Eevee wasn't scared. Eevee wasn't scared. Really, there was no reason to be. He was almost home. The place that used to be his home. Still, he should be happy to see it again. Not scared. He would not be afraid. Sol needed help and his problems would not get in the way of that.

"So... That's where you grew up?" Sol stared out the glass wall of the observation room. In the distance, Pokémon Square was slowly gaining detail as they got closer to land.

"Yeah," Eevee said. It was still too far away to make out any single detail, just the general sprawl of buildings hugging the coast. It was smaller than Ragsport but still much bigger than Treasure Town.

"What's it's like?"

There were many ways Eevee could have answered that question. Beautiful. Quick to judge. Everyone knows everyone. Would rally in an instant to protect the community. Nothing is ever forgotten.

"Old," Eevee said. "Some of the buildings are over a hundred years old. A lot of work goes into keeping them maintained, and that's nothing compared to the Team Horizon base."

"Hmm..." Sol said. "Espeon said you used to go there a lot. Don't know what made them so special, though. They blew up an asteroid. We fixed time itself, much more impressive. Oh, and I think we forgot Espeon back in Ragsport."

"Team Horizon is the best!" Eevee exclaimed. "They helped people! They put a stop to bad Pokémon!"

"You just described the job of every single exploration team there is."

Eevee sputtered for a moment. "You don't understand! They fought the three legendary bird Pokémon-"

"Did they suck as much as the three Legendary lake guardians?"

"-went on a quest to find an ancient Ninetails and discover what was causing a string of natural disasters-"

"We went to the future."

"-then had to find a way to enter the sky and get Rayquaza to blow up the asteroid and save the world-"

"We saved the world ourselves without asking someone to do it for us."

"-and finally freed Gardevoir from a curse!"

"I stopped existing for a while."

"You're still not getting it!" Eevee said, frustrated. Team Horizon was the best. They had never let anything bad happen to anyone. Eevee used to go to their old base, now practically a museum, and pretend he was a part of their team. Callum, the defender, Lore, the cunning, Amreen, the determination, and Eevee, the one who, in a burst of skill or cleverness when all seemed lost, saved the day and the team from a trap, or maybe an ambush, occasionally an evil monster. It depended on how Eevee was feeling that day.

"Yeah, I do. They did some stuff. So did we. We're just as awesome as they ever were." Sol stared off into the distance. "It's weird to think that one day, someone might get just as excited about our story." Sol smirked. "I wonder how much they'll have to change me so I can pass as a hero."

"I've never thought about that," Eevee said. It was an odd concept, to say the least. For as long as he could remember he had been worshiping one idol or another, be it his father, his brother, Team Horizon, Dusknoir... For someone to see him in that way was scary.

"You though, they wouldn't have to change a thing. The determined explorer who started the team? Perfect hero material."

"I'm not so sure about that." Eevee looked at the floor. This was making him feel uneasy, like when Lumen claimed that everyone would know his name when her article was published. If he was the hero, a crazy thought to be sure, then who would he have to look up to? Then again, it wasn't like having idols has worked out for him. Team Horizon was the only one who hadn't let him down and they were a hundred years dead.

"When did you become a pessimist? A lot of stuff has been going wrong, but right at this very moment, nothing is attacking us, we're warm, we're comfortable, and we're flying. That is awesome. Eliza is just plain weird." Sol shook her head. "Who would hide away in a room instead of up here enjoying this?"

Eevee thought that was a little unfair. Eliza being afraid of flying wasn't any different from Sol's dislike of sailing.

"Today we'll be in your hometown, and you can't tell me there isn't at least one person you're looking forward to seeing."

Eevee wasn't sure if that was an invitation to share or a clumsy dig for information. This was a topic Eevee had known would be brought up eventually, but that hadn't stopped him from hoping that if he ignored it that it would go away.

"I... I should stop by to see my mom."

"Should? As in obligated to?"

"No! I want to."

"But..."

"No buts."

"Ok then. Anyone else?"

"No."

Sol gave him sidelong look but didn't ask any more questions. Eevee didn't want to talk about this. Ignore it 'till it goes away was still his plan.

...

Something was making Eevee anxious. That was understandable given the team's split, the vision, Sol's near death and her would-be murderer on the loose. Except it wasn't any of those things that was getting to him. In the past Sol never would have noticed this, but she had been trying to focus less on herself and more on her friends. Self absorption was still a problem but she was getting better.

However, just because Sol was aware that something was wrong didn't mean she knew what to do about it. Eevee's curt "no" made it clear he didn't want to talk about it. But if something was bugging him, shouldn't he be talking about it? But she also didn't want to push him on the matter if he didn't want to. So what was she supposed to do?"

