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GIDEON GRAVES was no tactician. No great warrior or loyal soldier. His thoughts were not perpetually occupied by the trials of wartime; he had the luxury of ignorance, to a degree, that annalise henderson was not afforded.[break][break]

If he were in her position, would he have answered differently?[break][break]

"I don't disagree, but," MEW's battle prowess had been proven prior, with its PALKIA transformation the pinnacle of its observed abilities. The precocious creature was an asset, to be sure, though an unpredictable one. [break][break]

What if it refused annalise henderson's requests in the future — even if dire? Even if it meant life or death? Could Hoenn reliably count on it with stakes being as high as they were?[break][break]

"You're putting a lot of trust into an unknown." Gideon watched as MEW occupied itself by doing backflips in the air beside them. [break][break]

"When Mr. Connors brought Mew to the lab last time, it was unable — or unwilling — to transform into a Paradox Pokémon. It makes me wonder what other limitations its powers have."

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GIDEON GRAVES nodded as he worked, affirming @greyon's hunch. "Exactly. I want to compare Mew's DNA samples against it's various transformations and the subject Pokémon."[break][break]

From there, perhaps the mechanics behind the LEGENDARY POKÉMON's incredible power could be teased out. All information was important when one was traversing unknown territory.[break][break]

Even non-answers.[break][break]

The professor sharply observed MEW's difficulty in morphing into one of the offered PARADOX POKÉMON. With a simple wave of Gideon's hand his ROTOM — within a handheld tablet — began recording the unusual reaction.[break][break]

"Scribe," He called out, a look of concentration furrowing his brow. "Note: Mew appears reluctant, even pained, when attempting to transform into the Paradox Pokémon Great Tusk. Similar reactions may occur with other Paradoxes; may need to attempt again in the future to be certain. Cause is unknown, but it begs further study."[break][break]

An electronic BEEP! indicated the end of a successful recording.[break][break]

Turning back to Greyson, Gideon rubbed at his chin thoughtfully before agreeing, "I don't think so either, and I don't want to push them anymore for now."[break][break]

The professor then smiled back at MEW, who was hovering nearby, and offered it a small treat from his pocket. "You were very brave and well-behaved, you know. Good work today."

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Momentary shoulder-brushing and the uncomfortable closeness of a narrowed passage eventually gave way to a superficially beautiful sight. The frozen lake glinted eerily against the cavern's crystal-encrusted ceiling, reflecting dazzling shades of blue onto every surface of the open chamber.[break][break]

The professor would have appreciated the sight if it hadn't been so unsettlingly unnatural.[break][break]

"Indeed." Gideon replied to Caleb Harcourt while unfastening the latch on his satchel; from within, a hovering tablet emerged and floated in front of him.[break][break]

"Scribe, survey the area and record videographic evidence of terastal crystal encroachment." He directed his ROTOM, adding, "Note: crystals appear to have invaded even the deepest chambers of Shoal Cave. Further than what has been documented previously."[break][break]

PENELOPE LIVY was correct. The stakes were higher than they'd ever been. Hoenn was constantly fighting a war of attrition with one anomaly or disaster after the other.[break][break]

It was partly why GIDEON GRAVES was standing here now — the thrill of discovery, of course, but also the hope that what they found could help society at large. [break][break]

Would VICTINI be as generous as other LEGENDARY POKEMON before it?[break][break]

"We received reports of strange phenomena within the cavern. Flickering shadows, hints of a pale flame at the periphery of one's vision. Not something you'd normally find in a place inhabited largely by Ice-types."[break][break]

He pinned the councilwoman with a frosty look of his own before turning back to watch his ROTOM at work.

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Like a QWILFISH lured in and caught on a hook, GIDEON GRAVES couldn't resist the temptation of newly-discovered ruins.[break][break]

Danger easily downplayed as it was by howard slayte, it didn't take much redirection for the professor's mind to wonder at the implications of such a discovery. What had Howard witnessed in the bowels of such a mysterious place? The possibilities swirling in Gideon's thoughts were nearly limitless.[break][break]

"Really?" He asked, his curiosity most certainly piqued.[break][break]

"Well then, don't leave me hanging. Tell me more. What all did you see?"[break][break]

As the two men continued their conversation, CRISPR meanwhile had found his own companion to carry on a pleasant encounter: a friendly VOLCARONA, who seemed content to chatter at the VIVILLON... until it was promptly put to sleep like the rest.

