The Gin Haze
"Because sometimes all you want to do is forget. With war looming on the horizon, some of us have more reason to want to forget than others. The next generation of Pokémon trainers, what kind of world are they to inherit?" Warning! War stories, dark, gore, sex and real life. This is what it takes to survive in the new war-torn era.
Chapter 9 – Haze: Friend or Faux
8-8
I narrow my eyes, wondering why I agreed to this. Even with thirty square tables, each able to seat four or more patrons, I find myself surrounded by Ice Type Trainers, Ghost Type Trainers, and Fighting Type Trainers. But, to be fair, I have Ginny and Adam beside me, and Ilene and Janelle beside Ginny. Things could be worse.
"Come on, Haze, please! Ple-ple-ple~eeeeeeez!" Michelle begs, hugging me from behind. She's dead set on trying her hand at battling. "I've been paying super good attention! And I've seen you and Ilene and Janelle and Ginny and Adam battling all week!"
I look over towards Amalia, just coming back from the bar for some reason. Her eyes swim in amusement, and she's fighting not to laugh.
"I'll go with her, if you think she's ready," Lia offers, her little smile only growing as she studies my not so subtle frown. I trust Lia, no doubt about it. But is Michelle ready? Unfortunately, she'd have to prove herself one way or another, and she can't do that without a battle. No amount of tag-sparring will reveal that.
"Alright," I agree. "Take Grey with you. That way you can double up with her."
"Yay!" Michelle cheers, hugging me tighter. "I won't let you down, big brother! I promise!"
"Aw, come on, princess. It ain't about that," I argue, wrapping her in my energy and levitating her up over me and plopping her in my lap. "It's about keeping you and your Pokémon safe."
"But Lia'd never let anything happen to me!"
"You're right, she wouldn't," I agree, nodding. "And that's why I'm agreeing to it, as long as you two double up. I'm not taking any chances."
She kisses my cheek, hugging me again. "We'll be super careful. I promise," she whispers. I nod, hugging her back.
As she's scooting out of my lap and rushing to Amalia so they can head out, I look to Grey, nodding gravely. His sole, red eye studies me for a moment, before he bobs his head as well, his pale grey armour shimmering in the restaurant's dim lighting.
They head out together. I know Grey will take care of both of them for me.
With that cute and cuddly distraction handled, I turn my full attention to our current guests. "Before you guys make the wrong assumptions, let me clear a few things up," I begin, looking from Dezzy to Jack to Jean-Luc. "Ginny and I are the defacto leaders of our group. We are going to apply for Gym status together, and, pending the League's approval, we'd run the gym together as well."
"Yes, yes. This we know," Jean-Luc snipes.
I stare him down—my only warning that I don't answer to him. "I'm—"
A sharp pain in my thigh and Ginny turning to me with a patient smile; let me handle this. She turns back to the others, rubbing my thigh to apologize for the pain.
"What he means to say, is that I'm likely to answer certain questions for him, even if you pose them directly to him. He and I are partners, and not just in battle," she explains, her voice gentle but unyielding. She turns to Dezzy, smiling and rolling her eyes. "It's a family trait. His dad's the same way."
"Is that so," Dezzy coos, grinning like the Cheshire Delcatty. "So you're an item?"
I turn to Gin, finding crimson cheeks and a playful smile as she turns back to me. "Hmm? What do you say, Hazey-bear? Are we," she leans in closer to me, capturing my chin with her right hand and coming in so close that the sides of our noses touch, "an item?"
Her eyes. That needy look in her eyes is doing so many things to me. I feel the warmth of her breath kissing my skin, so hot and enticing. I lean in the last of tenth, claiming her lips with mine. Barely a peck, but enough to answer her.
"Definitely," I agree. No matter how bad I want to tease her, to tell her something corny like 'ask me tonight' or something cocky like 'maybe'… letting her know in no uncertain terms that I want to be with her? Even the nay-saying voice in my head is silent on the matter—I don't just want her, I need her.
"Omigod! No way!" Dezzy loses it, squealing and gushing and telling us how cute we are together. "How long? Come on, you've got to tell me now! Don't leave me hanging, Gin!" I hear the blackbelts chuckling, obviously having seen this coming.
"Hmm?" Gin noises, pretending she's thinking about that. "About a minute?"
Silence ensues. I feel my shoulders trembling at the laugh I'm fighting to keep in. "Haze and I have been best friends since forever. And we're crazy about each other. But we've been through some heavy stuff lately, so we're trying to take it slow," she explains, firmly in girl-talk land now. "Besides, what's the rush? Our families have already written us off as married."
"Seriously? That's so—"
"Yes, yes, Dezzy. They're adorable. Cute. A match made in paradise," Jean-Luc snipes again. Crabby little shit, ain't he. "Can we please get to more practical talks?"
"Someone needs to get laid," Jack drones, his elbows on the table, hands folded, and chin resting on his hands. He looks annoyed with Jean-Luc, not Dezzy and Ginny's girl-talk.
Choked snickers erupt from the Ice and Fighting group, but I feel my group holding in their amusement.
"Says the ice virgin," Jean-Luc snipes. Alright. He's more of a problem. He has an agenda, and he wants to get to that—likely setting up a pecking order, with us at the lowest rungs of it. Let's see how many times I can cockblock that before it becomes obvious.
"So what about you, Dezzy?" I ask, trying to keep her and Ginny on the same page. "You find someone who's not scared of you and your mom?"
Dezzy snorts, but her group starts laughing. "I wish," she grouses. "I'm half tempted to let mom and dad set up an arranged marriage."
"Aww, don't give up," Ginny says, reaching across the table and taking Dezzy's hand. "I used to feel the same way. But look, I snagged my prince charming." She elbows me, half turning so I can see her smirk. "An Ice Prince, but still."
I ignore the sniggering. Especially from Froyo. Change of subject, coming up.
"So anyway," I cough into my hand—dunno why, though. "Dezzy, what's your battle forte? You into singles, doubles, or triples?"
"I'm up for anything," she brags, puffing out her chest. Hmm. Gin's got nicer tits. "Why? You interested?"
"Che," I snort, shaking my head. "In a battle? Yes. But not yet. We've only recently been allowed our own teams, so our Pokémon aren't ready for the big times, yet."
