A Blaziken and Zoroark stared each other down. Their eyes were inches apart, and in between was a lightning storm that threatened to set fire to the quiet forest around them. Blaziken's claws rested in the pockets of a white hoodie while the Zoroark's arms stayed at his side like tree branches. His black jacket shone under the gray sky.
"Belle doesn't want you, Edward," Zoroark said. "I'm the only one who can keep her warm at night."
"You don't know her like I do," Blaizken fired back.
"Oh, but I do."
Zoroark's claws wrapped around his black jacket as his arms crossed. He ripped it off.
"Ho-ly shit."
Furret Abigail leaned her head up from the back of her cushion. Her face turned hot as she kept watching the TV over her head. She wrapped herself up in her tail with only a paw sticking out over a red basket of popcorn.
"I could shred a hundred pounds of cheese on those abs…" she squeaked. "Damn, Jacob…"
On the TV screen over her head, sunlight broke through the wall of trees overhead. Blaziken's fur glistened like the moon.
"Belle's already chosen me," Blaziken said.
"Hah… Hah ha…" Abigail mumbled. "So… smooth. Damn, Edward…."
A phone buzzed under Abigail's tail. She jolted in place and groaned. She pulled it out from under her tail and answered the call.
"Hey, Abigail," Zen's voice said, "want to grab lunch today?"
"I was… uh, watching a movie…"
Blaziken and Zoroark's eyes flashed towards the screen. Abigail yelped as her ears flattened against the back of her head. She covered her smile with her tail.
"Uhhhh… You okay?"
"Y-yah. Just… watching a movie?"
"Horror, or something?"
"Uh, y-yah. I'll talk to you later."
"Oh, uh, okay. Sure. Later."
Abigail hung up the phone and put it back under her tail. On another cushion to her right, shiny Zorua Aaron looked up at the TV screen from his phone.
"You know," Aaron said, smiling, "maybe you are a pervert."
"I'm not," she hissed. "You're the one who said we should watch this."
"As a joke, so it doesn't really count. Also, you're drooling."
Abigail wiped across her lower lip. "No I'm not."
"Oh yah, this reminds me… What even are your plans for today?"
Abigail came up with an answer, but then forgot to say it out loud. She bit the fur on the edge of her tail when the flexing competition started.
"He just takes what he wants…" she whispered. "Damn, Jacob…"
"Hey, Abigail. Can I ask you something?"
Abigail snapped out of her stupor. Aaron's voice didn't seem to have the usual energy behind it. She turned to his thoughtful face.
"I've been thinking about evolving," he continued. "And I don't know if I want to or not."
It was a more serious question than she thought she'd ever ask. Abigail reached for the remote and paused the TV so she could focus. Aaron gazed off in the distance at the floor.
"Well, which side are you leaning to?" Abigail asked quietly. Her voice still seemed louder than before with the TV off.
"Everyone always tells me you can't go back. That's why me and Zen always just choose not to since we can just do it later. But if we keep putting it off, we'll be stuck in this kind of limbo where we never decide."
Abigail had always wanted to become a Furret. She didn't have much trouble making a decision. From how Aaron sounded, he seemed to be somewhere in the middle.
"So you don't want to be in limbo," Abigail said. "Guess that means you want to choose once for all, right?"
"Yah."
"So, how about that can be what we do today? Being in limbo on a big decision like this must feel pretty bad."
"Okay," Aaron nodded. "Once and for all. What should we do to help us decide, though?"
"I'm sure there are Floatzels and Zoroarks in the city that would be willing to give you two some advice. Lots of people look for advice when they're choosing. You should host an event down in the plaza."
There was plenty of room at the base of the Nightlight tower. Given how close it was, Abigail wouldn't have to worry about any more drama, either.
"That's a good idea," Aaron said. "I'll make a Chattoter post and call Zen. Let's do it."
When Buizel Zen came through the doors, he didn't know what for. As their footsteps clanked on the metal floor of the hallway, Zorua Aaron explained it to him while Furret Abigail followed behind. It was a hot day outside with the sun out at full power, so she brought her straw sunhat with her.
"Sounds like a plan," Zen said. "To be honest, I thought we were going to do something like choosing on our eighteenth birthday or something."
"I'm tired of putting it off," Aaron replied. "We've been thinking about it for a while, so let's just do it."
"When do you want to decide by?"
"Sunset. We'll party tonight after we choose."
"Are you guys going to tell your parents?" Abigail asked.
"My dad follows my Chattoter," Aaron said, turning back to her. "They probably know already."
"Sounds nice. Where are you going to do it if you choose to evolve?"
Aaron turned back around. "Good question. We don't have a special, royal evolution room or anything."
"I'd be cool with whatever," Zen said. "doesn't really bother me."
"True, doesn't matter to me, either."
Zen happened to be the closest to the elevator panel when they it. A minute after he called it, the cylindrical metal doors whirred open. Abigail figured out that there were less people allowed in the top floors, and the elevator always went down to the first floor and worked its way back up. As expected, it was empty when they entered and didn't stop on their way down.
The doors opened to a lobby filled with activity. At almost every black table, small groups of pokemon were talking to Nightlights on the other side as they input data based using screens on the table surfaces on what they were talking about. Abigail had avoided being in the lobby at midday so far, so it was the first time she'd seen it this busy.
Abigail expected something similar outside of the front doors, but the plaza was more peaceful than she thought it'd be.
