Flareon Light could tell a little bit when Ariel had moved him, but he couldn't even move if he wanted to. He had fallen asleep and woke up to the sound of seagulls as they fished and talked. He didn't remember opening his window, but the relaxing sounds slowed his train of thought.

Hedidn't feel too energetic, but he couldn't go back to sleep. There was probably something to do, so he decided to inch to the side of his bed and hop out of his covers. His arms still had a few short streaks of glass instead of white fur, but it felt a little stronger. Pain stopped him from moving too fast, but it wasn't that bad.

Holding his phone, Light went through a cascade of messages. All of them were from Ariel.

"It wasn't a dream by the way" - Ariel

"That was crazy" - Ariel

"Still on for a date tonight?" - Ariel

"Come to my room." - Ariel

The last message was from forty minutes ago, at 12:20. He wasn't shocked it was already after noon, but he hoped to wake up earlier. He put on his coat and his phone in a zip pocket against his side, then creaked open his door. After checking left and right, he walked down the winding hallways.

The rooms were newly labeled with other name plates. Most of them were empty, but Light kept his head on a swivel until he saw Ariel's name. He stalked up to the door and knocked on it twice.

"Come in!"

Light pushed open the door. The setup of the room was similar to his own, with a round window next to the bed and a couch facing a TV. Her blankets were pink, and the walls were lined with guitars of different colors and sizes.

Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel was doing sit-ups with her legs under her bed frame. Light watched her do two more before she stopped and stood up. His heart jumped when she cracked her back and turned around.

"Hey," Ariel said.

"H-hi," Light said.

Ariel strutted up to him, putting him a bit in her shadow from the light coming in through the window. A grin started to inch up on her face. "Hey."

"Uhm, hi?"

Light backed up a step and shrank when she stood just inches in front him. He avoided her green eyes by looking at random areas in the room.

"So, how's my cutiepie this morning?" Ariel asked quietly.

"Fine..." Light muttered.

"How are your arms?"

Light looked down and realized his smooth white sleeves were covering them. He pulled one up for Ariel to have a look.

"Faster than last time," she said. "Well, that's good."

Light froze while Ariel walked past him. He heard the door close behind him.

"I wanted to ask you about last night," Ariel said. "You didn't really react much to Gawain and the others."

"Oh," Light mumbled, "I was just tired… And, uh, in a magical cave."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Light turned around and faced her gentle, caring smile.

"I don't really have anything to say about it," Light said.

"Did they kind of feel a little alien?" Ariel asked. "I mean, it's okay if you don't want to talk about it."

"Yah... I mean, you're not wrong. It didn't feel right."

"Well," Ariel chuckled, "nothing about last night felt right. Or real."

Light copied her single laugh and a bit of her smile.

"So, do you want me to give you their phone numbers later?"

"Sure," he said.

Light's ears flattened against his head. Ariel walked up close to him again. The heat going into his face made the air feel stuffy.

"Hey," Ariel said.

"Why do you keep saying that?" Light asked.

"I can tell you think it's charming."

Light looked away from her, so he didn't see when she wrapped her arms around him and picked him up. He flailed his feet with a burst of nervous energy.

"Hey gorgeous," Ariel said, smirking.

Light's eyes got a little watery. His fur and face started to burn up, shining just enough light to make shadows on the wall. She pulled him close and planted her lips on his cheek for a long moment.

When it ended, Light wore a trembling smile. No one had ever given him attention like this before, especially not someone as pretty…

"Alright," Ariel said, "you're pretty close to blowing up again."

Ariel set Light down. He forced his energy to settle a little before he took a step forward and rubbed his head on her arm. She giggled and patted his head.

"I have an idea," Ariel said, "let's go look at some missions and do one. Then head to that Valentine street Kenta mentioned."

"Missions?" Light asked. "There are calls for help already?"

"Just some basic things. There are actually a few battle requests that I could do."

"For you?"

"Yeah," Ariel said. "They want to try their hand against the 'hero' who rescued a beautiful angel."

"Oh."

Light accidentally let a little disappointment get in his voice.

"Relax," Ariel said, "I know you're strong. And I can teach you later. You're not valuable because of what you can do, remember?"

Light glanced and made eye contact with her.

"Calm down," Ariel said quietly. "Hey. I mean it when I said that you're strong."

Light just quietly groaned to himself.

"No pouting."

Light rolled his eyes.

"Okay gorgeous, let's go eat and have a fun day."

Ariel snagged him again. She rapidly kissed his cheek until Light broke and started giggling, setting him down with a renewed smile.

