Despite having an open wall in the back and pools of water throughout the gym, it felt as if it were closing in on him, threatening to swallow him alive and drown him in the saltwater below. The Clyde waved at Marlon as he strode by and he flinched at the sight of the hand so near to his face, drawing away from the other in a visible recoil. The cold bite of the air, so much cooler than it had been just a week ago, suddenly matched the atmosphere as the sunny skies of Humilau just beyond the gym's walls were lost in a brief flash of imagination, replaced instead by the dark, towering halls of N's Castle. He hugged himself tightly, all the hair on his body standing on end, as reality flicked back into view. His Clyde, dressed in a frumpy coat, blond hair spilling over his head, tentatively called out to him.
"Gym Leader Marlon…? Is everything alright? There're no trainers coming in today. Everyone called off. Too cold."
"Cool," Marlon answered in a deadpan as he shuffled further into the gym, hopping from lilypad and platform as needed. It looked so vibrant and bright in there… Yet, it was eerily empty, and the mention of Neo Plasma had set him off so badly. He knew Neo Plasma was only growing in strength, growing in numbers, growing as a threat, and he knew the others were confused as to why he didn't actively want to fight them as much as they did, but he just couldn't. They didn't even know that his past was nearly as steeped in Team Plasma as N's or Ghetsis' were. Between the fear of being arrested and the fear of getting tracked down, he had refused to tell anyone about his previous involvement with Team Plasma, keeping that secret clutched close to his heart, carefully having never told Grimsley back during the fall of the Pokémon League his name.
In fact, he had been terrified of accepting the offer of gym leader when it had been pitched by the previous gym leaders of Striaton City, because his name and his face would be plastered around the region. Yet, saying 'no' was not something one did to a gym leader. Even he knew that much… Besides, it would have urged them to question why he hadn't wanted it, and he couldn't come up with a reason that would have held water. Although terrified of having his name so public, he had begrudgingly accepted, and made it a point to act as aloof and uninterested in Neo Plasma as possible—because the last thing he wanted was to encourage any to come after him, or Humilau. His willpower was not strong enough for that test.
It had apparently worked for some time, as it was other cities, like Castelia or Driftveil, that constantly dealt with intrusions of Neo Plasma. Humilau rarely dealt with Neo Plasma members, but the number had been on the rise recently, and the other gym leaders pushier regarding the matter than ever. Having two challengers show up and question him about them… He wound his way to the back of the gym, overlooking the ocean ahead, and sank to his knees, putting his face in his hands. There was nowhere left to run if Neo Plasma came for him in Humilau… There was nowhere left to run if Neo Plasma won this unspoken war the other gym leaders were fighting. Yet, despite knowing that, Marlon couldn't force himself to cooperate with them and couldn't fathom the idea of potentially facing down anyone in Neo Plasma himself.
Like the others, he knew Ghetsis was free again. He clutched his hair, threatening to ruin the wild, but carefully sculpted look, as he remembered so many seemingly endless days and nights that could drown him with their foreboding silence in that trap of a castle. Every day, Humilau's gym was starting to feel all-too familiar, the looming threat too much to handle. It always had to come back to that, didn't it? He had escaped two years ago, but despite running back home and shedding the years of his life he had devoted to Team Plasma, he was still isolated (his relationship with his family was strained, thanks to them knowing; they had agreed to not tell anyone, but he stayed away from them most of the time anyway), and he was still running from Ghetsis' shadow…
Like the obedient pet he had been crafted into beneath that dastardly man, or perhaps a boomerang, or maybe a yoyo, there was just no escaping it, was there? Escaping seemed more like a drug-induced high than a tangible subject. It was something he could chase, enjoy for a while, but eventually it ended, and he had to go right back to chasing that tantalizing escape, desperate for just a few more minutes of the peace when none of the past stress mattered… But it always caught up to him. He had reached the end of his leash in Unova.
I could just toss Carracosta out, swim off, and never come back, he thought distantly. Fuck Unova, fuck Ghetsis, fuck it all. It'd be so easy… He swallowed hard. So, why can't I do it?
He leapt to his feet when he felt pressure on his shoulder, scrambling to find balance as the Clyde stumbled away. "Gym Leader Marlon…?"
"Wh-what?"
"You alright…?" The Clyde cocked his head at him and frowned. "You feelin' ill? It's cold out. Why're you shirtless?" he chided him almost amusedly. "Go get some clothes on, might feel better."
