Pure white, what many picture to be the afterlife, some would consider it a part of some fever dream. That is all Ninetales saw, which was a great contrast to the pitch black van he and Vulpix were chucked in. The fox shivered, if everything was white, was he dead? He had no beliefs in the after life, many Pokemon didn't, as they were essentially animals with superpowers. Maybe this is just what happened when the journey was over; an endless void with no escape. Perhaps if he were dead, there was some way to replay his memories, a way to simply relive parts of his life. Ninetales then looked down and saw an Alolan Vulpix, who was fast asleep, laying on his side. Maybe today isn't the day Ninetales would meet the end of his life.
"Hey Vulpix, wake up," Ninetales said. He nudged his adopted kit a couple times, which didn't fail to wake up the snow fox. "Where… weren't… didn't we fall asleep in a van?" Vulpix asked. "I believe we did, we must have arrived wherever that foul human wanted to take us. Now we are nothing more than test subjects…" Ninetales sighed. "You said we'd be out of here in a few weeks, '' Vulpix said. "That's if they find nothing interesting about us," the older fox said. "I see you two aren't enjoying being in this room."
Both foxes' attention was drawn to a shiny Ninetales, sitting beside her was a Vulpix, who must've been her child. Before anyone could react, Ninetales was up, and standing in between the newcomer and his own Vulpix. "Relax, I doubt that Riot is going to end up dissecting you," the shiny said. "Ah, Casper!" A human ran in through a hidden door. "I told you not to disturb our new guest, you could've stayed in your quarters," the scientist said. The shiny Ninetales stared at him for a few seconds. "So? These two were just taken from their owners, they're probably scared out of their minds!"
Casper giggled as her scientists began trying to get her and Ruby to scoot aside. "Remember, that I will be turning you into a Vulpix once these two are settled in," the fox said. "I know, just sit back for a bit," Riot said. He knelt down in front of the regular Ninetales. "So do you have telepathy as well?" He asked. Ninetales didn't move a muscle, he felt Vulpix try to hide under the blanket of his tails. "Hey, if you need me to translate for you, I can do that," Casper said. Riot almost jumped at his Pokemon's suggestion. "That… I wouldn't have thought of that," the scientist said. "Actually… why didn't you ever do that when Ruby spoke?"
"There simply was not a need, she was just making noises because she was happy. The words she did say could probably just be guessed at through her body language, which I believe you will learn in time," Casper said. She looked at Ninetales. "Do you have a name? And does your Vulpix have one as well?" She asked. Casper could immediately tell that both Pokemon before her weren't related. The Vulpix was what she believed was called a "regional variant" so they likely just stuck together at some point for company and security. "I don't have a name, neither does Vulpix. When will we be released back to our humans?" Ninetales said. His scrunched up nose smoothened out as his anger began to die out.
"Ninetales and Vulpix want to know when they can see their trainer again," Casper translated to RIot. "They also do not have names," she added. "Well, we can set up a visit, and hopefully after a few experiments you can go back. I'll have to ask the higher ups before I can give you a time frame," Riot said to Ninetales. "We can just get a look at the tag around your collar to find out your trainer, since you don't have a name. Then you can expect your owners to come in and at least see you," he said.
"Just a tip for speaking with house Pokemon, refer to their human companions as trainers. You think we Ninetales are as smart as people, correct?" Casper asked. "Of course! I'd need a bigger selection of Pokemon to work with to be 100% sure, but I know you guys are insanely intelligent," Riot said. "Well, tell me how a person would react to being referred to as property of another person," Casper said. "Cuba was a result of a slave revoltion," Riot said. "So as you can guess house pets, like that Ninetales in front of you, do not like having their humans be called owners. They don't like thinking that they are property," Casper explained.
"Can you tell Casper what you'd want me to call your humans?" RIot asked. Ninetales turned to see Vulpix's head poking out from between his tails. "Just tell him we don't care what Daniel's called. He's our friend, sibling, owner, trainer, whatever. I just want to see him," Vulpix said. "That, that is something I agree with," Ninetales said. He relayed what was said to Casper, who quickly translated it to the scientist. "Can I also get a notebook and a pen? I know how to write… not very well, but I can. That would be easier than having to make you translate for me," Ninetales said.
It really wasn't a surprise that the shiny Ninetales before him was kind of pretty. They were sought out by trainers for a reason; they were very pretty in some cases. On top of that, Ninetales were generally considered pretty even when they weren't shiny. "I believe you are aware that I've already had a mate. I do not intend on finding another, even if he is not with me anymore," Casper said. Riot ran off, likely to retrieve a journal and writing utensil. "I do not intend on finding a mate, finding my trainer takes priority," Ninetales said. "Then the feeling is mutual," Casper said.
"I'm back!" Riot opened what looked like a brand new journal and pack of pens. He handed a pen and the journal to Ninetales, who quickly took a pen in his mouth. "Can you write a simple sentence for me? It can be about anything," Riot requested. Ninetales barked, forgetting he had a pen in his mouth, and going for the pen like a dog would with its favorite toy. The scientist chuckled, the Pokemon he will be working with in the near future are like dogs. Just with more tails, they can communicate, one of them can write, and are also much smarter than the smartest collie.
Ninetales used his telekinesis to hand the journal back to the scientist. While he might not enjoy being here, he might as well comply with what was asked. Not only did Riot seem like a decent person, but the more he cooperated, the sooner he and Vulpix could leave. If not that, then the more often that Daniel could be invited over to see them. "I want potato chips," Riot read aloud. "Jesus christ, I've never been surprised this many times in a month," he said. "First Casper can communicate with me and solve puzzles that stump the average person, and then you can write," Riot chuckled and handed the notebook back.
"Look, I know being here sucks, but can you keep little daily logs of how you are feeling while you're here? I'll have somebody come in during my absence to play with you. You'll like her, she loves Casper and Ruby, so she'll love you," Riot put his hands in his lab coat's pockets. "C'mon you two, let's let these two rest. Their night must've been stressful," he ordered.
"I hate this," Vulpix said as he squeezed himself out of Ninetales' tails. "I do as well, and now I have to write a diary for this scientist. At least he is more reasonable than the bastard that dragged us here," Ninetales said. "At least there's that… even if I don't want him coming anywhere near me," Vulpix said. Ninetales nodded and sighed. "I suppose we nap? I don't see any toys in here, and I don't think we can wrestle for very long before you or I get tired of it," Ninetales said. "Are you kidding? Wrestling never gets boring," the fox bowed. "Well, give me your best shot!" Hopefully this would take their minds off their current situation for even just a second.
"Alright Casper, I've told all my colleagues already, do I gotta do anything else before I become a Vulpix?" RIot asked. "No, just know this will only be for a week," the shiny said. "Alrighty, I'm ready then," the scientist couldn't wait. He would get to literalize "become the animal". Casper almost chirped in excitement. "I cannot wait! I'll take care of two kits!" Riot was gonna comment on how cute that noise was, before he felt his body fall back onto his bed. He fell into a deep slumber.