Light watched Ariel go to the side of the room to a beautiful treasure chest, outlined in green metal with a green jewel in the center. He was surprised he hadn't noticed it, but it was a little short. She pushed in the gem and it cracked open.

"What's that?" Light asked.

"My most treasured possessions," Ariel said. She wrapped white cloth around her neck and did a little spin. "Now including my heroic cape."

"What else do you have?"

"My diary, some old letters, and uh... A few old trinkets. Books. You can borrow the books if you want."

"What are they?"

Ariel pulled out a book from the chest and opened it. It was brown leather and thick, with the title "Explorer Tales" written on it in gold calligraphy.

"A bunch of stories about heroes," Ariel said, "and I'm going to be in one someday."

"Well, I think you're already mostly done at this rate," Light smiled.

"Not even close. I'm gonna fill all the pages I can."

Light felt a twinge in his head. Arie's face lifted a little, blinking and shaking her head.

"Did you say something?" Ariel asked.

"Oh, no. I didn't," Light said. "I'll borrow your book sometime, though."

Ariel smiled again, nodding her head. "I'd be down to read it to you..."

Light's ears flattened against his head. He nodded.


The breeze kept the temperature down and made the sun seem friendlier. As it was with most bigger towns, there was an area for different pokemon to have battles for sport. Apparently, the others were also out on missions, but there weren't any bounty hunts yet. Most of the tasks became pokemon wanting to meet them rather than needing anything.

Flareon Light and Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel made their way over hilly streets. There weren't a lot of pokemon out, but the ones that were out were polite. They offered passing waves and didn't crowd around, continuing on with their own business.

As Light checked out the building's curved roofs when he felt a little pressure on his side. He nearly stumbled, but kept his balance. He looked at Ariel's eyes, seeing her offer. He hadn't walked while touching sides with someone before, but he slowly started to return the pressure.

"Hey," Ariel said, grinning.

Light rolled his eyes with a smile on his face. "Did Luke contact you yet?" he asked.

"He contacted everyone, I just hadn't added you to the group chat yet. And according to your family's tracking, he's currently all the way in Volos. And with how Legendary species are, the weirdest part about it is that they can't ID him at all."

"He sure seemed to know an awful lot."

"Did you trust him?"

"I mean... objectively, of course not. But I do, I guess… Like I said, he was there on that island and helped me. I can't help but trust him."

"Yeah, me too."

The town's buildings started to thin out. Their destination sat on top of a dirt hill that overlooked the town and meadows on the other side. A large, rectangular plain of stone sprawled out across the peak.

A male Zangoose, Weavile, and Servine paced around different spots. All of their heads snapped in place when their eyes came on them. They all looked young; just a little older than Light, older teenagers. From what he could tell, they all seemed to know each other.

Watching from a bit of a distance, Light saw a female Herdier and Ampharos watching with the Ampharos holding up a camera. They started to fumble a bit when they arrived.

"Hi!" Ariel called.

"Hey," Zangoose said, "uhm, I'll go first."

"Right."

Ariel moved to one side of the rock surface while Zangoose moved to the other. Light copied to others and moved a decent distance away on the side. He watched from the opposite side of all the others.

"You ready?" Ariel asked.

"Yeah," Zangoose said.

After a couple silent seconds, the battle started.

Ariel darted to the left, right, and forward in three swift moves. Her cape jumped in front of her body when she slammed her arm into Zangoose's gut. She hopped back as he keeled over on the ground, gasping for breath.

Ariel had combined flight with her jumps to move at that speed. It was bad for evasion with her momentum being hard to change, but her lunges meant she could strike hard and get in close from far away. He wasn't sure if she was an aggressive fighter or not, but it was an aggressive move.

Light looked past to the Weavile and Servine. They both glanced at each other.

"You good?" Ariel asked.

"I'm good," Zangoose wheezed. "And, uh, done."

"Alright, so who wants to go next?"

"We're good," Weavile said.

"Yeah," Servine added. His eyes flickered with fear. "We, uh, get the idea."

"We don't know how long we'll be in town, you know," Ariel said. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Weavile said, wide-eyed. "We're sure."

The silence that fell felt a little uncomfortable. Ariel looked around with an unsatisfied look on her face. Her eyes eventually fell on Light. He noticed a little glint in her eyes.

"Hey Light," Ariel said, "how about you?"

Light pointed to himself. Ariel nodded.

There wasn't any chance that Light could win, and there was a camera watching. He'd feel too embarrassed if it was anyone else, but it was Ariel. She wouldn't be mean.

"Okay..." Light said.

