"Oh come on. It wasn't so bad." The Intertwining Pokémon said as she walked alongside her sulking friend who had long since gotten off her back.
Said friend faced her with an exasperated look. "I don't really mind you carrying me around like that, just the way you went about it. What if I fell or hit that branch?"
"You didn't."
"But what if I did?"
"Well you didn't. I was being extra careful, believe it or not. No point in talking about what never happened, right?" It was a valid argument but it wasn't enough to satisfy Angel.
"Just... A little warning next time okay?"
"Next time? So you did enjoy it?"
"No, I'm just asking you to tell me ahead of time when you next plan on doing something rash since I'm powerless to stop you." It was true. Even if she did attack Sylvia with her psychic power, not that she would ever, it was almost pointless for her to do so anyway. Her friend was a Sylveon and they were known for their extreme durability against special attacks.
"Hey now... No need to be like that. Look, I'm sorry okay?" Sylvia walked closer to her friend and wrapped one of her ribbons around her wrist. Then she channelled a peculiar but pleasant aura through it. "Better?"
The Kirlia sighed in content. "Much better, thank you." Now smiling, Angel couldn't deny how good those ribbons felt against her body. She didn't know what it was about them but they gave off this calming aura and the Kirlia's spirits were lifted immediately even if she was in a sour mood literally two seconds ago. "The day is still early. Got any plans?"
"No, not really." Sylvia pondered for a bit. "Why don't we head over to the training hold and pay Gallant a visit?"
"He's in the training hold?"
"Gallant's always in the training hold." Sylvia replied matter-of-factly.
They were referring to their mutual friend who was also a Kirlia. Angel had met him through Sylvia since they spent far more time training with the public than she herself did. One of the handful of male Kirlia that dreamed of acquiring a Dawn Stone and evolving into the powerful Gallade. For this reason, he trained hard and trained everyday. Pushing his limits and strengthening his body in preparation for his own time of evolution. The Gallade that lived in the realm were not of the fairy type as they lose that during evolution in favor of the fighting type. Nevertheless, they were born as fairies in the Fairy Realm and had a right to call it their home as much as any other.
"Hmm... Sounds good then."
"Darn right it sounds good. Hopefully we can watch him kick the crud out of someone." Sylvia jabbed at the air with her free ribbons like she was a Hitmonchan.
"I think the idea of training is to strengthen one's body not to see how many pokémon you can feed dirt."
"That being said, it's pretty funny when someone actually does end up eating dirt." Sylvia laughed and it was contagious enough to get Angel laughing too, though in a more reserved manner than her joyful friend.
The two walked hand in ribbon a few minutes more before stopping in front of the familiar large building located to the north of the central plaza. If one listened closely, they could hear some commotion coming from the inside. This was the training hold and many aspiring pokémon spent a lot of their time practicing their techniques and strategies here. Some only visiting for the simple sake of battle.
"Sounds like the party's already gotten started. Come on." Still holding Angel's hand, the two of them walked into the building.
The inside was of simple design. There was a wall that spanned the entire length of the room with a door on either side that led further into the building. There was also a desk situated in between the doors currently occupied by two Klefki.
"Looks like we have company, Keychain." The one on their left spoke.
"Indeed we do, Keyring and familiar faces they are." The one on the right replied to his companion.
"Good morning, Sylvia. Good morning, Angel." The two Klefki spoke in perfect unison.
"Good morning, you two. Say hi, Angel."
Angel just gave her friend a tired expression. "What are you, my guardian? You need to stop doing that."
"Angel says hi." Sylvia walked closer to the desk. "Is the training room open?"
"Opened up a little while ago." The one called Keychain informed her.
"Participants are currently minimal so you're free to go in." Keyring floated over to the door and used one of his keys to unlock it for them.
"You lock the doors now?" Angel inquired.
"Necessary precaution. Sometimes things get a little rough. Last time a pokémon flew through this very door. Broke it off its hinges, he did. Had to have it replaced. This way the doors will hold better." The Klefki opened the door and motioned for the two pokémon to enter. "In you go, ladies."
"Thank you!"
