(1700 words)
Chapter 23
Hearts and Minds


It's night after their encounter with Chikorita and Aipom, and Alice and Compass are hiding out in a cave, eating dinner. "You know," Alice says through a mouthful of food, "at first I felt pretty awkward about teaming up with you again after everything, but I'm really enjoying how protective you are of me. Like seriously, your loyalty is obsessive."

"Well, I've always wanted to protect pokemon in danger. And an army of rescue teams chasing after you? That's pretty dangerous."

"Yeah. Kind of exciting, isn't it? Two fugitives against the world. I don't think Rose and I ever got into anything THIS wild."

"Are you remembering more about your past? About Rose?"

"Little bits and vague ideas, yeah. You remind me of her sometimes; so orderly and cautious. She wasn't as excitable as you though, and nowhere near as trusting. It'd be awesome if you two could meet."

Compass smiles. They were so afraid they had broken their friendship with Thorn forever. But things are finally getting back to normal between them... "Oh hey!" Compass pulls an orange from their bag. "I found this while I was foraging this morning."

"Oh, nice. Can't exactly bake a pie out here though."

"Yeah, oh well." Compass presents the orange to Alice.

Alice stares at it for a moment. They want to take it. They really do. "... No thanks, I'll just eat my own food." They rummage around in their bag for some nuts.

"O-oh, sorry, I didn't mean to remind you of that. Hang on, I have some apples too-"

"No, it's... I just like to know where my food comes from."

"... Oh. Okay."

Alice feels stupid; their partner is just trying to help them. Compass broke them out of jail! Why can't they just trust them? "I'm sorry. I want to trust you, and you've been nothing but loyal and trustworthy since the prison break..."

"Hey, I get it. You were fighting for your life, alone, for so long. You can't just forget about that. I can't imagine how hard it must be to trust the person who did that to you."

"But you're not just the person who sold me out. You're the person who fought by my side, who pushed me to be kind, who reached out to help me when I was passed out in the wild with no memory. You trusted me enough to let me sleep in your house, even knowing that I wasn't a nice person! I can't just forget about all that either..."

"... Well, you were slow to trust me before, too. We can take our time, build up trust slowly-"

"No, that's not enough. After that night... I'm too scared to get close to you, to be vulnerable." Alice stands up and turns away. "It feels like there's a wall between us, a wall that won't just go away with time. And if that wall stays... I don't think I'll ever trust you again."

"... Oh." That's... That's okay. All that's important is restoring the world's balance. They don't need to trust each other. They don't need to be best friends. It's fine. It doesn't matter if they can't be friends again, it's fine. It doesn't matter, it's fine, it's-

"Catch me."

"What?" Compass looks up at Alice, but they're facing away from them, arms outstretched.

Alice takes a deep breath. "Catch me." They lean backward.

"H-hey, wait-"

But they're already falling backward, too far to stop. Regret floods Alice's mind; this was a horrible idea, they're going to fall and hit the ground and it'll make everything worse. They've already fallen too far, no time to flip around and catch themself. Compass should have already caught them already, this was an awful idea, of course Compass wouldn't catch them, they're about to hit the ground-

Compass is smooshed under Alice. "Ow..."

"... You caught me. You actually caught me."

"Could you give me a little more warning next time? I always support trust falls, but I barely had time to react."

Alice helps Compass up. "Sorry, but if you were ready for it, then of course you would've caught me. It wouldn't have proven anything."

"And what exactly did this prove? That I'm soft enough to be used as an emergency pillow?"

"No- Well, yes, you are surprisingly comfy- But mostly that if I'm in trouble, you'll be there to help me. I can put myself in your hands, and you'll keep me safe."

Compass sighs. "Well, that's nice to hear... But did you really think I abandon you again? After all this?"

"Of course not. You've done so much for me; destruction of property, assaulting an officer, resisting arrest... But emotions can be difficult things. I trusted you in my head, but my heart needed proof. I'm sorry I got you hurt in the process, I didn't mean to go that far."

Compass smiles. "It's okay. After everything we've done to each other, I think I can forgive a surprise trust fall... So, um..." Compass holds out an apple. "Would you like to split an apple?"

