We're finally here. The big chapter, that wound up so big I realized it needed to be split into multiple parts. Not just for the sake of letting certain moments carry the weight the deserved...but also to avoid a chapter with roughly 25,000 words... I am so bad at planning things!

With any luck the hiatus is officially over and these busy months are behind me.


(Mesprit POV)

If I were to rate how my day has been I would firmly describe it as a mixed bag. On the one hand Uxie and Azelf actually finally seem to be taking meaningful steps towards admitting the blatantly obvious. As an added bonus aside from the unwarranted 'interrogation' Mew received everyone has remained remarkably civilized for this meeting. I fully expect that to come to an end tonight. Someone is going to piss someone off and there will be a mess that Arceus is going to force all of us to clean up.

On the irritating side. There was the obvious difficulties in getting Azelf to do anything I asked her to. She REALLY hated what I picked out for her. Oh well she eventually saw reason to dress up properly for her date with Uxie. Though that was more of an accessory to what the two would be doing, as long as those two make some form of progress I'll consider it a win. What was truly annoying me was that I still had no idea where Jirachi was. Seriously I've never had this issue before. She wasn't in either of her usual spots for these meetings. What in the world was she doing? I'd have to ask her about it when I bump into her.

Well that difficulty would be short lived. I camped out at the portal meant to take us to this club Arceus was so excited about. At the bare minimum she would be taking Mew and Celebi here to wish them a good night. While waiting I got a glimpse of everyone's emotions a couple of emotions were more fun than usual while others remained exactly where I expected them to be. The truly surprising one I felt came from Manaphy. He was absolutely crushed and doing everything in his power to remain composed. It was a near match for Uxie when he had been unintentionally rejected. A bitter sting I have felt far more than I wished to experience.

He wasn't even taking the time to 'compliment' Kyogre's disguise. He just walked right past her before she could find a reason to get mad at him. "Hey Manaphy! Over here wanna ta-" I never got the chance to finish what I was saying he walked right past me. His heartbreak vanishing behind that portal. I wonder who rejected him...

Eventually the surprisingly elusive trio arrived with an abnormal concoction of emotions. I fully expected for Mew and Celebi to be all lovey-dovey like so many others. Or at the bare minimum for them to feel excited for the night. It was a rare chance where Arceus was allowing free reign to party without any major restrictions. Of the three Mew was the only one who was even remotely in a good mood. I attributed that to spending the day with Celebi and Jirachi and not getting heckled repeatedly. There was still a layer of bubbling rage from prior events and his own annoyance at getting stuffed into a suit that he was far too annoyed about. Hopefully Celebi can help to relax those feelings into something a little more positive. Said time fairy was currently experiencing a dull guilt continuously puncturing her chest whenever she made eye contact with Mew. What was going on between the two of them? Actually it wasn't just with Mew that emotional wound dug deeper when she looked at Jirachi too. At first I was curious to the change but now I was worried I missed something.

Finally there was the wish granter I had been looking for. She was rather melancholic. It was a state I rarely saw her in. Usually she was the one to help raise my spirits with how infectiously joyful she was. Something really bad must have come up if it managed to phase her. Well if that's the case then I'll just have to lift her spirits tonight.

"Hey Jira! Where have ya been? I've been looking all over for you!" The color returned to her face when she turned to face me. It was good to see and feel the sunny wish granter's cheerful side surfacing. She held up her finger asking me to wait for a moment. She turned back to her counterparts and... I heard something vaguely along the lines of 'You two go on ahead. I'll catch up.'

Mew unsurprisingly nodded happily while Celebi... just felt even worse all of a sudden. I could only feel her taking an ounce of comfort with how excitedly Mew had been holding her hand. I couldn't make out at all what Jirachi said next but it convinced Celebi to depart with Mew. Then just like Manaphy her remorse disappeared as the two stepped through the portal. Finally no more waves of emotions or distractions. Just me and Jirachi. Sadly these emotions were already taking there toll on me. I felt dizzy from how rapidly everything had been changing. That was confounded by my own emotions deciding to wage war on my own body. It felt weak, tired, and frail. Thankfully I was more than capable of pushing it aside. I would hardly be a fitting being of emotions if I couldn't handle a little emotional distress.

"Hey Mesprit. Sorry about that but someone had to keep those two out of trouble." She gestured to the portal while closing the noticeable difference between us.

"Get anything juicy out of that gig?" She shook her head and the brief glimpse of joy faded now that the matter had been fully drawn to her counterparts.

"No...if anything I think I might have made things uneasy for Celebi... But that's not what either of us want to focus on right now. Both of us need a night to unwind. Then I can talk it out with her some more if she really needs it." I wasn't a fan of it, but I could let it slide for now. I had another matter I wanted to focus on with Jirachi.

"Fine I had something I wanted to ask you anyways..."

It was a simple premise on paper. Either she declines and we go about the night as we usually would or she accepts and the night will be the same but with far more hand holding. I had rehearsed this scenario ever since my talk with Uxie. Practicing which words could properly convey how I think my own feelings have been changing lately. Except even then it failed to gain any traction. All I got out of that was a crippling pain in my stomach that only tightened with each attempt to redefine my words. My mouth hung agape as the realization came to me. I had absolutely no idea how to do this! As cryptically as Azelf asked it she at least managed to get the concept across. I was struggling to even get a single word out.

