“There has been a development, you see…”

The words didn’t seem to sit very well with Adaman. Mai had stepped forward a moment later. “I’m really sorry if it’s something to do with my presence on the bridge,” she rushed to say. “I will apologise to anyone I may have offended.”

“Mai…” Adaman, despite his harsh expression, dragged the word out like a disappointed father. “What have you done?”

“It is nothing to do with you, Mai,” Kamado assuaged her worries with a small smile. “Instead, I speak of a matter that relates solely to you, Adaman.”

“Me?” now Adaman looked and sounded surprised. “What did I do?”

“I am sure you have all seen the crack in the sky above Mount Coronet,” Kamado started. “I come to you with some worrying information. I fear all of Hisui may be in grave danger.”

“Aw, jeez,” the Diamond Clan leader ran a hand through his hair. “Really? I know you’re not one for pranks, but please tell me this is a joke. I won’t even be mad.”

Kamado soldiered on without comment. “We have reason to believe the crack- which we have named the ‘space-time rift’- is capable of allowing a terrifying Pokémon into our world. A Pokémon whose power we suspect may eclipse that of Almighty Sinnoh.”

Contrary to what I had expected, relief immediately flooded Adaman’s eyes. He scoffed and shot a look at his three grunts. “Impossible. Almighty Sinnoh embodies all of Hisui. It’s like saying a Ponyta is more powerful than an Electivire!”

“Volo and his source were the ones who have provided us with this information.” Kamado shut down his grandstanding in a grave tone.

Adaman’s face fell. “Is that so…?”

The Commander then proceeded to inform Adaman of Giratina and its potential to invade Hisui through the space-time rift, however I had noticed the man had left out a great deal of information.

Namely, the possible existence of this fourth Pokémon. Kamado also failed to mention the fact that we would be seeking the aid of Palkia- for obvious reasons, I supposed. I had suspected we would be playing a very delicate game from now on. If either clan learnt that we had taken sides with the other, it could put us in a perilous position.

When the conversation turned to me, namely the timing of my arrival, Adaman had become very interested. “This guy arrived exactly a month after the rift opened and on the day of the thunderstorm?” he turned to me with calculating eyes. “Suspicious.”

“We do not know whether Rei had or has anything to do with our predicament.” Kamado remarked dryly.

Way to throw me under the bus…

“That thunderstorm has been the worst thing to have ever happened,” Adaman grumped with a disgusted look on his face. “I’ve been having strange visions back at camp since that horrible night.”

Both Kamado and I were shocked by the admission, but the other Diamond Clan members seemed to have known about this already. “Visions?” Kamado asked in a slow voice.

Adaman nodded. “Visions. Waking dreams of some horrible beast lunging for me with an open jaw. They accost me at random and without warning. It’s affecting my sleep. I dare not even step foot in my own camp anymore!” he snarled that last part out.

Visions of a scary creature lunging at me…

“Snake-like?” I spoke up. Adaman turned to me, surprised. “With black finger-like wings and red claw-like tips? Red eyes and a golden-crested head?”

Dead. Silence.

Adaman stared. His eyes had widened and his mouth hung open. He took a big step towards me and I resisted the urge to back away. He raised his hand. Slowly. I thought he was actually going to slap me for a moment.

But then, he merely placed it upon my shoulder. "How do you know?" he muttered so lowly that I struggled to hear him. “You have been afflicted by the same visions as I?”

The Diamond Clan members exchanged glances with each other. I saw Kamado staring like a Deerling caught in headlights. I probably looked the same- staring back at him. I hadn’t expected the Diamond Clan leader to be so open about an obvious weakness. It was... strange, comparing him to the politicians I always saw on TV back in Veilstone.

Adaman stepped back from me and lowered his hand. “I’ll help,” he declared after a moment of deliberation. “I will do what I can. These visions must be a warning from Almighty Sinnoh. To ignore them would be an affront to its generosity in guiding us.”

Kamado visibly relaxed. “Thank you, Adaman. It relieves me greatly to know I have your aid.”

“Well…” Adaman cringed slightly. “I said I will do what I can. Just not… yet.”

“Say what?” Kamado tensed again. We exchanged an alarmed look.

“Look,” Adaman squeezed at the hair behind his head. “I’m going to be real with you, here. We’re in a really bad spot right now. Our Noble defenders have gone completely haywire since that thunderstorm and we’re all terrified of what the Pearl Clan will do if they hear that our strongest defenders are… incapacitated. If we’re seen with the Galaxy Team and word reaches Irida that our Nobles are unable to help, they may be incited to attack- thinking that we have won you over. I don’t want to risk them taking their chances and invading. I can’t. Not while we don’t have the protection of our Nobles.”

“And you want us to help?” Kamado had caught on far before I did. “An exchange of aid, if you will?”

