My sewing skills remain abysmal. No matter how I twist and turn the trousers, the patch I put over the torn fabric looks terrible. Threads are peeking out at every corner and the blue doesn’t quite match the dark shade of the jeans.

  With a sigh, I throw them on the bed and settle down on the edge. The injury has healed completely in the last ten days. The nutrients from the wool and the later help of a Chansey have left a barely visible scar. The flesh behind it still throbs slightly when I press on it, but it’s nothing more than a shallow reminder that Team Plasma is insane.

  Briefly, I check my Rotom Phone. It’s almost two o’clock in the afternoon, and I don’t have much time left to turn up outside the building and join Spinel. Our last attempt to get some of the famous Casteliacone has failed and although it sells out quickly thanks to its popularity, Spinel has asked the owner of the ice cream shop for a little extra this Sunday. This means that only the two of us and our Pokémon will get some of the ice cream – on a day when the shop is actually closed. Presumably, Spinel told him about the mess and my injury, which led to sympathy and an offer.

  My outfit is the same as last time and although it’s been to the dry cleaners and I wanted to start the day in good spirits, I can’t possibly wear these trousers I’ve worked on myself. The fabric of my grey jeans from the spare parts section of my old wardrobe is too heavy in the warm weather outside, and the snow-white trousers from the Pokémon Center don’t match the rest. In the end, I’m left with the light-coloured three-quarter trousers Lillie gave me, and the mere sight of them brings another sigh to my lips.

  I have written to her. Two, maybe even three messages with the Rotom, but she hasn’t replied once. Part of me wants to believe she’s terribly busy and doesn’t have time to talk. The rest of me worries about her well-being. Has something happened to her mum? Did she hurt herself catching a Pokémon?

  Shaking my head, I squeeze into my trousers, slip into my shoes, and put on my belt pouch. Rotom disappears behind the flap and the rest of me tries to forget about Lillie. It’s not wise to always assume the worst. She’ll get back to me when she finds the time.

  My legs carry me out of the room more easily than before, along the corridors, until I arrive at the entrance and see Spinel already waiting. The light grey turtleneck jumper on his body, with the sleeves rolled up, looks warm and yet there is no sweat on his forehead. It’s almost the same spectacle I recognise from Amethio. Clothes that look warm and yet are thinner than napkin paper.

  “How’s your leg?” When he sees me, his first glance is directed at my thighs before he gives me a smile.

  “You ask me that every day.” A smile creeps onto my lips, too. In fact, he’s taken the trouble to ask me every day about my well-being – what I’ve been doing, whether I’ve been wasting my time with Amethio and whether I’ve been checking in with Ariana regularly to have the wound examined.

  “Not everyone can claim to have been attacked by a sect member and escaped so well.” This time he offers his arm, almost as if he doesn’t want too much distance to come between us again if one of us is in trouble. So I accept. “Your well-being is very important to us.”

  “Is it?” I raise my brows.

  “Of course.” He looks down at me briefly, slim glasses resting on his nose. “You have an extraordinary ability that could unlock many secrets. But you’re also the weakest member of the Explorers.”

  My shoulders slump. “So you’re just watching me so you don’t lose my ability. Seems kind of ... familiar.”

  The argument with Amethio back on Poni ended differently than I expected, and I’ve decided to trust his words that he sees me as a real member and not just a task. But Spinel brings up the memory again as if it was only yesterday, and the tightness in my stomach wants to rebel to vent its displeasure.

  “You can’t deny how important it could be for the Explorers,” Spinel continues. “Of course, that doesn’t mean you’re not also a valued member.”

  “Aren’t you laying it on thick?”

  “We try to help all our members, no matter who is in trouble. Even Amethio would get help if he didn’t know what to do. We don’t get along, but we’re a team.”

  I don’t know what to say. The quarrels between the front lines have grown so much that Spinel’s statement sounds like a nice phrase, but it doesn’t hold any water. I wouldn’t be surprised if nobody but Hamber reaches out to Amethio when it counts. He and Amethio’s team are the only ones I trust to have that much goodwill.

