Chapter 29: The Emissary

  Ian walked quickly down The Spine with his eyes fixated on the front gate. Once he'd arrived, he headed up the stairs to the viewing area of Po Town's city wall, where Mina was already waiting for him in her Team Skull uniform. "Took you long enough!" Mina teased.

  "Stompz came by and started talking our ears off. Then I saw Rylee pouting during recess, so I had to go cheer her up," Ian said. "How's gate duty?"

  "Pretty lame," Mina said. "Sinclair's boats finally left. They've been watching what we're doing in the fields all of the past week. Other than that I got to watch Lil'Dizz's squad break two hoes today."

  Ian grimaced, looking out at the disorganized crop fields with Team Skull members whacking away at the fresh grain Sawsbuck's blessing had grown not very long ago. "We don't exactly have many of those to spare." I'm sure the Pearl Clan wouldn't be this bad at harvesting crops.

  "Yeah," Mina said. "Should've heard Breezy yelling at Flexx when he broke one a few minutes ago. She was pissed."

  Flexx was one of the Backstreet Boys, right? "Who's Breezy?"

  "The super tall native chick," Mina said nonchalantly. "She's practically running Lil'Dizz's squad now. He keeps getting all flustered when he talks to her, I think he's mad at her and also might have the biggest crush on her."

  "Cool…" Ian said. "When people hear why there's no more bread in a few weeks they're gonna flip out."

  Mina sighed. "Yeah…"

  "So about tonight…" Ian said with a mischievous grin.

  "I finally get to see your secret berry orchard?" Mina playfully teased.

  "If you're lucky," Ian bantered back, making Mina giggle. "When's your gate shift end?"

  "3:00, so just a couple hours," Mina said.

  "We can meet up back here then-"

  Mina shook her head. "Not gonna let me get pretty first?"

  Ian shrugged. "Gonna get your least smelly Skull tank on?"

  "No, I was gonna wear something different. Were you?" Mina asked.

  Ian smiled nervously. "I don't have anything besides my old work shirt and jeans," Ian explained.

  "Oh yeah, you came here in an Ultra Storm. Didn't exactly bring a suitcase like I could," Mina realized. "Well you look pretty nice in that Skull tank, so I won't complain."

  "Just wait till I see you without yours-"

  Mina gasped in mock offense. "So forward."

  Ian facepalmed as he realized the implication of his so-thought witty retort. "I meant like, not your Team Skull uniform," Ian said.

  "Oh… I was hoping you didn't mean that," Mina said shamelessly amused.

  Ian's cheeks immediately went red as words got caught in his throat.

  Mina giggled at the now flustered Ian. "Watching the 'prince of Po Town' squirm is gonna be my new favorite activity."

  Ian rolled his eyes. "Not you too."

  Mina shrugged. "Selene and Rapp said it a few times and it's catching on."

  Ian tensed, a little uncomfortable at the idea of the whole town potentially calling him the now infamous moniker.

  "C'mon, have a little fun with it," Mina said. "What's that saying, it's funny because it's true or something?"

  "Or something, right?" Ian replied back, a bit more playful flirtatiousness coming back in his voice. "So tonight, how about in front of that awesome mural with Sawsbuck and me?"

  "Deal."

  A loud male voice interrupted the two from below, with Ian recognizing it as Rook. "Are you distracting my gate guard, Ian?"

  "No, just keeping her company," Ian said.

  "We're fine," Mina said, giving him a thumbs up.

  "Good," Rook said as he started climbing the steps to the duo, with Ian trying to hold back his disdain. Rook's goatee drew Ian's attention, but his freshly faded haircut and easily confident smirk made Ian remember why half the women in Po Town had a thing for him.

  "So Ian, considering you like hanging around the walls these days, I take it you're looking to transfer to one of my squads?" Rook asked.

  Ian shrugged. "Not exactly," Ian said. 'I'm happy where I'm at."

