THAT SYLVEON

Welcome everyone, back to the 12th instalment of the 'That Sylveon' series. The 11th chapter was posted about three days before it's expected date, thanks to the value of demand of this, as well as 'A Fiery Tale'. However, finals have seriously cramped my writing hours. This is probably the longest that you've ever had to wait for a chapter, and I sincerely apologize for that. Though, I've still got about three weeks worth of exams left to go… Yeah, I'd be upset at me too. So, I'm really sorry if you wanted this to come out anytime sooner.

Furthermore, come the summer holidays, I'll be going on vacation with my family, to see some more family. In other words, this story is gonna be a bit hectically written due to that. Though, I'll be trying to work on 'A Fiery Tale' with Jirulius so you have something to read then. Since it's a collaboration, we make a lot of progress on it, quite fast. Plus, it's tons of fun to write :P

Awesome Sawss/Luanastar do not own Pokemon, or any other copyrighted franchises mentioned in this story.

Cassidy, Julius and Barry hopped out of the Breon-Solian family car, and stood at the entrance to the mall. Of course, Anais was busy going out, so Cassidy had to settle for the most reliable Blaziken within the area. Julius only tagged along because he hadn't anything else to do.

"Alright, Julius. Make sure that you stick with Barry at all times, okay?" commanded Cassidy, craning her neck to look at her second born son. "I'm just gonna go to the ATM, so you two can go and grab what cereals you want."

Barry nodded, and took Julius by the paw to lead him inside of the mall. Meanwhile, after Cassidy watched the two grab a shopping cart delve deeper in the labyrinth of processed products and reduced prices, she walked around to the side of the building's perimeter, where a free teller machine was available. However, there was a Jolteon already using it, and Cassidy was in a slight bit of a hurry. She couldn't leave Barry and Julius alone for too long; other parents would begin judging her.

"Excuse me, sir. Do you mind if I can get some cash out before you use it? I'm in a rush." pleaded Cassidy to the Pokemon in front of her. The Jolteon turned around, and smiled at what they saw.

"Sure, anything for my little sis."

That voice made each of Cassidy's hairs stand on end. She immediately lunged forward to hug the electric type. Risky, but worth it. She couldn't believe that she hadn't recognized him from the get-go.

"Cooper!" Cassidy nuzzled her brother's golden coat and snow white fur, missing his touch for the past five years, despite the fact that they lived so close to one another.

"Cass!" Cooper accepted the hug warmly, though making sure that he didn't accidentally spark her.

After backing away from the embrace, Cassidy analyzed her brother closely, albeit with a smile on her face. It was evident that after all these years, from the birth of Anais to the birth of Julius, that Cooper hadn't changed one bit. Yet, as Cooper stood there, gazing at Cassidy, he couldn't come to terms with the fact that she had changed drastically. She finally looked like a grown woman, one that could take care of herself, and her family.

"C-Cooper, I can't believe that I would see you here out of all places!" yipped Cassidy, grinning broadly.

"Neither would I! I was just shopping with Zoey, while Chloe's at home." replied Cooper, staring right into the eyes of his sister. It felt so weird referring to her that way; It made him realize how old he was now… 38 years of age, to be exact. This meant that Cassidy was around 32, and the youngest out of the bunch, Cody, was merely 25. He couldn't comprehend how fast the times went by.

"ZOEY! How is she?" yelled Cassidy, earning some glares from some of the other shoppers.

Cooper was nearly pushed backwards at the force of his sister's bellow, smiling how times just aren't supposed to change. "Zoey's great, she's just loading all of the groceries in the car… In fact, we were about to get moving, now."

Cassidy's expression became downcast, but reminded herself of the disadvantages of having a family. "Oh. We had only just started our shopping, and I need to get to Barry and Julius."

Cooper smiled and ruffled the fur on his sister's head. "Well remember, you're my little sister. Just call me anytime, alright?"

