It has been a few weeks since Gali brought Lost and Found to Luani.

In that time, Lost gained enough of his powers back to levitate on his own, although he never said no to being carried around by Gali. Found, too, never gave up the chance to rest on Gali's head, or be carried herself. Yet, the two had expanded their horizons greatly.

Many trips to the beachside, to the town park, even to Rigel's to keep Gali's promise, gave them that much more experience with the world. They met many a curious folk, many of Gali's friends on the island who were interested in them, and had slowly but surely integrated themselves as members of society, just as Gali had. Though, they definitely had less of a presence; their powers were still weak, as even Found had trouble using her powers to any large degree.

Their relationship with Gali had only grown during this time. Though Gali had often sought Karina's affection at the end of a rough day, she was getting nuzzles all the time from the two Celebi at her side. Despite them teasing her about often being called 'kids', they certainly relied on her for quite a lot. Gali tries her best to keep a smile on her face, but at night they all can't help but think back to that fateful day, crying themselves to sleep and hoping their next dream would be different. And as the days went by, their past life had a smaller and smaller impact on their minds. With Gali at their side, she helped them all that she could in dealing with their emotions, old and new.

As the days went by, Lost became happier and more confident, and Found's optimism and energy became more tame, yet still above average. The fears they expressed became lesser and lesser, eventually trying things on their own, knowing the consequences wouldn't be all that bad. Things like introducing themselves to strangers, trying new foods, wanting to explore different parts of the island - all they told Gali about excitedly when they wanted to do them, and then also telling her about how it went when they did. She was quick to remind them not to do anything too rash, as she wanted to keep her word to Rigel, but their intentions, as far as Gali could see, were pure.

Nowhere were their improved moods at play than when she took them out to the meadow flanking Gorebyss Lake for the first time since that day. Landing in that wide-open field with the whole lake on one side, sparse trees, and many a flowerbed, it was hard for Gali to keep them contained.

"Now, don't go off too far, and watch how fast you fly! I don't wanna get knocked out again like last week!"

"Ehe! Race ya to that tree over there, Lost!"

"You're on!" And off they go...

Gali sighed, watching the two rocket off. How far they've come, and how far they've yet to go. Seeing them play, so carefree despite their past...it warms her heart. Perhaps it's because she, too, feels their energy, having bonded so close - and with them quite literally sharing a bit of her body.

As the two Celebi race off and do their own thing, Gali stretches her arms out, a bit tired from the trip. If it wasn't so dang long...but at least she can rest. Finding her way over to a flowerbed, she plops down on her back, folds her arms behind her head, and takes a long, deep breath. Peace, again, at least.

She closes her eyes, letting the sound of the grass rustling in the breeze lull her into a nap. The sound of her Celebi companions flying above, flapping their wings audibly as they drew near, never stopped putting a smile on her face.

"Hey, Found, let's...!"
"...that one...!"

Whatever those rapscallions were up to, she'd find out later. Right now, she had a nap with her name on it coming on...

...

"Dead again, huh?"

Gali jolted awake, hearing that voice. She must have dozed off faster than she thought. Must've been because she was still tired after staying up all last night watching Karina play that game. Either way, the Marshadow from before stood over her.

"Not a chance. Eh?" A flower falls from her forehead. In fact, she's covered in flowers. There's chuckling nearby. Gali looks around, then up - Lost and Found begun laughing as they saw Gali's face look up at them. "Y-you rascals..."

He, too, looked up at them. Gali quickly shot up a telepathic message as he looked away; "Stay up there, you two. This person is trouble, but he won't hurt you if you're in the air." They looked serious for a moment, and then flew away towards the lake.

"Found, should we...?" "No, she can..."

He looks back towards Gali. "In a few short weeks and you already have kids."

She hmph'd. "I've no need to explain myself."

"Good. Saves me the hassle of listening to it." He tightens his fist. "Do you know why I came to this spit of land in the first place, a few weeks back?"

Gali has gotten up, crossing her arms. "I feel like you'd tell me even if I said I didn't care."

He chuckled. "You'd be correct. Because I had heard this was quite the hotspot for mythicals. And based off of the few days I spent here, it's all been...lazy. You island folk have no agency."

"And why would we?" She turns to the side, keeping him in her peripherals. "We've no reason to fight. The few that look for fights hang out in dark alleys." A head tilt his way. "But if fighting is all you care about, I'm sure some of those types would entertain you."

"Hmph. I've no interest in useless squabble." He took a step forward. "You're either useful to me, an enemy, or worthless."

"...So what makes me worthy of your attention, hm?" A smug grin. "Certainly you've learned all you needed to know based off of our last encounter."

He shrugs. "I was thinking the same thing. But you can't fool me." He points at the Celebi. "You've been in contact with some legendaries recently, haven't you?"

A head jerk. "So what if I have? Even you said this place is full of them."

