Lao Shen at night was more peaceful than back at home. Flareon Light uses his arms as pillows as he leaned on the while railing of the cruise ship, looking out at the fraction of the shorter buildings he could see past the dark night sky. The brightest light on the streets were gentle lampposts instead of blazing skyscrapers, and not all of the buildings still had their lights on. The night breeze blowing out to sea had just began, and the waves reached their hands up against the wooden planks on the harbor.

"Light, you ready?" Slowking Chad called. "That merchant came by. It'll be quick."

"Yah..."

Light uncurled his arms and pushed himself back on the wooden floor. The Wayfarers had gathered on deck this time, set up with a short wooden table with a tall burlap sack on top. Light was just a touch below being able to see over it along with the Emolga Alisha, so he hopped up on top of the table.

Seeds, orbs, and wands laid out in rows on the table. He glanced over all of them. The merchant, a Medicham, stood idle, next to a burlap sack on the floor filled with more.

"Is Ariel coming?" Chad asked quietly.

"She's getting ready for something else," Light said. "I, uh, I'm not so sure about this."

"What's wrong?"

"Reshiram's energy... And, uh, chi," Light said, glancing to Arcanine Zhen, "is too strong for items to make much of an impact. It's too, uh, vast." As Light finished his scan, he noticed a shiny red apple near the edge of the table. "What's... that?"

"An apple injected with steroids."

Light turned to the Medicham, along with everyone else.

"Wait... Uh, seriously?" Light asked.

"Yes. Quick seed, Violent seed, and good food for the middle of combat. It's efficient. Best snack while you're fighting."

The apple flew from the table into the sea's darkness. Over the sounds of the waves, a dunking splash could be heard. Light didn't look to see who threw it, he didn't care.

"It's a good area of focus," Arcanine Zhen broke the silence. "The Reshiram's chi is like that of hundreds of pokemon. If we do use weapons like these, they would only have their place in setting up finishing blows. Actually engaging Reshiram in combat will take much larger scale plans with much larger scale power."

"And I don't have anything in mind," Light said. Something else caught Light's eye. There was a glass, bell-shaped bottle with a purple liquid inside. "What's that?"

"It's a love potion," Medicham said. "Does the same thing as Attract. You just spray someone with it, and it's harder to just shake off than just the move. People use it to defend themselves…" He glanced away. "Once in a blue moon…"

Light cringed. Before he could voice anything, a black hoof covered in purple cotton fur dragged it to the side of the table. Galarian Ponyta Nadia grabbed it in her mouth and whipped her head, putting it in long purple and pale blue fur hanging from the side of her head.

"For... medicinal purposes," Nadia said. "Part of my studies."

Light slowly turned his head away. His eyes came to a brown, grainy rock.

"How about that?" Light asked.

"It's just a rock," Medicham said. "It, uh, is good for throwing."

Another scraping noise went across the table. Nadia picked up another purple bottle and put in her fur.

Light shared looks with the others, but none of them met his gaze except for Drizzile Kenta, who llooked back with a glimmer in his eye highlighted under the stars. He glanced left and right at other faces, but he looked alone in whatever he was thinking about.

"Kenta?" Light asked. "What is it?"

"What about the Seven Sacred Treasures?" Kenta asked.

Light blinked and focused in more on Kenta's face. "Seven... Sacred Treasures? What?"

"I'm surprised," Chad said. "Not many modern people talk about those weapons. So, for those of you who don't know, the Seven Sacred Treasures are weapons, specific to certain countries."

"Specific?" Light questioned. "Like, what does that mean?"

"You can think of them like a second flag. Countries have their own stories about them. They were named such after the material they're made out of seems to be the same, so they were grouped together in name."

"So, what do we do?" Light asked. "Collect them?"

"Oh, well... I'm sure the nations would let you, but that wouldn't be the problem. The Treasures have a specific energy signatures, which are different between. Not just any pokemon can use a Sacred Treasure. The pattern of energy in the body is affected by your personality, way of thought, life experiences. It would be an incredible coincidence for anyone on board to be able to use one."

"To list them off," Kenta started, "there's Svalin, Pinaka..."

Light's ears perked up. "Pinaka? Robin Hood's bow?"

"Yup. Then there's also Courtain, from the Trio Continent. Where you're from. Gungnir, Lobera, Ame-no-nuhoko, and finally, Pangu from Lao Shen. An axe."

"Currently in Empress Chingyang's palace," Chad added. "We could at least inquire about it soon."

"So, no one's using Pangu right now?" Light asked.

"Most aren't being used," Kenta answered. "I don't really know about which ones are in use and which aren't, but I know about one of the wielders."

