An: Yea I'm not going to be anywhere near my computer on Sunday or the internet for that matter, so algorithm and schedule be damned I'm posting a chapter now.

Life in London… or Lumiose

I awoke to a soft, pleasant warmth pressed against my chest—a fuzzy, plush sensation that smelled faintly of Oren berries. A slow smile began to replace the neutral scowl that had become my morning trademark.

With a gentle squeeze, I pulled Luna closer, her smaller frame nestling perfectly into mine. My chin rested atop her head, her fur as soft as it was comforting. It had been a couple of weeks since life returned to some semblance of normalcy. The nightmares, once my nocturnal plague, had disappeared entirely. Even the ultimate evil—mornings—was starting to lose its edge.

Of course, it was in this moment of rare bliss that one of her large tufted ears twitched, smacking me lightly in the face. A puff of air escaped me—a reaction far too slight to be significant under normal circumstances, but to the sensitive ears of the jackal in my arms, it was more than enough.

With a sleepy yawn that seemed to echo across continents, Luna stirred. Her paw moved to rub at her eyes as she mumbled an adorably groggy, "Morning, Jack."

The sight was enough to tempt me to stay in bed for at least five more minutes, but duty—and plans—called. Today wasn't just any day.

The forged documents had arrived earlier this week, and with them came something life-changing: a bank account stocked with my first paycheck. And oh, what a paycheck it was.

When I opened the account, I'd been startled to see a balance of 20,000 Poké, I cackled relentlessly for a full five minutes when I learned that's what they actually called it. Naturally, I questioned Professor Sycamore about it, and he explained that it was payment for the information I'd shared with him. Apparently, the Lucario data I provided was groundbreaking enough to warrant that kind of payout. He even promised additional bonuses for future discoveries, brushing it off as a way to support my "momentous contributions to science." But I knew Sycamore well enough by now to see through his excuses. He was just finding a way to pay me extra for the flood of free knowledge I'd handed over. Not that I was complaining.

Which brought us to today.

Since arriving in Lumiose City, we'd barely ventured beyond the lab. That realization struck me a few nights ago, and it felt wrong—not just for me, but for Luna. This was her first time in a city, possibly in her entire life. She'd spent so long isolated in the forest that the sights, smells, and sounds of a bustling metropolis had to be overwhelming.

So, with my hard-earned spoils burning a hole in my account, we decided it was time to explore. No battles, no research, no stress—just a day to enjoy the world we found ourselves in and soak up everything it had to offer.

Luna stretched languidly, her movements fluid yet lazy as she shook off the last vestiges of sleep. Her eyes met mine with a spark of curiosity that made me grin.

"Come on, Luna," I said, ruffling her fur gently. "Let's see what Lumiose has in store for us."

I reluctantly dragged myself out of the absurdly comfortable bed, stifling a groan as I left its warmth behind. As I shuffled toward the bathroom, I caught sight of Luna furiously smoothing down her now frizzled head fur, her scarlet eyes glaring daggers at me. If looks could curdle wine, hers would've done the job in record time. I could practically hear the gears of her revenge plot whirring as I slipped behind the bathroom door with a smug grin.

After a refreshing bath and drying off an extremely wet and decidedly miffed Luna—her pointed huffs and exaggerated movements making her displeasure abundantly clear—we finally headed downstairs. I'd already let Professor Sycamore know about my plans for the day, and to my surprise, he decided to take the day off as well. Instead, he'd opted for what he claimed was "personal time," which everyone in the lab knew was code for a not-so-secret date with Sophie, his equally not-so-secret girlfriend.

They never openly admitted their relationship, but it didn't take a scientist—which I suppose I kind of am now—to figure it out. Whenever they worked together, they stood just a little too close for the interaction to be strictly professional. When the professor and I were buried in research, I'd often catch him stealing subtle glances in Sophie's direction, his lips quirking into a slightly broader smile before he refocused on the task at hand.

And Sophie? Whenever she and I were stuck on grunt work—filing documents, running errands, and doing all the lab's thankless tasks—I could practically see the concern etched into her expression, undoubtedly thinking about how the professor was overworking himself. I'd even caught her a few times draping a blanket over him when he passed out at his desk.

