Author's Note: Ahh! It feels great to get back into this story again! Especially after finishing, Set You Free. Hope you all enjoy!

That early evening, Juliana and Arven were hanging out at the front entrance of the school, sitting on a ledge.

"Whew, it's nice to get a breath of fresh air!" Arven exclaimed, stretching his arms, "Being in that Terarium is fun, but you gotta remember it's not actually outside! Hahaha!"

Juilana giggled, "Yeah, that's right. Good thing it's a nice night in the real outdoors! Hahaha!"
She looked outward at the ocean horizon, "I've heard a lot of things about Unova. It's a really cool place!"

"Oh yeah? What did you hear?" Arven inquired.

"Here's what I read online… Unova was created by uniting the warring peoples of the land by twin heroes using a single powerful dragon, which led both to become kings. However, the brothers started to argue over their beliefs; the elder brother sought truth and the younger brother sought ideals. Their arguments somehow split the single dragon into Reshiram, who sided with the older brother, and Zekrom, who sided with the younger brother."

Arven was intrigued, "Wow… truth and ideals huh? So… who won?"

"None of them did." Juliana answered, "They were both the same dragon so they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. And the brothers decided that there was no right side. Which I think makes a lot of sense."

Arven looked at the horizon, "At the end of the day, both are important."

Juilana nodded, "Mm-hmm. I hope that I can see more of Unova one day. It seems like a cool place!"

Arven put an arm around her, "As long as you bring me with you!"

"Of course I will!" Juliana enthused.

Arven then asked in a gentle tone, "Which one would you side with, Juliana? Truth? Or ideals?"

Juliana hesitated, folding her hands together, "That's a tough question, Arven. There's no way to deny the truth, it's always going to be there no matter what. But there's nothing wrong with having ideals. Truths are always important, even if it hurts. But… who says you can't dream?"

Arven smiled, "That's just the answer I expected from you, cutie…"

This made Juliana blush, "Arvie…"

To their shock, they noticed Professor Raifort walking up the long walkway. Not only that, but she had her hair wrapped up in a towel.

"Ahh, what a lovely swim that was!" She exclaimed. She noticed the pair and her eyebrows lifted. She approached them, "Well hello there, you two. What a lovely night this is, hm?"

Arven was not having it, "Did you need something?"

Raifort found his less than friendly response amusing, "Ohhohoho Arven… you haven't changed a bit I see! Always talking like you're about to bite someone's head off… I like it! Young men these days definitely need more spunk…"

Juliana couldn't contain her curiosity, "Professor Raifort, why do you have a towel on your head?"

Raifort grinned, "Isn't it obvious my little puppet? I went for a swim to explore the ancient ruins that are in the sea!"

Juliana was so baffled she couldn't muster a response. Arven was different, he spoke with an angered face, "Do not call her your little puppet." His tone was low and threatening.

Raifort was unintimidated, "Ohoho… sure, sure."

Juliana looked around before asking, "Does Director Clavell know you did that?"

Raifort shook her head, "Not at all. He was much too distracted with speaking with that descendant of Heath. Made a great opportunity for me!"

Arven suggested, "I say we should go find him and let him know what you've been up to."

Raifort only allowed a small glimpse of fear to show, "Ahem! That will not be necessary. I was simply passing by. Do take care now, children… ohoho…"

As she walked away, Arven watched her with an annoyed expression. Once she was out of sight, he scoffed, "Hmmph… that woman has problems."

Juliana couldn't help but laugh uneasily, "Director Clavell would get so mad if he found out."

Arven shook his head, "Juliana… you really should be more assertive… You shouldn't let her get away with saying things like that."

Juliana felt flustered, "Uh… sorry…"

Arven's eyes widened, "I'm not trying to insult you! I'm just… you know…" He sighed, "I worry about you…"

"I know Arven…" Juliana replied shyly, her face red.

Arven put an arm around her and kissed her head. After some silence, Juliana returned to the subject they were on before, "Geeta did ask if I planned on moving here. To Unova. I told her no, but that Unova was cool!"

Arven chuckled, "I bet she was happy to hear that."

"She was relieved and told me she hoped I would continue to be an inspiration in Paldea."

"You will! I know you will!" Arven encouraged.

"Thank you… She did tell me that if I were to move to Unova, she would respect my decision. But that I would be greatly missed."

"Of course you would." Arven replied, "And like I said before, I wouldn't let you leave without me! Haha!" He reminded her lovingly.

