Gain Of Trust
CHAPTER 9
"Are you...serious...?" Max was at a loss for words. His sister only smiled in response, admiring the pokeball in her hand which held her new helping partner.
"Crazy, right? You may have befriended a jirachi and deoxys, but I caught Kyurem!" May grinned to her brother, knowing it was guaranteed to get under his skin. And it sure did.
"I cannot believe this! I know we came to ask for its help, but why did you out of everyone get to catch it?!" Max began babbling incoherently about his sister capturing a legendary, followed by the odds of such a feat, followed by just jealous rambling.
"But that is so seriously amazing, May! I can't believe how lucky you are!" Dawn quickly hugged her friend, the brunette returning the hug.
"It sure is, May. You really are lucky to have been able to catch it," Brock stated.
"Or letalone surviving it," Gary added, the brunette scratching the back of her head sheepishly.
"I know, you have no idea how terrifying it was talking to it down there in the dark. I had no idea it was even Kyurem at first, it was just a voice in my head, but then this whole ice wall melted and then I saw Kyurem and I froze up, but then it started going on about how I proved myself worthy and it was just so scary but awesome," the others laughed as the brunette poorly told her story, leaving them desperate for details to connect the events she had mentioned.
"Well, regardless, it's good to see you're doing okay," Brock put a hand on his old friend's shoulder with a smile, the brunette returning the smile.
"Thanks, it's good to be back. Now it's time to go get Ash back."
"I...I can't believe you've never told us that story, Jack...and Leader, even you've never mentioned how you and Jack met."
"It was never important, so I never brought it up."
"...Right..."
"...So even when you first met Leader, you were an idiot?"
"Seriously, Trevor? That's what you took from that?"
"Well it didn't exactly answer the initial question now, did it?"
"...Alright, point taken..."
"Just stop dancing around it, Jack, what's going on?" Trevor asked sternly, arms crossed. Jack crossed his arms behind his head again, glancing away with a light sigh.
"Like I said-"
"'Things would never be the same again', yeah, yeah, that's getting old now," Lexi cut in, hands on her hips. "Seriously, Leader, can't you just tell us? Jack isn't giving us anything."
"...It's not my place to say," Leader replied, only confusing Lexi and Trevor further. He put his hands in his pockets, looking towards Jack. "You know they have a point, Jack. There's no sense in drawing this out any further, you're only making them more suspicious at this point."
"And I'm fine with that," the three looked surprised at Jack's words. "Like I said, it doesn't matter if you guys don't trust me. All that matters is that you support Leader and help him if he needs it, because the two of you can help him more than I can do alone. Same goes for the others."
"But why are you willing to throw yourself under the bus to just keep the truth from us?!" Lexi asked desperately, but the man only smiled as he looked towards the sky.
"...Hey, Leader...Remember when you first figured it out and asked me about it?"
"...Of course I do..."
"Let me ask you...You made two promises to me that day, in return for me promising to not tell Pikachu."
"Yeah, I remember...You made me swear to never tell the others the truth..."
"And...you remember the other one, too...right...?"
"...I could never forget it, Jack...You know that..."
"Then you know telling them would only cause more obstacles," Jack flashed a weak smirk to Leader, who could see that the man was trying to uphold a confident front. But inside... "...Come on, Leader, don't give me that look. We both knew it was a matter of time, looks like it just-"
"Don't you dare say it!" the three jumped at Leader's sudden outburst. Jack actually flinched, eyes wide in shock as Leader suddenly moved towards him, grabbing his shoulders and staring him in the eye. Jack was beyond surprised, but above all else, what really shocked him most was his eyes. He saw something that he had not seen from Leader almost since they first met, since he always made an effort to hide it. Leader was showing his emotions.
"Leader...Hey, come on, you're gonna show weakness in front of these guys..." Jack whispered, giving a weak chuckle. Leader didn't budge.
"...Never joke about that..." adding on to the shock, everyone watched Leader pull Jack into a hug. "...The time has not come early, and it will not come for a long time, you hear me? We're gonna finish what we started, together, and with everyone. Not just you, not with the others excluding you, all of us. We are doing this together."
"...Why...?" Lexi stared at Jack in confusion, the worry in her chest growing. She unknowingly clutched a fist close to her chest. "...Why is he so desperate to not tell us the truth...? What is going on...?"
"...Leader," the man heard Trevor's voice, but did not pull away from his relative. "...You said that the truth will make us obstacles, but it won't make us hate Jack, is that right?"
