Daniel had to explain the World League's format, its championships for duos and singles. They held the tournaments at an international space station. And Aura training being a soft requirement for being a top competitor. After three lengthy hours, the women felt satisfied. They gave him back his bracer and his Pokeballs. "Even Kyurem's is here. They must think I captured it." The same guard took off his cuffs, and he got escorted out of the League's headquarters.

Dawn was just breaking outside. The air was fresh, carrying a mild scent of wilderness. He stood in front of the grand edifice, walls of marble and green roofs. He approached the grand statue that represented Unova's hero and laid his hand on it.

"I wonder if it's the same one back at home…" He muttered.

"Hello, Mr. Daniel?" A voice broke him from his musings.

A young woman stood a couple of steps behind. Her attire betrayed her as a nurse Joy: puffy pink dress, white gown, ribbon around her waist, and a nurse cap atop her equally pink hair. An Audino trailed behind, ever-present smile on their face. Both bowed at the same time.

"My name is Sarah Joy. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Daniel bowed back.

[QUERY: "LILY" WANTS TO DEPLOY.]

[ACCEPT?]

R2's voice rang on his left ear and his brace flashed twice in quick succession. He thought about it for a moment before nodding.

"Yeah, come out."

A red flash came out of his bracer and Lily appeared in front of him, startling the girl. Lily was at least half a head taller, as well as bulkier, than her Audino. Both looked at each other curiously and spoke between them. After some exchanges, Lily ended up pinching the other's cheek with a smile.

"Forgive me, Lily is a bit…" He chuckled as she began to pokespeak to the other Audino. "Motherly with younger ones."

"Celia is not that young…" Sarah strained a smile before composing herself with a soft cough. "The Joy clan formerly invites you to reside in our compound in Lacunosa town."

"Lacunosa…"

He had some memories from his great-grandmother's hometown. She knew from her stories that it had a legend about a giant meteor and a terrifying monster. That's why it had a great wall. From the photos he saw at the Joy mansion, it was a beautiful city. At least before the great incursions destroyed it.

Another thing he had to consider was that he was penniless. He severely doubted any establishment or ATM accepted Chits or IPDs. He could always ask the League for some help, but this could save him from some hassle.

"Yes, I think that would be lovely."

"Then please, follow me."

Riding the "battle subway" was an experience. Over the years, they replaced the system with newer models, confining the previous ones to museums. After last night's fiasco, he didn't want to fight in public, so he chose one of the "civilian" carts. Thankfully, Sarah didn't protest. She didn't try to talk to him either, so the journey was a bit awkward.

Their Audinos were chatting away like old friends, exchanging tips and tricks of their trades. Or at least, that seemed to be the case to Daniel. Sometimes Celia would look completely shocked at something Lily would do or tell her, making him chuckle a bit. He glanced at the only other passenger inside the train, who remained perfectly still.

"How's the circuit going?" He tried to break the ice a little.

"It's crowded." She answered curtly. Her attention was on the pair of Pokemon in front of them.

"Yeah." He nodded, not put off by her dry tone. "Mom usually had to run from place to place by the end of the season. It's very hectic."

"Yes?" She looked at him, a bit more interested. "Does your mother also work in a Pokemon center?"

"Well, yes. But it's a bit complicated" It would be rather hard to explain about the "center" on the League satellite without sounding insane.

"Is she Unovan?"

"Born and raised, yes."

"But I've-"

"Complicated." He lifted his palm to interrupt.

"…Okay." She narrowed her eyes, but didn't pursue that further. "Is your Audino also…complicated?"

"Yes." He shrugged helplessly. "Well, she was a gift from my grandmother. Been with me for almost 30 years now."

"30?" Her expression filled with shock. "I thought she was way younger than that. Even if she's that much taller."

"Lily is special. What can I say?" His smile grew as Lily waved at them, most likely having heard them talking about her.

The next 10 minutes were a bit warmer, as they discussed some tricks about taking care of Audinos, some mischief that Lily got into back in the day, and some horror stories about patients. She still felt distant, but at least it wasn't as bad as before.

[Next station at Lacunosa Town.]

After hearing the intercom, both raised from their seat and walked to the exit, Pokemon in tow. The air felt different from what he remembered, colder and dryer. He had visited New Lacunosa sometimes to visit family, but the feel he got was completely different. Going up stairs he couldn't help but shiver a little. Sarah seemed prepared, already wearing a white knitted scarf. He had to fight his instinct to order R2 to make his suit adapt, but that would draw attention.

On top of the stairs, he could finally lay eyes on the town proper. The photos didn't give justice to the ocean of white stone that greeted him. White covered the overhead walkways, houses, and even the streets. He could spot some blue breaking through it, but the gentle snow that was falling made it difficult. Over the Horizon, a white wall rose. It separated Lacunosa from the "Great chasm." Kyurem's first home.

