JACK POV

There's just no "right" time or way to confess "I've been grooming your underage sister, and I don't know how to stop". No matter how it came up, no matter what I said or did...it was going to end the same way. I could try to hide from it and bury my guilt, but eventually the truth was going to come out. And it was always going to end with Avery absolutely hating me. And honestly, I'm okay with that. While my friendship with him had quite the longevity, it wasn't exactly something you could call healthy. We hung out with each other, but we never listened to each other. I can't even remember when I started having feelings for him, but it wasn't even me who noticed them. It was Kiana, she tormented me about it, and was angry at me for having feelings for someone so beneath our status - not to mention a guy. She'd always been strangely possessive of me. Whatever I felt about Avery Higgs, the sorrowful truth, our friendship being over, was something I accepted the moment I started messaging Zoey, whether I knew it at the time or not.

At first, I just found it cute that Zoey had a crush on me. Then, she started relying on me emotionally and it felt great to be needed and wanted for once. Not an excuse -and if it is, it'd be a bad one- it was just how I felt. My sisters never really gave me much attention, they were always busy, so when Zoey reached out to me and started calling me "big bro" and cute shit like that I realized I couldn't turn her away. Didn't want to. She was just as cute as Avery, except unlike him, she might accept me. That was the sick part of it... With every message I knew I was going to get exactly what I wanted.

Once our conversations started becoming a little dirty... Well, the rest is history. I scoffed at myself, disgusted. It was noon...and I was still lying in bed, excuses began to pop up in my head.

But none of that mattered; I had a job to do, tickets to deliver to one international cop, but I was avoiding the duty. Even with the knowledge that my entire family would soon be departing and heading onto the S.S. Amber as well, the whole idea of going was like some infectious disease to me. Chip had been too much. I didn't want to, but I saw myself in him, and if I'd taken a different path that could've been me shot full of bullets.

I remembered the grim, angry look on Juliet's beautiful face. My feelings for her were surface-level, barely beyond attraction, but I would never forget the look on her face the entire time we were in Solaceon. I was the kind of person she hated.

I sighed as I glanced at my Poketch. For a few seconds, I let myself feign resistance to the idea, and then I headed straight onto Zoey's blog. Part of me was disheartened that there were no new updates there. Whatever she was doing, she wasn't posting it online. It's equally comforting and terrifying; comforting, because no pervs could see what she was up to but terrifying because... I scrolled down Zoey's blog. It was a cute little blog on the Pokeporn League, stuffed full of rants about Avery, well-written and exciting entries about moments with her Shinx, and more…

I stared at one of the most recent videos. More specifically, a smiling face in the background of the thumbnail. Christopher Styles. Juliet had really done it... I grit my teeth, shaking my head. I should have been clearer about how dangerous Team Salvation is, or I should have done something about that fucker myself a while ago when I'd first noticed him. A million regrets and "should haves" rushed through my mind like a river. I was a coward. I was a damn coward, and a fucking bastard, too. If I was a real man, I'd walk over to Avery's house right now. I'd make sure Zoey was okay and I'd do anything to get Avery to forgive me.

But I'm not. I'm just a filthy pervert. I'm just Jackson Wainwright.

"Eeeevenya?" A soft voice mewled. A lot of my worries seemed to seep away. Lying in her sleeping basket, my adorable Eevee smiled drowsily as she stared up at me. How could I be pissed at myself when the silver saucers of her loving eyes were staring into mine? I knelt near my Pokemon and held her in my arms, kissing the top of her fluffy head.

"G'morning, sleepyhead," I murmured, pressing my nose into Princess's soft, sweet fur. Her gentle scent washed over me and I exhaled heavily.

I really am a filthy pervert. Even now, with my sweet and innocent starter in my arms, I can feel myself slowly starting to get aroused. I want my little Eevee so badly. I have since day one. My plan was A. Get a Pokemon and B. Fuck said Pokemon but when I finally had Princess in my bed with her serene face staring into mine...I couldn't bring myself to do it. Even now, with a raging boner, I can't bring myself to just...spread her open and slide inside. Even though I know Princess probably wouldn't hate it. Maybe I'm just a coward, and I'm pretending its "morals" holding me back.

'Guess that's one thing Avery and I have in common.'

"Are you hungry?" I asked my starter, and she happily got out of bed, nodding. I lightly stroked Princess's silky, silver fur then nodded. "Then let's go make you...lunch? Breakfast? Brunch it is. Let's just fill that belly up."

