Think of this as a companion piece to the last chapter, pulling together many things with regards to Juliana's development. I present to you Chapter 8.

Chapter 8

A Thawing

"What the hell were you thinking?!"

Juliana cringed at Arven's harsh voice. Dangling over the edge of the cliff, held by nothing but his strong hand, she had no choice but to listen to it. To that extent, Koraidon got off lucky, looking as though he was on the border of consciousness and held by Crocalor's jaw. The wind from the snowstorm blew through, making Juliana shiver. She looked up towards Arven with pleading eyes. "Can you…pull us up?"

"So you can get yourself into more situations?" he said. His voice had gotten, if anything, louder. "Honestly, Juli, what were you trying to do, going off on your own? Get yourself killed?"

"I wasn't-" Another gale cut through, and Juliana slipped a little in Arven's hold. Fatigue was setting in, the elements causing her body to shut down, though she loathed it.

"What would I have done then, Juliana?" Arven's fingers dug in tighter, holding her in place. As he did, Crocalor started to drag upwards, his claw chipping into the stone surface and his jaws clamped tight as he climbed backwards. "Mourn you? Hate myself for letting you go? Stop thinking you need to take on the world!"

At last, he heaved upwards, dragging her across stone and snow until they were back over the cliff and on relatively solid ground. Juliana's body gave out, collapsing atop the snow while Arven stood over her, staring down with disapproval. Next to them, Crocalor had finished heaving Koraidon back over the edge, but he didn't stop moving.

"Croca!"

"Yeah, thanks, Crocalor. At least someone here is responsible." Juliana could barely register Arven bending down and grabbing her arm once more. She did notice she was soon gliding across snow, her back bumping into it and getting colder all the while. Her body had no energy, and that didn't change when they stepped over a hearth of sorts and she felt cold stone over the wet snow. "You stay right there. I'll get a fire started."

"How…how'd you find…" Juliana was barely keeping it together, her vision swimming in and out. The one thing she could see clearly was Koraidon, barely moving and still wounded. She tried to push up; he needed help.

"Mabosstiff might be weak, but his nose has no rival," Arven said, tapping a Poké Ball on his belt. "He can do a lot of things, other than moving and fighting. Sniffing out your trail was the easy part. Then we just had to follow the whole destruction of snow thing you left behind. Now, what happened to Koraidon?"

"Kor…rai…kor…" The sharp whining was interspersed with heavy breaths, showing how weak her steadfast companion had become. She wanted to crawl over, but found she had little energy to do so. Some of it returned to her when a sudden crackle and spark entered the area, roaring into a fire courtesy of Crocalor. The sudden illumination revealed that Arven had dragged them to the exposed cave she'd seen earlier.

"He doesn't look well, Juli," Arven said, the look on his face aware he was stating the obvious. Light shined out from the Poké Ball on his waist, coalescing to the form of Mabosstiff. The large hound took a shuddering step forward, barely able to support his weight, but had enough energy to bump against Koraidon.

"Boff." The short, doleful bark did little to shake Koraidon from his state. Mabosstiff hung his head, collapsing back on the stone floor. Arven ran a hand through his fur in consolation.

Watching them, Juliana tried to sit up, her head practically spinning around her. The interior of the cave dazzled her, looking almost crystalline. For a moment, she wondered if they had wandered into some approximation of Area Zero, until her eyes adjusted and realize it was just strings of garland and other ice assortments that had been embedded in the wall. Despite that, the fire didn't make them melt, and provided just enough warmth and protection from the howling storm.

The storm, her mind conjured, turning her head to the mouth of the cave. She could see the forbidding slopes of Mount Glaseado outside, their challenge yet inviting her. Grusha's challenge echoed, too, and the face of Eri and the rest of Team Star swam before her. Can't stop moving. Gotta keep going.

Her body went on autopilot, and she began to crawl towards the exit from the cave. No matter how much her muscles were screaming for her to stop, she knew that she couldn't. There was a time limit, and damn it if she wouldn't make it in time.

"Juli, where exactly do you think you're going?" Arven's voice was closer than anticipated. So close, he looked ready to pick her up and put her back into place. She shook her head and crawled to her knees, attempting to stand.

"We have to keep going. Grusha…said we…only have four days."

"So, what? You're going to leave Koraidon behind?" Juliana shut her eyes, trying to block out his very good point and the pain flooding her body as she stood. She took a lumbering step forward. "You know, for someone so worried about everyone leaving her behind, I'm surprised to see you doing the same."

