Eugenio: Annette (Maractus), Seteth (Sigilyph), Leonie (Heracross), Hubert (Salandit)

Dawn: Spir (Spiritomb), Pory (Porygon-Z), Stary (Staravia), Shin (Luxio), Bib (Bibarel), Crane (Cranidos)

Nate: Ruffles (Rufflet), Mister Jaw (Vibrava), Mary (Azumarill), Puppy (Growlithe)

[Eugenio]

When we got to the bus station, I was startled when Hubert got out of his Poké Ball and refused to get back in. Thankfully, letting a Poison-type on the bus wasn't an issue for the driver - as long as he behaved, of course - but I didn't really understand why Hubert insisted on staying out.

Now that we're actually on the road between Virbank and Floccesy and he's staring wide-eyed at all the vegetation outside the window, I think I can guess.

"First time outside Virbank?" I ask the small salamander.

"Sal," he responds absent-mindedly without turning away.

I let out a soft chuckle. Sometimes I have a hard time remembering he's not even a year old.

On my other side, I notice Dawn looking down at him with an affectionate smile of her own.

"It's always nice seeing Pokémon so young get interested in new environments, you know?" she says after a bit. "Years ago, it was pretty much the same for me when," she pauses and lets out a sigh, "when Tog and Rio were newborns."

Uh-oh. "Dawn…"

"I'm alright, no need to worry," she hastily reassures. "Just reminiscing, that's all."

I decide not to press the issue.

"On another matter," Dawn continues, her brow furrowing, "do you think once we rejoin Nate we should tell him about the thing?"

I arch an eyebrow. "What thing?"

"You know, that thing," she responds before inhaling, holding her breath for a moment and then exhaling.

Oh, that thing.

"I believe that's something you have to tell me," I reply. "It's something that affects you, so it's up to you who you want to know."

Her response comes in the form of a sigh. "That's the problem. I'm torn when it comes to Nate. On one hand, he deserves to know after all we've been through. On the other, I don't know how he'd react."

I doubt he'd be that put off by it in a world where psychics and aura wielders exist. Granted, this could be me being from a world where they don't exist either, but I'd argue reading minds is a scarier power than turning invisible to everyone's senses.

"What do you suggest I do?"

I cross my arms. "Honest answer?" She nods. "Tell him. Keeping secrets will only create friction among us in the long run. The longer we do it, the worse it will be. And if Nates discovers the truth not out of your admission, it's gonna be much worse than any reaction you're expecting him to have from being told the truth."

It's probably the most cliche amalgamation of "lies bad, truth good" rethorics one could come up with, but it's honestly the best I can give her. Having to pretend her weird power is not a thing would just be a burden for both her and me in the long run, and I'm gonna eat my fedora if Nate thinks Dawn is a freak because of it.

At least it all seems to resonate with Dawn as she doesn't respond and turns back to the front, chin resting on her hand in a meditative pose.

"Sal!"

Hubert's sudden exclamation snaps me out of it and I turn to look at him. He's leaned closer to the glass, his tiny paws resting against it, and his eyes have widened. Following his gaze's trajectory, I turn toward the vegetation north of us and-

"What the hell?!"

Smoke. A tall column of smoke raising up from atop of a hill and reaching far up in the sky, so dense it veils the sunlight. Said hill is pretty far from us, but the smoke is difficult to miss all the same.

"What?!" Dawn interjects, leaning over my lap. "What's going on?!"

Despite my best attempts, I'm unable to come up with a response for her as I watch in disbelief more and more smoke coming up from the hill while the bus just keeps moving. After a while, though, I notice some movement at the side of my vision, which soon turns out to be a flock of Flying-type mons. The one at the head is a Braviary with a man on his back, the wild red hair the only discernible feature I can notice. Behind him, there are several Unfezants and a few Swannas with people wearing ranger uniforms on their backs. While they all fly toward the smoke's point of origin, I notice they were all coming from Floccesy's direction.

I have a feeling we're going to have to talk with the local rangers to know what the hell is happening. As well as pray Nate and the others are safe.

[Nate]

My bluff was accurate about one thing: it didn't take Alder long to arrive after Team Plasma fled. What I hadn't expected was for him to have what felt like an army of rangers with Water-types at his back to help extinguish the fire. The police weren't far behind them, nor was an ambulance.

As the rangers tended to the fire, the three Plasma recruits Rosa and Hugh were keeping an eye on were quickly handcuffed and taken away by the police. I don't think just those three will make much of a difference, but it's good to know they won't be out there causing more problems.

The Krookodile, unfortunately, was another matter. No one actually saw how it happened, but one moment it was where Mary knocked it out, then the next it was gone. I can't help but wonder if it is that Pokémon's - Hoopa? - doing.

