Breaking the Gilded Cage

by CreatureMan88

For a group of young Pokémon living in a constricted land, their lives had always been full of peace and blessings. But when they acquire a book depicting the lore of the Legendary Pokémon, they are soon opened up to the truths of The World. Join them as they experience both the joy and the turmoil of an unbound life.

13. Chapter 13: Slice of Life

A bead of sweat fell down the side of Angel's face, her eyes shut tight in concentration. She had her arms stretched away from her body as she fought to maintain her protective barrier, contending with the unseen force that threatened to break her defense. A few meters in front of her stood her mother, Sana, her arms folded and her eyes glowing. She continued to use Psychic against Angel's Protect, her daughter looking like she was about ready to collapse. They were in a forested area one kilometer from their home, leaves rustling on branches being the only noise made in the silent night. The Gardevoir was using this time to put her child through an exercise that consisted of measuring how long Angel could hold Protect against a perpetual offensive force. The Kirlia shivered in strain and the maternal Emotion Pokémon let up, the projected barrier fading to nothing as Angel's arms fell to her sides.

"Nineteen seconds. Not bad, Angel." Sana smiled warmly and stepped closer to her child, crouching down and placing her hand on top of her head. "You've gotten better at using Protect rather quickly. Keep practicing and you'll be able to hold it for much longer than that."

"It's..." The Emotion Pokémon panted. "So straining, though."

"Of course it is, sweetie." Sana closed her eyes jovially. "With hardship comes strength. It builds character. There aren't any shortcuts to getting stronger, dear. I'll cite a difficult attack to master like Future Sight as an example."

"Another move I'm not yet used to."

"You'll get there soon. I struggled just as much as you did when I was your age. Just keep both your training and your confidence in your abilities constant and everything will come together."

"Yes, Mom."

Sana stood up and motioned for Angel to follow. "Let's head back home and turn in for the night."

Angel nodded followed her mother through the thicket of trees. They had been out here for a little over two hours, meditating and learning how to use Protect a good length without tiring. According to her mother, nineteen was her current record, better than the twelve she clocked two days ago. She looked around at the tall trees and their falling leaves of her home before looking up at her mother.

"Why don't we just Teleport home?"

"Because I want to enjoy a nice walk with my daughter." Sana giggled and did a little spin, her 'dress' swishing elegantly as she did. "It's not often we get to enjoy the great outdoors like this."

Great outdoors... That reminded Angel of something important she wanted to ask the older pokémon.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"I... Uh..." Angel faltered on her words, not sure how her mother would react to her request.

"Go on, Angel. You know you can tell me anything." The Gardevoir smiled and leaned against a tree. "Right?"

"Right..." Angel looked down and sighed. "Um, you see, earlier today Gallant asked if Sylvia and I wanted to go with him to the Pokémon Settlement tomorrow and I said yes before I could ask your permission. So, I want to ask now... Um, Is it okay for me to accompany Gallant to the Pokémon Settlement?"

"That depends. Do you want to?"

"Yeah... I do. Please?"

"Well, since you asked so nicely and you look so eager, then I'll allow it."

"Wha... Really? You mean it?" Angel tilted her head forward, hopeful. "I thought that since the rules here are so strict, you would have been against it."

"Normally, yes." Sana pushed off the tree and stood in front of Angel. "But young Gallant and his friends have proven themselves to be capable of handling potentially dangerous situations, so I know you're in good hands."

Sana looked at her daughter's face that was frozen in surprise.

"You really thought I'd say no?"

"Kind of, yeah. I'm sorry, Mom."

"That's fine, sweetie." She fell to her knees in front of her child. "The reason I train you is because I know you'll one day want to be venturing outside the Fairy Realm and I want you to be ready for it when that day comes. It's unthinkable that anyone would force you to remain here your entire life against your will. That would by despotism, something the Fairy Realm doesn't believe in. The rules only exist to keep you safe, not bind you. Besides, if you weren't interested in exploring the outside world, you wouldn't be sneaking out."

Angel's eyes widened in alarm at that last sentence. She started stammering, failing to form a coherent sentence, much less an excuse. Sana held a hand up to her mouth and stifled a laugh at her daughter's reaction.

"Calm down, Angel, calm down. It's alright."

"Alright..? You mean... You're not mad?"

"Mmmmmmmmm, well I am a little disappointed that you were hiding this from me but no, I'm not mad."

"Um... How did you find out?"

Sana pointed to her chest protrusion. "I could sense your excitement and the excitement of two other pokémon you meet with which can only be Sylvia and Gallant since you choose not speak to anyone else. I feel your collective presence whenever you tread into the Brilliant Meadow." The fully evolved pokémon smirked. "It's impossible to hide your intentions from a Gardevoir unless you're devoid of all emotion. That being said, you've been implementing what I taught you quite tactfully. If I wasn't a Gardevoir, I would have been completely fooled. Well done."

"Um... Thanks, Mom. But the way you're taking this... I kind of feel like I got off easy." Angel rubbed her arm.

"No, you didn't."

"I... I didn't?" She asked in confusion.

"I've been secretly punishing you the entire time by raising the stakes of your training. I wanted to make sure you could protect yourself out there even though you were with your little friends." She smiled mischievously. "How do you feel now?"

"Like I owe you an apology?"

"No, that's fine." Her smile returned to normal. "You deceived me and I disciplined you. I say it all evens out. Neither of us said anything even though we both knew we were hiding things from each other. Guess this makes the both of us flawed pokémon, doesn't it?"

Angel said nothing, ashamed that she was dishonest with her mother in the pursuit of just a little more freedom. She looked into the Gardevoir's eyes with a solemn frown.

"I'm sorry, Mom."

"You're forgiven, Angel. Let's just be more honest with each other from now on, okay? We're family, after all."

"Yes, Mom."

"That's my girl." The Embrace Pokémon placed her hand on her daughter's scalp and kissed her forehead. Then she got up and continued walking to their home, Angel following closely.

It didn't take long for them to reach the small stone building of their residence. A Togetic was fluttering in front of their door, knocking every so often, not knowing that the inhabitants had been out. Sana cleared her throat and caught the flying type's attention. She beamed at her and flew in front of the Gardevoir, reaching into her bag and pulling out a letter.

"Delivery for you from the Pokémon Settlement. Apologies for the late arrival. Goodnight, Miss Sana." She didn't give the maternal pokémon a chance to reply and flew off to her own home.

Angel watched her mother tear open the envelope and felt her horns fill with the joy expressed by the Gardevoir. Sana turned to her and showed her the letter. Angel blinked in surprise and created a feedback loop of happiness between herself and her mother when she read the name on the front: It was a reply from her father, Knight.

---

XXX XXX XXX

A Weavile, Frostbite, sat on a thick branch halfway up a tall tree, his back against the trunk. One leg was bent at the knee with an arm casually placed over it, his foot flat against the bark while the other dangled off the side of the branch. He gazed up at the plentiful leaves with nothing on his mind, waiting out his shift of the night as the others rested. They had traveled a good length, all things considered. Enough that they were no longer anywhere near the snowy area that lead up to the Blizzard Peaks. If they continued like this, they would arrive at the Pokémon Settlement before noon tomorrow. His only wish was for a little more excitement for time to pass faster but all he got was a brief, one-sided scuffel. He raised his hand and looked at his claws. They were stained with blood. A Noctowl's blood. Why? Well, it had the audacity to attack him when he stole one of its eggs to feast on and was currently bleeding out at the base of the tree. With his other hand, he wiped some leftover yolk from the edge of his mouth and licked it off his sharp digits. He sighed in boredom and closed his eyes. Not to sleep, that would be careless. His hearing was good enough that it would alert him to anything that approached their site, so he allowed himself to rest his eyes a little. Speaking of which, something was approaching this very moment, making his ear twitch and his now bloodthirsty magenta eyes open in attention, a smirk forming on his face as he flexed his claws in anticipation. It came from the bottom of the tree and, figuring it might be a carnivorous pokémon that came across the felled bird, readily leaped down all the way to ground, landing in a crouch. He raised his head and found himself both disappointed and happy at the same time, an odd combination of emotions. Disappointed because he wouldn't be getting the action he wanted. Happy because standing in front of him was the only pokémon whose life meant everything to him.

"Hailey." His cruel smirk morphed into a gentle smile. "You're supposed to be sleeping."

"I was. But I'm not so tired anymore." The stoic Glaceon replied.

The Weavile stood up straight, walked back until he met the tree trunk and sat down on the soft patch of grass in front of it. After that, he patted a spot next to him. "It's been an uneventful night. Want to join me?"

Hailey smiled. A very beautiful smile that always melted his cold heart. Something she only ever did when it was just the two of them, accepting Frostbite's offer and taking her place beside him, sighing in comfort when he placed his arm around her. Having gotten comfortable, the Fresh Snow Pokémon looked ahead and blinked in mild surprise when she saw the aftermath of the Weavile's handiwork.

"Was that really necessary?"

"It provoked me."

Hailey exhaled through her mouth and closed her eyes, not wanting to have to look at the dead flying type.

"It bothers you that much?"

"No, but it's ruining the mood."

The ice type chuckled. "I must say, though. You got used to this kind of thing a lot faster than I thought."

Hailey opened her eyes and looked at the Noctowl's carcass. "Used to what?"

"The sight of dead pokémon." Frostbite's gaze fell on Hailey who didn't look troubled, not one bit.

"I'm a hunter, just like you, by my own choosing. I can handle it just as well as you can."

"Yes, I know that." He rubbed her head as he spoke. "But Eeveelutions aren't normally the hunting type. I just don't want you to feel like you're burdened with seeing to Kyurem's needs against your will. It's not an easy role to play and you don't have to do it if you don't want to."

"It's fine because you're there with me." She smiled when she finished speaking but it sunk ino a frown in short order. "Besides..."

"Yeah..?"

"The killing isn't what's scary..."

Without moving an inch, the Glaceon drastically lowered the temperature around them, flash freezing the terrain in a three meter radius and turning the fallen Noctowl into a solid block of ice, looking up and meeting Frostbite's gaze when she was done.

"What's scary is how easy it got after the first time."

Frostbite said nothing, instead listening to the crackling noise made by the conjured layer of ice. Cold mist rose up into the air and snow formed around them. It gave the bonding pokémon something to admire while they enjoyed each other's company, although it wasn't long before the Sharp Claw Pokémon broke the silence again.

"Do you regret being the way you are?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean... Do you ever feel like your life could have been better?"

Hailey looked at the dark type as if he had just grown another head. "Are you an idiot?"

"Huh?"

"I don't know how many times I have to remind you." A short pause. "I don't care how my life turns out as long as you're in it."

Frostbite felt something heavy swell up in his heart. "Even if you end up alienated from other pokémon?"

"I already am alienated from other pokémon. We both are. The Ice Realm doesn't exactly have the best reputation." She closed her eyes and rested against him. "I can't imagine any pokémon would want to have any meaningful relationship with me anyway."

"Yuki-Onna make attempts but you keep blowing them off." His comment caused her ear to twitch.

"They're annoying."

The male ice type chuckled. "They're not so bad."

"They get on my nerves on purpose just to get a rise out of me. They're annoying. If they want to be my friends, they should at least make an effort."

"You don't have to be friends with them but you could at least try to get along with them is all I'm saying. After all, we fight and hunt together."

"Tch."

"Not to mention they played a role in the event that made us become so close."

"I... suppose that's true." Another short pause before the ice type Eeveelution changed the subject. "How much longer are we out here for?"

"Another three hours. After that, Yuki-Onna will take over."

Hailey nodded, still leaning against him. All she took from that information was that she would be spending another three hours alone with her most important pokémon before their time would be ruined by the arrival of the dividual ice spirits. Still, three hours was a lot of time and any period spent with Frostbite was always something she cherished. She closed her eyes with a smile and cuddled up next to him even more, ensuring there was no space between them. The dark type just smiled down at her, never once pausing in his affectionate stroking of her head.

---

XXX Fairy Realm - Morning XXX

The sun had risen up over the horizon, casting its brilliant light upon the land of the fey folk and signifying a new day. Some of the residence were still getting up in preparation of their duties while others has long since opened up their homes or business establishments. One such establishment was the Training Hold, four familiar pokémon walking out from the open front door and into the somewhat busy paths being used by other early bird pokémon. The small group of pokémon consisted of one tall Gallade and three slightly shorter ones, all joining onto a path that would lead to the exit of the Fairy Realm and happily chatting with each other on the way there.

"A day off, huh?" Edge spoke with an upward curl of his lips.

"Yup." Gallant answered him with a wider, excited smile. "This is what it all lead up to. We joined the Guild Collaboration yesterday, did work for them and now we're allowing ourselves a little break before our next job. The perfect opportunity to complete our tour of the place. Or at least discover its hot spots."

"Hot spots?"

"Yeah, you know. The recommended places to go to for either business or pleasure." Gallant clarified.

"Heh. Right, right." Edge placed his arms behind his head as he walked. "As long as you're not getting into any trouble, I'm fine with whatever you do in there."

"Are you talking about the bar fight?" Intrepid asked. "Because we apologized for that and were punished for it already."

"Yes but have you learned?"

"That question depends entirely on the stupidity of other pokémon." Valor replied. Translation: They'll poke holes in whoever picks a fight with them first.

Edge sighed and lowered his arms, monitoring his three students as he walked behind them. At the very least, he was proud of how strong they had become. The first day out, they were almost killed by a hoard of Vigoroth and Seviper before that. Something that scared the crap out of him. Now they had it in them to defeat pokémon like Tyranitar and Aggron all by themselves. It could be argued that both those pokémon were extremely weak to the fighting type but if strengths and weaknesses was all it took to decide a battle, then they wouldn't have come home with injuries from their dangerous encounters. That being said, their progress brought him joy. What master wouldn't be happy? However, their strength isn't what made him concerned, it was their fiery attitude that made him worry. An attitude that had nothing to do with the confidence they had in their newfound fully-evolved bodies, considering they acted like this when they were still Kirlia. They just... Really loved fighting. He couldn't control them but he could give them guidance and hope they follow through with it.

"You three."

The addressed pokémon turned their heads to glance at him but kept on walking.

"I won't stop you from getting up in all kinds of shenanigans since you're striving for independence now. Just promise me that you won't do anything that will make me regret training you."

The younger Gallade could see the seriousness in their masters eyes and they nodded in confirmation at him. The words kinda stung but it was something they needed to hear.

"Good. That settles that then." A smile reappeared on his face. "So what do you have planned for today?"

"I'm just gonna wing it." Valor shrugged.

"I'm with Valor. I'll just tour the settlement in no particular order." Intrepid followed up.

"I've arranged a date with Angel and Sylvia." Gallant finished.

"The last of these is not like the others." Valor looked at Gallant. "Didn't know you invited them."

"I did. I'm doing a favor for them. They said they wanted to see the Pokémon Settlement so I'm going to show it to them."

