Timeless Wonders Take a Wrench to go to the Dentist, a pokémon fanfic

Boy, what a silly chapter title, I bet this will be just a funny episode filled with jokes, right?

...Right?

Oh well. Let's make the M rating worth it.

Alright, so, to avoid any confusions that I honestly had myself, please google 'Marnie and Paige' quickly before reading this chapter, ok, thanks.

DEEEEEEEKARANGER!

It was just a normal day, we were supposed to go to Dawn's contest together.

...

Valley Windworks, Sinnoh. A year and half ago.

...

"I don't know what's better." Said an 18 years-old Nurse Joy. "The fact I finally graduated from health school or the fact that that is finally over."

"Yeah, it's so great seeing people smiling again." A 13 years-old Nurse Joy replied. The four girls being accompanied by 4 Drifloon. "But I still think you only graduated because of the online classes.

"Hey!" The eldest complained and the two shared a laugh, which was suddenly interrupted by the youngest's coughing. "You okay?"

"Uh, yes, just- cough- I-I..." The youngest stuttered to then look at her sister and take some steps back.

"Paige, where are you going?" The eldest asked.

"M-Marnie, you heard that, didn't you?" Paige asked coughing again.

"It's just a cough." Marnie firmly replied.

"W-We've been helping Mom with her patients all this time."

"The last case was a month ago." Marnie continued. "It's done!"

"Marnie Francés Lynette Joy, you get away from me!" Paige continued. "I won't let you get close -cough- unless you put on a mask, I won't put you in danger!"

"P-Paige... sigh, fine, just let me..." Marnie quickly looked insider her purse and pulled out a folded face mask to then put it over her mouth and nose. "There, now calm down, I'm sure it's nothing, but let's go back to the center with Mom so she can make you a test."

"So... What is it, Mom?"

"I'm sorry girls... but Paige tested positive."

Back in the present.

"So, what exactly are these Tera Keys?" Ash asked pulling Mollie out of her memories.

"Well, to be completely honest we're not too sure ourselves, all we know about them we heard it from an old legend." Orla replied.

"Long before time had a name, there was a Legendary Pokemon named Terapagos, one of Arceus' first creations, Arceus sculpted him with clay made out of fragments of his plates. Terapagos was typeless, but at the same type he had the power of every type. At some point, Terapagos engaged in a battle against four devils that rose from the edges of the universe to conquer it, four beings made of shadows, darkness and pure evil, the battle lasted days and just when he was about to lose, Terapagos focused all his energy and expelled it in a huge burst that defeated the four spirits and sealed them away in the depths of our planet. That burst, however, was too much for Terapagos himself and he lost all of his life force after it. His carcass fell on the surface of the ocean and with time it became the land of Paldea and the whole region formed on top of it. Its shell flooding the region with the power of Terastalize. But one thing that not many people know, is that when Terapagos died, fragments of his shell fell over the surface as well and took the shape of golden keys, 18 of them, each one of them for each type. The 18 Tera Keys contain the power of the Pokemon Types in its purest state, that power is almost limitless and they can alter the Terastalize of any Pokemon at will. The Keys landed all in the same spot and with time they were found by the first humans that lived in Paldea, but they were deemed too dangerous, those people knew that it would be catastrophic if the Keys felt on the wrong hands, so the 18 Keys were given to 18 people so they would be separated and scattered across all of Paldea."

"As thousand of years have gone by since that, lots of people have tried to find the Keys, but most of them have failed. Still, the most interesting part is what comes next, the actual reason why most people, including ourselves, are looking for the Tera Keys. Aside form the great power they have on their own, it is said that if you bring the 18 keys together you'll find the 'Greatest Treasure of Paldea'. What's that treasure, you ask? Nobody knows, some say it's infinite richness, others say it's a limitless wish, but one thing is for sure, you need all the keys to have access to it, and as if that wasn't enough, you need more one thing, a central pieces you have to use alongside the keys. A fragment of Terapagos' heart, but unlike the Keys, no one has ever seen it, Either way, the Rising Volt Tacklers are currently in possession of 4 keys, the first one, Water, was found by our previous Captain. Normal was found by Ludlow. Rock was found by Murdock and Flying was found by Friede. We seemed to have a really good streak. No one has ever gotten so many keys together since they were separated. But that was when we met the explorers, we don't much about them either. They're a mysterious organization and their motives are unknown to us, but they're looking for the Keys as well, we've met three of their members so far, Amethio Ta Jolokia, Zir Bariz and Conia Insar, the woman you saw on that Skarmory."

"So Amethio is part of that group." Ash said.

"You've met him?" Orla asked.

"Only briefly, but I knew he was up to something." Ash said.

"Well, continuing, as far as we know, the Explorers have obtained 5 Tera Keys. Ghost, Bug, Psychic, Dark and Ground." Orla said.

"Which means the Keys that are still missing are Fire, Electric, Fighting, Dragon, Poison, Ice, Fairy, Grass and Steel." Ash replied.

"And the central piece." Orla said. "So let's see which one of those is next."

"A Tera Den?" Mollie said as the group arrived at the entrance of a cave.

"Let's do it!" Orla said leading the way, being followed Ash and Mollie.

Meanwhile with Liko.

"Alright, Liko, let's say things as they are." Ann took a deep breath while she looked at her friend. "You were about to kiss your Dad."

"I was about to kiss my adoptive father." Liko corrected still with a massive blush. "T-There's a difference, that's not the same thing."

"We're still talking about the person who raised you since you were born!" Roy shouted.

"I know, ok? I know it's weird, but, uh, well, I guess I always thought he was well-looking." Liko replied. "And meeting him when he's only two years older than me woke up some things that... I'm not too proud of."

"Liko, let's forget about the morally wrong part and focus on the most important here." Roy said. "You're from the future! Just try to visualize the kind of timeline mess you could create! You're supposed to be born in a few months, you cannot just stay here and become his girlfriend!"

"I-I know, I mean, it's not like I want to do that..." Liko said blushing again. "I know I have to return, but this pendant sent me at this exact time for a reason and I wanna know why."

"Maybe it was just so you could save Mela after all." Roy said.

"But then why did that Pokemon tell me to not intervene?" Liko asked.

"And what's with that advanced Daddy fetish you have?" Ann asked. "Didn't know you were that pervert."

"I told you I'm not too proud of this situation." Liko insisted.

"Hey, wait, you still haven't told me what kind of Aunt I am." Ann said.

"Uh, well, you've always been my favorite Aunt, to be honest." Liko said.

"Ok, enough." Roy stopped them. "We need to find the way to send you back to the future right now."

"I told you, Roy, there's no pressure." Liko said.

"I think you mean there wasn't, because now there surely is!" Roy shouted. "Liko! You fell in love with your dad!"

"Adoptive father." She corrected again.

"And did you see what happened during that kiss attempt?" Roy continued. "He wasn't resisting at all, what if he falls for you too? What if he makes you want to stay? Why am I the only one out of us who's actually considering the consequences of messing with time?!"

"Roy, is not that I'm not considering them." Liko said. "But I'm just trying to listen to my heart, like Ash always does."

"Well, here's my little suggestion. Listen to your brain instead." Roy said to then walk out of the stand." Might be more useful."

"Hey, don't listen to him." Ann told Liko. "Let's change topic, so, I haven't asked for details because I didn't want to spoil myself, but... how's my life with Ash in the future?"

"Like I told Ash, he's the happiest man alive and you're all the happiest women on earth. The Ketchum household is always filled with laughter and love. It always surprises how he manages to split his time between you all and his responsibilities as World Champion; and I love to take care of my younger siblings, he has two children with you, their names are-"

"N-N-No! No, no, hold on there, don't tell me!" Ann shouted with a wide smile while blushing madly. "I-I'd still like to pick those myself."

"Heh, yeah, sure." Liko smiled at her reaction while Ann got lost in her fantasies with Ash. "Hey, Ann, are you sure you don't want to be with Ash just because I told you'd end up together in the future?"

"Well, I'd be lying if I said that didn't play a part on it." Ann answered. "But the more you tell me about him and the more I get to know him, the more charmed I feel by him, though I never imagined myself sharing a man before... Hmm, wait, did Ash and I ever told you how we met?"

"Of course you did." Liko replied. " I know how he met each of you, you see, you two were supposed to meet in the Uva academy, where Ash would go to stop a Wild Amoongus that was attacking it. He would save you last minute and you would fall for him, eventually joining him in his adventure thorough Paldea and then you had your first kiss in-"

"CUT!" Ann shouted. "Don't tell me things as important as that! ... Although, to be fair, things so far have been pretty different from what you just told me."

"Guess you can thank me for that." Liko said.

"Well, that's not a bad thing at all actually." Ann said. "It means that not even you are fully sure of what'll happen next, that our future isn't fully written yet. Don't you think it's exciting not knowing what you're gonna do tomorrow?"

"Yeah... I guess it is." Liko smiled.

Meanwhile with the girls and Delia.

"As much as I want my Ash to finally have that special someone, this isn't the way... I saw those dates you had with him with some help of Mimey's barriers and... I won't let you use my son like that, so I'll be as clear as I can with you five, I want you all to stop traveling with Ash, get away from him and never approach him again."

"W-What?" Nemona stuttered. "Miss Ketchum, you can just ask us something like that!"

"Yeah! we all really like to travel with Ash and spend time with him!" Iono added.

"And with due respect, what reason would be give to Ash for abandon him out of a sudden like you're suggesting?" Penny asked.

"Yeah, like, I'm kind of legally obliged to stay with him for the next month if I don't want to go to jail." Mela said.

"...Why did you say that word?" Dendra asked to Delia.

"What word?" Delia asked.

"I won't let you use my son like that." Dendra repeated what Delia told them. "Use? Why did you say that word? Why do you think we're using Ash?"

"And are you not?" Delia asked. "Just look at the mess you all are! Mela Koton, an evil pyromaniac who had to rely on my son's good heart so she wouldn't rightfully go to jail to pay for her crimes. Nemona Xantho, a girl who never had a friend and is only with my son because of her stupid battle obsession. Dendra Kihada, a lonely failure of an adult who had to find comfort in luring a boy 7 years younger than her; and you, Dionysia Elton Nigma, you're by far the worst of them, just how dare you? How could you drag my son into your videos for some more insignificant views, we both know you're only using him to increase your popularity, or tell me, is any of the things I said wrong?" She asked and the four girls stood silent while looking down, with Iono being in the verge of tears. "My son... deserves something better than this."

"M-Miss Ketchum, with due respect, you're being too harsh." Penny stepped in. "You're lacking way too much context, I can assure you, we all deeply care for Ash, he changed all of our lives for the better."

"Penny..." Delia looked at her to then sigh. "You did hear I had nothing to complain about you, right?"

"I... y-you don't?" Penny stuttered.

"Penny, you're the only one I can accept into this." Delia said. "Seeing you reject the sharing idea was all I needed, so I'll tell you this once. If you say yes right now, I'll make sure you become Ash's one and only girlfriend, what do you say?"

"I... I could be Ash's only girlfriend?" Penny asked.

Back with Ash.

"So, Mollie de Famille." Ash talked to the girl while they both walked behind Orla, who was leading the way with her Rotom Tablet in hand. following Dot coordinates while they made their way on a tunnel of the Den.

"Yeah, what's the matter?" She asked without looking at Ash.

"Nothing, it's just... that's a curious name." Ash said and Mollie began looking around. "Sounds kinda french, are you from Kalos?"

"Uh, yeah, I'm from Kalos." Mollie replied.

"From what part of Kalos?" Ash continued.

"Uh, you know, the city with the big pointy thing." Mollie said.

"And what's that city's name?" Ash continued.

"W-Well, it's called-"

"This way, guys." Orla interrupted them and guided them inside another tunnel, making it to a part of the cave were all the roof, walls and floor were covered by reflecting crystals. "We're getting close to the Key, but keep you guards up. Conia must be already there."

"So you're from Lumiose?" Ash continued.

"Uh, yeah, exactly." Mollie replied looking at her reflections in the walls while she remembered what happened that morning in the bathroom. "It wasn't my fault..." She whispered.

"Stop right there!" A Voice echoed in the cave and five lightnings aimed at the group.

"Chansey, protect!" Mollie called out the Pokemon who summoned a barrier to protect them from the attack.

