Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.

Akari didn't move as the bandits approached.

"I think they found us," Rei said.

Good eye, Akari thought, a bit sarcastically, but remained silent.

"Who the fuck do you brats think you are?" one of the bandits—who had her hair in twin braids—asked. "How dare you steal our stuff!"

Akari once again ducked behind Rei. Matchbox didn't move to attack, but was giving the bandits a death glare.

"You're the Miss Fortune Sisters?" Rei asked warily.

"Yeah," the middle one said. "What of it? I'm Charm. This is Clover, and this is Coin."

She gestured to each woman in turn.

"Give us back our wall fragment," Charm said.

"You stole it to begin with," Rei said. "We're taking it back."

"Like fuck you are," another one—this one with curls that fell to her shoulders—snarled. "That's ours. We're gonna pawn it off for cash."

Akari's mind was working in overdrive, weighing her options.

She could hand it over or refuse; neither would have good outcomes.

So what was she supposed to do?

Akari felt almost sick with fear; she could just imagine one of them stabbing them, or even shooting them.

(Bandits had guns, right? At least in the shows and movies they did. And it was 1875 here, so guns should exist here, too.)

But if she handed it over, then—

No one will be able to help Ursaluna.

So, Akari did the one thing she always did when she was terrified.

She lied.

"You—um, it's dangerous here," she said, not moving from behind Rei. "Ursaluna's frenzied. No one died—yet—but he seriously injured five people."

Ursaluna had done no such thing, but the best lies had inklings of truth in them, and if she played her cards right, maybe she could—

"If he's frenzied, don't you two have bigger problems than a fragment?" Coin demanded.

"We need the fragment," Akari said, hating how weak her voice sounded. Pathetic. "We um…we want to help Ursaluna. So…we thought if we fixed the wall in the ruins…"

Charm looked like she was mulling this situation over.

"Ursaluna's a noble. If he's—" Charm said. "Fine. You can keep it. We're getting out of here. There are other places we can hit that won't get us killed."

"And if you two think Calaba would ever let a couple of outsiders help her, you're both more foolish than I thought," Coin scoffed.

Akari blinked; did…Coin and Calaba know each other?

"But if you two want to get killed, then be our guest. You must have had a privileged life to want to help someone who won't help you back."

At that, Akari tensed, a fire burning in her chest. Her life before Hisui had been lonely and terrifying, only knowing pain and never joy, having to sit under the table and beg for scraps.

That was supposed to be a comfortable life?

For the first time in her life, Akari nearly snapped at someone; but she knew what the consequences would be, so she didn't.

Instead, she choked down her anger, which continued to burn hot and bright, and glared as the Miss Fortunate Sisters turned to leave.

As she turned to leave, Charm turned back around.

"Your days are numbered, Galaxy Fool," she warned—earning her a growl from Matchbox—and left.

"Akari?" Rei asked.

"Comfortable life," she said tonelessly. "It'd be funny if—"

She cut herself off before she spilled something she shouldn't.

"If what?" Rei asked.

"Never mind," Akari said. "Well, that could've gone worse. We still have the fragment, and they didn't shank us."

"Shank?" Rei asked blankly.

Akari nearly panicked. Had that word not been invented yet? Had she caused a paradox?

Don't be stupid, you're not from this universe. You can't cause a paradox.

"It's slang. From my world," Akari said. "It means stab."

"Oh," Rei said, going a bit paler. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Akari put the fragment in her satchel, and they headed back towards the ruins.

Back in the Solaceon Ruins, Volo met her inside.

"Ah! You've got the fragment back, safe and sound!" Volo said as Akari showed it to him, sounding delighted. Akari felt a surge of guilt as she realized she basically just sent the Miss Fortune Sisters after Gingko Guild merchants again; she hoped Volo would be okay. "I'm sure Calaba will be grateful to have it back."

"Yeah," Akari said, glancing nervously where Calaba was still standing. "We just have to give it to her…I hope this works. It should, right? She may hate me—um, us, but she cares about Ursaluna…"

"I don't think she hates you at all," Volo said.

"You don't?" Akari asked, floored.

"No. I don't think she hates you, or the Galaxy Team, or even the Diamond Clan," Volo said. "I'm well-aware Calaba can be stubborn and blunt, but she's always put everything she has into the Pearl Clan—ever since she was young. She's always been here in Hisui, trusting in the guidance of Almighty Sinnoh. It's less that she hates you, and more that she loves Hisui and the Pearl Clan very, very much. Anyway, I do hope you're able to calm Ursaluna's frenzy, Akari! A raging Pokémon in this area definitely isn't good for business, I assure you."

Now Akari felt bad for being so angry at Calaba initially even if she hadn't acted on it.

Volo left; Akari watched him go, feeling slightly reassured at his words.

Maybe Volo was right, and Calaba didn't hate her. It was a bit difficult to wrap her mind around, but so was the fact that there were three people that liked her; Hisui was weird like that.

