Adaptation

The next morning, Jade was awakened by Max, who gently shook one of her shoulders.

"I just woke up the others and we'll leave as soon as everyone is ready. Do you want to get back in your pokeball after breakfast?"

Jade took a few seconds to fully awaken and noticed that she was all alone outside and in front of the extinguished campfire.

{I would like to. But if you need help…}

"No, it's okay. I don't want to brag or anything, but Scarlet can handle it. All she needs is a couple of seconds and we're good to go."

{Oh, n-never mind, then.} Jade said, looking a bit disappointed.

"Thanks for offering, though. I really appreciate it."

Sensing his sincerity, Jade couldn't help but smile a little. Slowly but surely, she was getting used to being considered, even if it was just a little. She was even starting to like it. Shortly after, the others exited the tent, with some of them going to brush their teeth.

{Where is the next gym leader again?} Bonny asked, starting to brush her teeth.

"I told you yesterday, Oxgard is pretty far away from here. There will be a few places before we reach it."

*spit* {More time to train, then.}

When everyone was out, Max noticed the absence of Scarlet.

"Where's Scarlet?"

{Don't know.} Bonny replied before putting away her toothbrush. {I didn't see her when I woke up.}

As soon as Max was starting to wonder where she might be, a strange feeling enveloped him. It was a curious probing sensation that instantly allowed Max to figure out where Scarlet was.

"I'll be back," Max announced to them.

After leaving, he subconsciously noticed that he was heading towards the big pond with the waterfall he was at last night. A pang of deep sadness and angry feeling washed over him as he remembered the episode last night with Luna. The more he thought about it, the more he thinks he should have said yes. Shaking his head, he did his best to forget about it and proceeded through the woods. After a little while, he arrived at the pond and expectantly saw a red gardevoir sitting at the edge of the water and facing the waterfall.

"It's nice to see our bond getting stronger every day. A couple of weeks ago, I don't think I would have been able to track you," Max remarked, sitting next to her.

{That's nice.} She replied with a touch of melancholy.

"Something wrong?"

{Not exactly.}

"Is it a link with what I said last night?"

{...More or less.}

*sigh* "Look, I don't want things to change between us. I don't want you to pity me."

{I can't help it. If I had scanned your brain and saw that sooner, maybe I wouldn't have done or said those things ever since we…}

"Ever since what?"

{Every day I notice how similar we are and that our encounter was a true destiny strike. When I reflect on what I said a few days ago and on how I acted... You really don't need another layer of bullshit in your life.}

"That's mostly why I was afraid to tell you my past. I didn't want you all to start seeing me differently, treating me differently because I had it hard already. I don't want either you, Bonny, or Aurora to go soft on me because of that. I still want to argue with you and Bonny or be nagged by Aurora."

{Why?}

"Because I don't want to have my past get in our way. Whether I told you about me or not, I'm still the same idiot that takes no shit from anyone like before."

{...Still. It reminded me that maybe I wasn't treating you with the respect you deserve. Maybe I was a bit full of myself and saw you a bit like a spoiled kid who is never happy.}

"What?" Max exclaimed, surprised and slightly hurt by her words.

{It wasn't in a bad way. We all have our flaws and I was perfectly okay with yours. It's just that maybe you have less than I thought. I still don't like her, but I reckon that I overreacted when you wanted to feed Jade at that restaurant. I didn't really respect your needs back there. I'm sorry.}

"Don't be," Max assured, grabbing her hand. "You also have your needs and I didn't respect them more than you did mine."

{Yours is less selfish than mine. Maybe we both should really integrate how the other is and live with it; you, wanting to help everyone, and me, not wanting to.}

"Everyone might be an overstatement."

{The best thing we should do is to adjust ourselves to the other... If you are willing to do that.} Scarlet said while looking at Max with hopeful eyes.

"Heh, from how alike we are, it might be the easiest thing to do, yet, the hardest as well. We are from the same unbendable material but in a different direction."

{I'd say not in a completely opposite direction, so it might still be possible.}

"Haha, I do hope so, at least."

{Like you said, it won't be easy and could take a while, but I believe we can do it, especially after all we went through so far. A hard fight is way more rewarding and satisfying than an easy one.}

"Tss, you know I'm not fond of facing difficult challenges, but I'd definitely say that this one is worth fighting for," Max stated with determination.

{I love you so much, you have no idea.} Scarlet expressed, strongly hugging him.