Years spent around soldiers who'd rather lose an arm than show weakness made me an expert in spotting those telltale signs. Sycamore and Sophie? They might as well have been shouting it from the rooftops.

A snort of laughter from Shade snapped me out of my musings. I could not deduce the reason so I quickly ignored it.

With a quiet click, I opened the lab door, stepping out into the crisp morning air. A light layer of fog hugged the cobblestone streets, the golden leaves of autumn shimmering in the early sunlight. It was picturesque, almost enough to distract me from the most heinous evil of all—morning. Still, today I had triumphed. The rising sun had yet to rob me of this small victory. Ha, suck it.

Smirking to myself, I turned to Luna. "Well, let's get going."

Luna's response came in the form of an all-too-sweet smile. Before I could process the danger, she placed a paw on my back and, with an effortless shove, sent me tumbling down the lab's front steps. I landed in an undignified heap at the bottom, wincing as the cobblestones made their presence known to my ribs and elbows.

From above, Luna's errant chuckle cut through the quiet morning, completely shattering her typically composed Lucario demeanor. The sound—mischievous and playful—suited her far more than her usual stoic act. She sauntered past my crumpled form, her tail swishing with exaggerated smugness, and glanced over her shoulder with a look that screamed, Gotcha!

Then, in a voice dripping with false innocence, she said, "Yes, let's."

I groaned as I pushed myself upright, brushing the dust off my miraculously untarnished white t-shirt and my jeans along with straightening my new pair of sunglasses, I found that my eyes tended to intimidate or in some cases simply put people on edge while they had a tendency to put the fare of god in some less battle hardened Pokémon, actually they kind of do, a large, sweet, spiteful god.

Luna's antics may have caught me off guard, but this wasn't over. Not by a long shot. As I followed her down the street, an all-too-entertained grin spread across my face, sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight. Oh, today was going to be very entertaining.

…

Breakfast was the first order of business, naturally. While I trusted French cuisine about as much as I'd trust a random syringe found on the streets of New York, their baking was another story entirely. Flaky pastries that practically dissolved on your tongue, golden crusts that crunched perfectly, and the warm, buttery embrace of freshly baked bread—it was the kind of culinary magic that could almost redeem an entire nation. Almost.

While doing a bit of research for the day's outing, I stumbled across a quaint little café. Its name tickled the back of my mind, scratching at some faintly familiar memory. Maybe I'd seen it in the game, but the details were hazy, like trying to grasp smoke. Regardless, it felt like a good choice, so I rolled with it.

The morning air was crisp as we strolled through the cobblestone streets, Luna padding silently at my side. The light cast everything in a golden glow, transforming the town into something out of a postcard. Luna, on the other hand, looked almost smug, her scarlet eyes sparkling with amusement as her ears flicked lazily, catching every stray sound. I couldn't tell if she was entertained by the scenery or by me. Probably both.

When we reached the café I put aside my thoughts for petty revenge, it was nestled snugly between two taller buildings, its gray stone facade unassuming but charming. A sturdy emerald-green canopy stretched out over the outdoor seating area, shielding several neatly arranged tables and chairs from the brisk November air. It wasn't grand, but it didn't need to be. The whole place radiated a quiet confidence, like it knew exactly what it was.

By the glass door, a young woman—early twenties, maybe—was humming to herself as she unlocked the entrance. Her uniform, a black vest and skirt paired with a crisp white button-up and a bold red tie, was polished yet casual. She moved with the practiced ease of someone who'd done this a hundred times, but her smile was genuine when she noticed us.

"Oh! Pardon me, sir, I didn't see you there," she said, her voice cheerful but professional. "We're just opening up. Please, take a seat wherever you like, and I'll be with you shortly."

"Thanks," I said, nodding. I led Luna to one of the tables under the canopy, picking a spot near the edge. The chair creaked slightly as I sat down, the cool air nipping at the back of my neck. Luna, however, remained standing, her eyes scanning the surroundings while her ears twitched like radar dishes.

"Luna, what are you doing?" I asked, raising a brow.

She turned to me, head tilted in mild confusion. "Waiting."

"Well, obviously," I said, rolling my eyes. "I meant, why are you just standing there? Take a seat."

Her confusion deepened. "Jack, I don't think it's proper for me to eat at the same table as you. Not like this. From what I've seen, it's highly irregular here."