"You don't—"
"So, if you want a real battle with us, you'd have to give us at least a month. Otherwise you'd win by default," I cut Jean-Luc off. Angel comes snuggling up to me again, slipping into my jacket and nuzzling her cold nose in the nape of my neck. "But, hey, Jack. Since we're on the subject? You got any tips for me with raising Angel here? I doubt she'd enjoy battling, but she deserves the best all the same."
"Hmm?" Jack studies me, and the Froslass now surgically attached to me. His eyes smile, even though his lips don't as he lifts his chin off his hands. "Mom has a Froslass, so I know a bit about them." I nod, having read as much—though League files are dreadfully vague on how best to start alliances.
"Let's see… they aren't too different from your typical Ice Type. They like the cold, obviously. Warm meals aren't an option. And keep her away from the fire. Logic will take you far," he explains, his eyes never leaving Angel. "But this one has taken to you. They aren't usually that clingy. She's timid?"
"Well, I th—"
"Very," I agree, nodding and petting Angel. Get it through your skull, Jean-Luc. We aren't going to take your shit. "I've only had her for a few days, and I haven't had the time to research diets and such. Is frozen yoghurt a good dessert for her?"
"Ooh, yeah definitely," he agrees, smiling with his lips this time. He nods to Froyo, who's hovering over my shoulder and humming some song or other. "For the jolly one there, too. They'll love anything sweet. And if you stick to fat free froyo, they should be fine. Just make sure to give them a lot of berries in it, and don't fight them if they freeze any berries they get. It's either that, or give them ice cubes or fresh powder snow. That's practically all they'll eat."
"Good to know, thanks," I smile, nodding to him out of respect.
"What about Swinubs?" Adam jumps in. I see Gin narrowing her eyes, like she's trying to remember what Pokemon that is—then again, she's been calling them Snorunts, so… "I've got a few of them I'm raising."
"Nice pick!" Jack praises. His eyes twinkling now. Ginny, you know people better than I ever will, but your Pokemon knowledge still sucks. "Oh, yeah. Those guys are real pigs when it comes to eating. They'll eat you out of house and home when they're close to evolving. You know how to teach them AncientPower?"
"I've been trying to research that, but I can't find a damn thing online," Adam admits, sounding frustrated with that.
"Then you've come to the right place!" He leans forward slightly as he puffs out his chest. "You should come up to Snowpoint. My uncle can teach them for you. He's our gym's breeder. Not for free, mind you, but he knows all there is to know about Ice Types!"
"Alright! We're definitely taking you up on that!" Adam cheers, reaching across the table and shaking on it. "You mind teaching me to snowboard while I'm up there? I've heard there's some choice slopes."
"Ooh! Can we come?" Janelle and Ilene chime in, their eyes and tones begging.
"Of course," I agree, nodding. "It would do us all some good to get to know our allies in the other gyms."
"You think Mina and Myron will want to tag along?" Gin asks, her hand on my thigh again. I shiver a little—there's just something about her touching me that rubs me the right way.
"Wait…" Dezzy has a look in her eyes, like she recognizes the names. "From M&M's? You know them?"
"You could say that," I tease, smirking. "She, Adam, and Michelle are their younger siblings."
"No way! Tell me they're on this boat! Tell me they're coming to Sinnoh! PLEASE!" Her eyes have stars in them, obviously wanting to hear nothing less than that they're starting their diner in Twinleaf—though preferably in her city, if I read her right.
"Of course. I might be able to tempt them to cook up a little something for you… if you're interested, that is," Ginny offers, testing Dezzy's reaction. Violet eyes go wide, a creepy grin goes even wider. "I'll take that as a yes. Are you guys going to be staying in Slateport for a few days? I don't doubt they'll be cooking while we're there. And I can get you in."
"Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-YE~EEEEEEES! Omigod, Gin, you're a SAINT!"
"She'd have to be," I drone, smirking. "She puts up with me. On purpose." Gin swats me, laughing.
The waitress come scrambling up to us, a harried and frustrated look on her face and clearly sweating. She's overworked, no doubt in my mind.
"Ah, so the bar wench finally arrives. Tell me, little girl, is this the—"
"Ignore him," I cut in, motioning the waitress over to our side of the table. "He's crabby because we have yet to address him as my lord and bow like he's royalty."
"I'm so sorry, we're not usually this busy around this time. My colleagues aren't scheduled to start for another hour, so I'm trying to hold it down solo," she explains, subdued and blushing furiously—though she's also clearly avoiding that negative nancy.
"It's alright, really," Ginny assures her. "My brother and sister run a diner. We know how hectic it can get at the weirdest times. You can give us the menus, and take your time coming back. Haze and I usually need five extra minutes to figure out what we want anyway."
"True," I agree, nodding. "And you can start us off with three pots of tea. Your house brew will be fine. A jug of ice water and some extra cups with straws. And, if I'm reading Jack and his group right…? They'll enjoy some hot chocolate to tide them over?"
"With marshmellows," Jack agrees, beaming at us.
8-8
It takes almost an hour before we get what we ordered, but other than Jean-Luc and his group, no one seems bothered by it. Gin and I get teased a bit about our menu-banter, and Adam is quick to point out that it's really a regular thing with us.
Ginny starts up some small talk with Dezzy and the female Ice Type Trainers, mostly asking what it's like in Sinnoh, since she's only ever been to Twinleaf. They talk about the shopping, the city court culture, the lack of leash laws—which I find is a plus. People who can't control their Pokémon in public, shouldn't have Pokémon at all.
Jack and Adam switch it over to Pokémon and migration patterns. Apparently Sinnoh's been getting migrating birds from Kalos, Hoenn, Kanto, and Johto. I bite back a groan, knowing exactly what bringing up Kalos will do.
"So, Haze," Jean-Luc buts in, glaring at me and daring me to cut him off this time. "You're a Laurant. So your family's originally from Kalos."
"From the city of light," I drone, glaring right back at him. He snorts, his violet eyes boring into me.
"Then you know who I am."
"Of course," I agree wholeheartedly, nodding. Dezzy and Jack smirk, knowing this won't end well. Hmm, they seem to have gotten to know me pretty quickly. "You're an insufferable ass. What of it?"
"Why you—" He gets cut off
"Lest my lord Verette forget his manners, allow me to remind him," Ginny cuts in, her hand on my thigh again to shut me up. I like this touchy-feely thing. Keep it up, Gin. "One may only ever expect a courtesy in keeping with what one has offered. Thus far, my lord has offered but an iota resembling proper etiquette. Would it therefore not be expected that we offer you the same?"
