Ok, this chapter is where we up the length, up the events going on, up the characters that pop up…so stuff happens! …Yes, I too believe I'm slightly out of control. But, the good news is, the story advances! Yay!

…Oh, and perspective swapping finally occurs. It is pretty brief, but, it is there, somewhere. (That took a while!) Anyway, enjoy!

...

[Greninja]

Walking out from behind a few trees and back to the town gates, I pushed my red shirt down into my white trousers. Voices sounded and I caught just two figures approaching the gates. My face heated, I turned back to the trees and hid myself.

"Red shirt, white pants…what's with you forcing these colors on me?!" I demanded.

"Because you're always in blacks and blues," murmured Chesnaught from behind several bushes. "So, I might as well make you wear attention grabbing colors while we have the free time to do so."

"But I hate attention," I moaned. "Are you almost done?"

"Getting there; the shell makes it hard, you know," Chesnaught explained. More seductively, he added, "And I thought you enjoyed my attention."

Annoyed, I rolled my swimsuit into a ball and tossed it behind the bushes. I heard it thump down as Chesnaught cried out, smirking over the hit.

"What was that for?" asked Chesnaught.

"You have the bag, so you can put it away," I peered out and noticed that the couple had disappeared into town. Mockingly, I added, "Besides, I thought you liked looking at my shorts."

"Well…you're not wrong," Chesnaught chuckled.

Rolling my eyes, I stepped out and back to the gates. Samurott waited, propped against the town's stonewalls, and gazed at the cloudy, but bright, blue sky. Once I stepped close enough, he looked at me and raised an eyebrow, but I shook my head.

"Don't ask," I muttered.

"Wasn't going to pry," Samurott raised his arms in defense. "It's just a…fascinating color choice, even for casual wear." And naturally, he had a simple forest green top and sepia brown pants for himself.

"Chesnaught picked it," I grumbled. "Only he would pick such a conspicuous pair of colors out for me."

"That's…honestly adorable," admitted Samurott with a smile.

"Oh no, don't you take his side," I warned.

"Chesnaught's got good tastes, that's all I'm saying," Samurott smirked. "You look great in brighter clothes."

He winked and I blushed furiously, to which he chuckled.

"Screw the ball. You're both dead before we get back to the castle," I grumbled.

"But then you'll never get to dance," came Chesnaught's laugh.

Before I could turn around, he wrapped his arms around me and spun me around a few times. Gently, he placed me down and smiled broadly while the world around us slowed back down.

"Ha! You didn't even hear me this time," Chesnaught prodded my chest. I grabbed at his waist, and glared at the black trousers he wore.

"Not…fair…" I mumbled.

"What, these?" He tugged at the pants. "I didn't have white. I wore a red top though!" Which was notably darker than mine. "See? We sort of match this way!"

Samurott chuckled again. "I'd make the 'get a room joke,' but I believe you two already have one."

"Yeah, and Delphox beat you to it," Chesnaught added.

"He would," the samurai rolled his eyes. "Speaking of, let's go meet him and the others. Gardevoir almost had Greninja running around in that swimsuit."

"And you thought I was torturing you," Chesnaught playfully nudged me.

He grinned widely as he wrapped his arm around my back while I lowered my eyes. Samurott led us through the town gates and we strolled inside.

A Vileplume watched us enter and quickly slammed her doors to her wooden store the second she caught sight of Chesnaught and I behind Samurott. Another door from a brick building slammed across the street, before we even had a chance to look at it.

"Unbelievable," growled Samurott, tapping on his sheathed blades.

"We decreased our visits here for a reason," I reminded him.

"That's even worse," he complained.

"Tell us about it," Chesnaught mumbled.

Rounding a corner, we continued on, as several folks slipped away from the cobblestone streets once they caught sight of us and disappeared behind the brown or gray stone houses and shops. Others would wave, such as a Kecleon that made a point to become visible and smile at us. All the while, I tugged at my tongue around my neck, either up or down depending on the situation. Chesnaught, in spite of his anxious face, refused to remove his arm from around me.

Near the fork in the street, the north road would lead to the book and potion shops, while the northeast road led to restaurants. We turned for the north road, but an Electabuzz and a Scyther walked into our way. They menacingly smirked at as when we came to a halt. From the north road, a Hitmonlee and a Medicham joined them.

"Step aside," commanded Samurott.

"Aw, we ain't doing nothing," sneered the Electabuzz.

