"So that's the plan," Brock concluded. He leaned back in his chair, bracing himself for the inevitable wave of criticism. Dawn and Team Rocket sat upon Oak's couch across him. Tracy and Ash were the furthest from him, leaning against the opposite wall of the living room. Surprisingly, everyone remained silent.

"Is… that the only plan?" Tracy said, eventually breaking the silence.

"It's the best one we have right now," Brock sighed. "If you have something else in mind, one that hits all the points I mentioned, I'd be open to it."

"I don't see why we have to bother. Me and my friends can take care of it like last time." Heads swiveled to where Ash stood, his arms crossed, glowering from his corner. Samurai took that as his cue to step in beside Brock.

"Ash, what you need to understand is that you and your team, while powerful, fought a freshly-made hive. The forces you encountered were only half of what a hive that new was capable of. The efforts of Sarah and Frank's staraptor, while I have no doubt you would still have won, prevented steep casualties to your side. The hive in Viridian's forest is not new. It has had weeks, if not months, to establish itself. Your Pokémon would deplete every move in their arsenal before they could even make a noticeable dent in the hive's numbers. We cannot do this alone."

Brock nodded. "Which is why we came here. Mimey told me that your Pidgeot and the flock he protects won't help us. Why?"

Ash held his prickly stare for a few seconds before his eyes veered off to a corner of the room.

"He told me he wasn't going to put his flock in harm's way to fight our battles. I tried chasing after him when he tried to leave, but then the rest of his flock went with him. Tauros couldn't keep up and we lost them over the mountains. I don't know if he even plans on coming back here. What makes you think this'll even work?"

Brock was about to respond when Samurai's armored hand lightly squeezed his shoulder.

"I have studied the bodies left over from the battle. Many of them were malnourished and even with the hit they took from the last fight, there isn't enough food in the area to sustain a group of their size. I believe their actions in the last fight has proven that they are capable of reason. Further bloodshed is unnecessary and should be our last resort."

Dawn lifted her hand before sheepishly glancing around and sharply bringing it down.

Brock gave a weak smile. "Yes, Dawn?"

"When exactly are we doing all of this?" She eyed the windows where the last rays of dawn dimmed behind the mountain range.

Brock and Samurai glanced to one another, having their unspoken dialogue, then nodded.

"Brock and I were thinking the sooner the better. Tomorrow morning would be optimal. The more time we give them, the harder our task becomes. I suggest the group that goes be small, so not to intimidate them. Can we count on your support, Tracy?"

Tracy turned a metal pipe over in his scarred hands, dragging a shaky finger along the curve where Scizor had pinched and twisted it in his claws.

"What you're saying makes sense, but it's hard for me to separate my feelings about it. It's all still too fresh in my mind. I'd like nothing more than to go with Ash's plan and just wipe them out… but that's not how Oak would've done things. Even now." Tracy lifted his sights from the pipe to Ash. The boy's eyes were closed, brow knotted in thought.

It… could work. Ash thought, only to hear Ivec's laughs echo from the back of his head.

But you don't actually believe it will. You know you want to do it your way. The human way.I can see the appeal. Why chance it? Why put more lives at risk when you have a more permanent way of fixing it?

But… Tracy's right, the professor-

Is dead! Just like your mother! Why stop now? You didn't hesitate when you wiped out the hive.

No, I… they were killing everyone. I had to stop them before any more people and Pokémon got hurt.

Yes, of course. Just like with the tentacruel and all those people. How noble of you. This… this time was different-

You can say that all you want, but you know it will end the same way. Your kind thrives off violence. You're like a sickness, a plague. How else can you feel safe unless you capture or kill anything that could threaten you?

Not this time. You're wrong about us.

Ash's eyes opened. He could feel the weight of everyone's stares as they patiently waited for his answer.

"Okay, Brock. Let's try it your way."

Despite the peace they'd found after the battle, those with night vision and good hearing were tasked with scouting the perimeter. Buneary was halfway through her route when she heard something scampering towards her. Frost formed along the rabbit's lips until the newcomer's scent reached her nose. By the time her mind registered who it belonged to Pikachu had already closed the distance.

