Omoiyari let out a roar as his antennas smashed against the opposing Xurkitee's cable-like fists. The other Xurkitrees on the side were shrieking and stomping with approval, their excitement powering up the dark rocky environment just as much as their electricity. The two fighters both gave off their own shocking aura as they pushed against each other. A minute later, Omoiyari finally managed to give the Xurkitree a blunt headbutt to the stomach, causing it to recoil and hiss.

"You're a real fighter, aren't you?" jeered the Xurkitree between deep intakes of breath, plunging its long arms into the ground. "It's a shame you placed so much on this fight, because I despise losing!"

The insect-like beast's lip curled into a sneer, revealing his sharp pointed teeth while his long, thin tongue slid over them.

"Then it's only fair to warn you that I never lose!" Omoiyari sneered, his antennas charging with powerful electricity. "Nothing personal, just business."

But before he or his opponent could finish their attacks, the stormy sky above them lit up particularly bright, and a shockingly strong burst of wind swept over the mountain. The Xurkitrees all stopped, and even the fighters paused. The area had gone silent except for the howling of the breeze.

But no wind ever blew in this world.

Omoiyari, his jaw hanging agape, felt his heart race. The wind, the lights, they all pointed to one thing; the opening of a wormhole.

"Out of my way!" Omoiyari suddenly roared, shoving the opposing Xurkitree aside and racing past the ones on the side. He could hear the electric beasts sizzle with anger as he ran away from the Xurkitree's main plant. If a wormhole had indeed opened, he was always the first to realize. It was his job to protect the beasts from humanoids, for he alone knew the danger and violence they could bring.

His antennas began to spark more ferociously as he ran back to where he first came. He could detect the great surge of energy unlike most other ultra beasts. It didn't take long for him to finally lay his eyes on the timely disturbance. A crack or hole in space was vibrating at the edge of the bluff. It pulsed colors from pale pink to blue, the center being an opening full of light. It was as if a large fist had punched through the very fabric of space and time.

Omoiyari let a hiss escape his lips as he crouched low to the ground. His antennas crackled with electricity and he clawed the ground as if sharpening his sharp claw-like hands. He was the guardian of the worlds inhabited by the beasts, and anything that threatened them had to face him.

But he was surprised at what fell out of the wormhole. It was not a legion of humanoid warriors like he expected. It was just one human who immediately collapsed upon crossing the threshold. She was wrapped in a familiar white and gold laced labcoat while clutching at a heap of clothing.

"Katie!" Omoiyari gasped in shakey English, the electricity running through his antennas ceasing as he rushed to the human's side. Just as he reached her, the wormhole vanished in a blink of light.

The woman lifted her head strands of her dirty blond hair draping her face. She looked exhausted, but her face broke into a weak smile as she recognized the beast.

"Omoiyari... it really is you..." Katie said weakly, her hand reaching out to touch Omoiyari's scaly cheek. "I was beginning to think... that I'd have to go back without seeing you..."

A figment of a smile appeared on Omoiyari's face, but it didn't take long to vanish and he asked instead, "Katie, how did you get here? Why are you here? What has happened?"

A small cry echoed around the area as Katie straightened up and adjusted the blankets in her arms. Omoiyari's jaw dropped once more as he realized what she was holding.

"Katie... you have an offspring..." he trailed off, lowering his head to look at the baby in his friend's arms. He had seen human children when in the human world, but he never got to see one so small at such close range.

The woman held out the baby in the blankets and told him softly, "This is my daughter, Isabel. She's seven months old. You can touch her, but you have to be careful. She's very delicate, I hope all the traveling hasn't made her sick..."

But as far as Omoiyari could tell, the baby girl was perfectly healthy. She was looking up at the beast, her eyes wide and a curious expression set on her face. The beast glanced at the child's mother, who gave him an encouraging smile. Omoiyari still felt rather nervous as he bent over the baby and lifted his hand over her as if to touch her hand. The child made a gurgling noise and giggled, her pudgy fist suddenly reaching out and placing her hand on his long clawed finger.