Light walked over to where the Zangoose had stood. His paws trembled from the start of an adrenaline rush. He forced himself to keep steady when Ariel turned back around towards him. Glancing over to the camera, Light noticed a serious look in their eyes. Herdier hissed at Ampharos while she changed her grip on the camera.

"You ready?" Ariel called.

"Yah!" Light called back.

Flareon Light watched her muscles for when they moved. He noticed her back foot turn, choosing a direction. She darted to the right before lunging straight forward. He leaned and dodged her outstretched arm. She went too fast to counter. She stopped cold in front of him.

He threw a red card of energy at her from in between his fingers.

Ariel swiveled around and grabbed his arm and sleeve, still outstretched from his throw. Light pulled back. Her grip locked him in place. He nearly screamed when she wrapped her other arm around his mane and neck.

Light's fear slipped away. Ariel put her lips on his cheek. His eyes widened as the dizziness from Sweet Kiss settled in, but he closed them when his vision started to swirl.

When she pulled back, Light couldn't see her face. She pushed her big forehead to his before using Aromatherapy, encompassing both of them in a light green glow. Once his head cleared, he saw Ariel grinning at him and sharing his air.

"I'd never hurt you," Ariel whispered.

Light's face burned. When she set him down and re-balanced him on his feet, he covered his whole body with his gray tail. Even from inside his own mass of fur, he could tell trails of steam were rising into the air from his sweat burning up. He slowly waddled back to the dirt and grass on the side of the arena.

"You good, cutiepie?" Ariel asked curiously.

Light didn't reply immediately. He continued to take small hops away from the battling floor and turned himself around first. He parted his fur a bit so his face was visible and nodded with his whole body vibrating.

Weavile and Servine glanced at each other. Zangoose was still gathering himself, but he seemed to have the same look they did.

"So," Ariel said, "do you guys know if anyone else is coming, then? I mean, I'm still looking for a workout."

"Over here."

Light's head turned towards the familiar voice. A Slowking's crown rose in front of the view of trees and the sea's sparkling water. He came up from the side of the hill with a strap going around his chest. When he turned, Light saw the sword on his back and did a double take.

"Chad?" Ariel asked.

"Hello there," Chad said, waving.

Chad stepped onto the stone and walked towards the short side of the rectangle. Light stared at him along with Ariel.

"Uh, whatcha got there?" Ariel asked nervously.

"Oh, it's a blunt weapon," Chad said. "I've been trying to get the rust off, and I'd actually like your assistance."

Light and Ariel shared a glance. Ariel looked back at Chad again, but she seemed unsure. She bounced up and down on her paws.

"Yeah," Ariel said. "Of course."

Chad took the sword out of its hilt, brandishing its golden rain guard and pommel. Even without the obvious blunt edge, Light could tell from the sound alone that it was pretty hefty. The smooth leather grip contrasted against the clear metal, making him squint for a quick second.

Unlike before, Ariel led off with a move. She charged up and used Energy Ball. Chad batted it away using his sword without moving his legs or changing his straight posture. He had a strange, blank stare that almost creeped Light out.

He batted away a volley of colors that Light recognized. All of his dodges were close, and his sword made the green energy dissipate into gentle sparkles around his body.

Ariel used Energy Ball again, this time, as she shot forward. Chad sidestepped the attack and spun his body while swinging. The sword went under and slammed her in the gut.

She flew up in the air. Light took steps back as he looked up.

She crashed back down. Chunks of rock bounced in the air.

Light stared in shock as Ariel struggled to get on her feet. Her face turned beet red. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Chad's eyes darted back and forth between Light and Ariel.

"Are you alright?" Chad asked. "You're not hurt, right?"

"N-no!" Ariel groaned. "I'm fine!"

Light's heart sank. Ariel was taking sporadic deep breaths and making small whines.

"I-I'm going back..." Ariel sobbed, "to my room..."

Light ran forward. Ariel took off to the sky.

"Airy!" Light called. "Wait!"

Light stopped close to Chad, staring into the blue sky. Ariel's crying faded away as she followed the path of the hill back towards the trees.

Flareon Light's eyes fell back down to the ground.

"I'm... sorry," Chad murmured.

Light's ears fell flat.

"Is there anything I can do?" Chad asked.

"No," Light sighed. "I'm going to head back and ask Robin and Nadia."

"There are still battling requests left that haven't arrived yet."

"Could you handle those?"

"Of course," Chad said. "You go on. I'll handle things from here."

"Thanks."

Light took a last look at the faces around before leaving. They were all surprised, but none of them looked like they had anything smart to say. After a last nod, he jogged back down the hill.