"So we finally meet, Explorers!" The voice echoed again and a Luxray jumped above the trio to then land infront of them as a young woman jumped form the lion's back. "You're under arrest!" Said an officer Jenny with a white version of their usual outfit, the outfit had the design a big blue star in her left side and she was also wearing a white had with a 'IV' sign in the front.

"Wait... Marble?" Ash asked.

"Hey! Who told you my... Ash!" She shouted.

"No..." Mollie trailed off and closed his eyes to then shook her head. "No, this isn't happening."

Valley Windworks, Sinnoh, A year and half ago.

"So Paige got ill, huh?" A teenage officer Jenny asked wearing jean shorts and a teal shirt with a black star design. "I thought the disease was controlled."

"We thought so too, but that's the thing with medicine, you can never be 100 percent sure." Marnie Joy answered wearing a pink dress and holding hands with the officer while they walked together. "So, I'm really sorry, but this will be our last date in a while, I'll start taking full-time care of Paige until she's healed."

"Listen, I'm glad you want to take responsibility, but don't you think you should take her to an hospital and let professionals handle it?"

"Of course not!" Marnie exclaimed. "I'm a professional too; and she's my sister, Marble!"

"Yeah, but that's part of what worries me." Marble said. "You'll see her as your sister first and as your patient second, which could end up making the process more difficult for you both."

"No, it won't. I'll just give her extra care." Marnie replied.

"It still worries me a bit." Marble insisted. "Hey, why don't we take her with Suicune? Don't you think he could heal her?"

"I'm not sure if I want a shortcut."

"It's not a shortcut, it's just thinking smart." Marble said. "Don't you want Paige to heal soon?"

"I want to Paige to heal. Period." Marnie replied. "And she's my first official patient after graduating from health school, I want to make things the right way."

"Hmm... fine, do what you think it's best." Marble said with a sigh. "But don't fear asking for help."

"Of course." Marnie nodded to then receive a quick lip kiss from Marble.

"Great." Marble winked. "Now, enough worries, I know you have it all under control but I'll still visit you two, so, if this is really gonna be our last date in a while, let's enjoy it!"

"Heh, sure thing." Marnie smiled at her.

Back in the festival.

"The Food festival has been a total success." Clavell said talking to his Rotom Phone. "We'll begin the closing ceremony in a few hours, how has been the reconstruction work of the Academy, Raifort?"

"Eh, all good so far." She answered. "Team Star has been surprisingly cooperative."

"That's nice to hear." Clavell said. "And thanks again for staying watching everything while I came to the Festival."

"Don't mind it, it's not like I wanted to go that boring festival anyway." Raifort said.

"Yes, I supposed so." Clavell said. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to make another call."

"Yeah, sure." Raifort cut the call herself and Clavell opened his contacts to then take a deep breath and make another call.

"Good to see you, Harrington." Clavell said.

"Wish I could say the same." Harrington answered. "I thought I was leaving the Naranja Academy in good hands, but you seriously surpassed my disaster with the Team Star incident."

"Straight-forwards as always, I see." Clavell said. "And I imagine you know most of my teachers will be working at your Academy while the reconstructions takes place."

"Of course I know." Harrington said. "And they're welcomed to stay further if they want to, the Uva Academy is always expanding and it always needs more staff."

"Well, I've also been thinking about expanding the Naranja Academy." Clavell said. "But tell me, Harrington, have you heard the news regarding the incident?"

"Huh? You mean those claims of Team Star saying they were the victims?" Harrington asked. "Don't tell me you actually believe that?"

"I do, in fact, believe of all of it." Clavell said. "And what worries me the most is what happened with your nephew, you did mention he was attacked by Team Star during the incident, but... you know what he did to Mela, right?"

"Clavell, that girl didn't have any proof." Harrington coldly replied.

"...Guess that's the answer I needed." Clavell said.

"Is that all you wanted? An answer?" Harrington asked.

"I want the truth." Clavell affirmed.

"You can't handle the truth!" Harrington suddenly shouted to then regain his composure and sigh.

"Why are there no reports or informs about it?" Clavell asked. "How could you do that? How could you hide what happened to Mela and all the horrible things those bullies did to Team Star?"

"My Dear Clive, you've always been too innocent, you still don't seem to understand. I was the original Director of the Naranja Academy, the once, most prestigious Academy in all of Paldea. And every action I took, no matter how disrespectful or how cruel, was for the greater good of my school."

"And that surely worked in the end, didn't it?" Clavell asked.

"Touche." Harrington smiled. "Which is why I decided to simply raze it all and start again. And I've been doing great so far, trust me, the errors that happened in the Naranja Academy won't be repeated here. Now, if you excuse me, I'm very busy attending actual Director business instead of playing around in the festival, so I'll have to leave you."

"Hey, Harrington, a little question before you do that." Clavell said. "Do you know anything about that false letter that Team Star received regarding the bullies?"

"I don't." He answered. "But I'll give you one little tip, Clive."

"And that is?" Clavell asked.

"Don't trust Team Star." Harrington said before cutting the call.

"Hmm..."

Valley Windworks, A year and one month ago.

"And Ash Ketchum ascends to rank 64 after successfully defeating Gym Leader Volkner!" An announcer exclaimed.

"Alright! I knew he'd win!" Paige cheered on in the bed of her room, while watching the coronation series battle on TV, with Marble and Marnie both sitting by her sides wearing face masks.

"I was just about to say the same thing!" Marble exclaimed.

"What do you mean? You betted on Volkner." Marnie replied.

"What? No, I didn't, you guys just misheard me." Marble replied. "Still, it really surprises me how strong he's gotten in such a short period of time."

"Marnie, we have to go and cheer for Ash in person in his next battle!" Paige shouted.

"Well, your state is still a bit delicate, but you've been getting better so... let's do this, if Ash makes it to the Masters 8, I promise we'll go and see the tournament in person.

"Great!" Paige cheered. "Maybe we'll even get to meet with Ash again.

"I honestly wonder if if he still remember us." Marble said. "Like, we all barely knew for a day.

"I'm sure he remember us, we had quite a crazy adventure together." Paige said. "And Marnie suuuuure took a liking of him."

"You what?!" Marble shouted in a jealous tone.

"I-It was just a little crush, nothing you should worry about." Marnie said.

"So you swing both ways, huh?" Marble asked. "I mean, if we were to have a three-"

"MARBLE!" Marnie shouted blushing and covering Paige's ears.

"Oh, right, well, point is, Ash is cool." Marble said. "Who knows how things could have ended if we had gotten to know him better."

"Yeah... I'm honestly excited to see him again." Marnie said.

"So, about that bet..." Marble trailed off.

"Pay!" Paige demanded.

Back with Ash.

"Orla, Mollie. This is Marble." Ash introduced the girls. "She's an officer Jenny that I met during my travels in Sinnoh."

"Lieutenant Marble Tetsu Jenny at your service!" She saluted the girls.

"Nice to meet you." Orla said. "Name's Orla Millfy and this Mollie de Famille."

"This isn't happening..." Mollie whispered taking some steps back again. 'This isn't happening, this isn't happening..."

"Nice to meet you too." Marble replied. "Hey, are you a Nurse Joy-"

"Don't you dare say that!" Mollie shouted. "I'M NOT A... You... YOU! ARGH!" Mollie simply shouted and turned her back on them.

"Uh well, sorry about thinking you guys were the Explorers." Marble continued. "Hadn't Ash been here I probably would've have attacked without thinking."

"So you're after the Explorers?" Orla asked.

"I am, I was tasked with apprehending them and I've been following them these last weeks, but I haven't had any luck." Marble explained. "I came here because I received an anonymous emergency message saying that they were on their way here."

"Well, Conia Insar is definitely here." Orla said.

"Yeah, we saw her flying on the way here." Ash said. "She's looking for a Tera Key that's inside this cave."

"A Tera Key? Marble asked. "I thought that was just an old Paldean legend."

"They're 100 percent real, I can assure it." Orla said. "And if we don't move fast Conia will get her hands on one of them."

"Very well then, I shall assist you." Marble said. "I'll help you get that key and you'll help me catch Conia, you in?"

"Catch me? I'd like to see you try." Conia's voice echoed in the cave and the quartet put their guards up but she was nowhere to be seen. "Well, what do we have here? Ketchum, my two favorite Tacklers and that pesky officer, Everybody who needs a beating, conveniently together on one place."

"Conia Insar!" Marble shouted. "By the power vested in me by the International Police, I'm stopping you by force!"

"Yeah, sure." Conia replied and pink suddenly rings came form the entrance of the tunnel and began bouncing in the crystals, surrounding Ash's group and giving them all a strong headache.

"T-That's Conia's Golduck using Psybeam!" Orla shouted.

"Snarl!" Marble shouted and her Luxray roared black rings form his mouth dissipating the psychic energy

"I'm coming for ya!" Marble jumped on top of Luxray who quickly started running in the direction that the Psybeam came from.

"Right behind you." Ash said releasing Koraidon again while Mollie stood still staring at her reflections in the walls, which showed her that young Nurse Joy again.

"Hey, Mol, we got to move!" Orla called her and Mollie simply clenched her fists while she looked down to then look up at Ash with her eyes filled with tears.

"Mollie..." Ash whispered at her and Mollie suddenly ran away in the opposite direction being followed by her Chansey and Drifblim.

"Mollie!" Orla shouted.

"You go with her, I'll help Marble-"

"No, Ash, wait!" Orla exclaimed stopping him. "Listen, Mollie knows you from somewhere, I don't know what it is, but the way she reacted when she first saw you wasn't normal, Mollie's been really struggling with that PTSD and I fell like you're the right person she needs to open up, please, I'm begging you, you have to help her."

"I... okay." Ash nodded. "I-I'll try to help."

"Great, I'll go help Marble then." Orla said to then jump on top of her Metagross and fly away following Marble while Ash and Koraidon went in the direction that Mollie left, they eventually found her in a small chamber and the image terrified Ash at first sight, the place was surrounded in crystals just like the rest of the cave, but all of the crystals were shattered, with blood splattered over them Mollie was kneeling in the center of the chamber, with her hands covered in bleeding cuts while she was also holding a big broken crystal in her right hand.

"Mollie..." Ash whispered.

"Heh, what can I say?" She asked with a heavy pant. "I'm tired of seeing my face."

"Mollie, you're bleeding too much, please, let me help you." Ash talked to her while slowly approaching her.

"Trust me, I'm a nurse, I know exactly how much blood I can lose, but that's not the important thing." She replied with a weak smile to then tighten her grip of the crystal in her right hand, making her bleed even more. "Back off, Ash, this is going to happen and I don't want you to see it." Mollie replied aiming the crystal at her throat, making Ash freeze in his place.

"M-Mollie... put that thing down." Ash said slowly while recalling Koraidon to avoid any sudden movements.

"Why you?" Mollie asked. "Why Marble and you? ...This was supposed to be a normal day, I just had to go to that stupid festival and forget everything, why did you have to come just today?"

"Mollie, I need you to get that crystal away from you." Ash said. "I don't know what happened but this isn't going to solve anything."

"Sigh, cut it off, I know that routine." Mollie continued without moving the crystal away form her throat. "Build an empathy, rapport, influence. Mom taught it to me."

"I need to know why you want to kill yourself." Ash replied as he began taking small steps towards Mollie.

"The only reason why I haven't done it yet is because I don't want you to feel guilty." Mollie softly chuckled. "Cause I've been feeling really bad, ok? I was barely keeping together and seeing you and Marble again was really the breaking point... but I don't want you to think this will be your fault, I know what it's like to be responsible for the death of someone."

"Mollie, I think I can help you if you just talk to me."

"I'm done talking, alright?!" She shouted while her tears flooded her eyes again. "Ash, I'm not worthy of your time."

"That's not true, Mollie." Ash continued, now being merely four steps away from her.

"Just look at me, Ash." She said staring at the blood in her hands. "Every day. Everything just feels so... just heavy. I can't even count the nights that I just hope and I pray that the lights up here would just go out, just so that the pain would just go away. I'm tired, Ash. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of hoping and I'm sick of waiting for this... I just want to see her again."

"See who?" Ash whispered while he picked up puzzles pieces in his head. "Ma... Mollie, listen, think of how much this would hurt your friends."

