Chapter Thirty: Retribution

It was the middle of the day when they arrived at Chronos Island. Following operations by Rocket long ago, a criminal series of warehouses had been torn down and replaced with various tourist facilities amidst a tropical paradise by many standards. Zadoc's unit had been tasked with taking the island due to its central location among the others.

Exosuits were strewn about the ground, their wearers still inside of them, when they landed. Alexander stormed through the compound, legendaries at his side as he scanned for his target. "Gather everyone here!" he ordered the troops. "Call off every mission across the world and start filming right now! I want every person in Omega to see what happens here." Though what was about to happen was something he had never imagined – and something he had scarcely prepared for. But it was here now, and there was no turning back. No ignoring it anymore.

The knights under his command dragged out disabled exosuits by the dozens, setting their comrades in kneeling positions within the central area of the camp. Alexander stood there and waited for the inevitable conflict. But one thing was certain: Zadoc wasn't the one with multiple legendaries behind him, one of which might very well smite him in a heartbeat if asked to do so. It was a few moments after they had attacked when the commotion began.

"Release me! Now!" Zadoc barked. "Soldier, what is your issue?! I order you this instant—"

"Sorry, but we've got higher orders than yours." The general was brought towards Alexander and set before him.

"You… what is the meaning of this?" Zadoc asked. Alexander said nothing, instead storming up the general and ripping off the helmet, hurling it behind him before activating the manual release. Zadoc fell forward onto the dirt. Solgaleo walked towards him, stopping only a few inches away from his face.

"WHY DON'T YOU TELL US, MURDERER?!" he roared loudly enough to scare everyone stiff. Alex flinched at his tone.

"I don't know what—"

"Save it, Zadoc." He raised his display and played the footage for everyone to see. The general said nothing. There was nothing he could say. Everything was brought to light; there was no hiding or denying what had happened. Alex stood over him, more composed than the Alolan legendary, but enraged all the same. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why have you fought me every step of this campaign?! What more do you want?! The legendaries have given your people a second chance! We have secured two-thirds of the world now! Is that not enough?!" Zadoc offered no response. "Why did you murder those people?"

"They attacked—"

"DO NOT LIE TO ME!" Alexander yelled. "We all saw the footage! You murdered those people – and you knew what my policy was on that. But you really don't care, do you?" For a moment, it seemed as though he would give no response and would remain on the receiving end of his lecture. But knowing his time in power had abruptly ended, he decided to speak his mind.

"You're a fool," he said. "You started a war, but you treat this like it's some sort of game, having us leave areas only to attack them later – all because of these stupid battles."

"Because they have the right to fight back – that was the deal from the very beginning!" Alex stated. "You knew that. You agreed to it. You had no issue accepting the assistance of the legendaries – so why can you not accept their conditions?!"

"Why?!" Zadoc snapped. "Why must we waste our time, our resources – and even our lives – for this foolishness?! Have you any respect for our lives?! This fanaticism of yours has resulted in thousands of deaths of our own people! Do you even care?!"

"Do I care?! If I go through such lengths to spare enemies, how much more do you think I care for your people?"

"Then why are we even having this conversation?" Zadoc asked. "Why are we still fighting this without even using a fraction of our true arsenal? Just because a few creatures from your world demand it?!"

"Those 'creatures' are wiser than you or I will ever be. You would do well to show some respect – but seeing as to how you and your ancestors treated Necrozma, I shouldn't be surprised." Alexander stepped forth, still in his suit. All it would take was a single hit to snap his enemy's neck. Just a quick strike. But that wouldn't do anything to salvage the rift that Zadoc had formed within Omega, nor would it be right – and even if it was, he refused to make the general a martyr.

"I'm not going to be lectured by someone twenty years younger than me. They aren't gods. There are none. If you could have gotten over your superstitions, we would have won this war by now. There wouldn't be any more resistance."