The streets were still as empty as when Light came with Ariel. Unlike before, the pokemon that noticed him didn't give any comments or waves, or he didn't notice them. It was a straight path down the sidewalks, and there weren't any carriages to get in his way at his hour. The buildings in this area were mostly homes. It only got noisy as he reached the ocean.

Light ran towards the harbor and looked down the length of the different boats and ships. The white cruise ship stuck out from the small fishing boats, but something else caught his eye.

Along the wooden planks going over the sea, Mienfoo Robin and Manaphy Jewel sat side by side. They both had fishing poles going a bit over their heads. Robin's feet hung off the plank and waved back and forth.

Light took a deep breath and slowed himself down. His arms stung a little, but he made good time.

From the cobblestone street, he walked on the wood and took the short, winding path towards them, making his footsteps a little louder so he wouldn't surprise them. Robin turned around.

"What happened?" Robin asked.

Light blinked, surprised that she spoke first. After she spoke, Jewel turned around.

"Wha?" Jewel asked.

"Uhm, do you know where Ariel is?" Light asked.

"Yeah," Robin groaned. "She went to her room with a tub of ice cream. It was Chad, wasn't it?"

"Yah..."

"I had a feeling. Chad's a beast."

Light thought for a short second. Chad didn't even seem to put much effort into the battle. His weapon looked standard, too, but the way he swung it looked special, somehow, like a some kind of master at it.

"But, if Chad's strong, wouldn't he have... uhm, helped me a bit earlier?" Light asked. "With, uh... A battle..."

"He's been practicing every day shaking rust off," Robin explained. "He was way worse at the start, but he's taking off. I mean, he led the world's strongest group of bounty hunters for twenty years."

"My dad's awesome," Jewel added. "Sounds about right."

Light and Robin paused. Jewel snatched her fishing pole and started reeling in a catch. She tugged while trying to rotate the pole's handle, but struggled.

Jewel was yanked off and fell in the water. Light and Robin glanced at each other.

"Anyways," Robin said, "Ariel does not like losing. Everyone's got their weakness, that's hers."

"But what about what you told me?" Light asked. "Not putting self-worth into what you can do."

"Me and Nadia have to tell Ariel that all the time. That's why we say it in the first place, although you get a little salty too."

Jewel burst up from the water along with an enormous, ugly fish. She shouted a war cry as she jumped on top of it in midair and body slammed it back down into the water.

"Fish here are wildin'," Robin said.

"But why does she take it personally?" Light asked.

"That's just how she feels is all. And she tends to wear her feelings on her arm."

"Then how else can I help her?"

"You're gentle. Butter her up. Everyone needs self-worth, so help her out. You got this. Don't be afraid to talk to her. She doesn't bite."

Jewel and the fish flew out of the water again. She kicked it in midair, wrapped her arms around it, and slammed it back in the water head first.

"She'll probably like whatever you say, anyways…" Robin said. "Oh, and, uh, put the mint ice cream in the fridge for me."

"Did you see her with it?"

"I just know she has it."

"Oh... Well, thanks Robin."

"Don't mention it."

As Light turned away, Robin grabbed her fishing pole tightly. She stood up and pulled on the wire/ She yanked one the handle, but couldn't rotate it to pull back the line.

"Oh no..." Robin mumbled.

Robin went airborne and splashed in the water.


Light's pace slowed on his last leg to the white cruise ship. He went over some things he could say in his head, but none of them sounded natural. It took him longer than it should have to go up the ramp and get to the ship's lonely deck.

The seagulls overhead and on the rims of the ship almost seemed to stare at him. He awkwardly stared back at one, but shifted away and kept moving to the large double doors leading inside.

The plaza laid empty, except for the remains of breakfast. Stacks of plates with leftover syrup and pancakes were left on a banquet table while the tables were at random places. He took a last second to look around before heading down the spiral staircase to Ariel's room.

Light recited a few words in different tones to himself before he reached Ariel's door. He took a breath and knocked on the door twice.

"Go! Awa-"

Light lost a few of his senses from the scream. He covered his ears and cringed in place from the vibrations. When it ended, he lowered his paws with a slow speed in case she'd scream again.

"It's me?" Light called.

There was silence, but then a few footsteps came close to the door. Light stepped back a little as it opened.

Somehow, Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel's eyes had a few red lines in them. She had a spoon with a gentle green outline on its edge in her paw, and the green fur on her head was messy like she had it on a pillow.

"Hi," Ariel croaked.

"Are you okay, Airy?" Light asked.

