Upon waking up for the first time since collapsing in Arcana Colosseum during his showdown with Chris, Michael Kingston could not tell immediately where he was. Though he expected to be in the hospital, recuperating from whatever procedure his doctor and Jenna had undoubtedly made him go through, he was curious as to why the skies above him were bright shades of white and pink. He felt weak, as if his body didn't have the strength to get up on his own account, but he tried all the same. He pushed back on whatever he had been leaning on and it felt as if it were a cloud with how soft it was. He glanced around him and tried to piece things together. He winced in pain as he tried to sit up, but finally overcame the pain inside him and got onto his rear end.

So...this is it then? Michael was sure that he had been in this place before. Many months earlier, when he and his friends had made a daring attempt to enter the Realm of Arceus to see if the great god of their world was able to help them overcome the shadows of both Mewtwo and the Syndicate. Now, he was here again. Had his life finally given out? Or was he here in a dream? He couldn't tell immediately. Especially when he saw several cherubic creatures flying overhead, each reminiscent of a color of the rainbow. He made to try and reach out towards them, but his left arm was in searing pain, as if he had been recently scorched by the brand Cassius had inflicted upon him so long ago.

"Well, if I was dead" he told himself, "I don't think I'd be in this much pain."

"You're right about that, Michael" a voice called out to him from nearby.

Michael looked around for the source of the voice. When his eyes made contact with those of his 'mother', Jane Kingston, he felt himself become emotional again. "Mom."

Jane Kingston, as angelic as she had always been, made her way over to his side and sat beside him. "Oh, my brave, brave boy."

"Why am I here?"

"Because you just can't stop feeling like you're the reason things are so bad down there" she replied gently, rubbing her hand soothingly on his upper arm. "Because you never learned to let go of the past. To stop trying to find ways to be everything to everyone. To learn to live a life of peace and tranquility. It's not in you to be someone who takes the easy life. Even when it's given to you on a silver platter." She took a deep breath. "You're not mad at Chris for saying what he did. You're mad that you believed it before he said it. Even now, all these years later, you still blame yourself for everything. For Icarus, for me, for Cameron, for all of those people you lost in life. And no matter how many times one of us tells you differently, you cling to this idea."

"I can't help it" Michael said. "I keep seeing all of these things happening. Cameron being struck down by Courtney, who would never have been a problem if I had just taken her out on Mt. Heatmor. Icarus dying to protect me, when he could have had a whole life ahead of him. Me being unable to save Ryan or anyone I care about. You wouldn't have died if I hadn't been taken by the Syndicate in the first place. I let people down too much."

"You burden yourself with too much, Michael" Jane responded. "How can you move on when you burden yourself with all of the world's problems?"

"The world wouldn't have had problems if-"

"Sweetheart, the world would have problems regardless of if you or I lived or not. It will go on having problems after you and I are long gone from the memories of those who knew us. The problems never end. But neither do the solutions. They will continually bounce between one another, as they have for time immemorial. It had problems before you were born and even longer than that. None of it has to do with you." She picked up his chin with her finger and smiled at him. "Do not think for a minute that I ever regretted doing all that I could for you. Erin may have brought you into this world, but you are still and always will be my son. And I protect my children." She gently brought Michael into a hug and stroked his back lovingly.

"If I hadn't-"

"You're not listening" she spoke sadly. "Those you've lost along the way all gave their lives up for you to live. Not because you had some predestined path to walk. But because they loved you. In many ways, they still do. Before he died, your grandfather confided in me the reason why he was so insistent on keeping you safe. Rosemary may have believed it was to help enact the prophecies. But in reality, James only ever wanted you to grow up and live as normal a life as possible. He knew his daughter was not going to be able to give you the kind of love you'd need growing up, which is why he had you stay with us as long as you did. You and the rest of his grandchildren were his entire world."

"Things were so much easier when he was here."

"The most painful yet most essential lessons one learns in life must be learned on our own" his mother suggested. "James could not be there in order for you to become the man you are today. The one who does the right thing all the time, while not expecting a reward. Or if I hadn't helped you see the world for what it is. You became who you are through the experiences you gained in life without me or your grandfather involved."

"I was always thinking of you" he admitted. "You and Grandpa were all I had in those days I was alone in exile."

"And we were always thinking of you, Michael" Jane surmised, kissing her son's head. "At least I was."

"But all of these other people who died..."

"Would have sacrificed themselves for you again if given the option. You know deep down Icarus never regretted saving you. And you know I don't. As for the others, namely your father, Robert's son, Cameron, Olivia, I don't think you need to worry about having let them down."

