September 19th, First Year

It was drizzling when Akari stumbled out of her cot. That very morning, under the cover of dawn when dew soaked the grass, a group of Diamond Clan scouts had managed to track her and Volo down and had recovered Warden Calaba's body. Only once the sun had begun to rise over the horizon the next day did Akari emerge, fresh from giving out Rei's biweekly dose of poison.

"Akari? There you are my girl! I was looking all over for you!" Professor Laventon crossed the camp at the sight of her, his brows damp with sweat and his eyes narrowed as he took in her state. "Come with me. I recognize that you are still recovering but… there is something I must urgently discuss with you."

Akari narrowed her eyes. "Something like what?"

"You are not in trouble!" Laventon corrected himself quickly, a nervous smile on his face. "Rather, I have some reservations concerning your current wellbeing. I would prefer to talk out of earshot of the Diamond Clan." He gently led her away to the cover of a shady willow tree a distance from the main camp, letting his shoulders slump forward as he considered her. "My girl.., you've been through quite a few dangerous events these past few months," Laventon began slowly.

"And? I can't refuse orders from Almighty Sinnoh. What else can I do? It's not like I can waste time and play with the village kids or something." Akari hopped backward onto a mossy tree stump, kicking her legs out in front of her. "It's either focus on quelling the nobles or collect information for your pokédex."

Professor Laventon made a low hum, leaning back against the willow tree for support as he crossed his arms and legs. "…I'm not quite sure whether I liked that response of yours." He gave a deep sigh. "My girl.. you are still a child. You shouldn't even be forced to partake in these frankly dangerous missions. I fear that you're becoming far too used to the dangers of them." Laventon then straightened out his uniform, taking his garish hat in his hands with an apologetic expression. "The truth is… I would like for you to return to Jubilife Village and rest your mind and spirit for a time. I've already partitioned the commander ahead of time; they've given you the permission to… recover. I would like for you to take a break, in other words."

Akari could nearly laugh. "A break? I don't need a break. I'm fine," she protested. She didn't quite meet the professor's eyes. "I'm getting stronger," she lied, attempting to veer the conversation into a different direction. "I don't mind the danger. It keeps me sharp. "She held up her belt of pokéballs. "See? You see how many pokémon friends I have now? Five! One of them is an alpha! I can handle myself just fine, professor. Besides, I have Warden Ingo for help."

"And that's just it my dear; your support is dwindling." Laventon's nose scrunched. "First it was Yuki and now it's Rei… and now Warden Ingo as well."

Akari blinked. "What? What's wrong with Warden Ingo?"

Laventon stared back at her, his expression drooping. "Oh. I presumed the two of you must have been in contact with one another. I suppose I'll explain; our good warden was injured some odd few days. I haven't been told much about the situation; all I know is that our good friend is currently recuperating within Jubilife Village as we speak. I was only made aware of this by Captain Cyllene's Abra who visited while you were down underground just the day before." Laventon's lips turned downward into a scowl. "I would have certainly appreciated it if you had informed me where you intended to head off to before getting yourself into a mess of trouble."

"I don't have to do all that," Akari replied snippily. "It's me getting into trouble. Stop acting like some doting dad." Akari readjusted her tunic over her small frame and caught sight of the professor's face. Before she could earn the man's retort, she continued. "I'm getting better. Can't you see that? I don't need a break or the Galaxy Team's pity." And in a separate breath, uttered," And it's not like they cared when they threw me out in the winter." Akari continued, her voice laced with irritation. "I just want to keep moving. To keep busy. I'll be fine, you'll see. Some other noble in another section of Hisui will become frenzied and then everybody will be asking me to head out onto the lines. The sooner I quell all the nobles, the sooner I can go home and the sooner I can get out of everybody's hair."

"Akari," Laventon tried again, his voice soft. "You're worrying me. I have seen your progress I assure you and while I am not your paternal figure, I do worry about you. You and I are both aware that the only reason the commander sends you into these dangerous situations is because you are the only scout capable enough to perform such a momentous job."