Princess trotted next to me quietly, her pale, silver fur seeming to shine in the light behind me as I headed out of my room in my striped pajamas, yawning slightly. I paused when I got into the hallway. The house was supposed to be empty; both my parents were out, my siblings were nowhere to be seen for the past few days. So, I was startled when I noticed a certain door cracked open at the end of the hall. There wasn't any light coming from the doorway, but I was positive it'd been fully closed... Well, whatever. It was probably...uh, the wind? I shrugged and turned away. I stopped when I didn't hear Princess following. I turned around. Princess was walking down the hallway, head cocked.

"Eev?" She questioned. Her voice was so soft I barely heard her. It was always like that. Honestly, I found it endearing...

"Princess, where are you going?" It was obvious she was heading toward the open room. My starter ignored me and kept trotting forward. I sighed and followed. "That's Marissa's room. She'll kill us both if she catches us in there!"

The bedroom door was practically ripped fully open, causing both my starter and I to jump. And there she was. My youngest sister. Marissa was barely recognizable. Her make-up was dripping down tear-stained face and her hair and clothes were extremely disheveled. I haven't seen her hair down in such a long time, but it was hanging lifelessly down her back and shoulders...

"Marissa?" I murmured, wide-eyed, "what are you doing home?"

My sister's eyes met mine. Her own were strange. Something seemed off in them, glossy and oddly lifeless. Marissa smiled at me, but it was like she was seeing someone else, and it was the sweetest smile I'd ever gotten from her - a smile she saved exclusively for Avery, the boy she claimed she loved- but it chilled me to my very core. I knew then and there; something was wrong with her. And then, Marissa's lips quivered, and a trail of tears streamed down her cheeks. A wide array of emotions flickered across Marissa's face like a slideshow.

"J-Jack," Marissa whispered, her voice quivering. "I'm... I fucked up. I fucked up big time."

My heart hammered as I watched her cry. She'd never been vulnerable with me. I didn't know what she was talking about, what should I do!? Marissa and I don't really have a relationship. We never have. Growing up, the twins babied me, especially Kiana, but Marissa had always left me to my own devices. I knew she loved me, of course- she was my sister- but all of her attention went toward Avery. In a way, I guess I resented him for that.

She went out of her way to drown him in her affection, meanwhile she would barely even look at me. Now, paralyzed by her strange, terrifying gaze... I wished she'd look away. I wished she'd go back to seeing me as practically invisible.

"What's wrong, Marissa? You fucked up? Fucked up how?"

Marissa covered her sobs with her hands. "I should never have gone to that estate. They saw me. They know. I can't avoid it anymore - Jack, what do I do?" She spoke so quickly, so urgently, and her fists burrowed into my shirt. Her big eyes blinked.

"I can't help until you explain what's wrong, big sis," I said softly, reaching out. I was shocked when she pushed her face into my hand, like Princess nuzzling for poffins. She rubbed her cheek into my palm, made pleased noises like a small animal and pushed her big-busted body close, her chest squishing against mine.

"Team Salvation," She whispered, and my blood ran cold.

"W-What do you mean?"

The bright, near neon gaze that burned into me flicked downward. Marissa was red with shame. "I have to report to Stu... about everything. That bitch couldn't just burn, couldn't just die alone- She was diligent with her paperwork. They think I was there to help Amara, and the fucked-up thing is we both know that's true! I don't know what I was thinking, getting involved. Now Stu's asking questions, demanding answers. Vanessa was his favorite, now she's gone. I don't know what he wants from me! What do I do, Jacky? Tell me what to do! If I just ignore them, they'll..." She trailed off.

Trembling, I was overwhelmed by all this news. I had already mostly put the picture together myself. Vanessa, the council, ran the Pokemon Fanclub - which was deeply connected to Team Salvation, at least the Hearthome and Solaceon ones. I'd done my own research while on my own, as I'd promised Juliet, and I'd discovered Solaceon had become a place of solace for Pokemon fuckers. I didn't know what answers to give, I had my own crimes I was dealing with, but if my big sister was being manipulated, pressured by the Fanclub or Salvation, I had to help her.

I was pretty good at pretending to be calm. Slowly, I reached out, and grabbed Marissa's hand. "It's alright. We'll face it, together, kay? I have to go out and deliver those tickets anyway."

The fright threatened to overpower me, but for once I felt like I wasn't alone.