"Don't get your quantifiers mixed up, scum. You know what I mean." His tone becomes more aggressive. "You've got the influence of Dialga and Palkia written all over you."

Gali remained silent.

"And not just you. Those things that flew off, too."

She looked at the Marshadow with sharp eyes. He returns the look.

"So tell me. Where did they come from? Or when?"

Still silent, for a few moments. "...Your business is with those of this reality."

The Marshadow then went silent too, lowering his hand and just staring at Gali. Not in disbelief, but rather, it looked as if he was thinking while trying to maintain his tough-guy stance.

"...So, you're not useless after all. Hmph." He turns around, his scarf blowing in the wind. "Consider yourself...on probation. I will use you at a time I see fit."

"You dreadful being...people aren't tools." She turns back towards him, still with her arms crossed.

He waves a hand dismissively, beginning to walk away. "As I said, you're either useful to me, an enemy, or worthless. Be glad you have my mercy today, because if I need you tomorrow, I may not be as nice."

The Celebi sighed, sensing Lost and Found were above, nearby. "...Hey, wait. I'm not gonna ask you your name, but let me say one thing before you go."

He stopped mid-step, turning his head slightly.

"...Thank you."

"What?"

"Thank you." She raised her voice slightly. "It's because of our previous conversation...that I was able to change myself, even a little bit."

He stood in silence for a few moments. The flowers near their feet waved in the breeze.

"...I can tell you're not bad. You hurt on the inside. And, I had an experience that...revealed to me, a little bit of the hurt inside me too."

"Shut up. You know nothing of me."

"Even if I don't, I can still empathize." She looked away. "...You never know what kind of past someone has until they tell it to you."

More silence. Then, he turned back towards Gali, half-way.

"If this is you trying to change my ways, just as I somehow did the same to you...then you can save it for someone you know, and for someone who cares."

She sighs, shaking her head. "...If you were to look for me again, our connection would only deepen. We healers know how to mend a soul and give it respite."

He balled his hand into a fist, looking back away again. "...I won't repeat myself a third time."

The Marshadow began walking away again. Gali did not stop him this time.

Lost flies down behind Gali's back, peering over her shoulder. "What a scary guy..."

The large Celebi sighs again, deeper and longer than before, a shiver going through her body. "He looks the part...and he's not from this island, but I can tell. He's living in this world the way he wants to live in, despite the trauma he's endured."

Found flies down as well, openly at Gali's side, with her arms crossed. "Well, that doesn't excuse him talking to you like that! If he really wanted help, he'd ask for it, right?"

The Bibi shook her head. "Unfortunately, some people don't ask. Some people keep it inside, bottled up, and they turn out like that. Such contempt..."

Lost grabbed onto Gali's arm, shaking it, even though she was standing still. "Y-you're not thinking of helping him, are you? What if he comes back and threatens to hurt you? O-or us, or...the island..."

"He won't." She watches as the black figure fades into the distance. "Because I'll help him even if he doesn't ask nicely."

"Whaaa-?!" Both Celebi react. "Bu-but he's a JERK!"

Gali puts her head down with a smile. "...Found, it may do you good to listen to people's hearts. Could you tell he was hesitating a few times when he answered me? I wasn't goading him on to listen to just his answers. I was looking for the meaning behind them as well."

She turns her head towards Lost. "Do you remember the dream we first shared? The things you said, or were trying to say...they didn't matter. Because I sensed you were suffering, and I knew I had to fix that, no matter the cost."

He winced. "Ohh, why'd you have to bring that up..."

She brought up her arm, with Lost still attached to it, and nuzzled her cheek against his head. "You don't gotta worry, sweetie. You're different now. But...there are people living in this world that have went through similar events, phases in their lives. And they're suffering too."

"Even though I was in another reality..." Lost looks away.

"Yup. It was because you came to me that I helped you, even if it wasn't...the best, clearest way. And even if I didn't have the means to help. That didn't matter at the time...it's that you reached out in the first place that did." She looks forward. The Marshadow had disappeared. "I think...some people are like that. They wouldn't approach others unless they needed help."

The blue Celebi shuddered. "I-if you weren't able to...help..."

She reaches over and holds his cheek with her free hand. "Shhh...don't think such things. Trust in what you feel now, not the future you aren't living in."

Found flies up and sits on Gali's head, crossing her legs, still looking a bit peeved. "I still think he could've been a little nicer..."

"Hehe, maybe he should've. Maybe this isn't the best example to set either...but, well, you've seen me at work. I helped you guys out when my life was on the line. If his life was at stake with whatever he's doing...I don't think I could live with turning him down, even if he didn't follow through on his threats."

"Gee, Gali...how do you do it, then? How do you live with helping people like him?" Found's tone changed, and Gali could tell she had accepted the lesson.

The anthro Bibi looked to the grass below, finding a pink flower sticking a few inches above the rest. She kneels down, running a finger along one of its petals.

"I guess...it's just in my blood."
