Nicholas poked his pokedex screen again and stifled laughter as he read what was there. In front of him the waves raced by, though this high on the deck of the ferry there was no sea spray to speak of.

"Whatcha laughing at?"

Nicholas turned and grinned at the approaching pokegirl. "Hey Sera. Why aren't you stretching your wings like the others?"

Sera shrugged as she got closer and draped one of her four wings over his shoulder instead of her arm, which she used to wrap around his own. "Ashley and the rest… They like the sun. I don't."

Nicholas chuckled when she tightened her grip on his arm and took the hint, reaching down to rest it on her hip and draw the Crobat close to his body. "No biting."

"I would never," Sera said, but she was pouting slightly as she rested her cheek against his shoulder. "Stop avoiding my question, Master Nicholas. What are you laughing at?"

"Just reading some Unovan tabloids," Nicholas replied. "What with all the paparazzi at the airport and along the road. I wanted to know what tales they're spinning about us."

"Something funny then?"

"Mmhmm. I found one that has a bunch of bios for all of you. They're all so wrong."

"That bad, huh." Sera sighed. "What does it say about me?"

"Who knows. Probably that you're a despicable vampire bat who wants nothing more than to suck her opponents dry," Nicholas snickered. "That's the idea they went with for Dahlia, Miyuki, Bea, and Zisela, at least. They're all horrible violent pokegirls who brutalize their opponents."

Sera was frowning. "But… You just described me just fine. And that sounds like them."

"I just described every battling pokegirl," Nicholas replied with a laugh. "Yeah, when you battle, you're like that, but that's not even close to all you are, is it? These tabloids just care about what's skin deep. It's all performative emotion-baiting tripe meant to get people to keep spending money. That's what I was laughing at." He glanced down at his pokedex. "They completely got my bio wrong, too. They're claiming Professor Oak tutored me, or something, when the truth is that all he did was introduce me to Dahlia."

"Oh. Because it's more interesting that way, right?" Sera asked.

"Exactly. You caught on quick."

"It all sounds like what dumb harems are like," Sera leered. "Posturing and politics without any reason."

"Whereas here?"

"Here we don't do any of that," Sera replied. "It's interesting here because it's here, not because we pretend we're something else."

Nicholas chuckled quietly. "I could start, but that would be mean to those other dumb harems. You're absolutely correct." He nudged her to get her moving back the way she'd came. "Since you hate the sun so much let's get you in the shade, hm?"

Sera grinned and planted her feet to bring him to a halt. "Oh come on, you know I was just joking Master Nicholas. I only wanted a quick bite and you're not going to let me sneak one if I let you get me on my back, so why bother?" Nicholas burst out laughing when she steered him back to the rail. "Let's enjoy the view."

"Uh huh. Now why on earth are you trying to keep me outside, I wonder," Nicholas teased. "Sure, I'll play along. Let's enjoy the view." He paused a moment. "Wonder why I haven't seen Ashley or the others flying around for a while."

Sera flashed him a winning smile, her fangs gleaming. "I'm sure I have no idea."

"No, no, of course not." Nicholas chuckled again and leaned up against the railing, his eyes moving to the bay. "Let's see. What would you like to distract me with while we stall for time?"

"Dunno but whatever it is is in this direction," Sera replied shamelessly. "How about… That island out there." She pointed at an island in the distance that was only distinguishable from the horizon because of a massive lighthouse towering over it. "What's that?"

"According to the tourist brochures that is Liberty Garden," Nicholas replied. "It's a privately owned island, apparently, but you can visit if you pay for a special ferry trip. Other trespassing is forbidden even though the lighthouse is maintained and operated by the league."

"What's so special about it that it's a tourist destination then?" Sera asked.

"Didn't read that far." Nicholas shrugged. "Probably just to see the lighthouse or something. Want to visit while we're here?"

"Master Nicholas." Sera turned a deadpan stare to him. "I do not like the sun, why do you think I would want to visit a lighthouse."

Nicholas couldn't help himself. He broke, collapsing with laughter while Sera continued staring at him without any further emotion on her face. "OH MY GOD! Sera that was BRILLIANT! Why would you want to visit a lighthouse? Why the hell would you? You're a night creature, you're all about the dark! Holy SHIT!"

"Honestly, why would you think that?" Sera huffed.

Nicholas managed to get his laughter in check and gasped, covering his face as an occasional giggle burst free. "Why would- haha- oh, geez. Why would you indeed. Ha. That was great. Thank you, Sera. I haven't laughed that hard in ages."

"Is that all that's out there?"

"Give me a second, would you?" Nicholas gasped. "Phew. Honestly that has to be the most energy I've ever felt towards a chunk of land. I don't even know what came over me. Wow." He chuckled again and shook his head with a grin. "PHEW! Yeah, just about, at least this side of the bay. Over on the other side, by… Castelia, I think it's called? The city over there. There's a big fancy league building on another island called Unity Tower. It's where all the inter-league politics happen when Unova is hosting."

"…So, nothing else out there," Sera concluded. "Cool." She waited a moment. "I think that's enough sun now."

Nicholas was still fighting giggles and had to have Sera help him to his feet. "Sure, that's enough sun. I need some water." He eyed the Crobat. "Once you get me inside would you please at least get me a bottle?"

Sera giggled and inclined her head. "Of course, Master Nicholas, if for some reason you're unable to get it yourself."

"Uh-huh. Some reason." Nicholas sighed. "Let's get this surprise over with."

They entered the upper level's interior seating area and Nicholas looked around. It seemed empty, at first, until Sera cleared her throat and called out. "We ready for Master Nicholas?"