"...I know you have no reason to believe me, Trevor, but it really is the truth," Leader replied, pulling away from Jack. He turned towards Trevor, putting a hand on Jack's head. "It may seem like a heartless lie directed towards you guys, but there really is no ill intent by it. Jack cares more about each of you than I do."
"Excuse me?/W-What?!" Trevor and Lexi couldn't help but react bewildered. Leader smirked, removing his hand from Jack's head and slapping his back, knocking him towards the pair.
"Out of everyone in this family, he cares the most. So you should be thanking him for bringing us all together, because without him, I never would've committed to looking for each of you," the pair stared at Jack, expecting a rebuttal to Leader's words. "So please don't hold this against him. Even if just a little longer...Please trust him."
"...Is he...Is that really true, Jack?" Lexi asked slowly. Jack lowered his head in embarrassement, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. Trevor eyed him carefully.
"...Arceus, you're actually blushing..."
"S-Shut up! This is embarrassing, you jerk!"
"And now you sound like Lexi here."
"Hey!/What?!"
"Just sayin', a lame insult comeback? That's totally Lexi's play."
"What the hell, Trevor?! We're on the same side here!"
"I know, I just couldn't help but mess with him. I mean come on, he's blushing!"
"I said shut up!"
"And even if it is hilarious, that also means it's true then, right?"
"...oi..."
"And there's your answer, Lex'," Trevor moved his hands to his hips, giving a sigh as he looked up at the sky above them. Lexi only stared at Jack curiously, the man taking notice and feeling more embarrassed.
"...Fine, alright?! It's true, I care about you guys! Obviously I care! You guys are the only real family I've ever had, you and Krystal, and Gina, and Webb, and Mason! You're the only family I have to go back to so no crap I care about every-" the man was cut short, losing his voice halfway as he felt a pair of arms embrace him tightly.
"L-Lex'?!"
"Be quiet, idiot," she mumbled, the man only able to give his questioning look to her blonde hair beside his face. Slowly, he couldn't help but break into a smile.
"You're calling me the idiot, pinky...?"
"Damn right I am."
"And out comes the cute nicknames," the pair's cheeks flushed instantly, both shooting a glare at Trevor who was grinning to taunt them. "Idiot and pinky, the couple of the century-"
"Shut up, Trevor!" the man smiled, turning away from the embracing pair and moving towards Leader. Leader was watching the pair as well, and similar to Trevor, he wore a suspicious smirk.
"So then, what's the play?" Trevor asked, Leader glancing towards him.
"...You're still willing to follow me, then?"
"Of course I am, I decided that before coming here."
"Then what about Jack?"
"...I'd be lying if I said I trusted him completely...Though you have a point about family."
"So is that your way of showing that you care as well, Trevor?"
"You will never get me to express concern for them until the day I die," the pair shared a brief heartfelt laugh. "...You know the others will choose to follow as well, don't you?"
"Of course not. I have no idea what they'll choose to do," Leader looked towards the sky, feeling his lips curl into a smile. "I enlisted them to express themselves how they choose, after all. To choose their own life."
"Well, I can tell you for a fact that they'll come back. Soon, in fact," Leader gave Trevor a curious look, noticing the younger man holding his cell phone and wiggling it slightly in the air. "All four of them are en route, as of 20 minutes ago."
"...And you waited that long to mention it..." Trevor smiled, receiving a light knock on his arm from Leader as he moved past him. "Alright, you two, break it up. Jack, what if Krystal saw you like this?"
"Shut up, Leader!" the pair soon after parted, the blonde flashing a grin.
"Yeah, idiot, wouldn't want to make your crush jealous," she said teasingly, Jack giving her an odd look.
"...You are...joking, right?"
"Oh, come on, you are so obvious around her. You think no one could tell?"
"...No...? Wait, who all knows?"
"Everyone, you idiot."
"Everyone?! Wait, even Gina?!"
"Of course she knows, she's like Krystal's older sister! She watches her like a guardian, you think she wouldn't notice that you keep trying to get closer to her?"
"...Arceus, I'm screwed..."
"Damn right you are," Lexi laughed, punching him on the arm. Jack shot a glare back at the blonde.
"Alright, break it up," Leader moved between the pair, startling them. "Jack, go back to camp and get some rest. You look like you're gonna start crying right here and now."
"Oh, shut up, I do not," Jack rolled his eyes, stepping away and towards the treeline which lead back to camp.