"A date, huh?" Intrepid smirked. "With two pokémon in fact. Gallant, you dawg, you."

"Not that kind of date."

"They're other kinds of dates?"

"Sure. Friends have them all the time. Want me to take you out on one next time?"

"Oh me, oh my!" Intrepid fanned his face and cupped his cheek with his other hand. "You're moving too fast with us, Gallant."

"I'll buy you mint chocolate."

"Wha? Would you!?" The Blade Pokémon stopped mocking his fellow Blade Pokémon and instead started drooling at the prospect of being treated by his friend.

"See?" Gallant faced Valor. "Just like that."

"Point taken."

"Wait, does this mean you're not getting me mint chocolate?"

"We'll save it for another time. Today, I wanna make two girls happy."

"Well, you'll have to try harder since it looks like someone already beat you to it." Valor remarked.

"What?"

Instead of explaining, Valor just pointed ahead and Gallant followed his direction. He saw his two female friends and a Gardevoir standing close to them in front of the entrance and/or exit of the Fairy Realm. They were exhibiting joy, Angel spinning like a master ballerina and Sylvia running around her in circles. Sana just stood by, arms clasped behind her and watched the young pokémon interact with a bright smile. Gallant chuckled, quickly assuming something great must have happened between now and the last time he saw them. He broke from his group, approached them and offered them a warm greeting.

"Good morning, Miss Sana." He bowed to the elder pokémon and she waved back at him. "And good morning to you too, Angel Sylvia."

"Hey, Gallant!" Sylvia kept on making short laps around her friend.

"Morning, Gallant!" Angel had her eyes closed, spinning energetically in happiness. "Good news! No, great news!"

"Really? What's the news?"

"Daddy says he's coming home soon!" She stopped spinning and looked at him directly. "We received a letter that- eep!"

Angel gasped and moved back, clinging onto her mother for security after seeing the other pokémon that were pretty much strangers to her. It was a cute thing to see and her mother giggled in amusement. Sylvia also stopped, seeing as the party was over.

"Still not used to us, huh?" Valor questioned.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Good morning, Valor." The pokémon she was greeting almost couldn't hear her. Almost.

"Good morning." Valor replied all the same.

"Now there's a first." Sylvia spoke and sat down next to her closest friend. "Glad to see you opening up, Angel."

"That was opening up?" Intrepid whispered to Gallant and was rewarded with an elbow jab to the side for being rude.

"Happy to hear it, Angel." Gallant ignored Intrepid's grumbling. "It's been a while since I last saw your father, myself. Did he specify when he'll be coming home?"

"Some time next week..." Angel placed her hand over her mouth in shyness.

Gallant nodded and faced Sylvia. "What about you? What's with all the commotion?"

"I don't know. Angel was dancing so I decided to join her." She blithely informed her friend and jumped up on her feet. "Nevermind that. Check it out! Ta-da!"

The gathered pokémon watched as the Sylveon drew attention to her fancy new pink bag fastened to the right side of her body.

"My parents got it for me to use for today. Pretty cute, no?" She did some poses.

"Very nice." Gallant humored her.

"Now we all have one!" The Intertwining Pokémon beamed.

"Full of energy as always." Valor noted.

"Right?"

When all the excitement died down, the pokémon had split into two groups. Gallant, Valor, Intrepid, Angel and Sylvia standing in front of the entrance, and the two adult pokémon standing in front of them to say their goodbyes.

"We'll see you later today." Gallant spoke with a wave and focused his attention on the maternal Gardevoir. "Don't worry, Miss Sana, I'll take good care of Angel."

"Of course you will, young Gallant." She gave him the cutest smile. "Why, if anything happens to my dear Angel, there won't be any reason for you to come back home."

Gallant blinked at that, processing what she just said. Did his life just get threatened? The fact that she wore an innocent smile when she said it only served to unnerve him even more. Slowly, he nodded to her and gulped at the same time.

"Aren't you forgetting someone?" Sylvia demanded.

The Gallade gave her an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, yeah. I'll take care of you too, Sylvia."

"Uh huh. A little more feeling wouldn't kill ya. Take note."

"We'll be off then." Valor stepped in front of his master. "Here, before we forget."

Valor removed a medallion from his bag and placed it in Edge's hand.

"Thank you for letting us borrow it."

Edge grinned at his student. "Any time. I'm glad you put it to good use."

The group of pokémon were all smiles and the youths prepared to make their departure.

"See you."

"Bye."

"Buh-bye."

"Bye, Mom!"

"Catch you on the flip-side!"

The elder pokémon waved to the group as a bright flash of light consumed the five pokémon. In just a few seconds, they were gone from the Fairy Realm to enjoy a long and eventful day off in the large city of commerce by themselves.

XXX Pokémon Settlement - North Eastern Gate XXX

The sound of gear teeth meeting each other fell on the ears of the five visiting pokémon as the Klinklang behind them carefully lowered the massive steel gate closed after their entry. The three fighting types and two fairy types looked around at the breathtaking sight that was the inner part of the Pokémon Settlement. The streets were being filled with more pedestrians as time went by, the stone tiles of the road divided by rows of short yet healthy looking trees. Stone buildings of various sizes and accommodations stretching on beyond their vision. Despite it being their fourth journey here, Gallant, Intrepid and Valor never once imagined the impressive network of establishments and pokémon filling the large city would ever get old no matter how many times they visited. As for the first timers...

"Woah!" Sylvia's head darted around at all the activities happening at once around her, inspecting one thing for two seconds before her attention was caught by something else. "Look at this place! I've never seen so many buildings in one place! They're so tall! Everything's so huge!"

Angel was just as excited but more reserve about it, being mindful of the passing pokémon that gave her friend weird looks, given that to them, she seemed to be chasing her own tail in an attempt to take in as much as she could as possible. Her inner Kirlia wanted to express her joy in dance but her rationale won out in the end.

"It's amazing, Gallant." Angel smiled up at her male comrade, arms behind her back and shifting slightly. "Thanks for bringing us here."

"No problem." He gave her a wry grin. "And the best part is we have the whole day to ourselves to do whatever. What do you think, Syl-"

Gallant cut his question short when he turned his head to where he thought the Intertwining Pokémon was but found nothing there. He turned to his fellow Gallade in question and they pointed down the street. Following their direction, he located Sylvia, fifty meters away from him and walking side by side with a Leafeon she had, apparently, already befriended.

"Eeveelutions are awesome!"

"Right!?"

The taxed Blade Pokémon sighed and teleported to them. From their position, the three remaining pokémon watched Gallant blink into existence in front of the rebellious Sylveon, placed his arms under her to pick her up, apologize to the grass type for the interruption and warp back to the rest of the group. Gallant set her down next to Angel and she just happily wagged her tail, saying nothing to him.

"You know... I'd like to go off on a tangent about the importance of sticking together as a group, especially since we're in such an enormous place that it would be very easy to get lost but I really can't. It's my own fault for taking my eyes off you even for a second, Sylvia, and I should have known better. I'm sorry."

"That's okay, Gallant."

"Whoo-tch..." Valor made a noise with his mouth akin to the sound of a whip being cracked and Intrepid laughed at his partner's expense.

"Can it." Gallant rolled his eyes and folded his arms. "So, what do we do first?"

"Let's get breakfast." Sylvia's statement was accompanied by a rumble of her tummy. "Like, yesterday."

"Sounds like a plan. None of us have had anything beyond a light meal." Valor clarified.

"I could go for more of those Lava Cookies they have." Intrepid added on.

Gallant smiled. "That settles it then. Let's head to the Comfort Inn."

"Comfort Inn?" Angel tilted her head, walking in the direction she was being lead when the group started moving.

Intrepid looked at the living metal gears stationed next to the gate but decided to say nothing.

"It's this cozy place not far from here where we stayed during our first night. They have a bar there that serves good food." Gallant explained.

The two female pokémon nodded and let the three pokémon better acquainted with the settlement lead the way, eager to try out the food that was served at this 'Comfort Inn' if it is indeed as good as Gallant and his friends said it was.

---

XXX Comfort Inn - Berry Juice Bar XXX

The door to the hospitable bar swung open and in walked the group of young pokémon, greeted by the pleasant sounds of conversation being held among the patrons. The five pokémon walked further into the room to find some seats, Angel's hand being held in her friend's ribbons. Never had she and Sylvia seen so many different pokémon in a single location before and all enjoying each other's company in spite of the differences. A few of them looked at her with curious eyes as she walked with the rest of the group. She could tell that they meant no harm nor disrespect but it didn't ease her tension any and she bemoaned the fact that a shy pokémon like herself just had to be of a color that drew attention as its only function. The Emotion Pokémon tried to ignore them and walked a little closer to Sylvia and sought comfort in the aura channeled through her ribbons. Eventually, the crew found itself at an empty table near the bar and they all pulled out chairs for themselves, Angel disconnecting herself from the Sylveon to settle down while the pure fairy type practically leaped onto her seat. They were all smiles as they waited for someone to attend to them. Fortunately, they wouldn't wait long, as a waitress skipped up to their table to get their order.

"Welcome to the Berry Juice Bar!" She enthusiastically greeted them. "What will you- Oh! Intrepid, Valor and Gallant! What a surprise! Wasn't expecting to see you so soon."

"Hey, Amber." The Gallade answered her, recognizing her by the bow she wore around her neck and her manner of speaking when on duty.

"Hello, yourselves." Amber placed her paws flat on the table's wooden surface. "You been good, boys?"

"Terrific." Intrepid smiled at her.

"I'll bet." She faced the fairy types. "And look at these cute little things. My name is Amber, a friend of your friends. How are you doing this morning?"

"Fine, thanks." Sylvia answered her with a bright and friendly smile. "My name's Sylvia. This is Angel. Say hi, Angel."

After a short delay, Angel waved.

"Angel says hi." The Eeveelution clarified.

"Glad to hear it." She removed a pen from her puffy wrists and a notepad from... Somewhere. "What can I get ya?"

Intrepid whispered in Valor's ear and the psychic type placed the order for all the pokémon sitting at the table.

"Lava Cookies and Aprijuice for all of us."

"Comin' right up." She blew a kiss at them and strutted off to get their meal.

"It's true." Gallant commented when the Lopunny was out of earshot and Valor addressed the vague statement.

"What's true?"

"She's different when she's working."

"Is that her? The Lopunny you told us about?" Sylvia asked Gallant, Angel choosing to remain silent.

"Yup. That's her."

"She seems nice." A devious smirk manifested on Sylvia's face. "Will her presence instigate a fight here as well?"

"She didn't instigate that fight, Valor did."

"Excuse me!?" Valor demanded incredulously. "The way I remember it, the fight didn't start until you flipped off one of the Toxicroak."

"Called it." Angel quipped from the sidelines.

"Right?" Gallant chuckled. "Looking back, getting loose like that was real fun. We should do it again some time."

The Emotion Pokémon chuckled at her friend that had successfully got on his fellow Blade Pokémon's nerves. She looked around a bit more, noticing a few pokémon still staring at her and she grumbled in annoyance. Had they never seen a shiny pokémon or something? Honestly.

"Maybe you should use Flash."

"Huh?" Angel turned her head to face Sylvia. "Do what?"

"Use Flash." Sylvia reiterated. "They won't bother you if they can't use their eyes."

"I can't do that."

"I'm sure you'd like to, though."

"But I can't."

"I would."

"Which is why you're such a troublemaker."

"Well, I never!" Sylvia faked being offended. "I can be proper if I want to."

She heard Gallant hold in a laugh.

"No one asked you, Gallant. And for future reference, you don't laugh at a lady."

"I'll keep that in mind when I meet one."

Sylvia gasped in real offense. "I won't forget that."

"I'd imagine so."

Sylvia was going to say more but their meals had swiftly arrived, a plate of Lava Cookies for each patron and cups of Aprijuice on the side. Amber set each of them down to their corresponding owners and did a little spin for them when she was done.

"Enjoy!" She winked and left to attend to a different table.

The youthful pokémon took her advice, picking cookies from their plates and taking bites of different sizes from them.

"Wow, it's good." Angel observed, finishing a cookie and moving on to the next.

"Real good." Sylvia was on her second as well.

"I remember Edge saying something about them having a similar effect to a Lum Berry on top of being delicious." Intrepid mentioned while munching on his baked goods.

A good ten minutes passed before all the seated fairy and former fairy types finished their meals, empty plates and cups being all that was left and a testament to just how scrumptious their food was.

"That hit the spot." Sylvia was practically glowing with joy.

"Sure did." Gallant agreed.

"Say, Gallant..."

"Yeah?"

"While we're waiting for our food to settle, why don't you guys tell us about the job you undertook yesterday? You were too winded to mention anything beyond being in a Sandstorm when you got back and I've been curious ever since." She leaned forward attentively.

The three Gallade were happy to oblige, Gallant leaning forward and locking eyes with Sylvia. They told the female pokémon about how they made a contract with the Guild Collaboration and took on their first job; escorting a Smeargle that claimed to be an artist through the Seismic Highlands, meeting nothing but Geodude during their trudge through the rocky terrain. Valor made mention of how they were attracted to Gallant's lingering scent and the girls pointed out, with some humor, that they could still catch faint traces of Redolence's fragrance, to Gallant's chagrin. They mentioned the bridge that ran over a river above a tall canyon and they used their telepathy to give the girls a visual aid of its beauty. By the looks on their faces, they seemed to enjoy the view even if they weren't actually there. Intrepid's little stunt went unmentioned because his allies never found it funny and still don't. According to their client, the battle that took place in an open area a couple of kilometers passed the bridge and over a hill was supposed to look quite wrecked and devoid of life but what they saw didn't match up with his description, as they instead bared witness to a lush grassland that hid any and all traces of there ever having been a skirmish held in the Seismic Highland. The fairy types were curious about the phenomenon but didn't say anything on the matter, allowing the fighting types to continue with their story. The Smeargle was going to end the mission there had a Tyranitar packing the Sand Stream ability not shown up to antagonize them. On top of that, their client got kidnapped by an Onix which then escaped underground, an act that made a simple escort mission go downhill very fast. Intrepid raced after the Rock Snake Pokémon while Gallant and Valor remained behind and used their teamwork to put the Tyranitar down for good. By the time they had finished, Intrepid, after having defeated an Aggron himself, was back with their client safe and sound, and with that, they could finally call the job complete and well done, all things considered. True, their client never found what he was looking for but he still seemed happy and thanked them for their services in the end.

"There you have it." Intrepid wrapped it up.

"Damn, sounds like you guys were busy." Sylvia whistled even though the shape of her mouth shouldn't have allowed it. "Nearly losing a guy you're supposed to be protecting on your first job must have felt sucky."

"Really sucky." Valor pressed with a point of his finger.

