Galactic Headquarters is in disarray.

"A mere child leaves you so helpless, Saturn," Cyrus speaks, grimly. "I am very disappointed in you."

Saturn looks down.

He's terrified.

"I left you with a simple job— to watch the base, while I was gone," Cyrus says. Cyrus turns back, and glances at Saturn, so deeply miserable, so disgusted. "It is a job even an untrained Houndour may handle."

And he walks on forward.

"Don't mess up again. We're at a rather important time in our plans."

-

Fantina finds Maylene throwing herself into efforts to calm the city. The earthquake didn't cause any casualties, but a large amount of the landscape was unearthed and many buildings had been shifted. Glass had shattered, lights and signs fallen to leave the town in a horrible mess. The Pokemon were unsettled, and in many buildings it was still too dangerous to turn on the electricity until the workers gave the all clear.

A harsh contrast to the merriment brought by the Contest.

"I'll be fine down here," Roark speaks through the Poketch's communicator, "just be extra careful that nothing live comes through any unstable footing. The ground's not in good condition, I'll need to borrow some Onix."

"Got it," Maylene says. "Stay safe."

With the help of Rock and Ground Pokemon, they should be able to get the city back in livable condition by the evening.

"There are so many League members here," Fantina sighs, "Don't you think it's the perfect time to take a break, Maylene dear?"

Maylene walks right past her.

"Later."

And then, back to work.

Fantina sighs.

-

If there's anything Luce is vividly aware of, it's the fact that he may never be able to forgive Saturn for any of this.

Luckily, it seems he was stabilised quickly, and Chansey and Medicham had everything under control.

Except, Luce had nothing under control. Something called 'inner patience' was at the peak of its temperature limit and honestly Luce hadn't had the chance to go fuck feral enough.

Seriously, who bashes a kid over the head with a baseball bat? That fucker didn't even hesitate! What if he'd lost another vital sense? Barry would sue for way less than that and Luce honestly thinks even a million bucks of compensation would leave him short of change.

He was going to rip that hair off the next time he—

Medicham proceeds to float, and drop, a load of Pokemon plush toys over him, effectively burying him under the mound spilling all the way over the cot and onto the floors.

The message is clear: boy, chill. I can hear you.

Luce makes a soundless screech of frustration from the depths of his fluffy burial.

Okay that's it. He's going over there now to give him a piece of— ah, Medicham seizes him with Psychic the second he dares step out of his bed. Now Luce is trapped in air jail for misbehaving. At least Medicham lets him have a Lucario doll to hug, but come on!

He wants his Pokemon!

But they're not trusted to not break his ribs or smother him to death right now, so he can't even see them! And Togepi's crying will make his headache worse so Nurse Joy said no even to the baby! This is torture!

"Of your own making, yes."

Luce jumps up, terrified.

When did Maylene get here? And how did she read his mind— oh, right. Medicham. And Lucario. They're both looking at him disgusted.

Maylene's eyes are so cold. "Why are you so talkative in your own head?"

Please stop. This is an invasion of privacy.

Maylene sighs deeply.

Luce is let back down on the bed. Miserable. He knows what's coming— a lecture about self-preservation, reprimand for not thinking rationally, causing trouble and worry for everyone involved— he's heard it all before and here it comes again.

He regrets nothing, though.

But instead of any of that— Maylene starts with, "the nurses are looking at your Monferno now. His head injury's pretty bad, and they're still figuring out the extent of the aftereffects."

Luce tenses at that.

"Don't be too worried, though," Maylene assures. "Pokemon are sturdy. Pokemon are, at least... humans, on the other hand..."

Aaaaand now Luce pointedly averts his eyes as Maylene sits down on the chair and leans much closer.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?"

Yeah. That's about as bad as what Luce expected to get. Maylene is furious. Not the Roark-wants-to-secure-you-in-bubble-wrap-if-you-don't-stop type of furious and definitely not the Gardenia-wants-to-go-Karen-on-the-receptionist type of furious, Maylene is dry, cold, and seething.

Maybe it's because she's closer in age than Luce.

She's much less tolerant of their recklessness.

"Pay attention right now. To me."

Yes I am sorry. He straightens and finds himself on his knees on the bed. He hopes this show of sincerity will grant him some form of mercy.

"Luce, it's not like I don't understand your feelings. Your anger," Maylene says, "and it's not a bad thing at all to risk your own safety to protect your Pokemon, to risk your own safety to go against a bigger opponent especially when someone so dear to you has been hurt. It's commendable, even."

Maylene's fists are balled.

"But right now, you're not on your own. And your actions aren't just your own either," Maylene says. "You're a Pokemon Trainer now. You're on your pilgrimage, and on this journey your Pokemon aren't just your companions— they're children too, and they're growing up, alongside you. They're growing not just with you, but because of you. Do you understand what that means, Luce?"

