"Thanks for all your help, Arezu," Adaman said as Rei closed the door behind them.

Arezu snorted, flapping a hand. "Yeah, whatever. Think of it as further payment for helping me out with Lady Lilligant."

"I already told you that you don't have to worry about repaying me," Rei muttered, crossing his arms. "I would hope that anyone else would have done the same thing."

A faint smile crossed Arezu's face as she shook her head. "I’m not so sure about that."

She raised a hand in farewell before walking back towards Snips and Clips, Vulpix trotting by her side.

"What did you want to ask me?" Adaman asked, turning his attention to Rei.

"There's a migration flying overhead later today," Rei said. "Akari asked me to come with her and Laventon to see it."

Adaman raised an eyebrow then tilted his head. "I assume you said yes."

Rei nodded.

"I'll be back before sunset then. Hopefully you'll take a bath and look more presentable before you leave."

"I took a bath recently," Rei muttered, glowering at Adaman.

"Rain doesn't count as a bath." Adaman pointed at Galaxy Hall as he walked towards the village gates. "A bath, a real one."

Rei groaned, shoulders dropping as he sulked. "I don't want to take a bath...why can't I just jump in the river..."

"Hey, Rei."

Rei looked over his shoulder to see Ginter waving him over. He sighed, approaching the merchant. "Hey, Ginter. What's up? Did you find something new you want me to look at?"

"Nothing new." Ginter shook his head, dropping his elbows onto his legs. "Have you seen Volo lately?"

Rei stiffened. He had forgotten that Ginter was more likely to wonder about Volo's whereabouts. Should he tell Ginter where Volo was? Was Ginter trustworthy enough to keep a secret? "Uh, no. Not really."

Ginter heaved a sigh, staring at Rei before he closed his eyes. "It's unlike him to be gone so long."

"When did you last see him?"

"A few weeks ago. He said something about changing the world. Kid's always been kind of strange, but finding ruins doesn't change the world.”

He meant literally changing the world, Rei thought but decided not to say that out loud.

Maybe Ginter was trustworthy enough to know about Volo.

"So, do you believe all the rumors?" Rei asked, carefully choosing his words. If Ginter didn't know about the rumors, it was best he remained in the dark. "About Volo?"

Ginter frowned, staring at the ground between his legs. "Volo wouldn't do anything like that. People make him out to be a villain without even asking him if it's true. Pathetic."

"Well..." Rei glanced around. Tuli appeared to be gone, perhaps taking Volo's place in delivering goods to the clans. That was good; he knew she could be a gossip. "I know where Volo is."

Ginter raised his head, staring at Rei with a puzzled expression. "You just said..."

"I know. I wanted to make sure you were trustworthy enough to know the truth." Rei tilted his head towards his house. "I'm taking care of him with Adaman's help."

"Taking care of him...?"

"He got hurt pretty bad. He also has amnesia, so he wouldn't recognize you."

"I see." Ginter sighed, then smiled. "Well, I'm glad he has a friend in you. Thanks for taking care of him."

Rei shrugged. "No problem."

“I mean it. Volo spoke highly of you. He said you were good at battles and listened to his rambles about ruins and myths.”

Rei looked away from Ginter, crossing his arms and hunching his shoulders. He didn't need a reminder of that.

Everything about Volo and their friendship had been a lie. Everything but his kindness towards his Pokémon.

“He's not the type to trick others into being friends with him,” Ginter said, reaching down to scratch Chrono under the chin.

Chrono purred, leaning into the affection.

“Whatever you're thinking, I assure you it isn't true.”

“How do you know?” Rei asked, keeping his voice low to avoid it cracking. His voice still cracked. “How do you know he didn't just trick me because he wanted my guard lowered?”

The corner of Ginter's mouth turned up. “I don't. I don't know anything other than what he told me. However, trust me when I say he didn't take friendship lightly.”

Rei dropped his gaze, clenching his hands. He supposed it wasn't the idea of a fake friendship hurt; it was that the friendship had been real and that stung deeper than any wound or death Rei had gone through. The fact that while Volo smiled, he held a knife behind his back.

“You shouldn't keep focusing on the past.”

Rei looked up sharply.

Ginter held a Lum berry in his hand, skinning it with a small knife. He dropped the green skin by Chrono's feet.

Chrono sniffed the offered skins before batting at them, tail flicking.

“You can't change it. Instead, focus on the present and what you can do to prevent a repeat of the future.”

Rei frowned, reaching into his pocket to grip the tumblestone necklace. He had been waffling over whether to give it to Volo. Despite everything, Volo deserved to have something of his old team, even if he didn't remember them.