Cassidy smiled too, cuddling her brother one more time before he began to take his leave. "I will, Cooper. I'll see you later."

The Jolteon pulled away, and sent a wave to the Glaceon, before jogging away as if he was 22 again. Cassidy could feel an ice cold tear run down her cheeks as an unfortunate lifelong relative began to depart. It nagged at the back of her mind to arrange a date, where she could meet up with her beloved brothers once again. Cooper had grown out truly to become the mature, grown man he was alway cut out to be, and Cody… He was still Cody. Cassidy was definitely surprised to see how the younger Glaceon grew, though, creating a life out of 'Pikachtube' and video games. She would've never expected him to start a family with that kind of attitude. As it turned out, his family wasn't at all bad, and he was earning a decent figure from all of this video games.

Huffing and getting her bank card out, Cassidy withdrew a sum of cash from the machine, before looking around for the Blaziken and Eevee before she could be claimed as an irresponsible parent. It wasn't too long before she found them, though, and their shopping cart was full of everything that she needed.

"Wow, Barry! You've done my work for me! Aww, I wish you were my son as well!" exclaimed Cassidy, nuzzling against the Blaziken as if he really was her own child. In her dreams.

Barry blushed as the Glaceon groomed him affectionately. "Uh, no problem Aunt Cassidy!" he backed away from the shopping cart so Cassidy could handle it from there. She grinned as she spotted her son in the cart, sitting behind a 'Crunchy Nuzleaf' cereal box.

The rest of the shopping was done relatively quickly, with Cassidy grabbing the remainder of the products left on her list, Julius whining for his mother to buy him a new toy to accompany his library of toys that he already had, and Barry, gazing at the things that he may purchase in the near future if he had the time, preferably when he went on to university and had his own apartment.

As Cassidy was scanning the products in the self service isle, Barry and Julius waited on a bench, talking to each other as if they were best friends, rather than just cousins.

"Ooh, I can't wait to get home!" cheered Julius, jumping on and off the bench. "Mommy got me a new toy!"

Barry beamed and rose an eyebrow. "But Julius, don't you have a bunch of toys already? What's the point of buying more?"

Julius stopped jumping around for a second, looking sternly at the Blaziken with those brown eyes like a tame canine turned savage. "Because toys are fun, Barry. I like fun."

Barry put up a talon to surrender under the visual might of Julius Breon-Solian. "Alright, Julius. I think you've made your point."

Julius smiled again and resumed hopping back and forth onto the bench, as if he was placeboed up on 20 pounds of sugar. However, as the Eevee looked in a certain direction, something made him stop his motions, fearfully staring at the direction with all of his focus. Barry noticed this and was a little worried; Julius was only a few wavers short of being a complete statue.

The Blaziken followed his trail of sight, and was shocked to see that Julius was gazing at a group of Pokemon, giggling and staring right back at him. Immediately, Barry found interest in looking at the floor, just to ensure that he hadn't made any unnecessary eye contact with the group.

"Barry…" Julius whispered, still staring at the entourage of Pokemon. "They're coming…"

Barry didn't want to look now, but he could tell from his peripheral vision that the little Eevee was indeed right. From the group, a pair that consisted of an Ampharos and a Lurantis sauntered over to the sitting Blaziken, who really hoped that they weren't actually coming over to make conversation with him. All the while, Julius quickly scooted back to his mother, whom he aspired to get him away from the situation.

"Umm… Excuse me?" giggled the Lurantis, in a very girlish voice. "Hi, we just couldn't stop staring at you. I mean, what were the chances that you were going to be here, in this very mall!" gawked the giddy grass type.

Perplexed couldn't describe what Barry was feeling, and he was worried that nothing will. "Um… I guess the same chances that everyone else would be at this mall?" A consternated answer was given by a very unhinged Blaziken. Though, this achieved a very different reply from what he was expecting. The two of the girls began laughing hysterically, making Barry feel incredibly uneasy.

