A/N: So yay! I managed to finish editing the second chapter within a week after posting the first. I got a HUGE boost in motivation from last week's upload. I also have chapters 3 and 4 ready for the following weeks, so stay tuned for that :D

Enjoy :D

The dawn's light poured through the window of Akari's quarters. Starly chirped outside, hoping to catch the early Wurmple. Akari rubbed the sleep sand from her eyelashes as her eyes flickered open. Taking in the morning sunlight, she stretched her arms high in the air as she sat herself up. Electra was still on top of Akari, now sleeping on her lap. Akari smiled as she stroked Electra's fluffy mane, waking the Luxray up.

Buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz

Akari reached for her arc phone beside her mat, the device she had when she first woke up in Hisui. The mysterious gadget that Arceus had been using to guide her through Hisui.

Upon peaking at the phone's screen, Akari noticed a new message from Arceus.

Should thou wish to return, meet me in the Hall of Origin.

Dropping the phone on its face, Akari remembered everything that happened last night. All of the thoughts, all of the ideas, all of the images. She stood up as the anxiety shoved away all of her grogginess. Electra arched her back before following Akari as she went to slip on her sandals. Perhaps a morning stroll around the village would make her feel better.

A refreshing morning breeze greeted Akari as she opened the door. The village was quiet and empty, hardly anyone was awake during this hour. The dirt crunched beneath her feet as she headed toward the river. The calming trickle of flowing water and warmth of the rising sun somewhat relieved Akari of her stress.

Akari walked onto the bridge connecting the village pastures with the front gate leading to the fieldlands. She hunched onto the railing, and stared into the river. The water's movement, the sun's shimmer, the perfectly aligned trees planted near the river, the smoke rising from the building's chimneys, her silhouette-like reflection gazing back at her from the river. The wind lifted her ponytail as she tried to find one specific thing to focus on.

"Should thou wish to return, meet me in the Hall of Origin."

That message wouldn't get out of Akari's head. It kept repeating and repeating in Arceus's echoey voice. Letting the urge win, Akari took her eyes off the scenery and pulled her phone out of her pocket. She stared intensely into the small screen, scanning the sentence several times over.

Guess this means I can return so… Akari's chest tightened as her heart sped up. I…I have to go back! I can't let whoever I left behind spend another day worrying about me like this!

Akari glanced over at the village pastures. She could see all of her other Pokemon scattered around in their respective sleeping positions: Mesa coiled up, Strawberry with her paws tucked beneath her head, Nixie and Solaris curled up on their stomachs, Nautilus tucked inside her shell (something Akari found to be absolutely adorable). Jolly Dime was as still as an inanimate object, Poppy was nestled into a patch of yellow flowers, Acacia had her limbs spread flat and snout wide open, and Professor Laventon was leaning against a pile of hay, fast asleep.

"Wait a minute…" said Akari.

She and Electra jogged into the pasture. Laventon appeared to have completely passed out with a notebook wide open on his lap. His hat and coat now had pieces of hay stuck all over them. Akari quietly giggled at the sight as she knelt down.

"Laventon…" Akari whispered, giving him a gentle nudge on the shoulder. Laventon moaned as his eyes cracked open.

"Akari?" he asked, yawning. His eyes widened as he suddenly realized where he was. "Oh blast and bother, did I fall asleep here again?!"

"I believe so, Professor," Akari answered as Electra nodded. She wondered how many times this has happened before.

"Well, this is embarrassing!" Laventon chuckled as he stood up and brushed the dirt and hay off his clothes. He took a quick peek at the village before looking back at Akari. "I see that you're up early, my girl. Did you sleep well?"

"I guess so." Akari gave Electra a quick pat on the head. She watched as Electra scampered over to Mesa, nuzzling her as she awoke. "Laventon…"

"Yes, my dear?"

"About our conversation yesterday…" Her face dropped as she held out her arc phone. "I just got a message from Arceus about it…"

"Oho? What did they say?" Laventon asked.

