Flareon Light stared at Sky Shaymin Ariel across from him. Dim blue light from the night sky poured through the windows high above their heads.

Light didn't know how to strike at Ariel. Her forelimbs and legs touched delicately as pairs on the ground while her face was pointed at a perfect angle with a cocky smile. She only ever tilted her body to avoid his long range attacks with no effort.

"Something wrong?" Ariel asked.

"No," Light muttered.

"C'mon then."

Light approached up close and jabbed at her with his arm. He didn't want to do any risky attack, but it seemed too risky to strike at all.

Ariel sidestepped and grabbed him by the paw. Before he knew it, Light was draped over her back and slammed onto the ground.

Looking up at the ceiling, he wasn't sure how Ariel had pinned him. A slight pain stretched up his arm, and he couldn't see past a wall of white fur over his eyes.

"First lesson is knowing to accept defeat," Ariel said. "Tap on the ground."

Light struggled, but the pain just got stronger when he tried. A prick of frustration growled in his chest. He tapped on the ground, and Ariel stood up off of him.

Ariel gazed down at his face.

"Okay, I won," Ariel said.

"Rub it in enough!?" Light shouted.

Light covered his body with his tail after he stood up. Ariel kept the same plain expression on her face.

"Hey, Light," Ariel said. "What's hurting you right now?"

"What?" Light hissed.

"I mean... I just don't really see the point of dancing around talking about something. What's making you so mad?"

"I just can't do anything."

"Your value has never been about how useful you were," Ariel said. "Whoever told you that was just trying to manipulate you. Everyone here but yourself respects you because you're kind, heroic, and a soft person to be with."

"No one needs that," Light whined. "But people definitely need you."

"Ugh... You need some confidence, lil guy."

Ariel tugged at the Light's gray tail and parted it to see his face. Light's face and eyes were hot from embarrassment.

"I wish I could be more like you," Ariel whispered. "It's sweet people like you that really make good things happen."

The heat in Light's face weakened. He exhaled air he didn't realize he was holding in. Ariel reached her arms around his mane.

Light's fur and chest went ablaze as she left him off the ground. His arms went over her tough back as he kept himself stable. Ariel's arms glided over his back and around his waist as she picked him up and looked up at him. His feet gently pushed back against her rippling stomach.

"Hi," Ariel said, smiling.

Light couldn't get words out. His arms fell around her neck, shaking like leaves. He didn't know what to say back.

"You know, since you're my boyfriend," Ariel said, "you can call me 'Airy'".

Light instinctively hugged when Ariel's lips touched his cheek. He squeaked and pulled his head away while giving a small push with his feet. Dizziness plucked him in the head.

"Sweet Kiss," Ariel said. "You like it?"

Light had a mix of not knowing what to say and not being able to say it. He managed to get out a small whimper. Ariel pushed her forehead against his until the dizzy feeling went away.

"I'll tell you what," Ariel said, "how about a better way of doing this. Next time we spar, my win condition will be landing Sweet Kiss."

"That's... even more embarrassing," Light muttered.

"You've got nothing to be ashamed about, okay?"

Light tried to believe it. What she was saying made him feel energized somehow. Come to think of it, a lot of what she did had that effect.

"Okay... Airy."

Ariel's face froze. She must not have expected him to actually do it. She stared with the same petrified expression, but started to shift suddenly. She pushed her lips into his cheek again with a strong force for a split second and pulled back.

Ariel set Light back down on the floor. His gray tail shot around him, fluffier than it ever had been from the heat, and covered his whole body like a candle flame.

Light peered through the wall of gray fur and focused on her eyes.

"Hey," Light mumbled, "uhm, maybe tomorrow we can see if Chad can show us some more of his memory."

"That sounds great," Ariel said, "I've always wanted to know this stuff."

Light gave her a look she seemed to understand.

"Oh, well, uh..."

"You admire her?" he asked quietly.

"Ah, I guess so..." Ariel said.

"How?"

"Well, maybe tomorrow. I think we should head to bed."

"Uh, sure. Okay."


Back in his room, Flareon Light immediately went to lay on his bed.

