Arcanine was extremely fast, but Sapphron was much faster. From the moment Tabitha glanced over his shoulder, he had to know running was pointless.
So, to Sera's horror, he banked hard right.
Sapphron stopped to flinch as they watched Arcanine bounce right off the boundary line, landing in a heap and throwing Tabitha in the process. Both struggled to their feet, but it quickly became clear that Tabitha was having a much easier time of that than Arcanine. As such, the trainer recalled his Pokemon and dived into the treeline himself, easily passing through.
"What the hell…" muttered Sera. ...Sapphron. Before, Steven's Metang used psychic energy to block my Nav's signal. Do you think you could do that? she asked.
Sapphron tried it. Is that working?
Sera checked her Nav to find it malfunctioning as before. "The energy is, and the Nav's not. Good. Now go see what's up with the boundary there."
Cautiously, Sapphron approached and reached out… until he hit something invisible and flinchingly withdrew. Bracing himself, he tried again and held contact a little longer, wincing. I think I could get through if I adjust my psychic aura, but it still wouldn't be pleasant.
"Right," said Sera. "Then set me down." Once on her feet, she made her way into the thick foliage. She felt no resistance. Well… this explained why the stronger Pokemon from the uncharted wilds didn't come out into the routes. Sort of… Whatever field prevented Pokemon from passing was likely the same thing that caused Navs to sound when trainers got too close.
On that note, she cringed and recalled Sapphron. Without his psychic field, her Nav began to blare for just a moment. But she released the still-Mega Latios again on her side of the boundary, and he quickly silenced it again, as well as confirmed he was fine now.
Lightning cracked across the sky, causing Sera to jump. There was something instantly terrifying about this place. The weather, the fact that she'd be mostly blind without her Nav, knowing how badly injured Morgan had been in a less dangerous part of the wilds… None of those factors were helping.
But they were all reasons she couldn't let Tabitha be out here alone, either. Hopping on Sapphron's back once again, the two of them searched until the Latios felt a human presence up ahead.
They finally found Tabitha surrounded by a small group of Gloom and Vileplume- and, thanks to Sera, without his best Pokemon. She quickly released Flash to deal with them instead, relieved to find that even the sight of him Blaze Kicking one was enough to scare a few of the others off. Sera imagined they didn't see fire very often.
"Are you all right?!" she asked, as Sapphron landed and Flash picked off the stragglers.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Tabitha spat.
"Coming after you," Sera bit back. "What are you doing?"
"I'm not going to let you stop me. I have to get back to the base before Leader Maxie leaves." As he turned and tried to run again, Sera pursued and caught him by the arm. Tabitha yanked it away. "Sera I swear on Groudon's grave, I don't want to hurt you but I will."
"Will you listen for two seconds!? I'm trying to help you! How can you seriously believe I wouldn't be?!"
He glared. "Where would you like the list to start?"
Sera winced. "L-look, I'm sorry, okay? You know I have to keep up appearances, though. A-and… I can't say I would have approved of whatever you were trying to do at Southern Island, considering someone never told me about that plan…" He quickly averted his gaze. "But for what it's worth, it's not like I went out of my way get in Magma's way, and we stopped Team Aqua, too. That's gotta be worth something, right?"
There was a tense pause before Tabitha finally crossed his arms with and indignant "Hmph," then sighed. "So now what?"
I cannot say I'm a fan of your track record, human, Sapphron butted in. But I sense no deception from you now. If you truly wish to stop your leader's misguided plans, then I suggest you both climb aboard. This place does not seem safe for your kind, but it will be safer upon my back.
Tabitha shivered. "Does he always do that?"
"The telepathy?" asked Sera as she mounted the Latios again. "What about it?"
"Not a fan…" He looked up to the hand Sera offered him, and groaned under his breath as he reluctantly took it.
In a matter of minutes, they'd reached the base of the mountains that surrounded 110's desert. From here, it should be pretty simple to fly right up and o-
Sera, incoming.
"What?" Sapphron shared with her the sense of another human in the air nearby. "Shit. Take cover." They ducked into the first cave they could find. It was fairly shallow, but fortunately seemed empty, for now.
"What are we doing?" Tabitha snapped.
"Someone's patrolling the skies. I'm not sure, but Sapphron thinks they remind him of-... the Champion," she finished. "If we're caught by the League, I may or may not be able to Sneasel my way out of punishment, but you'd be apprehended for sure."
He clenched his jaw. "This… is… so…" He stifled the rest of his thought with a series of incoherent sounds, but then huffed a sigh and reasoned, "I suppose this is farther than I expected to get for tonight with Arcanine injured."
Sera instinctively tried to check her Nav, but then went for her phone instead. "It's nearly midnight, too…"
"That's true, as well... So it sounds like we'd do well to make camp."