Everyone paused and gave him closer attention. Kenta glanced at a few faces, nodding in satisfaction.

"The President of the World Peace Organization. The sponsor of all Guilds, although it's just us for now. They also organize most global affairs like peaceful trade and settling disputes between countries. Not many know much about who the President is, though. It's a good thing they don't throw around their weight at least."

"How can no one know who they are?" Light asked.

"They just don't step in front of cameras or be at places in person."

"I'll make a call about it," Chad said. "In the meantime, we should investigate the Seven Sacred Treasures as a viable means of fighting Reshiram. They amplify the wielder's energy to another level, which should help us stand up taller."

"If I may," Zhen said, facing towards Chad, "do you have any input on how effective they would be for this? Given your experience..."

Light gave Chad a bit of a harsh stare out of reflex. He wanted to know what Zhen meant by Chad's input, specifically.

"Your partner?" Zhen asked.

"Right, right..." Chad said. He lifted his hand to his face, stroking his chin once as he cleared his throat. "Jessie did, in fact, use one of them. And in my opinion, they are the strongest weapons in the world."

A short silence fell on the table. Light didn't think they would end up talking much more, so it was probably time to cut the conversation to a close here. Chad spoke too quietly for him to like talking about the subject.

"For now, let's focus on the things we can," Light said. "So if you guys hear any stories, make sure to talk about them. That's good for now, yah?"

"Yah," they repeated.

Light's head zipped around to all of them. Zhen and Chad smirked while the others laughed, walking and hopping away from the short table. He made out Manaphy Jewel as she zoomed out faster than usual with a short, celebratory yelp.

"W-what..." Light mumbled.

"I will admit, it's news to me that the President of the WPO has a Sacred Treasure, but I think I'll focus on looking into Chingyang," Chad said. "After a few rounds of chess?" he asked, turning to Zhen.

"Failures, more like it. You're rusty."

Chad patted Zhen on the back and walked back inside next to him, leaving Light behind on top of the table to gawk at them.

"W-wait," Light called, "are you making fun of my accent?"

"Enjoy your night out!" Chad called back.

Light didn't remember telling Chad about that, or anyone. He might've guessed it, or Ariel might have told others.

Just as he thought about her, she appeared. Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel walked past Chad and Zhen, but she didn't have her usual white cape on.

A white veil flowed in the wind instead. Its sleeves stopped just before reaching her wrists, and it covered the rest of her body. The color of her fur still shone through the veil, but it looked foggy and mysterious. A flicker of light brought his focus to a long, white earring with a star hanging from her huge ears.

Light hopped down from the table and walked up to her. He thought about every step. He stopped just short of meeting her halfway, getting stopped in places by his nerves.

"It doesn't feel very knightly," Ariel said. "I just thought I'd try a style that's a little gentler, so I just kinda copied you."

"Oh," Light said. "Uhm, how do you feel?"

"Sweet as a button. I heard you guys were talking about the Sacred Treasures?"

Light glanced past Ariel as she asked the question. Chad smiled back at them as they closed the double doors.

"Yah," Light said. "So, you know about them too?"

"They're all over my books. No one really talks about them recently, though."

"I'm kind of surprised I didn't. I mean, if they're that strong..."

"Weapons that barely anyone can use are, uh, mostly useless," Ariel explained. "I mean, you won't see a Scyther with a sword. But, I'll tell you all about it on the way. Sounds good, yah?"

"Y-"Light flinched. "Why is everyone making fun of me?"

Ariel smiled and laughed at him under her breath. "We're not laughing at you. C'mon. Let's head out."

Light stood up and turned. He walked on her right side on their way down the ramp to the docks.

"Also, I've been meaning to ask," Ariel said quietly, "what was in that box the Vaporeon gave you? From when we first got here?"

Light's ears and eyes shot up. "Oh, crap."

"It's okay," she said quickly. "I just wanted to remind you, since things... happened. And it seemed really important to her, so I just wanted to make sure."

"Yah, I'll open it as soon as we get back. Thanks."

Light had problems remembering exactly what the Vaporeon had looked like, but he did remember that she seemed to be struggling to keep up with their carriage. That alone was enough to put it back on top of Light's mind, but it reminded him again of what happened.

"Hey Airy?" Light asked. "The other night wasn't a dream, right?"

Ariel turned her head to him as they went on the street. She turned back after a second of taking in his face. "No, it wasn't a dream. I, uh, checked."

Light wasn't sure what she meant. She responded to his face by pulling out her phone from under her veil. She fiddled with it while walking on three limbs and showed him the screen.

