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If Gunner noticed Mila's teasing, he did not react to it, answering in a serious manner. "No. I just have training in first aid and field medicine, just in case."[break][break]

He wrapped the bandage around her ankle and heel so the fit was snug. Then he cleaned up the tools he'd used before finally remembering to put on some clothes. As he pulled on his pants, he cast a final glance at Mila's nakedness.[break][break]

Gunner was used to one-off hookups, never sleeping with the same person twice. He did not want to risk developing a fondness for them, not so soon after losing Sayori. However, work required him to see Mila frequently.[break][break]

He'd have to keep his hands to himself in the future.[break][break]

"You're going to be okay?" he asked her once he'd finished dressing. There was no more reason for him to stay, but he had to ask, his question referencing not just her injured foot but also her earlier mood.

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Mila's attack cut off Gunner's deep laugh as her mouth crushed against his. Automatically, his arms wrapped around her as they fell back into the water. The ocean closed around them, muting the world outside. He felt weightless, her body pressed against the full length of his torso.[break][break]

One of Gunner's hands moved to cradle Mila's face as he kissed her harder. Saltwater leaked into his mouth when he dragged his teeth on her lower lip, but he didn't care. He wished they could remain there, in each other's embrace and the ocean's.[break][break]

But the need for air urged Gunner upward. He pulled Mila up with him, their heads breaking the surface. After sucking in a lungful of air, he grinned at her.[break][break]

"In that case, what?"

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The years plodded on in a relentless march. Gunner aged, the ashen blonde of his hair paling to silver. Days blended together. Time became meaningless. Every day, his routine was the same, with minor variations based on the people he needed to meet.[break][break]

He woke at dawn alone; the woman he'd been bedding had left him when he refused to marry her. He trained with the city watch for an hour or two, then bathed, ate breakfast, and did his patrols. In the evenings, he had dinner with someone different — with one of the many friends he'd made over the last two years, or with a peasant family he'd grown to know.[break][break]

Nights were lonely. Often, he reread old letters and wrote new ones to PENELOPE LIVY and paxton concordas. In their writing, he found solace and friendship. Sometimes, Gunner numbed himself with alcohol, finding drinking buddies in skyler dross and even parker jones. Other times, he merely took on extra watch shifts on the wall, the cold stars as his companions.[break][break]

Eventually, however, the world opened as the poison receded. Gunner traveled with caravans making their way between the cities. He met up with Paxton in Hammerlocke and Peneleope in Motostoke. He even got to know ollie morales, who had only been an acquaintance in the time before Galar.[break][break]

The children of his friends amazed and amused Gunner, but also stirred a pang of bitter longing. Once, he thought he wanted kids of his own. That version of him had been dead and gone long before they had found themselves in this poisoned Galar. Yet he found himself in mourning again as he watched the next generation at play.[break][break]

Still, these visits were sunbeams breaking through the clouds of gloom that had dominated his past ten years. The fight with Summer Atreides and the loss of their child were faded scars upon his memory. Even the trauma of losing an eye in battle was lessened by his friends' support. Without them, Gunner surely would have broken long ago.[break][break]

[break]

Though he never sired a child, Gunner did meet a boy who became like a son to him. Orphaned during Necrozma's attack years prior, Jonas joined the city watch when he turned eighteen. He was a scrappy young man, prone to recklessness and bursts of anger. Yet underneath the hotheadedness was a noble persona clamoring for justice.[break][break]

Suffice to say, Gunner saw himself in Jonas. Their training sessions were difficult at first, mostly due to each other's stubbornness. But as the weeks turned into months and the months into years, theirs became an unbreakable bond. Jonas grew into a skilled fighter, surviving countless battles with Dynamaxed Pokémon, and a trustworthy leader.[break][break]

He was everything Gunner wanted in a successor. He was everything Gunner could never have in a son.[break][break]

Or so he thought.[break][break]

[break]

"When I die, I'll leave everything I have to you," the old man said, at the end of twenty years.[break][break]

"Gunner, that's not necessary."[break][break]

"Who said anything about 'necessary'? You deserve it. I know I don't have much, but my Shield of Wide Guard, my Dynamax band, and my Pokémon, at least, will be yours."[break][break]

Jonas fell silent. He knew better than to argue with his commander, especially when it came to personal matters. "And your name?"[break][break]

Gunner looked up, frowning with confusion. "What about my name?"[break][break]

The younger man blushed, a rare sight. "Do I get your name when you die, too? Jonas Graves has a nice ring to it."[break][break]