Michael glanced upward and thought, for a moment, he could see all of them hovering around himself and his chosen mother. His father, as large as he'd ever been, giving him a stern yet admiring look of pride only a father could have. Ryan was wearing a boyish and happy smile Michael had always secretly envied, but looked upon his childhood hero with such reverence and love it made Michael unable to frown. Cameron tried to remain stone faced for his own sake, but finally brought a smile on her own face and gave her "brother" a reassuring thumbs up. Olivia, whose presence again illuminated a fire inside of Michael he had long thought quelled, winked at then blew a kiss in his direction. Lastly, Icarus the Espeon crawled from between Cameron's legs and let out an indiscernible "mew", but for the first time since his darkest moment in his exile, did he finally understand Icarus once again.

I'm gonna be okay, Michael. And so are you.

"They all love you, sweetheart" Jane went on. "And I'm certain without a shadow of a doubt they would not hesitate to help you all the same again." She brought her index finger and gently poked at her son's heart. "But they aren't the only ones that loved you. And they aren't the ones who still need you. And fortunately, I think someone recognized that and gave you a bit of a second chance."

Michael did not even have to ask, as the cherubic form of Celebi landed on his lap and gave him the same loving smile he'd always been happy to see. Celebi flittered up to his former guardian's head, kissed it as Jane had and then departed back into the celestial plains.

"I'm going back?" Michael asked.

Jane nodded. "You've got more to do on earth first, Michael. A lovely wife, a cavalcade of children, a massive swarm of Pokémon, and plenty of family and friends who still have more to see and do with their loved one. But don't you worry about a thing, sweetheart. When your time does come, we'll all be here to bring you into the Realm of Arceus with open arms. He has need of someone like you. I think you'll fit in just fine." Jane Kingston gently brought Michael up to his feet and embraced him. "You'll be waking up soon. Make sure to give your children all the love and care I gave you. Keep being that boy I am always proud of and know that even though we're all apart, we're always still in your heart."

Michael glanced back towards where the others were, his eyes swelling up with tears. His father nodded approvingly and chuckled at something before fading into the skies. Ryan seemed to be calling to him and waving excitedly, but soon faded alongside his father with Michael unable to hear what was said. Cameron gave him his own salute back at him before she too disappeared from view. Olivia walked over to him and the two touched hands before Olivia dissolved back into the clouds. Lastly, Icarus nuzzled at his legs and mewed up at him lovingly before he, along with all the others, returned to the Celestial Plains where they now rested.

"I think...I think I'm ready to go back" Michael told Jane.

She kissed his cheek and smiled down upon him. "I know you are. Just don't forget, Michael. Don't forget who you are. And what makes you...you."

"I won't forget" Michael assured her. "I'll never forget again, Mom."

"Remember me" Jane asked sweetly. "Remember me and all of us who stood by you until the end. And when your time comes, I'll be there to bring you here. With all of my heart, Michael, I love you."

Michael felt her gentle and warm embrace until the sharp pains inside of him finally jolted him back awake. Now, he felt the pain return to him in force. His eyes opened and he heard the familiar beeps and sounds of a hospital room. His breathing was laborious, but he was somehow still alive after the most brutal medical ordeal of his life, or at least since he was in the Orre Region in exile. He felt rigid, stiff and unable to move much of his body on his left side. Even his eyesight on this side was not at it's strongest, which was why he saw little more than a void of darkness on this side of the room. He turned to the other side and saw a glimpse of light.

Two chairs were in his room at the hospital. In one seat sat Wes, his old friend and brotherly figure, napping on the chair as if he had been waiting there for ages for him to wake up. In the other sat Rui, both of whom had doted over him once before in Orre and now seemed to be taking it upon themselves to be his guardians while he endured pain beyond his limits. It reminded him of those days, with Rui being an affectionate sister reminiscent of how Bridgette had been to him in those days and Wes being the stoic yet truly caring older brother he'd always wished he'd had.

It took Michael a bit longer than he initially thought to realize that there was a third person in the room. While Rui snoozed in her own chair, in her arms sat Michael's son James. The bouncing baby had not noticed his father was awake yet, but his eyes wandered all around the room he was inside. Michael looked on his son with the same pride his father had in his dream. His son, who would never deal with the turmoil and troubles his father had. Who would grow up to live the life James and Jane had wanted him to. Who would one day be ready to carry on the responsibilities of a King, should he succeed his father on the throne. Never would he suffer or struggle. Never would he feel unloved or mistreated.

