Blessed Defiance Chapter 37: Two of a Kind, a pokémon fanfic

(Disclaimer: Again, I used Fanficfan1037's character, Ed, in this chapter as well. Enjoy!)

Blessed Defiance - Chapter 37: Two of a Kind

The cruise's Main Deck was now a starlit spotlight for Briskomy executives and pretentious billionaires, all in coordination to Metsuma Rocket's honorary conformity. Gio and Delia, dressed in their provided attire, arrived at Metsuma's dinner party fashionably late. And it was every bit as boring as Gio anticipated. Bland food, dull conversations and a room of corrosively sophisticated intellectuals trying to out-snob each. It quickly became a nauseating spectacle. Nevertheless, he still dressed up for the social event upon request. With a classic shawl collar and a modern slim fit, his double-breasted, non-vented, black tuxedo brought the best out of his charming appearance.

Delia wore a midnight black spaghetti strap dress that had small studs of diamonds attached to the edges, lavishing her figure perfectly. It was pretty simple, really, though some small, but noticeable changes were added, such as the flowery and fancy edges whose silk shined nicely with the glistening diamonds that successfully represented her uniqueness. Her makeup wasn't overdone, fortunately, but by no means at a minimal limit. Overall, she looked quite dazzling!

Gio could see Metsuma was busy chatting away with his entourage and decided to wait until he was alone before facing him. Sneakily, he led Delia past Metsuma's distracted gaze, and brought her to an empty round table with a spotless white table cloth and a romantic candle centered for their pleasure. However, Gio's mind was far from winning back Delia's heart. Sitting at the table, all he could do was spy intently on Metsuma's every movement while waiting for his followers to disband.

It didn't take long for Gio's unblinking fixation to abrade Delia riled. "Stop staring, Gio! If you want to go and confront him, just please get it over with already!" The sooner, the better. Waiting around for Gio's violent tendencies to awaken made her sick with disquiet.

Gio bit his lip. "But those people he's with-"

"Doesn't matter!", She reminded him. "You even said yourself that you wanted to humiliate him. Well . . . here's your chance on a silver platter!" Conveniently at that moment, a waiter placed a platter of orderves on the table. Delia clapped with glee."Perfect! That should take my mind off of the disaster you're about to make!"

He shot her a look of basal satire. "What happened to you? All the sudden you seem . . . fine with what I have planned. Are you just trying not to think about it?"

Delia swallowed her food and wiped her hands into the nearest napkin. But instead of harvesting more appetizers, she frowned at Gio. "I am thinking about it, Gio. Now please . . . go do what you have to do because I want this over with just as much as you."

Gio nodded, pondered for a moment, and then stood up from the table. Speechlessly, he smiled at Delia and then excused himself from her company to enter Metsuma's. He slowly schlepped across the Main Deck to where his step-father was socializing. But his transition was not all well. With each step forward, his muscles tensed stiffer and his heartbeat throbbed faster. His skin felt cold, limbs trembling and eyes infernally dilated. "What's . . . what's happening to me?" But there was no one answering to his mind, not even his own father anymore. Gio always envisioned this moment as self-capacitating . . . but suddenly, something inside no longer harbored the desire to go through with this. "I . . . I don't think I can do this!"

But it was too late to turn back. Metsuma noticed his presence almost immediately. "Ah, Giovanni!", He praised the quiet teenager, folding an arm over his shoulder and drawing him into his coterie. "I'd like you to meet Captain O'Neil, an old friend of mine and the authority over the S.S. Briskomy!"

The portly, bearded sea-captain stepped forward to greet Gio with a handshake. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ketchum. I've heard a great deal about you! In fact, your step-father was just telling us about your involvement in Indigo Plateau Conference. How impressive that you managed to make it to the final rounds!"

Confused, Gio briefly glanced at O'Neil and then to Metsuma. "How . . . how did you know about that?" His first clue was either the news or his own mother, though he highly doubted her enthusiasm to admit to his Pokemon Training expertise.

Metsuma roared with laughter! Naturally, his troupe followed his example. "Oh there's only so little I don't know about you, my friend!", He covertly revealed before reverting his attention to O'Neil and the other executives. "Would you all excuse us for a moment? I'd like to have a quick word with the boy." They did as they were told and disappeared to the wine-bar, thirsting for intoxicating refills. But Metsuma's eyes never strayed from the sight of Gio standing before him. "I hope you'll be joining us for the theater performance after dinner. But in the meantime, I trust you're enjoying my party?"

Gio shrugged and kept his eyes untraceable. He wanted to play this casual and hopefully proceed without screwing up. "It's fine, thanks."

But Metsuma didn't stop there. "You know, I set all of this up in YOUR honor."

"And yet we're surrounded by all YOUR friends.", Blurted Gio by irritated compulsion. He wasn't too thrilled by the idea that Metsuma was trying to win him over with a dinner party, the most boring and uncomfortable social gathering known to mankind.

On the topic of friends, Metsuma focused in on the table where Delia sat alone. "Yes, it seems the only friend you brought with you is the one from your little veranda affair."

Gio wasn't too sure if Metsuma was insulting him or simply musing at he and Delia's earlier episode on the High Deck's balcony. Either way, he found it distasteful for the man to bring Delia into the conversation too early . . . but on the other hand, saw it as a splendid opportunity to get to the point. "The only reason she's here is to protect me."

Now Metsuma was intrigued. His head swiveled back to Gio and he asked: "From what?"

"Myself.", He confessed, more so as threat. "The only reason I accepted your dinner invitation was so that I could personally clear the air with you." But he wasn't doing the best job so far. Part of him was still yearning to walk away from this coming contention.

Metsuma was more than understanding, but only to make his own point in a matter of two short and simple sentences. "Fine by me. A son mustn't be dishonest with his father."

"Please just stop right there!" It was difficult to maintain his composure so politely, especially now that Metsuma was calling himself his father! It drove him furious! "Don't call yourself that." He thought back to Delia's advice and began to take deep breaths to relieve his urges.

Thought it didn't seem like it, Metsuma only managed to make it worse. "I'm sorry, I just want to become closer to you. We're practically family now after all!

The whole deck fell silent when Gio found himself shouting to the top of his lungs: "I told you to stop!" The feeling of torment had resurfaced already. Just inching away from Metsuma seemed impossible now, as he was too consumed by his momentary position of empowerment. But when he saw Delia eyeballing him sharply and keenly, he took a few steps back for his own good and attempted to try again. "What I meant to say was . . . I'd rather you not say anymore."

The party guests went back to their minding their own business. Metsuma, however, had only just begun to unravel Gio. "I don't understand. You want to be honest with me . . . and yet you ask your female friend to restrain you from doing so? To me, it just doesn't make any sense!"

Anger was once again filling Gio's eyes, as well as his vocal emphasis. "I didn't ask her to do anything for me!"

"Oh?" Having obtained the impression he'd been seeking, Metsuma grinned widely enough to piss off Gio even more. "Interesting."

