"It's water under the bridge, man."
For you, because you're very kind... but you were there. You saw what went down. Radegast grimaced as he stepped across the ice sheet road. The Dewgong Crystal had begun forming a flat, yet somewhat jagged path covering the worse-off rocky terrain. This allowed Radegast and OG Lee to cross with little effort. They stepped slowly and carefully to avoid slipping, but it was otherwise faster than the alternative. You saw how glad they were to have me gone...
ONE YEAR, FIVE MONTHS AGO
---
“I yield!” The clicks rang familiar in Radegast’s ear as he felt the Golisopod’s shoulder lock into the sweet spot. It almost sounded like human speech, almost. “I yield” was the first Pokemon phrase he had learned. It reminded him of five years ago.
Immediately after the clicking sounds, Radegast carefully released the lock so as to not accidentally injure his opponent. “You’re something else, kid,” the Golisopod thrummed and clicked. “I failed to pull off the counter.”
“Want to try again, from the top?” Radegast asked.
“Please.”
The fourteen-year-old and the five-foot Golisopod were equals in height, though both of them showed potential to grow ever taller. It was only recently that the Wimpod had evolved, and the Boss wanted his main man to get used to the new form.
“Remember what I showed you,” Radegast said as the two of them closed in to engage.
“YOU ARE TRULY POWERFUL, FRIEND-DREADS! I ALWAYS KNEW YOU WOULD SHOW THE PATH TO GREATER STRENGTH!” It took Rage a surprisingly short time to adopt the nickname temporarily. Radegast was surprised as well, though he never showed it. It’d be silly to mock a trusting friend like that.
Radegast had managed to step around and grab the slower Golisopod’s arm once more. C’mon, you got this, he found himself hoping, though he did not let up in his grappling technique.
The Golisopod’s arm twisted like before, but it did not lock. The Golisopod shifted its stance to switch the direction needed for the arm-lock. Good, Radegast grit his teeth as he adapted accordingly. The Golisopod did not expect the technique to return with a vengeance, and once more it clicked “I yield!”
“Don’t give the opponent a chance to recover,” Radegast spoke not unkindly as he released once more. “You’re getting it, though, you’ll be a badass yet.”
The Golisopod hummed happily.
“Again?” Radegast asked.
“I think that’s enough for today,”
“Boss,” Radegast smirked as he flashed a casual salute. “Sup, man?”
“Haven’t hurt my good buddy, didja?”
“Tried not to,” Radegast replied. The Golisopod confirmed with a rumbling chortle.
“Good stuff, when this li’l guy was a Wimpod, he used to be this scaredy-cat. Gettin’ beaten by a kid over and over again, I worry it might hurt a guy’s rep. Know what I’m saying?”
“I feel you,” Radegast nodded.
“He’s not unkind, Friend-Guzma. I wanna go again.”
“You’re tired,” Guzma replied, “I could see it from the crib.”
“He’s right, you know,” Radegast gestured towards Guzma as he turned to the Golisopod, “Fresh rest means a fresh training bod.”
“Gotta stay fresh,” The Golisopod nodded, and Guzma recalled his pokemon.
“Got a job for you, Dreads,” Guzma stepped up to Radegast. The man was a head taller than Radegast, and quite muscular in his own right. However, his lanky look contrasted sharply with Radegast’s stocky brawler look.
Radegast wore a tank-top over a tee shirt, meant to hide the most prominent scar on his body- an acid burn on his shoulder that vaguely resembles the number 3. There were light scars along his arms from many an adventure before and even during his time in Alola, but none were nearly as prominent as the ones he’d eventually have. His knuckles were calloused, but solid and unscarred. Besides the untraditional wear, he wore the trademark Team Skull garb. Cap and bandana, baggy pants, and silver bling around his neck.
“Walk with me, we’re gettin’ a squad together.”
“Doin’ it Warriors-style?” Radegast asked.
“Somethin’ like that,” Guzma replied. “Tell me whatcha think of the whole Kahunas business. If you had one word, what would it be?”
“Traditional,” Radegast replied. He had thought about that since the first time he learned about the island trials and how eerily similar it was to the Pokemon League gym circuits back in Kanto.
“Some would say too traditional,” Guzma grinned, “All o’ us, rejects from that traditionalism. Rejects from community, from decency…”
A reject from the Family.
“It ain’t right, but I have a plan.” The squad was brought together shortly after. “Here’s my plan,” Guzma began, “What do you gotta do to complete the trials?”