The baby's head finally bobbed it's way towards his father. Upon seeing his father was awake, he tried anxiously to reach for him, asking to be held. Michael could do little but reach out his own hand to his son. James's small fingers grasped his larger one and the baby again called out to him in his own infant language.

Michael winced in pain while he remained on his side. "Love you buddy" he whispered to James.

"A-gahh! A-GAH!" the boy replied, loudly enough to stir Rui, but she slipped right back into her sleep.

"I never wanted you to see your Daddy like this, champ" Michael mentioned to his son. "But I promise I'll get out of here. And when I do, I'll teach you all of the things you need to know." He held onto his son's hand lovingly. "Buddy, even now, I am so proud of you. I love you, kiddo. I wish I could hold you now, but-"

"A-gah! Gah Dah Dah Dah!"

Michael blinked. "What did you say?"

James patted his father's hand. "Dah Dah!"

This chant of his father's title managed to stir Rui awake again, only this time she remained awake when she realized what was happening in front of her. "James you should-OH! Michael! You're awake!" Rui rose from her seat, prompting James to fuss in her arms. "I know you want to see Daddy, but-"

"It's okay, Rui" Michael assured her. "Hand him over."

Rui gently lowered the baby into his father's right arm. As if realizing the transition immediately, James nestled himself in his father's arm and clutched at his hospital robe before leaning his head back and taking a nap beside him. It would have shattered Michael's strong outward appearance had he not been sure to keep that feeling of joyful tears from his old friends. Even Wes was beginning to wake and he spied the boy snuggling up beside his father and cracked a warm smile at this sight.

"Well, well" he grinned. "Guess James thought all you needed was him."

Michael made sure the boy was comfortable before addressing Wes for the first time in several days. "I think a part of me just needed him as well."

"We were so worried about you" Rui admonished. "The doctors were worried too. They were saying that you weren't going to pull through."

"Guess some people know better than medical professionals after all" Michael chuckled.

Rui did not seem to be in a joking mood. "You could have died and you're laughing like it was nothing?!"

"Wouldn't be the first brush with death I've had."

"And knowing you, it won't be the last" Wes answered.

"It ought to be!" Rui snapped. "Haven't you been through enough?" She began to lower her own shouting when she realized how James was still in the room. "I've seen you go through too much already."

Michael sighed. "I know. I know you're just looking out for me, like always."

"Sometimes Rui is completely wrong" Wes teased before taking his tone more seriously. "But other times she's right. And I happen to agree with her this time. We've helped you, we've looked after you and we've cared for you, Michael. One thing I will not do is bury you."

"Like it or not, we're family" Rui assured Michael. "You're that little brother that I always wanted. I'm sure even Wes thinks so."

"I don't make my opinions known" Wes grumbled. "But I think my assurance that I am not going to watch you die says enough. Wouldn't you?"

Michael nodded as his son made himself comfortable in his arm. "Yeah. Family."

"We're going to have to go back to Orre for a bit" Rui explained sadly. "But then, I'm gonna convince Wes to make our future home here."

Wes eyed her as if she were speaking a foreign language. "We never agreed to that."

"Our nieces and nephews need us" she barked back at him. "And any of our own that might-"

Wes quickly shook Michael's hand. "Well, it's been fun, Michael. But I've got to be anywhere else but here! Keep in touch!" He then sprinted out of Michael's room, with Rui storming after him in a frenzy.

"WES! I CHASED YOU ALL AROUND ORRE AND I'LL DO IT AGAIN!"

Michael did his best not to laugh too hard and wake up his son and not to aggravate his injuries. No sooner did Wes and Rui leave his room, then a nurse entered to inspect on her patient, wheeling in a large TV Screen of some kind alongside holding some paperwork from his X-Rays and other various test results. She giggled at the sight of the young prince in her patient's arms. "I take it your son was eager to spend time with you, Your Majesty?"

Michael nodded. "So it would seem."

"Are you up for anything to eat, Your Grace?"

"Sure. I'll take whatever's available."

"We could make you anything you-"

"Whatever's on the menu is fine."

She curtsied. "Humility is a King's strongpoint. I was asked to bring this to you when you woke up. Let's just hope they have everything ready on their end." She pressed a button on the TV to turn it on, then changed the input to a camera feed. Michael was curious about what she was planning on showing him until the picture went bright and an image of his wife, reclined in her own hospital bed wearing a weak yet loving smile.

"Hello, my love."