Juliana assured her beloved, "I wouldn't leave you, Arven!"
Indeed, the idea of traveling the world with Arven by her side made her absolutely giddy. They've already kind of did when they went to Kitakami, and now at the Blueberry Academy. She couldn't help but smile at the thought. Quickly snapping out of it, she asked, "So Arven, did you want to go to the cafeteria and get a milkshake?"

Arven lit up, "Ooh, that sounds good! Let's go!"

"All right!" Juliana hopped to her feet, which prompted Arven to do the same. And the two joined hands to walk. In the hallway, the two were happily going about their way. When all of a sudden, Drayton startled the two by hopping in front of them.

"Good evening, you two." He teased with a wink.

Arven sputtered, "What the heck!? Wh-where did you come from?"

Juliana greeted him, "Hey Drayton! What's going on? I'm surprised to see you walking around! Tee hee!"

Drayton stretched his arms over his head, "Yeah, it sucks… but I was just going to the cafeteria. What about you two?"

"Hey, that's where we're going!" Juliana stated, "Arven and I wanted a milkshake! Let me guess, you're gonna get more snacks?"

"Not quite." Drayton responded, "I'm meeting with someone." His mouth slowly curled. This piqued the couple's curiosity. Juliana especially realized from his tone and facial expression that he wasn't just meeting with someone on a platonic level.

"Are you meeting with a girl, Drayton?" Juliana inquired with a rising intonation.

Arven chortled, "Okay, I know it's not my business, but now I'm curious."

Without hesitation, Drayton answered smugly, "You guys can totally come if you want. I think you should. It'll be fun."

"Sure thing!" Juilana replied, "I would love to meet your date!"

"You already know her." Drayton hinted while grinning the widest grin.

"Huh?" Juliana and Arven answered simultaneously.

Carmine waited in the cafeteria with fidgeting hands. Her spirits greatly lifted after receiving that invite for dinner from Drayton. She couldn't believe that dunce finally went and did it. He asked her out on a date. It wasn't exactly how she would've had it happen if it were up to her. She would never admit to anyone that she wanted something a bit more romantic. But she was not going to complain. As a matter of fact, it was quite simple, he approached her when she was alone and asked her if she wanted to grab food with him sometime. That was it, no hesitation, no build-up. He just came right out and said it.

Perhaps simplicity wasn't so bad every now and then. And if she were honest, she kind of liked his boldness. One thing that bothered her though, was that they were in school, thus had to stay in uniform. Otherwise, she would've worn something gorgeous. She imagined that navy, sleeveless, bodycon dress she had in her closet at home.

Eventually, he arrived. Acting fast, she ducked behind a wall before he could see her and smoothed her hair down, a girl's got to look her best after all. Then she noticed to her horror, that he wasn't alone. Juliana and Arven were behind him.

She thought to herself, "Oh no… Are you kidding me!? What on earth is he planning now!?"

She overheard Juliana asking innocently, "Where's your date?"

Drayton's answer, "Huh… weird. I thought she'd be here first. Oh well, let's just wait."

Not wanting to hide any longer, Carmine decided to bite the bullet and step out. She approached the gang with severe tension.

Juliana noticed her and waved, "Hey Carmine! What's up?"

Drayton stood and immediately put his arm around her, which made her flinch. He grinned, "Juliana, Arven, I'd like to introduce my date to you."
Carmine's face went redder than a Magby.

Juliana was astounded, "Whaaaaaat!?"

Arven was calmer, "Ah, I see. So Carmine's your date! I was confused when you said we knew her already. Although I won't lie… I had a hunch…"

"What… did you bring them here for!?" Carmine questioned through gritted teeth.

Drayton explained, "I didn't plan too. But I ran into them and thought, what the hey, they're our friends and it would be fun!"

"Carmine, I'm so surprised it was you!" Juliana expressed.

Carmine turned away bashfully, "Uggghh…"

Arven couldn't help it, "Ahahaha! I'm sorry for laughing, but this is kind of funny! I never would've thought that you two would have a thing for each other!"

Carmine was ready to explode from embarrassment. Drayton seemed all too proud of himself. Juliana on the other hand was just happy for everyone.

"Don't get the wrong idea!" Carmine insisted, "It's not like that at all! He just… invited me… and I was hungry anyway!"
Drayton had the biggest grin while rolling his eyes, "If you say so…"

"We should go get our food!" Juliana mentioned happily.

