Chapter 22 At the Threshold

  Plumeria had the group up and ready to go just after the crack of down, with Tyrunt's feeding session going as smoothly as it ever had, with the baby tyrannosaur being more focused on attacking its unlikely bully: Sandshrew. They kept a brisk pace across the desert, with someone eyeing their southern flank at all times to make sure Breon's goons weren't getting any more bad ideas. While Mandibuzz and Vullaby regularly patrolled the skies above, Ian often caught Plumeria staring at him during the journey, sometimes scowling and other times looking on, looking resigned but paradoxically hopeful. Multiple sides raged a silent war in Ian's mind, with Irida's hauntingly tender voice and elegant beauty on one side, while Colress and the potential promise of incredible, untapped power awaited for him if he was willing. Then his heart would tense as he remembered the people of Po Town he'd be leaving, with echoes of Rylee's curious voice asking "why are Pokemon here?" on the other side.

  This silent tug of war lasted late into the afternoon as they got closer to the Pele Hills and where the third biggest mountain on Ula'Ula Island resided, what Ian figured was the equivalent to the Mudsdale area in the games. Much smaller than the two bigger mountains on the island, the still volcanically active Blush Mountain loomed to the southwest. After reaching the foot of an incline that apparently led out of the desert, Plumeria finally broke her silence. "Let's set up camp here tonight. The ranch should be about a day from here if we can make good time."

  A tense feeling nagged at Ian's chest as it hit home just how close they were. I'm going to have to make a decision soon. Ian looked at Colress, the scientist still shrouded in mystery. Every time I think I'm making a breakthrough with him he does something really suspicious. But he's been incredibly helpful for me, and Tyrunt might slowly be coming around. Ian then turned his attention to Plumeria and felt a sense of dread come over him. Getting away from her means I can basically reset the secret, and I can actually get my story straight so some chick with a stick up her ass won't sniff me out in the future.

  Colress' creepy, gleeful voice interrupted Ian's thoughts. "Will you be taking the first watch tonight?"

  Ian shrugged. "Not up to me…"

  "I was hoping to see if our spectator called upon us again," Colress said.

  Ian gulped. If Tapu Bulu really wanted a battle with Sawsbuck, that has to be terrifying. Maybe it's a test? Do we have to win? "We'll keep an eye out for it."

  "Oh, it's we now? You two gonna start sharing a tent soon?" Plumeria asked sourly, butting her way into the conversation.

  "My tent does have rather luxurious accommodations, all things considered," Colress bragged.

  Ian smirked, ignoring Colress. "Jealous much?"

  "I'd hate to be the one to tell Mina you left her for a scientist," Plumeria said.

  Ian rolled his eyes. "Very funny."

  Plumeria then turned her attention to Colress, folding her arms. "And I'd appreciate it if you didn't distract my watchman from his duties," Plumeria explained. That Mind Barrier thing of yours is a neat trick, but we need to be on guard. Breon's men have had a day to rally more forces."

  "No distraction? I suppose I could agree to that," Colress said.

  "I was more thinking you'd just stay in your tent all night this time around," Plumeria explained.

  "And if I don't agree?" Colress asked, a knowing, vile smirk on his lips.

  Plumeria tensed, but remained silent as she realized how hopeless the game of chicken was.

  "Need I remind you Plumeria, not only are we close enough to civilization I should be able to find my way well enough, but I have paid you far more than necessary to travel with your group. Attempting to constrain my movements within the camp is a touch too far, I reckon," Colress explained.

  Plumeria's scowl deepened and she turned around defiantly. "Fine then, have your little bro-time."

  Colress chuckled lowly so Plumeria wouldn't hear, and he began to open his mouth but paused as Rapp came closer to Ian and Colress.

  "Yo Ian, you've been kinda quiet all day. You mad at me or something?" Rapp asked.

  "Not at all," Ian said, confused.

  "Okay good," Rapp said. "Part of me was thinking maybe you were gettin' kinda pissy at me for not bein' like, all over you after you saved me…"

  Ian shook his head. "I definitely wasn't thinking that. I've just had a lot on my mind…"

  "Cool. Cuz like, I ain't no damsel in distress yo," Rapp clarified. "Thanks for rescuing me and all that, but I wanted to make sure you didn't think I was about to start crushin' on you or something."

  Ian chuckled. "Rapp, that is last thing I'd think of you as."

  Rapp nodded, a big grin crossing her face. "Cool, cool, just wanted to be sure. You best believe when I get some rich guy comin' my way, you'll see me get all… y'know…" Then Rapp's grin got mischievous. "But I'll make sure Mina hears all about it, loverboy."

  Ian shrugged. "I'm not even sure that'll be necessary…"

  "Oh, you're that confident you got her in the bag?" Rapp asked.

  He paused, realizing Rapp likely had no idea of the thoughts he was entertaining. "Yeah…" Ian lied.

  ***

  Ian stayed up past his regular watch shift with Colress observing from nearby, but Tapu Bulu proved to be a no show. Did I piss off Tapu Bulu then? Did it just not approve of what I was doing with Tyrunt last night? Does that mean I should just leave the island then? Ian shook the doubts from his mind for the time being as he trudged back to this tent to awaken Tupp for his watch shift.

  The next morning came with a tense quiet over Ian as the time to make his decision loomed closer. By the end of the day we should be at Palmer's Ranch… He pictured a bright new tomorrow in his mind, imagining what the Pokemon world was like with civilization instead of whatever it was he'd been subjected to in Po Town. Sawsbuck ought to get me picked up by some lab or study group, and the farmers will want us around, it'd be a pretty easy way of getting money I reckon. Not to mention whatever connections this Faller Colress ends up making. Ian's stomach churned, part with guilt and part with unease about this Colress' real intentions. Everyone's saying he's giving off bad vibes, which he is, but I can only imagine how much stronger I'll get with him helping me train my Pokemon. Plus if he's from beyond the Ultra Rift, he may know a way to close it. Then he grimaced as he remembered all of the fast friends and memories he'd be leaving behind. The celebration with Tupp yesterday after catching Vibrava came to the forefront of his mind, followed by Rapp showing off her Galarian Ponyta to the children at Auntie Pula's school. Rylee, she's so little and in such a weird world and is going to go through everything I'm going through now… Plus what happens to Po Town when the food runs out? Ian felt a pain in his heart as tensed up.