On top of that, there was no sign of the old couple that tended this place. Not inside the farm (thankfully), not in the nearby woods (less thankfully). They are just…gone. Kind of creepy, to be honest.

Throughout all of that, the pain in Samantha's leg didn't show any sign of going away, so the first thing we did when the ambulance arrived was having her lie on a stretcher and let the paramedics have a look at it. Their expressions upon examining her aren't the most reassuring.

"Just be straight with me," Samantha sighs, "how bad is it?"

"Too soon to say for certain," one of the older paramedics says as he adjusts his glasses, "but there's a chance the bone is fractured."

Dear Arceus…

Rosa's gasp is muffled by her hands covering her mouth. Hugh doesn't make any sound, but I notice him frown while his hands clench into fists.

Samantha, for her part, looks slightly less distressed about the news, as all she does is crane her neck backward and let out an annoyed huff.

"Wonderful," she mutters before looking at the medic again. "Please tell me we can at least go back to Floccesy."

"Afraid not," he replies. "Floccesy doesn't have a dedicated hospital for humans. We are going to have to take you to Virbank City for this."

Samantha's thumb and index finger massage her nose's bridge while she lets out another huff. After a bit, she turns to the three of us. "Sorry guys, but it looks like our stay in Floccesy is going to be cut short."

Uh? "What are you saying?" I ask her.

"We were going to Virbank anyway, so if I'm already going there, you may as well join me. Except you, of course, you have your friends to meet up with."

Well, that's…true, I guess.

"Uhm, Sam?" Rosa chimes in. "Are you feeling okay? Your leg…"

Samantha scoffs. "It hurts like hell, but not any more than one time a Grimmsnarl broke my arm. I can take it."

…what's a Grimmsnarl and how concerned should I be by that statement?

"That said, I've left some of my stuff back at the Pokémon Center." She reaches into her pockets, takes out her room's keycard and hands it over to Rosa, who awkwardly grabs it. "If you and Hugh would pick it up for me, I'd be grateful."

"O-of course, Sam!"

"Good." She turns back to me. "And you. Make sure to tell Eugenio my leg doesn't mean he's allowed to slack off on winning badges, got it?"

…I don't think he will care.

"Sure thing," I tell her anyway.

Samantha is shortly after taken inside the ambulance, which then starts its engine and leaves the three of us behind while we watch it as it goes farther and farther away.

We stay quiet while that happens. When the ambulance is out of sight, Rosa is the one who breaks the silence.

"Who is this…'Hugenioh', again?"

Ah, I should have seen that one coming.

"A friend of mine," I tell her. "Another trainer sponsored by my dad that I've been traveling with."

To my surprise, Rosa snaps her fingers at that response. "Hey, that's right! Sam's rival."

Uh? "What do you mean?"

"Samantha mentioned another trainer Nature Today was sponsoring," Hugh intevenes, arms crossed. "She called him her rival she was competing against for the badges."

Uuuuuh…

"That's…not quite the relationship they have." They both furrow their brows. "They are both challenging the Gyms under the same sponsor, yes, but Eugenio isn't really in it for the competition."

"What do you mean he's not?" Rosa intervenes. "That's the whole point of the Gym challenge!"

Well, he uh…he did say that he was doing it for the money and…

Oh dear, that is his whole reason, isn't it?

"Ahem."

The deep booming voice interrupts our conversation before I can answer and we all turn to it. As it turns out, it belongs to none other than former Champion Alder himself.

"Sorry for interrupting, young ones," the elderly man tells us, a jovial grin on his face, "Mind if I have a word with you lot?"

Rosa lets out a surprised gasp. "Oh gosh, Champion Alder!"

"Yep," he chuckles. "That's me."

Rosa's hands fail to muffle her words. "Ooooooh, I can't believe it!"

Had it been a couple of months ago, I suspect I would have felt the same as her. But now, after I've met Dawn, I'm honestly not feeling anything.

Hugh has no apparent strong reaction at the prospect of interacting with Alder either. "Greetings," he says neutrally. "What do you want?"

If Alder takes offense to his curtness, he doesn't show it and instead chuckles. "Straight to the point. I like you, kid."

Hugh doesn't respond in any way to that.

"Anyway, I wanted to congratulate the four brave trainers who took on Team Plasma, but it seems I'm late for one of you."

"Yeah," I awkwardly say. "Samantha may have broken her leg, so they took her to Virbank's hospital."

Alder's mouth twists into a grimace for a moment. "That's a rough one." He gives a quick glance to all three of us. "Need a ride for Virbank?"

Rosa's eyes seem to bulge out of their sockets at that question. "You would?!"

"Sure I would," Alder chuckles as he grabs one of the Poké Ball from his necklace. "My Braviary is more than capable of carrying you. Just two at a time, of course, but it's no problem."

