—START—

-3rd Person POV-

She had only left an hour ago and yet she was already having problems.

Very important problems, some Star should definitely should have seen coming, and still in her tiredness along with the script she followed to tell her younger self, it wasn't in consideration.

Not that she could have changed anything if she wanted past her to go as quietly as she had once done.

A sigh escaped from her lips.

She had trusted herself to be able to take care of them. (I was really frustrated I couldn't say goodbye to them a year ago too) maybe that little deviation could have done something.

In the end nothing could change the problem at hand, as he actions couldn't be changed anymore.

Leaving her with a team that wasn't really answering her.

They had heard the conversation sure, the Pokeball didn't stop it, they were meant to listen but nothing changed the fact that she had been gone.

Star had returned as fast as she had left and still had been away an entire year and has grown a lot in that time.

Not only her presence was slightly different to them, but the idea of her running off and having another team in another timeline probably wasn't to their liking either.

All of that causing them to refuse each time she tried to send them out of their Pokeballs.

Star asked, no begged them to give her a chance. "Can we talk about this?" It hurt, it really did hurt. "please"

The Pokeballs didn't even shake in recognition.

Star had also hurt them by leaving them behind, Star had hurt her team's feeling by choosing to leave without them without raising a single complaint.

"…Fine…" There really was nothing she could do about this right now, not until they wanted to talk to her.

One day she would solve this, vowed Star in silence.

Her plans to going directly to the Rose Theater were going to have to be delayed then as she had to find a PC, looking to transfer someone else in that could fly.

Since (Fluffy) was her flyer here and was a part of her team.

Luckily, there was one inside the resort's main building, the one Tesla most likely used.

Now all she needed was to connect to her Ranch back at Reborn and get someone from there.

(Them too, I should probably tell them all I've returned) It would be the nice thing to do after making them wait this long. (And rotate everyone around too, they'll like the chance to battle)

After saying hello to the receptionist the interceptor walked towards the machine, booting it up with all the necessary identification for both ranch's she had.

One here and the other in Reborn.

(Who could take me fast to the Theater?) unlike here in Aevium her number of caught Pokemon in past had been minimum, trying to avoid the issue of abandonment she was sure would happen.

Even still, she had needed a team eventually and one strong enough to beat Lyn, forcing her to catch more Pokemon.

Only eight normal Pokemon were those she caught., all others had been those born from the Anomalies.

With a heavy conscience she put the pokeballs that had been in her belt inside the bag, not willing to put them in the ranch until they talked.

Then Star took out the team which she had become a champion with.

Primarina (Aria), the chosen starter gifted to her by Ame after the explosion of the train, the water fairy type was a really compassionate being although her Fae instincts really made her possessive.

On her tail there was a little ornament from where some leftovers hanged.

Krokodile (Moxie), a competitive and proud Sandile she caught in the hidden cove after escaping with everyone from Sirius and was the fourth ever caught.

Around his arm was a custom made band made to hold a life orb.

Cinccino (Scarlett), a bubbly yet aggressive fur ball who loved battling, she was the first Pokemon she caught there and one of her heavy hitters despite the impression she gives.

A little earing on her left ear held a loaded dice.

Delphox (Cel), he is a rather lazy fox, always preferring to waste the least effort in anything he does, but that understands when things are necessary, Star found him stuffed into a system down in the water treatment center and her sixth capture.

Attached to his stick there was a transparent ball full of light clay.

Emolga (Volta),the little flying squirrel was the third to join her after stealing her lunch one day, as an energetic and cunning member who wasn't a powerhouse, rather a very annoying support for the team.

She didn't carry an item unlike the others.

and lastly Amoonguss (Shino), the fifth member and the most infuriating member of her team to deal with for rivals, he's rather difficult to read and changes his behavior every now and then.

There is big root entangled under the big fungus on its head.

All of them had played a crucial role in both her title and the later dealings with the New World.

Aside from them however, she took one more from the pc.

Latias had been the one she usually went to for flying after she was caught and as the only flyer she could ask right now.

A very special stone secured on a claw band tailor made for her.

There was a few more things she did on the PC, linking both her Aevian and Reborn native accounts together under her name.

Same with the bank account she ended up making for herself.

(Surely they won't notice) she tried to tell herself that the obvious move wouldn't call to attention from the league at the other side of the world.

Lying to herself aside, it was still a thing she was going to do, they had been waiting for her for a long time, it's the least she owed them.

All she needed from the PC was now finished, the screen turned off once she exited the accounts.