  "Ian, we're done packing up," Plumeria said, breaking Ian's train of thought.

  "Yeah, sorry…" Ian said, seeing the other four Team Skull squad members eyeing him curiously.

  Not even a half hour after leaving camp, Colress cleared his throat loudly and covered his mouth. "We have company," the scientist warned.

  The whole group turned southwest to Haina Town, but Ian noticed the movement in his vision wasn't from the desert, but coming down a slope from the Pele Hills, six figures riding Mudsdale descended one after the other, with the leading Mudsdale noticeably larger than the others with prominent red eyes. Alpha Mudsdale.

  Ian noticed Colress holding a ball in his hand at the ready, but he didn't recognize the bright red ball with two black bands around the middle. I feel like I recognize that from somewhere…

  "Stand down everyone," Plumeria ordered loudly. "It's the Rough Raiders, their leader Ted's the guy with the Alpha Mudsdale." Colress grunted before putting the mysterious red ball back into his lab coat.

  The six Mudsdale and their riders slowed their gallop as they got closer, clouds of dust trailing them as they did. When the Alpha Mudsdale and its rider came to a stop, the rest of the group's Mudsdale got alongside them, not daring to pass the leaders.

  "Greetings, Team Skull!" The man from atop the Alpha Mudsdale called out. The man had an older, weathered face like a man in his fifties and a thick moustache with spectacles visible from Ian's vantage point. He wore a brown cowboy hat and a matching brown vest with a black undershirt. Ian noticed his legs were covered in blue jeans. Next to him was what looked to be an Alolan native in similar cowboy garb on his own, much smaller Mudsdale, and next to him was a young woman with bright pink hair, with a green shirt and brown vest on Ian recognized as Neroli of the Driftwood Guild. What's she doing here?

  "Good morning Mr. Beaumont," Plumeria called back.

  "Good morning Miss Plumeria. I didn't expect to see one Team Skull member on this side of the desert, let alone five," Ted replied. "Not even mentioning your. famous companion. It is a surprise to see you out here Dr. Colress, but a welcome one."

  Colress turned to Plumeria and spoke quietly. "Is it okay if I address him?"

  "Yeah," Plumeria said. "His name's Ted Beaumont."

  "Greetings sir," Colress said with an awkward wave of his hand. "I am not the Colress you know, but I feel he and I are quite similar to one another. I am a Faller, and arrived in this world a few days ago."

  "I see," Ted said. "Well allow me to formally introduce ourselves then. We are the Rough Raiders, protectors of the Pele Hills and its people. I am Teddy Beaumont, these are my compatriots…" Teddy then indicated to his direct right. "This is Chuck Gruden, one of our lieutenants, next to him is Markus Davies, and on the far side is Garrett Kerr. To my left is one Zack Tatum, and a Driftwood Guild member you're likely familiar with, Neroli Neimaka."

  Ian noticed the three on Ted's right looked a bit different to Ted and Zack. Those three had black shirts with silver vests and bandannas, making them look more like members of a biker gang than cowboys.

  "We do know Neroli," Plumeria said, a hint of coldness in her voice before pointing her finger at herself and the subsequent Team Skull members. "I'm Plumeria Hemlock, this is Rapp Stocke, Selene Tsukino, Tupp Porter, and Ian Cougar."

  "Good then!" Ted called out. "Now that we're more well acquainted, may we dismount and approach?"

  "Sure!" Plumeria called back, her tone not matching the annoyed look in her eye.

  The five Rough Raiders got off their mounts without a hitch, while the rider next to Neroli offered his hand to assist her getting off smoothly. A large, swooping bird came flying down behind the Rough Raiders and landed. Ian recognized the vulture-like Pokemon to be a Mandibuzz, although it seemed a bit skinnier than he'd remembered seeing in the games. As the four Rough Raiders and Neroli approached, the man reached for some gadget around the vulture Pokemon's neck before taking hold of it and recalling the large bird Pokemon in a Poke Ball and catching up to his companions.

  "So Plumeria, what brings a Team Skull squad so far away from Po Town?" Ted asked with a polite curiosity.

  Plumeria eyed Neroli suspiciously. "I'd prefer to not disclose that information in front of a Driftwood Guild member."

  "I've seen the work on the crop fields outside the walls of Po Town, and we had a guild member stop by Makamae Town yesterday," Neroli said. "So we know you're getting seeds, and the Rough Raiders here just want to know where from."

  Plumeria scowled. "Palmer's Ranch."

  "Perfect!" Ted called out enthusiastically. "Good old Craig Palmer has been a sort of go-between for us, being so near the defensive line of Malie City. A go-between usually involving things the Driftwood Guild has a hard time acquiring. Unfortunately, after our raids on aid caravans to Haina Town and that bastard Breon, the ASF has disbarred Craig from doing business directly with us. The only reason the ASF hasn't hunted us down yet is we control the Blush Mountain Geothermal Power Plant and have kept power flowing that way."

  "So we'd be buying stuff for you?" Plumeria asked. "I'm not against the idea, but we need all of the valuables we have for our own purposes. While we'd like to buy for you, I'm afraid we can't spare what we have."

  "We could give you our valuables and you make the purchase for us," Ted offered. One of the biker-looking guys grunted with irritation, but did not protest the offer.

  "That could be possible," Plumeria said carefully.

