So they left the once again peaceful Pueltown. Despite the success of their mission, Kellyn was worried. Very worried even. Thanks to the other idiot of a henchman, they now knew the names of those who were putting the machines everywhere, the name of the latter, as well as their primary purpose...What a mess.

- /...Fischl?/

- (Yeah, little Amethyst? Are you anxious?)

- / I would say not reassured, rather. It's just that...It's going downhill all over the place...Team Dim Sun, the Gigaremo...I don't know what to think about it./

- (...You want me to be honest? I'm just as lost as you. I'm afraid it's something far beyond us...)

- / You're most definitely right.../

- (But hey, if they're all as dumb as this henchman, we should have a chance!)

The bird's joke made the brunet giggle, and he relaxed immediately afterwards.

- (Let's put that aside for the moment. We'll see what our superiors think about it and we'll act accordingly.)

- / It's okay with me. I'm tired...!/

The foursome's members sighed in relief when they finally spotted the base in Vientown. They all just wanted one thing: to rest.

- We are back!

- Welcome back to you four!...Kate? What is this dark face?

- As I said in my Voicemail, this Team Dim Sun worries me...And on top of that, they took the last Gigaremo...

The Ranger leader shook his head before placing his hands on the free shoulders of his cadets.

- I understand your reaction. I, too, am not at peace. But you both did the best you could, especially for a second year and a new recruit. So don't be too hard on yourself, okay?

- Understood chief....

- Oh? What's this?

All present turned to the Mechanic who was holding in her hand a small black stone in the shape of a diamond. She made it shimmer the light, but yet... Nothing was reflected. She passed her find to Professor Hastings who examined it carefully.

-...I'm going to take it to the Union so that our teams can analyze it. I take this opportunity to say that a conference aiming at countering the Gigaremo will be held as quickly as possible! Barlow, you come with me. We will get to the Union as soon as possible.

The man straightened to his full height, almost doing a salute.

- Roger, Professor! Crawford! Since I won't be around for a while, you're in charge of the base!

- Leave it to me, boss!

- Perfect. Let's go, Professor.

The two adults then left, leaving the rest of the team behind.

- What a day! You both did a great job. Take the rest of the day, okay?

The younger Rangers looked at each other, visibly pleased. Maybe they were going to play together a little for a change.

- By the way, you both have mail.

If the brunet's face lit up, knowing WHO the sender was, the one with cobalt eyes became jaded.

-...Don't tell me it's HER?

- Given the size of the envelope .... I won't say anything.

- For the love of Mew! I'm fed up with it! She can't manage on her own, that one?! She's already 16, damn it!

- I know, I know... But we can't help it, Kate.

- "What's going on?"

The young Ranger let out a desperate gasp from the bottom of her heart.

- It's nothing! Just my stupid older sister STILL causing trouble! Seriously, when will she eventually grow up? She is a Ranger, for Arceus' sake!

The boy found himself pained to see his cousin so enraged. He didn't like seeing her like this.

- "...Do you want to talk about it?"

The chestnuthead sighed softly, trying to regain her composure. She seemed to think for a moment before she smiled bitterly.

- You don't have to play therapist, you know?

The teenager puffed out his cheeks, displeased, before replying quickly:

- "I'm not doing this for morality. I want to help you because you're my cousin. We started off on bad terms, it's a fact. But, look! You're doing everything to help me...We became so close....You're not a stranger to me. You're Kate Hitomi, the cousin who is like a sister to me. So...Let me help you back!"

The young girl was speechless for a long moment, while a lonely tear ran down her cheek causing her cousin to panic.

.....She was moved.

- I....Thank you Kell. I didn't think you... cared about me.

- "Of course I do, Kate!"

The teen laughed heartily, drying her tears.

- Ok ok... You won. Let's go to my room to talk, okay?

The brunet grinned before nodding his head. The two withdrew, followed by their partners.

- Here we are, sit down, I'll get us some drinks. Oh, and ignore the mess, please.

While the owner of the room was leaving, her cousin observed the room. Unlike his, which had no fantasy apart from the nest, the one of the oldest looked more like the one of a teenager. There were a few posters hanging on the wall, Pokemons plushies, and messy stuff on the desk... A typical bedroom.

He smiled before sitting down on the bed, careful not to drop anything.

- (It's different from our lair, that's for sure!)

- Let's say Kate is a normal teenager unlike me....

Both laughed.

