Chapter Text
He boarded the ship, stepping onto the landing platform like it was a battleground. Just like the first time, when he’d come to claim something that wasn’t his.
Back then, through the churning dark and the wind-swept rain, he only had a one-track mind, a single goal, shining like a beacon through the night: chase the girl and get her pendant at all costs.
Deception. Breaking in. Robbery. Kidnapping. He was not afraid to resort to any measure—just to make Gibeon’s dream come true.
And what of that dream, now?
Bright. The sky, all around him, was too bright. He shut his eyes, barely blocking out the piercing light. He wished he had his Explorers-issued shades, but they were cracked beyond repair and lost to the storm that ripped Laqua. Just another thing lost to the fray.
Everything he’d ever known, destroyed in the span of two years.
And here he was again, back at the beginning.
But this time, Liko was by his side, tugging him along by the sleeve with an unbearable gentleness.
“Welcome to the Brave Olivine, Amethio. Come on,” she murmured, coaxing him like he was an injured little Rookidee, “let’s get you settled in.”
Behind him, Roy glowered, his golden Lucario poised to strike and giant Kilowattrel scouting the skies—ready to secure Amethio if anything happened.
Amethio couldn’t blame him. If he had the choice, he wouldn’t be here, too. But what could he, Zirc and Onia do as a measly trio—traipse all over the world digging up any Zygarde cells they could find? They would run out of steam long before Spinel could sic his Strong Spheres onto the world and wreak havoc on a devastating scale.
And so Liko proposed to work together, the same way she’d proposed to work together a year ago, down in that cold cave by the fire.
The Explorers and the Rising Volt Tacklers, we all have the same goal. We’re all trying to find Laqua. Instead of fighting each other and sneaking around and laying traps, why can’t we work together?
No way, he’d shut her down immediately. We might have the same objective, but our paths are different. Got it? I will get there using my own methods.
I will cut my own path forward, he’d insisted, time and time again. A philosophy he lived by without fail. Even as he turned against his grandfather and fought with the Rising Volt Tacklers. Even as his grandfather turned to dust. His final words: Walk the path you believe in. A final wish that solidified his long-wrought belief.
And yet, here he was, joining paths with the Rising Volt Tacklers—for an indefinite period of time.
Second-guessing himself wasn’t Amethio’s thing. But Liko had a way of making him do exactly that, over and over again.
Come with us, she’d all but pleaded. We need all the support we can get. And you’d be an invaluable ally. Her hands on his. Her pleading eyes, tender and shimmering like the summer sea. Please. We need you.
He knew he couldn’t stay on that beach forever. Living like a castaway, surviving the day to day, staring into the fire like it could bring back his grandfather, bring back the ghost of what he used to be. He knew Zirc and Onia would be searching for him. He knew Spinel was.
If he could just stay on that beach, away from everyone, maybe that would be for the best…
He stared down at his hands. They were shaking slightly. He could still remember everything he’d done, everything he’d fought for as an Explorer. The look of terror and hatred on Liko’s face every time he appeared to take what was dear to her away. The people he’d hurt. The people he’d failed to save.
Everything he touched turned to dust. So he was content on being uncontactable, untraceable, with his mother’s ghost, his memories and his Pokemon as his only companions. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months. One year flew by like a dream.
But then Liko showed up. Showed her hand. She’d come back stronger than ever, with a new knight-in-training in tow. A mirror of his own. Her Charcadet’s flame matched the blaze in her eyes. And as Charcadet traded blows with Ceruledge with a do-or-die spirit, Amethio could feel his will waning, leaning towards her waxing will.
We need to restore the name of the Rising Volt Tacklers, she’d told him resolutely. He’d seen himself reflected in her eyes. Someone willing to carve her own path, to follow it to the end. The beginnings of a true leader. Someone who brought people together—and now, that someone extended her hand to him. Will you join us?
So, like a moth to a flame, Amethio took her hand.
“What are you thinking about?”
He blinked. Light returned him to reality, revealing a concerned Liko peering up at him. The faint scent of flowers tickled his nose. A sign she was too close. He took a step back, bumping into Roy.
