As he made his way along his journey, Chris spent his time bonding with his new companions, working to defend Bounsweet from occasional predators and keeping Goomy consistently covered in lotion to prevent the slime lacking Pokemon from drying out. Sporting a new rucksack filled with bottles of water and basic camping needs, he carried it on his back while the egg he'd been given remained securely under his arm, leaving Chris feeling the weight of his new party as Midna sat atop his head with its legs crossed, wanting to be at the highest point so it likely felt more important than the rest of their companions while looking around curiously. "You having fun up there?" Chris asked, glancing up as the shadowy imp cackled with a grin in response. "Goomy? Bounsweet? You two okay?" he added, the two Pokemon poking their faces out by his cheeks and giving chipper responses of their own. Reaching up with his free hand, Chris checked Goomy's skin with a smirk. "Still feels alright... Good." he nodded before giving Bounsweet a scratch on her head just under her leafy hair-like appendages, the Pokemon cooing until he pulled away. "Weather's been pretty good so far... Asides the storm we had to hunker down from a few days ago... It was a nice little town though." Chris chuckled, thinking back on the sleepy village they'd recently passed. Noticing a low hanging branch ahead, he reached up and pulled off part of it, holding the leaves up for Goomy to munch on. "How about you? Want a bite?" he asked, holding the branch up toward Midna only for the imp to swat it away and respond with agitated noises. "Aww. picky picky." Chris teased, showing a grin as the imp crossed its arms with a scowl. Continuing to let Goomy munch on the leaves, once she finished them he tossed the branch aside, the Pokemon sighing in relief before letting out a sudden burp, causing her to jolt and flush as Chris's eyes widened. "Boy... Right in my ear..." he point out, causing Goomy to groan in an apologetic manner. Responding with a laugh, he assured the Pokemon it was alright before poking fun at her "unladylike" behavior, making Goomy scowl and face away.
"Don't worry about it... You should've heard the kind another girl I know can let loose!" Chris point out, thinking back on how he'd heard Serenity let one rip years prior making him snicker. "It's still funny..." he added while walking along. Eventually, he found himself stopped by Midna's excited cackles, the imp patting him on the head and pointing out a nearby bush it'd spotted covered in berries. Poking their heads out, Goomy and Bounsweet looked around curiously and spotted the bush as well, making their own eager noises at the sight of the plentiful buffet. "Okay, okay... We can take five." Chris nodded, the Pokemon looking at him with disappointed "wha?!" sounding noises. "I-It's a figure of speech. It means we can take a break. You can eat as much as you want." he assured with a nervous smile, the Pokemon tilting their heads as he approached the bush and set his rucksack aside, placing Delphox's egg against it before setting Bounsweet and Goomy down, the two quickly making their way into the bottom of the bush to conceal themselves while munching away within. From atop his head, Midna made a leap as though diving into a pool, vanishing into the bush as well leaving Chris to pick away at his own helping. "...A berry eating berries, thinking about it is kinda..." he thought to himself, spotting Bounsweet through the branches with a gleeful look on her face. Popping out from on top, Midna held up a berry and gave it a toss in his direction, causing Chris to quickly pull himself to the side to catch it in his mouth. Giving a thumbs up, he nodded at the imp as it grinned and ducked back into the bush, helping itself to more as he sat aside with his own handful. "Nature always makes the best grub..." he sighed, popping a berry in the air with his thumb.
Taking their time, the group enjoyed their bounty as Chris rest against a nearby tree, rubbing his stomach before blinking with an "eh?" and looking down curiously. Tugging on his collar, his stone had begun glowing as a voice called out in his mind, the source coming from deep within the vast numbers of entities sealed inside. "Wanna make a stop...?" Chris asked, listening to the request being made. "Well... It's the direction we're headed anyways. Who am I to object?" he smiled. "I don't mind a little detour. I'd be glad to." he added, the glow from his stone fading away as he returned his attention to the bush. "We've got a stop to make! Finished eating yet?" he asked, Bounsweet pushing its way out until finally popping free and rolling forward, sitting with a groan. "Ahh... Eyes were bigger than your stomach, huh?" Chris smirked as Goomy crawled out with a "pwuah!" of satisfaction, followed by Midna who popped out from the top of the bush, making its way back to Chris and sitting atop his head with a berry in hand to munch on. "You're never full..." he point out, the imp scowling and sticking its tongue out. "A friend wants me to make a stop not far from here. It'll give you a chance to take it easy and digest all those berries you packed yourselves full of." he explained, the Pokemon looking at him curiously as they approached. "I know it's hard to understand... I promise I'll explain it one day." Chris assured, rubbing each on the head before standing with a stretch. "I didn't realize you guys were so hungry though..." he added, looking at the bush now stripped of nearly all its berries. "Don't be afraid to tell me when you wanna eat, okay?" he affirmed with a smile, getting a nod from both.
