Addison slowly stirred herself awake, struggling to find the energy to stand after that tense showdown with the Terastalized Gyarados. She was exhausted from the day and it had barely even started. She looked around initially for Cole, Galatea or Jory, but none of them were around her. In fact, nothing was. There was nothing in front of her, behind her or anywhere else. All that was around her was a thick and encompassing void of complete darkness. She took a deep breath and pushed herself to her feet.

"Is this what happens to all people who fight in those kinds of battles?!" she asked herself. "But then, where are Cole and Galatea?" She looked around again, hoping that they would just reappear beside her, but neither of them did. "Where even am I?"

You are in the Realm Between, a voice called out to her.

Addison spun around. That was a voice she had never heard before. It was soft, soothing and angelic. Was she speaking to an angel of some kind? "Is anyone there? Please, can you show yourself?"

It is not in my power to show myself to you. At least, not here. But I do believe it is time that we met, Miss Tenton. I've heard so much about you.

"You have?"

Not too long ago, you did a great service to His Excellency by defeating Mewtwo and showing him the light. And in doing so, you upheld the Prophecies that were written many years ago by Rupert the White. Your service has been noted and Arceus is quite pleased with your efforts.

Addison blinked in astonishment. "Ar...Arceus?"

Indeed. He who created our world. It was because of your bravery that the world was spared the fate of a Judgment that might have destroyed everything humans and Pokémon worked together to create over Millennia. You saved the world. And it is because of your bravery, your kindness and your love for all life that you were given the opportunity to change fate. Not once or twice, but several times. You and your friends prevented the doom of all by using the Time Flute. And now, you are embroiled in another attempt to change fate.

"Do you mean with Cole? Or with Ryan?"

Both. You may have been motivated by your love of Ryan to come to Paldea, but it was your heart that would have guided you there regardless of your knowledge of how White Island can be found.

"Do you know how to find it?"

Alas, I do not.

Addison lowered her head. "I've been hearing that so much these last few months."

But do not lose hope. The key to finding it will be revealed to you so long as you continue down the path you have walked since your bout with Mewtwo. But it is only in the power of the mortal realm where you shall find it. Here, in the Realm Between, you are neither alive nor dead. You simply rest, until it is time for you to awaken.

Addison gasped. "What happened to us? To my friends and I?"

The Crystal you touched is embedded with a dark and terrible power. A Tera Crystal that holds within it a powerful Pokémon Spirit that needs to be freed from its bondage. You succeeded in freeing that Gyarados, but many more Crystals shall snare many more Pokémon. It is an unfortunate fact of life, but one not within anyone's power to rectify. The Tera Crystals were first mined centuries ago and still are mined even now. Only through mass exploration of these crystals can these Pokémon be saved from being imprisoned forever.

Addison felt sorrow for the Pokémon being trapped. "Did Natalya do this?"

No one person has the power to snare the Pokémon. The Crystals themselves have tremendous power and more importantly, a need to absorb energy to keep duplicating. It is why so few people are allowed to go into Area Zero in Paldea. The crystals may one day choose to absorb humans as they do Pokemon.

"That's horrible" Addison shuddered. "Did they try to absorb us?"

It could have, but your resiliency and the love you have for your friend kept you and he safe.

Addison blushed. "Love? Oh no. I'm with...I mean...Ryan and..."

Love does not have to be romantic, Addison. Take the love you have for one such as your friends Holly or Tommy. Or the King. Love is a powerful connection between two or more entities. And that is what you share with Cole and so many others. If it's the romantic side of your heart you seek to soothe, you may have the capacity to alleviate it now.

"Wait, what?"

This is the Realm Between, Miss Tenton, as I told you. Until you awaken from your slumber to reunite with your friends, you have time to seek out he who holds the other half of your heart.

Addison's heart felt as light as a feather hearing this. "I can? Where? Where is he? Please tell me!"

Simply call out to him. And he shall appear. Good luck, Miss Tenton. And when the time comes, I shall ferry your spirit to meet Arceus. You've earned that much at least.

"Before you go" Addison pleaded. "You never did answer my question. Who are you?"

I am someone who may never have met you in life, but is deeply thankful for all you have done to keep my spirit alive for those I left behind.

"I really did this much for people?" Addison asked in a surprised tone. "Wow, I didn't think I had it in me."

You always should have. You've touched the hearts of so many. And in return, they helped give you the strength to fight for others. You have not let the gifts Matthew and Michael asked for you to go in vain. And for that, I thank you.

"Wait, Matt? Michael?!" She awaited an answer, but did not receive one. The angelic voice, whoever it had been, was now gone and Addison was alone again. But was she? If what the voice had said proved to be true...could she really...even for a moment...

She held her hand close to her heart and took a deep breath. "Ryan. If you're out there, please come to me. I need to see you. To talk to you. To hear you. Please, Ryan." She closed her eyes and waited for an answer. Initially, nothing came. Addison thought for a moment. "Do I need to wish harder?"

