Breakfast was being served out of the Pokémon centre, the defacto centre of all operations, using some supplies scavenged from stores in the trees which had more or less survived the blaze. A group of men had flown up with a group of flying Pokémon and taken all they could from the wrecked houses and stores, with food going to the Pokémon centre to be portioned out and any belonging finding their way back to the owners. The morning meal consisted of tinned foods, bread and a few berries that had been found preserved in jars, handed out by volunteers throughout the town.

Michael had awoken lying against the hallway hall, his back stiff and his joints aching from how he had slept. The pain in his chest caught him immediately and the emptiness filled his mind, bringing a rush of emotions to tear at his mind. He could no longer feel Melody's presence in his mind and, in a way, could hardly feel himself, the space now clouded with longing and grief. But as he picked himself up and stood with great effort, he felt something else in his chest. A tightening, like a spring coiling back, spread through his heart. It flowed along with all of the other emotions he felt now but didn't follow the thread of hopeless and sorrow, instead rising above them and into something he wanted to hold on to. As he thought of the promise he made last night he realised what it was. Hope. He smiled gently at the revelation he he could feel hope in these times, straightening up and walking towards where he smelled breakfast being prepared. He was halfway down the hall when he realised he had forgotten to check on Melody, something he never had to do before when they were connected, and so turned and made his way back to the room where this new saga of trials had begun.

He was nervous when he knocked on the door; almost enough so that he wanted to turn and run in repulsion of what he would see and feel, but steeled himself and opened the door a second after knocking. When he entered, Melody was still asleep on the bed, curled up into a ball with her head on the pillow. Michael felt both happiness and sadness seeing her so peaceful but seeming so isolated, moving over to the bed and placing a hand gingerly on her shoulder, the action feeling out of place and wrong when he did so. He called her name as he softly shook her shoulder, making sure not to shake so hard as to cause pain in the other. Her eyes fluttered open, widening for a moment when she saw him and them shutting tightly as the sudden influx of emotions courses through her as well. At first she had seen a stranger look over her, then realising who it was and feeling the horror flood back into her mind. At that moment Michael wanted to hold her, but knew it wouldn't feel the same for either of them and the feelings of repulsion brought on by the broken bond stopped him.

"They're serving breakfast now. We need to get there soon if we want to eat." He said gently as she sat up in bed, taking a few moment to try hold back the tears from her eyes at what she felt, but also from the pain in her shoulder that now grew with the painkillers wearing off.

"C-can you help me out of bed?" she asked, not sure if she could focus on levitation at a time like this. Michael nodded held her hand, something which made her feel awkward now, and guided her off the bed. With a few shaky steps she was able to focus her mind enough to lift herself from the ground and float away from his grip. They both then made their way down the hallway, light glinting off the linoleum floors in the cool morning light.

"...does your shoulder still hurt?" Michael asked, unable now to sense her thoughts or part of her pain, sounding stupidly obvious to him.

"It hurts a little more...I might need some more medicine." Melody said, trying to make small talk as they walked.

"Well, I can ask the nurse for some...maybe she can give us some for the journey?" he said, hint of optimism trying to weave its way into the conversation.

"Yes...that would help..." she said as they crossed the main lobby to the glad double door and out into the cold morning air. The sudden temperature change brought numbness to Michaels face and a small stinging pain to Melodys shoulder.

A table with pots and bowls had been set up near the entrance, the smell of soup and broth wafting through the sharp morning air. They took their places in line and waited, Michael surveying the camp as they did. Most were eating inside the cabin where it was warmer but some chose to scatter themselves outside and eat in small groups, mostly consisting of trainers and their Pokémon, chirping happily and eating their meals. Michael was given a bowl of soup, a piece of bread and a hard blue berry with skin like that of an orange, which he was told was called an Oran berry, while Melody was given a small bowl of what looked like dry cat food to Michael, but was obviously enough processed Pokémon food. Melody looked at the bowl slightly disdainfully, never having eaten processed food during their travels. Michael decided to try remedy that, a small favour but something none the less.

"She isn't used to Pokémon food, could we some berries?" He asked the man serving the meals, who shrugged and motioned to the jars of berries at the end of the table.

"Sorry, we're trying to stretch the food and Pokémon food isn't meant for humans, so it's the best we can give them right now." He said, moving on to serving the next person and forgetting the two of them.

Melody sighed, hearing a voice call out and looking over to see Layla, Tom, Will and Valerie sitting by the cabin eating their meal. She made her way over to them, Michael staying slightly behind and looking back at the man serving the people. With the best timing he could manage, he put his hand into a jar near the end of the table and quickly pocketed two gourd shaped yellow skinned berries, recognising them as the mouth numbingly sour Sitrus berry that Melody liked. He made his way quickly to the others, allowing himself a small grin halfway when he knew he hadn't been caught. Everyone greeted him as he sat down in the small circle before going back to their meals. Will was now looking much better, skin looking as healthy as it could be for a man of his age and enjoying the warm soup he dipped his bread in. Tom and Layla were quietly eating their meals, with Layla not seeming to mind the Pokémon food despite how much she enjoyed proper meat when they could get it. Valerie shyly sat and ate her meal, feeling unknown in the small group, having only just met them all last night. As if he could read Michaels mind, Tom motioned to Valerie.

"So who is this girl?" he asked "She just came and sat with us, said she knew you too."

"She's...she's the one who took care of Melody when...when we were separated." Michael said awkwardly, unable to find exact words, deciding to explain from the beginning. "When we went through the portal the first time, when Will found one for us, Melody and I met her."

"What was she doing in the middle of the forest anyway?" Will asked, having been told some of the story straight after the event, but that was from a man who was broken and had skipped over details.

"She was helping an injured Pokémon...It had gotten hurt when they tried to escape from a camp they were held in. We talked to her and she showed us where some food was...then...then two men from Aqua and Magma found us, they'd been looking for her, and tried to hunt us down." He said, feeling like he was being lost in the memory as he told them. "We got back to the portal, they found it too but Valerie distracted them long enough for Melody to disarm them...then I fell into the portal..."

"So the lass had been trekking all over the place with Melody?" Tom said, turning to Valerie with a warm smile. "You're a survivor, girl, I'll give you that." Valerie smiled slightly in embarrassment.

"Well then we definitely owe her something" Will said, his mind suddenly clicking on a thought and asking with a hint of uneasiness in his voice. "Where's that Pokémon she was treating?...did it...well, die?"

