Chapter 33 Establish

  As the convoy finished its preparations and set off the next morning, Ian heaved a sigh of relief from his bike. Irida had left him alone, as per his wishes the previous night. He did spot the Pearl Clan leader deep in conversation with Selene around one of the campfires the previous night, but at least her attention was wrapped up elsewhere.

  "Hey Ian!" Plumeria barked as she came up on the side of him with her bike. "You enjoying being near the front?" I did kind of just end up here because the bike is faster than the walkers and the carts they're pulling in the rear.

  "Gets me outta Irida's sights, so yeah," Ian grumbled.

  "I wouldn't be too happy about that," Plumeria said. "Look behind you and see who she's talking to."

  Ian got a bad feeling in his gut as he turned around, only to see Irida smiling innocently at Tupp as she listened attentively. "I got a bad feeling about that," Ian said.

  "What, trying to cockblock?" Plumeria asked.

  "No. I just think she must be doing a different strategy now. Trying to make me jealous," Ian explained.

  "Ah…" Plumeria said. "Very high school of her."

  Ian shook his head. "If you heard what she was saying to me last night you'd understand."

  "She proposing marriage again?" Plumeria asked.

  Ian rolled his eyes. "Even pushier about it than last time." Not gonna mention the part where my boner betrayed me.

  "Ugh," Plumeria grunted. "Well if she gets too pushy around Po Town's prince you let me know," Plumeria teased. "They're the ones with no leverage in this arrangement after all, Irida may need a careful reminding."

  "Thanks," Ian said, giving a respectful nod.

  "Can't she just jump into bed with Hyde and be done with it?" Plumeria joked.

  "That would solve a lot of problems for me," Ian said.

  Thankfully after a good half hour of distant monitoring, Irida let Tupp be, and Ian made his way over to his buddy's position in the convoy. "I was wondering where you were at bro," Tupp said. "That Irida chick was coming on to me hard yo."

  "Yeah…"

  "I'm sure it was just cuz she's trying to make you jealous and shit," Tupp said. "She fine but she was so strong on it I could tell she was faking."

  Ian shrugged. "Well as long as you know I think she's just trying to get at me… But if you think she's being serious, don't hold off on my account. I want my best bro to get laid at some point."

  Tupp chuckled. "Oh I'm working on that," Tupp said, leaning in. "Selene kept looking over at us while we were talking. If this Irida bitch is trying to make you jealous, two can play at that game."

  Ian scanned the crowd of people walking in his vicinity of the convoy and noticed Selene and Rapp chattering away, with Selene stealing a quick glance Ian and Tupp's way before returning her focus to Rapp. "Fair enough bro, but if she's gonna hang with a fuck boy like Rook are you sure you wanna still go after her?"

  Tupp scoffed. "Not anymore man, but it'd make me feel a lot better."

  "Fair," Ian said, pounding Tupp's fist.

  ***

  The convoy's slow pace was a welcome respite from the urgency Plumeria had pushed them with the day before. It was midday when the convoy came upon the Akua Jungle, and Ian heard Irida announce they were stopping for lunch. Plumeria had Team Skull members dole out berries to the Pearl Clan like they had done for breakfast, but made sure Ian wasn't distributing, instead leaving it to Hyde, Selene, and Rapp.

  Irida went to the end of Hyde's line and waited patiently, with Ian trying hard to not be too elated.

  "Ian, Lady Plumeria," Gaeric called out, having swallowed the last of an Oran Berry. "We are coming upon a crossroads, are we not?"

  Ian turned to Plumeria, with her just finishing manifesting the last of the berries and signaling Ian to join her with Gaeric. "Yes we are," Plumeria said.

  "One road is 'paved,' as they say in this time," Gaeric explained. "The other is dirt and leads to the meadow, does it not?"

  Plumeria nodded. "Yes."

  "And your scouts say there is an enemy presence on the cape we are nearing?" Gaeric asked.

  "Yes," Plumeria said. "The paved road will be easier to traverse, but closer to the enemy."

  "Then must we travel it?" Gaeric asked. "The meadow road will likely take longer, but would be safer."

  Ian shook his head. "The meadow has a raised walkway over the meadow itself. Your carts won't be able to cross it," he explained. "Plus I don't know how the Oricorio will respond to such a large number of people crossing."

  Gaeric grimaced. "Then the paved road is the only option?"