"Yep, thanks for giving me enough time to change." Nicholas turned to see Cassidy stepping into the open. As she walked up she was constantly adjusting a white strapless dress that Nicholas had never seen before. "We're about an hour from Virbank, Master, so it's time you got dressed."

"Got dressed?" Nicholas was staring at her. He had to admit Cassidy was absolutely killing this look. The white made her golden skin shine even more radiantly than usual and the strapless design allowed her massive bust to sit naturally. "What?"

Sera giggled and slipped away. "I'll get you that water, Master Nicholas."

"Once you do make sure to get changed yourself!" Cassidy called after the Crobat before turning back and taking Nicholas' hands with a grin. "While you were outside we had a little visitor."

"Oh?"

"Diana." Cassidy's smile grew when she saw Nicholas take interest. "Yeah. She teleported in and told us all to get you in a nice suit."

"She- wait." Nicholas had been letting Cassidy steer him but now he tried to stop. Tried. The Alakzam had a firm grip on his hands and despite his protests she was dragging him along, like it or not. "I don't wear suits!"

"Well you better start, Master," Cassidy snickered as she dragged him over to where a crisp white suit was laid out. "Your fiancé requests it."

"This is Sabrina's…? Of course it is." Nicholas groaned but didn't run when Cassidy let go of him. "What's the occasion? Did Diana at least reveal that?"

"She just said it was very important you look your best," Cassidy teased.

Nicholas narrowed his eyes at her. "That is incredibly ominous."

Cassidy's smile widened. "It's not that, Master. I promise."

"But you do know what it is." Nicholas smirked when Cassidy's eyes widened slightly in shock. "Gotcha. What's the plan, Cass?"

Before Cassidy could respond Nicholas heard a sharp noise in his ear and flinched in pain. "MASTER! Don't you start now."

"Don't-? Ah." Nicholas grimaced and removed his earpiece to massage his ear. "That hurt, Kalmiya."

"You gave me an order that hurt," the Porygon retorted from his hand. "Suck it up and put on the stupid suit."

Nicholas shook his head but stepped over to where the suit was laid out. "Fine. Fine! I guess it's practice for when we actually tie the knot."

Cassidy was barely suppressing her grin while he stripped and began pulling on the new clothes, Sera appearing a few minutes in and handing him some water before vanishing to apparently put on her own outfit. Once he'd gotten his pants on and was moving to the suit coat she stepped around him to reveal a black bowtie. "This first, Master."

Nicholas stopped with the jacket half on to stare again. "A fucking bowtie?"

"I'm afraid it's part of the outfit."

"Bowties are- can't I wear a real tie?" Nicholas pleaded.

"Sorry, Master," Cassidy crooned. "This is all Diana gave us."

With a defeated sigh Nicholas accepted the bowtie and slipped it on, doing his best to ignore Cassidy while she adjusted it for him. "There. I'm in my monkey suit. We done?"

"Actually, that's not a monkey suit," Cassidy snickered. "By definition, Sohn's wearing one of those."

Nicholas dropped into a chair with a drawn-out groan. "Don't tell me all of you are dressing up with me."

"Of course we are, Master," Cassidy giggled. "It wouldn't do to have our Master's harem not match him."

"Wait, Sohn doesn't wear anything at all," Nicholas said. "You convinced her to get in a suit too?"

"I think," Cassidy said, pulling him back to his feet, "you need to come take a look for yourself." She grinned as she led him towards the lower deck. "Mistress Sabrina has apparently been planning this for a long, long time."

Nicholas stopped so fast on the next level that Cassidy smacked right into his back, though luckily it wasn't enough to make him fall down the last few steps. The seating area was full of his entire harem. A sea of white. Each and every pokegirl in a different elegant outfit.

Many wore typical garments, a few suits, dresses, but those were on the girls who normally wore clothing. The ones who didn't had special outfits of their own. There was Zisela, the Garchomp's dark blue skin broken up by jagged strips of white which provided her modesty. Aria, seeming to have grown another set of fluffy white feathers ringing her body, even Dahlia, the topless Venusaur's nipples invisible thanks to what had to be some kind of chameleon pasties and white flowers entwined through her hair.

Sohn could be seen near the middle of the group and she turned when Nicholas called her name. "Nicholas?" With a laugh she vaulted over the crowd and pranced up to him excitedly. "Wow Cass, you actually got him into that thing?"

"Thanks only to the Mistress," Cassidy huffed from behind Nicholas. "Would you keep moving already, Master?"

"O-Oh, sorry," Nicholas stammered, finally taking the last few steps and stopping again in front of Sohn while Cassidy slipped out from behind him. "What in the world is all this?"

Sohn grinned and struck a pose. "No idea, but look at what Sabrina got for me!"

Nicholas was looking. Sohn's flames were twisting around her body, drawing intricate designs along a flowing white and gold ceremonial martial outfit with the flaps dancing as the Infernape moved. "I…" Nicholas slowly shook his head. "Sohn, you look damn good in that. I think white is your color."

"RIGHT?" Sohn cried. "I can even move in it, too! If I'd known clothes could be this sweet I wouldn't have burned everything all the time."

"Can I take a quick look?" Sohn held still long enough for Nicholas to inspect her torso, managing to ignore the open chest design and focusing instead on the flowing sleeves along Sohn's arms and how they connected across her back. "This is all completely custom work. The stitches aren't machined." He stepped back to let Sohn get back to her pirouettes. "Are all of these outfits custom?" He looked around at how the harem, despite many of the pokegirls being in clothing they would never wear normally, some wearing clothing when they'd usually never wear any at all, was to a pokegirl standing comfortably in their new looks. "What on earth have you been up to for the last few years, you incredible woman?"

