Pokemon - Tale Of The Guardian Master - CH 100 by ModestImmorality < Submission

Keywords male 1180688, female 1070723, pokemon 188655, rabbit 137177, bunny 111038, human 107176, girl 91952, boy 79515, males 42858, woman 28939, females 24732, man 18730, snake 17800, humanoid 15263, story 13758, boys 11178, girls 9579, ghost 9226, sea 6228, ocean 6140, lopunny 4708, series 4606, men 3859, gardevoir 3479, spirit 3188, women 2741, snivy 2732, undead 2362, serpent 2314, ship 2027, kirlia 1281, serperior 1185, buneary 1172, soul 898, ralts 532, chapter 504, servine 445, tale of the guardian master 304, totgm 258, cruise 162, cofagrigus 156, yamask 50

Chapter 100 - Chris! The Guardian Master!

Taking a moment to rest, Chris lay with Rose curled up by his side, clinging to him with a satisfied smile on her face, an occasional sigh escaping her lips while he looked around the room. "It feels so weird, the stillness and silence... After everything that's happened, it kind of makes me feel uneasy for some reason." he point out, Rose raising her head and tilting it curiously. "I-It's nothing. I'm just kinda on edge still is all. Silence just scares me a little at the moment." he explained, rubbing Rose on the head before pulling her close for a hug, kissing her on the forehead making the rabbit blush slightly. "I know there's nothing to worry about, but at the same time I can't help it, ya know? Especially after everything I've seen..." he went on before looking around again. "When it's all dark and quiet like this, it makes me wonder if everyone's really alive or not. If it's all just a dream... I feel like I'm stuck in the twilight realm. Is everything, everyone, really okay?" he asked, letting his mind wander while tightening his grip on her. "Have I... done everything I need to do? Have I done everything I can? Is there anybody who still needs help? What if staff are too busy? I wanna rest, but I feel like if I do, someone might wind up bad off because I wasn't on top of everything... Should I walk around the ship one more time to be sure? And... What if I go to sleep, and wake up to find everything, everyone, gone?" he asked with a worried look on his face. Hearing this, Rose shook her head with an "oh boy..." type of noise before suddenly giving Chris a pinch on the side, causing his eyes to widen before he shout and nearly fell off the side of the bed. "H-Hey!! That hurt!!" he shout, rubbing his side. "G-Gah. Crap man..." he muttered, reaching for the lamp next to the bed and turning it on before checking his side, a red mark now glowing. "See what you did? What's the deal?" he asked, giving Rose an irritated look only for the rabbit to smile in response.

Climbing out of the bed, she fixed her dress before walking to the bathroom door and opening it, turning on the light revealing both Serenity and Alicia still out cold. Looking back at Chris, she motioned for him to come over, causing him to raise an eyebrow out of confusion before letting out a sigh and nodding, standing and putting his pants back on before doing as instructed. Standing at the door together, Rose took his hand before leading him up to the girls, motioning for him to help untangle the two. "N-Now you're worried about them?" he asked with a nervous smile, Rose scowling at him in agitation. "O-Okay, okay." he coaxed, motioning with his hands for her to relax before working with the rabbit to separate the two. Once they were apart, Chris rest Serenity's back against the wall while Rose lay Alicia's head down on the floor. "That's done. They must've really been going crazy." he muttered before Rose took his hand again, causing Chris to jolt. "Uhh, what now?" he asked before Rose pulled him to the sink, filling two cups that had been set on the counter before handing one to him. "W-Water? After what happened it's kinda the last thing I want." he laughed nervously, only for Rose to scowl and pull him back in front of the girls. "I-I don't get...!!" he said, cut off when he saw Rose readying herself to toss the water on Alicia. "A-Are you crazy?!!" he panicked in a loud yet hushed voice, snatching it from her causing Rose to whine, trying to jump up and grab the glass back as he held it over her. "N-No way!! That's not cool! I know we gotta wake em up, but doing it that way is just wro...!!" he lectured, only to find himself cut off yet again when Rose managed to yank down his arm, sending the water within splashing down all over Alicia's face.

In response to the abrupt cold, the snake finally came to, her eyes shooting open before letting out a scream and shooting up, sending her tail swiping in front of herself in defense, Chris and Rose quickly dodging causing her tail to snap clear across Serenity's face, in turn waking her as well albeit in a much more painful manner. The two screaming and flailing about, they paused after a moment, Serenity frozen with her arms up while Alicia held her tail in the air, both in a defensive state before slowly opening their eyes, letting out a simultaneous "eh?" and looking at each other. Both blinking in silence, Serenity looked at Alicia's tail in the air before touching her stinging face. "D-Did you...?" Serenity asked, Alicia looking at the mark on her face as it turned redder before letting out a "tsss..." sound and looking away with an "oops" expression. Standing up, Serenity was the first to notice Chris and Rose standing before them, jolting in surprise before raising her other hand. "H-Hi. When you get back?" she asked, Alicia letting out a "huh?" before facing the two and jolting herself, clearing her throat and facing away embarrassed. "H-Hello." she added. About to respond, Chris was cut off when Serenity let out a sudden scream, seeing the mark across her face in the nearby mirror. "Y-You did!! You slap me!!" she shout, turning towards Alicia with a furious look. "I-It wasn't intentional!! It was a reaction!! You splashed frigid water all over me!!" the snake snapped back, several drops falling from her face. "I not do anything!! You hit for no reason!!" Serenity argued, the two gritting their teeth and growling at one another. Looking at Rose, Chris scowled and muttered "told you it was a bad idea" before letting out a sigh and stepping between the two bickering Pokemon, Rose smiling nervously with a quiet "sorry" in response.

"Alright, alright! Settle down! It wasn't Serenity who did that, it was me." Chris point out, Alicia blinking at him before scowling. "How dare you? That's incredibly rude!" she lectured. "I-It was an accident!! Do you really think I'd do something like that to you intentionally?!" Chris replied, the snake looking at him silently for a moment before facing away. "Very well..." she nodded, slithering to a nearby towel and wiping her face off while he turned to Serenity. "I'm sorry, you getting slapped by her was my fault. Don't hold it against Alicia." he affirmed, the Pokemon rubbing her cheek again with a pouty scowl. "That not nice at all. You make me get hurt..." she replied, facing away with a "hrmph" causing Chris to sulk. "S-Sorry. It really was an accident." he assured before taking her hand and leading her to the sink, grabbing a cloth and soaking it in cool water before softly tending to her stinging face. Looking at the two, Alicia slithered up and looked Serenity's face over. "...I do apologize." she affirmed, Serenity glancing at her before giving an "alright" response and letting Chris continue tending to her face. "Doesn't seem like it'll swell up any. This helping it feel any better?" he asked, Serenity continuing to scowl yet nodding. "It feel okay." she replied. "You two really went at it huh? When we got back the room was a mess. What's the deal with the balcony and the dent in the railing?" he asked, both Pokemon jolting and looking away nervously. "W-We get little out of hand. Sorry." Serenity apologized. "Things got a tad too heated when you left." Alicia added. "I can tell it got out of hand, that doesn't really answer my question very well. I'm asking what happened exactly?" he asked, the two looking at each other before sighing simultaneously.

"First we fight with pillows. Then we kind of start wrestling." Serenity began. "I-It was rather uncivilized of us. During our dispute I incidentally knocked her out onto the balcony, hence the railing." Alicia point out. "When that happen, I want to get payback so I start using thing snake hate most. I start throwing ice at her and kind of make mess of floor. Then chase her into bathroom and we slip. Not know anything that happen after that." Serenity added. "N-Neither do I truth be told. I suppose we knocked each other out simultaneously. Sorry for making such a mess." Alicia apologized, Serenity doing the same. Looking at the two, Chris let out a sigh and shook his head. "You know I thought you went overboard? You could've been in the ocean somewhere for all I knew! I was about to have whoever I could go on a search for you girls!" he lectured, both sulking and apologizing once more. "Honestly, after everything do you have any idea how it would've felt for me to lose the two of you like that? One wrong move and you two really could've been stuck in the ocean without anybody even knowing! You could've froze..." Chris went on, suddenly pausing and looking down with a somber look on his face as memories of the Arceanic came to mind. Looking at him, Serenity gave Chris a hug while Alicia rubbed her cheek against his. Watching the three, Rose crossed her arms with a smile and a nod. "That's better." she said quietly. "Eh? What's that?" Chris asked, looking at the rabbit causing her to jolt before waving her hand. "N-Nothing! I was just saying this is better! You were scared none of this was real, right? Doesn't this prove it's not a dream?" she asked, Chris blinking at her in response while the girls did the same.

"What she talking about?" Serenity asked. "I-It's nothing." Chris assured with a nervous smile. "Oh come on. Don't be that way." Rose lectured while walking up. "He was worried none of this was real and that we actually died or something. Going on about stuff like worrying if everyone on the ship was okay, if he should go check on the humans and stuff. Getting all mopey again. So to prove it's all real I gave him a pinch and brought him in here to be with you two!" the rabbit explained before climbing up on the counter and taking Chris's hand. "We're all here and everything's a-okay, see?" she asked before pulling his hand against her chest where her heart was beating, causing Chris to blush slightly. Seeing this Serenity scowled before snatching his hand away. "I here too! I okay!" she grinned before pulling his hand against her chest as well. "I-I get it!! I get it!!" Chris panicked, growing all the more flustered causing Alicia to scowl and flicker her tongue in irritation before snatching his hand with her vine. "I too am here. No need to fret." she assured, pulling his hand against her chest where her heart beat also. Flushing all the more, Chris gulped nervously while Alicia smirked with her nose up before looking down at him, his expression causing her to blush slightly herself before quickly releasing him and backing away, clearing her throat embarrassed. "P-Pardon, that was inappropriate." she apologized. "N-No worries. I get the picture. You're all here." he laughed nervously. Taking a moment to look at Chris from behind, Serenity reached out and tapped him on the shoulder. "Eh...?" he replied, turning to face the curious Pokemon as she tilt her head. "Why you only have pants on?" she asked, causing both himself and Rose to jolt and flush simultaneously. "N-No reason! Just got back and thought I'd take a few things off and relax!" he explained with a nervous laugh.

Looking at their reactions, Alicia raised an eyebrow before slithering up to the two, looking them over before flicking her tongue against them both. "A likely story." she replied, Serenity blinking at the snake. "What doing?" she asked as Alicia continued flicking her tongue against the two, both freezing up and sweating slightly. After a moment, she backed away and scowled at Chris, inching her face close to his. "You did it, didn't you?" she asked, Chris gulping in response before glancing away innocently, only for the snakes glare to force him into sulking with a guilty groan. "Uh huh. You did. I knew I smelled something familiar. The taste sealed the deal." she point out, Serenity tilting her head and saying "taste?" before walking up to Chris and sniffing him herself, holding his arm and giving it a lick sending electricity up his spine. "D-D-Don't do that!!" he panicked in a flustered state, yanking his arm away and rubbing her drool off with a flush. "I not taste anything. What you talking about?" Serenity asked, looking at Alicia curiously. "When you're a Pokemon such as I your sense of smell and taste are far superior in comparison to others. The pheromones coming from these two is rather powerful. What they've been up to is obvious." the snake explained before looking towards the bathroom exit, slithering out leaving the group behind. Sweating all the more, Chris and Rose faced one another with an "oh boy" look on their faces, Serenity looking at the two and beginning to scowl herself. "You really do something while we in here knocked out?" she asked, leaning her face towards Chris causing him to inch back. "W-We uh, you know..." he replied with his hands up, glancing away warily only to freeze when Alicia popped her head back into the bathroom with a scowl.

"You actually did it. I knew it." she revealed while slithering into the bathroom, both she and Serenity now glaring at the two up close like a dark and ominous cloud before them. "The smell and taste of the act looms heavily in that room, especially on the bed. And considering neither of us did such a thing in this room, that means our suspicion is true. You did such an act while leaving the two of us lying on the floor... Didn't you?" she asked, her tongue flickering out in agitation while Serenity popped her knuckles. "I-I uh, that's to say, we uh..." Chris stuttered, Rose poking her fingers nervously before biting her lip and shutting her eyes tightly. "D-Don't blame him!!" she suddenly shout, causing Serenity and Alicia to jolt in surprise before facing her. "And why shouldn't we?" Alicia asked, slithering up to the rabbit with a suspicious look. "B-Because..." Rose stuttered, glancing away and seemingly shrinking as Serenity walked up and leaned her face in closely. "Because what? What have to say?" she asked, giving Rose the same look as Alicia causing the rabbit to tremble and gulp. "I-I made him?" she answered, the two scowling at her. "I not believe. You not like that. You not do such thing." Serenity point out. "Quite, you're far too timid and concerned with others to act in such a manner." Alicia added, the two about to face Chris once more. "I-It's the truth!! I-I made him!!" she shout again, both pausing before facing her once more. "I-I wanted to do what you did too. When we found you in here, he wanted to wake you up and all, but I didn't let him... I wanted him to do stuff with me instead." she confessed, poking her fingers nervously. "If we woke you up, we'd of had to go somewhere else, and he might not have wanted to go through that kinda trouble. So I figured I'd save him the time and energy by doing that kinda thing here instead." she went on. "I-I kinda closed the bathroom door so we wouldn't wake you two up while we did stuff. He kept worrying about you, b-but I wanted him to focus on me. I thought it'd make it easier on him. W-We did wake you up right after though." she finished before giving an apology, her ears sulking while facing down.

Optional track to LWR - A Sudden Collapse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kR3IplPXD0

"That low, leaving us on floor while you in bed all cozy and doing it." Serenity replied. "Quite so, not even I would do such a thing, even to Serenity whom I needn't say isn't exactly my favorite person. To mate with a man while knowingly leaving others in such a predicament, let alone right next to you in another room. You've surprised me, and not in a very admirable way this time." Alicia lectured, Rose giving another guilty apology. Watching the three, Chris was about to reach out and intervene when a sudden dizziness came over him, causing him to pause and shake his head for a moment. "Wh-What the...?" he muttered, blinking his eyes and shaking his head again before heading towards the group, only to feel as though the floor was swaying beneath him causing Chris to pause once more, losing his balance and stumbling to the side. "That not like you at all Rose, you should know better than to treat us like that." Serenity lectured. "Quite right! We do our best to keep you out of our quarreling, but acting in such a manner only serves to put you right in the center!" Alicia added. "G-Girls...?" Chris said in a dazed tone, clinging to the door frame behind them. "You know you not need to do that behind back! I not like it I admit, but I not mind so much when you want to be that way. You know not have to do in secret! But doing in secret what make me mad!" Serenity told Rose, waving her finger at the rabbit. "And might I ask why you give her such special treatment? We commit such an act and you lose your mind! I was merely indulging in the same thing as the two of you, yet I'm criminalized for it!" Alicia point out, poking Serenity with the tip of her tail.

"There a difference! She not bug me like you do!" Serenity replied, pushing the snakes tail away. Gritting their teeth at one another, they were about to get into it again while Chris called out in a groggy tone repeatedly, until the girls suddenly heard a thud of sorts causing them to pause. "You hear that?" Serenity asked. "Indeed I did..." Alicia replied. "I-It came from..." Rose added, all three looking towards the door and finding Chris sprawled out on the floor, having collapsed and now laying in an unconscious state. Freezing up, all three went wide eyed before rushing to his side. "Chris!! What wrong?!" Serenity panicked, pulling him into her arms. "Hey!! Wake up you oaf!!" Alicia shout, patting his cheeks with her vines. "Do you think he's sick?! I-I did take him outside with me on our date..." Rose added. "You took him out into the frigid night air?!" Alicia snapped, Rose jumping back. "I-I'm sorry!! I thought it'd be a nice break for him!!" she panicked. "You break him alright!! He sick now!!" Serenity lectured, feeling his cheeks and forehead over. "Wake up!! Wake up!!" she panicked, giving him a shake. Inching back from the three, Rose apologized quietly as the two tried bringing Chris out of his weary state, only to get no response despite their efforts as Alicia grabbed a nearby cloth and wiped cool water on his face. Looking down for a moment, Rose suddenly jolt before looking towards the other room. Nodding, she quickly ran out, Serenity and Alicia watching her as she rummaged through his coat, quickly taking out his Pokedex and shaking it rapidly until it flicked open with a flash. "What good that do?!" Serenity snapped as she brought it into the bathroom. "That device is useless to us! Only humans can use those contraptions!" Alicia reminded, only for Rose to ignore them as she rapidly tapped and flicked different things on various screens.

While the two continued panicking, doing their best to bring Chris back to reality, Rose finally managed to bring up an icon showing Captain Rostron, the rabbit letting out an "ah!!" before pushing the device in Serenity and Alicia's faces. "This!! We can call for help!!" Rose point out. "What good will calling for aid to?! Humans can't understand us through those things, telepathy doesn't work that way!" Alicia reminded, Rose backing away and looking down at the device before letting out a determined grunt and nodding. Tapping the icon, the Pokedex started ringing as a hologram appeared, showing only static before the Captain suddenly flashed onto the screen. "Ah, you again lad? It's getting a tad late you..." he said, pausing and blinking at Rose in surprise. "A-Ah, hello there. Is this an accidental dial?" he asked, Rose rapidly shaking her head before replying in a panicked manner, her voice coming out as her raspy Pokemon tongue on Rostron's end. "E-Easy there. I can't understand you ma'am!" Rostron smiled nervously. Continuing to panic on her end, the Captain showed a bewildered look before Captain Smith appeared on screen, grunting in his Pokemon tongue. "Ah, yes! Mr. Smith, you understand her, correct? Mind lending a hand? She seems rather terrified at the moment." Rostron point out. Nodding, Smith asked the rabbit what was going on. Quickly doing her best to explain, Smith jolt wide eyed before letting out a sigh. "Pardon? What happened?" Rostron asked. Looking at Chris, Rose point the device at him, showing the two his predicament causing Rostron to shoot up with his cane. "I'll have medics in your room right away!!" he said before hopping off screen, Smith agreeing to help as well before the hologram vanished, Rose suggesting they take Chris to the bed.

"Why you call humans?! We not need humans!!" Serenity snapped. "I-I'd say this is a special circumstance." Alicia point out. "What they do we can't?! We take care of just fine!!" Serenity argued, clinging to him tightly. "I-Isn't it kinda our fault this happened?" Rose asked, the two jolting and looking at her. "OUR fault?! YOU take him out in cold!! It nobody fault but you!!" Serenity snapped while gritting her teeth causing Rose to jolt back as if shot. "I give you special trust!! I treat you nice and you make him sick!!" she added, the rabbit trying to think of a response, her mouth opening yet no words coming out. "Alright, that's enough." Alicia chimed in, putting the tip of her tail on Serenity's shoulder. "I highly doubt some time outside did this. She may have a point." the snake nodded. "How she have point?! What we do?!" Serenity asked before patting Chris on the cheek, calling his name and shaking him once more. Looking down at Chris, Alicia brushed his bangs aside with her vines. "That's just it." she replied. "What you talking about now?" Serenity asked while standing and struggling to lift him over her shoulders before carrying him into the other room. Looking down at Rose as she sulked with the Pokedex still in her hands, Alicia sighed and shook her head before patting the rabbit on the head with the tip of her tail. "Worry not, the blame's not solely on you." she nodded before slithering into the other room as well, Rose watching her before following behind. While Serenity put him in bed, Alicia and Rose circled the bed alongside her, watching as he lay silent and still. "About what I was talking about, I was referring to your statement about what we've done. Ever since arriving back on the surface, our tasks came to an end and we've had ample time to rest, however, he hasn't stopped until reaching this point. Because of that he's wound up in this state, and we all share the blame for it." Alicia clarified, Serenity looking at her before returning her focus to Chris.

"After everything that's occurred, he's also taken on tending to everyone on board this ship. And not only that, he's taken on its restoration, like leading the effort to restore power on top of who knows what else, combined with pushing himself through time with each of us tonight." Alicia point out before glancing away. "We should've heeded that mans warning, but I allowed him to continue pushing himself nonetheless." she confessed. "What you mean? Who's warning? What say?" Serenity asked. Looking at her, Alicia faced down for a moment before looking at Chris. "We ran into that Captain Smith fellow during our date, and he mentioned something about Chris's soul looking a tad... Off, or something like that. He cautioned about something like this happening yet Chris wanted to keep pushing himself nonetheless, wouldn't stop going on about feeling fine and such. So that's why I decided to let things be." Alicia explained before looking at Rose. "I suppose, that being the case, if anyone should shoulder the blame above the others it's myself, as the warning came during the time he was with me." the snake point out, Rose facing her in surprise. Hearing this, Serenity looked at the two before facing down, her eyes glancing away from them. "I guess you right. We all do bad." she admit before looking at Chris. "We not make sure he getting rest he need. Then we all put us before him, not pay attention enough to how he feel. Then when we told he look bad, we keep letting him do things for us. We all mess up." she admit before looking at Chris. "We mess up again..." she added, Alicia and Rose looking at her before facing down as well and nodding simultaneously.

After a moment, they suddenly heard countless people knocking at the door, shouting for it to be unlocked causing all three to jump in surprise before Rose rushed over and quickly opened it, medics and nurses hurrying in followed by Smith and several Yamask by his side. Seeing them all, Serenity got in their way in a flash, looking at them all with a wild look in her eyes causing the team to pause with a jolt, her pupils trembling as if a sudden rage had taken hold of her. "Easy lass, we're just here to help the lad." Smith coaxed, hovering up to Serenity with his hands up in a "settle down" manner causing her to take on an immediate offensive stance. "Why there so many?! Too many, not needed!!" she replied, distrustful due to their outfits and tools. "Hey now, let them do what needs to be done." Alicia coaxed, placing a vine on her shoulder only for Serenity to abruptly snatch it tightly in her hand, giving Alicia the same wild and dagger-like glare causing the snake to jolt in surprise. "Forgive me..." Smith said before reaching out, Serenity facing him in a flash just as he grabbed her head in his hand. About to retaliate, Serenity suddenly froze when the Captain released an eerie aura from his hand which seeped into her eyes, turning them dazed as her arms slowly lowered. "D-Damn... Humans... H-Hate..." Serenity said before collapsing, Smith quickly catching her. "Alright everyone, see to your duty." he instructed, getting a nod from them before they hurried around the bed, Alicia and Rose backing away while the Captain sat Serenity in one of the nearby chairs. "I merely put you in a relaxed state. You're still fully conscious so you can keep an eye on the lad from here. They'll not do anything bad. I admit more came than necessary perhaps, but do keep in mind how much those aboard wish to repay him. They'll not cause any harm, I give you my word." Smith assured, Serenity giving him a furious albeit dazed glare, struggling to hold up her head. "Th-They do... I get you." she warned in a slurred voice, her nails weakly digging into the arms of the chair. "I'll keep that in mind lass. But remember, you can't really harm the dead." he replied, Serenity gritting her teeth. "We see." she growled before focusing on Chris, watching everyone around him with wary eyes.

"Blood pressure unstable." one of the medics point out. "Pulse switching from weak to rapid." another point out as the Yamask hovered over his head, holding their hands out before chattering with Smith. "They say his mind's pretty active, perhaps too active." the Captain point out, the medics responding by sticking devices to his head to read the activity in his brain. "Seems to be suffering from severe fatigue, burn out both mentally and physically." another of the medics point out. "If it goes unchecked an attack couldn't be ruled out, anything from the heart to a stroke." another warned, the group nodding at one another before they began taking out needled and IV's. "Wh-What are they gonna do...?" Rose asked nervously, tapping the Captain on the side. Looking down at her, he smiled before rubbing her on the head. "They'll simply put his mind and body at ease, nothing more." he assured. "It'll take all that to do so?" Alicia asked before the two jolt when they heard Chris letting out a hiss, noticing his body arching up slightly while the group held him still, Serenity struggling in her chair. "What doing?!! What doing?!!" she shout in a slurred voice, digging her nails into the arms of the chair all the more while raising up with a wobble. "Ooohh no you don't lass." Smith replied, putting a hand on her head and pulling her back. "They're just helping him relax." he assured, the girls going wide eyed when they saw the tube in his arm. Setting up a bag overhead, they started dripping a solution into his bloodstream while sticking more devices to his body, this time attaching them to his chest causing a monitor to display his heart beat, switching from rapid beeps to slow ones at random.

"His systems under some pretty impressive stress. This looks more akin to a severe panic attack than fatigue alone." one of the medics point out as a nurse tapped on a needle, attached to a tube containing a solution. Squirting some of it out, the nurse gave it to a medic who then injected it into the tube in Chris's arm, causing him to take a sudden deep breath before his body relaxed, the monitor showing his heart rate stabilizing. "There we go... Good, good." one of the nurses said quietly while rubbing his head, the Yamask flying into the bathroom and returning with a large bowl of water and a fresh rag, dipping it in before wringing it out and resting it on Chris's forehead. After a moment, they withdrew some of his blood and started debating their actions when results appeared on their devices. "His blood is low on..." a medic began while the girls watched, Alicia and Rose showing looks of guilt and concern while Serenity showed pure rage, cursing the group around him while Smith remained by her side. "A fine way to show your thanks." he point out, Serenity giving him what could only be called a death glare in response. "D-Do beg pardon for her behavior. I'm afraid she may wind up being a tad hostile toward you after doing this." Alicia apologized. "D-Don't dare say sorry." Serenity growled, glaring at the snake with her teeth grit. "Oh trust me lass, I'm counting on it. The reason I tagged along was to play defense while they did their job." Smith point out while waving his hand. "If nobody was around to restrain Serenity here the lad would've fallen into a worse condition the more time passed." he added, looking at Serenity. "It's all well and good to desire to tend to him yourself, but you lack what's necessary to ensure his well being in cases like this. You're far too unstable, and lack far too much knowledge regarding such matters. In your present state, I daresay you're the worst caretaker he could have at the moment. You're so obsessed with being all he needs, had I not been here you would've taken down the ones he really needs, in turn preventing proper care and throwing him into further turmoil." he point out bluntly, Serenity jolting wide eyed.

"That's not to say you couldn't become someone more reliable during these circumstances, but right now the fact is you're not. You're emotions control you far too much, your brain far too little." he added, Serenity gritting her teeth at the Captain before lowering her head, her grasp on the arms of the chair slowly loosening until she took on a somber expression. "...Make him better." she replied, Smith looking at her silently for a moment before grunting in response and hovering to the team working around Chris. "A-Are you certain that's wise?" Alicia asked warily. "Worry not lass, she won't cause any more problems." Smith assured, looking at Serenity before turning to face Chris and talking among the crew around him. Looking at Serenity, Rose walked up and put a hand over hers. "You gonna be okay?" the rabbit asked in concern. "I be fine. Leave alone." Serenity replied. "This is a surprising response from you. Has a human other than Chris actually humbled you?" Alicia asked. "I said leave alone!!" Serenity snapped, groggily raising her head with an irritated look before all three froze when they heard Chris groaning. "Easy lad, you just relax." Smith coaxed. "G-Girls, sh-ship... P-People, Pokemon." he moaned, suddenly stirring under the sheets. "His pulse is rising again, another attack?" one of the medics point out. "Even with the medication..." a nurse muttered. "G-Girls... Girls!!" he panicked, trying to force himself up. Looking at one another, Alicia and Rose nodded before coaxing Serenity into letting them help her to his bedside, the dazed Pokemon wobbling along between them as the medics took noticed and separated, allowing them to stand next to Chris. "We're here! We're okay!" Rose smiled, Chris freezing when he saw them.

"Wh-What's going on? You're really okay? Everyone's okay?" he panicked, feeling as though he'd woken up in another reality where he'd failed. "S-Serenity... What's wrong with Serenity?!" he shout, reaching out to the Pokemon causing the heart monitor to beep all the more. "I-I okay!! Not worry!! All okay!!" she replied, stumbling between Rose and Alicia while Smith reached out and held Chris's shoulders, coaxing him into laying back down. "Easy there lad. It was me. I had to put her in a bit of a dazed state so these people could take care of you safely. She'll be right as rain soon enough." the Captain assured with a smile. "Th-The girls are really okay then...?" he asked, looking at them yet still in a state of denial. "We're quite alright. You're the one we're fretting over at the moment." Alicia replied, leaning her face down and rubbing her cheek against his. "Take it easy and rest you oaf, before you really hurt yourself." she added, Chris reaching up and holding her face between his hands. "R-Really here... Really here... Okay." he said in a groggy tone as the medic increased the rate of his drip, the medicine putting him back in a weary state while his heart rate settled down once more, his eyes struggling to stay open while his hands dropped to his sides. "That's a good lad, you just relax and enjoy. I hear this stuff's even better than what we had back in the day!" Smith grinned. "N-Not here." Chris replied, the Captain blinking with an "eh?" in response. "These people, not... Here. Too many, passengers." Chris struggled to say, his eyes growing all the heavier. "Should be with... Not with me. Others, need..." he went on before his eyes shut completely. "Take care... Passengers, not me. Power... On. Gotta keep it..." he said in an almost whispering tone before falling into a deep sleep, the medics and nurses looking at one another while the Captain smirked. "You ARE a passenger lad, you're the responsibility of those serving aboard this ship, not the other way around. It's their time to see you're provided for." he affirmed before rubbing Chris on the head himself.

"Have a good rest, you've earned it. Those serving aboard this ship will take it from here." Smith assured before looking at the medics. "See to it he doesn't wake for at least a good eight to ten. Longer if possible. Keep proper tabs on things and whatnot, understood?" he ordered, the medics saluting with an "aye Captain" in response. "This isn't an order from me, but Mr. Rostron. I'm merely relaying the message." Smith reminded before turning to the girls. "You lot..." he paused, looking at Serenity before the others. "I apologize for stepping over whatever boundaries we have here tonight, and I apologize for the show of force." he added, looking back at Serenity. "This lad has saved the lives of us all, and in turn we only want to see to it he remains in the best of health. What I said holds ground, you're not professionals. His problem lies both in his body and his mind, and it's a combination I'm afraid none of you are capable of handling on your own without help." he point out before looking down at Rose. "You made the right call lass, we thank you." he praised, rubbing Rose on the head. Looking back at Serenity, he went silent for a moment before holding his hand out. "I ask that you not hold our nor her actions against us lass. This is for his sake, we all merely want to help, infuriating as it may be for you. Does he not look in better health than before?" the Captain asked, Serenity weakly looking at the tube and monitors around him before glancing away. "Not really, he look worse." she replied. "Oh come now!!" Alicia lectured, Serenity looking at the snake before facing Smith. "Thank you, I guess." she replied before having Rose take her back to the chair she was in, wobbling along before flopping down on the cushion and looking weakly at Chris once more.

"Haah... It's not as though I got any pleasure out of doing that to the lass. After all she deserves the same thanks for playing her part in saving everybody. All three of you do really. But at a time like this the lad simply has to come first and foremost, it's not a moment she can handle on her own, no matter how capable she may think she is. Although it's certainly an admirable quality, believing in ones self to such a degree, but the life of the one she loves should always come before her own arrogance, before her own detest toward others. Hopefully this will be a moment she'll hold onto and keep in mind, one she'll use to help better herself so that in the future perhaps she can be all he needs, both in health, and in sickness." he point out, looking at the two and smirking. "And that goes for you two as well." he added, Alicia and Rose looking at one another before nodding in response. "We thank you for the aid Mr. Smith, and we apologize for the trouble. Had the three of us cared for him properly, it likely wouldn't have come to this. What's occurring is a lesson for us all, not her alone." the snake affirmed before nodding her head slightly, Smith blinking in surprise. "By the Gods, a Serperior bowing to me..." he muttered before smirking with a solute. "Thank ye lass. It's an honor to aid the lot of you in any way possible." he replied. "I wouldn't call that a bow, that's flattering yourself a bit much." she replied with her nose up, Smith jolting with an "urk!" before laughing nervously. "Th-That was a rude comment on my part, wasn't it? Terribly sorry." he apologized, Rose giving the snake an elbow in the side causing Alicia to groan before scowling at the rabbit. "We really do appreciate it Captain, sir." Rose smiled, bowing to Smith causing him to blush slightly and grin. "Bah, anytime lass! It's the least we could do!" he replied, patting Rose on the head.