"It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Julia looked exhausted. "I am never going to have kids again without you being in the room."

"How is your infection?"

"It was rough" she admitted. "I'm in so much pain right now. Even worse than before. But I think it was only amplified when I found out what was going on with you." She held her hand close to her heart. "You need to stop scaring me like this, Michael. We're not young anymore." She then held out her other free hand towards the monitor. "I need you to do this with me. I need you."

"You'll have me" Michael assured her. "I'm tired. More tired than I've ever been. But I think that just means the torch is finally ready to be passed. I just hope Chris is ready this time."

This seemed to worry Julia. "He...he hasn't seen you?"

Michael shook his head. "Not unless he was here while I was out. When I woke up, only Wes and Rui were here. Now they've gone off to do their own thing. But I'm sure he'll turn up when he needs to. But more importantly, how are the babies doing?"

Julia smiled. "We're all going to be going home tomorrow. All four of us. You, me, Celina Jane and Sora Christopher."

"Five" Michael responded as his son's feet unintentionally shot out past his arm and likely into the frame.

Julia caught wind of that and giggled. "Who's little feetsies are those? Are those my baby boy's feetsies?!" Upon hearing his mother's voice, James cooed and Michael did his best to prop the boy up in his arm. He giggled and did his best to wave at his mother. "Hello, my angel. Mommy can't wait to hold you again."

The baby then patted his father's belly. "Dah Dah Dah Dah!"

Julia's eyes began to water. "My...my baby's first words! He said Daddy!"

Michael, despite knowing this was not the first time his son had spoken, decided to let Julia enjoy the moment. "Wow, who would have thought he'd start speaking now." He pointed towards the screen when James looked back at him. "Who's that on the screen? Mama?"

The baby waved his entire arm before finally giving his parents the answer they hoped for. "Mah MAH MAH MAH!'

Julia finally burst into tears. "He said Mommy!"

"Once they start talking, they never stop" Michael joked. But in a rare moment of bliss, Michael let his son take his arm into his own small hands and pat him playfully until James once more snuggled up to his side. As he cradled his son as best as he could with only one hand, he returned his attention to his wife. "Arya and Little Michael are going to have a lot of work cut out for them being big siblings."

The Queen to both Arcana and his heart nodded. "I'm sure we'll get plenty of support from their godparents. Who we have to name for Sora and Celina, by the way."

"Little Michael as well."

"Let me see" his wife thought aloud. "Piper and Chris are Arya's. Cameron was James's, but with her gone-"

"Bridgette will hold the fort down well enough. She and Mark won't let anything happen to our son." He bent down and kissed James's sleeping form in his head. The baby turned in his sleep but did not waken.

"We have way too many people to choose from to be godparents to the other three. How do we not disappoint anyone?"

"We make these choices carefully and concisely. Like we always have. But since we've been alternating who chooses which parent, I think our eldest twin already has a godmother in Cynthia."

"That would be little Celina" Julia recalled feebly, resting back on her pillow. "How about Warren for her godfather?"

"Works for me" Michael agreed.

"Little Michael will be tricky, but not impossible. Jon and Annie have both respectfully declined godparent roles since they are choosing their own for their son Teddy in Maddy and Kevin, but what about Jenna or Amanda to be a godmother to him?"

"If we neglect to name my sister a godmother, she'll chew our ears off" Michael chimed in.

"Fair enough" Julia laughed. "Hell hath no fury like a pregnant woman scorned. Tori it is. And I suppose Billy or Daniel will do for a godfather unless you were thinking of Greg?"

"I had someone else in mind, actually."

Julia made eye contact with him and beamed. "I hope it's the same young man."

"I do too" Michael chuckled, wincing in pain once more as he tried to keep himself from waking his son. "I figured we'd give Arcana's newest power couple a shot at being godparents to Sora. You think Amanda will be up for the task? Because I know Billy will be."

"I'm sure she'll be over the moon about it" his wife responded gently. She smiled fondly towards him. "I want to see you. To be with you in that room. Or to have you in here with me. I don't want either of us in pain while the other can't take care of them." She reached out her hand towards the monitor. "You, Michael Kingston, are my heart and soul. You're my everything. And not having you with me is draining."

Michael could only lift his fingers, as his son was slumped on his upper arm. "And you, Julia Kingston, are the world to me. The only reason I even made it this far in life. The only reason I endured all I did for all those years as Champion. And one of the most vital reasons as to why I know it's not my time yet." Even as his son slumbered and both husband and wife desired to be with each other, Michael felt as if they were all in the same room. His three sons and two daughters and most important of all, he and his wife side by side loving them all.