  The strange silence growing between me and Spinel is far from comfortable. There seem to be a thousand unsaid things, but neither of us broaches a topic. Instead, we stroll along the paths, past adverts, people and the daily commotion. No one turns to look at us. No one glances at us. Yet I think I recognise eyes on my skin. Fixed stares I can’t escape, so I let go of Spinel’s arm and take a step back. Every fibre of my body is on edge, not wanting any more closeness in a situation that is so forcefully pressing on my nerves, whispering incomprehensible threats into my ear.

  “Is everything all right?” When Spinel turns to me and stops, I want to say yes, but I can’t make a sound. The advert at my side, on one of those far too big screens, is too loud. I would have to shout to communicate with him – at least I can’t shake that feeling.

  Slowly, Spinel moves in my direction, taking that one step, and raises his hands as if he wants to put them on my shoulders. But before he can touch me, I take a step aside, feel the rushing in my ears and swallow dryly. “I don’t know...”

  “Would you like to sit down for a moment?”

  A shiver runs down my spine, closely followed by a scream thundering unstoppably through my head. Tremors shake my shoulders until I nod. Sitting down sounds like the safe shore I can’t reach on my own. A glance at Spinel raises my hopes that he will offer me his arm again, but his attention is fixed on the advert. Only for a blink before he looks at me and gently reaches for my hands. A warm, yet cold touch, interrupted by the sudden clearing of a man’s throat.

  In a flash, my gaze flits to the screen, where Ghetsis’ flickering face has a narrow smile on it. There are shallow wrinkles around his mouth and his rigid, upright posture gives him an air of absolute victory. His red eye seems to glide over the crowd, as if he really sees us. Behind the red and white monocle, however, it is impossible to tell.

  “I greet you, people of Unova. Some of you may already have my name on their tongue, while the rest are facing me for the first time. For all those to whom I seem unfamiliar, I introduce myself as Ghetsis Harmonia Gropius – leader of Team Plasma, dedicated to helping humans and Pokémon live a fair life in peace and away from fear.”

  My hands clench into fists. For a moment, I think he’s looking straight at me. It’s probably the same for everyone here. Without exception, everyone has stopped, their eyes fixed on the screen. Ghetsis has all the attention in his hands and although he doesn’t seem like a monster, this appearance of his differs completely from what I saw in the ruins. This man there makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end compared to the illusion.

  “The reason for my appearance on all your screens is simple to understand. I want to record this historic moment for all of us with an announcement, so that one day we will remember the noon of endless change and embrace each other as if there is no better celebration in our eternal life between humans and Pokémon.” He closes his eyes briefly, takes a breath and weighs in his own words before catching himself. “I hereby proclaim that Plasma will birth a hero who will become king over Unova, over our hearts and our hopes and desires. A man who will carry the heavy burden of each of us on his shoulders to make this land blossom.”

  “Blossom?” I shake my head in disbelief. Unova doesn’t look like a region in urgent need of change. The people may be overworked and the circumstances are not ideal, but Ghetsis’ words sound like a fundamental change. A bit like N. As if everything needs to be torn down to create order.

  “Some of you will be familiar with the legend of Unova. The journey of the twin heroes and their faithful dragon companions. We will present you with a new hero who unites wish and reality. A king who will summon the legendary dragons Reshiram and Zekrom back to our world to be recognised and supported by them.”

  Murmurs spread among the people. I know almost nothing about the history of Unova. Only that a place called Dragonspiral Tower was created before this region was finally founded. The rest was beyond my interests and although I’d like to glance at Spinel in the hope of an explanation, I can’t take my eyes off Ghetsis.

  “In the hope our new king will show us the way, I address you all with words of great hope. Stand firm, people of Unova. The light is drawing near, where peace is with us.”