And if Volo was right, then it would be easier to convince Calaba to let them help Ursaluna. She'd just have to exchange the wall fragment in return for being permitted to quell Ursaluna's frenzy.

"Well," Rei said. "Let's go give it to her, then."

The idea of interacting with Calaba again made her heart pound with anxiety. Calaba had made it very clear that she didn't want them to bother her again. If they didn't listen then Calaba might get upset.

Still, Akari nodded. It was the only way to help Ursaluna, after all.

Rei led the way deeper into the ruins; Akari trailed after him, trying to make herself seem smaller.

As they approached Calaba, her bibarel let out a cry.

Calaba turned around; she did not look pleased to see them. Akari shrank down even further.

"Oh, so you've come to bother me again?" she said. "Well, come as often as you'd like, but it won't change my mind."

"Warden Calaba?" Rei quickly interjected. "We brought the wall fragment."

Calaba's eyes went wide.

"What?" she cried. "You two went and retrieved the fragment from those bandits? Why go out of your way for a complete stranger like me?"

Akari timidly inched forward and handed her the wall fragment.

"We wanted to help Ursaluna," she mumbled, staring at the ground.

Calaba looked at Akari, an odd expression crossing her face.

"I'll admit, I didn't expect anyone else to truly care for Ursaluna," she said. "Now, then—Akari's your name, correct? I believe I owe you an apology."

Akari blinked; Akari was usually the one apologizing. Being apologized to was still an alien experience.

She supposed this meant Volo had been right; if Calaba hated her, then why bother apologizing?

"Before, I was rude to you." Calaba said. "I'm sorry I was so harsh."

As Akari thought back on it, she felt a fresh wave of bitterness wash over her. But—it wasn't right of her to be angry about it, right? Especially since Calaba was apologizing.

So, Akari shoved her anger down and nodded.

"It's okay," she said.

"Thank you," Calaba said. "Now, then…"

She fitted the fragment back into the wall.

"There," Calaba said. "Good as new."

Akari studied the engravings; despite the letters being of the English language, it seemed to be a bunch of letters thrown together, and she couldn't make heads or tails of it.

"It's written in Celestica. Let me read what it says," Calaba said, coming to Akari's rescue. "All lives touch other lives to create something anew and alive—I see. I suppose it means people helping each other, like how you two helped retrieve the fragment. I've read this passage many, many times. But this is the first time I've truly understood what it means. Maybe this is almighty Sinnoh's guidance?"

Akari glanced at Rei; if anyone had touched her life so far, it was him. He was her first-ever friend. When he spoke to her, or looked at her, it made her feel…wanted.

And if Rei thought she was worth caring about—and not just Rei; Volo and Laventon, too—then didn't she owe it to them to try and be the perfect Survey Corps member they all thought she was?

"Akari," Calaba said. "Please lend me your strength, so that we may help Ursaluna."

Akari didn't even hesitate.

According to Calaba, Ursaluna tended to stay near Sludge Mound. When he appeared after Calaba called him on her celestica flute, it was clear he was enraged. His eyes were maddened, his teeth were bared, he was letting out furious snarls.

Akari finished the battle as quickly as possible—she didn't want Ursaluna to be in pain any longer than he had to.

Akari had led with Aurora and fired off a couple Baby Doll Eyes to lower Ursaluna's attack before switching into Brooke. Brooke's attacks hit fast and hard—her attacks always seemed to hit hard, despite her small size, even when compared to other buizel.

Once Ursaluna went down, Calaba administered the medicine.

Akari quite liked battling; it was fun, her Pokémon enjoyed it and were strong, and—well, it was a welcome distraction from…everything.

When she battled, she could shut everything else out and focus.

When she battled, she could pretend she wasn't some terrified little girl who couldn't muster up enough courage to speak above a whisper.

She'd tried to explain her feelings about battling to Rei once, but Akari didn't think she did a very good job.

She just…wished she could do that when dealing with people, too.

As Ursaluna visibly calmed himself, Akari approached him and healed him with a super potion.

"Is he calm now?" Rei asked, taking a few steps closer.

"Yes, he is," Calaba said. "This is all very strange, though."

"He wasn't glowing."

Akari's words left her mouth before she stopped to think about it. She instantly glanced at Calaba to gauge her reaction; she didn't look upset, but Akari still clamped her mouth shut and averted her gaze to the ground.

"Very astute of you, child," Calaba said. Akari let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Ursaluna's frenzy doesn't seem to be the same kind as the one Lord Kleavor was in. When you quelled Lord Kleavor, I could see the light rising into the sky from here. But no such light erupted from Ursaluna."

Akari hesitated, not sure if she was supposed to respond—then her gaze snapped to Ursaluna as something caught her eye.

"Um…Warden Calaba?" Akari said, tugging at a few strands of black hair. "There's something on Ursaluna's fur."

Calaba took a closer look.

"It's some kind of powder," she said, and looked lost in thought for a moment. "That girl from the Diamond Clan, Arezu…now why did she of all people find the need to come and tell me about Ursaluna, I wonder?"