"I'd love to, partner."



Later that night, after Alice falls asleep, they're treated to the sensation of what feels like a drill stabbing into their mind. They thrash and groan in their sleep, wondering what the hell could be going on, until it suddenly stops... and they feel Gardevoir's presence.

"Hello, Alice."

"Gardevoir? Hey, what the hell was that awful sensation I was just feeling? Felt like something stabbing my brain!"

"How strange. That sounds like psychic power, but I didn't feel anything going wrong with our connection... Perhaps a nightmare?"

"Nah, nightmares never feel like that. Well, whatever, I have some questions for you. Do you know why Xatu has new information?"

"No."

"Do you know anything about what's upsetting the world's balance?"

"No."

"Do you know anything helpful?"

"Only that the world is in danger, and that it is your role to save it."

"... Why was I brought here to save the world? Aren't people like Alakazam stronger?"

"Stronger, yes. But what is needed is not just strength, but a fierce spirit, and true courage."

"True courage..? I think you've got the wrong person. I run away. I get scared, and lash out. You saw how I snapped under pressure, didn't you?"

"I did. And I also saw how you faced down Ninetales, determined to set things right. And how you refused to take that pikachu's life, even in your broken state, and even after they tried to do the same to you. And how you took a chance and risked getting hurt, to break down the wall between you and Compass. People are more than their worst qualities."

"... One more question. When all this is over, when the world is saved, will I get to go home?"

"Yes. Once the world's balance is restored, you will be taken back to your world... I truly am sorry. I had no intention of taking you from Rose. I know too well the pain of being separated from my own partner."

"You mean the human from the legend? You miss them?"

"Dearly. He was a friend beyond value, and he meant the world to me. It fills me with sadness still, losing my friend..."

"So he was actually a nice person who just... made a mistake?"

Gardevoir laughs. "Oh no, he was a terrible person. Mean, conniving, selfish... he was as bad as the legend made him out to be. But even so, I still care for him."

"He literally got you killed."

"I won't defend his actions. He did terrible things. But though he was greedy, he was also ambitious and determined. Though he was rude, I enjoyed his sense of humor and upbeat attitude. He was more than just his worst qualities. And besides, I don't mind the form I have taken. It was my choice that led to my current state... Well, it was more of a reflex."

"I know that feeling. You really cared for him..."

"I still do. I only hope that he is still alright, and a better person than he was then..."



Team Meanies stands in the cave, Ekans and Medicham watching as Gengar uses Dream Eater on Alice. Finally, his eyes stop glowing as he exits the dream.

"How did it go, Gengar?" Medicham whispers. "Mission success?"

"Yeah," Ekans whispers. "What kind of dirty secrets did Alice have?"

"Oh, I can't wait! Once we bring them in, our fame and fortune will-"

"Let's move," Gengar says, turning to leave the cave. "We're going home."

"W-what?" Medicham says. "But- But they're right there! What's wrong?"

Gengar keeps walking away. "I said, we're going home. Playing hero was never our thing anyway."

"Gengar, are you okay? You've been acting strange ever since our fight with them before. Did something happen while we were unconscious?"

"I-I was just shaken up! I was surprised that some little punk actually beat us, that's all."

"No, it started before that," Ekans says. "You've been weird since this hunt first started. Something about Alice. Do you know something about them? About the human from the legend?"

"Hey, what are you trying to say, huh?! Saying I'm acting suspicious? Well I've always been weird, so there!"

Medicham shares a glance with Ekans. "Gengar... We're worried about you. We can tell that something's bothering you, and we want to help."

"I know touchy-feely stuff ain't our style," Ekans says, "but if something's on your mind, you can talk to us. We're your teammates, and... we care about you."

Gengar stares at them in shock. "You... You guys... I'm sorry, you've always been there for me. Back when I was a gastly, stupid enough to try and take over the world... and you two were stupid enough to join me. A jerk like me doesn't deserve partners like you... partners like..."

Gengar falls to his hands and knees, and Medicham and Ekans rush to his side. Tears fall from his eyes. "G-Gengar, are you alright?!" Medicham asks.

"No... Guys, I... I gotta come clean."




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