Sol had a new understanding of just how frustrating it must be for the others when they tried talking to her when she got like this.

The Sky Without had landed in Pokémon Square without a problem and they had departed the craft. Sol kept an eye on Eevee the whole time. Eliza went on and on about where they had to go and what they had to do next, but Sol paid her no attention. Eevee was acting so... twitchy. His eyes flicked from person to person as they walked down a moderately crowded street, as if expecting to be attacked.

"Hey, isn't that Team Horizon base around here somewhere?"

"Huh?" Eevee perked up. Eliza made an exasperated sound but she wasn't what was important right now.

"You kept saying how great they were, so I think I outta check it out myself."

"We don't have time for this," Eliza said.

"Sure we do. How much time did the Sky Without save us?"

"No. We are leaving now."

"Well in that case- Aha!"

Using clever misdirection, Sol ran six feet away before Eliza grabbed her arm. The Lucario hauled her up until Sol was forced to stand in her tip toes with her stretched up painfully. Sol didn't do anything to fight against it. She narrowed her eyes and glared at Eliza.

"We've already done this before and I sure as hell didn't learn my lesson. Want to go again?"

"Someone is trying to kill you!" Pure frustration drove up the volume in Eliza's voice. People nearby paused to stare at the display and startling outburst before quickly hurrying away.

"Please, we don't need to fight over this!" Eevee cried.

Sol didn't break eye contact with Eliza. "How much danger would this really put me in? I'm not waltzing off alone into the wild!"

There was a tense pause. Eliza stared at Sol with a coldness that would more befit one trying to kill her, not protect her. "No," she stated before releasing Sol's arm.

Eliza thought this was over but Sol was far from done. It wasn't like Sol wanted to go to the old base, but she did want to help Eevee in the only way she could think of. Eevee was being put through all of this because of Sol and if she could make it even the smallest bit better she would.

"We are going, and then we're going to visit Eevee's mom."

"Eevee can do that when we leave."

"What are you talking about? I'm not leaving him behind."

"An Eevee can not live among the clan."

The world froze as if the planet's paralysis had never been stopped. The ground tilted beneath Sol's feet and she felt the sudden desire to hit someone.

"Fuck that and fuck you."

This time Eliza didn't try to stop her when Sol ran off, Eevee chasing close behind her.

...

Callum had been a painter in his spare time. His base had also been his canvas, from the base of the walls to the top of the domed ceiling not a single inch had been left bare. Sol followed the path of the mural that told the story of Team Horizon from the eyes of its leader.

"That one is Callum and that one is Lore," Eevee pointed out a Squirtle and a Pikachu from amid the painted figures. It was difficult to follow a coherent story line from the pictures alone. Left to right generally seemed to follow the progression of time, but above and below the larger middle section was a jumble of images Sol couldn't make sense of. Were they elaboration of important events? Or did he make it all the way around and started another loop like a new line on a page?

"And this one here Amreen," Eevee indicated an Absol further down the line. The paintings featured a variety of different Pokémon, the Pikachu and the Squirtle showing up frequently before eventually being joined by the Absol. Further down, after the scene depicting Rayquaza destroying an asteroid from his home in the sky, the Squirtle was replaced with a Wartortle.

"This part here is where Team Horizon begins their journey to find Ninetails while Team ATC stays behind to make sure the town is secure."

"They look like they're crying," Sol said, frowning at the image of Callum and Lore leaving down a path, the town behind them in the distance. The Pikachu was facing away, back towards the town far behind her while the Squirtle marched onward with what look like tears in the corner of his eyes.

"No, they're just determined. The whole town was counting on them. Oh, and over here is where Amreen joins the team! And this is where Team ATC catches up with them and they find Ninetails together!"

"Are- Are they fighting?"

"Of course not! The lights and all that are symbolic. Look over there! That's my favourite part of the story!"

Nothing could keep Eevee down for long, Sol thought. They hadn't said a word to each other on the walk over, and now he was running about like a gleeful kid. Or perhaps he was doing the exact same thing Sol was and was trying to raise the spirits of his teammate.

Neither of them had brought up what Eliza had said. Actually, neither of them had spoken of anything that wasn't the exhibits set up around the grounds of the old Team Horizon base. Any other topic ran the risk of coming back around to Eliza, the clans, or the reason why they had come here in the first place.

"You should see this place during the Red Festival. It's to celebrate the day when the asteroid was destroyed, and there's games, contests, and there are carts that sell these little triangle things that are the most delicious things I have ever had."

"Sounds like a lot of fun."

"Oh! I need to show you something! Follow me!"

Eevee made for a hallway at the back of the main room, leading off into different sections of the base. Team Horizon's base wasn't just one building. It consisted of many dome shaped rooms sprawled across a large treed area and connected by a corridor, like leaves on a branch. It was a confusing layout for Sol to follow, not helped by the many sections closed off from the public, but Eevee seemed to know his way around even after such a long time away.