Ariel just blinked. Thinking about it, it was a bit of a stupid question.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"About what?" Ariel asked.

"Uhm... Self-worth and stuff?"

Ariel sighed and let the spoon fall to her side. "Fine."

Light followed Ariel back in her room. He noticed the tub of green ice cream in a pale container on her bed with a TV on. Ariel hopped on her bed and crawled back to the ice cream, collapsing on her stomach like a withered leaf.

The TV played some kind of soap opera or movie. Light could assume a lot of things from how the Deerling on screen spoke, but he was more focused on Ariel. She lifted the spoon with a tiny amount of ice cream on it to her mouth, but gave up halfway and left it fall off the side of her bed to the floor.

"What's the point?" Ariel asked. "I've tried so hard to be strong, and it's not enough."

"But you are strong," Light argued. "And, uhm, awesome."

"They caught that on camera, Light. I mean, shit..."

Ariel buried her face in the pink blankets. Her crying had transformed into a complaining voice. She sighed into the covers with her arm and leg draping off the side.

"They also caught you looking cool on camera," Light said.

"I couldn't even hit him," Ariel said with her voice muffled.

Light felt a different impulse that deviated from the plan. It was a little risky, but it wouldn't be the worst mistake to make if it didn't work. Probably.

"Well, as someone who kind of isn't as strong as you, just what are you saying about me?" Light asked.

Ariel turned her face up. Light added an angry glint to his eyes with his mouth closed tightly.

"Wh-what?" Ariel asked.

"Since I'm so weak, maybe you should find a boyfriend that's strong enough for you."

Pure horror went over Ariel's face. Her mouth was open with dumbfounded eyes.

"W-wait!" she said. "No! I don't mean it like that!"

Light wasn't taking it too personally. He understood why she had a lot of pride in it, but it was a little annoying. He felt a little more honest than he thought he would.

"You're insulting yourself even though you do things I wish I could do," Light said. "You should give yourself more respect."

Ariel's face lifted.

"Let's just have a relaxing night," he said. "You look tired."

"Yes, absolutely."

"And put Robin's ice cream back in the fridge."

"Oh, uhm... Yeah."


Light passed the time in his room, preparing. He went through his jewelry and tried on everything. The earring was still his favorite, but he ended up taking the plain silver ring from yesterday and a few more pieces of jewelry.

He put two gold armlets, in a vine pattern with leaves, on his upper arms. On his feet, he had two white, shining anklets with small bells that whispered when he walked. The finishing touch was a circlet of white stars on top of his head, each of them embedded with five tiny diamonds that fit on him perfectly like a crown.

Light was dissatisfied with one aspect. His fur was a little bit messy and ragged. After trying all of it on, he took off the jewelry and set it on his bed along with his coat.

When he checked his arms, the glass had completely vanished. With them back to normal, he thought to text Nadia for help with his fur.

Somehow, Nadia replied seconds later that she was on her way. Light didn't know how she even typed that fast, but he tried to smooth out his fur a little bit before she came. He wasn't given a long time.

Galarian Ponyta Nadia came in along with the Mienfoo Robin and Manaphy Jewel. He didn't expect all of them at once. For some reason, Robin's body had a little bit of an extra sheen.

"We gotchu'," Nadia said.

"U-uhm... Okay."

Light stood up and hopped off of his bed. Nadia walked next to him and guided him out into the hallway. Robin took his other side.

"There's a water pit area down here," Nadia said, "so we can clean you up and get you even more gorgeous."

"Oh. How did you know?" Light asked.

"I'll text the cruise ship map to you later. Chad managed to get it digitally."

Nadia had him continue past the section he knew. There weren't any name plates on any of the rooms, but he noticed a few differences.

There was a room they passed that held an open space with a deep blue carpet behind glass. Another room just like it had an enormous TV. The third room looked like their destination.

Nadia pushed open the glass door and let Light inside. One of them flipped the lights so he could see better.

A large pit sat in the middle of the room. Multiple steel water faucets lined up on its edge. There was a row of mirrors with tables in front of them, covered with different bottles and soaps. Light walked to the edge of the pit, looking down at the smooth stone below.

"What look do you want?" Nadia asked.

"Look?" Light asked.

"Like, fluffy, sharp..."

"Fluffy."

Excitement bled through his answer. He pushed his lips together and looked away in embarrassment. He heard Jewel whip through the room like a breeze and appear right in front of his face. He blinked out of surprise and backed up, letting him see the Manaphy's smile.

"Uhm, hi," Light said.

"Eyooooo," Jewel said.