  In the next blink of an eye, the transmission switches off, and the murmuring grows louder. No one dares to move from their position. It takes all my strength to focus my attention on Spinel. “Is that possible? What is this story he was talking about?”

  “None of any importance,” he replies nonchalantly. He shrugs his shoulders at a proclamation he probably didn’t take seriously for even one second. “It’s a legend about twins who created Unova together with a Dragon-type Pokémon. But their views were so different that the dragon split in two. Two wars followed until the dragons dematrialised into stones out of frustration over the human race. No one knows exactly where the stones are, but it is said they are waiting for a human with a pure heart.” A smirk settles on his lips. “However much of that is true.”

  “I hope it really is just that...” A saga with errors and false transmissions, so that Ghetsis’ words are nothing more than an unpleasant daydream.

  “It’s better not to pay attention to people like this.”

  I would like some of the security that Spinel embodies, but I can’t find anything in me willing to surrender to the calm and ignorance of it all. Simultaneously, the buzzing of my Rotom Phone runs through my body like a thunder wave and as I pick up the device to look at the incoming message, a note from Hamber stares back at me. A warning to all Explorers, which also reaches Spinel.

  To all admins and their assistants,

  for security reasons, any of you currently in Unova are requested to return to headquarters.

  Information has revealed another attack from Plasma –

  including a request to become part of the enemy organisation

  and hand over all valuable materials.

  “Predictable...” Spinel’s snort resembles unfathomable mockery and before I can think about him, our situation and everything else, he glances in my direction. “We shouldn’t keep Hamber waiting.”

  A sound of agreement escapes my throat, unable to form words to shed more light on this strangely ignorant darkness. Unsteadily, I stumble after Spinel, the short walk back to headquarters – to the entrance, where a man with pale green hair stands, two henchmen in Plasma uniform in tow.

  “I see we’re just in time to have a conversation about our future.” The blue and yellow coat on his body stings my eyes. “I was afraid the truth would slip through my fingers if I didn’t get to see it for myself, if only for a few minutes.” He looks at me. “You’ve travelled a long way, haven’t you, Domino Simpell?”

  My mouth opens wordlessly, so Spinel interjects. The smile on his lips is missing. “I don’t remember the Explorers inviting you.”

  “I took the freedom to knock and see if I could have a look,” Ghetsis replies. “Not like I’m worried about being turned down by curious onlookers when I have the chance to have a conversation with fascinating oddities who could answer a thousand questions.” He doesn’t let Spinel intimidate him as he holds out his hand to me, offering it as if he’s asking me to dance. “How about you come with me, Domino? The knowledge of your arrival in Unova has filled my heart with joy, combined with the secret hope you have appeared to do what you were chosen to do.”

  “What’s that supposed to be?” He seems to know more about me than I do.

  “The language of the Pokémon, of the most powerful among them. A gift you were given to unite humans and Pokémon in peace. Join me and create a world where we all have a place.” He takes a step closer. “Take the Queen’s place at the King’s side. I am sure one of the legendary dragons will accept you at its side. I know I promised one hero to the people, but as it was a long time ago, it takes two heroes to take up the sceptre and join forces. Your ability to communicate with the Pokémon matches that of the King. It is destiny that you both linger in the same place again, trapped in the eternal cycle of a quest that promises you answers without ever providing any clues.”

  “And I suppose you know what we’re all looking for?” Once again, Spinel doesn’t hold back and tilts his head.

  Ghetsis, however, puts on a knowing smile. “Domino, is your home really with the Explorers, between adventures and a world you’re trying to learn about? Or isn’t it rather by Plasma’s side, where all your questions are answered?”

  “What questions should you be able to answer?” My brows lift, my hands sticking sweaty to my trousers.

  “Like why your father ran away with you, or why you can barely remember your mum, let alone most things in your life.”