Star walked away from it, going to the door not before saying goodbye to the desk lady and taking off to the entrance of the cave nearby.

(You can't get views like this back there) the beaches and islands around were a marvel to stare at after living in the asphalt marvel that the city had ended up becoming.

Its not like she didn't like them either, this simply felt different.

And it was here, at the sea's beginning where she would release them again.

The Pokeballs flew through the air and opened.

A mountain of bodies soon buried Star.

"Cinn" a White furr.

"Mar" A blue tai.

"Rok krok" Sharp fangs.

"…" A fiery stick.

"Emo" The flutter of wings.

"Guss" Mushroom arms.

"Laa" and the scales of a dragon.

Seven Pokemon, now freed from their pokeballs crushed the girl under their weight.

"Guys, guys let me breathe" feeling them happily greeting her despite everything was almost enough to make all frustration go away, displaying love despite what had transpired.

And unlike anyone else that she had met in Reborn, they weren't surprised at hearing her talk, as she did talk to them, they were the only one's she really did talk to outside battle commands.

And she was so happy to see them.

Although they were even more as it had been them who had the long wait, trusting their trainer to return for them.

The Psychic types in her team ended up getting everyone off of her, clearly acting more levelheaded than the others despite also being incredibly happy.

"I'm sorry if I took to long for you guys" The apology was met with Cinccino (Scarlett) rubbing her head on Star's chest while making sounds no human should understand.

But as the trainer, how could she not get what she told her. "I know it's not my fault but still"

Amoonguss huffed, making circles with his limbs, pointing at her. "Fine, fine I'll stop" despite being scolded, Star smiled.

"I promise we'll do a lot together" they all cheered, making Star feel a slight pang of guilt once her eyes landed on her bag, discarded to the side. "And maybe one day you can meet the team I talked you guys so much about"

Star couldn't just keep her time travel a secret for her team, not when they were the only thing she had that worked as strength in any real way.

Not when they were a family that went everywhere with her.

So they knew of her team here.

"Kro?" Moxie questioned, looking around as if trying to find them.

Star sighed. "they're a bit mad at me right now, leaving without any consideration nor an opinion on their part probably hurt them" her gaze went to the bag again.

"ro? Kr kokr!" the sand crocodile was angry at the answer, accusing Star's past team of having no faith in her.

"They're family to you as much as I am, don't bath mouth them like that" She didn't raise her voice at him, but the tone was a clear warning, Star needed to be stern if she didn't want this to repeat itself.

Luckily a small green pellet hit the Krokodile, forcing him to look down towards Scarlett who was replicating Star stern tone. "Min min min!"

Delphox (Cel) and Latias laughed at the poor ground type, as e failed completely to intimidate her teammate by growling and showing his fangs.

Instead the normal type smirked and there was a shift in the air as green energy glowed on the Pokemon's mouth.

"Stop that, there isn't a Pokemon center around here for you guys to start a battle right now"

The two of them huffed at each other, silently promising to compete later on.

That interaction was sweet from her point of view as their sibling like rivalry was still there even after all this time, making her happy.

Her Pokemon could do that, it was something she'd always love from them.

In all the reunion and hugs Star had lost an entire extra hour in the beach, an extra hour she'd left Elias to deal with everyone else alone.

If they had bothered to give him a piece of mind. (I'm sure they at least listened to him, they're good people Star don't worry)

The point was that she needed to arrive there and fast.

And there was only one way to do that right now. "Latias, let's go full steam ahead" She raised her hand, there in her pinkie was a ring with a very peculiar stone.

They took flight immediately, moving fast enough to break the sound barrier, but that wasn't enough. "Now Mega Evolve" by making contact with the ring's stone a light originated from it.

The language she spoke wasn't a mortal one. "Human, human" the first time the two met had been inside her New World as the two worked together to piece Florinia's emotions.

It was then she taught her to talk through emotion rather than words.

Fighting together in Giratina's lair.

Helping her look for Zygarde cells.

Memories fueled the ring in a multicolored spherical dome that engulfed the two, only to break into pieces.

Mega Latias was here in all her purple glory, the rush of excitement the Pokemon hadn't gotten in years exiting her to no end, as she pushed her speed to the limit.

At a pace where getting to the Rose Theater would not be a long trip.

As long as Star could give the directions in time.

The Theater looked bigger than she remembered.

Maybe because she never quite bothered to fly directly to the building and always taking things like the train and walking from Grand Dream City that this view escaped her.

"Ok descend here" She pointed to the entrance, light engulfing them once more as the Mega Evolution faded without anyone having noticed their entrance.