"Something I don't get, though..." Angel placed her small hand under her chin. "What could have caused so much plant life to grow in the Seismic Highland? According to your client, the battle that allegedly ruined it took place not too long ago and even though it's possible to grow plantation on a desolate land, it should still be impossible for it to grow as fast as it did."

"Hmm... I never really thought of it." Gallant looked up in contemplation. "The only time I've seen plant life grow at a remarkable rate is when some of Lord Xerneas' energy leaks into the garden back home."

"If you put it like that, then it's not hard to imagine a Legendary Pokémon is behind the bountiful greenfield in the Seismic Highland. It sure clashed with the terrain we crossed before we got to the bridge, so it may not be a natural occurrence." Valor added his own thoughts.

Angel made a mental note to check in her book and see if there was a Legendary Pokémon that could match the mystery surrounding the Seismic Highland. Speaking of books...

"Hey, Gallant..."

"Yeah?"

"When we're done, I, uh, I want to see what the libraries are like here... Is that okay?"

"A place this big and you want to go to a-" Gallant clamped his hand over Intrepid's mouth with a stern glare before he could finish and looked back at Angel.

"Is that where you want to go?"

"Um, if it's not too much trouble. Figured a place this big would have more informative books than the ones back home. It's... It's for my training." She shrunk back, Intrepid's comment making her feel less confident about her request, even though he meant no harm.

"Then that's where we're- Gah! Dude!" Gallant removed his hand from Intrepid's mouth when he felt his friend lick his palm. "That's gross! What's the matter with you?"

The mischievous Blade Pokémon just laughed at Gallant's plight and Valor looked at his friend with mild amusement.

"You really licked his hand?"

"Yup."

"Heh. Weirdo."

With a groan, Gallant stood up, the rest following suit. The five pokémon paid for their meals and vacated their table, heading for the door. Just before they reached it, the door opened and in walked an Empoleon and Samurott, two pokémon the Psychic Blades recognized from the previous day. The group of young pokémon stepped aside politely and made room for the water types to pass, who thanked them in return as they made their way to the bar counter. With the space open, the psychic types and fairy left the room and the Comfort Inn altogether but not before being thanked by the Chansey at the reception for their patronage.

"So, where to?" Valor rested a hand on his hip.

"A library." Gallant reminded as if there wasn't a glaring missing detail in his statement.

Valor gave a dismissive, half shrug with his other arm. "Alright, lead the way."

"...Damn it, that's right."

Gallant's friends watched him run back into the Comfort Inn and return after two minutes.

"Okay, so there's a library within the area shared by The Tipsy Turtwig and another, much larger one in the eastern section of the outer ring."

"You're really entertaining to watch, Gallant. Do you know that?" Intrepid smiled at him.

Instead of answering, Gallant just blushed in embarrassment and started moving, the girls following close behind. When he noticed his male friends weren't joining him, he paused and looked back.

"You guys aren't coming with?"

"We'll leave you to it." Valor and Intrepid waved at their companion. "Don't worry about us. It's our day off too, so we're gonna have a tour of our own. We'll meet back in the Fairy Realm at day's end. Enjoy your date, Gallant."

Gallant nodded and resumed leading the fairy types to the nearest station.

"This is a date, huh?" Sylvia looked up at him. "And no flowers? You're lacking, Gallant."

Gallant was about to retort, holding his mouth open but ended up simply smiling. He really missed hanging out with Sylvia and Angel, not being able to do so lately, what with being cooped up working in the Pokémon Settlement the passed two days. Today will be different, though. He was going to enjoy spending time with them like they did before he evolved and he made it his duty to make them happy on this day.

"Next time." He promised and led them through the streets of the settlement toward an Onix Transit.

Intrepid and Valor watched them disappear into the crowd and let the comments fly.

"Whipped."

"Tethered."

"Ball n' chain."

"In the palm of their hands and paws."

"It's weird to see him so submissive."

"Guess he's only aggressive when testosterone and testosterone meet but is otherwise a real softy."

"It's a nice thing to see."

"It is."

"What is?"

The gossiping friends spun around and came face to face with a Lopunny who was leaning forward inquisitively.

"Amber! Hi... Uh... Um... Isn't what you're doing a little rude?" Intrepid leaned back, scratching his reddening cheek. She came out of nowhere and was kind of in their space.

"Forgive me." She gave them a coy smile. "But it's pretty hard to not hear you when you're standing and conversing right in front of the door."

"Huh? Oh! Sorry..." The Gallade stepped back to give her room.

"Thanks." She walked out onto the street, clasping the strap of her bag and faced the two male pokémon.

"Shift's already over?" Intrepid asked.

"It is. I was working since before the sun even came up and I'm finally off duty. Until later tonight, that is."

Intrepid blinked at that. "You were working that early? Why?"

"Happy Hour."

"What's that?"

"A period of time where the prices of drinks are lowered. I was working that shift and using my charm to draw in customers." She curled a finger in one of her long, fluffy ears.

"And you're not tired?"

"Nope. Slept like an infant last night. Thanks for that incense jar. It really works wonders during relaxing periods."

"You're welcome." Intrepid smiled. "Are you free?"

She gave him a toothy grin. "I was hoping you'd ask. I am. Wanna hang out again?"

Valor smirked at that, backing away from the casually chatting pokémon and started heading down the road by his lonesome. It wasn't until he was six meters away that Intrepid took notice.

"Wait, you're leaving?"

Valor turned and walked backwards while placing his hands comfortably behind his head. "Yep. Got my own sites to check out and all that. This way, our interests won't clash and we're free to do whatever."

"You're not gonna hang out with us? We can do all that stuff together."

"We could..." Valor's smile showed teeth. "But I don't want to be a third wheel."

Realizing where his sudden change in behavior was coming from, Intrepid's cheeks started burning and Amber giggled into her paw at how cute he looked right now.

"Good luck, bro. Peace." Valor held up two fingers, turned and dashed off, quite literally putting his friend on the spot.

"Uh..." The remaining Gallade rubbed the back off his head. "Looks like it's just the two of us."

"Uh-huh." She beamed, endeared by how awkward he was acting around her.

"So... Uh..."

"Intrepid, right?"

"Yeah. How'd you know?"

"Your Twisted Spoon."

"Huh? Oh! You know, sometimes I forget I wear this." He fiddled with the item.

"It makes it easy when identifying between you three." She tilted her head and got down to it. "We've already had breakfast, where do you wanna head to? I doubt you want to stand here all day."

"Hmm. I'm not too familiar with this place. Only places I know are the Guild Collaboration, The Tipsy Turtwig, uuuuhhhh... The Postal Centre if I remember correctly, the Stone Emporium... That's about it." He shrugged. "This is only my fourth visit."

"Well, then let's widen your knowledge of the area. I'd be happy to show you around if you want? I feel like I still owe you guys after that little fiasco down at The Tipsy Turtwig." The Rabbit Pokémon offered him a friendly smile.

"Would you? That would be great." He returned the gesture.

"Awesome. One condition."

"What's that?"

"Make me happy." She poked his forehead and grabbed his hand, dragging him off before he could answer her.

Intrepid looked at the slightly shorter pokémon leading him by hand and chuckled. "I'll try my best."

"All I ask."

---

XXX Eastern Pokémon Settlement XXX

An Onix ferrying its passengers slowed to a stop next to the eastern station, allowing for the pokémon riding it to safely disembark. Among these pokémon were three members of the Fairy Realm, two of whom obviously appreciated their first time riding one of the Rock Snake Pokémon that made up the Pokémon Settlement's fast-travel system. Angel got off with a flourish and landed in a spin while Sylvia leaped off and wore the widest, most childish smile to date.

"You guys get to do this every time you're here!?" The Sylveon's tail wagged with unstoppable enthusiasm. "That was fun! Let's go again! Let's go again!"

"Knew you'd like it." Gallant reached down and rubbed her head. "We'll go again later. For now, let's find that library."

"I'll hold you to that." Sylvia broke from the group and ran down the steps. It would have been something her friends considered dangerous but she proved to have great balance, reaching the bottom with no problems and running about a small area as she waited for them.

Angel and Gallant quickly joined her and the three started down the road to where the presumed establishment of learning was.

"Is this the right way?" Angel inquired.

"Good question. This is my first time in this district. For all I know, we could be moving away from the library." Gallant cleared his throat and stopped a passing Slowbro.

"Excuse me. Sorry to disturb you. We're trying to get to a library that's supposed to be somewhere near here. Might you assist us with directions?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Uhh... Hello?"

"..."

"..."

"...Li... Bra... Ry..?"

Gallant sighed at the slowness the aquatic pokémon was displaying. "Um... Right. Sorry to bother you, we can ask from someone else."

The Blade Pokémon was going to do just that when the spiral shell on the Slowbro's tail bit down harder than it already was, injecting stimulating toxins that positively influenced the water type's thought process.

"Ah, right! You must be referring to Acuity Library. Just maintain the direction you're traveling in. It's only a few blocks from here, can't miss it!"

"Oh. Thank you." Gallant nodded in the psychic type's direction but it stared blankly at him. Evidently, whatever happened to it wasn't a lasting effect and it went back to living up to its name.

The fighting type let out an exasperated breath and moved away from the Slowbro before his brain cells suffered a similar fate. After walking for no more than five minutes, the trio finally arrived at a five-storey building held together by exquisite limestone blocks, entry possible via two swinging double doors with the words 'Acuity Library' embossed above them. Even from the street, the young pokémon could make out the many shelves of books through the clear glass windows. Finishing the look were two statues of the Legendary Pokémon, Uxie above the flight of stairs, positioned on the opposite ends of the doors.

"Eat your heart out, Miss Flora." Sylvia commented in awe.

"Looks pretty classy."

"Let's go in!" Angel zoomed away from her friends and the double doors were already swinging closed before they even knew what was going on.

"Damn, that girl loves books..."

Sylvia ran up the stairs and Gallant brought up the rear. Once they were inside, they spotted the little reading enthusiast, spinning in place in the middle of the lobby to take it all in, not unlike the Intertwining Pokémon when they had first arrived in the Pokémon Settlement. The Watchog at the front desk looked at her go, giving her all the time she needed to admire the library's interior. Sylvia joined her, skipping around the Emotion Pokémon for absolutely no reason which left Gallant as the only sane pokémon to step forward and address the normal type behind the counter.

"Good morning." He greeted.

"Good morning to you too. Welcome to Acuity Library. How may I be of service?"

"That girl..." He pointed at the dancing Kirlia. "Wants to sample the kinds of books you have here. Although, from what I can tell, I doubt any avid reader has ever walked out of here feeling disappointed."

"You're right to assume that. This library is filled, top to bottom, with books of varying subjects, from fiction to informative. Books written by both talented authors and distinguished scholars. There's no shortage of reading material in this structure. We don't just lend books either, you can also make full purchases and keep them as your own. Will you be reading with us?"

"We will, yes."

"Excellent. You will find all you're looking for on this floor as well as the upper levels. Please, enjoy your stay and try not to make too much noise."

"Noted. Thank you." He faced his friends and started making his away up the flight of stairs next to the left wall. "Come on, you two. We're going up."

And up they went to the second level of the building, the floor being revealed to them as the seconds went by until their vision was filled with aisles upon aisles of reading material sitting elegantly on the many, many shelves, each three meters tall. There was the occasional ladder between aisles to help non-flying types reach any book they desired. There must have been at least ten rows and columns in front of the pokémon trio alone with more behind them, followed by tables and chairs at the very ends of the room, all of which sat on the clean, marble tiles. On the far right side of the room was another stair case that lead to the third floor and in the room's four corners lay decorative potted plants. Gallant rubbed his crest when he felt an overpowering sensation surge through his body. Both he and Sylvia looked down at the Kirlia who gazed around and took in as much as she could. They thought she was going to launch into hysterics but she surprised them by making a calm, dainty smile, inhaling and then exhaling.

"Books." Angel sighed and briskly walked into an aisle labeled 'Battle & Strategy'.

"Huh. Expected a bigger response." Sylvia said as she followed after the Emotion Pokémon.

Gallant followed in silence, examining the reading material lining the shelves. They held books of different subjects but all being related to what the section advertised with such titles as Berries & Their Critical Roles in Combat, List of Buffs & Why You Should Use Them, Sleep Talk Strategies, List of Battle Items, Tips on Maximizing Damage Output, Outside The Box Strategies, and the like. The Gallade watched the Emotion Pokémon nearly remove the book about Battle Items before pausing and deciding to pick out a book depicting strategies pertaining to psychic types specifically. After another pause, she picked out the first book as well, deciding she could have both. Angel turned and looked up at Gallant with a pleased smile.

"I'll try these out for now."

"Alright then. Let's find a table."

"Sure, we can do that but... Um, Gallant?"

"Yeah?"

"We took our eyes off her for too long."

Gallant cocked his head in confusion right before his eyes snapped wide open when he understood what she was talking about. He looked around and, sure enough, Sylvia wasn't there.

"Again, I blame myself for this... Find yourself a table, I'll look for her."

"Mmn."

Angel nodded and Gallant walked off to find their missing friend. Although, 'missing' was exaggerating the case a little. Maybe she just pranced off to find a different aisle with books she could relate to. It's not like they lost her, she was still in the same building as they were. Right? Gallant walked passed a Luxio and back out into the central, open part of the room. Looking to his left, he spotted pink feet going up a flight of stairs to ascend to the next floor and he gave chase. Well, not 'gave chase' as in running, they were in a library and he had to be respectful. He walked up the staircase and spotted her, happily trotting up the next staircase to the next floor.

"Sylvia."

The beckoned pokémon looked back and smiled, stopping halfway up the steps so he could have time to catch up. When they were reunited, so to speak, she resumed her trek up into the next floor.

"What are you looking for?" Gallant asked.

"Nothing. I just want to get to the highest floor."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Why?"

"Look out the window."

"What's out the... Woah."

The two friends peered out the sheet of glass. From their elevation, they got a good view of what was around the building. They could see the roofs of adjacent buildings and flying types soaring around them to get to possible destinations, while grounded pokémon traveled on foot down below. The sight was compounded by the rays of sunlight shining down on the area, making the view all the more magnificent.

"Pretty cool stuff, Sylvia." Gallant looked down with a smile which faded quick when he discovered she was gone again. He looked behind himself and caught a glimpse of the Sylveon long enough to watch her cast Attract on a Machoke so the muscular pokémon would allow her up the final flight of stairs captioned with a sign hanging off the side of the staircase that read 'For Mature Readers Only.'

"Come on, Gallant." She wagged her tail and shot him a mischievous smirk.

Gallant sighed and joined her again, giving a passing glance at the smitten Machoke who was completely and utterly under the female fairy's spell. They reached the final floor and briefly looked out the windows. They told a similar story as the previous floor but from a higher vintage point, resulting in a view that wasn't as good as the first time. Gallant was going to comment on it when a ribbon wrapped around his hand and he was pulled into one of the aisles by the Intertwining Pokémon.