{}

"Me?!" Matthew asked, floored to have been given an honor so prestigious by the King and Queen.

"I think it's quite an honor" Jocelyn commented as she and her own prodigal brother made their way back from the Parlor Town Grocery Store with supplies for the house. With his mother whipping something up for dinner and the unexpected development of Kayleigh actually wanting to play with Annette, this allowed Matthew and Jocelyn to be the ones who ran a quick errand for some extra supplies for the house. It was the first time Matthew remembered since losing to Lance in the Master Cup that he had any additional time to spend with Jocelyn. He was often either with Annette or she was off learning how to be a proper diplomat from Annie, Amanda or whomever was mentoring her. But it was clear, despite all that the two had endured, they still needed one another and that made Matthew feel good.

"But of all the people to choose..."

"It should show that they trust you enough to look after their son" she suggested. "And shows how much you still mean to them."

"I guess so" Matthew remarked, in awe that he had been informed by Amanda on behalf of Michael that he had been named a Godfather to Little Michael Kingston alongside his cousin Victoria.

Jocelyn affectionately tussled his hair. "A year ago, I bet you'd have been more likely to spit at one of your relatives. Look how much time has changed you, Matt."

"More of what I learned to prioritize. Less revenge on Ryan and more protecting what matters to me. I was beginning to worry about not having that purpose anymore. Kayleigh's going to be old enough to take care of herself soon and she's got Mom. Mom has both you and me to lean on. But Addy doesn't need me anymore and Annette is more than capable of taking care of herself. So I was nervous about starting the next step on my own path. Now, I don't have to stop protecting people. I'll keep an eye on the kid like Michael did for me and Ryan."

Jocelyn smiled down at him. "Every time I hear something like that come out of you, I feel so much joy and pride in you."

"I wouldn't have made it this far without you and you know it" Matthew responded.

"True, but that doesn't mean it was a one-way street. Like you found out what you were meant to do, I think I found out what I was meant to do in helping you steer your life back on course. I'm supposed to help people. Maybe not in a heroic sort of way, but maybe do some reach out work for others who might be struggling." She sighed. "Seven years until I can make a real difference, though."

"You could always marry Garret first" Matthew teased.

Jocelyn went red in the face at that assertion. "What?! Don't be ridiculous, Matty. We're just friends."

"You sure about that?"

She playfully slapped him. "I think I know. Besides, would you really want me and Annette to dunk on you for the rest of your life?"

"Huh?"

"If I marry Garret, then Annette would become my sister in-law. And if you end up with her as well, then we're brother and sister for real." She snickered. "On second thought, maybe I am in love with Garret. I would love to enjoy tormenting you for all of time as payback for dragging me all around Johto." She pulled Matthew close to her and hugged him tightly before kissing him on the head.

"Oh come on! Uncalled for attack!" He managed to sneak his way out of her grasp, only for her to snare him in once again. Matthew was about to make a call for help, when he realized something was going on at his home. He glanced past Jocelyn's grip and saw his Uncle Doug in conversation with a nervous looking Annette. He quickly wriggled out of Jocelyn's grasp and tried to run to his girlfriend's side, only for Jocelyn to hold him back. He was about to snap at her, but Jocelyn looked as nervous as he was.

"This could be big" she spoke softly. "Let her handle this."

"But-"

"You need to trust her to be able to handle this herself" she reiterated.

Matthew stood in silence as his uncle and Annette finished their conversation and Doug turned to depart on his way. He gave a wave to his nephew before departing into his own Corviknight Cab and taking off back towards Arcana Colosseum. Once Doug was gone, Matthew glanced worriedly towards Annette and then back at Jocelyn. She finally nudged him forward. Without hesitation, he grabbed Jocelyn's hand and dragged her right behind him. Once they arrived, he could finally tell how shaken Annette was by whatever news she'd been given.

"I'll go help your mother with dinner" Jocelyn offered before slipping past the gate and walking up towards their home, leaving Matthew and Annette alone to discuss whatever had happened.

Annette looked like she had just received catastrophic news and was trying to process all of it. Surely something hadn't gone wrong, had it? Matthew took a step towards his girlfriend, only for her mood to completely shift. Knowing he would never be able to get used to the mood swings, he simply chose to wear a happy yet confused expression on his face. She happily tapped her feet on the ground and spun around as if she had won the lottery. When she noticed Matthew was standing by her, she rushed forward and planted an unexpected yet entirely welcomed kiss on him. Once they parted, he stepped back in awe.

