THAT SYLVEON

'Sup? I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. Perhaps, things will start to pick up in interest from now on. Or, it could be that the peaks will begin to flatten out. Who knows? I definitely do(n't). Anywho…

Luanastar doesn't own Pokemon.

"For goodness sake, Brendan. Am I getting fat?"

Jasmine stood in front of a large mirror in her house, examining all angles of her blue and black child-bearing medium-sized frame with discontent. Brendan was nearby, sitting in a chair when he turned to face his wife, essentially staring for a moment, then finally thought of a response.

"Naw babe, you're just extra thicc in my opinion."

Immediately, the soon-to-be mother of two swiveled around on her heel, and darted to deliver a critical slap to the Blaziken's beak that would definitely leave a mark. Really gave Brendan something not to look forward to tomorrow morning on the battling trip to Kanto. Just because she was pregnant did not mean Jasmine would ever fail to pack a punch.

...

A different Blaziken was on the scene. A female one at that, and the sibling to the aforementioned Blaziken, who was now suffering from a bruised beak. Bonnie laid on her bed in her private quarters, alongside her daughter, a Quilava named Francesca, that peacefully found rest in her mother's arms.

"Tyson!" screamed Bonnie, looking through pictures on her phone that featured herself, herself and nothing but herself. "Would you say I'm gaining weight?"

Peering through the door, was none other than the main Typhlosion himself. It had been well around sixteen years, and Tyson still hadn't formulated an answer that would work. He had past experiences with this question - both successful and unsuccessful, and also had a lot of advice, namely from Brendan who didn't really have much luck either. What he eventually learned, was that the only was to do it, was to do it.

"...Y-Yes?"

Tyson could've sworn that he saw Bonnie's eyes turn red. There was only a small window of opportunity to react, and the Typhlosion took that time to close the door to get a head start on escaping the impending mortality that was his loving and caring wife. He'll be sending his regards to Arceus soon. Poor 'Cesca would have to wait to nestle in her mother's arms again, as they were being put to use to inflict agony and taxes on another unfortunate victim.

...

Meanwhile, Julley and Cassidy, two Eeveelutions of a kind, luxuriated in their shared bedroom, happy to have the tension of work, finance and other miscellaneous responsibilities relieved from their shoulders. However, our favourite Umbreon was always the observant type, save for the one or two (or twenty) denser moments in his life, and made out the frown that slowly appeared on his wife's face as she spent more time in front of the mirror on the wall. This could only give warning to one outcome.

"Julley, I want your honest opinion." mused Cassidy, turning around to give herself a better view of her body. "Do you think you're getting… how do I say it… A little chubbier? Because, you've really been neglecting your exercise recently, and I can see you're getting a bit more… wholesome, around the belly area."

It definitely surprised the dark-type, to get asked such a question. However, he wasn't exactly complaining about it.

"O-Oh! Umm… I suppose I have, actually. Must be all the meals on my b-breaks, aha."

Cassidy turned around, and gave her husband a tranquilizing toothy grin. "I don't think any amount of break meals will make me love you any less, Julley!"

Aww. Julley was beyond blithe to be ensured once again by his irreplaceable wife, that there was always a place for him in her heart, after all these years. It was what made him sure that she was the one he wanted to start a family with, without a doubt.

Cassidy returned her attention to the mirror. "Now… Do you think I've gotten chubbier over the years?"

Of course it was coming. It was inevitable. He was simply lured into a false sense of security, before the ball was dropped on him. Everything he said now will be held accountable in the court of Cassidy.

"Umm… I-I guess not everywhere."

Looking at him as if he made a bad joke, Cassidy knew how badly he had whiffed. So did Julley, but there was no way he was going to be spared this time. The only thing he could do was try to mitigate his icy wife's ire.

"I uhh… you know I love you too, right?"