Ginter smiled, looking at Rei. “If you'd like, I can watch your house while you take a bath.”

“What? Are you sure?”

Ginter nodded. “I'll make sure no one goes into your house while you're gone.”

“Hm…” Rei glanced over his shoulder. He supposed if he didn't take too long. “All right. Thanks.”

“Sure.” Ginter popped a small piece of the Lum berry into his mouth then held out a second slice to Chrono.

Chrono crunched into the berry slice before spitting it out with a disgusted expression.

Ginter chuckled, carving another slice for himself. “Don't like Lum berries. Noted.”

Looking at his house once more, Rei headed to Galaxy Hall. He trusted Ginter to keep his word.

The mixed bathhouse was a recent addition to Galaxy Hall's west wing. Survey Corps members typically used it after returning from surveys. A large bath had been built into the ground, inlaid with decorative white and blue ceramic tile; in the center was a gilded mosaic of the Survey Corps logo. An underground reservoir provided water through steel pipes, heated to a comfortable temperature by a Magmar that Rei loaned to the bathhouse.

Rei opened the door to the bathhouse and saw that it was devoid of other members. Good. He could have the place to himself.

Waterproof lockers lined one side of the bathhouse walls, used to store towels, scrub brushes, and shampoo. Each locker was marked so items could be returned to their proper place.

Rei had seen more than enough of Cyllene's anger when she discovered that towels and shampoo had been shoved into the soap locker to know that where things were placed was very serious to her.

“Mar!” Magmar approached Rei, tail swishing side to side, flame scattering ember petals.

“Hey.” Rei smiled, setting a hand on Magmar's head. “You doing okay?”

Magmar nodded. “Mag!”

The warmth beneath Rei's palm was less like lava and more like warming his hands by a fire. Comfortable and soothing.

Magmar burned those it did not trust much like Ponyta and Rapidash could control their flaming manes to not burn their rider or caretaker.

“Great. Can you warm up the water for me?”

“Mar mag!” Magmar walked over to the side of the bath and blew out a thin stream of fire.

While Magmar worked, Rei grabbed a towel and then searched through the soap and shampoo lockers for a scent he could stand.

He eventually settled on a bar of soap created from peat gathered in the Mirelands and a shampoo made with sandalwood and two types of Combee honey.

Peat could be found in nearly all of Hisui. Each block had a different scent depending on where it was dug up. Fieldlands peat smelled like fresh grass and apricorns. Coastlands peat smelled of sea and seaweed. Mirelands peat smelled like warm rain and pine needles.

A lot of the bar soaps were mixed with sea salt from the Coastlands, adding a gritty texture to help exfoliate the skin.

Rei grabbed one of the shorter scrub brushes from the pile in the brush locker. It looked newer than the others.

The bristles were made from Jolteon fur. It was discharged of all electricity to prevent shocks. Jolteon fur was stiff but became supple when wet, preventing skin scratches. It was the perfect material for exfoliation.

“Mar!” Magmar called, waving an arm to get Rei's attention.

The water was at the right temperature.

“Thanks, Magmar.” Rei set his supplies by the edge of the bath before stripping his clothes and tossing them to the side.

He couldn't remember the last time he had actually taken a bath rather than stand in a rainstorm to get clean.

Stepping into the bath and sitting down, Rei leaned against the side with a sigh. The heat of the water relaxed tense muscles and aches he wasn't aware he had.

Rei splashed some water onto his arm and dragged his hand down. The water around him turned light brown as the dirt on his skin loosened.

It was a shame to scrub off the thin layer of dirt that had come to encase his body like a second skin. Despite how it looked, Rei knew his scent was kept to a minimum with the dirt obscuring it. Now he would have to build it up again after the bath.

Unscented body wash and shampoo were not in the Survey Corps vocabulary.

But, oh, did it feel amazing with clean skin and hair. He felt like a new person.

Rei slid down a bit, continuing to soak in the pleasant water. He stared at the ceiling and the faint slivers of steam curling into the air, mind starting to wander.

The moment his foot hit the last step and the broken pillars of Sinnoh Temple stretched out before him, Rei spotted Volo standing where Dialga and Palkia had emerged from their portals.

Exhaling a steaming breath, Rei approached Volo. The trip to the temple always felt arduous due to the high altitude, snow, and cold.

Volo, who was gazing at the wispy clouds in the bright blue sky, turned and smiled at Rei. “I'm glad you followed my request and came here.”