I must be dreaming, Buneary thought to herself, Pikachu's arms around her. She was frozen in his hug. Both ears had shot from her head with force to disintegrate boulders. The only part of her still capable of movement was her heart, which was pounding with enough force to punch a hole through her chest.

And possibly his.

If Pikachu was aware of the imminent threat on his life, he politely said nothing and maintained the embrace.

Several heavenly seconds passed before he pulled away and held her at arm's length. Or more accurately put, held her up to keep her from turning into a puddle on the ground.

"Bun, ah, you okay?"

"You have no idea," she replied dreamily and slowly regained her footing.

"I came to apologize." Pikachu's stare drifted lower until it rested on the floor.

"A-apologize?" The rosy tint coloring her world faded somewhat. "What for?"

"It's a few things, but first I wanted to say I'm sorry I didn't come to see you sooner."

Buneary shook her head. "No, it's okay. I get it. You needed to be there for Ash. Dawn needed me too."

"We should've gotten back sooner to the fight. I should've been there sooner. I heard what happened to Pach." Buneary said nothing, but Pikachu noticed how her right ear slowly coiled back into place.

"Pach was… look, you can't blame yourself for what happened when you were gone. If anything, he's not with us because of me. I told him to do help Turtwig and it made him a target."

"And I'm saying that it never would have happened if I had been there," Pikachu voice rose, but he caught it.

"You don't know that. I've seen what you can do, but even you have limits. You can't protect us from every little thing we deal with. I got to see your old teammates in action and they're strong too. We still lost friends. The others told me what you did in the fight, how you couldn't even hit their leader until Muk stopped him."

Pikachu's ears flattened. He wouldn't, couldn't, meet her gaze even when her paw stroked his cheek.

"I have no clue how the fight might've gone if you had been there from the start, but neither of us can change what happened. Right now, all I can do is be thankful that despite everything that happened I still have Dawn, Piplup, and you. I'm sad that we lost Pach, sure. I didn't get to know Snorlax or Venonat all that well but I'm sad they're gone too. If they were good friends then they would want you to keep living your life, to be happy. You can't do this every fight we have."

Pikachu closed his eyes and nodded beneath her touch. "I know you're right, I just can't shake the feeling that I should've been here for when it all went down."

"Then try and be here for the next fight. It doesn't look like we're in any danger of running out of opponents."

Pikachu's eyes opened and stared into her eyes, holding her paw in his own.

"There's something else I want to apologize for. Something that's been going on since before all of this started happening. I… I haven't acknowledged your feelings. For me."

Something pulsed through the bunny's frame and she swore that Pikachu's cheeks had somehow grown redder.

"Since the moment we met I knew that you were interested in me. I haven't exactly made it clear to you how I feel. It's not that I wouldn't be… you're pretty so it's not…" Pikachu's paw abruptly left Buneary's to slap his own forehead. Buneary, on the other hand, was unnaturally still, doing her best to keep herself from exploding with enough force to wipe out the region.

Soon a second paw joined the first on Pikachu's face. The two slowly dragged down before he shook his head.

"Okay, let me start over," Pikachu sighed, ears dipping down behind his head. "There's… a lot of things I didn't get to tell Ambi before she died."

Buneary flinched, the words hitting her like one of her own Ice Beams. Immediately her mind concocted reasons for why Ambipom's name had been brought up.

Was Pikachu more interested in her? She was with him from the moment he came to Sinnoh. She was the only other Pokémon Ash let on his shoulder. But then why trade her away to…

"There's also a lot of things I didn't get to tell Heracross and Swellow and Snorlax," Pikachu swiftly added to end that train of thought. "When we were heading back here to fight the fearow I kept thinking about you. Of you not… being there when I made it. I think now, more than ever, I want all of my friends and teammates to know how I feel about them. That way if anything happens then I would have no regrets about something I left unsaid.