He heard someone clear their throat and turned to see, not Cassidy, but Miyuki approaching him. The Glaceon was quite similar to her usual look but even she was wearing something different, her slit dress the same pure white as the others instead of her usual ice blue. It, like Cassidy's, made her light blue skin absolutely pop in contrast and the mist that constantly surrounded the Ice-type just added to the effect. It was as if Miyuki was surrounded by glittering diamond dust. "We're almost to Virbank now." She smiled. "You know, Nicholas, the girls were pretty mixed on this whole ordeal. Having to leave what had been home for so long. If all they got out of it was whatever this moment is going to be, well…" She turned to look at the crowd of pokegirls. "It's been a long, long time since they've all been this excited for something other than battling."

"Thank Sabrina for that, not me," Nicholas replied. "There's a damn good reason I proposed to this woman."

Miyuki laughed happily at that. "I admit. I hadn't really figured it out before now either." She turned with a smile. "I will say this. She is your happiness, and recently, I have seen her growing happier herself. This moment, whatever it is she has planned, what you explained to me and the other Alphas… something will fundamentally change today, I think. For all of us. Not just for you."

Nicholas reached over to take her hand with a soft smile. "I hope it does, Miyuki. The challenges and championships… It's all wonderful too, but I have never wanted it to be everything. For any of us."

Miyuki's eyes shimmered. "My Master. The tamer of legend, who even my old goddess respects and consorts. You remember Lugia's prophecy?"

"It's hard to forget."

"That he would heal the wounds torn by the fire." Miyuki took his other hand in hers. "I have long believed those words to be far, far more than literal. The burning of the Brass Tower was also a symbol of the destruction of the parity between humans and pokegirls. It separated us." She squeezed her grip. "I… because of you, and of your future mate, my new Mistress, I no longer feel the wounds on my soul. I worship you because through you, Nicholas, I am once again whole."

Nicholas squeezed back and lowered his voice to a murmur. "I could not be happier to hear that, Miyuki. That is my purpose now. To share what you have found with the world. Humans and pokegirls will no longer live apart, not if I have anything to say about it."

Tears beaded in Miyuki's eyes while she beamed happily at him but their conversation was interrupted by a voice over the intercom. "We are beginning our approach to Virbank City. All passengers please find your seats."

Nicholas hesitated only a moment before grinning and moving towards the windows. "I want to see Virbank as we come in."

The rest of the harem clustered around behind him as the ferry began to slow. Ahead was Virbank City, and from the port to the streets beyond it was clear that Virbank was an industrial center. It confused Nicholas. Why would Sabrina have him dress up for a city like this, especially in white? If he wasn't extremely careful he'd probably be wearing a black suit before long.

The confusion only deepened when he saw the crowds waiting at the docks. Cameras, onlookers, even more paparazzi than what had been chasing him since the airport combined. He had made Kalmiya swear not to do any research on what might be waiting for them and he'd kept himself from doing the same, so he had absolutely no clue why there was such a strong disconnect here.

The cameras were already flashing when the ferry swung into place and the regular passengers on the lower decks began to disembark. Nicholas waited for a decent amount of them to have exited the ferry before pushing away from the window and giving the harem a wave. "Okay girls. I didn't see Sabrina out there but there's obviously something going on. Let's figure out what that is together."

The moment he was near the exit the cameras started going wild. Nicholas had to fight the urge to squint at the rapid flashing, starting to regret that he didn't wear sunglasses. He'd always tried to avoid wearing them, preferring to let his eyes work naturally, but they would have really come in handy here.

"Topolski! Champion Nicholas Topolski!" Nicholas ignored the voice at first as he led the way down the gangplank with the harem trailing behind, but when he noticed a smartly dressed pokegirl standing alone in front of the crowd and a number of others spread out around her to keep the paparazzi at bay he began moving in her direction. "Yes, over here! Please follow me."

"And who are you?" Nicholas asked. He glanced back at the ferry when the crew began unloading. "Explain quickly, please, they're bringing our bags."

The pokegirl shook her head. "No need to worry about that, Mister Topolski. Miss Sabrina has arranged for your luggage to be brought along. I am here to show you to her."

"Cassidy?" Nicholas looked around to find the Alakazam. "Is this right?"

"What's your name?" Cassidy called to the pokegirl.

"I am Karen with the Unovan Screen Actors Guild," the pokegirl called back. "I'm also the only Houndoom here."

Cassidy grunted and shrugged at Nicholas. "Diana said a Karen would be waiting for us. She didn't say that she was a Houndoom."

"Good enough, I guess. I see your people are acting like they're in charge, too, so that gives your story more weight." Nicholas stuck out his hand to Karen. "Pleasure to meet you. What's your relation to Sabrina?"

Karen didn't take his offer and turned away instead. "I'd be happy to explain more once we're safely away from the cameras."

Nicholas shrugged and followed her, the group wading their way through the onlookers until they reached the parking lot and Karen motioned them towards a small fleet of parked limousines. Before long they were piled inside, the individual harems splitting up to their own cars while Nicholas got into the one Karen indicated and was followed by the pokegirls who didn't belong to any sub harem – which meant the Houndoom, though she didn't know it, was ignoring three legendary pokegirls when she blocked out the others and turned her attention to Nicholas. "There. Now we can speak." The convoy jerked into motion, slowly pushing its way past the swarming paparazzi until it began to pick up speed and get on the road. "As I mentioned, your bags will find you. I'm sure they will be delivered to the hotel. As for my relation to Miss Sabrina, well…" she trailed off before giving a casual shrug. "I am… let's say her point of contact with the Unovan entertainment sector."

