An Ultra Past Forgotten (Pokemon Sun & Moon)

Chapter 4

Chloe leaned against the railing, watching the water rush by as Melemele Island grew nearer. Gladion stood by her side, gazing out at the island ahead. Salazzle and Gladion's Midnight Form Lycanroc were with them, enjoying the ocean breeze with their trainers. Though with Salazzle's behavior, she constantly sent flirty grins and winks at Lycanroc, who blushed and turned his head away every time.

"I've been meaning to ask," Gladion said, breaking the silence and earning the girl's attention, "what happened at Aether to make you hate it so much? You weren't present months ago when the Ultra Beasts were all over."

Chloe kept a neutral expression as she replied, "That doesn't really concern you." Her attitude was back, that was for sure. "But I guess I'll tell you. It was years ago, my...father...brought me to Aether to meet Lusamine. I saw for myself how she truly was, and she wanted to utilize my ability for her own selfish ambition. That's when I began to hate Aether."

The blond hummed, thinking over her words. "I see. Did your father work for Aether? I'd assume he'd have to in order to bring you to see my mother."

Chloe looked down at the water, watching a school of Luvdisc pass by. "Not exactly..." She didn't like talking about Guzma because of what he did, and even though she didn't agree with his ways, he was still the only father figure she'd ever known. "I don't really like talking about him. We had a...disagreement back around the time this happened. I haven't been home since."

Gladion could hardly believe that. How was this girl so much like him? She had a rough exterior but loved and cared for pokemon, she had a disagreement with a parent, she ran away from home because of it---she was like him. He shook the strange thought away.

"I understand. I never liked what my mother had become. I stole one of the Type: Nulls she'd created and ran away. Now she's learned her lesson and is off in Kanto with my little sister. Despite what you might think, you and I are a lot alike when it comes to family issues."

Chloe couldn't help but smile at that. She was still wary of placing her full trust in him, but she could tell he was a good person who, like her, was willing to abandon family for the good of pokemon. The boy suddenly looked back, seeing her Salazzle practically smothering his Lycanroc.

His eyes were wide as he stared at them. "Um... What is going on?"

Chloe followed his gaze, giggling at her partner, who caressed the male pokemon's arm and nuzzled his cheek. "Salazzle, stop messing around, would you? You're gonna give Lycanroc the wrong impression."

Salazzle hesitantly pulled away from the wolf pokemon, who was a blushing mess. "I know Salazzle is a pokemon that normally forms a reverse harem of Salandit," Gladion summarized, "but is yours always like that?"

The redhead shrugged. "Sometimes. Depends on her mood." Her partner seemed to snicker while Lycanroc moved to his trainer's side to stay away from her. "So, are Lycanroc and Silvally your only pokemon?"

The blond shook his head. "No, my first partner is actually Umbreon. Back when I was younger, I helped an injured Eevee and took her in. She eventually evolved into Umbreon. And I have a Zoroark that once belonged to my father." Chloe nodded, showing her interest. "What about your team? You said you got Tyrantrum at a fossil restoration lab, but what about the others?"

Chloe remembered perfectly how she got each and every one of her pokemon. "Well, the first pokemon I got to pick out was Salandit, who is now Salazzle. I ran into an Eevee on my travels that had abandoned her previous trainers. She chose me and ended up evolving into Espeon. Braviary was once a tiny little Rufflet, and because of his odd coloration, he was abandoned by his flock, so I took him with me. And once when I was exploring Mount Lanakila, I came across a timid little Vulpix who was being trampled on by a pack of Sneasel. I trained with her to get stronger and build a little more confidence, I even found an Ice Stone just so she could evolve. She stood up to the Sneasel pack and defeated them in battle, but then she decided to come with me." She smiled at all those fond memories.