Up in the bell tower, Electchu, Odyssey, and Shockwave were eating their supper, while Timothy sat down on the floor against the wall beside them with no emotion on his face. He told his Pokemon friends everything that happened on the way back up to the tower, and they apologized for convincing him to go. He told them not to feel guilty about it, but his forgiveness did not make the Pikachu, Kirlia, and Riolu feel better. They frequently glanced at the glum hunchback as they ate.

"You sure you don't want a little of our food, Timothy?" Odyssey asked.

"No, Odyssey," Timothy said. "I disobeyed Master Markenel, and I deserve not to eat."

Odyssey frowned and turned to Electchu, who gave an edgy look and asked, "Do you hate us for convincing you to sneak out?"

"Of course not. You guys did what you thought would be good for me," Timothy said. "It was my fault for letting my guard down and getting on that stage."

"At least you had fun, though, right?" Shockwave said. "And now we don't need just Master Markenel's word to know how cruel the world is out there."

"I guess," Timothy said.

The three Pokemon looked at him confused, and Shockwave asked, "You guess on which part? Had fun or that the world is cruel?"

"The world being cruel," Timothy answered.

"What do you mean, you guess?" Odyssey asked. "They tied you down and threw food at you?"

"I know, but...I guess I want to believe that it wasn't all that bad," Timothy said.

"Because of that Arcean woman?" Shockwave asked.

Timothy was silent for a moment before he finally raised his head to look at the Pokemon. Electchu and Odyssey looked at him with tilted heads while the emotion Pokemon gave him a look that implied it already knew the answer. The hunchback sighed and looked away again.

"Yeah. Because of Serena," he said. "I know she was the one who convinced me to get on the stage because I'm ugly, but she still defended me. The whole thing is just about as much her fault as it is mine, but at the same time, no one has ever been so nice to me before. She even stood up to Master Markenel for me. Then again, she doesn't know that I'm Master Markenel's son, so maybe she would have left me there if she did."

Shockwave gave a skeptical frown and said, "I think you might be giving her too little credit, Timothy."

"Yeah, well, we'll never know, will we?" Electchu said.

Odyssey and Shockwave hummed in agreement while Timothy said nothing. After half a moment, the hunchback stood up and said, "I think I'm gonna go for a walk. You guys keep eating."

The three Pokemon silently nodded in understanding and went back to their food while Timothy exited the room. He went outside, walked to the south tower, and went down the staircase to the next floor below. He had come to this floor before to think about things since people rarely went as far up the cathedral as the middle floor. Timothy paced from one end of the hall to the next, his mind fixated on Serena.

As Timothy paced, however, he saw smoke coming from, out of the windows. He walked over to a window to see a group of monks out on one of the lower exterior balconies, fixing some of the cathedral's statues. Some were pouring molten copper onto the busted figures while one of them was stirring copper inside a man-sized cauldron hanging above a fire. The hunchback was fascinated by what they were doing and, against his better judgment, decided to go down another floor where he could watch the monks with the door leading to the balcony slightly open. Timothy smiled like a child fascinated from looking at something he had never seen before while some of the monks began to make conversation.

"Can you believe the bellringer sneaked out of his tower, Geoffrey?" One monk asked.

"No, I can't," the monk named Geoffrey answered. "How did he do it anyway? Did he go all the way downstairs and come out from one of the portals without anyone noticing?"

"If he did, then maybe we should keep a better eye on him," the first monk said.

"Evan, you know it's forbidden for anyone to go up to the towers except for the justice minister and the archdeacon," Geoffrey said.

"Okay, maybe not go all the way up there, but we could guard the staircase or something," Evan said. "It might be a little much, but it would be for his own good, especially if he tries anything again."

"I doubt he will after what happened at the festival," Geoffrey said. "He's lucky that Arcean stood up for him when she did."

Evan gave a light chuckle and said, "Yeah, that's for sure. To think the Arcean woman is staying here too."

"She is fortunate," Geoffrey said. "I wonder what she did that riled up the justice minister so much that he'd have soldiers guard all of the cathedral doors."

"Gentlemen, that's enough discussion," the monks stirring the lead said. "I want us to have all of the statues fixed before it's time for the evening mass."