About to say more, they were cut off when Chris groaned yet again, continuing to fight against his fatigue and the medication streaming into his body combined. "Still he resists...? Why in the world will he not rest?" Smith muttered as Chris groaned random words and names, ranging from the girls to people on the Guardian and Arceanic combined. "Heart rate increasing. Brain activity fluctuating." one of the medics point out as Chris's body began to stir. Floating up to his bedside, Smith reached out and placed a hand on Chris's head, the medics watching curiously as the Captain shut his eyes. "It's a nightmare." he point out before pulling his hand away. "Even in his dreams he relentlessly concerns over others. Getting rest will do him little good if it causes him the same stress as being awake." he added before looking at the girls. "The medics here may be able to put his body to ease, but his mind is a different story. He can get all the sleep in the world and still be as worn down and sickly as before if his thoughts plague him in such a manner." he explained, Alicia and Rose looking at one another nervously. "What can we do?" Alicia asked before hearing Chris groan once more, muttering their names while recalling what he experienced in Smith's memories, saying things about sinking and dying while clutching the sheets, the monitors beeping all the faster. "Well, living under the waves for so long, I've learned a trick or two tending to my own passengers, especially the little ones. After what happened, many a night brought countless nightmares, many afflicting them in a similar manner. I'd wager this old sea dog I might be able to remedy the..." he said, only to find himself cut off when they heard something thud to the floor, everyone turning to see Serenity lying before the chair before forcing herself up in a drunken state, still suffering from the hex Smith had put on her system.

"Alright there lass, don't you go doing anything...!!" Smith warned, cut off yet again when Serenity gave him a stern "shut up!!" remark in response, quickly spreading her arms out trying to catch her balance as her legs trembled before making her way along, stumbling forward and grabbing the foot of the bed with a nauseous groan. "Y-You not do anything else. I..." she said in a slurred voice, letting out an "urp" type of noise before shaking her head. "I do, you not." she added before guiding herself around the bed, shoving the medics out of her way with a "move!!" while doing so. "I-I don't think you should mess with him right now." Rose point out warily. "Quite! Let the humans take charge for the time...!!" Alicia added, silenced when Serenity gave her the same response as smith while standing at Chris's side. Looking down at him, Serenity shook her head and pat her cheeks, doing her best to force back the influence of Smith's energy before reaching down and placing her hands on his forehead, one atop another. "Humans think know everything. Think I not help. Show you..." she muttered before closing her eyes. "Now what is that fool up to?" Alicia muttered. "Just give her a chance." Rose replied, the medics keeping a wary stance should something happen. After a moment, Serenity's hands started releasing a misty aura. "...Got it." she muttered before slowly pulling away, dragging out an eerie looking ball of light from his head in the process and holding it, everyone blinking at the object in surprise save for Smith who merely crossed his arms. "Know the trick yourself eh?" he point out. With the object now in Serenity's grasp, Chris's body started relaxing once more, the monitors stabilizing leaving him in a state of still silence, a suddenly peaceful look on his face causing Serenity to smirk with her nose up.

"Not need stupid hu..." she began, only to suddenly freeze up before falling over Chris, Smith reaching out and catching the object in her hands as she groaned. "Pardon me but, what IS that exactly?" Alicia asked. "It looks nasty..." Rose added while the medics pulled Serenity off Chris, the Pokemon attempting to retaliate only to swirl around dizzily before being caught in their arms and returned to her chair. "This would be the nightmare that was causing him so much distress. Depending on the type of dream one is having, the coloration can be either pure, or dark as night." he explained, the girls looking it over curiously. "Must be quite a bad one to look like that." Alicia point out. "Indeed it is." Smith agreed, only to show a sudden grin. "Bon appetit!" he shout before lifting the ominous ball over him and dropping it in his mouth, snapping his teeth shut before munching with a gulp, making an OK sign with his hand. "Ohhh a delightful feast that was." he chuckled, Alicia and Rose looking at him wide eyed. "Y-You ate that vile looking thing?!" Alicia asked. "Y-You can eat dreams...?" Rose added, the two caught in a mixed emotion of disturbed and astonished combined. "Indeed, it's an ability called Dream Eater to be precise. The lass there can learn it naturally, meanwhile I managed to scrounge up a TM with the ability long ago down on the ship. Played a big part in aiding many a passenger, especially the young ones, in getting much needed rest." he explained. "Along the way I came to have a preference of my own for specific types, and his was certainly delectable." the Captain grinned, the girls looking at one another with slight sweat on their faces. "Oh do come now, it's at no harm to those involved really. They merely forget what they were dreaming about, and in this case that's a blessing!" he affirmed, the girls looking at him before nodding and giving their thanks. "Don't thank me, I merely explained it, your friend there's the one who beat me to extracting the nightmare." he reminded, looking at Serenity as her head slightly swayed as if she were spinning on a top.

"...Perhaps I used too much on the lass." Smith muttered. "She'll be okay, right?" Rose asked. "Oh aye, what I did merely put her in a lethargic state. You can compare it to a bit of sea sickness as well. She'll recover soon enough, just not before the medics can finish making sure the lad remains stable and at ease. All will be fine." Smith assured, rubbing the rabbit on the head again. "Well then, if you'll excuse me. Should you need anything else, feel free to alert the staff just as you did before. They'll send word to me and I'll be back to help however possible if need be." he smiled, the two giving their thanks again before he hovered up to Serenity, the Pokemon giving him a sudden hiss in response. "My my, you are a feisty one. I merely wish to apologize for the force used against you, nothing more. No need to act like a savage over trying to help the one you care so deeply for." he point out, Serenity giving him a dagger like glare and facing away. "You on list with..." she paused, letting out a groggy "urk" before facing the medics. "Other humans. You get out, you do what wanted to do. Not have point here now, he okay so you go." she ordered, the Captain looking at her for a moment before sighing. "Very well, I do hope you'll reconsider your feelings towards me before we part ways." Smith replied before floating off, the girls apologizing while seeing him to the door. Once it was shut and the Captain was in the corridor alone, he looked around before facing the door. "My eyes see many things others cannot in this form. I'd like to have a word with you beast. You've been lingering about for some time, so why not reveal yourself? It's only I now." he said, looking around for a moment before pausing. "A fine way to summon someone for a human of your stature, I'd hoped for better mannerisms." a voice suddenly replied, Smith turning around to see Ninetales standing before him.

"You've put that lad through a lot of trouble." the Captain point out. "I needn't a lecture from you. If that's what you called me out for I'll go about my business." Ninetales replied coldly. "Now just hear me out. I've merely a single question." Smith affirmed, the fox looking at him for a moment before sitting. "Very well, make it count." she ordered. Looking at one another, Smith let out a sigh before crossing his arms. "You put him through so much, and despite how you linger about as if concerned, albeit unbeknownst to others, you leave him to suffer the affects of what you make him endure alone. After all the power you've displayed through him up to this point, why leave him in such a miserable state despite showing the effort to watch over him as you have? Why not aid the lad in recuperating? After all, he's your responsibility considering what you've done to him, am I wrong? Isn't his well being as important a priority as seeing to it he gets the tasks you command accomplished? Appearing will do little good if you've no intention of taking action." he point out, Ninetales looking at Smith before smirking. "Human, you've had offspring yourself, have you not?" she replied, Smith grunting in response. "When watching over your offspring, one of the most fundamental lessons is teaching them to fend for themselves whenever possible. The more I involve myself, the more relied on I become. My existence among them must be irrelevant to their lives beyond absolute necessity. Unless it's his final second from death, my intervention in his well being is unnecessary." she explained. "He is not the only youth I've tasked myself with watching over. Those by his side are also my burden to bear, my responsibility to teach. Through inaction during times like these, they take action themselves and learn from it. In time they'll be capable of handling most if not all aspects of life without my intervention." she went on, Smith listening silently.

"Through my inaction, the one he named Rose contacted you for aid. That in turn garnered what he needed. And in the process, the one he calls Serenity learned a lesson of her own in the process, as well as discovered her own method of treating him when suffering a certain dilemma. Sometimes it takes inaction for youth to learn the most important lessons of all. Reality does not reward those taking an easy path. It's far too cruel for such convenience. And I refuse to leave any of them ill prepared for the trials of life. It has far too much to throw their way to be left ignorant of how to handle as much as possible on their own. I step in only when absolute necessity calls for it. If there are options, then no matter the circumstance I will allow them to find their own means of aiding one another." she finished, Smith letting out a "hmm..." in response, closing his eyes before smirking. "It appears I've misjudged you a tad. Your kind are beastly creatures, but at least you've the decency to care for those you've cursed, albeit in a slightly cold manner perhaps." the Captain point out. "I don't take kindly to the beastly remarks, nor do I care for your opinion of my methods, whether you approve or not. One has no right to judge nor comment on the care taking of anothers..." she replied, cutting herself off with a slight jolt before facing down. "Ah, so you do recognize him as your own child then?" Smith asked, Ninetales looking at him silently before standing and turning away. "...I do give you my thanks for caring about them and aiding them as you have. Both just now and earlier." she replied before walking towards the wall, Smith reaching out only to pause when the fox vanished through it, leaving him alone in the corridor once more. "Ah. I suppose that's one way to end a conversation. And the best tried to call me rude..." he muttered. "Still, can't say her response disappointed. The creatures of this world never cease to amaze." he added before making his way down the corridor. "Inaction teaches important lessons eh? I suppose that rings its own truth, even if a tad harsh." he thought.

Back in the room, the medics were finishing up with Chris, looking over the monitors once more before disconnecting them one at a time, packing up their supplies before nodding at one another and facing the girls. "Everything's stable now. We've given him a few nutrients on top of giving him an injection to induce his current state. The drip you see here will ensure he gets a good boost of hydration through the night, with just enough medication mixed in to keep him nice and relaxed. Come the time he wakes up tomorrow, rest assured he'll be good as new." one of the nurses explained. "Is there... Anything else we can do for him in particular?" Alicia asked. "Well, just keep him comfortable. Pillows fluffed, sheets tucked, and try to avoid too much noise. Even with the medication, there's nothing like peace and quiet when recuperating." another nurse replied. "With the drip his body temperature won't be as high. It chills the bloodstream, so be sure he's kept warm." a medic point out. "And speaking of the drip, make sure it stays in his arm. Don't remove it under any circumstances. We'll have a nurse handle that." another medic added. "It's imperative, just the same as making sure he gets the rest he needs. If he's allowed to continue pushing himself without pause his system will wind up in a far more critical condition than what you've seen tonight." the medic went on before a nurse walked up. "It's... Not exactly something we're used to discussing with Pokemon, so you'll have to forgive us if we seem a tad distant from you in this matter. We're trained in relationships with human patients and families, so this is a new situation for us. Nonetheless, we thank you for putting your trust in us to care for your mas...!!" the nurse said, cut off when a medic elbowed her and cleared his throat, the nurse jolting before bowing. "A-Apologies!" she panicked. "I-It's fine. We understand. Keep things quiet and keep that thing in his arm, right?" Rose asked, the team nodding in response. "You leave now. You done. Get out." Serenity ordered, her head hanging with a look of detest, a shadow seemingly looming over her face as she dug her nails into the chair.

"Do forgive her. She has an unfathomable dislike for your kind. She makes it a personal affair towards everyone, not just you. Bad experiences, you see? A bit of something we share in common. Not the generalized detest mind you, but sharing unsavory experiences with humans. Reason being her protective nature towards him, he's the first human to treat any of us properly, I suppose." Alicia point out before she and Rose saw the group to the door, thanking them again before closing it behind them. "Well, that's that I suppose." Alicia sighed. "They really rushed in here, huh? It was kinda scary seeing them run around him like that. Connecting stuff to him and sticking him with those pointy things." Rose point out, both thinking about him being stuck several times and shuddering simultaneously. "I detest such sights." the snake replied before the two walked up to Chris's bedside the two looking down at him as he slept silently and still. "All that fighting, all the risks he took, then the work he put into aiding those on this ship, restoring the power and such... Even after all that, he still pushed himself for our sake after doing so much already, and we ignorantly turned a blind eye to something that should've been so obvious to us. Even when we were given clear warning." Alicia said quietly, Rose nodding. "We did get kinda caught up in ourselves. Even though I tried to make my time with him relaxing, in the end he exhausted himself because of me too. We should've made him rest the minute we had the chance..." the rabbit added. Raising her head, Serenity looked at the two before facing down again, sitting silently with her own thoughts, slowly overcoming her dazed state. "Because of our neglect, others had to step into our place to aid him, giving him the kind of attention we should've provided from the start. Yet all we did was indulge ourselves... A much needed lesson, I suppose." Alicia sighed.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - A Mothers Intervention
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2kwie-gs2o

As the two stood by his side, Serenity continuing to keep to herself, they were suddenly snapped out of their silent moment by a familiar voice, responding to Alicia from behind. "A much needed lesson indeed. There's no suppose to it." they heard, both girls swinging themselves around in surprise, blinking at Ninetales as she sat calmly before them, Serenity glancing at the fox and gritting her teeth. "Oh good, now you here too. What you want now?" she asked in a spiteful tone. "I'd be cautious if I were you, or are you curious to find out the feeling of your tongue boiling to nothingness in your mouth?" Ninetales asked, Serenity giving a "tsk" in response before glancing away. "I've not come for arrogant behavior, I've come to speak with you on an even level." the fox point out, Rose and Alicia looking at one another and muttering "even?" simultaneously before facing her once more. "I don't recall us specifically being... Graced, with your presence before. What's this then?" Alicia asked. "A moment ago, I had a conversation with another pertaining to my methods of watching over both he, and the three of you. As a result, I thought it... Tolerable, to make an exception to my rules and give you some proper elderly advice." Ninetales replied, both girls continuing to give the fox surprised looks while Serenity dug her nails into her chair. "What advice we get from you? What advice we WANT from you? YOU cause this." Serenity snapped, trying to stand yet still slightly too groggy to do so, muttering profanity under her breath. Looking at her, Ninetales closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting out a slow sigh before looking at all three girls.

"Listen to me. Had it not been for my aid, he would've passed out long ago. I enabled him to press onward so he could accomplish everything he desired. Unbeknownst to you all, even he. It wasn't an expectation of mine for him to continue working as he had, so don't hold his perseverance against me, his actions following the battle were entirely of his own choosing. Once this ship was back on the surface and the beasts were defeated, that was the end on my part. I had no further objectives for him to undertake. You must realize I have no control over every action he makes, and I'll thank you to stop behaving as though his every step is my own doing." she revealed. "You condemn his actions frequently, and you have a rather irritating habit of blaming all that he does solely on me. My expectations do not reach as far into his life as you might think. And for once, I'll be perfectly honest with you and admit that he does, in fact, far exceed those very expectations which I do place upon him. He goes above and beyond on his own accord, not mine. My curse guides him to those in need and not much else. How he goes about aiding those I guide him to, and what he does for those he helps afterward, that's entirely him, not I." she affirmed, Rose and Alicia looking at one another before turning back to Chris, Serenity loosening her grip on her chair while listening as well. "However, another thing I need to make clear is that I've expectations for you three as well." Ninetales point out, the girls jolting before looking at her. "For us?" Rose asked, pointing at herself. "Who you to expect anything out of us?" Serenity asked, giving the fox an irritated look yet hearing her out nonetheless. "I must admit, that's a bit out of the blue. Then again, this whole conversation is as a whole I suppose." Alicia added.

Looking at the three, Ninetales looked down before closing her eyes. "You three were chosen for a reason. You were hand picked because I sensed the potential within you to become the one thing he needed most in his life. And that is not limited to being mere companions. I needed someone I knew would be capable of staying by his side, no matter the trials. Someone who would be loyal in the most absolute sense. Someone with strength in heart, mind and body combined. Who could share in his suffering, and understand it." she explained, looking at the three. "And who could tend to him when he needs tending to." she added, Serenity glancing away while the others looked down. "In various ways, you've met the demands I'd set for those chosen to live by his side, you've met the potential I sensed within you. But you're still failing abysmally in some of the most important ways." she lectured. "And the ways in which you're failing so badly, are sadly the simplest requirements of all to pass. That's the most disappointing thing." she point out, all three looking at her silently. "You've grown in many ways since the time you've met one another, but just as with your positive aspects, so to have the negative parts of you grown as well. And in turn, you've faced terrifying realizations, have you not?" Ninetales asked, looking at Alicia causing the snake to jolt wide eyed. "In trying to better yourself, it's easy to become the very thing you loathe in the process." the fox point out before facing Serenity. "And it's easy to come to loathe yourself. Seeking perfection will only cause self destruction. Despising everyone will only make you despise yourself. To resent the world means resenting your own existence within it. And you'll never find true happiness by the side of anyone, not even him in the end with an attitude like that." she affirmed, Serenity facing away.

"As far as you go, little one." Ninetales went on, facing Rose causing her ears to shoot up straight while standing frozen. "Oh do relax, I'm not going to bite you. Your kind is too full of fat with too few nutrients." the fox point out, Rose flushing with an "eh?!" in response while Alicia's cheeks burst out, the snake quickly facing away while snickering, Serenity herself showing just the slightest smile on the side of her mouth. "I'm sorry to offend but it's true. One would think with all the exercise you endure the meal would be more appetizing, but your kind never meet expectations dinner wise. Once you eliminate the fat, you're left with bones tiny and sharp enough to pierce even a steel species insides." she point out, the rabbit twitching an eye, about to snap back only for Ninetales to seal her mouth shut with part of her aura. "And therein lies the issue with you. You being a peacekeeper is nothing more than a lie with that timidity of yours. It takes someone going above and beyond to get any sort of reaction from you that doesn't involve twiddling your fingers and sulking about. You're as useless now as you were when the two of you first met if you can't find the resolve to overcome this sorry state of yours. I care little about how he's praised whatever accomplishments you've made. To me you're depressingly disappointing because you stand about hesitating while he struggles to maintain a steady bond between all of you. If you plan to live by his side silently and ducking into the shadows at every turn, you may as well not be by his side because you essentially don't even exist with such behavior. I barely notice you more often than not myself!" she affirmed, Rose looking at the fox wide eyed before facing down and nodding, Ninetales removing the aura from her mouth.

"You're all progressing well in various ways, but in many it's not a positive progression, and in some there's little if any progression at all. And if you're still this incapable of seeing to it that his needs are met, that's reason enough alone not to follow through with his recent change of heart." the fox continued, the girls giving her curious looks, Serenity included. "Ah, now you're intrigued." Ninetales smirked, looking at Serenity causing her to jolt before quickly glancing away with a scowl. "There's something he's been against that recent events have caused him to change his mind about. I had to deal with listening to him rant over the topic, and sitting here before you I can honestly say I don't find you ready, nor worthy in the least of being granted something so extraordinary. Your neglect towards him, your self indulgence, your attitudes and arrogance. I find all of these things nauseating to say the least. You're incapable of caring for him properly, your behavior is far from what's expected out of you..." she lectured. "If you cannot behave as you should, care for him as you should, why on Earth would I put the lives of others in such danger based on whims alone?" she asked, the girls turning from curious to bewildered. "The lives of others?" Alicia asked. "He wants more people, or, maybe Pokemon to travel with us?" Rose asked. "Why he want more? He have enough." Serenity affirmed, Ninetales looking at the three before letting out a sigh and shaking her head. "Honestly..." she muttered while looking at Chris. "I cannot believe you wish for such a thing with such ill prepared females. Have you any idea the turmoil in which you'll bring these lives into?" the fox asked as he lay quiet and still, the girls looking at Chris before blinking at one another, remaining bewildered over the topic at hand.

"I'm afraid we're simply not following, er... Madam?" Alicia replied, trying to insert a level of politeness making the fox tilt her head. "Madam? That's a new one." Ninetales replied with a "seriously?" smirk before shaking her head. "Well, I've said what I wanted to say. I do hope you'll take my words into consideration and use them to grow, to improve yourselves in the ways both you and he need most. I'm fully aware you don't exactly favor me nor my presence, but my words ring truth. To ignore them would be to ignore him, to ignore what he wishes for, and I do hope you've no intention of being that heartless." she affirmed before standing and turning away. "Then again, given your ignorant behavior and attitudes thus far, I suppose I shouldn't put it past you." she finished, the girls jolting and about to response only to watch as the fox fade away, leaving the three alone with her words and their thoughts. "Well, that's one way to tell someone you don't wish to hear their end on the matter." Alicia muttered. "She didn't have to call me fat..." Rose added, looking down and pinching her thigh with a sad and self conscious expression. "Do you think I'm fat?" the rabbit asked, looking up at the snake. "Bah, don't concern yourself over it. She merely wanted to get a rise out of you. Rest assured you're not." the snake affirmed. "Still, to ignore her word would be wrong on our part. She was right when she point out they held a truth. It was a blunt and unsavory truth, but a truth nonetheless. We've indulged ourselves far too much, and focused on him far too little. Our apologies will do little good unless we do better in ensuring his well being as well as our own. And as much as I hate to say it, to do that it does mean getting along better I suppose. Even with those we..." Alicia paused, she and Rose turning to look at Serenity only to find she'd vanished from her chair, the two jolting and looking around before pausing when they saw her standing by the right side of Chris's bedside, looking down at him silently before bending down and kissing him on the cheek.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - Creation of Life
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2sdso2_the-place-whe...

"Recovered have we?" Alicia asked, only to be ignored as Serenity brushed his bangs aside and rubbed him on the head before carefully climbing into the sheets with him, positioning his arm so she could rest her head on it while rolling onto her side and curling up with her back against Chris's side. "Y-You're feeling okay now, right?" Rose asked, only for Serenity to remain silent save for a sudden sniffle, raising the sheets over most of her head and muttering something about "everyone stupid", her words muffled by the sheets. Looking at one another, Alicia and Rose sighed and shook their heads. "We've plenty of time to dwell on that speech the fox gave. For now, I suppose those humans did say to keep him warm." the snake point out before slithering beneath the sheets from the side of the bed and coiling up over his lower half. Deciding to join them as well, Rose climbed under the sheets herself, laying against his other side while making sure to avoid his arm with the IV inserted. With all three now sharing their body heat with Chris, they lay silently together until they too were in as deep a sleep as him, resting together while the drip slowly drained itself into Chris's exhausted body. Eventually, Ninetales reappeared over them, standing in midair and looking down at the group silently. "...You're ill prepared, I stand by that judgement. You're immature and self centered. However..." she paused, looking at Chris's face. "Admittedly there are things I shouldn't control, despite my opinions. Not only have I given you words to reflect on, but what I've said brought a truth to my own eyes. Others needn't say what others should and should not do regarding the parental decisions and methods of another, and trying to do so myself is indeed an error on my part." she admit, closing her eyes before letting out a sigh and shaking her head.

"I shouldn't allow this, but it's not my place to control it. I only hope the lives that are brought into this world do not suffer needlessly because of a reckless decision on your part and the poor character of those by your side." she went on, looking at Serenity and Rose's heads sticking out from the sheets and the mound where Alicia rest, the tip of her tail sticking out from the side of the sheets. "Then again, offspring often have the capability of changing those who tend to them. Perhaps through this decision they'll finally improve in the ways they've been lacking. Who knows?" she added. "I only hope you're fully prepared for the trials that will lie ahead of you as a result of this decision. That goes for all of you." she affirmed before closing her eyes and raising her head. After a moment, her aura started glowing brighter before several strands of light reached out from beneath her, trailing long downwards and connecting to each of the girls. "Alright... Time to wake up..." she muttered before each of the girls began to glow as well around their lower torsos. Deep inside them, the fox was attempting to aid the seed Chris had implanted. To prevent him from having offspring, she'd put a hex of sorts on him that put his reproductive cells in a dormant state, and now she was giving the tiny cells the energy needed to awaken, quickly making their instinctive trek and fighting their way into the eggs waiting within the girls. Once she was certain the deed had been done inside each of them, she retracted her light and her glow faded back to a normal state. "...Do not make me regret this." she affirmed before she began slowly fading away. However, as she did, the fox jolt in surprise, her eyes widening when she saw Chris had slightly opened his eyes. "Hey..." he said weakly, showing a small smile. "This is a surprise." Ninetales replied. "I'll say." Chris nodded. "How long have you been conscious?" the fox asked. "Not long. Came to in the middle of what you were saying just now. Did it work?" he asked, the fox facing away. "I've no idea what you're talking about. You're delusional." she answered. "Hey Ninetales?" he asked, the fox glancing at him. "What is it?" she replied. "...Thank you." he said, showing a wider smile before closing his eyes. "I love you... You are a good mom..." he finished, his voice trailing into a whisper as he drift back to sleep, the medication pulling him back into a comfortable slumber as the fox looked at him wide eyed before showing just the slightest blush and facing away with a "tsk" in response. "You idiot..." she muttered as she finished fading away, a portion of her remaining aura trailing towards and turning on the fireplace, her voice echoing a sincere "rest well" before leaving the group to sleep in peace.

For the rest of the night, all four slept soundly in the comfort of their colossal bed, the flickering fire dimly lighting the room and providing a soothing warmth for them all, the only noise in the room being the crackle of the flames that sounded like a lullaby to the weary family. Eventually, one of the nurses from before finally returned to the room to look over the drip. Finding it empty, the nurse was about to remove the IV from Chris's arm when Serenity raised her head, glaring at the nurse with glowing eyes causing the woman to jolt and freeze up. "I-I'm just removing the IV, the bag is empty so it has to come out." she explained. Looking at the bag herself, Serenity glared at the nurse again before nodding, watching as the woman cautiously removed the IV from his arm and bandaged the spot where it had been. "I-I'll be on my way then. Please excuse me." she bowed before taking the empty bag and IV tube away. As she opened the door, Serenity called out causing the nurse to freeze once again and slowly turn. "Y-Yes?" she asked with a nervous smile. "...Thank you, you make him better. Do good..." Serenity nodded before laying back down, the nurse blinking in surprise before smiling with a nod. "Now you go. Out." the Pokemon ordered, causing the nurse to laugh nervously. "R-Right, excuse me." she replied quietly before leaving. "So you've decided to heed that fox?" Alicia asked in a muffled voice from under the sheets. "Shut up snake." Serenity muttered. "Excuse me for noticing improvement." Alicia replied. "I'm surprised too. I think that was nice..." Rose added, raising her head with a smile. "I say shut up, that mean not talk. What part you not get?" Serenity asked, giving the rabbit an irritated look. "S-Sorry, you just did the right thing is all. At least, I think so." Rose nodded, Serenity responding with a cold "whatever" before rolling over with her back against Chris's side once more. "Do you intend to offer an apology to that Smith character as well? You treated him the harshest." Alicia point out, only for Serenity to deliver a sudden kick against the snake making her shoot up and let out a muffled groan, trying to keep from shouting. "HE deserve it for what he do to me." Serenity replied. "Ohhh you little..." Alicia muttered before resting her head once more. "Fine, far be it from me to tell a fool how to clear her conscious." the snake replied, Rose looking at Serenity and the mound where Serenity lay before letting out a sigh and shaking her head before laying back down as well.

"Say... Do you guys feel a little funny? I dunno why, but something feels... Different." Rose point out, rubbing her stomach. "Maybe I had too much of that chocolate stuff." she added. "Now that you mention it, something does feel a tad strange in me as well. Rather hard to tell though, likely all that food I ate during our time together. I admit I was a tad gluttonous." Alicia replied. "Huh, weird. What about you Serenity?" Rose asked, raising her head. "I feel sick of humans, that all. Want off ship." the Pokemon replied, pulling the sheets higher over her head. "W-Well, okay then..." Rose muttered before laying back down. "I dunno why, but whatever it is feels kinda warm..." the rabbit point out, rubbing her stomach curiously. "Maybe it is just the chocolate..." she muttered before yawning and looking over Chris's arm, touching the bandage. "It should be okay now, right?" she thought before taking his arm and pulling it around her, smiling with a relaxed sigh. "This is nice." she giggled. "Noise, noise. What are you doing?" Alicia asked, slithering her way atop Chris's torso before popping her head out from the sheets, looking at the rabbit as she rubbed his arm. "Sorry for keeping you awake." Rose apologized, Alicia smirking before resting her chin on Chris's chest. "It does feel rather nice, doesn't it? This closeness." she admit, feeling his pulse against her chin and the warmth of his body along her underside causing the snake to blush slightly. "To think someone capable of doing so much, one with such strength and determination, can turn out to be so fragile in the end. I find it somehow... Endearing." the snake point out. "Mm! It kinda reminds me of the humans and Pokemon I've seen carrying their babies around. They have lots of energy, but they're also really delicate, so you have to be careful with them. When he gets this way, it makes me wanna hold and spoil him, just like a baby." Rose added while rolling onto her side and putting an arm over him, nuzzling her face and cheek against his side. "A baby you say? Best we avoid that mindset or we'll never be able to see him as a male." Alicia giggled before raising her head and looking at Chris's face as he slept silently and peacefully, the snake blushing and glancing away with a scowl. "I-I do admit there's an undeniable cuteness to him in this state." she admit.

"Talk talk, too much talking!" Serenity interrupted sternly yet quietly before raising up. "What's wrong with you? We're merely fawning over him a tad. I'm surprised you haven't been doing the same." Alicia point out, Serenity glancing at him before facing away with a slight blush. "He cute. Always is." she replied with a scowl, Alicia and Rose looking at one another in surprise before scowling back. "Alright, come now. Moping there, thinking of how much you hate everyone and drowning in self loathing won't do you any good. If we allow ourselves to do that it'll only cause further trouble. What will you do if he sees you behaving in such a depressing manner? You think that will put his mind at ease? This is part of what that fox was referring to." the snake point out, Serenity twitching an eye and grumbling. "I tell human thank you minute ago. That enough progress for one night." she reminded. "Yes yes, albeit with a snippy attitude nonetheless." Alicia point out. "Take what g-mphm!!!" Serenity snapped, only for Rose to shoot her hand out and quickly cover her mouth with a "shhhh!!!" as Chris stirred between them, all three freezing up and holding their breaths until Chris went still again, each letting out a relieved sigh. "Okay, okay. You did good. Lets leave it at practice is needed, shall we?" Alicia asked, Serenity pulling Rose's hand away with an irritated "yeah" in response. Nodding, Alicia was about to say something else only to find herself cut off when Chris suddenly pulled her down, muttering something about "yummy" before he began licking the side of her face, the snake flushing and going wide eyed while her body froze up. Blinking in surprise, the girls watched as he continued licking the snake, Alicia making matters worse when she tried to pull away only for the tip of her snout to hit his lips, in turn causing Chris to subconsciously suck on it making Alicia stutter in a flustered state, Rose unable to resist snickering due to the suckling sounds while Serenity tried resisting a smile of her own, the sides of her moth trembling as she fought off the urge to laugh and maintain a stern look.

"G-Get him off!! Get him off!!" Alicia panicked, trying to keep her voice down as she attempted to pull her head away. "He is like baby..." Serenity muttered before finally letting out a snicker of her own. "I am not a bottle!! Remove him!!" the snake ordered, albeit in a hushed tone. Looking at one another, Serenity and Rose nodded before gently pulling his arms around Alicia's neck apart, allowing the snake to pull free with a pop from his mouth when her snout pulled away. "H-How humiliating..." she groaned, maintaining a blush while getting a tissue from the night stand using a vine and wiping off her cheek and nose. Looking at Chris, Serenity and Rose watched as he continued puckering his lips, showing a pouty look causing their eyes to sparkle with adoration on their faces. "Maybe he'll..." Rose muttered before sticking her finger out and putting it in his mouth, causing Chris to suckle on it instead while his expression returned to one of peace. Watching this, Rose was doing her best to avoid squealing as her smile spread wider and wider, a grin appearing on her face. "I-I want to try!!" Serenity said before pushing Rose back, the rabbit nearly falling off the bed with a hushed "hey!!" in response before scowling as Serenity hovered her finger over Chris's mouth, her eyes widening more and more the closer it got before finally sticking it in his mouth. The moment she did this, the Pokemon was screaming inside from the tranquil look on his face while unknowingly suckling away. "Y-You're really getting amusement out of that?" Alicia asked with a "seriously?" look on her face. "But he's sooooo cute!!" Rose replied, looking at Chris again and quietly goo-goo talking him, Serenity joining in as he suckled away.