"Ooor," Akari postured, "it's because the commander hates me and hopes I really get hurt on one of these quelling missions." She didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow when Laventon paled. "'Monumentous job,'" she mocked. "I risk my life on these missions and I get nothing for it; just some new scars and another reason to hate Kamado. You and I both know that I wouldn't be out here if the commander wasn't actively looking for a reason to keep me out of the village. He hates me," Akari stated blatantly. "He would've tossed me out of the village if I would've failed my trial and you know it."

"Don't speak like that. I am aware that the commander dislikes you, "Laventon admitted, "but Kamado is my colleague and he doesn't wish the death of anyone… besides strong, foreign pokémon. He's a paranoid man, my girl, but he doesn't wish for your demise."

"You say that," Akari challenged him. She had had enough of his overly worried tone. Where had he been when she was paralyzed for an entire month? Oh yes. Checking on Rei's progress concerning the pokédex. Akari knew it was all a front for something else- something the man wasn't telling her. Is everybody just using me for something at this point? Is that all I am? An errand girl? Is that what I was brought here to do? Akari exhaled roughly. "You can say it all you want. The last thing I want to do is go back to Jubilife so that everybody can leer at me and insult me and mock me behind my back. Thanks for the offer," she added, sounding not at all grateful, "but I'd rather not."

"…I see." Laventon turned his gaze away from her. There was a glint in his eyes; something Akari recognized plainly as pain. The professor coughed, peering straight at the medical tent. "I fear that you'll end up in a critical condition like Rei in one case or another. I don't want to see you in the state you were when you were paralyzed; that alone was enough to make me strongly consider calling you off of this noble business in the first place."

Akari blinked. He… he was actually worried for me? Enough to talk to Kamado? But then, the professor had mentioned that he had been considering it. If he had really been worried as he said, he would've had a talk with Kamado regardless. "Really? " she asked, dubiously. "I thought you only came to check Rei's pokédex."

"It was Rei who had called me here, yes, but once I had found out about your condition, I was beside myself." Laventon then placed his hat back on his head, grimacing. "I must've been at your bedside for hours finding ways to help. Alas, I found none. Neither did Rei."

"...Intesting."

"Interesting indeed. But it's time we get back to the topic at hand. I cannot change what you want. As I have already stated, I am not your parent." Laventon then got back to his feet and dusted off his vest. "It would behoove you to remember that I was the one to vouch for your initiation into the Galaxy Team when you first arrived on the beach and so I am very much responsible for your safety and well-being."

Akari whirled around on her stump, cold fury making her fingers clench. "You can't use that against me! I was freezing cold and starving! Don't blow my words out of proportion!"

"It is the truth, whether you like it or not." Laventon uncrossed his hands, the hurt expression dropping from his face only to be replaced by disappointment and confusion. "You must remember that we are both subject to the ranking system of the Galaxy Team and I rank much higher than you. I will not force you to bend to my orders, but I will send Commander Cyllene with word of your intentions to reject your potential rest period."

Akari threw her hands up into the air. "Fine! I'll take a break if it'll keep you from snitching to the captain! Will that make you happy?"

"It will do, yes." After a moment, Laventon sighed. "I lie. It won't, though, that is not all that I wished to warn you about while I have time to converse with you."

"What else could there possibly be?"

Laventon quirked an eyebrow up at her snappish response. "I also fear of what will happen when word reaches the Pearl Clan of Lord Ursaluna's death."

Akari blinked. She hadn't necessarily thought of the repercussions of what finishing the battle had meant. "Aren't the nobles chosen every now and then?" Akari retorted. "Doesn't one of them die every few years or so? I don't think they'll care, what with how Volo and I managed to get Calaba out and alive. If anything, they should be grateful. It's their gods that Ingo and I are quelling."

Laventon merely shook his head. "You don't seem to understand the ramifications of what you've done, my gi-" Laventon quickly cleared his throat. "Akari. You and your merchant friend were directly responsible for the death of a noble. You must understand that the Pearl Clan worships these powerful pokémon like gods. Even despite your noble intentions, I don't believe many will find them so once word reaches them."

"But I rescued Calaba!" Akari snapped, reaching the end of her patience. "It's not like I killed the entire Ursaring and Ursaluna population!" Akari took a deep breath and shut her eyes tight. "What would they even do? Ban me from entering their settlements? Toss rotten produce at me?"