Evan and Geoffrey sighed and reluctantly did as they were told. Timothy, on the other hand, backed away from the door, looking down, surprised. He couldn't believe that Serena would be inside Lumiose Cathedral of all places, but at the same time, he wanted to see if she was. He didn't want to speak to her for fear of her learning that he was Markenel's adopted son, but he still wanted to see the beautiful woman from afar.

Without a moment to think about him getting caught, he went to the nearest staircase to the bottom floor and began searching the main hall, using the columns to hide and make sure Archdeacon Sycamore or any of the monks or nuns were around. Finally, as Timothy was making his way to the stage, he saw the back of a woman with honey blonde hair praying. His heart skipped a beat, instantly knowing it was Serena. He quietly moved closer until he was standing behind the column behind the chairs and dared to peak from his hiding spot close enough to hear what she was praying about.

"And please help all who are treated differently. Not just the Arceans. Help people like that poor man, Timothy, who was tormented by the people just because of how he looks. Give people like him peace and a chance to live happily without punishment for what they are that they may be loved by others."

Timothy stood behind the pillar flabbergasted with his mouth hanging open. He could scarcely believe the pagan woman was praying to the Lord much less praying for him, and yet, his heart leaped from her kind-hearted words. He smiled as he watched Serena hug Sylveon and leaned his arm against the column, but in his moment of happiness, he didn't notice Sister Sophie and three other nuns passing by and the head nun spotting him.

"Timothy! What are you doing?!" Sister Sophie barked.

Timothy jumped in alarm and accidentally knocked down a candle stand. The stand landed on the ground with a crash, and Serena immediately stood up and turned around to see Timothy.

"Haven't you caused enough trouble already?!" Sister Sophie rebuked. "Get back in the bell tower!"

Timothy immediately obeyed, running toward the staircase, hoping Serena wouldn't follow him. However, he was halfway to the stairs before hearing Serena and Sylveon running after him, with the former calling out to him.

"Wait!" She called out. "Wait, I want to talk to you!"

But her words only made Timothy run faster. He made it to the staircase and went up every other step as fast as he could, but he could hear Serena's voice echoing behind him from the bottom steps. The hunchback ran from one floor to the next until he was back on the balcony between the two towers. He looked around until he saw a large gargoyle statue a few feet to the side of the south tower staircase entrance and hid behind it before Serena and Sylveon made it to the top of the steps. The honey blonde woman looked around the area and called out Timothy's name before she and her Pokemon partner ran to the south end of the balcony, unknowingly passing him. Timothy took the opportunity to run to the bell tower unnoticed and closed the door behind him just as Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey were about to go outside, having finished their supper.

"Timothy, what's wrong?" Electchu asked.

"Serena! Cathedral! Here! Sylveon! After me! Hide!" Timothy shouted.

Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey looked at each other confused before the emotion Pokemon asked, "Could you say that again in a complete sentence, please?"

Timothy took a deep breath and said, "Serena and her Sylveon are here in the cathedral."

"Serena?" Odyssey asked.

"In the cathedral?" Shockwave asked.

"With her Sylveon?" Electchu asked with an excited grin.

"Yes, and they're chasing after me, and we need to hide!" Timothy said hastily.

The room was silent with the three Pokemon looking at each other again. Suddenly, to Timothy's surprise, Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey began cheering and jumping up and down like little children.

"Way to go, Timothy!" Shockwave cheered.

"One day outside, and ya got the ladies chasing you!" Odyssey said before giving Timothy a playful nudge. "To think you had us all worried."

"And you brought a Sylveon to boot," Electchu added with a sly grin. "Finally, my dream is coming true."

Shockwave groaned and hit Electchu on the head, saying, "Knock it off with your fantasies, Electchu. This is about Timothy, not you."

"Hey, there's no reason it can't be both," Electchu protested. "Timothy and I can be each other's wingman."

"Will you guys be quiet?!" Timothy hissed. "If we don't find a place to hide, they're going to -"

At that moment, the door opened behind Timothy to reveal Serena and Sylveon. His heart dropped while his Pokemon friends smiled with Shockwave and Odyssey happy to see Serena and Electchu pleased to gaze upon Sylveon. The honey blonde woman sighed in relief with her hand on her heart before she went inside.