Watching as well, Alicia released one of her vines and looked at the tip before clearing her throat, Serenity and Rose looking back at her. "What want? Thought you not like?" Serenity reminded. "I-I don't! But..." the snake replied, glancing away with a slight blush and a scowl. "I-I'm curious nonetheless." she confessed, Rose and Serenity looking at one another before backing away, Serenity pulling her finger out of his mouth. "Go ahead! It feels funny, but it's sooooo cuuuuute!" Rose giggled. Looking at the two, Alicia glanced away while hovering the tip of her vine over his mouth, until he finally latched on causing the snake to jolt and flush wide eyed. "Look at him go..." Rose whispered before continuing her goo-goo talk, Serenity poking his cheek with a grin. Looking down at him, Alicia's lips trembled before she gave into a smile of her own. "See? I knew you'd feel the same!" Rose point out, the snake jolting and clearing her throat before facing away. "I-It's just so stupid I cannot help but find it amusing!" she scoffed. "Uh huh. You bad liar." Serenity scowled. "...Fwat awe you dwoing?" they suddenly heard a groggy voice say, all three freezing up before slowly looking at Chris. "A-Ah..." Rose stuttered. "A-Awake?" Serenity added as he looked at them with dazed eyes before looking toward his mouth. "Fwhat dwis...?" he asked, his eyes trailing along the vine from his mouth to Alicia, looking at the snake as she seemingly glowed and stuttered. "Ohhh busted, busted!" Serenity grinned. "I-I...!!" the snake struggled before snatching her vine away and ducking for cover under the sheets, letting out a humiliated and whiny sound while Rose and Serenity burst out in laughter, Chris laying between them in a bewildered and barely conscious state. "Girls... Sleep..." he said before his weary eyes shut once more, falling back into his slumber.

"Th-That too good." Serenity snickered, wiping tears from her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, but that really was funny." Rose agreed, wiping tears from her own while Alicia groaned under the sheets. Looking at Rose and the mound where Alicia lay hidden, Serenity smiled before looking down, placing her hand on her stomach. "You know, do feel funny." she admit, Rose giving her a curious look and tilting her head. "Feel... Warm. Funny feeling. Not bad, but not normal. Just... Funny." Serenity added before stretching with a yawn, looking down at Chris. "Thank you for cheering up." she smiled, rubbing him on the head before snuggling against him under the blankets, putting an arm over him with a sigh. "Isn't it kinda funny how easily he can do that? Even when he doesn't know he did anything." Rose point out before snuggling against him as well on the opposite side, placing an arm over him as well. "Or how he can humiliate you...?" Alicia added, her voice muffled by the sheets. "That part of what cheer me up too." Serenity snickered, the snake letting out an agitated hiss in response. After this, the three finally went silent once more, allowing themselves to fall into another deep sleep of their own leaving the room as silent as before. Eventually, Chris managed to bring himself out of his medicated state a final time, looking at Serenity and Rose by his sides before slowly pulling them against him and holding them close in his arms, noticing Alicia sleeping with her head resting atop his chest and raising his head, kissing the snake on the snout before relaxing himself. "I love you girls..." he said quietly before letting himself fall asleep once more.

For the remainder of the night, the group enjoyed their well deserved rest, each in a deep, peaceful sleep cuddled around Chris, with himself so soundly asleep he'd started drooling from the side of his mouth. Eventually, the sun began to rise on a new day, and once the morning rays positioned themselves along Chris's face, he started to stir, wincing with a groan and slowly raising his hand over his face. "G-Geez..." he muttered, letting out a yawn and smacking his lips as his dazed eyes slowly opened. "...Girls?" he called out, only hearing silence in response. "Huh... Quiet." he added, yawning once more and slowly closing his eyes again. However, no sooner had they shut when he abruptly shot up, shouting "girls?!!" in a panic and looking around the room, only to freeze when he heard them groaning by his sides, looking down to see Alicia's head arched up against his lower torso as she let out a sudden snore. "Y-You're okay?" he asked, looking at Serenity and Rose as well before letting out a relieved sigh. "...Man, what the hell happened?" he muttered, rubbing his head and blinking his eyes repeatedly, still feeling slight affects from the medication that filled his bloodstream the night before and trying to shake it off. "Weird night... I remember they were fighting, then everything just went black. Then there were the weird dreams." he said to himself, looking around and up. "I remember something about Ninetales and then... Something about a vine or whatever?" he muttered, scratching his head bewildered before stretching and wiggling his way carefully out from the middle of the girls and trying to stand next to the bed, losing his footing and stumbling about before catching himself on the back of the couch.

"Gah, what's wrong with me?" he thought, raising himself up and shaking his head before noticing the bandage on his arm. "...Eh?" he muttered before removing it, noticing a slightly bruised spot beneath. "Did I hit something?" he asked, looking it over and giving his arm a wave. "Doesn't really hurt much. Moves fine." he thought before looking around the room. "Everything's a blur... After things went dark I can't tell what memories are real and which ones aren't. I... Think there was a nightmare at some point, wasn't there?" he asked, crossing his arms and raising a bewildered eyebrow before feeling slightly dazed again. "O-Oy, need to get something in me to pep me up..." he thought, shaking his head again before heading towards the drawer for a change of clothes. "After everything that happened, guess it's best to let them sleep as much as they can." he muttered, looking at the girls before checking the time, noticing it was nearly an hour until noon. Blinking in surprise, Chris shrugged before walking into the bathroom and prepping himself for the day ahead, eventually coming out with a satisfied sigh. "Fresh clothes, clean teeth, great hair..." he chuckled before heading towards the fireplace and turning it off. "Things are starting out pretty good, just hope it stays that way." he sighed, tossing his dirty clothes in a basket before donning his coat and taking his staff in hand. "I think I'll go ahead and get the dirty work out of the way while they're out of it... After everything that's happened, I'd hate to drag them into any more drama." he said before looking toward the door. "And boy there's gonna be a lot of it once I start talkin' to the Captain and the others..." he muttered, nodding with a grunt. "Alright, lets get this over with. One final mission and everything will finally be finished." he added with a determined look on his face.

Walking to the door, he found himself stumbling as another momentary daze ran through his head, quickly grabbing the knob and shaking the sensation off. "J-Just gotta get over these trippy spells." he laughed nervously, looking back at the girls one more time. "Don't worry, I promise today will be the last of it. Just one final leap, then no more work." he smirked, nodding at them before heading out of the door, quietly closing it behind him before looking around the corridor. "...Sure as hell wish I could make heads or tails of what happened last night. All the fog in my head really bugs me." he muttered before sighing with an "ah well" and making his way along. Once he'd reached the outside of the ship, he paused with an awe struck look on his face as he looked at the snow and ice covering the ship, now glistening under the rays of the remainder of the morning sunlight. "W-Woah..." he muttered, walking along the railing and dragging his fingers through the icicles, snapping them away as he walked. "Aid will arrive within the hour Mr. Rostron." he heard someone say nearby, looking ahead and noticing the Captain sitting in a wheelchair, his officers surrounding him. "Aye, good, good. After the assessments were finished, I saw no need in rescuers risking themselves to aid us in the middle of such an icy night. We had all the power we needed, passengers and crew were well enough off with the medics on hand..." the Captain replied, looking around with a spyglass. "Ships can be replaced, lives cannot. One needn't be foolish and race to be a hero through such uncertain conditions when aid is not an absolute necessity. The delay was for the best, and I'll face whatever, or shall I say whomever need be, who feel otherwise." he affirmed.

"Admirable as always sir." Chris chuckled, the group jolting before facing him. "L-Lad!! You're out and about!!" Rostron blinked in shock. "Y-Yeah. Is that bad?" Chris laughed nervously. "Y-You had enough in you to put an elephant under..." the Captain replied in a muttered tone. "Elephant... Sir?" Chris asked, Rostron clearing his throat and waving his hand in response. "N-Never mind dear boy. All's well?" he asked, Chris nodding with a smile. "In fact, I feel better than I have in a while. I dunno what happened tonight, but I feel way better now than I did when everything went black on me. Only thing I recall are some weird dreams..." he explained, scratching his cheek with a puzzled look. "Ha ha, spurred on by what was in you I suppose." Rostron chuckled, Chris giving the Captain a curious look and an "eh?" in response before looking around. "S-Say, where's Smith at? The other Captain I mean." Chris asked. "Ah, yes. Those uh, Dusknoir came for him. Had a matter to discuss so he and the spirits parted ways with us for the time being." the Captain explained, Chris glancing away nervously. "Right... With everything going on I'd forgotten about them." he replied before letting out a sigh. "Well, that aside, what's that about aid?" he asked. "Oh! Aye! We've several ships nearby that should arrive in about... Oh, fifty, sixty minutes, give or take. And we've got some special visitors coming to see us! To thank you, I should say." Rostron grinned causing Chris to blink at him curiously and tilt his head. "Special visitors?" he asked, the officers looking at one another and smiling. "You're getting a visit from none other than the President of Platinum Star Lines lad! And several other key members of the company! They're coming to assess things for themselves and intend to make it a point to meet with you personally!" Rostron explained with a hearty congrats, offering his hand only for Chris to stand wide eyed as the color drained from his face.

"O-Oy, he don't look too good..." one of the officers point out. "Aye, looks like he's about to keel over." another added, Rostron looking at the men before facing Chris, his hand slowly lowering. "L-Lad? Are you certain you're well enough to be out and about?" the Captain asked in concern. Getting no response, the officers were about to approach Chris only to freeze when his expression slowly turned enraged, tiny bolts of what looked like electricity zipping about around his body causing the men to back away. "L-Lad looks ready to blow!" one of the officers panicked. "O-Oy!! Easy lad!! Why this reaction?!" Rostron asked with his hand up in defense. Gritting his teeth, Chris reached out and grabbed the railing in his hand, suddenly crushing it in his fist making the officers panic all the more and quickly wheel Rostron back, all of them looking at Chris in bewildered terror before watching as he released the railing, leaving the mark of his grip on the crushed metal while he collected himself with steady breathing, looking out at the sea as the energy around him ceased its current-like behavior before he faced Rostron and his officers, getting a wary jolt from them in response. "W-We're terribly sorry lad. W-We had no intention of enraging you so." the Captain point out. "You should be just as furious as me." Chris replied sternly, Rostron looking at him for a moment before showing a serious look of his own. "Why lad? If you're reacting like this, you're bound to know something we don't." he point out. "Didn't the Captain tell you already, Smith that is?" Chris asked, Rostron looking at the officers and getting a shrug from them before shaking his head. "We haven't heard a peep of any sort from Mr. Smith, about anything bad mind you. What's going on?" the Captain asked, his officers approaching Chris once more while wheeling Rostron back up to him as well.

Looking at them all, Chris faced the ocean again and put his hand in his pocket. "Let me start off by saying you're working for the descendants of the men who sank the Arceanic." Chris point out before removing his Pokedex from his pocket, flipping it open and pulling up the records of the men aboard the Carvanian the night the Arceanic sank, handing the device to Rostron. "Aye, we know all about these people. They were in distress the night the ship was lost. Admittedly you could blame them for the sinking, but it wasn't intentional. In fact, when Alabaster Lines was about to shut down due to bankruptcy back in the day, it was Stan Lore here, the Captain of the Carvanian who led the effort to buy out the company and save it from an untimely end. It was his way of thanking those aboard the Arceanic and preserving their memory after dying trying to answer their call for aid. It was his way of easing his grief over the matter, so I heard. Some time later he renamed it Platinum Star Lines and the company has held onto that title since. An admirable man, he was. Giving so much to save a company renowned the world over for garnering extraordinary detest due to what happened revolving the Arceanic that night." Rostron nodded. "Tch, honoring? Preserving? Don't you mean further running the company into the ground?" Chris asked, Rostron looking up at him in surprise. "Lad, these are very bold remarks on your part, and going by our knowledge of these men alone I'd have to say highly unnecessary." the Captain point out while his officers looked at one another, bewildered by Chris's behavior. "You think how I'm acting is bad? You'd better be grateful Smith hasn't heard anything about this." Chris warned before looking at the sea once more.

"What you know is nothing but a lie. A hundred years ago, Stan Lore and his men were poaching in this area. They'd stolen hundreds, maybe thousands of eggs from the Gyarados here, and found themselves caught in the middle of the swarm. That was the beginning of their rage, one that has lasted through the years, as you've seen." Chris began, Rostron and his officers going wide eyed. "In order to save their skins and make off with their catch, they knew they needed something big enough to give them the distraction they needed to get away. And what better thing to use than the largest ship in the world, which was just oh so conveniently nearby?" Chris asked. "They sent out distress calls, and once they grabbed the attention of the ship they wanted, they told everyone else they were fine and pulled the Arceanic in their direction like a fish trapped on a hook. Everyone else received word that the Carvanian had solved its own problem and was well on its way, meanwhile the Arceanic continued receiving distress calls from the Carvanian as she made her way closer and closer to an untimely end. Once they were near enough, the Carvanian stopped messaging the Arceanic and left her sitting blind as a bat. That's when the Gyarados appeared and destroyed the Arceanic, meanwhile the Carvanian pulled out of its hiding place among nearby bergs and made off with its loot. Smith and everyone on the ship saw the Carvanian as it raced off during their final moments before the Arceanic sank, and it was likely the loot from that haul and many like it that was used to buy out Alabaster Lines... It wasn't a benevolent act, it was a spit in the face to everybody in this world who lost those they loved that night." Chris revealed, the officers muttering among themselves while Rostron faced down, lost in his own thoughts.

"I'm sure you're wondering why we should detest those currently in charge, right? Why should we be mad at their descendants? After all, they had nothing to do with what happened to the Arceanic, so we can't hold the crimes of the past to those alive in the present, right?" Chris asked, the officers and Rostron looking at him once more. "Because those in the past taught their descendants the same despicable habits, and like sponges they absorbed the same disgusting personalities and committed countless crimes of their own over the years. I'm sure you'd like to think all the bad things that have happened are mere coincidences since these descendants took over, but rest assured you don't have the luxury of thinking that way." Chris affirmed before looking at Rostron. "You, all of you, were fooled into sailing the Guardian here because those in charge of Platinum Star Lines wanted to collect on the insurance and whatever other royalties by having this ship destroyed. They wanted to do the exact same thing to you that the Carvanian did to the Arceanic all those years ago, and they used the most twisted idea they could come up with to do it. The hundredth anniversary of the loss of the Arceanic, a cruise in memory, to pay tribute to the losses suffered that night. And like suckers everyone fell for it. Their ancestors killed thousands of people so long ago, and those in charge of the company today were willing to take out the descendants of those who died just to make a quick buck and run while the getting was good. Despicable, albeit convenient plots are their forte, and this one was too simple to pass up. Nobody would suspect a thing, because nobody actually knew a thing." Chris affirmed, Rostron gripping the arm of his wheelchair tightly while his expression turned as pale as Chris's had before.

"And then there's you, Captain Henry Rostron, descendant of the man the world heralded as the greatest hero of his time. Can you imagine the twisted laughter it would bring to Lore's descendant, who need I remind you is in charge of the company today, if you were the man blamed for the murder of everyone on this ship? If you were blamed for failing your duties? Not only would he have killed everyone on this ship just to collect a major profit, but he would have destroyed your family legacy in the process." Chris point out, the Captain's eyes widening as the officers turned the same pale color. "Showing up here is just another way of adding an extra mask to his face, and those who control the company alongside him. Every single person at the very top is a descendant of those at fault for murdering everyone on the Arceanic that night, the same way that everybody on this ship and its crew, for the most part, are descendants of those who were lost." Chris added. Facing down for a moment, Rostron suddenly ordered one of the officers to wheel him to the nearby trash can, quickly lifting himself up before leaning into it and hurling, the officers looking away while Chris did the same. "It really is sickening, isn't it? The worst part is how much it all makes sense. I've looked over the records of the company, and over time its value has plummeted further and further with every incident they've caused. Those who are in charge have racked up a fortune in insurance claims over the years, and with the company in its current state they were probably planning to go out with a bang, making another fortune off sacrificing this ship and from the media attention that would follow before jumping off their own sinking ship, probably planning to leave Platinum Star to crumble behind them while they made off with their corrupted gains, the same way those on the Carvanian made off with their own fortune that night. It's a multi billion dollar profit that has built up since Alabaster Lines was bought out, with those revolving the Arceanic and the company itself being the stepping stones towards that gain." Chris affirmed.

"I-I think I feel a sickness of my own coming on." one of the officers point out. "Captain? Will you be alright?" another asked while rubbing his back, Rostron letting out a groggy and sickened groan while slowly raising up and flopping back into his wheelchair. "I didn't plan on the conversation popping up like this, but I don't want people showing up here who're falsely thought of as great people. The only thing those at the top are great at is sacrificing whatever and whoever for the sake of making an easy buck in the most twisted ways possible." Chris point out while Rostron took out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth. "You think how I reacted to them showing up was bad, you're lucky Captain Smith doesn't know about it. And you better be glad you didn't make the Captain of the Carvanian out to be a great man in front of him. A crushed railing would have been the least of your worries." Chris reminded before looking around. "You remember how I mentioned there was something you could do for the other night?" he asked. "A-Aye, that I do." Rostron nodded while folding his handkerchief and tucking it away, clearing his throat while doing so. "Those people coming here makes part of what I want a whole lot easier to obtain..." Chris point out while walking to the railing and looking down into the ocean. "Firstly, I want ownership of the Arceanic site, every inch of it. Ship and all. I found it, I want it." Chris affirmed, Rostron and the officers jolting wide eyed. "L-Lad, there's a LOT involved in that sort of thing. I'm not certain any of us have the power to make that a possibility." the Captain reminded. "A lot is just what I'm willing to do to get it, starting with when those people get here." Chris replied before turning to the Captain.

"This site, now that its location is known, it's going to need the right protection, otherwise anything could happen to it. I don't want anyone touching it, no matter the reason. More than anyone, as the one who found it I bear the most responsibility for what becomes of it, and I don't want to regret this discovery because of those that would take advantage of it just to make a profit, be it legally or otherwise." Chris affirmed before facing the horizon. "Secondly, it's the company itself, I want it taken care of. For years, just like the people employed within, yourselves as an example, the company has suffered due to the control of the wrong hands, and I want that fixed. I want it to become something respectable again, not facing the brink of ruin with a track record doomed to grow worse as the years pass. If it has to come to an end, I want it to happen after it has the chance to do so on a high note, not in its current state, and to do that it's going to take replacing those at the top with the right people." Chris went on, the Captain and his officers looking at one another. "Again lad, that's a pretty tall order." Rostron reminded. "Everything starts with taking a first step. When those people arrive, that's when I'll take it. Before everyone on this ship, before the world, I'll make sure that step counts." Chris assured. "As far as Captain Smith, don't worry about taking all this info to him. I've already got a plan going through my mind revolving him and the other spirits on the ship." he nodded before turning away. "I've experienced their pain first hand, I've watched everything happen. When those people get here, I'll make sure they do the same. We'll see how they like it when somebody manipulates them." he added in a cold tone. "Easy there lad, that's a tad too eerie a statement." Rostron said warily. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything like you're thinking. I'm asking you to put your trust in me." Chris replied before looking back.

"I want to bring the truth out in front of everyone, but I want to do it my way. I'm asking you to keep what I've said a secret between us until those people arrive, and even when they do arrive, I want it kept under wraps until I take action. Have I earned that much?" Chris asked, Rostron and his officers looking at one another warily before nodding in response. "A-Aye lad, but keep in mind all of us are on the line here. Whatever you do, you're putting all of us at risk since we're under the employ of the company." Rostron reminded. "Trust me, you'll all be safe. It's the ones responsible for everything that have reason to worry. It goes without saying that you should watch yourself when you've caught my eye in the wrong way." Chris replied before showing a smirk. "They aren't the only ones who can play mind games with others." he added before walking off with a wave. "I'll have my dex on hand so let me know when they arrive!" he called out, Rostron responding with an "a-aye!" before facing the sea. "...And to think the day started off on such a positive note." he muttered while pulling out his spyglass once more and scanning the horizon, noticing a tiny speck in the distance. "They'll be here soon, best we prepare ourselves men." the Captain ordered before they nodded and pushed him along. "But prepare ourselves how is the question? I'm not sure keeping a straight face will be possible with his words fresh in mind." an officer point out. "Rest assured I intend to look into things myself. There are definitely eerie similarities between his words and the actions of those heading towards us, but best we not assume the worst without proper research first. We may not find many facts, but at least we'll have something to go off of beyond his words alone." Rostron affirmed as they moved along.

As Chris made his way long his own path, he looked at the shimmering sea next to him. "I said that, but without the spirits my plan will fall apart. I gotta make sure they don't leave until I can do what I have in mind." he muttered before looking around. "But the problem is, where are they? In order for everything to work out I gotta have all of em' with me. Yet there's not a single one around. Did they already...?" he thought to himself before shaking his head. "No, there's no way they'd just leave without any heads up. They're here somewhere." he muttered before nodding with a grunt and sprinting off along the deck. "Find the spirits, find Smith, go over the plan and prep my surprise." he nodded while scanning the deck as he made his way along, asking random passengers if they'd seen any of the spirits in the process. While he busily made his way along, back in his room the girls were finally beginning to stir themselves, each groggily raising up and looking at one another with dazed expressions. "Morning..." Serenity said. "To you as well." Alicia replied with a yawn. "Sun's up already?" Rose asked, rubbing her eye before stretching. "Time pass fast when sleep good." Serenity point out. Looking at one another, they nodded before deciding to lay back down, Alicia resting her chin on the mattress while Serenity and Rose lay on their sides, reaching an arm out only to wind up resting them atop each others. After a moment, they let out a simultaneous "eh?" before opening their eyes again and abruptly shooting up. "Where he go?!!" Serenity panicked. "H-How did he get up without waking us? You were right on top of him too!" Rose point out. "I-I don't know!! I was so comfortable I was likely in too deep a sleep to notice anything!! You can't blame me after the day we had!!" Alicia snapped, all three scanning the room.

"H-He not even in here. Not only he get up, he leave room without us knowing... He good." Serenity muttered. "Q-Quite. And considering how much medication they put in his body, it's astounding he managed to wake before the rest of us. Let alone waltz out of here without falling all over himself." Alicia point out. "He's got some perseverance." Rose muttered. Looking at one another again, Serenity placed her hand on her face and groaned. "He probably already off wearing self out all over again." she speculated. "I don't think he'd be foolish enough to put himself in the same state so quickly." Alicia assured. "Yeah but, you can't say he wouldn't either. I mean, think of how many times he's been in bad shape and still did stuff." Rose reminded, both girls looking at her before sighing simultaneously. "We'd best go find the fool before he's got the chance to prove the bunny here right." Alicia suggested, getting a nod from the two in response. Climbing out of bed together, Rose had the two pause long enough for her to remove her dress from the night before, shaking her head once it was off and letting out a relieved sigh. "Okay, now we can go." she said while putting the dress in the nearby basket atop Chris's clothes. "Surprise you sleep so good with fur AND dress on." Serenity point out as they left the room. "Same here. I don't mind wearing stuff sometimes, but after sleeping in something it feels great to finally have it off. My body can breathe again." she giggled as they shut the door behind them.

Making their way along, the group paused once they reached the lobby, looking around silently while people and Pokemon roamed about. "To think, they're all alive and well after coming so close to their ends. Surviving such a thing would put anyone in a bright mood I suppose." Alicia point out. "Mm!! And they all made it thanks to..." Rose added, pausing while giving Serenity a smile causing the Pokemon to jolt and face away with a scowl. "I not do anything. They alive because Chris want them alive. I not care." she replied in irritation. "I dunno, deep down I think you kinda wanted to be their hero! Sure you might've done it for him mostly, but somewhere inside I bet you knew you were doing what was right. No matter how much you hate someone, a life is a life after all!" Rose affirmed, Serenity letting out a "tch" in response while crossing her arms. "Whatever. They alive, yay. Important thing is where Chris is." she reminded while hovering her gaze around the area, looking at the random families walking about. Seeing the kids, her irritated aura gradually faded, the Pokemon eventually letting out a sigh before quickly moving aside as two of them ran past, a small smile appearing on the corner of her mouth. "Ah HAH!!" Rose shout, pointing at Serenity causing her to jump before quickly clearing her throat and scowling once more, the rabbit giggling while Serenity grumbled in irritation, muttering "stupid rabbit" before walking ahead. "I knew she cared. Even if she doesn't like humans, you can't hate the young ones!" she point out. "I'll admit they're a tad hard to resist. Some of them can be rather adorable." Alicia nodded before following Serenity through the lobby.

However, just as they reached the stairs the three were suddenly distracted by a familiar call, pausing and turning around to see Lucario and Garchomp hurrying along towards them with grins on their faces, giving the girls a wave causing Serenity and Rose to jolt before glancing away nervously. "Ah yes, your admirers." Alicia muttered as the two hurried before them. "H-Hello." Rose said quietly, facing down and fidgeting while Garchomp let out a sound of adoration in response, patting the rabbit on the head and blushing from her cutesy aura. Meanwhile Lucario was looking Serenity over, the Pokemon letting out an uncomfortable groan before jolting when Lucario shot out a thumbs up. "Y-Yeah, I fine." Serenity replied, rubbing her arm nervously. Blinking at her, Lucario tilt his head, puzzled by her change in attitude towards him before showing a look of concern. Seeing this, Serenity glanced away before crossing her arms. "Thank you... For help. You save, do good. Not many take action like you. Way you act... Remind me of Master. So that make you okay in book." Serenity praised, Lucario letting out a grunt while nodding with a smile. "You know he doesn't like being referred to that way." Alicia reminded. "Well he not here right now! I call what I want." Serenity snapped before facing away with a blush and a scowl. Looking around, Garchomp noticed a nearby vase and hurried toward it before returning with a flower, handing it to Rose causing the rabbit to show a slight blush of her own, blinking in surprise before smiling nervously with slight sweat on her face. "Th-Thank you." she replied, nodding at Garchomp causing the Pokemon to grin. Seeing this, Lucario showed an "ah!" expression before hurrying off and bringing Serenity a handful of flowers, trying to one-up Garchomp making the Pokemon growl in response before hurrying off to collect more for Rose, Lucario letting out a "no you don't!" noise before hurrying off through the lobby as well, the two emptying several vases of their flowers while the girls watched, Serenity twitching an eye while Rose sighed with her ears slumped.

"Well, aren't you two lucky?" Alicia smirked. "I-I know they wanna be nice and all, but for some reason the way they act makes me kinda uncomfortable." Rose smiled nervously. "They try to compete for females already taken. It not make me uncomfortable, it make me feel sad, for them." Serenity point out, Alicia and Rose blinking at her with a "harsh" kind of expression on their faces. "Idolization comes in many forms. I'd say you should enjoy the adoration they have toward you." Alicia nodded. "I not want other people or Pokemon to act this way. I want..." Serenity replied with her nose up before glancing away shyly, muttering something in a quiet and embarrassed manner. "Yes, well... Standing around here isn't going to help us find that fool any quicker. And the longer he goes unattended, the more time he has to do something, well, foolish to himself." the snake reminded before Lucario and Garchomp suddenly came back up, each toting more flowers than they could handle causing them to trip and fall headfirst into their collections before pulling their heads out with flowers filling their mouths, blinking before quickly shaking their heads and spitting them out. "Y-You know, you don't have to do this kinda stuff when you see us. Just a wave and a hello is nice enough." Rose point out. "She right, it feel weird having other males act this way. We already have mate." Serenity affirmed, causing them to stand and apologize with a nervous laugh before waving their hands and shaking their heads. "If you not looking for mate, not act stupid then. You embarrass self and us acting way you do. Like Rose say, just say hello and wave." Serenity lectured, the two Pokemon poking their fingers and nodding with another apology and guilty looks on their faces.

"We not mad at you, just not want you to make uncomfortable. You not bad... For what worth, guess like you too." Serenity affirmed before thinking back on when Lucario held her, showing just the slightest blush on her face while glancing away. "Like say, remind me of master." she added, Lucario noticing her blush and grinning causing Serenity to jolt and clear her throat before facing away. "We busy! Need to find master so we go." she finished before making her way up the stairs. Watching her leave, Lucario scratched his nose with a chuckle before freezing when hearing Rose clear her throat, the rabbit giving both Pokemon a stern glare. "You two made a mess trying to show off and beat each other. Now you make sure to clean all this up and put it back where it came from, okay?" she lectured, waving a finger while the two looked at all of the flowers around them before sulking with a "yes ma'am" kind of response and getting to work returning them to their vases. "Those two are certainly a curious pair. I suppose that would be males for you." Alicia sighed. "You know, it makes me wonder what it would be like if HE behaved as they do toward us?" she point out, Rose looking up at the snake before smiling. "If you're talking about Chris, he'd never act that way. He's not the type to get jealous or anything like that. Plus he trusts us, you know? After all, he didn't get mad the last time they were trying to flirt with us." the rabbit reminded. "T-True, but there's nothing wrong with pondering." Alicia replied with a slight blush as they followed Serenity. "You WANT him to get jealous and fight over us?" Rose asked, blinking at Alicia causing the snakes eyes to widen before facing away flustered. "N-Nothing wrong with a lady wanting a little action!" she replied, Serenity glancing back at the two before imagining the idea herself and suddenly giggling.

Once they were outside, Serenity and Rose looked around while Alicia trembled from the cold. "Th-This is going to be a h-horrid trip." the snake point out, feeling the frigid deck beneath her. "B-Best we hurry along. I c-can't tolerate this atmosphere for v-very long." she reminded. "We just step out and you already act like big baby?" Serenity asked as they made their way along the deck, looking around. "I've got fur so I can't really judge anyone. I never get cold no matter the weather really. Although that doesn't mean I won't feel it if things get cold enough." Rose laughed nervously. "Come to think of it, we're not even all the way there yet... The valley place I mean. I wonder how cold it will be once we reach it?" Rose asked curiously. "D-Don't r-remind me!!" Alicia snapped, looking at the ice on the railing and the snow brushed aside, showing a disgusted look with a "blech" at the frigid scenery. "Blech nothing! I think it pretty." Serenity point out. "It's awful shiny. I like it too." Rose nodded. "I'm s-so happy for you." Alicia muttered. Continuing along, Serenity eventually looked back, Rose and Alicia tilting their heads before doing the same. "What's up?" Rose asked. "D-Do we have to p-pause?" Alicia added, trying to shake off the cold before shuddering once more. "I just thinking... They weird, but it good they okay. Seeing that Lucario, make me wonder what it be like if Chris were Pokemon, like us." Serenity point out. Looking at her, Alicia and Rose blinked at one another before facing the sky and trying to imagine it for themselves, each girl picturing him as one of her own species.

"Ohhh... I like that. I like that lots. That yummy..." Serenity giggled sadistically, her fingers out like claws and drool coming from the side of her mouth like a feline in heat ready to attack, her eyes showing a dangerous glow while picturing things more along the lines of rape in her mind. Meanwhile Rose was losing herself in fantasies of fields, roaming about with Chris in the spring and hiding away in a burrow during the winter, finding herself pulled into a different realm by him on frigid nights causing the rabbit to squeal while holding her cheeks, quickly shaking her head. "Ooohhh no no no no!! That's wrong!!" she giggled embarrassed, waving off the thoughts as if trying to swat at something. While she and Serenity were far more expressive with their thoughts, Alicia was going through her own images in a much more collected manner, albeit with a flush on her face despite her efforts to look indifferent on the subject, picturing a much more refined version of Chris roaming through forests by her side and stealing her away to hidden locations, the two tangling themselves up and finding herself trapped beneath him, forcing a small smile to appear on the side of her mouth while her eyes sparkled, seemingly forgetting about the cold as her thoughts provided a different kind of warmth within. "Well hello there! Funny seeing all of you out and about! Especially you Alicia!" a familiar voice suddenly chimed in, causing all three girls to jump and let out simultaneous high pitched screams before turning to see Sally and Victoria, the two groaning with their ears covered before nervously smiling, the girls trembling from the startle with flushes on their faces, now due to their humiliation. "G-Goodness, we'd no intention of startling you so. Are you alright?" Victoria asked with slight sweat on her face.

