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Necrozma, Julien thought. So Galar's scientists were right.[break][break]

He could admit that the frequency of incidents occurring within or to Hoenn might indicate someone's desire to see the region's destruction. That did not answer the underlying question, however.[break][break]

"But why Hoenn? Why not elsewhere? Necrozma's attack on Galar notwithstanding, none of the other regions have been targeted," he asked, contemplative.[break][break]

However, it was possible the Hoennians simply did not know, and were asking themselves the same thing. "I'm sure you have Pokémon experts investigating this mystery. Have they come to any conclusion?"[break][break]

Perhaps he should meet with them, too.[break][break]

At least Elinor looked determined, not defeated, by the constant threats and dangers. When she challenged Julien what help Kalos could possibly provide, his answer came easily.[break][break]

"A threat to one region, especially from Pokémon as powerful as Arceus and Necrozma, can quickly become a threat to the entire world. I am sure the brightest minds of Hoenn are hard at work on the matters plaguing your region. But if we could join them with our scholars and scientists from Kalos, Galar, Sinnoh—"[break][break]

He waved a hand, implying the other countries with that gesture.[break][break]

"We could have solutions, and eventually resources, to fend off a global crisis."

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Undead?[break][break]

When Julien agreed to investigate the supernatural events plaguing Hoenn, fictional movie monsters were nowhere near the list of possibilities. Granted, neither had been aliens from another universe — or multiple universes, for that matter.[break][break]

But still, undead seemed ludicrous.[break][break]

It was not until Nomi's oddly-lit Sylveon cast a bright light upon the approaching swarm did Julien realize just how badly he had underestimated Hoenn's perils.[break][break]

Stunned speechless, he followed Luke and Nomi through the city's sprawling streets. Her Pokémon led the groups of aliens — Megalopolans, the woman had called them — away, while Lucien's Delphox took care of any stragglers who got too close to their group with well-placed FIRE BLASTS.[break][break]

"What are these depictions?" Julien murmured as they passed yet another etching showing shapes and figures he did not recognize.

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Julien allowed a light chuckle to escape his lips. "Fortunately, I'm not," he reassured Elinor.[break][break]

Still, her comment struck him as odd. Arceus was not just any Pokémon. In fact, it was not even like other cosmological deities who dominated folklore and myth throughout the world.[break][break]

Dialga. Palkia. Giratina. Even Xerneas and Yveltal from his home region.[break][break]

They paled in comparison to Arceus, the Creator. That a councilwoman dared blame the region's ills on it suggested that the situation in Hoenn was more dire than Julien had anticipated. The faint mirth in his expression faded into solemnity.[break][break]

"What makes you think Arceus itself has been meddling?" he asked, keeping any hint of accusation or skepticism out of his tone even as he frowned.

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As amusing as Mari's reaction was, it was also unnecessary.[break][break]

"There's no need for that," Julien said, putting the sealed envelope onto the table next to his lunch tray. "Sit and finish your lunch."[break][break]

He proceeded to do the same. Nothing in his appearance suggested he was angry with Mari or even bothered by her lack of awareness. On the contrary, he flashed her another close-lipped smile. Even the corners of his eyes crinkled.[break][break]

"I know you have training to finish this afternoon, but come with me to my office after lunch. I want you to be familiar with where it is, and where your desk is, too."[break][break]

Perhaps, in his presence, she would be sure to commit it to memory.

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Changed?[break][break]

Julien's eyes narrowed. His eyebrows drew together as he frowned. "My condolences… Cedric."[break][break]

As unaccustomed as he was to address a member of any royal family so plainly, the other man had made the specific request. Julien was not going to ignore it.[break][break]

Neither was he going to ask about the cause for such change. He could not think of valid reasons for it except disownment or the willing relinquishment of lands and title, and such personal topics were for Cedric to raise, not Julien.[break][break]

Instead, Julien focused on Cedric's other words.[break][break]

"I see. I thought he was merely too busy with his own ambassadorial duties to meet, but I learned from Princess Elise that she has now assumed those responsibilities."[break][break]

Julien kept his tone mild and polite, but inwardly, skepticism over the young woman's capabilities brewed.[break][break]

"Which leads me to wonder what Prince Remiel is doing these days. If you don't know, either, then I hope you don't have a scandal on your hands."[break][break]

His smile, though light and mirthful as if he'd been joking, carried a hint of the knife's edge. Unruly indeed.[break][break]

"As for me, you are correct: I'm here on business. The Kalosian government has reassigned me to this region as their ambassador, so you know how that goes."[break][break]

It was no secret, so Julien had no reservations sharing that much information with Cedric.

