[Eugenio]

The day after, the three of us rendezvous outside the Pokémon Center with Wes, who has his Espeon and Umbreon sitting by his feet, and go through the new plan again. Dawn and Nate will meet with Tabitha and proceed with questioning him. As for me, since I am the only one Tabitha doesn't know of, Wes will take me to the local Ranger Base and show me to the Ranger in charge of the operations against the poachers.

But as all of that happens, I do my best to avoid making eye contact with Dawn. Goddammit, on top of all the other stuff we're dealing with, I also had to get the hots for her?

"Okay, so we're set." Wes turns to me. "You coming, Mister Faller?"

"Yes, I'm coming," I tell him before turning to Nate and Dawn. And making sure my hat is between my and Dawn's line of sight. "See you two tonight."

"Yeah, see you," Dawn replies. In a stiff way that I don't like the sound of. Did what I say last night clue her in and that made it awkward for her to talk with me?

"Uh…" Nate says as he glances confusedly between me and Dawn. He then raises a hand toward me and waves. "Good luck with the Rangers you two."

After that exchange, the two walk off and I watch as they go away. As I do so, my eyes trail down to Dawn's gorgeous, long, toned legs.

Goddammit…

That train of thought is cut short when a certain someone elbows my arm.

"Well, well," Wes whistles while I massage my arm. I also glare when I see the smirk on his face. "Got your eye on the ex-Champion, have you?"

"You're delusional," I tell him. I am not letting this guy poke his nose into my personal business.

"Oh, am I?" he retorts. "So I was just imagining how you were hiding your face from her?"

"Yes," I lie.

He looks unfazed by my answer. "And how you guys wouldn't look at each other when yesterday that wasn't an issue?"

Damn it, he's persistent.

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about," I say, putting as much finality in my words as I can. "And even if I did, I believe it would be a personal matter. My personal matter. Not yours."

While mirth leaves Wes' face after that reply, he doesn't sound offended as he shrugs. "Suit yourself. Although, and I say this as general advice, totally not related to whatever this business of yours is…"

I swear, if he's about to say some dirty joke or anything like that I'll-

"Try to sort out whatever is going on between you and the other person," he sighs. "In my experience, it never works out well when certain...things are dragged out for too long."

...okay, didn't see that one coming.

"What sort of experience?"

The beige-haired man just crosses his arms and proceeds to stare blankly at me.

"Fair enough," I concede.

"Now," he nudges to one of the town's alleys, "let's get moving."

I follow those instructions without question. As we walk, his Espeon gives me a side-glare every now and again. I don't question that. I suspect its trainer won't be in a talking mood now.

"Just out of curiosity, why do you keep your Pokémon away?"

I...stand corrected.

"You mean inside the Poké Balls? It's easier for them. They just stay comfy inside of them and I carry them around."

"But have you, you know, actually asked if they want to stay inside of them?" Wes retorts. "For all you know, they'd much rather prefer walking around with you."

"Tried that with Annette, my Maractus," I say. "She couldn't keep up with me."

"Uh huh," he replies. "And everyone else?"

"Well, they…"

That's true. I never asked Seteth and Leonie. And in theory, they should be able to keep up with me since they can fly. And with Leonie having an exoskeleton that can protect her from spikes…

I look down to my Poké Balls. "Hey guys. Those of you who would rather walk outside of their Poké Balls, can you get out?"

To my surprise, all three do that, as their shapes form around me. And they all cheer at me.

"Ra!"

"Sig!"

"Hera!"

"Okay, okay, calm down," I tell them. "First of all, any of you get tired, you let me know and I'll call you back, alright?"

After they all respond affirmatively, I turn to Annette. "As for you, we know from the past that you had trouble keeping up by just hopping." I point at Leonie. "So how do you feel about travelling on her back?"

The Maractus and Heracross look at each other confusedly after that. Leonie is the one to take the initiative, as she turns her back to Annette and crouches down on her legs. Annette then hops onto it and grabs Leonie from beneath her armpits. Leonie then opens up her wings and starts flying.