Valerie reached into her bag which sat at her legs and pulled out a Pokeball, catching Will's attention immediately as he watched her depress a small switch on the side of the device. A flash of red light shot from the ball as it eased open, striking the ground and materialising as a small brown furred rabbit like creature with puffs of cream coloured fur around it's ears and lower half. Will laughed aloud when he saw the creature, but more from the excitement of seeing this being go from being stored as energy to physical form. It looked around and called out happily.

"Bunnery!" it called, running to Layla's plate of Pokémon food and taking some for itself. Layla looked down on the little Pokémon with slightly annoyance. If it were a more mature and less fragile creature she would have slapped it away from her meal, but she could do little as she watched it eat her breakfast in annoyance.

"Have you anywhere else to go?" Melody asked as Will leaned down to observed the little creature, who looked back up, poking the lenses of his glasses with curiosity.

"We were going to head to Lilycove if...if you hadn't turned up." She said, looking over at Michael. "But now....I guess I don't know where I'll go." She said with a small laugh.

"You have family anywhere?" Tom asked, wondering over what to do with the girl. His conscience couldn't just send her away if she had nowhere to go.

"My mother lived over in Kanto...I came here to live with my grandmother, she runs the herb store in Lavaridge." She said. "That's how I knew what to do with this little guy...". She looked down at the little Bunnery who was now trying to see through Will's glasses, swaying slightly at the distorted world.

"...is she okay?" Michael asked. Valerie looked down for a second and sighed, gaze seeming to fix on the horizon.

"I think she would have gotten out of Lavaridge before Magma and Aqua overtook it...she always was a fighter." She said, laughing as she remembered her grandmother's regiment of physical fitness, all thanks to the herbs she was constantly hopped up on, a reason she had been living so long and so well in her old age. "I remember that she'd sometimes challenge the fighting Pokémon to matches of running around the town, and she won a lot...always giving them herbs to help their endurance afterwards."

"What about your mother? Any chance of getting back to her?" Tom asked

"If I could get to Kanto, but I don't want to go back right now, I can take care of myself." She said, Tom rolling his eyes.

"You have one, infantile Pokémon, little money I'm guessing and no one to help you if something happens." Tom said bluntly, looking over to Layla who was trying to eat the rest of her meal before the bunnery had a chance to get at it again. "Sounds to me like you can't for now."

"Well, I...you're right." Valerie sighed dejectedly. She didn't have much of a plan now. She really liked Melody too, unhappy to see her friend stolen away from her. "...Maybe I can come with you guys? You're all travelling, right?". Tom chuckled inwardly, as it was what he was going to suggest anyway, but decided to tease the girl just a bit.

"Another one?...I don't know, we're trying to get by on very little here...another mouth to feed..." He said, falsely mulling over the decision and scratching his stubble ridden chin.

"I can cook." Valerie perked up. "I know herbs that can be used for flavouring, berries too, a-and I know where to find them. Will you take me with you then?". For Tom that sealed the deal. Having someone who could cook a meal and forage for things was a valuable asset, but decided to tease her a little more.

"Hm...I still don't know. We've only got enough supplies for who we have now..." He said, a small smile creeping onto his face. By this time everyone but Valerie had realised what he was doing, save Will who was trying to get his glasses back from the curious little Bunnery.

"I don't have much money...b-but if we go to Lilycove, I can buy some supplies.' She said quickly. "I can get a few tents and...and I can get some sleeping bags too." The idea of sleeping in a soft sleeping bag under a dry tent was an idea Tom, and the others, could never pass up.

"Alright, alright." He laughed. "You can come with us and we'll stop at Lilycove before we go anywhere else..." He stopped and thought for a moment, a serious look passing over his face for a moment before he finished the last of his soup and got up to return the bowl he had been given.

Michael watched him go then turned to Melody, who was eating the Pokémon food, uncertain of whether she liked it or not. Heavy was the only way to describe it, tasting slightly of nuts and vegetables, with a slight tang of vitamins added for the benefit of the Pokémon eating it. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the two small gourd shaped berries, holding them out to her. Although the pain in his heart ached a like a thousand hammers being driven into his chest, that spark of hope and near happiness shined though when he saw her eyes light up at the two berries he held out. He didn't know what she was thinking anymore but it was obvious when she took them and eagerly bit into one, savouring the nostalgic taste of sweet and sour.

"Thank you." She said quietly as she ate the berry. "How did you get them?"

"I...well I took them when no one was looking." Michael said sheepishly. Melody glanced back at the table which held the food being served to where the berry jars where.

"Are you turning into a thief, now?" She asked with a small glance as she ate. Michael didn't know if she was chiding him or if she was serious, not used to reading her face as often as her mind. He stuttered for words a bit before Melody stepped in. "Thank you, it was...kind.". Michael smiled a bit, Tom returning and sitting back down near Layla, looking as if he had something to say.

"Do you want one?" Melody asked Michael unexpectedly.

"no...no I'll stick to this one." He said, holding up the Oran berry and taking a bite. Although soft and dry, the flavours of it mixed into something he could not describe, seeming an equilibrium of sweet and bitter, sour and savoury.

"Think I could try one?" Tom spoke up, about to say something before Melody had spoken and now going along with the conversation. Melody held out one of the Sitrus berries and he reached over to grab it, taking a moderate bite before his face immediately went through a range of looks that, Layla thought, were absolutely hilarious.

"Ah, Jesus that's...like my first whiskey." He said, throat and mouth burning from the great sourness the fruit held. "I think I'll pass on the rest..." He handed the berry back to Melody and got up, looking over to Michael.

"Michael, I need to talk to you about something." He said simply, walking past Michael and towards the outskirts of the town. Michael got up and followed as Tom expected, the others exchanging curious looks as he left, Melody and Layla more so than anyone else.

Tom and Michael walked side by side around the perimeter of the camp, the exercise serving to extinguish any fatigue from the morning in the warm light of the sun. They walked for a quarter of a circuit before Tom spoke up.

"You heard that thing two nights ago, didn't you?" Tom said "You heard it speak?". Michael realised at once that he was referring to the dragon like creature that had appeared over the encampment, commanding the portal to somehow close.

"Yes, I heard it too..." He said, still unsure of what to make of it. Tom sighed as he continued.

