A/N:
Yay, I'm alive! Mostly. Sorry it took some time. College breaks are way longer than high school breaks, and my family and I were out in the middle of nowhere during that time, so no internet access. But all that bullshit aside, here's the next chapter of the story! If you enjoy reading or want to voice your thoughts, please consider leaving a review. Thanks!
Special thanks to LunarKnightArchangel and also Shadow8130 for poof reading the chapter!
I still don't own Pokémon...
"…" - Spoken dialogue
Italics - Character thoughts
'Italics' - Telepathic dialogue
. . . . . - Time skip
/\/\/\ - Lemon Scene
Chapter 6
— — — — —
Liam
— — — — —
The rest of the day for Team Retribution was spent all around town assisting people wherever they could. They had split up to cover as many families in need as possible, finding out what they could do to assist them. Since it was Liam's idea, he figured that it would only be fair to use his own money to fund any assistance taken on behalf of the team, even when the others insisted on helping out. There simply was no arguing with the lucario about this one.
Altogether, they helped out thirty-eight individuals in issues ranging from paying for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure to ensuring that those who had jobs in the public sector had enough to pay for their necessities. None of them doubted that Liam had volunteered to do such on behalf of the team for the right reason; he was always more than willing to help those in need. That's why they took the jobs they did, after all.
But the other reason was just as important. At the end of the day, the one thing that each and every person they had helped would remember was that it was Team Retribution that had stepped in - that it was the very team that had saved the world twice that had been willing to take charge over the lack of government and ensure that the inhabitants of the town were taken care of.
As the night drew near, they agreed to meet once again at the beach. The time had drawn upon them faster than any of them could have possibly imagined. Eleanor and Flora were told to disregard their previous mission and assist with the efforts to help the inhabitants of Treasure Town.
Once the time had come, they built a fire and sat around it as they had the previous night. It took a moment before any of them could muster the strength to speak. But eventually, Liam broke the silence.
"Well… I guess this is it…"
"The situation has turned out to be a local one," Eleanor said, shaking her head. "Our worst fears have come to life…"
"What are we going to do?" asked Selina. "We… don't have a lot of time…"
"I'll tell you what we aren't gonna do - we aren't gonna freak out. We won't be able to accomplish anything if we can't keep our heads level," the male lucario said. "Now, I have a plan of some sort, but we are going to need to cooperate completely on it and shift our focus towards it. That means no jobs for the time being." Without pointing out names, Liam continued. "And if any of you need any help of any sort, please don't hesitate to ask. I know that this means a temporary cutoff for finances, so please come ask if you're in need. We're all in this together."
"This plan you speak of," Flora said, "what is it?" Liam nodded.
"Keep in mind that I uhh… haven't really worked all the details out and all…"
"Still better than nothing," Selina said. "Whatcha got?"
"Alright, so I got to thinking earlier - right when Chatot was up there speaking. We need to make sure that someone of good character wins this position. What better way to do that than have one of us run?" The others were surprised to hear such a suggestion, but Liam knew what he was doing. It was within his ability to sense auras, and he knew for a fact that everyone present had the best intentions.
"Wh…what?" Eleanor asked. "One of us run?"
"Yep. I have confidence that everyone here could fill the role honorably," Liam said.
"Maybe so," the cresselia replied, "but there is far more to the position than having honorable intentions. We're talking about someone that needs to run the public sector of the entire town!" Liam hadn't exactly thought about that, but she brought up a valid point. As noble a person that needed to take over, they would also have to have experience in financing.
"Err… that's true," he admitted. Both he and Selina were out of the question; though they were very well-off, money had never been an issue for them, and they never needed to be concerned about their wellbeing.
"Anyone else got any suggestions?" asked Flora.
"Either of you would be a phenomenal choice," Liam said in reference to the two legendaries present. "Both of you possess many advantages that would likely win a great deal of votes." With their appearance, their status as legendaries, and their membership of the second most elite team in the continent, Flora and Eleanor did have several positive attributes.
"You know anything about the public sector?" Flora asked.