  I can feel my heart beating up to my throat. He knows things I never shared with Plasma. The idea he has answers to my questions and can clear the confusion, maybe even the fog in my head, tingles throughout my body. Every clear thought seems to have been swept away. Every fibre in me wants to approach Ghetsis and seize the opportunity. The rest of me remembers the madwoman who plunged a knife into my thigh, closely followed by Amethio’s warning.

  Amethio, who I would leave behind.

  Would that make us enemies?

  Only the thought makes me freeze. The tightness in my chest prevents any stupid decision and when Spinel puts an arm around my shoulders, any choice is taken over by him.

  “Considering you’ve attacked other Explorers, I wouldn’t be surprised if you forced these questions out of some of them.” A sigh comes over him. “Those questions in Domino’s head could have come from anyone who’s rummaged through Hamber’s files.”

  “But I never said that much about it...”

  “You spoke to Conia,” Spinel explains briefly. “Information like this is passed on so Hamber can keep track and know which of us is best suited to which kind of quest.”

  His explanation flies straight over my head. What he says makes sense, and yet the answers seem to be right in front of me. Letting Ghetsis go awakens a strong desire in me to grab him by the arm and ask for more. But I don’t get the chance as a heavy sigh escapes Ghetsis and he shakes his head.

  “It seems you’re incapable of having an interesting conversation with me today, as long as the lower ranks demand attention and yet refuse to understand their position.” He places his hand on his chest. “However, I am confident we will meet again soon and look at the world with different eyes than we did today. Peace be with you.”

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

  And with that, he turns away. Ghetsis simply leaves us behind, his two assistants close behind him, without once looking over his shoulder and hoping for a reaction. His straight gait, his confident stride – never in my life have I wanted to chase after someone so much. Not even when Lillie said goodbye was the desire as clear as in these breaths. I want to tear myself away, want to run after him. But before I can get away from Spinel, he grabs me by the wrist.

  “You shouldn’t let him wrap you around his finger. People like Ghetsis have their tricks. I can understand you’re looking for answers, but you need to be more careful.” He pulls me closer to him so he can lean down to me and I can feel his breath on my skin. Heat seeps through my body. “You’d only cause us all to worry.”

  Instantly, I tear myself away from his grip before a snort escapes me. “Why didn’t we just grab him? He knows something. I’m sure he does.”

  “We’re not allowed to act until Master Gibeon announces we’re officially messing with Plasma. The trouble we could cause...” His shoulders slump and for a moment he seems genuinely frustrated with our position.

  I want to believe him, want to reassure myself, but I can’t help looking once more in the direction where Ghetsis has disappeared. There is no sign of him left. My chance to shed light on the darkness has vanished, leaving me with nothing but a drawn-out groan before I turn away from Spinel.

  “Whatever.” It’s not fair to take my frustration out on him – definitely not. Spinel has been trying his hardest to be my friend since I arrived in Unova. However, given my memory gaps and the possible information from Gehtsis, his efforts seem terribly futile.

  Hastily, I put some distance between us so as not to say anything I’ll end up regretting. I can always apologise to him later for my sudden disappearance. In these seconds, I just want a distraction, to bury myself in my room and shut out the world.

  Inside the headquarters, I end up in the kitchen first, unsure what to do. I open the fridge. Close it again. Dig through the cupboards. End up back at the fridge. For a moment, I slump down on a chair and bury my face in my hands. In the next breath, Amethio pops into my head; his stubborn nature and the fact he probably wouldn’t have followed the rules. He would have challenged Ghetsis on the spot and the knowledge that Hamber wouldn’t have been thrilled about it elicits a soundless laugh from me. I can’t deny it. This encounter would have been much more productive at Amethio’s side than with Spinel.

  A few times, I rub my eyelids with my thumb and forefinger before I pull myself together and finally take another look in the fridge. My thoughts are racing, and yet I can’t grasp a single topic to latch onto. The only thing I know for sure is that I will confront Ghetsis next time; besides, I can’t blame Spinel for holding me back.

