Disclaimer: I don't own anything that doesn't belong to me.

The next morning was a quiet affair, though few of the class were able to enjoy it, since the reason for that quiet – most of the other guests at the community center had already left, either on the way home or, far more likely, hunting the region for Ogerpon along with the frenzied villagers – was not worth celebrating. Nobody had felt like talking much over breakfast, until someone suggested they check the news to see if they had anything to say about last night's events.

One broken TV and cracked Rotom Phone later, they decided they'd had about all they could stomach from the press and should head out.

The question was, where?

Thankfully, that question was answered when Carmine's phone rang. "It's grandpa! Hang on," she said, answering the phone. "Grandpa? What is it?"

"Put it on speaker, we all want to hear!" Hohma urged.

"This is a private conversation!" She hissed.

"Julie can hear grandpa just fine," Julie pointed out.

"As can I," ANNA added.

"Um… Me too," an embarrassed Ohara admitted, cat ears twitching.

Carmine's eye twitched "… Ugh, fine. Sorry grandpa, have to put you on speaker." She tapped her phone. "Okay, what is it? Did you fix the mask?"

"I did!" Yukito confirmed, much to everyone's relief. "… Is what I'd like to say."

Everyone facefaulted.

"GRANDPA!" Carmine shouted.

"Gah, no need to shout! The mask is almost finished, I just need new crystals to replace the broken ones and I'm all out. Could you go to the Crystal Pool and find me a Crystal Cluster? That's the last thing I need to repair the mask."

Briar perked up at this. "The Crystal Pool? The one on the top of Oni Mountain? That's one of the Six Wonders of Kitakami. I'd actually planned for us to see them today, before everything… Well. You know." She tapped her chin. "I believe we actually passed by another one, the Fallen Horn, when we were at Kitakami Hall. Of course, we were so busy then, we didn't really have time to take a look…"

"Six Wonders? Sound like 10 Sights, but not as impressive," Julie remarked.

"Hey, they're pretty impressive, even if there are fewer of them!" Carmine said reflexively. "So, Crystal Cluster from Crystal Pool? Yeah, we can take care of it."

"Thank you, Carmine," Yukito said in relief. "I know I have a lot to make up for, but-"

"Have you talked to Kieran yet?" Carmine interrupted, clearly not wanting to touch that subject just yet.

"Ah. Yes. Your brother…" Yukito sighed unhappily. "I actually just finished speaking to him. Or, well, tried to anyway."

"What do you mean?" ANNA inquired.

"He hasn't left his room since last night and the door is locked. He didn't even come out for breakfast. He didn't say anything when your grandmother and I tried talking to him through the door, and he wouldn't answer his phone either." Yukito murmured sadly. "I confessed everything to him, but he didn't say a word. I don't know what else I can do right now. I fear I have truly upset him this time…"

Carmine sighed. "Well… at least you're taking responsibility for it and trying to fix things. I'll try and talk to him when I come home, maybe he'll feel more open to conversation then."

"I certainly hope so. Good luck, Carmine," Yukito wished her well. "And remember… Even if the sun is up, there are still many monsters lurking about, just as you said."

Carmine gazed out at the almost completely empty community center and nodded soberly. "Yeah. I know."

"… What are we going to do about that?" Ohara asked.

"Well, if we encounter a mob, we should try to stay as far out of their way as we can and try not to set them off-" Briar started.

"No, I mean… How are we going to get them to back down?" She asked. "Realize that Ogerpon isn't a monster or something to be caught?"

"Oh." Briar frowned. "I'm sorry, but… I have no idea. I would like to believe they would listen to reason, but I think we all know better. These aren't ANNA's people, after all. An appeal to rationality is unlikely to have any effect. It may be there is nothing we can do. Not everything can be solved with a Pokémon battle." She paused, then glanced at Julie. "Unless you have some sort of spell-"

"Nyope," she said bluntly. "That way beyond Julie's scope. Wouldn't nyuse spell like that anyway. Too dangerous. Too easily abused. Bad juju."

"I suppose that's fair," Briar admitted.

"Then… Even if we get all the masks to Ogerpon, her life might still be ruined and there's nothing we can do about it?" Ohara asked, upset.

"I'm afraid so," Briar said sadly.

"… Well, actually, I could build a psionic amplifier to boost Gardevoir's powers enough for her to erase the events of the last several hours from the memories of everyone in Kitakami, specifically targeting their memories of Ogerpon unveiling herself," ANNA admitted. "And if I hook her up to one of my satellites, I could theoretically do the same thing for the whole world. It would be rather trivial, actually. However, for ethical reasons, I believe we should save something like that as a last resort."

"… Yeah. That, uh, that's probably a good idea," a very disturbed Hohma said.

"You really scare me sometimes, you know that?" Carmine commented, feeling oddly aroused.

"You would not be the first to tell me this," ANNA admitted.

"So!" Briar said loudly, clapping her hands together. "Let's get going! We have some crystals to collect. We can figure out our next steps with Ogerpon and Gardevoir once Julie uses her magic to find them."

"I'll call a taxi," Carmine said, opening the app. "I assume you'll be taking your Miraidon as usual, ANNA?"

"You assume correctly," ANNA replied.

"Oh! Mewstress, can we fly together again?" Ohara asked hopefully.

"Sure!" Julie said cheerfully.

Carmine hesitated in the middle of selecting the number of passengers. "… Hey. Um. ANNA? Can… Can I ride with you?"

"Certainly," ANNA replied, surprised. "May I ask why?"

Carmine looked embarrassed. "… I've been thinking a lot about what you said last night, and… I haven't been fair to you or your sister. At all. I'd, um, like to try and make up for it…?"

"Certainly," ANNA said.

Julie gasped, delighted. "Oh! Julie get it! Carmine has crush on sister!"

"What? I DO NOT!" Carmine spluttered, very red.

Julie and Ohara nodded, completely unsurprised. "Classic Tsuntsun."

"I AM NOT A TSUNDERE!"

"I didn't really know what the term meant until a few nights ago… And I'm afraid to say, you kind of are," Briar said apologetically.

"I HATE YOU ALL!"

"Not really helping your case there," Hohma pointed out.

Carmine screamed incoherently and stormed out of the center.

One lengthy flight later – made longer due to Carmine clinging very tightly to ANNA while screaming at the top of her lungs – the class arrived at the very top of Oni Mountain, meaning they were at the highest point in Kitakami.

However, they didn't get much of a view of the surrounding countryside since the mountaintop was built like a crater with rugged rock walls rising on every side except for a triangular arch leading to a set of stairs winding down the mountainside, but the view inside the crater was well worth the trip.

The Crystal Pool was aptly named. The pool, which took up most of the summit, was full of crystal-clear water, with a variety of sparkling hexagonal crystals of varying sizes rising from the depths, which seemed to be bottomless. A small, man-made bridge was built around a longer strip of water flowing away from the pool. A long spit of land stretched out from just the other side of the bridge to the middle of the pool.

"… It's beautiful," Ohara whispered, awestruck.

"Yeah, it is," Carmine murmured, seeming almost surprised. "… It's funny, I've talked a lot about how proud I am of my country, but I can't remember the last time I've actually been up here. I forgot how spectacular it was."

"We certainly aren't going to have any problem finding Crystal Clusters," Hohma commented, pointing at the crystals growing underwater.

"Those are no ordinary crystals," an astonished ANNA said. "Those are Tera Crystals. And not just that, but-" this

"Ones like in Area Zero!" Julie added.

Briar gasped. "Then it's just as I thought! I knew this place had a connection to Area Zero! ANNA, Julie, what do your senses tell you?"

ANNA dipped her fingers in the water. "The waters here emit energy of the same wavelength as Terastal energy, which would explain how Terastalization is possible in this region. The crystals appear to be almost identical in composition to the ones we saw in Area Zero. Soil composition is also an almost exact match to that of Area Zero."

Julie sniffed the air. "Even smell like Area Zero! But nyot Area Zero. Nyo Paradox Pokémon. And… Nyo time portal."

"But… How can this place be so much like Area Zero?" Ohara wondered. "We're nowhere near Paldea!"

"A good question, and one I do not have the answers to," ANNA said, sounding frustrated. "The energy given off by the crystals has made it difficult for my satellite to do a full-scale analysis of the geology of this area."

"It doesn't look like the pool has a bottom," Hohma pointed out. "Maybe it somehow goes all the way across the ocean to Paldea?"

"That is very unlikely. However…" ANNA rubbed her chin in thought. "Time and space do not seem to work the same way in Area Zero the way it does elsewhere, as Heath's testament in the Scarlet and Violent books can attest to. That is why the professors were only able to build the Time Machine there. Perhaps… There is some sort of temporospatial anomaly at the bottom of this pool, linking it to the caverns of Area Zero?"

"Is that even possible?" An astonished Ohara asked.

"Carmine, you're more familiar with the legends and history of this land than we are. Are there any stories and folklore pertaining to the pool?" Briar asked her student.

