The waves lapped gently at the shoreline as Wingulls squawked overhead. The December air was frigid, more so when on the beach feeling the cold sea winds hit you in the face, but a warmth spread through me as I leaned up against Arcaneis on the sand. Ninetales curled up next to him, and wrapped in her tails was Alex, who seemed to be sleeping.

I smiled as I watched her breath, her almost entirely blonde hair now blowing gently in the wind. We'd been taking it easy for the last month and a half since Neo Team Plasma had been taken down and their tyrant leader Ghetsis imprisoned for his crimes against Pokemon and humanity. After almost a month in the hospital, certain affairs had to be taken care of.

Due to certain legalities revolving around how the battle between N and I had been conducted, it was deemed that while I proved myself to be a Champion, I had not officially won the title. It was also deemed that even though N had beaten the Elite 4 and Alder, because he was a member of the villainous Team Plasma and operated the organization while as Champion, his title was withdrawn. Thus titleship returned to Alder.

I smiled as I remembered the conversation the three of us had. Alder had said that if we were ever wanting to take back the Champion title from him we may do so. However, he had already taken the liberty of engraving our names into Unova's Hall of Fame, so even with the legalities, we still both had certain Champion privileges. Not all, but it still came with perks.

Speaking of N, he had been pardoned of most of his crimes when it came to light of the upbringing he had and his intentions of not actually wanting to harm others. However, it was deemed he would need to perform community service, something he didn't mind doing.

Is he still in Castelia helping with the clean-up efforts? I wondered idly. N hadn't minded the punishment given to him. If anything, he appreciated it. It gave him the chance to interact more with other people and come to see that they really aren't all as bad as he once thought. From what he told me last we talked, it seemed he wanted to keep Team Plasma alive, but as a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Pokemon poached by hunters, living in bad situations, etc.

Alex shifted beside me, her eyes fluttering open. "Hey, how long was I asleep for?"

"Not long," I said. "Tired?"

"Just a bit-" She broke off into a yawn. "Man, all this downtime has made me tired a lot. Definitely not used to this."

"It's been nice though," I said, staring at the cloudy sky. "After everything."

Alex nodded. "How was Robert when you talked to him earlier?"

"Throwing himself at his work, what else?" I joked. While Alex had been shopping, Robert had called to give me a few updates. "Not much change in the stones, but he's positive he may be able to reawaken them through other means than gathering new heroes. Oh, and Purrloin is adjusting well with Hugh and his sister. Took a while, but she's finally gotten used to them after being stuck with Team Plasma."

"That's wonderful!" Alex grinned. "Ah, it's nice to see that their legacy isn't going to be one of darkness. N has his hands full, but I think he'll do quite well."

I nodded in agreement. "I'm sure he will."

"Say, have you made a decision yet?" Alex asked, wrapping more of Ninetale's tails around her, making the Fox Pokemon glance up at her. "About challenging Alder?"

"Hm..." I shook my head. "I probably won't."

A frown. "Why not?"

Shrugging, I said, "I'm not really that interested in the title. I really only went after it so I could take on N. Plus, if I become the official standing Champion of Unova, I'd be tied down to this place. Sure I could leave, but I would need to make regular visits here. And that'll be hard to do if we're travelling on the road elsewhere."

"Fair enough." Alex paused. "I take it you still want to keep the journey going?"

I blinked. "Sorry, was that too presumptuous of me?"

"Not at all," Alex smiled as she punched me lightly in the arm. "In fact, it's what I would prefer. The life of a simple trainer, travelling wherever the wind may take us. It's worked so far, may as well keep it going. Mind you there's still a few places left here in Unova we haven't visited yet. Might as well even with Robert bogged down with his research."

"He did give us a map of places we had yet to visit," I said, pulling out my Pokedex. Navigating to the map function, I brought up Robert's personal filters. "Let's see here... Most of Eastern Unova is on here."

"Check off Undella Town," Alex said, pointing to the marker. "Given that we're already here."

"Good idea." I clicked on it and an 'X' crossed over it. "Okay, we have Humilau, and Lentimas Town nearby."

"Hm, maybe save Humilau for later," Alex suggested. "We're already in a sea town. Maybe Lentimas?"

Clicking on a different button, I then pressed the icon for Lentimas Town and the best route became highlighted in green. "Seems like we'll have to go through Reversal Mountain. You up for a bit of spelunking?"

"It's like you don't even know me," Alex said with a smirk.

Rolling my eyes, I pocketed the device. "Okay, so that's settled. You want to leave in the morning?"

"Why not now?" Alex stretched her limbs, disturbing both Ninetales and Arcaneis this time. "We have the necessary supplies. Plus, we have a few hours left until dark. We can always set up camp in the mountain caves. If I sit here any longer, I'm just going to get more lazy."

"You make a good argument." I patted Arcaneis' side and he stood with a grunt. Brushing the sand off my pants, Alex, Arcaneis, Ninetales, and I made our way back up the beach towards town.