- What's so funny?

The one with the cobalt gaze reappeared holding in her hands a tray on which were placed 2 glasses of atypical lemonade, as well as 2 bowls of water.

- Nothing...

- Huhuh...~ I'm going to act like I didn't hear anything. Here is your snack Kell, and yours too Fischl.

The boy thanked her with a smile while taking the glass she was handing. It was obvious that it was not industrial, the liquid was a beautiful yellow in addition to being topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

- I always need calories after a mission, but since I can't eat without taking the risk of not swallowing anything at dinner...I created a modified lemonade. Lemon, honey, water and ice...Perfect to satisfy my stomach!

The teenager's eyes sparkled with adoration. He then decided to test his cousin's creation.

-...Yummy~

- Glad you like it! I'll teach you the recipe one day, so you can make it whenever you want.

- Thank you!

The young girl smiled, touched by her cousin's expression. It was one of the few times she saw Kellyn act without barriers, like a child.

- So...~ Are you...starting...?

- *sigh*....You must not remember this but...I have a big sister. Although, I would have liked to be an only child...

-...That...Much?

- Yup. They said I was a pest when I was a kid, but she... She became one growing up.

She paused for a moment to breathe and calm down.

-...Actually...I think she's having her teenage angst. She's doing what she wants without worrying about the consequences...The fact that she is a Ranger is part of it. Our parents always said "no" to her, but not to me. It's not favoritism, don't worry! But let's just say that she's...Not cut out for this job.

- How...So...?

- Take all the clichés of the spoiled rotten rich girl, and you'll get her. She is arrogant, always making excuses, always prioritizing her own needs before the other's... And above all; she doesn't accept "No" as an answer. You can imagine all the problems she creates. I'm sometimes ashamed to be her sister...

- Humhum...

Kate laughed bitterly while scratching her Pachirisu's head who made a noise of contentment.

-...No wonder she still doesn't have a Partner. Although, I doubt her superiors would allow it anyway. She's been transferred so many times because of her behavior...And she's been a Ranger for just over a year!

- Same...School year...?

- Yeah. You know why? Because she wanted to humiliate me. She never supported the fact that I was more gifted than her in certain areas. Being close to Pokemons is one of the many examples... Except that her favorite activity, and by far the worst, is to seduce all the boys she finds to her liking. Weirdly enough, almost all of them were the ones that interested me! Surprise, surprise!

The brunet froze, horrified. A human couldn't be so cruel! Especially towards her own sister!

Kellyn, in a surge of protective instinct, hugged his cousin who froze in shock.

- K-Kell...?

- I'm sorry. Sorry that she put you through this kind of torture...Sorry that you feel ashamed about it...But, it's not your fault. You can't help it if she's like that. Just ignore her, and focus on your happiness and those who are dear to you.

The chestnuthead made no sound for a long time, taking the time to register all the information given to her. Suddenly, she broke down, bursting into tears against the boy's shoulder. She squeezed him with all her strength, clinging to him as if to keep in touch with reality.

- I can't take it anymore! I can't...! I just want her to leave me alone! But she always finds a way to ruin my day by sending me her damn letters! Always rambling about her next victims and reminding me how she will always steal my partners!

She cried, letting out her wrath and frustration, while the teal-eyed one listened to her in a religious silence giving her caresses and gentle headbutts from time to time. Eventually, she calmed down a bit.

-...But, you know...I have to thank her for one thing...I now know that I prefer girls. Before, I was only interested in womankind so she would leave me alone, however...I learned that I liked girls much more than boys. I...I don't want to go out with any of them anymore...I became lesbian, and I don't regret it at all!...Maybe that's why it didn't affect me that much when she stole my crushes.

She then gave Kellyn a worried look, as if waiting for a judgment... Which didn't come. Instead, the brunet was smiling and had his eyes filled with stars, completely in awe.

- But that's great!

- W-What?

- I'm glad that you were able to find your happiness despite all her pettiness!

Kate was stunned.

- W-Wait...W-Wait a second! You don't mind?

- Minding what?

- That...T-That I only like girls?

An awkward silence settled in only to be destroyed by the youngest's crystalline laughter.

- I don't see where the problem is! It's still love!

- H-Huh...?

- You know, I may not completely understand what love is, but I DO know that it has no limits!

He paused for a few seconds before continuing in a nostalgic tone.

