Nina gasped and fell against the ground, turning her body at the final moment to avoid landing on her precious Brionne. But instead of pain and agony, the impact was met with a soft pool of shadow, threatening to engulf her whole but lacking the potency to do so — Azzy’s current abilities were simply too weak to pull it off.

  The girl shut her eyes tight, ready for the inevitable. The panicked cries of her beloved Pokemon sounding out all around her. Only to be followed by silence and confused murmurs in return.

  “W-Wha…? I’m not dead yet?”

  With much reluctance, Nina opened her eyes to peek around her and found that, much to her astonishment, they were no longer amidst a starry void. But rather, on top of a rocky cliff face and under the soft glow of a beautifully setting sun in the distance.

  “Espy, Nitey, what’s going on? Where’s Celebi? Where’s Rayquaza?”

  Looking around, Nina could see the familiar waterfalls of Route 47. The refreshing mist caressing her cheeks with a chilling touch — most welcomed, after such a harrowing experience.

  “Briii… Brionne.” Brinny gave Nina an affectionate nuzzle, eyes filled with love. The familiar sensation of the Brionne’s squishy round nose finally pulling the girl back to reality.

  “We’re… We’re back… Celebi must have sent us back to the future to dodge that attack. B-but… where is she? Celebi! CELEBIIII!!!”

  All the Pokemon cried out in tandem and scattered in search of their companion.

  Ultimately, it was Espy who found her by tracing the Myth’s unique Aura. The little green pixie was limply propped against the back of a nearby boulder, chest heaving feebly in exertion.

  “Celebi!” Nina rushed to her friend’s aid, scooping Celebi up and began to apply a Full Restore post-haste — one of the six that she kept in her backpack for emergencies.

  “Biii…”

  “Are you okay Celebi? Thanks for saving us… Do you need me to bring you over to the Lake of Life?” Nina recalled from the movie that the magical lake was capable of healing an injured Celebi.

  “Bi, celebi…”

  But the Celebi in Nina’s arms shook her head in response. Apparently, her condition wasn’t so dire as to require such a measure just yet.

  “Are you just tired after using up too much of your power?”

  “Biii.” This time, a shaky nod in return.

  “Heh. Thanks for saving us, even if it was kind of you who got us into trouble to begin with. And well…” Nina frowned and looked towards the rocky terrain surrounding them with a guilty expression — fragments of ruins from what used to be the Embedded Tower. Some faint lines could still be seen on their surface, traces of a bygone monument.

  The girl sighed. “I have to ask… Was this always meant to happen? Was the tower going to fall no matter what? Or was it because we meddled with time?”

  Celebi shrugged and bobbed her head back and forth as if to say; “Ehh… sort of?”

  A series of faint images flashed through Nina’s mind, of the Embedded Tower’s fall across multiple timelines. But also ones where the tower remained standing, only to be used as a cage by opportunistic humans wearing Devon Corp logos to imprison the Legendaries of Hoenn.

  “Greenie is a lazy noodle. He gets super grumpy when people interrupt his nap.”

  Nina chuckled and broke out into hearty laughter. To think that her favourite Legendary and an entity revered by so many people across the world was such a deadbeat.

  “Haaa… that was quite the experience. A shame we didn’t find a Mega Stone. But the sights we saw were enough to last a lifetime. Good enough, I suppose.”

  “Hehehe…” Celebi hovered weakly in front of Nina with a haughty grin. Then, with a flash, produced a gleaming white and orange helix encased within an azure blue marble.

  “This is…” Nina gasped, mouth agape in shock.

  “Hehehe… Praise me, praise me!”

  “Celebi, you… You little rascal… You’re the best!” Nina held the pixie tight and nuzzled passionately against her leafy exterior, until Celebi began to cry out in protest.

  “Hehe… Celebi is the bestest and most adorabliest!”

  “Yes you are. But how did you get this? Did you steal it from Rayquaza?”

  “Hehehe… restitution.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  “Where did you even learn that word from?” Nina laughed. But the Celebi did not seem to be willing to elaborate any further, so she just dismissed it with a shrug. “And… You’re sure this is a Dragoninite?”