A Zoroark and two Floatzels gathered around at the edge of a familiar, marble fountain. The Floatzels both had short, trimmed fur. One of them had brown eyes, and the other had dark green eyes. They seemed like they could be twins somewhere in their twenties. The Zoroark was an older lady. She pushed off of her seat on the rim up to her legs and smiled warmly.
Abigail hung back while Buizel Zen and Zorua Aaron walked forward. They both greeted their evolved counterparts with polite nods and letting them speak first.
"I have to thank you for suggesting this, Lodestar."
The deep voice behind Abigail made her jump. A Mightyena had walked up next to her with his eyes facing forward.
"Oh, uh… Your Majesty…" she blurted.
"Just Claude is fine," Mightyena said. "We usually save all the formalities for outsiders in the royal palace."
"Oh, uh… okay…"
"Ever since Aaron's mother passed, he hasn't really had much to look up to," Claude said. His voice blended in with the wind blowing past buildings. "They had a real connection."
"We have some regrets, too."
A Samurott walked up on Abigail's other side. She stared at him, but kept silent.
"Zen's grandmother lived out in the countryside, towards the ocean," Samurott said. "She was a Floatzel. We kept putting off visiting her in exchange for his studies. That was a mistake. I never even got to apologize to her for it."
"We all make mistakes, Louis," Claude huffed.
"I hope it never happens again in my family," Samurott said, sadness underlying his voice. "My mother was a good woman. She would've loved to meet Zen. They're so alike."
Claude and Louis fell silent. Abigail turned between their faces. They seemed like they were daydreaming.
"So," Abigail chirped, "uhm, what do you think about them evolving?"
"I can tell my son wants to," Louis said, nodding. "He just has cold feet."
"I think Aaron does, too," Claude added. "I honestly get the feeling that he's waiting for Zen to choose. But if they keep their word, they'll both be evolving today. Question is whether or not they will."
Both Floatzels and Zoroark walked in place while Zorua Aaron and Buizel Zen watched their movement. It looked like it would be a bigger change for Aaron's walking than Zen if he evolved. He watched intently while the Floatzels laughed at each other's awkwardness as they demonstrated.
"I think they will," Abigail said. "Aaron seemed serious about it. Said he wanted to party tonight, too, no matter which they choose."
"We could have it right here," Claude suggested. "Lots of open space. Could invite some of their celebrity favorites. I'm sure they'd come."
"Should probably wait and see if they choose to evolve before having an Evolution Party," Louis countered.
"We can at least write the posts and set it up."
"Gentlemen, not bad ideas."
A Serperior slid up on Abigail's left right next to the Samurott. Her tail folded around his back as they smiled at each other. The bright sun on her face prompted Abigail to pull her sunhat down a few inches.
"What would sixteen year old boys want at an Evolution Party?" she asked.
"Well, I think Aaron wanted to get ankle-weights to be like one of his video game characters," Claude said.
"Other than that."
"I don't know," Samurott Louis said, turning his head towards the Serperior's eyes. "Well, plenty of food is a given."
"You're both missing something," Serperior smiled victoriously. "What they want is pretty girls."
Abigail took a step back, but she couldn't dodge the double-sided glare of eyes flickering with a realization.
"They're going to be here a while," Serperior said. "We have quite a good amount of time to go shopping, don't we? And hit the spa. And the perfume store. And swing by a jewelry store. We can also add in the beauty salon…"
" 'sreallydangeroussoI'llbegoingnow. Sorry."
Abigail turned around. Serperior slid in front of her. Abigail grimaced at the shadow covering over her eyes.
"You know," she said, "I haven't had much opportunity to spoil my cute little son yet. But now that his training's over, I only want him to have the best, quality party… It'll take hours of hard work, but… Look, the carriage is already here."
To Abigail's horror, a carriage pulled up and stopped not far behind the fountain. The driver was a Swampert she recognized from the Yellow Clan, and had on a frown as dreary as a rain cloud. The carriage was a little larger than what she usually rode in, but it was disguised from carrying royalty with basic, brown wood walls.
If Abigail could get up to her room, she could glide off and escape. She needed an excuse.
"I don't have my phone," Abigail squeaked. "Can I go get it?"
"What we will be doing will actually require your full attention," Serperior smiled. "Come. The perfume store is first."
Abigail thought the quick visit to the perfume store was a good sign. Serperior, who she was told by to call Karol, apparently already knew what smells Zen hated and picked one out. Abigail didn't even have to get out of the carriage.
Then they came to the clothing store.
Karol rented the entirety of the store for two entire hours. Abigail would trapped in there alone with her and a receptionist that wouldn't be able to rescue her.
There were isles upon isles of clothing hanging over a shiny, white tiled floor that felt cold on Abigail's feet. Granted, most of it wouldn't fit her species as a Furret, but there were still plenty when they reached her size's section. Even more terrifying than the bulk was that Karol grabbed a couple and showed her straight to a room with a mirror for trying on new things. She must've planned on using every second for finding new clothes and trying new things on.
For the next two hours, Abigail would grab her clothes from a growing pile in the corner on a short seat. Every time she tried something on, Karol came to take a look. Abigail pushed aside the white curtain so she could see every time. Karol told her to go to the next one, sometimes very fast. Abigail, on the other hand, didn't even want to put most of them on.