  Half-submerged in these realisations, I prepare two sandwiches and place them neatly on a plate before grabbing a water bottle and making my way to the training room with my haul. Amethio is the only distraction I can think of. He’s the only person I know where to find.

  But as soon as I arrive, I am greeted with endless emptiness. There is no one where I thought he was. Corviknight isn’t fighting Ceruledge and just as my shoulders slump, I hear a loud exclamation at the other end of the corridor that passes me by unintelligibly. I follow immediately, stumbling over my feet a few times and almost dropping the plate, so I bite my tongue to avoid falling victim to both curiosity and simmering worry.

  It’s only when I stop in front of a door, behind which I think I hear tense panting, that my stomach turns. Immediately, I dig my card out of my belt pouch and gain access – straight into a pleasantly cool room with stationary bikes and dumbbells standing around. Amethio on a treadmill in between.

  “I’m not discussing this any further, Hamber.” He doesn’t even turn to face me as he clings to the handles attached to the side. “This training is my only chance. We can’t afford any more failures. There’s no point in giving the Rising Volt Tacklers any more chances. I’ve already held back in Alola and it got us nowhere. As long as there is no other plan, I will take care of Rayquaza and Terapagos myself.”

  “There’s a new lead on Rayquaza?”

  My question flashes through his body like lightning. In an instant, he jerks his head in my direction, stops the treadmill and allows himself to be carried to the light-coloured wooden floor. The gasp on his lips is heavy enough to stop him from saying anything else. All I have left is an awkward smile, which elicits a heavy sigh from him.

  “Have you taken a break yet?”

  He shakes his head. His legs carry him swaying to a towel with which he dries his face. A few hairs from the strands framing his features stick to his cheeks. He has tied the rest up in a short ponytail.

  “I ... made sandwiches. You should eat something.” The way he’s pushing himself certainly leaves no room for a relaxed breakfast – or any other meal. “And I also assume you haven’t read the message about Team Plasma.”

  He carefully puts the towel aside before sitting down on the dark bench near the dumbbells, and I seize the opportunity to settle next to him. First, I hand him the bottle, which he empties without a word. Then I hold the plate out to him and although he doesn’t seem enthusiastic, he takes a slice.

  “Hamber let me know,” he starts, wiping a hand on his black sports trousers. The white and purple jacket looks terribly warm and part of me wants to tell him it might be more comfortable to take it off. However, I can’t make a sound. My throat has tightened and the tingling knot in my stomach tenses my whole body.

  So I try to stay on topic. “Did he say anything about what we’re going to do now that they’ve meddled in the Explorers’ affairs for the second time?”

  “No.” He finally forces himself to take a bite of his sandwich – a mouthful that awakens his hunger. Before I know it, he’s eaten the first half. “The Rising Volt Tacklers have set a new course in Paldea. We don’t know what they’re planning, but there’s a good chance they’ve found new clues.”

  As we sit here in Unova, being driven mad by a group we really shouldn’t care about. I can understand his frustration. It seems like the Volt Tacklers are forever two steps ahead of us. Presumably, that’s not true; after all, we watch everything they do. But the thought remains unavoidable.

  Meanwhile, Amethio forces himself back to his feet to grab a water bottle he has left unused next to the treadmill. Then he returns to my side, opens the cap with a crunch, and takes a few sips before grabbing the next half of a sandwich.

  “If anything happens, we’ll be the first to know.” I can’t take my eyes off him. Not from his long eyelashes, nor all the stray strands of hair he still hasn’t organised. “You should take things a little ... more casually.”

  “Like you did with Spinel?”

  “It’s not like I’m doing nothing on the side.” I purse my lips. “Spinel showed me a few corners of the region. I’ve made friends with professors and passed my first exam. Apart from that, I’m training my Pokémon and learning what I can. Spinel is just a help in all of this.”