"Uhm," I awkwardly interject, "we actually need to get back to Floccesy, first. We left some of our belongings to the local Pokémon Center and before we can rejoin Samantha…"

Well, Rosa and Hugh will rejoin her, but still.

Alder seems to take my words in stride as he nods. "Ah, I see. Well, my offer is still valid." His smile broadens. "So what do you say?"

"We would love to!" Rosa squeals before anything else can be said.

Hugh arches an eyebrow but then shrugs. "Sure, I guess."

I have no reason to refuse the former Champion's help, so I consent as well.

"Excellent!" Alder exclaims before tossing the ball into the air. "Come on out, Courage."

Up above us, Ruffles' evolved form materializes in the air and lets out a squawk. He is then enveloped by the glowing light of Fly and lands near the four of us with his back turned.

"Come on, hop on."

"Heck yeah!" Rosa exclaims as she sprints on top of the Braviary.

Hugh shoots me a warning glance and I let him join her.

"Very well, then," Alder chuckles. "I leave them to you, Courage. Come back here when you're done."

The Braviary lets out an affirmative squawk and then takes off, Rosa letting out an excited shout as he does so.

Alder and I watch the Flying-type head in Floccesy's direction for as long as he stays within sight.

After that, though, I turn back to Alder only to see his smile…fall apart as all the joy he was displaying just a moment ago drains away and is replaced by weariness.

"So, your name was Nate, wasn't it?"

His question takes me aback. "Uhm, yes? How do you know my name?"

The angles of his mouth turn up again, though this smile is more tired than anything. "I've always enjoyed watching new Gym challengers rise up. Though first hearing of them through news of Team Plasma's return was a first."

Oh…

Alder crosses his arms. "It is my understanding that this is at least the third time you've been involved in a situation like this."

I let out a sigh. "It wasn't by choice, believe me."

It is true, kind of. I did decide to follow Dawn and Eugenio to make amends for my mistake at Relic Castle, but neither the Pinchers at the refinery nor this were something I was expecting.

"Ah-ha," Alder replies, his face utterly inscrutable. "And it is a strange company you found yourself with. Someone who hasn't been heard of for many years and a new trainer who," he arches an eyebrow, "if I overheard correctly, is not even taking the Gym challenge out of genuine interest?"

"Uhm…"

The polite thing to say would probably be the truth. The right thing to do for them both is definitely not that.

"I'm afraid that's something for them to explain rather than me."

When Alder doesn't respond and looks at me blankly, I'm worried that was too mean and now he's angry. That he lets out an amused snort instead comes as a relief.

"I see you three have become good friends," he guffaws before returning serious. "But what about you? Are you facing the Gym challenge out of genuine interest or something else?"

…how do I respond to that?

"Well, I…I mean, right now I have some other stuff I'm more focused on, but I…I did start the challenge because I wanted to try it but-"

"Let me rephrase then," he interrupts me. "What do you want out of being a trainer?"

"I…pardon?"

"You've heard me. There are many options out there that could have let you work with Pokémon. Why a Pokémon trainer specifically?"

I hesitate momentarily. "...I don't know. It seemed like a good idea at the time."

I know it's a weak answer as soon as I say it and I expect Alder to press further. Instead, his mouth twists into a sympathetic smile.

"I have been there as well," he says. "It's not something I share with all, but back when I was the Champion, I resented that position."

My eyes widen. "What?! Why?! It's the most prestigious position for a trainer in all Unova!"

He nods. "Yes, it was a prestigious position. As well as a role that demanded a lot out of me due to the responsibilities that are expected from it. It came to a point I was considering quitting Pokémon battling altogether." His eyes shift downward and a sad note enters his voice. "When my old starter died, I all but did."

"I'm sorry," is all I can tell him, unable to think of something more elaborate. I never thought I'd actually see the human side of the Unova Champion, and it's…sadly relatable if that even makes sense.

Alder looks up again. "I assume what Miss Dawn Hikari had to say of her own time wasn't that different, hmmm?"

Well…she never talked about it in detail, but what little she said…

"She made it sound like an unpleasant time for her."

He lets out an amused snort. "Sounds about right." He takes a short pause before continuing. "Tell me. Now that I'm not the Champion anymore, I have no further reason to be a trainer. And yet, I still am. Can you guess why?"

Uhm…"Team Plasma's attack on the League?"

He shakes his head. "That was a call to action I answered. No, being free from that role made me realize that what I truly liked of Pokémon battling were the battles themselves. Meet new people, see the kinds of bonds they forge with their partners, all of that. Not the glory or prestige that come from being the strongest."

Ooookay, that's…why is he telling me this?

"Are you trying to say I shouldn't take on the Gym challenge?" I honestly can't think of anything else.

Alder looks puzzled by my question, but soon enough he breaks into a good-nature chuckle.

