A Bisharp leaned over the bed, fear and regret hiding behind the cheerful facade he wore.

The Shiny Bisharp smiled back at him, her eyes barely open. She had been getting progressively worse, now needing a breathing tube to stay alive.

"Nigel... you remember... how we first met..?"

"How could I forget? That conference, the sly look from across the room, the drink you splashed in my face... I could never forget, Asana," he replied. He knew she was asking for a story to fall asleep to. He had figured out all her tricks by now.

Asana was now asleep, her breathing sounding as if it could go at any time.

Nigel left the room, head hanging. Assistants were waiting outside Asana's room; Nigel had forbidden anyone but him for going in.

"Sir, the analysts say she has a month at most." "They can analyze their stats all they want, I don't care." "Her condition defies everything known to multiple fields!" "All the more reason to keep trying." "But sir–" "I wouldn't start talking about money when we all know I could save it by firing you." All the same lines. He had heard them all before.

Nigel went into his office, the door locking behind him. He returned to his desk, leaning back. "I've tried everything... nothing works..." he though to himself. He had been trapped in this cycle for months now. He wanted out. He wanted his wife back.

Nigel snapped, sweeping all the papers off his desk. Correspondences with leading professionals, experts in the supernatural, so-called "Holy Mon"; all of them wastes of time.

Suddenly, a paper fell on his arm. He picked it up, looking it over. "What in the... I never sent for this... the curse of another... lifted from the afflicted... price of a trade..." he muttered. He had found an occult drawing, detailing a process of exchanging curses between afflicted Pokémon.

"This... this might just work... but where would I find someone that would make a good trade for her? Maybe... him... yes, him. The one who gave her this blasted ailment in the first place!"

A knock at the door. Nigel opened it, stepping outside. "What is it," he asked the Fraxure lab assistant.

"Sir, are you okay? I heard yelling." "I'm fine. What else is it?" "Oh, well, I was thinking, and maybe we could get additional funding by marketing that game you're working on."

"Who told you about that? How do you know?!" "W-with all due respect, sir... you're very loud. You should soundproof that office of yours."

"Very well. You can do that while I'm away. I have to leave for a while. You alone have access to enter Asana's room. Within reason, give her what she wants. She usually says things to get something else, but if you just take the request at face value, you'll be fine."

The Fraxure nodded. "O-okay sir! I'll do my best!" "Good. Now, make sure the rest know." The lab assistant nodded, going off to tell the rest of his colleagues.

Nigel stepped back inside. "I'll check that guild first. But I'll find you. And I'll make you pay, Ronoh. You'll pay..."