Taking in a final breath of air, Chris looked around before hearing a sudden crackling sound. Tilting his ear up, he let out an "eh?" and looked around, Bounsweet and Goomy doing the same until hearing the noise again. With the two Pokemon at his feet, they both tilt their heads to the sides of his legs, looking behind him to find the egg given by Delphox stirring, several splits in the shell appearing and making their way along the surface. Panicking, the two Pokemon tugged at Chris's pants with their mouths, making him look down to find both excitedly chattering. Hurrying around him, they gathered at the egg as he watched, approaching himself before noticing the movement and splits as well. "N-Now? Really?" he asked, getting closer on his knees and taking it in hand. "I was hoping it wouldn't be in the middle of nowhere... I've said it before, you kids really have some timing." he added with a nervous smile, thinking back on the way he'd come to discover the girls were pregnant in the middle of his last journey followed by their hatching in the midst of finishing his mansion in the valley. "At least this time I'm ready for it... Back then I was a wreck." he added, continuing to think back while feeling the egg jolting and cracking repeatedly, Bounsweet and Goomy watching wide eyed while Midna gave an occasional glance. Munching on its berry like casually watching a show, the imp had a look as though it was a waste of a good egg while Chris showed an eager grin. "It's still exciting though!" he point out, lowering the egg slightly so the others could watch better. "I'm gonna be a father all over again..." he added, showing a nostalgic smile before sweating slightly. "W-Well... In a sense, I mean... An adoptive dad is still a dad!" he affirmed before the egg suddenly quit moving, the cracks ceasing making him tilt his head curiously.
"...H-Hello?" Chris called out. Getting no response, he looked at the others, Bounsweet and Goomy looking confused as well while he raised the egg, leaning his ear toward its surface before the group found themselves blinded by a sudden flash of light. Quickly facing away, Chris let out a panicked "geez!!" while Midna rolled off the back of his head in a panic of its own, the light forcing back its shadowy aura like smoke. Feeling the egg fading away, after a moment it was replaced by the feeling of plush fur instead, the light dimming until it finally vanished allowing the group to return their focus to the Pokemon in Chris's hands. Slowly opening his eyes, he let out a sigh of relief before looking at the Pokemon as well, finding a Fennekin in his grasp with its eyes shut. His own eyes lighting up, Chris showed a grin and raised the Pokemon up to his face. Just as he was about to greet the newborn, he found himself cut off when the small fox tilt its head back and suddenly let out a sneeze, making a surprising burst of fire spout from its ears catching the group off guard. Shrieking in a panic, Bounsweet quickly raced off into the bush they'd recently feasted from, hiding at its base while Goomy peeked out from behind the tree Chris had been resting against, both Pokemon trembling while Midna began rising from the small puddle of darkness its splattered body had created upon hitting the ground, groaning in a groggy tone as it sat and pulled itself back together. "Th-That's some spark..." Chris point out, warily lowering Fennekin after having quickly held it upwards to avoid being singed. Looking at its face once more, after a moment the fox let out a small noise and slowly opened its eyes, blinking before looking up at Chris.
"Hey there little fella!" he grinned, the Pokemon showing a bewildered look as it blinked and continued looking at him, tilting its head. "Something wrong?" Chris asked, showing a curious look of his own as Fennekin started looking around, letting out slightly concerned noises as if lost. Thinking about the situation as he held the Pokemon, it became clear the fox could tell something was off, seeing Chris instead of a figure it could relate to leaving him thinking "uh oh..." in silence as the newborn called out before looking at him again, a nervousness in its expression as Chris offered another smile, albeit with slight sweat showing. "It's uh... Just me here." he point out as Bounsweet and Goomy warily approached, looking up as Fennekin took notice of the two and kicked warily at the air while digging the nails in its front paws into Chris's hands. "E-Easy, easy there! It's alright." he tried to coax as the fox clung to his skin. "They're... Well..." he paused, looking down at the two before smiling at the fox. "They're family! Er... Well... Kinda friends, but kinda family!" he assured, the two Pokemon looking at one another and tilting their heads curiously at the thought before nodding with nervous smiles of their own. "It's complicated at the moment." Chris laughed as Fennekin looked down at the two before returning its attention to him with tears welling up and a scared sound. "I... Guess I really didn't think about what I'd do when you hatched... Or uh, how to explain stuff..." Chris confessed, both he and Fennekin looking at one another before he smiled again. "...I'm gonna be your papa." he affirmed with a nod, causing the Pokemon to go silent with a curious look before tilting its head and letting out a "fefe?" type of response.
