Chloe walked down the hall, feeling refreshed from her bath. She was dressed in her sleepwear, taking the chance to have room service wash her clothes for her. When she reached the room, she stepped inside to see all the pokemon happily eating, managing to have all fit in the large room. Gladion was seated on his bed, a tray in front of him with one plate full of food and one plate completely cleaned. He'd already finished eating.

"Good, you're back," he said. "Better eat before your food gets cold."

Chloe nodded. "Definitely. I don't want a cold supper, that's for sure."

Gladion smiled lightly, looking her over. "By the way, I like your pajamas. The Eevee design is cute."

(These are Chloe's pajamas)

Chloe paused, glancing down at herself. "Oh, thanks. I figured I'd change so I can have my usual clothes washed. You should do the same while we have the chance."

The boy nodded, getting up while she got situated on her bed with her plate. Gladion left temporarily, giving Chloe and the pokemon the chance to finish up their meals. It wasn't long before Gladion got back, dressed in black pajama pants and a red-striped black shirt. Chloe could hardly keep from giggling at him, seeing as how all he ever seemed to wear was black and red.

The blond noticed her amused expression. "What?"

"Oh, nothing," she casually replied with a grin, "just that you never seem to wear anything other than black and red."

"They're my favorite colors. Is there a problem with that?" He gave a teasing smile.

Chloe laughed lightly. "No, I was just pointing it out. I think it suits you, really."

Gladion took a seat on his bed, looking at the pokemon all settling in to rest. Even though Silvally and Tyrantrum hadn't initially gotten along too well, they seemed to mostly ignore each other now, at least enough to eat and sleep in peace. Gladion looked over at Chloe, who had Salazzle and Espeon curled up on her bed with her, both pokemon already asleep. He wondered if this was a good time to bring up something he'd been curious about for a while.

"Hey, Chloe?" he softly spoke so as not to wake the pokemon. She looked over at him with a quiet hum. "I've been meaning to ask about...your father."

The girl's eyes widened ever so slightly. "What about him?"

"Well, you told me that he brought you to Aether in the past, but he didn't work there. It's just been bugging me recently."

Chloe's mind raced for a response. I can't tell him about my connection to Team Skull. He probably wouldn't want anything to do with me if he knew. She glanced over at her choker on the nightstand, her gift from him. And I...want him to stick around. "I'm...certain you don't know him," she finally replied. "He's just a regular guy. He...got in touch with Lusamine in the past...for research purposes."

Gladion slowly nodded in understanding. "Ah, I see. So he was interested in the research and preservation efforts my mother established."

"In a way, yeah," she lied, a small smile hiding her little fib. "But like I said, I don't like talking about him much. We have very different views about things and I haven't faced him in quite a while."

"I'm sure you'll work things out at some point," the blond told her. "If I could patch things up with my mother, who went insane, might I add, then I know you can do the same with your father."

Chloe shrugged a little. "Maybe. Guess we'll see." She stretched her arms over her head, faking her weariness so she could get out of that conversation. "Anyway, we should get some sleep." She eagerly climbed into bed, watching Gladion do the same after turning off the light. "Goodnight."

