Chapter 14 Packing Up

  BWWWAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

  The sound of a deep, blasting foghorn forced Ian awake in his bunk, with the other Skull grunts waking up in surprise as well.

  "The fuck is that?" Ian asked aloud.

  "We under attack yo!" Someone called from one of the bunks as the boys in the bunkhouse scrambled to get ready. BWWWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

  "No we're fucking not, second blast just means suspicious enemy nearby!" Another guy yelled.

  "Still means we need to get fucking ready!" The first voice fired back.

  Ian shook his head with a slight grin, already reaching for his Team Skull uniform hanging from the corner post of his bottom bunk. After frantically getting his pants on, Ian noticed Tupp wiping the sleep from his eyes. "I see you made it back," Ian observed.

  Tupp shook his head. "Never doing a sunset Ultra Storm again,yo. The Straightaway's a bitch at night."

  Ian nodded, leaving a latent question in the air.

  "And yeah, I snuck you that Red Shard you were asking for," Tupp said, pulling a red rectangular object from under his pillow. Ian swiped it and gave Tupp a grateful fist bump.

  "Hurry the fuck up Tupp, Coogz!" Another grunt yelled harshly.

  "I hear you," Ian said as he finished putting his Skull tank top on and reached for his belt with four balls attached. After securing it, he slid the Red Shard under his shirt and held it up with his belt so no one could see it.

  Ian made it to the front of Shady House before Tupp and saw Stompz barking orders. "Get to the fookin' wall, ya' wankers!"

  Ian approached Stompz delicately. "Hey Stompz, any idea where I should go?"

  "What, you not in a squad?" Stompz asked.

  Ian shook his head. "I'm in Plumeria's squad but I'm still suspended. Rook hasn't assigned me anywhere…"

  Stompz shook his head with a smile. "Just go to Elk Grove then mate. Nothing to worry about really. Just one of Sinclair's lil' boats mucking about. He don't mean business if it's not his flagship."

  "Really? Then are you barking orders like we're under attack?"

  Stompz stymied a chuckle. "My boys need a good yellin' every once in a while. Bit therapeutic for me too."

  "Damn it Stompz." Ian said as he laughed freely and headed to the front gate.

  ***

  "Alright Sawsbuck, GO!" Ian bellowed from the back of his blessed stag.

  Sawsbuck leapt forward with such speed Ian's whole body tensed so he didn't fly off the back, the pink cherry blossoms on Sawsbuck's antlers shook helplessly. The vines that had become de-facto reins got increasingly slippery as sweat coated his palms and Sawsbuck changed direction quickly. More vines had grown out of Sawsbuck's body in the week since Alpha Tyrunt's capture, acting as stirrups to keep his feet secured. Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge effect needed just a momentary exposure to take effect, and all around Elk Grove, as it was named by Guzma, all sorts of plant life grew, expanded, and ripened.

  Every day since Tyrunt's capture, Ian and his blessed Sawsbuck practice this makeshift obstacle course in the grove. The first couple of days had been rough, and Ian nearly went flying a couple times if it wasn't for Sawsbuck's vines keeping him from going too far. Although I probably got a concussion somewhere in there, not to mention the bruises. Sawsbuck turned once more, doing the last loop before getting to Ian's favorite part. Sawsbuck finished the loop swiftly before charging headlong to the creek dividing the grove in half, and Sawsbuck got enough momentum behind it as it charged to the creek's bank and leapt the ten to twelve foot long gap with waist deep water. Ian smiled like a schoolboy as his body became weightless for the couple of seconds the leap last, and Sawsbuck landed smoothly, seamlessly getting back in stride and continuing the route. Sawsbuck turned on a dime once more, making Ian hold on tight. He silently apologized to Sawsbuck if he'd held too hard, but his blessed stag didn't appear phased as it galloped swiftly through the grove.

  When the course was finished, Ian gave Sawsbuck an affectionate rub on the back of his neck as Sawsbuck slowed to a trot, getting to the road where Grimsley and his Driftwood Guild companion would be stopping by in three-ish hours. Ian directed Sawsbuck to the opposite way of the bridge heading back to Po Town. "Ready for some breakfast, Sawsbuck?" Sawsbuck cheered happily as it pranced to a further away bank of berry trees they'd found half a mile down the road. Sawsbuck deserves the fruits of its own labor, and so does the rest of the team. Ian cringed as he remembered the daily routine with his Alpha Tyrunt. Okay, maybe someone doesn't deserve it just yet, but still. Sawsbuck got more excited and bouncy as the elk and rider pulled up to their exclusive breakfast spot.

  The Aspear Berry trees began creaking as Sawsbuck neared, and Ian smiled as the half-formed fruits began expanding and ripening before his very eyes. Ian let go of Sawsbuck's vine-reins and the vines stretched up a nearby tree and pulled one off, daintily bringing the Aspear Berry to Ian's hand, and he took it happily and bit in. The pear's sweetness was nice, but the sudden warming effect on his body made his whole body feel like it glowed with energy. "That's better than coffee, that's for sure," Ian said before taking another bite. Sawsbuck was already holding up a pear to its mouth and munching happily before mewling gleefully. No wonder these berries are supposed to cure a Pokemon being frozen. It's like a just drank a cup of coffee too.