"Oh, you're so funny! Just as we would expect from watching all of your interviews, Mr. Bursyamo!" piped up the Ampharos, bringing out a pen and a violet ED hoodie.

Mr. Bursyamo? Wow, I didn't know that I'd be so well known around this part of West Latias!

My child, perhaps it would be most wise not to blow your own trumpet here.

Oh! Uh, I guess you're right. I'm barely Mr. Bursyamo anyway. I think I'll be fine with just Barry. Thanks!

… You are just so incredibly winsome, my child.

"Oh, well, thank you." replied Barry, but not exactly quite sure what they wanted out of him.

The Ampharos walked over to his spot on the bench, giggled as well, before sitting down. The other Lurantis simply stood at a audible distance. "Umm, so my friend and are like - HUGE fans of your battling and stuff, Mr. Bursyamo, so is it alright if you like, sign my hoodie here?"

Barry scratched the back of his head. Semi-professional battling at quite a lot of hype surrounding it, he presumed.

"I guess so, but how comes you keep calling me 'Mr. Bursyamo'?" asked Barry, accepting the hoodie and marker pen in his two talons.

Now, the Lurantis giggled along with the Ampharos, yet eventually, it was the electric type that had spoke up first. "Well, you are THE Brendan Bursyamo, right?"

Barry was a bit wide-eyed at this moment. Although he couldn't exactly lie by saying that he was 'Mr. Bursyamo', he isn't technically qualified as an adult just yet.

"Umm… Well, no." The two girls gasped in shock, leading Barry to carry on before they could start accusing him as a fraud. He wouldn't really mind, but he just wanted to clear up the fact that he got the wrong end of the stick. "But, that's because I'm Barry Bursyamo. Brendan Bursyamo is my father."

The two fanatics squealed in more shock, but of the happy kind. It would of course be a delight to get an autograph from Brendan Bursyamo, but it would be surely be a fantasy come true.

"THE Barry Bursyamo!? OMA, you look so much like your dad, but even cuter!" wailed the Lurantis. Barry started to blush a little as his ego was boosted.

"Oh, t-thank you, though slightly unlikely since I'm 15, and my father's 2 years more than double that age." appreciated the Blaziken, though becoming a little unsure when he noticed the two Pokemon look to each other and begin whispering quietly. They giggled some more, before eventually, the Ampharos looked him straight into his eyes, with a grin on her face.

"Um, okay. By the way, I'm Aurora, and my friend over there is named Luarin. We were just really wondering if we could have your number so we could maybe call you sometime?" audaciously asking the anxious Ampharos, unaware of how simple it was actually going to be in the end.

"I guess." replied Barry, recalling his number off the top of his head and dictating it to the very eager Pokemon. After they giggled some more, the bid the Blaziken farewell and scampered off to another side of the mall, just in time for Cassidy and Julius to come back from the self check out section.

Wow, those people were incredibly nice to me.

My child, do you not wonder about their intentions behind their bubbly facade?

Huh? Weren't they just trying to be polite?

Oh, Barry. Your trust stretches for miles, even among the driest of deserts. Just ensure yourself that you are aware of the decisions you make, my child.

Oh. Okay, I'm sorry.

My child, there's nothing to fret about, as long as you feel it is the right decision.

In her pitch black room, she was once again alone. Confined to the binds of her bed, Anais wept as she progressively lost her mind. She felt like she had no meaning left in life. Surely, there was no purpose in living, if she could barely get anyone to commit to loving her. Her pillow became more and more damp the more she sobbed. Her chambers were darkened with despair, and her pride discarded as smashed pieces of glass on the floor.

She had sent her father away, struggling to get over her tribulations after rejecting his aid. All he wanted was to help, yet Anais didn't even blink twice before raising her voice at him. Yet, as of now, a friend to talk to is all that she wished for.