"There you are. I thought I lost you," Serena said.

Timothy felt his cheeks heat up, and he turned to her with his head down to hide his face.

"Uh, y-y-yes, it's n-nice to see you...again," he stuttered. "S-s-so sorry, but I can't stay and chat. I, uh, have chores to do and...um...goodbye."

The shy hunchback ran away again before Serena, or any of the Pokemon could stop him. He climbed up the staircase to the room below the cathedral bells, hoping to find a spot where he could hide. He opened the door and walked a few feet inside the room before he felt a hand around his shoulder, and he turned around to find Serena kneeling in front of him so that she was at eye level with him, turning his face as red as a cherry.

"Please, stop running," she begged. "I want to apologize for what happened. Had I known who you were, I never in my life would have pulled you up on the stage. I'm so sorry."

Timothy didn't say anything, still bashful from the beautiful woman so close to him. He wanted to say thank you for what she did at the Feast of Fools and that he had forgiven her, but no words came out of his mouth. Serena waited for a response while Sylveon, Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey entered the room behind her. The honey blonde woman was hurt that Timothy wasn't speaking until she looked past him and saw the other side of the room where the wooden model of Lumiose City was standing on a table. She stood up and walked past Timothy, looking at the carvings and the broken glass shining above the table from the setting sun.

"What is this place?" She asked, turning to Timothy.

The hunchback sputtered before he answered, "T-t-this is where I live."

"Really?" Serena asked. "Where did you get these carvings?"

Timothy looked away bashfully until Shockwave and Odyssey pushed him toward Serena from behind and gestured to him to answer. He looked up at Serena, who was waiting for him to answer, and he lowered his head to hide his red face.

"I, uh, I got the models from my master, but I made the statues myself," he said.

"You did? That's incredible," Serena said with a bright smile. She picked two statues up and looked closely at them. "Wow, the blacksmith and the baker. They're so well detailed."

"Well, I've seen them from up the balcony many times throughout the years, so I know what they looked like," Timothy explained.

Serena turned her head to Timothy and asked, "You mean you've never seen them in person?"

"No, I haven't," Timothy said. "Maybe they were somewhere at the festival, but I've never seen them or any of the people that I've made carvings of up close. It's all through my memory after watching them from up here all of my life."

"Incredible," Serena said. "You're very talented."

"I'm not as talented as you," Timothy said, lifting his head to look at the honey blonde woman. "You're a wonderful dancer."

Serena gave him a sweet smile and said, "Thank you." The hunchback turned his head away again, unable to bear the way she looked at him. She giggled at his bashfulness before realizing something Timothy said.

"Have you really lived here all your life?" She asked.

"As long as I remember," Timothy answered.

"Have you ever left the cathedral before today?" Serena asked.

"No. Today was the only time I left the cathedral walls," Timothy said. "My friends convinced me to attend the Feast of Fools instead of watching it from the balcony like we do every year."

"Your friends?" Serena asked, turning to Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey. "Are you talking about your Pokemon?"

"Yes, I am," Timothy said.

"How could they convince you when they can't talk?" Serena asked.

"Well, Electchu, Shockwave, Odyssey, and I have been together for so long that I can tell what they are saying," Timothy explained.

"Wow, I didn't know that was possible," she said before turning to the hunchback's friends. "So, you nicknamed all of them?"

"Yep," Timothy said before pointing at his friends. "This is Odyssey." The Riolu bowed to Serena with one paw on his heart and the other on his back. "This is Shockwave." The Kirlia gave a curtsey before Timothy turned to Electchu. "And this is Electchu."

"Pleased to meet you all," Serena said.

Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey made calls to say the same thing in their language before Electchu turned to Sylveon, standing beside it.

"You can call me whatever you want, honey cake," the Pikachu said with a kittenish look.

Sylveon looked at Electchu in disgust and smacked it in the face with one of its feelers making the Pikachu move back and forth in a daze. Serena gasped while Timothy glared at Electchu, Odyssey facepalmed, and Shockwave rolled its eyes.

"Sylveon, you know better than that!" she rebuked.

"Actually, that was Electchu's fault," Timothy said. "It said something that ticked off your Sylveon."