Looking at the two silently for a moment, Serenity and the girls faced one another before relaxing and clearing their throats, all three facing away from one another. "H-Hi. We looking for Chris, you see anywhere?" Serenity asked. "Q-Quite right. We're having a rather hard time finding the fool." Alicia added. "H-He was gone when we woke up." Rose point out. "Oh dear, he's out and about?" Victoria asked in concern. "We heard about what happened from Mr. Smith, he was in a really bad spot it sounds like. Is it okay for him to be moving around this soon?" Sally added. "That why we looking for him. Guess he not outside, so we go look inside ship next." Serenity nodded. "Th-Thank goodness." Alicia added with a shudder, trying to shake off the cold again and letting out a sneeze. "I'm not one for this frigid atmosphere at all." she complained. "That's why seeing you out here was such a surprise. Your kind is fairly sensitive to this kind of location. In fact, we're surprised he's bringing you here without a Pokeball or anything." Sally replied with a nervous smile. "He doesn't like them. Instead of those, he uses these to make sure someone else can't catch us." Rose point out, showing off the chip on the back of her badge. Looking down, Alicia used her vine to flip her badge, noticing the chip on hers looked slightly damaged from its trip to the bottom of the ocean. "Oh dear, seems I'll have to have this replaced somehow." she muttered. "Well, that aside we're afraid we haven't seen him. Mind you we only recently departed from our cabin as well." Victoria point out. "That okay, we keep looking and get what help we can." Serenity replied, giving them a wave before heading off, only to pause and face down before looking back at the two, Alicia and Rose tilting their heads curiously before looking back as well. "I-Is something the matter?" Victoria asked, Serenity looking at them silently. "...You humans, but glad you okay. Glad you live." she affirmed with a nod before walking off, the two looking at her back in surprise while Rose and Alicia did the same before excusing themselves and following, only to pause yet again when Alicia noticed objects in the horizon. "Huh, seems there's something heading toward us." she point out, Serenity and Rose looking at her before facing the horizon curiously themselves, noticing the distant ships now close enough to see with the eyes alone before moving along, deciding to ask others for directions who might've seen Chris along the way.

While they searched for him on the upper decks, Chris had already managed to take his search down to the lowest decks of the ship, more and more passengers and crew having spotted the missing spirits the further he went, until finally stopping at a heavily reinforced door akin to vaults you'd find at the bank, security standing on guard before it. "Sorry sir, none allowed beyond this point. Beyond here lies the ships inner workings and engine room, and given the current state of things past this point, we're under strict orders to ensure only staff and necessary Pokemon are allowed within." one of the guards affirmed. "I know, I'm the one who helped come up with the idea of how to keep things going in there. I'm looking for the Cofagrigus and Yamask that boarded the ship after we returned to the surface, and all hints point at them being in there. I need them, so I need to pass." Chris point out, the guards looking at one another before looking Chris over. "Ah yes, the coat... We should've recognized you right away. Our apologies sir." the other guard replied with a nod. "We're grateful to you, but if you don't mind it's best we check in with our superiors before granting you access. Duty first and all that." one of them affirmed before going to a nearby phone hanging on the wall and calling other security staff on the upper decks, leaving Chris waiting with the other officer. "Sorry for the wait sir." he apologized. "Hey, no worries. I'm not gonna cause any trouble, out here or in there. I need to hold a meeting of sorts with them before our help arrives." Chris replied. "Ah yes, we've heard ships are finally nearby. The Captain made the call to hold off support until there was plenty of sunlight to guide their way." the guard replied before the other returned. "Security has cleared you, so feel free to enter. Do be mindful of those at work." the guard affirmed before the two unlocked the door and pulled it open, Chris nodding at the two and giving his thanks before walking past.

Making his way along, Chris admired the many gears, pistons and turbines making up the inner workings of the ship, much of the structure being an exact replica of the Arceanic, albeit with more of a futuristic steampunk design compared to the original plans of ages past, everything converted to run on steam and electricity alone rather than coal. "It's really something, now that I've got a chance to really look at everything. Since they don't use coal in here everything's so much cleaner... You can really see everything shine." Chris smirked, rubbing his hand along some of the gears lining the walkway. "Course they gotta use some oil here and there." he muttered, rubbing the greasy texture between his fingers before digging in his pocket for a napkin and wiping it off. Continuing his search, he passed many crew members, each working alongside electric Pokemon to ensure the ship maintained a stable level of power while others worked on welding things with fire types by their side. "To think all this stuff managed to handle so much strain... It's hard to believe what this ship went through during that attack, but it held together." he muttered before gliding his hand along one of the turbines. "This design did its best to save everyone back then, and today, with a little fine tuning, it succeeded." he said before looking around at the surrounding hull, almost every inch covered in damage from the attack yet folding together nonetheless. "Thanks Mr. Andrews, you really knew how to design one heck of a beast." he chuckled, turning around only to find a Yamask blinking at him just an inch from his face, a "you called?" expression showing causing Chris to shout and nearly fall backwards over the railing of the walkway, the Yamask quickly grabbing him and helping pull him forward.

"Th-Thanks..." Chris said, clutching his chest with a sigh before looking at the spirit. "The way you were acting just then... You're Mr. Andrews right? Thomas Andrews?" he asked, the spirit nodding with a smile. "Ha ha, should've known you'd be one of the first I'd find down here. Since you designed the original version of this whole place, it makes sense you'd wanna see how they modernized everything. Pretty neat how they stuck to your original stuff yet managed to give it a futuristic twist without ruining the old school feel." Chris smirked, Thomas showing letting out an "o-old school?" kind of sound and slumping with a nervous smile. "S-Sorry sir!! I didn't mean to offend you!! I-I guess it's hard to tell how much time has passed in your case..." Chris panicked, rubbing his head with a guilty look. Waving in response, Thomas assured him it was alright, nodding with a smile before giving him a curious look. "I-I'm looking for Smith and all the other spirits, do you know where they are? It's important I meet with them as soon as possible, and a lot of passengers said they saw everyone come down here." Chris point out. "I'd be much obliged sir." he added with a bow. In response, Thomas smiled and pat him on the head before motioning for Chris to follow, leading him along several paths through the mechanical behemoths surrounding them, passing turbines and boilers, gears and computers, until finally turning a corner and heading into an empty and isolated section of the area, used for storage of tools, spare parts, and the like where Captain Smith and the many spirits of the Arceanic had gathered to speak in private with the Dusknoir group.

"THERE you are!!" Chris shout out, causing them all to jump and face him in surprise. "L-Lad!! Good heavens, what in the world are you doing so far from your cabin?! Return to bed immediately!!" the Captain lectured, hovering up to Chris and trying to coax him into going back. "H-Hey!! Hold on!!" Chris struggled, nudging Smith back before looking at the thousands of spirits gathered around them. "I came here for something important, but first of all, what's with this sudden get together? What's going on?" he asked, looking at the Dusknoir. "And where have you guys been? I've seen plenty of them, but none of you guys. What's the deal?" he asked, the leader floating down to him with its arms crossed. "We're discussing the journey ahead into the other world." it replied. "Trying that again huh?" Chris asked with a scowl. "Don't look at me that way. We're going over who does and doesn't go." the leader point out, causing Chris's eyes to widen in surprise before looking at all the spirits. "For real?" he asked. "Those you see on the left will be coming with us, those on the right will remain in this world, albeit under... Occasional supervision." the leader clarified. "Most are ready to make the journey, however there are those who wish to remain behind for a time. Most on the right consist of souls who served on the ship that sank and wish to continue serving the living for the time being, alongside Smith there." the leader explained, Chris looking back at the Captain. "S-Seriously? You're staying too?" Chris asked. "Aye lad. In regards to me and my crew, our staying here is a means of repentance for the errors on our part while we were alive. We would like to earn our place in the beyond. Our spots will remain empty until we're ready." the Captain affirmed.

Looking around, Chris smirked with a nod. "You see how easy it is when you do things without using force or intimidation to get your way? Had you done something like this from the start, you wouldn't have spent so many years stuck down there." Chris point out to the leader. "Aye, and at the same time we wouldn't have been here to help you either lad." the Captain reminded, putting a hand on Chris's shoulder. "I'm shocked to hear myself saying this as well, but we actually owe these Dusknoir our gratitude. It took a hundred years perhaps, but all of these souls have finally been able to put their woes to rest. Getting to help all of you was just the thing they needed to push them forward. And now me and my mates will be able to work off the last of our own regrets, until we too are positive our time to cross over has come." Smith grinned. "That's really what you wanna do huh?" Chris asked, Smith grunting in response. "That's the idea lad. However some, like Mr. Hartley, will go on residing in this world alongside others in their own way. He will be leaving us to remain by the side of his descendant, the one known as Sally. Taken a rather sizeable liking to her, he has. Noticed potential in the lass, so he intends to offer his services as a personal tutor of sorts. Although he has yet to go over the idea with her. I'll have to offer my services as a translator of course when he does bring the matter to her attention." Smith smirked. "We've all got our plans, and the Dusknoir here summoned us to discuss them. They're fairly satisfied with the numbers that have decided to pass on, and will pop in from time to time on those of us who remain, as their leader already point out." the Captain went on, Chris looking at everyone and the Dusknoir group before smirking.

"Well alright then... Sounds good." he nodded, facing Smith once more. "I came here for two reasons though, and with one out of the way, knowing where you are and what's going on I mean, I have something important to tell you all, a plan that requires every single one of you." he affirmed, Smith and all the spirits looking at one another curiously. "Another plan of some sort lad? I must admit, some of us are still a tad tuckered from aiding you last night." the Captain smiled nervously. "Don't worry, this time you don't have to do anything but show up. Now, what I've got in mind is going to confuse you, all of you, probably a lot. But it'll all make sense once things start happening. Now, listen close..." he began, motioning for the spirits to gather round closely, the Dusknoir facing one another before nodding and fading away through a nearby wall. Leaving them alone, Chris went over his request with the spirits, all of them as bewildered as the next yet nodding in agreement as he spoke, while elsewhere on the ship, the girls were making their rounds to find him, each deck providing more and more clues as to his whereabouts as more passengers reported spotting him hurrying along. "For someone so out of it last night he's certainly recovered remarkably fast. Ninetales doing perhaps?" Alicia point out. "W-Well, kinda don't think that's the case, especially after what she told us last night. Remember, she said not everything he did was because of her? That means whatever he's doing now is probably something he wants to do, not her." Rose affirmed. "Still must find. Want to know what he up to." Serenity added while they looked around. "I believe the last clue we were given pointed him out as having vanished in this direction. But we haven't gone any lower than this since we've been on the ship. What could possibly be further down that would be of interest to him?" Alicia asked as they approached a staircase separate from the main ones in the lobbies.

"It doesn't look like this is really meant for normal people." Rose point out as Serenity opened the gate blocking the stairs and made her way down first. "If this where Chris go, this where we go." Serenity replied with a rebellious grunt. "I do hope you're not steering us into trouble." Alicia added. "What trouble we get into I not handle? Humans not stop us." Serenity replied, waving her hand. "I-It's hard to tell if you're really improving or not." Rose laughed nervously, Serenity sticking out her tongue with a "whatever" in response as they reached the bottom of the stairs and looked around. "This hallway's a lot different than the ones we've been in... We're really not supposed to be here." Rose panicked, standing close to Alicia. "You bring up what fox say, remember what she say about you? Not be baby, grow up." Serenity reminded coldly, Rose blinking at her before scowling. "Th-That's uncalled for! It's natural to be nervous when you're somewhere you know is bad!" she snapped. Looking at the two, Alicia sighed and shook her head. "Shall we be on our way, or would you two rather wait here until we do wind up in trouble?" the snake asked, Serenity and Rose looking at her before nodding in response and moving on together. Soon, they came to the sealed door where the guards remained on duty, noticing the girls and stepping closer together as they walked up. "We looking for master, he go in?" Serenity asked, giving the guards a glare that sent ice down their spines while standing straight. "None are allowed access. Who is your master?" one of the men asked. "He human who save you. He wear big white coat, not miss." Serenity point out. "I-It feels weird talking about him as our master." Rose point out. "Agreed. Despite my respect for him, a master is far from the term I'd use. I am my own master." Alicia point out with her nose up.

Looking back at the snake, Serenity scowled before facing the guards again. "You see human with coat come here or not?!" she asked in frustration, crossing her arms while the guards looked at one another warily. "He... Did pass through here. But letting him through and letting you through are two entirely different things. There's a lot of sensitive machinery beyond here, much of it in shambles. We don't need anymore trouble in there." the other guard point out. "We not cause trouble! We just want to get to him! Stop him before he hurt self again." Serenity point out. Slithering up, Alicia cleared her throat before taking the reins of the conversation. "I do beg your pardon, but he's in a bit of a dangerous state himself at the moment. After all the pushing he's done his body is sensitive, and too much action could cause him to fall into an ill state once more. We merely want to ensure this doesn't happen. Should he overexert himself, there's no telling what could happen to him. We've no intention of causing any trouble or damage to whatever may be past this door. Our only intent is to find him and find a way to coax him back to bed." Alicia affirmed. "That's right! We won't touch anything in there, we give you our word!" Rose chimed in. Looking at one another once more, the guards faced the girls. "...Give us a moment." one of them replied before heading towards the nearby phone. However, just as the guard began walking away there was a loud buzzing sound, causing a light above them to flash on. "Ah... Perhaps that's him." the guard remaining at the door said before motioning for the other to aid in opening it. Pulling the door, the girls saw Smith and all of the Yamask waiting to come out, and as they float past Chris walked out behind them, taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh.

Optional track to LWR - listen While Reading - What's To Come...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2z142a_clannad-ost-r...

"Alright... The spirits are ready, the Captain and officers know what's up... Good." he smirked before noticing the girls standing together against the wall. "A-Ah, you're up huh?" he asked, walking up to the group as they looked at all the spirits in surprise. "Good heavens, to think there were so many. It's one thing to see them scattered about the ship, but when together they make an impressive swarm." the snake point out. "Yeah... You really helped a lot of people." Rose added. "Ha ha, it's no biggie. You girls deserve most, if not all the credit. You were the ones who kept the Guardian safe during my time on the Arceanic." he chuckled before reaching out and rubbing Serenity on the head, making the Pokemon jolt and flush brightly from the sudden touch, distracted by the Yamask continuing to float past and being caught off guard. Facing Chris, she blinked at him wide eyed, looking up towards her forehead before letting out a curious "eh?" as he continued to smile. "If it weren't for you and the others, the Guardian would've been destroyed and everyone would've died! It was your quick thinking that made everyone survive, and it was also thanks to you we found the Arceanic in the first place! I might've done the convincing on the Arceanic, but without you I wouldn't have had the chance to help anyone in the first place. It takes a real man to own up to his failures and admit when someone else did a better job, and you definitely surpassed both me and my expectations down there!" he grinned, Serenity stuttering in response before facing down with a wide smile and poking her fingers together shyly. "Of course, we've gone over the whole praise thing before, so best I not spoil you girls too much." he smirked, reaching up and rubbing Alicia on the cheek making the snake jolt before doing the same to Rose, the small rabbit grinning and letting out a sigh before he stepped back.

"So... You feel okay? Not feel sick?" Serenity asked, glancing up at him. "Sick? No... Feel pretty good actually, sides a dizzy spell here and there. Once I get some food, maybe some caffeine in me, I'll be good." he assured, waving his hand with a chuckle before watching the last of the Yamask exit the engine area, all of them following the Captain to the upper decks. "Do tell, what's going on?" Alicia asked. "Well, while Rostron and his crew are preparing for the president of Platinum Star Lines and his lackeys to show up, I'm doing a little preparing of my own." Chris smirked before looking at the girls again. "Which is why I'm glad you've shown up. I was gonna head back to the room to have a talk with you, but now that you're here it saves me some trouble." he point out, the girls looking at one another curiously. "You see, those people showing up... They're the ones who planned all this. And after some research, they're descendants of the people that sank the Arceanic and killed all those people. Instead of doing something to atone for what their families did, they've carried on their criminal actions through the years. So when those people arrive, I plan to finally put a stop to it, and to do so is going to take doing something that's pretty far from what you'd expect out of me..." he revealed, looking away down the corridor where the spirits went. "What's about to happen might make you girls uncomfortable around me for a little while... But what I'm going to do is the only way to get the truth out of those people here and now. Before my plan happens, I just want to apologize for however it makes you feel about me." he went on, the girls looking at one another warily.

"What exactly... Is this plan of yours?" Alicia asked. "I-It does sound a little dark." Rose nodded. Looking at the two, he faced Serenity, the Pokemon looking back at him in silence. "...I'm going to need you to make the plan happen. I'm being selfish again, but I need you to follow my orders, alright? Can I trust you to do so without question?" he asked, Serenity blinking at him in surprise. "I... Not sure. Would like to know what going on." she replied. "What's going on is something I can't do without you. I don't have it in me to do what needs to be done myself. I have the strength to make the plan, but I can't be the one that carries it out. I'm relying on you, I'm asking you to trust me... Please?" he asked, holding his hand out. Looking at it, Serenity stood silently, the girls looking at one another in concern before jolting when they heard Serenity respond with an "okay" before taking Chris's hand, the two blinking in surprise. "I love you. If you say you need me, if want me to obey, I obey. You good to me, good to others. You not do anything bad without reason... If you doing something bad to the humans coming here, I know there big reason. You say you can't do what need to be done to humans, so that prove you still good. Even though they deserve what you do, you can't do on own. So... I do what you say. I do what you can't do. Give order, I do what want. No questions. I be strength you need." she smiled. Looking at her for a moment, Chris smiled back and pulled her in for a hug, causing the Pokemon to freeze up wide eyed and flush once more. "Thank you Serenity... Thank you." he said in a relieved tone, a smile appearing on Serenity's face that spread from ear to ear. "N-Not make embarrassing! C-Come on, it okay!" she replied, pushing away with a nervous laugh and slapping Chris on the back. "N-Not need to be so nice just because follow order. It natural." she added, fidgeting shyly.

Nodding in response, he put his hand on her shoulder before facing the others. "Listen you two... I'm not sure if you'll be able to handle what's going to happen up there. If you're scared to find out, if you're uncomfortable at all, I want you to go back to the room. It's not gonna be a pretty sight, and I don't want to ruin your image of me." he affirmed. Looking at one another, the two nodded before coming up to him. "It would be absurd to allow Serenity to place more faith in you than myself. I too will offer my trust." the snake replied. "I-I don't know what you're going to do to those humans, but deep down I know you'd never turn into a bad person. I'll stay with you." Rose added while holding his hand. "It's not gonna be pretty." he reminded. "I was in a ghastly state myself when we first met, and you endured that. The same as you endured that fall from the cliff. I suppose it's only right that we endure in return." Alicia affirmed. "I dunno about the whole cliff thing... But I do know you've never judged us or anyone else for who they are or what they've done. Except those who really deserved it... So we won't judge you either just because you might be mean this one time. These humans seem like they're really bad... Especially for you to want to do something to teach them a lesson. So even if we don't like what you're about to do to them, we'll understand... And we promise to love you just the same, right?" Rose asked, looking up at Alicia. "Quite right. There comes a time when we all must face our sins. How we face them is the question. I suppose when you think about it, serving your punishment in this world, fessing up to your wrongdoings in the present, is a far better option than suffering for eternity when you pass, and with that in mind perhaps you're doing them a kindness." the snake point out. "Y-Yeah... That does kinda make it sound better. It's kinda like you're saving their souls or something..." Rose point out, thinking the idea over.

Looking at the two, Chris smiled before facing down the corridor. "I dunno if that's what I'll be doing. In fact I might be putting my own soul in trouble for this... But everyone deserves to know the truth. I don't want to let any of those souls cross over without the real reason they died known. I don't want to leave their grave in the hands of the wrong people, or that company... There's a lot of people who make a living working for Platinum Star Lines, they feed their families and all. If we leave this company in the hands of those people, there's folks all over the world that will suffer." he point out. "They'll keep putting lives in danger, keep committing crimes, until they drop the company like a rock and everyone who relies on it to survive. Even if what I do makes me look like a bad guy... It's worth it." he affirmed, facing down while the girls looked at one another before smiling. "We're not only allowing you to do this, but we're supporting you. So if you must suffer, so too shall we as willing participants." Alicia nodded. "Yeah! We'll take responsibility too! We'll be right by your side after all! Any trouble you get into, we'll endure it together." Rose affirmed. Looking at the two, Serenity smirked before cracking her knuckles. "And if anyone try to hurt you, I not let them. So no worries! We have back no matter what!" Serenity grinned. Looking at them all, Chris chuckled before rubbing them each on the head. "Well alright then... I appreciate it girls." he nodded before suddenly pausing with an "urk!" and looking at the two guards. "F-Forgot about you guys." he said with a nervous laugh. "J-Just keep this conversation between us, alright?" he asked, the two men looking at one another before facing him.

"Don't worry about us... We've had the same suspicions since our arrival on the site. In fact, it's probably not smart to say this but..." one of the guards paused, looking at the other before the second guard continued. "We've all had our doubts for some time, especially after this incident. We've worked together for some time with Platinum Star Lines, long before we were given positions on the Guardian, and we've seen things go on that seemed shady but we've never brought it up with anybody, it's their power, you see? Those like us would be crushed if we made a wrong step... Many under the company's employ have an uneasy feeling about those who've been in charge through the years. Heck, my old man worked for the company and he didn't like the people in charge during his time either. Platinum Star has been passed down through two, maybe three generations of members within the same families since being taken over by Stan Lore and his partners way back when, and each time a group as equally suspicious as the last has inherited their positions. Seems like things have steadily gone downhill for the company throughout the years, always surviving by the skin of its neck. We're not sure we agree with whatever you may be planning, but... So long as there's no loss of life..." the guard paused, giving Chris a wary look. "Yes... That's my concern as well." Alicia point out with a nod. "You're not gonna...?" Rose asked nervously. "No, don't worry. My plan only involves revealing the truth. I'll never kill someone." he assured, waving his hand causing the girls and guards alike to sigh, Serenity crossing her arms and looking away as if a hint of disappointment sparked somewhere inside her. "So long as there's no threat to life, we're just as interested as you are in hearing the facts from the horses mouth. A lot of good people have come and gone from this company through the years, and those who've gone were more often than not cast away due to strange actions on the companies part that made them seemed framed more than anything. Good men and women, ranging from Captains to the simplest crew members... It'd be nice to have so many names cleared." the first guard nodded. Looking at the two, Chris nodded back. "I'll do what it takes." he replied, putting a hand on Serenity's shoulder. "And I'll have my support to make it happen." he added while looking at the others, both Alicia and Rose nodding while Serenity smirked.

About to say more, Chris was cut off when his Pokedex went off, quickly taking it out of his coat pocket and flipping it open to see it was the Captain giving him a call. Accepting it, the Captain suddenly flashed into view above it. "They're nearly here lad and will be boarding any moment." Rostron point out. "Got it. I'll be up there soon. Captain Smith and all of the other spirits will be showing up any second too." Chris point out. "Aye, already have a few popping up now. I... Don't suppose you'd mind sharing your plan now?" the Captain asked, only for Chris to shake his head in response. "Just as long as I've got your word you'll go along with it no matter what, that's all that's necessary." Chris affirmed, the Captain looking at him for a moment before nodding. "It's like I've told the girls, nobody is going to die so don't worry." Chris assured, Rostron showing a relieved look before nodding. "Well, on your way then. Time's up." Rostron reminded before flashing away, Chris returning his Pokedex to his pocket before facing the girls with a nod. "Alright then, you two sure you wanna come too?" he asked, Alicia and Rose nodding in response. "Well, you ready Serenity?" he asked, the Pokemon grinning in response. "Not know what making me do, but feel I gonna like it." she replied, the girls looking at her nervously. "I do hope you can control THAT side of you." Alicia replied. "No..." Chris affirmed, putting his hand up causing Alicia and Rose to jolt in surprise, Serenity blinking at Chris in the same state. "This time, I'm not expecting her to control herself." he added. "A-Are you cra...?!" Alicia panicked, cut off by Chris's response. "Yes... I don't want Serenity to restrain anything. Once she has her order..." he paused, looking at Serenity with a stern gaze. "I want you to follow that order without holding yourself back." he affirmed, Serenity looking at him wide eyed for a moment before grinning from ear to ear.

"M-Mean it?! Can really punish humans?! Not hold back? Do what want?!" she asked excitedly. "You can do what you're TOLD to do however you want. Nothing more than what I say, understand?" he instructed, Serenity rapidly nodding before facing down the corridor, her fingers twitching in anticipation while showing a malicious grin. "I not think this day ever come. Day I get ORDER to punish humans! And punish as much as want too..." she said before facing Chris. "Finally..." she smirked before walking up to him and holding him endearingly, rubbing her hand on his cheek. "I gonna make you SO happy, I make them scream LOTS." she vowed before suddenly giving him a possessive kiss, the girls watching wide eyed as she pulled away with a loud smack from their lips. "Mmm... Bet screams will taste just as good." she giggled before releasing him. "We go now! Have work to do!" she added excitedly before taking Chris's hand and pulling him down the corridor, the girls looking at one another warily before quickly following, leaving the guards behind. "Y-You see that?" one asked. "I did..." the other responded. "Somehow... I think it turned me on." he added, the other nodding with a grunt before letting out a "wait WHAT?!" and facing his friend in shock as the group turned the corner. "I-I'm not so sure that's okay to do. I mean, when it comes to humans, she's..." Rose point out nervously. "The one I'd trust more than anyone to do this right." Chris interrupted, the group pausing and looking at him together. "Listen..." he added, squatting down to the rabbits level. "These people... They're not the kind you can talk an issue out with. And to top it off, they've got money and power combined to keep them out of the laws grasp." he began.

"But to let Serenity go crazy... That's kinda drastic torture, isn't it?" Rose asked. Looking at her for a moment, Chris let out a sigh before smiling and rubbing her head. "Rose, this isn't something I'm gonna enjoy. That's why I need Serenity so much. It's like I said, I don't have the strength to bring the truth from these people, but she can. I'm not proud of what I have to do, but sometimes you've gotta do things you're not proud of for the greater good of others, especially when it concerns so many. All the souls will be able to pass on knowing the truth is out there, that the families responsible have fessed up. Everyone who works for the company will be able to find security again, and so will the company itself. And like those guards point out, all the families they've ruined, the reputations they've soiled, all of that can be fixed. All it takes is getting the criminals out and putting good, honest people in their place. I know this doesn't paint a pretty picture on me, and I know it might make you question things about me..." he paused, setting his staff down and holding her hands in his. "But it's what I've gotta do. Their families killed so many people and Pokemon, and they tried to do that again to everyone on this ship. I can't let that slide. And what I know about them now might not even be half of the things they and those before them have done. It's time to put it all to an end... All the lying, the killing, the stealing. A hundred year long crime spree will finally come to an end. I hate that it's me that has to do it, but at the same time I'm glad." he affirmed with a nod. "I get to put to end the misery of so many people. Their fears, their uncertainty. The past and the present, both will be made right. I only ask that you don't fear me or hate me because of this." he finished before kissing the rabbits hands and standing with his staff in hand once more.

"Alright, ready, Serenity?" he asked, the Pokemon looking between him and Rose before nodding. "Not worry Rose, he still good inside." she assured, the rabbit looking up and tilting her head curiously. "Remember, can read mind, read heart. That how I know. He say truth, not like what he doing. But know he have to, so he do it. He have to do what no one else can do, what no one else will do." Serenity affirmed. "You not need to read mind or heart to know you can trust him, to know he not change. You should have faith, not doubt him. Is it that easy for you to change how you feel after all he do? Just because he do one thing you think bad, to people who are and do even worse than what he doing?" she asked. "Th-That's not it! I mean, I still love him..." the rabbit replied, facing down and poking her fingers. "Not be weak Rose, this not time to be weak. He being strong, you need to be strong. That what we supposed to do for him. He always strong for us." Serenity reminded before facing down. "He work to death for us, he pass out to make us happy..." she added, both Rose and Alicia jolting wide eyed before facing down together. "So now we be strong for him. Even if think what he doing bad, support him. Believe in him. Love him no matter what. If you make him feel bad for doing what right, then you bad. What we about to do, if you want to not like someone, then not like me." Serenity went on before facing away with a smirk. "I the one who going to enjoy this. Not him. So if you not like someone, then not like me." she affirmed. Looking up at Serenity for a moment, Rose faced Chris before walking up and taking his hand again. "Rose..." he said, reaching down and picking her up in his arms, the rabbit facing down before looking at his face.

"I give you my word, I'll never turn into the human we left in the city. I love all three of you way too much to ever let myself become someone like that, okay?" he affirmed with a warm smile, Rose looking at him wide eyed before facing down again. "I'm sorry..." she apologized before putting her arms around his neck. "Atta' girl." he chuckled, rubbing her on the back before setting her down again. "I'll ask you one more time, are you absolutely certain you can handle being by my side through this?" he repeat, Rose looking up at him before nodding. "It's like Serenity said, you do a lot for us, pretty much every day. You even do stuff when you know you need rest, and you pass out because of it. So staying with you at a time like this is the least we could do in return." the rabbit replied with a nod. "And you, Alicia?" he asked, the snake jolting before glancing away. "It's as they've already said, it's the least we could do and all that." she replied before looking down. "It's not our right to judge you on one act alone after all you've done for the three of us. You deserve a blind eye, with something like this." she nodded before looking at him. "Just... Don't make the use of brute force a habit, alright?" the snake asked, Chris looking up at her before nodding. "I won't. I'll save that for when it's just the two of us." he replied with a grin, the snake blinking at him confused for a second before flushing. "E-EH?!! D-Don't be a dog at a time like this!!" she snapped, Serenity and Rose looking at the two and tilting their heads before getting it themselves, the rabbit facing away with a shy smile and blushing while Serenity scowled with her cheeks puffed out, giving Chris's cheek a pinch before pulling him along behind her. "O-Ow!! Hey!! J-Just trying to lighten things up!!" he complained, Serenity releasing his cheek and taking him by the hand instead leaving the side of his face slightly red, Alicia muttering "dirty thing..." to herself embarrassed before following, Rose doing the same.

Once they reached the upper deck, Alicia paused when she slithered into the cold air, shuddering causing Chris to pause as well. "That's right... This kind of atmosphere isn't too good for you without protection." he remembered before smiling nervously. "Sorry about that. I meant to get things that would help you out in a climate like this, but I've been so preoccupied I haven't had the chance." he apologized before looking up toward his forehead, the girls looking at him curiously as he nodded while saying "thanks" out of the blue before holding a hand out to Alicia, the snake jolting as an aura swirled in the palm of his hand. "And... Done. Feel better?" he asked, Alicia tilting her head before looking herself over. "Q-Quite better. What was that exactly?" she asked. "Just put a layer over you. Think of it as an extra invisible skin of sorts. It'll keep you warm while we're out here." Chris smiled, the girls looking Alicia over before holding their hands out and feeling heat radiating from her. "That new..." Serenity muttered. "It feels pretty good." Rose giggled. "Excuse me? Space please?" the snake asked with a scowl, both jolting and stepping away. "So what we do now? Where going?" Serenity asked, only to find Chris had walked away from them and was standing at the railing, looking at the group of ships approaching and circling the Guardian. "There they are..." he muttered, the girls looking at one another before joining at his sides. "So how are you intending to go about executing this... Plan of yours?" Alicia asked. "Once they're on board, we'll play it out like everything's fine. I'll decide the right moment to strike." Chris replied, gripping the railing before heading towards the bow of the ship, the girls quickly following behind.