“What's with the new clothes?” Rei asked, looking Volo's strange attire up and down. Had he also stopped by Jubilife and gotten Arezu to do his hair?

“I'm grateful that you went and found the Plates for me. It saved me from having to do all the legwork.” Volo crossed his hands behind his back. “You have seventeen out of the eighteen needed to summon Arceus. So, where's the last one?”

“Here?” Rei guessed, glancing around. Why else would Volo call him to the Temple unless he had an idea of the whereabouts of the final Plate?

Volo's smile turned razor thin, silver eyes going cold. He pulled a dark purple Plate from behind his back, holding it out for Rei to see. “Here.”

“The Spooky Plate!” Rei gasped, taking a step closer to Volo. “You have it? How?”

Volo pulled the Plate back, holding out his free hand. “Hand over the other Plates. I will be the one to meet Arceus. Not you.”

Rei furrowed his eyebrows at the demand, tilting his head. Volo's behavior was baffling; he'd never spoken to Rei so coldly before. “I don't understand.”

“Oh, Rei, you should have just stayed ignorant. It would have been better that way.” Volo shook his head, closing his eyes. “I worshipped Arceus as the sole creator of the universe. The All-Encompassing. Still, despite my devotion, they never deigned to reveal themselves to me. I will wait no longer for them to appear before me; I will force them! I must know what Arceus is! If I can see Arceus for myself, then I may also be able to subjugate the power they hold. Using that, I will create a new and better world!”

Create a…new world? Creating a new one would mean that the old one would have to be destroyed.

Rei took a step closer, reaching out a hand. “Volo, can't we just talk about this?”

“Talk–?!” Volo cackled, smacking his face. “Talk about what? I'm going to be the one to meet Arceus! I have the Celestican blood–blood blessed by Arceus themselves–not you. I'm going to show them that they shouldn't have put their trust in an outsider like you!”

Rei stepped back as the words stabbed into him like a poison-tipped arrow.

Outsider? Weren't they…friends?

Volo stared at Rei, a single eyebrow raised and the corner of his mouth quirked up. He was waiting for Rei's response.

Rei set his expression, steeling himself. Fine. If that's what had to happen. They weren't friends. Not anymore.

“That's it!” Volo grinned wildly, spreading his arms out in front of him. “Look at me with pure hatred and come at me with everything you've got! Show me that this world is worth saving!”

Rei wanted to hate Volo. Loathe him.

Any other person would despise Volo for his actions, leave him in Turnback Cave. Perhaps even end his suffering.

Rei couldn't bring himself to do that. Even after what happened at Sinnoh Temple, Rei could only reflect on how genuine their friendship had been.

Rei hummed, leaning against a tree with his eyes closed. The cool spring breeze swirling around the Fieldlands brought with it a sweet, calming scent.

In the distance, young Starly chirped impatiently at their parents in their nests. Two Pichu argued over a berry, pulling it between them. Their cheeks sparked with tiny bolts of electricity. A Pikachu pulled them apart with a disapproving shake of his head before splitting the berry in half and handing it to each Pichu.

Rei slid down more, folding his arms behind his head and crossing his legs.

It was a nice day to just relax and take in the sounds of nature around him.

“Boo!”

Rei startled at the voice, scrambling back. He sighed, setting a hand against his chest, when he saw that it was just Volo.

“Why do you keep doing that?”

Volo chuckled, holding up a finger. “Because it's fun. You know what else is fun?” He grabbed a Poké Ball from his belt, holding it up. “Battles.”

Rei grinned, hopping to his feet and stepping back. He grabbed Ace's Poké Ball, releasing the Dewott. “Get ready to get your ass kicked again, merchant.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Dewott.” Ace smirked at Volo before thumping his chest. “Dew.”

“Tough words from such a little guy.” Volo tossed up the Poké Ball, releasing the Pokémon inside. “Let's start with my new partner!”

“Dew!” Budew chirped, shaking himself off.

Rei gaped at the tiny Pokémon standing in front of Volo. Despite abundant Roselia in the Mirelands, their pre-evolution Budew were rarely seen. Professor Laventon considered them rarer than Togepi.

“A Budew! Where'd you get it?”

“Merchant secret.” Volo winked, wagging his finger. “Start it off with a Poison Sting!”

"Dew!" Budew opened the buds on top of his head, spraying an array of poisonous needles towards Ace.

"Knock them down with Razor Shell!" Rei ordered.

Ace grabbed the dual scallops attached to his waist, holding them up. Water coated the shells, stretching out and sharpening them into small blades. Using the water daggers, Ace smacked the poison barbs out of the air.