Thankfully, Arceus answered her pleads, in the form of a creaking sound coming from her door, indicating that it was opening. Twisting her body around to face the opposite side of the room, Anais was delighted to find that it was her beloved cousin, Barry Bursyamo.

In their large and spacious room, Giratina, Cresselia and Arceus idly lounged, watching one of those programs recommended to them by the ghostly dragon. The three of them sat on a bean bag. Mewtwo was supposed to join in the fray, too, but he claimed to not like their little entourage. A super awesome deer-like thingy? A drug addicted ghost dragon? A levitating lunar psychic thingy? Think of all the wacky adventures they could have! Though, Mewtwo didn't seem to want any of that.

Suddenly, Arceus lurched forward involuntarily, nearly falling out of his seat.

Cresselia first noticed the uneven distribution in weight, and questioned the action. "Arceus - What has urged you to engage in such a sudden event?"

Arceus began breathing heavily. Cresselia stared wide-eyed at the Arceus. Giratina didn't care and carried on with the movie.

"I don't know, but I feel my fangirl meter rising through the roof!"

The Blaziken, yawning and stretching, seized the first chance to hop onto his mattress. A minor 'thud' following. The faint silhouette of the fire type could be seen in the tearing eyes of the Sylveon. He probably wasn't aware of her presence just yet.

Wiping her tears and clearing her throat, Anais ensured that she wasn't an emotional wreck when confronting the Blaziken.

"B-Barry?" she croaked, which was exactly what she didn't want to do.

The Blaziken fidgeted around in his bed, clearly not expecting anyone else to be in such a quiet area.

"Huh? Is that you, Anais? What are you doing in the dark? It's only 8." questioned the startled fire type, getting up from his mattress to switch on the lights. As he was given a clearer view of the Sylveon, he noticed the stark contrast between her usual cerulean irises and her current unreal shade of crimson puffy pupils. "Anais… Are you alright?"

Anais felt a torrent of tears beginning to swell up in her eye sockets, but she was able to somewhat hold them back before it came gushing out.

"Barry… Do you… think I'm lovable?"

Barry gasped in surprise, Anais' eyes starting to shimmer more than ever before.

"Lovable? Anais, I don't know how to describe you. You're everything that can be loved on this earth!" bellowed Barry, taking a seat on the Sylveon's bed. Anais didn't know what she'd do without Barry. Though, Arceus had cursed her by making him her cousin. Otherwise, she would happily do anything as long as it pleased him. Even now, she loved the Blaziken in all possible aspects, and though she was aware that Barry loved her too, her passion was just a few sparks brighter.

Though Anais felt significantly better, she still couldn't come to terms with the fact that Nester, the one who she thought she loved the most, still neglected her adoration.

"Then… W-Why can't people tell me when they love me?" cried the Sylveon, wanting to thrust her face into the pillow.

Barry sighed and moved further towards the center of the bed. "Well… Anais, I know that you're undeniably one of the most caring people I've ever met. Though, others may not turn out to be as caring as you are. They… may not be so committed. They also may also have their doubts about being in a relationship. In the end, though two parties may claim to like each other, the result won't always be a whole number."

Anais didn't say anything. At least, anything comprehensible. Instead, she leapt at the Blaziken and wrapped her arms around him, never wanting to let go, and burying her muzzle into his firm, chest. Barry was the best thing that had happened to her.

"B-Barry…" sobbed Anais, trembling harshly. "P-Please stay with m-me."

Barry caressed her back fur smoothly. "Of course I will, I don't have a car to get back home!"

Alright, I just woke up from having a gallon of crushed rare candies. What's going on?

Anais was induced by the Blaziken's response to look up in his soothing amethyst orbs. "By that, I mean… Can you sleep with me tonight?"

Alright, I'm going back to sleep after having another gallon of crushed rare candies. Good night.

Suddenly, the Blaziken felt a little bit uneasy at the phrasing of this proposal. "S-Sleep with y-you? But wouldn't that b-be kind of…" Barry gazed properly into the needy eyes of the Sylveon, realizing that he was obliged to do this for her. "I-I guess I could. A-As long as it makes you happy."

