Sir Aaron walked through the large sweeping halls of the Gens' ancestral home, insomnia fueling his feet and mind. The mansion was by far the most luxurious place the knight had ever had the pleasure of staying at. Windows of fine crystal, floors of varnished wood so polished you could see your reflection in them, and he was certain that some of the pieces of furniture were worth more then all of Lady Ryn's jewels. Yet, despite is glamorous appearance, Sir Aaron couldn't help but pick up on a sense of sadness that lingered in this grand home.

As it wasn't really home. Sure, his niece and nephews lived here, but it wasn't a home. A home was more like Delia's house. Warm and inviting. This place. It was almost sterile. Even if two young boys roamed the grounds.

Constance and Carter, his youngest nephews, were delightful lads. Sir Aaron could tell they were dormants at the first glance of their souls, but he found he hardly minded. After spending the evening talking with them it was clear the boys were bright in their own ways. They were certainly smarter than Sir Aaron gave them credit for. They were little inventors in the making. Their room was covered in little tools or machines they had built from kits or designed themselves. It seemed as if they also inherited the technology inclined gene that Amanda was blessed with (at least that's how Sir Aaron thought genes worked).

Despite being practically identical in appearance, interests and mannerisms, there were thankfully some differences. Constance was the milder manner one, while Carter was a little more excitable. The former reading the instructions of any new build out loud, while the latter built said contraption with his hands. Though, if Sir Aaron was being honest, the only reason he hadn't mixed up the two was because of the boys different Pokémon partners.

Constance had followed in his sister's footsteps, pairing with an eevee. A sweet little fluff ball that had taken to riding on his human's head. Carter had gone off the beaten path like Riley, and selected to befriend a gibble, who was affectionally nick-named "Crunchy". Said boy would carry around the little dragon like a stuffed toy in an adorable manner.

Despite not understanding half of the technical terms that the twins said when talking about their projects, Sir Aaron rather enjoyed their company, and hoped to be part of the boys' lives after all this was over.

Sadly, the boys seemed to like him. They were rather awkward with their older brother. They seemed so stiff whenever Riley was around, like they needed to act formally. Which was a sharp contrast to how comfortable they were with their sister.

Speaking of his niece. Amanda's behavior in the home was more like that of Mrs. Rose as house staff then a resident. The moment the twins were settled with their homework that evening, she went to work helping Mrs. Rose prepare dinner, despite the elder woman's protests. Even with all the make-up she wore he knew his niece was exhausted. Yet, she went out of her way to prepare dinner, get the twins to bed and still get him a cup of tea without him asking.

Sir Aaron sighed rubbing his eyes. He hoped Amanda was getting the rest she deserved after getting them all settled for the night. Riley might have had a room here already, but rooms in the guest wing needed to be prepared for Sir Aaron, and the older lads.

The knight turned a corner, walking down a high hall deeper into the manor. The windows on the walls were quickly replaced with priceless paintings or works of art. Such as portraits of what Sir Aaron assumed were previous residents of the home. The people in them were all the same in a way. None of the faces were happy, all of them with stern looks and upturned noses like they were above the viewer. Sir Aaron glanced at each with a rather bored expression after a while, until he stumbled across a familiar face amongst the crowd of strangers.

On the right side of the hall, encased in a gold frame of swirling metal, was Emily. Or at least, a brush made specter of his sister. Sir Aaron's heart ached with longing as he saw her, not only because she was merely a memory of faded paints now, but because of her state. The girl in the portrait was a little older than he remembered her, a little thinner and sicklier as well. Her face was blank. The light her eyes vanished, while her lips remained limb on her face. The dress she wore spoke of wealth in the style, but also restriction as the many bows were more like knots rather than decoration. She looked more like a doll then his sister.

"Find something interesting?"

Sir Aaron jumped at the sudden voice but breathed in relief as he spied Mrs. Rose approaching him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Sir Aaron chuckled as he calmed his racing heart, "It's alright madam. I was just…"

"Admiring the artwork?"

"Admiring is not the right word…" Sir Aaron gritted his teeth.

Mrs. Rose tutted and sighed, "I'll agree with you on that one. While the piece is stunning, the story behind it is horrid."

"Story?"

"My family has worked in this manor for generations. I've been told the story of almost every master and miss who's lived in these halls, and hers," she gestured to Emily's portrait, "is a sad one."

Sir Aaron bit his lip, knowing was about to regret what he was going to ask, "What happened?"

"She was brought over as a wife for Master Alen Grace. The fourth one I believe, some last-ditch effort for an heir. He loved her, but the feeling wasn't mutual. She never smiled, not even on the wedding day. She bore him one son and nursed the boy for three years. Then one morning, they found her in the rose garden with a dagger through her chest and a smile on her face."

The knight clenched his jaw, as his eyes burned and hand curled into fists, with a tightened throat he spoke, "who killed her."

"Herself," Mrs. Rose spoke sadly, "they found the suicide note later that day and her last wishes were honored through it."

Something hot and vile coiled in Sir Aaron's heart. Emily had been a kind soul; his sister was underserving of such a fate. The knight quickly bit Mrs. Rose good night before dashing away from the painting at a brisk pace. He couldn't see her like that anymore. Broken.

His feet moved without his minds input, and quickly fresh night air drifted across his skin. Cooled blades of grass licked at his bare soles. The chatter of the night crawling Pokémon echoed through the moon lit sky like a private symphony for mother nature. Sir Aaron took a deep breath, allowing the calm setting to wash over him, soothing his weary grieving soul.

The world grew silent around him before…a new melody replaced the one of the night. The soft plucking of strings, in a slow step sound. A comfort like no other came over him, as a voice began to sing…

"Talking away, I don't know what, I'm to say, I'll say it anyway…"

"Emily?" Sir Aaron wondered, starting towards the song.