"Ra!" Annette says excitedly. Leonie, though, looks less comfortable with the added weight.

"See?" Wes intervenes smuggly. "They like it more this way."

I think we'll have to see about that.

[Dawn]

As Nate and I leave Eugenio with Wes, one thought keeps twirling in my head. One thought that is the only explanation for his behavior this morning.

I made things awkward between the two of us. I embarrassed him first when he showed up shirtless and then when I asked about his finger gesture.

The worst part about it is I don't even know why I reacted the way I did. He's not the first shirtless person I've ever seen before. If anything, that should be Wake, and that was when I was much younger. Why did I keep staring at Eugenio's chest? What did I find so attractive?

Wait, did I seriously just say 'attractive'?

I massage the bridge of my nose as I let out a sigh. Arceus almighty, what is wrong with me?

"Are you alright, Miss Hikari?" Nate asks me.

I turn to him and force a smile. "I was just thinking on how to approach Tabitha. No need to worry."

It's a lie, of course. Despite what we're about to do, Tabitha is the least of my worries at this moment, strange as it may sound.

Ok, let's try to sort this out. Why did I find it attractive? The two noteworthy things about it are that it's hairy and it has a bit of a gut. Not as much as when I first met him, but it's still noticeable.

But neither can be why. I've visited beaches in the past. I've seen hairier and even outright fat people's bare chests. What did Eugenio's have?

…is it because of Eugenio himself? Because it was his chest?

No, that can't be it. Why would I feel attracted to him? He's short-fused, foul-mouthed and anti-social.

But still, I have seen him try to be a good person. I have seen him try to correct the way he treated Nate. And he's always tried to be there for me when I was at my lowest. Maybe that…

Is that why?

Oh no. No, no, no, this is just what happened with Cynthia all over again, isn't it? No! I can't let this happen with me again!

"Miss Hikari? Dawn!"

Nate shaking me by the shoulder takes me back to reality. I blink in surprise when I realize we've stopped walking and my breathing was starting to go erratic.

"Are you alright?"

"...not entirely, no," I confess, lips pursed.

Concern fills Nate's eyes as I give him that answer. "What happened?"

"It's complicated." He unfortunately doesn't budge at that. "I…may have met someone I'm starting to feel…something toward."

His brow furrows. "Wait, you and Eugenio weren't a couple already?"

I have no idea how I don't pass out from a heatstroke after that question.

"Excuse me?!"

He winces. "I-I mean…with how often you two hugged each other, I thought that's what it was!"

How often we-?

Oh, Arceus almighty.

"We are not," I huff out, after which Nate relaxes. "We are just friends."

At least, I think that's what we are now. We started as Faller and supervisor, yes. But I think we have grown past just that.

But beyond friends?

Maybe it's best I discuss this with Eugenio. Before it gets out of hand.

[Eugenio]

"Ra!" Annette excitedly says, arms raised upward while Leonie keeps flying with her on her back.

The Heracross, on the other hand, keeps close to the ground, panting more and more as we keep walking.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

"There it is."

I turn in the direction Wes nudges to. As it turns out, the red dome structure stands right next to the exit that leads to Route 20.

Right as we see that, Leonie lands and lets Annette off her shoulders, taking deep breaths once the small living cactus has let go of her. Wes' Pokémon go back to sitting by their trainer's feet. Seteth just keeps hovering next to me.

"Okay, so who is this ranger we're meeting?"

"A transfer from the Oblivia region. To my understanding, she's dealt with this group of poachers in the past, which is why they put her in charge."

No idea where this Oblivia is, but these poachers must be good at what they do if they had to call in an overseas expert.

"Alright and what's her name?"

"Summer."

I roll my eyes. "Her actual name, not the nickname you gave her."

Wes jerks his head to me and blinks in confusion. "What are you-? Wait, no that's not a nickname. Her name actually is Summer."

"What?" I reply. "Who names their kid Summer?"

Wes shrugs. "Beats me."