Star couldn't really remember the reason they had decided to meet here today, hell, she had forgotten a good chunk of details from her varied explorations on her own through the region.

Getting back on track to stop the Xenpurgis should be a priority, the good thing being that she was currently stronger than ever.

And if she could sway Puppy on her side maybe strong enough to put an end to Madame X on one operation.

Then Vitus would be their only problem…and Storm-9.

(Argh, too many problems for the future) Star shook her head as the two reached the ground, she had the capability to fight back now, there was only a need for a proper plan of action and they had been working on that before she left.

(earing my head now about this won't do me any good) Leaving those issues aside for now was a necessity anyways, there was a more imminent situation. "Ok, Latias return"

"Why?" The emotion of doubt radiated in form of a question, it was clear she wanted to spend more time together and had enjoyed their flight.

Star could understand where she was coming from, but also had a difficult conversation to deal with. "This is important Latias, I promise we'll all spend time together but I need you to wait just a little more"

"please" the plead through emotion worked, as it portrayed how actually important this was for both her and the people inside.

As such Latias returned to her ball in the belt by herself, not before making sure she'd remember her promise.

There was a sense of resignation when standing in front of the door yet also one of determination as Star pushed it open, finding Erin, a young woman of white hair and friend, on the inside, looking worried.

(I only recognized her because of her hair) Thought with some remorse the time traveler.

Without saying anything, the Interceptor approached, the creaking of the wooden planks alerting the resident of the Theater of her presence.

Erin turned to look at her letting a grasp of relief she wasn't aware she held while waiting here. "You sure took your time"

It was the way she said hello, the message Eliar carried yesterday at the night had probably put on edge the one normally in charge or plans.

"Sorry, I got sidetracked" Was her own greeting, not sounding very apologetic, that hour given to her Pokemon was the minimum Star owed them. "I suppose you got my message from Elias?"

"Wait, you actually send the priest?!"it was the expected question, trusting someone out of nowhere claiming to know someone wasn't the smartest choice.

It also want a good idea to just tell someone who'd do what was ordered into a situation like that yet Star did so anyways.

Bad ideas everywhere.

"We didn't exactly believe him, especially after that weird greeting he gave" Erin clearly wasn't very comfortable around him, most likely it was his presence.

She too found it too similar to Angie's when they met back in Serra's mansion.

"Let me guess, he said something in a language you didn't know? And then gave you my message and spoke of the will of Arceus" the man did that to any new person he met and frankly it was off putting sometimes.

Star appreciated his efforts to change though and had gotten to know him well after everything, making her a bit biased when it came to his antics.

"Spot on, you really know this guy huh?" The pink haired girl chuckled somewhat sheepishly, having just thrown the Elite four member at them. "well we did bring him here and everyone is watching him in the main room, we were just waiting for you"

Star went up the little stair case on the entrance, finally walking up to her friend, containing herself no to jump and hug her.

Erin had to blink twice once she was on her same level. "have you grown? I swear I was taller than you" It hadn't taken much for her to notice now that they stood on equal grounds.

"yeah, it's kinda what I need to explain, let's not keep everyone waiting" The two made their way through the door in the middle

To say things were tense inside was an understatement.

"Say anything you punk" Venam was standing beside the man, her eyes focused only on him with Melia trying to get her to sit down while also keeping him in her vision. "Urgh"

"We will talk once she arrives" his reply was instantaneous, not bothering to make small talk.

Behind the girls were the Sahila residents with both of Damian, glaring daggers at the stranger while his sister, who was equally as wary, was standing in front of him denying him any chance to act.

Ryland was laying back, hand in pokeball ready just in case.

Aelita was just looking at everyone, not wanting anything to go bad but she also wouldn't show rudeness to Elias with her behavior as everyone else.

Ren, a non robotic Ren had come too, looking way too concentrated as if trying to figure something out.

What probably surprised Star the most was Crescent, the woman was sitting directly in front of him, drinking some tea. That by no means was her lowering her guard thought.

Elias could tell of the distrust of the people around him, and it was fine to him, as he was the stranger in what had seemed to be a planned celebration they would all have today.

The Interceptor felt like crying again, seeing them again was a joy, especially now that she could see their faces.

Those had gotten blurry in her memory after the sixth month.

"The Star of the show had arrived" Announced the silver haired girl after watching the purple haired gym leader arrive.

Everyone's attention turned to Erin, and soon to who stood beside her.