Once they were at the bow of the ship, the girls paused in surprise when they saw all of the spirits having gathered above, each looking around curiously at the surrounding vessels, Captain Smith before them on the deck chatting with Captain Rostron while waiting alongside the officers, including Officer Smith who was still confined to a bed. "Huh, so even he made it out here." Chris muttered while approaching the men, countless crew and passengers gathering on and around the bow as well. "Ah! Ahoy there lad! We're all here and accounted for, as requested!" Captain Smith grinned. "So do tell, what's this gathering about? Are these guests friends of yours? Or perhaps they're special in another way?" he asked, Chris letting out a single "ha!!" in response before facing the ships. "Oh, trust me, they're special." he affirmed with a smirk, Smith blinking at him curiously. "I'm uh, not too certain of how I should read that." the Captain replied, Rostron looking at the two before facing the ships silently. "I don't suppose you care to detail this plan of yours now?" Rostron asked, Chris walking up to the Captain and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, everything will be fine." he assured, Rostron looking up at him before facing the ships once more. "I don't doubt what you've told us. We've looked into the history of the company ourselves and to say things are unsavory is an understatement, but taking the law into your own hands... You've any idea how much you're about to risk lad?" Rostron asked, Chris nodding in response. "It's not the first time I've broken the law by becoming the law. Heck, this probably won't be the last time either. But what's right is right, and I'll stick up for that no matter what it takes." Chris affirmed.

"Wh-What in blazes...?" they heard Smith mutter, the Captain gripping the railing while looking at the side of a large ship cruising alongside the Guardian to prepare for boarding. "What's wrong?" Chris asked, walking up next to Smith and looking at the ship himself, only for his eyes to shoot open wide when he saw the name printed on the side of the vessel. "C-Carvanian II...?" he said in shock, looking over the rest of the ship. "They built another... And sailed it HERE?!!" he added, gritting his teeth while Smiths eyes glowed in rage, his teeth gritting as well as tightly as his grip on the railing. Having a nurse wheel him up to the two, Rostron looked at the ship as well. "Ah, yes. Not long ago the President of Platinum Star Lines had the company build a replica, although it's certainly larger in comparison to the original." the Captain point out, looking at the two before facing the ship again. "Although, knowing what we do now, I'd call this an extraordinary mistake." he nodded. "How dare they...?" Smith growled. That ship... That ship was the cause of...!!" Smith was about to shout, only for Chris to raise his hand. "No." he ordered, Smith looking at him in surprise. "Wh-Why?! You know the truth!!" the Captain argued. "Yes, I do. WE do. But it's not OUR place to reveal it." Chris affirmed before facing the ship as it stopped before them. "This is why you've all been called here, and until I take action I need you and everyone else to follow along, act like everything's fine and dandy, alright?" he asked, Smith gritting his teeth while looking at the Carvanian II. Above them, all of the spirits were taking notice of the ship as well, murmuring among one another in their Pokemon tongue with looks of suspicion and insult all over their faces.

"Can you tell them what I just told you? To keep calm and let me do what needs to be done? To trust in me? I've earned that from all of you, haven't I?" Chris asked, Smith looking up at his fellow spirits before grunting in response. "Sailing that replica here..." he muttered before flying up to the spirits, leaving Chris standing at the railing. "At least this helps me feel less guilty." Chris muttered while the girls joined him. "Something the matter? It's just another ship." Alicia point out. "That's not just another ship, that's a replica of the one that tricked the Arceanic into coming here." Chris explained. "I dunno why but that feels really wrong. Somehow, even kinda spooky." Rose replied. "Just remember, straight faces and smiles." Chris affirmed, the girls nodding as he turned to Rostron. "A hundred years ago their relatives killed everyone on the Arceanic by using that ship to steal from Pokemon, and now they've returned with the same ship, brought it back through a replica, to this spot of all places... Do you still think they wouldn't be ready and willing to spit in your face and laugh if we'd all died?" Chris asked, Rostron looking up at him before facing down. "I'll reserve my judgement until the time is right." he replied before motioning for the nurse to wheel him to where the President of Platinum Star and those in charge alongside him were preparing to board. "This is it..." Chris muttered, looking back at the girls. "Don't fret, we'll remain by your side." Alicia nodded. "Mm! No matter what..." Rose added with a nod of her own before he faced Serenity, the Pokemon grinning while cracking her knuckles again. "I ready when you are. Say word and I do whatever want." she assured before they joined Rostron and his officers.

"Attention!!" Rostron ordered before giving a solute, all of his officers and crew doing the same while lined up as the Carvanian II crew aided the President and his men onto the Guardian, the President looking around in silence. "It's an honor to welcome you aboard sir." Rostron said with a nod, the President looking down at him in response before facing away with his hands behind his back. "Mr. Rostron, have you any idea how disappointed our company is with your performance as Captain of this vessel?" he asked, Rostron pushing himself out of his chair and standing straight. "I accept full responsibility sir for any and all shortcomings." the Captain replied. "You were equipped with a vessel containing more than enough technology to ensure safe travel on this voyage. Yet despite that technology you and your officers caused the destruction of the finest, and most expensive, vessel this company has ever constructed! I can only be thankful that there were no casualties." the President sighed before facing Rostron. "We thought so highly of you and your family, but if nothing else this experience has taught us the fame of the past certainly has no influence on the present. Have you any idea how ashamed your ancestors would be of this failure?" the President asked, Rostron staying silent as the President continued. "You know, long have we asked ourselves if your family truly deserved its recognition. And this brings the question to light once more as to whether or not the acclaim you've all received was truly deserved. Despite his quick response, your ancestor failed to save a single life when the Arceanic was lost, and now here you are nearly costing the lives of thousands yourself. Do you see how negative a light this shines on your family?" he lectured, the Captain facing down and nodding in response. "I won't deny my failures sir." Rostron replied, the President turning to face him before showing a smirk. "Well, it's a good thing we hired you so your incompetence in your old age could be exposed before you had the opportunity to put some other company at risk. After this it's unlikely you'll ever have a career in sailing again, you nor' those related to you. Certainly not without due challenges. If nothing else, at least we've established it's time you sought out retirement, perhaps something your family should consider altogether for the greater good, considering you seem to consist of generations of failures as men of the sea." the President affirmed, Rostron looking at the President in silence.

"Hmph... At least you can show respect better than the way you Captain ships..." the President sneered before looking around, noticing Officer Smith laying in his bed and walking up to the old sailor. "I see we made more than one mistake. Our generosity resulted in the employment of multiple failures being charged with seeing to the safety of this vessel and her passengers. I'd hoped hiring you would help clear your family's history, being known as descendants of the man who caused the greatest maritime disaster in recorded history, yet instead of our kindness helping you, all you've done is muck up a perfect opportunity to restore your family name to its former status. Just as one Rostron resulted in the failure of another, so too did the Smith name result in more of the same. I suppose in your case you've done Edward Smith proud, following in his footsteps..." the President mocked, Smith laying wide eyed from his remarks. "Mr. Lore, I ask that you not upset my officer. He's endured much as-is. If you've venom to spit, please direct it at me." Rostron spoke up, the President turning to the Captain. "You're all lucky I don't have you tried for your failures. Mind your place Mr. Rostron." the President replied before looking at the other officers and surrounding crew. "You were ALL given a chance to clear your family names on this voyage, to create a new beginning for yourselves! You were given a second chance by the same company your ancestors let down so long ago! Yet instead you've merely followed the same path as those before you, disgracing your names and our company a second time, and because of that you've made certain your names will continue being passed down as they have for another hundred years!" the President affirmed.

While everyone lowered their heads in silence, not daring to speak up against him, the spirits and Captain Smith listening from above were growing more and more enraged with every word the President spoke, their eyes showing a nearly bloodthirsty glow. Facing up, Chris noticed this and raised his staff, giving it a wave to grab their attention before motioning for them to remain where they were, signalling for them to keep calm and silent while he and the girls listened themselves. "I must say... I don't favor that human." Alicia point out. "He's pretty mean... They did try their best for everyone after all, and they've worked pretty hard since the Gyarados were taken care of." Rose nodded. "I looking forward to what have in mind more and more." Serenity grinned. "Yeah well, what I've got in mind still has to wait. We'll let those people show their ugly sides for a while, then take action from there." Chris affirmed while the President walked around with his men, continuing his lecture. "Platinum Star Lines is one of the most renown companies in the world for weeding out the lackluster and bringing only the best to serve in the seafaring world. With all of that said and done, all of you can look forward to a hasty retirement from service once you return to the shore. I encourage you to seek out employment in a field better suited to whatever other talents you may have, because clearly none of you have the qualifications to serve on a vessel such as this, and it's highly doubtable others will feel any different once the reports of this voyage make their rounds. I only hope we can continue preserving Platinum Star after this crushing blow due to your incompetence. You've not only further tarnished your names, but our very company which already lingers on the breaking point despite all our years of trying to keep it afloat." the President affirmed, his men looking at one another and smirking as he spoke.

"If you don't mind Mr. Lore, I'd like to continue this conversation myself." one of the men in suits interrupted, the President nodding and stepping back. "Mr. Lore is a very blunt man, he's honest with his feelings and never holds back. That's what makes him such a competent leader, he wastes no time and moves on. Time is money and whatnot. However, with money in mind we'd like to give all of you our wholehearted thanks for uncovering the long lost Arceanic! Now that its location is known, our company can easily recuperate from the expenses of this incident. We'll be able to not only garner considerable profits through tourism, but by salvaging and preserving artifacts and portions of the vessel we'll be able to tour the world with an exhibit dedicated to the memory of the ship and all who sadly perished that night! And not only will we be honoring those souls, but by hosting such an extraordinary exhibit, our company will be able to garner profits from it simultaneously likely never seen before! The more people we attract to such an exhibit, the more people will want to see the actual ship, resulting in countless treks to the wreckage year after year! While we offer our sincerest apologies for being unable to keep you under our employ, rest assured your names will still go down in history as those who, through carelessness perhaps, brought back the Arceanic for the world to cherish and honor once again! We'll start looking into these operations once we return to the shore, and rest assured each of you will receive due compensation for providing the coordinates of the vessel below! It shall become the oyster of Platinum Star thanks to you!" the man grinned, rubbing his hands together like a mantis. Hearing this, Captain Smith was fuming at the mouth above, a sinister aura seeping through his teeth while the other spirits eyes glowed a haunting red.

"Good..." Chris muttered, looking up at them all, Alicia and Rose inching behind him. "I'm not so certain of that." the snake replied warily. "Th-They look like they're ready to kill..." Rose added, clutching his coat from behind. "We have feeling in common." Serenity grinned. "Control yourself." Chris ordered, the Pokemon scowling before stepping back and crossing her arms. "Right now, the more we let them speak the better. It'll save me from having to justify myself and deal with anyone against what we do." he affirmed while listening. "Yes, you're right. I suppose we do owe Mr. Rostron and this crew our thanks for that much. Their mistake will garner us millions in profit for years to come..." the President smirked while turning to face Officer Smith. Hearing this and seeing the President face his Officer, Captain Rostron gave the President a suspicious glare. "We'll thank you not to toss around such distasteful glances Mr. Rostron." one of the men in suits spoke up, the President jolting and facing the Captain as he quickly changed his expression. "Have you something to say to me Mr. Rostron?" the President asked. "No questions sir." the Captain replied. Looking Rostron over, the President sneered before facing away. "You look terrible. Do sit down before you worsen your injuries and cost us more than you already have, hmm?" the President ordered. In response, Rostron thanked the President before sitting in his wheelchair once more. "I must say that I'm afraid it's unlikely we'll be able to avoid legal action Mr. Rostron. While Mr. Lore here is willing to overlook your mistakes, the fact remains you clearly put thousands of lives at risk. We'll be... Looking into what your passengers have to say about the matter as well as the damages to the ship. I must say, your odds of escaping this incident with mere retirement do not favor you. It's likely you'll find yourself detained for quite some time once we reach land... I do hope you understand." another of the men point out, Rostron sitting silently in response, giving only a nod as his answer.

"I suppose that's enough unpleasantries for the time being. I felt it best to get the worst of our visit out of the way first hand. Now we can focus on other matters that require our attention." the President point out, walking past Rostron before pausing, taking notice of the tarp on the bow. "Hello... What have we here?" he asked, walking up to the tarp causing Rostron's eyes to widen, the Guardian crew and officers looking at one another nervously. "I say, they seem rather unsettled." one of his men point out, the President looking around. "I was not aware this vessel was carrying anything out in the open, certainly not something so massive. This goes against regulation you know. To whom does this belong to Mr. Rostron?" he asked. "That was excavated from the wreckage below sir. Gifted to the passenger I mentioned in our reports." the Captain point out. "You didn't include this detail, not that I can recall... Why was this not mentioned?" the President asked, facing the Captain with a stern glare. "And might I also ask how you came to the assumption you had any right to give away the property of Platinum Star to a passenger?" he added. "It's a complicated matter sir. It wasn't a gift from us per-se, but rather those you see above you." Rostron replied, the President and his men looking up. "Yes, the Pokemon, you did mention them." the President muttered before facing the Captain. "Thank you for weeding them out of the wreckage. It'll be much easier to get work done down there without unwanted intruders in the way." the President nodded. Hearing this, the spirits and Smith above nearly lost what composure they had remaining, held back only by sheer force on Chris's part, having used some of Ninetales energy to restrain them just as they readied an attack.

Looking at them, Chris shook his head before lowering his staff, releasing them from their bonds and motioning for them to continue waiting while he stood patiently behind crew, biding his time. "You know sir, so many Pokemon could be worth quite a handsome sum as well..." one of the Presidents men point out. "After all, they were discovered on our, that is, YOUR property. Why not see what you could garner from them as well? That, or we could put them to work for us. What do you think Mr. Lore?" the man asked. Looking up, the President was silent for a moment before smirking. "That Cofagrigus, it does have a rather nice shine to it. We could likely fetch a handsome sum for him. And whatever Yamask we can't rid ourselves of, there's certainly no harm in putting them to work. After all, it's only right that they pay us back for whatever damage they might have caused to the wreckage by using it as their abode." he smirked before facing the tarp. "Now lets see what's under here, shall we?" he asked while reaching out with a grin, yet just as he grabbed the tarp the, President found his wrist in Rostron's clutch, the Captain having risen from his chair and limped up to the President in time to stop him. "I must object, Mr. Lore. This is a rightly earned reward given to the young man who saved us all. You've no right to intrude on another persons property." Rostron objected, only for the President to look at his wrist before giving Rostron what could only be described as a death glare. "Release me Henry, that's an order." he warned, the Captain looking the President in the eye only to find himself shoved away when he maintained his grasp, Rostron's officers quickly catching their Captain before he fell to the deck.

"Disrespect me again, and my mercy toward you and this disappointing crew of yours will come to an end." the President threatened, Rostron raising up with the help of his officers and facing down with an apology before the President faced the tarp and yanked it away, exposing the remains of the Arceus figurehead from the bow of the Arceanic, his eyes and those of his men widening as the sunlight hit the historic monument before them. "Good heavens! What ghastly behavior for one with such status." Alicia point out. "I-Is he allowed to do that to the Captain? I mean, he's hurt bad enough already..." Rose added. "You expected something different out of him?" Chris asked, looking back at the two. "It's like I said, there's no talking to people like these. They've got enough money and power to squirm out of anything the law could throw at them, so there's not much anyone can do." he reminded. "Ultimate power ultimately corrupts when it comes to most people, and when people who are already messed up get that power, you get humans like them." he point out, watching as the President and his men touched the statue and looked it over, causing Chris's eye to twitch while the spirits and Smith floating above showed a sinister fire in their eyes, looking down on the men with a terrifying aura of vengeance engulfing them. "Magnificent, can you imagine the worth of this alone? This would make an extraordinary centerpiece for an exhibit! And just think of all the other treasures waiting to be excavated! We simply must make preparations posthaste Mr. Lore!" one of the men grinned. "There's a tricky mater of further damaging the wreckage ourselves by digging about, however I'd say the profits would certainly outweigh the costs. After all, the vessel isn't getting any prettier down there, and we can simply avoid any coverage of the added damage that may come about..." another muttered.

With the President and his men making preparations among themselves, Rostron's officers helped him back to his wheelchair, checking him over alongside nurses to ensure he hadn't been injured any further, the Captain waving them off and assuring he was alright while glaring at the Presidents back, watching as he and his men grinned at one another excitedly. "Like rats ready to plunder a corpse..." Rostron muttered before shaking his head. After a moment, the President and his men looked around at everyone before nodding at each other and covering the figurehead back up. "Alright, before we begin our assessments of the structural damage to the Guardian and making our rounds among the passengers, I'd like to meet the man who prevented the possible death of so many due to the failures of those regrettably under our employ. Would anyone happen to know where this passenger is? He goes by the name of..." the President paused, looking at his men and murmuring among them for a moment. "Charlie! Would anybody happen to know where we could find him?" he asked, looking around as the Guardian crew and passengers looked at one another confused, Rostron and his officers shaking their heads. "I'm right here!" Chris finally spoke up, raising his staff in the air causing the crew and passengers around him to jump before facing him and parting, making a path between him and the President. "Ah... Yes, come along lad. Lets get a good look at our hero!" the President smirked, his men showing a smile while facing Chris as well. "Hey, Serenity?" he muttered as he started walking, the girls following closely. Looking at him, Serenity raised a curious eyebrow.

"I want you to link your mind with mine for a little while. That's how I'll give you my orders when the time is right, understand?" he asked, Serenity smirking and nodding in response. "I look forward to it." she replied while Chris stepped up to the President of Platinum Star Lines, bowing his head before giving the mans hand a shake, as well as those by his side. "Before we begin, I want to say my name is Chris, not Charlie." he clarified. "Ah, well, do forgive us. We're often so busy we've a difficult time memorizing every detail we receive. We have others handling such things normally." the President replied before looking him over. "I must say, you're a man with extraordinary potential! Given the reports, I'd wager you'd make fine Platinum material!" he grinned, Chris suddenly laughing in response and waving his hand. "No way sir. Your company is way outta my league. I'd say it actually needs more people like you and these guys, you're the ones who really know your stuff!" Chris praised with a grin, the President and his men blinking in surprise before grinning themselves. "I like this boy!" one of them replied. "At least someone knows how to show proper respect! You there, bring a table and a few chairs for me and my men, and our hero here!" the President ordered, snapping his fingers causing a group of the crew to jolt and run off. "We really can't thank you enough. Thanks to you we've finally exposed the resting place of the most legendary ship in the world! Platinum Star will surely have a bright future thanks to your efforts in preserving the lives aboard this vessel and making the discovery of a lifetime!" the President praised, putting a hand on Chris's shoulder.

Seeing his behavior toward the President and his men, the girls and the majority of those around them were watching in shock, their eyes wide while the spirits above shared a similar reaction, Smith waving at Chris and showing a silent "what are you doing?!!" kind of response, only for Chris to show a smirk before crew finally brought a large table and several chairs as ordered, setting things up before them and backing away with a bow. "Ah, very good." the President nodded before glancing at the crew. "Albeit it slow. Have you any idea the amount some of our passengers pay for your services? You're wasting good money with such leisurely work!" he lectured, the crew looking at one another before hanging their heads. "Bah... Mediocrity runs in the veins of every one of you..." he muttered before taking a seat. "Please! Join me! We'll have a chat before getting to business. You there! Bring refreshments for my men! And try not to be as slow as the last bunch!" he ordered, another batch of crew rushing off while Rostron and his officers shook their heads silently, Chris and the men who boarded with the President taking their seats. "Well, getting to meet the President of such a renowned company must be something to behold for you. Perhaps you've something you'd like to ask Mr. Lore here?" one of the men asked. Looking at them all, Chris faced the Carvanian II and nodded. "If you don't mind me asking, what's with the replica there?" Chris point out, the President smirking and crossing his arms. "Ah, yes. A spectacular recreation, is it not? I thought it only fitting I'd participate in the centennial event by honoring the legacy of my great grandfather. He did his best to convince Captain Smith to change course, but despite his efforts that man just wouldn't heed his warnings." the President began before looking at the crew and passengers surrounding them, giving an order to clear out the bow before continuing the conversation.

"I tell you, his poor operators were pushed to the point of collapse, trying to reason with Smith, but the old fool was too ignorant to pay any attention to the warnings. The things that man said to my grandfather and his crew over the line were sickening. To think a man of his social background would have such a nasty vocabulary!" the President shrugged with a smirk. "For hours on end the operators on the Carvanian did their best to endure the despicable behavior of the Arceanic operators, trying to reason with them because they knew the value of life. Unfortunately neither the operators on the Arceanic nor Captain Smith cared whatsoever about anybody other than their arrogant pride in their vessel, and that's what took them down in the end. Pure, ignorant pride. You might as well call them murderers really!" the President affirmed, the men sitting alongside him looking at one another and nodding. "Yeah... They really didn't care about anyone, did they? I mean, they ignored who knows how many warnings throughout all those hours, and next thing the world knew, they were gone. What was it Captain Smith said specifically?" Chris asked as the group of crew returned with drinks and snacks for them all before bowing, the President shooing them off before continuing. "Ha!! Now that's the most hilarious part. The man touted the Arceanic as invincible. It couldn't sink and all that hogwash. He vowed to break speed records with that ship no matter the obstacles, and he certainly broke things alright." the President answered with a snicker. "Hmm..." Chris muttered. "What's the matter?" one of the men asked, Chris looking up in response. "You sure it's alright to talk in front of them? You don't want to make them leave too?" he asked, pointing at the spirits and Smith above.

"Oh please, they're Pokemon! I'm not concerned with mindless creatures. Besides, if we send them off we'll have to track them down one by one. They're fine where they are. We'll begin detaining them soon enough. It's a convenience in my opinion." the President replied with a wave of his hand, the girls looking at him wide eyed with their mouths agape, same as the spirits above only for Chris to raise his hand and clear his throat causing the girls to jolt and show straight faces once more. "Something in your throat? Go on and have another drink! And no need to raise your hand, this isn't a school session." one of the men smiled. "Sorry about that. So you made the replica to honor your grandfather and the operators on the original ship huh? What made you decide to sail it out here?" Chris asked. "I thought it the perfect chance to emphasize the legacy of the Carvanian by having her brought back to life, and with the incident here, it provided the ideal opportunity to give her an extraordinary new beginning in the eyes of the world, her first trek across the sea being a mission to provide aid and comfort to those suffering disaster." the President replied, Chris nodding before looking up at Smith. "Say... Mr. Lore? Mind if I ask something about the night the Arceanic sank?" he asked, the President raising an eyebrow before nodding. "Your great grandfather, you said they were fighting tooth and nail basically trying to get the Arceanic to change course, right?" he asked, the President smirking in response. "That they did. But those rude and ignorant men wouldn't pay them any mind. Just insulted them endlessly and senselessly for interrupting their oh so important communications with other channels." he chuckled.

"Well then, considering your great grandfather probably hadn't sailed too far off, once the Arceanic was in distress why didn't they turn the Carvanian around and attempt to save the people on board? Even though that replica there is bigger than the original ship, the Carvanian still should've been more than capable of making the trek through bad weather to help out. If it made it out of the storm, it could've made its way back through. Instead of just telling the Arceanic to change course, why didn't the Carvanian either turn around when the ship was going down, or wait out the storm somewhere close by and sail out alongside the Arceanic so the two ships could support one another should disaster strike either or?" Chris asked, the President going wide eyed while his men looked at one another warily, Smith crossing his arms above them. "Well... You see, the storm was quite extraordinary that night. My great grandfather was lucky enough just to make it out of it. And you've got to keep in mind the ice that was mixed in with everything. It took down the Arceanic without a single problem! Can you imagine what going back would've done to the Carvanian? It would've never made it to the Arceanic. That's why they tried so hard to get the ship to change course." the President affirmed. "But the ice was only found where the Arceanic sank. The further away from the site you went, the less ice there was. In fact it was all but gone within just a few miles from the ship. There were sheets of it littering the water, but the Carvanian could've easily made it through those sheets. In fact, it was actually mentioned how strange it was, the fact there were only bergs where the ship sank... Going by that there would've been no obstacles blocking the Carvanians path had it went back, Mr. Lore, save for rain and waves." Chris point out, the President giving Chris a suspicious look while his men muttered among themselves.

"Well... I don't wanna make anyone upset. It's just my curiosity getting the better of me. I'm sorry." Chris apologized with a nervous laugh, waving his hand before looking around. "I do have one other question." he added. "Very well..." the President nodded while sipping his drink. "Why are you so hostile towards Captain Rostron and the crew on this ship? I understand being disappointed as an employer, this ship cost a lot of money and a lot of lives were put in danger, but you seem to be taking things to a personal level with everyone. Why is that? Even towards Officer Smith, and he's worse off than most anyone else here right now." he point out, the President looking at him for a moment before crossing his arms and facing down with his eyes closed. "They've disappointed me, I've already made that quite clear." he affirmed. "Nearly all of the employees on this vessel are descendants of those who were on the Arceanic way back when. It's as I've said, I wanted to give them all a chance to wipe the slate clean, to restore their family names and honor under the employ of the same company their families failed, and in turn nearly destroyed so long ago. To prove themselves capable in ways their ancestors couldn't. I even placed innocent lives, ones descended from passengers of that ship in their care, and they failed to properly serve and protect them as well. I didn't want to believe history would repeat itself, but sadly these people are astoundingly incapable of anything but disappointment, and they've once again caused chaos for this company. I can only be grateful we now have a means of covering their mistakes. Rest assured Platinum Star will never again allow any in relation to these people another chance. We'll see to it other companies think twice as well..." the President affirmed. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, well, you know how it goes. I won't allow a third strike." he added with a grunt, his men nodding and grunting themselves.

"With repaying the costs of this incident in mind, I must point out that I'm afraid we can't allow your possession of that figurehead. I do hope you understand when I say the company must retain ownership of any and everything from that ship. There's far too much value, both historically and monetarily, for the company to simply toss it into the hands of another willy nilly, especially a part of the ship as prominent as that. We severely regret having to deny a gift already given, but it was given without the approval of the rightful owners." one of the men point out, the others apologizing while the President smirked. "Gentlemen, gentlemen! Lets not be greedy now!" he chimed in while raising his hand, the men blinking at him in surprise. "This man has given us quite the blessing! I'm sure we can part ways with something from the wreckage..." the President nodded, his men questioning him in response, against the idea. "Now now, there's bound to be souvenirs down there we can give for his efforts. Our company can't simply let such a remarkable man go without due compensation!" he affirmed before facing down and thinking for a moment, his men looking at one another nervously before the President's head shot up with a grin. "Ah! I've got it!" he chuckled. "Tell you what good man, while we may not be able to hand over the figurehead, how would you like a few smaller souvenirs? There's bound to be a few rivets, maybe some coal still preserved as well we could salvage just for you! It's not as extraordinary as that figurehead, but then really, what would you do, or even want with something that hefty and troublesome? We'll find you something you can tote around the rest of your days right in your side pocket! An honest to goodness piece of the Arceanic, just for you!" the President smiled, his men looking at one another and grinning like sly foxes to the idea. "That's certainly doable! Yes, much less troublesome indeed." one of them nodded in agreement.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - The Guardian Takes Action!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3jCq9i_PRY

Looking at them all, Chris finally let out a sigh and shook his head. "Man... You know, deep down I was hoping it wasn't true, that I was just reading everything wrong." he replied before scooting his chair back and standing, the President and his men pausing while looking up at him. Facing down, Chris closed his eyes, the girls looking at him in silence, Rostron and his officers nearby doing the same. "What's this now?" the President asked, raising an eyebrow while his men looked at one another and shook their heads with confused shrugs. "It's like you said Mr. Lore, about hoping history wasn't repeating itself? That's exactly how I felt." Chris began. "Fool me once, shame on you." he added, looking at the President. "Fool me twice, shame on me. Another line you used that fits perfectly." he went on, looking up at Captain Smith as he and the spirits watched. "Mr. Rostron!" Chris shout, the Captain and his officers jolting in response. "A-Aye, lad?" Rostron asked warily. "Summon everyone to the bow. Crew and passengers. No children, make sure they stay inside the ship." he ordered, Rostron and his men going wide eyed. "Excuse me? We might appreciate what you've done, but you're overstepping your...!!!" the President chimed in, cut off as he stood only to find himself frozen as Chris glared at him, his eyes having warped into their vengeful and demonic state once more. "C-Can't move!!" the President struggled, his men looking between him and Chris before losing their color when they saw how Chris's eyes had changed, quickly standing themselves only for Chris to freeze them as well with a flash from his eyes. "Mr. Rostron! The crew and passengers!" Chris repeat, the Captain quickly rushing his men off to do as requested before wheeling himself up to Chris once they were gone.

"L-Lad? What have you done to them?" he asked nervously. "They're fine, don't worry." Chris assured while casually putting a hand in his coat pocket. "Wh-What is this?!" one of the men panicked. "It's nothing at the moment, but it's about to become something neither you nor anyone in this world will ever forget." Chris answered while taking his staff in his other hand, Rostron noticing the changed look in Chris's eyes. "Y-Your uh..." he point out. "Not important right now sir." Chris interrupted before facing Serenity, the Pokemon jolting before looking back. "...Understood?" Chris asked as Serenity's eyes widened, a grin spreading across her face. "Now we getting to fun part! Read loud and clear!" she answered, having read his thoughts. Stepping aside, Chris let Serenity take over holding the President and his men in place, her eyes letting out a flash and glowing while she stood before the men with her arms crossed. Closing his eyes for a moment, Chris took a deep breath before slowly opening them, letting out a sigh of relief. "They're back to normal...?" Rostron muttered, looking at him curiously. "Mr. Rostron, you alright?" Chris asked, facing the Captain causing him to jolt before nodding. "A-Aye, just dandy." he replied. "Good, sorry for not stepping in or saying anything when the President pushed you." Chris apologized, the Captain waving his hand with a nervous laugh. "D-Don't concern yourself over that. More importantly, what's all this?" he asked. "You'll see soon enough." Chris assured. "R-Release us!!" the President ordered. "You hear me you ignorant creature?!" he added, glaring at Serenity with his teeth grit causing her eyes to widen, the Pokemon reaching out and clutching her fist causing the President to suffocate, his throat tangled in the grasp of her psychic energy.

"SERENITY!!" Chris shout, the Pokemon jolting before lowering her hand, allowing the President to breathe again. "Sorry..." she apologized. "Remember, you're to do only what I tell you. No matter how they act, don't do anything unless I say so." he affirmed, Serenity nodding in response while the President gasped and coughed. "Y-You'll pay for this... How dare you?!" he shout. "Remember how you said you were giving everyone working on this ship a chance to redeem themselves? To wipe the slate clean and all? I just gave you the same chance. The chance to tell the truth." Chris replied before facing his men. "A fair chance given to all of you, a chance all of you wasted, one that would've saved you from what's about to happen." he added before looking up. "You know those Pokemon up there? The one you called mindless, talked about selling off, enslaving? There's a lot more to them than you know." he point out before facing Rostron. "You didn't tell them in the reports who they were, did you sir?" he asked. "I-I didn't, admittedly. I felt that detail best left out for the time being." the Captain replied. "You did me a favor keeping it secret." Chris nodded, Rostron tilting his head curiously. "I-It appears we've got a slight problem." Alicia chimed in, tapping Chris on the shoulder with the tip of her tail and pointing out the armed security boarding from the Carvanian II, another ship cruising up alongside the opposite side of the bow and preparing to board as well, a third ship cruising across the front of the bow with security positioned along the side of their ship ready to fire. "I warned you..." the President sneered, his men suddenly showing a grin themselves. "Should you release us, we give you our word to keep things from getting violent. We're all civilized people here, no need for gunfire, right?" one of his men asked.

