Kareena and Matthew set off for the city of Hinwil, capital of the Fairy kingdom at dawn. The queen of the Fairy kingdom and Physic kingdom was the same pokemon at this time, an aged Gardevoir by the name of Faith. She alternated between the castles of the two kingdoms. Her parents had been the separate rulers of the two kingdoms, as their only (surviving) child, she had become the queen of both. As such, the Psychic and Fairy kingdoms were effectively one over the course of her reign, even if the people thought of themselves as one or the other.
The journey wasn't difficult (once they got into the Psychic kingdom anyway). The roads were well maintained, and the people happy to help. The people of the psychic kingdom were especially trusting, except to dark types. This is because a psychic type can read a pokemon's general emotions passively, and can read one's thoughts at will. Although this is considered rude. Dark types are immune to this, as such, psychic type pokemon are on edge as they have little inclination as to what they're going to do. The fact that the Dark kingdom's king is a half mad power hungry tyrant doesn't help.
The Fairy types, while less trusting, were still helpful, and courteous the travelers. The two arrived at the castle within a week of setting out. It was very elegant, with tall thin towers with flaring turrets. It was less effective as an actual defensive structure then say Sacrilege palace, but it was still effective, and fit the people's ways better. And it wasn't nearly as much of an eyesore. The city, unlike many others, was clean and elegant like the palace. Faith had diverted funds from the military (as they were at peace) toward civil needs, such as keeping the streets clean, education, and roads.
Kareena and Matthew were suitably impressed. They were welcomed into the palace when Kareena showed the metal badge that Ben had given her, identifying them as emissaries from the Ambassadors of Peace.
Ace didn't like fancy clothing. His father had said everyone had to wear it for this event, as he wanted to impress their visitors, the kings of the Ghost and Poison kingdoms.
In general, pokemon only wore cloths for one of two reasons. Either, it was a high end fancy event, such as aristocratic weddings. Or, it was a practical piece, such as heavy gloves worn by blacksmiths to protect themselves. That said, some wore some form of clothing on a daily basis because they wanted to. Another thing, was that most articles of clothing required one to stand upright. Although many it could be gotten away with on all fours, dresses and other items females would wear were definitely an upright item.
Ace walked out into the main hall, his father was dressed in an identical suit, with his crown on his head, sitting on his throne, directing servants (also in dress) here and there in preparation. Ace sighed and put on his smaller prince's crown that he only ever wore when his father told him to. Even this small thing was pretty heavy, and Ace didn't like it. It was also a tad to big and often rested on his horn where it met his head, and he'd have to adjust it again.
Ace walked up to his Father.
Harold: Ace! You've outdone yourself today my boy.
Ace: Thank you father, I spent extra time getting it just right as I knew you'd like it.
Harold: You do know how to get to me don't you Ace. Anyhow, I invited the local aristocratic families to the event. You know, as there's going to be a ball.
Ace: And definitely not because you hope I'll take a fancy to one of the nobles daughters right father.
Harold: *chuckles* Perceptive as ever Ace.
Ace: *sigh*
Ace turns to survey the main hall, and freezes when he spots Jewel entering one of the side doors. She was dressed in an elegant sky blue dress, just long enough to reach the floor, and she had cut a bright yellow flower and was wearing it behind her left ear. She was stunning. She walked toward the two Absol on the raised platform on which Harold's throne sat. Ace forced himself to continue his sweep with his eyes as she approached.
Jewel: *curtsies* Your majesty's.
Harold: You want something Ambassador?
Jewel: Nothing in particular your highness. Just thought I'd great you two properly, seeing how we're all dressed up for the formalities.
Harold: Whatever.
Ace: You look beautiful Jewel.
Jewel: *giggles* Thank you Ace.
Harold: (to servant across room) NO NOT THERE YOU FOOL! THAT HANGS OUT ABOVE THE MAIN DOORS YOU WORTHLESS SWINE!
Servant: (quickly) Of course your majesty, apologies your majesty.
Harold: DON'T JUST STAND THERE! GET TO IT!
Servant: Yes sir. Sorry sir. *Runs off with decoration.*
Ace: (quietly) *sigh* Same old father.
Night the Umbreon wasn't very happy. The champion had sent him out to this wasteland AGAIN! The badlands of what was once eastern Kanto were a desert of death. It had been two thousand years since humans had went extinct when their weapons depot here went up. The desert, and the radiation, had been retreating for the last 2000 since it went off. His radiation suit protected him from what radiation was left. Although the Geiger counter's reading showed it at safe, although high levels, even here at the edge of the crater caused by the massive blast. Night ventured into the crater.
The number projected onto the corner of his suits display climbed slowly. He was halfway (around four miles) to the center of the crater when the reading flashed that it was extremely toxic outside his suit. He went to the very center of the blast zone and took reading there as per orders. Then returned to the rendezvous point, another eight miles from the craters edge. The last remains of human civilisation in the wider world, was almost gone.
It was three miles out when the reading said the outside was completely safe. He carefully removed his suit, and packed it into the containment case that was on his back. He then dissolved into shadows, and reached the rendezvous in minutes. He signaled for pickup, and the VTOL transport uncloaked, landed, an opened it's side hatch to let the champion's assassin and scientist inside.
With a quiet roar of the engines, the craft took flight, cloaked, and was gone.
I'm willing to bet most of you have no idea what a geiger counter is, unless you inferred from context. I had to look up the name of the item myself.
Night is a great character. I think I may do something with him for my next story. I'd need to find a good one though, he was always more of a supporting character. Whatever. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.