Solgaleo sighed.

It was a warm summer night in the city of Hau’oli, and Solgaleo, one of the leaders of Alola, was sitting in his hotel room, going through some papers. These last few weeks had been eventful for him, the most important thing was that he had found himself a mate, a mate that he loved with all of his heart.

However though, he was going through some issues that he had yet to discuss with his mate, and had even lied to about, and was scared that if he found out, their relationship would be ruined.

“Damn it…”

That said, he put away the papers he was going through, and laid on the bad.

“I’m sorry Al.” He said to himself, sighing again. “I want to tell you everything, but I’m scared, and I really shouldn’t be.”

The name of his mate was Aladar, a Zangoose that he had met in Unova, who was now the current ambassador of Alola and Hoenn. At the moment he was out, but Solgaleo knew he would return shortly.

At least he assumed.

“I’m such a coward…” The feline muttered, turning on his side to face the window. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him; why am I so scared?”

Once again, Solgaleo sighed.

His phone then began ringing.

The name ‘Aladar’ was displayed, and Solgaleo couldn’t help but smile a little.

“Hey there, little one.” He said as an answer.

A chuckle was heard on the other end, and it wasn’t one he wanted to hear.

His body froze, his scars starting to burn.

“Little one, huh?” The voice on the other end said. “Didn’t know you had a nickname for him.”

The voice on the other end of the phone was not Aladar, but someone else, someone who the white feline feared more than anything.

‘N-no…’ He thought, cringing a little from his scars. ‘Wha-what’s he doing on the line?’

“I have your ‘Little one.’” The voice stated. “If you want him, come to the outskirts of Hau’oli. Come alone, and I will have no intentions of harming him.”

The voice chuckled a little.

“At least not more.”

The phone was hung up, and Solgaleo was still frozen.

“N-n-n-no…” He was finally able to muster.

He had to get Aladar, but every inch of his body was telling him not to go, not to face that man again.

All but his heart.

“I-I n-need to get him.”

He was shaking the whole time, but he managed to get himself up, and out of that hotel. He had nearly tripped several times while running, but he had no intention of turning back.

Despite his will to save Aladar though, his stomach was still churning with regret from getting his mate involved with that guy.

Arriving at the outskirts of the city, Solgaleo slowed down as he arrived at the edge of the forest.

That man was in there, he just knew it.

“I’ll just run in there, get Al, and get out.” He whispered as he took a few shaky steps into the trees. “No need to be in there for long.”

“So you actually came.”

Solgaleo jumped higher than he should have. He really wasn’t expecting to meet him so soon.

‘Okay, be brave Sol.’ He thought to himself. ‘Do it for Al.’

Turning, he attempted to glare at the man who held his mate captive.

His glare almost broke when he saw his mate. The scene before him was a large Incineroar, the same size as he was, only wearing a pair of boxers. In the fire-type’s arms was a small Zangoose wrapped in cloth.

A single tear was forming in the white cat’s eye.

“Y-you!” He growled. “What have you do to him?!”

“What do you think?” The Incineroar replied. “The same thing I did to you.”

Solgaleo cringed, not just from the statement, but from his scars that were burning even hotter.

“L-let him go!” He growled. “H-he’s no legend. Why did you go after him?”

The fire-type laughed, sending shivers through the steel-type’s body.

"I went after him because it would hurt you." He replied smoothly. "It's a shame. And you call yourself a Legendary, yet you can't even protect one person?"

Solgaleo gritted his teeth. Those words triggered him.

'Okay, deep breath Sol.' The white feline thought to himself. 'You gotta be brave.'

"Anyway, I just called you to give him back to you."

"Huh?"

Solgaleo was now confused. In the back of his mind he knew that it was a trap, and there was no way that the Incineroar would give his mate up to easily.

"Oh, I have no more use for him anymore, and don't worry, there's no strings attached here."

The fire-type held Aladar out.

"Here, take him."

"How can I trust you?" The legend replied. "This is another trick, isn't it?"

Being honest with himself, Solgaleo wanted to scoop Aladar up and get out of there as soon as possible, but he didn't want to get anywhere near the Incineroar.

"No tricks here." Incineroar stated, then shot Solgaleo another evil grin. "Or are you just too scared of me?"

Once again, the steel-type flinched.

The fire-type laughed, then kneeled down and placed the Zangoose on the ground below him.

He then turned away.

"Coward." He said. "And here I thought you'd at east be brave for him. I'm leaving Alola now. but don't worry, I'll come back and deal with you again some day."

As he began walking away, he turned his head once.

"If you don't change, you'll be an easy task for me."

A few seconds later, the fire-type was no longer in sight, and Solgaleo had fallen to his knees, tears now running down his face.

Not only had the words of the fire-type pierce him, but the pain that his scars were radiating was becoming unbearable for him.

'N-no...' He thought, picking up the Zangoose, and using the most of his strength to get back up. 'I-I need to get to the hospital...'

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Art by  Neku-neku