"Trevor, Lexi...I want to apologize again, to both of you," Leader started, the pair glancing to each other before each holding up a hand.
"You don't have to, Leader, you know I'll follow you anywhere," Trevor said.
"Yeah, same here. I may not understand what's really going on with you and Jack, and right now I feel almost like I never will, but that won't stop me from staying with you," Lexi added with a smile.
"...Thanks, you two. Really," the pair each returned a smile to Leader, who smiled back. "Alright then, camp's that way, guys. If the others contacted Trevor 20 minutes ago, that probably means they'll be here not too long from now."
"Or they're already here!" the three looked up, noticing a few flying-type pokemon descending to the ground. Riding on their backs were two familar men. "Sorry we're late, Leader!"
"No need, I suppose you're right on time," Leader smiled, watching the two men drop to their feet and recall their pokemon. "I thought Trevor said that you had Krystal and Gina with you?"
"Oh, we do. They were just fighting on the way and...well, we couldn't really take it, it started getting very personal," Mason shrugged, Webb only giving a sigh and a nod in agreement.
"I see..." Leader couldn't help but smile. That was his team alright.
"What do you mean, you protected me?!"
"Exactly how it sounds. The guy was only trying to get you in bed."
"There is no way that is true! Even so, you think I'm dumb enough to fall for that and not realize it?!"
"Well, you seemed pretty eager once he mentioned the buffet..."
"YOU NEVER BOUGHT ME LUNCH THAT DAY!"
"Aaand even after we left them in the dust, their voices were still ringing in my ears..." Webb poked a finger into his ear with another sigh, everyone looking up to see another bird descending to the ground. Krystal hopped off the side, stomping away from her friend with a huff.
"I cannot believe you still don't think that was your fault!"
"For not buying you lunch? If I recall correctly, Krys', at that time, we were living on the streets."
"Oh, don't even think I'll buy that! You think I don't remember that was the same week that you suddenly 'found' that flashy jacket?!"
"...To be honest, no, I didn't think you remembered," Gina responded calmly, infuriating the icy-blunette further. The girl was surprised to feel a hand on her head, turning to see Leader smiling at her.
"Now, now, seeing you two fight spells nothing good for the rest of us," he told her, the girl's anger instantly being replaced with embarrassement as her cheeks flushed.
"L-Leader! What are you talking about?!" Krystal quickly moved away from him, now standing beside Gina and wrapping an arm around her with an obviously fake smile. "Come on, we're the best of friends! We're sisters, look at us!"
"You are seriously concerning me right now..." Gina said quietly, Krystal quickly shooting her a glare as if to say 'we'll finish this later'.
"Good to have you all back, guys," Lexi smiled, her friends returning the smiles.
"And I suppose Jack must be close by as well?" Mason asked, crossing his arms. Webb, Krystal and Gina seemed to nearly flinch at the mention of his name.
"Yeah, he's in Leader's camp just through the trees there," Trevor pointed in the direction where the man had disappeared to. "And don't bother asking for the truth, neither of them are gonna budge on it. Trust us."
"Yeah, unfortunately he's right," Lexi gave a weak smile, the other three exchanging concerned glances.
"I know you all are wondering about the truth, but like Trevor mentioned, I have no right to tell you. That's up to Jack," Leader stated, the newcomers giving a puzzled look. "But, I can say one thing for sure. You all took a long journey to find me here, so I know between what happened earlier and Krystal and Gina's fighting, you all must be exhausted."
"You got that right," Mason sighed, Krystal shooting him a glare. Leader gave a chuckle.
"Come on, camp is this way. Let's get you guys set up."
3/4 year ago, 3 months after meeting Mason & Webb...
"What do you mean, we're camping out here?!"
"Exactly what those words mean, Jack, now quit whining."
"Yeah, loser, man up. Can't handle a little cold?"
"Not past frickin' negative 30! You're insane!"
"You are such a child, it's great out here," Krystal smiled and held her arms out as if to embrace the frigid air that washed over her body. The group of six heavy coat-wearing companions was currently enjoying the lovely frigid weather just to the west of Sinnoh's Snowpoint City, journeying the barely-visible path towards Lake Acuity. Ash gave a sigh, glancing back at the man from beneath his jacket's hood.
"I told you to take the heavy jacket!" he called back, Jack giving a roll of his eyes.
"Yeah, and go broke? I'd rather not have to sell my organs, thank you," Jack replied sarcastically, rubbing the arms of his rather thinner coat compared to the rest of them. This earned him a sympathetic slap on the back from one of the other men of the group.
