kept staring downwards. They heard her sniffle quietly and then swallow, as if trying to clear her throat in order to speak. Lancelot and Luke waited for her to say something.

Finally, she swallowed again and rasped, "E-Everything's g-going so wrong."

The two males said nothing, still waiting. Gaby raised her head and looked up at her father. "F-First there was that storm that took the T-Tranquility. Then we got c-captured by the Abyssal R-Raiders" – here she swallowed again – "and I f-found out that m-my Shard, the one I f-found, was taken. Then I k-killed that Octillery, and n-now M-Mother and T-Topaz are m-missing… I j-just d-don't know what t-to do anymore…"

Gaby sunk her head into her hands and started sobbing. Luke was unable to remain expressionless, eyes watering and mouth quivering at the sight of his friend looking so distraught.

Lancelot gently put his other arm around the Kirlia, and she leaned into her father's side helplessly. Upon watching this, Luke looked away and choked back a sob of his own.

"Things are getting worse," Lancelot began, "and we're all dealing with the same hardships you are. When my team and I were captured on Deepdark Island, it was terrible, but it was made even worse because I knew that I was separated from my family. And that's only one example. I'm sure that if you asked anyone else on this ship, they'd tell you about something equally terrible that they've experienced."

Gaby slowly stopped crying. Her father continued, "But because all of these horrible things are happening to us, that only makes it even more important for us not to give up."

The girl looked up at him, a question clearly showing through her watery eyes. "…R-Really…?" she croaked, instinctively swallowing again.

"Yes," Lancelot replied. "Look at you now… you've given up hope because you've been captured and imprisoned, you're missing your mother and your brother, and you're uncertain as to what the future holds. I understand that. I'm just as uncertain as you are, and I miss my family as well. But I haven't given up."

Gaby was silent once more as she contemplated his words.

The Gallade stood up and turned to Luke. "Now might not be the time for this," he told him, "but I think Gaby needs a little time to herself. You mind coming with me and talking for a while?"

Luke glanced once at Gaby before floating up off the bed. "A-Alright…" he replied, voice cracking slightly. The two of them quietly walked out of the cabin and shut the door behind them.

Once they were alone in the corridor, Lancelot began walking toward the stairs that led above deck, gesturing for Luke to follow him. The Victini fluttered alongside him for a few moments.

"You feeling alright?" Lancelot suddenly asked, catching Luke slightly off guard. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine," the Psychic-and-Fire-type replied, wiping the leftover tears out of his eyes. "I'm just worried about Gaby, and I'm confused like you are. I don't know what's going to happen to us. The world's going crazy with all the evildoers and natural disasters running rampant."

Lancelot quickly snuck a furtive glance at Luke – the Victini was indeed much more mature than he looked. Maybe… just maybe…

"Luke, was it?" he asked, getting a nod out of the much smaller Pokemon. They reached the stairs, and Lancelot opened the hatch, allowing them to step up onto the deck. Despite the fog and the wind stirring up waves on the ocean's surface, it was peaceful and calm.

"You know, Luke," Lancelot started, pausing for a moment out of uncertainty, "I've been on a rescue team for a long time, and I can tell that you have great potential. You're a powerful Pokemon, Luke – Gaby's told me about the things you've pulled off when the going's gotten tough. So when we arrive at the Guardians' isle… would you be willing to join Team Knights as our apprentice?"

The Victini almost fell out of the air in shock. "Y-You really want me on your team?" he asked. "Won't I slow you and Arthur down on your adventures? Won't I just mess up and make stupid mistakes?"

The Psychic-and-Fighting-type chuckled. "Yes, you will," he agreed. "You'll make lots of mistakes, and mess up continuously. When I first joined a rescue team as an apprentice, I did both of those things time after time. But like I said, you're powerful and have huge potential. I think you'd make a great rescue team member with enough experience."

Luke was flattered, excited, and beyond flabbergasted – but he was still unsure of Lancelot's offer. "Can I just think about it for a while?" he asked tentatively. "This is coming as a huge shock to me, being asked to join an almost-legendary rescue team and become a Guardian and all…"

Lancelot chuckled again. "Of course. I'm not forcing you to do anything. It's entirely your choice as to if you join Team Knights or not."