  "We would have two conditions though," Ted began. "One: you will ride with us through the Pele Hills until reaching the border. It is a shorter route with the extra Mudsdale we've brought for you, and will save you quite a bit of walking. And second, one of your squad members will stay with us until your return." Ted's eyes shifted to Ian if only for a moment.

  Plumeria's scowl tightened. "A reasonable request, but I don't like having one of our members basically be your hostage."

  "He wouldn't be a hostage," Ted said with a smile, stealing another quick glance at Ian.

  Plumeria rolled her eyes. "I appreciate the offer, but no deal." Plumeria exhaled abruptly and turned to her group. "C'mon guys, let's get moving." Plumeria turned around and motioned for the rest of the group of five to follow.

  "Okay fine," Ted called back. "No hostage. We will go completely on trust."

  Plumeria stopped, scowling once more. Now it feels like we're about to get robbed. "Can I get a minute to think on it?" Plumeria asked.

  "Of course," Teddy said, motioning his fellow Rough Raiders to back away.

  "Hey Ian," Neroli said lowly with a grin, motioning him to come over to her.

  "Hey Neroli," Ian said, taking a step to her.

  "Ian Cougar!" Plumeria barked. "Strategy meeting, get over here. Selene you too."

  "Big Sis, how come I can't join?" Tupp asked.

  "When you can pronounce 'strategy' correctly I'll consider it," Plumeria retorted.

  Tupp punched the air with frustration, slumping his shoulders in defeat.

  Plumeria brought Ian and Selene in close. "This is kind of suspicious, but it would be free security if they're not actually trying to rob us."

  Selene shook her head. "They're so gonna rob us. Those two guys, Marcus Davies and Chuck Gruden? They were on wanted posters in Malie City when I was still doing my Island Challenge."

  Plumeria grimaced before turning to Ian. "You think us and Colress could fight these guys if they attacked us?"

  "Well…" Ian went silent as his mind raced with possibilities. Colress did have a ball ready to use against them when they pulled up, and it wasn't Metagross' ball- Ian gasped as a revelation hit him. That red ball he had earlier was a Cherish Ball, which is what Mythic Pokemon from events would be handed out in the games with! "You know… I think Colress might be able to pull it off. He mentioned having something other than Metagross that could fight off a large group, remember?"

  Plumeria nodded. "Yeah…" Plumeria then paused. "But why would they be so willing to give us their money basically without a hostage?"

  "Maybe they're that desperate for whatever they need from Palmer…" Selene wondered aloud.

  Ian thought on it for a bit, trying to consider things from their angle. "They're hostile to Breon, right?"

  Plumeria nodded. "Still technically at war with him, but it's low-key right now."

  "This might be a stretch, but it might be a test to see if we're reliable. Reliable enough to be allies if things with Breon heat up again," Ian said. "If we can hold their money with no collateral and buy them necessary supplies, I bet they'll offer an alliance not long after."

  "You sure?" Selene asked.

  Plumeria nodded. "That makes a lot of sense, Ian. Good insight."

  Ian nodded, and Plumeria withdrew her arms from around his and Selene's shoulders. "We'll do it!"

  "Very well then!" Ted responded with vigorous enthusiasm. "Let's get everyone set up…" Ted said, beckoning Plumeria over.

  Ian looked on for a bit before Neroli and the more cowboy-looking Rough Raider approached him. "So Ian, I couldn't believe it when the Raiders said they spotted a guy with a powerful Sawsbuck running around the desert."

  Ian shrugged. "Really?" He asked with a nervous smile.

  "Grimsley's given me multiple reports on your training progress the past few days," Neroli said, a hint of frustration in her voice. "So if you've been here, has Grimsley just been Mantine surfing since you left?"

  Ian laughed nervously. "Uh… no idea… Plumeria didn't want you guys to know we were heading over to Palmer's Ranch, so Grimsley kept the lie up because I asked him." Maybe they'll buy my jumping on the sword here. I owe him after all he's helped me with.

  Neroli grunted, but relented. "It would be so much easier if Plumeria gave us just a little bit of trust."

  Ian grimaced. "I know you guys are basically forcing Grimsley to help me, but she says you guys are buddy-buddy with Surge and one of his goons almost killed me on my fourth day on the island, so I understand her dislike of you guys."

  Neroli rolled her eyes. "Look, we hold no oaths above the island, and we really mean it. I can't get into our business with Surge other than I can say he's doing quite a bit for us as well."

  Ian grimaced. "Fine then. On the subject of Surge, is he the real Surge? Like the gym leader from Kanto but over here with a Zapdos for some reason?"

  Neroli shook her head. "I really should charge you for this, but no. Lieutenant Surge is the active gym leader in Kanto even now, so this copycat must be a Faller from an Ultra Storm. The only gym leader who's on leave from Kanto is Erika, at least I'm pretty sure…"

  "Good. Things seem even weirder now," Ian said with a chuckle.

  The man Ian remembered as Tatum, who'd been silently with Neroli finally opened his mouth having found his opening. "So you're Ian Cougar, the Sawsbuck-guy, right?"

  "Uh…"

  "Ian, they have video footage of you fighting Breon's goons," Neroli said.

  Tatum gave Neroli a sour look. "I thought you were neutral! You're not even being subtle-"

  "I don't want him thinking I spilled all of the beans about him, sir," Neroli fired back with a flirtatious smile before turning to Ian. "Because I didn't. I just verified a few things."

  "Video footage?" Ian asked. "Oh wait, that thing on your Mandibuzz earlier."

  Tatum shrugged. "Okay, I'm not the best at being subtle either. But dude, I saw you go one versus two trying to save that pink-haired girl, that was amazing," Tatum said. "I showed Teddy and Al the footage and they were really impressed."

  Don't tell me these guys want to recruit me too. "Well, Sawsbuck did all of the hard work," Ian said with a smile. "And who's Al?"

  "Alton 'Silver Eyes' Davies," Neroli said with a giggle.