Lola watched before her very own soul, Lori strutting over to her boyfriend with the grandmother of all smug smirks. She had taken a seat on the couch adjacent to where Barry resided, thankfully reserving a space for Lola to sit. Maybe there was something she could do to lessen the awkwardness that wafted through Barry's nostrils like a bad draft.

"So… what's your name?" questioned Lori, crossing her legs to assert her dominant presence. She leaned over on her thigh, and despite being a fair distance away from the 'Ziken, Lori was still able to exert a pressure on the previously tranquil atmosphere.

"B-Barrágan Bursyamo, ma'am. But, most of my friends and family call me Barry." rightfully responded the respective owner of the name. "May I ask what your name is?"

"Lorelei." speedily answered Lola before her sister had even a thought, ready to get this entire exchange over and done with. "Call her Lori. Anyways, Lori, we were just about to go head to my room to get some studying done. Y'know, chemistry and all."

A defensive and otherwise victimising paw was placed on one's own bosom, and Lori put on her most charming and blameless face on. "Already? I haven't even gotten to meet your friend yet, Lola. Wait, hold the phone - did you say you were a Bursyamo? As in the battling legend Brendan Bursyamo?"

Barry had nodded, but if only he was equipped with the knowledge of how dumb Lori was playing. Lola definitely was, and it was the sort of act to make her cross her arms in frustration.

"No way! That's so cool. I'd assume you're a bit of a battler yourself, right?" pressed the elder Lopunny out of the duo. "You should show me your moves some time."

Listening to this was tough. Having to watch it happen was rough. But Lola had decided that enough was enough, and stepped in to intervene. "Alright, alright. We don't want to spend the entire day sitting and talking, do we? Barry and I have a heck of a lot of work to do, Lori." Lola reached over, grabbing the tuft of Barry's chest feathers through his hoodie, and pulling him to his feet. "So um, we'll see you later, 'kay?"

"Alright, you two. I'll disturb you later." concluded Lori, but her younger sister was already dragging her 'boyfriend' up the stairs before she had a chance to finish bidding her farewell.

Once the duo had made their trip up to the first floor, Lori took a moment to get a good grip of her bearings and senses. Her nostrils picked up a very prominent sign in the meanwhile.

"Have I showered yet?"

After the standard school hours, Anais trotted down the street on her one's. However, the smile on her face showed the pedestrians she passed by that she had a thought given serious weight - An idea.

So um, I know you had a little plan for your man, right?

'Course, and I'm so sure that it'll work; I'm just gonna ask him out.

So, you're just gonna plain 'ol ask him out?

What?! Of course not! That's why Lola and I formulated a full five-step plan on how I'm gonna do that. It all starts with a simple text message.

Sounds interesting. Tell me more.

Nuh-uh! You should've been listening using your psychic thingamajig powers. I'll probably tell you later before we execute the plan tomorrow.

Ughh, I was occupied with my stories! It better be good.

Anais rocked up to her front yard with a spring in her step. Taking out her keys, the Sylveon acknowledged the culmination of voices that she was never really used to hear. She opened the door, and to her dismay, was greeted with the sight of two of the most annoying people she knew: her only brother, Julius, and second-cousin, Francesca, who both menacingly loitered in the front foyer with a grin that could only spell out trouble.

"Hey! Anais! You took ages coming back from school." quipped the quirky Quilava, bouncing up and down with the limitless energy the fourteen year-old possessed. "Stop making kissy faces with your boyfriends so we can play somethin'!"

Yeaa, it was going to be one of those days, wasn't it? Anais stomped past the two to venture up the stairs, only after rolling her eyes in frustration. "DAD! WHY'S SHE HERE!?"

Anais trudged up to her room, not receiving a response from her father, who was definitely present in the house, by the way. He was probably too busy reading stupid internet stories again. Francesca followed Anais to her quarters, barging past the door to spend quality time with her cousin. Perhaps Julius knew better to stay downstairs.

"So Anais!" Francesca had yipped, not giving the Sylveon time to settle down. The Quilava found comfort in lying down on her cousin's bed. "Haven't seen you in agesss!"