The moment he said as much, Sapphron released his Mega form and drifted to the ground. Thank goodness, he murmured gratefully. Normally I could hold my form longer, but after such a long day and while multitasking, I wasn't sure how much longer I'd last.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't even-..." What Pokemon did she have right now? Tank, Flash, Pelt, Wings, Sapphron, and Trapinch… Hmm. She brought out Pelt, who quickly exchanged a displeased glance with Tabitha. "Please don't," Sera mumbled to both. "Pelt, sweetie. I know you've only just learned it, but do you think you could use your Extrasensory to provide the same sort of interference on my Nav that Sapphron is? Just long enough to let him get some rest."
Pelt thought it over, but gave a determined nod. He took a few minutes to study the Nav and the energy around it, then began to concentrate to add an energy field of his own. Sera could hear Sapphron guiding him a little along the way… though rather than his usual voice, she realized Sapphron was physically speaking, albeit in Pokemon tongue. Of course; as a Dark-type, Pelt wouldn't hear telepathy.
I think you've got it, said Sapphron. He cautiously released his own hold, allowing Pelt to take over completely. The Nav did not sound off.
"Great job, Pelt!" Sera praised. "Do you think you can hold that for a few hours?" She hoped that wasn't too much to ask, but unlike Sapphron who had also been flying and providing sentry, he was well-rested and only had the one task. Pelt confidently nodded, and Sera recalled Sapphron.
Taking a seat, Sera asked, "I… know it's really late, but are you hungry?"
Tabitha sighed. "I wouldn't object if you're offering."
Flash and Wings were sent out to quickly gather a very small amount of firewood, then- the latter to help scout and the prior to do the heavy lifting- while Sera and Tabitha set up camp. Which was mostly to say Sera set up her usual camp, given Tabitha wasn't carrying much on him, but he helped a little.
What is the meaning of this!? an unknown voice roared. Intruders!? In OUR den! UNACCEPTABLE.
Sera's mouth fell agape at the owner. A… Krookodile? That was what the red ones were called, right? And two Krokorok at her side. Sera had no idea those lived in the wild in Hoenn… "E-excuse us, ma'am," she tried to reason. "My friends and I just need shelter for the night."
"What the hell are you doing?" Tabitha hissed to Sera. He took a defensive stance and reached for a Pokeball, but Sera put a hand out to ask him to wait. "Why-"
"Ssh!"
Human filth! How dare you- such a weak, pathetic creature- approach my magnificence with such an outlandish request! ...Wait. There was something familiar about the way she-...
Stand aside! barked Wings behind them. The crocs all turned to look down at the Swellow, but though the Krokorok stood nearly twice his size and the Krookodile easily triple- all massive examples of species that would have been taller than Wings even at average size- the bird looked as though he was the one trying to Intimidate them. Sera knew Wings had Guts, but this was something else entirely.
Flash soon came up behind him, carrying a load of firewood. WHAT is going-
SIlence! commanded Wings, receiving a bewildered and indignant glare from the Blaziken.
Would you look at that, jeered one Krokorok, seemingly male. Dinner AND a show.
The other Krokorok, this one female, demanded, What makes you think a pathetic pet like you is allowed to speak to our lady in such a manner!
FOOLS, Wings spat. Do you truly think that traveling with this human makes me one of THEM? I was born in these wilds, same as you- a TRUE Pokemon! Do NOT group me among the inferior human-cultivated scum.
Excuse you? Flash asked. Pelt similarly joined in with a 'what the fuck' gesture, though Wings may not have been able to see it from outside.
But Sera requested, "Just… let him speak." The crocs had not retaliated yet, and if they would listen, she wanted to as well. Was Wings really from outside the boundaries? Was… that why he'd been twice as strong as any other Taillow on Route 116?
...You intrigue me, Swellow, said the Krookodile. You speak like one of us, but if that is true, how did you come to travel with these… Outsiders.
Wings puffed his chest more than Sera thought possible, and spread his wings wide as they'd go. Do not be fooled by my choice in company, for they have proven useful allies in my journey to serve the Great One.
Oh shit? Sera always assumed that was some… weird affectation for referring to her, or something? In retrospect that was probably very arrogant of her… But who or… what did he mean, then?
As the crocs began to shy back, Wings continued. Yes, peasants. I am one of his Chosen Ones, a harbinger for his will. I have heard his voice, and seen his mark. To serve him, he allowed me to escape our confinement, and foretold great things of me. I have tasted the cold embrace of death itself, and even that has not stopped me in my quest. The crocs were shaking, now, and Wings settled back into a calm demeanor. In a firm but even tone, he said, My Words Ring True.
Immediately, all three bowed. Forgive us, O Harbinger, the Krookodile implored. My mates and I are, of course, happy to allow you use of our home for the night. If there is anything more we can do to aide you, please only let us know.