A single needle made it past Ace's defense, scratching his cheek.

Ace grimaced as poison wracked his body.

"Agile style Energy Ball, if you would, Budew," Volo said, a wide grin crossing his face.

Rei knew Volo had the upper hand with Budew's type advantage, but if there was one thing about Rei, it was that he didn't let that stop him from wrecking someone's overconfidence.

"Counter it with an agile style Water Gun!"

Ace unleashed a blast of water as Budew slung a glowing ball of green energy towards him.

The two attacks collided before exploding, spreading a veil of smoke between Budew and Ace.

"Now, Tackle!"

Ace burst through the smoke, slamming his body into Budew and sending the small Pokémon skidding across the ground.

"Budew, Absorb!"

"Dew..." Budew struggled to get back to his feet before lashing a vine at Ace.

The vine wrapped around Ace's arm, burying small needles into his skin.

Ace flinched as the vine began sapping his energy, sending it straight towards Budew.

Rei smirked. Volo may have thought he had the advantage, using Absorb to heal Budew's injuries, but that was just where Rei wanted him.

"Pull Budew closer for a strong style Razor Shell!"

Gritting his teeth, Ace grabbed the vine with both paws, yanking Budew closer. Red energy surrounded the scallop Ace pulled from his waist.

Budew screamed as Ace slashed him with the Razor Shell, vine recoiling.

Ace struck Budew with the second shell, smacking Budew into a nearby tree.

Budew slumped to the ground, unmoving.

Volo clicked his tongue, returning Budew to his Poké Ball.

"Wott!" Ace grinned before grimacing as another stroke of venom wracked his body, dropping to one knee. "Dewo..."

Ace struggled to return to his feet before giving up, gasping for breath.

"Good job, Ace." Rei returned Ace to his Poké Ball. "You deserve a good rest."

"I suppose that was a good fight, but don't forget I still have more Pokémon!" Volo tossed up another Poké Ball.

"Gible!" Gible hopped from foot to foot before starting to gnaw the tumblestone necklace around his neck.

"I know someone who's been waiting for a rematch." Rei tossed up a Poké Ball, releasing Aurora, the shiny Ralts.

Ralts were typically found in the Icelands which Rei had no access to. He wasn't quite high enough in rank for one of the more dangerous areas of Hisui. Luck had seemed to be with him as he discovered Aurora being attacked by a Honchkrow in the Fieldlands. After scaring off the Honchkrow with Ace, Rei managed to gain the Ralts' trust with some Oran berries and a potato mochi.

Aurora had lost her first battle against Volo's Gible in the Solaceon Ruins and since then had retained a grudge against Gible and by extension, Gible's owner Volo.

"Raaa!" Aurora stomped her foot, glaring at Gible. “Ra Ralts!"

"Gib?" Gible appeared confused by Aurora's cry, scratching his cheek.

"Double Team, Aurora!"

Aurora swung her arms by her side, creating copies of herself that surrounded Gible.

"That didn't work last time, and it won't work this time!" Volo said, swinging a hand towards Gible. "Bulldoze!"

"Gible!" Gible leaped up then landed, a small shockwave spreading out.

The shockwave staggered the multiple Ralts around Gible, causing them to vanish in puffs of smoke.

"Gib?" Gible looked around when he saw that Aurora hadn't been hit by the attack and seemed to have vanished.

"We learned a bit from our last battle as well!” Rei announced, raising his hand.

Hovering above the ground was Aurora, using psychic energy to keep herself airborne.

“Now, Confusion!”

Aurora dropped in front of Gible, psychic energy around her body dispersing. She smirked at the surprised look on the tiny dragon's face, her eyes glowing bright blue.

Energy surrounded Gible, lifting him off the ground before slamming him back down.

Aurora lifted Gible once more, slamming him back down again, more aggressively.

Gible staggered back when he was finally released from Aurora's Confusion, shaking his head.

"Now for the finale. Strong style Draining Kiss!"

Aurora moved in close, planting a chaste kiss on Gible's cheek.

Gible glowed red, and when Aurora stepped back, the energy stretched between them before dissipating.

Gible stumbled before collapsing, the energy around his body fading.

Aurora smirked, crossing her arms as Volo returned Gible. "Ra Ralts."

"Don't celebrate just yet," Volo said, taking out a third Poké Ball. "I still got Togepi."

"Pi!" Togepi raised her arms. "Toge!"

"Strong style," Volo grinned, wagging a finger, "Metronome!"

Togepi trilled, waving her tiny hands as they glowed.

