Nate can't stop laughing. Beside him, Hugh is seething. He immediately regrets telling him that story.

And it's not just Nate. Their opponents, a backpacker and a biker, are also in hysterics.

"Dude," the biker wipes a tear from his eye, "you. Touched. Her. Boob. Dude!"

Hugh just stands there, simmering quietly. He could punch Nate right now and retire from the Battle Subway.

Or, he could use some of the lessons he'd learnt over the past year and not let his anger get the best of him.

Although Plan A sounds tempting, he sticks with Plan B. It's the way Rosa would have expected him to behave, if she was still with him.

If she was still with him…

His train of thought is derailed by a loud ringing sound. Hugh notices Nate unhook his Xtransceiver from his belt loop. However, Nate does not answer it and silences it instead, a grim expression on his face. Hugh watches a pretty, pink-haired girl's image disappear from the screen.

"What was that?" he says sharply. This event has piqued his interest. Nate doesn't seem like the kind of person with girl problems. But the mere thought of him and Nate being in the same boat makes Hugh feel a little better.

"Nobody," replies Nate sullenly. The two move on to the next car.

"Didn't look like nobody to me," says Hugh, failing to keep the mockery out of his voice. It isn't like him to pry into somebody else's business, but if there's one thing his journey has taught him, it's to get his head out of his ass and realize that other people have problems, too.

"I don't want to talk about it," says Nate, sounding suspiciously like Hugh.

"Did you get into a fight with her?" Hugh asks, raising his eyebrows. He waits for the other boy to reply, but Nate is silent.

Oh, well. Can't say he didn't try.

"'Cause I know what that's like," he says sadly, staring into the distance.

Seven months ago

Hugh hid behind the billboard, listening intently.

"Ugh, I can't stand this anymore!" complained the Plasma grunt. "How much longer do we have to wait here?"

"Shut up," hissed another harshly. "The others will be back soon. Quit your whining."

Hugh gritted his teeth. Trust Team Plasma to show up in Nimbasa City just as he was almost finished up here. It seemed like everywhere he went Team Plasma was around, causing trouble. And since he had already decided to wipe out every last one of them from Unova, he wasn't going to let these idiots get away.

Although he wanted to wipe the ground with their stupid Team Plasma faces, he knew that wasn't a smart move. There were four of them and only one of him, and he had no idea how strong they were. Luckily, he had his trusty partner-in-crime tagging along right behind him.

Rosa was skipping along outside the Pokémon Center, her brown hair flying in the breeze. She was singing softly to herself. Hugh couldn't help smiling; a happy Rosa was the most adorable sight in the world.

He decided it was time for action.

"Hold it!" he announced, jumping out from his hiding place. "What are you guys up to here anyway?"

The grunts jumped in shock. Then they saw Hugh and sighed with relief. "Oh. It's just a kid."

Hugh growled. His hand itched to release his Pokémon, but he restrained himself.

"We're just standing here," said one of the grunts.

Hugh's hands balled into fists. Did he look like a fool to them? They were obviously up to no good.

"So what did we do to you that you're bothering us with questions?" continued the grunt.

Hugh narrowed his eyes. "You didn't do anything. Not to me, at least…" His fingers curled around his Poké Ball. "But I can never forgive Pokémon thieves like you!"

The grunts blinked in confusion. "What?"

"Just to let you know," Hugh's voice was louder now. "You're about to feel my rage!"

"Yeesh," said another grunt, shaking his head. "Trainers sure are unruly these days."

"Is that it?" added a third grunt. "You're mistaking your Pokémon's strength for your own?" She rolled her eyes. "I couldn't care less for a runt like you, but I don't like being messed with!"

Hugh's eyes darted around for Rosa. He hoped she was around, ready to have his back. To his annoyance, he saw that she was still behind the Pokémon Center, gabbing away on her Xtransceiver. He facepalmed.

"Rosa!" he yelled. Startled, Rosa turned towards him, her eyes widening when she noticed the Team Plasma grunts.

"Cover me!" he instructed, swiping out his Poké Ball from his belt. He would deal with Rosa's carelessness later. "Pidove, go!"

Hugh took on two of the grunts one by one, while the other two waited for Rosa to reach them. He was extremely irritated. Rosa had promised to have his back at all times, hadn't she? It wasn't like her Xtransceiver was more important than beating Team Plasma. Who was she talking to, anyway? He hoped it wasn't a guy.