Abigail pulled off of the top of the pile again, revealing more of the white wall with paint falling off. She looked up and down at a black and white dress.
"Uhm, Karol!?" Abigail shouted.
"Yes?" she responded.
"Why is t-there a maid dress in here!?"
"Your spiky fur isn't really giving me a lot of style options, here.
"O-kay… but a maid dress to a party?"
"People wear them to work. That technically makes it business casual."
"No it doesn't! I don't even like dresses!"
"Then what do you like to wear?"
"Uh… Hoodies, shawls…" Abigail said. "Uh, I dunno."
"Yes!"
Abigail jumped. She wondered if it was something she said.
"Forget that other stuff. I've got it!"
"Uh, okay?"
Serperior pushed aside the pale, white curtain. Dangling in her vines was a smooth, caramel cashmere wrap. It took Abigail all of five seconds to wrap it around her back and push her arms through its sleeves. Her arms only reached about halfway through the sleeves, but she felt comfortable with the smooth texture and long, flowing bottom of it.
As Abigail twisted on her feet in the mirror, the bottom corners of the cashmere waved and flowed with her. She cracked a smile.
"Hey," she said, "this isn't bad."
"This is it," Karol said. "Alright, come on now. We're doing a quick trip to the jewelry store, and then it's off to the spa."
"Oh, I don't think I really need any jewelry. Gold just kinds of blends in now."
"Ah, right."
Furret Abigail's gold fur didn't show any sign of changing back to dark brown. She forgot about it faster than she thought she would have. She didn't think of it most of the time anymore. Everyone assumed on their own that it was dye. It made the explaining easy for her.
Serperior Karol slithered off to the front counter while Abigail put the pile of clothes back on different racks. When she came back, Abigail took a random guess for where she got the maid dress and left it hanging on the wall. On the way out, Karol handed Abigail the cashmere wrap. She put it back on and tugged on the back edges to get rid of the folds.
The carriage rested just a couple steps away from the heavy, glass door leading outside. The streets vibrated with the footsteps of other pokemon, but Abigail darted to the doors and yanked them open. Karol took her time following and let Abigail throw the doors shut. When she turned around, Karol held her phone close in front of her eyes with an outstretched vine. Abigail watched her quivering face for a moment.
"Everything fine?" Abigail asked.
Karol blinked and looked up from her phone. She smiled. "Yes, everything's fine. It's been confirmed."
"And?"
"They both plan to evolve at six fifteen."
Abigail grew a matching smile. "Congratulations!"
Karol nodded and faced the floor. The carriage started to move as she did.
"I really have to thank you," Karol sighed. "I mean, my Zen has been thinking about it for two… maybe three years now. I can't believe today's the day."
"Yah. Must be a relief their minds are made up."
"Well, something of a relief. I need to make sure you look just perfect. This spa knows what it's doing…"
"Ah, hah… Ah, right."
The spa was a lot different than the other one Abigail had visited. The lobby felt a lot more formal and threatening with white walls and shiny wood panels on the floor. Bright green ferns grew in big, white pots on the sides of the windows. The front counter continued the trend with glasses, rectangular cases holding pens with their bottoms sticking up. A Misdreavus with a smile stapled on her face floated in place.
"Hello Your Majesty," Misdreavus said. "Miss Lodestar. A room for each?"
"A room for two, if you have it."
"Yes, of course. Follow me."
Misdreavus floated over the counter and brought them to a door at the back of the room. Just like with the last spa, it led into a hallway with doors to different rooms. Misdreavus floated right through a door, then doubled back and pulled it open.
The inside was much brighter than the other spa. Windows let sunlight pour in over the tops of short trees. Two large water pits situated themselves in the corner under one of the windows. Metal tables covered with white blankets had the same cords piercing the wall.
"Our finest will be with you shortly," Misdreavus said. "Can I get you anything? Tea?"
"I'm alright, thanks," Abigail said.
"I'll pass for today, thanks," Karol answered.
Misdreavus took a bow and floated back out of the door. Abigail copied Karol and rested on the edge of one of the tables. She set down her cashmere wrap on the edge of it, and her sunhat on top of it.
"I can't photosynthesize as well if I'm not clean," Karol explained. "It makes me tired."
"My fur gets dirty really easy," Abigail huffed. "Lots of people step on my tail... And I get it's just by accident, but it really adds up."
"I forget if they made something to help with that…"
A Luxio and Bunnelby walked into the room and closed the door behind them. Furret Abigail copied Serperior Karol again and lied down on the warm table as they came in. The Bunnelby seemed to have extra spring in her step as she walked over to Karol's table.
"Hey, Karol!" Bunnelby said, smiling. "How've ya been? Haven't seen you since the parade!"
"Been dying to see you, truly," Karol sighed. "It's been pretty eventful, even today."
"What was it today?"
"Zen decided to evolve. We're having his and Aaron's Evolution Party tonight."
"Wow. Wow! Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Emma. It's been a killer on my back, though."
"Yah, definitely feels like it."
Abigail shivered when Luxio placed her paws on her back. She slowly increased the pressure.
"Any developments with Jake?" Karol asked.
"Not really," Bunnelby said. "But, it's still going steady. Every time I ask about marriage, though, I can tell he's hiding something. I think he's right around the corner of proposing to me."
Abigail's tail flailed around when Luxio hit a point under her shoulder. For a split second, it felt like a jab from a hot knife.
"Uh, Emma?" Luxio called out. "I think she's a hyper-sensitive."
