Amethio de Vere

  Each report contains the same information. Latias and Latios are Pokémon we only know the bare minimum about. Nothing that will get me anywhere or make my grandfather happy.

  What’s left is the option of turning to some of Hoenn’s researchers, who spend their time adventuring to see if there are any useful clues at all. Without a lead, there’s no chance of delving into Domino’s memories and thus her ability. At least not without handing her over to Spinel. Besides, there’s this assignment. The same instruction I already received on Alola.

  Failure is out of the question. After Rayquaza, I can’t afford any more missteps.

  The back of the chair presses hard into my back as I lean into it. Hoenn is no place to get anywhere. Neither regarding Rakua nor in the face of the Six Heroes we’re watching while the Rising Volt Tacklers do the work. Another order I have to follow to avoid causing a commotion. The other members of the Explorers don’t need to know too much about my progress. Especially now that Hamber has used his time to teach me how to use the Terastal phenomenon.

  With this power, I can stand up to Friede. I can honour my grandfather and fulfil his wish. This time, I’m sure I can reach Rakua for him and give him another chance to make this world a better place. But as long as we’re in Hoenn, there’s no progress.

  The sudden whirring of my Rotom Phone breaks through the thought. Resenting this region won’t get me anywhere. In a best-case scenario, we solve the break-ins as quickly as possible and move on.

  A glance at the display brings a message from Conia into view. A few words I have to read twice to make sure I’ve understood correctly.

  Domino has been kidnapped by the Rising Volt Tacklers!

  It’s my fault, sir, and I take full responsibility!

  My teeth ache under the pressure of my jaw. As if there weren’t enough problems already, she’s also run into the arms of this bunch. I can’t say I blame her. She’s got better. Stronger. But she’s not more capable than Friede.

  That’s probably why my body reacts and jumps up before I even know what to say. Keeping calm is the only safety I have. Not least because it takes a plan to get her back without thinking about her more than necessary.

  Or about her feelings.

  About the moment when we almost kissed.

  The hope in her eyes and the words on her lips. I don’t want to remember how she made clear she wanted more between us. Something like a relationship where we’re closer than would be wise.

  Accepting Domino at my side would be nothing more than a conflict of interest. She’s important to the Explorers, for an alternative way to attract Rayquaza, and by extension the Rising Volt Tacklers with Terapagos. If my grandfather’s thesis, and therefore Spinel’s, is correct, then Domino may even can dominate these creatures. It’s just speculation, but they’re both sure there’s more to her than just the ability to communicate with Pokémon.

  So letting her get closer to me than necessary would mean nothing more than getting in the way of our goal. If I consider her words longer than I need to, if I open up to her, I might not let her go afterwards. And that would disappoint Gibeon. Again.

  I can’t afford any more defeats.

  Meanwhile, I reach for my Rotom. The tightness in my chest makes every breath difficult. This inner turmoil is proof of how close to the edge we are. If I lose Domino, I will also lose an opportunity to fulfil my grandfather’s wishes.

  I am not my father.

  Not a failure who can’t complete even the simplest of tasks.

  Protecting a girl can’t possibly be that hard. Besides, she probably relies on me. She’s naive enough to believe in the good despite everything. Even when everything seems bleak. It’s almost as if I’m a magician who can solve any problem she can’t overcome with the snap of a finger. But she knows better.

  We both know better.

  Immediately I call Conia. It takes a while for her to pick up. Her stuttered greeting barely reaches me.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Watch the Volt Tacklers. We can’t lose them,” I explain as calmly as possible. “We’ll get her back as soon as we get the chance.”

  And there will be one. Ultimately, Domino can’t sit still. She will try to escape, causing chaos that will serve its purpose. At least, if she doesn’t let this troupe wrap her around their fingers.

  My mouth twists automatically. I shouldn’t be thinking about what they could put in her head. She’s not stupid, and she has a heart that wants the best for everyone. Worst-case scenario, Terapagos tells her what they’re looking for, and also that I haven’t been completely honest with her. In her eyes, this Pokémon is a danger. In reality, it’s a key that Gibeon needs. However the whole thing is supposed to work, we need Terapagos and Rayquaza. At best, all Six Heroes.

  Little things that nobody has told her about. Far too much isn’t passed on to her. Neither the mission in Alola, which I took care of and which is also part of my duties this time, nor the wavering orders between Pokémon and the opposing adventuring party have got through to her. She walks around blindly with us. And yet she thinks she sees enough to want to be closer to me.

  Because she feels something.

  It’s ridiculous.

