Twinkling lights on the dark horizon are my first vision of Hoenn. It is late, the calm sea is a wide spread of black and I am glad to see the lights bringing an end to our solitude out here. Yet, I wonder and worry what I will face here.

I lean against the railings for support and suppress a wince as my torso aches with discomfort. Although our journey has been relatively pleasant the sea air seems to have added to my aches, and I have had to spend most of the trip resting with the seasick Kenji.

Rika thinks I am running away. She is right. I don't have the energy to fight Geeta and I don't know how to confront her. It causes me a migraine thinking of the years she and have spent together in a sordid boss and employee relationship. All this time she knew who murdered my wife and why, she instigated it and had Ellie kidnapped yet she never blinked twice in making her subordinate and bedroom partner. Maybe I'm afraid to confront her because thinking of our relationship fills me with guilt. How could I have been so blind to her? Rika has vowed to ensure the truth comes out and that my reputation isn't tarnished in my absence because she is hopeful Mia and I will return to Paldea. Mia…

Here in Hoenn she is Ellie Stone, she has a mother in hospital and a father who accused her of being a monster last they spoke. They have had their lives with her, she is sixteen now and almost grown and I am desperate to have her back as my own daughter, but I know my selfish desires would only break her. It's why I made the decision to come her, so she wouldn't have to decide between me and her Hoenn parents, not while her Hoenn mother is gravely ill. I feel awkward coming here, but it was the only way to resolve Ellie's turmoil.

Steven has given no clues as to what reception Ellie or any of the rest of us are going to get here. I don't know how I will be explained to anyone, if there will be an admittance that I am Ellie's real father or if I'll be 'Larry, the Elite Four member from Paldea who helped out with fighting Team Rocket'.

"You seem deep in thought."

I look over to Morty as he approaches, hands in his pockets and a small smile on his face. His Haunter follows behind with a large smile on its ghoulish face. I didn't expect Morty to come along but Ellie's psychic powers remain unstable and there is undoubtedly a fear that the Mrs. Stone's state may provoke an unwanted reaction from Ellie.

"Did you want to come along?" I pry. "Or did Lance persuade you?"

Morty laughs. "Actually, it was Steven, he asked nicely if I would consider it. She had another void in Medali, something about that omnious power in the crater that you're all so careful not to talk about. He's afraid that she'll have an outburst in Hoenn, probably something to do with his dad blaming her for his mum's injuries. Never mind how things might go when you're introduced to them."

I nod. "Why did you agree? Didn't you want to go back to Johto?"
"Yes but there's something unsettling about Hoenn, something Steven doesn't speak about, I get glimpses of it in his eyes, but I can't figure it out. I promised Ellie I'd see her safe and stable before I return to Johto. Maybe, if their mother has improved you could take her back to Paldea, seems sad she only saw Medali."

I stare at Morty as I wonder if can foresee something in Hoenn that he's not revealing but he keeps smiling, giving nothing away.

"Well, thank you for coming," I say softly.

Morty nods. "She was cracking Larry; you did the right thing deciding to come here with her. She carries a lot of guilt over her mother being injured but she has a lot of guilt over you too. Let's just hope her mother is improved."

"You can't tell if she is?"

Morty shakes his head. "No, and Steven isn't giving much away, is he?"

"No."

I look out again to the twinkling lights as they grow closer, and a voice announces over the speakers that we will be disembarking soon.

"Let's find the others then," Morty says cheerfully.

I follow him, for I am not certain where they might be. Most likely Kenji is still in his quarters being sick with either Elie or Koga or both of them nearby. Steven may be with Ellie or his luggage or hiding in his cabin. He has been recognised by more than a few people on board as the former Champion of the region and he does not welcome the attention. I have heard more than a few murmurs about the 'strange attack' on his family and 'his poor mother'.

Morty leads the way to the on-deck café where the remainder of our group is seated. Kenji is grey faced, retching and shaking his head as Ellie tries to persuade him to drink some water. Koga sits near them, calm as he sips at a coffee, pausing every so often to shake his head at Kenji.

Steven stands up at our arrival and hurries over to us. "Larry, can I talk to you a minute?"
Morty heads over to the table wordlessly, leaving me with Steven before I can even respond.

I stare over at the silver haired man and wait for him to speak.