Letting out a groan, the grumpy teen sat down at her desk to look at her phone. "There's a reason why, 'Cesc."

"Ahaha! Whatever, you luuuv me!" Francesca retorted, maintaining her hyper mood. "Anyways, my mom and dad said I'm gonna stay here for the day, while they 'smooth out some creases'. I dunno what that means, though."

"Brilliant." mused the unamused teenager, at least going through the effort of looking up from her phone.

Francesca pouted, but didn't let that ruin her mood. She hopped off the bed to take a look at what Anais had on her phone screen, hoping that she'd get to have a go at whatever she was doing also. "What are you doing? Are you talking to anyone? Any boys? Lemme see!"

Anais was more than ready to blow an artery. She seemed to be running into a trend with how she sees her family.

"For Arceus' sake, 'Cesca. I just came back from school. Can you let me chill out for a bit?"

That was probably the nicest that Anais could muster. Although, it did make Francesca's heart feel a little bit heavier.

"Oh, right. My bad and all. I'll go to the bathroom, but I'll be back alright! I'm definitely not spending the entire day with Julius!" replied Francesca, actually sounding slightly reasonable for once while she left the room. Finally, Anais was left alone.

Yeouch. Could you have mitigated that at all?

Whatever, it's Francesca. She'll forget when she comes back from her piss. Plus, she's interfering with the Anais' fool-proof game plan, you see. Priorities.

Right right, because you're just ever-so important. Now, tell me the plan!

Okay, so check it; I'm going to message Raidon tomorrow afternoon, and tell him that I saw him leave something in school. Most notably, his wallet.

W-What? You're going to steal his wallet? That's theft, Anais!

Let's be honest. This is Hoenn. I could rob a bank and the most I'd get is a slap on the wrist. Plus, I wouldn't actually take anything from it, or anything. It's just a way of getting him out.

You're dangerously bordering on psychotic/yandere territory.

Shut your face. So anyways, I'll lure him out to give it to him somewhere, then afterwards, I'll ask if he'd want to go to the nearby park outside of school. We'll go to the top of this hill, but has an amazing view. It'll be a perfect atmosphere to ask a guy out.

Wow… Just, wow. I've never heard anything more convoluted and over-complicated in my life.

It's probably way better than asking him straight out. I'm confident in my method.

Oh, but of course. I'd bet the family pet on it.

Anais brought out as item from within her fur: her personal cell phone, which she'd use to begin phase one. She was very thankful to have Raidon's number since way back when. Now, Anais was to put that number to use.

Three raps came on the door, before Francesca burst through, making her return from the lavatory beautifully dynamic.

"Hiii, I'm back! Are you on your phone? Ooh! Can I go on Snivychat?! Pleeease!" roared Francesca, zipping over to her second cousin with pleas. "I'll do anything, I just wanna use the filter!"

Anais rolled her eyes. She was nowhere near as desperate as a fourteen year old. Nonetheless, Anais had a bit of time to spare, so she handed her cell phone over to the Quilava. "Alright, whatever. Don't drain the entire battery."

"I definitely won't! Wow, my mom would never get me a phone…" murmured Francesca, receiving the device within her paws and preemptively getting mesmerised by the sight of her face on the screen.

She didn't even say thanks… Kids these days, for Arceus' sake.

You're preaching to the choir, sister.

Unbeknownst to the Quilava, Francesca seemed to be wandering out of the room through the open door, and into the hallway, looking for an angle that suited her.

"Damnn, Ann. The lighting here is so garbage." she grumbled ungratefully. Anais merely rolled her eyes as the younger, yet more naive volcano Pokemon inadvertently insulted her home.

The sound of a door opening was made apparent. It was a uniquely creaky sound, so Anais knew it was coming from her parent's room. However, the noise was accompanied with a few uncomfortable grunts.