“Beat the captains, yo!” One member called.
“And?” Guzma asked.
“And…” The Skull members had nothing. Not even Radegast, though that was because he was not terribly familiar with the trials. Guzma continued, however. “And you gotta claim the Z-Crystals each trial gives ya.”
“Oh!”
“Without the crystals, the trial means squat.”
“We stealing the crystals then?” Radegast asked.
“Dreads’ got the right idea,” Guzma replied, “Find any you can find, but definitely get Buginium-Z. We control all of one crystal, then whoever takes on the trial’s gotta get through us too.”
“No one’s gonna mess with us!”
“Exactly, and because we’re the strongest, nothing’s gonna stop us from bein’ our own captains.”
Radegast liked this plan. Smashing traditionalist norms and giving the finger to the man who wants to control you, that was right up his alley. When details of the plan were discussed, the Skull grunts split off to spread the news to the rest of the gang throughout Po Town.
“Buginium-Z, that’s what we’re gettin’.” OG Lee formed up with Radegast.
“Hell yeah Langley,”
“It’s OG Lee, mayne,”
“Soz, brah.”
“Hey it’s all good, Dreads. You can call me whatever ya like, cuz we’re bros, bro!”
The two of them exchanged a secret handshake. As soon as they finished the handshake, a voice spoke up. “Got your own cute little thing goin’ there, huh?”
“P-P-Plumeria!” OG Lee stammered as he turned beet-red. “It ain’t mutiny, we just pals!”
“I know,” Plumeria jabbed playfully, “Saw you training Guzma’s little guy. Must be pretty strong for a fourteen-year-old.”
“Just somethin’ I picked up in the wilds, ma’am.”
“Ma’am,” Plumeria repeated with a chuckle, “You’re too proper to be hanging with this crowd, I gotta know: why did you join us?”
“Kahunas don’t like me,” Radegast had practiced that lie well enough that even the police believed it when they had asked one time.
“Indeed, we’re not well-liked at all.”
“Nothin’ wrong with disliking,” Radegast shrugged as he pushed himself onto a barricade, sitting down as if it were a bench.
“Yo haters gonna hate, bro.” OG Lee struck a pose. “We’ll bop’em like every sucka who cross us.”
“What did you do to make the Kahunas dislike you?” Plumeria asked.
Radegast was given pause. Most everyone in Team Skull just accepted that, since all of them were rejected by the Kahunas somewhere and sometime. It was what bound them together in this group; the core.
“Ran from home,” Radegast replied.
“Strict upbringing?”
“Yeah,”
“Your parents miss you?”
“… I dunno.” Radegast honestly had no idea what Marcus or Celadon were thinking now.
“Yo why you gettin’ in Dreads’ grill, Plumeria?”
“Lee,” Radegast shook his head, “I got this, bro. No worries.”
Plumeria seemed amused, “You got what?”
“I got the assignment for Buginium-Z, if you remember. If you’re gonna collect all of ‘em, you’ll need every guy you got,” Radegast’s confidence returned.
Plumeria huffed, once more, in amusement, “You seem to be hiding something, Dreads.”
“A sword is the hand that wields it, not the hammer that forged it.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means fuck where you’re from, it’s all about where you’re at.”
“Yo, maybe he’s got a past, but so do we,” OG Lee added, “You got yo past too, right? None of us dudes ask you about it, ‘cuz it don’t matter. We all in dis togetha, ya dig?”
Plumeria glanced at OG Lee, and then returned to Radegast. “Whatever,” She shrugged as she turned, “I’ll be watching you, though.”
“I wonder what that was about,” Radegast asked, though he had a semblance of an idea.
“Maybe she’s gellin’ dat you’re in wit the boss’ trainin’, dude?”
Or maybe she’s seen me last night Radegast thought about the time he came strolling down Route 14.
—
He was collecting black sand in a rather large jar. When it was full, he hoisted it over his back and began heading back. He paused when he heard a childlike shriek.
“Let’s roll!” Elder, the Gastly, barked as he and Radegast dropped the jar harmlessly into the sand and bolted towards the sound. They stopped short when they also heard crying… and laughter.
“Hey look, she’s crying!”
“Aww, poor widdle baby.” The laughter that followed seemed to irk Radegast somewhat.
Radegast cleared his throat, loudly. Three boys were picking on a small girl.
“Hey look, a Skull freak.” The laughter resumed. “Looking to battle?”