"Since this all started you've been there for me. You're the only one I trusted to know I couldn't use my element. I haven't answered your feelings because… I guess I didn't want to start something that wouldn't last. Before all of this, I wasn't sure if you and Dawn were gonna be with us for just this region or longer. I thought starting something with you, feeling something more than just... camaraderie, and then losing you when Dawn left would hurt. I wanted to avoid that. But tomorrow isn't a given anymore. Not taking the chance when we had time is something else I know I'd regret."

"So…" Buneary replied when the silence grew too long .

"What I'm trying to say is… and don't laugh."

Buneary nodded and waited.

"I don't know what the rules are for this. Fighting, I know plenty, but this kinda stuff isn't something that I ever needed to worry about."

"You've never been with another Pikachu?" Buneary eyebrow raised. Pikachu took the question in stride, scratching the back of his head.

"The old man, the one Ash calls the Professor Oak, caught me when I was really young. He kept me in a pokéball for a long time. I didn't really get to interact with other Pokémon and it's probably the reason I never liked being in one. I have no idea what you expect out of it, but I'd be open figuring this out," Pikachu chuckled uncomfortably. With a deep breath she steadied herself and smiled.

"Okay then, what would you like to know."

No matter how much Brock and Dawn's urged Ash to reconsider, the boy had made up his mind. Upon learning of Ash's plans, Mimey rushed ahead and went to work. While he didn't think the trip was good for Ash's mental health, it wasn't his place to stop him.

By the time Ash reached the steps to his old house, the floors had been swept clean. Damaged furniture and shattered ornaments had been moved to the back. The only damage that hadn't been spirited away were the marks on the walls.

Ash said nothing of the emptiness and made for the stairs.

Sleeping in his own bed seemed obvious, but much to Mimey's surprise, and dread, Ash turned the knob to Delia's room. While faint, her scent still lingered in the air.

Days before Ash had arrived, when the fighting had ended, and the dead had been buried, Mimey would sneak off to lock himself in Delia's room. It never made him feel better and he doubted it would be any different for her son.

Ash stood at the threshold to her room. He paused for a moment, quietly taking it all in before stepping inside. His hat fell first, then his jacket. Shoes and socks tumbled across the room. Ash flopped onto the bed, unaware that his clothing floated off the floor to fold itself neatly onto the desk.

Minutes passed without him moving, with only the occasional sniffle filling the void. Mimey grew tired of standing and slipped into Delia's work chair beside the bed. Ash's breathing rhythm evened out and, for a time, the mime felt some reprieve.

But reality was not so kind. Tonight, the price for the boy's sleep was any semblance of peace.

For hours Ash would toss and turn. At times he would mumble something unintelligible. Other moments he would scream and beg for his mother. Mimey sat and watched it all, moving only when half the night had passed with no foreseeable end to Ash's suffering. Glowing fingers brushed aside the matted hair and touched his feverish brow.

Within seconds he found the source of Ash's torment and formed a mental box around it. Ash's thrashing suddenly weakened and stopped. Mimey could've left it there, but curiosity got the better of him. He delved deeper into Ash's memories.

He sifted through the echoes, his innermost thoughts. He expected most of it. Anger and grief were plentiful in Ash's mindscape; he filtered it out. He reached the memories of Brock's plan, then heard a voice he thought he'd never have to hear again.

Even in death you still torment him, Mimey sighed and unclenched his fist. How could Ash not see Ivec's hypocrisy. Sure, he had touched upon an uncomfortable truth, but under scrutiny the justifications for his actions fell apart.

Feeding his flock to convince them to fight, just like killing others to feel safe. His own standing among his kind had been gained through death and subjugation. Whether or not he'd ever admit it, Ivec had benefited from the qualities he'd condemned. Qualities he possessed.

Maybe you were more human that you cared to admit. Maybe Ash made you that way, or maybe it was always there.

And yet, Ash hadn't considered any of this. Despite how much he'd been forced to grow in the last week, Ash was still young. Mimey was tempted to implant the counterargument into his mind, but resisted the urge. Influencing the mind of Delia's child felt wrong.

But what if it's to help him?

