The night sky was covered in a blanket of smoke. By Markenel's command, Giovanni, his soldiers, and their Pokemon raided homes and businesses all over Lumiose City. On occasion, they would find Arceans and their Pokemon hiding in someone's home or shop, but most were found to not be hiding anyone. Some places that were found empty did not satisfy the justice minister, so he forced the civilians out of their homes and had the soldiers burn their homes to the ground. By the time they had gone through the city, there wasn't a sector that didn't have a couple dozen or so buildings set ablaze.

Lumiose Cathedral's bells were ringing for the evening mass as Markenel, Giovanni, Persian, and a squadron of soldiers and their Pokemon were searching a blacksmith shop. The blacksmith was a tall, well-built man in his fifties with brown eyes, brown hair, and a beard. Beside him was a scrawny man in his mid-twenties with blue eyes, messy medium-length bright yellow hair with a lightning-bolt shaped tuft on top, and a girl in her late teens with shiny golden-blonde hair tied in a side ponytail with an orange band, and sky blue eyes. Beside the younger man was a Bunnelby, and a Dedenne stood on the girl's shoulder. The five of them watched helplessly with weapons pointing at them as the soldiers searched their home, destroying anything on sight. Eventually, the soldiers came outside to salute Markenel and Giovanni with a female soldier with blond hair in pigtails reporting.

"Sir, there's no sign of any Arcean hiding here," she said.

"Are you sure, Domino?" Giovanni asked.

"I searched the place four times to make sure," Domino replied.

"Very well," Giovanni said before turning to Markenel. "Your orders, sir?"

"There's no guarantee the blacksmith doesn't have a hiding place so good that we can't find it," Markenel said. "Burn it to the ground."

"No!" The girl cried out. She tried to run to the house in a vain attempt to protect it, but the young man wrapped his arms around her to hold her back.

"Bonnie, stop. There's nothing we can do," he said.

Two soldiers turned to their Pyroar and Turtonator and ordered them to use Flamethrower on the shop. Within half a minute, the entire building caught fire, and the family could do nothing but hold each other close as the girl cried and her father and brother fought the tears in their eyes. Giovanni watched them with a twisted grin while Markenel watched their home burn, imagining Arceans and their Pokemon burning inside.

The judge and the captain's moment of entertainment were interrupted by Butch, Cassidy, and a dozen other soldiers marching to meet them. Markenel furrowed his brow to find that they didn't have Serena, Sylveon, or any other Arceans and Pokemon in chains or cages.

"Sir, we've searched everywhere in the north sector and found no sign of the Arcean woman or her Pokemon," Butch said.

Giovanni sighed and said, "That's the last area we hadn't checked. What now, Minister Markenel?"

Markenel's frown deepened. He looked down in thought and said to himself, "How could this have happened? I had the entire cathedral surrounded by guards at every door. There was no way she could have escaped. The scouts should have found her when they searched the entire cathedral except for -"

His eyes widened slightly as the answer became clear. He looked up to where he could see Lumiose Cathedral from a distance, where Timothy was still ringing the bells at the north tower.

******************************************************************************************************

Up at the tower, Shockwave and Odyssey were inside the room under the bells, from the rectangular window. The Kirlia and the Riolu were crestfallen as they looked from the rectangular window families helplessly watch their homes burn to ashes.

On the table where Timothy kept his city model, there was an untouched plate of bread and cheese and a goblet of wine. Archdeacon Sycamore had Timothy's meals sent to him by one of the monks when it became clear that Markenel was not coming to feed his adopted son, but when he heard from the monk what the judge was doing, Timothy couldn't eat his supper. Electchu entered the room and walked over to its friends. It hopped onto the window ledge, and it flinched at the sight of the burning city.

"How's Timothy?" Odyssey asked.

"Still not great. He'll probably be done ringing the bells soon," Electchu said. "Are the soldiers still at it?"

Shockwave sighed and said, "We don't know. All we can see is people and Pokemon having their homes raided or destroyed."

Electchu sighed and said, "I was afraid of that."

"Oh, it's hopeless," Odyssey said with its voice filled with dread. "At this rate, I'm beginning to fear the worst for Serena and Sylveon."

"Maybe, but we can't say anything like that to Timothy. He's worried enough as it is," Shockwave said.

"Yeah, you're right. When he comes in, we should lighten the mood," Electchu said.

"But how are we going to do that?" Odyssey protested. "Master Markenel is searching the entire city looking for the woman our friend likes."

"We're just gonna have to stay positive," Shockwave said. "We just need to encourage Timothy into thinking Master Markenel hasn't found Serena."

Odyssey's mouth quivered, unsure that it could follow along with Shockwave's idea. Its fear grew when it heard the bells stop ringing and Timothy making his way down to the room. Odyssey turned to Shockwave, who mouthed out, "Not a word," before it and Electchu faced forward at the window. The Riolu's body shook as it heard Timothy enter the room and walk over to his friends.