“Sure,” Radegast replied as he stepped forward.
The boy reached for his pokeball, but he didn’t expect Radegast to completely close the distance. Most would assume a Pokemon battle would start, but all the boy felt was a fist connecting with his jaw.
The laughter turned to screams as Radegast turned his attention to the other two. The boy he had just slugged dropped unconscious from the blow. “Get an idea on how she feels?” He asks, indicating the girl. “Get outta here, boys, and take your goon with you.”
The Reginald voice was rather intense this time around. Elder almost moved to help them carry their unconscious friend away.
“You alright?” Radegast asked.
The girl backed away, seemingly more scared than before. “Mommy told me not to talk to Team Skull.”
Radegast smirked, “You’ve got a good mother there,” I envy you. “Just a suggestion: you should prolly go to your mother. The abandoned Megamart ain’t a place kids should be at, ya dig?”
Radegast turned and left without waiting to hear what the girl might want to say. He knew the tune of most everyone on Ula’ula. The boy was rather notorious as a tough kid that no one messed with.
“Dude you know who that was?” Radegast caught voices as he approached the area where he dropped his jar of sand, “It’s that Team Skull enforcer. They call him Dreads, ‘cuz everyone dreads to be on his bad side.”
“He ain’t so tough. He just got a lucky shot.”
Elder spewed poison gas in the general direction of the voices. This was followed by startled yelps and coughing. “Better be running home, kids,” Radegast rose his voice mockingly. “But you better get it in your own skulls, Team Skull are the baddest dudes on Ula’ula.”
Radegast and Elder laughed all the way to the jar. However, their laugher stopped when they found someone was already there.
A young girl with purple hair and a torn dress stood between Radegast and the jar. Next to her was the young girl Radegast had helped. “You’re a real troublemaker, aren’t you?”
“I don’t like trouble,” Radegast replied, “I just don’t like bullies.”
“And yet, you’re part of Team Skull.”
“I don’t think you understand us at all if you think we’re bullies,” Radegast replied. Team Skull were not bullies, they were victims to an unfair society. If anything, they were the ultimate examples of the bullied: outcasts and rejects, people who didn’t make the cut to The only thing that mattered. Pah!
“I think I understand plenty,” The girl reached for a pokeball. “I won’t go easy on you just ‘cause you have a ghostly friend.”
“No, please,” The girl suddenly spoke up.
Even Radegast was puzzled.
“He… helped me… He didn’t do anything wrong.”
“He assaulted a child and poisoned him and his friends.”
They were throwing rocks at the mart. I told them to stop.”
“Dang,” Radegast minded his tongue in front of the children, “If I’d known that, I’d have done more to those kids. Disrespectin’ Pokemon and people.” He spat on the beach, “It ain’t right.”
Elder seemed to hold the same sentiment, for he also spat. The spittle accidentally touched a nearby Finneon, which shivered. “Sorry dude,” Elder called, to which the Finneon glubbed in annoyance and dove into the ocean depths.
“… Who are you?” The purple-haired girl asked.
“Name’s Dreads,” Radegast replied as he flicked a thumb under his nose Bruce Lee-style. “I keep it clean.”
“And what do you plan to do with this black sand?”
“Wanted to try glassblowing.” It was actually true, though saying it aloud made it seem awfully suspicious that this “fly gangsta” wanted to take up glassblowing. “I made some pipes outta bamboo, and I got a buddy who can bring the heat, but I wanted to make something cool for my crib. Dig?”
“I don’t dig,”
“Don’t matter, ‘cause it’s the truth, and you got nothin’ on me.” He gestured towards the jar of black sand “May I?”
The Captain’s eyes narrowed, and she stepped aside, bringing the girl with her. Radegast thanked them as politely as his demeanour could muster, and he hoisted the jar over his back, a tremendous feat of strength for a human his size.
This feels weirdly limiting… Radegast’s face flickered with some sadness as he left. Like I’m walking on a fence.
“Thank you, mister!” He heard a voice blurt after him.
Radegast turned, and gave a smile. “Anytime,” he replied, very unlike his Team Skull attitude.
—
Today was the day. Radegast rose from his bed, Today was the day they would begin gathering all the Buginium-Z in the world. He stole a look at a rather sloppy vase of black glass, which he had set next to the door. To most, it appeared to be a work of modern art. To Radegast, it was a failed attempt at a simple cup that he decided not to tell people about. OG Lee had mentioned, “Deeyum dude, I didn’t know you was some artist man!” when he first saw the rather mangled piece of glass.