"Yes, but nobody else did." He said, scratching his chin. "I asked around, nobody else heard it say anything...they were plenty impressed, seeing that thing floating in the sky, but according to them...it just sat there for a while then disappeared the way we saw it."

"It said it was called Palkia...isn't that what the monk called who the temple revered?" Michael said, remembering the symphony of noise that somehow spoke straight to his mind. A creature that commanded the portal to close, a creature who seemed godly in many ways, it was no surprised it was worshiped.

"Yeah, it is." Tom confirmed. "That monk was pretty excited to hear of its appearance...but why did he speak to us in the first place?" Michael looked through the forest, trying to organise his thoughts on the matter, furrowing his brows in concentration.

"It said...it said 'not of us'" Michael said slowly. "And it said something about its domain...". Toms sighed and redirected their path, turning into the camp again and aiming for a small group of people near the edge of the town. Michael asked where they were going but it became obvious when he saw that the group of people they were approaching were all dressed in tradition robes of gold and orange, heads shaved and bead chains on their wrists.

"He'll know if this all means anything, if that thing only spoke to us there has to be a reason..." Tom said, waving to the old monk as he saw them. He opened his arms in greeting, welcoming them into the group.

"Ah, brothers, I heard of what happened at the temple. I wished I had been there to see it and envy my brothers here for their chance to do so." He said, motioning to the monks around him who had been part of the exodus from the camp after that night. "But the past is unchangeable so enough of that, how may I help you both?"

"We'd like to talk to you about Palkia." Tom said "We have some questions about its appearance..."

"Well, ask away and I will tell you all I can." He said, the other monks smiling and looking more than happy to spread their word to curious travellers. But tom eyed them uneasily and spoke again in a slightly hushed tone.

"We'd...be more comfortable if we spoke to you alone..." Tom said. The old monk did not object but a curious smile creased the corners of his mouth as he turned to his brothers and dismissed them. They all wandered a slight way away and sat down again in their own group, talking calmly of things Michael and Tom did not understand.

"Very well, some matters must be respected to be private." He said, sitting and motioning for them to do the same. The grass was slightly damp and annoyed Michael with its coldness, but he did so, as did Tom. "Now brothers, what is it you wish to know of Palkia?"

Tom fixed his gaze on the old monk before beginning, choosing his words carefully as he spoke.

"We were in the middle of repelling the men who took over the temple...I'm sorry it had to get violent." Tom said, trying to break the ice slightly with an apology for breaking the sanctuary's code of nonviolence.

"Regrettable yes, but it will be forgiven, as all things eventually must, and we are happy that it can again become a peaceful place for Humans and Pokémon alike." He said, closing his eyes slightly in contemplation.

"...when Palkia appeared, while we were repelling them, it...well, it spoke..." Tom said, finding the best way to say anything in this situation was bluntly, but still unsure of how the monk would react to this. His face was unreadable for a moment but soon grew into a smile as he raised his arms.

"Well, brothers, you are truy blessed it have heard Palkia speak, as well as see him in all his glory!" he said joyfully, eager to hear more. "Tell me, what did Palkia say to you?"

"That's what we came to talk about." Tom said, still turning the words over in his mind. "We're...unsure of what it meant by them..."

"The wisdom of such a being can seem illogical and unfathomable to mortals, that we can only hope to understand, but we must take what we can decipher from it." He said sagely. "Tell me and I will try to understand Palkia's words." This time Michael spoke, remembering the words with great clarity.

"First...well, it only spoke to us, no one else heard it's voice." Michael explained, drawing an thoughtful murmur from the monk. "It saw the two of us and... and it said 'not of us'." The monks gaze remained unfocused as he now thought over these words.

"I know you are not from this world, brother, you came from beyond those portals which are troubling the world so." He said, working the thoughts into words like a potter worked clay. "Palkia may have realised this, and from his actions of closing the disturbance above the temple, may think you related to them somehow."

"But we aren't." Tom spoke up. "These portals just...they just appeared out of nowhere in our world as well. We just...got caught up in it all." Tom sighed and the monk raised his hand as if to calm him.

"It is not my place to declare that as truth, but perhaps Palkia spoke to you two for the reason that you are not of his domain." He said, Michael suddenly remembering the second thing it had said.

"Where is Palkia's domain?" Michael asked, trying to solve the puzzle of the words as the monk did.

"Why, everywhere. Palkia is lord over everything that is, commanding the very space of the world. He is partnered with Dialga, whose domain is time; everything that will be and that has been is hers." He explained. "These disturbances must be an invasion on Palkia's domain, which he is fighting to stop. Perhaps you two are considered part of that, and he wishes to return you."

"But, I asked who he was and he tried to tell us but..." Michael remembered the odd disappearance of the cosmic being, flinging himself to the ground in anger and pain as he called out to them. "He disappeared...he looked like he was fighting something when he flew away."

"Fighting something? The only thing that would be a match for the lord of space would be...well, he is unrivalled as far as we know." He said, looking puzzled by Michael's inadequate description. "Even Dialga would not be able to fight him, or him her, as they must work in harmony for space and time to be one."

"He told us something else too..." Michael said slowly, the words even more meaningless in his mind. "Where he cannot go, where earth...holds blades, bullets and pain, waiting to forge..." The monk smiled gently as he eyed Michael with thoughtful eyes.

"Ah, now that is a riddle." he said

"Where does he mean?" Tom asked. "Is he talking about a battlefield? Old weapons dropped and left to rust?"

"I think you'll find the important question is not where Palkia is directing you, but why he is directing you there." The monk said, raising a finger. "And then by that deduction, who he is speaking of."

"I'm sorry, we hardly know anything of this place. We didn't even know who Palkia really was before you told us." Tom explained, the monk chuckling good heartedly.

"It is okay brother, to be honest i cannot fathom who Palkia is speaking of myself." He said "But I imagine whomever he speaks of may be revealed if you follow his riddle, to where the earth holds blades, bullets and pain." He smiled with a knowing glint in his squinted eyes.

"If he means a battlefield then...we don't even know of any battlefields in this world, and there'd be thousands of them." Tom said frustratedly, the monk gesturing with a hand as he spoke.

"Well brother, he speaks of a forge, what does that tell you?" he said, edging their minds towards the answer he had conjured from Palkia's words. Michael spoke now, remembering what Melody had told him of the enslavement of the townspeople, the manufacture of weaponry in badly maintained forges.