That gave her pause. Her knees buckled, the agony of her experience hitting her with full force. Her body fell, and all of her Poké Balls dislodged themselves from her belt. They opened, each of her powerful, faithful, loyal team members appearing before her, looking at her with the concern they always did. The sight of it alone made emotions well up inside her, threatening to bring forth tears, but she shook her head to banish them.

"Damn it, Juliana." Juliana felt a pair of powerful arms hook themselves under her shoulders and heave her up. It sent her reeling, unable to take in much but the Pokémon that chose to surround her. Somewhere in her mind, she registered that it was Arven doing all the lifting, and she wondered when he had grown so strong and dependable.

Or maybe he always had been, but she had refused to see it. Not a fighter, but a big brother that would do anything for her, even walk through hell; the same as she would for him.

That, perhaps, hurt the most.

"Here, recover some strength." A bowl was shoved in her hands, containing a crude, but hot, soup. It wasn't Arven's finest culinary efforts, but with a shaking hand, Juliana chose to imbibe it. Across from her, the older boy sat down, his hair draping his face as he looked to her with some equal measure of pride, disappointment and concern. More than once, he looked over to the pair of Mabosstiff and Koraidon. "Must've been some battle."

"It…was…" Juliana gasped out, surprised at the warmth spreading through her.

"And what made you think you could take it alone?" Juliana fumbled with the bowl, her breath short. Her Pokémon looked at her, but she could say nothing. Disappointment in herself mixed with shame, and she hung her head. "Juli, you don't have to do everything alone. I'm right here. I've always been right here. We all have."

"This…this was my battle."

"A battle that could have hurt you. None of us wanted that, especially me." Arven shuffled over, squatting in place as he reached out to take Juliana's hands. They were warm and held strength that he'd gained over all their adventures together. She shook her head.

"Team Star was my burden. Is my burden," Juliana said, barely realizing her voice was coming out as a whisper. "They're my past and the thing I have to personally reckon with. The source of my doubt and all the people I hurt. How can I ask you to…to be a part of that?"

"But isn't that what friends do?"

He squeezed tighter, prompting Juliana to look up. Their eyes met, and she felt like she could get lost in the well of calm caring that Arven exuded. Her lips gaped like a Magikarp, and a word managed to choke its way past her lips. "Friends?"

"Come on. We've been friends since the day we decided to take this journey together." He leaned forward, letting go of her hands to smother her in a hug. "Your past. Our present. None of it made a difference. We were friends, and we'd stick together no matter what. You helped me see that. Brought me on a journey that took me closer than ever to my parents. Healed Mabosstiff. Did you really think that was it?"

"But I…" She wanted to sob. She really did. The tears wouldn't come, though, and her hands fell, dropping until she clutched her thighs with as tight a grip as possible. "I didn't… I didn't want to get you involved. I didn't want you to see that…that horrible side." Her words were strangled, and lowered in volume with every syllable. Finally, she managed to whisper out the last of it.

"I didn't want you to walk away from the worst of me."

The fire popped, interceding on the absolute truth she didn't realize she'd been holding in. Arven drew back, and on his face was a soft smile, warmed only by the fire around them.

"I didn't walk away." He took her by the shoulders and leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead. "I'm right here, Juli. I've been right here. I'm not going anywhere.

"You're not alone."

"Not…alone…" Juliana stopped gripping, her arms falling limply to her side. She stared at Arven and the absolute conviction he held. From the boy who considered himself weak, he looked to her like an absolute pillar of strength.

And in that moment, his words hit her with force. More than that, his presence truly hit her. He was right there.

They had all been there. Arven. Serena. Gloria. Nemona, Penny.

In their own way, they had tried to reach out to her. In a world full of vast, wide connections, with every student and teacher and traveler, those few closest to her had been present. They put up with her selfishness, tried to see the best in her, encouraged her, saw her off. They hadn't left her, instead trying to push her higher.

And in there, Juliana began to wonder if they'd found something genuine. Something real that wouldn't fade.

Knowing they were there, putting their hands on her, Juliana allowed her breath to gasp out, following it up with a painful truth. "I'm scared."

"I know," Arven said, patting her softly.

"I'm scared I can't get answers. I'm scared of losing people. I'm scared of…" Juliana sucked in another shuddering breath. "I'm scared I'll fail, and never get back what I've lost."

