Author's note: This is it, then - Book 1 is finished! I've decided that yes, this will be split into several arcs, or "books." With this complete, I'm going to take a bit of a break for now and focus more on the prequel for a bit, as well as other fics! Thank you all for your support over the past several months - I hope my recent surge of productivity has more than made up for the originally troubled production of this! Enjoy the epilogue!

"Good morning, Moon. I hope you slept well - Look out there."

Grimsley stood once more on the ship's deck, staring out at the ocean even as they stepped aside for Moon to take in the view. She didn't look as tired as they'd thought she would, considering the circumstances. Had she taken their words to heart? After all, she was awake enough at that point to take in the sight ahead.

In the seven AM air, fog still kissing the water's surface and the low roar of the ocean still echoing around them, mingling with the rumble of the ship's engines, Castelia City had finally come into view in the distance. It was only a silhouette, but it was only a matter of time before it became clearer and clearer, and it was only a matter of time before Moon got her first taste of Grimsley's home region. This was where they'd come from, and where, for a time, they'd thrived.

"Wow...It's incredible!" Moon exclaimed, "Is that…?"

Grimsley chuckled, looking to Moon and nodding.

"Indeed it is," they explained, "Castelia City. The largest city in the region, and what many consider to be the center of it. This means you must stay close. I don't want to be the one responsible for losing you."

"Mhmm! I'll stay with you!" Moon was clearly shaking with excitement as the city grew closer and the sight of the docks became clearer. "I can't believe it! We're here! We're actually here! Ohh, I can't wait to tell everyone back home about this!"

It was so refreshing to see Moon in a good mood. It was really no wonder she'd become Champion - Much like Iris, she was bursting with life, always uplifting those around her like a flurry of falling stars. She was a beacon of hope, much like Iris had been for Unova. Living, breathing proof that anyone, young or old, could stand at the top as one of the greatest trainers in the world.

That was what the League was at its core, wasn't it? Leagues were the regions' pillars of stability, the one thing keeping the public in high spirits.

It brought them back to four years prior, back when that N had stormed the League, taken them down along with their comrades, with Alder sending out an order to remain neutral despite everything that had happened. That one fateful night when the hero of Unova had arrived, the Dark Stone in their hand as they ascended towards Plasma's castle, all too eager to face off with N one final time.

Hilda had been a good kid. Grimsley often found themself wondering where they'd gone - Sure, they'd occasionally drop by the League, though never as often as Rosa did. Grimsley knew the stress Hilda was going through all too well, though they'd hardly approached them about such a thing.

Perhaps the rarity of Hilda's visits was, in a way, their own fault for not giving them a reason to keep coming back.

Shaking their head, Grimsley tried to dispel such a thought. Moon was still awestruck at the sheer size of Castelia as the ship finally stopped. In fact, she looked more eager than ever to leave the boat and stretch her legs alongside Grimsley, even in spite of the winter's chill that had taken over Unova. How could she stand such a thing? For Grimsley, the bitter winter over the region only ever brought them down. It was one of the reasons they'd headed to Alola - It was warm, and after such a brutal season the previous year, it was the only way they'd be able to remain stable.

Going back to Unova...It wouldn't bode well. They knew it, their fellow Elites would know it...

Every day would be closer to their own destruction.

Grimsley tried to ignore the numbness forming in their mind, their chest, their throat. They had to remain strong for Moon's sake. Put on a brave face even when they knew they couldn't, because that was all the world expected of an Elite.

Whether or not they kept up that image...That was yet to be seen.

The thoughts stuck with them as they walked off onto the docks, bag in hand, leading Moon over to the roads of Castelia.

There would be Caitlin, with that same look of disapproval, knowing that Grimsley was no longer the elder sibling-figure she'd known as a child.

There would be Shauntal, taking in the look in their eyes, trying to put such a thing into words after she hadn't seen them in weeks.

There would be Marshal, wondering what became of them even long after they'd spent so much time away, wondering if this would ever be the same Grimsley he'd known for so long before.