“Apologies,” he muttered. “No, I wasn’t thinking about anything.”
Liko offered an easy smile. “That’s alright. All this must be kind of overwhelming. Anyway, this is the battlefield, where we have loads of battles here, make sandwiches, and let loose—everything under the sun, really!” She laughed, and Amethio felt a smile tug at his lips. “Why don’t we go inside? I’ll show you your room.”
His smile faded as soon as they entered the observation deck. He knew this place all too well—it was where he’d cornered Liko and demanded she hand him the pendant.
“This is the observation deck!” said Liko cheerily. “It has an awesome view of the sky. And, well”—she gestured at the short figure snoozing on the bench—“it’s Ult’s room, too.”
Amethio inclined his head, words failing him. Liko searched his face.
“Yeah, you’ve been here before,” she said hesitatingly.
Pressing his lips together, he nodded. “I apologise for that day.”
“Silly, why are you apologising?” she sighed, her fingers flying up to touch her bun. “You did what you thought you had to do. And see”—she waved a hand all around her, before crouching down to pick up Terapagos, who had been dutifully trotting after her the whole time—“if it weren’t for you that day, I would never have set off on this amazing journey. I have you to thank.”
He snorted. “Please. The other Explorers would’ve been after you anyway, if not for me.”
She pouted.
“Plus,” he added, “your journey has nothing to do with me. You took the first step, and every step after that. You made your own path—and it’s all thanks to you.”
Liko’s eyes widened. Then she broke into a brilliant smile.
Bright. Everything was too bright today.
“Thank you, Amethio,” she said, closing her eyes and pressing her clasped hands to her heart. “But now you get to be part of my journey, and I yours. I’m thankful for that.”
He closed his eyes too. Allowed himself a small smile. “I’m honoured.”
If it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t be here today.
*
Liko led him down a hallway of doors. “This is my room, Roy’s room, and Dot’s room,” she said, pointing at the respective doors. “And that”—she reached the last door on the left—“is your room.”
She opened the door, and stepped in after him. It was a humble room with decent space for a ship cabin. It couldn’t compare to his room back home or the one provided by the Explorers, but this was good. Simple, the way he liked it. A single round window let in the late morning light. Amethio set down his satchel on the desk.
“Thanks,” he said.
Liko nodded. “I’ll let you get settled—but I’ll call you for lunch!” Then she clapped her hands. “Oh—we should exchange contacts! Then I’ll add you into the group.”
He winced. “Oh, um…” But Liko’s stare was persistent, so he sighed and fished out his Rotom phone. “Here.”
“We’re a team now,” said Liko sternly. “It’s important to be able to keep in contact at all times.” She nodded. “When you hear the lunch bell, it means it’s time for lunch! But stay put. I’ll show you the way there.”
“You don’t have to,” protested Amethio, but she was already out of the door.
Shaking his head, he turned back to his satchel and started unpacking. He’d only taken the absolute necessaries. Even his Rotom phone was new, a slate scrubbed clean. He was not going to take any chances of Spinel tracking him down so easily. He’d have to Explorer-proof the Brave Olivine too—the Rising Volt Tacklers weren’t exactly the best when it came to stealth, considering how easily they’d tracked them down time after time.
The last item he took out was the picture of his mother at the beach, together with a young Amethio and Charcadet. He placed it on his desk and stared solemnly at her.
“We’re on a ship together again, Mother.”
*
Lunchtime rolled about, and so did Liko. “Hi, Amethio!” she greeted, her Hattrem at her feet, mirroring her happy demeanor. Genuine. Everything about her was so genuine. “Is everything okay? Are you feeling seasick?”
He snorted. “I don’t get seasick.”
“That’s good,” she said, relaxing visibly. “See, this was actually Ult’s room before. But he gets seasick easily, so it’s better for him to sleep where he can see the sky.”
Amethio nodded, and Liko lapsed into silence, only breaking it to point out different rooms along the way to the kitchen. There still lingered an undercurrent of awkward tension between him and the Rising Volt Tacklers, he observed, but that was to be expected. He was intruding onto their safe space. He’d just stay out of their way as much as possible, he resolved, until they both achieved their goals and dissolved their partnership.