"I love you as well, with all of my heart," Max assured, stroking her hair.

They stayed there, staring at the waterfall for a moment before Scarlet broke the hug.

{Well, not that I don't like being with you, but I have to go catch our breakfast and prepare for our departure.} She pointed out while wiping what seemed to be tiny tears away from her cheek.

"Okay."

While waving goodbye, Scarlet teleported away. Max stayed there for a short moment before standing up and heading back to the camp. When back, he saw Bonny, May, Aurora, and Dusk playing a different board game.

{Why does it always land on me?} Aurora complained.

{You just have no luck today. Personally, it seems to be my lucky day.} Bonny boasted while tossing four dice.

The game was resembling a monopoly game but was more about resources, incomes, and management. It was more complex than monopoly, but simple enough so pokemon could enjoy it as well.

{Eleven, which takes me to... uh… Son of a bitch!} Bonny cursed.

{Hahah, looks like you lose half of everything you have.} Aurora nagged.

{Stupid game.} Bonny growled before separating herself from half of her possessions.

Max then saw Jade sitting nearby, occasionally glancing at them.

"You don't want to join? I think that game can have quite a lot of players," Max wondered, sitting next to her.

{It doesn't look as fun as the other one.}

"But this one is much simpler."

Both of them remained silent for a moment.

"You know, you could have joined us in the tent," Max engaged, which reminded her of her words of exchange with Scarlet last night.

{I… Scarlet told me the same thing last night.}

"She did?!" he exclaimed, surprised. "One more reason for you that you should have joined. She doesn't offer that to anybody."

{...I'm used to sleeping outside.}

"Doesn't mean you have to," Max calmly replied before slowly sighing. "Say, what do you think of us?"

{What do you mean?} Jade shyly asked.

"Do you trust us or not?" Max bluntly asked, almost paralyzing the gardevoir.

{I… don't know.} She answered, looking at the ground.

"You don't know? Not wanting to sound mean, but normally it's something you do know."

{I… just don't know what to answer to that.}

"Just the truth. I get that you haven't known us for very long and that we met in rather... intense circumstances, but you seem to act like you still don't trust us. But it might just be an impression of mine. Can't really blame you, though."

{It's… complicated.} Jade replied, turning her head from him.

Max then sighed again and abandoned the topic.

"I won't force you into trusting us. You probably have your reasons. Just ask yourself what you have seen so far with us." Max concluded with a gentle tap on the shoulder before standing up.

{...It's not about trust.} Jade told him.

"...Glad to hear," Max responded with a smile.

Max stared at her for a few seconds before getting inside the tent. As Jade was looking at it curiously, Max stepped out and walked towards her again.

"I know we didn't get it in the most honest way, but we still have something for you," Max said while handing her the necklace Scarlet stole from the store. "Just see it as a gift from me and Scarlet. Also the group. Pretty much everyone here, actually."

After shyly taking the necklace, Jade stared at it on the palm of her three-fingered green hand.

{…I don't think I deserve it.}

"What's to deserve about? A gift isn't always about if you deserve it or not but because we want to give it. Maybe you don't trust us fully, but maybe this present will help you to understand our good intentions."

{Good intentions?} She muttered, looking at the necklace again.

It was the first time someone has ever given her anything besides food leftovers. It's not that she didn't like it, but just didn't know how to react or which emotion she should feel about it. But a faint and pleasant sensation managed to invade her like the time when she scored a point at the volleyball game. Maybe it was a little bit stronger this time.

"Plus, I'm sure you'll look prettier with that. N-not that I'm implying you're not- Hem… I mean for a gardevoir, but not in a wrong way and-"

{Thanks.} She interrupted, barely smiling.

"Umm… no problem. You're part of the team and you shouldn't be left aside just because of… well… the circumstance of our acquaintance."

Jade then stared at the trinket a little bit more.

{...I promise to take care of it forever.}

"Happy to hear, but it's no big deal if you break or lose it. It's not like I paid for it."

{It's something you gave me, nonetheless.}

"..."

Jade then tried to put it around her neck but didn't know how it worked and failed.

"Let me help," Max told her, moving behind her.

He took the necklace, snapped it around her neck in two seconds, and walked back in front of her.

"It looks really nice on you," Max complimented.

The necklace was shiny yet discreet and its color was almost a perfect match with hers.