"Nah, I was just giving you a moment to collect yourself" his voice called to her.

Addison turned around and froze where she stood. There he was, as he had been the last time she had seen him. He was as tall as she remembered, his eyes the same emerald as a grassy field she could get lost in, his smile as loving as it had always been. His hair was less messy than she remembered, but that was probably because his favorite bandana wasn't covering it. He simply stood there, his arms by his sides and smiling the same grin that made her heart melt like butter since their first journey around Arcana.

She had so many things she wanted to say and do, but held herself back. "Wait. Is this real? Am I just dreaming? Are you something I just really want to see? Or am I just fooling myself again?"

"I hope you're not fooling yourself" Ryan shrugged. "I'd need a super explanation of how good you are at that then."

Addison spun around and did all she could to make herself presentable. With no makeup, she resorted to doing all she could with a bit of hair gel and water from a water bottle, trying to make herself look as lovely as she felt on the inside. But before she could figure out her next move, Ryan stopped her.

"What are you doing?"

"Making myself look-"

"You can't look any better to me than you do at this very moment, Addy."

Finally, Addison broke down. She rushed forward and threw her arms around Ryan. And, even if it was only a dream, she finally felt at peace for a moment as Ryan's arms cradled her as she stood. She buried her head into his chest and wept. "I thought I'd never see you again. With all that was going on, I thought this would never come."

"Well, you kept your promise" he assured her, his hands gently rubbing her back.

"Not yet" she insisted. "Not until you're home."

Ryan took a long moment to respond, as if taking all of her words as she said them. "Addy...I don't think I can go back."

"I found a way" she insisted. "White Island. All I have to do is find the doorway that keeps you locked away and-"

"It's not that, Addy." Ryan let go of her, prompting Addison to raise her eyebrow in concern. Ryan may have worn the same smile he had when they were kids, but his eyes told a different story. He looked at his hands and almost shuddered. "I'm...I'm not sure I can go back. Not after what I did."

"Mewtwo made you one of his minions! You did nothing he didn't-"

He shook his head. "No, Addy. I did things. Horrible things. And not just what I did as the Black Knight. I killed people. People may have thought it was the Fury talking, like Amanda and Avery did. But it's not true. I know what I did. I killed Kage. I killed Claude." He squeezed his eyes shut. "And after the future I saw you and Lucas prevented, I know I was going to do so much worse."

"That doesn't mean anything!" Addison stepped forward until she was right in his face. "Ryan, if we judge ourselves based on every bad thing we did, we're never going to see the world for what it's supposed to be. It's never all good and it's never all bad. I know I've done bad things. And we both know Matt has done bad things. But that doesn't mean we're not capable of doing good things. You should see how Matt's holding your family together without you or your dad."

Ryan's face remained solemn. "Matt can take care of Mom and Kayleigh. And I told him to take care of you. So long as he's doing that, then there's no reason for me to go back."

"What are you even saying?" Addison shrieked, almost aghast at the words coming from Ryan's mouth. "Ryan, we need you. We miss you. Do you honestly think the world is better off without you?! Because it's not! We're all just holding things together, waiting for the day I can bring you home. That's why we all came to Paldea in the first place. We all want to see you come back, Ry. Tommy, Billy, Amanda...even those of us who aren't here."

Ryan sighed. "I wish I could make you understand, Addy. But I'm a lost cause."

"You're not a lost cause and like I showed you back on Mirage Island, it's not too late for you." She held her hand up to his eye level, showing off the promise ring he'd given her before his passing. "Did you forget about your promises to me?"

This brought a soft smile to his face. "You're still wearing it? That means I did something right, at least."

"Why are you so down on yourself, Ryan?" she inquired worriedly. "I haven't stopped thinking about you or dreaming of this day. Of the day you and I can finally go home together. It's not too far off, I promise."

Ryan turned his back to her. "It goes beyond all the things I did. Addy, seeing you here, you have no idea what happiness it's giving me. I would be so honored to spend the rest of my life with you. But that's it. We can't." He turned to face her. "I know what you're trying to do. Where you're trying to go. But it's too dangerous."

"There isn't an abyss dark enough to keep me from you" she spat out defiantly.

"There would be if you saw the kinds of things I have" he spoke softly. "Addy, you're not going to just find White Island or whatever it is and walk away with me. Nothing in this world is free. Avery had a chance at life and if she'd taken it, she'd be indebted to Mewtwo forever. It'd be the same with me. If you chase after me, it's gonna cost you. And not just stamina or something. It's gonna cost you something I don't think you're prepared to lose. i know I'm not willing to watch you pay what it will just for me."

Addison eyes were filling with tears. "What are you saying?"

Ryan bit his lip as he tried to say the right words. "Addy, I love you. I always have and I always will. But...but I want you to move on from me. Find someone who can make you smile. Someone to have that happily ever after we could have had. I just want you to be happy, Addy."