I didn't even have the luxury of searching for my words anymore. Jirachi was right in front of me and my continuing silence was something she took notice of. Her head tilted and she motioned with her hand for me to continue. Forcing that bubbling pain back to the pit of my stomach I soldiered on and let my words flow as naturally as my body would let me.

"S-s-so I k-know... that this is... s-s-su-sudden!... b-b-b-bu...but... I-I-Iuahgh-argh-ARGH!" My voice dropped deeper than any I had ever heard in my life. Conveying the desperate growls of a frightened beast cornered and fending for it's life. Jirachi's emotions battered me with an overwhelming worry for my well being and a primal fear of the noises I was producing. That knotting pain had grown too much to handle. It forced my eyes shut and a sudden rush of air pushing against me. I had lost my balance entirely and was moments away from an inevitable collision with the dirt bellow. Or I would have if not for Jirachi. She caught me. She saved me from a painful intimacy with the ground.

She slowly helped me sit down pressing the back of her hand against my forehead.

"Mesprit. Are you OK!? You're burning up!"

Yes!

No!

ARGH!

Unable to form the words properly and in fear of subjugating Jirachi to that bestial growling again I gave a difficult nod. Said action twisted that pit in my stomach like a winch about to tear the ropes it was binding. It repeatedly told me that I was making a mistake. Forcing it back I spoke with a shaky clarity.

"...I was hoping we could hang out at the club...I-I...thauh-thought you might enjoy my company and...I've... never done this before... sorry if I scared you..."

I hope she could understand my intentions from that. I think I might actually puke if I tried pulling those words out of me again. She didn't exactly acknowledge what I was saying. Instead she kept her hand to my forehead and spoke in a concerned tone she had delivered to Mew on countless occasions.

"Are you sure you're OK?"

"Yeah... I'm just a little nervous is all..." I mean, it wasn't entirely inaccurate. I wouldn't know why else I'd suddenly feel so sick to my stomach beyond food poisoning. An outcome I know wasn't gonna happen. I barely ate anything at all today. I was far too busy with other far more important matters. Jirachi however remained skeptical and continued speaking to me with an abundance of worry in her voice.

"...If you get any worse I'm taking you back early."

I gave her a weak nod and that overpowering pain in my belly felt as though it was growing numb at long last. It was probably for the best this wasn't going anywhere. If I was this anxious over simply asking her then I could only imagine how much of a mess I'd have been on a real date. That was something she did not deserve to live through.

"Lucky for you I'm a bit more of an expert on this field. Though I've never actually had one in a place full of humans... So I guess it's a new experience for the both of us."

...WHAT!? How have I never heard about any of this before?! I had so many questions I needed answers to now! For the first time in a long time I felt true genuine love emanating from Jirachi. That sacred feeling that only ever blooms once in a life time. Well that's what I've heard it's like. It was so familiar to me yet still so foreign. Much like that other emotion I kept feeling but continuously drew a blank on. They felt remarkably similar too. I was finally narrowing down on what that was!

"I'll tell you about it later. A first date is a bad time to regale past relations."

Fair point. The one exception I could think of was Articuno and Moltres. They got together based on their mutual hatred for Zapdos. It didn't make me any less curious, especially with how her nostalgic bliss temporarily overwhelmed her. She dearly loved whoever the subject of these memories were. Though I bet it would make for some lovely gossip we could indulge in later. Wait what was the second half of what she said?

"So…does that mean it's a date?" She blinked and held an incredulous look. Her eyes alone conveyed the message 'Were you listening to a single word I just said?'. Once she properly processed what I was asking a single audible snicker leapt from the depths of her lungs. It came to an equally abrupt stop at the base of her throat. She desperately tried to hide behind her winning smile and the much clearer words that followed.

"Yeah... and don't feel too bad about what just happened. It wasn't the worst I've seen..." That was a lie. One so blatant that it didn't require the ability to read her like one of Uxie's novels to understand. That little anxious smile she held also did little to hide how blatant it was.

Inconceivably my emotions remained just as stagnant as ever. Even now at the point where emotions should have been flooding with joy. The hard part was over and she said yes. Adding to my confusion was the mirror I felt with Jirachi. Her emotions were a near match for my own at this moment. There was something buried beneath her overwhelming concerns. A well guarded nervous energy. The same kind that I had felt countless times in the past. Usually when I was approached for advice regarding how to deal with their lovestruck daze. So I was right! This was something she was hoping for.

So then why can't I just accept that this would make her happy? She's been such an amazing friend to me. She was there for me after that lab... I could feel the numerous times she was hoping for this. I could stomach some newfound emotions. Once that ball gets rolling things will fall into place for me. All I needed to do was tolerate this discomfort for the entire evening. Yet I had this premonition that this was wrong... empty even... as if our emotions had left us completely hollow.

Did Jirachi even want this?