{Thanks.} She shyly replied, looking at the ground in embarrassment.

"You're welcome."

As soon as he turned, he saw Aurora, Bonny, May, and Dusk glaring at him and quickly pretended to be busy.

"I don't know what you girls imagined, but you'll forget about it right now," Max told them with a strict but playful tone.

{I imagined nothing. Did you guys imagine anything?} Bonny asked, obviously lying.

{Not me.} Aurora answered with May shaking her head and Dusk looking away.

"Whatever," Max conceded, rolling his eyes. "Say, Aurora, do you want to try to mega evolve until Scarlet comes back with breakfast?"

{Of course.} The lucario replied, quickly standing up.

{It's all between the three of us now.} Bonny said to the other two as soon as they were gone.

{You're going down.} May taunted.

{After you.} The lopunny rebutted, glaring at her competitively.

Max and Aurora didn't go very far away from the campsite, the lucario spotting a decent open spot for them.

"Here..." Max said, handing Aurora's lucarionite.

{It looks pretty good on me.} Aurora commented, looking at the newly encrusted mega stone on her leather glove.

"You almost look like a decent fighter now," Max jested.

{Which is a lot more than you.} She retorted, grinning.

"Touché. Alright, let's get down to business. We should start with some meditation."

{How is that gonna help me mega-evolve?}

"I read that doing some meditation can help strengthen our bond with a pokemon like you."

{And what do you mean by 'like me'?} Aurora asked, a bit offended.

"Nothing bad, really. By 'like you', I mean a pokemon more into… the spirited side, to put it simply."

{I don't get it.}

"Let's just say it helps a fighting-type pokemon."

{Ah.} Aurora replied, now understanding.

"Since we're both bipedal, sitting with our backs facing each other is the best position."

*sigh* {Anything to help me get stronger.}

Max and Aurora then did as the human proposed and sat on the ground while pressing against each other's back.

"It's a bit more intimate, don't you think?"

{Shut up and do as you said already.}

With a chuckle, Max closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths, as did Aurora. They stayed like that for a short moment before Aurora grew tired.

{I don't think it's gonna work.}

"It just takes time."

{No. I mean I don't think I'll be able to do this.} Aurora corrected while standing up. {It's way too boring.}

"What do you suggest, then?"

{Well…} She shyly started, her paws together. {There is another way to bond.}

"I'm not going to argue with that," Max replied, standing up as well. "But I have the feeling that there's more to it. Like we're missing something."

{What could that be?}

"I can't really put my finger on it, so I can't tell."

{...Well, it only leaves one solution: we train together between tries to make me mega-evolve.}

"Looks like it. And afterward, if you're extra nice, we can do some... 'wrestling'," Max pronounced suggestively in her ear with a grin.

{I'll do my best, then.} Aurora warmly said with her tail gently waving around.

Roughly at that moment, Scarlet arrived with what seems to be a headless boar floating next to her, still bleeding a little.

{I hope you're really hungry.} She said nonchalantly while dropping the carcass on the ground in front of her.

"How did you get us something that big? We won't be able to eat it entirely."

{I'm more concerned about why it doesn't have a head anymore.} Aurora asked, averting her gaze from the unpleasant sight.

{That fucker attacked me from behind and tore open a bit of my leg with its fucking tusks, so it basically asked for it.} Scarlet explained hands-on-hips.

"Tore open?!" Max repeated, greatly worried.

{Relax, nothing a good ol' Recover couldn't heal. But it did kind of piss me off, so I just destroyed its head.} She added with Max looking at her suspiciously. {If it can reassure you, it didn't suffer... much...}

*sigh* "Just a good ol' Scarlet moment, I guess. Maybe if we try to smoke it we can preserve the rest for a little while."

{Smoke it? Like burning it until it smokes?} Aurora wondered.

"Nothing like that. Basically, we just need to make a large fire and put the meat slightly higher above it so only the smoke touches the meat without cooking it. That's what I read on the internet, at least."

{It always astonishes me that sometimes, you do know things.} Scarlet jested, making Max flip the bird at her.

{How does that even work?} Aurora questioned.

"I don't remember well, but I think the smoke just kills the things that make the meat go bad and rot. I'm not sure, though."

{Well, if it does work, I won't have to hunt for a few days, so I'm in to try. And if it's the case, we can always do that from now on. I mean, it saves me the effort and I won't have to do it as often.} Scarlet commented.