"Those so-called superstitions are the only reason your people have a place to call home. Those 'superstitions' are the only reason your people even survived without a star to begin with! I get it: you care for your people. But that's all you care for. You've treated life like it's nothing more than survival of the fittest – like an animal despite all your advancements. No action is too low for you, is it? To soothe what remnants of a conscience you have, you deny the very existence of right and wrong, and as such, you just do whatever benefits you." The general glared up at him hatefully, more so after he uttered the next words. "You think you're so smart, but you're a fool only capable of repeating the very same mistakes as your ancestors."

"Go to hell."

"That's not where I'm headed, unlike you." He looked around at Zadoc's unit. Though he could not see most of their faces, he imagined the knights were equally as terrified as the trainers. This was the last thing anyone expected, Alexander included. He had often wondered if the general had different goals than him, but never before had he thought it would end in mutiny. "For any of you who wish to follow this man's path… this conquest of ours is against people like you as well. That's the whole point of this – to get people to stop being self-seeking and start doing what's right. To kneel to the right authorities. Not governments or kings or generals, but to them!" he said, pointing towards the legendaries behind him.

"They aren't gods," Zadoc repeated.

"Maybe these ones aren't," Alexander stated. "There is only one. But you wouldn't kneel to Him either, would you? Because at the end of the day, you think you're one." He squatted in front of the general, making himself level with Zadoc. "Guess what? You aren't. You're finished."

"That's not your call to make."

"Watch me."

"You will not take my people from me! I have led them in all our years of darkness! Under me, they survived."

"And under the legends, they will thrive. Had it not been for the actions of people like you, there would have been no darkness."

"I have many who see things my way. If you kill me, they will only complete what I have started."

"I refuse to make you a martyr," Alex replied, standing up. If the general was right about one thing, though, it was that he still carried massive weight within Omega. The Megalopolans respected their natural leader, maybe even to the level of the man who came to their world and promised a new beginning. That left the question of what to do right now. If he locked Zadoc away forever, it might just serve the same purpose, or he could even influence things from outside his cell. The general had left him in a very rough position indeed.

"So what happens now? You drive our forces into the dirt, continuing this silly campaign of yours?"

"No. I have the strength to win this war the right way, not the convenient one – without slaughtering innocents or using the evil weapons that you would employ if given the chance. I will give them their chance to fight back, and when Clay and Elesa and that last trainer rise to oppose us… we will crush them. They will have had their chance, and once they have lost in fair combat, will have no choice but to submit. But that's then." He stood up, ready to do something that had not been done in hundreds of years among their people. Something almost as alien to the Megalopolans alive today as it was to Alexander. But it was all he could think of, and quite possibly the only way to mend what had been torn from under him.

He stepped out of his suit.

"What are you doing?" Larek asked. "Whatever it is, it seems like a really bad idea…"

"Maybe," Alex admitted. "Get up, Zadoc. If you have an issue with how I run things – with how I've listened and obeyed my own superiors – then you may take it up with me here and now. No more hiding."

"Are you… challenging me to ritual combat?" the general asked, almost humored by the idea.

"If you win, you're free to run this campaign the way you see fit, so long as you show mercy to those who have aligned with me." He paused, sizing his opponent up. What he was doing was likely stupid by the standards of everyone present. Zadoc, though in his late forties, was no pushover. "You think you can do so much better – that you have what it takes to integrate two worlds into one. Well, here's your chance to prove it. Should you win, Omega will be yours. But if I win, then what happens here will settle everything. Those who you have led astray will submit to our methods and ideals." Zadoc said nothing, but after a moment, he got to his feet, standing a few inches taller than Alexander. Grey had begun to peak into his beard and through his temples. Despite an age disadvantage, he was remarkably fit.

"I suppose there is one quality about you I liked," he said, pacing slowly to the side. "You are brave to even suggest such a thing against me. Before you were born, I mastered the very combat style we taught you."

"Then you should have nothing to fear," Alex stated.