Nicholas studied her. He'd seen Houndoom before and this Karen certainly had all the right features for one. Large, backwards curving white horns, a black whiplike tail with a pointed arrow tip, charcoal black skin with a rich orange face. But much like Abby, Joseph Stone's Absol, this pokegirl covered most of the rest of herself. Polarized sunglasses hid likely red eyes, and the black full suit she wore made it impossible to know what her body was like. She wasn't interested in portraying herself as a pokegirl. It made this conversation feel… odd. "Point of contact."

"That's right."

Nicholas sighed and settled back. "Well, alright then. Thanks for the ride."

"Oh, I'm here alone," Karen replied. "Miss Sabrina hired the cars and all this. I'm not your chauffeur."

Nicholas blinked. "But… you said you were here to meet me, right?"

"It is in my best interest to keep tabs on Miss Sabrina's own interests," Karen replied. "In this case, that would be you. I would much rather intercept you at the docks than have to read about whatever mess you made in tomorrow's rag."

Silence fell over the vehicle. Nicholas was struggling to decide whether or not he wanted to press Karen for information but finally decided against it. Still, he was getting some answers, at least. Sabrina was obviously involved in the movie business. Enough that this Karen was keeping an eye on her.

He shared a few glances with the others, Celine and Kali primarily, as Zinnia seemed content to completely ignore Karen as did Aster and a Sasha who had taken the shape of some kind of glittering, gem-crusted Rock-type pokegirl today. She'd been goopy that morning so it was probably to fit in with the others and their fancy outfits.

Kali, as usual, seemed disinterested, though he could feel a slight tension from her. He understood why. Archer had had Houndoom. They had likely been used to help subdue her in Johto. Celine was just observing. As she did.

About half an hour passed before the limo took an exit and began slowing, winding its way through new streets. Nicholas tried to peek out the window but he couldn't see much beyond that they had somehow left the industrial complex of Virbank City behind and were now driving through a rather upscale neighborhood. The pieces were starting to fit together as the limos slowed to a crawl, coming to a stop at some kind of gated entrance while the driver spoke to a guard. Then they were through and Nicholas was staring at everything he could.

Scenery, facades, scaffolding, stage equipment. They were driving through an enormous, and active, film studio. Nicholas could see dozens, maybe hundreds of humans and pokegirls moving about, some in costume, many in uniform, and out of all of them he saw maybe two sets of eyes even give the passing limousines a glance.

Sasha was similarly glued to the window. "Master, what is this place?"

"Well," Nicholas said, his mind beginning to whirl as it tumbled for the inevitable conclusion, "it's where all your favorite movies are made."

"Hm. I suppose some of the international releases could qualify for a Indigonian favorite." Karen stroked her chin. "Perhaps the Feral Park series? Or one of the pornos?"

"I knew the production value on Reclaimer of Feral Park was too good to just be a parody," Nicholas snickered. "The sets and effects were good enough to be the main series."

"Yes, all of the licensed Feral Park movies, porn included, contained scenes that were shot right here at Pokestar Studios," Karen replied. "Feral Park, Feral Park: The Hidden Land, Feral World, Feral World: Domination, and then the highly successful Reclaimer porn series, all produced here."

"I'd completely forgotten the largest film studio in the world leagues was here in Unova," Nicholas whispered to himself.

"Sir? We're approaching our destination," the limo driver called over the intercom. "I hope the drive was enjoyable."

Nicholas waited for the limo to stop before opening the door and hopping out. He could see the others piling out of the cars behind him and slowly turned in place, only moving aside so the others could exit as he soaked in the scenery. It was all fitting together. This place. Sabrina's extended trips. Her ability to charter a luxury airplane to get him here. The opportunity she'd talked about. The outfits she'd had them all wear.

Where was she?

"That over there would be your hotel," Karen was saying, causing Nicholas to turn and look over the top of the limousine to where the Houndoom pointed.

"Thanks." Nicholas stepped around the car and took a deep breath. This was where the drivers had been told to bring him. All of this, orchestrated by his fiancé. She had to be waiting on the other side of those doors.

She was. But she didn't wait for him to come through them.

He'd barely cleared the vehicles when the doors opened. Sabrina stepped out and, for a moment, they both just stared at each other. Then Nicholas lunged forwards, Sabrina dashing herself, to meet at the edge of the street. The two embraced, moving to kiss tenderly but before long they just stood, entwined in each other's arms as they gazed into each other's eyes without saying a single word.

Eventually though the moment passed and Nicholas rested his forehead against Sabrina's. "I've missed you."

Sabrina smiled at him. "That's always the first thing you say." She kissed him again. "Keep it that way."

Nicholas laughed quietly as he kissed her back. "I will. I also have so, so many questions."

"That's more what I expected," Sabrina giggled. "Inside?"

Nicholas nodded and was stepping away when Karen appeared at their shoulders. "A touching reunion. Miss Sabrina, have you put any more thought into the offer I brought to you?"

Nicholas watched as the love and peace in Sabrina's expression drained away in the face of the Houndoom. "No, and you need to stop asking me about it."

"Stop asking? Are you declining it, then?" Karen pressed. "Mister Cleavon is looking to open auditions as early as next week…"

"I said to stop asking me about it because I am with my fiancé," Sabrina snarled without taking her eyes off of Nicholas. "Now is not the time."

"Respectfully, Miss Sabrina, when is it ever the time?" Karen countered. "It's not as if I can do my job when you're in rehearsal or filming."