Marissa, a sister I never thought would look at me like this, smiled her sweetest, and ran a reassuring hand down the length of my arm. She was standing next to me in my bedroom, helping me prepare my belongings for our trip. She fought off my reluctance to engage with Vernon Jennings, and I fought off her fear of Stu. We both had to face our demons, and we both had to go to the S.S. Amber. That was just reality.

Marissa had a morbid, distant look on her face as she packed, and as I watched, her expression shifted, becoming even further away, darker. I could tell her thoughts were tearing her apart. I related to that.

"Marissa. It's alright. I promise. If we don't put our all into this it'll be far worse than otherwise. Let's think of it... Like a vacation, or something."

My big sis squeezed her eyes shut tight. "Right." I could tell from her tone that she didn't believe it, didn't feel like she could do this, but she pressed herself against my arm and forced a smile. A rush of affection made me want to run my fingers through her hair.

All the Wainwright's had a mutual interest in the S.S. Amber, except for me. But that wasn't really the truth. I had a reason to go there, too. The dark, cold eyes of Juliet Harmon still pulled me in. The sensible thing to do was drop off the tickets and get back to Hearthome, but my older sisters had other ideas, as did my parents for some reason. Lucia, Kiana, and the rest of my family had already gone on ahead. And I couldn't just abandon Juliet, not after everything. As it was, only Marissa and I remained in our apartment, and not for long.

My sibling pulled me into a tight embrace, banishing my fear and self-hatred, and even if it was temporary, I melted away as she held me. Marissa's huge, shapely breasts were squished into me as she ran her hands through my hair, teasing her nails along the shaved sides. My body tingled wherever she touched me, and I nearly moaned; I had never been touched like this before.

Whatever had changed about Marissa, I preferred it this way, even if her eyes looked strange, as if she were staring at a different person. I murmured, "Why are you really here with me? Why aren't you with the twins or looking for Avery? I guess I just don't understand."

"Because I have no one else to lean on."

I wasn't sure what response I expected, but I was disappointed.

"Jacky," Marissa cooed softly, "don't pout. It's also because I love you. I don't care about Avery, Kiana, or Lucia. Just you."

Marissa has been in love with Avery since we were just little kids. I don't remember the exact point it happened - something about her falling and scraping her knee, and Avery bringing her home on his back. It both disturbed and excited me that she utterly dismissed him. It sounded alien coming from her mouth. What changed between us? I hadn't done anything to shift our dynamic, but the reality was right in front of me. Why was she looking at me like this, her gaze glowing underneath her long lashes? She was so beautiful. I got the sudden urge to kiss her, and ripped my gaze away, turning around. To my shock, I felt her arms slip around me and her chest press against my back. She was so touchy-feely and had been since she'd returned to Hearthome. I didn't want it to stop. I wanted her to hold me more…

"Thank you for facing Stu with me. I was going to leave and go off on my own to escape all of this…"

I exhaled heavily. Someone like me didn't deserve treatment like this from anyone, but that didn't make the taste of touch or softness any less sweet.

"Whatever you need, Marissa… I'll be here for you."

I could feel her heart racing against my back.

After she parted from me, we finished packing up. "Let's handle Stu first, yeah?"

Slowly, Marissa nodded. "If there's a way out…" She closed her eyes. "We have to find it."

"Vanessa... is truly dead?" Stu Baxter didn't believe his own words, despite hearing the news from various sources including the News itself. That blonde celebrity who had captured hearts with her money, wit, sensuality, and darker means, had passed away along with many of her associates, Pokemon, and unlucky individuals trapped in the mansion when it burned down. She was truly gone.

Noella stood before Dia and nodded. "Yes, Master Stu. As such, I've returned to renegotiate my contract."

Despite Dia's insistence, her mother refused to run away. 'Escape is impossible from them, my sweet daughter. But don't worry... mommy will keep you safe.' Dia had her doubts, however.

The large, wide-set man shook his head, causing his heavy jowls and multiple chins to bounce, the thin layer of unkempt facial hair granting him a lost, disheveled look.

Dia looked at Stu Baxter with a solemn expression. Vanessa's death had devastated the whole region, but for Dia and her mother, it meant something entirely different. It was an almost joyful thing for Dia, though Noella cried like a baby despite the woman being her tormentor, her literal master. They had been working for Vanessa and knew too well the extent of her reach and power. Dia's mother had warned her about the dangers of working for Vanessa, but Dia had never imagined that the nightmare would end with her death.

Noella cleared her throat, bringing Dia back to the present. "Master Stu, we've been loyal to Vanessa, and I expect that loyalty to be reciprocated. With all respect." She lowered her head in a subservient manner, emphasizing her chest with her posture, appealing to Stu's baser senses.

