Melody’s words spark a curious reaction from Jirachi. The tiny Pokemon looks to Navy, curious about the medley of emotions spurred by her words. All he shows her is a slight curl of the lips that is erased as soon as they appear, replaced by a smile. She’s not wrong. He does find he cares about the little star. It’s his nature to see things that are alone and try to keep them company. He sensed a hint of that loneliness in Melody’s own heart, the day they met.[break][break]
But he can’t shake the feeling there’s something wrong about it, like certain forces wouldn’t mind if the stars just so happen to line up, that Jirachi will decide he’s attached right back. The star floats down and bonks Navy on his forehead with a soft hand, as if trying to say without words that the gym leader is thinking too hard. He’s right, and Navy laughs.[break][break]
“What can I say, the little guy’s adorable!” Jirachi tries to repeat the word, but all he can get out in his current state is ‘Dwah!’. Melts the ice right off of Navy’s heart. Hearing this, the Gibles all try to repeat the word as well. They roar it, trying to look big and fearsome in front of Papa Cobalion. They release their ‘Dwahs’ like they’re accompanied by great blasts of flame. They all laugh, like schoolboys who have told some private joke in front of a teacher.[break][break]
Jirachi busies himself inspecting Cobalion’s horns, floating around them and looking as if they’re utterly fascinating.[break][break]
“It’s amazing, what you n’ the big guy are doing here.” Navy remarks. “I’ve seen a few Gible in my time, and none of ‘em look as happy as this little batch of brats.”

[break][break]

+ Melody Miro

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Having a good heart’s special.” Navy insists. “There’s plenty of people who don’t feel that way. I’m sure you’ve met some of them.” People, by and large, are defined by apathy in this detective’s world. Outside of their own narrow view of the world, they don’t truly care about the bigger picture.[break][break]
“Your gym sounds fun. I wonder what Pokemon Gabe—” Jirachi once more gives Navy a gentle slap on the forehead. He senses the cascade of emotions that will accompany that sentence – images of a Gyarados crushed by an ultra beast crash through his mind. Shaking his head, Jirachi makes sounds that resemble ‘nuh uh’.[break][break]
“Bossy for a little guy, aren’t you?” Navy chides the Pokemon, who sticks his tongue out. At least he’s comfortable around Navy now.[break][break]
“What Pokemon would you tackle your own gym with? Cobalion? Primarina?” Those seem to be the Pokemon she’s closest to.[break][break]
“Picking just one seems hard. I’ve got so many friends I like fighting alongside.”

[break][break]

+ Melody Miro

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Yeah, you’re probably right. I need to get used to using Vortigern more.” Every time his black dragon leaves its ball, things irrevocably change. People die, people are maimed. Things get hurt. Navy frowns at the thought. Some part of him is terrified of hurting Melody, were he to fight her with Vortigern. His gunmetal eyes glance at Cobalion in his peripheral vision, grateful for the old sword’s presence.[break][break]
If anyone could defeat a rampaging dragon, it would be a Sword of Justice – the Sword of Justice, even. Jirachi floats between them, confused by the emotions Navy feels. This creature has lived for thousands of years, but only a week at a time. His lived experience probably totals less than two years. He’s too young to understand hatred or oh-so-human fear.[break][break]
“I love most of my Pokemon, though…it feels wrong to play favorites.” They all fight so hard for him, day after day. “Guess you haven’t seen Hattori much. He’s another rescue, actually.”[break][break]
Navy lets the Greninja out of his ball. He is far smaller than a Greninja should be – closer in size to a large Frogadier. His body has the telltale marks of a Pokemon raised in captivity. Looking up at Melody, he gives a polite bow.[break][break]
“It’s awful, the way there are whole farms for breeding certain Pokemon that get popular. Hattori was so scared he’d barely come out of his ball when I first met him.” Navy reaches down and gives his shinobi a pat on the head. “I’m glad he’s making progress. He’s another Pokemon I bring out a lot.”

[break][break]

+ Melody Miro

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Just testing my legs against the tide, really.” He’s pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to stave off the stench of the Trubbish. “Yeesh. Wonder what your Trubbish has got inside him, some roadkill topped with vomit.” His humor takes a dark turn – anything to keep that smell from getting to him.[break][break]
“…Penelope Livy said I could be a gym leader. Funny part is…thinking about doing it.” His voice is laced with reluctance, even if PENELOPE LIVY all but convinced him in the span of one conversation. “Someone’s gotta look out for the kids down there. I guess I’m just tired of standing on the sidelines.”[break][break]
A pause for air, followed by a question he should have asked a long time ago.[break][break]
“What made you decide to be a gym leader?”

[break][break]

+ Melody Miro

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“That’s sorta where I’m at – on the doing good part. Dunno anything about being a pillar of the community or inspiring people.” A subject hangs between them. One hinted at, but never fully explored. Jirachi senses the albatross that is Gabriel Navidson hanging around Navy’s neck. He looks between the elite and the soon-to-be gym leader and floats away. This is a conversation for them. The errant star, granter of wishes, grants a wish by giving some nearby ponyta some excitement. He chases them around the field, laughing all the while.[break][break]
“I’m so sick of people dying, Melody. How many dumb kids died in Dewford? In Sootopolis? In the takeover of Slateport? The Three Day War? I don’t care if it sounds like some cheesy speech…I just want to be strong enough to save people. I want to help train people so they know what they’re getting into.”[break][break]
Gloomy as the words are, they’re spoken from the heart. Looking at his fist, he wishes they had the power to tear down Rocket.[break][break]
“But it’s alright to be selfish, Melody – every now and then.”

[break][break]

+ Melody Miro

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“I know.” His admission carries the air of a man confessing at church. “Lopez has told me that, too. It’s hard work. I guess that’s what kept me from signing up for so long.” Halcyon days in Slateport come to mind. Strange nights, glued to the television, watching the news. Reports about wars. Strife. Hoenn standing resolute through it all.[break][break]
Gabriel Navidson always asking the same question. Looking at him with wide eyes. Smiling, but concerned.[break][break]
Don’t you think we should be helping, Navy?[break][break]
The Catcher in the Rye hugged his little brother. Reassured him with a smile. Loved him with all his heart.[break][break]
Gotta keep you safe first, Gabe/[break][break]
Despite his best efforts, he is gone. All that remains is to find a way forward. Dark days are always coming for Hoenn.[break][break]
“And…I shouldn’t say this, but I don’t like the League all that much. I hate Rocket a whole lot more. With everything going on, you have to pick a side. I wanna fight for the side that has you. Side that has Kyle. The side Gabe believed in with all his heart.” He’s blinding himself to certain realities for the sake of ideals – to be the League’s fist.[break][break]
“Besides, I need lots of training if I’m gonna take down Lopez and take his spot one day.”

[break][break]

+ Melody Miro

[attr="class","pokeclass"]