But there stood Moon, wide-eyed and bubbling over with excitement, and that alone was enough to bring Grimsley back down. It was nothing like Hilda's brash, pushy nature, and even less like Rosa's soft and subdued demeanor.

She was still a child, after all.

Staying close to Moon and letting her take in the sight of the city above, Grimsley waited for the moment Moon looked back to them.

And when she did, they only said three words.

"Welcome to Unova."

Nothing shocked Gladion more than seeing what had become of Wicke following the incident. She'd walked in with her arm in a sling, still looking as tired as she had throughout the week but with a softness to her expression that soon put Gladion's mind at ease. They'd both lived, and that...That was enough for Gladion. The two of them were alive and able to continue their work.

They'd continue it together.

"...Good evening, young master," Wicke said, bowing once she'd reached Gladion's bedside, "Did you sleep well last night? I'm terribly sorry I wasn't able to visit sooner."

Gladion shook his head, looking Wicke in the eye.

"No, don't be," he replied, "I know you've been busy. Steven...Is he okay?"

For a moment, Wicke faltered, looking away for a few seconds before she spoke again.

"Steven...They've opted to restrain him using similar means to how Type: Null was," Wicke explained quietly, "Though the device...In essence, he's been shackled in place. Both Faba and Calla called it a necessary evil, and Steven...He agreed to it."

Shackled. It send a chill down Gladion's spine, just thinking about it. Restraining him like they had done to Silvally. Gladion took a look down at the Pokémon laying at his bedside, opposite of Wicke. Silvally had been in immense pain as Null. Now they thought that doing something like that to Steven was a good idea?! Anger began to boil over in him as he imagined what it could have been like. Stuck in one place, one position, for Arceus-knows-how long, until Interpol inevitably came for him if anyone could get Nihilego out of his system. Until they came to take him away and imprison him for something that could have been completely out of his control.

It was so unfair. It brought to mind his mother's state of being - Without any control of herself, she'd become more and more cruel with every passing day until nobody could take it any more. Wicke had done what she could to keep everyone alive. She'd done everything she could for Gladion, and she'd done just as much for the sister he'd left behind when he ran away to Ula'ula. Even if Gladion still couldn't look her in the eye...There was a sense of pity in him for her. Everything that'd happened...Nihilego had done it all. Remembering that only further filled him with rage towards the Beast.

He couldn't do a thing. He lay in bed, trembling, all too ready to beat a wall until his knuckles bled just to get that feeling of hatred out.

"...Gladion?" Wicke asked, keeping her tone gentle, "I'm terribly sorry...There's no changing this now. Until we uncover the truth behind this, I'm afraid he's going to remain that way. Though...I do have another piece of news...Happier news."

Happier news. That was all Gladion needed to hear. Sitting up, he returned his gaze to Wicke.

"What do you mean, 'happier news?'" Gladion inquired, "You...You can't be saying that…"

"I am. After the looks the medical staff has taken at you," Wicke continued, "It's seeming more and more likely that you'll be able to return to your work soon. They can't tell what it is yet, though...They've talked about the possibility of you being immune."

"I...Immune?" Gladion repeated, "...I...What? How…?"

"Nobody is sure yet, I'm afraid." Wicke's expression softened once again. "Personally, I've never been more relieved to hear anything. It's wonderful that you're safe."

"M-Miss...No. Auntie." It hardly sounded natural coming out of him - Far too casual for someone who had been raised to be high-class, sophisticated, polite in the way his mother had been. Far too soft for someone who had been broken and hardened from his flight from Aether two years ago.

Gladion hardly cared about such a thing, though - Wicke was family, plain and simple. "Thank you...Thank you for everything. I'm...I'm going to miss you once I'm in Hoenn...If I get to leave."

Wicke seemed a little choked up when she replied.

"Oh...Oh, Gladion...I...I don't know what to say," she admitted, "Thank you. It's an honor to hear you say this. Rest assured, Aether Paradise will be in good hands while you're gone. I'll continue to do what I can...For Aether, for Steven...For everyone. I should be taking my leave now, but...I'll be back tomorrow. Earlier than today."