Anais smiled and pulled the lightweight Blaziken into the blankets with her, not before using a feeler to turn the lights off. Barry yelped at the yank, bounding into the covers with one of Anais' incredibly strong ribbons to pull him over. As soon as he was under the blankets, Anais nuzzled him again, digging deep into his fluffy feathers, purring from the warmth that Barry provided.

Meanwhile, Barry simply accepted the embrace and tried to close his eyes. He once again, reminisced of the times he was raised, linking to how he eventually landed into this situation.

A young, agile, 7 year old Combusken ducked under another kick sent by his young and ripe 24 year old father. Once again, the duo of Brendan and Barry Bursyamo, father and son, were sparring out in their garden. Barry retaliated by shooting a tornado of flames from his beak at his father, who side-stepped it effortlessly.

Brendan, turning up the heat a little, countered by feigning a kick, which Barry had prepared to block, before actually hitting him square in the face with a punch instead, knocking him several metres backwards.

"OW!" yelped Barry, the force of the punch making him roll across the grass many times, before leaving him on the floor, clutching his precious jaw. "Golly, pops, that smarts!"

Brendan laughed as he tended to his fallen son. "Ha! Sorry about that, Barry! I didn't mean to hit you that hard."

"BRENDAN!" came a voice from inside the house, though audible through an open window. Through the ajar window panel, a pair of red burning eyes made the two shudder in utter fear. "If you lay a finger on our child like that, I swear, I'll do things to you that you can't even imagine!"

Immediately, memories of Jasmine fixing up his dislocated arm came swarming back to Brendan, making him wince in reminders of his pain. The way his sister held his mouth shut and arms immobilized. His one true love, twisting and turning his arm in dimensions that even Brendan didn't know existed. He screamed for dear life, but never had any let up whatsoever. He had never experienced so much pain in his life. It easily dwarfed his abdominal stab; the last thing he'd want to do it upset his wife now. Imagine if she actually put effort into it.

No doubt, the Lucario inside held all the power in the house. Barry knew this, but definitely not to the extent that her father did.

"S-Sorry, dear!" Brendan cried, frantically dusting Barry's feathers. Thankfully, Jasmine had excused them this time. "Are you alright, Barry?"

Barry stood up, albeit not proudly, but fully recovered from the attack. "Of course, Dad! I can take it!"

Brendan smiled, before kneeling to match his son's height. "That's great, Barry. I'm really proud of you." said the elder Blaziken, placing a talon on the Combusken's shoulder. "Though, there may be some people who won't be able to take the same pain. Barry, I'm not trying to make you be a hero or anything, but if there's an instance when you can help someone, do it. No hesitation whatsoever. Your objective it to look after the people you know, and even those you don't know."

"But Dad, why should I help others? What if they don't help me?" asked Barry, already having his doubts about his father's wishes.

"Because, Barry. It's good to help other people. You may be the voice of reason, but sometimes, more often than not, these fists of yours can save someone's life someday. Or perhaps, your kindness can get someone out of depression one day. And soon, you'll find your loved one, who'll care for you, just as much as you cared for them, and others, alright?" Brendan ensured that his son got all of these words, because when he leaves, he didn't want his son to be like him. "I know that I've told you this many times, but I cannot stress it enough. Help all people around you, and always be polite. You're the only son I have, Barry. Therefore, I want you to become the best that you can be."

Barry, mouth agape and eyes wide, nodded with agreement. "Y-Yes Dad, I will."

"That's amazing, Barry." Brendan stood up tall, leaving the Combusken 2-3 feet shorter than him. "Now, I'm leaving tomorrow to Kanto, so take good care of your mother, alright?"

"Yes, Dad."