"Maybe he means where they're made? A factory?" Michael said. The nodded slightly, gesturing as if to urge Michael on. "...and...Where the earth holds it...."

"Metal." Tom spoke up. "Bullets and blades are made of metal...lead, really, but it's a metal."

"Yes, now where does the earth hold metal?" The monk asked, needlessly guiding them to the answer that was only a step away.

"A mine...but there are hundreds of mines as well!" Tom said, raising his voice in anger slightly. "We wouldn't even be following this trail if we didn't think it might have the tiniest chance of stopping all lf this...we could at least have tried to live out the short time in peace...". His voice lowered as he spoke. It was true, it would be easier to simply accept fate and live out their last days without regrets; none of them wanted anything to do with this in the first place. They could stay in this town and help rebuild, all of them settle down as a family, but when this one opportunity presented itself to stop all of this and give them their lives back and more, it seemed illogical not to follow, but still so very hard.

"Yes, you are right. To lay down and rest is tempting, but facing your problems and ridding yourself of your desires is part of the journey of life." The monk said wisely. "Although it is only my thoughts, I would think that if Palkia truly wanted to guide you to this place, his vagueness would have to be referring to a place that is well known by humans."

"We're not-" Tom was interrupted as the monk raised a finger and nodded.

"Yes, brother, you are at a disadvantage. Therefore I will tell you of where I think Palkia is leading you. I owe you at least that much for freeing the townspeople and in turn liberating the temple." He said. "The place I believe you were told of is a place known as Iron Island., off the coast of Canaclave city in the region of Sinnoh. It was an old mine, though it was abandoned after the ore ran out, and now is open as a Pokémon sanctuary where trainers may battle. It is highly popular because a small number of rare Pokémon inhabit the island. That is where I believe you are being directed."

"How do we get there?" Michael asked. "Where is Sinnoh?"

"It a region far from here, across both Johto and Kanto, it is an island off the mainland, larger than Hoenn. How you will get there, I cannot know." He said, seeing Michaels face fall slightly. He closed his eyes for a moment and thought, deciding to do one last kindness before they would leave. "However, my brothers and I shall spread the word that you are in need and ask for any help one can give."

"Thank you." Tom sighed "That's a bit of help, it'll be a long journey either way...". The monk only nodded as they both rose to their feet and took their leave.

Michael and Tom made their way back to the group in relative silence. The morning was growing warmer and the sun climbing higher in the sky, humidity leaving the air, wind beginning to pick up and whistle through the trees. Work had now begun, with a few people beginning to set about recovering more of what they could from the charred houses above. They both watched and felt the ground vibrated slightly as the workers began the painful process of tearing down the burnt timber, demolishing decades of history and memories, plank by plank. When they approached, everyone had finished their meals and greeted them with expectant stares, asking silently or an explanation. Tom sat down near Layla and gave them all a simple run over of the plan, skipping a few details in lieu of shortening the conversation.

"We went to talk to one of the monks. We tried to get information on that thing that closed the portal above the temple, remember?" He said. "It's called Palkia, a Pokémon that might as well be a god in his own right...". Layla gave a small gasp when she heard the name, drawing an enquiring look for Tom.

"Palkia...Palkia is a legend in all Lucario tribes...he's a legend to all Pokémon anyway." She said, realizing that she had actually seen the legendary figure her tribe members had told of. "Every Riolu is told the stories about how he protects the world...he upholds it. It's said he once banished an entire tribe of Pokémon who became greedy and tried to take his power...no one knows where they went. All that was found of their tribes land was a great crater, perfectly cut into the ground."

"Why didn't you say you knew what that thing was?" Tom asked, not angered, but gently inquisitive.

"Not many have ever seen him. He's sometimes said to be a dragon, sometimes he is said to be a bird...sometimes he is even said to be a human..." She said quietly. "I can't believe it was him...I didn't know it was Palkia."

"...my grandmother told me stories about him too..." Valerie said, feeling forgotten in the conversation between everyone. She had not spoken for a while and longed to be included with this group who now promised her passage. "He protects the world for things that want to destroy it, she said..."

"That creature, Palkia, I remember a news report about it back when we were in Olivine city..." Will spoke up. "They said it might be the cause of all this...but all they know about it is that it practically controls space, all matter in the universe. They had a few photographs, but everything else was a mystery."

"Palkia was trying to close the portal." Michael said slowly. "...he closed it and then left, why would he do that if he was the cause?"

"Well then, perhaps he is not the cause, but the attempted savoir." Will said, adjusting his glasses slightly and trying to ignore the small Buneary that hankered for attention as it ran around his ankles. "If this quantum anomaly is causing the portals to open, then Palkia may be trying to stop it. It probably knows of what will happen if it is allowed to continue..."

"That's why we're going to try and find him." Tom said. "If Palkia is the closest thing to a god, then enlisting it's help might be an idea."

"That's awfully risky for you." Will said, eyeing Tom slightly. "If we leave it be, then perhaps it will do the job for us."

"But Palkia does not know why it is happening." Melody said, also rather shocked that the creature she had seen through the haze of pain, which now throbbed dully in her shoulder under layers of bandages and gauze, had been the legendary Palkia. "Will...you can help Palkia. Your knowledge has taken us to here, maybe you can help take us back..."

"You're making me out to be a messiah in this situation?" Will stuttered. "I was only here to help you in the beginning; I didn't expect any of this!"

"But you know how to stop this all, don't you?" Michael asked, unsure if Will had the slightest idea of how to halt the destruction of both worlds. He had talked of it, and tried to find away, but never came to a conclusion.

"It's simple in theory, but what's needed to make it work..." Will threw up his hands and shook his head. "It's impossible."

"If we have a god on our side, it would be possible." Tom said, Layla nodded and turned to Will.

"Palkia is always said to be powerful. One of the most powerful Pokémon...what couldn't he do?" She said, confirming Tom's statement. The tales of Palkia were so lauded and his legacy so great that he was thought to hold the world under his command.

"The problem isn't with power...This Palkia would have enough of it. The problem that is the space is between the two worlds is...nothing." He said, trying to explain the utter void that existed between the two dimensions, impossible to ever imagine despite the simplicity of it. "There's no space, no time, t-there's nothing. If Palkia were to try and close these portals it might have some effect...it might even slow the process, but stopping it would require somehow repelling the two worlds from each other."