  This time Amethio’s gaze wanders in my direction and although he refrains from saying anything, I can imagine his unspoken statement. In his eyes, Spinel is nothing more than someone who stands in his way. In Amethio’s world, it’s probably even his fault I have a scar on my leg and one of my trousers is ruined. Maybe it’s even Spinel’s fault that Plasma is still after us, that we can’t catch Rayquaza, and that the Rising Volt Tacklers are making more progress than we are. Amethio would probably blame him for anything as long as it eases the frustration.

  “What I’m saying is it would be better to take more breaks. Plasma isn’t exactly pleasant and, who knows, you might still be needed in this fight.” I slowly avert my gaze and shrug my shoulders. My tongue feels far too loose and although I’d rather keep quiet, the murmur on my lips is hard to ignore. “It could be I need you.”

  I bite the inside of my cheek for a breath. The tightness in my chest and the knot in my stomach can’t fight the racing heart behind them. Everything about me looks sweaty, tense, like I’m expecting another test result, and when I lift my eyes to turn back to Amethio, it’s his violet gaze silently mesmerising me. There is no sternness, no rigidity, no rejection. Just a hint of wonder drawing me closer to him like a Venomoth.

  I want to touch him, put my hand on his cheek, say something. Maybe something clever; maybe something to build him up. But my body doesn’t move, and it’s only when he lowers his eyelids and looks away that I find my breath again.

  “P-Plasma’s leader, Ghetsis, is after me.” Suddenly I’m speaking so fast that the sentence almost tumbles. I can’t gather a clearer thought than that I want to distract myself from this moment – from the certainty that I appreciate being close to him and like his company. That I like him.

  “What makes you think so?” He avoids further eye contact.

  “He stopped Spinel and me outside the entrance to invite me to come along. He wanted me to become part of Plasma, as a heroine and queen. According to him, that’s the only reason I can talk to some Pokémon.” Eventually, I take my eyes off him too. “He also claims to know things about me I’m looking for. Answers to my questions. Ghetsis already knew some of my unresolved thoughts.” Soundless laughter overcomes me. “For a breath, I really wanted to go with him and shed some light on this fuzzy darkness.”

  “Maybe that would have been better.”

  “So you’d prefer me to go, even though you see me as part of your team?” My heart seems to sink into my stomach. Only Amethio’s gentle shake of his head keeps it from dropping any lower.

  “It would have been answers you were looking for. You could have come back after that.”

  “Is it really that simple?”

  “No.”

  “And yet it would have been better?”

  “Aren’t answers always better?” In the end, he looks at me again and the sharpness in his gaze reminds me of his weak moment when I was eavesdropping in the submarine. He is also searching for something, for a solution he would take if the opportunity presented itself. The price doesn’t matter in his world.

  “Maybe I’m not ready to pay such a price yet.” A faint smile washes over me. “I like being here too much for that.”

  In those seconds, I honestly am not ready. Maybe I wasn’t at the crucial moment either. I would have followed Ghetsis, asked questions, and then turned around to get back to the Explorers. A stupid thought, because it would never have been that easy. But it’s the only idea I consciously want to cling to.

  A gentle sigh at my side displaces my thoughts. The other two halves of the sandwich are no longer on the plate. Amethio is running a thumb over his lips, and as he stands up, I’m overcome with worry that I’m going to see him sink into his training again. But when he turns to me briefly, I hold my breath.

  “I’m calling it a day.” He casually grabs his towel, runs the cloth over his face once more, and then heads wordlessly for the exit. He simply leaves the bottles of water, so I grab them and carry them after him.

  Only when we are both standing in the corridor, a little indecisive about saying goodbye, does he put the towel around his shoulders and take both bottles from me. His eyes don’t meet mine. He looks past me somewhere, but the soft “thank you” brushing his lips reaches me too. Immediately afterwards, he turns away and leaves me behind. My heart is beating hard.