  Tatum shrugged. "Used to be a sort of gangster on the island, but joined up with Teddy when Breon mutinied and Blush Beach took in refugees from the town. Him and Teddy are like co-commanders of this whole thing now."

  "It explains the different attire," Neroli said, pointing at the biker guys.

  "Makes sense…" Ian said.

  Neroli leaned in close to Ian. "Don't say anything bad about Al around those dudes. Marcus, the younger one is Al's son."

  "Gotcha…" Ian said.

  "Ian!" Plumeria barked. "Stop flirting and get ready for your Mudsdale."

  Ian turned around to see the other five members of the squad had mounted up on Mudsdales, saddles and all.

  "He doesn't need a Mudsdale does he? I saw the footage of him riding that Sawsbuck quite adeptly," Ted chimed in.

  Plumeria froze with shock. Ian mouthed "eyes in the sky" and pointed up, to which she gave a defeated groan.

  "I'd still prefer he not have to ride Sawsbuck," Plumeria said. She doesn't want the blessing to get found out.

  Ted guffawed loudly. "I understand your want for keeping that blessed Pokemon under wraps, but we already know. Besides, young Ian shouldn't be restrained to such a degree. After all, he is the top candidate to be the island's next Kahuna."

  Ian froze as the words hit his ears, and his mind began racing. What does he mean "top candidate to be the next Kahuna?" Is he serious? When Ian started to process external actions, he realized every member of Team Skull had gone into a similar state of shock.

  "Well, isn't that obvious?" Colress asked aloud with his signature, creepy chuckle.

  "I think I'm gonna just go, I've gotta yell at Grimsley anyways…" Neroli said, sliding off her Mudsdale and letting out her Elgyem.

  Plumeria was the first to regain composure and initially she glared daggers at Neroli until she and Elgyem disappeared with a Teleport. She tried to keep her scowl to a minimum and turned to Ted. "Well maybe I was trying to put some humility into my new recruit here. He's only been with us for three weeks."

  "Three weeks and he's the only one that can chase down a teammate kidnapped by Breon's goons? Humility ain't what you're looking for," Tatum said, an accusation on his lips.

  Plumeria growled in frustration, her eyes straining with anger but her mouth shut. We're too deep in to turn back now, she realizes it too. Plumeria took the reins of her Mudsdale and approached Ian, clearly unhappy but trying to sound accommodating. "You can do whatever you want."

  Ian immediately reached for Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and released it, with its vines quickly aiding him on getting on his once again spring form blessed stag's back. Plumeria gave an exhausted exhale, but said nothing in response as Sawsbuck and Ian made their way to Tupp and his Mudsdale.

  "Ay yo, is Tapu Bulu really gonna make you the next Kahuna?" Tupp whispered.

  Ian shrugged and began to whisper as well. "It didn't exactly tell me anything when it decided to not murder me. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement."

  "Are we all ready to ride?" Ted called out loudly.

  "Finally!" One of the biker-looking guys called back.

  ***

  The group of eleven riders made their way up and down the various slopes of the brown colored Pele Hills as the sun beat down on them with there being no interference from the cloud cover. The land was mostly barren of plant life thanks to the arid climate, as Ted explained. Ian and Tupp picked up the rear of the party with Tatum, partly because Tupp's Mudsdale was a bit slow and also so Ian didn't have to deal with Plumeria looking over his way every thirty seconds. Ted had apparently acknowledged Plumeria's sensitivity about Ian and kept mostly quiet for the duration of the current trek. Whenever Sawsbuck passed any bit of vegetation, whether alive or dead, their Rough Raider escorts would watch with quiet fascination as the plants would surge with life from Sawsbuck's Grassy Surge ability. In their defense, it is tough to get used to in the beginning.

  It had been a couple hours since they'd begun their Mudsdale ride through the Pele Hills of Ula'Ula Island when Ted pointed at Blush Mountain in the near distance. "That's where the crater for the longest ongoing eruption on the entire planet is," he announced before pointing to the top of the slope just up ahead. "That vantage point will even catch the caldera's glow at night," Ted continued before his Alpha Mudsdale slowed, ending up coincidentally next to Ian as Tatum's Mudsdale had silently moved from its initial position. "Young Mr. Cougar, I've seen that Sawsbuck in action, but how is it with inclines?"

  Ian shrugged. "Not entirely sure, we don't practice on a lot of inclines."

  "Care for a little race against my Mudsdale?" Ted asked lowly with an exuberant smile on his slightly wrinkled face. Ted's Mudsdale, which towered over Sawsbuck and the other Mudsdale, turned its head, focusing its bright red Alpha Eyes on Ian and Sawsbuck and snorted dismissively.

  Sawsbuck gave a defiant bleat and shook its body a little, as if loosening up for the challenge. "You want it, Sawsbuck?" Sawsbuck nodded its head, with its cherry blossom adorned antlers swaying momentarily.

  "Good to hear, let's get out wide," Ted said, signalling Ian to go around the bulk of the party. Once Sawsbuck got Ian in front of the three biker-looking Rough Raiders and lined back up next to Ted and his Alpha, Ted put his hand in the air. "On three. One, two, three!"

  Sawsbuck and Mudsdale both gave fierce cries as they sprang into action. Mudsdale's massive form caused the hoofbeats thudded against the ground like tiny thunderclaps, while Sawsbuck daintier form bolted like a newly unrestrained spring, taking a quick early lead on the flatland.

  Ian heard Plumeria curse somewhere in the barrage of sound, only for Ian to turn around and see Ted and his Alpha Mudsdale plodding along with a fury. A thing that big has gotta be building up momentum. "Good stuff so far Sawsbuck, but it's just getting started!" Ian called as Sawsbuck landed on the first bit of the incline, his blessed stag's rhythm disrupted immediately, causing Ian to be pushed forward, the bizarrely sturdy vines around his legs being the only thing keeping him mounted.