"They said…" Akari started, opening the message. "'Should thou wish to return, meet me in the Hall of Origin'…"

"I see," said Laventon. He smiled as he crossed his arms. "Well that gives us some answers. Now we know for sure that you can go back."

"And I've decided…" Akari closed her eyes as she squeezed the next words out. "That I'm going back today."

Laventon's eyes widened. Electra dashed back to Akari, rousing Strawberry and Nixie in the process.

"Oh, Akari!" Laventon exclaimed. "Are…are you really sure about this?!"

Akari sighed as her Pokemon started to surround her. Nautilus popped from her shell while Jolly Dime and Poppy both became airborne. Embers were sparking from Solaris's neck.

"Yes," Akari answered. "You said you would support me."

"I…I did but…" Laventon inhaled as he stared down at the dusty ground. "Do you not want a bit more time to decide on this? And are you really sure you want to go back to a place you don't remember?"

"I'm sure," said Akari. "I'm sorry. I'd stay here longer, but…" Her sweaty hand clenched a piece of her shirt as her pulse raced. "I…I can't. I have to go now!"

"Why is that?"

"Because…" Akari started, holding her arms tightly. "Whoever and wherever my family is, they're probably worried sick about me. I've been gone for months and…" Akari paused as she heard the sound of ecstatic children. She looked over to see a few small kids chasing each other around the village. A mother half-asleep, but smiling, slowly trailed behind them. "I want to see them again too…"

As she continued to watch the children play, Akari felt Laventon's hand rest on her shoulder.

"Akari I…" he started. "I understand…" He exhaled before continuing. "I knew this day would eventually come. You have folks waiting for you, don't you? Then I'll do what I can to help you get to them."

Akari smiled as she let out a breath of relief.

"Thank you," she murmured. "Thank you for understanding me." Laventon perked up as he walked over to Akari's side.

"Come on now! When have I not understood you, my girl? Was I not the one who took you in after you fell out of the sky wearing the most unconventional clothing? Now, let's go head to the Galaxy Hall. I'll help you explain everything to our captain!"

"I see…" Captain Cyllene sat upright at her desk piled with papers, her face emotionless as usual. Her office was filled with books and files containing mounts of Pokemon data that Akari and the other survey corps members had gathered. It was where Akari officially got accepted into the Galaxy Team after completing her trial, just one day after she fell into Hisui. It was where she and Laventon would go to report their progress on the Pokedex. "You, our top survey corps member, now want to leave the Galaxy Team and depart the village forever?"

Akari nodded. "Yes, Captain."

"You're going to abandon your job to go back to a place you don't even know?" Cyllene asked.

"Yes," answered Akari.

"You're ready to leave behind everyone and everything you care about here?"

"Yes."

"And what makes you think this is the best thing to do?"

Akari looked away from the captain, staring into Laventon's office through the doorway on her left. Laventon's Hisuian Samurott, whom Akari helped evolve, was fast asleep on the sofa. It was a comfortable couch for sure, Akari had passed out on it a few times herself. She remembered that one time she went into the office late at night feeling unwell, hoping a cup of tea would remedy her pain at least a little bit. Exhausted, lightheaded, and waiting for the kettle water to boil, Akari collapsed onto the sofa, which ended up being the last thing she remembered that night. She woke up the next morning under a warm quilt, her cup of tea sitting on the table in front.

"Because it's her home!"

Laventon, standing by Akari's side, stepped forward. "Captain, I know this is hard, but we need to let Akari go. She may not remember her past, but that doesn't mean her past doesn't remember her." Laventon took a loud sniffle before continuing. "Think about it, there could be people tearing their entire region apart looking for our dear friend."

Cyllene closed her eyes as the office fell silent. Akari could feel her heart pounding through her chest as she once again imagined her family. Her poor parents bulldozing everything in their search. Her friends mourning as they'd hang without her. Her sad Pokemon sitting in front of the door to her house, waiting for their trainer to come back.