"Don't worry, Jack, we're almost there!" Mason laughed, Jack giving another roll of his eyes in secret.
"I know you said this was for training, but was bringing Jack really necessary, Leader?" Gina gave a light sigh, making Ash give a chuckle.
"Come on, Gina, with his around, consider your training already started," Ash told her, Krystal beginning to hop through the snow happily.
"Come on, we're going so slow! Can I go ahead?" she asked giddily, unable to contain herself being surrounded by her favorite element. Ash couldn't help but smile, arching an eyebrow.
"Alright, but not too far," the icy-blunette turned on her heels at his first word, sprinting away with happy laughter. Ash gave Gina a concerned look. "She's...She doesn't ever get into trouble when she's like this, does she?"
"Not usually. Unless there are wild ice-type pokemon that don't take kindly to humans. Then it usually ends with me having to thaw her out," Gina replied calmly, Ash's concerned look now being directed to where the girl had disappeared up ahead.
"Psst, Jack," Jack felt a slight tap on his shoulder, turning to see Webb behind him waving him back. Jack looked ahead to Leader and Gina, who were not too far ahead, slowing his pace slightly to meet Webb and Mason's.
"What's up?" Jack asked carefully, unsure as to what this was about.
"Mason and I were just wondering something," Jack glanced over to Mason who nodded in agreement. "I know when we met 3 months ago you said Leader chose us because of our histories, and we do believe that, to an extent. But there's been something that's been...bothering us."
"And what's that? If it's Gina's attitude, don't worry, she's like that with everyone except Krystal," Jack replied, the two men giving a light laugh in response.
"No, it's not that. All of you know our stories, and Krystal and Gina told us their stories, but...we've noticed that Leader never mention his past."
"...Ah, well...That's just a tricky subject to get a direct answer out of him..." the two man looked at Jack with curious looks, the younger man crossing his arms behind his head. "It's not like we've been best friends forever, we really didn't meet all that much earlier than we met you guys or even the girls. Although finding out the fact that I'm actually his nephew was kind of a help, you know? Once we learned about that, we just got completely comfortable."
"Yeah, that's another thing I've been meaning to ask about. Aren't you two really close in age? How exactly does that work?" Jack cringed at Webb's question, glancing away nervously.
"Well, ah...You know, some men...they get around early on..." Jack laughed nervously, hoping the two would be satisfied.
"...But that's still pretty weird, like, wouldn't he have had to be-"
"Aaanyway, Leader's told me that he's had a rough past and he doesn't like talking about it," Jack quickly cut in, changing the topic back. "So you can try asking him all you want, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. If he won't tell me, then no offense, but I don't see much hope for you guys."
"I guess you have a point," Mason replied with a frown, Jack inwardly beginning to cheer. "Then, what about you?"
"Huh?" Jack looked at them.
"What about your past?" Webb continued, the younger man only staring back for a few moments.
"Hey, guys! Come on, we're nearly there!" the three men looked up ahead to Ash waving his arm at them, pointing to the pathway leading through a thin treeline. Barely in view was the shining reflective surface of water, Lake Acuity. "Not to mention I don't see Krystal anywhere..."
"Knowing her, my bets are on the top of that hill," Gina replied, pointing to a somewhat high cliff covered in snow. Ash gave her a worried look. "You think she was childish before, but if there's snow around, you need to keep your eyes on her or she reverts to a three-year-old."
"I-Is that so...?" Ash gave a nervous laugh, looking at the snowy cliff. "It may not be as high as it could be, but I still can't help but worry if she is up there..."
"Just pat her on the head," Ash gave Gina a questioning look, noticing a coy smile before she quickly looked away. "It embarrasses her more than anything. And if it were you, it would be beyond hilarious."
"Wait, what was that second part?" Ash asked, noticing the girl had lowered her tone of voice after the first sentence. The girl looked back with her calm expression, but Ash could tell she was holding back a smile.
"It's nothing...really..." he smiled, giving her an odd look as she walked away rather quickly.
"YAAAAAAYYY! This is so AWESOOOME!"
"Ah boy..." Ash gave a light sigh at the familiar voice. And looking back towards the cliff, true to Gina's words, there was the icy-blunette standing on the highest point near the edge, jumping and waving her arms in the air excitedly.
"Leadeeeeerr! Get up here, this place is amazing! If we need a base for the future, can we set up here?!"
