Hoopa changes forms before our eyes—the furious little imp is gone, replaced by a fierce legendary who looks ready to level the whole Exploration Center. Thankfully we're still in their void, as opposed to actually at the Center, but I'm guessing they're about three seconds away from teleporting themselves there. I wonder if they'd rather bring us along to watch whatever they're planning to do, or figure we're less trouble stuck here? Wherever here is, anyway.
Whatever the case, despite the powerful form, I can't help but notice the glistening in their eyes. Taking revenge on the Exploration Center…it was clear from their memories how much they truly love it. Whether they believe it or not, going down this path can only make matters worse.
"Hoopa, wait!" I call, instantly regretting it as they focus their attention solely on me.
"What do you want, you ungrateful pest? Y'know, you had such a great friend in Delcatty—she risked everything just to bring you back! And all you could do the whole time was worry and complain! You don't deserve friends!"
"And you do?" Serperior cries out. I touch his tail, "not now, I just need a moment." He studies my eyes, looking angry, but backs down. This situation is tenuous enough as it is—right now we need calm heads to think of a way out of this. If there is a way out.
"Hoopa…I know I should have been more…present with Delcatty. I should have made the most of being here again, of seeing her after all these years. But…seeing your memories…what you went through with Aegislash…" I swallow the lump forming in my throat, "it was wrong, how he treated you. You didn't just demand his friendship as payment for a deal—through the years, you earned it. You were a great friend. And you put a lot of work, time, and care into making the Exploration Center what it is!" They raise an eyebrow, but otherwise their expression remains unchanged, "you deserved to be recognized by the others in the Center for everything you did. You deserved to be a part of the Center, not be forced to watch from the distance. You deserved a real friend."
I finish my speech, heart pounding, while everyone looks between us in silence.
I realize Hoopa's studying me particularly closely. I want to shrink back into myself, but somehow force myself to stand as tall as my two foot frame will allow.
"That's touching, really. Thanks. But what's done is done. Aegislash hurt me, and now he's looong gone." They say, waving a hand. "I can't settle the score with him personally any more…the only thing I can do now is destroy the things he cared about more than anything else—his reputation, and his Exploration Center." Ough, well that's unfortunate—obviously my award-winning speech hasn't quite reached them.
"Hoopa…you're right, Aegislash is long gone. And as you know, I am Master of the Exploration Center now," Delcatty says, stepping forward. "What you've shown me…it's touched my heart. No one deserves to be treated how you were after everything you've done. Aegislash was a fraud and a fool." I notice Hoopa nod along ever so slightly, then Delcatty continues, "the fact remains that we made a deal—you bring Gwen and the others here, and I'll be your friend." She reaches out a paw, "through it all…we…are friends," she says carefully, voice wavering. I'm impressed, if not a little concerned. Can she really mean that? After everything they put her through? I don't know if I could in her position. I don't know if I can in mine.
She continues, seemingly steadfast in her decision. "The world deserves to know about the true nature of the Center…who Aegislash really was…and everything you did to make that place what it is. I think you deserve to finally, officially, be a part of the Exploration Center."
Hoopa looks taken aback; I'm guessing this wasn't anywhere near the outcome they were expecting. With a quick motion, they flick open the bottle, transform again, and toss it hurriedly over their shoulder into a hoop.
"Delcatty…what…what are you saying?" They query, flying close, fury replaced by apprehension.
"Hoopa, if you're interested, I'd like to welcome you as an official member of the Exploration Center."
"What?!" Several voices around me cry. Ampharos approaches Delcatty, "Master Delcatty, please consider—" "I have. I know Hoopa's done many…questionable things, but how can we really judge their actions when they've never been given a real chance? You saw the memories." Ampharos doesn't look wholly pleased, but slowly nods, evidently choosing to trust his team leader on this one. "I…suppose so…but…" he trails off, evidently unsure how to proceed.
Hoopa looks between us, disbelief giving way to tears. "I-I…you really think…you think they'll accept me? Truly?" "Actually, probably not, forget I said anything," Delcatty says casually, waving her paw, "ok, ok, I accept!" Hoopa says urgently while Delcatty grins, "of course they'll accept you! You'll fit right in! Especially after we update our history—I think it's important everyone at the Center knows who's who."