"Any sign of her?" Timothy asked.

Immediately, Odyssey wailed hysterically with its head up and its hands in the air, catching everyone off balance.

"Oh, it's a lost cause!" It howled. "She could be in the stocks, or the dungeon, or on the rack!"

Odyssey used Timothy's sleeve as a handkerchief as it cried. Timothy's heart sank, and he looked out at the city, feeling in more suspense. Shockwave facepalmed and groaned, wishing it could use Psychic to strangle Odyssey. Electchu's ears hung low, and it looked down in the ground in thought until it thought of an idea.

"Don't be silly, Odyssey," the mouse Pokemon said, catching everyone's attention. "If I know Serena, she's three steps ahead of Master Markenel and well out of harm's way. "

"What makes you so sure?" Timothy asked.

"The way I look at it, she and her oh-so-beautiful Sylveon were smart enough to escape from him once at the Feast of Fools using parlor tricks no matter how many soldiers surrounded them," Electchu answered confidently. "Those two are probably still hiding in the Court of Miracles until this thing blows over, and when it does, Serena will be back to see you again."

"You really think she will?" Timothy asked with a hint of hope in his voice.

Electchu smirked and whispered to Shockwave, "Play along." It took a second before the Kirlia understood what its friend was thinking and turned to Timothy with a bright smile.

"Yeah, Electchu's right," Shockwave said. "Serena did say that she will come visit you. Didn't she?"

Timothy took a second to think about it before looking out the window with the left side of his mouth starting to curl.

"Yeah, she did," he admitted.

Shockwave used the moment of Timothy looking away from the Pokemon to whisper into Odyssey's ear. The emanation Pokémon's face lit up, realizing its opportunity to redeem itself, and joined in.

"And did she not want you to come with her to the Court of Miracles?" Odyssey asked.

"She...did," Timothy admitted.

"Well, there you go," Electchu said. "And heck, Serena did say all of that, knowing it would mean leaving her hideout to sneak her way up here despite being a fugitive and all, so she clearly sees you as someone worth risking herself for."

The small hint of a smile on Timothy's face melted into a frown, and he turned to his friends, saying, "Come on, guys. Be serious. Why would I be considered worth risking herself for?"

"Because she already did it once at the festival," Electchu said.

"And because you're her hero who helped her and her Pokemon partner escape so that she could go back to her home," Odyssey said. "She kissed you for crying out loud."

"On the cheek," Timothy said.

"That's still a clear sign that she likes you," Shockwave said. "Seriously, Timothy, we were here when Serena and Sylveon were up here. That woman has never known anyone like you, and she rightfully enjoyed learning so much about you last night. I mean, come on. Serena liked your sculptures, that you can understand us, you introduced her to the bells, and she didn't think less of you when you told her about your relationship with Master Markenel."

"Exactly," Electchu said before it climbed up on Timothy and stood on his head. "Wake up and smell the flowers, buddy. No matter how you look at it, that woman really cares about you. Why I don't think it would be too shabby to think, she could be falling in love with you."

The hunchback's face turned barn red, and he looked down at the floor, almost making Electchu fall off his head.

"L-l-love?" Timothy stuttered. "Serena could be falling in love with me?"

"If she hasn't completely fallen in love already," Electchu claimed.

"But even if that's true, how could Serena hope to have a future with me?" Timothy asked. "She may not think less of me for being Master Markenel's son, but if he found out about us, he'd be furious, and that's not taking into account that Serena doesn't want to stay here forever."

"Timothy, she said she'll come after sunset, which is long after Master Markenel comes to feed you supper. There's no way he could catch you two," Odyssey said, taking Timothy's left hand. "And besides, it's like Shockwave said yesterday: Master Markenel won't be here forever, so when he passes, Serena can come here whenever she wants, and you two could think about the future together. Right, Shockwave?"

"Right as rain," Shockwave agreed, holding the hunchback's right hand. "It might not be easy, but as far as we're concerned, Serena is probably willing to face anything with you, Timothy. Don't you want that? You, Serena, together?"

Timothy's face turned maroon, and he was silent for a moment before he lifted his head and said, "Y-y-yes, I would. I care about Serena, and I would like to make her happy. If she feels that way about me, I do want us to be together."

"Well then, you must show it to her," Electchu said. "Make every time she comes to see you meaningful for her, and when she wants to take things to the next level, don't let her go."

With the last word of advice, Timothy's face lit up, and his heart began to race. The hunchback turned to him and Serena's figures and imagined spending time with her as a couple. The more he thought about it, the more he believed that what the Pokemon said would inevitably happen.

"You're right, Electchu. Serena probably does like me, and I like her too," he said. "The next time she comes, I'll do everything I can to make her time with me just as good if not better than last night, and I'll continue to do so every time she comes until we both fall in love."

Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey cheered, with Electchu jumping up and down on Timothy's head. The beaming hunchback moved the figures of him and Serena closer and started to think about when he would see her again. The Pokemon shook each other's hands, silently congratulating each other for lifting up their friend's spirit.

Just then, their moment was interrupted by the sound of the entrance door to the north tower opening downstairs.

"Timothy?" They heard Serena call out. "Timothy, are you in there?"

Timothy's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice. He rushed out of the room and went down the steps to find the honey blonde woman standing at the entrance. Serena smiled to see the hunchback running over to her and walked over to hug him.

"Serena, I knew you'd come back!" Timothy exclaimed. "I'm so happy you're safe!"

Serena broke the hug to give Timothy a sweet look for him being so caring. Her smile then softened, and she put Timothy's hands together with her hands.

"You've done so much for me, my friend," she said. "But I must ask for your help one more time."

"Yes. Anything," Timothy said without missing a beat.

Serena let go of his hands and went outside for a moment. Timothy, Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey grew excited that he got another chance to spend time with his crush until Serena returned with her and Miette carrying Ash with his arms around their shoulders, followed by Pikachu, Sylveon, and Slurpuff. Ash was still unconscious, and the cloth wrapped around both sides of his wound had turned red under his shirt. The blunette woman was unsettled with seeing the hunchback again, but she kept it to herself.

"This is Ash," Serena said. "He's wounded and a fugitive like me. He can't go on much longer, we have nowhere else to go, and I knew he would be safe here. Please, can you hide him?"

The woman Timothy admired gave him a pleading look that worried him. The fear and desperation in her ocean blue eyes made him wonder what was her relationship with the injured man until Odyssey elbowed Timothy to snap him out of his train of thought to remind him of the matter at hand. The hunchback gestured to the two women to follow him, and he brought them back up the room. Timothy took out the tablecloth from the cabinet and laid it down on the floor for Serena and Miette to lay Ash down. Serena took off her cloak, rolled it up, and put it under Ash's head just as his eyes opened and met hers.

"Serena..." he said.

"Shhh. Don't talk," Serena said. "You're gonna stay here until you're strong enough to move."

Pikachu walked over to lick its partner on the cheek, and Ash gave it a weak smile. Sylveon stood beside Pikachu and nudged the mouse Pokemon with its head, hoping it would soothe Pikachu's nerves. Electchu tilted its head at the intertwining Pokemon's action while Serena gently took off Ash's shirt and turned to Timothy.

"Do you have any water we can use to clean the wound?" She asked.

"I have some wine," he said.

"That will work," Serena said.

Timothy walked over to the table, where his dinner was still untouched and took the goblet of wine. He walked back and handed it to Serena, who unwrapped the cloth covering Ash's wounds.

"This might hurt a little," she warned.

Ash gave a little grin at how Serena used his words from when they first met. Serena and Miette carefully moved Ash to his side and the former poured wine on his wounds. Ash clenched his teeth, fighting the urge to scream from the pain.

"Well, that hurt," he groaned. "Feels like a 1470 Nacrene City. Not a good year."

Serena chuckled at his joke while Miette stitched the hole on his back. When she finished, the women put Ash back on his back, and Miette gave Serena the thread and needle. Miette, Slurpuff, Pikachu, Sylveon, Timothy, Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey silently watched Serena stitch the front wound while Ash turned to look at her again.

"Serena, listen," he said.

"Don't talk right now, Ash," Serena said, her eyes focused on the hole.

"I'm sorry that I got you and Sylveon trapped in the cathedral," Ash said.

"Don't worry about it," Serena said. "You and Pikachu were just trying to protect us."

"No. That's not true," Ash said, shaking his head. "We didn't do it just to keep you from being arrested. The truth is I have feelings for you, and Pikachu has feelings for Sylveon."

Serena stopped stitching to finally look at the raven-haired man, surprised with her cheeks heating up. Sylveon turned its head to Pikachu, who scratched the back of its head and looked away bashfully.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and I admire your passion for dancing and conviction to help others and make them smile," Ash confessed. "That more than anything else influenced me to keep you from being arrested. I didn't think about how it could have kept you and your Pokemon from returning to your home. From your people and Pokemon." He frowned and turned his head away from Serena, feeling unworthy to look at her. "If you don't feel the same and you and Sylveon despise me and Pikachu for what we have done, I understand."

Serena stared at the raven-haired man, shocked yet touched by his confession. Miette and Slurpuff looked at each other, dumbfounded that one of Markenel's soldiers would say those things to their friend. Pikachu continued to look away from Sylveon, sharing the shame its partner felt. After several seconds, Serena's shock turned into a sweet smile.

"I don't despise you, Ash," she said.