"They'll be fine without me." Mollie replied. "Just like everyone in Windworks has been."

"...Marnie." Ash whispered and Mollie abruptly stopped crying as she felt her breath was running out, but she still didn't move the crystal away from her throat. "Marnie Frances Lynette Joy."

"Heh, that took you long enough." She replied.

"Sorry, but, you look really different from the last time we met." Ash said. "Still, with all the things you said... Paige-"

"Paige is dead." Mollie replied tightening even more her grip on the crystal. "And I killed her."

Valley Windworks, Sinnoh, a year and a day ago.

"Marnie?" A Nurse Joy opened the door of a room to find her two daughters. The youngest resting on bed while wearing an oxygen mask and the eldest sitting by her side wearing a face mask and a medical coat while looking at some papers. "Marnie..." The nurse called again but the eldest sister still didn't respond. "Marnie Frances Lynette Joy!" She shouted and her eldest daughter finally looked at her, her eyebags being more than noticeable.

"Uh, sorry, Mom." Marnie replied. "I was just focusing on Paige's lastest status, you know? It seemed like she was recovering these last weeks, but she has only worsened these last days... I'm honestly starting to worry." She explained while her mother placed a hand on Paige's forehead as the girl was having difficulty to breathe, she then looked at Marnie again, who was now organizing some pills while still looking at the reports.

"Marnie, when was the last time you slept?" Joy asked.

"I don't need sleep, I need to help my sister." Marnie replied.

"You won't be of any help if you keep up like that." Joy said. "You could end up getting dizzy and mix up the treatment."

"Mix up the treatment? Mom, I'm a Joy, you offend me." Marnie replied.

"Marnie Frances Lynette Joy, I'll give you 10 minutes and I better see you sleeping after that or you'll be in trouble, young lady." She ordered to then sigh. "Listen, I'm very proud of all you've done for Paige, but don't forget to take care of yourself too, I don't want to lose either of my daughters."

"You won't lose any of us. I'll make sure of it." Marnie firmly answered while her mother brushed Paige's hair to then leave the room, leaving the two sisters alone again.

"Guess I'm going to sleep." Marnie said with a sigh."

"Marnie..." Paige called her with a frail voice, which was weakened even more by the oxygen mask, but Marnie heard her more than clearly.

"Y-Yes! What happened? You want me to bring you anything?" She asked.

"...It hurts." Paige replied and Marnie felt her heart stop flat.

"I... I-I know." Marnie replied with a broken voice. "I'm sorry, you know I'm doing everything I can, just keep resting and I'll take care of the everything, okay?"

"Okay." Paige replied with a weak smile. "I trust you, sis."

Back with the girls.

"Penny, please, you're the best out of these girls." Delia continued. "You'd be the perfect girlfriend for Ash, but I need it to be just you, what do you say?"

"Penny would never accept that!" Iono shouted.

"W-Would you?" Nemona asked.

"I... It'd finally be Ash and me again, just the two of us." Penny said.

"Exactly, so, is that a yes?" Delia asked.

"Miss Ketchum..." Penny stared at her for a moment. "Trust me when I say that's probably the most tempting offer I've ever had in life. There's nothing I would like more than being the person who takes care of Ash, but..." Penny took a pause and looked at Nemona and Iono.

"Please, don't tell me you're actually considering that." Delia said. "You said it yourself, something like that would never work."

"I know, but... I was a little shocked by the proposal, just as I was still nervous by your presence, but the more I think about it, one thing resounds in my head and it isn't the consequences, the trouble or the hardships that come with Polygamy... it's the fact that Iono and Nemona wanted to share Ash with me, they were waiting to tell me first so we could all give Ash our offer together, they weren't going to leave me behind so It'd be unfair of me to leave them behind."

"Penny, you know better than anyone how flawed these girls are." Delia insisted.

"And Ash knows it too!" Penny answered. "And he doesn't judge us because of that! And, even then, you're wrong!" She shouted again now pointing at Delia. "You're wrong about all these girls! They're not what you think! Mela's NOT evil! She's been through more pain than any human c ould bare and she's still standing! And it was Ash the one who decided to take her with him! Mela was fully prepared to take responsibility for her wrongs, but Ash decided she deserved a second chance! And Nemona may have a Pokemon Battle obsession, she may be a dumb battle-loving girl, but she's Ash's dumb battle-loving girl! They're so alike, they have so much in common, it's like they were made for each other, specially because just like you said, Nemona never had a friend, she's always felt excluded because everyone treats her as crazy, but Ash accepted her! And who are you to judge Dendra?! Ash is already an adult and he hasn't tried to reject her by any means, so if he can to hell and back and fight God then he can date a woman older than him, if anything, Ash is more mature than her!"

"Hey!" Dendra complained. "...I mean, that's probably true, but-"

"And don't you dare doubt Iono's feelings!" Penny continued taking another step towards Delia. "...Because I doubted them myself... but I got to know the truth. At first, she was only traveling with Ash for the views, that's no lie, but that was because she never had someone to trust because of her status, but Ash, Nemona and I showed her what it was like to have someone that cares about you because of who you really are; AND LOOK AT ME! Do you really think I'm the best one here? You think I'm perfect?! I'm probably the worst of the bunch! I betrayed my friends! I skipped school! I lied to Ash for months because I was too scared that he'd never trust me again if I told him the truth! And guess what? He forgave me! Ash forgave all of us! He accepted us with each of our flaws and he loves us despite them, because that's what family does! You should know that! And no one, not even you, is gonna pull us away from Ash!"

"...So that's how it's going to be?" Delia asked.

"It is." Penny nodded. "So, with due respect, I'll tell you this once, Miss Ketchum, we're going to be Ash's girlfriends! All of us! And if you have a problem with that, all I can tell you is sorry, but these girls are my family and they're Ash's family too!"

"P-P-PENNY!" Iono shouted with tears in her eyes and ran to give her a big hug. "Y-You really meant all that?"

"Of course I do." She replied hugging her as well and Dendra, Mela and Nemona all went to hug her as well, Delia stared at the group for a moment and then got out of the stand and approached them.

"So you're saying you're gonna pull Ash away from me?" Delia asked. "From his own mother?"

"...Miss Ketchum, Ash is the most wonderful person we've ever met and we know that's because of the way you raised him, he is the person he is thanks to you and you'll always be his mother, but he's not your little Ash anymore, he's grown and matured, he... he's our Ash too now! And you may be the most important person in Ash's life, but excuse my boldness when I say we're for sure second, we know it'll be unfair to make Ash choose between us and you, but if that situation were to happen... we'd do anything in our power to take Ash away from you if it means staying with him, so please, let's just get along, for Ash's sake!"

"For Ash's sake?" Delia asked. "Don't talk like you know anything about that. Every step and choice I've taken since Ash was born was for his sake."

"That's why I'm asking you to reconsider this." Penny continued. "Think of how Ash would feel if he sees us arguing like this, trying to force each other away from him. He doesn't deserve to be in the middle of such a thing."

"I... I admit I haven't thought of that." Delia sighed. "I simply thought that pulling you away from Ash was the best I could do."

"Parents always want to do what they it's best for their children." Dendra said. "But that doesn't mean it is the best thing to do."

Delia stared at the group in silence for a few seconds and then let out a heavy sigh. "I'm... really sorry about the things I said, I was trying to get on your nerves, but I know I went overboard, I'm just... worried, I'm really unsure of this idea you have, that's why I wanted to come to Paldea and meet you personally... and the worst part is that Ash is considering this idea as well."

"He is?" Mela asked.

"For real? But why hasn't he told us?" Iono asked.

"In simple terms, Ash is nervous, you probably know he doesn't have much love experience and this is quite a bold first step to take, I wanted to talk with Ash about it, but before giving him any positive or negative suggestions I had to meet you all, I had to know if Ash was giving his trust to people who were worthy of it."

"And, well, are we?" Nemona asked.

"That's the thing, I still don't know." Delia sighed again. "Ash may not be the smartest person on earth, but he has the biggest heart in it, so, if he likes you all enough to consider this then there must be a good reason, and even if I'm his mother, it'd be way too selfish of me to try and dictate the things he should feel... Listen to this, I'm still not onboard with this idea, but it seems to be pretty clear that I won't convince you to get away from Ash, so we'll do this, you can stay traveling with Ash, but you can not give him the proposal to share him, if you all tell him he could end up feeling pressured and simply accept because of that. I need to see him giving that step, so I'll stay in touch with your videos and I'll be watching you by other means too." She said causing the girls to gulp. "For now, just keep making Ash feel loved, prove me that you're worthy of him, prove me that all that Penny said it's true, prove me I was wrong... and then when he confesses and you all seal the deal, you'll have my blessing."

"Challenge accepted." Nemona said.

"Thank you for giving us a chance, Miss Ketchum." Penny said.

"We'll show you how much we love Ash!" Iono said.

"I hope so, cause like I said, I'll have my eye on you." Delia insisted. "And if I ever find out that your hurt Ash physically or emotionally saying that I'll make you regret it would be an understatement, capisce?" She asked and the five girls nodded in silence. "Good, now, Penny, be kind enough to send Ash our location, would you? I'd like to see him."

"S-Sure, on it." Penny stuttered taking her Rotom Phone.

"Now, I suppose it's not necessary to tell you that you can't tell Ash anything about this conversation, right?" Delia asked and the girls nodded again. "That's good, but we'll still need a little facade so he doesn't suspect anything. I'll serve you all something."

"W-We'll help prepare the table." Iono stuttered.

"Uh, yeah, uhm, Maybe I could help you cook, Delia." Dendra said.

"What... did you just call me?" Delia asked softly placing her hand on Dendra's shoulder causing her to shiver.

"I-I-I mean, sorry, Miss Ketchum!" Dendra shouted taking a sudden bow.

"That's right, I'm the only Miss Ketchum here." Delia said crossing her arms.

"For now." Mela whispered.

"What was that?" Delia asked.

"Oh, nothing." Mela replied.

"Hmm... listen up, Dendra Kihada, you're a 25 year-old woman who stole my 18 year-old son's first kiss, trust me, I don't like you much." Delia said. "You should really watch your mouth... in more ways than one."

"Y-Y-Yes, of course, I-I'm really sorry." Dendra replied trembling in fear.

"Good, now let's get that dinner ready, shall we?" Delia said while Mela stared angrily at her and the other girls simply kept their sights down as they prepared the table.

Meanwhile with Marble and Orla.

"Over here!" Marble shouted as orla and her made it to the main chamber of the cave. "Argh, where did she go?" She asked while she got off her Luxray as Orla stayed on top of her Metagross as it floated around the chamber while marble's Luxray smelled in the air.

"Conia! I know you're close!" Marble shouted. "Stop hiding and fight us like a woman!"

"Yeah! You and I got some unfinished business after all!" Orla said.

"I'm well aware." Conia replied while her voice echoed again. "So, why don't we settle them? Metal Sound!" She shouted and a grim screech came from the entrance of the chamber, breaking all of the crystals around and forcing Orla, Marble and Luxray to cover their ears in pain, Metagross wasn't affected by the sound, but he quickly descended to the floor so Orla wouldn't fall from him. The sound stopped just as abruptly, but it was still resounding in their ears as Conia walked into the chamber along her Skarmory and Golduck.

"Were you looking for this?" Conia asked holding a Tera Key with a silver rhombus as its symbol.

"T-The Steel Tera Key!" Conia shouted while she was still unable of standing up due to the pain of the sound, while her Metagross remained in guard in front of her, as marble as Luxray were struggling as well.

"Yup, and we also got Fire recently." Conia said. "So now we're 7 to 4, doesn't look too good for you, does it? Now, what should I do? Take you hostage to force your teammates to hand over the keys they have?"

"You step back before I wreck you with my wrench!" Orla shouted while her Metagross roared. "Meteor Mash!" She ordered and her Metagross lifted an arm to then dash towards Conia.

"Tera Blast!" Conia smirked rising the Fire Tera key which shined with red light and both of her Pokemon Terastalized into that type to then expell two giant flames towards Metagross and knock him out with an explosion.

"Wild Charge!" Marble shouted finally standing up again and Luxray went to attack.

