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"So, Charlie, still upset over what happened back there?" Jason asked as the two patrolled the streets of the market district.

The two had just taken down two criminals attempting to rob the Union Bank. In a heated rage though, Charlie turned on Jason and lashed out causing him to accidentally strike down the third accomplice to the crime. All of it was planned out by Jason, to Charlie's rage and humiliation. Jason had suggested that they go on ahead, which Charlie surprisingly agrees to. The media came by sometime later and Charlie insisted that they get out of there as fast as they can. Perhaps he was still embarrassed that he had played Jason's plan.

Charlie didn't think of gracing Jason's question with an answer, not when he was this upset. He still had trouble grasping the very idea that Jason had planned it all, even that accidental shot. "Jason... did you really plan it all?" Charlie mumbled.

"Hm?" Jason, at first, didn't understand the point of Jason's question until he looked at Charlie in the eye and saw what he meant. "Yep, you're still upset about it... If you must know, no, I didn't technically plan all of it."

That wasn't the answer Charlie was looking for, so he knit his brows in irritation and asked once more. "What do you mean by that?"

Jason sighed. He never really enjoyed explaining his abilities, he didn't know how to break it down into words. He'd normally just say that it came naturally to him but it seems that Charlie needs a more sophisticated explanation. "Even as a riolu, I have a slight connection to the aura. My sensory abilities are almost as good as that of a simple psychic type. When I threw the flash bang, I obviously didn't mean for you to get caught in it. We only had three seconds to disarm them before they started firing again. They were too far for me to strike and I didn't have any ranged attacks so I thought about 'hey, why not?'."

"Wait, hold up." Charlie stopped and leaned against a wall. "You're telling me, you didn't care that I got caught in the blast?"

"Yes, now don't interrupt my explanation if you want to hear the whole story." Jason stood next to Charlie, keeping his ears focused on the surrounding in case trouble might occur. "And the one with the weavile, my main intention was to shut you up. My original plan was to paralyze both your arms and pin your face against the wall. Then I sensed the weavile coming so I thought I could use your blind fury to knock the weavile out. Perhaps even use the surprise to silence you."

Charlie's eyes widened at the realization of what Jason was saying. "Wait, so THAT part was improvised, using me for your twisted ends?"

"... er... yes." Jason felt awkward about it all. He knew that the more he spoke the more irritated Charlie would be. Then again, why should he care about how Charlie felt? All that Charlie's done was mock him, look down on him, brag about how strong he is, and putting him back to his place gave Jason much joy.

"Do you do that often?" Charlie asked. "Improvising? Do you do that in every battle you go to?"

Jason scoffed, placing his hands behind his head and walked more relaxed. "It's definitely easier than spending hours planning ahead or charging in with no idea whatsoever. Besides, it helps me adapt to situations."

"You made me look like a fool." Charlie barked out, his anger still welling up inside as an endless cauldron of bubbling fury.

"You never gave me a chance to explain." Jason retorted, keeping a stern and assertive voice to reason with the brute. "I tried to reason with you but NO. You let your rage take over and started firing like an idiot. And here I thought you'd be too proud to even try and take me down."

Charlie didn't meet Jason's gaze, to ashamed to even look at the riolu. It was true, all that Jason said. It was silly of him to have lashed out like that. He could've destroyed public property, even hurt the lives of innocents, all because of his blind fury. Charlie felt odd about it, a bit confused about it himself. Why did he just lash out like that? Once the fight had ended and his thoughts had cleared, even he found his actions as stupid and unnecessary. Of course Charlie would never admit his faults, not to Jason at least.

The two were silent for the next couple of minutes, Jason awaiting the charmander's response whilst Charlie just stayed silent in shame. They passed through buildings, stands, parks and several other landmarks that left Jason breathless. How had he missed so much of Avalon's stunning modern half all his life?

Charlie took a glance at the riolu, seeing the dumb-looking curious expression on the riolu's face. It angered him, remember how he was now reduced to being a guide only... no... what was he saying? He wasn't this riolu's guide, he's a recruit tasked to patrol the city. And here's his partner, the stupid, ignorant dog staring at everything he could possibly see. It was insulting, a recruit in the academy acting all dumb and oblivious to the world around him. Yet, oddly, it was amusing to the charmander. He didn't notice it at all that he was smiling, watching the riolu stare curiously at everything. It gave Charlie a sense of purpose and reason... he felt like he had a younger brother to look out for.

"Dammit!" Charlie explained, thinking quite louder than he should've.

Jason flinched at the sudden cry of the charmander. "What?"

"Nothing!" with his face glowing red in embarrassment, the charmander turned to avoid eye contact and to make sure Jason wouldn't see him in his shameful condition.

Jason, however, didn't need to see it to know what the charmander was feeling. He could feel Charlie's emotions. The charmander was flustered, obviously embarrassed at his sudden outburst. But what could have caused him to suddenly yell like that? "Charlie, are you alright? Are you overthinking about what happened before? If I were you, I'd just forget about it. I know I would."