  "We can send our own scouts, maybe disrupt whatever they plan to do. Not too far from the road is a colony of Pokemon that can be dangerous. And if Sinclair's guys on Cape Pupuhi decide to do anything while the convoy's crossing the jungle, we can easily disrupt them," Plumeria explained. "Our scouts said it's a pretty small presence, which would check out."

  "And if it's a larger one?" Gaeric asked.

  "They'd be a lot easier to notice," Plumeria said. "I take it we're gonna do some preliminary scouting?"

  Gaeric nodded. "Indeed. I shall bring Lian and some of our warriors."

  "I'll get my squad," Plumeria said, turning to Ian and giving him a nod. Plumeria led him to where Tupp and the other three squad members had been distributing food and Ian smiled at a certain sight.

  Irida was smiling her dazzling smile and Hyde seemed to be boasting loudly about something. "You sure we need him?" Ian asked curiously.

  Plumeria tensed. "I mean, if you think we'll be alright without him."

  "With Gaeric, Lian, you, me, Tupp, Selene?" Ian asked. "And Rapp as our medic of course…"

  Plumeria shrugged. "Sure, let's let him have his fun."

  ***

  Going into the jungle itself was not as intimidating as he'd thought. While there'd been distant howling and various bird Pokemon chirping, Ian had envisioned plant life so dense he'd hardly be able to move, like he'd heard the Amazon Rainforest in his home world was like. Thankfully there were small trails that zig-zagged though the lush thickets and trees, which Ian was grateful for until he noticed primate tracks on them. "Hey Plumeria, what's up with these tracks right here?" Ian called out.

  "Quiet you," Plumeria said lowly. "They're Passimian tracks. They probably live with the Alpha Oranguru in the colony that's like half a mile in."

  "Ah…"

  "Those loud noises we heard when we came in? Probably them howling," Plumeria whispered. "It's why I don't think Sinclair's guys will fuck with us. The Passimian are very territorial."

  "Of course it's Fighting Types," Ian grumbled under his breath. I really need Impidimp trained up.

  The recon party of twelve or so did its best to stay slightly ahead of the convoy as it continued on the main road through the jungle. As far as Bug Types were concerned, Ian noticed a few Kakuna and Metapods, with a number Butterfree fluttering above them peacefully but nothing too dangerous.

  After an hour they finally reached the end of the Akua Jungle and Gaeric came straight for Ian. "I thank you for your assistance in this, Ian."

  Ian nodded, shaking the buff man's offered hand. "Happy to help. We're allies now, after all."

  Gaeric nodded. "Indeed." Gaeric then moved in closer, putting his eyes on Plumeria. "I hear Irida is no longer pursuing you in seeking a marriage alliance."

  Ian shrugged. "I suppose that's good news for me. My girlfriend back in Po Town will be happy to hear that."

  Gaeric grunted, nodding some more. "And of what of Lady Plumeria? Is she betrothed to someone?"

  Ian stifled a laugh. "I don't think so, but I don't think she's looking either. She's got enough on her plate."

  Gaeric's hand went to his chin as he eyed the Team Skull squad leader. "Unfortunate. I was willing to volunteer my hand for hers if we could not solidify this alliance with Irida's marriage. It appears that any marriages that occur cannot simply be brokered, but must be agreed upon by each side of the match. We must woo our potential partner."

  Woo? That's a word I haven't heard in a while. "Yeah, we're big on consent these days. Unless your name is 'Breon' apparently," Ian joked.

  "That monster," Gaeric said with an aggressive growl. "But I must ask Ian, do you have any strategies you believe would work on wooing Lady Plumeria? She seems an outstanding woman, if a bit visually unique."

  "Definitely don't say that," Ian advised.

  "The 'outstanding woman' part?" Gaeric asked.

  "No, the 'visually unique' part," Ian said.

  "But pray tell Ian, do you have advice of any sort? I must woo her successfully for my peoples' security to be assured," Gaeric pleaded. "There must be something I can do to get closer to her, into her good graces."

  Ian hesitated, not sure if he wanted to give any tips. Gaeric's a good guy, I just really don't think Plumeria's looking for that right now. Maybe ever, who knows?

  "How were you able to get back into her good graces after the argument you had in Makamae Town?" Gaeric asked.

  "That's a long story," Ian grumbled before remembering something rather crucial. "She deals with a lot of Team Skull members' emotional problems and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Notice how everyone calls her Big Sis?"

  "Except for you," Gaeric observed.