He looked out of his window. It was dark outside, but he could make out the rolling black color as gentle waves. According to Chad, they were in an area of downwelling. He explained that multiple surface currents were meeting together, so the water was sinking and there wasn't as much sea life. He noticed there weren't as many shadows of fish in the water as usual.

He focused more on Lao Shen. They believed in luck and fortunes, but it was more of a hobby and didn't really invade their laws.

Their way of marriage had changed throughout the dynasties. It used to be complicated, but Light understood it transformed to be more straightforward. Arranged marriages didn't happen anymore. An aspect of it remained: matchmaking in the forms of apps, events, and matchmakers who worked as a whole profession. He had a feeling he wouldn't really understand it till he got there.

Light also researched basic etiquette. At banquets, the elders either ate first or said when everyone could eat. Tea was served to guests first, and tapping two or three times let the tea server know to stop pouring and show gratitude to them. Other than that, manners involved lifting food the whole way to his mouth without bending, chewing quietly with his mouth closed, and not eating too much at a time.

He looked into the Wilderbeast style of fighting, but hadn't gotten the chance to look as deeply yet. In doing so, though, he noticed that people in Lao Shen called energy chi. There were a decent amount of names for what they used for moves and their powers, but he felt like they had a hugely different stance to learn about.

He had saved them as notes on his phone and occasionally studied them to remember. His eyes got dry, so Light turned his phone off and went to sleep.


"Before I was... awakened to balance, I was a judge. I flew to different courthouses across the globe and was given the horrible, miraculous power we now share.

Justice was seen through my eyes. That's what I thought. And yet, when it mattered the most, I only saw what someone else wanted me to see."

"What?" Light asked. "Who are y… You?"

"It's all in the past. You were wondering about why I do what I do, yes? It's because I want you to use share my power and help me balance the world. And to convince you fairly, honestly... I will show you the world's evils.

I will never let anyone take justice from me again. I believe in what the Peacekeeper told us. Balance in the heavens is pointless if our own lives aren't fair. But you'll understand."

"This... power... is invasive. And wrong," Light said.

"That is why I only use it in service of justice. Control Candor like this."

Light felt like he had a new muscle in his eyes.

"Gaze into another's eyes who's close to you, or make physical contact. That is how Candor is used. I would also like to commend you on your respect for this power."

"You're talking a lot about justice, but you're not telling me what you really want to get out of all this. There's still something else."

"You'll understand."


Flareon Light woke up much earlier than before, early enough to want breakfast. He rolled from under his covers and landed on his feet. The jolt rocked his head and helped him wake up.

He still felt like he had an extra muscle in his head. He forgot about it, for a short time. He put on his white, silk coat and white star earring and headed out into the hallways. He could hear some noises and light activity behind some of the doors. When Light turned the last corner to the winding ramp, he paused.

A bright orange cat with brown eyes was looking at him with his ears spiked upwards. It stared at Light just as hard as he was at it.

"Uhhhhh... Meow?" Light muttered.

The cat didn't react. Light thought about what to do, and decided to go out on a limb. He flexed the new muscle in his head.

Everything blurred. He could only sort of tell general thought patterns instead of knowing down to words. It was curious, but not scared, and enjoying a sweet smell. Light tried to communicate something like warmth.

The cat trudged forward. Light arched his back down and stared at it with their noses almost touching. The cat started to purr and walk swivel around his legs brushing up against him. Light started to pet it, but it started trying to lick his paws.

Light could tell it was calm enough for him to pick it up. He cradled it in his arms while it licked his white fur. IT's eyes shifted towards being closed. It must've been licking his fur for the sugary taste.

His eyes convulsed when a flash of white went in his vision. He blinked and looked up across the hallway. Slowking Chad looked at him with a phone in hand.

"How are you?" Chad asked with a relaxed smile.

"Good," Light said. "Uhm, did Airy ask you about more memory...?"

"Airy?" Chad questioned. "Who... Oh. Oh, okay. Well, yes. She did. But I'm busy today since we arrive tomorrow."

"Oh."

"Why don't you talk to her about it? She seemed down after I told her."

"I don't know," Light said. "I don't think she wants to talk about it."

"She knows some of your past. It's only fair. Breakfast is up there whenever you want."

"Thanks."

Chad walked past Light while he held the cat. He looked down at it and wasn't sure what to do with it. He walked forward on his back legs carrying it in his arms.