"Tera Blast!" Conia yawned now raising the Ground Tera Key and both Skarmory and Golduck changed to that type, blocking Luxray's Wild Charge and then using a move akin to earth power, summoning eruptions from the ground and knocking out the lion as well. "Metal Sound!" Conia continued while both Orla and Marble were looking for more Poke Balls and the screech forced them to cover their ears again. "Heh, this is so easy. Now, for the great finale." Conia raised the Steel Tera Key and both her Pokemon changed types again. "Try not to lose your heads, dears." She said while her Pokemon's tails turned into long metal blades and they jumped towards Marble and Orla.

"DIRGE!" A flame ball suddenly came from the entrance of the chamber and hit Skarmory and Golduck, sending them flying to a wall.

"What in the-" Conia looked back only to see Ash's Skeledirge running towards her, she jumped out of the way and Skeledirge kept running until he was in front of Orla and Marble in order to protect them as it roared to Conia.

"Is he in our side?" Marble asked.

"I think..." Orla replied and Skeledirge looked back at her to then smile and lick her face. "Huh? ...COCO!" Orla shouted to then hug Skeledirge's nose. "I can't believe it's you! When did you get so big?"

"Uh, what am I missing here?" Marble asked.

"Hydro Pump!" Conia shouted and her still Steel-Type Golduck stood up to the shoot the move at Skeledirge.

"Oh, no, you don't!" Orla quickly pulled out a Tera Orb form her pocket and activated it, surrounding Skeledirge in crystals and changing him to a Water-Type so he could resist the Hydro Pump. "Let's see how strong you've gotten, Coco! Show me a Torch Song!" Orla ordered and Skeldirge stood in his hind legs while the small flame bird in his nose jumped in front of him to turn into microphone, Skeledirge then roared and the microphone turned into a flaming phoenix that flew towards Golduck and exploded right on his chest.

"Argh, Tera Blast!" Conia pulled out the Psychic Tera key and Golduck changed type once again to shoot a huge pink laser from the eye that formed in his head.

"Use Hex!" Skeledirge roared again and several skull shaped masses of energy came from the squares and triangles in his head, the skulls then joined into a bigger one and absorbed the psychic attack to then explode on Golduck's face, knocking him out and making him lose his Terastalization.

"Goldie!" She shouted to then run and aid the duck. "Are you okay?!"

"Hey, Conia!" Orla shouted and conia turned around to see the mechanic running towards her with a wrench in her hand. "IT WASN'T METAPHORICAL!" She shouted to then slam her wrench into Conia's head and make her fall onto the floor, dropping the Ghost and the Steel keys.

"God, that was so satisfying." Orla said.

"Well, this will be even more." Marble said with handcuffs in hand. "Conia Insar, you're under arrest."

"Tsk, retreat!" Conia shouted and her Skarmory rose up again to then shoot Air Slashes at Marble and Orla, forcing them to take cover, but not without Orla taking the two keys that Conia dropped, Skarmory then descended and Conia jumped to his back while she returned her Golduck and held her head. Skeledirge began firing Hexes, but Skarmory swiftly avoided them as he flew away. "This isn't over, tackler!" Conia shouted as she disappeared in the distance of a tunnel.

"Yeah, you bet it isn't!" Orla replied to then look at two Keys and smile.

"NO, NO, NO! This can't be happening!" Marble shouted stomping the ground. "This was my first encounter with the explorers after weeks of following them and I completely screwed up! I couldn't even land a single hit!"

"Hey, easy there, everyone loses a battle from time to time." Orla said. "Best you can do is train to make sure you do better next time."

"Guess you're right." Marble sighed. "Complaining won't do any good."

"Dirge!" Skeledirge stood on his hind legs again and gave Orla a hug with his tiny arms.

"Coco! I'm so happy to see you!" She replied hugging him as well.

"Well, this big guy really saved us." Marble said looking at the starter. "Where do you know him from?"

"He was a good friend of mine in my past job." Orla replied. "I suppose he belongs to Ash now and he send him to help us... Ash! Mollie!" She shouted to then run away.

"Hey, wait!" Marble said following her and Skeldirge began guiding them until they made it to where Ash and Mollie were, with the girl still kneeling pointing the crystal at her neck while Ash was standing in front of her.

"M-Mollie, what are you doing?!" Orla shouted running at her.

"Orla, wait!" Ash told her and she stopped running. "Just... J-Just take it slowly, okay?" He said to then look at Mollie again while she was still weeping. "Mollie... Paige is dead? How did that happen? ...What do you mean you killed her?"

"Who's Paige?" Orla asked.

"Paige... M-Marnie?" Marble whispered.

"...A strange illness spread across the west part of Sinnoh 3 years ago." Mollie began explaining. "It spread overwhelmingly fast, the west area had to be locked down from the rest of the region, the nurses and doctors were working like crazy, no one understood what was going on and everyone was scared, but thanks to Cynthia's guiding we managed to control it, and then, last year, right when it seemed like it was finally ending, when it seemed like everything was going to return to normal... Paige got ill... I had just graduated from the health school, I pretty much begged Mom to let me take care of her, I thought I could handle it." She continued as her voice broke and she began crying again. "I tried every single thing I knew, but her condition only worsened, and yet I insisted Mom to leave her with me, Paige fought so hard, she tried to help as she could, but... it didn't matter... she fell ill in April 12... and then finally died in her sleep in September 15."

"...That's today." Ash whispered.

"Of course it is." Mollie replied.

Valley Windworks, Sinnoh, A year ago.

"September 15." Marnie Frances Lynette Joy said to herself while she put on a face mask to then take a plate of breakfast in her hands. "Good morning, Paige!" She said walking into her younger sister's room, with Paige laying in bed wearing an oxygen mask. "How do you feel today, sis?" Marnie asked placing the breakfast in a table next to Paige's bed, but her sister didn't answer. "Paige, I said good morning." Marnie called her again and softly placed a hand in her sister's forehead, but she still didn't react. "Paige?" Marnie kept calling her to no avail and then stared at the oxygen mask and froze in place for roughly 10 seconds until she finally reacted. "PAIGE!" She shouted to then grab her sister's wrist and notice she didn't have any pulse. "No, no, no!" She kept shouting and took off Paige's mask to the start giving her chest compressions. "Paige! Paige, don't you dare! Marnie desperately shouted as she began crying. "P-Please, please, don't give up! Paige! Don't leave me here! No, no, Mom! MOM! MOM!"

"Marnie!" The Nurse Joy ran into the room and froze once she saw what was happening.

"Mom, she isn't breathing!" There's no pulse!" Marnie shouted.

"Marnie..." The woman slowly walked to her daughters and placed a hand in Marnie's shoulder.

"Why are you just standing there?!" Marnie shouted to then tear off her face mask. "WHY AREN'T YOU DOING ANYTHING?!"

"Marnie..." Joy began crying as well, but did her best to remain her composure. "She must have hours there and you know it's only a matter of minutes when one-"

"SHE'S NOT DEAD! SHE CAN'T BE!" Marnie insisted to give Paige more chest compressions. "Please, please, just come back!"

"Marnie, enough!" Her mother hugged her from behind and pulled her away from Paige.

"NO! I CAN STILL SAVE HER!" Marnie shouted again while her mother continued to drag her away.

"Marnie, she's gone!" Joy shouted.

"SHE'S NOT! I WON'T LET HER!" Marnie kept shouting and then bit down her mother's arm in a desperate effort to make her let go off of her.

"KARSTEN!" Joy shouted and her husband ran to the scene.

"What's all this... P-Paige?" He asked in a whisper.

"DAD! TELL MOM TO LET ME GO! I HAVE TO HELP PAIGE!" Marnie kept crying and she begged and Karsten simply looked at his wife.

"Please, hold her." Joy told him to then hand Marnie over to him and he hugged her with all his strength as Joy slowly walked to Paige's bed.

"NO! NO! MOM! PLEASE, JUST LET ME TRY!" Marnie continued while Joy softly placed a hand in Paige's chest while she started crying as well as Karsten, Joy then took a deep breath in a frail effort to calm herself and lifted the sheet Paige was sleeping with.

"MOM! STOP! DON'T DO IT!" Marnie continued to try and force her way out of her father's grip while her mother covered Paige's face with the sheets. "NO! PAAAAAAIGE!"

Back in the present.

"...Paige was the only dead caused by that illness." Mollie said. "My sister, the only patient under my care... I didn't even get to say goodbye."

"Mar... Mollie. That wasn't you fault." Ash said.

"IT WAS!" Mollie shouted. "I've been trying to convince myself that it wasn't my fault, but it was! I insisted in taking care of her on my own! I just had to ask for help! I should've let them take her to a hospital or with Suicune! I had to admit I wasn't ready for it! ...And Paige would still be alive... But she was my sister... I had to be the hero, right? If only I was good enough maybe she would still be alive." Mollie said and Marble took a few steps back. "...She was only 13, she had her whole life ahead of her... It should've been me, I should've gotten ill, I should've died instead of Paige."

"Mollie, don't say such a thing!" Ash shouted.

"AND WHY NOT?!" She replied. "J-Just look at me... and I... I didn't even had the strength to go to her funeral, t-that day I locked myself in my bathroom, I took a pair of scissors, I... I pointed them at my throat, I was this close to... but then I saw my reflection in the mirror... and all I could see was Paige... she wouldn't want me to do that." She said finally pulling the crystal away from her neck, but she still didn't let go off it. "But I couldn't keep seeing that same face we had, I took the scissors and cut my hair, got some clothes and ran away from home... my parents probably haven't even looked for me... can't say I blame them."

"Marnie, they've been looking for you like crazy." Marble said taking a step forward. "I should know, I begged to be the one tasked with your search mission when you first disappeared... so you've been here in Paldea all this time?"

"Pretty much." Mollie replied. "The second day of my escape, I went to the airport and traveled to the farthest place I could find and it happened to be here. I made up this character of Mollie de Famille, I wandered around the region for some weeks and then I met the Tacklers and joined them... even then, I've been thinking of Paige every single day. And as much as I want to leave my past life behind, I'm still a Joy, just like Paige was; and I'm still a medic to respect her memory, I've been trying to save a life for every time her ghost haunted me, but not a day goes by where I don't want to see her, hug her, tell her that I love her... But of course, I'll never get to do that again."

"Mollie..." Orla approached the girl and knelt in front of her. "Why did you never told us any of that?"

"Because remembering what happened only makes feel worse." Mollie replied. "I'm sorry, I know you were just trying to help me, but... I guess I'm too stubborn sometimes."

"You..." Orla sighed and gave her a sudden hug, Mollie processed for a moment and finally let go off the crystal in her hand to shyly hug Orla as well despite the injuries in her hand still bleeding. "Let's just return to the Asagi, ok? Here, look what I got from Conia." Orla said showing the two keys.

"The Steel and Ghost keys, huh?" Mollie asked.

"Yup, she managed to escape, but not without leaving these behind." Orla said. "Now we got six and the Explorers only five, how does that sound?"

"Sounds great." Mollie sighed. "Something good came out of this day at least."

"Hey, Mollie..." Ash talked to her and stood in silence for a few second before continuing. "Would you really like to see Paige again?"

"Ash, I'd give everything I have just for one more minute with her." She replied.

"Where does that question comes from?" Marble asked.

"I think I have an idea." Ash said. "Mollie, your Drifblim is one of the Drifloon you had when we met in Sinnoh, right?"

"Uh, yeah." Mollie nodded.

"Was he in the house when Paige passed?" Ash asked again.

"Of course he was." Mollie replied.

"I think I can try a little trick someone taught me, but I'm not sure if I have enough energy to do it." Ash said. "Unless... what do those keys do exactly?"

"Well, the most crucial thing is that they can change a Pokemon's Terastalize and power it more than usual."

"That's exactly what we need." Ash continued.

"Ash..." Mollie simply looked at him in silence. "You're saying-"

"I'm not a 100 percent sure, I know the theory, but I still haven't perfected the practice." Ash replied. "Even then, I think it's worth a shot."

"...What do we have to do then?" Mollie asked.

"First off, use the Ghost Key on Skeledirge and Drifblim." Ash explained.

"Got it." Orla raised the key and purple light surrounded the two Pokemon to then Terastalize them into Ghost.

"Now, Mollie, I'd need you to give me your hands, but they're still injured so we should-"

"No." She stopped him. "Whatever you're trying to do, we're doing it right now."

