#plot: inflection reflection

Hall of Origin, Sinnoh, Elysium

Heidi and Metea ended up in Heidi's Hall of Origin. The Acting-Arceus let go of Metea's hand and immediately made it for the couch, falling and landing on it. "Thanks for taking me home, Metea. Do you wanna hang out for a while? I can introduce you to my family."

Metea shook her head. "I would love to, but I promised my baby brother to check on him and hang out after his mission is over."

"Oh, yeah! What's your brother's name? You never gave me that."

"His name is Syrtus. He's a B-rank."

"Syrtus. Gotcha. I'll remember that if I run into him there. Well, if you or him ever wanna visit when you have time, feel free to. I'd be happy to introduce you guys."

"Thank you, Heidi. Make sure you come back on time for Onboarding!"

"I will! Thank you!"

Metea teleported out of the area, leaving Heidi to relax on the couch back home. It was nice to finally unwind.

Nergal walked down the stairs and smiled at Heidi. "Seems that you had a good time."

"Yeah. I wasn't expecting to suddenly get a job interview today, though." Heidi snapped her fingers, relieving Jeanne of back-up duty.

"Job interview? What was it for?" Nergal sat next to Heidi.

"Auntie Arty had me join her Bounty Hunting Agency, so I was away this whole time doing interviews." Heidi moved to laying on Nergal's lap. "Interesting people and an interesting position."

"So, you're a bounty hunter now?"

"Agent, but yeah. I want to get stronger so I can better protect you and the family and also this world."

Nergal stroked Heidi's hair. "Well, that's one way to achieve that goal. I'm sure you'll do fine, just as long as you don't get in my way~"

"Or you don't get in mine~"

The two dragons laughed together. It was nice to have each other bac—

Riiinng! It seemed to be Ghost.

"Huh?" Heidi looked over as Ghost appeared in front of her. "Here. Let me read that." Heidi grabbed the phone and looked. It was a message from Zinnia that was just sent over.

…

"…? The heck. What do you mean that Lauren's missing?"

In the Director's office, Heidi sat across from the Director, reading and signing onboarding paperwork that was given to her. The Director was explaining the basics of the paperwork while allowing Heidi the time to read through the details and agreeing. After a while, they were done.

"You will be starting as a Rank E agent. You will be specializing in intelligence gathering as well as certain extermination missions. Courtesy of your unique situation, we will ensure to send someone to watch over your world while you're gone to make sure that it's safe for you. Judging by how time flows in your world, your orientation starts next Monday. Please come on time and be ready for a lot of learning. While you have a home to return to, we will still ensure to give you a dorm to stay in and you're free to utilize the services as you see fit as if you did live here."

"Thank you, Director, though is it okay if I can start a little later? With the situation with my Shadow Sister and Team Rainbow Rocket, I want to make sure things are handled at home first."

"Well, we can delay things for a little while, but there's a chance that you'll still need to report to us before you can wrap things up there. Do you have someone to help you investigate things?"

"I do, yes. I'll have to ask Jeanne and Rachel to do that while I'm away."

"Very well. Then, how about this? We will set your orientation for a month from now. Should you still have things to do, please inform Jeanne and Rachel and return here. Unless you're urgently needed, I'll let HQ know to put you in the low priority bracket for E-rank missions. Once things are completed, let me know and we will return you to standard priority. Is that alright with you?"

Heidi nodded and smiled. "Yes. Thank you, Director. I appreciate it."

"Perfect. Now, let's talk about getting you home. Come with me."

The Director and Heidi walked out of the office and through the halls. Eventually, they reached the center courtyard, a large, open space where many agents and others were commuting through. There were plants and symbols all over the place, as if this was one giant campus. It was astonishing.

Once the two reached one end, they stopped. The Director looked around. "Now, your Aunt is still on a mission, so I have someone else that can take you home."

"Okay. Oh, actually is it okay if I can take a sample of the grass? I want to record the location of this place so I can know how to easily come back here."

"You may."

Heidi walked over to some of the low-cut grass and picked off one of the blades. Ghost appeared next to her and started scanning it. After a minute, it finished processing.

New location added to the portal system.

"Thanks, Ghost—"

Heidi was suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice. "You know, you don't look like the type to touch too much grass, Heidi."

"Huh?" Heidi looked up. She stood up straight and backed away from the grass.

It was Metea. "What's gotten you so enamored with the flora, hm?" She chuckled at the little dragon.