Light realized the tiny, shiny metal pipes had started to pour water into the pit. Just next to him, there was a small group of bottles and soaps already set along with brushes.

"So," Jewel said, "I'm joining the Valkyries. I'll be doing missions with Robin and Nadia."

Light looked to Robin and Nadia to see their reactions. They both smiled.

"Really?" Light asked. "Well, uh, that's good."

"What can I say? They gave me a call to duty. I had to answer."

Because of the multitude of pipes, the pit filled fast. After a short minute, the water settled. Steam rose from its surface. He touched the water with his paw, pulling it back after testing it.

"Yeet," Jewel said.

Light yelped. Jewel shoved him forward. He fell in the water and pushed his head back up above the surface. A wavy noise became chuckling when his ears surfaced. Jewel stared down at him with her arms crossed. She tapped her mouth with her hand.

"Alright," Jewel said, "now on today's menu, we're going to have some floof with a side of glow."

"Extra..." Robin laughed, "Extra floof for Ariel."

"Understood, captain."

Light watched as Jewel picked up and squeezed the bottles. She ordered and mixed them in a small bowl, picking the different amounts by the drops. She mixed them afterwards and slid the bowl to Robin's feet. He inched closer to the edge, moving gray fur out of his face while Robin bent down with the bow in hand.

"Order up," Robin said. "Make sure you lather. Once you're done and dry, we'll use the brushes."

Robin, Nadia, and Jewel talked over the different lotions while Light washed himself. Nadia gave most of the information during the conversation, but Robin and Jewel still commented a lot.

After Light was positive he was all clean, he pulled himself out of the water. Robin and Nadia came over with white towels for him to dry himself off.

"Okay, I'll leave the rest to you," Nadia said. "I'm going to go help Ariel a bit."

"Got it," Robin said.

When Light lifted the towel from over his head, he saw Nadia leaving out in the hallway. The water pit behind him quietly emptied as Robin flourished a brown comb with large teeth in her hands.

"This'll only take a few minutes," Robin said. "Go see how the missions are going, Jewel."

"Roger roger."

Once the Manaphy followed the Galarian Ponyta, Robin walked around Light's back and just barely started to comb.

"Wanna know something funny?" Robin asked.

"Uh, sure," Light said.

"Ariel talked me and Nadia's ears off about how to flirt and stuff the other night."

"Uhm... really?"

"Uh huh."

"But she seems... uh, confident."

"She is, except for when she loses or is around pretty boys. Some people just can't choose between under and overconfident."

Light thought about when he first met her. His first impression was that she was a bit nervous, but it changed fast. She stuttered a bit before, but rarely did anymore.

Robin started to make long strokes with the comb down his back.

"Ariel said she wanted to be my, uh... administrator," Light said.

"Yeah, we know," Robin said.

"But are you guys really, uhm, okay with that? It would mean, well... She'd kind of be my partner for missions, right?"

"Right."

"So, what about the Valkyries?"

"Just because she's working with you doesn't mean she's not our family. We want her to be happy. And to tell you the truth, Ariel's been sad lately before all this."

"Why?" Light asked.

"She's felt kind of lost," Robin said. "Like she'd be stuck doing what she was doing for years and it wouldn't be fun. But she's excited now."

After quickly going over his arms and gray mane, Robin shifted her attention to his gray tail. She looked up and down the length of it a few times and shook her head.

"I know Flareons have big tails, but this is, like, double that. Do you mind if I go double time?"

"Uh, go ahead," he said.

Light let out a little yelp. Her arms moved so fast, his eyes only registered them as blurs. If she went any faster, she'd probably start pulling fur right off of his body.

When it was over, he had to blink and take a second look at his tail. It was smooth and spread out like cotton.

"You're all set," Robin said.

"Thanks for the help," Light said.

"Where are you and Ariel going tonight, anyways?"

"Uhm, I guess our plan was this place called Valentine street."

When Light turned to her, Robin seemed to be thinking. She was gathering up the brushes and combs with her lips furled.

"What is it?" Light asked.

"I think you two might want to do that for a second date. It's not bad or anything, but you'll both get too nervous and shut down. It's, like, a well-known couple vacation spot, for a lot of Lao Shen."

"But then what should we do?"

"You like the beach, right? Just picnic there at sunset."

Light wasn't entirely convinced. There'd be nothing else to focus on other than her. It was nice, but intimidating to think about. He didn't even have any ideas what he would talk about.

"I guess I'll ask," Light said. "I'm, uh, not really good at this kind of thing."