After that exchange, we both recall our Pokémon and then enter the base. The interior instantly reminds me of the Pokémon Center, with its orange floor, glass windows and even a reception desk near the entrance.

However, the differences make themselves known pretty quickly. Instead of the different kinds of people one would normally see, everyone in here is dressed with the same red and blue uniforms. Even the man behind the desk. Next to said man, there's no sign of the healing machine one would normally see. And in the spot where the PC would normally be, there is some other weird machine with a light bulb on top.

Unfortunately, Wes doesn't leave me the time to look around too much, as he heads straight for the reception and I have to rush after him.

"Good morning," the receptionist cordially greets us. "How may I help you?"

The Investigator leans over the desk and toward the guy. "Name's Wes. I need to talk with the top ranger Summer Brisa."

What's a top ranger?

The receptionist's initial attitude instantly drops and gives way to confusion. "Miss Summer? Do you have an appointment?"

Wes smirks. "Tell her I'm the one Catcher sent. She'll know who I am."

The receptionist looks unconvinced by that reply, but he reaches for a phone by his desk all the same. After some moments of silence, someone apparently responds and he repeats what Wes told him.

"Should I let them in, ma'am?" He waits for the response on the other end and then nods. "Understood, ma'am."

After he's put the phone down, he points to an elevator I hadn't noticed before. "Second floor, end of the corridor to the left."

"Much obliged." Wes turns to me and nudges to the elevator. "Come on."

When we get to the office we were pointed at, we find a brunette lady waiting for us outside. She wears a different uniform from the rangers we met below, with a shorter red jacket, a yellow scarf and goggles on her forehead.

And judging by her crossed arms and half-lidded eyes, she's not too thrilled to see us.

"Mister Wes," she sardonically says. "Never thought I'd have the honor."

Great, we're starting on the right foot.

"Oh?" he replies amusedly. "You've heard of me?"

"From a mutual acquaintance of ours, yes," she huffs out. "Top ranger Kate Hitomi, in case you're interested."

Wes seems even more amused by that. "Ah, that kid from Almia? How is she doing?"

"She's doing well," the ranger curtly replies.

I clear my throat, drawing the attention of both. "Excuse me, I don't think we've been introduced properly."

The lady's expression instantly changes to a more neutral one. "My apologies. Top ranger Summer Brisa." She smiles and offers a hand to me. "Pleased to meet you."

I grab her hand and shake it. "Eugenio Beccaria. Faller and Pokémon trainer."

I get a bad feeling when I see her eyes widen and her grab on my hand loosens.

"A Faller?" she asks, her voice uncertain as she lets go of my hand. "I'm sorry, I was told you had information on the Pinchers' clients. But if you're a Faller, how-?"

"Hold on," I cut her off. "What do you mean 'the Pinchers'? Who are they?"

The ranger furrows her brow and then turns to Wes. "What sort of prank are you trying to pull here?"

"Oh, it's not a prank," he replies, crossing his arms. "He's a Faller, yes, but he's been here a while by now." He smirks. "I just wanted you to be the one to brief him."

Way to get on someone's good side, really.

Summer rolls her eyes. "Fine," she sighs as she points to the office's door. "Come in."

She lets us into her very bare office - save for the bookshelves filled to the brim with papers - and goes to sit on her end of the desk inside.

To my surprise, though, the three of us are not the only people inside. Sitting on a chair there's a short girl, white-haired and blue-eyed, wearing a pink and blue sweater that also serves as a skirt for her otherwise bare legs and a pair of black boots with thick soles.

And the purple guitar strapped to her back quickly answers who she is.

"Hey there!" Roxie cheekily greets me and Wes, a smirk adorning her face.

I look at her in disbelief. What is she doing here?

"Who's the kid here?" Wes intervenes, eyebrow arched. Summer goes back to looking at him with half-lidded eyes. Roxie lets out an amused snort.

"She's not a kid," I intervene. "She's Roxie, the local Gym leader."