"Can you tell Palkia how to do that?" Melody asked

"Does Palkia have a PhD in theoretical quantum physics?" Will shot back, sighing and realising they were going to do this either way. "Yes, maybe...fine." Thinking about it, Will did realise that he knew how to stop it, but was bounding himself by psychical laws so strongly embedded in the teachings he had studied. Slowing the processed helped, but it didn't mean it would go away. He estimated it would buy them a few months at the very least, but to actually teach this creature who held so much power, let alone find it, seemed just as much of a long shot as stopping it on his own.

"We can see whether or not it'll help when we get there." Tom finished. "Either way, we're on the road again...hopefully the end of it all will come soon." Everyone agreed with that, but Michael and Melody held back a small anxiousness. When the end came, it begged the question of where they would go, if they would stay together and perhaps be happy again, or if they would not get that far before they were made to choose which road to take. One of them would take the road home and the other would follow, or each would return home and live their lives with only a memory of each other and that burning ache in their chests that told them something was gone forever.


The sun rose higher and each of the group helped with various chores that had to be done. Right now no one complained about doing the work, everyone had been affected and now pooled resources for a common community goal. Michael and Melody worked alongside each other but kept a distance, feeling repelled by the other, not wanting to talk, speak or even be near each other, the pain in their chests increasing whenever they did, like a old scar torn open. Old wood was cleared away and soon the charred tree trunks lay open to the sky like towering totems, the basic structure of the houses being stripped away. Piping had been run through the centre of the tree trunks as well as electrical wiring, leading up to the houses above and providing proper plumbing. However, this did not mean someone did not manage to burst a pipe, sending a cool waterfall down from the treetops, scattering and forming a cooling mist which some workers decided to use to cool them from the heat of the day. Michael had been lurking under the tree and helping to remove the debris which fell from above when he was struck by the watery mist, catching him suddenly. Melody saw this, using her psychic abilities to contribute to removal of larger pieces, laughing as Michael stood glumly under the spray. Karma must have been watching, as no sooner than did she laugh, the spray hit her as well, water running in small rivulets down her gown and soaking her completely. Both of them ended up laughing at the others sorry state, forgetting the repulsion in their minds and not attempting to stifle their laughter, the pain in their chests dulled for that moment. In the end that pipe was left until the water stopped running, something no one complained about. It was around midday when launch began being served, simple sandwiches and cold meats that would go bad if not used soon. It was also about this time that the old monk who had told them of Palkia approached, and accomplished smile on his wrinkled face, bald head covered by a cloth as not to burn in the sun.

"I am pleased to say that I have found a way for you to travel." He announced, motioning to a man who had followed a small way behind him. The man was large, built with muscle on his chest and arms, covered by a tank top and short black pants, skin dark and sporting a bright red bandana over his forehead. He greeted them all and explained his proposition.

"Yeah, I'd be willing to let you use my team for flight." He said, his voice low and bassy. "They're not doing much here and they've been itching to fly, something they can't do much around here."

"Fly?" Will asked gingerly, remembering the great falcon like bird which had flown the young trainer far into the sky while the old woman from the rest house drove them on.

"That's helpful of you, but how would they get back?" Tom asked.

"Ah, they'll remember the way here, great navigators, they are." He said proudly. "They're sure to get you to Kanto."

"Good, how soon can we leave with them?" Tom asked. The man responded by taking the pack from his shoulder and removing three pokeballs, each a different colour and marked with a small letter in gold. He flipped open each one, the red light erupting and forming into three distinct shapes, all winged and large enough to hold a person. The first poke was a great dragon, blue tinted scales glistening in the light, wings rigid and a deep red. Long, hard scales protected it's underside and three blue horns erupted from each side of its head. The second Pokémon towered over the group, two legged with wings like swords and a body like steel, sharp tail stabbing form its rear and head adorned with a single sharp horn. The final Pokémon resembled the first, however its skin was softer and the colour of rich earth, a small robe of leaves running from the base of its neck and down its back where four wings like palm leaves rested. It wore a hard green crown upon its head, seemingly connected around the head by a bunch of bananas, which Will raised an eyebrow to, wondering if the creature somehow grew fruit from it's body.

"They're from all over. As long as they're together you stand no chance of getting lost." The man said, replacing the pokeballs in his bag and walking to the three Pokémon assembled before him, who glanced at the group before turning to him. He spoke to them like he would a team of sportsmen, treating them like brothers and sisters as he told them that they would be flying the group to Kanto. The three each responded rather happily, stretching their wings proudly towards the sky and roaring loudly their names, Salamence, Skarmory and Tropius. The man pumped his fist in the air as encouragement and turned back to the group with a confidant smile.

"They're yours for now, ready to go when you are." He said, picking his backpack back up from the forest floor and slinging to over his shoulder. "I got to get back to work, be safe!" he turned and walked back towards the Pokémon centre, ready to work for the restoration of Fortree.

Michael looked over the three proud creatures, carefully moving towards the Tropius, the least threatening of the three. The Tropius leaned down, swivelling it's head and looking over Michael before motioning to its back and lowering its body. Michael looked over at Melody, who moved over to join him silently.

"He's impatient, he wants to fly." Melody said, patting the head of the Pokémon in what seemed either a greeting or a thanking gesture.

"Do you want to go first?" Michael asked tentatively, remembering how she had been the front seat passenger the first time they had flew. "You liked flying, didn't you?". Melody smiled a fraction and levitated herself slightly higher, lifting herself into the back of the Tropius. Michael tried to jump up onto the creatures back, but was left scrabbling on the edge, gripping and trying to pull himself up. The Tropius grunted annoyingly, Melody nodding her head.

"He hasn't flown many times before..." She spoke, preferring psychic over speech so Michael could hear the remark. "Try not to throw him off." She laughed softly, allowing herself to reach out with her mind and grab Michael, levitating him above and behind her, dropping him onto the back of the Pokémon.