Hugh and Rosa finished off the four grunts easily in a matter of minutes. The grunts cursed the trainers under their breath and retreated quickly.

Hugh waited for them to leave before he could unleash his rage again. "What was that?" he snapped.

"Excuse me?" retorted Rosa. "What's with that tone? Didn't you just see me beat those guys?"

"Why were you so distracted?" he said, furious. "You're supposed to back me up whenever I need you to!"

"I was on a call," replied Rosa, annoyed. Her eyes lit up. "This guy Curtis, I found his Xtransceiver, so he- "

"I DON'T CARE!" bellowed Hugh. "What is wrong with you? How can you be so careless when Team Plasma's still on the loose?"

"What is your problem?" screeched Rosa. "They weren't even doing anything! You just ambushed them because you felt like it!"

Hugh couldn't believe this. He was livid. He felt the sudden urge to sink his fist into a wall.

"So you're taking their side now?" His voice was dangerously low. "Is that it, Rosa? You wanna join Team Plasma?"

Rosa gasped. A couple of passersby who were watching the fight with interest also gasped.

"How dare you," said Rosa slowly, her voice filled with venom.

"I'm surprised you didn't follow them out now, begging for a registration form." continued Hugh sarcastically.

"Hugh," she hissed through gritted teeth.

"In fact, why don't you and Curtis start stealing Pokémon too, like Bonnie and Clyde?" he jeered. "Go on, Bonnie. You're wasting so much time talking to me when you could be out there, stealing Pokémon from helpless little kids. With your precious Curtis." He made sure he hissed out that last word with as much bitterness as he could muster.

This was evidently too much for Rosa to take. She stormed off towards the amusement park. Hugh watched her leave, his shoulders quivering with rage.

Hugh just stood there, panting. Serves her right, he thought. How dare she slack off when Team Plasma was at large? Stupid Rosa and stupid Team Plasma and stupid Curtis…

After a few minutes of standing alone in the middle of the street, his knees buckled. "Oh, man," he whispered to himself. "What have I done?"

He spotted Rosa next to the roller coaster, sitting by herself on a park bench. Her cheeks were stained with dried tears. She refused to look at him as he sat next to her.

"Please go away," she said coldly. "Only Team Plasma members can sit here."

Hugh sighed. "I'm sorry." he whispered,

"I don't care," she replied. She stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go join my precious Curtis and steal some Pokémon."

"Wait!" he pleaded, grabbing her wrist. It was very difficult for him to apologize, but he couldn't stand seeing Rosa sad. "Rosa, please," he mumbled. "I'm sorry I yelled at you before and called you a Team Plasma member."

Rosa said nothing and continued to give him a stony gaze.

"It's very important that I beat Team Plasma." he continued.

Still nothing.

He sighed. Of course Rosa didn't understand how important it was that Team Plasma was defeated – she wasn't there that day. She didn't know what it felt like to be tied down and helpless.

And so Hugh found himself telling Rosa the secret he'd kept hidden from her all these years.

"Five years ago, Team Plasma stole my little sister's Purrloin." he explained. "It had been given to her as a present. I was only a little kid... I couldn't do anything..."

Rosa inhaled sharply. She immediately realized what Hugh was talking about. Five years ago. Hana's birthday. Hugh was so upset he refused to speak to her all day. She always thought it was because she had arrived late, but…

"Hugh," she whispered. She wrapped him into a tight hug. The sweet smell of Gracidea floated around him and Hugh momentarily hovered in the air, his heart soaring. "I had no idea…"

"So…so that's why I have to get stronger!" he continued, gently pulling away. He smiled at her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Here," He pulled out a Super Potion from his backpack and handed it to her.

"Thanks, Hugh," said Rosa warmly. She bit her lip hesitantly. "I'm sorry, too."

Hugh shook his head. "Let's forget about it, alright? We have more important things to worry about. You fill up that Pokédex. Keep getting stronger and stronger, and back me up! I'll be counting on you from here on out, too!"

"You got it, Chief!" Rosa saluted him.

He booped her on the nose and walked away. His heart way flying – presumably due to the lightened load confessing his secrets had led to. The memory of her Gracidea scent filled his head, and he smiled. Rosa, Rosa, Rosa. What was she doing to him?