As Ash slept and waited to see Arceus in his dreams, but hours went by and his dreams remained normal. However, just as he was starting to worry that his mission wasn't really over, all of a sudden both he and Pikachu were woken up by what sounded like a large explosion outside, one that seemed to rock the entire Hisui region.

"What the?!" Ash gasped as he quickly got up and ran out of his barracks. Pikachu followed him outside and both of them gasp in shock. They were shocked to see that the sky had turned a blood-red color with blue and green lights streaking across it. People across the village were also noticing the sky's change and it was obvious that a panic was quickly starting to grip the village. "What's going on here?!"

"Ash!" Akari called as she exited her barracks as well and ran over to him. "Do you know what happened to the sky?!"

"I have no idea!" he admitted as he tried to think what could've possibly caused an entire sky to seemingly break.

"Oh no! Look at the rift!" she gasped as she pointed to the rift above the mountain. Ash followed her gaze and saw that not only had the rift at the top of the mountain not been closed, but it had grown much larger and seemed to be sending out even more bolts of the same energy lighting that was hitting the Lords across the region.

"What the?! How has it gotten bigger?!" he asked in utter disbelief.

"That can't be good..." she gulped.

"Ash! Akari!" a familiar voice called out to them. Both of them turned around and were surprised to see Professor Laventon running toward them.

"Professor?" Akari asked. "Please tell me you know what's going on…"

"I'm afraid I haven't a clue…" the Professor admitted. "But I'm here because you're both needed at headquarters right away. Everyone is there now and the Commander is insisting you both come at once."

"Maybe he knows what's going on. Akari let's hurry." Ash suggested before running off towards the Galaxy Team headquarters. Akari nodded in agreement and ran after him as Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder to ride. They burst in through the front door and made their way up to the Commander's office as fast as their legs would carry them. Their entrance was greeted by Commander Kamado, both the Clan Leaders and Captain Cyllene, all of whom seemed just as concerned about the current situation as Ash and Akari were.

"Good. You're both here." The Commander said with a curt nod. The Commander had always been a man of few emotions, but even still, there was something about his demeanor that began to worry Ash.

"I'm glad you're both ok." Adaman told them both with a small smile.

"I wish I could say the same for the sky..." Irida sighed worriedly.

"I don't understand how this could've happened...I thought saving all the Lords would have made the rift disappear...but somehow the rift has gotten even bigger…" Ash sighed, feeling defeated. After everything he'd gone through not only was he not going home and finally learning what happened to May, but in addition to that now the situation here had only gotten worse. What could he possibly be missing?

"We have to do something to fix all this." Adman said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"But how do we do that?" Irida asked.

"Maybe the Lords have gone into frenzies again…?" Akari suggested.

"No, I know they haven't…" Irida replied with a shake of her head.

"She's right." Adaman nodded. "Our Wardens reported to us on our way here and they claim that the Lords are all doing just fine.

"Enough." Kamado suddenly interjected. "We will find the solution in due time. But right now there is a more pressing issue we need to address."

"What could possibly be more important than fixing this?" Ash wondered, genuinely confused by the Commander's statement. The Commander remained quiet for a moment as he closed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, turning his attention to a map of Hisui on his wall before finally began to answer.

"The lightning that first struck Kleavor and sent him into a frenzy. It happened the same night that Ash fell from the sky did it not?" he asked the group, further confusing everyone.

"Yeah so? What are you getting at Commander?" Akari questioned him with a confused tilt of her head.

"These two events are both very unique. It's not improbable that both events might be linked in some way." He continued.

"Commander?" Irida voiced a similar confusion. However before anyone else could ask further questions, Commander Kamado turned back toward the group and glared directly at Ash.

"Just who or what are you really Ash?! And what have you done to Hisui?!" he demanded in a booming voice that caught everyone off guard.

"Wait you think I had something to do with this?!" Ash gasped in shock.

