Marshal stood at the edge of the Greater Crater of Paldea, his heart raced as he look down at the cloud shrouded pits below.

He was about to enter the most dangerous area in Paldea, and confront whatever horrific things Ubel did down there. Arven pat him on the back, "We got this man. Together."

Marshal shook his head, "I just want this to be over dude. You know?"

"It almost is," Arven assured, "I get how you feel. On some level I felt the same way the first time I came to Area Zero, but the relief when I faced that AI and it was finally over was bliss. I know we'll stop Ubel. I know he's scary but you're not alone."

Marshal gave a relieved smile, "Thanks man." He adjusted a parachute on his back, "So do we just aim for the bottom?"

"Yeah even if these fails our Rotom Phones will catch us but that can hurt your arms from this high up so, better we use these." Arven replied.

Marshal tried to work up the courage to jump. He thought about his family, Madeline, and his hatred for Ubel. However it was not the hatred that gave him the courage but the love for his family.

He walked back a few steps, "OK. OK. I'm gonna do it." Marshal let out a scream to psyche himself up and leapt with all his might into the crater, ripping the cord on his parachute just above the clouds. The green fabric chute slowed his descent through the clouds, which were wet and frosty. This sensation like falling through slush lasted only a few seconds before he was beholden to the horrible majesty of Area Zero.

Area Zero was a dazzling, but dangerous place. The crystals dazzled the eyes in a rainbow, sparkling display under what seemed to be eternal sunlight. Maybe night and day merely looked the same down here?

Arven and Marshal began to walk downward, passing by various hostile Pokémon of the future they had to fight off. However their Pokémon were strong and their brotherhood stronger, meaning the beasts of that era were of little threat to them by this point.

So they began to walk as they proceeded, Walking Wake affectionately nuzzling Marshal and causing him to stagger due to its girth from time to time. Marshal chuckled, "Heh! Down big guy! Easy!"

Arven chuckled, "Yeah, he's a big old teddy bear isn't he?"

"Yeah," Marshal chuckled, "But like, you remember our theory on how if the future is better the future Pokémon would be weaker?"

Arven nodded, "Yeah I was thinking on that. Maybe it had some connection to the future Pokémon having "Ubel Industries" engraved into their bodies."

"I mean it would make sense," Marshal shrugged, "Has Jacq found anything on them?"

"They're organic inside," Arven replied, "At least mostly. Enough so they live and breathe and eat. However, their exteriors are like armor, and they only open up, in an almost literal sense, to trainers they trust. It feels more like normal Pokémon twisted into metal casings than anything else."

"I mean maybe Ubel wanted to build weapons?" Marshal shrugged before getting a confused expression, "Or would it be will want to? I dunno man. Maybe he wants to now and just, hasn't yet?"

"Yeah but it sounds like something he would do," Arven reminded as the duo entered the cave near the bottom of Area Zero, "I should call Florian and see if any of his Paradox Pokémon have any clues but he's only speaking to Nemona in code. Which, the more I think on it, that's really worrying, right? Something's up there."

"I'll speak to Nemona about it next I see her," Marshal assured as the two began to walk past the dormant Glimora, the lake at the bottom was quiet, and the thin puddle-depth layer of water sloshed and rippled as they walked through it. "This place is crazy though. I'm not shocked Ubel hid something down here."

Arven nodded, "I'm just baffled my parents worked with the guy."

"Maybe they didn't know his true nature," Marshal suggested in hopes it would prevent Arven from thinking even less of the late professors and upset him.

Arven shrugged, "Who knows at this point what they were thinking? Anyways Marshal we..."

Marshal wasn't listening anymore, as he stood frozen in place, turning to see something Walking Wake was growling at.

There she stood Mabosstiff by her side. Madeline, spectral with no legs and an angelic white robe, as if watching over him from the rock pathways above. The Pokémon above the duo on that pathway seemed to ignore her like she didn't exist at all.

"Marshal!" Arven yelled, snapping in his face, "Hey! Dude! You OK?"

Marshal rubbed his eyes, "Huh? Oh. Yeah yeah. I... I thought I saw somethin'. Is that the lab?"

Arven nodded as the duo approached the monolithic lab. It stood like a spike impaled into the world, as if Area Zero had been stabbed by its creation. The metal door creaked open slowly, and the two entered the rundown lab, stepping over the debris from the damages, echoes of an incident long past.