"It's okay," she said. "Just remember what I told you. Ease into the pressure points, nice and easy. It's caused by extra nerves, so take your time."
"R-right."
Abigail sighed in relief. Luxio's paws moved like a mist over her fur.
"Uh, uhm… Emma?" Luxio asked.
"Yah?"
"There's too much energy and it's all twisted. I don't think I can deal with this."
"You can trade, dear," Karol spoke up. "I imagine it'd be difficult with all that fighting she does. It's quite alright."
"Thanks," Emma said.-
Luxio stepped away and crossed paths with Bunnelby Emma as they traded. Emma placed her right paw on Abigail's back.
"Oh, geezus," she blurted. "Were you hit in the back with a truck?"
"Ah, well…"
"It's a wonder you aren't in pain. It's tense as a rock…"
Emma felt around and focused on her upper back first. In the same spot Luxio hit under her shoulder, she started to float over it like mist and then increased the pressure over a minute. Abigail felt her whole body's energy tingle as she began to mold it. A familiar, warm sensation invaded Abigail's head as she closed her eyes.
"Oh dear…" Emma whispered.
"What is it?" Karol asked.
"I think there's an energy scar under here."
"Energy… scar? Sorry, I'm not really familiar."
"It's like… if you break a bone and it doesn't mend properly, so you have to re-break it in order to get it right again. It's like that, but with energy. Symptoms are usually feeling sluggish or weaker, but stronger pokemon sometimes don't notice for a while…"
"Does she need a doctor?" Karol asked.
"Yah."
"If you have any recommendations for doctors, I can call and make an appointment," she offered.
"I know a few people," Bunnelby Emma said with a rising voice. "Problems like this are visible in my line of work, so I always have things to recommend them. Miss Lodestar?"
"Mph?" Abigail grunted.
"Do you know when you could've gotten this?"
Abigail had taken plenty of hits to the back before. She only distinctly remembered a few for different reasons. She only remembered one for the searing pain.
"Got sneak attacked by this one Hitmonchan," she mumbled. "Right in between the shoulders. About a month or two before the parade. Just tried to mug me."
"Oh, wow," Emma said. "He must've been terrified."
Abigail smirked. If she got one, he must've gotten two. She always hated taking hits to the back. It felt like being cheated.
"Well," she continued, "you should be fine to relax and party tonight, but no battling until this is sorted out. It'll just get worse every time. I know it's important you're ready for action, so my friend will probably make time for you if I ask."
"Thanks," Abigail mumbled with her mouth against the table. "I'd appreciate it."
Just like last time, Furret Abigail dozed off. The heat against her body from the table and pressure stretching out her back muscles knocked her out even faster than last time. She dreamt about toast and scrambled eggs until she woke up in the water pit. When she looked across the room, Serperior Karol had dozed off in the other water pit.
Towards the door, Bunnelby Emma stared at her phone in her paws. Abigail didn't want to speak up at the risk of sounding or acting stupid again. She continued to enjoy the heat until it faded away. Not long after it started to cool down, Emma set her phone on a counter and pushed off of the wall. Karol had woken up and lifted her head high.
Abigail and Karol dried off, but the rest of the visit turned out to just be for Abigail. She was seated in front of a mirror resting over a countertop that was filled with more brushes than she had ever seen at once before. Serperior Karol and Bunnelby Emma circled her like crows.
"I know you probably have an idea already," Emma said.
"Go for style," Karol said. "My son's something of a dork."
"Your husband too, right?"
"Well, he's not the one I think will be the first to hide his action figures under the throne. He did have servants hide them from Abigail when she came over, though."
Emma focused on the gold fur on Abigail's head. She worked with it until it looked like a small, spiky bush. Both Abigail and Karol stopped her from changing it once she got it that way. For the rest, she just traced a brush along her tail.
"So," Abigail said, "do I really need a doctor? I honestly don't feel that bad."
"Well, you might not feel that bad since it seems a little bit more recent, but haven't you noticed you're slower than before?" Emma asked.
"I'm just rusty."
"If that were the case, you would be able to shake it off."
Emma had a point. Abigail couldn't have gotten rusty enough for her to feel like she was operating at half speed sometimes. Or maybe she remembered herself as being stronger than she actually was. She leaned towards that idea subconsciously before now.
If she really had become slower because of this energy scar, it could be good. It'd mean that she'd be even stronger the next time something happened, even if only by a little. Anything to improve her odds became a high priority.
"You'll be alright, though," Emma added. "If you two are all set, you can grab her cloth over there and head out."
Serperior Karol talked with Bunnelby Emma all the way out the door and at the back of the carriage. The hint of yellow in the sky rushed their twenty-minute conversation into two minutes. They parted on their fourth goodbye as the carriage doors shut.
Furret Abigail could tell Karol felt giddy. She shifted constantly in place with a far-off smile on her face. Abigail took the few minutes she had to wake herself up and stretch out. There must've been a lot of traffic with the continual stop and go rocking her back and forth. It irritated her a little more than it usually did.
"So, how's the whole big party thing going to work?" Abigail asked.
"Oh, we just have soldiers set up a perimeter, and those with an invitation can move past it. It's always crowded, though. A lot of commerce happens around the area."
"Like, shops?"
"Yes. Moving shops always come. Probably why our carriage is going so slow…"
Not long after Karol said that, the carriage sped up and pulled to a stop. A knock on the carriage roof signaled that they had arrived.
