[colour=f7941d]"Re-retired?"[/colour] murmured Pontus, a vague expression filling his face.

It all made sense, when he thought about it. They hadn't received word from the Federation since they'd arrived, bar the monthly bags of 'welfare'. He'd always just assumed that every team got that when they were on standby. But no, every month they'd been receiving a [i]pension.[/i] A pension! Team Ruin was only eight years old! He bit his lip before speaking again.

[colour=f7941d]"So for the last eight months...Team Rune has been retired...For eight months...And no one told us...for eight months?"[/colour] he asked in a shaky voice. He was trying very hard to keep himself calm but the flickering fire on his tail gave him away. [colour=00aeef]"Nope! Now, if you'll please 'scuse me, I've business to discuss with a group of [i]real[/i] explorers. Why don't you two scurry home and do a crossword or something?"[/colour] said Gala, a large, smug grin filling his face. Pontus looked at each Pokemon around the table. Scarab looked disappointed, almost sympathetic. Rook had an amused look on his face, as if he'd known all along. Froad had an unfamiliar look of anger on his face, the sacs on the side of his face ballooning. But Gala! Oh Arceus, the smile on that Water-Types face really ground his gears! He just wanted to rip his shell off and smash it to pieces in front of everyone.

[colour=f7941d]"You piece of shit"[/colour] snarled Pontus, baring his teeth. [colour=f7941d]"Froad has fucked up a few times, sure, but we're good explorers. We took down the Treasure Town Tripper and-"[/colour] [colour=00aeef]"Oh, you're still spinning that old story, then! Don't flatter yourself, Pontus! That was the only notable thing your team has ever done. And it was eight years ago! After that, it was stumbling from one disaster to the next. You were both an embarrassment to the entire Federation!"[/colour] barked Gala, chortling slightly. 

Pontus, for the first time in a long time, was speechless. His mouth was the perfect shape of an O as he glanced at his partner. [colour=8dc73f]"The cheek of it!"[/colour] gaped Froad, his cheek sacs brimming with anger. [colour=Beige]"Pontus...Froad...Is all of this true?"[/colour] asked Scarab with a pang of disappointment in his voice. [colour=f7941d]"No! Well, yeah but no but...Shut the fuck up, Scarab!"[/colour] snapped Pontus.

Pontus turned back to Gala. He pointed a finger in the bemused turtles face before continuing. [colour=f7941d]"You listen here, you Areceus-damned shithead. Team Rui-RUNE! is, as of today, not retired. And we're going on this bloody expedition if it kills us!"[/colour] said the Monferno furiously. 

[colour=00aeef]"No, boys. You're not goin' on this expedition"[/colour] replied Gala calmly. [colour=00aeef]"You're going to walk out of this door before you embarrass yourselves further, go home and never think about exploring ever ag-"[/colour] The Tirtougas condescension was cut off by Pontus' wildly swinging fist as he launched a vicious Mach Punch at him. As it connected with his scaly head, Gala flew backwards onto the floor, skidding under a table on the back of his shell.

The entire pub went quiet as Pontus stood panting with anger, privately surprised he'd even done such a thing. [colour=00aeef]"You bastard! Assaulting a federation officer! I'll have you arrested for this!"[/colour] spluttered Gala, one fin covering his bloody face and the other pointing at him accusingly. Pontus' tail burned brighter he prepared another Mach Punch. Before he could even register what had happened, Rook tackled him to the ground and held a claw to his exposed neck. Froad fell back in surprise, unsure whether or not to step in. 

The entire establishment went quiet as patrons craned their necks to see the ensuing fight. The Bisharp's claw was cold and sharp on his neck as he dared Pontus to make another move. The Monferno didn't move an inch. "Wots goin' on?" asked a Wartotle sailor finally. He didn't receive an answer.

