Story 3 - Dusk and Dawn, written by: P0rygon404

Phobos couldn't sleep. No matter how hard the dark type tried, he only continued to shift and stir within his mass of red and black fur. Slowly lifting himself up into a sitting position, the Zoroak buried his face in his clawed hands and sighed. His show was tomorrow night, and while performing for an audience was something he had done many times before, every now and then Phobos would feel a bit off in the time beforehand. Slowly turning his head towards the window, the fox set his gaze upon the night sky, fixated on the full moon above.

A few minutes passed before Phobos stood up, being careful not to make the floor panels creak as he left the wooden room. As he approached the door, he turned his head back at the Espeon sharing the room with him. Watching as she slept peacefully in the one nest-like bed in the house. Phobos sighed as he quietly grabbed the door handle before momentarily pausing. The dark type glanced at the desk beside the door, staring at a black top hat, lined with a red band and dark blue feather that sat on its surface. Swiftly grabbing the hat and placing it on his head, the Zoroark then quietly made his way outside.

Traversing the mostly empty nighttime streets of Cascade City was a surreal experience, compared to the bustling hub of activity Phobos had recently come to know over the past couple of days. But there was something calming about it too… as there was nowhere in particular he needed to be, the Zoroark allowed his mind to drift off. He absent-mindedly glanced at the windows of each house he passed, until seeing a light flicker on snapped Phobos back to reality. The fox quickly hastened his pace as he stared down at the stone street.

"What are you doing, what are you doing…?! They're gonna think you're a prowler or something!…" The Phobos frantically thought. "You can't screw this up and get arrested before you even get to do… the… show…"

The fox's thoughts slowed as he began to look up. In front of him was a small patch of grass surrounded by a number of benches. After steadily walking closer, Phobos sat down on one of the wooden structures, leaning his head back as he let out a soft groan. "They're paying pretty well this time too… is a little sleep too much to ask for…?"

However Phobos was soon snapped out of his thoughts as he felt something fall out of the mass of red and black fur draped over his back. Sluggishly turning his head, he looked around for anything out of the norm before giving a light shrug.

"Guess it was nothing…" Phobos said with a yawn. "h-heh… mind's playing tricks on- agh!"

"The hell was- oh… right… forgot you were in there…" The Zoroark said, rubbing his face as he glanced down. In front of him stood a small rodent-like figure made from pale yellow cloth. A shadowy, clawed arm stuck out from underneath as it tossed a pebble up and down in its hand.

"Okay Rags, I get it, I'm sorry…" The Mimikyu then dropped the pebble, jolting in place. The ghost type started frantically twisting about as if he was looking for something. Without warning Rags then scurried away, weaving around the bench in a panic.

Searching for where his friend had run off to, Phobos quickly rose as he glanced around the dimly lit area. "Hey, where'd you- oh…" Behind the bench, Rags had the Zoroark's hat in his shadowy claws, holding it up at various angles as he seemed to be inspecting it. Satisfied with the condition of the hat, Rags slowly made his way towards Phobos as he held it up in an apologetic manner.

"It's okay, really." Phobos said as he gently took his hat back. But instead of placing it back on his head, the fox simply stared at the garment as he sat back on the bench. "The day you made the first one… that's the day everything really changed, isn't it?"

Phobos lowered his hat towards the Mimikyu, flipping it over as the small ghost type hopped inside. Setting the hat atop the bench, Rags leapt out and onto the bench alongside the Zoroark. "You ever just… look back and think about how things could've been different…?" Phobos asked, glancing down at the Mimikyu. "Like how if just one thing had changed that day…we wouldn't be here…"

Rags tilted to the side, giving a questioning look with his eyes. "What, no! I-I'm not nervous, what makes you think I'm-"

"…"

"Well that was just uncalled for…" Phobos grumbled, crossing his arms.

"…"

"Alright, fine. So what if I am?! It's not like my career is riding on this or anything… And that messing this up will set us back by who knows how much, potentially forcing us to return to the guild where we'll be laughing stock of the-" However Phobos' rant was cut short as Rags smacked him across the face with a shadowy hand.

The Mimikyu stared intensely at the fox, before giving him a quick jab in the chest. "Rags, I-" The aforementioned ghost type then stuck out both arms, motioning them up and in before lowering them.

"Right… breathe…" Phobos said, putting a hand to his temple as he started to relax. "Thanks buddy…" Rags gave a 'thumbs up' before making a slight waving motion with his hand. "Not sure what I'd do without you…" Phobos said, as the two looked up at the night sky.