"Fine, but we have places to be, so again, step aside," Samurott ordered.

"Or what?" taunted the Scyther. "Knights aren't allowed to attack citizens, are they?"

"Not under ordinary circumstances," corrected Samurott as his hand went to his blade. Chesnaught tried to push me behind him, but I locked myself by his side.

"Funny, those two behind you certainly don't do ordinary," snickered Medicham.

"Greninja, don't…!" Chesnaught hissed as I surged forward against his arm.

"What's the matter, froggy? Boy toy got you on a leash?" laughed Scyther. Water formed in my hand and I was on the verge of slipping loose from Chesnaught. He caught on and slipped some grass in to absorb the water.

"What'd ya think, gang?" the Electabuzz asked the others as sparks danced around his arm. "Feeling a bit threatened here?"

The Scyther scraped his blades together, while the Medicham pounded her fist into her hand and snickered. Hitmonlee silently glanced at his allies, but spread his legs apart to fight. Samurott grabbed at one of his sheathed blades and was ready to pull it out.

"Excuse me."

The gang barely had time to raise their eyebrows before Electabuzz was coated in a light blue aura, lifted into the air, and slammed back down onto the ground.

A bright pink ball fired around as the ground turned and crashed into Medicham, who flew back into a sign.

We gazed behind them to see Gardevoir grinning as her eyes faded back to normal. Typhlosion stood behind her, collar aflame.

Scyther raised his blades, but a staff blocked it as he swung down.

"Ah-ah-ah," Delphox waved a finger from his free hand and shot a stream of fire to blast the mantis backwards.

Hitmonlee shivered in place, shifting his eyes between his fallen comrades, Gardevoir, Delphox, and Typhlosion.

"Anything you'd like to add, dear?" Gardevoir channeled a pink ball of energy in her raised hand.

Quickly, the Hitmonlee shook his head and ran off.

"Coward!" shrieked Medicham as she forced herself up.

"No, dear, he's the smart one," taunted Gardevoir and she fired her Moon Blast at the Medicham's feet. "You should consider following his example."

"You might want to," advised a singed Scyther, who beat his wings and buzzed off.

"Pah, we can take on a Fairy mage, no problem," Electabuzz slammed the floor and sparks flew from his fists. "But first, I oughta fry them little pond geeks. And the queer hoggie knight too."

"See, now we have a problem," Gardevoir chastised.

She thrust her hand forward and Electabuzz was lit in a light blue aura again. He began to gag and cough as his hands flew to his throat and he sank back down on his knees.

"H-Hey! Cut that out!" cried Medicham. "Knights aren't allowed to—"

"Oh, silly you," giggled Gardevoir as she concentrated on the choking Electabuzz. "Knights have their silly codes and oaths that they abide by, and those keep the townsfolk safe." Darkly, she glanced over to the Medicham and grinned wickedly. "The catch here? I'm not a knight."

Electabuzz coughed out again, with a tinge of blood dripping from his lips. "P-Please, don't do this!" wailed Medicham.

"Hold on, he's learning his lesson," Gardevoir mockingly eased.

"Gardevoir, that's enough!" shouted Samurott.

"Give me just another minute," insisted Gardevoir as she tightened her telekinetic chokehold.

"It's fine, Gardevoir," I called out. "They won't learn from that anyway."

She glared at me and her smile vanished, but she nodded and released the Electabuzz, who gasped out for breath. Medicham ran over and picked him up.

"You're all sick and crazy!" she screamed and helped carry Electabuzz off from the streets.

Samurott watched them go, and then turned to Gardevoir. "What's the matter with you?!" he snapped. "Acting like that will only cause more problems for us!"

"No, that will teach them discipline on their loose tongues," perkily asserted Gardevoir. "Sometimes, only force gets the job done, and none of you knights can lay down the law against asinine knaves like them."

"That's because we have stricter moral codes," Chesnaught chimed in. "Gardevoir, you can't just torment whoever teases your friends."

"Why shouldn't she?" defended Typhlosion. "They're creeps for picking on the two of you and had it coming."

"Violence isn't the answer," argued Chesnaught. "Believing that is why we do have wars."

"So, that's the gratitude from one half of the couple we defended," murmured Delphox. "Greninja, how about you? You appreciate us knocking those louts senseless?"

"I—"

"Of course he appreciated it, but that doesn't make it all right," Samurott snapped again. "You two can't just beat down on anyone that bothers you every time you come here."