"But you don't need to be scared of failing. You can't take on the whole world, Juli!" Something sparked in Arven's mind, and he gave her one more pat before turning away to his bag. He continued to talk. "Every single one of us has something we're good at, and something we're bad at. That's why the Academy has so many courses. That's why trainers have so many professions. Serena's not as good as her husband at battling, and he's not as good as her at Performing. Nemona can't cook. Penny can't strategize. I can't battle for the life of me. And you can't do everything they can, like leading or hacking. But that's the point of friends.

"We lift each other up, and cover up the cracks that are our weaknesses, you know."

"I…didn't want to show my weaknesses."

"No, you didn't. You preferred pushing people away, but I don't think it was pride." Arven turned around, holding to something from his bag. When he turned, its telltale glow showed it to be the Herba Mystica he had long held on to. The Pokémon around them started to salivate, but he held them off by beginning to chop it, preparing its long-awaited meal. "I think, like you said, you were scared that people would see the worst side of you. Then they'd run away, and you'd be left alone. Better not to feel, right?"

"Right…" she admitted. Her heart was now clenching, and she grabbed at it, as though the very thought was wounding her. "If I was alone, no one could leave me when they saw how determined I was."

"But none of us left," Arven pointed out. He was busy chopping with aplomb. Next to him, Crocalor roasted some of the ingredients and began to toast the bread. "I saw you at Segin Squad with Giacomo, but I stayed. Serena saw it. Nemona saw it. But we're all still here, supporting you, rooting for you. Your Pokémon, too. No matter your losses or your hesitation, they stayed right by your side. Even Ceruledge, who rebuked you for so long."

"Sera…" Ceruledge turned away, but his own voice was tinged with the same regret hers had held for so long.

"What I'm trying to say, Juli," Arven said, his chopping ending and his smile bright, "is you can learn to rely on people. Even if they're not right there, they'll always be by your side. Then, you never need to worry about failing again. Because I won't let you."

Juliana wanted to bury her face in shame. Memories flooded her, this time not of her Pokémon, but of the moments she'd been with Arven. Her apathy. Her rage. Her frustration. Her venom. Her understanding.

And that moment he sat, braiding her hair, like it was just the two of them, reminded her that at her worst, he remained. They all had.

"Hey, now, perk up." Something nudged at her, and when Juliana removed her hands, she could see a sandwich being offered. The others had already been distributed save two and her own. She reached out, tentatively, to take it. "I didn't say all that to make you sad. I wanted you to realize you could rely on me! And what better way to show it than having a meal together!"

"Arven," she said, unsure what emotion to express. He started to laugh.

"I know, it's about all I can do for us, but hey, it's one thing you couldn't!" He poked her in the cheek, causing a sudden expulsion of air from her mouth that sounded almost like a laugh. "See, there's a smile. Just like I thought!"

"What do you mean, just like you thought?"

"Well, you know, meals always bring people together. They put smiles on people's faces. Not like Serena's way is the only way!" Arven snorted triumphantly, even looking over to the ravenous Pokémon that were consuming the meal with gusto. Juliana reached forward, taking the sandwich, and after a tentative sniff, she bit into it. The spices immediately hit the back of her throat. "When you eat a meal, you feel close to one another. Makes you feel like you can do anything, yeah?"

"I suppose," Juliana said, allowing the faintest of smiles to crack through her exterior. She bit into more, her body recovering energy faster than she expected. With every chomp, she recalled the meals she shared with Arven, them and both of their Pokémon becoming a team. "Maybe you're right. This does make me happy. Just a bit."

"See? See?! It gives that little bit of hope!" Arven chuckled a bit more, this one just a touch more bittersweet. "By sharing a meal, people with so many different thoughts and dreams and places can all sit in one place. You can bridge a gap and find a real connection."

Juliana had a feeling she knew what he was taking about, but didn't bring it up. She just ate her sandwich, containing Arven's own connection to her and her Pokémon. They were sitting at the same table, and for the first time, Juliana began to feel she wasn't alone. "It's good."

"Good enough commendation for me, then," Arven said, flicking away whatever small droplets of tears existed. "Now, for the final touch. It's time to eat up, buddy."