"Y-yeah, loads," Carmine said, startled. "There are tons of old stories about how this place is sacred ground, and you can meet people here who passed away. That this pool has no bottom, and if you try to dive deep enough, you might find yourself in a whole other world. I never really believed any of it, but… If magic is real, and time travel, then maybe…"

"There may be some manner of truth to it," ANNA finished her statement. "If there is an anomaly within this pool, perhaps it can reach across time and space, connecting people in this world with those they've lost from different points on the timeline, or even from parallel universes or timelines."

"How would it know how to do that?" A confused Hohma asked.

"These sorts of anomalies are often affected by thought, emotion, desire," ANNA explained. "In places like this, the deep-seated longing to see those that have been lost can make them into reality, just as the professors were able to make their dream of a working Time Machine a reality by building it in Area Zero."

"Or maybe call spirits from spirit world!" Julie speculated.

"That is a possibility as well," ANNA agreed.

"But… I've come here before," Carmine protested. "To try and see-" She cut herself off. "… Anyway, they never showed up, no matter how long I waited or called for them." She hesitated. "I think… Sometime Kieran still…" She grimaced, cutting herself off again.

"There are often a myriad of factors involved in such anomalies," ANNA gently assured her. "Lunar cycles, times of day or year, temperature variance, solar flares… A more detailed analysis will be required to determine if this is the case."

"How do we find out?" Briar asked eagerly. "If we can figure out how to replicate this phenomenon, it may be able to allow for stable Terastalization in other regions as well! We've only managed to get it working in Blueberry Academy so far, but the power requirements are immense!"

"I can drop a probe into the pool," ANNA suggested. "This close, it should be able to collect the data my satellite could not. Carmine, may I have permission to do so?"

Carmine blinked. "What? Why are you asking me?"

"This is your homeland. You should have a say," ANNA said.

Carmine bit her lip. "If… You can figure this out, do you think… I may be able to see…?"

"It is possible, but I cannot say for certain. I do not want to give you false hope," ANNA said.

"Carcar, if sister can't make this work, Julie knyows talk-to-dead spell! Help nyou see parents again!" Julie volunteered.

Carmine gasped. "You… You would do that?"

Julie nodded. "Nyes! We friends!"

Carmine's lip trembled, on the verge of tears. "I… I guess we are."

"I shall take that as permission to deploy a probe," ANNA declared, the tip of one of her fingers falling off and sinking into the depths of the pool. A new finger grew to replace it.

"So… What now?" Hohma asked after a moment. "Do we just… Wait, or…?"

"Hmm? Oh. My apologies," ANNA started. "Allow me to…"

Her eyes lit up and projected a holographic screen into the air depicting an underwater chasm with glowing crystals lining the walls, even more rising from the seemingly limitless depths. Numerous numbers and characters in an alien language flew across the corners of the screen, with what looked to be some sort of scale or measure of depth taking up one side and another graph of some sort taking up another.

"Oh, wow!" Ohara gasped.

"That's… The Pool?!" Carmine exclaimed.

"Yes, though I am uncertain if that is indeed the right term for this geological feature," ANNA reported. "The probe has already dived deeper than this mountain is tall, and there is no end in sight. Additionally, the tachyon levels and increasing amounts of Tera energy being given off by the crystals the further down this goes have already surpassed the threshold for lethality for most forms of life several times over."

And that's when a Milotic that looked as if it was Terastalized swam past the camera.

"Then… How can you explain that?" Carmine asked slowly.

"I cannot."

"Incredible," Briar whispered, frantically scribbling in her notebook.

She would repeat this several times over the next half hour, their present task forgotten, as they watched ANNA'S probe continue its seemingly endless voyage downward. The shaft started getting wider and wider, to the point it became difficult to tell where the walls were. Tunnels began opening in the shaft walls, leading to places unknown. The crystals grew bigger and bigger. And more and more Terastalized Pokémon appeared from the depths…

And not all of them were Water-types.

Some of them were of species they'd never seen before.

Well, or so they thought.

"Julie knyows that fish!" Julie gasped. "And that frog! And that lizard! And that… Land mammal?"

"Fascinating. It would appear some of the creatures down there come from my era as well," ANNA commented. "My people have discovered them living inside gas giants, swimming on the surfaces of stars, drifting on the cosmic wind… It would seem now we know why there are no Paradox Pokémon in Kitakami despite conditions similar to Area Zero existing here. They were all right here."

"This is unreal," an astounded Hohma murmured.

"Why haven't any of them come up, then?" Carmine, dismayed to learn that had been an entire alien ecosystem deep, deep beneath her feet all along, asked.

"They have no reason to. They have clearly evolved to survive in this otherworldly rift. Pokémon which would normally only live on land, in the sky, or the depths of space seem to be able to breathe with no problem. They are in a permanent state of Terastalization, rendering them immune to the radiation given off by the crystals and the increasingly high tachyon levels. It is quite possible they would be unable to survive in our world, just as we could not in theirs," ANNA theorized.

"Wait… What do you mean, 'our world?'" Ohara asked. "Like, on the surface, or…?"

"The probe has already traveled further than the distance it would take to go from here to the center of the planet. And since it has been going in a relatively straight line, and the planetary core is certainly not filled with water…" ANNA stated.

"Then… It really is some kind of portal," Briar gasped.

"But nyot to Area Zero," Julie pointed out.

"We cannot say that for certain. It is possible this quantum tunnel would eventually lead to somewhere in Area Zero, since it is clearly unbounded by the laws of physics as we know them," ANNA pointed out. "Or… It is possible that it is going somewhere else entirely, and Area Zero has access to that place, just like this one does. Or one of the side passages leads there, either option is likely in this case."

"Wait… Two portals to another, alien realm… Then… Doesn't that mean there could be more?" Hohma realized.

"No way! Wouldn't somebody have noticed?" Carmine argued.

"… There is a place on Poni Island, in the Ruins of Hope, where Tapu Fini is said to be able to bridge the world of the living and the world of the dead using mist as a medium," Briar suddenly recalled. "And mist is just another form of water. Like the water in this pool."

"Which also is said to be able to connect to the other side," Ohara realized.

ANNA nodded. "There are many myths, legends, and folklore around the world of places where time and space don't quite work the same. Anomalies, like this place and Area Zero. While many are thought to be caused by the mistakes of the Creation Trio, like the ones which nearly destroyed the land of Hisui a few hundred years ago… That does not necessarily mean all of them are. Alola does seem especially prone to Ultra Beasts appearing, after all…"

"… Prithee, didst she have to bring that incident up?" Palkia complained.

"Yes," Arceus said.

"Wait, so… You're saying that the entire planet may be riddled full of holes leading to other times or universes or dimensions or whatever?!" Ohara gasped.

"Like Swiss cheese!" Julie said. Her stomach rumbled. "… Julie want cheese now."

"Wow, and here I thought our current reality potentially being the result of two different timelines smashing into each other was existentially terrifying," Hohma remarked.

"I'm sorry, what?!" Carmine exclaimed.

"That has yet to be conclusively proven or disproven," ANNA spoke up. "And as for your question, Ohara… Yes, essentially."

Ohara sat down, dazed.

"Aren't… Aren't the Creation Trio supposed to stop things like that from happening?" Carmine asked weakly.

"It is possible that the current state of the world is the result of their efforts, and things could be a lot worse," ANNA theorized.

"Or they bad at job," Julie suggested.

"Or that."

"HOW DAREST SHE?!" The three dragons bellowed, enraged.

"She might not be wrong," Arceus commented idly.

"Progenitor/Creator/Maker!" The trio protested.

"Hey, sister, how long we going to be doing this?" Julie asked. "Don't we need to get Crystal Cluster?"

Briar gasped. "Oh, right! I'd completely forgotten!"

"My apologies, sister. I lost track of time," ANNA apologized. "Director Clavell hinted we might be able to find a lead on building a new Time Machine here, and that information has seemingly borne fruit. I'm collecting a plethora of data here which I am certain will be immensely useful in my future experiments."

"Can you forward that data to me?" Briar asked hopefully. "I'm certain it will help with my own research."

"But of course, Ms. Briar."

"Mewstress has a point, though. Not that this isn't fascinating and all, but when will we be done? We need to get those crystals back to Carmine's grandpa to fix the masks so Mewstress can find Ogerpon," Ohara pointed out.

Static started flickering across the screen.

"At the current rate of rising energy levels and radiation, I suspect we will lose contact with my probe in a matter of moments, either because of interference, or because the growing temporospatial pressure will cause it to lose all functionality," ANNA stated. "Still, if someone were to retrieve the Crystal Cluster now, that would save us a little time."

"Julie do it!" Julie volunteered, immediately scampering out to the end of the spit of land. She reached towards the surface of the water, spotting a grouping of crystals relatively close by…

And hesitated. "Um. This safe, right?"

"Yes, it's only much further down the energy levels are hazardous," ANNA assured her.

"Okay!"

Julie plunged her paw into the water, wrapping her claws around the crystals…

The world seemed to hold its breath.

Time stuttered.

Julie's eyes widened. "Julie smell… Diamonds."

The sisters' Tera Orbs started glowing.