"Not at all," replied Eleanor. "I do not know if I would even want such a job…" Dammit… Well, there goes that idea. They needed someone that was a leader - someone that would stand up for what was right and that knew what they were doing. And everyone here seemed to lack that last factor. Unless… Yes! Of course!
"Tristan! What about you?!" The luxray looked at him in shock.
"What? Me?"
"Yeah! You have way better experience than any of us in balancing funds, and your heart certainly is in the right place! You'd be a perfect candidate!" The others nodded in agreement.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea!" Selina said, causing Tristan to smile slightly.
"You… think so?"
"Of course! You're a perfect fit for the position!" Hearing this definitely elated the luxray's spirits.
"So what do you say?" Liam asked. "Wanna give it a shot? We will have your back the entire way. With our combined efforts, I'm sure we can get you the position and stop those dreaded events from ever occurring in the first place."
"Yeah… that sounds like a plan!" Tristan said happily. "We've got this!"
In the morning they would start. They would make sure that such a future would never come.
— — — — —
Tristan
— — — — —
To think that his friends found him suitable for the position was flattering, and the luxray was bubbling over with excitement. His head was held high as he entered the guild, ready to formally announce his candidacy. But as he neared the guildmaster's room, he noticed the decently-sized line of people that had apparently had the same idea. Oh… looks like we've got some competition… Liam quickly picked up on his newfound nervousness.
"Don't worry about a thing," Liam whispered as they neared the back of the group, "most of these guys don't even have a chance." As the two of them came closer, other pokémon looked at them in shock. What on earth was Team Retribution doing there? One individual - a wartortle they had seen around a time or two - simply turned around and departed upon noticing their presence. Ha, looks like he got discouraged and left!
The soon-to-be candidates were waiting their turn to speak with the guildmaster. He and Chimecho were taking names and information about each of the hopeful participants in the election. Currently a honchkrow had just finished up with his registration and turned to leave the establishment. Tristan immediately felt a sense of unease simply from the dark-type - one whose demeanor spoke of arrogance and conceitedness, and a glare that displayed of a feeling of superiority. The luxray already disliked him.
"Team Retribution," he said with a smirk. "How surprising to see the two of you here."
"Oh? And why's that?" Tristan asked.
"I would never have imagined public office to be fitting for either of you. But then again… all that 'charity' was anything but, now wasn't it? Maybe politics might just be the place for you after all," he jested.
"I'm sorry," Liam said in clear irritation, "just who are you?"
"Ah, you must forgive me. My name is Damian. Of course, everyone around these parts knows the two of you. Tell me, which of you is running?"
"That would be Tristan," Liam replied. Damian looked at the luxray in surprise.
"Really? I would have surely thought that the leader of Team Retribution would have been considering a campaign. What got you interested?"
"We… wanted the right person to win…"
"And we all felt that Tristan was the guy for the job," Liam added. The honchkrow nodded.
"I see… Well, I wish you the best of luck. You're certainly going to need it." With that, he turned and left the two to themselves.
"What an ass," Liam said under his breath to Tristan. The luxray couldn't agree more.
"Really. Just who the hell does that guy think he is?"
"Don't know, and quite frankly, don't care. There's no way he'll beat you - not with all of us behind you." Hopefully that would be the case. But as Liam had pointed out previously, they were starting out with several advantages. Team Retribution was loved and respected - especially in the very town of their origin. Some random asshole likely wouldn't stand a chance.
Eventually they made their way to the front of the line, approaching the two in charge of the guild. "Well if this isn't a surprise," Chatot said. "And I was beginning to think no real candidates would show up. Liam, just don't treat the position like some sort of joke when you win."
"Actually… I'm not the one running…"
"Wh-what? You mean…"
"Of course," Wigglytuff said, "Tristan is a fine choice. He and his team have contributed so much to this town - I'm sure the citizens would be very supportive of such a candidate." Hearing the guildmaster's words of support heartened the luxray.
"Thank you," he said. Of course, Chatot likely was still upset with Tristan's decision regarding the tax amount, but as Liam had said, he would get over himself.
"Well, that's all we need from you," Wigglytuff said. "The election will be one month from today. Each week until that point will mark a major debate amongst all the candidates in the center of town. Officer Magnezone will be in charge of making sure that everything is legitimate - that is to say, activities such as bribery, rumor-spreading, slander - stuff of the sort is kept out of this election. Any questions?"