  Sawsbuck needed a few strides to find its rhythm up the incline, but did so, albeit much slower than before. Ian realized the slope had to be almost two hundred feet, and they weren't even a third of the way up when Mudsdale's thunderous gallop hit the incline without disruption. Well shit.

  Sawsbuck seemed to sense the oncoming titan of a horse, and gave a spirited battle cry as it upped its pace. When Sawsbuck passed the halfway point, Ian could tell Mudsdale had only continued to gain at an alarming rate. Upon getting to the three quarter point of the brown hill, Ted and his Alpha Musdale pulled up alongside Ian and his tiring Sawsbuck.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "Apologies young man," Ted said with a proud grin on his face before facing forward again and putting both of his hands on the saddle's protrusion. "Gotta hold on tight for this one," Ted said light-heartedly before abruptly changing into a booming, commanding tone. "Mudsdale, High Horsepower!"

  Alpha Mudsdale suddenly glowed with light brown Ground Type Energy and in an instant burst forward, sending a shockwave that nearly knocked Sawsbuck and Ian over. Mudsdale's massive form moved so quickly Ian couldn't even see its legs, just a cloud of dust and Type Energy following the titanic steed as it seemingly bulldozed its way to the top of the slope.

  When Sawsbuck's stride got back in rhythm, Ian gave his blessed stag an affectionate scratch on the back of its neck. "No need to tire yourself, it's over, bud." Sawsbuck slowed, breathing heavily as it got into a trot. When Sawsbuck did meet the triumphant Ted and Alpha Mudsdale at the top of the hill, Ted greeted him warmly.

  "A very fine effort, young man, Sawsbuck," Ted said. "I suppose you haven't tried using moves while on Sawsbuck's back?"

  Ian shook his head. "Considering it's been only a couple weeks since we started riding together, that hasn't really crossed my mind, other than Leech Seed."

  "Fair," Ted said. "But one must continuously push themselves in order to improve. I can tell Team Skull appears just happy to have you around, and your growth may soon stagnate."

  "Well-"

  "Neroli has spoken to me about Driftwood hiring Grimsley to help train you," Ted interrupted. "But you and Grimsley being with us, here would be far better for your development, if you truly intend on becoming the Kahuna of this island."

  Sawsbuck shifted uneasily, sensing Ian's discomfort from Ted's words. "I'm really not sure I want that, and there's no guarantee that's what's going on."

  Ted shook his head, fixating his intense gaze on Ian. "The Driftwood Guild claims they hold no oaths above the island. They always exact a price, and are choosy with who they share intelligence with, yet they clear the marker of a top trainer just so he can train you?"

  "They may be trying to make me feel like I owe them long term," Ian said.

  Ted shook his head. "Neroli said little about the Guild's plans for you other than wanting you with us long term. But I'm no fool, they're grooming you to be the next Kahuna, and are trying to make sure you're worthy of that title."

  Oh shit, he's right. "I… don't think that's the best idea, I've only been here three weeks-"

  "Another time," Ted said with a grunt as Ian heard the hoofbeats of multiple Mudsdale reaching the top of their vantage point. "Yes young Mr. Cougar, it is a magnificent view from up here."

  Plumeria's Mudsdale approached him, and she gave him a hauntingly sympathetic look as she passed by. Whatever.

  ***

  Plumeria stayed close to Ian the rest of the way, which only ended up being an hour or so at the top of a small hill overlooking green flatlands, and a few miles in the distance sat a large agricultural estate with crops and a huge cattle pasture. Sure looks like a ranch to me.

  When it came time to dismount, Ted took Plumeria aside and handed her a folder from his own Silph Bag, and Ian watched as Ted began manifesting golden Nuggets into his hands.

  "Lunch time?" Colress asked the group of Team Skull members.

  "Yes please," Selene said thankfully.

  Colress distributed the protein bars, leaving the last couple for Ian. The mysterious scientist got shoulder to shoulder with Ian and began to whisper. "Last contact as the woman will be watching me," Colress whispered. "Sometime in the middle of the night, head close to the checkpoint, Nui told me of a camp. I'll meet you a couple hours later and we can go to Malie City together, where you can finally leave this nonsense behind."

  Ian eyed Colress apprehensively, not wanting to give an answer.

  "Think on it," Colress whispered before stepping over to Plumeria, offering her a couple protein bars as well. Once the business was settled, Ted came over to Ian, his piercing blue eyes locked in on Ian's.

  "Stay safe young Mr. Cougar," Ted began. "If you do encounter any ASF members, I would not suggest showing Sawsbuck unless absolutely necessary." Great, now I've got another person bullying me into not showing Sawsbuck to other factions. Ian nodded agreeingly and shook the older man's hand firmly before following the rest of the Team Skull members down the slope.

  Plumeria stayed close to Ian for the entirety of the hourlong walk or so, with Colress choosing to walk on the party's periphery, scanning things with his omnitron but keeping to himself. When they came to a well kept up, paved road, a pit formed with Ian's stomach. We must be really close to Malie City if this is the case. When the group of six got to the outskirts of the ranch, Plumeria ordered them to halt.

  "Is the Stoutland still at the gate?" Selene asked aloud. "It used to be the guard for this side of the ranch. Other side's a Liepard."

  "You passed by here on your Island Challenge?" Plumeria asked.

  Selene nodded with a smile. "Yup! Mr. Palmer's really nice."

  Plumeria grimaced. "I assume he won't be as welcoming as he used to be. But it's probably best to send you and Colress in first to let them know how many of us there are and that we only want to stay one night to make the transaction."

  "A prudent plan," Colress said with a nod. "Which in that case means, it's time I paid up!" Colress said with an overly nice smile before taking his high tech Silph Bag off of his back and scrolling through the top little screen. He already gave Plumeria a Comet Shard last time. Colress manifested a Big Nugget in his hands and handed it to Plumeria with a smile.