The Gallade gave him a final nod and walked up to the bow to talk with Chet at the wheel, leaving Luke alone to ponder the offer he had been given.

-.-.-.-.-.

Across the western ocean, floating farther and farther north in the opposite direction of the Windchaser, Cenric was the only one of his small company that remained awake. Vizeli was still unconscious, while Madeleine, Sam, Blanca, and the Crawdaunt guard had fallen asleep. The Buizel was left alone to contemplate on what had gone on so far – as well the situation he was stuck in.

First, there was his mother. Vizeli had abandoned him on the Glacier of Absence, and he had recently found her working for the Abyssal Raiders. She was a Pokemon to be wary of, and one that he was infinitely uncomfortable being around. Cenric had no doubt that the Floatzel would double-cross them all at the first sign of trouble.

But… she was still his mother. How did that affect Cenric's current relationship with her? He wasn't quite sure…

Then there was Madeleine. The Absol was his best friend, whom he had grown up with in the Yin-Yang Islands. She was someone he admired and – in recent years – loved. But the disaster that occurred just before her disappearance was harsh, and it had been partially Cenric's fault. From the way Madeleine had treated him earlier, it was obvious that she was still mad.

A soft sound interrupted Cenric's troubled thoughts. It was Blanca, rousing herself from sleep. "…Cenric?" she asked groggily. "Why aren't you asleep?"

He shrugged indifferently. "I can't get comfortable," he replied, the discomfort he was feeling seeping into his voice. Blanca noticed this and became concerned, forcing herself further awake. "What's wrong?" the older Absol inquired worriedly.

"Its… well, its this entire situation we're in that's bothering me," Cenric admitted as she walked the short distance across their raft and sat down next to him. "Our world's being torn to shreds, literally and figuratively. Society's crumbling and natural disasters are helping that immensely. I've heard rumors while I was wandering that the mythical mystery dungeons are appearing."

The Buizel sighed and finished, "But what's bothering me the most… is where I am right now. I'm in the middle of nowhere with a former Abyssal Raider, my abusive mother, and my best friend whom I think I'm in love with and who hates me in return. And the only source of comfort is you and Sam."

He almost started to cry. But his pride got in the way of that at the last second.

Blanca curled up around him and laid her head on her paws. "Cenric, there's very little you can do about any of this," she told him gently. "You're going to have to make the best of it."

His voice came out weighed down with hopelessness. "How?" he moaned.

"I'm not sure," Blanca admitted. "But Sam and I are here to make you feel better. You've always been like a son to us."

Cenric leaned miserably against the Absol's side and took a deep breath through his nose. The scent and warmth of her fur was comforting, and it reminded him of home. Against his will, he instinctively relaxed.

"Just give it a little time," continued Blanca. "We'll find land eventually. And maybe even before that, your feelings about Vizeli and Madeleine might change for the better. Theirs too, even."

The Buizel couldn't help but feel better at Blanca's soothing words. Yes, maybe there'd come a time where he no longer felt uncomfortable around Madeleine and Vizeli. But right now, he'd have to put up with them and find a way to survive until they hit land.

Comforted by Blanca's words and feeling relaxed as he leaned against her, Cenric slowly fell asleep.

-.-.-.-.-.

Deep in thought, Luke had wandered back below deck after talking with Lancelot. He was still shocked from the Gallade's proposition – how in Arceus' name would he ever live up to their expectations? Team Knights was one of the most revered of rescue teams, and he was simply… Luke.

He brought himself out of his worrisome thoughts when he approached the cabin in which he and Lancelot had left Gaby. The Victini frowned slightly, floating forward and pressing one of his ears to the door. He couldn't hear anything.

Luke turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. It was dark inside – it seemed the candle on the shelf had been blown out. Gaby was lying on the bed, giving no sign that she had noticed the door opening and the light flooding in.

"Are you feeling a little better?" Luke asked hesitantly. He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked intently at the Kirlia. Her eyes gazed back at him, but she didn't reply.