"It's not every time," persisted Gardevoir. Samurott gave her a stern glare. "Oh, fine, sorry," she waved him off and folded her arms. "Not like I'll be able to do this much longer anyway."

Delphox placed his arm softly on her shoulder, but Gardevoir didn't relax. Typhlosion let his fire die down and grumbled to himself. I opened my mouth to change the topic, but nothing came out of me.

"Chesnaught? Hey!"

From the northeastern road, Lilligant flew over and hugged Chesnaught.

"Hi Lilligant," my knight hugged her back. He smiled at first, but slowly frowned.

"It's been ages!" she chirped as she released him. Lilligant turned her head and winked at me. "Does your boyfriend keep you busy?"

"Ah, n-not exactly," Chesnaught started and I snickered. "But I have been busy lately, and it has been a while. Sorry."

"No big deal, it's not like you're going away anytime soon," Lilligant laughed. Chesnaught dropped his arms from her and she slowly stopped. More seriously, she asked, "You're…not going away, are you?"

"Actually, I am," Chesnaught sadly admitted. "Greninja, Delphox, and I are being sent over to the Iceberg Empire after the ball."

"Oh, that's a shame," murmured Lilligant. "I'm really upset now."

"Join the club," joked Delphox.

"Well, can I join in with all of you? Before you go away?" Lilligant asked.

"Sure, we already invited Typhlosion," accepted Delphox.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Typhlosion growled.

"Actually, there was a shop I wanted to visit with you, Lilligant," Chesnaught recalled.

"Really? Then let's go!"

"Uh, but just you," Chesnaught specified. "It's about the…well, you know."

"About the…ooh, I got it!" Lilligant clapped her leafy hands together. "Ok, let's go to it while your friends…uh…"

"We'll find something to do," agreed Samurott.

"Right! So, come on!" She tugged Chesnaught, but stopped. "Oh, but only if it's all right with your boyfriend." Lilligant giggled while Chesnaught rolled his eyes.

"Just have him back before sun down and we'll be fine," I teased.

He waved to me as she dragged him quickly down the north road. Samurott and I slowly strolled over to the others and we went stared off toward the stores.

"She doesn't still make you jealous, does she?" asked Gardevoir.

Tapping my tongue, I shrugged. "There's always that one friend that knows your significant other just as well as you do, if not better."

"That didn't answer the question," Delphox jibed and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"All right, cool off," Samurott stepped between us. "Come on, let's find a store to mess around in until they get back."

Everyone nodded and we approached a small, nearby bookshop.

[Chesnaught]

Lilligant tugged me along for a little longer and until she forced herself to a stop. Stumbling past her, I crashed onto the ground, face-first.

"Ow," my muffled voice sounded.

"Ok, there is no thing that you've told me about," Lilligant started at me right away. I picked my head up as she folded her arms. "What's going on?"

"Maybe I just wanted a minute with my best friend?" I tried with a smile.

"You needed me to get you away," Lilligant assessed. "What for?"

"Can't you ever be surprised by my plans?" I complained. "Anyway, I wanted to visit a few stores around here without Greninja or the others—"

"Ooh, you're getting Greninja a gift for the ball!" She squealed. "Aw, Chesnaught, I'm so happy that you're dating him! You seem so much happier when you're around him—"

"Lilligant," I groaned as my face heated up. Carefully, I glanced around to see if anyone was listening in.

"Chesnaught, come off it," she snapped. "You can't be afraid of the world, just because you're dating another male."

"But—"

"Nope, come on," she dragged me over to the jewelry shop.

We walked inside and glanced around at all of the glittering necklaces, earrings, pendants, and rings. A few patrons browsed about the green painted store, but it wasn't particularly crowded.

"Um, Lilligant," I whispered. "Neither of us are really…uh, jewel type of guys."

"You'd have to come in here if you planned on marrying him," she hissed at me.

"M-Marriage?!" I blurted out and several customers turned to stare at us. "Uh…"

"Yes, my cousin simply can't wait to propose to his girlfriend!" Lilligant laughed loudly. "They'll be coming here soon, too!" Slowly, everyone returned their attention to their own business.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"Just realize that you're going to start owing me quite a lot," she teased.

"Why helloooooo!" a cheerful voice rang out and we turned to see the green reptilian merchant in our faces. "Welcome to the 'Hidden Forest Jewel' shop! My name is Sceptile, and I'm more than happy to assist you both with whatever fine goods you're searching for!"

