Peeking over the New York Skyline, sunlight poured over concrete and steel in golden rays, rousing a huddle of Pidove into morning song.
As Pidgey and Starly joined in, greeting the new day, a few adventurous beams slid through a third-story window, slowly illuminating the loft-style bedroom beyond.
Polished wood floors stretched across half the level, the walls a calming grey against the dark grain.
A heavy wardrobe sat against one wall, half-open and covered in clothes, spilling equipment and shoes into a pile at its base.
Shoved under the window sat a desk, books stacked neatly in one corner, titles like 'Myths and Legends: How Pokemon Came To Be' and 'Fire, Water, Grass: Types and Advantages' gracing the spines.
Farthest from the grasping tendrils of light was a bed, sheets a mess of rumpled folds over the sprawled form of a young teenaged girl, fast asleep.
Blinking at the new brightness behind her lids, an Eevee uncurled from her sleep and stretched like a cat, fluffy tail twitching as all the little kinks popped.
Rolling onto her feet, the tiny quadruped padded up the bed, nudging a ball of white cotton that sat on the only undisturbed pillow.
Unfolding her wings with a yawn, the Swablu ruffled her feathers and twittered softly, flapping the cottony appendages to shake the sleep away.
Barking just as quietly, the Eevee motioned her companion towards the wardrobe with her long tail, who nodded in agreement and glided over to fuss over the mess.
As the tiny bird Pokemon fluttered about organizing things, the Normal-type nuzzled their girl's face, purring as she pushed on the teenager's shoulder with a paw.
Wrapping an arm around the wiggling little body with a giggle, a blue eye finally cracked open as she started to smile.
"Good morning to you too, Eve."
Yipping a greeting in return, Eve wiggled closer still, practically lost in the mass of brown curls that lay all the way down her back.
Clad in only an over-sized grey shirt, with the words 'Come To The Dark Side…We Have Cookies!' in black font, underneath the covers, she happily accepted the tank top and jeans her Swablu offered.
"Thanks, Blue."
With a tired little hum, the girl levered herself up, shoving the blankets off with a yawn as Eve hopped down and Blue landed in her hair, preening the messy coils.
"Lexi!" A voice shouted from below, echoing in the open space. "Breakfast!"
"Coming, mom!"
Tugging on the denim pants as she crossed the room-and hopping a bit along the way as a result-, the brunette grabbed her trainer belt and looped it on as Eve pulled her messenger bag over to double-check the contents.
As Blue swooped over to retrieve her Pokedex, Lexi put on a bra and exchanged shirts, plopping onto the ground to pull on her Friday socks-which proclaimed the day in bright orange-and sneakers.
Together, the trio was ready to go down the ladder in record time, crossing the main apartment towards the kitchen where an older woman bustled about making pancakes.
A massive green mountain lay in a clear patch of sunlight, growling low in pleasure, and Lexi pat the tough green hide as she passed.
"Hey, Thug."
The Tyranitar grunted back, one dark eye slitting open for a moment, before returning to his morning nap.
Rolling her eyes at his laziness, Kangaskhan smacked the larger Pokemon's shoulders and leaned down to nuzzle the teenager, rumbling a hello to Eve and Blue.
"Breakfast is ready!" Her mother called, handing off a plate of towering pancakes to her Blissey as she puttered about getting food for their Pokemon.
Perking up at the smell, Lexi rushed to sit before the food was put down, thanking the rotund Normal-type as she accepted a bottle of maple syrup.
"Champ, be a dear and get the Tupperware for me?"
The Machamp nodded, opening the highest cabinet and grabbing the largest containers in his free hands, offering them to the petite woman with a smile.
"Thank you, sweetheart." The tiny brunette replied with a smile, patting one of his lower arms as she set about portioning out food for the week.
Chewing through an oversized bite of pancakes, Lexi hummed as the faint taste of vanilla coated her tongue, a smile forming as Thug roused himself enough to eat his own breakfast.
"Poor baby, he needs a good battle." Mrs. Lane tutted, starting to frown. "I'll see about getting one of our instructors to give him a good workout tomorrow."
"You should have him battle Al." Lexi suggested, cutting another chunk of pancake free. "His Rhyperior would love that."
"Good idea. I'll ask him today before the kids get here."
Popping the last lid into place, she stacked the containers by day and mealtimes, color-coded and everything for easy identification.
"I have a night shift in the ER tonight, so I need you out of the apartment today so I can sleep after classes this morning. Take this one for lunch, this is for dinner, and remember to message Casey when you're leaving school."
Placing her empty plate in the sink, Lexi kissed her mother on the cheek as Eve leapt onto her shoulder and Blue landed on her heavy ponytail, ready to go.
"Will do. I'm gonna stay after classes and get some practice in. I'll message you when I get home."
"You'd better." Mrs. Lane warned, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead. "And be home before dark."
"I will, mom. Love you."
"Love you too, baby girl."
Once the door closed behind them, Mrs. Lane sighed, dark eyes sad as Kangaskhan stepped to her side.
"Be safe…"