"Maboff?" The short bark was confused, but Mabosstiff's nose sniffed at the air. Juliana lowered her sandwich, and her Pokémon all watched as Arven bent low before his first partner. He held the sandwich out. Mabosstiff padded forward, his tongue lolling out for a second before it licked the sandwich. He decided he liked the taste of it, and with a minor lunge, he grabbed it all in one bite. It was fully swallowed moments later.

"Well, Mabosstiff? Was it good?" He petted his best friend's fur, everyone watching and waiting to see the result. Moments passed.

"Maboff!" The cry was invigorated, full of far more life than Juliana had ever heard.

Mabosstiff took a step forward, and then another, then another. His limbs moved faster, and soon the dog was tramping around the cave as though he'd never been sick a day in his life. Juliana almost dropped her sandwich, while Arven fell back, laughing and crying.

"You're better. You're all better! Mabosstiff!" The dog finished his dashing circles, and came to pounce on his trainer and friend, licking him on the face. Juliana stood from where she was and made her way over, joining both man and Pokémon in their celebratory mood. "Ah, it's all thanks to you, Juli!"

"I didn't do much."

"You stuck by me. That's enough." She wasn't sure that it was, but she was happy all the same. As she backed away, Mabosstiff did the same, turning to Koraidon and nudging him. He didn't respond. "Ah, right. I still have one sandwich left. Juliana, do you mind-"

She understood and retrieved the sandwich in seconds. With slow steps, she brought it to Koraidon. He didn't stir, and she put a hand to his normally cool scales. They were burning hot, and she quickly took the hand away. Let's hope this works.

"Eat up, Koraidon. It's your favorite." He still didn't react. With little recourse, Juliana grabbed his jaw and opened it enough to shove the sandwich inside. It took longer than she would have liked, but eventually, the sandwich traveled down his gullet, providing a faint orange glow that permeated his body.

Koraidon still did not stir. He could only whine. "Koooor…"

"Huh. Thought that would have done it."

Arven's comment called further attention to his state and Juliana came closer. She ran a hand along his scales, finding that same heated sensation that passed through all of him. With a craning of her neck, Juliana noted that the gashes delivered by the Roaring Moon were all but healed, yet he was not reviving.

"Koraidon, what's wrong?" She went back to his front, touching his snout, only to recoil. A look in his eyes later showed how unfocused they were, drifting in and out, as though he was shrinking in upon himself. "Koraidon, tell me."

Arven watched Juliana's attempts to get Koraidon moving, one that started to involve her Pokémon encouraging him. None of it did a lick of good, and when Juliana sat back, fearful for her companion, he finally spoke. "An illness not even the Herba Mystica can heal…"

"You know something?" Juliana asked, desperation eking from her voice.

"I'm not a doctor," he said. That wasn't helpful. Nor was him starting to pack away his things, as if preparing to leave. "But, when food as powerful as that doesn't solve the problem, it means it's something way beyond our ken."

"Which leaves us nowhere but with an ailing Koraidon!"

"Maybe not," Arven said. He strode over, slapping her on the back and bending down to join her in looking over Koraidon. The lizard whimpered again, but it seemed as though he didn't even see Arven there, only flinching in worry at his presence. "We're on Mount Glaseado, which means, according to Nemona, it's close."

"Close? What's close?" Juliana was dragged up with him, her pack shoved in her arms seconds later. The Pokémon all watched Arven with no shortage of confusion, but he looked determined, ready to blaze a path forward.

"Montenevera," he answered. The town sounded familiar to Juliana, but she wasn't sure how it would help. He quickly elaborated. "It's the site of the Montenevera Gym, otherwise known as the place where Miss Tyme's sister, Ryme, resides as Gym Leader. It's also called the town that raises the dead with its music. If we want to heal Koraidon, then I think that's the best place to start."

"Boss!" Mabosstiff's invigorated cry showed his agreement, and the partners shared a high five. Filled with determination, the pair prepared to leave through the very entrance of the cave, only to pause at its mouth. Arven turned back, grinning.

"You coming, Juli?"

His hand was offered, waiting for her response. Yet she could see he was offering more than that. He was offering that change of connection, to rely on another person to do what she, alone, could not. And it was a chance to remind her: even a step off the beaten path while on a challenge was a step worth taking.

If it could heal Koraidon, she was ready to do anything.

"Mm. Let's go!" At her words, Ceruledge, Tinkaton and Quaxwell each went to lift Koraidon up. The former two started to squabble, but after a couple false starts and pained whines, Koraidon was lifted high and carried towards the exit. Juliana took Arven's hand at the same time, and the boy pulled her forward, out into the clearing snow with whispering winds.