"That's right! Everyone has a mama and a papa. I... Can't really explain it very well right now... But..." Chris paused, glancing away while thinking about Delphox's death before showing a confident smirk. "From here on, I'm gonna fill in the role and be your papa!" he repeat. "I know I might look a little weird to you... And maybe it doesn't make much sense and all, but that's just how it is. And you know what? I promise to be the best papa I can for ya!" Chris assured with a grin, holding the Pokemon up as it continued looking at him both, bewildered and curious with tears remaining in its eyes. "I'm... Sorry for making you feel scared... We really just wanted to see you be born together." he point out while letting Fennekin look at the others again, Goomy and Bounsweet both letting out apologetic noises. Suddenly jumping atop Chris's head from behind, Midna let out sounds of annoyance and hissed at Fennekin, making the newborn scream and begin flailing a second time, scratching Chris's hands up in the process. "I-It's okay!! It's okay!! That's just Midna!!" he tried to explain, wincing as his hands were further scratched. "S-See what you did?! Stop being so feisty!!" he lectured toward the imp, getting another hiss from it before turning its back and sitting with its legs and arms crossed atop his head. "...Honestly..." Chris grumbled while noticing the scratching had stopped, causing him to return his focus to Fennekin as it gave him a scared yet somehow apologetic look, now remaining still in his grasp while looking up at him warily. "N-No! I wasn't yelling at you! I was, uh..." he tried to explain before glancing up toward the imp with a scowl and smiling at the newborn. "Trust me, that wasn't meant for you." he assured, the fox nodding in response.
"A-Anyway..." he paused before getting on his knees, about to put Fennekin on the ground only for it to hesitate and curl up around his hands, its claws digging back into them as Bounsweet and Goomy approached. Wincing again, Chris coaxed the fox into trusting them as he slowly placed it on the ground, working off its hold on him as he sat on his knees. Quickly stepping back, Fennekin stumbled over his legs, sliding down and remaining against them with its tail raised between its legs while looking at the two Pokemon before it. "And here I thought Bounsweet was the scaredy cat." Chris teased with a chuckle, causing the berry-like Pokemon to scowl at him with an insulted "hey!" type of sound, the noise making Fennekin jolt and tear up again. Quickly responding with apologetic sounds, Bounsweet tried to smile while Goomy approached, raising one side of its feelers up like a hand waving and offering a greeting noise. "See...? We're all nice!" Chris assured, the small fox looking up at him before slowly raising off his legs and sitting up. "Alright everyone, lets try it again..." Chris instructed. "This here is Bounsweet!" he point out, Fennekin looking at the Pokemon with a small nod as it let out a happy noise. "And here's Goomy!" he added, the fox looking at the other Pokemon with another nod and getting another welcoming noise from the friendly slug-like being. About to show a small smile of its own, Fennekin suddenly opened its mouth, its head tilting back as its nose twitched until suddenly letting out a second sneeze, more fire bursting from its ears making Goomy quickly flatten itself while Bounsweet's small stem caught on fire like a candle, making the Pokemon scream and dash about in a hysteric manner.
Startled by the Pokemon's behavior, Fennekin panicked as well and clawed its way up Chris's legs, letting out scared noises as it clung to him while watching wide eyed as Bounsweet continued screaming and flailing about. "...Oh boy..." Chris muttered, sweating slightly while looking at Goomy as she remained flattened as though having melted while Bounsweet darted in a circle around him, the wary newborn stuck to him like glue while Midna rest on his head, watching the scene with a "seriously...?" look of its own. Reaching out, Chris caught Bounsweet by her stem, putting the flame out while holding her up. "The world's not ending... Relax..." he assured, the Pokemon looking at him teary eyed and trembling while Goomy finally began to rise with a sigh. "You and those sneezes..." Chris point out, looking down at Fennekin as its ears sulked and he set Bounsweet back down. Lifting the fox up, he looked at it for a moment and showed a smirk. "I was the same way once..." he point out, causing the Pokemon to tilt its head. "Yeah! I'd sneeze and... Well..." he paused, thinking back to his fire and ice abilities when Ninetales was within him. "Lets just say I learned how to control it. All things in due time." Chris assured with a nod, getting one back and an apologetic noise from the fox. Working its claws out from his shirt, he set Fennekin back down on the ground, Goomy showing a nervous smile while Bounsweet inched back warily. Offering another apologetic sound, the fox lowered its head, making Bounsweet slowly relax and nod back with an assuring noise in response, inching up and carefully patting Fennekin on the head with one of its leaves. The two showing a small smile, Chris nodding with a "good" to the scene.