  Sawsbuck took a few more pears before it had officially had its fill, and Ian dismounted from his blessed stag. "Sawsbuck, let's get Litleo and Wartortle's breakfast as well."

  Sawsbuck trotted to some nearby trees and began pulling fruit from the branches as Ian grabbed the two Poke Balls from his belt and released his two, smaller companions. Wartortle came out with a croak and eyed Ian with a hint of disappointment before waddling over to Sawsbuck to be first in line for the berries. Litleo on the other hand, manifested from its ball and stretched its body out before brushing against Ian's calf affectionately, purring happily as it did. "We've come a long way, Litleo," Ian said with a smile. Litleo gave a playful growl in response before it scampered off to Sawsbuck and Wartortle. Ian then took the Ultra Ball from his belt and eyed it intensely. "You're next on the friendship train, Tyrunt, whether you want it or not." The Ultra Ball shook as if to protest and Ian rolled his eyes.

  After Litleo and Wartortle were well and full, Sawsbuck pulled up with a number of pears held together in its antlers. "Okay everyone, stand by.." Ian said, dread in his voice. He readied Tyrunt's Ultra Ball and made sure all of his Pokemon were locked in. He took a couple Aspear Berries from Sawsbuck with his free hand, then expanded the Ultra Ball and tossed it a good fifteen feet or so, with Tyrunt manifesting with an angry roar the opposite way. It raised its snout to the sky and turned around, a thirst for blood in its eyes. Thankfully not the Alpha red though, so it's not nearly as strong as it was in the meadow. Tyrunt opened its mouth, baring its fangs hungrily.

  Ian then threw one of the Aspear Berries at its mouth, landing precisely as Tyrunt was taken aback about food being launched into its mouth. It swallowed the berry after two chomps and bared its teeth once again, readying itself to charge as Ian threw another Aspear Berry. He didn't even look to see if the berry had hit its mark as he grabbed a few more berries from Sawsbuck's antlers and repositioned, readying to throw more of them. Tyrunt gulped down the Aspear Berry and then stepped to charge. Ian continuously stepped backward until Tyrunt's mouth opened with another roar, and he chucked another berry. Tyrunt stopped to chew once more, and Ian repositioned. Two berries later, Ian's throw missed its mark and Tyrunt charged forward, snapping its jaws excitedly before Wartortle fired a Water Pulse at the Alpha, knocking it back slightly, leaving its mouth agape in its daze. Ian landed another two Aspear Berries, and Tyrunt begrudgingly chowed down on the berries before fixing her sights on Ian once again. I think that's enough food for today, crazy girl. Ian held up Tyrunt's Ultra Ball and recalled it in a red beam of light. I really wish Guzma would give me some pointers on bonding with an Alpha… It's probably not the best idea to be giving it stimulants in the form of Aspear Berries. At least you're not trying to eat Litleo anymore.

  ***

  As Ian made his way up The Spine, he could tell the alert no longer seemed to be in effect, as Team Skull Grunts milled about lazily, that is, until they saw Ian.

  "Coogz, wassup yo?" One called.

  "When we gettin' more Sitrus Berry trees yo?" Another asked.

  "Thanks for bein' here yo, my ribs were gettin' a bit too visible," a different grunt said.

  Ian had made sure to fist bump everyone who offered, and he regularly got nods of recognition and respect wherever he went in Po Town nowadays. He strolled to Tom's Warehouse and noticed Tom out front, sipping on a cup of what he assumed was freshly squeezed Oran Berry Juice. "Good morning Ian!" Tom greeted.

  "How's the juice?" Ian asked.

  Tom smacked his lips and smiled. "Fresh as ever. You want some? Grillz gave me a whole carton."

  Ian shook his head. "That's all you guys. You stewards do all the dirty work."

  Tom shrugged. "Well you're only one I offer it to. Well, Plumeria too, but she can get it whenever she wants, being a Bone and all."

  "All good," Ian said, eyeing the front door.

  "What brings you by this morning? The guitar?" Tom asked.

  "That too, but Tupp got me something I want to put in my locker before I lose it," Ian said.

  "Alrighty," Tom said, getting a key out and opening the door to let Ian in. The lights flickered a bit in the storefront area but Ian navigated his way through like he'd done it a dozen times. Well, I have done it a dozen times. The lights gradually got steadier as he went through the hallway to the large lockers and stuck his rusty key in the lock before forcing it open. His guitar case rested against the back of the locker, barely fitting in its storage compartment. Ian's attention shifted to the small shelf above the guitar where the Large EXP Candy rested, along with a pile of Stardust and two, red, perfectly crafted Star Pieces.

