Clasping Gladion's hand, Chloe led him through Po Town. The houses were still old and abandoned, there was trash everywhere, and faded graffiti stained nearly every surface. Even Team Skull rarely resided there anymore, it was mainly just Guzma that still went back there. Though this time, when the girl pushed open the doors of the Shady House, there were actually a few grunts there.

They all turned their attention to the pair that stepped inside. "Yo, the princess is back!" One of the young men immediately approached her. "Been a long time, Chloe. We've been missing you." He held out his fist to her.

With a calm smile, Chloe met his fist with her own for a fist bump. "I admit, it's nice seeing you numskulls again."

"Hey, what's that traitor doing here?" a female grunt inquired, pointing to the blond boy beside Chloe.

Gladion narrowed his eyes slightly in irritation. Chloe was the one to frown and reply, "Gladion's here with me. If any of you have a problem with that, then you'll have to answer to me, got it?"

One of the other grunts was quick to hold his hands up defensively. "Not at all, Princess. You can do whatever you want, yo. But, uh...Guzma might not want to see someone like him, that's all."

Chloe huffed and twirled a few strands of her hair around her finger. "Speaking of Daddy, is he here?"

The grunt pointed his thumb behind him. "Upstairs in his room. He's been down lately, so maybe your presence will cheer him up."

The girl gave a single nod, took Gladion by the hand again, and led him past the grunts and up the staircase. She smiled to herself, already hearing the cheerful rapping of the group now that she had returned.

"C to the H to the L-O-E
Chloe's back, it's easy to see
Mess with her, she'll knock you down
Having fun, we'll rule the town

"Break it down
Stir it up
Tear it down
Mix it up

"Solid steel
Break the seal
Do the deal
Make it real

"Full power
Turn it up
Now she's back
She'll mess you up

"Put your hands together for Chloe and Guzma
Touch his girl and the boss'll have to bruise ya"

(This rap is my own twist on the anime rap Team Skull had. I think I did pretty well on it considering I've never written lyrics before.)

Gladion chuckled lightly, hearing the grunts' rap fade as they climbed the stairs. "They sure are lively."

"Yeah, I didn't realize how much I missed them all," the girl told him. "I haven't heard them rap like that in years."

"They're exaggerating though. Like you or Guzma could ever scare me. Neither of you are as intimidating as they make you out to be."

Chloe gave a mischevious giggle. "Oh, you might be surprised...but I know you're not one to back down easily." Bringing him upstairs, the girl paused, seeing a familiar pokemon standing guard outside the door to Guzma's room. "Golisopod..."

The dual type stared in surprise. "So...pod...?" He stretched his claws out, inviting the girl for a hug. "Goli! Golisopod!"

The redhead ran into the pokemon's awaiting arms, all three pairs engulfing her in return. "I'm glad to see you too. It's been so long." She could feel the pure joy emanating from him. She smiled as she pulled away, looking up at Golisopod. "I'm guessing Daddy's in there?"

With a nod, the pokemon stepped aside, allowing them through. Chloe hesitantly took the door knob, twisting it and opening the door. She slowly stepped inside with Gladion and Golisopod right behind her. Her eyes immediately landed on the man seated on his makeshift throne. He had a picture in his hands, gazing at it sadly. His room was as much of a mess as it ever was. Seemed that part didn't change.

"D...Daddy...?" The girl's voice came out softer than expected.

Guzma gasped, the voice breaking him from his trance. He looked up, his normally hardened gaze showing a lonely sadness. "Chloe?" He dropped the picture on his seat before getting up. "You came home...after all this time..."

Starting to tear up, Chloe practically ran over to him, wrapping him in a big hug. "I know. I should've come back sooner, I was just so upset and I...was afraid to face you."

Guzma let out a relieved chuckle, returning her hug. "Is that all it was? We never saw eye-to-eye, an argument or two wouldn't have torn apart our team. Besides, I'm the one who wouldn't listen when I should have. I'm sorry, kiddo. You were right about Aether. You were always such a smart girl."

Gladion was stunned. The big bad Guzma that was always so selfish and cold was actually being kind. He wore a genuine smile for Chloe, and his tone wasn't harsh, but gentle. She truly did bring out a different side to Guzma, a side he rarely ever showed. It was easy to see that he really cared about her and considered her family.