Marlon quite literally hadn't considered that perhaps being shirtless in such cold weather was a bad idea. His last year with Ghetsis had been full of nothing but nearly constant bashings and attacks, to the point mild pain and discomfort such as that were easily forgotten. He hugged himself again and nodded slowly. "Right. You right, it's cool. I'll go do that, yeah…"
"I'll call ya and let ya know if anyone comes in to battle."
"Gotcha… Thanks, Clyde," Marlon smiled warmly at them as he started back the way he had come. For someone hired just to essentially act like a secretary, his Clyde felt like the best friend he had. "I'll see ya later, dude…"
"See ya, Marlon."
"I've waited long enough. The Hero of Truths might not be coming. But we will still try all that we can."
N was pacing the length of hard pavement. It was dark—late at night—and he was not alone. Although Route 11 sported no trainers or other humans for the moment, he had more than enough company in the form of Unova's various concerned legendary pokémon. Upon coming to his decision at Chargestone, Zekrom had insisted they meet with the other guardians of Unova to discuss. From the djinns to the Swords of Justice to even Victini and Zekrom themselves, the route was lined with the pokémon staring down the odd human before them. Given different circumstances, he might have been awed or honored to have met so many of them… but this was not the time.
And what do you intend to try? Keldeo, stepping just slightly forward, pressed. It scuffed a hoof against the pavement and sent a few sparks arcing in the air. Virizion, Terrakion, and Cobalion, flanking Keldeo on the sides and the rear, expectantly watched N as they awaited a response. The djinns, floating along their clouds, circled the group, offering nothing in the way of vocabulary to the conversation, but glaring at one another tensely.
"I will talk to Ghetsis. I will talk to Kyurem. If that really will not work, then we will fight," N answered simply, still pacing, unfazed by their scrutiny. "I do believe I can talk them down. I must believe it. There must be a way in."
Victini fluttered ahead of him and shook its head. Hero of Ideals, what on Earth are you talking about?
Talk to Kyurem! Terrakion snorted and beat its hooves against the pavement. He thinks he's funny!
Cobalion broke formation with the other Swords of Justice and eyed N carefully. Hero of Ideals, it said in a deep, tense voice, shaking its head disapprovingly, you cannot talk to Kyurem. You cannot reason with it and you most certainly cannot reason with Ghetsis. Haven't you of all people learned this by now…?
N hugged himself tightly and defensively snarled, "I can! I will! I-I've got an ability nobody else has! I lost those two years ago for a reason, and if that reason is to come back here and talk sense into the rest of you for the rest of my life, then so be it!"
Hero of Ideals, we are on your side… Virizion apologetically lowered its head and sat on its haunches, gesturing for the others to back off and do the same. All but Keldeo did, and Virizion ignored that one as it continued in a light, feminine tone. We are just trying to help you. We have been tracking some promising trainers that appear to be battling Neo Plasma. We are willing to battle alongside you and any others that desire to help fight Neo Plasma… Virizion hung its head and looked at the ground. Wanting to fight Neo Plasma is a rare trait nowadays… We can't have you losing your drive to fight them, too… We need you. We need Zekrom's fangs. Not your hope. Not yet, anyway. That comes after.
N whipped his head from side to side, first to Zekrom, lying a few feet away, and then to Zoroark, perched on a nearby boulder overseeing the roadway. Neither had anything to say and looked away from him as he turned to them for support. Frustrated and feeling betrayed, thinking of their declaration back in Chargestone, he stamped a foot. I know who I am. I know what I can do! I don't need anyone's permission! he thought venomously. Out loud, he cruelly snapped, "Then, gather your trainers! Do what you must, and I'll do what I must! I am the Hero of Ideals, not any of you! What Hero am I to lead so many to a bloody, needless battle if it can be avoided? Maybe if you all care so much, you should get that broken Hero of Truths to quit dragging his feet! I am tired of everyone else always telling me what to do whenever I am not alone!"
Zekrom gathered us here because they said you wanted to hear our suggestions! Tornadus boomed overhead, a clap of thunder ringing out across the route. N instinctively crouched, covering his head, and started to shiver. He hated thunder… He swallowed nervously as he looked up at the incensed djinn. We are telling you this is essentially suicide! It will cause far more bloodshed than if you allowed us to properly prepare and battle!