The two friends entered the room and the door was closed and locked behind them. This room was far more spacious and made up the majority of the building. There were all kinds of training equipment lining the walls. Punching bags, weights, dummies for target practice and other things. A good number of pokémon were gathered close to the walls of the large semi-circular room currently cheering on a battle that was going on in the center. Unlike the room before that had a stone floor, this one was made up of hard wood to make it easier for battlers to navigate. In the center of the room was a male Kirlia and a Swirlix currently engaged in combat. This Kirlia being the aforementioned Gallant, identifiable by a yellow strap with red tribal markings he wore around his right arm. He wasn't in the usual stance associated with his kind, instead taking a more primal stance.
Both pokémon had a few barely visible bruises on their bodies but they looked like they weren't done yet. Giving a war cry that sounded more cute than threatening, the Swirlix charged Gallant who stood his ground. Upon reaching the Kirlia, the Cotton Candy Pokémon attempted a tackle but Gallant quickly threw his arm out and placed it on the Swirlix's head, using it to vault himself over his opponent and retaliating with a shoulder bash from his new position behind it.
The Swirlix cried out, losing its balance and face-planting onto the floor. Shaking its head a little, it tenaciously got back up and charged its way towards Gallant once again, intending to bring him down to the same level of damage as itself with Endeavor. Gallant stood his ground a second time. He was about to counter-attack when a loose floor board ahead of him caught his eye. Smirking, he used his psychic energy to lift the floor board a little higher, causing the Swirlix to trip over it and land painfully on the ground once more, sliding and coming to a stop at Gallant's feet.
It looked up at him defiantly, getting up and planning on attacking one last time. The Kirlia saw this and he responded by jabbing is left arm forwards, nailing the Swirlix between the eyes before striking forward with his right, expelling a psychic wave that sent the Swirlix flying across the room. The Swirlix landed some meters away from Gallant, this time not moving and making him the victor.
Gallant sighed and stretched while the pokémon around him cheered, some even chanting his name.
"Gallant!" Hey. That one was a voice he recognized. Looking in the direction of the source of the call, Gallant saw Sylvia running up to him, Angel closely in tow at her own pace. "Hey there, Sylvia."
"Hey, Gallant!" Sylvia stopped right in front of him and gave him her friendly smile. "I saw your battle. Well the last half of it anyway. Congratulations. It looks like you're getting stronger every day."
"Do you think so? Because I sure hope so." Even if he was quite skilled, there was still a lot he could go for. As he was still a Kirlia, Gallant's physical hits didn't do so much damage, forcing him to go the extra mile just to fell a single opponent. It was why he trained as hard as he did. When he evolves, though, it will make all his efforts worthwhile.
"I don't think you have much to worry about. Evidently, you're quite skilled." The compliment made Gallant smile brightly.
"Well I have been training my horns off, haven't I?" Gallant put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest in an attempt to look tough but considering what all Kirlia looked like, it didn't sell.
"So... Did you make anyone eat dirt?"
"Did I what?"
"Long story." Angel finally made her presence known. "Hey, Gallant."
"Hey there, Angel." The two shook hands which looked more like a business deal than a greeting. "Funny seeing you in here. I would think you'd be at the library or something."
"Already been. Have a look." The shiny Kirlia reached into her bag for a moment and recovered what she was looking for. "I got a new book earlier today. It depicts the current status of the Legendary Pantheon." Angel explained as she started walking towards a more empty part of the room, her two friends following closely.
"The what now?"
"It's a divine seat among legendary pokémon. Some of them being more prestigious than others." That was surprising considering the explanation didn't come from Angel.
"I never knew you had such a keen interest in literature, Sylvia. Angel rubbing off on you?"
"You could say that my interest was piqued. Taught us both some stuff we weren't ever aware of."
"Like what?"
"Like-"
"Like did you know the Psychic Realm is actually a floating city ruled by a legendary pokémon named Cresselia?" Angel suddenly interrupted.
"As a matter of fact, I did."
"What? Really?" Both his friends chorused.
"Hmmmmm... Nah." Gallant smiled cheekily, causing Sylvia to giggle and Angel to make an unamused frown. "That book does sound fascinating, though. Who wrote it?"
"Ummmm..." Angel looked at the bottom of the cover. "Someone named SK. Cerebral."
"SK. Cerebral?" The female Kirlia just shrugged. "Well whoever that is, they seem pretty intellectual. What with them being able to get detailed descriptions on supremely powerful pokémon that rarely show themselves."