"...Yyyou could keep watch outside and discourage any other humans from coming here?" Sera suggested.
The crocs looked to her, then to Wings, who nodded. That seems suitable. I shall entrust you to see to it that no others, regardless of species, make the mistake of disturbing my comrades.
They headed outside then, and Wings and Flash came inside. Care to tell us what that was about? Flash asked.
It is irrelevant to you. You are serving your purpose, Wings answered simply.
Sera was far too tired to press the matter for tonight. "I'd really like an explanation later," she mumbled, but left it at that as she recalled Wings.
"I'll say. What the hell just happened?" Tabitha asked. ...Right. From his point of view, her Swellow just came and started wildly squawking at some giant reptiles who cowered to his whim.
"I… guess Wings is pretty persuasive," she feigned weakly.
He raised a brow at her, but then looked to Pelt, then Flash. "Gods, you have some weird Pokemon."
Sera laughed nervously. "Yeah… I guess so…"
Flash helped get the fire started, and Tabitha released his Arcanine to stretch and relax, as well as to lie in front of the cave entrance and help reduce the amount of light that escaped without completely blocking it off. Sera brought out more supplies than really should have fit in her backpack and set up a small pot of soup to simmer over the fire.
The awkward silence made the wait feel longer than it really was.
"Ssso… Where exactly is Magma's HQ, anyway? You've never said."
Tabitha rested his elbow on his knee and his face against his hand. "There's a reason for that, you know." Sera cringed, and he sighed. "Though I suppose I owe you. Getting ahold of those records was not as painless as planned, but it may be a good thing events played out as they did…"
"Mm.." She looked away. "Do… do you think he knows?"
Tabitha shook his head. "He… he couldn't. He mustn't. There has to be something missing, or else…" His hand moved to cover more of his face. "He can't really want… this…"
Sera bit her lip. "...W-well… you're his right hand, aren't you? I'm sure he'll listen to you."
Tabitha didn't look so certain. "... Sera. In case he doesn't… It's beneath Mt. Chimney. The base… as well as Groudon."
"What? Really?" Well, then again, where did she really expect Team Magma's base to be? Next door to the fucking ocean? "I guess that makes sense, but I can't believe it was right under our noses and we didn't…"
"Mm," replied Tabitha. "The entrance is easy to miss if you don't know it's there. … But please... don't interfere unless you absolutely have to." Sera slowly nodded. "If Maxie can still be reasoned with… It's Groudon's Primal state we need to be worried about. If we could find a way to awaken Groudon without the Orb… M-m-maybe we could still…"
"I understand…" But if Tabitha did fail, would Sera be able to respond in time? Was it worth the risk? "Should… I just come with you?"
Tabitha seemed to give it some thought, but shook his head. "No. I think you should head to Mt. Pyre. If I'm…" The possibility seemed to pain him to admit, but he went on. "If I'm too late to catch him, or f-fail to convince him... he'll be heading there. The bad news is we're very close to figuring out how to break the seal on the summit." Seal? … Was it anything like the field that surrounded the boundary line? Hm… "The good news is he and Courtney will be traveling on foot if they go, so hopefully you have time."
Right, Entei was reserved for emergencies, wasn't she? Sera wondered if she should ask again about the beast, but she didn't imagine the answer would differ much from last time...
"If you can beat him there… Maybe you could take the Orbs before he'd have the chance? Though I suppose probably not…" A few moments passed. "Heh. But hell, who knows? Maybe someone like you could reach the summit..."
Sera blinked. "Someone like me?"
"Isn't that how old-timey magic shit usually works? Only the 'pure of heart' may enter, or something equally ridiculous?" The eyeroll that followed felt equal parts condescending and affectionate, and Sera found herself laughing softly.
"Right, I sometimes forget you're a nerd under all that ego," she teased.
"Excuse you? You dare to insinuate that I, Tabitha, have too large an ego? The very notion is… unforgivable!"
Sera was 90%... maybe 80% sure he was playing that up on purpose, but the 10-20% doubt just made it even more amusing. "Exhibit A," she teased. "Though I'm afraid if it actually was 'magic' involved, that's more Morgan's thing than mine, allegedly."
"Insulting me and not even coming through? The nerve."
"My sincerest apologies," she feigned.
Oh, hey, the food was probably done. Sera grabbed a few bowls from her bag, dipping out servings for the two of them and all three present Pokemon. "Here you go, sweetie," she told Pelt as she took him his. "Would you like some, too?"
The Arcanine cocked his head and mumbled, What a strange human. Why ask me instead of him?
He seemed surprised when she quietly answered, "Because you're the one I'm offering it to, silly." He stared at her for a few moments, but gratefully accepted the food, then; and Sera moved back to sit with Flash and Tabitha. "... Heh. Sorry it's not as nice as our last meal together."