Gio's eyes clench shut, his lips quivering and his fists tightening. "That's not the point! I came here to talk but you're pushing me beyond my boundaries!"

All was falling into place! Metsuma placed a hand over Gio's shoulder, a fatal mistake! "In that case, I'd have to say that what you call 'beyond your boundaries' . . . is perhaps, your boundaries."

"What are you getting at!", He hollered like one of Briskomy's tortured Pokemon! Gio immediately pulled away from the cold hand of detestation and galvanized Metsuma with a frozen expression, an expression of pain! His breathing hitched and he felt penetrating gazes from both Delia and Metsuma, one condemning his behavior . . . and the other trying to further it! He was torn!

Metsuma concealed his hands together behind his back, standing with a harmonious posture. "If you plan to take a punch at me, I suggest you do it now while we are surrounded by all my friends. After all . . . you do want to humiliate me, don't you?"

Gio choked aloud! "How did you-"

"I'm a smart man.", Was Metsuma's only explanation. "And if I didn't know any better, I'd say you are too. So please go ahead. Make your move. Do what you've been planning to do since our eyes first met. Release your rage . . . and make me suffer. I won't fight back, I assure you."

Oh he wanted to attack so badly! But from the corner of his eyes, Delia was standing from the table, totally baffled as to what was going on! That's when his mind was made up. "I'm sorry.", He apologized shortly as he turned back to the table. "I've . . . got to go." Returning to the safety of his protector, Gio was automatically bombarded with questions.

"Gio, what happened!", Panicked Delia. "What did he say! What did you say!"

His face was literally drenched in sweat! He was thinking like Delia now, wanting nothing but to flee this atrocious ship! "We need to go!", Gio fearfully panted, like a blast furnace on his shoulder. "Delia, we need to go now! I can't be here anymore!"

But suddenly, Metsuma was tapping his silverware against his wine glass, calling upon everyone's silent attention. "I'd like to make a toast!", He declared, holding his drink toward Gio. "Even though Rita isn't here to share this moment with me, I suppose I'll have to commend this young man on my own! Here's to Giovanni Ketchum, a fearless Pokemon Trainer, a compassionate extremist, and most importantly . . . my new son!"

Those final spoken words set off Gio like a spark in a tinder box! His sense of requiescence exploded into a million shards, his peace of mind no longer able to endure his emotional roller coaster! He felt like he was losing his hold on mental stability and because of this, he instantly fled the main deck in angry, resentful tears.

Delia leaped from the table and chased after him. "Gio, wait! Gio!"

Once they were gone, Metsuma raised his glass again and chuckled: "Teenagers . . . it's always about drama!" Everyone laughed and applauded his joke . . . but Metsuma knew he had only said that to humor the inelegance of the party's mood. His mind refused to estrange his step-son. "In only mere minutes, I was able to see him for who he really was. And now . . . it's his turn."

…...

Meanwhile, on the Lido Deck, Spencer continued to luxuriate in the delectable delights of being a wealthy and privileged aristocrat! And he owed it to his father, for the first time in his life. Under the moonlight, he sat cozily in a refreshingly steamy jacuzzi, the water flowing up to his neck and his female twin companions, Heather and Hannah, pressed against either side of him. He was in the middle of telling them his most shameful and infamous story, or lie rather. "So anyway, the moment I saw the Lugia fly over my head, I pulled out a Pokeball and get this . . . I caught it on the first try!" Surprisingly, he was lying without showing his ignorance and embarrassing himself.

Hannah cupped her mouth and piercingly gasped. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe you actually captured a Lugia!"

"Yeah!", Heather chanted, leaning on his bare shoulder. "And what's even more impressive is how you caught it on the same day you caught the Ho-Oh, Suicune, and Articuno! You really are the master of Legendary Pokemon!"

Spencer cracked a conceited smile. "There's a reason I'm rich, ladies!" He gave them a few moments to laugh while he seized advantage of an approaching waiter. "Aha, there you are!"

"I've been asked to help clean up after Mr. Rocket's dinner Party on the Main Deck.", The elderly waiter informed. "Is there anything else I can do for you or your dates before I leave, Mr. Hale?"

"No . . . but-" Spencer withdrew his hand from the water and reached for his fancy vest jacket sitting at the edge of the hot tub. From the front pocket, he pulled out a large portion of his father's welfare deposit and handed the cash to the waiter. "Here you are! Go buy yourself something nice! You deserve it!" He knew that being rude to a financial inferior would have made him look too nouveau riche. This alternative depiction matched adequately to his true personality.

With a giddy grin, the waiter thanked Spencer and dispersed the deck. Hannah and Heather both looked at Spencer with dainty sighs, portending their crescive attraction to him. "Spencer, you're so generous!"

He was about to reply with a cocky remark. But Delia's hollering vocal strain impeded, her voice amplifying as she sprinted over to the jacuzzi. "Spencer!", She heaved, short of breath and plagued with trepidation. "Spencer, have you seen Gio?"

Judging by the horrified emphasis in her tone, he recognized that something must have gone amiss concerning Gio. However, he was more intent on not blowing his cover in front of his dates. "I'm afraid I'm bot familiar with any 'Gio'. Perhaps you're referring to Chives, my butler?"

Delia rolled her eyes and sighed. "Yeah, fine! Whatever! Anyway, have you seen him?"

He eyed her suspiciously. "I thought he was with you."

"He was but then he took off without warning!" Well technically, he did give a warning, just not vividly enough for her to act upon.

Spencer was still lost by what she was implying and for whatever reason Gio had voluntarily disappeared without a trace. "Why, what happened?"

"Metsuma Rocket, that's what happened!", She answered to him.

That was all the explanation he needed to know that Gio was struggling with his fatherly ordeal once again. "Oh . . . I see." He knew that the right thing to do now was to be a supportive friend, specifically to the lost Gio. "Want me to help you find him?"

Though flattered, she turned him down. "Don't worry about it. If I find him, I want to talk to him alone and find out what's going on." Usually, her comfort came as an overwhelming wave of relief to Gio, like medicine practically.

Spencer shrugged as she strode away to resume her search. "Suit yourself."

As soon as Delia was gone, Heather leaned inward toward Spencer and whispered: "Who was that?"

"My obsessive ex-girlfriend.", He sighed, sinking down deeper into the bubbling water. "Honestly, she can't keep her hands off me. It's ridiculous! The only reason she's dating my butler is to get closer to me. Crazy, right?"

Hannah planted a light kiss over Spencer's warm cheek and said: "Well can you blame her? You're an irresistible guy, Spencer."

"What, because I'm rich?", He inquired the obvious.

Heather nodded and then kissed Spencer's other cheek. "Pretty much!"

"Well . . . that's just fine by me!" Rich people could afford to be picky. But since Spencer wasn't actually rich, he adapted to the abnormality of how his dates only admired him for his wealth, when in reality, it was rightfully his father's wealth. And besides, his father would likely be proud of him for imitating him.

