Chapter Text
Late one evening, as Bennett walks to the front doors of the house, he hears a knock on one of them.
That’s a bit odd. Most people use the doorbell. He supposes it’s nothing too notable, though, so he brushes it off to open the door. “Hello?”
And then he freezes. Because the girl on the other side takes his breath away.
She has bright blonde hair just past the shoulders with a black and white headdress. Her entire outfit is monochrome, actually, and a gloved hand is raised and positioned as if she’s about to ring the doorbell, though she’s paused at the sight of Bennett. She lowers it and gives him a sweet smile. “Excuse me—”
Bennett’s eyes widen.
After a moment, he realizes that the girl is staring at him expectantly. “S-sorry, could you repeat that?”
“Excuse me, but is Ms. Serra Voclain here?” the girl asks.
“Y-yes, she’s here,” Bennett stammers. “She’s my mother. And you are…?”
The girl’s smile grows. “My name is Luna, and this is my dear friend, Gardevoir.”
…oh! There actually is a Gardevoir next to her, slightly levitating a pair of suitcases, one black and one green, with psychic power.
“Greetings to you both,” Bennett said, trying to make a good first impression. “My name is Bennett.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Luna said. “May I speak to Ms. Voclain, please?”
“Right, of course! I’ll go get her, you can both come in,” Bennett says, stepping back.
As the other two enter, he bolts to the kitchen. His mother looks over from the pantry as he enters. “Bennett? I thought you were going out.”
“I was, but— my soulmate! She’s here!” Bennett says, excited.
His mother looks shocked. “What?! Really?!”
“I think so!” Bennett says.
“…what do you mean, you ‘think so?’” his mother asks.
“The first thing she said was ‘Excuse me!’” Bennett says. “And just looking at her took my breath away… it has to be her, right?”
His mother frowns. “How did she respond to what you said first?”
“Well, she didn’t… but with how late it is, I expected it to be someone that we already know at the door, so I just said ‘Hello,’” Bennett admits. “I guess she doesn’t know yet…”
“Please tell me you didn’t leave her outside…” his mother says.
“No, I invited her and her Gardevoir inside,” Bennett says. “She wants to talk to you.”
His mother raises a brow. “About what?”
“I’m not sure, but she’s waiting in the living room,” Bennett says.
“Well, all right then…” his mother mutters, starting to walk over. “Let’s go see her.”
Bennett nods, and the two of them walk to the living room, where Luna and Gardevoir wait.
“Hello, I was told you were looking for me?” Bennett’s mother says.
“That is correct,” Luna says, still smiling. “My name is Luna, and I am your daughter.”
What?
“What?” Bennett’s mother asks, seeming just as confused as him.
“I said that I am your daughter,” Luna repeats. “And this is my good friend, Gardevoir.”
“Charmed, I’m sure~” a new voice says cheerfully.
Bennett looks around, confused.
“…I’m sorry, did the Gardevoir just talk?” his mother asks.
“Of course! I’m sure you’ve seen me on TV, haven’t you?” Gardevoir asks. “The one and only Gossip Gardevoir?”
“That wasn’t faked?” Bennett asks.
Gardevoir huffs. “Clearly not!”
“…all right, let’s go back to the other thing,” Bennett’s mother says. “I’m sorry, but I only have one child, and he’s standing right next to me.”
“And now you have another,” Luna says, undeterred. “I know that this may come as a shock, but please, allow us to stay?”
Bennett’s mother thinks for a few moments, still clearly befuddled, before sighing. “…well, I guess you can at least stay the night.”
“Thank you, Mother!” Luna says, bringing her hands up and clasping them together, fingers intertwining. “Have you and Bennett eaten dinner yet?”
“Uh, no?” Bennett’s mother says.
“Then I will make something for all of us,” Luna says.
Bennett’s mother tries to tell her she doesn’t have to, but she insists, and is eventually led to the kitchen after handing her bag off to Gardevoir. Bennett, meanwhile, takes Gardevoir upstairs to show her the guest rooms.
He’s… definitely a bit confused by all of this. How could he not be? The most beautiful girl he’s ever seen shows up, says the words of his soulmark, and claims his mother as her own?