ARGH! Stop overthinking it! We're going to have fun together. She'll be happy and that's all that matters! I kept assuring myself this as Jirachi helped me to my feet and practically carried me through the portal. I was still struggling to stand on my own. This was a particularly awful way to start a date, at least it could only go better from this point.


(Uxie POV)

I had hoped that I could avoid any unnecessary attention while waiting for Azelf. To accomplish this task I had every intention of waiting in my designated room until Azelf was ready for me. It was a simple plan Mesprit had proposed. For the sake of simplicity we had agreed to it. She insisted that it would make the moment all the more special. Completely ignoring the detail that I would not be seeing Azelf's attire in any capacity. She was thinking entirely in terms of soap opera romances...again...

Unfortunately this ridiculously simple plan had an unexpected obstacle. "Ah perfect, just the budding marigold I was searching for." Shaymin...

He had decided that he needed a wingman to make his night of debauchery all the easier. As the majority of us are no longer single that left his options limited. This led to the unfortunate scenario I was trapped in now. Under no circumstances was I interested in the night Shaymin was proposing but he apparently could not comprehend I did not wish to be around him longer than was necessary.

Perhaps I should abandon this plan and walk through the portal. I could wait for her at the club... The noise will make the waiting period more of a trial than I would desire, but it would be an acceptable trade. Less acceptable would be how annoyed Azelf would be for me abandoning the agreed upon plan... though perhaps she would be inclined to forgive the sudden change if she knew the reason behind it. No, best not to test my luck. I can tune out Shaymin's rambling long enough to grab a book that would function as an emergency escape from all the noise. Just in case I had misread Azelf's intentions for this evening.

"But seriously. Damn bro, you gotta save some of the ladies for the rest of us!" That was going to be a very difficult objective if Shaymin kept talking...

"Oh really? If that's the case you better hurry before he steals them all." There she was. At the same door Shaymin threw open searching for stragglers for his 'mission'. The sole reason I was even willing to go through this blasted portal. Her voice was as sharp as always and even better her taunt was not directed in my direction.

"You're right! I can't just be an idle Window's-thrill. I gotta strike while the pollen is in the air!"

His presence vanished entirely rushing past her. Diving headlong into his never ending playboy antics. As soon as he was out of earshot she asked the question I am certain the majority of this council has asked at least once in their lives.

"How in the world did that poser ever manage to woo Celebi?!" Mechanically I could understand it, they were the only members of our council themed specifically around preserving nature and maintaining it's balance. Emotionally... if it stumped Mesprit then I certainly had little chance of understanding the nuances of how he ever accomplished that.

"I believe he used her weakness for chocolate to blanket his blatant lack of charm. In any case it is good to see you Azelf. I trust Mesprit did not give you too much trouble?" Her confident demeanor deflated in an instant.

"Ugh don't even get me started. She forced me to wear this, because 'it needs to be the perfect compliment for your date'." A dry chuckle slipped past my lips. Her impression was a near match to Mesprit's squeaky voice. I had an idea on what absurdity Mesprit had forced her into in no small part because of the day I spent with her. Still it annoyed me not to have a concrete visual.

"Curious?"

"About Mesprit?"

"No, her handiwork dummy." Ah. Yes, that made sense. It would be a lie to say I was not curious to see what I was modeling looked on the real deal. Or even what Mesprit had chosen in the first place. Still she should be aware of that fact. She was there for that agreement... perhaps it was for the sake of solidarity.

"...Yes..."

I could hear her lock the door she stepped through. Her voiced slowly followed her as she walked circles around me. Continuously acting as the Giratina on my shoulder whispering in my ear. "Then open your eyes dude. It's just the two of us right now. This might just be your only chance all meeting."

She...was right... this location did indeed only occupy the both of us at the moment. There was even the added bonus that she had spun me to face opposite the only entrance. This minimized the chances of causing unwarranted harm by a significant degree. It still remained a risk. Someone could always stumble upon us and lose everything... like what if Suicune or Raikou required something and stumbled upon us... or Palkia repeated the incident that kickstarted the year spent putting him back together. I-I couldn't live with that reality a second time.

No... calm down. Think rationally. No one will get hurt this time. Palkia was a freak accident. One I could not have predicted. This was different. It was just the two of us in a mostly controlled environment. My desire to see her was vastly overpowering my instincts to be cautious.

"Very well... would you kindly close your eyes?"

"They've been closed dude."

At first the world before me was a blur of lights and colors. My eyes could hardly even be qualified as opened in this state. It took a moment to adjust, but once the adjustment had settled in the blurs took shape and I could more clearly identify Azelf.

Her look was indeed made to compliment what Mesprit had brought upon me. I had been saddled with a sky blue button up cardigan and matching jeans. Her burden was that same cardigan left unbuttoned to display an ultramarine crop top and similarly dark jeans. I cannot say for certain how accurate these were to real dating attire. I had no experience in such matters as did the counterpart who was insistent on the attire, but there was an undeniable truth to Azelf's appearance.

"...You look nice..."

"Course I do. Just don't go telling Mesprit she did a good job." Lips were thoroughly sealed for that one. She'd never let either of us hear the end of it if Azelf voiced approval for her fashion choices.