Rei rolled his eyes, unimpressed and unsurprised.

Volo sure liked his Metronome. With its randomized outcome, Rei couldn't see why. Togepi could just as easily use Tail Whip as it could something powerful like Explosion.

"Then we'll just counter with a Double Team!"

"Ra." Aurora created several rows of copies, surrounding Togepi in a crescent shape.

Togepi pointed her hands at Aurora.

A massive blast of blue energy was released, sweeping through Aurora's clones and striking her head on.

Volo blinked as the smoke left behind by the attack cleared, showing Aurora lying on the ground. A smile crossed his face and he clapped. "Excellent attack, Togepi!'

Togepi trilled, bouncing up and down at the praise.

What had that attack been? Rei hadn't seen it before, but it was an attack that some Pokémon somewhere knew.

That was all right. Rei still had Orre left to take down Togepi.

Rei released the Alpha Magnemite from their Poké Ball.

"I see you got a new friend as well!" Volo said. "What an unusual-looking Pokémon!"

Rei thought so, too. He had found Orre struggling in the Mirelands, obviously lost and out of its element. Still, adding an electric and steel type quickly to his team aided in his efforts to raise his rank so he could see the Coastlands.

"Let's stop that Metronome with Supersonic, Orre!"

Orre buzzed, magnets attached to their sides beginning to spin rapidly. Blue waves pulsed towards Togepi.

Togepi squeaked as the sound waves struck her, shaking her head.

"Use Metronome again, Togepi!"

"Piii?" Togepi waved her arms then pointed them down. Thick, black smoke surrounded Togepi.

"Looks like she's gotten a little bit confused!" Rei called as the Smog caused Togepi to stagger. "Orre, on the other hand, is ready with a strong style Gyro Ball!"

Orre beeped then spun rapidly, sweeping towards Togepi and slamming into her.

Togepi crashed into the tree.

"Okay, okay!" Volo waved his hands, stepping in front of Togepi. "I get it. Let's just call it a draw."

Rei snorted, returning Orre to their Poké Ball. "Fine. A draw."

Volo set his merchant pack on the ground and placed Togepi in his lap as he sat down. "Let me see if I still have some."

Rei moved closer, sitting nearby as Volo rummaged through his pack. "If you need some healing items, I have some."

"I want to try a new one." Volo pulled out a glass bottle. Full Restore was written in neat letters on the front.

"What's that?"

"It's a Full Restore. I crafted it a while ago after some trial and error. It should heal Togepi's wounds and her status condition."

"Really?"

Volo nodded, rubbing the Full Restore on Togepi's shell and head. "In theory. This is my first time using it."

Rei watched as the Full Restore was absorbed into Togepi's skin, healing the scratches she had sustained from the battle.

"Pi?" Togepi blinked, looking around.

"Do you feel better?" Volo asked, holding Togepi up.

"Toge!" Togepi flapped her hands with an ecstatic trill. "Pi!"

A sharp blue glow surrounded Togepi, blinding Rei and Volo.

Rei gaped as the glow faded moments later and a new Pokemon hovered in front of Volo, tiny wings flapping to stay airborne. "A Togetic!"

"You evolved!" Volo held Togetic's hands as she rubbed her face against his. "After nine years..."

Togetic trilled, flying around Volo's head.

"Wow." Rei grabbed his satchel, pulling out the Pokédex. "I haven't seen a Togetic yet. Just wait until the Professor sees the entry."

Volo chuckled as Togetic settled against his leg, wings drooping against her back. "I feel honored that my Togetic was the first one you saw."

"Don't get a big head over it," Rei muttered, sketching Togetic sleeping against Volo's leg.

Volo smiled, leaning back on his hands. "I'll try not to."

Rei frowned, sinking into the water until his nose touched the surface.

Would the betrayal have hurt less if their friendship had been fake? Had it stung Volo just as much to turn on Rei?

Rei set a hand against his face, slowly dragging it down. Exhaustion still clung around him. Not physical, but mental and emotional. It was determined to override how refreshed he felt taking a bath.

Don't focus on the past, he reprimanded himself, staring at his reflection in the water. Focus on the present.

Volo had a clean slate to work with and Rei would make certain he didn't repeat the same mistakes. He could go down a different path.

Ducking under the water, Rei furiously scrubbed his fingers through his hair.

Once that was done, he focused on using the soap bar and shampoo to clean his body and hair.

"Mar!" Magmar said when Rei pulled himself out of the bath. Magmar held out Rei's clothes.

While he had been lost in his thoughts, Magmar had washed and dried Rei's clothes.