"Why are we here?"

"Why not? It's open to everyone." Sylvia responded nonchalantly.

"Let me go ahead and tell you that isn't true. If it was open to everyone, you wouldn't have to have used Attract on that guy."

"It's all good, Gallant."

"No, it isn't. What if someone sees us up here? We don't qualify as 'mature readers.'"

"I think anyone that comes across us in a place like this immediately forfeits their right to judge us. If they try, I'll just call them a hypocrite."

"That... Actually makes sense."

"Right? Now let's see what we got here..." Sylvia pulled out a novel written by an author named 'Jackie Coils.' She leafed through the pages and stopped when she got to a juicy part. "Oh? Oh! Ooooohhhhh..."

Gallant watched his friend with a deadpan expression, her cheeks reddened and she leered at the pages of whatever it is she was reading. Probably something dirty, considering where they were.

"This stuff's better than Sunset. Why wasn't this what was recommended to me?" Her smile widened.

"Because it's unethical to recommend it to pokémon our age?" Gallant ventured.

"We don't look that much younger than pokémon of the same species."

"I'm talking about back home. Our friends and families know how young we really are. I doubt they'd approve of you reading stuff like this."

"Sunset had smut."

"Wait, what? Sunset had smut?"

"Yeppers. During certain parts."

"And you read it? All of it?"

"Relax, Gallant, it was light and wasn't even that good. This, though? I'm totally borrowing it." She wrapped the book in her ribbons. "See anything you like?"

"No."

"Don't play the innocent game with me, Gallant."

"I'm not playing the 'innocent game' because, frankly, I wouldn't say I'm all that innocent. I've killed a lot of wild pokémon." He said it like it was nothing. "This stuff just isn't my kind of thing."

"Are you suuuuuuure..?" She leered at him with her ethereal blue eyes and stepped closer, putting the Gallade on edge.

In response, Gallant narrowed his eyes down at her. "You better not use Attract on me."

"What!?" The Sylveon inched back from the accusation. "I'd never do that! You're too important to me and I respect you too much to try and manipulate you, Gallant. Why would you think that?"

"I don't know. Those are the same eyes you used on the Machoke that I'm sure still thinks he's in love with you."

"Pffft. It'll wear off, eventually." She glared at him, a very rare sight. "Now apologize."

"I... I'm sorry." He replied in earnest when he saw how much she was honestly hurt by his words.

Gladdened, the Sylveon's expression went from mad to jolly in a heartbeat. "Apology accepted." She grinned at him, cheekily. "Douche."

Gallant's mouth fell open, unprepared for Sylvia's petty insult. She ignored him and redirected herself to the shelf once more.

"Now that that's out of the way, let's see what else they got here."

Sylvia placed her novel on the floor and used her ribbons to pull out a magazine from a lower shelf, wasting no time in skimming through it.

"Woah! Check it out, Gallant!" She held up the magazine horizontally in his direction and the centerfold fell open.

Gallant's mouth dropped further and he did his best impression of a Cheri Berry. Sylvia paid no mind to her friend's dismayed demeanor and continued to feed his eyes with whatever lewd image he was being subjected to.

"Shaken, not stirred. Amirite, Gallant?"

---

XXX Acuity Library - Second Floor XXX

Angel hugged her books to her chest and walked down the aisle toward the end of the room, hoping to find at least one empty table. She found most of them to be taken by other visitors and the best she could manage was a square table with an Espeon as its sole occupant. First time she ever saw one outside a book, she thought, observing the psychic type Eeveelution from a short distance. Her eyes held a mysterious air to them as they shifted side to side, reading the passages of the book she suspended in front of herself using her mind. Her long, forked tail wiggled to and fro behind her like it had a will of its own and finally, the most obvious thing, was the beautiful ruby at the centre of her forehead. What it did or what it was for, Angel could only guess.

"Why don't you join me?"

Angel gasped when she was caught staring, the Espeon lowering her book flat on the surface of the table and greeting Angel with small but friendly smile. The Kirlia looked around, hesitating and weighing her offer.

"Come on, now. Don't be shy." Her voice was soft and elegant, similar to the Florges in the Fairy Realm.

With a little uncertainty, Angel stepped forward and took a seat opposite to the Espeon.

"There you go." She, blinked slowly, bringing attention to her lovely eyelashes and giggled. "It's nice to have a reading partner every once in a while."

The Emotion Pokémon faced the Espeon who continued to look at her with those alluring eyes, making Angel feel like she was staring into her soul.

"Um..." Angel tried to look away but also found herself taken by the psychic type's gentle gaze.

"Sorry for staring. It's a rare occasion that I see a Kirlia. Even more so a blue one."

Angel sighed and finally turned away to focus on her reading material.

"My name is Morgen, by the way."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Angel."

"Pleased to meet you, Angel." Morgen's smile never faltered. "Lovely name."

"Mmn... Thank you."

The psychic type Eeveelution raised her book in front of her and picked up where she left off, giving Angel some breathing room. The Kirlia glanced at the book she was reading, titled 'Advanced Psychic Techniques.' She tilted her head in curiosity, the way the text on the cover was written made it look like the next level version of the book she had with her right now. She wondered what could be in there that was different to the one she possessed.

"Curious?"

"Uh... I..." Angel blinked repeatedly after having been caught staring a second time. Damn her inquisitiveness.

Morgen flipped her book around and made Angel privy to the information she was reading. The page she was on illustrated and described the effects of using Hypnosis beyond simply putting one's foe to sleep, and instead implementing psyonic abilities and telepathy through the power of suggestion to take a stranglehold on a foe's consciousness and forcing it into working the way you'd want it. Such a thing gave Angel the chills. She and most (she hoped) psychic types knew that reading or otherwise manipulating the mind of another pokémon without their consent or prior provocation was just about the most offensive and disrespectful thing that could be done by them.

"Um... I don't think that book's for me."

"What do you mean?" Morgen made the book face her and she continued reading. "Of course it is. You're a psychic type."

"But..." Angel looked away, visibly disturbed. "That kind of thing could irreversibly damage the victim's mind."

"Yes, that's the point." The purple-coated pokémon flipped a page.

"B-But-" Angel stopped when she felt Morgen's gaze on her. A strange feeling came over her. The Espeon was still smiling in an endearing way and her emotion-sensitive horns felt no malicious intent coming from her. Yet she couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty she had concerning the seemingly harmless pokémon.

"Angel, was it?"

"Y-yes?"

"Hmm. From the looks of your books, I assume you know your way around a battle?"

Angel paused for a second before answering, not wanting to be rude. "I suppose."

"Can you show me?"

"What?" Angel fearfully leaned back. "You want us to battle?"

Morgen stared blankly at the Kirlia and chuckled softly when she realized the ambiguity of her request. "No, no. I don't mean you and I should battle. I'm asking you to show me a battle. Will you allow us to sync our minds?"

Angel looked at the Espeon and considered the offer. She didn't really know what to expect or even what this Morgen was getting at. Still, if she meant any harm, Angel would have been able to tell. On top of that, the psychic type was courteous enough ask her permission first and was patiently waiting for her answer, so she doubted the Espeon was up to no good. Her curiosity got the best of her, humorously, as she was seated across a feline pokémon, and Angel agreed to the mind-meld with a nod. The Espeon's eyes glowed and so did Angel's, their minds synchronizing in a way that can only be achieved between psychic types. Committing to each other's mental states, they ventured through each other's memories but both were respectful enough to not look at or read what wasn't allowed. Morgen pulled a few memories from Angel's mind and immediately ceased the link between them, not wanting to desecrate the sacred recordings of the young pokémon's life.

"Uh-haaah..." Morgen inspected Angel with half-closed eyes. "You're quite a talented one. Intelligent too. And look at how confident and focused you are. You always look like you're in control of your battles. Especially this one with the Fearow... Look at that, not a scratch on you. May I ask who taught you how to fight?"

"My Mother..."

"Mm-hmm. Not my place to say but she certainly raised you well, Angel."

"Thank you..." Angel smiled bashfully, starting to feel comfortable around the amicable Espeon.

"The way you handle yourself is quite admirable. But there's something here I don't agree with."

"What's that?" A frown formed on the Kirlia's face to reflect her fleeting confidence.

"You're too merciful."

"...Huh?" The Kirlia didn't know where she was going with that comment.

"The Fearow. You didn't kill it."

Angel's eyes widened and the Espeon looked at her with a disapproving frown.

"You're saying I should have taken its life?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying, yes."

"But why?" Angel demanded.

"It captured and was very likely going to kill you. It's not the kind of pokémon I'd expect anyone to show mercy to."

"B-But... But I had the situation under control. Everything turned up fine."

"For now. Hypothetically speaking, that Fearow now knows what to expect and you might not be so lucky on the off-chance you end up colliding with it a second time. By letting it live, you gave it the opportunity to learn from its mistakes and in doing so, created a stronger foe."

Angel looked down, doubting her own judgment. "Guess I just didn't think it was necessary."

"Not normally, no." Morgen agreed. "But you can't afford to half-sell against a wild pokémon. You have a lot more to lose than they do. Friends, I assume you have? Family? Loved ones?"

"Wha, huh?"

"I'm listing the reasons why you should never hold back against a hostile pokémon. As prestigious pokémon under the blessings of our precursors, the Legendary Pokémon, we have hopes, dreams, needs and greater goals to play out on this world created by Arceus. We were given the opportunity to live a higher life. It would be a shame if even a small piece of that dynamic took a hit just because someone didn't think it was necessary to give it their all in a battle. Catch what I'm saying, child? A small error in theory, something unchangeable in practice. It's a dangerous world out there, Angel. You need to step up your game. For the sake of your own safety and the safety of what you're protecting."

Angel fell silent, unsure of what to say. Never in her life did she imagine she would get lectured over having good conduct. She remained quiet and the Espeon continued.

"I'm sorry. That must not be something you wanted to hear from a stranger." Morgen's comforting smile returned. "But it is something you needed to hear. Here, take the book."

"W-What? Your book?"

"Take it." She closed the book and placed it on top of the Emotion Pokémon's pile. "You need it more than I do."

"I... I can't." Angel rubbed her arm. "I already have these books I want to borrow and-"

"Drop one of your books, then." Morgen hopped off her seat and retrieved her bag from underneath the table, fastening it on her body not unlike the way Sylvia wore hers. When she was done, she confiscated the strategy book Angel picked out for herself in favor of the one forced on her.

"Besides, I don't even know how to use Hypnosis, so I leave it in your hands. Give it a read and tell me your thoughts. I'm looking forward to chatting with you again, Angel."

Morgen locked eyes with the Kirlia one last time, the adolescent fairy again being unable to look away from her gaze and she didn't know why.

"Want to know the trick?"

"Huh?"

"The reason you can't look away. Your eyes and the eyes of many pokémon before you are drawn to the allure of my ruby. Next thing you know, you're looking into my eyes before you're even aware of your actions. It's not what my ruby's for but hey, what can you do? If I could learn Hypnosis, I'd probably never miss with it. Nifty, wouldn't you say? Deadly too." Morgen shot Angel a wink and went on her way, stopping only momentarily to place what used to be Angel's book of interest back on the shelf.

The Kirlia watched Morgen turn at the end of the aisle and out of sight. Facing back ahead of herself, she looked at the book she guessed she would be borrowing. She didn't agree with its contents and the way the Espeon suddenly came down on her for not being a ruthless fighter put her in a deflated mood. Should she give it a chance and read it? Or should she turn down the offer, thereby figuratively spitting in the Espeon's face and rebuking her ideals?

"Hey, Angel!"

Ribbons wrapped around the distracted Emotion Pokémon and her spirits lifted considerably when she felt Sylvia's calming aura wash over her. The Sylveon let go and jumped up onto one of the empty seats closest to her friend.

"What you got there?"

"A book."

Sylvia gasped and wore an expression of disbelief. "Nooooooo... A book? Here? I don't believe you."

See, this is what she loved the most about Sylvia. No matter how down she got, the fairy type Eeveelution was always there to calm her nerves and make her worries vanish. Angel placed both her hands over her mouth and giggled at her friend before elaborating further.

"It's a strategy book about advanced psychic control that could help me reach a higher level."

"Neat."

"Yeah. Maybe I could combine this with the lessons Mom has been giving me and..."

Angel trailed off when Gallant walked up to the table and slumped into a seat opposite Sylvia. She noticed that his cheeks were tinted pink and he wore an embarrassed expression.

"Gallant? You okay?"

"Yeah, Gallant, you okay?" Sylvia teased, earning her an annoyed look from the Blade Pokémon.

"What happened? Why do you look like that?" Angel asked with some concern. "Are you sick?"

"I'm not sick." His eyes shifted to the Sylveon. "Sylvia insisted on taking what little innocence I had left in one of the secluded aisles up above."

A passing Persian with a book balanced on its back overheard that statement and gawked at the Gallade, its cheeks turning the same shade of pink as him. He saw it and became aware of his incriminating statement but before he could correct the misunderstanding, it quickened its pace to get as far away from the trio as possible. What they did privately was none of its business.

"Oh, Lord Xerneas, whyyyyyyy..." Gallant planted his head against the table in humiliation, knowing this couldn't possibly be undone.

Sylvia just laughed at her friend's misfortune and Angel was still confused.

"What's going on?"

"Never you mind, Angel. Check it out." She placed a novel on the table. "I got something else to read."

Angel looked at the novel, nonplussed. "Wow, really?"

"Laugh it up, you. Just be happy I'm starting to take this reading thing seriously."

"Uh-huh."

"In fact, let me start it now. I've got a good feeling about this one."

Angel watched her friend begin her novel and decided to get started on her own, giving it a chance. She opened the first page and gave one last look at Gallant. He still had his head against the table and his cheeks still had a pink tinge to them. Maybe the heat got to him? If so, some rest would do him good. With that last thought, she dove right into the world of learning.

---

XXX Western Settlement XXX

"How long have we been walking?"

"I don't know. Half an hour? Forty-five minutes?"

"And your legs aren't tired yet?"

"Look at these legs, boy. They aren't just for walking."

"I can see that."

A girlish laugh was heard. "Don't look too hard, now. What about you? Having any trouble?"

"Mine are pretty strong too. No need to worry."

"Is that right? How strong?"

"Strong enough to kick the jaw off an Onix's face."

"What? Did that really happen?"

"Yesterday."

"No way."

"Swear to Xerneas."

"That's crazy. While their endurance is the only thing they have going for them, they have a lot of it. Is your leg okay?"

"It's fine. I had used Swords Dance three times before it happened."

"Oh, alright, now it makes sense."

"Yeah. Besides, I'm a fighting type. I can't explain it but I don't feel as much pain as I thought I would when I'm striking rock and steel."

Amber looked down at Intrepid's hands and she noticed the bruises they had. She looked up at him curiously, though she said nothing on the matter. But just to be safe...