The silver Pokeball vibrated inside his bracer, but only just. The protective measures prevented the Legendary from freeing itself.

"Mr. Daniel?"

Sarah asked, already several meters in front of him. He snapped out of his stupor and joined her quickly.

The Joy compound was little more than a gated community. The houses inside shared the same style as those outside, but with an added flair of pink. He spotted several Growlithes patrolling accompanied by a trainer and an Arcanine. Growling sounds came from them as they neared the property. Daniel took a step back by reflex, opening the floodgates.

[QUERY: "CASPER" WANTS TO DEPLOY]

[QUERY: "RODAN" WANTS TO DEPLOY]

[QUERY: "MOTHRA" WANTS TO DEPLOY]

[QUERY: "ELIZABETH" WANTS TO DEPLOY]

[QUERY: "GAMERA" WANTS TO DEPLOY]

[ACCEPT?]

As the flurry of messages poured from his headpiece, Lily had already moved in front of him defensively. Her easygoing expression vanished without a trace, a resolute one taking its place. With a small snort, her aura radiated out in droves and followed by Gravity. Whimpers replaced the growls as the small canines flattened to the floor. Arcanine bared their fangs before they collapsed to the ground as well.

Even the humans were affected, falling to their knees as the weight was too much to handle. Some tried to reach for Pokeballs, but they noticed the gravity increasing even more for them.

"Stop."

Daniel's command was like a switch. It felt as if the pressure had never been there. Relieved gasps of air resonated as everyone could breathe normally again. The pack of canine Pokemon stood, unsure if they should follow their training or instincts.

"I am…deeply sorry." Daniel closed his eyes, exasperated. Lily noticed his expression and quickly bowed towards the people. "My Pokemon are very stressed right now, and I didn't anticipate this would happen. I don't want to disrespect the Joy clan with my actions."

"Let him pass." An older woman's voice rang from the speaker on the door. "There is no need to escalate the situation."

"U-Understood, ma'am." The guards answered. Even from several meters apart, Daniel could hear them swallow saliva.

"Sarah, show him his house and come."

A clicking sound followed soon after, and silence returned. Sarah took shaking steps towards a side gate and opened it.

"P-please, Mr. Daniel."

Her legs trembled like gelatin, but she tried her best to remain calm. The guards and their Pokemon didn't quite manage, fearfully glancing at Lily as she passed near them. One of the Arcanines couldn't resist and laid on its back, showing its belly to the Audino when she got too close. To prevent any animosity or misunderstanding, he ended up returning Lily. With a final bow, he left with Sarah.

The awkwardness between them was even worse now. He felt quite sorry following the girl while she tried to regain her composure. "I should have known; we haven't really tackled all of this." He could feel it in his weary bones. He was about to crash. Hard. It was not a question of "if", it was "when." His aura told him his Pokemon felt the same way.

People watched them curiously as they walked, some of them whispering, some just pointed. Most of them had pink hair as well, so it wasn't hard to guess their ancestry. The Pokemon, on the other hand, were much more diverse. There was a clear majority of Audinos on an about, but there were also Chimecos, Jigglypuffs, Some Ariados, and even a Chikorita running behind a pink-haired boy.

"Feels like visiting grandma again, just without my cousins trying to challenge me." Daniel chuckled, feeling a sting in his chest as the memory came and went.

"We have arrived." Sarah stopped in front of a townhouse just like the other ones. She seemed much more composed now, thankfully. She extended her hand, showing him some keys.

"Thank you… and sorry." Daniel had a guilty expression as he went to pick them up.

"Do not concern yourself with that." When their hands touched, she flinched, but otherwise returned to her detached self. "I'll take my leave now."

"Yes, see you later." He smiled wryly as the girl left without looking back, with her Audino in tow. Celia fearfully looked back one more time before she hurried along.

The house was rustic, just like his great-grandmother's. Although it was a bit disingenuous from him, with his "futuristic sensibilities." He took off his jacket and put it on a coat hanger by the entrance. Unbuttoned his suit and put his beret on top of the hanger. The decoration was a bit sparse. Some paintings of rolling hills, vases with pink motifs, pastel colors on the couches.

"It's pretty big."

They designed it specifically for families with big Pokemon. Tall, marble ceilings on top. Tiles imitating wood on the floors… It was quite beautiful.

"It's just not home."

His strength drained as his body stopped being able to bear it. "R2, Donald, privacy."

Both Pokemon stopped possessing his bracer, nodded at him, and disappeared into a light switch. When a chime sounded in his ear, he left himself go and knelt on the floor.

"D-deploy."

All 6 Pokemon quickly surrounded him, Mothra in front of him. He fell forward and wrapped his hands around his Volcarona, feeling the soft texture of her fur. The rest of his team, including R2 and Donald, snuggled him. All of them shared the same melancholic expression. Muffled sobs followed as they wept for their lost home and the family they lost.