"Fine then." Ash offered her his hands and Mollie hesitated a bit, but she then grabbed them. "There, now Drifblim, wrap your arms around our hands. Ash told him and the ghost followed orders. "Skeledirge, you know what to do." Ash looked at his Pokemon who nodded to then approach them and place the tip of his nose under their hands while the fire bird jumped on top of their hands. "Good." Ash said before taking a deep breath. "Now, I need you two to focus." He said to Mollie and Drifblim. "Mollie, think of all the memories you have from Paige, all the moments you shared wit her; and Driflbim, I need you to think of the exact moment when Paige's soul left her body.

"Fwoosh..." Drifblim said to then close his eyes as he began to shine purple.

"Here we go." Ash closed his eyes began shining blue as his body began expelling aura, Skeledirge then closed his eyes as well and began shining red to then use Hex and make the skulls spin around the group.

"Uh, Ash?"

"Mollie, I need you to focus." Ash replied. "Just trust me, ok?"

"Ok... I just need to... think of Paige." Mollie closed her eyes and the aura from the other three began to surround her with a pink color, Skeledirge's Fire Bird then began shining with a rainbow-colored light that go so bright that Marble and Orla had to cover their, the light kept shining brighter and reflected in all the crystals of the cave until it finally subsided and Orla and Marble were the first to open their eyes.

"...I don't believe what I'm seeing." Marble whispered, while Ash and Mollie felt another pair of hands on their and then opened their eyes to see a young Nurse Joy in front of them.

"P-Paige..." Mollie whispered to then start crying again. "PAIGE!" She shouted and tried to hug her, but Ash and Drifblim kept holding her hands, causing her to groan in pain due to her injuries.

"Mollie, listen, this is only a projection of her soul." Ash told her. "If you let go off my hands, the spell will be broken and she'll disappear.

"I... o-ok, I just need to..." Mollie did her best to stop crying and breath slowly but her own emotions overwhelmed her. "P-Paige... is that really you?"

"I... am." She answered. "And you... heh, Marnie, what's with that hair? Were you looking at Fantina's fashion show again?"

"Of course not." Mollie replied with a short laugh to then start crying again. "Paige... P-Paige, I'm so sorry, it was all my fault."

"No, it wasn't." Paige replied placing a hand on Mollie's cheek, I know you did everything you could and I'm proud of you. You don't know how much it hurts me to see you blaming yourself, everyone knows it wasn't your fault, everyone but you... of course I'd love to still be here with you, but I guess it's just the way things are, still, don't feel bad about me, the place where I am now is really beautiful, filled with light and peace, I hope we meet again here someday, but not yet, you still have plenty of things to live for, keep seeing the world with your friends, please go talk with Mom and Dad and..." Paige smiled to then look at Ash.

"Ash, thank you so much for letting me see her again, we still owed each other a goodbye." She said. "Please take care of Marnie, you two will do great together... see you again, sis." She smiled to Mollie who bursted into tears again and forced her way out of Ash's grip to huge Paige for a brief moment before she disappeared in several orbs of light that spread across the cave and vanished one by one into the air. Mollie then hugged herself as her breathing got heavy, but she then took a deep breath to calm herself and cleaned her tears to then smile.

"You okay?" Orla asked.

"You know? I always thought Paige blamed me for what happened." Mollie replied. "That's why I tried so hard to convince myself that it wans't my fault... so hearing her saying all that to me... heh." Mollie smiled wider and then stared at Ash to jump over him and catch him a hug. "Thank you." She whispered to him to then stare into his eyes. "I... I don't know if this will get across just how thankful I am, but..." Mollie smiled again to then grab Ash's cheeks and land a kiss on his lips. "Thank you."

"I'm... glad I could help." Ash smiled at her while they both blushed. "Now, uh, your hands."

"Oh, right, I forgot about that." Mollie said. "There's a first-aid kit on my backpack, can you?"

"On it." Ash replied.

"Ash, where did you learn to do that?" Orla asked approached them while Ash treated Mollie's injuries and Marble kept herself some steps behind.

"An aura master from Kalos taught me." Ash replied. "I had a battle with her and she sensed aura in me. After our battle she showed me an old book with plenty of aura spells and this was the one which interested me the most, she said she had already taught it to her granddaughters so they could talk with their father. I actually practiced it a bit with Skeledirge but I couldn't get it to work, it seems like you need four to do it."

"Huh, so I was right. Coco belongs to you." Orla said.

"Coco?" Ash asked.

"Yup, that's the nickname I gave him when we first met." Orla said while patting Skeledirge. "Back when I was professor Turo's assistant in his lab."

"You worked for Turo?" Ash asked.

"Yup, I used to be his right-hand mechanic." Orla said. "I always thought his vision of the future was really interesting."

"Marnie..." Marble whispered looking at her and finally decided to approach her. "So, it's really you, huh?"

Valley Windworks, Sinnoh, 11 months and 3 weeks ago.

"Marnie..." Marble knocked the door of her girlfriend's room while wearing a black dress, meanwhile Marnie was laying in the floor in fetal position on the other side of the door. "Come on, we need to go to the funeral."

"I'm not going." Marnie replied between weeps.

"Marnie Frances Lynette Joy, this is your sister's funeral. You can't just not go." Marble replied.

"I failed her." Marnie continued. "I promised to everyone that I'd save her, I promised her we'd go out again, she was so excited to see Ash in the Masters 8."

"I told you you should've let your parents take her to an hospital or at least with Suicune." Marble said. "But you didn't listen."

"I-I just wanted-"

"You wanted what?!" Marble shouted. "What were you trying to prove?!"

"I just wanted to help Paige! I'm her sister! I'm a doctor! I'm a good doctor!" Marnie shouted standing up to then hold the door knob.

"IF YOU WERE GOOD ENOUGH MAYBE SHE WOULD STILL BE ALIVE!" Marble shouted slamming her fist onto the door and making Marnie take a few steps away form it as her breathing got heavy. "...M-Marnie..." Marble thought for a second after hearing herself. "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to say like that, it's just... argh, I told you, I told you, why didn't you listen?"

"Go away." Marnie told her doing her best to not cry out loud and she sat in the floor again. "Please, just go away."

"Are you seriously not coming?" Marble asked and only got silence in response. "Fine... I'll tell your parents, we'll be back after the funeral... love you."

Back in the present.

"Marnie, we need to talk." Marble said approaching her even more, until they were face to face. "L-Listen, last time we talked I said things... that I should've have, I-"

"Don't worry about it." Mollie interrupted her. "Please, let's just... not mention any of that."

"Can't we try again?" Marble suddenly asked.

"... What do you mean?" Mollie asked.

"I-I'm really sorry, okay?!" Marble shouted. "I know I hurt you, I know I failed you, please give me another chance! L-Let's go back to Sinnoh together and make things the way they were before! You... You have no idea of how much I've missed you."

"I'd be lying if I said I din't miss you too." Mollie replied. "But things won't ever be the same as they were before, way too much time has passed and way too many things have happened, I'm not the Marnie you once met... And I can tell you changed too, only that you changed for the better.

"I'm not too sure about that." Marble sighed. "Marnie, please, I'm a mess without you, this... this is all my fault, isn't it?"

"Your fault?" Mollie asked. "Marble... did you blame yourself for my disappearance?"

"Every single day." Marble replied. "I knew what I said was wrong, but I was too stubborn to simply admit it, I spent countless sleepless nights trying to find you, I moved every rock in Sinnoh, I promised to your parents, to the whole town, that I'd bring back home safe and sound and they all trusted me, after all, what kind of officer wouldn't be able of tracking her own girlfriend? ... we gave up after the third month... I failed all of them. The people of the town started to murmur, to say it was my fault, that maybe someone I arrested or pursued found out you were my girlfriend and... tried to send a message... I thought that too for some time... since the search was closed I haven't had the guts to go back to Windworks, your parents called me some times, but I never had the strength to answer... what am I supposed to tell them now?"

"Just tell them I'm fine." Mollie replied.

"I can't just tell them you're alive out of nowhere!" Marble shouted. "You have to come with me so I can bring you with them, that way they'll finally trust me again." She said to then grab Mollie's wrist but the nurse quickly pulled away.

"So this is about that? About getting them to forgive you?" Mollie asked. "This isn't about us?"

"What?! No! It is about us!" Marble said. "I'm just, still trying to process this whole thing, I thought you were dead, Marnie!"

"It's Mollie." She firmly replied. "And honestly, I feel like Marnie or at least most of her died alongside Paige."

"Well, you're still Marnie to me!" Marble shouted. "You seem very much alive and I just love that part of the story where you never contact me or your parents ever again! ...P-Please, marnie, if you won't do it for me, at least do it for them, just think about, your parents were already mourning Paige's dead and then you disappeared, they didn't deserve to lose both daughters."

"...I'll think about it." Mollie replied with a sigh.

"That's good to hear." Marble took a deep breath. "Now, I should be leaving, I have to inform the Interpol about my encounter with Conia and that the explorers are looking for the Tera Keys. Let's trade numbers, okay?" I have the feeling you guys will meet with the explorers again, please call me when that happens."

"Okay then." Orla replied and they all traded numbers with Marble, the quartet then made their way out of the cave and Marble left while Orla, Mollie and Ash made their way back to the festival together.

"There, I already informed the team of our little encounter." Orla said with her Rotom Tablet in hand. "They'll be waiting for us in the festival."

"Why didn't they made it to the cave?" Mollie asked.

"They stopped at the festival to pick up Murdock, but he was too busy with paperwork so they had to wait for him."

"Oh, right, I was supposed to handle the paperwork." Mollie said.

"Hey, so... Should I call your Mollie or Marnie now?" Orla asked.

"Mollie will do." She answered. "I guess I already got used to it, but I don't want to keep running away from my past life so... Mollie Joy de Famille, how does that sound?"

"Sounds great!" Orla said.

"Yup, rolls out the tongue pretty well." Ash added. "...Uh, hey, Joy?"

"What?"

"Your eyes." Ash said. "They're blue again."

"Huh?" Mollie pulled out her Rotom Phone and opened the camera to see herself.

"They've been grey since I met you." Orla said.

"They started losing color after Paige died." Mollie said. "I never understood why..."

"Well, I think I should get back with my friends before they start worrying." Ash said once the three made it back to the festival.

"See ya then, we'll be returning with our group as well." Orla said while Mollie approached Ash again and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you. You saved my life." She whispered to him to then stare at his eyes with a wide smile before walking away with Orla. Ash stayed looking at them for a moment until he decided to go his own way and left in another direction to reencounter with the girls.

A few minutes later.

"Alright, so the coordinates Penny sent me should be... here." Ash said turning around the corner to then see Delia and the girls finish with preparing the table. "Mom!" He shouted to then run to her.

"Hi, honey!" Delia said while he hugged her. "I'm so happy to see you again, I missed you more than I usually do."

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? What are you even doing here?" Ash asked.

"There, there, I just wanted to have some fun in the festival and I happened to meet your friends." She replied brushing his hair while she smiled, contrasting with the serious personality that she showed the girls earlier and leaving them all surprised by this. "Now, come and have a seat, we were waiting for you, these girls are very polite, they all helped me prepare everything." Delia explained while the five girls simply smiled nervously as they sat down as well.

"I'm glad you got to meet them." Ash said. "They're great, right?"

"Well, they're surely something." Delia said giving them all that menacing look form earlier.

"Uh, hey, Ash, where did you go when you left?" Nemona asked. "Is, uh, everything okay?"

"Well, I was with Orla and Mollie." Ash replied.

"And how's Mollie?" Mela asked.

"Better now." He answered. "You were right, she had PTSD, but I think I just gave her a big help."

"That's Ash Ketchum for you." Delia said with a smile. "Now, let's enjoy the meal."

Meanwhile with Orla and Mollie.

"I'm glad you could finally get some resolution to what troubled you so much." Orla said while they continued to walk together around the festival.

"Me too, that was the best thing to ever happen to me in a long while." She replied to then look at her bandaged hands. "I don't know what would've happened if we hadn't met with Ash."

"I'm really glad he stopped you." Orla said. "I don't want to imagine the team without you, what would've I even told them? Specially to Dot."

"Heh, yeah... my mind was seriously blocked." Mollie said.