Sylvia decided to put in her own opinion on the matter. "Yeah and who's to say it wasn't written by another legendary pokémon altogether?"
Angel blinked at that. "Wait. You mean to say that my book could be written by a legendary pokémon? That's... That's like... Wow!" Angel hugged the book to her chest and started spinning around. The two other pokémon present just giggled at her antics.
Their good time was short-lived, however, as a pair of pokémon, a Clefairy and a Snubbull, walked up to them with the Snubbull looking none too friendly.
"Hey you three." The Snubbull addressed them. "You guys do know that this isn't the library, right?"
Angel didn't hear her as she was still spinning in joy. Shaking her head, Sylvia stepped forward and answered for the both of them. "We're well aware, yes. Got any other news for us, captain obvious?"
The Clefairy sighed and stepped forward as well. "What my friend means to say is that this is a place of training not loitering. If you have no such business here then you'll have to take your company somewhere else. I don't want to be the one to ruin your fun but it's kind of a rule."
Satisfied with the Clefairy's more reasonable approach, Sylvia conceded. "Alright, we'll be taking our leave then. Sorry for the disturbance. Let's go Angel. Angel? A-Angel, that's enough of that... Stop!" The Intertwining Pokémon used her ribbons to halt her friend's spinning. Seriously how did she not get tired? "Come on, we're leaving. Coming with, Gallant?"
"Sure, I've got time to kill." The male Kirlia prepared to leave with his friends but they were stopped by the Snubbull once again.
"Wait! Before you leave, the floor is still open. What say you to a battle?"
The gathered friends looked at one another then back at the two other pokémon.
"You guys go on ahead. I've already had my fill for the morning." Gallant offered.
The Clefairy spoke up next to the Snubbull. "Let's make things more fun with a double battle. How about it?"
Sylvia smirked and gladly accepted the challenge, eager for a little brawl. "Come on, Angel. Can't back down from a challenge, right?" Unsure, the Emotion Pokémon looked at the other Kirlia in the group.
"Go ahead. Here let me let take that for you." Gallant held onto Angel's book and bag for her then nodded towards her with a smile. Angel nodded back before facing her soon to be opponents.
"Challenge accepted."
The four of them made their way to the open battle spot in the center of the room with Gallant staying behind and playing spectator. Angel and Sylvia stood on one side with about three meters space in between them with their opponents doing the same five meters ahead of them. Other pokémon were already gathering around them, eager to watch another battle take place.
"You guys ready? Then here we go." The Clefairy presented a rock and tossed it upwards. All party members watched it fly up then fall back down. The moment it struck the ground, the battle begun.
Angel got things started by activating her ability: Trace. Selecting the Snubbull as her target, she traced her Intimidate ability. With it as her new ability, Angel's eyes glowed a fierce amber that was imposing enough for her opponents to think twice about attacking her.
The Snubbull activate her own Intimidate ability, eyes becoming fierce and baring her fangs. It made both Angel and Sylvia weary enough to take a step back but they were both specially oriented pokémon and if they did things right, they wouldn't have to get close enough to the Snubbull for her ability to hinder them.
The Clefairy's action was a more defensive one in Cosmic Power. The starry energy surrounded the fairy type pokémon and he felt immediately felt the strengthening effects of the aura, boosting both his defense and special defense.
Next was Sylvia who decided to play support and ran to Angel's side. Knowing what was coming, Angel held her hand out for her friend to take. The Sylveon reached out with one of her ribbons and wrapped them around her partner's arm, granting her with the damage boosting effects of Helping Hand. With her body temporarily powered up, Angel let loose a strong Dazzling Gleam that assaulted her opponents and lit up the entire room.
The bright flash of Angel's attack, further backed by Sylvia's shared power, was enough to knock both their opponents off their feet. The Clefairy caught himself in mid-air using his wings but the same couldn't be said for the Snubbull who was unfortunate enough to keep tumbling a good distance accross the floor.
Quickly recovering thanks to his enhanced defenses, the Clefairy channeled the power of space. Flying high up, he raised a glowing fist and came careening back down like a meteorite with Angel as his intended target. It wouldn't come to be, however as Sylvia ran up and took the blow for her friend. Intimidate or not, Angel wouldn't be able to handle the Meteor Mash attack.