"Being good at this is a lie," Robin said. "Whatever happens, happens. I'll make some food you two will like and grab a beach towel. So come with me, and I'll show you the way and set you up."

"You don't have to do all that."

"Well, I'm pretty bored. So, yeah."


Flareon Light waited out on deck like Robin told him to. He only brought his coat and earring considering they were just going to the beach, but his fur helped him feel like he looked better. He leaned against the rim with his arms barely hanging off. looking out over the ocean. A hint of yellow from sunset began to encroach over the ocean.

Two seagulls landed on the rim next to him, and didn't move. He glanced between them and shrunk a little. They both waddled closer towards him with crazy looking eyes.

"Uhm, hi?" Light mumbled.

Two more seagulls landed behind him, on the deck. When he turned around to face them, one of the seagulls on the rim jumped on his mane. Light tried to gently shoo it off, but all of the other seagulls jumped him.

He ended up flailing in the mass of feathers.

"Hey, quit it!" Light whined. "What do you want!?"

Light pushed himself against the rim for cover, but the flurry of feathers stopped at a loud bark. The seagulls flew off of him and lined up on the rim above his head.

After pushing himself up, Light found where the growl came from. A familiar Arcanine had come onto the deck of the ship. He remembered his massive stature from when they first came here.

"Animals worship and obey us Wilderbeasts," he said. "If we were more common, I suppose the public would give more attention to this incredible power."

Light stared in awe at the seagulls standing straight up on the rim. He'd never heard of something like this existing.

"I look forward to our training tomorrow. Your companion Ariel will be joining us as well. Until then, try not to look at them in the eye."

"Uh, uhm... Thanks," Light said.

Arcanine nodded. Light watched him walk down the length of the deck towards the double doors leading down. As he did, Meinfoo Robin passed by Arcanine with a blue towel over her shoulder and a straw box in her arms. She glanced at his face, but continued forward without paying him much attention.

"You good?" Robin asked.

"Y-yah," Light said. "I'm ready."


Robin walked Light over, but left him out on the sand on his own. A wall of trees blocked out any of the buildings and roads close to the beach. It only seemed to span half a mile, much cozier than the other ones.

Flareon Light lay down on his back on top of a blue towel. He left a small, dark mark on the ground from when he had picked up sand and let it fall through his paws. Up ahead, the water repeatedly fizzled out into white bubbles and retreated with the waves, which left a shadow. Big, fluffy clouds hovered in the horizon.

Light sat up when he heard small rustling noises from behind him. Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel came out with twigs and branches tugging at her white cape. She flashed an awkward smile as she pulled the branches away and freed herself.

"Hey," Ariel said.

"Hi," Light responded.

Ariel walked forward, going over her cape with her paws on last time before sitting down next to him. "So, what's in the box?"

Light responded by opening it. There were two bottles filled with water and two more bottles filled with soda and orange juice on one side. A stack of sandwiches wrapped up rested on the other. From what Light could tell, every single sandwich was different.

Ariel unraveled the pack of sandwiches and laid them out on the plastic.

"Ham and cheese, grilled cheese, pork, chicken, egg..." Ariel listed. "Robin's awesome."

"Yah."

"Which ones do you want?"

"Uhm, grilled cheese and pork."

Ariel stacked his sandwiches up next to him and took the rest. Light watched her take a small bite first before taking one himself.

"So, last night was interesting," Ariel said. "It's kind of just not hitting me that it was real, y'know? Like, it didn't feel real."

Light smiled.

"Y'know," Light repeated.

Ariel giggled. She must've been testing if he also noticed that Lopunny's weird accent.

"Y'know?" Ariel asked.

"Y'know."

"Yeah, I know. Y'know?"

"Yah, y'know?"

"Yah," Ariel repeated.

Light gave her a mischievous glare.

"Are you making fun of my accent?" Light asked.

"Uhm, noooooo," Ariel murmured. "Well, y'know how is it. Because, well, yah. Uhm..."

Light rolled his eyes. Ariel laughed a bit harder.

"Yah, it didn't feel real," Light said.

"I'm sure we'll find that Lopunny again. I'm more interested about the Lodestar and that Audino. I guess I get that reality was weird because of that Legendary species, so it's not supposed to make sense… But she's all the way in Valor."

"Y'know," Light said, "I, uh, think I remember that Audino from somewhere."

Ariel swallowed and turned to him. "Really?"

"Yah, uh… I think I… robbed her mansion."

Ariel stayed quiet for a moment, taking it in.

"Seriously?" she asked. "Okay, tell me."

"It was actually in Verity. Just kind of a random rich family pick to settle some debts."

