Author's Note: Kind of a long day. I'd like to thank you guys for the reviews, seeing them is very encouraging to me as a writer C: Also, thank you Alphinia for your pointers on my grammar and such, it helps me a lot since I'm self-conscious on my grammar a lot but fail at knowing how to fix it, haha. Fun fact, none of this is pre-written so all of this Pokémon fic is done on a whim xD I like this chapter a lot, its more so dedicated to Wes. Next chapter there will be more action, I promise.

Disclaimer: Pokémon doesn't belong to me~

Summary: Rui is sad to see Wes go after he escorts her to the mayor's house. Wes feels a little torn, though knows its for the best and proceeds onto the rest of his quest.

Wes had set up camp for the night after a long drive away from the flowing Phenac City. He could still feel the lingering burns on his back from where Rui had stared him down. He'd ridden through most of the day, only stopping when his cycle seemed to give hints at possibly over-heating. Wes wanted to make sure he covered enough distance to avoid any trouble from Snagem. Though, he was preparing for the inevitable face down.

Once the sky was completely black did he round the hover bike to a stop, revving the engine as the single wheel progressed to a steady roll. Stars dotted the heavens and the young man heaved a sigh, exhausted as he raised the goggles to rest at his forehead. With the palms of his hands, he rested them against his eyes tiredly. Shoulders slumping a bit, he was only coaxed out once he felt Imp's nose eagerly touch his arm beggingly.

"You still owe us some grub, Wesley," the Espeon reminded him, hopping out of the side car and landing on the sand. Old Lune followed after the lilac-furred creature. The two brothers sat beside each other.

Wes managed a smile for their sake. "I know... lemme set up camp Imp. Then I can get ya fed."

When the fire was set up and glowing brightly in the darkness, Wes busily made work of keeping it lit. The desert was brutal at night, usually below zero at times. Pulling a blanket out from the side couch, Wes rested it over his shoulders and sat on the sand. He placed down the two bowls of Pokémon food for Lune and Imp to eat. Wes opened up a package of jerky and worked on filling his very empty stomach. He hadn't realized just how hungry he was until the first strip of beef dropped down his throat. He chewed much like a ravenous animal, grunting before watching his two companions.

Imp greedily licked up the contents of his plastic dish, making purrs of content at finally being fed. He'd managed to coax a donut off from that drifter Willie but that had been many hours ago. Lune was more peaceful with his eating habits, cheeks lightly inflated as he ate up the tasteless dry kibbles. It wasn't gourmet but food was food. The Umbreon knew better than to complain. Usually, Imp was one to lament when the food was anything but good quality but for once, he was content by filling his belly.

Wes eventually finished his dinner, the ex-criminal setting the empty package onto the side of him, crumpling up in his hands. He grabbed his canteen from where it hung at his hip. Drinking from it, he wiped his mouth with the back of his palm before offering it to his Eevee-lutions. Lune craned his head forward, pink tongue grazing against the neck of the container as he lapped up his share of the water. Imp raised his head from where he was feeding, cheeks and mouth dotted in crumbs as the Espeon finished what was left of his Pokémon food. Imp nosed the dark green canteen, pushing Lune aside as he licked whatever was left of the water. When the brothers' were sated, Wes tucked the water away back against his thigh.

Imp settled his body next to Wes's, the Pokémon snuggling his way to suck whatever body heat he could from his master. Wes gently rubbed the pocket monster's ears. Lune copied his brother, taking up the trainer's other flank though rested his chin upon Wes's leg. His red eyes stared up at Wes, silent.

"You're havin' regrets, aren't cha?" Lune observed quietly.

Wes looked away from Imp, whom seemed to be dozing off now. The young man stared down at his black companion, scoffing, "What makes ya say that? I'd blow Snagem again in a heart beat if I could!"

The Umbreon didn't look convinced as the battle-hardened Pokémon raised his head up. His face grew hard. "You don't have ta lie to me, Wes. I can smell it on ya..."

The ex-snagger glared down at Lune, curling his lip in disgust. "You saw what Gonzap was gonna do to ya, what he did to the other Pokémon. I ain't lyin' Lune. I did the right thing!"

"Yet, you stare as if you are lost. You are still just a kid, sir. Gonzap still meant a lot to ya. I know he did. I support your courage but even you know have no idea where you should go without him." Lune's eyes narrowed and he stared into Wes's eyes. His face was hard, yet a sort of understanding and fatherly support was there too.

"He might have taken me in, Lune," Wes murmured, staring at the flickering flames of the fire now. "Treated me like a son and even gave me you but..." He was silent for a moment, eyes closed as he exhaled a sigh. "I refuse to be his pawn, and I refuse to just turn a blind eye anymore." He flexed his arm, the one that was cocooned in the Snag Machine. "I was a fool."

Lune shook his head adamantly. "You are not a fool, Wesley. Just misguided I knew that the moment I'd saw you, as a rebellious boy who thought runnin' from home would be oh so easy."

"I've hurt people, and Pokémon. I dunno when the guilt started pilin' up. Used to be so easy to just..." Wes glared at the fire, hands laying limply upon his lap. "Believe Gonzap was serious when he told me we was doin' the right thing. He screwed with my head, Lune. He screwed you up too." His gaze set upon Lune, who seemed to lower his own gaze with shame.

Lune had once been the Team Snagem's best Pokémon, the pet of Gonzap himself. He'd been trained to be a fighting machine and given to Wes when the man had been young, a boy of only nine years old who'd believed leaving his home had been the best idea. Sometime during the partnership, they'd formed a bond, and Wes had learned he could communicate easily with the Umbreon. Body language, the old dog's eyes, everything Lune did Wes knew there was more to it.

Lune had been one of those lights in the tunnel Wes had needed while growing up in Team Snagem, believing that being a criminal would be the best thing for him. A young boy who'd left a dysfunctional household, a single mother and a father who was only a whisper among lips. Even now, Lune knew Wes felt like a bastard, and he was torn on who and what he was.

Though the young man said otherwise, Lune could easily tell Wes didn't know where to go from here. He'd blown up his second home, destroyed the base and its snagging devices and ran off with the last one in sure completion. He'd done it for Lune and for closure for himself. Wes wanted to put his foot down and be the man he knew he was supposed to be.

He wasn't a thief. He used to be able to stomach it with pride. Wes, the top snatcher of Snagem, who could steal without fail. Pokémon were easy to catch away from trainers whom Gonzap had told were 'unworthy' of their pocket monsters.

Wes wanted his redemption. Lune craved that too, as he could feel the frustration trembling from Wes's lanky frame in waves. The old Pokémon leaned his face against the young man's ribs, Wes roping his arm around the Umbreon and pulling him close.

Lune felt something wet touch his cheek and turned to stare into Wes's glossy-looking eyes.

All Lune could see was a lost little boy who didn't know what to do.

And his heart broke knowing that he didn't have the awnsers for his human friend. Instead, Lune leaned his nose forward, gently licking at Wes's eyelids softly.

"We'll find our way, sir. Like we always have..."