Sylvia winced as the explosive punch sent her body skidding along the floor. Not only was that a physical move which she was vulnerable to but it was also a steel type move which happened to be one of the fairy type's weaknesses. She wasn't down for the count, though. She had high vitality and it would take more than that to take her out.
"Sylvia... You okay?" Angel teleported to her side at once, still in her battle stance. The pokémon on the other side of the field had recooperated as well and even though the Snubbull looked shaken, she could still fight.
"Don't worry, this is nothing."
"Of course I worry. We're partners in this fight, right?" Angel's horns glowed brightly for a moment and she performed Heal Pulse, releasing the healing wave as a series of ripples that patched up the Sylveon's bruises. "Better?"
"Much better, thanks." The Sylveon smirked and faced her opponents once more, feeling good as new. "That blow hurt, I won't lie but at least I left him with a little parting gift." Angel looked back at their opponents and saw the Clefairy acting peculiar. Instead of attacking, he just kept on staring at Sylvia like she was his very reason for living. Cute Charm. That was Sylvia's ability. It infatuated opposite gendered pokémon that made physical contact with her.
Angel smiled, with the larger threat out of the way, she could focus on the wounded Snubbull. "Then let's wrap this up, shall we?"
The Sylveon nodded to her partner and closed her eyes, using Calm Mind to hone her senses and channel energy through her body. Seeing this, the Snubbull charged at Sylvia in the hopes of ditrupting her concentration with her Play Rough attack.
Angel would have none of it, though. She held her arms in front of her and the Snubbull was suddenly struck with an unseeable psychic force, sending her rolling along the ground once more before coming to a stop right in front of the preoccupied Clefairy. Right where they needed her.
With her meditating done, Sylvia finally let rip with a powerful Moonblast, sending the white projectile flying at the incapacitated pair, impacting and enveloping them both in a large dome of unforgiving energy which further illuminated the room with a brilliant glow. When the attack finally ended, it revealed their opponents that were sprawled on the ground where they lay very defeated.
"Hah! Child's play!" The Sylveon hopped side to side and seeing her friend so happy was enough to get Angel twirling again. Done with their little victory dance, the two made their way back to their third friend while their former opponents where carried off on a stretcher and taken to the infirmary located in one of the back rooms.
When Sylvia and Angel made their way back to Gallant, he wasted no time in complimenting them. "Good job, you two. That was some nice display of teamwork."
Sylvia smirked and held her head high in a victory pose. "Thanks! It just goes to show that-" Her sentence was suddenly interrupted by the sound of her growling stomach and she made an embarrassed smile at her amused friends.
"Looks like all that fighting worked up an appetite... Heh. So how about we go to the food stands and get a bite to eat? Come on, Gallant!"
"Well now that you mention it, I am kinda hungry..." Gallant found himself being pulled ahead by one of Sylvia's ribbons with Angel smiling and following along.
XXXXX Fairy Realm - Secluded Spot XXXXX
The three fairy friends had returned to the small hidden area that Angel liked to do her reading. They were currently sitting on the grass around an elevated flat rock upon which lay their treats, bought courtesy of Angel who was the only one that thought to bring her money with her that day, not that she minded. Their treats consisted of half a dozen poképuffs. Delicious, mouth-watering cupcakes that were so extremely popular with pokémon worldwide that nearly everyone had a recipe or two on how to prepare them. These particular ones were acquired from a Slurpuff than ran a small stand in the plaza that sold them in different varieties.
"I don't think I can get enough of these things." Sylvia commented, taking another mouthful off one of her poképuffs.
"I'll admit they're quite easy to get addicted to... I just wish we could have at least helped Angel chip in on the price."
"I told you guys, it's fine. Mom always gives me more than enough spending money so please enjoy them." Angel waved them off as she enjoyed her own snack.
Enjoy they certainly did, indulging themselves on the delicious cupcakes. By the time they were done, the only indication of the poképuffs' existence was the small bit of crumbs left on the rock they were gathered around. Record time.
"By the way, Gallant, I've been meaning to ask... What's that?" Angel wiped the remains of her treat off her mouth and pointed at Gallant's arm. The yellow material he wore caught her attention from the time she first saw it this morning.
"Oh this? It's a muscle band."