Wes widens his eyes at me. Then he turns back to Roxie. "Okay, so why does Virbank have a kid as its Gym leader?"

Roxie chuckles. "Who says you need to be old to be a Gym leader? All you gotta have are the skills to back it up."

"Of course," Roxie continues in an icier tone, "that's if you were talking about my age. Because if it's the other thing, we're gonna have a problem."

So she's that kind of shrimp, huh?

"Okay, stop you two," Summer intervenes, sighing. Both trainers thankfully listen to her.

"Now," the ranger sighs again before turning to me. "What has Mister Wes told you?"

"A group of poachers has been operating in the surrounding area lately," I reply. "That's it."

She gives Wes one more unamused look, to which he shrugs. She then shakes her head and turns back to me. "I'll go over the final details quickly, then. These poachers are a group called 'the Pokémon Pinchers'. They were active in Oblivia years ago and used these devices - the Control Gauntlets - to hypnotize Pokémon and store them inside of said devices."

I furrow my brow. "Store them? Like a Poké Ball would?

"The process is different, but the end result is the same, yes."

Well, damn.

"You said they were active in Oblivia years ago," I continue. "What happened since then?"

"Their leadership collapsed and the group seemed to have disbanded," Summer continues. "But with witnesses confirming these poachers use the same Control Gauntlets and wear the same uniforms, it would appear they've returned. Potentially with a new leader, since their previous ones are, in one way or another, indisposed."

So it's the same deal as Team Plasma. An old criminal group that collapsed returning out of nowhere. Can't be just a coincidence.

"You missed the most interesting part," Wes chimes in. "The Pokémon they've been targeting."

Uh? "You mean they didn't just get their hands on whatever Pokémon they stumbled upon?"

"No," Summer answers. "For whatever reason, they've been targeting Fire-types exclusively."

What? "Why would they do that?"

"Our best guess is that all their raids so far have been under the orders of the same employer. As for said employer's reasons," she shrugs, "I was told you could shed some light."

…Fire-types. Just like Larvesta and Volcarona are. But Team Plasma hadn't caught any at Relic Castle. And yet Jupiter said they got what they wanted. So what-?

Wait.

"Volcaronas can shed their scales when they use their Fire attacks, right?"

Summer furrows her brow. "Yes? What does that have to do with anything?"

Oh, I so don't like where this is going.

"Let's start from the beginning," I say. "I assume you've all heard of Team Plasma being found at Relic Castle?"

[Dawn]

Getting to Tabitha's office is not too difficult. All it takes is mentioning to the reception that Nate is the one in talks to be sponsored and everyone becomes more than happy to show us the way.

Unfortunately 'Mister Ottavio' is not available when we arrive, as he is in the middle of 'other business', so we are ushered into his office, told to sit by the desk in there and made to wait until he is free.

What the other business could be concerns me quite a bit, though.

"How do we handle this one, Miss Hikari?" Nate whispers to me.

"You act like we're genuinely here for your sponsor," I whisper back. "When I see a chance, I'll poke him with questions about his personal life. Just let me handle that."

Nate looks…strangely disappointed by that answer, but he nods and tells me "Understood," all the same.

Thankfully, it doesn't take long for Tabitha to show up. But to my surprise, he doesn't look quite as healthy as the pictures of him made him look.

He is still fat, but not as much as he's been shown. His black hair is not kept entirely in order and bags rest beneath his sunken eyes. What's happened to him?

Despite his appearance, Tabitha manages to muster a grin as he notices us. He then chuckles before addressing us.

"Welcome, welcome, Mister Black, Miss Hikari," he jovially says as he walks to his side of the desk and sits. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

I muster a smile of my own. "Likewise, Mister Ottavio."

"Yeah," Nate adds stiffly. More stiffly than I would like. "A…pleasure."

If Tabitha notices his unease, he opts not to point it out.

"So," he leans over the table and clasps his hands together as he focuses on Nate. "Let's talk business, shall we?"

Nate lets down a gulp. "Yes, of course."