"I forgive you, Daddy," the girl told him, smiling as she let go of him, "and I'm proud of you. I heard about everything you did. You tried to help Lusamine, you disbanded Team Skull, and you even started training under Kahuna Hala to become stronger."

Guzma crossed his arms and turned his head away, hiding his embarrassment under a proud grin. "Well, after everything that happened, I had to change at least a little. Couldn't keep working for a crazy woman obsessed with Ultra Beasts. Besides, knowing you'd come back one day made me strive to improve myself." For the first time since they'd arrived, his eyes shifted to focus on the blond at the door, his lips turning down in a frown. "And just what is Lusamine's rebellious kid doing here?"

Chloe glanced back at her boyfriend, trying to think of how to explain things without him overreacting. "Um, well, Gladion recruited me to help take care of a small Ultra Beast problem. Now we're kinda...together."

"What?!" Guzma marched right past Chloe and approached the boy with a glare. "You?! And my princess?! Absolutely not!"

Gladion remained firm, meeting his glare with his own, not letting Guzma intimidate him. "Not to be rude, Guzma, but you don't have a say in it."

The boss clicked his tongue in annoyance. "What did you say, boy?"

"Chloe is old enough to make her own decisions. You can't tell her what to do."

Guzma roughly grabbed him by the collar, shaking him. "Listen, punk, I may have let you join the team before, but you are not one of us. You're just a spoiled brat that belongs in that stupid mansion with your perfect life. I oughta pummel you until you're black and blue-"

"That's enough!" Chloe intervened, jumping between them. She pushed Guzma off the blond, frowning in disapproval. "Leave him alone, Daddy!" She smoothed out Gladion's hoodie, giving an exasperated sigh. "Why do you always have to pick fights? I can't even bring a boy home without you acting like a crazed Primeape."

Guzma blinked, stunned by her reaction. "But Chloe, of all the boys in Alola, you really had to pick this one?"

The girl lifted her head high, taking Gladion's hand with pride. "He gets me, which is obviously something you never used to do, or even tried to do." She huffed, tired of dwelling on that topic. "Anyway, I've got some things to ask you. It's part of why I came back."

Guzma grunted, a bit annoyed that she defended Gladion. "Well, I'll answer if I can. But first, you need to explain something." He narrowed his eyes at the pair. "What's all this about an Ultra Beast? Lusamine's boy better not be dragging you into danger, because if he does, then so help me..." He clenched his fist.

Gladion fearlessly stepped forward. "Nihilego has been mysteriously popping up around Alola. I met and recruited Chloe for her understanding of pokemon. I assure you, she hasn't been in any danger, I've made sure of that. And I think you underestimate her strength. She's a strong trainer." He flashed the girl a quick smile.

The boss stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Well, I know she's strong, but your family only ever seems to bring trouble, and not the fun kind."

The two males didn't even notice Chloe and Golisopod move away to look at the picture laying on the throne. It was better than being caught in their pointless argument, not to mention the girl was curious. Chloe carefully picked up the photo, smiling to herself. It was an image of the entirety of Team Skull, including her, from years ago before she left.

"Daddy..."

Guzma immediately ceased his bickering with the blond, turning to look at his adopted daughter. "What?"

Chloe couldn't keep from smiling, puttting the picture down as she looked at him. "You really did miss me, huh?" The man blushed a little at her words. "Daddy, the main reason I came here was because I have to ask you..." Her expression was serious, and she trailed off, trying to find the courage. "Wh-what happened exactly? On the day you found me?"

Guzma looked a bit surprised by that question. "Have you been thinking about that all this time while you were gone?"

"No, but I recently remembered something...a distant memory I'd lost. It was all fuzzy...just bits and pieces, but I want to know more about my childhood." She glanced at Golisopod beside her, who seemed to be nodding in agreement. "You told me Tapu Bulu saved my life, and that you found me around here. But you must know more about that, right? Please, tell me everything."

Guzma stared at her, seeing just how much determination and resolve was in her fiery eyes. "All right," he said with a sigh. "You're old enough to know the truth. Come with me."

He turned and left with his hands in his pockets, and Golisopod hurried after him. Chloe looked at Gladion, gesturing for him to follow as well before walking past him to trail behind Guzma. She was both nervous and excited to finally get some kind of explanation, and maybe some insight into her life before she lost her memories.