  Ian pulled the Red Shard from underneath his shirt and found the two dormant shards of green and blue resting next to the guitar case. He stacked the Red Shard with the others then reached for a handful of Stardust. He checked behind him to make sure no one was watching and then put the stacked shards on the floor of the locker, then began letting the Stardust slide out of his hand and fall onto the stack. Ian watched intently as a light ringing started hitting his ears. Then a slight crackle, followed by more intense crackling, and then the shards began to glow brightly as a high pitched whirring started emitting from the mystical reaction. Ian closed his hand, keeping the rest of the leftover Stardust as he shielded his eyes. Suddenly the sounds ceased and Ian uncovered his eye, seeing the result.

  A refined, smooth Star Piece now lay dormantly at the bottom of his locker, nestled in between the wall and bottom of the guitar case. Ian scooped it up, still feeling some of the warmth from the reaction. Around it lay just dark grey dust, remnants of whatever materials that were no longer needed. He put the remaining Stardust in the pile on the top shelf and then bent over to get the waste from the reaction, scoping it up in his hand and stepping back from his locker and eyed his next door neighbor's locker with the big "H" on it, tossing the dusty debris onto the outside. "Fuck you, Hyde," Ian said with a petty smirk. He placed the new newly formed Star Piece with its brethren on the top shelf and grabbed the guitar case, closing the locker, reminding himself of the melodic rhythm of the song he'd remembered especially for Mina.

  A couple minutes later he was out on Kai Avenue and spotted Mina's mural painting set up, with the town's resident painter on a ladder, hair tied back and carefully putting paint against the wall of an abandoned two story house. The mural was really starting to take shape, with half of a starry night sky filled with blacks, dark blues, and purples as the backdrop. The centerpiece had been outlined and Mina had started filling in the half of the mural that had been colored in with a light blue. Mina's Ribombee watched on intently as it fluttered about, and her Smeargle scurried along the ground, holding its tail and seemingly looking for something.

  "What's Smeargle looking for?" Ian asked loudly as he approached, carrying his guitar case.

  "I'm running out of light blue for the moon here," Mina answered with disinterest, fixated on her precision work.

  "Ah, I see…" Ian said as he found the outdoor chair Mina had started bringing along for him to watch and play for her. Ian got his guitar out and began tuning it as Smeargle disappeared from view. Once Ian had started to play a warmup song, Mina grunted in frustration. "What's up?"

  "Finally out of the light blue for the moon," Mina complained.

  "Can't do the rest of the night sky in the meantime?" Ian asked.

  Mina shook her head, stepping down from the ladder as Ribombee saw its chance to get comfy with its trainer. "The light's perfect right now, and I do this fine work better in the morning," Mina said. "Shouldn't take Smeargle too long, but it's just annoying."

  Ian shrugged, unsure of if he should continue playing as Mina took a seat next to him.

  "Play that happy song I like," Mina said.

  "There's a few of them-"

  "You called it 'At Home,' right?" Mina asked.

  "That one, gotcha," Ian said with a grin. It was a very cheerful tune he remembered would be payed in the protagonist's house in the Alolan games, and it was a fun one to play as his fingers danced around the frets.

  "Yeah, that's the one…" Mina said, leaning back and stretching her legs out, having her elbows keep her upper body focused on the work in progress mural.

  "Your morning going any better than mine?" Mina asked.

  "For the most part," Ian said.

  "Problem child still a problem?" Mina asked.

  "Yup. Still trying to eat me. At least she didn't target Litleo this time," Ian said.

  Mina giggled. "Small miracle."

  As the duo waited on Smeargle to return with the proper shade of light blue, Ian finished up the tune and got a bit nervous as he readied his next one. "Got a new one for you."

  Mina grimaced. "I'm in a certain kind of mood for something," Mina said. "Sorry if I tell you to skip it."

  Ian shrugged. "Just give it a shot, I bet you'll like it."

  Mina gave a light "hm," and continued eyeing the mural. Ian took a deep breath and began playing his acoustic version of the nighttime theme of Seafolk Village from the games. It didn't entirely feel right without a wind instrument, but he incorporated some of the tunes into his performance. After getting halfway through, he realized Mina hadn't asked him to skip, so he figured she was enjoying it so far. When he finished, he gave a soft outro and looked at Mina, trying to hide how nervous he felt.

  "Encore?" Mina asked with a sincere smile.

  Ian nodded. "Of course…"

  As Ian started playing again, Mina sighed. "Something about this tune reminds me of home."

  "Seafolk Village?" Ian asked, remembering she'd mentioned it in a prior conversation.

  "Yeah…" Mina said whistfully. "If you'd asked me this time last year where I thought I'd be, I would've said with no doubt I'd still be in Seafolk Village."

  Ian nodded, remembering her family had asked her to take care of the matriarch who had wanted to stay with Keahi, Ula'Ula's former Kahuna.

  "It's nuts, this time last year I got asked to be a Trial Captain on Melemele Island," Mina said.

  "Really?" Ian asked, still playing, but softer now.