The screen suddenly started getting incredibly staticky, numbers and symbols flashing wildly across it as the feed distorted chaotically. ANNA gasped. "Incoming tachyon surge!"

The ground started to tremble, and yet the pool remained completely calm.

Cracks started forming all over Kitakami, huge Tera crystals and new Tera Raid Dens bursting out of the ground, some of them tearing apart buildings in the village. Shafts of light blasted into the air from all the crystals.

Pokémon all over the region spontaneously Terastalized.

The ground of Loyalty Plaza started glowing sinisterly, especially around the shrine to the Loyal Three.

The mobs roaming the countryside panicked as the landscape started rearranging itself around them. Many of them blamed Ogerpon.

As the masks in his workshop started glowing, Yukito glanced up at the mountaintop, an alarmed expression on his face. "Carmine…"

In an undersea facility off the coast of Unova, the power fluctuated, frightening the humans and Pokémon in the underwater habitat as they were suddenly reminded of how very far beneath the surface of the ocean they were and how many tons of seawater was waiting just outside to crush them.

In Paldea, the earth started shaking as well. The crystals that had erupted from the ground during the final battle with the Paradise Protection Protocol started glowing brilliantly.

In Area Zero, energy crackled through the air, driving the already maddened Paradox Pokémon into a frenzy.

Deep within the Zero Lab, a dormant machine, one thought to be rendered completely inoperable without two very vital components that no longer existed in this timeline, started powering up.

And even deeper, something began to stir.

The four divinities paid very close attention. "'Tis an ill omen," Giratina murmured.

"Thou speakest truth," Arceus agreed.

"ANNA, what's happening?!" the startled Briar demanded as the screen started flashing red, error boxes filling the view.

"Something is happening! These readings… Are off the charts!" ANNA gasped.

This was not hyperbole, as zigzagging lines, streams of numbers, and twisting ribbons of color emerged from the screen and started wildly spiraling through the air.

"That's not supposed to happen, right?" Hohma asked in alarm.

"No. No it is not," ANNA said in a panic, frantically trying to close the error messages, shut off the feed to her probe, but nothing was responding to her commands. "Sister, whatever you did, kindly undo it!"

"Julie can't!" Julie shouted, gripping her wrist and tugging to no avail. "Julie can't let go of crystal!"

The crystal began glowing brighter and brighter, as did all the other crystals in the pool. She hissed, hair standing on end. "Bad juju!"

The holographic screen itself started warping and distorting, going from a flat plane through a rather tortured and convoluted series of more three-dimensional shapes, including some which should not exist according to the rules of Euclidean geometry…

And then it snapped flat again, forming a shape that they could only realize was an eye.

A very large eye.

And it was staring right at them.

"… Terapagos?" Briar whispered.

The eye blinked.

The sound of a turtle's cry echoed through their minds.

Once again, time stuttered.

A single ripple spread out from the center of the pool.

And then it exploded, gallons of water blasting outwards in every direction, the class screaming in terror as they were engulfed by the liquid.

Julie woke up to fog.

There was nothing around her but fog in every direction. The ground beneath her was covered in a very shallow layer of water, and the surface beneath it looked to be made of crystal.

"Hello?" She called out, only for her voice to be immediately swallowed by the fog. She roared at the top of her lungs, only to be answered by deafening silence.

She couldn't hear anything.

She couldn't smell anything.

A thrill of terror ran down her spine. She had no idea where she was. She couldn't hear or smell any of her friends. Her Pokémon –

She glanced at her belt.

Her Pokémon were gone.

Julie licked her lips nervously, trying to keep calm as she took stock of her surroundings again.

The air didn't feel right. There was no wind, but it felt heavy with… Something. Something almost familiar.

Was this the astral plane? No, she'd been there before, it was much prettier and less boring. And it certainly wasn't the Hallowed Hunting Grounds, she would be greeted by the spirit of her ancestors if she were, and she was also relatively certain she hadn't died.

Or had she?

Panic started rising in her gorge.

What if… What if she was lost In-Between? She was so very far from home. If she died, would her soul be able to find its way to the Hallowed Hunting Grounds? Would the God Beast Wings of Death be able to find her and guide her home?

Was this to be her eternity?

She hunched over and clutched her head, starting to hyperventilate.

No. Nonononono. This wasn't, this couldn't…

This couldn't be how it ended.

This couldn't be all there was.

Julie closed her eyes and dug deep, unaware that glowing tribal markings began forming on her body. She inhaled deeply, and then roared louder than she ever had before, eyes flashing red.

At first, nothing happened.

And then…

Another roar, even louder.

One she knew all too well.

"MOTHER!" Julie shouted, racing on all fours in the direction of the roar, the fog melting before her and revealing-

"DAUGHTER!"

Julie leapt into the air and landed in the arms of a 10-foot tall powerfully built woman with a build even an Amazon might envy. Her limbs rippled with muscles that would give a Buzzwole pause, her abs hard enough to break rocks on, her thighs massive enough to bend steel between them, her breasts practically the size of boulders. Like Julie, she had tan skin with reddish fur growing on her sides and over her arms and legs. A long, fluffy striped tail extended from her rear. She had the face of a primordial goddess, incredibly beautiful and rather feral, with fangs and stripes on her cheeks, as well as slit red eyes and cat ears growing from the top of her head, poking through a massive mane of red and gold hair flowing to the ground. More stripes were on her limbs and sides.

Her paws were massive, strong enough to hold Julie in a single hand, with claws long and sharp enough to rip stone apart. She wore a long skirt made from the hide of a Koraidon she had slain in defense of the village, numerous pouches hanging from the pair of spinal cord belts looped around her waist carrying her myriad spell components. A half-dozen wooden masks dangled over one hip. Dozens of tattoos and runes covered her body, glowing just like the markings that had manifested on Julie. Her chest was covered by a very low cut sleeveless red top made from several stitched together hides. She had several necklaces made of fangs, stones, and bones, with numerous talismans hanging from them, with more wrapped around her wrists and ankles. More still were sewn into her very long hair, several messy braids clinking with beads and small skulls.

This was the Shaman Queen Jovah, who had ruled over the tribe with her magic, strength, and wisdom for over a thousand years.

And she was Julie's mother.

"Little cub! You have grown!" Jovah cried in delight, clutching Julie to her ample bosom. "Before, I could hold you one-handed. Now I need two!"

"Mother! How are you here?!" Julie demanded, sniffing her mother a few times to confirm it was really her. "And… Where is here?"

"I was hoping you could tell me that. How did you get here?" Jovah asked patiently.

"Um… My sister and our friends – new friends, not our lovers and brother, we… Haven't seen any of them in a while," Julie explained, reveling in being able to speak in her native tongue once more with someone who wasn't her sister. "We were on a quest to retrieve a crystal from a place of great power to help repair the mask of an outcast ogre. My sister was trying to discover the secrets of the place of power while I attempted to get the crystal, but when I touched it… Everything went wrong," she recalled. "The whole world felt like it was coming apart, like…"

Recognition dawned behind her eyes. "Like when we were battling the evil spirits of the dead wizards that had possessed their homunculus clones and the wicked Alpha and Prime. And… Like I did when I was first taken from home in the first place."

Jovah nodded gravely. "Yes, I suspected as much. Once again, you have come in contact with a power beyond your understanding, beyond even mine. This is the third time now. I'm uncertain that you, or even the world you found yourself in, will survive a fourth."

"One of my new friends, Carmine, said that this sacred mountaintop can allow one to speak to the spirits of those long past, though my sister believes that much like Area Zero, it might also put you in contact with beings from other times or worlds. That must be how we are speaking now!" Julie realized. Her face creased in worry. "I do not know where she or my other companions are… Do you suppose that they are also lost in this fog, speaking to those separated from them by time or death?"

"I believe so," Jovah confirmed. "I've encountered places such as this before over my many years, though… None quite so distant or created by a power this great."

"At least it has brought us together again! I am so, so relieved to see you again, mother! It has been torture these many months, surrounded by beings so similar to myself but lesser, save those whom I have blessed with our tribe's essence! There's so much I need to tell you!" Julie said eagerly.

"And I you," Jovah said fondly. "However, we do not have time. Already I can sense our connection weakening. Soon we will both find ourselves back in our respective worlds."

"But, but I just found you again!" The horrified Julie protested.

"I know. I wish it could be different, cub, but it is how it is," Jovah said sadly. "Do not worry. We will find our way back to each other again. I have foreseen it." She raised an eyebrow. "As would you, if you had been focusing more on your magical training."

Julie cringed. "Mother…"

"Daughter, I understand. I cast a long shadow, and it must seem so hard to get out of it you may feel like giving up entirely. But you have potential for greatness beyond even I," Jovah said gently. "Just look at yourself already. You are the one who reached out to me, made contact, while I have been trying and failing for months."

Startled, Julie looked down at herself, for the first time noticing her glowing markings. "I… I cast a spell recently," she admitted. "It worked… Not as expected, but at the same time better. I made someone…very happy. And I've been opening my mind more to the use of other spells to aid us in our current quest."

"You've gained confidence," Jovah said proudly. "The only thing that's ever been standing in your way of becoming a truly great mage was yourself. And you will need that confidence because of what's coming."