It was a crudely done drawing, but Light managed to make it out what it was. A brown stick figure with dangling ears made up of wavy lines. The stick figure was on the side of a big brown block with random green on it. On the bottom of the picture, large, bold, and white letters made the words "GAS, GAS, GAS. GOTTA STEP ON THE GAS".

"Uhhhhhh... Who made this?" Light asked.

"That crazy Zorua texted it to everyone a few hours ago," Ariel said. "So, I mean, as much as it felt like one, it wasn't a dream. But some people forgot things... It's creeping me out."

"Forgot things? Like what?"

"Like, details," Ariel whispered. "Okay, they remember what happened, but they don't remember how the battle went, what Lugia looked like... It's, uh, not something I like thinking about now..."

Light and Ariel reached the bottom of the ramps and the docks. They continued walking to the side of the street, side by side with each other.

Light's eyes wandered above the picture on Ariel's phone and read a text message.

"Where's Light?" -Gawain

"Hey," Light said, "do they want to talk to me?"

"I'll get you in the group chat after, if you want me to," she said. "I, uh, wasn't sure."

"Yah, of course I do."

"Right, sorry. Was just kind of wondering..."

"It's okay."

"Bless your heart, White Star!"

Light's ears snapped up. A Bellossom on top of a short, curved red roof nearby waved down at them. A Tyrogue next to her held a large flower pot with both of her arms, but she smiled, too. The building they were on top of had dark windows on the second floor and flowers swarming around the entrance. Light waved back up at them.

"Well, look at you," Ariel said. "That's a little braver."

"I was just thrown off before," he said, lowering his arm. "Well, I mean, it was a lot more."

"So, you like smaller places?"

Light thought about it for a second. If she meant less other people around, she was probably right.

"Yah. I do."

"Me too," she said. "Well, sort of. I guess I mean to relax."

"You, uhm, seemed pretty fine with the crowds earlier."

Ariel chuckled to herself. "Yup. Indeed I was."

"So, what do you want to do once we get there?" Light asked.

"Just romantic things... As a matter of fact, Lao Shen is actually world renowned for its matchmakers and couple's therapy. And since you nearly burn my face off every time I try to kiss you, I fiiiguuuured it might be niiiice."

"You... want to do couple's therapy...? Wouldn't I need a physical therapist for that?"

"Not necessarily… I mean, they'd just tell you the same thing, it's all mental. And they have other things there, too."

Ariel glanced at him. A new train of thought came to him as she turned back ahead.

"You just want to buy cute trinkets and things?"

"Don't call them trinkets. You make me sound so simple."

"That's not what I meant!" Light said, shivering. "W-what do you want to buy?"

"They're... Uhm, charms. And stuff."

"Right... So, random question... Do you know what scams are?"

Ariel shot a glare at him. "Do you know I wasn't born yesterday?"

"I've met some people who don't know what they are. I was just asking..."

"It's not scams. There are Psychic-type pokemon who make these tools."

"I just, uhm, don't want you to be disappointed," Light said.

"When we get there, I will take your surprise as an apology."

The street stuck out like a flower in the desert. Even from further away, the lights shone up to the sky, and gentle, audible activity reminded him of home. The buildings were all one floor tall, but it felt nicer that way.

Looking up the hill it lay on, the street's sides were mostly covered with tents blocking the doors. A few restaurants had open paths inside, but the shopping areas all occupied tables outside the buildings. Flareon Light drew a little closer to Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel as she looked up the street's length.

Green copper lampposts shined yellow light down on the cobblestone. They calmed and excited the atmosphere. Other pokemon gravitated towards the sides of the buildings. Small red lamps hung on wires overhead. All of the roofs curved up at their four corners to a sharp point at the end of artistic grooves. Above the tents pokemon were working and shopping at,long banners flowed down with different names hanging in the street from a short post.

"Do you know what you want to buy?" Light asked.

"I'll figure it out."

Ariel took a quick glance at Light and started to walk forward, but her eyes got stuck on him. "You nervous?"

"Not... really."

"You can hold onto me if that makes you feel any better..."

"I'm good," he said quickly. "Take the lead."

"Right away, cutiepie."

Ariel strut forward while Light stalked next to her. The first pokemon he accidentally made eye contact with: a Mismagius vendor grinned at him from behind a table.

"Over here!" she called.

Ariel heard and immediately went to her. Light resisted the urge to look back at all the other eyes her call attracted and followed behind Ariel.