Nicholas turned slightly to look at the Houndoom. "You sad you were with… the Unovan Screen Actor's Guild, right?"

"That's right."

"But you're approaching Sabrina for parts? Why? More importantly, why are you not speaking to her agent?"

"Miss Sabrina has many connections from her time as an Indigo Gym Leader," Karen explained. "Due to those connections, and her potential from her… additional abilities, it was deemed necessary for her to have someone to handle any offers from interested parties."

"So you're her agent?" Nicholas asked, though from what Karen had said up until this point he didn't think that would be the case.

Karen snorted. "Hardly. I represent the interests of-"

"Good, just making sure." Nicholas had felt Sabrina pressing further and further into his arms the more Karen talked and something was rising up as he turned to squarely face the Houndoom while drawing Sabrina partially behind his body. "In that case, I will be in touch. As for right now, you are going to stop harassing my client."

Karen blinked at him with an amused smile. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Nicholas took a firm stance in front of her. "I am the talent agent for Miss Sabrina and I will not have you harassing her. You can take it up with me, or not at all."

Karen kept her amused smile on her face while she replied. "This is the first I've heard of this."

"Well luckily for you, you don't have to take my word for it. Just this once I will allow you to ask my client." Nicholas looked down slightly. "Miss Sabrina. Do I represent your interests?"

He felt her fingers tighten as Sabrina fought not to break. "That's… correct. Mister Nicholas is my, um, talent agent."

Karen took a half step back. "I see." Nicholas felt the Houndoom's full interest on him as she sketched a half-bow. "Well then. I will be in touch, Mister Nicholas."

Nicholas waited for her to turn and begin walking away before he turned to pull Sabrina back into a full embrace. "Inside," he whispered.

Sabrina was barely holding herself together as he steered her into the hotel, his harem pressing in after them. Thankfully Diana and another of Sabrina's own harem, her Espeon Madeline, was inside, and while Madeline moved to comfort her tamer Diana moved to meet Nicholas.

"Thank you for chasing off that bitch," Diana muttered. "You have no idea how much she's needed someone to do that for her."

Nicholas barely looked at the Alakazam, keeping his attention solely on the trembling woman he held. "I have a lot to catch up on, I think."

"Let's get her to your room."

The moment the door closed behind them, all of the worried pokegirls who had encircled the pair on their way upstairs remaining outside, Nicholas physically felt Sabrina's body begin to shake. He quickly pulled her to the bed and got her off her feet, never letting go as the woman began to let out hiccupping sobs and only pulling away slightly so he could bend down and look at her face. "Where are your meds?"

"D-D-Draw-"

Nicholas immediately turned and began yanking drawers open until he found the bottle he was looking for and returned to Sabrina's side. There was a half-empty bottle of water on the bedside and he snagged it on his way past before quickly maneuvering the seizing woman so she was mostly upright against the headboard and handing her the water. Sabrina's hands were shaking too much to operate the pill bottle so he did it for her, watching carefully as she fought to swallow to make sure she didn't choke and immediately wrapping her in his arms once again the moment she managed to down the pill. The rest of the water splashed across the bed but none of that mattered. He just held her. Making sure she knew she was safe. That he was there. She was not alone.

It took a few minutes for the medicine to take effect, but eventually, Sabrina gasped and began coughing. Her body finally beginning to relax as she nestled her face against Nicholas' chest and began to cry.

"I love you," he whispered to her. Sabrina didn't respond, and he hadn't expected her to, so he began stroking her hair, continuing to comfort her, though not as heavily as before. Giving her room to breathe.

It took a while for Sabrina to pull away, and even when she did she didn't go far. Nicholas smiled gently at the tearful woman as she rubbed her eyes. "How are you?"

"I-" Sabrina's face twisted and she slammed her fist to the mattress. "I'm ANGRY! HOW DARE SHE!"

"HEY!" Nicholas quickly grabbed Sabrina's fists and held her still. "Forget her right now. Look at me. That's right, look at me." He waited for Sabrina to raise her eyes to his. "There is a lot to talk about there, but not right now. Okay? Just breathe. Look at me." He waited for the tension to fade from Sabrina's posture. "I'm here now."

"You're here now," Sabrina replied miserably. "This… this was supposed to be so happy."

"Is it not?" Nicholas asked softly. "I don't know what happened to get us here but right now my fiancé is here. I haven't seen her in months." He released Sabrina's hands to slip out of his suit jacket with a smile. "Let's make it be happy."

"No… No." Sabrina reached out to stop him before he could toss the jacket away. "I… I wanted to see you in that, to…"

"Sabrina." Nicholas gently peeled her fingers from the jacket. "Please, love. It's okay. There will be other opportunities."

"…Maybe so, but I refuse to lose this one," Sabrina finally responded with a whisper. "Please, Nicholas. I want this one."

Nicholas sighed. Sabrina was still obviously unsteady, even if the anxiety medication had taken the edge off, so he decided to humor her in the hopes that it would help. "Okay. Okay, tell me what to do."

Sabrina swallowed and closed her eyes. "Can you… go stand in the bathroom door?"

Nicholas nodded and moved where Sabrina had asked, the contours of the room putting him just out of sight of the bed while he slipped the suit jacket back on. "Okay."

He heard movement, the sound of feet moving across the floor, Sabrina sniffling. A quick squeak as the sink turned on before the footsteps returned and then stopped. "O…Okay," Sabrina called. "You just got here."

Nicholas stepped into the open and stopped, recreating the moment they'd shared outside. Sabrina had given her face a quick wash and her skin was still wet as she gazed at him before stumbling forwards and throwing her arms out. Nicholas quickly caught her, hugging her at first until he felt Sabrina pushing at his face and he moved to find her mouth. After a few minutes of this he felt Sabrina deflate and the tears begin to flow for real.