"Hey, look, the light's on," Alex pointed to a quaint little house overlooking the beach. "I didn't think anyone lived there with it being empty all week."

A shudder went down my spine. "Keep moving."

"Huh?" Alex blinked at me. "Why?"

"Something tells me a pretty strong opponent is there," I grimaced. "And I don't particularly feel like getting into a losing battle right now."

"O-okay," Alex shrugged. "Moving on then. The entrance to the mountain is just on the edge of town where the construction is going on. Anything you think we might need before going in?"

"You already got the food supplies earlier today," I murmured as I adjusted my backpack's straps. "Health stock okay?"

"Last I checked."

"Okay... do we still have those heating pads? The cave might be cold, especially this time of year."

"Isn't it a volcano?"

"Yeah, but we can't assume it'll be warm throughout. Best be prepared just in case."

"In that case, yeah, we still have them."

"Oh, enough Pokefood?"

"Uh... yeah, yeah, we do."

"Looks like you two won't starve," I joked to Arcaneis and Ninetales, the former of which butted me with his head. Laughing, I rubbed his fur. "Sorry, buddy."

"So," I started when the construction sight came into view. "Have you decided what you're going to go with for your hair?"

"Red again definitely," Alex held out a few strands of her long hair. "The blonde highlights were cool, but this time I might go full redhead. See how that is. Will definitely mean less management for it."

"So your natural hair color is blonde, right?"

Alex smirked. "Is it?"

I gave her an unimpressed look, which caused her to burst into a laughing fit. "Your face! HAH! Yes, I'm a natural blonde." She beamed at me as she gripped my arm. "And to your next possible question, no, I didn't do it to be rebellious. I just... wanted a change I guess."

I snorted. "That's so like y-" As soon as my body entered Reversal Mountain, a chill washed its way through me, stopping me in my tracks.

Alex paused. "Zeno?"

My eyes scanned the tunnel we were in. It wasn't that dark and there were lights hanging on the walls, but it was in the gloom of their shadows that made me feel as if someone was walking on my grave. Then the moment passed.

"I'm okay," I assured her. "Just a chill."

"It is pretty cold in here," Alex murmured. "Wonder if it'll get hotter further inside."

"Hopefully," I said as I led the way, the four of us making our way further inside. What I didn't see was the figure of the tiny girl that now stood in the mouth of the tunnel, watching our backs silently. Then she shimmered away into a mist.

"Dang't Alex, why'd you go and anger it!?" I shouted as I ran at full speed, Arcaneis firing a Dragon Pulse at the approaching Pokemon. It was blasted against the rock wall of the cavern and it let out a metallic screech. Fissures spread along the wall, jets of fire and lava spewing out, forcing Arcaneis to retreat after me.

"Hey, I saw a Fire type! Sue me!" Alex yelled back.

Glancing back, the giant Pokemon had ripped itself free from the wall. It landed on its four metal covered legs, its magma-like body glowing gently. It's armored face opened as it screeched again, the metallic sound ear-rending.

"Fire/Steel?" Alex yelled over the noise as we both covered our ears.

Nodding, I pulled a pokeball from my belt and threw it at the same time as I swung my backpack off my shoulders. Mahina sprang out, her claws already glowing as she brought them down on the giant Pokemon's face.

"Gotcha!" I produced the Ground Memory disc and launched it as Mahina leapt back to avoid the plume of lava that ruptured through the ground. Part of her head sprung out, caught the disc, and pulled it back inside. The colors of her fins turned to an earthy brown color as her eyes sharpened. This time when her claws glowed, they matched her vibrant colors. And when she clashed them against her opponent's face, it sent him careening off to the side.

"How do neither of us have natural Ground types?" Alex breathed out as she stopped beside me. "Seems like we really need to consider covering all of our bases."

"You can say that again," I replied as the lava Pokemon regarded us before climbing the walls and disappearing into the large tunnel it had emerged from. "Next time please don't go agitating super powerful Pokemon."

"Noted," Alex grumbled as she looked apologetically at the pokeball in her hand. "Sorry, Ninetales."

"Well, I was able to scan it at least," I said, patting the pocket I stored it in. "Didn't tell me what it was, but I'm sure Robert knows."

"Are you going to send it to him?"

"No need," I shook my head. "Our dex's are linked, so his will have already been updated."

"Cool. So, where should we camp?"

I glanced back towards the tunnel. "Nowhere near here that's for sure."

"THEY FOUND A HEATRAN!? WITHOUT ME!? AAAAAAAARGH!"

"Uh, Zeno?"

"Yeah?" I answered, busy digging through our bags for our compressed sleeping bags.

"I, uh... may have forgot something."

I glanced back at her where she was staring down into her own backpack. "And that is?"

"Well..." she stretched the word out before giving me a sheepish smile. "We don't have any cooking utensils."