…...

Metsuma's Dinner Party had ended approximately an hour following Gio's dramatic desertion from the Main Deck. Inside the higher cabin's Opera Theater, a musical performance was betiding on schedule, just as Metsuma had made known earlier. Gio found an empty viewing balcony to oversee the dimmed auditorium, the spotlight gracing down on the theatrical stage where the many distinct noises of the performance echoed off the walls of the dome. Gio never cared for musical productions like the one transpiring below. And though he wasn't paying much attention to the plot, he could see an actress singing center stage, surrounded by several Dewgong dancing around her. He immediately surmised that this was either a sea story about underwater ventures or an underdeveloped romantic tale of a woman lost at sea, perhaps separated from her lover and left in the care of the ocean's Pokemon. Either way, Gio's interest wasn't directed at the free entertainment. He was just satisfied with the isolation, as there was no one to take orders from and no one to become hateful at.

Nonetheless, Gio's seclusion was concise and not meant to be. Quietly, Metsuma entered the darkened viewing box and slowly made his way down the aisle toward the front row where Gio sat in his lonesome. He had a hunch that Gio was well aware of his being there in spite of his truancy to give any sort of reaction. "Mind if I sit here?", Metsuma politely asked, pointing to the chair beside him.

There was no energy left in Gio to burst out in anger again. Besides that, the calm and peaceful environment held together by his innermost emotions hadn't exhibited any objections to Metsuma's presence, unlike the last time. Without pitching an argument, he shook his head and accepted. "I guess not."

Metsuma loosened his posture and seated beside the young man who loathed him. With both arms at ease upon the arm rests, Metsuma surveyed the play's developments, unsure of the plot. "Decent theater piece?", He asked Gio without facing him directly.

"Does it look as though I'm paying any attention?" Gio's promise to himself not to be outspoken for the rest of the night was already violated, by himself of course. He just didn't venerate the small-talk because he had nothing to say.

Metsuma took the hint and continued to watch the performance with a dull, uninterested expression lingering continuously. It was only for the reason that he was still concentrating on how to engage Gio in a friendly conversation. To accomplish this, he wanted to first address Gio's problem. He looked over to the boy and said: "You don't think too highly of me, do you?"

Gio unenthusiastically engaged eye contact and scowled him. "What was your first clue?"

"Hard to say.", The older man retorted, looking back and forth between Gio and the play. "I suppose your attempted courteousness back at dinner was simply a performance for your beloved girlfriend?"

The powerless trainer let his gaze drop to the floor. Was his dark-side really that obvious, even during his first coming aboard the ship? "You could tell I was lying even before I lost control of myself?"

"Like I book., Chuckled Metsuma. "But I didn't feel the need to make a scene in front of all those guests. I'm not that kind of person. I wanted to give you some time to ruminate your feelings before I could take the chance of confronting you man to man, father to son."

The discussion was about to revert into the dinner argument all over again. Except this time, Gio didn't shout, but hissed distantly: "You're not my father."

Metsuma sank into his chair with a commemorative smile, almost like he was delving into the secretest of his memories. "Your father.", He whispered. "I can see why you'd be so defense of him. He always was an emboldening icon to so many people."

"You didn't know my father!", He snapped at the liar.

"Don't be so sure." Metsuma regained his proper bodily display, along with his visuals on Gio. "Oh, the memories. Clint and I go way back . . . and I'm not just saying that."

"You're not?" It couldn't be. Gio refused to believe such a lie! His father was never confederated with the likes of Briskomy, Rita being the only exception . . . and frankly, a mistake.

Metsuma's next revelation almost destroyed Gio where he sat. "Clint and I were best friends at a time."

Gio glared at Metsuma with haughty derision. "Are just lying to impress me? Because It's not working!"

But Metsuma simply shook his head. "I have no reason to lie to you." Coincidentally, lying wouldn't guarantee the success of his scheming ends involving Gio. If anything, it would only worsen the situation by mocking both their intelligences.

Still both upset yet fascinated by Metsuma's connection to his father, Gio felt as if someone had forced him swallow several large rocks! "My father was a good person! There's no way he could have been involved with anyone apart of Briskomy!"

"The company wasn't established until many years after our first meeting.", Explained Metsuma. "But I'll admit that in our later years . . . Clint and I never quite saw eye to eye."

Now that sounded more like the Clint Ketchum Gio knew so well as both a father and a mentor. "Of course not.", He continued off Metsuma's statement. "You're a conspirator, the new head of Briskomy, and most likely an ally of Torino."

"What makes you think that?", Metsuma asked, once more turning to face the young man, his eyes in a relaxed, compassionate expression.

Gio began to throw what he knew at Metsuma, hoping to maybe set him off guard. "An old friend of mine once told me about your corporate history. I also know about your court trials years ago. That doesn't surprise me anymore though. Since you were so closely acquainted with the Torino Leader, it's no wonder how you weaseled your way out of those accusations."

Infiltrating Gio's mind was becoming a chore. This boy kept his opinions and emotions so secluded. Metsuma needed to discover how Gio truly regarded him. "So you're automatically suggesting that I'm a horrible person because I may or may not be affiliated with Torino's workings?" His chin stretched as he pondered on Gio's diagnosis. "Interesting . . ."

Gio felt unable to close his mouth. He was in too deep as it was. "I know for a fact that you and my mom are in cahoots with Torino! Just look at how far your conspiracy has come!"

Metsuma's eyes tensed up like an officer of the law questioning a guilty suspect. "Correct me if I'm wrong . . . but because you've been aware of this for several years now, doesn't that make you a conspirator as well?" He knew the answer all too well . . . but did Gio?

The fluids in the young teenager's stomach seemed to escape up to his head. He shook his head in a useless attempt to get rid of them, remembering back to his other Briskomy opponents and their threats to keep him quiet. "I've been given this lecture over and over already by both Sorhagen and my mom."

Metsuma nodded. "In that case, you'll be pleased to know that they've both been removed from power. I no longer have any ties to them."

To Gio, it was a pointless and irrelevant update. "That doesn't make up for the fact that the conspiracy is still growing. And it also doesn't make up for the fact that Torino is still causing havoc each and every day!"

"Torino deliberates no pride in the unfortunate sacrifices to accomplish they're goal.", Metsuma tried to clarify for Gio's benefit.

But he wasn't buying into it. "Torino is evil and that's all there is to it."

"Well evil is a viewpoint, not an orientation.", Metsuma said firmly, looking the younger man straight in the eye. "Torino is a clan of righteous views."

Was that what Torino was now? Righteous? Highly unlikely. "Torino murdered the wife and father of an innocent man I know.", Gio grunted, pained from remembering the tragedy of that fateful day almost two years ago. "What could possibly be righteous about that?"