  "You know, it'd be better if you and Sawsbuck were around town as much as possible," Rook said. "We'd be able to become food exporters to other factions, which would make other factions our friends real quick."

  Ian grimaced. "Not if we keep breaking our harvesting equipment like we're doing."

  Rook grunted. "Been seeing that too? The fucking solution's on their hands and knees trying to help us, but Guzma's stubborn ass won't do it."

  Ian grimaced. As much as Rook's right about Guzma's complete mismanagement of the situation, it doesn't sit well with me when the man who's responsible for everything I have is insulted so harshly. "Yeah…" Ian said with a sigh.

  "I almost feel guilty that I didn't demand to make a ruling council for Po Town when I came back."

  "Came back? From what?" Ian asked.

  "When I came back from Keahi's stupid raid on the Lake of the Sunne," Rook said.

  "The Lake of the Sunne? You were one of Keahi's inner four?" Ian demanded dramatically.

  Rook scoffed. "Damn right I was."

  "Holy shit, I have so many questions. Like what happened? Did you guys all get out alive? And what's Alola's Original Sin anyways?" Ian asked almost frantically.

  Rook shook his head, a knowing smile on his face. "You transfer to my squads and join my inner circle, and maybe we'll talk."

  "Rook?" A delicate feminine voice piped up from down below. Ian turned to see Selene at the bottom of the front gate's stairs and rolled his eyes. "Oh hey Ian…" Selene said nervously.

  "Well I gotta go inspect a bedroom or something," Rook said as he made his way down. "Don't distract my guard too much."

  Ian watched in silence as Rook took Selene under his arm and they walked off to a nearby alley.

  "It's not your fault," Mina said, putting her arm around Ian. "It was pretty obvious…"

  "I know, but Tupp's my boy," Ian said tiredly. "He took it like a champ when it happened though."

  "What'd she say?"

  "You know, the old 'I like you as a friend' thing," Ian said, trying to not sound too bitter. "Grillz saw Tupp looking like he was gonna cry and he took us to his office and we drank this moonshine stuff he's been brewing." That's when the "bros for life" thing started.

  "That stuff smells like straight rubbing alcohol," Mina said.

  Ian nodded. "Yeah, after the third shot the smell stopped bothering us. Tupp was puking his guts out the next day, but I think he needed it."

  Mina gave Ian a sympathetic look and leaned in close, with Ian sneaking a kiss on her lips which she reciprocated in kind.

  A familiar cackle broke the burgeoning couple's lips apart and Ian saw Plumeria with an amused grin and her arms folded. "Stop distracting the gate guard," she teased.

  Ian rolled his eyes, but gasped when he saw Palina next to Plumeria. "Palina!" Ian called out, hurrying down the stairs quickly. "How'd it go?"

  Palina shook her head. "We agreed to be his vassal, or his 'bitch' as Plumeria here so crudely called it, and apparently that was not enough to satisfy your leader."

  Ian groaned. "You've gotta be kidding me. We're gonna run out of hoes next week at this rate."

  Plumeria put her hand on Palina's shoulder, a serious look in her eye. "It takes a while for Guzma to come around on these things, but Tom and I see the benefits of bringing you to our territory. Don't be surprised if in a week's time we're sending someone your way to restart talks."

  Palina grimaced. "I only hope we have a week to spare."

  Ian's heart tensed as he felt the dread in Palina's voice.

  "Hey Big Sis!" Mina said, pointing over the top of the wall. "Someone's coming."

  The trio directed their gaze to the road leading up to Po Town, and Ian saw a group of three figures approaching, one of them holding up a black flag with a skull and crossbones on it.

  "Sinclair's flag," Plumeria said lowly. "Our watchers see their guys on boats with binoculars looking at our fields. Maybe they want to buy food off us."

  "Something we'd be happy to do as well," Palina interjected.