As soon as Light went up the ramp, he sensed something eerie. He looked left and right, but the blue blur came at him from straight on. He flinched a little as Manaphy Jewel glared at him with her arms crossed and foot tapping.

"That's cheating," Jewel said.

"I didn't think it was a competition," Light replied.

"Give it to me," Jewel said, holding out her hand, "I'll grant it a swift death."

"What!? No! Let's just… release it around in Lao Shen."

"Well, I hope it doesn't have an unfortunate accident."

Sky Shaymin Ariel walked over from the tables, donning a white cape. Light's face lifted as Ariel walked over and stopped next to the Manaphy.

"Jewel," Ariel said politely, "that's animal abuse."

"Well," Jewel said, "maybe I'll just make Light lure it with his fur into the ocean where it goes back into the circle of life."

"That's boyfriend abuse and animal abuse."

"Is there a way for me to get this cat killed without it being abuse?"

"Feed it and take care of it till you can gloat over its death happening before yours."

Light glanced at Ariel.

"Okay," Jewel said.

Light handed her the cat with shaking paws. Before he could react, Jewel snagged a loose piece of gray fur from his mane and held the cat over her head. It struggled, but it licked the fur she held up.

As Jewel bolted, the cat yelped.

"Uh, nice trick," Light said.

"Why thank you," Ariel said. She jokingly took a small bow. Her warm smile spread to Light's face.

"Uhm, did you already eat breakfast?" Light asked. "I, uhm, wanted to ask you about something."

"No, I haven't. What did you want to talk about?"

"That Furret who was a Guildmaster. I was wondering why you were so excited."

Ariel's face got a little less energy as she looked around.

"Okay," Ariel said, "let's grab an empty table."


Light stacked pancakes doused in fruits, syrup, and whipped cream on his plate. To him, it was tall, but Ariel created a plate of pancakes twice the height with a side of ham and biscuits that she had already eaten half of.

"Jessie Frisk," Ariel said.

Light had a full mouth when Ariel spoke.

"Frisk is a last name given by an orphanage in Valencia. She became a famous explorer even though she had to deal with everyone's crap."

"Oh," Light said.

"I was also in an orphanage," Ariel said in a matter of fact way. "And, uh, I had books about her. I didn't even have a last name, but I chose Valkyrie after the author. And I decided to make a group of 'explorers' in the city with the only friends I had."

Light was able to speak, but wasn't sure what to say.

"It's pretty embarrassing talking about your inspirations," Ariel said. "So how about you?"

Light could come up with a name, one completely dissimilar to her's. It wasn't clear if it was a hero or villain. He only had one trait: protecting his allies and killing his enemies while fighting against a king.

"Hereward," Light said.

"Who's that?" Ariel asked.

"An Acuitan rebel from two hundred years ago. He killed every member of the royal family except for one he spared, who went on to be the best Acuitan king in recorded history."

It just clicked for Light that he was related to that king. Ariel stared back at him with a bit of awe. He thought of anything else to add.

"Also called Robin Hood," Light said. "He stole from the rich and gave to the poor. One way or another, he made real change... I was from neighborhoods that have been the same for fifty years with no progress. No government, no police... They'd never stand for us."

"But Robin Hood would," Ariel said.

"Yah. And he wouldn't tell us it's because of our culture or because of our differences that bad things happen where we live. He'd say it's because it's not fair to us. I mean, I won't say I particularly admire what he did in the end…"

"You might call yourself a thief, but you're more heroic than you give yourself credit for."

Light smiled and took another bite.

"But I want to keep the cape."

Ariel stuck her tongue out at him.

As they ate, Ariel decided that she wanted to play dress up for tomorrow. It was the first time Light heard about it, but apparently, Lao Shen planned some sort of welcoming parade for them.

Mienfoo Robin and Galarian Ponyta Nadia joined in on their conversation, and plans. After they ate, they all went to the spa that occupied the side of the hallway before the training area. There were mirrors on the walls to the side, but the room had been generally empty.

Flareon Light sat by himself above a hole in the floor. It was a water pit made from smooth, white stone filling with water from a faucet. The others grabbed things while he waited for the water pit to fill. His smooth silk coat in the corner of the room on the floor.

