Lurantis suggests her quarters in the Center. Living arrangements are apparently provided for former Masters; it's high in the canopy, but mercifully not quite as high as Delcatty's place.

We regard the building as we enter. We're in the spacious living room, which is filled with beautifully cultivated potted plants, making it feel almost like a greenhouse. Light pours in through the large windows, bathing the room on a golden glow. Off to the side, I see a few imposing hammers propped up against the wall.

"Hey! What's with these? Clash with the rest of the decor, don't ya think?" Rotom says, pointing them out. "Rotom!" I hiss. Looks like we're coming up to another talk about manners. "Oh! My apologies, I'm always telling Tinkaton not to leave those things lying around, but she does love them so." Lurantis sighs, smiling fondly. Rotom reaches out for one, before being abruptly stopped by Lurantis, "I wouldn't if I were you, lest you want to get closely acquainted with her favorite hammer." "Hearing you loud and clear," Rotom salutes before edging away. When she's not after our blood, Lurantis is surprisingly personable.

"Please, have a seat," she says, gesturing to the array of cushions spread with an intentional casualness across the floor around a low-set table. After we've settled, she starts, "I am, again, terribly sorry for everything. I wish to give each of you my sincerest apologies," she says, looking to everyone in turn. "It's quite alright," Dragalge starts, "you were given a fictional story and false leads, you did what you thought was right to protect the Exploration Center." She nods slowly, "It takes a lot of work, running this place…it's a lot of stress for one pokemon. It was a relief, really, passing the baton to Delcatty. There's no one I would trust more."

I consider her words. The stress, the pressure of managing everything alone…"are there uh…what kind of support system is there for the Master? They surely can't run everything on their own, right?" I ask. "Certainly not! Their team members usually take on several roles themselves, but the vast majority of responsibilities are reserved for the Master. Organizing exploration missions, making sure each facility is running smoothly, even signing off on legal matters, it's all up to the Master in the end." Wow…I always knew Delcatty was busy with this job…but I hadn't quite realized the full extent of it. And yet, she's been spending so much time…trying so hard to help get us home.

She truly is a precious friend.

"Oh, and I've been meaning to ask!" Lurantis says, clapping her feelers together, "who are these?" She gestures to Stephanie and Seviper. "I'm Gwen's wife, Stephanie, and this is my partner, Seviper," "pleased to meet you," Seviper say shyly, bowing her head. "Wow, it sounds like you've been rather busy yourself! Congratulations!" She says, looking genuinely happy for us.

We continue making small talk as I wonder how to breech the subject of Hoopa. Lurantis goes on about the many improvements Delcatty has made to the Center over the years, their greatest expeditions, and so forth.

"Now tell me, I've been absolutely flummoxed by this—however did you make it back here? Was it your human research?" Lurantis eventually asks. "Well, to tell you the truth…" I tell her about our backyard picnic, cut abruptly short by the sensation of falling, followed by waking up here, albeit separated into various parties. "We have a theory…we came across a book in the Artifacts Wing's library, talking about a pokemon—Hoopa—we're wondering if they could have had anything to do with it."

"Hoopa, hmm? I've heard about that fellow, mostly legends, mind you, but they're meant to be quite the trickster." We stare in shock, "you…you actually know about Hoopa? How?" Serperior says, breaking out of the stupor first. She looks confused, "as a Master of the Center, it's essential to be well-acquainted with many subjects—Master Delcatty and I are quite similar in that we both gravitate towards legends and myths regarding specific pokemon," she says with a certain fondness—I can almost see her and Delcatty poring over all the old texts together.

"But we were in the library for hours looking! We didn't find anything about them!" Noivern blurts. Lurantis furrows her brows, "hmm, that is most curious! There wasn't very much if I'm recalling correctly, but I'm certain I've read of them in the library…perhaps those books were checked out…?" Maybe, but something about it is bothering me. For every book that could mention them to be missing…on its own it's odd enough, but in combination with those torn pages? It just isn't sitting right.