Tom approached the lumbering blue dragon and slung himself over its back, Layla doing the same and taking her place behind Tom. The Salamence tightened its wings in anticipation of lift off, waiting as Tom and Layla watched Will clumsily holding onto the neck of the metal plated bird beside them, Valerie rolling her eyes and muttering slightly about being stuck behind Will for the rest of the journey. She clambered onto the Skarmory back behind Will, having to hold his midsection as for stability and a brace for lift off. Soon, when everyone was saddled and ready to go, the three Pokémon began to flap their mighty wings. The air rushed against the ground and their legs tensed, leaning back and getting ready for the final push. Everyone was thrown back as the Pokémon leapt and took flight under the power of their powerful wings of scale, steel and foliage. Melody gasped as she felt them leave the group, the weightlessness catching her in the updraft as they soared high above the trees at speeds that made the wind whip her face. Michael held on, but was slightly less fazed than the last time he had flown, feeling lightheaded as he looked down over the town. People watched them soar, distracted from their work for only a second before returning, save one. The man who had given them these magnificent flying Pokémon waved from the ground, fare welling the team he had travelled all over the world with. He instinctively grabbed Melody's midsection for support, earning a small gasp from her and a blush from both as they realised. But he didn't let go, having to deal with the awkwardness as they soared higher and higher above the trees, watching the shining vista unfold beneath them. It was beauty, the sea rising up on the horizon and the mountains growing behind them, paths clearing cutting through the forest and stretching for miles to each city.

Tom yelled in triumph and excitement as they soared, daring to throw his arms up against the wind as he looked down at the land beneath them. It was as if, for a moment, he ruled the sky. Layla, on the other hand, was arguably less comfortable being hundreds of feet above the ground with only an unknown Pokémon to hold her up. He had no problem with heights; the mountains had dissipated that fear long ago, but hated the feeling of not having a solid surface beneath her. The wings beating behind her sent small jolts through the body of the might Salamence, shaking her and making her feel as if she could fall from this perch. She grabbed Tom's shoulders and held fast, pushing his arms back down and speaking to him sternly.

"Do that again and we'll both fall..." She said angrily, flushing slightly in admittance of the fear. Tom just laughed and kept his arms down. He looked over at Will, who also held to the Sakrmory's neck as if fearful of falling, but holding a wide grin on his face. Will, despite the obvious feeling of being so far above ground, was enjoying experiencing a seemingly impossible mode of transportation as the Skarmory glided along the winds, occasionally flapping it's razor wings and changing course. Valerie just sat behind him, annoyed at having to hold his shoulders and having to share space during the flight.

They flew for only an hour before the city of Lilycove peaked above the trees, the tall buildings cutting away at the forest and leading on to a shimmering ocean, the flight having shortened the travelling time significantly. Layla spoke quickly to the Salamence who had taken them this far, relaying the messaging to all three of the Pokémon to set down in the city. None of them had realised how fast they were going before the Pokémon dived, sending the wind rushing past their ears and a sudden jolt through their bodies as the three pulled up and opened their wings to slow their descend. They were aimed for a small open paved area, surrounded by grass and small paths to quaint houses, no one even bothering to turn their heads as the three Pokémon softly set down on the paved concrete. The city itself seemed vastly different from Olivine, being smaller and more open to the elements. The sea breeze rushed in from the east and grass flourished in-between the paths, natural rock faces remaining intact to split the city into two levels. Where they were now seemed like the centre of the city, if it could be called that with its semirural aspect. A Pokémon centre lay behind them and the path continued out to the seaside cliffs beyond them, peaceful and generic coast houses lining the street. The roar of the ocean was in the air as they dismounted the flying creatures, stretching after the flight, bodies aching slightly from the ride.

"You said something about tents and blankets, girl?" Tom said, Valerie nodded and pointing excitedly to a great blue building which towered above the rest, resting above them on the upper level of the city.

"Yeah, Lilycove has one of the biggest department stores in Hoenn! You can find anything there." She said excitedly. "They sell food, Pokémon items, clothes, shoes-"

"And we're only getting what we need, right?" Tom said sternly, rolling his eyes. Valerie nodded her head dejectedly. "Good, we'll need tents, blankets, small cooking pots and maybe some dried food for when we can't get anything else."

"What do we do?" Will asked. "I assume you're not going to leave us here for a few hours?"

"At least one of us has to watch the Pokémon" Valerie said. "We haven't got their pokeballs and we can't leave them alone..."

"Will and I can do that." Michael said, looking through the area at all the people milling about. There still weren't as many as olivine but the city was certainly populated.

" ...could I come with you?" Melody asked quietly. "I've never been here before..." Her tone betrayed her words, wavered by something deeper concealed by them. Valerie nodded happily as she followed on, giving only a small glance back at Michael, Will and Layla before she left.

The three were left alone, the Pokémon they had flown in on resting on the paved path, boredly looking around them at the small crowd of people who went about their lives, wanting to fly again soon and be free. The sun was high in the sky and the call of seagulls could be heard over the roar of the ocean, waves propelled by the sea breeze which skirted up the cliffs and throughout the town. With no idea how long the others would be gone, they wandered slightly down the path towards the cliffs, fenced off with a decorative railing, small birdlike Pokémon carved into the wood. They looked out over the sea, shimmering like sapphire in the sunlight, seeing no land on the far off horizon. It made them all think of how far the journey had been so far and in turn how far it would be to go. Will leaned on the railing and turned to Layla, asking something that had been on his mind.

"Why didn't you go with Tom?" He asked, the wind rustling his thin white hair.

"I don't like crowded places like that..." Layla said curtly.

"That's never stopped you before." Will said, drawing out the conversation. It wasn't often he talked to Layla, actually, it wasn't often Layla talked to anyone else but Tom. "You two go everywhere with each other, you're partners by now."

"I just don't like crowded places." She insisted, turning away to nonchalantly watch the waves roll towards the shore below. Will kept the blank look of indifference in his face.

"Something on your mind?" he asked innocently, seeing the look on Layla's features tighten for a moment, eyes closing.

"...No." She said, cutting off the conversation where it lay. Will dropped the subject and looked out again over the sea, though his mind was turning with the smooth machinations it always had, deducting all that it could as he smiled inwardly at what he understood from Layla's reactions.

"Well, it's a beautiful day, and the sea is beautiful here I must say." He said, stretching his arms above his head.

"Hard to think it nearly killed us..." Michael said, the cool wind that now ran over his face being the same wind that had cut to his bones days ago, icy and cruel.

"It was beauty that killed the beast." Will said, quoting from somewhere Michael didn't recognise, silently thinking the phrase over. "King Kong." Will confirmed.

"...I didn't think you would watch that." Michael chuckled.

"In youth, you do many stupid things." Will laughed, Layla not understanding the joke but managing a smile at the exchange.


