I look at the book again, touching the remains of the torn pages. It's getting dark outside, but Cradily and Ampharos haven't yet returned from their day's work.

It's been so busy with everything that I've hardly had time for them recently.

I can't believe, in all my time hunting for info in the library, I missed this one. Granted, it looks more like the kind of thing a mythology obsessed kid would carry around than an official text, but still, I should've come across it at least once.

And those missing pages…either they're of no consequence, or I was incredibly lucky, because any mention of Hoopa was totally absent. But I wonder what happened to them?

As if on queue, the small pokemon appears in my room, "hello there my friend! Whatcha got there?" They say, grinning. Their expression goes stony upon seeing the contents.

"Hmph, you shouldn't believe every little thing you read in a book like that," they say with false bravado. "That Uxie? Not nearly as knowledgeable as they'd have you believe," they say, waving a hand dismissively. "It's not for me, buddy, one of Gwen's teammates found it earlier, but it's missing a few pages…" "huh, well is that so?" They fly over, suddenly interested. Too interested, if you ask me. "Such a travesty when a book gets defiled!" They say with exaggerated despair.

Somehow, I don't think they actually care. I bet the little imp eats books for fun.

I hurl the book away and watch is satisfyingly crash against the wall, spine first, before falling into the pile with the others; every one with info about Hoopa. I haven't even had time to put them away nicely. "What is it? I've had an incredibly long, stress-laden day, and the last thing I need—" "actually, I've been thinking," they interrupt. "All this waiting around…it's become so tedious! So very boring! Your friends are all here, so I'd like to redeem my part of the deal now please", they say, smiling sweetly. "What, baby wants their bottle?" I joke. Their expression suddenly becomes firm, voice jarringly authoritative, "Delcatty, need I remind you these were the terms of our deal? You will be able to find the bottle deep in the dungeon at the Echoing Ruins. I expect you to be ready to embark first thing in the morning."

Their sudden unexpected change in demeanor leaves me feeling unbalanced. "Woah, wait just a minute! I said I'd do it, for sure! But to just spring it on me now? I need time to prep! I need to get Ampharos and Cradily up to speed, we have—" "actually, you'll be going alone."

I look at them for a moment, thinking they must be making some kind of bizarre joke. When they just continue leveling their gaze my way, expression unwavering, I realize they're serious. "You can't just expect me to leap up and go by myself on such short notice!"

They glide over, never breaking eye contact. No trace of the usual smile, the mischievous spirit—it seems like, when it comes to their side of a deal, they're all business. "Let's get one thing clear. You made a deal with me; I'd bring your friends to this world, and you'd retrieve my bottle upon request. You knew the terms from the start," they lean in now, close enough to touch, voice calm and quiet, "and now I'm requesting. Which means first thing tomorrow morning, you are going. Alone." They pull back and continue floating around the room. "Of course, if it's too 'short notice,' I can always do something about my part of the bargain. It's up to you." They wave their hand casually.

I fight to control my breathing. "Ok. Fine. I'll do it. First thing," I say through gritted teeth. "There, isn't it easier when friends keep their promises?" They taunt. "Well, I'll let you get to bed, it's an early start and a long way!" They smile before vanishing through a hoop.

I'm furious. I pick up the nearest thing—a lamp on the table—and fling it as hard as I can against the wall. It shatters, pieces flying across the pile of books. It makes me feel better for just a moment, then I throw myself onto my bed. That…filthy little creature. After a whole day of searching the library, and still barely being able to actually just spend some normal time with any of them…now Hoopa chooses tonight of all nights to cash in their favor?

I could just scream. How long is it gonna take me anyway? And all alone? I wouldn't have told the others the nature of the mission, especially if Hoopa wanted it that way, but just being able to go with Cradily and Ampharos would have at least made it bearable.

I'm sorry Gwen…everyone…it looks like I have to be away for a little while. But I'll try to be back soon.

—

The next morning I awaken fired up and ready to look for the book. I rush down to reception, before the others wake up, to see if Delcatty has any news.

"Master Delcatty? No, she hasn't left any messages here I'm afraid," Tinkaton replies, "always rushing around, that one, but for you I'm sure she'll make time," she winks. "I-thank you, I'll check again later," I say, bowing my head slightly.

"Gwen?" I turn and see Cradily approaching. "Oh, good morning! How are you?" "I'm doing well, thank you! Did I hear you're looking for Master Delcatty?" "Yes, I was just wondering if she had any news or anything, she was going to look into a book we found yesterday." "Hmm, maybe that's what her urgent business was…" she looks away, lost in thought. "What 'urgent business'?" "Oh! This morning when Ampharos and I woke up, she had left a note! She was called away for something—she didn't say what—and thought she probably won't be back for several days…she's normally a bit more forthcoming though, I hope everything is ok…" she says, looking off into the distance again.

I wonder…what kind of 'business'? And why wouldn't she tell them? Or me? Last time she had an 'emergency' to deal with it involved my loved ones sitting in prison. But the fact that she's just suddenly gone, nearly without a word…it's all very odd…it makes me think it's about more than just the book.

I get an idea of where to look…where she could be if she's not feeling inclined to say where. But…well I don't particularly want to go there myself.

Which is why I brought Serperior and Noivern with me. Also Elliot; Stephanie had him yesterday, so it's only fair—and anyway, I miss his energetic spirit. Plus, he was quite insistent on spending the day with 'white eevee.'