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Whatever GIDEON GRAVES had expected Yuina Higashi to say, it most certainly hadn't been that.[break][break]

Hisui? From memory?[break][break]

"...I see." [break][break]

The professor replied after a long moment of silence needed to process exactly what was being said. Was this a joke? No, and if it was, it wasn't a very good one. Besides, Yuina's demeanor was skittish and reserved, yet genuine.[break][break]

"I'd... have a hard time believing you normally, but," Elbows at his armrests, Gideon steepled his fingers together in contemplation before continuing, "Hoenn is quite the anomalous place as of late, isn't it?"[break][break]

The creak of his office chair punctuated his next statement.[break][break]

"Alright. I'll hear you out."[break][break]

Lived memories from a bygone time? His curiosity was getting the better of him.[break][break]

"How?"

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GRANITE CAVE loomed large and imposing at the far end of the beach. All was quiet now, but GIDEON GRAVES couldn't help but hear bombshells bursting in his ears as he recalled the chaos of that faraway day.[break][break]

A cold sweat broke over his skin, though this was easily explained away by the morning sun bearing down on them. The way he inconspicuously clenched and unclenched one fist, the slow tapering of his breathing — all were subtle signs that would be missed by most.[break][break]

"No, no, it's alright—" Gideon replied, feigning composure by clearing his throat and putting on a brave smile.[break][break]

It's fine, you're fine. This is no big deal. Breathe.[break][break]

"You're the expert. I'll defer to you, of course."[break][break]

Eduardo Hisakawa was right. No war was fought in the comforts of an air-conditioned gym. If anything, it was time for GIDEON GRAVES to confront his anxieties and take control again. That was why he was here, right? Why he'd made that drunken confession to Eddie in the first place?[break][break]

He glanced down at his Lil' Guy, who gave him an encouraging thumbs-up in response. Right. They'd do this together.[break][break]

Refocusing on Eduardo Hisakawa with newfound resolve, Gideon asked, "So, what should we do first?"

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GIDEON GRAVES watched with a caring eye as ollie morales's face fell and the truth finally spilled out. His worries, his fears, his deepest doubts. [break][break]

For a moment the professor did not speak; instead, his thumb rubbed reassuringly against the shoulder it rested on. [break][break]

Only when he'd fully processed the weight of his friend's admittance did he reply, using his gentlest voice, "You're not a failure."[break][break]

Gideon's gaze looked forward then, letting the storm behind Ollie's eyes rain down, if that's what he needed to do. There was no shame in it. Not between them.[break][break]

"And it's okay to feel lost."[break][break]

The arm around Ollie shifted, pulling the other man over so that he could rest his head on Gideon's shoulder. It was a comforting gesture... the best that he could do.[break][break]

He'd never been very good at sharing his emotions, either.[break][break]

"...I feel lost sometimes, too."

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Queijo flamengo? That’s why it tasted familiar, then. [break][break]

“You’re from Paldea? Where about?” Gideon asked between bites of his sandwich. [break][break]

“I lived there for several years during my postdoc.”[break][break]

It was a beautiful place with a rich and mysterious history. He’d made the most of his brief time there, with a then-student GIDEON GRAVES taking a keen interest in the TERASTAL PHENOMENON and its possible effects on nearby habitats.[break][break]

The professor kept a languid pace beside Eddie as they made their way toward the beach. The two men passed by quaint seaside buildings and even a small, local market with fresh produce and an abundant fishmonger’s stand. Lil’ Guy seemed a little too interested in the fish and slowed down slightly to gawk and sniff the air, but was luckily able to resist temptation when he noticed that Blanche and the rest of the group was far ahead of him.[break][break]

The little bear ran after them – eventually slamming into the back of GIDEON GRAVES’s leg in his rush to catch up.[break][break]

“Oof– easy there.” He exclaimed lightly, looking down and shaking his head at the KUBFU. The cub was certainly a handful. And, with that in mind, Gideon considered his response to Eduardo Hisakawa’s question.[break][break]

“I think... probably self-defense?” The metallic crumbling of foil accented his answer; sandwich thoroughly enjoyed and now digesting, he threw the wrapper in a nearby trash can as they approached the beach. [break][break]

“These are troublesome times we live in. I just... well, want to be more prepared, I suppose.”[break][break]

A beat passed and Gideon seemed to only now realize where they were headed. He halted, his brows furrowing the slightest degree.[break][break]

“Oh... are we not going to a training facility?”

