Jesus… 6 months? I'm so sorry y'all, even for my standards, this is weak. Regardless, I'm gonna try and make this a fluff chapter to transition and let you guys know that I'm alive and still working. Serious chapter should come soon, I promise! Anyways, let's hop right in!

Chapter 25: Settling Down

"So… Is this really how it felt?"

"Ya huh."

"...And you're okay with that?"

"Mhm. If they're happy, I'm happy. It's not like she's going away forever, after all."

"I know, but still, they're so… So…"

"You're jealous of them, aren't you?"

"Oh come on, you can't be…"

Jolteon hesitated for a bit, which was just enough for Leafeon to give him that knowing smirk. They've been going back and forth with their discussion for the better part of an hour over the two lovebirds leading the pack. Flareon and Glaceon were nuzzling away at each other, completely ignoring anyone other than themselves as they kept going at it. Not even Melvin could manage to get them to stop.

"How the hell have you not hit anything yet? Hello? Are you listening to me? Stop nuzzling your girlfriend and open your eyes! Arceus's sake…"

Jolteon was similarly displeased. He just kept looking over there with a grumpy frown on his face. "Oh my Arceus, get a room, you two!"

Sylveon gasped and rolled her eyes. "Oh, you silly little boy… Of course you would say something like that. You just really don't get it…"

Jolteon growled and grit his teeth. However, Leafeon put a paw on his shoulder. "Hey, Jolteon, don't. She's just teasing you. We don't need another fight on our hands."

"Rrgh… Fine. I still think that they shouldn't be doing that. They're leading the group, they should be acting like it!"

Sylveon giggled and turned towards them. "Mm, I'll have to disagree with ya there, Sparky~ I actually think that their nuzzling is great for morale! In fact, maybe we should all follow suit! C'mere, Umby~"

Sylveon wrapped one of her feelers around Umbreon and dragged him near her. Umbreon turned towards Espeon with a worried look on his face.

Espeon, it seems I am trapped and require your assistance. Please help me.

Espeon just sighed, ready to get Umbreon out before Jolteon butted in. He got Umbreon away from Sylveon's feeler and glared at her. "Alright, I've had it with you! What's your deal? Why are you going out of your way just to piss me off?!"

Sylveon huffed and glared right back at him. "Aw, is Lightning Boy jealous?~ Well, maybe he should get some thicker skin!"

"Maybe you should just cut it out! I'm tired of you treating me as if I were a helpless child!" Jolteon's teeth started to grit against each other.

Sylveon, on the other hand, could only sneer back at him. "Oh, honey, have you really not noticed? What have you done to help our cause ever since we've left? You got Flareon captured, you got turned into a statue… Oo, and you got embarrassed by Flareon himself, didn't you?"

Jolteon started screaming at her by now. "CUT IT OUT!"

Sylveon screamed right back at him. "WHY DON'T YOU TRY AND MAKE ME?!"

"Both of you SHUT THE HELL UP!"

In to split the two up was Flareon, who was visibly angry and Glaceon looked on in worry.

"What's wrong with you two? Both of you seem very irritable lately. I know that it's cold, but we're almost at a rest stop, okay? We all need some rest."

Jolteon shook his head. "Fine. I'll see you guys there." He then proceeded to run in the direction of the nearby town, completely ditching everybody else. Leafeon tried to stop him, but it was too late.

"Ugh… He's so stubborn." Sylveon rolled her eyes. However, she started looking back and forth as everyone else was staring at her. "...What? Why are you all staring at me?"

Leafeon sighed and walked towards her. "Sylveon… What's gotten into you, recently? Jolteon's done nothing wrong, and yet you've been treating him horribly recently. I know he's not the most… modest guy around, but he's trying his best."

Sylveon huffed and turned away. "I've never liked him. I'm more just getting less and less tolerant of his childish behavior."

Vaporeon clicked her tongue and walked towards her. "Yeah, I'm sure. Were you just lying to us at the camp fire then? If so, that's kind of a jerk move."

Sylveon turned back towards her and frowned. "Hey, that was supposed to be between us!"

"Girl, come on. The only ones that haven't heard it before are Flareon and Umbreon, and both of them are taken."

I am not taken.

"Besides, we want to know the truth. What's your issue?"

Sylveon closed her eyes and looked like she was about to pop a blood vessel before she cooled off and exhaled. "I don't have to say anything to anyone, especially you…" With that, Sylveon just turned around and walked in the direction of the town, leaving everyone speechless.

Espeon, however, was the first to break said silence. "So… I'm sure I'm just stating the obvious here, but is anyone else getting major red flags right now?"

Flareon sighed. "I think those two just need some time to relax… Preferably away from each other… Traveling with two dominant personalities isn't easy."

Personally, I think it would be good to stop and rest there as well. I've heard that their marketplace is quite nice, perhaps we should take this opportunity to stock up on supplies?