"Alright... So now it looks like my party of newcomers has come to three!" he point out with a smirk. "...Come to think of it, I still haven't given any of you names..." he added, crossing his legs while thinking. "It's gonna be kinda tricky though... I usually try to pick stuff that matches who you are best..." Chris muttered as the group of Pokemon looked at him curiously. "...I at least need to try and decide on something for you. It doesn't seem right to take you in as my own kid and just leave you with a typical title." he affirmed, looking at Fennekin before closing his eyes to think. "Actually... Before anything, boy or...?" Chris thought to himself, glancing at the fox as it stood and started looking around curiously. Catching a glimpse once its tail was raised, he sighed with a "yep..." and nodded, adding "of course" before showing a smirk. "That narrows it down at least." he thought, resting his chin on his hand while tapping his knee with his other fingers. Going over everything he knew about Fennekin's history, Chris combined that knowledge with the Pokemon's element, listing both modern and classic names in his mind while also trying to decide on something with a mystical tune to it. After several minutes, just as the fox was about to try its first real food via the remains on the berry bush, Chris excitedly snapped his fingers and exclaimed "got it!!" startling the Pokemon before him, with Bounsweet and Goomy jumping while Fennekin fell face first into the branches of the bush, having tried standing on its hind legs against it to reach a berry making it panic before pulling its head free, twigs and leaves stuck in its fur as it shook its head. "S-Sorry about that." Chris apologized with a nervous laugh, instructing Fennekin to approach.
"I think I've got the perfect one for you... It's a little different, but maybe you can come to like it?" he began as the fox sat before him. "In this world, your kind is normally called Fennekin." he explained as the Pokemon tilt its head, responding by saying its name clearly making an instant click in the newborns mind, getting a nod. "Good... Now, instead of that... I'm going to call you... Seraphina." Chris revealed, getting a surprised, yet puzzled look. "I'll explain it all better as we move along, but Seraphina means fire, basically." he point out. "I'll call you Sera for short... That name means princess!" he grinned. "Put them together, and you get Fire Princess." he finished, the Pokemon unfamiliar with the words yet nodding nonetheless. "In this world, you've got boys, and you've got girls... They call boys a prince, and girls a princess. You're a girl, and the power you use is called fire... Understand?" Chris asked, getting an "oohhh" type of noise and another nod. "Also, there are people who believe in a place called Heaven, a place far, FAR in the sky where they say angels live... There's a kind of angel that's higher than all the others, called Seraphim..." he went on, giving the best explanation he could. Once he was finished, Chris finally point out "You will be my Seraphina, the Princess of Fire who Stands Above All, do you understand now?" he asked, the fox's eyes lighting up and a wide smile showing, her tail wagging with a bark of excitement. Hearing the explanation of such a grandiose title, Bounsweet and Goomy looked at one another before rushing up and making eager noises of their own, the two wanting nicknames as well and inadvertently forgetting their wariness of now Seraphina in the process, the fox blinking at them in surprise.
"H-Hold on! I-I told you, names take time!" Chris insisted, holding his hands up. "I promise, I'll think of something great for you too, just... Give me a bit!" he assured. "It's just... Wrong to make my own daughter run around with a name someone else picked for her... I promise you'll get names too though!" he smiled nervously, making the two girls scowl out of both agitation and envy. "S-So uh... Yeah... I'll call you Sera for short most of the time... Sound good?" Chris asked, the fox giving him another bark-like noise and nodding. "Alright... Well then, Sera, Bounsweet, Goomy, how about we get going? I've still got that stop to make!" he point out, the two scowling out of disappointment while Sera showed another curious look. Taking both Bounsweet and Goomy into the hood of his cloak, Chris lift his rucksack back over his shoulders and let Sera climb on top of it, using it as a pillow of sorts to lay on while Midna looked at the fox with a scowl, not happy with having another Pokemon in the group on top of getting so close to the top position. Remaining on Chris's head, the imp turned its back to Sera, making the fox's ears droop. "Don't mind Midna, it just has its own ways." Chris assured, looking back with a smile before glancing up. "Come on, be a little nicer... She's my kid now." he affirmed, the imp sticking its tongue out and grumbling as he finally resumed his trek. "I wonder..." he muttered, reaching into his cloak and taking out his Pokedex before flipping through the device. "No... Not that... Ah!" he added before bringing up information on Sera, looking over her diet and care. "Say's here you can be a little temperamental... That explains a bit!" he smiled, looking back at the fox as she tilt her head.