"Dear me no, perish the thought," he says. "It's always good to put yourself through challenges. It keeps life interesting." His face then returns somber. "No, I'm not saying anything. I'm merely asking, what do you and your friends want out of being trainers? Is it truly what you want for yourselves? Or is it a means you are using in search of something else entirely?"

That's, uhm…I…we…

"Ah, it seems I may have talked too much," Alder adds as he turns his head to the side. I turn in the direction he's looking and see his Braviary flying back to us.

"You don't need to answer me," Alder continues while his Pokémon lands. "I just ask that you think my words over."

He hasn't left me much of a choice.

After Alder's Braviary took me back to Floccesy's Center, I rejoined Rosa and Hugh - who thankfully didn't press on the matter of Eugenio's reasons - and we headed to our respective rooms to gather our belongings, as well as Samantha's. Within a few minutes we are all back at the reception, ready to move out again. Well, Rosa and Hugh are.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Rosa asks me. "It's been nice having you around."

The wary look Hugh regards her with gives away what he thinks about that. Even so, I already know what my answer is.

"I would love to, but I can't. My friends and I have more of a headstart with the Gym challenge."

Rosa's expression falls. Hugh remains impassive.

"Don't worry though," I add in an attempt to reassure. "The path to the League is the same for everyone, so I'm sure we'll meet again."

Preferably not at Driftveil when the PWT opens. I'd rather they are not there for whatever Team Plasma will try there.

Rosa, at least, chirps up immediately. "We'll look forward to it!" she exclaims, bouncing on her toes.

"Yeah," Hugh adds with an unenthusiastic whisper.

They start walking off after that and Rosa gives me one final wave and smile. "See ya around!"

Before long they have left me on my own and I take the chance to dial Eugenio's number. I sure hope he and Dawn missed the fire on their way here.

It takes a bit for Eugenio to pick up, but when he does I'm met by his widened eyes.

"Nate?" he asks, surprise etched to his voice as his eyes blink. "Nate is that-?" He turns to the side. "Hey Dawn, come here! It's him!"

Dawn comes within sight shortly after, looking no better than Eugenio as worry lines adorn all of her face.

What's wrong with them?

"Nate!" Dawn exclaims. "Nate, are you okay?! We heard what happened at the ranch!"

Ah…oh dear, they didn't miss it.

I let out a sigh. "It's complicated, guys. I'll try to give you the gist of it."

[Eugenio]

Finding the one Pokémon Center in a town as small as this wasn't that difficult, and the moment we actually reunited with Nate was a relief.

Hearing from the Rangers that Team Plasma had set this Floccesy Ranch on fire and that he was there was bad enough. Nate telling us that he run into who I assume was Colress and that purple-haired witch was so much worse.

Surprisingly, though, when we see him inside the Center, he doesn't look particularly beaten down. In fact, he's just looking down fondly as his Growlithe chases an Azumarill, who I have to assume is Mary.

This has been today's one good news. Despite being in a situation just like with that Nidoking, she was able to muster the courage to fight again. Not only that, she also evolved.

Any doubt that is a different Azumarill is dispelled when I notice Mister Jaw and Ruffles too. The former is resting on Nate's outstretched arm, with his eyes following Mary as she runs around. The latter is on Nate's other shoulder and is…looking down at nothing in particular, with his eyes devoid of the fire I'm used to seeing in them.

Oh no, what happened now?

"Hey, guys!" Nate exclaims, waving when he notices us. "I'm here!"

Just as he says that, all his Pokémon stop what they're doing and turn in our direction. Even Ruffles, who shifts his forlorn look to something more similar to his usual ones. It shouldn't have been a surprise after how we departed, but I'm still taken off-guard when Mister Jaw and Ruffles take off from Nate and he envelops us into a hug.

"It's good to be back with you guys."

Dawn immediately wraps her free arm around Nate. "Good to have you back too, Nate," she says affectionately.

I hesitate a tad longer, but I follow her lead and return the hug, as awkward as I feel doing it.

An 'Azu' and a bark draw my attention to my feet, where I see Mary waving at us wide-eyed and the Growlithe wagging his tail enthusiastically.

I regard them with a smile, but then I look up to the two flying mons. Mister Jaw tilts his head slightly forward, while Ruffles has little to no reaction to my look.

Well, we already knew Mister Jaw and Mary were gonna need our support when he rejoined. Ruffles may have taken the latter's place now, but this changes nothing.

Yeah, this took a while to come out. Sorry guys, but a lot of stuff has not been going right for me IRL so I haven't had much of a chance to write.

Anyway, the main trio is reunited now. Just a couple more chapters and this arc will be finished.

Thank you to Softandhappy and Krosrodes for betareading. You can find us at the Fanfiction Treehouse discord server at: 9XG3U7a

See you guys next time!