A Morpeko and Minun hopped up and grabbed their bags off the wooden table. They cleared out before Light and Ariel took their places. The tent, with a cloth the same color as Mismagius' purple body, stood up from connections to the side of the building and two metal poles on either side of her. She floated in front of a red, closed door with a dark wooden sign above her head reading "The Alchemists".

A mess of standing items drowned the top of the table. There were bowls and bottles filled with different liquids, and it was covered from top to bottom. Ariel and Light sat next to each other in front of it.

"Hi!" Ariel said.

"Hello, welcome!" Mismagius said. "It's lovely to see your faces visiting here! And if it's together, I take it you're looking for a more... specific set of items? I'm an alchemist and also make medicines."

"We don't really know much about here, so what do you got?"

"Scented candles, some incenses. I think those might be what you might enjoy."

"Yeah," Ariel smiled. Her eyes darted over the candles that were labeled with scents, picking one and taking in a whiff of it. "Lavender seems nice," she said.

"First item's on the house."

While Ariel kept looking over the scents, Light looked at the other side of the tables. There were bell-shaped bottles of different liquids, but dozens of purple ones.

"Are these..." Light mumbled. "Uhm..."

"Oh, love potions," Mismagius said. "I doubt they'd be much use to you, save for a few chemical ingredients. They cause the Infatuation status. You see, with Attract, a pokemon who can use their chi can resist easily. It takes more to resist a love potion, so pokemon in battles like to carry it in case of weaker bandits or robbers. The Wayfarers would have little use for an object like this."

"But do they use it enough in battle to make this much of it?" Light asked.

"No."

"But then..."

"That's its applications you were wondering about. For you. That's what it does. Any other questions?"

Light paused and looked at the other bottles. They were all much brighter colors with green, pink, and blue.

"Are the rest medicines?" he asked.

"Yes, indeed they are. Restoring chi, curing poison. Though some of them cause those ailments as well, I label carefully. If you look up 'The Alchemists' online, we're a chain store. You can order better in bulk there. Lots of pokemon carry some of our products when they're traveling to protect themselves, or for chemicals."

"I think I'll take three lavender candles."

Ariel pushed the three brown candles off to the side from the rest.

"I'll be right back with a bag for you," Mismagius said.

As Mismagius turned, one of her arms bumped the table. Light's jumped at the noise and hit the table with his large tail by accident.

One of the purple bottles fell over on the table. The nozzle sprayed a puff of pink mist right down at him. His face was covered before he could step back in time. It smelled sweet.

"Uhhhh..." Ariel said, staring.

"Oh, dear..." Mismagius said. "Don't panic. Let me just make something here..."

Mismagius used Psychic, making a bowl float from the edge of the table to the center. She was already frantically pouring a few liquids together as Light started to gasp for air as his nerves kicked in. He glanced left and right.

"Oh no... O-kay..." Light mumbled.

Ariel faced towards him, meeting his wide eyes with her own. "Hey, deep breaths," she said. "It's fine."

Light's eyes got stuck on her face. Her veil blew a little in the wind at the edges, blurring from tears growing at the edge of his eyes. Her eyes grew.

"Just relax," Ariel said. "It's just-"

Light's mouth moved without him. "You're so pretty..."

"Th-thanks... dude. I, uh... Yeah, bro. I've been uh, working out." Ariel curled her arm and flex her muscle. "Pretty manly, huh?"

"Sooo strooooong..."

"...Oh no."

Flareon Light took a step forward and nuzzled against Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel's shoulder. Heat from his face stretched into every shaky breath he took. His gray tail wrapped all the way around her back and all the way back around his. She sat in place, stiff.

"You're my hero, Airy," Light whispered.

Ariel stared down with a gaping mouth and shivering eyes. "H-holy shit... O-okay... Okay. I can't deal with this. Hey, are you done!?"

"Do you see a Mental Herb?" Mismagius asked.

Ariel turned her head away and scanned the table. "Damn it, under the candles!"

Light linked his paws over Ariel's shoulders, drawing her tomato red face back down to his and put his weight on the edge of his toes. His eyes shrunk behind his eyelids.

"I'm blessed," Light whispered. "My hero is so gallant and dashing..."

"Where's the spray bottle?" Mismagius asked.

Ariel ripped her head back and snagged the bowl. She waved it over Light's head to scatter white droplets of it over his face. It stung, and nudged him awake.

Light blinked a few times and pulled off of her. His tail flew around and covered his own body. Steam rose up off of it. Ariel took loud breaths, sighing as the bowl made a clink when she set it back on the table. A fiery sting invaded his chest.

"Light...?" Ariel asked. "Feel better?"

"No one saw that. Please tell me no one saw that..."

"Well... Uhhhh..."