Explaining the concept of moods and what the words meant, Chris noticed a section detailing her species craving for twigs, muttering "that's convenient..." before approaching a nearby tree and snapping off various bits of a branch. "Hey Sera? Try these." he instructed, holding one of the twigs back for the fox. Leaning her face forward, she began sniffing it and went wide eyed, quickly taking it in her mouth and munching in satisfaction, the fur from her ears beginning to glow. "That's pretty neat. It says here you actually get energy from stuff like this... Good to know you're not a picky eater!" he grinned. "Not saying either of you are though." he assured, giving Goomy and Bounsweet a smirk. Continuing ahead, Chris began explaining things about the world and what different words and concepts meant to his new daughter, the fox eagerly listening while just as eagerly munching on the twigs he offered. Eventually, the group finally managed to reach another village, this one smaller than the last with cottage hearkening homes dotted along the woods by the main trail. Feeling his stone beginning to resonate, Chris tugged on his collar and saw its glow having returned, pausing when the same voice as before called out from within its depths. Nodding, he made his way past the buildings as if following instructions, finally stopping before a house surrounded by a porch around its front-half. "...This is the place, huh?" he asked before approaching the building. Suddenly jolting, Chris placed a hand on his chest with a smirk, giving an "alright, alright" in a coaxing tone as though trying to settle someone down. "It's a nice place here... You had it good." he chuckled, stepping up onto the porch and approaching the door.
"Well... Hope uh... They don't mind..." he muttered before opening the screened door and knocking, closing the screen and stepping back so he could look around. "This trip is way different so far... Less big places, more country life... It's nice." Chris smirked, enjoying the breeze before hearing the lock and knob rattle. Straightening up, he instructed the girls and Midna primarily to behave as the door slowly opened, a woman in her late 20's peeking out curiously. "Y-Yes...?" she replied. "H-Hello there... I'm..." Chris tried to respond, bowing his head only to raise it and see a look on her face that mixed shocked and hurt combined. "It's... It's you..." she point out, a man suddenly stepping up behind her, likely in his early 30's in comparison. "What's going on?" he asked, looking down before turning his attention to Chris, his eyes widening with an expression as though he were both, seeing someone he'd missed yet at the same time didn't want to see before looking away. "I-I'm sorry if it's a bad time but... I had to come here." Chris explained with another bow. "May I... Come in? J-Just for a moment! ...Please?" he asked, the two looking at one another in silence before the man nodded. Backing away, the woman opened the door and invited the group in, allowing Chris to step by with his thanks. "I... Know this is a little uncomfortable. But..." he apologized, watching the man sit in a recliner. Following, Chris asked if he could sit as well, the man motioning to a nearby chair while the woman sat next to the man, the two keeping their eyes averted in an uncomfortable and hesitant manner, glancing at one another on occasion as Chris looked around. "It's a... Nice place! Really nice!" he praised. "Not much... Can't afford much." the man replied with a grunt in his tone.
Coaxing the man to sound nicer, the woman apologized, only for Chris to affirm it wasn't necessary while lowering his hood. "Listen uh... You're the Malor family, right?" he asked, the two giving a nod. "I'm on a trip, you see. Off to take my ship across the ocean." he explained. "Must be nice." the man replied, glancing at Chris and getting a nudge from the woman. "P-Please... I want you both to relax. I don't want anyone to be uncomfortable. Or nervous, or anything like that." he assured. "It's... It's hard to explain, but there's someone with me who... Asked me to visit you." Chris point out. "We know." the man suddenly replied, giving Chris an agitated look. "Roy!" the woman lectured, causing him to glance away again. "It's okay. I guess I deserve it... Or rather, I do." Chris nodded, rubbing his hands together from his own nervousness. "I'm sorry. I uh... Haven't really... Faced anyone who was affected by what happened back then. It's kind of a first for me." he explained. "It was the last for HIM..." Roy replied coldly, the woman trying to coax him to be nicer only for Roy to respond with an agitated "No Clare" in response, nudging her hand off his shoulder. "S-So it's Clare after all? Roy and Clare?" Chris asked, the two looking at him in response. "I was just... Curious since I uh, was already kind of told." he explained, causing Roy to raise an eyebrow. "So what do you want?" he asked. "It's not really what I want, so much as it's what someone else wants." Chris tried to point out, the two looking at one another. "I'm sorry but... You're not making much sense." Clare replied. Looking at the two, Chris faced down with a sigh before placing Goomy and Bounsweet next to him, coaxing Sera off as well while setting his rucksack on the floor.