Slurping rips through the area like an explosion. Apparently, Cubchoo—Jack's icy blue bear cub with the biggest snot bubble hanging out of his nose—is done with his ice water. I grab the jug, lifting it. "Would you like some more?"
"Choo!" the icy bear announces, raising his empty cup for more. I focus my energies, levitating both him and his cup to me, filling it when he's close enough. He cheers, liking the whole hovering thing. I set him back down in Jack's lap, making sure he doesn't spill his drink. "Cubchoo! Choo cub cub, cubchoo!"
"You're quite welcome, Cubchoo," I say, smiling. I turn my attention back to Angel, who's busy sipping her ice water as well. Feeling my gaze on her, she cranes her neck looking up at me. I kiss her brow, where her outer shell recedes making that diamond shape where her third eye would be. "You enjoy your lunch, Angel?"
"Ii!" she noises, closing her eyes and smiling.
"I'm glad," I say, smiling for her. Looking up at Jack, I nod to him again. "Thank you. I doubt I'd have thought of giving her ice water."
"That's what friends are for," he says, his eyes smiling again as he nods. His brow is furrowed, and he frowns slightly. He needs a favour, no doubt, but he isn't sure if we're at that stage as yet. "I… I'm not sure if this is too much, but I thought you might be the better person to ask."
"Sure, what's up?" I ask.
"We've been angling for Smoochums and/or Jynxes, but the dealers I've spoken to don't keep them. Would you know who to talk to about acquiring a few?"
"Those flirts?" I tease, chuckling at the thought. "Dude. We have a few ourselves. None of our trainers have shown any interest."
"What, seriously? Why?" he asks, confused.
"Like I said. They are flirts. Shameless flirts. And they try to get away with murder every chance they get. They're rambunctious by nature. And though Jynxes are quite useful, even they are a lot to handle," I explain seriously. A thought hits me, drawing my attention to Adam. "Adam here is our breeder. He's in charge of those," I look to him for confirmation, "two, I believe?"
"Yeah. Just the two Smoochums. And Haze is right. Those two are hard to deal with sometimes. Maybe it's because I kept them with Psychic Types instead of Ice Types?" Adam shrugs off the thought. "Either way, we can't offer both. Crazy or not, they could prove invaluable in the future."
"Agreed. Would you be willing to trade one of them for my uncle training your Swinubs free of charge?"
Adam thinks about that. I can both see and feel the gears churning inside him. His eyes flick to Cubchoo, likely thinking about how good Jack is to the tyke. "That I can do," Adam agrees, nodding. "Seeing how good you are to Cubchoo, I'm confident you'd raise our rascal right," he shrugs, seeming unsure of his words, "or as well as is possible with that one. She really is a handful, you know. And watch out for her Lovely Kiss. I was out for hours."
"R… really? That's it? You just want to be sure she'd be cared for?" Jack asks, nonplussed.
"Of course! Every Pokémon I raise should go to a loving home." Adam looks just as confused. "Isn't that normal?"
"It is for you Harrisons, it seems," Dezzy teases, smiling warmly. "So, I'mma need a favour of my own. I've got a rascal that I can't handle. A Phantump. I'm no good with Ghost Types, and I don't trust Jean-Luc that much."
"Phantump… Phantump…" I repeat, thinking. "Grass-Ghost. Lives out in forests where you don't find a lot of people. Rumoured to be a cut down trunk possessed by the soul of a child that died in that forest?"
"I did not know that," Dezzy cringes, not liking my explanation. She fishes out a regular Pokéball, tossing it to me. I catch it, raising an eyebrow. "That one was creepy without the backstory. I'd rather swim to Veilstone than take it back now!"
"Aww. Ghost types are really sweet once you get to know them," I tease, laughter in my tone and my eyes lighting up. "You're sure?"
"This ain't hot potato. That one's yours."
Chuckling and shaking my head, I maximize the ball and call the poor thing out to see what I'm dealing with. Hovering on the table is an obvious ghost. Black body with what looks like a tail and two stumps for hands. Not to mention the white tree trunk for a head and the red leaves on it and the sky blue eyes peering through it at me. It looks scared—feels scared.
"Hey," I greet… her. She definitely feels like a her. "I'm Haze. This is Ginny and Adam. Dezzy tells me you need a good home and a loving family to raise you."
The sound of a little girl's laughter oozes out of Phantump's mouth. Not happy laughter, though. It's tense, forced, and eerie as fuck.
"This is Angel, by the way. And that one there's Froyo. We also have Paris and Green Tea with us. And my juniors Ilene and Janelle. Would you like to say hello?"
Phantump turns, looking around. Her eyes grow more and more frightened, until she spots Dezzy and a blood curdling scream erupts from her—like a child about to be murdered and sees it coming. The poor baby darts back, behind me, hiding from Dezzy like she's the devil.
"Now, now," I soothe. "No need for that. Dezzy isn't going to hurt you. I won't let anyone hurt you, okay?"
"Promise?" the same little girl's voice asks, scared out of her mind.
"Promise," I assure her, nodding.
She nods, her bright blue eyes a little watery. "Phan… Phantump," she murmurs, hovering closer to me. She eyes the empty plate in front of me. Her voice sounds mostly the same, but there's something more to it now—a calm that was missing before.
"Oh, are you hungry?" She nods. "Alright. As soon as…" I trail off, feeling Michelle and Lia coming our way. I turn, finding them already halfway back from the courts. Both are glowing with pride. "Nevermind. They're on their way. You can eat with Amalia and Michelle. I promise, they'll be just as nice as we are. And they won't mind whatever you feel like ordering, okay?"
"Phan?" she asks, looking nervous and shrinking back towards me again.
"Would you rather stay here and eat with Ginny and me?" She nods fervently. "Alright, but I'll need to register you first. So you need to go back into your ball for two minutes, and we'll call you out again. Sound fair?"
"Tump!" she exclaims, her eyes going from blue ovals to little curved lines to show she's smiling. I point the ball at her, pressing the button and returning her to a red light, swallowed by the ball. With the ball close, I minimize it, and offer it to Ginny.
"Whoa, what're you…?" Gin trails off, her eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed. Gears are turning, plans being baked. This can't be good. "Fine. I'll take her. But then you're taking a Golduck, an Abra, and a Meditite."
"Hey! Tha—"
"All three. And I am not negotiating any of it."
Breathing isn't as easy as it was a moment ago. Not just one. But three. All three. The first three I lost. And I don't doubt she'll figure out a way to get me to take a Chingling, a Ladyba, and a Ghastly in time.