"...Very well…"

The captain opened her eyes as she turned her head to Akari. "It'll be a shame to see one of our top survey corps members leave us. It would've been foolish of us to think that you'd be a permanent resident of our organization. You have a life ahead of you that is far beyond the reach of anyone else here." Akari nodded as a few rocks of weight slipped off of her.

"Thank you, Captain," sighed Laventon, taking a few breaths. "Akari deserves to go back to her real home. To be reunited with her real family." His voice was hoarse and cracking, like it was falling apart with each word.

"Akari, we are all very grateful for the work you have done for us. We'd all be a mess right now if the sky hadn't spit you into our village. You will always be a member of the Galaxy Team and Jubilife Village in our hearts, no matter how far away in time and space you may be. Don't forget all that you are worth to the land of Hisui and its future," said Cyllene.

"Thank you!" said Akari, blushing.

Laventon blew his nose into a handkerchief. "That speech was so touching, Cyllene! I couldn't agree more!" he exclaimed, sniffling. "Now how should we give Akari a jolly proper send off?"

"As rising commander, I shall summon the leaders and wardens of the Diamond and Pearl clans immediately. We'll hold a ceremony to celebrate everything that Akari has accomplished here."

Butterflies fluttered through Akari's stomach at the thought of seeing her friends one last time. How were they going to react to such news?

"Akari, you may now go back to your quarters to prepare yourself and pack everything you want to take with you." Cyllene looked over at Laventon, who was fidgeting and scratching his sweaty palms. "Professor, if you don't mind, could I keep you here for a few more minutes? There's something I would like to discuss with you one-on-one."

"O-of course, Captain!" He wiped his face with his sleeve before turning to Akari with a cracked smile. "Go on, my girl. I'll see you when you're on your way!"

And with that, Akari was off to get ready to leave Jubilife Village for the last time.

Akari had shoved everything she could in her small satchel. Her phone, her flute, berries and potions just in case, and all of her Pokemon, who were comfortably secured in their poke balls. She wore the same "unusual" white T-shirt she had on when she first arrived in Hisui. It only made sense that she would go home wearing the same clothes she had on when she left. Akari then put on her azalea-pink snow jacket she usually wore when surveying in the Alabaster Icelands. She had also donned her indigo snow pants and purple-rimmed boots. The frigid temperatures at the top of Mt. Coronet were no laughing matter, as Akari had learned that the hard way the first time she went up there.

Akari took one final look at the room she had been living in for the past several months. Everything was in the same place as the day she had first arrived. The sleeping mat with rustled sheets and the blanket folded over in half, the carved wooden clefairy doll sitting on the window sill, the hearth creaking and groaning in the room's center as it emanated blasting heat, which kept the room warm even on the coldest winter days. It felt like only yesterday when Akari was first shown the room, back when she was a lost and terrified girl with no idea of where or who she even was. Akari hoped that its next occupant would find as much comfort here as she did.

The sounds of chatter floated in from outside the front window. More and more shadows of people began to cast through the windows, projecting onto the room's walls and floor. As Akari walked to the door, a Poke Ball slipped from her overflowing bag.

"Mrow mrow?"

Akari jumped in surprise as her beloved Luxray stood in the room. Her golden eyes and enlarged pupils stared directly at her. Akari couldn't help, but look out the window behind her. The small snapshot of all the nature she was about to leave. Akari snapped her focus away from it as she knelt down to pet Electra.

"It's okay," she whispered, rubbing Electra's snout. "It will all be okay."

As Akari returned Electra to her Poke Ball and stuffed it back in her satchel, shadows from outside continued to gather and loom over her. She knew that it was time. She placed her shaky hands on the doors, took a deep breath, then slowly pushed them open.

"AKARI!"

Several simultaneous shouts bombarded Akari as she stepped onto Floaro Main Street. The leader and wardens of the Diamond clan were all gathered in front of Arezu's Hairdresser, while the Pearl Clan were over by Anthe's clothier. Adaman and Irida, the leaders of the two clans, were the first to run up to Akari.