I frowned, leaning back in my chair. "You eat with me all the time at Sycamore's lab—sometimes even with the eccentric bastard himself."

"That's different," she shot back immediately. "That's just us. And I'm pretty sure the professor allows it to avoid one of your... debates. Besides, what if someone says something? Or the staff asks us to leave?"

Her words hit a nerve, and my response was immediate. "Fuck 'em," I said, my voice sharp. "If someone's got a problem, they can choke on it. Their opinion means jack shit. And if anyone tries to make it an issue, I'll be happy to deal with them. If the staff asks us to leave, fine—it's their loss, not ours."

I leaned forward, locking eyes with her. "Let me make one thing clear, Luna. You are not my servant, and you are definitely not a pet." I spat the last word like it physically hurt to say. "You're my partner. My friend. My family. And I'm not about to let anyone treat you like anything less. Not now, not ever."

Luna's reaction wasn't immediate, but when it came, it was like watching a glacier thaw. The stiffness in her posture eased, her sharp eyes softening as they met mine. That usual guardedness she carried around like armor melted away, replaced by something warmer. Her lips curved into a small, almost shy smile, and I could swear the tips of her ears had taken on a dusting of pink.

As she moved to take her seat, it struck me just how graceful she was—like every movement was part of some carefully choreographed dance. Though it seemed this was one of the rare occasions where there was no guarded edge to it, no undercurrent of tension. That look she gave me lingered, not quite embarrassment but something far more intense. It made her seem... softer, but in a way that didn't undercut her strength.

What Jack didn't notice—because apparently, he's dense as hell—was his own face heating up or the way our pulse had decided to kick it up a notch. Sure, we could read other people like a damn book, but when it came to himself? Blind as a Zubat.

"About time," I muttered, trying to shove down the odd knot in my stomach. "Now we can actually eat."

Before she could say anything, the waitress returned, a warm smile lighting up her face as the faint scent of coffee wafted in the air. "Welcome to Café Soleil, monsieur. What would you be having today?"

I passed one of the menus to Luna while I scanned the options in front of me. After a moment of deliberation, I decided on cream cheese croissants and a cup of coffee—black and pure, as God had intended. Simple, reliable, and exactly what I needed to start the day. Glancing over at my partner in blue, I noticed she was still studying the menu, her scarlet eyes flicking back and forth across the page with an intensity that made me wonder if she was analyzing combat tactics instead of food. Finally, she jabbed a finger at a picture of chicken puffs.

That caught me off guard.

Chicken? Really? Luna eats just about any kind of protein, but if there's one thing she's never been overly fond of, it's poultry. Red meat, on the other hand? That's her bread and butter—metaphorically speaking. So why, in the name of all that's holy, was she picking chicken when the menu offered beef Wellington?

I squinted at her, suspicion creeping in. "Luna, what do you want to drink?" I asked, letting the odd choice slide—for now.

She shrugged, casual as ever. "I've never had tea or anything else like that. Back home and at the lab, I just drank water."

Humming thoughtfully, I glanced back at the menu. No Tomato Berry Tea, for obvious reasons, but there were a few options that might work. "We'll get her a cup of Pecha tea," I told the waitress, who smiled and scribbled down our order before heading back inside.

Once she was gone, I turned my full attention to Luna, leaning forward slightly. "Okay, spill. Why'd you choose the chicken?"

Her face was a perfect mask of neutrality, but her eyes betrayed her, darting to the side and avoiding mine. "It was... the only meat option they had," she said, her tone stiff.

I gave her my best deadpan look, the kind that screamed, You're full of shit. Then, without a word, I stood up and headed inside. A quick apology to the waitress later, I'd swapped her order to the beef Wellington.

When I returned to the table, I crossed my arms and stared at her pointedly. "Alright, Luna. Care to try that again? The truth this time?"

She sighed, the kind of reluctant sigh that said she knew she'd been caught. "It was the only meat dish I saw," she admitted, quieter now.

I arched a brow, my mind replaying what I'd seen on the menu. True, the chicken puffs had a picture as the indicator for the meat section, but the other dishes were clearly... written... out. And that's when it hit me.

My thoughts clicked into place like tumblers in a lock. "Luna," I asked slowly, "can you not read this?"