At first, Tabitha just shrugged and kept eating, but a few moments later he suddenly looked up and smirked. "Wait. So what you're saying is we only get to do nice things on my dollar?"
"W-what? No, I-" Joke. Right. Once she managed to calm that momentary panic, Sera flashed him a grin. "I mean, if you'd like, I could make it up to you later. I hear there's a surprisingly high-end sushi place in the Mauville Food Court~"
"Ahyahya.. Careful, that's sounding dangerously close to asking me out. Not that I could blame you."
Sera shrugged emphatically. "I mean I'm just returning the favor. Unless..." She put on a hurt expression. "Don't tell me you're embarrassed to be seen with me!"
Tabitha rolled his eyes. "Yes. I'm the one worried about that." Sera wore a wide if sheepish smile even as she winced. Glancing around, Tabitha added, "I guess you would pick somewhere super crowded, though. Do you ever eat alone?"
Sera blinked. "... Not if I can help it, no?"
Tabitha waited a bit longer to respond, but then, "Really? Hyuh. I guess I expected a witty retort."
"Oh. Eheh.. Sorry I guess? But no, I mean… Why should I? I have so many friends, and I don't like being alone."
Tabitha shrugged as he went back to eating. "Yeah, I guess that's fair."
Flash finished his food before making a comment, and Sera chuckled before reiterating for Tabitha's sake. "That's true. Strictly-alone is awful to me, but alone-together is another issue..~"
Would you like to be? Flash asked. Given the rigid, borderline draconic structure of his face, Sera wasn't really sure how he managed to quirk a brow, but boy he sure did manage it.
"Be what?" Oh hey she was… doing the thing. Should she stop that or did it matter if Tabitha knew? When did she start caring if anyone knew? Flash glanced between her and Tabitha. "... I-..."
Flash stretched and feigned a yawn. I think I'll get some rest. Have a nice night~ He moved over to her bag, then, and flashed her a quick smile before returning himself to his Pokeball.
"What was that about?" asked Tabitha.
Sera hoped the sound that escaped her didn't sound too nervous or awkward, but she couldn't really imagine what else it would have sounded like… "Iiii… guess he just wanted to get more comfortable," she lied. ..Then yawned herself, because apparently even fake yawns were contagious, dammit. That or it was just really late and she'd been halfway across Hoenn and back today, but it was probably a little of both.
"Mm. We should probably turn in soon ourselves… Tomorrow's going to be…..."
Sera watched him stare intently at what was left of their campfire, and she frowned. "Hey… Don't worry about Maxie for tonight. You said yourself, there should still be time before everything's in place. That means there's time to stop it, and stressing now won't help."
Tabitha sighed. "I guess." All the same he grabbed a stray stick in one gloved hand and started poking at the more smouldering parts of the fire. Such a grave expression didn't suit him...
Inviting the potential subject change, Sera broke down and asked, "Okay, I'm sorry, but how are you not sweating in all that?"
Tabitha shrugged. "Used to it, I guess."
No shit. Had Sera ever seen him without long sleeves? "...Well, hey~" She did want to keep his mind off the potentially impending apocalypse, and flirtatious teasing had been working before, right? … She.. may have also just welcomed the excuse. "Speaking of getting more comfortable…~"
Tabitha rolled his eyes. "I'm fine, thanks."
"Awww, no need to be shy~"
"Then why don't you," he said dryly.
That… was probably a joke about the fact that Sera didn't have much to take off, but the joke was on him. Sera's sleeveless, low-cut crop top honestly didn't cover much more than the sports bra under it, but it wasn't about how much skin was showing; it was about the principle. So she readily unclasped her cloak and let it fall behind her before pulling off her shirt and smirking. "Does this mean it's your turn?"
That Tabitha wound up staring didn't surprise her, but that his stare seemed more bewildered than enticed- and that his eyes seemed to linger on her face more than her chest- certainly did. She'd have been equally happy with him agreeing or just getting flustered, but she hadn't expected this... The stunned silence was just starting to make her uncomfortable when he started laughing. "Wow…"
"W-...wow what?" Did… she do something wrong?
"You're really dedicated to this joke, aren't you?"
"Iiiii…" Her face heated.
He shook his head. "Just for curiosity's sake, here.. Exactly how far would you have dragged it out if I didn't catch on?"
"I…" Sera averted her gaze. "Hadn't really… planned that far…"
"Humor me," he implored dryly. "What do you think it would have been?"
She fidgeted a bit, her face growing brighter. "I.. don't, uh… If… you want me to be completely honest…" Her voice was getting weaker. "Probably… you telling me to stop?"
His smile fell away. "...I think I misheard you." When she didn't say anything else, he asked, "..And if I didn't?" Sera forced a weak, almost pained smile at him and half-shrugged. … "Ahya? You're… serious, aren't you."
