Jesse remained silent as the Castle Knights said their goodbyes to each other and their individual partners, book in hand. A carefully maintained half smirk was the only sign of emotion he let grace his face. He could feel Plitheon's burning presence, floating just off his right shoulder. The sooner they were gone, the better.

Plitheon knew when Jesse was acting. At least when he paid attention to his partner, which he had never ceased to do from the moment he and Jesse were released from Kazarina's spell. Jesse had called out all the normal attacks, crushing his enemies through Plitheon with his unique and wonderful flair, just as he always had. The horrible taunts were absent though, and Plitheon didn't know whether to be worried or grateful. Favorites of Plitheon's were used, and he relished in them, loving the way Jesse drove his opponents into the dirt in the most theatrical way. Jesse never even commented when he won though, which was unusual. Plitheon mentally kicked himself for not learning Jesse's signs. Other pairs, he knew, could know how each other were feeling at a second's glance, but Jesse could be a mystery when he wanted.

The burning memory of his betrayal had never left Plitheon's mind, the sheer look of betrayal on Jesse's face, the utter shock. Denial had even surfaced, but Plitheon had crushed that. Even the two on the platform had seemed shocked by Plitheon's actions. What kind of punishment would Jesse inflict, Plitheon wondered. Once he had gotten so mad that he had refused to fight for a month. That had been the worst month of Plitheon's life. Another time, Jesse had simply stopped talking to him. At first, it wasn't so bad, but Plitheon began to yearn for Jesse's voice, which he finally and begrudgingly gave.

Finally, the parting words were said and they teleported back to the airships. Jesse and Plitheon were the only two of the former twelve orders on board Airzel's old ship, but the crew knew what to do. Jesse never let himself be alone, standing directly in the cockpit of the ship at all times, attendants and crew always near. Occasionally he leafed through his book, but never focused on one of the pages. During one of the moments Plitheon thought was private, he softly spoke to Jesse, "Listen, Jesse, about what happened,"

"Not now," Jesse's voice was ice and he never looked directly at his bakugan. Plitheon finally felt something like fear spike at his stomach.

Suddenly, Zenet's overly excited face leapt onto the screen. As usual, she was just a little too close to the monitor, her face filling up the entire screen. Jesse and Plitheon could see Ren in the background, standing quietly behind the excited girl. Jesse grinned a bit at the sight of her.

"Hey Jesse," Zenet started. "How are you? You ready to get back to Gundalia? I sure am. Being Kazerina's slave was the worst. How did you like it? I can't remember most of it, but what I do gives me the creeps. I think it's like an hour more 'fore we get home. Can't wait to see my old room again."

Jesse was nearly blown away by Zenet's energy. He had a conspiracy theory that Ren had told Zenet to call him just to get her focus away from himself. Jesse couldn't blame him. Zenet could tire anybody out.

"It will be nice to go back," Jesse agreed. He looked vaguely amused by Zenet. Plitheon was just glad he didn't look as distracted anymore.

"I know!" Zenet eagerly agreed, hair bobbing up and down with her nod. "Do you know how they're going to make the new government? Asked Ren, but he won't say."

"Because I don't know," Ren exasperatedly told her.

"MKay," Zenet said, unconvinced. Ren heaved a quiet sigh.

Zenet refocused on Jesse. "Hope I can stay. How 'bout you? You wanna stay?"

Jesse didn't flicker. "I believe retirement is the best option –"

Zenet cut him off. "Retire, you? Why would you do that? It's not like you're old or anything."

"Really?" Jesse said through half a grin. "I feel it. Besides, it's a bit tiring, all this government politics and rivalry and strife. It's time I move on with life."

"Oh no, you're leaving," Zenet finally realized. "You gonna do it as soon as we get home?"

"No use in prolonging the inevitable," Jesse shrugged.

"Where's that from?" Zenet asked.

Jesse grinned. "Nowhere. Me."

"Well goodbye," Zenet hurried. Jesse and Plitheon could have sworn they saw tears in Zenet's eyes, but she got off the server within seconds of her words.

Plitheon rotated to face Jesse. "How can we retire? You're not even thirty. What am I supposed to do, fight in tournaments? What are you thinking Jesse?"

"What am I thinking?" Jesse repeated softly. His voice was flat with a bitingly soft kind of sarcasm. Plitheon didn't know what to say.

Just then, the ships docked back at the castle. Jesse exited the ship to meet the other surviving members of the twelve orders.