"Very well. It will be as you say." Zadoc bent his knees, placing one hand forth while the other remained poised and ready to strike. "Once you are out of the picture, I will do what you should have done from the very first day." Alex loosened his knees slightly, but that was the extent of the similarities in their stances. He pressed his left shoulder to his jaw, that same hand curled and ready to lunge whereas his right fist guarded the other side of his face. Zadoc's eyes narrowed in surprise, but he said nothing. Regardless of what would happen, Omega would never be the same. This wasn't the outcome Alex had hoped for, but it was the outcome that needed to happen. In front of the legendaries who had supported him, he prepared to end this once and for all.

He remembered very little of the fight. The rage and the adrenaline blotted most details out into a red haze. What he did recall, though, was the general striking first with a punch towards his right temple. It grazed the side of his fist as Alexander shot forth with the other. He felt soft flesh give way between his knuckles, snapping Zadoc's head back as Alex's fist connected with his nose and mouth. He followed it up with another, but the general was far faster than Alexander gave him credit for and brought a fist into his stomach.

The liver shot hurt, almost making him lurch forward, but it failed to paralyze him. He tried taking that slim opening and landing a face-shot, but Alex was quicker and used his youth to his advantage. He jabbed towards Zadoc multiple times, searching for a weakness until he found it: the general's left arm was slower to react than the right. Zadoc, typically professional and stoic, had a grimace set on his face, ducking and dodging attacks and responding in kind, spittle and blood flying out his mouth. His eyes raced frantically, like a rabid animal looking for some form of escape, desperate for its survival.

Alexander caught one strike over his bicep and to his ear, rocking his world and making the left side go numb. He shook his head as he backed away. Zadoc was on him immediately, fists flying like lightning as he took several hits and deflected others. Loud smacks sounded as Zadoc's fist met Alex's ribs. His face, though, was always guarded. His eyes darted wildly, focusing on that next opening – that next precious opportunity. Another smack. It was beginning to hurt to breathe, and for a second, he wondered how many more breaths he may draw. But his body reacted on its own. Alexander smashed his head into his enemy's face. Zadoc stumbled back, trying to make sense of his surroundings after his world had been rocked. Blood stained the warm sand beneath them.

He recalled the looks of terror from many present as he pursued, though their faces began to blend into the island as he struck Zadoc again. An upper hook caught the general's unguarded stomach. He flinched. Alex all but snarled as he slammed his fists into any opening he could find. The general was forced back, his foot nearly contacting the large rock that marked the center of this particular camp. A weakened blow struck Alex's jaw in the frenzy, but he hardly felt it. Zadoc then made the mistake of repeating the action.

That was something Alexander would never forget. He deflected the blow, spun in place while holding Zadoc's right arm, and pulled it down over his shoulder with all his might. The snap could be heard throughout the camp. He felt it through his opponent's own body. Zadoc yelled. He pivoted, sending his left shin into the bend of the general's knee. He fell, clutching a useless arm as he attempted to get up. Alex sucked down heavy breaths, circling the general before sprinting forth and kicking him in the head. Zadoc fell like he had been shot.

Anyone would have assumed the fight over at that point. But not for Zadoc. He roared, thrashing about as he tried to get up. Red streams on his face mixed with clumps of sand and grass, but just like the dying animal caught in a bear trap, he fought with the last ounce of strength within him.

After that, the details became fuzzy. He had been told, following the fight, what had happened, and it went something like this: Alex had grabbed Zadoc's shirt, lifting his top half off the ground by the collar. His fist struck the general's side over and over, trying to get him to drop that persistent guard of his face. He finally succeeded when the pain became too much – when two floating ribs cracked under his blows. Something between a strained gurgle and a snort came from Zadoc's throat. Alex's fist met its mark, striking the general's face and snapping his head back, having absorbed the full force of the punch. Again, this time letting go of the shirt. He slammed into the jagged rock below – a large, grey slab of granite. At least, it had been grey prior to this.