"Suit yourself, but choose small animals. Smoking doesn't preserve the meat forever, especially since we don't have anything to keep it cool," Max pointed out.

{I have Ice Punch. I don't have to punch things to make them cold.}

"Good thinking, but it won't be enough. I'm not sure you're willing to use that move on the meat twenty-four hours a day."

{Good point.}

"That aside, thanks for the meal, Scarlet."

{No problem. Especially since I hit two birds with one rock with this one.} The gardevoir commented before lifting the dead boar again. {I'm gonna prepare everything and call Dusk's help for today's breakfast.}

"I believe she has gotten used to it."

{As long as she doesn't see the skinning and dismembering, yes.}

"If only we had another fire-type pokemon, we could spare her that."

{Chill out, she's not made out of chocolate. She will survive.}

"If you say so," Max said, not really convinced.

{Expect it to be ready in roughly half an hour, so you can do whatever you were doing or about to do in the meantime.} Scarlet told them while floating away.

{I'm not sure what she meant, but I'm not like that.} Aurora commented.

"Like how?"

{Acting all barbaric and savage out in the open like this.}

"True. You have more grace and elegance than that."

{Exactly.}

Then a very awkward silence settled between both of them.

{...But at the same time, half an hour is quite a long time to kill.}

"A little bit, I agree."

{So… maybe we could… spar a little?} She expectantly asked, acting like a teenager trying to confess love.

"I suppose we could," Max said, slowly walking close to her. "I hope half an hour is enough for you."

{It's better than nothing.} Aurora said back, her tail waving madly.

Max then bent down a little and started to kiss her, quickly making out. While kissing, Max was fondling her gently and rubbed everywhere. Not resisting, Aurora let Max take her down and coiled her arms around his neck. Then, they made good use of the next thirty minutes.

Back at the campsite, May, Dusk, and Bonny were still playing board games with Jade still looking at them. After a while, Dusk lost everything and had to quit, leaving Bonny and May glaring at each other for the win. She then went to sit next to Jade.

{It's hard, isn't it?} Dusk engaged.

{P-pardon me?}

{Breaking out of your shell and socializing. I should know, it took me a while before getting used to them.} The braixen pointed out, looking at Bonny and May taunting each other.

{It's… a little bit more complicated than that.}

{I guess.} Dusk conceded. {But you know, we really have a nice group here. We all have our flaws, but in the end, we can always count on each other. I'm not trying to influence you, but I promise you that we're just a bunch of eccentric and friendly pokemon.}

{I don't doubt it, but… N-nevermind.}

{Okay.} Dusk said, feeling bad for her. {If you ever need help, don't be afraid to tell me or my friends.}

{I'll… keep that in mind.} Jade acknowledged with a tiny smile.

Shortly after that, Scarlet popped into the camp.

{I require your help, Dusk.}

{Coming.} The braixen said while standing up.

{Yay! Breakfast is on the way.} May commented with Bonny trying to cheat in the game while she wasn't looking.

As soon as Scarlet and Dusk disappeared, Max and Aurora took their place. Immediately, Aurora changed her mildly flirty expression to a more stoic one when she saw the others.

{I hope you'll be more focused next time. I really want to mega-evolve.} She bossed Max around.

"Sure thing," Max replied, playing along. "Still here?" he asked Jade, sitting next to her but not too closely, the pokemon nodding shyly. "Scarlet isn't here?"

{She went further away with Miss Dusk.}

"Ah, great. Breakfast is about to come. All those exercises really work up an appetite. And you don't have to call everyone Miss and Mister. Just our name is fine."

{...Okay.} She unsurely said while glancing at the others; Aurora sat next to Bonny, and May was nagging the lopunny for cheating.

{...I… was wondering...} Jade started.

"Hmm?"

{How do you… do that?}

"Do what?"

{You weren't very lucky when you were younger, so how do you keep doing that?}

"Still not sure what you mean."

{N-nevermind.}

"If you're talking about how I managed to stay positive, then I can't really tell. Maybe because there's more in life than that. To be honest, I was getting depressed when I was thrown out of my home. Now that I think about it, I was depressed for a while even before that... I think what really helped me is that I let others enter my life. My life isn't perfect and despite how we look, it's not easy every single day. But when I look at the girls, my companions, I feel what we can call happiness. What I'm trying to say is that sometimes, you have to risk some disappointment and pain if you want some achievements. I admit that it might sound hollow coming from someone who doesn't risk a lot, but you get the point."