Gunner could only stare, stunned.[break][break]

"You're not my dad, but you've looked after me like a father. Trained me, fed me, taught me what it means to be a man. So I thought…" Jonas trailed off, looking embarrassed. "If that makes you feel uncomfortable, though, I understand."[break][break]

Recovering, Gunner smiled and ruffled Jonas' hair with great affection. "Don't be like that. I'm not uncomfortable. Just surprised. Happy, though."[break][break]

And so, when the Winter Solstice arrived, Gunner awoke alone in his bed with a new feeling in his heart: the determination to win. To survive. To face whatever came for them with righteous fury.[break][break]

To protect the ones he loved.[break][break]

Both the old and the new.[break][break]

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PENELOPE LIVY,[break][break]

Sorry it's taken me a while to reply. I have had to deal with some personal issues. Don't worry, my brother and I are doing fine. Everyone is safe here, still. I won't burden you with the story, unless you wish to hear it.[break][break]

In terms of recent developments, we've been working on building our stock of supplies and reinforcing the fortifications around the city. In fact, [insert description of recent activity in Circhester].[break][break]

I can only imagine how difficult it must be to rule a city. Are you alone, or was someone else crowned king or queen with you? Here, King Raziel Beckett and Queen Summer Atreides have been working together — surprising, considering he is a Ranger and we found out she's with Team Rocket.[break][break]

Which brings me to wonder: do you have infighting between the League and Rocket in Motostoke? Here, we've mostly kept to ourselves. I don't know that I could ever work with them, after all they've done.[break][break]

Angelo is here with his wife skyler dross. They've been amazing friends to Gideon and me. I'll definitely give them your regards, and send you theirs. Say hello to Ollie for me, too.[break][break]

Sincerely,[break]
Gunner Graves

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Gideon's acceptance did not come easily. In fact, Gunner had half-expected his brother to continue resisting the truth. But Gideon was a man of science. In his field, old truths had to make way for new ones.[break][break]

But while the acceptance — and even the words of gratitude — did not come as too much of a surprise, Gideon's last words did.[break][break]

Gunner had spent the last six years humbling himself. The HBIC had told him he would not receive accolades or recognition for his work from the public he worked so hard to defend. He would toil in the shadows of the League government. Whatever pride he could take in his career would be his own to cultivate.[break][break]

So to hear "I'm proud of you" from the man he admired above all others brought unexpected emotion. Gunner flushed red. A bashful smile spread across his face. He tried to hide it with another swig of drink.[break][break]

"Thanks," he said at last, unable to avoid the conversation. Then he sighed, finally ready to apologize for the real issue at hand.[break][break]

"I'm sorry I kept it a secret from you for so long. I thought it was better if you didn't know. I didn't want you worrying about me. Mom and Dad don't know, either."

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Gunner chuckled before taking a swig from his own bottle of water. "I promise you, I'm not. I've just been trained to notice when people are sneaking up on me to kill me."[break][break]

He leaned back against the rough trunk of the tree. A playful breeze blew through the area, teasing his ash blonde hair.[break][break]

"I've never had to practice with someone who could turn invisible. The powers you Avatars receive are unlike anything I've ever seen anywhere else in the world," Gunner continued, obvious awe in his voice.[break][break]

Then he asked the question that had been on his mind for weeks.[break][break]

"Was that what happened back in Dewford? With your eyes?"

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Though Angelo addressed Gideon, Gunner was near enough to hear the report. The younger Graves brother surveyed the room, the first one they had entered upon dropping through the hatch. Its interior spoke to years, if not decades, of neglect and disrepair.[break][break]

"I guess there's nothing else to do here," he said, disappointment lacing his words. "I'm heading back topside."[break][break]

Gunner turned to the metal ladder that descended from the hatch and began to climb. A pillar of sunlight illuminated the way. Within moments, he emerged from the opening and pulled himself onto the jungle floor.[break][break]

His Zoroark, Mordred, padded over to greet him. The Pokémon had remained there to keep watch for any approaching Ultra Beasts. A shimmer in the air was his illusion, making it seem like nothing was amiss between the trees.[break][break]

Gunner scratched Mordred behind one ear in gratitude. "Thanks. You can take the illusion down now."