  "Ilima, the Trial Captain, was on leave for something. They asked if I'd take over the post long term. I'd really wanted to be a Trial Captain, and Melemele's not that far from Poni you know, but I didn't want to be so far away from my family," Mina explained.

  "You couldn't be a Trial Captain on Poni Island?" Ian asked.

  Mina scoffed. "No, the position's filled. The guy who runs the Poke Pelago has been hoping to retire but can't find a replacement. He worked out a deal where his son got to be a Trial Captain if he stayed on a bit longer, Poni was the only opening at the time."

  Ian grimaced. Mohn not going missing really started quite the butterfly effect. "That's rough."

  Mina sighed. "But family's important…"

  "Me of all people should know," Ian said. "I don't think I'm even in the same universe anymore."

  Mina giggled. "Yeah, I suppose that's a bit rougher."

  Ian shook his head, stopping his playing. "I didn't mean to make it about me, you're venting-"

  Mina shook her head. "No, I get it. It puts it all in perspective-" Mina gasped suddenly. "Perspective! That's it!" Mina said loudly as she rolled over and bounced up, running to the ladder as she did. Smeargle clumsily dashed around the fence from another house and got to Mina's step ladder. Ian looked up to the cloudy Alola sky and smiled, continuing to play the Seafolk Village theme.

  After a good fifteen minutes of observing Mina working on her mural, Ian noticed a familiar figure approaching the scene.

  "So this is where you skulked off to, Ian," Plumeria said as she continued making her way over to him.

  "Just waiting for Sawsbuck's effect to refresh," Ian answered. "What's going on?"

  Plumeria eyed Mina, continuing to paint as if nothing else was going on in the world before returning her focus to him. "Tupp says you're good at identifying foreign Pokemon."

  Ian shrugged. "Yeah, I guess? Doc's good with that stuff as well." I wonder if I'll run into any Pokemon that are from regions that weren't made into games yet.

  "The Pokemon Center's not open yet so I can't talk to her. This Pokemon had been under attack in the Ultra Storm we checked out last night and couldn't move," Plumeria explained, taking a Poke Ball from her belt and casually tossing it forward, revealing a metallic Pokemon Ian first thought of a remote control car. Might be a new one- oh wait, it's a Varoom.

  "That's a Varoom, from the Paldea region," Ian said.

  "What's its type?" Plumeria asked suspiciously.

  "I think it's a Steel-Poison Type," Ian said.

  "It looks like a remote control car…"

  "I was thinking the same thing," Ian said, eyeing the metallic car engine Pokemon as it suddenly zipped into action with a mechanical sound. It began circling Plumeria quickly, the mechanical squeaks getting louder and more excited. If you can call it that.

  "Do you know if this thing's powered by gasoline like a real car is?" Plumeria asked.

  Ian shrugged. "No idea, that's a Doc question."

  Plumeria sighed with frustration, but knelt down and held her hand out to the speeding Pokemon before it stopped on a dime, rubbing itself against Plumeria's hand. "Nice to finally meet you, Varoom," Plumeria said with a grin.

  Varoom whirred mechanically and started bouncing enthusiastically, at least as much as it could.

  "Does it evolve?" Plumeria asked.

  "Yup, into something called a Revavroom," Ian said. "It's way bigger, like an actual car kind of."

  "Well as long as it doesn't run only on gas I think I just got a new favorite method of transportation some day," Plumeria said, tapping Varoom on the top of its engine block, making the energetic little engine with wheels bounce energetically.

  "Guess you won't be needing me anymore on your Ultra Storm hunting," Ian observed.

  Plumeria's smile faded from her face. "You like sticking around here?"

  Ian stole a glance of Mina still hard at work on her blue, abstract moon. "I've gotten used to being suspended, I probably shouldn't stray too far from Elk Grove anyways."

  Plumeria shook her head. "Well, too bad Ian. As of today, you're un-suspended."

  Ian rolled his eyes. "I was having too much fun, this is how the world works after all."

  "You remember Guzma at the rally talking about the recon team getting seeds?" Plumeria asked.

  "Yeah," Ian replied.

  "I need you and Sawsbuck on this expedition," Plumeria said seriously.

  "Oh, cool…" Ian said, the implications not quite hitting him yet. "How long are we supposed to be gone for?"

  Plumeria grimaced. "If we make good progress every day and don't run into any trouble, it's six days each way. We will run into some trouble, so probably sixteen to eighteen days."

  "Wait what? How far away are we going?" Ian asked.

  "To Palmer's Ranch, just outside the defensive line of Malie City. They're the only people who are willing to trade with us," Plumeria explained.

  Malie City? That's civilization, that's the way off the island… Nervous dread filled Ian's stomach all of the sudden. "Cool…" Ian said.

  "We'll have to dodge Breon's patrols, so we'll have to climb up a good bit of Mount Lanakila to do it. We'll be coming into contact with a number of factions," Plumeria said. "Luckily once we're away from Breon, the other groups are so far away from us we can just buy safe passage from them when we show we're not hostile."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Gotcha. But it's still going to be dangerous, right?" Ian asked.