"You're sure it doesn't hurt?"

"Just some dull throbs. Don't worry about it."

"If you say so. Just don't overdo it, your body isn't invincible. If you don't treat it like a wonderland, it becomes a complicated diagram of pain. So, please don't get too carried away, alright?"

Intrepid nodded in understanding. "You got it. Thanks for caring, Amber, I appreciate it."

"Hey, we're friends now, right? No trouble at all."

He smiled. "By the way..."

"Yeah?"

"Are you happy?"

"Moderately so."

"Alright, just checking."

"Oh my, what a gentlemon you are." Amber laughed. "You'll have to try a lot harder than that if you want to max out the heart meter, however."

"...I don't even know what you're talking about."

"It doesn't matter as long as you understand."

"I'll try my best."

"All I ask." Amber smirked cutely and picked up the pace. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" The psychic type asked, allowing his arm to be pulled by the jolly Rabbit Pokémon.

"This malt shop I like. They serve milkshakes. Ever had one?"

Intrepid shook his head.

"Well, then today's your lucky day."

The Lopunny pulled Intrepid into a building on their right. Once inside, the Blade Pokémon looked around. The floor was covered with black and white checkered tiles, there were booths on the left and right with red cushioned seats large enough for even a Rhyperior to be comfortable in, and ahead was a counter where an Ambipom was mixing drinks. In front of the counter were high, cushioned stools and behind the purple normal type where shelves that held all sorts of drinking glasses, beverages and mixers.

"That's the third working Ambipom I've seen the few days I've been here."

"Oh yeah, they take all kinds of jobs. Their hands are good for... Lots of things." Amber let the comment hang in the air, leading the psychic type to the counter and they sat on two of the available stools.

"Hi, Dexter. Milkshakes for two. What flavor are you having?" She faced Intrepid for an answer.

"Mint chocolate, if you have it."

"You got it!" The ambidextrous pokémon got to work, preparing their drinks with his prehensile tails.

Amber twisted her seat in Intrepid's direction and kicked her legs playfully while they waited for their order.

"So, chocolate's your favorite, huh?"

"It is, yeah."

"You love eating chocolate?"

"Yeah."

A naughty smirk graced her face. "Love the way it tastes?"

"Yeah."

"The same color as my body, chocolate?"

"Uh, yeah..."

"All night, every night?"

"...What are you doing?"

"I'm messing with you."

"Why?"

"It's funny."

"No, it isn't."

"It is to me."

"Is it? Let me give it a try."

Intrepid used Psychic and tilted her seat back briefly before righting it again. Only, he did it so fast that Amber never saw it coming, resulting in a tiny scream and a desperate grasp of her seat. A few patrons looked at her to see what the hub-bub was and returned to their meals when they saw nothing out of the ordinary. Amber glared at Intrepid with rosy cheeks and he smirked triumphantly at her.

"Whoops. Sorry, that kind of just... Slipped my mind." The Gallade grinned and wished he had a pair of Dark Glasses to put on.

"That wasn't funny."

"It was to me."

"That's how it is, huh?"

"You started this."

"But you took it too far."

"Fine, fine. I'll pay for both our drinks, how's that?"

Amber folded her arms with an immature pout. "It's a start."

"Want anything else from me?"

"Hmph." She tried to act offended but his happy expression was too infectious. "I'll let you know if something comes up."

"Cheers!" The Ambipom placed their drinks in front of them and went back to tending bar.

Their beverage consisted of chocolate milk filled to the brim of a tall glass. A generous helping of smooth whipped cream artistically spiraled above the surface of the milk with a single, delicious looking chocolate wafer sticking out of the cream, the whole thing topped with a ripe, juicy cherry. A straw stuck out of the drink from across the wafer to aid with the consumption of the beverage. The presentation looked so compelling that even a Medicham would be tempted to break its fasting training just to have a sip.

"Holy crap."

"I know. Drink up!"

The Gallade and Lopunny placed their respective straws in their mouths and leisurely drank their milkshakes in silence. Walking in the sun made them quite thirsty, as their already half-empty tall glasses could attest to. Intrepid took a break and instead played with his straw as if it was a miniature ladel while he devoured the chocolate wafer and cherry.

"Is this your first date?"

Intrepid looked at Amber, the Lopunny smiling coyly at him.

"Yeah, I guess it is." He answered, if only to humor her.

"No kidding?"

"No." The Gallade gave her an honest smile of appreciation. "Even if this is only our second meeting, I'm happy being here with a nice pokémon like you."

"Ha. Listen to you, chatting me up like that." She placed her elbows on the counter and her cheeks in her paws. "Never asked a lucky lady out before?"

"I've been focused on my training for most of my life, so it never crossed my mind. Although, Gallant promised me a date in the future. I don't know whether he was kidding or not. As long as he gives me that chocolate like he promised, I really don't care."

Amber cocked an eyebrow and her smile changed from coy to intrigued.

"I hope you're not getting any weird ideas."

"Who me?" She broke eye contact and gazed at the ceiling. "Perish the thought."

With a suspicious glance at the normal type, Intrepid turned away from her to focus on finishing his shake. However, Amber had other plans.

"Hey, Intrepid."

"Yeah?"

As soon as she had his undivided attention, the Lopunny tossed her cherry into her mouth and held a up a finger as a way to tell him to wait a moment. She chewed for a few seconds, swallowed and used two fingers to retrieve the remains from her mouth.

"Ta-da."

The Gallade blinked at what she was holding. Somehow, she had not only separated the cherry stem from the rest of the cherry but she had also managed to tie it into a knot. How, he had no idea, all he was aware of was that he was smiling like a thoroughly entertained infant.

"That's pretty cool."

"Glad you enjoyed the show."

"How'd you do that?"

She smiled at him and held her straw. "Secret."

After that, they both finished their drinks, Intrepid paying for them like he promised and they left the building, getting back on the streets that were starting to fill with more pokémon than before as the day progressed to late morning.

"So? What do you think?"

"Milkshakes are nice. Thank you for introducing me to them."

"Thank you for paying."

"Thank you for your thinly-veiled innuendos."

"And thank you for nearly embarrassing me in front of everyone."

They shared a short laugh.

"Hey, Amber?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you happy?"

"We're getting there."

"Cool. Just checking."

"You're really taking this seriously."

"Well, I have a responsibility to uphold."

The normal type clasped her paws behind her lower back as they walked together. "Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Under what circumstance did you find yourself in that you had to fight an Onix?"

"I was chasing one underground after it kidnapped someone important." The fighting type placed his arms behind his head when he ended his statement.

"A friend?"

"A client."

"A client?" She looked at him with small surprise. "Do you work here now?"

"Yeah. Gallant, Valor and I joined the Guild Collaboration yesterday and accepted a job for bodyguard duty that took us into the Seismic Highland."

"Oh? Surprise, surprise." She smiled. "And I suppose that's where you got hurt punching rocks?"

"...Pardon?"

"Your hands. They're hard to ignore."

Intrepid held up and inspected the bruises on his hands. The Heal Pulse he received from his friends healed the initial injury but fighting as aggressively as he did seemed to have lasting effects. It was like Amber said; just because he had an edge over certain pokémon, it didn't make him invulnerable to them. Fighting type or not, repeatedly striking a body made of steel with his bare hands proved to be detrimental to his health. He sighed and explained to her the circumstances of his injuries.

"These aren't from the Onix or Geodude we met along the way. They're from an Aggron I deliberately picked a fight with and defeated."

"You physically wrestled an Aggron into submission? Damn, dude. Must have been an ordeal."

"Yeah, some of the things it did were actually pretty scary. It could have easily killed me, had I gotten careless." He chuckled and stopped short when he saw the Lopunny frown at him, unamused.

"Is that supposed to be funny? Because it isn't funny."

"Um, sorry."

After his apology, Amber sent a forgiving smile his way. "So, apart from being paid, did you get anything interesting out from that whole experience?"

"I did. Check it out." Intrepid reached into his bag and retrieved an item. "The Aggron's horn. Took it as my trophy."

She looked at it with some surprise. "Wow... May I have a look?"

"Knock yourself out." He handed her the severed horn.

Amber held the long, pointed and rather dangerous looking shaft of solid steel horizontally over both her paws, the morning light giving it a superb sheen. The section where it was removed from the Aggron's head was clean cut and smooth. It was heavier than it looked and had an estimated high level of durability.

"The pointed end looks really sharp and the entire thing seems pretty sturdy. Have you considered using it as a weapon? You could turn this thing's defense into your offense."

The young Blade Pokémon inspected the horn Amber was holding and considered the possibility.

"Sounds interesting but I think it would be impractical. There's nothing to hold onto and it could slip out of my hands."

"Then have a handle attached to it."

"What? I can do that?"

"Sure, you can." She gave him a smug smile. "You're in the Pokémon Settlement. You can get anything here."

She grabbed his hand and ran off with him to the nearest transit.

---

XXX Western Settlement - Inner Ring XXX

Intrepid and Amber ran down the stairs, the female pokémon still holding onto the hand of the pokémon she was escorting. They weaved and dodged around pokémon that got in their way as she led him through the streets of the area the Blade Pokémon wasn't familiar with. Most of the buildings had welcoming appearances compared to the flashy, 'in your face' ones that made up most of the outer ring of the settlement, leading him to believe these were private residences than places of business. Amber finally stopped in front of a single floor structure surrounded by small trees and potted plants on either side of the short staircase. Climbing up the few steps, she held the circular knocker attached to the door and made liberal use of its purpose. Intrepid shot her a weird look when she never once ceased with her persistent banging. He was going to voice his concerns when the door inwardly flew wide open.

"What!? Arceus-damn it, what do you- Oh. It's you Amber." The Heatmor standing in the doorframe shot her a look of exasperation. "May I help you?"

"No but you can help him." She moved to the side and directed his attention to the Gallade she was with. "Any time, Intrepid."

"Right. Uh, I want to turn this into a wea-"

The thing was snatched out of his hands before he could finish, the Heatmor admiring it closely.

"Is this an Aggron's horn?" He asked, not looking up from the item in question.

"It is." Amber answered for her friend. "Will you be able to fix a handle onto it and turn it into, like, some kind of knife? If so, how much would that cost?"

"Hmmm... Since this is just simple welding and not actual weapon forging, on top of bringing your own material... One Pearl."

"Your call, Intrepid." Amber looked at the Gallade expectantly.

Was she asking him if he wanted to turn the horn of a dangerous pokémon he wasted into his very own personal weapon? Come on now...

A sparkling white Pearl he changed from a Nugget landed in the Heatmor's hand and he motioned for them to follow him inside. "Come on in."

They entered the fire type's home, Intrepid looking around in mild curiosity. There were small, cushioned chairs to the right, a wooden coffee table in the center resting on a brown carpet over the floor's stone tiles, a hearth at the end of the wall he was facing which led up to a chimney and lastly, a bed laying at the far left of the room, beside which rested a desk with a lantern on it. It all looked quite cozy.

"Nice place." Intrepid complimented.

"Thank you. Don't touch anything." The Heatmor opened a door by the left corner of the room and motioned for the unannounced visitors to join him.

The next room was different from the previous one. Plenty of workshop tools arranged orderly on shelves lined the left and right walls. As for the far end wall, it had weapons of various qualities and uses, mostly daggers and short blades but there were exotic weapons like knuckle dusters as well and even a few shields. At the foot of the wall was a wide basing filled with water for reasons not known to Intrepid.

The Heatmor worked in silence, picking a handle and inspecting it before deeming it unworthy and finding a different one. One with better grip, a spherical silver pommel and sturdy cross-guard that would be able to endure the process. He also made sure the circular slot in the rain-guard would be able to properly house the shaft of metal. Everything was in order, only thing left was to get the actual job done. The fire type's long, flame-like tongue creeped out of his mouth and he pressed it against the cut-off section of the steel horn, causing a sizzling sound as the metal shaft quickly became white-hot from the extreme temperature, eventually rising to such a degree that the heated section of metal melted into a liquid state and dripped into the hilt held underneath it.

Intrepid and Amber backed away in discomfort, the temperature becoming a little unbearable for them. The Blade Pokémon lifted his arm to shield his eyes from the bright light accompanying the entire procedure. When he was done, the Heatmor placed the rest of the shaft into the hilt so the two pieces would weld together, the process similar to dripping candle wax onto a surface to help a candle stick to it. Only major difference from that was when the working pokémon wore a glove to protect himself and proceeded to lower the weapon into the water basin, steam rising to the surface as the super-heated conjoining metals were rapidly cooled. After a few minutes, the Heatmor removed the newly created weapon and wiped it down with a cloth. When all was done, he held it up to Intrepid for him to take.

"Here. Make sure you wipe it down with a clean cloth and polish it with oil every now and then. Neglect to do so and you'll end up with a damaged weapon in no time. Also mind its shape; it's for thrusting, not slashing. If you have no choice but to block with it, the base is sturdier than the tip, otherwise I wouldn't recommend it. Try not to use it against other steel types or anything of greater durability and keep it away from fire types while you're at it."

Grinning like a kid on his birthday, Intrepid, graciously accepted his weapon. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome. Now leave." He pointed at the door.

"See you around, Smith!" Amber grabbed Intrepid's hand and escorted him outside before he could answer.

Once outside, she noticed Intrepid still wore an unbreakable smile on his face. He said nothing the whole time, choosing to admire his dagger from all possible angles. She giggled at how passionate he was being about it and spoke out to get his attention.

"That was Smith. He's a smith. A really good one."

The distracted youth flipped and caught his weapon a couple times. "Pretty cool way to make a living."

"Oh no, that's not his job. It's just a hobby he dabbles in. When I asked him why he doesn't forge weapons as a professional business, he cited how it wouldn't compete with the Steel Realm's production of Battle Items that have effects he considers superior to whatever he can make. So, he just tinkers in weapon creation from an artistic point of view, although, if you're willing to pay, he can still lend his services."

Intrepid nodded. "I see. Is that why he's such a grumpy fellow?"

"No, that's really just the way he is." She held his hand again and continued leading him to wherever.

"Where are we going now?"

"To test out your new weapon." She turned and led him into a long alleyway, the shade being a good way to mask what they were about to do.

"Why here?"

Instead of answering, Amber turned around and removed a previously hidden object from the fluff around her left wrist that appeared to be two short metal rods stuck together. With a flick of her wrist the two rods pivoted from each other at 180 degree angles and became the handle of the blade they once concealed.

Intrepid stared at the fancy blade before looking into Amber's eyes. She could tell this came as a shock to him. "Why do you even have that?"

"Big city. Girl's gotta protect herself." Amber did a few tricks with her blade, twirling it back and forth between its folded and opened forms, an exceptional feat for a pokémon that had three short fingers on each paw. "I also have pepper spray. For the lulz."

"You don't have any actual moves with which to fight?"