It was not half an hour before Tom, Valerie and Melody returned, finding the group by the Cliffside and dumping the bags of purchases on the ground. Three small tents and six sleeping bags were packed into two backpacks, while a third carried only a small black cooking pan and bags of travelling foods such as trail mix, dried fruits and canned goods. Valerie looked dejectedly through her small red wallet, now empty save an emergency bank card her grandmother had given her, which she doubted was even loaded with anything, a small bag of Pokeblocks as a treat for Melody having taken the last of her money. It was with this, the group set out again, soaring on the winds and cutting through the sky on three sturdy Pokémon. The packs on their back were only slightly heavy but meant little as they flew, the promise of a comfortable rest tonight and possibly cooked meals on their journeys to come a welcome thought. They flew on, bidding farewell to the region of Hoenn as it grew smaller and smaller on the horizon, soon insignificant. It was almost saddening to see it go, as if a part of them had been left there with everything that had happened, the ocean surrounding them now in an endless blue expanse.
Michael wondered what was going on back in his own world, if the portals were causing more chaos, if more people had encountered Pokémon who were not hostile in the hostile environment they were dropped into. But with all that had happened and the new scars that covered them all, both in mind and body, the old world grew fainter, unimaginable and unreal as this world has been before they had arrived. He wondered if Melody felt the same, way, although this world was her home.
Melody, unbeknownst to Michael, felt the opposite. After seeing his world, the cruelty of it and the bloodshed, coming back to find her own world infected by the same plague of panic and pain. She didn't know which world she belonged to anymore, or which she wanted to be a part of. When all this was over, she would have to choose, and she feared that decision. Part of her didn't want this all to end, because when it did she feared what the outcome would be. The pain she felt, greater than even the bullet that pierced her shoulder, made her feel like crying out with every step. But she didn't, couldn't, which only made it hurt more. In the end, she feared, that the pain would never be vanquished no matter how much she and Michael wanted it to, and that they would go their separate ways, separated by an invisible barrier between their worlds and yearning to somehow return. She had talked to Valerie while they had shopped for supplies, finding the conversation as well as the new sights and sounds distracting from the pain, about everything that had happened. She had told her of what had happened, and when she had Valerie's face had darkened, unknowing of how important the bond was yet unwilling to accept that after so long of trying to find the person who didn't even exist in that world it had ended like this. Melody remembered what Valerie had told her, words that seemed hopeful and hopeless at the same time

"You two...I can see how he loved you. You just have to trust each other with this, I'll help you but...in the end it's you two who decide it."


They flew for hours, the sun setting slowly, as the sea passed beneath them broken only by the occasional sandbar or tiny island. The Pokémon they rode on who surfed the currents of the wind like they commanded the sky, grew weary. They enjoyed flying and their enthusiasm to soar higher and faster knew no bounds, but their aching muscles and eventually their hunger wore them down, soon leading them to settle on a small island, one of a small group which jutted from the sea. The vertigo from the steep dive and hard levelling off soon subsided as they touched down on the surface of the small rocky island, landing in the flattest place possible so the tents may be easily pitched. They dismounted, the sea surrounding them on all sides and now set ablaze by the descending sun was the best vista they could ask for, stretching their legs from the all day flight. As they set up the tents, small enough for two people and with minimal framework, Michael surveyed the island. It was small, steep cliffs of only a few metres in height leading to the shore, but with small outcroppings and eroded areas that made movement from plateau to shore easy. The island was barren, no firewood or plants to be found, the wind easily rushing over the unsheltered rock. Soon enough, the tents were pitched and everyone settled as the sun set on the horizon, shadows creeping along the rock and darkening the land.
They were lucky enough to find driftwood, although only two small logs which were significantly wet, which provided a small fire after the Salamence saved them the trouble of fiddling with a pitiful pack of matches and igniting the logs with a tongue of flame, erupting from it's maw and making everyone scatter backwards a way paces as it wore a smug smile on it's face. Now they all sat around the fire, more for light than warmth, in the darkening world. Tom had been slightly edgy, shifting uncomfortably as he sat on the hard rock, indecisiveness evident on his face. Layla was going to ask what he was thinking over, but before she could he got up and began to walked away from the fire towards a small outcropping if rocks, beckoning her to follow.

"Layla, come with me, we need to discuss something." He said, trying to sound casual to the others as if this were simply about some trivial matter. She got up from her spot and followed, the warmth of the fire leaving her fur as she walked over to Tom, who was now sitting on a rock cropping out of view of the others. If it wasn't for her excellent vision, she wouldn't have seen him, sitting beside him and giving him a silent look of expectation, although she had an inkling of what this was about. He took a breath as if to still himself before beginning.

"Last night...what did it mean to you?" he asked, confusing Layla as to what he meant.

"What are you asking me?" She said. "...last night you were the one who started it all."

"I was drunk, partially at least...words may have slipped my tongue." He said tiredly, running a hand over his face.

"Did you mean them?" She asked gently. She remembered how he had spoken to her, the words which had made her heart race when he had said then. 'I think I'm falling for you.' He sighed and continued.

"I'm sure I did..." he said with a small smile on the edge of his lips. "The alcohol made me say them, sure, but...I think I wasn't able to say them before." He turned to her, looking her straight in the eyes and asked. "But what do you think of it?"

"...It's new. I've never had a friend as close as you." She admitted. She had had friends and comrades who she had fought alongside, but she had never been close enough to call anyone to call them what she thought of Tom as now. "Humans...I've seen those other two with each other. I remember how he looked when he lost her...pathetic and defeated. She seemed happy around him, I saw them dancing during the party and...it's strange..."

"It's strange because it's not common." Tom said. "I'm not from her so I don't know...how often it happens."

"I've never been close to humans....I don't know either." She agreed. She thought of her nest words and her heart began to beat faster, scared to ask, eager for an answer. "The only way to know...do you want to...try it?"

"I don't know...what do you want out of it?" Tom asked, putting an arm around Layla's shoulder, almost afraid she would run away and he would never know the answer.

"When I saw those two dancing...I..." She paused for a second before looking straight at Tom, turning his head slightly so she knew he was focused. "I want that." Toms face slowly broke from a look of surprise into a soft smile, pulling Layla a bit closer and sighing.