Metsuma was prepared for Gio to use that incident against him. Fortunately, he had a reprisal. "You refer to an event contemplated by a traitor, not by the organization's leader."

"And that leader would be?" It was a dire question Gio had been aching to unravel every time he came face to face with Torino scum.

Rather then reveal his alter-ego, Metsuma said: "Does that really matter?"

"It does if I want to save the world!" He hadn't clue as to where the direction of this talk was headed.

Metsuma's eyes seemed too well capable of piercing Gio's vulnerable being. "You WANT to save the world?", He breathed slowly. "Or . . . is it that you NEED to save the world . . ."

"I have to! I mean . . . everyone's counting on me . . ." Well not everyone. Society's stupidity had been exposed when the world chose to uphold Briskomy as a godly entity. All that remained of Gio's near-fruitless task to bring down Torino seemed to be an obligation expected of Professor Wade. But he couldn't afford to let Metsuma know of his skepticism . . . so he improvised the truth."I've chosen to be a hero like my father."

"You're like a child.", Metsuma pitied Gio in an usually sympathetic style. "You dream of a freedom of choice that doesn't exist, that never will exist. It's just not how the world works. All beings are born with a single purpose, it's imprinted in their souls and cannot be erased nor replaced." Metsuma presented that chilling smile again. "And those who defy who they truly are . . . find themselves aimlessly wandering the path of self-destruction. That's exactly what's happening to society. Its been blinded and has yet to understand its place . . . and by the time it finally does, the outcome won't be pretty."

Gio's mouth went numb. This had to be another ridiculous lie . . . but why couldn't he stop the tingling in his stomach? "Society . . . brainwashed?" And shockingly, not because of Briskomy? "But . . . how could I have not seen it?"

"Those who seek power will play any cards necessary to achieve it.", Metsuma continued to explain with a dejected frown. "The Pokemon League Committee has filled their followers minds with delusions of harmony and companionship, the very same ideals that Torino feeds off of to channel their fury."

"Pokemon Masters don't keep secrets and they don't plot against their followers!", Gio said, concentrating on keeping his voice steady. "They are wise and . . . just! What you say can't be!" Ironically, he himself was finding himself drawn to welcoming this . . . other conspiracy?

But apparently, Metsuma was only telling this to Gio for his own good. "The Pokemon League Committee wishes to use the government's current state of corruption to take control of the society and use the morals of Pokemon Training as a dictatorship. When I became aware of this, I knew I had to take action. I regained Briskomy from your mother and merited myself the position of the senate's councilman, all my efforts having been put to relinquishing the Pokemon League. To them, humans fall below Pokemon. It's pitiful!" His eyes once more stared into Gio's and his tone because far more serious. "That is why you are inspired to treat Pokemon with respect and compassion. President Goodshow and his band of misfits wanted to overthrow humanity with delusions of Pokemon as the almighty superiority."

Gio felt the air knocked out of him, his mixed emotions pounding into his brain like a headache. "Now I'm confused! And wait, you said that all beings are born with a single purpose?"

"Precisely.", The teacher granted his new student. From there on, he began to enlighten the righteous truth left abandoned. "Naturally, Pokemon must stoop below we humans. But society is defying that concept . . . and for that, this essence you call 'evil' simply wishes to correct that mistake."

The pieces were aligning, taking Gio aback by the threshold of his mind. "So . . . the Torino and Briskomy conspiracy-"

"Wishes to show the world that Pokemon are meant to obey humans so that life can be cherished as simple and fearless, the way it should be." His smile grew wider, an odd air of fulfillment surrounding it. "Discipline is the key, Giovanni. Torino just wants their voices to be heard . . . and Briskomy is doing everything it can to aid that cause as a union. The secrecy and conspiracy, all necessary actions to prevent further influence from those Pokemon League fools."

If that was the case, Gio knew to ask: "But stealing Pokemon and extorting them for profit?"

"How else would we manage to keep our cause thriving and growing?" Obviously, an answer backed by financial justifications.

Gio's heart was pounding so hard that it seemed determined to break his ribs! Everything he had just been told . . . was it simply a lie to substantiate a false prophecy? Or perhaps . . . the real god-honest truth that he had suspected deep down within . . .

Metsuma leaned against the armrest to address Gio up close and personally. "Giovanni . . . what you call evil is really just . . . an aggressive conscience." It was the most sufficient way of putting it. After all, that's how he had come to think of it.

"Aggressive conscience?", He marveled, astonished at how well the title suited himself.

Metsuma nodded. "Anger, hurt, betrayal; all emotions that cannot afford to be locked away. Instead, used to serve a righteous purpose."

"I can sort of relate." Gio was finally stepping out of his shell, allowing his comfortably with Metsuma to be taken to a more personal level. "My friends are always telling me to control my rage. They say they hate seeing me angry. They say that it's no proper way for a Pokemon Trainer to act."

Metsuma didn't look too surprised. "It would seem their minds have already been brainwashed by the conflict and in turn, they are trying infect you with their own misconception."

"But I'm not like that!", Gio told him with honesty! He was far from infected, even though he was aiming in that direction. "When I get angry . . . I feel feared and in control! I feel . . . empowered!"

Metsuma nodded a second time. "Your friends and Pokemon will not recognize who you truly are as long as you continue to fool yourself. Unfortunately, they just don't want to become familiar with your aggressive conscience. They want you to play into society's game where everything is fake and morally oppressive."

Gio swallowed several times in rapid succession. Was Metsuma really implying that he was a slave to his weaknesses? "Hypothetically speaking, if what you say is even true . . . you should know that I'm still capable of thinking for myself."

"Example?", The older man called for, debating how deeply the boy was considering this choice of topic.

On cue, Gio gave his example: "Pokemon. Ever since I was a kid, I always knew that Pokemon were meant to serve their masters. But . . . looking at them as equals just seemed . . . unnatural. And even now, the whole concept confuses me."

"Even more of your true self that you continue to hide, that you are forced to hide.", Said Metsuma.

Gio stared at Metsuma with a knowing visage in his eyes. "You're referring to my aggressive conscience again, aren't you."

The older man nodded yet again.

"But What should I do?", Gio humbled Metsuma for advice, as if he were a god who could heal all his troubles. "If I try to let out my rage, I might hurt those around me! I could never . . . hurt Delia again." Never again! Even now, he refused to forgive himself for what he had done to her back at the Fuchsia Safari Zone.

"Blinding love.", Chuckled Metsuma. "So predictable from a lost trainer . . ."

Sweat was trickling down Gio's face, his stomach feeling twisted beyond recovery! "Delia's my only way of coping with the outside world in a way I won't put harm to anyone. I'd be lost without her . . ."

"Would you really?", Metsuma asked his step-son with a purging demeanor. "Or is that perhaps just another lie cloaked in truth . . . ?"

The question incised Gio like a thousand needles! What could he say in response, what could he think? "I . . . I don't know!"

"What is it you seek from life, Giovanni?", Metsuma calmly asked the young man on the verge of tears. "You can tell me."