Tabitha's grin broadens. "Excellent. Now, first and foremost, how familiar are you with our organization's goals?"

Nate brightens up at that question. "You have helped new Pokémon species settle here and around Humilau."

Tabitha nods. "Correct. Unfortunately, maintaining operations like ours requires money. A lot of it. In these past two years, we've been able to get by through donations from interested parties, but we need more. Thus, someone - say, a trainer - who could leave a strong enough of an impression of what Pokémon not native to Unova can do, would no doubt spur more people into sustaining our cause. All so the same Pokémon said trainer used could be available to more."

"I understand," Nate replies, nodding.

"Good," Tabitha responds. "So, before we proceed, I need to ask: what Pokémon, if any, do you already have?"

"I've got three," Nate replies. "A Rufflet, a Trapinch and a Marill."

"I see," Tabitha comments, pursing his lips as he does that. "For our intended purposes, we would prefer if you stick to Pokémon that aren't native to Unova. Your Rufflet is fine for now, but otherwise, we require you only catch non-natives from now on. Is that an acceptable term?"

"Of course," Nate replies. "That was what I'd intended to do since I set on my journey."

Tabitha chuckles again. "Glad to hear that! Then you're perfect for the job!" He extends a hand to Nate. "Congratulations!"

Nate hesitates for a moment before tentatively reaching for said hand and shaking it.

Tabitha aside, I must admit Nate really is the right person for this kind of sponsorship. And I'm glad this could be arranged for him.

The discussion after that is mostly the finer details of Nate's sponsorship, which I chime in to help Nate out a couple of times. The pay is unfortunately not going to be much compared to what other sponsorships would normally offer, but Nate doesn't seem off-put by that.

As those talks near the end, though, I prepare to ask Tabitha to talk in private. If I can make it seem like I'm interested in joining the Terra Foundation, that should work as a hook to make him talk.

Unfortunately, Tabitha surprises me before I can actually do that.

"Excellent, excellent," he concludes his discussion with Nate. "Now, if you do not mind," he turns to me, "I would like to have a talk with your friend. In private."

Huh?

"Why?" a taken aback Nate asks.

"Just a friendly chat, don't you worry," he chuckles. "It won't be long, I promise."

Nate looks apprehensively at me.

"It will be alright," I reassure him. Whatever it is Tabitha wants to talk about, I can handle it. Especially since he can't possibly know why we're here.

Nate doesn't look convinced, but he nods all the same. He then exchanges some last pleasantries with Tabitha before leaving the room.

After he's done that, I turn to the former Magma Admin. "So, what do you wish to talk about, Mister Ottavio?"

No sooner do I say that, Tabitha drops all the cheerfulness on his face. And after he's done that, he just looks…tired.

"It is quite a journey," he starts, with a much more sedate tone. "To go from a trainer renowned all over the world to back to obscurity to the mentor of some new trainer on the other side of the world."

I furrow my brow. "So you know who I am."

"Of course," he monotonically replies. "As I said, you were renowned all over the world. Though personally, I was always more of a fan of Champion Brendan. No offense, but he is the Champion of my home region."

…what is he getting at here?

"So you are from Hoenn?" I tentatively ask.

"Oh yes," he nonchalantly answers me. "Born and raised there, though my father wasn't actually a native. But you might have guessed that already since 'Ottavio' isn't exactly a Hoennian name."

He's seriously baiting me like this?

Tabitha surprises me yet again when he narrows his eyes and looks me straight in the eyes. I try to refrain myself from having any outward reaction, but I have no idea how well that succeeds.

"When I was a boy, there used to be this running joke that the Champions of the Indigo Plateau, Hoenn and Sinnoh were automatically friends, due to how closely the three Leagues often worked together," he then continues. "But that wasn't a joke with no base, as the fact former Champions Lance, Steven and Cynthia are known to be good friends to this day proves." He arches an eyebrow. "I assume that is the case with you and Champions Ethan and especially Champion Brendan?"

My hands clench into fists. "What are you trying to say?" I hiss. "What do you want?"