As much as my curiosity had been sated there was still one point that was bothering me. I still could not see her eyes... it was a frustrating reality. Even as I squinted trying to visual them it was at best a fantasy. A guess as to what they really looked like. Photos gave me a glimpse of this reality but it was hardly a substitute for the genuine experience... Arceus I would love to see those beautiful amber eyes in person.

So...how long are you gonna spend staring?"

My eyes snapped shut, my entire form spinning to face the exit. Arceus that was inappropriate of me! How could I continue to let my emotions blind me!? She had already voiced disapproval not even a full day ago. It would be inexcusable of me to behave in such a manner. "My sincerest apologies!"

A dull force to my back doubled me over. Expelling all the air I had unknowingly stored in my lungs. She spoke with a mixture of reassurance and amusement.

"Come on dude, I was only having a laugh."

True as that may be it presented an opportunity. A chance to properly set my feelings aside for her sake.

"Not just for that I apologize for my actions last night. They were unfair to you."

For a moment she was silent. I could feel that impish demeanor fade. I most certainly chose my words poorly again... Until I felt her hand on my back again. Nothing forceful it was a rare moment of tenderness from her. "It's cool dude. Yeah it was a lot to take in, but I won't stop you from trying some of Shaymin's pick up line on me~"

"I would not dare subject either of us to such indignity!" It was a rare occurrence for my voice to crack. Such moments confirmed I had lost control of myself and were best avoided. It was rarer still for it to happen so unexpectantly...I sincerely hope no one else heard that. I was already never going to hear the end of it from Azelf. Speaking of my reaction was just as much a surprise to her as it was to me. She pressed her full weight on my back laughing at my outburst.

It was a nice change to know that at the bare minimum Azelf enjoyed my company. Yes, that would be a suitable compromise had I misread her intentions. My inability to recognize subtle social clues was a continuous frustration of mine. What made it even worse was how often I missed out on the nearly invisible clues that should have been informing me of someone's emotional state. As much as I desired to understand the emotions that determined the actions others partook in. I struggled to understand most actions beyond a rational mindset.

I could plainly see and comprehend the logic behind such a decision so by every definition that should make perfect sense to me. Except Azelf was never rational. She never thought her actions through. She just did them. This very rationale is what has made the abundance of my recent actions so confusing. It was as though all of my actions had been driven entirely by my emotions. I should have been frustrated with my lack of control. Afraid of hurting Azelf or Mesprit again by speaking without carefully considering my words. It was simply how I should have functioned. Yet this behavior felt liberating. I felt as though I had discarded the very chains that bound me. That I could simply let myself act freely and not have to care for the consequences. What frightened me the most was just how much I wished to continue this chosen path.

Especially when the last time I let my emotions take full control I still felt the lingering guilt of what I had said. I had yet to find the words that could properly convey how much I regretted saying what I did to her. I doubt there were any that could impart such regrets. Perhaps I never would...

My internal struggles did not remain private for long. Azelf was an expert at identifying emotions based on the subtlest of details. In an instant she was able to identify my internal conflict.

"OK, you got the look on your face. What's on your mind?"

Far too much... and so little of it I could comprehend. It would be so much easier if I could be like Mesprit and just know what the emotions around me were... it would also mean I could see how everyone around me felt. Oh well... some matters simply could not be helped. Others such as this one had an avenue that could be taken. Unfortunately this particular trail required very careful wording and that was something I often struggled with. I sorely did not wish to ruin her mood or potentially the night for her, but i had a question I desired an answer to. One that would continue to burden my mind if I left it without a remedy.

"Would you permit one last question before we depart?"

"Shoot."

"I apologize if I have misread your intentions any, but were you asking me for a date at this club?" Her whole body jolted. She stepped away and I heard her attempt to speak a couple of times. She was choosing her words carefully or was flabbergasted by my lack of perception. My estimation would be that she was searching for a gentler way to voice her disinterest. Or a particularly cruel way to voice her disgust with me. With a final click of her tongue she found the words she desired to use, they were not as carefully forged as I had anticipated.

"Treat it however you want dude. I'll respond accordingly."

That... wasn't rejection... it was not the answer I was hoping for. It did not actually provide a direct answer at all either thinking on it. Inexplicably I was fine with it. That lingering hope in my chest clawed all the way up to the small smile I was now wearing. Maybe just this once I did not have to care so much about knowing a certain matter. I could just set that aside for one night and enjoy the moment. Yes... that sounds nice.

"Alright that's enough stalling. If we take any longer Mesprit's gonna assume we're ditching the club to make out." An undeniable truth. One that would preferably be avoided. The gossip that already surrounded us was a constant irritant. Plus I could not let her goad me any further with what couples did with each other. I have given her enough ammunition for the next decade with my recent actions... not helping were my own inner desires hoping for that very outcome. This night was going to be a true test of endurance...