Espeon nodded. "Right. Okay guys, Umbreon suggested that we stop here an extra day and get some supplies. I think we probably should, but we should also try and keep an eye on those two so that they don't do anything… Bad. You all agree?" Everyone nodded in agreement. "Excellent. Now then, off we go."

You almost had it. You almost achieved satisfactory casual talk.

"Well, look who's talking. You're beginning to sound like me!"

Aha, perhaps. You've rubbed off on me in more ways than one, that's for sure.

"Well, when I'm the only person you can talk to… That's bound to happen. But hopefully these shards can help fix your voice up!"

Ah… Yes. I, too, am looking forward to it.

"...What's with the hesitation?"

It is nothing. Forget I said anything.

"Okay…"

"Stupid Sylveon… Why does she have to be so patronizing? Always treating me like I don't know what to do. Well, I can fight just as good as anybody!"

Jolteon grumbled to himself as he walked through the streets of the town, looking at the ground with disgust.

"I don't need her… I don't need any of them! I can… I can handle this entire journey myself! I…"

Jolteon shook his head.

"No, I… I just need to calm down. I'm not gonna get anything done if I'm rushing things. I need to think about this."

Jolteon bit his lip and started looking around. With a sigh, he turned back around.

"I… I should apologize to her. I shouldn't have don-"

Just a moment after he turned around, Jolteon came face to face with Sylveon. A light blush tapped his face as he saw her.

"Oh… Hello, Jolteon. I thought you'd have run into a corner by now."

Jolteon was about to snap back at her, but bit his lip and stayed quiet. "Sylveon, I… I'm sorry."

Sylveon was taken aback by this as Jolteon continued. "I shouldn't have said what I did back there. And… well, everywhere. I haven't been very nice to you since we left. I'm sorry."

Sylveon sighed and walked towards him, putting a feeler around his back. "Aw, Jolteon, that's so sweet… Listen, I'm sorry too. I know you're trying your best out there, even if it's not that good~"

Jolteon huffed. "Hey!"

Sylveon couldn't help but giggle. "I'm sorry, it was too easy~ I just couldn't resist~"

Jolteon sighed and chuckled. "So… Does that mean you forgive me?"

She nodded in response. "Only if you'll forgive me."

"Heh, I'll think about it." Jolteon turned back to the town. "Y'know, I'm pretty sure there's a Farmer's Market of some sort around here… You wanna check it out? I'm pretty hungry, hehe…"

Sylveon brightened up and smiled. "I'd love to."

Meanwhile, the rest of the group was trailing them, trying their best to catch up as they ran towards the town. Flareon turned towards Espeon as they went forward.

"So, Espeon, I think it'd probably be best if we knew this place before going in. Do you have any info?"

She nodded. "It's a small town called Alensdale. It's usually quiet, but is well known for having a wide variety of cultures come together. It's great for stocking up on supplies, which I recommend we do."

Leafeon made sure to butt in as well. "And we will, but our main priority right now is to stop the other two from ripping their heads off."

Flareon nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we need to hurry." The group went through the entrance to the town. "If we don't, then they might start-"

Flareon was cut off as he saw the two of them in the marketplace, eating and laughing with each other at the table. "...Hanging out with each other?"

An awkward silence fell over the group as no one had any idea of what was going on. Glaceon smiled and hopped in-between the group of three. "Well, I'm glad that's settled~ Now then, why don't we all take in the sights? If we're gonna stock up, might as well relax a little bit~"

Flareon had a wide grin on his face. "Yeah! And hey, maybe there's a tournament here so I can refine my- Ow! Ow ow ow, stop that!"

Flareon was cut off by a certain Glaceon grabbing his ear. "Oh no you don't! You are not getting out of relaxation time by competing in another tournament! You need to let your body relax…"

"B-But… I'm fine, there's no-"

"Uh uh, I am not taking that. You're going shopping with me, and I don't wanna hear any lip about it, okay?"

Flareon sighed. "Yes ma'am…"

Glaceon giggled with a smile on her face. "Good! Now then, off we go~" She grabbed Flareon's tail and started dragging him towards the marketplace.

Once they were out of earshot, Leafeon couldn't help but chuckle. "Poor guy. Guess he had to find out the hard way that Glaceon's not gonna put up with as much when you start dating her."

If what I saw in your memories is correct, I believe this what humans call 'being whipped'.

"Shut up, Melvin…"

Espeon turned back to Leafeon and Vaporeon. "Alright, I suppose Umbreon and I should be on our way. We're gonna take a visit to the library and see if we can acquire any information on our next location. We'll make sure to meet up with you guys when we achieve satisfactory results. That cool?"

...I don't even know what to say to that.

"Yeah, sounds good Espy. Meanwhile, I'll take Leafeon and go check out the battle items. I'm sure there's gotta be something good for us."

Leafeon shrugged and walked away with Vaporeon into the town proper. Espeon, meanwhile, finally responded to Umbreon.

"So… Not good?"

You switched between proper and improper every other sentence. How do you even manage that?

"I can't change how I speak on a dime, Umbreon. It's just a nervous tick."