"Well, no matter, you can always ask whoever's on guard duty to check the library documents. If it's been checked out, there will be a log of it." She says dismissively. It's not much, but it's at least place to look. I find myself momentarily annoyed with Delcatty though—why didn't she tell us about the check-out log? It could've saved a lot of time and effort if they were there all along!

We continue making small-talk with Lurantis; she asks Stephanie and I how we met, all about Elliot when she learns of him, how were all doing, what life is like in the human world, and so on. We ask her how she's enjoying her retirement, to which her expression lights up, "oh, absolutely fantastic! I love the Exploration Center, but running it? Exhausting. I was able to take my first real vacation in years!" She tells us how she and Tinkaton went to a nearby continent for a month, "simply breathtaking, if you are ever able to go, I cannot recommend it enough!" We graciously thank her—in reality, I can't help but worry what Giratina might do to me if they found out I'm not only here, but taking vacations and sightseeing with my entire family.

I notice the sun slowly setting outside, and we try to take our leave, "I'm sure the daycare is tired of Elliot by now," Stephanie laughs. "Oh, not to worry, those pokemon are prepared to look after any kind of child! Why, I recall once we had a visitor—a steelix—who needed help with her son. Did they have their work cut out for them!" We slowly work our way to the door with Lurantis as she continues her story. "Oh my, well I mustn't keep you! Please say hello to little Elliot for me! And you simply must come by again, I'd love to meet him!" We assure her we will, and, a good 40 minutes later than intended, we're out the door. It occurs to me as we head to the daycare that she might be lonely—to have worked so hard managing the Center for so long must have made having and keeping friendships difficult. I make a mental note to find time to visit her again, and the truth is, when she's not in a human-fueled rage, she is actually quite nice.

I'm dying to rush over to the library now and get that check-out log looked over, but Stephanie's words about being more 'present' and 'here for Elliot,' ring in my mind, so we're all going to pick him up together. We told the others they didn't have to come along if they were tired, but they all insisted. "Really curious about the setup they've got around here!" Rotom said, zooming forward. I mean, we have pokemon daycares in our world, but none specifically for pokemon children. It's novel, anyway.

So we're all waiting at the entrance for Blissey. We ring the bell again, and she's out a moment later, "terribly sorry to keep you waiting, you're here for Elliot? Oh my, and who are all your friends?" They introduce themselves, then Blissey leads us inside.

It's chaos. It seems that, by the end of the day, the kids are quite riled up. I thought a human daycare was crazy, but this? This is something else. At least human kids don't come equipped with special pokemon abilities and can't use moves.

Toys are strewn about and the kids are running wild, chasing each other. I catch a glimpse of Elliot wearing a paper crown and using a blanket as a cape—he's currently chasing a togepi while waving a cardboard tube. I smile, he certainly looks like he's having a good time. And if this hasn't tired him out, nothing will.

"Elliot, dear? Your family is here for you!" Blissey calls into the crowd, trying to get his attention. He looks up and sees us, then runs over with who I assume are his new friends. "Wow Elliot, you have…seven parents?" A smoochum says incredulously, taking the time to count each of us. "Nuh-uh! My mommies aren't here, but these are they're friends!" He says proudly. "Ooh, that's so cool!" A phanpy says bouncing back and forth. "Do you do a lot of battles?" He asks no one in particular. "Not really, but he's been arrested, twice!" Rotom says, grinning and resting an arm on Serperior's head. "Don't tell them that!" He hisses as the kids all give a resounding "ooooh." "We used to do some battle, but not so much anymore," Dragalge offers, trying to distract them. They're asking our team all kinds of questions as Blissey pulls Stephanie and I aside.

"He really did have a wonderful time. Did you know he knows Bite, Fake Out, and Fake Tears?" She says excitedly. "Wow, three moves! We suspected Bite, but not the others!" I say. "He had the chance to show off in the arena, quite strong for one so young! Became quite popular, as you can see," we look over, and sure enough, more kids have crowded around Elliot, laughing, making silly faces, and hugging him goodbye. "He's welcome any time you'd like, we're open every day," Blissey smiles. "Thank you so much, for everything," I say.