Fortunately, Radegast had improved his skills from the few days of just doing that on the rocky hills outside Po Town, away from flammable foliage. Last night, in fact, he had perfected a simple cup, thanks largely to Suros getting used to projecting a constant jet of flame similar to a blowtorch.
The bamboo tools had been weathered by the heat, charred black on the surface, but still solid underneath. The lack of smoke that appeared whenever they touched the superheated glass also made things easier to work with.
Radegast had placed all the failed attempts all around their crib, to the point where the others started calling it “Glass House.” OG Lee liked the name, as did the other boppers who lived in it.
The crew got their gear together and headed out the door, only for Plumeria to be out there, waiting for them.
“Sup, second boss?” OG Lee asked.
“You’re with me on this operation,” Plumeria replied, though she strangely didn’t care to look at Radegast. “Let’s bounce.”
They bounced southward, and spread out somewhat in order to better comb the area. Buginium-Z was a rather common stone, given how many Bug-types frequented such a tropical location. Even in Ula’ula, which had a marginally different climate compared to the Lush Jungle where the Treehouse was located.
I haven’t been there in a while… I wonder how Doc Holiday’s doing.
They passed by other crews throughout their search, but otherwise were not bothered for the first few days.
“It’s gonna get complicated if the kahunas catch wind of what we’re doin,” OG Lee mentioned one night as he stretched his legs.
It was hard work, walking around, bending down to examine stones left around the surface by whatever means. Careless trial-goers, released bugs that happened to still carry them, mischievous Pokemon who had stolen them- Rage bellowed challenges and slurs at one who had spat at him- a Pancham at the top of a tree, who was barking at the group while hiding a small green crystal. Why though? He’s no Bug-type, Radegast cocked an eyebrow at the Pancham in a universal “Why?” gesture.
The crew didn’t seem to notice Radegast trying to be somewhat friendly. “Yeah you tell’em, dude!” OG Lee added as Rage bounded up a tree to pummel a Pancham. Despite the Pancham’s confidence, Rage’s fury was shockingly (or rather, unshockingly) terrifying. It only took two punches before the Pancham surrendered the Buginium-Z and ran off into thicker wood.
Well, he did provoke Rage, that’s what people get when they have no respect for others. It didn’t feel all that bad. One down, countless more to go.
—
Many days passed, and they had set course to other islands from time to time. Eventually, their search brought them to Poni Island, the least inhabited of the islands, and the one place Radegast had yet to visit throughout Alola.
“Careful dude, lotta strong folks out here,” Radegast called as he was the first one off the boat.
“We got the numbers,” OG Lee reassured, though Radegast was really talking about the wild Pokemon.
“And you’ve got me,” Plumeria added, “No one’s messing with my crew.”
“Yeah, dude!”
The gang cracked jokes as they crossed through the dock town, watched with suspicion and derision by citizens. Team Skull never did anything bad in town, but it was almost like they didn’t know that particular fact. Radegast marked that as a sign of bad rumours, and that means he’d later have to find whoever bad-mouthed Team Skull to people.
Out on the road, they came across a trainer- a Bug-Catcher, to be specific. He was an older boy, around Radegast’s age, and he carried a tough-looking net.
When the boy saw the Skull group coming, the boy paused, and lowered the net. There was a smaller figure behind the boy, but Radegast didn’t get a good look yet.
“You look strong,” Plumeria commented half-heartedly, “And I see you got yourself a bracelet too.”
“What do you want, Skull?” The boy asked.
“Buginium-Z,” OG Lee blurted, “We need it for a project. We’re gonna change the world, man!”
The boy stared puzzled, but concerned. “I dunno what you’re planning, but if it involves taking my Buginium-Z, I don’t think I wanna stand for it.”
“Bones, Get’em.”
“Can do, El-Tee!” A Skull Grunt approached and shouted a challenge to the boy. “Fight us, or surrender your Buginium-Z, kid.”
“Big bro? This is scary.”
Radegast’s eyes widened. What were even the chances that the same little girl happened to be on Poni Island? Her eyes looked the same as back then: afraid.
“Whoa, hold on,” Radegast stepped forward ahead of Bones. “I got this, dude.”
Bones stared at Radegast, an expression unreadable due to the face-covering bandana, but Radegast ignored it. The two similarly aged boys stood a few metres apart.