Right on time, the faucet started to fizzle out as they came back through the door. They had large, cardboard boxes and other piles of clothes and bottles on their backs.

"Okay, Light," Ariel huffed as she set down the box on her back, "let's get you washed up and super soft first."

"Uhm, what else are we doing?" Light asked.

"We think people would like to see you in more... traditional Lao Shen clothing. We have some options."

"I already know what's perfect," Robin said. "It won't take long."

After they measured and poured different kinds of oils into the water pit, Light stepped down into it. A short barrier of steam danced on the surface. He snuggled the water and let the heat move through his limbs.

"We have something for your face, Light," Nadia said.

Light went to the edge of the pit. He turned around and faced towards the pit as Ariel moved about behind him and started to put something over his face, some kind of face cream.

"Alright, now just relax for thirty minutes to an hour," Ariel said.

"In the meantime,," Nadia said, "we can talk about... Ariel's ex's."

"Uh…. Why…?"

"Your decision skills got better after the first one, at least."

"Yeah, sorry," Robin said. "Ben was awful."

Light's long gray fur on his head and tail had fanned out on the water. They looked like giant clouds under the water.

"W-wait… You guys at least agree Tom was good... right?" Ariel asked.

"I knew it wouldn't last long," Robin said. "But yeah. He was good. Just not for you. Great with kids, though."

"True."

The conversation turned to Robin and Nadia's old experiences, but Light wasn't able to pay much attention. His heavy breathing might have turned to snoring at one point, but he was awake when spoken to.

"You ready, Light?" Ariel asked.

"Yah," Light said.

Light felt her soft paws peel off the dried material from his face. When she finished, he opened and rubbed his eyes. His face felt soft.

Light pulled himself out from the water. Ariel patted him dry with a white towel larger than either of them, but it was still soaked by the time she was finished because of all of his fur. He was still damp by the end.

"Ah yes," Ariel said, "plan B."

Ariel gave a hard peck to Light's cheek. Trails of steam rose from his fur; the water boiled off.

"Oh, wow," Robin said, "that's rude."

"Well, yeah, "Ariel agreed quietly. "But does it count if he likes it?"

Light shook his head ever so slightly towards her. He couldn't tell if she noticed.

"I'm pretty sure I have a winner on the clothes," Robin said, "the rest is just to make sure."

Light couldn't identify it until he put it on: a white silk robe with long sleeves that made an ellipse under his arms. There were red traces on the edges and a red ribbon tied around his waist. There was a V-neck where a tiny bit of his gray mane was poking through.

When Flareon Light turned away from the mirror, Ariel, Nadia, and Robin all nodded to themselves.

"Perfect," Ariel said.

"You'd say that no matter what, though," Robin said, "but yeah. This'll be solid. And super shocking."

"Shocking?" Light questioned.

"Well, you didn't actually post those pictures of yourself on your blog yet. Other than what you look like in a bloody battle with dark lighting, the public won't have a clear view till now."

"And you look different," Nadia added.

Light turned back to the mirror. The outside of his blue and white eyes still had a black outline like eyeliner. His longer fur made his whole body look fluffier. He opened his mouth to see his teeth, and the glare made his eyes flex a little and blink.

"You okay?" Ariel asked in a high pitch.

"Yah," Light said, "just , uhm, curious."

Robin and Nadia glanced at each other.

"We'll take the boxes and stuff out," Robin said.

The boxes weren't very spread out since they were unused, so Robin and Nadia left out of the room a minute later.

Ariel wandered around for a short minute while Light waited for their footsteps to fade.

"Worried about something?" Ariel asked.

"Yah," Light said. "Uhm, well, what if they-"

"Eeeeeh, don't worry about it."

Light paused, waiting for Ariel to talk.

"You don't shouldn't be worried about what they think of you," Ariel said. "Some people look up to Robin Hood, some people don't. But it didn't matter to him, right?"

"Yah. But it'd still be nice."

"It's not realistic. Besides, plenty of people like you. I doubt tomorrow will change that."

"Okay," Light nodded.

"Now let's get this outfit packed away and get some lunch."

Light decided not to ask before he did. They already ate breakfast less than an hour ago.