In the morning, Flareon Light woke up on his own and stretched. Remembering the upcoming training sent a jolt of energy through his head. He immediately sat up on his bed and grabbed his phone from under his left pillow. His coat, earring, and white orchid crown were still sitting on the couch.

He only had a few texts from Ariel, but the journal app had the white numbers "13,471" above it outlined in orange. Light clicked on the texts first.

"Getting up. How r u?" - Ariel

"Still some time before if you want to do something~" Ariel

"Nice blog" - Ariel

Light's heart rate jumped. He clicked on the app with a book symbol. The notification bell and message envelope had huge numbers on them.

When he looked back at his post, he had a lot of likes and comments. Light didn't even notice the symbols for those there before.

A gentle knock came onto his door. He opened the curtains to a bright day at sea outside, got out of his bed, bounded to the other side of the room, and opened the door to Sky Shaymin Ariel. She still donned the white cape from yesterday and a gentler smile.

"Morning, Light," Ariel said.

"Uhm, good morning," Light said. "I, uhm, did this thing by accident..."

"I could tell. You're way too nervous to be the bragging type."

"Uh… yah..."

"You know," Ariel said with a widening smile, "you should keep blogging. Maybe you should take a picture with your cute new outfit on."

A small flame danced across Light's face. "Don't we have to train this morning?" he asked.

"We finished a few hours ago. I've been checking in on you to make sure you're okay."

"Okay?" he questioned.

"You've been asleep for twelve hours now. Definitely earned it, though."

"Oh. Uhm, sorry..."

"It's no big deal at all," Ariel said. "We can train whenever you want to today. But I do have a quick question for you, if you don't mind."

"Okay."

Light walked back as Ariel entered. She kicked the door closed and kept walking forward to him. Light moved to the side of the room against the wall. Ariel shifted her direction to keep going straight at him.

He blinked once, and Ariel put her arm and shadow over his head. Her face bent down towards his, and her stance made the cape fall and brush against him.

"I still want to get to know you better," Ariel said quietly, "but I'd love to call dibs..."

"Dibs…?"

Light's whole body warmed, but it focused around his face. He couldn't even tell what face he was making.

His blue and white eyes naturally went up and away to avoid her green gaze and cocky smirk. Her arms looked a lot more muscular from this close up. Wherever he looked, his heart hopped in place.

"I'd like to date you exclusively from now on," Ariel said. "If it's alright with you."

"Uhm, we've only, uhm, known each other for a few days," Light muttered.

"Yeah. But me saving your life is worth a lot of trust points, right? I'm not trying to bully you into anything, though."

Light started to lean more and more on the wall. Her cherry breath on his face dizzied him. Her confidence pushed him back like waves. It could have just been in his head, but it seemed like she was getting closer.

He put a lot of effort into nodding. Ariel flashed her teeth and backed away. Breathing came easier as she walked back over to the door.

"I'll give you a few minutes to piece yourself back together," Ariel said in a smug voice. "Sorry to charm you so badly, but I just wanted to make sure. I'll be in the lobby."

Pressure kept Light against the wall until after Ariel left back out to the hallway and closed the door behind her. He slid against the wall to the ground.

His gray tail and mane puffed up, but even the white fur on the rest of his body looked like cotton. When he finally exhaled, he could see his breath as a wisp of white steam.

Light asked himself if this was normal. She didn't even touch him, and embarrassment rocked him to the core without anyone else nearby.

He put his mind on the training to think about something else, but it didn't work. Light thought about Ariel's muscles and crumpled up again. He waddled to his bed and picked up a mirror on the tiny shelf next to it.

His fur looked like he got electrocuted; it spiked up over his entire body. He tried to rub them down, but they didn't budge. Unsure what to do, he walked to the door and opened it.

Light looked left and right down the brown halls, but Ariel was already gone. Going to the lobby, he'd likely run into a few of them who would see his fur like this. He couldn't get his fur right after another quick try, but he decided to head back into his room and snag his coat and white star earring.

Alone in the hallways, Flareon Light drifted towards chatter over lunch happening in the lobby, up the ramp. Dark, hefty tables laid out messily each had cushions with someone on them.

Ariel stood at the side of the ramp, waiting for him. She dipped her head towards him when he noticed her.

"Hey," Ariel said, "I'm gonna show you the way to the training hall. There's also a lot of stuff on the way."

"Like what?" Light asked.

"Some water pits for when you want to clean up, a spa room, the kitchen... Here, just follow me."

Ariel led towards a thinner hallway at the back of the lobby. Light walked on the side of her, continuously looking down and around. The doorways on both sides on the white walls led to the kitchen, spa, and a few storage rooms with wooden crates.