"Uh…hi," I waved with an awkward smile. "Um…I'm looking for a gift—"

"That's our specialty!" sang Sceptile.

"Right," I nervously nodded. "So…it's—"

"For this lovely lady right here?" interrupted Sceptile and gestured to Lilligant.

"Sir, please," Lilligant pushed him back. "My friend wants to buy his bo…uh, something special for…someone important?" She shot me a painfully confused look and I shook my head.

"I want something for my boyfriend," I clarified, and kept my concentration on everything that wasn't another customer eavsedropping.

"Ooh, lovely!" chirped Sceptile. "Well, you certainly came to the right place! We have only the finest—"

"Please spare us the sales pitch," asserted Lilligant, as she eyed the rest of the store. "We're already here to buy something."

"Right, of course," nodded Sceptile. A little too loudly, he asked, "Anything you can tell me about your boyfriend to narrow your search?"

My face burned as I suddenly developed a deep fascination with the nearby necklaces. "Um…he's a Water Type—"

"Splendid!" cheered Sceptile. "I already know the perfect gift! I've dated a Water Type fellow several times already, and I know just the thing! Wait right here!"

He hurried off toward the counter, leaving Lilligant and I to stare blankly ahead. Slowly, we turned to exchange perplexed expressions.

"Well…he's nice…and lively," offered Lilligant.

"If he were a little less enthusiastic, I'd feel a lot better," I muttered.

"Hellooooo, I'm back!" We jumped and found Sceptile right in front of us. "Lucky you, sir, we just happened to have one of these left!"

Sceptile shoved a dark blue box into my hands and eagerly watched me. Slowly, I opened it to a pendant inside, shaped like a droplet. Water was contained inside of the gem and I blinked at it.

"Isn't this Mystic Water?" I asked.

"Exactly that!" clapped Sceptile. "Oh, we haven't had a delivery of those in ages and that's our very last one. Congratulations, sir, it's your lucky day!"

"…Sure, great," I agreed. "I'll take it."

"Excellent!" chirped Sceptile. "Let me just go ahead and ring you up then!"

We followed him to the cash counter and I kept waiting for someone to confront me over my orientation, but people seemed to mind their own business, certainly a lot better than others had outside.

"Right, that will be 8500 Poké, or 85 Gold Bars," tallied Sceptile.

My jaw dropped from the price as Sceptile swiped the box out of my hands.

"Huh. The price of love is steep," observed Lilligant. "Good thing you're a knight."

Slowly, I nodded and grabbed my coin bag. Hopefully, Greninja wouldn't want me to buy a nice outfit for the ball.

[Greninja]

My eyes shifted back to the bookstore's door, but it hadn't opened for the past half hour. Samurott slid beside me near a few journals and poked me.

"You ok?" he checked. "You've been glancing at the door repeatedly."

"He's been gone for a half hour," I murmured.

"Oh, Chesnaught, right," he nodded nonchalantly.

"That's not a good thing!" I snapped and caused Samurott to jump back.

"W-Why not?" he asked.

"Separation anxiety?" Typhlosion suggested as he bounced up next to Samurott, who shot him an annoyed look.

"No…ok, a little," I caved. "But it's something else. What if he got hurt or harassed or Lilligant got into trouble or—"

"Or he could be buying you a gift!" suggested Typhlosion and my eyes widened as I stared at him.

"Or…or that," my hallow response rang out.

"You…didn't buy him anything recently, did you?" inquired Samurott.

"Was I supposed to?" I nervously asked.

"Well, not exactly, but it's just kind of customary to buy your date something nice to wear to the ball," explained Samurott.

"And you're supposed to get something that'll last beyond it if you're actually dating them," prodded Typhlosion.

"Why would no one tell me this until now?" I demanded. "How was I supposed to figure that out?"

"Didn't know that you didn't know," laughed Typhlosion.

"I, uh, didn't think to tell you," admitted Samurott. "Sorry."

"It's fine, but…what am I going to do?!" I cried out. "He'll be back any minute now!"

"Well, there's a gift shop right across the street," Typhlosion jabbed toward the shop's front window.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Perfect!"

Hastily, I grabbed Samurott and Typhlosion, dragging them both out of the bookstore after me, and ran across to the gift shop across the street. Not spotting Chesnaught, I hurriedly shoved the other two knights into the store and slammed the door shut behind me.