To the Blaziken, this was nothing more than just another occasion. He didn't want a lot of recognition. He just wanted to fulfill his father's wishes. Anais slept peacefully on his chest, subconsciously using one of her ribbons to caress his toned love handles and v-lines with care. Looking down at the Sylveon, he compared that to the sight of Lola the Lopunny. His feelings for her were immense, as much as Barry would be too timid to admit. Though, he'd have to wait his time before even trying to confess his emotions to the Lopunny. Barry was still anxious if Lola felt the same.

My child… You are a very kind-hearted and selfless boy. Although, you claim to have romantic feelings for Lola Punnichi, the Lopunny in your class, don't you think there is someone who you may hold a deeper passion for? Someone very, very close to you?

I… Don't think so. Lola just really seems like the one for me.

Really? In spite of how much time you spend with them?

Do you mean my Dad? Oh, yeah, he's amazing.

… My child. You are one of the most innocent people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Now, if I may be excused, I am going to engross myself in various juxtapositions of the candy that is infrequent.

Oh, well I'll see you another time, I guess.

Meanwhile, two parents on the first floor, as well as their child, all sat in the lounge. The television played silently in the background. An Umbreon trailed a paw across the leather of the couch's arm tenderly, yet hopelessly. His wife snuggled into his side. Said Glaceon felt incredibly sympathetic due to his inability to step to their daughter.

"I… I don't even know what was w-wrong with her." stuttered Julley, pouring out his jug of dilemmas unto his caring wife, who selflessly crept a paw over his back. "She just lashed out at me, and I didn't know what to say…"

Julius, although not exactly knowing what the problem was, stood from his area on the couch, and walked over to the floor aside from his father. He sat on the spot, trying to get a better listen on the conversation.

Cassidy smooched the Umbreon's forehead again as she caressed the strands on his furry back. "Don't worry. Anais is going through a teenage phase. You remember how it is."

Julley looked down at his pink paws, that shook with anxiety. 32 years, he's tread the earth on these paws, yet he couldn't find it in him to arise against and discipline his own daughter, who was merely half of his age. "I-I know, but…" Julley's eyes met with Cassidy's in a clash of amethyst. "But how can Anais feel assured that she has a father figure when that father can't even handle his own children?"

Cassidy furrowed her brows and sternly gazed at the Umbreon. "Julley. I want you to go up there right now, and demand her to tell you what's wrong. Otherwise, this issue will eat you forever." she said, not taking her eyes away from Julley for even a second.

"B-But I… I…" Julley saw how his wife looked at him. After all these years of waddling in timidity - He knew it was time to stop. He had reminded himself time and time again, but he never really seemed to understand the responsibilities of a parent. Then, he looked over to his slumbering son. The Eevee cared too much for. Blink, and now he could comprehend it all. Julley realized, for all of this time, he had been imbibed by the clutches of social misery, that it was no longer about him. The spotlight had now been shifted to the younger dependents in hope of a better, brighter future. The adorable Eevee was enough to put him back on all four of his paws, and bring out the store of determination that he should've released decades ago. "N-No… You're right, Cassidy. I'll… I'm gonna do what a real father would do. What a real father should do."

The courage that Julley seemed to abhor his whole life came rushing back to him without warning, and he was urged to fly towards the staircase, and barrel up to the first floor. With an force generated from the unknown depths of Julley's mind, the Umbreon shoved a paw forward, busting the door open with vigor and a bad attitude. He flicked on the light switch, illuminating the soon to be warzone before him, as he audaciously stepped foot into no man's land, seeing the horrific sight of…

Anais sleeping peacefully, snuggling up onto Barry's chest…

Wha? All of that for… this?!

Well? What else would you prefer?

I… don't know… maybe some explosions in the background?

Don't overwork your imagination-generated imagery effects, Julley. Remember, you're in your 30s.

Ha, ha. Very funny. Don't you have things to do?

Julley. It's been 16 whole years. I think you should've realized by now, that I don't have much to do.