Luce bites down at the bottom of his lip.

It never feels good to be scolded, but this one stings.

"Whatever you do, your Pokemon will follow, because you are the example that guides them," Maylene says. "If you are courageous, they will be, too. If you are kind, they will be too. If you are reckless... they will be, too."

Monferno and Lopunny are hotheaded, but Psyduck was never the kind to get red in the face, so mad, she couldn't see anything else around her. And her initiative to take action immediately, even when she clearly stood no chance against the entire Galactic building...

That's something she got from Luce. From Barry.

Because they never thought twice about doing the same to Eterna Galactic Building. To the Pokemon Mansion. She simply thought that was the right and obvious thing to do, and maybe it was— but it wasn't the same.

"You're on your pilgrimage to grow, and learn, and discover yourself," Maylene says. "You step away from your hometown and go out to raise your own future, on your own feet. It's the same for every Pokemon you meet, capture, and bring along on the way. It's a huge step forward for them, to disband their old habitat and follow you on your journey."

This isn't just a game of catch-some-friends and get-some-badges.

This is a coming of age. A roadtrip of growth. Maybe it's more like a college degree, that you have to figure out every step of the way on your own, while you're ten years old.

"You're leading the way, Luce. At the very least, if you're going to lead yourself astray, make sure they understand it too. So if they follow you along, they're doing it of their own accord, and not because it's the only road they've ever known."

(So don't lead them astray, too.)

(You're supposed to be a good example to those children. What will they do if you're like this? They're impressionable, young, and they soak in everything they see. They love you. They are going to always coddle and adore you, and they are never going to reprimand you.)

(They imitate your best traits, but don't forget that they are also the ones that know the most about your worst.)

Luce feels it in his entire being, how truly upset she is.

"We Gym Leaders are here for a reason," Maylene's voice is still grounded with disappointment. "And don't take this unkindly, but I won't be accepting your challenge, or even granting you a gym badge, until you understand all this."

-

Luce doesn't cry. He doesn't have to. His head hurts and his heart hurts and now he's got a feeling of utter misery in his gut, too. Just great.

He brought it upon himself, but it's so unfair.

He lays down on his bed, and decides that Medicham has had a hard enough time babysitting. So, he behaves, for the rest of his hospital stay.

-

Honestly, Luce is a little concerned about where all these plush toys are coming from. He wakes up with more of them every morning and honestly the Game Corner might be running a little empty at this point.

When Nurse Joy finally allows his Pokemon in, Togepi starts wailing. Snover dutifully brings the baby in and deposits him in his lap, staring sternly at Luce as if he wanted him to do something about it. Right now. Yes. This is what he has had to deal with for the last three days and it better be fixed right this instant.

Duskull flutters in despite it being daytime, and immediately he's spinning three thousand circles of flustered are-you-okay?? going back and forth and phasing through Luce at some points just to figure out that Luce is, in fact, injured, and mussing over every single one because is this my fault?? Is this my fault???

Oh dear, what a mess.

But it's a dear contrast to the sullen silence that's been haunting him these few days.

He can't help the light smile that curls onto his face, the soundless laughter that bubbles out of him along with the tears he'd been holding in.

Ah, his Pokemon are so cute.

He holds Togepi close as the baby continues to sob into his chest, and he reaches out for Snover, patting him on the head. Snover leans into the touch, content at the praise. Duskull clings to his face, wanting to be part of it too, and Luce indulges.

He wishes everyone could be here with him now, in this moment.

But he understands very well that they, too, need time.

They all do.

Once they've healed and picked themselves back up— they can be together again. Pieces of a puzzle with a drawing that hasn't even been decided on yet— they'll move on with their journey, and continue fighting.

He's still not sure if that's right, but maybe, this is how a pilgrimage is supposed to be.

Not a duty-bound, checklist-ticking journey to conquer the region— but a road filled with rocks and walls, a path of struggling to understand yourself and the world around you.

A path that isn't one Cece used to play on a Nintendo DS, but one that Lucas is still in the progress of discovering.

A path that belongs to Luce, and Luce only.

-

He thought his three strongest Pokemon would be similarly upset. They didn't show up to his hospital room when they were finally allowed to, and didn't for a few days.

So, imagine his surprise when he sees Monferno cheering like a child in the Veilstone Gym, a Riolu on his shoulders and Lucario standing beside them, watching as a Machoke and a Floatzel wrestle in the ring.

Monferno has a line of bandages around his head, but Pokemon recover much quicker than humans, and thus, he's way too eager to join in. Nurse Joy gave them the all clear on aftereffects, he'll be fine, she said. But what is that?

Luce watches from the Pokemon Center TV.

They're broadcasting a live view of some Pokemon wrestling tournament happening at the gym right now, and unfortunately, Luce's surprise doesn't end there.