But what are you nervous about? This is a time for us to relax and take care of ourselves.

"Well… Oh, it's nothing. I'll tell you later."

Umbreon raised an eyebrow at her, but eventually shrugged it off and followed her to the library.

Meanwhile, Jolteon and Sylveon were eating away at some Sitrus Berry pie that the two of them bought.

"Y'know, Sylveon, I've gotta say, it's a lot more fun to hang around with you when you're not attacking me."

Sylveon gave him a death glare. "You just haaaaad to ruin it, didn't you?"

Jolteon nervously shook his head. "N-No, I didn't mean it like that! I just meant it's strange that you snap at people so much. You were always the kind one of the group, the one who would listen to everyone's problems and help them in any possible way."

Sylveon couldn't help but blush at that, but turned away with a sigh. "I suppose… This journey is taking a toll on me. I'm sure everyone is struggling as much as I am, but it's hard to maintain your character through what we've been through. I guess I'm just… a little tense."

Jolteon tilted his head for a second. "A little tense? Here, I can help with that."

Sylveon giggled. "Thanks sweetie, but I don't know how you would-" She jumped a bit in her seat as he felt a pair of paws on her back. "Jolteon? What are you-"

"I'm giving you a massage. If you're feeling tense, this should help out a little bit." He started moving his paws on her back.

Sylveon bit her lip, a blush forming on her face. "W-Wait, Jolteon, maybe we shouldn't do this in public… It's embarrassing…"

Jolteon backed off and went back to his seat. "Oh, okay, sorry…"

Sylveon quickly shook her head. "No no, it's okay. You're actually pretty good at it, if I'm being honest…"

Jolteon scratched the back of his head. "Well… Thanks, I guess. I dunno, I've never really done it before… Just thought I'd give it a try."

Sylveon gave him a bright smile. "I really appreciate it, Sparky."

Jolteon couldn't help but roll his eyes at her. "Again with the nicknames…"

"Aw, c'mon, I think it's a really cute nickname! Plus, it's so fitting~"

"It's lame! I don't want people thinking I'm so dumb speedster with a name like Sparky…"

Sylveon frowned a bit. "Sorry… I won't call you that if you don't want me to…"

"I-I mean…" Jolteon huffed and looked away. "...I guess I don't mind it that much."

Sylveon beamed back at him. "Aw, really?~ Thanks a bunch, Sparky~" Sylveon wrapped her feelers around him and he left out a huff.

"What have I gotten myself into…?"

"Aw, don't be like that, I'm sure the others won't change their opinion on you one bit!"

"I'm not sure if that's supposed to be reassuring or an insult…"

"Honey, have I ever tried to trick you into doing something like that?"

Jolteon gave a playful glare at her. "Yes. Multiple times, as a matter of fact. Ever since we were kids."

Sylveon stuck out her tongue in response. "Whatever could you mean?~ I bet you couldn't even name one example right now!"

"Remember that time you told me to sing in front of our friend group, because you said that it'd help me learn Hyper Voice? Everyone was either confused or embarrassed while you were laughing in the corner."

Sylveon huffed. "That wasn't me, that was Vaporeon! She told me to do it cause she knew you'd trust me. I'd never do something like that to you…"

Jolteon rolled his eyes. "Of course it was Vaporeon…"

Sylveon giggled. "Still though, I didn't think your singing voice was too bad~"

Jolteon was taken a bit aback by her statement. "Wha? Sh-Shut up, it was awful…"

"Aw, c'mon, that's not true… For someone who doesn't sing a whole lot, it was fine!"

Jolteon huffed and turned away. "Wh-Whatever, it doesn't matter anyways…"

Sylveon smiled and wrapped her feelers around Jolteon. "Dawww~ You may act tough, but deep down, you're just a little softie, aren't ya?~"

"I am not! I'm very tough, I'll have you know!"

"Oh, I know~ Big, strong Jolteon who comes to save the day~" Sylveon tickled his cheek a little when she said that.

Jolteon let out a sigh, an intense blush on his face. "You're so cruel…"

On the outskirts of town…

"Is the machine ready? We can't do anything until that thing is fully functional."

A figure seemed to be turning one final bolt on the machine before putting it down. "Yeah, it should be all good. Hopefully that little Electric dog will help us out with its usage."

"Excellent. Then everything is going according to plan. We'll strike tomorrow. Knowing them, they'll want to spend a full day here, so we'll have to be patient."

"And what do you suggest we do in the meantime? If we stay out here, we're certainly going to be spotted."

"Hmm… Well, we could always have a look around the marketplace."

"...Come again?"

"What? We need food, and no one will know who we are if we use the cloaking device. Let's just go in and gather supplies."

The smaller figure sighed. "Of course, sir…"

End of Chapter 25

Whew, finally done! Again, sorry for all the delays, but I promise that next chapter will hopefully be out in less time. Meanwhile, make sure to Favorite and Follow yadda yadda have a nice day. Peace!