Light started crying. From the outside, it was only visible from his gray tail bobbing up and down, but he covered his whole face with his arms.

"That's... embarrassing..." Light sobbed.

"Hey hey hey, please don't cry," Ariel said. "You were really sweet, Light. Okay?"

Light closed his mouth and took in some of the cool night air. He pretended that no one was looking for the sake of getting it together, but he could make out shadows past his own gray fur.

"Candles are on the house..." Mismagius said. "Uh, so sorry about that..."

Light resolved not to talk the rest of the time. He didn't want to rob Ariel of what she wanted to do tonight, so he soldiered on next to her.

Pokemon around Light snickered, but it somehow didn't feel like mocking. A Yungoose just nodded at him, and a Yamper around his age grinned from ear to ear. He didn't see whoever saw what happened, so he assumed everyone did. It could be anxiety talking, but he couldn't know.

"Over here!"

This time, the call came from a Cranidos. His table had a line of wood connecting the sides the long way that necklaces and rings were hanging from. Ariel stepped up, and Light followed with reluctance pulling down his feet. He sat with his tail swishing and body ready to move.

"Welcome, welcome," Cranidos said. "We sell charms designed by Psychic type pokemon here. Would you like an explanation?"

"Sure," Ariel said.

"Alrighty. So, a pokemon's chi can interact with objects, and studies show that romantic partners have matching chi patterns that are different, but synchronized with each other. So, what these charms do is align the chi between two pokemon in different ways for different effects, and those Psychic type pokemon study and balance this chi to make the effects of wearing these pairs of items do."

"What kind of effects?"

"Calming effects, exciting effects. There are plenty of mental health benefits, but we'll need to work together to see which pair would help and which person would take which item. So that means having an examination for any of this to really be effective."

Ariel turned back to Light. "Want to?"

Light nodded. It seemed like some harmless matchmaking thing.

"Alright, so what kind of examination?" Ariel asked.

"There are plenty of names like questions and other things, but I have a friend in the back I can call. He's a Lucario, and he does some good work."

"Sounds good."

Light noticed a Lucario in the doorway, who paused in his tracks as he pushed the curtain that covered the inside of the building. He had on a black shirt that fit snug on his arms, stopping short of the small steel spike on his species' chests. His eyes moved from one pair to another as he walked out with a nod.

"Didn't expect this," Lucario said. "Alright, step up here if you would, and hold out your palms."

Light took careful steps to the other side of the table to let the Cranidos move out of the way before taking his place. He copied Ariel and rested his right arm on the table with his paw facing up. Lucario sighed before holding his palms over theirs. He closed his eyes while taking deep breaths.

Light sensed nothing, but Lucario nodded to himself and mumbled jargon. He opened his eyes and pulled his arms back to his side. Light and Ariel did the same.

"You're very different from each other," Lucario said. His paws snagged two of the hanging necklaces before Light could see what they looked like.

Lucario set them down on the table and opened his palm. Both of the necklace ropes were black, and the charms themselves were both teardrop shapes. One of them was a deep blue color while the other was a dark red.

"You may have the blue," Lucario said, gesturing to Ariel," and you the red." he said to Light.

"Is, uhm... there a specific reason for these two?" Ariel asked.

"Both of these stones have the same kind of chi in different patterns, just like all pokemon. These stones chi patterns are similar to the ones in your bodies. So specific pairs are made for different kinds of relationships. By wearing these, you'll grow accustomed to the flow of chi that your partner has, making you more accustomed to them and ultimately spend more time with them."

"Years of research went into this stuff," Cranidos added. "It's not fiction. We have college degrees in studying the body's chi to better people's lives. This is just a small branch of that study. Lots of different pokemon like these things when their loved ones go out on long trips."

It made a little sense, maybe? Light didn't have a college degree like they supposedly did. It would probably be a scam.

When he touched the necklace, it felt explosive. Light nodded to Ariel, and she smiled back. Whatever floated her boat.

"How much?" Ariel asked.

"Free, if you promise to mention our chain store if reporters' or things ask," Cranidos said. "You'd be doing us a favor taking them. They're fairly expensive, but this would make more people believe it's not a scam. Which it isn't, as you know. I mean, we are giving it to you for free."

"I believe the phrase is 'a drop of clout'." Lucario said, smiling. "Enjoy the rest of your night."

"Thanks!" Ariel said.

Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel took the necklaces. She brought the blue one around her neck and presented the red one to Flareon Light. Her arms went over his head as she set it over his gray mane.

"Are there any other places you recommend?" Ariel asked Cranidos.