"Are you sure?" Ash asked. "I arrested so many of your people and Pokemon along with everyone who sympathizes with the Arceans."

"You had no other choice," Serena said. "Besides, you saved Karsten and his family even though Markenel and your father told you to kill them. They owe you their lives. You and Pikachu didn't even show fear when you went inside their burning house or when they were about to execute you. I've don't anyone who would do something so brave. I don't know what we'll do for everyone who's imprisoned, but as far as I'm concerned, you stood up for justice when it mattered most."

Ash turned his head, and stared at her, amazed that she would praise him despite what he and Pikachu had done. Serena took his silence to finish stitching up his wound. After cutting the thread with her teeth, she looked at Ash again with another smile for a moment before she gave a concerned look.

"Are you going to be alright, no longer being a soldier?" She asked.

Ash frowned and looked away from Serena again.

"I'll get over it eventually, but it's still hard to believe things have gone this far," he said. "All of our years of service, and it was to a system that ignores parts of the law and would murder people and Pokemon for virtually nothing. Not to mention, my father disowned me just for standing up for what is right. I don't know what we'll do, but at least Pikachu and I have each other."

Serena smiled and put her hand on Ash's cheek to turn his head to her. She leaned her head to him until their noses were touching, staring intensely into his brown eyes.

"Pikachu's not the only one you have," she said.

Serena leaned her head closer without another word, and Ash lifted his head until their lips met. Serena began caressing Ash's cheek while putting his hand on the back of her head as they kissed. Miette covered her mouth with both hands while Slurpuff's mouth hung open. Pikachu watched Ash and Serena with its ears perked up until it felt Sylveon lick it on the cheek. The mouse Pokemon turned to Sylveon, who gave it a loving look, and its yellow face turned as red as its cheeks. Sylveon took things a step further by wrapping one of its feelers around Pikachu and began nuzzling it. It took a moment before Pikachu smiled and returned the affection.

Timothy, on the other hand, watched Ash and Serena kiss each other, devastated. He stepped away until his back was against the wall, his eyes began to water, and his mouth quivered as he felt his heart break. He shut his eyes and walked away to the window. Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey watched him rest his arms against the ledge and quietly sob with his arms covering his face. The three Pokemon's hearts broke for their friend. Electchu didn't care that Sylveon chose another Pokemon. It felt nothing but shame for building Timothy's hopes up.

After several minutes, Timothy lifted his head and wiped away his tears. His sobs turned into sniffles. He looked down as he rested his chin with his arms until he saw Markenel's carriage parking in the city square. The judge stepped out of the carriage, holding a basket, and was walking toward the cathedral. The hunchback's broken heart became filled with fear, and he rushed over to Serena, Ash, and the others.

"You need to leave," Timothy said. "Master Markenel's coming."

Ash and Serena broke their kiss, and the honey blonde woman lifted her head to Timothy.

"Now?" She asked.

"Yes, now," Timothy said. "I don't know why he would come up here so late, but you need to leave right now."

"Why would he come up here?" Miette asked, confused.

"Doesn't matter. You two and your Pokemon need to get out before he finds you," Timothy said.

"But what about Ash?" Serena asked.

"Electchu, Shockwave, Odyssey, and I will hide him," Timothy said, ignoring the pain in his heart from Serena's worry for another man.

Serena hesitated, not wanting to leave Ash's side until she accepted that she had no other choice. She turned back to Ash and leaned in for one more kiss.

"I'll come back," she promised.

"I'll be waiting," Ash said.

Pikachu and Sylveon gave each other looks of dread, knowing that the mouse Pokemon needed to stay with its partner. Pikachu pulled Sylveon into a hug, and the intertwining Pokemon nuzzled its head against Pikachu's while using its feelers to hug Pikachu back. They broke their hug just as Timothy began leading Serena, Miette, and Slurpuff out of the room, and Sylveon reluctantly followed behind. The Arcean women and their Pokemon followed Timothy outside to the balcony, and he pointed at the south tower.

"Go down the south tower steps to the middle floor," he instructed. "There's another staircase on the other side that will lead you to one of the side entrances."

"Thanks," Miette said before she hastily ran toward the staircase with Slurpuff.

Serena and Sylveon followed behind their friends for a couple of seconds before Serena stopped and ran back to Timothy. She took his hands, held them up, and stared into his green eyes.

"Please, be careful, Timothy," she begged. "Promise me you won't let anything happen to Ash or Pikachu."

Timothy paused for a second, still emotionally hurt that Serena cared so much for someone else before accepting that he would never refuse a request from her and that Ash's safety was more important than his feelings.

"I promise," he said.

Serena gave him a small smile and placed her hand on his cheek. Timothy smiled back, wishing he and Serena could stay like that forever, but the moment only lasted a moment before Serena turned around. All Timothy could do is watch the woman he cared about run to the south stairs with her Pokemon and climb down until they were out of sight.