Rei smiled, taking the warm and clean clothes. "Thanks, Magmar."

Magmar grinned, tail waving. "Magmar."

After drying himself and pulling on his clothes, Rei replaced the soap, brush, and shampoo where he found them then left the bathhouse.

His hair was still damp, but it would dry before he had to go to the Coastlands.

As Rei walked towards his house, he noticed Adaman approaching with his Eeveelutions by his side. "Adaman?"

Why was Adaman back so quickly? He didn't need to return for at least a few more hours.

Glancing at the sky, Rei saw that the blue sky was slowly being replaced by a cozy orange glow of late afternoon.

How long had he been in the bath? It hadn't felt that long.

"Did you forget I was coming?" Adaman teased with an easygoing smile. "Or were you so into your bath that you lost track of time?"

Rei glowered at Adaman, crossing his arms. He did not want to admit that it was the latter.

"Rei!"

Rei turned at the voice.

Professor Laventon, Cyllene, and Akari were approaching him and Adaman. Laventon was waving as they came closer.

"Hey, Rei!" Akari launched herself at Rei, leaning against him with a bright smile. "Ready to go?"

"Pi?" Pikachu stepped closer to Rei, sniffing his neck. "Pi Pika!"

"Huh?" Akari also sniffed Rei before gasping, stepping back, and clapping her hands. "You took a bath!"

Rei felt more and more like he did not want to go if they were making such a big deal out of him taking a bath.

"Clan Leader Adaman," Laventon greeted with a nod. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you here to watch over the Pokémon while Rei is gone?" Cyllene asked.

"Pokémon?" Laventon repeated, looking between Cyllene and Adaman. "What Pokémon? Is it a new species? I have to see!"

"No, no, it's not a new species!" Adaman waved his hands. "It's just an injured, ah..."

Rei glanced at Adaman and saw Adaman staring at him. Right. They hadn't decided on a cover story for the 'injured Pokémon.’ If Rei said it was a Sigilyph, a Pokémon not native to Hisui, Laventon would not drop wanting to see it.

"It's a Togepi," Ginter piped up. He raised an eyebrow when everyone looked at him. "What?"

"Yeah, it's a Togepi," Rei insisted.

"Oh, bother." Laventon frowned. "I was hoping a new species had been discovered."

"I hope Rei isn't bothering you with his request to watch this injured Togepi while we're gone," Cyllene said, folding her hands behind her back.

Adaman shook his head. "Not a bother at all. I have Mai keeping an eye on the clan while I'm here."

Cyllene nodded. "Thank you."

"We should get going," Laventon said. "We don't want to miss the migration!"

"Have fun." Adaman waved as the four left. Once they were far enough away, he looked at Ginter.

Ginter smiled, shrugging a shoulder. "Don't worry. I didn't go inside."

"Rei told you."

"He did." Ginter nodded. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

"Thanks." Adaman opened the door to Rei's house, allowing Thyme and his siblings to go ahead of him.

Inside, Volo was sitting on the futon with Kai by his side. He perked up when the door opened and the three Eveelutions came bounding in.

Kai moved away from Volo as Thyme and the others approached, hovering in the corner.

"I hope you weren't too bored while you were alone," Adaman said, shutting the door behind him and setting up the barrier.

Volo shook his head. "I actually woke up from a nap a while ago."

That made sense. Volo was still recovering, so he was more likely to sleep.

"Anyway." Adaman took off his shoes at the entrance then headed into the bedroom. He pulled out a Diamond Clan shirt and pants.

It had been a good thing he kept them hidden under his shirt. The story of the injured Togepi might have fallen apart if Cyllene had seen the clothes.

"These should fit you." Adaman held out the clothes. "I figured you're around my size, so I got you some of my old clothes."

"Thank you." Volo took the offered clothes with a faint smile.

Kai watched Adaman from its spot in the corner, eye narrowed.

Adaman avoided looking at Kai. It unnerved him how Kai always stared at him like a Staraptor stalking its prey. Perhaps Kai knew it unnerved him and tried to be even more unnerving, like the Rotom.

"Wait."

Volo froze when Adaman held up a hand. He had the kimono Rei placed on him halfway off. Faint, silvery scars of varying shapes and sizes crossed wide areas of his exposed skin.

Adaman dropped his gaze and pointed to Volo's arm. "Your bandages should be changed."

Blinking, Volo glanced at his bandaged arm to see that pink streaks stained the white cloth. "Oh."

"It'd be easier to do it before you get into new clothes." Adaman stood and went into the kitchen.