“Look, we just don’t agree with the way the kahunas treat us outcasts. Your trial system is flawed if it gives no one a second chance if they fail.”
“The only way to fail the Trials is by not trying, and by not working hard at it,” The boy replied defiantly. “Who are you to know how the Trials works?”
“Where I’m from, it was even more strict,” Radegast replied, “It ain’t right to judge a dude’s worth by Pokemon battles, man.”
“Dude, just don’t waste your time,” Bones shoved Radegast aside. “Hand over the damn Buginium-Z, kid.”
The other Team Skull members began bringing out their respective Pokemon. Radegast spotted the little girl go pale in fear, and their eyes met.
“What are you guys doing?” Radegast demanded, “We’re not bullies, we’re Team Skull!”
“Funny thing coming from you, Mr. Enforcer,” Bones jabbed.
Radegast jabbed back, with a hard fist. Bones didn’t even know what hit him. “Get out of here! Run!” Radegast found himself barking at the boy and the girl.
They took the advice of the voice, with the boy picking up his little sister and bolting towards the shrine- the safest place, for the Tapu was there.
Radegast felt a satisfied smile tug at his face as he turned to face his punishment.
—
Radegast did not know what had happened afterward. The first thing he knew, he had knocked out one of his friends. The next, he was rolling on the grass.
“Should’a known,” The gruff voice spoke, one that Radegast didn’t think was around.
“Boss!” Another voice called, “What are you doing here?”
“Plumeria had her suspicions. Seems they’re well-founded.” Guzma had a scary look on his face, a toothy grin wide enough to show the more pointed teeth. The Golisopod reared up once more from its hard tackle.
Radegast spat on the grass and pushed himself back up. “This can’t be the way to go.”
“Then pray tell me how we’re supposed to get all the Buginium-Z. I’ll wait.” Plumeria replied mockingly.
“I won’t,” Guzma replied, “I know about you gettin’ friendly with a Captain.”
“That wasn’t…” Radegast grit his teeth, “It wasn’t like that.”
“Seemed pretty clear to me: You’re a traitor to the cause, Dreads. It pains me to say, but it’s true.”
“No way!” OG Lee exclaimed, “It can’t be!”
Plumeria produced her phone, and brought up a photo snapped at the black sand beach, taken incognito. There were more photos too, like when Radegast had brought the same Captain a black glass vase. He remembered that one. “Give it to that girl for me,” He replied, “I only brought it to prove I’m an honest kid. Ain’t nobody judges Dreads wrong.” Radegast clenched his fist at the severe lack of trust. The Skull grunts bought it, though. Of course they would. They were good people, but they weren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer- they never were.
He couldn’t bear to look at OG Lee or the others. He couldn’t afford to either, because Guzma’s Golisopod moved in. Radegast was ready, however, and he caught the Golisopod’s arm and shifted his stance to lock it.
Meanwhile, Plumeria summoned one of her own Pokemon to keep Elder busy. “Dreads!” Elder called as he swerved to dodge some incoming attacks. “I’m sorry dude! I can’t get close to help!”
Radegast moved faster than back in training, but the Golisopod managed to perform the counter-maneuver flawlessly. Radegast would’ve been proud if he wasn’t concerned with the sudden madness overtaking the Boss. Radegast readied a fist to follow up before a counter-attack could be launched. No, not him… he’s a slave… a slave to new madness.
The moment’s hesitation allowed the Golisopod to slam a plated arm into Radegast’s gut. With a grunt, Radegast was sent back to the ground. I can’t beat him… Even though I could…
“Come on, dude,” Radegast groaned, his lungs felt strained as the wind had been knocked out of him. He attempted to bring out the Voice, but he couldn’t. He could only scramble back to his feet and prepare himself for the next attack.
The crew jeered and cheered as Radegast dodged. In the heat of this terrible moment, Radegast finally figured out who liked and didn’t like him after all. Most didn’t, and the boy couldn’t understand why.
“I don’t want to fight,” He found himself saying as he dodged the next attack by the Golisopod. “I don’t want to mug people.”
“We’re on a mission, Dreads,” Guzma replied, “We’re gonna bring Team Skull to the next level. Ain’t nobody gonna mess with us!”
That’s right… they have ambition. The one thing the runaway Reginald couldn’t understand. He moved to dodge, and dodge, but the Golisopod was faster. X-Speed! he realised as he got knocked down by another attack. He stood up once more, but a plated arm slammed into his chin.