"Today's another day to find you…"

The melody continued to be smooth and sorrowful, but voice was soothing. He turned a corner, finding a gate in the garden, the latch old and reddened, while the wood was mildewed over. Opening it, Sir Aaron walked into a field of white roses. Their ivory petals in full bloom, gleaming in the pale moonlight. Their black brambles blended in with the shadows, making them float, like little ghosts dancing in the wind.

"…Ill be coming for you love okay?..."

The voice drew him deeper into the rose garden.

"Take on me…Take me on…"

In a pruned space, where no brambles grew, sitting on a bench Sir Aaron found Amanda. In the moonlight her skin and eyes gleamed. The pale glow bringing her being to life. Her fingers plucked at the strings of the instrument in her grasp with practiced confidence. Her voice flowed from in a quiet manner, yet it held more colors than any choir. Sir Aaron had heard recordings, but they paled in comparison to that of a live show.

"I'll be gone…in a day or two… So needless to say…I'm odds and ends…"

Sir Aaron didn't miss the subtle smile on her face. Peering deeper into her aura, he found that the darkness clinging to her had retreated. It wasn't gone, merely shrunken. However, for the first time the knight witnessed his niece's light outshine her shadows. It was almost watching Ash when he battled, a soul flourishing in passion.

"…Slowly learning that life is okay… Say after me…it's no better to be safe then sorry…"

The joy that his niece was finding peace, soothed the inter turmoil of his sisters fate. Emily's death would forever haunt him, he didn't doubt that. However, in this moment, the knight let himself smile for the remaining blood his sister passed on.

"Take on me…take me oo~n…I'll be goo~ne…in s day or twooo…"

As the final notes were played, Sir Aaron let a moment of quiet settle, before stepping out, "You are fantastic."

Amanda startled at his voice, however, unlike before when where someone had frightened her she didn't react violently. Only jump and hold her instrument closer to her.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?" Amanda murmured.

Sir Aaron shook his head, then pried at this niece's mind with a gentle tug, wanting to know the reason behind the flash of fear in her soul.

"I'm not really supposed to do this. Mother doesn't like it when I sing."

"Why on earth would she not like your singing?"

Amanda shrugged, "She calls it a distraction for real progress."

Sir Aaron scoffed, not impressed with this unknown woman's opinion, "And what does she dub progress."

"Curing cancer, or some new kind of scientific discovery."

"While I understand the purpose of discovery, one shouldn't shut out the arts for foolishness," Sir Aaron spoke taking a seat beside his niece.

"Well, you're going to have a fun time with her tomorrow," Amanda grumbled.

"You're dreading her arrival." It wasn't a question.

"She's just a lot. This whole place is a lot. Every room except here really."

"Here?" Sir Aaron raised a surprised brow.

"The rose garden. I always find peace here. The rest of the house just feels sad."

Sir Aaron took a deep breath, "I…noticed the same," he cleared his throat, suddenly wary of the surrounding thorns, "Come, I believe it's time to return to bed."

Amanda hated the large building in front of her. Once there was a time, she couldn't wait to come to this place. The Ryme City School of the Arts. As a little girl she had dreams of walking through the set of old metal powdered brown doors, and towards her future. What would she study? Well…Amanda shook her head. That didn't matter now.

After a nudge from Umbreon she walked through the door and into the wide halls. Her boots clicking on the old worn tiles. Only stopping one to ask directions to the theater auditorium from a passing teacher, on her journey through the school.

The auditorium was empty at this hour, a large hall of bare seats and a plain stage. There was only one other person then herself. A figure danced across the old wooden stage. No music that guided their steps could be heard, but Amanda knew he never needed the song to dance. A Leafeon strutted next to him in unison. She cleared her throat, grabbing his attention.

The dancer stopped abruptly and spun quickly to see who had interrupted his private morning practice, "Mandy?" his voice sparked with surprise.

"Elliot," Amanda said awkwardly.

Elliot Manchet was a boy of her age. His skin was like pale clay and from it was molded body of lanky limbs and a round yet long face with a button nose. Black hair was slicked back, and shimmered in the stage lights, bringing out his sharp green eyes. He had grown up handsome, and judging by the ring on his finger, Amanda wasn't the only one who thought so. Not that she saw him as anymore than just the boy who ran headfirst into a wall when they were children.

"You're actually here?" Elliot said prancing closer, "Did your mom finally let you enroll."

Amanda shook her head, "No, I'm just here to cash in a favor. I need to know where Bella moved her operation."

"What operation?" Elliot looked to the side.

Amanda raised a brow, "We both know you're still active in the underground battles rings, don't even try to lie to me. I know you're still involved. She wouldn't want to lose one of her biggest money makers just because me and her aren't on talking terms."

"Say I did tell you where she is, why do you want to know? After…"

"You don't need to say it! I was there too. Look, she just has something I need are you going to help me or not?"

Elliot bit his lip, "She set up a place down by the docks in hightown. You didn't hear it from me though."

"Never had never will. Thank you for nothing," Amanda said and turned to leave.

"You know," Elliot called out just as she reached the doors, "my mom said you can come stay with us whenever you need."

Amanda froze for a moment, before slamming the door behind her. Cutting the dancer off.

A/N:

Carter's gibble was named after a stuffed animal my little brother carried around. A little stuffed dragon.

So, we finally have an ending to Emily's life. A sad one. Maybe her children can be saved.

Elliot was a childhood friend that Amanda grew up with, however after her falling out will Bella She was isolated and lost contact with that friend group.

Heres the song Amanda was singing - watch?v=ICg_xqBBN2g