And it was into those winds that Juliana spoke, the words he didn't hear, but ones she meant with all her heart as they set upon the road to Montenevera.

"Thank you."

"Oh, come on! That's another one she's taken down without any effort! Boo!"

Gloria ripped off a chunk from the sandwich in her hand, frowning in Jessie's direction at her shout. She and the rest of her troupe were all gathered in chairs near the edge of the battle court to enjoy their newfound popularity as they watched Nemona thrash yet another opponent.

"It does get rather boring watching people steamroll others," James agreed. His comment was short-lived, the blue haired man digging furiously into his seafood pasta.

"Yeah, we enjoyed watching you more, Champion Twoipette. Might've had a hard time, but at least we could call it entertainment!" Meowth sliced some fruit with his claws, passing some off to Wobbuffet, who decided now was a good time to eat without his hands. Gloria rolled her eyes.

"You guys know this isn't for entertainment, right? She's not just battling to battle," Gloria pointed out, tearing away more of her sandwich. It came to her attention that she was still holding her phone in her other hand, still on a call, but chose to ignore that at present. The sounds from the other end indicated Hop wasn't paying much attention either.

"Doesn't make a difference to us. She could at least make it exciting," Jessie pouted. "And besides, you guys are doing your hero act schtick. We're not joining you this time."

"We're not?" James asked. He was swiftly kicked. "Yes, erm, we're not. We're…"

"Protectin' Mesagoza."

"Wobb wobba."

Gloria shrugged. They were their own people, and she figured it would probably be better to have them on the ground in the city than in the depths of Area Zero. Especially with all the creatures. Jessie roared in disapproval once again, and Gloria took it as her hint to back away from them and into where Ash and Serena were, Hanna swinging from their arms in the space between them.

"Look, daddy! Flamey knight go boom!"

"Yeah, she's doing well, Hanna."

"Can I get one?" The sparkle in Hanna's eyes couldn't be denied, and Gloria snorted, taking the moment to finish her sandwich. On the court, Nemona was returning her relatively unscathed Pokémon. She spun her Poké Ball and offered further challenge to the student that was shaking and sweating.

"Let's start you with something small, yeah?" Gloria finally said, leaning to put a hand on the young girl's head.

"Auntie Gloria!" Hanna let go of her parents to spin and lock her tiny arms around Gloria's neck. She dragged her down, but only for a moment. "Auntie, why won't mommy and daddy give me a Pokémon?"

"Ask them," she said, getting the message from the swiftest glare the parents provided.

"They say I'm not old enough. But I'm…" Hanna took the moment to count on her fingers. She eventually settled on the right number. "I'm five! I want a Pokémon to go on adventures like them."

"Hanna, what kind of adventures are we talking here?"

"I wanna fight like loud girl, and dance like mama and, and-"

Hanna started to ramble off to her father all the things she wanted to do, her eyes shining so bright that if it wasn't all over the place it would have sounded inspirational. Ash found it somewhat amusing, if a little worried judging from the look far back in his eyes. The thought of Hanna fighting, not just to fight but against some threat, must have scared him more than he was willing to admit.

"I take it that's a conversation for another day?" Gloria asked, stepping next to Serena with a quiet enough voice for Hanna to not hear.

"I'd rather not have Hanna worry about that. It's why we're leaving her with Jessie when we go to Area Zero, though we've been thinking about enrolling her in the Academy's pre-trainer program. She's really taken to it." Gloria nodded, finding the decision sound. On the field, Nemona's Meowscarada (one that had recently evolved from her Floragato) danced circles around the opponent's Rabsca, a bug-like Pokémon that appeared to stand no chance. "Nemona's not taking prisoners."

"She's fired up," Gloria said. Looking around, she realized that the crowd had much thinned. Nemona's complete hot streak had become, as Jessie had suggested, rather boring. Some contestants had gotten close, usually within two Pokémon of Nemona's full team, but all fell before her tempered enthusiasm. "Of course, I get the feeling she's not all that fired up about the battles themselves. I think she's just passing the time. Testing them, sure, but she's really waiting for the one battle she really wants."