"Hmm... speaking of thoughts..." Orla stared at Mollie to then grin. "Where did that kiss come from?"

"Guess it was something of the mood of the moment." Mollie replied with a light blush. "I did think he was quite handsome when we first met."

"And so you kissed him out of nowhere." Orla continued. "Right on the lips, in front of your ex-girlfriend."

"You just had to bring that up." Mollie sighed. "Listen, Marble was a really great girlfriend, but she said something that really hurt me, something that haunted me for a long while, and even then, it's been a year since the last time we saw each other."

"Hey, I didn't mean it like that." Orla said. "But since we're at it, don't you think Ash is dating that girl Mela he brought to eat curry?"

"Well, he didn't complain about the kiss so I doubt it's anything serious." Mollie said. "And even if it was, a Rising Volt Tackler never backs down."

"That's right, alright." Orla said. "I'll be cheering on you then."

"We'll need to find you a boyfriend too." Mollie said.

"Eh, I think I'll pass." Orla said. 'Ash does seems nice.' She thought. 'But after everything Mollie has been through... nah, I'll leave him to her.'

"Orla! Mollie!" Murdock called them and they saw in front of the stand along with Dot, Friede and Ludlow.

"Girls!" Dot ran to them and grabbed the two in a tight hug.

"D-Dot? You... You're outside." Mollie said surprised.

"I-I couldn't contact you, I was worried so I came out." Dot replied. "M-Mollie, your hands!" She shouted scared while the rest of the crew approached them.

"Conia did that to you?" Friede asked.

"You're injured?!" Murdock shouted. "Argh, I know I should have followed you!"

"How could you let them go alone like that?!" Dot shouted at her uncle.

"Easy there, Conia didn't do this to me." Mollie replied. "I did it."

"What?" Dot asked.

"...Guys, we've known each other for a couple months." Mollie said. "I told you, you're all like family to me, I think it's fair you all know the truth... who I really am... my name is Marnie, Marnie Frances Lynette Joy, and I'm from Sinnoh...

...

"So after getting everything ready, I ran away, I ended up here in Paldea and made up this character of Mollie de Famille, I wandered alone for some months... and then I met you guys."

"At first when I arrived here I tried to forget everything about being a Joy, but I just couldn't, healing, Pokemon Centers, treaments, all that was seared onto my brain, so, to kinda honor Paige's memory, I continued being a nurse, only that I took a different approach to it, I started helping people, trainers and wild Pokemon I encountered on the road, those who wouldn't be able of making it to a Pokemon Center. Not like I wanted to go to one of those anyway, all of the Joys are either my aunts or cousins and they would surely recognize me. But one day I was feeling really down, more than usual, it was the anniversary of the day Paige first got ill, I went to the Pokemon Center of the city I was in to ask the Joy there to call my parents, and then, right when I was going in..."

6 months ago.

"What do you mean you can't come?!" Murdock shouted to the Nurse Joy of the Center.

"I'm really sorry, sir, but I'm way too busy here in the center, I can't just leave right now." She replied.

"But this is my niece we're talking about, she's really ill." Murdock insisted. "It'll take just a few minutes."

"Can't you bring her here?" The Nurse asked.

"She doesn't want to leave her room." Murdock replied. "It's... complicated."

"Again, I'm sorry, but I can't leave the Center, if you don't bring her here then there's nothing I can do." She replied.

"Sigh, fine." Murdock gave in and then took his leave, walking past Mollie without noticing her, but Mollie easily saw the sincere concern in his face.

"Hmm..."

"Uh, hi there, can I help you with anything?" The Nurse Joy asked to Mollie.

"No... thanks." She replied leaving the Center as well to then follow Murdock, who released a Tropius to then jump on his back while the Sauropod took flight, Mollie then released her Drifblim and took his arms while the ghost elevated to then follow Tropius, flying silently behind him until they made it to the Asagi, Murdock's Tropius then landed on a platform on top of the ship, the platform then started to descend inside the ship while Mollie's Drifblim descended above their heads without them noticing. The platform finally stopped in an empty room where Friede and Ludlow were waiting for Murdock.

"No luck?" Friede asked.

"None." Murdock replied to then return his Tropius. "The Nurse Joy is too busy, she can't come to help."

"Maybe I can do something about it." Mollie said as she landed in front of them along her Drifblim.

"What the-"

"Garchomp!" Friede interrupted Murdock and released the Dragon who stood in front of Mollie and roared at her, but the girl remained unfazed. "Ok, you have 10 seconds to explain who you are, how did you get here and what do you want."

"Hmm... First off, my name is Mollie de Famille." She answered. "Second, I simply followed Uncle Muscles from the center to here."

"You seriously didn't notice her?" Friede asked to Murdock.

"I didn't sense her at all." Murdock replied.

"Yeah, my horoscope says I don't tend to gather attention." Mollie replied. "And you guys live in a giant flying golden ship, it doesn't go exactly unnoticed. As for what I want. I heard you arguing with that Nurse Joy about your sick niece, I'm a medic too, I want to help."

"Why would you?" Friede asked.

"Yeah, why would you care about Dot's health?" Murdock asked.

"It's just a random act of kindness." Mollie replied. "Too much for men to understand?"

"I say we trust her." Ludlow said surprising Friede and Murdock.

"Hmm... fine then, name's Captain Friede Marvin and this is Ludlow Dogoier."

"And it'd be Murdock Gibken." He said. "We'll take you with Dot, alright, but if you even try anything slightly suspicious, we'll kick you out of the ship, which I must remind you, is in the middle of the sky."

"Sounds fair, I'm quite the home invader after all." Mollie accepted.

"Fine, Murdock, take her to Dot's room." Friede said. "Ludlow and I will remain in guard in case someone else followed you two."

"Sure, come with me." Murdock said to then guide her through the Asagi until they made it to Dot's room, finding Dot laying on bed while Orla was standing by her side.

-IF YOU WERE GOOD ENOUGH, MAYBE SHE WOULD STILL BE ALIVE- Marble's voice resounded in Mollie's head as she got a flashback of her time aiding Paige, causing her to take a step back.

"What's the matter?" Murdock asked.

"...Nothing." Mollie replied and shook her head.

"Uh, who might you be?" Orla asked.

"I'm Mollie de famille, I'm a medic." She replied.

"That's good to hear." Orla answered. "Name's Orla Millfy, I'm the mechanic of this ship, glad Murdock could finally find a doctor."

"Can I?" Mollie asked pointing at Dot.

"Of course." Orla moved aside and stood by Murdock's side, while Mollie approached Dot as the uncle kept his sight on her every movement.

"So you're Dot, right?" Mollie asked kneeling next to the bed while she pulled out a thermometer from her backpack.

"Uh, yeah, it's short for -ACHOO!-, ugh." She complained while Mollie put the thermometer in her mouth.

"Name's Mollie, I'm a doctor." She said. "I heard from your uncle that you don't didn't want to go to the Pokemon Center so they could check you there, why is that?"

"I don't like hospitals." She answered while still holding the thermometer with one side of her mouth. "I don't like to get out of my room for anything honestly."

"Why not?" Mollie asked and Dot simply looked away.

"Hmm..." Mollie stared at the girl for a moment to then take the thermometer in her hand again. "Looks like a common fever." Mollie said to then try and move Dot's hair from her face, but the girl stopped her with her hand. "I'd just like to touch your forehead, is that okay?"

"Uh, I... I dunno." Dot shyly answered.

"It'll be fast, I promised." Mollie insisted and Dot sighed to then let go off Mollie's hand and nod.

"Thank you." Mollie smiled and softly brushed Dot's hair out of her face to finally get a clear view of her, Dot stared at her for a second, but then closed her eyes and Mollie placed a hand on Dot's forehead. "Those are some really pretty eyes, why hide them like that?"

"My Uncle says they're the same eyes my Mom had, that's why I don't like to show them." Dot replied. "It makes me sad thinking about her."

"So she passed?" Mollie asked and Dot nodded still with her eyes closed. "Well, it's normal to feel sad about that, but... life goes on, we all have to move on, it... it doesn't have to be a bad thing that you have the same eyes she had, it means that, in a way, a part of her still lives in you, you get it?"

"Yeah... I think I do." Dot smiled to then open her eyes.

"Good." Mollie said to then pulled out form her backpack a spoon and a bottle of medicine. "This is a little homemade medicine of mine, you just need to take a spoonful of it and you'll be healed by the morning."

"Okay then." Dot replied and opened her mouth so Mollie could give her the medicine. "Ugh, it tastes terrible."

"Yup, but it's worth it." Mollie said.

"Really? Simple as that?" Orla asked.

"I doubt it." Murdock said.

"Like I said, it was just a common fever, pretty easy to control." Mollie said. "You guys seriously haven't done anything about it?"

"Well, we barely had any medicine in the ship to begin with." Orla replied.

"I tried to go and buy some, but since I wasn't sure of what Dot had, I got nervous, so between her not wanting to go out and us not finding a doctor things got a bit complicated."

"Well, I'd like to stay overnight with her if that's okay." Mollie said. "Just to make sure everything's completely under control."

"I'm not too sure about that." Murdock said.

"Don't worry, Murdock, I'll stay with her too." Orla said.

"Fine, fine... Good night, Dot." Murdock said to her, but his niece simply stared at him in silence and then covered herself with her sheets. "...Love you too." He said with a sigh to then leave the room and close the door, while Orla and Mollie sat in the floor next to the bed.

"Dot, if you feel anything weird, please tell us, okay?" Mollie asked.

"Sure." Dot replied under the sheets."

"Welcome aboard, by the way." Orla said to Mollie."

"Huh, thanks." Mollie smiled.

"So, how did everything play out?" Friede asked as Murdock entered the control room.

"I'm not sure." Murdock replied. "I still don't know if we should trust that girl."

"Well, to be fair, Murdock, I didn't trust you that much when we first met." Friede answered. "And look where we are now."

"Guess that's fair, but I really doubt she'll make Dot feel any better." Murdock replied.

The next morning.

"I feel better than ever!" Dot exclaimed in the breakfast table.

"Just as promised." Mollie said.

"I'm still surprised by how easy you solved it." Orla said.

"Yeah, uh, I'm really sorry I didn't trust you." Murdock said. "Thanks a lot for helping Dot."

"You're very skilled in medicine, aren't you?" Dot asked.

"That's something in my veins, I fear." Mollie replied.

"Sounds exactly like what we need too." Friede said. "What happened with Dot may have been simple, but we could face something more complicated later on, this team really needs a healer, what do you say, Mollie, would you like to join the Rising Volt Tacklers?"

"Are... You guys sure you want me?" Mollie asked.

"Hmmp." Ludlow nodded.

"Of course." Friede replied.

"Yeah, definitely." Dot said.

"You bet." Murdock said.

"We need some more girl power over here!" Orla said.

"Very well... I guess I'm in." Mollie said with a smile.

Back with Ash.

"Hey, Ash, uh, I'm really sorry about that kiss." Dendra told him while they were cleaning the table after the dinner was finished, said dinner was filled with an awkward silence as Delia kept staring at the five girls. "I-I shouldn't have done that without warning."

"Dendra, if it makes you feel better." Ash looked at her before sighing to then smile. "I actually... liked it a lot." He said with a blushed face.

"YOU DID?!" Dendra shouted with a big smile.

"Uh, yeah, I mean, it was my first and all that but it felt nice." Ash replied.

"YES!" Dendra grinned with a massive blush to then hug Ash while Delia and the girls simply stared at her.

"W-Well, it's not like that matters." Nemona said pulling him away from Dendra. "When Ash and I get to have our first kiss, it's gonna be far more cinematic."

"Y-Yeah, when we kiss it'll be in a far more appropriate place than a food festival." Penny added.

"Yeah! I bet your kiss tasted like mayo!" Iono said. "My first kiss with Ash will have more effort."

"Uh, everyone's making plans I see." Ash said embarrassed while Delia simply sighed.

"Now, the question of the century." Mela said. "Who's gonna get Ash's second kiss."

"Well, I already got a second kiss actually." He replied.

"You did?!" Dendra asked.

"What?!" Penny shouted.

"EH?!" Iono exclaimed.

"COÑO!" Nemona shouted.

"From who?" Mela asked.