Everyone agreed, and went to join the line. Thankfully, it wasn't too long and everyone was able to get a milkshake and food. After returning to their seats, Juliana happily took a sip of her milkshake.

"Wow, everything here is good!" She complimented.

Arven agreed, "It is, I wonder where they get their ingredients from?"

"Director Cyrano has great taste." Drayton praised, "Like I said before, the food is so great it just makes you want to inhale it!"

Arven objected, "Hey, that's not how you eat food! You're supposed to take your time and enjoy it thoroughly!"

Drayton did not care, "Yeah, okay…" He replied coolly with a smile.

Juliana looked at Carmine who was sitting across from her. Carmine immediately became flustered again, "Wh-what!?"

Juliana giggled, "Nothing, you just look so embarrassed right now…"

"Y-You! Don't even start!" Carmine clenched her fists, then relaxed, "I mean… if I had my dress on, I'd be stunning this whole room right now!"

This made Juliana light up, "Oh, I would love to see you in a dress Carmine! I bet you'd look beautiful!"

Carmine paused before replying, "What? Say that again?"

A confused Juliana repeated, "I said you'd look beautiful in a dress."

Carmine felt like she could walk on air hearing that. She clapped her hands, "Feel free to say that many more times!"

Juliana laughed, "Okay, Carmine."

Carmine was sure to mention, "Of course. I look beautiful all the time! But if I had my dress, this room would stop!"

Drayton responded, "I don't understand why people feel the need to get all fancy. Don't clothes like that get uncomfortable? Especially you girls… don't those shoes with the heels torture you?"

An annoyed Carmine rolled her eyes, "Of course a guy like you wouldn't understand…"

Arven interjected, "He does have a point, you know."

Juliana gave her view, "It's just a way for us to look pretty!"

"Cutie, you are already pretty!" Arven retorted quickly, "No wait… you're more than that!"

"Oh, thank you Arvie!" Juliana responded cheerfully.

The teens continued to chat and laugh while enjoying their meals. As for Carmine? Well, although she was embarrassed to death. She was enjoying herself. Despite the fact that this didn't go as she pictured.
For now, this was good enough.

Meanwhile…

Perrin was in a quiet place, researching everything she could find about Area Zero. She was well-aware that it was a forbidden place that almost no one was grated permission to enter. But her curiosity was overriding her reason.

She whispered to herself, "Wow… these strange Pokemon are so cool! I can't believe that Paldea has such a place! Then again… this could all be fake…"

She smiled, "Only one way to find out for sure…"

Torchlit Labyrinth…

"Whoa, this is nothing like the caves we have back at home!" Nemona's voice bounced off the damp stone walls and echoed all around them.

Kieran kept his wits about, "Be careful where you step, Nemona. There's not much light in here…" Indicating the only light source were the torches.

"That makes it even more cool! To be honest, I'm not a fan of caves where they put too much light in… it totally-!"
Unfortunately, she did not heed Kieran's warning enough, and her slipping halted her stream of words. She quickly noticed that this would be no minor fall. As a matter of fact, she had a long drop. She screamed in terror.

"Nemona!" Kieran cried out as she disappeared below the ground. Thinking quickly, he grabbed the Pokeball containing his Dragonite and sent him after the falling Nemona.
Dragonite quickly assessed the situation and took a sharp dive. Stopping just as he was about to touch the ground and held his arms out.
Nemona landed harmlessly in the dragon's embrace seconds later. She took a few gasping breaths before she realized what had happened.

"Whoa, that was close!" She remarked with a smile, "Nice catch, big guy! Oh gosh, my life flashed before my eyes!"

The Dragonite gave a pleasant smile, not minding Nemona's enthusiasm.

"Nemona!" Kieran called, rushing as carefully as he could down the ladder. Once getting his feet on the ground, he ran over, "Nemona, are you all right?"

"Yeah! I'm fine!" Nemona answered as Dragonite put her down.

Kieran sighed, "Thank goodness… this is why I told you to be careful!"

"I'm so sorry!" Nemona apologized, "It's just that I've never seen a place like this! I'll… I'll be more careful, I swear!"

Kieran paused before saying, "We should probably go somewhere else. Somewhere with less… cliff edges."

Nemona agreed with an embarrassed smile. She didn't have the courage to tell him that it was usually Juliana and her Koraidon that would save her.

That would be a story for another day.