Nodding, Gladion closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would be peaceful that night. After hearing everything Acerola had said, finally having a name to put to the figure who had been appearing, he'd been itching for the moment he'd be able to fight this "Trudi." Whoever they were, whatever they wanted, he'd be ready to learn the truth. He'd fight them with every shred of power left in him, and he'd make sure they didn't get away.

He'd see their face. He'd know their identity. He'd know everything. They'd never set foot near Aether again.

First, though...Recovery came first.

"Mmh...Good night, then," he mumbled, burying his face into his bedding as Wicke turned to walk away.

"...Good night, young master. Sleep well," Wicke whispered as she left the room, glancing back at Gladion as she did so.

He didn't notice the few tears escaping her eyes. Not when sleep beckoned him like it did.

The sound of Wicke's heels tapping against the ground faded, and Gladion faded into a dreamless sleep.

"Well? How is it working? The research team has been at it since he arrived, yet they've made incredible strides, wouldn't you agree?"

Calla found herself glancing back at Steven's room, remembering what he'd said to her even as Faba spoke.

"No, it's fine. You said it yourself, it's necessary."

She'd been right, she and Faba both had. They couldn't take any more risks after the night before. Steven had proven dangerous, not only to himself but to others. To people like Gladion. Regardless of her own opinions on the president, Calla was well aware that insubordination wouldn't be tolerated at the foundation. Even Faba had been demoted for straying away from the foundation's ethics.

Maybe she didn't enjoy working with a young teenager at the helm, but obedience was another necessity.

"Oh, hush, you," Calla remarked, "Weren't you incapacitated throughout this? You're not the one who should be taking credit, you know. They were the ones who found a temporary solution."

"Hah," Faba scoffed, "You underestimate how much my guidance did. If I may remind you who was responsible for Null's restraining device? Without my knowledge, they'd have had nothing, Calla."

The image was so fresh in her mind. Steven, laying in bed, light shackles around his wrists, his ankles, his neck. The same restraining device, minus its weight, covering less, keeping the Beast's method of escape sealed.

Wicke had seen it, too. Oh, she'd hated to make Wicke so upset. Even when Steven had agreed to her and Faba's suggestion, Calla still had doubts about such actions. The shackles had barely been tested, and they certainly hadn't been tested against something such as Nihilego. It'd hardly been a good idea to pin their hopes on such a device, but…

It was their only hope at that point.

"...Yes, that is fair," Calla replied, admitting defeat at such words, "I suppose it's just concern. Concern that this won't work. Or worse...That we'll have to do this a second time."

"We are constantly improving." Faba's usual smirk seemed to...Change. Was that a genuine smile, for a change? "If we have to do this a second time, we'll have improved from our first attempt. As long as the research team and I are working, we'll be creating something better. Innovating, as we should be."

Calla fell silent for a moment, trying to take everything in. At the very least, Faba was working, even if he no longer held much of the power he used to. He was getting something done, something that would prove to be more than helpful (Calla hoped, anyway) in the coming days.

"Well! If you're going to be like that, shouldn't you be back in the lab, innovating away?" Calla teased, "In all seriousness, though, we're going to have to part ways here - I have much more to get to, and I'm assuming you do as well."

"Ahaha...Indeed I do," Faba replied, "Good luck, then. I'll be reporting back soon. And…"

"Yes?"

"I'll be expecting great things from your end. Should you have the chance, I'd be glad to see you in the lab."

"Come on, Sun! The ferry to Akala's gonna leave soon!"

Sun found himself running faster than ever, his Rockruff following behind. Tsubaki had never stopped dragging her leg around - According to Hau'oli's nurse, she'd have that limp for the rest of her life - but she carried herself as if nothing had happened. It was part of why Sun had felt so attached to her. In the end, Tsubaki wasn't fazed by anything. She just wanted to continue being Tsubaki.

Sun skidded to a halt, nearly barreling into Hau when he did so.