…maybe Luna meant it as in Bennett’s mother is her mother-in-law? Or—
“Is this your room?” Gardevoir asks, looking into… Bennett’s room.
“Yes, and please stay out!” he says, surprised. He points to the room across from his own. “The guest rooms are on this side of the hall.”
“Mmm. I’ll take this one, then,” Gardevoir says as she walks over to the room.
“Are you sure?” Bennett asks as she opens a door and floats the green suitcase into the room. “Maybe Luna would prefer that room?”
Gardevoir looks at him over her shoulder, seeming to size him up before answering. “No. She wouldn’t.”
“Well, if you’re sure…” Bennett mutters, a bit disappointed. But he guesses it’s not too different that Luna will be down the hall instead of right across from him, so… “I hope that we can get along, Gardevoir.”
Gardevoir stares at him for a long moment before smiling. “So do I! Now, I’ll just get Luna’s things into her room, and then we can head to the kitchen together, hmm?”
Bennett blinks. She seems… completely different than she did just a second ago. But then, the way she seemed just a second ago was completely different than how she seemed before that. So maybe it’s fine?
He nods, and she heads over to the other side of the hall.
This is all really confusing. But he’ll figure it out eventually.
For now… he guesses he’ll have dinner. He was planning to go do some Bug Type research in the forest, then have something to eat when he came back. But how could he do that when Luna is cooking for everyone?
She may be his soulmate, after all.
— — —
It’s been a few weeks since Luna moved in, and Bennett thinks they’re getting along pretty well!
She’s really sweet. She listens to him talk about his research, and cooks and bakes such delicious food.
In fact, she’s just done that last thing, and sets a plate down in front of Bennett before sitting down across from him.
“Sorry, what exactly did you say that this is called?” Bennett asks, examining the baked good on his plate. It looks a lot like a yellow slice of bread with frosting on it.
“This would be lemon pound cake,” Luna explains as she picks up her fork. “I do hope that you enjoy it.”
“I’m sure that I will!” Bennett says, picking up his own fork. He gets a bite onto it and puts it in his mouth, and the moment it hits his tongue, his eyes widen. The second his mouth is empty, praise comes out of it. “This is amazing!”
“…I am glad that you think so,” Luna says.
Bennett stares at her in confusion. After her own first bite, she started to stare at her slice almost… somberly?
After another moment, he speaks. “…are you okay?”
Luna looks back up to him, surprised. “…my apologies. I was just reminded of… an old friend of mine.”
“Someone who lives close to your father’s house?” Bennett asks.
“No. Someone from before I first moved in with him,” Luna says.
Bennett’s eyes widen a bit. She doesn’t often talk about her life before she first moved in with her adoptive father, and this is the first time she’s ever mentioned a specific person.
“This was an old favorite of his,” she continues. “I cannot help but think of him at the taste.”
“Who is this person?” Bennett asks.
“I suppose you could call him a childhood friend,” Luna says. “Not a day passes by that I do not think about him, really, but this made the memories a touch more vivid.”
Bennett freezes up. “Is he… your soulmate?”
He still hasn’t figured the whole soulmate thing out. Luna hasn’t brought the idea that they might be each other’s up at all, but then, neither has he. He’s just been really nervous about it. It’s a big deal, after all.
She shakes her head. “No. He is someone very dear to me, but we are not soulmates.”
“Are you sure?” Bennett asks. “If you knew each other before you got your soulmarks, there could be a chance…”
Since soulmarks aren’t usually there at birth, it’s possible for soulmates to meet before the marks form. They always find out eventually, though, since soulmates tend to feel a pull towards each other, especially if they’re unaware of or trying to deny the bond.
“I am certain. He has no soulmate,” Luna says.
“…oh,” Bennett says, surprised.
That is a thing that happens sometimes. Some people will just… never have a soulmark form. It’s supposed to be incredibly rare, though; he’s never actually met a soulmateless person before.
“Despite that, we’re bound in… a different sense,” Luna says. “Though to be honest, I would prefer not to speak of such things.”
“…all right,” Bennett says.
He’s still curious, of course. He’s pretty sure this is the most Luna’s ever talked about her life before moving in with her adoptive father. But she always refuses to talk about it when pushed.