"I won't be happy if I don't have you" she declared. "There isn't anyone out there who can do for me what you did, Ryan. And there is no one I could ever envision being by my side if it's not you. If I can't get you back...I'd rather be miserable for the rest of my life." She reached for his hand and grasped it in hers. "Ryan, there isn't a price high enough that would make me hesitate to bring you back. I am going to pay it. You know why? Because I love you, damn it! Maybe more than words can ever express. And I won't let you skimp out on your promises, Mr. Kingston! You promised to marry me one day, and I intend to hold you to it! GOT IT?!"

Ryan looked exasperated but finally wore a true smile again. "I can't convince you, otherwise?"

"You could try, but you know how stubborn I can be" she winked.

He pulled her into a loving embrace and Addison held him tightly in her arms, never wanting the moment to end. He put his head atop of hers as they hugged, letting out a long yet peaceful exhale. "Addy...it's time for you to wake up."

"Huh?"

"Addy" he repeated. "You've got to wake up."

"What are you talking about?"

"Addy?"

"Ryan?!"

"Addy?!"

"RYAN!"

Addison!

Addison blinked and Ryan was gone. She was on her back in a cavern of some kind, but different from the one she'd fought that Gyarados in. Instead of being in the presence of her beloved Ryan, Galatea was looking down on her anxiously. Addison pushed herself up onto her rear end and looked around at the dark cavern they were in, not recognizing anything.

I was beginning to think you left this world forever, her Pokémon spoke telepathically to her. That you had left me alone.

Addison shook her head. "Not happening anytime soon. We're in this for the long haul, Galatea."

That's reassuring. But I do think it's time we got going. Her Gardevoir glanced over towards the other side of the cave, where Jory the Pawmot was worriedly nuzzling Cole's limp body. But I fear for Cole. He hasn't responded yet. Once Addison was on her feet, the two slowly made their way over to them. Jory was letting out worried barks, while Galatea tried to soothe him with calming energies.

Addison looked over Cole's body and used her hand to brush the side of his cheek. She looked to Galatea. "Do you think he looks like Ryan? Even a bit?"

I don't mean to sound offensive when I say this, but we Gardevoir do not see humans very differently from one another. I do not see the same things you do. We recognize good and bad people based on their auras. I will say, his aura is strikingly similar to your mate's, but I cannot say why. One of the world's many mysteries, I suppose.

Addison leaned down and placed her ear on his chest, listening for a heartbeat. Once she heard it, she nodded. "He's just tired. I don't blame him. We've been through a lot since just waking up." She gently patted his head. "Cole? Cole. Wake up."

Cole stirred and slowly opened his eyes. "What? What happened?"

"Natalya got the jump on the both of us, it would seem" she spoke softly.

"What happened?! Where are we?"

Addison tried her best to calm her friend down. "Relax. Jory and Galatea defeated the Pokémon in that Crystal you got sucked into. But now we've got to figure out how we get back to where we were. If you're okay to travel, I mean."

Cole blinked in confusion. "Beat it? You mean, you beat a Tera Pokémon?! From one of those Black Crystals?"

She shrugged. "I guess so?"

He laughed feebly to himself. "Why am I surprised at this point. There isn't anything you can't do, Addy."

Addison, thinking about Ryan's words to her, thought for a moment before responding. "Maybe one day, I'll find that hurdle I can't make it over. But that day isn't today. And so long as we're in this together, Cole, it's not happening to you either." She took his hands and pulled him up to standing beside her. Cole lost his footing and fell into her, prompting her to hold him up until he righted himself. Once he had, the two released one another and both surveyed their surroundings, finding little more than several boulders and stalagmites jutting from the ground. "I guess this is where we rocked that Gyarados. But where are we now?"

"And how do we find our way back?" he wondered.

Addison didn't have an answer to either question, until she saw a faint light shining from the only realistic exit in sight. "What about here?" She gestured towards the light. "Come on, let's see where this leads."

The two, along with a still visibly worried Jory and Galatea, walked along the pathway towards the light, which seemed to be beckoning to them through mysterious means. Cole took a moment to massage his head. "Ugh. My head is pounding. I took a beating against that Gyarados."

"I just remembered what Mr. Hassel taught us about the Crystals atop their heads and used that knowledge and Jory's strength to beat it." She playfully tussled the Pawmot's hair, who barked in delight. "He's a good one, Cole."

Cole nodded. "He sure is. He and I have been through a lot together. Eh, Jory?"

"Does his name have any significance?" Addison inquired. "I know you named your Petilil after Paige and your Fletchling is named after a legendary flying hero. But what about Jory?"

"We didn't have much growing up, Paige and I" Cole explained as they wandered through the darkness. "But one thing we had was a children's book. We never really learned how to read until we met Turo and Sada, but we did look at the pictures. And there was this one really tough Pokémon in one of the stories that protected a bunch of the weaker ones. I think it was a Bewear or something, but when I first met Jory as a Pawmi, he was this tiny little guy who still thought he had to protect everyone. I didn't learn that the character's name was Jory until Professor Sada mentioned it in passing to us when we brought up the book we had."