Sylvia walked around the rock to where Gallant was seated so she could get a closer look at it. "What does it do?"
"It enhances my physical attacks. Simple as that. Since I train in the close quarters department, I need all the help I can get and this thing provides me with just that."
Angel also got a closer look at it. "It looks just like a plain cloth to me. How does it work?"
"Well... I suppose you can say that the surface has a special compound that stimulates muscles when wrapped tightly against the skin... But that's just a theory I have. As long as it does its job, I don't really care how it works."
Sylvia looked surprised. From her point of view it just looked like a fashion choice. "This thing does all that? Where did you get it?"
"Had Jubilee make a requisition for me from the Pokémon Settlement when she first told me about it and how it could help with my training. She said items like this get manufactured and distributed from the Steel Realm all the time." Gallant laid down on his back in a more lazy fashion, facing the blue sky and soon joined by his friends.
"I really wish I could see for myself just what goes on out there. At least just once, you know?" It was a strict rule that the younger populace of the Fairy Realm could not leave their home without supervision or even at all, being their 'future' and everything. Even if she did have supervision, there would be a limit to how far she could travel. Not like she could just ask an adult to escort her to see the whole world and back like it was something so simple. The thought was ludicrous.
"I hear ya, Angel. How about you, Gallant? Don't you think it would be nice to see the outside even if it was just for a short time?"
"I'm about to, actually."
"What!?" Sylvia suddenly got up on her feet and faced Gallant directly, making him sit up in surprise. "For real? Or are you just joking like last time?" Angel was also surprised at Gallant's comment though she wasn't going to be as hysterical about it as her friend. "If not, why, how and when?"
Looking at the Sylveon's intense expression made him suppose she was privy to an explanation. "Um... Well... A select group of Kirlia in training, me being one of them, are going on a field trip to the Pokémon Settlement to request dawn stones. We're being led by our training instructor, Edge. You know, one of the Gallade that works in the Training Hold. We could have had Jubilee make the request for us but he said it could be an opportunity to test our prowess if we make the trip ourselves. I was surprised myself to be honest."
"So you're going into the Brilliant Meadow? Gonna fight wild pokémon? See the Pokémon Settlement with your own eyes? All that noise?" Sylvia punctuated each of her questions by moving her face closer and closer to Gallant.
"Yeah. All that noise." The male Kirlia lightly tapped Sylvia's forehead and put a little more distance between them. "I don't know what it's like yet but I can't deny that I'm pretty excited. All he told us was to prepare accordingly and that he'll give us the details tomorrow morning."
"Well aren't we lucky all of a sudden?" Sylvia pouted, wishing she could get in on the presented expedition.
"I don't know if I could call it 'lucky'. There are just as many dangers out there as opportunities, after all. Anything could happen. Especially if one is unprepared." Angel's reasoning didn't ease Sylvia any.
"Hey which reminds me... I have some supplies I need to collect in preparation for the trip. You guys are welcome to come along if you want?" Gallant got up and stretched his body out a little.
Looking at each other and figuring 'why not,' Angel and Sylveon nodded to Gallant, deciding to do just that.
"Great. Let me just get my money bag from home. I'll meet you guys at the Fiore's Berry Shop. That alright?" Another collective nod. "Great. I'll see you two there then."
And with that the gathered party separated with Gallant leaving in one direction while Angel and Sylvia left for the designated rendezvous point.
XXXXX Fairy Realm: Fiore's Berry Shop - Entrance XXXXX
It was a building everyone was familiar with. Fiore's Berry Shop was one of the many buildings that rested along the inner circumference of the Fairy Realm. The main part of it was a simple housing with potted flowers that decorated it at the base and even on the rooftop. Then there was the rear part which was concealed by a high, circular stone wall in which the gardening to make various berries took place. This is where Angel and Sylvia had gathered and were currently waiting for their third comrade to make his appearance.
"He sure is taking his time."
"I think that's just you being impatient."
"It's been like forever."
"We've only been here ten minutes, ourselves."
"He can teleport, can't he?"
"Yes but it isn't necessary."
"You think something might have happened?"
"No."
"What if something happened?"
"Sylvia, please be patient."
"I'm just saying, what if he was given chores to do the moment he got- hey, there he is!" Sylvia raised a ribbon and waved to the gradually approaching Kirlia who waved back.