At the end of the hallway, a large, open space revealed itself. When Ariel walked out and to the side, Light reeled his back, surprised by what it was: a huge dome he didn't expect anywhere on the ship. It had a sturdy, gray metal floor and walls with multiple windows outside. Overhead, he could see the sky through glass.

When he looked behind him, he noticed the open door coming inside was made of the same gray metal.

"This Guild was all about hunting some of the most dangerous criminals," Ariel explained. "So they had a high quality training dome on board. Chad said these walls can take anything, so it's pretty awesome being able to cut loose."

Sky Shaymin Ariel walked forward and took a seat on the ground. Flareon Light wandered around and took in the expanse.

"Try using Ember again," Ariel suggested.

"Okay," Light said.

Ariel's eyes put pressure on Light. He tried to get fire type energy moving in his body, but it wouldn't flare up. His posture slunk and he glanced back at Ariel.

"Try using a move you already know to warm up," she said.

Light turned back around and used Trump Card. A red card appeared between his fingers, and he rolled it through to remind himself of the weight. He whipped his arm and sent it on an arc to the ground.

As the card vanished, it left an orange curve on the floor from the heat. The unpleasant screech satisfied Light's ears, since he could hear the power. He zipped around after throwing it to try and get her opinion. She was smiling.

"Good," Ariel said.

Light accidentally let his face fall at her nonchalant tone. Her eyes widened.

"It's good!" Ariel said. "It is."

"Yah," Light muttered, "I heard you the first time."

For some reason, a wave of shame passed over him. His excitement died down as he looked back out over the floor.

"I remember you didn't really want to train with us after what Robin said. Do you feel, like, embarrassed?"

"Of course I do," Light muttered. "How else am I supposed to look at it?"

"You know she's right about the self-worth thing," Ariel said. "Everyone's equal."

"Not really..."

Light stayed turned around, but Ariel didn't say anything. An urge to explain himself arose.

"I'm not an equal to you considering the different things we've done and can do," Light said. His mind inched to his parents. "Not everyone's even made equal..." he muttered.

"Just because we're different doesn't make us unequal," Ariel said. "When it comes down to it, we're both on the same ship because something threatened our homes."

Light flinched when he felt her paw suddenly on his shoulders. He glanced back and skimmed her gaze, then looked back forward.

"And..." Ariel whispered, "I definitely think of you as an equal. I've got another question."

"Okay," Light said with a shiver running down his back.

"Guildmasters had partners too. Like administrators."

Ariel's tone lowered. It must've been on her mind.

"I thought you'd want to be with the Valkyries on a team," Light said.

"Well, Robin and Nadia are super capable," Ariel reasoned. "But, uh, you can think about it for a few days. Chad did want me to tell you that he recommends having one."

"Okay."

"Good," Ariel said. "So, when you used Ember last night, how did you feel?"

"Uhm, when..."

"It's okay," she chuckled, "everyone knows, after all..."

Light's arms were shaking. He made a quick decision between being honest and lying.

"It felt warm, I guess..." Light said.

"It's all psychological," she said quietly. "You can use just about any emotion to focus on."

"I'll try."

Light continued to practice Ember for a while. Ariel sat next to him, probably daydreaming. After a while, she suddenly snapped out of it and tapped his shoulder.

"Hey cutie..." Ariel murmured yawning, "it's time to get you some food. Your sweet smell is getting a little weak."

"What?" Light questioned. "What's... that supposed to mean?"

"Remember your body uses a lot of sugar now? We have to make sure you eat a lot, so let's continue this later."

"Oh... Right."

Light waited as Ariel stood up and followed her out. On the way back to the lobby, he noticed the storage rooms again. He stopped and tilted his head to peer inside.

Light thought he saw a shadow move. It was too dark inside to see what it was. Ariel noticed and walked back next to him.

"What's up?" Ariel asked.

"I thought I saw something move," Light said.

Light bent down low, but then jumped back when he heard a noise. Ariel took a slow step back.

A dark orange, tabby cat darted out of the room and passed them towards the lobby. They both stared down the hallway as it went into the open space, blending in with the floor at a distance.

"Somebody get that cat!" a gruff voice called.

Light and Ariel glanced at each other and jogged forward. Just as their view opened up, Light saw the Manaphy Jewel rush through tables from across the lobby, wailing with effort.

Though far away, Light had to turn his head fast to watch her miss the cat as it jumped in the air. Jewel's scream continued as she slid and hit the wall head on.

The cat scurried down the ramp. Although the impact sounded awful, Jewel pulled herself together and chased it down along with Roserade Storm and Emolga Alisha. Once they left, the lobby was empty.

"So," Ariel said, "lots of fruit out today."