"Sabrina…?"

"It's not the same," Sabrina cried. "Why? Why does she have to exist?"

Nicholas took a firm grip on her shoulders and pulled back to look her in the eyes. "We're not talking about her right now. Got it? I know it's hard, but we're going to pretend like that never happened." He looked around. "The moment was there. Focus on it. Forget what came between it and now. There is nothing but us, and now."

Eventually Sabrina managed to nod slightly. "O…kay."

"I have so many questions, you know," Nicholas said with a small smile. "But now that we're alone together for the first time in so long I don't know if I want to ask them."

Sabrina finally cracked her first real smile since before the incident. "I… I have so much to tell you. It's been so wonderful."

"Then tell me," Nicholas whispered.

Sabrina let him lead her back to the bed and sat down beside him. "I haven't told you anything, have I."

"All I knew for sure is that you kept going on trips."

"It started in Hoenn." Sabrina let out a sigh. "Yeah. Hoenn, when we were on vacation. Remember the show you took me to see?"

Nicholas nodded. "The coordinator performance, I remember."

"Watching them… I realized, I didn't want to be… the gym leader of Saffron any longer," Sabrina said. "Maybe I never did, and it just happened because I…"

When Nicholas heard her voice catch he squeezed her hand. "Skip that. Next."

Sabrina cleared her throat. "R-Right. Um. I realized I wanted to do something else." She looked down at her own outfit. It was the sheer red dress she'd been wearing in her message. "About a year ago, I saw an open casting call for a small movie. And, I went to try it. I can't remember what the part was for, it doesn't matter. What matters is when I got on stage, looked out at the judges, I… I felt… excited."

"So you didn't get the part?"

Sabrina shook her head. "No, they said I wasn't the right fit. But a few weeks later I got a call. One of the judges, a producer, maybe, I'm not really sure. He said he'd liked my performance and put me in touch with an amateur film agency."

Nicholas grinned and squeezed Sabrina's hands. "Nice!"

"Um, yeah." Sabrina was noticeably more relaxed and animated when the triggering thoughts were being pushed away. "That place was… weird. It seemed like most of the opportunities were for pornos. But I met some other producers, auditioned for a few regular films. Didn't get the part for any, though, but that was okay. I was still working on transitioning the gym to the new leader."

"Did you do any of the pornos?" Nicholas shrugged when Sabrina glanced at him. "I don't care either way, I'm just curious."

Sabrina's cheeks were beginning to tint red as she replied. "I… didn't. It didn't feel right. B-But, um…" She glanced away. "Maybe… Maybe if I was paired with the right actor, I'd be willing to give that a shot."

Nicholas smiled teasingly and leaned in to nibble her ear. "The right actor, you say? How interesting." He chuckled and leaned back when Sabrina squeaked. "What happened next?"

"R-Right! Next. Um. I got an invitation," Sabrina stammered. "And… It was for a closed audition. For a supporting part. A jealous girlfriend in a rom-com."

Nicholas grinned. "Since you remember this one I assume you got the part."

"I did!" Sabrina bounced excitedly. "I did, I did. I knew it would be okay because there was no way you'd ever watch that kind of movie, especially not a small production like that was."

"Well now I have to," Nicholas replied. "I can't not support my incredible girl."

Sabrina giggled and turned to throw her arms around his neck. "That's not the best part though. That's what I was doing and the trips, but not this one. This one… This one is so much better."

Nicholas chuckled and kissed her nose. "I figured. A supporting role in a small production wouldn't get you what I've seen."

"No. No, my performance was so good I started getting calls. Calls! Not from the agency, from people who said they were producers. Not for auditions, either. Some of them were offers for parts." She shivered. "I couldn't believe it. I was doing it. And then, then… I got a message from someone very, very important." She paused. "Have you ever heard of the Wonder Fighters franchise?"

"Heard of it? It's one of the more popular action franchises. Aren't they up to something like twenty movies?"

"Twenty-four released this year," Sabrina replied. "Well, the director is Mark Harbor. He contacted me. Not for a part, just for an audition, but he contacted me. Me! I'd only had a single part in a small movie and one of the biggest directors in the World League knew my name." Sabrina giggled. "So… I flew here. To Unova. I auditioned. They wouldn't tell me the part, they wouldn't tell me the characters, the setting, anything, they just handed me some lines, and… Something about them just… clicked. I was told to choose my own costume, create my own character, and I just went for it. I performed those lines and before I'd even walked off the stage I had the part."

"SABRINA!" Sabrina squealed happily when Nicholas tackled her to the mattress and began planting kisses all over her face and body. "YOU MADE THE BIG TIME!"

"I DID!" Sabrina screamed back. "I DID I DID I DID!"

"No wonder you were able to hire a freaking jetliner to get me here, this is INCREDIBLE!" Nicholas cried. "And it's no wonder that- well. People are watching you. To just launch into the big time in a year or two? Of course people started asking questions with that kind of a crazy rise."

"You mean…" Sabrina grimaced. "I thought we weren't going to talk about her."

Nicholas paused. "I'm sorry. I spoke without thinking."

Sabrina's eyes drifted off his face. "It's… it's fine. The meds are working."

Nicholas shook his head slightly as he moved to lay beside her. "No, it's not fine. I have to be your safety. A mistake like this plants doubt."

Sabrina turned her head to look at him while her hand reached for his. "Honey, it's okay. You can't be perfect. Even if you were, I wouldn't want you to be. I don't want to… to hide and cower for the rest of my life." She squeezed his hand. "I need to be able to get better."

