Me (pokeninja6600): Omigosh *faints* How could anyone ever write this gooooooooodddd?

Roma: *chuckles* It's a nice chapter, I'll admit.

Rictor: *grin*

Me: SEE! EVEN ROMA LIKED IT! READ!

Ghetsis' POV

"Alright, I guess we're done here. Send my regards to Roma," I said quickly, shuffling the papers on the desk around in front of me.

Rictor nodded quickly, doing a small and sloppy bow before practically running out of the room. The door shut behind him quietly, barely making a sound and I sighed, finally relaxing back into my chair. But the relief was short lived. I had fully expected to hate this boy. He was getting in my way, and impairing my plan toward having Cress become the next King. I knew in the end whoever Roma chose to be with would be the King, however I was going to do everything in my power to make sure that person was Cress. I had already started my training with him, and he seemed like a perfect fit. Gentlemanly, most likely able to command other people, and the apple of Roma's eye.

However since the meeting I had with Rictor, I found myself beginning to rethink the idea of Cress becoming King. From what I had heard from the black haired boy, he had known Roma for longer than anyone else that was traveling with her at the moment. He made it strikingly clear that he loved her, and would do everything in his power to make sure she was safe and happy at all times.

Quite honestly, I didn't really care about which was a better match for Roma. She seemed to care about them both now, and so I figured either one would do. However when it came to who would be given the Harmonian throne, I needed to choose wisely. Cress was a perfect fit, yes, but there was something that was missing with him. I hadn't ever been able to put my finger on it until this meeting with Rictor. Cress lacked drive. He lacked enthusiasm and life. He would be a good King by the books, however a great King needed a personality to fit.

I couldn't help but smile to myself as I stood up from my chair. Rictor reminded me of myself. He had life in his eyes and a fire in his heart. He was bound and determined to win Roma over, and something told me he would be just as determined to win over the title of King as well if he was presented with it.

I snapped my fingers, sauntering toward the door to the small lobby-like room we had met in. The small Plasma base set up across from the Castelia City Gym was still up and running, even though no one knew. I was rather opposed to the small area, now rather run down, but it made a perfect spot to have a meeting such as the one that had just taken place.

Two grunts appeared at my side almost immediately and shoved the doors in front of me open. I gave them each a nod before exiting and stepping out onto the busy and crowded streets of Castelia City. The bug type Gym across the way was shining just as bright as it had two years ago.

I scoffed, again wondering how idiotic these people had to be to not realize Team Plasma had a base set up only a few yards away from the most popular building in Castelia.

"Are we ready for departure?" I asked, lazily looking back at one of the grunts, which just happened to be Matt, my most trusted assistant.

He nodded, "Yes sir. But I must ask; weren't you going to meet with Roma, at least talk about what you thought of Rictor?"

I shook my head, "No, I figure she'll call me sooner or later out of curiosity. I suppose the Rictor boy will tell her everything, and if he does I think it's only a matter of time before she breaks down and asks me what I thought of him."

Matt blinked twice, almost freezing in place before he spoke up again. "I was told he could read minds, Sire. If so, he can probably tell her exactly what you thought of him."

I cracked a smile and turned to our right, walking back out toward the piers where the helicopter was still parked. "No. I was told the same thing but by the way he was acting, and the way he answered questions, either he can't read minds, or he chose not to."

"Really?!" Matt practically yelled, jogging after me to keep up with my long strides.

I nodded, deciding not to say anything further.

"Um, just out of curiosity sir…" Matt trailed off and I peered down at him out of the corner of my eye. He looked nervous. "What did you think of him?"

I let out a deep chuckle, Matt was getting curious faster than I had suspected. "I don't quite have my mind made up about him yet," I started, my mind wandering for a second, again rehashing my conversation with the boy. "But I think he's similar to all Harmonian men. In other words, I think we'll get along just fine."

Eva's POV

I couldn't help the small frown that tugged down at the corners of my mouth. Yes, the story had been sweet and touching, and yet something about it made my stomach clench. Hearing about how close Roma and Rictor used to be made my heart ache, but not for either one of them. For Cress. I could tell by the look in Roma's eyes that she was slowly starting to make her decision, and that decision would undoubtedly be the boy that I had only met a few days ago.

However I did feel almost excited inside at the thought of Roma and Rictor finally getting together. It was more than a little obvious that Rictor had waited a long time for this, and I had to admit, even though I didn't like it, I was happy for him.

Roma sighed, opening her eyes and shoving off of Cress so she could sit up. She stretched, yawning slightly before she addressed Rictor.

"So, how'd it go?"

She sounded calm and yet I could year the underlying nervousness.

