"Found you," Agent Bob wheezed, leaning against a tree. His Alakazam was a tall, dark, silent presence beside the sweating ball of a man. Bob had lost weight. "Do you know how much footwork I and the other Constellation agents have done the past few months? We've had to reassure world governments that Pokémon are not evil nor will they overthrow the planet. Every head of state, dictator and religious leader asked for you, Hannah. Why have you hidden from us?"

"I was learning."

"That's beautiful. What did you learn in this tiny, little hole in the mountain?"

"I must take responsibility for my actions."

Agent Bob straightened up a bit. "Yeah, you ain't just whistlin' Dixie."

"I am through with illusions. Take me to your leader."

"You're looking at him."

"You?"

Bob laughed, coughing. "No." He turned his face towards his silent partner.

Agent Bob's Alakazam stood at ease. "I am Constellation," everyone present heard in their minds. "Bob is my Trainer. When I was an Abra, I decided to form my organisation when I heard the thoughts of Pokémon around the world. They all cried out for justice, for a saviour. For a while I thought I could be their messiah. I was wrong. Thus I sought to bring order out of chaos by introducing the Star Card system."

"He's something," Bob said, his round face lighting up as he patted Alakazam's slim but powerful shoulder. "The authority of Pokémon Gyms and Leagues are limited to their countries. He came up with a global system that gives all Trainers responsibility for all Pokémon matters. All are given a voice. All are given a role. All Trainers feel a sense of belonging, and so captured Pokémon feel protected, not used."

"One star: free Pokémon Centre access, forever. Two stars: the same rights, powers and responsibilities as an Elite Four member. Three stars: the mantle of Champion. Four stars: the mantle of Frontier Brain."

Bob's Alakazam fixed his soulsearching gaze upon Hannah.

"You are the second Trainer I have considered as an exception to the rule. You have two stars on your card, but you deserve to enjoy the benefits of a five-star card holder. The five-star card - the black card - is reserved for the peerless Trainer. One who loves both Pokémon and humanity. A paragon, who is given the ultimate responsibility: ambassador of Earth."

"You only tell me this because I have the ear of the mightiest Pokémon."

"No, Hannah. Power without perception is spiritually useless and therefore of no true value. That is why we have arrived at the current crisis."

"Bob? What's he talking... er, thinking about?"

Bob rubbed his hands over his face. The corners of his mouth drooped. "The Powers That Be have delivered an ultimatum to Constellation: either you prove your worthiness as ambassador of Earth, or you will be stripped of all your rights as Trainer. That includes the right to capture, own and train Pokémon, participate in battles or other contests."

"That's not fair!" Mars shot back.

Hanny lifted her hand. "I understand. A sacrifice is needed to assuage the masses."

"How will you do it, Hannah?" Saturn asked.

The girl smiled, looking around her at the crowd of former Team Galactic members. "The answer has been with me for some time."

888

The residents of Hearthome City, along with their baby carriages and strollers, stood murmuring at the large gathering of ex-Galactic grunts, scientists and engineers in front their Pokémon Hotel. The vacationers at the hotel were all gawking at the spectacle from their windows or balconies. Hannah stood at the forefront, orbited by Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. She drew hostile stares from Hearthome's parents but unabashed curiosity and wonder from the children who had been old enough to understand the recent apocalypse. Jubilife TV had a camera crew ready and rolling, broadcasting to the rest of the planet.

"Hearthome," Hannah began, her voice silencing the onlookers, "ten years ago your town was almost destroyed by a global storm. That storm was caused by a Pokémon named MewTwo. Arceus and I finished what he started; the summary destruction of the human and Pokémon race. Like him, I believed I could start anew with a superior race of beings at my command."

She breathed in, then shouted, "I WAS WRONG!"

The crowd - the world - held its breath.

"Though this world is imperfect, I am not the sole architect of the future. Your children are!" she declared, pointing at the prams. "That is why I stand here with former members of Team Galactic. Their leader Cyrus yet lives, but I believe he has chosen a different path."

"Indeed I have."

The world turned its attention to Cyrus, some suffering whiplash in the process. Here was the instigator of armageddon! The gaunt man was even thinner, but his face was no longer troubled with shadows. He did not smile, but his eyes did not cut. His posture was stiffer than before.

"Leader!" Mars gushed, running to him.

Jupiter hesitated for a moment but joined Mars at his feet, their knees in the dust, their fists outstretched, their faces joyous but stern.

Cyrus reached out to unfurl their fists, lacing their small fingers with his long sinuous ones. The tension in his back eased somewhat. He held their hands in his for a long moment, knowing that they had willingly given their bodies, minds and souls to him. He felt their hot blood just beneath their skin, and knew they would spill it with just one word from him. Knowing all these things, he gently squeezed their hands and said, "These are no longer mine."

He lifted them both, their small hands in his large ones. Hand in hand, he walked with them towards Saturn, who bowed in reverence.

"Leader."

"Saturn. That's not your name, is it? That's the name I gave you."

"I bear it as a badge of my loyalty."

"No more. I release you and these women."

Cyrus lifted his chin.

"TEAM GALACTIC!"

"SIR!" they shouted. All clapped to attention except Mars and Jupiter, who held such a fierce blush in their cheeks that they were in danger of catching fire. Cyrus had never touched them before, but his hands were still linked to theirs. They never wanted to let go.

Satisfied that he had their attention, Cyrus continued speaking: "As of today, Team Galactic is disbanded. You are free men and women. Your Pokémon and your lives are your own! Follow your own pathways in life! This is my final order to you as leader!"

"SIR! YES, SIR!"

Cyrus sighed, his back easing into a natural arch. The women formerly known as Mars and Jupiter hung onto his arms. He was a strong man. Their eyes, as they looked at him, had changed. They were no longer afraid.

Cyrus cleared his throat. "Proceed, Hannah."

"With pleasure. Citizens, I declare 'Project: Hearthome' OPEN! I have already spoken with your mayor. She has agreed to let us build new houses for the future generations."

"Indeed I have!" the mayor shouted, pushing her way past Jubilife TV's phalanx of reporters. "I approve of Project: Hearthome! Sorry I'm late!"

"That's okay, mayor. We will build a new future, beginning here. Oh yes, citizens, this is just the beginning. 'Project: Eterna' and 'Project: Solaceon' are almost underway. We will build the future across Sinnoh, until our region becomes the birthplace of tomorrow!"

The former Team Galactic cheered, and with them cheered Hearthome's residents, and many people of planet Earth.

The world had received its answer at last.