-...When I lived back in Fiore there was a Salamence. Proud, strong and a great leader, she ruled over the Pokemons in the area. They respected her, and counted on her when the situation was getting too bad. She was their queen.

The one with cobalt eyes listened to him with attention and curiosity, although not seeing the connection between her sexuality and a Pokemon.

- But, there was a Pokemon that she held in higher esteem. A Pokemon that stayed by her side in difficult times. Who soothed her and didn't hesitate to fight by her side when the situation demanded it... A Pokemon she loved more than anything... A Delcatty.

-...A-A Delcatty?

- Yup. She was the only one who completely understood Salamence. The only one who loved her unconditionally despite their differences. The one who became the Queen's Sworn Partner.

-...Oh...

The brunet gave her a soft smile.

- So you see...It doesn't matter if you take as a Partner a male, a female, or a member of another species...Love doesn't care about barriers.

A faint laugh echoed around the room confusing the boy.

- Sweet Mew...I didn't know you were so sentimental!

Kellyn tilted his head not knowing what to think about it.

- It's not an insult, don't worry. It's just... I thought that would disturb you. Not everyone accepts this kind of relationship.

- Oh?

- Humhum...~ Some are still a bit...Narrow-minded.

- They're stupid.

- I know, right?

She sighed softly before smiling again.

-...But, thank you. I'm glad you accepted me Kell. I couldn't ask for more...

The one with teal eyes was content to give yet another hug to the young girl who accepted her cousin's overflowing affection.

-...*sigh*...To finish with the idiot who serves as my sister, she has been transferred to another base in Fiore. If I remember correctly, it's...Summerland? I believe?

She felt the brunet tense and turning pale, causing her to break the hug, worried.

- Kell? Everything's good?

The teen began to shake like a leaf so much that Fischl, who had been standing aside until then, landed on his shoulder, rubbing her head against him.

- (Kellyn! Listen to me! It's okay. Breathe. Breathe....)

He got down to the task with difficulty, but soon he regained his senses.

- Anna.

- Huh?

- Is....I-Is her name Anna?

The one with the cobalt gaze seemed surprised.

- Oh? You do remember her after all?

Kellyn paled even more, as he took his partner in his arms before hugging her.

- (Little Amethyst...)

-....No. It's just that K-Keith mentions a certain "Anna" in his letters....Given the description he gives me and the timing....

He didn't finish his sentence leaving Kate to figure it out on her own. The latter turned completely white.

-...Sweet merciful Arceus...! Oh no...I understand who she's talking about now!

- H-Huh?

The young Ranger's stomach knotted.

- In her letters, she often talks about a very talented new kid who she likes a lot...A red-haired boy from another region...It's Keith!

Suddenly the brunet felt empty. Anna, the sister of the lovely Kate, a pest like no other, was having a crush on Keith and was trying to seduce him by all means? It made him sick...

- (Hey Kell, don't worry. Your Sun is fine. He told you himself, didn't he? This girl bothers him to the point that he would much rather stay on a mission and spend the night outside. He won't succumb to her.)

The nickname made the boy blush, but he still gave her a grateful smile before concentrating on his older cousin who was deep in thought.

- To be honest, I had some doubts. Other than the fact that he's not accepting her advances and that it's pissing her off, it seems that he has his eyes riveted on a certain "Angel".

The information made the teenager raise an eyebrow.

- / Angel? I don't think he mentioned someone with this name.../

- ( Um...From what I understand, some humans don't talk about their crushes until it's official or they're sure they like them...Or something like that.)

- /...Oh./

- Anyway, don't worry about him. He rejects her enough to make her go absolutely bonkers, trust me. I just hope this "Angel" is a good person though.

-...I hope so too.

Oh? Since when was he holding back tears?

- Kellyn...?...Oh. I understand.

- W-What...?

Kate smiles, her expression soft and teasing at the same time.

- Hehe! Don't worry, your secret is safe with me!

- Huh?

She stood up and gave him a wink.

- Above all, don't let Angel get ahead of you!~

And she left, probably going to get something. The younger boy was silent for a moment before tilting his head and murmuring, while ignored Fischl's amused gaze:

-...What is she talking about?

-------------------------

Kate: I wish I was an only child!

Kellyn: *sharpening a knife* I can rectify it if you want?

-----------------------

Kate: Still, I wonder who this Angel is...Huh, Kell? You good?

Kellyn: *crying* I'm perfectly fine, what do you mean?