"That's sweet" Addison smiled. "I'd like to say a lot of my Pokémon have names with such sentimental meaning, but they don't. Galatea just felt like the right name to give her."

I would have accepted any name you bestowed upon me, her Gardevoir communicated to her gracefully.

The group came to a stop when the light suddenly grew faint, and they found themselves in the middle of a cave with no idea of where to progress. Galatea tried to use her Psychic powers to locate the exit but found her strength still waning from that Pokémon that had attacked them. Jory tried to sniff around for the way out, while Addison and Cole tried to figure out which way would lead them to fresh air.

"Where'd that light go?" Cole whispered nervously.

"We won't find out if we just stand here" Addison insisted. "Galatea, can you use a Mystical Fire to lighten up this cave?" Her Pokémon concentrated and let out a small ball of flames that bounced in the air until it exploded above them, creating a bit of a temporary light for them to use. All four looked around for the next spot to head towards, with Cole spying another tunnel ahead of them, with the faint blue light still beckoning to them.

"There?"

"I think that's the only way we can go" Addison theorized. "Forward." The quartet continued walking after the light until it again vanished. "Okay, I'm starting to think this light thing is deliberately doing this."

If the light is doing so, then it is possible we are walking into another one of that woman Natalya's traps, Galatea warned.

Almost as if he'd heard Galatea say it, Cole voiced his own concerns. "Do you think it's Natalya?"

"I don't know what it is, but I doubt it's her. Besides, if it is, we can beat the answers out of her." She tried to reassure Cole with a wink, but the darkness made him unable to see her. "Okay, let's try this. Galatea, try to create another Mystical Fire for us to see. Jory, can you get behind Cole to protect us?" Once she heard shuffling on the ground and Galatea beginning to conjure her next move, Addison now tried to blindly feel out for Cole. "Cole? Do you think you can find my hand?"

"I'm trying" Cole answered. "But I can't see anything."

"Hold your hands out and I'll try to grab one of them." Addison took a few seconds of blindly fumbling for the hand until she caught it. She took a firm grip of his hand and pulled him to her side. "Come on. Galatea will lead us the rest of the way." The group slowly began to wander the path with Galatea conjuring a more powerful attack. "Let me know when you're ready, Galatea."

I am trying to make this one last longer, but I doubt I have the power to make it last forever without some kind of torch.

"Just do your best" she spoke gently. "Cole and I are here for you."

"Could you tell her I'm rooting for her?" Cole asked.

This seemed to stop Galatea in her tracks. Can...can he understand us?

"I doubt it. He just knows I'm coaching you and he's trying to help."

Well...I'll have to thank him for his support.

Addison glanced back in Cole's direction. "She said she'll thank you somehow."

"Well that's good."

Galatea finally sent the fireball into the air. To the amazement of the four of them, the fireball hit a Tera Crystal jutting out from the ceiling of the cave and caused it to glow the color of an open fire. This illuminated the group to the chamber they had seemingly wandered into. It was much wider than they had initially thought, with several pools of water that seemed to occasionally glow the same color as the light that had beckoned them there.

"What on earth is this place?" Cole asked, his grip on Addison's hand not waning.

"It's beautiful" she remarked before tugging Cole over towards one of the pools of water. "Is this the source of the light?" She reached her free hand down to touch the water, prompting it to glow a bright shade of blue. Cole fearfully tried to pull her away, thinking it might be dangerous, but Addison didn't step away. "Don't worry, Cole. I'm pretty sure this water won't hurt us."

"We thought the same thing of going to where Professor Sexton said for us to go" he said sadly.

"You trust me, right?"

"Of course, but-"

"Then you don't have to worry, Cole. Let me take the lead on this. Just don't let go of my hand."

"I didn't plan on it" he said jokingly, but Addison could tell he was still nervous.

"Then you don't have to worry" she giggled. She touched the water again and saw the ripples beginning to take on a form. Almost as if it were something similar to what Countess Rosemary's cauldron had been when they were trying to have visions. "This water...it's like a gateway to the past or something." She pulled Cole closer to the pool so he could see. "I wonder what this could be. I see some people coming into form. Don't you?"

Cole looked into the water and nodded. "Two of 'em. And I think they're wearing cloaks."

Addison frowned. Two cloaked men? Wasn't that one of the things I saw in my dream? She took another long look into the water before she closed her eyes. When she opened them, she and Cole were no longer in the cave. Cole was a bundle of nerves, trying to figure out how they had just gone from a cavern to what appeared to be a boat dock somewhere in Paldea.