I look at the small, unassuming house. Its neatly kept lawn, the purple roof, the remarkably inviting atmosphere, given who lives there—it looks exactly the same as when we stayed there for a night all those years ago.

Delcatty's childhood home.

"Gwen…do you really think she's there?" Serperior had asked along the way, "I don't know…but it could explain why she wouldn't tell anyone," I said, trying to sound convincing, but honestly not fully believing it myself. We had met her family…we understood how…difficult they could be…so wouldn't she have at least told us? "Maybe something happened to one of her parents…she might need to deal with it, but not want to worry anyone," I said, still not totally buying it.

So now we're here, Noivern holding Elliot as he naps while I psych myself up again to attempt a knock on the door. Delcatty's parents are…well awful, to be blunt. I don't know how their relationship may have changed in this time, but unless they both had brain transplants, they can't be much better.

My trance is broken by Serperior knocking on the door next to me. "Elliot's not going to stay asleep forever," he says as I stare at him aghast. A moment later the door opens.

I'm bracing myself for one of her terrible parents, but instead see a pair of skitties peering out. They look us over, recognition lighting their faces a moment later as they grin. "Who is it?" Their mom's voice calls from the house. "It's Delcatty's friends!" One—Skyla—calls back.

Her mother's voice grows louder as she navigates through the house, "Oh, I'm terribly sorry! Welcome Ampharos and Cradily, I—" the much older looking delcatty stops abruptly when she sees us. "Oh…ah…I uh…goodness, I wasn't expecting…you…" she stammers, withdrawing into the house slightly. Evidently, it looks like you could knock her over with a feather.

"I'm sorry to intrude…but we were wondering if everything was alright? If Delcatty was here?" "Hmm? Oh, no…no, she's not been here for quite some time…uh please, do come in," she say stiffly, motioning us inside.

She guides us to her living room, suggests we have a seat, and has the twins get some water. We sit in awkward silence as I regard her well-decorated home. I feel less out of place this time around—last time we had just escaped from the riot we caused at the Center, and were rather battered and dirty—quite at odds with their pristine setup.

"I…think I owe you an…apology…for last time." She starts after an incredibly uncomfortable couple of minutes. I'll be honest, it wasn't what I was expecting. "Since you all left, we of course learned that the…ahem…legal allegations…were untrue." I suppress a snort; yeah, no kidding. "…thank you…I'm sorry Delcatty got caught up in everything. I'm glad it was cleared up in the end." I say, noticing her small smile.

The twins come back—I feel a little sad, seeing how much they've grown—they're no longer tripping over each other trying to get our attention. We each thank them for the water, then return to our silence. They whisper to each other and run up to their room.

"They've grown so much…how are they?" I ask, trying to overcome the oppressive atmosphere. "Ah, very well, thank you…they're thinking about following in their big sister's footsteps and becoming great explorers themselves," she laughs weakly. "Wow! Good luck to them! How does uh…" Noivern starts before trailing off. "Ambipom is…well. After seeing Delcatty's success, he's more amenable to the idea." She says flatly. "And ah…how about him, which of yours…?" She says, looking first at the sleeping Elliot, then between us curiously. "Ah, mine. His name is Elliot," I say simply as she nods absentmindedly.

"So, Delcatty really hasn't been here then?" I probe. "She hasn't come 'round in months!" Skooter, the other skitty, says, earning a nasty look from his mother. I hadn't heard them return. "Well she hasn't! She's too busy running that bunch of trees!" "…it's true, it has been a while since we've seen her here," her mother sighs, "is everything alright?" She says, eyes concerned. "She had some 'urgent business,' but didn't tell anyone what it was…I thought she might be here…that she might need some support," "I see. Well, thank you for checking…she is…lucky to have friends like you." I feel my throat tighten—her mother and I may not have been on best terms, but it still means a lot to me. "Thank you."

We make some small talk, and then prepare to take our leave, before Elliot awakens.

"When you find her…please send her my regards, and let her know we'd love to see her again soon," her mother says at the door. I assure her we will, then we set off.

As we leave the path to their home, I hear someone call out. "Wait a second! Wait!" I turn to see Skyla and Skooter running up to us, a crumpled paper in Skooter's mouth. "Before you go…we were wondering if uh…" Skyla fumbles her words, "if you know how to write now, can you sign this please!" Skooter says, thrusting Serperior's old wanted poster and a pen at him. "Don't be rude!" Skyla says, swatting him with her tail. I stifle a laugh—after all this time, they actually kept that thing. I guess they were really determined to get an autograph. Serperior's face has gone so red you could mistake him for a fire type. "Ah…well uh…I'd be…happy to…but I want to reiterate, having done something to get one of these isn't cool," he says while slowly writing out his name. He hands it back, much to their delight. "Thank you!" They say together as they run back home.

"Well worth the practice, huh?" I say, nudging him. "Hardly, you should keep at it, your handwriting sucks," Noivern teases. "At least I can," he says, sticking his tongue out. "I'm not too bothered about it, nothing I wanna write. I just get Rotom to translate for me," he says casually. "Pfft, yeah, and you know how trustworthy she is," I laugh.

Well, no sign of Delcatty there, so I guess we'll have to wait until she returns from whatever she's doing. I'm disappointed, but there's not much we can do about it. She is the Master after all, I guess it's to be expected that she'll have important things to tend to…even if she doesn't feel like sharing the details. For now, our best bet is to keep looking for any more info about that book ourselves.