  "Of course, leaving Po Town at all is technically dangerous. Going into other factions' territory is even more so," Plumeria said.

  "Gotcha… do we have enough food here for Sawsbuck and I to not be around for so long?" Ian asked.

  "Grillz says we have twenty days' worth of berries you've grown, probably add another day and a half by lunchtime today. So as long as we're not gone too long, Po Town will be fine. Plus we'd just send you and Sawsbuck ahead if it really became an issue," Plumeria explained.

  "Gotcha… So why are Sawsbuck and I needed on this again?" Ian asked, slightly confused.

  "That elk of yours is practically an infinite food source. We'll have limited space in our Silph Bag for the seeds and equipment we're going to buy, so we'll need you and Sawsbuck to keep us fed throughout. Plus you two might win us some favors for hospitality," Plumeria finished.

  Silph Bag? That's the tech that shrinks stuff down, right? I haven't actually gotten to see one in action yet. "I see…" Ian said.

  "You don't seem too excited about this," Plumeria observed.

  Ian's eyes drifted to Mina for a moment before he regained composure. "I mean, it sounds pretty dangerous…"

  "Last week you were chomping at the bit to come back out with us," Plumeria said. "What changed?"

  "Well I'm dealing with a different kind of 'chomp' at the moment with my new team member," Ian said. "Among other things."

  Plumeria scoffed, eyeing Mina for a moment and giving him a knowing smile. "Well you're back on the recon team, so you're coming with. Get a backpack from Tom's and anything you'll need for the trip, then be ready to go at 3:00."

  Ian nodded. "I hear you."

  "I'll give you some space until then," Plumeria said, recalling Varoom and heading up the street back to Shady House.

  When Plumeria got out of sight, Mina climbed down from her ladder. "What was that about?" Mina inquired.

  "I'm off suspension, which means I'm back on the recon team and they're going on this expedition thing today," Ian explained. "So no more music while you paint for a while."

  Mina grimaced. "That's no fun… What about having you and Sawsbuck around for the food supply?"

  "Apparently Grillz has enough food to last twenty days," Ian explained. "Plumeria needs me for growing food while we're on the road since we need all of the space in the Silph Bag for the seeds and equipment we need to buy."

  "Oh… Makes sense…" Mina said, a subtle melancholy entering her voice. "And Ian, that song you played today?"

  "Yeah?" Ian said.

  "What's its name?"

  "Haven't thought of one yet," Ian lied. "You have any ideas?"

  Mina grinned. "Call me selfish, but can you call it 'Seafolk Village' for me? Something about it just reminds me so much of home…"

  Looking into Mina's dark eyes, Ian could tell she was having a vivid vision of home. "It's 'Seafolk Village' then," Ian said with a smile, feeling blood rushing to his cheeks. It kind of feels like something romantic's about to go down.

  Mina coughed suddenly, and turned away. "What time you guys leaving?"

  "Supposed to be 3:00-"

  "I'll see you off if I can," Mina said, turning around and heading back to her stepladder.

  "Cool," he said, the big ball of nerves in his torso making him feel very uncomfortable. Time to go put the guitar away and get some stuff from the locker.

  ***

  Upon finishing up another round of racing around Elk Grove on Sawsbuck's back, Ian and Sawsbuck dashed onto the road and noticed two familiar faces heading their way. What was the cute girl with the pink hair's name again, Neroli?

  "Grimsley, Neroli!" Ian called out excitedly.

  "There he is!" Grimsley called back. Neroli appeared much less enthusiastic, but gave a friendly wave all the same. She had her normal Driftwood Guild uniform on, khaki short-shorts, brown vest and green shirt.

  Sawsbuck trotted over to the visitors, and Ian decided to dismount, not wanting to feel like he was lording over the two people helping him out big time. "Good to see you again Neroli, been a while" Ian said as Sawsbuck's vine aided him in a smooth dismount. The

  "Good to see you too, Ian," Neroli replied. "Grimsley tells me you're making good progress."

  "That's not what he said yesterday," Ian teased.

  "I can't gas you up all the time, kid," Grimsley said with grin. "She's got those items you ordered with David, but we're both wondering how you were gonna go about paying for it. I know Guzma and Plumeria wouldn't want you leaking any secrets about Po Town."

  Ian shook his head with a wicked smile. "No need for that, I got this," Ian said, shuffling a Star Piece out of his pocket. Neroli and Grimsley gasped.

  "Where'd you get one of those?" Grimsley asked.

  "Don't worry about it," Ian said with a confident smirk.

  "I'm curious too…" Neroli said skeptically.

  "I didn't steal them, if that's what you're thinking," Ian assured them. "You'd be amazed about the debris that appears during Ultra Storms."

  Grimsley rolled his eyes, but Neroli stared at him curiously. "Really now?" She asked.

  Ian shrugged. "Or something like that I suppose, I haven't actually been in one for a week," Ian said nervously. You're telling me Driftwood didn't know about Ultra Storm drops? Dammit, now they might. Which means everyone else might. "But enough about my Star Piece, where's my loot at?"