"I, just…" Her voice was little more than a squeak, and she paused to take a breath and ground herself before continuing. "I don't… tend to think of it as being a big deal, and..." At least until other people tried to make it one, ugh… "And, I mean… I.. do, actually, sort of, like you… s-so… Yeah, if… you'd wanted to..."
His laugh now wasn't quite disbelieving, but carried much of the same vibe, and he covered his face. "Wow…"
Regret levels… rising… "I-I mean. I'm, not, asking, or anything, either. If you don't, I mean…" She pulled her hair in front of her face and whimpered. "You don't have to laugh…"
But he continued to do so. "No, you don't-... It's not you that's so damn ridiculous. Gods… I mean. It is you, too, but this. Entire situation… Un-fucking-believable."
"What's unbelievable?" Sera half-snapped, half pouted.
"Where do I start? I'm on my way to turn against the person to whom I've devoted nearly half my life. Who may or may not be actively planning to trigger an apocalypse. Camping out in the uncharted wilds, without orders and without my team. Having ridden here on a Latios. Which is owned by Professor Birch's annoying, self-righteous brat. Who has apparently started growing on me, despite her standing against Team Magma's goals- my goals- on multiple occasions. And now, in the midst of all this, an obnoxiously cute girl is trying to get me out of my clothes." Sera glanced up to see him shaking his head, still smiling. "Do you see where maybe this has crossed the line from stupid to just hilarious?"
Sera's blush brightened. "... Y-yeah, I… guess so. ...Heh…"
"Just… The number of things happening all at once that I didn't imagine ever would. It's… Inconceivable. If I didn't laugh..."
Sera's brain was still racing to process everything. How often did people come out here? Was it strictly out of necessity or was this land more potentially habitable than Devon made it out to be? Did he really still find her that annoying? He... thought she was cute? … "Wait. Are uh…" Surely she was just… misinterpreting him, but she really should be sure. "Are you saying, you've... never slept with a girl?"
"Are you saying you're surprised?" He cocked an eyebrow. "Of course, between my rugged, sculpted body, my incredibly doting personality, and having so much free time, I'm sure it's hard to imagine."
Sera wanted to appreciate the self-deprecating humor, or maybe argue that she honestly found him adorable, but she was far too preoccupied by, "Gods… I didn't- I am… so sorry if that came off as uh. Any sort of. Pressure, or uh, taunting? O-or…"
No, wait, why did he look even more amused, this was not- "Ahya. You know I didn't say I'm a virgin, right?"
… "Shit…" Sera covered her face and muffled a small scream. When she came out of hiding, she avoided his gaze, standing and turning way. "I just- Nope. I need to go to bed before I stick my foot any farther in my mouth tonight, I-"
Tabitha, having trouble breathing from laughing at this point, moved to grab her wrist to stop her. "Sera, relax," he managed to say. "I'm bi."
"...Oh." Though still deeply embarrassed, she let him guide her as she sat back down, and realized she'd ended up right next to him. "Do you uh… prefer guys, though?"
He shrugged. "Not really? I don't know if that's just coincidence or if I'm close enough to a bear to draw some of that crowd. Not that I've had a lot of experience even then. Work has always come first, and until recently I had two full-time jobs. Usually tending to Magma's interpersonal affairs constitutes my social life."
"Does that get lonely?"
He blinked. "Not really. I thrive in that sort of environment." He gave a confident grin. "You're looking at the next Chief Admin of Team Magma, you know!"
Sera laughed weakly. "Is there any difference between that and a regular Admin?" The indignant look Tabitha gave her in response got a stronger laugh out of her. "I'm uh… still… really sorry that this got so… awkward, I guess…"
"Well, don't be." He wrapped an arm around her in a vague approximation of a hug. "You know, you're pretty ridiculous…" He looked away and shrugged as he faux-grudgingly admitted, "But I suppose you're actually not so bad, for such an annoying kid."
Sera laughed softly. "Well.. You're not so bad for such an elitist prick."
He glanced back to her now with a challenging smirk. "And you're not so bad for a battle-loving brat."
She leaned in to meet his challenge. "You're not so bad for a stuffy science-y egghead."
"You're not so bad for an airhead who uses the word 'science-y'."
"You're not so bad for a textbook villain."
He wrapped his other arm around her waist. "You're not so bad for someone who sucks at comebacks."
She wrapped both her arms around his neck. "You're not so bad for-..." … Shit. "I… I swear I didn't run out on purpose."
"Ahyahya! Called it." That or implanting the idea that she would caused her to feel suddenly on the spot and blank, but, you know, whatever…
"Ass…" She rolled her eyes affectionately. "Sssooo. Hey." She grinned mischievously. "Have you ever kissed a girl before?"