Why are you in such a hurry? Landorus followed in a gravelly, rumbling tone so deep, N had difficulty deciphering it.
Let us help you… That's all we're asking… Virizion was still looking down.
N dug his nails into his arms and gritted his teeth, still trembling. Clenching his eyes shut, he saw those four walls with the clouds on the floor, the unending stream of Sages coming to advise or teach him on a daily basis, the memory of sunlight and the breeze a long-lost memory, trapped to their whims and chained to their books. It was not hard to feel just as trapped as before… He stumbled backward and breathed heavily.
I am nobody's tool.
I am nobody's puppet.
I will stop this. I must stop this. Zekrom is not at my side for no reason! Even if Ghetsis is unreasonable, Kyurem will not be! I don't believe a pokémon can be so cruel and blind to reality! That is what humans do!
The nails digging into his arms felt painful and he finally relented, just glowering at the gathered pokémon before him. "Then help in your own way," N bitingly told them, "because I'm going to help in mine." A spectacularly strong surge of frustration caused him to clutch himself again and slam a foot to the pavement. "This world could be so much better, would remain beautiful, if everyone were just better people!"
Well, it's not! Keldeo whinnied and shook its head, casting the other Swords of Justice a warning glare. Unlike them, it didn't sport any obvious blade… N had to briefly wonder why that was. Go get yourself killed and doom us if you want. We'll try our best to pick up the pieces!
Keldeo! Virizion chided. That's enough! You're not helping!
Oh, like the rest of you, then? Keldeo retorted. You're all so terrified of those trainers' morality that you're too afraid to actually let them catch you yet. You want to make sure they're pure enough. Well, we don't have time for that! Keldeo kicked out its back legs as it trotted away from the main group some. Enemy of our enemy is our friend. We need to just attach ourselves to whoever will help the most and call it a day. We can pick up the pieces after if we have to. Keldeo glared at N and huffed at him. Some Hero you are.
With that, Keldeo reared up and then jumped, running wildly in the direction of the Village Bridge. Although the other Swords of Justice tried to offer some comforting words, with a scathing look from him, they soon dispersed as well. The djinns offered more verbal condemnation, and then rocketed away across the skies, leaving Victini, Zekrom, and Zoroark at N's side.
Hovering back into N's face, Victini sadly mewled, I want to believe you, Hero of Ideals… but you're wrong. N scowled at it and felt a bolt of alarm at how badly he wanted to smack that pokémon away in his frustration. That encouraged a flood of guilt and he just hugged himself tighter, staring at the ground. He hated those awful urges whenever they would surface. It wasn't often, but… he hated them. He was not a violent person… He didn't want to hurt anyone… Victini sighed. You need the Hero of Truths to temper that idealism. You mean well, but…
"Well, I don't see him, do you?" N asked darkly, internally still hating the bladed edge to his tongue. He wasn't like this… He didn't like being like this… He remembered the hug his father had given him so long ago and he cringed, dropping his arms from around him. Would Ghetsis have hugged him if he could see how determined he was being then? That thought sent another shiver of alarm up his spine and he violently wished he could have just wrenched every fiber of Ghetsis from his body. He might not have been N's biological father, he may have simply found him in those woods all that time ago, but it felt as if he were stained with Ghetsis' attitudes and touch, like he needed to go through a centrifuge to wholly separate himself from Ghetsis' influence. He hated that. He hated feeling so owned. Always spiraling, spiraling, spiraling…
I know… He and Churchill left for the Pokémon League… Maybe Churchill is just still trying to convince him? I admit, I haven't had a chance to get over there and look… It's rather far from Meloetta… Victini uncomfortably offered.
N just fell silent, shivering again as rain started to fall. He was not wearing anything built for that kind of weather. Victini shrunk away from the droplets and hissed. Well, I need to get back to Meloetta, I've been away long enough, Victini said. With a long, sad look, it added, …Good luck, Hero of Ideals.
Good luck. N bitterly scoffed. Cute.
He had fitted that visor over her head and the mesh and plates across her body with careful precision he felt only his hands knew. The visor was as deep black as the stones around them and had a diamond-shaped glass that allowed her to see out the front. Well, glass was a misnomer; it was really a translucent screen which could filter between several settings, from night vision to thermal vision, as well as give her important notices regarding her equipment, such as if any part of the suit were damaged. The metallic mesh was cool to the touch and although lightweight, was still heavy enough to cling to her form tightly, even as it fit over her clothes. After making a few adjustments so it fit as perfectly as it was designed to, Dr. Colress took a step back to admire his work. She looked so sleek and beautiful in that moment, even in the darkness of Reversal Mountain.