"Worse," Laventon grunted. "You must remember; the Galaxy Team are foreigners to this land. The Pearl Clan would have a right to demand to have you punished according to their rules if their leader, Lady Irida, saw fit. They could demand you be jailed or denied food."

"So what? Big deal."

"Those are the nicest punishments I could think of," Laventon warned her gravely. "I would like to send you back to Jubilife to give you the chance to prepare and get your things in order. Warden Ingo is there; he might have an idea of how the Pearl Clan might react and he might be able to vouch for you in my place. I must stay here and take care of Rei, the poor boy."

Akari jerked forward, tears threatening to break. "I didn't intend to drown Lord Ursaluna if that's what you think! I was just trying to survive!" A strangled noise erupted from the back of her throat, her tears finally bursting as Akari wiped them away just as quickly. "This wasn't about my mental health at all, was it?" she demanded. She felt as though she were boiling beneath her skin. The shred of hope that maybe somebody cared about her- that maybe somebody really and actually cared about how she was- was ripped out of her, leaving her throat burning and her eyes itchy. "Of course! Of course, everybody just wants to lie to me to use me for something!" Akari spat, unable to control the sheer grief and rage in her tone. "It's no vacation- just time to 'gather my things', right? Before Kamado exiles me, huh? Tell me I'm wrong!"

"That's not it-" Laventon fought, but Akari cut him off.

"No. You know what? I'll go anyway!" Akari snapped, rubbing the stinging tears out of her eyes. "I don't want to hear it! The only reason I went alone was because the whole Diamond Clan was dragging their feet! I do the heroic thing and rescue Calaba while defeating Lord Ursaluna- two birds with one stone! And what happens? I might get locked up like a prisoner for defending myself! Kicked out of Jubilife for following Kamado's order and doing something about the frenzy problem!" Akari stomped away from the willow tree. "Maybe I should've never intervened with Lady Lilligant either! Sinnoh forbid, I do my missions since I just want to go home!"

"My girl-"

"Goodbye, Professor!" When she was sure that the portly old man was no longer following her, she called out for her Rapidash, knowing full well that its loud cries would startle the people of the settlement. She hastily threw her leg over Mars's back, curling her arms around the equne's muscular neck as she wiped the tears of frustration out of her eyes. "Next stop: Jubilife Village."

They were in the fieldlands before evening had even broken. It was the fastest trip Akari had ever taken by far, the wind doing nothing to ease the swelling around her eyes. She passed the remains of the old Oreburrow Settlement in a large semi-circle, taking great care to steer clear of any Pearl Clan scouts she sighted from afar. As Akari and Mars crossed over the river toward the mountain path leading to Jubilife, Galvantula burst out of its pokéball, its mandibles quivering.

"What's up with you?" Akari grumbled. "Come on. Back on the horse. We've got places to- "

Before Akari could finish, the Galvantula began to skitter off toward the woods ringing Lake Verity, chittering all the while.

"…be." Akari sighed loudly. Go after the giant spider or continue to Jubilife? She shrugged and changed directions, slowing Mars down into a steady trot as they angled toward the mountains to the west. I'm in no hurry and I'm not a big fan of Jubilife to begin with. It can wait.

The Galvantula dipped through the woods, its several fuzzy legs carefully finding the hidden path through the undergrowth as it led her over the hills and up the mountains until they had emerged onto a moor that overlooked the lake. There, Akari saw the very top of something spherical. Something dark and stormy, the outer layer ringed in swirling mist. A distortion but something far, far worse than the temporary ones she often spotted from afar.

The new distortion covered the entirety of Lake Verity like a glass dome, its innards completely hidden in shadows. At her side, Galvantula seized one of Akari's pant legs and pulled. The giant spider paused and then turned back, pointing one fuzzy leg at a group of dark shapes ambling along the cliff.

Akari peered closer. Two figures had emerged from atop a waterfall that plunged into the lake on the other side. One a human and the other a pokémon with some kind of weak red light flickering from its tail. Galvantula gave a loud chitter before moving off toward the group. Akari sighed. Maybe Galvantula knows that person? Or maybe it's its trainer. As she drew closer, she directed Mars to fire off a flare so that the two knew she was approaching.