"Hah...H...Hau! Sorry!" Sun gasped, "My mom...She's, uh, r-really worried about me. I think it's 'cause Moon's gone now and all that…"

"Yeah, I gotcha. I didn't think she'd be called all the way out to Unova, you know? That's gotta be an adventure right there!" Hau said, his enthusiasm shining through in his words, "You ready? The professor and Ilima are both in Heahea City already!"

"T-The trial captain?" Sun inquired, "Why would they leave, though? They're supposed to stay here, right?"

Hau shook his head, looking over towards the exit to the docks.

"This time's different. Ilima told me something's going on," Hau explained, "...I think they're right. Sun, there's something I've been trying to tell you this whole time."

The two began to walk towards the back of the ferry terminal, heading out towards the boat itself, sticking close to each other even in the sea of people around them.

"...Moon's not out training," Hau said, keeping his voice hushed, "So I'm gonna try to figure out what's going on myself."

Sun's eyes widened. Not out training! Moon had clearly been looking forward to leaving the region, but if Hau's guess was right...Something else was going on, and his sister was heading into unknown territory!

"You really think that?" Sun took a step back in shock, but Tsubaki pushed against his leg, as if to remind him to stay close to Hau as they boarded. "B-But...She...What do you think she could be doing?"

Hau shrugged.

"It's gotta be something dangerous, I think." As the two boarded the ferry, Hau found himself stepping aside to look over the edge, taking in the sea breeze. "I mean, she's the Champion! Why else would they be keeping this a secret?"

Dangerous...Yes, that sounded about right. Something dangerous, and clearly kept secret for a reason. Moon hadn't wanted him to worry, but…

Sun couldn't help but feel a little betrayed by that thought.

"I...She wanted to say she was sorry," Sun mumbled, "But I...I want to hear that from her. Hau...Thanks for that. I'm gonna be…"

"Yeah?" Hau asked, "It's no problem, really! We're in this one together, aren't we?"

"Yeah, we are!" Sun replied, looking out towards the golden evening sky around him, "And I'm gonna be the best trainer I can be...And someday, soon, I'm gonna beat my sis! You can count on that one!"

"Haha! That's right!" Hau laughed, "I'm gonna teach you everything I know, Sun, and we're gonna have the time of our lives once we're there! You're gonna become strong - I'm gonna make sure that happens! You and Tsubaki both!"

The nighttime's air was just like it'd always been over Route 17. The rain had come back in full force, though that hardly ever affected Nanu. Persian would still come back with any number of dead things - Rattata, Spearow, Ledyba...Whatever she could get her paws on. She'd never stop, and honestly...Nanu hadn't been able to pay that habit much mind. She brought dead things, he tossed them out to the grass for whatever wanted to eat them.

That night, however, things were different. Persian had dashed back to his side the moment he'd stepped out of the station, still recovering from the events of the night prior, scratches on her shoulder in an all-too-familiar shape. Three claws, thick and long, had stricken at her shoulder, and Nanu knew what this was, as well as who it brought with it.

"...Thought you'd never come back," Nanu said, hoping to draw out the trainer that had come for a visit, "You here for nostalgia's sake or something?"

"Heh...You're still here? Yeah, I'm back, awright." A voice echoed from nearby, and the familiar silhouette of a dead team's leader became visible. "Ain't like I got anything better to do when ol' Hala's off somewhere. How'd ya get outta that meeting, anyway?"

"That's confidential," Nanu replied as Guzma stepped over to face him, a massive Golisopod standing tall behind them, "...You need a place for the night?"

It was Team Skull, after all. Nanu had dealt with them time after time, and he'd learned so much about them. Far more than the average person had, at least. In the end, Skull was a bunch of misfits, gathered in one place and trying desperately to fit into a world that seemed to reject them at every turn.

And who stood at the top but the ruler of misfits themself. Nanu had seen Guzma several times - How they presented themself varied, but they'd always been the same Guzma. The same broken, beaten down person who'd never known anything but a fight.

They were just like the boy in that regard.