"Hey, uh…" struggled Julley, who was the reasoning behind all the commotion. He was lugging a couple of boxes on his back, hence his flounder with the luggage he lugged through the first-floor hallway. "Anais? You're back f-from school right? Could you help me with these?"

Anais peered over such that she had a decent view down the hallway. Her father definitely looked like her couldn't haul those boxes all on his own. Buuuut, she was Anais, after all.

"Umm… I don't know, Dad. I was really tired from school and all…"

Julley huffed, but accepted his daughter's excuse. "It's fair, don't worry. Aha, you sound like me when I used to go to highschool.

Anais giggled from her room, watching her pops get to grips with the weight of the boxes… And not doing so well. The poor Umbreon stumbled left and right, doing his best to get the load down the stairs. Yet, standing at the top of the stairs without a care in the world (and also getting some bomb lighting) was Francesca, really enjoying herself on Anais' phone.

Squinting, Anais imagined a scenario in her head based on what was happening before her, and it clicked straight away, that things weren't going to be too good.

"Hey… Hey, hey, hey, HEY, HEY, HEY!" wailed the girl who had foreseen the future, that was her father bounding to and fro, bumping into the Quilava who had no level of situational awareness whatsoever. The cell phone, owned by Anais, flew out of the fire-type's paws, careering right down the staircase.

*dum, dum DUM DUM DUM*

The sound of the device hitting each step brought pain to Anais' soul. She threw herself off the chair and joined the duo of Francesca and her dad sheepishly glaring at the cluster of glass, metal and plastic at the bottom of the staircase.

"NO NO NO!" cried the tempered teen to the ceilings. She had barrelled down to the ground floor to get a good look at the mess her cousin had made. It was like a mini landfill at the bottom of the stairs. "For goodness' sake Francesca! I gave you just one job! Just one!"

"...Sorry, Anais." indistinctly maffled the culprit.

Groaning again, Anais began to accept her fate. Julley had set aside his boxes to reassure his eldest child.

"Calm down, Anais. I was thinking of getting you a newer model for your phone."

"Dad…" seethed Anais, clutching the battery that was ironically left intact. "That was the newest model."

Of course, it wasn't all his fault that this happened. On the other hand, Julley couldn't help but feel intimidated by his indignant daughter. "O-Oh… I see… Well, it's alright! We'll see what Cas… Er… I meant, what your mom and I can do about it. Please don't worry too much about it."

Groaning, Anais accepted her defeat, and cleaned up the remaining pieces of her phone (as well as her pride) and put it in the trash in the kitchen. To an extent, she may as well have just thrown her plans in the bin as well.

What kind of phone completely disassociates after falling down a flight? You should invest in a Noc-ia-towl phone. They're indestructible.

You're not helping, you pissant.

Uh, ahem. What are you gonna do now?

Well, I'm basically fucked sideways. I may just have to delay the plan for a few weeks…

Aww, aren't you sad. Sad Anais.

Course I am! This plan was supposed to be so well worked and everything! Dammit, I don't know where I went wrong…

Probably the second you let that kid on your phone.

Anais took a look behind her, spotting Francesca in the hallway not too far away from her father. She was closely peering into the mirror set up on the wall, entranced in her own complexion. She put on various assortments of different faces, yet all of them seemed to include her sticking her tongue out.

I think you're right… Ugh, Giratinaaa! It's just not fair!

Heyy, hey. Just calm down, alright. I'm sure things will pick up for the better.

Honestly, I don't think they will. I really don't.

...Alright, just give me a second. Let me work my magic.

What? What are you on about…? Don't you dare ignore me!

The young teenager stood at the foot of the bin had received no answer. Instead, she had noticed an extra presence come into the room. It was Mr. Breon-Solian himself, still shoving the boxes all over the place. Once he had got substantially inside of the kitchen, Anais made eye contact with the elder Umbreon, who was busy wiping the sweat off his brows.

"Sorry about your phone, Anais." gasped Julley, evidently exhausted from the exercise. "Uhh, if it'll help you feel better, how about you look through some old photos with me? Y-Y'know, if you want to."