"I can do this, I can do this, I can do this…" Phobos frantically muttered as Rags straightened the red bow tie on the Zorua's plume of ebony fur. The Mimikyu gave the small fox a thumbs up with his shadowy claws before taking on a somewhat worried expression as he watched his friend begin to pace rapidly back and forth across the wooden floor. "I can't believe I let Dawn talk me into this…"

"Now don't blame me for something you wanted…" An Eevee said, sauntering towards the two.

"Well when I said I wanted to do something for your parents benefit thing, I didn't mean go behind my back and enter me in the show!" Phobos protested, marching towards the brown, fox-like creature.

"Rags was in on it too." Dawn flatly said with a somewhat devious grin. The Zorua's head snapped back towards Rags. However the angry expression he bore was quickly replaced by something more fearful and somber. "When my parents catch wind of this…"

Staring at the floor, Phobos soon caught a glimpse of Rags in his peripheral vision, as the Mimikyu was slowly approaching the dark type. However when Phobos looked up, he saw that his friend was carrying something in his shadowy appendages. A black top hat wrapped in a crimson band.

"Did… did you-" Rags then cut him off, placing it atop the Zorua's head. "… Rags… I-"

"As much as I hate to interrupt this moment, I think you're going up soon." Dawn cut in, turning away from a large blue curtain. Phobos quickly turned towards the Mimikyu who was making shooing motions with his claws.

While it was hard to notice him doing it, Rags then shifted in such a way that one could probably say he was rolling his eyes. He aggressively pointed above his costume's head, before giving a double thumbs up. Getting the message, Phobos took a deep breath and steadily made his way towards the curtain. Peering through a gap to get a view of the stage, the Zorua felt a chill run down his back.

"Alright then… here goes everything…"

Carefully stepping out onto the stage, Phobos' eyes were locked on the audience before him. His heart raced as the sea of awaiting stares penetrated his being. The dark type began to hyperventilate as he glanced back at the side of the curtain, catching a glimpse of Rags. Watching as the Mimikyu's form quickly turned pitch black before sinking into the floor, Phobos shook himself back as he once again eyed the audience.

"S-Sorry… I, uhh… don't think I can do this… T-There's… there's just something very wrong about all of this!" The Zorua frantically said as he shook the hat off his head, before slowly walking backwards towards the other end of the stage.

As the crowd looked on at the stage fright stricken fox, the hat suddenly righted itself as it now sat with its rim facing up. The hat began to violently shake, catching some of the audience's attention. Noticing the shift in the atmosphere, Phobos turned his head towards the new subject of the crowd's focus. A thick, black mist began to pour out from the hat's opening, before a great shadowy claw shot out. Quickly taking a step back, Phobos watched as the dark appendage angrily writhed around. His eyes wide with panic, the Zorua quickly looked between the shadow and the audience.

"I-I CAN FIX THIS! JUST-" He cut himself off, staring back at the umbral appendage as it split into two. Each arm then grabbed the stage with a vice-like grip, as whatever was in the Zorua's hat tried to pull itself out.

A massive, jaundice colored patchwork creature snaked its way up, black mist beginning to fill the stage as it menacingly emerged from the hat. "T-That… T-THAT'S ENOUGH!" Phobos yelled, creeping backwards as the creature steadily approached him. Raising its shadowy arms, the entity gave Phobos no time to escape as it cupped its ebony hands around the Zorua. And just as soon as everything had occurred, both would then disappear in puff black smoke…

The crowd was left speechless as all that was left on the stage was the fox's hat, it sat on completely still as tension began to rise. Murmurs fell over the prolonged silence, before signs of movement got their attention. The hat tipped over as a Mimikyu tumbled out onto the floor, however the ghost type's costume seemed to be more reminiscent of a Zorua. Rags blinked as he stared out at everyone, before unveiling a shadowy claw as he took a grandiose bow.

"Okay, okay, I think that's it…" Phobos said, walking up to his friend. Grabbing the hat with his teeth, the black and red fox then tossed the garment onto his head, smiling as the audience erupted in applause. His illusion had worked, the trick he had spent months trying to perfect had impressed an audience that weren't just his immediate friends. An amalgam of emotions were running high within the young Zorua, having never felt anything like this before.

Rags then turned to face his friend, as if to ask him if they were okay. However Phobos didn't move, panting as he faced the crowd with a wide eyed stare. "I think I'm gonna pass out…"

"..."

"Y-Yeah… I uh, I know there's still more…"

"Heh… I was always so jittery back then…" Phobos remarked. Rags tilted to the side, raising a metaphorical brow at the Zoroark's statement.

Phobos crossed his arms. "Well now you're making it sound like I'm-"

"You!" A voice called out, making the Zoroark jump. "Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for the two of you?!" An Espeon exclaimed, storming up towards the dark type.