(Azelf POV)

Stepping through that portal and seeing Arceus' personal retreat from the rest of us. I was struck with a nostalgic revelation. This place would have been a gold mine for Mew and I in our heyday. Obviously we'd have to start subtle. Something fun and easy to miss like swapping around everyone's drinks to be as strong as possible. That would make the avenue for the more fun trouble we could make all the easier to pull off. Like plunging a jukebox to only play one repetitive song on loop until the machine is inevitably unplugged. Then we'd work our way up from there. It helped that Arceus, the all seeing killjoy. Was already collapsed on a table dizzy from the sights of everything all at once battering her intoxicated mind.

Everyone had broken off into small groups and were all engaged in their own personal conversations. All of which echoed incessantly... Arceus it was way too loud here... seriously I thought that gaudy hall had problems with everyone's conversations bouncing all over the place. Somehow this small club was even worse. At least the spacious nature of that hall let those conversations fade a bit before they hit you. This place only bombarded you with constant noise.

My head was in a constant dull pain. It instantly become a struggle to think with all the blather surrounding me. If my head felt like a perpetually spinning baltoy then I didn't wanna think about how Uxie was feeling right now. He hadn't spoken at all since stepping through the portal and held that book as tightly and as closely to his chest as he possibly could. He stuck close to me nearly bumping into tables, council members, and even the walls themselves.

By far the worst offenders were Latias and Rayquaza. Neither of them knew how to sing and their duet at the karaoke machine drove that nail as deep as it could possibly go. Uxie flinched at all of Latias' high notes and silently begged for any excuse to leave from Rayquaza's screeching. Even with his eyes slammed shut I could see and feel his eye twitching.

"You OK dude?"

"Loud... too loud..." I had a put an end to that or at the bare minimum find a spot for him to relax. There was always the option of taking him to that emergency exit portal Arceus left for members who needed to go early... or were too drunk for their own good. He simply shook his head in response when that was suggested. At least for now he had no desire to bail... it was totally because he wanted this night to go well. Kinda hard to accomplish if he spends it teetering on a panic attack.

A small nudge from Mew drew my attention to him. His eyes motioned to an empty corner at the far end of the club. It wouldn't be perfect... but it would be a nice start. I gave Mew a quick thumbs up. He grinned and returned the gesture and just as quickly as I spotted him he darted off. Placing my hand on Uxie's shoulder I motioned for the small sanctuary.

"Come on dude. There's an isolated spot for ya."

He nodded as best as the strained muscles in his neck were going to accomplish. He wasn't going to make that trip. He was barely standing upright as is. I was gonna have to guide him there. I held out my hand for him to take. His hand shook just as much as the rest of his body but he relaxed a little bit holding my hand so... it was at least going to brace him for the bad part.

The entrance was bad...but it was a warmup compared to how loud the center of the club achieved. I could feel Uxie's legs nearly give out on him. If it came to that I'd just carry him to that spot...or the island. Just about everyone not preoccupied with their own antics watched with baited breath. I honestly didn't care anymore. Let them think what they wanted.

The second we reached the corner booth he collapsed into an exhausted mess. Occasionally shivering from the lingering noise. This helped a bit... he wasn't clinging to his book as tightly anymore. I sat with him, it was... uncomfortably silent. He wasn't much of a conversation starter and I was struggling to think of topics to distract the both of us. Sure I could ramble about a number of topics but... he wasn't really a gossiper. That's when it hit me! I didn't need to fish for a topic. He was literally holding it close to his chest this entire time.

"Hey I got an idea. You got that book, why not read it for us."

"Ah...yes. Excellent idea..."

My amazing idea almost immediately fizzled out when the first roadblock reared it's ugly head. His hands just wouldn't stop shaking. The noise had still left his body in a near total state of panic. If he couldn't even hold the book straight I had a distinct feeling that he wasn't going to get very far reading it. That's fine by me, I can always improvise.

"OK new plan. All you gotta do is relax. I'll read this for you."

Any attempts he made to protest were quickly silenced. I wrapped my arm around him and pulled him close. Mew said that hearing Celebi's heartbeat always eased his nerves so with any luck I would get similar results. I made certain his head came to a rest at my chest. He let out a rather bizarre and prolonged whimper. Well crap, that wasn't going to work...and was his face this red since we got here?

...OH! Duh...

Looking back on it I really should have known having his head so close to my chest would cause his body to stiffen entirely. Well I could feel he had no desire to leave it so I was on the right track. His only real objection came out in a single complaint...that was more fueled by his now wounded pride than by any desire to leave.

"...You're cheating..."

"Duh." And I would do it again if it meant he could take his mind off all the noise surrounding him. I just needed to find the spot where he would get comfortable and not flustered. Rather than battle with his constant fidgeting I figured it would be best to let him decide where he wanted to rest. So long as he didn't put his head in my lap I would fine with basically any position. He lifted where his head was resting. When he came to a stop his head was nestled comfortably in my neck.

"Comfy?"

He didn't answer. He silently placed his beloved novel on the table but never withdrew his hand. There was something he still wanted to say to me. It was a desire I had felt countless times now. This lingering need to apologize for what he said so long ago. 'Stop pretending you care about me.'