  Neroli nodded and reached into her handbag, pulling out four balls. One Ultra Ball, one Great Ball, a Poke Ball, and an all white ball with a red ring around the center. Is that a Premier Ball? The hell is that thing doing here? "You don't like the Premier Ball?" Neroli asked.

  "Just surprised," Ian said. "It functions the exact same as a Poke Ball, right?"

  Neroli nodded. "Yup, just thought I'd give you a different aesthetic."

  Ian nodded, handing over the Star Piece. Once Neroli secured it in her handbag she dropped the four shrunken balls into his palm.

  "Looking for more team members?" Grimsley observed.

  "Couple for me, couple for Tupp," Ian answered. "Not sure who will get what ball just yet."

  "He's not around is he?" Grimsley asked.

  "No, or not yet at least," Ian said.

  Grimsley rolled his eyes. "Good. He's making progress, but coaching him up has been really testing my patience."

  Ian nodded. "Him and Sobble are getting really close, and their evasive maneuvers are improving big time. But I get you, and I appreciate you for that."

  "Gonna need a second weekend at a casino on you if you ever get off this island," Grimsley teased.

  "Yeah about that…" Ian paused, eyeing Neroli.

  "Is it time for me to go?" Neroli said amusedly.

  "Yeah…" Ian said.

  "I'll be back to pick you up at 5:00, Grimsley," Neroli said.

  "Actually, can you make it 2:30?" Ian asked. "Stuff going on later."

  "Well he's not my only agenda item today, but I'll be there," Neroli said, turning around and tossing a Poke Ball in front of her, revealing a levitating cyan-colored Pokemon with a head bigger than its body. An Elgyem? That's interesting. "Alright Elgyem, the blessed stag's trainer wants us away, so let's go back home."

  Elgyem began glowing and Neroli reached out, making contact and in the blink of an eye, trainer and Pokemon had disappeared without a sound.

  "So what's going on later?" Grimsley asked.

  "We're gonna be taking a break for a bit," Ian said. "I'd rather Driftwood not know this, but me and some other people are leaving Po Town for a week, probably two."

  "Oh… I guess you'll finally see the rest of the island," Grimsley said.

  "What? It's-"

  "Let me guess, you're going to Blush Beach or Palmer's Ranch?" Grimsley said. "It's the only places you guys can go right now."

  Ian grimaced. "Okay, but please don't tell them. On the bright side, you get a bunch of time off."

  Grimsley cleared his throat as if to oppose Ian. "Not quite. If I tell them I'm not needed for two weeks, they'll figure you're gone, and I bet their contacts within Team Skull and the other factions will mention seeing some Team Skull thugs running around."

  "Oh… My bad, I thought you'd be getting a nice little break," Ian said.

  Grimsley chuckled wickedly. "How about this, I won't tell them, they'll take me out here every day, and I'll go Mantine Surfing plus two weeks knocked off my debt to them."

  "That sounds great for you."

  Grimsley nodded. "Yes it does. Tupp going with you?"

  Ian hesitated to say, but Grimsley rolled his eyes. "C'mon, I'm not telling them."

  "He's coming with us," Ian said.

  "Good. Peace and quiet, plus I'm getting paid to Mantine Surf for two weeks. I like the sound of that," Grimsley said. "You should go on these things more often."

  Ian sighed, as something else that was nagging him came to the front of his mind. "Was it just me or did Neroli seem kinda down when you guys first popped up?"

  Grimsley grimaced. "Yeah… She took a little leave of absence. Some… information came out about her little sister Acerola recently, and it really messed her up."

  Acerola is Neroli's sister? Well their names do sound kind of similar. "Is she sick or something?"

  Grimsley shivered uncomfortably. "Kind of? She was in Haina Town during Breon's mutiny from the ASF, Neroli probably figured something happened to her, like she got taken as one of Breon's concubines or got imprisoned for disagreeing with him. But it's apparently much worse…"

  "What could be worse than that?" Ian asked in disbelief.

  "They're using Acerola's challenge trial site, some abandoned Thrifty Megamart on the outside of town as a jail," Grimsley explained. "And apparently she's the jail's warden who uses Ghost Pokemon to torment their prisoners."

  Ian's eyebrows rose. "Woah…"

  "Yeah… So make sure no one in your little squad gets captured by Breon's guys when you go by Haina Town," Grimsley said, then pulled out Liepard's ball and released the lithe feline. "Speaking of not getting captured, it's time for Litleo's chase training."

  Ian nodded, grabbing Litleo's ball and in moments seeing the two felines chasing each other. "So Grimsley, I'm getting this weird feeling Litleo's gonna evolve while I'm out on the expedition."

  "Ha! Why do you think that?" Grimsley said. "Litleo's mentality is good now that he's bonded with you, but he's still got some time to go until he's at the point of becoming a Pyroar."