  The girl looked towards Nitey who was playing with the colourful Mega Stone with a sparkle in his eyes. All the while, a jealous Espy was giving him a death glare by the side.

  “Bi. Bibibi.” Celebi nodded in affirmation.

  “Huh. Interesting…” Mega Dragonite was not a thing in all the games that Nina played in the past. But then again, neither was Mega Crobat. But Koga somehow managed it, according to Lilian.

  “Another reminder that this world isn’t a game I suppose…” And a mental note to keep her guard up and maintain an open mind to avoid being taken off guard in the future.

  “Grrrr…”

  Nina’s reverie was soon interrupted by a low grumble. Its source? The blushing green brussel sprout in front of her who was rubbing at her tummy with a reserved pout.

  “Heh. Are you hungry, Celebi? Makes sense, you used up a lot of energy after all. Here, have a Berry while I cook us some dinner. You’ve been a good girl today, so you deserve all the Pecha Berries in the world!”

  “Bi! Bibibibi!!!” As if her previous exhaustion was a ruse, Celebi twirled in a storm of glitter to celebrate, eliciting a helpless smile from Nina.

  “She’s posturing…” Nina could feel how feeble Celebi’s current state was. To the point where the Myth’s usually immaculately contained Aura was starting to leak out. “I can practically smell the forest on her and… something else, like pickled vegetables.” Celebi’s reserves were clearly running empty. The Full Restore probably helped a little but it was not enough. The girl made a mental note to apply some Ether on her friend after dinner.

  “Don’t fill up on too many snacks, okay? Otherwise you won’t have room for dinner.”

  And with that, Nina got up and began preparing her cooking supplies. In truth, she probably could have just flown into Cianwood City for food. But her mind was still in disarray at the moment and she didn’t feel like engaging with other people for fear that she might accidentally let any of her secrets slip.

  ***

  “Are you okay, Nina? You look exhausted.”

  “I’m fine.” Nina croaked, still burdened by the previous day’s events and a night of restless camping.

  Kerry had called her first thing in the morning to check up on the girl. Concerned that something might have happened to her best friend after going dark for so long.

  “I’m thinking I might need an extra day before I head back to Mahogany Town. Are you going to be fine by yourself until then?”

  The nurse girl replied with a radiant, reassuring smile. “No worries. There’s still work to be done, the locals are friendly and there’s Justin as well.” Kerry sighed. “He messed up a lot in the beginning, but he’s getting the hang of things now. Did you find what you were looking for?”

  Nina responded with a knowing smirk. She had told her friend in confidence what her objective was, so Kerry was aware. “Yup. That’s why I want to stay for another day. There’s barely anyone around the border so it’s the perfect place to test out Nitey’s new toy.”

  “Hehe. I can’t wait to see it when you get back. I looked up my family’s archives on the effect that power has on its wielders. Make sure that you and Nitey stay hydrated and eat something after every attempt okay? There should be some nutrient powder in your backpack, just shake it up and mix it with water — quick and easy. And remember, don’t push yourselves too much and make sure Espy is on standby at all times. I’d rather you come back and do it under my supervision but I also understand that you don’t want to risk losing control and causing harm. Remember Nina, safety first.”

  “Yes moooom~” Nina drawled, eliciting a playful pout from her friend.

  “Anyways, I’ll make sure to stay safe and take things slow.” Nina continued. “You take care as well, okay? I know how passionate you get when it comes to healing and helping others. But no point exhausting yourself by the end of it. The world still needs its saintess.”

  “Har-har, very funny. I’ll see you tomorrow, Nins. Bye~” The screen went blank at Kerry’s farewell, leaving behind the reflection of a dishevelled Nina on the screen.

  “Alright Nitey, you heard Kerry. Let’s get something to eat and get Mega Evolving!”

  ***

  EVERY SINGLE ONE of Nina’s Pokemon was on standby. Except for Brinny, who was sitting behind Espy with an anxious look on his adorable face. But even Zed was hanging around just in case Espy needed a Psychic boost.