  "Yeah I know," Plumeria grumbled. "If it were up to me, you'd be setting up a little town just outside our walls and would never go hungry again." Plumeria sighed then stepped in front of the outer gate to greet the diplomatic emissary. "Good afternoon!" Plumeria greeted as the trio of men got closer. "What brings Sinclair's men onto the mainland like this?"

  The man in the center who wore a blue-collared shirt and was half-balding stepped forward, a manila folder in his hands. I was not ready for a group of literal pirates to be carrying stuff like that around. "Captain Sinclair has sent me to work out a diplomatic arrangement with the boss of Team Skull, Guzma."

  "He just got out of a meeting with another faction," Plumeria said. "But I can escort you to his throne room."

  The envoy shook his head. "Captain Sinclair has insisted we do not enter Po Town, we must wait here."

  "Working out whatever diplomatic arrangement could take time," Plumeria warned.

  The man shook his head, a knowing smile on his face. "It won't be long."

  An uneasy chill came over Ian and as Plumeria turned around, he saw it in her eyes as well. This isn't good. "Ian, go get Guzma and tell him what's up." Ian nodded dutifully, turning to head up The Spine and he heard Plumeria speak to Palina. "I think it's best if you stick around a little longer."

  Ian sprinted off, hustling up the main street. He passed the Pokemon Center, whose doors were locked with a "Closed until further notice" sign on it." That's not good either. When Ian got to Shady House he dashed through the front doors and saw Guzma lounging on a sofa with Larvesta sleeping peacefully on the sofa's nearby arm.

  "The hell are you in such a hurry for?" Guzma demanded, waking up Larvesta.

  "Boss, there's someone from Sinclair's faction asking to see you at the front gate," Ian explained.

  Guzma shrugged casually. "Then bring 'em here."

  Ian shook his head. "They were insistent they not go inside the gates."

  Guzma snorted. "About time those sea-pussies did something." Guzma then leaned back on his sofa and extended his hand to let Larvesta crawl onto him. "Tell Plumeria I'll be there in twenty. Gotta make guys like these feel unimportant, it fucks with their mojo."

  Ian nodded. "Will do boss." He then turned around to hustle back and deliver the message but Guzma cleared his throat.

  "And Ian!" Guzma called, causing him to turn around. "Did that bitch from your world really call you the 'Prince of Po Town?'"

  Ian rolled his eyes. "Unfortunately yes."

  Guzma cackled his usual, naturally sinister sounding cackle. "Gotta hand it to her, it's kinda catchy." Guzma paused for a moment before continuing. "But don't go getting a big head now, see? I ain't exactly gonna adopt you."

  Ian chuckled. "I wouldn't want you to boss."

  Guzma cackled once more. "Smart guy! Now go tell Plumeria what's up," Guzma instructed. "Actually, wait a sec. Get my jacket that's on that table."

  Ian stopped once more and found the folded up half-sleeve jacket resting on a table cluttered with boxes. He grabbed it and walked back to Guzma, who put his hand up to stop Ian in a spot. "Hold it out for me," Guzma said as he pushed himself off the couch with Larvesta scuttling off him and resting on a cushion.

  Ian did as instructed while Guzma reached his arms into both sleeves and flapped it out a bit. "See you in twenty."

  "See you in twenty, boss," Ian repeated back and went on his way.

  When Ian returned with the news, Plumeria barely reacted. This must be standard operating procedure. A crowd had begun to form at the gate to see what the hubbub was about, with dozens of Team Skull grunts standing close but not too close to the action. Ian let Plumeria be front and center, instead finding a spot next to Palina. Five minutes into the wait, Rook and Selene appeared, with Selene's hair now completely covered up in her skull hat and Rook's buzz cut looking as disheveled as a buzz cut possibly could. "Fuck's going on?" Rook asked.

  "Figured the head of Po Town's defenses would've known by now," Plumeria replied coldly.

  "Whatever," Rook grumbled, taking a position next to Plumeria.

  "Hey Palina," Selene whispered loudly, drawing Ian's attention. "Thanks again to you and your Hisuian Arcanine for showing me and my Arcanine how to ride together."