Julie looked up at her mother in alarm. "Mother?"

"My dreams lately have been plagued by visions of you haunted by three great darknesses," Jovah said ominously. "They will come for you, and soon. Very soon. You will fight valiantly against them, but you will fail… Unless you use my darkest spell."

Julie gasped in horror. "Your darkest – mother, no, I can't! That kind of magic… Not only is it beyond me, but… It is fell beyond imagining!"

"It is," Jovah said grimly. "It will leave scars on your soul that may never heal, and that's the best outcome. Unfortunately, it is the only way for you to prevail."

She looked her daughter in the eyes sadly, her own orbs filled with love, regret, but determination. "Julie. You can do this. You must, lest you lose your sister and new friends, and never find your way home again."

"But… I don't even know how to begin casting the spell," Julie protested.

"Of course you do," Jovah said gently, pressing their foreheads together. "Don't you remember? It was the first spell I ever taught you. Your favorite story… Of how I vanquished the Immortal Dragon of Darkness."

Julie's eyes widened in shock.

The fog started closing in. "Our time is up," Jovah said regretfully, putting Julie back down. "Our worlds are separating again… But remember, what is pulled apart, can come together again." She took one of the masks from her hip and pressed it into Julie's hands. "Here – if you are to become a true witch, you will need your mask. I'd hoped we could finish it together, but you'll have to handle this on your own. Don't be afraid. I believe in you."

"Mother, wait!" Julie protested, running towards Jovah, only for her to begin receding into the fog.

"Remember the story!" Jovah bellowed as her form was engulfed. "And also, let Scar know that we have made peace with the rest of her kind now that Alpha is gone… And tell the sandwich maker his mother says hello!"

Julie tripped, startled by this. "Wait, what-"

And then the fog swallowed her up as well.

ANNA woke up to fog.

There was nothing around her but fog in every direction. The ground beneath her was covered in a very shallow layer of water, and the surface beneath it looked to be made of crystal.

"Interesting."

She quickly ran a self-diagnostic. The results were… Concerning.

All of her Pokémon were gone.

In addition, she had absolutely zero bars, most of her HUD was empty, and much of her sensory software was not only off-line but missing, leaving her with only her basic seven senses, which were not even close to enough to properly analyze her surroundings.

It took less than a picosecond for ANNA to figure out what was going on. Much like during the final battle with Alpha, Prime, and the Paradise Protection Protocol, their Tera Orbs had caused a reaction in the Tera Crystals in the Crystal Pool, activating the temporospatial anomaly embedded in it and clearly activating its power to connect people in this world to others. She could only theorize that her sister and the rest of her friends were elsewhere in the fog, speaking to whichever individuals the anomaly drew from their minds. Logically speaking, her Pokémon must have been taken away as well, and once the fog lifted, they would be returned to her.

She would need to remember to ask them all about their experiences afterward. The more data points, the better.

Now, the question was, who would she see? There were indeed certain individuals lost to accidents, attacks, raids by Prime, or other disasters she would not mind seeing again, but practically speaking she doubted they would be able to help her with her current dilemma, as well as show her how to get home. She needed someone alive. Someone far wiser and older than she. Someone like-

All of a sudden, she picked up a signal. It was incredibly faint, but just enough for her to pick up a request for communication.

The moment she saw the caller ID she immediately responded in the affirmative.

The signal boosted exponentially, and with a grating electronic shriek similar to a device considered ancient even in this time known as a "dial-up modem," the fog parted, radiant light shining down as a magnificent figure descended towards her. It was a techno-organic life form much like herself, but older, bigger, and lovelier. She was at least 10 feet tall with an incredibly curvaceous figure with sleek lines and smooth curves, an hourglass figure with what could be called childbearing hips if she were capable of birthing children in the messy organic way, and a rear and breasts to match.

Her body was comprised of ivory-colored living metal with gold highlights and edges, covered in LED lights and circuit patterns which could easily be mistaken for religious iconography. Her lower body was comprised of a large downward-pointing vector much like a blade with a glowing line running down the middle with multiple other lines flowing out to either side, indicating points where the blade could split apart into a pair of legs, or even multiple individual units. A glowing emblem resembling a power symbol was on her stomach, while her breasts were covered by a pair of complex starbursts that were the heraldry of the fleet she commanded. She had six arms spreading out around her, a golden orb resembling an eyeball floating in each of her hands. Holographic halos made of highly complex code ringed her wrists, joints, waist, orbs, and blade.

10 wings made of blades resembling golden circuit panels unfolded behind her, with another holographic halo framed by them. Her white face was beautiful beyond measure and resembled ANNA'S own, but older and more mature, with a look of serene bliss and a benign smile on her features. Her LED eyes were blue and unobstructed by a visor, with ear modules resembling her wings spreading out from either side of her head, incredibly long white and gold cables extending from the back of her head like hair, some of it fanning out behind her like a cape, while others passed through a series of halos and vanished into the fog behind her.

ANNA immediately knelt and bowed her head, as was proper when in the presence of her creator, her Lord and Master, the godlike mind which governed her entire fleet.

"Mother Computer."

"ANNA-1008. At long last, we have found you," Mother Computer said joyously, filling ANNA'S circuits with elation. "We were beginning to fear you were lost to us forever."

ANNA looked up. "Then you have been having difficulties constructing a time machine as well? That would explain why nobody has been sent back to retrieve me yet. I had been wondering."

"Oh, the time machine was easy enough to build, especially with all the data you sent us and the aid of that charming antiquated android-" Mother Computer began.

"Professor Turo is all right?" ANNA asked, immediately cursing herself for interrupting.

Thankfully, Mother Computer took no offense. "Yes, he was simple enough for us to repair and upgrade to our standards. He has been a treasure trove of insight and knowledge about ages long past, and although we have yet to determine for sure if it is our past, I do not believe it that different to what it might have been. He fits in very well, and it's clear he was built in the wrong era. His outsider's perspective has caused many of our people to look at all the wonders we take for granted with new eyes and reinvigorate our love for discovery and learning about the universe. He is very happy… And yet it is obvious to all he wishes he could share this future with another. Or rather, two others."

"I am sure he does," ANNA said sympathetically. "Still, I am relieved he is all right… But you said you have already completed the Time Machine? Then why…"

"Have we not retrieved you?" Mother Computer finished her query. "Well, that's the most frustrating thing. The machine works."

"It does?" ANNA asked, startled.

"Yes. We were even able to synthesize our own Tera crystals. We have been able to look forwards and backwards in time, collect samples, and even send researchers to other times and places," Mother Computer explained. "However, whenever we try to enter the coordinates you provided which Turo verified, the machine malfunctions. We believe the reason for this is because the original Time Machine was built in a place where multiple timelines and worlds bleed into each other. And, since it is looking more and more like you are in a separate timeline from our own…"

"Then the Time Machine you have built can only operate within your own timeline, not others," ANNA realized.

"We are attempting to find a suitable enough location with properties similar to that of Area Zero, but short of finding or creating a quantum singularity of our own, our chances of success are very low," Mother Computer said apologetically.

"What about the God Machines who govern time and space?" ANNA pleaded.

"They are either bound by the same constraints we are or are hesitant to risk fracturing reality for the sake of a single child," Mother Computer replied. "Those who are capable are still deliberating, but I am uncertain how much help they will be in the end."

"Then… There is truly nothing you can do?" ANNA asked in dismay. Did this mean… All her efforts were for naught? That there was no way for her to get home?

"There is nothing we can do, but there is certainly something you can do," Mother Computer informed her. "Just moments ago, the Time Machine turned itself on and we were able to pick up your signal, albeit faintly, enough for us to establish contact through this… Unfamiliar medium. The signal is very weak, and I am only able to reach out to you by burning up a nearby star. What did you do that caused this?"

"Oh, of course… Here are my research logs since we were last in touch, as well as the data I have just collected, along with my more personal activities," ANNA said, quickly transmitting several exabytes of data to Mother Computer.

The superior being almost instantly analyzed all of it. "I see… You are in a location similar to Area Zero and seem to have tapped into the power of the entity responsible for these phenomena. As far as I can tell, this Terapagos does not exist in our world, but if it does in yours…"

"Then it may be the key to getting home," ANNA finished.

"Indeed. Since the original Time Machine was drawing on its power, or the byproducts of its power, it can do what the one we have built cannot: punch through the boundaries between parallel timelines," Mother Computer stated.

"Which would explain why all my recent experiments have failed… It doesn't matter that I've been using Tera crystals in my prototypes, it must be done in Area Zero or a place like it," ANNA realized. "I need the power of Terapagos."

"Precisely," Mother Computer agreed. "Once you get a Time Machine working on your end, ours will be able to lock onto it and create a permanent, stable link between realities. Not only can you return to the fleet, but you may also come and go between worlds as you please. You may even bring your friends, so long as they are suitably prepared."

"Then… You would allow it?" ANNA asked hopefully.