So he’ll just enjoy the cake and talk about other things with her.
— — —
A couple months pass, and Bennett and Luna just get closer and closer.
He really thinks she must be his soulmate. He feels such a pull to her, it must be the one he’s heard about, right? And she’s always so eager to spend time with him, she must feel it too.
Right now they’re sitting at the table in his room, and he’s showing her some of his research notes.
She listens to him like nobody else does. Asks questions that make it obvious she really is, and isn’t just pretending to. It makes his heart thump harder, and he thinks that maybe this is the time.
So he pushes his notebook away. “So, Luna…”
“Hmm?” Luna hums.
Oh goodness, Bennett’s heart is beating so hard right now. But… he can’t just come out and say “We’re soulmates,” right? This should be the most romantic moment of their lives. He needs to make it special.
They’re sitting right next to each other, so… he reaches out to cup her face.
And she immediately jerks away from his hand.
“I— sorry, did I do something wrong?” Bennett asks, surprised. That wasn’t like Luna…
“…my apologies. That was terribly rude of me,” Luna says, seeming equally surprised. “But… I would ask that you not touch me without warning…”
“O-oh, sorry…” Bennett says awkwardly, taking his hand away. He clears his throat. “But what I wanted to say was… Luna, you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met. Your blonde hair, your hazel eyes—”
“My what eyes?” Luna interrupts, uncharacteristically. She looks kinda… freaked out?
“Hazel. That’s the color they are, right?” Bennett asks, confused. He’s not great at eye contact, but he’s looked into hers a few times— he’s looking at the visible one right now. He’s seen hazel used to refer to a spectrum of light colors between green and brown, and he’s pretty sure her light brown eyes fall into it.
“…I suppose they are,” Luna says. “Although, if you would allow me another request, I would ask that you not refer to them as such.”
“All right,” Bennett says. “Anyway, my point was—”
“Ahem.”
He jolts in surprise, looking up to see that Gardevoir has suddenly appeared behind him.
“Is there something you need, Gardevoir?” Luna asks.
“Just to talk to Bennett for a moment!” Gardevoir says. “Privately!”
Before Bennett can respond, she’s teleported both him and herself to her own room. The sudden lack of a chair underneath him means he falls onto the ground with a yelp.
“What were you doing?!” Gardevoir hisses, hands on her hips.
Bennett stands up, confused, before it clicks. “Were you spying on us?!”
Gardevoir rolls her eyes. “Obviously. And it’s a good thing that I was, given what you were about to pull!”
“What are you talking about? I was just trying to tell her that we’re soulmates!” Bennett says.
This is completely baffling. Gardevoir can be a bit pushy, even invasive, but she’s also been consistently bubbly and sweet. She also obviously cares about Luna a lot, to the point of doting on her at times. So why does Gardevoir suddenly seem so angry about such a good thing?
“But you’re not. You’ve just convinced yourself that you are,” Gardevoir says plainly.
Bennett’s face falls. “Her soulmark isn’t…?”
Gardevoir doesn’t answer, just looks away.
“…wait, do you not know?” Bennett asks.
“That kind of thing can be private!” Gardevoir snaps, glaring at him.
“I-I know that!” Bennett says, a bit flustered.
He’s not sure where Luna’s soulmark is, just that it must be somewhere under her clothes. He hasn’t asked about it because… well, like Gardevoir said, what if it’s somewhere private? He wouldn’t want to accidentally insinuate that he wants to see her chest, or something…
“But…” he continues, standing up a bit straighter. “If you haven’t seen her soulmark, and she hasn’t told you what it says, I don’t see how you can say with certainty that I’m not her soulmate.”
“Because she would’ve had some sort of reaction to it by now,” Gardevoir says. “Don’t you think that she would’ve at least had a change in expression when you first spoke to her?”
“She’s just an incredibly calm person,” Bennett points out. “Besides, a lot of people’s first word to others is ‘Hello.’”
Most people who haven’t met their soulmate yet try to be careful not to make their first words to people too generic, but obviously there are always slip ups. Plus, it’s not something that needs to be worried about if the speaker has already met their soulmate. Luna has probably heard “Hello” from people she’s just met many times before.