Tabitha's lips tentatively open and close a few times.

"I have seen the news about Relic Castle," he ultimately says, which sends a shiver down my spine. "I thought I'd recognized you among the trainers involved. Team Plasma is part of the reason you are here in Unova, isn't it?"

I tighten my jaw at that question.

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid you won't find anything here," he continues, tapping a finger on his desk. "I'm just a former Devon scientist whose personal project cost him his job and reputation. One who came to Unova to start over and leave his mistakes behind."

There is no mockery in his words. But I know that's how he means it.

"Now," he extends his arms. "If there's something you want to say, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I think we're finished."

…it's going to be petty, I already know. But I'm not letting him have the last word.

"You are right on one thing," I tell him. "I am friends with Champion Brendan. And one of the things he told me are his misadventures with Team Magma."

The corners of Tabitha's mouth turn downward and an unamused look forms in his eyes.

"Which includes how they awakened Groudon from within Mount Chimney," I continue unabated. "And how that led to earthquakes and a scorching sun ravaging most of western Hoenn in the weeks that followed. And all the people that were hurt by them."

Tabitha presses his lips together and closes his eyes.

I let him stew on my words, before proceeding with my next point. "You said you came here to leave your mistakes behind. Like a second chance. Is that correct?"

Tabitha reopens his eyes and stares into mine for a bit before nodding.

"Well, let me tell you about a man named Saturn. He used to be a commander of a criminal organization. But when that organization started to fall apart, he came to see the crimes he had committed. As such he collaborated with the International Police into dismantling his old group. And over time, he was able to rebuild it into something better. But he owned up to his mistakes. He earned his second chance." I arch an eyebrow. "Have you?"

To that, Tabitha has no reply.

"I believe I've said my piece." I get up and turn away from him. "Goodbye."

I storm out of his office, almost missing Nate as I do so.

[Eugenio]

"So let me get this straight," Summer says when I'm finished, brow furrowed. "Team Plasma were looking for something and found it. Sorting through what could be there, you assumed they were after Volcarona scales. And now you are thinking they hired the Pinchers to capture the Fire-types for the same reason they wanted those scales."

I nod. "Pretty much."

Summer looks down on her desk as she purses her lips. Roxie looks at me perplexedly. Wes nods approvingly.

"Considering their past actions, looking for more information on the legendary dragons would be a more obvious reason for them to be at Relic Castle," Summer says after a bit. "But if that were the reason, the information would be useless to them, with both dragons Arceus-knows-where."

"So you believe me?" I ask tentatively.

She nods. "I do."

Oh thank God.

"Although shredded scales are good for one thing: DNA. And when Pokémon DNA is involved, it's never a good sign."

I furrow my brow at her. "What do you mean?"

"One word," Wes intervenes. "Mewtwo."

Oh…shit.

"Now, now," Summer continues. "I'm not saying it's anything as bad as that. Yet. Not until we know more. And to know more, we first have to catch the Pinchers' clients."

"And how do we do that?" I ask. "Haven't they been slipping through your grasp so far?"

"What do you think I'm here for?" Roxie says, a smug grin on her face and her hands folded behind her head.

I arch an eyebrow. "Could you elaborate? I understand the local Gym leader wanting to get involved, but not how it's going to make the difference."

"She's here because she has a plan to locate the Pinchers' local base of operations," Summer explains. "She was about to explain it to me when you two showed up."

Oh.

"With that said," she turns to the Poison-types specialist. "Please proceed Miss Roxie."

"Gladly," the short girl replies before she grabs a Poké Ball and calls out its resident on top of the desk. The white light takes the shape of a gray salamander with red markings on its back and a black head with slit purple eyes.

"What's this?" Wes asks, brow furrowed.

"It's a Salandit," I reply. "A Poison/Fire type."

Said Pokémon turns its head to me, closes its eyes and…smiles?

"Sal," it says chirply.

I look at it dumbfoundedly, but raise a hand to wave at it anyway. And as that happens, Roxie giggles.