Because next on the competing board is Lopunny.

His pink Lopunny.

Ready to wrestle a damn Machoke.

In the semifinals.

What.

-

Luce is treated to the absolutely cathartic sight of a Lopunny judo-flipping a Machoke.

(Is this real? Holy shit my Lopunny's so fucking cool. Holy shit.)

The Nurse Joy walks into the room to see Luce cross-legged on the bed with furiously shaking Togepi in his lap in excitement as he stares at the TV from three inches away. Duskull is latched on his head, following the bobbing motions like a rocking chair. He's making soundless little excited squeaks with each throwdown Lopunny manages on the fervently retaliating Machoke.

He's obsessed and utterly absorbed..

Snover turns to Nurse Joy with a look of resignation, nods twice, and Nurse Joy obediently leaves the room.

She will speak of this to absolutely everyone.

-

"Grimsley ran off somewhere..." Fantina tells him, when she visits later that day, "apparently this 'Roy' character is a boy that's been missing almost two years in Unova. His mother's worried sick, so as Elite Four he's obliged to chase him down."

Oh, wow. Roy's someone important?

...actually, why hadn't Luce put that together before this? He had a fucking Haxorus.

Luce sits up on his cot, cuddling Togepi, Duskull rolling somewhere in the crook of his legs. They've been very good at relaxing all day today.

"Well, that aside," Fantaina says, and her smile turns hauntingly sweet, "you didn't think you were done getting lectured, right?"

Luce felt a shiver go viscerally down his spine.

"Don't worry," she says. "I'm not going to scold you, but I'm making you help me out with the Contests the next few days."

Eh.

But— but, Luce's promised meeting with Dawn and Barry in Lake Valor—

"Don't worry," Fantina assures, in the tone of 'worry very very much if you know what's good for you, you naive soul, "I have a call scheduled for you this evening with two people that will give you more than enough of a tearing down for all of us who were worried about you."

Luce's stomach sinks in dread.

Come to think of it... where's his Poketch? It was destroyed by all the psychic waves in the Galactic Building so it's in the repair shop... oh no...

-

"Lucas Diance, two-badge Trainer of Twinleaf, Sinnoh. Firstborn of Johanna Ayako Diance. Are you listening to me?"

Barry pulls the entire government-assigned name and title out. Awesome. Luce is only mildly terrified for his life.

Luce sits on the chair they've brought out for him to the communicator, and Barry's got Ralts— Knight— in front of him, his horn gleaming in concern. Prinplup is peeking from the bottom of the screen. Munchlax is on top of Barry's head, Staravia on his shoulder and Ponyta trying his best to stuff a snout somewhere into all of that so he could see Luce, too.

"I'll have you know, if I weren't literally chained to this bench I would be OVER THERE and your head will be ON THE GROUND and my bank account would have THREE MORE ZEROES BEHIND IT—"

Why is he chained to the bench, and does Luce want to know? Probably not, because Barry's face is right on the screen, so Luce can do nothing but keep his head down and take it.

The people around them in the Pokemon Center are kind of non-subtly staring, and Luce can't even feel embarrassed. A few people recognize him because he won the Contest the other day, so a few more rumours and everyone kind of knows the situation. The town's back in working order, so no one's making a big deal out of it.

"Hello? Hello, can you hear me," Dawn's face pops up to fill half the screen, pushing Barry's to a split screen, "Calling Lucas Diance son of Johanna Ayako Diance, from Twinleaf Sinnoh? Calling Lucas Diance son of—"

Snover makes a soft grunt into the mic and Dawn pauses.

"Hi Maverick!" she blooms into the sweetest cooing voice, "thanks for your hard work, must've been tough. Now..."

Into a low, threatening tone,

"Luce. Just know that the second Mister Roark says the routes are clear enough for me to pass, I'll be making my way over," she says. Her voice is so dry and her eyes are so serious he feels the chills run so rapidly down his spine he makes a shuddering noiseless whine in his throat. "You better not run."

Amazing. Luce is fucking terrified for his life.

"You can have first blood," Barry snarls. "I'm coming as soon as I can. Forget our agreement to meet at Lake Valor."

Please don't.

As Dawn dissolves into a very heated discussion with Barry about who gets to slap Luce and why you shouldn't slap Luce he has a concussion, her Pokemon start filling the screen further.

Grotle has climbed up the machine to fill the bottom half of the screen, though the foliage on his back shoves off Cleffa. A wave of psychic moves Cleffa right back to the comfy tree cushion, and Luxio shoves in above him like a tripled layer ice cream cone, barking happily for attention. Shellos is crawling down the top half of the screen and Kadabra's hand is trying to peel him off.

On this side, though, Togepi is waving back to anyone that calls at him. Snover grunts affirmatively in a serious conversation with Prinplup and Grotle, and Duskull is spinning around upside down, amusing Cleffa and Ponyta.