Gardevoir huffs out a sigh. “All right, fine. Let’s take a second to pretend that you two are soulmates. Why would your response to this information be to attempt to put the moves on her?”
“Because… we’re soulmates, of course!” Bennett says, confused. “We’re meant to be together!”
Gardevoir makes a sound that sounds like an incorrect buzzer on a game show, crossing her arms in an X formation. “Nope! Not true! Factually incorrect!”
“What are you talking about? Of course it’s true!” Bennett says.
“No, it’s not!” Gardevoir says, bringing her hands back to her hips. “Soulmates are people that are meant to be incredibly important to each other; there’s no hard rule that that must be romantic!”
“Well, that’s… the expectation…” Bennett says weakly.
Gardevoir isn’t wrong. Soulmates who opt to make their relationship strictly platonic have always existed, and there’s been a notable rise in the number that do over the last few decades.
But he’s also not wrong. Romantic soulmates, especially when the pair is one man and one woman, are the expected default.
Gardevoir stares at him for a long few moments in silence before letting her arms fall as she sighs, this one more exasperated then frustrated. “Bennett, listen to me. You are someone that Luna cares about a lot, but she specifically sees you as a brother. Against my better judgment, I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you care for her, too.”
Bennett scowls. “Of course I—”
“Hush!” Gardevoir interrupts, and he feels his mouth shut against his will. It doesn’t stay that way, but he’s too taken aback by what just happened to speak, so she continues. “As I was saying… Luna has been through a lot. She’s trying to build a family for herself, and the last thing that she needs is for her brother to start insisting that they’re destined to start kissing… and more.”
Bennett cringes a bit at that. He’s never seen Luna as a sister, but… he guesses that some others do see the two of them as siblings, all things considered. That will probably lead to a few awkward conversations somewhere down the line…
“You get one more chance,” Gardevoir continues. “If I find you trying this again, you’re getting worse than a talking to. Capiche?”
Again, Bennett scowls. “I—”
“Good~!” Gardevoir interrupts. “Now, I have things to do! See you at dinner!”
She teleports Bennett out into the hallway before he can answer.
He stands still for a few moments, in shock over… well, all of that! He can’t believe that she just accused his and Luna’s bond of being a false soulmate situation!
Yes, that is a thing that has been known to happen. Sometimes, people will convince themselves that they’re soulmates with another person when they aren’t. But that’s obviously not what’s happening here. He adores Luna… no, he loves her! He’s sure they’re soulmates!
So who does Gardevoir think she is, trying to dictate his relationship with Luna? He thinks that he knows just what the two of them have better than a third party!
He tries to open the door to Gardevoir’s room so that he can explain to her all of the things she’s so obviously missed, but it’s locked.
“Bennett?” Luna’s voice calls from behind him, and he turns to see her peeking out of his room. “Did something happen?”
“…no, nothing,” Bennett says as he walks back over. “Let’s just go back to what we were doing before, okay?”
He could tell her about everything Gardevoir said, but… that would require telling her about the fact that they’re soulmates, too. And after what just happened, the moment has been thoroughly ruined.
Eventually, though. He’ll tell her eventually.
— — —
More time passes, but Bennett doesn’t find a good opportunity to tell Luna about them being soulmates.
He can’t do it when Gardevoir is around. She always acts like her usual bubbly self, but she occasionally gives him a look that makes it clear that her threat is still in play.
But during the times she’s not around, things are never perfect. His mother is also nearby, or Luna is busy with something, or he just doesn’t feel like the mood is right.
Eventually, though, the time will come. He’s sure of it. In fact, maybe it could be right now! She left to buy groceries earlier, but he swears he heard the front door open not long ago. If that was her, she’s probably done putting the groceries away by now, so he leaves his room to go find her.
And find her he does, though not in a situation he expected. Instead, he hears a commotion from her room, and when he wanders over and fully opens the cracked open door, he sees her and Gardevoir frantically packing things into her suitcase and bag. They don’t even seem to notice him.
He stares for a moment before a confused “Uh…” leaves his mouth, and both of the others’ heads snap to him.
