The Renegade Trainer

"I'll pass on that, thank you."

Hearing Maguro's reply, Gardenia frowned.

"I'd love to go on an adventure with you, Gardenia!" to his surprise, Iizumi was enthusiastic about a new travel companion.

"We have to discuss this first, please excuse us. 'Kay?"

"Yeah, let's..." Moriya took her little sister while Maguro pulled Iizumi out to talk. 

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"Do you want us to get caught?"'

"But it's Gardenia, I'm sure she'll be--"

"Oh c'mon, you just met her. We can't afford to trust her."

Iizumi understood that the Hisuian mission was seen as illegal by the league, but she still wanted to enjoy her travels.

"Then let's just separate."

"That's just irrational, Iizumi. Don't be crazy." Maguro caressed his forehead as he said, "Do you really want to travel while having to keep secrets from your companions?"

"But there's more to the journey than just restoring the clan..." 

"C'mon, were terrorists."

"I won't lead you to the Ashoka clan's heirloom if we can't travel with the kid."

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Inside the gym...

"I'll snitch on the elders about your secret lover if you won't let me go."

Moriya's face turned red, she sighed in surrender. "Fine... You can go with them."

"YAY!" Gardenia beamed a smile, rushing to get her stuff ready.

Entering the gym building, the gym leader noticed the strong trainer who just won her badge dejected. It wasn't hard to find out what happened.

"Must be a handful, huh?" 

"It's gonna be more troublesome with the kid now."

Moriya giggled at Maguro's answer. "Maybe you should try to take things easy and act your age. You seem to be a serious trainer, Maguro. It's alright to have a change of pace once in a while you know, live a little and have some fun."

"I enjoy training and the peaceful days alone. I'm sure it'll be a fun adventure with more responsibilities now." He had a sarcastic tone as he said the second part.

Meanwhile Iizumi was smiling from ear to ear and interjected, "Don't worry, Maguro. I'll take good care of Gardenia."

"I'm sure you'll do well." he rolled his eyes. 'Seriously, I'd be dead meat if the other three pillars are just like her.'

"Anyway, we'll be leaving town first light tomorrow. Make sure you're all ready by tonight, I'm gonna spend time with my Pokémon now."

"He sure can be grumpy." 

"He'll be fine. Maguro's more mature than he paints himself out to be."

The ladies talked as Maguro quietly left the gym and went to his favorite clearing...

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Eterna city outskirts (route 211), night time...

After recuperating, Maguro and his Pokémon celebrated their triumph against the first gym at the usual spot. 

"ROAR!" (We won!)

"MAREANIE!!" (Water, Play! Yay!) 

"HEEHEHE!" (Yummy food!)

"Caw! Caww!" (Congratulations everyone!)

Bouncing and splashing at the nearby river were Gyarados and Mareanie. Rotom, who was now in its normal form, had its eyes on the delicious electricity.

Murkrow was also satisfied, praising everyone before counting the reward it got from Maguro.

The pain was worth the money.

'Ah, things really are getting harder.'

And contrary to the lively atmosphere, the trainer was gloomy as he laid on the grass whilst stargazing. 

"Grotle..." (what's up, boss?)

Noticing Maguro's woes was Grotle, who came to console him.

"It's no big deal, Grotle. It'll be alright, go have fun with your friends, okay?"

"Grotle.. Gro!" (It doesn't look that way. And I'll be staying here.)

The turtle settled beside its trainer, and Maguro caressed it.

"We're gonna have more people travelling with us soon, and the adventure will only get more challenging."

"Grotle..." (So? I'll still stay with you boss.)

"Haha, thanks."

Unbeknownst to Maguro, Grotle had fallen asleep as he spoke about his dream.

"I'll become champion and overthrow the Diamond and Pearl clans. And with the four treasures, this land shall be called Hisui, as its destined to be..."

He turned, realizing that the Pokémon beside him was snoozing.

'This kid...'

Maguro couldn't help but smile. 

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The next day...

At the southmost part of Eterna city, three young travellers were ready to depart.

A boy with hazel-colored hair looked at his new small companion, Gardenia. She sported a green cloth that covered her shoulders. If it weren't for the white undershirt, she'd pretty be wearing a crop-top.

"You even have a Pokémon. That's Budew has potential."

"I know! It's my best friend." she took the small sprout-like Pokémon and carried it.

"So cute!" Iizumi was excited about having a new companion around, especially since she was also a girl.

Moriya, the gym leader, was also present to send them off. 

"Please take care of her."

"I'll do what I can." Maguro spoke up, checking his stuff to be in the safe side.

Meanwhile Gardenia and Iizumi already hit it off. "For sure, Moriya!" 

She was jumping with the little girl in a bobcut, and they played with Budew.

"We'll be heading off now. Let's go, you guys."

"Stay safe!"

"Bye bye!"

Maguro responded by waving his hand, while Iizumi and Gardenia shouted as they walked away.

Time passed, and they reached the gateway that led to the famed cycling road.

"Hey Iizumi. You've a bike right?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Me too. We'll be able to pass by without a hitch."

They entered, and the green haired girl said, "Why'd you ask that all of the sudden?"

"We're being followed. I'll take care of the kid, so cycle as fast as you can when I give the signal." he whispered and took out his bike.

Iizumi nodded, Maguro took out Murkrow, who understood the assignment via sign language. 

The guard nodded seeing the three bikers in proper gear, and let them pass. Their pursuers were also approved.

'There're probably some more men waiting outside.'

"Let's go, Murkrow."

As the door opened to the other side, thick black smoke was emitted throughout. Maguro instantly grabbed Gardenia and cycled at 4th gear. 

Their pursuers also did the same, but Iizumi and Maguro were way ahead of them. 

"I'll buy you a better bike, kid. Just stay put for now!"

Though she didn't want to obey, seeing Maguro's distressed expression prompted Gardenia to comply and stay patient.

"Dang it!" more masked men trailed them as the first pursuers cursed.

"Don't panic too much, we have more men blockading the end. They'd be too tired to run from us by then."

"Good. Be sure to secure the gym leader's sister. Dispose of Maguro and the other girl."

Unbeknownst to them, Murkrow was amongst a flock of Staravia and eavesdropped at the conversation. It then flew back to its trainer silently. 

Maguro honked nonstop, trying his best to control his accelerating bike while warning the other bikers in their paths.

Iizumi did the same, and it took nearly 20 minutes before they could pass the entire bridge, only to be met by a blockade of men in black and a lineup of seemingly strong Pokémon.

"Ah shit..."

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[TO BE CONTINUED]