"Oh! I wasn't just admiring the grass. I was just recording this place for my portal system. Sorry if that looked weird."

"Heh. It's alright. It wasn't all that strange." She smiled at Heidi and then at the Director. "Anyway, I'm here. Time for me to take Heidi home?"

The Director nodded. "That is correct. You also have the requirement to pick her back up should she be at risk of missing her orientation. Can you do that?"

"As long as I don't have a mission set up, sure."

"Good. Now, if you excuse me…" The Director nodded at Metea. She then looked at Heidi. "If you need anything important, please reach out to myself or Metea." The Director walked away.

Heidi watched as the Director left them alone. It seems that she had more to do. "So, that's the Director, huh?"

"Yep. This place wouldn't be the same without her and HQ, honestly. They're both integral to keep the ball rolling. Anyway, are you ready to return home? I'm sure your family miss you."

"Yeah. I'm sure that my daughter's probably asking all sorts of questions about how long I'll be gone and when am I coming home with Auntie Arty…" Heidi chuckled.

"Well, she'll be asking about Artemis for a little longer, though I'm sure that, when she's done her missions, Artemis will make sure to visit."

"Yeah. I'm sure so, too. Anyway, let's go."

Lauren jolted up and started breathing heavily. She felt many of her feathers standing up as she looked at herself and at the bed. What a strange dream to have…. Just what was all of that about?

"You seem to be startled, sister."

"Eep!" Lauren quickly shifted to her human form and pulled the covers to cover herself from the neck down. "L—Lacey! What are you doing here?"

"For you, of course." Lacey walked over to the bed and sat down. "I have been waiting for you to awaken this entire time."

"This whole time? How long have you been home?"

"While you were still working. When you entered, I was going to make myself known, but you fell asleep, and there was no use to wake you up early. As such, I let you sleep."

"Oh. Well… thanks, I guess." Lauren scratched the back of her head. She then yawned. "Have—oh, excuse me. Have you seen Chrona?"

"...check your phone. She'll be away for the day."

Lauren called her Rotom Phone and checked her messages. She received messages from Chrona, Wally, and Mona. "Hmm… Oh, Chrona's with Icathia to look over things. Wally said that he's letting Maractus stay over with him… and—huh? Lady Mona says 'have fun'?" Weird.

Lacey nodded. "I have gained permission from Chrona and Mona to ask for your assistance ahead of time. Sister… I need your help."

Lauren put the phone away and scooted over. She sat next to the Shadow Sister. Now that the two of them are together, she just realized that it's been a while since she's seen her sister. Wasn't Heidi looking for her? Lauren reached in for a hug. "What's the matter, sis? You know I'll be here for you. I've been worried about you."

Lacey leaned a little to allow Lauren to embrace her; however, she didn't reciprocate the hug directly. "You were?"

"Of course I am. We all are! We were happy to know that you were okay when you intercepted the camera and took Lillie, but we still were worried since you didn't say anything to us. Is everything alright?"

"…" Lacey didn't speak at first, but instead spent her time in the moment in her older sister's embrace. She hasn't been gone for that long, but it's felt like forever since the two had spent time together. Maybe she still does miss things… like missing her big sister. "… You… are purified, meaning that you... cannot be corrupted again. I… I wish for my sister to protect me, as I have to her."

"Of course I'll protect you. You're important to me, sis. Did something happen?"

"I—I am struggling to control myself." Lacey reached out her hand and showed what seemed to be a black flame. "The Shadow Energy…. I… I am trying to purify it, but… but it's too much. The pain is so much to bear—"

Lauren reached over and placed her hand on the shadowy flame. She hadn't felt anything from that fire, though. "It's okay. It's okay. You don't have to bear this alone. I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."

Lacey stared at their clasping hands. Despite the Shadow Energy still dispelling from her body, Lauren didn't seem to be affected. "Does… Does it hurt?"

"Huh?" Lauren lifted her hand a little. The black fire was still under her, however, at the point where it touched her hands, there were small hints of white as small embers escaped to the sides. "No. No, it doesn't. Is it supposed to?"

Lacey looked back at their grasped hands. She watched the transition of the energy as it found its way to purify when Lauren was nearby. Maybe everything was going to be alright, after all. "Sister… can… can you help me?"

"I will. Just lead the way."

With almost everything else complete, there was just a single interview remaining. Heidi wasn't told anything about it ahead of time or its contents. Instead, she was simply reassured that this was the final step and that this would be the deciding point of whether or not she would be joining the Agency. So, Heidi let herself be led, sat down, and looked towards the other end of the table to see her interviewer.