“O-oh, Bennett,” Luna says, and he’s a bit shocked to hear her stutter. He doesn’t think he’s ever heard her do that before.
“Are you leaving?” Bennett blurts out.
It’s the only conclusion he can think of, especially since Gardevoir’s suitcase also sits nearby.
“I… yes, we are,” Luna admits, apologetic sounding. “Something has come up, and we must return to my master’s castle.”
Vanhanen Castle, she means. That’s where her adoptive father— which is who she means by her master— lives.
Bennett frowns at the information. “But… what about us?”
“I did not wish to leave you and Mother so soon or abruptly, but this is unfortunately unavoidable,” Luna explains. Then she walks over to Bennett and takes his hands in hers, giving them a soft squeeze. It surprises him and makes him blush. “Please, do not think of this as a ‘Goodbye,’ but instead a ‘We’ll meet again.’ I do not intend to leave forever.”
“O-okay!” Bennett stammers, and he swears his voice squeaks a bit.
Luna smiles so softly. “There is one more thing I must ask of you. If someone should come asking for Gardevoir or l, please do not let them know where we have gone.”
“You want me to lie?” Bennett asks, surprised.
Luna frowns at that. “If you must. I’m sorry to ask this of you, but it is of the utmost importance that our location remains a secret.”
“Well… okay,” Bennett says. “If it’s for you, Luna, I’ll do it!”
Luna’s frown turns back into that smile that makes his heart beat faster. “Thank you, Bennett. I hope that we will see each other again soon.”
“All ready!” Gardevoir says, zipping up Luna’s suitcase. “Now, let’s get going!”
Luna removes her hands from Bennett’s, to his disappointment, and walks over to Gardevoir. Before anyone can say anything more, they’re gone. Teleported away.
Well… all right. He’s not sure exactly what’s going on here, but he’s sure that Luna has a good reason for suddenly leaving like this.
And maybe this could be a good thing. Maybe being away from him will make her feel that pull, and she’ll realize that they’re soulmates.
With that thought, he smiles, leaving to find something else to do.
— — —
A few weeks later, Bennett is at the store buying groceries.
The grocery list is certainly different with Luna gone. She liked to cook meals for everyone that were much different than anything that Bennett had ever eaten outside of a restaurant. On occasion he’d even call the meals she made extravagant.
But he and his mother are far from that level of chef. Actually, to call either of them chefs would be overly generous. So today’s grocery list has gone back to what they were in the days before Luna, full of things that require no more prep than being put in the oven or microwave for a while.
He looks at the list as he walks through an aisle, trying to—
“Excuse me……..”
Bennett freezes up in surprise, not having even been aware that someone was coming his way until the pink haired girl was walking past him, muttering those words despite the fact that the two of them don’t really come close to touching. A nice floral scent meets his nose.
She continues walking, soon leaving both the aisle and his sight, but he keeps staring at the space where she was. For a moment, there’s a weird feeling in his chest.
That was… odd. What in the world just happened?
He thinks for a few moments, but… the only idea he can come up with is silly. Luna is his soulmate, after all, and he loves her. It would be an insult to even consider the idea that this other random girl could take her place. And the feeling he just felt couldn’t be called pleasant, so the idea that it was the pull soulmates feel towards each other is equally nonsensical.
Maybe he’s just allergic to whatever perfume she was wearing. Yes, that makes more sense.
With that thought, Bennett gets back to his shopping.
— — —
The next day, two visitors appear late in the evening.
The first of them is a girl named Carly. She came because her friend needs some medicine that’s only available at the PokéMart, and due to recent strange happenings, it’s on the balcony of the house. It will likely end up elsewhere sooner or later, but in the meantime, she’ll be challenging Bennett’s mother to a Gym Battle.
The second, much more notable visitor is an older man named El. He’s Luna’s father— her actual father— and came because he’s looking for her. Obviously that didn’t work out, but he’ll be staying to watch Carly’s Gym Battle.
First, though, he’s requested to watch Bennett’s battle against her.
Bennett agreed, of course, and puts extra effort into this battle. He wants to make a good impression on his father-in-law.
But unfortunately, despite his best efforts, it’s Carly who comes out on top.