  "She told me to stop calling her that, so I did," Ian said. "But apparently I'm the only one in Team Skull that's acknowledged how hard being everyone's 'Big Sis' is. She was grateful for that."

  "Really?" Gaeric said, putting his hand on his chin as he stole a quick glance at Plumeria, who was deep in conversation with Selene and Rapp. Ian noticed Tupp and Lian were still chatting away about something with the other Pearl Clan members who had joined the recon/escort mission. "It is something I will have to be careful about. Nothing would destroy her image of me more than dishonesty."

  Ian shrugged. "That's a good start… Maybe don't tell her the things you do for the Pearl Clan, but show her? She's very observant."

  "Good idea…" Gaeric pondered the line of thought before shaking his head. "But if she were able to be wooed by good deeds, then you two would already be betrothed I believe."

  "What?" Ian asked, feeling his cheeks getting warm.

  "You are a very good man Ian, and you hold great respect for her. I must show her I am a different man than you, a man's man." Gaeric bellowed out a battle cry as he flexed his muscles, causing all of the bystanders to turn to Ian and Gaeric suddenly.

  "The fuck's up with you guys?" Plumeria demanded as she began approaching.

  "HOH!" Gaeric bellowed, flexing in a different position. "If you must know, Lady Plumeria, I was just speaking to Ian of my tireless virility. Hoh!" Gaeric said, flexing in a different position before walking away with exaggerated steps.

  Plumeria made her way to Ian, thoroughly weirded out by Gaeric's sudden display. "What were you two guys even talking about?"

  Ian shook his head and opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted.

  "And why are you blushing so much?" Plumeria probed.

  Dammit. Ian's gaze shuddered from Plumeria's intense, amber eyes. "Really stupid stuff…"

  "Apparently so," Plumeria observed, moving to Ian's side.

  "He thinks Irida has stopped her pursuit of me," Ian said.

  "Which is good…"

  "But he's now trying to forge his own marriage to solidify the alliance," Ian said.

  "Oh," Plumeria said, face-palming. She then exhaled quickly and held her fist up to him. "So, all in on Irida and Hyde?"

  Ian pounded her presented fist. "All in on Irida and Hyde."

  ***

  About an hour before shadows began to seep into the sky, the last of the Pearl Clan's carts carrying supplies, materials, and tents made it up the incline of the hill where their new home would reside. The hill the Pearl Clan had decided upon was just a couple hundred feet or so to the side of the paved road that ran along the coastline. Mount Lanakila loomed large to the southeast, and at the foot of the hill was a large pond fed by a creek descending from the mountain itself. The position was easily defensible and was close enough in proximity to keep an eye on the coast.

  Ian and Plumeria watched as Lian heaved a sigh of relief, recalling his Wyrdeer who had become quite weary from lugging the cart up the incline. "And that's a job well done!" Lian cheered.

  "You are tired, young Lian?" Gaeric inquired, walking over to the shorter warden.

  "Not tired, just relieved," Lian said.

  "Good!" Gaeric bellowed out abruptly, flexing in Plumeria's direction. "Now the work of constructing our new home shall begin, I challenge anyone to try to surpass me in speed…"

  Plumeria leaned into Ian's ear and whispered. "I'm gonna throw up."

  "Everyone!" Irida shouted, signalling the weary members of the convoy to listen. "Today is a special day in the Pearl Clan's history in this land and in this time. By reaching this hill, we have taken a first step on our new path, the path of an alliance with Team Skull of Po Town. We would not have been able to accomplish this without the help of Plumeria and her lieutenant, Hyde."

  Plumeria cleared her throat over dramatically, while Ian noticed Hyde close behind Irida, smiling proudly next to Palina, who glared at Ian. Ian smiled nervously.

  "Thirty-three days ago, the Driftwood Guild said they were no longer able to trade food to us. Since that day, the fear of starvation has weighed heavily upon us all. Our alliance with Team Skull will finally change that." A wall of loud cheers erupted from the crowd, with Ian cracking a smile. I was only surviving on barebones rations for five days and it was fucking miserable. Can't imagine how thirty three days on it must be like. And how long ago was that? Must've been not long after I arrived in Po Town. "Let us set up camp tonight, hopefully for the last time as this can be our future home going forward. One day we shall celebrate it properly, but tonight, please cheer as I christen this settlement 'Fort Acuity,' in honor of the lake of our old home."

  Another cheer erupted from the assembled crowd and Ian's grin became a bit more confident. "A fitting tribute."