"How in the-what the? Where did-"

"Cole! COLE!" Realizing he would take more coaxing, Addison pulled Cole again to her side and kissed him on the cheek, which seemed to fluster him initially before settling him down. "Relax. Remember what we saw last night when we meditated? This is something similar. Just relax. We're okay." While Cole tried to relax himself, Addison tugged him a bit closer up the dock until they could be within earshot of the first cloaked man, who stood at attention as a second man emerged from what appeared to be a submarine.

"It is an honor to finally meet you in person" a man's voice spoke politely. "Welcome to Paldea, Lord Jacques."

"Jacques?!" Addison cried out, before covering her hand with her mouth. She stopped when she realized this was just a memory that she could not interfere with, but it didn't change anything for her. Was the man she was about to see actually the old enemy of Arcana in Claude Jacques? The nefarious lawyer who had caused a world of troubles for the Kingstons and her friends specifically? The one Ryan had felt shame for striking down?

Sure enough, the man who had just been greeted was none other than Claude Jacques. Former Syndicate Administrator, the financial backing for one of the most evil organizations in the world. A man who had once thought himself as a King and tried to rule Arcana with an iron fist. Thinning white hair atop his head with a freshly groomed goatee and his signature monocle over his left eye. Addison was disgusted just by the sight of the man who had once played a role in what happened to her friends and herself through funding Cassius and Elezar, but could not help but wonder when this was supposed to have taken place.

Claude scoffed at the man's greeting. "Considering how much money I've given to your group, Brick, I can only imagine you'd be honored to meet me."

"The Tri Drago is honored to meet any donors who help our cause, but you, who've singlehandedly kept us afloat for the last few years without a firm leadership, how could I not be so gracious?"

"And yet I had to smuggle myself here as if I were some common thug" Claude hissed.

"The borders of Paldea have been closed off for fifty years, sir" the second man explained. "And if we'd met anywhere else, we'd probably be getting arrested. Word has it neither of us is too desired to be in many regions beyond this one." He put his hands behind his back casually. "I tried to assist the remnants of Team Flare in kidnapping the star actress Diantha in Kalos, but some loser from your region stopped us. Lost a good bit of money on that one."

"That loser, as you call him, is also the reason Arcana is in the state it's currently rotting in. Michael Kingston has been a thorn in my side since his return to Arcana. And now, thanks to him and his little friends, the Syndicate has been almost eradicated."

"At least you're still free, sir."

Claude eyed the man icily. "I'd rather my own involvement with that idiot Elezar's plans not have come to the light, but that all was dashed thanks to a few clever little minxes. Once Elezar couldn't put a lid on his daughter, I should have seen the writing on the wall. And once Amanda Fouritz and Julia Pines got their noses in my business, it was all over." He took a deep breath before hissing underneath his breath. "I'd been able to pull the wool over Bonnie Kingston's eyes for decades. As well as James, my old friend. But their grandchildren all mistrusted me. It was only a matter of time before they found some reason to make me leave my home for almost 80 years."

"What about that whole 'Grand Master' thing?" the second man named Brick inquired. "Thought he was supposed to be the be all and end all."

Claude frowned. "The Master was just another mirage. A Pokémon that got too big for its britches and tried to wipe out the race of man. He's where all Pokémon belong now, in a Poké Ball somewhere in Arcana. Beaten by a child, no less. All that's left of my old comrades now, from what I know, are a few Administrators who eluded capture and the rest all locked behind the iron walls of Klefki Prison."

Brick snickered. "We'd have been honored to abide by our original contract with the Syndicate, had they reupped with us a few years back."

"From what I've heard on your end" Claude scowled, "your plans have also found significant drawbacks as well. Funding both sides in the disastrous ecological war between Team Magma and Team Aqua? Arming the likes of Cyrus from Team Galactic, Chairman Rose of Galar or Team Flare's ill-fated goals in Kalos? And need I mention the failures of years ago in Orre or Kanto?"

"The Tri Drago has made a few...mistakes in the last decade. But we're still a force to be reckoned with. Otherwise, a knowledgeable man like yourself would have pulled your yearly stipend to us, yes?"

Claude smirked. "You're smarter than you look, Brick."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Besides, I'm just the muscle."

"Pardon?"

"The muscle? You know, the Tri Drago? Each head of the Hydreigon represents the power behind us. The red is the muscle. The blue is the intellect. And the yellow is the willpower. All three are needed to make the Tri Drago function." He wore a dark look on his face. "We've been without our intellect and willpower for a while. But I've been told the time is coming for them to make their moves. Mistress Natalya will return and when she does, we'll be ready to enact our true goals. All we need now is the signal."

Addison and Cole looked to one another. "Natalya?" she asked.

"She must be a part of this group of theirs" Cole admitted.

"But how? It's not like she was able to go through time multiple times, right?" When Cole didn't initially answer her, Addison grew fearful. Natalya seemed to know more about things than she let on. She simply gripped Cole's hand tightly as the two continued to listen in on this memory from a few years earlier.

Claude seemed to acknowledge Brick's words. "This signal she gave you to. What would that be?"