Nicholas squeezed back. "I know. I want you to get better. I just was apologizing because… how fresh this is."

Sabrina let out a long sigh. "I'd been managing her without you. It wasn't easy, but I made sure to take the pills daily. Whenever it got bad I'd just… forget."

Nicholas rolled over and rested his other hand on Sabrina's cheek. "You told me you'd stop that."

Sabrina avoided his eyes. "I didn't want to ruin my chance."

Nicholas gently stroked her cheek lovingly. "You were so brave. Doing all of this on your own, all to give me this incredible surprise." He kissed her. "Well you're not on your own anymore. I'm here now. So please. Don't forget. Face it. I'll face it with you."

Sabrina's eyes were watering and she sniffled. "Why does she have to be… one of them?"

Nicholas sighed. "Are you sure you want to have this conversation now?"

"I… have a dinner. It has to be now," Sabrina whispered.

Nicholas nodded. "Alright." He collected his thoughts. "First, I want to make what I did outside official. You have an agent now. Me. You're just being thrust into a world I've been living in for years now, and you need someone to help you. Not just like here, our personal lives, but your professional one as well. Fame and power are not usually achieved through honest means. These people will not hesitate to use you."

Sabrina slowly nodded. "Okay."

"We can talk about that later." Nicholas bent to rest his head on hers. "As for… her… I think Karen's assignment as your, 'ambassador' to the USAG isn't a coincidence."

Sabrina's fingers tightened on his. "You think she sought me out on purpose? Because I… They…"

"Karen herself? No," Nicholas replied softly. "I think Karen herself is just doing her job. It's obvious from the way she acts that she's not an amateur to show business, like you are. If she'd been anything else that would be enough. But… She's a Houndoom. Shh, shhh." He slowly stroked Sabrina when she shivered. "There are a dozen Dark-types that the USAG could have picked if they wanted to negate your psychic abilities but they chose to assign a Houndoom. I don't think that was a coincidence. I told you, these people will not hesitate to hurt you if it helps their goals."

"Every time I see her I-"

Nicholas silenced Sabrina's tortured words by wrapping his lips around hers. "Enough," he whispered eventually, once Sabrina had stopped resisting and was just letting him love her. "Whether or not those bastards' intention was to hurt you, it doesn't matter. We have to deal with it. Or more specifically, I have to deal with it. Because I will be your agent." He chuckled and kissed her again. "You still have so much to learn about this life. I'll teach you. In the meantime, though, I'll handle Karen and anyone else who tries to get in your way." His eyes grew hard. "Karen has already realized. She's not getting through me."

"…I've missed you so much," Sabrina breathed, the tears dripping down her cheeks.

Nicholas chuckled and wrapped her once more in his arms, a gentle nudge from the woman leading his fingers to the zipper on the back of her dress. "Hey. That's my line."

Sabrina just giggled, relaxing as she lost herself in his body and his mind.

.

.

Later that night, while Sabrina was out, Nicholas was in a meeting of his own.

"This hotel is expensive. Forty bodies?"

Nicholas grunted at the question. "I'll talk to Sabrina about that tomorrow. Her contract, whatever it is, must be lucrative enough or include some clause to allow her to fly us here in the first place. Either way, there's going to be a way to get us housing during filming. I'm not worried about that. Diana might even have an answer for you, Dahlia." He looked past the silent Alakazam to where Kalmiya sat. "I am worried about not being available to help her 24/7. Kalmiya?"

The Porygon bowed her head slightly. "Of course, Master. I will do everything I can to assist the Mistress."

"I'll be relying on you to filter for me during my work as Sabrina's agent, then," Nicholas said. "Now for the part I anticipate might not be taken so well." He looked around the table. It was just the Alphas. The four of his pokegirls who were Alpha in title, Diana, Sabrina's Alpha, and then the two others within his harem who acted as leaders in their own ways. Kalmiya, and Celine. Just them… and one other. "I've been giving it some thought. The guild assigned Karen, a Houndoom, to Sabrina deliberately. There's no way they didn't. I looked into things, and it's actually quite common for the USAG to send representatives to… let's be kind and say 'welcome' new actors to the scene. They are openly more favorable to Unovan actors and actresses. Sabrina isn't from Unova. She's an outside influence, and a potentially disruptive one, at that. Considering how she's managed to become this successful in such a short amount of time I would have been more surprised to find that she'd just been allowed to exist unchecked." He stared at the table. "She's a well-known psychic from her time in the spotlight as a Gym Leader. A Dark-type pokegirl representative would be smart. A Dark-type wouldn't be able to be influenced by any psychic mind tricks Sabrina might attempt. I believe Karen even mentioned something to that effect on the way here. But a Houndoom. Specifically a Houndoom." He looked up. "Archer isn't a secret. Sabrina's role in the RTF isn't a secret. Not exactly broadcasted beyond Indigo, but not hidden information. The USAG would have easily found things out when they went to investigate her. So they chose a pokegirl breed that Sabrina had a history with. A bad history. They chose the breed that would not only be able to negate her potential natural advantages, but actively impair her and cut this newbie down to where they believed she should have been at this point of her career." He scowled. "Malice born of jealousy."

Bea raised an eyebrow. "That's an assumption, Master."

Nicholas raised an eyebrow back at her. "Is my logic flawed?"

"Not at all," Bea replied immediately, "but it is still an assumption. I do not argue it – I have now lived what I once romanticized as a Beldum and I know very well how fame is a battle, just like the ones we fight with our bodies. The top is full of those like my mother. Those who would not hesitate to crush a competitor, no matter how little of a threat they might pose today. After all, why take the risk?" Bea's eyes narrowed. "Why take the risk they might one day become a problem?"