"Hey, Ash!" A voice called from above and the group looked up to see Mollie descending on the Brave Asagi's anchor while the giant ship floated above their heads. "You got a minute?" She asked to then jump off the anchor and land in front of Ash.

"Uh, sure, what for?" Ash asked.

"Well, I already told my teammates the whole truth, Murdock said he wanted us to make a ritual for Paige and since I got to see her again thanks to you, I was wondering if you'd like to come by."

"Of course, I'd be an honor." Ash replied. "Girls, this is-"

"Joy." Mollie interrupted him. "Mollie Joy de Famille; and if you're Ash friends then you're all invited as well."

"Uh, invited to what?" Delia asked.

"Well, that's quite a long story, but I imagine we got the time..."

"Welcome to the Brave Asagi." Mollie said guiding Ash's group along with Delia to the living room of the ship, where Murdock, Friede and Ludlow were waiting for them, the three of them wearing white suits.

"Huh, you brought quite some guests, Mollie." Friede said. "Welcome aboard, everyone."

"Nice to meet you, I suppose you'd Friede and Ludlow." Ash said. "And who's Dot?"

"You'll have to excuse my niece." Murdock said. "We told her about this, but she's always locked in her room, so I understand she wouldn't come to this."

"As always, you don't understand." Dot said arriving into the room along with Orla, both of them wearing white dresses and carrying more white clothes in their arms. "This is important to Mollie, which means is important to me." Dot said to then put on a white hairband and pull her hair back to show her face, which was giving Murdock quite an unfriendly glare. "Hmm... Let's just get this-" Dot stared at the group that Mollie brought and froze in place once she spotted two of its members. "Uh..."

"Welcome aboard." Orla said. "We got some clothes for you so you could join us."

"Why all these white clothes?" Delia asked as she received a white dress form Orla.

"Most people wear all black in funerals since they're meant to be sad days." Murdock said. "But this isn't about mourning Paige's death, it's about celebrating her life, cause in my culture, death is not the end; And from what Mollie told us you three just confirmed that."

"We sure did." Orla replied after giving white dresses to Penny, Nemona, Dendra and Mela. While Dot was standing and blushing madly in front of Iono and Ash.

'Why these two of all people?' Dot thought. 'Why at the same time?'

"Uh, you okay?" Iono called her.

"HUH?!" Dot shouted. "Y-Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking about something, uh, this would be yours." She said handing a dress to Ash and a suit to Iono.

"Well, I'll surely look fabulous with this." Iono said.

"Wouldn't be the first time I wear a dress." Ash said. "Nor the second or the third for that matter."

"I-I'm really sorry, I didn't mean it, you can just swap." Dot told them.

"Hey, don't worry, Dot, it's fine." Ash said.

"So, Dot, huh?" Iono asked.

"Uh, yeah, it's short for-"

"That's a really cute name!" Iono exclaimed.

"C-C-Cute?!" Dot shouted.

"Yup, a cute name for a cute girl." Ash continued.

"Like, look at those freckles, they're so cute." Iono said.

"Her eyes are cute too." Ash said.

"And your hair looks so cute that way!" Iono shouted.

"Stop calling me cute!" Dot shouted as she started hyperventilating.

"What's with her? I call her cute all the time." Murdock said.

"I think Dot here is having what the young lads call a Bi Panic." Friede said.

"A what?" Murdock asked.

"I think it's better if I don't explain you." Friede said while Ludlow laughed.

"Uh... alright, everyone, change yourselves." Murdock said. "We'll arrive in our designated spot in a few minutes."

"Here, Mollie, this is yours." Dot said offering her a white dress.

"No, thanks, there's something else I'd like to wear." Mollie replied.

"We give thanks for the gift of Paige Frances Lynelle Joy. Daughter of Jennifer Dey Joy and Karsten Rogers. Sister of Mollie Joy de Famille. We release you. Go with our ancestors." Murdock said while they were in a beach, forming a circle around a bonfire surrounded by pink flowers with their hands joined while Mollie was inside the circle wearing the white Nurse Joy outfit.

"This was what I was meant to wear during Paige's funeral, but I never did so." Mollie said. "I've carrying it with me since so I thought I'd be fitting to use it tonight... Paige was everything to me and losing her made me lose myself, I felt like I was less than nothing, I felt like I had nothing left to live for, but then I met the tacklers and you guys gave me a new purpose, you gave me a new family, and you, Ash... thank you for saving me, thanks you all for being here today, even though the rest of you didn't get to meet Paige, I know she's thankful to see you here." She said to then take one of the pink flowers in the sand and let it fall on the bonfire. "Thanks for everything, sis, I know I still have work to do, but... I'm not going to give up."

"Now, all of us are going to take a flower and leave it to the bonfire while we say some words to Paige." Murdock said and the circle let go off their hands while he was the first one to step in and take a flower. "Go and run forever, lil' one."

"Maybe I didn't get to know you, but I know this, nothing ever dies as long as you remember it." Penny said. "And I'll be sure to remember you."

"Keep raising the flag of courage, kid." Friede said.

"Thank you for letting her go off that weight." Orla said.

"Thank you for not letting her give up." Mela said.

"Thanks for making Mollie such a good big sister." Dot said.

"Wherever you are, I hope you're doing fine." Iono said.

"I'm sure you're as strong as your sister, be safe." Dendra said.

"I... sincerely wish I had gotten the chance to meet you." Delia said.

"La muerte es la vida." Nemona said. "Ve y enciende luces en otro lugar."

"..." Ludlow simply let go off the flower and took a bow.

"I'll take care of her, I promise." Ash said.

"Now the final step." Murdock said and the whole group went back to the Asagi to then return to the beach wearing their normal clothes and carrying the funeral clothes in their hands, they all made a line and Murdock was the first one to let the clothes fall on the fire. "Burning of the funeral garments… marks the end of the mourning period… and the beginning of a new relationship with our loved ones that have passed on." He said and stepped away while the line let go their clothes one by one with Mollie and Friede being the last ones.

"I'll never forget you, sis." Mollie said letting go the Nurse Joy outfit and watching it burn, her eyes got teary for a moment, but she managed to keep inside and then smile. "But... I'm ready to move on."

"Well, guess I'm the last one." Friede said with two suits in hand.

"Uh, why do you have two suits?" Nemona asked.

"The other one is from the last funeral I went to, but I didn't want to burn it back then." Friede answered. "It was the funeral of my mentor, the previous captain of the Asagi.. Drake Redaka... but that's a story for another day."

"Drake died?" Ash asked.

"So you knew him, huh?" Friede asked. "Yeah, I think he mentioned a stubborn trainer and his Pikachu, dumb as a brick, but with heart and potential to be the very best, like no one ever was, I suppose he wasn't wrong." He said to then let both suits fall onto the fire. "Guess we're done here."

"Hey, guys, if we run back to the festival we can make it to the closing ceremony, how about we go there?" Murdock said.

"I say we go." Mollie said and the group went back to the Asagi while she stared at the bonfire one more time before smiling and walking away.

Once the beach was empty, Marble came out from a rock she was hiding behind, looking around to make sure no one was going to return. She then approached the fire and took one of the flowers in the sand and stared at it.

"Paige... You said Marnie and Ash would do great together." Marble said. "That means you don't want her to be with me anymore? ...I know I hurt her, but it wasn't my intention, I still love her... Of course I want her to be happy again, but... I'd like to be part of that happiness too... Just... Please, watch over us." She said to then drop the flower onto the fire

Some minutes later.

"Thank you all for accompanying us in this hard time." Clavell said in a stand along Geeta and all the stand owners, Murdock and Delia included. "Thank you to all our wonderful chefs for making such delicious food and thanks to all our customers, rest assured that all your purchases will help in the reconstruction of the Naranja Academy, now, let's give ourselves a big round of applauses, I hope to see you all and even more next year!" He exclaimed and the whole clapped along the owners.

"So you'll be going back to Kanto now?" Ash asked to his mother after the event ended.

"Yes, I only came here for the festival after all, but it was great to meet your new friends." She said to then stare at the girls. "I hope you all take care of my Ash."

"Y-Yes, Miss Ketchum." They said in unison.

"Ah, hello there, Miss Ketchum." Geeta called as she approached her. "Quite the honor to meet you, I'm Geeta Omodaka, Top Champion of Paldea and Chairwoman of its league, I imagine your son has told you about me."

"Ah, yes, you." Delia smiled to then approach Geeta. "I don't like you one bit either." She whispered to her to then walk away.

"FINALLY!" Penny shouted.

"Well, that was... Liko!" Ash exclaimed seeing the girl among the crowd and she quickly ran away once she noticed him. "Liko, wait!" Ash instantly ran after her, but he lost track of her between all the people around and then lost track of where he was as well, being unable of spotting any of the girls. "Perfect." He said looking around until he bumped on a blonde ponytail. "Leah?"

"Uh, hi there, Ash!" She replied now wearing an orange dress and a yellow belt. "Good to see you again. Did you enjoy the festival?"

"I sure did. What about you?" Ash asked.

"It was great!" She exclaimed. "You see, I'm the owner of a small cafe so this was a great opportunity to somewhat expand and show my work to more people. My business card!" She shouted offering it to Ash and he took it. "Thought I'm still really sorry you had to pay for all of Carmine's stuff."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't have wanted you to lose money like that." Ash replied. "I can tell you work really hard on your cafe."

"Why, of course. I bake, mix, stir and serve everything I sell!" Leah said. "It's the work of my life and I'm really proud of it, so if you really enjoyed the iced tea, pay me a visit when you can."

"I sure will."

"Great, see you around." Leah said to then walk away as she waved at him.

"Who was that blondie, huh?" Someone whispered on Ash's ear.

"GAH! Marnie!" Ash exclaimed turning around to see the punk girl wearing her usual clothes again. "T-That was Leah, a friend of mine I met here."

"You got plenty of friends, don't you?" Marnie asked getting closer to him "Of female friends mostly, right?"

"Uhm, I guess." Ash replied.

"How close were you and Bea?" Marnie asked.

"Well, I never got to know Bea in a personal way so-"

"Are you into muscle girls?" Marnie interrupted him.

"Well, I certainly wouldn't complain." Ash replied.

"I feel praised all of a sudden." Eri said to herself.

"Are you into glasses girls then? How close are you and Penny?" Marnie continued to ask.

"Well, quite closer than I was to Bea, but that's because Penny and I have been traveling together for a while now." Ash answered.

"I see..." Marnie giggled at him. "And what do you think of me?"

"W-Well, you're a beautiful and strong girl who's fighting to help her hometown and her family, what else is to say? Spikemuth is lucky to have you."

"With the gift of word as always." Marnie smiled to then look for something in pocket of her dress. "Here, another gift." She said pulling out a single wrapped chocolate and Ash took it. "By the way, I'll stay in Paldea for some weeks so I imagine I'll see you soon. Until then." She said adjusting her cap to then walk away and Ash ate the chocolate afterwards.

"Oh, hey there, Mr. Ketchum!"

"Yancy?" Ash called seeing her approaching her while he yawned.

"I'm so glad you're still here, would it be okay if we trade numbers?" She asked. "I'd like to be in contact with you."

"Sure thing." Ash replied with another yawn to then hand over his Rotom Phone to Yancy.

"T-Thanks..." She answered shyly taking it while she made sure to not see anything private and type her own number to then call it and save the contact in both phones. "There, thanks a lot." Yancy said handing over the phone back to Ash.

"Great." Ash said while he took the phone and let out yet another yawn. "I..." Ash closed his eyes and suddenly fell asleep with Yancy making a quick movement to hug him so he wouldn't hit the ground.

"Uh, A-Ash?" She called blushing madly due to the direct contact to then softly leave in the floor to check him while Ash snored. "Huh, he just fell asleep... am I really that boring? She asked herself to then look at the sleeping Ash. "He looks so peaceful... for someone who has been through the things he has..." Yancy softly placed a hand on Ash's cheeks and gently caressed it. "Thank you so much for opening my eyes... If only-"

"Hey, is that Ash Ketchum? Is he okay?" Someone asked behind Yancy.

"GAH! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!" Yancy shouted to then run away at full speed.

"Hey, you!" Cerah shouted at the girl to then focus on Ash, calming down once she noticed he was only sleeping. "Let's see..." Cerah opened a small cooler she was carrying with her and pulled a frozen popsicle to then press it on Ash's mouth making him wake up instantly. "There, welcome back." Cerah smiled at him and Ash saw her wearing denim jeans and a sleeveless cyan shirt while she had her hair down.