Were he a different psychic Pokémon he would've erased the entire conversation from Ash's mind. Alas, his kind lacked the ability to alter the mind to that degree. His own skill in the mind realm was limited at best. Even the supposed benefits of his influence were questionable.

If I could help him, but do nothing, I am guilty of the consequences? Should I not protect him from harm? Don't I owe him that much? Especially after I…no. I can't think about that now. I need to help her son with…

It was in that moment a lightbulb went off and the mime immediately went to work.

"Leader!" Kaua cried, darting around the web of branches that surrounded the new alpha's nest. Ukeke turned from his conversation with another fearow and waited for the spearow scout to catch his breath.

"What do you know?" Ukeke calmly prodded.

"The humans and their fighters," Kaua gasped, "they're approaching our nests."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, the route that they're taking puts them directly on the path to us. They know exactly where we are."

"How many?" Ukeke asked and did his best to force down the dread he was feeling.

"The group is small. Only a few humans and fighters. The other scouts do not spot any reinforcements following them but it's possible that the rest could all be hiding in their capture spheres," Kaua explained.

"How long before they arrive?"

"They are moving slowly through the woods and they are bringing with them a corpse."

Ukeke's eyes narrowed. "Ivec's?"

Kaua shook his head. "No, some other creature encased in ice. The ones that buzz with red eyes and stingers."

Ukeke glanced to all the other fearow around him, saw how their feathers ruffled, how their feet clenched the branches. Murmurs of evacuation were starting to spread, along with questions of where they could go that was safe.

If it comes to combat, the flock will not survive another battle. But is that really what the humans are here for? What do they gain by approaching us this way? Is it a statement? That they can stroll calmly into our territory without fear of consequence?

If our whereabouts are known, the most effective way of wiping us out could've been done in the dead of night. Is this their push to force us to leave the region? Or worse, a decoy group meant to draw our focus while the real assault force comes at us from our blind spots? If I give the order to flee the nest, am I playing into their trap? Would I be herding my flock into the actual kill zone?

And yet, the small group and beedrill corpse spoke of something else. Why bother to bring it? Proof of their power? He'd seen the mouse's power up close. One of their flying fighters could just as easily carry the mouse past their scouts and smite the entire swath of forest. One possibility came to him, but it seemed unlikely. Preposterous even. But Ukeke found it hard to dismiss and even hoped it were the case.

But one could never be sure when dealing with humans. Ukeke weighed the gamble: his life and those of the flock on a hunch.

"Kaua, I know you have just arrived, but do you have the strength to fly again?"

The spearow fervently bobbed his head.

"Then I'll need you to take me to them." Kaua stopped nodding, looking as though the ghost of Ivec were standing there instead.

"You need only show it to me," Ukeke continued, "I intend to go alone."

Tracy noted the way Azumarill's ears twitched just before she pointed into the distance. His shaking hands tightened into fists. More than ever he wished he'd ignored Brock and taken his pipe with him. A sideways glance to Scizor told him he wasn't alone in his apprehension.

"How many?" Samurai asked, palm resting on the hilt of his blade. The aqua rabbit spoke her name once and looked to Meowth.

"She says she only hears one of 'em headin for us."

"Just one?" Brock said beneath his breath, then motioned for Mimey to put down their peace offering. The mime did as he was told, the beedrill's corpse floating over to the center of the road a few meters ahead of them. Samurai had picked out one of more intact corpses from the battle at the airport and had Ash's Glalie freeze it to preserve the freshness.

Another minute passed before they saw the first sign of movement in the sky. The Beak Pokémon kept his distance, eyes flitting from one person to another, his wingflaps keeping him aloft.

Brock glanced back and was unsurprised to find a row of frowns meeting the fearow's gaze.

"Can you guys try to look less… threatening?"

"I'm not bowing to them," Tracy growled back, his eyes still trained on the bird. When it became apparent that frowns were the friendliest thing the group could offer, Brock sighed and turned to face the bird.