"Hey guys." Gallant stopped in front of them, a bag resting at his hip with the strap around his waist. It looked similar to Angel's but black. "Got everything I need right here. Shall we go in?" Opening the door, the three pokémon quickly entered the berry shop.
The inside was of the shop was of simple design as well, though it was fairly spacious. The left and right walls were lined with multiple shelves that held an assortment of berries which other customers were currently inspecting and to where the three made their way first.
"So what are you looking to get?" Angel asked.
"Salac and Leichi berries. Fruits that stimulate a body to raise one's speed and physical attacks, respectively, when consumed. Gonna need those if I'm gonna be getting into unavoidable battles with hostiles."
"Do they taste good?" Sylvia got a closer inspection at the berries Gallant had collected.
"Depends on your preferences, really. I certainly like how a Leichi berry tastes but I doubt you guys would."
"Why? How does it taste?"
"Spicy."
"I hate it already."
"That's okay. You wouldn't be needing it anyway, I'm sure. I would recommend an Apicot berry for you which raises endurance against special attacks. A Maranga berry is a much more reliable version of that but that one is a little pricy since it's hard to come across. I would also suggest a Petaya berry for Angel since it would help boost her own special attacks."
Angel looked back at the shelves housing the many berries. She herself was now interested in the multitude of colored consumables. Perhaps she'll be making a trip back here, sometime in the future.
With what they need in hand, the three started making their way towards the counter where the store owner, a Florges, was currently conversing with a few of her Floette assistants.
"How are the Sitrus and Lum crops coming along?"
"Just about ready to sprout, ma'am." One of her assistants answered.
"And the Kee and Maranga berries? We shall be expecting customers looking for those types soon."
"Ganlon, Leichi, Salac and Petaya berries have been planted in series, Miss Fiore. Surprise Mulch was used so we can have better chances of a berry mutation."
"Excellent work, ladies. That will be all for now." The gathered Floette all bowed to their boss before disappearing through the back door and into the garden. Now that they saw that she was free, the three new customers walked closer to the counter.
"Good afternoon, Miss Fiore." Gallant greeted.
Hearing her name, the addressed pokémon turned around, revealing herself to be the white variety of Florges. "Angel, Sylvia, Gallant. What a lovely surprise. Is there anything I can do for you?" Fiore gave them a most friendly smile associated with her species.
"Yes there is, ma'am." Gallant stepped forward, money bag at the ready. "I'll be purchasing these three Salac berries and three Leichi berries. Please and thank you."
Gallant laid down a few Shards onto the counter while Fiore placed his order into a small disposable bag. "Here you go Gallant." Fiore retrieved her new Shards and placed them somewhere secure behind the counter. "Would these be for your training regimens as well?"
"Actually, these are for a bigger reason than that."
"A bigger reason? That being?"
"Well you see-"
"Champion over here is going on trip to the Pokémon Settlement. Gonna brave the Brilliant Meadow, beating down on bad guys and making his way to his prize: a Dawn Stone. Huzzah!" Sylvia wrapped a ribbon around Gallant's shoulder and flashed what she assumed was a heroic smile.
Fiore looked between the Sylveon and Kirlia in surprise. "Is this true?"
"Um... Yes. A group of us are being led by our training instructor on a trip to the Pokémon Settlement to order some Dawn Stones. It's a test of strength to see if we're ready to take on higher challenges when we evolve, he said."
"Hmmm... Is that right?" Fiore placed her right hand under her chin and rested her elbow on her left. "Well I do hope you stay safe. I would hate to think that something might happen to you all."
"I assure you that I'll be fine Miss Fiore. No cause for concern. Just a trip and back. Wouldn't want to put worry lines on that pretty face of yours." Gallant's comment brought color to Fiore's now smiling face. Not to mention surprised his friends.
"I'll take your word for it then, Gallant. Will that be all?"
"Yes, ma'am. Be seeing you." They all gave a friendly wave goodbye and with that, the three left the berry shop.
"Alright, just one more trip and we're done."
"Where to now?"
"We're going to Redolence's Incense Store." Gallant was already walking towards his new destination with Sylvia and Angel close by.
"What are you getting from there?"
"Just a little something that would help with the trip. I had Redolence prepare it for me in advance so this should be a quick trip."