Almost immediately, the human figure turned her way. It froze, confused, before beginning to cross quickly toward her, swinging its arms and legs in a bizarre fashion. Akari blinked. "Warden Ingo?" she called out. "What are you doing all the way by Lake Verity?" She wasn't too surprised when the Galvantula threw itself at the man, excitedly crawling on the man's back, affectionately using its mandibles to ruffle its trainer's coarse silver hair. "I found your pokémon. Didn't know you were a fan of bugs."

Up until then, Warden Ingo had been silent. When he next spoke, Akari shivered at the slightly higher pitch. "…I am Emmet. Not Ingo. Who are you? How do you know my brother?" This man's voice was flat in tone but sharp in its delivery. His unblinking silver eyes, though paired with a strained smile, were greatly unnerving.

Akari slithered down from her mount, recalling her Rapidash to its pokéball. "Uh… I met Warden Ingo months ago. You look just like him." The two brothers were nearly identical from their silver hair to their sharp silver eyes. Their noses, jawlines, and even the way they conducted themselves were perfect copies of one another. All except for Emmet's smile. A confused smile. "You said your name was Emmet?"

"Correct."

"Okay. My name's Akari. Ingo and I are supposed to be working together. I was actually on my way to find him." Akari only then noticed that the strange pokémon trailing behind Emmet had been staring at her from numerous paces away, the scales along their back bristling as though readying to lunge at her. "Who's that strange pokémon with you?"

"That is. None of your business," Emmet replied smartly. He reached back one hand, gently placing it atop the pokémon's head. That seemed to calm it down. "It does not concern you."

Rude, Akari immediately thought. You didn't have to respond like that.

It was an ugly thing, the pokémon. Despite its glittering scales and clumsy figure, its big, almost pitch-black eyes stared at Akari as if it wanted to eat her. The creature's limbs, long and lanky and dark, dug into the ground, sharp fanged teeth poking out ever so slightly as the pokémon took a careful step back, a set of scaly, webbed hands grabbing onto the hem of Emmet's trousers. "It's not going to attack me, is it?"

Emmet sighed. "No. Please remain a safe distance from the yellow line." He turned to the Galvantula on his back, his sharp silver gaze softening as he reached back another hand to ruffle the bright yellow fuzz on the spider's face. "Tula, please remain at a safe distance from the new passenger as well." When Akari had not left, Emmet's glance turned from tired to annoyed. "You may depart now," the man emphasized slowly. "Ingo is in Jubilife."

"Don't wanna leave," Akari shot back. "Is it a fire-type? It looks like a fire-type," she asked, pointing a finger at the lizard-pokémon.

"She is."

"'She'?" Akari echoed. "It doesn't look like a 'she'. Anyway, how come you're not with Ingo if you two are brothers? And how come I've never met you before?"

"You ask. Too many questions." Emmet turned, regarded his tailing partner with little more than an annoyed glance as well. "Ask Ingo. He can answer you." The man and his two pokémon escorts moved down toward the lake. Akari followed. The man, whoever he was, seemed interesting enough. Akari wanted to waste as much time as possible before arriving back in Jubilife and it's not as though she had placed herself in any danger.

She snuck after them all the way until the two were standing on an outstretched bit of rock near an expanse of pine trees. There, Emmet began to set his things down. He gestured the lizard pokémon forward before handing it a cluster of small teal items from his pockets. "Here. You may have them. Now turn back into a human."

Human? Akari blinked, creeping closer. That thing used to be a human? Even more reason to follow him, Akari thought inwardly. Does Ingo know?

The lizard pokémon stared blankly at Emmet, the spider appearing to turn around and mimic Emmet's gestures. Slowly, The scaly creature reached for the teal objects. They looked clunky in the creature's hands, a strange blue glow showering the clearing before vanishing. After a moment of nothing, the lizard pokémon stepped back, scratched at its head, and then attempted to skulk away into the tall grass.

Emmet immediately reached after the escaping creature before pausing. "Right. I cannot touch you. But. I know someone who can." The man tossed out another pokémon from his belt- another pokémon wielder- and the new creature immediately cornered the lizard by spreading out its wings, snapping its curved beak as it ducked its head low. "Why are you attempting to escape? We have to work together. We agreed on this."

Akari decided at that moment to intervene. "Why are you talking to it like it's a person?"