“Quietly,” Adaman clarified. “No big Survey Teams or whatever you call them, lest we catch the eyes of Irida. Because Irida finding out will cause some major problems,” at that point I had realised even Adaman seemed scared of the Pearl Clan leader, “Maybe five of your people max. Once you help us figure out a way to bring our Nobles back, you’ll have my aid.”

Kamado sputtered a little, caught off guard. “I’m not sure…”

“I can do it.” I declared.

Adaman gave me an approving nod. Kamado, however, seemed wary. “Rei. You do realise that the Diamond Clan’s nobles are extremely powerful? You may feel invincible now that you have Pokémon with you, but I assure you, a Bidoof won’t stand up to a Noble.”

“I’ll train my members,” I remained steadfast. “I’ll catch stronger Pokémon. I’m already close to being able to reliably craft my own Poké Balls!”

“The Diamond Clan have our own Pokémon,” Adaman added. “And the solution may not be a simple rough-up to kowtow our Nobles back to our side. A battle might not even be needed.”

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

I also needed to get stronger so that I could face Giratina somehow- should it finally emerge from the rift. But I didn’t say that at the time. I wasn’t sure if it was wise to give away my intentions at that stage. “It will take time to strengthen yourself up to par,” Kamado pointed out with an arched brow. I could tell I was starting to win him over.

I turned to Adaman. “Do we have time for me to train for this?”

He swayed his head in a so-so manner. “I mean, things are stable now. But we’re constantly having to fend off our own Nobles. Injuries are common. We’ve even had casualties. The sooner the better, so you’ll have to train quick.”

I sent my gaze back to Kamado, who seemed deep in thought.

“I will approve it so long as Akari and Professor Laventon accompany you,” he finally stated after some deliberation. “Akari is capable of defending herself and will be added strength for your task. Laventon’s expertise relating to Pokémon may also provide some insight into these Nobles.”

I flinched at that. I didn’t mind Laventon and would actually really appreciate his help. But Akari…?

“It’s settled!” Adaman clapped his hands together. “Mai? From now on. Rei and his two companions are welcome past the bridge. They are to be treated as part of the clan.”

“Yes, leader.” Mai nodded.

“I’ll place you responsible for getting them past Pearl Clan territory and into the Mirelands,” he continued. “I’m sure you understand the importance of this task.”

Kamado didn’t seem entirely happy, but he nodded along nonetheless. “I will inform the Research Team of their new mission. As for you, Rei, you are to start preparations immediately. A generous stipend will be provided for you to buy supplies. Leave as soon as you’re able.”

“I’ll be waiting at the bridge for you,” Mai said. "However, feel free to take as much prep-time as you need.”

“But be quick about it,” Adaman added with an unexpected harshness. “I’ll provide you with our resources as well, so I suggest you pack lightly so that you can travel faster.”

And so, it was settled. My third outing from Jubilife village and it was going to be a proper adventure. Did I have second-hand regret? Probably. But my fate was sealed, now. I just had to ensure I came out of all this alive.

How did it come to this? Why couldn’t I have just gone back to my life in Veilstone? Where I was happy? Where I was safe?

But I had to cope with the cards that were dealt to me. I had no other choice.

I was going to be alright. I was okay.

Our preparations went well and I had started to gain a semblance of confidence for the journey ahead. But unfortunately, we were interrupted on the last day by the arrival of Unovan immigrants on Prelude Beach. They had braved the seas using nothing but a wooden boat and rows like all those in Jubilife had before them. The villagers usually welcomed newcomers with open arms, however, there was a pretty big issue this time.

The group had a Pokémon with them.

Akari and I were sent to deal with it, being the only two with Pokémon capable of battling. But when we arrived onto Prelude Beach, we ended up witnessing a standoff.

“We’re not destroying him!” a middle-aged man was yelling. He had a bald head and burn scars all over his face.

“He protected us!” another woman shouted.

“He foraged food when it was too dangerous for us to go outside!” a young girl added with a furious look.

The Pokémon in question was a four-foot Golett. It stared blankly ahead of it with rectangular yellow eyes that illuminated the sand ahead of it and its blocky arms hung loosely by its sides. I recalled them being made of clay by some ancient Unovan civilisation to try and counter Reshiram and Zekrom. Their blue-toned bodies could withstand perilous heat and its autonomy made it immune to electricity. A lot of Golett were simple war machines, however, so I could see why the villagers were so against its presence near the village. “Pokémon are strictly forbidden in Jubilife,” Cyllene shrugged and her utter apathy was soothing and helpful to the newcomers (obvious sarcasm, here). “And Golett are too dangerous to run free in Hisui.”

More yelling ensued. They were fiercely protective of the Golett for some reason. Truthfully, it seemed pretty docile. Man-made Pokémon were notoriously powerful and are actually outlawed in modern-day Sinnoh. Light spilled out of its boulder-shaped torso and onto the surrounding sand, throbbing like a pulse and humming as if alive. “You can keep it in its Poké Ball?” I suggested, jumping in when the shouting lulled.