Looking at them, Chris shook his head in response. "Sorry, not gonna happen." he replied, their grins fading before sneering the same as the President while the security from the Carvanian II surrounded him and the girls, those from the ship on the opposite side of the Guardian boarding as well alongside them. "Release the President!!" they ordered, holding their guns up from every direction around them. "I-I don't like this." Rose panicked, inching behind Chris and clinging to his coat. "Ooohhh, I do so loathe weapons." Alicia added nervously. "Want me to take care of?" Serenity asked. "No, answering their violence with our own won't do any good. Our focus is on the President and those guys, not their security. They don't know anything, so we can't punish them." Chris affirmed. "Mr. Rostron, sir! The order is being carried out now!" one of his officers suddenly shout out as they hurried along back to their Captain, freezing when they saw all of the security locked onto Chris and the girls. About to quickly intervene, Rostron shot his hand up and shook his head. "If we get involved now, we'll just be throwing ourselves into the fire. Stand down. I'll not have my crew putting their futures at stake." he ordered, his officers looking at one another nervously before nodding and remaining by his side. "The lad put himself in this position. He knew what would happen by doing this to those men. And it's because of that preparation on his part that I'm willing to bide by his wishes." the Captain nodded. "Nobody is to get involved, am I clear?" he asked, his officers nodding once more while watching the scene unfold. "We repeat! Release the President!!" one of the security men demanded, the sound of their weapons clicking heard, each ready to protect Lore and his men by taking Chris down.

Looking around, Chris showed a sneer of his own. "You know what? I'd like to see how strong you are without those things." he replied before facing up, signaling Smith and the spirits and getting a nod in response before they suddenly vanished causing the team surrounding Chris to freeze and look around warily, pointing their weapons in different directions until their guns were abruptly yanked away, floating through the air before the spirits revealed themselves once more, now holding the weapons themselves high above. With those on the surrounding ships finding their guns confiscated as well, Chris couldn't help but chuckle before looking up at Smith, the Captain now wielding a gun in each hand alongside the spirits. "Much better." Chris nodded, Smith and the rest alongside him aiming the guns at the security forces making them jump back and shoot their hands in the air, Smith grinning with a "lock and load" expression. "Listen to me! All of you!" Chris shout, looking at the men around him. "I'm not going to kill these men! Nor you! I don't plan on taking anyone prisoner either! In fact, I really don't care about them or any of you at all!" he point out before facing the President. "I intend to get the truth about what happened to the Arceanic out of these people, nothing more, and by the time I'm finished you'll know who really deserves to be arrested. Until then, I want all of you to get on the ship on the starboard side there." he ordered, Smith and the Spirits above lowering themselves and coaxing the men into doing as Chris said, clearing the bow just as the passengers and crew began to arrive, looking at the scene dumbfounded as Chris faced Smith and the spirits. "Next, regarding everyone remaining on the Carvanian II, half of you go evacuate that ship and have the crew from it join the others on the starboard side vessel! I want that ship..." he added, the spirits nodding before carrying out the order, rushing the Carvanian II together.

"My my, taking rather firm action, aren't we?" Alicia asked. "I'm not wasting any time." Chris replied before holding his hand out towards the ship in front of the bow, sudden sparks of electricity zipping around his palm. Giving his hand a wave, all of a sudden the vessel went dead silent, having shut down abruptly before he did the same to the ship on the starboard side of the Guardian, then the Carvanian II before taking out the power of the remaining fleet around them. "That should keep everyone from causing anymore trouble." Chris muttered. "What was all that about?" Rose asked, blinking at him bewildered. "I short circuited the ships. It'll knock out their power long enough for me to expose these guys without having to worry about people freaking out and calling for unnecessary aid. I don't want this to blow up in that kinda way." Chris explained. "You learning to use power pretty good." Serenity smirked. "Yeah, guess I am. It helps to know what abilities Ninetales has." Chris nodded. "What I just used was called Magnetic Flux to tamper with the ships a little. Seems Ninetales caught hold of a few TM's during her travels. Not surprising." he added. "Chris? What is all this?" they heard a familiar voice say from behind, turning to see Victoria and Sally. "Everyone is being ordered to the front of the ship. I must say it has passengers in a terrible state of confusion." Victoria point out. "Sorry about that, I'm just about to make everything clear. Please, be sure to keep back a little." Chris instructed, the two looking at one another before doing as he said. "Baaaah... I'm getting bored!!" Serenity complained, tapping her foot impatiently. "Relax, not much longer..." Chris assured, putting a hand on the Pokemon's shoulder and giving her a kiss on the cheek, causing Serenity to jolt and flush before smiling and glancing away. "Okay, waiting good." she replied.

"D-Disgusting..." the President sneered. "I'm starting to recognize you... You're the same man who appeared all over the news not long ago, aren't you? You and these Pokemon! I should've expected lawbreaking filth like you to commit something like this. When we get out of here, I swear I'll see you put behind bars." he threatened before looking around at the Guardian crew and facing Rostron and his officers. "All of you!! For condoning this, so help me you'll all be behind bars!!" he shout, Chris walking up to the man and glaring at him in response making the President grit his teeth enraged. "You wouldn't da-MRMPH!!" he growled, cut off when Chris suddenly shoved one of the sandwiches from the table into the President's mouth. "People get pissy when they're hungry. Chew on that for a while." Chris replied with a smirk before looking around at the crowd of crew and passengers from throughout the ship, which was continuing to grow as more arrived. "Alright, looks like the crowd's big enough now." he nodded before walking up to Rostron and his officers. "Alright, everything's ready. All that's left is to get some speakers and a microphone. Can some of you get that right quick? Plus, find those two reporters that boarded with me back in Millennium City. Seriously, last thing I'll ask for." Chris promised with his hand up. "A-Aye, that we can do. I must say this is extraordinarily bizarre however..." Rostron replied before having his officers arrange for what he requested. "Although going along with this is just as bizarre on my part I suppose... It goes against everything we've vowed to uphold. I really hope whatever you're doing works in the end lad. Otherwise we're finished in every sense of the word..." he nervously affirmed.

"Don't worry sir. Nothing's going to happen to you or anyone else working on the Guardian. Well... Nothing bad! That I can promise." Chris smiled while returning to the girls. "Alright, everything's about to start. This is your last chance now, do you still want to stay?" he asked, Alicia and Rose looking at one another before nodding. "We'll see whatever you're up to through until the very end." Alicia replied. "I really do need to work on being so nervous all the time, so this is a good chance to start. I'm right beside you til' the end!" Rose nodded with a smile. Looking at the two, Chris nodded and gave his thanks as crew came up with speakers and a microphone for Chris, who had the table cleared and the speakers set up on top of it while the President spit out the remains of the sandwich in his mouth and ordered the crew to help them, only to be ignored as they gave the microphone to Chris and backed away with a bow. "Arrested, you hear me?!! Imprisoned!! Every one of you!!" he shout furiously, struggling against Serenity's hold as Chris climbed the table, looking around and noticing crew bringing the reporters as told. "Good! I appreciate it, seriously." Chris nodded as the two looked up at him warily. "Camera guy, I need you to get that thing rolling for me. Capture every second of what's about to happen. And as far as you go lady, you're the reporter here, you know what else to do." he smirked, the duo nodding in response and quickly prepping for what he had in store. "Testing, testing... This is reporter Gabby coming to you from off the coast of the Ureaxion Region!" she began in front of the camera. "We're still on board the S.S. Guardian, the latest ship from Platinum Star Lines that was destined to usher in a new era of cleaner than ever sea travel, only to meet with a cruel twist of fate that has left her on the brink of ruin. Despite the horrific incident that nearly ended our lives, we've continued busily and dutifully covering all the news that makes the news revolving the mysterious man and his family labeled Pokemon that caused a colossal uproar in Millennium City!" she exclaimed proudly.

"Good!! We'll have this treasonous and illegal behavior caught on film!!" the President shout. "Treasonous? Illegal...?" Chris asked before glancing down at the President, his eyes warping back into their demonic state again, this time with a vengeful glow to them. "You've no right to say that after all the lives your family has ruined." he sneered before his eyes returned to normal again, facing the crowd engulfing the bow of the Guardian while the President grit his teeth. "I don't know what you are, but you'll pay for this..." he threatened. "Serenity?" Chris called out, the Pokemon jolting before looking at him. Reading his thoughts, she grinned excitedly before holding her hands out and lifting them up, causing the President and his men to rise overhead before their arms were forced out from their sides, each looking as if mounted to a transparent cross above. "L-Let us go!!" one of the men panicked, others begging nervously only for Serenity to obey Chris's thoughts and seal their mouths with her energy. Looking up at the men, the crowd showed wary and terrified looks, lost as to what was occurring before them. "M-Mr. Chris! Please, will you tell our viewers what this is all about?! Why are you doing this to the President of Platinum Star Lines?!" the reporter asked. Looking down at her, Chris tested his microphone before facing the crowd. "One hundred years ago, the Arceanic sank to the bottom of the ocean, but it was no accident!" Chris began. "Captain Smith was answering a call for help sent by Lore's great grandfather aboard the Carvanian, THAT much is true!" he went on before turning and looking up at the men. "But everything else is a lie!! His great grandfather used a distress call to trick Captain Smith into sailing the Arceanic toward the Gyarados swarm HIS great grandfather enraged all those years ago!! The very same swarm that almost killed us all!!" Chris revealed, the crowd looking at one another in surprise.

"His great grandfather was nothing more than a poacher!! He stole thousands of eggs from the swarm that attacked the Arceanic using the Carvanian, and in order to distract the swarm and save his own skin, Lore's great grandfather used the Arceanic to get away with his haul!! And I guarantee you it was the profits from that haul and many like it that was used to buy out Alabaster Lines all those years ago!!" he continued, the President struggling against Serenity before finally forcing his mouth open. "LIES!! ALL LIES!!" he shout, rage practically radiating from his face. "Is it?! Is it really a lie?!!" Chris asked. "I think it's awfully convenient you set this whole event up. I've looked at the company records and Platinum Star Lines is at the brink of bankruptcy!! Knowing all about the past, I think you were going to try collecting off the insurance from the Guardian by having it destroyed before running away from the company!! And knowing all about the past, you were more than happy to set it up so people related to those on the Arceanic died too!! You just couldn't resist the chance to further ruin the Smith name, AND you wanted to ruin the Rostron name too!! Right?! THAT'S why you're furious with them!! Because they survived!!" Chris point out. "This whole thing wasn't about honor, it wasn't about paying respects!! It was nothing more than the perfect opportunity to make millions, ruin the names of the crew on board, and profit from the publicity of the disaster!!" Chris affirmed. "Mr. Lore, do you deny these accusations...?" he asked. "OF COURSE!! This is completely preposterous!!" he shout, his men looking at one another in terror and rapidly shaking their heads. "Those other guys seem to think differently..." Chris point out.

"Serenity, shut his mouth again." he ordered, waving his hand as Serenity nodded and prevented the President from speaking. "Ooohhh this gonna be fun." she giggled evilly. "Everybody, listen to me!! For a hundred years the Lore family and those by their side have dragged the company they took over into the mud!! It all started with the Arceanic, and his family has collected millions throughout the years by framing people who've worked for them!! They've ruined ships, taken lives, year after year, passing the company down through generation after generation, up to this very day!! And now, before you all..." he paused, turning to face up at the President and his men. "I'm going to put a century of lies, of murder and countless other crimes to an end." he affirmed before looking at Smith and the spirits. "All of you! Come down here please!" he ordered, all of them nodding and lowering to his level. "Listen to me closely everyone. I want you to focus only on the night you passed away. The pain you felt, the emotions, the memories of your final moments. I want you to pour all of that into your masks, really fill them with as much of what I just said as possible. No matter how much it pains you to recollect that night, you have to do this, understand?" he asked, Smith and the spirits looking at one another before nodding, setting the guns down in a pile on the bow before taking their masks in hand, closing their eyes in silence and looking as if solemnly praying. "Recall every ounce of your pain... Pour the sensations into your masks... The sounds you heard, the emotions you felt, throw them all into those masks." he affirmed. Giving them a moment, Smith and the spirits finally finished and nodded at him. "Alright then... Serenity? Listen closely." he ordered before facing the Pokemon, her eyes widening as she read his thoughts before grinning from ear to ear.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - Merciless Purgatory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy0eBnbUQmM

Responding to his orders, Serenity suddenly used her psychic abilities to take all of the masks away from the spirits, sending the objects flying up towards the President and his men before they gathered in circular layers all around them and float in a circular manner, the face of each mask pointed at them causing the men's eyes to widen and their colors to fade as the haunting masks looked at them all. "Two thousand, two hundred, and twenty two... That is the number of people who died on the Arceanic one hundred years ago" Chris began, looking up at the men within the barrier of masks. "Two thousand, two hundred, and twenty two... That is the number of people who felt the freezing ocean burning away at their flesh, who suffered their bodies submitting to the cold, and met their ends that night. And now, because of your great grandfather and the men by his side that night, because of how each of your families have murdered and abused people year after year, generation after generation..." Chris paused before turning away. "And because none of you, in any of your families, have done the slightest thing to repent. Because you've kept the truth hidden, and focused solely on your own greed no matter the lives you manipulated... That is how many times you're about to feel your own bodies burn right down to your cores from head to toe, how many times you're about to experience the death those souls suffered that night... You will burn, but there will be no scars to show. You'll experience death endlessly, yet you won't die." he added, looking at the crowd. "For the crimes these men and their families have committed over the course of a century, for the sake of all the families they've ruined and torn apart, this is MY sentence!! Today on this ship, I AM THE LAW!!" he finished before raising his hand and snapping his fingers. "Serenity!! Begin!!" he ordered.

"Ooohhh goodie goodie!! Here go!!" Serenity replied before having a mask float up to each of the men's faces above. Stepping off the table, Chris stopped at Serenity's side, ordering "Do it." before walking past her as the men suddenly began letting out blood curdling screams above them. Forcing a mask on each of their faces, the men helplessly endured the onslaught of pain each mask possessed, the terror and death within each surging through their bodies as bright lights flashed and shot from the masks like bolts of lightning. "When I wore one of those masks, I experienced the memories of its owner first hand. You however, will take on every ounce of pain, every bit of torture they have to offer instead. One after one, until you've each worn every single mask. You will know the suffering your families have caused, and nobody will help you..." he affirmed before facing up at the men as Serenity removed their masks and slapped another onto each of their faces, causing another round of screaming. "Because you've never helped anybody in your life. Aboard this ship are the souls of those who died on the Arceanic! The Yamask and Cofagrigus you sneered at are the spirits your ancestors murdered! And here by my side is the very same Captain Smith your families have made a mockery of over the years!" he revealed to the men, their screams turning into cries for help and tortured apologies, only for Chris to turn away again as the crowd watched in disbelief at the medieval torture occurring before them, many showing looks of horror and covering their ears. "Everyone!! Listen to me!!" Chris called out through the microphone. "Just as their families did when the Arceanic sank, all of you are to turn your backs to these men!! Understand?!" Chris ordered, everyone looking at one another nervously.

Hesitating to listen to what he said, suddenly Rostron and his officers walked up next to Chris, lowering their heads while turning their backs to the President and his men suffering above. "Do as he says!!" Rostron ordered as Captain Smith and the spirits joined alongside them, each with their backs turned. Seeing this, although they still hesitated to do so, all of the crew started turning their backs as well, followed by the passengers, many continuing to cover their ears and shut their eyes. "The screams you hear is nothing compared to the screams of the thousands of lives that died on the Arceanic that night!! Don't you dare feel sympathy for these men!! Do you feel how their screams make your blood turn cold? How it beckons you to help?! Lore's great grandfather and the men aboard the Carvanian were able to not only endure these screams, but REVEL in them!! And now they will learn the same pain the souls of the Arceanic felt watching the Carvanian turn its back to them!!" Chris affirmed before snapping his fingers, Serenity pausing and removing the masks from the men's faces, allowing them to see everyone with their backs turned as the men sobbed, President Lore keeping his teeth grit with slight foam in the corners of his mouth. "Y-You... You son of a-AAAGHHH!!!!" the President screamed as Serenity slapped another mask on his face, the men begging for mercy only for Serenity to do the same to them. "C-Chris, are you certain this is...?" Alicia asked nervously, the sound of their torture getting to her as well. "Th-This is sc-scary!" Rose added, tugging her ears down with her eyes tightly shut. Looking at them, Chris raised his hand before releasing another snap, Serenity showing a malicious grin once more.

"Here we go!!" she giggled before she began an all out attack on the men, slamming mask after mask against their faces repeatedly, forcing them to endure the pain and memories of every soul one after another at a rapid pace sending them into a maddening state of torment, their words becoming slurred as they all began foaming at the mouth, tears streaming from their eyes only for Serenity to laugh at the sounds and the looks on their faces. "More!! Scream more humans!! SCREAM!!" she laughed maniacally, the look in her eyes turning to one of excitement and insanity combined. "C-Chris..." Rose called out, clinging to his coat. Looking down at the rabbit, he put his hand on her head and gave it a soft rub. "I'm sorry... It has to be done." he apologized, looking down at her with a somber look causing her eyes to widen. "Y-You really..." she replied, cut off when Chris cleared his throat and put on another straight face, gripping his staff tightly as Serenity savored her opportunity to torture humans by his command. "I doing good? You like?! Good job?!" Serenity asked excitedly. Turning around, Chris looked up at the men as their bodies thrashed and flailed about before nodding. "You're doing great. Don't hold back." he replied, Serenity looking back and grinning before suddenly dancing about below the men while continuing to laugh, slapping mask after mask onto each of them, rapidly driving the men to insanity as the relentless torture overwhelmed them. Looking at Captain Rostron and his officers, they were making crosses on their chests and murmuring to themselves, making silent prayers while many in the crowd started doing the same, begging for forgiveness both, for themselves and the president and his men above.

"C-Can I get a moment of your time?" the reporter asked, her cameraman continuing to focus on the punishment above. "Yeah, what's up?" Chris asked, the reporter shuddering during another round of their screams, Chris tensing up before taking a deep breath and relaxing. "I have a few questions to ask, first, are you worried about legal action for what you're doing to those men?" she asked. "It has crossed my mind, but the benefits of getting them to reveal the truth themselves, to confess, will outweigh any desires of punishment anyone might have toward me. Besides, there's no intent of killing anyone here. There's really no physical damage being done at all either." Chris point out. "What's happening to them is all in their minds. My intention is simply to break the walls they've built in their heads." he added before looking back at the men. "Potential madness is just an added benefit... But that's just my opinion after everything they and their past relatives have done to so many people." he went on before facing the reporter. "Rest assured, I'll have far too much support behind me once this is finished. And with their confessions, what can I really be punished for, save forcing the truth out of them?" he asked before they suddenly heard the men screaming again. Watching as Serenity merrily waltz about the bow, she couldn't help but continue reveling in the misery of humans, randomly laughing while humming a happy tune. "L-Lad? How much longer?" Rostron asked, tightly gripping the arm of his wheelchair while his officers clutched their chests. "Not much, by the looks of it they'll be breaking any..." he replied, cut off when Serenity let out a loud "GROSS!!" and jumped out of the way as something trickled down.

Looking up, the men, save for the President, had started urinating all over themselves, Serenity's enjoyment turning into disgust as she let out a "blech" in response to the sight. "...Stop for a second." he ordered, walking along with his hand up. "Aww... Already?" Serenity asked. "It gross, but making them pee kind of funny at same time." she giggled before replying with an "okay" and sighing while pulling the masks away from them. "...Unconscious huh?" Chris muttered, looking at the men with their heads hanging, the President continuing to fight against the punishment despite his mouth foaming the same as the others, clenching his fists and biting his lip to the point it was bleeding. "Lower them down." he ordered, Serenity nodding before laying the men on the deck, save for the President who Chris wanted left bound in the air before him. "Not bad... I don't suppose you feel like talking?" he asked. Looking down at him, the President responded only with spit, which landed just inches away from Chris's feet. "Go to hell..." the President growled. "Probably not before you do. Sure you don't want to confess?" Chris asked, only for the President to remain silent. Suddenly, his men began stirring on the deck, each of them coming to with eyes shooting wide open, rising from the deck like a bullet and looking all around in an attack of anxiety. "Hello there gentlemen." Chris nodded, facing them causing the men to jolt. "You look like you're ready to do a little talking." he smirked, the men suddenly running up to him and dropping to their knees, each tugging his coat and begging for mercy. Looking down at them, Chris sighed and shook his head. "Sorry but, even though you're ready to talk, I'm afraid your President up there isn't." Chris replied before raising his hand, Serenity reading his thoughts and grabbing them in her energy once more.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - The Truth At Last...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpfcUxab1Fs

"P-Please!! No more!! God no more!!" one of them panicked. "We'll talk!! We'll say whatever you want!!" another added. "I'm afraid it has to be a unanimous agreement to do so. As long as that man up there refuses, you're going to have to keep enduring until he gives in." Chris affirmed, only to jolt in surprise when one of them broke free and made a mad sprint along the bow toward the pile of guns Smith and the spirits put on the deck, snatching one in his hands and aiming it at the President. "...Oh?" Chris muttered. "T-Talk!! Talk!! No more!! No more!!" the man panicked, trembling from head to toe. "You damn coward..." the President sneered as blood dripped from his lip. "You're willing to shoot him?" Chris asked. "N-No more!! No more!!" the man replied, aiming it toward Chris, only for him to sigh and shake his head. About to respond, Chris was caught in surprise when Alicia caught the man, coiling around him tightly forcing him to drop the gun. "I'll thank you not to aim such a thing so recklessly." she told him. "I might not agree with this, but we still can't let anything happen to him. I do hope you'll understand." she added before throwing the man across the bow in front of Chris, who looked down in silence as the man got on all fours and bowed. "P-Please... Please!!" he begged, Rostron and his crew along with the passengers turning to watch. "I-It's true!! It's all true!! I-It was the Lore family!!" the man confessed before grabbing the legs of Chris's pants and pulling himself up along Chris body, clinging to his shirt while sobbing. "No more!! No more!!" he begged. Remaining silent, Chris raised his hand once again, the man going wide eyed and begging for mercy hysterically only to pause when Serenity slowly let down his coworkers.

"Aww... You really stopping?" Serenity asked. "If what they have to say is good enough, then yes." Chris replied before Rose tugged his coat from behind, Chris looking back as she thanked him with tears in her eyes causing Chris to sigh and nod before facing the man clinging to him once more. "Get off me and stand with the others." he ordered, getting a rapid nod in response as the man shot up and bowed repeatedly, saying "thank you!!" more times than Chris could count as he backed away, all of them standing with soaked pants, cowering like rats in a corner. "Gabby! That's your name, right?" Chris shout towards the reporter, the woman jumping in response before nodding and hurrying up to him. "Y-yes sir!" she replied as he raised his microphone and switched it on again. "Is there a judge on this ship?! I need a preacher too!!" he exclaimed. After a moment, two men came up from the crowd, one wearing a suit while the other donned causal clothes and held a bible. "May I sir?" Chris reached out, the Preacher looking at his hand for a moment before nodding and handing over the book. "Sir, are you certified to act as a judge in this region?" Chris asked the other man. "Y-Yes. I studied here. I've a court of my own back in the city." the man replied. "Good, then this works perfectly." Chris nodded before having the Judge sit at the table before handing the bible back to the Preacher, having the man stand next to the judge. "All of you! At the table!" Chris ordered, the men working for the President hurrying over in a flash before having the Preacher hold out his book. "Put your hands on it, together." Chris instructed, all of them obeying before he held up the microphone. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the WHOLE truth, and nothing BUT the truth so help you God?" he asked, getting rapid nods and an immediate "Yes!!" in response as the judge looked at them all.

"I'll keep this short and sweet then. First question, on the day of April 14th, 1912, was Stan Lore and his men poaching Gyarados eggs at this very spot?" Chris began. Looking at one another, the men hesitated, only for Chris to snap his fingers causing Serenity to lower a mask into his hand before holding it out to the men. "Answer the question, now." he ordered, taking a step towards them causing the men to jump back. "Y-Yes!!" one of them answered. "Secondly, did Stan Lore mislead the Arceanic using a fake distress call for the sole purpose of using the Arceanic as bait so he could get away?" Chris asked, the men looking at one another as Chris held the mask out further. "Stall once more and you're up there with the President again. Answer my question." he ordered. "Y-Yes..." another confessed as they lowered their heads. "Thirdly, did Stan Lore and his men use the profits from his poach to buy out Alabaster Lines?" he questioned, the men keeping their heads lowered while nodding silently. "I need to hear an answer!!" he snapped, the men shooting up as one replied with a loud "yes!!" in response as the crowd watched and listened, their eyes widening from the confessions. "Fourthly, have the families of Stan Lore and those by his side, including you, used Alabaster Lines to commit fraudulent crimes for the sake of profit by destroying ships, framing others... And taking lives since the acquisition?" he asked, all of them turning pale from the question, their fear of answering such a thing matched with their fear of further torture. Not getting a response, Chris suddenly held out his staff and gave it a sudden swipe, forming a deadly scythe blade at the end. "I warn you... So help me if you lie under the oath of that book..." he warned, his eyes warping back into a demonic state while holding the blade out near their necks, the searing heat radiating from it causing them to jump back.

"I-It was all his idea!! It was the President!! We were only following orders!!" one of the men panicked. "I don't want an excuse. I want an answer. Have you, knowing full and well of the risks of those involved, of the suffering others would endure, purposely damaged ships, framed others, and caused loss of life, obeying orders or not?" Chris asked, the men gritting their teeth and shutting their eyes tightly before one replied with a shaky "Y-Yes..." in response, the Judge looking at the men wide eyed, same as the preacher who muttered "Dear God..." while Chris pulled his staff away, the blade at the end vanishing in a flash, same as the warped look in his eyes as the girls looked at him in shock. "Y-You can do that?" Rose asked nervously. "Guess I can. This power does things kinda based on how I'm feeling, or thinking in the moment." Chris replied. "Th-Thinking? Then... Were you really thinking of...?" Alicia asked, unable to finish her sentence as Chris faced down for a moment before looking at the men once more. "Lastly, were you planning to use this voyage to destroy the Guardian, being fully aware of exactly what the ship would run into here, so you could collect the insurance, tarnish the names of the crew on board, profit off the press... And abandon Platinum Star Lines afterward?" he finished, the men looking at the passengers and crew in terror, the spirits and Captain Smith rising up and ominously looking down at the men. "Answer me... Were you going to kill all these people, men, women... Even CHILDREN just to make a profit and run away?" Chris asked, taking the Bible from the Preacher once more and holding it out to the men. "I dare you... I dare you to lie before not only the world, but this... It's a chance at redemption, or at least the chance to get whatever mercy you can... What's your answer?" Chris asked, keeping the book held out before the men as Rostron wheeled up next to Chris, looking at them along with his officers and the girls.

Continuing to look at everyone, the men eventually faced down again before dropping to their knees and confessing "...yes..." simultaneously, the passengers gasping collectively while the spirits let out a collective shout before soaring above the men together, circling around them and pointing in unison while loudly chanting "GUILTY!! GUILTY!!" in their Pokemon tongue, affirming the truth now exposed by the descendants of those who cost them their lives, the cameraman catching everything on film while the reporter dropped her microphone and notepad as the men covered their ears beneath the haunting chant of the spirits above them. "No further questions sir..." Chris finished, nodding at the Judge as he sat as dumbfounded as everyone else aboard the bow. Looking around, Chris let out a sigh before giving his microphone to Rostron and holding his hand out, undoing his Magnetic Flux which had shut down all the ships around them. Looking towards the ship on the starboard side of the Guardian, Chris took back the microphone from Rostron once more before telling the security on the ship to board the Guardian, causing them to look at one another before warily returning to the deck, collecting their guns the spirits had taken before gathering around the men and table, looking at the Judge at a loss of what to do. "...Detain them for now." the Judge ordered, all of them nodding before taking the men by their arms and leading them away, the crowd booing them and tossing things while Chris faced the Judge with a bow. "I admit how I've gone about this is wrong. Whatever the punishment, I accept." he affirmed, Serenity and the girls looking at him wide eyed.

"...I'll work with those on the ship and contacts back in the city to see what we can do in your case." the Judge replied before looking up at the President as he faced down with his eyes shut and rage in his face. "It's the word of his own men against him, the closest at that... I'd say he's done for." the Judge added before facing Chris again. "With any luck we can have this settled before you leave the ship." he went on before standing as Chris gave the Bible back to the Preacher with a "thank you" before bowing. "The almighty works in mysterious ways. I believe he has come to us to deliver due justice through you... He's certainly no stranger to punishment toward the wicked, so please do not think of yourself as a sinful man for what you've done. Instead, consider yourself a medium the almighty has used to bless us with the truth on this day." the Preacher smiled, putting a hand on Chris's shoulder to comfort him. "I have seen the worry on your face, and I can sense the remorse within you. Please believe me when I say I cannot see you punished for this act. You've saved all the souls aboard this ship, freed those lost below the waves, and exposed the source of evil behind it all. If nothing else, rest assured you've certainly been blessed for these deeds, and a wondrous, prosperous life surely awaits you not only in this world, but the next. I am but a servant of the almighty, but... I honestly feel the smile I show you now is coming from him as well." he assured, Chris looking at him wide eyed before the Preacher formed a cross on his chest, saying "bless you" not only to him, but each of the girls as well before backing away with a bow of his own and walking off, following the men the security forces were leading away.

"...I don't really get it, but I kinda feel that was important somehow." Rose said, tilting her head with a curious look. "Quite... To think a human would share their religious practices with us as well..." Alicia added. "If he make Chris feel better, then guess he okay. That human... Feel weird not liking him. Not know why..." Serenity muttered while crossing her arms. "Anyway, what you want me to do about President and masks?" she asked, Chris remaining distracted as he watched the Preacher leave. "Hello! I ask question!" Serenity shout while waving a hand in Chris's face, causing him to jolt and shake his head before looking at her and up at the President. "R-Right, give the masks back to the spirits they belonged to." he replied, Serenity looking at him for a moment before sweating. "I-I not know which mask belong to which spirit. They all look same to me." she replied. "Not to worry, the spirits somehow know which is theirs." he assured before calling for Captain Smith, who then hovered up to him and stood himself on the deck with a sigh. "That was... Something." he replied. "Yeah well, I want to push it behind me. Can you have everyone take their masks back now? It's hard for us to tell which goes to whom." he point out. "Ah, right. The living cannot see the details of each mask. To you they appear as one in the same." he explained before agreeing and heading off to give the spirits the order. Flying up in groups, they reclaimed their masks while showing expressions of disgust and resentment toward the President, many sticking out their tongues and nodding with grunts in an "about time" kind of manner. Once everyone had their masks back, Chris turned away and gave Serenity the order to release the President.

"Tch, sure can't punish him more?" she asked. "No... We're done. I'm not going to push this any further into overkill than I already have. I guess I got what I needed, even if the President himself didn't give what I was hoping for. I'm sure he'll still face justice with or without admittance of what he and his family have done." Chris assured before putting a hand on her shoulder. "Please?" he asked, Serenity letting out a sigh before showing him an endearing smile. "That so like you. It prove you not change, and that good." she giggled as he thanked her in response before walking along. "I still have to get the other stuff I wanted. That takes priority now." he affirmed, Alicia and Rose watching him walk off before facing one another and letting out a relieved sigh before following. "Well, he say I have to let go. He not say HOW though, so..." she paused, smiling slyly before glancing back and releasing the President from her energy, causing him to plummet and smash into the table in front of the Judge, the man jumping back in surprise with a shout. About to order security to take the President away as well, he paused when Lore forced himself up from the debris of the table, gritting his teeth and muttering something before noticing one of the guns nearby. With rage pushing him to the point of his own insanity, he suddenly made a mad sprint towards the weapon, snatching it in his hands and aiming at Chris's back. "S-SECURITY!!!" the Judge screamed, everyone gasping as they took notice of the President before screaming themselves when he fired the gun. Hearing the shot, time seemed to slow down as Chris and the girls turned, almost as if at a snails pace in the moment as the bullet rocket towards them, passing the girls and about to hit Chris only for Captain Smith to charge in and take the bullet at the last second, his sturdy body causing it to ricochet in another direction, leaving a dent behind on his body before finding itself piercing Lore in the leg, karma playing its role forcing him to drop the gun and fall to the deck while screaming in pain.