"Hold on Commander! There's nothing to suggest that Ash has wronged us!" Adaman pointed out, quickly stepping to Ash's defense with similar sentiments coming from Akari and Irida.

"Answer me this. Are you able to absolve him of all doubt and suspicion?" Kamado countered, focusing his attention on the dissenters.

"What?! No one could! You're asking us to prove a negative!" Irida yelled. Ash growled under his breath as he stepped forward in his own defense.

"All I have been doing since I got here is help all of you! I've helped save all 5 of the Lords and even gathered some useful data for the Professor's Pokedex project! What could I possibly have to gain from creating the rift?!" he protested angrily.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu agreed.

"Commander be reasonable-" Adaman tried to provide support, but Commander Kamado cut him off.

"I will listen if he finds proof of his innocence. But until then, I have a duty to protect Jubilife Village." He declared, catching Akari's attention with his tone.

"Wait..." she said, but Kamado ignored her.

"Ash, until you can prove your innocence, you are banished from Jubilife Village." He announced, shocking everyone.

"What?!" Ash gasped.

"Pika?!"

"Commander you can't-" Akari tried to protest but the Commander again cut her off.

"My decision is final. Captain Cyllene, please escort Mr. Ketchum out of the village."

"Yes sir." Cyllene nodded as she stepped forward to Ash's side and gestured him towards the door. "This way Ash."

"This is asinine!" Ash yelled angrily. "How do you expect me to prove I didn't do something that I didn't do?!"

"That is not my concern. You need to leave." Kamado insisted, not backing down in the slightest. Ash could only growl and glare at the Commander as Cyllene put a hand on his shoulder and repeated her order more firmly.

"This way Ash." Realizing that the Commander wasn't going to back down from his position, Ash's anger faded slightly as he sighed, following her out without another word. Adaman and Irida stood in stunned silence as they watched him be escorted out of the office and back down the stairs. Akari stood frozen for a few moments as well, but then she clenched a fist and ran after them.

Captain Cyllene led Ash down the streets of Jubilife Village and out towards the gate. The people in the street watched him pass by them and Ash could see that there was sadness and fear etched into their faces, even in spite of the fact that they were all happy with his work just a few hours ago. Pikachu drooped his ears sadly as Cyllene escorted them both to the Fieldlands Base Camp where they finally stopped.

"I'm sorry Ash. But from here on out, you're on your own." She announced, stoic as always, but it was clear that she didn't approve of the Commander's decision either. Before Ash could respond, however, both of them saw Akari rush over and join them in the camp.

"Captain, please! Isn't there something we can do to help? I know Ash didn't do this!" she begged, but the Captain merely shook her head.

"Once the Commander's mind is made up, there is no changing it. Ash must work to clear his name on his own. We cannot interfere."

"He's being irrational…I'd never do this…I'd never hurt anyone." Ash insisted.

"I believe you, Ash. But be that as it may, this is as far as Akari and I can go." Cyllene informed him. Akari's worried look only grew, but then an idea crossed her mind.

"Maybe...maybe the Diamond or Pearl Clan can take you in...? Maybe they'd help you…" she suggested.

"You think they would...?" he wondered, perking up a little.

"It's certainly possible." Cyllene nodded. "You've been of tremendous help to both Clans during these last few weeks. It is possible they'll help you. But whatever you decide to do, your orders are to stay alive out there."

"Right...Captain." Ash responded, grateful that at least she and Akari still had faith in him.

"Come Akari." Cyllene instructed the young trainer as she began to walk away. Akari stood still for a moment as if thinking something over for a few moments longer. Just as Ash was about to ask if she was alright, she suddenly grabbed Ash and kissed him passionately. Ash's eyes widened in shock as Pikachu's jaw fell open. Akari held him in the kiss for several moments before she slowly pulled away and looked into his eyes.