The three continued to walk, now in silence, until they got to yet another large building. This one looked similar to Fiore's Berry Shop, sans back garden of course. The main difference being the chimney jutting out of thee top of the building from which a visible pink mist wafted. This was Redolence's Incense Shop. It was popular for making... Well, incense. Different types that had different effects. Some of them used in aromatherapy while others were used just for the sake of giving their homes an inviting scent. Gallant, however, had a more practical reason for his visit.
"Redolence?" Gallant called as he entered the store. This one was vastly different from the previous one they had visited.
This building looked more like a lab of some sort. From the entrance, there was a long stone slab starting a few meters from the door and going all the way into the back wall. It was about fifty centimeters high and just wide enough to accommodate the many apparatuses that lay along it while giving enough space for someone to walk along either side of it. Beakers, bunsen burners, test tubes and a lot of other stuff even Angel couldn't identify. There were a series of five doors that spanned the entire left wall and a large chalk board on the right wall littered with equations that made their heads spin just looking at them.
"Redolence, you here?"
"Just a moment!" Came a voice calling from one of the rooms. A moment later the furthest door opened and out walked an Aromatisse. The Fragrance Pokémon held a tray where multiple vials with colored liquids lay and placed it on the slab. "Why, if it isn't Gallant! I've been expecting you. Here for your order I presume?" The Aromatisse spoke with a feminine drawl.
"That's right. I take it they're ready?"
Redolence closed her eyes in what was an assumed smile and motioned for the three to come over. "I see you've brought your friends with you. How have you two been?"
"Well, thank you."
"Fine, thanks!"
Redolence turned their attention to the tray of sealed vials. "Here's what you asked for, Gallant. Good and ready. Please do not let the glass bottles fool you, I assure you they are quite sturdy."
Gallant bent over and inspected the small glass containers from a closer angle. There were three vials; a green one, a pink one and a red one. His friends joined him, curious as to what they were exactly.
"What are these? What do they do?" Angel asked and Redolence was more than happy to explain.
"They are specific types of aromas I created, each condensed into a liquid state. This one right here..." Redolence picked up the green one. "This one carries a healing property that is to be applied on wounds or other small injuries. This pink one has a very strong, pleasant fragrance that attracts other pokémon and this little guy here..." She picked up the remaining red one. "This one carries a pungent scent that no pokémon can tolerate. Aromatherapy, Sweet Scent and Stench all in a bottle. Convenience!"
The three adolescent pokémon were astounded at the concoctions. Convenince, indeed. But...
"Wait, you're carrying a liquid that attracts other pokémon? Isn't that a little dangerous?" Angel asked Gallant.
"Maybe but I won't use it for that. It's so that my team mates know where to find me, should we get seperated."
"Well look at the brain on Gallant. That's some nice thinking." Sylvia complemented. "So I'm assuming you know why he needs this stuff, Miss Redolence?"
"I was one of the first ones he told, actually. Very exciting news, indeed. That's why he had me prepare all this for him. Paid in advance, he did." The Aromatisse gave another of her eye smiles.
"Oh... Really?" Sylvia gave Gallant a disatisfied frown.
"Don't give me that look. I told you eventually."
"Only after the subject was brought up."
"Leave him alone, Sylvia. He was evidently busy with preparations and stuff." Always the reasonable figure, Angel was.
"Which reminds me, Redolence. Any idea of what type of pokémon I'm likely to run into in the Brilliant Meadow?" Gallant chose to ignore the Sylveon's complaining altogether.
Redolence took on a thoughtful expression. "Well the Brilliant Meadow is home to many pokémon of the grass, fariy, flying and field egg groups. I'm sure you're aware of at least those. Zigzagoon, Pidgy, Oddish and others of the sort. Pokémon born outside of the realms tend to be weaker than us prestiged pokémon but that shouldn't allow you to drop your guard. There are things like Seviper and Fearow lurking out there and you need to be extra mindful. These pokémon, christened 'wild,' also tend to be hostile so please be on alert. It's quite a trip from here to the Pokémon Settlement on foot but there isn't that much cause for concern if you know what you're doing."
