Angel's movements were stiff as she headed away from Jenny. Every couple of steps, she felt the urge to look back. She felt like she was in one of those movies, where someone is watching another walk away. Only this time, she was on the walking end, doing her best not to look back. Doing so implied hope, and she didn't feel there was any chance of mending this burnt bridge. The tingling in her back told her that Jenny was staring at her retreating form, possibly hoping for that movie lookback.

But Angel finally understood why the walker sometimes chose not to look back. Because they knew that to do so would be to give in to their heart. That they were leaving for a reason stronger than the bond they were breaking. They felt that the end would justify the means.

Numb, she let her feet lead the way. Ten minutes later, she tripped on something. When she saw that it was the bench near Ally's house, she questioned if she should take some time to collect herself first. Ally was likely to ask questions that she wasn't up to answering, and she definitely didn't want to mess up two friendships in one night. In the end, she chose to rest for a bit.

"Bell?" Angel blinked, only to find that she couldn't see. Her hand went to wipe whatever it was away, and she found herself surprised when she felt wetness. When had she began to cry?

A pair of hands gently touched her knees, drawing her attention to the Bellossom that stood before her. On the right hand was a wristlet made of tightly woven flowers, marking him as Ally's Petunia. Once he noticed he had her full attention, he smiled, took a few steps back, and began to dance and sing.

It was a story of the meeting of an Alolan and Galarian Vulpix, who quickly became the best of friends. Over time, the two grew closer, but sadly, they were separated during a blizzard. He gave a few quick stanzas about the journeys of each, as they struggled to find each other yet again.

Suddenly, he stopped, reached out his hands to her, and she couldn't hold back a sigh. Every story of Petunia's ended this way. He would spin a marvelous tale, get to the most crucial part, and then never reveal the ending. "Why do you do that?"

Petunia tilted his head, but Angel could see through his act of innocence. "You never finish your stories." Angel booped him gently on the nose. "Why do you keep people hanging?"

He launched into what she expected would be a quickly spoken long-worded explanation, and so began to make the "slow down" gesture with her hands. But he was already done. It took her a few seconds to replay what he had said. While stroking the petals of a flower on his head, she said, "Life is whatever we choose to make of it."

The flowers on his head spun a few times as he held out his hand, muttering words of encouragement to her. After a little while, Angel took his hand and allowed him to lead her. As they walked, he rattled on, mostly about every event he could remember worthy of telling her since she'd last visited. From the bits and pieces, she could pick up during his rapidly excited speech, he had some really interesting stories that she'd have to ask about when he was calmer.

She was still processing the last revelation of a relationship between Ally and Maya when he opened the door. His happy mood was instantaneously gone as he rushed from her side to a woman rocking on the floor beside the couch. The woman lifted her head from the creases of her arms at the sound of the door opening, and, upon noticing Petunia, unwrapped her arms from around her knees to draw him into a tight embrace. Through the smudged and flushed face, Angel finally recognized the person as Ally.

Angel shut the door behind her, but, instead of going to her friend, she headed towards the kitchen. It only took a few seconds to locate the most recent location of the coffee pot. A touch of her fingers against the glass informed her that it hadn't been off long, so she poured a cup for Ally.

When she returned, Ally was on the middle cushion of the couch. One of Petunia's hands stroked her left arm, but she didn't really seem to notice his presence. Or hers. Angel passed the steaming cup of coffee into Ally's hands, and then sat on the other side of her.

Uncertain as to what to say, Angel placed a hand on Ally's leg. A few minutes passed before she finally asked what was wrong. When a sniffle and a drink were her only answer, she stood and did various small chores around the house. She'd been in this place before, and she didn't have any energy for weeks. Depending on the severity of whatever was bothering Ally, this little bit of help would probably wind up being wasted. But still. It was the least she could do since she was already there.

An hour later, Angel returned to the couch, and reached for the now empty cup on the coaster. A hoarse, angry voice told her to get out. She paused and turned to her friend. Ally looked to be furious. At her. But why? What in the world did she do?

When she didn't move, Ally leapt to her feet, practically yelling now. "Get out! I don't want you here. Or Petunia, for that matter, since he brought you here."

Angel was still trying to figure out what she'd done when she remembered the last thing Petunia had said before opening the door. Something about Ally getting in a relationship with…No. She shook her head, tears filling her eyes, not daring to believe it. "I heard about the fire. But I didn't realize. She can't be dead."

She didn't see it coming, but Angel sure felt the heat on her cheek from Ally's well-placed slap. Her head jerked with the force, and she turned back to her friend, mouth open to speak. But she was cut off.

"Officer Jenny recently left. She told me everything. I loved you like a sister! I can't believe you would do something like this to me."

"Okay, first." Angel completely ignored the slap, feeling that if it was something Ally needed to do in that moment, then she would grin and bear it. "I didn't know the two of you were together until like two minutes ago—"

"That doesn't make a difference!" Ally's hands trembled at her sides.

"I'm not saying it does," Angel's own hands shook as she tried her best to remain calm, despite the anxiety flooding her at the confrontation. "I don't know what happened, but I swear to Arceus, I will make whoever killed our friend pay."

"I already know who did it! And Arceus help me. If you don't get out of my house now, along with Petunia, I will call Officer Jenny. Consider it my last act as your 'friend'."

Something hit Angel in the chest, and she looked to the floor to see a pokéball. Shock filled her, and she met Ally's tear-stained eyes. "Please. You're not in your right mind at the moment. I understand you want someone to pay, but you can't push away the only ones left in your life."

That wound up being the wrong thing to say, as Ally screamed at the top of her lungs for them to get out. Certain there was no point arguing at the moment, Angel picked up the pokéball, grabbed the hysterical Petunia, and ran into the chilly cold of the night.