Stu Baxter rubbed his forehead, deep in thought. "I understand, Noella. Vanessa's death has created a power vacuum, and everyone is jostling to fill it. But you know how things work. You have three years left on your contract - I can't grant you full freedom, or power, even if I wanted to."

Dia's heart sank at Stu's words. She knew that he was right. The region was rife with corruption, and certain obligations could not be avoided.

"I understand," Noella whispered, then walked forward, placing her hands on Stu's desk. They were alone in his Pokemon Fanclub office, the rest of the council members absent for this meeting. "But… I can't let my daughter continue this life. Is there no way for her contract to be nullified, mine extended?

Stu sighed. "I suppose there is something you two could do for me..." At that moment, there was a knock on the door. "I have other business to tend to first, but your plea has been heard. I'm not an unkind man."

He wasn't kind, he wasn't a good man, but he was good at acting. Right now, the guy was staring at Dia and her mom like they were pieces of meat. "Wait outside, mingle with the others... Tonight we can discuss the direction of your future." The fat, temporary leader of the Fanclub licked his lips. "I look forward to... talking with you, Noella."

The plane soared so high that they could see sweeping forests, mountains, grassy hills, cities and towns, and the deep blue of lakes and rivers, creating a dozen different landscapes far below. People and Pokemon were rendered invisible due to their small size. The world was beautiful from up there, with the sun shining like a god's eye in the cerulean sky and casting light on everything below. Both Dia and her mother were safe and comfortable in the plush seats of the airborne vehicle that carried them out of Sinnoh and beyond. Nevertheless, these sights did little to banish the shadows in Dia's heart.

Dia should have been happy to be on the plane. They were on their way home to Alola, with arrangements that all previous transgressions by her mother would be forgiven. Dia and Noella were returning to the warm haven they called home, just like they had always talked about while stuck in Vanessa's mansion. However, the price of such freedom was too much for the younger girl to bear. Meanwhile, Dia's mother seemed entirely unconcerned about their future and what it held. Whatever discussion she had with Stu the previous night, it appeared to have gone well. She had been glowing since.

Dia wore a simple dress with a small denim jacket, while her more buxom mother had her dark purple hair tied up in a long, flowing updo. Her curls flowed down her back, and her curvy figure was draped in a long, sweeping skirt and a top that emphasized her ample chest. Both items were made in the style of Alolan fashion, with lots of bright colors and the fabric clinging to her dark body. She looked so happy, practically glowing.

Noella, of course, noticed her unhappiness.

"Nadia, dear, please… I wish you'd smile. It's not so bad, is it?"

The small, dark-skinned girl turned in her seat, and glowered at her mother. "Yes, yes, it is! You told me you'd get us out of this! Vanessa's dead now, mother, so why are we still slaves?"

Noella managed to keep her expression neutral. For a moment, Dia hated her. The famous "Mama Noella" would be satisfied with this fate! How like her! The small girl clenched her fists, resisted the urge to spit venom.

"Shush. There's always the chance someone is listening in, and we can't afford her overhearing."

"Her" meaning the target of their new contract.

"Regardless of how you feel about it, we have work to do, Dia. I expect you to do it… To answer your question, we've been over this. My contract - our contract - is with the Fanclub. Not exclusively with Vanessa. She may be gone now, but our debt is not. But… we're practically free already. All we have to do is-"

"Manipulate and groom a child? Why am I not surprised that's something you'd be okay with," Dia muttered. She regretted it the moment she said it. Noella's face darkened, but not with anger. With self-loathing, with anxiety. The older woman glanced down, stared at her hands, sighing wistfully. A long silence passed between them.

"... I-I understand your anger. I'm sorry. But don't think for a second that I want to do this. It's the best I could do for both of us. Please understand..." She trailed off. That just made it worse! Dia was well-aware why Noella was absent from their temporary quarters last night. No doubt, her slut of a mother had ridden that fat bastard like a whore. Sometimes, her hatred for her mom felt like a second skin.

As they were arguing, there was a bustle in the seats across the aisle. A girl with dyed blue-black hair had crossed the plane and was now sitting back down in her seat, holding the hand of another girl. The two had drifted to the bathroom a few minutes ago but were now settling back down. Noella's sharp eyes shot over, and she watched both girls with a grim intensity. Dia sighed when the older woman nudged her, glancing towards the two girls meaningfully.