Karol pushed open the doors and slithered down to the ground. Abigail hopped down after her.
Short, yellow barriers had been put up in a circle around the front of the Nightlight's skyscraper. An Aggron and Machamp assembled a small, wooden concert stage piece by piece. Pink and blue banners dangled from one pole to another as a backdrop. The stage overlooked rippling water in the marble fountain far ahead of it. Lights from nearby skyscrapers and office buildings glistened on its shifting surface.
On the side of the forming stage, Buizel Zen and shiny Zorua Aaron turned as they were talking. They both froze in place, then waved for her to come over. Abigail glanced at Karol. She smiled and nodded.
"Have fun," Karol said.
"Thanks," she replied. "I, uh, appreciate the trip."
"Thanks for coming. Go on, now."
Abigail lowered her smile towards the ground and brought it back up again. She clutched her shoulder as she walked up to Aaron and Zen. Zen's face turned red, but he didn't look like he'd faint.
"Hey," Aaron said, smiling. "You look good. Saw you get dragged off by Zen's mom."
"Sorry about that," Zen added, scratching his ear. "But… uh, yah."
"Thanks," Abigail lowered her head. "You guys getting ready?"
"We're all ready," Aaron said. "This is the last time you'll see us like this. It's official. So, before I become hot, would you like to admit you got a crush on me?"
Abigail tried to laugh it off, but Aaron kept staring with a wide smirk, head facing to the side, and an uplifted eyebrow.
"Chance to claim before I turn hot?" Aaron offered.
"Well, uh, wouldn't it be better to take some time?" Abigail asked nervously.
"Maybe, but just so you know, I'll be fearless enough for the both of us."
Abigail covered her warming face with the end of her tail. Aaron didn't usually flirt like this. It felt heavier than usual. Buizel Zen bounced on the tips of his feet holding his paws behind his back.
The crowd started to settle down. In the corner of her eye, Abigail noticed Samurott Louis, Serperior Karol, Mightyena Claude, and Quilava Gawain standing in a line. They stood just ahead of the barricaded sea of shadows. Gawain smiled her direction with his arms folded. Abigail waved back.
"Looks like it's time," Aaron said. He looked up at the darkening sky and long, crimson clouds. Wind tickled the fur under his face. "Okay, you ready Zen?"
Zen smiled and faced forward with him. Abigail wasn't sure where to stand, so she hid under the corner of the stage as they began to walk forward. The crowd of people and walls of cameras quieted into silence. She hadn't ever heard pin-drop silence like this in the city until now.
Zorua Aaron faced Buizel Zen. They both nodded to each other. Aaron leaped up and smacked his paw against Zen's.
Abigail hadn't had the experience of watching someone else evolve very often. The blue light from both of them combined into a blinding sun that she had to turn away from. She strained her eyes to look at their growing forms and lengthening limbs.
For how strong the light was, it faded away in seconds. Cheers erupted as a paw with three long, purple claws smacked against a tan paw.
"No way," Abigail gasped. "Oh… Damn…"
Floatzel Zen and Zoroark Aaron's fur grew wild and long. Their facial features sharpened and softened at the same time. They were already slender before, but their evolution made their muscles more apparent. Zen's blue eyes seemed to darken a little, and Aaron's eyes completely changed color to yellow. Their smiles morphed into calm, collected smirks.
Aaron wasn't joking. They were hot.
A few of the barricades were pushed aside. Lines of different species streamed into the well-lit plaza. They gravitated to Zen and Aaron and blocked them from looking back towards her. She looked to Gawain for some defense against the encroaching storm, but all of the other royalty became surrounded. Abigail walked off from the side of the stage, but the wave accelerated and caught up to her. Her feet got stuck to the ground.
A Persian with a face like crinkled, onion potato chips sauntered over to her. He looked her up and down and nodded. He stood dead silent next to her as a few cameras flashed. Once they finished, he nodded to her again and sunk his head low as he walked away. The wave of pokemon and camera lights followed him.
Furret Abigail stood and watched him leave. She wasn't sure whether she preferred stone cold silence or enough noise to break glass. She noticed a lot of movement pulsing out from Zen and Aaron's direction.
Floatzel Zen and shiny Zoroark Aaron parted the crowds and walked towards her. Both of their walks seemed robotic and forced. Their balance seemed off, but it was only natural given that they had evolved. They'd settle into it quickly.
Behind them, a familiar Lilligant gazed at their backs. Esmeralda's red eyes shone with a far-off look.
"Hey, Abigail."
Abigail blinked. She didn't recognize the voice until she noticed Aaron's mouth had moved. His voice deepened, but it managed to carry the same energy.
"Sup?" Zen asked. "What'cha think?"
Zen's voice sounded grittier. With his new height tacked on to it, he seemed tough without even trying.
"Oh, uh, cool," Abigail said quietly.
"Haven't really looked in a mirror yet," Aaron said. "So, am I a snack or what?"
"Y-"
Abigail got struck by her nerves. Her tail swished around behind her. She'd never had problems talking to Aaron before.
"Oh, damn," Aaron grew a smile. "Zen, I think we turned hot. She's choking up."
"Don't be silly," Zen groaned. "But, are you alright, Abigail? You seem tense."
"Yah," she answered. "Well, uh, sort of… I'm going to see a doctor tomorrow."