"None that I can think of," Tristan replied, before turning to Liam. "Well… I guess we better get started."
— — — — —
Liam
— — — — —
The two of them followed the stream of people outside of the guild, before people began to split off and go their own separate ways. Liam and Tristan decided that they would discuss their plan for winning this election with the others over a team meeting in their usual spot. It may be difficult to convince the town that Tristan was the best person for the job, but they definitely had some distinct advantages on their side. After all, Tristan was a member of the team that saved the world twice. If that didn't help, then nothing could.
The upcoming debates were something else though. Tristan would have to become well-versed in financial and social matters if he wanted to win - and simply being a part of their team didn't assist him in this matter at all. He was great with money, true, but he would have to convey what he knew to everyone else effectively, or none of that would mean a thing. But Liam was confident in his friend - surely he would be able to pull this off. After all, the entire team was behind him.
On their way back to Treasure Town, the two of them saw something that made them forget all about the election at the moment. Weavile and her team were back in town, staring curiously at the small crowd returning from the guild. They hurriedly began to make their way towards the trio - they couldn't let this chance go to waste. "Weavile… you're back…" Liam stated.
"Yeah… you got a problem with that?" she replied.
"N-no, quite the opposite, actually. We need to talk."
"What do you all want with us? We've been staying out of trouble!" she said.
"Mhm. Breaking your parole seems to me like abiding by the law," Tristan replied, causing them to quiet down. "But no, we're not here about that."
"Oh? Then what's the matter?" Arbok hissed.
"I would prefer that we speak about that in private," Liam said. "Mainly it's for Weavile…"
"And we aren't a part of this because?" asked Drapion.
"The two of you are not involved in this. At least, not as far as I know. We need to talk to Weavile in private. After that, she's free to tell the two of you whatever she wants."
"Oh alright," she sighed. "This had better be worth my time though." She made her way beside the two of them, before looking back at her teammates. "I'll see you two back at our place. Behave."
"Yes Lady Weavile," they both answered.
"Thank you," Liam said. "Tristan, could you tell the others that we'll be meeting up in about half an hour?"
"Sure thing," the luxray said, before running off, leaving the weavile and lucario to themselves. Liam didn't know exactly how he'd go about relaying such a vision to the skeptical Weavile given the contents of what he had seen. But as both Eleanor and Selina had said, he needed to try. Sharpedo Bluff would be as good a place as any for a private discussion, so he began to make his way there.
"Say, what's with all the people coming out of the guild?" Weavile asked. "The place usually isn't that crowded."
"An election is going to take place. Elder Torkoal passed away recently, and people are signing up as candidates to replace his role as the advisor of the town."
"That's a shame," she replied quietly. "Always liked that old man."
"Yeah… I'm gonna miss him too…"
"So… you signed up for the position?" she asked. He shook his head.
"No, Tristan signed up."
"What? That seems like… well, not the best of ideas…"
"I couldn't agree more," said a familiarly annoying voice. Great, you again. "It would only seem natural that the leader would sign up, rather than one of his side-kicks. But I guess I shouldn't complain. After all, it makes things easier for me." The lucario simply tried to ignore the honchkrow, but Weavile simply stared at him for a moment.
"Wait a second… I know you…" she trailed off.
"I do not recall meeting you in the past," he replied. "The name's Damian."
"No it's not - you're Kraven!" The honchkrow grinned in response.
"I beg your pardon? You must be mistaking me with someone else."
"There's no mistaking it! You belong on a chopping block for all the things you've done!" Wait… what?! The honchkrow walked closer to the Weavile, causing her to back away in response.
"You touch her and I break your wings," Liam said. "Now who the hell are you?" The large bird looked around, and ensured that they were out of hearing range of the public.
"He's criminal scum," Weavile said.
"Oh? And tell me again what it is that Team AWD has done in the past?" the honchkrow said.
"We've paid for our crimes. And there's a hell of a lot of difference between picking pockets and forcing people off of their land. You're nothing more than a heartless extortionist! A murderer!"