“Ah… well, it looks like I still have some adaptations to undergo myself…” Bennett says as both Trainers recall their Pokémon.
“Hey, don’t sell yourself short, that was a great battle!” Carly says.
“I agree. You were both quite impressive, young ones,” El says. “I believe you both have been gifted with Arceus’ light.”
Carly laughs lightly, shaking her head. “You’re just flattering me, really. Both of you are. I’ve still got a lot to learn, and I really am just some Trainer! No light here… I don’t think?”
“Personally, I don’t believe it’s any such ‘light,’ but instead diligence and commitment,” Bennett says, and Carly nods in agreement.
“And such diligence will indeed take you far,” El says. “But, Bennett, would you believe me if I told you that you were dreaming too small?”
“Too small, sir?” Bennett asks, confused.
It’s honestly a weird thing to hear. He’s more used to hearing people say he’s dreaming too big.
“Yes. You say you want to be a Gym Leader, but I believe that with your determination, you could even go so far as to join the Elite Four,” El says.
Bennett’s eyes widen in shock. “That— that would be… unthinkable! The Elite Four, really?”
“That would be so cool!” Carly says.
“It’s sounds fantastic, but—” Bennett says, slumping a bit. “As you can see, I still have a long way to go before I even have a chance…”
“Hey, everyone has to start somewhere!” Carly says. “And I think a longer, more difficult journey just makes a more impressive success story!”
“She is correct. And for someone of your dedication, I believe I may be able to be of service,” El says. “Let us leave your friend to her challenge. We will discuss the details elsewhere, and you may find yourself in a new position in time.”
“Do… do you really mean that?!” Bennett asks.
El nods. “I do.”
Well, then, Bennett would be a fool not to say yes! He’s being given a chance to both join the Elite Four, and to get to know his father-in-law! And since El is searching for Luna, maybe they’ll reunite sooner than Bennett thought!
Even though it hasn’t been that long, he really misses her. There’s nobody else here who likes him like she does. He talks to his mother’s Gym Trainers sometimes, but… well, it’s not like they like him any more than they did before. They still say the same things when they think he’s not listening.
Aside from that, he’s started to think that soulmates aren’t meant to be apart from each other like this, so it really would be best if he could see Luna again as soon as possible. And he’s sure she’ll be glad to see him, too!
With all that in mind, he soon leaves the room, ready to discuss things further while Carly battles his mother.
— — —
Bennett dives into training, as well as helping El— or rather, Elias— with other things.
He hasn’t told Elias about the soulmate thing. He’ll obviously have to eventually, but… well, that’s a conversation he should have with Luna first, right?
Besides, there are a lot of other things to do. And that’s why, over a week later, Bennett finds himself doing something he wouldn’t have expected to not too long ago: bringing a restrained boy into a ceremony.
There’s an explanation, of course. Thanks to Bennett, Elias tracked down Luna and had her brought to a sanctum for this ceremony. Bennett isn’t entirely sure of the details, but it will be good for her.
Unfortunately, some people want to stop it from happening. The boy, Cain, is one of them, though he was captured when Luna was brought here.
One of the other people is Carly. Apparently, she’s much less nice than she seemed when Bennett first met her, so Cain is being used as leverage to make sure she doesn’t try anything.
As for the ceremony itself, apparently it involves… shaving Luna’s head?
Carly, then Bennett, then one of Elias’ subordinates, Ace, protest the idea, but Elias seems intent on it. Seems mad at Bennett for his confusion, even.
But before Elias can do anything to Luna, new voices speak up. Gardevoir appears, teleporting all of the nearby acolytes away except for one, who turns out to be Luna’s adoptive father, Radomus.
Then she teleports right next to Bennett, glaring at him. “Bennett, darling, would you mind stepping away from the pretty boy?”
Instead of letting him respond, she uses psychic energy to knock him away and onto the ground, freeing Cain.
“Gardevoir, it’s been a while…” Bennett says, unsure of what to say next. He can’t say this was entirely unexpected, after all.
“It has, and it’s been even longer since my warning,” Gardevoir says as she cuts away the rope binding Cain’s wrists. “As you can see, though, it still applies.”
Clearly. He actually hit the ground hard enough that there’s a sting.