"Dawn I-"

"You know if you couldn't sleep, there's better places to sit around then out here…"

"Maybe… but I live here now…" Phobos tiredly said as he slumped forwards.

The Espeon rolled her violet eyes, giving her head a slight shake. "Well since you insist on being lazy, I guess I'll just have to join you…" She said, cracking a small grin as she sauntered towards the bench.

Hopping up next to the two pokemon, Dawn rested her haunches on the wooden surface as she looked up at the clear night sky. "I'll admit… It's pretty nice out tonight…"

"Sure is…"

"Now are you sure the view isn't the only reason that you're here…?" The mauve cat teased, her eyes drifting towards the Zoroark.

Phobos gave a slight groan as his gaze shifted away from Dawn. "Just feeling a bit off about tomorrow is all… But I'll be fine…"

"Well remember that it won't just be you out there." The Espeon said as Rags nodded along.

"How could I forget…" Phobos facetiously said with a tired smile.

For as long as he could remember it had always been the three of them. Through thick and thin the trio had gone through their share of misadventures, both back in their hometown of Stonehaven, and on their journey to Cascade City. The thought of this brought a smile to the dark type's pointed muzzle, but his grin soon started to fade as a thought lingering in the back of the Zoroak's mind began to surface. "Hey… Dawn… do you ever… regret coming with us…?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" The Espeon asked, sounding slightly offended.

"I mean… you were pretty well off back in Stonehaven…"

Dawn slumped forward and sighed at the implied mention of her family's business. "Maybe… but I wasn't happy…"

Noticing the mauve cat's tone, Phobos glanced to the side. "Sorry if I-"

"No… it's fine…"

"It's just, you never really talk about it… And you deciding to come along just seemed really sudden at the time."

"Well… I guess you inspired me in some way." Dawn said with a smirk. "Choosing to follow your dream, despite what everyone else thought…"

The fox nervously brought a clawed hand into his crimson mane "Well, I-"

"Phobos, what matters is that you did it… you stopped letting others tell you that you can't do something. It's admirable… though definitely misplaced at times…" The Espeon said, leaving that last part out.

Dawn then leapt off the bench, landing gracefully on the ground below. "Come on… As nice as it is out here, I'd rather not spend all night on public seating…"

Making their way into what would normally be a busier part of the city, Dawn led the way as she glossed over whatever shops were still open. "If your plan was to walk me to sleep, I think it's starting to work…" Phobos said, blinking drowsily.

"We're almost there." Dawn responded as she continued to look around the calm, dimly lit streets.

"I can't believe you want to go to a café at this hour… or that one would even be open…"

"I read about this place earlier, they have tea."

"I feel like you're implying something…" The Zoroark said, narrowing his glare.

"That you need it… Yes."

"You know what that stuff does to me…"

"Rags, tell him that if he doesn't drink some tea, the dark circles under his eyes will get worse."

The aforementioned Mimikyu chuckled as they rode in Phobos' mane, causing the annoyed Zoroark to shove the small ghost type down into the mess of crimson fur. He was used to Dawn teasing him about the darker colored fur under his eyes, as the pattern had always given him a tired, well… more tired appearance in this case. And while he may have been used to it, to Phobos the joke had begun to get old… Though perhaps it continued to get on his nerves was why the Espeon still did it, and seeing the cheeky grin on the cat's face told Phobos all he needed to know.

Eventually the trio reached a small shop, opening the door and stepping inside. The interior was an array of autumnal colors, and had a few small tables spread across the wooden floor. Taking a seat, they looked around to see a handful of other pokemon sitting at other tables. Some of which were burning the midnight oil to try and get some work done, while others seemed to be in a similar situation as them. Soon a lithe, purple cat with yellow markings sauntered towards the trio, getting their attention. "So what can I get you three?" The Liepard politely asked.

Using Psychic to hold up a menu, the Espeon hummed to herself as she skimmed the paper. "We will have two Sitrus teas… and one glass of milk for him." Dawn said, smiling as she eyed the Zoroark.

Quickly, Phobos jumped from his seat as he hastily pulled the menu from Dawn. "One hot chocolate will be fine thanks…" He quickly said, gritting his teeth in the form of the most forced grin he could muster.

"Okay then…" The now confused Liepard said before walking away.

"You're evil…" Phobos groaned, slumping back down in his seat. Rags, who was sitting on the table, simply looked up at the bipedal fox and crossed his shadowy arms. Tilting to the side, the Mimikyu stared at Phobos in an almost judging manner.

"Rags, it doesn't matter if they're virtually the same thing! That one ingredient and process is what keeps it from being on the kid's menu!" The Zoroark loudly whispered.