… "Hyeh. Once, actually," he answered. "There's sort of a story to that…"
"...Oh?" Sera hoped she hadn't touched a sore spot, but she didn't have to worry about it long.
"But I do hope this story will play out better." He leaned in and kissed her softly, and when he started to pull away, Sera moved to straddle his lap and kissed him more deeply. He readily accepted the shift, wrapping his arms tighter around her. She ran her hands through his hair, her body pressing against his. Tabitha broke the kiss again, this time to lean down and gently bite her neck, getting a small moan out of her.
She would have considered doing the same, eventually, but it seemed there was a small problem with that plan. Breath hot on his ear, she murmured, "We've really gotta do something about that turtleneck…"
"Heh… I would say we need to do something about our audience, first."
Sera gave a small whine and pouted, but agreed. So she momentarily brought out Tank to extinguish what was left of the fire before recalling him again, while Tabitha briefly checked on Arcanine's injuries and recalled him. Pelt had to stay, but Sera had set up her tent at least- as much to avoid sleeping on the ground directly as out of pure habit- so unless they preferred a blaring alarm or to swap him out for a telepath, that was about the best that could be done about that. For what it was worth, the Extrasensory aura provided a dim ambient light that was hardly unpleasant.
"So…" purred Sera, finally turning her attention back to Tabitha. "Where were we?" She leaned in to kiss him again, and as she pulled him into the tent, she started to unbutton his vest. ...Coat? Was it a sleeveless coat or a hooded vest. Both seemed dumb now that she thought about it. Who came up with this uniform, and how did something so impractical manage to look good on everyone?
"Oh hey, I… should probably mention," he said suddenly.
"Hm?" That was rarely a good thing to hear at this point. Sera was hesitant to ask, but did anyway: "What is it?"
"I have a lot of really noticeable scars and also a robotic arm."
"... What."
"I know it's not much difference at this point, but I thought it would be better to say something before you noticed for yourself." The low light made it hard to read his expression exactly, but Sera thought she detected some concern. "Unless you'd have a problem with that?"
"... Well. Actually, now I'm kind of torn," she admitted.
"What? Are you serious?"
It took every ounce of willpower to keep a straight face as she answered, "I mean, yeah. Because, see, now I'm really curious, and I do want explanations…" She finally cracked a grin and pulled his coat-vest the rest of the way off. Voice lower, she finished, "But I can think of so many better uses for your mouth."
The wave of relief that washed over him was so heavy that even she felt it. "Is that so… In that case, I'll have to do my best to oblige."
As the thought of their respective missions suddenly jolted through her mind, Sera shifted immediately from a dead sleep to jumbled consciousness, terrified she'd overslept.
When she felt a pair of warm arms wrapped around her, her panic subsided, and she considered maybe just lying here and enjoying it a little-... These arms and the body against her back were all too thin, and a lot warmer than- "Flash?"
Morning, beautiful, he greeted.
What the hell? She… didn't dream last night, did she? ...Ha. Oh, wait. "D'you decide to come out after Tabitha left?"
Heh. Actually, he released me.
"Really?"
I like this one, Flash said. He didn't want you to get cold.
"Oh.." Okay that was… cuter than expected. She'd definitely woken up to worse, and it wasn't like she could honestly blame him for running off, probably at the crack of dawn. It didn't mean on a personal level she couldn't still be a bit disappointed she didn't get to say goodbye, but she did under-
"You're still here?" Sure enough, as she opened the tent, she saw him sitting there, making breakfast.
"Yeah? Did you think I'd leave half dressed?" … Oh. There was his coat and sweater, huh. She hadn't even noticed those. … Well, obviously she wasn't going to let this opportunity to finally wear some Magma horns slip by. As she left the tent, she asked the time, and he answered, "Probably five or six, now…"
Earlier than she thought. Glancing outside the cave entrance, she could see now that it looked only just after dawn. She also caught a glimpse of one of the Krokorok standing guard, while the other snoozed atop the Krookodile. Heh.
As she came back inside, she asked, "Did… you not sleep?"
He shrugged. "More than I expected to, really." She nodded. "Arcanine's the one who really needed rest, though. As long as he's good to go, I'm used to running on nothing but determination for days." He wore his braggart's smile as he said that at first, but it weakened greatly as he thought to add, "Probably something I picked up from Maxie…"
The way he said that made Sera ache for him. "He… means a lot to you, doesn't he."
Tabitha grew quiet for almost a minute, and Sera wasn't quite sure what to do, but just sat patiently until at last he spoke. "Do you remember Sea Mauville?"
"Hm? O-only a little, I'm afraid. I was something like 6 or 7 when it closed down, so I remember hearing a lot about it for a while, and I know it was a big deal, but not… really any details, no."