"You foolish man." Smith growled, hovering up to the President and lifting him by the vest. "You know, considering you hadn't spoken, you might've had a slimmer of a chance of lying your way out of this mess, but you've just proven without a shadow of a doubt that, just like your wretched great grandfather, you don't give a bloody damn about life. What a despicable thing to run in a family..." he sneered before throwing the President onto the deck as security rushed up, taking him away as Chris and the girls stood in shock. As the President was pulled past Chris, the man gave him a vengeful look before the security yanked him past. "That's gonna leave a right nasty mark." Smith muttered while floating up behind them, poking the dent in his body and wincing. "It stings too... How in the world am I feeling that?" he asked as Chris and the girls turned to face him. "Y-You took a bullet for me." Chris point out. "Bah, already dead lad. Think nothing of it. Though even if I were alive I would've still done it." Smith replied while waving his hand. "You... You save. You die if not dead already." Serenity point out. "Th-That was amazing." Rose added, all of them looking at the Captain wide eyed. "Wh-What? It's nothing, really!" Smith assured with a nervous smile. Looking where the dent was, had Smith been alive he'd of taken the shot straight through his heart, Chris reaching out subconsciously and touching the dent. "M-Mr. Smith..." he paused before looking up at the Captain. "Th-Thank you." he added, Smith blinking at him before laughing nervously. "C-Come now! What's with the shocked reaction?! Haven't I proven the kind of man I am already?!" he asked, rubbing the back of his head with a look of flattery on his face as he grinned.

"You've certainly proven your compassion and value toward the lives of others." a voice said, the group turning to see the Judge. "You're really the one and only?" he asked, Smith blinking before grunting in response. "Aye, the Captain of the Arceanic, John Smith at your service sir." he replied. "You and these, er, spirits. Would all of you mind coming with me for a moment? I'm gathering important witnesses, and I'd say there's none more important than you and those that were aboard the Arceanic at the moment." the Judge point out, Smith agreeing with an "aye" in response. "Well lad, seems all that's left is the legal matters to tend to... See you later?" he asked, Chris nodding in response, still on a shocked state. Just as the Captain was about to hurry off however, Serenity reached out and snatched his arm, causing Smith to jolt before facing her as she looked at him in silence. "Is... Something the matter lass?" he asked as she slowly released him, clutching her fists at her sides. "Y-You not bad." she struggled, Smith raising an eyebrow. "I-I not get you." she added, the Captain looking at Chris and the girls confused before Serenity suddenly bowed to the Captain, catching even Chris off guard. "You save his life, so thank you!!" she shout before quickly raising up and turning her back to smith, her fists remaining clenched as she grit her teeth in a sudden state of appreciation and frustration combined. "N-Not a problem madam. Happy to do it." Smith replied, blinking at her once more before looking at the others. "Well uh, if you'll excuse me." he added before waving and heading off with the Judge. "S-Smith..." Chris muttered with his hand out, the girls watching the Captain leave in awe themselves while Serenity glanced back at him before letting out a "tch" and facing away once more.

"I-I need to go to the room girls..." Chris said before turning and quickly walking along the deck. "A-Ah! Hey!! Just a moment!!" Alicia shout, quickly slithering along behind him. "Y-yeah! Hang on! What's the rush?!" Rose added, quickly following herself while Serenity looked at Chris's back. "...Couldn't take it." she muttered before hurrying along as well. Making their way to the entrance and down the stairs, Chris's pace quickened the further they went, until finally reaching the door where he rushed in taking the room card from his pocket. "In... In!!" he muttered, his hand shaking as he tried repeatedly to swipe the card, Alicia and Rose showing looks of concern. "What's the mat...!!" Alicia asked, cut off when Serenity put her hand on Chris's before taking the card and swiping it herself, opening the door for him. "Go in. Do what need to do." she said with her head bowed. Standing between the three, he suddenly released his staff as his legs trembled, Serenity catching it as he put his hand over his mouth and rushed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him leaving Alicia and Rose blinking in bewilderment. "What... Was that?" Rose asked. "Find out." Serenity replied while walking inside, leaning his staff against the back of the couch before sitting on the bed. "In heat of moment, forget to un-link mind, so I not need to find out what wrong. You can if want." she explained while laying on the bed with her hands behind her head. "I told you not have to worry." she added as the two looked at one another and made their way to the door. Pressing their ears against it curiously, they heard Chris within vomiting uncontrollably, repeating "oh God" over and over between his spells causing their eyes to widen as they inched back.

"He's... Sick." Rose muttered. "Quite sick at that." Alicia added. "What he do take toll." Serenity explained, looking out the balcony window. "He push himself to torture humans. He never serious in first place. What he do make sick." Serenity explained as they heard Chris going through another vomiting fit. "For long time, was too busy having fun to pay attention, but could hear him, in mind. He beg humans to tell truth, things like that. The more he hurt humans, the worse he feel. You really not notice?" Serenity asked, looking at the two as Rose jolt. "I-I remember something!" she point out, the two looking at her. "When he was looking at me, all of a sudden he looked really sad. And even when he put on a straight face again, there was something weird about the way he was standing. He did seem kinda nervous." Rose admit. "Not to mention he WAS shot at. Had it not been for that Captain Smith fellow, he would've..." Alicia point out, pausing when thinking about it and facing down. "I'm astounded he didn't pass out then and there, really. That was an amazingly close call." she added. "After pushing himself so much, then almost being shot, no wonder he's...!!" she paused when they heard him vomiting once more, all three looking at the door in silence. "That make us look bad. We right there, and not protect him. Smith do job we should do." Serenity affirmed. "I do believe I deserve a little credit. After all I stopped that other human from shooting him." Alicia reminded. "...Guess that true." Serenity nodded, Rose looking at the two before facing down, her ears drooping while poking her fingers. "I... Feel really bad." she confessed, the two looking at her. "Whatever for? You didn't do anything." Alicia replied, the rabbit nodding. "That's just it." she replied before looking at the door.

"I did kinda do something. I probably made him feel even worse the way I was acting. I was... Scared of him." she confessed, Alicia and Serenity looking at one another. "I feel really bad... After all he did want us to trust him and have faith in him and all. Even after telling us he wouldn't change I still got scared of him. So it's probably because of me too he's so sick now." she added before groaning in guilt. "Well, admittedly I didn't do the best job of supporting him myself, so it's a moment we both failed to stand by his side properly." Alicia nodded. Looking at them, Serenity glanced away with slight sweat on her face. "Maybe I have too much fun hurting humans..." she admit, thinking back on all of her laughter and scratching her cheek nervously. "You certainly weren't subtle about how much fun you were having." Alicia point out. "Well sorry I enjoy doing what told to do!" Serenity replied with her arms crossed and nose in the air. After a moment, they heard Chris's spells finally cease, all going silent save for the sound of the toilet flushing before hearing the sink run, until the sound of running water went silent as well. "...Think he okay?" Serenity asked. "I'm not certain, considering how much he just...!!" Alicia replied, pausing when the knob started turning before the door slowly opened, Chris standing weakly with his hand over his mouth, still in a nauseous state. "S-hick-Sorry girls, did-hurk-didn't feel so hot all of a sudden." he apologized, the three looking at one another nervously. "Chris... We uh, we apologize." Alicia spoke up. "Eh? What-hurk-what for?" he asked, covering his mouth again before rubbing his throat to ease back the nausea. "Well, we didn't support you very well. You wanted us to trust you, and you warned us several times about what you were doing, but we still acted the way we did, the way I did and stuff... We're sorry." Rose apologized. "Quite... We let you and ourselves down by mistrusting, and misjudging you." Alicia added, Chris looking at the two before showing a smile, albeit a groggy one. "Th-Thanks girls. D-Don't worry about...!!" he paused, his eyes widening as he shut the door and went into a final fit in the bathroom, the girls showing a "blech" look and shaking their heads.

"Maybe this time it's a relieved kind of sick?" Rose smiled nervously. "No matter what kind of sickness it is, if he keeps that up..." Alicia replied, shaking her head with a sigh as the toilet flushed once again, followed by the sound of the sink the same as before until he came back out, wobbling along with a groggy groan and plopping down in the nearby recliner. "You okay?" Rose asked. "Fine, fine." he assured with a nervous smile, waving his hand before rubbing his throat again. "I-I'll get you some water!" she offered, hurrying into the kitchen area and fetching him a glass. "I'm uh, sorry, girls." he apologized while taking the water and quickly gulping it down. "Nonsense, it's as we said, apologies are our responsibility." Alicia replied as he finished the water with a relieved sigh. "Man that burned." he muttered, rubbing his throat. "It bad for you to throw up like that. It make you pass out again you know." Serenity lectured, walking up behind the recliner and bending over, putting her arms around him from behind. "I couldn't help it. Everything that happened really took it outta me." he replied before Alicia slithered up with a wet rag. "Ah, thanks." he nodded, taking it and wiping his face off. "Punishing people, threatening lives, almost getting shot..." he added, looking at the rag before letting out another nauseous groan. "You did what have to do. Humans confess, President sink own ship." Serenity nodded. "Yeah, sunk his own ship." Chris muttered before looking toward the balcony. "Speaking of, why on Earth did you want that, er, Carvanian was it?" Alicia asked. "...I'm gonna destroy it." Chris replied while looking down at his glass. "Soon as they're sure everyone is off that ship and the timing is right. I've already gotten the okay from Ninetales." he added. "Just wish I didn't have to use her power the way I just did a minute ago." he sighed.

Looking at one another, the girls nodded before Serenity tighten her grasp on him. "Not be sad. Still love you more than anything." she assured, kissing him on the head. "Yeah! I might not have acted the way I should have when all that was happening, but I feel the same! I love you the same as always too!" Rose assured before hugging him as well. "I must admit, a man willing to forsake so much for the greater good of so many is certainly admirable. You endured your own personal torture for doing what you did for everyone, even when the very people you struggled so hard for were looking at you in fear because of your actions. Nonetheless you toughed it out until the very end despite their fear, despite your torment, and in the end what you desired came to fruition because of your strength inside. Even when we ourselves... Were concerned because of what you were doing, you stuck with it and believed in yourself, believed in your plan, that you were doing what was right. Something we really should've done ourselves all along... I have a new respect for you." Alicia nodded, Chris looking at the three in surprise before facing down with a small smile. "Thanks girls..." he replied. "I knew I was risking a lot, doing what I did. My biggest concern was how all of you would see me after doing something like that. After all, even if it was for the sake of everyone, the risk of losing you girls, your feelings toward me, that was the main thing I was worried about. All the money in the world couldn't replace you. I mean, you already know I'd rather be broke than be alone, you know?" he affirmed as they looked at one another. "Rest assured our feelings for you haven't changed. Your actions caught us off guard, granted, but our feelings are exactly the same." Alicia nodded before nudging his cheek with her own. "If truly you think something like that would scare us away from you, would make us feel differently, then you really are still a fool." she smirked.

"She right. Long as you do what you did for good of others, it okay. You do it to help, not because want to hurt. And that what important. That why we still feel same." Serenity affirmed. "Y-Yeah. Plus you got really, REALLY sick over it, so that just further proves you're the same good person we know and love too! Hurting those humans hurt you just as badly deep down..." Rose nodded while holding his hand. "You're a good person." she smiled. "While the religious practices of humans are a tad unknown to our kind, what that human, the... Preacher said, I believe it was all true as well. For all you've done for others, I simply cannot see any form of divine punishment striking you down for your actions, especially when you only made those humans suffer to put an end to the pain of so many others. Your deeds in this world, for both humans and Pokemon, far outweigh what you humans call sins, so fear not. It would be an extraordinary waste to punish a human as unique as yourself, and I believe the... Divine beings you humans admire surely feel exactly the same as I." Alicia affirmed with a nod. "As we all feel! You too good, too nice!" Serenity added with a grin, poking Chris on the cheek. "We love you, and we know the people that Preacher was talking about just have to love you too!" Rose grinned, Chris looking at the three before tearing up and sniffling with his face down. "G-Geez, did ya have to do that?" he asked, wiping his eyes as the girls smiled at one another before continuing to console him. Eventually, with their support and encouragement, he managed to pull himself together and stand tall once more, giving each a hug before heading for his staff and taking it in hand with a smirk on his face. "Seriously..." he chuckled, the girls tilting their heads as he turned to them. "Where would I be without you?" he smiled, all three showing a grin before he faced the door.

"Alright... Guess I'd better go finish the rest of the plan." he sighed before heading toward it. However, just as he opened the door and was about to walk out, he found himself blocked by the Guardian's officers and several security members, about to knock only to pause and look at Chris in surprise as he did the same. "U-Uh, hey?" he greeted, the men looking at one another before nodding in response. "Sorry about having to take your time, but the legal teams on board would like a word with you. They're gathered in the Captain's cabin at the moment, interviewing passengers, crew, even Captain Smith and those spirits." Officer Murdoch explained. "As of right now there haven't been any charges against you. Everyone is still trying to grasp the situation alone at the moment." Officer Murdoch added. "If you'd please follow us, we'd really appreciate the cooperation." Officer Lowe bowed. "O-Of course. Anything you guys need." Chris nodded. "I was ready to face whatever came my way after doing what I did to those guys." he added, the girls looking at one another nervously. "Is he gonna be okay?" Rose asked, the officers looking at one another. "It's... Difficult to say, but at the moment I'd like to think he has a fair chance. We haven't heard of any charges." Officer Pitman nodded before coaxing Chris along, the girls following closely behind. "He only do what right. Those humans deserve what they get!" Serenity affirmed. "Whether we agree or not, I'm afraid the law surpasses our opinions on the matter. It all depends on what the Judge and those he's in contact with decide. Right now the Judge on board the Guardian, along with other legal professionals we have on board, are discussing things with legal teams in several areas of the Ureaxion Region as we speak. Captain Rostron has wasted no time in connecting key people together to cover everything simultaneously. Right now it's a matter of bringing everyone up to speed." Officer Lightoller revealed.

Making their way along, they eventually reached the Captain's cabin, stepping in together while the Judge was in the middle of questioning Captain Smith, using him as a translator for the various Yamask brought into the room while several people busily wrote and typed everything word for word. "This is beyond anything I've ever handled..." the Judge muttered, a legal team sitting around a table alongside him. "We've brought the passenger as requested sir." Officer Murdoch spoke up, everyone pausing and looking at Chris as he walked up with a bow, the girls standing close by his sides. "Alright... Lets get this out of the way then." the Judge sighed as Smith and the Yamask backed away. "Good to see you lad." Smith smiled as the Judge had Chris sit in an empty chair before him. "I've already spoken with a few people and some of the, er, spirits aboard the ship." he point out. "Is he gonna be in any trouble...?" Rose asked nervously, clinging to Chris's sleeve. "I say right now, nobody taking him. He only do what right!" Serenity affirmed while gripping Chris's shoulder. "Surely nobody would be willing to charge him as a criminal after all he's done? The act of tormenting those humans was for the greater good in itself." Alicia point out. "...Talking Pokemon, yes. This is definitely beyond anything I've ever handled." the Judge reaffirmed before letting out a sigh and shaking his head, raising his hand in response. "Calm down, this isn't about him being criminalized." the Judge assured. "While the President of Platinum Star Lines has mentioned charges, he's pretty much the only one. Those men of his are far too terrified to raise a finger towards this man here. And given Mr. Lore's current state, and his gun fiasco on the bow, I highly doubt anything he brought to the table would hold water." he added.

"The law is a tricky thing, oftentimes it's the majority rule alone that determines the outcome of trials despite evidence on hand. And this is an instance where I'd say majority is in your favor, despite your actions being, admittedly, charge worthy. So I want to let you know not to worry. I strongly believe you're going to be just fine. There's also the fact thousands of lives are indebted to you, my own included." the Judge nodded before clearing his throat. "Now then, as for my questions." he began. "You mentioned on the bow you had no intent to kill, however certain actions say otherwise. Do you stand by those words?" he asked. "Yes, my plan was to use psychological manipulation to... Coerce... Those men into confessions. There was no physical damage done, nor' intended. I felt any other means used wouldn't get the truth out of them, and with their wealth and power, I believed any other method the law used would only result in the same lies they'd given the world for a hundred years. So I used the one thing I knew they, nor' anyone else had ever prepared for to force the truth out of them." Chris answered with a nod. "I just played the role of bad cop in the situation. It was a scare tactic, nothing more. As far as using my staff goes, I never had any intention of actually using it on them. I swear by that." Chris answered with his hand raised. "Alright then. Do you have any preexisting criminal records?" the Judge asked. "As many know, there were incidents in Millennium City revolving me and the girls here, but none of them resulted in any convictions. All of my actions were for the betterment of people and Pokemon alike, and there are many who would stand by my statements in the city. I'm a crime free man" he affirmed.

"Next question then... Were you hoping to gain anything personally by manipulating those men?" the Judge asked, Chris looking down for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I did want something from them." he confessed, the Judge raising an eyebrow. "I wanted those men and the President to step down from their positions at Platinum Star Lines, and for the company to be given to Mr. Rostron and Mr. Smith, the uh, living Smith that is." he clarified before facing the Captain. "Sorry sir..." Chris apologized. "No worries lad. It's only right a living relative inherit such a thing." Smith replied. "Alright... But that's not exactly a right answer. I meant YOU personally?" the Judge clarified. "I wanted to obtain full ownership of the Arceanic wreckage and the surrounding site." Chris answered. "And why do you want it?" the Judge asked. "For preservation. As you heard on the bow, the President and his men didn't care a thing about that. They just wanted to make a constant profit by putting items on display and sending people on tours to the wreckage again and again, things that would ruin the ship more than it already is." Chris explained. "I didn't want to obtain it freely however. I had all intentions of buying out the site so long as those put in charge when the President and his men stepped down allowed it. I want to avoid anything being brought to the surface as a sign of respect to everyone who died." he added. "Were you working together with Mr. Rostron and/or Mr. Smith?" the Judge asked. "No, they were left in the dark entirely. I didn't tell anyone what my plan was, not even the girls here. I was the only person involved until the moment arrived, during which everyone found out my plan at the same time as it unfolded." Chris affirmed with his hand up once again.

"I had absolutely no intention of any monetary gain whatsoever from claiming ownership of the site. Only giving it the right respect it deserves." he added. "Why did you want the company to go to Mr. Rostron and Mr. Smith specifically?" the Judge asked. "Mr. Lore's great grandfather murdered Captain Smith, so in turn I felt it was only right he give the company to the Smith family. As far as Mr. Rostron, his great grandfather was the man who risked the most and worked the hardest to save those on the ship that night. His descendants, especially the Captain Rostron of today, has carried on a sense of frustration and remorse over his ancestor being unable to save anyone that night despite the efforts shown. I thought it was an opportunity for his family to feel as though they could finally do something to really make up for that night by saving lives today through ownership of Platinum Star Lines, restoring it and giving jobs to those in need most, preserving lives in a whole new way." Chris answered honestly, Rostron listening in from his cracked bedroom door with his eyes widened. "I see..." the Judge muttered. "And you solemnly swear this to be true?" he asked, Chris nodding with his hand up. "So help me God sir. The only thing I live for is the chance to help whoever I can along my travels. These girls, and countless lives back in the city, are my evidence. Professor Rose can attest to this as well, ask her about the Celebi Project. The staff of the Millennium Hospital, ask them about their childrens wing, just for two references in particular." he replied. "And if nothing else convinces you... Remember everything that happened on this voyage. You've been here sir through it all." he reminded, the Judge nodding in response.

"Very well, that's all at the moment." he replied. "We've yet to receive any charges toward you save for those from the President of the company, but again I think it's safe to say nothing will come of that. We're simply processing everyones statements at the moment. We're also in contact with Platinum Star Lines headquarters. Whatever information we can release publically, we'll pass along to you and others in due time. Now, there's the matter of those in relation to the men you interrogated, but considering whats been exposed, it's doubtable any of their relatives would want to bring up charges toward you either. In fact, I'd wager they'd be more focused on going into hiding and disowning those men once they're contacted with such a past now out in the open." the Judge point out. "You're free to go for the time being. We'll work with various sources to decide on a verdict, and we'll do our best to have one by the end of the day." the Judge nodded. "Considering we're on a ship miles from shoreline, and based on your actions up to this point, there's no need to detain you out of fear of running away, nor' risk to others. Please go about your business aboard the Guardian freely in the meantime." he added, Chris nodding and giving his thanks before standing and facing the girls, all three showing concerned looks. "Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be alright." Chris smiled. "I'll remain here and translate for my fellow souls lad. Just go enjoy your day, try to be at peace, alright?" Smith smiled as Chris looked at the dent in his body. "Are you... Sure you're okay?" Chris asked, the Captain blinking for a moment before laughing. "A bit of a sting to it still, but nothing beyond that. You can't really harm a ghost lad!" he reminded.

"Another thing, before I leave..." Chris paused, looking at Serenity before facing the Judge with a bow. "Please don't hold anything against her, Serenity I mean, that is, Gardevoir here. It's like I said, everyone was clueless until I took action, she was only following my orders." he affirmed. "Don't worry. We don't hold trials for Pokemon, they're considered..." the Judge replied, pausing and cutting himself off. "That is... Unless a Pokemon deliberately harms, and/or kills a human on their own, the law doesn't involve itself with them too much. You as her... Ah... Companion?" the Judge asked, the Officers nodding. "Since you are responsible for her, the actions made on her part are considered one in the same as your own. The law would hold you responsible, not her." the Judge affirmed. "Anything else before you leave?" he asked, Chris thinking for a moment before nodding. "Can the President use self defense as a loophole?" he asked. "Ah, that's a good thing to bring up. He could, but I doubt it would hold any ground considering his attack occurred AFTER you released him and went about your way. Had he done so during your interrogation, it would have a better chance. But he was freed and you were walking away when he took the weapon and fired, so that's actually retaliation, not self defense." the Judge explained. "That's good... Alright then, we'll see you later." Chris nodded before coaxing the girls out of the cabin, the Judge letting out a sigh once the door was closed and sitting back in his chair. "Mr. Rostron! Anything you'd like to say?" he asked, the Captain opening his door and wheeling himself out, looking at the spirits and Captain Smith before his gaze hovered along the legal team and Judge, his officers greeting him with a nod. "The only thing I can say is we should do our best to ensure that lad leaves this ship a free man." he replied, his Officers nodding once more along with the legal team surrounding the Judge as they started making calls.

"So... What should we do while we wait for everything to settle itself?" Chris asked, walking ahead of the girls with a smile on his face. "We could get something to eat... I was already starving and now I could REALLY use a bite to eat!" he laughed as the girls looked at one another behind him, looks of worry on their faces. "Yeah... Something nice and warm to soothe the body. I might start off with something to nibble on, just to make sure nothing comes back up." he nodded. "Oh, but hearing that probably makes YOU feel like barfing, I'm sorry." he apologized, looking back at the girls while rubbing the back of his head with a guilty smile. "Aren't you... Scared?" Rose asked. "Hmm? Of what? Don't worry! I'll start off with something small and go from there." he assured with a thumbs up. "You know what she means! Don't be a fool right now!" Alicia snapped. Looking at the two, Chris's smile faded before looking at the horizon over the rails. "...I believe in them" he replied. "You believe?" Rose asked, tilting her head. "I saved them all, and even though I did something bad, it was to stop anyone else from continuing to suffer. I believe they'll save me now." he affirmed. "It stupid to rely on humans." Serenity scoffed with her arms crossed. "I don't think so. I know we've met a lot of bad people, and I know humans have treated you girls pretty bad, but just like I do, you've gotta believe there's good humans out there too. There's the Captain and his officers, Victoria and Sally, plus Gerald and Professor Rose, don't forget Arthur and Angela!" he reminded. "Plus we've got Captain Smith and all the spirits that were on the Arceanic too. I have faith in those people, I really do. I believe they'll help me." he affirmed before facing the girls with another smile.

"I will admit, deep down I'm kinda scared. I can't completely deny that. What I did, no matter the reason I did it, was wrong. I'll admit that too. I tortured other human beings..." he said while looking down. "It's hard, knowing what I did. But nobody else would, nobody else could really. I wanted to put a stop to everyone's suffering because of them, and even if what I did worked and everything bad comes to an end, the fact will always remain that I tortured the truth out of someone." he admit. "There's something else though..." he added, walking up to the railing. "In that moment, I became the exact same person as the humans who abused all three of you." he went on, the girls jolting and facing him. "Serenity was tortured by another Pokemon by her past humans order. Alicia was tortured by other Pokemon too, and because of the same reason as Serenity, it was an order from a human. Serenity was thrown from a cliff, Alicia was ignored and treated like she was invisible..." he reminded. "And then Rose, heck, your human didn't bother ordering other Pokemon to mistreat you, he did that himself." he recalled, all three looking at him in surprise. "W-Wait second!! Don't compare self to other humans!! You not like them!!" Serenity affirmed. "Q-Quite right! What you did was an entirely different thing compared to them!" Alicia agreed. "Y-Yeah!! You did it to help a lot of people!! You did it for a good cause!!" Rose nodded. "Torture is torture no matter the reason. Whether it be for a good or bad purpose, it's never easy to justify it in the end. No matter the reason it's done, it's never right." he shook his head. "They tortured you for selfish reasons, and in a way what I did was no different. I did it to get what I wanted out of other human beings just the same as they tortured you to get what they wanted, even if it was something that benefit so many... I'll carry that over my shoulders for the rest of my life." he affirmed while looking at the sea again.

"That's why, yeah. I'm afraid of how things might turn out. But at the same time, if I do wind up punished, in a weird way that will provide its own relief." he affirmed. Looking at one another, the girls joined him at his sides, Rose taking his hand while Serenity held his other arm, Alicia resting her chin on his head. "Well, we'll shoulder how you feel too. And if you wind up punished, we'll stick by you even though that, no matter what." Rose smiled. "I don't fancy the idea of being in a cold prison, but even worse would be to allow you to endure such a life alone." Alicia agreed. "I go where you go. No matter what." Serenity affirmed. Looking at them, Chris couldn't help but show another smile as they looked at the sea. "Hey, you got that?" Reporter Gabby whispered in the distance behind them from a nearby corner. "Yeah, that was good stuff." the cameraman nodded. "You two get that to the Captain's cabin post haste." Smith ordered, sticking his head out as well. Nodding, they both secretly hurried off while Captain Smith remained behind. "We've got ya lad. I've got a few ways of my own to make a wretch listen to reason. Being in this form has many advantages." he muttered before flying off to where security had taken the President of Platinum Star. "Say, wadaya say about getting that food now, huh?" Chris asked, showing the girls a grin. "Sound good." Serenity nodded before kissing his cheek. "Agreed, it couldn't hurt to put matters to rest for the time being." Alicia agreed, giving his other cheek a poke with her vine. "Yeah! I bet you'd feel pretty good stopping by that spa place again!" Rose added, rubbing her cheek against his arm. "The spa huh? That does sound kinda..." Chris muttered while facing Alicia, the two looking at each other for a moment before a flush spread across their faces. "O-Out of the question!! No spa's!!" the snake snapped while quickly facing away. "A-Ah, yeah. K-Kinda been to those enough for now." Chris agreed, rubbing the back of his head and facing away with a shy smile.

Looking at the two, Serenity scowled and crossed her arms. "I not like that look at all." she pout. 'Ah! Sorry, sorry!" Chris apologized. "C-Come on, lets go eat, yeah?" he asked before holding his hand out to Serenity, the Pokemon looking at it for a moment before taking it and glancing away with a slight blush. "Fine, we go now." she replied with a slight blush. "You girls ready too?" he asked, Alicia looking at him and letting out a sigh before nodding. "I am a tad famished." she admit. "Lets go then!" Rose grinned before they made their way along towards a nearby entrance. "Ah! Chris!" they heard a voice call out just as they reached the door, causing them to jolt before turning to see Victoria and Sally behind them. "A-Ah. Hey..." Chris replied with a nod before glancing away. "I'm uh, well, sorry. About what you saw and all." he apologized, scratching his cheek nervously. "I just did what I felt I had to do." he added. "Don't worry! We're not mad at you." Sally affirmed with a smile. "I admit it was a little terrifying. Nobody expected something like that from you. But after you did that and those people confessed, well, it's alright. Lets leave it at that." she nodded as Victoria walked up, Chris blinking at the old woman nervously before freezing up as she rubbed him on the head. "For such a kind young man to go through all that to obtain the truth for others... There must be an impressive guilt looming over you." she smiled. "I admit I can't say I condone your actions, but I'm grateful to you nonetheless for getting their confessions and putting a stop to so much crime and sadness at the cost of so many..." she thanked with a nod. "You're a good boy. A very good, special boy." she giggled, Chris looking at her wide eyed before tears welled up in his eyes, Sally blinking in surprise before pulling out a handkerchief and handing it to her grandmother.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - The Beloved Guardian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZxOgqBwW_g

"Now now, no tears." she coaxed while wiping his eyes as he hicked. "Hush, hush now. What kind of man weeps before such lovely women? You're supposed to be strong!" she reminded as Chris sniffled and nodded, thanking the two as Victoria pulled the handkerchief away. "My my, you are a cute one." she smiled as he cleared his throat. "Sorry, it's just a relief for me." Chris replied, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "It's like I told the girls, I was willing to accept the consequences for what I did. But even so, I didn't know how they or anyone else on the ship... How everyone we've met really, would feel about me after doing that kind of thing, even if it was for a good cause. So it's just a relief for me is all. I dunno about everyone else though." he replied, clearing his throat as Victoria and Sally looked at one another. "Well, word around the ship seems to be rather positive. Since the confessions, I'll admit people are a tad unsettled by what happened, but by and large I'd say most still see you in an impressive light, if not everyone." Victoria assured with a smile. "You're going to be just fine dearie. I'm sure you've heard this already, but you've done far too much for anyone to let something like this put a stop to your journey. Too many appreciate you to let anyone punish you or take your freedom away." she added before rubbing Chris on the head. "I'm not sure how much it will mean to you, hearing such a thing from me, and I apologize if I overstep any boundaries, but..." she paused before giving Chris a hug, causing him to freeze up once more. "You've made this old woman very, very proud, and very, very happy." she praised as the girls watched. "You've saved our lives, freed the souls of so many, bringing peace at last not only to them, but all of us as well. You've brought long hidden truths to light that will heal the hearts of so many, and will restore the good names of families around the world..." she smiled.

"You really are a good boy. You're a blessing, and I can't thank you enough for all you've done, for all the burdens you took on for our sake that shouldn't have been yours to carry. It isn't you who should feel bad for anything you've had to do, but rather all of us for allowing our responsibilities, our problems, to fall solely onto you, for making you take action for us. I'm sorry I can't offer you more than these words for all you've done for us, but know that these words are from the heart." she assured. "So... Thank you, thank you so much, you wonderful young ma...!!" she praised, pausing when Chris suddenly dropped his staff and wrapped his arms around Victoria, gritting his teeth as he wept on her shoulder. "Oh come now, that again?" she asked before giggling and rubbing his back. "Such a sensitive thing... There there." she coaxed, Rose tearing up herself and sniffling with an "awww" while Serenity crossed her arms with a pouty scowl. "He not cry for us like that when we say nice things." she complained. "Oh hush." Alicia lectured, Serenity facing away and grumbling as the two pulled away from one another, Chris picking up his staff and wiping his eyes off on his sleeve. "S-Sorry." he apologized. "No worries dearie. You know, a young man as cute as you are, I must admit, if I were thirty years younger..." she giggled, Sally shouting at her grandmother while Chris blushed slightly and glanced away. Nearby, the passengers, crew and spirits who happened to be lingering about started talking among one another, spreading word about the scene they'd witnessed to those around them. "Yes, I do believe you're going to be just fine." Victoria nodded, glancing toward some of the crowd as Chris wiped his face again. "I appreciate it." Chris nodded, clearing his throat as Victoria faced the girls.