Emmet flinched, sending a venomous glare her way. "It is a person." He then glared back at the lizard and then at the large bird pokémon. "Mandibuzz. Ask her if she knows where another distortion is."

"You can't ask her yourself? Who is she anyway?"

"I… She cannot understand me. Us. Human speech. And that is none of your business…" Emmet then turned, his eyes widening as he reached for a spare pokéball. "And where have you been?"

Akari turned to see who Emmet was talking to, surprised at what she saw.

Just a few paces away, the lizard pokémon was crouched low in the grass, quietly growling at a new pokémon that had crept up on it. One that floated in the air with shimmery silver wings and a plump, bright pink body. Upon Emmet's words, the tiny bulbous creature turned and fixed its bright blue gaze on him. Its body began to glow a pleasant pink color.

"Searching," spoke the fluttering pokémon. "Seeking after a sign." It then turned back to the lizard pokémon, frowning. "And I've found it, though, it saddens me to see you like this, my dear friend. As keys of Dialga, I had an inkling we would meet again but I had hoped it would be through happier circumstances."

"Celebi. You know each other." Emmet's tone was flat. Cold. Not a question but still curious, nonetheless. "From the future?"

"From the past," Celebi confirmed." We met a long, long time ago. We briefly united against a common enemy and then we were forced to go our own separate paths. The laws of time are cruel but justified." Celebi then swooped down to regard the lizard pokémon. "You don't recognize me, do you, my dear friend? That's a nasty case of confusion you have. I wonder who gave it to you."

"So it is confusion," Emmet muttered.

"That it is," Celebi responded. "The only question is why it's not wearing off naturally. Heal Bell doesn't work. Neither does my natural ability. That's not to say that there's no hope, however. It's just… puzzling." Celebi gently held the lizard-pokémon's head between its small hands, closing its eyes. "And what is with this odd voice in your head? It certainly doesn't sound like you and it's stirring up such a raucous."

Emmet blinked. "A separate voice? That is verrry interesting. Celebi, do you know of a way to cure the confusion? I have already tried berries and a status heal."

"I do," Celebi nodded. "It can't turn her back into a human, but its properties are capable of healing any powerful status affliction. Perhaps you know of it. The Gracidea Flower?"

At that, Emmet began to chuckle. It was a cold and chilling sound as if the man hadn't believed his ears. "The Gracidea Flower. I am aware of that item. An evolutionary item for the legendary pokémon, Shaymin."

"And it's a healing item where I come from. Its seeds are incredibly potent," Celebi insisted. "The only issue is that its growing season is irregular. Only Shaymin knows where they flower but Shaymin- really the whole flock- has a tendency to… wander. I have an idea of where to look, but-"

"Wait, wait, wait," Akari burst in, absolutely confused by the turn of events and the downpour of information. "So Mr. Emmet-" she pointed at the man in white- "knows this lizard who was once a human and you- Celebi- you know her? How old is she?"

Emmet was quick to reply. "Early twenties."

Akari blinked. "Wait. If you're Ingo's brother, how old are you two?"

"We are twins. I am twenty-nine. Why does everybody keep asking us that?"

"But your hair!" Akari burst out.

"The family trait," Emmet retorted, exhaustion and frustration evident in his voice. "Verrry easy to understand."

Akari flopped down into the grass. "Okay. So, Mister Emmet, you know this… creature. This mystery person."

"Her name is Burr," Celebi supplied sweetly. She then turned to Emmet, turning a loop. "She has a second name, doesn't she?"

"The people here call her… what is it?" Emmet hummed. "Jaku? A dumb name."

Akari froze. Jaku? As in, the woman that had fallen with her? Akari turned and stared at the lizard pokémon again. There were no semblances. No key clues that could point to any evidence that the creature even recognized her. "Jaku?" Despite Akari crouching low to gesture the ranger closer, Jaku only stared out passively at the lake, barely even noticing Akari. "How did she turn into a pokémon?"

"No idea," Emmet grumbled. "That is what I am trying to figure out."