"Could you not do that please?" a calm voice asked. "That door has had enough work done it as it is."

"Sorry, I'm just in a hurry," I apologetically called out. My head whirled around to make sure that the door hadn't broken and I turned back to see the light blue shop filled with all sorts of orange and yellow shelves of various goods.

"Just about everyone is," another voice laughed. I watched as tall, red, chicken-like merchant jumped around from behind a shelf. "Hey Swampert, the door's fine!"

"That's good, thanks Blaziken," his coworker answered and showed up a few seconds after, carrying a few boxes. He smiled while looking at me and added, "Didn't want to charge you for a door."

"Ah, lay off, Swamp," teased Blaziken as he nudged his calmer coworker. "The fellow's probably got a hot date to catch tonight!" He laughed while my face burned up.

"Um…more or less," I confessed.

"Well, you've come to the right store," nodded Swampert. "We should have a great gift for your date around here." He then scratched his head and studied my friends. "Um…are you two dating too?"

"Us? What? No!" Typhlosion rattled off as he quickly glanced at Samurott and pushed himself up from the floor. "Just…just Greninja."

I tilted my head and noticed that Typhlosion's cheeks were a little pink, as was his chin that he had leaned on, but he coughed and turned away before I could observe him anymore.

"All right then!" Blaziken clapped his hands together. "What would you like?"

"Do you still have that Miracle Seed?" asked Typhlosion. "He's dating a Grass Type and that would probably be perfect."

"Oh, I think we still have one of those left," murmured Swampert. "Blaziken, come on, let's go check the back."

They disappeared behind a few shelves of children's toys, while Samurott and I gazed at Typhlosion.

"What? …What?!" he demanded.

"How…did you know they had Miracle Seed?" questioned Samurott. "That's not exactly the most common item."

"No, but I've been here before," explained Typhlosion and his face went a bit red. "Browsing around for gifts that I…well, you know, to nab someone's interests!"

"Yeah, but you specifically knew about the Miracle Seed," pointed out Samurott. "What's up with that?"

"N-Nothing!" Typhlosion insisted. Defensively, he snapped, "What do you care, anyway?!"

Samurott shrugged. "I guess it's no concern of mine, but you sure helped Greninja out well."

"Yes, you really did," I agreed. "Thank you, Typhlosion!"

"Ah, sure, no big deal," chuckled Typhlosion. "Just…let me know if Chesnaught likes it, ok?"

"Sure," I nodded as the two merchants returned.

Blaziken held a green case in his hand. "Here," he clicked it open and showed me the bright yellow-green seed shaped gem inside of the container. "And good thing too! Last one we could find."

"Great, I'll take it!" I grinned.

"All right, it's about 8500 Poké," estimated Swampert.

"…That's…a lot," I mumbled and reached into my coin bag. "Uh…I don't think—"

"Oh, I'll pay for it," Samurott offered. "Just pay me back when we get back to the castle, all right?"

"Really? Samurott, I—"

"Nah, don't say anything, just pay me back before you take off, ok?" he nudged me with a wink, and I blushed while I slipped my hand behind my head.

Suddenly, the door slammed open again. Gardevoir and Delphox surged in.

"Please, not the door…!" moaned Swampert.

"Sorry," Gardevoir apologized. "Greninja, Chesnaught and Lilligant came back. Come on! We need to get you two your clothes!"

"T-They're back?" I stammered. "B-But…I can't let Chesnaught—"

"Samurott's already paying for it, just let him hang onto it until we get back to the castle," advised Typhlosion.

"Ah, that's brilliant!" I beamed. "Thanks again, Typhlosion!"

"Keep that up, and you're going to start owing me back too," he teased.

"Tally it up later, come on," Delphox dragged us out after Gardevoir.

Chesnaught and Lilligant turned as we poured back out into the streets and waved to us. I waved back, but stared at a bag that Lilligant tied around her arm.

"So, now where to?" she asked.

"They need clothes!" Gardevoir pointed at Chesnaught and I.

"Wait, they haven't bought them yet?" questioned Lilligant. "Isn't this a little late?"

"I know, right?" agreed Gardevoir.

"Well, you can waste more time complaining over it, or take them over there already," chimed in Typhlosion.

"Fair point," relented Gardevoir and held her hand up.

"Oh, wait, Gardevoir, no…!" protested Delphox, to no avail.