Nicholas tapped the table twice. "Bea. Your point."

Bea blinked. "Um. My point, is that it doesn't matter how likely the scenario you've outlined is. It's still an assumption. We can't act based on an assumption. Not within human society."

"I wasn't intending on taking any action against the USAG whatsoever," Nicholas replied. "That would just jeopardize Sabrina's career. But I won't be letting them abuse her, either. Which brings me to the proposal that I anticipate might not just be accepted." He took a deep breath. "Sabrina still suffers from episodes related to her PTSD. Karen has been triggering those more often than usual. It's begun to harm Sabrina." He looked at Diana. "She told me… that she's caused herself to forget, whenever it got too bad."

Diana barely nodded. "There were nights… She'd ask me to join her, and she'd be distant. Confused. We've tried to watch her, but… She's very powerful, for a human. Manipulating her own memories, her brain, like that… all it would take is one mistake, and she'd be gone."

"I know," Nicholas said softly. "Thank you for saying that. Everyone here needed to hear it." He looked around. "I hate to say it, but Sabrina is a danger to herself. Until she is able to heal from the time she spent forced to serve Team Rocket, and her abuse from the struggles against Archer, there is a real danger that she might hurt herself in an attempt to escape the pain." He winced. "I'm no psychic. I can't help her in that way. I can comfort her physically, emotionally, I can leverage the silver tongue of mine and I can guide her through her episodes, at least most of the time. But I can't stop her hurting herself. She needs someone who can."

Most of the eyes had turned to the odd pokegirl out at the table by now. "Kali?" Celine asked softly. "Is this a duty you believe you can take?"

Kali slowly looked around at the other pokegirls. "I…" She glanced at where Nicholas watched her. "Master Nicholas, if we are admitting hard truths, I have one as well. I do not like seeing Houndoom."

Nicholas barely nodded. "I know. You and Sabrina both. It gives you each common ground."

Kali blinked. "You believe… that will help me connect with her."

"I do."

Kali remained silent for a while before opening her mouth again. "A few years ago, I believed I had lost my purpose. I was not the weapon the enemy created me to be. I was not the destroyer I believed was all I could ever become. But I… found new peace." She looked down at her hands. "In many ways, I look to the instincts I have the luxury of ignoring for direction. The ones that tell me to call you Master. The ones that urge me to serve your every whim." She looked back up. "I still only know death and destruction, Master Nicholas. I would sooner kill this Karen than harm my Mistress in any way. Preventing her from relieving her pain is the same as causing it myself."

"Allowing her to harm herself prolongs her suffering," Nicholas countered quietly. "No, you are not the weapon you were created to be. Your power, then, can find new purpose. Will you use it to save Sabrina from herself?"

Slowly Kali looked down as a smile tugged at her lips. "I would ask if you trust me, Master Nicholas, but I don't need to ask. I… I do not know if I will be able to help. But I will try."

"Any objections?"

Celine was the only one to speak. "This will bring Kali into the public eye. Much more than she has been. What kind of disguise should she take?"

"If I remember correctly Kali identifies herself as an Espeon?" Nicholas asked. "That should be fine. Normal pokedexes won't know the difference. And to be honest," he said, gesturing at Kali's white hair and overall stature, "she'll look even better alongside Sabrina than an Espeon might. No offense meant to Madeline, Diana," he apologized. "But the more we can promote Sabrina's image the better."

Kali ran a hand down her body and over the white, tight and extra short business suit that had been the outfit Sabrina sent for her to wear off the ferry. "I prefer my hoodie, but… I understand the allure of this clothing as well."

Celine sighed. "There will be questions. She looks like no Espeon that has ever lived."

"Then let them ask," Nicholas replied evenly. "The truth of what Kali is is a secret kept by only a few outside of the harem. Let the public speculate and talk. It will just help promote Sabrina's existence."

"Very well." Celine shrugged. "I have no further complaints."

Nicholas nodded and glanced at Kali. "Sabrina is having dinner at a place called the Flashing Zebra. Thank you for doing this."

Kali's brow furrowed. "You want me to find her now?"

"From this moment, she is your only priority," Nicholas replied. "Keep her safe, Kali. I'm counting on you."

Kali immediately nodded, rising from her chair and levitating at high speed out the doors.

Celine watched Kali go with a pained expression. "And Espeon don't do that. I hope you have a plan for when her true identity is inevitably discovered."

Nicholas chuckled. "A plan? What's that?" He broke into open laughter when the groans began from all around the table.

.

.

CELEBRITY PROFILE OVERVIEW

Sabrina Natsume – Actress

A retired Gym Leader of the Indigo league, Sabrina Natsume is an up-and-coming actress. Though her only performance to date was as a supporting cast in Haunter'd by Love, she has been seen traveling to Pokestar Studios in recent months. Known to hold psychic powers of telepathy and telekinesis, could she be weaseling her way into the Unovan acting scene using mind control? Representatives from the USAG have put forth statements regarding Sabrina Natsume promising to hold her to the same standard as any other actress, but this writer does still wonder. (Read more on…)

Kali – Espeon

One of the many pokegirls Nicholas Topolski gathered during his original Championship title in Indigo, Kali has never been seen on the battlefield. Even regular appearances of this odd pokegirl are limited. Rumors circulate that this pokegirl is there only as a sex toy for the powerful tamer, existing only behind closed doors. Her reported albinism and furless body suggest Nicholas Topolski may hold a fetish for the exotic – hardly a surprise for one of the elite.