Infernape was taken to the medical wing of the building. He was told that if he wasn't able to recover in time, he could take the physical again on a later date. More relevantly, his arm was in bad shape. The accumulation of injuries over these past few months have made his right arm a He laid down on a bed as Blastoise and Lopunny walked in. Blastoise went to Infernape's side,

"Are you alright, soldier?" he asked worriedly. Infernape smirked,

"As good as I can be," he said before relaying what the doctor had said to him. Lopunny told him that she passed the test. "That's amazing, Bun Bun!" he said. Suddenly, his hand acted up. Infernape hissed in pain. Lopunny placed a hand on Infernape's injured arm,

"Jeez, you've been through the ringer, haven't you?" she said. Infernape was surprised. He wasn't used to seeing Lopunny this sensitive. He reached over and caressed her cheek. She softly gasped but then grinned and leaned into it. For a precious few moments, the two just sat there, enjoying the moment, when Infernape said

"Now I got cooties."

"Fuck you," said Lopunny with a chuckle. She stood up and walked towards the duel, "I'll see if I can get you some food." With that, she left. Infernape smiled, thankful for the kind act, and for the view as she left. Blastoise shot a brief glare at the fire type, which made him immediately stop. Blastoise then scoffed before focusing on Infernape's arm,

"In just several months, you've managed enough scars and wounds to last you ten lifetimes," he said. Infernape sighed,

"Yeah."

"You don't have to do this," said Blastoise, "The last thing I want to do is send a unwilling soul into the battlefield." Infernape nodded but then asked,

"...You were a soldier, weren't you?" In response, Blastoise was silent for a few moments, staring out the window. Immediately, Infernape began to apologize,

"I-I'm sorry! I'll-"

"Don't apologize," said Blastoise. His voice was understanding but firm. "Three years of service, and after three hundred years of peace, I somehow managed to join the first large scale war of the millennium."

"Wait," said Infernape, "You were part of the Nihonera-Dristov war?!"

"I try not to talk about it much," said Blastoise, "but it made me the man I am today. Like it or not, it's a part of who I am."

"I…umm…Thank you for your service," said Infernape. Blastoise grinned at the fire type, but that smile faded. Sensing his distress, Infernape tried to change the subject.

"So…you must be proud of Jessie," he said. Blastoise grinned in response,

"Yes, I am. While I worry, I still believe in her more than anyone I have ever met. She's determined, resilient, and unyielding in her resolve. For as long as she is my daughter, I will always be proud of her." Hearing such high praise for his girlfriend made Infernape smile. However, he couldn't help but feel dejected.

"Wish I had someone like you in my corner eight years ago," he said. Blastoise adjusted himself and asked,

"What do you mean?"

"I never knew my father. I don't even know what the man looks like. Mom never talked about him. Whenever I asked, she got upset," explained Infernape.

"What about your mother?"

"That bitch!" yelled Infernape. Immediately, he apologized to Blastoise, "Sorry. It's just…ugh…when I needed her most, she betrayed me. Even after all of these years, she still hasn't apologize"

Blastoise was understandably sympathetic. How could someone do that to their own child? It was awful. However, there wasn't much that could really be done now.

"I'm sorry that happened to you."

"It's just," Infernape began, "There's so much that's happened to me. I-I-I don't know what I am supposed to do. I'm overwhelmed. For the first time in nearly a decade, I'm not just waiting to drop dead. I have something to look forward to. I've been fighting for what feels like every day and I want to stop this cult, but I've always wanted to be a musician. Me performing at Hauntasia was a pipe dream just a few months back and yet, here I am."

"I see," said Blastoise, "You are lost. I'm not going to tell you where to go, but no matter what direction you choose to take with your life, I'll support you."

Infernape laid back down to the bed and furrowed his brow. A smile slowly grew across his face. He hesitated before he looked up to the light, his grin disappearing for a moment. Infernape then cringed. He glanced towards Blastoise and sat up. He gave Blastoise a thumbs up,

"I'll think about it." he remarked as he laid back down, using his hands as pillows. He jolted up,

"OW! Ow! Laid on my hand. Ow!"

Just then, Lopunny came back with a plate with hot dogs. Despite being little sausages, they looked like they had survived 17 consecutive world wars. Such is the state of hospital food. She saw the scene before her and immediately recognized that she had walked into a pretty deep, pretty private conversation,

"Oh, I, uh, I'll just leave this here."

"It's fine, we actually just finished," said Infernape.

"Indeed we were," said Blastoise. Blastoise then stood up and walked towards the day. Infernape waved away,

"Bye, dad!"

"See you later." Blastoise said as he left. Just as he closed the door, he realized what Infernape called him and he froze for a moment. He smiled, he walked in order to see the group pass their exams.

"Did you just call him dad?!" asked Lopunny