"Oh," Light said, "yah, sounds great."

Light walked to the long buffet tables and picked out a plate for himself. He got strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries all on the same plate along with a single, larger Oran berry.

He sat down across from the Ariel on a thinner cushion. She looked like she was daydreaming again until her eyes clicked onto his.

"So, do you have an answer for my first question?" Ariel asked.

"First... Oh," Light said blinking. "Uh- y-yah. Sure."

"Sweet. Very sweet," she said, smiling.

Light was staring at his plate, but forced himself to glance up and make eye contact.

"You're so gentle," Ariel's voice said. "A little fragile, but I'll handle with care..."

The voice in his head rang clear as day, and now he knew she didn't say it. He quickly turned his eyes down. It didn't happen every time, but a new muscle in his brain flexed when it did. It couldn't be normal.

Light took a bite from the Oran berry when he heard a pair of footsteps coming up the ramp. They were slow and casual.

Mienfoo Robin walked up the ramp, then wordlessly walked over to them. Light swallowed to be able to talk. She took her time going to the side of their table to greet them..

"Hey guys," Robin said. "Got ran out of my room cause of cat things. On another date?"

"We just got back from the training hall," Ariel said.

"Oh. Mind just grabbing me an Oran berry? My legs are tired."

"Sure."

Ariel stood up and sauntered over to the long table. Robin leaned on the table with both of her arms supporting her weight. She gave a small sigh and then looked at him.

"She asked you to be her boyfriend, right?" Robin asked.

Light glanced at Ariel, then looked back and nodded.

"Well, here's the rundown," Robin said. "I mean, she's nice. Just figured you should know what you're getting into."

"U-uhm..."

"I just don't want this ship getting awkward is all," she explained. "She's protective and the type to want to spend a whole week in the same room. And she really takes the lead and gets super intense and involved."

"None of that really sounds bad..." Light said.

"Depends on perspective," Robin said. "But I'm glad you see it that way."

"How did that cat kick you out of your room?"

"Jewel did. Apparently, it's the first thing she hasn't been able to catch in years, so she's starting to lose it."

Ariel walked back and slid the plate on the table to Robin.

"Join us," she offered.

"I've actually got a few things to do," Robin said, "but I'll be around. May be doing a chess night tonight."

"Alright," Ariel said. "See you later."

As Robin walked away with her plate, Ariel inched around Light's back. He tensed up.

"So, after you eat, what do you want to do?" Ariel asked.

"Research more," Light said in between bites, "about Reshiram and Lao Shen. I want to be ready when we get there soon."

"Is there a way I can help?"

"Well, I'll just be reading in my room tonight. Right now, I kind of want to find Chad and ask him something."

"We could ask Jewel where he is."

"Yah."

After Light finished his food, he left the empty plate on the table and stood up. He walked with Ariel side by side to and down the ramp to the maze of hallways below.

A lingering noise echoed from down the hall. It grew as they continued. Light and Ariel both glanced at each other and silently decided to check on the ruckus.

Down the hallway by a door, Manaphy Jewel paced back and forth in front of a door. Mienfoo Robin stood in front of her with her plate of food still in her hands. Flareon Light and Sky Shaymin Ariel approached. Neither talked first.

"Hey guys," Robin greeted with a tired voice.

"Uhm, hi..." Ariel said. "Jewel, what're you doing?"

"Planning," Jewel said seriously, "we've got a stowaway on my ship. And I ain't gonna rest until the bastard's in jail."

Light glanced at Ariel. She glanced back.

"This kid keeps copying every word I say," Ariel's voice said. "Dammit. Chad'll kill me..."

"You're being way too intense," Ariel said. "It's just a cat. We'll get it."

"Better believe I'll get it," Jewel said. "Now back up. I'm gonna strong arm this cat into a cage for good. Now gimme some space."

Light and Ariel backed away from her along with Robin.

Jewel nodded towards them, but then glances at you.

"Hey! Further back behind the fourth wall," she demands, "gimme some breathing room. Geez."

Jewel took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders. She hopped once in place while taking a deep breath and ran into the room.

Light heard the cat meow and hiss while Jewel hollered. He glanced at Robin's reaction to the sound of a glass breaking.

"I don't even have glass in my room." She shrugged.

"Oh..." Ariel said. "Well, uhm, okay... Hey Robin, do you know where Chad is?"

"He's at the helm," Robin said. "I had no idea he was the one driving this this thing the whole time. But if you want him, you should just give him a call."

An orange, tabby cat burst out of the room into the hallway. Jewel flew out of the room and face-planted into the wall. She slid face down onto the carpet.

"I'm gonna take a nap," Robin said.

Robin walked into her room and gently closed the door behind her.