"Mm… It was a facility where we gathered Infinity Energy- the source that's made every major advancement in the past two decades possible," he explained. That much Sera more or less knew, but she appreciated the pretext.
"It's no accident that I oversee all Team Magma's research departments, or that I was the one who worked for Devon. I've always been superbly gifted in scientific studies. They called me a child genius. And when I was 14, I got an internship at Sea Mauville. At the time, it seemed like a dream come true…" Why did Sera get the feeling that it became a nightmare?
"You can't imagine the politics that went on there. Workers were encouraged to never ask questions, never complain. 'Rule Number Nine: Don't expect time off before you retire. Rule Number Ten: No need to think. Just work unceasingly.' Needless to say, some of the superior officers did think, regardless."
"I'd hope so," Sera commented. "That sounds awful."
"Hyeh, that's barely the surface. But while nearly everyone agreed that something needed to change, opinions on exactly what that was varied greatly.
"Eventually, one side got tired of waiting. New Mauville had already been cancelled, and it looked like Sea Mauville might not last much longer, but they weren't taking any chances. I was barely 15 when they blew up about a third of the facility." Sera followed his gaze to the scars that littered much of his torso. "If any credit can be given to the bastards, it was that they waited until the slowest hour of the night, when the fewest people would be at risk. But… This isn't a good measure of damage; it's just what's still visible after all these years. And some workers didn't get out as lucky as I did...
"I still have trouble believing I made it out so lucky. My right arm was crushed, and I was pinned. But I guess Arceus was merciful, because Maxie found me. At the cost of my arm, he pulled me out of the flames. And, eventually, he helped me get a new one. So…" He lifted the limb in question, flexing his fingers for emphasis. The entire arm roughly matched his complexion, and at a glance from a distance could probably be mistaken for natural. But up close it was pretty obvious, both in appearance and the way it moved, to a point that being a little more realistic would have dipped it straight into the Uncanny Valley.
"Maxie didn't just save me. He gave me a new life, on numerous levels. And I've spent my entire life since proudly serving as his… right hand, if you'll pardon the pun." Sera wanted to laugh, but the air felt too heavy.
"They make more realistic stuff, now, you know… Robotics so humanoid you'd never notice if you didn't know to look for it. Hell, you've probably seen some already without realizing it. But I've… never wanted anything like that. As much as I don't want people questioning it all the time, I've always wanted to be able to look at myself and be reminded of why I keep fighting. Of just how badly some people want to halt progress, and how much harder I need to fight to make sure it's achieved. But…"
He sighed and slumped forward, and Sera moved behind him to rub his shoulders. "I understand, or as best as I can, I think… It's gotta be hard to stand against someone you've stood by for so long. But…"
He tried to force a smile, but it came out contagiously painful. "If that was all it was…" He rested his face against one hand. "I am well aware that it's absurd to think that even someone such as I stands a chance of catching Maxie's eye in anything but the most professional setting, yet I... keep finding that factoring into my concerns."
"Oh…" Sera draped herself across his back and hugged him tight. "I'm sorry, sweetie. But you're doing the right thing."
"I hope so," he sighed.
She kissed his cheek. "I believe in you."
"Hyeh…"
"Is… there something else?"
"Mmm… Just… a related concern that's been on my mind this morning." He hesitated a few moments, but soon abandoned his reservations. "As you likely recall, I mentioned last night a story about a girl."
"Oh? Yeah?" Sera moved to sit beside him now and listened attentively. She wasn't really sure how this would be related, but she was happy to know more about him whatever the case.
"I had a crush on her for a while, but I was always too professional to talk to her unless it was strictly business."
"Do you mean too shy?" Sera teased lightly.
"I didn't ask for your judgment." But she caught a small hint of a smile. "She certainly wasn't, though. She was bold and brilliant, and I have to admit that for a time, I was rather thoroughly smitten.
"Then came Devon's annual holiday party. There was mistletoe and entirely too much alcohol involved on both sides. I would have been fine with leaving it at that, honestly. But the next day, to my surprise, she apologized to me, and we started talking. My romantic interest soon waned in favor of our rapidly developing friendship. I didn't want anything from her anymore. I just enjoyed her company, and seeing her happy. I made a point to share whatever I had with her on a regular basis, be it food, or intel, or just what little time I could spare."
He gave a sound somewhere between a sigh and a growl. "And then, I bumped into her at Meteor Falls, wearing an Aqua Admin uniform."
"Oh." She reached over to- wait, was this his left? okay good- squeeze his hand. "I don't know what to say, but that sucks..."