Her reaction was immediate. Her ears pinned fully back, and her tail, which had been swaying lazily a moment before, froze mid-motion. "I can read," she said defensively, but there was a sharp undertone of shame in her voice. "It was part of my training. But..." She hesitated, her gaze dropping to the table. "The language here isn't what I was taught. The writing system—these letters—they're different. You and the professor called it an 'ancient text'."

The implications of her words sent my mind into overdrive. English. Everyone I'd spoken to here so far had spoken it fluently, with the occasional accented phrase or borrowed term. That much I could rationalize—plenty of the older books in Sycamore's lab had been in French, after all. I could comprehend those thanks to some... well, let's call them "childhood lessons."

Comprehend? Please. We're fluent.

I ignored Shade's unhelpful commentary and pressed on. English had replaced basically every language as the main dialect, but what about the ancient language Luna was trained in, that explained her struggle. But what about her speech? Did her Aura translation automatically adjust it to match the recipient's language? If so, did she think in those ancient runes? Did she even realize how much the spoken language has changed?

I shook off the spiraling thoughts and focused on the present. Luna was sitting stiffly, her eyes shut tight, as if bracing for some kind of reprimand. Her whole posture screamed tension.

"Do you want me to teach you?" I asked finally.

Her eyes snapped open, and she stared at me, utterly bewildered. "What? Y-yes, I admit it would be nice, but... you're too busy with work. I wouldn't want you to waste what little free time you have on teaching me."

Her protests were promptly ignored. "Luna, you're my friend. If you want to learn, I'll teach you. Think of it as me starting to pay you back for all those aura lessons you gave me."

Her ears twitched, but the tension in her posture eased slightly. "Still, I—"

She still looked reluctant, her lips pressing into a thin line. I sighed, giving one last push. "And spending time with you is never a waste. Frankly, I've been wanting to ask if you'd help me out during work hours—stick around more often. We'd get to work together, like we did back when it was just the two of us surviving. But I didn't want to take away from the free time you've finally got for yourself. This is a good compromise. I get to spend extra time with you, you get to learn to read and write, and we both win."

That seemed to do the trick. Luna let out a breath, her ears perking back up slightly as she gave me a small, almost shy smile. "Alright, Jack. If you're sure... I'd like that."

"Good," I said, leaning back with a grin. "And next time, don't be afraid to say something."

Her smile grew a little warmer at that, a soft glow of gratitude lighting up her features. A short while later, the waitress returned with our food. The moment Luna took her first bite, her entire demeanor shifted. She froze, her scarlet eyes going wide before she hastily stuffed another piece into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out like a startled Pachirisu, her paw pressed against the underside of her muzzle, and her tail wagged furiously behind her. She looked utterly delighted, the kind of unguarded joy that made me struggle to not grip my chest tightly from the pain in the best way possible.

I swear, if she got any cuter, my heart wouldn't survive the day.

She seemed equally taken with her tea. Watching her sip it was an experience in itself. Despite her natural awkwardness—born from inexperience with human customs—she somehow carried herself with the grace of a noble. Her movements were tentative, yes, but refined in their own way, as if she were trying to mimic proper etiquette. Considering her lineage and the rigorous training she'd told me about, I shouldn't have been surprised.

'Note to self: buy Luna tea.' Filing that tidbit away for later, I finished my meal and paid the bill. With the café behind us, we stepped back out into the now-bustling streets of Lumiose City.

The transformation from earlier in the morning was astonishing. The city, which had been quiet and serene, was now alive with activity. People filled the streets, many of them sharply dressed in suits and carrying briefcases, clearly on their way to offices or business meetings. Others manned shops, advertising wares ranging from freshly baked pastries to vibrant bouquets of flowers. The mingling scents of lavender, cinnamon, and roasted coffee beans wafted through the air, giving the entire scene a warm, inviting atmosphere.

What struck me most, however, was the sheer integration of Pokémon into every aspect of life here. When we first traversed Lumiose, I'd been too focused on finding Sycamore's lab to truly appreciate the city. Now, I had the chance to really take it in, and it was... stunning.