{I see.} Jade said, cogitating on Max's words. {...You remember when I said it wasn't because I didn't trust you?}

"Of course."

{I… Maybe it's for the best to tell you, but I don't know if I should.}

"I'll tell you a little something about me, Jade; I'm a very talkable guy. If you have something to say, you can say it. I'm really not volatile. However, just don't brush me on the wrong side."

{How would you know I didn't do that?}

"If you spit on me or punch me for absolutely no reason, I think it's safe to assume that I would immediately know."

For a moment, Jade considered her next action.

{I…} She started again. {The thing is, despite how much you say you're all trustworthy and nice, I can't stop thinking that you kind of…}

"Kind of...?"

{F-forced the e-events?} She said, starting to shake a little in fear.

"Forced? You think we forced you to stay?" Max asked, still calm.

{M-more or l-less.}

"Come on, Jade, speak up your mind," he told her, putting a hand on her shoulder, making her jump a little.

{...I know you saved me, b-but... as bad as my previous group was, I was in a group with a life that I got used to. Then, y-you arrived and…} She explained with extreme difficulty.

"I think I'm starting to get the problem here. Is it maybe because we… killed all of them?"

{...Not that per se, but you indeed did… that, and took me away.}

"So you have the feeling that we kidnapped you?"

{...}

Max then took a deep breath.

"From certain perspectives, I admit that it may look a bit like that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but were you perhaps happier with them? Do you wish that we never came by so you could still be with them?"

{...I wouldn't say that, but it was a life and group that I knew. Here, I know nothing. It's like I've lost my life purpose.}

Max then tried to analyze her words.

"...From my perspective, I think you have a bit of adaptability trouble."

{...Maybe.}

"I'm quite relieved, actually. For a moment, I thought you just hated me."

{...}

"...You don't hate me, right?" Max wondered, a bit worryingly.

{...The thing is… I feel bad and ashamed of my feelings. I know you saved me and showed me this group is better and friendlier, but I'm still wondering if it's just an act. I can't help but to hate you and think that you took away my life despite myself. But the problem isn't that, it's how I feel about it. I know I shouldn't have those feelings from everything you did for me, but… I can't help it since it is so deep within me. I'm really a bad pokemon.}

"Hey now. You're not bad. You can't be bad just from having feelings and opinions. Like you said, it's despite yourself. I'm sure you're not feeling all of that for real, you feel that way because you have trouble adapting to a radical change. I'm sure you wish you didn't feel that way."

{...I think, yes.}

"See? You're not evil. I don't know if it will reassure you, but I'll say it again: you're free to leave at any time. Not that I want you to, but you are not a prisoner with us."

Jade then briefly played with her fingers before looking at Max.

{Thanks. I think that's what I needed to hear.} She thanked him with a tiny smile, probably the 'biggest' one she has ever done until now.

{All done.} Scarlet announced, back with plates of food.

"Awesome," Max remarked, rubbing his hands.

As the others were gathering to get their meal, Scarlet glared menacingly at Jade. She quickly understood what it meant and sat somewhere else. As Max shook his head in disapproval, Scarlet unlocked her gaze from Jade and went on to give everyone their meal. When it was Jade's turn, she glared at her once before dropping the plate in front of her. To her surprise, she had almost the same quantity as the others. She briefly wondered if she could even eat all of it. When done, Scarlet sat where Jade previously was and hugged him in a possessive way.

[Don't you think you overdid it a little?] Max asked in the red gardevoir's mind.

[No.]

[*sigh* Why am I even asking?]

Then, a mischievous urge rose inside Scarlet and she had to pester him a little.

{Luunaaa!} Scarlet loudly called. {Why don't you join us for once? Master is eager to see you.}

"What are you doing?!" Max asked, a bit uneasy.

{Nothing. Just calling a friend.} She lied with a grin.

A short moment later, Luna appeared from the air and landed near them.

{You know I can get my own food by myself.} Luna stated, paws on her hips.

{I do, but master really wanted you to make this a full party breakfast.}

Luna silently considered the proposal.

{I suppose it won't hurt to join.} She accepted, sitting on the other side of Max. {Speaking of food, how are you today, little pup?} She seductively asked, receiving a plate of food.