"We heard it all from your captain!" exclaimed Adaman, the leader of the Diamond Clan.

"You're leaving us?!" cried Irida, the leader of the Pearl Clan.

"And gave us almost no time to prepare for this?!" added Adaman.

Akari froze in silence as her friends gathered around her, sweating pouring down her face. She stared at the dusty ground with her jaws and fists clenched, hastily trying to load up a response. Wanting to take her coat off in the heat, Akari slowly opened her mouth.

"Y-yes," she answered, still looking down. "I-I have to go back… Back to where I came from… Where I truly belong…"

Akari finally managed to lift her head and look up at the two leaders, though still avoided eye contact (something she was never that comfortable with anyway).

"I'm really sorry for how sudden this is, but…" Akari felt her stomach pinch itself. "I-I don't belong here. I never did. I'm only here because Arceus sent me on a mission. A mission that I have already completed." Small tears began to emerge out of Akari's eyes. "I don't have a purpose here anymore. So I can't stay. Especially when there could be people looking for me wherever or whenever I'm from. I'm sorry…"

Silence captured the next moment as the words sank through. Irida then walked over to Akari, gently putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh Akari! You've been such a good friend to have in this space," said Irida.

"But I understand," said Adaman.

"You really do?" asked Akari.

"Of course! I'd definitely be worried timelessly if any of my fellow clan members suddenly vanished. Only Dialga knows how long I would spend looking for them!" ensured Adaman.

"Awwww! I knew you would do that for me!" said Melli, walking up toward Adaman from behind. "Akari, I hope you don't ever forget just how awesome the great Melli is!"

"Melli, how many times do I have to remind you that this world does not revolve around you?" moaned Adaman, facepalming. He shook his head. "But Akari, we really do appreciate everything you've done for us! You were just a lost kid who fell out of the sky and then you quelled all of our frenzied nobles, stopped the red sky disaster, and even discovered what Almighty Sinnoh truly was! You truly are a legend that will never be forgotten, no matter how much time passes!"

"Adaman…" cried Akari, blushing.

"Never thought I'd agree with something Adaman says, but here we are! Akari, we really are thankful that the rift decided to throw you at us! I know that things haven't always been easy for you during your stay—far from it, in fact. The fact that you still went out of your way to help everyone speaks volumes to just how awesome of a person you are, Akari! We're all truly honored to have you as a friend!" said Irida.

"Irida… You guys…" Akari found herself shedding a tear as she embraced both leaders in a group hug. Adaman and Irida both gave Akari pats on the backs. "Don't think I could have done it without you two! I will forever be grateful that you helped me after I got exiled. Even after the commander threatened you…" Akari sniffled as she let go of her friends and stepped back. "Thank you!"

"Of course, Akari!" Adaman then bent down to whisper to Akari. "And just between you and me, you know you liked the Diamond Clan better!"

"I heard that!" said Irida, crossing her arms and giving Adaman a look.

"Hey, she did choose me to accompany her on the lakes mission!" said Adaman.

"But then she got to see my Palkia in its true form!" argued Irida.

"With my Dialga protecting her!" countered Adaman. Akari chuckled as she watched the two bicker like always.

"Well, I think it's about time I get going!" said Akari, turning toward the direction of the south gate. "Goodbye, Adaman! Goodbye, Irida! Goodbye to all of you! I'm really going to miss you all!" Akari smiled as she waved to the clans.

"We'll miss you too! Goodbye, Akari!" Adaman and Irida shouted as they both waved back at her. The wardens of their respective clans also joined in waving Akari farewell.

"If you ever have a bad hair day, you know who to call! I'd go all the way to your world for someone like you, Akari!" Arezu called out.

"Thank you so much for helping my dear Arcanine find his place as the Lord of the Isles. He and I truly wish you the best of luck!" said Palina.