  I dry my damp hands on my trousers several times as I make my way back and drag myself, lost in thought, to my room, where no one is waiting for me and where my racing imagination finds enough space to lie hot on my cheeks. Pressing my lips together, I stare at the floor. The image of his eyes boring so deeply into mine – combined with his tangled hair, his long eyelashes, and his slender curved mouth – won’t let me go. All the while, the realisation I wanted to touch him swings to the fore. Just for a moment, to feel his warmth and make sure he is really there; that he really sees me in these seconds.

  “Oh, no...” Immediately, I bring my hands to my face and slide down to the floor by the door. For a few breaths, I remain motionless, hoping the strangely pleasant knot in my stomach will disappear and take the palpitations with it. But time harbours little change, which is why I finally stretch my legs and inhale deeply.

  A soundless laugh escapes my throat. In these gasps, the conversation from Malie Garden seems to come crashing back to me – mocking and full of ridicule, because not so long ago it seemed like an insane thought between girls I simply dismissed.

  “This will never just ... go away in a fortnight.”

  I’ve known Amethio for just over two months and I’d like to say I haven’t spent half of that time with him. Still, I haven’t been able to get him out of my head for a moment and the strangely emerging certainty settling inside me is twisting my clear mind with every breath I take.

  What is it that triggers this feeling in me? What exactly is it about Amethio that makes me sweat, my heart race, and settles in my stomach like a stubborn Butterfree?

  Casually, I tap the back of my head against the door several times, hoping that the answer will fall into my lap. In Alola, he just seemed like a boy I could have a good fight with. Then, somewhere in between, I wanted to win his approval and I can’t deny I’ve done things you wouldn’t usually consider with a near stranger. All those moments when I put my head on his shoulders or clung to him tighter, maybe even the wondrous moments between us when I felt like we understood each other. These tiny components are probably the culprits behind everything that followed – the fact I kept thinking about Amethio next to Spinel. He was part of my illusion produced by Munna. Sometimes he even sneaks into my dreams.

  The corners of my mouth twist between the list. It was also Amethio who danced with me in the meadow – another illusion my mind clung to. The weeks here without him have only made me more aware of his presence than usual. Here in Unova, he isn’t a daily part of my life. That’s why the rest of me falls into silent chaos when I see him. A perfectly logical conclusion that doesn’t improve my circumstances one bit.

  I am in love.

  A little.

  With Amethio.

  The sudden vibration in my pocket makes me immediately dig out my Rotom Phone to look at the display. Staring back at me is my father’s number. He doesn’t call often, but when he does, he calls several times in a row and although I could certainly just block him, I can’t help but stare at the device. Each time until he gives up.

  However, this time I don’t want to let him drive me into the motionless rigidity of my habit, so I push his call away and try to reach Lillie instead. It’s already late afternoon and I haven’t heard from her for far too long. So I ask Rotom for a video chat and wait.

  The friendly beep Rotom emits in the meantime provides me with some peace and when Lillie picks up, my heart leaps with joy.

  “Domino?” Lillie’s sleepy voice is barely audible through the device.

  It seems to be dark on her side. Only vague rays of light sneak through the curtains of her room and the horribly tangled hair on her head draws my attention away from her narrow eyes.

  “Has something happened...?” She rubs a hand over her eyes and it takes a moment for me to realise my mistake.

  “Oh... No... I’m sorry.” My voice drops to a whisper so I don’t overwhelm her. “I just haven’t heard from you in a while and I thought I’d give you a call. I hadn’t thought about the ... time difference.”

  It must be about five in the morning for Lillie and I can’t help but apologise to her two more times for not thinking.

  “No problem,” she mumbles. “I’m sorry you were worried.” She switches on a night light. “It’s very stressful here at the moment. The days are nice ... but there’s a lot to do. I’ve written to you and Conia ... letters,” she yawns with restraint, “but I haven’t managed to send them.”

  “Why letters when you can just write or call us?” A smile forms on my lips. “Do you enjoy writing that much?”

  She giggles. “I like it when I get a letter back. They’re memories I collect. But it’s probably better if I get in touch like this now and then.”