"Saw your blog. Are you two dating now?" Jewel asked with her voice muffled.

"Yeah," Ariel answered.

"Neat."

Jewel pushed herself onto her feet. Her forehead turned, and she swayed from side to side standing up.

"Do you want help with the cat, Jewel?" Ariel asked.

"I got this," Jewel huffed. "See ya."

Jewel went down the hallway at the slowest speed Light had seen her move. Her legs moved like rubber bands being pulled as she took a turn to go out of sight.

"So," Ariel said, "want me to call Chad?"

"I think I'll just go to my room and look for something," Light said. "In those books and things about Reshiram."

"Oh. Well, uhm, want me to help?"

"Sure."

Light stated to get familiar with the placement of his room. He walked straight to his door without thinking too hard.

Ariel followed quietly after him. Light's nerves were thankful she left the door open.

He dragged the cardboard box filled with books from the side of the wall. Some of them were children's stories while others were long novels. He started to rummage through not knowing where to start. He faced the window for a better view from the light outside.

Sky Shaymin Ariel stalked to his side and glanced down in the box.

"You want something specific, right?" Ariel asked.

"Yah," Flareon Light said, "I want to find out if Reshiram has, uhm, powers with the mind."

"Reshiram's powers... How about you look at an old story then branch out based on what they say? Check out this one."

Ariel brought a small black book close to his face. The title was "Reshiram and the Nations". He reached out an arm to take it from her when she cupped his paw and placed it.

Light brought the book to his face to hide his creeping smile. It was only a few pages.

The story told itself in a basic, general way he'd expect of a children's story. Reshiram acted as the ruler of an unnamed country and decided to make a random person it chose as a king or queen.

One passage caught Light's attention.

"With Reshiram's Candor, it chose a simple villager with duties to his family. After that villager's time had passed, Reshiram would use its Candor to choose another, beginning a successful cycle of truth's triumph over corruption."

"Hey," Light said, "uhm, do you know what candor means?"

"It's like another word for honesty," Ariel said.

"Is it the name of anything?"

"Huh?"

Ariel looked over Light's shoulders. Her long, white ears draped over either side of his head while his finger stayed on the passage. Her arms put down a balanced weight on his shoulders and sped his heart.

"Looks like it's being used as a proper noun," Ariel said. "So it has to be the name of something. Maybe one of those 'powers'."

A small, snapping sound came from the doorway. When Light glanced over, he saw the Emolga Alisha holding her phone in front of her.

"Just passing," Alisha said, "I'll send you the pic for your blog, dude."

Alisha gave a short wave and continued down the hallway. Light shared a look with Ariel.

"It's a cute blog," Ariel said.

"It was supposed to be a diary..."

"Aw, relax. You're trying to find out what that Candor is, right?"

"Yah," Light said.

"Let me look through real quick."

Ariel reached her arms around Light and held the book up. Light's fur started to warm up and get wavy as she flipped to the book's index and glossary.

"Right here. Candor," Ariel read, "an ability some believe Reshiram to have to read whether or not someone's lying through eye contact."

"Oh," Light responded. He did his best to suppress reacting too much in front of her.

If Light assumed he got this ability, it was more intense than it was just described in the book. He had the Acuitan blessing. Both were mental, so they could be overlapping somehow(though the ideas was far-fetched).

"I knew stories about Reshiram before all of this..." Ariel said. "I know it feels weird to say, but something feels so weird and wrong. There isn't a single story where Reshiram isn't helpful or kind or gentle."

"Well, I guess there is now," Light said.

"Lots of people on board are wondering about you. Well, worried about you. They're saying that you're not telling them everything."

Light never thought of it like that before. Nothing had quite set in yet.

"Everything that is beyond personal," Light said. "And the rest of the stuff I learned doesn't really matter for us."

"I'll try and pass the word along," Ariel promised. "I kind of want to avoid being seen at night, but do you want to train tonight or something?"

"With how my attacks are, I definitely should..."

"Attacks aren't everything in a battle."

"They're enough of a battle to make me lose."

"Are you just grouchy cause you're hungry again?"

Light didn't answer immediately. He thought about it a little. She may have had a point.

"Let's eat lunch with everyone," Ariel offered. "It's about that time... You can talk to Chad after while I wait for everyone to go to bed so we can train."

"Okay," Light said. "You can go find a table. I just want to look at a few more things."

"Kay."

Light watched her retreat back to the hallway. Once out of sight, he picked up where he left off in the book.

If he really had this Candor, he wanted to know how to turn it off. He felt like it was on the invasive side. He definitely didn't want Ariel to know his thoughts at random, or have it be the other way around. That wouldn't be very honest.