  "Just a feeling…" Ian paused. "But if he were to evolve to Pyroar…"

  Grimsley groaned. "The most important things would be perfecting the aim and strength of his Special Attacks. As a Litleo he doesn't have much ranged combat experience. That will be the big focus. Plus getting used to his bigger body."

  Ian nodded. "Thanks. Never know when I'll need it."

  Grimsley's eyes investigated Ian skeptically. "I can tell when the gears are turning in your mind Ian, you know something."

  Ian shrugged. "Maybe I do…"

  Grimsley turned his attention away from Ian, seemingly dropping the line of questions. "Liepard, come on! Litleo's not that fast!" Grimsley shouted.

  ***

  At approximately 2:31, Ian watched Grimsley and Neroli disappear via Elgyem Teleport, then smiled knowingly and made his way twenty feet or so into the grove, Po Town's wall still looming over him nearby. "Alright Litleo, it's time. You've earned it," Ian said pulling out the Large EXP Candy from his pocket and setting it in front of his lion cub.

  Litleo eyed it curiously before biting in, but once he got one taste, the voracious cub just wanted more. The candy's crumbs occasionally sparkled as Litleo worked on devouring more of the light blue candy until there was just a quarter of it left. Any moment now… Litleo groaned as it stepped back, looking at Ian like it didn't want to eat anymore. "I'm sure you're full Litleo, but try and finish it for me if you can."

  Litleo growled with annoyance, but set about his task, growling some more as he dug in. Suddenly Litleo stopped and croaked like he was chocking. "Wait Litleo-"

  Litleo began to glow brightly, forcing Ian to shield his eyes as air blasted his body. It sounded like howling wind, and a powerful hum hit his ears for a number of seconds before suddenly everything went still and the bright light stopped. Ian uncovered his eyes and looked on in awe as a fully grown lion standing chest-high on Ian's tall form. His majestic mane shone brightly like a dancing fire, alternating in red and yellow sections around his head as a potent warmth emanated in the lion's proximity. Pyroar gave a triumphant roar, almost as loud as an Alpha's roar and Ian caught a glimpse of Pyroar's razor sharp teeth.

  "Pyroar, you look badass!" Ian shouted out, completely awestruck. Pyroar growled lowly at Ian before rubbing up against his trainer affectionately. "Can't wait to see how much stronger you've grown." Pyroar growled lowly, excitedly, its eyes locking in with intensity.

  ***

  Crouching at the top of Po Town's wall holding a pair of binoculars as he tried to make himself as stealthy as possible, Hyde watched on as Ian hugged his newly evolved Pyroar with his jaw agape. "You've got to be fucking kidding me," Hyde muttered lowly.

  Hyde watched on as Ian's Pyroar got into its hind legs to essentially hug his trainer as Ian laughed carelessly. The thing Litleo ate sure looked an awful lot like the Alpha Poop, as Selene called it. Is that some sort of stengthener for a Pokemon? How the hell does this fake "Faller" know this? Hyde shook his head and lowered it so he was no longer in vision of Ian, resting the back of his head on the wall. He'd been watching Ian and Grimsley's training sessions when he wasn't out hunting Ultra Storms with Plumeria, and the reports he gave to Guzma and Plumeria should've been eye raising at least, except Plumeria and Guzma didn't believe Grimsley was actually a former member of Unova's Elite Four.

  Hyde thought back to the first time he'd seen the poster of Unova's Elite Four in his older brother Tristain's bedroom. It had been their Uncle Martell, who had went to Unova to become a high level trainer, who gave Tristain the poster. Ever since then, all Tristain wanted to do was become a top trainer like Uncle Marty in a "real competitive region."

  "If you'd just stuck it out in Alola instead of joing the Unova Marines like an idiot you'd still be alive big bro," Hyde said as his voice wavered. He suddenly grunted loudly and swung his fist to the side, smacking right into the wall.

  "Ian, you're such a fucking Unova Marine plant, it's so obvious. The Driftwood Guild has cozied up to you, everyone's sucking your dick, and you're getting 'tutored' by a former Unovan Elite Four member that just happens to be in Alola…" Hyde paused as he thought back to the conversation with Tupp where he asked what kind teaching Grimsley was giving Ian. There's no way just "believing" in your Pokemon and playing tag are actual training methods used by a former Elite Four member. The Marines just don't want Team Skull's trainers to get too powerful so that one day Ian will overthrow Guzma or some stupid shit.

  "I'll make sure Po Town sees you for who you really are, Ian. Just an undercover Unovan Marine. They'll all see…" Hyde vowed, clenching his fist. He noticed blood had started to drip down to his wrist and he grunted with frustration. Asshole.

  ***

  Ian was the last to arrive to Po Town's front gate where a number of Team Skull cadre had gathered, including Guzma, Tom, and Rook. He'd had trouble finding his third Team Skull uniform. No laundry for two weeks is gonna stink, literally.

  "About time yo," Rapp teased.

  "In case you didn't know, Ian's back with us for this mission," Plumeria stated loudly, drawing the assembled group of Team Skull members' attention.

  "Why?" Hyde demanded.