"That's quite a series of accusations you've raised against me," the bird replied. "Do you have any evidence to back those claims - anything that you could show the police and have me convicted?" She remained silent. "I didn't think so." He looked over at Liam with an indifferent glare. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter that you've heard all this - having you disposed of would be more trouble than it's worth. And besides, accusations without evidence could be considered slander, right? You wouldn't want to mess up that campaign that you all are running, now would you?" The lucario wanted nothing more than to take him down. But they couldn't - not here, and not now. He'd be likely to twist the truth and make it seem as though he was the victim of an assault.
"Go to hell," Liam said.
"Such unkind words," Kraven retorted. "Well, I best be off. I've got an election to win." He spread his wings, readying himself to take off. But before he did, he made eye contact with Weavile one final time. "You know how things worked out last time. If I find out that you're going around spreading stuff about me… I'll have my guys hunt you and that pathetic team of yours down." With those final words, he took off, kicking up a small cloud of dust beneath him.
"No one really knows where he came from," Weavile said once they were at the bluff, sitting underneath one of the two tall trees near the house. "I don't think it was from this continent. But he has done nothing but bring misery to everyone he's ever come across."
"What do you mean?" Liam asked.
"I mean he has been known to take over entire towns! He forces people to sell out - gives a deal they can't refuse. Well, they can refuse it - if they want to get themselves and their families killed. He has his thugs deal with anyone that doesn't give him what he wants… And now he wants to be the most powerful person in this town…"
"That's not going to happen. We're going to win the election, and make sure that the visions don't come true." She tilted her head upon hearing this.
"I seem to recall that umbreon saying something about visions…"
"Yeah, it's an ability I have. The dimensional scream. For some reason, I'm able to see small glances into the future or the past when I make contact with something or someone."
"That… doesn't sound natural…"
"It's not. No more natural than me being a human turned into a pokémon though." She went wide-eyed upon hearing this. "But all that can be discussed later. The team has been concerned lately because I've been getting visions for the first time in awhile, and they're not looking good. I got one the day we were at the Kecleon brothers' store…"
"So then… when you fell… that stuff was real?"
"Why would I fake such a thing?"
"Well… good point…" she admitted.
"I don't blame you. It sounds crazy. But the dimensional scream helped us when we stopped Darkrai both times, so we know that we can trust it." She nodded.
"Alright then… so how does this involve me?"
"Think about it. I got the vision a moment after I made contact with you."
"So then…"
"The vision was about you, yes," he said. "And I'm gonna be straight with you… it didn't look good…"
"Oh… what happened?" As painful as the truth was, Liam gave it to her, leaving out not one single detail of what he had seen. From the nature of her torture to the way in which it was to end, the lucario relayed every facet of the vision to the now-terrified Weavile.
"I-it doesn't make any sense!" she said as tears began to form. "We have been staying out of trouble! Honest! I couldn't have been locked up for something!"
"I believe you," Liam replied. "The others and I have been talking about this for a few days now, and I think that now I've put things together. There was another vision - one involving Eleanor and Lapras."
"W-who?"
"Eleanor - the cresselia on our team. She was meeting with Lapras to discuss shipping people out past patrols. And he delivered weapons to her. We came to the conclusion that someone corrupt would gain a position of power. After all, who else would be able to send out guards to round up dissenters? A day after we figured all that out, Torkoal is pronounced dead. And now with the election… and Dam— I mean Kraven…"
"Arceus… it's all happening now…"
"That's what I think. I don't really know what all to do for now other than to win this election…" he said.
"But he's not going to play fair - he's going to find a way to—."
"Then we will just have to do some interfering of our own. I refuse to let the lives of everyone here be at risk because I sat by while some thug manipulates a fair electoral process. We will win - one way or another. But as for you, Drapion, and Arbok… I think that you three should temporarily relocate to a safer place. Somewhere far away from Kraven's reaches - at least, until everything has settled down." She looked down, then slowly nodded.