"…" It was HQ. She sat there, staring directly at Heidi.

"Hi again, HQ. It's an honor to have me come here."

"…" HQ didn't say a word. Instead, she blew a bubble from the gum in her mouth. Just as it popped, the door behind Heidi slammed. HQ simply adjusted the gum and started chewing again.

"…"

Heidi wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but she could sense that the air was getting a little tense. So, she decided not to speak and wait to be spoken to. A part of her wondered just what could be going on in HQ's head. There they were, sitting across from each other in this large room for the final interview, but not speaking. Could this be some type of patience trial or something?

Though, that being said, now that she has a moment, it was the perfect time to try to recall who HQ reminded her of. Her demeanor and tone, and even her silence, made Heidi think that she could be similar to someone that she knows… heck, someone that she's even close to, but for some reason, the connection wasn't being made for her. Even now, as HQ shared this monotonous room with its desaturated blue and long table, similarly-colored table, HQ glared at her with something that she would get the feeling of someone that she knew.

Could it be Melony? Melony in her Complete Form was always someone that was extremely serious and to-the-point in her tone. Even as they mutually enjoyed their time together, Melony would always sound serious and would have the face of someone that was not playing any games. Then again, Heidi has met other counterparts of Melony and that doesn't seem to be common amongst them. Daiyu, for example, almost wasn't ever serious unless the situation called for it. Mercy was always serious, but she moreso a brooding creature than anything. Even her closest counterpart, Hel, was a little more varied in her delivery than Melony. This isn't even to mention that Heidi doesn't sense Mona in this exchange, either.

Maybe this was an Arceus version of Leifi. Leifi never took any slack from even her closest friends. Heidi and Leifi were always in a semi-friendly rivalry, causing Leifi to be a lot more tense and hostile towards her. Despite that, the two dragons are extremely close, even willing to go to bat for the other for anything that the other got into. Maybe this could be something like that…? Though, that being said, maybe not as Leifi's serious tone is usually more hostile and not aloof, as HQ seems to portray. Not only that, but HQ isn't close to Heidi in any way, nor is she aware of anything that she could have done to gain that hostility.

Maybe it could be an iteration of Jörmungandr. Her father wasn't really someone that gave a lot of emotion as well. Even when he was a warlord, he only spoke up and with emotion when giving a speech or when the situation really calls for it. Otherwise, he's seemingly emotionless and without much inflection, even when he's spending time with Meredith. Not to mention that HQ seemed to be intelligent and a leader in this space to some respect, kind of like how people viewed Jörmungandr. Then again, the familiar feeling that she's getting from HQ isn't quite the same as if she was speaking with a version of her father. She couldn't put her finger on it, but the vibe just… wasn't quite the same. She wasn't entirely sure.

Then again, maybe Heidi is just overthinking because of the silence. Not everyone that she meets in the multiverse has to be a version of someone that she's already met. Metea and The Director, for example, seem to be entirely new to her. Maybe HQ was the same….

"…"

...

4 hours passed. Heidi and HQ had been sitting in the room in silence the entire time. Neither spoke to each other, choosing to spend the time looking at each other. Occasionally, Heidi would avert her eyes to look at the surrounding space. On other times, a holographic prompt appeared in front of HQ's eyes, causing her to look at that until it went away. However, most of the time they were spending was towards each other. Neither of them tempted the other, either. Neither of them attempted to read the other's mind or attempted to force a reaction, either. They each were just focused on themselves, and looking at the other.

Finally, after all of that time, HQ suddenly got out of her chair and started walking around the table.

Heidi tilted her head as she watched HQ start to walk past the table and, eventually, past her. HQ opened the door widely and took a step outside. Then, the next two spoken words put everything to rest:

"You're hired."

The Director led Heidi to another room for the second verbal interview. Once Heidi sat down, the Director left the room once more before the lights turned on, revealing Heidi's second interview.

"...Hello, Lacey."

"Dinah." Heidi narrowed her eyes.

The interviewer shook her head. "Ashe comes from Dinah, yes, but Ashe is not Dinah. Not necessarily."

Heidi narrowed her eyes. "Oh. Right. Lacey mentioned that." The dragon crossed her arms. Heidi dropped any pretense. "So, if you come from Dinah, how much do I have to tell you about."