Gardevoir flicked her hand and telekinetically dragged us all along after her, just as Samurott walked out of the store.

"Guys?"

With her free hand, she jerked it forward and had Samurott sail through the air, catching him before he hit the ground and dragged him along with the rest of us.

"Why, Gardevoir, why?" moaned Delphox.

She hummed and skipped happily down the street until she spotted the clothing shop. Excitedly, she ran forward to the door and dragged us along after her, only for each of us to crash and blockade the entrance.

"Oops," Gardevoir giggled and waved her hands to release us into a pile on the steps to the building. "Well, we're here!"

"Gardevoir?" Typhlosion groaned.

"Yes?"

"You're one of those mages that displays limited regard to other living beings," he asserted as he picked himself up from the rest of us.

"Hey, you just might be onto something!" she agreed. "So, maybe you should keep that opinion to yourself, or I'll demonstrate how little regard I have!"

"Excuse me, darling, but I'd prefer it if you and your friends would quit blocking the doorway to this magnificent venue meagerly called a shop."

The rest of us picked ourselves us and I gazed into the cream colored store. Dresses and suits of all sorts of shades and styles lined the walls just about everywhere. Two merchants leaned against a nearby wall of clothing, eyeing us carefully, albeit…sort of distastefully?

"Hi Jynx, Hitmonchan," Chesnaught greeted.

"Ah, yes, the muscular knight from before," the Hitmonchan smiled and ran his gloved hand across the opposite arm. "Welcome back to 'Simply Chic,' darling."

"You…bought those…from here?" I suspiciously asked.

"But of course, darling," the Jynx flipped her long blonde hair. "There's nowhere better to buy the latest and greatest in fashion, always à la mode. Here? You see the future."

"It's true," chimed in Hitmonchan. "Truly, we are visionaries beyond even our time."

"…Wow, you weren't kidding," I whispered to Chesnaught.

"Don't speak softly, darling," commanded Jynx. "It simply does not suit you, nor will you be heard."

"Uh—"

"No empty words either, please," waved Hitmonchan. "You simply cannot be the one that strapping knight bought those swimsuits for."

"And why not?!" I snapped as my face flared up, with both embarrassment and rage.

"See? Louder, much better, darling," Jynx lightly laughed.

"Now, which among you are looking to make a purchase?" inquired Hitmonchan.

"Just us," Chesnaught wrapped his hand around mine and pulled me forward. He flashed me a smile and I let my shoulders drop down.

"No hand holding," Hitmonchan interrupted and knocked our hands apart. "We're looking to move quickly and get you two looking stunning and fabulous for whatever occasion you've come for."

I glanced back at my friends, who stood awed and in silence…sans Gardevoir, who was bursting in a fit of giggles.

"They're not here for dressing, just you, darling," Jynx pulled me forward and guided me deeper into the store, following Hitmonchan and Chesnaught. "Now, you two are dating, yes? Wonderful," she…assessed more than congratulated or cheered.

"Couples outfits are a specialty of ours," chimed in Hitmonchan. "But, of course, almost everything in fashion is."

"What isn't?" I bitingly asked.

"Most likely disparaging things we simply do not address," asserted Jynx as she lifted my arm, then leaned over, and picked up one of my legs.

"Hey!" I cried out as I stumbled, but she put it back down without much other thoughts and continued walking, forcing me with her.

"Yes, I believe blue is simply the greatest color that he has to offer, so we'll be sure to make that stand out with the tailcoat and trousers," noted Jynx. "The shirt should be something brighter, perhaps cream, though white is also doable. Tie should be red to match the eyes, and in case it is visible under the tongue."

"Mm, blue and green should go well enough, together," agreed Hitmonchan. "But more of a forest green for this one, and definitely a white shirt. And something that definitely hugs the figures to make them both appealing to one another, and to earn envious admiration from the audience around them, naturally."

"With flowing tailcoats to put even dresses to shame?" checked Jynx.

"Nothing less, of course," reaffirmed Hitmonchan.

"Marvelous, darling," laughed Jynx. "But of course, we only craft perfection."

"Absolutely, darling," chuckled Hitmonchan. "Such less and we wouldn't be here."

They then shoved Chesnaught and I aside and quickly zipped around to gather clothing for us. Jynx froze part of the wall, and held some of the clothes against us, looking back and forth between the reflection and us, but obscuring our view.

"This will be perfect, naturally," Jynx took the clothes away and Hitmonchan threw a punch to shatter the ice.