"So… what can this do?"
Laughing, he circled back around to her front and couldn't help but grin. She looked wonderful. She was going to be his key out of that dastardly man's control, the key to his understanding of humanity. She was just so perfect… "Oh, Miss Rosa! What can't you do~?" Where did that come from? he fleetingly thought.
She snorted and giggled, then sputtered, "I mean it, Dr. Colress. Talk to me." Her Emboar rumbled warningly, the flames around its head growing larger. Rosa waved it away and told it to stand down, and it gave her an almost confused expression.
Feeling a sick sense of satisfaction to watch her blow off her pokémon's concerns, Dr. Colress happily replied, "My pleasure, Miss Rosa! You're going to love it!" Or at least, I hope you will. I need you to cooperate… I need you. He explained the details of the suit to her as best he could, informing her that rather than using the insertable data chip like he had injected to her Emboar, he would instead be using the technology lining the inside of the helmet to record data regarding her emotional states. It would be more observational research than such involving hard data and numbers. He innately hated such inconclusive research, but sadly, when it came to studying the human psyche, there were rarely numbers to pair with the visuals. Or the feelings. Once he was finished explaining that the suit was borderline indestructible (though it would function poorly in extremely low temperatures, such as those ranging on below -100* F), that the shoes could allow her to jump farther and run for longer, that the helmet was more of a HUD of information than just a visor, Rosa just shook her head in wonder at him.
"How am I supposed to hide this from my friends, anyway?" she asked amusedly.
Dr. Colress clapped his hands together loudly. "It folds! Even the helmet! Can just stick it in your bag! It fits into a wallet!" He nodded briskly and then tilted his head at her. "You… are fascinating, Miss Rosa."
"So you've said." She sounded so very guarded all of a sudden, her shoulders tensing.
"Perhaps if I can understand you, then I can understand Ghetsis… perhaps I will need him no longer," Dr. Colress breathily said, raising a hand to touch the chin of her helmet and raise it so she was forced to look at him. Two ovular lights lit up on the front of the visor—designed to hide her eyes from any that were to get too close—and seemed to bore into his face. "Perhaps I need you instead."
The Shadow Triad can't touch him… but maybe she can… She does seem to have such a high opinion of me, even if she fears me… Maybe I can be with her, and forget all about needing him… He clutched her just slightly harder and tilted her head for her, as if inspecting the way the suit moved with her neck, and Rosa gave a small jerk of the head to try to free herself from his grasp. He failed to notice and just sighed. It was just a dream, of course, he knew better. This was to understand. He didn't care. He didn't have emotions. Ghetsis didn't own him to begin with, what was he thinking? This girl was part of an experiment and nothing more. He dropped the hold of her chin and stepped away. If so, then, why did she beckon him like a siren's call every time he thought of her?
"Dr. Colress…?" she worriedly asked.
He steeled his jaw. "Yes, Miss Rosa?"
"What… what is the real reason you gave me this suit?"
"To study you." He spat back. That's all. You are an experiment. You are nothing more, Miss Rosa. Another stupid, pathetic human enthralled by emotions, and that's why you're my subject. Everyone else in this world is a subject for my study—it's my world! "You're just living in it…" he mumbled aloud.
"What was that?"
"Shadow Triad, come to me!"
"Dr. Colress, wait!" Rosa exclaimed, darting around in front of him. He had shown her how to disengage the suit already, he hoped that she didn't need to be shown how to fold it… He had made it pretty obvious. Annoyed, he glowered at her, and the Shadow Triad flanked him on either side and behind him. She grabbed his shoulders and leaned forward in a way that made him feel unsteady. She took a long breath. "Dr. Colress… wait… I know I kept calling you a monster and all before, but… It sounds to me like Ghetsis is the one to blame… If I can get him out of the picture, will you… will you stop all of this?"