"Please be safe out there..." she begged him in a quiet voice. Ash stood before her completely stunned, only able to nod in response to her plea. Satisfied with that gesture, Akari slowly let him go and reluctantly followed Captain Cyllene back towards the village, eventually fading from Ash's sight, leaving him alone at the base camp. He took a moment to recover from Akari's kiss before taking a deep breath, trying to come to terms with his current situation.

"What do we do now...?" Pikachu asked him with a worried voice.

"I guess…we try and take Akari's advice. Let's find and ask Warden Mai then, if Diamond Clan can't help, we go ask Warden Lian. I have to think one of the clans can help us…" he decided.

"Ok." Pikachu nodded. "Well, in that case, they're probably near where their charges live. Deertrack Heights and Grandtree Arena."

"Right. Deertrack Heights is closer so let's head there first." Ash said, starting the walk towards the sight of his first Noble Encounter.

Although it was tough to tell just how long it took with the sky all messed up, Ash soon arrived at Deertrack Heights. He took a moment to look around for Mai, and eventually spotted her near the base camp with her Munchlax, both of them looking up at the sky with worried looks. He began to approach them and Mai heard his footsteps which prompted her to turn toward the approaching pair.

"Hello Warden Mai…" he cautiously greeted her, hoping that she hadn't come to the same conclusion as the Commander.

"Hello, Ash...quite the angry sky isn't it...?" she greeted him back.

"Yes, it is...I wish I knew what was going on...the Commander actually blames me for it and…he banished me from Jubilife Village...is there any chance you know of a place Pikachu and I can go?" he explained with a hopeful voice.

"I'm very sorry to hear that Ash. I don't believe you caused this catastrophe and I don't believe Adaman does either. But I'm afraid the Diamond Clan cannot come to your aid." She answered with a genuinely apologetic look.

"Oh..." he mumbled.

"Taking you in runs the risk of putting the Diamond Clan at war with the Galaxy Team. I cannot run that risk. Especially during these times of disaster..." she further explained.

"I see...I wouldn't want that…" he sighed.

"Pika…"

"I am truly sorry. Perhaps Lian and the Pearl Clan can be of more help." She suggested.

"Maybe…but part of me gets the feeling that he'll have the same concerns..." he replied.

"I wish you luck even still." She said, giving him a small smile.

"Thanks..." he replied with a forced smile of his own. Pikachu drooped his ears as Ash headed off towards the Grandtree Arena, not holding very high hopes for his next stop anymore. After another sizable trip across the area, he finally arrived at Grandtree Arena and found Lian standing at the gate, upon seeing Ash approaching, the young Warden glared at him and pointed an accusatory finger at him.

"You! What in the world did you do?! Look at the sky!" Lian yelled.

"I didn't do anything to cause this! I'm innocent!" Ash insisted, growing tired of people pointing fingers at him. The tired and sincere look on his face seemed to resonate with Lian and his expression softened.

"I want to believe that...really I do." He admitted, lowering his arm and stuffing it in his uniform pocket.

"Please believe me Lian...why would I want this happening when I've done everything I can to help everyone here...?" Ash tried to convince him.

"Truthfully I don't believe you're involved in all this…but at the same time I can't claim to have all the answers..." the Warden responded.

"Right...of course, you can't…" Ash sighed, knowing that despite how much he didn't like it, Lian was right. Even after everything that had happened, no one here would believe he was sent here from the future by the creator of this world.

"What are you doing all the way out here anyway?" Lian asked, snapping Ash out of his own thoughts.

"Commander Kamado thinks I caused all this…so I was banished from the village...I was hoping that maybe you and the Pearl Clan would give me a place to stay so I can figure things out…" he explained.

"I'm mighty sorry to hear that...but I can't let you into the Pearl Clan...if I did it would put Irida in a really bad situation you understand..." Lian replied apologetically with a shake of the head.

"I see…I guess I figured as much..."

"I'm sorry Ash..."