Time to put on the act again. It got more painful every time. First it was making Avery Higgs feel safe in the mansion, second it was…

"Heyyy, you two," Dia said in a giggly voice, "you guys took a while. Did you fall in?"

This wasn't the first time she'd struck up a conversation with the two girls in the past few hours. They'd boarded the plane together; they'd leave it together. This wouldn't be the last time they conversed. This girl was her new task, afterall..

"Oh! Haha, I'm sorry I left so abruptly… as for falling in. Alice, uh, takes a while." The girl with the dyed hair replied after a short pause, and beside her, her messy-haired partner slapped her arm, giving her a dirty look. "Hmm, what were we talking about again? Ah, I remember. Are you excited to return to Alola?"

"Super excited," Dia chirped, "It's beautiful there. I'm a bit worried I'll be lonely though, all I have is this old hag for company." That part was true.

Noella laughed gently. "Come now, I'm not that old. Besides, we won't be alone, we'll finally be reunited with your father."

Dia wasn't excited about that - she hated that weak, pathetic man. Noticing her aggravated expression, the blue-haired girl winked. "Well, if you're lonely just hanging with family and stuff… if we end up near each other, hit us up, okay? Alice and I are always looking for new friends." The glower from her girlfriend expressed anything but that. 'Alice' did not want to be her friend. 'Alice' was sending her bad vibes… maybe she sensed Dia's intentions. Either way, the messy haired girl began to tug at Zoey's arm, as if trying to arrest her attention. "Uh, anyways, I'm kinda tired of yelling across the aisle, so..."

"Um, Zoey?" Nadia called out, unsure of herself.

The Higgs girl turned back to her. Her eyes were familiar, a deep dark brown she could never forget. They were the same eyes as the boy who changed everything in that hellish mansion, despite Dia not believing it was possible. Yet, the escape that should've been eluded her. Even after everything, she was still tied down, by her mom, by Salvation, by her own cowardice. But this girl... she had the same vibrancy as Avery Higgs…

The words that Dia said next were entirely unfeigned, even if their friendship would ruin this girl. "I-I'd love to be your friend…"

"It's official, then," Zoey replied, and Dia's cheeks burned as the girl stared right into her eyes. "Friends."

How in the world was she going to trick Zoey into joining Team Salvation? How could she live with herself? Behind Zoey, her much quieter girlfriend glowered at Dia. Perhaps she sensed the warmth in Dia's belly, perhaps she sensed that Dia would lead Zoey down a dark path. Either way, Zoey squeezed her girlfriend's hand and turned away.

It was strange. Seeing that girl hold Zoey's hand like that angered Dia for some reason. She wanted those big brown eyes locked on her again, wanted to see Avery again.

"You're doing so well," Noella leaned down and whispered in Dia's ear. "Don't think of it as grooming. Not all Salvation is bad. Zoey is a strong girl; anyone could see that. Stand by her side, show her the new possibilities."

Dia's mind was racing. She didn't agree about Salvation, and she couldn't understand why she felt jealous of Zoey's girlfriend considering her own boyfriend, who'd been painfully absent since he found out she was returning to Alola without him. Perhaps it was the way the two girls held hands, so naturally and comfortably, something Dia had never experienced. Or maybe it was the way Zoey's eyes lit up when she talked about her girlfriend, a love and connection that Dia had never felt with anyone. Maybe it was that she reminded her of Avery, that guy she still couldn't stop thinking about, kind of a hero in her eyes...

Either way, she couldn't help but feel the twinges of envy. Noella's words brought her back to reality.

"Don't look so worried. You can do this. You have a way with people, Dia. You know how to make them feel comfortable and at ease. Just be yourself, and Zoey will come around."

She had never recruited anyone to anything before, and the thought of manipulating someone into joining a criminal organization made her sick to her stomach. But she didn't have a choice. She had to do this if she wanted to keep her and her mother safe.

As the plane continued to soar above the clouds, Dia couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would she be able to recruit Zoey without losing herself in the process? And even if she succeeded, what would happen to her and her mother once they were free from Salvation's grasp? These thoughts swirled around in her head, but she pushed them aside for now.

For the rest of the flight, Dia tried to put on a friendly facade and get to know Zoey better. She found herself genuinely liking the other girl and was grateful for the distraction from her own problems. But in the back of her mind, she knew that their friendship was built on a lie, and the guilt ate away at her.

As they landed in Alola and made their way to their new home, "coincidentally" very close to Zoey's place, Dia couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. She was in too deep, and there was no turning back now.