"Stop all of what?" he demanded sharply. "Stop all of me? Have you—!?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Rosa growled, "you can say that all you want, but you're angry because he sculpted you and led you into this life, and you're looking for answers that aren't there, Dr. Colress. There is no why to him and there's no why to any of this, so you're doing the same to me to get me to help you, even if you don't know it." She gripped the collar of his jacket harshly. "Be honest for once—"
"I am being honest, I have no reason to lie, and most certainly not to you!" What is she talking about? Even if I don't know it? How could I not know what I am doing? That doesn't make any sense, even! He thrust her away, causing her to land backwards in a shallow pool of water, the fluid coming up to her abdomen. The white eyes on her visor blinked and he shook his head vigorously. "This is why I must study you! I don't understand you!" Stupid girl!
He whirled around to face the Shadow Triad. "Take me back to the ship," he growled, his blue sensor starting to ominously flicker.
"Lord Ghetsis wishes to see you," the loudest of the three informed him.
"Wonderful," Dr. Colress hissed. "Now, take me to the ship!"
There was a whirl of light and he was dumped unceremoniously back in the ship, but this time, in its lower chambers, atop an enormous, black cage. Ethereal blue light beamed through the bars and harsh wails cried out as the ship shuddered with the beast below's strikes against the wall and floor. It was so, so cold, too… So dark, no light save for Kyurem's glow… Dr. Colress shivered violently as he hauled himself to his feet, then yelped as he was sent spiraling to the floor again by a painful kick to his ribcage. The Shadow Triad disappeared—not in that they had teleported, but simply made themselves invisible, he could spot the difference—and Ghetsis loomed over him, the azure glow making that menacing, crimson gaze seem all the more piercing.
"Why is Kyurem's harness still incomplete?" Ghetsis howled, slamming that wooden cane. Dr. Colress flinched. Because I was working on other things… He knew better than to answer aloud. Ghetsis did not want an actual answer. He wanted to punish, that was how he operated. "More men are dead. It is rocking the ship…" He hobbled closer and went to strike the downed doctor with the cane, but Dr. Colress managed to gather his scrambled thoughts fast enough to flick a button on the blue sensor wrapping his head, and a pale green forcefield projected from it and protected his body from another brutal hit. Ghetsis' cane bounced off the forcefield as if it were hard as steel, and his uncle furiously snarled, an inhuman sound that could only be described as nothing short of pissed. "Where have you been disappearing to so much?" Ghetsis pressed once he regained his composure.
Dr. Colress found it hard to breathe, since the air stung his lungs, feeling as if they were on fire. His very saliva seemed to be crystallizing. He cringed as Kyurem shot another brutal hit below them, banking the ship harshly to the left. His forcefield faded and Dr. Colress shakily clambered to his feet. "I…" Even if I can't tell him the truth, I need to tell him something…
"Know what?" Ghetsis huffed. "I don't care." He smoothed his black cloak and staggered forward, jabbing that cane uncomfortably close to Dr. Colress' left eye. "Just get back into that lab and get it finished! Now!"
Dr. Colress' shoulders sagged, and he lowered his head. Rosa's words swirled in his head with Ghetsis' and he found himself feeling like he had nothing left to fight with. The bravado and the savviness were gone as he just felt so, terribly small, starting to perhaps piece together what Rosa had meant. Kyurem pitched the ship to the right and Dr. Colress winced as he was slammed against the wall behind him, bruising his elbow. "Yes, uncle," he whispered as the wind was knocked from him again. The burning desire to know exactly why his uncle had treated him the way he had, just as strong as he desired to understand how pokémon could be driven to their true potential, meshed intoxicatingly with the almost survivalist need to just get out from beneath his uncle's grasp and leave it all behind. It was toxic, it strangled his chest and made him feel crushed beneath the weight, but he just kept coming back for more, didn't he? He never could get enough of this, the abusive push and pull, the way it made his head swim and made him feel alive in a way he just didn't understand!
Ghetsis gave him all the toys and the money and should he finally discover the true potential in pokémon, then… he wouldn't have anything left to fight for, would he? The entire world could go down in fire and ice and he'd still have won. He would have pulled that leg up on Ghetsis at last… Was there any need to fight? Perhaps this horrific push and pull of the tides was just building to something greater, building to his genesis…
"Good." Ghetsis glared back down at the cage. "When it's finished, and we can finally weaponize Kyurem's ice, I want to test it… I'm sure I could just have the Shadow Triad retrieve the DNA Splicers from Drayden with enough recon, but…" A cruel grin spread from ear-to-ear on his face. "What's the fun in that?" He laughed coldly. "I want to watch them squirm. I want to watch them struggle…"
Dr. Colress decided he didn't want to hear anymore and slunk away, his joints protesting the movement due to the frigidity of the room. He wondered just how Ghetsis could stand it or still be so mobile despite his age and his blossoming health concerns… But it didn't matter.