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The sensation of Mila's fingers through his hair always filled Gunner with deep satisfaction. He hummed, pleased, as she cradled his head in her hands and kissed him back. Briefly, all he wished was for the world to melt away. They would be the only two people who mattered.[break][break]

"I can think of a few things," he replied, using her same words from earlier. His lips curled up into a mischievous grin.[break][break]

And then, without warning, he collapsed backward into the ocean. Unless Mila quickly disentangled herself from him, she'd be dragged underwater too. Thankfully, they were still in the shallows; she could surface with ease if she wanted.[break][break]

Only a few heartbeats later, Gunner brought his legs beneath him and stood up, resurfacing. The air filled with his deep laughter.

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Gunner rummaged in the bathroom until he found the first aid kit. Peeking inside, he confirmed it had everything he needed, including a set of tweezers. He tucked the kit and a clean washcloth under his arm, then left for the kitchen. There, he grabbed a small plate from the cupboard.[break][break]

When he returned to Mila's bedroom, Gunner sat on the floor in front of her. He spread out the objects he'd collected and opened the first aid kit.[break][break]

"Hold still. This might hurt," he said, taking her injured foot in his hand. In his other hand, he held the tweezers. As slowly and gently as possible, he removed each sliver and shard of glass. These he dropped onto the plate so he wouldn't lose them.[break][break]

Afterward, Gunner dabbed away any fresh blood with the towel, then ripped open an alcohol wipe to disinfect Mila's wounds. He held her foot more firmly for this step in case she kicked or pulled away.[break][break]

Next was the antibiotic cream, which he spread with a Q-tip and covered in a gauze pad. While he held it to her heel, he passed her a bandage roll. "Unravel this for me and I'll wrap it around your foot and ankle."

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The sudden weight of a hand on Gunner's shoulder prompted him to whirl around, startled. Instinct made him grab onto Angelo's arm in defense. But as soon as he saw the other man's face, Gunner relaxed.[break][break]

A rare, pleased smile spread across his face. "Good. Better."[break][break]

Anyone familiar with the agent knew that praise from him was even less common than a smile. Rarely did he use a word stronger than 'good'.[break][break]

"Do you want to keep practicing, or should we take a break?" he asked.

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Gunner moved as Penelope's shadow through POG Bank's headquarters. He loomed over the new CEO as she stated her reason for visiting. In her hand were judge's orders, impossible to refute. He gave security a blue-eyed glower as they watched the pair enter Martín del Mar's old office. The doors clicked shut beneath his hand, hiding their investigation from the world.[break][break]

Ever since her visit to Mt. Chimney with MATIAS SILPH, Penelope's voice had changed. Gunner could not put his finger on the exact difference. What he observed was a new harshness underscoring her words. Her posture contained a new tension; her movements were quicker and more agitated.[break][break]

He didn't question her, though. What hadn't changed was her dedication to the HBIC and the Pokémon League. And as long as that remained strong, who was he to doubt her?[break][break]

"I'm not finding anything either," Gunner said as he rifled through yet another manila folder. "Everything in here is a public project we already know about."

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Like Penelope, Gunner's work infused every part of his everyday life. Even on his days off, he thought about ongoing cases and missions. And how could they not occupy his mind? How could he relax knowing that three women were still missing?[break][break]

Unlike her, however, he had always drawn a firm line between his personal and professional lives. His parents knew nothing about his real work, while Gideon had figured it out only through unfortunate circumstances. Meanwhile, Summer Atreides was blissfully unaware that he'd been assigned to investigate her and her company.[break][break]

But perhaps that made Penelope's words all the more reassuring. Gunner smiled, grateful to have such a compassionate boss.[break][break]

"Thanks, Miss Livy. I'll keep that in mind."

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ONE MONTH

07/XX/23

[break]

Miss Livy,[break][break]

Or is it Queen Livy now? Queen Penelope?[break][break]

I hope this letter finds you well. When Navy arrived, everyone was so surprised. We made him stay the night so we could all write letters he could bring back with him.[break][break]

We did receive the prophecy here in Circhester. My brother GIDEON GRAVES is studying it to understand its meaning, but he hasn't reached any conclusions yet. I'll let you know as soon as we have more information. Let us know, too, if you learn more.[break][break]

As for everything else…[break][break]

Things are rough here, too. I spend a lot of my time on our defensive wall, watching the horizon. Patrol duty, too. If I sit still for too long, I get restless. My head is not the best of places these days, but your letter made me feel better.[break][break]

I know what you mean about proper goodbyes, though. But maybe we'll all find a way home soon. Don't lose hope, ma'am.[break][break]

Sincerely,[break]
Gunner Graves

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