  Mega Evolution was no joke. It involved the deep communion of mind and soul between human and Pokemon — a very tenuous process.

  One little misstep would result in the Pokemon going berserk or in the worst case scenario, the death of the trainer, as was the case with Aster in the manga. So understandably, both Nitey and Nina were feeling extremely nervous.

  For the process to succeed, the girl and her Dragonite needed to be fully in sync. Meditation worked best, according to advice from Lily. But for Nina and Nitey, there had always been one activity that they shared all throughout their life together. The first activity that they ever bonded over and the only thing that had ever put their minds completely at ease — a reminder of their childhood, of simpler days.

  “It’s been a long time since just the two of us went diving together huh, Nitey?” Nina remarked, groaning as she did her stretches atop Nitey’s tubby belly.

  “Nite! Dragonite!” Nitey cried, excited to go diving with his partner once again.

  It was a risk that Nina was taking. Diving amidst unfamiliar waters in and of itself was a risky venture, even more so when they were trying to achieve the strenuous feat of Mega Evolution at the same time.

  But Nina had a good feeling about this. She was convinced that this would give them the highest chance of success for that first try. And her partner agreed.

  Sir Clodington would be stalking the duo from a distance, Azzy within his shadow. Brucey would hover above the skies while Espy had completely disconnected from Nina’s mind, an anxiety-inducing compromise from her end, and passively kept watch from the little beach island they found.

  Celebi, though, was still recovering in camp. For all the bravado of the precocious onion, the Mythical Pokemon had been too exhausted to even wake up for breakfast.

  For better or worse, Nina shared deep bonds with most of her Pokemon. So having them too close would muddle the connection she shared with Nitey. It might not be much of a factor once they became more adept. But for now, best to take precautions.

  With a deep breath and a quick test of her rebreather, Nina shared another look with her soul mate.

  The collar surrounding Nitey’s neck had been modified by Espy. Originally housing the Mystic Water pendant, it now had his brand new Mega Stone as the centerpiece. Meanwhile, Nina had taken apart the improvised cage containing her Mew Gem and replaced it with her Key Stone instead.

  “It’s not like I have to worry about losing this stupid McGuffin anyway.” The gem itself had been entrusted to Espy’s care in the meanwhile.

  “Niiite.”

  “Hehe. Ready when you are, buddy.”

  “Nite! Drago-nite!”

  Without needing a countdown, the pair of trainer and mon dove into the water in tandem. The familiar smell of brine suffused their noses upon impact.

  The seas surrounding Route 47 were absolutely pristine, so clear that the sun shone all the way to its depths, illuminating the colorful field of corals within.

  Fish and Water Pokemon scattered upon their arrival, Shellders and Cloisters clamped shut. Even the oblivious Magikarps knew better than to stay near the scary Dragonite intruding upon their domain. The only exception was a curious Buizel who fearlessly swirled around Nina, earning the orange sea otter giggles and Berries from the girl.

  “Bui~ bui!” The Buizel gestured, offering to be their tour guide around the area.

  Nina swam, holding onto Nitey’s wings as he pulled her along, the currents capitulating in their wake as they pursued their new Buizel friend. The trio danced, going from reef to reef, colorful, gem-like corals illuminating their way.

  Until eventually, it was just Nitey and Nina alone in the vast blue expanse, their companions’ presence so distant as to barely be a whisper in the waves.

  They danced, twirling and swirling, entrusting their entire beings to the ocean’s embrace as a melody hummed, resonating deep within their minds — a Dragon song from Nitey. The same song that his mother sang to them all those years ago.

  “It feels like a lifetime now huh, Nitey?”

  “Niite…”

  Their communion was wordless, and yet they each knew perfectly what the other intended. Soulmates — they were partners for life. Emotions swirled, once again affirming their commitment to one another. Two halves made whole.

  And before she knew it, Nina was floating in place, eyes gazing deep into Nitey’s hazel light. Then, with a customary boop to the nose, the pair was enveloped in a swirling helix of incandescent rainbow light.