[colour=8dc73f]"Come on, Pontus. Les' get outta 'ere"[/colour] muttered Froad, placing a paw on the chest of Rook and gently pushing him off his friend. The Bisharp stood at full height but never took his eyes off of Pontus. The Monferno sniffed as he took Froad's paw and was pulled to his feet. He was acutely aware everyone in the pub had watched the whole thing and felt embarrassed. Gala pulled himself out from under the table and was lifted over to his chair by several concerned patrons, all the time murmuring that he was all right and holding a fin to his face.   

Team Ruin left the Flaafy's Wool with their eyes fixated to the ground. Before he swung the door closed, Pontus took one last glance behind him. The patrons had crowded around Gala, offering their sympathy and trying to cheer the "poor victim" up. But his beloved Mawile still stood behind the counter and offered him a sad smile. He felt a pang of guilt in his chest.

There was another relationship down the drain.

[hr]

It was snowing again.

Neither member of Team Rune felt talkative on the walk home. They walked in silence, gazing at the icy ground and engrossed in their own thoughts. What did the future hold for them? Could they become explorers again? Would Gala mark them as criminals? Would Pontus get away with punching a Federation officer in the face? Doubtful, seeing as an entire bar had witnessed the whole thing.  

Pontus fingered the rusty Normal badge around his neck for several moments before snapping it off and throwing it as far as he could into the snow drift. He could feel tears springing to his eyes but he didn't want Froad to know, so he pulled his scarf as far as it would go.

[colour=8dc73f]"Lissen, lad...It's not all that bad, y'know"[/colour] said Froad finally. [colour=f7941d]"I punched a Federation officer in the face. It literally couldn't be any worse"[/colour] snapped Pontus, his voice muffled from behind his scarf. He immediately regretted his tone. Froad was only trying to cheer him up. As they turned the corner, Pontus sighed audibly. [colour=f7941d]"Sorry, mate. I fucked everything up for us"[/colour] said Pontus, feeling defeated. Froad grunted in reply.

A single lamp-post stood on the opposite side of the road, the only light for miles. Most other lamps in the town didn't work. Unlike other lamps they had passed by, this one had a Pokemon stood under it. It was rare to see anybody out and about this late at night, especially with weather like this. It was dark but when Pontus squinted, it almost looked the Pokemon had...clothes?

The Pokemon noticed their presence and perked up. He darted across the road and stood in their path. Pontus groaned. The last thing he needed now was some dumbass asking for money. "Excuse me? Did either of you two gentlemen drop this?" asked the Pokemon, holding up a rusty piece of metal. His accent was refined, not something you heard that often in this part of the world. [colour=8dc73f]"Whas'at?"[/colour] asked Froad, sounding quite unlike his usual self.

"I believe it's a...Normal Rank exploration badge?" replied the Pokemon, taking a closer look at it with his dark eyes. Pontus' ears perked up and his curiosity got the better of him. [colour=f7941d]"Lemme see that a minute"[/colour] said Pontus, snatching the badge out of its hands. He held the badge close to the light of his tail and traced his finger over the rust. 

[centre][i]-Team Rune
-Normal Rank
-Pontus[/i]
[/centre]

[colour=f7941d]"Well, Arceus H. Ketchum...Where'd you find this?"[/colour] asked Pontus, looking up. But the Pokemon was gone. [colour=8dc73f]"Oi, where'd he go..."[/colour] said Froad, swinging his head around in confusion. [colour=f7941d]"Must of took off..."[/colour] shrugged Pontus, still engrossed in the badge. Maybe this was a sign. Maybe he should hold onto it. He clipped the badge back onto his scarf. [colour=f7941d]"Sod him, Froad. I got my badge back and that's all that matters"[/colour]

They rest of the walk home was continued uneventfully. It was a familiar walk and neither felt like talking about the nights events.  Froad groaned loudly as Pontus opened the gate to their base. [colour=f7941d]"Oh, what's wrong, Froad? Bad evening?"[/colour] said Pontus sarcastically.

But then he caught a glimpse of their base. Or at least, what remained of it. Pontus fell to his knees as he approached the doorstep and opened his mouth to say something.

But no words came out.