Luna is freed, and soon Gardevoir teleports the two of them, Carly, Cain, and Radomus away.
Elias is mad, specifically at Ace, since they let it happen. As for Bennett…
…he’s not sure what he feels, actually. But he has the distinct feeling that something about this was a mistake.
— — —
The next morning, Bennett makes his way to the valley that serves as Luna’s Gym.
He’s been thinking since yesterday, and he knows he needs to apologize to her. His and Elias’ intentions were good, of course, but he’s come to realize that maybe the ceremony wouldn’t have actually been the best thing for her.
Aside from that, though, he thinks it’s finally time to tell her that they’re soulmates. Waiting for a perfect moment has just stretched things out and caused unnecessary misunderstandings, so it’s time to set the record straight, especially if Gardevoir has said anything in the time since yesterday…
Carly is also here— he actually got in by following her. She doesn’t seem too enthusiastic to see him, but after explaining why he’s here, he leaves her behind to keep searching for Luna.
He doesn’t have anything against Carly, as he believes that Elias and his subordinates may have been exaggerating the things they said about her before, but Bennett would still like to talk to Luna privately, without her there. He’ll just have to get to Luna first.
That turns out to be easier said than done, though. This place has multiple dead ends, and he soon runs into Carly and her Pangoro again as she picks something up. They both turn at the sound of his footsteps.
“Bennett… it’s good that you’re sorry, but have you considered that maybe Luna doesn’t… want to see you?” Carly asks.
“What? Of course she’ll want to see me,” Bennett says. “Like I said, I’m aware she’s upset, but that’s exactly why I need to apologize. And I have known her for quite a while longer than you have, so I think I know her better than you do.”
Carly shares a look with her Pokémon. “I mean, I guess, but…”
Bennett hesitates. He really wanted to discuss this with Luna before anyone else, but… maybe it will make Carly understand. “Carly, have you met your soulmate?”
“Yeah, you held him hostage yesterday,” Carly says.
“…oh. Sorry about that,” Bennett says awkwardly. He had no idea she and that Cain boy were soulmates. “But I ask because… well, Luna is mine.”
Carly eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously? She didn’t mention that…”
“I don’t believe she knows. Our first words to each other were unfortunately generic,” Bennett says.
“So, wait…” Carly says, sounding suspicious. “Are you definitely soulmates, or just maybe?”
“Definitely, of course,” Bennett says. “That’s why I need to apologize to her immediately. If you and Cain were to get into a fight, you’d want to make up as soon as possible, wouldn’t you?”
“…yeah, I would…” Carly admits.
She still seems hesitant, but ends up agreeing to let Bennett talk to Luna alone… but as she points out, he’ll have to make his way through the valley alongside her and her Pokémon, since she has a tool necessary for the task. So he agrees, and the group starts to travel together, Pangoro occasionally breaking through green crystals or red cave walls.
Occasionally, Carly asks some kind of question. The first one is “So, uh… how are you feeling?” but the rest are related to the valley. “Aren’t these caves so interesting looking?” or “Doesn’t the air out here feel so nice?” or “What do you think makes these crystals react like this?” Each time, he gives a brief answer before politely requesting she refocus on the task at hand.
Eventually they reach what they both agree is the end, and Pangoro makes an opening. Bennett moves to enter, but Carly holds up a hand.
As she points out, Luna isn’t expecting him, and might think he’s here because of Elias. So it might be better for Carly to go in first and let Luna know why he’s here. He’s not crazy about the idea, but she does have a point, so he allows it. She and her Pokémon go in.
He waits… but it doesn’t take long for him to get anxious. It’s only been a minute, but how long does “Bennett wants to apologize” take to say?
And the idea pops into his head that this may be a trick. Maybe this isn’t actually the end, and Carly intends to leave him in the dust. Or maybe she’s even lying to Luna about why he’s here. He doesn’t want to think Carly would do that, but…
He can’t take it any longer. He walks in.
Luna and Carly are there, to his relief, chatting while Pangoro stares at the nearby monitor.
“Yeah, it’s really pretty!” Carly says. “But, um, there was something I—”
Before she can finish, Luna looks past her and tenses up. “Bennett? How can this be?”