"Whoa, what was that for?"

Annette wore a bright smile on her face. "This is it! The Title Match will be tomorrow night! In front of millions of fans on TV and a full house at the Colosseum!"

"You and Chris, right?"

She nodded excitedly. "And I think I've got this match in the bag. I think. Just a few tweaks and my team should be-" She suddenly gasped. "OH NO!"

"What is it?!" he asked in a panic.

"I haven't been training the last few days!"

Matthew, needing time to keep up with the frantic shifts in tone his girlfriend was having, laughed nervously. "I highly doubt Chris has been training yet, either."

"That's no excuse to be lazy!" She was about to rush out towards Parlor Beach to begin training, but paused and sprinted right past Matthew, almost spinning him around as she headed into his home. Matthew curiously followed, only to hear his sister laughing and calling his girlfriend "Net Net". He could not hear much else until Annette was back out the door and standing right in front of him. "Okay, your Mom said that dinner won't be ready for another forty five minutes. That gives us exactly forty three minutes to train if we take sixty seconds to run to and from the beach-"

"Did you forget you have asthma?"

"-means I'll only have a few hours to train, because as we all know, a master Pokémon trainer can't be sleepy or groggy during the biggest and most important match of her life..." She took a deep breath, struggling to do so, in an effort to continue her never ending run-on sentence.

As Matthew could see she was struggling, he pulled Annette into another kiss, which she seemed surprised about but still accepted all the same. When they came apart, he took her hands in his. "Alright, sweetie. I know you're excited. I am too. But you need to remain calm. Don't need you having an asthma attack before the biggest day of your life." He brought her down to sit on the porch of his home. "Calm down. Soak in the moment. We can train with each other until dark for all I care. But right now, I want you to take a deep breath, understand the huge achievement you've taken and enjoy this. Because the excitement wears off. If you're going to beat Chris, you need to be at the ready. Expect the unexpected and all that."

Annette, upon realizing he was coaxing her out of an asthma attack, blushed brightly and hugged him tearfully. "Matthew, thank you. Thank you so much."

"Six months of this, I have to get used to knowing when things are going to happen to you" he responded as he held her for a moment, allowing himself to soak in the idea that his girlfriend might have a chance to truly become the Pokémon League Champion. "I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to you out there."

"Matty, I think I'm in love with you" she gushed.

Matthew, despite this being the first time in their whole relationship that a proclamation of the "L" word had been made, gave her a cheeky smile. "What took you so long?" As Annette calmed down, he kept his arms wrapped around her and held her there, hoping the moment would never, ever end.

{}

Needing a bit of time out in the fresh air, Addison brought Morgan and her ally in Rosemary's Alakazam with her out onto the veranda of Kingston Castle. The Castle was much quieter these days, with many of the guests who had been staying having left and Michael and Julia still recuperating at the hospital. So it was a nice place for them to enjoy some peace and quiet while still getting to get a bit of sunshine instead of being cooped up in Rosemary's old chambers. Despite her offering to relieve Morgan of her duties on multiple occasions, her old Contest rival declined, believing being an assistant to the White Mage was a purpose for her, whereas before she had felt a bit directionless. Since she herself was also feeling the same, Addison could relate to her and kept her on board.

Time kept going, yet she was nowhere closer to figuring out how she would get to find Ryan, wherever his spirit had gone. All she had to her was the clue that she and Julia had found: White Island, along with a poem written in Old Paldean. This meant only one thing: the key to finding Ryan and bringing him back was in Paldea. But with their borders closed for more than half a century, how could this be done?

She had one and only one lead. Piper had told her that one of Michael's old friends, Bridgette Duon, had been the first Arcanan since Balthazar Aced over fifty years ago to set foot in Arcana, as far as they knew. The gorgeous surfer had mistakenly ended up there and thought initially she had made it to the shores of Alola, likely due to how similar the locals must look to Julia and Piper. Both were distinctly different from all Arcanans in their looks and it was likely why some of Julia's childhood rivals for Michael's affection used to bully her. If Bridgette could help her find a way to convince Michael to reinitiate contact with the sectioned off region of the world, she might be able to finally put this dark chapter behind her, reunite with Ryan and finally get her own happily ever after. Everyone else was getting theirs, except for her.

"I hope Miss Duon gets the message" Morgan chimed, as if echoing her thoughts. "I know how much getting Ryan back means for you."

"Do you?"

Morgan smiled sadly. "You forget that we've been sharing a room here in the castle. I hear you mentioning him in your sleep every night."