"Alright, we'll give it a try." He chuckled gently. Layla looked back slightly, seeing the others sitting around the fire from over the rocky outcropping, being hidden from their view in the darkness. She leaned in and gently kissed Tom, softly lingering on his lips. Tom wasn't surprised at the gesture; keeping his calm and choosing to push into the kiss, letting the soft haze enter his mind and the taught excitement in his chest grow as he ran his hand along her back. They sat there enjoying each other's touch as the night seemed to swallow the island, taking them with it into a dark bliss that filled their minds and let them bask in the warmth of passion. When they did separate, they could only smile awkwardly and manage a warm laugh as they got up, making their way back to the campfire as if nothing had happened. Michael and Melody sat by the campfire while Valerie and Will had entered their tent, one that neither were particularly happy about sharing, to get some sleep. Choosing not to stay up and risk probing questions about their absence, Tom and Layla crawled into their tent and closed the entrance, the cramped space leaving little space as they stretched out over the two sleeping bags. Despite having her own, Layla managed to slide over to Tom and lay beside him with a light grip around his midsection. Neither minded and both soon became too tired to move in the warming air the tent trapped for them, spending the last of their effort to draw the sleeping bag closed. Layla nuzzled her head into Toms chest slightly, closing her eyes as he tenderly kissed her forehead once more before both faded into sleep, the gentle feel of each other being all they needed to feel safe through the night.


Michael and melody had been watching the flames flicker over the burning driftwood, hearing only the gentle snoring and deep breaths of the flying Pokémon behind them. Tom and Layla were still conversing a while away, while Will and Valerie had turned in for the night, leaving them both to sit in the silence, save the sound of waves lapping over the soft sand. It was awkward to sit there, close enough to make their chests ache with the pain of a torn soul and heart, knowing it seemed so easy to put things back. They were strangers to each other once again, knowing and feeling as much about each other as they would to anyone who passed by, but with hearts yearning for more.

"Melody..." Michael began. "How does it feel to you?". He needed to know, unable to know anything she was going to through and killing him inside that he could not help it because of that.

"it feels horrible..." she said quietly. "It's like I...I want myself back. But I don't even know you anymore and...and you're part of me." She did all she could to keep her voice form breaking as she spoke.

"But I want to know you." Michael said softly. "I love you...you can't feel it but I do. I can give you back what you've lost."

"How?" Melody asked, the hope stabbing her and seeming cruel as her mind taunted her that it would never happen. Michael sighed deeply.

"I...want to know about you." He said. "Please, tell me about yourself."

"What can I tell you?" She asked, looking at him now with a stare of intuitiveness over the sadness she held in her eyes.

"Start with your life...what was your home like?" he asked. Melody thought back to her life before all this, her home in the forest and her own people who she had lived alongside.

"Near Fortree, I was born there..." She began. "I don't remember my parents, but all of us were raised as young Ralts by a group of mothers...everyone was like family, it was good. We were allowed to play in the forest...and we always tried to hunt for berries as a game. I don't remember much about that time...I was young. When I evolved, I sometimes went with the older Gardevoirs to the edge of the forest...it wasn't often we did that, but it always for something important. I always followed one of the Gardevoir...she was like my sister, we loved each other. We always made sure to stay close when we moved from place to place. Once we..." She trailed off a bit, a far off and sad look in her eyes, eyes flashing through her memoires so vividly it seemed as if she could step into them. But soon her sight vanished and she was brought back to the lonely reality, beginning to tell the next part of the tale.

"We were travelling to the edge of the forest one day and we found a trainer....he was hurt. His Pokémon saw us and begged us to help..." She said slowly. "They said he had fallen from a cliff and hadn't woken for a day...they were trying to take him to town but...we took him with us instead. We took him back to the tribe and tried to help...humans weren't feared because none had ever come close enough to harm us, and we decided he would not try to hurt us if he helped. My sister was the one who healed him...she knew all about berries and leaves. Everyone went to her for advice, even the little Ralts came to her when they had eaten too many berries." She allowed a nostalgic laughed as she remembered how she herself had sometimes eaten too many berries as a Ralts and become sick afterwards.

"The trainer woke up soon...but he couldn't leave, his leg was too painful to walk on. So for days he stayed and nursed his wounds...my sister was always helping when he tried to walk again or if he was in pain. When he was on his own, she talked to his Pokémon...they told her about their journey and she became fascinated...obsessed even. She journeyed to the edge of the forest...she always told me she wanted to see what was out there beyond the trees." She explained, her voice low and aching as she told the next part. "Finally the trainer was well enough to walk and...he left. But before he left...my sister had told him she wanted to...go with him. I didn't want her to go, I was just a young Kirlia who wanted to be happy...I didn't know why she wasn't happy here after meeting that trainer. She only told me that she hoped she could come back some day and tell me about what she had seen. She said she could take me with her next time and show me what she was told about...she never did come back."

"Did you ever hear about her again?" Michael asked after a short pause.

"All I heard was about a Gardevoir who had been winning contests all over Hoenn....I didn't know what contests they were but...I hope it was her." She said with a sad sigh. "I hope she's happy right now...I wanted to see her come home with a smile."

"If she chose to go with that trainer...I'm sure she was happy. But I'm sure she missed you too, it sounds like she didn't want to leave you behind." Michael said delicately. "When this is over, maybe we can find her and you can tell her all about where you've been...if she's won all those contests then she's bound to have a lot to tell you about." Melody smiled slightly and nodded.


"I hope we can see her...I think you'd remind her of how she felt about that trainer." She said with a soft smile crossing her face and a whisper of understanding in her eyes. "After that...I grew up. I evolved again and helped raise the young Ralts, just like she had done for me. The Gallades started vying for attention, trying to find a mate in the females...but I never bothered with them...maybe I felt too hopeless after she left but...I became the only one in the tribe without a mate soon after. I gathered berries and helped with anything I could, it was expected, but all I could do otherwise was wait by the edge of the forest and hope that I could see the reason why she had left. For years that was all I ever did...but then this happened and I met you." Michael gave a small smile at the memory of meeting her, confused and lost, both of them.

"And what did you think meeting me was like?" he asked.

"I think it helped...I think I understand why she left now." She looked at Michael with a genuine smile. "And now, I really can't blame her."

Michael smiled back with the same genuine happiness she felt. The pain in their chests was gone as they made their way to their own tent that night, feeling happy with each other, despite the gap between both their sleeping bags and their hearts. The pain would return in the morning and seem as hopeless as before, but perhaps it would be less. Perhaps, there was hope.