"I have a very basic idea of that as a matter of fact but it's a little far-fetched," Celebi admitted. "The first time we met, when Gro- ahem. When an old friend of ours had confided to me of Burr's origins; I was stumped. She had been turned into a pokémon then as well with her previous memories having been wiped. Poor dear," Celebi added, landing just in front of Jaku on the wet grass. "This is deja-vu all over again, hmm?" Celebi's tone was endearing. Kind. Patient. Celebi then turned back to Akari. "At that time, it was because Burr had had an accident passing through a Passage of Time with that old friend of ours." She spared a glance at Emmet. "It was similar to the path we came here in all that time ago, but through a special location. Was Burr a human the last time you saw her?"

"Yes."

"Then it's likely that some shenanigans were involved. We never did discover how she turned into a pokémon during our last time together but if my hunch is correct, it could do with Dialga. If I had enough energy, I would create another Time Passage and test my hypothesis, but I simply can't."

"Burr suggested time distortions," Emmet muttered. "Maybe ask her about that."

The two pokémon conversed once more. To Akari, it seemed more one-sided in favor of Celebi. The lively fairy would chirp and sing and flutter around her confused friend. Every so often, Jaku would either make a noncommittal noise or gesture. After a while, Celebi shook her head. "It was an educated guess. That confusion is certainly something."

"Or she could be lying," Emmet sneered.

"Oh well," Celebi shrugged, swooping in beside Jaku to rest in the crook of the ranger's horns. "I guess I'll just have to take another long adventure with my dearest old pal! It'll be just like old times like when you got stuck in the future! Off to find Shaymin then!" Celebi then bent down to hug Jaku, seeming unperturbed as its so-called 'friend' immediately began to bristle. "Don't worry," she winked at the two onlookers. "We fought together, too. I know all of her little tricks. We'll be fine." Celebi then floated back into the air. "We should really find another bandana for you. You look quite odd without your old one."

"Burr has already been caught," Emmet interrupted, pulling out a large metallic pokéball. "Do you have an idea of where Shaymin is currently located?"

Celebi drooped. "No. Not really. All I can do is search for clues in a few mystery dungeons. I'll take care of Burr and once she's no longer confused, I'll bring her right back!" In a teasing voice, Celebi added. "It's so interesting to see that she hasn't set you on fire yet."

Emmet blanched. "I have been bitten twice. What are you referring to?"

"Burr's scales get really hot when she's mad! Perks of being a fire-type, I guess. I'm just surprised she hasn't burned you the way she talks about you." Celebi gave a mischievous chuckle when Jaku growled something in its ear. "Oh come on. You know I wouldn't say that directly to his face."

"Say what?" Emmet asked, his tone venomous as he squatted down to Burr's level. "I would not mind scheduling a rematch."

"A rematch that you'd lose according to her," Celebi snickered. "I wouldn't recommend it, Mister Emmet. I wouldn't want to see you get burned. Come along now, friend of mine! We're leaving!"

Akari was silent beside Emmet as the two watched the departing pokémon, Jaku trailing behind the fairy pokemon as if their mind was somewhere else. Just before they crossed into the woods, Jaku turned and stared at Emmet for a long while. In the blink of an eye, Jaku darted back to Emmet before handing him a golden and black striped seed before racing back to Celebi.

"That's a reviver seed!" Celebi yelled, patting Jaku on the back as the lizard pokémon disappeared into the tall grass. "Burr says sorry for attacking you! Bye now!" And without another word, Celebi disappeared into the tall grass as well.

"This is a bad idea," Emmet grumbled. He turned to Akari, his hands on his hips as he stared down at her. "You are coming with me. We are going back to the main station."

"To where?"

"Jubilife."

"Ah."

September 20th, First Year

"This way."

Akari followed after Emmet as the taller man marched toward the Galaxy Team Headquarters. Her eyes caught immediately on the four men standing poised beside the stone steps. "What's that all about?"

"You will find out soon enough."

Strangely enough, the guards gave Emmet a passing glance, more interested in her as the two made their way up the steps and into the building. Even though the sun was setting and most of the village had been readying to go to sleep, the headquarters were still rife with activity. A soft finger tapped at her shoulder.

"Follow me."

Akari knew the room before she even sighted the wallpaper, recognizing the numerous chinks in the wooden doorframe and the familiar white curtain often pulled across the door. "The medical wing?" Akari froze. "Don't tell me Warden Ingo got badly injured… did he?"