"Well, there's a ton of more matchmaking kinds of things for people that are still single. The rest is a little blegh, so I'd recommend the food stands and pretty much any restaurant."

"Okay! Thanks!"

"Take care."

Braised pork balls in gravy, shrimp with vermicelli and garlic, and roasted duck; Light tried all of them and more, but Ariel went above and beyond.

Flareon Light and Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel stood off to the side of the street as they ate. As Light watched Ariel eat another dumpling from her paper plate, he could've sworn she ate more than what he weighed. Every time she took a bite, so much disappeared.

Light watched in sheer admiration. Ariel turned to him with her cheeks puffy.

"Why are you staring at me?" Ariel asked.

"How do you eat so much?" Light asked.

"Hey!" she said defensively. "I am not-"

"It's cool."

"Wha..."

"It's cool," Light repeated a little louder.

Ariel sighed. "I look so fat, dude."

"Lean down your ear for a sec."

Ariel swallowed, then brought her head closer to his. "What?"

"Lean down your ear. Lemme tell you something."

The building they were on the side of protected them from the light and eyes of the street. Light was feeling relaxed enough for this.

Light still had to get on the tips of his toes, but his lips were able to reach her cheek. He linked his paws behind her shoulders, soothing her initial reaction to pull back. When he released his paws, Ariel stared back with stressed, shaking eyes and trembling lips. Light kept the tiniest smile on his face.

"Just an aftereffect…" Light whispered. "Thanks for saving me, Airy. I wouldn't have had today with your help.

"S-sure."

"Ready to head back?"

"Yeah."

Moonlight filtered through the window and illuminated the dark sea. Flareon Light stared at the gentle, silvery rays of light as they made small dust particles visible in the air. The TV was turned on along with string lights hanging along the walls, but the moonlight soothed his eyes.

"Light."

Light turned his gaze back to Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel as she sat next to him on a small couch. Her gaze was still on the TV screen on the wall in front of them.

"Why do you keep saying my name?" Light asked.

"I just like saying it."

Ariel reached her arm around Light's back. Light tensed on reaction, but he made himself loosen up and leaned back against her. She was soft, but Light could feel the muscle rippling under the surface. Ariel leaned her face over his.

"So," Ariel said. "want to watch a few battles?"

"Yah," Light said.

Light nuzzled against her side. Her deep voice's vibrations rumbled through the fur on his head. Ariel's eyes glowed a bit brighter. She used Psychic, pushing a button on the TV on the wall and changing the color of the whole room.

On the screen, a Lilligant and Zoroark were fighting in an arena with short grass on the floor and packed, colorful crowds watching from the stands above. They were both locked in close quarters combat. Lilligant moved in a smooth pattern to avoid her opponents' claws.

"Hey, Airy," Light said.

"Yeah?"

"Why is it I barely see status effect moves or strats in competitions?"

"They don't really work. As a pokemon's energy gets stronger as they train, they can keep its pattern the same so it doesn't really affect them. Or it takes more effort than it's worth."

"Oh..."

"Are you still thinking about that whole love potion thing...?" Ariel asked quietly.

Light groaned to himself.

"Don't be hard on yourself cause it affected you. I'd be affected by it too."

Light's eyes snapped up to Ariel's. "Really?"

"Well, it works differently," Ariel explained. "It affects mental condition more than the body. And if you already like someone, well... You're hard enough to resist already."

Light purred and nuzzled a little closer. Most of his weight was on her side, but she didn't lose any balance from it. Her ears folded around the sides of his head, still letting him watch the TV. The pressure on Light's side bringing him closer to her increased a little.

"Oh yeah," Ariel said. "Did you open that black box that Vaporeon gave you?"

Light had been waiting for that question. He wanted to get it off his chest.

"I did," Light said. "It was a set of silver engagement chains."

"Engagement chains?"

"Yah... I think... she gave them to me since she missed out on using them herself."

"Oh. Wow..."

"I wish she chose someone else..."

"Why?" Ariel asked. "I mean, if she had no family to give them to, why not accept them?"

"She gave them to a thief."

Light's voice fell under his breath. Ariel kept looking at the TV.

"She gave them to someone she didn't know, but trusted. And she's not the only one who feels that way. Maybe it's some instinct that you feel other people shouldn't trust you, but it's just something to get over. It's not real."

"How do you know it's not real?" Light asked quietly. "It could've just been a fluke."

"The way you look at me."

Light looked at her. Ariel turned her body in front of him, reaching around his other side with her other arm. Unlike every other time, energy didn't shoot through Light's body like lightning. A nerve-wracked, flickering fire engulfed his chest.