Alexander straddled his enemy's chest. A last-ditch effort – a weak, dirty trick as Zadoc tried to use his one good hand and gouge an eye out. Alex grabbed it with both of his own hands, each fist curled around a pair of Zadoc's fingers, and snapped them in opposing directions. A lifeless hand fell back to the side as he went back to work. Tears of rage streamed down Alex's face as he struck over and over again. The general's head bounced in either direction as brutal hooks caught either side of his face.

Finally, Alex grabbed the man's hair, pulling it back and positioning his head still. The fist met its target, and though his memory was only filled with small details of the fight, Alex never would forget the feeling of soft flesh giving way under his powerful strikes. Wet smacks echoed throughout a horrified camp as blood sprayed in every direction. A sharp pain, but he continued. There was a distant yet familiar pull on his mind that he ignored. Alex slammed into him. Again. Then again. At some point, Zadoc stopped moving. But Alexander didn't. That tugging on his mind returned. Blood sprayed across the rock – up Alex's arm and into his own face.

'ALEX!' Zekrom's voice roared within his mind. Just like that, the fog was lifted. 'If you continue, he will die.' His fist went limp, fingers uncurling themselves. What he saw next was something that he would always carry with him. Zadoc's body twitched ever-so-slightly. His jaw had been shattered open, his nose broken and flattened in a grotesque shape, and one eye swollen completely shut while the other was barely open but still. The only indication that he was still alive was the slight rise and fall of his chest, each accompanied by red droplets shooting from Zadoc's mouth. Alex gasped heavily for breath, his shirt clinging to him from sweat and blood that wasn't his.

Nobody said anything once he finally managed to stand up. Exhaustion began to set in. He pulled the shirt over his head, tossing it to the side as reality finally began to catch up with him. Alex's eyes raced throughout the crowd, people trembling as though they themselves were next. Officer Larek, one of his most loyal, was among them. He finally broke the silence.

"…What the fuck was that?"

"Took MMA for twelve years," Alex said tiredly. "You all didn't teach me much that I couldn't already do better." He glanced down again at Zadoc, now sickened by the sight, and walked towards the general's unit, his eyes landing on a particular gardevoir. "Release the medic."

"Yes, sir…" It was done as he commanded. The psychic seemed to understand, scrambling towards her supplies and approaching him fearfully. "Not me – him." She paused as though she had misheard him. "I'm fine. Save him."

"A…alright." She hurried over to the general's side and began to patch him up, medical supplies of every kind emptied from her bag and levitating in the air. Alex assumed she could handle things and approached Zadoc's former squad once more.

"I don't… I don't understand," Larek stated. "Why?"

"Because I'm not like him," Alex replied. "One of the very same legendaries that he has mocked prevented me from doing something I would have regret forever. But his way of doing things ends with his reign." He crossed his arms, sunlight glistening from the droplets of sweat on his skin. "I understand his concerns. In living under fear, we are tempted to do whatever we can for our own security. The ends begin to justify the means, whatever they may be. All of you who have submitted to Zadoc's way of doing things are familiar with that manner of living. It would seem as though you would have just as much to learn throughout this conquest as the people from my world."

Alex approached one of the officers under Zadoc, still kneeling in his exosuit. "I am aware that many of you likely committed atrocities under him. I will find out every detail in due time. But right now, I want everyone throughout Omega to know one thing: you don't have to live in fear anymore. Do not suppress your consciences any longer. Whatever you may have done, it is not too late to start anew. Even for someone like Zadoc."

One of the trainers within Zadoc's squad placed her hand to her chest and bowed. Others looked at her, but there was little surprise. One by one, everyone followed suit, acknowledging the undisputed leader of the Megalopolans. Alexander nodded, placing his own hand to his bare chest and bowing back. With the adrenaline having run its course and with the motion of his hand, he felt the sharp pain once again and looked down.

Having pierced the skin between his knuckles, Alex removed Zadoc's front teeth from his fist.