"It did? What was it?" Serena asked.

"I don't want to say," Timothy said.

"Please tell me," Serena said. "I won't be mad."

"Promise?" Timothy asked.

"Promise," Serena said.

The hunchback paused for a moment, embarrassed, and said, "Electchu said...Sylveon could call him whatever it wants...and it called Sylveon 'honey cake.""

The room was silent again, with Serena staring at Timothy and then at Electchu and Sylveon. After a moment, she covered her mouth to hide a snort before she burst into high-pitched laughter. Timothy and the Pokemon looked at her, befuddled as she hugged her stomach.

"You really think it's funny?" Timothy asked.

"Believe it or not, Electchu isn't the first Pikachu to have a thing for Sylveon," Serena chortled before turning to Sylveon. "Did it really say that?"

"Sylveon," Sylveon grumbled while giving Electchu a distasteful look.

Serena snickered and said, "So, Pokemon can woo each other by calling them names like honey cake in their language. Now I've heard everything."

By this point, Electchu snapped out of its daze before looking at Sylveon flirtatiously again as though nothing happened.

"I think Sylveon likes me, guys," Electchu said.

"Yeah, it thinks you're really smooth," Shockwave said sarcastically.

Half of Timothy's mouth curled up, relieved that Serena was enjoying herself. The honey blonde woman turned back to him and said, "You're a surprising person, Timothy."

"Uh, I...don't know about that," Timothy said bashfully.

"No, you really are," Serena said with a smile. "Carving detailed figures of people you only see from above, able to tell what your Pokemon are saying perfectly, not to mention you're lucky that you have all of this by yourself, and not needing to work."

"Well, actually, I'm the bell ringer here," Timothy said. "In fact, the cathedral bells are just above us."

"They are?" Serena asked, looking up at the ceiling while imagining the bells above them. "I would love to see them."

"Really?" Timothy asked with a look of hope. "I can show you them if you want."

"Yes, please," Serena said.

Timothy beamed and took Serena's hand, ignoring his blush, and led her out of the room with Sylveon, Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey following behind. The six of them climbed the ladder beside the room entrance to the first floor where the bells were hanging. Serena and Sylveon looked in awe at the sight of the bells surrounding them.

"They're beautiful," Serena said. "To think they all can be heard all over the city."

"Sylveon," Sylveon agreed.

"They have names, too," Timothy said.

"You named them?" Serena asked.

"Oh, no. If it were up to me, I wouldn't be able to decide what to call them," Timothy said. "Their names were given centuries ago by the cathedral's first bellringer, Brother David."

"Can you introduce me to them?" Serena asked.

"Absolutely," Timothy said. He climbed up one of the ladders and began naming the bells while using the beams to swing past them like a monkey while saying their names. "This is Allie. Over here is Katy, Brittany, Jordan, Cassidy, Angelica, Logan, and Julie. Then there's the triplets, Hannah, Amanda, and Sarah."

Serena giggled as she intently listened to the enthusiastic hunchback. Odyssey and Shockwave stood a couple of feet beside Serena, watching their friend with smirks on their faces before the emanation Pokemon nudged Shockwave with its elbow.

"He's having the time of his life," Odyssey said.

"It isn't every day that a lady comes up here, and he gets to show her his life up here," Shockwave said. "What interests me more is that Serena is enjoying it. Seems like there's hope for something special for our boy if you know what I mean."

"I think so too," Odyssey said before looking past Shockwave. "He's doing better than Electchu. That's for sure."

Shockwave turned its head to see Electchu staring at Sylveon with googly eyes while the intertwining Pokemon watched Timothy with its partner. Shockwave scoffed, confounded by the Pikachu's persistence. Meanwhile, Serena noticed the biggest bell she had ever seen in her life, hanging only seven feet above the floor. She walked over to it and lowered her head to look at the inside with a curious look. Timothy climbed down until he was standing next to Serena with a smile.

"This is Candra," he said. "You can say hello if you want."

Serena turned to Timothy, surprised before she smiled in excitement like a child. She leaned her head inside the bell and shouted, "Hello!" Her voice resonated all over the bell's inner surface, making Timothy and Serena cover their ears and back away before they turned to each other and laughed.