Some time during her explanation, Angel, Gallant and Sylvia had taken to sitting on the floor and were looking right up at her like youngsters in a classroom. It wasn't that far from the truth. "Wow, that's all fascinating, Miss Redolence. Anything else you can tell us?" It was obvious that Angel was the most interested in the lesson. Even more interested than the one that actually asked the question.
"Like what, my dear?"
"Like if you know that, could you perhaps tell us about other locations you know of?"
The Aromatisse put a hand on her hip. "I could explain even the whole map, dear."
"Yes! Please do!" Angel's friend's that were seated on either side of her blinked at her out of character outburst. Redolence herself was half-kidding when she said she would explain the entire map but seeing her audience so eager to learn she decided to go along with it.
"Very well. If you would all follow me..." The mature pokémon led them to the other side of the room and drew their attention to a vacant part of the black board. Picking up a small, narrow, fragile-looking stone, she begun her lesson.
First, she drew one large circle and then eighteen smaller circles that ran around the larger one's outer circumference. "These smaller circles represent the many realms. Each Type has its own. Clockwise from the top: Water, Grass, Fairy, Normal, Flying, Electric, Dragon, Fire, Rock, Ground, Dark, Ghost, Poison, Bug, Psychic, Fighting, Steel and Ice. Each of them are connected to the mainland which is this larger circle here."
"Except the Psychic Realm. Being a floating and all."
"That's right, Angel. Where did you learn that?" Certainly not from the learning complex, Redolence reasoned. That usually limited its teachings the Fairy Realm, the conjoining Brilliant Meadow and the Pokémon Settlement. Young pokémon had no business learning about the other realms because it was a rule that they can't leave until adulthood and an even bigger one that a pokémon couldn't enter a realm it didn't belong to without a very good reason.
"I read it in a book." Angel motioned with her hand towards the Fragrance Pokémon. "Please, continue."
Seeing she wasn't getting a better explanation than that at the moment, Redolence shrugged and returned to her lesson. She drew another circle halfway into the larger circle. This is the Pokémon Settlement. It's a gathering of all kinds of pokémon and has a higher population than any of the realms and is the cornerstone of the world's commerce."
Redolence then motioned to the remaining space of the larger circle which now looked like a wheel, what with 'Pokémon Settlement' circle in it. "This is the mainland, it spans around the entirety of the settlement and is home to the many, MANY wild pokémon." Redolence drew lines to divide that section into twelve parts, though they weren't all equal.
"The mainland is identified by its many climates: Still Lake, which leads into the Water Realm." She drew a connecting line from that divided section of the big circle to the top small circle and continued to do this as she listed the other locations. "The Brilliant Meadow, which have routes that lead into the Fairy, Grass and Normal Realms. Tempest Peaks which leads to both the Flying and Electric Realms. Volcanic Summit which leads to the Dragon and Fire Realms. Seismic Highland which leads to the Rock and Ground Realms. Twilight Forest to the Dark Realm. Spectral Forest to the Ghost Realm. Damp Everglade to the Poison Realm. Swarm Forest to the Bug Realm. Spirit Peaks to the Fighting Realm. It also used to lead to the Psychic Realm but you know what happened there... Rugged Peaks to the Steel Realm and finally, the Blizzard Peaks which leads into the Ice Realm." Joining the last line to the corresponding realm, the Aromatisse put down the chalk and dusted her hands off.
Looking back, Redolence was pleased to find that Angel had taken out a parchment and used her hand which was tipped with a black substance to draw herself a copy of the map.
Sylvia herself was still looking at the map on the black board and was amazed at the vast locations the world offered. So many possibilites, she thought. "Have you been to all these places, Miss Redolence?"
"Heavens, no. Just the Pokémon Settlement. I don't really have any business visiting the other realms or other locations for that matter. I learned about all the other locations through written research and stories I heard during my own trips to the settlement."
"Score one for research." Angel got up and used her psychic power effortlessly pack her stuff back into her bag."
"Well then... Satisfied?"
All three of the young fairies nodded their heads. Very satisfied indeed. "Thank you for everything, Redolence. We'll be taking our leave now." Gallant bowed to the older pokémon in gratitude and he and his friends made their to the exit.
"Bye now. If you need anything else, you know where to find me." With her three little visitors gone, Redolence made her way back into one of the rooms to resume her work.
A wonderful thing youth was, Redolence thought. A wonderful thing, indeed...
END CHAPTER