I nod, unwilling to speak. She takes the ball, entering it into her Dex and starts typing.
8-8
We make it back to the room, Ginny having dragged me most of the way. I know her. When she says I'm taking them, she means the second we enter she's going to start pestering me about taking them immediately.
So, even though Jack and Dezzy and their groups are being dragged along for the ride, even though we lost Jean-Luc, even though Michelle socked the competition and the ref eventually had to ask her to leave, I still feel like a condemned man on death row.
Gin knocks, waiting for one of the boys to open the door. Pietro is the lucky one, coming out and eyeing our group. "Hey Pietro, these are Jack and Dezze and their entourage. They're from Sinnoh, and are our allies and friends," Gin lays it all out.
"Lemme check with the boss," Pietro says, leering down the hallway. "And if I catch you trying it again, I'mma toss you overboard!"
"Lemme guess," I drone. "Ghost Type Trainer."
Pietro snorts, nodding, and heads back inside, closing the door properly. He and dad and Marion are back a minute later, the double doors swinging open and revealing everything inside to be just as we left it—other than Mrs Harrison looking far more rested, and Aaron running around to bug everyone he can.
"Haze?" dad addresses me, but his eyes are on Jack and Dezzy.
"They're cool. Dezzy gave us a Phantump, and Jack wants a Smoochum. He's even been teaching me about Ice Types," I explain seriously. Dad glares at them all the same—he isn't sold on gifts and pretty words. "They trust Verette as little as we do. And they know how protective we are of our own."
"Gimme one good reason then," dad challenges, his gaze never leaving the Sinnoh groups. "We done had to eject three Ghost shits. Security even took two of them into custody."
I walk up to dad, looking up to him as I place my hand on his shoulder. "Because when the world turns to shit, we'll need allies we can depend on."
Marion steps up to dad's other side, hugging his elbow and studying the group carefully. "If you eight enter this room, it had best be with only the best intentions in your heart and putting your best foot forward," Marion warns, her tone cold as ice. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Of course, ma'am," Dezzy assures her, bowing boy-style. Her compatriots bow as well. "I assure you, if any of my boys steps out of line, it will be me throwing them overboard."
"Agreed," Jack bows as well. "Me and mine shall pose no threat to any under your protection. You have my word, Lady Laurant."
Marion glows at being called that, looking to dad with rosy cheeks. "Come on, William. If they'd spent any time at all with Haze, they'd know how seriously we take those words," she argues, blooming a little brighter as she classifies herself as part of 'us'. "And besides. How often do you hear your son refer to anyone as a friend?"
"You'll keep an eye on them?" dad bargains. Hmm?
"Like a hawk," she agrees, kissing him on the cheek. Dad nods, relenting at last. "Very well, allow me to welcome you into our abode. Do keep in mind that Mrs Harrison is not to be bothered. Not even with well-intentioned greetings. And if we ask you to leave, we expect you to respect our wishes. No matter how little sense it might make. Understood?"
They agree, bowing low to dad and Marion. We enter the room, Pietro and Guss taking up the rear and shutting the door behind us. Marion leads our guests out onto the balcony, asking them to make themselves comfortable while she arranges something for them. She turns to Eddy, asking him to order some snacks and drinks and turns her full attention to me.
"Don't take too long. Ignoring your guests isn't proper," she says, turning to entertain them while I'm busy with my thing. I smile, shaking my head. She's still unsure of herself and where she stands, but she shows me who she is without hesitation. I nod, heading over to Shamrock and scratching behind his ear.
"Hey, boy. Dad told me there've been some unplanned visitors," I murmur, laying my head against his horn. "Be careful." Shamrock nods, his eyes hardening. I nod as well, going into one of his bags and fishing out mine and Ginny's backpacks, slinging them over my shoulder. "Keep an eye on Mint for me?"
Instead of answering, he gets up and saunters over to Mint, lying beside her. She's still fast asleep, but he sniffs and his eyes dart to and fro to let me know he's alert.
I turn to Adam and Gin. Adam's fishing his backpack out of Gogo's bag as well, and Gin's sitting beside Mrs Harrison, hugging her and asking her if she needs anything.
With everything handled, I head out onto the balcony and take a seat across from Jack. Dezzy and her boys are over in one corner, meditating, so I doubt they'll be very vocal for a bit.
I fish out our two cases from my bag and lay them on the table, popping them both open and running my finger over the collection of Pokéballs within.
Gin and Adam come join us, Gin bringing the briefcase I completely forgot—I guess she's here to make sure I really do take all three.
"Your mom's kinda scary," Jack murmurs, his eyes on Marion. I snort, but don't comment.
I find the cluster of Abras, fingering them one by one to get a feel for the personalities before I decide. Hmm… this one's sassy—I tend to work well with the sassy ones. So I take her ball out and close the case. I check the other case, but don't find the remaining two. I close that as well, stuffing them both back into my backpack, accepting the briefcase from Ginny.
Popping it open, I run my finger over the ziplock bags looking for the two I need. An adamant Golduck and a serious Meditite get selected. Curiously, they're both in the same bag. I take the pair of them out, placing their balls beside the first.
"Haze?" I turn, wondering at Amalia's hesitance. She's standing there with the sliding door still half open and gripping it almost painfully, as if something is wrong and she doesn't know quite how to address it.
"What's up, sis?" I ask, motioning for her to come join us. She smiles, unsure and nervous, sliding the door closed and taking a seat.
"Haze, I… I need your help," she begins, taking a deep breath to soothe her nerves. "I… I need… that is to say…"
"Amalia," Ginny says, laying her hand on Lia's forearm. The sister's share a look. A moment later, Gin turns to me. "She needs a proper team."
"What? That it?" I tease, smirking. "I was halfway through planning a heist for nothing." Lia's mouth hangs open, her eyes wide with shock, and she looks like she wants to swat me. Jack and his group are halfway to having a cackling fit, though. "Come on, Lia. You know we'd do anything for you."
"I… I know that, but this…"
"Don't worry about it. Do you know what Pokémon you want?" She shakes her head, no. "Psychic and Ghost?" She nods. I nod as well, thinking about that.
My finger goes over every Pokéball in the briefcase again, thinking about the most solid team I can come up with for her.
"Natu. Elgyem. Golduck. Misdreavous." I take out the four balls, handing them to her and switch to the cases. "Gogoat. Vibrava. Espurr. And Ralts."