"I think… you're right. I wish that we could put up a fight with them… but it didn't go so well last time. We barely escaped with our lives. I don't remember any of it. Drapion says that I went down almost as soon as it started. And if it wasn't for Arbok creating a haze… I don't know if we would have survived. To my knowledge, we're the only ones that have lived through a fight with him and his thugs…"
"Well, he's not going to claim any more victims. The others and I are going to put an end to all this, and when everything's said and done, he will get what he deserves."
— — — — —
Selina
— — — — —
Where is he? the umbreon wondered. It wasn't like Liam to be late for anything - especially a team meeting. "What could be taking him so long?" asked Flora. "Didn't he call for this meeting?"
"Uh… yeah, he did," Tristan replied. "He found Weavile though. My guess is that he's still speaking with her."
"That's good," Eleanor said. "At least one thing has gone accordingly."
"Yeah, there's that. Hope that she takes those words to heart," Tristan added.
"I'm sure she will. Who wouldn't upon finding out such a future?" asked Eleanor.
"True."
Selina lightly yawned as she stretched out, making herself comfortable. But her mind was racing all the same. Despite the skirmish they had in the past, she truly wished the best for Team AWD. She harvested no ill-will towards any of them, and they had, as far as she could tell, changed for the better. Hopefully Weavile could manage to change the outcome of that dreadful vision - one way or another. Her ears perked up as she heard the familiar footsteps approaching.
"There you are," the umbreon said. "What was the holdup?"
"Sorry about that. She uh… I had to comfort her a bit…"
"That bad?" Tristan asked.
"I mean… she just found out that rape and execution could very well be in the near future for her…"
"So what now?" asked Flora.
"Well, I told her that it would be best that the three of them relocate until we get things straightened out here. Can't be taking chances, you know? That's something I wanted to speak with you about, Flora."
"Oh?"
"Would you mind leading Team AWD to Shaymin Village? It's safe and secluded from everything that could possibly go on over here."
"That sounds like a great idea. I will make preparations for the journey this afternoon. Think that they may be able to leave by tomorrow?" she asked.
"I dunno. I think that it would be best that you meet with them and discuss their relocation, though, and then decide where to go from there." Having said this, Liam took his usual seat beside the umbreon. "Now that all that's been said, I think I should move on to the main focus of this meeting. First of all, Tristan is now in the running for Advisor. We need to spread the word around town and increase his base of support."
"Alright," said Eleanor, "we can start with members of the guild. While Wigglytuff and Chatot may have to stay out of this, our friends there certainly will be supportive of this campaign."
"Great idea. Selina and I will take care of that, as we've been with them the longest. Everyone besides Flora should probably assist Tristan with his campaign in town - you know, increase the awareness of his campaign. I really hate to say this… it sounds incredibly slimy - maybe it is - but I don't think we have much of a choice right now. But try and relate this whole campaign to the team. Make sure everyone knows that this member of Retribution is in the running, and that he's the right guy for the job." That was an odd to hear Liam say - why did he want the campaign to ride upon the success and reputation of Team Retribution? Selina couldn't understand why he would suggest such a thing, but surely he had a reason.
"Alright, so what's the rationale for this?" Rachel asked. "It does seem somewhat underhanded…"
"Because I have found the person that will bring these visions of mine into a reality. And he's also in the running." What? Oh… oh no… Selina thought. The others were in a similar state of shock.
"Who would that be?" Lapras asked.
"A guy by the name of Kraven, but he goes by Damian."
"Wait a minute… wasn't that the jerk that we met at the guild? That honchkrow?" Tristan asked.
"Yep, that's the one. Team AWD has already had a run-in with him before. It didn't go well for them. The guy's an expert criminal and extortionist, and he's had plenty of people killed from the way things sounded. My guess is that he was passing through and the election sounded like a great way to personally profit."
"With all the money that flows through this town, I could see why he made such a choice," said Rachel. "And you are concerned that he will try to interfere with the election."
"Of course he will," Tristan said. "That sounds like something that'd be up his alley. So what are we gonna do?"
"Right now, the only thing I can think of is to run a good, clean campaign, but don't be afraid to use our positions as members of Retribution as leverage. We're going to need to utilize every advantage we have in order to safely secure this election."
"Agreed," Eleanor said, "we cannot allow this horrible person to ascend to the most powerful position in town."