"Maybe," Serena said. She shoved her hands inside her skirt pockets, lips pursed as she stared out. "And maybe this feels like the only thing she can do. The only way she can feel a part of…"

Serena's unfinished sentence hung between them, calling attention to who wasn't there, and the overwhelming absence felt in between that. Gloria watched Serena, wondering what was going on in her mind, but the woman didn't reveal a thing. Ash seemed to understand his wife's brain, though, as he moved away to bring Hanna to the former Team Rocket trio.

"Gloria, you there?"

"Oh, Hop. Gimme a moment." She quickly patted Serena on the back and turned from the court. Not that she needed to see the result. Nemona's victory was inevitable, and it made her more than a bit impatient. She almost wanted to see Juliana return just to give Nemona the most challenging battle she could give. That thought fled when she found a quieter street near to but not at the action. "What's up? Everything going well?"

"Well enough," Hop said, his face pulling back from the screen to reveal his full complexion. "Akari's ready for transport. Soon as the expedition is underway, she is."

"Good. Then we'll get to see if my theory pans out," Gloria said. She offered Hop the cheekiest of smiles before dropping it the second she leaned against a wall. "You sure you don't want to come with?"

"Clemont and I think it's best to stay behind and monitor things from here. Maybe if something goes wrong, we can catch it."

"I'm not sure communications will get through. Arven's calls from his parents were spotty at the best of times. Besides, we could use someone strong like you."

"Don't I know it," Hop said, giving off a rather infectious laugh. She wanted to laugh with him, but managed only a chuckle before both their faces softened. "I want to be with you, too. But we have to consider what's best, right?"

"I know." She watched him on the screen a moment, trying to think of what to say next, but could only come up with a few words. "I'm sorry, Hop. For dragging you into all this so selfishly."

"Gloria, I've been dragged into your messes for a long time. If I minded, overall, you'd have known it by now. Besides, we're almost done."

"So, you're saying you like my messes?" she said, unable to restrain her laughter. "Guess I like dragging you into them. I don't think I could've done this without you, though. My better half."

"Your brainier half." Gloria couldn't deny that one. She laughed a little more, and for a moment, wished she could touch Hop through the screen. "Gloria, might not be the best time for all this but…even if they are messy, I'd throw myself into them forev-"

"Hold that thought, Hop," Gloria said, something catching in the corner of her vision. It was Serena, walking her way to a quieter portion of the city, her husband following close behind her. Curiosity got the better of Gloria, and she started to take stealthy steps in their direction. "Sorry, Hop, talk later?"

"Always. See you soon. Love you." She echoed it back and the line disconnected. Gloria stowed her phone away and took off after her favorite couple, only to stop short when she realized they hadn't gone far. After only a turn or two, she discovered the two sitting on a set of stairs, a phone in their hand that Rotom expanded to reveal multiple people on at once. Gloria noticed Bonnie, and thought of saying hello, but thought better of it and hung back, preferring to listen.

"Serena, I'm surprised for your call. Though I suppose given the news in Paldea, is it? It shouldn't be that surprising."

"How are things going for you and Brock?" Serena asked, hands on her knees. Ash, though nearby, remained standing, as though he had no part in the conversation between Kalos Queens. Even the other two women on the screen said nothing, waiting their turn to jump in, impatient as Bonnie looked.

"Never a dull moment. He's currently busy with some doctor relief, though we're thinking of a vacation soon."

"I don't know if there'll be time for vacation," Ash said. He stopped standing and opted to squat. "With what's going on here, we might need Brock, and he's the best I know."

"I was wondering what you were brooding about back there, Ash. It's so unlike you, I thought it was creepy," shouted the blue-haired girl on the other end. After all their years, Gloria knew her to be Dawn, but the striking resemblance to the girl in crystal was almost uncanny.

"Yeah? You know what's creepy? Seeing your doppel…dupel… Someone who looks like you inside crystal." That brought an immediate somber tone to the conversation, and from Gloria's peek, she could see Dawn's teasing grin drop.

"Yeah…when Serena told me, I didn't want to believe it. Someone who looks like me," Dawn said, shaking her head and shivering. "I mean, Princess Salvia is out there, sure, but you said she's from two hundred years ago? I don't think I have any ancestors like that."

"Maybe there's like a whole bunch of Dawn clones!"

"Bonnie, stop that! Not funny!" Dawn snapped, only to receive Bonnie's uncontrollable giggles in turn. The blonde soon got serious.

"But seriously, Serena, do you know how many challenges I have set up? Why did you call?"