This was it! The was his moment! "I . . . I want power! I want control! I want to the freedom to be who I really am!" Gio felt as though his lungs had been released from a tight grasp that had been holding them for years! A colossal weight had been lifted off his shoulders, his intimate conflict filtering out the widespread emotional curse within him!

Metsuma wrapped his arm over Gio's shoulder, his fatherly smile stretching until it was almost touching his ears. "Good, Gio. Let it all out. You owe it to yourself."

"Who am I really?", Gio exhaled in a laden huff, exhausted from his sentimental divulgence.

"A Pokemon Trainer that deserves purpose.", Metsuma answered the question. "Use your aggressive conscience to manage your Pokemon, and to show your friends your true character. If you are not accepted by them, then you know where you belong."

Gio looked up at the older man curiously. "Where?"

"With me." He proclaimed pridefully but encouragingly. "I can accept you, Gio. And I can help you to come to accept yourself as well."

Gio's cheeks heated up slightly. Only ten minutes ago, he dared not speak to this man . . . and now, he was befriending him! "I never thought I'd be saying this . . . but . . . I accept you too, Metsuma. And thanks for the advice and all." After a minor hesitation, he said: "I'm . . . sorry I treated you so cruelly."

Touched by the apology, Metsuma pardoned his new son with kinder words. "That's alright, my friend. When I was about your age, I dealt with a similar problem. Don't mind my saying this . . . but you and I do have a lot in common. We're both seeking something greater that can fully apprise ourselves." He gazed at Gio more affectionately and said: "We're . . . two of a kind."

Content, Gio turned to face the show again . . . but when a new question popped into his head, he turned back to Metsuma. "Tell me . . . what is it YOU want out of life?"

"Liberation from hypocrisy.", Metsuma automatically replied as though he had it memorized specifically for the occasion. "In a sense, it's the very same thing you want."

It gave Gio something to ponder on for the upcoming moments. In the end though, the soothing silence between them was enough for them to handle together. As father and son, they returned their focus to the play and watched the finale unfold without anymore interchange of words.

Unknowing to either of them, however, was that Darius Scouter had been listening to everything they conversed about. A couple rows back from where the two sat, Darius was crouching underneath one of the seats. He grinned victoriously, struggling to restrain himself from cheering out his fruition. With this vital information in his possession, he was so confident that he'd soon be a hero known all around the world as the cop who dismantled Briskomy's Conspiracy! "Now I gotta get this information to Ed!" Knowing that the play was coming to a close, Darius crawled his way under several more rows of chairs until he had reached the exit. In seconds, he was gone, Metsuma and Gio utterly oblivious to his former presence.

The murmur of applause from the rest of the audience watching below, following a nostalgic musical finish, signified the play's conclusion. Gio suddenly remembered Delia and rose from his cushioned seat. "Listen, I should probably get going.", He told Metsuma casually. "What you've told me has been very-"

Metsuma beamed up at him. "Insightful?"

"Part of me hopes so." And the other part of him was still leaning towards denial, due to the fear of how Delia would acknowledge his 'aggressive conscience.' Sure, Metsuma could see who he was inside. But what about Delia? Why was she so bent on pulling him away from embracing his darkness. It was who he was!

As Gio began to walk back up the aisle of unoccupied seats, Metsuma called out to him one last time for the night. "Gio?" Already, he was seizing admission into a nickname basis.

Gio swung around and gleamed over at Metsuma, puzzled at what he was about to ask of him now.

Then came the unexpected. "Are you by any chance aware of a mythological Pokemon by the name of Giratina?"

Gio shook his head . . . but continued to listen intently.

Metsuma turned his head again to face the stage without actually watching anything, as there was nothing left to watch. After a moment or two, he picked up where he left off. "Between you and me, it's a Legendary Pokemon of Sinnoh that's been all but erased from the region's historical archives. But it's alive . . . I'm certain of it." The knowledgeable man began telling the story without any indication on whether or not Gio would want to hear it. "It resides in a dark realm opposite of our world . . . and there, it rules it's domain with distorted sorcery unalike anything you could imagine! Funny, isn't it? Society sees that Pokemon as the only reliable source for power-seekers like you and I . . . and so, they repress it from being known to the world . . . "

The question on how this 'Supreme Councilmen' would know so much about an ancient Pokemon legend fumbled through Gio's mind, stumbling over the hold Metsuma had on him, unable to get more than a vague passing from him. Gio processed the information over again, hoping to recognize some sort of lesson from it. But nothing, nothing at all. And when Delia reappeared in his head again, he left Metsuma frozen in his condescended silence.

…...

When reporting back to Ed's office, Darius found his old cop buddy sitting exactly in the same spot as before. Immediately, Darius began entailing what he had learned from stalking the sinister father and son duo! "Luckily, I overheard far more than I had hoped! Ketchum's an active conspirator and Metsuma Rocket is no better! Multiple times, he had mentioned to the kid about Briskomy's partnership with Torino! I heard it all, Ed!"

Ed looked up from his paperwork and peaked around Darius. "Have you any evidence to back this, any audio coverage that registered the whole conversation?"

Never had Darius felt so idiotically irresponsible! He had all but remembered the main importance of his stakeout: the evidence! Quickly, he strived to redeem himself! "That kid was constantly on the move, Ed! I was just so focused on keeping up with him, I guess I just forgot my equipment."

Ed shook his head condemningly at the worthless excuse of a recounting. "That story isn't going to help your case, Darius."

"You've got to believe me!, The renegade cop begged like an underprivileged peasant. "The kid is a collaborator!"

That's when Ed lost his temper! "I can't deal with this anymore! I gave you the time you needed and you failed to elicit any evidence, so thank you for wasting my time. This silly stakeout of yours is officially over! As of now, you are no longer permitted to bother any of the passengers, Giovanni included. If you defy my instructions, don't think I wont report your antics to Viridian Metro!"

But Darius was persistent. He wouldn't be thrown aside, not like this! He stormed up to Ed's desk and exploded! "You can't do this to me, Ed! After all I've done for you, this is how you treat me, your mentor? Your friend!"

"That's not going to work anymore, Darius!" No longer entertained by Scouter's ridiculous notions, Ed stood from his seat and pointed the other man to the door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a job to do. If I were you, I'd leave this office before the consequences lengthen!"

Darius wasn't to forgiving of this. And in spite of the fact that he was asked to leave, he couldn't bring himself to stand down. "Damn it, why can't you just help me?"

Ed sighed densely, massaging his cheekbones with his hands. This was an argument he could keep winning over and over again, and he knew it. "Because I have nothing against Briskomy.", Was his short but honest answer.

"Sure, now you don't.", Darius warned as he backed up against the door. "But one day . . . you're going to regret those words, I swear to you."

Ed grimaced in response to Darius' threat and then returned to his work. "Don't patronize me. Please leave."