This time, he tasted blood. I don’t want to fight… he thought as he dropped once more. I just wanted friends…
“You betrayed this brotherhood, Dreads.” Guzma continued, “You betrayed your friends.”
I betrayed no one… I’ve only been… true to myself.
A pokeball burst open, and screams erupted, Despite blurring vision, Radegast heard a Gastly laughing.
“Demonslayer!” The clicks of a Golisopod pierced the skies. “I thought it was a myth!”
Screams and shouts followed, as savage shrieks were followed by explosions and crackling flames. Pandemonium ensued, but Radegast couldn’t quite gain his bearings to see it.
“FRIEND-DREADS!” Rage’s voice suddenly reached Radegast’s ear, “ORAAAA! THESE WHELPS KNOW NO HONOR!!! I WILL SMITE THEM ALL AND DESTROY THEM AS WELL!!!!”
“No time, dude!” Elder called, “We gotta get him out of here!”
“WHAT ABOUT THE BIRD?”
“Dude I have never seen her this mad! We gotta bounce right now!”
Radegast squinted, and saw only orange and red, with black smoke billowing high above. Within moments, the area was a venerable firestorm. Trees and grass burned to cinders as the Fletchling flew around, enveloped in roaring fire with heartbroken madness in her eyes. Silent, unrelenting fury left room for only the thundering blaze. Team Skull and Wild Pokemon scattered all the same.
His vision had cleared only for a moment, before he blacked out.
—
“You have got to be the luckiest guy in the world,” Elder’s voice emerged, “I feel like I’ve said that a dozen times already, but I dunno if that’s a good thing or not.”
Radegast felt cold in places, he awoke to find his team skull touque and bandana missing, and some parts of his body wrapped up with ice packs resting against painful areas. Crystal the Seel sat on the end of the hospital bed Radegast lay on. To his right, Rage was trying to pull the leaves off a berry, but hissed as he pricked a raw-looking thumb. To his left, Suros lay unconscious, on a bed of charred leaves meant to protect the bedding beneath.
“Multiple fractures, the doctor said,” Elder continued, “They set them right, and your special healing thing… Without it, I dunno if you’d have been able to move anytime soon. But what I was talkin’ about is you never got a single burn throughout.”
“Do we need to move soon?” Everywhere ached.
“Skull’s on the lookout,” Elder replied as he nodded towards Suros, “The Golisopod managed to land an Aqua Pulse on her, and she got dazed- Made her crash and knock herself out. Rage had to run and grab her.”
“Is she okay?” Radegast asked, “Are you guys okay?”
“I got hit by the El-Tee’s pokemon, but I’m fine. Rage’s hand got burned when he grabbed Suros. Can’t wait to hear them talk about that.” The Gastly smirked. “Crystal’s in top condition, so she’s on watch. Alolan police are here as well, they wanna ask questions.”
“I’m happy to answer questions, as long as we can recover,” Radegast sighed. His eyes seemed distant all of a sudden.
“You doing okay?” Elder asked.
Radegast shook his head as tears welled up in his eyes. “I just wanted to chill out with people again, people who were free… but I guess I’m just… a wildling at-heart…”
Elder stared at Radegast, and turned to check up on Rage- who was nibbling on a Rawst berry with his non-dominant hand. Suros had been laid out, unconscious, on a table next to Radegast.
“This is the first time I’ve lost friends…” I don’t like this feeling…
The questioning was rather standard. Identifying attackers, witnesses to match up stories, and the promise that the boy known as “Dreads” would not be charged under Team Skull’s crimes in exchange for said information. Radegast was quite happy with name-dropping all the members who clearly expressed their disdain for him. For those who were still good people, OG Lee for example, Radegast left them out.
“Team Skull has gotten rather violent. That’s troubling news,” the doctor commented as he went over the recovery notes Radegast needed to follow before discharge. “Fortunately, all of your friends are back in good health. Your fractures need time to fully mend, so you’ll need to take it easy. No running or heavy lifting for a week, maybe two if the pain persists.”
Radegast didn’t tell the man about his healing factor, or how it had already mended most of the fractures, leaving him with minor ones remaining. “Thanks, doc.”
“What will you do, if you don’t mind my asking?”
He had thought about his next course of action after the past day of recovery. He had a free pass for one boat ride to any island he wanted. However, when he asked what the limitations on destinations were, the police said there weren’t any. “I’m gonna go home.”