Those words had destroyed any chance we had at being anything more than counterparts back then. For a time all I felt and all I wanted to do was inflict the very pain I felt back then right back on him. It didn't matter if I truly felt it or not, just so long as it hurt him. He would never outwardly react, he would just sit there and accept what I said. The less he reacted the more incensed I became. It was a sick game we played for centuries. It got to the point where I had forgotten why I was so dead set on tormenting him. It was just something I did.

Deep down I knew why he said that. I was there when he needed me and I chose to stay back and watch. A moment of cowardice born out of my own refusal to accept that I liked him.

He was still trying to articulate himself. I knew what I wanted to say. It wasn't really an apology, I didn't really do those... but it was something I've wanted to say for nearly as long. I tightened my grip around his shoulder. Nothing painful or forceful, just enough to get him to focus on what I said, "Look we've both said and done things to each other we've regretted. I can't say the same for you but it's been weighing on me. But if we try to make amends for everything we've done, we'd both be apologizing for centuries. So how about we let that stuff stay in the past?"

He fought his entire bodies will to collapse into a blubbering mess. I think my words were a less refined version of what he truly wished he could put to words. His voice trembled with the same force as the rest of his body.

"...Y-yes... T-thank you..."

I could feel that need to make amends dissipate. Years of pain and guilt finding resolution. I wouldn't call it a fresh start. Nothing short of a total memory wipe could cause that. I think it was more accurate to say we were letting go of our past for good this time. He pulled his hand away giving me full permission to read for him. Before I could pick it up his book was snatched away by the absolute worst person who could have been here.

"Well what do we have here?"

NO! Not her! What the hell was Zapdos doing here!? Did she seriously have nothing better to do?! What am I saying of course she would be trying to make someone's night miserable.

Uxie scrambled out of our embrace trying desperately to keep Zapdos from destroying this book. I could see in her eyes that sick desire to torment Uxie for no reason other than she thinks she can get away with it. Ever since that first book torching he had become one of her favorite targets. That wretched desire told me that no matter how he reacts she had every intention of destroying his book.

"Please, my book... give it back..."

"Now why would I do that? If this book is good enough for Azelf to read then surely it's good enough for everyone else to listen in on."

She cleared her throat in a mock preparation to read. While her hands were beginning to crackle with electricity. OH hell no! Zapdos was not going to do this to Uxie again! I should have done to her centuries ago when she first pulled this stunt. I flew over the table and in the blink of an eye sent the overgrown chicken toppling to the ground. She squawked in a satisfying mixture of surprise and pain landing cleanly on the ground. The book flew out of her hands landing safely in my own outstretched one. Without taking my eyes off Zapdos I returned the novel to it's rightful owner.

"I believe this belongs to you."

"T-t-thank you..."

He hastily snatched the book back. Putting the novel in an unbreakable clasp against his chest.

With the immediate matter resolved all that remained was getting this overgrown Kiwi to leave us alone. With an annoyed squawk she leapt to her feet. Her eyes crackled with barely restrained rage and sparks of electricity. She wanted so badly to vaporize me on the spot. She'd be lucky to even singe my fur...hair... whichever. If I could toss around Dialga then this short circuiting teriyaki would be no trouble at all. Now I had a good look at my handiwork. She wore a black eye to compliment that overabundance of mascara.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

"Putting an end to that sick game you call entertainment."

She scoffed. Dusting herself off. Keeping her one unbruised eye focused on me. Her voice dripped with bile as she verbally retaliated.

"Don't pretend your some kind of guardian angel. You've played far worse with him in the past and I bet you've got far worse planned for the future." I was tempted to slug her again. To make her good eye match the swollen one. It would have been really easy to...No, she ain't worth the effort. A simple glare would give anyone with common sense or even basic survival instincts the understanding that they need to back off before I lose my patience. I had forgotten Zapdos didn't possess those basic instincts or was just too stupid to understand the situation.

"Oh? Got nothing to say? Did I happen to strike the truth just now? Oh Azelf, you're even crueler than I gave you credit for."

A single exhale and I expunged the primal need to throw the obnoxious emu through one of the club windows. She was goading me on. Trying to get me to act recklessly, especially now that a number of eyes were watching.

"Go find Lugia and be his problem again. I'm trying to enjoy a date right now."

"How precious~ You deluded yourself into thinking bookmark here wants anything to do with you. News flash, you've done nothing but abuse him since the day you met him."

OK screw it! That was as blunt as I was willing to word it with her and she was still too dumb to get it through her thick skull. I was gonna smash this table over her head now! Maybe that would finally get the message through to her. Or I would have if Uxie hadn't decided to step between the two of us.

"Dude, outta the way! Lemme handle this!" He smiled at me, holding up his free hand motioning for me to be calm. "Please, allow me to speak with her and if she does not leave I will step aside." His voice was unsettlingly giddy. It held a malicious force I only ever heard when Cresselia was on the verge of shredding Darkrai into confetti. Or when Arceus had determined the perfect punishment for anyone really.

"Uh...sure... Go ahead dude."