Going to the kitchen to eat lunch together with everyone was the opposite of staying out of their way.
He cleared his throat, and stalled his steps. Liko stopped to look back at him. “Perhaps it’s best if I eat in my room.”
Liko frowned. “What? Don’t be silly. Let’s eat together.”
“We’re not comfortable around each other,” he said, and Liko’s frown deepened. “It wouldn’t be nice to encroach—”
“I want you here,” Liko said, plain and simple. “ We want you here. Yes, all of us,” she added when Amethio cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. “We had to vote unanimously on it. If there was one person who didn’t want you here, you wouldn’t be here. Okay?" She crossed her arms. "And so what if it’s uncomfortable? It’s always like that at first. I was uncomfortable too. But with time, we get used to each other. Now come on,” she urged, tugging on Amethio’s sleeve, “I’m hungry!”
So he let her guide him to the hearth.
As he entered, he bowed his head. “Thank you for letting me join you,” he said, and everyone laughed and nodded, breaking the tension into liquid warmth.
The smell of curry wafted in the air, irritatingly tantalising. He hadn’t had a proper meal in ages. Before he could stop himself, his stomach let out a very audible growl—making everyone crack up again. These people laughed too easily, he thought, scowling in embarrassment.
As he settled into the empty seat beside Friede, the man slapped him by the back, and he almost choked. “What took you so long, little guy?” he crowed. Murdock scooped a heaping portion of curry and rice onto his plate, and Amethio didn’t have the heart to tell him there was no way he could finish that. “About time. Now I have a sparring partner at hand any time of the day.”
Amethio’s lip twitched. Friede plastered on that annoying grin of his.
“Hey!” whined Roy, waving a fork in the air. “I’m your sparring partner! I’ll take you on. We’re not the same guys you know—we’ve gotten a whole lot stronger, and we’ll beat you into the dirt!”
Friede laughed. “Sure you will, kid.” He clicked his tongue at Cap. “Fun being with Roy while it lasted eh, Cap? But sorry to say, you’re stuck with me.”
“Pika.” Cap crossed his arms and smirked.
Mollie clapped her hands. “Alright, alright! Keep it down. Liko has something to say.”
“Woo, Liko!” cheered Roy, and Mollie glared at him, as if to chide, What did I just say about keeping it down?
Still standing, Liko laughed nervously. “Hey, everyone,” she started. “It’s great to have everyone gathered here, after more than a year. Welcome back, Friede.” Her eyes shimmered with tears, even as she smiled. “It’s good to have you back. We missed you so much.”
Friede mirrored Cap’s smirk. “Wasn’t plannin’ on goin’ anywhere.”
Orla rolled her eyes. “Sure you weren’t,” she said in a tight voice. “Give us some sign you aren’t dead in a ditch somewhere next time, you hear?”
“Loud and clear, Or.” He slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Don’t worry, I’ll stick around now. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she sighed, leaning into his half-embrace.
“And,” Liko continued, smiling, “I’m so happy that we’ve had four new members since we regrouped the Rising Volt Tacklers! Everyone knows Ult, of course”—Mid-bite into his spoonful of rice, Ult yawned—“and today, Amethio is joining us, together with Zirc and Onia. Those two'll join us back in Levincia.” She laughed nervously. “Hard to believe, right?”
“Extremely,” said Orla dryly.
“Oh, no,” piped in Mollie, “we all saw this coming. Joining arms with the Explorers? That’s like, a given.”
“I don’t mind,” said Murdock, shrugging. “More people means more pastries to go around.”
“I don’t trust him.” Ult narrowed his eyes. “But he’s strong. So I don’t care—battle me. ”
Dot sighed. “Jokes aside, we all did see this coming. I mean, he joined forces with us in Laqua to take down Zygarde.”
“He’s not our enemy,” agreed Roy, surprising Amethio.
“Spinel is.” Liko turned to Amethio. “We’ll take him down. Together.”
You don’t have to do this alone, her eyes were telling him.
He savoured the rich taste of curry on his tongue. Let it sit with him in this too-warm kitchen. Let himself believe that this was just the beginning to something new. Something real.
Because he was never going back.