  Palina nodded proudly. "Happy to help. Arcanines need time to get comfortable being ridden, be they Hisuian or Alolan."

  A good fifteen minutes passed until Guzma's form was seen strutting down The Spine, swaggering emphatically as he did. "The fuck's Sinclair want with us?" Guzma demanded when he got close to the envoy.

  The envoy cleared their throat, clearly trying to keep a calm demeanor. "Leader Guzma, Captain Sinclair has noticed your groups' lack of skill at harvesting your agricultural products."

  "Speak in fucking Galarian you prude," Guzma ordered. "Or did you jump forward in time like the Pearl Clan as well?"

  "W-what?" The envoy stammered.

  Guzma groaned loudly. "If I knew native Alolan, I would speak it to you just to insult you right now. What the fuck does Sinclair actually want you to talk about?"

  The emissary turned to one of their companions and gave them a look before taking a deep breath. "Captain Sinclair would like to extend his assistance in harvesting your agricultural products."

  "Oh really? A trade deal?" Guzma asked skeptically.

  "Of sorts, sir," the envoy said. "Sinclair will send supervisors to ensure the efficiency of your harvest."

  "And what am I supposed to pay for these supervisors of his?" Guzma said bluntly.

  "Sixty percent-"

  "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Guzma cackled loudly, in as uncontrolled and disrespectful a way as possible. "Do we even get the courtesy of a reach around? Are you gonna at least give us some lube first?" Guzma demanded before bursting into more disrespectfully dismissive cackling.

  "I was not finished explaining Captain Sinclair's demands. And need I remind you, this is no laughing matter, sir," the emissary said coldly.

  "Oh he's got other demands?" Guzma questioned with amusement. "If your boss is trying to go elbow deep, I do want to disclose I have a very tight asshole." All of the Team Skull bystanders burst into overwhelming laughter.

  "Sir I-"

  Guzma's whole demeanor shifted, as if the entertainer disappeared and now the ruthless, cold leader had suddenly possessed him. "Spit the demands out of your damn mouth before I sew it shut," Guzma said lowly, a tense silence coming across the bystanders.

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  "Uh so uh…" The emissary stammered. "Captain Sinclair demands a dock be built by Po Town's front gate, and Po Town provide a storage facility for the tribute."

  "And if I decide to wipe my ass with these demands?" Guzma asked.

  "Then Captain Sinclair will forcefully apply these demands," the envoy said.

  "Okay shut up then," Guzma spat. "Tell your giant pussy of a boss that the only tribute I intend on giving him is when he's under my heel and I'm pissing on his face."

  Most of the Team Skull bystanders roared with approval, hooting and hollering at Guzma's defiance. Ian grimaced, realizing what Guzma's grandstanding truly meant. War. Ian saw Plumeria standing with her arms folded, the same look of dread on her face. Everyone's gonna need their Big Sis more than ever now. Ian's heart tensed as he could only imagine a fraction of the emotional burden Plumeria would be bearing.

  "Is that your final answer?" The envoy asked grimly.

  Guzma hocked a loogie at the emissary's feet and held his hands up as if he was asking what are you gonna do about it? "Sorry, that loogie wasn't big enough to show my disdain for you fucks. I'll have a bigger one for you next time."

  "So be it then," the emissary said even more grimly before taking a deep breath and letting forth a bellowing voice. "Tomorrow when the sun rises, consider our two groups at war. No negotiations shall proceed until it is agreed you surrender Po Town unconditionally to Captain Sinclair."

  Guzma put up his middle finger. "Good! I'll need some new outhouse cleaners when this is all said and done!" Guzma crowed, sending most of the Team Skull members into a frenzy of hoots and hollers once more. When Guzma turned around to play to his crowd, the crowd roared even louder, mobbing the town's boss and chanting his name emphatically.