"It's not about that dammit!" Charlie exclaimed causing some of the passers-by to stare and take a glance. "Ugh... just forget about it."

"You first." Jason joking answered back.

"Already did." Charlie didn't even wait for the riolu to respond as he stormed off to continue the patrolling with Jason following soon after.

All was dull once more soon after. With absolutely nothing in mind, the two continued their patrol without uttering a single word. Nothing significant occurred later that day. No criminals to apprehend, nothing to do but make sure everyone was safe. Jason couldn't handle the stillness. He could've managed when he was alone in his room crying himself to sleep, but now he's out and about and he needs someone to talk to.

"Charlie, do you ever wonder how we can keep an entire mile's worth of people protected when it's just the two of us?" Jason asked, thinking of some random topic that would come to mind.

"You honestly think that we're the only ones assigned to this part of the district?" Charlie asked, he too seemed bored out of his mind that he was willing to humor the riolu. "There are several others patrolling this part of the district, we just haven't run into them yet. It's also possible that we wouldn't run into them."

"That's good. Wouldn't want any crime happening the moment we leave the scene now would we?" Jason dared to give Charlie a friendly nudge at the shoulder.

Charlie didn't seem to mind though, but he gave Jason no positive sign of acknowledgement. "Why do you think dad gave you flash bangs instead of tear gas?" Charlie asked, his gaze focused intently on the ground in deep contemplation and his voice soft and sorrowful.

Jason glanced at the troubled charmander, feeling sorry for his rival a bit. "Charlie, your dad gave the two of us flash bangs." Jason pointed to the charmander's pack, signalling the charmander to take a look. "Do you even check what we were given?"

Charlie opened his pack only to find it true, they did have flash bangs. "Well... I felt like you would be my secretary during this mission." Charlie answered, trying to salvage his already damaged ego. "You took the time rummaging around your pack I thought that I'd just have you hand me the things I need."

"That's got to be the worst excuse you could make right now." The riolu chuckled, crossing his arms and eyeing the charmander teasingly. "I've never heard of a soldier running around with a secretary following him around."

"Well now you have." Charlie nodded sarcastically, showing off a side of him that Jason's never seen before.

"Wow, I never knew you were capable of making jokes." Jason couldn't help but let out a laugh, amused at the charmander's attempt of joking. "You should try this more often."

Charlie scoffed, dismissing Jason's request quite coldly. "I won't be granting you the luxury."

Jason let out an amused sigh and gazed upon the city once more, admiring the sights and sceneries of the modern side of Avalon. The sights, sounds, smells and the overall ambiance of the area captivated Jason as the two went on their merry way. Moments turned to minutes, then to hours, and soon the two felt the need for a well-deserved break.

"Charlie..." Jason groaned, clutching onto his stomach and walking like a sleepy limp person out of exaggeration. "I'm getting hungry. Can't we take a break?"

Charlie didn't want to admit it at all, but he's been starving for quite some time now. Only his pride held his tongue, unable to show Jason even the slightest hint of weakness. But since the riolu asked first, perhaps now's the best time to take a break. "Yeah... I guess we could go for a little break..." Charlie tried his best to appear professional, trying to hide his immense need for a snack... but his grumbling stomach quickly shattered that endeavour.

The two were silent for a few moments, almost forgetting about their hunger. Charlie stared at Jason, embarrassed at how loud his stomach complained. Jason, on the other hand, stared at Charlie, trying his best to hold back his amusement as he stared at the flustered charmander. "Wow... you really waited THIS long to admit it?" he chuckled, though not intending to sound too full of himself.

"I know a good place not too far from here." Charlie exclaimed, quickly turning to the direction of said eatery with a fast pace trying to avoid further embarrassment.

Jason immediately followed, his pace just as fast, if not faster, than the charmander's. "Charlie, I swear, I don't have any intention of demeaning you. You don't have the need to act high and mighty in front of me, I'm not a bad guy."

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Charlie yelled back, his steps turning into stomps as he picked up his pace though Jason managed to catch up. "You don't mind Italian food right?" though his question seemed kind or concerned in nature... the way Charlie said it sounded furious and threatening.

"I love Italian--"

Jason hadn't even finished his sentence when Charlie gave his reply. "Good, 'cause I'm taking you somewhere NOT Italian."

"Wait!" Jason called out, grabbing the charmander's hand to slow him down. "Are we even allowed to have breaks?"

Charlie smacked away the riolu's hand and continued his pace. "Are you stupid or something? Do you think the academy would let us work a whole day without eating or taking a break?"

"Well..." Jason chuckled at his own question after re-examining it. "I guess not..."

"Good. Now shut up and hurry up!" Charlie's pace quickened once more forcing the riolu to jog behind.