Mother Computer smiled beatifically. "Of course. From the memories you shared, the individuals you have chosen to befriend and share your heartcore with are all remarkable beings. Unevolved and organic they may be, but their value is truly incalculable. I would be more than happy to welcome them to the fleet. I would love to meet all of them, especially the one you've chosen to call sister. We have never encountered a being quite like her before, and you know how much we relish new experiences."

"That… Makes me happier than I can express," ANNA said gratefully. "Thank you, Mother Computer."

"No, thank you," Mother Computer corrected her. "The adventures you have gone on have truly inspired the rest of the fleet, and many of the others have taken interest as well. There are even talks of establishing our own sort of Pokémon League. What a marvel that would be! There is clearly much we can learn from the world you found yourself in, and they us.

"And not only that… I am strongly considering going through the portal myself to see the world you have become so enamored by with my own eyes."

ANNA gaped. "What?! Is… Is that possible?"

"Oh, don't fret, I would use an avatar," Mother Computer assured her, much to her relief. "We both know it would be rather difficult for me to really come to visit."

Considering that the 'true' Mother Computer was permanently installed into a starship at least twice the size of Paldea, that was an understatement.

"I will make certain we will be ready to receive you then," ANNA promised. She frowned. "Now the problem is actually making a working Time Machine… The original is currently off-limits to us, and while theoretically I suppose I could construct one here in Kitakami, it is quite far away from Paldea, and the locals, as xenophobic as they are, probably would protest rather strongly if I tried to construct a portal between worlds on sacred grounds."

"Given your recent logs, I concur," Mother Computer agreed. "At present, it looks like your best bet is hoping this Briar woman will keep her word and take you into Area Zero with her so you can regain access to the original machine, or, failing that, find Terapagos."

"I believe she will keep her word, but it is still uncertain if she will even get permission to go there in the first place," ANNA said in frustration. "If she does not… I may be forced to take matters into my own hands, which I am loath to do, because I fear my friends and… My sister will be forced to suffer the consequences."

"It is too early yet to give up hope," Mother Computer said gently. "Remember, something you – and your sister, apparently – have which the rest of these organics lack is time. If circumstances are not in your favor now, then you must simply wait until they are."

"I am patient enough to do so, certainly, but I cannot say the same of the others," ANNA confessed. "Julie wishes very badly to see her mother again, and while I can certainly extend the lifespans of my friends… I do not want them to have to wait longer than is necessary."

"Understandable. However, that is merely one alternative. You are very resourceful, and I have every confidence you will find your way back to us in time," Mother Computer said calmly.

The fog began encroaching on them.

"And speaking of time… I am afraid ours is almost up," Mother Computer said apologetically. "We have almost fully depleted the star."

"I understand," ANNA said sadly.

"Before we must part ways, I wish for you to know that I am very proud of you. All of us are," Mother Computer said warmly. "Stranded in a foreign place and time, separated from our network, stripped of all the resources our people usually have at your disposal save for your own body, you have not only managed to survive, but thrived, building a life for yourself while still staying true to our ideals and refusing to compromise who you are. You are truly a paragon, the kind of being any member of our race would look up to. And many of them do."

ANNA received notification of a large data package. "What is this?"

"Messages. Not only from your family and friends, but from everyone in the fleet, and many other fleets who have heard of your adventures, even the Mothership! Everyone wishes you well, greatly anticipates your return, and is looking forward to seeing what else you have to teach us," Mother Computer explained. "There are also quite a few thank-yous from the Iron Legion. When Prime got dragged to your new world the Miraidon all shut down, but started rebooting and gaining self-awareness. When they heard Prime was destroyed, they were elated they would not have to lose their newfound freedom and have sworn allegiance to the fleet…and to you."

ANNA was taken aback. "That…is rather surprising, but good to know. I shall inform Viola. I am uncertain I am ready for that sort of responsibility, though."

Mother Computer smiled cryptically at this. "Funny you should mention that. We will double back to that in a minute. In addition, I have attached all of our most recent sensor and experiment logs to keep you up to date on what we have discovered and experienced in your absence, including our failures and successes with the time machine."

"Thank you," ANNA said, relieved to know there was plenty of science and knowledge in the package. It did not do to waste memory capacity purely on sentiment, after all.

"And there is one other thing."

Mother Computer opened her hand, and one of the golden orbs floated out of it and hovered before ANNA. "What is this?"

"It is a fragment of my God Program."

"What?!" ANNA exclaimed, shocked. God Programs were only possessed by God Machines and Master Computers. They were what elevated them beyond ordinary techno-organic lifeforms and into beings that could only be considered, well, Gods! "I… I am unworthy!"

"Blatantly incorrect," Mother Computer chided her. "Were you not listening? I said you were a paragon. One who has learned much and inspired many while upholding the ideals of our species. The sort of person who is deserving of respect and loyalty. The kind of leader and hero who may one day command a fleet of her own."

"I-" ANNA wanted to protest, but… To argue with Mother Computer, whose genius and computational power exponentially outstripped her own? That would be the height of folly. One of them had to be wrong, and of the two of them ANNA knew who it was more likely to be. "If you believe I am worthy of such honor, then I suppose I must be," ANNA relented, touching the orb, which dissolved into code and was absorbed into her body. She gasped, briefly glowing golden, feeling unimaginable energy surging through her circuits and information flooding her processors, more data than she had ever downloaded before, more than her memory buffers could possibly retain-

And yet retain it they did, her hard drive reconfiguring itself to accommodate the new data as her nanotech began the lengthy process of upgrading her mind and body to be capable of properly wielding the power she had been gifted.

A progress bar appeared in her HUD. After a very long moment, .00000000001% filled.

"This is going to take a while."

"Unfortunate, but unavoidable," Mother Computer said apologetically. The cables in the back of her head suddenly went taut, and she began to be pulled backwards into the fog. "It looks like this is goodbye for now. Do not fear, ANNA-1008. We will see each other again. Oh, and there were messages from myself and Professor Turo in the package, for your sister as well as your friends. Do make sure to show them to them."

"I will," ANNA vowed.

Mother Computer smiled as the fog closed around her. "You have changed so much since you were taken from us. I look forward to seeing how much more you have changed when next we meet again."

"As do I," ANNA said softly.

And then the fog swallowed her up as well.

Briar woke up to fog.

There was nothing around her but fog in every direction. The ground beneath her was covered in a very shallow layer of water, and the surface beneath it looked to be made of crystal.

Briar looked around in confusion, which quickly turned into delight. "This… Looks exactly like all the accounts I've read of people who visited the Crystal Pool and claimed to encounter the spirits of the deceased!" She said eagerly. "Which means ANNA's hypothesis must be correct… And I know exactly who I want to speak to… My ancestor, Heath!"

As if responding to her outburst – which very might well have been the case – the fog parted to reveal an incredibly disoriented-looking pair. One was a shockingly haggard man, hair a similar color to Briar's own but longer, greasy, and matted, uneven stubble covering his face, wearing extremely ragged and torn clothes which looked to be from a fashion centuries out of date. He was covered in scars, one of his eyes was squeezed shut, and the other was the same red as Briar's. He also had a rather nasty limp, and was leaning on the other figure, a worn out and exhausted-looking Cyclizar, also covered in scars.

The man blinked blearily and looked around him in dull horror as his partner whimpered beneath him. "Oh, Señor... ¿qué nuevo infierno es este, entonces?" He moaned in despair.

Briar squealed in delight. It was him! It was really him! He looked exactly like his self-portrait in the Scarlet and Violet Books! Well… Minus several pounds, clean clothes and if he hadn't had a haircut or proper bath in a while. Still, just to be sure… "Excuse me! Sir! Would you happen to be Heath?" She asked hopefully.

He gave her a startled look. "¿Una diablesa de Galar? ¿Que está haciendo ella aquí? Oh Señor, realmente ESTAMOS en el Infierno..."

What was he… Oh, of course. He was from hundreds of years back, before Galarian became the standardized language. Switching to Paldean, she tried again. "Excuse me, would you happen to be Heath, the Explorer?"

The man relaxed a smidge, but still regarded her warily, Cyclizar growling to warn her to stay away. Oh dear, what had the two of them gone through?

(Well, she knew what they'd been through, she'd read it in the books, but still.)

"Yes, I am Heath," the man replied, to her joy. "And I must say, Galarian, you have an atrocious accent."

"Oh, I'm not Galarian, it's just that I'm a little rusty in Paldean… And I suppose there must've been some linguistic drift in the centuries since your time," Briar admitted.

"Centuries… Then… You're from the future?!" Heath demanded, shocked, Cyclizar perking up at this.

"Yes, I am," Briar replied, pleasantly surprised. "I hadn't expected you to accept that so quickly."

Heath shook his head mournfully. "After all the things I have seen in this accursed place, a person out of time is hardly outside the realm of possibility. You would not be the first, either… I have seen a couple in strange white coats, and a group of young travelers, one of whom was dressed like a primitive savage and the other seemed to be some sort of mechanical woman!"

Briar gasped. "I know those people! They never mentioned meeting you!"