Ah, now his side of the call feels so empty.

"To begin with, why did you do something so stupid?" Dawn groans.

"I said this in Eterna too, but haven't you ever heard of leave it to the adults?!" Barry snaps, "at the very least you shouldn't have run out of the contest! Fantina was right there!"

Oh, now he can't let that slide.

"[They were bullying Spitfire,]" Luce frowns as he signs, it was personal, and he's not actually satisfied yet. He doesn't regret a single thing he did. "[The Pokedex—]"

"What?!"

"Even then, taking on an entire building like that is reckless on your own!" Barry says, "even in Eterna and in the Pokemon Mansion, we went together for a reason!"

Ah, Luce got interrupted.

It's so easy for them to interrupt him. He's used to this, but somehow it stings.

"Let's just be glad everyone managed to recover well, alright," Dawn soothes Barry, "I still think you should have at least gone with the local Gym Leader, but..."

"[Doozy went ahead, too, I was worried—]"

"Oh sheesh, her," Barry groans, "she definitely got that from you."

"No, she got that from you," Dawn grumbles.

"Oh, shut that!" Barry snaps, "she just wandered off, got lost, we barely got her back, and she wanders off again? Definitely this loitering nature comes from Luce or you!"

"That's because you're such an enabler, obviously!"

Luce sighs as they begin to banter, forgetting him again. He can't even get the explanation of the situation out. He truly wished he could just start yelling too, join in on the chaos, start arguing, maybe that would help the relentless anger festering inside him that he just hasn't been able to let out at all.

It's so frustrating, not being able to speak, not being able to express anger and frustration in the most straightforward, instinctive way a human can— speech.

He can't even join in on that argument. He's the one that deserves the right to rant the most right now.

Their Pokemon are trying to drag them away from their screencast now, because they're starting to get utterly heated.

Meanwhile, Togepi notices Luce's hands are shaking around him.

A turn around and Togepi jumps, because oh no, Luce is crying.

Luce rubs them away quickly, and it's silly how just a few hours ago he didn't remember how to cry, and yet now, they just won't stop. He's sniffling and trying to turn away so Duskull squawks, coming over to shroud his head gently, and Snover is groaning in annoyance at the screen.

The guy beside him on the computer has noticed and is panicking now. "Woah! You okay, kid?"

Luce doesn't know what makes him shake his head, but right then something soars in from the barely opened Pokemon Center doors and spears into the PC—

—everyone in the entire Pokemon Center stops—

—and Luce barely opens his eyes to see Lopunny bouncing off the system before just absolutely hollering at the computer like it's the work of the devil himself.

"What the— FIGHTER!" Barry howls indignantly. "Don't do that! What if you break the machine?!"

Something leaps up to Luce's shoulder and he jerks up to a furry arm winding around his bandaged head firmly, but carefully—

—the frantic screeching of a Monferno fills Luce's ears and oh now everything's ringing it's so loud. There's a series of thump thump thump that must be Monferno punching the computer, and now the entire place is filled with the screeching of Pokemon from both sides of the video call. Even Togepi is yelling now, which is a surprise, he's not crying, he's scolding.

"You do NOT speak that language to me, Spitfire!" Barry snaps, "I taught you sign language! You do not get to call me a— HOW DARE—!!"

There's something about the loud and dramatic gasps from both of them that makes Luce chuckle miserably. But he holds Togepi firmly as Lopunny pats his arm and Monferno cradles his head around Duskull—

—and things are fine.

"Crap! We made him cry! This is your fault, Barry!"

"No it definitely ain't, it's because you keep talking back, Dawn!"

"That's how a conversation works!"

Monferno screeches indignantly at the screen, waving gestures that are absolute horrendous, and Barry and Dawn both yell out,

"WHO TAUGHT YOU WHAT THAT SIGN MEANS?!"

Monferno does it again.

Monferno whines around and starts berating them both in fluent Monferno, pointing accusingly at the PC. Lopunny adds her two thousand cents as well, and Barry and Dawn are now way too flustered trying to defend themselves.

That's right.

This is how everything should be.

Noisy, chaotic, nonsensical, and most of all, correct.

Luce feels something tug at his shirt.

Doozy doesn't look the same. She's still quiet, she doesn't toddle as much, but she's a brilliant blue, and her eyes are a sharp red. She clings to his side and she's slightly damp, slightly cold— but Luce feels warm all the same.

When the Golduck— because she's not small anymore. She's not small and waddling, she's bigger, stronger, and most of all, she looks at him with a gaze so understanding, so genuine, so sincere—

He clutches back and breaks.

Sobbing, soundless but fervent, clutching onto her as she holds him back, and there's nothing he wants to do but be a child a little longer.

He'll do better tomorrow.

He promises.