Buck moved around the Aura Pokémon, who turned on the spot to hide his face from the probing Skiddo. "Did Zeb actually knock some humility into you?"

"It's not humility," growled Owen, suppressing the urge to shout. "Stop prying."

"Oh. What is it then? Humiliation? Respect for others? Something that might make you less of an ass?"

"Final warning. Stop prying." bolts of Aura crackled around Owen's paws. Oblivious or unintimidated, Buck continued.

"Go on," said Buck, getting into a ready position in preparation for what was coming next. "Tell me that he took you down a notch or two. You needed that, you pompous bullying turd--"

Owen howled and swung an arm at Buck, who ducked under the blow and headbutted the Lucario right under his chest spike. Owen was knocked to the ground, wheezing, and Buck retreated a few paces back. The pair silently stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before dashing forward and colliding again-- again, Owen was sent flying back. He landed hard on his back but pushed himself up as quickly as he could just in time to be body slammed by Buck.

"You've gone soft!" said Buck as he disengaged. "Did Zeb break you or something?"

Owen howled again and sprinted forward, this time managing to land a solid kick on Buck's flank. Something cracked in the Skiddo's chest area. The winded Skiddo stumbled around and Owen took advantage of the opening to blast Buck with an Aura Sphere. Buck was sent flying back a couple of metres backwards, landed hard, and rolled to a stop in the grass. Before Owen could cross the distance between him and his partner a dark blur leapt out of the grass and clawed at his him, hissing savagely. The Lucario yelled in surprise and grabbed Tacitus with both paws, spun, and threw the Zorua away in one fluid motion. "Stay out of this! This isn't your fight!" yelled Owen.

Meanwhile, Buck had found his footing again and faced Owen. He pawed the ground with a hoof, ready to charge. "It's about time somebody taught you a lesson, Owen," said Buck. "You became absolutely insufferable ever since we came here. I don't remember you being this unpleasant in Kalos. What happened?"

Owen adopted a ready stance. "You wouldn't understand, Buck."

"Try me. You think I'm stupid, don't you?"

"Well, you certainly look the part."

Buck yelled incoherently and charged. Owen dashed forward to meet him.

* * *

Meryem was dragged out of her conversation with the strange woman by the sound of fighting. She looked around and saw Buck toss Owen into the air with a powerful headbutt.

"Oh, what the hell."