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

  "How so?" Plumeria asked.

  "Have you ever heard of Lake Acuity in Sinnoh?" Ian asked.

  "Yeah," Plumeria said. "So they lived by Snowpoint City?"

  "Their settlement became Snowpoint City," Ian explained.

  "Oh…" Plumeria said.

  Amidst the crowd, Ian noticed Irida eyeing him. He grimaced, which prompted the Pearl Clan leader to stare at him more intensely.

  Plumeria scoffed and put her hand on Ian's shoulder. "Any chance you and Sawsbuck want to go find some berry trees to bless around here?"

  Ian chuckled. "I'd love to," Ian said sourly.

  ***

  The next morning Fort Acuity bustled with activity. Pots of water boiled, while the digging of a trench around the perimeter had begun. When Ian found Plumeria, he followed her gaze and saw Irida walking with Hyde, who seemed to be talking excitedly about something.

  "I like the look of that," Ian said.

  "It's too fake," Plumeria said. "But the longer the charade goes on, maybe there's some chance Irida sees something in him."

  "What's to see besides being stubborn?" Ian asked.

  "He's stubbornly loyal to Po Town," Plumeria said. "You gotta give him that."

  Ian nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

  Irida looked up and locked her gaze on Ian and Plumeria for a moment before stopping and guiding Hyde the duo's way.

  "Plumeria!" Irida called out sweetly.

  "Irida," Plumeria said, not nearly as sweetly.

  "Good morning to you, and to you as well Ian," Irida said. "I have been getting to know Hyde here rather well over the past couple of days. He is an impressive young man. Plumeria you seem to have quite a group of trainers as your subordinates. You must be very proud."

  "Usually," Plumeria said, a subtle bitterness in her tone.

  "Palina tells me getting to Po Town should be a three hour walk," Irida said, getting to her point. "Using six hours of daylight going to and fro is not quite what I had in mind, but we are in desperate times so we must make do. Pray tell, those 'bicycles' you ride, as Hyde says, how many do you possess in Po Town?"

  "Ridable?" Plumeria began. "Probably thirty, maybe a few more."

  "Is there any way to acquire more?" Irida asked. "Hyde tells me it takes but an hour with minimal exhaustion comparatively. Our laborers' morale will surely stay strong if we cut down the journey by one third the time."

  "I'm not sure," Plumeria said. "But I'll see what I can do. I understand six hours round trip won't be feasible long term."

  "Glad to hear," Irida said. "And if you are not aware, I wanted to make the inaugural trip today and meet your boss, Guzma, if that is possible. We have communicated through emissaries for too long, and I wish to show gratitude to the leader of the alliance which has given us salvation."

  Careful wording there, calling Guzma the leader of the alliance but not outright saying he rules over her. She's good at this diplomatic game.

  "He should be around," Plumeria said. "Although I would wait until the fruits of your laborers' first day have been harvested."

  "I appreciate your advice, Plumeria," Irida said before turning away and over to one of the kettles with boiling water in it.

  "So lover boy, how's it going with Irida?" Plumeria asked with an amused grin.

  "Really well I think," Hyde said excitedly, bouncing in place. "You must've really pissed her off when you two met up a couple nights ago Ian. She hasn't said anything about you."

  "Good," Ian said bluntly. "Me and Mina got a really good thing going." Ian's heart leapt at the mention of her.

  Plumeria tittered knowingly, eyes fixed on Ian.

  "What's so funny?" Ian asked.

  "All of this Irida talk and you never blushed. One mention of Mina and you're blushing like a little boy," Plumeria teased.

  Ian rolled his eyes. "Hyde, let that be the ultimate proof I'm rooting for you and Irida to start banging uglies as quickly as possible."

  Hyde smirked. "I see you, Ian. Appreciate it," Hyde said before taking his leave.

  Plumeria waited until Hyde was out of earshot before she opened her mouth again. "So what was Gaeric talking about yesterday that got you all hot and bothered?"

  Ian rolled his eyes, doing his best to hide his rising heartbeat and tenseness in his shoulders. Really? Talking about Plumeria romantically gets me like this? I really like Mina, it's probably too early to say "love" her but she's exactly what I've needed. Sure Plumeria's hot and I really admire her but-

  "Ian?" Plumeria asked, rather puzzled. "Must've really been something."

  Ian shook his head, exhaling to shove the thoughts of Plumeria's amber eyes from his brain. "It's nothing I want to get into right now. Sorry."