Arven and Marshal began to look around without a word. The world was to quiet and still here for them to speak, as if it was a sacred place where speech was forbidden. Arven walked over to a board with a bunch of photos on it and grabbed form it for a closer look. His hands shook as he beheld what it was.

Arven wiped away his tears as Marshal checked on him, "Hey, dude, you OK?" Marshal looked over his shoulder to see the photo, one of a young Arven with his Mabosstiff back when it was a puppy. "Oh. Yeah it's... it's OK to cry man. I'm here for you."

"I know you of all people get it," Arven shook his head collecting himself.

Marshal nodded sadly, "Yeah, but, we got each other, right man?"

Arven smiled and offered Marshal a hug which he accepted. He held Marshal tight, like he was scared Marshal would fly away, "You're the best brother I could ask for dude." Arven let go after what felt like a minute.

Marshal didn't protest, after all, why wouldn't he want to hug his brother? Afterwards he asked Arven, "So, like, you good then?"

Arven nodded, "I'll be alright yeah. Sorry about that. I'm taking the photo though."

Marshal nodded in understanding, "I don't blame you man, I would too."

Marshal spotted a latch with a lock under the table, "Hey... wait. This is it!"

The latch opened quietly, like it was well maintained, and a ladder went down into the darkness under the lab. The two begin to climb down, the only sound the metal clanging of their feet against each rung of the ladder until they reached the bottom. The floor felt soft, carpeted with some fancy material. Arven felt around for a light switch, finding one and turning it out to reveal Ubel's secret lab.

The lab was shockingly well maintained, and it was clear Ubel had been here recently, weeks ago, by the fact that there was still running water and electricity functional in the place. The floor was a soft red carpeting and there was a nice red armchair by a coffee table made of Alolan Exeggutor wood giving it a soft brown color, like milk chocolate almost. The room had some old lab equipment in a cornered off section with white tile floor in the back. Marshal and Arven began to look around.

"How long has he been studying down here?" Arven asked under his breath. "Did the AI know about this?"

Marshal did hear him and replied, "More importantly WHAT was he studying down here that he kept secret even from the other scientists?"

The two began to look around. Arven spotted some cabinets, a sink, and portable stove off to the side. He opened the cabinets, one was full of textbooks on the Sinnohian faith, old Hisuian legends, and Pokémon biology. There were copies of the Scarlet and Violet book inside as well. The other was filled with non-perishable canned goods.

"He must have been prepared to stay at least a month strait to finish something judging by these supplies," Arven pointed out as he examined a can of Caspakid teeth.

"So it wasn't prep for some sort of apocalypse or anything, but some sort of work he may have to focus on." Marshal suggested.

Arven nodded in agreement, "It appears so."

Arven closed the cabinets and turned to see Marshal picking up a black journal bound in Tarous leather from the coffee table. "What's that?" Arven inquired.

Marshal opened it and his eyes went wide with shock, "Arven! This is his diary! It could have a confession, or something!"

"Well don't just speculate, let's read it!" Arven exclaimed.

Marshal opened to the first entry, which was from over a decade ago:

The entry read: My name is Ubel, and I am a scientist working in the Area Zero Research Team with doctors Turo and Sada. We have discovered something amazing today. A miracle second only to Arceus himself. Strange crystals that can change the typings of Pokémon. This could be the biggest thing since the Z Crystals of Alola. We do not yet fully understand where they came from however, but hopefully we can find the source of this power soon.

Marshal read the next entry which was from a couple years later, Arven was reading over his shoulder now, curious as to what it could say.

The entry read: I often forget Clavell is a fool without the light of Arceus. We were discussing today the social implications of the Tera Crystals as we have named them and somehow that devolved into a discussion about the future. Clavell hopes to one day become the Director of the Academy.

I am fortunately Deputy Director and will do everything I can to stop him. He simply does not understand the roles of men and women in society. He does not understand we should stay in our lanes just as Arceus intended. I like my life and I'm not going to change because it's "morally wrong" or because of "toxic gender roles" or any other crap. I will follow the word of Arceus.

What really got under my skin was Clavell claiming that this thinking was a sin. That the word of Arceus is acceptance and kindness, not restrictive roles. He claimed I was using Arceus to defend my "sin" as he called it was a second sin!

Mouth breathing fool.

I'm so sick of people trying to rock the boat. Things were better the way they were before. If it wasn't for these woke morons willing my wife's head with lies she would never have left.