I blinked at her. Then blinked again. "Wat."

"Well, we had to throw away the last batch we had," Alex looked away. "And well... I kinda forgot we needed a new set."

"So...?"

"Dry rations. We'll have to eat our dry rations."

I groaned. "Great."

"Zeno..."

I awoke very suddenly, my hand placed over my racing heart. I swallowed thickly, trying to quiet my gasps. Glancing at Alex a few feet over, I sighed quietly in relief. Still asleep. Lowering myself down gently, I found myself wide awake staring at the rock ceiling. Every so often I would dream of her; Mira. It didn't feel horrifying anymore to see her, since I'd been getting glimpses of her ever since that day in Kalos that I failed to save her. Even so, sometimes there would be a dream that would spook me.

Closing my eyes, I tried to remember what I had been dreaming about. A vague, blurry image of a decrepit house came into view before quickly vanishing. Then what appeared to be the inside, rotting wood, dusty and cobwebbed filled furniture, and a chilly presence. It's when he heard Mira's voice and saw a flash of ghostly white was when he must've been startled awake.

"I await you, Zeno."

This time I didn't bother opening my eyes as I pondered what she meant. Waiting for me? Where? The house in my dream?

Wouldn't be the strangest thing that happened to me, I thought as I began to drift off.

"I can see light!" Alex whooped as we turned a corner, the tunnel heading straight towards bright light.

"Alex, don't go towards the light!"

She gave me a dry look. I shrugged. "What? Robert isn't here, so I had to say something he would say."

"Ugh, boys," Alex groaned, rolling her eyes.

I smirked as I walked ahead. "You know you love me-URK!" I began coughing as a good helping of dust slammed into the back of my throat as soon as I stepped outside the cave. Alex laughed at my expense before going into a coughing fit as well.

"The heck?!" I said hoarsely as I blinked against the dust being blown along in the fierce wind. We stood upon a cliff overlooking a valley between the mountains. The ground was dusty red and so dry it had various cracks etched in the surface. A trail to our side led down into the valley where dry shrubs grew and where there appeared to be a distinct lack of water anywhere in sight. Then there was the dust storm blowing around us.

"I did not realize it would be this bad," Alex hurried back into the cave. I was close behind, already tugging off my backpack. "Do you still have those goggles?" She asked as she pulled a scarf from inside her pack and began wrapping it around her neck to cover her mouth.

"Yeah," I tossed her a pair while I tugged mine on before locating my scarf next. Pulling out my Pokedex next, I pulled up the map. "Lentimas Town is westwards up the valley. Shouldn't be too long of a walk by the looks of it.

"Good, because if there's anything worse than sand it's dust," Alex's voice came out muffled.

Together we trooped back out into the dust storm and down the rocky path. The terrain was rugged and well worn, but there were a few points where we had to be careful where the ground had given way. Eventually we made it into the small valley where I began to lead the way. That is until Alex stopped and glanced behind.

"Wasn't the town that way?"

"Is it?" I blinked at her, then checked the map again. "Oh... Sorry, I don't know why I was..." I looked up in the way I was initially heading. It felt like something was drawing me in this direction. "Mind indulging me for a bit, Alex?"

"Not at all," she said, coming up and grasping my hand. "Do you know what's down this way?"

"No idea," I admitted. "But... I think I need to go. I'm not sure why."

"Then let's go," she pulled me along. "Whatever it is, we can face it together."

Warmth filled me. "Thank you, Alex."

She squeezed my hand. "I just ask that you forget that I forgot to buy the cooking utensils."

"Not a chance."

"So... this place?" Alex quirked an eyebrow at me. "Really?"

"Uh... yes?" I wasn't too sure myself this was a good idea. Because standing before us was the same decrepit house I had seen in my dreams. Made up of hardened clay, it was the size of a small mansion. Dead shrubs stood outside while a broken and incomplete wooden fence lined the perimeter.

"It's ghosts, isn't it?" Alex asked dryly. "It's gotta be ghosts."

"You're pretty perceptive."

Both Alex and I immediately whirled around as we stepped back, hands going to our pokeballs. The masked boy who had spoken let out an "EEP!" before shaking his hands at us. "S-sorry, I-I didn't mean to startle you both!"

"Ghost...?" Alex asked, unsure.

He shook his head. "I'm not... a ghost."

"Who are you then?" I asked as I took my hand away from my pokeball.

"M-my name is... Allister," he said, and I saw a hint of violet eyes behind the soulless black eyeholes of his ghostly mask. He wore a poofy purple coat to keep him warm along with jeans. Judging by his voice and not being able to see his face, I would hazard a guess around 13, maybe 14 years of age.

"Nice to meet you, Allister, I'm Alex." She glanced back at the house. "This your place?"

He shook his head again. "I'm... visiting. Needed to be here."

"For what?" I asked.

He tilted his head at me, those soulless mask eyes making a shiver run down my spine. "For you, Zeno."