For the first time, Light didn't hack up fire when she brought her lips close to his. The kiss was short and soft, but Light found himself pulling forward just a few hairs when it was over. Ariel smirked.

"Your lips taste sweet," Ariel said.

Light didn't have a reply, but something still felt different that silenced him further.

He felt like someone else was here. He turned his head towards the door to Ariel's room. Slowking Chad stood in the doorway with an awkward, electric expression. Ariel traced Light's eyes and looked at Chad with him.

"Sorry," Chad said. "You know I wouldn't bother you two if it wasn't urgent. But there's something the whole Guild needs to talk about. I, uhm, told you two first."

A short, uneasy silence fell before Light spoke. "Thanks, we'll be up."

Chad nodded and closed the door. Ariel tensed.

"He seemed freaked out," Ariel said.

"Yah," Light said. "Not really like him."

"Let's go."

A dense silence hung in the air. The chandelier overhead forced Light's eyes to flex, but it helped him stay awake. As urgent as Chad looked, it felt late.

Ariel's arm hooked around Light's back. They sat side by side on the same cushion while other pokemon started to gather. Most of them seemed just as tired, except for Manaphy Jewel as she darted in the room and took a seat with her head swaying in a circle.

Slowking Chad followed behind her. His eyes scanned the table up and down before he took a seat himself.

"Alright," Chad said, clearing his throat. "We received a rather concerning message from Empress Chingyang."

Light braced for news about Reshiram. Others around the table fell even quieter to listen with clear ears.

"She's sent Light a marriage proposal."

Light blinked, then blinked again. There wasn't anyone else he knew named Light.

"Uhhh," Drizzile Kenta said, "she's like, in her lower twenties. Light's fifteen."

"Yes," Chad said. "Yes, she is."

Light turned his head to see Ariel's reaction. She stared up and away. Her eyes moved in random directions.

"I don't get it," Manaphy Jewel interjected. "Why is this, like, a bad thing? I mean, we can just kinda keep doing what we've been doing."

"Empress Chingyang is a crude dictator," Chad explained. "The entire nation of Lao Shen wouldn't like if we just ignored her."

"Wait," Light said. He looked up from the length of the table towards Chad. "I don't get it. Marriage? This seems so random."

"Light," Ariel said. "You're mega famous, have a bunch of one-of-a-kind colors, are beautiful, heroic, and you smell like vanilla extract. Lao Shen has been wanting to have a better look, and you look like some kind of patron saint."

"That just makes it worse," Chad said. "The message she sent was very... aggressive."

"How so?" Roserade Storm asked. "She's not usually aggressive, from what I hear. This seems out of character."

"I won't go into details, but she's very descriptive about what she wants. It may sound a bit strange for something like this to cause an emergency meeting, but this is a legitimate problem…"

"How much time do we have to make a plan?" Light asked. "We're meeting in... a week? Week and a half?"

"Well, it's a summons. It's an order from the Empress of Lao Shen. We'd do best to leave and answer tonight."

"Tonight? Seriously?"

"Yes," Chad said. "That's if we're answering it. But if we don't, I'm not sure what would happen."

Silence fell onto Light's head. He wanted to ignore it more than anything else.

No. Empress Chingyang had access to a whole nation's wealth. Reshiram was extremely weak last time. He didn't even know how strong it could be. She didn't just have money and weapons that they could create by themselves, she was bound to have strategists with ways to make progress happen; and the Sacred Treasure Pangu.

"We have to," Light said. "Moving through Lao Shen might become a problem we can't afford to deal with. And like Kenta said earlier, she has one of the Seven Sacred Treasures. It doesn't make sense not to go."

"I don't think we should."

Light turned his head up to Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel. She shifted a little.

"She probably knows mind games, Light. This is what she wants, and it's harder to protect you going to her."

"I don't need to be protected all the time..."

"It's not about that," Ariel said. "Look, Kaigan's close to Lao Shen. When Empress Chingyang wanted things from Kaigan, she got them. She's dangerous."

"I think we should go."

Light turned his gaze to Mienfoo Robin's voice. She stared down and nodded at the floor.

"It doesn't make sense not to go. We can play the game and win, so we should. Empress Chingyang's much more simple to work with than, say, her parents were. She's not some mass manipulator or dictator. Lao Shen's much more peaceful than before."

"Light."

Ariel's voice cut into Light's chest. She didn't want to go badly, but he didn't understand why. Everyone else was giving tired signs of agreement except for her.

"Let's talk, Airy," Light said. "We'll leave in an hour in case anyone forgot anything here. Sound good?"