"Anyway," Summer intervenes. "Miss Roxie, how exactly is this Pokémon supposed to help us?

"I'm getting to it," the white-haired girl replies. "First of all, as this guy said," she nudges to me, "they're part Fire-types. And they can't be found in the wilds of Virbank. Perfect baits for the Pinchers."

All three of us frown. "Baits?" Summer asks. "For what?"

"I've consulted with Mister Ottavio of the Terra Foundation." I barely manage to contain a wince at hearing that name. "We've devised a trap for them: putting trackers on a bunch of Salandits and then use the trackers to trace the Pinchers' movements."

"The Pinchers will notice if the Salandits wear technological equipment," Summer retorts. "And even if they don't figure out what they're for, they'll just toss them away."

"Not if the Salandits swallow the trackers."

What?!

"Ottavio and his group were in the process of experimenting with them when the Pinchers started showing up."

Summer looks at her pensively for a bit. "Not a bad idea," she says in the end. "But are there enough Salandits for this to work?"

"I've got a whole brood at my Gym. And they're all willing to take the risks. If the Terra Foundation were to announce that they 'intend to introduce the Salandit species to the wilds around the complex', it would be a bait they can't resist."

Summer hmmms to herself at that. "Not bad. Not bad at all."

Except it doesn't account for who Ottavio actually is. Or what he's involved with.

"Actually-"

A hiss of pain cuts me mid-sentence as something steps on my foot.

"Whoops, sorry," Wes says with faux concern. "Didn't mean to do that."

I glare at him.

"But anyway," he turns to the unimpressed Summer and Roxie. "I think what he was trying to say was 'what if this plan doesn't work? What of the captive Salandits?'."

Roxie's eyes look downward for a moment before her jaw tightens and she looks up back at Wes, her eyes full of determination.

"It will work," she says matter-of-factly.

"And if it doesn't?"

"It will," Roxie insists.

"Alright, settle down you two," Summer cuts them off. She then turns to Roxie. "So if I contact Mister Ottavio he will confirm he's in on this?"

"For sure," Roxie replies. "You can also discuss how to time it all with him."

"Perfect." The brunette then turns to me and Wes. "In that case, I'll let you know when the operation begins so you can participate as well. Sounds good?"

"Sounds excellent," Wes replies.

I'm much less happy about this arrangement. Tabitha will be in the perfect spot to sabotage everything this way. Why does Wes not get it?

"I suppose so," I murmur grudgingly.

"Good, then we are all on the same page." She glances at all three. "I'll be in touch when it's time. Have a pleasant rest of the day."

After exchanging pleasantries, Roxie, Wes and I walk out of her office and head for the elevator.

But unlike Wes and I when we arrived, Roxie has something to say while we wait for it.

"Say, you are both Pokémon trainers, ain't ya?"

"We are," Wes and I answer at the same time.

"And you're taking the Gym challenge?"

"I am." I glance at Wes. "Pretty sure he's not."

"Bingo," Wes says.

As we have that exchange, the elevator arrives.

"Well, since we're gonna have to wait a few days, feel free to drop by my Gym any time." She grins. "I'm always up for new challengers."

Ah yes. Her Gym. The one we will either train to face while we wait or have to postpone until we've figured out what to do when we're done with Tabitha.

"My Pokémon are in need of training right now, but I'll keep it in mind."

Roxie's grin broadens. "Good."

The elevator closes right as she says that.

And chapter. A fairly longer than normal one. Hope you guys don't mind.

So yes, the romance between Eugenio and Dawn is proceeding. I'm not really a fan of slowburns, but I hope it's going at a pacing you guys can appreciate.

And we also continue the trend of characters from the spin-off games showing up and Eugenio having no clue who they are. Since one of you asked before, yes Eugenio doesn't know much about the spin-offs. He's only actually played the mainline games.

Thanks to Softandhappy for betareading. You can find us at the Fanfiction Treehouse discord server at: 9XG3U7a

See you all next time!