Ashe shook her head. "Ashe knows all of you. Ashe has known that you would appear here, and of the actions that you have performed that led up to the very moment. You have done so much for a Latias, even for other counterparts of yourself. The one that you call… 'Lacey' should be proud to see you."

Heidi smiled. "Thank you. I'm sure she appreciates hearing that from you. Anyway, if you know everything, then what is it that you're interviewing me for?"

"Ashe was assigned to you per the request of HQ. She knows that Ashe is aware of you and your past. However, Ashe wished to speak to you anyway."

HQ really knows a lot more than she lets on. "Well, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"This Agency. This Agency deals with the wider multiverse in ways beyond your imagination. You may have gotten some exposure in your journey and encountered variants of others that you may be familiar with; however, both this realm and the worlds that we venture through will entail encountering many variations of familiar entities. Ashe would not recommend trying to add everything to that spreadsheet of yours, lest it get too full."

Heidi nodded. "I'll try to keep that separate for anyone that I have to do domestic interactions with, though I can't promise the same for running into those in the agency."

"Ashe understands. Ashe assumes that Ashe has been linked with Dinah in the spreadsheet, yes?"

"That's right. Ghost already jotted you down when we learned that you were a counterpart of Dinah."

Ashe shook her head. "Ashe is not a counterpart of Dinah. Ashe comes from Dinah. There is a difference."

"Oh. Sorry. Though, what is that difference?"

"Those that have come from Dinah such as Ashe are still technically a part of Dinah. If Ashe were to make a parallel, it would be like the different cores of a Zygarde, with the main core – as well as the Completed form – being Dinah."

"I see. That's interesting." Heidi crossed her arms. "I didn't know she had a depth to her. I know that she dismissed the idea of having counterparts before, but I didn't know she would do something like this. How many of you are there, not including Dinah?"

"Twelve. Ashe is somewhere in the middle in terms of order."

"Will I get to meet the other eleven?"

"…" Ashe closed her eyes and gave the question some thought. "...Perhaps. It just depends on how hard you wish to look."

Heidi nodded. "Alright. Then I'll keep my eyes peeled."

Ashe leaned back a little. "Ashe also has a warning for you, Lacey. Ashe will reassure you that you will be hired at the agency; however, Ashe will also give you a warning: it is important that you are to use this opportunity as a true way to improve to keep your world safe and to take this opportunity seriously. You will undergo many challenges outside of our agency, one of which Ashe is sure that you are already preparing for in the long run."

"Friede…"

"Yes, Friede and her resurrection. There will come a day when all of you fear will come to life, and you will once again need to step up to the scene to defend your new home. Will you have the strength to keep your friends safe, or have you only delayed the inevitable? The choice is yours."

"…" Heidi clenched her teeth. So, Friede was destined to try to destroy the world once again…. It was something that she had to keep in mind, and something that she'll have to prepare for even more than she expected. "...I understand. I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Ashe."

Ashe nodded and got up. She walked past Heidi and made it for the door. "Oh, and one final thing—"

Heidi turned to Ashe.

"Perhaps you and Ashe should get some coffee together sometime."

Heidi smiled and nodded. "I'd be happy to."

Lauren found herself standing in the middle of Spear Pillar. She wasn't sure how she got there or why she was here, but the dragon looked around before moving forward. Everything was as it was as she remembered it…. It all looked a little… too perfect.

Lauren held out her hand and called for her Rotom Phone.

…

…

But nothing happened!

"...Weird."

Perhaps she was dreaming. Lauren continued forward. As she approached the end platform, she could suddenly see a semi-translucent flight of stairs. Lauren stopped just before touching any of the steps. "Little sis wouldn't have stairs. Maybe this is Lacey that's infiltrating." Lauren closed her eyes to try to feel for Heidi's Arceus counterpart.

…

…

Nothing so far.

Maybe she really did need to scale the stairs.

Lauren took a deep breath and made her first step. Then, she took another. Slowly but surely, she started scaling the large stairway. Looking down, everything seemed to be getting smaller as she climbed higher and higher. The large platform of Spear Pillar started to look like nothing but a small footnote in the giant landscape that she could see. Then, all of Sinnoh itself soon became that size. Lauren shook her head before looking back up and continuing her climb up the holy stairway. Perhaps this was all just a test… a way to see if she really would go all fo the way. If so, then the tester would surely be impressed, as Lauren increased her pace, quickly making her way up.

Lauren eventually made it to the top. She found herself on a semi-translucent, rainbow platform, with space and stars all around her. Looking back, Lauren could see the earth. It was incredibly small from here… almost as small as a ball in the palm of her hand. Was she truly that far away from where she started? Just what is all of this for? Lauren turned back around to look at whoever invited her here.