"Haze!" She sounds overwhelmed, not angry.
"What? You need more?" I ask, all innocent. Tears start welling up in the corners of her eyes. "You need a solid team. This is a team that will let you go anywhere we go."
Lia tries to say something, anything. The words just won't come.
"When I get the PC up and running, I'll register you as one of our seniors. That'll allow you to take ten Pokémon with you. You won't have to wear our uniform, and I don't expect you to battle or follow our trainings."
"Haze… Haze, I…"
"You're family, Lia," I remind her, smiling. She nods, wiping away the tears. "I'll teach them Psychic later, and Gin and I will take them when we're ready for training. And you're welcome to join us anytime we're hashing it out in our strategy games." A thought hits me, so I dig into my backpack and fish out four Reflect and Protect TMs.
"I couldn't," she insists, holding up her hand.
"If anything goes down, I'll need someone I can trust to mind our juniors while Adam, Gin, and I handle it. Are you saying you aren't someone I can trust?" I challenge. All she can do is offer me a watery smile, accepting the TMs. "Alright. Oh, and can you call Ilene and Janelle for me? I still need to talk to them about something."
"Sure," she caves, bobbing her head as she moves to stand. She takes her time collecting her eight minimized Pokéballs and TMs, arranging them in her purse so she won't drop them—mostly moving slow to hide her shivering hands and watery eyes. "And Haze?"
"Mm?"
"It wouldn't be right to accept if I refuse your stripes. When you have the time, I'll need a few uniforms as well."
8-8
Once Ilene claims her Abra, Janelle her Ralts, and they both get their Gogoat, I settle in. I still need three names for my new partners. Naming them Beige, Electra, and Silver is wrong on every level, so I'll need different names.
So I leave Adam and Jack to hash out their Smoochum thing, and move over to a quiet corner where I won't be bothering anyone. The first one I call out is the Abra. Memories thunder down the corridors of my mind of my Beige.
The little tyke looks up at me, her eyes closed but taking me in all the same. I feel her studying me in much the same way I'm studying her. "Abra!" she announces her irritation, turning up her nose and looking away.
"You may hate my reasons, but I don't break promises," I say, sitting down across from her. "Yes, I've lost a Kadabra. But you aren't him."
She snorts, still not looking at me.
"I can't say I don't deserve it," I admit, sighing. "Alright. Here's what I can do. We train together every night. I'll teach you Psychic, and I'll show you how to start harnessing your powers. We eat all three meals a day with our teams. So I'll be calling on you for dinner. And I'll introduce you to everyone once things settle down. Does that sound fair?"
She snorts again, but turns her nose towards me. For some reason, her fox-like features and her dull yellow fur strike me as… different. It doesn't make sense, and it certainly shouldn't, but I can't seem to make a metal link between her and Beige. She reminds me more of a lion, because of her colour.
"I think I'll name you Lion," I say, mostly being conversational. She doesn't react—not surprising. Sassy ones never give in so easily. "I'll see you later, Lion." I recall her to her ball, minimizing it and slipping it into my Dex for registration. After naming her Lion, I slip her ball into my jacket with the others.
The next one I call out is the Golduck. The calm blue skin and flat, bright yellow bill strike a much deeper cord. Her red eyes peer into me, as if she's already reading me. That's uncommon with Golducks, but not too strange considering her nature. The little red gem on her brow glows, I feel her rummaging around in my memories looking for something.
"If you tell me what you're looking for, I can help you," I offer, wondering at the list of Pokémon I've caught recently being her target. She doesn't answer, but she's far more hesitant now, more careful with where she rummages. "You're looking for someone?"
"Duck," she replies, bobbing her head. The picture of another Golduck flashes in my mind. "Golduck."
"I see. Family? A lover?" Instead of verbally answering, the scene of her lying with a Golduck—he feels like the same one from the other image—plays out. It's just after sunset, and they've had a long day. She cuddles up to that one, and they fall asleep together. "Lover." I nod, thinking about it. The guys wouldn't care about things like that, but they would definitely catch both if given the chance.
I get up, moving over to the briefcase and opening it again. I focus on the feel of that Golduck. The first bag is a bust, the second and third as well. It's the last ball in the last bag that gives me a hit—a gentle Golduck. I open the bag, taking that ball out, and close both the bag and the briefcase, before heading back.
Sitting back down, I feel Golduck's gaze burrowing into me, trying to figure me out. I call out the second Golduck. "Is this the one you mean?" I ask.
The pair of them stare at each other, unsure if this is real, unsure if they should dare to hope.
A cautious step, hesitantly reaching out, they embrace, their arms winding tight around the other. Like a switch is hit, they both turn to me, their eyes begging. The female I called out reaches out to me, her webbed fingers held apart, her eyes begging. It's as if there's light at the end of the tunnel, and she needs to grasp it.
I offer my hand, my pinkie and ring fingers pressed together and my index and middle fingers pressed together to make three appendages to match hers. The second our hands touch, I feel her flooding into my mind, perusing words, grammar, sentence structure, and associations—she's trying to learn my tongue.
You're a strange one, human, she projects her thoughts for me to hear.
I get that a lot, I retort, smirking.
There is another, she continues. Curiously, her thoughts are crystal clear and her voice equally so. She's used to her psychic powers. Our son, he's but a baby. Too young to be without his parents. The image of the three of them flashes into my mind. This one is holding the Psyduck, massaging the base of his skull to ease the ever-present headache, if only for a time.
I nod, standing again and going back to the briefcase. I find this one on the first bag—mostly because I start at the back. Bringing the ball back to the mother, I call out the Psyduck within.
Just like in the memory, the tiny Psyduck jumps into his parents awaiting arms, and the mother carefully massages the base of her son's skull to ease the headache.
Warmth wraps itself around my arm, but I don't need to look to confirm it's Ginny. "I'm sorry," she murmurs, kissing my cheek. I nod, but don't answer her. My cheek feels curiously warm, only for it to start feeling cold in the chilly breeze.
"So what do you say, Golduck?" I address the female again. "Are you willing to fight by my side?"
The lovers hold out their hands, pressing them together and obviously having a conversation I'm not meant to hear.
I wait patiently, enjoying the feel of Ginny's body pressed up against me. I turn to her, smiling for her. She smiles as well. A calm, smooth push presses her breast firmly against my arm, a bright blush stealing across her cheeks.