He was getting ready to do so. But as he opened the door to leave, he quailed his head back and asked a most a random question. "Ed, do you have a wife?"

Only a faint facial reaction was offered from Ed. He reviewed Darius' query, wondering whether or not his wife had to do with anything at all. But to Darius' favor, he replied: "Back in Kanto, yes."

"Kids?", He continued catechizing.

Ed was stumped . . . but once again, he complied with an answer. "Perhaps one day . . ."

"Then put your mind to this, Ed. Can you imagine something terrible happening to them because of the bad people you claim to have nothing against?" Scouter had lived that pain already. But he was curious to know of Ed's options, should a tragedy ever occur in his family. "How would you live with yourself?"

The very suggestion of the possibility was downright preposterous as far as Ed was concerned. Scouter was no visionary. "I don't need to imagine something like that . . . because it'll never happen."

"Never say never, Ed.", Was Scouter's final caution as he exited the office. "Never say never." And then he was gone, leaving Ed compiled with diffident thoughts.

…...

Inside her dormitory, Delia lied quietly under the covers of her bed, unable to sleep or even think sufficiently knowing that Gio was still no where to be found. "I knew being here was a bad idea!", She thought with frustration. "I knew Metsuma was trouble from the start." Abrupt but gentle knocking on the door suddenly rebounded off the walls of the companionless bedroom and into her ears. With Gio in mind, Delia switched on the lamp sitting on her night-table and leaped off the bed. Hastily, she swung the door open to find Gio standing in the door way, his face reeking of pothered anguish and disarray. "Gio . . . you look-"

"I know.", He answered with little to no emotion. "I need to talk to you . . ." When she allowed him in and shut the door behind him, he fell back onto her bed, sitting upright but lacking the need to look her in the eyes in the usual fashion. Instead, he said simply: "Delia, I talked to Metsuma after what happened at the dinner party."

It was an unexpected confession and she was quick to assume that he must have done something horrible, considering that she was not there that second time to censor his violent manner of conducting himself and those around him. "And?", Was all she could wonder, for the moment anyway.

"Delia.", He repeated her name in a listless intonation. "What if . . . what if my aggressive conscience is something I'm destined to obey? What if . . . I'm not meant to be what you expect me to be?"

What had Metsuma said to him to make him marvel at such nonsense? As much as she wanted to dismiss this topic of discussion, her heart was encouraging her to be honest with Gio, without become angry at him for even entertaining the possibility of him being naturally evil. "Gio, I'm not completely sure what you mean by 'aggressive conscience.' I don't know what Metsuma told you . . . but I do know that whatever you're deciding-"

Gio then applied Metsuma's philosophy. "What if it's not a decision? What if . . . what if it's destiny?" He had come to see the sprouting betrayal in her innocent eyes, and already, he was denunciating himself for even mentioning any of this! He'd lose Delia for sure now! "I'm sorry!", He tried to gain her back. "I . . . I didn't mean any of that!"

Delia breathed out and kneeled to the foot of the bed, taking Gio's hands into her's. "Gio, I'm not angry at you . . . just confused. I've never seen you put so much thought into this." And something told her that Metsuma had triggered these thoughts, his motives for doing so shrouded in a fog of mystery. "Don't be afraid to say these things. Good or bad, you know I'll listen . . . and that I'll do everything I can to help you."

Gio could feel the color draining from his face, his eyes pressing shut. "I just . . . don't see how you can be so understanding of what I'm going through. I always thought you despised the hate inside me! Just coming to face you about this tonight, I was almost afraid you'd-"

"That I'd leave you?" His nod confirmed her speculation. And it saddened her to realize that Gio's greatest fear was revolving around whether or not he'd reveal his evil tendencies. Delia softly stroked her old boyfriend's shoulder. "Don't ever think that. You're the most important person in my life, Gio. And I'm not upset with you! What's upsetting me is the idea of losing you."

But his foremost doubt remained. "What about my aggressive conscience?"

"You have your demons.", She explained what she'd known for long now. "And I accept that. But also I know that you don't have to be a slave to them! You can make your own choices!" If Kyden could do it, Gio could too. She knew this had to be possible!

A frown crossed Gio's face. "I wish that were true."

"It is!", She exclaimed joyfully. "I know you, Gio! Better than you think I do!" Delia placed a finger on his lid before he could protest, and leaned inward to hug him. "You can conquer whatever darkness there is inside you. I know you can do it . . ."

A single tear rolled down his cheek, coercing him constrict his arms around Delia and pull her tighter against him, strengthening the hug into a warmhearted union. "I want to be that man."

"You already are, Gio. You just don't see it yet." Delia held still for a few seconds, her lips curling as if about to say something more, but remaining silent. Her hand pressed down on Gio's back as if making sure he still had a backbone.

But endless thoughts of discomfiture were refilling the young trainer's mind, reintroducing his old problems on an entirely new basis. "Delia. She's confident that I can overcome my aggressive conscience, while Metsuma is convinced that I must come to endorse it rather than ignore it. Since I can't trust myself, who's guidance can I follow, can I trust?"

…...

By morning, the S.S. Briskomy was closing in on it's destination: Cianwood City, not five miles away. Almost all of the ship's passengers were converging on the Main Deck, many of them pointing to the sighted land ahead with the utmost glee!

Meanwhile, on the bow of the ship where fewer passengers gathered, Gio stood, watching the ship slice through the dark Whirl Island waters as the sun rose behind him. He leaned over the rail and smiled toward the expanding spec that was slowly looking more and more like the shore of Cianwood, the port community where his sixth Gym Match awaited. There, where he could focus on Pokemon Training as oppose to his personal troubles, his mind could be at temporary rest.

Metsuma Rocket then approached behind him. But because he had made omens with Gio the night before, no tensions between them aroused. "Good morning, my friend!" With an elated grin, he continued forward and joined Gio at sightseeing the upcoming city. "Your next Gym Battle I presume?"

"It's a priority.", He told Metsuma complacently, rotating his head to the other man questionably. "What about you?"

Plainly, he responded: "Scarlet City. I've been asked to host this year's Whirl Cup tournament. So yes, as with you, priorities.", He laughed. "And besides, I at least wanted the opportunity to send you off properly. Now that we are at friendly terms, I can't help but wonder when we might be able to bond again."

Gio didn't have an answer ready. It was still somewhat weird to think that he no longer held any resentment against this man, the leader of Briskomy and a conspiracy practitioner. Had he not learned the REAL truth about Briskomy the night before, he probably would have never dropped his harsh regards towards the secrets kept hidden from the world.

"Gio?", Delia's voice sounded from behind him.

Gio spun around, Metsuma mimicking him, and found Delia shoving through a large crowd of people to make her way to the ship's bow. But she froze when they caught him with Metsuma. Gio, however, discerned nothing wrong. "You ready to go ashore?"

Reluctantly, Delia nodded and tiptoed her way to Gio, doing her best to avoid eye contact with Metsuma. "Is . . . everything alright."