Carly whirls around, and her Pangoro’s head shoots up, as Luna backs up. Bennett ignores the former two to approach the latter, walking around Carly.
“Bennett, I told you to wait outside,” she says.
“You were taking too long,” Bennett explains before focusing completely on Luna. “I want to apologize, Luna.”
He steps closer, but Luna backs up for some reason. “There is no need to apologize. I hold nothing against you. Now please, if you will, leave us be? We do have business, after all.”
“Bennett, you’re—”
“No, Luna— you don’t understand,” Bennett says, shaking his head. “I just, I want what’s best for you, and I was really confused and—”
“Bennett, it is quite all right,” Luna says, as sweet as always. “You need not say any more.”
“Bennett—”
“No, I—” Bennett says.
This is it.
This is the moment.
“Luna, we’re soulmates!”
He’s thought about this moment so many times. About how she might react. Joy was a given, but what else? An expression of realization? Or maybe a confession that she knew all along, and was just waiting for him to make the first move?
But as Luna backs up again, she has a look on her face that… well, he’s sure that it’s not any of the looks he expected her to give him. “I beg your pardon?”
“That’s it!”
Suddenly the back of Bennett’s shirt is grabbed, and he’s pulled back hard enough to make him stumble.
“Go. I’ll deal with him.”
“Thank you…”
When Bennett regains his balance, Luna is gone, and he’s alone with an upset looking Carly and her also upset looking Pokémon, who has moved to stand by its Trainer’s side.
“Why did you do that?!” Bennett asks, completely bewildered.
“Are you kidding me?” Carly asks. “Bennett, you were upsetting her!”
“No, I wasn’t!” Bennett says.
“Were you looking at or listening to her!?” Carly asks.
“Of course I was!” Bennett says. “Besides, she’s my soulmate!”
“So?!” Carly asks.
“What do you mean, ‘So?’” Bennett asks, incredulous.
“I mean, who cares if she’s your soulmate?” Carly asks. “That doesn’t give you any right to her! If she doesn’t want to see you, you need to leave her alone!”
“She said it was okay!” Bennett says.
“And then she ran away at the first opportunity!” Carly argues.
“Well, th-that—” Bennett stammers, unsure of how to counter the words for a moment. “If Cain ran away from you, would you just let him?”
“I would! I did!” Carly claims.
That takes Bennett aback… but then, can he really believe it? Maybe the things that Elias and his subordinates said about her were true after all. Maybe she really is a manipulator, just telling him what she thinks will make him back down.
“I shouldn’t have brought you here…” Carly says after a moment. “You need to leave, Bennett.”
“And what if I refuse?” Bennett asks, agitated.
“Then we’ll make you leave,” Carly says, and her Pangoro lets out a sound of agreement.
Obviously, Bennett isn’t about to leave without a fight… but unfortunately, the result of this battle is the same as their first one. Despite spending the last week or so training with a member of the Elite Four, he loses to her.
“Leave,” Carly says afterwards. “I need to go apologize to Luna— an actual apology.”
…fine. Bennett may have been a fool today, but he’ll go back to Elias and keep training. Become a member of the Elite Four. And as he leaves, he makes a vow. “I promise, next time you see me, things will be different.”
“I sincerely hope so, Bennett,” Carly says.
He leaves, humiliated and angry.
…but he’s not that much of a fool. He can try to rationalize it all he wants, but at the end of the day, there are only a few explanations for why Luna responded the way that she did. Maybe she doesn’t want to be his soulmate, or maybe she never was at all. Possibly both. And she’s clearly not actually over yesterday, either.
Well, maybe she’ll change her tune once he’s part of the Elite Four, but it’ll be too late by then! Even if she is his soulmate, he’s not about to just let this slide!
And as for Carly… Bennett wonders if her goal was to embarrass him all along. If she only brought him along to make a fool of him. Either way, she’ll pay, eventually.
Maybe this is just how girls are. Nice at first glance, only to humiliate and avoid someone and talk about them behind their back the moment they make a few mistakes.
Luna, Gardevoir, Carly, even others, like his mother’s Gym Trainers. They’ll see, eventually. One day, people are going to wish they were Bennett’s soulmate.