"Your bravery has really inspired me to slowly overcome my own fears, especially of those grim ghost Pokemon! I hope you remember that!" said Iscan.

"Take care, Akari! I've always had a blast watching you take on those massive mass outbreaks! Munchlax will surely miss you giving him all the Aguav berries!" said Mai.

Akari smiled as she walked toward the gate, overwhelmed by all the love and gratitude being showered upon her.

"Akari!" called Rei, running up to her and hugging her. "The Professor told me everything! Is this really the last time I'll be seeing you?!"

Akari frowned."Most likely so. Not sure if I'll ever be able to come back," she sighed. Poppy suddenly took off and flew down the street toward the Galaxy Hall.

"Oh, Akari!" cried Rei, squeezing tighter. "I'm really going to miss you! You've been like a sister to me!" He sniffled, let go of Akari, and wiped his face with his sleeve. He then managed to put on a smile. "But I know that you have folks waiting for you at your home. And I know that you've probably been itching to see them again. Which is why I will watch you go with a smile!"

"Thank you, Rei!" said Akari, smiling and feeling warm inside. Something suddenly swooped down in front of the gate. Akari and Rei turned to see a Hisuian Braviary flying close to the ground. He carried a glider basket with his talons, and Sabi dangled from the handle bar. She then let go and landed on her feet with her arms spread wide like a bird.

"Braviary's ready to go whenever you are!" Sabi said enthusiastically. She skipped to the side to make way for Akari.

I guess this is it! thought Akari. She took one step forward, suddenly struck with a nagging feeling that she was forgetting something important.

"AKARI, WAAAIT!"

Akari turned around to see someone blitzing through the crowd on Floaro Main Street. Sure enough, it was Professor Laventon, who appeared to be drenched with sweat as he got closer. Laventon stopped in front of Akari to pant for a few seconds. His cheeks appeared wet and the whites of his eyes had turned pinkish red. He then put his hands on Akari's shoulders.

"You weren't about to leave without saying goodbye to your dear professor now, were you?" Laventon said, still trying to catch his breath.

"Of course not!" answered Akari. Laventon smiled.

"I knew you wouldn't, my girl!" He sniffled and vented out a big exhale before looking back at Akari. "Akari, I just want you to know that… when I first found you laying on that beach… Well, I thought I was going to have to report a body that day! I was jolly certain that that day would go down in my records as one of the worst and weirdest days of my life! However, not only were you perfectly alive and unharmed, but ever since that day, I've had the greatest pleasure and honor of watching you grow into who you are now!" Laventon took another breath before continuing. "I mean, look at you! You went from a lone, lost girl who barely knew anything about the world to such an amazing, strong, capable young woman!" Tears streamed down Laventon's face as he looked at Akari with pride. "I'm so proud of you, my girl!"

Akari's eyes shimmered as she jumped into Laventon's arms. He happily embraced her as they both sobbed. Through her tears, Akari could see that the people around them were also getting misty-eyed.

"Thank you, Laventon!" cried Akari, still hugging him tightly. "You helped me on my feet when I had nowhere to go! It was all thanks to you that I even survived in the first place!"

"Oh, Akari! Taking you in was one of the best decisions I've ever made! Whoever your family may be, they're jolly blessed to have a daughter like you!" Laventon cried. "Take care of yourself and live a jolly good life, alright? We'll be thinking about you every day! And don't ever forget who you are!"

Akari's eyes sparkled as a stream of warmth ran through her whole body.

"I jolly won't, Professor!" she said, looking at Laventon with confidence. Laventon wheezed as he wiped his face with his sleeve.

"That's my girl!"

As Laventon let her go, Akari took one last look at Jubilife Village and all its people.

"Goodbye, everyone! Thank you for everything!"

Akari crawled into Braviary's basket. She secured herself, grabbed onto the handlebar, and looked up at Braviary and nodded. The cool wind fanned on her as Braviary flapped his wings.

"To the Temple of Sinnoh!" commanded Akari, pointing to Mt. Coronet.