Rictor waved his hand around in the air slightly, clearing any apprehension we had.

"It went well, I think."

Roma made a face, "What do you mean, 'you think'?"

"Yeah, didn't you just read his mind like the creeper you are?" Cress butted in, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table.

Rictor shot Cress a glare before taking a deep breath. "Not exactly…"

"Why not?!" Roma asked, her eyes the size of the saucers our cups of coffee were sitting on.

Rictor looked almost irritated, "Well, apparently the little mental block I have with you is a family thing," Rictor said, watching Roma intently.

"Eh?" she squeaked.

"I couldn't read his mind. Everything was fuzzy and I couldn't make anything out. So apparently it is a Harmonian thing? I guess?"

Roma nodded to herself, "I guess that'd make sense, though it does make it harder to try and figure out what he thought of you."

Rictor shook his head, "Don't worry about it. Come on, we have three badges with our names on them." With a winning smile he stood up, holding out his hand and helping Roma to her feet. She half-heartedly thanked him, her mind still focused on the meeting between her grandfather and Rictor. I could tell that she was going to be focused on that for a while to come.

I sighed, adjusting my grip on Deino before standing up as well. Roma shuffled out the door first, followed by Cress, Cilan and his two bulging backpacks, and Chili. I shoved the door open, but just as I was about to exit I felt something yank me back.

I stumbled back into the café, nearly dropping Deino in the process and whirled around to glare at the culprit.

"What the hell, man?" I hissed, glaring at Rictor.

His eyes flicked to the glass door of the café where all of our traveling companions had already disappeared, apparently oblivious that we were missing.

"He liked me," Rictor said, a wide and Cheshire cat-like grin spreading across his face.

"What?" I asked, shaking my head. What was he talking about?

"Ghetsis. He liked me."

My eyes slowly widened as his statement sunk in, "What? I thought you said you didn't know!"

Rictor's grin stayed firmly in place, "I wasn't able to read his mind, but I could tell he liked me. I just didn't want to come right out with it around Roma. I didn't know how she'd react."

My gaze dropped to the floor and once again a frown took up residence on my face. So Ghetsis, the man who was probably the hardest person to please in the entire world, liked Rictor. I had thought it would be impossible. I had figured when Ghetsis would meet with Rictor, there would be some yelling, maybe a few punches thrown, and in the end, Rictor would be forced by Roma's oh-so-protective grandfather to go back to wherever he came from. But I had been wrong.

"Listen, I know you were hoping he'd put me in my place and then you wouldn't feel guilty about still hoping for Roma to end up with Cress; but it did go well. Maybe you should take it as a sign that I'm really not that bad."

I glanced to Rictor who almost looked like he was pleading.

In that moment I had an internal battle. Up until this point I had been making a very lengthy mental pros and cons list for Cress and Rictor. They both seemed about even, but this undoubtedly to put Rictor in the lead. I glanced down at Deino. Rictor had given him to me in a peace offering and I had to admit I didn't feel as much animosity toward the raven haired trainer since then, but I still wasn't sure. But now that Ghetsis had supposedly approved I realized I had nothing that I could oppose Rictor with. He loved Roma, Roma loved him, he was a good person, he was a talented trainer, he obviously had a heart if he did some of the things he said he had, including giving me Deino, and now Ghetsis approved. I had nothing holding me back from wholeheartedly supporting Rictor, and as another grin spread across his face I knew he knew I didn't as well.

"Alright, you win," I mumbled.

Rictor nodded, "I knew you'd eventually see it my way."

I nodded and turned to leave now that we were a good ways behind our traveling group.

"Hey Eva."

I turned around to see Rictor had his hand outstretched toward me.

"Maybe now that you don't hate me so much we can actually be friends? I know that'd make Roma happy," he said, his grin turning into a smaller, genuine smile.

I glanced down at his hand, contemplating for a moment. If I did this, if I officially agreed that he had won, and agreed to try and get along with him, there was no going back.

I sighed and reached my arm forward too, clasping it in his and shaking once.

With that we both turned toward the door again, but before we left I sent him one last warning.

"This is for Roma's sake, Rictor. Not yours."

I glanced back over my shoulder and saw him nod.

"I know, but hopefully in the future it'll be for both Roma and I."

I rolled my eyes and shoved through the door. This boy just never gave up.

Rictor: *punches air* AAAAAND PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF! HAHA!

Roma: *flat tone* I haven't decided yet, Ricky.

Rictor: *thinks then laughs* Not yet...But watch out Cress! *goes off to train*

Me: *chuckles* He has no idea the thing I have in store for you guys...

Roma: Ahm...Mind reader?

Me: Eh, still. MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!