"That's a bit of an understatement," he lightly snapped. "But I find myself wondering now… If we've been working so hard to awaken Groudon, does it not seem likely that Team Aqua has similar designs on Kyogre? It, too, is a super-ancient Pokemon capable of Primal Reversion, and just as potentially destructive as Groudon. Of course, I don't want to believe that Team Aqua has any chance of achieving their goals before ours, but… just in case…"
"I see…" Sera bit her lip. If he was right, they were in double jeopardy, and not the kind that came with extra prizes. No matter which side won their apparent race, humans and Pokemon alike could be at risk of extinction. Arceus forbid they both succeeded, though if there was any silver lining to this, it was that that particular possibility seemed very unlikely. "Well then… If you think she can make a difference, you know you have to tell her, right?"
This sound was more of a whining growl as he crossed his arms. "But… I. Don't.. Want... To…."
"... You don't really have to want to."
Huffing a sigh, he replied, "I know." Grudgingly, he pulled out his phone and began dialing a number. As soon as it started to ring, he hung up.
"... You're going to tell me you guys have some kind of 'ring once, wait, and call back' system for emergencies or something, right?"
"... N-no, I just… really really don't want to." Sera glared, and Tabitha rolled his eyes. "I'm going, sheesh." He dialed again, and this time waited until she picked up.
Sera could hear her: "Sorry, I really need to clean up my contacts. Which 'Dumbass' was this, again?"
He bit his tongue to keep from retaliating, saying instead, "S-shell, it's… Tabby. Please don't hang up."
There was a long pause accompanied by some shuffling sounds. Then it went quiet. Sera was already trying to figure out how to convince him to try again when she finally asked, tone hushed and more serious, "Wha'd'you need?"
He breathed a sigh of relief. "There's something you really need to look into..."
Once they were talking, Sera quickly ate and started packing up camp, as well as swapped Pelt back out for a well-rested Sapphron.
It occurred to her that she really hoped their interference with her Nav was actually blocking all signals and not just keeping it quiet. She had to assume it was, based both on the visual evidence and on the fact she hadn't been tracked down during the night, but paranoia was rarely quieted by reason alone. And she could just imagine the backlash from both literally and figuratively sleeping with the enemy, ha…
Though she supposed a more realistic fear was getting to the point she could no longer pretend he was an enemy… Hopefully, though, there wouldn't be a need for much longer. Either Team Magma would transition into a more by-the-book organization, or it would disband, or Sera would finish her challenge and have an easier time associating with whomever she pleased without constant media attention, or...
Well, she wouldn't consider other possibilities right now.
As she finished putting her tent away, Tabitha approached. "I'm gonna need that back, you know."
"Need what?" ...She never got properly dressed, did she. "Oh wow," Sera awed. "This is a lot more cool and comfortable than I imagined."
"Really." It wasn't a question. "I would never have guessed. I, Tabitha, who explicitly designed the fabric to both be fashionable and provide protection while avoiding overheating, had no idea that Team Magma's uniforms are objectively some of the best clothes available anywhere."
Sera barely stifled her laugh. "I mean when you put it that way, I might not give it back." Tabitha crossed his arms and leered, and Sera stuck out her tongue. "Maybe if you promise to get me one of my own, some time…"
He seemed legitimately surprised by that. "I'll… see what I can do."
She returned his coat at last, and both finished getting dressed and getting everything in order to leave. He released Arcanine, and she confirmed Sapphron was ready.
"I guess this is it, then… Good luck. You know, with Maxie."
He nodded. "You too, should you need it."
Sera put on a smirk and shrugged. "I dunno, I am pretty great… But I suppose accepting extra luck couldn't hurt…"
He rolled his eyes. "Ass."
She moved closer and teased, "You know you like it."
He raised an eyebrow. "Yes, of course I do."
She loudly squeaked as he grabbed her ass, and she really wondered why she didn't see that coming. With a soft laugh, she wrapped her arms around him and leaned up to kiss him. That dragged on a little longer than she meant it to, and when it finally broke, she murmured, "H-hey… Tabitha?"
"Hyum…?"
"I realize we probably won't see each other for a while, with everything that's happening, but… I really do want to see you again."
She half-expected an arrogant retort about who wouldn't want to see him again, but instead she got a calm, "I'm sure you will."
"Heh. W-what I mean, though, is…" There were probably people worse at this sort of thing than her, but Sera really didn't know of any. Finally, she opted to just smile and say, "I still intend to take you out for sushi, so you'd better be planning for that."
"I-I uh…" He started to pull away, to her dismay. "I can… see if I can find time…" he mumbled.
Sera's face lit once more. "You know, my schedule is pretty flexible and I'm very patient. There's no rush."
He smiled and relaxed again at that. "Good to know."
As he climbed up on Arcanine and she on Sapphron, another thought occurred. "Mmmaybe…" He looked to her questioningly. "If everything goes really well, maybe you and Maxie and I could have dinner some time?"
That suggestion earned the most genuine smile she'd seen from him yet. "That sounds like a date."