  Guzma then put his hands up, a cocky smile on his face. "Skull! For! Life!" He chanted. In moments an overwhelming roar of perfectly paced "Skull for life!" chants echoed at the front gate. Even Ian found himself with a cocky grin and proudly crowing the chant along with the rest of his fellow Team Skull members.

  It took a few minutes for the rabble-rousing to end, but when it did, Guzma cleared his way through the crowd directly to Palina. "Circumstances have changed, let's talk." Guzma's clingers-on shouted enthusiastically as they followed Guzma and Palina back up The Spine. Plumeria's signature grimace seemed even deeper than usual as she eyed Ian.

  "This is what we get for having something good happen to us for a bit," Plumeria said.

  "What?" Ian asked.

  Plumeria shook her head. "We were just about to start working out strategic berry exports with Surge. Not to mention re-opening relations with Outrigger. Now who knows."

  Ian sighed. "Damn… I suppose I should postpone the date with Mina? War council or something?"

  Plumeria shook her head. "No need to. Tomorrow, Po Town goes on full lockdown. You should get that date in while you can. Who knows when the next chance at it will be."

  Ian nodded sincerely. "Thank you Plumeria. And I promise we won't stay out too late."

  Plumeria shook her head with her scowl giving way to a slightly recognizable smirk. She then held her hand up and stuck her pinky out alone. "No doubt in my mind."

  ***

  It was about 5:30 when Ian was out at Mina's mural of him and Sawsbuck, admiring every fine little detail and blend of color that had gone into the work of art that honored him and Sawsbuck. It looks even better at sunset.

  Mina's soft footsteps approached casually, and Ian gave her a big smile as his eyes drank in her non-Team Skull uniform and was different from her usual in-game outfit. Squeezing her hair above her forehead, she had a dark blue band with little stars she wore like a pseudo crown. Her elaborate white top caught Ian's eye, with her showing a tiny bit of her midriff on the sides. The real eye-catching part of the outfit was the dark blue skirt with light blue coral. With every step the painter took, it seemed like Ian was watching water ripple in a dark tidepool. Ian was speechless as he studied every inch of the artful choices in clothing.

  "I'm gonna have to step my game up," Ian finally managed to say.

  Mina smiled knowingly. "I haven't worn this in months."

  "So that's why you said yes," Ian said with a smirk. "Figured you out." The two embraced and shared a kiss before Ian put his arm around her and they both faced the mural. "Do you have a name for it yet?"

  "I wasn't sure…" Mina said. "The Prince of Po Town seems too obvious now."

  "The more it's said the more tired it gets, the sooner people stop calling me that," Ian said with a slight chuckle. "Even Guzma asked me about it today."

  "Do you not like being called that?" Mina asked.

  Ian shrugged. "It just feels weird. Plus it kinda feels like I'm being mocked sometimes. Had some random guys I've never talked to before call me that a when I was back at Shady House."

  Mina shook her head. "Well maybe it's just Po Town's way of acknowledging how important you've become," Mina explained. "We'd all be starving right now if it weren't for you and Sawsbuck."

  "I'd like that," Ian said with a chuckle.

  "How'd it even come up anyways?" Mina asked.

  Ian shook his head. "You don't want to hear it."

  "Oh I don't?" Mina asked. "Were you being a bad boy?"

  Ian shrugged. "I figured all the chicks are into that."

  Mina rolled her eyes but couldn't hold her little giggle fit once more. "But you're really not gonna tell me?"

  "Selene and Rapp didn't tell you about it?" Ian asked.

  "No…" Mina asked. "They did seem like they were hiding something though."

  Ian sighed. "So I don't know how it is here, but back home in my world, you don't talk about ex-girlfriends on the first date."

  Mina looked at him with surprise and curiosity. "Ex? While you were out on your little adventure you went through a full fledged relationship?"

  Ian shook his head.

  "So you're saying your ex from your home world showed up here?"

  Ian nodded. "That's why they didn't tell you."

  "Wow… that sucks."