Heidi was on the other end, smiling at her big sister in her Low Powered form and holding hands with her Arceus counterpart. To their side, Jeanne and Rachel stood hand-in hand smiling at Lauren. Looking to Lauren's left, she saw Genitor and Shukukou each smiling and waving at the dragon. Looking to her right, the reincarnated Izanami and the reincarnated iteration of Friede each nodded at Lauren.

—and at the center, Mona stood there with an outstretched hand.

"O Retainer Mine. It is time… for you to join us."

"Wh—wha—" Lauren slowly started walking towards her master. "What am I joining?" She started reaching for Mona.

"You were always meant to be one of us… come… claim your rightful place with us."

"What?" Lauren pulled back and looked around once again. Heidi… Arceus… Izanami… Friede…

Is Mona trying to imply—

—No… no, she can't—

Lauren shook her head. "I'm… I'm not—" She took a step back.

"It is okay, O Retainer Mine." Mona started walking towards Lauren, still holding her arm out. "Your sisters have already joined us. You won't be alone."

"S—sisters? But—huh?" Lauren raised her arms to wave them against Mona to signal her to go away, but looking at her arms. Her skin was darker than she recalled. What was going on? Lauren snapped a mirror into existence to take a look at herself—

She looked just like the old Izanami.

"N—no. No no no." Lauren dropped the glass and attempted to back up to the steps. "I'm—no I'm not—I can't—"

Lauren reached the edge of the platform, but didn't feel the next stair. Instead, she felt herself slip off of the edge of the platform. Within an instant, she realized that she had drastically messed up.

"Wo—woah—" Lauren started reaching for something… anything to prevent her descent. Even as Mona approached her, Lauren desperately reached to finally grab Mona's hand… but Mona was too far. The dragon started to fall and started to scream. It was over—

… but then something grabbed her from behind.

Lauren stopped screaming as she was in shock. She was let down safely on the platform. Mona had taken a few steps back to give the dragon room to move. A wave of relief washed over her, but it quickly started to crash back down as she realized what resulted in this. Lauren quickly turned around to look at the person that saved her.

The entity backed up a little to give Lauren space, but it was also enough for Lauren to get a good look. She seemed completely alien to the dragon, but something was familiar nonetheless. She had the aura of another Arceus, even though Lauren could sense that she she wasn't.

"You have to be more careful, sister."

"!!!" Lauren felt herself starting to waiver. Was that— "L—Lacey?"

"..." Lacey was just finishing checking in on Lauren's Alakazam. It seems that every Pokémon was on-board with the plan. It's just a shame that Lauren is asleep and Chrona was away. Now, she was going back to spreading some pizza sauce and cheese on some dough. It looks like she was making some Unova-style pizza.

That's when Lacey received something.

High Power request initiated.

"..." It seems that things are getting intense for Heidi. She's probably used to not having access to her High Powered form by now, but it's not like she shouldn't always have it.

Upgrade accepted.

Heidi used Mist Ball! Diana used Dragon Claw! Heidi used Dragon Pulse! Diana used Extreme Speed!

The two were going at it, even though Heidi was clearly at a disadvantage comparatively. The dragon was starting to get worn down, and she was quite beaten up, too. She was really reaching her limit. Even her plans and tactics were at best a little advantageous. At this rate, Heidi won't make it that much further.

"Great." Heidi was panting. "This… this is what E rank has for me, huh? I don't stand a chance."

"E-Rank?" Diana shook her head. "No. I'm C-Rank."

"C?" Heidi was starting to grip her move gun a little more. "Well, that makes me feel a little better."

"Not for long."

Diana used Judgment!

The bolts were falling from the skies, causing Heidi to defend herself. If only she could revert to her High Powered form… if only Lacey was here so they could beat this Arceus together….

…

…!

"…" Diana glared as the bolts landed on Heidi, causing an explosion. She stood still and kept watch. She wasn't going to be off her guard. Not yet.

….

….!

Heidi transformed into High-Powered Form! High-Powered Heidi used Neutralizing Max Wyrmwind!

Diana dashed out of the way. She was still partially struck by it. Now things were getting interesting.

"…"

Heidi was pacing around Diana as Diana regained her footing.

"...So, was this something that you were waiting for?"

"...We were not. Our other half is not present to allow this. Nonetheless, let us continue."