  Plumeria's hand that wasn't holding the Big Nugget covered her mouth in disbelief. "My goodness… Um… Thank you, Colress. This all will be put to good use," she promised.

  "Glad to hear. If I ever do come to call upon you, just remember, there's more where that came from," Colress said, stealing a subtle glance at Ian before putting his Silph Bag back on. He turned to Selene and extended his hand invitingly to Selene. "Shall we?"

  Selene giggled nervously, rejecting the offer. "Sure…"

  ***

  After a short talk with Craig, a man no older than thirty-five with a grizzled beard and long brown hair at the ranch entrance, the five Team Skull members and Colress were allowed to set up camp next to the barn on the eastern side of the ranch. Colress had decided to stick around to "rest his tired legs" or something, so his tent wasn't too far off from their own. Ian did get a good look at the actual cattle, which seemed like very slight, non-special versions of Miltank and Tauros that were at the halfway mark between the Pokemon and general cows from Earth. "Domesticated version, almost no powers," Plumeria explained.

  After getting settled with their tents, Ian had training sessions with his team sans Sawsbuck and Tyrunt, and fed his team members behind the barn where no one could see. Partly to keep Sawsbuck hidden but also so they don't see how out of control Tyrunt is. As the sun started to set, Ian found his way to a little gazebo a few dozen feet from their residential barn. During the sunset, he remembered the sunset from two days prior, where Ingo gave him Cogita's words of wisdom. Purpose and peace…

  Tupp eventually joined Ian in the gazebo and started chattering away about the day's events when Ian heard footsteps coming up behind them. "Tupp, Ian," Plumeria spoke with a softer voice than normal.

  "Hey Big Sis," Tupp acknowledged.

  "Need to kick you out Tupp. Gotta talk with Ian," Plumeria said softly.

  "Uh… okay…" Tupp said. "Yo Ian, make sure not to be too loud, Imma go watch the sunset with Selene," Tupp wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

  "Good luck bro," Ian said, offering a fist bump. As Tupp fist bumped back, he gave him a look that seemed to say the same words.

  When Tupp's footsteps had faded into the distance, Ian cleared his throat. "So what'd you want to talk about?"

  Plumeria sighed. "Nice positioning of your chair," Plumeria said.

  "What?" Ian asked.

  "Malie City's gonna light up the sky in the direction you're looking," Plumeria said, pointing to the northeastern horizon. "Thinking of going there while we're asleep?"

  Ian tensed. "Uh… no…" He lied.

  Plumeria sighed. "There's no point in lying Ian. You'd be dumb to not even be considering it at least."

  Ian shrugged. "Fair… With that considered, I'm curious as to why we're staying the night here."

  "Because I only gave him half the treasure of the order. It's such a big order he called in the agriculture supply store he ordered from and is going to need to bring some ASF people along. I'll give him the rest once he has the goods. Plus if we can stay the night on his property without incident, it'll establish a good working relationship for when we need to come back."

  Ian nodded.

  "And us being able to come back does rely on a certain someone and their blessed stag sticking around Po Town," Plumeria mentioned.

  Here it is, the impassioned speech to get me to stay. "It's mostly just Sawsbuck you need, not me."

  Plumeria shook her head. "Deerling doesn't evolve into Sawsbuck without you caring for it, and for it to be so attached to you that it pleaded for your life to Tapu Bulu while its leg had been snapped."

  "I guess you're right…"

  Plumeria smirked. "You know, you've only been with us for three weeks, but already, so many things have changed around Po Town. I don't think anyone's had quite the effect you've had on this town, not for a long time."

  "Being the main source of the food supply does help with that," Ian rationalized.

  "Yeah…" Plumeria said, going deep into thought. "But Tupp is happier, and even though Hyde hates your guts, he's taken more of a leadership role in Team Skull when he's not with the squad. Selene's even been upping her training regimens, seeing this meteoric rise of yours."

  "You're gonna flatter me into being loyal forever?" Ian teased.

  "Can't blame me for trying, right?" Plumeria said with a smile in her voice before pausing once more. "And you've done something no one's done for me since all this nonsense began."

  "Really?" Ian asked skeptically.

  Plumeria nodded. "Well, don't go telling anyone this, I don't want everyone to think I'm going soft…"

  "Now I'm really curious," Ian said with a laugh.

  "Shut up," Plumeria said playfully. "But, that day we were coming back from that convoy mission where Surge showed up and we were talking in that little thicket on the roadside?"

  "Yeah…"

  "Well, you said something like 'I see why everyone calls you Big Sis,' and then you said 'sounds pretty demanding.'" Plumeria paused, looking up to the gazebo's ceiling for more than a few moments. She doesn't want to show she's getting emotional… "And that was the first time since Team Skull got established that someone acknowledged… well, me, and how hard being everyone's 'Big Sis' is."

  Ian nodded. "Well, the first time I stopped by the school when I was on suspension, Auntie Pula said you're the glue that holds all of Po Town together."

  Plumeria tensed her facial expression. "She'd never say that to my face."

  "In her defense, you are pretty intimidating," Ian said. "Probably because you hide that soft side so well."

  "Ian…" Plumeria said, almost tenderly. "...you're a lot smarter than I give you credit for."

  "I assume I'm never allowed to share that piece of information with anyone ever?" He teased.

  Plumeria giggled softly. "I'll boil you in acid if you do…" Plumeria then took a deep breath, sighing as she exhaled. "But I've had these walls around me for quite some time. I think they're the only things that keep me going, keep me able to be everyone's Big Sis…" Plumeria seemed to pause as she reflected on something. "To be honest, I think having those walls is why I wanted to know your secret so badly. I know how much pain having those walls is, and I didn't want someone else to hurt like I do… But of course I was not ready for what those walls were guarding."

  Ian nodded. "I still feel bad for telling you, it's not fair to you…"

  Plumeria shook her head. "No Ian, I wasn't fair to you. I wanted to know so badly I said you were a threat if you didn't tell me. After all of the things you've done for Team Skull, you didn't deserve that."