"Star!" Venam was the first to exclaim, her accumulated frustration finally getting out. "good to see you girl, could you by any chance explain what's the deal with this nutjob"

She didn't contain her words when referring to Elias, pointing at him while she asked for an explanation.

"My lord" Elias got up and bowed, prompting everyone to move in accordance and only afterwards processed his words and actions. "It is a joy to see you as always"

Star didn't answer, just frowned slightly at him, a very common gesture whenever the man did this greetings with too much respect.

And he understood so. "of course, my apologies"

"Star, hi" Melia walked forward, moving around the adult, and looking at Star and for a second the girl tensed up. "what was that about?"

Melia's voice was familiar and Star had missed it.

"Melia" Star smiled at her. "It's just Elias being overly formal" dismissed the champion, this was a usual thing in her every day visit to the nightclub.

"So you do know him" Alexandra inserted herself in the conversation. "We were worried when he came into the league's installations out of nowhere yesterday, saying he had come in your name"

Right, her terrible idea of calling a meeting by a man none of them knew.

Actually something she said rubbed her the wrong way. "You teleported directly inside?" Aelita and Erin looked away, they had almost hit the priest the second he appeared.

They expected Kieran to teleport from out of nowhere, not an old man with shades.

Although Erin was much less sorry, Elias simply reminded her too much of Angie and her opinion of that woman wouldn't be good, ever.

A hum of agreement came from him. "It was the fastest way to accomplish the task given to me my lord" If only he was this eager to get along with his daughter.

"Arceus damn it El"

The conversation derailed enough for Venam to recompose. "Oi, what's with this my lord Shi…uh thing?"

"Not only that, you're taller and have bigger arms" Crescent added, bringing a point many hadn't paid attention in their rush to know of the man.

All of them were reasonable questions. "It's got to do both about why I asked us to talk today actually" agreed to explain together with everything. "But we need to just be us"

Aelita looked around, signaling to one of the Kimono girls in the room to exit it, the plan they had for today would have to wait.

"Before we do that" Ren had known that man's face was familiar when he saw it, but only now could piece it together. "I thought I recognized you somewhere, and I have to ask you are Elias Hazel right? an Ex-Elite four member of Reborn?"

Both time travelers went still, they hadn't expected recognition like this.

Then again, the Elite of a region was always known around the world, being the

"Eh?!" Venam almost screamed when he said so.

Erin on the other hand whistled. "An Ex Elite Four? That's a really good asset you got" the words were for Star even if everyone could hear.

"Is this really important?" Damian's patience wasn't the best, and he wanted answers, much like Crescent.

They were ignored in favor of the new information.

"I am flattered you recognize me young man, I find myself curious as to how thought, my time as member has been pass for long now"

He scratched his cheeks at the praise but explained. "I actually have a recording of the exhibition match against the previous Reborn champion Amethyst" Ren would never say out loud how much he watched those old recording. "I followed the whole league and most public matches"

Every gym challenger had the right to ask if their match could be televised. Star had said no each and every time.

His purple haired friend didn't have such qualms. "Oh, yeah I remember that, you wouldn't shut up about how cool the match was" Venam remembered they had watched that together on occasion trying to replicate how the big leagues battled. "Was that's YOU?!" and then she caught onto what that meant.

"An exhibition match against Ame? How come I didn't know about this" Star decided to ask, it would have been really good to know those existed when they were on opposite sides.

"It was long ago my Lord, I had little to no clue said old recordings were still around"

"Can we please go back to the matter at hand" The interruption came from Alexandra, she knew her brother wasn't going to take much more of this.

"It actually does matter" Ren talked back to her, gaining a curious look from most, although Star and Elias probably knew what he would say. "Because Elias Hazel was reported missing ten years ago alongside Champion Shelly's predecessor"

Silence was made with that declaration, as the man in front of them was believed to be dead to this day.

"Shelly's predecessor, what was her name?" Elias asked without explaining anything.

"Shouldn't you know that?" Erin asked as an answer. "They must have beaten you to become Champion right?"

Star watched the situation unfold with both Melia and Aelita by the side, understanding where her companion was trying to go with the talk. "humor him" She said, gaining weird looks but convincing them to try.

"Honestly it's hard to remember, they were only champion for two months before disappearing" he racked his brain trying to think of something, until he found it. "Ah yeah, there was this challenge she got in that time from one the Gym leaders at the time, Titania!"

Once he had that information of hand Ren wasted no time looking it up under the curiosity of why that was important.

"It's this one, a battle between Gym leader and challenger Titania…"

"…Against reigning Champion…Star…"

—END—