Gio nodded with a mirthful grin, exchanging glances between Delia and Metsuma. "Yeah, everything's fine. I was just about to say goodbye to Metsuma since we're getting ready to disem-"

Suddenly, Delia gasped and staggered backwards, jaw hung slack and gaping wide-eyed at something that could only be seen beyond Gio's shoulder!

The environment quickly turned bleak upon the abrupt silence of the passengers massing around him . . . however Gio dared not turn around, not even flinch! The familiar noise of a firearm being cocked made him clearly conceptualize that the barrel of a hand-held gun was being pointed against the back of his head. The paralyzingly touch of the weapon on his skin convulsed his insides like a deathly illness.

"I'm done playing games.", Darius Scouter's voice muttered into his ear. "There's no running away this time, Ketchum! There's no turning your back on me! Because now, I've finally got your sorry ass in custody!" The tip of the gone pushed harder against his neck. "Make one move and you get a bullet where you stand!"

Delia shuddered helplessly! A strange police officer holding Gio at gunpoint had her gut twisting, her mind racing with intervals of agony! Who was this person and what was his grudge towards Gio?

But unlike Delia, Metsuma phased from calm to pastoral. The way he saw it, Police were nothing but cowards with masks, masks molded out of hostile authority. He knew the government employed these fools to contribute their attempts at maintaining a disingenuous order. "Not the brightest officer, are you?", He challenged Darius, baffling Gio and Delia, not to mentions all the rallied passengers. "Is this really your plan of action?"

The antagonistic outburst suspended Darius' focus and he turned the gun toward Metsuma. "I'll deal with you later, you rotten scumbag, so don't be threatening me! I've got enough dirt on you to tear down your whole company!"

At that instant, Ed rushed to the scene to solve the commotion! When he spotted Darius on the move with a gun, he fumed with umbrage. "Darius, stop this now! Are you mad! You can't shoot that boy!"

"Don't try and talk me out of this, Ed!", Scouter warned his old friend, his eyes never shifting away from Gio. "And by the way, I'm not going to shoot him . . . unless he confesses to everything, right here and right now!"

Fearing a bullet in his own head, Ed stayed put but continued to dissuade Darius from the bloodbath he was about to create. "Darius . . . don't do something you'll regret, please! I beg you! Drop the gun now . . . and I won't report you."

Scouter's heart rate was excelling unsedatable! Sweat was pouring down his face! No more could he distinguish wrong from right, justice from insanity! Giovanni had yet to speak, so he most likely wouldn't be confessing to anything. And Darius knew he couldn't shoot. He wasn't bluffing about doing so, just hesitating. "I . . . I can't turn away-"

"You can!", Ed soothingly consoled him. "Think about how far you've come with your career! Was it all just a cover for something as crazy as pointing a gun at a harmless teenage boy?"

Though still standing his ground, Scouter slowly removed his finger from the top of the trigger, however both his hands remained firmly intact with the weapon. From his right, he noticed Spencer and his supermodel friends entering the deck. "The other kid!", He recognized, immediately, reminded that he had a separate excuse to incarcerate Gio. Ignoring Ed, Darius raised his weapon forward again. "Maybe I can't kill him . . . but I can arrest him on the grounds that he and his friend over there hijacked a vehicle belonging to law enforcement! My motorbike!"

Spencer heard little of that, as he was wholly consumed with fright at Darius Scouter standing no more than ten feet away from him! Before he and his dates could withdraw into the crowd, he felt the need to alert Gio: "Chives, watch out! Detective Scouter's pointing a gun at your head!"

"Gee, like I didn't notice!", Gio's speech was free from Darius' misrule. Knowing that Darius wasn't going to harm him, Gio quickly ran over to Delia and Metsuma, leaving his nemesis of the law circled by too many people to count. "Phew.", He whispered to Metsuma. "Talk about poetic justice . . ."

Metsuma barely smiled - he merely stretched his lips horizontally for a moment, cognizant that the threat remained, regardless of the lessened consequences. "My friend, the fact that you've made a police officer your enemy has me convinced that your Torino enemies must be infinite."

"Well don't get comfortable!", Bellowed Scouter, still motionless. "The second this ship disembarks, Giovanni is all mine! You were right, Ketchum! I can't kill you. But I can still make it hell for you! The penalty for defying the justice system has been decided!"

Metsuma's elegant eyebrows straightened, as if he were Gio's guardian. He took a step toward Darius and said: "As the Supreme Councilman of the national senate branch, I hereby demand that you drop these alleged charges and release the child immediately. I'll personally cover the expenses for your stolen vehicle and provide a new one to you. After all, I have the power to do so-"

"Listen to him, Darius!", Advised Ed whom was now among the audience of this traumatic display. "Accept his offer and be done with all of this!"

Darius shook his head violently! "Screw that! This isn't about the bike anymore, it's about me settling the score!" He set his sights on Gio and equipped his cuffs from his belt. "You'd better get the hell over here and pray I don't give you the bad-cop routine!"

Metsuma leaned inward over Gio's shoulder and began coaching him. "His mask has been shed . . . and his intentions are now known. It seems . . . that he likes control."

Smiling, Gio whispered back: "Then I'll take that away from him." Even with both Delia and Metsuma at his side, Gio knew that this was his battle and his battle only! And with the two separate pieces of advice given to him last night, he'd have to apply only one of them at this very moment! Darius was his first test. Would he use his aggressive conscience to combat Scouter . . . or peacefully surrender to him? "I . . . can't surrender.", He told himself repeatedly. "If Darius want's to settle the score, so be it." With one swift transferal, he marched to the arena that Scouter had blindly constructed.

"What is he doing!", Thought a panicked Delia, watching Gio but trembling at what Darius' response would be. "He can't fight the law! Is he crazy?"

Far from it, in fact. He was merely preparing to demonstrate his aggressive conscience, hoping to feel the adrenaline sensation of his forbidden strength. Since Meowth was still at the daycare, Gio grabbed ahold of the Pokeball belonging to his most versatile Pokemon. "Don't waste your time arguing with me.", He spat in Scouter's way. "Let's settle our rivalry another way!" Gio threw out his Pokeball, startling all of the deponents.

Quilava appeared, the fiery arches on it's back blazing gloriously! "Quilllllavaaa!"

Gio criticized Darius with a chuckle. "Anyone can cheat their position with a gun. And since you claim to hate Briskomy, let's see you testify to your love for Pokemon . . . by showing how well you've trained them."

Perceiving that Gio's words proved effective, judging by Scouter's cringe of alarm, Metsuma moved in toward Gio and gave him further admonition, whispering: "Very good. You've already minimized the threat. Now . . . unleash your hidden potential, your true potential!"

Gio inhaled deeply through his nose. "You mean my-"

"Aggressive conscience.", The wise teacher answered for his beginner pupil. "Ignore those watching you, and just for the moment, embrace who you really are!"