"I have the Elemental Punches and my kicks are quite a spectacle to behold, don't be fooled by my appearance. Not to mention my multitude of status moves. So, yeah, I can totally fight and I can do it well."

The psychic type craned his head. "Then why not use those instead?"

"Because Balisongs are so cool that I couldn't resist asking Smith to make a pair for me. The effects of pepper spray are also hilarious, so there's that." She tossed her knife into her other paw and continued manipulating it, the blade clicking open and closed.

"You don't sound like you need them."

"Says the guy with the brand new weapon made from authentic Aggron horn." The Lopunny halted with her showy display. "Are we gonna test out your knife or not?"

"You sure you wanna do this?"

"Yep. C'mon, it'll be fun."

"I don't know... I don't want to hurt you."

"Trust me, you won't."

"Mmm... It just doesn't feel right fighting you like this. You have to be absolutely sure." He gripped his weapon and locked eyes with the normal type.

"I can hold your purse for you while you relocate your masculinity if you want?" She gave him a smug, taunting smile.

Well, that pretty much settled it. He discarded his bag so it wouldn't get in the way and Amber did the same. When they were ready, Intrepid held his dagger firmly in his right hand, sprinted at the Rabbit Pokémon and thrust it forward at the Loppuny's chest, Amber responding by shifting her knife into a reverse grip in her left paw and raising it like she was delivering an uppercut to stop the fighting type's attack, the two weapons locking at the base. With a smirk, Amber lifted her arm high and forced Intrepid to lift his, then she swung her right arm down, another balisong knife falling out of her concealing fluff and landing in her ready paw, flipping it open in a perfected motion and stabbing upwards at Intrepid's exposed midsection. He held up his left arm and her knife collided with his natural blade, he then wrenched his right hand down, overpowering Amber and forcing her to drop the knife in her left paw which hit the ground and skipped along the stone tiles behind her. With her other knife held at bay by his blade, Intrepid saw an opening, stabbing forward with his dagger and she surprised him by performing a one-handed back-hand spring, flipping her body back, the psychic type's weapon missing as it sailed over her face at the start of her maneuver and kicking the dagger out of his grip during the hand-stand, while at the same time collecting her discarded weapon back into her paw before righting herself again, all in one fluid motion. Not giving him a chance to recover from admiring her fighting style, she ran back at him, knives at the ready in both paws. Intrepid caught his dagger in his left hand on its way back down but by then, Amber had already closed the distance, thrusting her weapons forward at the same time in a scissor formation. Intrepid had no choice but to defend with his blade-arm again, wedging it between the two blades. With a small smile, he let go of his dagger so that it fell into his available hand, catching it with ease and jabbed forward with it. The normal type's reaction was to simply abandon her blades which fell to the floor, grip the hand Intrepid was using to hold his weapon with both her paws when it got in close proximity, twist around so as to force it to bypass her while she got into his space and deliver a shoulder tackle to his chest while simultaneously hooking one of her feet behind his leg, knocking him off balance and sending him to the floor. Unfortunately for her, Intrepid grabbed her waist with his other hand in a panic and they both collapsed, Amber finding herself on top of the psychic type. Trying to recover, they both panted, looked at each other and started laughing, thoroughly entertained by their short-lived battle in the narrow alleyway.

"So, what do you think?"

"I think the humble pie didn't taste as bad as I thought it would. You sure are full of surprises." The Blade Pokémon commented, arms laying flat on the stone surface.

"I aim to please." Amber raised her upper body so she was straddling the dual-typed pokémon under her. "You're good at improvising, yourself."

"Maybe. But this dagger will require some getting used to. I'll put it to good use in my next mission."

"Glad to hear it."

"So..."

"Yeah?"

"You gonna get off or are you getting comfortable?"

Amber narrowed her eyes and smirked deviously, folding her arms. "You don't like the position you're in? Most pokémon would love to be in your place, consider yourself lucky."

"Yup, I'm a real born winner."

After rolling his eyes, Intrepid raised Amber off him using Psychic and stood up there after, dusting himself off and retrieving his bag. He watched Amber do the same and hide her closed balisongs in the tufts of fur around her wrists. Done, they walked out of the alley and into the open under the afternoon sun. An Arbok slithered by, looking at the two disheveled, panting pokémon as they exited the dark alley, Amber's fur having a slight frizz to it from all the exertion. The poison type looked between Amber and Intrepid, the two friends being able to tell that it was coming to its own conclusions. The Lopunny smirked at this.

"It's exactly what it looks like."

The Arbok froze for a second before deciding to go on its merry way, having been fed too much information. The psychic type shook his head and sighed.

"Why did you tell it that?"

"What? It is what it looks like. That Arbok just has the wrong context."

Intrepid said nothing, though he was left amused by Amber's antics. He stopped when he saw her standing still and addressed her.

"Aren't you coming?"

"No but I'm breathing fast."

"...What?"

"Ah, I see. I wondered where your innocence started and where it ended."

"I'm not following."

"Don't worry about it."

"If you say so."

The Lopunny pushed off the wall she was leaning on and joined the psychic type. "Come on."

"Where we going now?" Intrepid asked, following the Rabbit Pokémon.

"The greatest place in the Pokémon Settlement."

"That being?"

"The wall." She met his eyes. "You should experience it at least once."

"Really? We're allowed to climb the wall?" The surprise was obvious in his voice.

Instead of answering, Amber held his hand escorted him to the next point of interest.

---

XXX Northern Pokémon Settlement - Outer Ring XXX

For Amber, it didn't matter which area of the settlement they were in, as long as they were in the outer ring, the only section where they could access the high wall. Amber led Intrepid by hand, bypassing some buildings and turning down a street that sent them closer and closer to the settlement's thick wall. Intrepid noted that he hadn't been this close the large city's wall without the intention of passing through one of the gates. The Lopunny continued with him in tow until they came across a shaft fixed into the wall that went all the way to the top. At the bottom of the shaft was a small housing, strong enough to support most pokémon, connected to the shaft by a series of gears alongside it, the shaft itself having teeth at the edges that the gears would slide along when traveling up or down. It was inactive at the moment, as there seemed to be two gears on the left and right of the shaft missing from the system.

"What's this?" Intrepid asked.

"It's an elevator. There's a lot of these around the settlement for the convenience of anyone wanting to see the top of the wall. Come on."

The two pokémon entered the shaft together and a pair of Klink soon appeared on either side of the housing. They attached themselves against the available parts, completing the mechanism and started rotating. First a set of burglar bars slid closed, securing the two pokémon within and the elevator started rising, the gears rotating smoothly the whole way up, Intrepid watching the ground distance away from them as they ascended. The wall was so high that it took upwards of five minutes to get to the top and when they did, Amber turned around and opened a door behind them manually before stepping out. Intrepid followed after her, climbing a short flight of stairs until they ended up on top of the wall, proper. The psychic type's eyes widened, his legs moving on automatic as he slowly walked forward and held the railing installed for the safety of pokémon. Never in his life did he ever think he would be exposed to such an amazing view, admiring great many acres of grassland before him. It was too high for him to make out any activity except perhaps the flying types that where soaring high enough for him to see. A flock of Pidgey and Pidgeoto led by a Pidgeot crossed his vision and he could make out a lake in the distance; Still Lake.

"Cool, huh?" Amber stood next to him and held the railing as well. "I can still remember the first time I saw this. And that."

Intrepid followed the direction Amber was pointing at and was treated to the perfect view of the Pokémon Settlement. The Outer Ring of buildings, Onix Transit Network, Inner Ring and finally, the Apex Lake at the heart of the city, almost as big as Still Lake. This was a large city indeed if it took this insane level of elevation if one wanted to observe the settlement in its entirety. Even if he squinted his eyes, he could no longer make out the civilian pokémon on the surface, they were simply too high up.

"I... I... I mean... Woah..." Intrepid yammered on unintelligibly.

The wind rustled Amber's long ears and she turned to observe the untamed land on the other side of the wall. The psychic type joinded her, his initial shock having worn of. His excitement on the other hand, remained exactly as it was.

"And pokémon are free to come up here any time they want?"

"Any time."

"I really gotta show this to the others. They'll flip." The psychic type grinned like the youth he was and leaned forward.

"Careful, you might fall off."

"Oh, that isn't a problem. I dove off into a canyon yesterday and teleported back. My friends didn't like it but I was never in any danger. I'd do it again."

"You... Dove off into a canyon? By your own volition?"

"Yeah." He looked at her and noticed she was no longer smiling.

"Why?"

"Because I could. It was fun."

Amber inspected the young pokémon next to her for a moment, seeing his unrepentantly happy expression. Then she looked at his hands, obsessing over them for a short while.

"Ah, I get it now."

"Hm? Get what?"

"Your deal. You've been living in your sugar bowl too long doing nothing but focusing on your training and now that you have all the freedom you can get, you started doing all these ridiculous things like jumping into canyons, picking fights with deadly pokémon for no reason and making light of your injuries. Being suddenly exposed to so much at once made you hungry for more. You've become a thrill-seeking hedonist."

Intrepid never replied, taking what Amber just said to him at face value. He couldn't find any holes in her logic and thus, had no counter arguement to her claims even if he didn't appreciate being called that. He opened his mouth but nothing came out, uncertain of how to reply. Amber watched him for a few seconds more before she smiled and poked his forehead.

"Take it easy, boy, I'm not saying it's a bad thing. In fact, I'm not really one to talk, myself."

"What do you mean?"

She broke eye contact with him and took in the view around them.

"...Remember when I said I don't remember why I moved to the settlement? Well... I lied because I was afraid you'd peg me as a selfish pokémon during our first meeting. Truth is, I worked on a farm back home and it was all rules and work and junk. Don't get me wrong, I was happy there. The Normal Realm is, was and always will be my home. If I wasn't happy there, I would have never evolved into a Lopunny. That being said, the day I evolved was the day I decided I wanted a life for myself, free from any responsibilities that weren't my own. After making enough savings, I moved to the Pokémon Settlement and left it all behind, my home and my family. I took a job at the Comfort Inn and used the income I was making from working multiple shifts in the Berry Juice Bar to add to my savings and also pay for the nights I spent there. As you can imagine, dividing the money like that made it so that my savings were only increasing little by little and it was all really impractical. But I was happy. I was happy that I was living my own life and making my own decisions away from home without anyone telling me what I can or can't do. And when I finally made enough, I was able to buy my own place right here in this city just a few weeks ago."

A gentle breeze wafted through the area.

"How long have you had to work here for?" The psychic type asked, giving her his full attention.

"It's been about two years."

"And you only got your own place a few weeks ago?"

"Like I said. Impractical."

"Wow. You should be commended for your effort."

She giggled. "Maybe. But two years of life alone in the settlement taught me something."

"What's that?"

"Being a fully evolved pokémon doesn't automatically make you an adult. Life is hard and will eat you up the moment you lapse in judgment... I'm glad I made the right decisions."

Intrepid observed Amber's far away expression and decided for both their comfort to change the subject to something a little less serious.

"Have you ever been attacked in this city?" He wasn't very good at it.

"No, why do you ask?"

"The knives and, what did you call it..? Pepper spray?"

"Oh that? Naw, I was just joking around. I have these knives because I really love the way they look and went as far as learn how to use 'em."

"And the spray?"

"Only used it once when a liquor-addled patron tried to get too touchy feely. It's a much better alternative than feeding a guest a fistful of fire."

"So, there's no actual anarchy in this city?"

"Not that I know of, no."

"Right. Because I was wondering, you know? Having to cross the perilous lands between your home realm and the settlement, opening an honest business or becoming a part of one just so you can record yourself as a resident of the city... It just seems like a lot of trouble to go through just so you can become a troublemaker and turn yourself into an enemy of the Pokémon Settlement."

The Lopunny held in a laugh. "You're a funny one, Intrepid. But seriously, though, I'm happy that you're happy, just remember not to get carried away. You still have your responsibilities and you can't always carelessly act on your own whims."

"Yeah. I'll remember that... Thank you Amber."

"No problem."

"...Hey, Amber?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you happy?"

Amber closed her eyes and sighed in content, feeling the welcoming breeze against her body. What started as an out of the blue meeting of an acquaintance ended with her communicating with a relatable pokémon on an emotional level and all the fun things that happened in-between. It felt great to be loose, talk to someone willing to listen like this and get some stuff off her chest.

"Yeah. I am."

Intrepid nodded and looked ahead at the scenery, feeling quite happy, himself.

"Good."

---

XXX XXX XXX

A door opened and then closed after the pokémon using it passed through, out of the confectionary store and onto the street. The Blade Pokémon held the jam doughnut he purchased up to his mouth and took a bite, the delectable jam oozing out the top from the pressure applied to it and sliding down the slope of the pastry, into his waiting mouth. Valor walked down the street, not particularly interested in what was happening around him and instead focusing on his delicious treat. He had been walking all morning, visiting various establishments of different services, one of which was the aforementioned dessert shop. After he finished consuming the treat, he looked around, seeing a few familiar buildings like a bookstore and a pottery. Seemed ended up in the same area he and the rest of his team visited when they were hanging out with the friendly Lopunny. He walked a few more blocks and, sure enough, he ended up standing in front of a bar with the unmistakable sign of 'The Tipsy Turtwig'. Had he really been walking and tooling around for that long? Deciding that line of thought was unimportant, Valor raised his hand to the door's handle, hesitating for a moment before choosing to push the door open, wondering if he would be recognized from last time.

Once inside, heads turned his way and some of the regular patrons started cheering, others whistling like he was some kind of guest of honor. Eyes wide, the Gallade blushed in embarrassment, unused to such a level of attention. He walked around the tables, the guests nodding their heads in approval, some giving him the thumbs up and others raising their bottles in his direction. On his way to the bar's counter, he passed by a table occupied by pokémon he vaguely recognized. The Pangoro from the time he and his friends were selling wares for Redolence, the Zoroark, Umbreon and Absol from the previous day and a Mightyena that was new to him. The Pangoro nodded at him with a smirk, seeming to recognize him as well but the others just stared dismissively at him as he passed by. Choosing to stop staring, Valor took a seat at the counter that was being serviced by another familiar pokémon; an Ursaring.

"Well now, looky here. Good ta see ya doin' well, lad." The Ursaring sent a toothy grin his way. "What can I get ya, boy?"

"Aprijuice."

"Ya sure ya don't want somethin' stronger?"

"It's day time..."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm just jerkin' ya chain." The normal type poured the ordered drink into a cup and pushed it Valor's way. "One Aprijuice. Enjoy."

The Blade pokémon paid for his beverage and downed the sweet tasting drink in seconds. "Hmm... Maybe another one. Hot day outside."

"Ain't it the truth." The Ursaring filled Valor's empty cup with another serving of Aprijuice. Kids sure loved the stuff.