The happily reunited family come to me, but only the female offers me her hand, palm facing me. I lay my hand against hers again.
If you allow us to roam freely, and allow us to raise our baby, we will gladly fight for you, she explains, her resolve and the desire to be with her family almost overwhelming me.
"Gin. Both Golducks are willing to fight with us, if we don't keep them cooped up in their balls and we allow them to raise their baby," I relay the message. "You in?"
"That's a question?" she teases. "We promise, no being cooped up in your balls. And of course we'll let you raise your baby. Though we have to be mindful of the rules of where we are. There may be times you won't be allowed to come with us because of this agreement."
Acceptable, she agrees, nodding.
"Alright. I'll register you and your son to me. Your lover will be registered with Ginny. But I assure you, Gin and I are never apart. It won't be a problem," I explain. She pulls back her hand, nodding solemnly. "As well. How do you feel about the name 'Queen'?"
"Gol?" she asks, tilting her head to one side.
"I name my Pokémon after colours. Queen blue is just about your skin tone. And frankly, any woman willing to fight for her child and lover is considered a queen in my book."
The female giggles, her eyes twinkling happily. She nods.
"Ooh. Then I'll call you Blue Moon," Gin chimes in. "After all, meeting this way could only be a once in a blue moon event."
The male shrugs, obviously not caring either way.
"We won't name your son, though. That is your right, and one I refuse to take from you." The pair of them share a look, both a bit teary. When they nod, I continue. "Alright. We just need to register you. That means you'll be returned to your Pokéballs for a few minutes. As soon as registration is done, we'll call you out again and uphold our end of the bargain. Alright?"
"Duck," she nods again, laying her son's head against her chest. I give Gin the male's Pokéball, and recall my two at the same time. I slip her ball into my Dex, name her Queen, and call her out, before slipping her son's ball into my Dex. I click 'no' on the nickname screen, and when registered to me I take out the ball and call him out as well. I minimize both empty balls and slip them into my jacket for safekeeping.
Blue Moon soon joins them. "Pizzy, baby? You mind showing Blue Moon and Queen around while I talk to Haze?" Fuck.
"Arf!" Fuck. Fuck. Fuckity fuck-fuck.
Sigh. There goes the neighbourhood.
The four of them head inside, Blue Moon opening and closing the door, and Pistachio leading the way. I turn to Gin just as the door clicks shut.
"I'm sorry," she begins, her eyes watery. "I was trying to help you, but I see how hard this is. So, please… pick another Pokémon. Any other Pokémon."
"It's a—"
"Don't tell me it's alright," she begs, tears streaming down. "I feel you, Haze. Even the things you try to hide from yourself. I feel what this is doing to you. What Abra's reaction is doing to you."
"I'm fi—"
"You're not fine," she cuts me off again. "You haven't been fine. You're fighting so hard not to feel anything that you can't even tell you're crying. Can you?" She wipes my cheek, which appear to be moist—is she right?
Sigh.
"Don't do this. Take another Pokémon. Or don't take any. But don't do this. Please," she begs, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and tugging my head to lay it on her shoulder. I snake my arms around her middle, holding her closer to me than ever before. "Please."
Sigh. "Mm," I noise, nodding.
8-8
I don't know how Gin manages, but she drags me into the bathroom and locks the door behind her. She takes my hand and guides me to the sink, telling me to wash my face. Apparently, I've been crying.
So after nicing myself up again, Gin plops onto the counter and beckons to me. The second I'm close enough, she wraps her arms around my shoulders again and tugs me to lay my head on her shoulder. Instead, I bury my face in the nape of her neck, and I wrap my arms around her.
I just stand here, soaking up her warmth, enjoying the right to being the only one she'd ever let this close.
Loud thuds and banging on the door rips me out of the mood as I put myself between Gin and whatever the hell is going on. "Haze, stop that," Gin orders, forcefully pulling me back before I get out of her reach. "And whoever the hell that is! There's another fucking bathroom right next door!"
"Watch your tongue, young lady!" Jerron belts out. "What in Arceus's name are you two doing in there with the door locked?!"
"Minding our own business, that's what! You should try it!" I chuckle lifelessly, wrapping my arms around Gin again and breathing her in. Soon, her soft sussing is all I can hear.
"It's alright. It's just us, you don't have to keep it in," Gin soothes, her fingers running through my hair.
Like a switch is hit, I feel my shoulders quaking as it all crumbles down around me. I try to fight it, shouting in my head about how a man doesn't cry, that showing this pathetic part of me to Gin is the worst thing I can do. But the harder I fight it, the harder it comes crashing down.
"Xatu?" Sigh. Marion no doubt just teleported in here with a Xatu—hers or ours makes no fucking difference.
"If you want to help, give him some space," Gin says, scratching my scalp and kissing my cheek.
"What happened?" Marion demands, the clicking of her high heels reverberating through the room.
"Please. I screwed up enough. Don't make this harder on him," Gin begs. I hate how down she sounds, how torn up she feels.
"You did… didn't do anything," I assure her, hating how my voice crackles.
"Oh really? So you always break down in plain view of everyone around you," she snipes, holding me even tighter, and her tears dripping down onto my face to join mine. "Haze, you're a mess. Please don't deny it."
Knock-knock.
"Guys?" Mrs Harrison announces it's her. "I brought pillows and snacks."
8-8
We get comfy on the tiled floor, though at some point Mint and Shamrock get called in to act as extra cushioning. There are plates laying everywhere, evidence of our pigging out. So with Marion on one side of me, Ginny on the other, and Mrs Harrison snoring opposite us—why'd she even come in here if she's so tired?—I find myself in the weirdest position of my life.
"It's alright, baby," Marion soothes, scratching my scalp. Somehow, I have my head in Marion's lap, and Ginny's half on top of me and hugging the everlasting shit out of me. "We don't think less of you for being human. Even if it's just this one time."
How'd it come to this? How'd we get here?
"Not even a little," Gin agrees, kissing me and moving about so she and I are face to face. "I love you, Haze. All of you. Even the broken bits."
Gin leans in, kissing me again, this time on the lips. Her eyes are full of her love for me, even as she cries for me, as she aches for me.
"I'm sorry," Gin murmurs, tears streaming down and over her nose, falling onto Marion's leg—Gin's and my confiscated pillow. "I'm so sorry, Haze. I—"
"I keep telling you, you did nothing wrong," I say for the millionth time. "I had to face this sooner or later." Only, I'm not so sure about that myself. I probably would have never faced it. At all. Easier that way.