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Julien regarded the young, handsome man toward which Mari pointed. He almost laughed. The last time Julien had seen him, that man was sorting correspondence in the mailroom.[break][break]

"Mmm, no, sadly," Julien said instead, eyes shining with mirth. "But he does cut a dashing figure, doesn't he?"[break][break]

Unfortunately, the ruse was up. A woman from the front desk entered, her coiffed hair bouncing with each step. Her gaze darted around the cafeteria until it settled on Julien. In mere moments, she crossed the room to stand before his table.[break][break]

"Lord Demassieux, a royal invitation arrived for you with the Calcifet seal," she said, holding up the unopened envelope. "I thought you would wish to know right away."[break][break]

Julien's exhale contained only the slightest disappointment as he plucked the envelope from her fingers. "Thank you, Pauline. It looks like our game is over, Miss Mari."[break][break]

The lady from the front desk shot Mari a confused look before bobbing a slight curtsey to Julien and departing, her heels clicking against the linoleum.[break][break]

The ambassador, however, did not open the letter. Instead, he watched his new assistant's reaction with an amused, closed-lipped smile.

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Of all the invitations to lunch and dinner that Julien had received in the weeks following his arrival, @cedric's had been most unexpected. After all, with both the Crown Prince and a princess of Galar present in Hoenn, Julien expected Cedric to remain in their home region, aiding his country in reconstruction efforts.[break][break]

But no. Whatever reason brought Cedric to Hoenn must have been of greater import than upholding the crown's image of regional restoration and unity.[break][break]

A member of the Calcifet family's staff had met Julien in Ever Grande City to escort him to Pacifidlog Town. They took the Corviknight taxi service, which deposited them at the docks. Julien scanned his surroundings with a neutral expression, aware that showing disdain for the quaint, humble village would not make a good, lasting impression on the locals.[break][break]

He doubted, however, that they even knew who he was, the grand politics of their region so far removed from their homes.[break][break]

The staffer led Julien aboard a yacht still anchored at its pier. There, waiting with a glass of rosé in hand, was the man of the hour.[break][break]

"Your Highness," Julien greeted Cedric, offering the same bow to the prince. He suppressed the urge to frown at the use of 'mister' to address him. Despite his status as the Duke of Snowbelle's younger brother, Julien was still a lord.[break][break]

But Galarian etiquette surrounding rank and titles were not the same as Kalosian ones, and no matter their home country, Cedric still outranked Julien by blood and title. It was not Julien's place to correct a prince.[break][break]

"I find Hoenn and her people very hospitable, just like Galar and her people," the ambassador continued. "Her Royal Highness, Princess Elise, showed me the same courtesy here that I received as a guest in your home region."[break][break]

Julien took a glass of rosé from a waiter with barely a glance of acknowledgement. Instead, he arched an eyebrow at Cedric.[break][break]

"It does surprise me to find three of you in Hoenn, though I have not had the honor of meeting the Crown Prince yet."[break][break]

Straight to the point. Cedric may have remembered this characteristic of Julien — his tendency to speak directly, a rare trait of politicians.

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Like luke hyacinth, Julien had not known what to expect when he signed up for an expedition into a place called Lesser Megalopolis. He was told to expect the worst, the most ominous of warnings for something that seemed organized like a tourist attraction.[break][break]

They did not have a guide, though — only a young graduate student by the name of Naomi Sato who had claimed to have visited several such dimensions before.[break][break]

Julien took mental note of the haphazard state of security around the rift that separated their world from Lesser Megalopolis. If it was any indication of security elsewhere in the region, then he no longer wondered why rumors of strange phenomena came from Hoenn.[break][break]

And he was not pleased.[break][break]

"Of course," he said to Luke, releasing his Delphox in a flash of light. It was meager, however, in contrast to the deep and entrenching darkness of the alien city.[break][break]

In the distance and high overhead, a light turned on from the top of a tall structure. Somewhere nearby, he heard the sound of many feet scrambling across pavement. It grew louder as whatever was moving drew nearer.[break][break]

Julien tensed. "Alethius, prepare for combat," he told his Pokémon.