Valor drank slowly this time, his eyes shifting to the corner of the room where he saw the pool table and all his attention went to it. Last he was here, his curiosity led to an impromptu lesson of the game that ended with two out cold pokémon the first time he attempted to play but now he had a second chance to properly learn the game he took an interest in without any jerkweeds trying to harass him.

"Playin' pool's free as long as ya already made a purchase in my bar." The Ursaring commented when he noticed where the younger pokémon was looking. "Want to give it a go? We can play a friendly match, you n' me. What do ya say?"

The fighting type eyed the Ursaring suspiciously. "No strings attached?"

"No strings attached, dun' worry. I saw you fight and I'll be damned if I find myself at the wrong end of yer wrath. Hey, Zan! Watch the bar for me!"

A Zangoose on the other side of the room nodded and moved to tend bar on his fellow normal type's behalf. After that was taken care of, the psychic type and the Hybernator Pokémon walked towards the pool table, the Ursaring lifting a heavy flap of the barrier and passing underneath as he left the bar counter. Once by the pool table, the Ursaring grabbed a black, triangular piece of plastic off the wall and placed it of the table's green surface. Then he reached down to one of the table's compartments, retrieved the billiard balls and placed them within the triangle one by one. After that, he grabbed a couple of pool cues and tossed one at Valor who caught it with ease.

"Go ahead and break." The normal type placed the white billiard ball on the centre of the starting line, lifted the triangle and stepped back to give the young pokémon some space.

Valor leaned over the table, readied his pool cue and struck the white ball which impacted against the arranged pokémon and sent them haphazardly in every direction.

"I call stripes." The psychic type said.

"Then ol' Grizzler's got solids."

Huh. So his name is Grizzler.

Valor stood back as Grizzler leaned down before quickly striking the white billiard ball which struck one of his designated targets, sending the solid color into a corner pocket. The larger pokémon moved around the table to where the white ball ended up and used it to try pocket his next mark. Unfortunately, the table was still a little crowded and it ended up bumping into a different ball, ruining the shot. The Ursaring moved back and Valor took his turn, positioning his pool cue carefully and managing to sink one of his striped targets by making it ricochet off the side of the surface.

"Nice. You learn fast."

"...Thanks."

Grizzler stood back and watched the Gallade line up another shot. The white ball struck its target the striped billiard ball stopped short of landing in a pocket, making Valor lower his pool cue and gave space to the older pokémon.

"Your friends ain't with ya today?" Grzzler asked, trying to make small talk as they played.

"Not with me personally but they're around." The Blade Pokémon looked around in the mean time. "I see you replaced your table and chair."

"The cheap stuff is easy to come by." The Ursaring pocketed a target, putting him in the lead.

Valor looked down at the billiard balls being manipulated to keep focused and briefly up at the Ursaring. "Even though you said it was a non-issue, I'm still sorry about the damage."

"No need to fret, lad. Like I said before, your little scuffle with them poison types made me quite a bit of cash so I'm not going to complain." Grizzler stepped back when one of his shots failed. "You're up."

"Right." Not wasting time Valor leaned down but was stopped by the normal type.

"Wait. You'll need this."

Valor looked at the item offered to him on top of the Ursaring's large paw. A small cube, blue on one side and a depression in it.

"What's this?" Valor picked up the strange item and eyed it curiously.

"Chalk. Apply it to the end of your stick every once in a while. It helps with keeping the billiard balls moving the way you want. When the chalk runs out, the tip gets slippery an' it could ruin your shots."

Valor nodded, rubbing some chalk against the tip as instructed before getting back into position and sinking a target, easier than before since numbered balls started clearing.

"Those poison types... Are they okay?"

"Hm? Worried about them, are ya?"

"Only to a small extent."

"Heh. Fair enough. They should be fine but they returned to the Poison Realm in order to nurse their wounds. You an' your friend sure did a number on 'em."

"It didn't have to come to that." Valor stood straight and made space when it was his opponent's turn.

"No. But I'm glad it did. After all, it's what pokémon come here to see apart from the booze." The Ursaring pocketed another mark, now less than half of his targets remained. "It got to such a point that a certain event made me have to install sugar glass. Goodness, that was one for the books."

"What event was that?"

"Some drunken fellow with very poor judgement thought it be a good idea to pick a fight with Deadly Night."

"Deadly... Night?"

"The dark types over there." Grizzler nudged his head and Valor followed his direction to the table where the Zoroark, Absol, Umbreon, Pangoro and Mightyena were seated.

"What's with that name? Are they part of the Guild Collaboration?" Valor looked away, not wanting to stare more than he had to.

"Aye, they are but not all of them." Grizzler motioned for Valor to take his turn when he missed his last shot.

"What do you mean?" The fighting type asked, lining up a shot in hopes to catch up with his opponent who only hand one shot left before he would win by pocketing the 8 ball.

"Shade the Zoroark, Darkmoon the Umbreon and Crescent the Absol make up Deadly Night in its entirety. The other two are 'prolly just their friends, seein' as it's often I see them all together in my bar."

"Hmmm." The young Gallade successfully sunk a target and moved on to his next. "Are they strong?"

"Very." He chuckled. "Are you interested in 'em? Want me to introduce you?"

"That won't be necessary." Another successful pocket. "They look like they're on a break or something and I don't want to be rude. I'll meet them properly later when they're better approachable. Maybe back at the Guild Collaboration."

"Oh? You a part of the Guild?"

"Only very recently. My friends and I joined yesterday."

"Well, well, well. Good to see more pokémon joining the fight. Enjoying it so far?"

"You can say that." Valor stood back when he missed a shot. He had two targets left, not counting the black billiard ball.

"I'll bet. What did you call yourselves?"

"Psychic Blades."

"Exactly what it says on the package, huh?"

"It was Gallant's idea. We didn't have anything at the time but it's what we go by now. I don't mind the name."

"This 'Gallant' being one of your friends?" Grizzler sunk his mark and moved on to the final target.

"The one that fought with me last I was here."

"And that other Gallade seated at the table with Amber? He a part of your crew as well?"

"He is, yeah."

"A team consisting of three Gallade, eh? Isn't the lack of wider options a little risky?"

"Maybe but we've been training together since we were at our basic stages of evolution and I can sync with them better than I can with any other pokémon, my parents included. We're not related but they're my brothers. I wouldn't trade them for anything."

"Heh. It ain't too often that I witness such devotion to allies. Being youthful sure is something great..." He grinned and took aim. "8 ball in corner pocket."

His call was accompanied by the 8 ball sinking into the designated pocket, ending the game. However, he struck the white billiard ball a little too much force and it followed the 8 ball into the hole.

"Aw, shucks..."

"What? What happened?"

"When the white ball falls into a pocket after sinking the 8 ball, it's a foul. One of the biggest. I just lost the game."

Instead of celebrating like the normal type thought he would, Valor had this weird mix of disappointment and dissatisfaction on his face.

"Let's have a rematch."

"Rematch? Ya ain't happy with your win?"

"I can't call that a win. If I'm going to win a battle, I want it to be because of my own abilities, not because of an unprecedented stroke of luck. So, please, let's have a rematch."

The Ursaring monitored Valor for a few moments before chuckling at his reasoning and complying with his requested, reaching down and setting up the billiard balls at the centre of the table for a second match.

"Fair enough. I'll break this time."

Valor nodded watched the normal type do as he said.

"That's quite an analogy ya got there. Ya sound like ya got a thing for battles."

"Every pokémon can fight. Some of us are just more serious about it than others."

"I can't deny that." Grizzler stepped back. "Go ahead."

"I call solids this time." Valor commented as he got into position.

Grizzler leaned against the wall while the Blade Pokémon took his turn. "Why don't you tell me more about these 'brothers' of yours."

"Looking for gossip to spread?" He made a successful strike with desired results and moved on to the next.

"Goodness me! Gossip? In a bar? For shame." He made a toothy smile, showing off his dangerous chompers.

Valor chuckled, striking another target and moving away when he missed. He supposed it wouldn't hurt as long as he never said anything too personal.

"Gallant is emotional and aggressive while Intrepid is impulsive and fun-loving."

"And you?"

"Me?" He shrugged "I'm the guy that's completely dependent on emotional and impulsive pokémon."

Grizzler gave him a deadpan stare and Valor returned it with a wry grin.

"Does that answer your questions?"

"I'll take what I can get." He shook his head and allowed Valor to take his turn.

"What about you? Ever been a part of the Guild Collaboration?"

"Nope. Been mixing drinks as soon as I was strong enough to hold my liquor. Never turned back since. I could probably out-drink a Wailord."

The Gallde looked at him with doubt written all over his face.

"I'm exaggerating a point."

"Right." Valor focused at the task at hand and sunk one of his targets.

"Although, with some practice, I may be able to turn that into a reality."

"Wishing you the best of luck." It was an obviously half-assed statement.

"Is that doubt I hear? Humph. Just you wait, boy." He grinned.

"If it really does happen, it's something I'd want to see."

"Oh, it'll happen. Best start counting the days."

"Hm."

Valor stood up when his turn was over and leaned against the wall. Seconds passed and he heard the door to the bar open. At first, he ignored it but then the temperature in the room lowered and he found himself rubbing his arms in discomfort. Looking to the side, he watched two identical pokémon he was unfamiliar with float across the room and take their seats near an isolated corner of the room, smiling and holding hands all the while. A few of the patrons seemed wary of them but others chose to remain indifferent. Regardless of their presence, they were still paying pokémon and a Zangoose waiter went to take their order, his thick coat of fur protecting him from the lowered temperature. Valor looked up at Grizzler in askance and the Ursaring took the hint.

"Those two pokémon are from the Ice Realm."

No shit... Nah, Valor didn't say that but he thought of it.

"Every month or so a convoy from the Ice Realm comes here to trade rare minerals and such for supplies and those pokémon almost always stop by my bar for refreshments. They go by the names Yuki and Onna, although, sometimes they like to be referred to as Yuki-Onna as if they're a single pokémon or somethin'. They can be downright creepy at times but they're overall pretty harmless. So long as ya don't mind the cold or their twisted humor, that is."

Valor watched them for a short while. They were both smiling, holding hands as they placed their order and then they started happily chatting with each other when the Zangoose went to get their drinks. It was as Grizzler said, they didn't look harmless at all. From his perspective anyway.

"You're up, kid."

His focus broken, Valor looked back at the pool table and got back to the matter at hand.

"You're not gonna beat me if ya don't take this serious, ya know."

His competitive spirit reignited, Valor's only response was to smirk and focus on winning the match.

"We'll see..."

---

XXX Southern Settlement XXX

"So, that was the Guild Collaboration, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Not as many pokémon as I thought there would be."

"Most of them are probably on the job."

"Ah, that makes sense."

Angel, Gallant and Sylvia had long since left Acuity Library, having been holed up in there for quite a few hours passed afternoon, and were now traveling the busy streets of the Pokémon Settlement. Since they had no set destination, Gallant thought he may as well use the time to show his friends where he worked. There wasn't much to it apart from a visual point of view and like Sylvia said, not many pokémon were there. Nevertheless, what little curiosity the fairy types had about the Guild Collaboration was now sated and they could move on to the next thing.

"Anyone else hungry?" Sylvia asked.

"Damn, you can eat."

"I'm a growing girl." The Sylveon dismissed her friend's comment and looked around, spotting a food stand on the edge of the road. "Over there!"

Sylvia broke away from the group and rushed on over to the food vendor. To her delight, poképuffs were on sale. And her favorite flavor too! The fact that the most delicious thing in the world was this cheap should be some kind of affront but, hey, she wasn't about to complain.

"I'll take three, please! Strawberry, chocolate and mint." Sylvia bounced up and down impatiently, aching to sink her teeth into the delectable cupcakes.

The Nidoqueen behind the stand gave the young pokémon a smile along with her service, packaging her order in a brown paper bag and leaning down to hand it to the Intertwining Pokémon who exchanged it with the payment equivalent to what was written on the menu. The transaction over, Sylvia wrapped her goods in her ribbons and addressed the Nidoqueen once more.

"Are there any comfy places to eat that you'd recommend? I'm new."

"The park surrounding Apex Lake at the heart of the settlement is a popular spot for pokémon looking to settle down for a relaxing day outside. I'm certain you'll find it enjoyable."

"Thank you!" Sylvia skipped back to her friends to tell them of their next destination. "We're going to 'a park surrounding Apex Lake at the heart of the settlement.' Come on!"

Gallant and Angel ran in order to keep up with their friend who looked ecstatic to ride the Onix Transit again.

---

XXX Central Settlement - Near Apex Lake XXX

Having disembarked from the Onix, the trio of pokémon stepped off the platform and down a long flight of stairs. The area wasn't similar to the inner and outer rings of the settlement in that there were no buildings from this point onward, just a series of stairs that would lead to the park in question. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, the three friends looked ahead and marveled at the high metallic fence, silver in color and probably in content, the bars separated enough that they could see through and spanning around a 250 acre circular property. The three pokémon stepped forward, Gallant pushing the gate open and they were welcomed by Apex Lake Park. The park itself was separated into four parts by two main stone paths making a + sign through it with the rest covered by two inch-high comfortable looking soft grass. They obviously couldn't see the other side but what they could make out was nothing less amazing. To their right, trees dotted the clean grass, a few pokémon using them for shade, to their left was not as many trees but a pond with a short, red bridge curving over it. Little kids like Pichu and Riolu were using busy playing in the area under the supervision of the older pokémon. At the edges of the paths were benches smaller pokémon could rest on and food stands for any pokémon hungry but unwilling to return to the more populated areas of the Pokémon Settlement. Finally, ahead of them in the distance, surrounded by even more stylish tiles was Apex Lake itself, guarded by a railing and brilliantly reflecting the afternoon's sun of its vast surface.

Sylvia looked up and smirked at her friends. "Race ya!"

The fairy type Eeveelution took off using Quick Attack, her body a blur and reaching the rim of Apex Lake in under twenty seconds. Just before she made it to the railing, a flash appeared in front of her and left two pokémon in its wake. Gallant and Angel smiled smugly at their friend and held the railing before she could.

"Wha... You cheated!"

"Yes, we did. What are you gonna do about it?"

Sylvia simply raised her nose at them with a 'hmph' sound, turned and proceeded to the nearest bench.

"How's the satisfaction taste, Angel?"

"Pretty good but we should be more careful. Next time we Teleport, we should make sure of what the environment is like. We've never been here before and could have just as easily ended up in the lake."

"Noted. You sure are perceptive."

Angel smiled and the two quickly joined their friend on a bench a few meters away from the lake.

"I got you too your favorites." She smiled when they sat down next to her, the fairy type's previous snootiness having been just an act. "Eat up."

Boy, did they ever. The three pokémon chowed down on the poképuffs as if it validated their very existence but something was... Off. It was hard to explain but it felt like something was missing even though the poképuffs themselves were tasty. Just not as tasty as they should have been. When they were done, Gallant used his psychic power to dump the paper back in the nearest trash can. The young pokémon sat in silence until Angel was the one to break the silence.