Following dinner, Aaron heard some of the last news he was expecting. "Both of us are in the top hundred," Sofia said, looking over the current dissenter rankings.

"That's… a bit surprising," Aaron said, setting the dishes in the sink. True, they had participated in every possible mission within Unova, but the top hundred in the world?

"Well, there aren't that many left." Chloe, Sofia's noivern, was right about that. "But those that are left seem to be the ones winning most of the fights."

"And also keep in mind that there aren't many trainers in each region that have all their gym badges. Alexander seems to have been drawing from a small portion of the population."

"And then trimmed it down further…" Aster mumbled.

"Well, that's good – less competition for us." Sofia didn't seem concerned by the fact that their world was quickly being overwhelmed. Aaron wished that he had that confidence; he had plenty of faith in his team, but maybe not so much to literally protect an entire region.

"We can't fight them forever," the serperior said. "Every region in the world seems to be losing. It's only been three months since they invaded and they've already taken most of the planet. What do you think things are gonna look like in nine more?" Aster had a point.

"We don't need to protect every single city or town," Sofia answered. "Remember – Unova is divided as hell. Even if every single person who isn't loyal to Alpha or Delta decided to support Omega, it still wouldn't be a majority of the population. He might have some of the other regions, but he won't be convincing Unova to go down without a fight."

"But he can take every single road and building, making us live under his foot for the rest of the year," Nora said. "You seem to forget that he can make our lives a living hell until that happens – and that's even if those three trainers win."

"We will."

"You don't know that!" Nora snapped. "As much as you might hate it, that zoroark was right – Alexander has planned an invasion for years. I'm willing to bet he's prepared for those fights, too. But you're different, aren't you? The strongest governments in the world are collapsing right before our eyes, but an enthusiastic girl and her team have what it takes to stop him. You need to get over yourself!"

"Nora!" He hadn't ever heard her talk like that to someone before. Everyone went silent. Sofia looked aside awkwardly, trying to fumble together some sort of response about how she was ready for this. Aaron barely understood what she was saying before Nora cut her off and went in for the kill.

"Look, you need to wake up. I don't care how many badges you have – it's not like I was allowed to help get any of them, anyways – or if you think you can beat Iris. This guy has legendaries who can turn us into ashes without so much as blinking! Are you so full of yourself that you're willing to send your whole team to their deaths just so you can get a spotlight?! Do you only care for yourself and your own fame?! You egotistical bitch!"

"NORA!" The typhlosion glared at Aaron as though she were ready to fight. Only upon seeing his bewildered expression did her own soften. She stood up, shoved the chair back against the table and walked to the bedroom.

Any discussion of their upcoming plans more or less died following that. Everyone kept to themselves and said little. Golden light peaked through the blinds as Aaron fumbled through the cabinet for a particular bottle and shot glass. There had already been enough tension in the air following Marcus' outburst against Brooke – and now this? He felt justified in pouring a glass. Maybe two. Latest updates had revealed that Omega had swarmed Alola for some reason but had now pulled back for the time being, which was odd to say the least. Considering what was going on between these walls, though, Aaron had other things to focus on.

"Can I get one?" Sofia murmured. He said nothing but grabbed another glass, pouring one for each of them. If his memory served him correctly, she was still a few months too young to drink, but Aaron had a feeling that most laws of that nature were irrelevant now. Aaron passed it towards Sofia, who took an experimental sip before downing the shot entirely. The small glass hit the table. "Nora hates me, doesn't she?"

"I'd say hate is a strong word…"

"Don't be a smartass."

"I'm not. I don't think she hates you," Aaron replied. "But I don't think everything's okay, either."

"I can't change what happened, and I already apologized for how things went down. What more can I do?" Sofia asked.

"I don't know," he admitted. "Like I said, I get it – you're primarily in this for the battling and had to make a practical decision. But I also can't fault Nora for being pissed by how things happened." Her shoulders slumped. Sofia looked towards the bottle; he poured them both another shot.