"Three years ago..." Chris began while removing his cloak. "There was an attack on me and my family... If it wasn't for the Ninetales that cursed me, a lot of people would've died, not just us." he went on while removing his coat as well, standing before the two. "After doing what I could to stop what was happening... I was..." he added, a flashback of explosions running through his mind. "We saw, you were supposed to be dead." Roy point out, Chris looking at him for a moment before clutching his chest. "Y-Yeah... I was, actually. It should've been the end for me." he nodded. "However... After the attack, I was brought back, and it was thanks to... Uh..." he paused again, facing down. "A lot of people..." he admit. "Th-That's why I came here today!" he point out, suddenly noticing rows of pictures on a nearby wall. Feeling his stone resonating again, Chris found himself pulled toward the scenes on display. Taking a closer look, it was like that of a timeline showing Roy and Clare, from a couple to marriage, followed by moments of pregnancy leading up to an image of the two with Clare in a hospital bed holding a baby. "This is..." Chris muttered. "Our son." Roy replied. Continuing to look through the photos, the images began showing the baby growing alongside his parents, the group enjoying various activities until reaching a point that made Chris pause, reaching out and touching an image depicting the boy alone at an age he could finally recognize him. "It... It's really him... So this really is the place." he muttered. "...What's this about?" Clare asked, walking up behind Chris as he continued looking at the picture. "I-I'm sorry. Familiar face is all... Just... One sec." he replied, finding himself distracted while continuing along the pictures.
What he saw next however was in stark contrast to the images before. Following the image of the boy alone, Chris started noticing a change in his body and overall appearance, his weight gradually decreasing and color fading as time went on. Further down, the boy began showing signs of receding hair until, like his weight, it too had vanished, though the expressions of joy remained on the faces of the boy and his parents alike as they enjoyed different activities. Reaching the end of the collection, the final pictures showed them gathered in a hospital, with their son connected to machines and IV's while playing with video games with his father, toys with his mother and watching movies in bed with both. "...Died three years ago." Roy point out, suddenly approaching Chris from behind as well. "Funny thing... If you want to call it that... He died the same day they said YOU came back." he added, with Chris freezing wide eyed while feeling Roy's shadow over him, Clare quickly trying to coax Roy back. "I-I'm sorry. We're still recovering." she apologized. Continuing to look at the last photo's before him, Chris began welling tears in his eyes before they began streaming. "Must be nice, traveling, sailing your own ships... Meantime others still pay for you being here, inside and out of pocket... We're here because we're broke." Roy explained, albeit in a cold manner. "We're out a child, out of money... Look what you got out of it." he added as Chris began visibly shaking. Noticing this, Clare reached out and apologized again, only for her eyes to widen as he turned and exposed his emotional state, Roy letting out a grunt and facing away. "I-I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry..." Chris apologized, looking at the two before looking at his own hands.
"I didn't want to take life away... I didn't want anyone hurt..." he added. "I died trying to prevent that! I didn't expect to be brought back! I... I never wanted anyone to sacrifice to make it happen either..." he affirmed, his tears streaming all the more. Watching in surprise, the girls didn't know what to think of the scene before them, especially Sera who barely understood the meaning of much yet still found herself feeling teary inside as her ears sulked, Midna sitting atop his rucksack and scratching its cheek in an uncomfortable manner. "Our boy was a fighter... Coulda kept fighting if what he had left wasn't taken right outta him." Roy affirmed, Clare hushing him sternly as Chris apologized once more. Reaching out a second time, Clare suddenly froze up when her hand neared Chris's chest, sensing something familiar ping in the back of her mind like a call of sorts before inching back. "...What's wrong now?" Roy asked as Clare's eyes widened once more. "I-I'm not sure." she shook her head. "Look, appreciate the visit, but maybe it's just best you..." Roy began, reaching out before freezing the same as Clare, showing the same look of surprise and slowly pulling back. Wiping his face, Chris looked at the two before facing down. "...I came here for someone, like I said." he affirmed before tugging his collar down so both could see his stone. "I came here... For your son." he revealed as it let off an enthusiastic flash. "Please... Please believe me. I didn't take him away. I had no part in it." Chris affirmed as more tears of guilt welled up. "H-He's in there?" Clare asked. "Yeah... Him, and a lot of other people... Folks who wanted me back." Chris point out. "Our son didn't even know you." Roy replied. "N-No... He did." Clare nodded.