  "Because she said so Hyde," Guzma fired back.

  Plumeria gave the Team Skull boss an annoyed look but continued on. "That too, but also because you'll notice we don't have any food supplies past the first night. That's intended. We need all of the space in Team Skull's one Silph Bag for the seeds and equipment we're going to get from Palmer's Ranch. Ian's Sawsbuck will grow us our meals out on the road."

  "We'll still be able to do some fishing, right?" Tupp asked.

  Plumeria rolled her eyes. "After the first night we'll be away from the coast, so there won't be much of a point."

  "What if we come across any creeks and rivers?" Selene asked.

  Plumeria grunted. "That's just… Just don't worry about it, okay?"

  Tupp gasped. "But Big Sis, a fishing rod and tackle box-"

  "Just shut it, okay?" Guzma interrupted.

  "Thanks…" Plumeria said reluctantly. "Where was I? Well, instead of trying to sneak past Haina Town, we're going to take the route I took when I went as an emissary to the Rough Raiders during the Breon conflict at the start of all this nonsense." Plumeria turned around and pointed in the distance. Ian gulped as he realized she was pointing at Ula'Ula's second, taller mountain. Mount Lanakila. "We only have to go like a quarter of the way up and we should dodge Breon's patrols. There's supposed to be a settlement higher up but I never interacted with them. Hopefully we go under the radar this time as well. Everyone understand?"

  A chorus of affirmative words were said, and Plumeria almost smiled. "Good, double check your bags and camelbak, then grab your bikes. It's an hour's ride to the meadow, then another hour after that to Aether Camp. I want to get the tents set up by sundown."

  Ian unzipped his backpack obediently, making sure he had the bar of soap he'd been given, as well as the extra pairs of underwear. Ian made sure to leave a little space in the black backpack next to his two Star Pieces. In case we come upon anymore Ultra Storms and there's EXP Candy to be had. And you can never have too many Star Pieces.

  "Hey Ian! Before you go…" A loud feminine yell came from up the street. Mina was damn near sprinting his way determinedly.

  "Come to see us off?" Ian asked with a smile.

  Mina nodded. "Can't let me favorite musician leave without saying goodbye."

  Ian shrugged. "I appreciate it. I'm sorry I won't be able to see the finished product on that mural of yours for a while."

  Mina shook her head. "It'll still be there when you get back. I'll have something new in the works-" Mina gasped suddenly as her eyes expanded. "Can you get your Sawsbuck out?"

  "My Sawsbuck? I'm not supposed to take him out within the walls."

  "Just for a sec," Mina said. Ian turned to Tom who just shrugged.

  "Okay…" Ian grabbed Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released his Sawsbuck onto the asphalt.

  Mina leered at Sawsbuck as if she was in a staring contest with the blessed stag, but then Mina gasped again. "Can you get on Sawsbuck like you're gonna ride it?"

  "Uh… sure?" Ian said uncertainly as he stepped to Sawsbuck, whose vines were already grabbing hold of him to help him on. Ian got plopped onto Sawsbuck's back and Mina stepped back a few feet, putting her hands up like a photographer practicing a picture's view. She stepped to the side a few feet and smiled.

  "There, perfect…" Mina said, putting her hands back down at her side.

  "How about you hurry the fuck up, Ian?" Hyde chimed in.

  "How about you put your hate-boner back in your pants, asswipe?" Ian fired back without missing a beat.

  Tupp and Rapp both laughed like children at the term.

  "What the fuck's a hate-boner? Lemme guess, just more Unovan nonsense," Hyde replied.

  "Still makes more sense than your incessant need to eat my ass," Ian piled on.

  "You fucker-" Hyde stopped as Guzma held his hand up symbolically.

  "Don't make me pull you off the mission, Hyde," Guzma said.

  Hyde grunted angrily and folded his arms, but stood down. Ian took a deep breath and did the same, getting off of Sawsbuck. Mina stepped closer to him, a nervous smile on her face and a curious twinkle in her dark eyes.

  Oh wait, she might be wanting me to give her a kiss as a send of… Ian's stomach flared up with butterflies while his chest tensed. Mina appeared to pick up on Ian's hesitation and smirked, turning to the other squad members. "Come back safe everyone," Mina said.

  Ian nodded, but noticed Guzma stepping to him, his usual sinister smile on his face. "What's the first rule of Team Skull, Coogz?"

  "Always looks out for each other," Ian said seriously.

  "That includes Hyde, no matter how much he deserves to get left in the dust," Guzma said.

  Ian nodded. "Of course." I hope it goes both ways.

  "Okay everyone, get to your bikes. We got a ways to go!" Plumeria barked. Ian hesitated, watching Tupp, Selene, and Rapp dash to the bike rack against the wall. He noticed Hyde now glaring at him, and Ian lowered his shoulders and mouthed "C'mon man," before following his fellow squad members.

  Referenced Songs

  "At Home"

  "Seafolk Village" (Night)

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D31lTX1ovA&list=RD8D31lTX1ovA&start_radio=1