"Squawk!"

Akari looked back to see Jubilife Village getting smaller and smaller as she ascended. Almost everyone she had ever known slowly turned into ant-like figures waving at her. She turned her head forward to see that she was flying over the Obsidian Fieldlands: The grass, the trees, the hills, the lakes, the rivers. When Akari first set foot in that vast patch of wilderness, it was strange and new to her. Now, she knew that place like her own backyard!

On the other side of the mountain range east of the fieldlands, Akari could see the red soil of the crimson mirelands. The bogs and swamps reduced to simple splotches of brown from her point of view. Just beyond the mirelands, Akari caught a brief glimpse of the beach of Cobalt Coastlands. The calming blueness of the water perfectly reflected the sky. Akari realized that the weather wasn't too different from the day she first arrived in Hisui: A few popcorn clouds here and there, but otherwise clear weather with almost zero wind. Perfect conditions for Akari to drop from the sky. As Braviary approached the top of Mt. Coronet, Akari caught one final view of the Alabaster Icelands, the snowy mountains glaring at her with a blinding pure white.

The cold breeze on Mt. Coronet blew into her face as Braviary approached her destination. Braviary swooped into a touchdown as Akari's basket touched the ground. Braviary folded his wings as he looked down at Akari. Akari crawled out of the basket onto the cold hard floor of what was left of the Temple of Sinnoh. The temple on the top of the mountain that Palkia destroyed before Akari's very eyes, as it transformed into its origin form. Akari stood up and turned to Braviary.

"Thank you for all of your service," she whispered, stroking Braviary's head feathers.

"Squawk!" Braviary looked at Akari fondly before taking off and flying away.

Everything was silent on the summit of Mt. Coronet. There were no people, no Pokemon, not even plants with rustling leaves. Just rocks, snow, and a ruined temple. Akari took one final look at the world beneath her. The world she had spent months exploring, the world she helped to save, the world as it was many years before she was even born. Akari hoped to learn that it had a positive future ahead of it after she got home.

Akari dug into her satchel and pulled out her azure flute. The flute that looked like a purple piece of coral with a red blowing hole. Akari took a big, long breath before blowing into the instrument, playing the eerie tune that Irida had taught her.

A big, blue light shined in front of Akari. She watched as the radiating blue light turned into a giant glowing staircase, ascending right up into the sky. Akari sighed as she set her foot on the first step, soon climbing the stairs to make her way to where Arceus rested. Her surroundings darkened as she reached the top, as if Akari was climbing right up into outer space. Until finally, Akari reached the big, blue platform, dazzling under a dark purple ceiling of stars and glowing like an aurora. She had reached the Hall of Origin.

"Arceus!" called Akari, walking toward the center of the platform.

Specks of yellow light appeared on all sides of the room. They swirled into a giant sphere right in front of Akari. The light then exploded and dispersed as Arceus appeared, towering over Akari with their white quadruped body and a barbed golden wheel around its abdomen.

"Arceus…" said Akari. "I'm ready! I'm ready to go home!"

Arceus stood silent, their jutted mane and tail gently swaying around in the air. Their red and green eyes gazed sharply into Akari, making her skin erupt in goosebumps. Her heart raced as she stood in front of the holy being, waiting to hear their answer. The knot in her stomach grew tighter and tighter with each passing second of anticipation. Not wanting to be in this endless staredown, Akari broke the silence.

"You told me to come here if I wanted to return home," she said, fishing her phone out of her satchel. She opened the message and held it out to Arceus. "See?"

"Thou is correct," Arceus answered, their deep voice echoing throughout the chamber. "I can indeed send thou back to the time and space from which thy came. But…"

"But what?"

"Are…. are thy sure about this?"

Akari looked around as her mind raced. She thought about everything that she was about to leave behind. Everyone she knew, everywhere she'd been. All of it was about to be gone in the blink of an eye, becoming nothing more than a fragment of the long gone past. But then the thought of her distraught family in the future took over. The thought that she was finally about to see them again. It was without a doubt, more than a fair trade.