"You... It was you who gave the children all those things in Millennium, wasn't it?" she asked. "Ah... Yeah... That's where he was?" Chris answered, wiping his eyes again. "He was there when you donated everything, I was in the crowd watching it all be brought in." she explained. "He... Really liked the Pokemon too." she added. "It was thanks to the equipment, the Pokemon, you helped him. He loved playing and exercising with the other kids, and those Pokemon really made him smile when he had it hard." she revealed as more tears formed in Chris's eyes. "Th-Thanks for saying that." he nodded, trying to keep himself somewhat stable. Continuing to look at him, Clare watched as Chris looked back at the pictures, tears beginning to fall again as he bit his lip. Stepping back to her husband, Clare placed her hand on his shoulder again, quietly affirming "It's not his fault" while looking at Chris again. "We... Don't blame you, exactly." she assured, making him look at the two as Roy faced away, his position remaining differed from hers. Facing down, Chris touched his chest for a moment, suddenly asking "You sure...?" while wiping his face yet again, the parents confused over his words as he nodded and returned his focus to them. "I-I can't bring him back, exactly, but..." he paused, looking back down and tugging his collar so the stone was exposed. "Would you... Like to see him? I can... Kind of do that... I think." he revealed, making their eyes widen. "Y-You can...?" Clare asked. "I-I can try. I've never tried it but... For a little bit, I think so." Chris nodded, the two looking at one another. "Please... I don't want anyone to suffer for me being here. I know I live on time that had to be taken from others... But... I want to do what I can to make up for it." he affirmed.
"...Our boy?" Roy asked, finally softening his tone however slightly. "Yes... I'll just need a moment." Chris nodded. Agreeing to his offer, Chris had both sit in their chairs while he stood before them. "I just need to make way so he can get through." Chris explained, the parents glancing at one another as Chris removed his shirt and set it with his belongings. Seeing his upper body, Roy and Clare's eyes widened as his skin told the story of his past journey and his demise, riddled in the scars of battle and torment alike that came with sacrificing himself for what could have been Ureaxion itself. Surprised from the sight as well, Sera's eyes were just as wide, knowing the way he looked wasn't right while the others showed looks of concern, still wondering themselves how he came to look so torn. Closing his eyes, Chris gripped his stone as it started glowing once more. After what felt like forever for the parents, his eyes finally opened and a small smile appeared on his face, moving his hand as a lone orb of light pushed its way free from the stone and waft toward the two, growing in size as it pulled energy from the stone and likewise Chris to take form. Finally taking shape, between Chris and the couple stood a small boy, surrounded in a wafting aura of white as he raised his head and looked at the two. "J-Johny...?" Roy exclaimed, his hand slowly reaching out with a tremble. "I-Is it...?" Clare added, covering her mouth as the boy showed a smile. "Hi... Mama... Papa..." he replied, his voice echoing as the words made Sera perk up as well, looking at the parents and the spirit before looking at Chris's back. Equally surprised, Goomy and Bounsweet let out quiet "oohh" sounds of wonder from the unfolding event.
"J-Johny...! Johny!" Roy exclaimed excitedly, quickly standing and lowering to his knees before the spirit. "My baby... My baby...!!" Clare added, falling to her own knees before the child, both reaching out only for their hands to phase through, making the two jolt and slowly pull their hands back. "Johny..." Roy muttered, looking at his son as tears welled up in his own eyes. "Papa... Don't be mad." Johny smiled again. "Chris didn't do anything bad... In fact, I've had a really good time with him! And all the others!" he assured. "I'm not sick anymore! I don't hurt or nothin'! I feel really good now! I have lots of new friends too!" the boy grinned as his parents began weeping. "I'm sorry Johny... I'm so sorry!" Roy apologized. "We wanted you to live... We did!" Clare added, causing the spirit to blink at them. "What do you mean?" Johny asked, the two looking at him with a collective "huh?" of confusion. "I might be like this now... But I'm still alive! Kinda in a different sorta way, but... I'm having a really good life now!" he assured. "Chris does lots of things for lots of people. Since me and others are inside him, in a way we're doing that too! We help him stay alive, and it gives us a really good life too!" Johny explained with a grin in his own youthful, albeit slightly confusing manner. "With you, we were always happy, always having fun and good times. And now, I get to help OTHER people be happy and have good times! I get to go lots of places, see and do lots of things... All because I'm with Chris now." he point out. "And since Chris is gonna sail a really BIG ship, that means I will too since I'm inside him! It's amazing!" the child grinned again with his arms spread out excitedly. "And you know, not all of me is here." he added.