Stirring from her sleep, Anais woke up in an awkward stupor. Julley was somewhat lax about the mild - and hopefully platonic - cuddling between his daughter and her cousin. Though, what bugged him was the fact that Anais looked so calm, as opposed to as she did a few hours ago. What was it that Barry had that he hadn't? You know, aside from everything?

"Hey… Good morning, Dad." mumbled Anais, keeping her voice down so she wouldn't wake up Barry. "It is morning, right?"

Julley peeked out the window that was a gate to the outside world; it was covered completely in a pitch blank blanket. "Uh… More or less…" Julley then sighed, daftly wandering to her bedside. "Are… are you alright, Anais?"

Anais looked over to Barry, who seemed to remind him vividly of another person that she had been growing fond of, and smiled. "Yeah, everything's fine now." she commented, stroking the chest of the Blaziken that seemed to be sleeping with his eyes open. Kinda gross.

"Oh…" deadpanned the Umbreon. "Then what was earlier today all about?"

Suddenly, the image of Nester's smug face came into full view in her mind. Quickly, she shook her head to get rid of it. She wanted to end the day on a rather positive note, and didn't need that wimp of a Ninetales to interfere with anything anymore.

"I… was just… Well, it was… Growing up?"

The lame excuse, as lame as it was, actually piqued Julley's interest, as the Umbreon slowly nodded his head. "Well it's fine, I guess. Your mother used to have those problems too." Julley then turned over to the sleeping Blaziken, who was only breathing lightly. "By the way… What's Barry doing in your bed?"

Anais smiled upon looking back at the Blaziken, who didn't seem to mind sleeping with his mouth open, too. Small embers poured out from his beak from every exhale. "Him? Oh, he's just my little reminder that there's more to life than being grumpy all the time."

Julley raised an eyebrow and cocked his head, but he had to admit; Barry was pretty comfortable to be around, in all regards. "Well, alright then. Just don't do that too often. We don't want Jasmine getting the wrong idea." he said, sighing and standing up from the bed. "Though, I'm glad to see that you're alright now, Anais."

Anais smiled, as Julley switched off the lights again to her daughter's room. His rings were visible in the dark. Sometimes, she forgot that he was an Umbreon. "Thanks Dad."

As soon as Julley left that room, he felt really upset that in his spur of badassery, he never actually got to do anything exciting. All he saw was the Sylveon that was previously on fire, doused by the Blaziken who was… Also kind of on fire… ish. The point stood, Julley wasn't an accomplished father like he thought he was.

Huffing, Julley made his way to the room across the hallway. Upon opening it, he found one of his very merry best friends lying on his bed, albeit very suggestively.

"Please go away, Arceus."

Arceus smiled and made space for his companion to come a take a seat. "Come on, Julley. I just wanna talk!"

"What's there to talk about? I've just realized how bad of a father I am, to the point that Barry, at 15, would make a better dad than me!" wailed Julley, flopping in the bed beside him

"And what makes you think that?" asked Arceus, wiggling his brows up and down.

Julley sighed once more, staring up at the ceiling in hopeless effort. "Well, you were there, so you should remember. It all started when I went to school that one day…"

That'll have to be it for this chapter. I'm suuuuper duper sorry about the utterly late upload. I've been seriously constrained by exams, and that's on top of looking after my sister, and Luan… Well, we all know about Luan! XD So I just wanted to get this one out as soon as I could, so I sincerely apologize if you find that the quality of the chapter becomes significantly crappy. Furthermore, the next chapter may not be out for a while. I can't say I can even put a release date on it either. I'm really sorry. I just want these finals to be over.

Also, I think it was MasterFrench who got the form, but preferably telling me where the graph crosses the y-axis would've been worthy of two brownie points! Anyway, tres bien, mon copine! (Can't seem to do accents, by the way :P)

But anyways, thanks for reading! For those on the Discord chat, thanks a bunch for the moral support!

-Awesome Sawss/Luanastar