None of it mattered.
He'd end Ghetsis or he'd end the world, or perhaps he'd do both—none of it fucking mattered.
Beating Gym Leader Marlon had not been difficult. In fact, Nate worried that his pokémon hadn't gained much in the way of experience by battling that gym. Marlon's three chosen pokémon for six-badgers were all weak to Grass-types, one of which was critically weak, and between Zeshi and his Sunflora, Bitty, they were dispatched easily. Of course, it didn't help that Marlon himself seemed spacey and uninterested in the battle at hand. Almost as if he just wanted the match to be over with… Frustrated as he recalled Bitty, Nate glared across the battlefield and arched his shoulders. "Did you throw that match?" he accused sharply. It was hard to maintain respectful tones usually reserved for gym leaders when this one acted so little like a real gym leader. Like not caring about Neo Plasma.
"What?" Marlon floundered. "I don't throw matches, dude. Just 'cause I know how to take it easy don't mean I'm a quack."
"Then, what was that?" Nate spat. "You used a Rock-type move on a Grass-type! Even Water-type moves would've been better!"
The gym leader scowled at him and dug in the pockets of his long, blue pants. He had put on a shirt at that point, a thin blue one, and Nate had all but forgotten his earlier dread and worry upon spotting Marlon's scars. Out of sight, out of mind, and he was too incensed by the lackluster battle and Marlon's even more lackluster attitude to think too hard. Upon ensuring he had everything he needed in one hand, Marlon tossed it across the room at Nate. "Take your badge and take that TM for Scald and get outta my gym," Marlon shot at him. "Not cool to go accusin' a gym leader of throwin' a match." Marlon paused to take a shaky breath. "Y-you're lucky I still gave you a badge."
"I beat you!" Nate snapped incredulously as he snatched the piece of metal and the disk case from the floor, careful not to slip on the wet surface. Scoffing, he added, "You literally had no choice but to give it to me!"
"Get out!" Marlon ordered, suddenly not sounding anything like he had a second ago. Taken aback, Nate just shook his head and followed the instructions to leave. He had his badge, Hugh had won his before this battle, they could both move on as soon as they were ready, now, and get away from this excuse for a gym leader. Hopefully there will be more trainers or wild pokémon in between Humilau and Opelucid, he thought bitterly, because that was pathetic.
Hugh was impatiently waiting outside. He jumped when he saw Nate and grinned. "You beat him?"
"Yeah…" Nate rubbed the back of his head and looked down at the badge in his hands, then was startled as Zeshi made the executive decision to ditch her Poké Ball of her own accord, appearing before the both of them and barking excitedly. "He was easy," Nate grumbled on to Hugh, not in the mood for her, "to the point I thought he threw the match. He got pissed and sent me out when I questioned it."
"You… actually questioned him about it?" Hugh gaped. "I mean, I thought he was stupid easy, too, but I didn't actually ask him about it!" Hugh's shocked expression slowly shifted to something more amused and he failed to stifle some laughter. "You just asked a gym leader if they threw a match… wow!"
"What?" Nate smirked and started to retrieve his badge case, to put away the Wave Badge. "I was… I was a little upset! He was easy, man!"
"Well… at least there's a good distance between here and Opelucid," Hugh said, putting a finger to his chin. "Haven't seen anything about Neo Plasma around here… Maybe it'd just be best for us to move on tomorrow."
"I'm so glad you added 'tomorrow' to that," Nate yawned. "I really don't think I could have walked anywhere else with you today, man. Oh, have you heard anything from Rosa?"
Hugh held up his Xtransceiver triumphantly. "Said she's passing through Marine Tube right now. Wanna come with me to meet her?" he asked with nervous hopefulness.
"Sure. Let's go."
Zeshi scurried after them, still barking excitedly. Nate, of course, was hearing her say something else: You're making such good progress! We're doing great together! Neo Plasma won't know what hit 'em!
I hope so, Nate thought uneasily. I've never helped with something so important before…
I've never been so important before…