Growing up is hard. Navy reflects on his own ascent into adulthood. He was only sixteen, then. Three years younger than Shouko is now. It was no gentle thing, with supportive parents. He doesn’t mind. He did what he had to so Gabe could have a good life. It’s what an older sibling does.[break][break]

And how happy he is that his brother had such good friends. That his heart was kind. There are some who see a girl like this and see only weakness. Prey to be exploited. That’s the way of the world. Gabe saw someone who needed a friend. Someone he wanted to be friends with.[break][break]

Silly kid. His affection was and is infectious. It’s hard for Navy not to care about her, too. It’s why his stomach is a deep pit of dread. She’s exiting into a cruel world. A world that eats girls like her up. When he has time to spare to think about her, he thinks about how she could just as easily be at the next Sootopolis disaster.[break][break]

But that’s natural, right? That’s just a part of growing up. People must make their decisions and abide by the consequences of their actions. She can’t stay a little girl forever.[break][break]

The least he can do, after his long absence from her life, is see her off. Maybe offer her a safety net. A middle ground between independence and solitude. Yeah. Nothing wrong with that…[break][break]

So, he moves through the crowd at the appointed time, the appointed place. Standing above most other shoppers. Tall. Lean. His face lined with old worries. A full six pokeballs slung at his waist, just in case Rocket decides it’s time for a terrorist attack.[break][break]

He offers her the same easy smile he always does. Most often proffered in passing when he picked Gabe up. Now, just for her.[break][break]

“Hey, kid.” It’s what he called Gabe, too. There’s only seven years of difference between them, but it feels like a lifetime. It’s said with affection. “It’s good to see you again. How’ve you been?” His gunmetal eyes look to the chingling. A sweet little thing.[break][break]

“Who’s your friend?”




[break][break]

+ Shouko Kawade

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Likewise.” He says with easy confidence as she says it’s good to see him again. After shutting himself off from the world for near half a year, it’s good to see someone – anyone. All the better that it’s a familiar face.[break][break]
He assesses the Chingling. His estimation is that he wants to protect it, just the same as the girl. Beatrice, too, doesn’t know the sort of world she’s stepping into. She’s strong, but the things he’s seen…[break][break]
Navy fights down a memory of a man wreathed in shadows, forcing Pokemon into submission. A monster that kills because he can…[break][break]
No, it’s a good day. Not a day for memories. Not a day for thinking about what might happen. He forces the smile back before it can fade. Navy waves to Beatrice.[break][break]
“Well, I’m glad she likes me. I’d hate to make an enemy so soon. I’d let Voyager out, but somethin’ tells me the staff wouldn’t like that.” None of his Pokemon are suited for strolls anymore.[break][break]
“Well, you’ve made it. You can have yourself a proper journey, like in the movies. Lemme buy ya some ice cream to celebrate. I’ve got a craving for some mint, myself.” He turns to walk towards the food court, expecting Shouko and Beatrice will follow along.


[break][break]

+ Shouko Kawade

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“For a while, it was just Ironsides, Voyager, and me.” Navy says as he browses what they have on offer. A hundred different flavors. Multiple scoops. Anything a person with a sweet tooth might want. He looks to the person manning the counter and says “Mint. Double scoop. Whatever the girl wants, too. On me.” He puts some pokedollars down, enough to cover the charge. Just a twenty, but it’ll be enough.[break][break]
“Before last year, I wasn’t really a trainer.” It’s half a lie. He’s never collected a badge. Navy learned how to fight in battle, behind closed doors, underground. There’s a difference between a sanctioned League match and real combat.[break][break]
“You know a ‘mon I always wanted, but never really got? An eevee. It’s hard to find ‘em. Way harder than you’d think. These days I mostly stick to dragons, fighting types, and steel. But, if you really wanna learn anything from me, I’ll teach you what I can.” He nods.[break][break]
“Plus, I’ve met a few of the gym leaders. Josh Devlin, the Mauville guy. Racer. Noah Fabar. I know him through Lopez.” He speaks about the top champion of Hoenn like it’s no big deal. Just another topic of conversation. “Either one of them would be willing to properly teach you how to battle, if that’s what you’re interested in…”[break][break]
His voice trails off as the ice cream is handed to him. It’s good, as the ice cream in Lilycove always is. He remembers coming here with Gabe when they could afford the expense.[break][break]
“If you don't wanna battle, there's contests. Melody could help with that.” Another casual mention of a famous person. Melody Miro, Hoenn’s darling. Idol and member of the Elite 4. “Or just wander around, live life. No matter what, I'll help ya figure out what you wanna do.” He grins at her. “I owe that much to the girl that made my little brother smile like nobody else could.”


[break][break]

+ Shouko Kawade

[attr="class","pokeclass"]