A moment later, Hoopa throws their arms around Delcatty's neck. They're…I can't quite believe it, they're actually sobbing. It's the first time I haven't seen them entirely in command of a situation.
"I didn't know the little menace had real emotions," Serperior says quietly. "Shh, try to be kind, it seems they've been through quite the ordeal," Dragalge whispers.
That's an understatement…so many years of holding this betrayal in their heart…of never really belonging anywhere. It doesn't excuse their actions, of course, but it does make them more…understandable.
"Hey buddy, take it easy! You're going to shrivel up and disappear if you cry much more!" Decatty says, trying to extract herself from Hoopa's embrace. They pull back and sniffle. "I-I am sorry, for everything, really," they say, floating to my team and I, "for scattering you everywhere…for taking your son…for putting you both through the Echoing Ruins," they turn to Delcatty, then back to me, "you…are truly a great friend to Delcatty. Anyone who could face such a place in the name of saving another? That's a special, precious bond." I'm taken aback, but I eventually manage an awkward "thank you."
I don't want to ruin the moment, especially in lieu of their 'you're such a great friend to Delcatty' statement, but I am dying to ask when they can send us home. Before Giratina finds out about any of this.
"Let's go back to the Exploration Center." Hoopa says, wiping residual tears from their eyes. Delcatty agrees, and before I know it, I'm going through a hoop yet again.
—
Oof. Those hoops don't get any easier to travel through. Definitely not a fan.
Looking from my vantage point on the ground, I'd say we're back in Delcatty's quarters. "Hey, get off of me, I can't breathe!" I look down and see I'm sprawled across Seviper, who's pointing her vicious tail at my neck. "Get that thing away from me!" I jump back; the last thing I want is a poison status of all things. "You started it!" "No way, you—"
"Would you two stop that! It's no one's fault, it's just the dang hoops!" Stephanie says, bringing us to attention. "Honestly, can you believe these guys, Gwen?" She says, turning around. "Gwen?"
I look around, argument forgotten, and start to panic. I can see everyone here in the room—Hoopa, Team Starburst, Stephanie, our whole team, everyone. Everyone except…
"Gwen! You!" Stephanie lunges for Hoopa, "what have you done with her? Is this another trick? Another of your…your sick games?" She screams. "Huh? What do you mean? I brought us all back, it's supposed to be a happy time!" They look around, seeming genuinely confused. "But you're right…we did seem to lose someone along the way," they say, taking a headcount.
"You better find her real quick or so help me I'll—" Rotom says, crackling electricity building around her, cutting off the end of her threat.
Hoopa's looking panicked now—whatever it is, I'm becoming more confident it wasn't their doing. "Please! You must believe me! I…I had portals for everyone…I'm certain! I swear it! We were all to come back! Right here in this room!" They say, waving their hands frantically, as though it will summon Gwen from wherever she's disappeared off to.
Seeing the commotion ensuing around Hoopa, a thought flashes through my mind, and I do not care for it. If Hoopa is really telling the truth, and they did intend to bring Gwen back…
What if their portal got…intercepted? Could it be…
"Could it be Giratina?" I say before I can stop myself. Shock clouds Hoopa's features as they point at me, dumbly, "you-you know, it could be! Ooh, that filthy worm…when I get my hands on them I'll—" "Hoopa, if Giratina did that then we have to get her back, right now!" Delcatty says, desperately.
Hoopa looks at her sadly, and sighs, "…I'm sorry, my friend, but Giratina's realm? That is the one place I cannot go. If Gwen is there…she's on her own."
The weight of their words settles around us, suffocating, only interrupted by Stephanie's screams a moment later.
—
My head is ringing. I've gotta tell Hoopa some hard truths about their portals. Namely that they suck.
I push myself up and regard my surroundings.
My blood runs cold.
I'm sitting in the middle of a field of gently flowing iridescent grass. There is no one no wind no light etc etc. It's exactly how it was in the dungeon.
This is it, finally another—NO!
I take a deep breath. No…I was with Hoopa and the others, we'd just learned their epic tragic backstory, and we were going back to the Exploration Center. Whatever this is, it definitely isn't the dungeon.
Which means…it's really and truly…the Distortion World.
For a fleeting moment, I'm actually wishing it was the dungeon. Being here…that can only mean
"Hello, Gwen. Welcome back."