The greenery that framed the streets was alive with Pokémon. Skiddo lounged lazily in the shrubbery, their leafy coats blending with the hedges as they napped. Others marched alongside their evolved forms, Gogoat, who carried their Trainers or packs of supplies with steady confidence. Electrike darted between city-goers, their lithe forms moving with playful energy, while Fletchling zipped through the open air in cheerful flocks.

Near one of the city's wide waterways, I caught sight of something that made me do a double take—a massive Gyarados slithering smoothly through the water, its body casting ripples that seemed to mesmerize onlookers. A group of children stood on a nearby bridge, pointing and laughing as the sea serpent dipped its head beneath the surface, only to rise again in a gentle, almost playful motion.

Luna seemed just as captivated as I was, her gaze shifting constantly to take everything in. Her ears perked up at the sound of a distant guitar player, and she turned her head to follow the path of a flock of Vivillon fluttering in vibrant patterns overhead. For someone who'd spent most of her life in a secluded village or the confines of a lab, this must have been an entirely new kind of overwhelming.

"Impressive, isn't it?" I said, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

She nodded, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "It's... incredible. The way humans and Pokémon live together here—it's so different from my home. There, we work together, but it's not... like this." Her eyes lingered on a young girl giggling as a Growlithe nudged her with its nose. "It feels... harmonious."

"That's Lumiose for you," I replied. "It's one of the largest cities in Kalos, and they've gone out of their way to make it welcoming for everyone—human or Pokémon."

She hummed thoughtfully but didn't respond, her attention captured by an elderly man kneeling to feed a group of Pidgey perched on a railing nearby. Watching her, I could see the way her mind worked, the flicker of curiosity in her eyes as she took in every new sight and sound.

As we continued down the bustling street, a swell of pride warmed my chest. Seeing Luna take in the vibrant sights of the city—a world so vastly different from the one she'd known—made me realize just how much I wanted her to feel happy here, with me. The thought lingered, a quiet comfort amidst the chaos of Lumiose.

We strolled past a row of boutiques, their glossy windows showcasing the latest in human and Pokémon fashion. Luna's eyes widened slightly as she caught sight of the displays. Some mannequins were dressed in elegant gowns and sharply tailored suits, while others sported casual yet stylish outfits. One section was dedicated entirely to Pokémon wear—tiny accessories and elaborate outfits modeled by pictures of Pokémon striking various poses.

Some designs leaned toward elegance, others aimed for cutesy charm... and then there was that display.

My stride faltered as my eyes landed on an advertisement in the window. A Lucario was posed front and center, draped in a sleek, fitted outfit that could only be described as... suggestive. The whole thing reeked of an attempt to cater to some bizarre niche, and the longer I stared, the worse it got.

Heat rushed to my face as my brain screamed at me to look away. Luna, fortunately, hadn't noticed it yet, but there was no way I was letting her linger near this store. Not in a million years.

"Oh, hey! Look, a rock!" I blurted, grabbing her wrist and yanking her firmly away from the boutique.

"A... rock?" 'Really? That's the best you could come up with?' Luna blinked, completely baffled as she stumbled after me. "What rock?"

"It doesn't matter," I said, plastering on the most nonchalant tone I could muster. "Anyway, let's keep moving. Lots to see, right?"

Her ears twitched in that subtle way they always did when she was trying to process something. She glanced over her shoulder, squinting slightly at the store we'd just passed, then back at me, her expression a blend of confusion and suspicion.

"Jack," she began slowly, her voice carrying the faintest edge of doubt. "There was no rock, was there?"

I hesitated for a fraction of a second, but my poker face held strong. "Of course there was," I said, shrugging casually. "But it's gone now. Must've been a shiny one, though, since you missed it."

She stared at me, her scarlet eyes narrowing as though trying to peel back the layers of my excuse. For a moment, I thought she might actually call me out on it.

But then she sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. "You're weird sometimes, you know that?"

I grinned, letting out a small laugh as the tension eased. "Yeah, well, weird keeps things interesting."

Luna rolled her eyes but didn't press further, and we moved on. Crisis officially averted.

'Note to self: never let Luna walk past a store unsupervised again.'

We continued walking, and as we did, I couldn't help but notice a recurring theme among the posters displayed in several shop windows. Each one featured a stunning Gardevoir adorned with a distinctive pendant: a golden hook cradling a radiant gemstone. It was impossible to miss, as the same pendant appeared in every shot, marking her as some kind of celebrity.