  Ian nodded. "Thanks."

  Plumeria sighed, then cozied up in her chair and made her amber eyes fixate on Ian's. "So, how about this, you can ask me anything you want. Anything you think I'm hiding behind these walls of mine, I'll answer."

  Ian shrugged. "Alright, gimme some time to think about it…"

  "And for the record I don't know anything what Mina thinks about you," Plumeria uttered.

  "It wasn't gonna be about that," Ian said, going into a deep state of pondering. Plumeria had disclosed most of what she knew about the Cinders, and about her interactions with most of the island's factions. But then something that he remembered bothering him one night came back to him.

  "You know Plumeria, something always bothered me about you being Big Sis but also being in charge of the recon team," Ian said.

  "Really?"

  "Yeah. You'd probably be better at Rook's job, protecting Po Town, seeing as you look out for everyone. So why are you in the recon team chasing Ultra Storms?"

  Plumeria cursed immediately, with a frustrated grunt following it. "You asshole," Plumeria complained bitterly. "Have I told you I hate how clever you are sometimes?"

  "Like two minutes ago," Ian teased.

  Plumeria grunted once more but took a deep breath. "It's gonna be more than one sentence."

  "I can be here all night," Ian said, pointing up at the lightbulb on the gazebo's ceiling.

  "Okay, I'll spill the beans, but you gotta promise me this stays between us," Plumeria demanded.

  Ian nodded, then smiled as an idea crossed his mind. He then put his hand out, extending his pinky finger to Plumeria. "Put your pinky out."

  "What? Why?"

  Ian shook his head. "It's a pinky promise. Something from back in my world."

  Plumeria eyed him suspiciously but relented, sticking her hand out and extending her own pinky. Ian's pinky intertwined with Plumeria's and he squeezed hers lightly. "I promise I won't say whatever it is you're about to say to me to anyone else."

  Plumeria looked at him like he was crazy but kept her pinky finger interlocked with his. "And the point of this is?"

  "It's like, sacred to children," Ian said with a chuckle.

  "Sacred?"

  "Okay not really, but it's taken way more seriously than you'd think," Ian explained.

  "Okay…" Plumeria said, taking another deep breath. "So, this whole thing started because of my dad."

  Ian's eyebrows rose, his lips zipped shut, and he began listening attentively.

  "He was a Pokemon ranger, he'd drive down to the Ula'Ula Meadow's ranger station for work, doing long hours whenever it was needed," Plumeria explained. "When I was twelve, I figured out mom was cheating on him, and I told him about it… They had a big fight. Dad started spending his nights at the ranger station. Then one day the rangers showed up to our house, looking sad, and they told mom and I that he'd been taken by an Ultra Wormhole…"

  Ian gasped as a realization hit him. She asked if I knew a guy when I got out of the Ultra Storm! "Wait, was his name Oleander?"

  Plumeria nodded slowly. "Yeah. You remembered."

  "Wow…" Ian said, almost speechless.

  "So yeah, I've been chasing after Ultra Storms on the off chance he comes back in one," Plumeria said, a tear coming down her face. "Pathetic, I know…"

  "Yet you take in everyone regardless," Ian said. "Give them shelter, a place to contribute to…" Ian said as some sort of warm and fuzzy energy flowed through his body. "Misfits… Hell, people even from other worlds like mine who don't know what the fuck they're doing," Ian said with a grin. I knew Po Town was a haven for people who don't belong anywhere, but something about it's just hitting differently right now.

  "Well, except that weird guy who got fried by that Vikavolt," Plumeria said. "I still feel guilty about that."

  Ian shrugged. "If he was too dumb to follow your guys' lead, that's on him. You shouldn't feel guilty about that."

  Plumeria sighed. "Maybe… But he's not the only person I feel guilty about…"

  "Oh?" Ian asked. "Who's that then?"

  Plumeria eyed Ian solemnly, holding her gaze for long enough for Ian to realize what she was trying to say. "This is probably the worst time to say it, but in case I never see you again, I need to tell you. I think I might be the reason you're here in Alola."

  Ian scoffed. "I already told you, I don't blame you about the Keahi stuff-"

  "It's not that…" Plumeria looked down dejectedly. "A while back it was my dad's birthday…"

  Then where is she going with this?

  "...Tom and Grillz had just called a Bones meeting, telling us we didn't even have twenty days of food stores left. Afterwards I did what I always do on the night of my dad's birthday, I go to the top of the walls next to the front gate and see if dad will miraculously come back like nothing happened…" Plumeria said with a light sob. "And while I was looking out into the night sky, I saw a shooting star…"

  Ian knew he shouldn't speak, but did his best to show seriously he was listening to her.

  "...I don't know how it is in your world, but here, if you make a wish when you see one, the wish is supposed to come true."

  "It's the same," Ian whispered, trying not to interrupt.

  "...and of course, I wished for my dad to come back, hoping maybe he'd be able to solve this somehow." Plumeria paused some more, another tear falling down her cheek. "But then I said out loud, if he couldn't come, then the universe could send someone, anyone who could help us…"

  Ian nodded seriously.

  Plumeria grimaced, more waterworks adorning her cheeks. "...and then the next day, you came out of an Ultra Storm."

  Ian's jaw dropped in shock.

  "Ian, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry-" Plumeria said as she sobbed, ugly-crying into her hands. "I didn't know-" Ian was out of his chair before he realized it, embracing the sobbing Team Skull squad leader as she cried into his shoulder. Plumeria's sobs now were nothing like the almost proud, composed cries during the meeting with Makamae Town's leaders, this was unhinged, like the depths of her soul were being put on display with no filter.

  "Ian, please don't leave. I know it's not fair, I know I'm just guilt-tripping you now-"

  Ian calmly shooshed her, squeezing her lightly, in a way reminiscent of how Ingo had squeezed his shoulder during his most recent emotional breakdown. "I don't blame you, Plumeria," he said calmly.