  Plumeria rolled her eyes. "Well you're no fun. How about you and Sawsbuck go bless some more berries? I'm sure the Pearl Clan would appreciate some more food before we go."

  ***

  When Po Town's walls came into view, Ian's heart leapt at the thought of seeing Mina again. He pictured the smile of her painted face and remembered the feeling of her lips against his. It'll be great to get my mind off the whole Irida nonsense. Ian sighed, then realized he was looking at Plumeria and he tensed again. And whatever this crush on Plumeria thing is. I can't believe we're in the middle of a war with another faction and I'm out here freaking out about having romantic feelings for someone.

  Ian shook the troubling thoughts from his mind as they rolled up to the front gate, where Rook stood casually, his arm around a girl Ian wasn't familiar with. Ian turned to Tupp, who seemed to be taking a bit of sadistic pleasure in the site. Ian then turned to Selene, whose head was already down in dejection. I feel kinda bad for her, but if she's gonna keep pining for Rook, this was always inevitable. I also hope if she comes to Tupp on the rebound he doesn't take her up on it.

  "Only five of you?" Rook demanded, withdrawing his arm from the girl in the Team Skull uniform, who quickly departed into town.

  "Irida wanted Hyde to stick around with her," Plumeria answered. "She seems interested in him."

  "That's good, since her first choice is taken at the moment," Rook said.

  "Happily I might add," Ian chimed in.

  Rook gave a mischievous smirk. "Yeah, yeah, honeymoon phase and all."

  Ian readied a response but Selene sobbed loudly, storming past Rook and into town, leaving an awkward silence in her wake until Plumeria scoffed. "Looks like your guys' honeymoon phase is over," Plumeria spat.

  "Whatever. The Pearl Clan workers getting here anytime soon?" Rook said, shifting the subject quickly.

  "They're on carts coming up The Straightaway, probably a couple hours to get here. It's almost ten miles to here from Fort Acuity," Plumeria explained.

  "Fort Acuity?" Rook asked.

  "What they named their settlement," Plumeria said. "You joining me for the de-brief?"

  Rook rolled his eyes and turned into town. "I guess so."

  "Hey Rook!" Ian called out, feeling rather full of himself.

  "What?" Rook spat as he looked over his shoulder at Ian.

  "My honeymoon girl on guard duty?" Ian asked.

  "Western wall, like usual," Rook said dismissively.

  Ian joined the rest of the squad in putting their bikes against the wall, with Plumeria taking extra time to materialize Hyde's bike from their retro Silph Bag. Plumeria turned to Ian with a wicked smile. "Have fun with Mina," she whispered.

  Ian blushed some more. "Thanks…"

  He made his way up Kai Avenue, the street that ran along the western side. He tried to stay inconspicuous as he made his way up, crossing the canal and passing the school, where no kids were out playing at recess. He spotted Mina looking out at the top of the wall and did his best to quietly climb the steps, slowing his pace as much as he could.

  "Oh shit, you're back!" Mina's voice blurted out. Ian smiled, giving up the game and hurried up the last few steps before Mina ran into him. He got off balance for a moment, realizing he'd likely go tumbling down the stairs, but somehow caught himself. "Woah Ian, sorry…" Mina said in a panic, holding him.

  Ian smiled, looking into her deep, dark eyes. "You owe me for that."

  Mina smiled knowingly. "However will I make it up to you?"

  Ian smirked before leaning in for a deep kiss with his girlfriend, the beautiful Alolan sea in the background. When they broke apart, only one thing was on Ian's mind. "What time do you get off?"

  "Like an hour," Mina answered. "That girl trying to marry you pull anything?"

  Ian nodded. "Yeah. She was very forward about things, and I was very blunt in my responses."

  "Forward how?" Mina asked.

  "Talking about me having the qualities of a leader and stuff," Ian said bluntly. "I told her that if she tried to break up the best thing that's happened to me since I got here, my opinion of her wasn't going any way but down. It sounded harsher, trust me."

  "I believe you," Mina said with a knowing smirk. "You hear the buzz about Slugg?"

  "No. When we got back I came right here," Ian said, giving Mina another kiss.

  "He's been working on the radios we're gonna be using for that surveillance network we're gonna line up and down the coast," Mina said. "He's been like a completely different person since the Pokemon Center incident. He's basically no longer on the squad here, he'll be doing stuff with the network."

  Ian nodded. "Sounds like a good use for his talents."