"Meh...Why not? I don't have any plans."

Well, it wasn't like she had anything better to do, so Anais trudged over to her excited dad, who began opening the boxes. He took out a glorified picture with a golden border, and showcased it to Anais. The framed photograph consisted of 6 figures stood in front of a dark background full of flashing lights and confetti. 5 of the people there, Anais had recognised. From right to left, there was a Lucario, a duo of Blazikens, a gleeful Umbreon next to a trophy, then a Typhlosion and a Sneasel to top it all off. Julley was happy to see a smile come onto Anais' face.

"Some of these are familiar. There's Aunt Jasmine, then Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Brendan. Then, there's you and Uncle Tyson. Not sure who that Sneasel is, though, but wow, you all look so young and… smiley." muttered Anais, cocking her head at her very proud father. "I had no clue you were a battler, Dad."

Julley took this time to let out a manly guffaw… which merely sounded like a Litten trying to be an Incineroar. "Well, it just so happens, I was a pretty good battler for my time. I won my only match during that tournament. Also, that Sneasel there was my schoolmate, Sally."

Sally… Isn't that the first name of our Gym class teacher, or am I going nuts?

…

Giratina? You there?

"Uhh, Anais?" spoke Julley worryingly. He really hoped his daughter didn't have conversations with her conscience like he did growing up. "Are you there?"

"O-Oh! Yea, sorry. I just kind of dozed off." the Sylveon scrambled, shaking her head. "But um, that's really cool, Dad. Could we check another picture?"

"Ahaha, right. Let's see…" murmured Julley, fishing around in the box for any pictures that caught his eye.

Eventually, he took out a picture with no frame around it. Y'know, the ones for the photo album. When Anais had seen it, she first noticed the old smell of the attic. Next, she acknowledged the characters in the picture. It showcased her mother's slightly younger self, sat on a couch next to the Lucario featured in the previous picture. Both lounged comfortably, with smiles all abound. However, on the floor in front of the sofas were two Pokemon - an Eevee and a Torchic - battling it out mercilessly. Well, it didn't look like much of a fight; the Torchic was clearly under the mercy of the Eevee, who looked fierce in the photo.

"Aha, look at you and uh, Barry!" exclaimed Julley, squinting at the picture. "You were a serious fighter, when you were younger. Always brawling with your cousin."

Anais had giggled inwardly too. "I guess I was, yeah. Barry had such a punchable face back then, too."

Julley's eyebrows twitched a bit, as he hadn't any idea about the power that his daughter possessed, especially in comparison to his frail, 32-year old body.

"Uhm… I don't know about that, but alright."

Going again to fish out another picture, Anais seemed to have completely disregarded her phone by now. Julley pulled out a picture of a Blaziken, bearing quite a lot of resemblance to Anais' favourite cousin. Next to the Blaziken was an Umbreon, who had very feminine features about themselves.

"Hey! It's you and Uncle Brendan… Wow, Dad. You sorta looked like a girl when you were younger…"

"W-What! That's not me!" Julley sputtered, getting a closer look at the picture. "In fact, that looks like my Mom, next to… Uhhh…"

The moonlight Pokemon scratched his noggin, unable to put a name to the feathered face.

Anais began pondering. "Uncle Brendan, right? No, wait… Grandma looks way younger then. Uncle B would have to be a Combusken or a Torchic around that time."

"I think you're right… Well, let's not worry about it for now."

Julley decided to disregard the photo for now, coming to the conclusion that some questions were better left unanswered. He slot the picture back into the box, calling his trip down memory lane to a pause. On the other hand, Anais was full of inquiries, and was more than ready to do a bit of sleuthing.

OKAY! I'm back.

Geez! Even if it's in my mind, don't jump me like that! Where'd you go, anyways.

Don't worry about that. What you need to do, is go upstairs to your room. NOW!

Heck, man.