"You're retiring?" Lena said, frowning under her glasses. Jesse guessed, correctly, that Zenet had immediately gotten on with Lena and told her the news.

"Do I get to retire?" Mason quipped.

"Yes, I plan to as soon as I can get the paperwork in," Jesse confirmed.

Nurzak was walking down the ramp of his ship. "You want to leave? Your help would be greatly appreciated here, forming the new government."

Jesse shaded his eyes. "I'm sure what little help I could bring will not be missed. Perhaps it will be best if I find a new place."

Nurzak tilted his head. "If this is your wish, I will not make you fill out the forms. You may leave as soon as you wish."

Jesse bowed, not enough to be mocking, but still deep. Plitheon knew of Jesse's hatred of paperwork. "My thanks."

Nurzak nodded and Jesse went off to his rooms. As he passed his former companions, he noticed shock and sadness written on some of their faces. Mason didn't really care.

Jesse moved quickly and quietly to his rooms, his coattails flapping behind him. As soon as the door was shut to Jesse's quarters, Plitheon unleashed. "RETIREMENT? RETIREMENT? Jesse, what are you thinking? I can't retire. I'm good for at least another twenty years. Why would you do this to us, Jesse?"

"Us?" Jesse finally pulled up the shade. "You think there's an us? There is no us. Us died the day you abandoned me in my time of need." Jesse didn't shout, but his words still impacted like punches.

"You're… you're leaving me?" Plitheon landed on the couch, too shocked to fly.

"Yes," Jesse stated with absolute certainty. "I'm giving you your dignity, although you sure as anything don't deserve it. The story is you didn't feel like retiring, so you're staying. Easy enough, not even you can mess it up."

Plitheon remained silent.

Jesse had only filled a small duffle bag, taking some changes of clothes and a few toiletries from the bathroom. He cast a disparaging glance around the rooms. "Four years and nothing worth taking." He shook his head in disgust and strode toward the door, duffle over his shoulder and book in the opposite hand. "Goodbye Plitheon."

And Jesse was gone, and Plitheon was alone.

Jesse swept through the halls toward his car. On his way, he ran into Zenet. She looked up at him in shock. "Already? I was going to help you pack."

"Done," Jesse held up his bag. Zenet looked at it for half a second before flinging her arms around Jesse, bringing him into a crushing hug.

"I'll miss you," Zenet said into his clothing.

Jesse nearly put his hand on Zenet's head, but remembered how she hated anyone messing with her hair at the last minute. He moved it to her back. "People change, but memories stay, and you'll always be in mine," Jesse said to the girl.

"Where's Plitheon?" asked Contestir.

"Plitheon chose to stay. I guess retirement isn't for everyone." Jesse said, keeping his voice perfectly in check.

"You two are splitting?" Zenet asked, surprised.

"It is what it is," Jesse merely said. He pulled away from Zenet. "Goodbye, Zenet. I hope to see you again someday."

"'Bye, Jesse," Zenet repeated.

Zenet watched as Jesse walked into the garages and threw his duffle into his car. He got in and pulled out, into the Gundalian city. She really was going to miss him, as strange and annoying as he could sometimes be. That fact that he and Plitheon had split also bothered her.

"So Plitheon and him split," she wondered aloud. Contestir popped open on her shoulder.

"There have been rumors going around about them. Most say that Plitheon betrayed him somehow, while Jesse was being punished by Kazarina for some failure. I didn't know whether to believe them, but now I think I do."

Zenet looked at him in surprise. "Betrayed? Really? I didn't think that happened."

"It's rare, but it happens from time to time," Contestir responded. "If so, I don't blame Jesse for leaving him. He's too good for a bakugan like Plitheon."

"Poor guy," Zenet concurred. "Hate to lose my partner," she added, grinning at Contestir. He chuckled.

"That would be horrible."

Mason and Lena turned the corner and joined Zenet.

"Where's actor boy?" Mason asked. "I wanted to say goodbye."

"You're too late. He just left." Zenet told him.

"He wasted no time," Lena remarked. "Do you know what plans they have?"

"It's just Jesse. Plitheon and him split."

Mason and Lena shared a look.

"Am I always the last to know about everything?" Zenet cried exasperatedly.

"Well, not quite. I don't think the janitors know yet," Mason answered. Zenet glared at him.

"Wonder what Plitheon will do," Lena went on.

"Who cares?" Mason callously responded.