*ahem* "Fine, fine. Don't worry," he answered hastily, avoiding any eye contact.

Scarlet then felt the following feelings from Max; embarrassment for Luna and anger for her, which made her smile in amusement.

{Great. Slept well?}

"Hem… y-yes. Why do you ask?"

{Because you're gonna need energy for today.}

For a split second, he wondered what she could mean. Did she want to try to "seduce" him again today? The thought of it made him go red and slightly aroused.

"F-for what?" he shyly asked.

{Well, you're gonna train all day long, no?} Luna replied, finding the question odd.

"Oh, right. Yes, of course," he said, still doing his best to avoid looking at her. (I think I'm going nuts.)

[I think you are.] Scarlet nagged.

{Are you alright? You seem a little weird this morning.} Luna inquired.

"Y-yes, don't worry. I just had a… strange dream last night, that's all."

[Really? Was it about a pokemon? A furry, red and black one?] Scarlet teased in his mind.

"Shut up," he whispered.

Luna couldn't help but look at the others interrogatively, to which none responded. To avoid the situation as quickly as possible, Max ate as fast as he could, almost choking a few times.

{Slow down, little pup or you're gonna end up with a stomach ache! That's not what I meant by eating properly.} Luna said, a bit concerned.

"I'm used to eating that way." *cough* "Don't worry," Max assured, making the zoroark look at Scarlet with a slightly raised eyebrow, with what she feigned ignorance.

{Anyway, it's really nice to have you with us for once.} Bonny expressed.

{Yeah. You should definitely come by more often.} May followed.

{Having the whole team together is very pleasant.} Dusk added.

{You're all very sweet, but I'm not very social. I never have much to say and I prefer to move around rather than staying still.} Luna politely replied.

{So what made you accept eating with us?} Aurora questioned.

Luna then looked at Aurora for a moment.

{Honestly, I don't know. Maybe you're growing on me.} Luna answered, giving the impression she wasn't that serious.

"Alright, time to go. We wasted enough time here already," Max exclaimed while quickly standing up after finishing his meal.

{But I'm not done yet.} Bonny remarked.

"You have time. I'm gonna prepare our stuff," he said while almost dashing inside the tent.

{...What has gotten into him?} Bonny wondered.

*sigh* {Such a shame that a human that handsome is so impressionable.} Luna commented with crossed arms.

{You tell me. Yet, it's part of his charm.} Scarlet affirmed.

{True.} The zoroark agreed with a tiny grin.

{Well, looks like I have a kid to comfort now.} Scarlet said while floating towards the tent.

{Seriously, am I the only one that is very lost here?} Bonny demanded, making Luna giggle.

Passing the tent entrance, Scarlet saw Max lying on his sleeping bag.

[How long do you plan on acting like a terrified pichu in front of her?]

Not answering, Max only rubbed his face.

[For a while, I see.] She noted, sitting next to him.

"...I'm such an idiot. Not only did I puss out when she… you know what. But now, I can't even look at her at all. What the hell is wrong with me?" Max bemoaned.

[*sigh* Look, I don't know what's going through your tiny human brain, but I think you're the one overreacting now. To her, things aren't different. You're the one that is complicating the situation for nothing.]

"For nothing? We can see too well that it wasn't you who has been humiliated."

[Humiliation? Really?] Scarlet replied, sounding slightly annoyed. [Geez, Max, you only looked like a casual idiot, that's all. As far as I can tell, she didn't pull your pants down in public or said out loud a very embarrassing moment about you.]

"...I know but, she must think that I have no balls or that I'm just a submissive weakling."

[And why the hell do you think she will think that?]

"..."

[If you're so preoccupied with what she thinks about you now, why don't you just go ask her?]

"Ask her? Just like that?" he remarked, doubtful.

[Why not?] Scarlet said, shrugging her shoulders. [It's not like she's gonna lie to you. Actually, she's quite bluntly honest if you ask me.]

"...Even if I ask her and she tells me anything she wants, I'm still gonna be mad at myself."

[Rha! Come on, get over it already. You're really acting like a spoiled and stupid child right now. Just let time pass and you'll get another chance if you want her that badly.]

"I don't want her that badly."

[Why so butthurt, then?]

"Because I… because..." he trailed off, not sure what to respond.

Scarlet then heavily sighed before lying next to him, hands behind her head.

[Honestly, acting that way over something that trivial. You can be very exasperating sometimes.]