Once the meeting had concluded, they each went their separate ways. While Flora was making arrangements with Team AWD, Liam and Selina decided to head up to the guild and begin conversing with their friends there. Surely they would be supportive of their cause.
"I just… it's all happening so suddenly…" Selina said. "And hearing all this…I'm scared for the future of this town…" She looked up to her companion, hoping to find a look of reassurance. Instead, he seemed just as concerned as she was.
"I know. I'd be lying if I said that I was at peace with all this. Tristan… he's a good guy… but he's never done anything even remotely close to this. None of us have. I hope that he's able to cut it." Selina nodded - their friend, while being kind at heart, was about to embark on a journey that none of them could truly comprehend. He was about to engage in a fight of a different nature, one that was completely new to all of them. And yet they had no choice. One question about the election had been on Selina's mind ever since this whole thing had started.
"Liam? Could I ask you a question?"
"Of course. Anything."
"When you made the suggestion… you know, saying that one of us should run? Why didn't you volunteer?"
"…Honestly… I wouldn't want the job…"
"But you would be an amazing fit for it," the umbreon replied. "You are more of a leader than anyone I know. Why didn't you want to run?"
"Maybe I might be good at leading a team… but that's different from leading a town. But most importantly, my loyalty does not lie with Treasure Town." W-what? What are you saying? "Nor does it lie with the guild. No, my loyalty lies with you and with Retribution, and I refuse to do anything that would jeopardize my time with those two things."
"I see…" She looked up at him with a smile. "You do know that I would always be nearby - that is, if you became the Advisor."
"I know," Liam stated, "but it wouldn't be the same. I'd have to give up a lot of our adventuring, and I don't think I could bring myself to do that."
"But… does Tristan know?" The lucario nodded.
"We talked about it earlier this morning. He understands that he will not be able to go out as much as before. He still wants to do this though."
"Well, if that's what he wants…" she trailed off. "This… may sound kinda selfish… but I'm glad you didn't decide to run. The team wouldn't be the same…"
"Plus… I don't think that I could sit around all day and give orders…" Liam said. "It just seems… boring. But yet the Advisor is arguably the most important person in town, so it's a very crucial position."
"Well… I'm glad it's a position that you are not considering."
They approached the stairs that led uphill, Liam for the second time that day. They intended to receive all the help that they could get in securing the seat for Tristan. Hopefully it would be enough.
— — — — —
Rachel
— — — — —
"We will be sure to do just that," the green Kecleon brother said. "Liam and Selina have been loyal customers for years, and even greater friends. If they support someone, then we will back that candidate fully."
"In fact, I'd say we could do even better than that," said the other reptilian. "I will be sure to remind all our customers who to vote for."
"Why thank you," the female lucario said. "All of us at Retribution are deeply grateful for your contribution to Tristan's campaign."
"Don't think anything of it! Besides, that seat's as good as yours. Do you think the entire town is going to forget what team saved the world? I sincerely doubt it."
"While that may be true, Liam made it a point not to try and make it seem as though the town owed something to Retribution for those past actions," she said.
"Of course - a noble thing for him to say indeed. But that being said, I feel that we could grant him this small favor. It may pale in comparison to what Retribution has done for the town, but it is one step towards a proper 'thank you.'"
After thanking them again for their help, Rachel decided to move to the next booth - the Kangaskhan Storage. The lucario was very optimistic about their chances of winning - they seemed off to a fantastic start. While Cresselia and Tristan were spreading the word in person, she was tasked with getting as many local business on their side as possible. So far, she been able to secure a third of the town's major stores, each of them being happy to help Liam and Tristan with the matter at hand. This is going better than expected. Retribution really does have a reputation around here… It only served to make her job easier.
"You don't need to waste your time here, sweetie," the motherly kangaskhan said to her. "I've seen what you all have been doing, and I know about the campaign."
"Oh? You do?" asked Rachel.
"Mhm. You can tell your friends that Liam's team will always have my support, and that I will back them throughout this strange process." Strange?
"What makes you say that?"