"It's alright...I'll just figure something else out..." With that said, Ash left the Grand Tree Arena quickly, Pikachu's ears drooping further as he did. The wary pair of travelers began wandering the fieldlands aimlessly without a real direction in mind. For the first time since they had found May's ribbon at the Molten Arena, both of them felt truly hopeless.

"What are we going to do...?" Pikachu asked quietly.

"I have no idea..." Ash sighed. "I really have no idea…"

"There's my favorite Galaxy Team member!" a new voice suddenly called to them cheerfully. Surprised to hear a friendly voice after the day he'd been having, Ash turned around and was surprised to see none other than Volo walking over to him with a big smile. "Glad I finally tracked you down."

"Volo...? What are you doing out here?" Ash wondered aloud.

"I heard about what happened to you from Akari. And given that you're out here wandering, my guess is neither of the Clans offered to take you in?" he questioned the young trainer.

"No...they can't risk a war breaking out with the Galaxy Team...and I don't want that to happen either." Ash sighed.

"Well, I can certainly understand that. But perhaps there is still a place that we can stash you away." Volo announced with a wink.

"Pikachu?"

"Really? You have a place we can stay?" Ash asked with equal surprise to his partner.

"Yup." The merchant nodded. "I think I know of a place you can stay until you clear your name."

"That would be great! Volo thank you so much!" he grinned excitedly.

"My pleasure. This way now." Volo replied, gesturing in a direction to the West before beginning his walk. Ash jogged over and followed him, hopeful that this was the big break he needed to finally crack this mystery.

Ash followed Volo across the region for hours. The walk to this supposed safe house of Volo's was long and exhausting, but Ash knew he didn't have any other options, and he wasn't going to complain about a long walk at this point. Eventually, Volo lead him to a secluded camp near the Crimson Mirelands and the Cobalt Coastlands. It was a small camp with only a sturdy hut, a chest of food, a crafting bench, and a small table and chair nearby.

"I know it's not much, but you know the saying about beggars and choosers." Volo chuckled.

"No no, I'm totally fine with this. Thank you so much, Volo." Ash replied, able to give a genuine smile this time.

"Well then, let me introduce you to the owner of this little retreat." Volo said as he proceeded to walk up to a woman in a black dress and hat sitting at the table he saw earlier. The woman had long gray hair pulled into a bun and her silver-colored eyes were nearly identical to that of Volo and his descendant.

"She looks like Cynthia as well!" Ash realized as his eyes widened in shock. The woman noticed Volo and Ash approaching her and casually took a sip from a teacup she had resting in her hand.

"Shirking your work to come pester me again Volo? Oh dear whatever will I do with you?" she sighed.

"Good to see you too Mistress Cogita." Volo chuckled before stepping aside so Ash and the woman could formally meet. "Ash, this is my Grandmother, Cogita. Mistress, this is Ash, the visitor from beyond the rift."

"Hello." Ash said with a polite bow once he shook off his surprise. "I hope you don't mind if I stay here while I attempt to fix this problem that has arisen."

"That's quite alright dear. I'm glad Volo brought you here in fact. I've been looking forward to the day I finally meet the second lost child." She chuckled as she took another sip of her tea. Her comment caught Ash's attention however as he looked at her with a peaked interest.

"Wait. Did you say second?" However, before Cogita could answer his question, the door to the hut suddenly opened and a young woman stepped out into the open.

"Mistress Cogita the tea is ready and-" she took notice of Ash and stopped in surprise. Time seemed to freeze across the region as the eyes of both young adults met. Ash looked at her in complete and utter shock, his jaw falling open as his eyes widened further than he ever thought possible. There, standing before him…was his beloved. Every curve of her body, every strand of her hair, and every gleam in her eyes was exactly as he remembered. She was wearing Hisuian clothes now just as he was, but there was no doubt that it was her. She was alive. She was ok. And she was there, right in front of him.

"MAY?!"

To be Continued...