Chapter 29: Destroy him

-Flashback-

Just as Kai and Pawmo were being taken by Several Nurse Joys and Chansey who used Stretchers to take them into the Pokecenter. All of the spectators watched in surprise.

"Aeon."

Aeon's eyes widened in shock once he heard an all too familiar voice in his head. "This is Sada," The voice continued. "Kai has exceeded the expected calculated result. We must have you stay with him to watch any abnormalities so we can recalculate and restrategize."

"I… I don't understand," Aeon said. "Why do you want me to do this?"

"Do what you're told."

Sada's voice was monotone, yet very fierce. Intense fear washed over Aeon's body.

"...I understand." He said.

-End of Flashback.-

Aeon stared at Kai while he was laying on his hospital bed.

"Uh.." Kai's eyes darted back and forth before locking onto Aeon.

Aeon saw his vision go infrared. Text came to the middle of Aeon's vision.

Watching for abnormalities. Current vitals: Normal.

"Hi, Kai," Aeon said. He had no idea what to talk about since he was just ordered to come into his room, so the boy's gaze just went to the ground.

"Are you here to congratulate me or something?" Kai asked. "I mean, I was pretty cool there, wasn't I?"

Aeon nodded. "You did excellent."

Kai smiled, and his face became a bit red.

Watching for abnormalities. Current heart rate: Elevated. Heat level on his cheeks has risen. Possible current emotion: Embarrassment.

Interesting, Aeon thought. Why would Kai be embarrassed over a compliment?

"I was going through some… real tough stuff recently," Kai said. "But now, I think things are going to be okay."

"Really?"

Kai nodded. "Yeah. I kinda feel like I can take on the world. Y'know? But at the same time, I'm scared."

"What're you scared of?" Aeon asked, tilting his head.

Kai tightened his grip on his covers. "Of messing up. Of doing something that'll just make me go back to square one."

"Hm…considering what happened with Arven and I, I should be feeling the exact same way. But… with how things are right now.." Aeon smiled at the thought of his brother. "I think things are going to be just fine between him and I. As for you," Aeon crossed one arm and raised a bent finger to his lower lip. "I feel like if you just remember what brought you to feel confident to begin with, you'll be able to endure whatever catastrophe that befalls you."

"You think so?"

Aeon nodded and lowered his arms. "It's the logical thing to do."

"Jeez, dude, it's like you're a ro-" Kai stopped short. "Uh, sorry," Kai said.

Aeon smiled.

"Like a robot?" Aeon continued.

"Uh, yeah. Didn't you say that you didn't like being called a Robot?"

"I don't mind anymore." Aeon's smile deepened. "If I told you why, I'd have to fight you." Aeon said.

"Wh- Why?"

"Because I made a promise."

Kai tilted his head. "Oookay…?" He said. "Anyway," He stood up from his covers. "I think it's about time that I went and saw the others. I'm feeling better. Um…" Kai scratched the back of his head.

Kai's Current heart rate: Elevated. Heat levels on cheeks rising.

"Do you, uh," Kai's cheeks became red. "Want to come with me to greet everyone?"

"I don't see why not." Aeon replied.

Aeon opened the door for Kai, and Kai went out first.

"Interesting…" Sada's voice came to Aeon's mind. "It's likely that Kai has an attraction to you."

"This must be due to a butterfly effect," Turo said.

An attraction? Aeon thought. More importantly, did Turo say 'Butterfly effect?'

"Either way," Sada continued, "His confidence level is clearly too high. It has to be chopped down back to normal. Aeon. Take advantage of his attraction toward you and destroy his confidence."

Aeon's eyes widened. 'What?' Aeon replied in his head. 'I can't do that! Kai's my friend-!'

"You can't afford to disobey, Aeon." Sada said. "If you don't do as we say, then we will take control of your body and mind. We have the technology. And don't think about telling anyone a word of this. If you do, we'll shut you down permanently."

'Wait- no!' Aeon replied in his mind once again.

"Aeon?" Kai's head tilted as he watched Aeon who looked like he was staring into space.

"I- Uh," Aeon shook his head. "I'm… I'm uh-... You go ahead." The robot put his hand on his head and feigned fatigue. "I… I'm feeling a headache come along."

"Uhh… okay…?"

"Go on without me."

Kai slowly nodded after furrowing his brow in confusion, then turned and walked off.

Aeon clenched his fists and sighed, and as he did, a visible breath of frost came from his mouth as it always did. For the first time in his life, sweat started to fall from the robot boy's head. There was only one thing that was on Aeon's mind.

He had to protect Kai somehow, and have the trainer stay far away from him.

"Kai! Aeon!" Arven's voice came to him and Aeon from the other end of the hallway. Arven ran over to the boys. "What's up?" Arven said, "Kai, Nemona told me to tell you that you did a great job. Girl's not great at waiting, so she went to challenge other gyms. Now it's just the three of us. We should go and finish up fighting the titans."

"Huh," Kai said. "Sounds like a plan."

'NO. NO. NO!' Aeon thought to himself. 'Why now!?'

"Uh," Aeon said, "I uh- I think we-"

Both Arven and Kai turned to him. Aeon thought desperately of what to say next. He couldn't just say what the Professors' plans were.

"Are you… sure… we want to do that now?" Aeon asked. "We could always fight them a little later…?"

"That can't wait," Arven said, suddenly having a serious look on his face. "I wanna do it as soon as possible."

"Actually," Kai said, "I wanna make one stop before going to fight the titans. I wanna go fight Mela. I've got a score to settle with her."

"Really..?" Arven said with a groan. "Fine. Just one fight, then we go straight to the titan, deal?"

"Deal!"

Aeon sighed deeply to himself. What was he going to do?