"We would like to deliver a message to your leader." Brock spoke calmly and carefully. For several wingbeats the fearow did nothing but watch them. The breeder felt a bead of sweat slide down his face and hang from his nose. He fought the urge to wipe it away, wondering if any move on his part would set the bird off.

Another few wingbeats passed when the fearow dipped his beak to study the beedrill body laid out on the floor. Slowly, but surely, he descended a few meters until he was only a few feet from the ground. The bands of wind from his landing carried bits of dirt and debris that brushed against Brock's shoes.

"Fearow," the bird replied, its voice steady.

"He says we're speakin to 'em," Meowth translated.

"Okay," the breeder drew in a long breath through his nose. "That gets rid of a few steps," Brock mumbled to himself.

"Not if he's lying," Tracy quickly added. "He could easily deliver a different message to the real leader and ruin all of this."

"We cannot know for sure," Samurai chided, "Until we do, we must let cooler heads prevail."

Brock shushed them and turned to wipe his brow slowly.

Okay Brock, just like you practiced.

"We come to you in peace. We only wish to talk."

"Fearow, fe fearow fear," squawked the bird.

"He says we got quite a few fighters fer just wantin ta talk."

"They're only here for our protection. We were expecting more of your flock to be present." Mimey watched Scizor gently grab Tracy's shoulder. Azumarill was one of the few who knew where the nest was and after losing Venonat, Tracy refused to be away from his remaining Pokémon. If anything, Scizor was around to keep Tracy from ruining their attempts at negotiations.

"Fe-row. Fear fearow."

"He wants ta know where Ash an Pikachu are," Meowth whispered. Brock's lips were pressed into a thin line.

"Don't tell them anything, Brock. They just want to find him and get their revenge. I told you this wasn't going to work," Tracy hissed.

"It's not over yet, Tracy," Brock growled, "Relax." He twisted away to face the leader.

"We felt having them here would be inappropriate and send the wrong message," Brock diplomatically replied, hoping that was enough to sate leader's curiosity.

"Fear-fe, fearow."

"An what message is dat?" Meowth translated, making sure to imitate the bird's doubtful tone.

Brock nodded, his mouth felt as dry as an ashtray. For what felt like the hundredth time in his head he planned his next words carefully.

"Our group and your flock are going to have a common enemy in the coming days, one that will endanger the lives of everyone in this area."

The fearow bristled, feathers lifting from his body. "Fearow fearow fear!"

"We come talkin bout peace an den we bring promises of fighten."

Samurai slipped past Brock to look at the fearow leader directly.

"We are not asking you or your flock to fight. We believed warning you about this new enemy so that you and your kind could prepare would be the honorable thing to do. But if I am to be honest with you, the last fight with your flock has reduced the strength of our numbers. By ourselves I believe the most we can do is delay the advance of this swarm," Samurai motioned to the beedrill corpse on the ground.

"This was brought to you as a peace offering and was taken from a small hive that we eliminated before it could grow too powerful. The hive that we speak of now is far too large for us to handle alone. We are extending an invitation to fight alongside us against this common enemy. Whether you come or not will not stop us from meeting this swarm head-on." The Fearow said nothing. Instead his stare broke away from them to the bug body before him, then to the woods.

"It may seem attractive for you and your flock to leave this place," Samurai continued, his words seemed to startle the bird. "And there is no shame in that decision," the swordsman quickly added. "But thinking long-term, if this threat is left unchecked, how long will it be before the lands beyond this place are no longer safe. With the help of you and your flock, we may be able to turn the tide and curb their growth."

"Fe Fearow," the bird replied with a subdued crow.

"He's askin if we're plannin ta wipe out this hive too."

Brock shook his head. "We noticed that the fearow who fought us were malnourished. If your flock found the taste of beedrill agreeable, then the hope would be that you'd gain a stable food source while the threat of the swarm's expansion was stopped."

"Fear-ow fear."

"When're we leavin ta go fight?"

"A day or two," Samurai answered. The fearow responded by flapping his wings. Brock brought his hands up to shield his eyes from the waves of dust kicked up by the gales. When they weakened he found the fearow back in the sky, holding a beedrill in his claws.