"I've been doing some thinking," Luke continued, trying to make conversation in order to help soothe her, "and I've realized something. I've realized that Lancelot was right when he said that you shouldn't give up, no matter what's going on around you."

Gaby stayed quiet and kept looking at him. Luke took this as a good sign and continued to talk. "Your dad said that we shouldn't give up because of our problems. He said that our problems are only giving us more reasons not to give up. The more bad things that come our way, the more good things we have to fight for.

"You're missing your mom and your brother, but that's just another reason to stay strong! There's always a chance that you'll see them again, and you have to fight in order to take that chance. If you give up hope, then you'll never find them. Just don't give up, Gaby. Things will get better! Just wait and see."

The Kirlia slowly sat up and joined him on the edge of the bed. When she spoke, her voice was no longer broken and raspy, but it was still weak and subdued. "It's hard," she said softly. "It's hard to keep going when so many things are going wrong. The problems we're facing are so large that they can affect the very world we live in. It makes me feel small and alone…"

She stopped when she felt a small yet strong hand clutch her own. Gaby looked at Luke, witnessing the change that had come over him. The light in his normally soft blue eyes was hard and determined, and his face was set in a stern, stoic expression. He looked so much more mature, like the Pokemon he really was inside of that tiny, furry body.

"You're never alone, Gaby," Luke told her. "You'll never be alone as long as you have your friends with you. And you have a lot of friends! You have four rescue teams on your side, as well as Cobalt, Shadepelt, Cliff, and a whole bunch more. As long as we're there to fight alongside you, you'll never be alone."

The Victini looked at her with a new intensity, and he held her hand in both of his hands now. "And you'll never be alone because I'll be there with you. I'll always be there at your side to support you. And you can count on me to never, ever leave."

Gaby stared at him, spellbound. This was a Pokemon that was calling himself her friend. A Pokemon that was telling her that they would be forever united. A Pokemon that was willing to lay down his life to protect her, a Kirlia he barely knew, even after all of their adventures together.

The shell she normally hid herself underneath fell to pieces. A smile began to stretch across her face. And her heart melted.

Gaby lunged forward, sweeping Luke up into her arms. Tears of joy ran freely down her face and dripped onto the bed as she leaned forward and kissed him, directly on the mouth.

The kiss lasted exactly four seconds.

The Kirlia finally withdrew, her shuddering breaths coming hard and fast. Luke's wide – and, she suddenly realized, extremely handsome – blue eyes were fixated on her face. Gaby smiled and wrapped her arms a little more tightly around him, pushing her forehead against his.

"Thank you," she breathed. And then she was on her feet and walking out the door, gone in mere moments.

Luke was shaking and twitching as the realization of what Gaby had done slowly made its way into his paralyzed mind. Then the sheer magnitude of it hit him all at once, and he fainted, falling backwards onto the bed without even a sound.

His dreams were focused entirely on that memory – the memory of the angel named Gaby that had come down from Arceus' domain and into his life, the no longer pretty, but stunningly beautiful, Kirlia that had so intimately intertwined her lips with his. The memory of the kiss burned like the fire of Ho-oh in his mind, the feeling of her blissfully soft, warm lips working slowly against his forever locked in the treasure trove of his memories.

And if Luke's memories were a treasure trove, then the memory of his and Gaby's first kiss was the most magnificent jewel of them all.

In his dreams, the Victini could only utter one word. It was the loveliest two syllables he had ever heard, the sound of which set his heart aflame. The name endlessly repeated itself in his mind, and he never once grew tired of hearing it.

Gaby… Gaby… Gaby…

-.-.-.-.-.

More Sapphire/Neptune mushiness! I can't help but feel that their love for one another redeems them somewhat. Right, readers?

Is this the last we'll see of the Frillish couple? Just wait…

Also… Luke and Gaby have finally done it. Gaby's breached the gap that precedes romance upon realizing her true feelings for the Victini. I-I feel like c-crying. L-Let me j-just g-get my h-hanky… *starts sobbing and blows nose*

Luke: *still dazed* "Review, please… mmmmmmm… Gaby…"

Chapter Question #27: Which heroes do you want to see more of in the sequel? Are there any I should expand more upon?