  "Ian-"

  Ian squeezed her once more and whispered tenderly. There's a small minority of me that thinks this could be the greatest manipulation ever, but something about this feels too real.

  "I don't think I'm gonna leave," Ian said.

  "Really?" Plumeria asked, her waterlogged amber eyes looking up into his own eyes desperately. Plumeria broke eye contact and shook her head. "Guilt-tripping always just backfires eventually-"

  "It's not because of the guilt trip," Ian said, keeping his composure. "I've had a lot of time to think about this all the past few days…"

  Plumeria nodded, more tears adorning falling from her desperate eyes.

  "...and something that keeps coming back to me is the conversation with Ingo."

  Plumeria gasped before blabbering with desperation. "Ian, he knows about you! I don't know how, but I swear I didn't tell him-"

  "I know you didn't tell him," Ian said. "As weird as it sounds, he's kind of been in my shoes before." Plumeria looked on with bated breath. "He's originally from our time, like now-ish I think, and somehow he got sent back in time to old Sinnoh or Hisui or whatever, and didn't have most of his memories, yet he ended up with the Pearl Clan," Ian explained. "Why he's back in this time, who fucking knows, but he got some great advice when he was back in Hisui, and he encountered a young man that seemed a lot like me, and he gave that advice to the young man, and then to me."

  "What was the advice?" Plumeria asked, almost meekly.

  "Go where your heart leads, and once there, do the most good you can," Ian said with finality. "Sure I could join the Rough Raiders and Ted would train me to be a good Kahuna or something, or I could go with Colress and he could make me some ridiculously powerful trainer, or I could even stay with the Pearl Clan keeping them fed, heck, probably marry Irida to solidify me staying… But every time I think deeply about it, my mind keeps going back to Po Town. It's not just the times I've shared with all of the people there, it's not about just keeping Po Town fed or what I owe Tupp, and you, and Guzma, and everyone really… But I think about Rylee. One day she's going to go through the same crisis I've been going through, and she'll have no one who understands. And who knows, maybe there'll be more people like me and her, who emerge in an Ultra Storm, and Po Town can take them in like they've taken in everyone else."

  Plumeria nodded, deathly serious.

  "We were still in the middle of a food crisis and Guzma gave me some snark for getting Rylee, but in reality there wasn't a question. Even though she wasn't going to be able to help us out, and would be completely dependent on us, you took her in without even a second thought. It's something I've finally realized the magnitude of, and I just… deeply admire that. People view us like criminals and scoundrels on this island, and yet there's this profoundly noble thing we do, and we don't do it for fame or anything, we don't tell everyone that we do it… we just do it because it's right."

  The tears had since dried on her face, but Plumeria's eyes still looked a little watery, but she now sported a proud smile.

  "And something tells me I'm looking at the main reason for that policy," Ian said, slightly bowing his head out of respect. Something about the look in her eye makes me kind of want to give her a kiss or something, it seems kind of fitting. Ian shook the thought from his mind. She's got enough on her plate, she'd probably slap the shit out of me if I did.

  Plumeria stepped to him, taking him in her arms and putting her head onto his shoulder. "Thank you Ian… I'll never be able to say it enough."

  "Just promise me you're not going to start ugly-crying again," Ian teased as Plumeria released him from the embrace.

  Plumeria scoffed. "You are never gonna see that again."

  "Bet," Ian said with a cocky smirk.

  Plumeria rolled her eyes. "Asshole… Just don't tell anyone about tonight, or that we hugged or anything… I don't want any stupid gossip to get out. I got enough crap going on."

  "Yes you do," Ian said with a laugh. "And I'll agree to that. You got my big secret, I got a few of yours, it'll be mutually assured destruction if either of us blabs."

  Plumeria rolled her eyes. "Well, I don't have all your secrets, but it's probably high time I told you I did listen to that song you played on the rainy day."

  "Rainy day?" Ian asked. Oh wait, Change. "I was thinking you might've heard me butcher that song."

  "It was pretty good actually. You'll have to play it for Mina some day," Plumeria teased.

  Ian shook his head. "You gals are making too big a deal about that."

  Plumeria shrugged. "Well let me know if you need a consultant, you've definitely earned it."

  Ian chuckled lightly. "I appreciate it. I think I'm gonna check in for the night."

  "Wait, one more thing," Plumeria demanded. "I feel like it's been a while, and you're not so torn up about it anymore…"

  "What?" Ian croaked.

  "What was your ex-girlfriend's name?" Plumeria asked.

  Ian chuckled. "You know, I think I finally moved on from that, there's been too much shit I've dealt with here on Ula'Ula to keep dwelling on old news."

  "Good… but her name? I have a reason," Plumeria asked, folding her arms.

  Ian rolled his eyes. "Suzy Marie Hartwell, if you gotta know."

  "Thanks," Plumeria said. "I'm gonna ask Guzma to put a punching bag in the girls' bunkhouse when we get back. I wanted to give it a good name."

  Ian laughed. "Do whatever you want with that. Good night Plumeria."

  "Good night, Ian," Plumeria said with sincerity.

  Ian went around the barn in the cool, nighttime air before finding his and Tupp's tent. He heard Tupp snoring from the outside, and struggled to find the entry flap's zipper in the darkness, and tried to make his way in slowly. Tupp suddenly stopped snoring.

  "Bro, you goin' out?" Tupp asked bluntly, still clearly asleep.

  Ian felt a special little smile creep across his face. "Nah man, I'm staying."

  "Good yo," Tupp said before returning back to snoring.

  Ian zipped up the flap and found his sleeping bag, putting his arms behind his head after getting into the makeshift bed. He stared up at the ceiling unable to wipe the grin from his face or cool the warmth in his heart as Ingo's words echoed in his mind. Do the most good you can…