He then helped her box the clothes up, while I shot Chesnaught a perplexed face. Calmly, my knight shrugged and smiled to reassure me.

"We…didn't even see the clothes," I deadpanned.

"You have no need to see them now, darling," stated Hitmonchan.

"Indeed, they will be absolutely perfect once you take them out and wear them for the first time," explained Jynx.

"No, you two made a mistake on my size with the swimsuit," I asserted.

They paused, appeared taken aback, exchanged expressions, and then laughed.

"We never make mistakes, darling," the two informed me simultaneously.

"…Chesnaught…" I grumbled.

"What? I confessed to you before!" he grinned. Though he had, I was more irritated about not throwing our merchants off.

Jynx took the clothes to the counter while Hitmonchan dragged us over. She rang up the prices and bagged the clothes as Hitmonchan placed us before her, and I glared as he lingered before he let go of Chesnaught.

"Your total is 32000 Poké," informed Jynx. "…Or 320 Gold Bars."

"Wait, what?!" exclaimed Chesnaught while my eyes fired open. "The swimsuits weren't that pricey!"

"Darling, please, that's unbecoming," chastised Hitmonchan as he joined Jynx on the other side.

"Oh, I got it!" laughed Gardevoir. "They have the highest prices here, but they're great, really." She handed over the gold bars and tossed the clothing bags into our hands. "You two can pay me back later. You're welcome!"

She strolled back over to the others, who stared vacantly into the store.

"Ah, yes, perfect," Hitmonchan nodded as he counted the gold.

"Splendid indeed," agreed Jynx. "Thank you both for shopping with us. Though, your other choices were simply subpar, so really, there was no better option."

"Naturally," they chimed in together. "Have a marvelous evening!"

"Thank you!" Chesnaught smiled.

"Yeah…thanks," I forced out with my own smile.

Everyone poured out of the store and we returned to the street.

"That…that was the strangest shopping experience I think I've ever had," I confessed.

"That was the strangest one I think I've ever witnessed," laughed Samurott.

"They are pretty…well, they can be glib," agreed Gardevoir. "But, they are simply the best!"

"I can't argue with that," Chesnaught added in.

"So…now what?" asked Lilligant.

"Food might be nice," suggested Delphox.

"Oh, yes, I second that," Typhlosion concurred.

"Ok, food it is!" Gardevoir cheered. "Everyone, off we go!"

Delphox's eyes widened. "Wait, Gardevoir, don't—!"

Before he could even finish the thought, let alone get it out, Gardevoir flipped her hands and telekinetically hauled us after her, back through the streets.

...

Phew, that was a lot, and I am sorry that it was!

First, yes, lots of characters, which I didn't mean to add in, but I didn't want titles like, "nameless thug 1" and "shopkeeper 3," so I picked unassigned Pokemon and threw them in. Crazy, hectic, but no need to worry or pay them special mind, as they're mostly one-offs, outside of the core characters. (All of whom are identifiable by now, I hope.) Oh, but do remember (or familiarize yourself with) Lilligant, since she's a recurring character (less so in this story, but in the series overall; hey, it pays to be friends with the main characters).

So, if you're wondering about the townsfolk that acted so aggressive, well, not everyone approves of Chesnaught and Greninja's public outing…or their relationship altogether. Surprise. (It also helps exemplify Chesnaught being the more moral amongst his friends.) Thankfully, not everyone is a complete creep, so they didn't face a town of harassment and got their funny moments in as well, because shopping shenanigans. (Again, yes, I'm aware that some of these concepts are probably less medieval, but it is Pokemon, so…full medieval goes out the window when you have a boxer show up. Oh, and I'm not too keen on fashion fun either, how disappointing of me. Sorry, I'm incapable/inadequate.)

Fair warning: the next chapter will probably also be pretty lengthy, because guess what? That's the ball chapter. Hype! (Actually, no, stop, don't raise those expectations. I don't even know how to write dancing or…uh, other ball activities. STAHP.) Ah, one final note, I believe that I will be sticking with the first title I chose, as it did win the poll and I'm partial to it anyway, so that's here to stay.

That's all for now! Comments and criticisms are welcome, as always, via reviews, messages, or however else you can communicate with me. Hearing stuff is always lovely for me, so don't be shy! …I'm shy (and awkward) too, so it's cool. Thank you for reading and I hope it's still enjoyable!