Fools. Sinners, the lot of them.

I will take charge of Paldea to save it from this degeneracy if I must. The Academy holds a lot of political sway. I could easily pivot from Director to king if given the chance. I know there are enough who would follow me to preform a coup.

However this is wishful thinking for now.

I will continue to study the crystals and bide my time.

Marshal turned to Arven and shook his head solemnly, unsure how to put his feelings of disgust into words.

"Yeah this sucks," Arven nodded in agreement, "Looks to me like the classic case of a man being too arrogant to change and doubling down on his ego rather than trying to be a good person. He cares about himself and uses Arceus, zealotry, as a scapegoat. You see it time and again."

Marshal nodded in agreement, "I hear it's really bad, people like that, over in Unova. That's why I've never actually been."

"I think it's gonna get worse," Arven reminded as Marshal began to turn the page. He extended his hand for the book, genuine concern in his eyes, "You sure you can handle reading whatever it says?"

Marshal nodded, "I have to know how bad it gets. I have to see what he wrote about Madeline. Maybe it'll give me like, closure or something. Anything."

Arven nodded in understanding and leaned over the chair as Marshal sat down on it. "Then let's continue."

Marshal read the next diary entry which was about a year after the last.

The entry read: I confided by plans in one of the two professors the other day. They did not seem fond of my intentions to rise to power in Paldea. Here I thought they were the logical ones but they claimed science didn't line up fully with my claims and that there may be "societal factors". If someone can't rise above "societal factors" that's their issue. I got educated and rose to my position fair and square. Sure my father gave me the funding to pursue said education but all the same...

That aside, I heard them arguing about it late last night. One claimed I was too valuable to discard for their so-called "paradise". A foolish delusion they've been consumed by. The other claimed I was too dangerous to keep around. I heard the sound of glass breaking and their infant son, Arven, began to cry.

There was silence for a few seconds and then one of them stormed off.

They never returned.

It is of no great loss. This project is shot anyways. The professor's obsession with the Time Machine has doomed this whole operation.

I will have to pursue other prospects if things don't change.

Arven sighed, "Oh my God he just ruins everything he touches man." Arven rubbed his eyes, exasperated at everything to do with Ubel.

"I don't know if this helps any," Marshal suggested, "But I think that what happened with your parents wasn't Ubel's fault, and hey, maybe one of them is still alive, you know?"

Arven shook his head, "I know you mean well but it's more the fact that he had this much power for this long when he's clearly a horrible zealot who can't admit wrong. Remember the part about his wife? He knows he's wrong on some level he has too, but he chooses not to admit it. He's actively choosing not to right? Has to be."

Marshal nodded in agreement, "That's what makes men like him scary. They are taught evil by older evil people and due to their greed and pride when given the chance to change, they refuse. We should keep reading. Maybe we'll learn more about his plans."

The next entry was another year later. The writing was frantic and excited, going outside the lines and crammed haphazardly at the edges of the page.

The entry read: It works. The Time Machine! It worked!

This changes EVERYTHING!

The he professor brought in two Pokémon which resembled Cyclizar. One was more aggressive than the other. The two don't seem to get along.

However none of that matters. Late last night I entered the room with the Time Machine, examining the device, but it then activated.

There was a light.

It was beautiful.

Then there was a voice.

It showed me a future.

The future.

MY future.

A world of Arceus's light, where everyone was where they are SUPPOSED to be. A world where metal Pokémon slaughtered the degenerate sinners of the world, mass produced by a company under my name. Ubel Industries.

Many seemed miserable but if they feel "oppressed" for doing the right thing they're just bad people.

A voice in the shape of a turtle spoke to me.

"Arceus will not create the world you desire. Keep the machine running and I will for you."

That is the world Arceus wants though right?

Had to be.

I will create that world, and it will be divine.

...

I don't recall writing that last entry.

Marshal kept reading. Him and Arven knew now for certain that Ubel did question himself and continued anyways. He was a zealot who chose to stay evil of his own volition.

The next entry was written about two years ago.

The entry read: Team Star you mouth breathing fools! They drove cars onto campus because of what some teasing and name calling? Oh boo hoo!

I was bullied and I turned out great!

Besides, they had it coming. They didn't do what they were supposed to do. It would have taught them a lesson!

But no I'm supposed to accept people for being "different"? No! Screw that!

Things were perfect back before all this whole crap!