He turned his full attention to Zapdos who's smug smile faltered at the sight of Uxie's unsettling grin. "See him?" He motioned to the exact spot Moltres was sitting waiting for Zapdos to cautiously turn her attention to the new point of focus. His action earned a spiteful glare from him and Articuno. I thought he was trying to get her to bother the two of them for the rest of the night. Cruel, but an efficient way to ditch this bird. Anytime she saw the two having fun together it set off this switch to make absolutely certain that neither of them had a good time. Right up until he spoke. His voice carried a bone chilling, sadistic joy. Delivering the second most venomous words I have ever heard him utter.

"He does not love you, he never will, and you are the one to blame for this outcome."

The club fell entirely silent. Uxie's words had done the impossible and shut up everyone. Then again he's done that sort of thing in the past and usually wound up thrown down the Hall of Origins stairs for his troubles. My head snapped back to Uxie who continued to 'look' at Zapdos. His words slowly bounced around that thick skull. She looked like her brain shut down entirely. No matter her reaction I was ready to protect Uxie. There was a real possibility that she'd forcefully shatter the human lock and maul Uxie like a feral beast for his scathing words. That thankfully never happened. Zapdos's haughty attitude melted in an avalanche of tears. She bolted out of the club and back through the portal Arceus left for anyone who needed to leave early. I could hardly believe what I just witnessed. I don't think anyone else did either. There was a lengthy stretch of silence before any conversations picked back up. Moltres wound up being the one to shatter the silence with an absolutely joyful, "Thanks bro!".

I didn't know how many of these guys were still watching us now that the scene had returned to normal. I really didn't care either. They could watch for all I care.

"Dude that was awesome!"

Uxie spun around to face me, his whole body shaking with excitement. He was clutching his book to his chest as tightly as his arms were going to let him. Putting my hands on his shoulders I could feel how much his body continued to teeter on the verge of collapsing. He was still riding off the adrenaline high and I couldn't be happier to see it. His voice erupted like a geyser with a force I had never heard from Uxie in all my years of coexistence with him.

"AAAAGGGHHHH! I HAVE WANTED TO SAY THAT SINCE THE DAY I LEARNED ABOUT THEIR BREAKUP!"

I had the distinct feeling he's wanted to say something to that effect since the day she torched that book. Even with this unrestrained side of him finally being unleashed he continued to restrict himself. He was honoring the boundaries I set up. He wanted so badly to take any kind of action. Any kind of gesture or action I would approve of. Well what better way than for me to show him.

I stepped as close as I possibly could. I closed my eyes joining him in that blissful darkness. This was it. If I let this moment slip away then it really would be a point of no return. I'd never be anything more than a failure that repeatedly played with his emotions. No more running, no more false starts, no more being a weak willed coward. Now it was my turn to be brave. My turn to push aside those fears and tell him the truth. I gave him exactly what the both of us wanted more than anything at this moment.

I kissed him.


"YES! OH MY ARCEUS! FINALLY!" With a loud bang Mesprit's face collided with the table. Leaving an unfortunate dent in the structure. Jirachi awkwardly patted her on the back trying in a vain effort to make the emotion fairy feel better.

"You uh... you doing OK?" She quickly recoiled her hand when Mesprit gave her 'response'.

"ARRRRGGHHHHHHH!" That was a definitive maybe. I didn't even think Mesprit could make such a bestial war cry, but that showed what I knew. It was admittedly kind of funny that when she takes a step back from the first time in a decade. THAT is when those two finally managed to get it through their thick skulls.

"That... was a lot more cathartic than I was expecting..." She lifted her head back up. Grinning groggily at the both of us.

"You sure? Because it sounded like the last remnants of your soul just died."

She clutched her head and leaned back into her booth. The pain from her impromptu make out session with the metal table having caught up to her.

"Ugh... Maybe just a bit... If I knew doing nothing would actually work with those two. I would have done it a decade ago!"

Jirachi kept her hand on Mesprit's shoulder offering comforting words that maybe was a little too supportive,

"I get the feeling you did a lot more than you think you did. So...who're you gonna play match maker for now?~"

"Not doing that for awhile... I need a break after...THEM!" She sloppily waved her hand in the general direction of her counterparts. Allowing for her arm to lazily flop to the table after the accusatory motioning. Jirachi and I turned to each other and she gave me a little nod. It was time to play a little game.

"Yeah, you did kinda struggle to get those two so close. It's only fair you take a bit of time to learn some tricks that'll actually work."

Her eye repeatedly twitched at my words. I still had an unrivaled talent for getting under someone's skin.

"Don't you have somewhere to be Me-" She bit her tongue, catching herself from blurting my name out loud. Arceus has forced us all to adopt fake ones to hide our identities. I didn't think there was much purpose to it. We all wound up with names that were far too close to our real ones for comfort. Plus when someone gets too drunk to use the rational side of their brain... they're gonna use someone's real name. Some of us didn't even need that kind of prompting... they were going to slip out and cause all sorts of chaos trying to explain it away. "MMMMMMMICHAEL!"