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"Morning, Eddie—" GIDEON GRAVES replied as soon as the door swung open, the mild warmth in his voice quickly giving way to a tone of slight confusion. [break][break]


Apron, shorts, and not much else — had Gideon arrived earlier than he was supposed to? "I hope I didn't interru—"[break][break]

Just as suddenly as he'd appeared, Eduardo Hisakawa left in a whirlwind rush, leaving behind a particularly delicious-smelling parting gift.[break][break]

"Oh, uh— thanks?" The professor accepted the offered sandwich with a small chuckle, watching with a modicum of amusement as Eddie faded back into the depths of his home. [break][break]

In the interim, he'd been left in the company of one familiar GROWLITHE. [break][break]

"You must be Blanche." He greeted the hound with a friendly, thin-lipped smile, crouching down to offer her a treat from his pocket. "You're even sweeter-looking in person."[break][break]

Whether she ate the treat or not, Gideon would look to his leg, where his own Pokémon remained, hesitant to engage.[break][break]

"Go on then, say hi." He encouraged the KUBFU, who eventually inched forward and bowed sheepishly in Blanche's general direction.[break][break]

It was then that Eddie returned, dressed much more appropriately this time around (but — and Gideon would never admit it aloud — he kind of missed the apron). Righting himself, the professor watched as Eddie herded his APPLETUN back inside before locking the door behind him.[break][break]

"He has his moments." While the KUBFU was acting shy now, Eddie shouldn't be fooled — despite his small stature, the tiny bear was quite the spitfire.[break][break]

"Though that's his name, actually." He added, ruffling the big poof of fur at the crown of the KUBFU's head. "Isn't that right, Lil' Guy? You ready to work up a sweat?"[break][break]

Once both men were outside and ready to leave, only then did the professor finally take a bite of his sandwich. [break][break]

"Oh, wow. This is good." GIDEON GRAVES declared in reference to the tosta mista; at the same time, he shifted his body back toward the main street, ready to follow Eduardo Hisakawa to whatever training ground he'd picked for them. [break][break]

"What kind of cheese is that?"

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The digital mask mint frost wore, along with the moniker Neon, were unfamiliar to Gideon. He shook his head when Ollie mentioned the man, but didn't add anything else and simply let him finish.[break][break]

It was apparent by his friend's slight shift in tone and demeanor that he might be willing to share his true feelings — not just ones with a positive spin, as usual.[break][break]

Confess?[break][break]

GIDEON GRAVES' brows knitted together in concern. He leaned closer, his hand falling to Ollie's far shoulder.[break][break]

"Of course."

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A small laugh left his lips, but it was mirthless — an act at simply indulging the other man’s joke. [break][break]

GIDEON GRAVES could have divulged his growing concern. The attachment and detachment he’d felt all at once as ollie morales had pushed him away to go fight ROCKET. He could have expressed himself with words like,[break][break]

I was so worried.[break][break]

I’m so glad you’re alive.[break][break]

I couldn’t stop thinking of all the bad ways this could have gone today.[break][break]

But he knew that would just be a burden. Ollie wasn’t looking for those sorts of sentiments right now, considering the freshness of his life-threatening fight. If Gideon had to guess, his friend probably desired comfort and distraction now — or perhaps even commiseration?[break][break]

The hand on the back of the couch moved to Ollie’s head, where his fingers caressed and gently weaved into the ranger’s auburn hair. [break][break]

“...what happened after we separated?”

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The professor listened intently as annalise henderson relayed all the details she felt were pertinent — which was a lot. He appreciated her thoroughness, though. Any and all information was helpful during times like this, where they teetered on the brink of the unknown.[break][break]

"Something bigger?" GIDEON GRAVES rubbed his chin thoughtfully, wondering at what could possibly rival things like KYOGRE rampaging across the region's oceans or KYUREM splitting a giant chasm across Hoenn's landscape.[break][break]

"Perhaps not. If there's some unwritten code it's trying to abide by," He beckoned MEW over with an open palm, luring it away from the very expensive laboratory equipment. "Then that might explain it's resistance. But..."[break][break]

Gideon frowned, theories swirling around in his brain. Why now?[break][break]

"Something's changed and we might never know what." Despite MEW's incredible capabilities, it lacked the power of speech to explain it's motivations.[break][break]

"I think the better question is: what do you want from Mew, Miss Henderson?" [break][break]

Comfort or not, the Pokémon had demonstrated for her something it had never done for anyone else. [break][break]

"Do you intend to keep asking it to transform, knowing it's reluctance?"

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