"Like you won't steamroll through them…" Ash muttered. The point remained, though, and Gloria relaxed from where she was. From the very tone of Ash's voice, it indicated that he was aware as much as she was just how bored Bonnie had become in her role. Whether through lack of stakes, lack of challenge or the familiar routine that didn't fit her free spirit, she secretly relished the call from her favorite sister.

"I guess I just felt like some companionship. No offense, Ash."

"No, I get it," Ash said. It was only now that Gloria realized Pikachu was missing from his shoulder, likely playing with Hanna. "Seeing something like that Akari kinda hits you. Two hundred years, all alone in a crystal. Gotta wonder what she went through. What kind of world she took on her shoulders, and whether it was all worth it."

Ash's pensive state drew all others into it, causing Gloria to frown. On the screen, Dawn started to wave her hands. "Ash, stop thinking. It's scaring me."

"Mm? Oh, sorry. Just all this stuff in Paldea with Volo and Akari and whatnot is kinda hurting my brain a bit. Making me figure things out."

"Sounds like something you could use help with!" Bonnie chirped up cheerily. She sounded ready to just stride out the door and fly straight to Paldea, earning a laugh from all but Aria on the screen. Even with them refusing, Gloria had a feeling Bonnie would find some way to help out, regardless.

"I don't think that's what they need, Bonnie," Aria said. A small peek showed Gloria that Aria was looking behind her, to the speck that was Brock in the distance. He seemed busy, but took the time to wave to her. "It seems to me you know that, Serena."

"Of course…" Serena said, her own tone grown pensive. She knotted her fingers together, sucking in a great breath and staring up at the still horrible sky. "You have to imagine, given Volo, that Akari kept fighting all that time. But if she kept fighting, and he's still here, able to hurt Paldea so much… I don't think just fighting him back will save Paldea. I think the only thing that can is reminding people they're all the same. That we're all just people looking for love and connection. Maybe it's all we ever wanted."

"You really think that'll work?" Dawn asked. Piplup appeared to slide into frame, squatting on Dawn's lap, but no one paid him acknowledgement.

"I don't know. But I think she's trying to find the answer." While those on the other end didn't seem to understand, tilting their heads in confusion, Gloria knew perfectly well. "Juliana's floundering, searching desperately for some answer. But I think all she ever wanted was someone to be there for her. To let her know she's loved. And I think she can find it."

"You taught her, Serena. Of course, she'll find it!" Ash said, clapping a hand on his wife's shoulder. On the screen, the others nodded. Serena smiled.

"I know. I guess…I just wish I had seen that for her sooner," Serena admitted. Her voice dropped, and of everyone there, only Dawn seemed to have a reaction, one that indicated something Gloria had never known anything about. "Because maybe if everyone was able to find it and appreciate it, she wouldn't have had to…"

"Serena…" Dawn's worried words indicated her understanding, one that Serena silently thanked her for. Ones that felt like a private fear that had long festered inside Serena. Gloria almost felt guilty for having heard it, and prepared to depart. It left her with one more thought.

"I know. It's okay. I'm okay. I just…want to believe in Juliana. That she can prove what I believe in, too." Serena sat up a little straighter and took her husband's hand. "I want to see her victorious, having found exactly where she belongs and who she belongs with. I want her to prove that there's still a chance to find that smile, in even the depths of loss. I know she can.

"And if she can, then all of Paldea can, too."

Agreements followed, but Juliana didn't hear their specifics. She didn't need to. Knowing that Serena was supporting Juliana so wholeheartedly, that everyone was, was the only thing she needed to hear. Because she believed in her, too.

As the sounds of battle rose from the court, there was no doubt in her mind: Juliana would find that smile, and in a few days, she would be joining them on the Final Zero Expedition. All of them would find their answer.

Author's Note: This was character driven to the max. Think Circhester Bay or the Final Trial, but without the lows that accompanied those two revelations. All along, Juliana has been running from the one thing she wants most: connection. This is the true moment where it breaks through for her that she's not alone. Never has been. She's just been scared of being alone. I hope it was cathartic in that sense.

It also peeled back some layers on the previous main, current supporting cast, with a little more confirmation of something I hinted at a few chapters ago. Do keep an eye on that in the future.

But beyond that, what did you think? Tell me everything in a comment or review. Next time we head for Montenevera, so until then, Dare to Be Silly.