"You didn't cry when you broke your arm," she counters. "You didn't cry when daddy told you that Beige and Electra were dead. You didn't even cry the whole week with me in the hospital."
"Yeah, I did," I counter. "While you were in the HG. Your mom wouldn't stop pestering me until I did."
She snorts, probably having figured as much. "I screwed up. Badly. There's no—"
"What he means," Marion butts in, "is that even if you gave him that push, it's not what you did that has him like this. He's finally coming to terms with things. And even though it doesn't seem like it right now, that's a good thing."
I snort this time. "Healing feeling worse than dying. That's fair," I snark.
"Try losing your virginity to a psychopath," Gin grouses. Her eyes go wide, like she didn't expect to say that out loud, and she tries rolling away from me. I grab her before she gets the chance. "I'm sorry. You're messed up and I just had to go and make this about me."
"You aren't. And you didn't," I assure her. "I got to it before he could touch you like that. I swear, Gin."
"It's… it's alright, you don't have… don't have to lie. I've… come to terms with it," she claims, but I don't believe her. "Mostly."
"Then come to terms with being wrong," I demand, a little fire seeping into my tone. "You were fully clothed. The only blood on you was because of your arm."
"Stop," she demands, her shoulders shaking. "It's fine, Haze. This isn't about me. This is abou—"
"Genevieve Harrison. Stop being a foof," I order, pulling her closer to me. "Were you bleeding down there in the hospital?" She shakes her head, no. "Did you feel sore down there?" She answers in the negative again. "Why is that?"
"I dunno. Painkillers?"
"Painkillers do exactly shit for stiffness and/or soreness," I counter. "You're a virgin. And even if you aren't…"
Gin tenses, frozen in place. Her eyes are wide, like golden doors slammed wide open.
Marion scratches my scalp again, reminding me that she's there. "Tell her. She deserves to know," she encourages me.
"Even if you aren't… You're the only one I'll ever want." Ginny just lays there, not hiding the tears, the confuffle of emotion ravaging her peace of mind, or how her eyes are suddenly half-lidded and her pupils dilated. "You're my Gin. I can't get through the day without you."
8-8
After Gin and I calm the fuck down and clean ourselves up, I levitate Mrs Harrison out into the sitting room and onto the couch, her head once again in Doc's lap. Everyone's eyes are on me. The exact shit I try to avoid.
Dezzy and Jack come over with their posses on their heels, their eyes compassionate, but not pitying. "You, my friend," Dezzy begins, smiling brightly, "need some senseless violence with a side of froyo."
"That sounds about right," Marion agrees. "Go on, you two. I can handle things here."
"Music to my ears," I agree. "Queen. You and Blue Moon can chill here, if you want. Paris, Grey, Angel, let's go."
Like nothing in the world's the matter, we head back upstairs, right back to the courts.
"Oh, thank Arceus!" some dipshit announces, frantically waving Gin and me over. "Those guys took over the court! They've already injured like a dozen Pokémons!"
"Senseless violence at its best," I crack my knuckles. "Dezzy. Jack. Take your pick and start cracking skulls."
Laughter fills the air, light and carefree. "Haze, you say the sweetest things," Dezzy teases. "I'll start on the left. Jacky, you take the right. Let's give the honeymooners the sweet spot in middle. Last one to wrap up buys the first round."
"You're on," Jack, Gin, and I agree to the terms.
"Oh, so you're back from holiday? I was starting to get lonely, fighting these shits off on my own!" Jean-Luc announces he's not dead. He's on court number four, his Gengar slapping the taste out of some Absol's mouth and his Mismagius rocketing a Shadow Ball into a Sharpedo's mouth.
I shrug, not caring. I offer Gin my hand, and we walk together with our teams to court number three. Everyone clears the way, letting us take our turn immediately.
"We only do doubles," I announce, glaring at the arrogant shit across from us. His black spikes stick up every which way and his ebony eyes try to freak us out, being all stalkery and shit.
"That's good. Then we'll do triples!" the arrogant shit retorts. He throws out three Pokéballs, revealing a Mightyena, a Weavile, and a Scrafty. Three Dark Types. We're at a number disadvantage, a type disadvantage. And we don't know their levels, but we're probably at a disadvantage there, too.
"You good?"
"Never better. Green Tea! Let's get 'em!"
"Paris, you're up!"
Our Kirlias teleport into the court, already taking their stance for Two to Tango.
"You think you're so tough?! Pitting two weak Psychic Types against us?!"
"We'd better hurry. Dezzy's got a type advantage," Gin points out.
"True," I agree, shrugging. "Hey, dipshit! Anytime you're ready!"
"Zack of Slateport VERSUS Haze and Ginny of Mossdeep! Begin!" That shithead again? What'd he dye his hair or something? Maybe he dyed his soul.
"Shadow ball!" All three charge up a Shadow Ball, firing them off at the same time.
"Reflect!" Gin and I order at the same time.
Green Tea and Paris both cast Reflect, just in case the first one buckles under the pressure. Three balls of swirling darkness slam into the first barrier. Two ricochet off, into Jean-Luc's battle and slam into one of his opponent's Pokémons. Poor thing. Collateral damage is a thing, it seems. The last one gets through the first Reflect, but not the second. It flies back at Mightyena, but he gets out of the way on time.
"Sorry, Verette!" I toss over that side. He's too busy laughing to care. It would seem we knocked out the one hit. Sucks to be him.
"Disarming Voice!" Gin and I order at the same time again. Without being told, the pair of them target the Mightyena. Their heart wrenching cries eat away at the poor pooch, slamming against his very soul. It doesn't knock him out, but from how he teeters and wobbles on his feet, I can tell another hit like that and he's out.
"Crunch!"
Mightyena shakes it off, and the three of them rush our two, trying to get themselves a snack. Amateurs.
We don't say anything. Paris and Green Tea know what to do.
At the last second, our Kirlias teleport to the other side of the court, the three Dark Types chomping down on thin air. Without being told, they use Disarming Voice again, knocking the Mightyena out this time.
"You IDIOT!" Mightyena is recalled, and the Houndoom from earlier is back. Still wobbly—he hasn't been resting and probably hasn't eaten.
"Flamethrower!"
"Paris!" "Green Tea!"
Not missing a beat, our Pokémons use Psychic on the flamethrower again, this time slamming it into the Dark-Ice Type Weavile. Poor thing, doesn't learn from his mistakes. Weavile drops to one knee, fighting to stand again. Heh. Pussies.