"Do you think she was right?"

"Huh?"

"Do you think I'm selfish? That I only care about myself?" He didn't respond immediately, and it seemed as though she took that as an answer of its own. But he shrugged.

"Who the hell would I be to judge? I screwed over Marcus and Pierce so I could go to college."

"Guess it takes one to know one," she said quietly.

"I guess so." After another pause, Sofia continued.

"I… think we should part ways for a week or two. Maybe things will simmer down a bit…" Maybe. But Aaron knew that an issue like this wouldn't fade away until it was dealt with.

"That might be for the best," he agreed. "I'll see if I can get things sorted out during that time." Of course, he had little hope of that happening. What had gone on between them would need to be resolved as such.

He watched as the car pulled out of his driveway and sighed. This really was the last thing Aaron needed, and he would be lying if he said that he knew what to do at this point. There was still hostility between two members of his team, then there was the fact that he still had the news he needed to break to his parents looming over him. And now there was this – a fight between the girl he was in a relationship with and the girl who was inarguably his greatest ally in fighting Omega. Any hopes Aaron had of telling his father what was going on between him and Nora had faded away.

One of the three major issues, though, set itself in motion. He sat on the porch, sipping at whiskey and looking at a darkened Castelia in the horizon. There was something particularly unnerving about one of the world's capitals being in such a state. Cars were broken down on most roads, abandoned and smashed on highways as people had fled the city. The power still functioned, but there weren't nearly so many people inside its confines as there were prior. Only the bravest or those looking to pillage and loot remained, as well as Delta, who had now more or less claimed Castelia. As if the city wasn't already under their control, anyways…

The door opened with some difficulty. Aaron didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The floatzel plopped beside him on the top step, huffing as she did so. The floatation sacs her species was known for were less inflated than usual, and her tails, typically full of life, had only dragged behind her. Aaron popped in his translators. "Rough day, huh?"

"Yeah, tell me about it…" It was the first time he had heard Brooke speak today. She sounded a bit better than yesterday, though that wasn't saying much. Her eyes were fixated towards the ground.

"So what brings you out here on this miserable night?" he asked, trying to at least introduce some humor into the situation. The water-type shot him an unamused glance, then sighed.

"I don't know," she replied. "Guess I felt you might be the best person to talk to."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Brooke replied. "Figured this is what trainers are for, right? Helpin' with stuff like this."

"I guess – I haven't really had anything like this happen before, though."

"So everyone's always got along all fine and dandy until I came along, huh?"

"I never said that," Aaron countered. "But nothing like… well, what Marcus said yesterday." He turned to face her directly. "I'm sorry for not getting things sorted out earlier. There's kind of a lot going on right now, but even then, this is a bit new to me."

"I really pissed him off that bad, huh?" Brooke asked. "I… I don't get it. I wasn't all that explicit or anything…"

"Maybe, but you weren't exactly subtle, either," Aaron replied.

"What?"

"About as subtle as a brick through a window," he added.

"I just… I don't get him…"

"Marcus?" She nodded. "What's there not to get?"

"He wasn't even the tiniest bit interested! None of the guys back at the gym or out by the river were half as skittish as him…"

"I think that might be your issue," Aaron stated. "You're comparing him to past experiences you've had. Lucarios are different, even among pokémon. There's a ton of stuff that's pretty unique to them – stuff that you only learn the more time you spend around one. You more or less have to accept the fact that many of your feelings aren't private anymore."

"Huh…" Aaron placed a hand on her smaller shoulder. She flinched but said nothing.

"Is he the only reason you joined our team?"

"Well, not the only reason…"

"Just most of it?" Brooke nodded. "Gotcha."

"Do you think less of me?"

"No. And even if I did, I would be in absolutely no place to judge. I wasn't exactly a saint either in my first years of college. You aren't the only one with a history here."

"Is that so?" she asked, her lip curling into the tiniest of grins, revealing one of her pointed teeth. "I bet you were quite the partier."