Phobos stared intensely at the plate of fries sitting between him and Rags. Slowly reaching out, the Zoroark plucked one up with his claws and dangled it in front of his face. "Look how tiny these things are…" He groggily said with a slur in his voice. "They're just shy of being on a damn kid's menu…"

Feeling concerned over the state of his friend, Rags waved a claw in front of the dark type's face to get his attention. Leaning forwards, the Mimikyu held out both hands as he gestured for Phobos to speak. "No… No, I'm not upset… Cause you and me… we're gonna prove 'em wrong…" He said, waving his hand before taking a swig from the tall mug in front of him. "Egh, 'You'll be back,' he said…"

"So this is where you two have been?" Dawn said as she walked towards the duo. "I went by the guild earlier-"

"We quit…" Phobos interrupted. "Cause I'm a grown ass 'mon, and I can do whatever I want!… 'sides… only joined the guild to shut my folks up and you know that…"

The more sober Mimikyu hopped down from the table, standing before the psychic type. He made various gestures with his hands as he shifted about. "So they didn't take it well, I assume…?" Dawn asked.

"Nah… they just laughed a bit…" Phobos groaned. "But I'm gonna be the best damn performer in the… in… the… continent-" The Zoroark sluggishly proclaimed before collapsing to the floor of the bar.

The next day, Phobos woke up with a splitting headache. Groggily, the Zoroark glanced around the room. There was an abundance of purple in the form of curtains and fabrics draping over the stone walls, and throughout the room. A clear sign to him that this was Dawn's place.

Pulling himself up from the wooden floor, Phobos noticed a particularly warm, nutty smell in the air. Turning his head, he saw a steaming cup sitting on a nearby desk. Taking hold of it, Phobos blew a few times before feeling something shift around in his hair. "Annnd good morning to you too…" He yawned, acknowledging the Mimikyu.

Sipping the hot drink, The Zoroark's ears perked up. He could hear what sounded like yelling coming from another room. He couldn't make out the whole exchange, but could tell that one of the voices present was Dawn. However after a while, things went quiet. But soon the Espeon entered the room as the large, wooden door closed behind her. She seemed upset, but quickly changed her demeanor as she approached Phobos and Rags. "You know, that drink you got last night was pretty expensive."

"Thanks Dawn…" Phobos tiredly groaned, holding the cup in his claws. "Look, I can pay you back for-"

"But that's not what I want to talk about right now…" Phobos and Rags both stared at the mauve cat in confusion. "The two of you are leaving soon, correct?"

"Yeah…"

"If you wouldn't mind… I would like to come with you…"

When the drinks made they're way to the table, Phobos did his best to avoid making eye contact with the Liepard. Watching the cat leave, he turned back to his friends who were both chuckling at his embarrassment. "You guys suck, you know that…"

Rags dramatically brought a claw to the mouth stitched onto his costume, feigning being hurt by the Zoroarks remark. "Do you want us to leave?" Dawn jokingly asked, floating her cup towards her with Psychic.

"No…" Phobos answered with a groan, glaring off to the side as he sipped his drink.

After things had calmed down, Dawn cleared her throat to get the Phobos' and Rags' attention. "Something up…?" The Zoroark asked, tilting his head.

"About what you said earlier…"

"So you agree with me, right?" The dark type said before giving Rags a look.

"Not that… Back at the bench… …In retrospect, I suppose choosing to join you was rather… sudden…" Dawn said, as her ears fell. "It wasn't… a particularly 'nice' morning… And to be honest… I was looking for an excuse to leave…"

"Oh… I see…" Phobos said, as he glanced down.

"But, I wouldn't change this… What we have now…" The Zoroark heard Dawn say, prompting him to look back up.

The Espeon had bore a small smile across her velvety fur, as her glossy violet eyes seemed to shimmer a bit more than usual. A grin formed on Phobos' pointed muzzle, his face starting to feel flush as he stared at the Psychic type. Time seemed to stand still as the two gazed at each other… That is until Phobos' vision began to grow darker, and his eyes heavier.

Dawn and Rags watched as the Zoroark's head met the table, having drifted off to the realm of dreams. The Liepard glanced at the trio, rolling their eyes as they grumbled about 'this crap always seeming to happen on their shift.'

"Well tonight has certainly been eventful…" Dawn sighed.

Rags looked up at the Espeon before clasping his hands together, interlocking his claws before raising them to the side as he leaned forwards. Seeing this, Dawn's brow furrowed. "If you start making kissing noises, I will hurt you…" The Mimikyu snickered at his friend's annoyance, watching as Dawn glanced back at the sleeping Zoroark.

"He looks so comfortable… I almost feel bad having to wake him soon… Almost…" Dawn thought, Taking another sip of her tea.