"Not immediately. Those two still got plenty to go through before they need a restock." I motioned to the physical entities of time in space. The real reason why all the gossip now wasn't inevitably revolving around Azelf and Uxie FINALLY taking a hint with each other. They were several bottles into a drinking contest. Astonishingly Palkia wasn't passed out on the floor after his second shot. They both had a number of council members cheering them on. My personal favorite was what Celebi had chosen to do. Loudly and openly rooting for Palkia. She was mainly doing it because she really loved watching how much it was annoying Dialga.

With a heavy sigh she gave in. We both knew just how much of a lie her taking a break from being the local cupid was. She didn't say his name just dejectedly pointing in the direction of her next victim... that's when all the fun we were having dissipated in an instant. Alone at a corner that had been reserved for members who were completely out cold was the poor sea prince.

"Someone either turned him down or dumped him and he was pretty beaten up about it. If anything I wanna at least help him through it."

Oh...well...this just got awkward...

"Oh... yeah... I noticed that..." Jirachi's voice trailed. That was not an easy sight for any of us. She didn't even turn him down all that harshly. She was as gentle as she's always been with everyone, but it still doesn't mean it was any less painful for him.

Mesprit caught on immediately. That pesky awareness to everyone's emotions really made these kind of secrets harder to keep out of her grasp. Her golden eyes narrowed and she spoke a single word in that eerily tranquil tone everyone in their right mind dreaded.

"Who?"

I suddenly felt like a very unwelcome guest. Possibly for the first time in my life I desperately wanted any possible excuse to no longer be a part of this conversation. Jira was giving me the eyes begging for me to let her handle this matter privately. Now normally I would not have respected these wishes depending on the individual and would have watched the conversation unfold from a spot even Darkrai wouldn't be able to spot me from. Fortunately for Jira I would have granted her request no matter the circumstances. Even if it didn't quite sit right with me.

I guess if there was a silver lining to be had. It was a good time for me to take in my surroundings and survey the lay of the lands. I really hope this could take my mind off the uncomfortable development taking place behind me. Naturally the overwhelming aura was everyone taking this rare opportunity to get absolutely trashed. Arceus was alone with Giratina just on the verge of passing out from drinking a single shot. It still amazed me that she was such a light weight. Giratina had to focus all his attention on keeping Arceus from rashly deciding to indulge in one of her reckless whims. Like turning off gravity for a few seconds or turning all water in booze. Truly a task nobody would envy or desire, but he was more than up to it. That however was hardly out of the ordinary or unexpected of the two.

Far more surprising to me were Manaphy's 'guests' at the blackout corner. The dream queen and her nightmare of a partner. Of the two she was easily the worst one ever to gain the ire of... which I was very grateful to have avoided for... however long it was until she believed I did something to warrant a punishment in her eyes. Thank you Celebi for keeping me out of that line of fire for so long. Darkrai...well he's just a grump who somehow had enough emotions to feel something other than bitterness and contempt. So the longer I could avoid him the safer I felt.

Rayquaza and Latias had been unofficially banned from the karaoke machine by Groudon and Kyogre. I would thank the two for that, but I was not in any kind of hurry to get dragged into the inevitable rush Ray was gonna make for that mic. It would at least be funny watching the two trying to restrain him while Latias tries to get him to calm down.

No sign at all of Suicune or Raikou, but given recent developments between the two of them it was hardly a surprise that those two had opted out. Honestly I was quite glad about that. If she was here then she'd never take her eyes off me and would probably be following me like a Staraptor about to strike at it's prey... huh... who was keeping an eye on me right now? Everyone who normally would take that responsibility was otherwise preoccupied with their own affairs or black out drunk... even Celebi was too absorbed in the fun she was having to pay any attention to me. I was free for the first time in years to act however I wanted.

No... I shouldn't do it. If I indulge in the worst parts of me now then it would be all the way back to square one with everyone. Some of these guys were on the verge of tolerating me! Not just in that restrained from attacking me on sight manner either. They actually didn't openly revile my very existence. Some of them seemed genuinely happy to see me like Latias or Raikou. Hell even Arceus has shown signs that she doesn't feel disappointed with my very existence anymore... but there are still so many who just won't accept what I'm trying to do... It was so infuriating to just sit there and accept that constant almost daily abuse.

If I go back on everything I've been working on now... she'd leave me in the ditch I dug. I'd go back to that horrible existence where she hated me... I don't want to live that kind of life ever again. So then why? Why can't I find the strength to stop myself!?

Why did I have this urge. This need to take this unnoticed jab at them. The one time they wouldn't notice a single prank. Something so small they wouldn't even be able to trace it back to me if they noticed in the first place...yeah something light... then nobody would get hurt. I could call it there before it even has a chance to escalate. Then I could just enjoy the night with Celebi... I hope...


It's fun to draw certain lines from actual experiences. Specifically when you walk in a room and here someone say to you 'Damn! Save some of the ladies for the rest of us!" Also in case it's not obvious I have never been on a date before and never will and it probably shows based on my writing.

On a more seriousish note I made the conscious decision to split this chapter into three parts. I wanted to have Azelf and Uxie finally pushing past that barrier to be the emotional highlight it deserved to be. Don't worry about any delays though. By the time this is posted the next part will be uploaded tomorrow.

In any case please leave a review and have a good day.