The first true smile to appear in ages lit up on Omoiyari's face, his pointed teeth showing as he looked to Katie with excitement. Unfortunately reality sunk back in, and his face fell.

"Surely you didn't just bring her here just to see me," He said quietly, removing his claw and stepping back. "You wouldn't risk your job and the life of your daughter- and Stirling, you undoubtedly used her power to get here- over someone like me. Why are you here?"

This time it was Katie's turn to look worried. She bit her lip uncomfortably and drew young Isabel closer to her.

"Omoiyari, believe me, you are worth it," Katie disagreed, bowing her head as tears fell from her eyes. "Omoiyari- my friend- I can't take care of Isabel anymore. You see, I'm dying."

The beast suddenly recoiled, his eyes widening with shock.

"Dying?!" He repeated in a high pitched tone, his voice straining. "You can't die! How-"

"It's cancer, Omoiyari," Katie answered dryly, sitting down on the ground and holding Isabel close to her chest. "I'm not sure if you ever learned about it. Cancer is an illness that's actually fairly common since it comes in different forms and types. I won't go into much details, but my doctors think I got this kind of cancer from working around radiation. I refused to quit because I can't just leave Stirling, so I'm not given much time to live."

"But surely you don't need me, your husband-"

"I can't do that!" Katie suddenly snapped more harshly, causing the beast to flinch. She seemed to realize how she sounded because she then said more calmly and softly, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted. My husband, we departed on good terms, but... he's so careless. While his heart is in the right place, he just gambles so much. It's an addiction, and I can't send Isabel to live in ruin."

Omoiyari puffed up like a lizard and contradicted, "Well if not your husband, surely there is someone else who can take her! What about your colleagues? Can't one of them take her?"

Katie looked sternly at the beast and said bitterly, "You know why I can't do that."

The beast stared at her for a moment before finally hissing, "Lusamine."

"You should see how she treats those kids now that Professor Mohn is gone, Omoiyari. She's so much more ruthless, and she's so controlling. She keeps insisting that she will take care of Isabel if I ever... go home. I've already let down Stirling and you, I can't let down Isabel too!"

She suddenly grabbed one of Omoiyari's massive clawed hand and looked him dead in the eyes.

"Omoiyari, you have been my dearest friend for years. I've seen you at your best and worst, and you've seen me at both my high and low points. We have been through so much together. You may be an Ultra Beast, but I trust you more than any other human. I'm begging you, please take care of my baby girl! I know it's a lot to ask if you, but I only trust you to give her the happiness she deserves!"

The beast did not speak. He was remembering his time in the human world. How cruel it had been toward him, to the small beasts that had been left in his care. Katie was the one that saved him, the one human who stood by his side when he needed a friend the most. Now she was coming to him in her greatest time of need. She had never asked much of him, even though he had jeopardized her job and even her life at times.

"Well, I suppose I'll have to leave the Xurkitree plant here," Omoiyari began, looking down at Katie. "The Kartanas live in a vegetated world, as well as the Buzzwoles. They have the closest environments to yours. I'm on good terms with them, so hopefully they won't mind a beast like myself and a human child share a small portion of land. I will do it, but if you become healthy again, you must come back... for both our sakes."

"Y-You'd really do it?" The woman stammered, looking up at the beast with her tear stained face.

"It's the least I can do for all the help you've given me," Omoiyari replies, bending down and touching her nose with his snake-like one. "You've done so much for me in the human world. You've gone above and beyond for me even though I probably don't deserve it. I will try to give your child the same compassion and care you've shown me."

He gave a little hiss of surprise as Katie suddenly hugged him with her one child free arm. The girl, Isabel, also let out a gurgle of surprise but did not cry. Omoiyari could think of nothing else to do but pat his friend awkwardly on the head with his large hand.

He was greatly saddened by the thought that this may be the last time he will ever see his oldest and only friend. She had been the one to show him true kindness for the first time, but if taking care of her daughter, her one legacy, he would do it.

How bad could she possibly be?