"A certain person needs to be dead. One who's death triggers a series of events that ruined Natalya's life. When he's dead, we can prepare for the end."

"Who's death needs to be confirmed for such an event to unfold?"

"A friend of yours, actually" Brick grinned. "Cassius Sinclair."

Cole felt Addison's grip on his hand tighten at that name. "Addy?"

Addison felt claustrophobic just hearing the name of the mad scientist who had given her the Crimson Brand. The man who had made her a mind slave to Mewtwo. The man who had ruined the lives of countless people back home. She felt her body tense up and her arms began to show goosebumps. It was only through Cole's reassurance by holding her hand and whispering to her that managed to soothe her.

"Well how fortuitous" Claude laughed. "Cassius Sinclair is indeed dead. You can report this to Natalya."

Brick's eyes widened. "You mean it? He's actually dead?"

"As dead as a doornail. Struck down by his greatest creation besides his own hubris: a Crimson Branded Soldier."

Brick seemed shocked by the death of the man, almost as if they had somehow known one another. "Natalya won't like this. Not one bit."

"It should fuel her desires to do whatever it is you hope to accomplish." Claude folded his arms. "But that is all conjecture to why I actually came, Brick. I've invested a great deal of money into the Tri Drago and I believe it's time I got a return on my investment." He looked into the distance as the sun set in the background. "A few of my Syndicate allies are beginning to hash out plans for a return to prominence. With Michael Kingston out of Arcana and a greenhorn Champion taking his place, we believe it is the right time to test the resolve of a browbeaten region."

Brick bowed respectfully to him. "What could I offer you, sir? The Tri Drago is at your full disposal, Lord Jacques."

Claude looked at him with danger in his eyes. "I need weapons and men brave enough to use them."

Addison hoped to learn more of what was going on, but the vision suddenly ended and both she and Cole found themselves back in the cavern they had been in previously. The water seemed to stir a bit before settling down as the two young trainers recovered from their trip through time.

Cole, realizing how nervous Addison was, tried to do his best to comfort her. "Are you gonna be okay, Addy?"

Addison gulped and nodded nervously. "Yep. It was only a memory."

"What did that Cassius guy do to you?"

Addison looked away. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Okay. Just know that I'm here if you need to talk."

She looked to him and smiled. "I know you are. And I can't thank you enough for that." She would have said more, but a second pool of water began to glow. Though she was nervous about enduring another memory like this, her curiosity got the better of her and she led Cole towards another vision. He seemed reluctant to do so and even tried to pull away from her, but she kept him anchored to her side.

"Addy, I-"

Addison shushed him. "It's okay, Cole. It's just a vision. It can't hurt us." She brought his hand towards the water and both their hands went into the pool. The water began to ripple before it too shined bright blue. Once she pulled their hands out, she looked to her friend with sincerity. "See?"

"It's warmer than I thought it would be" he spoke up after a moment.

"Maybe that's a good thing?" Addison and Cole then looked deep into the water as another vision began to unfold for them. Addison looked around curiously until she realized something shocking. "This is...this is one of our classrooms, isn't it?" The room appeared to be their Biology Room, where Mr. Jacq held his classes every day and taught them all about the physiology of Pokémon and the world around them. However, classes did not appear to be in session at this time.

"What could this all mean?" Cole wondered.

"Let's find out" Addison replied as the scene became clearer for them. Geeta was in the room, alongside Director Clavell and Mr. Jacq and judging from the looks on their faces, the thing they were conversing about wasn't something good.

"I understand what you're saying" Mr. Jacq commented, running his hand nervously through his hair nervously. "But this isn't some run of the mill situation, La Primera, Director. She's a genius. She needs to be up in those older classes. She's beyond learning what little kids in grade school learn."

"Therein lies the problem" Director Clavell sighed. "She is learning at quite an accelerated rate. However, this is where the legality situation comes in."

"The Organized Orphans program pays for the tuition of every student who's in the Academy that has only one or no parents. In her case, her mother died a few months ago and her father...well, no one's ever seen or heard from him. I'd like to think he's the one who put down the initial cost of fifty thousand Poké Dollars, but who knows? However, that payment program ends when a student takes on adult classes. I've been begging the Council to see to it that students age factors in instead of the classes taken, but they refuse to meet with me." She lowered her head. "She's such a good student. If we send her up to higher grades, she'll be forced out of school by the time she's ten."

"Surely a scholarship is in order" Mr. Jacq begged. "La Primera, she's an impeccable student."

"Scholarship from where?" she inquired. "The Gym Leaders? Myself? We could try to fundraise for her all we want, but the Council will dismiss it. Once she's beyond the ranks of young student classes, they'll throw her out into the world."

"Our hands are tied, I'm afraid" Clavell sighed. "Without the Council's approval or Geeta's assertion into the role of Queen, we cannot force them to act."

"Why won't they?"