Addison bashfully looked away. "Sorry."

"Don't be. I'd be just as worried if I were in your shoes. Ryan is...a great guy. He was my first ever dance partner and my first crush. I'm happy I have Ethan now, but I won't rest until you get to be reunited with him." She reached over and patted the Mage's hand. "You have my word."

"What about the Contests?"

"I could ask the same of you."

Addison frowned. "I can't even think about those yet. Even if I got focused on those again and got some extra training from Lady Erin, I think either your sister or Holly would squash me. Without Ryan, I feel so lost. But that doesn't mean you should miss out."

Morgan kept on smiling. "No, I think I'm done trying to be a Contest Queen, personally. I finished in a distant 6th last time we took part in a Contest. Jasmine, Holly, you and Piper basically overshot me in every category. That's why I went in to the service of Countess Rosemary at first glance. To see what my life has in store for me. I'm happy it got to bring me close to someone who I look at fondly and that it made me better friends with you. And wherever your journey to find Ryan takes you, you can count on me helping you."

"Thanks for that, Morgan. It really helps."

"Ah, so you're Dee's daughter" a voice called from nearby. Addison spun around and saw a beautiful blonde walking past them and preparing to make her way down towards the gardens. "Gotta say, you look just like your mother."

"Wait" Addison exclaimed. "Are you...Bridgette?"

"The one and only" Bridgette responded politely. "If you'll excuse me, though, I'm off to the King's Bay to undergo some training and get my Finizen some-"

"You're the woman who has been to Paldea?!" Morgan asked curiously.

Bridgette stopped near the steps leading down to the garden and sighed. "Everyone is asking about that place, these days."

"That place could help me find someone very important to me" Addison pleaded. "I have no one else to turn to about it."

Bridgette turned back and gave Addison a reassuring smile. "It's a good thing I'm such good friends with your parents. Otherwise, I'd call this a guilt trip." She walked over to the table Addison and Morgan were sitting at and sat across from Morgan, allowing her to face both girls and explain what she knew. "Can't say there is much I can tell you. The people are very nice, the waters are incredibly warm, at least in the part I ended up in, and I would love to go back one day. But if what Julia said is true about them sealing off their borders, I can only guess that is an impossibility with all of those restrictions."

"Did you happen to hear anything about a 'White Island'?"

"White Island?"

Addison nodded. "That's all I have to look forward to."

Bridgette thought for a moment before sadly shaking her head. "No. I don't think so."

Addison lowered her head. "It's getting harder and harder to not lose faith, Morgan. But every day that passes makes it even more challenging."

"What do you hope to find there, if you don't mind me asking?"

Addison sadly looked at Bridgette. "Do you have the time? Because it's a long story."

Bridgette looked out towards where the King's Bay was and shrugged. "Eh, the water isn't going anywhere. I think I can spare you a tale or two." She winked and folded her hands, waiting for Addison to begin. And Addison did go on, informing the fair surfer all about her adventures and her friendship with Ryan. From her youngest memories, all the way to him breaking free from Mewtwo's control to save her on Mirage Island. Morgan would occasionally chime in as proof of a certain event or so happening, all while Bridgette listened intently, her expressions changing constantly as she was regaled of a tragic love story of the ages. Addison was secretly hopeful that this could appeal to any sense of love Bridgette might have for the Kingstons and her parents as she brought her story to an end.

"But when it was time for us to say goodbye, I wasn't ready to. I couldn't just give up on ever seeing him again. And after what I had done and seen, I know I can't have lost him forever. I promised him, swore up and down, that I would find some way to bring him home." She took a deep breath as she could feel her sorrow gripping her again. "That was six months ago. And now, I don't even know if I can even find him or where I would go or what I would do without him."

Morgan took her hand and tried to reassure her. "I'm here for you, Addy. No one has given up yet."

Bridgette was silent. For a long time, she seemed to be contemplating the whole situation. She even seemed emotional about the struggle Ryan and Addison had endured just to be together. As if recalling a lost love of her own. Bridgette eyed Addison with respect and reverence. "I can't say I know of any way to find a lost soul, but after I learned a bit more about you Addison, I think the person who can do it would be you."

"Even when I don't know what's going to happen?"

"That's the only time you can truly know your worth" she explained, lowering her head. "I lost the man I loved what feels like a lifetime ago. We both had different in life and neither of us wanted to change, so we just ended our relationship. He left to become an astronaut and I was so lost without him, so I left to surf my way around the world. I left behind so many people who loved me, because I didn't know how to cope with a loss like this."