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Julien tilted his head in acknowledgement of Lisa's explanation, though she had not needed to provide one. He remembered the rumors circulating tabloids and reputable news sources alike, especially after Édouard declared his wife mentally unfit.[break][break]

While the desserts were decadent, and while Julien did have a sweet tooth, he put down his spoon. A few bites were enough; his Kalosian sensibilities prevented him from eating more.[break][break]

"The Kalosian government assigned me to this Arceus-forsaken region to understand what, exactly, is going on here. To prevent what happened to Galar from happening to Kalos," he explained to Lisa, expecting her to know already.[break][break]

After all, news traveled quickly — and gossip even moreso.[break][break]

"I've already met with the League Council and offered our aid. I get the sense, however, that your people already know more than they do, and that you have more than enough resources at your disposal to meet these otherworldly challenges head-on. So perhaps you'll indulge a personal curiosity instead."[break][break]

Julien sat back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap, lacing the fingers together.[break][break]

"oscar clayton. He owned and ran Greater Mauville Holdings until recently. Rumors say he simply vanished one day. I want information on his whereabouts, the current status of his company, and any related projects of interest."[break][break]

And like the dutiful younger brother he was, Julien would relay the information back to his brother in Snowbelle City. Gigavolt Energies was looking to expand, and Hoenn was ripe for the harvest.

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Waiters took away their dinner plates and refilled their glasses of wine. Julien did not touch the latter at first, instead folding his arms across his chest as he considered what to share with Lisa. She likely did not care about his own family, but her mention of the L'Oiseau was too specific.[break][break]

"We're doing fine, thank you," he said, deciding to get the formality of discussing his own family over with, first. It was nothing she couldn't learn on her own while reading the latest news. "The Duke of Snowbelle recently celebrated the birth of his third child, a healthy girl." Julien's niece.[break][break]

A different set of waiters arrived carrying the final course of their meal: an assortment of desserts. The platter set on the table bore several ice cream flavors, fresh fruit, and two squares of chocolate fudge brownies.[break][break]

Julien finally took a sip from his wine glass. "As for the L'Oiseau, they were lucky enough to avoid being implicated in a massive journalism scandal. They've benefited greatly as a result, actually."[break][break]

He picked up a spoon and scooped some raspberry chocolate ice cream for a taste.[break][break]

"Baptiste L'Oiseau was seen at a charity gala among the aristocracy recently, some say due to a new political patronage. Others say he's merely become that much more influential."[break][break]

All the while, Julien watched Lisa's face for her reaction. He did not know what the L'Oiseau family meant to her, but perhaps her emotions might reveal some information.

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Julien was expert enough at reading others that he caught the emptiness in the way she repeated his words. Perhaps Lisa did not remember him after all. Granted, she held no particular place in his heart, either. But she had been the center of gossip and scandal, and he could not forget the way they'd torn each other apart in their entanglement.[break][break]

Their situation was different now, of course. She was an underboss within Team Rocket, wielding power as easily as she held her fork. He was merely a contact for them, a conveyer of news and money.[break][break]

And so Julien launched into an account of major events from the last three years, those of interest to the leader within Rocket. Politics, business, social issues. He spoke as he would with any colleague of esteem, keeping conversation interesting without being too open in his demeanor.[break][break]

However, as the night progressed — and as he drank more wine — he found himself more and more relaxed. Lisa had not changed, not really. Perhaps her personality was more pronounced, but Julien ascribed that to the lack of a husband holding the end of her leash.[break][break]

No, the man who held the leash this time was declan walsh, and he did not seem to care about Lisa's sharpness as Édouard had.[break][break]

"All that said, is there any topic that particularly interests you?" Julien asked. They were well into their entrée by then. "Something closer to home, perhaps?"

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During the first few weeks of Julien's arrival to Hoenn, he spent his time establishing himself within the embassy. He met with each member of the Council, as well as Head Professor Eva Morales, to get a feel for the people with whom he was expected to work. He hired a new assistant and signed on to explore one of these "Ultra Space" realms he'd heard about.[break][break]

Only after sorting through that business did he reach out to the local branch of Team Rocket. And, to his immense surprise, he found a familiar name among them: Elisabeth Fiorelli.[break][break]

She hadn't used the name Fiorelli when they'd met, of course. Fiorelli was the name attached to a family in debt, to a wine vintage fallen in reputation, to the masterful skill and desperate actions of the late Georgiana.[break][break]

No, Lisa had been a Bortiforte back then. It seemed the company and her late husband's estate hadn't been the only things she'd shed before disappearing from the public eye.[break][break]

"Difficult, yes, but easier than one might think," Julien replied, lifting his glass of wine but not yet drinking from it. "Diplomatic immunity and all."[break][break]

He sipped the wine as servers brought out the first course of their prix fixe dinner. The dryness and flavor were exquisite, matching his expectation of fine dining. But perhaps that should not have come as a surprise.[break][break]

Julien kept his expression mild, the corners of his mouth curling in a slight smile.[break][break]

"I'm glad to be having this meeting with you, Miss Fiorelli," he said. "It's been a few years since our last encounter, and I bring news from Kalos that might interest you."

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