"Ancient traditions. They like to believe they know what's best for Paldea. Any changes or progress terrifies them." Clavell eyed Geeta worriedly. "If your father was still alive..."

"But he's not" Geeta somberly spoke. "So long as they Council will not act, then we have to do all we can to keep this girl well fed with her roof over her head."

"Can't we override the Council on this? Just once?"

Clavell pushed his glasses back up to the bridge of his nose. "That would likely result in all of us losing our positions. Our only hope is the cooperation of the other regions in this temporary grace period they've allowed foreign students to take part in." He looked to Geeta. "I do believe if you could convince Master Billy to assist us in this-"

Geeta turned away, blushing furiously. "I can't overstep, Director. He's involved with an aspiring Pokémon Professor, one of the chaperones looking after Miss Morgan Augustine, I believe." She rested her hands on a nearby desk. "I wasn't alive when my grandfather closed the borders fifty years ago, but I do know he had nothing but good things to say about this James Kingston from Arcana."

Clavell nodded. "Indeed. And the newly crowned King of Arcana was a gentleman when we spoke. I had initially thought that Master Billy was in fact this King."

"If William is anything like his grandfather, then we should be able to maintain a healthy relationship with Arcana. But even a permanent change to that would require the Council to change the laws." She folded her hands and seemed to be harboring an intense crush, a notion which perplexed both Cole and Addison as they witnessed the conversation. "Don't think I haven't thought about it, Director."

Clavell seemed to smile a bit at this. "I haven't seen you like this since you were a little girl, La Primera."

Mr. Jacq looked from both, hoping for an answer to their situation. "I...uh...I hope we're not losing sight of the focus of this conversation. I'm sure Lord Kingston is a great man, but what about-"

Geeta looked to the teacher and nodded. "Keep her in her current classes. If she wants to build her knowledge, let her have free periods in the library to learn. I will not let that poor girl be thrown out of the schools due to some technicalities." She then rose and looked out into space with supreme confidence. "I have to try, Director. My heart tells me one thing and my brain the other. If William continues to surround my every thought, I must make my stance known. Even if it means opening up a potential conflict with Miss Fouritz."

Addison was astonished. "Who would have thought La Primera felt so strongly for Billy?"

Cole too was taken aback. "I really thought from what you said that he and Miss Amanda were a thing."

"They are, which is why I'm so surprised that Billy would even entertain another woman like this." She thought for a moment. "Then again, maybe he's not. Kingston men may be charming and witty, but they aren't the best at grasping signals. Believe me, I'd know." She giggled at how many times Ryan missed obvious signs she or Holly might have given to him over the years, or when he didn't grasp something like a desire for her to be left alone or, more to her shame, when they're relationship was on thin ice and she didn't want to talk about a potential breakup. "It's possible Billy's just trying to be polite and not step on any toes, but giving mixed signals to her."

"La Primera is a good lady" Cole admitted. "She didn't have to do the things she did for me. I'm a part of that Orphan Program they're talking about."

Addison nodded. "She is. I love Amanda and know she'll make Billy very happy, but it's not exactly a downgrade of something were to happen between him and Geeta." Once the two stepped back, the scene shifted in the water and the chamber returned around them. Cole and Addison looked around at their surroundings until they saw the third and final reflecting pool calling to them. To her surprise, Cole didn't seem too apprehensive to delve into this one. "You're okay?"

Cole smiled at her and gave her hand an affectionate squeeze. "I feel good. Great, even. And it's all thanks to you, Addy. You make me feel strong."

Addison looked away, her own face shining a similar color to Geeta's at yet another of Cole's unintentionally flirtatious compliments. "Well, you know..." Without another word, the two walked over towards the well of water, with Cole himself using his free hand to touch the water on his own. When the light didn't come, he looked somewhat dejected until Addison used her own hand to cause the water to ripple. As the light returned to them, Addison and Cole felt themselves being dragged to yet another moment in time.

When Addison tried initially to grasp their location, she recalled it as the first town she and Cole had visited in Alfornada. But it was not in the condition it had been when she'd seen it. Buildings were run down, the locals were either in hiding or had been driven away and the colors the city had been known for were all diluted down to bare and scarred whites and reds.

"Isn't this Alfornada?" Addison asked. She looked to Cole, who's attention was grasped fully on the scene in front of him. She followed his glance and went ice cold. A woman, draped heavily in a cloak, was sneaking her way over to where Alfornada's Gym had been. In her arms, was a bundle of blankets that was making the distinct sounds a baby would make.

"Is that my mother?" Cole whispered. He tried to run towards her, but Addison held him back. He looked back at her, almost astonished. "What is it?"

"You don't know what you may find here" she insisted. "It may not even be you there."

Cole shook his head. "It has to be, Addy. It's just gotta be. That's me in that bundle. And that has to be my mother." He lowered his head before quickly slipping his hand from hers. "I have to know what kind of woman she was. What kind of woman could abandon her son like she did!"