Rei had left the bandages and salve by the sink along with a bowl and cloth used to clean Volo's wounds.

He grabbed the supplies and returned to the bedroom, kneeling in front of Volo again.

Without asking, Tempo sprayed some water into the bowl before returning to where his siblings were lying.

"Let me see your arm."

Volo held out his arm and watched Adaman unwind the bandages, exposing the stitched slash marks.

Using the wet cloth, Adaman cleaned the marks then covered them with a thin layer of salve.

Volo tilted his head, a faint stinging in his arm causing his hand to twitch.

Why are you familiar to me? the thought rose to Volo's mind. How do we know each other?

A desperation to ask scratched at the back of Volo's mind like an attention-seeking Growlithe pup.

Would he even tell me?

The sour thought left a bitter taste in Volo's mouth.

A faint memory struggled to rise to the surface in Volo's mind, faded and ripped. He tried to latch onto it only to have it burn and scatter like petals on the wind.

"Hey."

Volo startled at Adaman's voice, leaning back.

Adaman stared at him in concern. "You all right?"

Volo glanced at his leg and chest to see that the bandages had been changed. How long had he been lost in his own thoughts?

"Y-yeah, I'm fine."

Adaman knit his eyebrows together as if he wasn't sure whether to believe Volo before he looked at the Red Chain around one of Volo's wrists.

It looked to be of the same material that the Red Chain used to bind Dialga, but it couldn't possibly be the same.

The Lake Guardians punished him.

Why attach a Red Chain to Volo as a punishment? What was the point?

Adaman reached a hand to the Red Chain and tried to pull it off. The Chain appeared to be fused with Volo's skin.

Adaman withdrew his hand quickly, realizing he was probably making Volo uncomfortable.

"Well, I guess I can make some dinner since Rei will be gone for a while."

"Where did Rei go?" Volo asked, pulling the Diamond Clan shirt over his head. "He didn't tell me."

"He's going to Gingko Landing in the Coastlands to watch a migration."

Volo perked up, his eyes sparkling. "A migration?"

"You can't go."

"Oh." Volo deflated at the news, staring at the ground.

Guilt sank its teeth into Adaman’s heart and he bit the bottom of his lip, thinking.

He couldn't exactly tell Volo the truth about why he couldn't go: that they couldn't let others see him. He could tell a little lie, though.

"You're injured. Some Pokémon will take advantage of that."

Adaman rubbed the back of his neck when he didn't get an immediate response from Volo. An idea came to his mind and he snapped his fingers.

"How about I make a Diamond Clan favorite for dinner? Sukiyaki!"

That got Volo to lift his head.

"Sukiyaki?" Volo repeated.

"Yeah. It's made with Swinub meat, sugar, saké, vegetables, and mushrooms. We usually eat it for the winter, but I'll make an exception this time." Adaman stood and went over to AC.

AC glowered at him.

"I know you don't like me and I don't like you, but I need to see what Rei has to see what I need to get from Beni."

AC buzzed, turning around so their back was to Adaman.

"Oh, come on." Adaman sighed. He wasn't entirely sure how to get AC to listen to him. "Forget it. Thyme, you and the others stay here. I'll be back."

"Lea!" Thyme raised his head from his paws.

Volo watched Adaman leave, closing the door behind him. He sighed, leaning back on his left hand.

"Bre." Eon circled around Volo then stretched herself across his lap.

He ran his fingers through her short black fur, letting his gaze drift to the seashells on the windowsill.

Reaching over, Volo grabbed the largest one and set it against his ear. He closed his eyes, listening to the waves.

Warm fur of living fire threaded through his fingers.

----------------------------------------

Rei breathed in the afternoon sea breeze and exhaled.

The last time he had been in the Coastlands had been to jump from Veilstone Cape and let the sea drown him. Now he stood at the shore of Gingko Landing, waves washing around his ankles, waiting for the migration of Unovan bird Pokémon.

Akari grew impatient seconds after they arrived and enlisted the help of the local Spheal to begin the process of building a sand castle. Pikachu hopped down from her shoulder to watch.

"Good job, Spheal!" Akari praised as the Spheal used their flippers to smooth the sides of the sand castle.

The Spheal all barked at the praise, slapping their flippers together.

"Pi." Pikachu pinned his ears back before scampering towards Rei and sitting beside him.

Rei stared at the ocean stretching out in front of him, sparkling with the sun's rays.

In the distance, a pod of Mantine and Mantyke breached the ocean's surface. They scattered when two Gyarados erupted from the depths, snapping at them. One managed to sink its teeth into an unfortunate Mantine's wing and drag it beneath the waves.