"She likes you," Timothy chortled.

"I'm glad," Serena said.

The hunchback then felt a tug on his shirt and turned to Shockwave, who was smirking at him. It gestured to Timothy to lean his head toward it, and he silently obeyed before Shockwave whispered into his ear.

"I see orange light coming from outside," the emotion Pokemon said. "Maybe the lady would like to see the sunset from the top of the tower?"

Timothy's eyes lit up, and he nodded to Shockwave in agreement. He turned to Serena and took her hand, saying, "Come on. There's one more thing I want to show you."

The honey blonde woman smiled and followed him up the steps with the Pokemon once again following behind them. Timothy opened the door to the roof and let Serena go first with a bow that made her giggle again at his chivalry. When she was outside, she took a few steps before stopping with her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open.

The sun was setting in the mountains beyond Lumiose City's borders, turning the sky into a beauteous mixture of yellow, orange, red, pink, lilac, and purple. Serena walked to the railing to see the entire city from the city square all the way to the main gate. She smiled brightly as Sylveon walked over to look at the view with her, and Timothy stood beside Serena on her left side, happy that she was enjoying the view.

"I bet King Lysandre himself doesn't have a view like this," Serena said. "I could stay up here forever."

Timothy turned to Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey, who grinned and nodded, knowing what was on his mind. The hunchback cleared his throat and said, "Well, you and Sylveon could stay here if you want."

Serena's face fell while her eyes were still on the view. She turned to Timothy with a sad smile and said, "I appreciate the offer, Timothy, but I can't stay here."

Timothy's smile disappeared, and he felt his heart aching as though something sharp had pierced it.

"Why not? You have sanctuary here," he said.

"Sanctuary, but not freedom," Serena said. "You and the archdeacon are very kind, but Sylveon and I don't belong here. Our home is with our people and Pokemon."

"But you're not like other Arceans. They're evil," Timothy said.

Serena furrowed her brow and turned to face the hunchback, asking, "How do you know what other Arceans are or aren't like when you've never left this place before today?"

Timothy winced, realizing that he had offended Serena. He turned his back on her and looked down at the floor, rubbing his arm in shame.

"It's...it's just how I was taught," he answered.

"By who?" Serena demanded.

"I won't say," Timothy said.

"Why not?" Serena asked.

"Because then you'll hate me if I tell you," Timothy answered.

"Hate you?" Serena asked, confused.

"Yes, because the person who taught me that Arceans are evil is someone you hate," Timothy said.

Serena stared at the hunchback facing away from her, unsure of how to respond. She turned to Electchu and Odyssey, who were uneasy with where the conversation was going, and then to Shockwave, who furrowed its brow at Timothy, wanting him to give the woman a clear answer. She walked, stepped in front of him, and gently lifted his chin for him to face her.

"I don't hate anyone, Timothy," she said. "I am disgusted with what people and Pokemon do to others, but I don't want to hate anyone. Not even my enemies. There's nothing that you can say that will make me think less of you."

Timothy was silent for a moment, slowly easing up from Serena's comforting words and the sincerity in her ocean-blue eyes. He felt a nudge and looked at Shockwave, who gave him a look of encouragement while Electchu and Odyssey waved their hands, "No." After a few more seconds of debating, he decided to take another chance on the Arcean woman again.

"I was taught that Arceans are evil by my master, Markenel, who raised me," he confessed.

"Judge Markenel?" Serena asked dumbfounded. "How could a cruel man like him have raised someone kind like you?"

"Cruel? Master Markenel is a good man," Timothy claimed. "He saved my life. My mother abandoned me when I was a baby, and he took me in as his son."

"But he let all of those people tie you up and throw food at you," Serena said.

"Because I disobeyed him," Timothy said. "Master Markenel warned me that the world is cruel and that people and Pokemon would persecute me, but I still went outside the cathedral, so I deserved to be punished. I'm a monster, you know."

"Is that what Markenel told you?" Serena asked.

Timothy looked at the honey blonde woman like she asked a question she should already know the answer to and said, "Well, look at me."