"COLE!" Addison cried out, but he didn't listen. She raced after him to try and stop him, but the two didn't make it in time. The woman made it to the entrance of the former Gym of Alfornada, gently lowered the crying infant, seemed to whisper something to him and then finally running off into the darkness of the night. Cole and Addison stopped as she vanished from sight, their attention on the baby crying on the steps leading up to the gym. Addison slowly made her way up to the infant and looked down on it. It's eyes were closed, but as it fussed in its blanket, Addison could tell it was in pain and was calling for a mother who would never come back.

Cole had gone to follow the cloaked woman he believed to be his mother, but skidded to a stop when all that he saw nearby was all-encompassing darkness. He turned and slowly made it back to Addison's side as she stepped backward from the baby. "Even in memory, my Mom abandoned me." The two found the scene around them fading without a word spoken and the cavern returned to full form. Addison initially worried about Cole's sorrow of not seeing his mother potentially, but was caught off guard by how willingly he embraced Jory, hugging the frightened Electric Pokémon as they reunited with their trainers. Galatea herself looked to Addison curiously.

Did you find anything?

Addison nodded. "A lot and less than."

She cocked her head curiously at that. Another human turn of phrase?

"Sort of."

Cole playfully patted Jory before returning him to his Poké Ball. When Addison came to his side to check on him, he gave her a pleasant smile. "I always wanted to know who my parents were, but in the end, it doesn't really matter. My Mom and Dad weren't my family. And really...neither were Turo and Sada. Paige...Professor Sexton..." He looked to his Pawmot's Poké Ball and held it close. "And my Pokémon. They're my family. That's all that matters."

Addison nodded. "I'm glad you understand that you've never been alone. And you never will be."

Cole looked to her nervously. "I'd say you are too, Addy, but I-"

She giggled. "I don't think we're there quite yet, Cole. But who knows? Maybe someday down the line, we will be." The cave, without warning, suddenly began to rumble violently. Addison recalled Galatea for her own protection and stood close by Cole's side, expecting another Tera Pokémon to appear out of nowhere. But instead, a massive hole in a nearby wall of the cave was blasted through by a Dugtrio. They seemed to be whistling happy to themselves when they spotted the two young trainers huddled together, which meant they were likely not going to be hostile. But Cole and Addison didn't dare to separate until they found who was the one who had sent those Dugtrios in.

A woman's voice echoed around them. "Well, well. I thought my readings indicated human life inside this Tera Crystal Mine."

Cole and Addison looked to one another nervously. "Is that Natalya?"

"I don't think so" her friend replied. "Sounds way too friendly to be her."

Once the dust had settled from the Dugtrio's Bulldoze attack, a figure did emerge from the tunnel they'd dug. Addison thought she'd seen her a few times before, but there was something decidedly different about her. She had long, turquoise-colored hair, fiery red eyes and yet a surprisingly cheery smile on her face. However, unlike the last time Addison had seen her, she was not in a pair of slacks held together by suspenders showing a laid back, construction worker vibe to her. Now, she wore bronze-colored armor as if she were a knight.

"You know these mines are incredibly dangerous, right?" Rika insisted. "Not an ideal place for two kids to run off and have a make out session."

Both Cole and Addison stepped aside, their faces beat red at the assertion. "We weren't doing that!"

"Sure you weren't" Rika replied teasingly. "You just happened to appear in this Tera Mine?"

"You don't see any passageways or rocks we could have climbed to get in here, right?" Addison asked.

Rika shrugged. "Well, ya got me there. But you two shouldn't be here. Those Black Tera Crystals are dangerous. I think we need to get you two to the surface before anything else happens." She heralded them over to her. "Be thankful I'm the one who found you. If Captain Geeta had been the one who did, you'd all be taken directly to Her Ladyship."

Cole looked decidedly puzzled. "Her Ladyship?"

"Captain Geeta?!" Addison added. "Isn't she La Primera?!"

Now, it was Rika's turn to look puzzled. "La Primera?! Did you two hit your heads down here or something? Why would we need a Primera when we have-" The ground began to shake, this time without the input from Rika. She looked to her Dugtrio, who began to chirp wildly. She quickly gave the two kids her full and undivided attention. "We'll talk later. We've got to get out of here before another Roaring Moon shows up."

Cole's face went as white as bedsheets. "ROARING MOON?!"

"Yeah. Big, loud, hulking Dragon Pokémon. Good thing you know why we need to get out of this mine before anything else happens." When the two didn't move fast enough, Rika rushed behind them and began to push them forward. "Come on! You don't want to be caught in the eyesight of one of those monsters! Move it!" Her Dugtrio was already burrowing ahead. Once Addison and Cole finally got the memo to keep moving, Rika sprinted ahead.

Addison looked nervously to Cole. "Roaring Moon? What is it?"

Cole gulped and looked to Addison worriedly. "Let's pray you never have to find out."