"Yes!" Akari answered firmly. "I want to see my family again!"

Arceus quietly looked away from Akari and stood completely still for the next moment. She thought she heard them mumble something, but couldn't pick up any of the words. They turned back to her, expressionless.

"Very well," said Arceus. "Do thou have everything thy need?"

Akari peered into her bag of items. A feeling of uneasiness ran down her spine as all of her Pokémon's Poke Balls rolled around, barely fitting in the cramped space. Memories of catching all of these Pokémon flashed through Akari's mind, being able to pinpoint where on the map she first met each of them. Some were from the fieldlands, some came from the mirelands, some hailed from the highlands of the very mountain beneath her. Unlike Akari, they were all from this time period. The time she was about to leave forever.

Taking a deep breath, Akari grabbed the Poké Balls out of her back and tossed them onto the platform. The Pokémon were unleashed one by one, soon all standing by her side.

"I'm sorry," sighed Akari, zipping her satchel shut. "You all have to stay here."

The Pokémon's eyes all widened as they surrounded Akari, nearly knocking her over. She looked at the nine Pokemon she had grown so fond of. Solaris, the Hisuian Typhlosion who was there for her from the very beginning. Nixie, the ambitious Floatzel who was willing to challenge any opponent, even those she had a massive disadvantage against. Jolly Dime, Akari's first shiny and the Pokemon that ignited Akari's blazing passion for shiny hunting. Strawberry, the shiny Skuntank who got along so well with her teammates. Nautilus, the Hisuian Goodra who was there for hugs whenever someone was down. Acacia, the quiet yet tough Hippowdon who came through in difficult fights. Poppy, the silly little Beautifly that loved to steal flowers from all the villagers. Mesa, the shiny Steelix that had helped Akari countless times throughout her adventures. And Electra, the Luxray that Akari had first met as a wild Shinx that she needed to catch in order to join the Survey Corps. She was told that it had an aggressive deposition, yet couldn't help but notice that the Shinx was as lonely as she was in that moment. So Akari approached the little Pokemon without fear and caught her with Solaris's help. And then she gently carried that Shinx in her arms when going back to report her success, bewildering almost everyone that saw her. Laventon even had a photo capturing that moment framed in his office.

"Mrrow?" Electra scampered over to Akari and looked at her with pleading eyes.

"I'm sorry," Akari murmured. She crouched down and stroked Electra's fur. "It's what's best for you guys."

"Mrow?!" Electra's ears and mane sagged as she shook her head. She then put her paws on Akari's shoulders before hugging her. Akari held her tight as tears squeezed out her eyes. Her other Pokemon gathered around to join the hug, soon burying Akari beneath them.

"I'll be fine," Akari said, standing up. "You guys can go to the Summit Camp. There should be some security corps members who can help escort you back to Jubilife. Laventon will take great care of you all, right Solaris?" Akari looked over at her Hisuian Typhlosion.

"Raaaah!" Solaris nodded.

"Thank you for everything," Akari whispered. With that, Akari turned away and walked toward Arceus. "I'm ready now."

Akari suddenly felt… lighter. Orbs of yellow light enveloped her as her body began to glow. The light reflected in the Pokemon's misty eyes as they saw what was happening to their dear trainer. Akari noticed that Arceus had turned their head away from her, like they didn't want to watch what was happening.

The light brightened as it lifted Akari upward into the black sky. Electra scampered right underneath where she was, looking up with big eyes full of bitter tears. The Luxray stood on her hind legs, desperately pawing at the rising particles of light.

"Meoooow!"

Electra's cry was soft, yet it could be heard throughout the whole chamber. It was the kind of cry she made whenever she wanted something, whether it was food, potions, or cuddles. Only this time it was much more sorrowful. A cry that was clearly pleading for Akari to come back down.

That was the last thing Akari heard before her consciousness faded away.