Separated but Connected

Earning Trust

Greninja. Was. Fuming.

It took every ounce of self control he had to keep himself from breaking down the door with Water Shuriken and going after Lucien.

In order to try to get more information, he used the same trick he used on Ash when they traveled to Snowbelle City. His gut twisted with guilt at the memory. Like before, he pretended to be asleep, fooling both Lucien and Harley.

With barely contained anger, he paced back and forth, trying to get Lucien's cruel and hurtful words out of his head. At least he had learned what Lucien was planning, but that didn't stop his anger. He knew that his plan would not work. Even though Harley was kind, he was not Ash. Ash was the true master of their power. No matter how hard Harley would try, he could not accomplish what Ash has already done. Sure, Harley would make a perfect partner to any Pokémon, but not Greninja. Ash's stubborn loyalty, his need to help others over his own well-being, was one of the biggest reasons he had chosen Ash as his human partner.

Then again, who's to say that Harley would actually do what Lucien demanded?

For some reason, Greninja had a gut feeling that Harley would not do as Lucien demanded him too. Maybe it was because he was so desperate to be free, but he honestly believed that Harley would help him escape.

Greninja's anger soon melted into self pity. Just like how Ash would be blaming himself for his capture, he was blaming himself for Ash almost getting caught. Because he hadn't been there to protect Ash. His friends. His family. Wasn't that the job of the Team Ace; protecting each and every member of the team? He failed, and his family paid the price.

Angrily, he slammed a fist against the cool white tile. It did little to soothe his guilt, but at least it was something.

A sudden sound distracted him, as he brought his gaze towards the door. He stopped pacing and crossed his arms.

Harley stepped in and Greninja quickly brought his arms to his side. The movement was so sudden that Harley jumped. He remained silent.

Harley quickly shut the door behind him, before turning his attention towards Greninja. He had a nervous look plastered upon his face. "I had a feeling that you weren't asleep. You're too smart for that."

Greninja narrowed his eyes. What was Harley meaning?

"I'm guessing you heard everything Lucien said, didn't you. About Ash-" Harley barely had time to blink before Greninja's glowing white leg made contact with his chest, sending him into the opposing wall, cutting through his train of thought. He slumped to the ground with a small thud, letting out a low groan.

Greninja sprang forward with speed even he didn't know he possessed. He, however, did not care. All he cared about was protecting Ash. It tore him apart having to listen to what Lucien was saying about him. He wanted to burst through the door and attack Lucien as his hurtful taunts and jabs towards Ash left his mouth, but he couldn't. He had to lay there and listen to every. Single. Word. He deactivated Aerial Ace and stalked towards Harley. "Keep my trainer's name out of your mouth!" He growled with a voice that was almost not his own whilst he formed two white blades in the palms of his hands. He noticed that Harley turned as pale as a ghost, gazing up at him with wide eyes that looked like moons. He hissed as he gripped his chest in pain. "I had no idea you had a trainer until Lucien told me. I swear, if I knew, I would've never asked you to be my partner. And Lucien's plan, I want nothing to do with it, I swear!" He pleaded as he stood up, although it looked more like he was hunched over, due to the pain in his chest. Greninja was sure that he injured the boy's ribs, possibly even broke one or two. A brief flash of something akin to shame flashed in his chest, the utter ruthlessness of his actions trying to claw at him, but it dissolved as quickly when he realized he'd done nothing wrong. He still didn't know if he could trust anything Harley said. He narrowed his eyes slightly.

Harley began pleading again. "You can trust me, I swear. I'm not like these people here, and I think you know that. I've come up with a plan to help the two of us escape, and then I'll return you to your trainer."

Greninja pondered Harley's words. The thought of actually having his freedom back made his heart flutter, but he pushed it down; Harley could be lying for all he knew. He gripped the blades tighter in his grasp, which made Harley gulp. "If you want me to trust you, then you must tell me everything. Why are you here with Lucien." He replied after a moment.

After a few moments of thinking, Harley understood his question and eagerly started nodding.

Greninja took a step back, leaving Harley room to sit down to tend to his aching chest. The injured boy noticed that Greninja still held the Cut blades. He smiled kindly. "If you prefer to keep them activated while I tell you my story, you're welcome too, even though I've already promised you that I won't do anything." Greninja thought for a good moment before sighing and deactivating Cut. After the blades disappeared, he nodded to Harley to begin.

"Okay," Harley hesitantly said. "Let's start at the beginning."