When Light turned to Ariel, she had on a neutral expression that he hated. He couldn't read it or get anything from it. She seemed lost in thought.

"Who does she think she is!? There's no way she doesn't know about us. Literally everyone knows about us!"

This was news to Light, but he didn't really have much to offer but silent agreement. He sat on the couch in her room, but alone as Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel paced back and forth, touching random objects and looking in random directions.

"Why did you agree to go?" Ariel asked.

"It's logical," Light said.

"How!?"

"It's not about the offer. She has assets, and things money can't buy that we could use as help in Lao Shen."

"She has assets..." Ariel repeated. "Yeah. No kidding."

"Airy, what's wrong?"

Ariel paused in place facing away from him. Light sighed, loud enough for her to hear.

"I don't like getting hit on by a dictator."

"O-kay?" Ariel said.

"Are you comparing yourself to her?" Light asked. "I just don't get it cause you're not telling me anything."

Ariel huffed and moved her head from side to side. She walked forward and hopped on the couch next to him, turning her head up to the TV screen.

"I'm not comparing myself to her. I... just think she's a piece of shit for this," Ariel muttered.

"Language..." Light chirped.

"What!? Oh, please. You've still taught Jewel more bad words than me."

"I'll make you eat soap..."

"Pft, kay dude."

Light brushed his gray tail against the bottom half of Ariel's face. Her face followed the trail he left in the air ever so slightly. Ariel blinked and stared, then smirked.

"Are you being a flirt?" Ariel asked.

"No," Light said.

Ariel creeped closer. Her arms rested on the back of the couch and bottom edge. She smiled a little more as she got closer.

"Nope," Light said. "You need soap."

"I'm clean," Ariel said.

"You said a bad word. I must keep pure."

"But you're a pervert."

Light met her eyes and pulled his head back. "What!? Hey! No, I am not."

"Yes you are. Literally since day one."

"No. You're a pervert."

"You don't complain," Ariel said quietly.

"I'm just being polite," Light said. "It's not nice to call someone a pervert."

"Not nice to call someone a foul mouth. Especially when you are one."

"Mmmm... Eh," Light grunted. "Not as bad as yours."

Ariel placed her fingers under Light's wrists and pushed his body up against the back of the couch. She traced up to the center of his paws and wiggled a few of his fingers. Light hid the bottom of his face in his huge gray mane of fur.

"Your paws all soft and nice," Ariel said. "You better keep them that way."

Ariel nuzzled the side of Light's face and pulled back. His face warmed.

"Chingyang's dangerous," Ariel whispered. "That's why I didn't want us to go. Everyone's just thinking about what we could get out of it, you included. But what about the risks? I mean, you're the one on the front lines of this, not them. It should be your decision to go turn her down in person."

"I'm more worried about you," Light said. "I could tell you were thinking about something else."

"It wasn't anything important."

Light frowned, but started to giggle. She tugged on his arm and ran her paw around to the back of his shoulder.

"Here's the plan," Ariel said. "She won't take it to heart if you just say it's because of the age difference, and considering that it's very legit... So one of the first things you should do is just come out and say it."

"Yah."

A glimmer shot behind Ariel's green eyes.

"What?" Light asked. "Airy, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's... wrong."

"Then what is it?"

Ariel's forehead was just above Light's, but she started to look off to the side. Light waited for her to gather what she wanted to say.

"I can keep secrets," Light said gently. "If you want me to."

Ariel's head swayed from side to side, then settled. "Well... I wasn't... born in Kaigan," she said slowly. "I was born in Lao Shen. I, uh, moved to Kaigan when I was young." Ariel nodded to herself.

"You moved...? So, you were born in Lao Shen?"

"Yeah."

"Where?"

Ariel fell quiet again. Looking up at her eyes, Light could tell she didn't want to answer.

"Do Robin and Nadia know about whatever it is?" Light asked.

"No. They don't."

"You think it might be better to get it off your chest with at least someone?"

Ariel groaned. "It doesn't really matter. Everyone will figure it out. It's not going to be very hard."

"You could tell me first."

Ariel smiled. "You looked tired," she said. "How about you go get some sleep, okay? We can do stuff tomorrow."

"Alright."

Ariel pulled Light forward and helped him get all of his limbs back under him. He hopped down from the couch and grunted when he landed. His arms crumbled under him, then restablized.

"Yah," Light said. "A little tired."

Ariel chuckled and gave Light a last pat on the back as he walked towards the door. He pushed it open, but turned back to her one last time before heading out.

"Good night," Light said.

"Sweet dreams, angel cake."

Light stared at her. She smiled and shrugged. He copied her smile and closed the door.