  “Have you read my messages?”

  “Not the last one, no. My Rotom fell into the water on Gladion’s birthday and then had to recover from the shock. The mobile phone broke and in the end, I was so absorbed in my things that Guzma got a new one for me.”

  “Gladion came back?” My brows lift. According to Lillie’s last update, he wanted to pursue his own ideas and took a different path. The thought of him coming back on his birthday seems kind of cute.

  “No.” She shakes her head hastily. “He called me on his birthday to see how we were doing. I asked him if he was coming back so we could celebrate as a family. Mum would certainly have been happy. But he said no.” Her eyelids droop. “I got angry and then the Rotom Phone slipped out of my hand and ... yeah...”

  “He needs time,” I say. “Alola hasn’t been too long ago. He’ll come home at some point. And by then, maybe everything will finally have sorted itself out. I mean ... Guzma is still there and your mum will have some problems to solve.”

  She shakes her head again. “Mum won’t be able to look after the Aether Foundation any more.”

  “She won’t?”

  “When we left Alola, everything seemed to be ... fine. I only ever wanted to see the good things, but the truth ... is different. Mum was weak, but she seemed to be recovering. Bill could help. But the poison left damage ... at least that’s what we think. She’s ... not the same.” Her mouth twists into a pained smile. “She sits at the window all day and looks outside. Sometimes she mumbles things about my father. I often get the feeling she’s not really here anymore. And when she has her clear moments, when she’s here with me ... then she’s a great mum, who takes a great interest in my wishes and who cares about Gladion, who gave me a Vulpix and who always apologises ... but ...”

  “Is she still being treated?”

  Shakily, she sucks in the air before nodding. “Mother... Mum’s in a wheelchair. She can’t walk properly any more. It’s almost as if her legs are in a state of recurring paralysis. Sometimes she’s just weak and she can manage a few steps, but they don’t think they’ll be able to fix it. Nihilego’s neurotoxin has turned my mum’s body into a kind of ... flickering light. Bill could remove enough poison to prevent further damage and he doesn’t think it affected her head – they think her mind just suffered a lot – but her body may never recover.” She shakes her head in a flash. “What am I saying? There are still plenty of treatments we can try. The first two didn’t work. There’s still hope. I’m just worrying too much.”

  And she is tired. Exhausted by her own little world and now also by me, because I have mercilessly woken her from her sleep.

  “If you need help ... maybe I can persuade Hamber ... my supervisor, to visit and maybe help you.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Domino.” She wipes her eyes with one hand. “But I’m not alone. Guzma helps a lot. He takes Mum for walks, feeds her sometimes and tells her stories about Team Skull. Some days, I sit with him in the living room and we talk about our day and what else we can try. I never thought I’d say this, but I can’t think of anyone better to have by Mum’s side than him. Guzma is the best help I could wish for here.”

  “And you’re getting on with your own goal despite everything?”

  A hum escapes her throat. “I’m trying to. There’s a lot to learn and sometimes my head’s not really focused, but I get to work in a lab and a few researchers teach me what they can. In between, I get to come up with my own ideas and ... I know I said I want to help the Pokémon ... but if I find a cure for Mum in the process, I’ll do what I can.”

  With every other word that leaves her lips, my own problems seem null and void. Lillie is so much stronger in these seconds than I will probably ever be. So I keep the rest of the conversation short, cheer her up, promise to keep my eyes and ears open should I find something useful for her, and finally let her go back to sleep in peace. I don’t need to keep her awake any longer than necessary with Plasma’s confusion, Ghetsis’ words or my newly discovered affection for Amethio.

  Still, as soon as we hang up and the display goes black in front of me, I pull my legs close to my torso and sigh. I would like someone to talk to, a friend who will listen to me and who isn’t in trouble head over heels. Someone who isn’t Spinel, who I still have to apologise to.

  Slowly, I put my head on my knees and close my eyes. For today, I keep these things, like so many others, to myself.