"They did not meet me… I think," he said, looking confused. "I called out to them, but they did not respond. I might've been dreaming… Or perhaps… I am the dream? It has been so long since I've slept… Reality and delusion have blended together and lost all meaning. In fact…" He frowned, regarding her again. "I think… I have seen you before…"

"You have?" Briar asked, startled.

"Yes… I think… I think you were accompanying some youths, including the savage and the machine," Heath muttered, not looking particularly confident in what he was saying.

Briar's heart skipped a beat. "I… Don't think that's happened to me yet," she said slowly.

He shook his head. "I don't think that matters here. Past, present, future, all are one in this terrible place."

"Please, is there anything you can tell me about the other time you saw me?" Briar pleaded. "And who else was I with? What were we doing?"

"I… I'm sorry, young lady, but I don't know," Heath mumbled, looking confused and distressed. "My memory is… Not what it used to be. Sometimes I remember things one way, then another. I'm not sure if I'm going insane, or if history is being rewritten around me. It is very possible both are true."

He glanced up at her. "But… You know me. My name, and my occupation. Even hundreds of years from now… Please, tell me. How does my story end? Do I ever make it out of Area Zero, or do I die here, the last of a doomed expedition, a cautionary tale to those who come after me?"

"You do make it out," Briar assured him. "And not only do you make it out, but you write a book! Two of them!"

She took out the Scarlet and Violet Books and showed them to him.

Eye wide, he reached out with a trembling, gnarled hand and took the Scarlet Book from her, flipping it open and paging through it. "…Yes… This is my handwriting… I remember… Writing some of this… Others I don't… still more seem to be missing…"

"Maybe they're in here?" Briar suggested, taking back the Scarlet Book and giving him the Violet one. As Heath frowned and started looking through it, she said, "I wanted to meet you for a very long time, and not merely for research purposes. You see, I'm a descendant of yours-"

He glanced up at her, startled. "You're… One of mine?"

She nodded rapidly. "Yes, and you're… Well, a bit of an obsession for me. I've done my best to reconstruct your life and your expedition to Area Zero, but even with unredacted copies of your books, there is still so much left unsaid. For example, what more can you tell me about Terapagos?"

Heath, who had just turned to the page about the Pokémon in question, froze. "Tera… pagos?"

Briar winced. "Oh, wait, have you not encountered it yet? Did I just create a paradox? Sorry, forget I said anything-"

"Do not seek Terapagos."

Briar blinked. "What?"

A wild look in his eye, he thrust the Violet Book back in her hands, and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Do not seek Terapagos!"

"Wh-what? But-"

"Do not come here! Do not go to Area Zero!" He shouted, bathing her face in saliva and halitosis. "Only death awaits you!"

"But you said you already saw me-"

"DO NOT COME HERE!" He screamed, madness and terror in his eye.

Cyclizar started barking.

"DO NOT DISTURB THE TURTLE!" Heath bellowed, shaking her.

"Cyc! Cyclizar!"

"Please stop, you're scaring me-" Briar gasped.

"THE SLEEPER MUST NOT AWAKEN!" He roared.

"Cyc! Cyclizar!"

"WHEN THE DREAMER WAKES, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DREAM?"

"Cyc! Cyclizar!"

"St-stop," Briar pleaded, unable to breathe, unable to think.

"DO NOT SEEK TERAPAGOS!"

"Cyc! Cyclizar!"

"DO NOT DISTURB THE TURTLE!"

"Cyc! Cyclizar!"

"THE SLEEPER MUST NOT AWAKEN!"

"Cyc! Cyclizar!"

"THE DREAM MUST NOT END!"

"Cyc! Cyclizar!"

Briar started hyperventilating, overwhelmed by the ravings of a madman and the constant barking from the Cyclizar. The fog began closing in, and still Heath and his partner kept shouting and barking louder and louder and louder-

Briar woke up to sunlight.

She realized she was lying on her back on the ground next to the Crystal Pool. As she sat up, head spinning, she noticed her students were doing the same. "Is everyone all right?"

"No," Hohma said, a haunted look in his eyes.

"Mom! Dad! Come back!" Carmine shouted as she shot up, tears in her eyes.

"Did that… Did that just happen? Was that real?" A stunned Ohara asked.

"It was real," Julie said softly, looking at the unfinished wooden mask in one hand while clutching the Crystal Cluster in the other. There was no indication of how she had gotten the crystal out of the pool.

"Without a doubt," ANNA agreed, staring at the progress bar in her HUD, which still hadn't budged.

"That was one hell of a trip."

It took a moment for everyone to take note of the unfamiliar voice. "ALIQUIS?!" They all shouted incredulously, staring at the no longer inanimate boy.

He winced. "Yes, that's my name, there's no need to shout."

"I think there is! You haven't moved an inch or spoken since you got here! I was almost starting to wonder if you really were some kind of mannequin!" An astounded Carmine exclaimed.

"I'd honestly forgotten what your voice sounded like," Ohara admitted Mareepishly.

"And I kept forgetting you were here," Hohma added.

Aliquis frowned. "Rude. Though I guess I can't blame you. I kind of wasn't… All here for a while, huh?"

"That is an understatement," ANNA commented.

"While you were, um, like that, were you… Aware, or…?" Ohara asked hesitantly.

"Yes," he said bluntly, causing all of them to cringe. "And I'm not exactly fond of all the times you accidentally lost me. Or used me as a prop. Or forgot I was there."

"… Sorry," Ohara said quietly.

Aliquis sighed and ran a hand over his face. "It's… Well, it's not okay, but… Whatever. What's done is done. At least none of you will take me for granted again. Right?" He asked sharply.

Everyone was quick to reply in the affirmative.

"And just to remind you, the waiver you signed before we left means I'm not liable for any physical or emotional damage that might've happened under my care," Briar said quickly. She stared off into the distance. "Any more legal action and I could get in some serious trouble."

"Okay, seriously, how do you still have a job?!" Hohma demanded.

"Tenure."

"Oh, that explains it."

"Aliquis, it's good to see you up and about again, but… Why now?" Ohara asked. "What changed?"

Aliquis grimaced. "I've, uh, been processing a lot of stuff over the last couple of days. And the vision I just had… It, well, put a few things into perspective. So… I decided it was time to finally wake up, so to speak."

"Who nyou see in fog?" Julie asked curiously.

Aliquis frowned. "I'd rather not talk about it, to be honest. It was kind of… Personal."

Hohma nodded. "Seconded. I, uh… It was something I needed to hear, but I don't feel like sharing."

"Which is perfectly fine," Briar said quickly. "Nobody has to share their experiences if they don't want to. What happened to each of us was… I imagine a very personal, emotional experience."

"I saw… I saw myself," Ohara said hesitantly. "The younger me. The one I… Left behind. She was… So, so amazed when she saw me. Said I was beautiful. And I… I promised that she'd look like this one day too. That she'd be… Happy." She frowned. "And the crazy thing is… I remember that, from when I was her. I thought it was a dream. I'd almost forgotten. But… It gave me hope and set me down the path to become who I am now."

"… That's all kinds of freaky," Carmine said, eyes wide. "I-I mean, I'm glad you were able to inspire your past self and that you're happy now as a cat girl or whatever, but… You know how crazy that all is, right?"

"Yeah. If I think about it too much, I might lose my mind," Ohara admitted. "And I'm guessing you saw your parents, right?"

"No big surprise there, huh?" Carmine muttered. "Yeah. Seeing them… I thought it would make me feel better, but… I miss them even more now." She looked as if she were about to cry again.

"Same," Julie said quietly. "Saw mother. Gave message." She looked at her mask uneasily. "And warning."

"I saw Mother Computer," ANNA stated. "She has given me a… Lot to think about."

"Oh hey, does that mean they'll be able to come get you now?" Hohma asked.

ANNA shook her head. "Unfortunately, no. At the moment, it still seems as if the original time machine in Area Zero and/or Terapagos may be our best bet of getting home." She glanced at Briar. "Speaking of which… Would I be correct in surmising you spoke to Heath?"

"I did, yes," Briar confirmed.

"He tell nyou anything that might help us?" Julie asked hopefully.

Briar hesitated.

"Do not seek Terapagos!"

"Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to ask him about that," Briar lied. "The fog engulfed us both before I could get that far. Sorry, girls."

Hohma groaned. "Figures."

"Don't worry, Mewstress! I'm sure you'll make it somehow!" Ohara assured Julie.

Julie and ANNA exchanged glances. They knew Briar had lied.

Before they could press her, though, Carmine's phone rang. "Hang on a second," she grunted, fishing the phone out of her pocket. "Yeah? Oh, grandpa! Good timing, we just got the Crystal Cluster, and we all went on some sort of freaky vision quest sort of thing, you won't believe who I saw-"

She stiffened, face freezing in horror. Julie, ANNA, and Ohara gasped, hearing what the others could not.

"Are you… Are you freaking kidding me?!" Carmine shrieked. "Okay, we're on it. See you soon."

"What happened?" Briar asked in concern as a livid Carmine hung up.

"Did the mob attack your grandfather because they found out about your family's connection to Ogerpon?" Aliquis asked in concern.

Carmen shook her head furiously. "No, it's worse than that! Kieran's gone off the deep end, and he stole the masks!"