Aaron and Zen put on neutral expressions and leaned in. Although she was still bigger than them, they both stood up taller. Abigail shrunk a little under their gaze. She had just felt like she got used to talking to them, too.
"An energy scar," Abigail explained. "So, I have this kind of wound that will just keep twisting my energy back up unless it's treated."
"Oh, I had one of those," Zen grimaced. "Remember?"
"Yah," Aaron said, appearing to reminisce. "Guess that means you'll be tired tomorrow, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Isn't that bad. It's like pulling a tooth. What do you want to do tonight?"
"Oh, it's your guys' special night," she said.
"Trust me, we've had our fill of special nights," Zen smiled, rolling his eyes. "Plenty of merchants around us right now. Name a food you want. Any food."
"Uhm… Funnel cake with a lot of powdered sugar?"
"Aaron! Zen!"
Floatzel Zen and Zoroark Aaron turned around hearing their names. Lilligant Esmeralda approached with enthusiasm fake enough to be sold in a can. Even still, Abigail found herself stunned into silence from her smooth face and gleaming smile. The way she rubbed her leafy arms together brought heat to her face.
"You guys look great!" she said, beaming.
"Oh," Aaron stroked the purple fur hanging over his back. "Thanks, grandma. Could you grab me a BLT from one of the stalls over there?"
"I'll take mayo on mine," Zen added with a hiss. "Thanks."
Abigail's jaw dropped a few inches. Her ears solidified into spikes on her head and her tail swished along the ground.
Newly evolved pokemon tended to be more aggressive, but this towered over anything she could expect. They turned back around to face Abigail and missed Esmeralda's stunned silence. She pursed her lips and backed away with fear dripping off of every step she took. Abigail almost felt like doing the same thing.
"I think I'll go find a funnel cake," Abigail mumbled. "I'll see you guys after."
"We can walk with you," Zen offered. "Don't want you swarmed by reporters or whatever."
"Uh… sure. Yah, thanks."
Furret Abigail turned around and walked in the direction their eyes gestured to. Just three steps later, she felt a curtain of warmth reach around her back.
A smacking sound went off over Abigail's head. She whipped around to see where it came from.
Zoroark Aaron's arm fell to his side. He stared at Zen with a blank face. Zen must've smacked his arm before he could put it around Abigail's shoulder. Zen's face turned cold.
"Yah?" Aaron asked.
"Yah," Zen repeated.
Aaron and Zen kept staring for a few seconds. Abigail's eyes bounced between their faces. They never seemed halfway aggressive towards each other before.
"You know, I'm feeling pretty tired," Abigail blurted. "I don't want to be completely stomped tomorrow."
If Abigail could remove herself from the equation, they might play nicer. They probably weren't feeling completely normal. After Abigail evolved, she ate so much that she threw up.
"Relax," Aaron sighed as he broke eye contact with Zen. "It's cool. We can tell you want some food."
"Yah," Zen said. "I know a guy who does it well. Denny's."
"Oh yah," Aaron's eyes widened as he pointed a claw at him "He's still in Valor? Thought he went to Verity?"
"He came back for the Royal Parade and stayed ever since. You know he actually remembered us?"
"Really? That's sick…"
"I mean, it's your guys' special day," Abigail said. "I don't want to intrude…"
"Just means we like spending time with you," Zen said, smiling. "Soooo… Want to go?
"Ah, sure. "Yah."
"Cool."
Abigail let her shoulders fall. She sighed and turned back around. Aaron bounded and walked next to her on her right while Zen walked on her left.
The pressure from Zen and Aaron's new eyes distracted Abigail from noticing that a few carriages had pulled up just past the barricade and music had started from the concert stage. As Abigail glanced back, she had to give credit to Lilligant Esmeralda for performing like nothing had happened. The events were invisible on her face and in her voice.
Aaron and Zen steered Abigail to the back of a carriage. Paper covered either side of the carriage and back doors, reading "Denny's" in bold red letters.
The pokemon Abigail assumed to be Denny was a Vaporeon. His head poked over a wooden counter through a rectangular opening in the carriage doors. His line of sight fell higher over their heads, so he didn't notice them at first.
"Hey, Denny!" Aaron called.
Denny's eyes fell down and widened. His head raised higher.
"Can't believe you of all people evolved into a lady-killer," Denny scoffed. Aaron took in a breath. "And no, I'm not jelly."
Aaron closed his mouth and shrugged.
"What'll it be?" Denny asked.
"Funnel cake," Zen spoke up. "Lots of sugar for our sweet lady."
"Sure."
Vaporeon dipped his head and pulled out a paper plate with a brown, crisp saucer of fried dough on top. It drowned in powdered sugar, so he had to reach his paw down. Aaron stepped forward and lifted his paw to take it from him.
"On the house," Denny said. "You guys advertising me helped a lot. Doesn't look like a repayable debt at this rate."
"Trust me, you don't owe us anything," Aaron said. He handed the plate to Abigail. She stared at so long, she was slow to take it from him. Aaron turned his head back up and continued, "Hey, how about a picture for a cherry on top?"
"Sure!"
Vaporeon Denny pushed open the doors enough for him to squeeze through and hopped down to the ground. Aaron hadn't been wearing anything, so Abigail got confused about where he pulled his new, larger phone out from. He held his arm up over their heads as Denny drew close to Zen's side.
"Hey Abigail," Aaron said. "Take a bite."