"I…I'm grateful you decided to come to Hoenn for her," he says quietly.

"Well, you both need to see how your mother is."

He nods and glances over to the table to the others before turning his attention back to me. His eyes are bloodshot, and I can see anxiety filling them. "I…I don't know how it's going to be Larry. I don't know how my mother is, she's still in hospital that's all I really know, and my dad hasn't said anything about Ellie, so I don't know how he's going to be with her. I don't know what they'll make of you either. They knew the risks when we took her in, she told us bad people were chasing her, a man wearing a top with a red R, mad because she had burned him. We always knew there was a chance they could catch up to her. Dad will remember that and realise it's not her fault."

"You're worried about her being back in Hoenn."

His grey gaze widens, and he fixes it on me as surprise fills his face before he nods. "Yes, I am." He cracks a small, bitter smile before banishing it again. "I know, I pushed for her to come home, and I don't regret that, we need to see mum but…I have no control." His voice almost turns to a whisper with the end of his sentence.

I wonder if there another meaning to it, he isn't the Champion anymore, someone else leads the Elite and the Gym Leaders and must make the tough decisions if any criminal gangs start to act up. It should be a relief, but I suppose it means Steven won't have the same resources if Ellie is targeted again.

I suppose Steven and I were both hoping with Troy arrested and a return to Hoenn on the horizon this would be the end of our troubles, but life doesn't work that way. I look to Ellie too and wonder how I will react if Steven's father should say something cruel to her, I'm sure whatever my response is it won't be helpful or appropriate. Troy may be on his way to jail, and Geeta's treachery may have been exposed but Ellie remains an unstable psychic, she's still vulnerable and probably still appealing to all the wrong people, something that may never stop for her. She can hear and speak with Pokemon and called upon a Legendary Pokemon to aid her, there will always be someone out there who will want to harness that power. I know Steven's fears for her because I have them too, what if someone else from Team Rocket comes to try and seize her or one of the organisations he had to deal with tries to kidnap her?

I extend a hand and pat him awkwardly on the shoulder because I don't know what else to do and I realise Ellie is focused on us now.

"Let's see your mum and take it from there."

I pull my hand away as a voice on the speaker announces our arrival.

Morty helps Ellie get a groaning Kenji to his feet while Koga comes to aid me as I wince with each step I take and clutch at my torso as it throbs in pain.

"Are you sure you want to be here?" I pry as we exit the café.

"Well, it's a bit late if I don't," he sneers.

I look at him as I let him embrace me lightly to support me limping out. "Well, I don't really get why you're here," I admit. "Is it just to keep an eye on Kenji for his brother?"

"Who said I was even doing that? Maybe I'm just trying to run away from all my problems like you." Although he sounds mocking, I wonder if there is some truth to his words.

Although Looker is gone, with Koga and Morty still with us it feels like the adventure hasn't ended, like perhaps there is still some challenge to face. I think of Morty's hints and the anxiety in Steven's eyes and worry a little more about what is waiting for us in Hoenn.

"Why Larry you've turned pale, the boat's stopped you know, it's a little late for seasickness," Koga taunts me.

"I just don't know what to expect in Hoenn," I confess.

"No one does, worrying won't help though. Ellie has enough worries, don't add to them. Let's just hope for a nice bed, anything beyond that is a bonus."

We reach the walkway, and I am halted by a hand seizing mine. I look down to see Ellie staring up at me.

"Can we walk off together?"

I smile down at her and nod.

Koga releases me and I limp slowly with Ellie down from the ship.

"It's going to be okay now dad, isn't it? Troy's in jail and we're back in Hoenn from mum and Kenji's here, I'll be able to show you both where I grew up and we can go exploring and it'll help him, right?"

I nod agreeably, knowing she needs the reassurance.

"We'll go back to Paldea too, right?"

I smile and nod again. "Of course, I have a lot to show you there."

She smiles too as we ready to step on to Hoenn's shores together. "Good, we have a lot to look forward to together."

My smile widens with her words as I realise that despite my worries and apprehension this is true too. How lucky I am to have such a happy, optimistic child, so positive despite all she has suffered. For Ellie is right, we do have a lot to look forward to together.

And that's this fanfic done. To anyone who has read this, I hope you enjoyed it.