"What'd you take?" Ariel asked quietly.

"Well, just stuff for money except for one thing. A white stone that I kept."

"Did you lose it?"

"No," Light said. "It turned into Reshiram."

Ariel shifted and sat straight up. She took a closer look a Light's face.

"So, you're saying Reshiram came from that Audino's mansion?" Ariel asked.

"Yah. It did. And when I went there, she didn't have any of those scars."

"You saw her?"

Light nodded. "It was a close call."

Ariel started to settle back down. Light could see the thinking going on behind her eyes, sparkling in the sunlight.

"There's not much we can do with this clue, though," Ariel said. "Maybe your family could try to research it?"

"I'll, uhm, text them later," Light said. "It's not really much to go off of. Just something to know."

In the short silence, Light took a bite of the grilled cheese. The spicy flavor shot through his chest. His wagging tail accidentally brushed Ariel's back. She turned to him and turned on her smug grin.

"Hey," Ariel said.

Ariel shifted over and wrapped her arm around his back. Light pushed back against her side and rested his head on her shoulder as he took another bite of his sandwich.

"So, how'd you end up becoming a thief?" Ariel asked. "Valor has orphanages, right?"

"I was in the system for a while," Light said. "Some thugs just randomly tried to mug me. I, uhm, kinda counter mugged them."

"Counter? Like, mugged them back?"

"Yah," Light said.

"Well damn, Light."

Light smiled and shook his head.

"Why'd you do it?"

"I'm not really sure. I was 'adopted' by them later, but they threatened me into stealing for them."

"How old were you?"

"Like, six or seven."

"Someone tried to rob you when you were that young?" Ariel questioned.

"Well, yah."

"I never got the impression Valor would have things like that be common."

"The city's only shiny on the surface. Most are."

Ariel groaned a bit to herself. Light savored the vibration and nuzzled his head against her shoulder.

"That means you've been fighting for a while, right?" Ariel asked.

"Not... especially. How about you?"

"I hated the orphanage so I ran. I hated everyone in that place."

"Do you still hate them?"

"I try not to."

Light nodded. He understood how difficult it could be.

He continued eating with Ariel for a few quiet minutes. The breeze continually moved his gray fur in different directions and caused sand to make gentle clouds over the beach.

"How long have you known that you were a prince?" Ariel asked.

Light took a second to swallow.

"Just a few days before," Light said. "Chad knows, too."

"Doesn't feel real, either?"

"No."

Another short silence fell. Light decided to turn the conversation in her direction again.

"So, when did you meet Robin and Nadia?" Light asked.

"Robin was kind of like a hero for running a bandit away from her hometown a few years back. I asked her to be a teammate."

"How'd you convince her?"

"Actually," Ariel said. She rotated her neck and cracked her back. Her arm folded into a flex. "I let these do the talking."

"Pretty convincing..." Light murmured to himself, "but what about Nadia?"

"I just kind of bumped into Nadia in the street when I first ran away. We just vibed."

"Vibed?"

"Just had a connection," Ariel said. "Maaaaaybe dated for a tiny bit.

"Dated!?" Light swallowed the volume that seeped out of his voice. "O-oh."

"I'm just kidding."

Light felt his breath get unstuck. He looked at Ariel's snickering face. He groaned a bit to himself.

"Could I have a bite of that?"

Ariel pointed to his pork sandwich. Light glanced back and forth, realizing she managed to finish her whole stack.

"Yah, sure," Light said.

Ariel snickered. "Just kidding."

Light stayed quiet staring back at her.

"Hey, laugh at me," Ariel said.

Ariel tickled the back of his neck. A smile grew on Light's face. It exploded into laughter as she pushed him onto his back. The towel slipped from under him when his leg pushed back against the sand.

Ariel smothered him against the warm sand. Her big ears covered the sunset and were outlined in orange and pink light as they draped around his head. The sky was blotted out, giving him nowhere else to look but her eyes. Light's fur sparkled from tiny fires.

"Gorgeoooous," Ariel sung softly. Her voice fell on his ears like a bell.

Light shivered. Her eyes didn't focus on his face, or even his eyes, but him. Right then, she just told him everything he'd ever want to hear.

"We've been talking so much business," Ariel said. "After all the stuff that went on, I just kind of wanna chill. Not really think too hard."

"How?" Light asked quietly.

"Wanna make out?"

Light bit his lip and did a subtle, silent nod. Strands of steam rose from the tips of his ears.

"You're not about to burn me, are you?" Ariel asked.

"No," Light squeaked. "U-uhm, we c-can just… Uh, hug."

"Kay."