  "Technically it was from an alternate universe where I cheated on her… Sorry, it's really complicated and stupid to explain," Ian said.

  "Sounds like it…" Mina said. "But she called you the 'prince' for the first time?"

  Ian nodded. "Yeah. She's dating Gladdion Aether now. She was like trying to rub it in my face, saying he was like royalty, so my smartass said something like 'so you're dating a prince?' And that's when she fired back that with that name… and yeah, it's kinda catchy actually."

  "That's so ridiculous. But honestly, when the Aethers stopped by Seafolk Village once, all of us kids thought Gladdion and Lillie were royalty. There was just something about them. Then when their parents had lunch with the village chief they played with us and we realized they were just like us. Gladdion took a little while to open up, but he was really nice when he did," Mina explained.

  Ian nodded. "I didn't get to talk to him, but he seemed like a really good guy."

  "Even though he's dating your ex," Mina teased.

  Ian shrugged. "Well maybe his taste could be a little better," he said playfully, turning to Mina once again and planting a smooch on her. "We're burning daylight. You seemed really excited about my secret berry orchard."

  "Oh I am," Mina said. She then pointed back at the mural. "Just one more thing. In my initial sketch I was thinking Sawsbuck's antlers would be green. I was thinking it'd be a cool contrast but I figured they'd start to stick out too much in this one."

  Ian shrugged. "Not gonna doubt your brilliance."

  "When Noiz got demoted I thought they might do a Skull Trial," Mina explained.

  "Skull Trial?" Ian asked.

  "If Guzma doesn't have someone in mind, they have a tournament and the winner gets the position," Mina said. "Kinda explains why some of the squad leaders aren't exactly the best leaders."

  "Sounds very Guzma-y though," Ian said.

  "That it does. Well since Stompz got the nod, we didn't have one," Mina said. "At the last one where Lex won, people started making banners for trainers they were rooting for."

  "Okay…" Ian said, unsure of where she was going with this.

  "If they call another one, I'm gonna make a black flag with green antlers on it for you," Mina said.

  Ian smiled. "That'd be legit."

  Mina smiled happily in return. "So that secret berry grove?"

  Ian nodded. "Litleo's Hollow."

  "What? You have name for it?" Mina asked in disbelief.

  Ian nodded, starting to direct her down Kai Avenue with his arm around her waist. "I had two days to catch three Pokemon, and Tupp and I went looking there before sundown on my third day and I caught a Litleo, which is now Pyroar."

  "You were gonna get kicked out if you didn't catch in time, right?" Mina asked.

  "Well, I wouldn't be in Team Skull," Ian said. "So it's kind of a special place for me."

  "Yeah. Now I feel kinda bad for poking fun at it," Mina said.

  Ian smiled proudly. "That's why you don't tease the prince of Po Town," he said before bursting into laughter. Mina giggled, shaking her head before she went in for a surprise kiss.

  "You're so dumb," Mina said blushing.

  ***

  What had been a three mile walk was barely a fifteen minute bike ride along the coastal road to the junction that led to Outrigger's and Surge's respective territories. As twilight pinks littered the sky, the sea shimmered in all of its beauty. While Ian did have knots in his stomach, he caught himself smiling like an idiot every time he caught a glimpse of Mina.

  "There it is!" Ian announced as they pulled up to the batch of trees. Ian scanned the trees for a Zygarde Cell but didn't appear to see one yet. If Suzy-Marie comes under Colress' influence, helping her strengthen up Zygarde is the LAST thing I should do. Ian returned his thoughts to his current romantic partner and all of the negative energy washed away.

  "I see why you like this place," Mina observed. "Got this little grove and a beach right here. If things ever go bad in Po Town, I wouldn't mind living here for a while."

  Ian nodded. "It's pretty perfect, and as long as Surge doesn't send his goons this way it's pretty safe. Outrigger's not really that aggressive, right?"