Emmet said nothing. He purposefully strode into the room past the two guards standing just outside, holding the curtain aside so that Akari could trail after him. There, in a cot sheltered in the middle of the room was Warden Ingo. His throat and wrists were covered in bandages, but the man looked absolutely undisturbed. He almost seemed to brighten as he glimpsed the two of them.

"Emmet!" he called first, his voice unnaturally boisterous and warm. There was an aura of something joyful about the man that Akari had never seen before. He looked happier. Livelier. Ingo's silver eyes then locked onto Akari. "Ah, and Young Akari! It has been quite a while since we have last seen each other. How have you been faring?"

Akari was quick to pull up a chair to the warden's bedside. "I've been better," she confessed. "So many strange things have been happening ever since Lady Lilligant was defeated. In the mirelands, at least. Hehe… hah." She didn't quite meet the man's eyes on the last sentence. Could she tell them about her talk with Giratina? About Volo's story? "And you? What happened to you? You look like you got chewed up by something."

Ingo blinked. "Not quite, though I was grievously injured for a time." He then cleared his throat. "But it is good that you are here." He then turned to Emmet. "Where is Miss Jaku?"

Emmet sunk heavily into his seat, running a hand through his hair. "She departed for another station with Celebi."

"You were able to turn her back into a human then?" At Emmet's deafening silence, Ingo sat forward, his hands tented. "You were able to turn her back into a human, right?"

"…No." Emmet glared out the window. "Nothing happened. Celebi appeared and the two left to search for a Gracidea Flower to get the seeds. It may have the power to cure Burr's confusion."

Ingo hummed thoughtfully. "I suppose if we can cure that confusion, we can still work together. Like a four-car train!" he laughed.

Akari confusedly turned to Emmet. "Why do you call her that?"

"Call her what?" Emmet replied, leaning back in his chair.

"Ingo and I call her 'Jaku', but you call her 'Burr'. Why?" Akari then felt her heart sink like a stone. "Do you… know her from somewhere?"

Emmet nodded. "From the future. We worked together for a few months. That is what her real name is. She does not respond to it, though."

So they all knew each other then, Akari thought resentfully. Ingo is Emmet's brother and Emmet knows Jaku. The only person out of this loop is me. Akari swallowed. "That's… interesting," she squeaked out. "So you're all from the same future then?"

"Yyyup."

Ingo took the time to cut in. "Emmet- my brother- arrived here with all of his memories intact. As a matter of fact, he might serve a vital role between the three of us."

"Don't listen to him," Emmet cut in. "I am here only to bring my brother home. That is all."

"Emmet!" Ingo admonished. "That was rude."

"It is the truth. I am only here to bring you home."

Ingo sighed. "Akari. Have you recognized any particular strengths that only you possess? Any specific powers that only you have?"

"Apart from my Arc Phone?" Akari stuck with that question for a time. How might Ingo react if she were to tell him about the plates? About how she should've died in the battle against Lady Lilligant? About how many times she should've died facing Lord Ursaluna? She then slowly nodded. The last one. She would mention only the last one. "I can think of one thing," she lied. "I think Almighty Sinnoh is protecting me. From bodily harm, I mean." When neither of the brothers interjected, Akari carried on. "I got into a battle recently… against an alpha pokémon," she lied again. "I got in over my head and I should've been killed… but I wasn't. I was… crushed to death. Beaten. Ripped to pieces. And I just… bounced back after each blow like it had never happened."

"That is… remarkable." Ingo's voice quivered with dread. "And this pokémon? What of it now?"

"It's dead," Akari replied solemnly. "I killed it, though I did have some help. Why are you asking this now of all times?"

Without a word, Ingo carefully loosened the bandages around his neck and extremities revealing deep, cutting scars across his throat and wrists; almost as if something had hacked at those places with a sharpened instrument. "I too have noticed that particular power when I had been… incapacitated some few days ago."

"He was assaulted," Emmet explained, anger causing his usual monotone voice to soften to a low growl. "Killed. The same thing happened to Burr. We do not know who is behind it."

"So you're saying that we're all being targeted?"