"Night, Chloe." The boy glanced over at her snuggling up under the covers, smiling to himself before falling asleep.

~~~~~

Chloe walked silently behind her father, her eyes still wide with horror at what she'd witnessed. Their trip to Aether Paradise should've been enjoyable, but Chloe had seen things she wasn't supposed to. They were back on Ula'ula Island, heading home to Po Town. Salazzle walked with the girl, like usual, worried for her trainer.

"So, how'd you like your first trip to Aether, Chloe?" Guzma suddenly asked, his hands in his pockets as he glanced back over his shoulder at the girl.

The redhead looked at the back of his head, confused as to how he could be so calm. "It was... It was..."

"Pretty lame, right?" the man finished, smirking. "All that crap about helping pokemon and preserving their habitats, what a waste of time. Nobody cares about that."

Chloe frowned, narrowing her eyes. "How can you say that? That stuff is important. But Aether---that woman Lusamine---they're all just a bunch of hypocrites!"

Guzma stopped, turning to look at her. "What are you talking about?"

The girl clenched her fists. "You know what I'm talking about, Daddy! Lusamine, she claims to love pokemon and strives to help them! But down in their labs..." She growled lightly, her anger rising. "There were synthetic pokemon they created to be weapons, and they were all caged and restrained like some kind of monsters! They were so scared and confused!"

Guzma stood silent for a few moments. He'd often forget about her ability to connect with pokemon, it was the one thing about her he found both useful and annoying at the same time. Her outburst got him thinking though, and for her, he was willing to come clean.

"Listen, Chloe, to tell the truth, I don't support what Aether does. Whether it's their supposed preservation efforts, or experimenting with and weaponizing pokemon, I don't stand for any of that."

Chloe stared at him, blinking in confusion. "Then why did you agree to help Lusamine?"

Guzma looked down at the ground, a dejected expression on his face. "Because aside from Team Skull...she's the only one who's ever acknowledged my strength."

Chloe pursed her lips, saying nothing more on the subject as they continued on their way. She knew how Guzma was, he just wanted people to know that he was strong ever since some old friend of his outshined him in the Island Challenge. The girl understood, and she was fine with him rising up to claim his place. But aiding a group that harmed pokemon for no reason---that's what she couldn't get behind. They eventually made it back to the usual dreary weather of Po Town, the place they called home.

The town was devoid of life, there was trash everywhere, and nearly every building and sidewalk was painted with graffiti. It wasn't pretty, and not the least bit hospitable, but it was home. The pair stepped into the Shady House only to be greeted by a bunch of grunts.

"Yo, yo, welcome back, boss!"

One of the male grunts went and wrapped an arm around Chloe's shoulder. "Hope the little princess enjoyed her trip! Now that we got help from Aether, Team Skull will be able to take whatever we want, right, boss?"

Guzma clicked his tongue and kept walking. "That's the point, numskull." He casually strolled past Plumeria and upstairs to his room.

Chloe lightly pushed the grunt away. "I'm going to find something to eat."

With Salazzle behind her, she went straight to the kitchen, letting her Eevee and her shiny Rufflet join her in rummaging around for a meal. After that, she was in her room the rest of the evening. She stared absentmindedly out her window, her pokemon sitting with her. Thoughts of Aether and Team Skull overwhelmed her mind. Is this really what I want to be doing? she asked herself. No, of course not. I won't side with anyone who thinks they can use pokemon like that.

"Salazz?" her partner spoke up, bringing the girl out of her thoughts.

"I don't know, Salazzle..." She managed a weak smile. "I'm not sure what to do about this."

Eevee held her head high with pride. "Eev, eevee vee."

Chloe chuckled. "I know, these aren't the type of things I want to get involved in. But what can I do? Team Skull is my family."

Rufflet flew up and perched on her knees, spreading his wings. "Rufflet, let let! Ruff rufflet!"

The girl gazed at the bird pokemon in surprise, understanding that he was scolding her. "Maybe...maybe you're right, Rufflet. Maybe it's time I leave the nest for good." She looked at each of her pokemon. "Team Skull may be my family, but they don't define who I am. I'm not like Daddy, I don't crave power. I just..." She smiled, her gaze drifting out the window again. "I want to have fun and meet all kinds of pokemon, and maybe someday, I'll get the chance to thank the Tapus for all they do...and for saving my life." She looked at her team. "Whatever I decide to do, wherever I end up going, are you guys with me?"

All three of them nodded without hesitation. She returned Eevee and Rufflet, but let Salazzle stay out and help her gather her things. She grabbed her Mimikyu bag, a recent present from Guzma that she picked out, and stuffed it with pokedollars, clothes, snacks, and her pokeballs. She waited a bit after the sun went down, then finally peeked out of her room. The mansion was quiet, which meant most of the grunts must've already been asleep. Chloe and Salazzle quietly left their room, heading downstairs to the front doors. Just as the redhead reached for the door, her partner spun around with a hiss. Chloe was quick to twist around, relaxing when she saw Plumeria standing by the stairs.

"Big Sis..." the girl mumbled.

"Why are you sneaking out in the middle of the night?" Plumeria inquired, her arms crossed as she stepped closer.

Chloe turned her head away, unsure of how to explain. "I...well..."

"Is this about Aether? You were awfully quiet when you got back."

Chloe nodded, sighing softly as she met the older girl's gaze. "Yeah. Daddy's obsessed with being strong and getting the recognition he deserves, and I know all of you look up to him, I do too. But that's not what I want, I'm not interested in...all this. I want to follow my own path instead of following in Daddy's footsteps."

Plumeria kept that harsh look of hers as she sighed a little, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I see. The team won't be the same without you, but I get it. I won't tell Guzma, but you'd better go before someone else finds you."

Chloe nodded, smiling. "Thanks, Big Sis. Keep the grunts in line for me."

Plumeria grinned a little. "I always do. Good luck out there, Chloe. See ya later."

With a quick wave, the redhead turned and pulled the doors open, sprinting outside into the crisp, cool night with her partner behind her. "Freedom at last..." She couldn't help but laugh softly. "It sure is exciting. This is the beginning of a new start for us, Salazzle."