"The circle of life is quite fascinating, isn't it?" Laventon asked, approaching Rei with Cyllene beside him. Laventon's lab coat hung around her shoulders.

"It's just nature." Rei shrugged a shoulder. "You're either prey or predator."

"What Laventon means to ask is if you're feeling better," Cyllene said. "We have all been concerned for you."

Rei glanced at Laventon and Cyllene.

Laventon rubbed the back of his neck with a nervous smile. The question about the circle of life had been his way of striking up a conversation before asking Rei how he felt.

Cyllene, on the other hand, was rather blunt and didn't beat around the bush.

Rei stared at Tranquility Cove stretching in front of him. He felt better. He wasn't at 100% and didn't expect to be overnight. Taking a bath, standing at the shore in the sun and salty air rather than staying cooped up in his house did help, though.

"Better," Rei said after letting the silence stagnate. "The sunsets here are nice."

"They do differ from the sunsets in other places of Hisui, don't they?" Laventon mused. "Perhaps it's because it's near the ocean and the light reflecting off the surface gives off a different atmosphere."

Rei hummed.

Something wet smacked into the side of Rei's neck and he immediately turned towards the source, ready for a fight.

Pikachu pointed a sandy paw at a nearby Spheal.

The Spheal appeared surprised at the false accusation before rolling away at a breakneck pace.

"You little rat," Rei growled, lunging for Pikachu.

Pikachu laughed, dodging Rei and bolting towards Akari. He hid behind the sand castle, peeking around it with a snicker.

"Don't you dare!" Akari snapped, pointing at Rei. "We worked hard on it!"

Growling, Rei dropped to his hands and knees, trying to figure out a way to get back at Pikachu without destroying the sand castle.

"Pika." Pikachu shot a smug look at Rei and scampered onto Akari's shoulder, sticking his tongue out.

Rei lunged for Pikachu with a frustrated yell, trampling the sand castle standing between him and getting revenge.

Pikachu hopped to the ground as Rei tried to grab him.

"Rei!" Akari whined, shoving Rei back. "You destroyed my sand castle!"

"He started it!" Rei protested, pointing at Pikachu.

"Ka?" Pikachu pointed at himself, expression innocent.

"I'm ending it." Akari set her hands on her hips, giving a look she had perfected from Cyllene. It gave no opening for a counterargument. "Now, help me rebuild the sand castle."

Rei groaned even as he felt himself smiling. Even frustrated, he found himself having fun. "Okay."

Sitting by Akari's side, he helped smooth out the sand so they could start rebuilding.

As soon as the castle's base had been completed, Laventon called out, "There they are!"

Rei looked up to see a black mass coming closer to them. He stood and went to stand beside Laventon and Cyllene for a better look.

It was a large group of bird Pokémon with light gray feathers. The smaller Pokémon were nestled in the middle of the larger bird Pokémon, a strategy employed to protect the weak or sick from opportunistic predators.

"Those are Pidove and their evolution, Tranquil," Laventon said, pointing each one out. "Unfezant seem to rarely migrate with their pre-evolutions and instead form their own flocks."

"There's got to be thousands of them!" Akari gasped as the bird Pokémon soared above them, their cries rising to a cacophony.

"Pidove are quite common in Unova to the point they're a nuisance," Laventon said. "Kind of like Rattata in Kanto and Wurmple here."

"Ugh..." Cyllene muttered, a shudder running through her.

"They're beautiful," Akari sighed.

A dark shadow broke from the flock and banked towards them.

"What is that?" Rei asked as the bird Pokémon came closer.

It didn't look like the gray Pidove or Tranquil. Its breast feathers were mostly blue-gray with black feathers surrounding its face. A leather satchel hung diagonally across the bird Pokémon's chest.

"That's a Corvisquire," Laventon said, holding his arm up. "A Pokémon from Galar."

Corvisquire perched on Laventon's outstretched arm, red eyes staring at the group in front of it. Corvisquire used its beak to open the satchel and pulled out an envelope, holding it out to Laventon.

When Laventon took the envelope, Corvisquire squawked and flew off, heading in the opposite direction of the Pidove and Tranquil flock.

"A letter?" asked Akari, watching as Laventon opened the envelope and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"What's it say?" Rei asked.

Laventon didn't respond as he silently read the contents of the letter. After a while he sighed, shoulders slumping. “Oh, biscuits.”

Cyllene set a hand on Laventon's arm. "What is it?"

"It appears I am being summoned back to Galar, posthaste."