>>5541336>>5541405>>5541428>>5541503>>5541508"...Alright, if you feel that's for the best." You say, nodding.
You don't particularly want Gareth to stay behind.
Not because this means you'll be going to the islands with just Holly, but because it feels a bit like he's missing out.
Still, you figure you can go exploring with him another time.
He nods and starts on his breakfast in earnest as you excuse yourself to make use of Fie's PC.
When you call home, your mother answers, but she looks more tired than usual.
You swap Sage out of your team for Volta after explaining where you're off to, before your mother's fatigue finally gets to you.
"Are you okay?" You ask with concern.
Your mother nods, then shrugs.
++"Don't mind me."++ She assures. ++"These third-rate amateur thugs tried to firebomb the house last night."++ She explains offhandedly.
Your eyes widen in alarm at this before your mother continues.
++"Meowth and our, that is, mine and your fathers', pokemon had them all tied up before the Fairburns were done calling the police. We were up half the night hauling some of them out holes Arcanine had dug, trying to convince Victreebell to spit two of them out and Cacturne to let another one go."++ She says, before smiling. ++"I'm glad to see that the apple's not fallen far from the tree, but try and be careful. Just because you've been dealing with incompetent posers, doesn't mean there aren't dangerous crooks among them."++
"Don't worry." You assure. "After they cracked me over the head with a bike lock in Newport, I've been taking them seriously."
Your mother relaxes fractionally.
++"Good. Well, have fun on this little side trip. It might wind up being interesting." She says, with a nostalgic smile that makes you want to ask about what exactly she and your father used to get up to.
You make a mental note to try bribe the story out of Meowth the next time you're back home.
You end the call after saying your goodbyes go and retrieve your gear, then go meet Holly as she's petting the Houndoom Fie just introduced her to and apparently, making good progress on making friends.
>Right, let's go get that saddle and gather some supplies, then go.>Try squeeze some last-minute training in first.>Other 