What am I supposed to consider I was wrong?

Make me!

Fortunately during a project in Galar some years ago, I sold research on Dynamax Energy and Eternatus to the royal family so they owe me a favor I've already called in. I will be able to take charge as director in about two years via their connections.

From there it will be easy to rise to political power via the esteem of the position. It won't hurt I have... other plans.

During my time here I have captured countless Paradox Pokémon, including a form of Virizion turned into a mechanical cop via my future empire.

I will be like the old kings of Paldea from long ago.

My intention is this: release the Paradox Pokémon upon Paldea, feeding some Herba Mystica that they may become Titan Pokémon and allow them to run rampant. I will then use the civil unrest this causes to declare myself someone who can help, promising peace.

It will then be easy to recapture them. I have studied them in secret on my own in a hidden bunker, so I know them inside and out.

I will then expel Team Star to prevent them from causing further issues.

All that's left before I go is the matter of Madeline and Marshal. Two prodigies. While Nemona and Geeta are stronger trainers and Geeta holds some level of power over Paldea I don't fear them as they are not degenerates.

However one of those two are. I merely do not know which.

It would be a waste to lose both to the degeneracy and sin of just one of them not knowing their place.

Therefore I shall eliminate the degenerate sibling. They have it coming anyways.

I will be confronting Madeline at the top of Paldea's highest peak before I retreat to Galar for a time.

Then I shall return to my bunker to research the Paradox Pokémon further before enacting my plans.

Arven's eyes went wide with shock as he exclaimed, "Marshal! This is it! This is everything we need!" Arven offered a high five, ecstatic, "We got him Marshal!"

Marshal high fived him, "Hell yeah! This is all the evidence we need!"

Arven nodded and laughed, "It's over for him dude! You become champion, make amends with Team Star and he'll be sunk! I'm gonna go tell Clavell! Be right back!"

Arven leapt up the metal ladder, metallic clanging echoing throughout the bunker as Marshal turned the page to see one final entry, and his eyes went wide with horror.

It was from mere days ago.

The entry read:

Marshal has been spreading rumors of the fact I killed his brother.

It would appear he was already tainted by degeneracy.

However I do not wish to kill the boy. It would be better to make an example of him.

I will remind him he is nothing next to me, and cut his arms off.

He will never raise a fist to my empire.

Then I shall rise as the new king of Paldea, and guide the world towards my future where everyone is where they belong. Miserable or not that's how it's SUPPOSED to be.

Marshal felt bile rise in his throat as he closed the book. This was the horror of Ubel and those similar to him. More concerned with ego than doing the right thing. More concern with their fragile masculinity than the happiness of people.

Arceus would be disgusted by Ubel and his actions. This Marshal knew for certain.

What God would wish such suffering upon the world?

It wouldn't unless it was malevolent.

However Ubel was, and hence didn't realize this.

Marshal knew that vision of his future was not from Arceus, but from whence it came he did not know.

This did confirm one other thing.

The theory of the natural progression and goodness of mankind being rendered off track by a great evil causing the Future Paradox Pokémon to be stronger was true.

As they were of Ubel's future where he ruled as a tyrant, and were twisted into weapons for his bigotry.

"Arven!" Marshal called, shaking, "Arven! Hey! I... Arceus... Hey man I need you to like... look at this... or..."

Marshal took slow deep breaths and trailed off. What could he even say at this point. He began to climb up the metal ladder, looking for Arven, not wanting to be alone with this horrific revelation.

He then heard a voice, "Marshal! Over here!"

Was that Arven? It had to be, right?

He entered a room with crystalline walls on all sides, and an odd device in the middle. The room was otherwise empty aside from the dazzling crystals and a lone figure in the middle, a young woman next to a Mabosstiff.

She turned towards Marshal wordlessly. Tears welled in the boy's eyes, a mix of happiness and shock, "Madeline? Madeline is it really you?

The specter wordlessly gripped her Pokéball...

Memory of Madeline would like to battle.

Madeline stared at Marshal with a soft look in her eyes, one of gentle compassion, but all the same she didn't hesitate. She sent out her Houndoom first, contained in a dusk ball. Marshal remembered she caught it as a puppy from a cave in the south of the region. The hound was too surrounded by a ghostly purple fog.

Houndoom is surrounded by a spectral power!

Houndoom's defense and special defense rose!