"Not Emmet. He is seemingly safe for now." Ingo leaned back against his headrest. "It does make me wonder. Nonetheless, it is a bit ironic and convenient that you have arrived at this time. I would have preferred it if Miss Jaku was here but alas, she is not. I wish to devise a promise. An oath if you will."

"An oath?"

"Yes, an oath. You see, it has come to my attention that we have all been placed here with particular abilities. Take yourself for instance, Young Akari. You were given an indirect method to communicate with Almighty Sinnoh and are immune to mortal blows. I myself have that same secondary ability and one that allows me to travel great distances in the span of a second."

"That one is still inoperational," Emmet commented darkly.

"And of course, Miss Jaku shares that secondary ability as well." Ingo's eyes darkened, clasping his hands together as he stared into his lap. "It would seem Miss Jaku has gained access to a wide pool of abilities while we have been dealing with the nobles. Time travel. The ability to turn into a pokémon. Memory erasure. Oh, and of course, invincibility from mortal wounds."

"Hold up. Wait a moment," Akari gestured for silence. "What do you mean Jaku can travel through time and wipe memories? Doesn't that seem a little busted to you guys? We barely have anything and apparently, she just gets a bunch of cool powers? It's hardly been a year since we got here! That's hardly fair!"

"We do not have a good idea of how time travel works," Emmet eventually admitted. "We do not know when she gained that power. I am the only person in Hisui that her memory erasure does not work on."

"So, she's done things we may have seen but she made us forget about them?"

Emmet nodded. "That or worse."

"…Ah."

"And now you see why I am glad that you are here," Ingo continued. "We should be working together- not separately. Emmet and I wished to bring Miss Jaku into this oath but since her engine is currently in great need of repair, we must wait and see what becomes of her. I am sure you would like to return to your home station quickly." After a brief pause, Ingo went on. "…So would I. If we were to all couple together to quell the nobles quickly, we might stand a better chance of departing from Hisui in a timely manner."

'But we don't know that for certain," Akari mumbled. She scooted her chair back. "What happens after we quell all the nobles? Do you think a portal back will just magically appear? What's causing the nobles to rampage? Why can't we solve that first?"

"It is most likely the same force of nature that created the rift over Mt Sinnoh," Ingo hummed. "But none have been able to approach the precipice for months to my recollection."

"Why not?" Akari asked.

"Those who do get… taken over. They become confused." It was then that Ingo began to rhythmically tap his fingers together, his eyes brightening. "They act violently as though they become someone else. Something else. When they gain this status effect- this confusion- they attack one another." Ingo then turned to Emmet. "That sounds quite familiar, doesn't it?"

Emmet grunted, rubbing at one of his arms. "Yes. Yes it does."

"As for quelling the nobles, was it not a mission given to you by Almighty Sinnoh? Surely, they would have a greater idea as to what is pulling the strings behind our being here."

"That's just the thing! They won't tell me anything!" Akari whined. "No clues! No reasonings! Just mission after mission after mission! I did exactly what It wanted. We beat Lord Kleavor. We subdued Lady Lilligant. I killed Lord Ursaluna-" Akari clapped her hands over her mouth but it was too late. The two men had clearly heard the last part.

"…I beg your pardon?" Emmet rasped, his eyes wide with horror.

"I… umm." Akari sighed. "...I may or may not have drowned Lord Ursaluna about a day ago." A shred of confidence began to burn in her gut. "It was an accident. I was tired of the mirelands being dangerous, so I went searching for it. I found it in a cave underground. I had some help and we knocked it into a large river. We saw it get trapped by the water and it just kinda floated to the top. I think it's still in there actually," Akari chuckled weakly. "Professor Laventon wanted me to come here because he thinks the Pearl Clan is going to retaliate in some way or another. Actually, he mentioned that you might have some ideas," Akari added, turning to Ingo.

After a long minute of staring into nothingness, Ingo's calloused hand reached across the verge to grasp her own. His hands were shaking. "I am… proud of your developing strength, but I fear that you have performed something that cannot be overlooked."

It was at that exact moment that a handful of figures poured through the door of the infirmary. At the head was Commander Kamado, his eyes narrowed with undisguised fury as he approached Ingo's cot, his beady eyes focused on her and her alone. Akari was burned by the intensity behind the old man's eyes as he spoke only one word.

"You."