Looking confused again, Roy asked "What do you mean, son?" in response. "Me, and all the other people inside him, it's just parts of us. The rest of us is other places! Some in Heaven, and lots of people are still actually alive! Chris didn't kill anyone, we just gave him a little of us so he could come back! The rest of me went up there!" Johny assured, pointing up as his parents looked at the ceiling and Chris as well. "...Mama, papa..." Johny called out, getting their attention again. "I was tired... I couldn't do it no more... I had a chance to help Chris before I went to sleep, so I did. Thanks to him, I got to go to Heaven AND keep a part of me here too! I get to be in two whole worlds now!" Johny reminded. "The other me can have fun up there, and I can see and do all the stuff I didn't have the chance to right here! I'm really happy!" he smiled as Roy and Clare wept. "You guys did lots of stuff for me... And now I get to do lots of stuff for other people... Don't be sad or mad." Johny coaxed as the two tried touching him again, their hands wafting through their sons spirit. Seeing their desperation, Chris glanced up before clutching his stone again, quietly asking "Can we...?" as he looked down at it, getting a brighter glow in response. Nodding with a smile, Chris gave a "thanks" comment before returning his focus to the group. Stepping up, he reached out and placed a hand on Johny's shoulder, the sensation making the spirit jolt and look back in surprise as Chris gave him a "shh" motion and nodded. Smiling eagerly in response, the boy reached out as Chris kept his hand on his shoulder, giving the soul enough of a physical presence to touch his parents. Feeling this, the two jerked back and looked at Johny in shock, his arms out waiting for a hug.
Weeping and shouting his name together, Roy and Clare took the chance to hug their son once more, his mother covering his face in kisses while his father ruffled the boys hair, giving a "look at you!" comment from Johny having it grown back. Doing his best to maintain Johny's presence, it didn't take long for Chris's eyes to turn heavy and suddenly stumble, accidentally removing his hand from Johny's shoulder making the spirit return to its former state, his parents falling through as Chris stumbled back and held onto the arm of a chair to stay up. "I-I'm sorry..." he apologized as Johny showed a look of concern. "I'm taking too much energy..." Johny point out, looking back at his parents. "Mama, papa, I'm doing really good now. I'm happy, I have lots of friends, do lots of stuff... Please don't be mad or sad anymore, okay?" he asked, the two wiping their eyes and nodding. "I gotta go back now... We gotta work together. You gotta work together too, kay'?" the boy instructed, his parents giving him a "yes" in response as Johny began vanishing and retracting back within Chris's stone. "You know... I kinda think it'd be fun to have a brother! No icky girls though!" the boy added sternly before vanishing completely, his parents freezing up before looking at one another and smiling as Chris's stone went dormant once more. Nearly collapsing on the floor, Roy quickly caught him as his wife did the same and helped Chris sit in a chair, both apologizing for the way they'd acted before Clare brought a glass of water and a cloth, letting him drink and wipe his sweat away. "I-I'm sorry... I wanted it to last longer..." he apologized, working to catch his breath. "You gave us all the time we needed... Thank you..." Clare smiled with tears remaining in her eyes.
"...That really took it out of you." Roy point out. "I-It's fine." Chris assured, waving his hand while gulping more of the water, the couple noticing Chris's color had faded as well from exhausting himself feeding into their guilt as he thanked them for the drink. "I'll be fine... Just need a minute." he added. Letting him relax, the curious parents began learning all they could about Chris and his relationships with the souls within him until he was able enough and ready to leave.
Before departing, he offered to help the couple with the remaining debts they owed from their sons care, giving them all the information they needed regarding contacts and how to have the aid credited from him to their accounts, as well as setting them up with a free trip of their own on his ship once it set sail...
Three years after the original TOTGM series conclusion, the tales of Chris Nakazaki go on long after his first grand journey came to an end. Whether at home or abroad, those who both, need and seek his aid never cease to appear, the location and time irrelevant...