Marshal considered his options to counter the Houndoom. He collected himself, trying not to cry at the sight of his dead sister he missed so dearly. However he could read it on her face.

This wasn't the time for words.

It was a time for action.

Marshal sent out Paws, knowing that Houndoom was a frail Pokémon and that Paws could take it out in a single blow despite its boosted defenses. Houndoom let off a howl, the sound was distorted, as if the Houndoom was struggling to breathe and gasping for air.

The howl did nothing to protect the undead dog from Paws's full force rush, crushing Houndoom as both slammed full force into the wall. Houndoom fainted, but the recoil of the brutal impact on hard crystal left Paws struggling to get back up.

Madeline didn't speak a word, but showed a slight smile. Was that pride in her eyes? She gripped her next Pokéball, a heal ball. Marshal knew right away it contained her beloved Talonflame.

Talonflame emerged floating in the air, its wings torn like old fabric. It didn't even attempt to flap its wings, it merely floated.

Talonflame is surrounded by a spectral power!

Talonflame's attack and speed increased!

Marshal considered switching Paws out, but he knew Madeline's team like the back of his hand. Paws wouldn't be very helpful against the rest. He ordered Paws to stand his ground as Talonflame charged forward burning itself with Flare Blitz which fainted the beast of a bear but left it wounded.

This was a golden opportunity for Marshal as he sent out Glitter, who sparkled as she always did when sent out. Talonflame was fast but Glitter was faster, conjuring water and swimming with impossible speed, slamming into Talonflame in the blink of an eye via Aqua Jet. Talonflame tried to get up but fell unconscious.

Madeline returned Talonflame and held a Dive Ball. Marshal knew what was coming out next but was confident in his abilities to take it out. A white Tasugiri, dubbed as "Snow" emerged from the ball. Madeline had nicknamed it cause Marshal said it looked like snow when he was little and she thought the name was cute.

He missed those days. He tried not to cry, looking at the specter before him. The one he loved so dearly and was now stolen away from him.

He steeled his resolve. He had to keep going.

Snow is surrounded by spectral energy!

Snow's special attack greatly increased!

That boost in power was problematic but Marshal was confident in his ability to take out the fish. However it was faster than he expected. It extended its fins, which looked to have been chewed off halfway up, and cried to the heavens. A meteor appeared from nowhere and slammed into Glitter, fainting her under a cloud of dust.

Marshal sent out Walking Wake, ready to take out the fish with his own dragon Pokémon, but Snow had a trick up their sleeve. A pulse of draconic energy slammed Snow into the back wall and should have taken it out but...

Snow's focus sash broke!

Snow once more called down a meteorite which crushed the primal beast with sheer mass, fainting it. Marshal assured Walking Wake, "You did good. I should have accounted for that."

Marshal sent out Grips next, who hugged his arm, worried about him. Grips knew he wasn't handling this well but Marshal assured Grips petting them, "It's OK, but... we have to keep going..."

Grips nodded in understanding and shot a sphere of lunar energy, a Moonblast, which consumed and seared Snow, fainting them.

Madeline sent out a Gardevoir from a Dream Ball next, the once elegant dress it wore torn to tatters. The Gardevoir looked into Marshal's eyes, reminding him of how Madeline captured it when it was a mere Ralts long ago. She loved that Ralts to such a degree she would joke she had two kids to take care of, Marshal and Ralts.

Gardevoir is surrounded by spectral energy!

Gardevoir's special attack and special defense rose!

Marshal knew that with its increased power Grips couldn't take out Gardevoir in a battle of raw psychic power, and thus resorted to a tried and true trick he had performed many times before. A horrible song that shook one's very soul, almost like the death rattle of a great beast echoed through the air.

Grips used Perish Song!

Gardevoir conjured an orb of spectral energy which slammed into Grips, sending them skidding back across the flat metal ground as they held out their little arms, shielding themself from the Shadow Ball.

Grips should have fallen here but...

Grips held on so Marshal wouldn't be upset!

Grips then used Protect, deflecting a second Shadow Ball as the end of Perish Song drew near. The next Shadow Ball brought down Grips, but Gardevoir then succumbed to the cursed tune and fell. Marshal assured Grips, "You did great. We can finish this. You rest now."

Madeline sent out her Mismagius, a specter that Madeline captured to show Marshal that ghost Pokémon could be friendly. She was yo release it but the two grew to become genuine friends. Marshal too grew fond of ghost Pokémon leading him to desire one of his own as a companion, hence why he was gifted Wick by his sister all those years ago.