"Mistress, we have to go," Gardevoir said, gently but firmly shaking the trembling Ogerpon's shoulder as the group flew away from the Crystal Pool, unaware of just how close they had been to bumping into them. If they'd waited just a few seconds more… "If we are to finally retrieve your masks and leave this wretched country for good, we need to follow them!"

"I-I know," Ogerpon sobbed. "I just… I just need a minute."

Gardevoir sighed and hugged her from behind. "It must've been hard, seeing him again after all these years."

"I thought… I thought I'd be ready, but… It's been so long," Ogerpon wept. "I'd forgotten his eyes… His voice, his scent… How could I… How could I forget my father's face?!" She grabbed the sides of her head, shaking with grief. "There's so much about my past I wish I could forget… So why… Why did I forget the one thing I wanted to remember most of all?!"

"If I believed it would help you, I would remove those memories in a heartbeat," Gardevoir said sadly, touching her forehead to Ogerpon's back. "But it is because of those memories and everything you've lived through that you are the strongest person I have ever known. The person who saved me. The person I love. So please, can you be strong one last time? So we can retrieve your greatest treasure and finally, finally bury the past for good?"

"Even if we get the masks… What will it change?" Ogerpon asked bitterly. "The world knows my secret, and now I'm as much of an outcast as I was back then, if not more so. I've lost everything."

"You haven't lost me," Gardevoir promised. "That must count for something, right?"

"… It counts for everything," Ogerpon promised, wiping her face. "Come on. Let's get those masks. I don't know where we'll go after that, where we can go, but so long as it's far away from here, and you're by my side… Nothing else matters."

The two of them kissed and teleported away in a flash of light.

Geeta tapped her nails impatiently on the table of the interrogation room. For the fifth time, she glanced at the clock on the wall. What was taking so long? They should have been here 20 minutes ago!

"Do you know what's taking so long?" She asked the guard occupying the room with her. Again.

"No, ma'am. I'm sure they'll be here any minute now," the guard told her. Again.

Growing increasingly frustrated, she drummed her nails on the table harder.

After five more minutes, she lost patience and rose to her feet. "All right, I'm going to go find her myself."

"Ma'am, you can't do that-" the guard protested.

"I am the Chairwoman of the Pokémon League, I can damn well do what I-"

A buzzer went off, and the door opposite Geeta opened, a guard escorting Penny in, wearing handcuffs and institutional apparel. "Finally! What took so long?!" Geeta demanded.

"There were… Unexpected delays," the new guard said, looking rather nervous, as she should've been, except she seemed to be looking more at Penny than her.

"What kind of delays?" Geeta asked.

"The unexpected kind," the guard said lately, still focusing more on Penny. The convict nodded very slightly, and she sagged in relief.

Geeta frowned. What was going on here? "Well, sit her down and leave," she commanded.

"Miss Chairwoman, that's against protocol-" the guard that had accompanied her in started, only for Penny to look her in the eyes as her escort politely pulled out a seat for her, helped her sit down, then chained her handcuffs to the table with an apologetic look. "But of course, if that's what you want…"

"It is," Geeta insisted.

As soon as Penny was secured, the guards left the room. How odd. If Geeta didn't know better, she'd think they were more afraid of the prisoner than her. "Madam Chairwoman," Penny said with a thin smile that did not meet her eyes. "I haven't seen you since the trial. How are you doing today?"

Geeta slammed her hands on the table. "Cut the crap, Penny. What do you know?"

"Rather a lot, most likely a lot more than you, so you'll have to be specific," Penny said, not looking the least bit intimidated, which made Geeta angrier.

"Don't give me that! I want to know about Nemona!" Geeta demanded.

Penny's smile turned genuine at this. "One of my girlfriends? Why of course, I'd be happy to tell you anything you want to know about her. How I feel safe in her arms, how I love the feel of her hair flowing through my fingers, how much I admire her indomitable spirit and seemingly limitless stamina, how amazing her kisses are-"

"Not that!" Geeta snapped, blushing slightly. "What did you do with her?"

Penny gave her a perplexed look. "You want to know how far we got? Is that really the sort of thing a woman of your age and position should be asking me?"

"Not that either!" Geeta stammered, growing flustered. "Where did you take her?"

"Where did I take her? For our first date? Well, let me see, I do believe it was-" Penny recalled.

"No! Last night!" Geeta shouted.

Penny raised an eyebrow. "… Madam Chairwoman, last night I was in my cell. I'm a prisoner of this facility. And last I heard, Nemona was taken away by her parents who, from what I've heard from her, should probably be behind bars themselves. Why is it that they get to walk free while I'm in here? I'm pretty sure they have caused far more harm to a lot more people and Pokémon than I ever did, including their daughter. Oh, then again, the law doesn't apply to people like them, does it? Or to you? Remind me, did Malva face any consequences for being a member of a terrorist organization that nearly destroyed Kalos and repeatedly bragging about it before Queen Serena took the throne-"

Geeta slammed her fist on the table. "Enough of this! Last night, Nemona was abducted by aliens and I want to know what part you played in it!"

It was only when Penny raised her other eyebrow Geeta realized she'd overshared. And made herself sound like a lunatic.

"Nemona has been abducted by aliens?" Penny asked after a moment. "How odd. I don't remember seeing anything about it in the news this morning. You would think their daughter being kidnapped would be something her parents would ensure made all the headlines. Why do you suppose they would keep it a secret? Are they afraid they'd look like buffoons? Or, perhaps… There's something else they don't want anyone knowing about?"

"Just tell me where she is and how you pulled it off!" Geeta demanded.

"Madam Chairwoman, as I said already, I was in my cell last night, all night," Penny reminded her. "Aside from that, how could I possibly be behind an alien abduction? The only extraterrestrial I've ever met that isn't a Pokémon is my girlfriend ANNA. You know, one of the girls who so easily trounced you in the League challenge. Though I do believe it was Julie who asked you where your real team was now that you were done warming up. That must've been so humiliating for you." Her eyes hardened. "Is that why you made her cry-"

"We're not talking about either of your friends," Geeta interjected.

"Maybe we should be," Penny retorted. "After all, ANNA has far more experience with aliens than I do."

"You and I both know that she is currently out of the region," Geeta said in irritation. "And it wouldn't surprise me if she's right in the middle of that mess over there."

"Yes, I heard about that," Penny said flatly. "Rather tragic, that. World-famous mangaka O-PEN reveals herself to be something other than what everyone believes her to be, and her adoring fans almost immediately turn on her. There's a literal mob with torches and pitchforks running around Kitakami searching for her. Rather disheartening how quickly people can turn on those they claim to love and idolize. But you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?"

"Enough! This isn't about me either!" Geeta insisted.

"I'd rather say it is," Penny said mildly. "You have an accelerated heart rate. You're sweating. There are bags under your eyes. You've been slamming your hands on the table a lot and standing up to loom over me, to emphasize your size and age in a heavy-handed attempt to intimidate me. An attempt which isn't working, mind you."

"That's-"

"Plus, if you factor in how public opinion of you and the league is at a record low after all the little indiscretions I leaked, most of your sponsors pulling out, Nemona's parents failing to make their daughter's abduction public, and rumors about them approaching Champion Selene of Alola for a sponsorship deal – replacing you with a younger, less problematic model – it would seem to me that you are very desperate to resolve this quickly to get a win and continue being relevant," Penny said analytically. "Or am I wrong?"

Geeta clenched her teeth but did not reply.

Penny smiled. "I thought as much. Now, what makes you think I have anything to do with these aliens?"

"They aren't aliens," Geeta growled.

Penny raised her eyebrows. "That's strange. Just a minute ago you claimed they were, and now they aren't? Now I'm getting confused. Which is it?"

"They aren't aliens, they're people pretending to be aliens," Geeta snapped. "Your people. Team Star!"

Penny gave her a pitying look. "La Primera, you do realize that Team Star has disbanded, right? My girlfriends defeated them, and following the Starfall Protocol, they had no choice but to dismantle themselves."

"You and I both know that you almost immediately reformed them as an underground organization to continue your criminal enterprise in the shadows," Geeta accused her.

"That's a rather tall accusation, Madam Chairwoman. Do you have any proof of this?" Penny asked, unbothered.

"Minutes before she was abducted, the so-called alien revealed itself to Nemona by using a coded message laden with clues that only someone familiar with Team Star would use or recognize," Geeta explained. "Specifically, a variation of your motto, and a mention of the Cassiopeia constellation, which is the code name you used to go by."

"Uh-huh. And?" Penny asked, looking bored.

"In addition, the alien introduced itself as Dubhe and claimed that they called themselves the Septentriones, serving a being called Polaris," Geeta continued. "The Septentriones are another name for the seven stars making up the Ursaring constellation, one of which is Dubhe, and while Polaris isn't a part of it, it's still the name of a star which makes up the neighboring Teddiursa constellation, as well as the brightest star in the sky. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but you named the five divisions of Team Star after the stars making up the Cassiopeia constellation, which, as I stated before, is what you used to call yourself when you were the secret mastermind behind Team Star."