"You know it. I even got in a fight with some girl's lamp one time."

"Oh? And did you win."

"We'll call it a draw," Aaron answered. They laughed. "What about you?"

"Me? Eh, I more or less skipped the partyin' bit and went for the main course. Ain't one to waste time an' all." That explained more than a few things, though Aaron kept that to himself.

"Well, what I can tell you about Marcus is that none of that stuff from before will work. That part isn't about lucarios being weird or whatever, but because Marcus is put off by that sort of stuff. Someone like him takes time," Aaron replied. "But maybe right now might not be the best. What definitely wouldn't hurt, though, is if the two of you tried to patch things up a bit."

"But he was the one who snapped at me…" Her response was devoid of anger.

"I know. And I'm going to talk with him about that. But maybe mistakes were made on both sides. Maybe if the two of you can see that, you might be able to meet somewhere in the middle."

"But I wasn't intending on meetin' in the middle…" She looked up at her trainer with a pout. "Am I just outta luck here?"

"I don't know," Aaron replied truthfully. "I'm not going to pretend to be some sort of relationship expert or anything. But I do know that people can't go wrong with talking things out a bit."

"He doesn't even seem to wanna talk to me…"

"It's also been a day," Aaron said. "But even then, you're going to have to accept the fact that Marcus might not be someone for you. He certainly isn't a box to check off on the list, either. But I'll talk to him, alright?" She only nodded. The trainer pulled Brooke towards himself, wrapping his arms around her tinier frame and embracing her.

"Wh-what are you doing?!" she squeaked, eyes going wide. "I thought… you're with Nora!" Aaron looked at her in confusion.

"What are you talking about? Of course I am. You figured that out from day one…"

"Why… did you do that?" the floatzel asked. He could feel her body trembling and released her gently.

"You mean… why did I hug you?" Brooke nodded. "Isn't it obvious? You're our friend. Just one of those things trainers are for, you know?" She said nothing, somehow embarrassed by an action like that, yet completely unphased by her own promiscuous habits towards the lucario. "Haven't you been hugged before?"

"W-well, I mean… that's only something that a guy does when we… you know…" His eyes narrowed from the bizarre statement until they softened as something dawned on the trainer. Something that made a lot of sense in the grand scheme of things.

Brooke had given few details of her days as a gym pokémon other than it being rigorous, unforgiving of the slightest drop in performance and a constant move from one trainer to another within the facility. And if by chance she was unable to perform to their standards, there was somehow always another floatzel that could. It was then that he realized the horrible truth.

The only time she had ever experienced the slightest amount of affection was in the arms of a guy.

Aaron sighed, placing his hand to the side of his face. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. But hugs are pretty common between a trainer and their pokémon. Haven't you seen me hug Krista? I'm not with her, am I? Hell, I hug Aster and Marcus pretty often, and I obviously don't flow that way…"

"I guess… I didn't really pay attention to that…"

"If that's something that makes you uncomfortable, I won't do it anymore. But I promise it had no hidden meanings or anything of that sort."

"A-alright…" Brooke paused, and figuring that it was getting pretty late and that he had spent enough time out here, Aaron slowly stood up, offering his hand. The floatzel took it without much hesitation. He opened the door, holding it for her. She stopped in the doorway and spoke up meekly. "I mean… it did feel nice…"

Once everyone had settled in for the night, Aaron took his usual spot on the couch opposite to Marcus. He hadn't budged when either of them had come back inside, and the trainer was uncertain as to if the lucario was awake or not. He scrolled through his phone, first verifying what Sofia said earlier was true, seeing that his team was ranked ninety-third in terms of total points while hers was ninety-fourth, due only to the power plant mission. Aaron closed the app, staring up at the slowly-rotating ceiling fan.

Being a trainer was one of the most rewarding, awesome experiences in the world. But sometimes what came with it really sucked.

A/N: Special thanks to FuryWrites for beta reading this chapter.