  “Sir?” Conia pulls me from my thoughts.

  “What is it?”

  “They left as soon as they got back on board. I ... followed them. What do we do if they try to leave Hoenn?”

  “Intervene,” I reply. It’s the only thing I can say. The only logical decision. She’s needed.

  And the tension between us needs to be resolved...

  In the end, I conclude the conversation with Conia. She knows what needs to be done, and she will tell Zir about it. It’s in my hands to pass these circumstances on to Hamber, but my legs refuse to rest. Instead, I pace up and down.

  She’s been avoiding me ever since this problem came up at the market. She hasn’t even responded to messages from Zir and Conia. The fact anyone has managed to lure her out at all is a miracle. Then again, this timing is far too perfect. On the day she decides to face the world, she is seized by the Volt Tacklers. Almost as if these sneaky Patrats had been waiting for her.

  Sighing, I shake my head. I should make myself useful. Do what needs to be done. Something that leaves no room for misguided thoughts. No doubts. No assumptions that have no value.

  Still...

  What if she went willingly? What if this is her way of getting revenge?

  She’s not a girl who just lets herself be taken away. Ghetsis has had to learn that just like me. In her world, it doesn’t take strength, but courage. The will to find a way out, no matter how dangerous. It is this spark in her that makes her actions look rash and insane. A spark that didn’t come out against the Rising Volt Tacklers.

  She probably needs time. She always does.

  All at once, my legs pause and I put a hand over my eyes. I have to stop thinking about her. Whatever happened, it’s none of my business. Not in that way. My job is to ensure her safety. That’s all.

  The sudden hum of Rotom seems like an obvious line under which there is no further room for stupid thoughts. Once again, I glance at the display. Hamber always calls exactly when I should expect it the most. After all, he basically gets in touch when nothing is working as it should - for as long as I can remember.

  I have no choice but to answer.

  “Hamber.” The usually so classic statement, which normally comes easily from my lips, wavers.

  And of course Hamber doesn’t miss a thing. “Hoenn’s circumstances are taking shape?”

  “We had a run-in with the Rising Volt Tacklers. Everything else is under control.” Telling him about Domino should feel normal, but he’ll pass everything on to Gibeon. The last thing I need are belittling words from my grandfather. Silence is better. It’s the right thing to do.

  “Is this certain, or are there issues it needs advice on?” That raspy voice on the other side seems to reach under my skin. It feels like Hamber is baring all my secrets.

  “As I said, everything is under control.”

  “I see.” Hamber understands the boundaries. He knows I can’t say more. Or don’t want to. “Then I will tell Master Gibeon that you are making progress. He will be overjoyed if you can take possession of Latias and Latios.”

  Another component that weighs heavily on my shoulders. First, I have to find out something about these Pokémon.

  “He’s optimistic. After you have done such a good job on Alola, Master Gibeon expects great things from all of you. And especially from you.”

  Of course he does. On Alola, I did everything I could to catch the Tapus. An instruction that reached me before Domino set off to free a Pokémon from the clutches of Guzma. The special balls made catching them easier, but battling four legendary creatures to carry them off to Unova didn’t leave a good feeling. Especially not when they are passed on to Spinel.

  “Also, Master Gibeon is expecting news should Domino tame the legendary dragon far enough to relocate it into a ball,” Hamber continues. “We need to watch her skills.”

  “I’ll pass on information if available,” I reply stiffly. The chances of her summoning Reshiram again are slim. She and this Pokémon have no bond - at least not according to her.

  My eyelids lower. Don’t think about it. It can’t be that complicated to push Domino out of my mind.

  But when Hamber hangs up because he just wanted to remind me one more time of what I need to do, the silence threatens to engulf my senses. Part of me has no choice but to listen to this uncertainty that shouldn’t exist. Her affection shouldn’t matter to me. But it would be a lie to deny it all. Ultimately, I was the one who slowly succumbed to her spell. I almost kissed her. In the heat of the moment, it felt right. Of course it did. Because she’s always there, when that tightness in my chest emerges and is replaced by unusual calm when she distracts me from everything that matters.

  Still, letting her get closer than that also means hurting her. Allowing Domino will cause her more pain than rejecting her. She doesn’t need me.

  Snorting, I throw the Rotom Phone on the table and claw at the back of the chair. Who am I trying to fool? I’ve already hurt her, there’s no question about that. The only question is how she will take this pain. How much will she loathe me for it? How deep is her affection?

  All these issues are unimportant.

  But I can’t get them out of my head.

  Just like I can’t ignore Domino.