"Uh... what just happened?" Ash asked.

"I dunno, I saw you sleeping in the floor next to this pink-haired girl and she ran away when I asked if you were okay." Cerah explained.

"That must have been Yancy." Ash said. "I felt kinda drowsy after eating that chocolate Marnie gave me... anyway, how you doing?"

"I'm great, I was here in a popsicle stand with Grusha, it's something we do since we were both quite young, it's kind of a tradition for us."

"I see, it's always to see brothers getting along like that."

"Ash!" Penny, Nemona, Iono, Dendra and Mela shouted at him after finally finding him.

"You!" Cerah shouted to Mela with a Poke Ball in hand.

"I-I come in peace!" Mela stuttered.

"Chill out, Mela's with us now." Iono said. "She's reforming herself."

"Are... you serious?" Cerah asked.

"T-They are." Mela nodded. "I'm really trying to fix my messes."

"Hmm... alright then." Cerah replied still unsure, but her Rotom Phone then ringed. "And That's Grusha, guess I'll see you later, take care Ash." She said to then walk away while still staring at Mela.

"I should be leaving as well. I have a meeting with the School Staff now." Dendra sighed to then walk to Ash. "Hey, Uh, I'm not asking for an instant answer, but I just hope that kiss left you thinking."

"I... heh, I'll be waiting for our next one." Ash winked at her and smiled and Dendra hugged him tight to then kiss his cheek and look at the other girls. "Let's all keep making progress!" She said separating from Ash to then give the girls a thumbs-up before leaving the scene as well. The rest of the group then made their way out of the festival, seeing all the stands closed as they made it to the outskirts of it.

"So, where do we go now, Ash?" Mela asked.

"I'm not too sure honestly." He replied. "There's just so many things to do in Paldea."

"Hey, guys! Hold on a second!" Murdock called them as he ran towards the group. "Listen, the crew and I were talking and since it's already late we were wondering if you'd like to spend the night with us in the Asagi."

"Huh, well, what do you girls say?" Ash asked them.

"Sounds fun!" Iono exclaimed.

"Doesn't seem exactly safe though." Penny added.

"Yo-ho! Ya voy!" Nemona replied.

"Well, I've never slept in a flying ship before." Mela said. "Let's do it."

"Seems like it's decided then." Ash nodded to Murdock.

A few minutes later.

"Great, make yourselves comfortable." Friede said while he guided Ash's group through the deck where the rooms of the ship were. "We have more than enough rooms for you all, but of course you can share, as long as you don't make too much noise." He said winking and making the five blush.

"Good, uh, thanks for the warning." Penny said. "Now, the four of us will share a room since we still have some things to talk about and Ash will have a room for himself, okay?"

"Sounds good." Ash replied to the approach the girls and plant kisses on Penny's, Nemona's and Iono's foreheads, leaving them all blushing. "Good night." He said to then look at Mela, who was also blushing and had her arms crossed while looking directly at Ash.

"I mean... it's not like I'm going to complain." She said and Ash approached to kiss her forehead as well. "Uh, y-yeah, good night."

"Boy, the luck of some people." Friede smirked at the scene. "Well, good night form my part as well." He said to then leave the group and they split in the room as accorded, with the four girls sharing one room while Ash being alone in the other, while Pikachu also went with the girls.

"Boy, I'm really onboard with this, huh?" Ash asked to himself in front the door of his room. "The girls don't seem to mind that I give attention to all of them, but I still wonder if I'm doing the right thing." Ash thought in silence for a moment until he was interrupted by a soft hug from behind. "Mollie?" Ash asked turning his head to see the girl resting her head on his shoulder to then give him a cheek kiss.

"Were you going to sleep without giving me good night?" She asked with a smile.

"Of course not." Ash said to then turn around so they could be face to face. "How are you feeling?"

"Ash, this is the best I've felt in over a year and it's thanks to you." She said to then grab his cheeks and plant a kiss on his lips "Heh, how funny." She smirked after separating. "It's easy to tell you don't have much experience kissing."

"Uh, yeah, w-well-"

"Hey, that's nothing to be ashamed about." She said to then push him softly onto the door. "Let's see if I can teach you a thing or two tonight."

Somewhere else in Paldea.

"How could you just lose two Keys?" Zir shouted.

"They took me by surprise, ok?!" Conia replied.

"Argh, I knew that Ketchum kid would be a problem." Zir continued.

"That doesn't matter." Amethio interrupted. "The Tacklers have stood in our way long enough, prepare everything you need, we'll do a direct attack to the Asagi."

And that's it!

Welp, Lilo's Mom, Lucca, is fine af (Horizons has some really good character designs), either way you all know what that means.

So, yeah, I honestly never thought Liko was Ash's daughter, I was in a 'Pokemon wouldn't have the balls' mood, but the idea is interesting enough so I decided to play a bit with it by making her adopted.

And Mollie is now the second girl to kiss Ash, the third kiss will happen next chapter, who is it gonna be?

By the way, the first pitch of this chapter was meant to be Orla-focused, but I got the 'Marnie/Mollie' plot in the middle of writing so it turned out like this, we'll give some focus to Orla and the rest of the Tacklers (Including the story with Drake) next chapter, but as you saw near the ending, Mollie's not done yet.

We also got Marble here, thought I'm not totally sure if she'll be our Sinnoh girl, I'm 50/50 on that, it's either her or Francesca.

The Kalos girl was teased here, she's an Aura user, did you guess who is it gonna be?

Also, the Hoenn girl will debut next chapter and will be part of the Explorers, a little clue: She's a COTD.

Now it's time for a confrontation between the Tacklers and the Explorers, how will everything play out?

We'll see next time in 'The Never-Ending Night Sky'

Now the reviews:

Graceful12345

Congratulations! You guessed just in time!

Liko's Mom will still be Lucca, her mother in the anime, let's see what we can do with her..

Kenetix411

You also guessed! Although the chapter is from Sinnoh, not from Hoenn, but still.

And no, both my takes on Liko and Mollie are original from the fic and they don't happen in the anime.

Jj42

Yeah, I also feel like the chapter was a bit 'short', considering everything it packed, but I didn't want it to feel that long either. Hope I did it better here.

Ash will eventually find out about the deal.

We'll get a chapter focusing on Arven, Juliana and the Titan battles after the next one.

AndyKurosaki98

Silentwitness09

Orla is best waifu indeed.

Despite being a strong Amourshipper, in all of my stories I pictured Serena's kiss was in the cheek, so one of the girls in the story can actually get Ash's first.

Gracias por la Mega Review, Andy, me encantó leerla.

KGBeastboy

Sorry, but none of the past traveling companion will join, that's because one thing I'm trying to do with this story is that the non-Paldean girls have to be girls I haven't shipped with Ash in my other stories, reason why Marnie was the obvious choice for Galar, since I ship her with Victor in Fighting Dreamers.

Still I really enjoyed all your ideas, so here's my response:

-Giselle, Anabel and Valerie will all have roles in Fighting Dreamers so they won't be featured here.

-Chigusa is cute, but I don't like her that much.

-I honestly haven't considered an Orange Archipelago representative, but of course Ivy is the perfect choice, let's see if we do something with her.

-Marble is here, let's see if he gets in.

We'll get more of Conia next chapter, though I'm not sure if she'll join the family.

Of course that was gonna be the take with Delia.

And don't be shy, I love long reviews.

Rezenov

Yancy is the shyest so far. There's another shy girl on the way.

Carmine will join eventually, but I think I'll save her when we get to a Teal Mask arc after finishing the main story.

We'll get some of Marnie and Giacomo soon!

Of course Eri will join and of course Carmen will be jealous, I'm thinking of have Carmen play a role similar to Medio Mai in 100kanojo, maybe she'll also join.

The Kalos girl is decided and she's gonna be an Aura user, but I won't tell her name yet, a little clue though: (HAT)

As mentioned, Sinnoh will be Marble or Francesca.

Also as mentioned, the Hoenn girl will appear next chapter as part of the Explorers.

Johto and Kanto are the only ones I don't have clear options yet.

Guest

Fighting Dreamers will finally be updated after the 10th chapter of this fic.

Mighty ranger 1

The girls will have to do a lot to get Delia's blessing.

-See above responses.

Dragonkeeper10

Hope you liked it!

References:

The title of this chapter 'Take a Wrench to go to the Dentist' is taken from the lyrics of 'Rapture Rising' by JT Music.

"Long before time had a name." - Ninjago.

Zir and Conia's last names, Bariz and Insar, are a reference to Barizorg and Insarn, two main villains from Gokaiger, to match with Amethio's last name, Ta Jolokia.

"Don't you think it's exciting not knowing what you're gonna do tomorrow?" - Night at the Museum 3.

Marble's middle name 'Testu', her outfit and her 'IV' badge are a reference to Tekkan 'Tetsu' Aira/Dekabreak from Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger.

"Is that all you wanted? An answer?" "I want the truth." "You can't handle the truth!" - A Few Good Men.

And every action I took, no matter how disrespectful or how cruel, was for the greater good of my school." - Man of Steel.

"Which is why I decided to simply raze it all and start again." - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

"Catch me? I'd like to see you try." - Lyrics from 'Undead Lullaby's by JT Music.

"Well, what do we have here? Ketchum, my two favorite tacklers and that pesky officer, Everybody who needs a beating, conveniently together on one place." - Grown-ups 2.

"By the power vested in me by the International Police, I'm stopping you by force!" - Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger.

"I know exactly how much blood I can lose." - Criminal Minds.

The scene with Mollie trying to suicide and Ash stopping her is based on a scene from the episode 'Stigma' of S.W.A.T. (2017)

"You should really watch your mouth." - Lyrics from 'It's Goin' Down' from Descendants 2.

"You step back before I wreck you with my wrench!" - Lyrics from 'Meet the Crew' by JT Music.

"Try not to lose your heads." - Lyrics from 'Never Be Alone' by Shadow.

The dates when Paige got ill and died, April 12 and September 15, are the Japanese and US air dates of their episode 'Drifloon in the Wind.'

"I've been trying to save a life for every time her ghost haunted me." - Lyrics from 'A Hero Forms' by Tryhardninja.

"But not a day goes by where I don't want to see her, hug her, tell her that I love her." - Translated lyrics from 'Fabricando Fantasias' by Tito Nieves.

"The place where I am now is really beautiful, filled with light and peace, I hope we meet again here someday." - Translated lyrics from 'Yo Te Extrañare' by Tercer Cielo.

"We still owed each other a goodbye." - Translated lyrics from 'El Corrido de Miguel Rivera' by Bronco

"Thank you." "I... I don't know if this will get across just how thankful I am, but..." - 100 Kanojo.

"They didn't deserve to lose both daughters." - Criminal Minds.

"All that was seared onto my brain." - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

"Yeah, my horoscope says I don't tend to gather attention." - Phineas and Ferb.

"It's just a random act of kindness." - Evan Almighty.

"I'm quite the home invader." - Lyrics from 'Curiosity got the best of me' by Fandroid.

"In my culture, death is not the end." "Go and run forever." - Captain America: Civil War.

The ritual that the crew does for Paige is based on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Marnie and Paige's Mother's first and middle names, Jennifer Dey, are taken from the names of the sisters' English voice actors: Jennifer Visalli and Sonny Dey.

Karsten's last name, Rogers, is also taken from his voice actor, Bill Rogers.

"Keep raising the flag of courage." - Translated Lyrics from 'Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger' by Yugo Iwasato.

"La muerte es la vida." "Ve y enciende luces en otro lugar." - Lyrics from 'El Corrido de Miguel Rivera' by Bronco, translates to "Death is life" "Go and turn on the lights somewhere else."

Drake's last name, Redaka, is a reference to Akared, a recurring character in the Super Sentai Series, who was featured prominently in Gokaiger, Drake's role in this story will be based on him.

"To be the very best, like no one ever was." - Of course, lyrics from the original Pokemon theme song.

"Yo-ho! Ya voy!" - From the latin-american Dub of Jake and the Neverland Pirates, translates to "Yo-Ho! Let's go!"

That's all for today, Holdonlupin is out!