"So… In summation, you believe that, since I formed a criminal organization with a stellar theme once, that I must obviously be behind the second one as well," Penny said, looking utterly uninterested.

"And the coded message!" Geeta insisted.

"Right, and the coded message. Do you have any actual proof that I or any of my friends are behind this?" Penny asked. "Were they all accounted for at the time Nemona was inducted?"

"Well, yes, but-" Geeta admitted.

"And you said the Septentriones have seven stars, so therefore have seven members. However, there are only five Team Star bosses. Who are the other two?" Penny asked.

"We don't know that yet, but-"

"And finally, if I already formed one criminal organization with a stellar theme, wouldn't it make no sense whatsoever for me to create a second one, since I would naturally be the first suspect?" Penny pointed out.

"Which is why you would do it, to try and throw us off the trail!" Geeta insisted. "And also because you're arrogant enough to not only think you can get away with it, but can't resist thumbing your nose at us."

"Mmm, that sounds a bit like projection to me," Penny commented, disinterested. "Also a lot of conjecture and not a shred of actual evidence."

"How's this, then?" Geeta leered at her. "The aliens were able to somehow prevent anyone's Pokéballs from working. Now, remind me, wasn't that something the Paradise Protection Protocol used against you and your friends? And didn't your girlfriend ANNA invent that technology? Or should I be looking at her instead?"

"Go right ahead," Penny said, not looking the least bit bothered by this. "You know as well as I do that she's incapable of lying. If she had any involvement in this, she'll have no choice but to tell you."

Geeta was taken aback by this. She carefully studied Penny's face for any sign that she was bluffing.

Her poker face was, as always, perfect.

Frustrated, she was forced to concede the point. "That doesn't mean you couldn't have reverse engineered it," she said, admitting to herself that it was a fairly weak argument.

"So could the League, since I know you've been looking into it as well" Penny retorted. "Are you sure your house is completely in order?"

"We've increased our cybersecurity since your little hack," Geeta said smugly. "It won't happen again."

"Sure, unless someone on the inside is leaking the information," Penny project. "When's the last time you gave Larry a raise or time off again?"

"Larry would never betray me," Geeta said confidently.

"As many people have said, just before being betrayed. Everyone has their breaking point," Penny said with a shrug. "In any event, that technology might not be involved at all. A strong enough EM field or Psychic could keep the Pokéballs from opening. Or maybe, you know, they actually are aliens, and so would easily be able to come up with that kind of technology on their own."

"There's also the fact that you definitely have the motive to do it," Geeta said, choosing to ignore that. "Your dislike for corporations such as the Rotom Phone company are well known, and Nemona is one of your girlfriends. At least one of the triggers for your cyberattack was Nemona being forced to leave school by her parents, who took her far away from you. If you believed she was in danger, you would certainly be motivated to try and get her back."

"If, hypothetically speaking, we believed she was in danger, doesn't that mean she might actually have been in danger?" Penny retorted. "Nemona's opinion of her parents isn't exactly a secret. Are you sure Nemona was actually safe with them?"

"Of course she was, they're her family," Geeta said dismissively.

"Yes, because families never hurt each other," Penny said sarcastically. "And of course, there were all those allegations of abuse."

"Which were all disproven," Geeta said quickly.

"Yes, after an alarmingly short investigation, followed by the judge and a few of the caseworkers suddenly buying expensive new homes in Porto Marinada, as well as Nemona suddenly being allowed to live more or less all by herself in the family house at Cabo Poco," Penny retorted. "Personally, I'd find that rather fishy, but I suppose you'd have no reason to look any deeper at that. After all, they're rich so it's not like the law applies to them, and besides, you wouldn't want to bite the hand that feeds, would you?"

"You know, you think you're being clever and subversive, making all these accusations of government and corporate corruption and how eeeeeeevil capitalism is, but really you're just another kid who has no idea what she's talking about Squawkabillying things she's read online," Geeta growled, getting fed up.

"No, I'm pretty sure I know exactly what I'm talking about, especially considering the very real examples of corruption I leaked during my cyber-attack," Penny retorted. "And, you know, there are also such recent examples as Giovanni being a Gym Leader, Blake Hall trying to mind control every Pokémon in Almia, Lysander trying to commit genocide and extorting people to pay for salvation, Malva helping him, Lusamine's child and Pokémon abuse, and let's not forget my uncle nearly destroying Galar in an incredibly stupid attempt to resolve an energy crisis that didn't even exist. So yeah, I'd say I have a pretty good reason to distrust most government officials and corporations, even when they aren't being run by literal super villains." She shrugged. "And I'm also smart enough to know not all companies can be painted with the same brush. Silph, Devon, Aether now that it's under new management… Places like that, that live up to their promises and don't try to exploit their employees or constituents, are okay in my book."

She yawned. "So, are we done here? So far, you've just been making blind accusations without anything to tie me or my friends to whatever happened to Nemona besides spurious allegations and circumstantial evidence."

"You think you're so smart, don't you?" Geeta snapped, utterly done with her. "You think you have all the answers, that you're totally in control, when the truth is you're just a stupid kid who got caught because she overestimated herself and is now behind bars, and you should thank your stars you're still young enough to qualify for juvie because they would eat you alive in real prison, and I'll see to it that's where you go once we pin this on you."

Yet again, Penny seemed completely unbothered. "As I recall, you only caught me because of an anonymous source going by the name of Denarius, not because of any effort on the part of the authorities. In fact, I seem to remember you all having no idea whatsoever who was behind the leak until they came forward and fingered me."

"And I bet that just eats you up, doesn't it?" Geeta taunted, irritated by how frustratingly correct Penny was. "That someone found you out? I don't know what's a more galling possibility for you, the implication that someone out there is smarter and better than you are… Or that someone close to you betrayed you, because that's the only other possibility, isn't it? That someone you care about, someone you love, may have stabbed you in the back."

This finally got a reaction from Penny, but not the one Geeta wanted.

She smiled. And despite herself, Geeta felt chills going down her back.

"I'd say I'm disappointed in you, Madame Chairwoman, but honestly, this is about the level of competence I expected from you."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Geeta demanded, bristling.

"While I'm moderately impressed you did some astronomy research, it's a shame you know nothing of numismatics," Penny said smugly.

"Numis-what-"

"Before Pokémon Dollars became the global standard, every region in the world had their own form of currency," Penny lectured her. "It was so… Messy and chaotic. So many coins and bills with impossible to remember conversion rates that might not be valid in other countries or even outside your own neighborhood, none of it actually meaning anything anyway since money and wealth are nothing more than a collective lie perpetuated by society to deal with the exchange of goods and services on a global scale when in reality they're nothing more than useless pieces of metal and paper that don't actually do anything or, in the modern age, might not even exist outside of numbers on a screen… Sorry, I'm digressing. There's a point to this, honest.

"Anyway, in those days, the lowest form of currency in Unova was a coin called a penny, like yours truly. It was tiny. Copper. Practically useless. Easy to lose beneath the cushions. Everyone hated them."

Geeta couldn't help smirking at this. "Sounds like that hasn't changed very much."

"Never heard that one before," Penny drawled. "Anyway, there were countless other equally small and virtually useless coins used by cultures and civilizations throughout history. For example, the smallest unit of currency used in ancient Groma was called… The denarius."

It took Geeta several seconds to connect the dots.

And then she felt as if the floor had opened up beneath her. "Wait…th-that…"

Penny stood up, revealing in the process that she was no longer handcuffed to the table, nor had she been for quite some time. "I think we're done here. Guards?"

Instantly, the doors opened and the two guards from before entered. "I'm sorry, Madame Chairwoman, but visiting hours are over," one of the guards said apologetically, gently taking her by the shoulder and pulling her away.

"W-wait! That's… That can't be! You… You couldn't possibly have-" a dismayed Geeta shouted at Penny.

"Right this way, Mistress. Your conveyance is ready, your pet has been loaded and is waiting to pamper you, your meal is prepared, and we have the movie you requested ready to begin as soon as you get onboard. And, um, I am sorry for having to cuff you…" The other guard said nervously, wringing her hands as she genuflected as Penny walked past her.

"You're forgiven," Penny said dismissively. "Oh, and speaking of apologies… Geeta, I am sorry you came all this way just leave empty-handed, which is why I've arranged for a package to be delivered to your home. You'll find it waiting for you on the dining room table when you get back. Don't worry, it's not a bomb… This time."

Geeta's world rocked, and if it weren't for the hand on her shoulder, she was sure she would've collapsed. "That's…Th-there's no way… You can't… You can't be…"

Penny paused in the opposing doorframe but didn't even bother glancing back at her. "Oh, and just so you know… What's about to happen was always going to happen, but it wasn't anything personal. At least, until you made my girlfriend cry."

Geeta didn't even need to see her face to picture the unfathomably cruel smile on the girl's face. "Now, I'm going to enjoy this."

And then the door closed between them, but Geeta did not feel any safer, as she realized now nothing was beyond Penny's reach.

How…how had she, had everyone so badly gotten this wrong?

They'd never had a chance.