However this was more a job for Sparky than Wick, as Wick was intended to be the closer, clean up for whatever remained with Last Respects after the rest of his team fell.

Thus Sparky entered the fray with a mighty roar, ready to fight tooth and nail.

Mismagius is surrounded by spectral energy!

Mismagius's special attack and speed rose!

Sparky steadied her stance, ready to pounce the ghost, only to be blasted by a Shadow Ball, which staggered the hound. However Sparky stood her ground and lunged, chomping down hard on Mismagius's head, a critical hit that fainted the specter with a Crunch.m

Madeline gripped her final Pokéball, a plain and simple Pokéball. Marshal knew what was inside.

Mabosstiff emerged, a dog he was close with, hence why Madeline got him Wick. She told him they could "both start with dogs". Now Mabosstiff was changed, missing two paws, the front left and back right, only to stand like nothing was amiss.

Mabosstiff is surrounded by spectral energy!

Mabosstiff's speed drastically rose!

Mabosstiff was quicker than the eye could see, using Crunch to rip a chunk out of Sparky, fainting her as she cried out in pain.

Marshal knew Wick wasn't fast enough to take out Mabosstiff, but what choice did he have but to try! He sent out his partner, his last gift from Madeline, and ordered him to strike with all he had.

However, Mabosstiff was faster, and before Wick could even react it bit down on the tombstone on Wick's back. It used Jaw Lock, to prevent Wick from escaping. It then brutally thrashed about, slamming wick into the floor with such force the floor began to crack and break over and over, hammering Wick into the earth.

However...

Wick held out so Marshal wouldn't be upset!

Wick, as he was swung over Mabosstiff's head, bit down on Mabosstiff's back with his sharp maw, causing the dog to howl in pain and drop Wick. Wick leapt back, calling upon the power of his fallen allies, striking with such force, the back wall shattered as Mabosstiff slammed into it due to Wick's Last Respects. Even resisting the blow did nothing.

Marshal had won, but what now?

There was a flash of brilliant light, and before him now stood Madeline and her Pokémon, restored to normal, like they had never left.

Madeline smiled at Marshal with pride in her eyes. "You finally did it. You surpassed me, and at such a young age too! I'm so proud of you!"

Marshal was starting to cry, "Madeline... is... is it really you?"

Madeline nodded and hugged Marshal, "It's OK. Don't cry. I'm somewhere better now. Somewhere Ubel can't hurt me anymore. It's nice there. Listen to me, Marshal. I have always been proud of you. When I died on that mountain I knew it was worth it for you and our family to live. You've become such a wonderful young man, and mom and dad are also very proud of you."

Madeline let Marshal go and starred into his soul with a harsh determination, "But listen to me. Don't let your hatred blind you. Taking Ubel's life won't bring me back. You can't continue this cycle of pain. I know you'll do the right thing. I love you and the others."

Madeline began to walk backwards, "I have to go now, but you can do this, OK?"

Madeline began to float upwards, as Marshal yelled, "Wait! What about Iono? The others? Anything I should tell them?"

Madeline nodded, her voice fading as she disappeared into a golden light. "Tell them I love them and tell Iono I would have said yes, but wait until she finds someone else! I'll be here when she gets here but I want her to focus on living her life while she's alive! I love you Marshal! You're the best little brother I could have asked fo-"

She was gone.

Marshal fell to his knees, crying uncontrollably.

Marshal defeated Angel Madeline.

Marshal learned Last Respects.

Arven entered, "Hey Marshal! Where you-" he then saw Marshal sobbing and rushed over, "Hey! Dude! You OK?"

Marshal shook his head, "No..."

"What happened?" Arven demanded.

"It was Madeline..." Marshal replied.

The two left Area Zero with the notebook, Arven doing his best to comfort Marshal after he explained what happened.

Arven wasn't sure what to say, but he knew at least this which he told him. "This journal can at least stop Ubel's future. At the very least, he won't get away with what he did."

Marshal nodded in agreement wiping his tears. Arven handed him a tissue to blow his nose. "Sorry... I just... I hate this."

"It's almost over," Arven assured, "Maybe you should rest for a day or two. Handle Team Star and becoming champion later."

Marshal thought for a moment and considered his options.

He could rest, or he could act rashly, blinded by anger, and make sure Ubel REALLY didn't get away with it...