Scouter lowered his gun and stumbled backward, a look of fear overtaking his windswept eyes as though he had just remembered how feeble and weak he really was behind his intimidating ego. He said nothing, did nothing. There was something scary about Gio . . . that was terrorizing his will of decisiveness!

Feeling overwhelmingly empowered, Gio sneered at Scouter and took to his Pokemon. "Quilava, remind him who's really in charge here!"

"Quillllaava!", Quilava barked again, growling endlessly at Scouter like the low brass of an orchestra. "Lava! Quillava!"

Metsuma smiled and said softly to Gio: ""Ignore the fact that he hasn't called upon his Pokemon. He's obviously too frightened of you, as he now sees this is who you are! Now . . . recognize who this man is and what he's done to you in the past! Let that be your compulsion to finish this before it begins!"

The building anger was starting to sustain Gio! His memories drifted back to Ecruteak City, where Darius had tried to stage his arrest by plotting with the Gym Leader, and then later that same day, how his brutality unveiled when he purposely hadn't helped Delia at the time Memphis had kidnapped her, his sole reason being to extract evidence out of the aspiring Pokemon trainer! Remembering all these pulsating recollections, Gio opened his compliance to his aggressive conscience. Without warning, he commenced Quilava! "Quilava, take him down! Flame Wheel!"

"Quil?" Initially, Quilava was reluctant to attack a human being! It just wasn't . . . ethical, nor sanitary. But he was not about to disobey his master. With his mind made up, Quilava arched it's flames and barreled at Scouter! "Quillllava!"

The impact was more severe than Gio imagined! Quilava's burning disk of a form hammered into Darius' arm, making him scream for the skies as the burn of the flames singed the skin of his arm!

Crying out, Scouter sank to his knees as Quilava retreated. He was now fully captivated in fear! His body slumped against the rail, almost like he were cornered.

Ed, Spencer, and the rest of the crowd took in a simultaneous breath! This was all too much for them! The inhumanity was unshakable!

At Metsuma's nodding gesture, Gio recalled Quilava and advanced forward to fill in as his substitute. He clutched Darius by his uniform and pulled him to his feet, flaring into his eyes like a corrupt barbarian. "Hope you can swim.", He seethed through his teeth.

"Wh . . .why?", Uttered the injured officer.

Then everything became hazy, as if a dark cloud was infesting Gio's thoughts and senses. Wham! Gio slammed his fist into Scouter's face, shattering the man's balance atop the rail and sending him falling overboard off the flank of the moving cruise ship! His yells became faint, followed by the plummeting sound of giant splash. Gio peaked over the rail and cast his eyes down to the ocean where Scouter was still alive, strewing his arms rabidly to make his getaway! "Hmph . . . at least he won't be a problem anymore." Gio stood perfectly still, gazing out at the endless ocean, the glare reflecting off of his sweat-drenched face, unable to familiarize with the severity of his actions. Delving into his aggressive conscience was proving to become much easier every time he did it. It was natural, something he was born for, something necessary.

To break the ice and lighten up the audience, Heather and Hannah included, Spencer cracked a simple joke. "It's not everyday you see justice served . . . back!"

His escapade killed and the passengers suddenly broke into uncontrollable laughter, followed by a delightful applause for Gio, believing him to be a hero for his courageous actions against a disillusion cop.

Ed, however, seemed to be one of the few individuals disappointed by the outcome. Seeing his friend humiliated and bullied like that, a part of him was brewing wearily suspicious of the new father and son duo. With a stern frown, he made an obscure exit from the scene.

Also cackling with his countless fans was Metsuma. But he stopped momentarily to commend Gio, patting him on the back and dexterously whispering: "Well done, my friend . . . well done. Remember this always." The test was finished. And for the Crime Lord, one thing was for certain. "He's twice the amount proficient than that fool Kyden could have ever hoped to become. I believe I've found myself a keeper . . ."

Watching Metsuma congratulate Gio, Delia's mouth went dry, her breath coming in and out in uneven bits. What she had just witnessed . . . was likely the most terrifying incident she had ever experienced! "That's not Gio. That . . . can't be my Gio . . ."

…...

All of the passengers bent on Cianwood expelled from the ship upon disembarking at the port. Delia stood at the pier with Meowth and Faith, waiting for Gio to finish parting ways with Metsuma at the height of the ramp. With a hefty sigh, she sought the opinion of her openminded friend. "Spencer . . . I'm a little concerned over Gio's friendship with his step father. I don't know why . . . but there's something about Metsuma that rubs me the wrong way." But there was no reply. "Spencer?" She spiraled to the left just in time to see Spencer being slapped on both cheeks by Heather and Hannah. Afterward, they marched further down the beach and toward Cianwood, leaving Spencer forsaken. He rubbed one of his bruised cheeks and wandered back over to Delia.

There were a thousand words Delia's mind wanted to say, many of them boasting on how she was right all along about the aftermath of Spencer's little experiment, but only a single exclamation reached her mouth. "Tough break?"

"More like a tough break-up.", He groaned unhappily. "I ended up telling them the whole truth, that our tickets for the cruise were free and that the money was just a pity loan from my father. And . . . they didn't take it too well."

Trying to drown out Meowth's snickering, Delia ran her fingers over Spencer's hurt cheek. "Sweetie . . . I told you that you'd end up heartbroken and alone like you always are!"

Not the most comforting selection of words . . . but Spencer relegated it and sighed. "I guess it's true that money cant buy you happiness . . ." He sulked for a moment and then out of nowhere, perked up! "Too bad it's such a shame that I'm a sucker for fake happiness! Anyway, what were you saying about Gio and Metsuma?"

Before repeating herself, Delia turned back to the ship. Metsuma was no where to be seen and Gio was speeding down the ramp with the most exuberant smile, a smile she had never seen before. And just like that, she couldn't bring herself to be so intrusive over the matter anymore, whether she liked or not. Perhaps Gio would learn to allude his own errors in the coming future. "Oh nothing.", She answered to Spencer. "Nothing at all."

The S.S. Briskomy departed minutes later. As they progressed into Cianwood City, Delia made no mention to Gio of how he had gone against her wishes during their final minutes aboard the cruise liner where Darius' punishment scandalized Gio's self-control. It was as if her emotional talk with him the previous night had contributed nothing to his decision making. But she forced herself to repress it, as Gio appeared to be returning to his normal self . . . for the time being at least.

Besides, Metsuma would be back soon enough, little did any of them know. He already had Gio sealed in his clutches . . . and was not about to let him go.

TO BE CONTINUED . . . .

(A/N: In the next chapter, Gio finds himself entangled with a new group of criminals overrunning Cianwood City. And to complicate things, the Gym Leader is involved with them. Meanwhile, Kyden must work up the courage to confess his identity to Selena. And in yet a second subplot, Memphis and Kade, now prisoners of Briskomy, contemplate their revenge against Metsuma :D )