Abigail wasn't quite sure why, but she had been searching for an excuse to take a bite without being rude ever since she first got her paws on it. Her ears perked up as she chewed.
The clicking sound of a picture being taken sounded. Abigail looked at Aaron's face as he put the jet black phone in his deep, purple mass of fur.
"Thanks a million," Denny said. "You know they also have fried cookies here?"
Furret Abigail looked down at the other carriages. When she traced down the line, her eyes darted between Floatzel Zen and Zoroark Aaron's. They both smiled at her.
Furret Abigail finished eating the last of the cookies fried in dough and handed the bag to Zoroark Aaron. Floatzel Zen waited next to Abigail and stared at the lit up area under the concert stage. Esmeralda continued to laugh and dance along with the crowd.
"Hey," Zen said, pointing his paw. "Looks like they have a little competition going on there."
Abigail traced down the length of his arm and looked where he pointed. A Flygon and Croconaw both ate from plates of curry in front of them, or they would be if they hadn't stopped in their tracks. They held the sides of their cheeks and twinged in pain. Zoroark Aaron walked back over and stared at them with Abigail.
"Some kind of spicy food eating competition?" Aaron asked.
"You two should try it out," Abigail suggested.
"Well, can't see a reason why not."
"Because of pain and suffering?" Zen asked.
"Meh."
Furret Abigail followed Zoroark Aaron and Floatzel Zen over. A Miltank overlooking the Flygon and Croconaw from behind smiled wider as she noticed them.
"You two want next?" Milktank asked.
"Yah, sure," Aaron said. "What exactly is it?"
"See if anyone can finish a plate of my curry. It's a few times spicier than the hottest thing most people have eaten."
"Doesn't scare me."
"Like that'd mean anything," Zen said. "C'mon, let's do it."
The Flygon and Croconaw stood up. They raced for bottles of water on the edges of the table while Zen and Aaron took their spots. Miltank took the plates of curry and replaced them with new ones from inside a carriage. Silver spoons rested on the plate that were about the same size. Abigail folded her arms and watched from a short distance.
"At the same time?" Aaron asked.
"Yah," Zen said. "Three… two… one…"
Zen and Aaron each took bites off of their spoon. Zen flinched and hit his legs on the bottom of the table. He stood right back up with Aaron and reached for the water bottles.
From the crowd closeby, a Quilava stepped out with a confused look on his face. Gawain grabbed Zen's spoon and tried another bite.
Unlike Zen, Gawain didn't react. He threw both of his paws up and glanced at each of them.
"Weak," he muttered.
Gawain stepped away and left as quickly as he came. Zen and Aaron stared at each other as they chugged down gulps of water and stopped. A Lairon and Togepi took their spots with about half of the confidence they had before trying it.
Abigail smiled as they came back over. She rubbed the sides of her arms underneath her sleeves.
"What is Gawain's tongue made out of?" Zen asked. "Hey, you feeling cold?"
"It's a little chilly," Abigail said. "Might retreat to the lobby."
"We'll walk with you."
"Thanks."
With Aaron and Zen, Abigail walked to the enormous sliding glass doors at the foot of the skyscraper. She moved slowly since she felt stuffed, which let in a decent gust of cool night air before the doors could slide shut behind them.
As expected, the Nightlight lobby had completely emptied. The only lights overhead were dim, and the doors blocked out almost all of the sound from Esmeralda's concert. As they walked in, it became quieter than she expected. She took off her sunhat and held it in her paws in front of her.
"Thinking about going to get some sleep?" Zen asked.
"Uh, yah," Abigail said. "I'm pretty tired."
"Before that, though."
Abigail jumped in place. Floatzel Zen and Zoroark Aaron crossed their arms in front of her as they looked around from the voice.
A brown lump of fur rose up from behind one of the black tables. A Lopunny with hazel eyes and his right hand on his hip smiled at them.
"Eyo," he said. "Hey, congrats on evolving by the way."
Silence fell for a few seconds.
"Uhm, thanks?" Zen said. "Luke? You're, uh, here."
"Yup," he said, "investigating and stuff."
"Investigating what?"
"This building," Luke gestured to the space around them. "Everyone's all distracted with what's going on down below, so, I figured I'd use this opportunity. Sorry, but I'll admit right now I took a quuuuick peek in your room, Abigail."
"Uhm… W-why?" she asked.
"Checking out that Eye thing. Definitely dangerous, but I need to look into it more. But, what I'm really here is for a warning."
"Why should we trust you again?" Aaron's asked as his voice trailed off.
"Hey, we nearly died together, right?" Luke said, smiling. "I came here to warn you guys because we're friiiiiends. Remember?"
Luke walked out from behind the desk, hit footsteps echoing on the steel floor. To Abigail, he seemed completely different in front of them now. With how everything before felt like a dream, it only made sense, though. His appearance seemed grittier and sharper than before. Shadows from the dim lights danced across his limbs. Neither Aaron or Zen moved their arms from in front of her.
"So, that Eye thing is connected to another person like Hannah?" Abigail questioned. "Is that what you're warning us about?"
"The Eye isn't, as far as I can tell. Truth be told, there's just a lot of remnants of reality being distorted in the top floors. It's weird, though. If I had to describe it, it feels like something happened here before, and there's also something brewing that's just like it. So, I have a favor to ask."
"Uh, yah?" Zen asked.