"...Yeah, awright. I'll take that offer," Guzma replied, noticing that Persian stood on her toes with her hackles raised, "If ya keep her away from Golisopod. She thought she'd get the jump on him, but he sure as shit ain't so stupid that he'd let that happen."

Nanu glared down at the feline Pokémon, who slunk away into the open police station, shaking the water from her long coat of fur.

"So, you find anything back in Hoenn?" Nanu asked as he and Guzma stepped into the station, Golisopod following behind and curling up near one of the sofas.

"...You're not gonna believe what I found out there, officer," Guzma replied, quieter than usual, as they lay on the sofa next to Golisopod, "Ya better believe I'm not gonna let Skull die. 'Specially not when we got someone else interested in the revival."

"...I take it you heard," Nanu sighed, "About Steven Stone. Why revive Skull, though?"

"Heh...I've got my reasons for it," Guzma chuckled, "Ain't nostalgia enough of one? I miss the team, and somethin's clearly brewing in Alola. Might as well rise back up before shit hits the fan."

"...Hm."

With that single hum, Nanu locked the station up, shutting the lights off and headed to his own sofa, looking over to Guzma one final time before closing his eyes.

"...Sleep, then," he muttered, "You'll need it with what's going on."

Above the soft earth of the Abundant Shrine stood Anabel, looking up at a vivid, clear night sky. She hadn't intended to travel so far so soon, not when she and Looker had to head to Castelia to meet up with Moon, but her Latios was fast enough and strong enough to carry them both to the city the next day. At that point, stopping was something she could afford, especially after having talked with Alder at the League.

The region, so heavily modernized but still containing so much nature...It was incredible. Even if she'd visited the shrine before, it still never ceased to amaze her. There were so many sights in the world - Sinnoh's lakes, Alola's meadows, Unova's many natural wonders…

Anabel had truly come to appreciate them as part of Interpol. It was what she was protecting, what she'd continue to protect. Both people and Pokémon…

She'd keep the world as beautiful as it was. She and Looker both would.

Especially after what'd happened in Meteor Falls.

She hadn't wanted to face Wallace's family - Their sister, their niece, their mentor (The look in Juan's eyes was still burned into her mind, moreso than anyone else's - It was as if he'd just lost a child) - and tell them that one of them had been killed in such an incident.

If Wallace was truly looking down at her...Did they blame her? Did they even blame Steven, their closest friend, for such a thing? Had they forgiven those who had wronged them after such an incident?

They'd seemed like the type to. It did nothing to ease Anabel's mind, though.

The stars...They'd told Anabel so much. She'd had so much time to think during her time off. Time to head off to the Battle Tree. To stand at its top and remember that familiar feeling as she battled with the region's strongest trainers. She had remembered something, but then...That single look to the stars had told her everything.

Looking behind, Anabel noticed that someone was approaching her.

"Ah...Looker. Good evening," Anabel said, "Forgive me for not heading back sooner. I've been...Thinking."

"Chief…" Looker replied, "I have come for much the same reason."

"...Wallace?" Anabel inquired nervously, "I...I know. We should have...We shouldn't have let them go on alone."

"...Yes," Looker sighed, "It is...I still blame myself, Chief. I should have been there with them, fighting to our last breaths. Perhaps that would have been enough to save them."

Anabel shook her head, looking back to the stars. Looker was quick to point his gaze up as well, no doubt having the same thoughts Anabel was having.

"...The stars...Do you believe there may be some secret in them?" Anabel asked, "Do you believe that there may be other words out there, different from ours? Worlds where small details are changed, making an impact greater than anyone could have imagined?"

"...Chief…" Looker looked to Anabel, a slightly confused expression crossing his face. "Why do you bring this up now?"

"...To those worlds," Anabel continued, "It's all they've ever known. They've never known a world like ours, just as we've never known one like theirs. And perhaps, in another world, someone is going through much the same journey Moon did, a journey different from hers but no less long and hard...And perhaps, in another world, someone went missing ten years ago. Perhaps they think that this person died when it happened."

Anabel paused, looking back to her partner.

"Looker...I believe I now know where I came from."