"It's so cool and I know-"

"Wait."

The two of them froze just as they were about to leave the room. A second passed in which Sol seriously considered just ignoring the voice and continuing as if nothing had happened. Instead, she turned around with a glare hostile enough to show her feelings on the matter.

"What do you want?" Sol spat at Riley standing in the entrance of the building. Or course they knew they would come here. They should have gone somewhere else first.

"I-uh, I think you should, um, reconsider-"

"I'm not reconsidering shit."

"I don't want you to die," Riley said. He looked so small and helpless standing there and it was really pissing Sol off.

"For- Really?! You're acting like I have some life threatening disease! I'm not dying, I'm not sick, and I'm not leaving my friend behind!"

"Um, Sol, maybe hearing them out wouldn't hurt..."

Sol could have sworn she felt her eye twitch. Eevee was going to agree with them on this?

"It's too dangerous to not do anything." Riley seemed to gain some confidence from Eevee's agreement and stepped fully into the room.

"If it's what it takes, I can look after myself for a while."

"The clan can teach you to defend yourself."

"I'll be fine. I could spend some time with my mom."

"Stop with the intervention and shut up for a minute!" Sol yelled. They went silent. Sol put her hands on her hips and fumed silently, staring at the floor. What was she supposed to do now? Wasn't this a decision she had already made back in the Shaymin Village? Why was she making it again? Why did they spring this on her now? Sol couldn't just leave Eevee behind! Something was up with him and she couldn't abandon him now, and truthfully, the thought of going through this without her team was scary.

"I'm not going without Eevee," Sol said. "You can tell Eliza I said that."

"Sol..."

"Eevee, I've made up my mind! I'll find another way."

There. A firm decision and Sol wouldn't let anything sway her from it.

"Vee!" An unfamiliar voice called from the doorway.

What could it possible be now, Sol thought, turning to face the newcomer. Like a fallen piece of the sun, a smirking Flareon strolled into the room with enough arrogance in his stance alone to let Sol know right away that this guy was going to be a douchebag.

"When Kieran said he saw you in town I just had to see it for myself! And of course you'd come right here. I mean, some people might be offended that you came to a museum first instead of your own family, but whatever."

The Flareon stopped next to Eevee, still smirking. Eevee had tensed up, ears pressed flat against his head, eyes wide and mouth hung open.

"Who the hell are you and what do you want with Eevee?" Sol demanded, stepping between them.

"Ah, feisty one! If you're going to come home after years away might as well bring a smoking hot piece of tail with you!"

"Uh, what?" Sol blinked, going straight from ready for a fight to befuddled.

"Not very bright, is she? Meh, the dull ones are usually better anyway."

"You will not insult a member of the clans!" Riley threatened with more fire than Sol had ever seen him possess before. Eevee was still frozen in his spot. Sol was still trying to fit the Flareon's words together in way that made sense.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the Flareon said, looking down at Riley. "So she's your smoking hot-"

In that moment, Eevee went from terrified statue to rabid beast. With a wild howl, he lept past Sol at the Flareon. His shoulder nailed into the side of the much larger Pokémon and it was surprise more than force that caused the Flareon to stumble.

"What the-" the Flareon began but was cut off when Eevee charged to headbutt him in the jaw, still howling at the top of his lungs like a lunatic.

Eevee spun around for another wild attack, no thought to strategy or tactics or anything that would help him win. When he charged the Flareon was ready for him. A quick jump to the side and a sweep of the leg had Eevee off balanced, easily knocked over and pinned under the Flareons front paws.

"Would you calm down and stop screaming already?!" the Flareon yelled.

A flash of blue light streaked across the room and struck the Flareon on his side. The aura pulse pushed him off of Eevee and he slid a few feet across the floor. The moment he was free Eevee jumped to his feet and readied to attack again. Sol was still trying to make sense of what was happening. She knew the words but they made no sense strung together like that. Still, she was certain this Flareon was more an annoyance than a threat. She ran to put herself between Eevee and his target. Riley stood on guard nearby, a ball of blue pulsing between his hands.

"Vee, what the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Eevee, seriously! Calm down!"

For a long moment nobody moved from their spots, instead choosing to shout their heads off. Eevee was still screaming incoherently. Sol and the Flareon were yelling at him to calm down. When the museum staff showed up shortly after, they yelled at all of them to get the hell out. They were then joined by the local police when no one moved but everyone was screaming or making weird balls of light.

And so went Sol's first day in Pokémon Square.

...

Meanwhile, on a boat in the middle of the Dotted Sea:

"... They better have a really good excuse..."