Swivelling on her paws, Anais made herself scarce from the kitchen, and up the stairs. She settled on not conversing with the Quilava who was still in her room, entertaining herself in front of the mirror. How sad.

What now?

Check under your pillow. Don't make it a big deal, though.

Never one to believe in superstitions, the intertwining type trotted over to her bed, sneaking a look under her blue pillowcases. The Sylveon could not believe her eyes. On the mattress comfortably sat a cellphone, completely intact, that looked exactly like her old one.

WHAT! No way! Giratina! How'd you do this? That's amazing!

Ahaha, well. I am a legendary, after all.

Honestly Giratina, if you were here, I'd kiss you right now.

R-Really?

Well, of course I would. Unless you have something in between those legs..?

U-Um… Well no, but we could work somethin-

Ahahaha! Calm down, I was only kidding. Seriously, though. Thank you so much. Having no cell was giving me really bad anxiety.

It's fine, really. Just make sure no one sees it for now.

Right, gotcha.

Inconspicuously placing the pillow firmly back where it was, Anais turned her attention to the gawking Quilava, who was acting as a thorn in her side.

"Hey, 'Cesca… Is it alright if you step out for a second? I just want to… Y'know, lady things."

Francesca, who looked very content with her spot in front of the mirror, inconsiderately muttered her answer. "Naw, I'm fine, Ann. You can do whatever in front of me. If you want, I won't look."

Internally grumbling, Anais stepped closer to Francesca. "No, as in really gross, teenage things."

"Ooh, that sounds kinda cool. Plus, I'm a teenager too, so I can join, right?" responded the fiery model wannabe, turning around to face her cousin with glee. Who could resist those beautiful crimson irises of hers?

Now, things were getting ridiculous. Anais had given up, stepping over to her drawers to access a lethal weapon, appropriately named the 'Francesca repellant'. In sooth, it was just a small handheld water pistol.

"Hey, hey! Alright, I'm sorry! Don't point that thing at me, I'm out of your fur!" pleaded Francesca, already zooming out of the room in fear.

Smiling sadistically at her own diabolical mindset, Anais closed the door, and made herself available to hide her phone in a more secure place while there were no witnesses about. Everyone knows that hiding important things under your mattress confirmed safety.

"Well, all we have to do now is wait." said Anais, lying back-first on her bed. Only 23 hours remained before she'd shoot her shot at a fourth relationship in her life. As the saying goes, if you don't buy a ticket...

…

…

Wait, FOURTH?!

'Ello, all of you. I hope you enjoyed this slightly shorter chapter. I haven't any comments for today, but I will be looking to reply to some of your reviews in the next chapter! Thank you very much for reading, and feel free to leave a review, if you want to give your opinion. Your opinion will always be cherished. Furthermore, thank you to Degenerate Fluffington, for beta-ing. Credz! Credz credz credz! Love it!

Enjoy your summer!

-Luanastar

Grey clouds surrounded the city of West Latias, unleashing their relentless torrents of rain unto the helpless infrastructure and it's inhabitants. One of the victims, an Absol cooped up in an alleyway, sobbed the wintery night away like it was their last. The smell of nearby waste disposals and the incessant pitter-patter of rain onto the cold stone floor were their only company. The Absol's snowy white fur became more and more soaked in the chilled droplets that fell like bullets - not that they cared, merely sulking all their worries away.

Only minutes later, a presence asserted themselves within the alleyway, emphasised by the increase in luminosity of the bricked walls of the cramped alley. The Absol turned around, yet hadn't dried the tears of misery streaming down their cheeks. A bright white light was all that was apprehensible.

"Come with me." came the source of the light, seemingly narrowing the distance between itself and the disaster Pokemon. "I will keep you safe."

The bright light brought around a comfort that the Absol had never felt before. A blanket of warmth that enveloped the entire alleyway with an atmosphere of tenderness. An emotion kept trapped deep within the Absol's furthest and darkest chambers.

The bright light gave the Absol hope.