Serena stared at the hunchback, taken aback by how he talked down on himself without a hint of doubt. At that moment, she remembered what Ash said about Markenel saying that a lesson was to be made when the people tormented the poor man. Her skin crawled as it hit her how Markenel justified letting his adopted son be bullied. Serena wanted to hug Timothy tight as though he was a child abused by his parent, but she knew it wouldn't stop him from believing that it was his fault. Serena furrowed her brow and looked down in thought until she got an idea. She got down on her knees and put her hands on Timothy's cheeks, instantly making him blush.

"S-S-Serena, what are you doing?" Timothy asked.

"You said to look at you, so I'm going to look at you," Serena said.

She leaned her head toward Timothy's face, which turned beet red. Timothy watched the honey blonde woman, puzzled as she opened his mouth, touched his ears, and ran her fingers through his hair. She then stared deep into his eyes for several seconds before she moved her head back, giving Timothy a smile.

"Just as I figured," she said.

"What?" Timothy asked.

"I don't see any monster lines," Serena said.

"Monster lines?" Timothy asked.

"Yup. Not a single one," Serena said. "All I see is a person with a human mouth, ears, hair, and green eyes that show that you're kind-hearted, curious, gentle, and shy."

Timothy looked at the honey blonde woman with his mouth agape. Never in his life did he imagine anyone would compliment him in such a way. Not even Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey had ever thought to give him such sweet words that would make his deformity feel so irrelevant. His three Pokemon friends looked at each other, grinning with Shockwave and Odyssey, growing more hopeful of Serena's feelings for Timothy.

The honey blond woman's smile grew, knowing that her point was made, and said, "Now, what about me? Do you think I'm a monster?"

"What? No!" Timothy replied. "No, you are kind and gentle, and..."

"And an Arcean," Serena finished. "So maybe Markenel is wrong about both of us. Maybe being different doesn't make us monsters. I even wager what he's told you aren't even what your god wants you to believe."

Timothy stood still, speechless for half a moment before he looked down in thought. Deciding to let him ponder on his own, Serena stood up and turned to look at the view of the city. By now, the sky had grown dark, and stars were appearing. After a couple of moments, Timothy turned his head to Serena, who lowered her head with a glum look, and Sylveon stood beside her, knowing what was on its partner's mind. Timothy furrowed his brow and began to think again for half a moment before he smiled and put his hand on Serena's back, catching her attention.

"You helped me out, so I'm going to help you and Sylveon escape," he said.

"But how? There are soldiers in every door," Serena said.

"We won't use a door," Timothy said. "We're going to climb down."

"We can't do that," Serena said.

"Sure we can. That's how I sneaked to the festival unnoticed," Timothy said. "I'll carry you and Sylveon, climb down from the back of the tower to the main roof. From there, we'll go down to the side of the cathedral where there aren't any guards around, and you two can make your way back home."

"Are you sure you can carry both of us?" Serena asked.

"Of course. Compared to the strength I need to ring the bells, you and Sylveon will feel as light as feathers to me," Timothy said. "Just trust me like I trusted you."

Serena hesitated, uneasy with the plan. She turned to Sylveon, who bit its lip, then to Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey, who nodded with assuring smiles. The honey blonde woman sighed before she turned back to Timothy and smiled.

"Okay. Let's do it."

Timothy smiled as the honey blonde woman kneeled down with her back facing Sylveon. The intertwining Pokemon whimpered before it reluctantly climbed on her back and wrapped its feelers around her. Serena stood up and turned to Timothy's friends.

"Goodbye, Electchu, Shockwave, Odyssey," she said. "Take care of Timothy."

The Pikachu, Kirlia, and Riolu made calls to say goodbye before Electchu turned to Sylveon with a flirtatious grin.

"I'll be dreaming of the day we reunite, honey raisin," it said.

Sylveon gagged in disgust, and Timothy, Shockwave, and Odyssey gave the mouse Pokemon disapproving looks.

"What did Electchu say?" Serena asked.

"Never mind what it said," Timothy said. "Let's get going."

Serena shrugged and rolled her eyes, smirking before she climbed up on Timothy's hunch and wrapped her arms around his neck. Timothy walked over to the other side of the tower and gave Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey one last look before he climbed over the railing.