  "Yo Ian!" Tupp's voice called out from the ground. Ian and Mina turned to see Tupp approaching the stairs before coming to a stop. "Oh, sorry Mina…"

  "What's up, Tupp?" Ian asked.

  "Plumeria says you gotta bless the crops yo!" Tupp said. "I can tell her it'll be a few-"

  "It's fine!" Mina said assuringly. Mina turned to Ian, an amused smile on her face. "You'd rather kiss me than make sure we don't starve to death? Should I be worried about you being too obsessed with me?"

  "Yes," Ian joked, giving Mina another deep kiss before dashing down the stairs.

  "It should be recess time for the school right after I get off. Meet you there?" Mina called out.

  "Sounds good!" Ian said, giving her a thumbs up, followed by a wave goodbye.

  ***

  After a mad dash around Elk Grove and the crop fields on Sawsbuck's back, Ian made his way up The Spine to Shady House where he spotted Sophocles, Tom, and a few other Dirtbags focusing on a set of black, metal boxes. Oh wait, they're the radios we're using.

  "Alola, Ian!" Tom called out as the middle-aged man spotted Ian.

  "Alola, Tom," Ian said. "I see you guys are hard at work."

  "Yes we are!" Sophocles said, still focused on his work with the metal box in front of him.

  "I still can hardly believe how things have come together," Tom said lowly. "Slugg's really been a big help."

  Ian nodded and began to whisper. "Is he going by Slugg now?"

  Tom nodded. "It's like a badge of honor now."

  Ian shrugged. If that's what the guy wants, that's what he'll get from me.

  "And… all done!" Slugg announced proudly, pushing his obese form back from the table. "Ian, I don't think you're ready for the cool stuff we'll get to do with these."

  "Really?" Ian asked with a smirk. "What's going on with them?"

  "Well, they're government radios, so there are channels only we have. All of Sinclair's boats are civilian vessels, so they only have the standard marine ones everyone has," Slugg explained. "We've been listening to their chatter, and while we don't pick up everything, we at least know when they're using a certain frequency. They only use the marine ones."

  Ian nodded. "That's nice. Are they using code or anything?"

  "There was something about a boat they wanted to target and then they started speaking in code," Slugg explained. "But they only do that when they think they might be watched."

  Ian shrugged. "Sounds nice."

  "The government frequencies don't get much use, but we did hear what we think was an ASF ship using it," Tom chimed in. "So we'd still better use code when we're communicating."

  Slugg nodded. "Yeah, but they're not really doing anything to us yet, right? They can't come near us until Sinclair's taken care of."

  A pit of dread immediately formed in Ian's stomach. That's right. The ASF can't conduct any operations on us if Sinclair can raid their ships. If he goes, we're fair game. Although if they were to make a move, I don't understand why they'd go for us over Breon. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there," Ian said, taking a longer look and counting eight individual radios. "We have eight of these things? What are we gonna use for power out in the field?"

  Slugg smiled wickedly. "Boss caught a bunch of Charjabug for us, so each radio operator will have one for when their radio gets low on juice."

  Ian nodded. "I like the sound of that."

  Guzma's voice suddenly filled the main room of Shady House. "We'll be stretched real thin when we start this plan."

  Ian nodded. "Well, it's either that or wait for Sinclair to catch us by surprise a few times."

  "I know, I know," Guzma said. "Rook would rather we just wait to fight until we're completely demoralized." Guzma then turned to Tom. "How soon before we can start sending these out?"

  "Should be ready for tomorrow," Tom said. "Just need to test the lightning rods that'll be used to recharge the batteries we just put in 'em."

  "Good then," Guzma said. "I want this rolled out tomorrow, and after that we can make our move on Atman's Point."

  Not long after, Ian found himself on a bench at the school, watching Impidimp terrorize Rylee, Plusle, and some of her other classmates on the jungle gym with a game of tag, Mina's head resting on Ian's shoulder once more.

  "...so she's going after Hyde now?" Mina asked, slightly confused.

  "Yeah, but I think Irida's trying to make me jealous or something," Ian said.

  Mina giggled lowly. "Well, two can play at that game."

  "Huh?" Ian asked uncertainly.

  A hint of wickedness entered Mina's voice. "You said this Irida chick's coming by later? I want to meet her and make a first impression," Mina said, before moving her head to whisper something into Ian's ear.

  As Mina pulled her head away from his ear, Ian's cheeks reddened. "Check please!" He said to no one in particular.