I spared a glance at Luna, curious if she'd say anything, but her attention was focused elsewhere. She had stopped in front of a particular display, her gaze lingering on a sleek yet simple scarf that shimmered faintly in the light. For a moment, I thought she might actually say something, but before I could speak, her entire demeanor shifted.

Her ears twitched sharply, rotating in an attempt to locate something x. Her stance widened slightly, tail stiffening as she scanned the area with an intensity that made my stomach tighten. "Luna?" I asked, my tone cautious.

She didn't respond. Instead, she grabbed my wrist in a firm grip and took off in a sprint.

"What the—Luna!" I barely had time to fix my footing before I was pulled along, matching her pace as we darted down the cobbled main street. We weaved through clusters of pedestrians, leapt over decorative hedges, and dodged startled Pokémon with an agility that bordered on reckless.

"Care to tell me what's going on?" I asked, doing my best to sound amicable despite the growing irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Inside, however, I was already plotting the violent demise of whatever had the audacity to ruin our one day off.

…

POV Ari—

"—HELP!" My voice tore through the narrow alley, desperate and raw. I poured every ounce of fear into it, hoping—praying—that someone, anyone, would hear.

"Oh, don't worry your sweet little head, love," a mocking voice cooed behind me, each word dripping with cruel amusement. "Wouldn't want to ruin that wonderful singing voice of yours. Not that it matters—no one's going to hear you scream."

I turned to face the man, a hulking figure who loomed like a storm cloud over me. He was at least a head taller and twice my size, his massive frame packed with muscle that seemed to ripple even when he stood still. The flickering streetlight painted his brutish features in harsh shadows, making his grin all the more menacing.

But as terrifying as he was, it wasn't him that froze my blood.

Just a few feet away, his Mightyena stood over my Fennekin, its dark, ragged fur bristling like a thundercloud. The Pokémon's lips curled back in a vicious snarl, exposing gleaming fangs meant for ripping and tearing. My heart clenched as I saw my Fennekin, limp and battered beneath the Mightyena's massive paws. Her small chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths, and a faint whimper escaped her lips, barely audible over the low, menacing growl of her attacker.

Those blood-red eyes glared down at her with predatory malice. Mightyena wasn't waiting for orders—it was savoring the moment, like a predator toying with its prey.

"Please, don't hurt her!" I cried, my voice cracking under the weight of panic. "Why are you even doing this?"

I needed time. Someone had to come—someone had to hear me. They just had to.

The man's grin widened, his teeth glinting like a wolf's. "Well, you see, sweetheart, you've been making waves in the contest halls lately. My boss doesn't like that. So, they sent me to make sure you don't get too big for your boots." He tilted his head, mock pity dripping from his words. "Real shame, though. I'd have liked to see what all the fuss was about."

'The contest halls?' My head spun. 'This is about contests? I've barely started! Sure, I'd won my last one, but I lost the first two. I'm not good enough to threaten anyone—am I?'

Before I could piece it together, the man's voice cracked through the night like a whip.

"Mightyena, end that fox."

"No!" The word erupted from me, raw and primal. My hands flew to my mouth as my legs buckled. I couldn't bear to look—but I couldn't look away, either. Tears streamed down my face, blurring the sight of Mightyena lowering its head, teeth bared, ready to strike.

"Please…" My voice dropped to a broken whisper, barely audible even to myself. "Someone… help…"

THUD!

The sound tore through the alley, jolting me out of my despair. My eyes flew open.

Where Mightyena had once stood, towering and menacing, now stood a Lucario. Its presence was magnetic—imposing yet elegant, like a force of nature in physical form. The cobalt of its fur shimmered under the pale light, and its sharp features radiated an otherworldly power.

Its crimson eyes locked onto the man, glowing faintly with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. They were cold and unyielding.

My gaze darted to the side, where Mightyena now lay in a crumpled heap against the stone wall. Its massive frame was motionless, its growls silenced in an instant. I couldn't even fathom how fast it must have happened.

"W-what the—whose mutt is this?" The man's booming voice cracked, his earlier confidence faltering. His bravado was crumbling, his wide eyes darting between the Lucario and his defeated Pokémon.