"They weren't as good as the ones at home."

"Oh, good." Sylvia breathed a sigh of relief. "Thought it was just me and I didn't want to feel like a jerk for thinking it."

"Guess the ones back home have really spoiled us. Poképuffs made anywhere else just can't compete." Gallant remarked.

"That's the truth." The Sylveon stood up. "Now that we're done talking down on someone's food, I'm checking out the lake."

Sylvia hopped off the bench and made a line for the railing. After a little inspection, she found a section in the metal that swung open like a door and she walked towards the very edge of the tiles. Her friends joined her on either side as she stared at her reflection in the water... Then she started making faces and laughed to herself. Gallant and Angel shook their heads with small smiles plastered on their own faces. Sylvia continued to make different funny expressions until she noticed two objects rising to the surface. Fast. She stepped back at the last moment and a pair of pokémon launched out of the lake and onto the tiles, carrying a splash of water with them that Gallant and Angel were fortunate enough to avoid. As for Sylvia, she got drenched, although the smile on her face told them that she didn't mind. Standing on solid ground a Vaporeon and Azumarill stretched and smiled at each other, the Azumarill's body dripping with moisture but not the Vaporeon's for whatever reason.

"Like, not a bad workout, eh, Seabreeze?"

"I'd jump back in for another round if I could."

"Heh, I don't think there are pokémon that love water more than you do. And this is from a pokémon who's body is nothing but water... Hm?"

The Vaporeon faced Sylvia, the fairy type admiring her with a smile on her face, uncaring of her wet coat.

"Like, oh my gosh, I am so, so sorry! I really didn't see you there. You okay, girl?"

"I'm fine, no worries." Sylvia shook her body rapidly in order to dry herself then used her paws to start grooming her fur. "You're a Vaporeon."

"And then some." She walked a little closer to her fellow Eeveelution. "Aquamarine's the name."

"Sylvia." The Intertwining Pokémon tilted her head. "This is the first time I've met a Vaporeon."

"Oh? Well then, feast your eyes on moi." She moved so Sylvia was facing her side. "Like what you see?"

"..."

"Hm? Like, has my amazing, Arceus-defying beauty left you speechless, girl? Am I that-"

"Cute."

"...Come again?"

"Vaporeon are cute." Sylvia took a closer look and the water type blushed at the kind of attention she was getting.

"Like, thanks. I mean, I was only, like, kidding around with you and stuff. No need to be so serious about it." Aquamarine sat down to get comfortable. "This is the first time I've seen a Sylveon, myself."

"Really?"

"Really, really. Those ribbons... What are they for?"

"Embracing pokémon with joy and happiness."

The Bubble Jet Pokémon watched the Sylveon's ribbons wave around her body, moving almost on their own accord. "No jokes?"

"That's literally what they do and what they're for."

"Do you think I can I give it a try?"

"No."

"What?" Shock giving way to disappointment, Aquamarine pouted. "Why not?"

"They're reserved for pokémon dear to me. Like those two." With her ribbons, she pointed at Angel and Gallant behind her.

The Vaporeon looked at the two pokémon. Gallant waved with a friendly smile and Angel waved as well... After eight seconds.

"So, you're saying I should become a pokémon special to you first, huh?"

"That's pretty much the only requirement. I couldn't channel the energy even if I wanted to. The pokémon I'm embracing has to have a mutual feeling of compassion toward me or it won't work. It can't be faked, either."

"Oh, is that all?" Aquamarine gave her scandalous, half-lidded eyes. "That won't be too hard."

It was at this point that the Azumarill had enough of the Vaporeon's ignoring of her and made her presence known.

"Like, what the hell do you think you're doing, Marine? I'm standing right here."

Aquamarine blinked in surprise and looked down at the her friend that was right next to her. She wasn't happy.

"Oh, geez. Sorry, Seabreeze. You know I was just messing around, right?"

"..."

"I'll make it up to you. Promise." The Vaporeon nuzzled her face against the Azumarill's and the water fairy couldn't help but smile at the affection.

"I hate that I let you get away with these things..."

Aquamarine giggled at looked at the Sylveon, her friends content to sit in the sidelines. "This is my special friend, Seabreeze."

"Hi."

"Yeah, hi." Seabreeze leered at the fairy type. "Nice to meet ya."

"Likewise." Sylvia paid the animosity no mind, continuing to smile and wag her tail. "These are my friends, Angel and Gallant. Say hi, you guys."

"Hi." Gallant waved a second time.

"..."

"Angel says hi. Don't mind her, she's shy." She ignored the look directed at her. "Now that we're all properly introduced, this means we're all friends! Yay!"

The four other pokémon stared at the jovial Sylveon like she had lost her mind. What kind of logic was that? If she introduced herself to wild pokémon, would that instantly make them friends? They knew better than to rain on the happy Intertwining Pokémon's parade, though, so they just let her have it.

"Mm-hmm, yeah, I'm sure meeting us must have moved your modest lives." Aquamarine started. "But the beautiful and talented Aquamarine and Seabreeze must leave. Totally. It's been, like, a fun little chit-chat and junk but this where we part ways. So long, cutie, we'll see you around."

With those words of farewell, the two water types started for the railing to get to the rest of the park. Just before they crossed to the other side, however, Aquamarine stopped mid-step and moved back. She had a rather unfriendly scowl on her face and she turned around with an indifferent attitude.

"Something the matter?" Sylvia asked when she noticed the frown on the Vaporeon's and Azumarill's faces.

"You don't smell that?"

"Smell what?" Sylvia took a few whiffs in the air, catching the faintest trace of... "Metal?"

"It's blood." Aquamarine pointed with her paw at what she was talking about.

Everyone followed her paw and saw a Glaceon seated on the bench the Fairy Realm dwellers recently used when they were enjoying their snacks. Sylvia blinked in wonder, as she had not yet met a Glaceon either. With an eager smile, the Intertwining Pokémon stood up and crossed the railing, to the shock of the water types.

"What the... Like, you're going to talk to her?"

"Yeah." The Sylveon stopped to look back. "There a problem?"

"Well, no but don't you smell that? It's blood. From other pokémon."

"That means she's a hunter, right? I pick up similar scents every once in a while just outside the Fairy Realm."

"Yeah but, like, she's from the Ice Realm. Those pokémon are crazy violent. Not to mention rude."

"Rude? How so?"

That was the part she paid attention to? Aquamarine scoffed but elaborated anyway.

"Seabreeze and I once tried to introduce ourselves all friendly like and she told us to 'piss off' and I was, like, Oh! My! Gosh! How rude! And then, like..."

Gallant and Angel listened to her go on from the background, giving her a pair of blank stares. Sylvia, on the other hand, was a bit more perceptive of the problem and replied like it was a normal conversation.

"Did you introduce yourselves by telling her how amazing you are like you did with me?"

"Well, I mean, like, duh." Aquamarine answered like it was the most obvious thing.

"Ah, okay." Sylvia faced the lone Glaceon again. "Maybe she just doesn't like pokémon that are too obnoxious, so we'll settle for only slightly obnoxious. Let me give it a try."

The fairy type Eeveelution sprinted away from the flabbergasted water type, Angel and Gallant following and watching from the railing of the lake just in case anything went wrong. Sylvia, smiling as always, approached the Glaceon with the intention to strike up a conversation when the Fresh Snow Pokémon took notice of her presence and looked down at her.

Hailey stared at this new Eeveelution with an indifferent frown, wondering what she could possibly want. Seconds passed and she wondered if the fairy type was even going to say anything at all.

"Good afternoon." The Intertwining Pokémon greeted. "I'm not too good with first impressions, so allow me to break the ice with a little joke."

Hailey continued to look down at the joker, her expression unchanging. "What do you want?"

"Would you be interested if I said I wanted to get to know you?"

"..."

"..."

"...What?"

"Yeah. Let's talk, you and I." The Sylveon climbed up the bench and sat next to the Glaceon, being sure to keep enough space between them. "What do you say? Hm?"

"I already have company."

"Not from where I'm sitting. It's okay if you're shy. I'm good at dealing with shy pokémon-"

"I'm not sh-"

Sylvia held up her paw. "I'm good at dealing with shy pokémon pretty well. My best friend's a shy one too but she eventually warmed up to me. Pun intended. No need to be so withdrawn, I'm not gonna hurt you or anything. My name's Sylvia. What's yours?"

The Fresh Snow Pokémon sighed. Looks like this girl wasn't going anywhere. She looked into the fairy type's eyes and saw nothing but sincerity, accompanied by a complimenting smile. She supposed she could make some small talk while she waited for Frostbite to return from wherever he went off to.

"Hailey."

"Nice to meet you, Hailey... Ah, I get it! Because it sounds like Hail."

Hailey narrowed her eyes dangerously at the fairy type and her scowl fell further.

"My name is very important to me. Please don't make light of it."

"Oh, um, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Sylvia frowned. It wasn't her intention to offend the ice type.

Seeing the fairy type this apologetic caused Hailey's scowl to vanish, though it was replaced by an unreadable frown. She couldn't for the life of her wonder why anyone would approach, much less start a casual conversation with her. The last time anyone tried this, it was those two annoying water types she could see from here. Even though she'd rather do without strange pokémon pestering her, she wasn't going to be openly antagonistic to the hospitable Sylveon. She was antisocial, not cruel.

"What is it that you want from me?"

"Like I said. I just wanted to talk."

"Do I look like the chatty type to you?"

"I'd rather not judge."

"I think you're wasting your time. Return to your friends."

"Why? ...Am I annoying you?"

"Don't put words in my mouth." Hailey turned away. "I just don't think I'm the kind of pokémon you want to be friends with."

"..."

"..."

"...Am I putting myself at risk?"

"Of what?"

"Of being fed to Kyurem."

Hailey's expression still remained static and there was no way for Sylvia to tell what her reply to that would be. Thinking she may have struck a sensitive nerve, Sylvia shuffled a little further from the Glaceon and bowed her head slightly.

"I'm sorry... That was out of line."

"No, it's fine," Hailey replied, unmoved. "It's not exactly something we keep a secret. You're just the first pokémon to call attention to it like that."

"So... It really does happen?"

"It does. I'm pretty sure you can smell the blood on me from this close. It should be pretty clear how dangerous of a pokémon I am. You're better off not affiliating yourself with me. I'm not a good pokémon."

"If that were true, you would have walked away without ever even telling me your name. Maybe insulted me while you're at it." Sylvia giggled like they were old friends at the park. "But here you are chatting with me like normal. You don't seem all that bad to me."

"...You're a strange one."

"Yeah, I get that a lot."

"And it doesn't bother you?"

"On the contrary, it's what makes me so unique. My friends call me strange sometimes but I can tell from my ribbons that I matter a lot to them."

"...I see."

The two kept quiet for a moment, the leaves of the trees around them rustling in the lingering silence.

"Sylvia, right?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm... I'll remember your name. And for what it's worth? I only hunt wild pokémon in the Blizzard Peaks."

"By yourself?"

"With... My partner."

Sylvia leaned forward, intrigued by the slight hesitation. "Is this partner special?"

"Very special."

"Does this partner make you happy?"

Hailey felt a smile tug at her mouth when she thought of Frostbite but she was able to resist it by chewing the inside of her mouth.

"Very happy."

"So, if I became your friend, you'd be twice as happy, right?"

For the first time, Hailey expressed surprise, looking at Sylvia with a face that showed how unprepared she was to hear such a comment. Sylvia smiled gently at her, the fairy type's eyes shining with a bright blue glimmer. Hailey honestly didn't know what to make of this strange pokémon.

"You? Friends with me?"

"Yeah. What do you say, Hailey?" Her smile progressed into a grin, the Sylveon raising her ribbons and wrapping them around her own body. "If you say yes, you'll be able to experience the sensation of being embraced by my ribbons."

Hailey observed the Sylveon with a calculating frown of stoicism for a few moments before leaping off the bench and going off to find Frostbite, having had enough of this idle conversation.

"You're leaving?"

"Am I not being obvious enough?" Came the condescending reply.

"Hailey, wait."

The Glaceon stopped on the stone path but didn't turn back. "What is it?"

"I'll be here again tomorrow just in case you want to talk some more. Okay?"

Hailey chose not to answer, pausing in contemplation before breaking into a jog and going off to find the Weavile she was so close to. Seeing this, Sylvia hopped off the bench and returned to her friends. Gallant, who silently watched her the entire time alongside Angel, greeted the Sylveon with a smile.

"So, how'd it go?"

"I think I did a pretty decent job at having her warm up to me. Pun intended." She looked around. "Where's Aquamarine and Seabreeze?"

"They went to a different section of the park during your conversation with the Glaceon." Angel answered.

"Oh, that's too bad. I would have liked all of us to get along."

Gallant paused for a laugh. "You sure are optimistic."

"Yeah, well, if a happy pokémon like me isn't smiling, then who is?"

Her friends chuckled at that, finding it was a typical thing for her to say. The Gallade of the group gazed at the sky and noticed it was close to getting late, the horizon tinted orange in the beginnings of sunset and he wouldn't want to keep the girls this far from their families for too long.

"Looks like it's past afternoon and the sun is well passed overhead. Do you guys feel like you wanna call it a day here? All this constant moving around since morning has kind of made me tired. What do you guys say?"

"Count me in. Heading home early will give me time to focus on reading my book."

"That's right, we have books now!" Sylvia hopped side to side in jubilation. "Can't wait to really get into my novel."

Gallant nodded and prepared to Teleport them home, the group having had their fill of the Pokémon Settlement... For the moment.

"What about your friends?" Angel inquired.

"They're big boys that can Teleport. They'll find their own way back." Gallant's eyes started glowing with energy and light began swirling around them.

"Hey, Gallant?"

The Blade Pokémon waited when Sylvia beckoned him and he looked at her expectantly.

"You think you can bring me here again tomorrow? There's a promise I want to keep."

Gallant gazed into Sylvia's blue eyes and nodded without hesitation. "Of course, Sylvia. All you need to do is ask."

The Eeveelution beamed at her friend's generosity and she held his hand with one of her ribbons. "Thanks! You're the best, Gallant!"

"It's why I'm here."

The Gallade smirked and channeled the energy required to Teleport them out of the Pokémon Settlement and back home to the Fairy Realm. If his friends were even remotely happy after the day's events, then this trip was worth it in his opinion and he would be more than willing to accommodate their desires in the future. All they needed to do was ask him and he would be there for them. It's what friends were for. That was the Blade Pokémon's final thought as he and his companions vanished from the area with a brilliant flash of light.

---

END CHAPTER

A/N: This chapter was going to be even longer but I decided to stop here because I'm exhausted and my thumbs are killing me (I write using a Blackberry Curve). See you in the next chapter!