"But you have the chance to reunite with him, don't you?"

Bridgette squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, a lone tear escaping from her right eyelid. "I did, but not anymore. We got into contact with one another, just before he was set to go with the Taghwan Space Program's mission to the moon."

"Wait, wasn't Annie's brother supposed to be a part of that?"

"Malcolm Tress, her older brother, was my boyfriend" Bridgette explained, doing her best not to lose her composure.

"I'm so sorry, Bridgette" Addison replied sorrowfully.

"We promised to discuss things when he returned. But as we all know, the Syndicate had other plans and he and all but one astronaut didn't return. When I found out, I feel like I blacked out until I ended up out at sea at one point. I found myself in Hoenn and sought out comfort from my brother Jack. But I only became more ashamed of what I was missing. The Syndicate had resurfaced, our cousins and friends were missing and presumed dead and people were being kidnapped right off the streets like they were during Giselle's reign. I did the only thing I thought I could do and ran from all of my problems. Then, I found myself on the Kalosian Coast, only to find out that some hero had stopped an all-powerful Pokémon from destroying the world using the Crimson Fury, my cousins were alive and the Syndicate was dismantled. I even learned that one of my dearest friends in the world had married and was now in Kalos. I couldn't face him, so I fled again, failing to realize the same lesson I know he learned in his darkest days. Before I knew it, I had to learn from Jack once again that this Pokémon had not only resurfaced but had waged a horrific battle he took part in that took my baby cousin from me." She took a moment to regain her self-control.

"Please, take your time" Morgan assured her.

"There are some things you learn in your darkest moments" Bridgette resumed after assuring the girls she was fine. "Losing my baby cousin wrecked me in ways I haven't felt since losing Malcolm. And it made me realize just how important those two boys are to me. And how I couldn't bear to see either of them in pain anymore. They needed me, the same way they needed my Aunt Jane all those years ago."

"Michael and Chris?" Addison asked.

Bridgette sniffled. "Those boys mean more to me than I could possibly put into words. A long time ago, James Kingston asked my Aunt Jane to look after Michael and Chris. And my aunt asked me to do the same and help her look after those two, as well as Cameron. I helped raise them. I tucked them into bed plenty of nights, taught them all I knew about surfing, sports, raising Pokémon and being themselves. I love them with all of my heart and I wasn't there for them when I needed them. And I regret that every single day, especially knowing what both have been shouldering now that Cameron is dead." She looked directly at Addison. "And I can feel, in the deepest pit of my heart, that Ryan needs you in the same way. If I had the chance to find Malcolm after all of this time and bring him home, I would do so without a second thought."

Addison sighed. "But without Paldea opening it's borders, I don't know what to do."

"It shouldn't make you give up, Addison. There is an old proverb I heard in my travels. A heart is not made up of just one person's emotions. It is filled with all kinds of experiences and people met from a million life experiences. But even then, with all the experiences one can take up, a heart cannot possibly be completed until another's million are joined to theirs. Until then, the half hearts endure the pain of life, knowing deep down that their other half is out there."

"Half hearts?" Morgan puzzled.

"I didn't understand what it meant at first, until I realized I had it with Malcolm. I realized Michael has it with Julia. Annie and Jon, Mark and Greta, your own parents and so many other examples I can list. Malcolm made up the other half of my endless list of experiences. Without him...I failed to realize that my own heart kept going. That there were still things to experience and understand. My half heart may never be filled again, in fact I'm fairly certain it won't. But that doesn't mean the idea of two halves becoming whole doesn't exist anymore. Your half is out there and needs you, Addy. And just like another lovestruck girl from my past who had the chance to find the boy she loved, you have to decide how far you are willing to go for him. If you have no limit, then even the laws of Paldea won't stop you from trying."

"You really think there's a chance?" Addison asked nervously.

"You have your father's courage and your mother's heart" Bridgette assured her. "Add your half a heart and Ryan's, along with all the experiences and love you've gotten from Michael and Julia and I can't see a limit to your potential." She smiled reassuringly towards Addison. "I love your parents. Your father was always a brother to me and your mother inspired me when she began her life as your mother so young. And we both have their love, as well as those of the King and Queen. I think if the three of us work together, we might be able to help them realize how important getting to Paldea and finding White Island are to you. No, not just to you. To all of us."

"You're going to help us?" Addison beamed.

Bridgette Duon nodded and gave her a thumbs up. "We half hearts have to look out for each other."