Houndoom and his buddies regroup, coming at us for another snack. Weavile is just ahead of the group, his injury affecting his desire to keep in step with his allies.
"Green Tea!" Gin sees it, too. "On Weavile!"
"Paris, Protect!"
Disarming Voice slams into the Weavile, knocking him out mid-stride. He trips up, falling on his face and his buddies trip over him. The three of them come crashing into Paris's Protect, slamming head first into the barrier.
"Kiss 'em good night!" Gin and I announce at the same time. Our Kirlias saunter up to the dizzy Houndoom and give him a Draining Kiss. One on each cheek.
Two Dark Types are now counting Mareep in La La Land. Both get recalled, leaving only Scrafty, with his punk rocker hairstyle and baggy pants.
"Hey, Zack! Ever figure out why you suck?" I ask, authentically curious. While he's fuming and spouting off his bullshit, Paris and Green Tea walk up to Scrafty and give him a nice, big kiss. With a double weakness for Fairy Type moves, and it being same type attack bonus for us… well, it's not too surprising he's out for the count.
"FUUUUUUCK!" Zack bawls out, pulling at his hair. He looks stressed. Battles are supposed to be soothing.
"Hey, you think we should tell him he still has another Pokémon?" Gin asks, laying her head against my bicep. I laugh, not bothering to comment.
Instead, I take out my Dex and scan Paris. They just hit level thirty-two. Another major jump… that can't be good, but she and Green Tea haven't been showing any signs of wanting to act out.
Paris and Green Tea are both engulfed in a blinding white light, but Green Tea's fighting it. He looks absolutely panicked, even as Paris evolves before his eyes, he stubbornly fights it.
My gorgeous Gardevoir stands at twice Green Tea's height, but all she seems to notice is how he's to the point of having an anxiety attack. He stares at her, her long, flowing dress, her legs that seem to go on forever—and he really shouldn't be projecting that shit. I don't want to see Paris in that light!
"Kirl!" Green Tea manages, tears in his eyes. He comes barrelling at Gin, shaking his head, no.
"What's the matter, Green Tea? Don't you want to evolve into Gardevoir?" Gin asks, but from how she winces, I can tell she knows the answer already.
Green Tea violently shakes his head side to side, refusing to go down that road, even mentally.
Gin squats down to his height, cupping his cheeks. "Why didn't you say so sooner? I have a dawn stone in my bag," she teases lightly. He starts tearing up instantly.
I just shake my head, laughing at the shenanigans. Senseless violence always did put me in a better mood.
Paris saunters over to me, tense and her eyes downcast. "You look beautiful," I assure her. She looks up at me, realising we're now the same height. She smiles, playing with her hair like she's unsure what to think. Too many changes too soon, she's going to need some time to adjust.
"YOU SON OF A—"
"KIRLIA!" Green Tea jumps in the way of the incoming psycho. He uses Psychic, flinging that one off the fucking boat.
I double over, laughing so hard that my cheeks start hurting.
"Hey, Green Tea? You missed a spot," Gin encourages him. I feel Kirlia's dark sense of satisfaction as he does the same thing to Jean-Luc's opponent—after he pays, too. Life's a bitch.
"Hey! Dezzy! You handle your side yet?!" Gin calls out to her, seeing her still mid-battle.
"I'm taking on the second court, you slackers!" she calls back grinning manically. I wince.
"Jack?!"
"Same! It looks like you guys are buying!"
"Shit," I grouse, but I'm still amused as hell.
"I told you we had to hurry," Gin reminds me, sighing. "Oh well. Lemme call Adam, ask him to bring my bag."
"So, you've shown your faces at—"
I don't even wait for the monologue or the 'evil plot reveal'. I look to Green Tea, who flings whoever the fuck that was overboard with his buddies. He's dressed like the others, and talks like some eighties Bond villain. He's guilty by default.
"Tell me you guys are tossing them overboard!" I demand.
"Of course!" Dezzy calls back, her opponent sweating bullets.
"Dude! They can't go injuring Pokémon and get off scott free! Let 'em swim to shore! It's only three hours sailing!"
"We could just have them arrested, you know!" Gin points out, swatting me for starting the trend.
"…" But if I started the trend… then that means we finished our battle first. Nah, probably for tossing the ringleader overboard—even though her Pokémon did the deed.
"Change of plans, suckers! You're getting the broken arm hotel treatment!" Dezzy threatens. The last two stop mid-attack, recalling their Pokémon and jumping ship on their own. "Huh. They do have brains. Who knew."
"I know, right!" Gin agrees. The whole crowd goes wild, cheering us on. I don't get it, though. They were kinda pathetic.
8-8
Everyone's so grateful that they start fighting over who's going to buy us froyo. Even Adam, Amalia, Michelle, Janelle, and Ilene are offered. The Ice, Fighting, and Ghost guys as well.
Hell, even all of our Pokémon get offered froyo. "It's national froyo day," I tease, enjoying Angel and Froyo's reaction to getting their sixth froyo chock full with berries.
"Hey, d'yu think that guy staged that whole scene to get our attention?" Ginny muses, covering her mouth as she talks around her berries and whatnot.
We all look around, but no one seems to have any answers.
"The better question," Jean-Luc pipes up, suddenly acting civil. "Why do we care about those imbeciles?"
"At least he hasn't changed that much," Gin murmurs so only I'll hear her.
"Meh. So anyway," I change tack. "I figure we can give Green Tea the dawn stone and help him evolve. Then we take the time in Slateport to let them get used to the changes. While they're adjusting, we can start working on our next pairing?"
"Sure. How about Grey and Mango?"
"Hmm? Nah. I'm thinking Grey and Froyo. That gives us type coverage."
"But they're both weak to Fire and Dark," she counters. "They might be good against Bug Types, though."
"Good point, but Paris and Green Tea already have that covered. Hmm. Should we do it anyway? I mean, we could figure out something around that."
"We could focus on Queen and Blue Moon?"
Golducks can learn Psychic, Ice, and Fighting Type moves. "I like the way you think. Let's do that."
"Alright. But I want to get some TMs, and I want to get in some research so I know what I'm dealing with." Heh. Genius suggestion, doesn't even realise it.
8-8
End Chapter 9
8-8
A/N: Interesting fact. The nameless ringleader that just got chucked overboard, is... Nah. You guys will see who it is in time.