"Try and stick together through all this. I doubt this has anything to do with the Royal Families, but I dunno…. Feels fishy."
"If you're trying to help us and all, how come you won't stick around?" questioned Aaron.
"I just have a lot of research to do just like this. But you can call me anytime, and I'll pop up again."
Abigail raised her paws and pushed down on Zen and Aaron's arms. Both of them seemed to ease with them back down at their sides.
"Luke," Abigail said gently, "we need more information than just to 'stick together'. I don't want to get up in a fright tonight."
"Alright…" he frowned. "What I think is going on is that there's a person here that's being mentally attacked."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Like being bullied, y'know? Scions are connected to Legendary species, and that can't be broken. So, they'll bully their Scions until they end up not acting like themselves. It'll be things like hearing voices and nightmares. If you can figure out who it is, you just might be able to do something about it beforehand this time."
"Okay," Abigail said. "So, what are we looking for?"
"There should be a lot of emotional distress," Luke explained. "I think Zen has a decent shot of figuring it out. So just keep yourselves open."
"Alright. Thank you, Luke. We'll keep an eye out."
"Cool. Alright, I'm gonna head out for now. See you."
Abigail nodded in his direction as he walked forward and past them. He seemed to give them a wide berth on purpose on his way out the doors. Abigail stared at his back until he vanished into the heavy crowds outside.
"That's just so random," Zen groaned. "What is with that guy? Just shows up out of nowhere and barely tells us anything."
"Yah, that was… weird," Aaron said quietly. "What's his deal? Said he was a historian, right?"
"Even if he is, he doesn't really seem to trust us," Abigail said. "He must've been captured with us for a good reason. He has to be related to the Royal Families in one way or another. So, uh... I don't think you should sick Yellow Clan on him or anything."
Aaron's eyes jolted up from his phone. His lips meshed together as he turned it off and slowly retreated his arm back to put it in his mound of purple fur.
"It might be an old tie," Zen guessed. "Our families have a lot of history. Maybe his family just might be in it. Even when I talked about it with my parents, they both agreed."
"So what?" Aaron questioned. "We're just going to leave him alone?"
"That's what they said to do. He's not aggressive."
"But he was sneaking around the building," Aaron argued.
"And told us about what he found," Zen shot back. "He's friendly, if you couldn't tell what he did in that weird dream world. He's got to be doing what he's doing for a reason, so we should let him do it."
Abigail yawned. She couldn't really think of any input other than that Luke could be an alien from space. It was as good of a guess as any.
"Besides," Zen said, "our parents are probably the ones who let him in the building, anyway."
"True," he groaned, "but still… I don't like him poking around Abigail's room."
"It's okay," Abigail said.
Abigail burped and covered her mouth. Immediately after, she wanted to rip through more fried dough and powdered sugar with her teeth again. They were a once a year occurrence in the countryside, if even.
"Hey…" she said. "Could, uh… Could I get another funnel cake?"
"Not it," Zen said.
Aaron blinked, then tilted his head back. "Oh, fiiiiine. Be right back."
Aaron spun around and walked out the doors. Furret Abigail watched him leave while Floatzel Zen smiled.
The absence of Aaron's loud voice and personality weighed on Abigail's shoulders. Zen shifted his weight from leg to leg while she stood still.
"Hey Abigail," Zen said, staring out towards the doors. "Listen, I'm trying to be a bit… uh, more straightforward. And, I, really like you…"
"Think you can save it for just a little later?" Abigail asked. "I'm feeling really stressed… and you deserve more attention than what I can give right now." Abigail stared down at the floor. "I want to make sure I really listen."
Zen smiled at her with bright blue eyes. "Thank you. We can talk tomorrow?"
"Yah. Of course. So, you know how they get rid of these energy scars?"
"Well, it's just like a massage at the spa, really. They offer some really mild painkillers beforehand for this one, though. Don't overthink it, though. The relief will come fast."
"How exactly do they do it?"
"Well," Zen said, shifting his weight, "it's done by kind of changing your energy's direction. It's pretty complicated, but it's an old practice. Completely safe. You don't even have to sign a waiver for it or anything. Are you still worried?"
"Yah. A little."
Zen bent his head down. Abigail glanced up and got locked on his close face and warm smile.
"Don't be," he whispered. "Want me to stay with you?"
Furret Abigail took too long to answer: "Y-yah. Sure…"
Floatzel Zen glanced away and pulled his head up. Shiny Zoroark Aaron came back with a paper plate. A pile of powdered sugar shook on top of it with each step he took. Zen reached out his paw and silently offered to take her sunhat for her, and she obliged to have both paws under the plate.
"Okay," Aaron said, "all set?"
"Yah," Abigail smiled, "thanks!"
Abigail turned slowly and walked forward with them towards the elevator at the back of the lobby. The noise outside faded even more.
"Hey," Abigail said, "you guys didn't have to completely wreck Esmeralda back there…"
Zen and Aaron smiled at each other. They leaned their heads from side to side.
"On patrol?" Aaron asked.
"Thot patrol," Zen answered.
"Guys," Abigail sighed with a smile. "C'mon, she just called me a grandma. It's not a crime punishable by death."
"Guarantee she'll be a grandma before you are," Aaron snickered.
Abigail stopped walking and gaped. Zen contained his bursting laughter to his lungs while Aaron kept smiling to himself. She shook her head to herself and followed them to the elevator.