We head over to collect Elliot, who hugs each of the kids in turn—it's so cute I feel my eyes water slightly. After the lengthy goodbyes, and the promises of seeing them tomorrow, we extract Elliot from the crowd.

"Had fun today?" Stephanie asks. "Yeah!" He tells us about every moment of his day, from when we dropped off, right up to this moment. By the time we get back to the dorm, I feel like I was with him at the daycare myself.

Once he falls asleep and the others settle down, Stephanie and I sit together on the balcony and finally get the chance to talk. "So…busy day, huh?" She starts. "Yeah…I wasn't expecting the whole encounter with Lurantis…" "she's so much nicer than you lead me to believe!" She grins. I shove her playfully, "she had us arrested and then hunted us down!" I reply with feigned shock. "Only because you broke out of prison! I swear…my wife the criminal," she winks as I roll my eyes, grinning. "I'm starting to feel a little left out…Seviper and I are like, the only ones in the family without a criminal record, 'round here," she jokes. "Be careful what you wish for my dear, I'll have you know I'm friends with the head of the esteemed Exploration Center! I could get a warrant out for your arrest easier than you could breath fire!" I gloat, earning a laugh from Stephanie and shove of my own.

It's so nice, just to be here…to take it easy for a change and enjoy her company. We sit in silence for a while, leaning against each other and listening to the sounds of the Center and the rustling leaves. After a while, the breeze becomes chilly, and I notice her shivering slightly. "How could you possibly be cold Ms. Fire Type?" I laugh, "you ready for bed?" "Mmm, I think so, a busy day tomorrow, I bet," she replies. I think so…while Delcatty is away, I think we should at least follow up with the library.

But for now, it's enough just to enjoy the peaceful night.

—

77, 78, 79, 80, 81–

What was that? Nothing…again. Great, now where was I?

42…or wait…was it 92…?

Argh, never mind, the counting was stupid anyway. And besides, I've already counted at least 7200 steps that way in intervals of 100, so maybe it's time to find something else to keep my mind occupied.

7200 steps I've counted…that was over about six floors…but I managed to get through one in just 128 steps…so roughly 7000 steps for five floors…but then there was that floor that took longer…what was it, 3593 steps? So it's been an average of…

I don't know. I don't care. The numbers slip through my grasp. I drop them in the floor behind me and continue onwards.

I started counting steps because I lost count of floors. I've been going and going and going, but it's all so samey. I miss the sunlight. I miss breeze through my fur. I miss the Center.

I miss Gwen.

I keep walking, keep searching. It's slow at first, but eventually I feel it—the insurmountable, oppressive nature of the dungeon finally gets to me.

I breakdown.

Suddenly collapsing on the ground, I sob. Once the tears finally stop flowing, I just lay there wailing. If there are hidden opponents here, I'm more than ready for them to take me. Even the companionship of a wild pokemon tearing me apart would be better than this. Alone in the darkness, I have no way to know if it's been hours or days or years.

My mind goes fuzzy. Eventually I return to myself. I don't know how long I lied there, crying for freedom that might never come. Looking around, the dim, dingy dungeon is cruel and unchanging as ever.

However long it was, I eventually drag myself up, resuming my steady descent.

I don't know how, or when exactly it happened, but after continuing some unknown time longer, I finally felt the last of my feelings slip away. There is no fear, or hope, or even boredom. There is only here, right now, in this dungeon.

Alone.

I am not the Master of the Exploration Center, or the leader of Team Starburst, or anyone's friend, or family. I am not anything. Not anyone. I am just a thing that was lost, but now belongs here.

Maybe I've always belonged here.

So I keep going. Floor by floor. Step by step. I barely even remember why I'm here. I just know I have to keep going.

No matter what, I have to keep going.