Immediately, Sylveon tightened its hold on Serena, who strengthened her hold on Timothy. The hunchback slowly climbed down the tower, careful not to make any sudden movements that might make Serena lose her hold on him. When they were halfway down, Timothy made a leap to a spiral standing fifteen yards behind the north tower. The sudden jump made Serena and Sylveon scream until Timothy caught one of the gargoyle statues sticking out from the sides of the spire with both hands. He climbed down the spire until he was far enough down to jump onto one of the roof tiles.

Timothy paused to turn his head to Serena and asked, "Are you alright?"

The honey blonde woman took a second to collect herself before she smiled and said, "I'm managing. You're quite an acrobat."

"Thank you," Timothy said.

Suddenly, the roof title gave out, and Timothy, Serena, and Sylveon were sliding down toward the edge. Yellow sparks came out from the sides of the title, sliding against the metal railing. The two humans and the Pokemon screamed as the title came closer to the edge until Timothy jumped off at the last minute and grabbed the ledge before they fell off the building. The title slid off the edge and soared fifty yards before it landed on the road with a crash. Timothy waited until he was sure none of the soldiers heard the commotion before he descended all the way to the stone ground.

"Okay, you two can get off now," Timothy said.

Serena let go of Timothy's neck and climbed off his hunch. She turned her head to Sylveon, who was stricken with terror and crouched down for it to get off. The intertwining Pokemon hesitated until it reluctantly reached its hind paw to touch the solid ground before ultimately getting off Serena's back.

"I hope you weren't too scared," Timothy said.

"Don't worry. It was kinda exciting more than anything else," Serena said with a smile. "I wish I could say Sylveon felt the same way, though."

"S-s-s-s-Syl-v-v-veon," Sylveon whimpered.

Serena kneeled down in front of Sylveon and began petting it until it eventually calmed down. Timothy smiled, glad that the two of them were okay before his face fell, knowing that the honey blonde woman was going to leave soon.

"I'll never forget you, Serena," he said.

Serena looked up from Sylveon and saw in the hunchback's green eyes that he didn't want to part ways. She stood up and took Timothy's hands.

"Come with me," she said.

"What?" Timothy asked blushing.

"Come with me to the Court of Miracles. Leave this place," Serena said. "You can climb up to take Electchu, Shockwave, and Odyssey with you."

"Oh, no. I can't do that," Timothy said. "You saw what happened out there."

"I'll be there to make sure everyone welcomes you," Serena said.

"I believe you, but even then, I wouldn't fit in because I don't share your faith. Not to mention I don't want to upset Master Markenel by leaving like that," Timothy said. "No, Lumiose Cathedral is where I belong."

Serena frowned at how Timothy's thoughts were on Markenel. Then she smiled and let go of Timothy's hands and put hers behind her back.

"Okay, then I'll come visit you," she said.

"What? But...but the soldiers," Timothy said.

"I'll come after sunset," Serena said.

Timothy looked away shyly and said, "But at sunset, I ring the evening mass, and clean the cloisters, and ring the vespers and -"

Timothy's voice suddenly died in his throat when he felt something soft touch his cheek. His eyes turned to see Serena leaning in and kissing him with her eyes closed. She pulled back to give her the same friendly smile she had been giving him throughout the evening together with their Pokemon. The hunchback flushed and played with his fingers as he talked with a dopey grin on his face.

"W-w-whatever is good for you," he said.

Serena giggled with her mouth closed, knowing that she won so easily. She reached under her top, took out a necklace hanging around her neck, and put it on Timothy's neck. Timothy lifted the center of the necklace to see a woven pointed ellipse hanging above a chain. A white cross covered the top of the ellipse and was surrounded by a smaller blue ellipse with blue lines connecting the edges. On the right side of the blue ellipse was a small golden cross.

"If you ever need sanctuary, this will show you the way," Serena said.

"How?" Timothy asked.

"Just remember this: when you hold this woven band, you hold the city in your hand," Serena answered.

Without another word, Serena put her hand on Timothy's cheek as a silent act of saying farewell and ran down the street with Sylveon into the darkness of the night. Timothy stared at where he last saw the honey blonde woman with his hand on the cheek that she kissed before he smiled blissfully as he climbed back up the cathedral.