"Sorry for being myself," he replied, ashamed.

[Just saying, don't you look even more ridiculous right now? I'm sure Luna just saw that like a goofy moment, but you're dramatizing it way too much. Now she probably thinks you're weird.]

Max then rolled over his back and sighed, thinking for a short moment.

"You're not half wrong, I guess. I'm indeed just making myself more of a fool."

Max then sat up and lightly slapped his cheeks, to wake himself up.

"I'm just gonna try my best to forget about it."

[Finally.] Scarlet exclaimed, doing the same. [I was wondering when my unbendable master would come back.]

"Me too. Let's move on, then."

Both of them exited the tent and started to pack up. Scarlet took her time since not everyone was done eating. When they were finally done, she washed everything in a few seconds before all was packed up in Max's backpack.

"Who's feeling like walking all day long?" Max asked his team while Scarlet placed his backpack on his back.

Not so much to his surprise, no one answered.

"Okay, it has been a while, but looks like it's gonna be just the two of us," Max said to his red gardevoir.

{Well, if no one volunteers, I will.} Luna proposed.

"...Are you sure?" Max asked shyly, not totally over it yet. "I mean, you don't have to if no one does. I have Scarlet and-"

{Hush hush. It's my pleasure to accompany you.} Luna cut him off with a smile.

*ahem* "Well, we'll be three, then."

{Fine by me.} Scarlet replied, almost looking happy.

"Alright."

{...Wait! Before I forget, what about the rest of the boar? You said you wanted to try the smoking thing so we can keep the rest.} Scarlet reminded him.

"Ah, yes. Is there a lot left?"

{Quite. A few days for everyone, maybe a little bit more.}

"It sure would be a waste. Smoke alone won't do everything, though. The best thing to do with the smoking procedure is to add salt, but we don't have any. So our best bet would be to slice the raw meat into thin pieces before drying it with the smoke, which in turn should prevent the growth of bacteria."

{I'm surprised you know all of that.} Bonny jested.

{Eh, it sure is strange to hear from him, at first.} Aurora said, doing the same.

"Well, it may sound stupid, but I first saw it in a movie. Turns out that the shown procedure was a real thing."

{And there goes my respect for your intelligence.} Scarlet commented, pretending to sound disappointed.

"It's still real knowledge. Anyway, I guess it leaves you and Dusk to do the work again."

{I don't mind, master. Anything to help.} Dusk assured pridefully.

{Like she said.} Scarlet said, sounding less enthusiastic.

"Thanks, girls... But wait, now that I think about it, we don't really have something to store them. Smoked meat is nice and all but I don't want it to stain the inside of my backpack. Speaking of my backpack, I'm not even sure there's enough space in it."

{For the cover, I can manage something. But as for the space, I don't think I can really help.} Scarlet proposed.

"Damnit. Looks like it wasn't that much of a good idea, after all."

{It was, but we didn't think really thoroughly. The best we can do is that you give me your backpack and I'll fill what I can.}

"I suppose. It's gonna take a little while, though."

{Just go ahead. Dusk and I will catch up to you as soon as we're done.}

"Are you sure? If it takes a couple of hours, we're gonna be quite far away."

{From how fast you walk, the distance won't be that big. I already teleported further than that a couple of times.}

"Alright. If you know what you're doing, I'll leave it to you, then."

{But it also means that you'll have to walk with Luna alone for a moment.}

Max wasn't sure, but he could swear he saw her grin a little. He then very briefly looked at the zoroark before rubbing his neck.

"A-Alright."

{Maybe it's me, but it sounded like it was bad news for you.} Luna expressed with a thoughtful pose.

"O-of course not." Max defended, not even looking at her. "Why would it be bad?"

The others were quite lost here. They wondered why their master was acting so strange all of a sudden.

{Are you feeling alright, master?} Bonny asked, concerned.

"Yes, don't worry, hehe."

The girls then looked at each other.

{...Alright, if you say so.}

"Anyway, time to go," Max said, putting everyone in their pokeball except for Dusk and Luna. "So, later then," Max said nervously to Scarlet.

{Later.} The red gardevoir replied, waving at him with a tiny smile.

"L-let's go, then," Max told Luna, passing beside her.

{...Right behind you.} Luna replied, observing him with a curious gaze and a paw on her hip.

As Luna began to follow Max, Scarlet and Dusk went further into the forest to get to work.