  Mina shook her head. "Outrigger's basically Surge's vassal from what Plumeria says, so they're basically harmless. And do you have something against Surge for you to call his guys 'goons?'"

  "Unfortunately," Ian said. "Or maybe fortunately, depending on how you look at it. We were scouting out an aid convoy going to Surge when Surge's guys sniffed us out. I ended up getting chased by one of his guys and went to the Lake of the Sunne. Guy almost killed me then and there, but Tapu Bulu showed up. Then Tapu Bulu almost killed me…"

  Mina's eyes were wide open, a rare occurrence. "Woah…"

  "And then Deerling pleaded for my life," Ian said. "At least I think he did. Tapu Bulu went from 'about to execute me' to blessing Deerling and having it evolve into Sawsbuck… Been history ever since."

  "I never heard about that one," Mina said. "That's nuts. No wonder you don't like Surge."

  "It all worked out well enough," Ian said. "Let me see if there are any Rawst Berries around here," Ian said, reaching for Sawsbuck's Heal Ball and releasing it. Sawsbuck appeared in a flash of red light, cozying up to Ian before noticing Mina was present. The blessed stag eyed her suspiciously for a moment until Ian leaned over and kissed her. "Get used to her Sawsbuck," he instructed.

  "Well someone's confident I want a second date," Mina teased.

  "I'm a prince, remember? I get just about anything I want," Ian said, barely able to hold in his laughter.

  Mina shook her head as she giggled. "You're so annoying." The two went in for another kiss and Sawsbuck snorted abruptly. "Aw, someone's jealous."

  "He's becoming a bit of an attention whore. Having six Pokemon has split my time," Ian said, caressing Sawsbuck's neck. "Someone doesn't get all of the attention anymore and has to adjust," Ian teased his deer in a soft voice. "Don't worry Sawsbuck, you're still the heart of my team whether you like it or not." Sawsbuck gave a cheerful bleat.

  "I'm surprised other factions didn't try to recruit you and Sawsbuck," Mina said.

  "Oh they definitely tried," Ian said. "The woman leading the Pearl Clan basically proposed to me the last night I was there."

  "What?" Mina asked abruptly.

  "They're from another time," Ian said. "She figured they'd be able to move into Po Town if they married one of us, and since Sawsbuck is basically infinite food for them, she wanted me."

  "So I have competition," Mina said.

  Ian shook his head. "She also said she'd never love me, and was kinda trying to guilt trip me into saying yes. Not exactly marriage material."

  "Was she hot?" Mina asked.

  Ian shrugged. "Yeah. Hyde basically begged me to volunteer him instead, which I did."

  "You did?" Mina asked. "I don't think anyone's gonna wanna marry that guy."

  Hyde's words about Mina came across Ian's mind, but he decided against bringing them up. It is a first date after all.

  "You got something brewing behind those big blue eyes of yours," Mina said. "Care to share?"

  "If you really want, I think it's dumb."

  "Even better," Mina said.

  "It involves Hyde," Ian said. "And you."

  Mina rolled her eyes. "Yeah, we were talking for a bit when Breon declared war on us. We all thought we were gonna die soon…" Mina said. "But I realized he was a giant asshole and broke it off with him. Was he saying bad things about me?"

  Ian rolled his eyes. "Kinda… Me and him beefed really hard, honestly since the day I got here until just recently actually. So first night of the expedition he said you were only flirting with me to piss him off, which I know isn't the truth-"

  Mina had an amused look on her face. "Okay good. Thanks."

  "We're doing better now… Maybe if I help facilitate him with his future wife or whatever he'll truly chill the fuck out."

  Mina rolled her eyes. "Fat chance."

  Ian took a deep breath, realizing the light was getting increasingly lower. "But I didn't take you all of the way out here to talk about some asshole," Ian said with a smirk as he leaned. In moments the burgeoning couple was making out, moaning and breathing heavily as Ian's hands ran over Mina's skin. You know, all of the bullshit I've gone through to get to this point? Worth it!