Calaba turned back around to face Akari.

"Oh, but I almost forgot about something important," Calaba said. "Play your celestica flute for me, won't you?"

Akari pulled it out and instantly played it.

Calaba nodded, seemingly satisfied—then Ursaluna trotted forwards with something. Akari recognized it as another Plate.

Akari took it, and felt the same power emanate from the Plate that had been coming from the other two. Turning it over, she saw that it, too, had an inscription on the back.

She'd ask Volo to translate it when she saw him next.

. Akari took it, thanked Ursaluna, and put it in her satchel.

"Ursaluna is very good at finding things that are buried in the ground," Calaba said. "We say that he's digging for treasure, even if that treasure may not glitter or gleam. Now go and let your commander know of what happened here, child."

With that, Akari thanked Calaba, and she and Rei left.

"It's still afternoon," Rei said. "We can probably make it back to camp by evening."

Akari was silent for a moment; she'd been told to catch a petilil. She certainly couldn't go back to Jubilife without one.

"Akari?"

Akari shifted, feeling a stab of guilt.

"I still need to catch a petilil," Akari said. "Remember? You can head back if you want…"

Recollection dawned on Rei's face.

"No, I'll go with you," Rei said. "Um—do you know where they live? Someone in the Security Corps might know.

Just then, Akari's Arc Phone dinged. Akari pulled it out and unlocked it.

Rei peered over her shoulder; on the Arc Phone's screen was a map of the Crimson Mirelands, with something blinking where an area called the Holm of Trials was.

"It's on the other side of the river," Rei said. "How're we gonna cross? And how're we gonna get back to camp before sundown?"

"Um…I could call Wyrdeer," Akari said after a moment.

"Unless Wyrdeer can fly, I don't think he can get us there," Rei said.

As Rei said that, a sudden image of Santa Claus in a sled pulled by eight wyrdeer popped into her head, and Akari had to stifle a laugh.

Still, she needed a petilil. She couldn't go back to Jubilife without one.

"What if we…just checked it out?" Akari suggested. "Maybe it's shallow enough that we can walk through the river to the other side. Or I could try some feather balls."

After a moment, Rei nodded.

Akari pulled out her flute and called Wyrdeer.

As it turned out, Wyrdeer could not fly, but he could make large flying leaps and made it safely over the river.

As Akari got down, Rei motioned for her to crouch.

"Look! There's one now," he whispered. Akari looked to where he was pointing; there was a small green Pokémon with three leaves on its head.

Akari readied a pokéball and threw it; a moment later, spark shot out of the ball, signifying a successful catch.

Akari was preparing to catch another one when up ahead, she spotted a bunch of goomy around a shallow pond. In the center of the pond was a large purple Pokémon that sort of reminded Akari of a snail—its head was poking out of a shell. It did remind her a bit of goomy—perhaps in the same family?

"Look at all the goomy," Akari said as she caught a second petilil. She pulled out another pokéball and prepared to throw it.

"Oh, shit—I forgot," Rei hissed.

"Hm? Forgot what?" Akari asked.

"That's the alpha sliggoo," Rei whispered. "I heard a member of the survey corps talking about it. The goomy are its children. This alpha isn't as aggressive as the rapidash, but if we catch any of the goomy here, it will attack us."

Akari nodded, taking in that information.

"So, I'll catch the sliggoo first," she said.

"Yeah—wait, what?" Rei said.

Akari hesitated a moment before giving an answer.

"Well—if I catch the sliggoo, we can catch the goomy, right? And—you said it's not as aggressive as the rapidash, so maybe I can calm it down a bit, like I did with the kricketune."

Rei stared at her for a moment.

Akari's stomach dropped. He wasn't mad, was he?

She was one the verge of saying that if Rei wanted to head back they could, that she was already asking way too much anyway when—

"Please tell me you at least have a plan," Rei said.

Akari nodded, and took out a can of stealth spray.

After spraying herself with it, Akari took out a smoke bomb and an oran berry. She took careful aim, and hurled the oran berry.

It sailed over the sliggoo and landed somewhere on its rock—Akari couldn't see where. But it worked; the sliggoo turned in the direction the oran berry had landed and started eating.

Akari set off the smoke bomb; using the odorless smoke as a cover, she crept up on the sliggoo, and readied a heavy ball. Then, when she was almost close enough to touch the sliggoo, she slammed the heavy ball into the sliggoo. It disappeared inside.

The ball shook and leapt high into the air; Akari waited, anxiety crawling up her spine. If the sliggoo broke out, then their only choice was to either battle or run.

God why hadn't she thought this through—

"Shit!" Rei yelped. "It's gonna—"

Sparks shot upwards.

"Well that was lucky," Akari said dryly, feeling a wave of relief and plucking the heavy ball off the mound.

She turned to see the goomy looking confused and distressed at the sudden disappearance of their parent.

"Spoke too soon," she said. "Now we've got an angry family reunion to deal with."

By the time they got back to the Mirelands camp, night had fallen—so much for making it back before sundown.