“What on earth is a Poké Ball?!” the man with the scarred face asked angrily.

I blushed. Right. Hisuian invention. Akari was oddly quiet next to me. I had expected at least a snicker for such a stupid mistake.

“Either put it on that boat and send it off or we’ll destroy it,” Cyllene spoke up again. Her words sparked another cacophony of protest. “Golett are too strong to allow into the wild.”

I waited once more for the shouting to stop, but it was clear the newcomers weren’t giving up without a fight. I sighed and decided to approach the clay-Pokémon. It didn’t react at all when I crouched besides it. “Hello.”

Nothing.

“Golett?” I tried, cocking my head. “Can you understand me?”

Golett mimicked my head movement. It was cute in a weird, creepy way.

I took that as a good sign. “Who is your master?”

This time, Golett moved. It bent down and used its one of its chubby fingers to start drawing in the sand.

“Look!” bald scar-man pointed with a gasp. “He’s moving!”

Cyllene whirled to me and scowled. But she didn’t try to intervene. A deep silence fell over the beach as everyone united temporarily in their curiosity in what Golett was doing.

It spelled an R. Then an I, an L, then E, then Y.

RILEY.

“Riley is your master?” I asked it when it straightened.

Golett bent over once more and slowly wrote in the sand.

YES.

“He can talk?!” an old man with a receding hairline exclaimed.

“What happened to your master?” I tried another question, ignoring the murmurs of the crowd.

DEAD. ANGRY.

“You’re angry?”

YES.

Golett weren’t supposed to feel emotion…

“Did he give you any orders?”

Golett gently jabbed a finger at the word ‘YES’ again.

I wanted it to elaborate, though. “What were Riley’s orders to you?”

PROTECT ALL HUMANS.

I glanced up at Cyllene. The Cyrus lookalike seemed unsure of herself for once. Akari had a dumbfounded expression on her face, mirrored by the rest of the watching crowd. “I’ll keep it, if that’s okay.” I declared to Cyllene. “It’ll travel with me to the Mirelands. It’ll be in a Poké Ball- just like my Bidoof and Starly.”

I thanked the stars I had managed to craft three in preparation for my excursion planned for tomorrow morning. Losing one so soon was not the plan, but I couldn’t just leave it there to its fate.

“I suppose…” Cyllene muttered. “That is acceptable. But it is your responsibility to ensure it behaves. Any trouble from it, and you’ll be immediately exiled.”

“Is that okay with you all?” I asked the newcomers. Golett was kind of technically theirs, after all.

“Better than destroying him.” The bald man said.

“As long as you let us see him from time to time!” the young girl cried.

There was a general murmur of assent from the crowd, but I could tell they weren't exactly pleased. Still, they were willing to compromise if it meant food and shelter. I sighed and grabbed one of my three empty Poké Balls from my belt. “Will you protect me?” I stared straight into the Pokémon’s eyes. “Not as a human. But as a friend?”

Golett didn’t draw in the sand this time. Instead, it held out its left arm- palm facing upwards. Unsure of myself, I hesitated before placing my hand on its own. If it wanted to at that moment, it could’ve crushed every one of my fingerbones into powder, but instead its fingers gently wrapped around mine.

Friends.

I caught it with my Poké Ball.

The newcomers obviously had questions about this new contraption, but Cyllene was quick to round them up and escort them into Jubilife. I quickly made my escape with my new partner and Akari followed me with a glazed expression.

“How did you do that?” she asked me.

I laughed and rubbed the back of my neck. “I was kind of winging it, truthfully.”

“I’d only ever seen Golett as killing machines before,” Akari whispered so quietly that I almost didn’t hear her. It was sometimes hard to remember she’d been born in Unova, like the rest of the villagers. “I didn’t know they could… I wasn’t able to see…”

She trailed off. I honestly wasn’t sure what was going on with her, so I simply remained silent while she worked things through.

“I’m sorry,” Akari suddenly blurted. Stunned, I turned my head to face her. Her eyes were staring straight into mine. “For all the things I said.”

I really didn’t know how to respond. She’d truly caught me off guard, there. Before I could recover myself from my stupor, she blushed and turned away. “I need to go.”

I watched her rush away.

Was this a good or a bad thing? I couldn’t tell with that girl. I felt reassured by my new partner in its Poké Ball, and was proud that my craftmanship had held up enough that it functioned without a hitch, but I feared Akari would redouble on herself and treat me poorly when next we met in order to ‘make up’ for that unexpected display of compassion. Looking back, I really don’t know why Akari’s emotional state bothered me so much. But at that moment in the past, it was another worry to add to the quickly growing list.

My gaze lifted towards the space-time rift hovering ominously above Mount Coronet.

I would keep going. I was okay.