"I'll consider it if you'd please get down from there!"
"Whaaaat? But why?! It's so great up here!"
"Because watching you jump near the edge like that is really making me nervous right now! Please, at least keep your feet on the ground!"
"What's there to be nervous about? This is fuuuun!"
"Yeah, right, fun- Alright, alright! I'll come up, just back up a bit!" Ash called out, surprised at the sudden desperate tone he had just given out as the girl had gotten slightly closer to the edge. Pikachu hopped off his shoulder and watched his trainer sigh to himself as he moved towards the cliff, looking around. Pikachu smiled as he hopped through the snow towards the camp in-making. "...How did she even get up there...?"
"Oh, I've never been happier to see this lake...Even if it is the first time I've seen it..." Jack sighed as he stretched his arms, the lake finally coming into full view. He noticed Gina had already dropped her bag and began pulling out what looked like a heavy tent. "Want some help there, Gina?"
"No thank you, Mason and Webb, I'm fine," she called back calmly, earning a confused look from Jack. Without looking back at him, she could tell what he was thinking. "You may have offered, Jack, but we all know you would not have helped and insisted that either Mason or Webb do it instead."
"You know, every day that passes I start to enjoy this group more and more," Webb laughed, Mason joining in with a nod as they made their way towards Gina, leaving behind an insulted Jack. But let's face it, even Jack knew that was the truth. "Hey, wait, where did Leader go off to?"
"Babysitting."
"Come ooooon, you're sooo slow!" Krystal laughed happily, watching the man almost slip. Catching his balance, he gave what felt like the hundredth sigh in the past minute.
"I'm honestly not even sure how you got up here so fast..." Ash muttered, carefully taking the last few steps as he reached the top level. Stretching his back slightly, he couldn't help but notice the girl giving a coy smile. "...What's that look about?"
"Nothiiing~" she replied all-too innocently, clearly making the man suspicious. Not to mention slightly nervous for a reason he had previously denied at Jack's poorly-attempted discression. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Huh?" Ash blinked, noticing the girl move closer to her giving a curious look. He stepped back slightly. "No reason, no reason. Come on, let's get down from here."
"But whyyyy?" Krystal began to pout, which Ash had to admit, being in her three-year-old mental state was much more convincing than her previous attempts in the past. The man glanced away, scratching his ear.
"Sorry, Krys', but it is dangerous up here. We should go help set up camp," he said. The girl firmly planted her boots into the snow, Ash taking notice of this as she crossed her arms tightly across her chest and turning her head away from him. "Come on, don't be like this."
"No," the girl replied firmly with her eyes closed. The man gave a sigh, looking down towards the progressing camp as he hesitated. He looked at the pouting girl carefully, giving another sigh as he stepped towards her.
"...Sorry..." he lifted his hand slowly, hesitating for a moment, before resting it on the girl's head. He couldn't help but look away as he began to rub the girl's head as if she were a real child, feeling embarrassed himself about doing this. Then he felt his palm get warmer. Much warmer.
"...W...W-w...W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w..." Ash tilted his head a little, curious at the strange sound coming from the girl. Ash tensed up as he noticed the girl's cheeks were bright red, explaining the sudden heat in his hand. Her lower lip was starting to quiver, her eyes looking as if they had actually reverted to a little girl's, also looking as if tears were about to form in the corners. She sniffled.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on, Krys'..." Ash immediately grew nervous. Krystal may have been an energetic and outgoing girl before, but this was a completely new side he had not seen before. And from the looks of the liquid beginning to form in her eyes, he definitely did not feel comfortable about it. "Hey, hey, come on, there's no need to cry!"
"Y...Y-you..." she sniffled, Ash not even noticing that his hand had not moved from her head. She glanced upwards, Ash's eyes following her gaze before falling on his own hand. Suddenly realizing, he quickly jerked it back and held his hands up in defense.
"Whoa, wait! I swear, I didn't know you would react like this! I'm sorry, I swear!" Ash pleaded, feeling guilty. The girl lowered her head in embarrassement, trying to hide her warm face. "Please, Krys', I really didn't mean it. I just don't want you in a dangerous place like this, I'd feel safer with you down at the camp," Ash heard a quiet voice from the girl, but he couldn't understand her. He leaned forward carefully, surprised as she raised her head again. Her cheeks had reduced slightly in redness, but Ash could swear he noticed the faintest of smiles on the corner of her lips.
"...One condition..."
END