"Ah, so you're the dipshit who fucked with my day off?"

The voice came suddenly, deep and sharp, slicing through the tension like a knife.

The man spun around, and I craned my neck to see the new arrival. Emerging from the shadows at the end of the alley was a boy, probably around my age. He wasn't tall—shorter than the man—but the way he carried himself made him feel larger. His outfit was simple: a plain white t-shirt and a pair of charcoal-gray jeans. But his appearance wasn't what struck me most.

It was his hair—shoulder-length, jet-black, and wild, almost alive as it shifted with each step—and his eyes, or what I could make out of them. His face was obscured by a pair of dark shades, but faint purple glows burned from beneath, an eerie light that sent a chill racing down my spine.

His expression was carved from stone, hard and unyielding, though the vein pulsing at his temple made it clear he wasn't exactly calm.

The man before me sneered, his bravado flaring up again as he sized up the newcomer. "This mutt yours, kid? Call it off, and I might just let you leave in one piece."

The boy tilted his head slightly, his frown deepening. He said nothing, just kept walking forward with measured, deliberate steps.

Why wasn't he scared? Why wasn't he running? Why did he look angrier?

The Lucario, now cradling Fennekin, glanced briefly at the boy before lowering its gaze back to the small fox Pokémon in its arms. The aura Pokémon showed no signs of alarm, its demeanor calm and watchful as though it had complete faith in its Trainer.

Then, the boy stopped a mere foot from the man, who loomed over him like a mountain. The boy placed a hand on the man's shoulder, his fingers curling with unsettling ease around the muscle-bound giant's frame.

And then he smiled.

It wasn't a friendly smile. His teeth were sharp—razor-sharp—and the grin itself was predatory, enough to make me shudder. The man's sneer faltered, a flicker of unease crossing his face.

The boy moved faster than I could follow.

He drove his fist into the man's stomach with enough force to echo through the alley, and the man doubled over instantly, a choked gasp of pain tearing from his throat. But the boy wasn't finished. Grabbing the man's head with both hands, he leaped, slamming his knee into the man's face.

CRUNCH.

The sound turned my stomach. He crumpled to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut, unconscious before he even hit the pavement.

The boy didn't so much as glance at the fallen giant. He turned and walked back to Lucario, who stood waiting patiently. My breath caught as Lucario lifted Fennekin carefully, holding her out to the boy.

"Lucar. Lucario," it murmured softly, its voice low and rhythmic, like a reassurance.

The boy took Fennekin into his arms, his sharp features softening slightly as he examined her. After a moment, he exhaled, a relieved sigh escaping his lips.

"Um…" I managed to whisper, finding my voice again. "I-Is she going to be okay?"

His head turned toward me, and the annoyance that lingered on his face melted into a polite, if somewhat tired, smile. "Yeah. She'll be fine. Just a few scrapes and bruises. She should wake up any second now."

As if on cue, Fennekin stirred in his arms, her big eyes blinking open. She stared at him for a moment, then let out a soft "Fen... fen?"

His stern features melted into something almost unrecognizable—gentle, warm. He smiled softly, stroking her fur as she nuzzled against him with a flurry of relieved cries. He let out a low chuckle, his earlier irritation completely replaced with an easy, almost jovial demeanor.

Finally, he turned to me. "You should call Officer Jenny," he said with a casual shrug. "But let's get out of here first. This place is a dump."

"Yeah," I murmured. "Thank you—for everything." Then, a thought struck me. "Hey, I know a great Kantonian restaurant nearby. Lunch is on me as thanks."

He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Sure," he said, falling into step beside me as we left the alley. His abnormally tall Lucario followed, silent but watchful.

As we walked, I couldn't help but grin. "So, Mr. Hero, do you have a name?"

Lucario let out a quiet snicker, and the boy sighed, clearly amused. "It's Jackson," he said, pushing his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose. "And you?"

Fennekin, now fully awake, leapt from his arms onto my shoulder. She nuzzled against my cheek, her tail brushing against my neck as I ran a little ahead. I turned back to him with a playful wink.

"My name's Ariana, but you can call me Aria. A pleasure to meet you, Jack."

He rolled his eyes, but the smirk remained. "Jack, huh? Fine. Let's just get that lunch."