"We owe the three of you our gratitude as well." she smiled. "Would it be rude of me to ask if I may show you my appreciation as well?" she asked, the girls looking at one another before nodding. Walking up to Serenity first, the Pokemon looked at her warily, inching back before begrudgingly offering her hand with a scowl, only to find herself pulled into Victoria's arms instead making the Pokemon freeze up wide eyed, Chris and the others looking at the two in shock. "You hate humans so much, yet you still found it in your heart to save us all. Even if it was, in your mind, just an order, deep down I believe you knew you were doing what was right in your heart." she smiled, Serenity's fingers twitching along with one of her eyes, restraining herself from retaliating as Victoria released her. "That probably made you hate me a little more, but I'd say it was worth it to hug the one we owe so much to." she nodded, Serenity stiffly turning away and walking up to the railing, clutching it tightly while cooling herself down. "Th-That's a... Surprise." Chris muttered, blinking wide eyed at the Pokemon while Victoria walked up to Alicia. "To you, I show my respect and appreciation in another way." she smiled before slowly bowing to the snake. "Might I borrow a vine?" she asked, Alicia tilting her head before nodding and releasing one, Victoria taking the tip in hand and giving it a gentle shake, the snake smiling and nodding in response. "And then there's... Oh!" Victoria paused as Rose held her arms out with a wide grin. Seeing this, Victoria's eyes sparkled and a smile spread from ear to ear before snatching the rabbit in her arms. "You are just the most precious thing!" she giggled, Rose startled from the excited response and smiling nervously until Victoria released her.

"I'm sorry dearie." she apologized. "You nearly suffocated the poor thing." Sally lectured with a scowl. "I can't help it! I've always had a weakness for her species. They're adorable." Victoria replied with a slight pout on her face. "D-Don't worry about it! I'm okay! Rose assured with a nervous laugh, waving her hands as the two faced Chris. "We're all looking out for you, rest assured. These young ladies, ourselves, the crew and passengers, and so many others are, and will be, on your side." Victoria assured with a nod. "We'll be on our way now, but rest assured we'll be in touch." she added, waving with a smile before pushing Sally along. "Interesting humans on this ship." Alicia nodded. "At least some of them know proper mannerisms." she smirked. "She definitely doesn't hold her feelings back! It was kinda hard to breathe." Rose smiled nervously. "You uh, you okay Serenity?" Chris asked, walking up to the Pokemon as she took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "I okay. I okay." she nodded. "Try not to let it bother you too much. I know it was a little invasive maybe, but she's just an old lady who's really thankful." Chris reminded. "I know, I know. I be fine." Serenity assured. Taking one of her hands in his, Chris smiled before giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I really appreciate you letting her do that. It was really sweet of you... And it made me very proud." he praised, Serenity blinking at him before blushing with a scowl and facing away. "W-We eating or not?! I getting hungry too you know." she replied. Nodding, he gave Serenity another kiss on the cheek, causing her to jolt before rapidly shaking her head. "We go now!!" she snapped, walking ahead in frustration and embarrassment combined as Chris and the girls followed.

Along their way to decide on a diner, the group watched the small gathering of ships that had come to aid the Guardian circling around them, crew from each boarding the Guardian at different locations of the deck while several ships positioned themselves for towing the massive liner. "Guess we'll be on the move soon." Chris muttered. "I'm excited to reach land again, but also a little nervous, certain things considered." he confessed as they made their way along, deciding to enter the ship from the Grand Staircase lobby instead. However, once they were inside, Chris was caught off guard when passengers began greeting him and shaking his hand, some giving him a hug, others a pat on the back before parting ways with a smile on their faces. "What this all about?" Serenity asked. "Too many humans acting strange... Not like." she added, glancing around warily as a couple came up to shake his hand, telling him things like "thank you" and "well done" before walking off in the same manner as others, smiling and waving. "Everyone's certainly in a chipper mood all of a sudden." Alicia point out. "Yeah... They're being really friendly all over again, like when we made it out of the ocean.." Rose nodded. "Well, I don't mind. I think it's a relief." Chris smiled as a little girl suddenly ran up alongside her Rockruff, holding a flower out to him before running back to her parents, the mother waving with a smile while the father grinned with a thumbs up, Chris giving a wave and a nod in response before they continued along. "Yeah... A relief." he chuckled while tucking the flower in his chest pocket. For the rest of the day, while they ate and strolled about, it seemed as though everybody aboard the Guardian were working together to provide confidence and support to the group, as each deck and shop offered more passengers and crew waiting and willing to show their thanks and appreciation, being open and kind to both Chris and the girls, leaving the group at a loss of what to think of the situation.

"Well, at least you don't have to worry about anyone disliking you or being afraid!" Rose point out with a smile. "Quite so. If anything I'd say they appear to like you more now than they already did." Alicia nodded. "I think humans up to something..." Serenity added, crossing her arms with a suspicious look on her face. "Oh come on now, they're not up to anything." Chris assured, waving his hand. "People being nice to you doesn't mean anything bad is in the works. They probably know all about what's going on so that's why they're being this way. I kinda like it, being honest." Chris grinned. "By the way, want to ask question." Serenity replied, Chris pausing and raising an eyebrow. "What's up?" he asked. "How come you cry when human nice to you, but not when we nice?" she asked, causing Chris to jolt before glancing away, scratching his cheek embarrassed. "Well, I dunno..." he answered. "You do seem rather prone to your emotions when human women communicate with you." Alicia nodded, Serenity showing him a jealous scowl. "You like humans better or something?" she asked. "N-No!! That's not it!!" he panicked. "She's really old too, isn't she...? You did turn kinda red when she talked about being younger." Rose point out. "Are you into older females?" Alicia asked. "Although I'd think that's a tad too old..." she added, causing Chris to flush. "Th-That's not it!!!" he snapped, this time in an angered tone causing the girls to jolt back in surprise. "S-Sorry, but seriously. It's not because I like human girls more, and it's definitely not because I'm into older women!" he affirmed before glancing away. "I-I guess it might have something to do with living without my mom... I dunno. That's not an easy question to answer." he tried to explain, the girls looking at one another before facing down.

"A-Anyways, come on. Lets just forget about that and enjoy the rest of what time we've got before those people make their decisions, alright?" Chris coaxed. "You know, can escape easy. You not do anything wrong, not need to stay and wait. I can get us out of here." Serenity point out. "You know, I could get us out of here myself if I wanted to. That is, assuming Ninetales would agree to it. If I wanted to escape, I would. But that's not what I intend to do. I'm seeing this through to the end, and accepting whatever the law decides. I'm doing this the right way, the honest way." he nodded. "I admit, I'm guilty of doing something bad to other human beings, and if they decide to punish me, I'll be the first to stand and say I deserve it. And if they decide to let me off the hook, well, I've got a whole life ahead of me to make up for torturing those people. Living a free life won't necessarily free my conscious from what I had to do, so I intend to clear my mind by continuing to live as I have if I'm not charged or anything. Doing whatever I can for the good of others." he nodded with a smile. "Although, that's what I'm supposed to do anyways so, hey! Two birds with one stone I guess!" he laughed, the girls looking at one another and sighing while shaking their heads before showing a smile. "We'll do whatever we can to help clear your mind then." Rose assured. "Quite right. You've helped us wipe away our unsavory experiences, it's only right we do the same for you. I'm sure we'll have this whole matter at the back of your mind in no time, if not erased altogether." Alicia nodded. "I say you not need to feel bad in first place. But what they say is right. We help you forget." Serenity added with a smirk and a thumbs up.

Looking at them all, he gave the girls a loving smile and his thanks in return, causing all three to blush before spending more time among the passengers and crew, whittling the day away while running into countless spirits as well, each seeking to give Chris and the girls firm handshakes and their thanks as they snacked, browsed shops, and lazily spent time in their room taking it easy after all the action they'd endured, with all three girls doing their best to reassure Chris his actions hadn't hampered their feelings toward him in the least. Now and then, the group would stroll up to the upper decks to watch the progress as the ships around them prepped to tow the Guardian away into the horizon, the process finding itself slowed due to the structural damage and passengers refusal to board other ships, resulting in a decision to cautiously pull the Guardian the rest of the way to the valley with everyone on board. By the time the sun had started to set, crew had finally finished final preparations and were readying the surrounding vessels for the journey ahead. "Looks like they're just about ready to go." Chris muttered as they scanned the deck one last time. "I not understand, why you keep wanting to come up to look at boats?" Serenity asked. "We see them once, we see them enough, right?" she added. "I know, I know. Even if it's not my place, I still want to make sure everything's going smoothly. This ship is sturdy but it still took a beating. I don't want everything we did to go to waste, especially with everyone wanting to stay on board." he explained. "Don't worry, promise this is the last time. Once they start moving, we'll go back to the room for the rest of the night. The way you girls have had to put up with so much today, I bet you'd like some massages or something, huh?" he asked. "Oh no, I know the kind of massage you'll provide." Alicia scowled with her nose up. "O-Ouch, that kinda hurts." he laughed nervously. "It sound like massage I like, so I not mind." Serenity giggled while holding his arm. "I-I really didn't have that intention." Chris laughed nervously. "That's kinda disappointing actually." Rose replied while fidgeting. "Wh-What do you think last night was for?!" Chris panicked, causing all three to flush as people around them looked at the group curiously, Chris freezing up and hanging his head with a groan.

"A-Anyways, surprised nobody has come to us with any results yet. We haven't heard a peep out of anyone about a decision or anything." Chris point out. "Maybe they forget? That be good." Serenity shrugged. "That's a nice thought, but I don't think so." he laughed nervously. "A whole day and not one word..." he added, scratching his cheek only for Serenity and Rose to grab his arms. "Oh no you don't. You stay happy! You come, we do things to keep busy." Serenity lectured. "Yeah! How about we give YOU a massage?" Rose grinned. "I-I don't think Serenity could restrain herself." Chris smiled warily. "That bad thing?" Serenity asked with a sly grin. "Fear not, I can make sure she doesn't cross boundaries." Alicia affirmed. "Who need you snake?" Serenity asked, sticking out her tongue. "With you around, him." she replied, sticking her tongue out as well. Suddenly, the group jumped in surprise when the ships ahead of the bow started blaring their horns, signalling the time to move on had come before they felt the Guardian trembling beneath them, and after a moment, the battered vessel finally began moving on at last, delicately inching along to the cheers and applaud of the passengers and crew on board, many rushing to the railing to look around and watch the water splashing against the hull as the ship cruised along the surface once more. "Well alright then..." Chris smirked as the vessels nearby followed as an extra precaution. "Guess that's that then. We're on our way to Arcticu!" Chris grinned, the girls looking at one another and smiling before standing close by his side. About to turn and head towards an entrance to the ship, Chris was stopped by Serenity who caught his arm and point toward the horizon.

"What's up?" Chris asked. "Look there." she instructed, he and the girls hovering their gaze along the ocean before spotting Pokemon in the distance, rising from the surface and following the ships. "It's the Gyarados..." Chris muttered, watching as more and more appeared, looking toward them silently. Suddenly, passengers and crew started shouting and panicking when the surface started to seemingly boil near the hull of the ship, and next thing everyone knew the leader began to rise from the water, until it was looming over the deck of the Guardian, looking down at everyone on board and the surrounding ships causing a massive panic. Once it spotted Chris, the leader lowered itself down to his level, looking at him as the girls surrounded him defensively. "I think it's okay." Chris assured, coaxing them aside and walking up to the railing. "This is a lot different than how we met before." Chris point out, the leader looking at him silently. "Sorry about having all these ships show up, but they're just here to help. All of us are heading out now, so you'll be left in peace soon enough." Chris assured. "Also, we caught the humans responsible for us being here in the first place. They're descendants of the humans who stole your eggs all those years ago to boot. That means justice is finally being carried out, for all of us, and for all of you." he smiled, getting a nod from the leader in return. "Listen, now and then, a ship or two might show up. With that wreck down there discovered, people will want to preserve it through pictures and stuff. I hope you'll let them come and go without any trouble... I'd like to think, after all this, you're ready to let bygones be... Wadaya say we all put the killing to an end?" Chris asked, the leader looking at him silently once more before suddenly diving back into the sea.

"Guess that's one way to give a guy an ans...!!" Chris muttered, cut off as everyone heard an ear piercing roar, causing further panic from those around them. Next thing they knew, the colossal leader made a spectacular leap through the air, flying clear over the massive Guardian and the surrounding vessels while leaving a shimmering trail of water behind it, catching the rays of the sunset before the Pokemon splashed back into the ocean, the waves large enough to sway the surrounding ships as the leader swam off to its herd in the distance, leaving the Guardian and surrounding ships alone as they disappeared beneath the surface together. "I guess he agrees." Rose smiled. "After a century of carrying so much hate and rage, I'd be tired of it myself. Especially considering how old that beast is, it's no wonder it'd be tuckered out." Alicia nodded. "It just know not to mess with my master!" Serenity grinned while grabbing Chris's arm. "O-Oy oy! Watch the master stuff!" he lectured, the Pokemon sticking her tongue out and giggling in response. "You a finicky male." she replied while poking his cheek with a grin. Looking towards the horizon where the swarm disappeared, they all smiled while passengers and crew gradually settled down, the atmosphere on deck returning to its former serene and excited state as the thought of danger vanished, the ships tugging the Guardian along and blaring their horns once more, reassuring everyone that they were on their way to land. Nearby, Chris could hear crew on the other ships having excited conversations about the mighty Gyarados leader they'd witnessed, leaning against the railing of their vessels and pointing out where the Gyarados were last seen, bringing up stories of their past as men of the sea causing Chris to chuckle before they made their way back into the Guardian.

For the rest of the evening leading into the night, Chris decided it was best that he finally put a stop to their coming and going from the comfort of their accommodations, and instead spent his time having crew bring ingredients into their room, cooking them a meal with his own hands and watching television together from the comfort of their couch, Serenity and Rose at his sides while Alicia rest behind the couch, her chin atop Chris's head. However, the more time passed, the more wary Chris became, the fact of getting nothing from anyone about the results of the hearings going on in the Captain's cabin leaving him unable to fully relax. Repeatedly glancing at a nearby clock, the girls took notice of his fidgety behavior and scowled. "Need to relax. You be okay. "Serenity assured. "Quite right, if nothing else, everybody fawning over you today should've proven that much." Alicia nodded. "Yeah! There's no way anything bad will happen. After all, you said you believed in those humans, right?" Rose asked with a smile. "Y-Yeah. Sorry." Chris apologized with a nervous laugh. "Everything be fine." Serenity smiled while rubbing him on the head. Looking at the three, Chris was about to respond when they suddenly heard his Pokedex going off, causing Chris to shoot up with his hands in the air and a pale look to his face. "What... Doing?" Serenity asked. "It's your Dex thingie I think." Rose point out. "My, you ARE in a jumpy state." Alicia added, shaking her head as Chris put his hands down with a sigh. "R-Right." he muttered before taking his Pokedex out. "Looks like it's the Captain..." he added before flipping it open, a hologram of Rostron popping up on the screen.

"Hello there lad. I apologize for the sudden call, but we need you and yours to come to the upper deck immediately." he instructed, Chris and the girls looking at one another warily. "Where at exactly?" Chris asked. "The first class area where you performed on the piano back when the voyage began." Rostron explained. "You mean that stage where the orchestra played?" Chris asked, Rostron nodding in response. "Please make your way up here. There should be security waiting for you in the corridor." the Captain replied before the hologram shut off, just as Chris was about to speak, shutting down the conversation abruptly. "That sound... Not sure how that sound. It good? Bad?" Serenity asked. "It's hard for me to tell as well. I'd say the odds are fifty-fifty at best." Alicia added. "He said security was waiting for him... That means it's those humans who took away those bad ones, right? Kind of like police? If they sent security, then doesn't that kinda mean... Bad?" Rose asked, the group looking at one another once more. "Well, I was waiting for an answer... Guess I'm gonna get it." Chris muttered while tucking his Pokedex away and taking a deep breath. "You girls ready?" he asked, Serenity shooting up and grabbing his arm. "I not let them take away!! If they try, I not let!!" she affirmed. "I must admit, I can't see myself accepting a negative response to your actions either." Alicia nodded. "Yeah! We won't let them punish you without hearing us out more!" Rose affirmed, grabbing his other hand. "C-Come on, whatever they do you girls have to promise you won't cause a scene, alright? You know that would just make things worse, and think of how I'd feel if you got yourselves in hot water." he point out.

Looking at one another, the girls sighed and nodded in response. "I not promise anything, but do best" Serenity replied, holding his arm tighter. "Y-You're cutting off the circulation." Chris smiled nervously, the Pokemon jolting and loosening her grip. "We'll be by your side no matter what." Alicia nodded. "No matter what they decide!" Rose smiled before the group faced the door. "Alright... Lets find out what's up." Chris nodded as they left the room, taking his staff in hand along the way. Looking around, they didn't see anybody in the corridor until they reached the staircase lobby, where several security members had lined up, blocking the path as the group walked up. "Um... I'm supposed to go to the..." Chris began. "He's with us sir. We're on our way." one of the men spoke into a communicator, cutting Chris off. "Follow us, we'll see you to where you're supposed to go." another point out before the men suddenly stood at attention and turned simultaneously, walking ahead of the group. "O-Okay then." Chris muttered, blinking with a confused look before following, the girls doing the same. "These humans are hard to read too... I wonder what's going on?" Alicia asked. "Well, they didn't put handcuffs on me or anything. A good sign?" Chris replied. "They do anything to you they not like it." Serenity scowled with a wary eye on the men. "You know, it's eerily empty in here. I thought the humans were staying on this ship?" Rose asked, making note of the abandoned corridor and lobby. "You're right... Everyone's gone." Chris nodded before turning slightly pale. "D-Did they clear the ship so they could...? I-I mean, I didn't kill anyone..." he muttered, holding his throat nervously while the girls inched closer to him in a defensive state as they reached the exit.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - The Time Has Come
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvN-Y3iyj54

Stepping outside, the group abruptly froze when they were greeted by passengers and crew, all lining the deck and taking notice of their arrival, bowing, nodding, and waving in response to their appearance making Chris and the girls look at one another in surprise. "Some gathering..." Alicia muttered as they walked along behind the security team. "They're so quiet..." Rose point out warily as people bowed and waved while they walked past. "Look there, humans putting something up." Serenity point out, noticing crew setting up a monitor and turning it on, adjusting the screen to reveal a scene centered on the stage they were headed toward. "It seems they're setting them up in many places." Alicia noticed, seeing crews setting up monitors along the walls both ahead of and behind them. "They're making a show out of this?" Chris muttered, unsure of how to feel about the situation while scratching his cheek nervously. Continuing along, their entire path from the entrance to the ship to the stage was lined with passengers and crew waiting to see them pass, continuing to silently greet them until they finally reached their destination. From where they stood, the group could see every seat in the stadium like area filled with people, while the stage had been transformed into the appearance of a courtroom with an empty podium waiting for Chris, the Judge, now donning proper attire, sitting behind his own colossal podium alongside the gathered jury as well, with the stages massive monitor nestled behind them. On one side of the stage, the Officers and Captain of the Guardian could be seen, Officer Smith lying comfortably in his bed while Rostron remained in his chair, and on the opposite side float the thousands of spirits freed from the Arceanic, along with Captain Smith and the Dusknoir surprisingly present as well.

"Come with us sir." one of the security officers ordered, Chris jolting with a "r-right!" in response before doing as told, making his way down a set of stairs nestled between the seats of those in attendance, the girls warily following just behind. Once they reached the stage, the team moved aside, allowing Chris to step up before looking at everyone on the stage nervously. "Approach the podium please." the Judge ordered through a microphone. "Y-Yes sir." Chris nodded before walking up, the girls remaining close at his side. Suddenly, the lights around them dimmed before the spotlights flashed on, one centered on Chris, the others on the Judge, Rostron and his men, and Smith and the spirits. "We're here tonight to determine whether your actions toward one Stan Lore the Third, one Cecil Everts the Second, one Charlie Graves the Fourth, one Herald Stork the Second, one Gerald Bison the Third, and one Geoffrey Wards the Fourth are grounds for fines and/or imprisonment as inappropriate discipline of which you took upon yourself to act out by taking the law into your hands without the consent of appropriate legal parties registered to enact such sentencing in the Ureaxion Region. Before our decisions in response to your behavior is revealed, do you have anything to say?" the Judge asked, Chris looking up at him before facing others around them. "The only thing I can say is that I did something I felt had to be done, otherwise the world would've never learned the real truth behind what happened to the Arceanic by those who needed to reveal it, and confess to it, the most. Although the men I punished today aren't the ones who sank the Arceanic, they ARE descendants of the men who did, and instead of doing anything to make up for what their relatives did, for generations they've only continued to both, risk, and take lives for their own gain, and steal from those who uphold the law through fraud. I wanted to put a stop to it, and because of my actions its been done in the blink of an eye. It was wrong of me to take the law into my hands, it was wrong to get the truth the way I did, but it wasn't a mistake." Chris affirmed.

"Very well... Throughout the day, I and the team you see by my side have been in constant contact with those aboard the Guardian as well as legal professionals throughout the regions of the world to determine whether or not you should face sentencing and/or fines for your actions. Due to the scale of the situation, it was imperative as many had input in the situation as possible. These professionals have each been in contact with their own teams, from throughout their own regions, to determine a universal ruling on your case. This court would like to affirm that, should any party decide on a guilty verdict, or remain indecisive, your case will be prolonged and you will face detention until a universal ruling can be made. This court would also like to affirm that, even in the case of a not guilty and/or dismissal verdict, your actions on this ship towards those involved will remain reprehensible nonetheless, and the law will not condone such an act again. Should you be found not guilty and/or dismissed of these charges, repetition of the actions today a second time WILL result in fines and/or imprisonment without right to a hearing. This court would like to affirm that both it, the law, and the men and women who serve in the name of the law, legally, exist for this very reason. You are not the law, and you are not to take it into your hands to decide what should be done to another again. Understood?" the Judge asked. "Yes sir." Chris nodded. "Very well. This court would like to begin releasing its verdicts. Are you ready to proceed?" the Judge asked, Chris looking at everyone before taking a deep breath and nodding in response. "Then the court will begin. Monitor, please!" the Judge ordered, causing the colossal screen to flash on behind them.

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading - The Worlds Verdict
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRYdBtEP_LU

"In the case of this mans actions toward the aforementioned parties, would the Kanto Region now state its verdict?" the Guardians Judge asked, causing the screen to display several Judges on split screens, with a large screen in the center. "The Kanto Region requests a dismissal of all charges." the Judge in the center replied, the others nodding simultaneously. "Very well. In the case of this mans actions toward the aforementioned parties, would the Johto Region now state its verdict?" the Guardians Judge asked, causing the screens to flash and display a new round of Judges. "The Johto Region requests a dismissal of all charges as well." the Judge in the center screen replied, those in the smaller corners nodding. "Moving on, in the case of this mans actions toward the aforementioned parties, would the Hoenn Region now state its verdict?" the Guardians Judge asked, the screens flashing once more. "The Hoenn Region requests the same, a dismissal of all charges and determines not guilty." the center screen Judge answered. "Thank you. In the case of this mans actions toward the aforementioned parties, would the Sinnoh Region now state its verdict?" the Guardians Judge asked, the screens flashing again. "The Sinnoh Region determines a dismissal of all charges." was the response. "Th-They're really pardoning me...?" Chris muttered, his eyes wide in awe as Serenity gave him a nudge. "You gonna be okay!" she grinned. "We knew you would be!" Rose giggled. "The only one who punishes you is me..." Alicia added with a sly smirk causing Chris to blush slightly. "Silence, please!" the Judge ordered, causing the group to jolt as he continued. "In the case of this mans actions toward the aforementioned parties, would the Unova Region now state its verdict?" the Guardians Judge asked, the screens doing the same again. "The Unova Region decides not guilty, and also requests a dismissal." was the answer. "Alright then. Next, in the case of this mans actions toward the aforementioned parties, would the Kalos Region now state its verdict?" the Guardians Judge asked as more appeared on screen. "The Kalos Region also decides not guilty, and determines a dismissal of all charges." the Judge in the center screen nodded. "And what of the Orre Region? What is your verdict on this mans actions toward the aforementioned parties?" the Guardians Judge asked before another round appeared on screen. "Not guilty, dismissal." was the short but sweet response by a shady looking Judge in comparison to the others.

"With all of these verdicts determined, before the Ureaxion Region provides its verdict, would the Alola Region now give its own toward this mans actions against the aforementioned parties?" the Guardians Judge asked as the screens flashed again. "Hello there! We of the Alola Region determine this man not guilty, and push for a dismissal of all charges as well!" was the response, the Judge in the center screen showing a wide grin and peace signs while the others in the smaller screens showed the same. "Very well." the Guardians Judge replied, clearing his throat with slight sweat on his face as the monitor flashed off. "Then that leaves the final decision up to the Ureaxion Region..." the Judge affirmed with a nod, Chris standing straight albeit nervously as the girls did the same. "In the case of this mans actions toward the aforementioned parties... Those of us in the Ureaxion Region determine..." the Judge paused, Chris and the girls holding their breath wide eyed before the monitor suddenly flashed on. "NOT GUILTY!! CASE DISMISSED!!" was the abrupt response from both, the Judge aboard the Guardian, and the final round which appeared on the screen followed by the resounding applaud of everyone within the stadium and throughout the Guardian, Chris standing frozen as the girls cheered around him, each cuddling him affectionately as his eyes remained wide. "S-Seriously? The whole world...?" he muttered as everyone applauded, even Rostron and his officers as well as Smith and the spirits alongside him. Next thing everyone knew, they were suddenly shocked when Chris collapsed on the stage with a thud, knocked out cold by the suspense of the moment and the excitement of the results.

Panicking, the girls quickly raised him up and started fanning and patting him while Rostron and his officers, along with Smith and the spirits, gathered around in surprise as he came to, letting out groggy noises with a dazed look on his face. "I guess learning you're a free man will do that to you!" Captain Smith grinned. "That's what I'd call a K.O.!" Rostron laughed as the spirits and Officers helped him up alongside the girls. "Excuse me everyone!! We're not finished here!!" the Judge shout in the microphone, causing everyone to freeze and face the man silently. "Please, those in the audience, return to your seats, and those on stage, to your positions immediately!!" he ordered, causing everyone to look at each other bewildered before nodding and doing as ordered, Chris rubbing his head with another groan before facing the Judge himself. "Two matters separate from the now resolved issue have been brought to this courts attention as well. One pertaining to the ownership of Platinum Star Lines, and the other regarding ownership of the R.M.S. Arceanic." the Judge point out. "After thorough investigations, and obtaining the required approval from necessary parties involved, this court and those alongside it have determined that, should the offer be accepted, one Arthur Henry Rostron the Third and one John Edward Smith the Second are to acquire Platinum Star Lines, a repossession that will begin immediately should these parties accept." the Judge affirmed, both men nodding in response. "Next, after obtaining the required approval from necessary parties involved, it has been determined that this man before us..." the Judge paused while rummaging under his desk, motioning for Captain Smith to come up before handing over a rolled up piece of paper, the Captain flying it over to Chris and holding it out.

"By universal approval of its legal owners, juries the world over, combined with those in relation to the victims, as well as, due to odd and shocking circumstances, the victims themselves, it has been decided from this moment on that you, as the one who discovered the wreckage, will inherit the R.M.S. Arceanic, becoming its new legal and rightful owner, which includes the ship and any and all debris and artifacts surrounding it within the specified radius in the deed now gifted to you." the Judge ruled as Chris unfurled the paper, carrying the signatures of countless heads of households in relation to victims, including printed signatures of judges from around the world, those high up in Platinum Star, even a signature from Captain Smith himself. Looking at all the names approving his ownership, Chris's eyes widened more and more as he went through the lists contained on the single sheet of paper. "All that's left is for you to sign it, and the Arceanic is yours. Do you accept?" the Judge asked, Chris noticing a pen on the podium and taking it in hand before nodding and signing his name. "I swear to take good care of it your honor." Chris assured, getting a nod in response. "Then we have our new owner." the Judge replied. "This court would like to point out that the rulings made here today were based on extraordinary and overwhelming material revealed to us by witnesses and cameras alike which caught every moment of this mans actions since the Guardian first sailed into disaster. This evidence played the key factor in swaying votes in his favor, and this court would like to offer its thanks for all this man has done for us, and on behalf of us, throughout this voyage, not only during our moment of need, but before and after." the Judge affirmed.

Looking the deed in his hands over, Chris grinned while showing it off to the girls, Serenity and Rose smiling and congratulating him while Alicia shrugged over the acquisition, unable to find herself excited over the inheritance of a wreck site yet giving him her congrats as well, showing a smile as Chris went over the names before pausing and lowering the deed. "But... What about that Lore guy...? I was told he was pressing charges?" Chris asked, the Judge blinking at him for a moment before nodding. "Right, he was. But those charges were dropped earlier today, and it was, in fact, his response to you with the gun that helped your case as well. He dropped his charges himself, and crew have been working to keep him stable for some time. It would appear that, after he was detained, something occurred that broke the man into tattered pieces. We admittedly kept an eye on you so we've plenty of proof to show you weren't the cause." the Judge assured. "The charges brought up here were purely those of our own, as we couldn't let you go without some form of legal action. We apologize for that." he added. As the Judge and his jury turned their backs and stepped down, Chris heard Smith chuckling next to him, turning to the Captain to find a wide grin on his face. "Uhh... What's up sir?" Chris asked. "Oh nothing lad. Lets just say you can always count on your friends." Smith replied, putting a hand on Chris's shoulder with a thumbs up. "You uh, you didn't...?" Chris asked, the Captain raising a finger to his mouth. "Our secret lad. An old sea dog can learn many ways to break a man. Lets just say Mr. Lore received a small sample of the terrors of the sea." Smith explained with a wink. As everyone started gathering on the stage to congratulate Chris alongside the crew and spirits, they were suddenly caught off guard when explosions were heard from the sky above, looking up to see fireworks going off all around the ship.

"Right on time!" Rostron grinned. "You planned this?" Chris asked as the girls watched the show wide eyed. "We knew the verdict all along lad! The ships around the Guardian are handling setting them off for us. They're a tad off, but it's certainly a spectacular show for a spectacular man! Don't you agree?" the Captain asked. Blushing slightly, Chris looked up before showing a wide grin as the night sky lit up with rainbows of color from every direction. "Also lad... I've a gift to give you myself." Rostron point out, rummaging through his vest before taking out a small box. "S-Seriously? You don't have to give me anything sir! This deed is more than enough!" Chris affirmed, only for Rostron to insist. Opening the box, Chris found a gold medallion inside featuring the Arceanic. "That's the medal of honor the world gave to my great grandfather those many years ago... I want you to take it, and wear it proudly." the Captain smiled as Chris's eyes widened. "Go on, I had some work done on it so you can pin it to that coat of yours!" Rostron point out. Looking the medallion over, Chris pinned it to his chest with a smirk, Rostron nodding in approval. "Aye, it looks much better with you." he chuckled. Thanking the Captain, Chris was about to show it off to the girls, only for the three to remain mesmerized by the fireworks above causing him to slump before letting out a sigh and watching alongside them, Rostron giving Chris a proud pat on the back while Smith ruffled his hair with a grin.

With cheers and applaud continuing to echo from all over the Guardian, the ship made her way toward Arcticu Valley, with Chris, determined by the world a free man for his heroic actions, and the proud, newly appointed owner of the legendary R.M.S. Arceanic, the ship of dreams he will certainly give his all to ensure lives on for generations to come!

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Pokemon - Tale Of The Guardian Master - CH 100

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