"It's just that the position of Advisor has always been passed down around here. It's been like that since far before our time. I can't understand why that's changing now. But if Liam is supportive of it, then I am willing to give it a chance."
"Well, I'm happy to hear you say that," Rachel replied. "Remember, though - it's not Liam that's running."
"Oh yes, I know. Although I do not understand why someone like Eleanor wasn't selected."
"Eleanor?"
"Of course - that young lady has quite a brilliant mind on her. And a legendary, too! I have no doubt that she would be a superb leader. But don't think for one second that I am speaking ill of Tristan."
"No, I didn't take it like that at all," Rachel said. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the cresselia on the side of the bustling road, motioning for her to come over. "It looks like I need to get going."
"Nice talking to you dear. Good luck with that campaign!"
"Thank you!" She hurried over to Eleanor while Tristan began to approach the two of them. "Hey, how're things going so far with you two?"
"We seem to be off to a good start," Eleanor replied. "People are very much liking the idea of a Retribution-associated candidate."
"I've noticed that too," Rachel stated.
"But I got to thinking," Eleanor continued, "that perhaps we should create some form of promotion for Tristan."
"Promotion?" Tristan asked. "What do you mean by that?"
"You know - a banner for instance. Put that in the right place, and people would see it and be reminded of your campaign every time they pass it. I overheard another candidate saying something about it. I think that if we could make something like that - and maybe, just maybe - ask the store owners for permission to place the banners on their shops, then we could really get the point across." Rachel did have to admit, it was a pretty well-thought out plan. To come into town and see all the stores sporting the same flag in support of their campaign - that would certainly promote the idea of a town in support of Retribution's cause.
"I think that would be a great idea. We can get started on the design tonight," said Rachel. "In the meantime, what do the two of you say to taking a lunch break?"
"Won't hear any objection from me," Tristan said with a smile. "Eleanor?"
"Well… alright. But we should get back to work once we finish," the legendary said.
"Great. Anyone up for Spinda's?" Tristan asked.
— — — — —
Eleanor
— — — — —
As they were eating, thoughts of the election were still swarming the cresselia's mind. The other two seemed to be enjoying the break - and they deserved it, with how hard they had been working. But the cresselia couldn't help but shake the rather uneasy feeling that was plaguing her.
Despite what Liam had said about Tristan's qualifications for the job, there was a significant difference between being able to manage one's own personal funds with expertise and being able to advise and entire economy's. As skilled as Tristan may be, she honestly deemed him to be too young and too inexperienced for the position. But then again, the presence of an election left them without a choice but to put someone in the running. Hopefully the young luxray would listen carefully to the elders around him, and take their advice before making any rash decisions.
But yet this paled in comparison to her main concern. Eleanor, throughout the morning, had been doing most of the talking - she had been the one introducing him to people. It didn't help that when citizens of Treasure Town heard 'Retribution,' they thought of Liam, Selina, or the cresselia herself. But he was still coming across as slightly timid, and perhaps even a tad bit introverted. It's very worrisome, she kept thinking. A leader needs to have the exact opposite traits. And that was just it - Tristan was no leader. Liam was a leader; Rachel was a leader - and if she was to be honest, Eleanor could also consider herself one. But despite his positive attributes, the luxray had always seemed to be a follower, just as content to listen to the orders of others rather than to take initiative on his own. If he wanted to convince others that he would be the best leader for the town, then Tristan would have to first learn to act like a leader. And they only had a month to teach him to do just that. I hope that he will come through, she thought.
They were simply placing all of their efforts into something that didn't seem to be so certain. Liam may have confidence in the selection, but her doubts were very reasonable. If Tristan wanted to defeat this heinous person they were about to compete against, then he would have to shape up.
And yet, there was one other thing that Eleanor couldn't seem to ignore - this matter being about Liam himself. She had the highest respect for both him and Selina, and she would lay down her very life for them without a second thought - and they would do the same. But that did not mean that she had to overlook what he had said - those words from his recollection of his conversation with Weavile. She knew him well enough to know when he was up to something, but exactly what he may have been planning was beyond her for the time being. All she could do was relay those words of his in her mind. We will win this… one way or another…
A/N:
Until next time! Already at work on the next chapter.